#eailya

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ARTIST: EAILYA

Eailya: How is this scene significant and in what way did it ultimately influence the decision Shabanu had to make for herself? 

RESPONSES

Quynh: This scene demonstrates the relationship between fate and free will. Shabanu made the decision to reject and run away from her fate but when mithoo breaks his leg, she reinterprets the situation and decides to wait for Dadi to find them. She sees that, she must accept her fate and marry Rahim-sahib. 

Sana: In my opinion, I think the scene shows that Shabanu has a choice to make, it is either to leave all the bad behind and to start new, but instead she learns to accept it and learns to be more mature and wise about her decisions

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Reporter: Eailya

Characters- Shabanu, phulan, mama, dadi, murad, sharma, rahim-sahib, and mithoo.

Setting- 1. Five days after fleeing Mehrabpur, the family returns.

2. After twenty days the families begin to prepare for the wedding and enjoy festive celebrations.

Plot- 1. When the family return to mehrabpur, they are surprisingly greeted by Rahim-Sahib and he gives shabanu beautiful jewelry but, Shabanu thinks that its his way of trying to buy her. 2. When twenty days have passed, Phulans preparation for the wedding begin, but surprisingly in the midst of all this, Phulan has forgotten about Hamir and continues to remain cheerful and optimistic. 3. Meanwhile, Sharma tries to convince dadi that Rahim-sahib is the wrong choice for shabanu claiming that he will despise, abuse , and eventually grow tired of her but it backfires. 4. After everything that has happened, Sharma has guided Shabanu into making her realize in the end it is her own choice of her fate. 5. The mahendi celebration occurs, two days before the wedding. 6. Shabanu secretly hopes she doesn't begin to menstruate because if her parents were to find out, they would contact Rahim- Sahib to set a wedding date. 7. When her period does eventually start, she tries to hide it almost after a month passes but eventually her parents figure it out. From knowing what will happen to her future she decides to run away that night just as the bughti girl did. 8. Mithoo follows her on her trip but unfortunately, along the way he breaks his leg. Knowing that she cannot leave him behind, she decides to wait for Dadi to find them. 9. When he finds Shabanu he beats her mercilessly, while shabanu holds her self in and decides to accept her marriage but with the choice of how she interprets it.

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Rotation 4 Discussion, pages 144-192, Discussion Leader: Eailya

Eailya: Hey guys, ill be discussion leader again for our fourth rotation, ill be asking some questions and viewing your responses but fill free to ask any questions regarding clarification, good luck!

Eailya: 1) Whos path do you believe shabanu will follow considering she believes her life will end up either like Mama, auntie, sharma, fatima, or the bughti girl?

Quynh: In my opinion, I think Shabanu will most likely end up following Fatima's path because Fatima resembles Shabanu in her fiercely independent and outspoken demeanor

Sana: I believe that Shabanu will follow Fatima's path since she is self-reliant and their personalities are very similar as well

Eailya: 2) While shabanu’s charachter has become more serious and cautious throught out the story where as phulan has become overly joyed without any worries, explain how there personalities affect eachother and the reasoning behind their behavior?

Sana: Since Phulan is already married and has started her new life, she does not have anything to worry about. Wheras Shabanu still has a lot to live and has gone through so much emotional pain, she tends to overthink certain situations.

Quynh: Shabanu's rebelliousness has transformed into a sharp and evaluative mind, which explains why she observes her world honestly and without self-pity. She is determined to survive and retain her inner freedom. In contrast to Phulan, however, Phulan is dreamy and passive. She has been looking forward to her future as a wife and when she finally gets married, she has nothing to worry about. These factors affect both characters because they are complete opposites to each other

Eailya: 3) Nazir muhammad clearly is longing for phulans beauty and desirablitiy which gives him great pleasure, what do the actions of the men claiming the women as a “ prize” enhance? What can be compared to these actions and struggles we face in our society today?

Sana: This enhances that men can get what they want if they find the woman attractive, and they treat women as if they are a thing and do not consider her opinion. In todays society, there are places where this issue is still taking place, men think they are superior to women and they can get what they desire.

Quynh: There are still places today that society's structure results in men treating women as resources for power. They trade women, fight over women, and demonstrate their power over women. Muhammad fits the description of society in which he views women as another piece of property that can be bought and enjoyed for a price

Eailya: 4) Shabanu is just now beginning to reconcile herself to the idea of marrying Murad, but its shattered when the adults have made the decision of phulan marrying murad now, how does this decison affect shabanus view of her family?

Sana: The decision affects the view of her family because it seems like it is not the girls decision to pick who she wants to marry, Shabanu might take this personally and would think that her family wants Murad to marry Phulan, and don't ask Shabanu as to what she really wants for herself and her own opinion.

Quynh: Their decision affects her in ways that make her feel betrayed. Shabanu's betrayal is parallel to the betrayal she endured earlier in the book when Dadi sold off Guluband to an Afghani warrior. Like Guluband, Shabanu has been sold to a wealthy man in order to honor a code of male behavior

Eailya: From reading the responses, I think we can conclude our interpretation of Shabanu's character. She's a fierce child who wants to break free from the society's expectations and standards, while making her own choices in deciding her fate. She has already lost so much and has been turned down in every opportunity to defy the social norms. It seems like almost no one is on her side when it comes to breaking through social barriers, therefore it is up to her to do what she can for herself.

