Beginning at the End: Beginning at the End: Another Look at Another Look at

…And the Earth Did Not …And the Earth Did Not Devour HimDevour Him

FeracoFeraco

SFHPSFHP

14 April 200814 April 2008

I.I. Can human nature be changed in Can human nature be changed in

such a way that man will forget his such a way that man will forget his longing for freedom, for dignity, longing for freedom, for dignity, for integrity, for love – that is to for integrity, for love – that is to say, can man forget that he is say, can man forget that he is

human? Or does human nature human? Or does human nature have [a component] which will have [a component] which will

react to the violation of these basic react to the violation of these basic human needs by attempting to human needs by attempting to

change an inhuman society into a change an inhuman society into a human one?human one?

II.II. ……Man has an intense [need] for Man has an intense [need] for love, for justice, for truth, [and] for love, for justice, for truth, [and] for

solidarity…solidarity…

These Words Were These Words Were WrittenWritten

……in Erich Fromm’s afterword to in Erich Fromm’s afterword to George Orwell’s George Orwell’s 19841984

Fromm wrote this in 1961 Fromm wrote this in 1961 Amazing, no?Amazing, no?

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we be forced to forget our Can we be forced to forget our longing for freedom?longing for freedom?

Sure – see “The Matrix,” read Sure – see “The Matrix,” read Plato’s works, or take a look at Plato’s works, or take a look at some of Rivera’s characterssome of Rivera’s characters

Look for the tipping pointLook for the tipping point

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we forget our longing for Can we forget our longing for dignity?dignity?

Differentiate between the (willing) Differentiate between the (willing) sacrifice of dignity and the sacrifice of dignity and the absence of desire for itabsence of desire for it

Plenty of people trade their dignity Plenty of people trade their dignity for success; is this the same as for success; is this the same as forgetting to want that self-forgetting to want that self-respect?respect?

Have the people in “When We Have the people in “When We Arrive” lost their dignity?Arrive” lost their dignity?

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we forget our sense of Can we forget our sense of integrity?integrity?

In other words, can external forces In other words, can external forces rob one of one’s moral compass?rob one of one’s moral compass?

““Hand in His Pocket”Hand in His Pocket” ““The Portrait”The Portrait” What can cause integrity to What can cause integrity to

collapse?collapse?

Breaking Down the Breaking Down the QuestionQuestion

Can we forget that we need love?Can we forget that we need love? How did you feel about Edna in How did you feel about Edna in

“The Awakening”…not after class “The Awakening”…not after class discussions, but when you first discussions, but when you first finished the story?finished the story?

Edna searched for love, Edna searched for love, independence, and identityindependence, and identity

Rivera’s characters do as wellRivera’s characters do as well

Love?Love?

Love.Love. ““The Night the Lights Went Out” The Night the Lights Went Out”

– romantic love– romantic love Any number of stories featuring Any number of stories featuring

familial love (did Edna enjoy familial love (did Edna enjoy such a sensation?)such a sensation?)

Independence?Independence?

Independence from orthodoxyIndependence from orthodoxy Independence with respect to Independence with respect to

controlcontrol Again, throw a dart at a list of Again, throw a dart at a list of

stories – you’ll probably hit one stories – you’ll probably hit one where this is a concernwhere this is a concern

IdentityIdentity

Personal identity as one Personal identity as one experiences dramatic change (“A experiences dramatic change (“A Prayer,” “Hand in His Pocket,” Prayer,” “Hand in His Pocket,” “First Communion”)“First Communion”)

Communal identity with respect Communal identity with respect to a common heritage – history, to a common heritage – history, traditions, desires, obstacles, etc.traditions, desires, obstacles, etc.

