Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Fasting, Feasting passage
In the excerpt taken from Fasting, Feasting, a novel published in 1999 by Indian novelist Anita Desai, Arun, an exchange student from India, joins members of his American host family for an afternoon at the beach. Read the passage carefully and analyze how the author uses such literary devices as speech and point of view to characterize Arun's experience.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Alright so I did not get to talk about Fasting, Feasting in class, but i had two questions that were not asked during first period. First, I was wondering if Anita Desai was implying something in what she says in lines 23-24. "Arun finally stops trying to lag behind her-she can lag even better-and goes ahead to catch up with Mrs. Patton." I was curious about where it says she can lag even better, and if it means that Americans lag more than Indians do. Does anyone have thoughts on this? My second question was from lines 29-30. "'Summertime.' he hears her singing, 'when the living is eeh-zee." This could also go with Indians being harder workers then Americans, if Indians work just as hard in the Summer then in any other season. I was curious to know if Desai uses "eeh-zee" to show that Arun is not familiar with the word or if he mishears it. Does anyone have any ideas?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Nick's question on Malanie's "lagging",his opinion is certainly a possibility.The lagging of the children may represent the lagging between the two cultures the children represent.Another interpretation may just be that Melanie and Arun are slightly competitive.Also the situation seems awkward to Arun so that may affect the situation.As for the lines 29-30, the "eeh-zee" dialogue may just show Mrs. Patton's carefree attitude at the beach.It may also further make Arun feel more alienated from this unknown culture he is trying to be apart of.
ReplyDeleteWhat does everyone else think?
I have an opinion to add to this discussion and what others think of it.On the title of the passage, "Fasting,Feasting", I was wondering about the title's meaning.My interpretation of the title would be that Arun is fasting from his traditional culture from India and feasting upon the new culture he is introduced to.Although he is hesitant of his new surroundings,Arun is able to experience a new setting and therefore "feast" upon it and learn from it. What do others think of the title?
ReplyDeleteI haven't really thought of the title until I read what Aabra had to say on it, and I agree with her. Fasting, taking a break; to indulge upon something new. It also contrasts the imbalanced scenarios between Indian and American culture. Would someone care to discuss the importance of his tradition and culture opposed to the life of the Pattons? This surely applies to the effect of Arun not being used to this new world. I'm not sure if I heard this discussion during class.
ReplyDeleteFor Aabra's question, I think the title shows the contrast between Indian and American culture. Fasting is an integral part of Hinduism and Islam, which are the dominant religions in India, and thus represents Indian culture. The "feasting" is representative of American culture, as Americans tend to consume more food than many other cultures. The juxtaposition of "fasting" and "feasting" in the title thus represents how Arun experiences these contrasting cultures in almost a state of culture shock.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Nick's question about the line, "'Summertime.' he hears her singing, 'when the living is eeh-zee." I agree when Nick says that Indians work harder than Americans do. Arun is uncomfortable in America. I believe he is out of place because he is used to India, where it is stricter and where people work hard. Mrs. Patton is free spirited and represents America. The poem clearly states, "It is Saturday." Saturday is usually the time to do something fun. However, Arun looks for excuses not to go to the beach, possibly because he is out of his comfort zone and is used to working on Saturdays because they work hard in India. In America though, they go out and do fun things like sailing. This can also emphasize how uncomfortable he is. He is anxious to explore nature and is unsure of what it will be like. He possibly prefers the urban life where he is used to working and where it is more orderly. It says, “He prefers its post office, its shops, its dry-cleaning stores and picture framers to this creeping curtain of insidious green.” It shows he does not like nature when he asks the rhetorical question, “Why must people live in the vicinity of such benighted wilderness and become a part of it?" This line shows how confused and out of place he is. It looks like he does not prefer the musical, beautiful, and dream like qualities the forest was described as because it is not as orderly. He describes it as dangerous by using the words “insidious” and “poisonous.” It is mysterious like America, which he is new to since he is an exchange student.
