The Last Blog Post of Core!!

After perusing through my blog posts, I have learned that my ability and desire to analyze and understand texts has increased dramatically since beginning of Core in the Fall. I enjoyed looking at my blog posts and being able to see how I analyzed different parts of Adrienne Rich, and brought these ideas together in order to more fully understand her intentions for writing poetry, and why it was so difficult for her to truly express her inner emotions. Through looking at my Othello posts, I saw how my ability to analyze works has increased significantly from the level of analysis I exhibited in high school. In high school, I was wrapped up in who killed who, and who was mad at who, but in my blog posts, I explored deeper subjects and questions like "Where Othello's actions justified?", and Cassio's scheme of exploiting Othello's sense of trust. Core and the blogging system, has forced me to grapple with texts, often struggling more than I've wanted to, but it definitely completed its aim of expanding my knowledge and understanding of different ways in which thinkers and writers have interpreted human existence. Throughout my two semesters in Core, the blog has been most beneficial to me as a forum to organize my thoughts, so that I can better articulate them on the subjects that we cover in class. The blog has enhanced the quality of my contributions to classroom discussion as prior to class I have already given some thought to what I want to say. In addition to the benefits of blogging in class, I think that having basic knowledge of blogging will help me in my future as everything is going electronic and digital. Already, blogs are main outlets of expressing opinions on every subject big and small. Time will only increase the prevalence and importance of blogs. On a different subject, as I was looking through the course syllabus, under Shaping Lives, I read, "Our focus will be mainly on how individual human beings go about the business of fashioning lives that promise to be fulfilling." This statement made me think. Although we do talk about shaping lives, I'm not sure if I believed that Mrs. Curren and David are able to shape their lives in a way that promises to be fulfilling. I feel like they are still trying to shape their lives, and that they never achieve a "fulfilling" life. Just wanted to throw that out there. I've enjoyed blogging and core, but I hope I never have to read Freud or Nietzsche again, although I have realized their importance in a liberal arts education and life skills in general.

Political Activism in Persepolis

The family portrayed in Persepolis is very involved political demonstrations in Iran. Although they face issues we do not have to confront in the U.S., their level of commitment to their country despite the threat of violence is astounding. As I progress through Persepolis, I notice how the political involvement of the daughter has grown over time. When the conflicts in Iran initially arose, she was forced to stay at home while her parents attended the demonstrations, but since the spirit of revolution was in the air she was allowed greater privileges. On p.76, after learning of a meeting against fundamentalism, the little girls mother tells the girls father, "She should start learning to defend her rights as a woman right now!" This is a pretty bold statement. Her previously Conservative mother had now granted her daughter some degree of independence as well as a small entry point into the world of adulthood. As her opportunity arises to become involved in Iranian politics she takes full advantage. During the demonstration, she created fliers reading, "guns may shoot and knives may carve, but we won't wear your silly scarves!" As if this weren't enough, once she found that Iran was now in a state of war, she decided that she wanted to defend her country against the Arabs who kept attacking. When the Iraqi planes bombed Tehran, she even shouted, "those assholes". Throughout the story, this girl has really evolved as a political activist, and as a person as a whole. It has been fun to trace her development throughout the story.

An Adult message with a Childish Tone

Upon opening Persepolis, I was shocked. I though I had picked up the wrong book. There was no way we were reading a comic I though to myself. After I began the book, I was very pleased. I began to enjoy the pictures, and the lack of words. Once I got into the story, I realized that this book, is fascinating is that it speaks of adult subjects, and if a child read this book, most of the information would go over there head. How many children know about the Islamic revolution and oil in Persia. What I really liked is how the book progresses as a result of the author conveying the little girl's sense of confusion. For example, on p.32, the little girl speaks, "something escaped me. Cadaver, cancer, death, and murderer, laughter?" She does not understand why her parents are joking with a widow of cancer patient who was supposedly a martyr. To her this is not funny, as she is unaware how this man died. This confusion causes her to read until she eventually uncovers an important fundamental truth about why she feels shame and why the revolution is occurring. She answers this question with "the difference between social classes. Although she comes to this great conclusion, she immediately goes off on a tangent about her maid. This book is a little jumpy, but the constant change of scenery makes it unique and keeps the reader hooked.

