week three prompt 1

Maria Barrera
Professor Knapp
English 1b (Friday)
Week Three prompt 1

The chapter The Shabbat is very important because it represents what the novel is about. Marjane was trying to forget war. For this reason, she involved herself in things that teenagers presumably enjoy: shopping. Nevertheless, it was not enough for Marjane to forget that her life was filled with brutality and tragedy. Once that Marjane bought articles that made her feel a normal girl, she was surprised by the abrupt sound of an explosion. Quickly Marjane forgot the happiness that she felt and she ran away because the missile had exploded in her neighborhood (138). This passage represents the destruction that a war can cause. It is true that during a period of war people can suffer many kind of damage, but the saddest thing becomes with the destruction of the childhood. Children have the right to live in a peaceful place where they can enjoy and feel secure. Even though Marjane was a child, she witnessed the destruction of her country and her childhood.
Without doubt Marjane was the most impacted for the devastating war with Iraq, so she lived in a constant fear. “I don’t want to die,” Marjane said every time she heard the explosion of the missiles (136). However, the worst happened when she saw that Neda, a girl of her age, had died after the explosion. Marjane could see, under the debris, Neda’s bracelet attached to her hand (142). Moreover, Marjane was forced to fly to Austria living behind her country in which she had her treasure: her family. Marjane kept in mind “I will always be true to myself,” yet she knew that maybe it was the last time that she could see her family (151).
I think that war is central theme because Marjane’s life changed completely after the war. In addition, I think that the author wanted to describe in detail the human cost of war: lost of lives, terror, separation of families, and how a child has to mature fast in the middle of this tremendous chaos.

Caracter description

Reading Persepolis, a book written by Marjane Satrapi, I could discover a brave little girl who wanted to fight against social classes. During the Iranian Revolution, Marjane had to suffer the consequences of it, but she also had to understand that there was another kind of revolution. According to Marjane, this revolution was provoked by her own family, and she felt responsible and ashamed because she had things that others couldn’t. “The reason for my shame and for the revolution is the same: the difference between social classes,” Marjane said. In addition, Marjane’s father explained her that people have to follow the rules of the country and it was to “stay within your own social class” (37). Even though Marjane was too young, she realized that some people, including her family, were intolerant and it was one of the reasons of war. Consequently, she decided to demonstrate in the streets. This shows Marjane’s decision to protest against the difference between social classes. I think that Marjane did not do anything else because of her age.

As I continued to read Persepolis, I found it interesting the way that some people attacked their own kind. For example, Marjane was living an intern conflict because she did not understand if her father was for or against social classes; but during the demonstration in the streets Marjane and her maid were attacked by their own people (39). Later, when Marjane and her family went to the supermarket, they heard some women saying, “Southern women are all whores” (93). I could relate to these scenes because, in my Native country: Mexico, many people are destroying the peaceful place that my land was. Many years ago, it was secure to walk on the streets at any time. However, now if you want to take a walk at night, you could be attacked and even killed. I can not understand how some Mexican people who are fighting for power in the world of the drugs are killing their own people without remorse. Although it is not exactly the same situation that Marjane lived during the Iranian Revolution, I am really sure that it is the same lack of sensibility.

I think that Marjane decided to write these scenes because she wanted to show us how absurd the Islamic Revolution was. While Iran was attacked with brutality under a strict regimen of prohibitions, some Iranians had the time to assault others. Also, Marjane wanted to show us the impotence that some people felt and how they demonstrated it attacking their own people. Using these kinds of scenes the author creates a vivid connection between the readers and the desperation that some Iranians were living during this crude period of their lives. Of course, Marjane brought to my mind that there are some resemblances between what she lived in Iran and what is happening in my country.

My mother never...

My mother never went to school when she was a little girl. However, she dreamed with the idea of teaching others. She was three years when her mother died, but quickly her father decided to get married again. She had to cook when she was seven years old, and as the biggest one in her family, she had to take care of her five siblings. My mother's father is very strict and according to his believes the only preoccupation for a woman should be to learn how to be a good housewife. On the other hand, my mother had other plans and she enrolled in school when she was 15. She pretended that she was going to her job daily at the same hour. She earned money selling chocolates in school, and that way my grandfather did not discover her duplicity. Four years later, Elizabeth, my mother, accomplished her goal of getting her high school diploma. Later, she got married and continued her studies. My mother spent many years teaching in an elementary school in Mexico. It is amazing how happy and positive my mother is, even though she suffered many things during her childhood. My mom is the best example of rebelliousness and how important it is to defend your aspirations. Thanks to my mother I believe that there is nothing impossible in life. Furthermore, I think that there are many cultures and ideas that can influence your thoughts; however, the most important thing is who you are and how rebellious you can be to accomplish your goals.

MariaB ENG1B

Hi,
I am Maria Barrera, I came from Mexico five years ago. My parents and brothers were living here before me. It means that I was living by myself in my native country. I decided to stay there because I wanted to finish my studies and finally I could achieve my goal. Now, I want to transfer my credits to San Jose University. Something else about me is that I have two children who are my motivation, and I want to be a role model for them.Of course, I love reading and writing even though it is very difficult for me because English is my second language.