Monday, July 21, 2014
A Walk across the Sun, after Part 3
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As Part 3 concludes, we learn that Sita is still being moved from owner to owner and place to place. She is now with a man named Dietrich in the United States. She is forced to do a photo shoot taken by a minion of Dietrich’s named Li. Sita has basically lost all hope. Not even the Hanuman in her pocket can give her inspiration. Also, Thomas and Priya had gone on vacation to Goa. It seems as if all has been resolved until Priya finds an e-mail to Thomas from Tera talking about their love-making and their possible future. As the readers we know Tera was just a one night stand for Thomas, but Priya believes it is more. They depart from each other and it seems like as if all hope is lost in their renewal. The ending of part 3 shows the Sita moving to now her 3rd country and how Thomas and Priya get into another fight. These events show the reader that all hope is lost and that the sisters and the marriage will never reunite.
ReplyDelete-aven
Though I appreciate you starting this section, this reads more like an overview than a response. Please read the suggestions on the summer reading assignment for topics for discussion.
DeleteAs Part 3 concludes, we learn that Sita is still being moved from owner to owner and place to place. She is now with a man named Dietrich in the United States. As the readers, her 3rd owner and country make us lose hope that she will ever have a normal life or reunite with her sister. Hanuman, the statue is her pocket, has always symbolized Sita’s hope of reuniting with Ahalya and having a normal life. She always touched the statue when her hope and morale were low. Now, touching this statue of hope does nothing to Sita. Also, Thomas and Priya’s vacation goes wrong when she finds an e-mail from tera confessing her love for Thomas. As readers we assume this is the end of their marriage, especially after all the turmoil they have gone thru. Hope for these character’s to return to the lives they want to live is lost in the conclusion of this section.
Delete-aven
Sorry for the mistakes in my first post. Hope the one above is better.
Delete-aven
One of the most aggravating points of this work is when Navin is let free by the corrupt Indian police. Before section 3, Thomas learns that Sita has been moved to Paris, with Navin alerting the Ji family of this knowledge. Another irritating moment arrives shortly after, where Sita nearly escapes Vasily. Sita, with all that she has been through, finally had a potential moment of victory. Unfortunately, Sita's plan fails, resulting in her becoming snatched by Dmitri. Virgil's quote subtly foreshadows this moment, along with the fact that Sita will remain strong in the future. She will never give up her goal to escape and reunite with her sister, even with the cruelty of her owners. Sita is taken to America and given to Alexi and Igor. One of the most disturbing points of this work is when Igor attempts to rape Sita. Alexi fortunately arrives in time to stop Igor, and beats him. Sita finds another chance to escape, as her door is left unlocked. In yet another moment of outrage, the woman who Sita talks to turns her in to Alexi. “The darkness is my closest friend” represents Sita hiding in the shadows, her only hope to escape. Sita is sold to Dietrich for thirty-thousand dollars. Meanwhile, during their second honeymoon, Priya reads an email that Tera sent Thomas, tragically breaking them apart yet again. Overall, this section was filled with so many “What ifs?”, with nearly everything seeming to go wrong for Sita and Thomas.
ReplyDelete-CPar
I understand how aggravating some points of the book can be. Navin being left free by the indian police is appalling. Even after confessing to Khan he is still left free due to this corruption. The indian political system disgustingly corrupt, and Navin alerting Uncle Jin just completely disheartens you. Sita's near escape is also very saddening. She was so close but yet so far, if only the timing of her escape was right. When Sita is then sold to Alexi and Igor in america i was shocked. She is now moved across the world from home and even further from hope of being rescued. Alexi can be seen as a good man protecting Sita from Igor's rape, but he is only protecting his property making sure he sells her for full value. Then Sita's second escape attempt is terribly shocking when the hotel clerk turns her in. It is as if Karma is wants her to stay there.
DeleteI also felt aggravated at these parts in the novel. I feel that one of the best ways to write an awesome story for a book is to include information that only the readers know, but the characters do not. I believe this is the best way to include suspense in a book because in this case you realize that Thomas is so close to saving Sita even becoming just about face to face with her. It’s horrible because since the entire plot line is saving these two girls that have been put through so much it already creates suspense for the reader because at this point we don’t whether Sita will be rescued or not or if she will even live. It’s interesting that Thomas decides to take the vacation with Priya to renew their marriage after all the hard work he’s been through it sort of makes it seem like he has given up, but he doesn’t because he’s determined to fix his marriage and save Sita.
DeleteAgreeing with what David said, the work is built up very well upon the suspense of Thomas being so close to rescuing Sita, and at one point even being in physical view of her in Paris is extremely aggravating, knowing that evil is still some how winning in that regard. However, it also draws into question Thomas's loyalty to Pyria, as the woman whom helped him during his time in Paris, Julia, tried to sleep with him. Though Thomas wanted to do it, he wanted to stay loyal to Pyria and I think that also adds on to the story. That meaning the inner struggle Thomas is having, showing that Thomas is only human and that many things will be in his way attempting to stop him. But he perseveres through it all, as does Sita, whom clings onto her memories of the past to help her through her living nightmare.
DeleteI totally agree. It disgusted me to see all of the corruption that took place with the Indian police. Sita really amazed me throughout the entire novel. Somehow she never loses hope that she will escape, and then goes on to attempt escape, twice. The amount of courage it must take for a feat like that is incredible. I was shocked at how close Thomas came to rescuing Sita, it was down to a matter of minutes. After being threatened numerous times about what would happen if she tries to escape, she finally makes a run for it only to me given right back to Dmitri. I also found it disturbing when Igor tried to rape Sita, and was relieved that Alexi beat him, and forbade him from trying it again. And to John, I also found it aggravating that evil seemed to be winning, but found solace in that the good was not too far behind. Sita truly is living a nightmare.
DeleteI fully agree with everyone's thoughts. It was disappointing to see how corrupt the Indian police system is. We come to realize and really get to know Thomas and his flaws in this part of the book. I do not blame his wife for practically ruining the vacation because she read his e-mails with Tera. As those two characters try to return to normal life Sita does as well. Sita escape may have worked if the timing was right. She was so close to escaping but timing is key. To add to Sita trouble's, Igor tries to rape her. I found this disturbing but at least Alexi was there to aid Sita. Sita at some point after being moved all over the world is starting to lose hope in living a normal life.
DeletePart 3 of this novel is extremely disappointing to me, and extremely suspenseful. I am disappointed that Thomas and Priya are fighting so much meanwhile I am in suspense because Sita finds herself in a position to escape not only once, but twice! During Thomas and Priya’s second attempt at a honeymoon, Priya finds an email from Thomas’ troubled relationship with Tera Atwood about their love. Priya is outraged and now Thomas and Priya are emotionally separated again. I feel that Thomas and Priya have a love for eachother but they just don’t know how to express it. Sita is now being moved around from place to place and country to country and it is becoming harder for Thomas to keep track of her. The corrupt indian police let Navin go, despite the terrible things that he was associated with, this angered me greatly. When Sita is moved to America, she is just made into a possession that will “command a high price”. She was in Atlanta now and she was told by a woman to forget her past, and that she is no longer “Sita Ghai” and that the people had “no room in this house for children with a past.” This really made me feel terrible for Sita that these people were treating her like she is nothing, just another branch on their tree of corruption and human trafficking. Sita is put into a secret room of the building in Atlanta, with electric combination locks. During her time here she is threatened with a knife because she didn’t want to put on a “slinky leotard dress”. Part 3 leaves us off feeling empty and wondering what will happen next, now that she Is back with Dmitri.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the points you have made. The ending of part three is upsetting because nothing seems to get any better for anyone. Sita is defending her life as best as she could. Thomas and Priya were having a good honeymoon before Thomas received the email from Tera. Because of that one message, Priya thought of the worst and Thomas left Goa furious and ashamed. Despite all the problems each charcter goes through, the discovery for Sita does come close. When the raid is about to happen on Vasily, things seem to lighten up. But then, Thomas finds out she is in America, which makes his job a little harder. As the reader, I found out that Ahalya is pregnant and she tells Thomas that the two of them are waiting for Sita. Putting aside his life, Thomas knows that Sita needs to be found for Ahalya's sake.
