Extensive Activity-Draw a portrait of your favourite character and explain something about it

 

My favorite character in the book is Takiko. I enjoyed how she over came many difficult times, and events while still following her heart and maintaining strong. Another reason why Takiko is my favorite character is because she seems real. In many books the main character is often perfect with no flaws and imperfections. However Takiko was not perfect and had many flaws. For example, in the beginning Takiko was spoiled, pampered and not likeable. However in the end, Takiko changed and became more flexible, and understanding. She also gave up her dream for a “perfect” romance. All this makes the overall story more realistic and likeable.

 

-Nina

Core Activity: Character-For a film about your book which actor / actress would you recommend for the leading role? Explain, in detail, why.

For an actress that I thought represented Takiko well, I chose Japanese actress Riko Narumi. In the book, Paterson described Takiko as a beauty with fair white skin, big shining eyes, and silky black hair. Riko Narumi holds all these qualities and also gives off a vibe of innocence, which was another one of Takiko’s traits. Narumi also in talented in music, and plays both the piano and guitar. Takiko is known as a “nightingale” due to her angelic voice, and her talent in the koto, a harp like instrument. This shows that the two share the same passion, and talent in music. For these traits and characteristics, I recommend Riko Narumi as the role of Takiko.

 

-Nina

Core Activities: Writing-Write any type of poem about your book (at least 25 lines)

The War Zone

 

For the rage of war

What the sword pleads to do so more

For the burning that eats the core

To glory, they swore

 

To the flaming sky

It’s a chime, a cry

The pride will not so easily die

If embraced the truth we could fly 

 

To grab ahold of what is mine

If there is bloodshed to what eyes they shine

Between victory and death, let us draw a thin line

And after may everything be fine

 

If only then will the brightened world be free

A crash to what leaves a mess of spilt tea

Scatters send a chaos to the course of a flee

For what an end would take I plead

 

An inked brush is used to write

A screaming sword is used for the murder of the night

To what the figure drew, rising to full height

A break, a mistake, an accident that leaves my world white

 

In a rising heat dusted by mud

A flower is unable to bud

From afar there is a killing flood

It’s the beating heart we drown with crud

 

To the demon eating inside us, we offer the enemy’s blood

 

-Nina

Core Activities: Character- Explain at least three ways the author tells you about the main character:

1.”No one had claimed that the potter was handsome. Her mother had prepared her for that. But she was angry at the laughter. The servants were always forgetting their place, the insolent wretches. –Pg. 11

This sentence was taken from the very beginning of the book. It shows the Takiko’s personality at the young age of 11. At the time, Takiko was spoiled, and full of honor. She believed and held onto her samurai pride enthusiastically. Her attitude, and performance towards her family, and servants displays this. In the above sentence, it shows Takiko’s thought on how the servants should know their places. Meaning that she was very bound by her social roles, and honor.

2. “She would have gone then. She often told herself later that at the moment Mieko jumped, she herself had been given the courage to follow.” –Pg. 135

This sentence was taken from the part in the story where Takiko faced a most difficult question. To hold onto her pride by jumping off her emperor’s flaming boat to die with honor, or to be captured by the enemy with her love for Hideo. I think this sentence expresses Takiko’s feelings for Hideo very well. Not only is she abandoning her pride, but she is also choosing Hideo over her people and nation.

3. “She tried to picture his reaction. He was more than likely to object-he was too old-too poor-too ugly. Goro was a stubborn man, but in the end she could persuaded him-prepare his food, till his fields, fire his kiln, warm his bed, bear him a dozen beautiful children, play her koto and sing, and heal all the terrible wounds on his torn and battered soul”. –Pg.168

In many ways, “Of Nightingales That Weep” can be considered a coming of age book. Throughout the book, readers can follow Takiko as her thoughts, actions, and thinking all mature and change. In the beginning, Takiko was a stubborn spoiled, and pampered child. However, throughout the book, we are able to see Takiko go though hardships, heartbreaks, and realization to reality. One of the biggest wakeup calls for Takiko was when Hideo and Takiko had to go different paths in the end. It made Takiko finally get in touch with reality, and all the difficulties it holds. This sentence was taken from the part in the story when Takiko finally sees the best option for her life that has been in front of her eyes all along.  When she realizes that she needed to settle down, and tend to her stepfather instead of a romance that was fantasied.

–Nina

Extension Activity: Was there any growth of the main character (mentally or physically)? Explain in a100 words or so.

