"She was curious about love"... admitted one committed female student who attended Azar Nafisi's secret gathering to read forbidden Western literature in Iran. This small group of girls immersed themselves in the world of Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, and Vladimir Nabokov... intertwining their personal experiences with the captivating stories and allowing themselves to feel emotions they could not admit to publicly. "Curiously, the novels we escaped into led us finally to question and prod on our own realities, about which we felt so helplessly speechless". The story is a "remarkable exploration of resilience in the face of tyranny and a celebration of the liberating power of literature." Reading Lolita In Tehran is a memoir about teaching western literature in revolutionary Iran... written by the teacher who kept faithful diaries on each of their meetings. The writing style of Azar Nafisi itself has captivated me and I'm only in the beginning chapters of the book. Her writing is deep and intellectual... I read through each paragraph slowly in order to not miss out on any of her provoking thoughts and analogies about life in Iran as a woman.
"Several months in the class, my girls and I discovered that almost every one of us had had at least one nightmare in some form or another in which we either had forgotten to wear our veil or had not worn it, and always in these dreams the dreamer was running, running away."
The severity of rebellion against the regime constantly haunted the girls. What will happen if they are found out? Who will be killed? When will they come?
In Iran, life is an invented world. Built upon the imaginations of men. A world where most things are forbidden... as it is either politically or sexually incorrect according to their strict regulations.
Can you imagine... living in such a world as these young girls do and yet reading about Mr. Knightley and how he wooed the spirited Emma Woodhouse... of the freedom to love and to choose. Of how women are treated in different cultures. Of how a woman could freely walk about a city without the requirement of a male relative escort. Of the ability to speak ones mind openly. Of how beauty is celebrated, not hidden.
Excerpt: "I would like to believe that all of this eagerness [to study forbidden text] meant something, that there was in the air, in Tehran, something not quite like spring but a breeze, an aura that promised spring was on its way. This is what I cling to, the faint whiff of a sustained and restrained excitement, reminding me of reading a book like Lolita in Tehran. I still find it in my former students' letters when, despite all their fears and anxieties for a future without jobs or security and a fragile and disloyal present, they write about their search for beauty."
Is spring finally coming to Iran?
This certain book has a great amount of impact upon me as I am emotionally involved with the current happenings in that country... the astonishing events have been forefront on my brain since June 13th. If you haven't read up on what has happened, you should definitely do so now: The story + powerful pictures Iran Live Blogging : the latest updates Jon Stewart's capture on the story (bear in mind... its Jon Stewart. lol) Here we have a man, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has worked the election to turn out in his favor. The results were fixed. All of the supposed votes were already in before polling booths were actually closed. And even in his opponents own hometown, Ahmadinejad somehow won an astonishing majority of the townspeople's votes. The Iranian government has disgraced itself in the eyes of the world by this shocking attempt to override the people's choice. Thousands of protesters (word on the streets reveal as many as 300,000) took to protesting and were only received with violence. A Twitter from a protester reinforced the reason for protesting: "[we] aren't seeking revolution. We want our votes to count because we want reforms, kindness, friendship with the world."
President Ahmadinejad's latest comment was sickening... "Every single Iranian is valuable. The government is at everyone's service. We like everyone." This comes from a President who had previously likened the protester's in Tehran to "dirt and dust". We have the innocent bystander, Neda, who was brutally shot in the heart. She wasn't given a chance. Last week, I saw a candlelight vigil for Neda here in Kansas City. Many of the people there were of obvious Middle East dissent but dozens other concerned American's from all walks of life joined in. It had to be one of the most touching things I had ever seen... and you could see the heartbreak in the people's eyes. We all took Neda's death personally.
