Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Chapter 10 "Parrots, Caught and Sold”

[Behind the Beautiful Forevers]

In chapter 10 “Parrots, Caught and Sold” of Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Katherine Boo largely follows Sunil, Sonu, and Kalu; young garbage collectors in Annawadi. Although Sonu is known as the “blinky boy” who is half deaf and has a birth disorder, Sunil learns a great deal from him about life and friendship.

Boo writes “Sonu was enrolled in seventh grade at Marol Municipal. Though he couldn’t go to class because of his work, he registered for school annually, studied at night, and returned at years end to take exams. Sonu though Sunil should do the same. One morning he cocked his head as if to drain the deafness from his ear and announced: ‘Educate ourselves, and we’ll be making as much money as there is garbage!’” (269 – 270).

How did the author’s observations about Sonu’s ambitions and work ethic alter or strengthen your perspectives about the future of young garbage collectors like Sonu and Sunil in the chapter?

--Kacee Aldridge

13 comments:

Shervonti Norman said...

Boo's observations about Sonu's ambitions and work ethic kind of lead me to believe that these poor boys lack a real chance at getting away from the slums. That's probably my pessimistic side coming out but young garbage collectors are so low in the ranking of the town's people. They are in the most danger and they have very little to show for it usually.

If I were to focus on solely on Sonu, I admire what he's trying to do. Just him as his own person. He has other problems besides being a garbage collector and he's still driven enough to study and go to school to take final exams and think that he has an opportunity to be something big and make a lot of money but honestly, who else in his same position has this happened to? Who has made it out of that area and into something big? Since there isn't anything to compare to, I greatly admire his ambition and I think it was good that he tried to convince Sunil as well. If they all had that mindset, maybe then they could all fight to get out of there together.

The fact that none of them have the same mindset is what leads me to believe that their future is pretty grim.

Alex J said...

The author's observations about Sonu's ambitions did strengthen my perspective about young garbage collectors. Many people would assume that since they are lower in the hierarchy of town's people, that garbage collectors don't care about their ambitions or their future. This chapter reinforces the idea that things may not be how they seem. Although Sonu is not at the top of the pyramid, he is striving to get his education and be the best he can be academically within the limits put on him.

Ajeenah Johnson-Brown said...

The author's observations about Sonu's ambitions and work ethic did alter my perspective of young garbage collectors. These boys hold a very low status job and many would think they are uneducated and have no desire to learn. However, Sonu does study and tries to get an education while working. Nobody is making him do this! I often believe that you work harder and achieve goals and desires you have for yourself more than the goals other people set for you.

Breanna B. said...

I'm definitely feeling sorry for these characters with their far-fetched aspirations. And their dreams are only out of reach because of the caste which they were predisposed to upon birth. Yet, I find it extremely honorable that Sonu continues on striving for something better. It's nice to see one of the many looking for something bigger.

Sierra Ewing said...

I love a story like this. I am a very optimistic person and I tend to be hopeful even when there is only a slight chance of something happening, but this was a great testament to how people really can create their own opportunity sometime with determination and hard work. Though it is rare, it is possible... it is hopeful. I honestly believe that the future belongs to those who fight for it. I was raised to fight and work hard for the things that I want. If these people can make opportunity and inspire others to do the same, I think they have already succeeded. Even if his long-term goals are never reached, he fought for what he wanted and that built character. He is educating himself and that is honorable.

Brianna B said...

This did strengthen my perspective because I felt that Boo was saying that although these young garbage collectors are of low status they can still educate themselves and strive for ambitious goals.

Jessica Oranika said...

The fact that Sonu was so optimistic and driven made me think that somebody might just make it out of those slums one day. At the very least an educated person might land a permanent job which is much sought after to them. Although their situation is a terrible one and their chances slim, the boy still had hope and was preparing for the future. This was nice to see as his optimism is what kept him going.

Unknown said...

Boo's observations about the ambitions of Sonu, Samil, and Kalu show that the characters will probably never get out of the slums. This is because India's caste system will not allow this to occur. But I do admire that the characters are adventurous and have the ability to dream so big and have such interesting ambitions.

Unknown said...

It seems to me that Sonu has bigger plans for himself and does not want to sort trash forever. I think that its an awesome that he wants to better himself and not just accept his way of living as a scavenger. He has ambition. I hope that Sunil catches on and decides to get his education as well. Sunil is a hard worker but has little ambition and if he continues to work with Sonu I think eventually he will follow in his footsteps as far as education.

Unknown said...

I find it pleasing to see people trying so hard to better themselves even though they are in a was than desirable situation. Especially since they are a part of a system that is designed against them.

Andrea R. said...

At the beginning I felt that the garbage collectors simply accepted their fate because many were born into it and therefore it was all they probably knew. Yet Sonu's ambitions to at least try and get somewhat of an education, to me, shows that there are some that are determined to change their fate.

In a sense it gives me some hope that they can change their futures and the futures of others. ,

Anitra B. said...

Boo's observation about the garbage collectors' work ethic gave me hope for these boys. It was good to see Sonu's determination to get an education and do better for himself. His ambition and dedication is admirable to see because of the fact that he is in a town where is is surrounded by corruption and bribery. But then again Boo's observations makes me feel said because I know that not many people make it out of the slums. so it sucks knowing that Sonu might not make it.

Unknown said...

I think Boo used to Sonu to show that if you really want something, you just have to work for it (even if it means working 10 times harder than the average person). He's a motivational character in comparison to the rest of the garbage collectors. I think the lesson to be learned in chapter 10 is that you should never be complacent with something because it is considered the norm. Sonu thinks highly of himself and it is clear that he does not aspire to be a garbage collector for the rest of his days.
-B. Nigeda