Reading Lolita In Tehran
“The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage.” Throughout history, there have been multiple courageous attempts by individuals to gain freedom. The right of freedom is constantly being struggled for and is not easily earned. In the texts, Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr., and “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution” by Ahdaf Soueif great actions of striving and demanding freedom were demonstrated. Although citizens struggle to earn their freedom, the unity and determination of the people has proven to bring success. While trying to attain freedom, it must be demanded by having the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government, coming together, and struggling and
…show more content…
fighting as a country.
In the memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi explained the importance of having the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government.
For example, Nafisi states that men patrolled the streets with guns, “to make sure that women like Sanaz wear their veils properly, do not wear makeup, do not walk in public with men who are not their fathers, brothers, or husbands” (82). In this quote, a reader is shown the strict Islamic dress code that women in Iran are forced to follow. An action of women showing jewelry or makeup in public results in beatings, humiliations, and questionings. This controlling treatment is a primary example of the lack of freedom these Iranian women face. They are under the control of their government and have to pay harsh consequences if they do not oblige by the rules. However, despite the brutality and lack of freedom, Nafisi claims that it is direct example of why freedom must be demanded. For instance, she says, “Is she aware, Sanaz, of her own power? Does she realize how dangerous she can be… walking, talking, showing a strand of hair just to remind them that they have not converted?” (83) In other words, Nafisi is saying that the women in Iran do not have freedom because they are putting up with the abusive rules. Women have the power of breaking the rules, and as a result, they would remind the Iranian people of the lack of freedom that the women deal with. The government would be shown that no matter what women go through, they …show more content…
are not going to give up. Women will continue to break the rules, until they earn their freedom. Although these actions can lead the success, the women of Iran first need to have the strength to do these acts of rebellion. As Nafisi stated, fear is limiting their power to demand their rights. As soon as the Iranian women find bravery, they will be able to stand up to the government and demand their freedom. In conclusion, by following these strict rules, women in Iran are allowing the government to deny them their freedom. Despite this, the women can earn their freedom if they have the courage to demand it. The memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, by Azar Nafisi, illustrates the importance of a society to have the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government and demand their freedom.
Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr. expresses in his “I Have a Dream” speech that freedom must be demanded by coming together as a nation. Like Nafisi, King was speaking to a country that did not have freedom. He was emphasizing the same idea of having the power to demand liberty. Despite this, Nafisi was trying to encourage the people of Iran to find the bravery to fight against the government. However, the citizens of America were a step further, and were ready to take action. In order to successfully demand freedom, King claims that the country must first come together. For instance, King says, “we cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead” (49). In this quote, King is explaining to the people that they need to stand side by side as a country. A few individuals or a divided nation will not be able to accomplish the task of demanding freedom. Freedom must be demanded by everyone working together. To further emphasize this idea, King explains the end result of the country if it is able to successfully unite. For example, King states, “I have a dream, that one day even the state of Mississippi… will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice” (50). King is illustrating that if the nation comes together, then the country with inequality, will be filled with freedom. It is easy for a government to deny people freedom when only small groups of individuals are demanding it. However, King claims, the government will be forced to give the people their freedom if the whole country fights as one. When individuals unite they are a stronger unit than when fighting alone. The power to demand freedom only successfully works when a nation is together. To conclude, Martin Luther King Jr. emphasizes the idea of coming together in his “I Have a Dream” speech. Demanding freedom is not an easy task to accomplish, and it cannot be done alone. Despite this, according to King, freedom cannot be denied when the whole country comes together.
