Today in class we talked about how our word of the day, LUGUBRIOUS (i.e. mournful, gloomy, dark) connects to Picasso's Guernica painting and to our novel, Habibi.
We then segued (remember that awesome word from a while back!?) into a Quick Write for five minutes, and then a discussion of Poppy's actions with the woman who claimed to be a distant relative. You all shared insightful comments about why Poppy acted with malice or with wisdom--and each class tended to be split on opinions about Poppy's actions.
Which makes us ask: are characters (including ourselves!) simple or complex? Are the characters we read about in any novel clear, easy to understand, and consistent? Or are the characters we read about complex, inconsistent, and unpredictable? If we believe William Shakespeare, then we'd say, with him, "Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
However, can we judge Poppy's actions--or those of any character in our novel or in our lives--without really knowing what it's like to walk in their shoes.
Let's think about this together after you finish your reading tonight (up to page 140 in Habibi). Once you've read, share your ideas about this question below: Liyana responds to the Jewish boy she meets in the marketplace, "I am with myself," (128). What do you think Liyana means by this? And would you say the same about yourself? Do you know yourself, and do you see yourself as simple or complex? How do you see Liyana and Poppy--simple or complex? Why?
Whoa, dude! Loads of questions coming at you from Mr. R tonight. And they are all in bold font!? What is with the bold, Mr. Reynolds!? And what is with the copious amount of questions!?
Have fun exploring them. Share what comes to mind and heart. I can't wait to read.
Peace!
Mr. R.
I see myself as more simple than complex. I see Liyana more complex than simple she thinks about things that are complex and wonders a lot. Poppy is more simple, he does things the easy way. I think Liyana means by "i am with myself" is that, simply she is alone and that she likes to be by herself sometimes.
ReplyDelete--Olivia Gomez
I think she just meant im by myself. and no i wouldn't say the same thing. I don't think i know my self fully but I do know myself a lot so i would say im fairly complex. Liyana is complex because she doesn't know what she is but poppy is simple because he knows who he is. Dwight Childers
ReplyDeleteI think she says that because she is being alone and talking with herself and thinking about her life. I think of myself as to myself because I think of my life and problems more when i am alone. I think of myself as complex because i think my life is very complicated and i have to deal with a lot. I don't think i completely know myself yet,but i will as my life goes on. I think of Liyana and Poppy as complex because they seem to have a lot of things going on in their life and are always thinking about how to fix it and make life better.
ReplyDelete--Emily Rypinski
I think Liyana means by "I am with myself" is that she is spending time by herself and she likes to do this. I think most humans including myself, Poppy, and Liyana are complex. I think this because we all do things and react to things for our own reasons and the reasons may not be obvious to others.
ReplyDeleteFiona Morrison
I see myself as complex more than simple. Liyana is a little simple, and mostly complex. She's mostly complex because she is always thinking about complex things like staying up on the plane writing unlike Rafik who was asleep. She might mean she's alone by herself.
ReplyDelete--Tommy Wacek
Liyana probably means she is on her own and is not unhappy. I would also probably say the same about me, because when I AM alone, I am usually not sad because no one else is around. I also think Liyana and Poppy both, are complex because what would a human be if we were simple minded and never did or thought anything different?
ReplyDelete--Collin Burns--
I believe Liyana meant she understands herself and knows who she is. i would say the same because i know myself. I see myself as simple because i do not need a lot and I am flexible. I see Liyanan and Poppy as complex because they have many emotions and have strict opinions about matters.
ReplyDelete~~~Dylan Ashe~~~
I think Liyana meant by that is that she is very independent and doesn't mind it. I'm somewhere in between, I like being with friends, but I'm also independent.
ReplyDelete-Olivia Diodato
I see myself as complex because there are so many parts to me that only I know about. sometimes I wonder what some people do and don't know about me and what I've been through. I see liyana as simple because as Rafik said "the simplest things make her happy". also, she thinks things in a straight line. what I mean by that is that she goes straight to the logical explanation rather than circumnavigating all of the wrong possibilities.I think Poppy is a little more complex, though. I think this because he has a longer life and he has learned from his mistakes and he is older, therefore wiser. I think that Liyana meant that she wanted sometime to think alone without anyone interrupting when she said "I am with myself".
