Chicken With Plums

Chicken With Plums is another graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. This one takes place in the 1950s and follows the last few days of a man's life named Nasser Ali Khan, a musician. He is unhappy with his life and decides to commit suicide, and the book describes his thoughts during his last days alive. Nasser leaves his family and goes into isolation after his wife broke his tar, and Iranian string instrument similar to a guitar. He had been fighting with his wife for a while, and eventually admits that he never loved her. He was in love with another girl when he married her, but that girl's father wouldn't let her marry a musician. Nasser is visited by different family members during his isolation, each one bringing up one memory or another. It's interesting in the graphic novel; whenever he has one of these flashbacks, the background is black in the pictures, then changes back to white in the present. He recalls his mother's death as contemplates suicide, whom he had kept alive through his prayers. she found out he was doing so and told him to stop, because she was suffering, then she died. He wondered if someone was keeping him from dying as well, and someone was. It was his youngest daughter, Farzeneh. Farzeneh was his favorite child.

At the end of the story, Nasser is greeted by the angel of death. They have a conversation about why death hasn't taken him yet, to Nasser's disappointment. Nasser runs into a woman on the street with her granddaughter, who has a striking resemblance to his first love. He asks her name, and it's her, but she says she doesn't remember him. She walks away crying, knowing it was him. Nasser ends his life and the last page of the book is a picture of the angel of death.

I enjoyed Persepolis 1 & 2 very much, so I was excited to read this one. It did a great job of describing Nasser's thoughts and memories just before committing suicide. Though a great story, in the end it was quite sad.

Persepolis Trailer

Persepolis 2

With the cliff-hanging ending of Persepolis, I was pretty anxious to read Persepolis 2, the sequel. The first book ended with Marji at the airport, on her way to her new home in Austria, away from her parents for the first time. In the sequel, we see physical and emotional changes that all teenagers go through, but in this story at a greater extent. Marji spends time in various living arrangements, with one after the other not working out for her. For the first time in her life she becomes part of this circle of friends at school, who she spends a great amount of time with discussing political issues, etc. She has her fair share of boyfriends and breakups throughout the story, questioning her flaws in the aftermath of each one. The violence is still going on back home in Iran, which causes her to constantly worry about her parents. Marji really tries to find herself in the sequel, experimenting with various mind-altering drugs and at point point being the school's main dealer. Once back home, after four years of living on her own (including on the streets), she refuses to explain her real life there, because they've suffered enough already. Overall, I think Perseplois 2 sure bumped up the intensity level in the story; a great sequel to the first book.





Also, for anyone who's interested the Western Film Society is showing the movie "Rocket Science" this weekend at the little theater. Tickets are $5, $3 w/ student ID.

Trailer:

Persepolis

Persepolis is a graphic novel by author Marjane Satrapi. It's a story of her experiences as a young woman living in Iran after the Islamic Revolution(1979), in the early 80s. At the age of six, she announces that she will be a prophet, having nightly conversations with God and eventually writing her own holy book. Her religious beliefs begin to fade away as she becomes more politically involved with the revolution, eagerly begging her parents to attend a "demonstration," much like a protest. Throughout the story she meets different people and hears stories from relatives she had never met before, all who've suffered incarceration and torture--those that were still alive. She becomes furious with the war between Iraq and Iran and quickly transforms into the popular 80s punk stereotype; jean jacket, Iron Maiden poster, Michael Jackson pin, etc. The veil over her head as well. She gets threatened by some older women in the street about her appearance and told she would be arrested, but escaped the situation by screaming a false story at the women.
This is a great story of how certain events can change a person's perspective, and in this case to the point of getting expelled from school. The pictures fit perfectly with the story and emphasize every single word in the text. Sometimes there is just a picture, but the idea conveyed is just as disturbingly revealing as any text could put it.

The Kite Runner

The book I chose was The Kite Runner (Wiki) by Afghan American Khaled Hosseini. The story is told through the eyes of Amir, a young boy growing up in Afghanistan in the 1970's. Amir lives with his father in a fairly expensive mansion in the town of Kabul. Ali, a "servant" in their home, has a son named Hassan, with whom Amir spends every day with. Amir reads to Hassan and writes him stories, while Hassan helps cook and clean the house. In their free time they go out and act like normal ten-year-old kids, retreating to a large tree in which they'd sit under while Amir reads Hassan stories. In the mid 70's, Amir witnesses a tragic event involving Hassan and the town bully, during that winter's "Kite Fight." This causes Hassan and his father to leave their home forever. Meanwhile, Amir hasn't told anyone what has happened.

