The Chase

When the narrator of Love and Obstacles chased the two girls down the street at first I thought it was naive, desperate, and comical. Like most of this thoughts about relationships and sex he was as misguided as he could be. A few days later I listened to speaker from True North talk about sexual violence. I thought about all of examples I read over the semester as walked back to my dorm. After re-reading that piece of the story again I wondered what would've happened had he reached the two girls? What if in his drunken and desperate state he became violent in order to lose the virginity he was ashamed of? If this happened how would it affect his actions in the future? The same story that caused me to laugh and shake my head now became more unsettling. I realized that the narrator could've started down a path to become a rapist similar to the ones mentioned in the previous books we've read. Who knows how many of those men had the same urges and acted on them.

Below is a link to True North, a shelter and aid for people in abusive relationships.
http://www.truenorthofcolumbia.org/sexual_violence.php

Parents

Marji's parents in Persepolis allowed her to express herself everywhere. At home she was allowed to sit in on conversations and at times contribute. They defended her argumentative attitude when she caused disruptions at school. She was even sent to Vienna so her self-expression could be fostered. At a time when oppression was mainstreamed Marji's parents made room for her to voice her opinion. I feel that it is healthy for any teenager/young adult to be open with their thoughts. The mistakes and achievements that come from it are worth the wisdom that's gained. Marji's parents were not thinking of how she could become a successful child but how she could grow into a strong adult.

This link promotes the idea that free expression early in life is an important part of becoming a stable adult.
http://www.cse.nd.edu/~skuntz/FoodForThought/FiveEmotions.txt

An Apology

After 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were murdered what does an apology mean? Women who were pulled away from their fathers, brothers, sons, and companions will always suffer. The decimation of an economy leaves those willing to stay with little to purchase. As foreign forces stood idle neighbors were killing one another and burning each others homes. I do not fully relate to any of these situations, but an apology still holds value. If it's scoffed at by the generation that survived, then so be it. But for the Muslims growing up in Serbia, and the youth around the world, it is a sign of acceptance. The majority of the government admitting shame for being absent when their people were in danger. A short statement that requires an removal of pride and employment of empathy gives people hope. Not necessarily a gratifying sense of optimism but a chance that the future will be better.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8594625.stm

Without a Mirror

"But the beauty of youth is that reality never quells desire." That is a quote from the narrator of Love and Obstacles. As a 17 year old he is captive to his passion for adventure and the idea of sex. Once he reaches Murska Sobota, far removed the guidance of his parents, he tries to fulfill his desire with drinks and uninterested women. Throughout the story he is only concerned with himself. The narrator never makes an honest effort to see how his desires would affect others or how he would be viewed. In the end after he is beaten and returns home he gained a new perspective. The narrator realized there were obstacles (age, ignorance, immaturity etc.) that prevented him from getting what he wanted. His recognition of reality calmed his cravings and made him more appreciative and humble.


This is an article about the aspects of teenage angst from The Independent.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/the-truth-about-teen-angst-1646351.html

Heroes Hurt

In the first half of Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi’s younger self sees a hero as not just someone who stands for a cause but also suffers for it. Knowing that someone went through anguish to achieve a goal enriches their experience and causes us to give respect because the person persevered. If a woman gave birth without pain or struggle would it be as special? If Michael Jordan didn’t have to lose for seven seasons before he won a championship would his story be as compelling? Hell, if we didn’t have to study or go to class for a degree what would really be its value? As we see with Satrapi’s reaction to her uncle, scars are the physical proof that gives a person more right in our minds to tell a story, and therefore more respect.

Know When You'll Walk Out

The soldiers made many mistakes while they were stationed at Abu Ghraib, but one of the worst occurred before they took a step into the prison or joined the army. They committed themselves to a stressful system without having a set of values etched into their characters. Instead, they relied on the military and their superiors to guide their decisions and therefore their morals. In traumatic situations where your life is in danger daily, imprisonment is a result of disobedience, and you have the responsibility of authority it is vital to have a strong sense of self. The soldiers that were interviewed looked back on their experiences with a distant regret but as they performed “standard operating procedures” they knew their actions were wrong. The rationalization for the torture was that soldiers were being killed and that the information the prisoners had would help end it. But how far will someone allow another to guide their moves before they stop? The soldiers didn’t have a definite answer.