ReplyDeleteOn Nick's lagging idea: I actually didn't see that before, but it seems VERY possible. Isn't India a 3rd world country? If it is, then life there would be a lot harder than it is here in the US. It would explain why Arun is so used to working on Saturdays and not used to taking breaks. So coming from India, he probably sees US and the people here as like, lazy. So that lagging comment about how Melanie can lag even better IS probably implying that as an American, someone who has an easy life and really doesn't do much, she's gonna lag even better than him because that's just how it is with lazy people, they move slow. And Mrs. Patton singing about how living is "eeh-zee" probably just adds to his reasoning about how Americans have everything easy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteReading the comments showed me the variety of interpretations of the text, though the majority seems to agree that the passage has a major cultural aspect to it. What theme might be portrayed in this text? Is this passage solely to demostrate the fears experienced when one is exposed to something foreign? Could the thing alien to one not only be foreign land but foreign ideas as well? Arun is not only exposed to an alien geography, but an alien culture as well with new ideas for him to consider. Arun is forced to leave his comfort zone, where “He prefers its post office, its shops, its dry-cleaning stores and picture framers to this creeping curtain of insidious green.” Arun is required to go into the forest which he finds uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteSo is theme based on the contrast between cultures and the experience of entering a different culture and land? Is the contrast between only America's and India's culture, or every culture on the planet? What do others believe the theme is?
Another question I have is what effect does the sentence structure on the story? At first the sentences are short, almost fragments. An example of a short sentence is "It is Saturday." As the story progresses, the sentences become longer and more developed.
Commenting on what Aabra said about the title, I agree that the title deals with the two cultures, but I don’t think the “feasting” part means that Arun will feast on the American culture because everything, from the woods to going to the beach, seems awkward to him. So, I think the title, “Fasting, Feasting” indicates the total contrast between the Indian culture and the American culture because in India, people fast for religious purposes whereas in America, people go to buffets and pig out. So, the title hints at the difficulty Arun will have to become accustomed to the new, American culture. Not only does the title hint at the obstacles, but also, the ending indicates further obstacles to come because Arun, “Nearly tripping upon a root, he stumbles and has to steady himself so as not to spill the contents of the basket”, which means that Arun has a long way to go before he can become comfortable with the American culture. In other words, both the title and the ending indicate the obstacles Arun will have to overcome before becoming used to the American culture. So, Arun almost tripping on a root represents the hindrances that Arun will have to deal with and steadying himself shows how he will have internal conflicts before he will be able to become comfortable with the American culture.
ReplyDeleteAdditional indications of how Arun feels out of place in the American culture are when Arun strongly refuses to go to the beach through emphasis in “‘No, no, no’” when Melanie showed up in her bathing suit and when Melanie and Arun do not walk side by side and do not even say a word with each other. Arun’s reaction to the bathing suit shows how he was surprised since in India, females are supposed to cover themselves up. The lack of similarities between the two cultures, or rather the two cultures’ complete difference, makes it seem like it might be even impossible for Arun to become entirely comfortable with the American culture. Also, it can be implied from the lack of conversation between Arun and Melanie during their walk to the beach that Arun and Melanie simply did not have anything to talk about since they had nothing in common. So, my question is whether Arun will eventually be able to fit in the American culture or will never be able to fit in since the difference between the American and Indian culture is so vast. What does everyone else think?
Mrs. Patton plays a role as a foil of Arun and the foil seems to emphasize the differences between the Indian and American cultures and also the difference in how Arun and Mrs. Patton feel about going to the beach. Mrs. Patton seems light-hearted at the thought of resting at the beach whereas Arun feels uneasy from the start; Arun’s uneasiness is reflected by the rhetorical question, “Why must people live in the vicinity of such benighted wilderness and become a part of it?” and by the use of words such as “shrill”, “ugly, jarring”, and “shrieks” when walking through the woods. Arun’s uneasiness is all the more reflected through how he “is sweating, and the palms of his hands are becoming puffy and damp.” Also, at the end of the rhetorical question, Arun says “[Why] become a part of it?”. By asking so, Arun seems to question why he has to become accustomed to the American culture when everything is so different from the Indian culture. Arun seems exasperated with his situation. Mrs. Patton’s singing reflects her carefree attitude, which contradicts Arun’s attitude and Mrs. Patton is totally oblivious to how Arun feels. By conveying contrasting attitudes, the author, Anita Desai, further explains the totally different natures of the cultures. Thus, commenting on my own question of my previous post, I think Arun will not be able to become comfortable with the American culture.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aabra on the title part. Fasting is usually in the Indian culture and religion while feasting is the american culture. You will probably never see any Americans fasting because it is not part of their culture. The title Fasting, Feasting shows the contrast of cultures between the Indians and the Americans. I think by reading the title and the description of the passage, we can foreshadow that the Indian exchange student, Arun, will be having a difficult time adjusting to the American culture.
