Wednesday, January 16, 2008

3CoT - Self Storage - Chapter 4

This chapter is titled Self Storage and begins with the following quote:

Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man. -Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz

Your first posting will be to answer the following questions:
  1. Why do you suppose the authors chose Self Storage as the title of this chapter? Write your response and give examples from the text to support your answer
  2. Re-read the quote shown above. What does the quote mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with this? Please support your opinion
  3. Read the last sentence of chapter 4 - how has the author used foreshadowing? Using contextual hints from this sentence, briefly explain what you think will happen next and why.

63 comments:

thomas"theman"repta said...

the chapter tilte is lame. the quote is stupid and the last sentice indicates that there going to california.

Jesse_Sheets said...
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Aaron Croslow said...

1. I think he chose Self Storage as the title because the chapter starts with him opening his self storage in Berkeley Self-Storage stall 114 (page. 34) and he says that this stall is the anchor to himself. He returns to this stall after every climb he goes on.
2. I think that if someone that has achieved “greatness” acts like he is almighty, and he is better then everyone else, then people start to despise him. If someone who has achieved “greatness” and still acts like a humble normal person people will accept that he has done great things.
3. I think that the author was trying to show that there is a glimmer of hope for his cause, “a shard of California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey’s scuffed plastic eyes” I also think that he will soon have an idea come to him that will allow him to raise the money he needs.

S.Meracle said...

1. I believe that the chapter name well suited the chapter because a lot of the chapter is about his past and giving us a pretty clear background on his life's history.
2. To me this quote means something like, be your self and that is when your true greatness comes out. I definitely agree 100%.
3. Because the author mentions the fact that the sun in his dolls eyes is Californian sun, I'm assuming that he has used foreshadowing to tell the reading in not so many words that they are going to California.

Jesse_Sheets said...

I think he titled it Self Storage because it starts with him going back to his storage unit he has with all of his stuff. He then goes back to when he lived in Africa and he talked about it. I believe the quote means that in order to be succesful you have to be able to understand the common person and their needs. I agree with the quote. I think the last sentence forshadows him having a little bit of hope that he'll be able to build the school in Pakistan. The forshadowing is the shard of light on the monkey's eye, and the padlock. The next thing I think he'll do is try to get money for the school.

Kayla Bowman said...

1. I think that the author called it, Self Storage, because the whole chapter is about his life. He talks about his mom and dad, and his sisters. He told us that his dad had died from cancer and his sister dying of a deathly illness that cause seizures. He also said that he moved to Tanzania with his family and helped build hospital and schools.
2. I think that this quote is a very great motivational quote for many people. To me this quote means that in order for you to succeed greatness, you have to start somewhere and build your way up.I think that this applies to anything that you are trying and it applies too so many people.
3. I think that the last sentence is leading us into the next step for him building the school. The light shining is kind of like his last light he will see of california in a while, for he does not know when he is coming back.

Kel Lenneah said...

I belive that the chapters name is self storage because in the hole chapter the auther talks about mortesons past. like when he was talking about the time he spent in the military. Or the parts about his fathers and sisters deaths. This quote I belive is saying that greatness comes from the common man who speaks up about a injustice that he/she see's. I do agree with this statment I think that uncomon vailor is common in ordinary men. About the last sentence I belive that we are going the go in the part of the story that tells about him raising the money for the school.

Mark Gladman said...
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Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark Gladman said...

The title "Self-Storage" arises from Greg Mortenson's return to his self-storage stall on San Pablo Avenue,
Berkeley Self-Storage stall 114, where he travels after every climb, to try to reduce the feeling of dislocation. "...Mortenson's anchor to himself."

The quote is saying that one cannot become great without being humble. Those who believe that they are great, will never become great. I believe that this is a fair evaluation of what being truly great requires.

I think that next, Mortenson will try to help the impoverished people he witnessed throughout his trip and attempt to climb K2. The stuffed monkey reminds him of his sister, and he wants to bring aid to other young girls like her.

Derrick Neathamer said...

1. I think he chose that name because he opens it with information of his own.
2. To me, the quote means that one who feels great, one who isn't afraid to speak, is one who will make it far and beyond.
3. i think the foreshadowing is them going to California. Clearly stated from the book: "California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey’s scuffed plastic eyes”.

