Eye of the tiger

Posted by Riley Chobert in College English · Pahomov/Wust · C Band on

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/15/india-caste-system-70-anniversary-in‌dependence-day-untouchables‌

Mira

This article is an opinion piece from The Guardian about celebrating India’s independence day written by Mari Marcel Thekaekara. Thekaekara describes the celebrations, but then writes that they “bring out both pride and anguish.” The article goes on to explain how difficult it is for some of the lower castes in India to celebrate freedom when they do not feel free due to their role in Indian society. Thekaekara quotes someone from the lowest caste, the Dalit, who believes that Indian castes are their “curse.” During that year’s independence day celebrations, a large group of Dalits marched for their freedom. Thekaekara explains that Dalits are obligated by societal norms to complete their jobs (removing dead animals, etc) even if they have a doctorates degree. The article ends with a plea for other Indians to join Dalits in their fight for freedom and better treatment.

Eric

Jacobin

This article was about how the lower class that struggled organized together and made a better welfare state. When the lower classes organized, they made 3 rules that helped them. The first rule is increasing firm productivity, the second rule is an advance of the moral goal of a more equal distribution of wealth and income, and the third rule is equalizing wages and employment opportunities. This article is similar to the Marxist lens because it shows a conflict between social classes for desired goods.

r dog

The Escalating Crisis on the India-China Border

India and China are fighting about each other coming onto their land like children. and they have both been unfair to the other by using weapons that weren’t allowed. They basically both are superpower countries is so they aren’t used to having to sit down and talk things out so they are both just flashing weapons at each other hoping one of them gets scared. This relates to the book because it shows what happens with two bosses when they are in a fight. In the book, we see interactions with boss and servent and servent and servent. I believe this could give some insight into that.

Comments (19)

Grace Karlen (Student 2022)
Grace Karlen

Your choice of lens feels perfect for this book. The marxist lens really encompasses the themes of class hierarchy and labor you explored. When paired with your fun way of describing what happens in the book, I think you have a very compelling episode!

Maya Robinson (Student 2022)
Maya Robinson

I like how you incorporated the setting in the book with real life. There’s a certain connection that I find interesting when you can see connects from a book to real life.

Geonni Gee (Student 2022)
Geonni Gee

Two things I want to commend you guys for: Great organization, and great research incorporation. I appreciated the context in the beginning, really made it easier to understand and in turn- more engaging.

Miles Menasion (Student 2022)
Miles Menasion

This book really sounds like it fits the marxist lens. I'm glad you guys took this route, and I think it turned out well. I watched the movie for this book last year, and it reminded me of the short story Like a Winding Sheet, which we analysed through the marxist lens in Block's class. Both seem to share themes about the affects of class exploitation.

Eamonn Carey (Student 2022)
Eamonn Carey

I think the Marxist lens was a great choice for this book, and I think that all of you guys took that and really ran with it. I think you guys made a lot of really good points, and I hope Marcus gets home safely.

Isabel Boix (Student 2022)
Isabel Boix

I think that you did a good job of explaining the historical context and using it to gain a deeper understanding of the book. The metaphor Mira brought up was really insightful. I like that she was able to support the metaphor with her own historical research. The religious aspect of India was something I was not aware of and it was fascinating. I liked that you used religion to analyze the characters. Also, the questions you guys asked were really good.

Aareon Monroe (Student 2022)
Aareon Monroe

I really like how they introduced what they were going to be talking about and how they explained it. they came off saying that they were using the Marxist lens and then they explained It so that people would understand and not wonder what it was. The information that they expressed about the characters and who they had above them I really liked.

Piper McConnell (Student 2022)
Piper McConnell

You guys did a good job of referencing your research, specifically about India's social classes, religion's significance, and how the caste system was harming a lot of people. All that context made it easier to understand the character's life and conflicts while looking through the Marxist lens.

Amaya Lam (Student 2022)
Amaya Lam

I love the amount of outside research you included and how you sourced them it was very thorough. I thought the chicken coup metaphor analysis was interesting as well and how you explained it through your lens.

Aareon Monroe (Student 2022)
Aareon Monroe

I really like how they introduced what they were going to be talking about and how they explained it. they came off saying that they were using the Marxist lens and then they explained It so that people would understand and not wonder what it was. The information that they expressed about the characters and who they had above them I really liked.

Jacob Farrell (Student 2022)
Jacob Farrell

I liked that you compare parts of the book and have them connect to the current part you're at. It opens my eyes to how those past situations have a deeper meaning to them. good job!

Claire Powell (Student 2022)
Claire Powell

I really like how you included a quote from the book about the chicken coup and then connected that to the marxist lens. Your description really matched well and I liked this example a lot. I also thought it was nice how you included a summary of the plot so far and explained the marxist lens before you jumped into the analysis.