Monday, February 4, 2008

C 18 - Shrouded Figure

"Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything." Mother Teresa

This chapter we've read for today is teaching a lesson. The events that occur, Mortenson's activities and interactions between individuals, and the movement of the Shrouded Figure from beginning to end are the author's way of making a point. What is the lesson? What is the author trying to teach? After you've decided on the lesson of this chapter, support your conclusion. How do the events in the text come together to teach the lesson? (It may be of benefit to think about the chapter title, the quote used, the individuals we are introduced to in this chapter, the advice given)

39 comments:

thomas"theman"repta said...

This chapter we've read for today is teaching a lesson. The events that occur, Mortenson's activities and interactions between individuals, and the movement of the Shrouded Figure from beginning to end are the author's way of making a point. What is the lesson? What is the author trying to teach?
hope springs eternal.

After you've decided on the lesson of this chapter, support your conclusion. How do the events in the text come together to teach the lesson? (It may be of benefit to think about the chapter title, the quote used, the individuals we are introduced to in this chapter, the advice given)
"he's so small and wrinkly," ablonde four-year old with pigtails said. "do little babies like that grow up to be big like us?"... "i hope so, sweetie,"

Desiree Badizadegan said...

I think that the lesson that is being taught here is the lesson that one man (or woman) can change the world. Mother Teresa was one of the most influential people in the world, and she is only one person. Mortenson has been changing the world one school at a time in Pakistan. It may not seem like a lot to us, but he has been changing the education of many Pakistanis, and changing their lives (and their children's lives) forever.
On page 229, the author wrote about how a man named John Flinn (a writer for the San Francisco Examiner) wrote (in an article promoting Mortenson's lectures), "It's something to think about the next time you ask: What difference can one person make?"
Another lesson he might have been teaching is that rich people don't like spending their money. In the book it mentions multiple people that said they would help Mortenson, but didn't end up giving him any money in the end. Also, he talks about how they serve cheap wine at their parties.

BCray said...

I think the lesson for this chapter is that even through all the negative things Greg was going through there still were some really good things that helped him endure the bad times.
For example, when Greg was freaking out over the fighting in Afganistan, Tara gave birth to a boy (pg 239). When Greg was tring to manage his time better and learn how to be a better manager he went and saw Mother Teresa(pg 235).

Anonymous said...

I think that there is more than one lesson to be learned in this chapter. The first lesson I saw was that you need to have a well balanced life to basically survive and to be happy. Mortenson was all over the place, in this chapter, for presentations, both fake and real donations, and viewing different sites for more schools. The only other lesson I can think of that I saw was to become selfless and to be patient when serving others, especially others in dyer need. Mortenson has been giving his all for this CAI cause; this can be seen very clearly in this chapter. He has lost himself in the work and has totally forgotten about himself in many areas. For instance he has been getting fat, and hasn’t been sleeping a healthy amount of hours for a long time. He is a great example of hard work, which doesn’t surprise me that Mother Teressa was such a big hero for him, but also a great example of why we need to have a balanced life. His wife had to talk to him about taking more time for his family, and for working out. He needed more time for himself. So the lessons are “balance” and “selflessness.”

Obed said...

What is the author trying to teach?
That one (as a person) cant rush things event though they want them, for example when that old lady called Greg and told him she had a donation with 6 zeros behined it, mortonson didnt even think about his actions he just went to go talk to her and at the end he didnt get any money.

I think that there where some poeple like mother Teresa like jack he is the one that donated 20.000 dollers for the costructions of the school, and he didnt even know Greg to appose to other poeple that wanted to help but wanted somthing back in return.

Barri Glazier said...

The Lesson that Building relationships with people is more important than anything. the reson why is beacuse if you don't have a good relationship with the people you are with then things won't get done. Also the lesson Is to have patience.

McKensie Crawford said...
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Jon Bryant said...

i believe the lesson to be learned in this chapter was, it only takes one influence to change the world little by little it only takes patience to achieve what is possible to be done.
just like on page 229 an author of the San Francisco exclaimer wrote an entire article about Mortenson and his words and business.

alisha kelton said...

