“We didn’t know. The most important thing. Abba said, was not to stick out. Don’t let them see you. But I think it hurt him, to hide so much.”
I think it hurt him too. He seems to have changed from when he first met Ma. He’s not as confident like when he bragged about Aisha. Aisha gets good grades and she’s one of the goody good girls, doesn’t that mean she’s sticking out? In the next chapter where Nadira and Aisha go to Mr. Rashid’s office, Nadira says they feel like they stick out even with their fancy clothes. I am also wondering why Abba panicked to go to Canada where the stick out. He is now in jail and we have no idea what is happening to him. When Aisha told Nadira to get up, she called her fatso after Nadira said she was feeling bad for what she said to her. Now I think Aisha deserved what Nadira said to her because she’s back to her mean old self.
At the end of chapter 8, Aisha says “I’m scared for Abba.” Nadira said she had finally said what they both were thinking, what was happening to him? Then Aisha starts crying and I start to feel bad for her again. But then in chapter 9(haven’t read it yet), maybe she’ll just say something mean again and I’ll change my mind. Or maybe she has changed for good. Aisha is very confusing. I don’t like her that much, but I do feel sorry for her. I feel more sorry for Nadira though, because she is younger and has to act older and be there for her sister.
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I agree that it seems that Abba has changed. I never really thought about that until you mentioned it though, so good job! I feel bad for both of the sisters, I can't imagine what it would feel like to go through what they are going through. I don't think anyone deserves to be called a fatso, and it does seem like Aisha has kind of "bounced back".
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with sara and talia. Aisha has sort of come back to her mean old self. I find her a little self centered because when she calls Nadira names, it's not good for their relationship. Abba has seemed to change, although we don't hear about him a lot. I like the quote you picked. It stood out to me too. Interesting opinions Talia.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the last comments, but I'm not surprised at all the Aisha is back to her old self again. The way I see it, Aisha feels she needs to be the strong one, or something.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that their parent's are always telling them not to stick out, but, as Talia said, they do little things that get them noticed. It makes me wonder if they are just naive, and don't understand that they are sticking out, or if their subconscious wants to be recognized and noticed. It's very interesting...
I agree with all of you, especially what Alissa said. Aisha does seem like she thinks she has to be the strong one, and calling Nadira names doesnt do anything for thier relationship.
ReplyDeleteTalia you chose a great quote, but you didn't really tell us why you chose to write about it. You have interesting points on what is going on, but what about this quote stuck out to you?
The quote stood out to me because Abba said that he didn't want to stick out, but going to Canada kind of made them stick out. I thought that it was interesting how the sentences were short. Like "We didn't know. The most important thing." It makes it seem important. I also wonder the same thing as Alissa.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, if you don't want to stick out, then be normal. Mysteriously missing school, or secretly attempting to moving to Canada isn't exactly my idea of "laying low".
ReplyDeleteTalia, you bring up a very good point. I agree with Alissa and Kat, but I also feel that Aisha's way of hiding is sticking out... If that makes any sense. It's her way of dealing with all the pain she's feeling. In essence, she makes herself seem stronger than everyone else to give the illusion to herself that she actually IS stronger. Again, I'm not sure if that makes sense
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, Sarah, and I agree.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything everyone has said so far, and I really like your two sentences you picked out from the two chapters. Response for your first sentence about sticking out, I thought it showed how they dressed, compared to other people really well. I agree with Sarah too. I think that Aisha is sticking out when she is at school because she dresses like "the cool kids" and flips her hair. In chapter 8 when Aisha said that she was scared and then started crying Nadira and her really seemed like caring sisters for each other.
ReplyDeleteIn one way, their parent seem to not want them to stick out, and in another way they just do. On their way to Canada, their mom is wearing a Kameez. Also their parents push them to do well in school, so they get noticed by their teachers...
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I think all of you should be played the song Mr. Cellophane, from Chicago. (I'll put a link in my blog... Not that anyone would listen to it...) It's impossible not to stick out in some way or another. People just go on doing what they have to do, and if they are noticed by someone else, then they are. Bringing us back to what Talia said... You can't go around hiding all the time. It drains you.
