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Lauren Heinsohn Mrs. Goins Honors English II 10 April 2014 Assertion Journals Quote: I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. This quote by Elie Wiesel reflects his experiences from when he was imprisoned in the notorious Nazi death camp Auschwitz. He was once the victim, and has spent his life trying to make sure that no one would forget the holocaust, and teaching about the horrors of war. Through this quote, Wiesel conveys that sitting back and watching violence is no better than being a part of it. Silence is like encouragement, a sign saying that nothing can stop violence and oppression. The lack of aid during the holocaust only caused more and more deaths to accumulate, and so this may be why Wiesel says Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim (Wiesel). Wiesel is simply stating that neutrality and silence in the face of violence only encourages it further, and leaves victims to continue to be oppressed and harmed. This quote is extremely important in our world today. It reminds people of the importance of standing up for human rights, so as to not be consumed by the hatred plaguing the world. When people stand up and fight for and speak up about what is right, the world grows and changes into a better place. For example, during the civil rights movement in the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. did not stay silent about the violence and racial inequality in America. He led the movement that gained African Americans rights. Had he not done this, and spoken up about what was right, the oppressed African Americans in America could not have been given the rights all humans should have. Martin Luther King Jr.s neutrality would have been disastrous for the victims of racial segregation in the United States of America.

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Quote: What was it we had to learn? To fight against tremendous odds? What was the use? One only lost the little one had. Of what use to fight when the conclusion is known? (Nectar in a Sieve 65).

This quote is an expression of desperation from Rukmani in the book Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya. Rukmanis sons had just quit the local tannery because they felt they were being unjustly treated. This quote is Rukmanis reaction, and she is saying that although what you are fighting for may be right and just, there is no point in fighting odds that are already stacked against you. Living in poverty gives you no power, and when you try to fight against it, even for something that is right, you only loose what little you had in the first place. Trying to learn new or innovative ways of thinking is in her mind pointless. Rukmani is wrong. When both Kenny and one of her sons say, The people will never learn (Markandaya 65), they both understand what people are capable of. Learning new ways of thinking, and fighting for the rights of people is immensely powerful. Loosing what you have in the present may be the only way to gain even more in the future. The conclusion is also never known. There are too many factors and surprises that can change how things end. For example, when Mahatma Gandhi began to push for Indian independence, he could have said something like Rukmani had, and given up on nonviolent protests and changing what seemed to be a set conclusion of British power. However, he did protest, and learn along the way. Against all odds he helped to lead India to independence, even if he did suffer from setbacks. He lost some, but he changed Indias fate, and became one of the most influential and respected men in the world.

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Quote: This affliction--hope--is so cruel and stubborn, I believe it will kill me... (Sold 256).

This quote explains Lakshmis anxiety at the thought that the American may not come back and rescue her from her life as a sex slave. Lakshmi had endured torture and violation for over a year, loosing all hope for a chance to escape. After all she endured, hope became a dangerous thing for Lakshmi. In this quote Lakshmi is saying that to hope for no reason, just to be betrayed again, would be too painful to bear. But also, she is saying that she can not help but hope, because it is the only way she will ever escape from her life of slavery. Like Lakshmi, there are many people in the world that are in such dire situations that they dare not hope, but do anyway. It is within human nature to hope, and without it we could not survive. For example, in Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, Rukmani faces terrible odds against nature and other characters. Her life is that of a poor Indian small farmer, and all she has is her hope. Even though to hope for a monsoon to water the rice farm is painful and cruel, she still does because that is her only option. The rice may not grow, and her hope may once again be shattered, but Rukmani will hope again for the next years monsoon, for that is what she must do to survive.