Final Blog

 From what we read as well as discussed in class, Women’s Literature seems like it was a way for those women to finally tell their stories, whether it was a personal or just how they felt during a specific time in their lives. These women felt that the events in their lives were life-changing enough that they decided to share them with other women as well as men, maybe thinking some man or woman could relate to them.  Basically Women’s Literature is a way for women to use their voices, women back then were basically not as vocal as they currently are today. I think women’s literature is meant to teach today’s women that everyone has a story and that they should not be afraid to tell it, because you never know if someone out their can relate to your story or not. When reading through the authors each one taught us something different, from Precious teaching about the abuse, (both physically and emotionally), clearly uneducated, and then finally finding a way to a better life for herself and her son; too Allison Bechdel who struggled with identity and sexuality.  Women’s literature also teaches us about history, personally for me I never knew very much about the story of the Japanese internment camps, the holocaust, and even Alvarez ‘s story of the four Maribel sisters. Without these ladies telling us what they went through during those awful times I may have never learned about any of these historical events as well as life changing. Also with these particular authors we got to read about their side, (the woman’s side of the story), told from their own experiences. Though these authors are telling us a story, they are also letting us know that through life’s struggles can have some type of positive outcome.

            It is important for women to their stories because for them it finally gave them a voice that they never had. It is important to understand what women when through during historical events and also how they were affected. Also reading through the stories I found it easier to relate to, well at least sympathize with the women. Though I physically was not there during the time of these stories you cannot help but feel for what these women through. For example, the Maribel sisters who were “killed” because they were sick of sitting back and watching their families being destroyed at the hands of a dictator, so they decided to take a stand but in the end their voices is what killed them. However for Bechdel and Allison they felt as though their stories were a way of release, and once they told their stories they were able to break free from all the pain and suffering they endured all those years, and found some form of happiness, you can say that they had a hopeful ending. Every story that we read was different, I feel that through such stories like the ones we read helped to pave away for woman authors today. If you take today’s women authors they too are beginning to write about there personally stories; stories about what affected them growing up, through past experiences or stories of a specific event that they feel might be important to share with other women. It is important for women to understand, is that through their stories it allows us to tell our stories and to keep on using voices and to realize that we are not alone. As long as these women continue to write and share their stories maybe it will help influence many other women to do the same. It is important for women to know that they are not alone, there is always someone out that have heard it all as well as seen it all.  

2 or 3 things...

In Friday’s class we were asked to write about a 2 or 3 things… so for my last blog I choose to do the same. I choose Two or Three things I know for sure and one of them is that telling the story all the way through is an act of love.  I think Dorothy wrote this particular piece because for Dorothy, she finally felt that sense of relieve. She was able to tear away the broken piece that had affected her for all those years. Dorothy refers to her life story as if it was wall, “my story was on this wall. I stood in front of my wall. I put my hand on it. Words were peeling across the wall, and every word was a brick. I touched one. “Bastard,” (page 92). As she began tearing away the wall, a piece of her past was going away, she was able to release built up regression for everyone who treated her the wrong way. Once the bricks went away the first time she “saw” her mother, felt her mother, then another brick broke away she remembered another piece of her life, another and another would fall and Dorothy’s story would become just that a story.  Throughout her life Dorothy heard it all, seen it all, and most importantly experienced it all. After reading Dorothy’s story I get that feeling of release, it is almost as she finally felt whole again, she could move forward. Though she might have felt relieved in a way, she will always have those awful memories that will stay with her forever.  In the end Dorothy writes, “I can tell you anything. All you have to believe is the truth.” I think Dorothy wanted her readers to know was that if you are honest with yourself, then everyone else around you will believe in you too. 

2 or 3...

In class we were asked to analyze some photographs of Dorothy Allison’s, so for my blog I choose to analysis the photograph on page 87, the one with Dorothy, her longtime partner, her son, and the family dog. In class we briefly discussed that Dorothy seemed to be much happier with her life now then when she was growing up. Clearly Dorothy did not have the best childhood, she was abused physically, mentally, and even sexually. Though family members surrounded Dorothy throughout her life, she still seemed to be alone. She never really had support form her family. Her mother knew that her stepfather was abusing her, but chooses not say anything, or gets her out of that situation. Even her own aunt would put her down, for example, she writes “My aunt turned me around and smoothed my hair down, looked me in the eye, smiled, and shook her head, “lucky you’re smart.” For me who recently became an aunt, I could never imagine saying something like that to my niece, it is so hurtful and can be very damaging to a child. However what I found interesting is that in most of her childhood pictures Dorothy seemed very happy, happy as a young child can be. Though at a young age most children are awkward and “growing into themselves” but for Dorothy she was hiding something much deeper. However Dorothy started to grow up she began to figure herself out and tried to better understand the “whys” and “how comes” that she went through all those years. As she began to figure her life out, she would meet her lifelong partner in the process, that she did not clearly see coming.  So that brings me to the photograph on page 87, I think the birth of Dorothy’s son helped her change and helped her to move on with her life. I also think that the birth of her son, finally allowed her to tell her story, maybe he gave her a sense of confidence and strength to tell her story and making her able to move forward with her new life. I think that once she began to tell her story she felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders, or maybe she told her story to share with her son one day. Whatever the reason being I felt that once she wrote this particular book, she felt relieve of anger, pain, and frustration after all these years. 

