I think this post comes at a good time in the reading in the fact that it's not only the end of the section, but also the end of the section. I think I'd like to use this free post as a way of setting forth how I felt about this tough spot in the book.
In the beginning, I really admired Mariam, her courage, her strength, her guts to go with Rasheed even when she didn't know him and had no want to get married. I think that was, in a way, the way to show her character. She's tough in the way that she'll do what she's told without too much complaining, and without questioning the reason.
However, I can't lie, she really made me mad in the middle of the book. I thought, incorrectly at the time, that she'd easily accept Laila into her life, seeing as she had been in a similar spot herself. However, she was stuck, rude, and hurtful without reason.
She finally came around, however, and just in time as Laila seemed to be reaching her breaking point with the baby on the way. Mariam joined up with Laila, and together they rebelled against Rasheed and got more and more freedoms. However, things always seemed to be on edge, and the tension continued. In my own personal preference, however, Mariam continued to move up.
As the story continued, Mariam became more and more of a hero. And finally, she died a hero, strong, couragious, and without question. Although often times when someone passes away, people look back at only the good things they've done. I will remember Mariam as a hard working person who had their ups and downs, but came through when needed and died supporting her friends.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns: Week 6, Post A
VOCAB
Condescension (311): Voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
Despondent (315): Feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
"Bizarre geometric shapes in the light, worms [...]" (312). This is a metaphor because it compares the shapes Laila is seeing the light (while she's being choked) to worms. We have to assume they're moving, and at the same time decreasing as she slowly moves toward death.
"Be brave....Like a lion, she'd say" (325). This is a simile because it compares Mariam's bravery to a lion, she has to be strong, and not scared to do the right thing.
"One last time, she did as she was told" (329). This is a meaningful quote, but also irony in a way. It's ironic that after doing the right thing and following directions her whole life and always getting punished, it just so happens that doing the right thing gets her killed. It's ironic in the saddest way possible.
QUOTE
"One last time, she did as she was told" (329). This is the saddest part of the book, by far. It's a beautifully written part, sweeping and moving and almost (and probably to some people) tear jerking. I think this line just sums up Mariam's life and how she never, not when she was a girl forbidden from entering the city, not when she was forced to marry Rasheed, and not when she had to die, got her way.
THEME
Sometimes, the hardest, most terrible thing in life is the truth, because Mariam told the truth in court and it let to her death, even when it was an undeserved and terrible punishment.
Condescension (311): Voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
Despondent (315): Feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
"Bizarre geometric shapes in the light, worms [...]" (312). This is a metaphor because it compares the shapes Laila is seeing the light (while she's being choked) to worms. We have to assume they're moving, and at the same time decreasing as she slowly moves toward death.
"Be brave....Like a lion, she'd say" (325). This is a simile because it compares Mariam's bravery to a lion, she has to be strong, and not scared to do the right thing.
"One last time, she did as she was told" (329). This is a meaningful quote, but also irony in a way. It's ironic that after doing the right thing and following directions her whole life and always getting punished, it just so happens that doing the right thing gets her killed. It's ironic in the saddest way possible.
QUOTE
"One last time, she did as she was told" (329). This is the saddest part of the book, by far. It's a beautifully written part, sweeping and moving and almost (and probably to some people) tear jerking. I think this line just sums up Mariam's life and how she never, not when she was a girl forbidden from entering the city, not when she was forced to marry Rasheed, and not when she had to die, got her way.
THEME
Sometimes, the hardest, most terrible thing in life is the truth, because Mariam told the truth in court and it let to her death, even when it was an undeserved and terrible punishment.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A Thousand Spendid Suns: Week 5, Post B
QUOTE ANALYSIS
"She watched him walk away, shivering where she stood. She thought, volumes, and another shudder passed through her, a current of something sad and forlorn, but also something eager and recklessly hopeful."
Wow. I called that. I knew Tariq was coming back. They made it seem obvious that he was dead, but, as a veteran 24 watcher, I knew he was NOT dead. It was too easy, he was written out of the story in too simple of a way. So, that to me, was an easy call.