Delete- ACar
I agree with you. Part 3 definitely isn't an easy read as far as hope for the happiness of the characters go. It just seems that no matter what happens between Thomas and Priya something has to go wrong and ruin everything. In the meantime, Sita is constantly being moved from place to place like she is merchandise. Her hope and faith of being found is quickly diminishing as is Thomas' hope of being together with Priya. However, he is still determined to find Sita and reunite her with Ahalya. Sita is now in Atlanta and Thomas' search for her just got a whole lot harder but he knows he has to find her. When she is moved to Atlanta her faith is zero to none. We are scared for Sita but hope all will be ok.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAs I concluded the third part of Addison's work, I realized the condition Sita is in. From smuggling drugs into Paris, to the threats and consequences she has been told a million times just by different buyers, Sita has had enough. She travels to New York, on the other side of the world from her sister, to experience more abuse. She has heard the same threats over and over again and at this point she lost all hope and she is pathetic. Scared for her life, she is out of options. After plotting to escape, she fails and feared the worst of it. Now she is stuck doing a nude photo shoot for some guy in the United States. It does not get any easier for this girl and you just hope that goodness will prevail. From all the drama and abuse her body has been through, from all the threats she listened to, she still thinks of her old life and accepts her karma.
ReplyDelete- ACar
I feel as if the physical abuse she has gone through is actually very slim. She has not been raped even once compared to everyone she has met on this journey has been raped continuously for who knows how long. If anything she has it easy. I do not find that she lost all hope either. She is constantly trying to escape, not many opportunities present themselves but she is taking whatever she can. Her best time to escape would have been in the restaurant by asking help from a customer and running out the door, or the airport in Paris. People would have believed her and the police would have known what to do about the drugs in her system. The only thing I fear now is as she goes on; the less chance of escaping is present. The new spot she is in seems like a place of no return.
Delete-KWie
I agree with the points and statements Andrew has made in this blog. However, I disagree with the comments made by Karl. Sita was physical abused. Igor forcefully used her late at night until Dietrich came in and stopped him. Even though she may not be as abused as some of the girls, such as Olga, she is still abused. Her mind is mainly abused. The thought of men forcing themselves onto her makes her go crazy. Also, the though of never returning to her sister again abuses her mind. These evil thoughts are all that is on Sita’s mind. Also, even though she tries to escape multiple times, her hope is gone. After getting caught on her final attempt, she is lost. Even the statue of Hanuman in her pocket, which use to always give her hope everytime she touched it, doesn’t give her hope anymore. Sita’s mind and well-being are destroyed at the conclusion of part 3.
Delete-aven
At the conclusion of the third section of this suspenseful novel, I have to say I agree with Karl. Sita's position may seem hopeless but if the reader pays close attention to the numerous times she tries to escape, it is evident that Sita does not in fact lose hope in life. I feel as if Addison continuously puts Sita into these precarious situations because he, once again, is reinforcing just how "hope may vanish but cannot die out". Although it seems like Sita is stuck at the photo shoot in America, good will arise. Addison makes the bad situations unbearable to complement the thrill of freedom when it does come. He engages the reader's sense of judgement and feeling, what makes us human. I feel like Addison dramatizes Sita's dilemma by making it seem like she is in fact "lost" at the ending of part 3 of this novel but the reader has to understand the message or theme behind what is physically going on. Since the underlining theme of this novel is in fact, hope,I am confident that Sita will find her freedom and hope will prevail. Addison's work has a strong impact on the audience's heart. Im appalled by how compelling his words are and how much they affect the reader. Throughout the novel as a whole, but especially in the 3rd section of A Walk Across the Sun, Addison's writing style is so affective that I feel sorry and pain for Sita, a fictional character.
Delete-TNgu
Out of all the captors in this book to own Sita, there are definitely some I like and some I hate. For example my last response was about my hate for Prasad. My favorite captor (just the least hated) would have to be Alexi. He is still disliked like the rest of them but the least. When Alexi saves Sita and breaks Igor’s jaw I was almost cheering at this part of the book. Even when she tried to escape Alexi took mercy on her and only gave her a stern and threatening warning. Dietrich may just be the creepiest of everyone. Taking pictures of a little girl like that is just weird to read about. I am hoping for her escape but I don’t see a happy ending happening in a book like this. If they were to give this book a happy ending it would just make the whole thing very unrealistic.
ReplyDelete-KWie
I have to disagree with you, I understand what you mean by the least disliked because he protected her from being raped. But the way Alexi was looking at that situation was keeping the merchandise fresh not protecting a little girl from being raped. He was protecting himself from Dietrich, if Dietrich figured out that the girl he spent all this money on was raped they all would've been punished. Although my initial react was to feel happy for Sita and I still do feel happy that she wasn't raped, I realized that Alexi did it more for himself than for Sita. I feel this book wasn't meant to be realistic with the ending just raise awareness in a dark area of crime that is found all over the world. Since it is rarely look into by the average person Addison made a riveting story that shows all areas of the darkness.
DeleteI agree with your statement of how there are captors which i hate the most and hate the least, but many of her captors were extremely cruel and they are all still extremely sick-minded people. The moment when Alexi saved sita, she was not doing it for Sita, she was only doing it for her own personal gain. When you say that Alexi only gave her a stern and threatening warning, what else would Alexi do? She couldnt physically harm her in any way or she would just be losing money. You have to put yourself in the shoes of these terrible people to see why they do some of these things. I disagree that a happy ending would make the book unrealistic, im sure there have been people who made it out of the sex trade and been able to lead semi-normal lives.
Delete-Tzir
I agree with your statement that there are captors that I extremely dislike and some that I only somewhat dislike. However, all of them are still despicable human beings. Anybody that would take a little girl and force her to work for them no matter how small the task is still a terrible human being. I also agree that it was great seeing Alexei save Sita, even if it was for his own purposes. I too believe that Dietrich is the worst out of all of them. Anyone that takes pictures of little girls is absolutely disgusting and that it was weird to read about it.I also agree with you that at this point a happy ending will be somewhat unrealistic. With all that has happened to these girls I believe that they have been too emotionally scared to ever be normal again. Also Even so, I still hope they can make it out okay and hope for her to finally be happy again.
DeleteSita is moved around more and more as part 3 concludes. France is a long way away from home in Chennai. It's odd to see that although Sita always has the lingering fear of a man having her way with her, she was moved for the unexpected use of drug transport, free labor in the restaurant, or as a maid and kitchenhand in Vasily's mansion. Sita seeing the brutality Vasily's girls are met with and prompts her to muster the courage to escape. Her failure was very sad, but is was great to see the sheepish girl who always clung to Ahalya's side finally strike out and try to get back home. My heart sunk when she was moved to America, now a trip across the ocean to get back to Ahalya. When Sita tried to escape again, I realized that although she believes in karma, she is fighting hers in every way she can.
ReplyDelete-DBer
I agree on what you said about Sita always having the lingering fear of a man having her way with her. From the time she was stuck at the brothel with Ahalya, many of us are surprised that she manages to escape rape and I am hopeful that it stays this way until the end of the this work. I felt the same way when Sita was moved to America because it seems impossible for her and Ahalya to meet again. Then I remembered the hope of the blue lotus was still in effect for the sisters to reunite again. When Sita escaped again, I also agree that she is definitely fighting her karma since both times she managed to escape, she was recaptured again. Her courage and determination to meet Ahalya again is never ending. For her age, she is a strong girl maturing enough to be a woman.
DeleteI agree with what your are saying dean. Sita is very scared of what might happen to her when he comes to male contact. But as you said thats not the case really she is more used for drug trafficking and labor then for a sex slave. I felt the same way when she tried to escape i felt that she changed. When they were together in the brothel Sita looked to her sister for strength and hope, with the stories and such. Now she had her own strength and she used to try to escape. Unfortunately it was a failure but still a brave try. Now that she is in america it just complicates everything cause now she is a voyage across an ocean away from her sister. Her hope is strong though because she never gives up on believing that she will see her sister again and love a normal life.
Delete-SNic
As part 3 concludes i am appalled that Sita is being used for so many different reasons and being smuggled across the country. Sita has been through so much and yet it keeps getting worse and worse.She has been a maid, a drug smuggler, and a slave in the past months. She is also abused by her captors, barely fed, and threatened daily. Sita is in terrible condition and can only take so much more. She even attempts to escape two times but fails on both attempts. Vasily drives down the block at the same time she decides to escape, and Dietrich finds her at the hotel.It seems as if her karma wants her to stay captured.It is very disheartening when she is captured for the second time.She has been through so much but still keeps going on, holding on to her fleeting hope. Meanwhile i never would of thought Thomas' second honeymoon with Priya would end this way. Priya is devastated after reading Tera's email, thinking Tom has been cheating on her the whole time.
ReplyDeleteSita's unfortunate situation in Part 3 really is depressing for looking at it as a whole. Throughout the story she's given different identities she is ordered to use which causes. What she doesn't realize in all of this is that she can escape with her ability to speak English, but because she doesn't realize that she ends up as another body in this human trafficking business. Unfortunately Sita's abuse intensifies as she attempts to escape. The captors were all disheartening and creepy to make me read on. And part 3's conclusion is the most disheartening part because now were uncertain on what will happen next. Will she never see Ahlaya again? Will she constantly shift to different captors? Or will she find a way out? It's very depressing when thinking about it because of how much she's been through.
