What I've learned thus far in english 1A

                                                                Reflection

The most effort to understanding something new definitely went to establishing my understanding of the MLA style. Learning it seemed like a major pain, and I thought: “I just want to write and not worry about how it looks”. The MLA style is actually very useful. It gives the reader of your work the sources of your research, which will verify the validity of your work. MLA style will keep your work organized and understandable.

    T.E.A or Topic. Example. Analysis, is a great way or perhaps the best way to organize a paragraph. Your topic sentence introduces the example. Or even allows the reader to assume what is to come. With your Example, or explanation you can quote a piece, paraphrase, or use general knowledge. This must cohabitate with the topic

            I have learned to critically think, and analyze written works. This is useful for a research report, as well as understanding what the writer is trying to convey.

     We think our childhood/ teenage years are tough, In “Persepolis” we dove into the world of a girl (Marjane Satrapi) growing up during the Islamic revolution. We in America are incredible shocked when there is a mass homicide, or great violent act. For an Iranian these kind of things are the norm and not very surprising

          On the topic of Iran, I have learned substantial information vital to understanding what is going on in the world currently. Specifically Iran’s dealings with other countries. I focused on the women of Iran, how they are seen from the American perspective, and how they see us. So, I found that Iranians do not take lightly to strangers or all together have a complete lack of trust of anyone who is out of the close family. Iran has had many militaristic encounters with the U.S. We have been at war with them and at later times we have traded rights of oil for weapons. This makes no sense if our government were out for the good and safety of it’s people. Clearly they are not. I have learned much about Iran as well as our own country in the process, it has been interesting.

 slow and steady, that's how I roll...

Research Analisis-Persepolis

Brian Laufer

Stacy Knapp

English 1A

24 March 2013

Research Analysis- Persepolis

            Persepolis was written by Marjane Satrapi. She also wrote many other critically acclaimed graphic novels including Persepolis 2, Embroideries, and Chicken with Plums. Many people have admired her work. Over 1,500,000 copies of Persepolis 1 have been sold.

            Her intended audience is likely to be any person outside of Iran. I say this because she was born in Rasht, Iran and grew up in Tehran, and wrote stories that seem to be meant for informing a world audience about the trials and tribulations of people in Iran. Persepolis 1 and 2 were published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Greek, Italian, and Catalan. In Persepolis 1, she describes her early life in Iran, which towards the end of the book, leads to and exodus to her young adulthood in France, which is where Persepolis 2 takes place. Embroideries, was set in Tehran, where she speaks on women’s love lives and sexual experiences. Chicken with Plums, is a book that narrates the last eight days of the life of Nasser Ali Khan, a relative of Satrapi’s.

            By far, the largest claims that Persepolis 1 has in store for the audience are that Iran can be a turbulent place where brutal violence is not the least bit surprising, but expected. The general laws for the citizens are stricter and more severe for the women of Iran then they are for men. For example: Women must cover their hair when in public so as not to seduce a male, but what about the men? You don’t think a woman can be turned on by a man’s luscious locks? Satrapi, frankly, is frustrated with the rigidness of the laws in her youth and at many times questions her authority.

            I believe Satrapi has intended to teach the world what goes on within Iran’s borders. Iran in many ways is cut off from the rest of modern day media coverage. There really are not many sources that display the country during the revolution. In my view Satrapi is trying to fill the gaps of experience or happening that the world did not get to see. Of course, like most people she wants peace in her land. From a perspective she is crying out to the world, in hopes that they will see this indecency and do what they can to improve the lives of people in Iran as well as in their own country. Also seeing these examples of what humans are capable of in Persepolis in hopes, will encourage people around the world to cultivate their compassion.

Satrapi’s persona was shaped by the many cultural, historical, and social influences in her raising. Her parents were relatively wealthy. They strongly held the dogma of the caste system. Or the labeling and placing of people into classes based on their yearly income, occupation, and which caste they were born into. Growing up in a society based on Islam for Satrapi, grew more hatred then the supposed good hearts Islam should be cultivating. The author is coming from a childhood full of shifting ideals. She grew up in a time when The culture of Iran itself was changing.

 What’s remarkable, is the terrible violence, death and destruction illustrated with gentle and often at times humorous, sarcastic cartoons. The graphic style somehow allows the reader to take in the real life situations but in a mellow and easily digestible manner. The book itself is not so formal, as free flow and experience based.

Persepolis gives you an expanded view on the history of modern Iran, illustration and documentation of it’s dogmas or (generally held beliefs), laws and castes given to it’s citizens, or simply the portrayal of the daily life of a young Muslim girl in the Islamic revolution. From here in America, or at least from my point of view we just can’t know first hand the experiences that are expected for an Iranian. Reading Persepolis has been eye opening for me. We can only know what we feel in our daily reality. Through the reading I have truly come to appreciate my life at the times when it’s not so hard.

  

Works cited

Wikipedia, March 24

Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis, The story of a Childhood, 1969, march 24

Persepolis reading response-2

                                                      Persepolis-reading response-2

Once again I am blown away fbyrom what goes on in the Middle East. With my second reading of persepolis I gained so much more appreciation for my basic life. What’s amazing is the blatant open torturing. “Religious hypocrites” is what I kept feeling. There may be benefit in what the Quran orders, but when civilians are suffering and being executed as a means to an end. As a justification that “one day our dark deeds will bring good” is simply illogical, ignorant, or “ignoring the wisdom that is right in front of them. “Violence begets violence”-said Martin Luther King Jr. The religious leaders might be enforcing some of the ideals of The Quran but leaving other commandments unconsidered . Of course, how you interpret the book is based on your life experience so far. So, if all you know is war than that’s what you’ll see. We must realize the foolishness of our negativity I must add that there is no inherent goodness in the Quran, but is meant to reflect that goodness (if resident) in Man’s heart.

