Tues. & Wed. 5/19-20
Read Ch.1 & 2, pp. 3-46
Post a response by Thursday 5/21 midnight. Identify yourself by first name only and period. (ex: Ryan, per. 7).
Your response should include a summary, how what you read relates to what you have learned in AP Biology, and an opinion. You will be graded, so write thoughtful, well-written responses.
I have began with an example.
ms. vitale, period 4 & 7
ReplyDeleteBorn in 1960, I was also too young to be a hippie, but old enough to remember them and the turbulent time it was. The space program, Vietnam, women's lib, etc. The "guy" (he doesn't seem to have a name) was apparently left wanting after that era ended, so he answered the ad and met Ishmael. Apparently Ishmael has some knowledge he wants to share about life. He tells the guy the story of his life and how he came to be able to communicate with people. He explains Mother Culture as a story people have been told and are living and "takers and leavers" (civilized and primitive people).Ch.2 ends with the creation myth which opposes the theory of evolution.
If this was a history class, we might be able to relate the content to the first 2 chapters, there is little biology here.
I'm intrigued. I agree with Ishmael has said so far, and I want to keep reading to see how he explains all this. I feel like it is one of those cases where I already knew this, but it is being put into words for me.
Zack, Period 1
ReplyDeleteIshmael, by Daniel Quinn is an influential and highly insightful novel about how humans are destroying themselves. The book starts out with a man who feels trapped by society and does not feel like the entire world has been honest with each other. Upon seeing an ad in the newspaper from a teacher looking for a student who wants to change the world the man meets a gorilla named Ishmael. The gorilla is able to communicate with the man and starts off by explaining how he became a teacher. The man is thoroughly interested and then tells Ishmael why he answered the ad. Ishmael then begins his first lesson by explaining how there are two groups of people in the world, the civilized men and the primitive men. Ishmael explains how when humans destroy each other only the primitive men will survive. Then, Ch2 ends with Ishmael asking the man to explain the myth of creationism. In the next chapter I assume Ishmael will refute that myth. This chapter has little biology but I am sure that the upcoming chapters will have plenty of it.
After reading the first two chapters I am left extremely interested and wanting to read more. I am especially curious to find out what else Ishmael has to teach the man and what the man can do to help change the world for the better. For the most part I agree with what Ishmael has said so far. However, at first I would have thought that civilized men would be the ones to survive when humans kill themselves, not primitive men. But after hearing Ishmael’s reasoning behind this I can agree with him.
Aaron, Period 1
ReplyDeleteSo the story begins with this guy who lacks the social decency to tell the reader his name. For ease of reference I will refer to him as "Dummkopf" from here on out. Dummkopf gets bored or something so he decides to seek out the creator of a dubious advertisement about saving the world so he can feel superior about himself not being stupid. He goes to the office the ad directs him to, and, unsurprisingly, discovers that the creator was a magical, Jewish gorilla. Note that the gorilla has the decency to tell Dummkopf his name, Ishmael. The gorilla goes on to tell Dummkopf about his life's story and how humans are going to accidentally cause the largest mass-suicide so far through mistreatment of the environment and themselves. The gorilla manages to tell Dummkopf of this through his eyes and emotions alone, as it is simply far too outlandish for a gorilla to talk. Skeptical that this method of communication would work, I squinted intensely at my mother in order to recreate the scenario. Her response was something along the lines of "What? Do you want me to make dinner? Are you trying to send me a mind-message?" followed by her laughing at me. This was not the result I was looking for, so I can confidently say that this myth is debunked. Anyway, the gorilla ends his teaching session with Dummkopf with some deep, cryptic question about what his culture's "story" is. This raises the number of pretentious characters in the book to 2 out of 2. There isn't really any content pertaining to biology yet. I imagine that literally everyone else is going to mention that, however I feel obliged to say it nonetheless.
The book has my attention. I am enticed to see where the gorilla goes with this, however I could say the same and more about Netflix. I'm not sure what I would have to say on the topic of humans destroying themselves. I don't think I know much on the issue. I imagine people would be reluctant to switch to eco-friendly methods or give up any current advances to improve the environment until it starts to have a drastic impact. In addition, I don't see world peace happening anytime soon to save us from possible nuclear destruction and lesser evils, as there will always be people willing to take advantage of another's trust. Further technological progress seems like a more probable solution, however that seems to be the problem in the first place.
Like
DeleteSavannah what do you think this is, Finstabook? Snap Chwitter?!?
DeleteAbby, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThe novel, Ishmael, by David Quinn begins as a relatively normal book. The audience is introduced to a man (we do not know his name) who appears to be just like any other man you would see on the streets. Nothing appears to be special about him, except for the fact that the ad he reads in the paper one day makes him exceptionally angry, yet he answers it. He claims that he is going there strictly to see how crazy anyone else was to answer an ad asking for someone who wants to save the world. He wanted to fulfill his prediction that it was all a scam. In the past, he was always yearning to find a teacher, a role model he could look up to, admire, and learn from. Never finding that teacher was one of the incentives that led him to Ishmael, a gorilla who is capable of speaking perfect English. Ishmael begins by telling this man his story of how he came to learn to speak, which the man barely shows any reaction from. Ishmael teaches captivity, and chapter one ends with the man being asked to come back tomorrow, for that was when his journey would truly begin. In chapter two, the man returns the next day, and Ishmael begins by talking a lot about Nazi Germany and he asks the man how Hitler could have gotten away with such a hateful crime against humanity. They discuss until they come upon the conclusion that the people are consumed by a story. The story itself and its specifics are unknown, yet its constant presence in the background of all humanity is the reason why people don't even have to listen to it. The constant buzzing of the story in everything around us is the reason why we are captivated by it, held hostage by this story that everyone knows and accepts. Ishmael concludes his first day and chapter two by giving the man a mission. He must find this story.
Although there is not much biology in the first two chapters of Quinn's novel, we begin to understand that Ishmael is focusing his teachings on how humanity is destroying themselves. All that we do can have a negative impact on our world, and humanity will one day go extinct if we continue in the direction we are headed. I am quite interested in Ishmael's teaching style. He is very upfront about what he is talking about, yet so mysterious at the same time. Everything is explained one step at a time, but he will never draw the conclusion from what he has just said for you. The man along with myself and the audience are often confused by what he means. How could a story be everywhere yet nowhere at the same time? It exists but it does not have to be just one story. Ishmael is so vague, yet specific at the same time and I look forward to reading more about what he wants to teach this man and hopefully will achieve his first successful pupil.
Ryan F, Period 1
ReplyDeleteChapter one begins with an unknown man, the guy. The guy is a cynical, (and I suppose) middle-aged character looking to satisfy his curiosity about a self-proclaimed teacher who will help his/her pupil save the world. The guy goes to the location stated in the teacher's newspaper ad and ends up in this empty, musty office, face to face with a full-grown gorilla and an ambiguous sign: "With man gone, will there be hope for gorilla?" The chapter continues with the introduction of the gorilla, Ishmael, by Ishmael himself through some strange extrinsic connection between he and the guy. Then Ishmael explains his whole life story, from when he was younger to when he started learning the ways of the world along with human language and rationalism to how he came to be Ishmael rather than "Goliath". Finally, the chapter becomes a whole deal more cryptic as Ishmael attempts to explain the subject of his teachings: captivity, and why the guy's culture is going to destroy the world. The second chapter delineates the concept of "takers" and "leavers" and ends with the guy on the verge of the story of creation. In relation to biology, evolution is subtly alluded to regarding primitive people versus civilized; primitive people have evolved into more civilized types. Other than that, the book hasn't really done anything other than scratch the surface of the subject.
