Code+Talker+5W+Group+B

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Group Members:
Logan L: Sugar Cookies Ben R Kevin R Colby S T-man M Ryan M Nick W A.J. O - Fruit Salad Sam L (Facilitator) - Cape Cod Potato Chips
 * Liz Y.

**Agenda:**

 * Introductions:** Each member introduces themselves.
 * Clarifying factual questions:** Chance to ask general questions about the book.


 * Character/Narration:**
 * How does the fact that Ned is retelling this story long after the events in the story happened affect the novel?
 * In telling the story, Ned can express his feelings towards what is happening around him, making the reader more connected to the character and what is happening to him.
 * In telling the story, Ned uses a lot of foreshadowing, showing the significance of the earlier events when they happen. Is this a good technique, or does it spoil the later events.
 * What effect does Ned's love of history have on the story?
 * Setting:**
 * The setting of the novel is constantly changing with each new battle. Yet, it's important to note from a geographical stand point, all the battles that the Navajos are in are part of the Pacific Theater of WWII.
 * Starts in Navajo country out in the south west around Arizona. Ned is a teenager at the time.
 * Begins with Yázhí (Ned) growing up in New Mexico
 * Goes to California for training
 * Later stationed in Hawaii
 * Moved around the Pacific Theater in numerous battles/events
 * Themes:**
 * Irony: its ironic that the U.S. pushed around Navajos and then requested their assistance in the code.
 * Equality: all men are equal, whites are not better than Navajos, or vice versa.
 * Unity: unity in the time of war/ unity between clashing social groups/ unity for the better cause
 * Nationalism: a overall love and wish to protect one's country
 * Tradition: the Navajo's refuse to let their traditions (eg. language/culture) be forgotten
 * Oppression: Navajos are oppressed throughout the story, regardless of their contributions
 * Style of Writing:**
 * How does Bruchac's style of writing as if the book was a autobiography shape the reader's perception of the story?
 * Does Bruchac write in this style as a way to live vicariously through a character similar to himself?
 * Why does Bruchac refer to the readers as his grandchildren?
 * Because Ned Begay is retelling the story to his grandchildren, does Bruchac take away from the "in the moment" action, the element of surprise, or give the story the feeling of being legendary or a life lesson?
 * Quotes to Note:**
 * "I saw newsreels of long lines of defeated German soldiers, just peacefully walking away from the battle, guarded by only a few Americans. They were abiding by the rules of war. How I wished that the Japanese would behave that way. Their rules, though, were different" (168).
 * "As far as I know, not one Navajo code talker was ever raised above the rank of corporal, just as none of us were ever given any official recognition or honor from the time we enlisted until the surrender of Japan... We were kept invisible. It was partially because our true duty was kept such a secret from so many. But I think it was also because we were Indians in what was still, even in the Marines, a white man's world. It was easy to forget Indians" (87).
 * "We got twenty dollars from the camp athletic and morale officer to finance a ceremonial dance. ...There was much laughter and many smiling faces that day. Our songs were light-hearted, for we knew that a time lay ahead of us when our hearts might be heavy" (83).
 * "Looking at First Sergeant Shinn, I could see that this was indeed a man who believed in what he said. I was ready to believe it, too. I wanted to become one of the proud and few" (43).
 * Navajo History:**
 * What exactly was the Long Walk?
 * Are there any other acts that the US took against the Navajos?
 * What about the Navajo language made the US want to use it?