Characters:
Toloki - In chapter 5 Toloki becomes much more opinionated with the happenings within the house, especially when dealing with the situation between Ruth and Orpah. He is no longer afraid of Ruth's dictatorship she holds over the house and starts voicing his opinions. Through his opinions he gains even more interest in Orpah and starts 'accidentally' running into her for little conversations here and there. "... where I hang out during those times I have noted are her regular coffe hours so that I can accidentally bump into her" (pg. 156). Toloki also starts pushing towards his old traditions by gaining an urge to mourn so that he does not lose himself in the Kilvert way of life.
Ruth - She becomes 'the Taliban of the house.' Ruth starts being more and more harsh with Orpah and even Toloki when her family starts to voice opinions about her actions and way of thinking. Ruth becomes very cold with Toloki and does not share conversation or stories of her heritage as she did before. Even though she is very cold to Toloki, he is still dubbed 'Ruth's African' by the women at the community center. She becomes obsessive with cleaning and chores. "With these dishes for instance, she takes over because she says Obed is doing the job half-heartedly" (pg.141) In defense of her family becoming more opinionated, Ruth starts talking about their tradition on a daily basis and tries to push her family back to the 'right' path. For instance, she quotes the Bible numerous times in everyday conversation.
Obed - Throughout Chapter 5 Obed shows a variety of talents. He is the auctioneer for the community center and Toloki describes him as '... a very charming auctioneer..." (pg 146). Obed shows another talent with his super-natural 'hand trembling' skills where is able to tell future in some cases and was actually able to find an object Toloki hid while he was blindfolded. Ruth condemns his actions as sinful and against the Bible and their tradition. Obed quickly drops his hand trembling hobby. Lastly, Obed shows a softer side when he is the Santa at the community center and Toloki is impressed saying, "It is amazing how he is able to bring out a giggle even from the shy kids" (pg 162).
Orpah - She starts to talk to Toloki, but very little. Later in the Chapter she starts to open up to him more, and to the surprise of Toloki, she gives him her drawings to hide from Ruth. The conflict dealing with the quilts and Orpah's non-traditional designs is finally revealed. An affair between Orpah and Mr. Quigley is discovered by Toloki but it has been known by the entire community for some time. Lastly, Orpah actually leaves the house to go to Christmas dinner and is seen talking and laughing with Nathan.
Nathan - "We have been waiting for Nathan to come and fix it -- another feather in his cap since he is handy at fixing gadgets..." (pg. 142) Orpah starts to open up to Nathan more at the Christmas Dinner.
Mr. Quigley - Having an affair with Orpah and it is accepted by those in the community. Although he is having an affair Toloki later learns from the women in the community that Mahlon Quigley "... is a respected elder in the community... On the rare occasions he utters something everyone listens and takes note" (pg. 160). Also the story Mr. Quigley losing his entire farm attributes to his silence and explains how he does not grow anything that can die and why he admires his gnomes.
Barbara Parsons - The food bank manager and fund-raiser at the Kilvert Community Center. Invites Toloki to the Christmas dinner. Toloki helps Barbara with many things in the Community Center and is then also dubbed 'Barbara Parsons' African.
Irene Flowers - Another woman who makes quilts in the community center. In addition to Ruth and Barbara, Toloki is called 'Irene Flowers' African.
Brother Micheal - Pastor at the local church. He was married and preaching in Florida until he met a woman from Kilvert and left his wife took over the parish in Kilvert. Ruth despises Brother Micheal because she feels he is an adulterer. "Ruth led a campaign against him because he was an adulterer... That was how they came to boycott their little chocolate church" (pg. 153-154).
Summary:
Toloki finds himself in many very different situations throughout chapter 5. First he is introduced to the Kilvert Community Center and is dubbed 'Ruth's African' by the women there. He learns many details about the Quigley family from these women since the family doesn't always give out their most intimate details. This then leads him into the middle of the dispute between Ruth and Orpah. He finds that Orpah is constantly creating new, more modern designs for the quilts Ruth makes but Ruth does not approve. Tradition is the only thought on her mind and even the thought of changing the quilts a little inflames her. Toloki observes Orpah's drawings and tries to voice his opinions about how it is unfair for Ruth to try and oppress her artist advances. Toloki also tries to explain how these designs may help the sale of Ruth's quilts after he finds that she has trouble even selling one. This only causes a gap between Ruth and Toloki and between Ruth and her family after others start to voice their opinions.
Much is revealed about Mahlon Quigley and Orpah. First was the story about Mr. Quigley's old farm. He was a very persistent farmer until one year his entire crop and most of his animals died from disease. This caused him to become very reclusive and explains why he never tries to grow anything again. He only takes care of his concrete and gnomes. Another situation is revealed between Mahlon Quigley and Orpah. They have been having an affair for many, many years. The most shocking part of the affair is that is it completely accepted by the community and Mr. Quigley is still seen as a very respected member of society.