Brandon Stead said...

1.) I believe that the chapter is called Self Storage because right at the beginning of the chapter Mortenson talks about a "Self-Storage stall 114".
2.) Greatness is what you make it. It is based on the foundation of you abilty to appear, act and speak just as a common thing, yourself.
3.) I think that stuffed monkey reminded him of his sister and that gave him more incentive to help young girls like her. I think the author is foreshadowing that he will help the people in need that he encountered from his climb of the K2.

Bitcoin Anonymous said...

Why do you suppose the authors chose Self Storage as the title of this chapter?

In the quote the author puts "as the most common man." which would be you as yourself. I think this title is label "Self Storage" because its about what your able to do, and if your willing to do it.


What does the quote mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with this?

I so so agree. I believe full success and greatness is achieve with a team. Saying you can achieve great things by yourself is foolish and selfish. If you friends or family wasn't there you would achieve anything, but for the good of yourself.

How has the author used foreshadowing?

“a shard of California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey’s scuffed plastic eyes” I think a idea will come to him soon to get his money.

leonardo I. said...

I belive it is because at the begining he starts off in a storage unit with all his belongings and he remembers things about himself from when he was in Africa. I totally agree with the quote because i think the same thing; you're not always judged by the number of lives you, but instead the amount of money you make or have. What i got from the last sentence was that they're in California and he is closing out his childhood for some reason or getting closure for something.

Jason Pardee said...

1.I think they chose that title because in a way, when he hangs up his climbing gear, he's taking a break from his "life". To me, climbing is this mans life. On PG 34 it says that this is the Anchor to himself.
2.I think that is someone achieves "greatness" then he/she shouldnt flaunt it or praise themselves over it. I agree with it, and i believe greatness can be any mans downfall.
3.I think he will head to cali and start a new life. "california sunlight"

Brandon Fry said...

1. I think that he named this Chapter, "Self Storage", because of the storage space in Berkeley that he always goes to after coming back from a climb, but it also could be because he is going into his memory storage because there are alot of memories in this chapter.
2. I think that this quote means to be yourself, and dont act like something that you are not. If you just be yourself, then you will be able to do great things. I think that this quote is true. I believe that you can not do great things unless you are your self
3. I think that the light shining off of the monkeys eyes will give mortenson hope, and mortenson will think of his sister and father, and that will make him more motivated to complete the task at hand.

Kaylie Lush said...

1. I think that the author chose Seolf Storage because it's an expression relating to the chapter, the whole chapter is about his memories that are "stored" in his memory. Chapter 4 is all about his past and how he became who he is.
2. The quote to me means that to be great, you first need to achieve being common, then move on to greatness.
3. I believe that the last sentence was indicating that 'on the horizon', in the future times will get better. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps the stuffed monkey will lead him to a way to get money for building schools.

Barri Glazier said...

1) i think he chose that as the title because this chapter was about Greg Mortenson's days growing up and learning how to adapt to many changes with his surroundings and also his life style.
2) To me it means that you don't have to be anything but a common man/woman to be great. Becuse this book is about one common man that begins a great task and helps many.
3) He used foreshadowing by using the sunlight and the monkey as objects of meaning. By using the light is ment to discribe heaven and the monkey is ment to discribe his passed on father. I think that Greg will continue his fathers work.

Anonymous said...

1. I think he called it "self storage" because in this chapter Greg Mortenson is taken back and is remembering basically his whole child hood. he recalls the mission his parents went on in Africa, His dad dying of cancer, his sister of a seizure, going into the army and the history of becoming a climber. He's reviewing his memory files in his brain storage.
2. I think this quote is saying that everybody has the potential to be great. I very much agree with this quote. i think it goes along with "you can do anything if you put your mind to it." every body is capable of doing great things, Like Martin Luther King Jr. for example.
3. I think he is foreshadowing by using the stuffed monkey as a representation of his dead sister Christa and the sun light is kind of like a light bulb or a fire (idea) going on in his head. the fire is the way he wants to honor his sister which is the idea of building schools in Pakistan.

Brenton Levens said...

1. I think that the title “Self Storage” is because of the storage stall 114, it also could be because that’s where he goes after every climb.
2. I think that it shows that the common man is great but the person that thinks they are great are not. Yes its true
3. It says that the stuffed monkey had a glimmer of Californian sun coming off its plastic eye.

