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Persepolis Background Knowledge: Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

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Persepolis Background Knowledge: Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

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Reasons Behind War:

Dispute over territory of Shatt al-Arab waterway which is significant for oil exports

Iraq attacked Iran after the Islamic Revolution (Saddem Hussein)

Iraq was threatened by Iran’s religious revolution

Key Battles:

Jerusalem: Iran regained the sacred land (1981-1982)

Iran recaptured Khorramsharhr (1982)

Bombings and cities destroyed for and by both (1984-1988)

Impact on Iranians:

Economic instability and violent casualties

Reinforced Iran’s religious beliefs

Foreign Powers:

Iraq was supported by western countries while Iran was mostly isolated

US was two-timing Iraq and Iran by secretly supplying Iran weapons for Nicaraguan rebels

Connection to Persepolis

Sets background for the novel

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Perspective not only embodies the author’s point of view, but it also includes how the readers interpret these works as well. Some words that are similar to perspective are standpoint, point of view, position, stance, attitude, etc. In the real world, not many people share the same, identical perspective on one thing, much like how a reader may interpret a novel differently than the author intended. The significance of having and understanding different perspectives is to become more aware of others around you and knowing where they are coming from. This concept shows up very early on in Marjane’s journey, when her new friends in Austria are impressed by her experiences with war but she feels distraught by it. Obviously, her friends have never experienced war before, therefore their perspectives on it will differ from Marjane’s. It can be inferred that although Marjane is annoyed by their comments, she understands their fascination.

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I believe my journals have improved with my ability to elaborate and explain my analysis in deeper detail rather than just mentioning my ideas vaguely. Now, I’m able to flesh out more analysis and make better connections with my evidence (although I am well aware that I still have much to improve on).

However, one thing that I would like to work on is the structure of my essay, specifically my introduction, as well as my interpretation of the given material. Oftentimes, my interpretation is very shallow and sometimes even off topic, so I would like to get better at drawing out subtle connotations.

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Thesis: The author highlights the theme of culture in order to emphasize how the ups and downs of Marjane’s journey abroad, coupled with her experiences with war back in Iran, shapes her sense of self and her understanding of the world, demonstrating the interconnectedness between cultural identity and growth.

Reflection: In regards to the novel, I realized the significance of family and the role it plays in influencing Marjane’s decision to move back. Prior to the discussion, I was not too focused on how Marjane’s parents and their relationship. But after hearing from my peers, I now understand that Marjane’s relationship with her parents, despite being separated at a young age and growing apart, heavily impacted her decision to move back to Iran. As she realizes the negative experiences that she has faced in Iran, essentially leaving her with no home and no friends, Marjane recognizes that the only people who accept her for who she is are her parents. Discussion wise, I believe I could have prepared a bit more in terms of analysis. My points did not add much value to the discussion, so I hope to work on that next time.

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Copy of  HL Essay Question Proposal Unit One

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Passionate

Profound

Sarcastic

Contradictory tone

Satirical

Self deprecating

Unapologetic

Provocative

Vulnerable

Timely

Razor-sharp wit

Irony

Deeply Humorous

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Study for the Sparrow by Kent Monkman and the excerpt where Tracey talks about her family’s legacy working at Olsteed’s from Sweat by Lynn Nottage both illustrate themes of identity. Using visual techniques of lighting and contrast, Monkman’s painting depicts a child in a residential school reaching his hand up towards a sparrow on an open windowsill, which is alludes to hope and Indigenous reclamation under colonial oppression. Similarly, the excerpt from Sweat highlights disillusionment and the decline of the American Dream, including Tracey’s sense of obligation to continue working at Olsteeds as if her work was what defined her. Both mediums underscore the feeling of confinement in each character’s situation, where Tracey feels stuck at Olsteeds and the child is physically trapped in the residential school. However, Monkman provides the audience with a sense of hope for Indigenous reclamation while Nottage simply lays out the suffering of the middle class during the American industrial decline. Lastly, Monkman critiques the narrative of a complete loss of Indigenous culture, while Nottage critiques the American Dream by emphasizing the suffering and disillusionment of the working class.