ReplyDeleteFor Gi Hye's question of will Arun fit in the American culture or not, there can be many different possibilites. IF Arun stayed in America for a long time with the Patton family, he would eventually get used to the American culture. Human beings have great abilities to adapt to new environments. If Arun's religion or his parents really restrict or limit him from adapting to other cultures then he probably would not be able to fit in the the American culture. Also if Arun only stayed in American for a short amount of time, he would not be able to fit in because adapting to new environments and cultures require a lot of time. My question in this passage is, Why did Rod and the dad leave Arun with Mrs. Patton and Melanie? Was it because they weren't familiar with Arun? Or was it because Rod and dad just didn't like Arun and his culture? What do you guys think?
sharon rojas - period 1
ReplyDeletei agree with Aabra that Arun is fasting from his culture and feasting on american culture . Its a complete culture shock for him . In class many said that he probably came from a lower class which i dont think he did , they came to that because he was nervous and willing to help out . I think he was nervous because he didnt expect melanie to be in a bathing suit and that was awkaward for him . He also was trying to be polite and help Mrs.Patton carry the basket .I think anyone who goes to an unfamiliar place will be shy and feel uncomfortable it just takes a while for them to adjust . Also , they were discussing in my class that Melanies father and brother could not like Arun because they went fishing and decidided not to take Arun with them but to leave him behind , could that go to them discrimintating Arun ?
Commenting on Aabra’s post on the theme of “Fasting, Feasting”: the theme is that overcoming cultural differences requires and deals more with internal struggles with oneself than external factors, although influenced by one’s external surroundings. This theme can be demonstrated by Arun’s attitude in which he himself does not accept the new American culture. Although it may be difficult at first to adapt to a new culture, if one was willing to accept his/her situation and new environment, overcoming cultural differences would not be as difficult. However, Arun does not show any signs of trying to accept the American culture. Rather, he laments his situation and seems to question why he has to “become part of [the American culture]”. The contrast seems to be not only between America’s and India’s culture but between every other culture as vastly contrasting as the American and Indian cultures.
ReplyDeleteAs the story progresses, the sentences become longer and more detailed in order to represent how Arun is becoming more and more uneasy about his situation. The more he walks through the forest, Arun becomes more nervous and the more he becomes nervous, he seems to express more and more disbelief of how he is supposed to become accustomed to the American culture. Thus, going back to the theme, Arun’s questioning and disbelief show how he cannot accept the new, foreign culture of America and how he is having internal conflicts.
I completely agree with Aabra. Because Arun was exposed such a foreign environment, he could have been cautious to their customs. For example, lines 46-47 state "Why must people live in the vicinity of such benighted wilderness and become a part of it?" This could show resentment towards not only the landscape but American lifestyle. Arun could find American past times unnecessary or avoidable. I believe the theme of the passage is don't underestimate anyone/anything or simply "don't judge a book by its cover." I think the situation would have went differently if Arun was more open to interpretations rather then shying away. Additionally, Do you think there is a possibility that Arun was avoiding Melanie because she was wearing something revealing, which could be considered forbidden in where he's from? Or do you think it was just plain teenage hormones?
ReplyDeleteAlso, to answer Aabra's question about sentense structure, I was actually thinking of that when I was looking at the passage in class. I thought that the sentences could have been shortened or fragmented because he wasn't familar with the English language, but that didn't account for the more complex sentences at the end. Then I realized the sentences went from fragmented ones to complete sentences after Arun agrees to go along with Mrs. Patton and Melanie. I think that as he slowly opened up, it showed within the sentences as they became more developed.
I agree with Krizandra about the sentence structure. In the beginning it is short. & he's also still awkward with the family, so he probably just got there. So his english is still pretty poor. But towards the end, it gets longer and more complex, so it's like saying that he's going to adapt to America & he is going to open up to it's culture.
ReplyDeleteI agree on Aruns "cutural difference" to America (From most the responses)
ReplyDeleteArun probably came from a busy Indian city (Likes the shops, post office, e.t.c). While he walks through the woods, he notes out the current setting and its wildlife. He seems to dislike his new surroundings ("Why must people live in the vicinity of this benighted wilderness?") or, who could just be awed by the woods, since he probably never been in the woods before.
As for krizandra's response to how Arun sees Melanie, tier could be a possible relationship, but he/she doesnt want it to show (from third periods seminar; "How would you avoid akward moment like this?". [So yes, teenage hormones]
ReplyDeleteAny other ways these characters could think of each other?
I thought of him not being accustomed to the language and not being able to comprehend, as well. But I read Gi Hye and Kriz's response about him opening up and agree with that. I thought of Arun behaving shyly when Melanie arrives because of him feeling out of place and tension growing between them due to their cultural and gender differences, "and stares at him challengingly, he starts wildly to find excuses (lines 4-5)." The point made about her revealing too much of herself makes sense likewise.