I think the lesson this chapter is trying to teach is that money is just money, no matter whom, or where you get it from. Mortenson tried to arrange all these speeches and presentations and all he invited was the upper class climbers and wealthy people.
Mother Teresa was someone he looked up to and the day he went to pay his respects to her, I think he learned a valuable lesson. She had a calling to do missionary work and she succeeded in that very well. Mortenson liked the way she wanted to help people and admired her for that. Little did he realize, was until that day that when she got the funding for her missions it didn’t matter where the money came from, because every little bit helped. That day Mortenson learned that everyone, from the bum on the street corner, to the random man or women walking down the street everyday, he could get donations from anyone no matter who they were. This helped him raise the money a lot quicker and it was a good life lesson learned.

Alex-Trujillo said...

What I think this chapter was trying to teach is that you should not underestimate people because when Mortenson invited all of those upper class climbers and wealthy people to give his presentation no one showed up. And the only people that where their to help where the employees one of which gave 10 dollars and another person in the back right corner hew left a personal check of 20 thousand dollars. Mother Teresa was someone he looked up to and the day he went to pay his respects to her, I think he learned a valuable lesson. So all in all I think that the author was trying to say that you should think of everyone the same and you should think about everyone before doing.

Bailey Burfield said...

I think the most important lesson in the chapter a Shrouded a Figure is that it only takes one person to make a difference. As Mortenson, Mother Theresa, and Jean Hoerni are all examples of this. Although you may struggle you must have patience, strength and faith. I think that is what the author meant when he chose the quote "Let nothing preturn you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything." Mother Theresa

The chapter goes on to show that Mortenson struggles to carry on his accomplishments "By 7:30 Mortenson was still staring at a sea of empty chairs." (page 226)With no money Mortenson could never fulfill his goals. Howevery Mortenson had faith and continueing to persue money for the CAI.

McKensie Crawford said...
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McKensie Crawford said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
McKensie Crawford said...

I think that the author is trying to convey to the readers that it only takes one person to make a huge difference in other people's lives and although it may be tough at times, have patience because it will be worth it. For example, the stranger that donated $20,000 dollars after Mortenson did his presentation. (pg. 228). Mortenson was expecting a large crowd, and when only three people showed up he probably thought that it was almost pointless to do the presentation but he did and it was only that one man that helped Mortenson out so greatly and not a huge crowd of rich people. Another way the author is conveys his point is by refering to Mother Teresa (pg 236). She made a difference in so many lives and she is just a single person.

Mortenson is making a difference in many people's lives over in Pakistan and when people witness acts of kindness, they are more likely to be inspired to do the same.

I think that this is a perfect ending for the chapter. "He's so small and wrinkly," a blonde four-year old with pigtails said. "Do little babies like that grow up to be big like us?"... "I hope so, sweetie. I sure hope so." (pg 240) I think that Mortenson is hoping that his son will follow his footsteps and make a difference just like he is doing.

Kel Lenneah said...

I believe the lesson that is being told in this chapter is that you should only see people for people. Not their monetary status or their health issues. You should only care that people are in need and help them to the best of your ability. I think the proof of this is told in the story when it was talking about Mother Teresa and her many encounters with the sick the underprivileged and the unloved. This chapter is about treating people with kindness no matter who they are.

Jenny Tambe said...

In this chapter I think the auther is trying to send the message that it only takes one induvidual to make a difference in the word. In the book the author shows this by the actions of Greg. Greg spends his entire mid life trying to help pakistans way of life by giving the young citizens and education. To a country who has nothing and education is a very sacred gift. Another way the author sends this message is by mentioning Mother Terisa in page 236. She was a very brave single individual who influenced many lifes. Which in a way is a lot like Morteson.
I think by Gregs many acts of kindness and respect he is showing a much stronger to the other US people. He is showing that other people do care about making a difference in the world.

Jason Pardee said...

I think the lesson learned was that you need to be patient and selfless, and realized that one person does make a difference.

Kaylie Lush said...

I believe that the lesson of this chapter is patience and the role of just one person and how much they can effect. I came to this conclusion from looking at when the author started to talk about Mother Teresa. Mortenson himself is captured by her life story and how she effected humanity in such a big way. Greg is trying to make a difference by promoting Pakistans education one school at a time. I think the author is trying to teach that no matter how small a kind act is, it can make a difference. An example could be how Greg changed after he went to see Mother Teresa. He had a better perspective on life.

