Maaza Mengiste - Beneath the Lions Gaze - Essay Example

As Hailu has two sons, they have different views on the political situation in the country. While Dawitt is willing to protest against the old and then against the new power, his father and his other brother view the rule by the Emperor as an acceptable option. Later, however, they are all involved in this struggle for truth. While Dawitt is engaged directly in the street protests, Hailu oppresses the Derg too, morally. It is clear why. Just after the military coup, the country expected a spring of the political world. However, the Derb failed the expectations and started to rule in a neo-Stalinist era. They kill the officials of the previous power and some intellectuals without any at least trivial trial. Hailu comes to support his son and eventually finds himself on the verge of being arrested. The outstanding doctor is going to be arrested and imprisoned just because he is reported to have saved a victim of the torture from the upcoming torture by letting her die. Other members of the family suffer as well. Once a friendly family, it is broken in the “new” times.

2nd book - Julie Orringer: How to Breathe Underwater

Topic: How the Title Informs the Book

It usually happens that collections of stories or essays bear the title of one work from the book. However, this is not the case with Julie Orringer’s “How to Breathe Underwater”. This title does not belong to any of the short stories but seems to have been deliberately chosen by Orringer to convey the message of hardship, challenges, and the need to survive before the reader’s reading experience. In my view, “How to Breathe Under the Water” is a very strong title since it is almost impossible to breathe under the water unless one is specially equipped to do so. So it may refer to “how to survive in conditions that are not fit for survival”. As one is reading the book it dawns that the title indeed is related to this interpretation. In particular, girls who are in their teens are portrayed as struggling against the gloomy and absorbing reality. Making their way through life without being guided by parents, the girls are successful although their limbs may be broken, or their homes destroyed…They, as Orringer implies, have learned to breathe under the water and have all chances to successfully go on.

3rd book - Helen Simonson: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Topic: Between Cultures

In this part of my paper, I will explore the theme Between Cultures in “Major Pettigrew's Last Stand” by Helen Simonson). The theme is expressed through the portrayed relationship between a man and a woman who belongs to different cultures and different religions but manages to build a relationship contrary to public prejudice. To illustrate,
“When Major Pettigrew, a retired British army major in a small English village, embarks on an unexpected friendship with the widowed Mrs. Ali, who runs the local shop, trouble erupts to disturb the bucolic serenity of the village and the Major's carefully regimented life.” (Simonson, “Major Pettigrew's Last Stand”).

Even though the Major and the shop owner belong to different religions and represent different cultures, they happen to share a common educational background. What is more, both of them love books. However, torn between cultural stereotypes the Major and his friend rethink traditional views of family and its obligations in terms of their romantic relationship. Consequently, it is contrary to public prejudice that the Major and his beloved are brought together closely thanks to their personal qualities and interests, like the love of England or enjoyment of nature, for example.

4th book - Richard Wilbur: Collected Poems 1943-2004
The title of the poem is: “A Barred Owl”
In this poem, Wilbur describes how adults make an effort to soothe the fear of a kid and satisfy her curiosity by telling a lie. The author thinks this is not an appropriate practice at all, since after reading his poem one would retain a feeling of disgust for the owl eating and the feeling of the inappropriateness of lies.

To achieve his goal and convey the suggested meaning, the author employs a simple rhyme pattern, as well as a humorous tone, and, finally, the juxtaposition of what is rational to describe and what appears to be absurd. The simple structure of the poem and its soothing effect is partially due to its rhyme scheme. The poem is structured in six couplets, where the reader can find descriptions of supposedly fearful things written simply. This simplicity of verse creates a false impression of the correct behavior of a soothing adult, but in reality, this is not the case. It is implied that adults who deceive kids at an early age risk becoming models for lying, and will become teachers so lying. Such people will always be avoided and spoken of as liars. Read More