ReplyDeleteCommenting on Krizandra’s response: I think the longer sentences show how Arun’s internal conflicts are exacerbating rather than showing how Arun is gradually opening up to the American culture because the long sentences express Arun’s nervousness and use words such as “intrude”, enigmatically”, “warning”, and “poisonous”, which hold negative connotations.
ReplyDeleteAnswering Han’s question about the whereabouts of Rod and the father, you need to realize that this is an American family that probably has not been outside of America. The father and Rod are probably those stereotypical Americans who do not like foreigners and like to shun them from society. They probably do not want to be around Arun so they make plans to “go sailing” so they can purposely avoid Arun. Moreover, there is always the possibility that Rod and the father already made plans to go sailing, but chose to go sailing instead of spending time with Arun so that they may avoid him. From my perspective, all reasoning for why Rod and the father are not present is because they are the stereotypical Americans who cannot deal with change and uniting with people who are not American so they just choose not to be around foreigners.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with what Gi Hye commenting that Arun “does not show any signs of trying to accept the American culture.” Arun may not be showing signs of trying to accept the culture; he may be confused about what customs Americans have. He is defiantly trying, it may not show but he makes an effort when he tries to carry the basket for Melanie. He feels it is necessary that he show politeness while in a foreign country.
My question about this passage is, would the entire story be different if the gender of Arun was female instead? Or maybe if Melanie was male? Would the two charcters have connected better?
To answer Krizandra’s question about Arun avoiding Melanie, im sure he is just avoiding her because he feels uncomfortable about walking with someone he just met in a different country. I don’t think it could be hormones because Arun is avoiding Melanie, usually that kind of scene is seen in little kids when boys avoid girls and that’s in American society, not Indian. Unless that is what happens in India with Indian children.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Krizandra's question. Arun is avoiding Melanie because she is doing stuff that he has never seen in India. In lines 3-5 it says "...dressed in her bathing suit with a big shirt drawn over her shoulders, and stares at him chllengingly, he starts wildly to find excuses." This is one reason why he avoids Melanie. In India, women are supposed to cover themselves with clothes to not show their skin. When Arun saw Melanie in a bathing suit, he probably freaked out because he was not used to seeing girls showing a lot of their skin. Another reason might be gender differences. Arun probably is the typical foreigner who is shy around american people. So it could be both that she was wearing something revealing, which could be considered forbidden in where he's from or it was just plain teenage hormones. But to me it seems more like Arun avoids Melanie because he is just not used to her or the American culture yet.
ReplyDeleteIn lines 46-47 Arun asks "Why must people live in the vicinity of such benighted wilderness and become a part of it?" Why do you think Arun asks that question?
In lines 46-47 Arun asks "Why must people live in the vicinity of such benighted wilderness and become a part of it?" Why do you think Arun asks that question? -Han
ReplyDeleteArun asked this question because he is so used to the overcrowded cities and the heavy pollution that he is not familiar with the wild. Arun was tense during the trip to the beach because of all the critters he heard but not seen in the woods. Arun even stated that he would prefer dry cleaning stores and post offices instead of a fun day in the beach. Arun probably does not agree that beaches is fun like most Americans and isn't used to having free time from the shop or work.
Okay, so being totally truthful I didn't understand this passage too much at first but after discussing it a little during class I started to get it more and I really liked the idea that my group, in 4th period, came up with Arun representing like a 3rd world country or specifically India and Melanie represents the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine what it would be like to be in a completely different country by yourself in a home that is not yours. This passage described very well what exchange students feel like sometimes.
The tension between Melanie and Arun makes me curious as to what their relationship is. I get a feeling it's more like he has a crush on her possibly and that he could also be a bit intimidated by her because girls/women don't act as she does in his country. I think most of the tension and awkwardness between them is just teenage stuff that everyone goes through.
Also, I think it would be interesting to know how old Arun is. I suppose it is to be assumed he is a teenager like 16-17.
It is interesting that he is almost disgusted by the forest that they walk through and all the nature. In India they are mostly used to cities and people being every where, large crowds and small spaces. While he is in the forest he is aware of everything that he hears and it makes him nervous.
Some one mentioned during my period something about him possibly having an allergic reaction because towards the end it mentions he had puffy damp hands. It never really clarifies why so that would make sense, since he is around new plants and things like that in the forest.
-Ariana Velazquez(:
In response to Krizandra's question, "Do you think there is a possibility that Arun was avoiding Melanie because she was wearing something revealing, which could be considered forbidden in where he's from? Or do you think it was just plain teenage hormones?"
