The Last Peer Review Day

The peer review day made me look at my paper with a critical eye. I caught several grammatical and sentence structures mistakes when I revised the paper in class than I did when I revised it at home. As I was sat fixing my paper, I also realized that I had introduced two topics in one paragraph. To fix this error, I simply started a new paragraph; furthermore, I also added additional information and quotes from the novel. As for the other paragraphs, I was happy to see that I had not repeated that mistake. My main topic in each paragraphs were not only clearly stated but were also easy to identify. Other mistake that I failed to notice was using passive voice instead of active. However, I now know that to achieve an active voice, the main idea should be introduced first in a sentence. When my peers read my paper, they all marked the “yes” column, which meant that I did not have any mistakes. It also meant that my paper was not only fully constructed, but it also had a hook, transitional words, a smooth flow, and an effective hook. Their comments also stated that I had a well-written paper. This was highly comforting because it meant that my hard work and endless drafting had finally paid off. 

Learning, Learning, Learned

The literature we studied this semester was interesting. The book that I enjoyed the most was Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, and the novel that I enjoyed the least and the one that failed to make it on my “Best Books Ever!” list was In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck. In addition, the papers that we had to write after finishing the novels helped me expand my knowledge on how to write properly. Another thing that I also learned was that one cannot have two topics in one paragraph. Before this course, I would sometimes introduce two topics in one paragraph instead of separating them. However, now I know that if I have two or more topics in one paragraph, I should start a new paragraph by introducing a new topic sentence. I also learned about new theories, such as the reader-response criticism, formalist criticism, gender criticism, biographical criticism, psychoanalytic criticism, and new historicism.   I had never heard of them before I took this class. I found these theories extremely helpful when constructing a paper because it kept my thoughts organized. In addition, these theories will also help me in my future classes because I will be able to read novels and write papers while applying these theories. I also learned about the struggles of the laborers and the workers. Before I read In Dubious Battle, I did not know what they had  faced and are still facing. I also did not know that UFW are working day and night towards stopping the government from adding pesticides in various kinds of fruits.  

Paritcipation: Jim and the Growers

Jim went from a man who did not know the purpose of his life to someone who wanted to fight for the laborers and the workers’ right. The strikers were united in a way that they all suffered from similar things and had some issues. Furthermore, they not only worked under the unfair bosses, but they also worked together. When Jim came, he also became part of their community. He worked under the unfair growers all day and came back tired. He felt the pain that the strikers were feeling and was angered. He helped the strikers by joining them to beat up the “scabs.” I believe that that event brought him closer to them and their  fight against the growers. At the end of the novel, he became just as greedy as them; however, in different way. The growers kept decreasing the wages to increase their profit. Jim became greedy and frantic because he wanted the strike to succeed and wanted the strikers to get their rights.

Revised Rough Draft

Even though In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck dealt with a honest, but controversial subject matter, it received a positive reception when it was first published (“Contemporary Reviews...”). Some reviewers deemed the novel as “a work of fine craftsmanship and secondly a strong proletarian outcry" (“Contemporary Reviews...”), while other reviewers dubbed it as a "one of the most courageous and desperately honest books that has appeared in a long time” (March, BR7). Fred March, a reviewer for New York Times, even compared Steinbeck to Upton Sinclair, the greatest author of his time. Steinbeck brought light upon many issues that were not being emphasized enough in the thirties. His novel not only showed the struggles of the workers and the laborers, but it also helped many activists and union workers with their cause. Steinbeck also illustrated the gender roles in the book; however, the roles were not portrayed correctly. Throughout the chapters, Steinbeck provided many different roles for the males to play, but he only gave one role for the women. In addition, he gave his readers a taste of an unfortunate part of the workers and laborers’ history; however, he only presented the men’s contribution and not the women, even though many women had contributed greatly to the workers’ cause.

            In Dubious Battle not only illustrates the hardship of an era, but it also shows the woes of a man. Many males in this book have either been beaten down by “the system” or have been given the urge to revolt. For instance, Jim’s father was “slugged so much in labor trouble that he went punch-drunk” (13). The father acquired a drinking problem because of the police force and the situation he was forced into. In effect, because Jim’s father became an alcoholic, he was not able to provide his family with basic necessities of life. He spent his whole life hating the police force and rebelling against them rather than helping his family lead a better life. In this instance, the male gender can be seen as a slave of the government. However, if Jim’s father was beaten down by the upper class, Mac’s rebellious side was awakened when some ex-soldiers “licked [him] unconscious” and “jumped on [him] and broke [his] right arm” because he gave a speech about starvation (32). The hatred that appeared in Mac would not have been awakened if he was not beaten for exercising his freedom of speech. In effect, if he was not beaten up, he would have never become a quick-witted organizer that brought havoc for some bosses. The male gender, thereby, has played a role of a poor labor that has been abused and cheated, and they have played a role of a rebellious person who has been driven into revolt. Unfortunately, they have played another role—a role that has costed the women.

            The men in this tale are mostly workers and laborers who did not get treated properly by their bosses. In effect, they seem to use their leftover power to dominate the women, for they cannot dominate their bosses. The book showcases the women gender as weak. They women do not have much power or a voice in their family decision- making process or the cause for which the men are working towards. For example, Jim’s mother “was a Catholic (14),” but his father would not “let her go to the churches (14)” because “he hated churches (14).” Even though Jim’s mother was religious, she could not practice her own beliefs because her husband did not allow her. Because she was weak and did not hold much importance in the decision- making process, she allowed her husband to rule her life. Besides Jim’s mother, Misses Dakin is another character that did not hold any significant amount of power in the family. In chapter four, when Misses Dakin stares “questioningly at her husband (85),” Mister Dakin does not respond to her gaze but stares back with cold eyes. “His long white hands [also] twitched at his side (85),” which caused Misses Dakin to forget her question and act as though nothing was amiss. This passage gives a subtle hint about the role of a woman. It shows that women are not allowed to question their husbands because they might get abused, thereby making them weak. The women are also seen as objects. Some men only use them for sexual reason rather than for marriage purposes (261). Jim, the protagonist, is one of the men who is scared of commitment, for he does not want to end up like his parents—“two room flat and a wood stove” (804). Meanwhile, Mac sees women as object that could please a man. This scenario was seen when Mac told Burton, the doctor, that he needs to see a woman to lift up his spirits (262). The role that the female gender plays in this novel is therefore not only of a weak person, but also of an object used by males for their pleasure.