Desiree Badizadegan said...

1. I think he chose this title because during this chapter he is flashing back to what life was like. He had gone back to a storage space, and as he was putting his gear away, he saw some of the things from his past life that made him have flashbacks. He was thinking of memories such as how he was hurt on the same day that his sister was found dead by his mother, and how he was raised Tanzania.
2. I think this quote is talking about how you should be able to see both sides of the story, and become like an "average man". You should be in the middle of most situations, and always understand what each side of the situation is thinking. You have to be a leader in some situations, you can always expect to be led.
I agree with this in the sense that you should always consider what the other side is thinking, but I don't agree with it in the sense that if you act as a "common man" you will never be treated as something more than that. You will be blending in with the crowd, and you won't be seen as something "great". Of course there is personal greatness, which would be fine to acheive (and this quote works for that), but if you want others to see you as great, you can't blend in with the common man. Thomas Jefferson was a man who did this (he went out into public dressed as an everyday man), and it worked for him, but it doesn't work for some people.
3. I think the author used foreshadowing by having the padlocking of the door symbolize him leaving the past in the past and moving forward. I also think that he was symbolizing something good happening by having a gleaming light showing in the monkey's eyes. I also think by saying "scuffed monkey's eyes" he was symbolizing how old these memories were. I think that he will go and try to raise money for these kids, and then I think he will go and help out the town of Korhpe by building the school. He has made himself a better person by letting go of the past, and learning from his experiences. Therefore, he is going to use these experiences to help others.

Courtney Strouse said...

I think the authors chose the title Self Storage because this chapter looks back on Greg Mortensons past. He looks back into the memories some old belongings give him. The stuffed animal bear reminds him of Africa and the tough move into the States when people treated him badly.
From reading this quote I think it talks about when people step out and find who they are, they become great.
I think that Mortenson will put his past behind him and move on to the West Coast.

Cara Lumpkin said...

1) Chapter four was titled “Self Storage” I think this is the title because, Mortenson went back home to California and stored his climbing gear in his storage space. The Storage space is filled with everything Mortenson owns, all of his memories. When he sees a stuffed monkey from his childhood all of the memories from that time came swirling back. Its like he is stored there, it’s a storage place for himself.
2) I believe greatness comes with dedication, hard work, honesty, and the ability to be remembered. How great can you be if in ten years no one remembers you? How much did you actually accomplish? Blending in with the crowd doesn’t really achieve anything. I can understand what Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz means when he says greatness is built on the ABILITY to appear, speak and act, as the most common man, because it seems like he thinks no matter how powerful or influential you are you should always be modest. I think that yes this CAN be true, but there is always a time and a place to be different to step out of the crowd and say what you mean. Influential leaders such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King JR. William Shakespeare all acted uncommonly (hunger strikes, public African American pride, writing about devastation, lust, and love before it was considered normal to do so) and they are considered some of the greatest men in history.
3) When the California sun gleams off the stuffed monkey’s eyes I think its foreshadowing that there is a “gleam” of hope for his mission the built schools in Korphe. When he locks the door it symbolizes how hard it will be to get to his goal. I think that he’s going to start trying to accumulate money for his cause, but he wont have very good results (padlocked door foreshadowing difficulty).

Bowen Feeley said...

I believe the author titled the chapter self storage because through most of the chapter he relives past memories of life in Africa, his Dad and his Sister.
The quote means normal people without any special ability or genius can do amazing things in the most adverse of situations.
The sentence tells of positive and negative scenarios, so will the future be positive of negative for Mortenson.

SarahMete said...

1. I think that the author titled chapter 4 "Self Storage" because every time Mortenson returns to Berkeley, California he visits a storage space that contains most of his belongings. Every object represents memories from his past and during his visits, Mortenson reminisces in his past.
2. I believe that this quote states that one has to build a foundation and gradually progress to success. Also, that one must speak out and have an opinion to be able to succeed in life.
3. I think that last sentence foreshadows that Mortenson's plan to help the child in Tanzania will be successful. The "California sun" that gleamed from the monkeys eyes represents Mortenson's bright idea.

Obed said...

