Just as I had feared, the insurance money that Walter was in charge of leaves his possession during the end of the play. Walter was going to go into business with one of his supposedly good friends, Willy, but Willy ends up taking his money and disappearing. I felt bad for Walter, but he had to know that people don't all of a sudden get rich. He should have been a little smarter about how he invested his money.
This leaves the family with a hard decision. Do they continue the move to their new house where they will need to all work to pay the bills or do they stay in their run down apartment and continue the same style of living they've had for decades? Mama leaves this decision up to Walter. At first Walter wants to take the offer that the White people in the neighborhood gave to them. They said that they would buy the house from them at a substantial increase from what they paid. Walter feels like this would be a good deal for the family. Mama however thinks that taking the money would be a slap in the face. She takes their offer as a sign that they are not welcome in the neighborhood and an attack against her pride. She goes on and on about how she and her husband grew up and that they would never sacrifice their pride. Eventually Walter decides to move into the house.
Although I understand why he made the decision I'm not sure I agree with him. Granted I'm not in his shoes, but if I had just squandered $6,500 and had the opportunity to get some of it back I think I would get it back. The money could really help the family out. I think Mama would have been extremely upset though. I can understand how it would be a little degrading, but why do they need to prove anything to those White people? In this case it seems like money is worth more than their pride. Making the decision to move in makes Walter more like his dad. This makes Mama very happy because all along she has been wanting Walter to step up and act like his dad.
Moving into the house satisfies Mama's dream. She will finally be able to plant her garden that she has always wanted. At the same time moving into the house destroys Beneatha and Walter's dream. Now that the money is gone Beneatha will more than likely not be able to go to medical school. She will have to find some other way to get money or she will probably fall into the same routine as the rest of her family, which is sad. Walter's dream disappears because he will almost certainly not have that kind of money to invest again. I hope if he does choose to invest money in the future he will be a little bit smarter about it.
I really enjoyed this play overall. I thought there were some good messages throughout the play that added a lot of depth to it. I would have liked to have a little more information about what happens to the family though. The ending does not have many details.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Act 1 Scene 2-Act 2 Scene 2 A Raisin in the Sun
These scenes really build on the previous ones. The main events that occur include Bennie's relationship with her boyfriend and Asagai, Ruth becoming pregnant, and the insurance check coming in.
The audience is already aware that Beneatha has a boyfriend, but the status of their relationship is not really known until these pages. Before we are told that information however a new man is introduced, his name is Asagai and he is a student visiting from Africa. Asagai has recently returned from visiting his family and he brought Beneatha a present. She opens it to find a traditional piece of African clothing that used to be his sisters. Beneatha loves it. Asagai must have really known what Bennie would like as a present. The main reason he comes over to her house however is to discuss their relationship. Before he left he wanted to become her boyfriend, but Bennie thought that the timing was not right. Now that he is back he wants to continue his quest.
The problem with this is that she is already seeing a guy named George. George is very different from Asagai. Asagai is more in touch with Bennie's feelings and really understands her. George's family has a lot of money, but does not give Bennie what she desires. Beneatha and George get in an argument when he comes to pick her up for a date. They are going to the theater and Beneatha has decided to wear the clothing that Asagai brought her. She has also cut her hair very short and has not straightened it or anything. George does not like this at all. He seems to be very worried about what other people will think about him if they see him with her. He makes her change. I found it interesting that Beneatha cut her hair mainly to because of comments Asagai made even though she knew George would not approve. I think this shows that she really doesn't care about her relationship with George. It will be interesting to see how the two relationships progress. I can't see Beneatha and George staying together much longer if they don't change.
A baby is the topic of the next important event. There had been foreshadowing earlier in the play that led me to believe that Ruth and Walter might be having a baby. This in fact turns out to be the case. The audience learns that Ruth is two months pregnant, but she has already put a down payment on an abortion. She doesn't say why she has done that, but it must be because she feels like they can not care for another child. They can barley afford and care for the one they have now. Mama is very against the abortion and makes herself known. She challenges Walter to step up and be a man like his father. She wants him to put his foot down, be strong, and tell Ruth that she will not get an abortion and that they will find a way to provide for the new child. Mama wanting Walter to be like his father is a major issue in the play. She always compares him to his father, but Walter doesn't take compare to his father, at least not yet. They both have different characteristics.