BaileyImus said...

I think the lesson in this chapter is one person can change so many lives. Mother Teresa changed lives in Bajaxhiu by working with the poor. She also taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, she also opened a school for Calcutta's homeless children. I think that Mortenson was supposed to finish what she had started because he is building schools and encouraging children to get an education. He is also trying to make peace between Pakistanis and Americans.

Nicole Cosentino said...

This chapter we've read for today is teaching a lesson. The events that occur, Mortenson's activities and interactions between individuals, and the movement of the Shrouded Figure from beginning to end are the author's way of making a point. What is the lesson? What is the author trying to teach? Basically the lesson is don’t get discouraged, not matter how small you may think you are. Any one person can make such a huge difference to someone else. If you start out with just helping one person improve their life that could be the beginning of helping thousands. Just as Mortenson started out helping the little village of Korphe, and that was all he was planning on doing in the beginning was helping Korphe build a school, and then it growing into so much more than that. He went from just building one school, to building numerous amounts of schools for the poor and unfortunate of Pakistan. And these gestures of his have helped so many people in Pakistan, and have made a huge impact and difference in their lives.
After you've decided on the lesson of this chapter, support your conclusion. How do the events in the text come together to teach the lesson? (It may be of benefit to think about the chapter title, the quote used, the individuals we are introduced to in this chapter, the advice given) I think that basically the Shrouded Figure was just a dark cloud hanging over Mortenson, like a cloud of discouragement at his unsuccessfulness thus far with raising money for CAI and other complications occurring in Pakistan. The quote at the beginning of the chapter from Mother Teresa is the basis of the lesson Mortenson needed to learn in this chapter. That all bad things, no matter how hopeless and terrible they may seem, will pass through our lives eventually. Patience is the key, to not get so discouraged that you just give up. You must be patient and wait out the bad times in order to excel at the end.

Erica Guches said...

I believe that the author is trying to teach the readers that small things that only one person does can make huge differences. Even if it only helps one person it was more then worth it. And all the hard times you just need to remember what how it’s going to help other people. They talked about Mother Teresa and how she did all those amazing things for people and changed so many peoples lives all on her own (pg 236). Mortenson seems to be following in Mother Teresa’s footsteps by building all the schools in Pakistan. Also when the stranger donated the $20,000 dollars to Mortenson (pg.228), that money will change thousands of young Pakistani’s lives because they will get a proper education.


I believe this was a very well thought out ending. I think that Mortenson wants people to carry and help out the world. Especially his son…”He’s so small and wrinkly,” a blonde four-year old with pigtails said. “Do little babies like that grow up to be big like us?”…”I hope so, sweetie. I sure hope so.” (pg 240). Mortenson wants his son to carry on his ways of helping people in the world.

Bowen Feeley said...

I believe that the chapter is about how one person with a goal of love can change the world.

Crystal Stewart said...

What is the lesson?

The Lesson of Chapter 18, "Shrouded Figure," illustrates through many experiences, quotes, and interactions how one person, can in fact change the world.

Greg Mortenson is one person. Greg Mortenson has proven to change lives in many parts of the world including Africa and various areas in Pakistan.

His inspirations and motivations to change the world one school at a time come from various humanitarians, heroes, and leaders. One in particular being Mother Teresa.


What is the author trying to teach?

In the book, Mortenson recaps his favorite quote from Mother Teresa stating, "What we are trying to do may just be a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

Here the author is setting up the reader with a piece of information later to be proven valid and significant through the life of Greg Mortenson.


Conclusion?

One of these instances where the author can prove the lesson on how one man can change the world, is when Greg set up for his presentation and only 3 people showed up. At the end of the day, the group financially proved to be one of the greatest audiences Greg had ever had. One of the men in the audience left a check for $20,000 in order for Greg to build another school. This man was one of those men who can change the world.

Earlier in the book, Jean Hoerni taught Mortenson how important just one donation could be, because he donated one million dollars for the CAI.


How do the events in the text come together to teach the lesson?

