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Circling the Sun


An intoxicatingly vivid portrait of colonial Kenya and its privileged ...
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When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

Created: 08/26/16

Replies: 7

Posted Aug. 26, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her? Or do you think Beryl placed too much value on strength and independence?


Posted Aug. 30, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
stabs

Join Date: 07/13/16

Posts: 14

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

I do agree. The Kenyan frontier was no place for someone who was helpless or soft. You had to be on your guard living in the wild with any number of things that could kill you. Animals, insects, snakes, infections. Kenya was no place for wimps then, and probably not even now.


Posted Aug. 30, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorothyl

Join Date: 04/15/12

Posts: 146

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

I agree. There was a survival of the the fittest mentality there.


Posted Sep. 01, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melanieb

Join Date: 08/30/14

Posts: 265

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

Yes, from Beryl's perspective I think it is true.


Posted Sep. 06, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
debrav

Join Date: 08/16/11

Posts: 30

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

I think that is why she related more to men than women.


Posted Sep. 07, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 505

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

This was a time and country that required one to be proactive. The elements and environment were against you. It was a constant struggle to make it and move forward. Those who were "soft and helpless" wouldn't make it as they didn't have the drive and perseverance to move forward and succeed. Beryl was tough and didn't wait for things to happen, she made them happen.


Posted Sep. 16, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
amandaa

Join Date: 07/15/16

Posts: 7

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

I agree with her. Strength and toughness were necessary for survival in that time and place.


Posted Sep. 20, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barb23703

Join Date: 10/04/15

Posts: 102

RE: When Beryl is quite young, she reflects that "softness and helplessness got you nothing in this place." Do you agree with her?

On first reading, I was inclined to believe this was referring to the harsh climate in which she existed. But, after finishing the book, I believe it was more a reference to the society in which she had to exist. I found all the British she encountered to be harsh critics and very hypocritical in their relationships.


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