The author of An American Brat, Bapsi Sidhwa, contrasts life in Pakistan with life in the United States. Feroza, the protagonist in the novel, makes a distinction between the traditional Pakistani culture, and the new world culture she experiences in America. A major cultural ideal in Pakistan, for instance, is the preservation and respect of women. However, Feroza notices that this does not seem to transfer over to American culture. Instead, it seems that education and knowledge is held in high regard. Those who do not have knowledge suffer in poverty and have disdain for others, as a result. Due to these differences, Feroza's traditional culture hesitates when it comes to sending women abroad to study. Instead, there is an emphasis placed on marriage, rather than knowledge.
During Feroza's stay in America, she begins to lose some of her old habits and gain new ones. This comes about due to her Uncle Manek's control. He begins to instruct her how to act in America from the very beginning. He tells her, "You'll have to learn to stand a lot of things in this world" (66). This attempt to toughen her up has negative consequences for Manek, however. Referring to Feroza, "in the short time she'd been exposed to the American culture, she'd grown shockingly brazen." (99). This attitude is due to Feroza's difficulty in transitioning into American culture. She cannot believe how American men look at women. "The lean young man's smokey gray eyes were appraising her with the kind of interest and candor that would have fetched him a bullet from any self-respecting Pakistani father" (57). Due to the value America places on sexuality, this is a very dangerous place when looking at it from a Pakistani father's perspective.
America's reputation for sexual freedom creates difficulties for Pakistani women. These women are often not able to study abroad because of the problems sexual freedom creates. Sidhwa argues that while all Parsee boys are considered to be born geniuses and forced pursue an education, girls "were not burdened with similar expectations" (39). Instead, it is important for women to contribute to family, and that means being subjected to familial control. Sidhwa remarks, "It was also expedient sometimes to send them to finishing schools in Europe, either to prepare them for marriage or divert them from marriage" (39). Women are not sent to school to become educated, but rather to form a relationship abroad, or break one up at home. This dichotomy between men and women in the Parsee community can only be brought to greater light upon Feroza's trip to America.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Breath, Eyes, Memory
Breath, Eyes, Memory is a novel about a Haitian woman's struggle to break the chain of female injustices that occur in her family. Upon finding herself and having her ultimate awakening after the death of her mother, Sophie is determined to treat her daughter in a respectful manner. A major theme in this novel, and one of the injustices that the Caco family faces, is the implicit belief that a woman's body is not her own, but rather belongs to her eventual husband. It is important for Sophie to break this idea in order to ensure that her daughter has a better life. By identifying instances in which this injustice takes place, one can try to formulate a way to break the chain.
One of the main struggles Sophie faces in the novel is the thought that a woman's body is a man's domain, rather than her own. For example, there is a strong emphasis placed on pre-marital virginity. A woman keeps her honor if she saves herself for her husband. This is a clear example of a man controlling a woman's body before he even comes on the scene. In order to ensure that a woman's virginity is maintained, she is often tested throughout her adolescence. Sophie is traumatized by this and struggles with it throughout the novel, "My body was quivering when my mother walked into my room to test me" (88). There were other ways that men had control. One way, rape, was experienced by Sophie's mother and was her main difficulty throughout the novel. Finally, a man was also able to control a woman sexually by citing that his sexual desire was too strong. It is a wife's duty to please her husband regardless of whether she is in the mood or not. A good example of this is found on Sophie's return trip from Haiti. She left her husband to escape the pain caused through sex, and her husband identified this over the phone during her trip back home. However, once she is reunited with him, she cannot have a simple phone conversation with her mother without Joseph putting his hands on her (199). Knowing how injustices take place can give us answers on how to break them.
How do the women in this novel break the injustices that they face? There are three solutions presented to the reader: Atie's way, Martine's way, and Sophie's way. Atie chooses to live a careless life style of alcohol and sleepless nights. She finds solitude in her denial of the situation at hand. Martine chooses to end her life by mutilating her body. For her, destroying the only thing women have that men seem to cherish is the final solution. Sophie chooses to get therapy from a psychiatrist and joins a help group. In the end, she sees herself as free by affirming her independence and freedom as an individual.