I think the biggest event that occurs is the arrival of the insurance check. All along this has been on all of the characters lives. They all of plans on what it will do for them or how it will help their family. Mama takes the money and ends up spending $3,500 on a down payment for a house. The rest she gives to Walter. She tells Walter that it is his time to step up and be a man. He needs to take charge of the family. She orders him to take the rest of the money and use it for what he thinks will benefit the family the most. The only condition is that he must save $3,000 for Beneatha's school.
Buying a house is important for Mama because it has always been her dream. I think she also decides to buy it because she hopes it will stop Ruth from having an abortion. Now that they have more space in their new home the baby will not be in the way. The only problem with the new house is that it is in a white neighborhood. Recently their have been bombings of blacks' house in white neighborhood. The whole family is a little scared about what the reaction will be.
Act 2 scene 2 ends with Walter taking to Travis about what the money will do for their family. He makes up an elaborate story. I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen. People don't get rich over night like Walter thinks is possible. I hope I'm wrong, but the way things are going it doesn't look good.
The audience is already aware that Beneatha has a boyfriend, but the status of their relationship is not really known until these pages. Before we are told that information however a new man is introduced, his name is Asagai and he is a student visiting from Africa. Asagai has recently returned from visiting his family and he brought Beneatha a present. She opens it to find a traditional piece of African clothing that used to be his sisters. Beneatha loves it. Asagai must have really known what Bennie would like as a present. The main reason he comes over to her house however is to discuss their relationship. Before he left he wanted to become her boyfriend, but Bennie thought that the timing was not right. Now that he is back he wants to continue his quest.
The problem with this is that she is already seeing a guy named George. George is very different from Asagai. Asagai is more in touch with Bennie's feelings and really understands her. George's family has a lot of money, but does not give Bennie what she desires. Beneatha and George get in an argument when he comes to pick her up for a date. They are going to the theater and Beneatha has decided to wear the clothing that Asagai brought her. She has also cut her hair very short and has not straightened it or anything. George does not like this at all. He seems to be very worried about what other people will think about him if they see him with her. He makes her change. I found it interesting that Beneatha cut her hair mainly to because of comments Asagai made even though she knew George would not approve. I think this shows that she really doesn't care about her relationship with George. It will be interesting to see how the two relationships progress. I can't see Beneatha and George staying together much longer if they don't change.
A baby is the topic of the next important event. There had been foreshadowing earlier in the play that led me to believe that Ruth and Walter might be having a baby. This in fact turns out to be the case. The audience learns that Ruth is two months pregnant, but she has already put a down payment on an abortion. She doesn't say why she has done that, but it must be because she feels like they can not care for another child. They can barley afford and care for the one they have now. Mama is very against the abortion and makes herself known. She challenges Walter to step up and be a man like his father. She wants him to put his foot down, be strong, and tell Ruth that she will not get an abortion and that they will find a way to provide for the new child. Mama wanting Walter to be like his father is a major issue in the play. She always compares him to his father, but Walter doesn't take compare to his father, at least not yet. They both have different characteristics.
I think the biggest event that occurs is the arrival of the insurance check. All along this has been on all of the characters lives. They all of plans on what it will do for them or how it will help their family. Mama takes the money and ends up spending $3,500 on a down payment for a house. The rest she gives to Walter. She tells Walter that it is his time to step up and be a man. He needs to take charge of the family. She orders him to take the rest of the money and use it for what he thinks will benefit the family the most. The only condition is that he must save $3,000 for Beneatha's school.
Buying a house is important for Mama because it has always been her dream. I think she also decides to buy it because she hopes it will stop Ruth from having an abortion. Now that they have more space in their new home the baby will not be in the way. The only problem with the new house is that it is in a white neighborhood. Recently their have been bombings of blacks' house in white neighborhood. The whole family is a little scared about what the reaction will be.