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In Unit 1, I developed my skills of writing Paper 1 essays. In the beginning, I realized that it was quite challenging for me to articulate my words in this new format of writing. However, with my progress in writing reading journals and practicing the structure of Paper 1 essays, I believe that I have made visible improvements from when I initially began. Although far from perfect, my writing skills have become more prominent and concise, which I am proud of.

I faced many challenges in this unit, especially at times when I was advised to “flesh out” my ideas, which just meant that I needed to be more descriptive, give context, and make better connections. Writing this out seems like it’s a lot of work to do — and it is — but I managed to work my way through the structure and better my ability to analyze.

Sweat by Lynn Nottage stood out to me in particular because of the significance behind the play. It portrayed the lives of working, middle class folks in a small industrial town and demonstrated how decisions made on a global scale could impact the lives of people in various ways. To me, Sweat was a sneak peek into the lives of the ordinary, giving the underrepresented a chance to be seen. This parallels with aftermath of the US election results, for even though we are not particularly impacted by the election, the election results could have a big impact on the lives of US citizens. However, the concerns of the people won’t be heard as they are “powerless” against the decision-makers. I recall the moment I finished reading the play — the scene where Stan is old and Jason, Chris, and Oscar watches as Stan struggles to clean the tables due to his injury — I cried. It was heartbreaking to see the aftermath of everything that had happened to the characters result in consequences for the innocent.

If I had the opportunity to dive deeper into one of the topics from this unit, it would be Monkman’s bold themes of Indigenous resilience and identity. At first, I couldn’t understand Monkman’s interpretations of history, Indigenous culture, or anything else. I was confused by the bright neon colours, showy visuals, and unique integration of modern objects. Even now, I must admit that I am not very fond of his works that depict violent and gory scenes, but I’ve become appreciative of his calmer pieces. Works like Study for the Sparrow and Our Stories Come From The Land all capture themes of identity and cultural resilience. I would love to delve deeper into these themes as they resonate positivity and hope for a brighter future for Indigenous reclamation.

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I don’t believe that the fourth wave of feminism has begun yet. To my knowledge, there is no significant, widespread campaign or event that has triggered a wave of female revolt against traditional social norms. As stated in the article, the third wave of feminism was brought on by a sexual harassment case and feminist art that was provocative and critiqued society. Since there has been no obvious event that has caused turmoil over feminism and women’s rights in the last few years – except perhaps the issue of abortion rights in America – therefore, I believe that we are still living in the third wave of feminism. Although we have made great progress in creating thought-provoking statements for the public through art and advocacy, gender equality still has a long way to go. Nowadays, people are much more conscious of equality, specifically gender equality, and discrimination against women has gone down drastically. With the influence of social media, news and information can spread fast and create division amongst society. However, even amongst factions, there is a general consensus that feminism and women’s rights are crucial to upholding humanitarian values.

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Quote: “The lamb must learn to run with the tigers” (Carter 77).

Image: https://beyondthestreets.com/products/guerilla-girls-if-you-keep-women-out-they-get-resentful-print

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A- References are appropriate and insights given. Make sure you embed your references' in context and have a clear point for focus. 7

B- Some contextual discussion on quotes given, devices are identified. More analysis and evaluation needed (impact and choice of words defined would strengthen) You make statements but you do not show how you got there which means analysis is missing. 6

C- Thesis is somewhat developed but purpose is not clear. You also do not make your main points / arguments clear throughout so focus is lost. Ran out of time to properly finish or make a connection. Stick to a clear PEAL structure. 5

D- Consider your vocabulary - you say that the tone is "amazed" but that doesnt make sense. Work on complexity of vocab. 6

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How does introspective writing humanize the broader societal critique in Fair and Lovely for all audiences and make Koul’s commentary more accessible?

Koul's introspective writing style allows the audience to see both sides of the story. She compares the societal disadvantages of being darker than her cousin who is biracial, but also draws a contrast on the benefits she receives in India for being more fair-skinned than locals. Her critique of society's racial biases is made more receptive to the audience through her reflective tone.