"Dr. Tree"

n class we briefly discussed the connection between Dr. Tree and Rosa. Dr. Tree is not an official doctor but he is interested in Rosa’s story as well as others like Rosa. At first Rosa does not understand why this doctor is contacting her or even interested in her life. Maybe Dr. Tree was trying to “help” Rosa in away, “help” her to understand what she was going through or went through years ago. However Rosa did not see it that way, according to Rosa she was not just some statistic and that is what Dr. Tree was making her out to be. Dr. Tree was conducting a study about Repressed Animation. In his study he wanted to better understand the  “wide range of neurological residues (including in some cases, acute cerebral damage, derangement, disorientation, premature senility ect.) as well as hormonal changes, parasites, anemia, thready pulse, hyperventilation.” (P.36). Dr. Tree believed that these issues were coming from years of stress from being incarcerated, exposure, and malnutrition. Also Dr. Tree considers Rosa “diseased”  and refers to her as a survivor, however Rosa does not see herself as a survivor, though she survived the holocaust and what happened her, it seems as though Rosa would have rather died there with her daughter Magda. Dr. Tree is trying to get into Rosa’s head, as well as others like Rosa, in hopes to figure out why Rosa is the way she is and why she could not let go of years of repressed anger and sadness. However Rosa rejects his efforts and basically wants nothing to do with him and ideas. Rosa does not feel like she is “diseased” she is who she is because of everything she lost and suffered thirty years ago. Rosa would later realize that Dr. Tree is connected to Stella, Stella sent him in Rosa’s direction. Rosa says, “it comes from Stella, everything!” (p. 38) Even the death of Magda Rosa blames Stella and continues to blame Stella for everything that has gone wrong in her life. Rosa basically wants nothing to with Dr. Tree as well as Stella at this point in her life. In the end, I think Rosa is suffering from a mental break down, and though she wants no help from anyone, it does hurt to let some of that repressed emotion go. 

"Crazy"

One of the professor’s questions was; is Rosa crazy? I feel that Rosa is crazy in certain ways.  Rosa went through hell during her time in the concentration camps, and once she was finally released she was able moved on. During our class discussion we discussed that Rosa might have turned “crazy” because she felt some type of guilt for succeeding after everything that she went through, she could not handle the fact that she was moving on with her life, when way in the back of her head she remembers what her and her family went through in those camps.  Rosa basically knew one way to live and that was the way she grew up in the camps, I think once she realized she was moving on and succeeding it got to her and she went “crazy”. After reading Rosa’s story she clearly went insane, by smashing the entire store and started living as a dirty bum in Florida. It is almost as something snapped in her, something was telling her that succeeding in life was a bad and that she does deserve it because of who she was and where she came from. Although Rosa experienced “voices” in head, I feel that it was something much more powerful coming from within Rosa herself, she just could not let go of what happened to her as well as her daughter.  Rosa was fighting demons all over, and it seems that the only way for her to come out on top was to regress back to what she knew, live the way she grew up. Rosa’s story is important to tell because I feel that are many people out that wondered what happened to the survivors of the holocaust. To be honest I knew of the holocaust and how people were treated but after reading Rosa’s story and seeing what she went through, with watching her daughter die in front of her eyes, and just seeing how affected she was by all the pain and suffering she went through, and never really was able to let go of what happened to her in the past. Even though I have not finished the book and Rosa’s story I have hope for her, that she would be able to heal herself. 

First Reaction

My first reaction to The Shawl was here we go again another monotone story, another historical piece of fiction that will not keep my attention for to long. However once I started reading the story of The Shawl, I felt it was going too different, a different kind of story to tell. The first part of the Shawl got off to a slow start, I could not quite get into the story, so I continued reading, I realize that this story had a bit more emotion then the previous one we read, it is almost as if mother was calling out to us for help. During this particular time many men women and children were confined to concentration camps, where they were imprisoned too one location of the camp, and where they suffered from exhaustion, starvation, and exposure. While reading Rosa’s story she was clearly a prisoner in of the concentration camps, and were she was trying to protect her daughters from the camp guards. The shawl represents how Rosa used it to feed as well as protect her daughter Magda from the prison guards. Rosa made her daughter suck on the shawl, with hopes it would feed her, I believe with Magda’s salvia is what she is feeding on, the more she sucked on it the more liquid she would get because Rosa’s body (breasts) dried up so Magda was getting nothing. The shawl also represents protection; she was trying to shield her daughter from the guards, until Magda got loose and ran, to be later shot down but the guards. I could never image watching my little girl suffer, that image would last with me for a long time, and I have a feeling that is what Rosa is suffering from. Once I began to read Rosa’s story it is clear to me that Rosa never really healed from what happened to her during that point of her life.  

Hope/Hopeless

To be honest I am not quite sure what to blog about for this blog post, so I decided to write about my final reactions to When the Emperor was Divine. Well first, in our class discussion we discussed briefly about if the book has a hopeful ending or a hopeless ending. After reading through the end of the book a few times, I think that for each character the ending is different. If you take the mother first, when she left the camp she was clearly not in the right state of mind, but once she left she started to turn her life around, for example with getting a job of her own. However, I think the camps affected the mother in many different ways, she was happy to be out, she got a job, but she still lives with the pain and suffering that she endured during that time. The same pain and suffering followed her out of the camps, but I think she hid it. I do not think she can let go of what happened to her and it will begin to take over her life, and I feel it is what kills her in the end. Now for the father, he just gives up, he does not fight for what he knows is right, he just confesses saying he did. There is no hope for the father, by him confessing he is saying, “I am done, and I give up.” It is almost as he knew that he would never win, so that is why he gave in. The only hope I see is for the children, the daughter might have a tougher time because of her age and she understands what was going on, but I think she will be able to work through the pain and suffering she endured during the camps, and she will grow stronger through her experiences. The son as well as because like the professor stated in class he entered the camps with a sense of innocence and came out with somewhat of that sense of innocence. He too will grow stronger from this experience and will live to prove everyone wrong, like his sister they will fight to prove they are “not the bad guys” they are good people. So as for hope, I have hope for the children but the not the parents, the children will live to tell their stories!

