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.