Response to the Readings(Week 7)

Jerusalem: Not the Mother of All Cities

I found that the essay was presented in a very unique way. I liked how Hasan-Rokem used the metaphor of marriage when referencing Jerusalem. I found it very intriguing to look at the conflict through the eyes of a woman. I enjoyed the section where Hasan-Rokem stated that Jerusalem was a city with needs. I think that with all of the conflict people have forgotten that people actually inhabit the city and conduct daily activities there.

Sharon and My Mother-in-Law

The stories presented by Suad Amiry were very interesting. They were both informational and entertaining. I liked that the reading was rather easy and allowed the reader to gather a lot of information relating to daily life. It was interesting to see the views of Palestinians and the ways in which they were discriminated against. I found it ironic that Emily was the friend but also the oppressor. The stories not only provided a detailed account but they revealed the injustices that the Palestinians faced in daily life. I found it quit funny that animals were given more rights than people in chapter 7 of the readings. I feel these sections of the novel present the oppression of the Palestinians in a playful way to avoid hostility and to bring light to the situation in a non-confrontational manner. Because of that aspect I enjoyed the readings.