Delete-GAnd
After the conclusion of part 3, I could not believe the suspenseful events and the outcomes from what happened. In the beginning of part 3 we see Thomas and Priya meet yet again. I was surprised that Priya told Thomas that her father was starting to like him after she told him before that Thomas upset him. Through the next few chapters, the suspense begins to build up. Thomas decides to go to Paris to find Sita, while Sita manages to escape the household of Vasily. I honestly thought at that moment Sita would be free, but then Dmitri easily captures Sita which was a shocker because she was almost out of her misery. Then Sita was sent to America to Alexi and Igor which made it even harder for hope to finds it way to find her. Then when Igor almost raped Sita, I was happy when Alexi punched him and beat him. The beginning quote of chapter 27,"The truth is rarely pure and never simple," was an important part of section 3. In this chapter we see Thomas almost making another mistake by kissing Julia, but he manages to leave it at that when he tells Julia that he has a wife and he can't do it. Another amazing thing we learn from this chapter is that Ahalya is pregnant. Just when things were going great for Thomas, his happiness is brought down again after the day of his and Priya's second honeymoon. Priya finds the the truth that Thomas has lied to her about being with Tera in an email that Tera left for Thomas.
ReplyDeletePart 3 seems put more abuse on Sita which in turn will make the reader wonder how much abuse can she take. The first section on Sita shows her trying to get away after realizing she had fallen asleep. The escape attempt from Dmitri ultimately fails as she is then dragged into a vehicle by Dmitri and brought back. I was then saddened when I read Uncle-Ji say they are travelling to New York, he then said "You are to behave like our daughter until we reach America. It is very important that you follow our instructions. If you do not there will be consequences." It seems much similar to when she traveled to Paris under a different the name Sundari Rai and at the end of the chapter she's wondering and thinking if there's any hope left. She attempts to escape again near the end of chapter 24 but once again it fails and she is locked in Igor's rape room. Chapter 25 not only discusses her abuse but leaves us empty because she is in a hotel room with Suchir, Navin, Dmitri, Igor, other truck drivers and other girls which the men paid to have sex with the girls. Part 3 brings us into the true nature of human trafficking several parts are where several women are raped or grouped and there are several girls such as Olga who is raped and another girl Elsie who tells her story about how she was tricked into getting raped. Part 3 leaves on a very melancholy note for Sita because she's now with Dietrich, so now I'm wondering what will happen to Sita. Better yet what will happen to her future? Will Sita ever want to marry someone after what she saw throughout this part? Will she become a shell of her former innocent self?
ReplyDelete-GAnd
The reason the method of getting past airport security and customs was similar is simply because criminals are strategists and masters of evasion. If they weren’t intelligent and clever they’d have been caught a long time ago. Much like when you and I play video games together we find a weak point in the enemy’s line of defense and we keep going through that way since it is the way that works. When that hole is closed another opens up somewhere and it is our job to find it for our survival. Crime is these people’s job and in their line of work they are betting their freedom if not their lives on their ability to get past security and deliver the “goods”. Notice the lengths Navin and Uncle-Ji went in putting together and executing their lies and delivery methods. Also shown in part 3 is how these criminals find these girls: it can be as simple as kidnapping them off the street or just smooth talking a vulnerable girl into trusting them as the case of Olga and Elsie. As sad as it is, it happens in real life more often than you think. While A Walk Across the Sun is fictional it draws on the real life experiences of many kidnappings and human trafficking cases. I’m sure at least a few people thought the author is “one sick guy” for imagining this at some point or another.
DeleteIt's amazing how Sita doesn't kill herself. Her plight is so overwhelming. From India as a drug mule she ends up in Paris cleaning a restaurant and then a Russians house. In that house she sees that girls are being used as prostitutes. She tries to run away and is caught and punished. She is then dragged to New York where she is given again to Russians who plan to sell her. She tries to run away and is caught again. By the end of Chapter 24 she contemplated suicide and who could blame her. How can you blame her? How can the human spirit handle so much torture. My grandparents always said to me, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle," but Sita was given more than most. Once again she was sold. The quote in the front of Chapter 24 aptly describes Sita's mental health. It reads' You have taken my companions and love ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend." She is living in darkness and every turn she takes her life gets darker. She knows no good and the only comfort is when she is left alone in the dark in a room where there is no one to hurt her or sell her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the many of the points you have presented and I have an answer to your question about how Sita doesn't kill herself. Sita's plight was very overwhelming. Moving from place to place and country to country as a drug mule/servant/object is something no human should endure. As human beings, we find it unimaginable and unbearable that a human can survive that journey but anything is possible. Sita doesn't kill herself because of HOPE, one of the most powerful emotions. She believes that one day she will reunite with her sister, Ahayla, and they will live in peace together. She may fail time and time again but as long as she has hope and faith, she can succeed. No matter how far she is from her sister, there is always a way! In Sita's case, it may look impossible but with hope anything can be achieved.
Delete-DFes
In part 3 we see Thomas' dedication in finding Sita for Ahalya. I honestly thought Thomas was going to let the French Police try to find Sita and he was going to stay in Bombay to work things out with Priya. Especially since Priya informed him her father was starting to like him. I was truly surprised when Thomas followed Sita to Paris and put everything he could in finding her, using all his sources to track down any little hint that could find her. I was really frustrated when Priya read through Thomas' phone and found the emails from Tera that Thomas was ignoring. All Thomas wanted was to work things out with Priya and she had to ruin it by making a big deal out of a relationship that means nothing to Thomas. I finally thought Sita was free when she escaped Dmitri but unfortunately her bad luck continues and she is ignored by a trucker and spotted by Dmitri. I thought Sita was going to lose all hope while she was getting dragged out of the car by her hair to return to her doom in Dmitri's house, but she still seemed as strong as she did previously. I really feel awful for Ahalya because all she wants is to be with her sister and lives her life in a daze.
ReplyDeleteThomas' willingness to find Sita shows that there are still good people out there and not everyone is bad. Thomas isn't on the best terms right now with Priya, he realizes finding Sita is more important because no human should be traded like some type of object.I disagree with the thinking that Priya is ruining it between her and Thomas by looking through his phone and seeing the emails from Tera. Priya does love Thomas and seeing those emails must have had her head spinning. Even though Thomas didn't reply still seeing someone other then herself express their love for Thomas must have broken her heart. Sita always carries the statue with her when she is down and regains hope. Later on though when she touches the statue she starts to feel less hope. I do feel as Sita is starting to lose hope but only because of her bad luck. Sita has that personality that she will have hope no matter what.
Delete-CPor
One of the worst feelings in the world is the feeling of being so close yet so far. The feelings of riveting anxiety coupled with despair evoke extreme frustration. Every single time Thomas gets a lead he is always just a tad too late to save Sita previously from Navin and now from the Russians/Dietrich. Immediately as he discovers where Sita is in France, she gets moved to the United States. Sita also seems to never be able to catch a break either. She manages to break out of the club where she is being kept and finds someone who may actually be able to help her only to find that person is cooperating with her captors. The way the author went about this was really bland. I wasn’t surprised by this judging how it’s only part 3 of the book. If the person she ran to actually got her to the police, that’d be the end of the story since Thomas’s justice department connections would pick up Sita and reunite her with Ahalya. It would have been at least a bit more interesting if he had made that segment more complex. That scene was a perfect opportunity to introduce a new character that actually lasted for more than a few chapters.
ReplyDelete-JGen
In this part of the book I myself was starting to get frustrated. Indeed Thomas was getting closer and then failing each time he tried to find Sita. If he would have found Sita right away then we wouldn't have learned more about human trafficking and the hardships it brings. In real life I think it would be almost impossible to find women like Sita that are sold into the industry. In our country, we believe we have good intelligence but there are many times girls and children especially, when abducted are found dead. To think that other countries can do half of what the US does is absurd. The corruption abroad is far worse than anything we see here even though trafficking is also here in the US. I was also frustrated that Sita's efforts for escape have once again been botched. At first she oversleeps and leaves her room too late. I believe she had an opportunity to succeed at this point. If she was afraid that she would fall asleep then she should have left earlier and taken that chance as soon as Dmitri left. He later apprehends her in the street and drags her back. Then there is the escape to the hotel where she is turned in. This is a dangerous area. She should have kept running to a busier area. I think Addison could have changed this. I agree it would have been more interesting if a new character was introduced here; maybe that person could have helped her. I feel hopeless for her. I think I would have liked to see Sita escape and find her sister through a new character, but then it would defeat the whole purpose of why Thomas' character was created. Thomas was so moved by the kidnapping he witnessed earlier and that influenced his decision to work for CASE. I am sure it is very difficult to find traffickers and the slaves they hide just as it was in the book. This book has opened my eyes to a serious problem that I never took notice of. The demoralizing pain it inflicts on people who are enslaved, the danger it entails just trying to retrieve the captives, and the reintegration of the victims once they are found is in all very tragic and heartbreaking.
