This forum is for specific discussion on Foreign Gods, Inc. by Okey Ndibe. What are your first reactions? What did you like most about chapters one, two, and three? Also, what question(s) do you have about the book? Students should try their best to elaborate their answers using textual evidence from the text.
One way to look at the novel you are reading through a variety of viewpoints, elements of any controversy, and connections between what the real world is talking about and class subjects. What are your first reactions? What did you like most about the story and/or the book? Also, what question (s) do you have about the book? Please note that you should support your response with textual evidence. Elaborate your answers-minimum of ten sentences per post.
One way to look at the novel you are reading through a variety of viewpoints, elements of any controversy, and connections between what the real world is talking about and class subjects. What are your first reactions? What did you like most about the story and/or the book? Also, what question (s) do you have about the book? Please note that you should support your response with textual evidence. Elaborate your answers-minimum of ten sentences per post.
15 comments:
At the beginning of the novel I was confused about Ike’s sudden change of pace for example he steps out of his cab he was driving and almost immediately goes into an very important setting at which he meets with a businessman. This made me feel as if he had some sort of double life. What I liked most about chapters one, two, and three is that Ike even though he was going through all these troubles somehow kept moving toward his goals. Questions I have for the book are why Ike didn't get permission from his uncle before selling the artifact of his people? , why did Ike leave Africa? , And why did Ike marry Bernita if he had so much pride?
My first reactions to the story Foreign Gods, Inc were surprising. For example, “Your Zulu dick be running around, looking for some white ho, she’d accuse. Fuck you and fuck your Zulu shit, she’d curse. Or she’d berate: Why you always speak English with that Zulu accent?” I would not have expected such slang in a novel as this one. The novel had relaxed me in a way, making the audience feel comfortable and interested more into the novel. Ike gives off confusion in the novel, as if he does not know what will happen next in his life. He tries to live in the United States, but the author creates a tension. Ike does not agree with judgments that are made about him, or how America expects all the above from foreigners. Mr. Gruels, the author makes him seem very uptight like he is above everyone that he feels is below him. Mr. Gruel’s act as if he loves everything on a silver platter. If one cannot, deliver he cannot have a simple discussion with people/person. Queen Bernita is an amusing character. She acts as if I would know her, like a crazy neighbor. The author makes me feel at ease when the author decided to put a character like her in the novel. I did not expect the novel to be surprising, and amusing. The author does that its audience think about how much work a foreigner has to go through just to be an American.
1.How will Ike get the god to Mr. Gruel?
2.Will Ike find that wife or someone to love?
3.Will Ike ever get over the fear of thunder storms?
4.Will Bernita come back into the novel?
My first reactions of the novel "Foreign Gods, Inc " were confusing, because of Ike's fantasy at Foreign Gods Inc. For example in the beginning Ike steps away from his cab to go into an important business environment, Foreign God's Inc. Ike then goes to the heaven section of the building where all the expensive and exquisite statues/artifacts are and him observing them and there all there info or history and prices. That then leads him to a awkward and unintended conversation with the owner of the gallery where he plays out a fantasy of talking as dealers or collector of such item in that gallery do, letting the owner know he has a statue he must have. That told me that Ike has two sides to him and has a dream or goal. What I like most about chapters one, two, and three is Ike's resilience to prosper forward through his struggles and obstacles. Questions I have about the book are, Why did Ike leave Africa? , Did Ike have to become a cab driver? And for what purpose does Ike's grandmother tell him Ngene had favored him? Foreign Gods, Inc.
My first reaction to Foreign Gods, Inc. by Okey Ndibe represents the determination of Ike to get Ngene. For example, in the text it states, “In less than three weeks, I will have it.” This quote describes how he wants to go to Nigeria as soon as possible to get Ngene and give it to Mark Gruels. Also, what caught my attention is how he tells the reader about his love life. For instance, in the text it states, “Penny Rose, a girlfriend from his college days – perhaps the only women he ever fell in love with in America.” This quote illustrates how he feels in love with Penny, and it seems like he has not fallen in love with anyone else since then. In addition, he talks about how he married Bernita, so he could get a green card, which he has been wanting, so he could apply to jobs he couldn’t to get earlier. But even though he did get his green card, things did not go the way he thought it would. It states in the text, “Your credentials are excellent, but the accent is crappy.” This quote indicates that he could not get the job because of his accent, but yet he has great credentials. Moreover, in the text it states, “He’d scored with several women who confessed to adore his accent.” This quote communicates that women love his accent, but he cannot get a job because of discrimination. Why couldn’t he get the job because of his accent? Will he actually get Ngene in three weeks? How much will Mark Gruels pay for it?