ReplyDeleteI think Liyana is simply saying that she likes to be alone and is happy when she is by herself. Some people just like to have some alone time once and a while, and I think Liyana is one of those people. I consider myself to be someone who would rather spend time out with friends then be alone. I see Liyana as a fairly complex person that is not one-sided and difficult. She can also be very deep in her thoughts at times. I think Poppy is a lot more simple, because it doesn't take a lot to make him happy and he doesn't usually do things like the people of the modern world do them. I think I'm a mix of both simple and complex, and it's difficult to describe any one person with just one word or phrase. Sorry for the little novel I wrote in the comments section :)
ReplyDelete-Shea Oldham :)
I am simple. Poppy is simple. Liyana is complex and I think she means that she is more comfortable alone
ReplyDeleteI think that Liyana means that she doesn't have very many intrests, and friends. I wouldn't say the same thing about myself, because I have lots of intrests, and I have friends. I see myself as in the middle. I think Liyana and Poppy are more complex, because they have many different sides.
ReplyDelete--Anna Shlimak
I think Liyana means that she is independent when she says she is with herself. I think that Liyana is complex, always questioning while poppy is more simple and always does what he is told. I think I'm complex.
ReplyDeleteClayton Hanlon
I think of my self as more simple I usually don't think about things too much. I think everyone in Liyanas family is simple exept herself. I think the quote means that she is alone and she isn't only phisicaly alone shes alone in her mind.
ReplyDeleteStefan Scornavacca
When Liyana says "I am with myself" I think she means she is independent and like to thinks to herself and not talk with other people. I see Liyana as complex because she is not like other teenagers she likes to think to herself and write in her journal. Poppy is mor simple because he doesn't like to think he just is easy going. I see myself as complex because I like to over think thing and think to myself.
ReplyDelete-Angela Xing
I see myself as more complex than simple. I think Liyana is very complex because she has been very curious about people and their traditions, she is a teenager and most teenagers are complex. Poppy is in between complex and simple, he can turn on you like a tuna sandwich on the road in the summer. Poppy was nice a lot but when it turned to the old lady in his house he kinda freaked out. Liyana can turn on you too but you can see it coming. I think what Liyana meant was that she has felt lonely since she has moved, she doesn't want other people to know what is inside her. She feels pain but tries to ignore it. Liyana also means that sometimes she just wants to be left alone.
ReplyDeleteI see myself as complex because I feel a lt of things at the same time. Liyanna is complex as she has so many things to think and ponder about. Poppy is simple because he doesn't have that many things to worry about. Liyanna says " am with myself" because every person wants to have some alone time and she wants more
ReplyDeleteLiyana is complex because she thinks about things that others would look over. I would say that I am simple. I think that she means that she is going to calm down and leave this guy alone when she says, "I am with myself," (128).
ReplyDeleteI think that Liyana is complex and that Poppy is simple. I know I am complex. I think that Liyana says "I am with myself" because she thinks she is lonely in this new place that she is living in. But really I do not think she is lonely after all she already has a couple of friends and she has her family. Also it could be that she says that because she maybe likes being all by herself. I mean everyone does at some point.
ReplyDelete-Alondra Pacheco Flores
I think that when Liyana said "I am with myself", it meant that she was staring over and doesn't feel like she has anyone to call a good friend, or some one to share her feelings with. I think that she is pretty complex because she has a lot going on in her life and she has very interesting thoughts that stick in her mind. I think of Poppy as more simple than Liyana is because he always chooses the easy way out of things and doesn't give things much thought. I think that I am less complex than Liyana is, but a little more complex than Poppy is.
ReplyDelete--Meili Stanten
I think that when Liyana said "I am with myself", it meant that she was staring over and doesn't feel like she has anyone to call a good friend, or some one to share her feelings with. I think that she is pretty complex because she has a lot going on in her life and she has very interesting thoughts that stick in her mind. I think of Poppy as more simple than Liyana is because he always chooses the easy way out of things and doesn't give things much thought. I think that I am less complex than Liyana is, but a little more complex than Poppy is.
