Just a bit more on my novelssss :)

 Daughters of Shame- Jasvinder Sanghera

I have started to look into another novel, Daughters Of Shame by Jasvinder Sanghera. I am currently on chapter six, already i feel so engaged in this book. Its about many young asian girls from the age 17 and lower who are forced into arranged marriages. We are told about their experiences and stories of how they escaped these tragic events, as well as how such acts as running away can have an affect upon the family honour, pride and respect. Jasvinder Sanghera was also a victim of having an arranged marriage, we see how she becomes an inspiration to the younger girls, by offering a sign of hope. She runs a help centre in which these girls are able to freely express themselves, and release their pain and sufferings of violent attacks and verbal abuse.

    What interested me about this book was how the stories constantly developed into other characters being introduced and hearing their stories which were all different. It showed the diversity of ages, family backgrounds and cultural differences. What plays a big part is the idea of living in a sexist environment, boys in asian families are always presented as the superior sex. 

   I am really enjoying this novel, but I am still indecisive about using this novel fro coursework as its written very simplistically.

A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini

 Reading through Part Three, I have seen how each chapter focuses on Laila and Mariam seperately but they are both a part of eachothers lives now. Both girls are introduced as Laila is found injured beneath a pile of rubble. Laila becomes  Rasheeds second wife as he begins to think havin an unmarried woman in the house will effect his reputation. Though this can also be an excuse for Rasheed to have children that Mariam could'nt give him.

   We begin to explore the relationship between the three characters and how they survive under the same household.

Mariam and Laila: We see Mariams normal character, caring, loving and putting in all her efforts in to provide and nurture Laila. We can see her discomfort she refers to Laila as 'the girl' though this could reveal her jealousy as Rasheed's attention is adverted towards Laila a lot more. Mariams vicious character is revealetd when Laila and Rasheed become a married couple. 'A thieving whore,that's what you are!'. Mariam's character changes in a light that we havent seen before, jealousy, cruel, and becomes a lot more envious towards Laila.

Laila and Rasheed: We see how Rasheed is alarmed by the appearence of Laila. His character changes to the time when we were first introduced to him. A caring, relaxed person. He is a content man as his wife can provide him with pleasure as well as children. 'Gul' meaning flower is used a lot by him, which shows his appreciation of Mariam and her beauty. 
   Rasheed begins to have doubts in his mind upon their baby Aziza, thinking it is Tariqs child though Laila is oblivious to his interpretations. Hosseini uses Rasheeds comment to Laila about not attaching herself to Aziza as the child death rate in Afghanistan is vey high, we begin to see the condition of Afghanistan since the war has took place. As the theme of poverty is shown throughout the novel there are certain points in which Hossieni uses jarring comparisons between Afghanistan and the western world.
Rasheed and Mariam: Their relationship is the same, Rasheed fails to acknowledge Mariam's presence as his first wife, she is still the same 'harami' girl (bastard child) we how she still experiences neglect as she cannot fulfil the wishes of her husband.

This Novel has developed a lot more, as there is more interaction between the three main characters. Also it develops as Part 1 and Part 2 bring Part 3 together, which I thought was a really clever idea as it breaks the novel down so the reader is able to understand what is happening and how the characters link within eachother. The novel develops with the war and the surroundings, which play a big part as the women become more isolated from society as well as Rasheed. I like the way Hosseini shows the development of peoples surroundings as well as the individuals, it makes the novel seem realistic as society can affect a person in many ways. Women now become afraid as the war has got worse, and innocent women as getting killed as well as raped.

Themes:

Pregancy and Children: Hosseini uses this as a symbol of hope and happiness upon Laila as her character remains positive. As she can see a reflection of Tariq which gives her reassurance that he may be alive. Also Aziza gives Laila hope to run away and find Tariq through stealing money from Rasheed.
  Though fertility and infertility has a traditional meaning upon Afghan women. A womens value in Afghanistan is based upon whether she is able to provide her husband with a family, especially boys.
 Female Bonds: The bond between Mariam and Laila strengthens, when Mariam sees Azia laying down wide awake beside her mother. The grasp of holding a child relaxes the connection that her and Laila have. We see envy and jealousy at first now we see them become companions. This is a key theme as society tries to rule out women it brings them closer as they can share experiences and gain confidence and love of eachother in which none have experienced before.

  The Colour Purple- Alice Walker

Character analysis:

Celie:  Is the main protagonist in the novel as well as the narrator. She is a 14 year old girl married to a man known as MR. She suffers violent beatings, and rape from her step-father. Celie is poor and uneducated girl coming from the rural areas in Georgia. She develops through the characreter of Shug as Celie learns many things about her, which they form an intimate relationship between themselves.
Nettie: Is Celie's younger sister. She is presented as the 'pretty' sister. She is bright, attractive and strong and realises the importance of education from a young age. Nettie often acts as Celie's protector She is thrown out of her house in which she joins two missionaries Samuel and Corrine and falls in love with Samuel.
 Mr: Celie's husband, which he abuses her for many years. Though we see his character change later in the novel as he begins to evaluate himself in tries to correct his eariler wrongs.
Shug Avery: she is presented negatively as a doubtful woman with very little morals. She is presented in a more positive light from Celie's view as she resembles her mother, in which Celie makes constant comparisions between them too. She can be seen as an inspiration as she does not like to be dominated upon by others, she is a strong character behind those repressed feelings she is a warm and compassionate character. 

I am enjoying this book a little as its all written in an epistolary form, which is different to hear from one persons view. I find it interesting how Celie writes her letters to God this is significant as Celie sees God as a helper and listener, yet she doesnt have a clear understanding of who God actually is. I found the use of colours interesting as well used by Waker to represent liberation through the brighter colours, rebirth and purity.The novel has progressed, as Shug Avery and Celie's relationship becomes intimate and she begins to ask Celie questions about sex. She stays with them when she finds out that she is constantly beaten when Shug is not present. Shug brings home a new husband but a secretive realtionship still continues between her and Celie.

Theme:

Female Relationships: Are presented throughout the novel as they allow for characters to open up and share experiences which are similar, these stories allow women to resist opression and dominance. Most importantly the relationship between Celie and Shug allows a sense of belief and trust as Celie begins to understand herself.