I notice that every person has their own definitions of what someone defines as funny. What I found funny was how Allison Bechdel in the novel Fun Home, found it funny that her father had passed.
On page 227, Bechdel brings up an interesting point. She writes, "They say grief takes many forms, including the absence of grief." On this page shows specific pictures of Bechdel at her summer job in the library, explaining to a co-worker about her father's passing. Because she is laughing, he does not believe her. She then asks him, "Why don't you believe me?" He then responds with, "Because you are laughing." As she further explains how her father died, she then goes into hysterics (laughing.) She then writes, "The idea that my vital, passionate father was decomposing in a grave was ridiculous."
It is here in that statement Bechdel shows somewhat a warmth for her father, saying how he was passionate, especially about literature and the English language. To her, it seems ridiculous the father she knew and somewhat loved was gone. Perhaps she was in denial and that is why she laughed. I realize everyone has their own ways of coping with death, myself included. I also laugh at death which masks my fear of it. Maybe Bechdel was in denial, like mentioned before, or was masking a fear of not having someone close to her as a family member who has a need to be accepted and masks their true self (sexuality.)
I think despite the troubles that Allison Bechdel had with her father they were similar in the sense that they hid their true selves. For example, they have a moment of truth and connecting when they are in the car on their way to the movies on page 221 and he admits to wanting to dress like a girl and she admits to wanting to be a boy! It is in this moment their secrets of their sexual orientation come out and they can admit who they are. This shows the remembrance and affection for her father. Especially so on the last page, when ironically enough she looks back on her father on page 232, and says "He was there to catch me when I leapt." All in all, maybe she could not believe he was gone, and defined her father's death as funny. But she'll always remember the unspoken bond they had.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What Defines Something as Funny?
I notice that every person has their own definitions of what someone defines as funny. What I found funny was how Allison Bechdel in the novel Fun Home, found it funny that her father had passed.
On page 227, Bechdel brings up an interesting point. She writes, "They say grief takes many forms, including the absence of grief." On this page shows specific pictures of Bechdel at her summer job in the library, explaining to a co-worker about her father's passing. Because she is laughing, he does not believe her. She then asks him, "Why don't you believe me?" He then responds with, "Because you are laughing." As she further explains how her father died, she then goes into hysterics (laughing.) She then writes, "The idea that my vital, passionate father was decomposing in a grave was ridiculous."
It is here in that statement Bechdel shows somewhat a warmth for her father, saying how he was passionate, especially about literature and the English language. To her, it seems ridiculous the father she knew and somewhat loved was gone. Perhaps she was in denial and that is why she laughed. I realize everyone has their own ways of coping with death, myself included. I also laugh at death which masks my fear of it. Maybe Bechdel was in denial, like mentioned before, or was masking a fear of not having someone close to her as a family member who has a need to be accepted and masks their true self (sexuality.)
I think despite the troubles that Allison Bechdel had with her father they were similar in the sense that they hid their true selves. For example, they have a moment of truth and connecting when they are in the car on their way to the movies on page 221 and he admits to wanting to dress like a girl and she admits to wanting to be a boy! It is in this moment their secrets of their sexual orientation come out and they can admit who they are. This shows the remembrance and affection for her father. Especially so on the last page, when ironically enough she looks back on her father on page 232, and says "He was there to catch me when I leapt." All in all, maybe she could not believe he was gone, and defined her father's death as funny. But she'll always remember the unspoken bond they had.
On page 227, Bechdel brings up an interesting point. She writes, "They say grief takes many forms, including the absence of grief." On this page shows specific pictures of Bechdel at her summer job in the library, explaining to a co-worker about her father's passing. Because she is laughing, he does not believe her. She then asks him, "Why don't you believe me?" He then responds with, "Because you are laughing." As she further explains how her father died, she then goes into hysterics (laughing.) She then writes, "The idea that my vital, passionate father was decomposing in a grave was ridiculous."
It is here in that statement Bechdel shows somewhat a warmth for her father, saying how he was passionate, especially about literature and the English language. To her, it seems ridiculous the father she knew and somewhat loved was gone. Perhaps she was in denial and that is why she laughed. I realize everyone has their own ways of coping with death, myself included. I also laugh at death which masks my fear of it. Maybe Bechdel was in denial, like mentioned before, or was masking a fear of not having someone close to her as a family member who has a need to be accepted and masks their true self (sexuality.)
I think despite the troubles that Allison Bechdel had with her father they were similar in the sense that they hid their true selves. For example, they have a moment of truth and connecting when they are in the car on their way to the movies on page 221 and he admits to wanting to dress like a girl and she admits to wanting to be a boy! It is in this moment their secrets of their sexual orientation come out and they can admit who they are. This shows the remembrance and affection for her father. Especially so on the last page, when ironically enough she looks back on her father on page 232, and says "He was there to catch me when I leapt." All in all, maybe she could not believe he was gone, and defined her father's death as funny. But she'll always remember the unspoken bond they had.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Works of literature and Lesbianism Correlation
I realized throughout reading Fun Home by Alison Bechdel there are a lot of relations to different topics. One that struck me as surprising was that of a fear of lesbianism.
I feel at certain points in the book, the main character portrayed by Bechdel discusses her path of being a lesbian. She relates literature herself and her father have read to characters, situations, and feelings that fictional and non fictional people have felt. For example, on page 214, there is a detailed photograph of Bechdel performing oral sex on her girlfriend, Joan, at the time in college. The quote that Bechdel uses says, "Like Odysseus on the island of the cyclops, I found myself facing a "being of colossal strength and ferocity, to whom the law of man and God meant nothing." " Here, she is discussing her facing an intimate factor of a relationship, something by her gender can convey her true sexual orientation and something new and scary.
