We are now about halfway through reading the book. The author has a habit of moving through her life's timeline in the book, so it can be a bit jarring. But, remember that she is a person in the present writing about her past. Sometimes the past doesn't come back to us in chronological order, but as a random series of flashes. For this post, I want you all to respond to one of the following questions and also respond to another student's post. Your initial post should be at least 5 sentences long, and your response should be a minimum of three.
I did not comment on your last posts, but know that I did read them and was impressed with the wide range of opinions and thoughts. I look forward to reading your new posts and happy blogging!
1. Firoozah's family is full of different kinds of characters with their own dispositions and the propensities that go with them. Who is your favorite character so far in the book and why?
2. The term, "The American Dream" is mentioned a lot in this book. What do you think of when you hear the term "The American Dream"? What does it mean to you?
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ReplyDeleteMy favorite character in Funny in Farsi so far would have to be Firoozah's dad because he has such an energetic personality. Also because he really loves his family and cares about them.
ReplyDeleteFor example, when Firoozah was lost in Disneyland, her father was probably really scared that someone had kidnapped her. When he found her, he was out of breath and because he had lost her for a few minutes, he decides to buy her presents.
If I was lost, my parents would be worried and scared just like her father too, however, they probably wouldn't care to buy me presents for losing me for a couple of minutes.
I also like Firoozah too because her character is so interesting and funny. I just really love reading about her life because it somewhat relates to me and my culture. I sometimes feel as though I'm reading a story about myself which is really crazy!
when i hear the term "the American dream" i think of freedom. The term " the American dream" has a lot of meanings to it. it could mean freedom of religion, speech, life style, and many more. "the American dream" is giving people the right to do what they want but still has certain laws to follow. to me, i think that "the American dream" means freedom, freedom of speech, and the freedom to practice any religion.
ReplyDelete2. The American Dream, I think of as what immigrants think of America as. Even today they chase after the America dream of having running toilets and electricity and freedom of speech, religion and everything that appeals to them. America is known as the world of dreams but in reality it is losing it. America, I must say is still WAY better than a lot of places around the world but it isn't what everyone thinks it is - it doesn't qualify in their standards like they think and expect.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear the words 'The American Dream' I automatically think of a house set in a the suburbs with a white picket fence around a huge backyard that has kids and a dog running around on it. What it means to me is that we have the abilities in life to rise up the social ladder without being disowned from our families. It also gives me the jitters because I think of all the freedoms we get just for living here, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the freedom of just walking out of our houses without being shot at. I like to think of the little things in life that I take for granted which some people don't have and want very badly. They want to come to America for clean water and a place that they can call home.
ReplyDeleteMy least favorite charter is her dad...I dislike him because he has a huge ego problem that has lead to more problems than what there needs to be for the family. For examle his ego has forced the family to feel outta place even more because even though he bragged about his college years he never actually spoke to anyone really to reach the english skills he claimed he had which lead to communtication problems and translation issues when his family would ask him what something was or ment.Also his huge ego lead him to make Firoozah feel bad because she wasn't able to learn to swim the way her father had taught everyone else to swim, so her father called her names and insulter her at a very young age were insults can make you feel unwant and can cause emotional trama. However, he did kinda make up for her when he baught her toys since everyone in the family came to the conclusion that she just was missing the gene that enabled the rest of the family to swim.
ReplyDeleteto shue shiane
ReplyDeletei agree with you too. Firoozah's dad is energetic. the day when she was lost he came in and grabbed her like she was missing for ten years. from that incident i see that he is caring and loving. his energetic makes Firoozah's dad a special dad.
When I hear the term "The American Dream", I think of freedom and the American's will to accept different kinds of people into the United States. To me, I feel that it's important to be Americanized, but it's also still important keep a part of your family background and culture. Despite some of America's poor actions towards other countries, many people believe America as a great place to live in. I think "the American Dream" is something that people look up to because they hear about the freedom in America. It is a better place to be, and America seems to have all necessities.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear the words "The American Dream" I think of the book "Of Mice and Men" and how everyone had a dream that they wanted but could never get. In my thought this relates to the book we are reading in class because immigrants that move to the US have the goal of being better at speaking and writing in English. I remember when my aunts and uncles came to the US this was their top goal. To me The words mean to be a hard worker in everything you do and never give in. Sometimes dreams can not be reached but that is why you must work harder than ever before. Also the american dream can mean many things but this is just what i think of and mainly i think of free land and being able to do whatever I want and the place that i am at is a place where everyone gets along.
ReplyDelete@ Feuille D'erable:
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you think of about the American Dream. I do think that many immigrants still think of America as what it was ten or twenty years ago, however, in reality things have changed. America has been known as the world of dreams but then that is slowly dying out because many Americans in America are losing their jobs to other people from all over the world. If we want to keep that "American Dream" slogan, we need a change in America.
- to Feuille D'érable
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you. I had the same thoughts in mind and I find it interesting that you have the same thoughts. I just think that different people don't know much about America and all they know is probably the small basic facts, such as freedom and the items that are produced in America.
@ Shue Shiane
ReplyDeleteI also like Firoozah's dad because he's really brave and and cares for his family. I agree about my parents losing me for a few minutes, they'd care but not like the dad in the book did. I like how you relate the book to your own life.
@Shue Shiane,
ReplyDeleteThe dad is also my favorite character. At times he is a bit funny but that is what i like about him. I loved the part about how he plays poker with weird people. the one thing I love most was his philosophies on poker players that sit with him and actions taken at the table. He reminds me of myself at times because we have a few similarities. Im just not a dad, yet.
To me, the American Dream is to live out your life in peace and have everything you need. Many have achieved this dream. However, this country still has far too many poor and homeless. One of the highest poverty rates in the country is in Appalachia, "in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains." Many of the people who live there are perfectly happy, even though they are poor. This is because they make do with what they have. If every American was happy with having enough to stay alive and healthy and gave all excess money to the poor, then everyone would be happy. This is how communism works. The only problem with this system is that there will be a few people who waste their money just so they can get more, and eventually all the people start doing the same thing. Then the money runs out. Then there is a revolution! It's an endless cycle.
ReplyDelete@ Katelynn
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear the words "The american dream" i also kinda of think of that scene but with a few slightly different details. I think of my family farm and my grandmothers house with my dogs running around and my little cousins running around on family gatherings. I think of a family gathering where all the kids are playing with each other at a relatives house out in the county or suburbs. :)
When I hear the phrase "The American Dream", my mind does not necessarily jump to a middle class family of four living in a suburban town house with a white picket fence. "The American Dream" is specific to every individual living in the United States. It means to pursue our own interests and desires, whatever they might be, to our heart's content. In America, we are given the freedom to do what we please with our lives. What to be a Neurosurgeon? Great. Care to run for office in the upcoming Congressional election? Super. Is your calling to take the graveyard shift, flipping burgers at your local McDonald's? Awesome. That is the beauty of America. We are in control of where we go and what we do, and that is "The American Dream".
ReplyDelete@Alex Holly
ReplyDeleteI both agree and disagree with you. The theory of communism is fantastic-- some for all, equality across the board. Unfortunately, the most communism has accomplished is leaving nations equally impoverished. It doesn't take into consideration human nature. We, as a race, will never be truly happy with "what we have", because we are constantly attempting to make better lives for ourselves and those we care about. Americans are not the only ones with this outlook-- some would say greed. Every country has greed.
@подсолнух
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. The American Dream is taking your own road to happiness. It's in all of us, so long as we live up to our potential.