Additional Information

Additional Information

"Kiribati." Wikipedia. 2009. Wikipedia. 23 Mar 2009 .
"J. Maarten Troost." Rolf Potts' Vegabonding. 23 Mar 2009 http://www.rolfpotts.com/writers/index.php?writer=J.+Maarten+Troost.

"Mauri ....This is Hello and Welcome in Kiribati." Kiribati Tourism Offical Website. 2006. Kiribati Ministry of Communication Transport and Tourism Development. 23 Mar 2009 http://www.visit-kiribati.com/.

"Kiribati." CIA - The World Factbook. 19 Mar 2009. Central Intelligence Agency. 23 Mar 2009 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kr.html.

"South Pacific Weather and Climate Charts." www.pacifictravelguides.com. 27 Apr 2005. 23 Mar 2009 http://www.pacific-travel-guides.com/south-pacific/weather.html.

Resture, Jane. "Kiribati - Culture." www.janeresture.com. 5 Oct 2008. 23 Mar 2009 http://www.janeresture.com/ki33/culture.htm.

Brummel, David. "Kiribati History." www.anglefire.com. 1 Jan 2004. 23 Mar 2009 http://www.angelfire.com/co/dbrummel/history.html.

"The Bloody Battle of Tarawa, 1943." www.eyewitnesshistory.com. 2003. 23 Mar 2009 http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tarawa.htm.

Trussel, Stephen. "Te taetae ni Kiribati - The language of Kiribati." www.trussel.com. 1979. Peace Corps. 26 Mar 2009 http://www.trussel.com/kir/lesintro.htm.

Gani, Azmat. "Some Aspects of Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases in Pacific Island Countries.." Social Indicators Research 91(Apr2009): 171-187.

Journal 4

Overall, we learned that Kiribati is not a very great place to live. Poor, unsanitary living conditions and pollution make disease common. The almost unbearable climate justifies the existing stereotype of the citizens on “paradise” being “lazy” because people can’t go through their work day in air-conditioning like the more fortunate American citizens. When we first did our first journal, we declared that Kiribati was still very much third-world and behind other cultures, however we now know that it is not as primitive as we had imagined it to be through the title. We had assumed it was very tribal with no government throughout the country, but we discovered that life on one of the outer islands remained somewhat tribal based as Troost viewed dinner here. The elders were the highest authority on the island, and the power flowed down the line from person to person from there.
Ethically we had no problems with how Troost conducted his work. Most of his work was done simply by observing his surroundings and taking notes on what was happening. The other method used to gather information was interviews. There isn’t anything unethical about that. Troost asked the questions and the people answered.
From his studies we as readers gained a relatively clear insight into the lives of the people on Kiribati. The main conclusion drawn from Troost is that Kiribati in no way should be favored over living in the United States. He compares every aspect of living on the remote islands to the U.S. and finds that the cons far outweigh the pros. He does find a sort of simplistic harmony while on Kiribati, suggesting that maybe the outside world has grown up almost too fast for itself. One could potentially adapt to this islands primitive nature, but as it was in Troost’s case, these things take a long period of time.
This information could’ve been discovered in a multitude of places. There is a small number of other ethnographical works about the South Pacific that one could draw information from. The United States has many government publications online as well as in print, and the online publications provide links to even more sources for knowledge. Whether all these sources are as effective as a first hand view on the life and culture is the main question.
Was Troost “successful” with his ethnography? To some degree the answer is yes, and to some degree no. The book serves its purpose as a funny, entertaining, and easy-reading novel, but it doesn’t provide a full ethnographical experience. Sure we get an insight into the lives and culture on the Kiribati and we learn about the climate and government, but this information isn’t really relevant to us. When talking in class we were discussing how our topics for the large paper should hold some sort of significance to our lives here in the US. Some of the other books on our list pertain much more to what we deal with on a day-to-day basis. Books such as Scratched Beginnings, or even Lost in Planet China, will hold more significance to whom and what we are today. The United States hasn’t cared at all about the South Pacific since WWII, and based on what we knew about it before the book, still obviously doesn’t care about it now. So yes, the book does a great job comparing our lives to the lives of the Kiribati, but in the end, who really cares?

Journal 3

Troost may provide much valuable insight into the lives and culture of the Kiribati, but not all of the stories and information provided can be taken to heart. Troost has a tendency to embellish his stories and over-exaggerate. Troost may provide much valuable insight into the lives and culture of the Kiribati, but not all of the stories and information provided can be taken to heart. Troost has a tendency to embellish his stories and over-exaggerate. He explains how the government has no control, and is what we would call hopelessly corrupt. For example, during their Independence Month, they have a giant dance-off between all the government departments. He says when the government officials aren’t out doing their jobs, which is basically never, they are practicing their dance moves. At FSP they would take daily naps because they were up to late the night before practicing. Also the information in the book was written after he left Kiribati and he began his work when they traveled to Fiji. He may have kept some sort of note system but more than likely he just recalled his life on the island, creating an imperfect image of the culture and life of Kiribati.
Troost uses humor as his main technique when conveying the experiences on Kiribati, however his serious tone comes through to the reader when displaying historical events of the island. This contrast makes the reader enjoy the story while creating connections to Kiribati’s culture. He uses in depth-illustrations for most of the points he tries to make about the life on the island, putting an image into the reader’s mind. Another technique in his writing is his usage of descriptive vocabulary, matching the connotations of the word to the situation he is describing.
There are several other sources to receive information about Kiribati. A tourism website, recent encyclopedias, studies, and other books depict life on Kiribati. The U.S. government website supports the “dryer” version of the information without a cultural or personal look at Kiribati.

