Running in the Family STRUCTURE

1. Running in the FamilySTRUCTURE IB HL Year 2 A block

2. ASIAN RUMORS Motif: RUMORS In a sense, rumors are the strings that bind these chapters together. The doubtful and secretive nature of gossip basically gives Michael the task to filter out the fibs and focus on the actual events that happened to his family. Rumors make up the springboard for the author's inherent problem of finding the real truth. Memories of the "ancient word" Asia circle Michael Ondaatje's head, forcing him to find the 'truth' in all the rumors that have been surrounding him because of his aunts. The first section of the novel focuses on the beginning of the author's quest to retrieve his past from all the rumors and false stories that follow his family name.

3. Asia The author wishes to go back to Asia, to his roots, as the continent's mysterious qualities attract him to find out more about his past. Jaffna Afternoons Refers to Michael's time in Jaffna with his favorite Aunt Phyllis, who likes to mix rumors and facts about the Ondaatje family together. ................................................................................................................. SIMILARITIES The main similarity between both chapters is the blurred imagery describing Ceylon, further illustrating the mysterious nature that rumors possess. Asian Rumors The image that Ondaatje uses to represent this section is very bleak,  and too overexposed. Its faint and crumpled appearance is similar to that of Ondaatje's memories of Asia, also faint and not necessarily happy.

4. Asian Rumors TONE Contemplative, reminiscent, longing MOOD lazy ATMOSPHERE stifling air and heat ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... KEY PASSAGES page 22, "Asia. The name was a gasp from a dying mouth . . ." page 26, "In the heart of this 250 year old fort . . ."

5. A FINE ROMANCE A Fine Romance just so happens to be Doris' (Michael's mother) favorite song and is an ironic description of her and Mervyn's unsteady relationship. This section of the novel serves as an introduction to the fragmented, uncertain and discontinued writing style of the author; as well as a start of the Ondaatje family history.  .......................................................................................................................... Motif: INEBRIATION In some way, most of the characters in A Fine Romance were either acting drunk or were actually drunk - behaving irrationally and immaturely; unable to make concrete decisions during their decadent and spoiled youths. This is especially illustrated through the author's father. Mervyn, other than being physically drunk, was also drunk for love - leaving his supposed fiancée for the vivacious Doris. Michael especially highlighted the consequences of having a flaming youth in the later chapters of the section.

6. A Fine Romance SIMILARITES Every one of the chapters in A Fine Romance somewhat demonstrates the effects of inebriation or intoxication. The fragmented events in this section of the book refers to a lack of clarity and a lot of discontinuity in the characters' way of thinking. The Courtship Already presents the irony within Mervyn's immature ways, seeing that the author does not necessarily mention any 'courting' involved with his father's many relationships. April 11, 1932 An anecdote describing the wedding of Michael's parents. The horribleness of the bishop's driving seems to foretell their reckless relationship evident in the later years of their marriage. Honeymoon Once again illustrates the irony between the title and the chapter itself. The digressive nature of the paragraph ultimately suggested that nothing significant happened during Mervyn and Doris' honeymoon. Historical Relations The formality of the chapter's name almost contradicts what is written. Michael describes the wild and euphoric living of the youth at that time. The War Between Men and Women An anecdotal and also ironic story of how there is no actual war between Lalla and the man who is fondling her false breast. Flaming Youth A metaphor to the erratic lives of Ceylon's young men and women. These people burn brightly at first, but eventually  lose their spark and burn out. The Babylon Stakes Refers to the Babylonian times, known for its extravagance. The luxurious and excessive lifestyle of the Sinhalese contributes to their immediate addiction to gambling. Tropical Gossip Shows how the rules of affairs are dominated by the boundaries that gossip has set. Kegalle (i) Refers to the town in Ceylon where Phillip lived in and where he started a family. The image used in the section alludes to the differences between Mervyn and Doris - that their marriage is doomed from the start. The fact that they are separated already shows how the romance is not fine at all.

