​Discussion Question 1: In Chapter IV, the narrator says, "A Poem should touch the hearer with a sense of his own weakness..." (Forster 113). Explain what you think this passage means. Also, explain your feelings on this idea. Do you agree with these feelings? Why or why not? Also, read the poem below by poet Hafiz, (mentioned in your novel). How does the above quote from the novel relate to the poem below?
I Have Learned So Much​
I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim,
a Buddhist, a Jew.
The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me
That I can no longer call myself A man, a woman, an angel,
Or even a pure
Soul.
Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me
Of every concept and image
my mind has ever known.
Type your Answers Here:
The purpose of poetry is to connect the reader with the speaker's emotions. The speaker wants you to symphatize with them. We agree with this as poetry tends to pull on our heartstrings and invoke a sense of understanding.
The poem mentions all religions and talks about the conflict brought about by numerous religions. Relating this to the book, there are numerous religions in the book that cause conflict among the inhabitants of India.- Kristie, Albert, Shawn, and Angel.
Kristie, Albert, Shawn, and Angel,
I completely agree with you that this poem as well as other forms of poetry tend to pull at the heartstrings. I am glad that you made the connection between the poem and the novel because this poem really does reflect some of the ideas presented in the novel about Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam.
A poem is intended to have an emotional impact upon the reader. We tend to agree with this idea; the great thing about poetry is that the reader can relate to them.
The included poem relates to one of the central conflicts of the novel, which juxtaposes three separate religions next to each other, and therefore creates some amount of tension between the three groups.- Tawnni, Andrea, Isaiah,
Tawni, Andrea, and Isaiah,
I like the use of the vocabulary term "juxtapose" here because it is very fitting for this novel. There are three religions in the book that are very different, yet are united by the fact that their practitioners live in India. This creates a setting with a complexity and contrast that can lead to disastrous results.
It should appeal to the person reading the poem. We agree because if the poem doesn't touch the reader in some way then it wont appeal to the reader and the reader won't be able to relate to the poem. Anyone who feels passionate about their faith will appreciate this poem. Religion is a big part of this novel. --- Trisha, Jordan, Heath, Leigh
Trisha, Jordan, Heath, Leigh,
I completely agree with all of you. If a poem doesn't bring out emotion within the reader, the reader isn't going to have an emotional connection to it. I would like to see you all explore how this poem relates to the novel a little bit more.
The explanation illustrates that the author's syntax and word choice should work together to handily describe a faulty moment in the writer's own history. I do agree with these feelings. The poem in question illustrates the author being overwhelemed by the love from God he's felt, although he attaches these powerful feelings to no religion in particular. In this spirit, he tells us of a more personal connection to his spirituality not derived from any one doctrine. -- Moriah, Mark, Halie, Trevor
Discussion Question #2:
Explain your reactions to the exchange between Mr. Fielding and those visiting Aziz because he is sick. What does this open exchange of questions and answers reveal about Mr. Fielding and his character as well as his relationship with the native Indians? What do the Indian responses reveal about their concerns about the British occupation in India?
Type your answer here:
The Indians like him and believe he is really ill. They vist him in good company. When Mr. Fielding shows up, conflict occurs about the subjuect of religion and whether or not the boy should be punished for lying.- Kristie, Albert, Shawn, Angel
Kristie, Albert, Shawn, and Angel,
There is conflict that occurs about the subject of religion and whether or not the boy should be punished for lying. However, let's think about how Fielding reacts to the questions he gets about religion and the British occupation in India. Fielding reveals a willingness to be open with the Indians on these two subjects, which is something that we are led to believe would be unconventional.
Mr Fielding's honesty with the Native Indians about both his religion and in his explanation of England's occupation in India reveals that he is comfortable with the Native Indians.
The Indians show concern about Englands motives for the occupation in India. ----Tawnni, Andrea, Isaiah
Tawnni, Andrea, Isaiah,
This is what I was looking for! Mr. Fielding truly shows the Indians that he is a man who can be trusted and who possesses an open mind in a world where there should be a divide between the British and the Indians.
We are impressed by Mr. Fieldings attitude towards the indians. He is comfortable talking about his personal life and religion even though he is in a room full of indians. He doesn't care about the British occupation because he is there for his own self and holding his own job. The indians are concerned. They don't like the British being there for the reason they are there. Trish Jordan Heath Leigh
Trish, Jordan, Heath, and Leigh,
I think you hit the nail on the head with this response!
By being sincere with the Indians about the English occupation, as well as his feelings about it, Mr. Fielding reveals not only his comfort with people of different races but also that he is self-respecting enough to not adopt the stereotypical, holier-than-thou British attitude. As he's there chiefly to satisfy his business interests, he doesn't feel the need to put up a barrier to his own personality, showing a man of uncommon integrety by comparison. Morial, Halie, Mark, Trevor
Moriah, Halie, Mark, and Trevor,
I like the use of the adjective "self-respecting" in describing Fielding's attitude and personality. I completely agree with this inference. He is definitely unlike any of the other British people we encounter throughout the rest of the novel.