DeleteCMen
I agree with James that Thomas has been so close to finding Sita so many times but each time she is taken farther away. I knew that Thomas would never be able to catch up to the black Mercedes as it sped off with Sita. Although he played football in high school, there was no chance of him catching up to that car. This only made him more suspicious to everyone in the car that was baffled as to why someone would be chasing their car. As I was reading about Sita’s escape attempt, I too felt like she wouldn’t make it seeing how much of the book was still left to read. Addison could have made Sita get more inhumanly rebuked after getting caught- but he’s the author, not me. Another thing that frustrated me was that Priya was too stubborn to actually let Thomas back into her life when it was her that left him. He needed someone to talk to which is the only reason he turned to Tera. This was essentially her fault for him sleeping with Tera because he felt it was the only rational thing (at the time) to do.
Delete-DMcA
I agree with James, throughout reading this section I am constantly hoping for Sita to catch a break! Its so sad to read how such a young and outgoing girl can be crushed to pieces by such scum. For me it's already hard to imagine human trafficking around the world, but it makes me even more sick knowing these things happen here in America. I feel that Addison wanted his readers to feel this way. That he wants people to see that human trafficking is a global issue that effects even first world countries like France and America. Most people in America feel that they're far away from thes problems but in reality they are right around the corner. I also agree with Donald, it wasn't all Thomas's fault for sleeping with Tera. He was so devastated that Priya left that he need someone to help him get over it and move on. Even though things with Priya took a bad turn he still remains optimistic. He didn't quit his job and go all the way to India to fail.
DeleteARai
I agree with you, while reading this book I constantly feel like Thomas is so close to finding Sita and saving her but every time he gets close something happens and she is moved.Like you said no matter what Sita does she can never catch a break, even when she gets away from her captors she is still found and taken back into captivity. I do see your point that how could you expect Sita to actually be found so early on in the book though. If she was found what would the rest of the book be about?
DeleteUpon the conclusion of the third section of this dramatic novel, its pretty evident that Addison wants his readers to think. He shines the spotlight on Sita. Some may ask why Addison makes Sita going through so much agony and abuse. I believe that the heavy burden she carries can be interpreted to symbolize just how strong her hope is. Some bloggers say that Sita after being moved from India to Paris to America demoralizes her and crushes her hope but I disagree. I feel that Sita as a character serves as an example for how we should never give up.The numerous times she's tried to escape proves how strong her hope is, the hope for survival as well as the hope for freedom. I believe Addison tries to inspire his readers to never give up by showing how if one believes they will overcome even the biggest obstacles. In writing the third section, Addison also reinforces just how cruel human trafficking is. Sita's forced visit in Atlanta is very discouraging. The scene where Sita is forced into becoming an object shows the true colors of human trafficking. She is told to forget about the past. But what are we if we don't reminiscence about our past, live freely in our present, and think about our future. Addison wants his audience to not only read but think about the bigger problem this book is trying to expose. A problem in this world...the real one.
ReplyDelete-TNgu
I completely agree with your view on Sita. Even after failing to escape from Dmitri, she again risks everything to escape from Alexi and Igor. Although she does consider suicide, she lets the thought pass and maintains hope. She is a perfect model and character - perhaps her perfection in itself is a flaw. I can easily see someone lose their mind and become traumatized from what Sita has been through. Yet, she only becomes a stronger person by the end of the novel. On the topic of Addison's goal with this book, here's an excellent interview on Youtube:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DzA-4-qtg8
Addion wants to engage the reader through fiction, on top of being as realistic as possible. He wants to expose an issue that many people are unaware of. Through the characters of Ahalya and Sita, readers can have full understanding of the issue human trafficking, with the experience being as personal as possible. A great quote from this interview: “We're taught in history class the slavery ended in the civil war. In reality, there are more slaves alive today than ever before”.
-CPar
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DeleteI too agree that Sita is a symbol of everlasting hope. she has been a slave, a maid, tortured, a drug carrier, and has endured numerous other atrocious acts of cruelty. But even when she is at her lowest point after failing to escape she manages to muster up some courage to move on and continue to try to survive in order to have that chance to see her sister again no-mater the conditions that she is in. Again i concur with Tuan in that i too believe that Addison is writing this to inspire us to never give up and always continue the fight just like Rocky Balboa, even though he was down for the count he managed to muster up the strength that he had to get back in the fight to survive no matter the cost. Sita's strength is greater than anyone else i have ever read or heard about. The reason that while most people have to deal with getting knocked down once, she has been knocked down many times and each and every time she gets back up and continues to fight.
Delete-CKat
I agree with your points made on Sita, on how she held on to hope, although at many times she thought karma was her only life and future. Sita goes through an enormous amount of abuse, both physically and mentally, and her will to survive and unit with her sister is what gives her strength. Even after being transported from India to Paris to America and being forced to enter America illegally and assume a new identity, she held onto hope. She held onto that hope even though she was being held so far away from India, the country that held her memories of happiness. Sita would say to herself, "Is this Hell?" "If not where is God." Human trafficking is a world wide problem that must be stopped. We must be aware and expose these sick perverts if we see something that does not appear normal. If the customs would have questioned Sita a little longer, they could have possibly found out that she was not the girl on the passport, but instead she was a frightened 15 year old girl who was doomed for a life of sex.
Delete-VCal
After reading Part 3 , the only thing you can do is feel sorrow for Sita. Sita is such a young girl and for her to be through this much breaks your heart. Even though it seems like there never will be a reunion of the sisters , Sita still does have little fate. I find it so scary that even in America there is human trafficking , in our own country there are people treating other humans like this , its very sickening. Igor's attempt to rape Sita just shows these people dont look t her as a human being but as an object. It makes me feel disgust that they are treating a women like this. Igor has to of had a women of some type as either his mother or a sister or friend and I guarantee he would be enraged if someone treated a loved one of his like he is treating Sita. Although , I respect Alexi for hurting Igor for his malice ways, he is still part of human trafficking. He is treating Sita like an object , something no human should ever feel like.
ReplyDelete-CPor
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DeleteI agree 110 percent. No 15-year-old girl should ever have to experience the torture and abuse this child is going through. I admire the hope and faith she shows of overcoming this catastrophe. I too find it appalling that a human can treat another human with such brutality and disrespect. People involved in human trafficking scandals should seriously reevaluate their perspective towards women. Like you said, these people have mothers and sisters, and they wouldn’t like it if their family was experiencing this disgusting act. No person should ever be treated like an object. Everyone, regardless of gender or race, is deserving of worth and respect. No human being should ever be forced to partake in such a spiritual act such as sex. I was crushed when Sita’s plan backfired. I though she had finally been able to escape all the torture she had been facing. I believed she would be able to flee from all the disturbing and cruel things she has had to do. I still remain hopeful that she will one day reunite with her other half, Ahalya.
Delete-KRos
Part three of A Walk Across the Sun by Corbal Addison opens with a quote from Blaise Pascal, “the heart has its reasons which reason does not know” and ends with a quote from Dante, “Heaven’s mercy and its justice turn from them. Let’s not discuss them; look and pass them by.” I find both to be appropriate and telling of what this section held; for me, disappointment. The hope from sections one and two are fading, perhaps an illusion like I had suggested.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to sum up in one word the overall feeling of emotion described in this portion of reading it would be despair. There was much more abuse in many forms taking place during this portion of reading and to more young women. There well also hope, like when Thomas went after Sita, only this too end in disappointment.
Chapter 28 closed on page 377 with, “neither the anguish of memory nor fear of the future had the power to keep her (Sita) awake.” I thought this was the best way for Addison to sum up a portion of writing that was filled with anguish and despair.
-CGar
As I started reading about Ahalya and Sita being taken into a new world of rape and abuse, I had feelings of sorrow and respect. My respect was always for Ahalya because she showed her sister how to face situations bravely and to always remember the importance of family. As Sita had to face parts of India, Paris and America basically alone, she showed more bravery then her sister ever had. Sita had always thought of how her sister or mother would act in her situations, which practically helped her stay alive. Although Sita questioned suicide on one occasion, this upset me because I had hope in her to persevere through her brutal experiences. As Sita was sold numerous times it seemed like her chances of being found were dwindling. I had a lot of faith in Thomas finding Sita in Paris because he was making all of the right moves to where he was so close to finding her. Thomas also had a lot of responsibilities involving his relationship with Priya and just as things were going well for the two of them, Tera had gotten in the way. Even though Priya and Thomas have an important history together, Priya is always acting stubborn which is why I think Thomas should let her go. I look forward to Thomas hopefully finding Sita and I want to see if Thomas persists in getting back with Priya or moves on.
