Dialoguing

Machete Season: The Killers in Rwanda Speak

By Jean Hatzfeld

Directions: As we read each chapter together, take notes on ___________________. Pay attention to some of the other people in the conversation. By the end of all of the readings you will need to answer the questions below.

I. How it was organized (pp.10-16)

II. The First Time (pp.21-27)

III. Taste and Distaste (pp. 47-51)

IV. Punishment (pp. 71-76)

V. Remorse and Regret (pp. 157-164)

VI. Pardons (pp. 202-207)

Name of Perpetrator: ____________________________________

1. How does he describe his actions? Explain. (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

2. How does he describe the actions of others? Explain. (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

3. What was his mindset while he was killing? Explain. (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

4. What shocked you most about the person you focused on? Why? (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the memory that sticks out for them the most? Explain. (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

6. Would you consider them evil? Thoughtless? Why? (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

7. Does he regret or feel remorse? How do you know? (Include page numbers and quotes)

________________________________________________________________________

Genocide:

Talking about the Unspeakable

It may seem twisted and even dangerous, but many of the “ordinary” men who participated in the genocide in Rwanada in 1994 returned to their homes after spending a few years in prisons in the Congo. Most men who participated acted in their own neighborhoods, against their own neighbors.

For this task you are asked to imagine a meeting between one of the perpetrators we read about in “Machete Season” and a survivor that we read about in “Life Laid Bare”. Where might they meet? What do you think the two would have to say to each other? In pairs, write a dialogue for this interaction. Make sure to think specifically about these two people and their particular experiences and feelings about the Genocide. You may be asked to act out your dialogue in front of the class so be prepared to present.

In order to begin the dialogue, first establish the place and the year in which the dialogue takes place.

Your dialogue should be at least 2 pages in length (about 3-5 minutes long). Only one copy of the dialogue needs to be handed in.

SAMPLE - - DO NOT COPY

Thelma and Louise

November 15, 2010

Coming Together after Genocide

Setting: Its 2011 in Kibungo Hill in Rwanda. Janvier Munieza is sitting at a local cabaret. He has just come back from a long and tiring day of cow herding. As Janvier drinks his urwagwa, he overhears friends talking about the man who is sitting by himself outside of the cabaret. They are saying that he was one of the Hutus who participated in the killings 17 years ago. Janvier feels his blood boiling as the memories of that time begin to flash again before his eyes. He decides to get up and confront the man.

JANVIER: Who are you?

LEOPARD: I am just an old man who used to live here. I have come back to be with my

family. I am not looking for any trouble.

JANVIER: What possible trouble could you find here in Rwanda? (sarcastically)

Here life has returned to normalcy, although it seems strange. You know I was a little boy when you and your colleagues committed the atrocities. I was 14. Fourteen when I saw my own sister who was pregnant get cut up… (he hesitates for a bit and continues) Because of men like you I was never able to go to school and live the life I had imagined for myself.

LEOPARD: Look, I don’t know how to explain myself…

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