In Chapter 5 we find the family participating in many different events in the Kilvert Community Center. Ruth used to sell her quilts there but does not anymore despite her making many quilts with the other women there. Obed is the auctioneer for the community center and dresses as Santa for the Christmas dinner. He shows his likable side when he is a charming auctioneer and makes each and every child laugh. The entire family is at the community center for the Christmas dinner and this reminds Toloki of his previous vocation as a professional mourner. While observing the Christmas dinner he is reminded of how he cannot just become part of this community and he has a duty. At the end of the chapter, Toloki has an unyielding urge to mourn again and this urge pushes him into the forest where he finds an old grave. When Toloki and Obed return the next day, they learn it is the grave of the first Quigley, Niall.
Chapter 6
Characters:
Niall Quigley - The first Quigley. Lived in New York for many years until he gained his first slave in a card game. He was an Irishman who was addicted to gambling and paid frequent visits to the local bordello. He was a somewhat clever man who devised many schemes to gain a profit, but he was always brought down by his character flaws such as gambling.
Unnamed Slave/John Tyler - Won by Niall Quigley in a card game. He is a very scrawny slave with bad teeth whom no one wanted to buy. Talkative and clever, him and Niall make various schemes. Even when presented with an opportunity to escape, he does not leave Niall's side due to their bond.
Abednego - Son of the Abyssinian Queen and brother to Nicodemus. Started a new life in the north and befriends Niall.
Birdman - Conductor on the Underground Railroad who inducts Niall and Abednego as conductors.
William Tobias - A slave hunter who killed Nicodemus and captured Birdman. Claims to be changed, an abolitionist, and a converted Quaker after confronted by Niall and Abednego.
Summary:
Chapter 6 is a flashback to the past provided by the grave found by Toloki. It is the story of the first Quigley and his life. Niall Quigley lived in Tipperary, Ireland before he last everything by gambling and fled for the United States. He then won his newly leashed slave in a card game ironically . Niall and his slave then start a business together, a scam in order to gain some kind of a profit. He finds any stray children around New York and ferries them to the south to be sold as mulattos. Niall would cross any kind of boundary to make some kind of money. After being very profitable, he starts doing this full time. He and his slave start living very well and despite having many opportunities to leave, the slave decided to stay will Niall for the lifestyle. After some time of living very well with many visits to the bordello, Niall loses all of his money through gambling again and even loses his cart and horses ending his business. Even after all of this his slave sticks with him.
Since the first business idea failed, Niall tried to scheme up another plan to survive. He decided that the breeding of slaves was still a very profitable field so he made a potion. This potion supposedly made slave women more fertile and caused them to bear more children at once, just like dogs, as he suggested. He sold this concoction to many slave owners in the south even though it was only water, baking soda, and any other white substance he could find. Many of the buyers were angry but did not pursue Niall Quigley. This was not the case of David Fairfield. He tracked Mr. Quigley and his slave down and confronted him about the potion he sold to his wife and with a few documents, Niall's slave sold him to Mr. Fairfield.
After much time of poor treatment and unsuccessful escapes from the Fairfield's plantation, Niall found someone who would believe his story of being unjustly sold. A Quaker minister believed his story and took him to the Virgina Supreme Court. The question was whether or not Niall Quigley was the rightful property of David Fairfield. From the confusion of the name signed on the papers of Niall Quigley being John Tyler, the supreme court ruled in favor of Mr. Fairfield and Niall was deemed his rightful property. Even after this long ordeal, Niall went back to his duties and was eventually promoted. His promotion allowed him to socialize with many other slaves including other white slaves, but he preferred to associate with the field slaves. He then later was fascinated by the death and story Abyssinian Queen which inspired him to find her lsot sons.
He escaped from the Fairfield's farm after his inspiration and came to Tabler Town. The town welcomed him and he began his new life there. Later he met Abednego and learned of Nicodemus' fate. He felt connected to him because of the stories about him and his mother and passively suggested vengeance. They develop a friendship and eventually are inducted by Birdman to become conductors on the Underground Railroad. Birdman gets taken by William Tobias, the same man who killed Nicodemus. Many years later, Quigley and Abednego decide to search for the murderer of Nicodemus and Birdman. After finding Tobias, the two friends confront him about his actions and Tobias claims he is a changed man. He explained how he is now a Quaker and an abolitionist, he found the lord and is sorry for what he has done. Despite his change of heart, Abednego still enacts his revenge and kills Tobias. Niall then shoots his body in an attempt to share the guilt. Killing of this man kneeling down in prayer did not ease their pain, it only made it worse.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think Ruth is out of line when trying to keep the tradition of the quilts intact by refusing to use any of Orpah's new designs? Why or why not?
2. Is there a possibility that Orpah and Mr. Quigley's affair is not what it seems? If it is not an affair, what could it be?