ReplyDelete-DMcA
In this section of the book, Thomas starts making some progress with Priya. He asks her how they are going to work things out. She says they are both at fault and tells him not overthink it; he should just be himself. She tells him they will figure it out together. I was happy but surprised to see things changing. Priya was so cold and distant from Thomas when she left to go back to India, which is why he sought comfort in Tera and almost faltered with Julia. After that he met Priya again and went to Goa and started rekindling their relationship. That showed the reader that forgiveness and love are real. However, that was short lived because Priya was hurt by Thomas's email from Tera. Her suspicion about infidelity was true. When people are disappointed, lonely and vulnerable, it is easy to find comfort in others. What they don't realize is how much it will hurt the other person in their relationship. Forgiveness is not easy, but we cannot go on without it. Also in this section we see Sita going through more torment. She almost escapes twice, but is caught. She contemplates suicide and starts doubting her faith, even Hanuman doesn't bring her happiness or peace. She stops thinking about Ahalya, her poetry, her word games, and doesn't reminisce about her previous life. Even though she feels this way, she still comforts the other girls that are being kept for prostitution. She is stronger than she thinks and is an encouragement to others. She watches Igor rape other girls and is almost raped by him also. Ahalya was sexually abused with all the ramifications that go with it, however it was only for a very short time period. I can't say who was stronger, but both were survivors.
ReplyDeleteCMen
Upon completion of part three of Addison's suspenseful novel, I am frustrated and disheartened but OPTIMISTIC. I am frustrated because Thomas isn't able to save Sita. He follows her to Paris and once we think Sita might get rescued, she is moved to a different country, America. I am disheartened because Sita tried to escape twice and both times her plan failed. Her second attempt broke my heart because she escaped and she looked for help however; her "help" was an accomplice of her captor. With all these tragic events, I remain optimistic because Sita never gives up. She may have contemplated suicide but she didn't attempt it. The hope of reuniting with her sister is more evident than ever. Sita had the courage to try and escape twice. I believe with the combination of hope and courage flowing through Sita's veins, she will be able to find the light at the end of this very dark tunnel.
ReplyDelete-DFes
I think frustrated and disheartened is a great way to describe section three of this book! I was disappointed. All the hope and positivity from parts one and two seemed crushed or all an illusion; yet there was that optimism that you point out, Sita remains determined and does hold on to hope. As the reader I didn’t share in that hope, I honestly thought one of the girls were going to be killed. I suppose I was bracing for the worst because of the nature of the book. After the first failed attempt at escape I became skeptical of everything. I was very relieved that Sita did not commit suicide. While I found a lot of the book to be graphic, I realize it could have been worse. Both girls demonstrated strength and Addison was also able to demonstrate love, forgiveness, and betrayal through Thomas and Priyas story. Which doesn’t seem nearly as important as the plight of the girls, yet somehow it all flows and hold the interest.
Delete-CGar
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Delete. I also agree with your statement, I feel that while it is disheartening that Thomas still couldn't save Sita he came very close to it. I actually felt that Paris was where she would escape due to how ingenious her escape plan was. My thought is that while running she would run into Tom and her nightmare be over. Which is why I was so upset when she was eventually caught brought back. Then when Thomas was running after the car she was in I thought yet again her hardship was over, but again it failed. While disappointed by the end results, I remain optimistic that Eventually Sita will be saved and reunited with her sister. As far as the series of events involving Thomas and Priya I feel that their story while not as important as Sita’s situation, it is necessary to the story. It shows that in life we all will go through certain hardships, some less severe than others of course. However, no matter how hopeless the situation is we must keep that faith that eventually all will be well in the end.
Delete-JAss
I totally agree with your statement, Mr. Festa. At some points in Part 3, I felt like losing hope, especially when Thomas gets so close to finding Sita, but he is just one step behind her. I also feel very optimistic because Thomas said he is taking 2 steps forward and 1 step backwards, which means he is taking very small steps, but he is getting closer. When Ahalya is sitting near the lotus plant, it also gives me hope because she is able to stay hopeful and is willing to wait for the plant to grow. If Ahalya coudl keep her hopes up after she found out that she is pregnant and was also just told that her sister was moved to America and they have no clue where she is, then I should be able to keep hope. I am looking forward to finishing the work and seeing how Addison ties both stories together, and hopefully our hopes arent crushed.
DeletePoor Sita is being moved everywhere. For such a young girl to be going through all this its amazing she still has hope that she will one day see her sister. Sita has had the fear that a man would eventually rape her but thats not the case. Whenever she is moved her purpose is for labor and a drug carrier.Sita must feel so scared traveling so much to mysterious lands not knowing her future, she is clinging on to what ever hope she has left that she will see her sister.Sita being a young girl must be terrified. It’s scary how people treat these girls. Igor is an example, when he tries to rape Sita it shows how these girls are treated horribly and that they are just items for people to use for their own needs. Sita’s knowledge of the punishment Vasily’s girls go through and her hope to see her sister I feel give her the will to try to flee. Unfortunately it is unsuccessful. Another thing is how upsetting it is that human trafficking goes on in America and for Sita to come to America only hurts the chances of her ever seeing her sister again. But she believes and dreams that she will see her sister again.
ReplyDelete-SNic
I can't imagine having so much hope that something will happen but just have that hope deteriorate into desperation by the second. Well this is what Sita is feeling as she is constantly being trafficked from one place to the other across the world, literally. At the end of Part 3 Sita had just been moved to a brothel owned by Dietrich in Atlanta, Georgia just after being moved to some part in Newark, NJ. She had just finished a photoshoot taken by a man named Li where she had to get dressed in a revealing outfit and sit in different positions. This seriously harms Sita's faith and hope that she will be found as Hanuman, one of the statues that she worships greatly and carries around with her everywhere is left in her jacket which is in the studio. As Sita is trapped in her tiny room, Thomas is doing the best he can in order to find Sita. Every time he gets close to finding her, she gets moved (sometimes halfway across the world). He gets news she is in America but has no idea where within the 50 states she would be. For Thomas it seems as though the closer he gets, the farther he become. He contacts his friend hoping his connections would make finding Sita a little easier.
ReplyDelete-AGir
It really does bother me that Thomas is always so close but so far. He was even chasing after the same car Sita was in when they were in France (even though he didn’t know it at the time). All hope seemed lost when Sita is trafficked to America. I was yet again appalled by the conditions the girls were being kept in… Sita was doing better in a brothel in Bombay. For Pete’s Sake she was in New Jersey! Having to stay in a pitch black room with a dozen other girls sleeping on top of each other and having to share a single overflowing toilet… that’s like a picture out of the holocaust. If I were Sita, I would’ve just ended it there and either book it or try to take the people on even if it meant getting shot. It makes me sick reading that the girls live in inhumane conditions like something you see on an ASPCA commercial but for a brief moment they clean them up for a picture to sell them like they are old toys on Ebay.
Delete-LLun
As time goes on things go from bad to worse. Sita is forced from country to country not knowing what might happen next, Ahalya is torn apart from the separation from her sister, and Thomas's relationship with Priya takes another devastating hit. A common theme throughout this section is to never give up hope. We will all experience highs and lows but its important to always remain optimistic about the future. Sitas failed attempts at escaping are truly heartbreaking, just when things might be able to turn around in her life she is stopped twice. To her captives Sita isn't a human being, she is an object with a price tag. I fear that she might begin to feel that her life is meaningless because she is treated like an animal. This way of life must be destroying her self-esteem but she needs to understand that they are the animals, not her. For someone that has lost everything, hope may begin to fade. Thomas on the other hand might not have it as bad as Sita and Ahalya but he is still going through some problems of his own. One of the most important things in a relationship is trust and when Priya read that email all trust was lost. Both Sita and Thomas are going to need a lot of rebuilding in their lives for thing to get better. Even though things are bad, I still have this feeling that thigs might be able to turn around.
ReplyDeleteARai
I agree with the comments you made concerning Sita’s point of view. Optimism is a great word to use while discussing this story. Through all the tragic moments in the novel, Ahalya and Sita never loose sight of hope of being together again. The statue that Sita keeps with her plays a huge role in the story because it symbolizes her optimistic thoughts. Even though she has been shipped to multiple countries, she is waiting for the moment when she can finally see her sister again. Like you said, we constantly see throughout the story the two sisters never giving up their hope. I believe this is a great characteristic to possess, especially during dark times. I also agree with your comments regarding Sita’s self-esteem. One would think that Sita is feeling worthless and meaningless at a time like this because of her severe mistreatment. However, she remains to have a positive attitude.