            Gender plays a significant role in this book. It guides the reader through the mindset of the male characters and shows the dominance of male over the females. The male gender is seen throughout the book—in bosses and in the poor laborers. However, the men are not always portrayed innocent. Few men in this book are depicted as selfish being who are so passionate about the cause that they are willing to use anything—even their friend’s death. Mac is one of the devious characters who stops at nothing when it comes to organizing strikes and manipulating the strikers’ emotions. When his longtime friend, Joy, died, Mac organized a funeral and used his body to steam up the crowd and gain public’s sympathy (192). Furthermore, he performed the same act when Jim, whom he was close to, got murdered. Instead of mourning for his friends, he used them for his own gain. According to him, nothing is more important than the strike. Moreover, he also does not care about a human life. After delivering a baby for the first time in his life, he stated to Jim that “even if it killed [the girl], we’ve got to use anything (66)”. This goes to show the disregard he has for a woman’s life. The male, thereby, not only plays a role of a dictator, but he also plays the role of a self-centered man.

            In Dubious Battle has given male genders many roles. Some men played the role of a weakened soul while some played the role of a rebellious individual. Furthermore, there are some that played the role of an egotistical person. On the other hand, women have only been given a role of a weak person lingering in the shadows. Throughout the novel, there has only been one female character that has been mentioned more than once—Lisa. Although she does not play a heavy role nor is she involved in the decision- making process, she is seen  as a helper throughout the novel. Although the novel showcases the female gender as weak, in real life the women were not weak. Many individuals believe that the character of Lisa may have been based on the Pixley Cotton Strike leader and Communist organizer, Caroline Decker (“In Dubious Battle…”). Caroline Decker, by no means, sat in the background during the movement. On the contrary, she was an active woman. In California, she organized the migrants in camps and took part in several pickers’ strikes (“Biographical History”).  Furthermore, she also organized “a national 30-day training school” that taught workers and Communist Party members about agricultural organizing (“Biographical History”). Steinbeck may have created Lisa based on Decker, but Lisa was nothing like Decker, for she did not have a strong role. Another woman who made a difference in the society was Dolores Huerta. She was a fearless lobbyist activist, an organizer, and the founder of Agricultural Workers Association (“Dolores Huerta Biography”). In addition to the AWA, she also co-founded National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez, which is a predecessor of United Farm Workers (“Dolores Huerta Biography”). It is hard to imagine as to why Steinbeck chose to give the female gender a weak role when in reality, the women were just as strong as the men.

            Men and women have worked tirelessly on many issues. They have sometimes worked side by side to achieve a goal, such as Caesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, or alone. However, many women’s contributions do not get portrayed as much as the men’s work. Many females have worked day and night to earn the laborers and the workers their rights in the thirties and in the present. A score of ladies have contributed greatly to the Occupy Wall Street protest by doing short term acts such as running meetings and acquiring food to long term work, such as analyzing structure for the protestors’ safety and building solidarity (Seltzer). Even though many of these women have experienced various kind of offensive behavior, such as “unwanted touching or use of casually misogynist language within the movement,” they have not given up (Seltzer).  Unfortunately, many journalists, like Steinbeck, have not take the time to write about women’s contribution and struggles for a cause.   

            The gender has played an important role in the novel. The male gender thought the novel has been given several characteristics, while the female gender has only been given one. The men in the book are aggressive and have a certain amount of power and dominance over the women. They control the events in the novel, organize strikes, raid, murder, and make decisions, whereas the women only do one thing: follow their men around and stay in the background. Steinbeck also did not show the power that women really held in actuality. Even though the female gender is nearly non-existent in the book, the women in during the labor movement were anything but fictional. During the labor movement, many women stood their ground with the men for a certain cause. However, Steinbeck failed to portray that in this great novel, In Dubious Battle.

Rough Draft for "In Dubious Battle"

            It was once said that the “man endures pain as an undeserved punishment; woman accepts it as a natural heritage.” Throughout the history, many authors have written book about the struggles of a man against the government, the laws, and the upper class. They did not write about the struggles of a woman nor about her role in helping the man win the battle, for it may have been considered her duty. Likewise, John Steinbeck emphasized the male gender more than the women gender in his book, In Dubious Battle. Throughout the chapters, Steinbeck provides many different roles for male gender to play, but only provides one role for the women. In addition, he gives his readers with a taste of an unfortunate part of workers and laborers’ history; however, he only presents the male side even though many women also participated in that part of the history.

            In Dubious Battle not only illustrates the hardship of an era, but it also shows the hardships of a man. Many males in this book have either been beaten down by “the system” or have been given the urge to revolt. For instance, Jim’s father was “slugged so much in labor trouble that he went punch-drunk” (13). The father acquired a drinking problem because of the police force and the situation he was forced into. In effect, because Jim’s father became an alcoholic, he was not able to provide his family with basic necessities of life. He spent his whole life hating the police force and rebelling against them rather than helping his family lead a better life. In this instance, the male gender can be seen as a slave of the government. However, if Jim’s father was beaten down by the upper class, Mac’s rebellious side was awakened when some ex-soldiers “licked [him] unconscious” and “jumped on [him] and broke [his] right arm” because he gave a speech about starvation (32). The hatred that appeared in Mac would not have been awakened if he was not beaten for exercising his freedom of speech. In effect, if he was not beaten up, he would have never become a quick-witted organizer that brought havoc for some bosses. The male gender, thereby, has played a role of a poor labor that has been abused and cheated, and they have played a role of a rebellious person who has been driven into revolt. Unfortunately, they have played another role—a role that has costed the women.

