Question: How is Persepolis organized and structured? What has Satrapi chosen to emphasize in her childhood? How is the passage of time presented? Describe Satrapi's drawings. How do the drawings add to the narrative of the story?
Answers:
1) Persepolis is organized as a comic strip of sorts. Cartoon drawings are accompanied by a narrative as well as dialogue from the characters in the story.
2) kI think that Satrpapi has chosen to emphasize the changes that occurred during her childhood in dealing with the politics (or change in political power) during the years where she was growing up/coming of age. Satrapi has chosen events (which she portray as stories/scenes) that changed her own personal life and effected her family, friends, and schooling.
3) Satrapi's drawings, to say the least, I think, are exotic and different. They are, however, very clear and easy to understand. I think that they really help the reader(s) to see and understand exactly what happens in each scene and what occurred, over time, during her childhood/young adulthood. I am not sure if it is coincidence or on purpose but the drawings are black and white...and the saying "very black and white" means clear or easy to understand. The fact that these drawings are black and white, I think, represent explaining her childhood in black and white (if this even makes sense).
4) This drawings really add clarity for the readers of the story. To actually see (with the pictures) exactly what happened during the years she spent growing up in a time of religion/political turmoil helps the readers to better understand the situation. I know that for me, personally, the pictures helped me to really see what was going on because, at times, the story (had it been created not in cartoon-ish style) would have had me lost, confused, or unsure as to what was happening.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The Kite Runner: Chaper 24-end
As I read the end of the novel, I was a little saddened by the fact that I had already read the novel once before because the element of surprise (or what would happen at the end of the story) wasn't there this time. Because I knew the ending, I wasn't surprised by the fact that Amir decided to take Sohrab back to the USA and keep him as his "son." One thing that did still strike and upset me this read through was that Sohrab tried to kill himself in the bathtub. This scene at the end of chapter 24 upset me and made me extremely sad. I hated reading this part of the novel because it was just so powerful despite the scene being described action by action.
Amir's love for Sohrab really shines through though when he takes care of Sohrab (emotionally) after his attempted suicide. The fact that he wants to "break though" the hospital doors to get to Sohrab, right after the incident, really shows that he has already sort of accepted Sohrab as his son. I love that he does this because this gives another side to Amir and shows just how much of a caring, loving, and concerned person he is/can be.
Sohrab's silence is something I really don't understand, to be perfectly honest. At times, although I feel very badly for him because of all he has been through in his short life, in these ending chapters, I got annoyed with Sohrab. I wanted him to talk and be "normal" and just develop a good relationship with Amir and Soraya (especially Soraya because she wanted to treat Sohrab like a son and raise him as her own).
I really enjoyed the ending of the book and how it closes with the scene of Amir running the kite. The book, with this scene, is really brought full circle and ends on a high note. I thought of Hassan when I read the last line of the novel, "I ran." because HE was the "original" kite runner and now I feel that Amir has matured and taken over Hassan's role of kite runner and father of Sohrab. I liked Amir by this point in the novel, and I was really pleased with the ending. After the entire story, it was made apparent that Amir did come of age and this makes him a likable character by the end of the novel.
Amir's love for Sohrab really shines through though when he takes care of Sohrab (emotionally) after his attempted suicide. The fact that he wants to "break though" the hospital doors to get to Sohrab, right after the incident, really shows that he has already sort of accepted Sohrab as his son. I love that he does this because this gives another side to Amir and shows just how much of a caring, loving, and concerned person he is/can be.
Sohrab's silence is something I really don't understand, to be perfectly honest. At times, although I feel very badly for him because of all he has been through in his short life, in these ending chapters, I got annoyed with Sohrab. I wanted him to talk and be "normal" and just develop a good relationship with Amir and Soraya (especially Soraya because she wanted to treat Sohrab like a son and raise him as her own).
