Tradition of Rape in Breath, Eyes, Memory breath

390 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Theories of rape

Tradition of Rape in Breath, Eyes, Memory One main theme which I believe that this book repeats is the idea that people will blindly follow long standing traditions simply because it is "expected." For instance, Tante Atie felt obligated to care of her mother. This was the tradition for the oldest women of the family, in Haiti. Tante Atie was obviousely resentful of this duty, but she felt that it was her obligation as a part of that family. Sophie's mother, on the other hand, was free from this tradition and able to move for New York. Sophie's mother was also tormented by the fact that her mother blindely followed the obligations taught to her. It is the tradition in Haiti, that by the time a girl hits puberty, she is to be ritualistically "tested" for her purity. These tests were obliviousely psychologically damaging for the girls, but no one ever questioned the tests. It was simply tradition. Sophie's mother was only saved from having this test done because she was raped, which she names as being "the only good thing which came from my being raped." Tante Atie was said to have screamed in protest to this purity test. Yet, when Sophie came of age, her mother still preformed these tests on her out of tradition, even though she was aware of how mentally damaging these tests were on young women. I realize that every culture has its own traditions which seem strange to outside cultures. For instance, the book mentions a women from Ethiopia who is in Sex therapy because of the mutalating ritual which was performed on her by her elders. I just feel that when it comes to rituals and traditions such as these, it should not be a matter of whether it is a tradition or not, but whether it is morally and ethically exceptable. I do not understand how any mother could possibly do anything damaging or painful to their child. The books explaination for preserving the girls purity is so that when the girl marries, her family can save face by having the daughter be pure. I feel that these tests only make it extremely clear to the young women that they are not trusted to do the right thing or to tell the truth.

Show More
Related

  • The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas: An Analysis

    1572 Words  | 4 Pages

    Le Guin showcase how traditions set by past civilians influence traditions. In the short story by Jackson, she said that “No one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box” (Jackson 1239). This was said after someone had suggested building a new box for use in the lottery. The box had been rebuilt in the past but it was rebuild with some of the parts of the old box showing how much it meant to the people that event stays the same. In the other short story by Le Guin, when explaining the way the citizens of Omelas think about the child she said “They all know it has to be there” (Le Guin 1318). Although they may not be okay with what was happening to the child, they have learned over the years that they should let it happen because it helps the community. In both texts individuals decide not to try and force any change to a tradition. When a old man standing in the crowd at the lottery overheard some people talking about other civilizations not having a lottery he said “There’s always been a lottery” (Jackson 1241). This man had been around for his fair share of lotteries and had gotten so use to them that he could fathom not having one. Similarly, when Le Guin was describing the characteristics of the people in Omelas she said “One thing I know there is none of in Omelas is guilt” (Le Guin 1317). Even though all of the citizens know that

    Read More

  • Flapper The Fllapper Sparknotes

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    Another issue that the writer seemed to have swept below the carpet is the morality of women. First, women seemed to have been despised until they started excelling in mass advertising. Also, the author seems to peg the success of the modern woman to clothing and design. This means that women and cloths are but the same thing. In fact, it seems that a woman’s sex appeal determine her future endeavours, according to the author. It is through this that I believe that the author would have used other good virtues of women to explain

    Read More

  • Peer Pressure In The Lottery

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every single family, every single culture, every single country, every single continent follows sort of tradition. As humans we like routine and the comfort we can find in sameness, we feel pressured to go along with things as they are without questions, even if it's wrong. Peer pressure is a hotly discussed topic in the news today and in literature. The short story “The Lottery”, demonstrates the effects of peer pressure and its consequences, especially when tradition is involved. There are three major examples of this peer pressure used in the story, and it allows the reader to understand the fact that it can be dangerous to blindly follow tradition.