            The men in this tale are mostly workers and laborers who did not get treated properly by their bosses. In effect, they seem to use their leftover power to dominate the women, for they cannot dominate their bosses. The book showcases the women gender as weak. They women do not have much power or a voice in their family decision- making process or the cause for which the men are working towards. For example, Jim’s mother “was a Catholic (14),” but his father would not “let her go to the churches (14)” because “he hated churches (14).” Even though Jim’s mother was religious, she could not practice her own beliefs because her husband did not allow her. Because she was weak and did not hold much importance in the decision- making process, she allowed her husband to rule her life. Besides Jim’s mother, Misses Dakin is another character that did not hold any significant amount of power in the family. In chapter four, when Misses Dakin stares “questioningly at her husband (85),” Mister Dakin does not respond to her gaze but stares back with cold eyes. “His long white hands [also] twitched at his side (85),” which caused Misses Dakin to forget her question and act as though nothing was amiss. This passage gives a subtle hint about the role of a woman. It shows that women are not allowed to question their husbands because they might get abused, thereby making them weak. The women are also seen as objects. Some men only use them for sexual reason rather than for marriage purposes (261). Jim, the protagonist, is one of the men who is scared of commitment, for he does not want to end up like his parents—“two room flat and a wood stove” (804). Meanwhile, Mac sees women as object that could please a man. This scenario was seen when Mac told Burton, the doctor, that he needs to see a woman to lift up his spirits (262). The role that the femal gender plays in this novel is therefore not only of a weak person, but also of an object used by males for their pleasure.

            Gender plays a significant role in this book. It guides the reader through the mindset of the male characters and shows the dominance of male over the females. The male gender is seen throughout the book—in bosses and in the poor laborers. However, the men are not always portrayed innocent. Few men in this book are depicted as selfish being who are so passionate about the cause that they are willing to use anything—even their friend’s death. Mac is one of the devious characters who stops at nothing when it comes to organizing strikes and manipulating the strikers’ emotions. When his longtime friend, Joy, died, Mac organized a funeral and used his body to steam up the crowd and gain public’s sympathy (192). Furthermore, he performed the same act when Jim, whom he was close to, got murdered. Instead of mourning for his friends, he used them for his own gain. According to him, nothing is more important than the strike. Moreover, he also does not care about a human life. After delivering a baby for the first time in his life, he stated to Jim that “even if it killed [the girl], we’ve got to use anything (66)”. This goes to show the disregard he has for a woman’s life. The male, thereby, not only plays a role of a dictator, but he also plays the role of a self-centered man.

            In Dubious Battle has given male genders many roles. Some men played the role of a weakened soul while some played the role of a rebellious individual. Furthermore, there are some that played the role of an egotistical person. On the other hand, women have only been given a role of a weak person lingering in the shadows. Throughout the novel, there has only been one female character that has been mentioned more than once—Lisa. Although she does not play a heavy role nor is she involved in the decision- making process, she is seen  as a helper throughout the novel. Although the novel showcases the female gender as weak, in real life the women were not weak. Many individuals believe that the character of Lisa may have been based on the Pixley Cotton Strike leader and Communist organizer, Caroline Decker (“In Dubious Battle…”). Caroline Decker, by no means, sat in the background during the movement. On the contrary, she was an active woman. In California, she organized the migrants in camps and took part in several pickers’ strikes (“Biographical History”).  Furthermore, she also organized “a national 30-day training school” that taught workers and Communist Party members about agricultural organizing (“Biographical History”). Steinbeck may have created Lisa based on Decker, but Lisa was nothing like Decker, for she did not have a strong role. Another woman who made a difference in the society was Dolores Huerta. She was a fearless lobbyist activist, an organizer, and the founder of Agricultural Workers Association (“Dolores Huerta Biography”). In addition to the AWA, she also co-founded National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez, which is a predecessor of United Farm Workers (“Dolores Huerta Biography”). It is hard to imagine as to why Steinbeck chose to give the female gender a weak role when in reality, the women were just as strong as the men.

            The gender has played an important role in the novel. The male gender thought the novel has been given several characteristics, while the female gender has only been given one. The men in the book are aggressive and have a certain amount of power and dominance over the women. They control the events in the novel, organize strikes, raid, murder, and make decisions, whereas the women only do one thing: follow their men around and stay in the background. Steinbeck also did not show the power that women really held in actuality. Even though the female gender is nearly non-existent in the book, the women in during the labor movement were anything but fictional. During the labor movement, many women stood their ground with the men for a certain cause. However, Steinbeck failed to portray that in this great novel, In Dubious Battle.

Difficulty

In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck is a tale about the struggles of farmers and the working class. It was written in the 30s, and therefore I found it hard to relate to it because I could not grasp the woes and the difficulties the working class had to face. Although I did not find the book to hard of a read, there were some instances where I had re-read to fully grasp what the characters were saying and what he or she had meant. Because the slangs that were used in the book are hardly used today, I did not know what the characters were referring to. He also showed that these people had a very little education through their language. The character that was most hard to grasp was Mac. Some of his phrases, such as “I’ll admit she’s got an eighteen-year-old can, but I’m doing no fifty years (80),” left me wondering what he was trying to say. I came to the conclusion that he was talking about a girl’s beauty but was not willing to go to the jail or her or marry her. To move past this difficulty, I re-read the section that I was having problems with until I comprehended it. I also searched some of the words to see their meaning. Steinbeck did a good job at using some certain phrases to show the personalities and the class of the characters. Another thing that I had a hard time with was the way the people were used for the cause. Mac was willing to use anything to push the strike forward. He even stated to Jim, the protagonist, that, “Course it was nice to help the girl, but hell, even if it killed her—we’ve got to use anything” (66.) I do not know whether this was the reality for many people back then, or whether Steinbeck was using it to appeal to his reader’s pathos. I also had difficulty with the subject matter.  Even though I sympathize with the farmers ‘struggles and understand that they were treated like machines then human beings, I still cannot find this book interesting.  It was hard for me to imagine that the farmers were willing to break their backs all day just for few cents. I do not understand why somebody was not watching over the bosses, who not only made the farmers work from the dawn to dusk, but they also did not provide then with sanitary lodging or quality food. But then again, when it comes to making money, even some people with morals get seduced by the greed. Because In Dubious Battle was written in a different time frame and about a subject that was not appealing to me, I found this book at bit hard to read/ However, I moved past the difficulties by re-reading, searching some of the words that are not common today, and visiting the UFW website for further knowledge.