This weekend, America will be celebrating its 233rd anniversary of our freedom. What a blessed and fortunate country we have! Yet my heart just aches as I read of freedom being squelched in Iran. They have themselves an interesting situation as the birth rate in Iran has grown significantly which makes for a very large young population (70% below age 30)... all of whom cannot relate to the revolution of '79. They look to Iraq, next door, and they're seeing what they want. Saddam Hussein has been thrown out and a democracy has been set in place. Iraq has started to become a beacon of hope in the Muslim world (as Cheney said) for unalienable rights of the people.
This generation of young people are caught between a rock and a hard place... between tradition and change. How bad do they want freedom? If they're anything like the strong and courageous ladies who met weekly in that little apartment to study and learn, then Iran really does have a continuing fight on their hands. They won't ever be able to truly suppress it... its the valiant spirit belonging to those who want to experience that taste of freedom they hear about, despite the censors... especially now that the youth have made Iran the largest nations of bloggers...
No matter who you are... you have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. My prayer is for those who are risking their lives for such a quest. "Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." - Leviticus 25:10... inscription on the Liberty Bell.
"Five years have passed since the time when the story began in a cloud-lit room where we read Madame Bovary and had chocolate from a wine-red dish on Thursday mornings. Hardly anything has changed in the nonstop sameness of our everyday life. But somewhere else I have changed. Each morning with the rising of the routine sun as I wake up and put on my veil before the mirror to go out and become a part of what is called reality. I also know of another "I" that has become naked on the pages of a book: in a fictional world, I have become fixed like a Rodin statue. And so I will remain as long as you keep me in your eyes, dear readers."
I have that book but sadly I haven't read it yet. It sounds amazing and I totally should start reading it :) This is a good post and I totally agree :)
@tillseptemberends - Honestly, I put off reading it as well because I knew it would be a deep read... its taking me forever to work my way through it as it is. But the story is so full of amazing thoughts that I would highly recommend having a pen in hand to underline your favorites :)
i do hope that iraq becomes a beacon of hope......but since iraq is so far behind in liberating women....does waiting 30-50 years for womens liberation in iraq count?...they're are still going to be socially opressed and required mostly to wear burka's in most cases .....tradition is going to set the pace....and male chauvanism there....so really i dont agree with cheney , unless you consider buying at the price of 5-7 billion a month --this fickle freedom........something gotta change somewhere tho---this is an excelllent post......hope you get featured again............:o)
I remember reading Lolita in Dayton, but i don't really think that's comparable. These people needed our support, and so far our government has yet to give it. Sad. It really does show the value of the bill of rights when you see these sorts of struggles in other countries.
And, I think that the sacrifice of Neda is going to play a valuable part in showing the important role of women in political and international affairs in the middle eastern world. Or perhaps i just hope...
It's sad that human beings have to go through this kind of stuff.... after all, aren't we all born free. What's especially sickening is how women are treated as inanimate objects - to be owned... that's preposterous. My heart goes out to the Iranian people and their struggle and i pray they get the reforms they desire and through that the kindness, friendship & peace they deserve.
However, what got my hackles up reading your post, was the fact that you mentioned "what a blessed and fortunate country we have". That statement seemed pretty elitist to me. On the other hand, when i re-read the essay, i concede that it seems that all you were trying to do with that statement was to juxtapose freedom and subjugation and be thankful for what you have. Fair enough :)
@obversity - Elitist? lol No... we really are blessed. I am so proud of what this country has been able to accomplish in so short of time and I am not ashamed to admit it. Its practically become popular to put down America in such a manner but I'll have no part in it. Of course we have our problems and, as always, are in much need of reform ... but compared to the rest of the world, we've had it rather easy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
@JadedJanissary - I like your positive thinking. Neda is apart of that chapter in history now and I hope that her sacrifice will always be remembered. I'm sure it will be :)
Are you referring to a book called "Lolita In Dayton" or were you reading "Lolita" in Dayton? ;)
@londonsgirl - well... i can't debate that... you've got it spot on.