Now, about the quote. I think that the mix of "sad and forlorn" and "eager and recklessly hopeful" shows that while it may never be quite the same between her and Tariq, the eagerness and the the hope can bring things back close to where they once were. I really like the word choice in this quote as well...the "current of something..." and the "shudder passed through her" really give you feeling of what she's feeling, and I think are very descriptive phrases that really display moods.
To just go into a little more detail, I think that the sad and forlorn is the past, the longing for the times they had together, and the knowledge that they'll never have those times again. They may be together again, but the knowledge that they missed all those years and that they can never really be together really stings.
However, the something "eager and recklessly hopeful" are pretty obvious if you know the characters. Two lovers. Separated by war. Believed to be dead. Reunited. It's pretty cliche, but somehow in this story, it works. Even if I did see it coming from a mile away. It still works.
"She watched him walk away, shivering where she stood. She thought, volumes, and another shudder passed through her, a current of something sad and forlorn, but also something eager and recklessly hopeful."
Wow. I called that. I knew Tariq was coming back. They made it seem obvious that he was dead, but, as a veteran 24 watcher, I knew he was NOT dead. It was too easy, he was written out of the story in too simple of a way. So, that to me, was an easy call.
Now, about the quote. I think that the mix of "sad and forlorn" and "eager and recklessly hopeful" shows that while it may never be quite the same between her and Tariq, the eagerness and the the hope can bring things back close to where they once were. I really like the word choice in this quote as well...the "current of something..." and the "shudder passed through her" really give you feeling of what she's feeling, and I think are very descriptive phrases that really display moods.
To just go into a little more detail, I think that the sad and forlorn is the past, the longing for the times they had together, and the knowledge that they'll never have those times again. They may be together again, but the knowledge that they missed all those years and that they can never really be together really stings.
However, the something "eager and recklessly hopeful" are pretty obvious if you know the characters. Two lovers. Separated by war. Believed to be dead. Reunited. It's pretty cliche, but somehow in this story, it works. Even if I did see it coming from a mile away. It still works.
Monday, December 10, 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns: Week 5, Post A
VOCAB:
Recluse (245): Solitary, marked by withdrawal from society.
Urbane (249): Notably polite or polished in manner.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
"It sounded like a bag of rice dropping to the floor" (267). This is a simile because it uses like to compare the sound of Laila's punch to a bag of rice dropping- Boom!
"[...] his tantrum was a hurricane, sparing no parts of the room [...] (271). This is a metaphor because it compares Zalmai's tantrum to a great storm without like or as.
"Her heart squeezed" (280). This is personification because, obviously, Laila's heart cannot squeeze out anything, save for maybe blood, but definitely not love or forgiving.
QUOTE
"He's been dead for almost 20 years," Laila said to Mariam. "Isn't dying once enough?"
I like this quote because I think it talks about not just death, but the hardships in life. Mariam and Laila have gone through more than most people should in a lifetime, but the bad things don't stop coming. I think the "isn't dying once enough?" shows that Laila is tired of how tough life is, and how sometimes you don't get a break.
A theme from this section is that sacrifice requires strength, because sometimes, like Laila, we have to give up our favorite things just to get by.
Recluse (245): Solitary, marked by withdrawal from society.
Urbane (249): Notably polite or polished in manner.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
"It sounded like a bag of rice dropping to the floor" (267). This is a simile because it uses like to compare the sound of Laila's punch to a bag of rice dropping- Boom!
"[...] his tantrum was a hurricane, sparing no parts of the room [...] (271). This is a metaphor because it compares Zalmai's tantrum to a great storm without like or as.
"Her heart squeezed" (280). This is personification because, obviously, Laila's heart cannot squeeze out anything, save for maybe blood, but definitely not love or forgiving.
QUOTE
"He's been dead for almost 20 years," Laila said to Mariam. "Isn't dying once enough?"
I like this quote because I think it talks about not just death, but the hardships in life. Mariam and Laila have gone through more than most people should in a lifetime, but the bad things don't stop coming. I think the "isn't dying once enough?" shows that Laila is tired of how tough life is, and how sometimes you don't get a break.
A theme from this section is that sacrifice requires strength, because sometimes, like Laila, we have to give up our favorite things just to get by.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns: Week 4, Post B
Dear Mariam,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally you come to your senses and realize you have to befriend Laila before you can get anywhere. It took 2+ years, but better late than never, I suppose. You may have been caught, but the friendship formed was many times more important than getting caught one time.
