After reading the short stories in The Penguin Book Of Jewish Short Stories there were many that caught my attention. The tale of "Bontsha the Silent" seemed to be my favorite and the story of "The Pagan Rabbi" was definitely my least favorite.
The story of Bontsha discusses a man who goes through his whole life "silent". He was born in silence and died in silence as the story says. No one celebrated in his birth and when Bontsha died the wood that was his gravestone was burned so no one knows where he lays to rest. Many horrible things happen to Bontsha throughout his life; his wife leaves him, one man owed Bontsha money and went bankrupt never repaying him. Bontsha did not ask for any money but went on living his life. He never complained, and was always walking around unnoticed with his head hung low. Ironically however, when Bontsha got to Paradise, which I assumed to be Heaven, everyone knew whom he was. The young angels rejoiced in celebration and shouts of "Bontsha the Silent!" could be heard. God even knew that Bontsha had arrived. He was crowned with jewels and a throne even before his trial. The saints knew Bontsha's trial was trivial in Paradise because he was so important to them. Once Bontsha was put to trial more tales were told of the horrible things he had come in contact with throughout his life. As usual he had remained silent. The prosecutor, a Devil sort of person, angrily cried out many times but was ironically silenced in the end by the defender and the great court of justice. Bontsha was told that he could have what ever he wanted in Paradise. He was a little reluctant to respond but the judge insisted. Bontsha then asked to wake every morning to a warm roll with butter. An awkward silence came over Paradise and the prosecutor laughed.
I enjoyed this story because Bontsha reminds me of myself. I am not the silent type and try to not go unnoticed in the world, but I do live life in my own way.
Her intent in writing Silent Spring was to warn the public of the dangers related with pesticide use. ... The US federal government responded quickly to Silent Spring. ... Who knows what the world would be like today if Rachel Carson had not written Silent Spring. ... In fact, she was dying of cancer as she finished Silent Spring. ... Conclusion Rachel Carson changed the world with Silent Spring. ...
Her intent in writing Silent Spring was to warn the public of the dangers related with pesticide use. ... The US federal government responded quickly to Silent Spring. ... Who knows what the world would be like today if Rachel Carson had not written Silent Spring. ... In fact, she was dying of cancer as she finished Silent Spring. ... Conclusion Rachel Carson changed the world with Silent Spring. ...
Therefore, to Elinor, it would not at all be in Marianne or Willoughby's character to be silent about something, especially something as romantic and dramatic as an engagement. ... Robert Ferrars, who anything but silent later on in the novel, at their moment of first meeting, silence again is read correctly as a sign of weakness, for to Elinor Mr. ... Early on in the novel, when first meeting Edward Ferrars, Elinor reads his silent nature and reserve not as "mere calmness of manner," or as him being a "coxcomb," but "[s]he saw that he was quiet and unobtrusive, and she liked him for i...
Silent Spring Book Review Rachel Louise Carson (1907-64) was an American marine biologist, and author of widely read books on ecological themes. ... At the end of Rachel Carson's career she wrote Silent Spring, which questioned the use of Chemical Pesticides and was responsible for arousing worldwide concern for the preservation of the environment. Silent Spring takes a hard look at the effects of the insecticides, weed killers and other common products as well as the use of sprays in agriculture. ... Silent Spring not only recognizes the severity of the chemicals usage but al...
A Silent Goodbye "911 what is your emergency?" a woman asked calmly. Minutes later the parade of ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars arrived. The men rushed into the house and quickly put my mother on a stretcher. That was the moment I realized it was really happening. My mother had been sho...
Silent Assassins He freezes his body as a Viet Cong soldier walks merely feet away from him. ... Staff Sergeant Jesse Jelks, marine sniper for seven years, informed me in a personal interview that in their training they must stalk silently through an area and then fire upon a target without their instructors seeing them. ...
Simon was stunned and overwhelmed with emotion that he could not answer so he kept silent and left the room without a word. When Simon returned to the camp he asked his two friend Arthur and Josek for the opinion about choice to remain silent. ... Simon did not want to abolish the image that the solider mother held so again he remained silent and left. Simon kept silent at a young Nazi's deathbed as the solider begged for forgiveness. ... How could he answer on the spot, remaining silent was the best option, he avoided saying the wrong answer. ...