Act 2 scene 2 ends with Walter taking to Travis about what the money will do for their family. He makes up an elaborate story. I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen. People don't get rich over night like Walter thinks is possible. I hope I'm wrong, but the way things are going it doesn't look good.
Monday, March 28, 2011
A Raisin in the Sun Act 1 Scene 1
When I first started reading this play I wasn't sure if I would be able to relate to an African American family in the 1950's. However once I got a few pages into the play I understood that it didn't really matter that the family was African American. Their struggle to obtain their own "American dream" can be understood by people of all nationalities, genders, and religions.
In the first scene of the first act the audience learns about three of the characters dreams. Mama or Lena's dream is to own a house. This is a typical part of most people's dreams. A house is important because it's something you own. You can personalize it anyway you wish. It would be especially good for her family because they would have more room and would not have to share a bathroom with other families. Mama would really like to have a garden and having a piece land would allow her to grow the plants that she has been dreaming about. In the meantime Mama keeps a plant in a pot on the ledge of their only window. The plant is struggling to make it even though Mama keeps a close eye on it. I think this is a reference to the dreams of her family. They all posses their own dreams, but as each day passes it becomes harder to keep them alive.
Beneatha's dream is to become a doctor. Not only is this ambitious because of her race, but also because she is a woman. It doesn't make it easier that nobody in her family really believes in her. She has to have a strong will because there is no way she could make it with her family telling her to give up all the time. She is different from the rest of her family because she is the only one who has been to college. Unlike the rest of her family she is interested in learning about the world and what makes it work.
Walter, Beneatha's brother, has his own dream. His dream, which he got from one of his friends, is to open a liquor store. Walter is convinced that opening the store will make him lots of money. Deep down Walter wants to provide for his family like the man of the house should. Walter hopes that Mama will give him part of the check to invest in the store.
I think their dreams are all relevant to the society the story is set it. Some parts of them even transcend time and are relevant today. I believe that people will always want to provide for their family. It is human nature to want your family to have everything they want and need.
I also believe however that the "American Dream" changes. The quintessential two story house on an acre of land with a white picket fence and a car in the driveway does not really apply to today's society. This is at least the case for me. I think because I've grown up with a nice house, multiple cars, and plenty of food and clothes that my dream is much different. In a sense my standards are set higher. Instead of just any house I would prefer a 3,000 square foot house on 20 acres out in the country. This kind of goes back to the way that parents want to give their kids more than they had growing up. If the trend continues then the the American Dream will continue to change.
In the first scene of the first act the audience learns about three of the characters dreams. Mama or Lena's dream is to own a house. This is a typical part of most people's dreams. A house is important because it's something you own. You can personalize it anyway you wish. It would be especially good for her family because they would have more room and would not have to share a bathroom with other families. Mama would really like to have a garden and having a piece land would allow her to grow the plants that she has been dreaming about. In the meantime Mama keeps a plant in a pot on the ledge of their only window. The plant is struggling to make it even though Mama keeps a close eye on it. I think this is a reference to the dreams of her family. They all posses their own dreams, but as each day passes it becomes harder to keep them alive.
Beneatha's dream is to become a doctor. Not only is this ambitious because of her race, but also because she is a woman. It doesn't make it easier that nobody in her family really believes in her. She has to have a strong will because there is no way she could make it with her family telling her to give up all the time. She is different from the rest of her family because she is the only one who has been to college. Unlike the rest of her family she is interested in learning about the world and what makes it work.
Walter, Beneatha's brother, has his own dream. His dream, which he got from one of his friends, is to open a liquor store. Walter is convinced that opening the store will make him lots of money. Deep down Walter wants to provide for his family like the man of the house should. Walter hopes that Mama will give him part of the check to invest in the store.
I think their dreams are all relevant to the society the story is set it. Some parts of them even transcend time and are relevant today. I believe that people will always want to provide for their family. It is human nature to want your family to have everything they want and need.
