Darmok

In “The Pillow Book”, Sei Shonagon depicts the life women had in medieval Japan. Through her stories and various lists, she demonstrates how women were not treated equal to men. From birth, women were seen as subordinate to men. Especially in the role of marriage, men were given full control. When describing depressing things, Shonagon writes about a husband who fails to come home because a court lady has taken him as her lover, the wife’s family says, “will he eventually tire of the women and come back to us?” (B, 251) . A woman’s role was to wait, while the man had the power to start the relationship or end it. Women were expected to respect and honor their husbands no matter what. Women had no opportunities besides to become a housewife. This concept has changed through time. In today’s world, women have gained the same rights as men and have become successful CEO’s and influential politicians. Unfortunately women in the Middle East have not joined in this advancement.

In the NY Times article ” For Afghan wives, a desperate, fiery way out” by Alissa J. Rubin, young Afghani women are being denied their rights. Lives for Afghani women are similar to the life Shonagon describes in her book. The roles and demands of Afghani women has never changed or reached enlightenment. Married off when they are teenagers to a man chosen by their parents, they are left with no options. This act empowers the husband and his family who believe that abusing his wife is appropriate since she is not worthy of respect. “The choices for Afghan women are extraordinarily restricted: Their family is their fate. There is little chance for education, little choice about whom a woman marries, no choice at all about her role in her own house. Her primary job is to serve her husband’s family. Outside that world, she is an outcast.” These women feel like their only way to escape is death, and the cheapest way to do so is by burning themselves. These self-inflicting burns by women have grown tremendously in recent years but no one has made the initiative to stop it. One can only hope that one day women in Afghanistan and in similar countries will be granted equal opportunity the way we have it here.

Many teachers aspire to influence at least one student in their career. Some teachers create such an impact that students live by their teachings and their influence is carried on even after they graduate. Students always remember a wise teacher’s words. This is seen in both “The Analects” and the New York Times article about the teacher Fred Goldhaber. In “The Analects” students are mesmorized by the teachings of Confucius. His students admired him and considered his teachings to be a way of life. Confucius taught his students how they could live happy lives by spreading the importance of humanity. Confucius writes “seeking to achieve humanity leaves no room for evil” (A, 1049). His teachings were so influencial in China that it led to the spread of Confucianism. Even after his death Confucius’ teachings were still being taught and practiced.

In The New York Times article “Fred Goldhaber, 1st teacher at school for gays, dies at 63″ by Dennis Hevesi, students mourn the loss of a great teacher, Mr. Goldhaber. He was a very influencial teacher since 1985 for runaway homosexuals who believed they had nowhere to go. Many gays and lesbians took comfort in Mr. Goldhaber’s teachings and seeked his guidence at the Harvey Milk School of Manhattan. He was the first and for the first four year the only teacher at the school. A fellow collegue describes Mr. Goldhaber saying ” kids idolized him, many of them would have never gotten diplomas had it not been for the way he treated them”. Like Confucius, Mr. Goldhaber was able to have an impact on his students and was able to change their lives for the better. Both teachers left the world a better place for humanity.

The title “Throne of Blood” clearly reflects the plot of the play, a throne that is riddle with blood. The play presents two murders related to Washizu acquiring the position of the Lord of Spider Web castle and his attempt at keeping that position. Throne of Blood is entertaining to watch, even though without prior exposure to the film version or to Shakespeare’s MacBeth will leave a viewer confused for several scenes. Charles Isherwood, a writer for the New York Times states that the show is “as boring to look at as it is to listen to.” (New York Times) Isherwood also states that Mr. Chong, the director, “musters little in the way of innovative staging to propel the story forward.” I feel this is incorrect because Chong was able to use light to create a scene where no door was present. I was surprised at how well light was use with sound to simulate a door being opened and closed.

I feel that Isherwood is too critical of this show. He compares this show to the film version. While filming, the director is able to make each scene better by trying again and again. A live show does not have this luxury. Mr. Chong has to make sure the entire show is perfect the first time and that the show is complete within a certain time limit.

“The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon” is a major Japanese text that is written in the form of diary entries. This text is written based on the thoughts of Sei Shonagon as she is criticizing the people around her. However, she does not desire for her thoughts to be made public. Sei Shonagon clearly states that “much of [her text] might appear malicious and even harmful to other people.” (B, 258) Sei Shonagon is expressing her feeling by writing, but fears others will read her writing. She is in constant fear of having her writings found and read.

The New York Times released an article on November 7, 2010 called “For Afghan Wives, a Desperate, Fiery Way Out.” This article is about the practice of honor killing in Afghanistan. Honor Killing is the practice of killing oneself in order to preserve the honor of their family.  In Afghanistan, the act of lighting oneself on fire is very easy because what is needed is readily accessible. Wives in Afghanistan are constantly expressing their feeling of discontent and oppression through the act of suicide.  A woman who tries to commit suicide, Farzana states that “I felt so sad and such pain in my heart and I felt very angry at my husband and my father- and mother-in-law, and then I took the matches and lit myself.” (New York Times)

Sei Shonagon express herself by privately writing down her thoughts. Farzana express herself by engaging in an act that would end her life. Although these two women express themselves differently, this difference is also their similarity. Both Sei Shonagon and Farzana are releasing their frustration about what they see and feel. Sei Shonagon writes down what she feels is “depressing” and “hateful.” Farzana’s act of suicide reflects her frustration with her life.