EXPRESS YOURSELF! (class 4 homework, question 3)

a) When the story beings Marjane is pretty sure of who she is, but this quickly changes as the cultural revolution engulfs all of Iran. Marjane quickly becomes confused, this is clearly shown when the kids on the playground are throwing around their veils instead of wearing them like the Shah demands. Or quite possibly when Marjane is playing with her friends and make the rule that whoever loses must be tortured, including getting nailed or a mouthful of garbage. Marjane's parents soon recognize this behavior and tell her that even tough people might have been bad in the past that she needs to forgive them. When Marjane starts to get a little older, she starts to develop her own style such as when her mom makes her a sweater with holes and a chain necklace. Marjane's parents recognize her developing her own style and starting her own little self rebellion against the government and actually approve of it. They even buy her a denim jacket and Kim Wilde poster in Turkey. When Marjane's parents told her tat they were sending her to Austria, she came to the realization that she really didn't know who she is without her parents and maybe she really wasn't ready to live alone at 14. While her parents reassured her, Marjane was still unsure. 

b) Our identity is comprised of many different aspects whether is be from where were from, our friends & family, or other outlets, staying true to who you are is very important. Throughout my whole high school life, fellow students would automatically assume that my personality and personal identity were linked to the town I was from. I went to high school in the neighboring town for academic reasons in Streamwood, IL, which is considered a lower-middle class suburb. Where I am from, Bartlett, IL, is an upper-middle class suburb. So when people would ask where I was from and I would respond "Bartlett.." I would automatically get judged upon and everyone would assume that I was the typical Bartlett stereotype, a rich bitch. Besides four years of that, I consider my personal identity something very special to me. Being a fashion design major, sometimes I dress a little unique and truly express who I am through clothes. Self expression and identity go hand in hand because I believe that if you can't truly express yourself, how can you have a true identity? How much control that one has over their own identity is completely dependent on how independent and outgoing one is.

Frank :)