Summary part 8

Part 8 marks the end of Sex Lives of Cannibals, therefore it sums up Troost's thoughts of Tarawa and main points of the book for the reader. Troost starts editing papers for the foreign aid industry where he realizes that a person needs to be on a South Pacific island to realize how separated the civilians are from outside cultures, as he found out statistics of outside aid to other diseases rather than the aid for the main killers of developing countries. This bothered him as the main killing diseases are diarrhea and malaria rather than AIDS (as supposed by outside aid). During Troost's involvement with the foreign aid industry, the Chinese arrived on Tarawa and they constructed an embassy and suspicion by the I-Kiribati and I-Matangs. Sylvia and Troost investigate and report Chinese involvement through the FSP while the Chinese build a tracking station for "civilian use." As their suspicions are proved by some evidence, he realizes how life on Tarawa has toughened them both by "immunizing" them to disease, danger, and harsh living conditions. They have adapted and realized that the transition back to "civilization" as they once knew would be harder than they imagined it would be after the job was through. While on Tarawa, Troost traveled to the outer islands which took on the stereotypical view of an island as a "paradise." Although the outer islands are resistant to changes and hold a true "paradise" feel to life, Sylvia and Troost declared south Tarawa, Kiribati, as their home. After the sight of "half-dead-Fred," Troost realized that they needed to leave to avoid turning into the I-Matang turned island crazed man. The transition back to the states was even more difficult than they assumed. Island life had forever changed their outlook on life so they moved to Fiji after failing civilian life back in the states. The birth of their "little island boy" set their lives for a great amount of happiness on Fiji.

Vocab Part 8

dissonance (pg 243): Lack of agreement, consistency, or harmony
dissolute (pg 251): Indifferent to moral restraints; given to immoral or improper conduct; licentious; dissipated
dengue (pg 252): An acute, infectious tropical disease caused by an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, and characterized by high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain
malevolent (pg 253): Wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will; ill-disposed; malicious
miscreant (pg 255): Depraved or villainous
panache (pg 256): A grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flair
conundrum (pg 257): A paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma
moniker (pg 259): A person's name, esp. a nickname or alias
besuited (pg 265): Wearing a suit
destitute (pg 266): Needy, poor, indigent, necessitous, penniless, impoverished

Section 8 Graphic Organizer

There were several reasons that convinced Troost to leave Kiribati after two years. The first was missing air-conditioning, clean water, and food other than fish. The second was the fear of cultural shock if they had stayed any longer. They had heard stories of people not being able to adjust back to their old way of life after they moved from Kiribati. The last one was when they saw just how bad the cultural shock could be. Half-Dead Fred had been on the island for a long time, and when he was introduced to an old computer game, he was put into a zombie like state, memorized by what he saw.

Quizzer Part 7

Why do Troost and Sylvia fly to the outer islands of Tarawa?

The main reason for Troost's exploration is to find out the different behaviors of Kiribati people compared with the outer islanders of Tarawa. This gives Troost more information and a basis to write his story of life on this small island nation in the South Pacific. He compares the physical characteristics of the islands, the people's behaviors, his experiences, and links these differences and similarities together creating his viewpoints of what he has discovered from living on Tarawa.

What does Troost discover about the outer islands?

Troost finds that the water surrounding the outer islands is pristine, there is less pollution, and there is more tribal behavior found. He also realizes how 85% of the people living on Tarawa inhabit the outer islands while keeping a life disconnected from the "outside world" whereas Kiribati has much more remnants and evidence of being affected by other nations. The outer islands keep to tradition much more so than Kiribati and they also do not have La Macarena playing constantly in the background, in fact Troost is pleased to hear that it is not playing at all.

What is significant about the meal on Butaritari?

The meal (eel) prepared for the I-Matangs (Troost and Sylvia) signifies the symbolic nature of the outer islands, the tribal set-up and traditions still exist very much there today. The villagers watched the I-Matang eat first, then the elders ate, then the men, then the children, then the women of the village ate the meal. The order of importance or somewhat of a hierarchy exists during the meals to hold this tribal status on the outer islands.

What is the significance with Troost saying "it sometimes seemed as if the rhythms of life were focused solely on Butaritari"?

Troost's quote is significant as a greater turning point, almost a foreshadowing, in the novel letting the reader know how he finds this place a tranquil place far from where he once came from. This shows how he has grown fond of the islands despite the health hazards and disconnectedness from the outer world. He has fallen in love with the life that these islands provide. The foreshadowing is most likely about his move back to the states and the culture shock that finds him once again.

