The central conflict of this novel is character versus the society. Chanda has to try to conquer the issues of AIDS around her. People in Bonang are terrified and disgusted by a person with HIV/AIDS. The conflict was probably introduced years ago. It is complicated ever single day. If one has AIDS, they are known as dirty, filthy, contagious, a slut, and no one is to be around them. The conflict was troubled when Chanda’s stepfathers died of AIDS, her friend Esther walked around the streets with aimless men, and when Mama started to get ill. In all these situations the society talked, gossiped, and tried to stay away from the family. [“I’m not ashamed of AIDS! I’m ashamed of being ashamed!” I slam the phone down. When I turn around I see walls of open mouths. All around the room, patients and their families have turned to see who said the unsayable.] (Stratton 181) The quote cited above refers to Chanda talking to Mrs. Tafa on the phone and informing her that she is bringing Mama home and does not care how the community will react. This quote resolves the conflict in Tiro. However, the overall conflict in Bonang is resolved later on when Mrs. Tafa comes to visit and brings the neighbors along with her. Nobody expresses in a negative manner, they all show their love and give their prayers. Chanda has indeed altered the minds of the society.
Brandon D’Amato Mrs. Russell END1D1- 06 05-11-09 The central conflict in this novel is character vs. society. It is character vs. society because Chandra is trying to prove that AIDS is not something to be afraid of. AIDS is a deadly disease, and it doesn’t give someone the right to treat people differentially then you would if they were healthy. The people living in Bonang were scared of AIDS because it has killed so many people in the past, and because there is no cure for AIDS. If someone had AIDS that you know they would become isolated from everyone because people think that the disease will spread and they will get it. Chandra is not afraid, she is one of the few that believes there is a cure. She has such a strong will because she knows what it can to if it goes without treatment, her stepfathers, her friend Esther and her mama all had AIDS and all of her stepfathers lost their lives fighting it.
I am responding to Rida’s response. I agree the central conflict is character versus society, with Chanda facing AIDS with the whole community. The only thing I would add is the central conflict started when Chanda’s stepfathers died of AIDS and it also started when Esther’s parents died from AIDS. “It’s Satan has brought sickness to this house!” (Stratton 77). This helps Chanda to find out about AIDS, and the fact that you can die from it. “This is the best family on the block. If any of you disagree, I’ll be happy to share your secrets,” (Stratton 184). Once Chanda, and Mrs. Tafa stood up for Lilian this solved the conflict. After this Mrs. Tafa admits the story of Emmanuel and how he show himself once he found out he was HIV positive. Chanda helped people in Bonang realize that the main thing is with a family that loves you and it does not matter if you have AIDS, or not.
Brandon D’Amato Mrs. Russell ENG 1D1- 06 05/18/09 I am responding to Rida’s response. I agree that the main conflict is character vs. society. I agree to this because Chanda had to face the whole community dealing with AIDS. Once Chanda heard Mrs. Tafa’s story about her son Emmanuel and how he had shot himself when he found out that he had AIDS, Chanda was shocked and surprised. When Chanda found out her mom had AIDS she wanted her to come back to Tiro and be with the ones that love.
I agree with Brandon. The conflict of the novel is character versus society and Chanda is trying her absolute best to change their mentality. A person tormented with HIV/AIDS is still human and should not be treated differently. In Bonang, the topic of this “disease” is never brought up or mentioned at any time. The human race in this particular community is very shallow and moronic when they hear that somebody has AIDS. They are afraid that the disease is contagious and a person diagnosed with it, is gruesome, repulsive and no one should be associated with them. “A disease too scary to name out loud. If people say you have it, you can lose your job, your family can kick you out. You can die on the street alone. So you live in silence, hiding behind the curtain. Not just to protect yourself, but to protect the ones you love, and the good name of your ancestors.”(Stratton 35) Unquestionably, the whole society is horrified and blind to this subject but Chanda senses that change will one day come. I somewhat agree to the fact that Chanda knows the truth behind the disease because she has witnessed the deaths of her stepfathers. However, I think that every single person in the community knows the truth; they are all just too dull to let out or show their true, valid opinions.
I agree with the previous responses, that the central conflict is character vs. society. Chanda, being the protagonist, is forced to stand up to society in order to prove that AIDS is a serious medical condition which should not be overlooked because it may shame society. In her community, Chanda was the first to stand up and face the crowd and not be afraid of what they think, because at the point where her mother was dying, none of that mattered. All Chanda cared about was her mother and not what others may think. However the rest of the community chose to overlook the fact that they were losing their loved ones in order to protect their status in the community. “ ‘Glad to see you back,' says old Mr.Nylo the ragpicker. 'You're in our prayers,' say the Lesoles. Under the watchful eye of Mrs. Tafa, they each come up to give their regards or shake m hand. As soon as they leave, some of the shakers wipe their hands on their pants and dresses. It doesn't matter. The Keeper of Scandals has spoken. The curse has been broken." (Stratton 184). The curse has been broken according to Chanda because people have finally opened their eyes to the fact that this was a serious matter, and that respected families in the community should not be treated like trash because this terrible illness is inevitable if contracted without knowing. It does not mean the person is worth any less, as it’s not their fault, but a medical condition, which needs to be faced and dealt with.
