World Lit
"I have read, understand, and am in compliance with the Academic Honesty policy. In particular, I have not committed any kind of plagiarism. There are no un-attributed direct or indirect quotations or paraphrases from printed materials, websites, other students ' papers, or any other sources in my essay."
Professor Iglesias, Valint, and Nathanael
English 203
10 April 2014
The Substance I Lack I Find in You When looking for love we may not realize that many times we are merely looking to improve our own areas of opportunity. We subconsciously look for counterparts that create a balance by contributing to what attributes are lacking within ourselves. In “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and Ama Ata Aidoo’s “Anowa” we see two character’s Gilgamesh and Anowa searching for substance in people who are unlike themselves. Their life’s counterparts have what they are lacking within themselves; security. In both Anowa and Gilgamesh’s relationships we are able to see their true characteristics through their choice of mates. Both characters are portrayed to be powerful but when we see who they fall in love with we learn the nature of their true self. We learn that though they may appear strong and confident are in actuality both insecure. Gilgamesh is described in the beginning of the story as “like a bull he makes himself mighty head raised (over others)” (Iglesias, Mays and Pierce 8). He is boastful and constantly ensuring everyone feels his presence when around. He acts as though he is all powerful, filled with courage, without insecurities. Whereas in the story of Anowa, she is not like a bull necessarily but still very strong willed as described by the old woman and man in the story “That Anowa is something else….she listens to her own tales, laughs at her own jokes and follows her own advice” (Iglesias, Mays and Pierce 92). Anowa is very different from the women of her culture. She is not one who just goes with whatever the man says, but instead has a mind and
Professor Iglesias, Valint, and Nathanael
English 203
10 April 2014
The Substance I Lack I Find in You When looking for love we may not realize that many times we are merely looking to improve our own areas of opportunity. We subconsciously look for counterparts that create a balance by contributing to what attributes are lacking within ourselves. In “The Epic of Gilgamesh” and Ama Ata Aidoo’s “Anowa” we see two character’s Gilgamesh and Anowa searching for substance in people who are unlike themselves. Their life’s counterparts have what they are lacking within themselves; security. In both Anowa and Gilgamesh’s relationships we are able to see their true characteristics through their choice of mates. Both characters are portrayed to be powerful but when we see who they fall in love with we learn the nature of their true self. We learn that though they may appear strong and confident are in actuality both insecure. Gilgamesh is described in the beginning of the story as “like a bull he makes himself mighty head raised (over others)” (Iglesias, Mays and Pierce 8). He is boastful and constantly ensuring everyone feels his presence when around. He acts as though he is all powerful, filled with courage, without insecurities. Whereas in the story of Anowa, she is not like a bull necessarily but still very strong willed as described by the old woman and man in the story “That Anowa is something else….she listens to her own tales, laughs at her own jokes and follows her own advice” (Iglesias, Mays and Pierce 92). Anowa is very different from the women of her culture. She is not one who just goes with whatever the man says, but instead has a mind and
Bibliography: Iglesias, Luis A, Micheal Mays and Linda M Pierce. "Global Crossroads: A World Literature Reader." Aidoo, Ama Ata. Anowa. Texas: Fountainhead Press, 1970. 87-158. Play. Iglesias, Luis A, Micheal Mays and Linda M Pierce. "Global Crossroads: A World Literature Reader." Anonymous. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Texas: Fountainhead Press, 2500-1500 BCE. 6-71. Book.