    Read More

  • Cultural Expectations for Women within America

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every year about a million immigrants come to America in hope to start a better life for their family. They leave with virtually nothing, just the clothes on their backs and a few, hard earned coins. As they start a new life here in the United States, most immigrants tend to notice the drastic differences that are present between their culture and Western society, particularly in the way women are supposed to talk and behave. In the excerpt from “Memoirs of a Girlhood among Ghosts,” Maxine Hong Kingston addresses these hardships as a Chinese girl who is searching for her voice in America. During the excerpt, Kingston portrays fitting into these “cultural expectations” as absolutely necessary, as shown in the last paragraph in Page 10. She says things like “If you don’t talk… then you can’t be a house wife.” Or “Don’t you ever want to be a cheerleader?” (Kingston 10) At the time of this scene, the narrator was so sure that the American way was the right way, that she bullies a younger student into changing. Alas the student never changes and the narrator falls sick for a year and a half because of her ill actions. However, plenty has changed since that time of the Korean War (1950’s.) Nowadays, these expectations of what is an American woman are changing. Compared to the 1950’s, women currently are holding much more power, and are viewed as a superior sex symbol.

    Read More

  • The Shame Of A Nation By Jonathan Kozol's The Shame Of A Nation

    1698 Words  | 4 Pages

    This writer felt this section was important to highlight because social workers are agents of the state and are often the middlemen between change and action but sometimes do not recognize their power or feel that change is gradual and do not advocate for ideas because they may be seen as extreme. Mr. Lewis seemed to understand that social workers work for the government and for the oppressed and that they guide how much change occurs and in what timeframe. This excerpt seemed like the ultimate call to action for social workers, a call to action that this writer feels has been lost at the Masters level of social work

    Read More

  • Smart Goal In Nursing Essay

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    Measurable refers to attending an accredited WOCN class and taking an exam. The school of choice is online based through the Cleveland Clinic, and according to the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse Certification Board (WOCNCB), requires 16 weeks didactic class instruction and 120 hours of clinical experience with a locally approved board certified WOC preceptor (WOCNCB, 2015). Once criteria is met, a 90 minute exam will be

    Read More

  • Human Beings Have a Right to Die

    3634 Words  | 8 Pages

    "Assisted Suicide: Finding Common Ground." Lois Snyder, JD; and Authur L. Caplan, PhD. Annals of Internal Medicine. March 21, 2000. v.132, n.6

    Read More

  • Assisted Suicide

    2075 Words  | 5 Pages

    The legalization of assisted suicide has been a controversial topic that has created a divide within the medical community, as well as the general public, for many years. Assisted suicide occurs when a patient decides to take their own life, with help from their doctor. The doctor can end the patient’s life without causing any additional pain or suffering. While some believe that assisted suicide should be legal for patients who are suffering from a terminal and painful condition, others argue that it is unethical and going against the doctor’s oath to help and not harm their patients. As the average life expectancy age increases, people are living longer while also having to live with more serious illnesses. As a result, lives are ending with a great amount of suffering and pain, rather then dying peacefully. Since death is ultimately inevitable, I will therefore argue in favor of the proposition that assisted suicide should be legal for those capable of making a rationale end of life decision.

    Read More

  • The Right to Physician Assisted Suicide

    1874 Words  | 4 Pages

    The right to assisted suicide is a significant topic that concerns people all over the United States. The debates go back and forth about whether a dying patient has the right to die with the assistance of a physician. Some are against it because of religious and moral reasons. Others are for it because of their compassion and respect for the dying. Physicians are also divided on the issue. They differ where they place the line that separates relief from dying--and killing. For many the main concern with assisted suicide lies with the competence of the terminally ill. Many terminally ill patients who are in the final stages of their lives have requested doctors to aid them in exercising active euthanasia. It is sad to realize that these people are in great agony and that to them the only hope of bringing that agony to a halt is through assisted suicide.When people see the word euthanasia, they see the meaning of the word in two different lights. Euthanasia for some carries a negative connotation; it is the same as murder. For others, however, euthanasia is the act of putting someone to death painlessly, or allowing a person suffering from an incurable and painful disease or condition to die by withholding extreme medical measures. But after studying both sides of the issue, a compassionate individual must conclude that competent terminal patients should be given the right to assisted suicide in order to end their suffering, reduce the damaging financial effects of hospital care on their families, and preserve the individual right of people to determine their own fate.