Broken Silence

When answering the question why does the author break the silence surrounding this historical event by telling this story? Otsuka choose to tell this particular story because to her, her family members and the rest of Japanese people it was an important event as well as life changing. What I do not understand is that if her own mother and grandmother lived in these internment camps, well basically lived through this awful time then why didn’t she write about their stories? However by Otsuka writing this particular story it allowed many Japanese people being to feel a sense of relief or maybe it allowed them to release any built up emotions that they have carried around with them all these years. To be honest without this particular book, and having it assigned as a book to read in class, I would know nothing about this particular period of time. I understand that we learned about the bombing and the war between the United States and Japan in our history classes but without the book and the stories we may never fully understand what the Japanese people went through during this time. However why did Otsuka wait so long to tell this story, if she felt it was an important story to tell then why so many years later. Like I previously stated that the book was a way of release, the release of emotions for the Japanese people, but Otsuka also published the book the same year of the 9/11 attacks. Was she trying to tell the United States something, maybe like payback for all these years of pain and anger the Japanese people suffered at the hands of the United States military. Or was she trying to let everyone know that when something terrible happens to a certain country and affects the people of that country that someone is willing to tell their story. With Otsuka writing When the Emperor was Divine it allowed many Japanese people to be free, free of everything, and allowed the people to have a voice after all these years.

"Monotone"

I would have to agree with my fellow classmate, when they described Otsuka style as being “monotone.” I feel that her style of writing is lacking an emotional connection between (me) the readers and with what the author is trying to tell us. However, I do not think Otsuka is a minimalist; she does a good job (at times) of setting the seen, for example when the little girl is on the train and she is remembering the horses and how she use to live in the old horses stables. With this particular part of the book, Otsuka does a good job painting a clear picture of what the little girl was remembering and feeling but for me the rest of the book it just not keeping my attention. What I do not understand is that if Otsuka felt that this particular story was important to her as well as other Japanese people, then why didn’t she use more emotion, or why didn’t she use several different stories instead of explaining just one, (many Japanese people went through this.) As I read through this book, I am finding it hard to get through, maybe it because most the books that we have read to this point have had somewhat of an emotional connection and could not help but feel for most of the characters in the other books. For example, we just finished the book Push, and Push was a very powerful book, it had strong emotion, as well as graphic pictures of what Precious went through. I feel like this book is like sitting through a boring lecture, that you cannot wait for it end. Also I might be more interested in the book if I did further research on this particular time in history because I had no real understand of this particular time. I understand that to many Japanese people that this story is important to them, and they like that it was told, but like I previously stated, maybe if Otsuka interviewed many others the book would not be so boring. 

Community

The role that Precious’ community plays in her life is a huge part, it basically shapes who she is at a young age, well into her adulthood. Precious grew up in a pretty rough neighborhood, in Harlem, New York. She is a welfare child, so basically she got what her mother could afford.  Precious would essentially see it all growing up, and even lived through it all. For example, she has seen abuse, as well as experienced such abuse. With Precious growing up in such a violent area, I think it made Precious very fearful, fearful from anyone and everyone. What got me about Precious’ community, mostly her own apartment building was that her entire building knew what was happening to Precious and no one was willing to help. Precious says, “Jezus Mary, you didn’t know. I knew, the whole building knew,” (pg. 10). Wouldn’t you think that if a whole apartment building knew what was going on to young child, that someone would step up and open their mouths. They all basically sat back and watched a young girl be abused and raped by her own parents. I understand that most people do not want to deal with other people’s problems, maybe they were experiencing the same problems just like Precious. However no child at any age should be put through that, and no twelve year old should be giving birth to its own child by her own father, it is just not right. When talking about Precious’ community, I feel that it is a “monkey see, monkey do” idea, growing up Precious witness and experienced abuse of all forms, so for her she did the same. For example, well in school her teachers would call on her or ask to talk her about school, and she wanted nothing to do with them, she basically yelled and cursed them up and down. Once she eventually got the help she needed, (EOTO), she was able to move forward with bettering herself, as well as her son’s. I feel that everyone’s community can shape a person’s individual self, if you grow up in crime and violence like Precious did and that is all you know then most likely you will become or take part in such violence. It is what you do with yourself, and the decisions you make that can change you life. 

Society

When reading through the book I often wondered why Sapphire was writing this particular book, it is almost as if she wanted to tell us something about our society and the people in it. I think that what Sapphire wanted us to be aware of is that a girl like Precious is not alone; there are more young girls out there that are dealing with the same problems as her. Precious as a young age was struggling to make it through life, but clearly was getting nowhere because of people and places in her life. Sapphire wanted also us to be aware of was the education system, abuse, and just trying to make it through life was very difficult for Precious as well as the other young girls who struggled. Sapphire writes about how Precious was clearly abused by her parents, as well as everyone else, and how the public school systems basically wanted nothing to do with her. Clearly Precious was uneducated, had a bad attitude, and seemed like she did not want any help from anyone. Sapphire writes how the societal institutions that failed Precious just like her family, neighbors, basically any one in Precious’ life. Sapphire wrote how the public schools wanted nothing to do with Precious; she had a bad attitude, and was suspended from school because she was pregnant. It is as if the schools and the teachers in them did not want to deal her and her problems. Sapphire also writes about how the hospital where Precious gave birth to her daughter, failed her as well. The nurse who spoke with Precious figured out that she was raped or abused, and started to do something about when she called the police, but once the nurse’s shift was over she left, which means she left Precious, which in turn means she failed Precious, like everyone else. I think Sapphire wanted us to see how society sometimes does not want to deal with the troubled, it is as life society as a whole wanted nothing to do with Precious, they looked at her as if she was a lost case. However, Sapphire does mention a school EOTO, which was willing to help Precious, and hopefully guide her in the right direction. Sapphire wanted us to know that it only takes one person to open their mouths when they know something is clearly not right with a certain individual, like Precious. We as a society need to speak up more, and not to sit back and watch, because when we decide to speak up it is to late.

