Summary Of Half The Sky, And The Woman Warrior
Another form of oppression that was rampant throughout Half of a Yellow Sun, Half the Sky, and The Woman Warrior was the issue of classism. Sex slavery and other types of slavery that occurred in different parts of Asia are not only a matter of oppressing women and children because of what they could provide; their provisions to the industry or brothels never allowed for the possibility of upward social mobility. Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (2010) noted that out of the two to three million prostitutes in India, many were willingly prostitutes but did not willingly join the sex industry. This confirms the social immobility with being a woman in the sex industry in India. A young girl can be forced into sex slavery and that is the only skill that she is able to provide to others. This
…show more content…
severely inhibits the likelihood that she can go into another business because she lacks education and other valuable skills.
There was a lack in aid by the government and other social institutions for young girls and women who were forced into sex trafficking. Kristof detailed a conversation with a border patrol officer stationed between India and Nepal. The officer expressed the inevitability of prostitution in order to protect middle-class Indian girls. He referred to the Nepali girls as peasant and illiterate as if their only other choice is to be a prostitute. Many other young women, mentioned in Half the Sky, faced issues of the lack of education and impoverished conditions which was created by a society that did not allow these persons to escape their wretched situations.
In The Woman Warrior, it is obvious that Brave Orchid had been a part of two
different class systems in China and the United States. In China, Brave was a well-respected doctor and mid-wife. She was able to afford nice clothes as well as a servant who would work for her. Brave believed that her work in China versus her work in the United States were vastly different. In the United States, she claimed to have worked rigorously the entire time, which has been detrimental to her health. Whereas she was very careful not to deal with terminally ill patients in China, she could not avoid the sickening fumes that were dispersed in the family’s laundromat. Brave stated that time moved slower in China and that humans were not supposed to work as hard as they did in the United States (Kingston, 1989). Brave Orchid’s different lifestyles between the two countries point to issues with classism. She worked very hard to obtain her degrees and proper licensure to become a doctor in China, but could not use her credentials in the United States. She goes from the top of the social hierarchy to the bottom. Similar to the conditions of those described in Half the Sky, it is nearly impossible for Brave and her husband to move up in social class. This is due to their age as well as the fast paced world of Americans. Another factor that prohibits them from progressing to a higher class is the fact that they are immigrants. Regarding social class in the United States, immigrants are almost always in the lower tier. By documenting her mother’s background in China and life in the U.S., Kingston highlights this form of oppression that affect many women around the world.
Unfortunately, Olanna and Odenigbo underwent a massive social class change throughout Half of a Yellow Sun. Due to the attacks and wars that occurred in Biafra in the 1960s, both characters were forced out of a comfort and privilege into the traumatizing experience of refugees. Odenigbo used to own a house with shelves of literature and multiple rooms. He could afford to have company almost every night and consumed alcohol regularly. After being forced out of their home, Olanna steadily noticed how uncomfortable she became with the changes around her. Even Ugwu, who came from an impoverished village, had become used to the privileged lifestyle as a houseboy. At the relief center, Olanna felt a sense of abnormality as she received food in exchange for nothing. Odenigbo and Olanna were grateful for items such as milk and salt that were sent by their friends. As socially aware as both Olanna and Odenigbo were, they would not have given the value of these items a thought when they were in Nsukka. As their situation worsens, it becomes painfully aware to the reader how a situation that is out of control takes away their control over their life. They are forced to make sacrifices and to depend on word-of-mouth to survive. This dramatic shift in social class brings to the forefront the issues of class and poverty throughout the world. It also illustrates the unpredictability of social institutions that are supposed to serve and protect its citizens.
It is hard to rank any story in Half the Sky because there is a valuable lesson in each narrative that is nothing less than inspiring. However, there is one narrative that comes to mind regarding the importance of education in fighting oppression. Mukhtar Mai grew up impoverished and had a brother who was gang raped. He was wrongfully accused of raping a girl and the village became angry. To diffuse the situation, Mukhtar attempted to apologize and as a result, was raped. After the support of a Muslim leader and the imprisonment of the rapists, Mukhtar received a $8,300 compensation (Kristof and WuDunn, 2010). Instead of spending this money on herself, she started a school in her village as a way. Rape was thought of as a way to humiliate a woman and lead her to commit suicide. Mukhtar’s school was a way to defy this dangerous attitude of rape. She overcame obstacles that tried to prevent her from her mission and in the end, she was able to shift the paradigm of gender relations in her region. Women and girls were fighting back when it came to rape and going to the police. Rapists began to be prosecuted which led to the act becoming less common. Due to growing Mukhtar’s educational influence, women learned to not be shamed and to not internalize the physical abuse that came from their male counterparts. She essentially taught that women are human beings that are worthy of value and respect.