    Read More

  • Defying Social Norms In Toni Morrison's Sula

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    Conformity and defying social norms were a common theme this week. In Toni Morrison’s book Sula, Sula Peace actively opposes gender roles. She does this by doing what she would like to do without the burden of her town’s expectations. Sula enjoyed sex and disregarded all of the opinions of the townspeople around committing adultery. Eli commented that it was even more unacceptable in that time period, but Sula’s main priority is being authentic. Even though she urged men to cheat she was still a risk taker and lived spontaneously, which was even more forbidden for a black woman and like Lauren said, the men were also to blame, not just Sula. Not many people in the Bottom share that trait because they are afraid of social isolation. For example, Nel didn’t stray far from the status quo due to her upbringing. Nel’s mother taught her to be proper and follow the set of rules given to her. Her mother often reminded her to “pull her nose” (28) so Nel could have a more appealing nose. On the other hand, Sula lived in an unconventional household with a constant flow of different people coming and going out of the house. Since she was not exposed to a father figure, she was not tainted by patriarchal expectations of the genders. She didn’t witness

    Read More

  • Meridian, by Alice Walker

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    In most cultures, motherhood intensifies social pressure to conform to what the culture says or what the tradition orders, this seems to be driven by levels of modernity or urbanization than by the status accorded to norms of society and community. Through the concept of “One Life,” it motivates Meridian in her quest toward physical and spiritual health, the societal evils which lower one class to another, one race to another, one sex to another, and eventually terrorize life. Meridian is built on the tension between ones’ beliefs against the societal forces that inhibit the growth of living toward their natural state of freedom.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Jamaica Kincaid's 'Girl'

    1010 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the short story, “Girl,” the narrator describes certain tasks a woman should be responsible for based on the narrator’s culture, time period, and social standing. This story also reflects the coming of age of this girl, her transition into a lady, and shows the age gap between the mother and the daughter. The mother has certain beliefs that she is trying to pass to her daughter for her well-being, but the daughter is confused by this regimented life style. The author, Jamaica Kincaid, uses various tones to show a second person point of view and repetition to demonstrate what these responsibilities felt like, how she had to behave based on her social standing, and how to follow traditional customs.

    Read More

  • The Continuing Cycle of Patriarchy

    1247 Words  | 3 Pages

    Women fed into the patriarchal system unintentionally. Society raised them to act and think the ways they did. Women were encouraged by example of their mothers to be submissive to male direction. For example, Mrs. Beauchamp at first hesitated to help the poor, sic...

    Read More

  • Legalize Euthanasia

    690 Words  | 2 Pages

    Euthanasia and assisted suicide is a rising controversial problem in the world. Many people are against the idea of helping someone 'kill themselves'. This is a problem because many people who have had fatal incidents and are left with chronic conditions live everyday in pain, mental suffering, and emotional suffering. Euthanasia and assited sucide is to help someone who no longer wants to live, pass on. A poll taken by CBS News asked respondents if they thought "a doctor should be allowed to assist the person in taking their own life" who "has a disease that will ultimately destroy their mind or body and they want to take their own life." About 56 percent of Americans said yes and 37 percent said no. This close tie of public opinion has been continuous throughout many years, but euthanasia and assisted sucide has not been legalized in the United States.

    Read More

  • Dangers of Tradition

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...nce to tradition can negatively manipulate social judgment. The town’s people show immensely poor judgment throughout “The Lottery”. This judgment has been directly impacted by the town’s tradition. Jackson shows that one must learn to face their fears of questioning their own traditions, as well as their own morality, in order to benefit the future. Over time tradition can actually deteriorate ones moral sense if it is not challenged. This in many ways relates to Jacksons own fight for an equal standard for men and women. If people do not have the bravery to face their own ignorance then things will not change, and as a result future generations will suffer the consequences.

    Read More

More about Tradition of Rape in Breath, Eyes, Memory breath

Open Document