I really enjoyed the ending of the book and how it closes with the scene of Amir running the kite. The book, with this scene, is really brought full circle and ends on a high note. I thought of Hassan when I read the last line of the novel, "I ran." because HE was the "original" kite runner and now I feel that Amir has matured and taken over Hassan's role of kite runner and father of Sohrab. I liked Amir by this point in the novel, and I was really pleased with the ending. After the entire story, it was made apparent that Amir did come of age and this makes him a likable character by the end of the novel.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Kite Runner: Chapters 11-23
It has been a long time (chapter wise) since I have posted on my blog. Although I have already read the book once before, a lot has happened in the past 12 chapters. To start, the death of Baba was extremely emotional for me. Although I did not like him in the start of the novel (because of the way he was portrayed by the narrator, Amir) I came to truely love his character by the time of his death. I loved that Amir and Baba were able to develop a "real" father-son relationship in the years before Baba's passing and I am coming to like Amir because he is proving to be more human (showing feeling, emotion, love, care, etc.). I am also happy that Amir has married Soraya. I think that she has brought life to Amir's life and I really love her character. She is a caring individual who has helped to make Amir a better person (in my eyes). Soraya has given Amir someone to love and care for, which in turn, forces him to "come of age" and mature as a real man. The death of Baba also is helping Amir to "come of age" more because he is now forced to be on his own and learn lessons for himself.
I feel badly for Soraya and Amir because they are unable to have children. I think that if Amir and Soraya were to have a child together, it would have given Amir a way to mature, get away from his past, and start over. Soraya also really needs a child because I can see in her character the longing for someone else to love and care for besides Amir. Soraya is a teacher (so she obviously love children) and when she is unable to have a child of her own, as I read, I felt the pain that her character must have felt.
To be honest, in my first read through, I was shocked that Amir decided to go to Kabul. However, I was happy that he faced his fears and went out to find Sohrab even though he was afriad of what would happen to him. When Amir ran out of Rahim Khan's apartment saying that he would not go to find Sohrab (Hassan's son) I was afriad that he would not come back, yet deep down inside I had a feeling that Amir would not let Hassan's son be left in the orphanage after he had learned about what had happened to Hassan, Sohrab's mother, and everything else. Amir, in my eyes, came of age when he came back to Rahim Khan's apartment and said that he would go and find Sohrab. Amir, although scared and unsure of what would happen to him, decided that he was ready to make amends for his past.
The fight with Assef made me nervous and tense as I read. I already knew the outcome of the fight, but at the same time I still felt tied in the moment and uneasy about the whole situation. Amir's bravery and fear both were very apparent in this scene in the story. It was a very emotional scene because as I read I could see the terror in little Sohrab's face as he watched Amir and Assef fight (almost to the death of them). It was difficult to read this part because the imagery was so vivid...I felt as if I were right there in the room. I am proud of Amir for fighting Assef because at this point he is able to finally fight for Hassan (by saving his son from Assef) and do something for him after all Hassan did for Amir in the past. It is at this point that I feel Amir changed even more and I came to like him more as a character in the story...because he doesn't think of himself (for once) at this point in the novel.
I feel badly for Soraya and Amir because they are unable to have children. I think that if Amir and Soraya were to have a child together, it would have given Amir a way to mature, get away from his past, and start over. Soraya also really needs a child because I can see in her character the longing for someone else to love and care for besides Amir. Soraya is a teacher (so she obviously love children) and when she is unable to have a child of her own, as I read, I felt the pain that her character must have felt.
To be honest, in my first read through, I was shocked that Amir decided to go to Kabul. However, I was happy that he faced his fears and went out to find Sohrab even though he was afriad of what would happen to him. When Amir ran out of Rahim Khan's apartment saying that he would not go to find Sohrab (Hassan's son) I was afriad that he would not come back, yet deep down inside I had a feeling that Amir would not let Hassan's son be left in the orphanage after he had learned about what had happened to Hassan, Sohrab's mother, and everything else. Amir, in my eyes, came of age when he came back to Rahim Khan's apartment and said that he would go and find Sohrab. Amir, although scared and unsure of what would happen to him, decided that he was ready to make amends for his past.
The fight with Assef made me nervous and tense as I read. I already knew the outcome of the fight, but at the same time I still felt tied in the moment and uneasy about the whole situation. Amir's bravery and fear both were very apparent in this scene in the story. It was a very emotional scene because as I read I could see the terror in little Sohrab's face as he watched Amir and Assef fight (almost to the death of them). It was difficult to read this part because the imagery was so vivid...I felt as if I were right there in the room. I am proud of Amir for fighting Assef because at this point he is able to finally fight for Hassan (by saving his son from Assef) and do something for him after all Hassan did for Amir in the past. It is at this point that I feel Amir changed even more and I came to like him more as a character in the story...because he doesn't think of himself (for once) at this point in the novel.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Kite Runner: Chapters 7-10
This section of the novel was extremely hard to read at sometimes. Not because it was a difficult read at all, but because it was so graphic and detailed. The rape of Hassan was painful and very upsetting to me as a reader. As I was reading the piece, I was very unhappy with the actions (or lack there of) by Amir. I could not believe that he would stand by and watch his best friend (basically his brother) be hurt so badly by Asseff. At this time I noticed a lot of sight imagery and details that had to do with seeing things. The first read though of this part, I did not notice these details.
