I finished Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston a few weeks ago. This story centers around a Janie Crawford an African American woman and her different lifestyles with the 3 men she was married too. She tells this story to her friend Phoebe, who will tell it to the rest of the community of Eatonville. She was forced to marry Logan Killicks, an older man who owns a farm nearby, because her grandmother does not want her to turn out like her mother. Janie believe marriage should be about love, but Logan just wants someone to help around the the domestic work on the farm. Janie is unhappy in this situation and runs off with Jody or Joe Starks to Eatonville. Joe organizes the people of Eatonville and becomes Mayor, store owner, and postal worker for the town and makes Janie work in the store for him. Joe wants her to be a trophy wife not participating in the social life of the town. When Joe passes away, Janie becomes independent and is besotted by suitors, but ends up running away with a drifter/gambler named Vergible Woods or Tea Cake. They move to the Everglades to work planting and harvesting of beans-Janie finally has the marriage of love that she wanted. A hurricane hits the everglades and while Janie and Tea Cake are escaping the catastrophe, Tea Cake is bitten by a rabid dog while trying to save Janie. He contracts the disease and tries to shoot Janie, but Janie shoots him with his shotgun in self defense. She is tried for murder and while her black male friends oppose her, the white females support her and eventually the all white jury acquits her and she gives Tea Cake a large funeral. She ends up moving back in Eatonville.
I thought this book was alright. I had a lot of trouble understanding the writing style. Zora Hurston wrote exactly how the people talked back then, but it was difficult for me to read it and understand what they were talking about. For example, "tators" were portatos, which took me a few sentences to figure out. I enjoy the authenticity of it, but I did have trouble following the conversations because of that. The general plot was somewhat interesting, but nothing I could really get sucked into. I wouldn't strongly recommend nor strongly not recommend this book. It's a decent read if you are looking for something short and not too complex. However, just giving a heads up on the difficulties there are with the language.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Books Read: 3
I have finished another book: Hungry: A Mother and Daughter Fight Anorexia by Sheila and Lisa Himmel. This book documents the struggles and pain that happens to an individual with an eating disorder and how that affects the family. This book is particularly original because the mother is a food critic for the San Jose Mercury News and food is a large influence on the family. It discusses the daughter's development from anorexia in high school and development of bulimia in college. It goes back and forth between the daughter's experience and the mother's (they start the paragraph with their names so you know when it switches). It gives a hopefully but realistic message at the end of the book about recovering and ways to help someone who has an eating disorder.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be honest and straight forward about the realities and horrors of having an eating disorder-not just for the individual but the family as well. I found it useful as a book for people who are studying psychology, and are thinking of working with eating disorders. They talk a lot about psychologists and psychiatrists who were not helpful and how they did not make her (the daughter) feel comfortable and be non-judgmental of her. However, if the therapist and the client do not click, then the client probably won't make any progress. As a person hoping to become a therapist and possible work with eating disorders I found it an important reminder of these essentials to therapy. On another note, my other favorite part of the book was the fact that it was set in the Bay Area-in a town right next to mine: Palo Alto. I found I could relate to the story more since I as able to recognize places and understand the cultural references.
I would recommend this book either for people who have dealt with (or are dealing with) eating disorders, psychologists who are thinking of working with eating disorders, or those who know someone who has an eating disorder. It does not sugar coat the experience and shows the brutal truth of eating disorders. It is well written and definitely and interesting and enjoyable read. My next book is Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be honest and straight forward about the realities and horrors of having an eating disorder-not just for the individual but the family as well. I found it useful as a book for people who are studying psychology, and are thinking of working with eating disorders. They talk a lot about psychologists and psychiatrists who were not helpful and how they did not make her (the daughter) feel comfortable and be non-judgmental of her. However, if the therapist and the client do not click, then the client probably won't make any progress. As a person hoping to become a therapist and possible work with eating disorders I found it an important reminder of these essentials to therapy. On another note, my other favorite part of the book was the fact that it was set in the Bay Area-in a town right next to mine: Palo Alto. I found I could relate to the story more since I as able to recognize places and understand the cultural references.
