The Bastard of Istanbul

The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak resonated deeply on many different levels. I found myself unable to put it down! The text weaves a sintilating tale, alternating between past and present narravtives in order to ultimately divulge a horrific family secret.

I found it interesting and compelling that Shafak was in fact arrested and put on trial for "violating Turkisness." In the novel, several of her characters made reference to the WWI genocide of Armenians. (This is apparently an event that must not even be mentioned even though it in fact took place.) She could have been sentenced to three years in prison! Eventually, Shafak was acquitted. One Turkish paper printed a particularly memorable quote: "Are we going to be the type of country that prosecutes fictional characters?" It is amazing to me that this country is so affraid of its past that it is willing to prosecute its citizens for mere mentions of its infractions in the present.

The Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God

I'm a bit confused...

I so desperately want to understand this book on a deeper level, but I find myself unable to. I have not yet read the article assigned with it, so I am hoping that it helps me. I find the stories witty and humorous, but I am left confused. I feel that these stories have a "bigger picture" but I am unsure of what it is... The way the stories are written leads me to believe that they are about something more than what appears on the surface. I'm feeling a little embarrassed about admitting this, but I really would like some further insight on the topic. I'm hoping to walk away from today's discussion enlightened and in the know...

I found "Uterus" to be very strange, yet funny. Again, does this have a deeper meaning?? Is this really just a story about a mother's uterus on display in a museum? Why am I so confused?!

Perhaps, after I read the article I will have more to say, but for now I will continue to scratch my head and think.

Mahi's Story

My group will be presenting on women in the Middle East in a couple of weeks. In preparation, one of the books I chose to read was Mahi's Story by Gohar Kordi. While our group will not be presenting on this book, I think it is a worthwhile read for anyone who has the time. You can borrow my copy or it can be purchased very cheaply from Amazon.

Mahi's Story is, in a way, a response to Kordi's first book, An Iranian Childhood. Although I have not read An Iranian Childhood, Kordi speaks of it in the forward to Mahi's Story. An Iranian Childhood was really well received, however it ended up portraying of Kordi's mother,

Mahi, in a way that she came to regret and perceive as unfair. An Iranian Childhood spoke of the abuse and hardships Kordi faced as a child growing up in Iran, including losing her sight due to a lack of medical care during a childhood illness. The novel ends up making Mahi seem cruel and neglectful. Mahi's Story tells the tale from a different perspective. You hear Mahi's point of view (through Kordi's eyes).

Mahi was a woman who faced years of abuse throughout her childhood and adult life. She was forced into two marriages, and never allowed to have the independence that she so desperately craved. Her first arranged marriage was at the young age of 12. She endured marital rape and beatings on a regular basis.

Paradise Now

After watching this movie, I was left questioning what this movie is actually saying about the ethics involved in suicide bombing. What do you think, was the message of this movie pro-terrorism or anti-terrorism?

With my own system of values and beliefs about suicide bombing already firmly set in place, I found it interesting to view the subject through a different lens and point of view. I have always thought of suicide bombers as being unreasonable and radical; stupid for being so careless with their own lives. I guess I never looked at the bigger picture. My judgement was clouded by the obvious hate suicide bombers have for those they are attacking. My first instinct has always been to side with the victim, without necessarily ever learning the back story. This film rocks my world in a sense.

What is the first thing you think of when you hear "suicide bomber?"

For me, it's September 11th. Obviously, this film has nothing to do with that, and yet it's all about suicide bombing. Duh, obviously I must have known that people and places other than America are affected by suicide bombings.....but I suppose I have been selfish because that is the only perspective I have ever viewed this subject through.

While I believe this film is eye-opening and a good conversation starter, I do not believe that it is indicitive of the complete reality of suicide bombing. Early in the film, Said chooses not to blow up the bus because he sees a child on board. Would this happen in real life? I am sceptical, as obviously not all real life suicide bombers have shown as much interest in the conservation of an innocent child's life as this fictional character does. The film simply needed to show sympathetic characters with conciouses and feelings.

Based solely on this film, I have no cut and dry opinion about what the reality behind suicide bombing is. Like everything else in this world, it is very very complicated.

"Egyptian Lawmakers Want to Ban Fake Hymen"

I recently stumbled upon an article titled "Egyptian Lawmakers Want to Ban Fake Hymen." This article was written just this week by Joseph Freeman.

The fact that there is even a need for the invention of such a device makes me really sad. The company that manufactures this product is marketing to the Middle East for obvious reasons. The product is affordable to women of any economic status, costing only about $30. As I see it, the risk of using this product outweighs the risk of not using this product for some women. While women who are caught using this device may be murdered, women who engage in premarital sex may also be murdered.

With varied opinions, this little gizmo is causing quite a stir with bloggers and in the news.

Just thought this was kind of interesting and strange.

Pride of Baghdad

Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughn. The novel tells the story of a group of lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. This is a fictionalized account of a true story.

For CNN's account of the wartime animal escape at the Baghdad Zoo click here.