In addition to the memoir and speech, “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution,” by Ahdaf Soueif, expresses that to demand freedom a country must fight and struggle together. Similar to the other texts, Soueif is conveying another example of an action on the path to earning freedom. In contrast, in the diary, the people of Cairo are actually fighting and taking action to demand their freedom. Nafisi tried to explain to the women of Iran that with courage, they can demand freedom. Likewise, King persuaded the people of America to take their courage and come together to fight against the government. Despite the actions and efforts of the other texts, the people of Cairo demonstrate the final step of demanding freedom. For example, Soueif says, “we stood and we chanted our declaration of peace..while our comrades at the front, unarmed, fought with the security forces” (75). As a country, the people of Cairo are coming together and protesting. They are fighting against the brutal forces of the government. The citizens are demanding their freedom by demonstrating that there will not be peace nor rest, until they get the justice they deserve. By coming together, the people of Cairo discovered the power that they have. Soueif states that united, the people of Cairo, “stood [their] ground and sang and chanted and placed [their] lives… in each other’s hands” (76). The people of Cairo can no longer be ignored. With these actions of protest, the government has to listen to the people of the country. A city filled with protestors is impossible to disregard. Therefore, the government would be forced to grant the citizens with their freedom, because they know that the citizens will not give up. In summary, “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution,” by Ahdaf Soueif, expresses that to demand freedom a country must fight and struggle as one. One person will not be able to make a change, however, if a whole country fights together their power and rights cannot be denied.
As a whole, the texts Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr., and “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution” by Ahdaf Soueif demonstrate that freedom is demanded by having the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government, coming together, and struggling and fighting as a country.
Like Nafisi explained, the first step to demanding freedom is to have courage. Citizens must have the bravery to fight against the rules of a government, despite the possible consequences. In addition, King expressed the same concept, but also included that in order to demand freedom, citizens must also come together. Finally, Soueif explained that the final step to demanding freedom is to fight and struggle as a country. As one can see, earning freedom is a difficult task that does not come easily. Citizens like the Iranian women, black American citizens, and the people of Cairo risked their lives just to attempt to claim their freedom. Ultimately, freedom is the source of individuality. Freedom allows an individual to express their feelings, personalities, and interests. Without freedom, people are nothing more than just another individual whose actions are ran by the government. Citizens all over the United States are recognizable by their differences, however, in Iran, there are little differences that separate women today. Individuals without freedom do not have right to be their own person. This idea of individuality and being able to be an
individual unlike any other is what freedom is all about. Therefore, freedom is the secret to happiness. Then again, who could be happy if they are not their true self?
fighting as a country.
In the memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, Azar Nafisi explained the importance of having the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government.
For example, Nafisi states that men patrolled the streets with guns, “to make sure that women like Sanaz wear their veils properly, do not wear makeup, do not walk in public with men who are not their fathers, brothers, or husbands” (82). In this quote, a reader is shown the strict Islamic dress code that women in Iran are forced to follow. An action of women showing jewelry or makeup in public results in beatings, humiliations, and questionings. This controlling treatment is a primary example of the lack of freedom these Iranian women face. They are under the control of their government and have to pay harsh consequences if they do not oblige by the rules. However, despite the brutality and lack of freedom, Nafisi claims that it is direct example of why freedom must be demanded. For instance, she says, “Is she aware, Sanaz, of her own power? Does she realize how dangerous she can be… walking, talking, showing a strand of hair just to remind them that they have not converted?” (83) In other words, Nafisi is saying that the women in Iran do not have freedom because they are putting up with the abusive rules. Women have the power of breaking the rules, and as a result, they would remind the Iranian people of the lack of freedom that the women deal with. The government would be shown that no matter what women go through, they …show more content…
are not going to give up. Women will continue to break the rules, until they earn their freedom. Although these actions can lead the success, the women of Iran first need to have the strength to do these acts of rebellion. As Nafisi stated, fear is limiting their power to demand their rights. As soon as the Iranian women find bravery, they will be able to stand up to the government and demand their freedom. In conclusion, by following these strict rules, women in Iran are allowing the government to deny them their freedom. Despite this, the women can earn their freedom if they have the courage to demand it. The memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, by Azar Nafisi, illustrates the importance of a society to have the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government and demand their freedom.
Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr. expresses in his “I Have a Dream” speech that freedom must be demanded by coming together as a nation. Like Nafisi, King was speaking to a country that did not have freedom. He was emphasizing the same idea of having the power to demand liberty. Despite this, Nafisi was trying to encourage the people of Iran to find the bravery to fight against the government. However, the citizens of America were a step further, and were ready to take action. In order to successfully demand freedom, King claims that the country must first come together. For instance, King says, “we cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead” (49). In this quote, King is explaining to the people that they need to stand side by side as a country. A few individuals or a divided nation will not be able to accomplish the task of demanding freedom. Freedom must be demanded by everyone working together. To further emphasize this idea, King explains the end result of the country if it is able to successfully unite. For example, King states, “I have a dream, that one day even the state of Mississippi… will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice” (50). King is illustrating that if the nation comes together, then the country with inequality, will be filled with freedom. It is easy for a government to deny people freedom when only small groups of individuals are demanding it. However, King claims, the government will be forced to give the people their freedom if the whole country fights as one. When individuals unite they are a stronger unit than when fighting alone. The power to demand freedom only successfully works when a nation is together. To conclude, Martin Luther King Jr. emphasizes the idea of coming together in his “I Have a Dream” speech. Demanding freedom is not an easy task to accomplish, and it cannot be done alone. Despite this, according to King, freedom cannot be denied when the whole country comes together.
In addition to the memoir and speech, “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution,” by Ahdaf Soueif, expresses that to demand freedom a country must fight and struggle together. Similar to the other texts, Soueif is conveying another example of an action on the path to earning freedom. In contrast, in the diary, the people of Cairo are actually fighting and taking action to demand their freedom. Nafisi tried to explain to the women of Iran that with courage, they can demand freedom. Likewise, King persuaded the people of America to take their courage and come together to fight against the government. Despite the actions and efforts of the other texts, the people of Cairo demonstrate the final step of demanding freedom. For example, Soueif says, “we stood and we chanted our declaration of peace..while our comrades at the front, unarmed, fought with the security forces” (75). As a country, the people of Cairo are coming together and protesting. They are fighting against the brutal forces of the government. The citizens are demanding their freedom by demonstrating that there will not be peace nor rest, until they get the justice they deserve. By coming together, the people of Cairo discovered the power that they have. Soueif states that united, the people of Cairo, “stood [their] ground and sang and chanted and placed [their] lives… in each other’s hands” (76). The people of Cairo can no longer be ignored. With these actions of protest, the government has to listen to the people of the country. A city filled with protestors is impossible to disregard. Therefore, the government would be forced to grant the citizens with their freedom, because they know that the citizens will not give up. In summary, “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution,” by Ahdaf Soueif, expresses that to demand freedom a country must fight and struggle as one. One person will not be able to make a change, however, if a whole country fights together their power and rights cannot be denied.
As a whole, the texts Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr., and “Cairo: My City, Our Revolution” by Ahdaf Soueif demonstrate that freedom is demanded by having the courage to go against the rules of an oppressive government, coming together, and struggling and fighting as a country.
Like Nafisi explained, the first step to demanding freedom is to have courage. Citizens must have the bravery to fight against the rules of a government, despite the possible consequences. In addition, King expressed the same concept, but also included that in order to demand freedom, citizens must also come together. Finally, Soueif explained that the final step to demanding freedom is to fight and struggle as a country. As one can see, earning freedom is a difficult task that does not come easily. Citizens like the Iranian women, black American citizens, and the people of Cairo risked their lives just to attempt to claim their freedom. Ultimately, freedom is the source of individuality. Freedom allows an individual to express their feelings, personalities, and interests. Without freedom, people are nothing more than just another individual whose actions are ran by the government. Citizens all over the United States are recognizable by their differences, however, in Iran, there are little differences that separate women today. Individuals without freedom do not have right to be their own person. This idea of individuality and being able to be an
individual unlike any other is what freedom is all about. Therefore, freedom is the secret to happiness. Then again, who could be happy if they are not their true self?