8)Perilous- full of danger
adjective
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perilous
“Magda was wavering in the perilous sunlight of the arena scribbling on such pitiful little bent shins.” pg2300
I understand that Magda was looking for her shawl even though it was so dangerous out.
a loud continuous noise (such as the noise made when many people are talking or shouting
Noun
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamor
“But now Magda’s mouth was spilling a long vicious rope of clamor, “Maaaaaaa-” pg2300
(This connects to perilous) I understood that Magda felt very disoriented and upset when she lost her shawl so she started to finally scream.
dead and putrefying flesh(unfit for food)
noun
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrion
“Magda was dumb. Even the laugh that came when the ash-stippled wind made a clown out of Magda’s shawl was the only air-blown showing of her teeth. Even when the lice, head lice and body lice, crazed her so that she became as wild as one of the big rats that plundered the barracks at daybreak looking for carrion, she rubbed and scratched and kicked and bit and rolled without a whimper.” pg2300
I understand that Magda sort of lost all her human like qualities.
housing characterized by extreme plainness or dreary uniformity;Â a building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers in garrison
noun
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrack
“Magda was mute. She never cried. Rosa hid her in the barracks, under the shawl but she knew one day someone would inform; or one day someone, not even stella would steal Magda to eat her.” pg2300
I understand that Rosa was afraid someone would find Magda in the barracks and snitch on her or use her as food.
very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification; very hungry
adjective
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ravenous
“Stella was ravenous. Her knees were tumors on sticks, her elbows chicken bones.
Stella was famished.” pg 2299 first paragraph
I understood that Stella looked like a wild creature compared to her mom and her sister.
For Thursday, please read the two story pairings:
Zadie Smith, “Scenes from the Smith Family Christmas” and photograph; Jamaica Kincaid, “Biography of a Dress” (and listen to her read the story)
and Cynthia Ozick, “The Shawl” (932-935) and Louise Erdrich, “The Shawl” (1409-1413)
Then write a post, approximately 300 words or longer, either the photobiography or the object-biography, using the categories Homework Responses and the name of the author or authors you’re imitating or drawing on.:
The Photobiography: imitating the style and themes of Smith or Kincaid, who tell their stories through careful consideration of a photograph from their pasts, write a creative close-reading of an old photograph of yourself. Include the photograph if possible. Tag your post Photobiography.
The Object-biography: considering how both Ozick and Erdrich tell these story with the object of the shawl as an important object, both physically and symbolically, write a creative close-reading about an object of significance to you or your family. Include a photograph of the object if possible. Tag your post Object-biography.
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