Reader Response

 The United Farm Workers are currently working against banning methyl iodide on a 5-acre farm outside the town of Santa Maria on California’s central coast. Besides causing cancer, the methyl iodide may also cause late-term miscarriages and permanent neurological damage. According to some scientists, it is the most venomous chemical on earth. Although the Santa Clara County has approved the application of this chemical, it has been postponed by the authorities. Unfortunately, since the postponement is temporary, the use of this chemical can be permitted at anytime. The farmers are in danger the most because they are exposed twice to methyl iodide during the fumigation process. The neighboring communities and children are also at risk, for the pesticide is airborne and can drift to other places. I am a bit shocked that the application to use this pesticide even got approved to begin with. The board was given the list of hazards by the state’s own independent Scientific Review Committee that this pesticide is not a safe product, and yet they did not even showed any signs of hesitation before allowing the farmers to use the venom in strawberries. Do they really care about money so much that they are willing to risk the lives of many individuals? Throughout history, we have seen many people and their families pay the price for another man’s decision. It is besides me that people cannot take a lesson from the past and work towards making the lives of others better. Fruits are supposed to enrich with antioxidants that prevent cancer, not pesticides that cause cancer. Jerry Brown, the California’s governor, also has the power to ban this chemical. In fact, he even promised that he would “take a fresh look” at the Schwarzenegger Administration’s controversial decision to allow the pesticide for agricultural use upon entering the office.  Many people are urging the governor to ban this pesticide for the well-being of community. I would be truly be sickened and appalled if this chemical is permitted. It seems like as the technology and science grows, more pesticides are born and permitted, which gives rise to other form of diseases. The foods that were once considered “healthy” may now be a death sentence—especially if pesticides are used to grow them. However out of all this chaos, it is nice to see that UFW is working towards banning this chemical by urging Governor Brown to take an action and make a difference. When it comes to health, the cost should not matter; nobody can replace the value of a human being.

The Required Post

The U.S. Labor Movement has seen many ups and downs. The Movement has worked tirelessly towards giving the workers their right. They protested against child labor and unsanitary work conditions; the American Federation was credited for working against child labor. The first union was created when in the 18^th century by the men; women also contributed by organizing an union against the sweat shop’s condition. In my history class, I learned that the most successful and effective labor union was called The Order of the Knights of Labor. They not only enlisted the laborers but also the producers, thus creating a booming growth within the organization. They also created an active working-class culture that involved women and educational projects. They fought against the big railroads companies and demanded eight hour a day. At many time they succeed, but unfortunately they met their downfall during the Haymarket Riot. During a protest, a bomb was exploded killing seven policemen and wounding several individuals. After this deadly incident, the Knight of Labor was labeled as extreme anarchists and many people left the organization. I had learned a lot about the Labor Movement and their woes and struggles; however, I did not know much about the U.S. Farm Worker’s Right until I went to the UFW website. I knew the Ceaser Chavez dedicated his life organizing the farm workers and brought awareness to the cause of the farmers. I also knew that the farmers lived in a poor and unsanitary conditions and did not earn much. They were also affected the most by the Great Depression and had to move place to place to look for work. When they did receive a job, they were not only cheated by their bosses, but they also did not receive the wage or benefits that they received. Many farmer did not even lived to see their 50^th birthday. On the other hand, I did not know that United Farm Workers of America was discovered by Ceaser Chavez. This organization works to “provide farm workers and other working people with the inspiration and tools to share in society's bounty,” and their core values consist of integrity, innovation, non-violence, and empowerment. Currently, they are working towards banning Methyl Iodide, a cancer-causing agent, which is being used in CA’s strawberry fields. 

This image stood out to me because it showed the ongoing struggles between the working class and the upper class in the United States. It not only depicts the past struggles of the laborers and the farmers against their rich bosses, but it also shows that the woes of the working class have still not ended. When I saw this image, I thought of the Occupy Wall Street. Many individuals-- mostly working class-- took to the street to band together as "the other 99%" to show that  they feel wronged by the corporate forces and want a change. In many states, they gather together in solidarity to express a feeling of mass injustice.

Feedback

The writing workshop was a success because it helped me see the errors that I had missed while I was editing. Although the three peer reviewers had most "yes" marked, there were some "almost" as well. After receiving my paper back, I realized that I need to separate my ideas or start new paragraphs so the two ideas are not in the same paragraphs. Furthermore, I also need to use transitional words more effectively, for it left some reviewers confused.

A Stimulated Amygdala (Revised Version)

Kanza F. Naqvi

Stacey Knapp

English 1B

October 21, 2011

A Stimulated Amygdala

What is a book if it fails to make a connection with its readers? What is a book if it fails to trigger a memory? Persepolis is a wonderful tale about a rebellious girl who has seen the devastating effects of oppression and war. Many readers can relate some aspects of their life to Persepolis and identify themselves with several characters. Likewise, as I was reading this book, I could not help but notice the life events that the author (and the main character) and I share.  Marjane and I both had influences in our lives that helped shaped us as adults. Moreover, we also share several events and situations, but our reactions and interpretations lead us to different paths. Although I do not agree nor identify myself with the author on some contexts, I have found some incidents filled with memory triggers. Marjane Satrapi had a dynamic childhood; she had seen a war, its consequences, oppression, and the social caste system. At a very young age, Marjane had a basic idea of what was fair and what was not. She had a rebellious streak that did not stop her from speaking  against the authority—even though it put her in the path of danger at times. 

 In the chapter “The Sheep,” Marjane loses someone she loved dearly. As I sat reading this chapter, I could not help but think of my beloved father. Even though the situations were not completely similar to each other, a painful memory was triggered nonetheless. When Marjane meets her uncle Annosh for the first time, she immediately starts to adore him for his heroic  personality(54). He not only tells her stories, but he also gives her political knowledge (54-60, 62). He soon becomes her favorite uncle and a person of influence.  Then one day, Marjane’s world came crashing down on her when her father informed her that the authority had “arrested Annosh” (68) and had declared death penalty for him. What is more, he tells her that “Annosh has the right to only one visitor and it’s [her] he wants to see (68).” Marjane, who was devastated after the execution of Annosh, lost her faith in her religion; when God came to visit her, she told Him “Shut up you! Get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again! Get out! (70).” When I read this chapter, my mind immediately went back to the year 1999. I was about to turn eight `through, the emotions were the same – betrayed. Like Marjane, I came home from school one day to find my father nowhere to be seen. After asking my grandmother what had happened, I soon learned that my “father was invited by God to the heaven because he was a very good man.” I immediately knew that something was amiss; tragedy is always in the air when an adult tells a child that a loved one has “gone on a vacation (67)” or has been “invited to the heaven.” I soon learned that my father had passed away—just two weeks before my birthday. I felt betrayed by God. Why would He do something like that to a child, I thought. Why would He take away something so precious? I cried and cried and cried, but my questions were left unanswered. However, I never lost my faith in Him or my religion. I soon realized that life is full of challenges, and what does not kill you makes you stronger. In addition, Uncle Annosh asked for Marjane before his execution (68). My father never did, for he never wanted me to see him suffering. He wanted me to keep the healthy memories of him.

