Embracing The Culture

I recently got curious to what a child would think about wearing a Hijab, or a 'veil' according to Marjane in her novel Persepolis. In the comic book, it seems that Marjane questions and resist wearing a veil in her daily life, for the sake of discomfort and for looking aesthetically poor. So I decided to youtube videos of a child's point of view of wearing a Hijab, without any expectation to get anything. But something awesome came up and I can't help but share it with you.

Tahera Nasser is a 6 years old little girl who not only understands a lot about the Hijab, but also is awfully cute. I personally believe that Tahera loves wearing the Hijab, since she is able to clearly explain how the Hijab is beneficial to her lifestyle. I think that the most important think is to embrace what we have and accept conditions not as threats or problems, but as part of ourselves. Even though wearing the Hijab would at first be a painful compulsory tradition, as long Marjane learn to accept and live along side the Hijab, I believe that nothing would be much of a problem after some time.

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Is the girl my age?

Michelle: No... She's 3 years younger than you actually. Look at how smart she is to be able to talk to public about her culture. Now look at you...

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Hey, stop insulting me. I trying my best not to complain when things get crappy too, you know... 

Michelle: You better keep up the good work! Whenever there's any changes happening, you better try to live with it and embrace it as part of you instead of mumbling about it. You got that? 

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Got it boss!

B.R.A.V.E

Many of the readings for EWRT class is freedom themed. One example is in A Man In A Case, which I recently discussed in my previous post, is also related to the issue of freedom where Varinka's attempt to freely express herself is hindered by society's expectations. I think that the society plays a great role in determining an individual's sense of freedom. In Varinka's case for instance, she believes a lot in freedom, but the society's point of view - which in this case is represented by Byelinkov, resented her. This results in a conflict which ends with the couple parting ways.

I strongly believe that everyone deserves their own freedom, and nothing should be able to stop them from achieving it. I think that the issue discussed by both texts in EWRT class is a very controversial news to current society as well. Even when things are not as extreme as to how Varinka can't bike, I think that currently many people chose to become someone they are not for the sake of fitting in. It's a shame because I believe that everybody should have the right to express themselves and be whoever they want to be without the fear of judgements from anybody. Too bad the world did not think that way.

I remembered recently listening to an empowering song about freedom. It's called Brave by Sarah Bareilles, which discusses a lot about how we should be brave to be whoever we want to be. Try listening to it, it makes you feel BRAVE :)

Vanellope Von Schweetz: I have to admit... It's a really nice song... 

Michelle: Great to know that you think that way! I think that you should start listening to songs like this! They keep the positive energy inside you! 

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Fine... But hey, I hate how people can't stand being themselves just because they are scared that everybody else would not like them...

Michelle: It's an ugly sad truth about the world Vanellope, that is why, you better start growing up!

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Don't worry I will! 

BIKING Around Town

I am a big fan of biking, even when I don't know how to. But I've certainly would have found myself also scolded by the male protagonist Byelinov from the play Man In A Case which is based on Anton Chekhov's short story, and is adapted by Wendy Wasserstein.

Summarizing the long story short, the play Man In A Case is about an argument between two recently engaged couple. Varinka, the female lead, is a free spirited lady who revels in her bike around town in excitement for her recent engagement with an honored man named Byelinkov. Byelinkov however, upon seeing his fiancee,  recoils at how improper Varinka’s image to the public is for riding a bike; which presumably in that era is improper for woman to do.  However when he wants spare the humility of anyone seeing Varinka riding the bike and returning it, Byelinkov falls awkwardly to the ground. Varinka being a free spirited, laughs at how funny her fiancée looks, but Byelinkov finds this as an insult. 

I personally believe that Man In A Case is a symbolising the contradiction between caring a lot about what other people thinks, or simply ignoring them all and be happy. I believe that Byelinkov is a man who lives his life in fear of change and being different. I believe that Byelinkov is portraying the mechanics of rules and laws, where they are inflexible and cannot accommodate to freedom and happiness - which is portrayed by a free spirited Varinka. The bicycle represents the medium of achieving happiness, which is not very pleasant in public eyes. This two different point of views will later result in arguments and later separation of the two protagonists.