The next image shows her about to conduct oral on Joan, and the quote Bechdel gives says, "In true heroic fashion, I moved toward the thing I feared, yet while Odysseus schemed desperately to escape Polyphemus's cave, I found that I was quite content to stay here forever." It is in this sense that Bechdel becomes comfortable with who she is and what she is doing.
I often wondered, how does this tie in with her father? From pages 220-221, Bechdel and her father are in the car and have a realization. They both state who they really are, their deepest secrets, dreams, and wishes to be someone else, fulling owning their sexual orientations. Bechdel writes, "It was not the sobbing, joyous reunion of Odysseus and Telemachus, it was more like fatherless Stephen and sonless Bloom having their equivocal late-night Cocoa at 7 Eccles Street." It shows their own union, a bond other members of the family did not have, and how the two very real people come together and see eye to eye on acceptance and embracing who they are, something done through the use of Bechdel's father's beloved literature.
I feel at certain points in the book, the main character portrayed by Bechdel discusses her path of being a lesbian. She relates literature herself and her father have read to characters, situations, and feelings that fictional and non fictional people have felt. For example, on page 214, there is a detailed photograph of Bechdel performing oral sex on her girlfriend, Joan, at the time in college. The quote that Bechdel uses says, "Like Odysseus on the island of the cyclops, I found myself facing a "being of colossal strength and ferocity, to whom the law of man and God meant nothing." " Here, she is discussing her facing an intimate factor of a relationship, something by her gender can convey her true sexual orientation and something new and scary.
The next image shows her about to conduct oral on Joan, and the quote Bechdel gives says, "In true heroic fashion, I moved toward the thing I feared, yet while Odysseus schemed desperately to escape Polyphemus's cave, I found that I was quite content to stay here forever." It is in this sense that Bechdel becomes comfortable with who she is and what she is doing.
I often wondered, how does this tie in with her father? From pages 220-221, Bechdel and her father are in the car and have a realization. They both state who they really are, their deepest secrets, dreams, and wishes to be someone else, fulling owning their sexual orientations. Bechdel writes, "It was not the sobbing, joyous reunion of Odysseus and Telemachus, it was more like fatherless Stephen and sonless Bloom having their equivocal late-night Cocoa at 7 Eccles Street." It shows their own union, a bond other members of the family did not have, and how the two very real people come together and see eye to eye on acceptance and embracing who they are, something done through the use of Bechdel's father's beloved literature.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Allison Bechdel's story of her coming out as a lesbian while uncovering the mystery of her father's secret gay life is one that's very confusing and takes quite a bit of thinking to understand. Throughout my reading Fun Home, I realized the similarities between her father and Bechdel herself.
To me, it seems the two are trying to break away from what they could consider to be "social norms." I feel the two characters search for acceptance in a way. On page 98, Bechdel writes, "Not only were we inverts. We were inversions of one another." Looking back and analyzing this quote carefully, I realize that Bechdel is comparing herself to her father to convey the similarities between them. I think by "invert" Bechdel means that the two can successfully mask who they really are, Bechdel being a lesbian and her father, Bruce, being a secret gay man. The two, despite their true sexual orientation, are attempting to be socially accepted in what is normal of society today.
Beneath this statement, there is a large picture of the two dressing to get ready for a wedding. Bechdel is a young girl. The quote explains the picture. Bechdel states," While I was trying to compensate for something unmanly in him, he was attempting to express something feminine through me. This statement speaks for itself. In a twisted sense, the two are trying to show their real selves for another. It would not be socially accepted for Bechdel's father to dress feminine and express an openly gay life. Instead, he expresses his true feminine thoughts and what he really wants for himself through his daughter, a reason he is so hard on her and presses her to dress like a girl because that was what he may have wanted for himself at his daughter's age.
Bechdel, on the other hand, always had a masculine side to her, something commonly seen in lesbians. There was always something feminine about her father, as the quote and stories of his male experiences goes. Bechdel on the other hand, loved masculinity, and it was not accepted for a young girl not to dress like one in society. The two were going against how they truly felt, yet were compensating for one another, essentially working together in one mix.
An easier way to put the situation is a quote on page 99. Bechdel writes, " But I wanted the muscles and tweed like my father wanted the velvet and pearls-subjectively, for myself." It seems the two led different paths, different orientations, and secret lives within themselves. But the one factor they had in common was in a sense, living through each other. Bechdel and her masculine side, yet having to accept femininity, and her father and his feminine side, yet his outward sense of masculinity was portrayed in his daughter's secret side. The two collide beautifully in a twisted sense as well as coming together by the end of the book.
To me, it seems the two are trying to break away from what they could consider to be "social norms." I feel the two characters search for acceptance in a way. On page 98, Bechdel writes, "Not only were we inverts. We were inversions of one another." Looking back and analyzing this quote carefully, I realize that Bechdel is comparing herself to her father to convey the similarities between them. I think by "invert" Bechdel means that the two can successfully mask who they really are, Bechdel being a lesbian and her father, Bruce, being a secret gay man. The two, despite their true sexual orientation, are attempting to be socially accepted in what is normal of society today.
Beneath this statement, there is a large picture of the two dressing to get ready for a wedding. Bechdel is a young girl. The quote explains the picture. Bechdel states," While I was trying to compensate for something unmanly in him, he was attempting to express something feminine through me. This statement speaks for itself. In a twisted sense, the two are trying to show their real selves for another. It would not be socially accepted for Bechdel's father to dress feminine and express an openly gay life. Instead, he expresses his true feminine thoughts and what he really wants for himself through his daughter, a reason he is so hard on her and presses her to dress like a girl because that was what he may have wanted for himself at his daughter's age.