Purpose of Fun Home

I choose to write this blog on one of discussion questions from class, “Why did Alison choose to write this particular book and why did she choose to write the book as a graphic novel?”

As a young girl, around the age of nine or ten Alison began a journal which basically was about her life, her relationship with her father, and as well as the other members of her family. I believe that for Alison writing and drawing out her life was a way of release. It is as if writing this was a way for her to let her feeling out that have been bottled up for years about her father as well as her family. Maybe in a way she felt a sense of freedom, freedom from her past life. As you read through her book, it is clear that she did not have the best childhood or teenage years, it was not until her father was gone that she began to feel a sense of relief. Also maybe it was a way to help her better understand her father and maybe what he went through or even just why the way he was. But why did she choose to write a graphic novel? One of my classmates talked about how her book would have been better or more emotional if the pictures were not there. I would have to agree with my classmate, I felt that this particular book would have greater emotion and a better understanding if the pictures were not there. I mean the some the pictures were useful in helping with understanding what Alison was going through, but without them the book might have been a bit more relatable. It was just too much to read and the pictures took a lot of attention off the writing and I began to focus more on captions. However the book was written and Alison did what she wanted to do, write and tell her story. In the end Alison felt the need to tell her story with hopes that it would release her from her years of bad memories.

Sexuality

1)   In the beginning of the book she mentions that she has brothers and they have a good relationship but how come it ends there? How come she did not talk about her brothers and how they grew?

2)   

Why did Alison Bechdel decide to write her novel this why? Graphic novel?

A question that was brought up in was Does Alison sexuality stem from her father’s ways? I feel that most of Alison’s emotions and behaviors stem from her father’s ways. In most of the class discussions it is clear that Alison never received the love and affection she deserved from her father, as well as her mother. As a young girl Alison did not quiet understand her father’s behaviors or his emotions toward certain things and certain people. She could not figure out why her father was more into flowers than cars or sports like every other man.  As Alison began to grow she would start reading books from her father’s collection and most of the books seemed to be in reference to sexuality. Maybe reading those books caused her to feel the way she does, or maybe it was the way she watched her father decorate their house. I think after reading through her story, Alison seemed to find her affection and love from anyone who was willing to give it to her, such as girls. Throughout her life even though she might not want to admit it, her father played a huge part in her life. I think deep down her father in way guided her to who she is now. Also maybe she felt that because her father was sissy like, (as Alison called him) she felt that she has to be more masculine in place of her father’s lack of man. Yes, she had two other brothers, but it seems as though her father actions toward everything affected her the most and might have shaped her to the person that she is today. 

Different but still the same

Growing up Alison and her father Bruce were very different people but were also very similar in certain ways. Alison growing up was a “tomboy”, she found herself to be more masculine that her own father. Her own cousins nicknamed her Butch, “hey Butch think fast,” (pg. 96). While on the other hand her father was somewhat of a sissy. She said that her father found comfort in flowers and decorating, he wanted his entire house to be covered with flowers inside and out. Alison says, “what kind of man but a sissy could possibly love flowers this ardently?” (Pg. 90). Alison apparently at a young age could not figure out why her father was so sissy-like, while herself was more of a “man” than her own father. As Alison began to grow up and really began to see the differences between her and her father, Alison states, “But I wanted the muscles and tweed like my father wanted the velvet and pearls—subjectively for myself,” (pg. 99). With Alison she felt comfortable with who she was and how she looked. She would figure out that she was into girls, and would become a lesbian at fairly a young age. While her father on the other hand always knew he had feelings for the same sex, (he was gay), but was both embarrassed and afraid to express his true feelings because of fear of how people would react towards him. And in the end Alison believes that her father killed himself because he was a manic-depressant and clearly could not handle living a doubled life anymore. While Alison choose to be honest with her feelings, and allowed her to be happy, and who is currently living a happy and healthy life and who is a proud to be a member of the gay community.

Family "issues"

 It is clear from the first few chapters that Alison and her father did not have a good relationship. Even at a young age, Alison as well as her brothers felt that their father was way to controlling, (somewhat bossy like), and unexpressive toward his wife and children. The first chapter Alison discusses what kind of father Bruce Bechdel was and how he treated his family. According to Alison it is either her father’s way or no way at all. For example Alison explains how her family purchased an old house that was built in 1867, and when they first bought it was in need of some help. Alison stated how her father could fix anything she says “my father could spin garbage into gold,” (Bechdel, 6). It is clear that her father had a “knack” for interior design. According to Alison her father was not happy with pretty much most of his life, such as his job, she stated that his true passion was craftsman’s work and not an English teacher. It seems from what I have read that Bruce was fight some serious demons, and he seems to be taking it out on his family. Alison and her brothers never received affection of any kind from their father, for example, Alison explains how tried to show her love for her father by giving him a kiss, but because her family has little experience with affection, she ended up giving him a kiss on the hand, (pg.19). Alison was completely mortified by the gesture; she was full of embarrassment because she did not receive a gesture back or did not show any affection from her father. The uncertainty of father continued throughout her life, but once her father had died is when she really started questioning her life as well as trying to figure out her father's life as well. In the end once her father was gone, her and her brothers felt some type of relief, they were free from his reins. “It could be argued that death is inherently absurd, and that grinning is not necessarily an inappropriate response,” (Bechdel, 47). As I continue to read, I hope to better understand what her father was going through, why their relationship was the way it was, and will she feel any different after receiving answers as to “why?”