I also believe however that the "American Dream" changes. The quintessential two story house on an acre of land with a white picket fence and a car in the driveway does not really apply to today's society. This is at least the case for me. I think because I've grown up with a nice house, multiple cars, and plenty of food and clothes that my dream is much different. In a sense my standards are set higher. Instead of just any house I would prefer a 3,000 square foot house on 20 acres out in the country. This kind of goes back to the way that parents want to give their kids more than they had growing up. If the trend continues then the the American Dream will continue to change.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
End of Persepolis 118-153
The end of the novel is pretty sad. There are quite a few events that negatively effect Satrapi's life. The first important event was the death of one of her uncles. He died from his third heart attack, but he could have been transferred to a foreign hospital where he could have received the treatment he need. The reason he was not transferred was because he did not have the proper passport. When Satrapi's mother went to try and get the passport she noticed that the man granting permission was her former widow washer. She tried to ignore the fact that he used to wash her windows, but he recognizes her and delays the passport. The uncle dies the day that the passport arrives.
Another bad event that takes place is when Iraq beings to attack Satrapi's city with long range missiles. Even though her family has been aware of the war it has not really directly affected them. This all changes with the missiles. One day Marjane is away from her house when she hears that there has been a missile attack. She rushes home to find that the missiles had hit her street, but had luckily missed her house. She finally sees her mom and has never been as grateful to see her.
Without a doubt the biggest event in the novel is when Marjane's parents tell her that they are sending her away. Her parents say that it's best for her, but Satrapi would rather stay with her parents. Even though her parents say they will eventually move where she is going, she knows deep down they never will. This upsets her.
Reading this novel was a new experience for me. I'm glad I finally read a graphic novel, but I don't think they're for me. I didn't like the lack of detail. In most novels all of the important information is discussed on the pages. In this graphic novel a lot of the detail was hidden in the pictures or required further research.
I also don't really understand why Marjane Satrapi wrote this novel. She says she does it to basically shed light on the misconceptions that people have of the citizens of Iran. The book was published in 2003 so it I figure she is referring mainly to the events of September 11th, 2001. If this is the case I don't see how a novel about events that happened almost 30 years prior have much relevance. It was hard for me to read about a child's thoughts about a particular event and believe them. I think most people would agree that nine year olds do not really understand everything that happens in the world around them, and I think that is the case with this novel. Marjane is highly influenced by her parents who happen to be very politically active. In all situation there are two sides to every story and I think this is one time where it would be helpful to know how the other side felt. I got tired of only hearing about what Marjane thought about everything.
Another bad event that takes place is when Iraq beings to attack Satrapi's city with long range missiles. Even though her family has been aware of the war it has not really directly affected them. This all changes with the missiles. One day Marjane is away from her house when she hears that there has been a missile attack. She rushes home to find that the missiles had hit her street, but had luckily missed her house. She finally sees her mom and has never been as grateful to see her.
Without a doubt the biggest event in the novel is when Marjane's parents tell her that they are sending her away. Her parents say that it's best for her, but Satrapi would rather stay with her parents. Even though her parents say they will eventually move where she is going, she knows deep down they never will. This upsets her.
Reading this novel was a new experience for me. I'm glad I finally read a graphic novel, but I don't think they're for me. I didn't like the lack of detail. In most novels all of the important information is discussed on the pages. In this graphic novel a lot of the detail was hidden in the pictures or required further research.
I also don't really understand why Marjane Satrapi wrote this novel. She says she does it to basically shed light on the misconceptions that people have of the citizens of Iran. The book was published in 2003 so it I figure she is referring mainly to the events of September 11th, 2001. If this is the case I don't see how a novel about events that happened almost 30 years prior have much relevance. It was hard for me to read about a child's thoughts about a particular event and believe them. I think most people would agree that nine year olds do not really understand everything that happens in the world around them, and I think that is the case with this novel. Marjane is highly influenced by her parents who happen to be very politically active. In all situation there are two sides to every story and I think this is one time where it would be helpful to know how the other side felt. I got tired of only hearing about what Marjane thought about everything.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Persepolis Pages 80-117
I thought the exercise in class today was pretty helpful. Looking at the pictures more throughly and analytically helped me to find deeper meanings in the pictures. Before this point I had pretty much just viewed the pictures and had not thought very deeply about their importance. I enjoyed having to discover the meaning in the pictures today. I really connected to the importance of only using black and white. It made a lot of sense to me. I also liked the idea of using the big pictures (whole page) to convey very important events in the author's life.