The animals in the story have personalities, backstories and the ability to speak. Like the real world, the zoo has a social structure. Race, culture and species all come into play as each animal or character is out to protect himself and his own. Inside the zoo's walls, the Lion is king. However, the pride soon finds that once they escape the cages and confines of the zoo that they are no longer the most powerful species in their world.

These animal characters are symbols for the human struggle of loss and life. Rape, blood, and violence are all present here, showing a political and social agenda through the creatures of the story.

Women of the Middle East

In this course, we have formed groups based on specific content areas of the Middle East. My group is about Women in the Middle East. In our groups, we will study literature and film pertaining to our specific subject. I recently ordered two books from this genre that I will read and analyze. I anxiously await their arrival!

I chose:

Mahi's Story by Gohar Kordi.
In her first novel, a memoir called An Iranian Childhood, Kordi told the story of her upbringing as a blind child, whose sight was lost during an illness and as a result of insufficient medical care. In this story she speaks of her negleftful family, in particular her mother, Mahi. In Mahi's Story, Kordi tells the story through her mother's eyes. Themes of this novel include rape, forced marriage, beating, and the selling of one's own daughters.

The topic of women in the Middle East has always interested me. Some of the stories you hear through the US media about the treatment of these women are simply horrid. I can't imagine being faced with some of the things these poor women must endure daily. I can't wait to actually get my hands on this book and dive into it. Although classified as fiction, this book seems to deal with a subject matter that would offer valuable information and insight into the life of Middle Eastern Women.

Women of Courage: Intimate Stories from Afghanistan by Katherine Kiviat.
This novel profiles 40 different women, of varying backgrounds, who have had to transform their lives since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. A full page picture of each woman is included. The title was spurred from a common theme throughout their stories: courage. Other themes include: women's rights to education and to work. This book tells the stories of a kind of woman that the western woman may not fully be able to understand; as for these women the simple acts of going to school, leaving the house, and getting a job takes great courage.

I chose this book for all of the different stories and perspectives that it has to offer. I have a gut feeling that this book truly has lessons to teach, which really is the point of all of this.

....More to come later, as I anxiously await the arrival of my books!!!

A response to the class so far...

To be quite honest, I had NO IDEA what "Post Colonial Literature" was going to be about. The description online sounded interesting and it fit into my schedule, so I signed up. On the first day of class I was pleasantly surprised when I learned what the format of the class was going to be like. The freedom to choose was to read, and to then teach the class about a topic sounded really interesting to me. However, at the same time the obvious intensity involved in the work for this class scared me a little. With an already jam-packed schedule, I began to worry that I would not have a time to accomplish all that was nessecary. Now, after being three weeks into the semester, I feel much better. I think my initial worry was simply a result of the overall shock of being back in school after a long summer vacation. The idea of choosing my topic and what books to read for it actually excites me. As an education major, I am looking forward to being able to 'teach' the class about my topic and its literature. If nothing else, this class should be an interesting experience.

Response to: Literature from the Modern Middle East: Making a Living Connection

The article "Literature from the Modern Middle East: Making a Living Connection" was a great introduction to the practice of teaching and learning about the Middle East. As adults and students we are expected to have a certain level of knowledge about current affairs and world issues, without ever being taught about these things in a formal setting. Admittedly, I am not as proactive about seeking news and facts about currents events and what is going on in the world as I maybe should be. Although I definitely understand the importance of knowing such information, the demands of work, school, and a personal life take precedence, and my quest for knowledge on current affairs is pushed to the side.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. Of course, then I was 13 and in the eighth grade, and now I am almost 22 and in my Senior year of college. On that day there were so many questions raised about the Middle East; its people, their values. Questions that I honestly still have yet to answer.There were no formal lessons throughout my middle school, high school, or college careers about these issues, even with a war going on that directly affects so many of us.

The war in the Middle East has been going on for nearly a decade of my life, and yet I know little about it. I know people who have served in Iraq. I see pieces on the news about the war. I see ads for TV shows depicting military life during wartimes. Yet, I am ashamed to say my knowledge about the Middle East and its people is rather limited. As an understanding person, I do not harbor bad feelings for people of a Middle Eastern decent. I understand the basic facts of what is going on, but my connections to what is really going on in the Middle East stops there. I see so many positive aspects to teaching Middle Eastern literature and culture in the classroom, in part because I wish that this kind of learning had taken place in my school or classes.

In an ideal world, classes and lessons should be interesting and relevant to students. Obviously, this is not always the case, but I believe with this subject we really have an opportunity to do so. This subject has great relevance in multiple subject areas. Teaching Middle Eastern literature would seem relevant and most likely more interesting to today's student. Not only would students enrich their minds through literature, but ideas and thoughts about culture, differences, modern issues, and an unknown world would come into play.

With these thoughts in mind, I embrace the chance to study Middle Eastern culture, literature, and media. This is an area in which I know very little, but am very interested in studying and learning more about.