I agree with Ishmael; I do believe that if we're not careful, humans will destroy our planet as we know it, and our future generations will have us to blame. This book is intriguing to say the least. I understand the idea of takers and leavers, and I want to hear what Ishmael has to teach. It's a little hard to get past his gorilla-ness, but doable. Also, if the guy is going to learn how to save the world, that means the reader is going to learn how to too. That would be pretty cool.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJess, Period 1
ReplyDeleteIshmael by Daniel Quinn is an insightful novel that really makes you think about how you view the world. It starts off with "The guy" seeing an ad in the paper about a teacher who is seeking a pupil that has an earnest desire to save the world. At first this angers the guy because he had spent his whole life dreaming of a new world that was better than the one he was in, and just hoping that one day he would wake up and the world would be different. The day never came, so he decided to let it go and just leave it alone, until this ad was placed. His curiosity took over and he decided to go to the teacher and see what this was all about. It was here that he met Ishmael, the gorilla. Ishmael then tells the guy the story of his life, how his family was killed and he was taken to the zoo, how he was then sold to a menagerie, and finally how he was bought by a lonely man, lets call him George, that wanted a friend. It continues with the caretakers life and how he and Ishmael developed a bond, even when George got married and his wife didn't want him to keep Ishmael. They had a daughter named Rachel who also loved Ishmael and when George died, she took care of him. Then the mother decided to cut the money delegated to Ishmael in half and use it for herself, while Ishmael stayed in a pre-designated retreat, but Ishmael wanted more and wore down him new caretaker. In the second chapter he talks about how captivity and humanity are the things he wants to study with "the guy". They talk about the takers and the leavers and how mother nature is with them every step of the way. They end the chapter talking about creationism and leave it in a way that truly makes me want to read more.
In the first two chapters of the book there is not much Biology, though I expect there to be more of it in future chapters. So far I do agree with Ishmael, what he says is what we all think. It will be interesting to see how he teaches the guy and what things he teaches. I imagine that what he tells him will be somewhat enlightening to us in a way. Ishmael offers a new point of view from an outside figure, something that I believe we all have to hear at one point or another. I am very interested to see what happens next.
Kate Period 1
ReplyDeleteDaniel Quinn's novel, Ishmael, begins with an advertisement found by the narrator in a trash can for a teacher looking for a student interested in saving the world. The narrator goes to the address indicated on the exam and is surprised to see only a gorilla named Ishmael in a dark room. He soon finds out that Ishmael can talk to him telepathically, and they exchange their life backgrounds. On the next day, the narrator returns and Ishmael begins his lesson with the explanation of two different people: civilized (the Takers) and primitive (the Leavers). The Takers are the narrator's culture, while the Leavers are every other population of organisms. He then challenges the narrator to figure out the "creation myth", which is a contrast to the evolution theory.
Although at the end of chapter 2 Ishmael briefly touches upon the creation myth, which opposes evolution, a theory that our biology class has extensively learned, there is little to no other connections to biology in the novel.
I do find this novel intriguing because of its unique plot line. The novel not only includes a "talking" gorilla which was extremely unexpected, but it looks like the gorilla is going to provide his whole opinion on life, specifically human interaction with the world. Most books that students are obligated to read in school makes me automatically dislike it to be frank, but this novel is so unlike any others that I find myself itching to read more.
this is a test
ReplyDeleteDid you get an A?
DeleteOf course, I always get As on my tests!
DeleteRichard Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe book begins with a man, cursing at a newspaper ad written by a teacher who seeks a student with the desire to save the world. He enters an empty office where he notices a window connected to an adjacent room. The guy sees a Gorilla, and through telepathy, realizes that he is the teacher. The gorilla’s name is Ishmael. Like many captive gorillas, Ismael was taken to a zoo in the U.S. from his home in Africa. Ishmael was eventually purchased by Mr. Walter Sokolow who now calls him Ishmael instead of Goliath. Recently Sokolow found out that his whole family was killed in the Holocaust, his family is of Jewish descent. One day, Sokolow heard Ishmael's mental cry and from then they were able to communicate. Mr. Walter Sokolow's life becomes much better from that point in time, he marries and has a daughter named Rachel. Ishmael becomes the girl’s teacher as she grows up. Unfortunately Mr. Sokolow dies and so the ownership of Ishmael has been passed down to Rachael. Ishmael teaches all his pupils about captivity. The beginning of chapter 2 starts off with Nazi Germany, and Walter’s obsession of studying it. Ishmael explains the reason for Hitler’s success was because he was able to make people believe in the story of the thousand year reich. Ishmael also talks about mother culture has given an explanation of how things came to be, but the explanation comes in fragments. Ishmael says there are the Takers, civilized people, and Leavers, the primitive people. Mother culture has two chapters. The first is the Leavers’ story, not much happens here and it is a long period of time. The second chapter are the Takers. Ishmael then asks the guy to tell a creation myth of his culture. The guy says there is none.
In regards to biology, there is a lot of content in relation to the environmental aspect. Chapter 2 mentions the deterioration of the ozone layer, pollution in the oceans, destruction of tropical rain forests and talks about this is all mankind’s doing. Additionally, the book adds that no one seems to be scared and not many people are doing something about it. The book illustrates the current real world picture, however there are very few efforts to mitigate these environmental effects.
The captivity subject deeply interest me. The brutal truth Ishmael says, “No one specifically wants to destroy the world. And yet you do destroy it, each of you… contributed daily to the destruction the world” (Quinn 25). To me this is extremely thought provoking. I want to read more to find the solution to the world's problems. Humanity knows what to do to save the world, it is just about if humanity is willing to enact those principles.
Ishmael, written by Daniel Quinn, starts when "the guy" sees an ad in the newspaper about a student who wants to save the world. At first, the guy is angered and frustrated about this ad; however, the ad bothers the guy so much that he actually shows up. The office is where he met Ishmael, the gorilla. The guy is shocked about the gorilla's ability to communicate with him. Ishmael then goes on to tell the guy his complex life story in detail. When his family was killed, he was taken to a zoo. Then he was sold to a menagerie and eventually to a lonely man. The lonely man, George, eventually got married but the wife didn't want Ishmael. However, their daughter, Rachel, grew a liking to him. In the second section of the book, Ishmael explains how he is obsessed with studying Germany during WWII. Ishmael wants the guy to tell the story of his culture.
ReplyDeleteAs of now, the novel does not particularly relate to AP Biology. At the end of the reading, the reader can begin to sense the theme of evolution.
IN my opinion, the novel is an interesting read. I have never read something like it before. When i first heard of the book, I found the idea of reading a story about a communicating gorilla to be kind of childish. However, this story is much more complex than I thought
Ryan, Period 1
ReplyDeleteIshmael by Daniel Quinn starts out with this guy describing his early life and experiencing the hippie movement, agreeing with it, but never seeing change. That early experience as a young kid really shaped his character, as an older man. He is now just a regular guy but with all the hopes and dreams that the world can be changed and become a better place. He sees an ad somewhere that strikes his interest about what he has always believed in since he was a child. But at the same time was also skeptical, he pursued the creator of the advertisement anyway. He learns that the person from the advertisement was a gorilla named Ishmael who can speak to him using telepathy. Ishmael tells the guy about his life story how he came from Africa to a zoo, then a menagerie. There he had an identity crisis, and went to live with Mr. Solokow and tried to learn how to speak. From Mr. Solokow he created a relationship with Mr. Solokow's daughter, Rachel. Ishmael's presence in Rachel's life caused her to be a successful adult but where she is now wasn't mentioned, or I accidently skipped over it. After Ishmael tells his life story he starts to teach the guy about how humanity's problem is that it is in captivity from culture and society or something. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
This book has really caught my attention. I can start to see where Ishmael will go and start to talk about in the next few chapters, which I am very excited for. The most surprising part was when it was revealed how Ishmael communicates to the guy. I want to read where Ishmael is going with his lessons to the guy and hope to be "enlightened".