1.
Why do you suppose the authors chose Self Storage as the title of this chapter?
I think that he choose Self Storage as his title because he starts by saying that he opens the Self Storage and thats where he gangs up all his gear, but to me it feals like he is taking a brack of his life.
2.
Re-read the quote shown above. What does the quote mean to you? You alway have to be humble no mater how great or well known you get.
Do you agree or disagree with this? I agree totaly, because nobody likes a cocky person, and they start avoiding him because nobody like to assosiate with that kind of person.
3.
Read the last sentence of chapter 4 - how has the author used foreshadowing? He is going to California and i think that he is going to find a way to rais the money.Then he is going to go back to help the Baldi.

alisha kelton said...

1. I think the author chose to title chapter 4 "Self Storage" because it overveiws his past and also it deals with him going to his Berkly self storage place, where all of his things are kept.
2. I agree. I think the quote means that if your going to be a leader or someone with power over other people, that you need to be able to understand how the common person thinks and feels and what kind of needs they might have. That kind of person would make a good leader.
3. When he hangs up his climbing gear and it says the California sun shines in the monkeys eyes, and i think he's probably got an idea of how to raise the money. This seems to be forshadowing that he has a plan in his head for how to raise the money. The sun is like a way of showing hope in getting the money.

Alex-Trujillo said...

1. I think Self Storage is a great title because for me it means that he is thinking about how he will pay for the new school in this chapter and how he can barely afford to get home. And how he is thinking of giving up all his wants to help the people and specifically the children.
2. The common man that does great things to change the world never gets noticed and rewarded.
3. I think that the glimmer in the monkey’s eye is hope letting him know that there is a chance that he can raise the money.

J.R. Mugleston said...
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J.R. Mugleston said...
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J.R. Mugleston said...

1. Self Storage is a great title for a chapter like this. I could imagine his storage locker being filled with special souvenirs from different adventures that he has taken or memories that he wants to keep! “a caravan of fine elephants carved out of African ebony that had been his father’s, and sitting on top of a dog-eared photo album, GiGi, a coffee-colored stuffed monkey that had been his closest companion back where memory fringes into mere sensory recall.” (pg 34).
2. The quote means to me that all are born great men or great women, but the way the foundation is laid when you’re maturing and the way you go about it, amounts to just how great you are. I agree with the quote 100 %!
3. I think that the author was trying to show that he needs to find ways to raise money for the school he promised to build. I think he will go back to California and find ways to raise money for the school.

Raymo said...

He called this chapter self storage because it tells about his past life and how he became a mountaineer.

I do not agree with the quote because a common man isnt great.

The last sentence means he is leaving california for good.

BCray said...

1)the title comes from the storage stall that he keeps things from africa. he uses these things as an "anchor to himself" (pg 34).
2)I think this quote means that to get people to follow you you need to be in the same position as they are. I agree with it becuase people don't follow those who are different then them.
3)i think the monkey sentence was forshadowing gregs soon to be help from people who'll support the promise he made.

mashuka (Jeff White) said...

1. Why do you suppose the authors chose Self Storage as the title of this chapter? Write your response and give examples from the text to support your answer
• He goes thru his memories as he sits in a 6 by 8 area.
2. Re-read the quote shown above. What does the quote mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with this? Please support your opinion
• Agree. Greatness can be measured by the things you do. The more things you do, the more you’re noticed.
3. Read the last sentence of chapter 4 - how has the author used foreshadowing? Using contextual hints from this sentence, briefly explain what you think will happen next and why.
• He uses the fact that the kids were scratching their lessons in the dirt with sticks. What I think will happen next is to send letters to famous stars to reply and to help.

Jon Bryant said...

1) “Self Storage” I think this is the title because, Mortenson went back home to California and stored his climbing gear in his storage space. All of his memories. Its like he is stored there, it’s a storage place for himself. Along with most of his belongings.
2) I think this quote is talking about how you should be able to see both sides of the story, and become like an average man. You can always expect to be led. You will never be treated as something more than that. You will be blending in with the crowd, and you won't be seen as something "great". Of course there is personal greatness, which would be fine to achieve, but if you want others to see you as great, you can't blend in with the common man. Thomas Jefferson was a man who did this (he went out into public dressed as an everyday man), and it worked for him, but it doesn't work for some people.
3) The sun gleams off the stuffed monkey’s eyes I think its foreshadowing that there is a gleam of hope for his mission the built schools in Korphe. When he locks the door it symbolizes how hard it will be to get to his goal. I think that he’s going to start trying to accumulate money for his cause.