7. A Fine Romance TONE Narrative, evaluation of youth MOOD Passive ATMOSPHERE Natural, uninhibited, careless ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... KEY PASSAGES page 47, "The Waste of youth . . ." page 53, "Love affairs rainbowed over marriages . . ." page 54, "But nothing is said of the closeness . . ."

8. Don't Talk to Me About Matisse

9. DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT MATISSE Don't Talk To Me About Matisse by Lakdasa Wikkramasinha, is a Sri Lankan poem about the hardship of their society.  Themes: Throughout the individual chapters within Don't Talk To Me About Matisse, an overarching theme is the hardship Ondaatje experiences in his expedition to discovering his family's past.  Significant Quotations: "After all these generations the coming darkness makes it necessary [...] some strange way removes vanity, eliminates the personal," (69)

10. ECLIPSE PLUMAGE

11. Eclipse Plumage Definition: A survival technique where male birds, mainly ducks, after molting are left flightless and are forced to adapt in order to not draw attention. They accomplish this by growing feathers similar to the drab feathers of females to meld into the background.  The glue:  The chapter is dominated by women (as is the photo at the beginning of the chapter), but Lalla is the predominant character. Michael focuses on the women at the time such as Lalla, who takes the foreground in Michael's memoir as Michaels father falls away due to depression and alcoholism (like the ducks, thus the title).  s J  s Juicy Passages: 1) Lunch Conversation: pg 110-111, "Your mother watches...a cup of tea'" 2) Aunts: pg, "Today is one...midst of my embrace." 3) The Passions Of Lalla: pg, "She was not yet...handlebars of several bicycles." 4) The Passions Of Lalla: pg, "It was her last perfect journey...hit it and was dead."

12. Eclipse Plumage Atmosphere:  • Sporadic within the 1st section • More ordered and logical through the 2nd and 3rd section • The last paragraphs of the 3rd section give detailed imagery of the atmosphere • We experience the setting through Lalla's point of view up to the moment of her death Tone: •  1st section: light, jovial • Shift in 2nd and 3rd section, becomes more somber and serious though tone is not sad even when writing about his grandmother's death, rather it is more reserved and even fond. Mood: •  Begins very excitedly, reader finds themselves engrossed in the lunch time conversation as the characters are •  Towards end of the 1st section mood becomes more sympathetic and sad

13. THE PRODIGAL Prodigal: the spending of money or resources freely and recklessly or in a wastefully extravagant way Connection: Ondaatje's sentiments of regret as he reminisces about his family, specifically his father. His feelings of remorse become evident as he rediscovers his lack of knowledge about his past and realizes how little he knows. Chapters:Harbour- the harbour is a comparison to everything that  Ondaatje has learned about his family up until this point.Monsoon Notebook (ii)-Ondaatje realizes that he has failedto enjoy his life, failing to take notice of so many things How I was Bathed- Symbolic for his lack of awareness and  control over what was going on during his childhood Wilpattu-detailed journal as he struggles to relive his pastKuttapitiya- detailed journal as he struggles to relive his past Travels to Ceylon- detailed study about his father's past Sir John- he explicitly discloses his desire to rediscover his  fatherPhotograph- parallels his desire to capture his past

14. THE PRODIGAL Similar trends throughout the chapters:Nostalgia and regret  Vivid details about the pastSpecific information about dates and location Ondaatje recounts moments in his past when his bitterness and naivety had blinded him from his reality and prevented him from enjoying present moments. These come across as Ondaatje's attempts to grab hold of his past.Natural imageryMotif of the use of soap and its ability to clean a person to his purest state, which parallels Ondaatje's desire to rediscover his rootsTurning point in the book :After this chapter set, he decides to focus more on his fatherMore vivid memories

15. THE PRODIGAL Essential Commentary Passages: -Page 144 "Now, and here..." to  "...of the night. " -Page 117 - 118 "The bar across the windows...they would weep weep loud into the night" -Page 120 "The first school I went...into out sarongs and go to bed." Essential Quotes: -Page 115 "There is nothing wise about a harbor, but it is real life" -Page 174 “I could have lost a toe during one of those breakfasts searching for my father”  -Page 178 "It is the only photograph I have found of the two of the together."