Maddie, Period 7
ReplyDeleteA man without a name explains how he began his journey with a newspaper with an ad with a teacher looking for a pupil. He talks about how he thought there was going to be a big change in the world during the hippie movement, but instead was discouraged when the end of that era approached and things went back to normal. He decides to give the ad a chance and enters a room with writing saying, "With man gone, will there be hope for gorilla?" Soon, he finds out that there is a gorilla named Ishmael on the other side of the wall. The animal tells the man his story about captivity and how he began teaching. A man saved him from the menagerie and took him under his wing. Ishmael ends his story that he has had other students, but has not succeeded with them. He says that humans are captivated but society and they are being lied to because they don't know where to begin with change. The man says he wrote a story about the Nazis and Ishmael finds a parallel with it. Ishmael says the Nazis could escape Germany, but the man cannot escape his cage (his captivity) because it is the entire world. After their second meeting, Ishmael asks the narrator how he things everything came about.
This novel really messes with your head. It makes you rethink the way you saw humanity and how we are all really captivated by society. I like this novel, although I am a little scared that it will totally make me rethink the world but it could be fun. It doesn't really relate to biology, aside from the fact that it has to do with a gorilla and a man, which are part of the earth which involves biology.
Surina Period 1
ReplyDeleteIshmael by Daniel Quinn starts out with the guy who experienced the hippie movement. He thought people wanted to save the world however, that idea all went away, like a fad. Before people demonstrated how little they cared about the earth the guy felt that he needed a teacher to tell him how to save the world. But as a grown man he realizes that this will never happen. So when he finds an ad saying that there is teacher who can inform his pupils how to save the world, the guy goes to the address to see what is really going on. However, when he walks into the normal office building he finds it is anything but normal. He meets Ishmael, the teacher and also a gorilla. As Ishmael telepathically communicates with the guy he tells the story of his captivity. It starts with him coming from Africa to a zoo and then a menagerie. Finally, Mr. Solokow takes Ishmael in and tries to teach him how to talk, but telepathy comes more easily. After that Ishmael learns about the world through books and after Mr.Solokow dies, his daughter Rachel continues to care for Ishmael. But he ends the story right after Mrs. Solokow cut the funds for Ishmael in half. He then talks to the guy about how humans have made the world their captive and are destroying it. The guy seems to have this feeling that he and the rest of the world is being lied to about something and Ishmael says the answer lies at the end of their journey. In the second chapter Ishmael talks about a single story that all humans seem to innately known. They don't even pay attention to it, but it is constantly there in the background. He relates this to how Hitler held the German nation as a captive because of the story he told. He captured all of them when he told a story of German supremacy. Ishmael then talks about mythology and assigns the guy to look for the single story of humanity, also known as the creation myth.
So far biology is not prevalent in this story however at the end of the second chapter Ishmael mentions mythology. He talks about Norse mythology and Greek mythology and how the people of those cultures at the time didn't think what they knew to be mythology. They thought it was true much like today many humans believe in the facts that science provides us. Therefore, I think when Ishmael talks about the creation mythology of humans he means the evolutionary theory which we have obviously talked about in class.
I am thoroughly interested in this book and it is amazing how the author was able to step outside of himself and look at humanity from the outside in. I enjoy that a lot of the book so far has just been philosophy and it talks about being a captive almost like peer pressure. For instance, in Germany he says that people who may have disagreed with Hitler still played their role because it seemed they had to. I'm excited to see where Ishmael takes us and the guy next.
Grace Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe book begins with a man who remains nameless looking at a newspaper ad about a teacher looking for a pupil and the man quickly disregards it. Later the man takes the ad out of the trash and reconsiders it then finding himself in at an address in a room that appears to be empty. He sees a window into the next room only filled with what he could see as darkness but as he gets closer there appears to be a set of eyes staring back at him. A set of eyes belonging to a gorilla names Ishmael whom the man can speak telepathically with. Ishmael tells the man about his life story and his captivity and learning. There i a sign in the back of the dark room that reads "With man done will there be hope for gorilla?" which makes the man think. The man tells Ishmael that he believes that the human race is being lied to and no one is really sure what the lie is but if one were to discover the truth it would change the world. At the beginning of the second time Ishmael and the man meet, Ishmael says that Mother Culture rules and controls everything and everyone but no one is actually aware of it. The two of them then make rules that the Takers are the civilized group and the group that the man is from and the Leavers are the primitive ones and all other cultures besides the man's. Ishmael then tries to get the man to tell a story about his culture but the man thinks there aren't any so the gorilla gives the man a job to find a story about how things came to be.
The story so far really catches your attention. It is a whole new way of looking at the world and it's kinda freaky. I mean communicating telepathically with a gorilla is one thing but then actually letting the gorilla be your friend and teacher is a whole other thing. The story really gets in your head and makes you rethink everything you've known to be true which can be both concerning and exciting. The beginning of the book isn't much about biology except that the creation myth opposes evolution and we learned evolution this year.
Sabrina, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe story of Ishmael by Daniel Quinn begins with the narrator feeling upset and troubled as he throws the advertisement for a wanted student from a teacher to save the world in the trash. The narrator is upset because of his want to do and achieve great things in the world and feels as if this ad is just another scam that won’t lead him to where he wants to go and be. However, even though he is skeptical, the man decides to follow the advertisement to the place it describes because he feels compelled to check it out. When he arrives at the location, the man is surprised to find an empty room; however when he looks closer he sees a window towards the back and inside the window is a gorilla. The man then learns the gorilla’s story and his name, Ishmael. The gorilla traveled through many zoos until finally being purchased by a Jewish man by the name of Mr. Walter Sokolow. Mr. Sokolow teaches Ishmael a way of communicating telepathically and shares stories about his past and family’s death in the holocaust. Ishmael also became very close to Mr. Sokolow’s daughter, Rachel, and as his owner died, she later became Ishmael’s caretaker. Ishmael continues to share his story to the narrator, however he also teaches him important lessons, for example one about two different people: the Takers (civilized) and the Leavers (primitive). This lesson turns into one about the story of Mother Culture and creation myths about the origin of the man’s culture. Ishmael asks thought-provoking questions, all the meanwhile, the man follows along and tries to absorb as much information as he can, because everything that Ishmael says is somehow important.
There is not much biology in these two chapters, however the creation myth is discussed which is opposite to evolution and Ishmael also shares things about the environment and its destruction such as the ozone layer and pollution in the ocean.
I began reading this book with a completely different perspective on it and now that I have read these two chapters, it has been turned around. I enjoy learning Ishmael’s lessons along with the man and am excited to keep on reading to figure out how exactly Ishmael will keep teaching his lessons. At a few spots it was hard to follow but everything is pretty much understandable. Everything that Ishmael says is so complex and it amazes me how much he knows even though he is a gorilla.