Strong entry. Strong book, I'm assuming. I'd love to read it, and I know we all complain, take for granted, when our neighbors around the world are suffering, struggling to have even just a bit of what we've got. I applaud the courage these dear gallies have got, and I await their chance at freedom.
Something's got to change, that's absoultely certain. Wish there was more we could do, now.
Even so, I read things like 9 Parts of Desire (based on 9 perspectives of women of Iraq) and there's so much tension it seems. Some people are so angry to have US there....... I know everyone is going to agree 100% of the time, but there's so much indifference. I still believe there should be something more we should do.
@londonsgirl - the second, of course. It's where I'm originally from, before I moved to here.
I love the book, it was profound and as you've said, one to highly recommend. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. Your a great writer.
Comments (13)
I have that book but sadly I haven't read it yet. It sounds amazing and I totally should start reading it :) This is a good post and I totally agree :)
@tillseptemberends - Honestly, I put off reading it as well because I knew it would be a deep read... its taking me forever to work my way through it as it is. But the story is so full of amazing thoughts that I would highly recommend having a pen in hand to underline your favorites :)
Let me know what you think of it!
@londonsgirl - I totally will :)
i do hope that iraq becomes a beacon of hope......but since iraq is so far behind in liberating women....does waiting 30-50 years for womens liberation in iraq count?...they're are still going to be socially opressed and required mostly to wear burka's in most cases .....tradition is going to set the pace....and male chauvanism there....so really i dont agree with cheney , unless you consider buying at the price of 5-7 billion a month --this fickle freedom........something gotta change somewhere tho---this is an excelllent post......hope you get featured again............:o)
I remember reading Lolita in Dayton, but i don't really think that's comparable. These people needed our support, and so far our government has yet to give it. Sad. It really does show the value of the bill of rights when you see these sorts of struggles in other countries.
And, I think that the sacrifice of Neda is going to play a valuable part in showing the important role of women in political and international affairs in the middle eastern world. Or perhaps i just hope...
It's sad that human beings have to go through this kind of stuff.... after all, aren't we all born free. What's especially sickening is how women are treated as inanimate objects - to be owned... that's preposterous. My heart goes out to the Iranian people and their struggle and i pray they get the reforms they desire and through that the kindness, friendship & peace they deserve.
However, what got my hackles up reading your post, was the fact that you mentioned "what a blessed and fortunate country we have". That statement seemed pretty elitist to me. On the other hand, when i re-read the essay, i concede that it seems that all you were trying to do with that statement was to juxtapose freedom and subjugation and be thankful for what you have. Fair enough :)
@obversity - you took the words out of my mouth!
@obversity - Elitist? lol No... we really are blessed. I am so proud of what this country has been able to accomplish in so short of time and I am not ashamed to admit it. Its practically become popular to put down America in such a manner but I'll have no part in it. Of course we have our problems and, as always, are in much need of reform ... but compared to the rest of the world, we've had it rather easy.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
@JadedJanissary - I like your positive thinking. Neda is apart of that chapter in history now and I hope that her sacrifice will always be remembered. I'm sure it will be :)
Are you referring to a book called "Lolita In Dayton" or were you reading "Lolita" in Dayton? ;)
@londonsgirl - well... i can't debate that... you've got it spot on.
Strong entry. Strong book, I'm assuming. I'd love to read it, and I know we all complain, take for granted, when our neighbors around the world are suffering, struggling to have even just a bit of what we've got. I applaud the courage these dear gallies have got, and I await their chance at freedom.
Something's got to change, that's absoultely certain. Wish there was more we could do, now.
Even so, I read things like 9 Parts of Desire (based on 9 perspectives of women of Iraq) and there's so much tension it seems. Some people are so angry to have US there....... I know everyone is going to agree 100% of the time, but there's so much indifference. I still believe there should be something more we should do.
@londonsgirl - the second, of course. It's where I'm originally from, before I moved to here.
I love the book, it was profound and as you've said, one to highly recommend. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. Your a great writer.