Bechdel, on the other hand, always had a masculine side to her, something commonly seen in lesbians. There was always something feminine about her father, as the quote and stories of his male experiences goes. Bechdel on the other hand, loved masculinity, and it was not accepted for a young girl not to dress like one in society. The two were going against how they truly felt, yet were compensating for one another, essentially working together in one mix.
An easier way to put the situation is a quote on page 99. Bechdel writes, " But I wanted the muscles and tweed like my father wanted the velvet and pearls-subjectively, for myself." It seems the two led different paths, different orientations, and secret lives within themselves. But the one factor they had in common was in a sense, living through each other. Bechdel and her masculine side, yet having to accept femininity, and her father and his feminine side, yet his outward sense of masculinity was portrayed in his daughter's secret side. The two collide beautifully in a twisted sense as well as coming together by the end of the book.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Ending of In The Time of Butterflies
Reading the end of this novel really gave me an insight as to what exactly happened the day of the three Mirabel sister's deaths. The story ends with Minerva's last narration on November 25th. The epilogue lets Dedé to continue the story.
The story has it that the women were traveling down a road with their driver, Rufino after visiting their husbands in jail, a jail they were purposely moved to because the SIM knew they would have to travel down that road. This specific road was where the sisters were murdered and then placed in the old Jeep, and pushed off a cliff.
Like Alvarez, I wondered why this happened. Did the girls know they were to meet the face of death that fateful day?
"It is the sweetness that makes them burn." While Alvarez's character Dedé was talking about sugar on page 320 here, I realized that this could be a reason as to why the Mirabels risked their lives that tragic day. To elaborate, the Mirabels always knew their lives were at risk, especially after starting the underground and being so actively involved. I'm sure they all knew eventually, their "luck" of being alive would run out. They knew their husbands were in trouble in the jail; the sisters were willing to risk that to see them one last time. I'm sure they had premonitions the roads could be dangerous.On page 297, Alvarez states through Minerva that " ...it was as if we were girls again, walking through the dark part of the year, a little afraid, a little excited by our fears..." To me, this means that they knew there could be a chance things could change on their journey home, obviously doing so. What I realized, despite the unknown, was that they came so far in the revolution, changing lives in the sense of involving others to fight what was right for their country of the Dominican Republic. They were role models for women to come, proving women are strong, have opinions, and can fight for what they find important like the Mirabels did. They came so far... why not go all out and "fight" till the end? On page 302, Alvarez states that Patria's last words were "Tell the Mirabel family in Salcedo that the calíes are going to kill us!" I think the Mirabels felt they came so far with their underground revolution, they should be strong and fight till then end. They knew their chances of being murdered were high, yet they stuck to their morals and continued to meet with their husbands. It was their greatest honor because they were all in it together, and they knew they would leave this earth happy they succeeded great things.
While this could be one possibility as to what the Mirabels did what they did, I think the answer speaks for itself. They truly fought till the end.
The story has it that the women were traveling down a road with their driver, Rufino after visiting their husbands in jail, a jail they were purposely moved to because the SIM knew they would have to travel down that road. This specific road was where the sisters were murdered and then placed in the old Jeep, and pushed off a cliff.
Like Alvarez, I wondered why this happened. Did the girls know they were to meet the face of death that fateful day?
"It is the sweetness that makes them burn." While Alvarez's character Dedé was talking about sugar on page 320 here, I realized that this could be a reason as to why the Mirabels risked their lives that tragic day. To elaborate, the Mirabels always knew their lives were at risk, especially after starting the underground and being so actively involved. I'm sure they all knew eventually, their "luck" of being alive would run out. They knew their husbands were in trouble in the jail; the sisters were willing to risk that to see them one last time. I'm sure they had premonitions the roads could be dangerous.On page 297, Alvarez states through Minerva that " ...it was as if we were girls again, walking through the dark part of the year, a little afraid, a little excited by our fears..." To me, this means that they knew there could be a chance things could change on their journey home, obviously doing so. What I realized, despite the unknown, was that they came so far in the revolution, changing lives in the sense of involving others to fight what was right for their country of the Dominican Republic. They were role models for women to come, proving women are strong, have opinions, and can fight for what they find important like the Mirabels did. They came so far... why not go all out and "fight" till the end? On page 302, Alvarez states that Patria's last words were "Tell the Mirabel family in Salcedo that the calíes are going to kill us!" I think the Mirabels felt they came so far with their underground revolution, they should be strong and fight till then end. They knew their chances of being murdered were high, yet they stuck to their morals and continued to meet with their husbands. It was their greatest honor because they were all in it together, and they knew they would leave this earth happy they succeeded great things.
While this could be one possibility as to what the Mirabels did what they did, I think the answer speaks for itself. They truly fought till the end.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
María Teresa
One interesting character in the book In The Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is the youngest Mirabel sister, María Teresa, best known as Mate. With an adorable sense of innocence, yet possessing independence, thought, and strength, I shall follow her path and how she evolves throughout the book.
-Mate was born October 15th, 1935. Her story starts in her first section of the book. She starts evolving into her own person and voicing her thoughts with the very first diary she was given by her older sister, Minerva as a gift for her First Communion at the age of 10.
-Feb. 18th, 1946 was the first time Mate lied for Minerva in school when she was caught sneaking out of school to visit a "sick" relative.
-July 23rd- Mate writes her final entry in her first diary and unfortunately has to bury it because there were people's names mentioned, those that have gotten in trouble with the law. Mate can not keep it in case she gets caught.