Alvarez's Purpose

      Alvarez definitely served her purpose with writing In the time of the Butterflies. With this particular book, Alvarez was able to tell a story about four very different sisters, but through the eyes of only one sister, Dede.  Alvarez interviewed Dede, (the soul survivor of the four sisters) and Alvarez took Dede’s stories of each sister and was able to create a story about sisters as if each sister were sitting in front of Alvarez herself.  Though Alvarez created a story through the sister’s stories and experiences, I feel Alvarez was trying to tell us of what the Haitian women went through during this time. These four particular women fought for what they believed in, as well as fought for those women who might have been affected by what was going on during this awful time. Before I started reading this particular book, I thought it was going to be a historical timeline, you can say straight to the point. But after reading the book, I realized that Alvarez was doing more than that, she took the facts, and put them into a story that showed how each sister was affected by one another. Though in story form, Alvarez told the truth, she wrote what she was told from Dede, she wrote as if she experienced the whole thing with the sisters. Alvarez I feel accomplished what she was trying to accomplish, she told the story of four sisters who were strong-willed but at the same time experienced many fearful events. Alvarez was able to give Minerva, Mate, Patria, and Dede a voice, it allowed them to tell their stories “from hair ribbons and secret crushes to gunrunning and prison torture, and to describe the everyday horrors of life under Trujillo’s rule, “ (back cover). After reading this particular book, you see how times have changed, and how women are becoming more of a force as well as being able to use their own voice. You cannot help but feel for Dede and her sisters because these girls did not deserve what happened to them, and Dede did not deserve to have to bury her sisters because they someone did not approve of their actions. In the end justice was not served for these four sisters as well as the Haitian women, and also men.

"Patria Timeline"

1938- goes to convent Inmaculada Concepcion
1940- decides she wants to be a nun
-While at mass on Holy Thursday she meets Pedrito and falls in love
-On February 24th, (3 days before her 17th birthday), her and Pedrito marry
-After getting married, Patria and Pedrito had a son Nelson
-Two years later Noris was born
-Then losses her baby, as well as her faith, and her marriage
-Goes on a pilgrimage
-Virgin Mary speaks to her
-Regains faith, strength, relationships
-On her 18th year of marriage, her marriage beings to crumble, (slightly)
-Her and Pedrito's kids are grown, Noris 15 and Nelson 17
-Reunites with her sisters on New Year's for the first time in a year
-Patria gets pregnant again
-Takes in Minerva's 6th month old son Manolito
-Goes on a retreat where, where bombing takes place, and witness a young boy get shot in his back
-Then her family is taken into custody
-Gets son back
-Dies on November 25th 1960, with sisters Minerva and Mate at the hands of dictator Trujillo

In comparing the sisters the ones that stick out to me the most is Maria Teresa and Minerva. Why does Maria look up to Minerva more than the other sisters? Minerva is the one who seems to be all about herself, why would she want to spend most of her time with her little sister. Maybe it is because Minerva can be a very convincing person and with Maria being a young girl and at that age can be very vulnerable. And maybe for Minerva, Maria is an easy target for her to control, and Maria might see it has her big sister wants to hang with her, talk to her, just plan old pay attention to her. During the reading I noticed that Maria writes about Minerva a lot in her journal, “Minerva said this…” I think Maria finds comfort in knowing that one of her older sisters is so invested in her and is willing to help guide her through her younger years. Maria might talk about Minerva a lot, but she wants to be able to learn something from each sister as well as other family members.  Maria writes in her Little Book on Thursday, July 4^th, “I’m going to spend the summer learning things I really want to learn! Like 1) doing embroidery from Patria 2) keeping books from Dede… 5) how to argue so I’m right, and anything else Minerva wants to teach time.” In the end it seems to go back to Minerva and Maria wanting Minerva to teach her anything else she wants to be taught her. I think I will need to continue the reading to see how the relationship between Minerva and Maria grows or changes.

"characters"

 After reading through the first four chapters, I found myself a bit confused, did not quite understand the significant of the girls or story. So I did some further research on these girls, and learned that they were murdered because they opposed the cruel dictatorship of Trujillo. Of the four sisters Dede did not get in the way therefore was not murdered, and who is still alive today.

The author of the book, Alvarez, says she wanted to take us beyond the legend and create characters, which I feel was a wonderful idea. By Alvarez creating the characters, and putting names with the story it sends a clearer picture of each sister and how they lived. Without the characters I do not think I would get the full affect of the book, or even get a sense of feeling of what the girls might have experienced, as well as lived through. I find it that when an author uses names or characters behind the story it becomes easier to read and less confusing.  By Alvarez using the girls real names, I get a better understand of each girl and how different they are from one another, but in some ways the same. I think what the Alvarez was trying to do with creating characters was to make sure that each girl was able to tell their own story through their own experiences and feelings, but also be able to share what each sister meant to one another.  Alvarez wanted give each girl a voice, though they are not alive today, (besides Dede) by Alvarez writing this particular book she gave those girls their voice, a chance to tell their stories. With Dede still alive she in a way speaks of the good and bad times she had with her sisters. Without names behind these characters I would just read this book because I had to, and not feel the emotion behind every chapter.