Owen Period 1
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of Ishmael, we are introduced to the main character; a man who has become disillusioned with the world he lives in. It is some years after he had forsaken his journey for answers, when he comes across an ad. The ad is from a teacher seeking a student who wants to save the world. Though being disgusted at the ad at first, the man decides to go just to satisfy his curiosity. Upon arriving at the address, he finds what he believes to be an empty office. However, he soon discovers an adjoining room containing a gorilla. This gorilla telepathically communicates with the man, explaining he is the teacher from the ad. He recounts his life story for the man, putting an emphasis on captivity and its affects. Ishmael then tries to explain that the man’s culture is little more than captives of a story; a concept the man has trouble believing. The story, which explains how things came to be, has been accepted without hesitation by the man’s culture. Next, the man is taught the concept of Takers and Leavers. The Takers are the “civilized “ people with the latter being a more primitive people. Ishmael concludes his lesson by tasking the man to figure out what the story his people have been choosing to believe is.
So far biology is not very prominent. However, Ishmael hints at evolution at the end of the second chapter. He mentions stories of how things came to be, as well as stating that the man is looking for his culture’s myth about creation. This is part of the story that he believes people have so readily accepted.
I find the story very interesting. Ishmael posses many thought provoking questions about society and what is accepted. It makes you look at the world in a very different way. The idea that everyone is a “captive” of a single story is very intriguing and I am interested to see how Ishmael will expand upon these ideas later in the novel.
Savannah, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThe book Ishmael by Daniel Quinn begins with a young man very disappointed with the world. The hippie movement has just ended and has left him very unsatisfied. He had hoped it would change the world and society, yet it did nothing. The young man is left with a very cynical view of the world. He then reads that a teacher is looking for a pupil to teach how to save the world. He is aghast at first, yet deep inside of him, he realizes this is what he had always dreamed of, and therefore he responds to the ad. When he gets to the room, it is empty with many windows, a bookshelf, and a chair. He then discovers that one of the windows leads to another room with a gorilla inside. He is confused and then he realizes the gorilla is telepathically communicating with him and the gorilla begins to tell his story. He was born in Africa and lived with his family until some men captured him and brought him to a zoo. While he was here, he realized that caged animals were much more insightful than wild ones as they were always trying to discover what was wrong, as they always knew something was. One day, he was sold to a menagerie. Here, he was alone and realized his name was "Goliath." However, one rainy night a man came to his cage and said "You are not Goliath" and left. This left the gorilla in significant pondering. One day, he was taken by the man who said this. His name was Mr. Sokolow. Mr. Sokolow announced the gorilla's true name to be Ishmael. They became very close and would study and research together. Mr. Sokolow also tried to teach him how to talk, which failed, but he then realized they could talk telepathically. Then, Mr. Sokolow got married and Mrs. Sokolow really did not like Ishmael. One day, the two had a child named Rachel and Ishmael spent just as much time with her as her own mother did. This make Mrs. Sokolow even more angry. When Mr. Sokolow died, Rachel took over ownership of Ishmael. It was then that he realized that he wanted to teach and went off to do so. The man then explained a story he once told. It was about these two boys in the Holocaust and one of them felt they were being lied to. This is exactly how the man himself feels. Ishmael knows this and says he is teaching captivity. He begins to explain how humans are captive within culture, which is much like Hitler Germany. Everyone followed Hitler because he had a story and the rest of the nation was working to make this story a reality. This is what society itself is doing. Throughout the rest of the chapter, Ishmael explains many interesting things and asks many questions about creation myth and other thought-provoking things. The man is trying very hard to discover what the story is. The chapter ends with the man stating they have no creation myth.
There is not much biology in the first two chapters, however they discuss creation myth and how things came to be very frequently. In class, this would relate to evolution. The human race has a very common understanding of evolution and therefore, does not really believe in creation myths, as science is their creation myth. Ishmael also states humans were not taught evolution in one lesson chronologically, a common understanding was acquired through a collection of information throughout one's life.
I am very excited for the rest of this book. I think I just kind of figured something out above and I'm super proud of myself but I do not know if it is right. That is why I like this book. It makes you think and leaves you wondering and forces you to think until you come to a conclusion. Books like this really interest me, as I love to look into human nature. However, it threw me off a bit that the one with all of the knowledge was not a human, but a gorilla who could talk telepathically. This was a little strange to me, yet it left me much more interested. I am excited to see what Ishmael can teach us about life and I am also interested to understand why the author chose to use a gorilla as the teacher.
Clare, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe book begins with the narrator throwing a newspaper on the ground in frustration. He is frustrated because he sees and ad for a teacher who is seeking students who are interested in saving the world, which is something he has always wanted to do. The narrator decides to meet with the teacher, and discovers that the teacher is a gorilla. He communicates telepathically with the gorilla, as he tells him his story. The gorilla, named Ishmael, lived in a zoo, and then was adopted by a Jewish man and his family. Ishmael becomes Mr. Sokolow’s daughter’s mentor and then becomes a teacher in the city. He focuses on the issue of captivity, especially because he has experienced it himself. The narrator then tells Ishmael his story. He wrote a philosophical paper, in which the Nazis had won World War II and eliminated everyone, except for the Aryan race. The narrator both feel as if they do not know the whole truth about their cultural history. Ishmael tells the narrator to think deeply about the story of his culture.
Even though there is not much biology in the first two chapters, I can see the connection between captivity and destroying our Earth’s resources. As we tear down trees and fill landfills, it holds us captive to a polluted Earth.
This book is intriguing and thought-provoking because it makes us think about our culture’s historical story. How will humans in two-hundred years view us? Will they think we are wasteful?
Kira Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe story begins with a guy who was very disappointed by the hippie movement as there were no significant changes. This guy finds an ad in the newspaper for a teacher looking for a student who wants to change/save the world. The ad quickly finds its place in the trash can, but then the guy takes it out and shows up at the address listed. He arrives to find a room with a thought provoking sign about the extinction of men and hope for gorillas, and then he looks through a window next to him and sees a gorilla who can somehow communicate with him telepathically. The gorilla, named Ishmael, is his teacher which seems crazy but he is actually very wise and talks to the guy about his life and his old owner Mr. Sokolow who was obsessed with studying Nazi Germany. Also Mr. Sokolow had a daughter named Rachel who was a good friend and guardian to Ishmael. So the two characters go on to discuss the mysteries in the world and how Ishmael believes there is a huge lie that the human race believes, but if someone figures out the truth then the world will change. Ishmael also defines a few concepts for this guy. He explains Mother Culture as the ruler/controller of everyone and everything, but no one realizes it since it has become so wide spread. Also Ishmael introduces Takers (civilized group), Leavers (primitive group), "story" as the relationship between humans, the world, and the god, "enact" as the concept of living the way your story is told, and "culture" which is a group of people enacting their story. The discussion comes to a close as Ishmael asks this guy what the story of his culture is, but the narrator can't seem to find a deeper meaning. So, Ishmael gives him a little assignment to dig deeper and figure out the creation myth of his culture. This begins the journey for the guy and Ishmael.
I do not see much biology as of now except for the opposing theories of the creation myth vs evolution (what we study). So far, this book seems pretty cool. I've never read anything similar to this, where my whole entire opinion on my life and existence could be changed. I'm interested to see how the gorilla/teacher changes and acts throughout the book; he reminds me of an old wise man except not a human. I wonder how affected I will be by the lessons in this story and how much they will make me question myself. Sometimes when things are so engraved into your brain and you've been learning the same thing for your whole life, it can be difficult to let something different inside.