From this section of the book I got a better idea of the kind of person that Amir is. I noticed that he is very self-centered, self-involved, curious, knowledgable, strong, weak, and guilt-stricken all at the same time. Amir clearly wants to win his fathers love and attention and because of this, I feel he takes the actions that he does. While I do not like this character of Amir in these chapters of the book I feel bad for him. I understand Amir's feeling of wanting to be loved by his father because he is so different from him...All children ever want is to be accepted for who they are by others, especially their parents. I wonder if Amir's relationship with his father were different if he would have done what he did to Hassan and ultimately his future.
From this section of the book I got a better idea of the kind of person that Amir is. I noticed that he is very self-centered, self-involved, curious, knowledgable, strong, weak, and guilt-stricken all at the same time. Amir clearly wants to win his fathers love and attention and because of this, I feel he takes the actions that he does. While I do not like this character of Amir in these chapters of the book I feel bad for him. I understand Amir's feeling of wanting to be loved by his father because he is so different from him...All children ever want is to be accepted for who they are by others, especially their parents. I wonder if Amir's relationship with his father were different if he would have done what he did to Hassan and ultimately his future.
The Kite Runner: Chapters 1-6
Being that I already read the Kite Runner when I was going off to college about two years ago I already have my opinion on the book as a whole. Having said this, it is difficult for me to look at specific parts of the book and comment on them without giving away the ending or referring to other parts of the novel...
I love this book and I love the way that the author writes. The narrator pulls me into the piece and once I start reading I cannnot stop. Since I have already read the book and know the ending I am trying to focus more on the words, images, and other literary techniques that the author may have included. So far, I am noticing a lot of imagery involving sight and eyes. These little things I did not pick up with my first read through of the book a few years ago.
Contrary to my feelings of the "coming of age" in the short story, "On Sunday," I feel that this novel is truly a "coming of age" story. The character is really changed by an event (or what turns into a series of events) that effects him for the rest of his life.
I love this book and I love the way that the author writes. The narrator pulls me into the piece and once I start reading I cannnot stop. Since I have already read the book and know the ending I am trying to focus more on the words, images, and other literary techniques that the author may have included. So far, I am noticing a lot of imagery involving sight and eyes. These little things I did not pick up with my first read through of the book a few years ago.
Contrary to my feelings of the "coming of age" in the short story, "On Sunday," I feel that this novel is truly a "coming of age" story. The character is really changed by an event (or what turns into a series of events) that effects him for the rest of his life.
Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl"
Reading this piece I thought it was incredibly unique. I have never read anything of this kind before and actually really enjoyed it. What I liked about the piece was that it was short, sweet, to the point, and sort of interesting to read. When I read it, the first thought that came to my mind was, "Wow, this mother is incredibly 'old fashioned'," but I guess reason I thought this was because I did not realize the origin of the piece and te influences of the culture.
This piece, although I really enjoyed reading it, gave me a negative vibe. It was very, "do this and that and don't do this, or else." I was kind of scared for the girl because her mother simply listed what she couldn't or shouldn't do, and did not tell her all the great things about growing up and becoming an adult. This coming of age that the mother presents to the daughter in the piece is more of a scary and unpleasant time in life rather than something with positive aspects as well. Another thing I really did not like about this piece is that the young girl is being forced into her coming of age. Just because she has hit a certain milestone or age, I do not feel that it was right for her mother to expect her to change over night. Adolescense is a difficult time for most people and having being given a list of "To-Do's" only makes the time scarier for the girl.
When we heard the piece in class, read by Jamaica /Kincaid herself, my feelings toward the piece and the negative aspects of it only got stronger. The tone was extremely strong, but at the same time it added to the dynamic of the work. Hearing the author read how the piece should sound and be read allowed me to in the shoes of the young girl listening to her mother speak about "growing up."
