Marji’s father says: “Politics and sentiment don’t mix.” I have to say that I disagree with this statement. Through Marji’s eyes we were able to see revolution and war take effect in Iran and how it affected everyone. Everyone can agree that war is never a pleasant matter – on either side. It’s the strength Marji finds within herself and the love of her family to pull through all her difficult situations.
I think sentiment does mix in with politics (maybe not all the time). From a young age, Marji was more aware of her country’s war than some of us can say we are familiar with our own. She wanted to take part in protests and rebellions. Marji also thinks she could be some sort of “savior” or “prophet.” I think the ideas she has to become a “prophet” come deep within her heart – she cares so much for her family and especially her grandmother that she never wants anyone to suffer. As a “prophet,” suffering would be “forbidden.” She’s young at heart, but she is definitely aware of the terrifying reality around her. I believe that it is both Marji’s heart and mind that direct her in life. A lot of people tend to either think with their heads or think with their hearts.
I think that while Marji truly believes that politics and sentiment don’t mix, she may argue otherwise. In both the novel and movie, Marji seems to get temperamental at times and her emotions can get the best of her. However her strong political views and her love for her family seem to always parallel one another.
Marji’s mother and grandmother would disagree with the statement of “politics and sentiment don’t mix” as well. I got the feeling that the mother would be more hard-headed about the statement (like her daughter), but nonetheless she demonstrates a care for politics as well for her family – her love for her family affects her ideas of politics because she – of course – wants what’s best for the family. The grandmother is the one that Marji is closest with – and I do see a lot of similarities and influences in their relationship. I think the grandmother, more than anyone, would agree that one must use sentiment in politics.
If you think about the way you view politics, I believe an individual uses a lot of sentiment toward their political ideas. After all, we want what’s best for ourselves as well as our loved ones. The way we react to wars and rebellions comes from our worrying and concern for our family and friends.
Marji may not have survived the war (metaphorically speaking, as well as physically) if it had not been for her family. She was always trying to do the right thing as well as lead a life that would make her family proud. Marji – like everyone else – wants the war to end and for life to be peaceful. I don’t think she would have taken a stronger stance toward the rebellion and war if it had not been for her great love of family.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Blog: The Great Gatsby. 09/02/09
Is Nick "all right at the end"? I think so..
Throughout the novel I find Nick to be a likeable character as well as a reliable narrator. In Chapter I Nick tells us that he is “…inclined to reserve all judgements… I was privy to the secret griefs…” I was able to trust Nick’s storytelling due to his openness and his ability to listen to others without judgment. After reading The Great Gatsby, I found that I had learned a lot about Gatsby as well as Nick himself. His poetic descriptions made me realize how Nick views the world himself.
My two favorite parts of the book are when Nick is describing the “valley of ashes” and Gatsby’s death. In Chapter II Nick describes the valley of ashes as a “desolate area of land” and Fitzgerald uses words like, “grotesque,” “crumbling,” and “ghastly” to describe it. Symbolically it is the product of modern America – a wasteland. The “valley of ashes” is what can occur after a failing dream (the American dream, maybe?). It’s evident too that Fitzgerald didn’t think well of the upper class (as represented by those living in the East) and for Nick to take careful notice of this wasteland (and the difference of the East and the West) gave me the chance to almost judge the characters or to see the “valley of ashes” as Nick was seeing it. Maybe the upper class life isn’t so great? I get the feeling that since Nick is involved in this lifestyle, it’s hard for him to see the “evil” in it.
Since Nick is “privy” to secrets it helps for his friendship to form and grow between Gatsby and himself. A lot of the major events in the novel focus on Gatsby (obviously) but it’s important to take note of how Nick is viewing everything. He starts to see the reality of things and notices how Gatsby strives for Daisy’s attention (by gaining wealth and showing off). On the last couple of pages in Chapter IX Nick reflects on Gatsby’s attempt to gain this “American dream.” Even though Nick says Gatsby turned “all right at the end,” he still notices the downfall of Gatsby. Before Nick leaves, he goes to what used to be Gatsby’s home and says: “I went over and looked at the huge incoherent failure of a house.” Nick also notes that Gatsby “did not know that it was already behind him” (in regards to Gatsby’s “American dream.”) It appears (to Nick, and to us) that the “American dream” was not possible for Gatsby – despite his efforts. On the last page, Fitzgerald uses the word “green” a lot – a reminder that green represented something vibrant, growing and ever-changing –the color associated with Gatsby’s almost-impossible dream. “Gatsby believed in the green light …” Nick admits that Gatsby failed at his attempts, but still admires him (not sure if that’s the best word to use) for what he tried to do. “…We will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…” Gatsby may have failed, but we can still try… I think Nick does turn out all right at the end by seeing the “valley of ashes” within the world. He was able to see the darker side of reality and Nick viewed the life of a man who attempted to completely change that and to achieve what most people want: the “American dream.” He seems hopeful at the end: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Throughout the novel I find Nick to be a likeable character as well as a reliable narrator. In Chapter I Nick tells us that he is “…inclined to reserve all judgements… I was privy to the secret griefs…” I was able to trust Nick’s storytelling due to his openness and his ability to listen to others without judgment. After reading The Great Gatsby, I found that I had learned a lot about Gatsby as well as Nick himself. His poetic descriptions made me realize how Nick views the world himself.
My two favorite parts of the book are when Nick is describing the “valley of ashes” and Gatsby’s death. In Chapter II Nick describes the valley of ashes as a “desolate area of land” and Fitzgerald uses words like, “grotesque,” “crumbling,” and “ghastly” to describe it. Symbolically it is the product of modern America – a wasteland. The “valley of ashes” is what can occur after a failing dream (the American dream, maybe?). It’s evident too that Fitzgerald didn’t think well of the upper class (as represented by those living in the East) and for Nick to take careful notice of this wasteland (and the difference of the East and the West) gave me the chance to almost judge the characters or to see the “valley of ashes” as Nick was seeing it. Maybe the upper class life isn’t so great? I get the feeling that since Nick is involved in this lifestyle, it’s hard for him to see the “evil” in it.
Since Nick is “privy” to secrets it helps for his friendship to form and grow between Gatsby and himself. A lot of the major events in the novel focus on Gatsby (obviously) but it’s important to take note of how Nick is viewing everything. He starts to see the reality of things and notices how Gatsby strives for Daisy’s attention (by gaining wealth and showing off). On the last couple of pages in Chapter IX Nick reflects on Gatsby’s attempt to gain this “American dream.” Even though Nick says Gatsby turned “all right at the end,” he still notices the downfall of Gatsby. Before Nick leaves, he goes to what used to be Gatsby’s home and says: “I went over and looked at the huge incoherent failure of a house.” Nick also notes that Gatsby “did not know that it was already behind him” (in regards to Gatsby’s “American dream.”) It appears (to Nick, and to us) that the “American dream” was not possible for Gatsby – despite his efforts. On the last page, Fitzgerald uses the word “green” a lot – a reminder that green represented something vibrant, growing and ever-changing –the color associated with Gatsby’s almost-impossible dream. “Gatsby believed in the green light …” Nick admits that Gatsby failed at his attempts, but still admires him (not sure if that’s the best word to use) for what he tried to do. “…We will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…” Gatsby may have failed, but we can still try… I think Nick does turn out all right at the end by seeing the “valley of ashes” within the world. He was able to see the darker side of reality and Nick viewed the life of a man who attempted to completely change that and to achieve what most people want: the “American dream.” He seems hopeful at the end: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
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