Robbie Burtner said...

1. Mr. Mortenson always came back to the storage place, Berkeley Self-Storage stall 114 after a climb. This was his personal space and a place to reflect on his "self."

2. I feel that the term "greatness" is often perceived, to us humans, as something greater than what we are, when in actuality a "great person" can be the "ordinary, common man."

3. The gleaming sun catching the monkey's eye is kind of like his way of telling us that the children are counting on him and have hope in his plan to help. However, he's momentarily shutting the door to have a more clear vision of what to do next.

Anna Roberts said...

1. It shows what his life was like and it talks about the events that shaped him. It’s the things that he keeps inside that he thinks about and remembers.
2. “Watching him up there, I felt so proud that this big, barrel-chested man was my father. He taught me, he taught all of us, that if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything.”
1. The quote means to me, that it doesn’t matter how much money you have, if you can teach, if you are a doctor, none of that matters as long as your heart is in the right place and you choose to help.1. It is meant to show hope. He has no idea how he is going to get the money for the school, but he knows how important it is and he knows that somehow he will make it happen.

Ryan Marshall said...

1)Most likely for the reason that Mortenson is trying to find closure for the things that are happening in his life.
2)I think that this quote is fairly accurate in the fact that most people (myself included) would rather have a great person be more like then and not some faraway figure that has no similarities to the common people.
3)Mortenson is shutting away the past and his sister and is moving on to join the K2 expedition and climb in her memory.

BaileyImus said...

1. I think that he chose the title self storage because he is looking back on his childhood during this chapter. Like when he moved to Tanzania, and when he moved back to Minnesota 14 years later, and kids picked on him because he lived in Africa but nobody believed him becuase he wasn't African American (page 39).

2. I think the quote means to treat everyone like they are equal to you and you are not better than everyone else because everyone is great. I do agree with the quote becuase anybody can achieve greatness. Not everyone will have the same foundation to achieve greatness but they will be great no matter what.

3. The author is saying that the monkey in Mortenson's storage shed is representing the kids in Africa and how they don't have a school becuase on page 46 the first sentece said 'How could he convience Americans to care about a circle of children sitting in the cold, on the other side of the world, scratching at their lessons in the dirt with sticks?'. When he took one last look at the monkey in the storage shed he knew that he had to have the people of America help him with building the school for all the children in Africa. The last sentence in the paragraph is saying that Mortenson is going to go back to Africa to build a school like he promised.

McKensie Crawford said...

1. I think that the title Self Storage is a very appropriate title. It has two meanings. The obvious is that Mortenson is at a storage unit, but the main reason is that Mortenson is visiting a place storing all of his sentimental possessions from his past where he can go to these items and reflect. "This musty place was Mortenson's anchor to himself." (pg. 34) This statement about the storage unit suggests that Mortenson goes to this place to reflect on past times and people in his life. Therefore, the title does not just refer to a literal storage unit, but to a place where Mortenson stores his "past".

2. I think that this quote means that in order to have greatness you have to speak, act, appear, and think as an equal to everyone else and not act as though you are better or more powerful. This is kind of what the father of Greg Mortenson did. Many great things came out of the way he handled himself after he built the hopsital because he didn't take the credit for it. He said to the African people, look what you helped do, inspiring them to do more by themselves.
I do agree with this quote because everyone is equal and I am less willing to help someone if they think they are better.

3. I think that the author is foreshadowing that Mortenson will soon be leaving California, perhaps to Pakistan. The part of the line that says the that California sun gleamed in the monkey's eyes and then the door was shut and locked suggests that the sun won't be shining in the storage unit for a long time. Therefore, Mortenson will be gone from California for a while, possibly building schools in Pakistain.

Bailey Burfield said...

