1. What is the what

Pgs. 1- 108
I started reading What is the What.. and the way the story is told makes me think back to english class last year, about how it is a frame story, like the Catcher in the Rye.
I find it interesting and ironic that Valentino regards his intruders as his friends as they rob him. How he'd rather be in Sudan fleeing from soldiers and guns, while struggling through the wild then in America, supposedly the land of the free. Or at least a land that would seem to offer more opportunities for advancement.

The scene in which Valentino "soars" to Amath reminds me of "Flights of Fancy" from how to read literature. There is evidence of bird imagery where Valentino "soars", and Amath's dress which is decorated with birds.

The imagery of Valentino on the horse made me think of him being in heaven since he was on a higher level physically and he felt almighty and powerful. However, while he is fleeing the Baggara, there is a scene where he is on the ground like a snake, which makes me think of Satan because in the Bible he is usually portrayed as a serpent... But, that doeesn't mean that Valentino is a snake, rather it makes me think that Valentino is in hell, since he sees fire up ahead... and he is being chased...all the while wishing that God would save him from his misery.
*this long run on sentence... grammatically incorrect*

There were also some colors mentioned in these chapters..
Yellow- Sudan, Valentino's mother's dress,candies that Valentino is offered by a soldier, things that represent happiness for Valentino....?
Red- Tonya's clothes, Blood,fire, anger
Black- lion's silhouette, darkness...duh
...that's it for now...