As stated before, the author gave us words of wisdom, which later he supported with not only words, but with the lifestyle of Greg Mortenson.


Final supporting quote:

Mortenson, speaking on Mother Teresa states, “I sat in the corner staring at this shrouded figure. She looked so small, draped in her cloth. And I remember thinking how amazing it was that such a tiny person had such a huge effect on humanity.” (Pg. 237)

Ian G said...

I believe that the author is trying to promote self-confidence, because with a large level of self-confidence, people turn into heros and leaders.

Raymo said...

In this chapter i learned that one person with enough determination can do anything. When i read this chapter it made me think that when i am trying to do something and come up with an excuse, it better be more difficult than what mortenson tried to do.
Mother Teresa was one of the most influential people in the world. She died and Mortenson felt a connection with her, because she had the same common goal that he had. Mother Teresa believed that good put her on this earth to help the poor and thats what she did. That is also what Mortenson is doing in Pakistan.

Mike Murphy said...

This chapter we've read for today is teaching a lesson. The events that occur, Mortenson's activities and interactions between individuals, and the movement of the Shrouded Figure from beginning to end are the author's way of making a point. What is the lesson? What is the author trying to teach? After you've decided on the lesson of this chapter, support your conclusion. How do the events in the text come together to teach the lesson? (It may be of benefit to think about the chapter title, the quote used, the individuals we are introduced to in this chapter, the advice given)

That one perosn can make a differance in the world Mortenson has been making differance one school at a time. The single person that changed alot during her life was Mother Teresa she was one of the most influentail people in the world she was only one person. When the author of the magizine wrote an article about Mortenson and how what he was doing wasnt alot to us but over there he was a god to some people for his generosity and what he wanted to accomplish before he died

Courtney Strouse said...

A valuable lesson in this chapter of the book is to love what you have. Be content in what you have a slowly work your way up. In the end of the chapter it talks about Mortensons first son being born and how content he was with his life.

Cara Lumpkin said...

The lesson in this chapter is definitely that one person can change the world and by one person I mean one person with the help of hundreds of others. Yes Mortenson is the person that has been changing the world with his schools, helping the children of Pakistan get a good education and swaying the opinions of the Pakistani people that Americans aren’t so bad. But Mortenson has had a lot of help, like the speech he gave in that Mr. Sports store in Apple Valley, Minnesota. That woman donated $20,000 that’s about one and a half schools. Mortenson couldn’t do much without that money. BUT Mortenson also learns that you should always keep trying, if your passionate about something you should always keeping working towards it like Mother Teresa says “Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything”, and it must have been difficult of Mortenson to keep going after he traveled all the way out to see that lonely old women who ended up just being that a lonely old women. Mother Teresa’s death in general doesn’t really teach us much, but what she has accomplished in her life the lives she changed and the world for that matter is part of what inspired Mortenson to help the world the book says that Mother Teresa has been one of Mortenson’s heroes sense he was young. Mother Teresa is just one person and so is Mortenson if they can change the world anyone can.

Aaron Croslow said...

i think that the lesson is that you should see everyone the same, that no matter who they are, if your cause is good people can, and will help in any way they can. if you need money they may contribute 6 dollars, or 6 million dollars.

V!Nc3nt FE31ey said...

Chapter 18:

I think the chapter showed that hard work will always pay off, and that even when times seem hard, they will be provided for. When Mortenson wanted to raise money for the schools and the CAI, he saw that only three people cared enough to attend the presentation. He thought that he wouldn’t receive any money, and that his trip and job weren’t worth the hassle. Even when he thought that this trip was over, a check for twenty thousand dollars was left behind by an unknown man that sat down at the end of Mortenson’s presentation. Through all his trials, Greg was always able to get together the funds and people that were needed to achieve his goal.

I also think that this chapter shows that even when the world views one person’s efforts to achieve peace on earth as little less than helpful, that really the work of one person can be more helpful than that of many people combined. Mother Teresa was one person, but in her lifetime she showed how amazing one person can be towards the efforts to bring peace to the less fortunate and needy. Greg agreed that she was one of the most influential people in the world. Greg Mortenson was also a person that fought so hard to help bring education to an uneducated people.

Erika Ziegler said...
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Erika Ziegler said...