Summary Part 7

I thought that this particular section was one of the more interesting ones in the whole reading. Not only do we get to dive deeper into the hellish world that is I-Kiribati culture, we learn about an American impact on how their world was formed. And although I don’t find it to be entirely the point of the chapter, there is a brief illustration of the ignorance of Americans towards the outside world.
Chapter 17 starts off with yet another risky decision from Troost in deciding to fly Air Kiribati. I picture the plane he’s riding on as a World War era hunk of junk, fixed up by adding some power to the engines, and by repairing the rusted frame with masking tape. Now I’m no expert but a commercial jet liner isn’t usually using engines from the 60’s along with a masking tape fuselage. After the horrifying voyage Troost finally arrives on another remote island called Butaritari. The FSP was actually there to present the members of the island with a play or skit to demonstrate the effects and proper treatments for respiratory infections, and diarrhea. Hopefully the locals took it to heart. That play would be followed by a fine meal of eel, which in turn probably caused excess diarrhea. Something very interesting happened while Troost and Sylvia were eating. The tribe actually studied them for about fifteen minutes as they ate. Troost had turned into the subject of the research, not the researcher. Eventually Troost would find his way out of Butaritari via Air Tarawa, late as usual.
Since the author uses absolutely no transitions here neither will I. Troost dives into a world of history surrounding all of his findings in regard to the battle of Tarawa during WWII. It was a Japanese controlled island designed to protect the South Pacific conquests of the Empire. The Americans invaded the South Pacific Japanese islands in the 1940’s in an attempt to eventually take control of Japan. The battle of Tarawa was a 3 day long battle in the multi-year conquest of the South Pacific by the United States. Troost finds only one memorial to the many soldiers lost by US soldiers in the struggle. It’s covered in overgrown grass. What a fine memorial for the 3,500 casualties for the United States Marine Corps.
Finally there is a short chapter that illustrates the isolationism of such a small country in the Pacific. Troost calls the US to inquire about a subscription to The New Yorker. When placing the order he is faced with much difficulty as, he is not able to enter a legitimate phone number, address, state, country, or even island. The database for the magazine wouldn’t recognize any form of information he gave them. In fact, it hadn’t been updated since the war. I think that expresses the level of neglect for the South Pacific fairly well.

Vocab Part 7

Rapturous (207): full of, feeling, or manifesting ecstatic joy or delight

Sporadic (207): appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time

Presumptuous (211): full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought

Respite (215): a delay or cessation for a time, esp. of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief
Conflagration (215): a destructive fire, usually an extensive one

Resplendent (215): shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid

Petulant (226): moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance

Languid (226): lacking in vigor or vitality

Indelible (230): that cannot be eliminated, forgotten, changed, or the like

Dearth (234): scarcity and dearness of food

Journal 2

Sex Lives of Cannibals is written by the heralded author J. Maarten Troost. The main topic of his research deals with foreign countries in which we as Americans might not fully understand. To conduct his ethnographical research, he will immerse himself into the culture of a foreign country for many years, and record his findings on the way of life, people, customs, and beliefs. His works include such novels as Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu, and Lost on Planet China. He has also had multiple essays published in Atlantic Monthly and the Washington Post.
Troost actually did not have a strong reason for conducting research on the remote country of Kiribati. He was at a crossroads in his life in which he could either continue being a bum, or pick up and make something of his life. His girlfriend Sylvia was offered a job as a director for the Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific for the country of Kiribati. He followed her to the remote atoll in search of adventure. He was also searching for inspiration to help him write his new book.
Troost had no particular process for gathering information while on Kiribati. Most of his writing is based off of random real experiences and findings during his tenure on the island. The experiences of finding water, fishing, living with the animals, and coexisting with the other islanders gave him an in-depth look at the culture and life of the Kiribati. He also conducted numerous interviews with prominent figures of the island including a village elder, a British poet laureate, and “Big John” the proprietor of the Betio Saloon. Much of his research is dependent upon his own experiences, as he has no other prior research to draw from. His methods may not be the most efficient, but they are biased. Since Troost is the first ethnographer to study the country of Kiribati, he can effectively say whatever he feels about the Kiribati culture, because no others are going to question his findings.
The reviews for this book were somewhat mixed, but had a tendency to favor the better end of the spectrum. A review by Debra Hamel called the book “funny and charming” and “eye-opening.” She hails Troost as a fine ethnographic writer. Most of the positive reviews for the book cite that Troost possesses and excellent writing style and Troost provided an excellent insight into the country. There was a flipside to the good reviews. A review from Babygotbooks.com thought that the only information in this book consisted of comparing quality of life in the US to the Kiribati island life. There is actually much more to this book than just a simple comparison between Western culture and the I-Kiribati lifestyle. The book isn’t entirely meant to be a purposeful ethnography. The book is also somewhat of a comedy, and provides an insight into another culture.

Works Cited

Hamel, Debra. "Heat and fish and cannibalism--and some superb writing." amazon.com. 28 July 2004. 10 Mar 2009 .