Furthermore, Olanna and Odenigbo expressed the importance of education in the multiple communities that they reside in throughout the novel. Odenigbo allowed for his houseboy, Ugwu, to get an education. After relocating the first time, Olanna continued her work as an educator. After air raid attacks, the school was turned into a relief center. Instead of giving up, Olanna decided to take matters into her own hands and opened a school in the front yard of their house. Her purpose was to continue to educate children in order to make sure that they were prepared to continue their studies when the war was over. Due to Ugwu’s time in school, he was also able to become an educator to aid Olanna. Olanna’s passion about educating children during an ongoing war is significant to the empowerment of a generation. The children had health issues as well as being extremely traumatized, however having the knowledge is a useful weapon in promoting positive change during horrific times. They were already fluent in their native language and Olanna had taught them English. This act would have enabled the children to be able to communicate more effectively in a rapidly changing country that had a strong European influence. Earlier in the book, Odenigbo talked to Ugwu about the dual knowledge that he would have to learn during his time in school. He spoke of a British-approved knowledge that stated that the River Niger was discovered by a white man. He then described a real knowledge in which the River Niger had been used for many years before the white man encountered the body of water. Educating children on the accurate history of their ancestors can not only make them more knowledgeable, but can create a sense of pride about who they are.
Reading different novels in one class created an appreciation of the different writing styles that were used by various authors. While Half the Sky was appropriately written in third person, Kitchen was written in first person. Banana Yoshimoto’s narrative are fictional even though it was written in first person. However, I believe that this adds to her piece because it was written in a way that personalized the tragedy that occurs in the character’s life. The reader is able to get an understanding of the character’s thoughts and actions surrounding the constant death that was a reoccurring theme in Mikage’s life. On the contrary, Half of a Yellow Sun and The Woman Warrior were written from multiple characters’ points of view. In The Woman Warrior, it was a bit difficult to keep up with whose voice was narrating her biographical story. However, in both novels, it showed the complexity of how people interpret the world around them based on their demographic. Richard did not have to worry about facing the terrible consequences of being Igbo in the same manner as Olanna, Kainene, Odenigbo, and Ugwu. Moreover, Kingston’s constant conflict with how to balance Chinese and American culture brought a realistic awareness to the issues come with being an immigrant and being the first generation to be born in a country that’s foreign to the family.
Given these points, there were many other important themes and issues made aware in the four novels. Each book is unique and has created an appreciation for the varying cultures that exist throughout the world. By learning of these cultures and the people who practice them, it lessens the sense of ethnocentrism that is prevalent when one knows more about their culture than about other cultures. Also, one could be inspired by these writings to look into issues that occur outside of their country. Often times, the more awareness there is of an issue, the likelihood that the occurrence of positive changes increase. Many changes should occur within the American education system; one being the integration of more cross-cultural studies. This change in curriculum should occur during primary school and continue on through secondary school. Not only would this create a positive effect on the education system, this would create altruism and philanthropy that is so highly respected in our society.
severely inhibits the likelihood that she can go into another business because she lacks education and other valuable skills.
There was a lack in aid by the government and other social institutions for young girls and women who were forced into sex trafficking. Kristof detailed a conversation with a border patrol officer stationed between India and Nepal. The officer expressed the inevitability of prostitution in order to protect middle-class Indian girls. He referred to the Nepali girls as peasant and illiterate as if their only other choice is to be a prostitute. Many other young women, mentioned in Half the Sky, faced issues of the lack of education and impoverished conditions which was created by a society that did not allow these persons to escape their wretched situations.
In The Woman Warrior, it is obvious that Brave Orchid had been a part of two
different class systems in China and the United States. In China, Brave was a well-respected doctor and mid-wife. She was able to afford nice clothes as well as a servant who would work for her. Brave believed that her work in China versus her work in the United States were vastly different. In the United States, she claimed to have worked rigorously the entire time, which has been detrimental to her health. Whereas she was very careful not to deal with terminally ill patients in China, she could not avoid the sickening fumes that were dispersed in the family’s laundromat. Brave stated that time moved slower in China and that humans were not supposed to work as hard as they did in the United States (Kingston, 1989). Brave Orchid’s different lifestyles between the two countries point to issues with classism. She worked very hard to obtain her degrees and proper licensure to become a doctor in China, but could not use her credentials in the United States. She goes from the top of the social hierarchy to the bottom. Similar to the conditions of those described in Half the Sky, it is nearly impossible for Brave and her husband to move up in social class. This is due to their age as well as the fast paced world of Americans. Another factor that prohibits them from progressing to a higher class is the fact that they are immigrants. Regarding social class in the United States, immigrants are almost always in the lower tier. By documenting her mother’s background in China and life in the U.S., Kingston highlights this form of oppression that affect many women around the world.
