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 :)

Muslim's Clothing & Beauty Pageants

One of the in class presentations last week was about the clothing codes of Muslim, and how conservative they are compared to modern clothing codes that are practiced elsewhere. The issue of clothing codes is depicted in Persepolis, where Marjane explicitly questions the use of veil and long clothes. Rewinding back to the presentation, I suddenly remembered a strongly correlated controversy about Muslim's clothing code that recently happened in my home country Indonesia.

As you all may (or may not) know, the most recent Miss World beauty pageant is held in Bali this year. It was held last August, and 127 contestants from countries all over the world competed in the event. The Indonesians are very proud on getting elected as the hosting country for the huge international event. However, One of Indonesia's most influential Islamic groups is urging the government to cancel the Miss World pageant scheduled for next month, saying the exposure of skin by women in a competition violates Muslim teachings. Despite that, the Islamic groups finally agrees after this year's Miss World complies to not have swimsuits that are overly revealing shown on stage.

Vanellope Von Sweetz: But Michelle, isn't Bikinis very commonly seen everywhere? I don't understand why your country is making such a big fuss about this swim suit thing...

Michelle: I know... But again, this is religious codes we are talking about. We can't say that it's right or wrong, its just there for a reason...

Vanellope Von Sweetz: So how did this year's Miss World go?

Michelle: It went well off-course, only that the competition is done with proper and decent clothing. It's not a big deal. But it's a change in history since most beauty pageants especially usually require women to use body fitting attires. 

Vanellope Von Sweetz: Hah! I bet the rating went down because most guys would not watch this year's competition!

Michelle: ... Okay Vanellope that's enough, bed time!

A Misleading Movie

Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis was set during the Iranian War, which is somewhat hard for readers to imagine and relate themselves in. Ms Patton therefore suggests how watching Argo might help me and the rest of the class to understand the setting of Persepolis and in order to analyse it better. I have not had the time to watch it yet, but I did some research about the movie and how it is perceived. 

"Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.  On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country." (IMDB)

The movie Argo is a 2012 historical movie that is directed by Ben Afleck. The movie has received 7 nominations on the 85th Academy Awards and won 3 of the nominations. The movie has garnered a worldwide success by grossing $232,324,128 box office. The movie synopsis follows: 

Despite the positive grossings and four half star rating, Argo has been been criticized for its historical inaccuracies. The movie is claimed by many Iranians as an insult for portraying a violation to Iranian norms.  Many scenes in the movie; for instance the scene where U.S flags are stomped, ignites a war flame and many controversies where Iranians are heavilly presented as antagonist over U.S as protagonist. The movie is believed to give an unbalance depiction of Iran, biasing it to all the audience to be a horrible country than what it truly is. The timing of the film was poor, as American and Iranian political relations were at a low point. Up to this point, the movie is still subject to many controversies.

Vanellope Von Schweetz: I think that it’s very mean for them to alter a movie just for the United States to look good…

Michelle: Well, it’s hard to say, because after all, it’s a U.S movie. But I do think that they should not do that…

Vanellope Von Schweetz: It’s a shame though; I think that it would’ve been a good movie.

Michelle: Well, accurate or not, I think that Argo is still a good movie and I’m still putting it on the top of my watch list!

Islam as a Religion

Me and my partner's presentation topic was about "Islam as a religion", and since I am not of the religion, I did some indepth research about it. One point that I find particularly interesting and I decided to focus on is the "5 Pillars of Islam" which is the mandatory beliefs and the basic foundation of Muslim as a religion. The pillars of Islam is considered the most basic mandatory work a Muslim has to do, and they include:

"1.   Shahadah: declaring there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger

2.   Salat: ritual prayer five times a day

3.   Sawm: fasting and self-control during the blessed month of Ramadan

4.   Zakat: giving 2.5% of one’s savings to the poor and needy

5.   Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if he/she is able to do."
(Zahid)

I also found an interesting video about the 5 pillars:

The comic Persepolis gives a lot of insights about Muslim religion and culture. Marjane was portrayed as an opinion over the Islamic culture and revolution. Marjane is expected to follow all the Islamic rules including using a veil everywhere she goes, and praying 5 times a day; which she secretly did not wish to do. Growing up in Indonesia, I also experience Islamic culture in my own ways. Indonesia is the largest Islamic country where 88.2% of the population is Muslim, which makes approximately 202.9 million of us. Back when I was young, I used examine how my nanny used to fast during the fasting season, or how she used to pray during certain times in the day, and read the Qur -An while doing so. Living in a single religion dominated country gives me the experience to respect and learn the religion’s customs more, even when I am not that particular religion. And I take it as a compliment.

One Awesome Trailer

I went searching or Persepolis' movie adaptation, watched it for a bit, and find it very enjoyable :)
Here's a trailer to it, for those of you interested in watching it. I love the comic book version more though...

Firefighter Facts for KIDS!

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Hey Michelle! Have you read page 15 from Persepolis?

Michelle: Offcourse! What about it?

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Great! I think I have a question about it...

Michelle: Okay, shoot!

Vanellope Von schweetz: You know what, I dont think I'm going to ask you that, it's a stupid question. Nevermind...

Michelle: Oh come on Vanellope, you know better that I'm going to be okay with it... You're a 10 year old kid, it's okay to ask funny questions...

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Fine, promise you wont laugh... What kind of people are firemen?

Michelle: *Stiffles a giggle* well... I guess that they are people who puts out fire when there is one?

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Oh come on Michelle, you can do better than that

Michelle: As far as I know, they drive cool red trucks, which could carry 1000 pounds of water. They also wear fire-resistant heavy gears, which could total up to 75 pounds. And most importantly, they are very courageous, kind hearted people who always tries their best to safe victims who are trapped in fire.

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Are you sure about that?

Michelle: Offcourse! They act by seconds upon calls, and really placed their lifes on the line on missions. I just googled this, *show Vanellope her phone* statistically 64 firemen died last year in their missions.

Vanellope Von Schweetz: ... I think that something is definitely wrong with this book...

Michelle: Let me have a look at it

Vanellope Von Schweetz: Look, *show page 15* how come in this book it says that the firemen did not arrive until 40 minutes later? That is an awfully long time, that all 400 victims died. They were not doing a very good job then. Oh I know! Maybe they overslept when someone called for an emergency!

Michelle: ... I'm pretty sure that's not the case...