This piece, although I really enjoyed reading it, gave me a negative vibe. It was very, "do this and that and don't do this, or else." I was kind of scared for the girl because her mother simply listed what she couldn't or shouldn't do, and did not tell her all the great things about growing up and becoming an adult. This coming of age that the mother presents to the daughter in the piece is more of a scary and unpleasant time in life rather than something with positive aspects as well. Another thing I really did not like about this piece is that the young girl is being forced into her coming of age. Just because she has hit a certain milestone or age, I do not feel that it was right for her mother to expect her to change over night. Adolescense is a difficult time for most people and having being given a list of "To-Do's" only makes the time scarier for the girl.
When we heard the piece in class, read by Jamaica /Kincaid herself, my feelings toward the piece and the negative aspects of it only got stronger. The tone was extremely strong, but at the same time it added to the dynamic of the work. Hearing the author read how the piece should sound and be read allowed me to in the shoes of the young girl listening to her mother speak about "growing up."
Michelle Cliff's "Columba"
To say it right off the bat, this story made me sad for the young boy, Columba, and the young girl in the short story. As I read, I felt that both of the younger children were being deprived of their childhood and never really had a chance to have fun and enjoy their lives. I understand that this story was set in a time period very different from that of today, but still, I felt sorry for both of the children. The young girl, because she was left under the care of her "hypo-condriacal aunt and her Cuban lover, a radio operator" I felt that she did not get the care, love, and attention that she deserves as a young girl of 12 years old. The girls Aunt Charlotte. who was described very vividly by the narrator (the young girl) makes me uneasy and I do not like her at all. Similar to the character of the young girl, the character of Columba, the young slave boy to Aunt Charlotte, is also deprived of a childhood. Being an African American boy growing up in the time period that this story is set, Columba is forced to live under a strict set of guidelines and standards. I feel pain for this character because of this...
One thing I really love about this story is the imagery in the name Columba. I thought it was great that the author named "a black boy after a white bird" and then had the death of his "childhood" or "innocence" (in a sense) die with the death of the white birds (the doves). I thought that this really tied the story together in a creative way.
I thought that this story was more a sad end to "childhood" and a painful, forced coming of age of the two younger characters. I hurt for the two characters at the end of the piece, but loved the last line, "I sat beside him in silence, my arm around his waist. This was not done." In a way, I took it as the young girl trying to deal with what had happened with the doves and to Columba saying that it was not right for them to had to have "grown up" in the way that they did.
One thing I really love about this story is the imagery in the name Columba. I thought it was great that the author named "a black boy after a white bird" and then had the death of his "childhood" or "innocence" (in a sense) die with the death of the white birds (the doves). I thought that this really tied the story together in a creative way.
I thought that this story was more a sad end to "childhood" and a painful, forced coming of age of the two younger characters. I hurt for the two characters at the end of the piece, but loved the last line, "I sat beside him in silence, my arm around his waist. This was not done." In a way, I took it as the young girl trying to deal with what had happened with the doves and to Columba saying that it was not right for them to had to have "grown up" in the way that they did.
Mario Vargas Llosa's "On Sunday"
When I reading "On Sunday" for the first time I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen in the story. To be honest, that was my main goal with my first read though. I was anxious to see what would happen instead of focusing on the turning point or the boys' coming of age. When I started to read the piece I immediately felt connected to the characters in the short story through Vargas Llosa's way of writing. When I read the part that said, "I've got to get a move on...Slowly, he stretched out his left hand until it touched hers; the contact made him aware that he was sweating. He begged for some miracle to happen, for that humiliation to be over. What do I say to her now? he thought..." I could see and feel the diliberation, nervousness and struggle that Miguel was going through. This scene allowed me to see into the character of Miguel away from the "boys" (the gang of the Hawks).
As I read I was a little unsure of the age of the characters but I assumed that they were in their teenage years...I guess it was because of the immature nature of the characters actions that I was thrown off. When the Miguel and Ruben, actually quite drunk, jumped into the water at the end of the piece I was really shocked. Inside my head, as I read, I was yelling, "You idiots! What is wrong with you?!? Are you crazy?" However, this scene did draw me even further into the piece because I was curious as to if they would be okay or if someone would die.
In reaction to the "coming of age" of Ruben and Miguel, I am unsure that because of their near death experience that they truly "came of age." In my own personal opinion I do not think that the two boys truly changed that much because of what happened in the water. I would have liked to have seen a snipet of what the two characters were like after the "incident" to see if they really had been changed for effected long term. Over all, this was a good story though.
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