How do Koul’s introspections on beauty standards in Fair and Lovely compare and contrast to her critique of a lack of female agency due to normalized rape culture in Hunting Season?

Koul's introspections on beauty standards in Fair & Lovely are more nuanced as the notion of society having a singular beauty standard is hard to conclude. Although many people in the West try to keep an open mind and say that beauty doesn't have a definitive standard, it is difficult to argue against the history of preference. Women, especially, are forced into a physical standard in which they believe they must adhere to, which is highly toxic. In contrast, Koul's critique of the normalization of rape culture and lack of female agency highlights how men objectify women and oppress their freedom. As a society led by a patriarchal majority, women are feel the need to be wary of men since society has ingrained the notion that women were made to serve to a man's desire.

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What is the significance of the title? Do you believe it connects to the way Scaachi Koul is representing rape culture?

The title of this essay, "Hunting Season" is significant in the way that it connects the main idea Koul is describing. She reiterates throughout the essay that men believe their attentiveness to women makes them obligated to an exchange, specifically, a sexual one. The attentiveness emphasized here links to the word "hunting" in the title as the men can be inferred as hunter, while women, the hunted. However, the word "season" is ironic as the normalization of rape culture is not a season event but happens constantly. Therefore, Koul uses sarcasm in her diction in order to humour the audience with a satirical tone.

How does the normalization of behaviors described in the essay contribute to the perpetuation of rape culture, and what societal shifts are necessary to challenge these ingrained practices?

The essay states that women do not think much of men watching them because they are so used to it. However, the attentiveness of men is not always innocent, and this catalyzes the normalization of rape culture. Some societal shifts would be to achieve gender equality, in which men do not objectify women so that they don't even think about rape in the first place. Although this sounds nice, it will be hard to implement and sustain, and only time will tell how progressive we become, starting with baby steps.

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Why do you think the author chooses to stay engaged with the internet despite its flaws?

Initially, Koul thought of the people who were rude on the internet as insecure. But she realized that the influences of social media the the speed at which information spreads can be harmful for anyone. Her insecurity and need to be "a part of the conversation" drove her to stay online, but as she matured, her interactions became more entertaining than harmful. The lesson to be learned is that the internet is just a way for people to feel more connected, and to remember that no one else's opinion or thoughts should really bother you that much.

What is she sacrificing, and for what gain?

Koul is sacrificing her privacy for the ability to connect with strangers online and form deeper connections to society as a whole. The whole trademark of being online is a stamp of approval by society, with the only downside being everyone can reach out to you and know just about everything there is to know about anyone and everyone. However, Koul approaches the internet as a way to express her thoughts to the world and converse with others, no matter the pros or cons.

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What are some ways, either direct or indirect, that young girls are influenced into trying to fit into society's Western beauty standards?

Young girls are often forced to adhere to the physical Western beauty standards of having fair skin, big eyes, narrow nose, etc. In order to achieve these standards, they go through plastic surgery, buy beauty products, and other perpetually harmful rituals. Other things may include changing one's behaviour or lifestyle to appear more Westernized, or editing one's images on the internet to appear achieve same physical standards by crafting a non-existent persona. All of these methods are harmful to some extent, some more so than others, and Koul's essay critiques the toxicity surrounding this conformity and normalization.

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Can Scaachi's efforts to slowly harm her relationship with Hamhock stem from her own volition or from an influence of her father?

Koul's efforts to slowly harm her relationship with Hammock is the result of her father's influence. Deep down, Koul still wishes to preserve her relationship with her father as he is generally a positive figure in her life. Therefore, her efforts are subconsciously impacted by her need for parental validation from her father.

If you were Scaachi's father reading this essay, would you think it portrayed you in a positive light?

I think her father would give Scaachi the silent treatment before inevitably moving on. At first, he would be mad, yelling at her over the phone or through text or having her mom be a medium. Then, he would stop talking to her, not answering Scaachi's calls or having her mom pick up. Finally, he would ring up her phone after two weeks, telling Scaachi about something random that he's doing, and then ask about her day because the bond between a parent and child is unbreakable even against the rollercoaster of life.

