–What do you think the significance of Allende’s title is? What does it mean to be made of clay? –
-What happens to Rolf in his encounter with Azucena?
–Why do you think Azucena becomes a symbol of the tragedy that is unfolding in the story?
–What did you make of the President’s visit to the site of the disaster? What kind of commentary is Allende making here?
–How can you connect this story with your own experiences of natural or other disasters? Are there elements of the story that you can relate to? How?
What happens to Rolf in his encounter with Azucena?
During Rolf’s second night with Azucena, he began receive flashbacks to the terrifying ordeals that he suffered in his past. Some examples of this include his experience during the second World War, his abusive father, and the death of his sister Katharina. Rolf was so disturbed during this part of the story because it was at this moment that he realized how Azucena’s situation resembled him so closely. He had this connection with Azucena because he was trapped in his past similar to Azucena being trapped in the mudpit. He also realized how he chose his career as a reporter in order to shield himself from the traumatic events of his past and that he couldn’t escape them forever. After this, Rolf has an emotional breakdown to which Azucena believes he is crying for her when in fact, he is crying because he finally realized how emotionally scarred he is.
I agree with you, after his encounter with Azucena, Rolf experienced the dreadful flashbacks of his childhood. Especially, the memory of his sister that he couldn’t protect in the past which is in some ways closely relates to Azucena. In other words, for Rolf saving Azucena was a sign of possible redemption and relief. Unfortunately, the realization of her death indeed forced him into a more severe state of misery and emotional breakdown that undeniably changed him completely. At the same time, causing an epiphany that based on the idea that even though the time and place have changed some things remain to be the same.
–What did you make of the President’s visit to the site of the disaster? What kind of commentary is Allende making here?
The President’s visit to the site of the disaster shows how he seems to “deeply” care for those who suffered from the war. In reality, however, Allende is making a commentary that the President is simply trying to appear good in the media by visiting the sites of the disaster after the disaster itself has occurred which he was aware of all this time. This can be seen in the following quotes, “He went to the Army field tents to offer relief in the form of vague promises to crowds of the rescued,” and “he waved to her with a limp statements hand, and microphones recorded his emotional voice and paternal tone as he told her that her courage had served as an example to the nation.”(1231). These quotes show how the President is making bad faith arguments because he gives “vague promises” that most likely will not be fulfilled. Also, I don’t think the President would be speaking of having “courage” if he was in the same mud pit as Azucena. Allende is therefore making a statement that people in power often act for the camera because the President additionally said that he would get the pump for the girl but as the events show, his promise never took place. The site of the disaster where Azucena and the others were found, had many cameras and microphones to document what was happening. Yet, all of these resources were more about publicity rather than actually using as much resources as possible to rescue the victims who survived.
What happens to Rolf in his encounter with Azucena?
Rolf’s encounter with Azucena not only change’s the little girl’s mindset as she struggles to stay alive while she is stuck in the clay, but Rolf also changes mentally and psychologically due to their interactions. In the beginning of the story, Rolf arrives at the scene with the mentality of a journalist whose duty is to report the news. However, upon witnessing Azucena’s state and how she is struggling to stay alive while sinking in the clay, Rolf starts to become more humane. As the two wait for the water pump to arrive within three days, in those three days Rolf begins to realize how Azucena’s situation is very similar to Rolf’s own life. Slowly he begins to open up to Azucena about his life but then he begins to tell her the things of his life he has never shared with anyone. As he said his life’s story, Acuzena slowly began to accept her fate by understanding through the stories she shared with Rolf showed her that she has lived her life as well as she could and this is her end. Rolf has released all of the emotions that he has kept for so long into this experience and he himself learned that the weight that rested upon his shoulders have released him. The two characters within the story both learn from this experience.
What did you make of the President’s visit to the site of the disaster? What kind of commentary is Allende making here?
President visited the site of the disaster but it seemed he was greatly disconnected from the sufferering they went through. The way the author discribed his outfit and his reaction to the disaster was shown as fake sympathetic. He did it in a way that you would expect from a politician. objectifying the issue to use them for ploitical gains. we saw a similar site in “the dourm tree”. They are not attached or able to feel any of the pain experieced by the public in this disaster but they become the face of the issue. The Allende is commenting on this politcal strategy and showing how these politican are like vultures praying on the dead. Using their deaths and pain and exploiting it.
–Why do you think Azucena becomes a symbol of the tragedy that is unfolding in the story?
Azucena becoming a symbol of the tragic natural disaster in this story is a result of the media exploiting the pains and graphic images of the suffering victims dying in the sinking mud in search of a face for their viewers to focus and cling on. In order to have the public hooked on a story focusing on a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis, the media tends to find a person, usually a suffering child who has went through extreme hardships, to portray to the public as a symbol of hope. We see this countless times every time there is a crisis happening in the world. Malala Yousafzai, a young girl who was shot in the head after defying the Taliban in Pakistan and demanding girls be allowed to attend school, Jeff Bauman, a victim who had lost both of his legs during the Boston Bombing, Trayvon Martin, another victim of the endless murders of unarmed African Americans in the U.S. All symbols of tragic loss in their respective crisis. And although these people are all instrumental in spreading awareness of the disaster they have partaken in, the intention of these media businesses is to raise viewership and increase revenue. It may be that there are journalists that genuinely care about informing the public of whatever tragedy they are covering, and try to help the situation. But ultimately, the end game for individuals who make the decisions is money, I believe.
