Theme

I think that the main theme that all of these short stories have in common is that they all have to deal with parent-child issues. The parents seem to always, in some way, disappoint their children. But in some, like "Rules of the Game", I thought that MeiMei was just selfish and in a way placed fault on her mother. MeiMei disappointed herself but blamed her mother. But I guess her mother did push her like she was some kind of Hollywood child star. "The Life You Save May Be Your Own", now Lucynell, the mother, was a horrible person. She just shoved her daughter out of her life basically. Who would marry off their own child to a stranger? Do all of these short stories have a common theme with our new class novel? I hope not.

"The Book of the Dead" by Edwidge Danticat

This story was very depressing. I'm beginning to see a pattern; parents dissappointing their children. I still do not know or understand why Ka's father destroyed her sculpture. I guess it is because he feels unworthy because of his past, but the actress is not buying it because of him, she is buying it because it reminds her of her own father. He would never have to see it again. I think he was just selfish and included himself in his daughter's business. I wander what Ka told the actress.

Alan Watts- Mythology of Hinduism #3

I had to listen to Mr. Watts a few times. At first I was just completely confused and thought,"What is he talking about?!" Then after awhile I began to understand the connections and symbols he used to differentiate between the different religions, and how they connected and pertained to Hinduism. After listening, it really made me more confused, but in a way I could make sense of it (if that makes sense). He explains that everything is an illusion. When he used the example of the play, it really made sense. We, ourselves, get caught up in everyday life, in stuff and situations that are just distracting and are irrelevant to anything, or a purpose. We get sucked in just like an audience of play does. They feel like they are there, in that situation. It seems like he is saying that God is the play maker, and we are the audience, yet we are the characters in the play. It's all so confusing, yet makes sense. Obviously I have not the slighest clue of exactly what Hinduism is, but to what I am hearing and learning, Hinduism seems it is what you make of it. Like you develop your own religion, but you still have guidelines. Maybe I'm completely wrong and am completely missing the point, but I, nor anyone else, will ever know unless we become a true Hindu.

Reflection: Swallows of Kabul

I actually kind of liked this book. It reminded me and i thought related to Salem Witch Trial days or The Scarlet Letter (i hate that book) days, with the executions and such. If people misbehaved, they killed them. I always knew and could imagine the mid-east being a horrible place, but I didn't realize they had public executions and the public was so closely controlled by the government or taliban i guess.

Chapter 15: Swallows of Kabul

Musarrat successfully switched places with Zunaira. Atiq hides Zunaira under his desk and when she is discovered by Qassim Atiq tells him that she is his wife. They go to the stadium and witness Musarrat's death. When everyone goes to leave, Atiq and Zunaira get separated. Atiq eventually goes home nad has a dream about Zunaira coming home but her veil is removed it is Musarrat's face with half of it blown off by a gun shot wound. He then goes completely crazy looking for her in the streets tearing off every woman's veil. Their men get angry and beat him until, i assume, Atiq dies. What a happy ending, everyone dies; except for Zunaira, but we don't really know what happended to her.

Chapter 14: Swallows of Kabul

Wow, the more and more Musarrat is involved in the book, the more i like her. She is willing to give up her life so her husband can run away with Zunaira and have a new one. She's going to take Zunaira's place in the prison adn the execution. No one will know who she is because her face will be covered by the burqa. Atiq is completely confused.

Chapter 13: Swallows of Kabul

Ok, I lied; I don't have respect for Atiq. He got very aggressive with his wife because she tried to talk him out of telling Quassim that Zunaira is innocent. He grabbed her by the neck and shoved her against a wall, he's crazy! He's been getting so caught up in Zunaira he'll believe anything she tells him. Even though it was considered an accident, she still killed him and she pay the consequence. I don't think that death should be her consequence, she should just stay in jail. Atiq opened the door to let her go but she didn't move. She said she had nowhere to go because everyone in Kabul is dead; which is true.