I would recommend this book either for people who have dealt with (or are dealing with) eating disorders, psychologists who are thinking of working with eating disorders, or those who know someone who has an eating disorder. It does not sugar coat the experience and shows the brutal truth of eating disorders. It is well written and definitely and interesting and enjoyable read. My next book is Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Books Read: 2
I have just finished Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. She wrote about teaching western literature during the revolution in Iran that started banning western books or westernized culture. The new regime wanted to purify their culture and revert back to more conservative ways-such as only reading pure islamic books that promote their political and religious views, women wearing the veil, women can only be with men who are their father, brother or husband etc. Due to these new laws Azar resigns from teaching because she does not want to wear the veil-however she eventually goes back to teaching at a slightly more liberal university where she has to wear the veil, but is allowed to teach western literature. Eventually, she leaves that job as well and goes underground with 8 of her female students to teach a class on western literature. The book is broken up into parts based on the books she teaches. The first is Lolita by Nabokov, Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, Daisy Miller by James, and Pride and Prejudice by Austen. Eventually the limitations placed on her as a woman in a conservative Muslim culture are too much that she moves to the States with her family. There are two things I observed while reading this book. One: I know very little about the history of Iran and it's culture. Two: I learned about my own quick judgments about places and people I do not know about and how I should be more aware of this.
While reading this book the author consistently refers to the time before the revolution (or the war with Iraq-which I did not know happened!) when things were more liberal. The veil was not required. Women could be around men that were not related to them and there was much more of a western influence on the society. The author had spent much of her teen years abroad in England, Switzerland, and United States. However, I did not know that Iran was every a cosmopolitan city that one could visit. My views have been shaped and molded through the currently turmoil happening in the Middle East. I believed that Iran was always a conservative and restrictive country where women were submissive and they all hated the western world (especially the United States). Clearly, from reading this book that has not always been the case-and that is probably true for many of the countries in the Middle East.
My second observation happened while reading a specific chapter during the section on the Great Gatsby. Many of the students in the Muslim Student's Association (revolution supporters) were upset at the inappropriate material being presented in the book. Apparently, in muslim society writers are keepers of the moral code (which I was not aware of). The author decides to make a point with her students by putting the book on trial-one particularly outspoken student is the prosecutor and another slightly liberal student is the defense lawyer and a quieter less political student is the judge. The prosecutor's opening speech was what bothered me the most-he was saying things like, "The whole of American society deserves the same fate (death). What kind of a dream is it to steal a man's wife, to preach in sex, and swindle." He refers to America as "land of the Great Satan". I must say I got quite upset while reading this book. As an American I never supported nor ever will support adultery and just because I have read books on it does not indicate that I have supported. Then, I got to thinking-I've judged him and many people from the Middles East as conservative, violent, and submissive (women-especially those I see wearing a veil). In light of this I cannot judge this man for judging my culture when he has never been to the States, just like I cannot judge his culture for having never been to the Middle East.
I dealt with similar feelings while being abroad this summer in Denmark. Being angry with Americans for having no clue about the country of Denmark (some have thought that it was the capital of Sweden-among other things) and Danes believing all Americans are fat and lazy. We all have judgments and stereotypes of other cultures, but no one can truly judge a culture until we have been in and observed it ourselves. With this I hope that I will become more aware of my judgments and stereotypes of other people's culture.
I really enjoyed this book and allowed me to see into a culture and a country I had very little knowledge about. I think it would have been more interesting if I had read all the books that were discussed because I would have had a deeper understanding of some of the plot references and analysis about the books. However, I do have some great book ideas now! Next book to read on the list is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
While reading this book the author consistently refers to the time before the revolution (or the war with Iraq-which I did not know happened!) when things were more liberal. The veil was not required. Women could be around men that were not related to them and there was much more of a western influence on the society. The author had spent much of her teen years abroad in England, Switzerland, and United States. However, I did not know that Iran was every a cosmopolitan city that one could visit. My views have been shaped and molded through the currently turmoil happening in the Middle East. I believed that Iran was always a conservative and restrictive country where women were submissive and they all hated the western world (especially the United States). Clearly, from reading this book that has not always been the case-and that is probably true for many of the countries in the Middle East.