"The Sex Lives of Cannibals." babygotbooks.com. 5 Jan 2009. 10 Mar 2009 .

"The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Maarten Troost." blogcritics.org. 1 June 2005. Blogcritics Magazine. 10 Mar 2009 .

Graphical Organizer Part 6

Troost views many behaviors on Kiribati that he compares to the behaviors in the U.S. In the beginning of chapter 14, Troost discovers the reality for dogs on Tarawa. It's a dog-eat-dog world here. Literally. Dogs carry the mange, illnesses, and (for Mama Dog) many litters of puppies. The lifespan of a dog on Tarawa is short-lived due to many factors. The I-Kiribati eat them, other dogs eat them, and the I-Kiribati drown them as puppies. Troost however brings several in as pets. This is not the only difference from life in the U.S. however. Troost names the Kiribati-government "Coconut Stalinism for controlling everything while doing nothing. Most of the government's doings are drunken, there is no military (no need for it), and there is no dire need for any type of action. Nothing changes. This goes for Kirabiti traditions as well. Ritual dances (after several weeks of preparation) are judged by higher "officials." During these several weeks, the dancers remain in a state of "purity." They abstain from alcohol and sex so that they are eligible to be influenced by the spirits during the ritual dance. Troost finds all of these cultural behaviors on the island very different from the U.S. culture. And yes he does get used to them, however bizarre they may seem at first.

Quizzer Part 6

What was the significance of the chapter dealing with the dogs?
I think this chapter represents the fact that Troost has not fully grown accustomed to the island. He is still very much in touch with his Western culture and its love for animals, dogs in particular. I think he is also trying to illustrate the semi-brutal attitude the I-Kiribati take towards the animals in the country. They appear to be pretty firm believers in the idea of Darwinism, and they generally take the stance of not caring as long as it isn’t theirs. This chapter is also a good illustration of the culture clash in regard to our feeling towards dogs, versus the Kiribati.

In the 15th chapter the government holds a “Dance-Off” for their Independence Day festival. What does this say about the carelessness of the Kiribati government?
This was a good representation of how little the government actually does for the betterment of their country. One of the government leaders from the island of Tarawa actually said it would’ve been better if they were still governed by the British. Their government takes time out of every year to hold a nationwide dance competition for seemingly no reason whatsoever. The participants do partake in abstaining from alcohol and sex during that period of time, so that might be the one good thing that comes out of the experience.

Why are the dogs actually an important asset to Tarawa?
The dogs were not merely carriers for disease and scavengers of wayward food, they were themselves used as food, and also used for protection. Troost trains his dog, Vaclav, to fend off peeping toms and other forms of I-Kiribati predators that may approach his property. The I-Kiribati also occasionally chose to eat the dogs, as they are a quite valuable source of protein.

What is the one page chapter 16 all about?
I think the author is once again poking a little bit of fun at himself. It’s essentially a blank page and the chapter description reads “This is the chapter in which the author goes deep inside the mind of the novelist and expounds-for the benefit of future generations-on what it takes to produce literature, the noblest art, to which many are called and few chosen.”

Summary Part 6

The first chapter of this section discusses the pets Troost had while he was on the island. The first pet he got was a cat that had made its way to his house when it was just a kitten. The next pet was a dog they named Zeus, a puppy that eventually got eaten when they brought it to Sylvia's work. After this, Troost makes a point to discuss the appetite the islanders have for dog. Troost then discussed the next dog he had, Vaclav. Troost's maid had presented them with the puppy, and said they needed a guard dog. They raised him, and Vaclav found a friend, Brown Dog, who was roughly the same age as him. Troost eventually began to feed Brown Dog too, and she too became a pet. Brown Dog also brought another dog to their house, her mother. However Troost never fed Mama Dog, as she had come to be known, but she still helped guard the house.
Troost then explained what happened when Mama Dog went into heat. Dogs from all over the island came to fight for the right to mate with her, creating many brawls. After the puppies arrived, he gave them away to neighbors.
Soon after all the puppies had been given away, Mama Dog went back into heat. Fortunately the new vet had arrived, and Troost got all his animals neutered. He also was able to save Mama Dog by having the vet remove the dead puppies she was pregnant with.
The next chapter was all about the government on Tarawa. Troost described the incompetence of many of the branches. He goes on to discuss how important the Independence Day dance competition between the government branches is. Apparently, all the branches work year round to try to win the competition. The last chapter in this section is a cute joke

Graphical Organizer Part 5

As Troost and Sylvia would later admit, it was probably not in their best interest to try and sail back to Tarawa through a horrible storm. They were on a 25 foot plywood boat, during low tide, when the jagged rocks and sharp coral were exposed to their fullest. I’m no genius but I would suggest that sailing under these conditions is not a smart thing to do. They wanted to brave the sea and get back home. Plus, Beiataaki missed his wife, so he made the final idiotic executive decision. But this chapter is literally fifteen pages, of how scary the seas are. Using very vivid illustration techniques, Troost reinforces his point that even at any time, sailing there can be treacherous.