Delete-TBru
WOW!!! After reading the 3rd section of Addison’s chilling novel, I am crushed by the events that have happened. First off, it seemed as if Thomas was finally going to find Sita. He had made every strategic move necessary to locate her. As he got closer, she moved even farther away. Just when we think Paris would be the end of Sita’s miserable journey, she is moved to America and the hunt continues. Secondly, the people involved with human trafficking are disgusting. It boggles my mind that a human being is able to treat another human being with such disrespect and brutality. When Igor attempts to rape Sita, all I can think to myself is HOW. How can a person totally overlook the fact that this is a living, breathing human being? Sita is not some object intended to please this mans sexual desires. She is girl. And no girl should ever have to experience this filthy and sickening act. Finally, Sita’s attempted escapes. It brings me joy to see the hope that remains within this poor child. Even though her attempts end in failure, it is nice to see that she has not given up on herself. It was depressing to see this girl finally escape the hell she has been living to only have to return once again. I, just like Sita, have faith that she will one day join her sister once again. I believe Thomas will find Sita again, and this time bring her to peace.
ReplyDelete-KRos
I agree with your blog about Thomas, he was doing everything he can do to get to Sita. It was devastating that as close as he thought he was to her, she was actually extremely far away. When being moved from Europe to the United States, we kinda lose hope that she will be found by Thomas and be reunited with her sister. Your second statement about how you are befuddled that humans can treat other humans like that is also just nauseating. I do not understand how people can want to hurt such a innocent girl like Sita. No girl should ever have to endure what Sita went through and it makes you think that this can accidentally happen or could have happened in the past. When she does try to escape it is happy because she still hasn’t lost faith. Much like Kevin I too also believe she will be reunited with her sister and will be found.
Delete-aaci
As reading part 3, I felt really bad for Sita and the luck she is having. She has no luck at all because she is still being moved from owner to owner. She, unfortunately, loses hope when in the United States and believes she will never be reunited with her sister. She doesn’t even feel the same faith she did when holding her statue which is a symbol of faith. She is just receiving more and more abuse and it makes me, as a reader, want to find her and get her out of that life. Her body has endured so much and she continually accepts it because she thinks she has the hope that she will return to her normal life one day. It frustrated me and angered me
ReplyDelete-aaci
It is terrible to read about Sita being sold from person to person it show how some people have no respect for a human life, especially a young girl. It was hard to see Sita lose hope once she was in The United States. It seems as Part 3 played out that Sita could not catch a break. Right when she though she had escaped and someone was finally going to help her they betrayed her giving her back to Alexi. Reading this part frustrated me as well and I hope that Sita will continue to show strength and courage and be reunited with her sister in the last part of this novel.
Delete-DBey
Part 3
ReplyDeleteAfter reading part 3, I couldn't help but feel a great deal of pity for Sita. She has spent this entire section of the book being sold to different people all across the world, each more ruthless then the last. At this point her hope is all but broken, as the more she is sold the less the chance of once again having a normal life. The only glimmer of hope she has left is the figurine given to her by Shyam, This figure symbolizes the chance that she will be saved before it is too late. Thomas has faired no better for just as he gets close to saving Sita, she seems to move somewhere else. Yet he refuses to quit and looks to make good on his promise to Ahalya and to Priya. As I reach the final section of the book, I am interested in finding out whether Thomas will be able to find Sita, and more importantly find her alive.
-JAss
Agreeing with all the points you have stated, Sita's hope is diminishing as she is sold from country to country, but I also feel when Sita tries to escape but then is caught, she still has a little faith and hope that she will one day be reunited with her sister, Ahalya. Sita is only fifteen and the things she is going through is something that no one should ever even imagine going through. The fact that Sita is brought to the United States of America is heartbreaking because our country is supposed to be free and people are supposed to live in freedom. Thomas does everything to help save and rescue Sita but every time he thinks he is getting close to her she is getting further away from him. I am also hoping that as the novel comes to a close that Sita is saved and reunited with her sister.
Delete-CCro
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ReplyDeletePart three of the novel leaves the reader to believe the worst. Sita is continuing to be shipped around the world to so many different countries. Just as we think Thomas is getting close to finally finding Sita and getting her back to safety, she is moved further away to a new country. This new country is actually our own home of America. It’s so crazy to think that this actually happens on our own land, it’s not something that just happens in foreign countries. Sita lives with the fear of being raped, she is mostly used for drug labor fortunately. No girl should ever be treated the way the girls in the sex trafficking ring are treated on a daily basis. It’s degrading to these poor innocent girls, and it’s barbaric by the men who are doing it. They treat these woman like they don’t matter and that they are just objects for men to manipulate. Sita almost gets raped by a man named Igor. Thankfully, she escapes without being harmed. This provides who ever is reading the story with some hope that one day Sita and Ahalya will be together again and everything will be alright.
ReplyDelete-TBru
Upon finishing Part 3 of Addison's work it is hard even for the reader to remain hopeful. It seems that things have went from bad to worse, with a little tease in between. Thomas was so close yet so far from bring Sita to safety. After many transactions and shipments Sita had made her way to The United States. It is horrifying to follow along with something so degrading to human life, and to think that this happens around us in the world everyday. In Chapter 27 I was shocked when Ahalya had told Thomas that she was pregnant. Chapter 27 brought along many surprises especially between Priya and Thomas. Everything between the couple seemed to be going great, but then took a sudden turn for the worst during their vacation. I am intrigued to see how Addison will conclude this novel in the final part.
ReplyDelete-DBey
I agree with you David, Part 3 of A Walk Across the Sun is hard to deal with since Sita was so close to being free from being the prisoner that she was, since Thomas saw her but was powerless when her holder drove away before he could do anything to stop him and help her. The Russians holding her realized she was now a liability, so she was sent to America to be sold for a third time. To make matters even worse than they already were she was sold two more times and was forced to dress a certain way and take pictures for her captors. But because of the pictures she took, it led Thomas as well as those helping him to where Sita was being held. Once she was free of her Captors, the emotions she felt truly sparked the sense of relief that she was finally free.
Delete-Alih
Part 3 has secured the background of sex-trafficking. It is world wide corruption which is fueled by greed, drugs, and power. These innocent girls had only one option, and that was to comply or die. Sita always thought about escaping and reuniting with her sister, Ahalya. Sita did escape one evening, and she tried to flag down a truck and was screaming, "Please, call the police", but the driver kept on driving. Dmitri caught up with Sita and threw her in the trunk of his car, where he threatened her with death if she attempted to escape again. Sita was brainwashed everyday to accept her karma, as the life she lives now is it, and her past is no more, she is no longer Sita Ghai. What was Sita feeling through all of this? She is a 15 year old innocent girl, who lost her world because of a tsunami. Her life was meaningless, but she never gave up hope of one day reuniting with her sister. She dreamed of her life in India and her precious family . The past was her life, although at times she felt it no longer existed. Through part three of the novel, I could not believe how another human could control and sell a life for greed and exploration. Addison, through this part, makes you feel the pain of Sita and all the girls who are forced into sex-trafficking.
ReplyDelete-VCal
I agree with your post. Through this part of the novel Addison puts a strong focus on Sita and how much pain she is going through and highlights the worldwide connections of the business. She was taken from India to Paris to work for Ukrainian sex/drug traffickers and is made to work in a restaurant doing menial labor and not having a real place to sleep. There are some bright spots such as getting along with the other girls and having Shyam around, one of the few people who actually cares about her. Sita not only shows hope but also ingenuity as she tries to escape only being left behind by a truck driver and then being recaptured by Dmitri. Before this she was constantly abused by Aunt-ji and made to believe that this was her new life and that there was no going back. Through this part of the novel I couldn't fathom how people could be so apathetic to others lives and well being.
Delete-MGal
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ReplyDeleteAddison novel truly shows how badly human sex trafficking affects these innocent young girls. Part three of Addison's novel is horrific and leaves the reader with almost no hope. Poor Sita is being transported from country to country beings used for sex and drug labor. She is even brought into our own country, it is sad how even in our country which is supposed to be "the land of the free" sex trafficking is still in use. It is heart breaking to realize that Sita's life was ripped apart all due to a tsunami. Although Sita's hope to find her sister is weakening, she still has some faith and hope that one day she will be reunited with her sister. We can see Sita still has hope when she escapes, but then is caught. Part three gets you jumping out of your seat, when Thomas is so is close to saving Sita. But as Thomas gets closer to Sita, Sita gets further away. Addison is truly an amazing author and makes the reader feel the pain of human trafficking.