Takikofaced many challenges from a young age. She lost her father only at the age of 11. She was forced to move in with a new stepfather and start a new life. She was only 11 when all of these events took place. She was mentally very scattered and confused. Her moving into the moving into the imperial palace really changed her for the good. She had chance to get away from home and explore new options. She met new people, tried new things, had up’s and lows but in the end all that made her stronger as a person. By the time she was 13 she knew what she wanted. She knew who she was as a person

~Mahnoor

Core Activity: Choose music to accompany an oral reading of a section of your book.

She awoke in the middle of the night with a feeling she could not name- a mixture of pain and sweetness. A hand upon her knee. He is my enemy. My mistress’s lover. I don’t even know his name. And she turned and wept, with tears running down the side of her wooden pillow into the quilt. ~pg 61

Song: I hate you don’t leave me. By: Demi Lovato

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XlcTynV6hw 48:03-51:37

~Mahnoor

Core Activity: Prepare a PA announcement to advertise you’re book.

 Prepare a PA announcement to advertise you’re book.

       Hi everyone! So can you guys believe it? Only 11 days of school left! But before school ends I wanted to tell you guys about this amazing book I’ve been reading in novel study. The book is called ‘of nightingales that weep’. I have to say its one of the best books I have ever read. If Japanese or Chinese culture interests you then this book is definitely made for you. Not only this book gives you a fun chance to learn more about the Japanese culture but it also has a hint of romance. The book is about a girl named Takiko who is forced to go and live in the imperial court. There she works for the emperor and a mistress. It might not sound very interesting yet but it will when I tell you she falls in love with her mistress’s lover! The book is filled with a roller coaster of emotions. The chapters will be filled with lots of cries, laughs and forbidden love!

So make you sure you go to the library and check the book out! Just as Ms.Maloane for a copy and I’m sure she would gladly give you one. 

~Mahnoor

Core Activity: Write a diary for your favorite character.

So much has happened since the last time I wrote but I have much to tell. I had arrived in the Imperial Court two days before and so much has happened since. My mistress is a lovely yet strict woman. I have become nice friends with Cheiko, one of the maids here. She is very kind and lovely woman. I am grateful that I met someone like her here. I have been missing my family a lot the past days. It saddens me how I wont’ even be there to see my little brother grow up. I wonder how my mother is doing? I hope she is all right. My stepfather is an amazing man and I’m sure he is taking great care of her. At least I hope so.

Yesterday I had gone to the emperor to perform for him. Since I had always gotten compliments on my voice the mistress though it would be a great idea to do that. I had sung a beautiful lullaby earning many compliments from the emperor and his mother. I couldn’t believe yesterday had actually happened. It was on honor in just being in the presence of the emperor. Later that day Cheiko and me had gone to the temple to pray because the mistress had ordered us to. There I met Hideo. I don’t know how to say this but I think I’m in love. The way he had softly spoken to me and held my hand. It was such a magical moment. I had after learned that Hideo was my mistress lover! I can’t believe I was so stupid to give my heart to someone who is already taken. The whole day I have been trying to ignore the feeling I felt toward this stranger. After all we had only talked one! How was it even possible that I feel in love with him?

Twenty-eight day of the month of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

~Mahnoor

Core Activity: Write a letter to a friend describing this book that you are going to send to him

Hey James,

          It’s been quite a long time since we last talked so I thought why not I write you a letter. See in school I have started reading a new book for my novel study called ‘The nightingales that weep’. This book is amazing. I think it would really interest you because I know you had always been interested in the Japanese/Chinese culture. The book outlines what the life of a normal girl might look like in japan but with a bit more drama. The book is about a little girl named Takiko who is sent to live in the imperial court. There she sings for the emperor and works for the mistress. From there her life takes many twists and turns. I’m not going to tell you more because I don’t want to give away too much but I am going to tell you Takiko might find love in this journey of hers 😉 I really hope you like book and even if you don’t write me back telling me your opinion.

 

You’re dear friend

Mahnoor 🙂

 

Core Activity: For a film about your book which actor / actress would you recommend for the leading role? Explain, in detail, why

I choose Ko Ah Ra to play the leading role if film was being made about ‘Of nightingales that weep’ because I think she represents what Takiko has been described as in the book very well. The author had said Takiko had very pale skin with dark brown eyes that stood out. Ko Ah Ra also very pale skin that makes her dark eyes stand out. From the picture we can see she has very silky long brown/black hair. When you look at the cover of the book you can see the girl has similar hair to Ko Ah Ra.

Not only I think looks wise Ko Ah Ra represents Takiko well but she also a very innocent and young look to her face. Takiko is only 13 in the book but the author described as her someone who looks much older and that’s why I think Ko Ah Ra suits Takiko very well. Ko Ah Ra looks like she could be a girl from the age of 13 to 16. These are many of the reasons why I think Ko Ha Ra would be perfect for the role of Takiko.

~Mahnoor