8 comments:
Rida Ahmad
Ms. Russell
ENG-1D1-06
05/06/09
The central conflict of this novel is character versus the society. Chanda has to try to conquer the issues of AIDS around her. People in Bonang are terrified and disgusted by a person with HIV/AIDS. The conflict was probably introduced years ago. It is complicated ever single day. If one has AIDS, they are known as dirty, filthy, contagious, a slut, and no one is to be around them. The conflict was troubled when Chanda’s stepfathers died of AIDS, her friend Esther walked around the streets with aimless men, and when Mama started to get ill. In all these situations the society talked, gossiped, and tried to stay away from the family. [“I’m not ashamed of AIDS! I’m ashamed of being ashamed!” I slam the phone down. When I turn around I see walls of open mouths. All around the room, patients and their families have turned to see who said the unsayable.] (Stratton 181) The quote cited above refers to Chanda talking to Mrs. Tafa on the phone and informing her that she is bringing Mama home and does not care how the community will react. This quote resolves the conflict in Tiro. However, the overall conflict in Bonang is resolved later on when Mrs. Tafa comes to visit and brings the neighbors along with her. Nobody expresses in a negative manner, they all show their love and give their prayers. Chanda has indeed altered the minds of the society.
Brandon D’Amato
Mrs. Russell
END1D1- 06
05-11-09
The central conflict in this novel is character vs. society. It is character vs. society because Chandra is trying to prove that AIDS is not something to be afraid of. AIDS is a deadly disease, and it doesn’t give someone the right to treat people differentially then you would if they were healthy. The people living in Bonang were scared of AIDS because it has killed so many people in the past, and because there is no cure for AIDS. If someone had AIDS that you know they would become isolated from everyone because people think that the disease will spread and they will get it. Chandra is not afraid, she is one of the few that believes there is a cure. She has such a strong will because she knows what it can to if it goes without treatment, her stepfathers, her friend Esther and her mama all had AIDS and all of her stepfathers lost their lives fighting it.
I am responding to Rida’s response. I agree the central conflict is character versus society, with Chanda facing AIDS with the whole community. The only thing I would add is the central conflict started when Chanda’s stepfathers died of AIDS and it also started when Esther’s parents died from AIDS. “It’s Satan has brought sickness to this house!” (Stratton 77). This helps Chanda to find out about AIDS, and the fact that you can die from it. “This is the best family on the block. If any of you disagree, I’ll be happy to share your secrets,” (Stratton 184). Once Chanda, and Mrs. Tafa stood up for Lilian this solved the conflict. After this Mrs. Tafa admits the story of Emmanuel and how he show himself once he found out he was HIV positive. Chanda helped people in Bonang realize that the main thing is with a family that loves you and it does not matter if you have AIDS, or not.
Brandon D’Amato
Mrs. Russell
ENG 1D1- 06
05/18/09
I am responding to Rida’s response. I agree that the main conflict is character vs. society. I agree to this because Chanda had to face the whole community dealing with AIDS. Once Chanda heard Mrs. Tafa’s story about her son Emmanuel and how he had shot himself when he found out that he had AIDS, Chanda was shocked and surprised. When Chanda found out her mom had AIDS she wanted her to come back to Tiro and be with the ones that love.
Rida Ahmad
Ms. Russell
ENG-1D1-06
05/17/09
I agree with Brandon. The conflict of the novel is character versus society and Chanda is trying her absolute best to change their mentality. A person tormented with HIV/AIDS is still human and should not be treated differently. In Bonang, the topic of this “disease” is never brought up or mentioned at any time. The human race in this particular community is very shallow and moronic when they hear that somebody has AIDS. They are afraid that the disease is contagious and a person diagnosed with it, is gruesome, repulsive and no one should be associated with them. “A disease too scary to name out loud. If people say you have it, you can lose your job, your family can kick you out. You can die on the street alone. So you live in silence, hiding behind the curtain. Not just to protect yourself, but to protect the ones you love, and the good name of your ancestors.”(Stratton 35) Unquestionably, the whole society is horrified and blind to this subject but Chanda senses that change will one day come. I somewhat agree to the fact that Chanda knows the truth behind the disease because she has witnessed the deaths of her stepfathers. However, I think that every single person in the community knows the truth; they are all just too dull to let out or show their true, valid opinions.
I agree with the previous responses, that the central conflict is character vs. society. Chanda, being the protagonist, is forced to stand up to society in order to prove that AIDS is a serious medical condition which should not be overlooked because it may shame society. In her community, Chanda was the first to stand up and face the crowd and not be afraid of what they think, because at the point where her mother was dying, none of that mattered. All Chanda cared about was her mother and not what others may think. However the rest of the community chose to overlook the fact that they were losing their loved ones in order to protect their status in the community. “ ‘Glad to see you back,' says old Mr.Nylo the ragpicker. 'You're in our prayers,' say the Lesoles. Under the watchful eye of Mrs. Tafa, they each come up to give their regards or shake m hand. As soon as they leave, some of the shakers wipe their hands on their pants and dresses. It doesn't matter. The Keeper of Scandals has spoken. The curse has been broken." (Stratton 184). The curse has been broken according to Chanda because people have finally opened their eyes to the fact that this was a serious matter, and that respected families in the community should not be treated like trash because this terrible illness is inevitable if contracted without knowing. It does not mean the person is worth any less, as it’s not their fault, but a medical condition, which needs to be faced and dealt with.
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