Griffin Wyckoff, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe novel starts with the man throwing an advertisement for a teacher seeking a student into the trash, after finishing breakfast dug out the advertisement to read it one more time. After reading more about the ad, he decides to go to the address to see if the whole thing was a scam. When he gets down to the building, he only finds a gorilla in a small room. The gorilla eventually talks to him telepathically and tells the man that his name is Ishmael. Ishmael then goes on to tell the man his backstory, informing him on where he’s from and how he was bought by Mr. Sokolow. The next day, the man returns and Ishmael begins his lesson with the man. He explains that there is this story that we always hear, but once he realizes it, he will be changed forever. He invites him to take the journey and later goes on to tell him about takers and leavers, and the creation of myths.
At this point in the novel, the biology aspect has not really been seen, I am sure that it will pop up soon, saying that the novel has to do with evolution and saving the earth.
I enjoy this book very much so, the way that Ishmael says that everything that Hitler did was controlled by a story he told is very intriguing. It puts many aspects of life in a different perspective then what we are used to seeing.
The book starts out with a nameless narrator throwing out an ad in the newspaper because of his frustration. The ad was for a teacher seeking students who want to save the world. Because of his interest in the subject, he retrieves the paper and decides to go see this teacher. When he arrives he finds a gorilla named Ishmael who can speak to him telepathically. This gorilla is the teacher and decides to tell the man about his past. Ishmael was taken from Africa and put in a zoo. He was later adopted by a Jewish man named Mr. Sokolow. The two helped each other in life and guided each other. After the Mr. Sokolow passed away, Ishmael became his daughter’s mentor. The man tells Ishmael about his past, and how he wrote a book about what it would be like if the Nazis won the war. After much discussion, Ishmael asks the narrator about what he thinks the history of his culture is.
ReplyDeleteOk now that im done with the boring part, I can talk about the cool part. I believe that the ape living in captivity represents the human’s captivation of the earth. There are so many things on this earth that are meant to be undisturbed and left to be wild. People are taking these things and they are domesticating the wild. Now, houses and cities replace diverse and complex ecosystems. There are natural structures made by nature that humans could never recreate. There is so much intricacy and complexity in the natural world that humans are continuing to disrupt and destroy. It is so easy to take away something in nature, yet its so difficult to put it back.
you props know it will, period 7
DeleteChristopher Kelser Period 1
ReplyDeleteThe novel begins with the protagonist's response to the following ad: "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." The main character decides to answer the ad, if for nothing else just to debunk the impostor, since at an earlier time in his life he had sought such a teacher. Upon arriving at the listed office building, however, he discovers that the teacher is in fact a gorilla who is able to communicate with him through a form of telepathy using his eyes. The gorilla, whose name is Ishmael, then proceeds to narrate his life story to the man. Afterwards, the protagonist shares a story with the gorilla that reveals how he feels as though he has been lied to somehow throughout his entire life. Afterwards, Ishmael tells his pupil that he will change his view about the world by focusing on the issue of captivity as it pertains to his life experiences. First, however, Ishmael informs the man of some vocabulary (takers vs. leavers), a metaphorical map of their spiritual journey, and definitions of some important words (definitions of a story, what enact means, and what a culture is). Finally, Ishmael leaves the man to grasp for the story that the people of "his" culture have been enacting in the world for the past 10,000 years.
The first two chapters are extremely relevant to the topic of animal (and human) behavior. Since he was separated from his parents at a very young age, Ishmael was left with only his instincts, or innate behavior. However, through observational learning, he was able to learn how to understand English. Then, through insight Ishmael learned how to communicate with humans. This most likely involved a series of mutations that expanded Ishmael's intellectual capacity (after all, he is a gorilla). Additionally, Ishmael reveals that the topics of evolution and environmental science will be major themes throughout the novel in later chapters.
I am intrigued by the premise of the book, particularly by how Ishmael can communicate with humans. Most of all, though, I want to find out why Ishmael "failed" with his previous four students, and what exactly he plans to teach the protagonist.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSarah Competiello, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe novel, Ishmael by Daniel Quinn begins with a man throwing an ad to the ground in frustration. He is frustrated because he had just lived through the Hippie movement. The movement left him disappointed because all of the changes that were supposed to happen, didn't happen. The ad that he received was looking for someone who wanted to save the world. Initially the man threw it to the ground, but after rethinking his decision, decided he may want to be someone who saves the world. So, he decided to show up to the place that the ad prompted him to go to. Upon arrival, the man was in a dark, quiet room. The man noticed a window in the room that didn't overlook the outdoors, but instead another quiet room. However, the room next door was not empty. When the man looked through it to get a better look, he saw a big gorilla staring back at him. Him and the gorilla then proceeded to have a telepathic conversation. The man then noticed a sign on the wall near the window. The sign read, "WITH MAN GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR GORILLA?" The man was left wondering whether the sign asked if the hope for gorillas lay in the human's survival or in their extinction. The man later learned that the gorilla's name is Ishmael, and that this gorilla would be his teacher. He also learned that Ishmael lived in Africa, then in a zoo, and was later adopted by a man named Mr. Sokolow. Mr. Sokolow had a daughter named Rachel who was both a mentor and a friend to Ishmael. Ishmael then speaks about creation. He mentions different concerns he has, and he brushes upon several of his theories.
There was not a great deal of biology in these first two chapters, but evolution, which is the main theme of biology, was intertwined with the plot. Since Ishmael and the man are talking about how creation began and how the human came to be, evolution definitely had to come up in their conversation.
I am left very interested in this book. I typically gravitate towards fiction books about dystopian societies, which makes it difficult for me to connect the books I read to my own life and my own world. I kind of like how this book allows me to make different connections. I can already tell by some of the topics mentioned thus far, that the book is going to mention things that I haven't done a lot of thinking about. I think I like the fact that this book is going to make me view the world differently and think in a different way. I also want to read more about the relationship that Ishmael and the gorilla are developing. In addition, I find it extremely cool how the gorilla and the man communicate and I would like to continue reading about their telepathic conversations.
Patrick Moriarty Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe book starts out with an unnamed narrator who feels the need to know the meaning of life. This mysterious narrator finds an ad in the newspaper that reads, "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." This unnamed human meets the instructor of the ad and it happens to be a Gorilla. The Gorilla isn't able to communicate with the human through speaking but instead communicates through some unknown device. The Gorilla's name is Ishmael and he begins to tell this mysterious man story's about the human race and how eventually all humans will die.
The first two chapters pertain to biology because it has interactions of Animals. For example there is a Gorilla who can communicate with humans. This demonstrates behavioral patterns with a select group of Gorilla's.
I am not very interested in this book because I like to know the name of the main character when I am reading a book. It also reminds me of rise of the planet of the apes which is not a great movie and the book will probably correlate to the same plot as the movie.
Kunal Sengupta, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe novel starts with the narrator in fury after seeing a newspaper that includes an advertisement relating to saving the world. Later we learn that the narrator in fact used to be a supporter for this cause of “saving the world.” As he is in rage, he realizes that the gorilla, Ishmael is talking to him. Ishmael is taken from the zoo due to shortage of resources in the zoo (because of the depression). He talks about his life story to the narrator and how he is a teacher. He also talks about how he was adopted by Mr. Sokolow, a jewish man whose family was killed in the Holocaust. Ishmael and Mr. Solokow were great friends and helped each other through tough times. Ishmael even mentored his daughter, Rachel. After Mr. Solokow dies, Rachel becomes his new caretaker. Ishmael then asks the narrator about his opinion on the history of culture as a whole after talking about his life story.
So far, the book has been very enticing as it could very well change my opinion on existence as a whole. The topics of evolution and preserving Earth’s resources continuously come up through the first two chapters. Ishmael is in some ways correct in that humans are extremely wasteful.