I Have Learned So Much​
I
Have
Learned
So much from God
That I can no longer
Call
Myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim,
a Buddhist, a Jew.
The Truth has shared so much of Itself
With me
That I can no longer call myself A man, a woman, an angel,
Or even a pure
Soul.
Love has
Befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash
And freed
Me
Of every concept and image
my mind has ever known.
The purpose of poetry is to connect the reader with the speaker's emotions. The speaker wants you to symphatize with them. We agree with this as poetry tends to pull on our heartstrings and invoke a sense of understanding.
The poem mentions all religions and talks about the conflict brought about by numerous religions. Relating this to the book, there are numerous religions in the book that cause conflict among the inhabitants of India.- Kristie, Albert, Shawn, and Angel.
Kristie, Albert, Shawn, and Angel,
I completely agree with you that this poem as well as other forms of poetry tend to pull at the heartstrings. I am glad that you made the connection between the poem and the novel because this poem really does reflect some of the ideas presented in the novel about Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam.
A poem is intended to have an emotional impact upon the reader. We tend to agree with this idea; the great thing about poetry is that the reader can relate to them.
The included poem relates to one of the central conflicts of the novel, which juxtaposes three separate religions next to each other, and therefore creates some amount of tension between the three groups.- Tawnni, Andrea, Isaiah,
Tawni, Andrea, and Isaiah,
I like the use of the vocabulary term "juxtapose" here because it is very fitting for this novel. There are three religions in the book that are very different, yet are united by the fact that their practitioners live in India. This creates a setting with a complexity and contrast that can lead to disastrous results.
It should appeal to the person reading the poem. We agree because if the poem doesn't touch the reader in some way then it wont appeal to the reader and the reader won't be able to relate to the poem. Anyone who feels passionate about their faith will appreciate this poem. Religion is a big part of this novel. --- Trisha, Jordan, Heath, Leigh
Trisha, Jordan, Heath, Leigh,
I completely agree with all of you. If a poem doesn't bring out emotion within the reader, the reader isn't going to have an emotional connection to it. I would like to see you all explore how this poem relates to the novel a little bit more.
The explanation illustrates that the author's syntax and word choice should work together to handily describe a faulty moment in the writer's own history. I do agree with these feelings. The poem in question illustrates the author being overwhelemed by the love from God he's felt, although he attaches these powerful feelings to no religion in particular. In this spirit, he tells us of a more personal connection to his spirituality not derived from any one doctrine. -- Moriah, Mark, Halie, Trevor
Explain your reactions to the exchange between Mr. Fielding and those visiting Aziz because he is sick. What does this open exchange of questions and answers reveal about Mr. Fielding and his character as well as his relationship with the native Indians? What do the Indian responses reveal about their concerns about the British occupation in India?
The Indians like him and believe he is really ill. They vist him in good company. When Mr. Fielding shows up, conflict occurs about the subjuect of religion and whether or not the boy should be punished for lying.- Kristie, Albert, Shawn, Angel
Kristie, Albert, Shawn, and Angel,
There is conflict that occurs about the subject of religion and whether or not the boy should be punished for lying. However, let's think about how Fielding reacts to the questions he gets about religion and the British occupation in India. Fielding reveals a willingness to be open with the Indians on these two subjects, which is something that we are led to believe would be unconventional.
Mr Fielding's honesty with the Native Indians about both his religion and in his explanation of England's occupation in India reveals that he is comfortable with the Native Indians.
The Indians show concern about Englands motives for the occupation in India. ----Tawnni, Andrea, Isaiah
Tawnni, Andrea, Isaiah,
This is what I was looking for! Mr. Fielding truly shows the Indians that he is a man who can be trusted and who possesses an open mind in a world where there should be a divide between the British and the Indians.
We are impressed by Mr. Fieldings attitude towards the indians. He is comfortable talking about his personal life and religion even though he is in a room full of indians. He doesn't care about the British occupation because he is there for his own self and holding his own job. The indians are concerned. They don't like the British being there for the reason they are there. Trish Jordan Heath Leigh
Trish, Jordan, Heath, and Leigh,
I think you hit the nail on the head with this response!
By being sincere with the Indians about the English occupation, as well as his feelings about it, Mr. Fielding reveals not only his comfort with people of different races but also that he is self-respecting enough to not adopt the stereotypical, holier-than-thou British attitude. As he's there chiefly to satisfy his business interests, he doesn't feel the need to put up a barrier to his own personality, showing a man of uncommon integrety by comparison. Morial, Halie, Mark, Trevor
Moriah, Halie, Mark, and Trevor,
I like the use of the adjective "self-respecting" in describing Fielding's attitude and personality. I completely agree with this inference. He is definitely unlike any of the other British people we encounter throughout the rest of the novel.