Translation

A family friend was working in Slovakia for over two years and did not know the language before going over there. He said that it was hard to meet people, and especially date in the beginning of his stay there. After awhile he was able to speak Slovakian more and was able to meet more people. It helped that Slovakians usually know some English too. After hearing his experience I doubt that Maire and Yolland relationship could work out without them learning each others language. In the play it seems like intrique and not love for a new person from a different country that interests them both. However, if they would try to learn each other's languages I think that there could be hope for them.

Beliefs and Knowledge

It was discussed in class the difference between beliefs and knowledge and how Omishto perceives them. Omishto views knowledge is what she sees and feels and beliefs are more factual. I think it is important to put in the context that she is 16 years old. While I'm reading the novel I have to remind myself that she isnt an adult but a teenage. Her age affects her beliefs and like any other teen she is trying to find herself while being torn between two worlds. It is hard enough being a teenage but she has extra pressure to fit into two different forms of society that have different beliefs. I feel bad that Omishto has to go through that experience, luckily she has the support of Ama to help her because she doesn't have the support of her mother and sister. However, Omishto is trying to find herself when most people her age don't have to try to figure out their lives and their place in their community.

Power

In Power, Omishto has a special connection to nature and is comfortable in it. It is the place where she has a sense of identity and feels at home. Nature is her "room of one's own." Her connection to nature reminds me of a man that was a tour guide for my family's tour group in Kauai. He had a special connection to nature and took us on a tour of the rainforests in barefoot and knew the paths by heart. Also, he knew all about the vegetation because he grew up walking in that rainforest. I was better able to understand Omishto's connection to nature because of his connection.

Lucy

The cover of Lucy does a good job of depicting the novel. I am usually not drawn to books that don't have vibrate colors. However, I really like the color green and I found it relaxing. I was intrigued by the chose of art on the front cover. While I was reading I imagined Lucy like the women on the front cover. Througout the book my image of Lucy changed, the women on the cover gave me starting point to image Lucy. The title Lucy font increased my interest because the big cursive "L" is one of the first things I notice along with the orange strip that has the author name. The cover of Lucy represents the book well to foreshadow the storyline.