Russia invades Afghanistan, and Amir and his Father flee to Pakistan by way of truck and tank transport that was also brought up in Men In The Sun. They eventually end up in Fremont, California, in a small apartment within an Afghan-American neighborhood; a major shift in lifestyle.

Amir marries Soraya, who he meets at a local town market. His father becomes ill with lung cancer and passes away shortly after the wedding. Fifteen years later, Amir receives a phone call from a friend of his father's back in Afghanistan, with horrifying news of the death of Hassan. Even worse, the news of Hassan's son Sohrab, who is now a slave to the Taliban. Amir returns to Afghanistan to rescue Sohrab, barely escaping a fatal beating but succesfully returning to California with him and adopting him.

Though haunting at times, I thought this was a great story. It showed bravery, terror, sadness, and joy all together. It's amazing how no matter how terrible life can become while trying to survive, and how strong people like Amir stay throughout a lifetime of complication.

Arab Hip-Hop: Another Perspective

I took a music appreciation class a couple of years ago at a community college, where I was introduced to an Iraqi hip-hop group named Euphrates. I found an article on them, but unfortunately one of their members was killed recently and they've split up. The group recorded and performed songs expressing their political outlook from an Iraqi point of view. Euphrates frontman "The Narcicyst" is involved with another Arab hip-hop group called Arab Summit; a musical project formed by artists with roots throughout the Middle East.
Here's a music video for the song "We Need Order."


It's interesting to see this post-9/11 rise in Arab hip-hop in the United States as a way to eliminate marginalization. I became interested in the subgenre back when I took the class, but like many classes forgot about it after the final exam. Now I've become more and more interested than before considering our discussions in class and how to deal with everything that's going on in the world.

I also found an interview with "The Narcicyst" himself; Yassin Alsalman:

Vicious Circle?

I'm not sure what I think about the debate. Anyone can state anything but no matter how morally and factually "right" is is, some one will disagree. It's hard to determine right from wrong in a country that, after reading these articles, seems to withhold massive amounts of information from it's own people. Either that or nobody cares; a category I would instantly throw myself into.

The entire situation is an unnecessarily vicious circle. However I felt that the statement made about AIPAC being the cause of the war in Iraq was a bit of an exaggeration. Then again I'm getting the feeling that the big picture is being run by closed-minded extremists from all sides of the playing field. If that's the case than the arguing will never end. I'm really at a loss for what to say as I stand by my belief that nothing will ever seem "right" and we've only seen the outer edge of a giant mess. With that I'll end with this quote from The Israel Lobby that I found interesting, being that the U.S. is funding these bullets:

"Since then, for every Israeli lost, Israel has killed 3.4 Palestinians, the majority of whom have been innocent bystanders; the ratio of Palestinian to Israeli children killed is even higher (5.7:1)." - Mearsheimer & Walt

Wild Thorns

I thought the book was great. It really showed the different impacts the war had on the different characters in the book. I thought it was crazy how concerned Usama was about everything, described on the ride to Nablus, only to arrive in a town where lifestyles had changed and people were almost oblivious to living under military rule.

The part in which I felt the truth really came out about the changes that had taken place was when Usama had spoken with the old man at the farm. Usama tries to get him to remember who he was, and asks about his cousin Adil who had worked there, and it all seems foreign to the man. I thought that showed how so much had changed that someone would seem as if they had been brainwashed with that thing Tommy Lee Jones uses in Men In Black.

At first, I found it a bit strange the way each chapter started, then I realized the impact it gave later. As each chapter ended, the next one began in a completely new setting with a completely new event taking place. Eventually I liked the way it jumped from story to story in a rather rapid manner, greatly emphasizing the number of issues and hardships these people went through living under such intimidating conditions.

Also, I found this interesting picture:

SnowMen In The Sun

I think it's safe to say that Kanafani's stories are a tad more on the darker side. All of which conveyed family struggles and hardships, but with an unexpected
M. Night Shyamalan-ish twist. The two shorter stories I felt related more to each other, in terms of the war and the characters' experiences confronting Jewish soldiers.