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1. The Bloody Chamber Seminar and Creative Journal Booklet

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The creations of the Guerilla Girls have captivated me ever since I first came across them at the beginning of this unit. I was particularly fascinated by their work, “The Estrogen Bomb,” which illustrates a vivid pink estrogen capsule descending toward Earth from outer space. Their overall satirical approach to empowering women and critiquing societal gender inequality deeply resonated with me, prompting me to reflect on my own views regarding gender. One thought that crossed my mind when I initially viewed this artwork was a tampon, as I thought the shape of the bomb somewhat resembled one. I remember that during my childhood, I felt embarrassed about my period and made efforts to conceal my period products from others. However, as I grew up, I realized that there was nothing wrong with a girl being on her period. The manner in which Guerilla Girls bring their feminist messages to life is both humourous and nurturing for me, as I deeply relate to some of the underlying themes shown in their artworks.

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https://medium.com/@my2psychcents/pretty-privilege-or-un-privilege-a-feminist-conceptualization-7d6f3a1e38aa

Above is an article that talks about the pros and cons of pretty privilege. Although constantly being praised for being attractive may feel satisfying, superficial comments about looks often lack character. The author of the article stated how women feel the need to get external validation by improving their physical appearances to appeal to the male gaze, a byproduct of the patriarchy. However, this ultimately ends up with women feeling objectified by men, leading to a lack of self-confidence and more. In the Guerilla Girls' work “The Birth of Feminism Movie Poster”, the three nearly naked women are given authoritative titles such as ‘congresswoman’ or ‘civil rights lawyer’. This demonstrates how women are constantly under the scrutiny of the male gaze, and how being conventionally attractive and nude may be the only way to gain power. The contradictory nature of being ‘pretty’ in modern society brings on both positive and negative connotations. The Guerilla Girls actively mock the objectification of women by satirizing the notion, while the article also critiques the societal pressures placed on women to look good. Although the Guerilla Girls’ approach to spreading feminism is more straightforward and blunt, society is – for the most part – quite progressive as of now. There are still many things that could be amended in terms of gender equality, but there has been significant improvement in the past few decades.

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The movie Maleficent, released in 2014 starring Angelina Jolie, brings a twist to the classic fairytale of Sleeping Beauty. In the film, Maleficent, the “evil fairy godmother” is given a backstory where she is the protector of the forest and is betrayed by her childhood friend/love interest, the king (then-peasant), who cuts off her wings. The audience learns that Maleficent is not all evil and does in fact have a heart, as she begins to care for Aurora as she grows up. Similarly, Carter’s subversion of gender roles and traditional fairytale tropes sheds light on the struggles women face in a patriarchal society. The Countess in “The Lady of the House of Love” is an example of a “villain” who is trapped in her murderous nature due to inheriting her male ancestor’s powers. This is ironic as her power is exactly what limits her agency. But unlike Maleficent, the Countess was born a vampire with no choice, while Maleficent was made into the villain everyone thought she was. Nonetheless, both characters were forced into evil roles because of societal expectations and the stronger patriarchal narrative ruling over them. From this, I’ve gathered that the classic fairytales I grew up reading are not ideals but rather place women in positions with limited power or illustrate them as powerful villains.

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One skill that I have developed in this unit is creative writing. Almost half of this entire unit was seminars, so most students got the opportunity to work on their creative writing skills through the journaling prompts of each seminar group’s story. I particularly enjoyed this activity as it was straightforward and not limited to a strict set of boundaries. I was able to grasp most of the journaling prompts as they were very open-ended, continuously improving my writing skills and thinking outside the box each time. Ultimately, I was able to boost my grades with my creative journal marks, so I am proud of my work.

One challenge I faced in this unit was the close and wide analysis technique. I feel that the material was taught very quickly and I was unable to grasp it very well. However, after looking over the Paper 2 comparative essay preparation package, I slowly began to understand the style of analysis and tried to employ it in my actual writing. Before my actual essay, I practiced the technique a few times by writing paragraphs to familiarize myself. However, since this is the first time I’ve used this kind of analysis style, I will wait to receive feedback on my essay to hone my skills for the future.