ReplyDelete-CCro
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DeleteI agree with Chris, our land is supposed to bring freedom and individualism to each person. Human trafficking is a terrible crime and to see a innocent little girl like Sita go through such torment is heart breaking to read. It makes me want to go in the book and save her myself, no person should go through this. Sita's psyche does begin to break as everything that has happened is starting to wear her out and does thing about suicide however the bond with her sister makes her believe and determined that everything will be set right and she will be reunited with the only family that she has left on earth and that enough is what keeps Sita going. Part three did keep me on the edge of my seat with every clinching moment thinking that Sita will be saved when the opportunity will be ripped right from Thomas hands leading to him to start from square one once again and it begins to get frustrating for me as a reader as I just want to see happiness upon Sita.
Delete-BMor
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ReplyDeletePart three to me is like stepping into a roller coaster and getting ready for a ride. We read about Sita's situation being transported around the worlds she goes from parts of India, to drug smuggling thirty packets of heroin wrapped in condoms which is both horrifying and disgusting, to then ending up in America. The one part that disappoints me is when Thomas just misses Sita in rescuing her it makes me feel time is running out for Sita and that opportunities are diminishing. Your heart goes out for Sita because no girl should go through such abuse and torment, that they should live a normal happy, independent life. How ironic that in the land of the free we can see that underground trafficking happens even here in American soil it brings shame to all those who serve and fight to bring freedom to each individual for our great land.
ReplyDelete-BMor
I felt the same way. Sita has been handed off a bunch of times in the novel. To go from India to France then to America, without any say must be scary. She has met many different people throughout the novel from different parts of the world. First being sold to an Indian man in India and then ending up in America with a Ukrainian family. When Thomas finds out that he recognizes the girl in the Mercedes pulling away, it made me feel that miracles do happen. I agree with your point that he was so close to getting her and the chances of getting her back are smaller and smaller. Though I do give him a lot of credit for being able to go to France, squirm his way around the streets he hasn’t known since he studied there, and still be able to get leads and at least catch up to her. I too believe it is ironic that even with all of our freedom we still have underground trafficking. Sita passes through JFK security without them even having a thought that she is kidnapped! No one would think of it because they probably look like a normal family on vacation. Who knows how many kids are kidnapped and forced to act like you are apart of a family that actually owns you.
Delete-MTra
After finishing part 3 of the novel I learned that their is more then just being kidnapped and put in a basement or attic. It is a million dollar empire for the men behind human trafficking. The girls are used for sex, pornography, and even drug transportation. It is so sad to know how much the traffickers actually benefit from the girls. They are used as house maids, cooks, and at night they are raped. When Sita is brave enough to break out of Dimitri’s hold, I got a rush of adrenaline that this young girl is going to escape the terrors of being held under the control of a maniac. Yet once again my hope and excitement failed when Sita couldn’t get the truck driver to call the cops and Dimitri captures her back. This was one of the scariest parts of the novel for me because I was nervous that Dimitri would do far worse then what Sita has ever experienced. Though the novel yet again tries to give you hope when Thomas spots Sita and chases the mercedes until he can’t see it anymore. In that car ride we find out that Sita will be traveling with Uncle Ji and his family to America. I have to disagree with people believing that at this point of the novel they lost all hope. Sita is thousands of miles away from Thomas and Ahalya now, but she is in America. The land of the free and brave, someone must be able to find her. Especially with Thomas’s connections to Andrew Porter and other friends in the District.
ReplyDelete-MTra
When I began to read part 3 I really had no idea what to expect. I really grew to hate Auntie and Uncle Ji, and Dmitri and was disgusted how they treated Sita as a slave. She was forced to stay in closet some nights and Auntie Ji treated her like she wasn't even a human being. Sita's intelligence is also displayed during this part of the work. Her plan to escape was very well thought out and very close to being successful. She is so courageous for a 15 year old girl. She built up the courage and risked getting hurt leaving the house to get onto the streets of Paris and find the Police. Once again I was so surprised by Thomas's courage and determination to rescue and find Sita. There were moments that I was hopeful that Thomas would find Sita and have some sort of a face off with Dmitri. They were so close that they even found the house that Sita was being held captive in. It was so unfortunate that by the time the raid occurred Dmitri had already taken Sita to America. I really respect Julia and her dedication to helping Thomas when it is difficult for her to find the time with her job. Without Julia I don't think Thomas would've made nearly as progress in finding Sita. I have feeling part 4 is gonna be exiting.
ReplyDelete-WHard
I too share your hatred for Sita's captors. How they treat her is simply repulsive and I hate it. I am almost hopeful that her escape attempts would work although they both end up failing. I don't know if she was cautious enough in her attempts, but the initial aspects of them were well thought out. Both times she put her trust in the wrong person and she paid for it afterwards though she couldn't have known. I too hoped for Thomas to make it to Sita's aid before it was too late. It was upsetting from a reader's point of view to see Thomas look directly at Sita in the car and watch as they were face to face but yet Thomas was helpless. He couldn't possibly catch up on foot. By the time they got the warrant Sita was long gone. This is the closest Thomas came to rescuing her yet it soon became the farthest. This part took some surprising and upsetting turns although I am sure part 4 will be very interesting as we read the closing of the story as the situation seems more dire than ever.
Delete-DD'Am
As part three concludes, we see the hope for Sita to be set free dwindling. She tries to hold on to memories of her sister and her past life but hope becomes more difficult. Although Thomas made progress, I hoped for more of a resolution in the end. Every time Thomas seems to be getting somewhere, Sita becomes farther than ever from his grasp. Thomas, Sita and Ahalya begin to despair about the possibility of Sita being rescued. This is also the reaction of many readers I am sure as I was saddened by the fact that the situation with Sita seems more and more impossible to resolve. At first I thought Ahalya may be more of the victim since she was older but it turned out to be Sita who was the victim. The trafficking business is much more extensive than one may have thought. The sickening process victimizes many innocent women. The more people we see who are involved in this cruel trade, the more disgusting it becomes to read about. So many girls taken away from their past lives to be used for trafficking, pornography and other uses. Sita stills holds on to her past memories along with the Hanuman she keeps. The fact that she keeps this shows me that she has not yet lost all hope. As for Thomas he has personally stepped out of the pursuit, however, I think he may be pulled back in somehow and hopefully Sita will finally be rescued.
ReplyDelete-DD'Am
It is truly heartbreaking Danny how difficult life is getting for Sita. She is trying so hard to stay herself and each day that passes is harder on her than the previous day. It's so saddening that memories of her family that she would use to comfort herself are becoming harder for her to think of. I think as you said they all felt despair, there was still somewhat a glimmer of hope because Ahalya and Thomas both knew Thomas has given it his all in finding Sita. Thomas got so close there's still chance Sita could be found. I have to agree with you of course about how horrible the sex trade is. To be honest I had no idea it was such a problem in today's world until I read this novel. The Hanuman does give Sita hope and I know she will remain strong throughout part 4, no matter how hard her life is in America.
Delete-WHard
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ReplyDeletePart 3 really is just one big jump for the reader. Just when we think that Tom is about to save Sita she is snatched away and brought to New York. It’s appalling how easily they are able to sneak around in the United States. One would think that America would be better with all this drug business and human trafficking, but in fact it’s revealed very quickly that this is not the case. It’s revealed that America has a large drug business on the underbelly of the country of ‘the free.’ It’s interesting to see the parallels of Thomas and Priya’s relationship to the situation Sita is in. It seems things get better for them at first, but they don’t know how to show their love for one another; in parallel things get better for Sita when we think she is going to escape not once but twice! In parallel, once again, tensions between Thomas and Priya heighten after she sees an email. Things seem like they can’t get any worse, but it seems Sita still has hope.
ReplyDelete-DVal
I found Part 3 of the book very interesting, just as Thomas is about to save Sita, once again she is just about out of his grasp and is sent to The United States and she passes through security just as easily as she did when she went to Paris. It's intriguing to see that it's so easy to hide things if you aren't looking for them. We begin to see what very little hope and resolve Sita has begin to dwindle away into despair but her resolve keeps her from faltering. And as shown in Thomas's world, he almost has his wife back in his grasp but then she, like Sita, are torn away from him when he is so close to having them. However, it's apparent that neither Sita or Thomas are going to give up until they lose all hope, and even then, they won't give up without one last fight.
ReplyDeleteI agree that part three is interesting in the fact that she was so close to safety and yet slipped away again. I was amazed on how easily she came into America as a person kidnapped through sex trafficking and pass all the security. The parallels between Sitas situation with here freedom and in Thomas’ situation with his wife are similar. Where Sita was close to getting her freedom back Thomas was close to getting his wife back. However they were both taken away from what they wanted. Although it is apparent that Sita is giving up hope, I agree, that they will not give up without a fight.