I personally love how Varinka chose to be happy without caring about what the public thinks of her. I think that the most important thing in the world is to be who you are, despite of what others think of you. Why be afraid to be amazing? And finally, talking about bikes, here's a picture of me trying on the GOOGLE BIKE! Don't tell Google I sneaked in to try this bike out! 

Vanellope Von Schweetz: You do know that if the cop knows about this you'll get in trouble?

Michelle: You better don't tell them Vanellope! I'm serious about this!

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Only if... You buy me strawberry shortcake!

Michelle: *sigh* *hands out a 10 dollar bill*

Scripts Coming to Life

Do you ever regret things in your life? I certainly do. Even when the deal is not the first world problem, you just can’t help to think of how things could’ve turn out otherwise.

I regret for choosing to opt out of acting for the scripts in EWRT class. Last Tuesday, my classmates did a wonderful job in playing the roles of the 3 plays we study – Triffles, Man in a Case and Sound of a Voice. Everyone did very well, and we had an awesome time as a class. Not only that I had a great show, but from the play I also understand a lot more about how the story goes, and different meanings of each play (especially to the play Triffles) – whereas I may not be able to do just by reading the script. Honestly, I did not even realize that its 3.30 pm already! Time indeed flies when you are having fun.

There are a few plays that are very memorable to me. I love Jennifer and Matthew's redention of the Man In A Case the most, because I feel that both of them is able to really become Varinka and Byelinkov very well. The bike makes the play come alive too. Unfortunately I dont have a picture of them :( 

Here are a few pictures I got from the play J try spotting yourself!

Vanellope Von Schweetz: So why is it you are not playing again?

Michelle: Well... I was not feeling very comfortable at first, but... I guess I should've gone for it

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Shame on you! 

Michelle: Look, I regret it okaaaaaay! 

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Make sure you don't regret it next time! 

Introduction to Susan Glaspell

Instead of doing the act for the script, I chose to opt out and make a blog entry about Susan Glaspell. So here I am introducing the writer of the play Triffles for you. 

Susan Keating Glasspell was born in July 1, 1876 at Iowa and unfortunately died in July 27, 1948. She is a best selling author in her own time, and is most famous for writing the play Triffles, which we both read and act out in class. Glasspell has published 9 novels, 14 plays, and over 50 short stories throughout her life. 

Susan Glaspell never liked being controlled. Instead of a typical woman of her era, she decided to get her own degree in Drake University in Des Moines, graduating in June of 1899. The day she graduated, Glaspell immediately began working full time as a reporter covering murder cases, which is particularly rare as a woman. After marrying for the second time to George Cram Cook in 1914, Glaspell and her husband founded the Provincetown Players in Provincetown, Cape Cod; which is a little theather that was dedicated to producing innovative plays by American playwrights and opposing the artistic compromises required by commercially successful theatre (Ozieblo)

In the years between 1916 and 1922 Glaspell was highly innovative and productive as a playwright, which includes her writing her most acclaimed work Triffles in 1916. Triffles was viewed as a significant early feminist drama. In her play, Glaspell shows that women are smarter than the men in their lives give them credit for where she makes a very strong feminist statement that women are more than just housewives, or homemakers, and that they are more intelligent than they are perceived. The two main female character, Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters is described to have the ability to sympathize with the wife, and understand her motives of kiling her husband, that leads them to the evidence against her, while the men are blinded by their cold, emotionless investigation of material facts. It demonstrates that men are not always the stronger or smarter of the sexes, but quite often just the opposite. For, as the men in this story mock the women, it is the women who solve the mystery of the husband's death. Through this, Susan Glaspell hints that women are indeed superior to men, in many ways. (Simkin)

Glaspell's strong freedom of expression and strong sense of delimitation creates a very strong notable plays such as Triffle which successfully embodies against feminism. After researching a lot about Glaspell, I find myself to look up to her as a strong woman. Even though gender stereotype is a controversial topic of her time, she is able to fearlessly create her own distinct voice against the issue. I strongly believe that she rightfully deserves her American Pulitzer Prize. 