My second observation happened while reading a specific chapter during the section on the Great Gatsby. Many of the students in the Muslim Student's Association (revolution supporters) were upset at the inappropriate material being presented in the book. Apparently, in muslim society writers are keepers of the moral code (which I was not aware of). The author decides to make a point with her students by putting the book on trial-one particularly outspoken student is the prosecutor and another slightly liberal student is the defense lawyer and a quieter less political student is the judge. The prosecutor's opening speech was what bothered me the most-he was saying things like, "The whole of American society deserves the same fate (death). What kind of a dream is it to steal a man's wife, to preach in sex, and swindle." He refers to America as "land of the Great Satan". I must say I got quite upset while reading this book. As an American I never supported nor ever will support adultery and just because I have read books on it does not indicate that I have supported. Then, I got to thinking-I've judged him and many people from the Middles East as conservative, violent, and submissive (women-especially those I see wearing a veil). In light of this I cannot judge this man for judging my culture when he has never been to the States, just like I cannot judge his culture for having never been to the Middle East.
I dealt with similar feelings while being abroad this summer in Denmark. Being angry with Americans for having no clue about the country of Denmark (some have thought that it was the capital of Sweden-among other things) and Danes believing all Americans are fat and lazy. We all have judgments and stereotypes of other cultures, but no one can truly judge a culture until we have been in and observed it ourselves. With this I hope that I will become more aware of my judgments and stereotypes of other people's culture.
I really enjoyed this book and allowed me to see into a culture and a country I had very little knowledge about. I think it would have been more interesting if I had read all the books that were discussed because I would have had a deeper understanding of some of the plot references and analysis about the books. However, I do have some great book ideas now! Next book to read on the list is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
First book of the New Year finished! Books Read:1
Well I have finished Great American Speeches. Overall, I throughly enjoyed going through the history of our nation via famous speeches. Some I found better than others, but I did learn a lot more about our history through those speeches. Many I recognized because they are quoted so often (Give me liberty or give me death, I have a dream, Nixon resignation speech etc.). Others I recognized from AP US History (Cross of Gold Speech). And others I had never heard of, but throughly enjoyed reading anyway (Mark Twain: The American Press and Mario Cuomo: A Case for the Democrats: A Tale of Two Cities etc). I learned several things from reading this book. One: History repeats itself-A LOT. Two: our nation has gone through some difficult and scary times. And three: many speeches that were made in this country have great quotes that should be remembered, especially during this time of unease in the States.
History repeats itself. This is a common phrase said frequently in our society. I believed it, but never really grasped how completely true that saying is. While reading many of the speeches I heard familiar phrases that I have been hearing a lot today. We need to work on health care, save the environment, problems with social security, housing market, unemployment, civil rights, wars in foreign nations, and mistrust in our government. While some of these may be more obvious than others (wars, mistrust, unemployment, civil rights etc). I was surprised by others. In a speech by George Meany called Labor Day Message made in 1953, he speaks about the problems of the age. Many of these problems sounded familiar to me-millions unemployed, people unable to pay for houses, millions with out health care, social security and war in Korea. What took me off guard was that when I learned about the 1950s was Korean war and the suburban home life and perfect American lifestyle. If this was made in the 1930s-I would not have been as surprised. What I have realized is that in 50 years the government hasn't been able to solve anything. We are still dealing with unemployment, housing prices, HEALTH CARE, and foreign wars. It really shows you that history does in fact repeat itself-and often!
There have been many difficult periods in our nations history. Revolutionary war, civil war, 1930s depression, vietnam war, and cold war. Somehow throughout all these periods we managed to get through it. Reading about what these people had to say during this times of turmoil gives me hope that maybe we will pull through our current crisis. Yeah we are still solving problems we've been debating for many, many years now, but maybe we will finally come up with a solution. Who knows? However, reading this book has made me more optimistic for the future than I have been in awhile. I hope I am right!
Lastly, there are many quotes in this book that I would like to share because they moved me or I found them interesting. Some you may recognize and others maybe not. Either way there are five that are my personal favorites:
Sojourner Truth: On Women's Rights 1851
"Nobody helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place. And aren't I a woman? ...I have plowed and planted and gathered into barns, and no many could head me. And aren't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man...and bear the lash as well. And aren't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen them most all sold off into slavery, and when I cried out with a mother's grief, none but jesus heard me! And aren't I a woman?"
Mark Twain: The American Press 1873
"It has become a sarcastic proverb that a thing must be true if you saw it in the newspaper. That is the opinion intelligent people have of the lying vehicle in a nutshell. But the trouble is that the stupid people- who constitute the grand overwhelming majority of this and all other nations- do believe and are molded and convinced by what they get out of a newspaper, and there is where the harm lies."