3. Do you think the killing of William Tobias was right? Or was him being a changed man enough for Abednego and Niall to forgive him?
10 comments:
I do think that it is unfair of Ruth to not allow Orpah to do her own designs. I agree with most of the class that combining the old traditions and new ones is a great way to adjust to changing times. Ruth isn't selling the purely old style so why not try a little twist.
I do not think that there is an affair between Mahlon and Orpah. I feel like that it is some sort of game that is played between the two. Because Orpah is after all very much a Daddy's girl.
Killing Tobais is kind of a two way situation. I don't know if they really needed to kill him just because it was after all the past and he was trying to apologize and become a good man. However, I will admit that it would be hard for me to not want to kill him if I was in their shoes.
1. I think it is unfair what Ruth is doing. Orpah could help Ruth design better and more appealing quilts so that they would actually sell.
2. I don't think it is an affair, but i am not sure what exactly it is. I am sure we will find out about it soon!
3. No, I don't think it was right. Like they said, killing Tobias wont bring Nicodemus back and now Abednego feels worse since he killed a man asking for forgiveness. No body deserves to die, thats Gods decision. But i do not think that by him just saying he is a changed man is a good enough reason. He needs to prove himself before I would believe him.
1. I feel that tradition should be kept. But change to the tradition to make a new one for later generations is also good.
2. I think that what is going on between Orpah and Mr. Quigley is just a friendship; an understanding of each other.
3. I probably would have done the same thing if I was in his shoes. So it seems fair to me.
Nice job on the presentation guys! Great details on the characters.
I do think that Ruth acts a little unfair toward Orpah about her new designs. Keeping traditions alive is a good thing, but it's never a bad thing to add something new in too. Orpah's new designs could be the story of her time just like the traditions are the stories of Ruth's time.
I don't think there is an affair between Mahlon and Orpah. I just think that they are very close with each other and they feel they can only really talk to each other.
I would probably have killed Tobais too, even though he was not the one who actually killed Nicodemus, I would feel such hate for him because he did not do anything about it, let alone he put a price on Nicodemus' name and that's not right.
1) Ruth is just stuck in her own traditions and does not want to make new ones. Orpah is creative and just wants to be a part of the tradition. Obviously there's some similarities there. I do think she is wrong by this. She should take her daughters abilities seriously and use them to her advantage. Maybe she would make better sells with her quilts.
2)With Mahlon and Orpah... that is definitely grotesque. An affair between a daughter and father should never be voluntary... I thnk Toloki is just jumping to conclusions too fast.
3) i'm not really sure what my view is on Tobias. If it were me, in his shoes, I would probably do the same thing. An eye for an eye I suppose.
1) I dont think she is out of line for trying to keep the tradition alive but I think she needs to be open and mroe accepting to Orpahs sense of creativity.
2)I thought that it could have been something different but I was confident that they were wierdos and getting it on.
3)I think that its pretty drastic to kill a person. But then again I dont know waht I would do if another person killed my brother.
1. I think it is good that Ruth wants to keep that tradition in the quilt making designs, but I think that she needs to realize that if the other patterns make Orpah happier, then she needs to accept it.
2. If it is not an affair, then they might go alone together to talk since Ruth is always nagging Orpah about everything she does.
3. Personally, if someone killed my brother, especially if I witnessed it, I would kill the William Tobias. I do not believe that William Tobias was a complete changed man. He will always have that pro slavery in him.
1) I do think that Ruth is out of line by denying Orpah the chance to make quilts out of her own designs. She should be able to combine old and new designs to create her own traditional quilt.
2) I think that there is a chance that their affair is not what it appears to be. I just dont believe that they are doing what everyone thinks they are doing. I dont know what it could be though.
3) The kiling of William Tobias was unjust because one he was a changed man and two they had no reason to kill him other than what had happened in the past.
Overall good presentation. Covered most of the important information.
1. No, I don't think Ruth is out of line. Ruth just likes everything to be the exact same as it was back in the day, there is nothing wrong with that.
2. Yes, I just think that they like to tell stories and hang out together.
3. Yes, I think it was right because they didn't really get to experience the good side of William and they just wanted to get back at him. But then again I don't think you should just kill someone because they killed your brother. If that was me, I would want that person to go to jail and pay for what he did. Killing the person just makes them get off easy.
Ruth wants to preserve tradition, but it must be asked, and evaluated...how would the quilting tradition have advanced if it went on as a road map for escaping slaves. or can the quilt be a roadmap for current times. anyone today would understand the shape of a boeing 747 on a quilt representing something.
The situation with mahlon and orpah is more of a father daughter relationship that niether has grown out of. mahlon enjoys telling stories and passing along the family traditions to his creative daughter whos active imagination just eats it up.
Killing tobais, wasn't the best course of action. if left alone in a safe community there is nothing to fear by abednego, which he had no reason to believe his security was in question. so tobais was in no way a threat so in no way needed to be killed at that time.
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