Man Has An Intense Man Has An Intense Need:Need:

For loveFor love The Night the The Night the

Lights Went OutLights Went Out It’s That It HurtsIt’s That It Hurts The Night Before The Night Before

ChristmasChristmas For justiceFor justice

““There were There were sixteen dead…”sixteen dead…”

The Children The Children Couldn’t WaitCouldn’t Wait

For truthFor truth Vignette #1Vignette #1 A Silvery NightA Silvery Night ……And the Earth Did And the Earth Did

Not Devour HimNot Devour Him For solidarityFor solidarity

The Lost YearThe Lost Year Under the HouseUnder the House Any story where a Any story where a

person is weakened person is weakened by their isolationby their isolation

There’s Something Within There’s Something Within UsUs

One of the central questions in One of the central questions in 19841984 – can we forget what makes us – can we forget what makes us human? – is given a different spin human? – is given a different spin herehere

Instead of asking if we can forget, Instead of asking if we can forget, Rivera asks how we can Rivera asks how we can remember remember what makes us humanwhat makes us human

After all, the migrants are willing to After all, the migrants are willing to continue living their lives – lives of continue living their lives – lives of constant degradation and oppressionconstant degradation and oppression

If they can remember, they can If they can remember, they can return to human existencereturn to human existence

There’s Something Within There’s Something Within UsUs

Fromm – or Orwell – wants to know Fromm – or Orwell – wants to know if we’ll stand up for ourselvesif we’ll stand up for ourselves

Rivera demands that we do, argues Rivera demands that we do, argues that we must – and gives us two that we must – and gives us two figures who follow throughfigures who follow through

The man in “When We Arrive” The man in “When We Arrive” couldn’t be any more different couldn’t be any more different from the boy in “Under the House” from the boy in “Under the House” if he tried…but they’re sides of the if he tried…but they’re sides of the same coin, unique but unified, same coin, unique but unified, different but inseparabledifferent but inseparable

I.I. I would like to see all of the I would like to see all of the people together. And then, if I had people together. And then, if I had

great big arms, I could embrace great big arms, I could embrace them all.them all.

II.II. He had made a discovery. To He had made a discovery. To discover and rediscover and piece discover and rediscover and piece things together. This to this, that things together. This to this, that to that, all to all. That was it. That to that, all to all. That was it. That was everything. He was thrilled.was everything. He was thrilled.

Enlightenment.Enlightenment.

EnlightenmentEnlightenment

Knowledge and understanding Knowledge and understanding can unlock a world of infinite can unlock a world of infinite possibilities; if our freedoms, possibilities; if our freedoms, security, dreams, and identities security, dreams, and identities are locked away, enlightenment are locked away, enlightenment provides us with a set of keys.provides us with a set of keys.

The star diagram for each The star diagram for each migrant looks pretty stretched…migrant looks pretty stretched…

At the End of the Day…At the End of the Day…

The last scene of the book is a The last scene of the book is a significant moment of self-significant moment of self-recognitionrecognition

The boy is no longer lostThe boy is no longer lost The community hasn’t come together The community hasn’t come together

yet – but the process has startedyet – but the process has started After all of the pain, longing, and After all of the pain, longing, and

frustration of the earlier stories, frustration of the earlier stories, the novel ends on a beautiful, the novel ends on a beautiful, transcendent moment of hopetranscendent moment of hope

And Beyond the End…And Beyond the End… I love that moment – the moment where I love that moment – the moment where

you realize that there’s a purpose to you realize that there’s a purpose to remembering the migrants’ suffering – remembering the migrants’ suffering – and a hundred others like itand a hundred others like it

Rivera has an incredible gift for Rivera has an incredible gift for emotional writingemotional writing He makes you genuinely sad, or genuinely He makes you genuinely sad, or genuinely

upset, over the affairs of nameless people upset, over the affairs of nameless people He also has an incredible gift for He also has an incredible gift for

subtlety – for writing words that contain subtlety – for writing words that contain multitudes of meaningsmultitudes of meanings

Finally, his thematic concerns are real Finally, his thematic concerns are real and important, and resonate long after and important, and resonate long after the initial publication datethe initial publication date

The Thematic The Thematic AssignmentAssignment

I want you to do something more I want you to do something more complex than the “scavenger hunt” complex than the “scavenger hunt” type of thematic assignmenttype of thematic assignment

Instead, I want you to look closely Instead, I want you to look closely at at why why Rivera uses the themes you Rivera uses the themes you chose at the beginning of the story.chose at the beginning of the story.

