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Book Club Check In: Moloka'i
Hi all! How's everyone doing with the reading? I'm loving the book so far, very easy to get into and read. Here are some discussion questions for parts One and Two (through page 136):
1. Given what was known at the time of the causes and contagion of leprosy, was the Hawaiian government's isolation of patients on Moloka'i justified or not?
2. Is there a disease that you'd consider our current times' leprosy? How is Hawai'i's treatment of leprosy patients similar to today's treatment of, say, SARS or AIDS patients? How is it different?
3. The idea of sending my child to another island to live is mortifying....what are your thoughts? Given the time and unknown variables, what would it feel like as a parent to have to send your child away?
4. The situation with Moko was small, but seemingly significant. Do you wish it has been a bigger section? Do you think it's a foreshadowing of things to come?
5. Who is your favorite character so far? Why?
Next week we'll discuss Part 3 (through page 257). Hope you're enjoying it!
Re: Book Club Check In: Moloka'i
I already finished the book
I couldn't help it... the book was such a good read. Great recommendation Amy!!! I can't wait to read "Honolulu" and I've already recommended this book to my sister and brother. Anyway, I'll try to answer the best I can without any spoilers.
1. Given what was known at the time of the causes and contagion of leprosy, was the Hawaiian government's isolation of patients on Moloka'i justified or not? When taking what little they knew about the disease, I suppose I can't blame Hawaii's government for doing what they did. Hindsight is always 20/20 and it's easier to say how harsh it was now... but back then it was the only way they knew how to deal with it, how to attempt to stop it and prevent others from getting it. As much as I hate to say it was justified, I can see why they did what they did. However, the way Kalaupapa was and what little it had to offer for those who were placed there, stripped away from all they had in life, the government could have done a much better job of making life there more tolerable.
2. Is there a disease that you'd consider our current times' leprosy? How is Hawai'i's treatment of leprosy patients similar to today's treatment of, say, SARS or AIDS patients? How is it different? This is a hard one to answer. Other than AIDS, I can't think of another disease that those infected with it are treated the same way as lepers were. Even the was people with AIDS or HIV are treated is much better now since the public is becoming more informed on how it is spread. Leprosy was by far the worst because you could easily see that someone had it (for the most part). You can't automatically tell someone has AIDS or HIV or most other diseases... however, small signs of leprosy could easily bring negative attention.
3. The idea of sending my child to another island to live is mortifying....what are your thoughts? Given the time and unknown variables, what would it feel like as a parent to have to send your child away? I absolutely could not do it. I say that now, however, since Rachel's parents had other children to worry about, I don't know what I would do if I were in the same situation. Her parents were definitely stuck since one needed to work to provide for the family and the other needed to care for the remaining healthy children. Just reading about Rachel's experience going to Kalihi and then Kalaupapa was painful and heartbreaking enough... I can't imagine if that were my child.
4. The situation with Moko was small, but seemingly significant. Do you wish it has been a bigger section? Do you think it's a foreshadowing of things to come? I didn't like the section with Moko... mainly cause I didn't like Moko and wanted Rachel out of there FAST!! It made me think about the reason why Rachel had to stay in the Bishop Home... because many of the Kalaupapa residents felt like they were already in prison, so the social norms of regular society don't stop them from committing crimes such as rape or abuse. I really hope there is nothing else with Moko cause Rachel's situation is already sad enough... she doesn't need anymore Moko.
5. Who is your favorite character so far? Why? I think my favorite character is Rachel or Henry Kalama. Obviously the book is about Rachel so I enjoy reading about how she handles things. She's so stubborn, just how I imagine I would be if I were in her shoes. I also like Henry Kalama because he seems like such a wonderful, hardworking and loving father. I love reading about the little things he does for his children, especially Rachel, and how he tries so hard to be there for her through this - despite how difficult it is. He just seems like such a nice man and a great dad.
I've been WAITING for this so I can keep reading the book lol! I easily could have finished it by now (it's super interesting and an easy read) and I've been forcing myself to wait so I don't get too far ahead.
1. Given what was known at the time of the causes and contagion of leprosy, was the Hawaiian government's isolation of patients on Moloka'i justified or not? I think it's easy to say no to this question, BUT...given the understanding of the times, I think the answer is yes. We quarantine people considered to be highly contagious even today, because we are trying to protect the larger population. Note I didn't say it was NICE, but you could certainly argue it was justified.
2. Is there a disease that you'd consider our current times' leprosy? How is Hawai'i's treatment of leprosy patients similar to today's treatment of, say, SARS or AIDS patients? How is it different? I tend to agree with irishmilla - I think the difference in this comparison is that you can't tell just by looking that someone has AIDS, for example, while leprosy is a highly visible disease. I honestly can't think of a comparable disease in modern times because I can't think of anything where someone is removed from the population based on external symptoms (granted, they did bloodtests in the book, but it was a visual symptom that triggered the test).
3. The idea of sending my child to another island to live is mortifying....what are your thoughts? Given the time and unknown variables, what would it feel like as a parent to have to send your child away? It would be unbearable. I honestly cannot think of words to describe how heartbreaking it would be. I understand that in their case, they were trying to protect the other children (although that still doesn't excuse the mother for basically writing Rachel off by moving and pretending like she didn't exist), but that wouldn't change the emotions of the situation.
4. The situation with Moko was small, but seemingly significant. Do you wish it has been a bigger section? Do you think it's a foreshadowing of things to come? I hope not! It was a significant for Rachel, but I hope there isn't any more Moko in the story. I'm hoping it was just there to put Rachel's "imprisonment" in the home in perspective - that yes, it is harsh to restrict someone's freedom, but that in this particular case it may have been protecting her from harm in an area that was largely un-policed, and that they didn't have the manpower (nunpower?) to effectively search for a missing child.
