In the first passage, Kahn is absolutely right about masculine identity depending on repressing characteristics that are deemed "feminine". A great example of this is the example Kahn uses. "O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! Hysterio passio down thou climbing sorrow." The footnotes at the bottom of the page says that this "mother" is the chief symptom of a choking sensation in the throat. When we cry, we also feel that sensation in the throat. We often try to hold back those tears, which causes it to get stuck in the throat. I guess you can say that Lear was "choked up". This is clearly an example of trying to suppress those feminine charateristics such as crying.
The passage from Act 4 Scene 7 shows maturity. Lear begins to realize that his childish demand of love from his daughters has placed him in his unfortunate predicament. However, I think he realizes the dependency of his daughters a lot sooner. In Act 2 Scene 4 Lear says "Dear Daughter, I confess that I am old; Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg That you'll vouchsafte me raiment, bed and food" Here he is on his knees begging his daughter for assurance. There isn't a greater sign of dependency than this. At this point he is in total submission to the will of his daughters.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Persepolis
Q. At one point in the book Persepolis, Marji's father tells her that "politics and sentiment don't mix," and yet much of the book's power comes from precisely that combination, on the one hand, there are the horrible realities of the revolution and the war; and on the other hand, there is the example of Satrapi's family, whose strength and love really do become a means of survival for Marji. Taking into account both the book and the movie, how do you react to the father's statement that " politics and sentiment don't mix?" Do you think that Marji herself believes that? Do you think the women in her family, her mother and grandmother, would agree with the statement?
A. Although much of the book's power comes from the strong sense of love and bonding of the family, Marji's father was correct. Ultimately, Politics, in general, have no room for sentiment. How many politicians would show emotion if it meant losing a chance at power? Most of them would be the most cut throat, backstabbing, and lying people you would ever meet! In Iran's case, the politics under the Shah or the Islamic Revolution would be no different. It only had room for dominance and strict enforcement of its doctrines. A perfect example of politics and sentiment not mixing is Marji's uncle Anoosh. Anoosh left his father, who was loyal to the Shah. On one page, Anoosh's father yelled that he would be executed. Although Anoosh and his father loved each other, their political views still split them apart.
In class, we watched Marjane Satrapi be interviewed by Colbert. He asked her "do you hate Americans?" She responded " No, I hate American government." This statement indicates that she sees government and politics as a bad thing. Surely, she would agree with her father's statement. Further in the interview, she said that she wanted her story to give Iranians faces. Our government portrays Iranians as extremist and crazy people. However, Marjane Satrapi wanted her story to appeal to the sentiments of the American people, which politics and government would not allow. Marjane clearly knows that politics and sentiment do not mix.
Finally, Marjane's mom and grandmother would argue the same. They have lived through much more killing and hatred than Marjane had lived. Ultimately, they know that in politics (especially that of Iran) there is no room for emotion. However, the love of family keeps their lives sane and easier to endure. Ultimately, there can be no loving and emotional politician. The goal of politics is ultimately to gain power. Sentiment is the last thing that will gain power in a politcal situation.
A. Although much of the book's power comes from the strong sense of love and bonding of the family, Marji's father was correct. Ultimately, Politics, in general, have no room for sentiment. How many politicians would show emotion if it meant losing a chance at power? Most of them would be the most cut throat, backstabbing, and lying people you would ever meet! In Iran's case, the politics under the Shah or the Islamic Revolution would be no different. It only had room for dominance and strict enforcement of its doctrines. A perfect example of politics and sentiment not mixing is Marji's uncle Anoosh. Anoosh left his father, who was loyal to the Shah. On one page, Anoosh's father yelled that he would be executed. Although Anoosh and his father loved each other, their political views still split them apart.
In class, we watched Marjane Satrapi be interviewed by Colbert. He asked her "do you hate Americans?" She responded " No, I hate American government." This statement indicates that she sees government and politics as a bad thing. Surely, she would agree with her father's statement. Further in the interview, she said that she wanted her story to give Iranians faces. Our government portrays Iranians as extremist and crazy people. However, Marjane Satrapi wanted her story to appeal to the sentiments of the American people, which politics and government would not allow. Marjane clearly knows that politics and sentiment do not mix.
Finally, Marjane's mom and grandmother would argue the same. They have lived through much more killing and hatred than Marjane had lived. Ultimately, they know that in politics (especially that of Iran) there is no room for emotion. However, the love of family keeps their lives sane and easier to endure. Ultimately, there can be no loving and emotional politician. The goal of politics is ultimately to gain power. Sentiment is the last thing that will gain power in a politcal situation.
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