The second part that highlights Mate's Timeline is in her second chapter.
-December 15th, 1953. Mate has grown a bit, and is discussing her father's funeral, and how awkward yet angering it was for Mate to meet her "other" sisters, the children her father had with his mistress.
-July 3rd. We are now faced with Mate's graduation, a huge jump in the book. She discusses everything about her graduation party... as well as the fact her aunt is trying to make her decide between a possible suitor between her two cousins, Berto and Raul. Talk about a tough decision! This shows how life was in their culture and how much Mate has grown as a woman.
-Sept 18th- Mate and Minerva, her role model, are leaving for the capital. While she is there, the reader can see how Mate evolves into somewhat of her own person by not following in her sister's footsteps as a career being a lawyer, but decides to study Philosophy and Letters.
-April 28th- Mate receives an amazing honor to be Queen of the Capital, which is an equivalent to a Class Honorary. She has Minerva help her with her speech.
-July 28th, 1957- Mate moves in with Minerva, and has sensed something is wrong between Minerva and her husband, Manolo.
-Sept 7th. A couple of months pass by, and somehow, Mate has brought Minerva and her husband back together and "saved" their marraige. Who could think the naive one could help save a marraige?
-Sept 28th- In her sister's apartment, a man named Palomino making a delivery shows up. This is the first true encounter Mate has had with a man that she realizes if she was married, she could not give up. The next day Mate discovers the revolution that her sister is involved in. She is then named Mariposa, her code name.
-Dec 16th- Mate finally confesses her love to Palomino, whose real name is Leandro. He obviously, feels the same.
-Feb 14th, 1958. Mate marries Leandro Guzmán Rodríguez.
We then jump to the third section. A lot has occurred. Now the sisters are imprisoned and refuse to be pardoned.
-March 16th. Mate keeps yet another diary, or as she puts it, notebook.
-March 22nd. Mate finally breaks down. She says she feels she will never leave, and I can only imagine what a feeling that is. She explains how it's common for the women to break down frequently.
-March 24th. Mate describes her experience being questioned by the guards.
-April 1st. Mate finally (which I found a bit impressive) states to her sister openly how she feels she can not take this before. It bothers Mate her daughter is growing up without her. Obviously, Minerva tries to calm her... How long can they hold out together?
-April 2nd. Mate finally realizes she is alone. Her sister was put into solitary for three weeks and she is now alone. Mate explains she hears a voice that says, "Mariposa does not belong to herself alone," meaning she has never been on her own before. Can she handle it? Mate then writes, "Courage, and this time I felt it."
-April 7th. Mate finally sees some of her family members, and gets excited at the thought of her mom bringing her little girl by to see her!
-Date unknown. Mate has been very sick, I presume. She explains how she has stopped bleeding, unsure if it was a period or a miscarraige of a child. She goes on to say how her friend, Magdalena is nursing her. She hopes to get better...
-May 25th. Mate and Minerva are arraigned. Unfortunately, they were taken to the court to wind up not being able to defend themselves without proper representation. Mate cries.
-June 27th. Things seem to get worse. Now Mate is getting word of a rumor that her husband, Leandro is being accused of a traitor. How can she help him in prison herself? She is very worried.
-July 11th. Mate has an experience with a female friend in prison, Magdalena. They kiss. I think Magdalena was an outlet for her to express her feelings on being in prison, her worries and fears.
-August 7th. Mate leaves the prison, and is feeling sad to leave behind her newfound "sisters."
Time will only tell what else happens to Mate. As one can see, she has come far in her journey. A long, intimidating, and dangerous one, but a journey nonetheless.
-Mate was born October 15th, 1935. Her story starts in her first section of the book. She starts evolving into her own person and voicing her thoughts with the very first diary she was given by her older sister, Minerva as a gift for her First Communion at the age of 10.
-Feb. 18th, 1946 was the first time Mate lied for Minerva in school when she was caught sneaking out of school to visit a "sick" relative.
-July 23rd- Mate writes her final entry in her first diary and unfortunately has to bury it because there were people's names mentioned, those that have gotten in trouble with the law. Mate can not keep it in case she gets caught.
The second part that highlights Mate's Timeline is in her second chapter.
-December 15th, 1953. Mate has grown a bit, and is discussing her father's funeral, and how awkward yet angering it was for Mate to meet her "other" sisters, the children her father had with his mistress.
-July 3rd. We are now faced with Mate's graduation, a huge jump in the book. She discusses everything about her graduation party... as well as the fact her aunt is trying to make her decide between a possible suitor between her two cousins, Berto and Raul. Talk about a tough decision! This shows how life was in their culture and how much Mate has grown as a woman.
-Sept 18th- Mate and Minerva, her role model, are leaving for the capital. While she is there, the reader can see how Mate evolves into somewhat of her own person by not following in her sister's footsteps as a career being a lawyer, but decides to study Philosophy and Letters.
-April 28th- Mate receives an amazing honor to be Queen of the Capital, which is an equivalent to a Class Honorary. She has Minerva help her with her speech.
-July 28th, 1957- Mate moves in with Minerva, and has sensed something is wrong between Minerva and her husband, Manolo.
-Sept 7th. A couple of months pass by, and somehow, Mate has brought Minerva and her husband back together and "saved" their marraige. Who could think the naive one could help save a marraige?
-Sept 28th- In her sister's apartment, a man named Palomino making a delivery shows up. This is the first true encounter Mate has had with a man that she realizes if she was married, she could not give up. The next day Mate discovers the revolution that her sister is involved in. She is then named Mariposa, her code name.
