Mud City** Chapter 5-6 Favourite Character

Mud City by: Deborah Ellis

Entry 3, Wednesday, April 16, 2008

My favourite character in the story so far is Shauzia.

I admire her because she is very strong willed, independent, and also a strong leader. She was very brave when she left the Women’s Compound to go and try to make a life for herself. I think that it would take a lot of courage to go out on your own and raise money and care for yourself, especially for someone 12 years old, who should be playing games with friends, and reading books and going to school. She however is not only brave because she is trying to live on her own, she is also very brave because she has gone a long time without anyone like family or friends.


If I were to compare Shauzia and myself, I would say that we were similar in the ways that we both have good leadership qualities, but not in the way where she survives without family. I don’t think I’m that strong. This is because I wouldn’t be able to last more than a day without my family and friends.

Mud City** Chapter 3-4 Thought Pictures

Mud City by: Deborah Ellis

Entry 2, Monday, April, 7th 2008

For my thought picture I decided to describe the Women's Compound Shauzia is staying in.

It must be hard for Shauzia, those dusty red walls releasing a sort of chalky residue every time a hand or single finger is placed on them. The great height of the walls. Spanning as tall as the two tallest women in the compound, sitting on each others shoulders. The top of the walls almost caving in, blocking out much needed daylight. Also blocking out rain, which is very much needed to stop they constent stream of dust, that seems to be pouring off those dark red walls.

The people in compound are also quite interesting. The cries of the children calling for their mothers and friends. Their screams fill the compound as they fall on their knees while running with their friends.

The constent chittter-chatter of the women hard at work. Also that crazy lady that sits in her rocking chair every day and every night. People can swear that she never moves.

The chaos of the compound never ends.

Mud City** Chapter 1-2 Summary and Questions.

Mud City By: Deborah Ellis

Entry 1, Thursday, April, 3rd 2008.

Shauzia is a young girl from Afghanistan. For the first part of her life, she is raised by shepards, however they are not able to take care of her forever. So, she is then dropped at a Women's Compound so she can be taken care of properly. Shauzia is very popular at the Women's Camp, especially with the younger children, not however with the compund's director, Ms. Wera.

Shauzia is a very good storyteller, and tells all the children about her adventures of keeping the wolves away from the sheep late at night. However, this is not what she wants. Shauzia dreams of earning money and travelling through the seas to France, where she will eat French food, and take in all the amazing sights of France. She would then travel to the Eiffel Tower, where she would meet her friend Parvana, would sit at the top and gaze at the stars, and of course make fun of Ms. Wera.

Things don't go well for Shauzia though. She asks Ms.Wera for a way to make some money, her thoughts are then shot down by Ms.Wera's belief that Shauzia should stay in the camp for the rest of her life. Shauzia is not happy about this so she decides that she will leave the camp and find a way to make money on her own. As soon as she announces this, a going away party is held. When it's over, Shauzia makes a drastic decision, she will leave a day early. That same day she heads for the gate with her dog Jasper at her side, and as soon as she exits the gates, she knows there is no turning back.

My Thoughts:

Personally I would have hated to be in Shauzia's position. She is young, has no parents and is stuck in a war filled country. Everything is dirty, her clothes are falling apart, and so are her sandals. She has no money and is not staying in a great place. I think that it would be very hard to live this way, but this is probably because I'm used to a completely different lifestyle, and country.

Questions:

-How do you think Shauzia feels about first leaving the Women's Compound?

-Why does she think the compound is such a bad place?

-Why was she put there?

-Where will she go to find money?