ReplyDeleteHonestly it could be either one, haha, but I would assume Anita Desai wanted to convey a deeper meaning than that of teenage hormones to her audiences. So I would say that Arun avoiding Melanie because of her wearing something "revealing" would be more appropriate because it brings the topic of cultures and customs around the world to the audiences mind.
“I disagree with what Gi Hye commenting that Arun “does not show any signs of trying to accept the American culture.” Arun may not be showing signs of trying to accept the culture; he may be confused about what customs Americans have. He is defiantly trying, it may not show but he makes an effort when he tries to carry the basket for Melanie. He feels it is necessary that he show politeness while in a foreign country.” - ironbuzz128512
ReplyDeleteArun carrying the basket for Mrs. Patton does not necessarily show that he is trying to fit in the American culture. Rather, a more reasonable explanation is that Arun merely wanted to escape the awkward situation with Melanie in which Arun and Melanie did not talk and walked at a distant from each other. So, in order to get away from the awkward situation, Arun decided to carry the basket for Mrs. Patton to just occupy himself and not have to deal with the uncomfortable situation.
The passage mostly talks about how Arun feels alienated and how Arun is stunned at the environment of the woods. This is because Arun is from the city and is unused to the woods. So, I would not say that the passage describes serious effort made by Arun to get used to the American culture. Instead, the passage focuses on Arun’s state of nervousness and feeling of isolation.
I dont know if anyone mentioned this already but do you guys think that there's a possibilty that since Arund does not look forward to going to the lake, one reason might be that he just can't swim. Or he could even just simply be scared of the water.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Aabra's question about the title, I think that "Fasting, Feasting" expresses the idea of the difference in the culture of India and America. The words fasting and feasting are completely opposite, likewise with Indian and American culture when it comes to food. A large percentage of India's population is Muslim and in their calendar, they have the ninth month for fasting from dawn until sunset, an event so-called Ramadan. Whereas in America, fasting is not part of the culture but feasting is. I mentioned this because Arun and the American family in the passage portray the difference of the two cultures. Arun seem to feel very uncomfortable around the American family starting from how he reacted when Melanie showed up to the door wearing her bathing suit. Knowing a little about India, I know that many of the women cover themselves with extra clothing compare to women here in America, and this could be a reason why "...he starts wildly to find excuses." In addition, I agree with what Leana was saying on how Arun may not feel all excited to go to the beach on a Saturday since in India Saturday may still be a working day unlike here in America, Saturday is usually a free day. In the passage, it also mentioned Melanie and Arun trying to avoid walking side by side or close together, which can possibly hint that they have nothing in common as it was mentioned above or maybe its just the fact that Arun is an exchange student and he is just new to everything, including socializing and the exposure to the environment. As it was mentioned in the passage, "...he prefers its post office, its shops, its dry-cleaning stores and picture framers to this creeping curtain of insidious green..." a possible explanation of how Arun finds his hair begin to prickle and he starts sweating because the environment in India that he imagines is totally different from where he was being brought to. He possibly have not seen a place covered with grasses and leaves and trees or for short, the nature. Arun is described as a city boy for prefering shops and stores instead of an environment covered with nature. I think that all the contrasts, starting from bathing suit to extra clothing, then lastly mentioned in the passage, a city-like environment to nature surroundings reflects the different cultures portrayed by Arun and the American family. As Arun is just new to the American culture, of course he will feel uncomfortable especially that many aspects of India's culture seem to be the opposite of America's culture beginning with the title, Fasting, Feasting.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Arun is uncomfortable with his new environment, it looks like he is still capable of eventually fitting in because in the poem it says "Nearly tripping upon a root, he stumbles and has to steady himself so as not to spill the contents of the basket." This could be a start for Arun to expose himself to the American culture and adapt to the environment he is brought to. Not to mention, the family and Arun are heading to the beach, and water means change so it could be a possibility that he will start to accept and adapt the American culture and start feeling comfortable to his new environment.
I agree with both Gihye and ironbuz128512.
ReplyDeleteWhile Arun does carry the basket, he is displaying an politeness to his hosts. This does not necessarily mean that Arun is only being polite because it's America. Arun carrying the basket, agreeing with Gihye, is a way for Arun to escape the awkward moment with Melanie.
To the comments about sentence structure, while it could display the fact that he is getting more used to American culture, the lengthening sentences more relate to how Arun is becoming more and more uneasy to his surroundings. Anita Desai uses very heavy foil, by comparing the American family to Arun. Through out the passage, Arun is "sweating" "hands puffy and damp", tripping, and becoming more and more into a sense of disdain and uncomfort. I believe that because of Arun's uncomfort, while it may show openingup-ness he is more and more at unease.