-Dec 16th- Mate finally confesses her love to Palomino, whose real name is Leandro. He obviously, feels the same.
-Feb 14th, 1958. Mate marries Leandro Guzmán Rodríguez.
We then jump to the third section. A lot has occurred. Now the sisters are imprisoned and refuse to be pardoned.
-March 16th. Mate keeps yet another diary, or as she puts it, notebook.
-March 22nd. Mate finally breaks down. She says she feels she will never leave, and I can only imagine what a feeling that is. She explains how it's common for the women to break down frequently.
-March 24th. Mate describes her experience being questioned by the guards.
-April 1st. Mate finally (which I found a bit impressive) states to her sister openly how she feels she can not take this before. It bothers Mate her daughter is growing up without her. Obviously, Minerva tries to calm her... How long can they hold out together?
-April 2nd. Mate finally realizes she is alone. Her sister was put into solitary for three weeks and she is now alone. Mate explains she hears a voice that says, "Mariposa does not belong to herself alone," meaning she has never been on her own before. Can she handle it? Mate then writes, "Courage, and this time I felt it."
-April 7th. Mate finally sees some of her family members, and gets excited at the thought of her mom bringing her little girl by to see her!
-Date unknown. Mate has been very sick, I presume. She explains how she has stopped bleeding, unsure if it was a period or a miscarraige of a child. She goes on to say how her friend, Magdalena is nursing her. She hopes to get better...
-May 25th. Mate and Minerva are arraigned. Unfortunately, they were taken to the court to wind up not being able to defend themselves without proper representation. Mate cries.
-June 27th. Things seem to get worse. Now Mate is getting word of a rumor that her husband, Leandro is being accused of a traitor. How can she help him in prison herself? She is very worried.
-July 11th. Mate has an experience with a female friend in prison, Magdalena. They kiss. I think Magdalena was an outlet for her to express her feelings on being in prison, her worries and fears.
-August 7th. Mate leaves the prison, and is feeling sad to leave behind her newfound "sisters."
Time will only tell what else happens to Mate. As one can see, she has come far in her journey. A long, intimidating, and dangerous one, but a journey nonetheless.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Could you do what Déde did?
In part three of In The Time of Butterflies bu Julia Alvarez, I really started thinking about Déde's thoughts and opinions on the retreat. As stated, Déde was the only Mirabel sister that did not get directly involved with the meetings and what not. It really started to get me think as to what I'd do if I was in her situation.
Before Déde actually starts discussing her thoughts, fears, and excuses for not joining her sisters in their organization, she is strongly considering it. Minerva informs her of a meeting they will be having at Patria's house. Déde has decided to leave her husband, Jaimito, who has become unusually cruel and nasty partially due to his excessive drinking. I think Déde partially wants to join them as proof to herself that she is her own person and can get away from her husband, and she does not need anyone else to protect her. Alvarez writes on page 182, "I need to get out. I cannot go on with this travesty." I think this is what Déde is thinking. She is trying to prove to herself that she can be her own person and is capable of making her own decisions, such as joining her sisters in the revolt. I definitely can relate with Déde's thought process here. Who wouldn't want to be capable of making their own decisions? It's not as if Jaimito runs her life, despite what he may think.
Although, Déde does have a huge decision to make. If I had to make this decision as to join my family or not right now at my age, it would not be as crucial because I not married and do not have responsibilities to my own family like she does, such as her three children. What I notice is that Déde has to worry about her children and her husband as well as her mother. It's almost as if she is on the fence about this business and is trying to find every possible excuse to keep her from joining her sisters. It really made me wonder. Would I be so ready to leave my kids and unsupporting husband while I join the dangerous fight? I don't think I could...
She then decides to meet with Padre de Jesús, the priest for an insight. At the church, Déde realizes that he is one of the revolutionaries along with her very own sisters! On page 184, Alvarez writes, "And she knew, right then adn there, that she could not go through with this business. Jaimito was an excuse. She was afraid, plain and simple." While some people may think Déde was being selfish to not want to support her sisters and fight for what she may believed is right for her country, I do not. I feel every person is different. Déde has a family to worry about and a husband. I feel that it is selfless of her to stay with her family and protect them as opposed to putting herself on the line. If anything, she could wind up killed or severely wounded. Déde decides to not go so she can be there with the alive and healthy, supporting her family.
I feel if I was in Déde's shoes, I would do the same thing. I would hate the thought of leaving behind my kids and my doting husband, knowing there was a strong risk I could never see them again. I think Déde is smart for her decision, especially because of the ending of this book. She essentially did think for herself in the end and made the conscious decision to be there for her family.
Before Déde actually starts discussing her thoughts, fears, and excuses for not joining her sisters in their organization, she is strongly considering it. Minerva informs her of a meeting they will be having at Patria's house. Déde has decided to leave her husband, Jaimito, who has become unusually cruel and nasty partially due to his excessive drinking. I think Déde partially wants to join them as proof to herself that she is her own person and can get away from her husband, and she does not need anyone else to protect her. Alvarez writes on page 182, "I need to get out. I cannot go on with this travesty." I think this is what Déde is thinking. She is trying to prove to herself that she can be her own person and is capable of making her own decisions, such as joining her sisters in the revolt. I definitely can relate with Déde's thought process here. Who wouldn't want to be capable of making their own decisions? It's not as if Jaimito runs her life, despite what he may think.
Although, Déde does have a huge decision to make. If I had to make this decision as to join my family or not right now at my age, it would not be as crucial because I not married and do not have responsibilities to my own family like she does, such as her three children. What I notice is that Déde has to worry about her children and her husband as well as her mother. It's almost as if she is on the fence about this business and is trying to find every possible excuse to keep her from joining her sisters. It really made me wonder. Would I be so ready to leave my kids and unsupporting husband while I join the dangerous fight? I don't think I could...