One of the main struggles Sophie faces in the novel is the thought that a woman's body is a man's domain, rather than her own. For example, there is a strong emphasis placed on pre-marital virginity. A woman keeps her honor if she saves herself for her husband. This is a clear example of a man controlling a woman's body before he even comes on the scene. In order to ensure that a woman's virginity is maintained, she is often tested throughout her adolescence. Sophie is traumatized by this and struggles with it throughout the novel, "My body was quivering when my mother walked into my room to test me" (88). There were other ways that men had control. One way, rape, was experienced by Sophie's mother and was her main difficulty throughout the novel. Finally, a man was also able to control a woman sexually by citing that his sexual desire was too strong. It is a wife's duty to please her husband regardless of whether she is in the mood or not. A good example of this is found on Sophie's return trip from Haiti. She left her husband to escape the pain caused through sex, and her husband identified this over the phone during her trip back home. However, once she is reunited with him, she cannot have a simple phone conversation with her mother without Joseph putting his hands on her (199). Knowing how injustices take place can give us answers on how to break them.
How do the women in this novel break the injustices that they face? There are three solutions presented to the reader: Atie's way, Martine's way, and Sophie's way. Atie chooses to live a careless life style of alcohol and sleepless nights. She finds solitude in her denial of the situation at hand. Martine chooses to end her life by mutilating her body. For her, destroying the only thing women have that men seem to cherish is the final solution. Sophie chooses to get therapy from a psychiatrist and joins a help group. In the end, she sees herself as free by affirming her independence and freedom as an individual.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Joys of Motherhood
The author of The Joys of Motherhood, Buchi Emecheta, portrays colonialism from a far different perspective than what the reader is used to. Traditionally, one expects to read about a white superpower exerting its influence on "primitive" or "animal-like" natives. However, Emecheta writes about the white-native relationship from the perspective of Nnu Ego, a tribal African woman from Ibuza. Nnu Ego creates an animalistic view of the white man, rather than talking of them as superior beings.
There are several examples in The Joys of Motherhood that show Nnu Ego's negative feelings towards white outsiders and their Victorian values. For instance, she seems to feel that the ways of the white man are disgusting and foreign. She calls Lagos "a soft place" and also describes it as a "place where men's flesh hung loose on their bones, where men had bellies like pregnant women, where men covered their bodies all day long (46)." This shows that Ego felt disdain for the white man's foreign ways in tampering with the traditional values of the Ibo. Further evidence suggests that the whites in Lagos can be considered primitive and animalistic. Nnu Ego refers to white women as being "pale like pigs" and "how could our men stand them? (75)". This portrays white people as animals, therefore considered inferior to Nnu Ego's fellow Africans.
Why all this animosity towards the white man? Perhaps this is fueled by the sharp difference between Victorian values and Traditional Ibo values. Nobody asked Nnu Ego's people if they would like to be put to work at the hands of white foreigners in pursuit of their own individual economic gain. Therefore, being subjected to these standards and having to abide by them should seem quite difficult and eventually lead to disdain for whites. Emecheta's way of portraying whites as primitive and ugly facilitates her message that subjecting outsiders to your way of life is animalistic and brutal in itself.
There are several examples in The Joys of Motherhood that show Nnu Ego's negative feelings towards white outsiders and their Victorian values. For instance, she seems to feel that the ways of the white man are disgusting and foreign. She calls Lagos "a soft place" and also describes it as a "place where men's flesh hung loose on their bones, where men had bellies like pregnant women, where men covered their bodies all day long (46)." This shows that Ego felt disdain for the white man's foreign ways in tampering with the traditional values of the Ibo. Further evidence suggests that the whites in Lagos can be considered primitive and animalistic. Nnu Ego refers to white women as being "pale like pigs" and "how could our men stand them? (75)". This portrays white people as animals, therefore considered inferior to Nnu Ego's fellow Africans.
Why all this animosity towards the white man? Perhaps this is fueled by the sharp difference between Victorian values and Traditional Ibo values. Nobody asked Nnu Ego's people if they would like to be put to work at the hands of white foreigners in pursuit of their own individual economic gain. Therefore, being subjected to these standards and having to abide by them should seem quite difficult and eventually lead to disdain for whites. Emecheta's way of portraying whites as primitive and ugly facilitates her message that subjecting outsiders to your way of life is animalistic and brutal in itself.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Annie John
Annie John is a story about a young woman's life in Antigua. Overall, she is a very bright child and excells in her school work. On the surface, Annie seems like a normal child, but inside she lives the life of a frustrated teenager. I feel that this story chronicles a classic mother/daughter relationship. As a young child, Annie John loves her mother more than anything, but as she enters puberty she begins to distance herself in order to gain her own identity.
