Final TBWCD

Justin Patera

Dr. Cobos

ELA

February 23, 2018

How your family's past affects your future/childhood

How your family as a child affects how they raise you. We see this with both parents throughout the book. How Bo was constantly being hurt by his father who would take anger out on him in any given moment and with Ma, who was raised well by her father but was in constant fear of her mother. I think the better came out of Ma being that she helped the servants when they accidently messed up or how nice she was in general. Bo’s childhood was very different. He lived in a constant state of fear and was often hurt by his father and when they had children that side of Bo edged out a little. Those experiences probably “didn’t wire him right” as The stated in the book. He didn’t seem to know what he was really doing as a parent. Ma was raised well and Thi always seemed to feel more safe as well as more comfortable with her when she was around. I think two other huge figures in the book were Lan and Bich being that they would be almost more of a guardian figure then Bo when only he was around. They both seemed to have learned before Bo ever could.

A Good Man is Hard to Find: most interesting character

[To me the most interesting character is by far the Misfit.] I think this because of how mysterious and unreadable he remains throughout the end of the story. I think one of the best examples of this is actually when he kills the grandmother. After she touches him he, "Sprang back as if a snake had bitten him and shot her three times through the chest. Then he put his gun down on the ground and took off his glasses and began to clean them." This sort of behavior doesn't seem all to normal especially when you've just killed someone. He remains calm as if nothing even happened. Although he appeared friendly at first his actions became unreadable and he ended up killing the grandmother because of this.

Oral History project

• What did you enjoy most about the interview process of the Oral History Project?

What I enjoyed most was the interview for sure. It was really great to be able to hear and document another fascinating story and sense I as well was in Harvey I got a chance to hear how those around me experienced it and how it affected them. I also got a chance to see how they were helped by others and how the community around them came together and supported them throughout their recovery. People also have very exciting stories an example being that Ms. Powers husband got picked up by a random helicopter and looking back at it they are all able to laugh about some things that happened realizing how random they are.

• In what ways can you challenge yourself to be a better group member in a group project?

I would say actually work in a group. When I say this what I mean is communicate with your partners don’t be alone doing something for a group. Try and talk and work with your group either if you are all in the same doc at the same time or if you are altogether in person. This way if you don’t like what someone did you can tell them there and then how they can improve what they have done and not have to text/email them about their work and possibly receive a bad grade for it. Be willing to constantly help your group as well try and participate in everything you do. Also make sure everyone has a say in what you do for the project.

ELA Blog #2

What led to Marjane's grandmother yelling at her was that Marjane had willing turned one of her fellow citizens into the guardians of the revolution. When she returned home she told her grandmother what had happened and laughed about it. This got her grandmother very upset “Have you forgotten who your grandfather was? He spent a third of his life in prison for having defended some innocents! And your uncle Anoosh? Have you forgotten him too???! He gave his life for his ideas! What have I taught you! What marjane did upset her grandmother because of how many people in their family and that they knew died for previous causes and the thought of Marjane making up a lie so she wouldn’t be arrested up set her and showed her how selfish she was. Marjane's grandmother had every right to act the way she did with Marjane.

Justin Patera

Dr. Cobos

E.L.A.

September 29, 2017

Blog week 1

Why does Marjane want to "make her past disappear" (194)? And how does this affect her development as a person? On page 195 Marjane says “I should say that at time, Iran was the epitome of evil and to be Iranian was a heavy burden to bear.” So part of the reason she may want her past to disappear is because being and saying she’s Iranian may paint a certain picture of her that she doesn’t want to be known by. She has just moved to Austria at this point and has the chance to start a new life especially since she is completely on her own and has no guardian of any sort really. Nothing around her is familiar, she is completely self dependent.

I also believe that part of the reason she wants it to disappear is so she can fit in and be like those around her. Making friends is a huge part of her life since her parents aren’t really in it so much anymore. She is trying to do so by being like others. For example: she cuts her hair and begins to do drugs with some of her friends. I don’t think she is ashamed of her country though. I think fitting in is all she is trying to do when she does all of these things and when she says certain things too.

There is proof in the text that she still loves her country. On page 197 in the cafe she gets tired of being talked about and snaps. She yells “ You are going to shut up or I am going to make you! I am Iranian and Proud of It!” I don’t think that she is ashamed but more rather lost and confused. At her age being away from her parents and taking control of her life isn’t the easiest thing and being in a different country doesn’t make that any easier.

Being apart from her parents has the biggest impact on her life and her decisions. Although they are not directly involved in most situations there absents affects Marjane a great deal.  When she moves she is own her own and every decision she makes, the consequence and outcome is on her. She has virtually no guidance in her early adulthood which eventually leads her to drugs and becoming a drug dealer. Part of the reason this is happening is that her parents aren’t there to help her so she has lost the feeling of set boundaries.