Vocab Part 5

1. torpor (pg. 164): loss of motion or numbness, inactivity
2. beseeching (pg. 166): begging for
3. hull (pg. 169): the lowermost part of the ship, submerged in water
4. cryptically (pg. 169): perplexed like, puzzled
5. aft (pg. 171): toward the stern of a ship
6. girth (pg. 173): the measure or circumference of an object
7. discombobulating (173): confusing or frustrating
8. void (176): empty space, gap or opening, a wall
9. protuberant (176): swelling outward
10. frothing (177): bubbling, foaming

Quizzer Part 5

What were some of the advantages of the Storm?

First, it let them get a chance to eat better food while they were still one the island. The storm made fishing impossible, enabling Troost and his wife to eat lobster instead. Second, the storm gave them first hand knowledge on how rough the ocean can be. Finally, the storm hit Tarawa, ending a long drought, and filled up Troost's water tanks.

Why would the people of Maiana not like to eat lobster?

Lobsters are bottom feeders. This means they eat all the waste in the ocean, including pollution. If there is too much pollution in the water, people can get sick if they eat the lobsters. By making a cultural taboo of lobster, the islanders don't risk getting sick by eating them.

How did Troost try to cheer up his wife on the boat?

During the whole trip back to Tarawa, Troost did his best to keep up Sylvia's moral. He did this by making several jokes about the storm. He also downsized how bad the storm was, saying that the captain had seen much worse. He also played up how fast they were going, making it seam like they were making good time, when in fact they weren't.

How did the boat voyage change their view of Tarawa?

At the end of their trip they definitely had a greater understanding on how rough the ocean can be. This made them appreciate land much more, even if it was a tiny atoll. They also had a greater appreciation for the beauty of the island. After experiencing a long trip in horrible weather, they ended up enjoying the beauty of their tropical paradise more.

Summary Part 4

Troost heard news of a man from the UK living on Kiribati claimed to be "poet laureate of Kiribati." Being that Troost is a novelist and literature man himself, he figured that he needed to meet this man and interview him. The story of the UK poet laureate is that he had been working dead end jobs in the UK when he wrote to the government of Kiribati looking to be the national poet if he could receive housing: a hut overlooking the lagoon. Kiribati couldn't resist this opportunity, and then years later Troost met Wilson. Troost finds that Wilson is a low-life poetry man "living off the generosity of the I-Kiribati" without ever having written a single word. This was one of the experiences Troost encounters in the section, along with learning to surf and fish. Mike, an avid surfer and strict literature critic, had lived on the island for 17 years. Troost asked to be taught how to surf, and although the lessons were helpful, Troost only managed to body surf. He learned that the waves at this place were much stronger and because of the reefs right below the surface, it is a dangerous sport to an amateur foreigner. The fear of reefs and sharks stay on Troost's mind during surfing and fishing later with Bwenawa. Horror stories of being adrift at sea and "crazy I-Kiribati fishermen" hindered his fishing days on the Pacific; however Troost yearned to have sea life and to explore the islands surrounding Kiribati. The sun was indefinitely hot, the fish challenging to pull in with hook and line and bare hands alone, and the sight of a thresher shark next to the open boat scary. An experience, nonetheless, fishing opened his eyes to the culture and how small and fragile the island he now calls home really is. The storm over the small locale in the South Pacific granted Troost and Sylvia's happiness for the water that would be contained in their water holding tank at home as they stayed in Maiana. From his memorable experiences, Troost is starting to the love the culture and life on Kiribati, despite his incessant nagging about the heat and limitations of island life.

Section 4 Graphic Organizer

Dan Wilson, a twenty-one year old man, sent a poem to Kiribati’s government and an offer to be the country’s poet Laureate. However, instead of being insulted by the obvious joke, the president of Kiribati accepted Wilson’s offer. After several letters confirming that Wilson did in-fact want to be the poet laureate, Wilson came to Kiribati and proceeded to live off of the government’s generosity.

Vocab Part 4

1. paroxysm (pg. 130): a sudden outburst of emotion or action
2. imbibe (pg. 132): to consume by drinking
3. languid (pg. 138): lacking in spirit or interest
4. squalor (pg. 140): filthy or wretched condition
5. exorbitant (pg. 146): exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason; highly excessive
6. copra (pg. 149): the dried white flesh of the coconut from which coconut oil is extracted
7. aloof (pg. 150): reserved or reticent; indifferent; disinterested; standoffish; snobbish
8. expound (pg. 151): to explain; interpret
9. sordidness (pg. 154): squalid; wretchedly poor and run-down
10. innate (pg. 162): possessed as an essential characteristic; inherent