When Annie was a child, all that mattered to her was her mother's acceptance and love. This is typical of many children, in that it is all that they know and care about. To show the reader her affection for her mother she would go into great detail in describing her physically. For example, she had "a beautiful mouth I could have looked at forever if I had to and not mind (19)" or Annie would talk about her mother's "powerful legs (25)." All of Annie's descriptions of her mother while she was a child showed the reader how absorbed she was in her.
Upon beginning puberty, however, Annie began to distance herself from her mother. Her peers began to have more of an influence in her life. This can be seen in Annie's undying friendship with Gwen and the Red Girl. The reader can tell that Annie's love has been directed towards her peers and away from her mother by paying attention to the descriptions of her friends. She uses the same physical adoration as was used on her mother. In referring to Gwen, Annie says, "Sometimes when she spoke to me, so overcome with feeling would I be that I was no longer able to hear what she said, I could only make out her mouth as it moved up and down (51)." The transition from idolizing adults to idolizing peers is common among many teenagers.
Over time, however, Annie begins to distance herself from her peers as well. I believe that this is due to a personal discovery. After the "Colombus in Chains" event, I think that Annie decided that her upbringing in a colonized nation meant that she had no way of identifying with Antigua. She was not raised in England, but she recieved the education of a British child. This includes the British version of history. Therefore, Annie knows nothing about the island she grew up on other than her own observations, and she does not like those. Ultimately, Annie settles for moving to England to pursue a career in nursing. Not that she wants to be a nurse, but perhaps she is forced to because that is all she knows.
When Annie was a child, all that mattered to her was her mother's acceptance and love. This is typical of many children, in that it is all that they know and care about. To show the reader her affection for her mother she would go into great detail in describing her physically. For example, she had "a beautiful mouth I could have looked at forever if I had to and not mind (19)" or Annie would talk about her mother's "powerful legs (25)." All of Annie's descriptions of her mother while she was a child showed the reader how absorbed she was in her.
Upon beginning puberty, however, Annie began to distance herself from her mother. Her peers began to have more of an influence in her life. This can be seen in Annie's undying friendship with Gwen and the Red Girl. The reader can tell that Annie's love has been directed towards her peers and away from her mother by paying attention to the descriptions of her friends. She uses the same physical adoration as was used on her mother. In referring to Gwen, Annie says, "Sometimes when she spoke to me, so overcome with feeling would I be that I was no longer able to hear what she said, I could only make out her mouth as it moved up and down (51)." The transition from idolizing adults to idolizing peers is common among many teenagers.
Over time, however, Annie begins to distance herself from her peers as well. I believe that this is due to a personal discovery. After the "Colombus in Chains" event, I think that Annie decided that her upbringing in a colonized nation meant that she had no way of identifying with Antigua. She was not raised in England, but she recieved the education of a British child. This includes the British version of history. Therefore, Annie knows nothing about the island she grew up on other than her own observations, and she does not like those. Ultimately, Annie settles for moving to England to pursue a career in nursing. Not that she wants to be a nurse, but perhaps she is forced to because that is all she knows.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The House on Mango Street
"The House on Mango Street" tracks the sexual and emotional maturation of Esperanza over the course of one year living on Mango Street. There are several underlying themes and messages in this book that fall in line with issues in feminism. These ideas mostly center on male superiority over female sexuality and freedom. Ultimately, Esperanza rejects this male domination and obtains her freedom from Mango Street through her love of writing.
Cisneros encourages women to live as individuals, and not to rely on men throughout "The House on Mango Street." She portrays men as domineering and violent over the course of the novel. For example, Sally's father beats her due to her confidence and sexuality (113). This goes along with the recurring theme that female beauty equals trouble. Also, women in the novel that get married often sacrifice their own personal freedom. Rafaela is a good example of this. Esperanza explains that "she gets locked indoors because her husband is afraid Rafaela will run away since she is too beautiful to look at (99)." Esperanza decides to escape this male domination through her own personal interests, such as writing. She loves to tell stories and write poems (132). Esperanza's love for writing shows that women need to be viewed as individuals, not sexual objects like the other women in the novel.
