"WHEN I WAKE THE NEXT MORNING, THE SNOW HAS melted and is dripping in a noiy patter off the fire escape. The window over the sofa is open a crack, and the air blows in, sweet and warm. I dig down deep into the suitcase and pull out a T-shirt and jeans and my nylon spring jacket. I can imagine Ma standing in the doorway, sighing, Why do you have to dress like a boy?" (42)
I chose this paragraph, because I loved the descriptive detail of "the snow dripping in a noisy patter onto the fire escape." It was very detailed, it felt as if I were in the room with Nadira. It felt like I could feel the air blowing through the window. The other part of it with Ma sighing, made me mad. It was sexist, if you wear jeans and a T-shirt your not dressing like a boy.
I wear jeans and a T-shirt everyday, does that make me a boy? Men wear kilts in Scotland, kilts are basically skirts. Does that make the men in Scotland women?
i completely agree with you the first part of the sentence was very descriptive it felt as if you were there.Ma was being rather sexist. I wear jeans and t-shirts all the time doesn't everyone? It doesn't make us boyish.
ReplyDeleteNick work Celeste! The first sentence made it totally feel like you were there at the scene when it happened. And I'm not sure if Ma was really being sexist...I mean, I don't think it was her intention. I think that from where they are from, they think boys are the only ones who can wear pants and t-shirts, and so that's why she said that. It's more of a cultural change for her and she doesn't realize that everyone around here can wear jeans and t-shirts, and in Scotland's case, everyone can wear kilts(skirts). I think that the way Marina Budhos described it, it made it seem like Ma was sexist, but I have a feeling it was just the way she was brought up in Bangladesh...
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ReplyDelete(Sorry, by accident I posted my comment using my gmail account jak.and.daxter.rock...I don't know why they said Jak and Daxter Fan-I deleted it)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Puja. Ma may seem sexist, but that was how she was most likely raised in her homeland Bangladesh. I can sense were she is coming from. There are lots of gender related topics in this book and they can give you a sense of their culture, and their views on how men and woman should look and act. Here is an example “Daughters are not daughters, and wives don’t act like wives.”—page 43. I love your sentence, “It felt like I could feel the air blowing through the window.” It was fantastic! Nice work.
-Falcon
P.S. I loved the picture of the kilt guy! Very creative!
Good Connections,
ReplyDeleteI love all the connections you made to your own life and the men in Scotland. Most people wear jeans and a t-shirt everyday, but in other cultures dressing like that is boyish which brings back to Scottish men. I also agree with Puja and her connection and opinions. She said that she didn't think it was Ma's intention to get her point across like that. I agree but It could seem that way to others. Maybe she could tone down her strong opinions but still be herself!
~DaVaughn
Great Job! I loved how you put in pictures very creative. I agree with Puja on this one, I don't think it was a sexist comment, I think it was more cultural. Also, even if Nadira did dress like a boy, there is nothing wrong with wanting your child to wear girl clothes if she is a girl. My grandmother used to send me clothes all the time until she realized that most of my wardrobe consisted of my brothers old clothes.
ReplyDeleteGreat B(log)
I wouldn't call Ma sexist. Like Puja said, I think that its just a cultural change. She's probably still getting accustomed to the different styles. But I do see how you would literally jump to that point. I really like how you made the point of the usage of kilts. That was very creative and using connections in order to prove a point is great. Awesome blog, Celeste! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteKaty hedges a little and says that this a hugely complicated thing. There is indeed a certain POTENTIAL for Ma to be sexist. With a nod to the general consensus i must say that it is indeed likely that girls simply did not dress like that in Bengal. For instance- the first reaction most American men would have if someone asked them to put on a kilt is "Are you kidding? Boys don't wear skirts!" But Scottish men do wear kilts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you guys, and i loved your point about kilts was a great idea, Celeste. I think that Ma is just used to having girls wear their type of clothing so i think she is just..wants her daughters to wear what there religon says to wear.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the great feedback guys! After reading what all of you said, I totally agree with you. I guess I wasn't really thinking about what it was like back in Bangladesh. Thanks for giving me a second opinion!
ReplyDelete<3 you all!
Celeste
I don't think that Ma meant to be sexist or that she is meant to sound that way. It is probably just the way it came out, but I really like the points you made! The pictures also added a really nice touch to the whole blog, but they were a bit disruptive in the middle of the text.
ReplyDeleteThat was awesome! Although Ma might not not be as sexist as you think. I think what she meant was that respectable girls from Bangladesh did not wear pants. Or something. Nice job.
ReplyDelete(P.S. I like the the fact that you used pics as evidence)
I agree with everyone on the sexist thing. Yes her mother was being a little sexist, but we do have to look at it from her point of view too. When my mom was a kid she used to HAVE to where dresses or skirts all the time. She was never permitted to where pants because it was such an un-lady-like thing to do. When she was in collage she started wearing pants and shorts just like the boys. My point being that we don't know Nadira's mother's age so she might have been in a time period where it was unnatural for girls to where pants. I must say, I did like your relation to Ireland and the kilts. It was quite fun to read about.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you! Thanks for the feedback i really appreciate it. :D
ReplyDelete<3,
Celeste
You rock Celestine! That's great that you are taking in all those opinions and being open to changing yours!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you guys! Ma is a little sexist...I wear t shirts and jeans all the time, and I'm not a boy! I agree with Arianna, the pictures are a little distracting in the middle of the text, move it down next time. Great log overall!
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