What is he saying through his What is he saying through his decision to focus on ______?decision to focus on ______?

The StandardThe Standard 3.2 Analyze the way in which the theme 3.2 Analyze the way in which the theme

or meaning of a selection represents a or meaning of a selection represents a view or comment on life, using textual view or comment on life, using textual evidence to support the claim. evidence to support the claim.

You have five themes. Let’s start by You have five themes. Let’s start by coming up with a sentence explaining coming up with a sentence explaining why each theme is important. What why each theme is important. What view (or comment) is Rivera view (or comment) is Rivera expressing?expressing?

When you are done, I want you to find When you are done, I want you to find those who share your theme and trade those who share your theme and trade analyses with them.analyses with them. I’ll post the theme list on the boardI’ll post the theme list on the board

Community – Martin, SunnieCommunity – Martin, Sunnie Love – Austin, Kelly, Priscilla, Love – Austin, Kelly, Priscilla,

AngelaAngela Faith and Belief (Religion) – Faith and Belief (Religion) –

Jazmine, Thomas, Brianna, Matt TJazmine, Thomas, Brianna, Matt T Faith and Belief (Other) – Esther, Faith and Belief (Other) – Esther,

JuheeJuhee Prayer (Unanswered) – Nora, Kevin Prayer (Unanswered) – Nora, Kevin

K, Tovah, Matt JK, Tovah, Matt J Hope – Angela, Tovah, Matt J, Kevin Hope – Angela, Tovah, Matt J, Kevin

LL Truthfulness – JensenTruthfulness – Jensen Independence – Jensen, AustinIndependence – Jensen, Austin Rage – Jason, Ruby, SunnieRage – Jason, Ruby, Sunnie Hate – Matt J, Tovah, Kelly, GordonHate – Matt J, Tovah, Kelly, Gordon Fear – Matt J, Tovah, Kevin K, Matt Fear – Matt J, Tovah, Kevin K, Matt

T.T. Prejudice – Juhee, Austin, Thomas, Prejudice – Juhee, Austin, Thomas,

TonyTony Secrets – David, Ruby, Tony, JasonSecrets – David, Ruby, Tony, Jason Enlightenment – Jazmine, SunnieEnlightenment – Jazmine, Sunnie Betrayal – Jensen, Brianna, Betrayal – Jensen, Brianna,

Jonathan, TonyJonathan, Tony Exploitation – Thomas, KarenExploitation – Thomas, Karen Death – Gordon, Jennifer, Jonathan, Death – Gordon, Jennifer, Jonathan,

RubyRuby Grief – Kevin L, DavidGrief – Kevin L, David Disappointment – Esther, GordonDisappointment – Esther, Gordon Revenge – Brianna, Karen, Kevin Revenge – Brianna, Karen, Kevin

K, KellyK, Kelly Identity – Austin, JazmineIdentity – Austin, Jazmine

Justice/Honor – Stephanie, NoraJustice/Honor – Stephanie, Nora Sacrifice – Karen, Stephanie, Sacrifice – Karen, Stephanie,

Gordon, DavidGordon, David Security – Juhee, David, Jazmine, Security – Juhee, David, Jazmine,

LilyLily Displacement – PriscillaDisplacement – Priscilla Family (Generational Divide) – Family (Generational Divide) –

Nora, Lily, Megan, AngelaNora, Lily, Megan, Angela Tragedy – Leon, Jennifer, Kelly, Tragedy – Leon, Jennifer, Kelly,

Kevin LKevin L Desperation (Survival) – Esther, Desperation (Survival) – Esther,

Brianna, MeganBrianna, Megan Desire – Juhee, Kevin K, Lily, Desire – Juhee, Kevin K, Lily,

Matt TMatt T Loneliness – Leon, Megan, Loneliness – Leon, Megan,

Jonathan, JenniferJonathan, Jennifer Uncertainty – Stephanie, MartinUncertainty – Stephanie, Martin Pain – Megan, Priscilla, Kevin LPain – Megan, Priscilla, Kevin L Darkness – Martin, Karen, Tony, Darkness – Martin, Karen, Tony,