Journal 1

Sex Lives of Cannibals: 3/3/09
Before we started the book, our group really didn’t know much about the topic, except for the information on the back of the book and our own background information on the South Pacific. We did know that the South Pacific isn’t very developed and that it is more of a third world region of the world. They export a lot of fish and agriculture with few manufactured goods. We also knew that the climate near the equator is hot and humid.
We knew of the existing stereotypes about the tropical subculture as well. Most people believe that people living in the tropics are lazy and laid-back. People from other parts of the world see the area as a paradise with tropical fruit, palm trees, clear blue water, sandy beaches, and easy living. The atmosphere of the area is “tribal” and “savage” with traditions of cannibalism, body piercing, and Shamanism. These are considered very exotic to western culture.
We however wanted to break these stereotypes. We want to learn how the people there really live, whether they are lazy or hardworking and if they have an easy or hard life. Do these people have good reasons for the strange traditions that they have? Our group is interested to see what Troost discovers about the living conditions in that subculture in comparison to our culture and its benefits. Do these people have sanitary living conditions, running water, and functioning government? By learning more about a different culture, we can better appreciate our own.
Each member of our group had different reasons for choosing the book for the Literature Circle Project, however we could all agree on a few main points. We wanted to learn more about the culture and living conditions of the South Pacific. We also chose the book because we heard that Troost is a well-acclaimed author with a unique writing style that is both funny and informative.
The topic of life in the South Pacific is significant to our group because we are interested in foreign culture. Learning about the culture broadens our fairly stereotypical views of the “paradise” that exists in the South Pacific. By learning about another culture we hope to develop a stronger appreciation for our living conditions in the United States.

Summary Part 3

In this particular section of the reading we mainly find Troost trying to adapt to the I-Kiribati culture. He struggles with the selection of music on the island, the amount of pollution, and the shark attack. We also get better acquainted with Tiabo, the household helper. She enlightens Troost regarding all the various perceptions of the I-mantag. Troost himself also dives deeper into the history of the I-mantag, and the South Pacific in general.
Troost starts out the ninth chapter of the book griping mainly about the overplaying of the song “La Macarena” on Tarawa, and how he wished so badly that he would have his CD collection. Upon some pages of griping, we encounter Tiabo, the housemaid for Troost and Sylvia. He inquires as to where some of his money went, that he seemed to have misplaced or had stolen. Troost learned one of his first major lessons about the I-Kiribati way of life at this juncture. He learned of the bubati system, in which anyone can come up to you and demand something you have, and thus, you oblige. Troost now understood why Tiabo was worried about what he said, as there was no point for her to steal, as stealing was a very punishable matter. Troost essentially gets taken advantage of by the I-Kiribati for a period of time before he makes his stand. He puts up a sign that says “No disposing of diapers on the beachfront,” and upon finally receiving his CD collection from back home, he blasts a selection of Miles Davis into the Tarawa air. Troost claims he’s finally adapted.
Chapter ten deals more with the history of Kiribati than Troost’s actual experiences there. He discusses the various pirate fleets, and colonial excursions that rummaged around the South Pacific from the early 1500’s all the way up to the 1980’s. He discusses how the I-Mantags first came to be on the island, and islands around them, and how they had essentially plagued the area with their beliefs, customs, gene pools, diseases, and supply of goods. Thanks for plaguing everything capitalism.

Quizzer Part 3

What is the significance of books and CD's from home to Troost and what do they symbolize?

For Troost, CD's and books play a substantial role in his entertainment and sanity. His lack of CD’s from home hits home when he found that "La Macarena" is the only form of music found on Kiribati. Troost is a foreigner amidst a strange place with no job duties except survival and biding his time. He has yet to start the novel which he finds will use his time up on the island, but he has boredom and yearns for the music and novels he left in America. The items symbolize the civilization left behind replaced by the new culture and ways of the I-Kiribati. He waits several months for these precious items to arrive.

How do the different cultures deal with "neighbor issues"? (I-Kiribati vs. Americans)

Troost learns from Tiabo that in Kiribati it is rude and unimaginable to ask neighbors to be quiet, (for example) to ask them to turn their music down. He finds this a very strange custom in comparison to the American way of getting what you want. In America (as Troost explains) that a simple "turn it down asshole" would suffice to achieve prompt results. He goes on to conclude that nobody disturbs another for such a request in Kiribati for "peace." While in America, dealing with noisy neighbors and settling a disturbance is the only way to achieve peace.

Why do the I-Kiribati, including Tiabo, think the I-Matang are strange?

The I-Kiribati consider the I-Matang strange individuals for their different cultural backgrounds and behaviors. One example from the text was that Troost was about to burn some of the waste inhabiting his backyard when Tiabo abruptly stopped him. Her reasoning was not that burning waste is bad for the environment or anything of the sort, but it was for the belief that burning soiled diapers would "burn baby's bums." In the same sense that the I-Kiribati find I-Matang strange, I-Matang find the I-Kiribati's behaviors strange. All of this has to do with culture-shock and different backgrounds of the 2 mixed cultures upon the small island of Kiribati.

What is the significance of Troost's "history lesson" in chapter 10?

The significance of Troost telling the reader about much of Kiribati's historical background is that this shows the effect the I-Matang has had upon the islands in the South Pacific. The I-Matang has "civilized" the islands in some ways: by conforming the religious beliefs and clothing the "savages." But in turn the I-Matang has also swept through and changed the gene pools significantly by mating with the native women on the island. All of these effects relate to the relationship that exists between the I-Kiribati people and the I-Matangs inhabiting the island. Troost wanted to let the reader know Kiribati's history so that they would have a better understanding of his situation upon the island as well as his relationship to the native people there.

