hersheybearlearns

August 13, 2008

Continued musings on the use of Journey into Mohawk Country(Va den Bogaert/O’Connor)…

Well, I thought I had lost my last posting, only to discover that it is apparently a page instead of a post.  I also forgot to add tags and have no idea whether I can go back and edit.  Oh, well…

So, I have a few more comments on use of this for historical mystery solving.  Then, I’ll be on to how this book might be used for visual literacy and literary analysis. 

Evidence of European Presence in This Territory: dogs stealing van den Bogaert’s cheese (p. 12); iron items (p. 18); smallpox (p. 19) ; “I could not see anything but graves.” (p. 20-my interpretation); wheat bread (p. 132) ; people of (relatively) remote villages know the Dutch are seeking beaver skins

Wampum/Sewant: On the related page, I wrote that wampum was not actually a currency (contrary to my 1970’s learning)–In my reading this week (where???), I saw the opposite claim.  It seems that the more I research, the more  questions I have.

Fact or Opinion Van den Bogaert makes note of iron implements in a Mohawk settlement, commenting that the Mohawk often steal such items.  Based on his writing, is this likely a fact or an opinion?  –page 18

Visual literacy: Look for visual clues to figure out the meaning of “steps long” (p. 18 & 29) and “awl (p. 24 &33).

Visual literacy/inference: 1.(p 46-51) The Dutch are roused from sleep in one village.  A battle seems to have suddenly erupted.  Look closely for visual clues.  Do you think this is a real battle?  Support your answer ; 2. (p. 31 and earlier) Look at the man on the left in the last panel.  How does he feel?  Why does he feel this way. Find evidence in the text and illustrations to support your answer. ; 3.  (p. 91-92) Tables seem to have suddenly turned for the Dutch, when they are suddenly (and seemingly) verbally assaulted in one village.  What might be going on here? ; 4.  (p. 126-129) Van den Bogaert, eager to return to Ft. Orange, sets off by himself when the rest of the party wants to stop for a time.  He encounters a blizzard, but keeps “seeing” a Mohawk nearby.  Do you thin he really is seeing this man?/  Support your answer.

Another question: In several places, the inhabitants are eager for the Dutch to shoot their guns?  Why could this be?

In closing, since i have so many more questions, I’ve acquired  the translation upon which this graphic novel is based.  (A Journey into Mohawk and Oneida Country, 1634-1635; translated and edited by Charles T. Gehring and William Starna, Wordlist and linguistic notes by Gunther Michaelson.