1.I believe the author chose self storage because this chapter reflects his memories as he returns to his self storage in Berkeley Californio after each climb."Which was why he came he'd come here, as he always did returning from a climb-to Berkely Self Storage stall 114."(page 34) This remenisce his memories of his childhood in africa.
2. The quote to me means that to achieve greatness you must aprear, speak, and act no greater than someone else. David says in the introduction Mortenson is a "improbable success. Though he would never say so himself,..."(page 5). I agree with this quote I think the whole Mortenson family achieved greatness and the author made it seem as they believed they where equal to everyone else.
3.

Erica Guches said...
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Bailey Burfield said...

1.I believe the author chose self storage because this chapter reflects his memories as he returns to his self storage in Berkeley Californio after each climb."Which was why he came he'd come here, as he always did returning from a climb-to Berkely Self Storage stall 114."(page 34) This remenisce his memories of his childhood in africa.
2. The quote to me means that to achieve greatness you must aprear, speak, and act no greater than someone else. David says in the introduction Mortenson is a "improbable success. Though he would never say so himself,..."(page 5). I agree with this quote I think the whole Mortenson family achieved greatness and the author made it seem as they believed they where equal to everyone else.
3.

Dustin Judd said...

I think that the title of chapter four is self storage because Mortenson is remembering all the great things that his dad did before he died. I Also think that he was going back to when his younger sister was able to work on her own after he had helped her before she had the seizer that took her life.

To me that quote means that you have to do something to be great. we have to speak, appear and act in a way that makes us great.
I do agree with this statement, but I think that you have to prove your self to be considered great.

In the last sentence of chapter 4 I think that the author was trying to get across that he knew that his sister lived a good life and made everyone she talked to better people.

McKensie Crawford said...

I spelled Pakistan wrong!

Erica Guches said...

1. I believe that he chose Self Storage as the title of chapter 4 because of his return to his self storage stall 114 in Berkeley, "...as he always did after returning from a climb" (pg.34). But the self storage ment a lot to him, it was all of his past. There was all the sentimental things which reminded him of his family who he loved very much. "This musty space was Mortenson's anchor to himself." (pg.34).

2. I believe that "greatness" comes along with being humble. You can't have an almighty attitude and expect to be treated higher then the common man. "Greatness" involves you to "..appear,speak and act, as the most common man." You need to treat people equally as you would want to be treated. Then people will then see the "greatness" that's inside of you. I defently agree with this quote.

3.I believe that the last sentence of chapter 4 is forshadowing that he is going to go and build the schools in Pakistan and that it was the last look at all of the belongings in his storage unit for a while. "A shard of California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey's scuffed plastic eyes before Mortenson padlocked the door." And that last look at the monkey with the scuffed eye's reminds Mortenson of his sister and all the hardships she has had in her scuffed life. This just reminded him of how important it was to honoring his sister by building the schools in Pakistan.

Erika Ziegler said...

1. The title “Self Storage” is referring to Mortenson’s Self-storage stall 114 located in Berkeley. Mortenson revisits this small room after every one of his adventures. This is the place where Mortenson can become an “anchor to himself.” I think that every person needs to have a place that is their own where they can be one with themselves.

2. In order for every man to achieve true greatness I agree that the man needs to first “appear, speak and act, as the most common man.” Those are only the beginning concepts that are applied to being great. Being great to me is being larger then others of its kind and if a man is overconfident with his greatness, that trait is then misread and taken for something that is the opposite.

3. “A shard of California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey’s scuffed plastic eye before Mortenson padlocked the door.”
The monkey isn’t just a toy he had as a child; it is a symbol of his memories from the past. As the light gleamed upon the monkey’s eyes it could possibly be signifying that maybe memories from Mortenson’s past as a child will reflect on the decisions he makes in the future for building the school for the children of Korphe.

V!Nc3nt FE31ey said...

1. We all need to have a place or thing that holds us into the reality in which we live. Greg Mortenson’s place of connection was the self storage lot in Berkley. Here is where he can find all the things that mean something to him, the things that keep him going. As simple as a stuffed toy that brought back all the memories of childhood his “sensory recall”, into the complex; such as a collection of elephants that his father had. All Greg has, is there in the shed. What else could someone have in order to hold onto life and reality, other than the things that mean the most?
2. Greatness is built upon first being a common man but then pushing yourself beyond all the limits the word “common” has on people. Being able to be all that we were created to be is what makes people great, not sitting in the norm, or getting caught up in life.

Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
William Shakespeare
3. I feel that the sentence has great meaning to indicate that the journey ahead to create a new lifestyle for the children and people of Korphe will be a dark one in the life of Greg Mortenson. However the “gleam” off the stuffed monkey’s eye shows how all clouds have a silver lining and that Greg will have a great impact on the lives of all the people of the region.

Crystal Stewart said...

1. I believe the title of the chapter is fitting in more than one way.

Not only is Greg Mortenson physically at the place where he "stores" his personal belongings, but during his visit he is also reminded of the some of the things in his life and how they make him who he is, such as working as a trauma nurse, going to different colleges, and joining the army. Some emotional things he may be storing up inside, such as the burden of losing his father and sister at various times were contributors as well.

There is also storage of knowledge Greg has acquired by living in Africa.

ex.
"Ever since he was a boy, Greg has operated on African time." Pg.39
Meaning, in Africa, time was not an issue and things happened when they happened because there were a lot greater things going on, time didn’t seem an issue. This trait has stuck with Greg and formed part of the "self storage" inside of him.

These memories and characteristics specific to his childhood surrounding have all been stored in His heart and create the very being of him, hence, personal storage or "self" storage.


2. I agree with this completely.

This quote seems to be saying, "you can't expect to just be great one day...you have to be yourself...act humbly and not superior to others before you can be great."

The quote relates immensely to the life of Jesus. God sent him to earth as "a common man..." and because of this, came greatness.

Jesus practiced being humble while on the earth, he never exalted himself. Meaning, he always put others before himself, not trying to be great...especially with sacrificing himself on the cross. He gave his life for others...
that is ultimate greatness.


3.

"He pulled the light cord, extinguishing the particularity of the objects in the storage space. A shard of California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey's scuffed plastic eyes before Mortenson padlocked the door." (Three Cups of Tea, pg.46)

When Mortenson pulled the light cord... this was a symbol of
putting to rest old memories and selfish ambitions, such as pursuing the mountain. It meant humbling himself...

The monkey represents the children of Korphe.

The gleam in its eye...is Mortenson. He is the "California sun," since he is currently living in California and he is bringin “sun” –or also, “hope” to Korphe.

Mortenson will be putting to rest his dreams of being a mountain climber...putting his "crampons, carabiners, hexbolts, and Jumar ascenders," in the dark and on hold...

but he is leaving light (and being the light) for the children in Korphe, and pursuing his conviction and heart's desire of offering them an education.

thomas"theman"repta said...

Why do you suppose the authors chose Self Storage as the title of this chapter? Write your response and give examples from the text to support your answer becuse it has strorage in the chapter "not much could fit in here"
Re-read the quote shown above. What does the quote mean to you? Do you agree or disagree with this? Please support your opinion
i disagree becuse it is a stupid satement
Read the last sentence of chapter 4 - how has the author used foreshadowing? Using contextual hints from this sentence, briefly explain what you think will happen next and why. i think that he will get a check from tom brokave

Your Lyla said...

1. I believe that the author titled this chapter Self-Storage because throughout the chapter the scene is set in his Berkeley Self-Storage Stall. On pg. 34 & 35 is says "...stuffing was leaking out a seam in its chest. He pressed it to his nose, inhaling, and was back by the strawling cinder-block house, in the courtyard, under the all-enveloping limbs of their pepper tree. In Tansania." I believe that this is forshadowing the fact that Mortenson will find a way to raise the money he needs, because this place is so near and dear to his heart. With him moving all of his things into the storage unit and living in his Buick it shows that he is dedicated to earning the money needed to build the school.
2. This quote sums up the definition of greatness to a tee. for a man to become great he must take it with pride and realize that just because he did something good he is not considered a 'god'.
3. I believe that the author was suggesting that their is still hope for Mortenson and his cause by stating, "a shard of California sun gleamed in the stuffed monkey's scuffed plastic eyes", and that even though though the future looks a little glum, it will soon get better.

Ian G said...
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Ian G said...

The title has no meaning further than the setting of the chapter in my opinion.
To me, the quote means this: When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.

Nicole Cosentino said...