The third person limited POV Desai uses also provides a sense that Desai is trying to make the reader infer and come to conclusion about Arun's discomfort. What do you guys think?
Ryosuke Takeuchi Per.3
ReplyDeleteAnswering Kenneth's question: Even if Arun had been a girl or Melanie a boy, I don't think that this narrative would have that much of a difference in story. Of course, the exchange student would have a much easier time connecting with the other child, but this wouldn't affect the story much because there would still be the same difference in culture between them. If Arun were a girl, he/she would still be disturbed by Mrs. Patton's appearance or the different environment. Considering that this passage was written by a female author, the only thing that probably would have changed about Arun as a girl would be his/her characterization; Desai would probably characterize him/her more like herself.
Commenting on what jar said: That could be a possibility but because everything from the title to the entire passage seems to imply cultural differences, I think Arun does not want to go to the beach because he merely is not used to doing so and rather prefers post offices, shops, and dry-cleaning stores. In other words, Arun has not accepted the American culture.
ReplyDelete@Jar Haha yes that is possible! But so is the fact that he could be afraid of being struck by lightning or that he could be eaten by a shark. Looking for the most viable reason, i am agreeing with Gihye on the reason that he would rather "[prefer] post offices, shops, and dry-cleaning stores"
ReplyDeleteContinuing on with Gi Hye and everyone else who have already said this, which i know many people have, Arun is probably just not used to the American lifestlye. Maybe he just wants to adjust and makes friends before he will go swimming at the Lake. It's kind of like when a new student (Bryan Jeong) enters his first year to a NEW high school coming from somewhere outside of the country, (Canada). Frightened by his new environment, it was probably difficult for him to get used to eastlake because his lifestyle must've been really different in Canada. Eventually, Bryan made plenty of friends and got comfortable with the eastlake environment. Arun relates to this story because he possibly could be just worried of the American lifestlye and wants to adjust by making friends before he goes out swimming in the lake with Melanie.
ReplyDelete@jar Exactly! but the different aspects of that analogy is that Bryan Jeong is just 14 years old, while Arun is most likely a college student. Those almost-10 years is likely to more solidify Arun's uneasiness with the new culture. Also the fact that the customs are immensely more different from India to the states than Canada to the states. The only hard aspect I had was to get used to how everyone wore nikes and wore jansport back packs. Arun has a much more wider custom to get used to.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I agree with Gi Hye and Bryan's comments on what Jar said. There are so many reasons that are possible to why Arun was hesitant and nervous during his time in the forest, but like Gi Hye and Bryan said it would make more sense if the reason were to relate to the implied message of cultural differences.
ReplyDelete@Bryan Jeong
ReplyDeleteAssuming it was so easy for you to get used to Eastlake, do you think Arun would ever get used to the culture? And what you said about him most likley being a college student, do you think he shows the same attitude he has with Melanie with his other colleagues?
@jar
ReplyDeleteEasy? I wouldn't say easy. It was still hard to get used to the system of way things work, and I still have troubles. People get annoyed that I do things differently.
I think it would be unfair to compare my experience to Arun's. Arun's background is very different from mine.
Man, i should have done this earlier because everybody brought up some points that i had.
ReplyDeleteAriana brings up a good point about not knowing Arun's age, or Melanie's. There are many possibilities of why the two try to avoid each other. For instance there could be an age difference between the two, and both of them do not want to send any wrong messages to each other or any on-goers (ex: if Melanie is substantially older, Arun might not want to seem "perverted" by looking at her). This is just a thought. Most likely, the two are around the same and are avoiding each other due to cultural or attraction reasons.
I also agree with Kreitz's response to Han's question. It is a very difficult transition from living in India to living in the US, or to any other region. In line 53-54, Arun "nearly trips upon a root" because the wilderness and nature around him is so new compared to his "small town with little to offer"(line 48).
Answering Gi Hye's question about the gender of the characters, i think that if they were of the same sex, they would have interacted and bonded much better. There would be no real tension between the two.
I think it would be interesting to know how long Arun has been staying with the Patton's, and for how long his stay is. What do you think about this? Maybe there was an incident earlier between the two, and neither of them want anything to happen again.
Arun is a foregin exchange student so he should realize that there will be alot of change especially from India. I am not going to say Arun is rude not but he did decide that he wanted to do the foreign exchange program and he questions why "people" which I assume Americans "live in the vicinity of such benighted wilderness and become part of it." Arun should have been more understanding on how American families live.
ReplyDeleteJar also brings up a good reason about Arun not wanting to go to the beach, and maybe being afraid. In line 11-12 "Arun MUST go back upstairs and collect his towel and swimming trunks". This sentence makes it seem like he's forced to go (he technically is) and is not looking forward to going. He dreads the idea of the beach, that he was not even ready to go.
