Katya

Ann asked a question in class this week I found rather important; why does this book matter? What can we take from this book today?

One important connection between this book and our society today is Mennonite wealth. I come from an upper middle class back round, so I somewhat identify with these upper class characters. I like to think that as Mennonites today we're more devoted to class justice then Abram Sudermann, but modern America does seem to be having some class issues, for example in this article http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/29/opinion/sutter-lake-providence-income-inequality/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 the author describes a town in Louisiana, where there is a strong divide between the upper and lower classes. I wonder how the lower class in Goshen views Mennonites and the college. Reading a book like this makes me think about class more in my own life.

The book also examines how these people maintained their values in times of crisis, and what the effects were. Some remained faithful to their pacifistic views like Peter Vogt and Ohm Siemens, while others like Abram Sudermann used force. It seems to me that Abram got what was coming to him. Peter and Ohms deaths on the other hand are unfair. These were honest hardworking men, who remained true to their principles. How could God let them die? 

I think this book gives meaning to their deaths. Without the book their deaths would not be remembered, and the examples they set would not mean much. But because of their deaths Katya survived and was able to recount their story. Through memory their sacrifices live on as an example of people who chose to take pain instead of cause it. This book shows the evil humans can cause, but also provides an example of those who choose not to submit.

Paraguay Primeval And Other Song By Carol Ann Weaver Featuring Rebecca Campbell

I must say I've never been to a performance quite like this.

It was an interesting combination of harmonies, piano, and descriptions of Mennonite life in Paraguay. I learned a lot about the struggles and joys of these immigrants from the songs. I particularly enjoyed the song Lengua Women. The music really brought to life the Lengua women as a sort of presence. Listening to the music sort of creates a feel of how they walked, that makes sense with the description, better then if I was only reading about it. I also thought the song about the women's village was interesting, depicting women doing all the Men's work. It was sad because they lost their husbands, but also inspiring, that these women made it on their own.

I thought Weaver did a good job of displaying troubles of Paraguayan Mennonites through stories like the one of Uncle Hans falling down the well, but also describing the joys of their lives, like the tango song and Chaco Spring. It seemed like a well rounded collection of stories.

The music itself I enjoyed immensely, because of the complexity. Weaver employed many different styles of chord structure and rhythm to create a unique and engaging sound which kept me guessing throughout the performance. I felt like I didn't know what was coming next.