Christopher Heckelman, Per 7
ReplyDeleteSo in the beginning you have an unnamed guy who gets irrationally angry at an advertisement in a newspaper. The narrator then picks up the ad and decides its not a bad advertisement, and goes to meet the person who put it up. But, plot twist, it isn't a person. It's a gorilla. That can communicate through telekinesis. Mr. Gorrila talks (or think, not quite sure) about his life leading up to this moment, how he was in a zoo, then a circuis, his name was Goliath, he was adopted by a Jewish man, his name is now Ishmael, and now he's friends with Mr. Sokolow's (the Jewish man) daughter Rachel. Also, because Ishmael is super smart and stuff, he talks about there being two peoples, takers and leavers. I guess on a really dumbed down level this has to do with biology, because Ishmael is a living organism, but not much has been touched in more complexity.
I don't know quite yet how to react to this book. As of right now it kinda sounds like a schizophrenic's trip to a zoo, but it definitely has potential to send across a powerful message. However, it still feels too corny right now.
Matt Grange, Period 1
ReplyDeleteIshmael, by Daniel Quinn starts off with a man who seems very disdainful for hopeful people. He talks of their immaturity, especially during the youth movements of the 1960s. Upon seeing an advertisement looking for a student who wants to be taught how to save the world, he throws it away in a fierce rage, but eventually recovers it and goes to the written location. Once there, he discovers a gorilla in a nondescript office building, with the words "With man gone, will there be hope for Gorilla?" written on the wall. Despite initially being confused and anxious, the man calms down after looking into the gorilla's eyes, and being told to relax. The man learns he is called Ishmael, and is told the story of the Gorilla's young life as he traveled from the zoo, to the circus, and to the estate of Walter Sokolow through what I believe to be some form of telepathy. He continues to disclose how Mr. Sokolow realized he was intelligent, how he became Ishmael's teacher, and how his daughter was affected by Ishmael as she grew up. After learning this, the man tells Ishmael of a psychology paper he wrote about how the world would be different if the Nazi's had dominated World War 2, and how individuals would deal with the lies they had been told. After the two primates discuss how individuals in the world today would deal with it in a similar fashion, the man leaves with an invigorated spirit to save the world. In the second chapter, the man's first real lesson begins, when Ishmael asks him about the story that Mother Culture is feeding to the people alive today. He talks about Takers and Leavers, and how their two independent cultures have an effect on the world's story as a whole. He concludes with asking the man to talk about his beliefs about creationism, and assigns it to him to do at home.
If I were to relate this to the themes and knowledge I have learned this year in Ms. Vitale's awesome AP Biology course, I would have trouble doing so. These two sections of the book cover very little subject matter from biology, except for maybe Creationism conflicting with Evolution.
I am very interested in where Ishmael may be going with his little tangent on the story of Mother Culture. Everything he has said so far, especially about the Civilized and Uncivilized people, has made so much sense to me. It seems like something I should have known before I read this, but reading it on paper makes it so much easier to understand. Though I found it hard to understand how Ishmael was communicating to him initially, I grew accustomed to it and began to really enjoy his character. I am very excited to find out Ishmael's views on creationism.
Alexis, period 7
ReplyDeleteChapter one begins with the man seeing an ad for a teacher seeking a student. Initially, he threw it out because he had been looking for that kind of an ad for years, and he finally came across one right as he had stopped looking. Eventually, he gives in and goes to the meeting place, where he sees a sign that says, “WITH MAN GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR GORILLA?” I think this question is going to come up a lot throughout the book and I think the answer has a much deeper meaning than what will appear on the surface. After reading the sign, the man encounters a gorilla named Ishmael that can speak to him telepathically. Every time I try to imagine this, it gets a little funnier. Anyway, the gorilla begins speaking to the man and telling him his entire story. He lived in a zoo and then was adopted by a man and his daughter, who took care of him. Ishmael then realized that his path in life was to teach others, and that is what he is now trying to do.
In chapter two, Ishmael begins to prepare the man for the “journey” they are about to take together. I actually thought this chapter was very interesting, and that Ishmael has already brought up a lot of though-provoking things. One quote I really liked was, “Black and white, male and female, rich and poor, Christian and Jew...and hearing it incessantly, you don’t listen to it” on page 36, because it’s a very true statement that I have never really thought about. We are all so trained to compare and differentiate ourselves from others, but we are also trained to not notice that we do this. Anyway, by the end of the chapter, Ishmael has gotten the man’s mind thinking a little bit about what is to come. When he says that humans don’t have a creation myth, I think he is very wrong. While it is sometimes hard to tell who is talking and to decipher their messages, I think this book is going to be very good.
Aissa G, Period 1
ReplyDeleteThe story ‘Ishmael’ by Daniel Quinn centers around the philosophical awakening of an unnamed Guy whom we shall refer to as Guy. Actually, since Guy is just a nomadic form of the french name Guido (eyyy!!! Snookie!!!!), which is a Latin version of the German name Wido (which means fat wood), we'll refer to him as Wido instead.
Now that the formalities are out of the way, let us proceed to the real essence of the story: Wido and his best friend/mentor/huge gorilla that likes bamboo and is disconcertingly smart named Ishmael The Huge Gorilla That Likes Bamboo And Is Disconcertingly Smart. There were quite a few things that happened in these first two chapters but, basically, Wido was dealing with an existential crisis brought on by the failure of the hippie movement, and decided to answer an ad in a paper promising to teach him how to “save the world”. When he arrives at the location, he is surprised to find that, instead of Mr. Miyagi, or even Yoda, his teacher is a large black gorilla (The Huge Gorilla That Likes Bamboo And Is Disconcertingly Smart, in case you didn’t quite catch that). It only takes him a few minutes to get used to the idea, however (Thanks Telepathy!) and the two are soon off to a flying start, discussing their pasts as well as the future of their lessons on the nature of captivity.
Although this portion of the story is largely exposition, there are a few hints as to connections with biology. One thing being the hints at evolutionary theory. As The Huge Gorilla That Likes Bamboo And Is Disconcertingly Smart says, “If I understood what made us animals…I couldn’t understand what made them not animals” (Quinn 15). This goes back to the Darwinian belief that all organisms come from a common ancestor. In this way, THGTLBAIDS is pointing out the folly of man for assuming that they are somehow better than other animals, even though they all have the same ancestral roots. Another
As for my reaction, I honestly have very mixed feelings about the book. While I do find the storyline intriguing and the Gorilla’s lessons extremely insightful, I just can’t get past the fact that Wido is telepathically communicating with a Gorilla. Despite what some may think, I am actually a pretty grounded person who enjoys books with at least some semblance of reality to them. Hence the reason why I enjoyed dystopian novels, but hated Harry Potter (don’t kill me Potterheads! Freedom of speech! This is ‘Murica!). I feel as though the…telepathic aspect just delegitimizes a lot of the story for me. Already, it’s grasp on reality is a bit thin (with there being an omnipotent gorilla and all), but by including supernatural abilities it is really pushing it in my book. Even so, I still want to see what happens next. I have to give Daniel Quinn props: the guy knows how to make you think. With his mix of obvious and controversial statements, he has left my head spinning many a time. One of my favorite thought-provoking quotes was “You’re captives of a civilizational system that more or less compels you to go on destroying the world in order to live…You are captives—and you have made a captive of the world itself” (Quinn 25).
I am looking forward to the next chapter!