Vocab Part 3

tumultuous (92): marked by disturbance and uproar
imbecilic (93): of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an imbecile
blithely (98): joyous, merry, or gay in disposition; glad; cheerful
tithe (101): any tax, levy, or the like
epicenter (106): a focal point, as of activity
lackadaisical (122): without interest, vigor, or determination; listless; lethargic
obstreperous (123): resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly
benign (124): having a kindly disposition; gracious
reprobates (124): To disapprove of; condemn
peripatetic (124): walking or traveling about; itinerant

Graphical Organizer Part 2

My representation of this section of the reading is focused on Troost's unknowing. On the graphic, the top of the pyramid titled "anticipation," reflects the couple's long-awaited arrival of this "paradise," when however it is far from what they had imagined. The middle of the pyramid, "arrival," reflects the settling grounds of what is to come. Venturing around the island, finding out the terrible living conditions, and first coming across culture-shock are the settling factors involved with “arrival.” The bottom or base of the pyramid, "unknown," reflects Troost's complete ignorance as a foreigner and a man. He doesn't know much of any means of survival, including: retrieving the fish and other food goods, harvesting clean water, or finding what to do with his time. Sylvia works, taking on the male role while Troost takes on the female role, staying at home. His surplus of time and unemployment (besides survival in a foreign place and culture) declares his unknowing. This foreign status on Kirabati with no clue of what the future will bring makes him insecure as to why he is on this island in the South Pacific. Reading of his first experiences on the island in this section made me empathetic towards him and his fiancée. They must have been truly desperate to have moved to the middle of nowhere.

Summary Part 2

This section starts off with the local creation myth of Tarawa. The spider god Nareau created the island of Tarawa, and he flung grains of Tarawa to the wind to create the other islands. After this brief introduction to mythology, One interesting thing about the mythology Tarawa is that the ocean was present before the gods, which shows just how centered the ocean is in the culture in Tarawa. Troost described the island, noting its landmass, shape and vegetation. Then, he described some research he did involving how the inhabitants of Tarawa got to their island, and how the first I-Kiribati, or white men, arrived.

The next chapter begins with a description of what Sylvia, Troost's wife, did at the island. Her job was to manage programs that work to improve the life of the people of Kiribati. Some of the programs she ran sought to increase sanitation, and reduce vitamin A deficiency. Troost also discussed his goals on while on Tarawa. He planed to write a great literary masterpiece, which he quickly developed writer's block on.

Chapter seven starts off with a detailed description of the Kiribati diet, which contains mostly fish. Kiribati is rich with fish, but this is not necessarily a good thing. Fish is pretty much the only thing that people can eat in Kiribati, making their diet very limited. Troost then describes some fruitless attempts at getting spices, and food other than fish. Troost then went into a description of the different parts of the island, including the lagoon to the south, and the islets to the north. He also talked about the ship that brought supplies to the island, and the frustrations he had with the hording wives. Troost also described the importance of alcohol in Kiribati culture and the devastation caused by a shortage of beer.

The last chapter in the section is all about the importance of a working water system in a society and the problems with a deficient one. Kiribati suffers continual droughts, and there is always a shortage of water. Troost went over his experiences with trying to deal with this problem, including relying on neighbors, and attempting to move five cubic meters from the water tower to his tanks at home.

Quizzer Part 2

Why is Troost so infatuated with the Islands beginnings and the history of the people/culture?

Troost at this point does not know that he wants to write a book. He is merely trying to occupy his time on the island while his wife toils away at her job. I think he wants to learn more about the people around him and how they came to be, so he himself can better relate to what they are. I’m not saying as an I-Matang he will ever be part of the glorious I-Kiribati tribe, but I think he’s trying to relate to the local people in as many ways as he can, so he doesn’t feel like an outsider looking in.

In Chapter 6, Troost emphasizes his difficulties with writing his book. Why is he having such a difficult time writing?

At this point I don’t think Troost has any idea what he’s doing. I think he’s more or less writing the book to occupy himself, instead of writing the book for the purpose of educating those from the outside world on the culture in the South Pacific. I think at this point in time in Troost’s tenure on the island a journal or logbook would be more appropriate, not a novel.

Why does Troost play off the idea of “The Great Beer Crisis” as an island-wide chaotic experience?

The whole island city of Tarawa seemingly runs on beer consumption. When the people have a lack of beer, they seem to have a lack of direction. We call this alcoholism. Of course Troost himself developed a mild liking for the taste of the Australian ale, and he too has a moderate breakdown when he can’t get his hands on a six-pack. Also labeling the situation as “A Great Crisis” doesn’t bode well for any critics trying to tell you that the people of this village aren’t addicted to alcohol.

In chapter 8 Troost buys a supply of water from the local dealer. Why is this technique of buying and selling not beneficial to the people who need water the most?