Franklin Delano Roosebelt: First Inaugural Address 1933
"Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort"
John Gleen Jr. The Flight of Friendship 7 and the Space Program 1962
"As our knowledge of the universe in which we live increases, may God grant us the wisdom and guidance to use it wisely"
Mario Cuomo: A Case for the Democrats: A Tale of Two Cities 1984
"that a society blessed as ours, the most affluent democracy in the world's history, that can spend trillions on instruments of destruction, ought to be able to help the middle class in its struggle, ought to be able to find work for all who can do it, room at the table, shelter for the homeless, care for the elderly, the infirm, hope for the destitute."
Those are my personal favorite quotes. I hope you enjoyed them. I recommend this book for those who enjoy American History and want to read about it from a primary source. It will give you a new understanding of your history classes.
My next book will be Hungry: A Mother and Daughter Fight Anorexia by Sheila and Lisa Himmel. I am borrowing it from my mother who borrowed it from a co-worker. This book should be interesting for me on a personal and academic level. It's about a mother food critic (and a family who is focused on food) dealing with a daughter who has anorexia. It promises to be a good read.
History repeats itself. This is a common phrase said frequently in our society. I believed it, but never really grasped how completely true that saying is. While reading many of the speeches I heard familiar phrases that I have been hearing a lot today. We need to work on health care, save the environment, problems with social security, housing market, unemployment, civil rights, wars in foreign nations, and mistrust in our government. While some of these may be more obvious than others (wars, mistrust, unemployment, civil rights etc). I was surprised by others. In a speech by George Meany called Labor Day Message made in 1953, he speaks about the problems of the age. Many of these problems sounded familiar to me-millions unemployed, people unable to pay for houses, millions with out health care, social security and war in Korea. What took me off guard was that when I learned about the 1950s was Korean war and the suburban home life and perfect American lifestyle. If this was made in the 1930s-I would not have been as surprised. What I have realized is that in 50 years the government hasn't been able to solve anything. We are still dealing with unemployment, housing prices, HEALTH CARE, and foreign wars. It really shows you that history does in fact repeat itself-and often!
There have been many difficult periods in our nations history. Revolutionary war, civil war, 1930s depression, vietnam war, and cold war. Somehow throughout all these periods we managed to get through it. Reading about what these people had to say during this times of turmoil gives me hope that maybe we will pull through our current crisis. Yeah we are still solving problems we've been debating for many, many years now, but maybe we will finally come up with a solution. Who knows? However, reading this book has made me more optimistic for the future than I have been in awhile. I hope I am right!
Lastly, there are many quotes in this book that I would like to share because they moved me or I found them interesting. Some you may recognize and others maybe not. Either way there are five that are my personal favorites:
Sojourner Truth: On Women's Rights 1851
"Nobody helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place. And aren't I a woman? ...I have plowed and planted and gathered into barns, and no many could head me. And aren't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man...and bear the lash as well. And aren't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen them most all sold off into slavery, and when I cried out with a mother's grief, none but jesus heard me! And aren't I a woman?"
Mark Twain: The American Press 1873
"It has become a sarcastic proverb that a thing must be true if you saw it in the newspaper. That is the opinion intelligent people have of the lying vehicle in a nutshell. But the trouble is that the stupid people- who constitute the grand overwhelming majority of this and all other nations- do believe and are molded and convinced by what they get out of a newspaper, and there is where the harm lies."
Franklin Delano Roosebelt: First Inaugural Address 1933
"Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort"
John Gleen Jr. The Flight of Friendship 7 and the Space Program 1962
"As our knowledge of the universe in which we live increases, may God grant us the wisdom and guidance to use it wisely"
Mario Cuomo: A Case for the Democrats: A Tale of Two Cities 1984
"that a society blessed as ours, the most affluent democracy in the world's history, that can spend trillions on instruments of destruction, ought to be able to help the middle class in its struggle, ought to be able to find work for all who can do it, room at the table, shelter for the homeless, care for the elderly, the infirm, hope for the destitute."
Those are my personal favorite quotes. I hope you enjoyed them. I recommend this book for those who enjoy American History and want to read about it from a primary source. It will give you a new understanding of your history classes.
My next book will be Hungry: A Mother and Daughter Fight Anorexia by Sheila and Lisa Himmel. I am borrowing it from my mother who borrowed it from a co-worker. This book should be interesting for me on a personal and academic level. It's about a mother food critic (and a family who is focused on food) dealing with a daughter who has anorexia. It promises to be a good read.
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