1. Basically because he went to his storage unit to get his stuff and it was like he was in the storage unit himself because looking at all of his stuff brought back a bunch of memories from his past and growing up with his family in Tanzania and such.
2. I do agree with this. Because a lot of people are more accepting to someone who is like the Average Joe and is just like everyone else in a sense. It makes people feel more comfortable. Therefore, if someone can do great things and still act like a normal human being, they have achieved the ultimate greatness I guess. That is what I think.
3. I’m not quite exactly sure. To me “the last shard of California sun in the monkey’s eyes” means like his past is finally dying, he is finally moving forward. And just the fact that he padlocks the door at the end, it’s like he is ready to move forward and move on from his past and leave Tanzania and the memories behind and prepare for life in California.

TiffanyCouser said...
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Mike Murphy said...

1. I think that because after he gets doe with his climbs he goes and puts what he has from his climbs in the little room and sits in there around all of his achievements. He has little African elephants and all sorts of mountaineering books in this little room he probably get all of his pride from this room and keeps it hidden so no one knows what’s in there or goes in there it all to himself
2. To me it means that the great figures that we know today we probably can relate to in some way so we thin k that he is great but in some way he is just like us so we relate and like that person even more which increases that popularity. I kind of agree with this, When I think of the great figures or people I look up to I try to relate or be like them
3. He is probably foreshadowing that he is leaving his past life behind for greatness in a different way no just personal greatness but greatness in the fact that he made people lives better in some way. California is a place that people really only care about themselves and no one else so he wants to leave that place in search of a new place that people care about everyone else.

Jenny Tambe said...
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Jenny Tambe said...

I think teh author chose self storage for this chapter beacuse Greg had spent so much time in Pakistan that beeing back in reality was a tough change. He had so much to worry about now. He had to find a way to rais all the money in order to keep his promise to Haji Ali, and the children. Beeing home made Greg feel like he was dislocated. Greg refered to his his room as a dusty srorage space which was the anchor to himself.
I think that the quote is saying that if someone speaks about doing great things for other people, and then actually doing them, while living a gernerally normal life, then they are considered a great person. I do agree with this quote because there are a lot of people who say they are going to do all these great things and then they never to them. Someone who accoplishes goals and keeps promises, really is a great person. I think that when the author says the sun is gleaming in the stuffed monkeys eyes, he is foreshadowing that someithing good is going to happen to Greg. when he padlocked the door i beleive that that is foreshadowing to something bad that is going to happen to Greg a little farther in the book.
I think that Greg is going to rais the money to build the school, because he doesnt want to disapoint the children of Pakistan.

TiffanyCouser said...

I believe that the author chose the title "self storage", because he goes back to his storage stall in Berkeley, California, just like after every other climb. All of the things he had in storage were "Mortenson's anchor to himself," and they have a significance in his life beyond anything else. He does a lot of reflecting on his family and childhood in this chapter, showing us how he has become the person he is. He tells of his first climb in this way, "But standing on the summit at dawn.... hooked me forever."
To me, the quote at the begining of the chapter means that to achieve any sort of greatness in anything, you must first be humble with the way things are at the moment. I agree with it to a certain degree because in some ways, for people to want greatness they are unhappy about the way things are. But, i do believe that you can't do anything without accepting things for what they are.

He is saying that by padlocking the door, he is putting an end to the part of his life that means so much to him so that he can put his all into what lies ahead of him.

Benny said...

1. I think that the author chose Self Storage to indicate that he not only stored his belongings but himself in his belongings. Ever time he got done with a climb he would go back to “Self Storage stall” 114 pg. 34. He would be reminded of his little sister. Like it says in the book “This musty space was Mortenson’s anchor to himself.” Pg 114.
2. I have always believed that the common man is just, is not the one to want glory for what he does, is just to be done.
3. The gleaming sun catching the monkey's eye is kind of like the gleam in his sisters eye that caught everyone’s heart.

Luke_McLean said...
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Luke_McLean said...

1. I think they called it self storage is because every time he goes to the storage unit he remembers stuff from his past.
2. Well I believe that achieving greatness is like having power but you need to know how to control/suppress that power or else you'll be wanting more and more and eventually you'll want ultimate power (dictatorship) but yes I agree fully.
3. Basically the glimmer in the monkeys eyes is foreshadowing that hes either going to California or its showing where hes going to be able to make his money for the schools.

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