Blog 9 - The Convocation by Marjane Satrapi

Yulieth Hassan

English 101

Professor Draegan

Blog #9

The Convocation by Marjane Satrapi

Although the cultural contrasts are obvious, in what respects are the relationships between male and female students like those in the United States?

The cultural contrasts in the United States and in the Middle East are very clear. The relationship between students, male and female, in colleges in the United States is significantly different from that in Marjane’s part of the world. In the United States, students are free to dress any way they want, as long as they follow college rules and regulations. Males and females openly socialize in cafeterias and in sports activities. They wear clothes that are purely based on their own taste and choice and not based on any college rules or regulations.  Moreover, male and female students can walk together without being separated just because of their gender. In Marjane’s case I can see some things that are similar to what is in the United States. Though not quite as obvious, girls do have their favorites of the other gender. They also notice how the other sex dresses. Marjane also had the courage to express what was on her mind – something that all students do in the US by virtue of the freedom of speech they each have and cherish.

Other similarities I see between students in the US and those in Marjane’s country is that, in general, males are attracted to females and vice versa. No matter how much rules a college puts on their students about mixing with the other sex, it usually does not seem to work. It is human nature to be attracted to the opposite sex. Flirting to attract the other sex seems to also be consistent, whether in the US or in Marjane’s country.  More importantly, it seems that male and female friendships in college will always exist despite any rules that are put in place.  In the US there are no such rules.  However in Marjane’s case, the rules are dictated by cultural background and more so by customs and traditions. I am aware of this fact in the US but I also saw this in Marjane’s talking to her male friend despite knowing of the consequences.

I am very consciousness of the cultural background in Marjane’s country. These students had to consent to unrealistic rules in order to get an education. They all know that abiding by them gives them a better path for their future. I feel that Marjane is a very strong courageous girl who is not afraid about voicing her opinion. She is a leader and not a follower, and as such, this is very important in my opinion in order to survive in any culture especially one in the Middle East. Women, in general, should not be afraid, or feel intimidated, about speaking what they feel or believe. In a way, I can understand how she and her female friends were uneasy when they first went to college since it represented a different atmosphere than that they were used to.  I can imagine how happy Marjane and her female friends would be if they came to attend college in US where no rules are placed on how they dress, who they talk to or what they do. What they will find in the US is based on equality and no gender separation, freedom of speech and choice – what a difference this will make!