(Even though the telepathic gorilla still weirds me out)
Sam, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe novel Ishmael by David Quinn follows the interactions between an unnamed narrator and a gorilla named Ishmael. At the beginning of the novel, the narrator throws out an ad from the newspaper in disgust before retrieving it out of spite. The ad read, "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." The narrator decides to follow the ad to gain closure, however when he reaches his destination he is surprised to find a massive gorilla. Soon after, the narrator learns that he can communicate with the gorilla, who tells him the story of how he was captured in Africa and brought up in the circus, where he was originally named Goliath. During the Great Depression, the gorilla was sold to a man named Walter Sokolow, who tells him his name is Ishmael, not Goliath. Soon after, Ishmael learned that Sokolow's family was killed during the Holocaust and eventually they developed a way to communicate with each other through telepathy. Using this relationship, Sokolow is able to recover and he remarried and had a daughter. The daughter, whose name is Rachel, is also able to communicate with telepathy with Ishmael and he becomes her teacher. After Walter Sokolow died, Rachel took care of Ishmael, however because he wanted to share his vast knowledge, Ishmael moved to the city. The narrator then tells Ishmael about a paper he wrote about the Nazis and what the world would have been like had they won World War II. Throughout the first chapters, Ishmael emphasizes the takers, which are more civilized people and the leavers, who are more primitive people. Then, Ishmael tells the narrator to think about the history of his culture over the past 10,000 years and the creation myth.
Throughout the first two chapters, not much biology was mentioned, however the destruction of the Earth's ozone layer as well as the decimation of trees and filling of landfills. He also mentions how things came to be through evolution and the creation myth.
So far, I am very interested in the novel and how it connects to the world of biology. I also like the use of real history and events in the novel to set a scene that the reader can picture and I am intrigued to learn how this story will come together.
Gerard, Per 1
ReplyDeleteThe story begins with the narrator, we don't seem to know his name, seeing an ad in the newspaper for a teacher seeking a pupil who wants to change the world. Initially, he threw it out and got very frustrated with it. Eventually, he goes to the meeting place specified in the ad, where he enters an empty office with a window and a gorilla on the other side and he sees a sign that says, “WITH MAN GONE, WILL THERE BE HOPE FOR GORILLA?” After reading the sign, the man encounters the gorilla named Ishmael that speaks to him telepathically. He was also able to do this with the man who bought him form the circus, Mr. Solokow, and his daughter Rachel. The gorilla begins speaking to the man by telling him literally his entire life story. He lived in a zoo and was sold to the circus then he was adopted by a man and his daughter, who took care of him. Ishmael then realized that his point in life was to teach others about the world, and that is what he is now trying to do with his pupils. He then goes on to tell the man about creationism and its conflicting with evolution. He then goes on to tell the man about many of his theories.
These two beginning chapters have very little connection to biology except the fictional telepathic communication between the people and the creationism vs evolutionism topic that is frequent in literature such as in Inherit the Wind. This is sprinkled throughout the 2 chapters but as it goes on, I think the connection between the novel and biology will grow.
I enjoy the book so far and it is leaving excited to read on. I want to know how Ishmael is going to go about his teachings and i want to know more about their "journey". I do find it a little bit weird about the way they communicate but other than that, it is very interesting.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKate Griffith Period 1
ReplyDeleteIshmael begins with the guy discussing his general distaste for the "hippie" movement. This movement, seemingly full of conviction and fueled by youthfully optimism, turned out to be a passing fad that died out when optimism turned out to be naivety. Worst of all (to the guy at least) was the realization that the disintegration of this era was doomed from the start; its end was inevitable. This set the stage for the guy’s quest to find a mentor to help him change the world, in the way that hippies failed to follow through with. But many years later, when this hope had been discarded, an ad appears in the paper with that exact offer: a teacher to help save the world. After much frustration and deliberation, the man decides to look into the ad. But the story gains complexity when the teacher turns out to be a gorilla. And, in addition to the frightening gorilla, there hung a sign behind the gorilla that read "With man gone, will there be hope for gorilla?”, a phrase shrouded in ability and inciting further frustration from the very confused guy.
The gorilla, names Ishmael, explains his life experiences with captivity and humankind through his eyes to the guy. He explains his train of thought leading up to the wisdom that he has today. He describes his life in a zoo, and his eventual adoption by a family that he became close with. He explains the idea that there are takers (civilized humans) and leavers (primitive humans). He concludes by discussing mythology and culture and the stories accepted by humans regarding their civilization.
The book, so far, has made few allusions to biology. However, there are mentions of the natural habits of the gorilla, captivity versus natural life, and the theory of evolution.
As far as personal opinion, I am interested in continuing to hear what Ishmael has to say and how the guy chooses to act on the wisdom imparted in him. I am choosing to withhold further judgment until I have a better handle on what the plot will entail.
Katie, Period 7
ReplyDeleteThe book Ishmael is about a jaded guy that investigates an ad in the newspaper reading "Teacher seeks pupil" and mentions "an earnest desire to save the world" so that he can scoff cynically at the teacher and the hordes of hopeful fools he imagines will have sought him out. Finding instead a dark, lifeless office building, he walks around in mild confusion until discovering a very large gorilla behind a glass pane. They begin talking, but given that the gorilla lacks the "phonic equipment" to talk, it turns out they are actually communicating telepathically! They start having deep conversations worthy of such a medium and soon our unnamed narrator is an Official Pupil of the Wise Gorilla. There isn't really anything about biology so far, except the references to us capturing wild animals and putting them in captivity, and to creationism.
I think this book is very interesting but writing this just now I realized that there's probably going to be some plot twist or conflict and I have no idea what that might be so I am very curious now - will it wind up just being a bad trip? will there be an unscrupulous zoo manager who tries to capture Ishmael? will Ishmael go the way of the hippies and wind up on wall street? So many possibilities....
Patience Period 7
ReplyDelete(I am writing this unedited as I listen to the audiobook so it just might be one of the longer ones) (Which is a change, because i usually give minimal effort) (I also wrote this and fell asleep on my keyboard at 9pm that is why I am submitting it now, 7am)
Listening to the first series of events that occurs in the book, Ishmael, I too almost spit out my coffee and through my book to the ground at the rudeness of this unnamed man. I then began to wonder what kind of ad could cause a man to act so irrationally. Also, side note, why is this unnamed man so against peace? Why does believe that being nice to your neighbor can actually do more harm than help? He also seems very disappointed that at one time he believed that peace was possible and that one day he might just wake up to a happier world. Why is this man so disappointed in himself for expecting a reasonable unity in the world around him? He must have entering into the MOST boring and depressing life ever after answering that ad. And then reality really hit this kid hard, he seems so blown away by the fact that teens want to change the world but are too young and powerless and the adults have given up. I really hope this guy figures out soon that there isn’t some all knowing man that has the secret key to happiness that he has to go out a find. He then makes an analogy that doesn’t work, a teacher is not the same as a lover (at least their not supposed to be).
Wait, he just spent at least 6 minutes explaining that this whole student/teacher thing is completely useless, so he’s going to go down there and check it out? How does he walk through the room and notice the smell and the broken down walls but not the casual gorilla? I liked his gorilla cloud analogy. I find it hard to believe that this man walked to this office with the intent of proving it to be a hoax, yet was determined to prove it to be real as soon as he got there. The unnamed man is disgusted and angered by so many things that do not concern him, he needs to learn to chill.
Wait is this a talking gorilla. Seriously. Seriously? I think this is a love story.
Then the talking gorilla really got me with the “five separate fingers do not make a hand”. The talking gorilla really had me hooked when he started discussing the whole using his complex mind to understand the difference in two life styles. But I lost interest as soon as I realized that the way he thought of the world was word inverse variation problems
This book so far has more to do with math and zoology than it does biology.
