The Mark of Vishnu

We were quite in a hurry when finishing the text, however, we did make it clear that the story deals with the conflicting values of the traditional India versus the modern India. Here we also talked about Gunga Ram being a symbol of belief, of acceptance, of the old traditional values existing in India. Whereas the teacher is a symbol of the modern westernised India, which is governed by science and questioning the traditional ways of living. One of the main points of the story is that Kala Nag (nature) cannot be controlled, not by religion, nor by science.

But now I am wondering what are the boys a symbol of?

The Mark of Vishnu

We meet again Tuesday the 9th of November, 5.30 to discuss the theme Class of Cultures. You have to read The Mark of Vishnu and find suitable quotes. By this I mean you need to find at least three quotes in the text of which you find interesting, and you consider to have symbolic implications in some sort of way.

My Son the Fanatic

1. What themes does this short story present?

2. Consider the following words: adulterer -alcohol - beliefs - devotion - drugs - gambling - jihad - the Koran - mullah - Muslim - Paradise - prostitute.

How can we use these words to characterize Ali and Parvez? Furthermore, understand their different ways of living and reactions?

• In what ways do they differ in terms of how they look upon women and life in general?
• Why has Ali decided to become a practising Muslim?
• Why does Parvez hit Ali at the end of the story?

3. Discuss message and intention.

Homework

26/10 I Want to Make Changes (blogpost)

26/10 Dusk over Atlantic Wharf (hand in assignment to either Chanett or Sara)

2/11 My Son the Fanatic (blogpost)

9/11 (when we meet again) The Mark of Vishnu + Delprøve 1 (2008)

I Want to Make Changes- Sylvia Flute

I want you to consider the following questions

1. Describe the sort of prejudice Sylvia Flute meets as an Indian?
2. What does Sylvia think should be done to stop prejudice?
3. What does Sylvia mean when she says that people in general are not “doing well”?

And then I want you to discuss these ones in 'comments'

1. What kind of text is this?
2. How would you describe Sylvia´s way of speaking?
3. Why does she use the term “Native American” to describe herself?
4. What kind of reader is the text aimed at?
5. What kind of audience do you think the interviewer had in mind?
6. What would you say are the main points in the text?
7. What is the intention with the text?
8. Put into perspective i.e. discuss how you can relate this text to problems in society.