Firstly, complete the questions on ‘The Rugmaker of El Mazar Sharif’
Complete activity A, B, C and D before term start of term 2.
Finally, check that you’ve complete the writing activities on ‘The Rugmaker’ 1,2, 4 and 5.
ACTIVITY A: SOME QUOTATIONS
Read and think about the following quotations.
Choose at least 3 and write about what the quotations mean to you, discussing how it relates to the conflicts encountered by Najaf and other asylum seekers in ‘The Rugmaker of el Mazar Sharif’ or in world history, or current affairs.[and later, ‘The Crucible.’]
Learn some off by heart in order to use them in your expository essay writing.
Bertrand Russell:
I found one day in school a boy of medium size ill-treating a smaller boy. I expostulated, but he replied: 'The bigs hit me, so I hit the babies; that's fair.' In these words he epitomized the history of the human race.
David Friedman:
The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations.
Herbert Butterfield:
But the greatest menace to our civilization today is the conflict between giant organized systems of self-righteousness -- each system only too delighted to find that the other is wicked -- each only too glad that the sins give it the pretext for still deeper hatred and animosity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.:
True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.
Sharon Welch:
Injustice can be eliminated, but human conflicts and natural limitations cannot be removed. The conflicts of social life and the limitations of nature cannot be controlled or transcended. They can, however, be endured and survived.
Thomas Paine:
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
Walter Lippmann:
Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.
William Ellery Channing : Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.
MAHATMA GANDHI
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
ACTIVITY B :YOUR QUOTATIONS
Other people’s viewpoints can stimulate and expand your thinking. Use the internet to find other relevant quotations about conflict that you can connect with.. These will help expand your word bank and also the ideas that you associate with the Context. The quotes can also be used as starting points for discussion and writing topics.
ACTIVITY C: ENCOUNTERING CONFLICT – WORD BANK
You need to create a word bank to which you will add to throughout the year, in class and at home. This will help you to express key concepts and ideas in your writing.
Below are some to get you started: [use a dictionary to find meanings for those you are unsure of.] Try to find links with words-either synonyms or antonyms, to build your vocabulary. Get to work with a thesaurus and dictionary on line resources are excellent]- add to it whenever you come across a useful word in your reading.Complete this table. Add new words!