Troost had to pay fifteen dollars to fill up his entire tank of drinking water. Fifteen dollars American can also buy about 30 two foot long fish in Tarawa. Most of the people probably don’t have that kind of money to spend on the items necessary to survive. All the infectious diseases are a sign that the people are scraping by consuming whatever they possibly can, and maybe the water should be sold for less. I understand that it’s supply and demand, but if all the people die of thirst, there’s nobody left to sell water to. I guess the dealers are just picking their poison.

Quizzer Part 1

Why do you think Troost went to Cuba, and traveled around Europe?

I think he traveled because he didn't want to be tied down anywhere. He didn't like where his education was taking him, so he decided to choose for himself. By traveling around so much, he was able to bring excitement to his life. This helped him ignore where he was going career- wise.

What does Troost's analysis of his research of Kiribati show about him?

He tends to make great generalizations. He only did minimal research, looking only at hard facts on the country, instead of looking up information on the region around Kiribati as well. He also is holding onto the idea that this new island is going to have many similarities with the life he knew.

How do the stops on the way to Kiribati affect Troost's attitude towards the move?

I think it sets up a great amount of foreshadowing. He passed on islands destroyed not only by Western weapons, but also Western culture. Many of the islands he went to completely lost their culture after countries like the UK and US came. He was going to get to see a culture that has only barley been touched by the Western world, which is all he has known his whole life.

Do you think that Troost will adjust as well as Kate? Why?

I think he will. He has shown that he can adjust to many changing conditions. However I do not think he will adjust as well has he thinks he will. He has a lot of ignorance when it comes to Kiribati.

Graphical Organizer Part 1

#10. One of the main exports is shark fins
#9. There is enough electricity on the entire island of Karawa to fuel 3 US households
#8. The fact that it takes 3 days to get there
#7. Air Kirabati consists of two planes that may or may not be able to fly
#6. Beautiful and also polluted waters
#5. Housemates inclue rats and wild dogs
#4. A majority of the fish here are toxic, and that happens to be the main source of food
#3. Disease is rampant
#2. The nearest developed country is well over 1000 miles away
#1. It's not a good sign to relieve the post of a malnourished 50 year old woman who hates her job and looks as if she is 65


Now I’m no expert on life in the pacific, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, but Kiribati looks pretty sketchy to me. I think this graphic illustrates how different other cultures in the world can be from ours here in the US. One would have to be desperate, as the author’s girlfriend is, to take a job in an area like this. I didn’t even bother to mention the incompetence of some of the island “employees”, the way in which fecal matter is disposed, or the “B rated” government owned property the author calls “home.”

Introduction: Sex Lives of Cannibals

The group had varying reasons for choosing the book. We all agreed that the foreign nature of the topic would be fun and interesting to explore, and give us a better appreciation for how we live in the United States. It was not exactly the idea that we would be reading about the South Pacific, it dealt with the fact that we were reading about a culture so different from our own. It also helped that the author was Maarten Troost who is well acclaimed, and our group thought it would be interesting to read his work. We are excited to read this book, and gain some insight and knowledge into the South Pacific.
Our group is going into this book with some common biases and stereotypes about this culture. We believe that people living in the tropics are lazy and laid-back. We also see the area as a paradise with tropical fruit, palm trees, clear blue water, sandy beaches, and easy living. The atmosphere of the area is “tribal” and “savage” with traditions of cannibalism, body piercing, and Shamanism. Based on these stereotypes we concluded that Kiribati is probably part of an undeveloped area of the world, and it is considered to be an undeveloped third world country.
We are not going to let these stereotypes hold us back while reading the book. We’re all going into the experience with open minds. By reading the book with an open mind we can benefit much more from Troost’s interesting experiences. We hope that by learning about another culture we can have a better appreciation of our own.

Vocab Part 1

1. paucity (pg. x): scarcity or death
2. Fathom (pg. xi): a unit of length of six feet used in nautical measurements
3. reticent (pg. 3): to keep one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to themself
4. flummoxed (pg. 3): to confuse
5. ubiquitous (pg. 3): seeming or being everywhere at the same time
6. patois (pg. 3): regional dialect without a literary tradition
7. fecund (pg. 9): very productive or creative intellectually
8. portent (pg. 9): a sign of something about to happen
9. ennui (pg. 26): to feel weary from boredom
10. succumb (pg. 28): to submit to an overpowering force

Due dates

Pages 1-45 due February 25th
Clayton: graphic organizer
Jen: vocab
Derek: quizzer

Pages 46-89 due February 27th
Clayton: quizzer
Jen: graphic organizer
Derek: summarizer

Pages 90-128 due March 2nd
Clayton: summarizer
Jen: quizzer
Derek: vocab

Pages 129-162 due March 4th
Clayton: vocab
Jen: summarizer
Derek: graphic organizer

Pages 163-178 due March 6th
Clayton: graphic organizer
Jen: vocab
Derek: quizzer

Pages 179-206 due March 9th
Clayton: quizzer
Jen: graphic organizer
Derek: summarizer

Pages 207-240 due March 11th
Clayton: summarizer
Jen: quizzer
Derek: vocab

Pages 241-END due March 13th
Clayton: vocab
Jen: summarizer
Derek: graphic organizer