My father was as influential in my life as Annosh was in Marjane’s life. My father cultivated me into a confident person that I am today. He also passed to us the values he highly regarded, such as importance of an education, honesty, integrity, kindness, and humbleness towards every person. I look up to him because he led such a life, that, when he died, the people mourned for him and while he was alive, they longed for his company (Ali ibn Abi Talib). Annosh influenced Marjane to love her family and not be ashamed of it. Before Marjane meet Annosh, she always felt embarrassed for not having anyone significant in the family (54). She even told her peers false tales about her father and the treatment he faced in the hands of the authority (54). However, once Anoosh came into Marjane’s life, he enlightened her about all the great individuals she had in her family that died while defending democracy (55-58). If it was not for uncle Annosh, Marjane would have never realized how significant her family really was.

            At the age of six, Marjane’s thought process was more advance than most children her age.  She took notice of the social system and felt ashamed of it. In addition, she also felt embarrassed because her family owned a Cadillac, while most families in Iran were barely scraping by (6). She also did not like the fact that their maid, Mehri, was not allowed to eat dinner with the family because she was a maid. The “reason for [her] shame… [was] the difference between social classes”(33). She reasoned that it was not an individual’s fault “that [they] were born were [they] were born” (37). Although her parents had promised Mehri’s parents that they will “take care of her” (34), they never accepted her as part of a family. Marjane also found it despicable when a boy, who had promised his love to Mehri, refused to see her once he found that she was just a maid (37). When my family and I lived in Pakistan, we also had maids. However, unlike Marjane’s parents, my parents treated them with respected and thought of them as part of the family. In addition, they also expected my siblings and I to treat them like older siblings because they were older than us. We were never allowed to order them around, and if we disrespected them in any way, we paid the price. I believe that this is what Marjane wanted her parents to do—treat Mehri with respect and make her part of the family. Unfortunately, she never got her wish.

            Marjane was an outspoken child who was not afraid to voice out her opinion. She stood up to the authority in any way she could. For example, Marjane snuck out with Mehri to attend a demonstration, even though her mother, an authoritative figure, forbade them to (38). She also revolted by smoking (117), listening to rock music (131), and wearing western clothes (131). At school, she stood up against her teachers when she did not agree with them and asked them provocative questions, such as “How dare you lie to us like that?” (144). Like Marjane, I also rebelled when I was young. However, my rebellious side ended as fast as it had started.  Moreover, I revolted against my culture -- not the authority. I wore clothes that my religion and culture did not allow; but, I never revolted as much as Marjane did because I never had a cause to rebel against. Marjane was a rebellious child with a cause. She stood up against anyone who stopped her from doing something she wanted. She revolted against the government because the government was enforcing a religion and a dress code on her; and, she rebelled against the teachers at her school because they enforced the laws that were set up by the government. However, her rebellious side finally caught up with her when her parents made a drastic decision to send her to Austria to preserve her safety and protect her from the war and violence that overtook the country of Iran (148).  They decided to send Marjane to Austria because they knew how rebellious she was, and they did not want any harm to come her way. In addition, they loved her dearly and wanted her to be safe. They also understood the importance of an education; they wanted Marjane to be in a place where she could gain one without putting herself in danger (147). Marjane handled the situation very maturely. Although she was upset (149), she did not show it, for she wanted her parents to be happy.

            Marjane Satrapi not only presented her autobiography, but she also provided the readers with a rich history. She gave her perspective about the war and the head scarf; however, she failed to look at other individuals’ perspective. Marjane stated that any woman who sported an abaya or fully covered herself was considered a “fundamentalist” (75); whereas, any women who decided to show few strands of her hair was considered “modern (75).” A woman should not and cannot be judged by what she wears. Many Muslim women show their hair, but at heart are more religious then the woman who decides not to show her hair. A head scarf does not show how modern or old-fashion a woman is. Maysan Hayder states in her article, “ Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering,” that although she “follow[s] [her] religion’s standard of modesty and appearance (404),” she still “sports a few well-disguised piercings (404).”Even though Maysan covers her hair completely, she  is a feminist and a “modern woman”—not a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist and a modern person cannot be spotted by their clothes but by their state of mind and thinking process. Furthermore, in Arab society, only the richest women were allowed to cover themselves fully (Hayder 405). Being completely covered was a sign of wealth; however, in Marjane’s mind, it is a sign of a fundamentalist. 

Marjane’s life was influenced by many forces such as her religion, economic status, and loved ones. Likewise, the forces that shaped Marjane also shaped me – but, in a different way. We both hate the social-system, but we both cannot do anything about it. Both of our families have the same financial situation, but we sometimes feel ashamed of it when we see the poor and the less fortunate. On the other hand, we also have our differences. We do not place the same value on our religion and a headscarf. Marjane did not like the headscarf because it was forced upon her. I, on the other hand, chose to wear a headscarf without any external influence. She finds the religion suffocating, whereas I do not.  In addition, we also interpret the meaning of headscarf differently. Marjane Satrapi has written a wonderful tale about her life and has given her opinion on various aspects. Although I can make a connection with her life, I cannot agree with her opinions.

           

Work Citation

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books, 2004. Print.

Hayder, Maysan. (n.d.) “Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering.” 403-408. Print.

Rough Draft

Rough Draft

What is a book if it fails to make a connection with its readers? What is a book if it fails to trigger a memory? Persepolis is a wonderful tale about a rebellious girl who has seen the devastating effects of oppression and war. Many readers can relate some aspects of their life to Persepolis and identify themselves with several characters. Likewise, as I was reading this book, I could not help but notice the life events that the author (and the main character) and I share.  Marjane and I both had influences in our lives that helped shaped us as adults. Moreover, we also share several events and situations, but our reactions and interpretations lead us to different paths. Although I do not agree nor identify myself with the author on some contexts, I have found some incidents filled with memory triggers. Marjane Satrapi had a dynamic childhood; she had seen a war, its consequences, oppression, and the social caste system. At a very young, Marjane had a basic idea of what was fair and what was not. She had a rebellious streak that did not stop her from speaking  against the authority—even though it put her in the path of danger at times. 