5. Who is your favorite character so far? Why? Hmm. Rachel is the obvious choice (since all of the other characters are secondary), but I actually like Sister Catherine. I like that she struggles - with her faith, with working with lepers, etc. It gives her another dimension other than just "nun". At one point I got a vague suspicion that they might have been setting her up for a romantic interest for Henry (she thinks about how she would like to have a child like Rachel of her own - granted, it might have just been another internal struggle and not foreshadowing), and I hope that doesn't happen...I think it might be a little cliche if it does.
As a side note, I want to say that I didn't know much about this period in Hawaii's history, so this is really interesting to me! And although all of this is obviously terrible, I was impressed that they seemed to at least try to give the girls a good home - good food, school, fun games, etc. Much better than the depressing institution I expected!
I'm really enjoying the book too. I can't wait to read Honolulu now! And, I've never participated in a book club so it forces me to think more when I read, especially when I have to come up with the questions!
1. Given what was known at the time of the causes and contagion of leprosy, was the Hawaiian government's isolation of patients on Moloka'i justified or not? Hard to say. Like Lisa, I don't know a lot about Hawaiian history, but it seems to me that a good portion of the population had to be afflicted for them to take such a drastic measure. It seems excessive to me now, but the world was such a different place in the late 1800s, not nearly as much knowledge as we have now. However, we do still quarantine people for certain things, so I suppose this is the same thing on a more grand scale.
2. Is there a disease that you'd consider our current times' leprosy? How is Hawai'i's treatment of leprosy patients similar to today's treatment of, say, SARS or AIDS patients? How is it different? I don't think we can compare leprosy to any disease today. With science and medicine developments, we aren't as afraid of things, and, as was previously mentioned, no other disease shows outward signs like leprosy did. Even those that are quarantined from others aren't kept in isolation at the same level of the leprosy patients.
3. The idea of sending my child to another island to live is mortifying....what are your thoughts? Given the time and unknown variables, what would it feel like as a parent to have to send your child away? I can't even imagine (unless it was my 17 year old....KIDDING, KIDDING.....but if you have a teenager you KNOW you want to ship him/her to an island). However, what choice did they have? I swear I'd die of a broken heart.
4. The situation with Moko was small, but seemingly significant. Do you wish it has been a bigger section? Do you think it's a foreshadowing of things to come? I don't really know what I think about the Moko situation. I think it could be a book in itself. How frightening to stumble upon that and not be able to leave. I certainly hope it is not a foreshadowing of things to come. I just wish there had been a little more insight to it - for instance, did she tell anyone? Why did he do it? Who was this man? etc...
5. Who is your favorite character so far? Why? I love Haleola. She seems like such a gentle and kind soul, and I love that she loves Rachel and that she comes to see her as often as she can.
I've already read the book, so I'll answer the questions and try not to spoil anything!
1. Given what was known at the time of the causes and contagion of leprosy, was the Hawaiian government's isolation of patients on Moloka'i justified or not?
Given what was known, I can see why they did it. Isolation was a terrible solution, but the only one they had for an incurable disease they were afraid would overtake the population. If you think it's being spread by contact, the only way to guarantee containment is to remove the possibility of contact.
2. Is there a disease that you'd consider our current times' leprosy? How is Hawai'i's treatment of leprosy patients similar to today's treatment of, say, SARS or AIDS patients? How is it different?
I think medical advances have come far enough that public understanding reduces the likelihood of that level of panic. There's a larger focus on public education that allows us to deal with new/prevalent illnesses without mass hysteria. Having a course of treatment helps, too - leprosy was incurable, and the disfigurement that came with it was frightening and stigmatizing.
3. The idea of sending my child to another island to live is mortifying....what are your thoughts? Given the time and unknown variables, what would it feel like as a parent to have to send your child away?
I don't have any children, so it's hard to say what it would feel like. I can imagine myself in Rachel's shoes, separated from my family and my home at a young age; it would be unbearable.
4. The situation with Moko was small, but seemingly significant. Do you wish it has been a bigger section? Do you think it's a foreshadowing of things to come?
I was so scared for Rachel, but proud when she got away from Moko. I think her escape from the community, and then her escape from Moko, show that even as a child she's very determined and strong.
5. Who is your favorite character so far? Why?
I absolutely love Rachel. The way she's always thinking about foreign lands and what they might be like reminds me of me when I was little.
2. Is there a disease that you'd consider our current times' leprosy? How is Hawai'i's treatment of leprosy patients similar to today's treatment of, say, SARS or AIDS patients? How is it different? Ha! I remember SARS - good times in Toronto! In the Western world, I'd say we haven't had a disease outbreak on a similar scale (and of similar severity) for ages. I think fears over a flu pandemic might bring us close. Does anyone else feel uncomfortable sitting next to someone on public transport if they're coughing?
Having said that, leprosy has not been eradicated, and there are lots of people still suffering from it throughout the world. Though having HIV in North America is no longer a death sentence (literal or social) you only have to see the treatment of those with the disease in Africa (especially if they're women) to see the similarities.
3. The idea of sending my child to another island to live is mortifying....what are your thoughts? Given the time and unknown variables, what would it feel like as a parent to have to send your child away? Not having kids, I'd say it would be awful, but I genuinely cannot fathom what it would feel like.
4. The situation with Moko was small, but seemingly significant. Do you wish it has been a bigger section? Do you think it's a foreshadowing of things to come? I'm also glad she got away! Not a Moko fan at all.
5. Who is your favorite character so far? Why?
Next week we'll discuss Part 3 (through page 257). Hope you're enjoying it!
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