JensenJensen Poverty – Matt T.Poverty – Matt T. Loss – Ruby, Jennifer, Jonathan, Loss – Ruby, Jennifer, Jonathan,

EstherEsther Opportunity – Lily, JasonOpportunity – Lily, Jason Horror – LeonHorror – Leon Unity/Solidarity – Stephanie, Unity/Solidarity – Stephanie,

Jason Jason Oppression – Martin, Thomas, Oppression – Martin, Thomas,

Leon, SunnieLeon, Sunnie Innocence – Nora, Angela, Innocence – Nora, Angela,

PriscillaPriscilla

Community – Danielle, CrystalCommunity – Danielle, Crystal Love – Vicky, Alice, Amanda, Love – Vicky, Alice, Amanda,

KelvinKelvin Faith and Belief (Religion) – Faith and Belief (Religion) –

Daniel, Stephanie, MaansiDaniel, Stephanie, Maansi Faith and Belief (Other) – HenryFaith and Belief (Other) – Henry Prayer – Kevan, YueyuePrayer – Kevan, Yueyue Hope – Michael, Kevan, Stephen, Hope – Michael, Kevan, Stephen,

AliceAlice Truthfulness – Allen, Omar, RogerTruthfulness – Allen, Omar, Roger Independence – Jonathan, Alice, Independence – Jonathan, Alice,

Susan, LeslieSusan, Leslie Rage – Yashar, Daniel, KalyanRage – Yashar, Daniel, Kalyan Hate – Leslie, Vicky, RandyHate – Leslie, Vicky, Randy Fear – Justin, Alice, Susan, YasharFear – Justin, Alice, Susan, Yashar Prejudice – Cynthia, KalyanPrejudice – Cynthia, Kalyan Secrets – Ernie, Amanda, CynthiaSecrets – Ernie, Amanda, Cynthia Enlightenment – Neiman, Ernie, Enlightenment – Neiman, Ernie,

YasharYashar Betrayal – Cynthia, Stephanie, Betrayal – Cynthia, Stephanie,

JustinJustin Exploitation – Neiman, RogerExploitation – Neiman, Roger Death – Kelvin, Jason, Kalyan, Death – Kelvin, Jason, Kalyan,

VickyVicky Grief – Henry, Jason, Stephanie, Grief – Henry, Jason, Stephanie,

MichaelMichael Disappointment – Ernie, RogerDisappointment – Ernie, Roger Revenge – Justin, Jason, Revenge – Justin, Jason,

Stephanie, MaansiStephanie, Maansi

Identity – Omar, Neiman, Identity – Omar, Neiman, Jonathan, VennieJonathan, Vennie

Justice/Honor – Omar, RandyJustice/Honor – Omar, Randy Sacrifice – Kalyan, Jonathan, Sacrifice – Kalyan, Jonathan,

Justin, YueyueJustin, Yueyue Security – YueyueSecurity – Yueyue Displacement – Susan, CrystalDisplacement – Susan, Crystal Family – Stephanie, Michael, Family – Stephanie, Michael,

Kelvin, OmarKelvin, Omar Tragedy – Kevan, Kelvin, RandyTragedy – Kevan, Kelvin, Randy Desperation – Danielle, MaansiDesperation – Danielle, Maansi Desire – Danielle, Henry, Allen, Desire – Danielle, Henry, Allen,

AmandaAmanda Loneliness – Vennie, Ernie, Henry, Loneliness – Vennie, Ernie, Henry,

StephenStephen Uncertainty – Allen, RogerUncertainty – Allen, Roger Pain – Jason, AmandaPain – Jason, Amanda Darkness – Susan, Jonathan, Darkness – Susan, Jonathan,

Vennie, MichaelVennie, Michael Poverty – Leslie, Daniel, Crystal, Poverty – Leslie, Daniel, Crystal,

MaansiMaansi Loss – Kevan, Vicky, YueyueLoss – Kevan, Vicky, Yueyue Opportunity – Stephen, Cynthia, Opportunity – Stephen, Cynthia,

