Older Generation 2019/20 by Kayleigh Redmond https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20 Kayleigh Redmond, Kelly Hitchcock, Eimear Maher, Fiona Larkin en-us 2020-02-19 12:18:20 UTC 2026-02-16 01:14:40 UTC hello@padlet.com Who is Andrés? kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453659584 2020-03-03 14:46:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453659584 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453666726 Andrés is one of Mario Conde's childhood friends. The pair, together with Carlos Flaco and El Conejo, maintain an indestructible bond. They frequently catch up for casual chat fueled with ron and music. ]]> 2020-03-03 14:54:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453666726 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453679210 Andrés is a doctor by profession and is described by his friends as; "Andrés el perfecto, el inteligente, el equilibrado, el triunfador, el sosegado, el seguro". (p.68). However, Andrés portrays a different side as he begins to reminisce on the past. Nostalgia is the culprit of his outburst and leads him and his friends down a spiraling road of "what ifs?" ]]> 2020-03-03 15:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453679210 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453684187 2020-03-03 15:14:35 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453684187 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453694095 Nostalgia, evocations of the past and sporadic flashbacks are common features in Padura's Vientos de Cuaresma. (Zamora and Gélinas, 2011). 

The following characters endeavor a sense of disenchantment within their own lives. This feeling is typical of Padura's generation, the first to have grown up and experienced the Revolution first hand.  (Zamora and Gélinas, 2011). 

The novel is punctuated with snippets of the past, effective memories seen through a rose-tinted filter. For many of the characters the past appears bigger, better and more pleasant than it really was. 