The Bad Boy

            After reading Bad Boys, as well as Dear Rhianna it is clear that most young girls seem to fall in love with the “bad boy”, or the wrong person. And when these young girls get into these bad relationships they will find it very difficult to get out of such relationships. The story of the girl in Bad Boys seemed like she was trying to find herself, she did want to be what her mother wanted her to be. It seems as though she got a rush, found it dangerous by dating the bad boy, because it is opposite of what her mother wants of her. Though to me it seems as if she dating this guy because he is just as troubled as she is, it is someone she can almost relate too. Most girls find it “cool” in a way to date the bad boy, and I think by these girls dating the bad boy they are experiencing something deeper within themselves. Most of these relationships will end up in a domestic violence situation and will find it hard to leave their significant others. For example, in the story of Dear Rhianna, where she was in a domestic violence situation, but unlike most girls she was able to get out. For the girl in the story, she feels that there is nothing wrong with being hit or verbal abused by her boyfriend. She sees it has if it is her fault that he is like the way he is. She writes, “I don’t know about you, but I’m not perfect, I’m naggy and I complain, well that’s what Brad tells me.” No girl of any age deserves to be talk to like that. See what girls do not understand is that no guy is worth being hit over, and that it is never their faults. In most domestic violence cases, one of the two parties who might have experienced domestic violence in some way, meaning that they may have witnessed their mothers or even fathers being abused in some way. For example, the girl in the story says, “and sometimes he hurts her and then she gets meaner and we all just got to our rooms and pretend we don’t hear.” This shows that she is witnessing her father beat her mother, then her mother doing the same. It seems as though it is normal in her life.  What gets about this girl in the story is that she listens to her father, when he says, “My dad says someone’s always asking for it.” Clearly there is something deeper going on with her own father, and what she is witnessing among her parents she believes is okay for her boyfriend to do the same. When in reality it is not okay, because most domestic violence cases can end up very badly, without the proper help then most girls will not get out like Rhianna did so bravely. She was a smart girl. These girls need to realize that they cannot be afraid to tell someone if they have been physically or verbally abused, and that they are people out there willing to help and trying to stop the violence. 

Girls

In Emotional Creature, Ensler takes a look into the world of young girls. Ensler writes this particular book, not through interviews but from what she has seen and heard from around the world.

After reading this particular book I can see that it is definitely geared toward a younger audience. Though the stories in the book are not personal, they are stories about what young girls go through but are too afraid to share. Most girls are afraid to tell their stories or even ask questions if they are curious about something or someone. For example the story, What I Wish I Could Say To My Mother identifies with several questions that young girls face but are to embarrassed to ask or talk about with their mothers, or any martial figure. I was once one of those girls, I struggled to ask my mother certain questions, because I did not want her to look down on me or accuse of anything, like using drugs, drinking, or sex. As soon as I entered high school my mother and I could talk about pretty much anything, and knowing that I could trust my mother with anything I found it to be very reassuring. Today, with the changing world young girls are becoming curious at a young age. For example, on MTV they have a new show called SKINS, and I happened to watch it one day, and it is about high school students, both boys and girls, and they are engaging in sex scenes, outrageous parties with drinking and drugs, and lack of parenting. I understand that most teenagers engage in these particular events, but why promote it, why make a show about these events, and not offer any hotlines or prevention methods during the show. It is a show like this, which get young people into trouble. Young girls have to understand that if your are afraid to talk to your parents, (mothers) that they are other people out there that are willing to listen and give you advice and knowing that you can trust them.

"Purpose"

In class there was a questions that was brought up, the question was do you think Ensler served her purpose in writing this particular book? After reading the Vagina Monologues myself, I now see women differently. At first I was a bit uncertain about reading this book, and did not quite understand why the professor would have us read such a book. After reading the plays and realizing that each play was a different story that was being told. By Ensler writing such a book, it allowed many different kinds of women to tell their stories and experiences. Most would probably question why write this particular book and why take it step further and make it into a play for the whole world to see someone’s story. I know that Ensler wanted to raise awareness for violence against women, but like I previously stated it was much more than that. It gives us a true look into a woman’s world. Without Ensler being interested in what women were thinking or even feeling about their vagina then we would not have this book and most of these stories would go untold. Though most will continue to question Ensler’s motive for this book, but until they have read the book then they would better understand her motive. I can honestly say that Ensler served her purpose in writing this book, because for someone like me who looked at the book, and did not really care to read it because of the title, I can honestly say that after reading this book I now have a better understanding of what women went through and continue to go through, throughout their lives. Though this book might intimated most readers, it is a book that the today’s woman, (even man) should read and could guarantee that they would slowly being to appreciate women worldwide. 

"Angry Vagina"

I first want to start this blog by saying that my fellow classmate (I apologize for not remembering your name) I am sorry I missed your stage performance because she did an awesome job performing in class.