Haha the talking gorilla just called out humans on being animals the same as chimps and gorillas. During this entire speech has the unnamed very rude man just been sitting in a dark, abandoned, knocked out room listening to a “talking gorilla”. He has had his mental stability checked out, correct? There are so many deja vu moments in this book. Woah plot twist, this suicidal holocaust surviving 40 year-old who looks 60ish had HIS life changed by the talking gorilla? So many lives are getting changed dramatically. After this point so many plot twists and confusing theories go by that I cannot explain them in detail. Basically the suicidal holocaust surviving 40 year-old who looks 60ish’s whole family did not die and instead he still has a daughter named Rachel. The girl and the talking gorilla become friends and Ishmael (that’s the talking gorilla) learns how to communicate.
I am left intrigued and wondering what will happen next. I’m pretty sure this entire book is going to take place over one day because the unnamed man has obviously lost his ability to speak or get up and out of this room. Although I do not believe and book can change my life, and I am perfectly content with how I look at life and the reason for existence, I might actually read this school book for once.
Taylor, period 1
ReplyDeleteThe narrator captured and a little frustrated by an ad for a pupil in the newspaper goes to a location where he is stunned to meet Ishmael a gorilla who can telepathically communicate with him. Ishmael drives the narrator to regain his thirst for saving the world. Ishmael guides the narrator's thoughts through provoking questions and stories. Ishmael reveals his experiences going from the wild to the zoo, where he questioned why life is the way it is, then too the circus where he was renamed, and humans addressed him in a more direct manner, and lastly to his new found guardians, Mr. Sokolow and once he passed Rachel. Ishmael learns a lot in his experiences with Sokolow and how much he learned about Nazi culture and rule. In doing so he hints at the restrictions culture bring upon humans.
There are little hints of biology in this texts. Mentions of the destruction of the atmosphere and the takers, which were humans, versus leavers, which was ever other species. Its interesting how Ishmael looks at the humans to have such a parasitic relationship with the world and the other species around it. Mythology’s diametric relationship with evolution.
I love the way the reader is learning from Ishmael the same way the narrator is. It’s a thought provoking book that allows us as readers to self reflect. The symbolism of being a caged animal and being a human caged in by the invisible bars of culture is provocative.
Chris D. Period 7
ReplyDeleteSo there's this guy that wanted to change the world when he was younger and wanted a teacher to learn from. But he forgot about that but then he saw a ad in the newspaper. He got really pissed and stuff but then he still went anyway. He went into the room and it smelled bad and no one was there. Then he noticed the gorilla behind the wall of glass and he got scared for a second. But then he realized the gorilla was the teacher and they started talking with their eyes. Then the gorilla started talking about his life story, he talked about people chanting things at him but he didn't understand it, but then he realized they were calling him Goliath. But then one day someone came up to him and said he is not Goliath. And then he got really confused and then Goliath became really depressed and then one day the man came back and told him he was Ishmael. Then a man named Walter bought him and Ishmael became his teacher but then Walter got married and his wife didn't want Ishmael there but he stayed and became Walter's daughter's teacher. And then Walter hired someone before he died to take care of Ishmael and now he lives in the room. Then in chapter 2 Ishmael told the man a few phrases for him to remember and tried to help the man figure out what his purpose is.
I like this book alot so far because it really makes you think about everything. I like how the man is looking for a purpose and he is trying to find somthing else to do besides the normal thing most humans do now. School, Work, retire, die. Its really interesting cause if you think about it, that sums up almost everyone's lives. It kind of relates to biology because they make you think about how about other species view the human species. And how we are just another species on the planet.
Imogen, Period 1
ReplyDeleteIn this part of the book, ‘the guy’ is trying to find meaning to his life. Ismael is helping to guide him on his quest to help the universe. The gorilla started to tell the guy about his life experience and how captivity shapes the world. We learn about Walter who saved Ishmael and helped him. When Walter has a child, Ishmael helps to raise her, even though her mother doesn’t want her to. Although there is not a lot of biology is introduced yet, things such as evolution and captivity are introduced as a basis. The book is extremely interesting and I love the perspective that Ismael gives.
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ReplyDeleteBetsy Ellison, Period 1
ReplyDelete(Hopefully it goes through this time)
Daniel Quinn introduces us to his protagonist-- a jaded, cynical man who sees no good in the world. He dislikes the hippie movement, and longs for something more in his life: a kind of greater understanding. He wants something, he just doesn't know what. He sees an ad in the paper for a teacher asking for a student, and hope this will answer his questions, but he goes in very self-consciously, and is clearly embarassed to be violating his usual habits. Inside, to his shock, he meets Ishmael: the infamous (to this class) telepathic gorilla. Ishmael begins by talking about his past. He achieved consciousness slowly, gaining a gradual understanding through the bars of two different cages-- one in a zoo, one in a menagerie. He also meets a seemingly old man, who helps him understand who he is. This man adopts, him, and they study alongside each other, learning from each other in the process. Ishmael eventually (somehow) advanced beyond this man's knowledge, and moved to the city after helping to raise the man's daughter. Now, he wants someone to teach. However, all of his previous students have failed him. The narrator returns in chapter 2, and Ishmael begins his first lesson to the narrator--- asking him about creation myths, and asking him to expand his perspective.
As these are only the first two chapters of the book, they deal more with exposition and setting up the characters than they do with real biological concepts, This is fine.
I've already read ahead, since I'm rewriting this paragraph (since it didn't go through before, weirdly), so I know that in the chapters ahead, I will grow not to like this book. I wonder what happened to Ishmael's family-- will they show up later? It seems kind of like a Chekov's gun. I do think the ideas are interesting, but I really, really dislike the main character. He just isn't engaging or fun to read about. His personality consists entirely of being sad and being educated by Ishmael.
Betsy Ellison, Period 1
ReplyDelete(Hopefully it goes through this time)
Daniel Quinn introduces us to his protagonist-- a jaded, cynical man who sees no good in the world. He dislikes the hippie movement, and longs for something more in his life: a kind of greater understanding. He wants something, he just doesn't know what. He sees an ad in the paper for a teacher asking for a student, and hope this will answer his questions, but he goes in very self-consciously, and is clearly embarassed to be violating his usual habits. Inside, to his shock, he meets Ishmael: the infamous (to this class) telepathic gorilla. Ishmael begins by talking about his past. He achieved consciousness slowly, gaining a gradual understanding through the bars of two different cages-- one in a zoo, one in a menagerie. He also meets a seemingly old man, who helps him understand who he is. This man adopts, him, and they study alongside each other, learning from each other in the process. Ishmael eventually (somehow) advanced beyond this man's knowledge, and moved to the city after helping to raise the man's daughter. Now, he wants someone to teach. However, all of his previous students have failed him. The narrator returns in chapter 2, and Ishmael begins his first lesson to the narrator--- asking him about creation myths, and asking him to expand his perspective.
As these are only the first two chapters of the book, they deal more with exposition and setting up the characters than they do with real biological concepts, This is fine.
I've already read ahead, since I'm rewriting this paragraph (since it didn't go through before, weirdly), so I know that in the chapters ahead, I will grow not to like this book. I wonder what happened to Ishmael's family-- will they show up later? It seems kind of like a Chekov's gun. I do think the ideas are interesting, but I really, really dislike the main character. He just isn't engaging or fun to read about. His personality consists entirely of being sad and being educated by Ishmael.