 In the chapter “The Sheep,” Marjane loses someone she loved dearly. As I sat reading this chapter, I could not help but think of my beloved father. Even though the situations were not completely similar to each other, a painful memory was triggered, nonetheless. Marjane meets her uncle Annosh for the first time and immediately adores him for his bravery (54). He not only tells her stories, but he also so gives her political knowledge (54-60, 62). He soon becomes her favorite uncle and a person of influence. Then one day, Marjane world comes crashing down on her when her father informs her that the authority has “arrested Annosh (68) and has declared death penalty for him. What is more, he also tells her that “Annosh has the right to only one visitor and it’s [her] he wants to see (68).” Marjane, who was devastated after the execution of Annosh, lost her faith in her religion; when God came to visit her, she told Him “Shut up you! Get out of my life!!! I never want to see you again! Get out! (70).” When I read this chapter, my mind immediately went back to year 1999. I was about to turn eight years old when my father fell sick. Even though he did not go through what Uncle Annosh went through, the emotions were the same – betrayed. Like Marjane, I came home from school one day to find my father nowhere to seen. After asking my grandmother what had happened, I soon learned that my “father was invited by God to the heaven because he was a very good man.” I immediately knew that something was amiss; Tragedy is always in the air when an adult tells a child that a loved one has “gone on a vacation” or has been “invited to the heaven.” I soon learned that my father had passed away—just two weeks before I was to turn eight. I felt betrayed by God. Why would He do something like that to a child, I thought. Why would He take away something so precious? I cried and cried and cried, but my questions were left unanswered. However, I never lost my faith in Him. I soon realized that life is full of challenges, and what does not kill you makes you stronger. In addition, Uncle Annosh asked for Marjane before his execution (68). My father never did, for he never wanted me to see him suffering. He wanted me to keep the healthy memories of him. Moreover he is also an influential person in my life just like Annosh was an influential person in Marjane’s life. My father cultivated me into a confident person that I am today. He also passed us the values he highly regarded, such as importance of an education, honesty, integrity, kindness, and humbleness towards every person. I look up to him because he led such a life, that, when he died, the people mourned him and while he was alive, they longed for his company (Ali ibn Abi Talib).  

            At the age of six, Marjane’s thought process was a bit advance compared to most children her age.  She took notice of the social system and felt ashamed of it. In addition, she also felt embarrassed because her family owned a Cadillac when most families in Iran were barely scraping by (6). She also did not like the fact that their maid, Mehri, was not allowed to eat dinner with the family because she was a maid. The “reason for [her] shame… [was] the difference between social classes (33).” She reasoned that it was not an individual’s fault “that [they] were born were [they] were born (37)” ; although her parents had promised Mehri’s parents that they will “take care of her (34)” , they did not even let her be part of the family. She also found it despicable when a boy, who had promised his love to Mehri, refused to see her once he found that she was just a maid (37). When my family and I lived in Pakistan, we also had maids. However, unlike Marjane’s parents, my parents treated them with respected and thought of them as part of the family. In addition, they also expected my siblings and I to treat them like older siblings because they were older than us. We were never allowed to order them around, and if we disrespected them in any way, we paid the price. I believe that this is what Marjane wanted her parents to do—treat Mehri with respect and make her part of the family.

            Marjane was an outspoken child who was not afraid to voice out her opinion. She stood up to the authority in any way she could. For example, Marjane snuck out with Mehri, the maid, to attend a demonstration, even though her mother, an authoritative figure, forbade them to (38). She also revolted by smoking (117), listening to rock music (131), and adorning western clothes (131). At school, she stood up against her teachers when she did not agree with them and asking them provocative questions, such as “How dare you lie to us like that?” (144). Like Marjane, I also rebelled when I was young. However, my rebellious started and ended with clothes and ended within few years. I wore clothes that my religion and culture did not allow; but, I never revolted as much as Marjane did because I never had a cause to rebel against. Marjane was a rebellious child with a cause. She stood up against anyone who stopped her from doing something. She revolted against the government because the government was enforcing a religion and a dress code on her. She rebelled against the teachers at her school because they enforced the laws that were set up by the government. However, her rebellious side finally caught up with her when her parents made a drastic decision to send Marjane to Austria to preserve her safety and protect her from the war and violence that overtook the country of Iran (148).  They decided to send Marjane to Austria because they loved her dearly and wanted her to be safe. Furthermore, since they understood the importance of  an education, they wanted Marjane to be in a place where she can gain a high quality one that will broaden her mind (147). Marjane handled the situation very maturely. Although she was upset (149), she did not show it for she wanted her parents to be happy

            Marjane Satrapi not only presented her autobiography, but she also provided the readers with a rich history. She gave her perspective about the war and the head scarf; however, she failed to look at other individuals’ perspective. Marjane stated that any woman who sported an abaya or fully covered herself was considered a “fundamentalist” (75); whereas, any women who decided to show few strands of her hair was considered “modern (75).” A woman should not and cannot be judged by what she wears. Many Muslim women show their hair, but at heart are more religious then the woman who decides not to show her hair. A head scarf does not show how modern or old-fashion a woman. Maysan Hayder states in her article, “ Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering,” that although she “follow[s] [her] religion’s standard of modesty and appearance (404),” she still “sports a few well-disguised piercings (404).”Even though Maysan covers her hair completely, she  is a feminist and a “modern woman”—not a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist and a modern person cannot be spotted by their clothes but by their state of mind and thinking process. Furthermore, in Arab society, only the richest women were allowed to cover themselves fully (Hayder 405). Being completely covered was a sign of wealth; however, in Marjane’s mind, it is a sign of a fundamentalist.  

Marjane’s life was influence by many forces such as her religion, economic status, and loved ones. Likewise, the things that shaped Marjane, also shaped me – but, in a different way. We both hate the social-system, but we both cannot do anything about it. Both of our families have the same financial situation, but we sometimes feel ashamed of it when we the poor and the less fortunate. On the other hand, we both share the same religion and wear a headscarf; however, we do not place the same value. Marjane did not like the headscarf because it was forced upon her. I, on the other hand, chose to wear a headscarf without any external influence. She finds the religion suffocating, whereas I do not.  In addition, we also interpret the meaning of headscarf differently.