CATCHING THE FIRE

I know that this post might be a little inappropriate for the blog, but I just can't help it... I'm simply too excited for CATCHING FIRE *cheers* I just can't help how beautiful Suzanne Collins' second installment of the Hunger Games trilogy is. I read the book back in 2012, right after I finished The Hunger Games, and I finished the book in one sitting.

Since this is obviously an academic blog, I'll not only fangirl, but also going to discuss what I think of catching fire regarding the theme of "media manipulation" that Ms Patton mentioned earlier in class. In Catching Fire, and also the other instalments of the trilogy, the television (which I believe represents the media as a whole) is described to be manipulated by President Snow and his government. The Hunger Games are described as a spectacular game which distracts the citizens of Panem from the true essence of the game which truly is the districts trying to escape the harsh  live conditions which can be achieved by winning the game. What the citizens of Panem understand about the districts and tributes are narated by the television, which is manipulated by the government. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Melark, the two main protagonists are also displayed as star crossed lovers to the audience just to win the love of the crowd, even when they are not in reality... 

One very interesting thing about the media manipulation theme is that Suzanne Collins was influenced by the proliferation of Reality TV and its juxtaposition with footage of the Iraq war.

"Inspiration, like a sudden phone call, began at home. A few years ago, Collins was surfing channels late at night and found herself switching between a reality program and news reports about the Iraq war. The images blurred in her mind. She wondered whether other viewers could tell them apart.

"We have so much programming coming at us all the time," she says. "Is it too much? Are we becoming desensitized to the entire experience? ... I can't believe a certain amount of that isn't happening."" 
(Perlmutter)

I personally find this fact to be very cool, because it is again related to Iran, which means that somewhat it is related to Persepolis! But what I'm most excited about is off course our class date to AMC this Saturday! I really hope the movie is not disappointing, and that we'll all have an awesome time! See you all Saturday!

Vanellope Von Sweetz: That's too bad... I wish I can join you with the rest of the class to the movie date :( 

Michelle: Well, i'm sorry, but you are too young to join in! It's a PG- 13 movie and you're not 13 yet! 

Vanellope Von Schweets: hmph... fine... But you better tell me all about the movie! And buy me the DVD once its out! You better promise me that!

Michelle: Fine... I'll make sure I'll do that for you. Remind me.

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Gaaah! Being 9 sucks! *storms away*

I'm a VISUAL LEARNER

So here I am sitting down with a cup of coffee volunteering myself to read Persepolis in the middle of a free afternoon. As much as I recalled, I find Persepolis to be a very interesting and enjoyable read, without feeling burdened at all to finish reading it. I remembered how I use to force myself to finish my obligatory readings back in Indonesia which I *honestly* did not finish reading (don't tell my high school teacher that). One thing I want to discuss in this entry is not how boring the novel is, but how different approaches of learning can lead to different results. I went researching about it and find this little diagram about learning approaches 

As humans, who are created unique and individually, we have different approaches to learning. Approaches to learning is simply the method in which we can most effectively understand information. Based on the following graph above, there are 5 core learning approaches which includes Aural, Visual, Logical, Verbal, and Physical. Based on personal experiences, I am clearly a more visual learner. I usually draw my own mind maps and doodle out scenes to remember and understand how a concept works. Here's a little video excerpt from an online article about visual learning:

"Visual learners are those who learn things best through seeing them. Visual learners often prefer to sit in the front of the class and "watch" the lecture closely. Often, these students will find that confusing information makes more sense when it is explained with the aid of a chart or picture."

(Fleming)

So know we know why some people, which may include yourself, find it more interesting to read comic books such as Persepolis more than novels. It's not that we're lazy, but simply that we're visual learners, and we should thank Marjane Satrapi for making Persepolis a visual masterpiece :)