My first impression of the novel “Foreign Gods, Inc. “was that it was confusing and interesting. When I first read this novel, I had many questions I had to ask. For instance, when Ike steps away from his cab and goes into Foreign Gods Inc., a professional business environment. There he meets the gallery owner and they then begin to have an awkward yet unexpected conversation. The question that came to my mind was why did Ike leave his cab and go into a gallery? As I continued reading, I found out that during their conversation Ike tells the owner he has a statue he must have. What statue is Ike referring to and why did he want it? Is Ike into art? After reading these three chapters, I came to a conclusion that Ike has two sides to him and he has goals. What I really admire about these chapters is Ike’s persistent and especially how he never gives up even though he has to face many obstacles.
1) Why did Ike leave Africa?
2) Was Ike hiding something?
3) Why did the author choose this setting?
When I started reading the novel Foreign Gods, inc. by Okey Ndibe, I had many pre-conceived notions about this book that slowly but surely began to shatter. At first I was a little puzzled about what was initially going on throughout the first chapter. For example, I was rapped up in the vast descriptions of the highly priced statues Ike spoke about in such great detail. But what did these things have to do with the story? Upon further reading I discovered that Ike was highly educated, and seems to have a plot brewing that had to do with these statues. After reading deeper and deeper I saw that Ike approached a man named "Gruel" and he was the curraror for the store that Ike saw all these wonder statues in called "Foreign Gods, Inc." Ike told Gruel that he was able to obtain an African god. This really caught Gruels attention, but after further discussion it was uncovered that Ike didn't have the statue... Well not yet. Ike made a plan to smuggle the statue from his home land to sell to Gruel. The struggle it took Ike to get this statute just for some money really is like a wake up call for me. As a foreigner, I understand the degradation Ike face just for a better life in this country. Coming from a country in which you have it all, to become one of the lowest links of the food chain is really and eye opener. People have to do these thing just for a better life bad just for the American Dream.
Questions:
1. Why would Ike sell this sacred statue?
2. What drove Ike to enter that shop?
3. What happened in his private life that made him so desperate to make some extra money?
My initial reactions to the novel Foreign Gods, Inc. surprised. For example, it states in the text, “There was his friend, Jonathan Fella. It was Fella who, back in collage, first sowed him the idea of looting if people’s ancient god, a war deity at a time, bereft of wars.” I would not have thought of Ike as a theft as according to the beginning of the novel. I thought of Ike as just someone looking for some money to get himself started coming from a foreign country. I defiantly would not have thought that Ike, or anybody, to steal from their own people for money. Another thing that was surprising to me was how hungry and desperate Ike was for a conversation. For example, the text illustrates, “Ike felt let down. He wanted to keep talking, to keep the conversation going. In fact, it didn't matter whether the passenger spoke back or not, let the man listen: that would do do do.” This was surprising to me because to have a conversation you would need two or more people to talk. Also it already seemed like the passenger wasn't interested in the topics anyway so why would you force a conversation. For me, if they don’t want to talk with you, don’t.
1.Is Ike going to actually steal the giety?
2.At his age, why does Ike still react to storm like he did at younger age?
3.Is Mr. Gruel going to accept the giety?
The novel “Foreign Gods Inc.” confounded me in a way that was positive. Ike’s actions were confusing because he changes his attitude in to a way in which he is a whole new person. When Ike leaves the bar he is taking a risk that was worth it by going inside the gallery smelling like alcohol. The introduction to this setting caused him to meet new opportunities. Also, i thought of Ike as being more of an man about business and it changed my point of view from him since the start of the novel. Furthermore, the introduction to this setting caused Ike to become a stronger person.
After reading chapters one through three in Foreign Gods, Inc.by Okey Ndibe, I started to wonder what this story would be about. There were a lot of words I had to stop and look up in the dictionary. Also, I noticed that the chapter repeated the word “God,” which means that the characters in the story really believe in their gods. What I got from these first couple of chapters is that there is a man named Ike, who is also a cabdriver that is setting out to collect an ancient god to bring back with him to sell. The fact that this character is sneaking it makes him seem very selfish and all he wants is the money behind it, and not caring about what it means to someone else. This refers to the theme of “Money Makes the World Go Around” because he’s basically just taking the ancient God for the money. Well, from what I read so far the book is very interesting, but there’s nothing about the book that I really liked. However, what I thought interesting was that even though he stole the ancient god and sold them to the Foreign Gods Company, he still wanted to write about them. I also have a question about that is what did Ike want to write about the Foreign Gods Company? I also would like to know why he is he selling to the gods to the Foreign Gods Company? I wonder if Ike is going to keep selling gods to the Foreign Gods Company. In the end these chapters relate to these chapters relate to the topic because it basically shows how Ike is not worried about anything or anyone but money.