Freedom from a male dominated society is a key concept in this book. Often, individual talents and interests are lost by women who marry because they immediately become an object to their husbands. Cisneros urges women to think for themselves and fight for the right to express themselves, much the same way Esperanza expresses herself through writing. Ultimately, freedom is important and should be preserved at all costs.
Cisneros encourages women to live as individuals, and not to rely on men throughout "The House on Mango Street." She portrays men as domineering and violent over the course of the novel. For example, Sally's father beats her due to her confidence and sexuality (113). This goes along with the recurring theme that female beauty equals trouble. Also, women in the novel that get married often sacrifice their own personal freedom. Rafaela is a good example of this. Esperanza explains that "she gets locked indoors because her husband is afraid Rafaela will run away since she is too beautiful to look at (99)." Esperanza decides to escape this male domination through her own personal interests, such as writing. She loves to tell stories and write poems (132). Esperanza's love for writing shows that women need to be viewed as individuals, not sexual objects like the other women in the novel.
Freedom from a male dominated society is a key concept in this book. Often, individual talents and interests are lost by women who marry because they immediately become an object to their husbands. Cisneros urges women to think for themselves and fight for the right to express themselves, much the same way Esperanza expresses herself through writing. Ultimately, freedom is important and should be preserved at all costs.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf
Class discussions on feminism have hit on the issue of objectivity verses subjectivity. It is important to abandon one's own context of self when examining others. Their perspective is often much different based on their own personal experiences and beliefs. This issue is a common problem in "The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf." Not only do white Americans fail to practice this against Khadra and the Muslim community, but Khadra's family fails in return. Both parties involved seem to view the other group as the "others," which is an essential flaw in their pattern of thinking.
Khadra and her family often express negative views towards white Americans throughout the novel. Perhaps this is their way of reciprocating the negative actions they receive on a daily basis. However, their statements show how jumping to conclusions about "others" opens the door to ignorance. For example, the Shamy's believe that "Americans led shallow, wasteful, materialistic lives (68)." Furthermore, "Islam could solve many of their social ills (68)." This is an "us vs. them" mentality. A person from a Western background reading this book would probably disagree with this assessment. Most likely, these strong differences are due to the absence of Western culture in the Shamy home. As a result, they are uninformed and are not able to make an accurate judgement of white Americans.
While the Shamy's hold a negative attitude towards Western culture, they are surprised to see some of their preconceptions fail. Upon making the haj to Mecca, Khadra notices two whites on the plane. She consequently accuses them of planning to prey on Saudi oil (159). Wajdy clarifies this by saying that they were on the haj as well, to which the entire Shamy family is stunned to hear. This seemed to have an effect on Ebtehaj, who later defended Americans and their way of life (171). This shows the reader that although we may have preconceived notions about another group of people, it is important to look past them. You must see each person as an individual, not a member of a stereotype. This way we can more completely understand each other, with the goal of someday erasing prejudice and racism altogether.
Khadra and her family often express negative views towards white Americans throughout the novel. Perhaps this is their way of reciprocating the negative actions they receive on a daily basis. However, their statements show how jumping to conclusions about "others" opens the door to ignorance. For example, the Shamy's believe that "Americans led shallow, wasteful, materialistic lives (68)." Furthermore, "Islam could solve many of their social ills (68)." This is an "us vs. them" mentality. A person from a Western background reading this book would probably disagree with this assessment. Most likely, these strong differences are due to the absence of Western culture in the Shamy home. As a result, they are uninformed and are not able to make an accurate judgement of white Americans.