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Bridge Builder: Eailya

Text from book: Shabanu is expected to enter adulthood soon, for her case she too after phulan needs to marry and withhold the responsibilities of a woman. Text to text connection From almost any storyline the protagonist usually faces  harsh reality from the expectations of others. The protagonist struggles to find their own identity when they are having to deal with multiple issues within the plot. Shabanu wants to continue expressing her child like manner  but the adults surrounding her say otherwise. Just as any protagonist wants to do something in their life but restrictions are put on them for doing so which in my opinion can drive that character to remain a certain way or pursue something even more that someone or something doesn't like.

Text from book: Grandfathers death making a turning point in Shabanus life since he was the one she shared her struggles with and they both cherished each other deeply Text to world connection: Every where around the world, people lose loved ones everyday. Some deaths are a factor of health and age. other deaths that are brought upon this world are from vicious incidents happening that we cant even predict. Almost anyone has experienced the tragic death of someone we once cared about or even just knew. Sometimes those people helped us in ways we didn't even realize until they were gone. Shabanu lost her grandfather that helped her cope with her struggles just as anyone who has lost someone in their life that affected them deeply.

Text from book: "Auntie takes every opportunity to show mama how superior she is for having borne uncle two sons. Mama always takes it in good humor, but i do wonder if she ever wishes shed had sons, she never shows it. " Text to self connection: From my experience or maybe any other high school student, there will always be someone that announces their own grades to either make someone else feel bad about thier own or to make themselves feel superior than others. Auntie feels that having boys is more useful than having girls just as a any student feels their own grades are better than someone elses. in both cases these people are making the other side feel bad just for the sake of putting that person down for their own amusement.

Shabanu's internal conflict As the certain events have been taking place such as Shabanu losing guluband, grandfather dying, phulans wedding day nearing and the familys departure from their home, they all have impacted Shabanu in some way. As each event has passed, shes moving away from her childhood one step at a time. shes lost her prized animal who she played with and cared so deeply for. Her grandfather that tolerated her childish act and supported her is now gone from her life. her childhood home is now something she has had to leave behind. Even though shabnu is reluctant to give up her childhood so easily, its found some way to take it away from her one way or another. She doesn't want to deal with the harsh reality of a women living in her society. She wants to make something more of her self. in the future maybe she will decide for her self what she wants to do in her adult life rather than having to struggle with losing her self as she grows up.

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Diction Detective: Eailya

Pg 104 "How I long to be like  her - never to marry, to stay in the warm, safe circle of women." Why? the stories she has heard of women suffering in the hands of men has influenced shabanus perspective of the brutality of men. Women are influenced to endure and attempt to survive the harshness of men, which shapes shabanu to believe that shed rather live amongst her self just like sharma. Purpose of diction: the author is contemplating a general thought of issues women have to face in society. in harsher societies, women are burdened with certian expectations from others and their expected to tolerate those issues. Shabanu represents the class that wants to break free from those issues and rely on themselves.

Pg 108 "i sympathize, for i too feel like a child struggling to know what it is to be grown." Why? Shabanu thinks about this to her self once mithoo expresses hes " too grown" for such childish things as shabunu hugs him tightly. From seeing her sister about to get married and the expectations laid out for her as well in the future, it makes her more reluctant to realize she too will eventually have to grow up but doesn't know exactly how to since she cherishes her childhood so much. Purpose of diction : While Shabanu compares herself to a child, the author may be trying to identify the idea of children in general struggling to know what adulthood is like. Grasping the idea of " growing up " is difficult especially when that child doesn't want to have to face the responsibility and choices of adulthood. In a sense its a wake up call for children not being able to understand the harsh reality that we untimely will have to face.

Pg 139 " Grandfather's body lies out under the stars, alone for the first time since the sandstorm. I wonder whether his soul is near enough to hear the flute or, now that it is free, whether he can see inside my heart and know i am thinking of him. Why? Grandfather's death marks an important turning point for shabanu. she has lost the one person she was able to express her sorrows with. he was there with her  understanding and resisting the adult world. its taking her one step at a time to slip away from her childhood life Purpose of diction: the author is emphasizing the the strong bond between Shabanu and grandfather and that within the heavens and down on earth isnt something that blocks that specialty away

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Artist: Eailya

Eailya:

What scene is the image depicting and why is it important in the way it shapes Shabanu?

Responses:

Quynh:  The image is depicting the event when Dadi sold off Guluband to Wardak, an afghan rebel leader. Without the prized camel, Shabanu will feel a void within herself because Guluband represents a greater importance in her life and is responsible for building a majority of her character as a whole. 

Sana: The image shows when Shabanu is close with Guluband and refuses Dadi from selling Guluband. Since Shabanu is holding the rope connected to Guluband, it shows the close connection and the unbreakable bond between them. 