ReplyDelete--Meili Stanten
I see myself as simply complex person. I see Liyana as a more complex person because she has so many different emotions towards different subjects, almost like different views of how things should work. I think that Poppy is more of a simple person because he mostly relies on proven facts, or best solution for his or others needs. When Liyana said " I am with myself " I believe she is saying that she is going at her thoughts, hopes, and dreams by herself.
ReplyDelete-- Anna Laursen
I see myself as complex because I see many things differently, I have strong opinions, and I love helping people but at the same time want to constantly be alone. I see Liyana as complex as well. She feels so strongly towards so many different things and her emotions seem to be all jumbled up. Poppy seems pretty simple. He likes to stick to some traditions and likes to live the life he was living when he was a child. He doesn't think about different things complicatedly like Liyana and I. When Liyana said that I think she meant she is on her own, she is not accompanied by anyone. I also think she means she isn't dating anyone at the moment.
ReplyDelete-Gwyneth Smedley
I think everyone is complex because every is capable of doing many things, and liking many unique things. Liyana is complex because looks at all sides of things and takes in all of those perspectives before she makes a decision. Poppy is also complex because he doesn't,t always think of things the same way. Liyana meant that she was by herself when she was at the shop.
ReplyDelete--Colon McHugh
I think this is a way of displaying her independence. I feel like Liyana isn't like traditional or expected Arab girls, and she's proud of it. She doesn't want to be like them. I don't know if I feel the same way. I usually find that I care a lot about what other people think of me, because I don't want to seem mean or rude to anybody. I see myself as a pretty complex person. I have a lot of different perspectives and emotions. Sometimes I feel like I know myself, but sometimes, I don't understand why I do the things I do. I see both Liyana and Poppy as complex. Both of them think different ways, and have different emotions and goals for themselves as well as expectations for others.
ReplyDelete--Shreya Kumar
I think Liyana is a complex person. She has to be; a teenage girl that has moved from Texas to Jerusalem and is immediately put into a foreign school system in town is complicated. Her circumstances make her complex, and make her think about multiple , and hard subjects. Honestly, I wish I was a simple person instead of complex. I don't want to worry about what other people think, or how I should act in front of certain people and change for them. I want to be free of self-awareness and worry, but I am not that kind of person. Everyone is made complicated by others, but in the very beginning we are all simple.
ReplyDelete--Raiya Suliman
I think almost everyone is complex but some people don't think they are
ReplyDelete--Sean McNamara
I think Liyanna is complex and poppy isn't. poppy just kind of goes with the flow and doesn't think a ton about his decisions. Liyanna however is thinking a lot throughout the book. When liyanna says "I am with myself she mens that she doesn't really have anyone besides her family in Israel. I wouldn't say the same about myself because I have connections with people beyond my family. I would say I am a complex person at some times, and simple at others.
ReplyDeleteI think Liyana is a complicated person but so are all of us. We are all complex because we have all got complicated obstacles in life. Liyana is also very complex because she has so much going on with people, school..... In my opinion, a simple person has a much more calm and relaxing lifestyle, but with things to do and people to impress, life is never simple.
ReplyDelete-Devin Patel
I think Liyana means that she is single and ready to mingle
ReplyDeletetotally agree
DeleteI think that Liyana is a complex person. Right now she probably feels mixed up, an American teenager walking the streets of Israel. I think that I am sort of a complex person. I kind of care what peopoe think of me. Poppy is a simple person. Just a man who wants to move back to his homeland of Israel.
ReplyDelete~Lwiza AitDowd
I would see myself of more of a simple person because I don't worry and think about things for too long. I think that Liyana is a complex person because she has a lot of stuff to worry about and the big move from St.Louis to Palestine made her life very complicated. I would see Poppy as more as a simple person because he doesn't really think and worry about things that much.
ReplyDelete-Pasha Sahin
I think that when she says that she means that she is all by her self she is not with anyone at the marketplace. I would say the same thing if i was by myself. I see my self as complex because i over think most things that people tell me. I see poppy is more simple. I think this for poppy because he doesn't think about things so much if he knows he wants something he just goes for it. I think that Liyana is more complex because she only saw the bad things with moving to Israel she didnt about the good things about moving there.