]]> 2020-03-03 15:25:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/453694095 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454945797 As Conde is describing the young generation of La Víbora to his friends, as he often does, Andrés is keen to interject; "No éramos tan distintos [...] las cosas eran distintas, eso sí [...] pero yo creo que al final la vida nos pasa por arriba a todos. A ellos y a nosotros". (p. 67). 
He is certain that himself and his former classmates are not so different to the youth of today. It is not the people that are different, but the times they each lived through. Although an educated remark to make, Flaco wastes no time in disagreeing. He reminds Andrés of his dream to once become a baseball player. This dream was ultimately shattered following an ankle injury. ]]> 2020-03-05 10:31:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454945797 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454950162 2020-03-05 10:43:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454950162 Fact about Cuba and baseball... kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454950577 Baseball initially came to Cuba in the 1830s, before U.S. intervention regarding political affairs. By the 1920s, baseball had become a national sport, based at the core of Cuba's 19th century nationalist movement against Spanish imperialism. (Bairner, A., 2018). 
According to Huish, baseball was "just as much Cuban as it was American". (2011, p. 423). 
In addition, throughout Padura's work, he aptly applies similes associated with the sport. This use of simile offers an effortless introduction to the significance of baseball during this period. (Bairner, A., 2018).  
For example, when Conde remembers an old school notebook he used to write in, he describes it; "como un pitcher olvidado al que envían a calentar el brazo para tirar un juego decisivo". (p. 28). ]]> 2020-03-05 10:44:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454950577 Back to Andrés... kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454960814 The calm, composed Andrés takes a sharp turn and begins to plummet down a steep hill of anger, regret and reminiscence. He feels inferior within his life. He exclaims how his job is "del montón", as well as his wife and her career. There is an obvious feeling of dissatisfaction embodying him. He highlights how growing up, he always did as society expected him to do; "algo que alguien decía que yo debía hacer y yo lo hice: estudiar, casarme, ser buen hijo y ahora buen padre".  (p. 68). He never ventured out of the parameters of society and did what he wished to do. 
This surge of emotion from Andrés reiterates the lack of freedom his generation had growing up. Attending school in the 1970s in Cuba came with it a historical responsibility. You had to keep the Revolution alive as much as you could in any way you could. 
The other men are surprised and shocked by this out-pour by Andrés and are eager to blame the alcohol.  ]]> 2020-03-05 11:14:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454960814 To Conclude... kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454978424 Andrés is the epitome of the disenchanted generation in this chapter. He reveals his obsession to rescue the past, much like his friends, Conde specifically. However, it is apparent that Andrés has had enough of burying his true feelings. He radiates bravery and courage as he yearns for a past that could not translate into a real world experience. (Zamora and Gélinas, 2011). 
As Flaco insists on more ron, the men are left with their own thoughts. ]]> 2020-03-05 12:07:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454978424 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454980587 2020-03-05 12:14:13 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454980587 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454981643 2020-03-05 12:17:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/454981643 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457555413 Carlos, also known as ‘Flaco’ is a part of the Conde’s friend group, which consists of Andrés, Conde, and El Conejo. While Andrés and El Conejo are close friends to Conde, it is arguable that Carlos is the closest friend to Conde in the group. ‘ No jodas, Flaco, fue un dia sin verte. Ayer me compliqué’ (p.127) This is seen through Conde’s constant visits and phone calls to Carlos, as well as the discussion that takes place between the two in regards to their personal lives, particularly Conde and Karina’s relationship.]]> 2020-03-10 13:10:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457555413 Who is Carlos? eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457555535 2020-03-10 13:11:08 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457555535 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457558235 Carlos was involved in the Cuban intervention of Angola in the 1970s. This experience has affected Carlos’ outlook on the past, ridding him of any disillusionment of his youth that his other friends, particularly Andrés experiences. When the four friends meet over drinks and food in the novel, Andrés is quick to fall into nostalgia and Carlos is even quicker to call him out on it. 'No jodas, Andrés así tampoco, qué por arriba ni por arriba. Tú has hecho lo que te dio la gana y si no fuiste pelotero es por mala suerte' (p. 67). Carlos quickly pulls Andrés from his nostalgic speech, reminding him of his failed dreams. By doing this, it highlights Carlos' realistic point of view on life, one that is not shrouded by the romantics of the past.]]