cornell notes

TITLE: Code Talker; a novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two
AUTHOR: Klein, Miles
YEAR PUBLISHED: March 2008
Main Idea #1: Using the Code
Summary: Although taught as a child that Navajo language and heritage is not allowed, it ends up helping him greatly in the future during a great time in need.
Quote: “ He joins the all- Navajo 297th Platoon and is sent to a special code school, where he learns an unbreakable top-secret code based on Navajo: a code so secret that the government only declassified the story in 1969(they had thought they might use that code again).”
Question/Comment: How can the people who forced them to forget their language and everything about their heritage turn to them and ask for their help knowing that they yelled at them for the exact thing they’re asking for.
Main Idea #2: His Pride
Summary: Began takes great pride in being a Navajo and knowing its precious language. He takes pride in it even though he is being told it’s bad and unnecessary.
Quote: “He conveys his pride in the vital contribution he and his fellow Navajos made to win the war.”
Question/Comment: For someone to have so much pride and vital contribution towards something they are helping for truly makes a difference when they were told and punished for that something as children.


TITLE: Novel of Navajo ‘code talkers’
AUTHOR: Haegele, Katie
YEAR PUBLISHED: July 2005
Main Idea #1: The language a person speaks
Summary: a person’s language can tell a lot about them. In this books case, it helped was in major importance during WWII. Although told it had no significant in life it turned out to be a secret weapon for America.
Quote: “ In this case of Navajo speakers, their language_ said to be the most difficult of all American Indian languages _ is a reminder of the crucial role its speakers played in American History.”
Question/Comment: From what I have read through the story, this review was excellent and Haegele was smart to include about the language a person speaks in her review.
Main Idea #2: War and Symbolism
Summary: War, being a main topic in this book, had many symbolisms that came from it. Whether it was good or bad events that happen while war meant many things for the Navajo people.
Quote: “… to them, just looking at a corpse risked association with bad spirits, and their belief in the danger of the ocean meant that they weren’t comfortable eating fish, let alone traveling by ship or submarine.”
Question/Comment: Sharing how the war has many different symbolisms for the Navajo tribe was very interesting to realize. I wonder what other things could mean for them?!
Main Idea #3: Training
Summary: The people were trained in ways that today we wouldn’t use. One main thing that the marines had to learn was how to swim.
Quote: “ During basic training the Marines had to learn how to swim, something non of the Indians had done before…they learned the hard way.”
Question/Comment: What were other ways they trained?


TITLE: Code Talker
AUTHOR: Phelan, Carolyn
YEAR PUBLISHED: March 2005
Main Idea #1: Experiences
Summary: While being on the battlefield the Navajos had to learn how to do many things. They had to learn how to work machinery, how to use the radios, and certain strategies about war. They also experienced how to live life in certain conditions.
Quote: “ Rooted in his Navajo consciousness and traditions even in dealing with fear, loneliness, and the horrors of the battlefield…”
Question/Comment: How did experiences affect their lives? I wish the Author could have give a specific example without giving out too much information, rather than just saying the quote above.