ReplyDelete--Natalie L'Ecuyer
I think Liyana means that she likes being alone. I sometimes like being alone but usually like being with my friends. Also I think that I am simple. I think that Liyana is complex because she usually goes above and beyond what a simple person would say or do. I think Poppy is simple because like with that lady he just left her without really knowing why she was there. It was like he was saying to the lady alright good-bye we don’t need you (done situation solved Poppy thinks).
ReplyDeleteI think Liyana means that she has only the company of your own thoughts and is just thinking and contemplating her life. I think that I am sometimes "with myself" but not always. I think that everyone is both simple and complex. Everyone is complex because we all have so many different characteristics and experiences. However, everyone is also simple because we are all driven by emotion and our goals, and everything we do ends up leading back to those.
ReplyDeleteLiza Toll
I think liana is a complex person. this is because in my opinion she worries to much about things.
ReplyDelete-- ben hays
I think what she means by this saying is that she is in contact with what is inside her and isn't controlled by other people. i think Liyana is a complex person because what she has gone through is complex. It would be hard to have a simple life when you moved from America to Jerusalem, and spoke a different language than most people, it would be hard to lead a simple life. I think it would be easier to be a simple person rather than a complex person because I wouldn't let other people change me, and never let other opinions affect my lifestyle.
ReplyDelete--Emmalyn Mirarchi
I think Liyanna meant that she is not wanting to make any friends because she does't want to have any connections there when she leaves. I think Liyanna is a complex person because she made this huge move and is kind of okay with it I know I wouldn't be. I wish I were a simple person life would be much easier.
ReplyDelete-Paul Witmer
When she says i am myself she means that she can not change who she is and that she likes herself. I think i am simple. Lynia and poppy are simple becasue they have a good relationship.
ReplyDelete-David Sampson
I think that when Liyana told the boy that she was with herself, she means that she is maybe a little lonely. She "communicates with herself" by thinking. Liyana and Poppy are both complex. I think I am complex too.
ReplyDeleteI think that "I am with myself," means that she feels comfortable being independent. However, I also think she relizes that she hasn't made any friends in Jerusalem. Liyana is a complex person, mostly because of her circumstances. She had to move across the world, and I think that would make any person feel like they have to make themselves complex so they can hide behind layers of their personalities. I also think Poppy is complex because of his family situation, the Palestine-Israel conflict, and moving his family across the world. I feel that everyone, deep down inside, is simple, but the fear of people judging them makes them more complex until the simple person inside is completely changed to be able to please everyone. I think I am fairly simple, because I don't try to hide behind layers of my personality so that I can please everyone.
ReplyDelete--Grace Acton
I think that Liyana is mostly complex, because she is always questioning things and doesnt' let things go. She is the kind of person that would remember the person who spilled orange juice on her in second grade ( didn't actually happen just an analogy) . I think that Poppy is simple because he just walks through life acting like he can do anything. While he was stressing out about the two families meeting, Liyana was still worried about her first kiss and her new school and a million other different things. I think that I am complex because I think about things a lot and I also sometimes I get caught up in what people think of me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shreya and Raiya. I think that she is showing independence and that she isn't like most girls there. I think that Liyana is complex, and that Poppy is in the middle of complex and simple. I do strongly believe that I am very complex. Even I don't always know what I would say or react during moments. I tend to care what people say about me but then decide if it's worth the fuss over it or not. I would say around the same thing that Liyana said.
ReplyDelete~Brianna
I think Liyana is a very complex person- she can make "anything out of nothing" and she has two different cultures in her life. I think she means she is spending time with hersellf and she might want to because other than her family, her own self is the only thing in her life that hasn't changed when she basically started a new life. I see myself as a both simple and complex person.
ReplyDelete-Tessa
I think that Liyana is saying that she is independent and likes to spend time by herself. I see myself and other humans like Liyana and Poppy as complex. I think this because everyone has lots of emotions, different feelings, and things they wonder about. I think I am independent but also rely on my friends and family sometimes when I need help.