One of the reoccurring ideas in these pages is how the narrator is forced to grow up fast. The revolution and the resulting war combined with her parents all force Marjane to grow up faster than a normal child her age. Her parents have an effect on this because of how involved they are with the revolution and keeping up with the happens of the war. Marjane sees them doing all of this and figures that she should do the same. Satrapi knows a lot of the current events for a child her age. One idea that confirms her growing up happens when one of Marjane mother's friends come to stay with them for a week. She has two young boys that are about seven years old. Even though there is only a two or three year gap between the boys and Marjane, Marjane acts much older. The boys are surprised to find that she doesn't have any toys to play with. In response to that she says "I'm all grown up. I have books."
Besides being mature for her age she is also very compassionate. She cares a lot for certain people including her parents, her uncle, and her parents friends. She is always willing to help out the people who come to her house. She makes them tea and takes care of their children. She is especially compassionate towards people who have died fighting for the revolutionaries, such as her uncle. Because she feels so strongly about the cause the revolutionaries are fighting for she understands the sacrifices they are making.
One of the reoccurring ideas in these pages is how the narrator is forced to grow up fast. The revolution and the resulting war combined with her parents all force Marjane to grow up faster than a normal child her age. Her parents have an effect on this because of how involved they are with the revolution and keeping up with the happens of the war. Marjane sees them doing all of this and figures that she should do the same. Satrapi knows a lot of the current events for a child her age. One idea that confirms her growing up happens when one of Marjane mother's friends come to stay with them for a week. She has two young boys that are about seven years old. Even though there is only a two or three year gap between the boys and Marjane, Marjane acts much older. The boys are surprised to find that she doesn't have any toys to play with. In response to that she says "I'm all grown up. I have books."
Besides being mature for her age she is also very compassionate. She cares a lot for certain people including her parents, her uncle, and her parents friends. She is always willing to help out the people who come to her house. She makes them tea and takes care of their children. She is especially compassionate towards people who have died fighting for the revolutionaries, such as her uncle. Because she feels so strongly about the cause the revolutionaries are fighting for she understands the sacrifices they are making.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Persepolis Pages 40-79
After reading these pages I'm a little confused as to what the point of the book is. The first set of pages were about how the narrator dealt with the social and political changes in her country as she was growing up. I guess I thought that there would be more of a plot in this novel. I've come to the conclusion however that this novel will just explain the Islamic Revolution in Iran from the view point of this young child. I guess I don't really understand why the author choose to write this book, at least not yet.
The revolution really intensifies during these pages. In the previous set of pages there were minor changes such as the veil. Those changes weren't really followed because nobody was enforcing them. That all changes though.
Marjane explains that the Shah eventually gives into the protesters and gives up his office. At first he attempted to just appoint another leader and kind of take a back seat. This plan didn't work because he couldn't find anybody that he deemed acceptable. Because of this he is forced to leave and a new party steps into lead the country. This new party is not quite what the protesters were hoping for. It's strange because the protesters definitely dislike the Shah and want him gone, but they haven't really thought about who is going to replace them. The new political party really plays up nationalism and religion. They believe that the one unifying force in the country is their Islamic religion. They set laws into place that include a strict dress code and no revolutionaries. The protesters did not want laws that were that extreme. It's kind of ironic that they got rid of one ruling party just to have another ruling party take over that they are unhappy with.
