English 9A Close Reading Assignment # 2: Due Monday May 3
English 9A
Jane Belton
Close Reading Assignment # 2: Journey from the Land of No
Perform a close reading of ONE of the passages below from pp. 150-169 of the memoir. Answer the following questions in your close reading: Why is the passage significant in the context of what we have read of the memoir so far? What does it reveal about Roya and/or the specific moment in time in Iran?
Please begin your close reading with a clear topic statement that answers the question above and states your main point. Then, to support your theory, comment on and interpret significant language, imagery, metaphors, and symbolism in the passage. You need not comment on every line of the passage, but should focus on the most significant phrases and moments. You must weave short quotes from the passage into your paragraph as evidence to support your claims and provide sufficient, detailed analysis of each piece of evidence you use. You must include correct parenthetical citation after every quote you use. You may also want to make connections or comparisons to other specific moments in the memoir we have read so far. However, your analysis must be grounded in and focused on the provided passage and its context. Note: This is a formal piece of analytical writing. Do not use “I” or “me”.
Length: (1 ½ – 2 full pages, typed, double spaced)
Due Date: Monday May 3
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Passage 1 (page 165)
I speak of the apocalypse of your hair. Yes, hhhair. Such a simple word. So seemingly dead and blameless. But, my dear girls, blameless it is not. It is constantly scheming to reveal itself, peeking out of the scarf, even from under the veil. It peeks not to reveal itself to me or you, or your peers in the room, but to a man. You heard me right. Your long, beautiful hair is the very snake that deceived Eve, who then deceived Adam. That vile reptile never stopped. Hundreds of years later, it still deceives. One glance at your hair, even at a strand of your hair, is enough to turn any man into an irredeemable wanton, into a unicorn beast, with a unique intention, each of his heinous tissues in unanimity, its projectile moving in a unified direction: that of sin (165).
Passage 2 (pages 168-169)
Like the nation, we threw our fists into the air and chanted. Frenzy had overtaken us. But so had an order that ruled our throng in unison. We marched from the yard into the corridor, now vibrating only to our echoes. We stormed every classroom, inscribed our slogans on the blackboard, looted what we could, and gathered ammunition—balls, brooms, markers, game rackets, and trash pails. We left no room before smashing the chalkboard eraser against the door, and thus we hoped to erase the memory of an intruder. A milky mist filled the air and showered our faces, and we, delirious girl ghosts, shone in its light….Never had the sound of shattering glass mended so many broken spirits. Never had mayhem brought more peace. All our lives we had been taught the virtues of behaving, and now we were discovering the importance of misbehaving (168-169).