ReplyDelete- Rachel Shrives
I think that Liyana is very much between complex and simple, if that is even possible. She has flown across an entire ocean to start a new life near relatives she cannot even speak the same language with. Also, she is, at the same time, very much like an ordinary girl who goes to school, does chores and normal things like that I think that she means and shows she is very strong as an independent person, and can still have a good and meaningful life alone, and is happy alone. I am somewhat like Liyana, but not as strong as an independent person. Although being alone could benefit some of us, but having friends to support you and let your feelings flow out of your brain is a necessary form of relief and a way to get things off your chest. Poppy and Liyana both have very complex lives, but their routines and thoughts are the same as almost anyone.
ReplyDeleteI think lLiyana is complex because she is line do hard to understand and she asks a lot of questions, I think sometimes I am complex I don't really share my opinions on some things even though I should. Sometimes in very easy to guess what I am feeling. Lastly I think Liyana is showing that she doesn't need to be with people to get around or something.
ReplyDelete--Lucy Bodtman
when Liyana is a complex person for various reasons. First she is very independent and "she is with herself." Next she is complex because of her back round and history, she moved across the world into a war crazed area with a completely different lifestyle than back where she is from. I think that I am also considered a complex person just like everyone else on this planet. But if we go deep down we are all simple at the roots.
ReplyDelete-Christopher Pickreign
I see my self as complex. I see myself as his way because like Gwyneth I want to be alone a lot and I have so much stuff going on in my life right now. But I think Liyana is complex because she is confused now and she is trying to get through this completely new place. I think since Poppy is familiar with this place that he isn't in such hard time and rom what I have read I see he is a loose person he doesn't have much affecting him. I think Liyana said this because she doesn't know many people here and like she said, she feels completely alone, she might not like i but it is the truth.
ReplyDeleteI think that the character Liyana is a very complex character because she moved from St. Louis Missouri to Palestine which are two totally different countries also she comes from an Arab-American heritage and to be quite honest I really don't think that she really knows what to do in Palestine because she knows so little about where her dad is from. Also she has been put into a school that she no only knows anybody but most of her school doesn't even speak her own language, ENGLISH! Lastly, Liyana really loves her Palestinian family but because none really of them speak english Poppy has to translate everything that she has to say which I think would be kind of annoying. I think that I am a complex person because my life revolves around a few things. One, sports and how I has a player can become better. Two, school a lot of my free time (A LOT OF IT) Is spent on school work and projects. Three, Family my family is always moving, we go from about 5:00 in the morning to about 11:00 to 12:30 at night and through all of this is a lot of rushing around so I have to kind of do more chores than usual some night which also takes a lot of time as well. I really do wish that I was a more simpler person but if I was a more simpler person than I might not be as good as sports, or get good grades so it is kind of hard to choose between. But if I had the choice I would most likely choose the simpler life.
ReplyDelete~~Caroline Mara~~
I think Liyana said "I am with myself" because I think she is lonely in a way, but she still likes it -- or at least she's okay with it. I also think of Liyana as a simple person in a complex way....if that makes sense. See, she likes to look at something or take in the personality of a character and just think about it and let her mind wander, but that doesn't make her complex. That makes her curious and thoughtful. Poppy, on the other hand, I feel is very complex. He has mixed emotions between his original homeland, Palestine and the cultures/people inside and America.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think I truly know myself because I think it takes a whole lifetime for you to fully get to know who you really are. But I think I'm more of a complicated person -- my emotions kind of get in the way of how I think and it confuses me and doesn't really make me simple. I'm glad I'm complicated though, because if I was simple, that would be pretty boring.
-- Allie Hunter
I think Liyana means she is okay to be without someone else. She is also a friend of herself, meaning she likes the way she is. I would probably say I am alone. I don't think I know every aspect about myself and I think I am a very complex person. I think Liyana's a simple person because she knows herself pretty well and seems like the kind of person that you could predict. Poppy is more complex because I think gradually as you get older into an adult, you get more complex. Poppy one day randomly wanted to move to Israel, as a Palestinian man with a half Palestinian and half American family.
ReplyDeleteI think when Liyana said she was by herself she means that she is an independent person and understands herself. I think that Liyana and Poppy are complex people because there lives got complicated when they left America for Jerusalem.