She then decides to meet with Padre de Jesús, the priest for an insight. At the church, Déde realizes that he is one of the revolutionaries along with her very own sisters! On page 184, Alvarez writes, "And she knew, right then adn there, that she could not go through with this business. Jaimito was an excuse. She was afraid, plain and simple." While some people may think Déde was being selfish to not want to support her sisters and fight for what she may believed is right for her country, I do not. I feel every person is different. Déde has a family to worry about and a husband. I feel that it is selfless of her to stay with her family and protect them as opposed to putting herself on the line. If anything, she could wind up killed or severely wounded. Déde decides to not go so she can be there with the alive and healthy, supporting her family.
I feel if I was in Déde's shoes, I would do the same thing. I would hate the thought of leaving behind my kids and my doting husband, knowing there was a strong risk I could never see them again. I think Déde is smart for her decision, especially because of the ending of this book. She essentially did think for herself in the end and made the conscious decision to be there for her family.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
In the Time of Butterflies- Julia Alvarez
What I have really enjoyed so far about this book is the distinction between the main characters. I feel each represents an important factor in the time period of this book in the Dominican Republic. I feel these factors can each represent a butterfly, in essence all connecting to freedom.
There are four Mirabel sisters: Patria, the oldest, Minerva, Déde, and Mate, the youngest. Patria is the woman bearing all children, and ironically enough is the most religious one. At one point, she even considered the convent, until other passions took way that led her to her husband. Minerva is the rebellious one, the one who has yet to search for a man, but instead is more of a feminist and speaks out against the government and the Dominican Republic's dictator, Trujillo. Déde, the survivor of the group, is the one who lives to tell the story. She continues on with her life, marries her cousin, and has a family. Mate, the one who keeps a diary, is very naive and innocent. She idolizes her sister Minerva. So far ,I have noticed that each character seems to symbolize different things, such as emotions. Patria represents faith, something important to have during this time period where people were rebelling against the president, and if not following his order, could be killed. By having a faith in God, it instills hopes the country can gain some independence and get better. For example, on page 59, Alvarez writes in Patria's chapter, "Here Patria Mercedes, I'm here, all around you. I've already more than appeared." This shows that by keeping a strong faith in the Lord, He can help to give signs and guid a person through life, regardless of diffifculties. She is strong for continuing it, despite all of the horrible scenarios occurring in her country.
Minerva definitely represents strength. She has the gall to stick up for what she believes in. For example, she flat out tells Trujillo she wants to go to the university at a gala they both appear at. It makes me nervous for her, because it was uncommon for a woman to speak out against a man then.
For Déde, she represents stability. In the unknown deaths so far of the three sisters, Déde lived to tell the tale. She still continues on with her neices, and her husband, something after a tragedy is hard to do. On page 65, Alvarez explains Déde as "the only one left to manage the terrible, beautiful present." While it is had for her to do so, I feel that is an admirable and wonderful trait, something difficult to do. She is strong enough to do so.This reminds me of myself. Mate represents innocence and fear. While the reader may wonder, how does this represent freedom? Mate is strong in the sense that she is able to openly voice her thoughts and opinions, even in something as small as a diary! She writes about her fears for her country, her family, and other matters in her life. How can one be so brave when there could be a high risk for one finding it?
All strongly represent "free butterflies," but in different ways. Patria's is a freedom of faith, meaning she can believe in any higher power she wants, not necessarily turn to Trujillo. Minerva obviously represents freedom of speech, such as in the way she casually mentions going to university to the president, a man known for keeping many mistresses and mistreating women. Déde represents just the strength to live, something I can identify with. Despite the traumatic happenings of losing her closest family, I have noticed she never became twisted. She never "fell away" from herself, by resulting in hazardous matters. She kept on going with her life, and has to painfully live through every November when reporters come by to question the massacre of her sisters. I honestly don't know how she can do that... but it's something I strongly admire. Mate represents freedom of thought. Despite the fact anyone could find her diary and expose her, she keeps one anyways, as a way of coping with what she deals with every day. All represent different forms of strength... but the true form of a butterfly, free to roam and find their own paths.
There are four Mirabel sisters: Patria, the oldest, Minerva, Déde, and Mate, the youngest. Patria is the woman bearing all children, and ironically enough is the most religious one. At one point, she even considered the convent, until other passions took way that led her to her husband. Minerva is the rebellious one, the one who has yet to search for a man, but instead is more of a feminist and speaks out against the government and the Dominican Republic's dictator, Trujillo. Déde, the survivor of the group, is the one who lives to tell the story. She continues on with her life, marries her cousin, and has a family. Mate, the one who keeps a diary, is very naive and innocent. She idolizes her sister Minerva. So far ,I have noticed that each character seems to symbolize different things, such as emotions. Patria represents faith, something important to have during this time period where people were rebelling against the president, and if not following his order, could be killed. By having a faith in God, it instills hopes the country can gain some independence and get better. For example, on page 59, Alvarez writes in Patria's chapter, "Here Patria Mercedes, I'm here, all around you. I've already more than appeared." This shows that by keeping a strong faith in the Lord, He can help to give signs and guid a person through life, regardless of diffifculties. She is strong for continuing it, despite all of the horrible scenarios occurring in her country.
Minerva definitely represents strength. She has the gall to stick up for what she believes in. For example, she flat out tells Trujillo she wants to go to the university at a gala they both appear at. It makes me nervous for her, because it was uncommon for a woman to speak out against a man then.