In The Land Of Sad Oranges, there's a disturbing image of the father seen through a window, ill-looking and accompanied by a revolver. A sight of such graphic violence is enough to give any kid looking through that window a pretty good freak out. I know I shouldn't, but I actually liked the comparison of the father's face to a rotten orange. I felt it really described his state of being.
At first, I didn't know what to think of If You Were A Horse. Not that I didn't like it, I just had something totally different being pieced together in my head. When I read that the boy's mother died after she gave birth to him, I thought just that; she died giving birth. Little did I know her skull was crushed by hooves.
A Hand In The Grave came off as quite the thriller. There was so much suspense and anticipation throughout the story until the "event." I would almost call it a backwards thriller, or what some call a "turn-off."
I got all excited for some wild demon thing to possess him, but he just stuck his fingers in the eyes.

The Koran Readings

I wish I could say that I found some similarities between the Koran readings and the Bible, but I can't. My knowledge of religion to this day goes no further than Jesus was born on Christmas, and resurrected on Easter. Yes, I grew up Catholic.

One thing I did see was the idea of punishment for sinning, which is a pretty basic concept and seemingly universal across all religions. This line sort of explained the fate of the nonbelievers (From the second reading):
"SHAKIR: (As for) those who disbelieve, surely neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them in the least against Allah, and these it is who are the fuel of the fire."
In this second reading it came off as a rundown of guidelines and rules to follow and the consequences for not doing so. That seemed to be pointed out a few times, like the first quote:
"SHAKIR: Say to those who disbelieve: You shall be vanquished, and driven together to hell; and evil is the resting-place."

Now the first story reminded me of the little I know about the Bible. A woman having a child that had never been "unchaste." Relating to Jesus's birth and later, resurrection:
"SHAKIR: And peace on him on the day he was born, and on the day he dies, and on the day he is raised to life"

The Burden of Opinion

Obviously, the perceptions of the Middle East depend on so many variables it's almost impossible to form an opinion. However, it's safe to say that the hardships over there have drastically increased over the past two decades. I find it tough to understand how innocent people can be merged into a category with lethal killers based on a childish stereotype. When you search Google Images for "Middle East," you get page after page of violent hate-seeking terrorists, and poor helpless refugees. It may be me, but everywhere I look it's one or the other. And the fact that we associate the Middle East primarily with a blood stained battlefield is a little sad. Yes, we're in the middle of a war, but does a war have to be the motivator in learning about a culture?

My "Rubaiyatic" Attempt:

1. Morning is here, violating her visits,
Clearly doubting my love for our kids;
To watch them sleep so sound through the night,
Is all that I get-but she rose before six.

2. Why, might I ask, is it so hard to speak?
Seeing someone so stunning, I'm left without speech
Can beauty truly leave a man mute?
They've locked up advice and eaten the key.

3. It can't be found in music class,
This outlook so sincere and vast
Just lay on a car, pen in hand
With Springsteen, Dylan, and Mr. Cash.

Paper 1

Of the readings we've done, it's apparent that the Moors have differing representations. In Othello, he's described as some sort of "tramp," marrying Barbantio's daughter in secrecy. Othello is looked down upon by the higher class, and singled out/disrespected because of race.

The Vitkus article reveals another description of the Moors. In one part, we hear about the Barbary Pirates, viewing some Moors as much more violent as they enslave Europeans and demolish coastal villages.

My paper is going to be on these varying depictions of the Moors. The change in description between stories is somewhat dramatic, and also being viewed from different angles. I found a site with information on Present Day Moors as well, which I think could tie in with what we've learned in the previous readings and research.

Literary Carpet Ride

KING SHAHYRAR AND HIS BROTHER

This story was very interesting, and it definately kept my attention throughout the entire thing. I read the Wikipedia "rundown" of The 1,001 Nights which I feel helped out alot when I began to read this story. I liked how Shahyrar's initial decision to go visit his little brother Shah Zaman was easily skewed by his "Wazir" (reminded me of a butler?). It showed the traditionality of brotherly relationships that we still see today. Think about it:

(2007, Anywhere)
Big Brother: "Hey man, I miss my litte bro, let's go see him."
Big Brother's friend: "No way dude, tell him to come over here instead."
Big Brother: "Little Bro! come over!"