–What do you think the significance of Allende’s title is? What does it mean to be made of clay?
The significance of Allende’s title “And of Clay We are Created” ties into its biblical and metaphorical meaning. Clay is also ever present in the story in the form of “clayey mud” which takes hold of both Azucena and Rolf. The title heavily pertains to both characters and symbolism. In a biblical sense, all human beings were created from clay by God. Therefore the title establishes that as human beings, we are all the same. Clay physically is easily molded and when heated up hardens. Clay is notable for its use in pottery, building materials, etc. Although humans are physically flesh and blood beings, if we were truly clay we would be quite fragile. To be made of clay is to fundamentally be weak; you may harden over time and become molded into something else, but you will always fundamentally remain the same. This ties into Azucena and Rolf who are both stuck in mud and fight their despair.
-What happens to Rolf in his encounter with Azucena?
In his encounter with Azucena, Rolf. became more vulnerable, sensible, he felt the necessity of helping her and even forgot about the cameras. Azucena and Rolf were the same person. Both needed saving and hurt all over. Even though Rolf tried to forget his past, it still followed him and it made him miserable. Both of them were all freed from their pain.
“And of Clay are We Created” – response
1. I think that the significance of Allende’s title means that our life experience is as malleable and delicate as clay is. We’re in the hands of the sculptor, life, who may reshape our life experience as many times as desired; he may destroy the sculpture, or he may rebuilt it in a whole different fashion. What keeps living is the raw material, the clay, the spirit. We’re fragile and not as much in control as we may think we are.
2. When Rulf encounters Azucena something interesting happens; over time agency dynamics change. The first two days and night is Rulf who morally supports Azucena. Starting the second night and proceeding to the day after, Azucena silence and openness to hear out Rulf, plays a cathartic role on him for “the torrent of all that had lain hidden in the deepest and most secret layers of memory poured out”. What Rulf sought was seeking him.
3. On a simpler level Azucena becomes a symbol of the tragedy because, nevertheless the deaths toll was circa 25000, Azucena’s dramatic moments have been capture on camera and national television throughout her last three days of life.
On a deeper level Azucena’s case shows how humans are blessed to have eyes, yet see not. It is infuriating, enraging to think that a whole town was not able to bring a damn water pump (that would have saved Omaira); but was able to bring to site numerous and futile television and movie teams to beam Azucena’s face to millions of screens around the world. What is wrong with us human? It is in those moments that the true nature of those men came out, and all those who did not take action to procure that water pump and lived in a state of superficial oblivion during those moments; i hope they’ll find the strength to love themselves.
4. I make an idiot of him. To hell him and his tailored safari jacket. To mud. Asshole.
5. Fortunately I’ve never been involved in a similar natural disaster, and I hope none of us ever will. Near my hometown, in Genoa, the main bridge broke apart on Aug. 14, 2018. About 34 people fell into the crack while driving; some were going to work early that morning, others coming home from their night shift. The highways in Italy (“Autostrade per L’Italia” they’re called) are privately owned by a family. When the bridge fell, and up to this day, the owner of those highways never canceled the tolls ambulances, firefighters, police, and the rest of the population had to pay to cross the city. Even to rescue the dead, the ambulance had to pay the highway fee. To this day (December 2018), the bridge is still broken apart and no one has yet decided which construction company is going to repair the bridge. They’re discussing costs and who bids the better price. Where do morals come into play? How do they come into play? We humans can be very easily betrayed by selfishness and greed. We need to be more self aware for we all are the extensions of each other.
2) Rolf encounter with Azucena remind him of his past days. He found a connection with her because he found her helpless like her sister when she was mentally ill, but he was not able to do anything because of his abusive Father. But now, he did not backup and did not care about his job and tried to save Azucena.
3) Azucena becomes the symbol of tragedy because she is the perfect example to use for media . As a young girl she was in sad and in hopeless condition and media know that by using her they can attract more viewers. her discussion with rolf tells the tough life that she live.
What happens to Rolf in his encounter with Azucena?
The Rolf’s encounter with Azucena reminds him of his childhood. When he is comforting the little girl, he finds out that they have many similarities. This makes him express his feelings even though he has to look professional when there is a camera. His sympathy not only toward Azucena but himself as well. He is no longer a reporter, but a human who has feelings when facing sadness. He is more humanized when he encounters Azucena.
-What happens to Rolf in his encounter with Azucena?
Rolf’s encounter with Azucena in a way, reopened up sealed wounds. Rolf had a rough childhood and thought that he could keep it hidden forever but upon meeting Azucena, seeing her reminded him of his previous self and could not leave her alone. He felt the need to help her although, his job as a reporter was to not get involved because it would lead to attachment, which it did.