VennieVennie Horror – Neiman, AllenHorror – Neiman, Allen Unity/Solidarity – LeslieUnity/Solidarity – Leslie Oppression – Daniel, Yashar, Oppression – Daniel, Yashar,

Randy, CrystalRandy, Crystal Innocence – DanielleInnocence – Danielle

Community – David, Gary W, James, Community – David, Gary W, James, JeffreyJeffrey

Love – Grace, Forrest, Lu, AdriannLove – Grace, Forrest, Lu, Adriann Faith and Belief (Religion) – Faith and Belief (Religion) –

Angela, CamelliaAngela, Camellia Faith and Belief (Other) – Martin, Faith and Belief (Other) – Martin,

CelineCeline Prayer – James, Stanley, DumaPrayer – James, Stanley, Duma Hope – Brianna, Chantel, Wen, Hope – Brianna, Chantel, Wen,

HenryHenry Truthfulness – Shawna, Galina, Truthfulness – Shawna, Galina,

CamelliaCamellia Independence – Stanley, CamelliaIndependence – Stanley, Camellia Rage – Jane, Gary C, ForrestRage – Jane, Gary C, Forrest Hate – Grace, WenHate – Grace, Wen Fear – Galina, Norman, Nicole, WenFear – Galina, Norman, Nicole, Wen Prejudice – Angela, Brianna, Duma, Prejudice – Angela, Brianna, Duma,

JaneJane Secrets – Yvonne, Forrest, Lu, Secrets – Yvonne, Forrest, Lu,

JonathanJonathan Enlightenment – Martin, GraceEnlightenment – Martin, Grace Betrayal – Gary C, Shawna, Chantel, Betrayal – Gary C, Shawna, Chantel,

JeffreyJeffrey Exploitation – Erin, Jane, AdriannExploitation – Erin, Jane, Adriann Death – Satomi, Grace, NicoleDeath – Satomi, Grace, Nicole Grief – Jeffrey, Racha, AlexGrief – Jeffrey, Racha, Alex Disappointment – Stephanie, Erin, Disappointment – Stephanie, Erin,

Celine, ChantelCeline, Chantel Revenge – Jeffrey, Shawna, Jane, Revenge – Jeffrey, Shawna, Jane,

NormanNorman Identity – Duma, Erin, Norman, LuIdentity – Duma, Erin, Norman, Lu

Justice/Honor – Martin, HenryJustice/Honor – Martin, Henry Sacrifice – Gary C, Jonathan, Sacrifice – Gary C, Jonathan,

Norman, WenNorman, Wen Security – Martin, Adriann, AlexSecurity – Martin, Adriann, Alex Displacement – Stanley, Henry, Displacement – Stanley, Henry,

Angela, DavidAngela, David Family – Satomi, Yvonne, Lu, Gary Family – Satomi, Yvonne, Lu, Gary

WW Tragedy – JonathanTragedy – Jonathan Desperation – Gary W, Brianna, Desperation – Gary W, Brianna,

Celine, Gary CCeline, Gary C Desire – Nicole, Celine, Adriann, Desire – Nicole, Celine, Adriann,

JamesJames Loneliness – David, ErinLoneliness – David, Erin Uncertainty – Stephanie, Brianna, Uncertainty – Stephanie, Brianna,

Gary WGary W Pain – Galina, Stephanie, AlexPain – Galina, Stephanie, Alex Darkness – Yvonne, ShawnaDarkness – Yvonne, Shawna Poverty – Nicole, Racha, CamelliaPoverty – Nicole, Racha, Camellia Loss – Racha, David, AlexLoss – Racha, David, Alex Opportunity – Racha, Stephanie, Opportunity – Racha, Stephanie,

Henry, JamesHenry, James Horror – SatomiHorror – Satomi Unity/Solidarity – Forrest, Stanley, Unity/Solidarity – Forrest, Stanley,

Duma, JonathanDuma, Jonathan Oppression – GalinaOppression – Galina Innocence – Angela, Satomi, Innocence – Angela, Satomi,