After reading this chapter, I would say the meaning is that one person can still accomplish big things. Mother Teresa did a lot in her lifetime and influenced many people’s lives, especially the poor and the helpless, while expanding the Missionaries of Charity throughout India and other countries. Mortenson in a sense is a lot like Mother Teresa in the fact that he is improving the Pakistani culture one school at a time. Mortenson considered Mother Teresa to be one of his heroes ever since he was a little boy. On page 237 he said “she looked so small, draped in her cloth. And I remembered thinking how amazing it was that such a tiny person had such a huge effect on humanity.” Mortenson experiences many hardships throughout the story. A particular example in this chapter would have to be when he tried to present a presentation of his adventure on K2 to raise money for the funding of the school and only three people attended. Although his presentation wasn’t a success, a gentleman came in middle of his speech and listened, while admiring some watches. Mortenson came to find a 20,000 dollar check left by the watches where the mysterious gentleman was standing. I think that by working hard to help others, Mortenson deserved some help back, and that is exactly what he got.

Mark Gladman said...

The lesson being taught in this chapter is simple: anyone, man or woman, adult or child can influence the entire world throgh their actions.

Mother Teresa was a small person physically, but she had an amazing and lasting effect on the earth. She was, in fact, known as one of the most influential people of recent years.

Mortenson himself has been changing the world through his actions. Because of his dedication to provide education to all the children of the world, he is effecting the course of the earth for the better. In the book, a writer says, about Mortenson and his lectures, "It's something to think about the next time you ask: what difference can one person make?" The answer? One person can make ALL the difference.

Your Lyla said...

Throughout this chapter there was one major lesson to be learned. This lesson was that even one person can acheive great things. With Mother Teresa being the shrouded figure and Mortenson learning from her it gave him great strength to keep going and believing that he still can make a difference in others lives. This lesson is shows when Mortenson gave his speech on his climb to K2 to try to help raise money for the school. Only three people showed up but Mortenson still gave the speech all he had. At the end Mortenson found a check with a large amount of money written on it. This shows that in everything you do have faith that everything will work out the way that you want it to.

Brandon Stead said...

I think that the lesson of this chapter was that even though Mortenson was going through some really hard times, there was also some good things going for him. Also another thing is that yes one person can change the world, but only a little at a time. Mother Teresa changed the world in many ways but it took hard work and time to do that. Mortenson is building the schools slowly but surely and it is making a world of difference in Pakistan.

Another thing to consider about this chapter is that Mortenson asked for a lot of peoples' help, and didn't get it. Rich people don't want to spend their money either. They served cheap wine at the arty which just goes to show that Mortenson has one more obstacle to overcome.

S.Meracle said...

I think that in this chapter I believe that the message that the author is trying to portray is that we should be more like Mother Teresa in the fact that we should treat each other like we want to be treated. Mortensen was so awe struck by what she did that he literally changed his ways to be more like her. She believed that people should be looked at as people and they should be treated as such. This reminds me of the one Gieco commercial where that dude is saying the they are going to reward you for safe driving and then he says that we need to start treating people like they are in our home and not in our way.

SarahMete said...

I believe that the lesson being taught in this chapter is that it only takes one person with determination and goals to make a huge difference in the lives of many. The author is trying to display that it may take help from others but if one person creates a dream and is dedicated to accomplishing that goal then anything is possible. The author refers to Mother Teresa as an example of one individual who was able to make a significant difference in the world (pg. 236).

I feel that the ending to this chapter was well thought out and fit perfectly.

"He's so small and wrinkly," a blonde four-year old with pigtails said. "Do little babies like that grow up to be big like us?"... "I hope so, sweetie. I sure hope so." (pg. 240)

I feel that this quote was written in the hopes that everyone, including Mortenson's son will do their part to help others around the world.

Luke_McLean said...

1. The lesson is "One person can change the world" be it a small or big change.
2. Pg. 229 an author from San Fransisco wrote an article about Mortenson's achievements and changes over in Pakistan.

Benny said...

The lesson I think is being taught here, is that anyone person can make a small or big impression on this world and can they can make it a better place, we just have to stand up and try. The author is trying to teach that people need to start thinking more clearly, maybe use time more wisely.