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.
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I agree with everything you said. Marji is very heavily reliant on her family and that is definitely a factor in her surviving the war, “metaphorically speaking, as well as physically.” She always had that safe haven to fall back on, even when Iran, her life, and her street were crumbling down around her. Her family was a very tight, close-knit group. They seemed to come together when there was a crisis, and there often was a crisis seeing as their national state of affairs was in such a mess. Marji loved her entire family, but her Grandmother seemed to have a very significant importance to her. She was the one who was always giving her advice, scolding her when she acted without integrity. Her Grandmother was also the one Marji pictured when she doubted herself. In the film, when she said she hailed from France, her Grandmother was “following” her down the street, saying she did not know she was from France. Her internal struggle is characterized by her Grandmother. The scene in the film and the book where Marji watches her Grandmother undress really showed (albeit in a strange way) how much she cared for and appreciated her.
ReplyDeleteYou also say, “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.” I agree. She based her views and opinions on those of her parents. They were active in the revolution and Marji idealized them and her family members who struggled for that. It made her want to do her part in the fighting, at least in theory when she was young.