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Reporter: Eailya

Shabanu and Dadi have returned from the sibi fair, but without Guluband since Dadi had untimely decided to sell him at a high price for the sake of his family which is his number one priority above anything else. In response Dadi buys Shabanu a puppy to comfort her for the loss of Guluband but unfortunately  in her mind nothing can replace the love and care she had for Guluband. After eight days they reach Rahimayer Khan where her uncle lives and where they will do their shopping for the wedding. Shabanu goes out to look for a shawl for Phulan in the market. She receives a valuable one from one of the workers. eventually Shabanu feels  more at ease and starts acting normal again. Once they return home the family enjoys themselves energetically but at a time Shabanu is reminded of Guluband and that is when her own grandfather provides her the proper comfort she has needed ever since she lost Guluband,

CHARACTERS

SHABANU DADI PHULAN MAMA DADI GRANDFATHER WARDAK THE PUPPY OLD MAN RUNNING MARKET GULUBAND

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Rotation 1 Discussion, pages 1-48, Discussion Leader: Eailya

Eailya: Hi guys! The discussion taken place here will be based on the first 6 chapters of Shabanu. I will be asking a series of questions and I would like you to comment your responses. Attempt to make connections with the assigned role that was given to you and effectively elaborate or give your best judgement about the question given. Towards the end I will give feedback about your answers. Good Luck!

Eailya: 1) In allowing Shabanu to complete camel herding duties that were normally performed by boys, was her father encouraging her to be independent or because it was a choice needed to be made considering there were only two daughters. If so why?

Quynh: Despite the fact that their culture is structured to reward parents who raise sons, her father encourages Shabanu to be independent because he sees her just as capable and strong as any son to complete duties that were usually completed by boys.

Sana: I think her father encourages Shabanu to be independent since she is skilled in various cultural activities already, therefore her father might have thought to encourage her in attempting an activity meant for the men/boys because her father thinks she is capable of performing just as well.

Eailya: 2) Shabanu’s Auntie, in her own way, repeatedly questions and judges the actions of Shabanu at times claiming she is “too old to act like a boy” and it’s unfortunate that Mama and Dadi only have daughters and not sons. How does Aunties accusations and judgments affect the way Shabanu views the society she lives in? Why do think her auntie makes these statements in the first place?

Quynh: Due to Auntie's accusations and judgments, Shabanu views society as patriarchal and believes that men are lustful and prone to anger.

I think Auntie makes these statements because she is proud that she had borne 2 sons of her own, but feels displaced among her in-laws.

Sana: I think the judgements made by Shabanu's Auntie makes Shabanu feel restricted to perform various activites that are meant for boys or do anything that boys would normally do, which would make Shabanu feel like boys have more privileges than girls do. Shabanu would view the society has patriarchal and would follow the tradition without a question just like other women. Shabanu's Aunt makes these judgements because she thinks that boys and girls have their own way of acting and way of doing things which makes her possess a mentality of differentiation between the two genders.

Eailya: 3) Based on the reading so far, what is your opinion on Dadi’s character or how has it developed over the reading passages? How does he treat his daughters and for what reasons? Is he too harsh? Caring?

Quynh: Dadi is a kind and loving character who deeply loves both of his daughters because he supports the family and makes choices to benefit them while subjecting Shabanu and Phulan to discipline in order to prepare for life with a husband.

Sana: In my opinion, Dadi treats his daughters with care and is supporting as well. He helps Shabanu and Phulan into making good choices before started a new chapter in their lives by getting married.

Eailya: 4) Shabanu has a strong attachment to animals such as camels and goats; specifically she has a close relationship with their family’s most prized camel, Guluband. In what ways does the camel influence her actions? When she denied selling him each time as the prices being offered rose gradually, do you think her attachment was blinding her of the situation? Did she make a mistake?

Quynh: I think her attachment to Guluband blinds her of the situation since she is fully aware that they needed the money to help pay her sister's dowry. But instead, denies selling him due to the strong companionship between them.

Sana: In my opinion, the relationship between Shabanu and Guluband is dear. However, when the challenging situation occurs, Shabanu denies the offer of the money in need. This proves that the love she has for Guluband is unbreakable and has blinded her of the situation. I think she did not make a mistake in denying the money because nothing can replace the love someone has for an animal.

Eailya: From reading all the responses, i think we can all come to a conclusion that from her childhood she's adapted to having the same freedom that of a boys and generally enjoys her passion for taking care of the camels. Ultimately from her parents social restrictions, as well as her aunt, she will have to give up these independent ways when she eventually marries. From looking at Dadi's character it isn't a surprise. He is a caring father who deeply appreciates his daughters but there is the struggle he bears of deciding what he wants vs what is expected of him. His desire for what he wants for the best for his daughters can be overshadowed with his future potential of authority. At first he seems like a great father doing what he can for his children but its to soon to assume what he is doing is exactly the right choice. Furthermore, Guluband is a representative figure of how not only does he influence the choices of Dadi, but specifically Shabanu. he is the one figure in her life that she leans on the most for, but the question still remains whether he blinds her of her future choices considering how much she values Guluband.