Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the purpose behind Meyer Baba's decision to stop using speech as a form of communication. The paper explains how Baba was able to communicate even in silence and discusses the philosophical message Baba conveyed through his silence.
From the Paper "According to various sources, it is said that Meyer Baba did not speak or verbalize any words as far back as July 1925. Most sources also say that in the beginning of his silent period, Baba wrote on paper with a pencil, and then about a year and a half later, he ceased to write at all. Many have wondered the same as I as to why Baba cut himself off from the method of speech as a form of communication. Authors Tom and Dorothy Hopkinson have written on the aspect of Baba's silence in their book Much Silence Meher Baba: His Life & Work. The Hopkinson's believe that the answer to Baba's silence lies what Baba had to say about silence himself, "I have come not to teach, but to awaken. Understand therefore that I lay down no precepts...Because man has been deaf to the principles and precepts laid down by God in the past, in this present Avataric form I observe silence. You have asked for and been given enough words-it is now time to live them." (Hopkinson, 1974)."
Abstract This paper examines how "The Kite Runner" is a novel of irony and in particular, the irony of the immigrant experience in America, focusing on the experience of Afghani Muslim-Americans. In particular, it looks at how America acts as a place for the character of Amir to bury his memories and a place for the character of Baba to mourn his.
From the Paper "The novel's narrative structure circularity also gives it an additional level of irony, as Amir and Baba came to the United States for escape, yet they are pursued by their past nationality, religion, and in Amir's case, by a past of memories. Baba often seeks to immerse himself in memories of a past long gone, despite the potential for a new life in America. But Amir, even with his intense desire to cast off the memories of the old world of Afghanistan and his cruelties as a child cannot fully embrace the new life of an immigrant experience. "
Abstract Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" is the story of the author's childhood, one spent in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of the late 1970's and early 80's. The book provides readers with a reminder of how naive children can be about the true reality of life and displays how ones' maturity on this subject grows with age. This paper examines the changing perception of reality that Marjane has throughout the novel.
From the Paper "By the end of the book, readers are provided with a more grownup, realistic image of Marjane, one that has a perception of reality that is more mature and closer to the views of Satrapi herself than of Marjane as a younger child. Satrapi's drawing techniques strengthen Marjane's final phase of her transition from a childish outlook on reality to a more mature view on the matter. For example, the frame that Satrapi draws after Marjane realizes that her neighbors, the Baba-Levy's, have been killed is entirely black. The caption reads, "No scream in the world could have relieved my suffering and my anger" (see Appendix, Fig. 6). This frame is representative of Marjane's final realization that reality is actually much different than it seemed to be when she was younger."
This paper reviews the short story "Sister Imelda" (1981) by Irish author Edna O'Brien about nuns and students at a strict Irish Catholic convent school.
Abstract This paper explains that Edna O'Brien's descriptive writing style in the short story "Sister Imelda" is seen in her characterizations of the narrator, her best friend Baba and the seductive but sad Sister Imelda herself and their various interpersonal conflicts. The author points out that O'Brien takes the reader inside the closed and remote world of an Irish Catholic convent school with its myriad rules, restrictions and joyless routines. The paper relates that the themes of the book are (1) Sister Imelda's lesbianism, (2) honoring one's feelings even if doing so should disappoint others and (3) the importance of facing oneself and others with honesty and courage.
From the Paper "From the beginning, it is clear that the narrator is fascinated and infatuated with Sister Imelda. All the girls notice her and make comments about her. According to Baba "her eyes were like blackberries" and "with makeup Imelda would be a cinch." The narrator wants to know all about Sister Imelda, especially after they become special friends, more so than the usual teacher and student. As she asks her one day, "Sister, did you ever ride a motorbicycle [sic]?..." To the narrator, Sister Imelda is fascinating, yet not quite real."