In the majority of books read this year rape has been used as a convenient and free weapon against women, men, and children. The act takes away almost all power from the victim and gives the rapist ultimate authority. It encompasses an addiction to both power and sex. This combination creates a complete lack of shared empathy and a need to indulge ones desires. The victims are subjected to the short term physical pain of forced intercourse and most have to deal with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In Death and the Maiden, Paulina seems to show signs of PSTD because of her "triggers", or details that take her back to her rape such as the Gerado's voice, and infatuation with revenge. Vengeful fantasies blended with flashbacks can cause a person to distort reality. At this point the eyes and ears are not receivers but projectors of what the victim believes they see. Whether or not Roberto was innocent is debatable. What is certain is that rape haunts a victim until their last breath, making them fearful or belligerent when triggers are present.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001923/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUH8ZhmEyP8

On The Giving End

Warning: I am not a psychologist.

So far in The Painted Bird the narrator has experienced so much abuse, whether sexual or physical, that it is expected at some point in every chapter. I feel sympathetic for the narrator in each situation he falls into but my empathy also extends to the abusers. What causes them to beat a 6-10 year old boy with so much disdain? Part of the problem is prejudice but I don't believe that it is the final answer. The villages are built on a culture that promotes violence and alcoholism. Instances such as the boys who killed the red squirrel (8) for amusement and the miller whipping his wife because he suspected her of cheating (34) are two of many examples. I suspect that the adults have lived through or seen situations similar to what the narrator describes if they've resided in the villages their whole life. The narrator wishes that he had the power to kill his tormentors but he is powerless. The different "caretakers" in the story may have felt the same at some point in their childhood and with the aid of alcohol and prejudice take that trauma out on the narrator. Ewka's sexual relationship with the narrator also stems from a damaged past. It is obvious that Ewka has been a victim of severe sexual abuse from her father and brother many times before and practices some form of it on the narrator.
The older characters in The Painted Bird all have demons that haven't been exorcised and continue to grow stronger. I seek to understand the adults and their problems but I do not condone their actions.

A brief overview of possible reasons people are abusive
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8482

Discussing pedophilia
http://neuroanthropology.net/2010/05/10/inside-the-mind-of-a-pedophile/

Like Giving Candy to a Baby

Through the first half of "Fattening for Gabon" the most disturbing part has been the adults manipulation of the children and religion. Kotchikpa and Yewa are both prepubescent and orphans of the AIDS epidemic. They are surrounded by a "Christian" consumer culture that despises the meek and praises the wealthy as heirs to Earth and God's favorites. The pastors use God as a pedestal to stand above the community to receive goods and adoration. By reversing the Beatitudes the leaders of the community grow closer to paganism and reshape the ideals of the people, especially the children.

The adults play upon the naivety and fickle emotions of Kotchikpa and Yewa. The gifts the protagonist receive not only fatten them physically but also emotionally. The children are in awe of the excess and only understand it as a result of the adults being in God's good graces. Under the influence of the culture the brother and sister are swayed by goods to love their "godparents" even more then their biological ones. "Mama" even persuades them to change their names to Pascal and Mary and urges them to forget about their old ones in an attempt to remove their identities.

Kotchikpa and Yewa have not been physically abused at this point but the adults are still predators because they are using the most vulnerable for their own gain.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7226411.stm
This short article shares a story of two child slaves that is very similar to "Fattening for Gabon." It's unfortunate that the experience of human trafficking seems common.

The Pygmy Theory

The Pygmy in the bar proposed to Phillip the idea that in order for there to be peace mankind must conquer nature even though humanity is part of it. The theory seems paradoxical at first but it contains a great deal of truth. Throughout history one population has sought to have power over or remove another group of people. Whether this is accomplished through mass murder (Rwandan Genocide, Holocaust), or social organization (slavery, share cropping, segregation) the intention is to control others. The desire to conquer parts of nature such as animals and resources is a result of necessity and at times greed. However, subjugating people is a product of searching for differences and separating ourselves from others. When the division becomes vast enough we begin the unfortunate process of dehumanization. At this point empathy, a vital ability that separates us from the rest of nature, is proudly lost. When the Hutus called the Tutsis cockroaches, the militiamen raped and killed women, or when the mayors betrayed their communities they did it with a sense of duty. The fanatic Hutus’ assaults were carried out with same monotony as full-time labor with the thought that Tutsi extermination would create peace. If the Pygmy’s theory is true then endless amity would be unsustainable because there will always be an another power struggle. Do you agree?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBdfcR-8hEY
This video is an hour long lecture on the morality of murder and the influences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Dpcq2fZmc
This video isn't directly related with the Rwandan Genocide but it does deal separation due to ideological differences.