16. WHAT WE THINK OF MARRIED LIFE "What we think of married life" is the message written behind their honeymoon photo (left), and as the title suggests, this section gives deeper insight into Mervyn and Doris' relationship with each other throughout their marriage. Key element: Tea Country The nature of Tea Country, beautifully landscaped although a target for monsoons, is representative of Mervyn and Doris' somewhat bipolar relationship with one another. Although at times their marriage was chaotic and turbulent, there are times at which they almost seem made for each other. Tea Country - setting of the marriage "What we think of married life" - deeper insight into parent's personalities Diolouges - memories of their marriage Blind faith - feelings about father Bones - aftermath of the divorce

17. Chapter similarities: • Sections mostly focus around Mervyn and Doris' time of marriage • Gives deeper insight into Mervyn and Doris' personalities both as individuals and as a couple • Reveals details and vivid memories of their marriage and relationship and the outcomes of such Mood:   • The beginning sections are rather nostalgic and light, with memories of the better times in the marriage • However, as the chapter progresses the sections become increasingly darker in mood • Reflects the increasing darker times the marriage was headed towards and the negative outcomes of the divorce Tone: • Overall, the chapter is bittersweet, with both fond and dark memories of the marriage prevelant throughout • Reflects the bipolar nature of their relationship

18. Commentary worthy passages "We wake in silence... that surrounded my parents' marriage" (pg. "Once he nearly killed us... none of us would get in the car again" (pg. "During certain hours... a tender herb" (pg. "My father is walking... in the hot passing air" (pg.

19. THE CEYLON CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY - This is the point in the narrative where his father finally finds lucidity, hence the glasses and their clearness, where he can literally 'see better'. Prior to this, his interaction with glass merely consisted of alcoholism. Key Image: Glasses Ceylon Cactus and the Succulent Society - name of society that Dad made up.Entire chapter - purpose of book, his father. His whole journey was to rediscover his dad.Names of the sections: "Fathertongue" - articulate everything about his father, and his life. In terms of the sections within the chapter, the titles "Monsoon Notebook (iii)", "Final Days/ Father Tongue" and "Last Morning" all suggest a sense of finality and closure. Meanwhile, the first section, "Thanikama", meaning aloneness, again emphasizes the significance the narrator places on his father's life.

20. - Family; siblings in their youth - Juxtaposition: water - memories with youth - Everyone has a history - Ambiguity; Ondaatje or his father? Image of the section tone: shift in narrator's voice, "Father Tongue" written in letters; melancholic detachment mood: ambivalence; non-linear to linear structure adds to confusion, audience looks for clarity and finds none.

21. atmosphere The atmosphere that the author creates in the last section is that of rainy, drunken and sullen days. This parallels his father's final days. This is important because it once again shows his need to become close to his father, no matter the obstacle of death, as he believes memories can be preserved. This is further illustrated through the letters that he receives, which contain vivid details on the final days of his father's life. The author's word choice is populated with references to 'white' and 'rain', often together. Some examples include "lost ship on a white sea", "pool of white" [p.211] and "white downpour" [p.216]. The idea of white rain depicts a blindness that can be suffocating, though the irony comes in the fact that this symbolizes the narrator's finding lucidity. commentaries p. 228 "Courtesy…cigarettes you light."p.227 "There is so much to know…always moved him."p.208 "The memory of his friends…and people disappeared."

22. PASSAGE HOMEWORK for Monday • Each group member chooses a different passage from your section • Type, copy, download this passage onto a separate piece of paper (or document) • Annotate your passage fully, I want to see HOW you mark a passage -- use highlighters or colored pencils • THEN, write and "umbrella idea" (i.e. overriding theme for the passage you will attempt to explore in your commentary) • AND, write a commentary outline in which you bullet out the key ideas you would talk about • These should be able to "stand under your umbrella" and work to prove that this theme is valid • You should be highlighting the most important stylistic elements and explaining their effects on the whole!  • END with a "SO WHAT?" • I'llcollect your DNBs on Monday also! Have hard copies! TAKE A MINUTE NOW TO FIGUE OUT WHO WILL DO WHAT...