Another thing that sort of tied together with Othello was this term "cuckold," which we talked about Monday. It comes up the first time when Zaman leaves, forgetting the gifts for Shahyrar, only to walk in on his wife partaking in post-intercourse "spooning."...with a lowly cook. However, that issue was easily solved with one fell swoop of his "scymitar." Point being she "cuckolded" him.
Later on, we see it again once Zaman is at Shahyrar's. Shahyrar's wife is in the garden (I think) accompanied by handfuls of other naked horny slaves. Eventually, Zaman witnesses the Queen having "relations" with a black guy that fell out of a tree.
This all relates to the wives' actions we discussed in Othello, who intentionally play the field to humiliate their husbands. A.k.a., "cuckolding" them.


OTHER "NIGHTS"


One of the other stories I read was "The Thief and His Monkey." Sound familiar? Now I'm not quite sure if it's actually the story of Aladdin (I know we were looking for it Monday), but it sounds pretty damn close. It describes a man (the thief) who never enters the market, but frequently makes subtle "visits" with his monkey to steal stuff. However, he resells these items. That was either forgotten in Disney's Aladdin, or left out so kids wouldn't go on a looting rampage at the mall with wild animals for sidekicks.

I read another titled "Woman's Trick Against Her Husband;" another fine display woman making man look like a complete idiot. The man comes home to his wife with a fish, and asks her to prepare it. The man goes out and finishes his business for the rest of the day, and she puts the fish in a jar of water then leaves for a week. When she comes back, he's furious. However, she's convinced the people of the village to play along with her little prank. The man sees a fish in a jar, doesn't believe it's the same fish and is imprisoned for going crazy. That sounds like the plotline for "Mr. & Mrs. Smith II."

The Barbary Pirates

After reading the Vitkus article, I noticed a particular part in which the Turks were referred to as Barbary Pirates. My Y-chromosome kicked in immediately after seeing the word "pirate," causing me to find this Wikipedia article on these Jack Sparrow-esque coast strikers.

The article describes the Barbary Pirates as being mainly from North Africa, attacking many coastal European villages. The focus of these attacks was the capturing of Europeans, to sell them as slaves. The numbers of those captured between the 16th and 19th century is said to have exceeded 1 million Europeans. Whoever the Pirates didn't capture, they are said to have slaughtered. Leaving many settlements uninhabited, ship-less and enslaving the survivors. Violence and kidnap are two forms of piracy that are seemingly the most devastating.

Othello/S'Moors

OTHELLO

Unfortunate at the time, I lived with a theater major last year who was in WMU's production of Othello. He felt it beneficial to keep me awake all night reading lines with him, and not a more enthusiastically qualified insomniac such as himself. Long story short I was familiar with the play in the same way that Taco Bell is healthy for you.

Othello first reminded me of Spiderman; a lover-boy adored by the citizens, but despised by Jonah Jameson and Harry Osborn (in our case, Barbantio and Iago). Yet when dispute is at hand, he's picked to lead the battle.

Iago and Roderigo are two very distinct characters. Iago seems to have Roderigo "by the hair" being that he has the undeniable ability to control Roderigo, and eventually, Cassio. Iago spews rumors about Desdemona, resulting in a fact-less fight between Cassio and Roderigo...Much like any drama queen...on any reality TV show...ever.

THE MOORS



When I heard the term "Moor," I didn't have the slightest idea what it meant. I know there's a certain cliff range on the coast of Ireland with a similar name, but not even close. I found this site:
http://www.mrdowling.com/703-moors.html

Decameron: Take 2

So I've read The Decameron over again, and very slowly. I now understand it much more than before. The discussion in classed helped as well.

I think i recall someone saying it in class, that Saladin is viewed as a "Robin Hood" type of character in The Decameron. Regardless, I agree. He's disguised as a merchant in the beginning, alongside his comrades as they traveled through Lombardy. They meet Torello, who gives them great hospitality and proceed to go on their way. Torello, doubtful as to their true identities, later decides to join Saladin-only to find out who he really is. Upon leaving, Torello makes his wife promise to re-marry if he doesn't return in the amount of time he describes, implying he will be dead.
Torello eventually meets up with Saladin once again, gets sick, Saladin "saves" him, and he returns home in enough time to be reunited with his wife.
Saladin seems to share the same heroic qualities as any other "good" guy in a classic saga. As was said in class, a knight in shining armor.
Torello returning to his wife is similar to almost every love story of a war movie that's hit the box office...with a touch of "The Notebook."