ReplyDeleteI can see where Kreitz Condalor is coming from and how Arun's actions can be interpreted as rude, although I don't think he is intentionally demeaning the American culture. I think his inability to participate in the family's hobbies are somewhat normal because it's our natural instinct to feel a little scared in a situation like this. I mean, he's thousands miles away from his comfort zone, and I think the fact that he came along to the beach at all speaks for his hesitant, yet willing attitude.
ReplyDelete@Bryan Jeong
ReplyDeleteI understand, but dont you think, according to you, that Arun being a college level student would have a good experience in meeting new people and adjusting to different environments more easily? If you agree, then why would it be so hard for him to meet Melanie? Do you think there's a possibility that Arun might find Melanie atttracting? o_O hmmm...
To answer ironbuzz128512 question: My question about this passage is, would the entire story be different if the gender of Arun was female instead? Or maybe if Melanie was male? Would the two charcters have connected better?
ReplyDeleteI think that even if the characters were to be the same gender, it would have not changed the situation or made their connection any better because in the first place, I don't think Arun and Melanie even had any connections. In addition, if it was a matter of gender that Arun felt uncomfortable, then why didn't he choose to leave with Rod and Daddy? I just think that the awkward situation between Melanie and Arun was a cultural difference and if it was a gender factor then I believe that they would still have not been able to connect since male and female of two different upbringings can be very difficult to develop unless if it was given time.
@Jar the fact that I am afraid to say Arun is "attracted" to Melanie is that there is no evidence that he is. A safer bet would be to say that he is uneasy with the custom, and the new person. A good analogy would be for you to go live in India and imagine how life would be! Immensely difficult and uneasy, just how Arun is disconcerted.
ReplyDeleteTo Hazel and Ironbuz128512, I dont think so. Agreeing with Hazel, I think because of the sense of discomfort the author created at the end of the passage, using words like "puffy" "sweating", "insidious" it shows Arun's anxiety, and if a female, would be exactly the same.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete@Bryan Jeong
ReplyDeleteMmm... i see, i see. You my friend are always right. I just thought about it because as i was reading "Fasting, Feasting," the other passage, "The Other Paris" popped into my head and reminded me of love and the way Arun acted towards Melanie made me think about that "secret love" in movies or something. I know, really random, but i just thought about it cause people act differently when they really like someone.
I can understand what Kreitz is saying. If Arun agreed to the enter a foreign exchange program, he should have expected to be more open and understanding about become part of a another country's way of living. But I can also understand it's sometimes harder to except other cultures and customs ways of living when they contradict your own.
ReplyDeleteI didn't discuss this prompt during class but I was wondering what was Arun sensing in lines 43-46 "Arun finds the hair on the back of his neck begin to prickle, as if in warning. He is sweating, and the palms of his hands are becoming puffy and damp." I didn't really understand why Arun was feeling this way???
ReplyDeleteAs I was reviewing the end of this passage, I kept rereading the last sentence where it states " Nearly tripping upon a root, he stumbles and has to steady himself so as not to spill the contents of the basket." Do you guys think it's possible that this could symbolize his temper in a sense? Before this sentence he describes his surroundings with clear and utter resentment. Do you think that steadying himself so he doesn't spill the contents of the basket could mean cooling himself down so that he won't lose his temper?
ReplyDelete(Alysa Caoile Period 5)
ReplyDeleteIn response to AlexBlas, Arun is feeling this way because of the uneasiness he feels toward the surroundings and what may lie ahead on his journey to the beach. In Lines 35 to 38 Desai writes, "A bird shrieks hoarsely, flies on, shrieks elsewhere, futher off-that ugly, jarring note that does not vary. But there are no birds to be seen, nor animals." In our class we discussed that the birds and animals are there, for this is their home, but because Arun doesn't see them, he doesn't believe they are there, which in a way i can understand if he's frightened. He is frightened because he can't relate the noises to anything visual (all the animals are hiding). Arun, coming from India must be used to the city environment with many buildings and little elbow room, unlike the wilderness that the Pattons live in. This drastic change can be overwhelming thus creating fear, for its something you are not familiar with.
