Purple Heart by Ta'afuli Andrew Fiu
Chapter 3 -Ignorance is bliss ( pages 38-44)
As Andrew discovers he has a serious case of rheumatic fever that BRAXTON IS AWESOME (:
Monday 30 April 2012
Thursday 26 April 2012
Chapter 2 - THE CAUSE
Purple Heart by Ta'afuli Andrew Fiu
Chapter 2- The Cause (pages 27-37)
This chapter further develops the idea of how immigrants lived in New Zealand, and also where they lived such as Mangere. This chapter was quite shocking with all that happens in it. The two hit and runs retold in this chapter helped me to understand the unity in the writers neighbourhood and also how close their relationships were as they were willing to risk their lives for each other. It also brings in to prospective what is really important: Friends, family and the relationships we have as opposed to tangible things such as houses, cars, etc. The major event that happens in this chapter is the hiding that Vile-(Andrew's Brother) gets from their father. This shows the differences between various groups of people as this was seen as a way of disciplining him whereas to others it might be seen as simply abuse. In real life, there is also debate over 'smacking' and how it is used. This is another real life connection featured in the book.
A technique used in this chapter especially when describing the incident with Vile is short sentences. "He is a God-fearing, placid man. I looked at Mary and prayed... And then it started".
This puts emphasis on everything that is happening and also emphasises the incident itself. I think that although it was very harsh, it was a turning point for Vile and prevented him from getting into more trouble. It was truly done out of love and is an obvious example of 'tough love'.
Chapter 2- The Cause (pages 27-37)
This chapter further develops the idea of how immigrants lived in New Zealand, and also where they lived such as Mangere. This chapter was quite shocking with all that happens in it. The two hit and runs retold in this chapter helped me to understand the unity in the writers neighbourhood and also how close their relationships were as they were willing to risk their lives for each other. It also brings in to prospective what is really important: Friends, family and the relationships we have as opposed to tangible things such as houses, cars, etc. The major event that happens in this chapter is the hiding that Vile-(Andrew's Brother) gets from their father. This shows the differences between various groups of people as this was seen as a way of disciplining him whereas to others it might be seen as simply abuse. In real life, there is also debate over 'smacking' and how it is used. This is another real life connection featured in the book.
A technique used in this chapter especially when describing the incident with Vile is short sentences. "He is a God-fearing, placid man. I looked at Mary and prayed... And then it started".
This puts emphasis on everything that is happening and also emphasises the incident itself. I think that although it was very harsh, it was a turning point for Vile and prevented him from getting into more trouble. It was truly done out of love and is an obvious example of 'tough love'.
Tuesday 20 March 2012
Chapter 1 - THE IMMIGRANTS
Purple Heart by Ta'afuli Andrew Fiu
Chapter 1- The Immigrants (pages 11-26)
The main idea or what this chapter is about is to describe and explain how the authors family and himself came to be in New Zealand and more importantly how this new life was when they moved here. This chapter also shows some of the experiences that many immigrants especially Pacific Islanders go through when they come to New Zealand. In this chapter the challenges that they face are also emphasised such as the language barrier, their naivety and more. It also enlightens me on things that I never knew happened such as changing peoples foreign names to English names supposedly so they can know them better. Dialogue is also used in this chapter to help readers imagine the situation and also to make the story more believable and realistic. The use of slang and colloquial language is also effective for this same reason such as calling Ponsonby 'the ghetto' and also using some Samoan language such as 'to'onai'(Sunday afternoon lunch) to show the connection with his culture and origins. Another language technique found is onomatopoeia when they describe the sound that the firecracker should make to create an image or paint a picture of what is happening. I personally like this chapter as it shows some stereotypes that Pacific Islanders have and also how they were treated and in some parts of society they still are such as being given all the 'dirty' jobs or factory jobs. My culture also influences how I feel about this story as I can relate to some of the experiences and understand or sympathise with the people. This chapter has a big link to the real world especially in Auckland as the book is based on a real life story in places in Auckland. The things that happen in the book also occur frequently in real life especially as a pacific islander. I also found this chapter quite humorous especially the last pages describing Sio and his European girlfriend. This was a good opening chapter as it explains the beginning of his life in New Zealand and also gives us a brief description of him and his family and how they lived.
Chapter 1- The Immigrants (pages 11-26)
The main idea or what this chapter is about is to describe and explain how the authors family and himself came to be in New Zealand and more importantly how this new life was when they moved here. This chapter also shows some of the experiences that many immigrants especially Pacific Islanders go through when they come to New Zealand. In this chapter the challenges that they face are also emphasised such as the language barrier, their naivety and more. It also enlightens me on things that I never knew happened such as changing peoples foreign names to English names supposedly so they can know them better. Dialogue is also used in this chapter to help readers imagine the situation and also to make the story more believable and realistic. The use of slang and colloquial language is also effective for this same reason such as calling Ponsonby 'the ghetto' and also using some Samoan language such as 'to'onai'(Sunday afternoon lunch) to show the connection with his culture and origins. Another language technique found is onomatopoeia when they describe the sound that the firecracker should make to create an image or paint a picture of what is happening. I personally like this chapter as it shows some stereotypes that Pacific Islanders have and also how they were treated and in some parts of society they still are such as being given all the 'dirty' jobs or factory jobs. My culture also influences how I feel about this story as I can relate to some of the experiences and understand or sympathise with the people. This chapter has a big link to the real world especially in Auckland as the book is based on a real life story in places in Auckland. The things that happen in the book also occur frequently in real life especially as a pacific islander. I also found this chapter quite humorous especially the last pages describing Sio and his European girlfriend. This was a good opening chapter as it explains the beginning of his life in New Zealand and also gives us a brief description of him and his family and how they lived.
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