> 2020-03-10 13:14:32 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457558235 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457572426 2020-03-10 13:30:38 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457572426 Who is El Conejo? fiona_larkin1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457588909 (No, not this)]]> 2020-03-10 13:49:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457588909 BBFS fiona_larkin1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457620237 Part of the Dream Team of besties: Carlos, Andrés and Conde. El Conejo is described as the "historiador" (loc. 241) which becomes significant as Conde himself begins to explore his own memories of the past when with him.]]> 2020-03-10 14:23:12 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457620237 fiona_larkin1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457644904 Described as having "parsimonia invencible" (loc. 393)we can imagine El Conejo to be a calm and level-headed influence on the often explosive and passionate Conde. The balance of their personalities means that this friendship is strong and good for each. Part of Conde's romanticism of the "pasado perfecto" (loc. 244)]]> 2020-03-10 14:50:22 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457644904 Why is he important to this story? fiona_larkin1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457648248 2020-03-10 14:54:14 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/457648248 What happened in Angola? eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/458381786 In the 1950s, the southern African state of Angola was in the midst of its 27 year long civil war. While Angola was able to secure independence from Portugal in 1975, it faced another military threat in the form of Cuban guerilla fighters sent into the country by Fidel Castro. The Angolian Civil war ended in 2002, however, Cuba's intervention only lasted until the late 1990's. Ultimately, the military intervention affected the Cuban psyche significantly, as well as leading to the slaughter of thousands of young Cuban men and injuring many more.]]> 2020-03-11 14:09:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/458381786 How has this experience affected Carlos? eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/458410021 2020-03-11 14:42:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/458410021 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/458415826  Apart from being left physically disabled, Carlos is significantly emotionally affected from his experience in Angola. Unlike his other friends who are disillusioned by the past, Carlos stays firmly rooted in the present and understands that nostalgia can lead to people romanticising their history. '... durmiendo con la cara pegada a ese polvo con peste  a pescado seco que hay por toda Angola, y me parece increíble que uno pueda vivir así: porque lo raro es que eso no nos mataba. Nadie se moría por eso y uno aprendía que existía algo como otra vida, como otra historia, que no tenía nada que ver con todo aquello que estaba pasando ' (p.152-3). The war forced Carlos to confront the realities of life and by being sent to it, he understands that they were sent by the government to die. Therefore unlike the other friends, Carlos feels no sense of obligation to society and the Revolution. He has given what he can and has been left physically and emotionally traumatised because of it. This outlook separates Carlos from the other friends and the disenchanted mood that surrounds the generation and chapter.]]> 2020-03-11 14:48:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/458415826 Carlos and Conde eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/459137768 2020-03-12 13:31:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/459137768 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/459141954 While Andrés and Conde's other friends serve as a reminder of the past and persuade the detective into the disenchantment that the generation as a whole feels, Carlos has the ability to pull Conde out of this. He reminds Conde that 'La nostalgia te engaña: nada más te devuelve lo que tú quieres recordar y eso a veces es muy saludable, pero casi siempre es moneda falsa'. Carlos' role in this novel is to act as a realistic voice in Conde's head, one that reminds the detective to remain in the present and not to live in the past that he has romanticised. This thus allows Conde to focus more on the present and therefore the case at hand as he is not stuck in the antics of the past.]]> 2020-03-12 13:36:33 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/459141954 fiona_larkin1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/459957417 Like all of Conde's friends, El Conejo is an example of Conde's past. The stability he associates with his childhood friends it put into stark contrast with the scandals unfolding around the same school in the wake of Lisette's murder. Conde turns to his friends for advice throughout the book. They also provide a context for Conde and humanise him. ]]> 2020-03-13 13:23:28 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/459957417 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460681623 2020-03-14 17:31:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460681623 To conclude... eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460682211 To finish, it is clear that Carlos' experience and role in this novel is to contrast greatly to the disenchantment that the rest of Conde's friends and the Older Generation experience. It is apparent that his experiences in Angola have forced him to realise the necessity to live in the present, and unlike his friends feel no sense pleasantries when he remembers the past. He allows Conde to stay grounded in reality and not to buy in to the perfect image of the past that his friends experience.]]> 2020-03-14 17:32:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460682211 Who is Josefina? kelly_hitchcock20 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460686197 Josefina is the mother of Conde's friend, Carlos. She has a close relationship with both of the men as her kitchen is often where they get fed.