Confusion in Evolution

Like many students during the final weeks of school, David is experiencing much confusion in his life. This confusion stems from moral, ethical, and even physical issues. Aware that his father has no clue as to the life he is leadeing, he decides to write to his Dad to inform him on his situation, and be a good son. The letter David has intended on writing to his father was going to contain a lie about his current situation in life. More interestingly, are the reasons why David feels he cannot write to his Dad. David writes, "I did not want to write to my father...it would have been too definitive an act. I knew which lie I was going to tell him and I knew which lie was going to work. I was not sure it would be a lie." (114) This last statement, about David not telling a lie has deep implications. The reader can speculate that David was going to tell his father that he had found a woman, and one day, possibly soon she and David would venture to the U.S. David's unwillingness to call this a lie respresents his progress in the quest for defining his sexual identity. It appears that he really wants to be with Hella. In his conversations with Giovanni this point becomes evident as well as the point that he is tired of living with Giovanni and all his emotional hardships. If David had actually evolved I'm sure his father would be glad to hear about him resting in heterosexuality. A letter from David, his only son, would surely offer him some much needed consolation.

Conventional Standards

Civilization, and the pressure its social norms apply on individuals who do not fit the typical stereotype, can be seen implitcitly in the letter David recieves from his father. David's father writes David about what he's been doing, why hasn't he returned home, with the ulterior motive of finding out what secret David has been keeping from him. David knew his father was living in a "pit of suspicions" (91). David also knew that his father was a conventional man. He had married and proceeded to have David with his wife, and he surely expected David to follow the same procedure. David was aware of the societal pressures that faced him in his quest to truly determine whether he wants to be with a man or a woman for the rest of his life. David is trying to find out who he is, and what his sexual preference/orientation is. Because of his predicament, David knew that his father hadn't asked one question. He failed to ask, "Is it a woman, David? Bring her on home. I don't care who she is. Bring her on home and I'll help you get set up." (91) David was fully aware why this question was not posed. David's father could not live with the fact that his son is gay. Having a gay son would not only be detestable by the social standards of the time, but would also represent the loss of hope in David's father, as he expected more out of David, his only son, all he has.

Shame

Dictionary.com defines shame: the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another:

During our lives, most of us have committed a shameful act, we have all felt dishonorable at one point in time. If you can't remember when you felt dishonorable, I know you can remember a time you felt ridiculous.

Unlike most Americans, the shame discussed between David and Jacques is a shame brought about by what some consider an improper sexual orientation. After Jacques describes his homosexual experiences, David is disturbed by the whole situation involving "men kneeling before you while you though of something else and pretended that nothing was happening down there in the dark between your legs" (56). Although David has had homosexual experiences, his were far more innocent.

This disturbing act Jacques describes makes David feel hopeless, and causes him to feel a sense of shame in those actions. Jacques takes the hint that David senses shame in his actions, and makes known the definition of shame. He speaks, shame occurs in these actions because "there is no affection in them, and no joy" (56).

This whole conservation of shame occurs for a greater reason. Ultimately, Jacques asks David shy he is ashamed about the love Giovanni feels towards him. Shame is not caused by homosexuality, but is the result of the uncertainly and lack of acceptance of homosexuality.

Homosexuality: A common theme throughout Core

In many of the texts we have read this semester, it seems that the theme of homosexuality has risen frequently. In Adrienne Rich, Sputnik Sweetheart, and now Giovanni's room homosexuality is present and even plays a role in the lives of the principle characters. After conversing about NY and Paris, Giovanni and David, thanks to the forwardness of Giovanni realize that they've become friends. Giovanni asks David, "Don't you know when you have made a friend?" (37). David responds to this offer of homosexuality is an open manner, and only questions his reaction after a stranger has the nerve to ask David, "You like him-the Barman" (39). Although David is relatively comfortable in his homosexuality, he responds to the stranger is a rash, defensive manner telling the stranger to get the hell away. In this situation, David only begins to feel uncomfortable once the perceptions of others are added into the equation. In the Sputnik Sweetheart, Sumire is comfortable with her desire for intimacy with Miu until she realizes that Miu does not feel the same way. The connections between Miu and Sumire, and Giovanni and David are strong until outside influences and the cloud of perfectness is destroyed. Miu and Sumire have a seemingly perfect relationship until Sumire realizes that Miu does not feel the same lesbian tendencies that she feels. Similarly, David is perfectly content with Giovanni until a complete stranger pokes fun at homosexuality. Because a theme is many of the books we've read this semester is homosexuality, we are able to make interesting connection between these books that enhance our understanding.