ReplyDelete...And as for the question "Why Canada?" not only was it closer to the NJ border, but didn't it mention that there were muslim communities in Canada?
Sometimes your best just isn't good enough, as seen in the clothes example. Nadria's description of Aisha sounded like Aisha was able to take control of the situation, and get her way, but when they turned her down, and she broke down, it was like she was slowly losing the control that she once had. Sad.
I don't think Nadria is pressured to act older. I think she's just getting older.
I agree with Lighthall. I thought it was interesting how the parents kept contradicting themselves about sticking out and fitting in. I was wondering about that, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Julia, what does Mr. Cellophane have to do with anything? I agree with what you said about hiding and how it drains you, but when it's your life you're fighting for, I think you would hide the best you possibly can.
And to answer your question, "Why Canada?" I think it is because it is the safest place for them to be and the easiest to get into.
I agree with what Sarah said when she was answering the question "Why Canada". I think the reason why they are going (or trying to go) to Canada is because it is the closes and safest place to go. It might also be because it is the easiest place to get an asylum.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Becca about the being like sisters when Aisha cried. Ya agree with you Sara L. Their mom stood out when she wore the kameez when they were going to Canada. Good point Julia about Nadira not acting older, but getting older, I didn't think about it that way. I agree with Sarah that if it's your life you're fighting for, you would hide the best you can. I also agree that what people said about "Why Canada". It was the easiest to get to, but maybe there was another reason... we'll find out soon enough.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Talia for picking a simple quote and getting deep into it!! I thought it was interesting that you chose this quote because to me it doesn't seem to really stand out but you really it interesting for me.
ReplyDeleteTalia I agree with everything you had said. I think that Abba is feeling a little hurt that he has to hide who he is so people don't think wrong about it. I strongly believe that people shouldn't judge someone by their appearance, it's wrong. I also agree with Megan, It's a really simple quote that you can get deep into it. But I think the quote stands out to me. I also agree with Rebecca that choosing Canada was probably the safest place for them to be because they aren't as tough as they are here with getting their residency.
ReplyDelete"Aisha gets good grades and she’s one of the goody good girls, doesn’t that mean she’s sticking out?" That's a good point Talia. Normally if you're trying not to stick out you're not one of the worst students, but you're not one of the best either. The problem is though (As Julia said), it's really hard NOT to stick out in some way or another. And it would be horrible to be in hiding like that, knowing that you could never be your best.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Aisha being confusing sometimes. She seems to have mood swings. I also agree with Alissa, though, I wasn't surprised that Aisha went back to the way she was before Nadira yelled at her. This problem will most likely drive the two further apart, not bring them closer together.
Sarah, that's some smart thinking! It didn't cross my mind that Aisha was trying to act strong just to prove to herself that she is stronger. Since you brought it up, I thought about it and I totally agree!
I think there are many reasons as to why they chose Canada, but I think the main reason is because, Canada is the closest country they can come to. Plus the only other country bordering the US is Mexico, which people are trying to escape from, not escape to.
Is Canada really an easier place to get asylum? I was just wondering because it might just be the closest place for the family. I agree with Megan, it is a simple quote, but you can dig deeper. I like what Sara L. said-
ReplyDelete"In one way, their parent's seem to not want them to stick out, and in another way they just do. On their way to Canada, their mom is wearing a Kameez. Also their parents push them to do well in school, so they get noticed by their teachers..."
Their parents are kind of sticking out, although they say not to.
I think Maya brought up a good point about Aisha having mood swings. She has all these separate personalities and she switches between them.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Alissa about how Nadira's family could do better on laying low.
Claire, your question is a good one. I have no real answer for you. My guess is yes. I'm almost positive that it is easier to get asylum in Canada than America and those were their only two options.
ReplyDeleteAlso in response to Sarah, many people in their same situation from Bangladesh were also applying for asylum in Canada, so it might have just been a kind of going with the flow type situation.
ReplyDeleteMood swings... Interesting Robin.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she does have mood swings or maybe she doesn't have self confidence.