She is mentioned very little in the novel but their are a few things we know about her, such as that she enjoys films as seen in the scene: "Josefina decidió irse a ver la película de Pedro Infante." (p.66).
She enjoys alcohol: "el primer trago de la tercera botella de ron de la noche." (p.66).

]]> 2020-03-14 17:41:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460686197 kayleighred99 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460695230 This was my first time using Padlet. At first, I was apprehensive to use it as I would not consider myself skilful in technology. However, after exploring Padlet it did become easy to use. 

Setting the Padlet up and adding members caused no hassle. It was quick and easy and simple to access. I appreciated how many options each Padlet had, for example, the many different background options, fonts, colours and the various layouts. I also really enjoyed all of the various links that you could include for each post such as videos, images, links and voice recordings. I think these added extras made each post more exciting and engaging, allowing you to add a modern twist to your piece. 

The only difficulty I found with Padlet was with the chosen layout. When you added a new post, it went straight to the top of the column. This meant that every time I posted, I had to go to the bottom of the column and move each post to the top to keep it on order.

Overall, I had a very positive experience with Padlet. I think it is a great way of assessment and it is a change from the usual assignment. 

]]> 2020-03-14 17:59:39 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460695230 What is she known for in the novel? kelly_hitchcock20 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460712320 At the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Josefina is a great cook. Her son's name is Carlos, but his nickname is Flaco Carlos, despite him being far from skinny because of his mother's cuisine. This is emphasised at the beginning of the novel when El Conde goes for lunch at Flaco's house, "después de almorzar en en casa del Flaco, que ya no era flaco." (p.12)

Her meals are described as "platos de caldo y, circunspecta y desbordada de promesas, la fuente de carnes, viandas y garbanzos." (p.12)]]> 2020-03-14 18:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460712320 What it says about gender roles... kelly_hitchcock20 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460719983 Despite Josefina playing a moderate role in this novel and she is present when the men are making their decisions, she shakes her head at the men but rather than adding some valuable information to the situation, she says "yo hago el café y ustedes friegan." (p.64) She is merely a servant to the men in this context rather than helping solve the crime. 

Furthermore, when the men are talking, she only joins in when the topic of food arises: "también puede ser langosta o cangrejo - acotó  tranquilamente Josefina, como una bruja de Macbeth." (p.65) This shows that the women are portrayed as those who should be mothers still caring for their children even at an older age, and also that they should be good cooks and only relevant when the topic of anything to do with the kitchen comes into play.]]> 2020-03-14 18:55:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460719983 fiona_larkin1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460958135 As this was the first time that I had been introduced to Padlet, at first it appeared a little confusing. I feel that it is easy to use, once you get accustomed to it, but it can be a little overwhelming to try to read, as things initially appear to be disorganised and messy. Padlet has been beneficial in this assignment, mainly due to its being online. My group and I were able to work on our own characters, while having access to the other characters of the group and being able to see how the other members were progressing and what angles they were taking with their interpretations of the text. However, I did notice some disadvantages associated with it. For one, the information is cluttered and is not clear unless you focus your attention on one section at a time. Having all the information presented to you at one time can be disconcerting. I feel that an interactive mind map would have been a tidier way of achieving the same goal. The class on how to use Padlet was beneficial and my group and I worked together to make sure that we all understood and had access to it. ]]> 2020-03-15 11:22:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/460958135 Review of Padlet kelly_hitchcock20 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/461000227 As a group we have decided that there are many advantages and disadvantages to using an online resource such as Padlet. 
This was also my first time using Padlet and I must admit I was really confused at first until our Week 7 workshop.

I loved the fact that you could add  GIFs, photos and edit the colours of everything, it made the project a lot more engaging.

Another advantage I found was that we could work as a group without having to find the time to meet up outside of college hours, we could work easily as a team as we all had access to this.

A major disadvantage with this way of learning is that there are many distractions on the page. The GIFs and photos are great as a face-value project, however, if this was to replace other digital ways of learning such as PowerPoint, I feel it would be a challenge to focus on one section at once.

Overall, I really enjoyed working with Padlet once I got used to how everything worked.]]> 2020-03-15 13:13:48 UTC https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/461000227 eimear_maher1 https://padlet.com/kayleighred99/oldergeneration2019_20/wish/461134487 The aspect I particularly enjoyed on Padlet was the ability to add images and GIFs into the presentation. I think this allowed my group to be a little more creative when it came to creating the different columns on the different characters. It gave us the ability to break the monotony and long paragraphs of character analysis with humorous pictures, thus creating an ultimately more entertaining Padlet to read. While this Padlet does not contain any voice recordings or short videos the website allows its users to add these into their presentations. I particularly think this is a good idea as it allows the viewer to engage more with the topic and thus the presentation becomes less boring and more interactive and interesting than PowerPoint, for example.

One aspect I was not too keen on regarding this form of media was the layout of the Padlet. I found that when I was reading the posts that my group mates had written, I kept accidentally changing the order of their posts. This made it very difficult to read the Padlet, as well as editing it. I found that because the new posts were added from the top of the column, it was very hard to rearrange them into the order that I wanted them to be in. This proved very annoying throughout the project and lead to it taking longer than I think it should have.

Although I had never used Padlet before, it took very little time to become accustomed to the new form of presentation. Overall, while the were some minor setbacks to this form, I would happily use Padlet in future assignments.


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