For Déde, she represents stability. In the unknown deaths so far of the three sisters, Déde lived to tell the tale. She still continues on with her neices, and her husband, something after a tragedy is hard to do. On page 65, Alvarez explains Déde as "the only one left to manage the terrible, beautiful present." While it is had for her to do so, I feel that is an admirable and wonderful trait, something difficult to do. She is strong enough to do so.This reminds me of myself. Mate represents innocence and fear. While the reader may wonder, how does this represent freedom? Mate is strong in the sense that she is able to openly voice her thoughts and opinions, even in something as small as a diary! She writes about her fears for her country, her family, and other matters in her life. How can one be so brave when there could be a high risk for one finding it?
All strongly represent "free butterflies," but in different ways. Patria's is a freedom of faith, meaning she can believe in any higher power she wants, not necessarily turn to Trujillo. Minerva obviously represents freedom of speech, such as in the way she casually mentions going to university to the president, a man known for keeping many mistresses and mistreating women. Déde represents just the strength to live, something I can identify with. Despite the traumatic happenings of losing her closest family, I have noticed she never became twisted. She never "fell away" from herself, by resulting in hazardous matters. She kept on going with her life, and has to painfully live through every November when reporters come by to question the massacre of her sisters. I honestly don't know how she can do that... but it's something I strongly admire. Mate represents freedom of thought. Despite the fact anyone could find her diary and expose her, she keeps one anyways, as a way of coping with what she deals with every day. All represent different forms of strength... but the true form of a butterfly, free to roam and find their own paths.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
What Women Should be Expected of- IAAEC by Eve Ensler
While I enjoyed almost every monologue in I am an Emotional Creature by Eve Ensler, I would have to say that the epilogue really struck me hard. I remember last semester in my English class writing an essay on women's expectations in today's society. I can easily identify Ensler's opinions with my own in the ending of the book.
Ensler has two sections in this epilogue. The first discusses "what you will be told" in today's world as a woman or a girl. Here are some statements that girls today are sadly STILL being told:
On page 142 Ensler writes: "You are nothing without a man/Don't make the first move/wait for him to notice you/Obey the laws/ Don't know too much/It's how you look that matters, not what you think." While I my self can't personally identify with the above statements, I could not believe what I was reading. I was feeling a mixture of emotions, and honestly, was angry at these statements. I always pictured those mantras to be the way of living when my mom, aunt, and even my grandmother were growing up. Not in today's society. When I was growing up, I was always taught that I should go for my dreams, always push for more, get a formal education, and that I could be equal and anything I wanted to be, like a man was allowed. I was taught that when searching for a partner, looks are not the most important thing, but what was important was how he treated you and how he valued your thoughts and opinions. When I read that, I was shocked and a little angered to think women and girls are still being misled in this direction.
There is also a section entitled "Here's What I'm Telling You." On page 144, Ensler writes something that really made me re-evaluate myself as a woman. Here are a few lines: "Why am I whispering when I have something to say?/ Why am I adding a question mark at the end/of all my sentences? Why am I apologizing every time I express my needs?/ Pretending it doesn't mean that much to me?" At this point, I honestly stopped and read over each word more carefully. As much as I hate admitting this to the public eye of Blogger, I have to admit... I do these things almost every day. I thought that I was past that, that my 15 year old self had long since been gone and being an adult and finally a woman, I thought that I had achieved a new found confidence, that I was starting to become more sure of myself, and that I was starting to stop caring what people thought of me.After reading that, though, I realized I was wrong. While I have become more confident and sure of myself, I also constantly second-guess myself after placing my opinion, saying something to someone I thought could have been funny, and so on and so forth. Honestly... I should be proud of who I am, what I like an dislike, my background, my passions, my weaknesses, etc. The only way to improve upon these issues that are bestowed upon women today is to embrace who we are, despite the opinions of others.
Ensler helped me realize that. She has inspired me to be proud of who I am and where I come from as well as become confident with myself and defend myself, as well. I honestly feel every woman should ask herself these questions. If not, one could continue a journey of self-destruction, self-esteem issues, etc. Ensler has inspired me to be happy with who I am and being what I ultimately am: an emotional creature.
Ensler has two sections in this epilogue. The first discusses "what you will be told" in today's world as a woman or a girl. Here are some statements that girls today are sadly STILL being told:
On page 142 Ensler writes: "You are nothing without a man/Don't make the first move/wait for him to notice you/Obey the laws/ Don't know too much/It's how you look that matters, not what you think." While I my self can't personally identify with the above statements, I could not believe what I was reading. I was feeling a mixture of emotions, and honestly, was angry at these statements. I always pictured those mantras to be the way of living when my mom, aunt, and even my grandmother were growing up. Not in today's society. When I was growing up, I was always taught that I should go for my dreams, always push for more, get a formal education, and that I could be equal and anything I wanted to be, like a man was allowed. I was taught that when searching for a partner, looks are not the most important thing, but what was important was how he treated you and how he valued your thoughts and opinions. When I read that, I was shocked and a little angered to think women and girls are still being misled in this direction.
There is also a section entitled "Here's What I'm Telling You." On page 144, Ensler writes something that really made me re-evaluate myself as a woman. Here are a few lines: "Why am I whispering when I have something to say?/ Why am I adding a question mark at the end/of all my sentences? Why am I apologizing every time I express my needs?/ Pretending it doesn't mean that much to me?" At this point, I honestly stopped and read over each word more carefully. As much as I hate admitting this to the public eye of Blogger, I have to admit... I do these things almost every day. I thought that I was past that, that my 15 year old self had long since been gone and being an adult and finally a woman, I thought that I had achieved a new found confidence, that I was starting to become more sure of myself, and that I was starting to stop caring what people thought of me.After reading that, though, I realized I was wrong. While I have become more confident and sure of myself, I also constantly second-guess myself after placing my opinion, saying something to someone I thought could have been funny, and so on and so forth. Honestly... I should be proud of who I am, what I like an dislike, my background, my passions, my weaknesses, etc. The only way to improve upon these issues that are bestowed upon women today is to embrace who we are, despite the opinions of others.
