Persepolis, Guilhermo Gonzalez, Risk Taking Research

After having read Persepolis for the past two weeks I have decided myself to do some research and analysis in the Islamic revolution in Iran and the establishment of the viel and it goals In the population.

To start off, the Islamic revolution is in many times referred to the surrounding event involving the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi,  “the king” as we read in Persepolis.  As time went on, the Islamic republic gains itself to the land of Iran under the power of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution, supported by various Islamic organizations and Iranian student movements.

Demonstrations, also known as protests against the Shah commenced in October 1977, developing into a campaign of civil resistance that was religious based. Both man and women went out in the streets to fight for their beliefs and values. Between August and December 1978 strikes and demonstrations paralyzed the country. By time conflict and war started Shah left Iran for exile on January 16, 1979 as the last Persian monarch. Iran was voted by nationally to become an Islamic Republic on April 1, 1979, and to approve a new theory of a republic constitution , which in Khomeini became Supreme Leader of the country, in December 1979.

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I also was very interested in what was the purpose of the establishment of the veil.  There are a myriad of reasons why, but the easy, one sentence answer is, because they believe God has made it an obligation for women.  In the Quran God tells the believing men and women to lower their gaze and to dress modestly.  He (God) specifically addresses women when he asks them not to show off their embellishments, except that which is apparent, and draw their veils over their bodies.  (Quran 24:30-31) In the other hand, We have read recently read in the last pages that the book states men were sexually attracted to a woman's hair, according to the book that is reasoning for this so persecuting act.  From what I have inquired this act is used in a religious matter that follows their beliefs and values. Yet, I wonder why this is an obligation to all women who live in that area, there are many who contrary to this act, yet they are vulnerable so they hide themselves into the mists of shame and darkness. I wonder myself why are these womens compelled to use the veil against their mindsets.

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Guilhermo Gonzalez, Line Illuminator.

This role is to select two passages from the reading selection that you think are worthy of being read, shared, and possibly discussed with your readers. The Line Illuminator writes down the passages word for word in quotes, citing the page # from where the lines come from in parentheses at the end. You are free to pick whichever quotes you like, but they must have some sort of significance or importance. Pick lines you find insightful or lines that confuse you and throw you for a loop. Under each passage, in one concise paragraph per quote, you must explain the significance of the line and why you selected it.  Add and properly cite 2 images to complement your post.

"Everywhere in the streets there were demonstrations for and against the veil." (pg.5)

To begin with, the quote I choose today reflects a big problem the society now a days lives every single day. This has been a concern all around the world and especial the middle east. Many people consider this religious act a morality abuse. The veil reflects many problems we man and women live upon day after day which is persecution. Although this is a strong statement I interpret that the veil system hides the character, appearance and personality of a woman or girl. There are many agrees and disagrees in the fact of baning this so vigourous system. In matter a fact, I agree in the end forever of this system. “We are all equal in the fact that we are all different. We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same. We are united by the reality that all colours and all cultures are distinct & individual. We are harmonious in the reality that we are all held to this earth by the same gravity. We don't share blood, but we share the air that keeps us alive." (unknown) I believe that in the world of today we should live under a principles of justice and especially unity. The world depends on the wonderful women spread around our globe,  women and men are essential to the continuation of the human species. We should respect each other. What the veil creates is a shield that hides their faces from the real world, it builds a world of shame in where men are more powerful than women.

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"The reason for my shame and for the revolution is the same: the difference between social classes." (pg.33)

Many people have died building what the world of today. There were many obstacles in their ways, however they had the courage and determination to keep on going. One of the  obstacles many people had to face was the difference between social classes. Early in our past, a man who was born poor would forever will remain poor and die poor. Let us take in consideration, the people who lived the early era of the feudalism in europe. A pleasant born in that time period would have to provide a service, labor, and goods to landlord according to arrangement and degree. They were required to work on fields, taking care of the livestock, and provide physical help on building projects. They worked several days per week on the different domains there lord assigned them. Yet, it did not matter how much work and determination a pleasant consitsed and exerted he would not jump up a social class. Which lead to create great boundaries of differences between social classes. Although we have lived a system of social class very strict we have know created a world of opportunities in which man can move up or down the social classes. Now a days it does matter the determination one man has since it will face his outcome in life, whether he will be a richer man or a poorer one.

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Question Commander, Guilhermo Pagnano Gonzalez

Why do you think Vladek is such a conservative when he faces money?

In my opinion Vladek is such a conservative and non spending money person since he had to face a dramatic and horrific time.  During his time as a prisoner Vladek had to live and figure himself out with very little.  The outcome of all the suffering he faced shaped him in a different matter that originally he used to be.  He has learned different beliefs through hard work and pain. That is why in the book he acts in a brutal way with his family. For example, when he states he needs to fix the celling.  He does not ask for help, or hire someone. He believes that he can get his hands on work and fix it, with the need of no money. This is very similar to lots of men in this world that have to be taken to war, just like Vladek many of them get physically and emotionally challenged and faced which in the end they become different.

In my opinion Vladek is a depressed man who doesn’t move on with life. It is like saying, when life gives you lemons you do a lemonade, yet Vladek does not use the lemons, he stays and stares at the lemons like a mean less man. He is a person who gave up and life and didn’t know how to keep on going. He abuses his wife is she was a slave or animal just like the Nazis did with him.  As a conclusion, the past shaped him as a person that believes that life can be held with their own hands and very little money.

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  What was the intention of the author to interpret mice as Jews and cats as Nazis?

My point of view to this situation is that the animals interpret a metaphoric meaning. A meaning of an ecosystem in which cats eat mice.  In our real world mice have to face an enemy called cats, mice fight for their lifes by hiding and tricking their so known predetors with many techniques. They have to face a live or die situation everyday. In the book the mice woult be depicted as the Jews, and the Cats as Nazis. Nazis just like cats want to eat, destroy and devour mice as a meal.  As we read the Nazis would kill and tourture Jews if they were animals with meaningless reasons. Spiegelman chose to represent something that happens naturally in nature, which cats are more powerful than mice. As stated in the book, “this is book is no ordinary tom and jerry type of thing it is really using cats and mice to tell a serious story about the past.

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Do you consider Vladek a “murderer” after having read he burned all his mom memories.

My judgment is that Vladek is completely right as a human being and as a father.  I consider this act very sad since he was burning all his wife’s belongings that she beloved and lived with it throughout her life, but also very heroic.  Vladek is not the best father in the world, yet he can be considered one of the best. Vladek and his family have lived through a time in their lives that should be forgotten forever since it just brings fatigue and bad memories of the past. What I think is that Vladek is trying to create a scenario in which what happened, happened, and is done and cannot be changed.  Vladek does this since he wants to create an environment where his son can be safe unlike the past. He only wants the best for his family and the stories Anja lived is not the best for them.

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