Per. 5
ReplyDeleteWhat I am focusing on is writing the essay, and how to approach it. Point of View is a very important one, especially in this case. "Fasting, Feasting" is told in 3rd person, but what if it were told through an actual character. It would be exquisite to hear it through Arun and to be able to read his thoughts and feelings of this new culture and atmosphere he has been exposed to. Or if it were Melanie or Mrs. Patton. They would all be very different because everyone see's Arun in their own personal way. Other than point of view, speech is a big subject for any novel because all authors or writers have speech and tone and diction and syntax and all those things whether they realize it or not. AS FAR AS THE BODY PARAGRAPHS AND THE THESIS GO, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO PUT DOWN FOR THOSE? DO WE JUST TALK ABOUT THE SPEECH AND POINT OF VIEW IN THE THESIS, THEN WE ELABORATE IN THE BODY PARAGRAPHS? IM NOT TOO CLEAR ABOUT IT ON THIS POEM. CAN SOMEONE HELP?
This is the story I had more trouble understanding.. but I sort of got it when we discussed it in class.. I just wanted to comment/ask.. if the author wasn't Indian this passage "Fasting, Feasting" could have totally been written in a different perspective AND seen in a different perspective.. even culture wise it could have been different.. right?
ReplyDeletethe title "Fasting, Feasting" being two complete opposites, could have been to show the opposites of the two very different cultures. Like in American culture we have a Thanksgiving feast where we eat LOTS of food.. and as for the Indian culture, fasting as in they take a break from food/eating...
In response to Kriz with the line "Nearly tripping upon a root, he stumbles and has to steady himself so as not to spill the contents of the basket.", I thought that possibly the contents of the basket and how he holds it may symbolize his time there. Tripping on the root is his struggles on getting used to the place, an unknown place. Showing that he stumbles and that he is able to steady himself, he is able to get use to his surroundings and eventually, he will be okay with his new home.
ReplyDeleteAdding on to Josh's comment on Arun being forced to go to the beach: Technically, he is really being forced. Mrs. Patton and Melanie just want to take him out and have him get acustom to his new home. He is probably unsure about what is going to happen around him and is feeling a bit uneasy, no knowing what to expect. Imagine yourself going to a new country, with people you dont know. You would feel a bit wierd going out and about!
ReplyDelete@vanessadrouet
ReplyDeleteIf the story were to be told in different points of view,it would sound completely different.
For example, if it were in Melanie's point of view, we would probably see how she really thinks of Arun and if there is some feelings of relationship between them (her thoughts though)
But if what if is was told in Ms. Patton's view, How would it sound different
Just to add some examples of a possible relationship between Arun and Melanie
ReplyDelete-"But whom is following whom?"
-"They try to find a way to walk that will not compel them to be side by side or in an way close together"
any more?
0_0
Darien
Okay... I read this one five million times (not really, but close) and I think I understand the main idea. I think that it's about getting aquainted with people whom you are not super close to and being in a town you aren't used to and still trying to have a good time. I could be totally wrong, but that is what I understood from it, so there is my two cents.
ReplyDeleteOK THIS IS FINALLY WORKING! SORRY MR. DOMINGO!
ReplyDelete-> there is no more "error: this site is temporarily down" thingy
I had to think a lot about this story due to all the feelings of awkwardness between Melanie and Arun. How they feeling so uncomfortable with each other especially with the fact that come from two complete different backgrounds. The relationship between both Arun and Melanie, tension concerning their different cultures clash which cause the awkwardness. It could be that the reason for Arun's "excuses" are because he is used to the tradition of women in his culture in hiding their faces and body while when he is at the beach Melanie is in a bathing suit. That also causes the comfortability levels in their relationship. Another excuse that Arun states is when Melanie wants to hang out on a Saturday. A reason for his excuse could be that maybe in India, since they are so strict, they usually study or do homework instead of hanging out.
Another thing is how the title relates to the story. "fasting and feasting" like the typical American family who eats every single day as one whilst a typical Indian family spends a period of time in Ramadan. This is an example of the two very distinct cultures between the two.
I completely agree, this was such a hard poem to understand. i still feel kind of fuzzy as to what I'm really interpreting when i read it. so i am going to write what i know. Arun strikes me as a awkward character. Someone who is afraid of change and very close minded! i feel that melanie and arun have had some sort of falling out or some sort of squabble because there is awkward tension when they are walking to where ever they were going.i have no idea how people are getting ramadan out of this though.
ReplyDeleteand to respond to DARIEN if it were told in ms. pattons point of view i bet it would be really bubbly because she seems like a very posiive person! she doesnt see the tension between the two and honestly i dont believe it would make her any bit uncomfortable.
and what Krizz said about Arun" Nearly tripping upon a root, he stumbles and has to steady himself so as not to spill the contents of the basket." being symbolic of his aggresion to his surroundings makes alot of sense to me becuase i do feel like he is ot happy openminded character!