After reading this particular monologue myself, (before being performed), I did not quite feel that strong emotion behind the monologue. At first I felt a bit uncomfortable reading it, then to hear it read out loud none the less in a classroom, I felt even more uncomfortable, but after listening to it, I mean really listening to it I could see and feel the strong emotion behind the monologue. Ensler really capture the angry from the author toward everything that seemed to affect her “vagina” and feelings toward her vagina. I think that Ensler felt she needed to write this monologue with such emotion because she was trying to get her point across because many women are feeling the same emotion but are to embarrass to speak up.  In some ways many women can relate to this particular monologue, even if they might not want to omit their feelings.  For example, Ensler writes about, how women have to attend “doctor’s” appointments, “Why the Nazi steel stirrups, the mean cold duck lips they shove inside you,” (Ensler, 71). With this particular passage most women can relate to because all women have experienced this awkwardness in some way. Though most women might find this particular monologue offense, uncomfortable, and awkward, some might find it humorous. Like previously stated, Ensler definitely uses anger behind this monologue, but after one listens to it and see it performed they can see the humor behind it as well. Throughout the book Ensler uses a varied of emotions; some might relate to a particular passage or monologue, well others might find her work offense and something that should not be written about. 

"Physical Connection"

After reading through the vagina monologues I feel that if Ensler did not make this piece literature into a play then I would not get the full affect, and emotions that were behind each story. Just by reading the stories I do not get a strong enough feeling about what each women went through or something that they might have experienced. I think Ensler made it into a play because it allowed women around the women to express themselves in a way that they might have been able to do. For someone like me who knew little about the play or the book, I feel that by watching the play I would get a real sense for these women. Most literature is better when it is being performed live and in front of someone; you can get the full affect, you can see the emotion behind every story. I think Ensler wanted her audience to physically embody her stories because these are real women telling their stories, and through them you get a strong emotional connection to these women. While reading it is one thing to read it and understand it is another, but seeing it and feeling it, it is a whole another level. Ensler uses the word vagina in very different ways, and the word vagina is a representation of women worldwide. The word vagina is just a word to most people, but after reading these particular stories the word has a total different meaning as well as an effect on people. When you think of the vaginas you think “woman part”, but not after reading this play, has a greater meaning and effect on someone. When I think about the word vagina I will think of its deeper meaning it is not just a thing, but also more of an emotional connection to most women.   

"Vagina and Awareness"

In the Vagina Monologues, Ensler is celebrating the “vaginas” and “to raise awareness of violence against women”, she does because I feel she is being the voice who those women who might have been violated, raped, or women who are finding it hard to express themselves in the ways they are feeling. All around the world women are being assaulted and violated, because they are too afraid to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.  I think through Ensler’s writing she succeeds in using the words “vaginas” and “to raise awareness of violence against women”. Through her plays the word vagina is expressed in very different ways. Ensler uses the word “vagina” in both seriousness as well as humor. Ensler is giving a voice to the women who have fears and fantasies about one’s own body (Ensler). For most of these women who have found their voices, they share their experiences and stories with us in hopes to relieve their fears. Do I think that Ensler uses the word “vagina and awareness” in contradiction to each other? In some ways they are, but when you think about the word vagina it is in reference to a female part, and that female part is first thing that gets taken advantage of or taken the wrong way according to sexuality. What are the effects of reading through the monologues in a large piece? I felt that reading the monologue, as one piece was easier to understand what the “real” women felt about themselves. You get a different feeling from each play about what each woman might have experienced, or felt at a certain time on their lives. I feel that most of these plays were written for women who wanted their stories to be heard so that women all over the world who might have experienced such violence or is even afraid to discover one’s own body, Ensler is giving them their opportunities through The Vagina Monologues.

"Between the pool and Gardenias"

After reading through most of Danticant’s stories, I noticed that she is very passionate about her heritage. I know that we talked about whether these stories were fact or fiction, but through her writing you cannot help but feel for the Haitian people. Her stories seem as though she is a young child sitting on her mothers, fathers, grandfathers, or grandmothers laps, and they are telling her the stories about what they experienced and went through as a Haitian nation. The stories that I have read to this point have such strong emotions; each character experiences something different, but still such passion for their nation. Danticat’s language throughout the book, uses a graphic nature or style; I feel that it was important for her to write this way because it helped her get your own pain and sorrow that she might have felt for her nation.

            

 Throughout the book, I can almost feel the pain and sorrow that each character went through, the story that caught my attention a bit more than the others, (so far), was “Between the Pool and the Gardenias”, and the reason why I chose this particular one was because I have someone close to me who was experiencing the pains of miscarriage, and the feeling of wanting a child. The poor lady would find a young girl wandering around, and finally decided that she would take the girl in, because she has wanted a child to care for so long now. When she finally got that chance to care for a girl, she could not, she has to hide her in backyard by the “pool”, and eventually she had let her go, and began to bury her “between the pool and the gardenias”, but would be caught by a Dominican. There as she laid her down “ROSE”, she pictured herself with this man and child, as the happy family she hoped for one day. You cannot help but feel for her, because for most women they wanted that happy family, but struggle to get it, and you can see how it tears them up inside and some never can recover from it. What I think this story is trying to portray, is that if you cannot conceive on your own, there are children out their waiting and wanting a family just as much as you are.

"1937"

When reading through Edwidge Danticat’s stories of “Children of the Sea” and “1937” I start to feel the raw emotions behind her writing. Her writing paints pictures of what the Haitian people might have and or did go through many decades ago. Though the stories are mostly fiction, you almost cannot help but feel for the Haitian people.           