           

           

Work Citation

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books, 2004. Print.

Hayder, Maysan. (n.d.) “Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering.” 403-408. Print.

 

Thinking Within a Thinking

For my First Formal Paper, I am planning on writing about the events Marjane faces in her life and its consequences. I will also introduce how I, as a reader, can relate to her story. In addition to that, I found many points that I did not agree with, and I think this can be my chance to state them. Furthermore, I will be using the Reader Response theory to construct the paper. For example, Marjane was a rebellious child with a cause. The government created religious laws, such as enforcing the veil and beating the chest for the martyrs. The teachers, in effect, enforced those laws because they were forced to do so by the government. Many professors are sometimes forced by their leaders or employers to enforce basic ruling, whether they agree or not. Moreover, they cannot show their opinion because they do not want to influence their students. Likewise, Marjane’s principle and teachers may have been forced to enforce the veil or beating of the chest.  Because they had to follow and enforce the law, Marjane thought of them as authority, and therefore she started disrespecting them by saying things such as “how dare you lie to us like that?”  I do not think that she should have disrespected the teachers at all. At end of the day, they are the teachers, and if one does not agree with the teachings they are provideing, he or she should consider attending a school that agrees with his or her opinions. In my various classes, the professors have said many things regarding the veil. At times, I did not agree with what they had to say, but I never disrespected them because everyone has the right to their opinions. I will also write against the concept of the veil that Marjane presented and use the articles, provided by Ms. Knapp, for support.  What is more, I will also use my blog “Personal and Objective” for further analysis.  

The Challenge. The Situation.

Due to the war and violence that overtook the country of Iran, Marjane’s parents decided to send her to Austria (147).  They decided to send Marjane to Austria because they loved her dearly and wanted her to be safe. Furthermore, since they understood the importance of  an education, they wanted Marjane to be in a place where she can gain a high quality one that will broaden her mind (147). Marjane handled the situation very maturely. Although she was upset (149), she did not show it for she wanted her parents to be happy. Seeing how strong Marjane is, I think she will be able to pull through the situation. Leaving one’s country behind to move to a completely foreign country is never a piece of cake. The challenge only intensifies when one has to do so without a support system—in Marjane's case, it was her parents.  However, I do not think that Marjane’s journey will be smooth; on the other hand, it will be anything but smooth. I believe that she will face several obstacles and dilemmas. She may even feel embarrass of her country and start to lose her culture, which is not an abnormal thing because some individuals tend to lose themselves when put into a new situation. Nonetheless, I think Marjane will be able to pull through it because she is a strong, educated person who is from a family with high morals. In addition, I also think that she will end up leaving Austria for Iran.  

            When I was 11, I moved to United Stated. However, unlike Marjane, I was fortunate to have my family with me who made my transition to a new country smoother. They were there for me whenever I needed them . If it was not for my family, I would not be where I am today. As I look back in retrospect, I cannot help but wonder: “What would I have done if my family had not moved with me?” Even though I think of myself as a strong person, I do not think I would have been able to leave my family and loved ones behind—especially if I had to move to US all by myself. In that sense, I think Marjane is way stronger than I am because she was able accept  her parent’s decision. If my mother had told me that I have to move, I would have been sick to my stomach. If I was in Marjane’s position, I would have refused. I would rather stay with my family, even in a time of crisis, than move to a foreign country. I have moved a lot in my life—city to city, country to country—but I always had my family with me. I may be able to move cities, but I will never be able to move to a whole to new country. What Marjane did was brave; however, I do not think that I have the same guts as her.   

What Significance Do Thy Hold, Uncle Anoosh?

Marjane met a lot of influential individuals throughout her childhood; but, no one impacted her as strongly as her Uncle Annosh. Firstly, Uncle Annosh was a significant character because he was able to show Marjane the importance of their family. Moreover, he was also noteworthy because he made a huge impact in her life—an impact that took away the faith from Marjane’s heart.  When Iran was liberated from the Shah’s regime, many people were freed from prisons and were considered heroic. This made Marjane conscious because her father was not considered a hero (52). To make herself seem important, she made up far-fetched stories about the tortures and the struggles her father had to suffer during the Shah’s regime (54).  However, one day she realized that her family had interesting individuals who had tried to make a difference. When her uncle came to visit Marjane’s family, he told her wonderful tales of valiant people (55). He told of her great-uncle, Fereydoon, who had tried to proclaim the independence of an Iranian province called Azerbaijan.  Uncle Annosh, himself, had left his family to help his Uncle Fereydoon (55). Unfortunelty, Fereydoon was arrested and executed (57). As for Uncle Annosh, he was able to escape but was caught and tortured by the authorities years later (60).  When Marjane heard his haunting and electrifying tale, she felt proud of her family. With the help from Uncle Annosh, she was able to realize that her family was also as exciting and fascinating as the families of her peers. Another reason why the character of Uncle Annosh is important is because he stole Marjane’s faith in her religion. Uncle Annosh’s warrant of arrest and execution not only crushed Marjane’s heart, but it also made her loose her faith in God and her religion (70). Uncle Annosh introduced many new things to Marjane such as the history of their family (55-58) and higher order of political debate (62). If it was not for him, Marjane could have never known the importance her family held. In addition, if it was not for him, she could have had her religion intact.

It is not easy to predict how a book may end because one does not know how an author’s mind works. However, I think that Persepolis may not have a jolly ending. Throughout the chapters, many families are seen leaving Iran and moving to western countries for freedom and in pursuit for happiness. Even though Marjane’s family had decided to stay, I do not think that they will be bounded with that decision for long. Not only the family is going through dilemmas, but the whole nation is facing violence and hardships. The effects of war and shortage of food can be experiences by every character. What is more, many people are also seen taking advantage of their new power in illegitimate ways. There is only so much the family will be able to stand. I believe that, in the end, they will either move to England or United States to pursue a better living and to keep Marjane safe.