Delete-NSco
Part three of A Walk Across the Sun focuses on Sita living in France and Thomas who is also in France doing everything he can to find her. Sita spends the majority of her time working for a Russian family doing simple tasks such as cleaning up around the house. This section of the books offers a lot of hope to the reader. On one occasion Sita is able to get out of the Russian's mansion and begins to run away, while she is running away the Russians happen to drive by and take Sita back into captivity. This part offers a lot of hope to the reader. If Sita is able to get away from her captors and with Thomas avidly looking for her it's just a matter of time until he finds her. Right? This point of view totally changes because now Sita is send to America. Even though some people would think she has a better chance of being found in America how would anyone even know she is there?
ReplyDeleteIn part 3 of A Walk Across The Sun Sita is taken from India and Brought to Paris to work in a restaurant for an older Indian couple who verbally/physically abuse her. While working for them she also works for a Russian family cleaning their rooms and hallways with other girls in the same situation that shes in. On the other side you have Thomas trying to track her down while also trying to reconnect with his estranged wife Priya. This part of the book really showed how complicated Thomas's life is and how hard he's trying to put it back together. Thomas is having difficulty with getting Priya back especially with her father who can't stand how Thomas took his daughter away. But it also shows how hard Thomas works and how hard he tries to make things right. You can only hope that Thomas's hard work pays off cause Sita needs all the help she can get.
ReplyDeleteAfter finishing part 3, I feel totally sympathetic for Sita, Ahalya, and Thomas. First off, Thomas gets so close to finding Sita, but he is missing her by a day or two. When she is moved to New York, Thomas is in the resturant a day after and is informed that she went to America. He really is taking two steps forward and one step back in every action he takes. Next we find out that Ahalya is pregnant, and that she must keep the baby. She is losing hope that her sister will be found, and is still just waiting for the lotus to grow, which I feel symbolizes her hope. We also find out that Sita is being brought from new York to Atlanta, and she meets a young girl named Elsie. Elsie also has a horrible background of rape, but she says something to Sita that I felt was very sarcastic. When Sita told her that she learns English is school because everyone speaks it, Elsie tells her "That is because America is the best country in the world." She says this after she as molested as a child, ran away form home, was kidnapped and raped in New York, and then sold for sex in Atlanta. You would think that someone who has gone through all of this would hate her country for letting this happen, but I guess we can tell from this book that it happens everywhere. At the end of part 3, Thomas and Priya get inot a fight because of an email from Tera and it seems like it is going to end their relationship. Its a shame, because it seems like it was just getting better.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to punch Igor in the face myself. Part 3 was a very interesting section. We see Thomas’s relationship with Priya begin to repair itself but gets destroyed again when Priya discovers that Thomas had cheated on her. The big point of this part for me was the club scenes with Igor and Alexi. Sita is locked in some room in America, above a club. Every now and then Igor comes into her room with some girl and rapes her. Sita hides in the corner out of fear and probably fear for the girl if she tried to do anything. When Igor tries to rape Sita, Alexi breaks Igor’s jaw just in time. This was my favorite part of the book hands down. One thing I quite never understood was since Sita is a smart girl, why does she only go across the street from the place she is escaping from? She pretty much did this on both of her escape attempts and it’s bothering me. Wouldn’t one think “my captors are a criminal network that spans multiple continents… it would be safe to assume they have connections across the street”.
ReplyDelete-LLun
I couldn't help but become pessimistic during this section of the book. There were so many failures with all of the characters. Sita was being verbally abused by the owners of the restaurant in Paris she worked at, and is forced to freeze while trying to sleep. It isn't until she becomes very sick that the conditions change slightly for her. Thomas feels he is very close to finding Sita, but doesn't realize how close he truly was. Sita tries to escape, but is caught, and then is shipped off to New York. The one part I like in New York was when Alexi cracked Igor in the jaw for trying to rape Sita, it must've given her some comfort, knowing thy she was safe for a short time. While Thomas was trying to save a little girl from sex trafficking, he was also trying to save his marriage. All seemed to be going well until Priya goes through Thomas' emails, and sees that he had an affair while she went back to India. Which causes them to split up once again.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, it's difficult to remain optimistic in this book when it seem's like that everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Yet i can't say that iv'e lost all hope concerning Sita's situation ...especially considering the fact that she was transfer'd
Deleteto New York after her escape. There i feel she will have a much better chance of achieving her freedom from the sex trade, simply because she's in America, which id say is a lot more serious about crimes such as these then say in India or Europe. Moreover, i also enjoyed when Igor was knocked out by Alexi, clearly in this underworld of bad morality, some characters such as Alexi can still maintain somewhat of a moral personality.
-DLar
After reading part three of the novel I feel bad for all the things that Sita had to endure. We see that she is still being moved around the world and stopping off places to be used to get money. I thought it was very mean when she was in the restaurant in Paris, where she worked, and was forced to be freezing while she slept. She ends up in America where she is doing a photo shoot unwillingly. Thomas comes close to rescuing Sita but yet misses her. As a reader I feel that time might be running out to save her. All of this makes me angry that a person can torment and use a young girl like Sita for money.
ReplyDelete-NSco
Part three really started to intensify the drama which was building throughout the entire novel. I was excited to actually see Sita start to challenge her captors, first in snooping around throughout Vasily's complex, and then in attemping a bold escape. Though i was generally upset when Sita failed in her attempt, i figured she would fail as you can't end a book with a happy ending 3/4 of the way through....besides what would Sita do alone in the cold Paris streets, it just wouldn't be a thrilling story. Nevertheless, Sita's role in this part definitely was much more interesting then ever before; however i was completely shocked that the Russian pimp's did not simply just kill Sita for attempting to escape, morover allow her to be shipped to America...which just seem's stupid.Furthermore, I was shocked that Priyha would be offended by the various emails from Tara, it's not Thomas's fault that she decided to just leave America....im getting sick of her because she think's being Thomas's wife was like an ultimate sacrifice that she had to take, marriage is supposed to be about loving somebody else...not about blaming you husband/wife for all your problems and your dad's inability to like that said person. I was also taken back by Alexi's defense of Sita when Igor try's to rape her... one would think that in a business such as their's there would be no good people, yet it seemed like even good people like Alexi get caught up in bad situations. Finally i was truly upset that Ahyala was pregnant, after all she had been through, now she had to carry this bad part of her life forever.
ReplyDeleteAfter part two ended I didn't know what to expect. So, I was very happy to see how tense and suspenseful this part was. I began to hate the way that Sita was being treated. She was forced to stay in closets and Auntie Ji treated her like she wasn't even a human being. So, I was extremely pleased when she finally tried to escape. During the escape we see how smart Sita is. Her plan to break free was exceptionally thought out and extremely close to being successful. She shows an amount of courage that normally isn't found in 15 year old girls. Yet she still risked her life to leaving the house and get onto the streets of Paris and find the Police. Unfortunately, her plan failed and once again became a slave. I was once again awed by Toms determination to find Sita. There was a lot of suspense when I believed Tom was going to face off with Dmitri. There were countless moments that I was hopeful that Thomas would have this face off and find Sita. However, they missed her at the last minute and Sita was on her way to America. They were so close that they even found the house that Sita was being held captive in. Also I have a newfound admiration for Julia for helping Tom get so far in finding Sita. With all these new developments and Tom getting closer and closer I have feeling part 4 is going to be great.
ReplyDeleteIn this part of the book you can only feel bad for Sita. She is now on her third owner and this makes us lose hope that she will ever reunite with her sister. Sita had jobs such as a drug smuggler where she carried condoms carried with heroin inside, a maid , and a slave. Sita tries to escape two times and at one point is so close to being rescued by Thomas. We also see that Thomas life is falling apart just like Sita. his vacation is ruined when his e-mails to Tera are read by his wife. He truly tries to stay loyal but is a flawed human. We realize that life becoming back to normal is looking less likely.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI believe the author Corban Addison has written an excellent novel that both informs and entertains the reader. The story Addison tells is that of modern day slavery and human trafficking is one that deserves to be told and in A Walk Across The Sun, she sets out to write a fictionalized account of two sisters kidnapped and forced into the sordid world of underage prostitution. As a work of fiction, it's understandable that the author wants to make it an entertaining read, although the subject of the book should be taken very seriously as well as give sympathy to young girls who truly have to deal with the horrors of the sex trade as they are forced to have sex with other men without consent. The role Addison gives Thomas shows he is an imperfect man like everyone else who has made mistakes, but still wishes to help those in need.
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