I would also like to say....Wow. Rasheed's punishment of you and Laila, as well as Laila's family was so inhuman it was difficult to read. Locking up two adults was one thing, but detaining a baby...that's so horrible it's hard to even consider. When I realized you'd been caught, I knew Rasheed would not let you go easily, but locking you in a hot room without water...it's a wonder you didn't die.
Enough about that, though. Personally, I couldn't be happier than Laila and you have made up. First, it was no talking, no help. Then there was talk...but it wasn't happy. Finally, things got a little better. You worked together on some chores. Then, you drank tea together in your free time. Finally, you became friends and went on a difficult journey. It wasn't all that hard, was it?
Oh, and one final thing....what took you so long? Not to be mean, but...wow. You were a jerk to Laila. I'm sorry, but it's true, you wouldn't even give her a sideways glance, let alone a hello. I was so angry at parts....I don't know how to say it. Let's just say I'm glad that's over.
Thanks again,
Michael
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Finally you come to your senses and realize you have to befriend Laila before you can get anywhere. It took 2+ years, but better late than never, I suppose. You may have been caught, but the friendship formed was many times more important than getting caught one time.
I would also like to say....Wow. Rasheed's punishment of you and Laila, as well as Laila's family was so inhuman it was difficult to read. Locking up two adults was one thing, but detaining a baby...that's so horrible it's hard to even consider. When I realized you'd been caught, I knew Rasheed would not let you go easily, but locking you in a hot room without water...it's a wonder you didn't die.
Enough about that, though. Personally, I couldn't be happier than Laila and you have made up. First, it was no talking, no help. Then there was talk...but it wasn't happy. Finally, things got a little better. You worked together on some chores. Then, you drank tea together in your free time. Finally, you became friends and went on a difficult journey. It wasn't all that hard, was it?
Oh, and one final thing....what took you so long? Not to be mean, but...wow. You were a jerk to Laila. I'm sorry, but it's true, you wouldn't even give her a sideways glance, let alone a hello. I was so angry at parts....I don't know how to say it. Let's just say I'm glad that's over.
Thanks again,
Michael
Saturday, December 1, 2007
A Thousand Splendid Suns: Week 4, Post A
VOCAB:
Factions: (238) Self-seeking groups often within a government, a clique.
Muezzin: (242) A Muslim crier who calls the hour of daily prayer.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
"Her eyes screamed in protest" (243). This is personification because, as much as they would like to, your eyes can't scream. It gives human characteristics to something that is not a human.
"It is my responsibility, you see, to maintain order" (238). This is irony, because the police do the opposite of maintain order, especially when people are getting murdered, raped, looted, and attacked every day.
"The room was a pressure cooker" (241). This is a simile because it compares Laila's room to a pressure cooker, since she is locked inside w/ a chair in front of her door, and her windows covered with wood planks. It just gets hotter and hotter.
QUOTE
Factions: (238) Self-seeking groups often within a government, a clique.
Muezzin: (242) A Muslim crier who calls the hour of daily prayer.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
"Her eyes screamed in protest" (243). This is personification because, as much as they would like to, your eyes can't scream. It gives human characteristics to something that is not a human.
"It is my responsibility, you see, to maintain order" (238). This is irony, because the police do the opposite of maintain order, especially when people are getting murdered, raped, looted, and attacked every day.
"The room was a pressure cooker" (241). This is a simile because it compares Laila's room to a pressure cooker, since she is locked inside w/ a chair in front of her door, and her windows covered with wood planks. It just gets hotter and hotter.
QUOTE
"'It's not your fault, Mariam,' Laila said weakly. 'It's mine. It's all my fault. Everything is my fault." (239).
It may be cliche, but don't judge a book by it's cover, because Mariam did, and it ended up getting them caught and brought back.I thought this was a key quote because it was the first time the two actually got along, and didn't want to place the blame on the other person. I thought this was a HUGE point, because to survive, they're going to need to stick together, especially to protect the baby. Also, this showed Laila taking the blame for something, which was rare, even though in this case it was no one's fault.
THEME
THEME
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