The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf

I think The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf hits on many of the topics we have discussed in class, such as identity, socialization, and the generalized "other." In order to read this novel effectively, you really have to put aside all of your previous judgments and stereotypes. I had a little difficulty reading this because I very little knowledge of Muslim culture. I tried hard to put myself in the shoes of the characters, especially Khadra, in order to understand exactly what they were going through.
In the novel, both the Muslims and the Americans showed racist views and behaviors. The American's racism however, was much more extreme and full of hatred. For example, the brutal murder and rape of Zuhura. In the novel, Mohja Kahf makes it clear that there is a need for change in American society. She also suggests that it is not just the American's fault. The Muslim families in the novel also have racist beliefs. They are constantly looking down upon American behavior and criticizing them for their way of life. I think Kahf wants the reader to realize that in order for a change, everyone must be accepting of others. In order for that to be possible, I think people have to put a conscious effort into accepting other's ways of life.
Racism is also shown in the novel between the Muslims. This is shown between the Sunnis and the Shiis. I found this really depressing. Not only are Americans racist towards Muslims, and Muslims towards Americans, but there is also racism among the Muslims. It seems like there is no escape from the hatred. I think this greatly affected Khadra’s character and identity. Constantly being surrounded by racist views eventually led Khadra to question her own racist views.

KIndred

I think that the significance of Kevin getting trapped back in time for an extended period is so that Butler could make his character dynamic. By reading how Kevin acts while on the plantation, the reader is able to see deeper into his true character. I think being there for so long significantly changed him. By being surrounded by men like him (i.e white superior males) who abuse and oppress black men and women, Kevin's relationship with Dana was changed. After being submersed into that culture for a long period of time, some of the values began to rub off on him. I think that this can be related to our reading from Bell Hooks. Racism is culturally learned. When Kevin married Dana, he was baffled by people's racist opinions. But now after being in this oppressive society for so long, he develops some oppressive, domineering characteristics. I think that Butler used his character to show how nurture has a significant impact on one's development of racist values. In addition to the way one is raised, Butler emphasizes the importance of one's environment. Kevin's character changed when he was on the plantation from when he was at home. When one is surrounded by a culture of shared values, it is hard to resist inheriting those values. Through Kevin, Butler portrays how hard it is. Kevin seems to be a good, kind, and fair man; but even he can't resist some of the oppressive values he was surrounded by on the plantation.

Through the characterization of Pecola, Frieda, and Claudia, Toni Morrison instills a deep empathy for these character within the reader. My empathy was so great at times that the book became difficult to read. I was not sure how well I would be able to understand what the characters of this book went through, but Morrison did such a great job portraying their characters that I felt as if i was sharing their agony. On the other hand, I found it hard to feel sympathetic toward Cholly. While reading about how he grew up and the terrible things he went through, I did feel sorry for him. But after he raped Pecola, all of my sympathy disappeared. I wanted to feel sorry for him, but I just couldn't look past all of his terrible actions. I think Morrison used Cholly's character to intensify our sympathy for the young girls. Cholly was an example of what can happen to a person that has been severely oppressed and through a great deal of pain. His character makes the reader aware of the chance of a similar future for these young girls. Do you think Morrison intended for the reader to have sympathy for Cholly?