While the Shamy's hold a negative attitude towards Western culture, they are surprised to see some of their preconceptions fail. Upon making the haj to Mecca, Khadra notices two whites on the plane. She consequently accuses them of planning to prey on Saudi oil (159). Wajdy clarifies this by saying that they were on the haj as well, to which the entire Shamy family is stunned to hear. This seemed to have an effect on Ebtehaj, who later defended Americans and their way of life (171). This shows the reader that although we may have preconceived notions about another group of people, it is important to look past them. You must see each person as an individual, not a member of a stereotype. This way we can more completely understand each other, with the goal of someday erasing prejudice and racism altogether.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Thoughts on "Kindred"
"Kindred" is an interesting example of a first-person American slavery narrative, due to the fact that it is told by a modern day black woman. This fact makes the narrative seem more real, and often shocking at times. Dana seems more like a real person to the reader than a story one would encounter during a history lesson. As a result, her story stands out and deserves attention. Dana's story shows the reader the hardships of slavery, both psychologically and physically; and how these hardships are not how modern day Americans picture them.
As Dana visits Rufus in the past she eventually becomes enslaved at the Weylin plantation. She almost does so without even noticing. At first it seems that Dana believes that the role of the slave is to merely do the chores of the house and be respectful of the masters, but as she spends time with the Weylin's she learns otherwise. Upon watching Wyelin beat a slave for talking back, Dana realizes the situation she is in. "The whipping served its purpose as far as I was concerned. It scared me, made me wonder how long it would be before I made a mistake that would give someone reason to whip me (92)." As time wears on Dana is subjected to verbal abuse at the hands of Mrs. Weylin (93) and is worked harder and harder. While her workload increases, her list of rights decreases. For example, Dana is forced to read to Rufus, but she is not allowed to read for herself (97). The realization that she is a piece of property rather than a human being finally settles in when she is whipped by Mr. Weylin for teaching Nigel how to read (107).
At this point, Dana realizes her misconceptions about the life of a slave. She had been beaten for something so implicit in today's society, that of teaching another human being how to read. Before going into slavery the idea seemed interesting to her, as long as her stay on the plantation was temporary. Perhaps, Dana had no idea what slavery was about. Before knowing slavery first-hand, she once described the labor agency she worked for as a slave market (52). Now she knew the devastating restrictions placed upon the people brought into slavery. If you went against the master's orders, just once, you paid severe consequences. There was no relationship with the white man as a slave, only total authoritarian rule. As time wears on, each trip to the Wyelin home becomes increasingly harder on Dana, both physically and mentally. She struggles with getting whipped and beaten by her masters, as well as the cycle of lies and betrayal committed by Rufus. Slavery is real to Dana by this point, and it is more than she ever could have prepared herself for.
It is hard to picture a time in America in which these terrible things happened on a regular basis. We learn about slavery in school and read about it in books, but we never truly see the effects slavery had on this country. Dana, however, had the opportunity to see, and feel, slavery first hand. Her sacrifice allowed us to see the horrible things prejudice, racism, and discrimination can lead to. Dana's story was not told in vein, though. We can use this story to structure our actions on a daily basis in today's world based on what the past has taught us.
As Dana visits Rufus in the past she eventually becomes enslaved at the Weylin plantation. She almost does so without even noticing. At first it seems that Dana believes that the role of the slave is to merely do the chores of the house and be respectful of the masters, but as she spends time with the Weylin's she learns otherwise. Upon watching Wyelin beat a slave for talking back, Dana realizes the situation she is in. "The whipping served its purpose as far as I was concerned. It scared me, made me wonder how long it would be before I made a mistake that would give someone reason to whip me (92)." As time wears on Dana is subjected to verbal abuse at the hands of Mrs. Weylin (93) and is worked harder and harder. While her workload increases, her list of rights decreases. For example, Dana is forced to read to Rufus, but she is not allowed to read for herself (97). The realization that she is a piece of property rather than a human being finally settles in when she is whipped by Mr. Weylin for teaching Nigel how to read (107).
At this point, Dana realizes her misconceptions about the life of a slave. She had been beaten for something so implicit in today's society, that of teaching another human being how to read. Before going into slavery the idea seemed interesting to her, as long as her stay on the plantation was temporary. Perhaps, Dana had no idea what slavery was about. Before knowing slavery first-hand, she once described the labor agency she worked for as a slave market (52). Now she knew the devastating restrictions placed upon the people brought into slavery. If you went against the master's orders, just once, you paid severe consequences. There was no relationship with the white man as a slave, only total authoritarian rule. As time wears on, each trip to the Wyelin home becomes increasingly harder on Dana, both physically and mentally. She struggles with getting whipped and beaten by her masters, as well as the cycle of lies and betrayal committed by Rufus. Slavery is real to Dana by this point, and it is more than she ever could have prepared herself for.