              

Personal and Objective

Several readers can relate to Persepolis. They can either relate to the history it presents or the events Marijane, the main character, faces. Just like those people,  I can also relate to this book. In the chapter “The Sheep,” Marijane loses someone she loved dearly. As I sat reading this chapter, I could not help but think of my beloved father. Even though the situations are not completely similar to each other, a painful memory was triggered. In the book Marijane meets her uncle, Annosh, for the first time and immediately adores him for his bravery (54). He not only tells her stories, but he also so gives her political knowledge (54-60, 62). Then one day, Marijane world comes crashing down on her. She soon learns that her dearly loved uncle Annosh has been arrested by the government and sentenced to death penalty (68-70). What is more, he calls to see her for one last time before his execution (68). When I read this passage, my mind immediately went back to year 1999. I was about to turn eight when my father fell sick. Even though he did not go through what Uncle Annosh went through, the emotions were the same – betrayed. Like Marijane, I came home from school one day to find my father nowhere to  seen. After asking my grandmother what had happened, I soon learned that my “father was invited by God to the heaven because he was a very good man.” I immediately knew that something was wrong; Tragedy is always in the air when an adult tells a child that a loved one has “gone on a vacation” or has been “invited to the heaven.” I soon learned that my father had passed away—just two weeks before I was to turn eight. I felt betrayed by God. Why would He do something like that to a child, I thought. Why would He take away something so precious? I cried and cried and cried, but my questions were left unanswered. However, I never lost my faith in Him. I soon realized that life is full of challenges, and what does not kill you makes you stronger. In addition, Uncle Annosh asked for Marijane before his execution (68). My father never did, for he never wanted me to see him suffering. He wanted me to keep the healthy memories of him.

I believe that the author included this scene to show the effects of the war that a country has on various children and to illustrate Marijane’s anguish and vulnerability . Many children develop a strong relationship with their family members, and nothing could be more devastating to a young child then to see their loved ones being torture and executed. By including this scene, the author applied pathos to appeal to the readers’ emotions. If she had not included this scene, the readers may not have realized the psychological dilemmas a child suffers from. Moreover, this scene is also vital to the book because it showed why Marijane lost faith in her faith and in God. If this scene was not written, I would have never been able to develop a connection with Marijane and her story and know that I am not the only person who has had felt lost. What is a book if it fails to make connection with its reader? What is a book if it fails to trigger a memory?

My Mother Never....

My mother has never cried in front me or my siblings. She has never showed any signs of weakness in front of us. She always gave us an aura of a woman warrior.

 My father, whom I was very close to, passed away when I was only seven. I did not take his death as easily as my siblings did. My siblings, who are much older than me, were able to express themselves and communicate about their grief, whereas I could not find a way to express myself. I soon found myself crying over small things and losing concentration in school. If it was not for my mother, I do not know where I would be right now. My mother never ignored me and gave me the most attention. She was always by my side holding my hand. She never let go. Even though she had just lost her husband and was going through her own grief, she never gave up on me. She also taught me the same things. She showed me that even “darkest nights must give way to the day.”  It was her strength and belief that kept me and my family together. Through her determination and hard work, I was able to pull out of the grief and become my normal self. I was able to concentrate on my education once again and participate in activities that I had once enjoyed. She nurtured my siblings and I lovingly and provided us with a healthy lifestyle. Whenever I find myself in a dilemma, I think of my mother’s strength. It was her nurturing that made me stronger and determined. We were able to pull through the tragedy successfully because of her strength. Even though we still miss our father deeply, we know we can turn to our mother and communicate with her about it. She is not only a strong individual, but she is also graceful, kind, humble, respectful, and loving. Whenever my life takes a turn for the worst, my mother is always there supporting and advising me. If it was not for her, I would have been lost. Her confidence and trust in me also acts as a reminder to be a better human being. Moreover, it also makes me want reach my full potential in life, for I want to make her proud. My mother has done everything for us. She has provided us with a luxurious and comfortable life. She has never complained or insulted us. She has never made us feel un-loved. She has done everything in her power to keep us happy. I am truly grateful and proud to have such a woman as my mother. She has and always will be there for me, and for that I will be eternally thankful to God. My mother truly is a blessing, and I can only hope to become like her in the future. For everything she has done for me and my siblings, I am indebted to her forever.

My mother is like a gem. She has instilled values and moral in me that has created a strong foundation that will last for years to come.

I Am...

I am a student. A dedicated student. A little to dedicated sometimes. I was born in Pakistan and moved to United States when I was 11. I am a Political Science major, and I am planning on going to Law school after completing my undergraduate studies. My hobbies consist of fashion, photography, reading, writing, and staying healthy. Firstly, I absolutely love fashion and photography. In high school, I wanted to go to fashion school to pursue a career in design, however my family did not approve of it. Nevertheless, I have not given up on them because I feel that fashion and photography make up a little bit of who I am. Through fashion, I can express my style and taste; and through photography I can express my view on the society and the world. Most of my inspiration for photography comes from Tim Burton and the world issues. I love to shoot creepy shots and manipulate it to make it meaningful. I have even won several awards in photography including the "Best Portfolio in East Side District" title. Secondly, I love to read! Some of my favorite novels are "The Thousand Splendid Suns," "The Alchemist," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy, "The Godfather," "The Pearl," and off course "Harry Potter" series. Reading not only relaxes me, but it also helps me improve my writing. Since writing is a vital part for my future career, I am always looking for ways to improve it. Every time I receive praises on my writing skills, I feel like I can do anything in this world.
I come from a super dedicated family. Unfortunetly, my siblings have set such a high bar for me, I am always striving to be better than them. During school, my life revolves around my education. I have also been told that I am a workaholic, which I think is a good thing because it might help me in my career. I am also very fortunate to have a family who is not only loving and supportive but also expect me to reach my full potential. Their expectations always keep me on my feet. Another factor that strives me to do my best and be successful is my father. My father passed away when I was seven. I was extremely close to him -- almost his shadow. His death was devastated me, but my mother became a strong pillar for me and helped the family pull out of the tragedy. My mother is my inspiration because she is a strong, graceful, educated, and a respected woman. I can only hope that I can grow up with such grace as her.  My family is extremely important to me. I love getting together and hanging out with them; sadly, they live all over the world, and I have to travel a lot to visit them. A lot of people find traveling joyous, however I absolutely hate it. I do not like sitting still for nine or ten hours and receiving no sleep!