Like the other protesters Marjane's parents are unhappy with the new political rulers. Since Marjane is so young and looks up to her parents these new rulers have a big impact on her also. The biggest effect on her is the veil. She is now forced to wear one or risk being attacked. One day her mother was in the streets and was not wearing the proper dress code. A group of men came up to her and said that she should be raped and tossed in the trash for not conforming to the dress code. This really upsets her and likewise upsets Marjane. She does not understand why they must dress like that.
As I read further into this novel it became evident that Marjane's family believes in religion, but does not practice it. Marjane starts off the book with many religious references such as saying she "was born with religion" and that she wanted to be a prophet. She never really tells her parents about her feelings though. Maybe she thinks they will not want her to get that involved with religion.
Another important outcome of the new ruling leaders is that school is stopped for two years. This is apparently done so that the books can be rewritten. It also has the effect of separating "thinkers" such as the people who would attend the universities. These are the people who are most likely to oppose the new government. The fact that they can't meet or that it is harder to meet in large numbers means that it is harder to form a strong group to revolt against the new power.
Marjane learns a lot about revolutionaries during these chapters also. Her parents kind of explain to her why these people do what they do. She also learns about one of her uncles who has been in prison for his actions against the government. Anoosh really teaches Marjane a lot in the short time he stays with her and her family. He tells her all sorts of stories that she really enjoys. Eventually he leaves and is recaptured and is executed. Marjane takes this very hard. In one set of graphics she is shown talking to God and telling him that she doesn't want him in her life anymore because of what has happened to Anoosh. This continues the long and changing relationship she has with God throughout the novel.
The last important event that happens as a result of the new government is the United States Embassy is taken over by the protesters. This has a big impact on Marjane because this means that she can not get a visa to leave the country. Some of her friends has left before the take over and had moved to the United States. One of her friends was a boy she liked and she really wants to move to the United States so she can be with him again. However the takeover prevents this possibly and makes her sad.
The revolution really intensifies during these pages. In the previous set of pages there were minor changes such as the veil. Those changes weren't really followed because nobody was enforcing them. That all changes though.
Marjane explains that the Shah eventually gives into the protesters and gives up his office. At first he attempted to just appoint another leader and kind of take a back seat. This plan didn't work because he couldn't find anybody that he deemed acceptable. Because of this he is forced to leave and a new party steps into lead the country. This new party is not quite what the protesters were hoping for. It's strange because the protesters definitely dislike the Shah and want him gone, but they haven't really thought about who is going to replace them. The new political party really plays up nationalism and religion. They believe that the one unifying force in the country is their Islamic religion. They set laws into place that include a strict dress code and no revolutionaries. The protesters did not want laws that were that extreme. It's kind of ironic that they got rid of one ruling party just to have another ruling party take over that they are unhappy with.
Like the other protesters Marjane's parents are unhappy with the new political rulers. Since Marjane is so young and looks up to her parents these new rulers have a big impact on her also. The biggest effect on her is the veil. She is now forced to wear one or risk being attacked. One day her mother was in the streets and was not wearing the proper dress code. A group of men came up to her and said that she should be raped and tossed in the trash for not conforming to the dress code. This really upsets her and likewise upsets Marjane. She does not understand why they must dress like that.
As I read further into this novel it became evident that Marjane's family believes in religion, but does not practice it. Marjane starts off the book with many religious references such as saying she "was born with religion" and that she wanted to be a prophet. She never really tells her parents about her feelings though. Maybe she thinks they will not want her to get that involved with religion.
Another important outcome of the new ruling leaders is that school is stopped for two years. This is apparently done so that the books can be rewritten. It also has the effect of separating "thinkers" such as the people who would attend the universities. These are the people who are most likely to oppose the new government. The fact that they can't meet or that it is harder to meet in large numbers means that it is harder to form a strong group to revolt against the new power.
Marjane learns a lot about revolutionaries during these chapters also. Her parents kind of explain to her why these people do what they do. She also learns about one of her uncles who has been in prison for his actions against the government. Anoosh really teaches Marjane a lot in the short time he stays with her and her family. He tells her all sorts of stories that she really enjoys. Eventually he leaves and is recaptured and is executed. Marjane takes this very hard. In one set of graphics she is shown talking to God and telling him that she doesn't want him in her life anymore because of what has happened to Anoosh. This continues the long and changing relationship she has with God throughout the novel.