My first reaction to "Foreign Gods, Inc I was confused. I was confused in the part that he was driving a taxi cab but then went in an important place. So far, I like this book because of the determination. For example, when Ike went to a taxi driver to a man in a business office, I felt as though he was determined to do something bigger. Ike had a real struggle he was an educated man with no money. But, he used his intelligence to get where he is going. Ike made me feel like, even though you have hindrances along the way doesn't mean you let them get in the way of your goals.
1:What inspired Ike to keep moving forward?
2:Will Ike find a person to share his dreams and life with?
3:Was Ike forced out of Africa? If so what happened?
My First reactions to the novel Foreign Gods, Inc were "wow." When i read the novel, i was first thinking "What the heck is going on, i might not like this book" then surely after, i started get sucked in the book as i started to enjoy the main character, Ike. The part where Ike had that "awkward" conversation with the owner of the gallery was the part that i knew something was about to happen. Personally, i don't think it was right how Ike stole the sacred statue, just for money. The first three chapters give me the willingness to keep on reading the book because of all the interesting things that happen.
1. Why did Ike leave Africa?
2. Did the author have any connection to his character?
3. What gives Ike the motivation of moving forward?
So far my read with the book has been pretty good, although there has been some confusing moments. Throughout the book the speed and pace changes which confuses me and leaves me behind and lost. For example, in one part of the story the main character Ike goes from doing his daily job as a cab driver and then goes to a business meeting that changes his life. Even though the story goes a little to fast for my liking it makes me challenge myself as a reader. Having to speed up my style will help me adapt in the future to different types of text. The speed is the main thing I love about this book. Also I like how the story shows real struggles and real business like situations. For example, during Ike's business meeting with Mr.Gruel he came with a dream and with serious determination. But even sometimes that might not be enough in the real world. Even though his meeting didn’t go how he planned he still wont give up and that determination is what will make him succeed. I also have one major questions for the book. Why didn’t Ike ask his uncle about the statue from the beginning? If he would have asked his uncle then maybe Mr. Gruel would have more trust and faith in him. All in all I am looking forward to reading more about Ike's adventure as he tries to become a .
So far, I've understood the book Foreign Gods, Inc to be very great story about a man who is a man of his culture. Just like every once in life, he has been through some things in life that discouraged him, but kept him moving forward and I respect his strengths for that. For example, in Chapter 2 he explains to the passenger out of desperateness to pull through the storm of his divorce with the woman that he clearly loved. For many, going through a divorce is hard and only the strongest of people could move forward after such tragedy. I also enjoyed reading and finding out more about why he was setting out to get the God deity and selling it to the owner of the store Foreign Gods, Inc. It's quite clear that he has an understandable reason as to why he's selling it for a large price. Just like anyone else in his situation, he needs the money and he also likes the idea that his friend gave him so that bringing the deity there will help with war and problems. He's not only thinking of himself, but of everyone who it work affect also. Though he seems confident in his idea, it's a possibility that it will not work out because the artifact is clearly very important and not exactly easy to take for himself. I'm looking forward to continuing to read the story so that my questions will be answered.
In chapters 4,5,and 6 Im stuck on how I feel about Ike's descion on selling Ngene. One side of me is feeling like he is selfish and being greedy and the other part of me is like if I was in the same position as him not having a job would I sell something so precious to me and my family to make ends meet.This chapter has a lot to do with our topic in class "Money makes the world go round" because Ike is willing to give up something to valuable to his family just for money. I feel like if Ike go through with this idea on selling Ngene he is going to regret if because of how valuable Ngene to his family. Now I think the book really caught my attention because now I wanna see if Ike is going to make a smart choice.
Questions:
1.If Ike sell Ngene will it cost problems in his family?
2.If Ike is having problems with money why doesn't Ike move back home until he can get back on his own feet?
3. Why doesn't Ike apply for other jobs?
Going into chapters 1,2,and 3 I was confused on what was going on. What confused me the most is when Ike went inside The Foreign Gods shop to sell something with no proof of anything. How did he expect the man to give him any information on pricing when the man couldn't even see the statue or have books,documents on its history .So far I am not really interested in the book I feel like I have to read more into it so I can understand it.One of the words that I was confused on that was being repeated a lot was "Deity"
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