Exploring the Text

  1. Notice how Laura Blumenfeld begins her essay, first with the arresting opening sentence “The gunman was not at home” and then with ordinary details such as “orange soda,” “slippers,” and “a pink emboidered bathrobe.” What is the effect of this juxtaposition of the suspenseful with the mundane in the first paragraph?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: Notice how Laura Blumenfeld begins her essay, first with the arresting opening sentence “The gunman was not at home” and then with ordinary details such as “orange soda,” “slippers,” and “a pink emboidered bathrobe.” What is the effect of this juxtaposition of the suspenseful with the mundane in the first paragraph?
  2. What is similar in the father’s and brother’s responses to Blumenfeld’s question, “Why did he do it?” (para. 12)? Why do they claim it was “nothing personal,” as Imad says (para. 18)?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: What is similar in the father’s and brother’s responses to Blumenfeld’s question, “Why did he do it?” (para. 12)? Why do they claim it was “nothing personal,” as Imad says (para. 18)?
  3. The author keeps her identity as the victim’s daughter secret from the Khatibs, identifying herself “as an American journalist who was interested in hearing his [Omar’s] story” (para. 21) and who was also “writing a book about the region” (para. 27). These claims are broadly true, of course, but do you think she was wrong to deceive them? How would the family have reacted had she told the full truth from the beginning?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: The author keeps her identity as the victim’s daughter secret from the Khatibs, identifying herself “as an American journalist who was interested in hearing his [Omar’s] story” (para. 21) and who was also “writing a book about the region” (para. 27). These claims are broadly true, of course, but do you think she was wrong to deceive them? How would the family have reacted had she told the full truth from the beginning?
  4. How would you characterize the style and tone of Omar Khatib’s first letter (para. 28)? What does Blumenfeld mean by saying that it “read more like a manifesto than like an exchange between two people” (para. 29)? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? How does that statement connect to Blumenfeld’s purpose in this essay?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: How would you characterize the style and tone of Omar Khatib’s first letter (para. 28)? What does Blumenfeld mean by saying that it “read more like a manifesto than like an exchange between two people” (para. 29)? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? How does that statement connect to Blumenfeld’s purpose in this essay?
  5. Why do you think Omar doesn’t answer Blumenfeld’s questions directly in his next letter (para. 30), discussing literature and the conditions of his imprisonment instead?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: Why do you think Omar doesn’t answer Blumenfeld’s questions directly in his next letter (para. 30), discussing literature and the conditions of his imprisonment instead?
  6. In Omar’s second letter (para. 30), he talks about “freedom fighters.” In his first he had written, “There is a huge difference, my dear, between ‘terror’ and the right of self-determination, between a criminal and a revolutionary.” Read “The War of Words: A Dispatch from the Front Lines” (p. 770), an editorial by Daniel Okrent. Evaluate Omar’s position in terms of what Okrent says in his piece.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: In Omar’s second letter (para. 30), he talks about “freedom fighters.” In his first he had written, “There is a huge difference, my dear, between ‘terror’ and the right of self-determination, between a criminal and a revolutionary.” Read “The War of Words: A Dispatch from the Front Lines” (p. 770), an editorial by Daniel Okrent. Evaluate Omar’s position in terms of what Okrent says in his piece.
  7. Toward the end of paragraph 30, Blumenfeld uses both paraphrase and direct quotation to deliver Omar’s communication. Which of the two presents the more political message? Which the more personal? Why do you suppose the author chose to present this information in this way?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: Toward the end of paragraph 30, Blumenfeld uses both paraphrase and direct quotation to deliver Omar’s communication. Which of the two presents the more political message? Which the more personal? Why do you suppose the author chose to present this information in this way?
  8. In the letter quoted in paragraph 34, Omar writes, “With regard to David Blumenfeld—I hope he can understand the reasons behind my act. If I were him I would.” What leads him to say that? Do you think Omar is right—would David Blumenfeld indeed understand if their positions were reversed? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: In the letter quoted in paragraph 34, Omar writes, “With regard to David Blumenfeld—I hope he can understand the reasons behind my act. If I were him I would.” What leads him to say that? Do you think Omar is right—would David Blumenfeld indeed understand if their positions were reversed? Explain your response.
  9. Laura Blumenfeld writes, “And Omar’s lofty talk about ‘historical reconciliation’ made me wonder whether we were both involved in an elaborate game of manipulation, each for a different purpose” (para. 35). What causes her to wonder that? Do you think that is the case? Why or why not?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: Laura Blumenfeld writes, “And Omar’s lofty talk about ‘historical reconciliation’ made me wonder whether we were both involved in an elaborate game of manipulation, each for a different purpose” (para. 35). What causes her to wonder that? Do you think that is the case? Why or why not?
  10. Were you surprised by the warm reception that the author received from the Khatibs after she revealed her identity to them (para. 43)? Why or why not? Why were the Khatibs so gracious? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: Were you surprised by the warm reception that the author received from the Khatibs after she revealed her identity to them (para. 43)? Why or why not? Why were the Khatibs so gracious? Explain your response.
  11. In one of his letters (para. 36), Omar refers to “our friendship,” and the essay concludes with Omar’s words addressed to his victim, David Blumenfeld: “If God helps and I get to be released, I hope you accept my invitation to be my guest in the holy city of peace, Jerusalem.” Do you think that the author’s father would accept? Why or why not? Write a letter from him in response to Omar’s invitation.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: In one of his letters (para. 36), Omar refers to “our friendship,” and the essay concludes with Omar’s words addressed to his victim, David Blumenfeld: “If God helps and I get to be released, I hope you accept my invitation to be my guest in the holy city of peace, Jerusalem.” Do you think that the author’s father would accept? Why or why not? Write a letter from him in response to Omar’s invitation.
  12. Early in the essay, the author reveals her purpose: “I had resolved to find a way to make my father human in the gunman’s eyes” (para. 21). Referring specifically to the text of the essay, evaluate the extent to which she has achieved her purpose.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Apology - Exploring the Text: Early in the essay, the author reveals her purpose: “I had resolved to find a way to make my father human in the gunman’s eyes” (para. 21). Referring specifically to the text of the essay, evaluate the extent to which she has achieved her purpose.