The last important event that happens as a result of the new government is the United States Embassy is taken over by the protesters. This has a big impact on Marjane because this means that she can not get a visa to leave the country. Some of her friends has left before the take over and had moved to the United States. One of her friends was a boy she liked and she really wants to move to the United States so she can be with him again. However the takeover prevents this possibly and makes her sad.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Pages 1-39 of Persepolis
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is the first graphic novel I have ever read. It really caught me off guard because I didn't know what to expect. I was very surprised to learn that there are very few words compared to a regular novel. At first I thought this might mean that it would just be a simple, quick read, but I think that is wrong. The pictures add a whole new element to the understanding of the novel. Like the saying goes a picture can say a thousand words. I'm sure that throughout the novel the pictures will serve an important role.
The novel is narrated by a nine or ten year old girl that was born and lives in Iran. The beginning of the novel covers a couple of topics including wearing veils and the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The revolution is the event that really sets the novel in motion. It causes the narrator and the rest of the female population to have to wear veils in public and it is also the event that the narrator's parents are heavily involved in. The fact that the story is told from a first person point of view means that we only see one side of the story. I think it is important to remember that when the narrator talks about the revolution there is another group of people who feel completely differently than she does.
Having to wear a veil is a big deal for the narrator. She is not accustomed to wearing one and feels like it is something that she doesn't want to do. Along with wearing the veil comes segregation in school. The narrator is probably more upset by this because she likes to interact with all kinds of people. The mother's view on the veils is much different that the narrator's cosmic viewpoint. The mother is adamant about not wearing a veil because of the ideas behind the action. When the veil comes back into her life she has visions of a pervious ruling regime. This regime was one that she did not like. She feels so strongly about this issue that she protests day after day.
Protesting a big part of the parent's lives as well as the narrator's life. The parents protest almost everyday. They hope that eventually they will get the changes they desire. The narrator views protesting as a good thing to do,but she does not really understand what is involved with it.
The narrator gets confused sometimes because she is learning one thing in school, but then at home she learns the opposite. For example she was taught in school that God elected the king, but when she told her parents this they sat her down and told her the truth.
I think it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds and to see if it gets any clearer. I had a little trouble following the story because of the scarcity of words and the numerous tangents the narrator goes off on.
The novel is narrated by a nine or ten year old girl that was born and lives in Iran. The beginning of the novel covers a couple of topics including wearing veils and the Islamic Revolution in Iran. The revolution is the event that really sets the novel in motion. It causes the narrator and the rest of the female population to have to wear veils in public and it is also the event that the narrator's parents are heavily involved in. The fact that the story is told from a first person point of view means that we only see one side of the story. I think it is important to remember that when the narrator talks about the revolution there is another group of people who feel completely differently than she does.
Having to wear a veil is a big deal for the narrator. She is not accustomed to wearing one and feels like it is something that she doesn't want to do. Along with wearing the veil comes segregation in school. The narrator is probably more upset by this because she likes to interact with all kinds of people. The mother's view on the veils is much different that the narrator's cosmic viewpoint. The mother is adamant about not wearing a veil because of the ideas behind the action. When the veil comes back into her life she has visions of a pervious ruling regime. This regime was one that she did not like. She feels so strongly about this issue that she protests day after day.
Protesting a big part of the parent's lives as well as the narrator's life. The parents protest almost everyday. They hope that eventually they will get the changes they desire. The narrator views protesting as a good thing to do,but she does not really understand what is involved with it.
The narrator gets confused sometimes because she is learning one thing in school, but then at home she learns the opposite. For example she was taught in school that God elected the king, but when she told her parents this they sat her down and told her the truth.
I think it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds and to see if it gets any clearer. I had a little trouble following the story because of the scarcity of words and the numerous tangents the narrator goes off on.
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