ReplyDelete--George Earnest
I think when Liyana said she was by herself she meant that she likes to have company but also likes to be an independent person. I am definitely a complex human being. I love to be alone at times but I hate to be alone at times, but sometimes it's the same situation that I would normally want to be alone but that time I'd want company or vice versa. I have a lot more life to fulfill, but I already know I'm complex because of things like feelings that I can't figure out or cravings that I don't understand. I think Liyana and Poppy are complex as well. They both have two lives, one in America, and one in Palestine. They both deal with mixed emotions that they don't fully understand, and they both feel like they lost a part of themselves when for Poppy he moved to America, and for Liyana she moved to Palestine. Poppy has gotten some of himself back, but there are definitely still things missing. Liyana is missing a whole lot more than Poppy because she's now going through kind of what Poppy had to go through, but just at a younger age. I personally think that it's better to be complex because if everything was simple, if everyone could express their feelings and everyone could understand them, life would be boring. There would be no fun in trying to figure out peoples emotions, and you wouldn't be very empathetic either because you didn't have to try to understand people you just knew what they were feeling and you couldn't put in your own emotion you could only nod your head at theirs.
ReplyDeleteLiyana is with herself because she is lonely. I think that Liyana and Poppy are complex because after a tough decision to move over seas their lives got more difficult
ReplyDeleteI think Liyana said that because she is independent. I think they are both complex but Poppy is more complex because when you become an adult you understand things kids don't understand.
ReplyDeletei think liyana meant that she likes to be alone sometimes. It could also mean that she is independent. I think that Poppy and Liyana are complex. I think this because they have so much going on in their life and they seem to be dealing with it well. I think i am both complex and independent.
ReplyDelete~ Cierra Wilkins
I think when Liyana says "im with myself" she means that she is alone and really her only friend right now is herself. But Liyana is okay with that for right now. Liyana isnt as complex as poppy and she can be read easily as poppy takes some time to understand
ReplyDelete~olivia noyes
i think that when liyana said wanted to be alone. this meant that liyana wants to be more independent. and i think im more simple than complex
ReplyDelete--Robert Arellano
I think Liyana says this because she is kind of lonely, or feels alone. I also think that Poppy and Liyana are both complex. I think this because they both want or wanted the opposite of each other. Poppy wanted to return to his family, and teach his other family about where they came from. Liyana just wants to go back and stay in America.
ReplyDeletei think that when Liyana said "i am with myself", she is translating i am not in a specific religion, i go my own way, but her saying "i am with myself" makes it sound like a religion. i think she is a simple person she's independent, yet her relationship between her and poppy is complex. Liyana wants to be kind like on the tests reading, poppy doesn't really care much for others, lastly Liyana i think might be a little sad on the inside because she said a while back "i wake up and do chores everyday and when he does something its a miracle!" so i believe she feels underappreciated at home.
ReplyDelete-elifishbein_20
-eli fishbein
-father time #ridingonhisMUSTACHEIOD
I see Liyana and Poppy as complex because they always have mixed feelings they never feel the same for a full day. there emotions always change. And I think of myself as a mixture between simple and comeplex because sometimes i am content for the entire day and something may happen that could turn it all around in a good way or sad joyful or painful.
ReplyDelete-Ainsley Jones
Also i think Liyana said she was by herself because she is content being by herself and that she feels she is never alone
ReplyDelete-Ainsley Jones
i think she just meant she is alone and nobody really knows her and how she feels moving to Palistien/Israel. i would not say the same. I Feel as though i'm a simple person on the outside but on the inside i'm complex. i see the two as complex because they only see the outside and never see what each other feels about the move
ReplyDelete**Thomas Gibbons**
**TGibbs**
When Liyana said she was with herself I think that means that is alone but alone and happy with herself.i would probably say the same thing and I see myself as complex with many layers, sweet, sour ect.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure whether i am simple or complex.I think that Poppy is simple and that Liyana is complex because nobody knows her so she wants to be left alone.
ReplyDelete-David R
she wanted to be alone. liyana is more complex and poppy is simple!
ReplyDelete