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.