Ensler helped me realize that. She has inspired me to be proud of who I am and where I come from as well as become confident with myself and defend myself, as well. I honestly feel every woman should ask herself these questions. If not, one could continue a journey of self-destruction, self-esteem issues, etc. Ensler has inspired me to be happy with who I am and being what I ultimately am: an emotional creature.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I Dance- Best Poem Ever
So my title for this blog is very informal... yet VERY personal. In Eve Ensler's lastest book, I am an Emotional Creature, I thought at first it was another book targeted to end violence towards women. I wanted something different... and believe it or not, I found it in this book.
What I love about this book thus far is how all of the monologues Ensler writes can relate to girls and their issues, regardless of what they may be or their age. This book has monologues to express types of emotions, actions, thoughts, and opinions girls/women may feel, but are taught to keep silent in today's society. One specific monologue Ensler wrote on page 52 I instantly fell in love with. The piece is titled, "I Dance." I am a natural -born dancer for fifteen years now. Dance is my world and one of my greatest passions. So this passage specifically reached out to me in a major way.
On page 53, Ensler writes, "I dance to disappear, I dance to know I'm here, I dance cuz I'm horny, 'cause it's holy, 'cause I want to forget." When I read this, I IMMEDIATELY felt a connection. Whenever I'm stressed, feel like I don't belong, or need to get out my emotions in an artistic way, I dance. Feeling the music pulsing through my veins, the aggressive and rapidly fast beats causing an addicting sensation to move throughout my body, causing me to "bust out" incredible dance moves is a great feeling. This girl is saying this is a way she gets out her emotions and feelings. She dances as a means of expression and to feel. I feel she even does it because it is obviously important to her, an essence as to who she is, and a reason for living... like myself. Ensler also writes something that really hit home for me on page 53: "'Cause it's the only thing you can't take away/ I dance 'cause it keeps me separate/from everyone else's opinions and ideas." Again, something I can relate to. I feel dance is the one thing that makes me feel confident. With dance, I can do anything, BE anything. I can stick to my ideas, my morals, and values, and don't have to listen to anyone else's opinion. I can just be me and do what I do best. I think this girl and myself would have been great friends, because I feel as if I already know her. One page 54, Ensler also touches base on serious issues. She writes: "I shake off restrictions and illegitimate rules/I shake off your suffocating warnings/ I dance to the heartbeat of life/ I dance because girls are the ultimate survivors." While the girl dances for herself, I realize she dances because she has the freedom to. In today's society, there are so many rules, and so many hypocrisies that make it okay for men to state their opinions and thoughts, but women are expected to stay quiet. this girl is saying here she has no restrictions. She can just be free like a butterfly and be herself, which I think is a truly beautiful thing. She doesn't have to worry about anything, but perfecting a move and being crazy. She proves she CAN survive all through her love for dance. And this ladies, and gentleman, is I believe Ensler's finest piece.
What I love about this book thus far is how all of the monologues Ensler writes can relate to girls and their issues, regardless of what they may be or their age. This book has monologues to express types of emotions, actions, thoughts, and opinions girls/women may feel, but are taught to keep silent in today's society. One specific monologue Ensler wrote on page 52 I instantly fell in love with. The piece is titled, "I Dance." I am a natural -born dancer for fifteen years now. Dance is my world and one of my greatest passions. So this passage specifically reached out to me in a major way.
On page 53, Ensler writes, "I dance to disappear, I dance to know I'm here, I dance cuz I'm horny, 'cause it's holy, 'cause I want to forget." When I read this, I IMMEDIATELY felt a connection. Whenever I'm stressed, feel like I don't belong, or need to get out my emotions in an artistic way, I dance. Feeling the music pulsing through my veins, the aggressive and rapidly fast beats causing an addicting sensation to move throughout my body, causing me to "bust out" incredible dance moves is a great feeling. This girl is saying this is a way she gets out her emotions and feelings. She dances as a means of expression and to feel. I feel she even does it because it is obviously important to her, an essence as to who she is, and a reason for living... like myself. Ensler also writes something that really hit home for me on page 53: "'Cause it's the only thing you can't take away/ I dance 'cause it keeps me separate/from everyone else's opinions and ideas." Again, something I can relate to. I feel dance is the one thing that makes me feel confident. With dance, I can do anything, BE anything. I can stick to my ideas, my morals, and values, and don't have to listen to anyone else's opinion. I can just be me and do what I do best. I think this girl and myself would have been great friends, because I feel as if I already know her. One page 54, Ensler also touches base on serious issues. She writes: "I shake off restrictions and illegitimate rules/I shake off your suffocating warnings/ I dance to the heartbeat of life/ I dance because girls are the ultimate survivors." While the girl dances for herself, I realize she dances because she has the freedom to. In today's society, there are so many rules, and so many hypocrisies that make it okay for men to state their opinions and thoughts, but women are expected to stay quiet. this girl is saying here she has no restrictions. She can just be free like a butterfly and be herself, which I think is a truly beautiful thing. She doesn't have to worry about anything, but perfecting a move and being crazy. She proves she CAN survive all through her love for dance. And this ladies, and gentleman, is I believe Ensler's finest piece.
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