It is hard to picture a time in America in which these terrible things happened on a regular basis. We learn about slavery in school and read about it in books, but we never truly see the effects slavery had on this country. Dana, however, had the opportunity to see, and feel, slavery first hand. Her sacrifice allowed us to see the horrible things prejudice, racism, and discrimination can lead to. Dana's story was not told in vein, though. We can use this story to structure our actions on a daily basis in today's world based on what the past has taught us.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Analysis of "The Bluest Eye"
The story told by Toni Morrison in "The Bluest Eye" is a collection of experiences of several different characters. Much like the Dick and Jane narrative at the beginning of the novel, these individual experiences seem to jump from topic to topic without much of an explanation. Also, the overall feel of the novel, like the beginning narrative, is disturbing as a whole. The purpose of the Dick and Jane reference at the beginning of the book is to foreshadow the tone of the story. Therefore, the question must be asked: What are the disturbing qualities of "The Bluest Eye"? While several things take place that can be considered disturbing to the reader, I believe that the difference in which whites and blacks are portrayed is most disturbing.
Throughout the novel, Morrison seems to place White America on a pedestal above all other races. For instance, many of the characters saw white as beautiful and black as ugly. A good example of this can be seen in the description of Maureen Peal, who was a light skinned African American girl new to school. "She enchanted the entire school...Black boys didn't trip her in the halls; white boys didn't stone her, white girls didn't suck their teeth when she was assigned to be their work partners; black girls stepped aside when she wanted to use the sink in the girls' toilet, and their eyes genuflected under sliding lids (62)." This description of Maureen almost depicts her as having as much respect as a white girl, during a time in which discrimination was rampant. Another instance in which white skin seems favorable is Pauline Breedlove's affectionate behavior towards the daughter of the white family in which she kept house (109). It also seems worth noting that having "white blood" in your family history is quite important. "He (Soaphead Church) had been reared in a family proud of its academic accomplishments and its mixed blood - in fact, they believed the former was based on the latter (167)." Over and over, Morrison seems to overemphasize white beauty while ignoring the beautiful qualities of African Americans. What message, if any, is she trying to send to the reader?
I believe that Morrison shows this dichotomy between blacks and whites in order to point out the absurdity of discrimination and racism. How can one race adore itself so much that it completely rejects all other standards of beauty? Morrison shows the reader what the world may look like if social injustices go unchecked. It is a strange world to us now, but might not have been during the time she wrote this book. The important message is this: take pride in your heritage and individuality. Find the beauty in yourself, others like you, and the world around you.
Throughout the novel, Morrison seems to place White America on a pedestal above all other races. For instance, many of the characters saw white as beautiful and black as ugly. A good example of this can be seen in the description of Maureen Peal, who was a light skinned African American girl new to school. "She enchanted the entire school...Black boys didn't trip her in the halls; white boys didn't stone her, white girls didn't suck their teeth when she was assigned to be their work partners; black girls stepped aside when she wanted to use the sink in the girls' toilet, and their eyes genuflected under sliding lids (62)." This description of Maureen almost depicts her as having as much respect as a white girl, during a time in which discrimination was rampant. Another instance in which white skin seems favorable is Pauline Breedlove's affectionate behavior towards the daughter of the white family in which she kept house (109). It also seems worth noting that having "white blood" in your family history is quite important. "He (Soaphead Church) had been reared in a family proud of its academic accomplishments and its mixed blood - in fact, they believed the former was based on the latter (167)." Over and over, Morrison seems to overemphasize white beauty while ignoring the beautiful qualities of African Americans. What message, if any, is she trying to send to the reader?
I believe that Morrison shows this dichotomy between blacks and whites in order to point out the absurdity of discrimination and racism. How can one race adore itself so much that it completely rejects all other standards of beauty? Morrison shows the reader what the world may look like if social injustices go unchecked. It is a strange world to us now, but might not have been during the time she wrote this book. The important message is this: take pride in your heritage and individuality. Find the beauty in yourself, others like you, and the world around you.
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