Yvonne, ChantelYvonne, Chantel

Community – Rafik, Greg, Jessica T. Community – Rafik, Greg, Jessica T. Love – Brandy, David, Greg, JulianLove – Brandy, David, Greg, Julian Faith and Belief (Religion) – Faith and Belief (Religion) –

RichardRichard Faith and Belief (Other) – Mandy, Faith and Belief (Other) – Mandy,

ElizabethElizabeth Prayer – Eric, Julian, RaimiePrayer – Eric, Julian, Raimie Hope – Rebecca, Daphne, Julian, Hope – Rebecca, Daphne, Julian, Truthfulness – Marissa, Truthfulness – Marissa, Independence – Daphne, Armstrong, Independence – Daphne, Armstrong,

J’BrianJ’Brian Rage – Allen, Richard, Jessica T, Rage – Allen, Richard, Jessica T,

BrandyBrandy Hate – Rafik, Greg, Denise, RaimieHate – Rafik, Greg, Denise, Raimie Fear – Kevin, Susie, Amanda, Fear – Kevin, Susie, Amanda,

MitaleeMitalee Prejudice – Alex, Mandy, LesleyPrejudice – Alex, Mandy, Lesley Secrets – J’Brian, Amanda, Susie, Secrets – J’Brian, Amanda, Susie,

GregGreg Enlightenment – Eric, ElizabethEnlightenment – Eric, Elizabeth Betrayal – Lucy, Mitalee, Eric W, Betrayal – Lucy, Mitalee, Eric W,

Linda Linda Exploitation – Richard, LuisExploitation – Richard, Luis Death – Allen, David, LucyDeath – Allen, David, Lucy Grief – Denise, DavidGrief – Denise, David Disappointment – J’Brian, ElizabethDisappointment – J’Brian, Elizabeth Revenge – Linda, Denise, Jessica, Revenge – Linda, Denise, Jessica,

WilliamWilliam Identity – Susie, Amanda, Rafik, Identity – Susie, Amanda, Rafik,

Mitalee, Mitalee, Justice/Honor – William, Luis Justice/Honor – William, Luis

Sacrifice – Lesley, Eric W., Ivan, Sacrifice – Lesley, Eric W., Ivan, KevinKevin

Security – Lindsay, Denise, Alex, Security – Lindsay, Denise, Alex, Rebecca, Rebecca,

Displacement – Jessica T, Ivan, Displacement – Jessica T, Ivan, Armstrong, BrandyArmstrong, Brandy

Family – Rebecca, Rafik, Marissa, Family – Rebecca, Rafik, Marissa, Eric W.Eric W.

Tragedy – Kevin, Armstrong, Tragedy – Kevin, Armstrong, William, IvanWilliam, Ivan

Desperation – Allen, Alex, Linda, Desperation – Allen, Alex, Linda, JessicaJessica

Desire – Alex, Lucy, David, LesleyDesire – Alex, Lucy, David, Lesley Loneliness – Daphne, Ivan, Linda, Loneliness – Daphne, Ivan, Linda,

RaimieRaimie Uncertainty – J’Brian, LindsayUncertainty – J’Brian, Lindsay Pain – Luis, Marissa, RaimiePain – Luis, Marissa, Raimie Darkness – Richard, Julian, Allen, Darkness – Richard, Julian, Allen,

BrandyBrandy Poverty – Mitalee, Amanda, Susie, Poverty – Mitalee, Amanda, Susie, Loss – Eric, Jessica, William, Loss – Eric, Jessica, William,

RebeccaRebecca Opportunity – Lindsay, Marissa, Opportunity – Lindsay, Marissa,

Mandy, ElizabethMandy, Elizabeth Horror – Armstrong, Horror – Armstrong, Unity/Solidarity – Eric, Lindsay, Unity/Solidarity – Eric, Lindsay,

KevinKevin Oppression – Jessica, Luis, Eric W, Oppression – Jessica, Luis, Eric W,

Lucy Lucy Innocence – Daphne, Jessica T, Innocence – Daphne, Jessica T,

Lesley, MandyLesley, Mandy