    It’s well excepted by most people that the U.S government has done it’s share of torture. The difference is that Iran displays it loud and public. And interestingly America tends to “cover up” things they are not proud of. War seems to be a reoccurring theme for humanity. Why? One of the reasons appears to be for the holding of power/ position, widening your territory, increasing the wealth of a nation. None of these reasons can survive when you relieve yourself of ideas of separation. When you look at the world from space you don’t see a planet divided. We are One humanity. I personally believe the cause of war is the lose of traditions from your pristine origins. A society in which every person is feed, with basic needs met, living close to earth and not separated by modern means, raised happily, healthfully, surrounded in love will have non-violent citizens....more later

Religious modesty and a women's place

Brian Laufer

Stacy Knapp

English 1A

March 10th 2013

Religious modesty and a women's place

Why cover the body? For Muslim women it means protecting yourself from lustful eyes (gender 723). The veil is considered the embodiment of protection. It not only to keep the wearers heart pure, but everyone around that person will be compelled to be less lustful. And if every woman in a society is modest about how they present themselves there will be less crime/violence. At least that’s the idea. This may be some of the Quran’s reasoning.

 Scarves and veils have been used by countless cultures before Islam. At times only wealthy women wore veils, whilst the poor farmers did not. The many styles of Islamic dress in the world today reflect local traditions, and the differing interpretations of Islamic requirements.

Originally spoke of in the Quran, the veil was reserved for the Muhammad’s wives, more precisely the prophet’s wives. The prophet, as wealthy as he was, had the means to keep his women behind a hijab, or (screen) as it was. He did this when he had visitors. Having multiple wives was common at the time, but is perhaps now more so given that there are many wealthy men in the Middle East these days. The prophets stood for purity of  thought, action, and intentions, and being men of Allah would not allow their wives to flaunt their beauty and encourage sin. The veil developed into a symbol of wealth as well as purity.

There are many positive reasons that a woman would hide her beauty that some in America would not consider. They way you dress tells people your intentions. The garb can help one feel safe in public situations. A woman’s beauty is very much a temptation, covering it protects the onlooker and the looked upon from sinful thoughts and actions. By shrouding yourself you and others become interested in who you really are. Without constantly worrying about how you look in the world you will have time to go within. For many, veiling one’s self is an opportunity to find and keep lasting happiness, contentment, and fulfillment.  “A Muslim woman in Hijab is dignified, not dishonored, noble, not degraded, liberated, not subjugated, purified, not sullied, independent, not a slave, protected, not exposed, respected, not laughed at, confident, not insecure, obedient, not a sinner, a guarded pearl, not a prostitute”. -(Rafed.net)

Being reserved as a Muslim woman is very important. This includes covering the body obviously, veiling the voice: tone, emotional outbursts. Boisterous laughter is not permitted. Neither any form of public sexual expression. Not acting in a way that is promiscuous or that might sexually arouse a male who is not in the family.                     

It is the religious leaders that make the guidelines. The responsibility of interpreting the Quran’s teachings has been their shoulders for centuries. Under the Taliban’s regime the burka, which is the full covering was mandatory for all women. It is interesting that the church has so much influence for Muslims. Some of the ideals of religious modesty sprout from the implications of the story of Adam and Eve. Forbidden fruit anyone?

Works Cited

Sources

-http://en.rafed.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=880:-hijab-the-reasons-and-the-advantages-&catid=143:hijab&Itemid=996

-       http://civicdilemmas.facinghistory.org/content/brief-history-veil-islam

-       http://en.rafed.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12007:obligations-of-hijab&catid=143:hijab&Itemid=996

-       http://www.academia.edu/372795/Meanings_of_Modesty_and_the_Hijab_amongst_Muslim_Women_in_Scotland

power point presentation https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YrNpxpsBLc8crs0To1yjDeJznYQRWwBsLLH41cFExYk/edit#slide=id.g197a1835d_04

Persepolis pgs: 10-40

 We here in America, really don't know much of what's going on in the world. So it seems. I am curious if the caste system was adopted from the European influence. There was much death in this section. I can not comprehend the desire for empirical rule. Having such power is beyond my scope. It seemed as if the shah did what ever he could to keep his power. Even at the cost of many of his citizens’ lives. The social class issue, I really don’t know how this could have started. Perhaps the rich enjoyed being where they were, didn’t feel like sharing, and in order to keep that wealth enslaved a and grouped a people. There would have to be a very poor (slave) class that works for the bare minimum. This is a repeating pattern seen all throughout the world for ages. The rich get richer, and stay rich with minimal work given. I believe they are seeking lasting happiness. Though usually having poor life conditions, the lowest class in most cultures has many life-loving, hopeful, appreciative, and counter-intuitively: satisfied people.

     I got into it for this reading. I really like that Satrapi talks with God. I wonder how that experience was for her. I wouldn’t call myself a religious person, although I do have all an important love of God. For me God is in everything, and is everything. So loving him covers it all.

     It is disappointing to know that a person can not go through with their dreams, are not allotted the freedom to do what they are most passionate about because of socially constructed boundaries and religious expectations. Women can not simply do what ever they love most. The caste system also really limits people. It makes me appreciate every right I have here in the west.

     At the time of the middle-eastern revolution there were many protesters on the streets risking their lives for change, at the same time many other places in the world were also revolting, though some more productive then others. I always loved Gandi’s approach: radical non-violence. The means of which Iranians protested were often quite harsh, desperate. The people were desperate for change.