Unfortunately, Olanna and Odenigbo underwent a massive social class change throughout Half of a Yellow Sun. Due to the attacks and wars that occurred in Biafra in the 1960s, both characters were forced out of a comfort and privilege into the traumatizing experience of refugees. Odenigbo used to own a house with shelves of literature and multiple rooms. He could afford to have company almost every night and consumed alcohol regularly. After being forced out of their home, Olanna steadily noticed how uncomfortable she became with the changes around her. Even Ugwu, who came from an impoverished village, had become used to the privileged lifestyle as a houseboy. At the relief center, Olanna felt a sense of abnormality as she received food in exchange for nothing. Odenigbo and Olanna were grateful for items such as milk and salt that were sent by their friends. As socially aware as both Olanna and Odenigbo were, they would not have given the value of these items a thought when they were in Nsukka. As their situation worsens, it becomes painfully aware to the reader how a situation that is out of control takes away their control over their life. They are forced to make sacrifices and to depend on word-of-mouth to survive. This dramatic shift in social class brings to the forefront the issues of class and poverty throughout the world. It also illustrates the unpredictability of social institutions that are supposed to serve and protect its citizens.
It is hard to rank any story in Half the Sky because there is a valuable lesson in each narrative that is nothing less than inspiring. However, there is one narrative that comes to mind regarding the importance of education in fighting oppression. Mukhtar Mai grew up impoverished and had a brother who was gang raped. He was wrongfully accused of raping a girl and the village became angry. To diffuse the situation, Mukhtar attempted to apologize and as a result, was raped. After the support of a Muslim leader and the imprisonment of the rapists, Mukhtar received a $8,300 compensation (Kristof and WuDunn, 2010). Instead of spending this money on herself, she started a school in her village as a way. Rape was thought of as a way to humiliate a woman and lead her to commit suicide. Mukhtar’s school was a way to defy this dangerous attitude of rape. She overcame obstacles that tried to prevent her from her mission and in the end, she was able to shift the paradigm of gender relations in her region. Women and girls were fighting back when it came to rape and going to the police. Rapists began to be prosecuted which led to the act becoming less common. Due to growing Mukhtar’s educational influence, women learned to not be shamed and to not internalize the physical abuse that came from their male counterparts. She essentially taught that women are human beings that are worthy of value and respect.
Furthermore, Olanna and Odenigbo expressed the importance of education in the multiple communities that they reside in throughout the novel. Odenigbo allowed for his houseboy, Ugwu, to get an education. After relocating the first time, Olanna continued her work as an educator. After air raid attacks, the school was turned into a relief center. Instead of giving up, Olanna decided to take matters into her own hands and opened a school in the front yard of their house. Her purpose was to continue to educate children in order to make sure that they were prepared to continue their studies when the war was over. Due to Ugwu’s time in school, he was also able to become an educator to aid Olanna. Olanna’s passion about educating children during an ongoing war is significant to the empowerment of a generation. The children had health issues as well as being extremely traumatized, however having the knowledge is a useful weapon in promoting positive change during horrific times. They were already fluent in their native language and Olanna had taught them English. This act would have enabled the children to be able to communicate more effectively in a rapidly changing country that had a strong European influence. Earlier in the book, Odenigbo talked to Ugwu about the dual knowledge that he would have to learn during his time in school. He spoke of a British-approved knowledge that stated that the River Niger was discovered by a white man. He then described a real knowledge in which the River Niger had been used for many years before the white man encountered the body of water. Educating children on the accurate history of their ancestors can not only make them more knowledgeable, but can create a sense of pride about who they are.
Reading different novels in one class created an appreciation of the different writing styles that were used by various authors. While Half the Sky was appropriately written in third person, Kitchen was written in first person. Banana Yoshimoto’s narrative are fictional even though it was written in first person. However, I believe that this adds to her piece because it was written in a way that personalized the tragedy that occurs in the character’s life. The reader is able to get an understanding of the character’s thoughts and actions surrounding the constant death that was a reoccurring theme in Mikage’s life. On the contrary, Half of a Yellow Sun and The Woman Warrior were written from multiple characters’ points of view. In The Woman Warrior, it was a bit difficult to keep up with whose voice was narrating her biographical story. However, in both novels, it showed the complexity of how people interpret the world around them based on their demographic. Richard did not have to worry about facing the terrible consequences of being Igbo in the same manner as Olanna, Kainene, Odenigbo, and Ugwu. Moreover, Kingston’s constant conflict with how to balance Chinese and American culture brought a realistic awareness to the issues come with being an immigrant and being the first generation to be born in a country that’s foreign to the family.
Given these points, there were many other important themes and issues made aware in the four novels. Each book is unique and has created an appreciation for the varying cultures that exist throughout the world. By learning of these cultures and the people who practice them, it lessens the sense of ethnocentrism that is prevalent when one knows more about their culture than about other cultures. Also, one could be inspired by these writings to look into issues that occur outside of their country. Often times, the more awareness there is of an issue, the likelihood that the occurrence of positive changes increase. Many changes should occur within the American education system; one being the integration of more cross-cultural studies. This change in curriculum should occur during primary school and continue on through secondary school. Not only would this create a positive effect on the education system, this would create altruism and philanthropy that is so highly respected in our society.