After reading “1937” I knew that I would have to do some further research on the significance of the

year 1937. On October 2^nd to October 4^th of 1937, “70 years ago” 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrant workers were massacred in the Dominican Republic. They were slaughtered by the Dominican Army as well as “big landowners,” they also murder infants and women as well. Many would try to flee but could not, because they were stopped at the border. After reading about this terrible and awful time, you cannot help but feel for the Haitians, they did not deserve what was given to them. The Dominicans were ordered by dictator Raphael Leonidas Trujillo to murder the Haitians, so that it would “cleanse” the border. This occurred at the Massacre River, which was a river between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

When reading the story “1937”, I could not help but feel for this young girl, who witnessed her mother be beaten then tossed in prison for the rest of her life for a crime that she did not commit. The mother was arrested and beaten because they believe that she murdered a young boy, but when really she was helping to take care of him because the baby’s mother was too tired. Her mother was not only one thrown in prison, there were many other women that day as well. The police believed that these women were witches, or some how supernatural beings. As days went on this young girl would continue to visit her mother, and watched, as her mother would slowly die. The way that Danticat writes this story it is as if you are there, you’re that young girl. For someone like me who does not like to read that much, Danticat’s writing is suspenseful and real, I just want to keep on reading her stories. I feel that the this story was written for a reason, Danticat wanted to put into words what the Haitian people went through 70 years ago, and for myself I can really being to feel for these people.

For the most part I think I understood the story, and got a real sense of the story and what Danticat was trying to tell, but there is one lingering question, the Madonna, what is the significance of this item. I take it to be a magical or spiritual piece that was of great importance to the Haitian people. 

How Long Peace Takes

As I became reading through Naomi’s poetry, I came across a poem called “How long peace takes?” I feel that Naomi is trying to express that “peace” is literally taking to long, she uses references like “As long as the slow crawl of loosening paint” meaning for her and maybe for the Palestinians as well as Arabs, peace is like watching paint dry or paint slowly being to peel away it's layers. For example, I referenced the media in my first blog, and how the media has caused problems for the Palestinians. By the media causing these problems for the Palestinian people, they are finding it hard to find that inner peace as well as peace outside their homeland. Like I previously stated, not every Palestinian person is responsible for what happened on 9/11 but through this poem “How long peace takes”, it seems that they are still being blamed for what happened on that particular day, and still fighting for their rights. After reading through the poem that the Arabs as well as the Palestinians will always being searching for some type of peace, and it may take "as long" "and longer" to find it. As long as the fighting continues peace will be something that the people of Palestine may never see. Until Americans as well as other countries can find someway to resolve such issues that they may have with such people, peace and forgiveness is far, far away. 

After reading this certain poem, I may or may not have understood if this what Naomi met by "how long peace takes" but I feel that she is trying to tell me that peace for her and family and friends is something they have been searching for, and will continue to look for until they have succeed.

A Palestine Women

A Palestine Woman

In the introduction Naomi talks about how the media has played a huge part in trying to destroy her homeland of Palestine. Though she started to feel “rooted and connected, but there were those deeply sorrowful headlines in the background to carry around like sad weights.” How can someone move on, when every time they turn on the television or read the newspapers, and all they see or hear is something horrible being said about their homeland? For someone like Naomi, she takes into count the positives that she has learned from her family and certain Arab friends that she has met. She also discusses the role media has played on the 9/11 attacks on the United States. What happened on 9/11 did not just affect the American people; it affected everyone around the world. Naomi says “September 11, 2001 was not the first hideous day ever in the world, but it was the worst one many Americans had ever lived.” I feel that by Naomi stating this she is saying that though it hurt and destroyed many Americans it also “cast a huge shadow over the lives of so many innocent people.” The media began to scrutinize the innocent people (Arabs) that had no part in the doings of these horrific tragedies. For Naomi she would found ways to express herself and her pride for her homeland; she wants Americans to understand that what the media is portraying is not necessarily directed toward every Arab or Palestinian. The media should focus on the people who did these crimes and instead of the people who are innocent bystanders. I feel that through reading Naomi’s poems, you start to get that feel and better understanding of the Arabs and the Palestinians nations. It is clear that Naomi felt the need to paint a picture of her homeland and the good people in that land. I feel that I can get a better understand of the Middle East through her poems. 

My Best Friend

Mothers Are a Special Gift by Faye Diane Kilday

Mothers are a special gift sent

from God above,

They bless us with their nurturing,

And fill us with their love.


They pick us up when we are down,

And when we're sad they know,

They're always there to lend a hand,

And guide us as we go.


And mothers are like special jewels

that can't be bought or sold...

A mother's love's more precious

than the rarest gem or gold.


Yes, mothers are a special gift sent

from God above,

And we'll be blessed forever with

their never ending love!

© Faye Kilday 1996

When asked to find a poem by an American contemporary woman poet for my first blog, I was not sure of what to find or even look for. To me poetry is something that I find to be unpleasant and slightly hard to understand. After reading through books and searching the Internet, I came across this wonderful website of American contemporary poets, both men and women showcasing many of their poems and other works. (www.famouspoetsandpoems.com) After reading through several of the women poets, I came across this one about mothers and how special they really are. I decided to choose the from above to show my love and appreciation for my mother. My mother and i have a special bond, though I am one of her five children, her and I tend to be more alike then the others. My mother shows her love for each of us in very different ways. My mother and I, (as well as my sisters), enjoy spending as much time as we can together, most young ladies do not do this, "it's not cool to be seen with your parents", but that is not the case for my siblings and I, we love it! See for me, I am 27 years of age, and had no clue of what I wanted to do or accomplish in life, but with my mother by side and never giving up on me and helping me through these decisions, i decided to go back to school and work on my bachelors degree in physical education. I know it sounds cheesy, that I would pick a poem about my mother, but for me finding this poem was a different way to express my love and gratitude for my mother. It is not easy for my to express my feelings, but writing it down or printing it out is helpful for me in expressing my feelings. Remember that all our mothers are precious pieces of gold and should be treasured, cherished and loved with all that you can.  For anyone struggling to find a poem or American contemporary poet i highly recommend this website, wonderful and tons of poems.