Funny in Farsi: Post #4

Funny in Farsi

Quote #1:” In America, we have tried our best to celebrate Nowruz, but it’s a challenge. Since it’s not an American holiday, everyone is either at work or in school.” -Firoozeh -Page 106-107

Significance: This quote relates to the question, “What hardships do the characters endure as they make a new life?” Firoozeh wants to keep the tradition of celebrating Nowruz (New Years) but in their home country style, not the American way. I don’t blame Firoozeh because she only wants to keep her tradition and nobody has time for it anymore. Firoozeh feels that the excitement of Nowruz disappeared when they came to America. Firoozeh described it as a holiday that was gone in air. Firoozeh is pretty excited that Christmas is just around the corner. Firoozeh wants to make time for traditional occasions so they won’t forget who they are.

Personal Connection: I can connect to this quote because even though I was born here with a lot of other kids and teenagers, our parents still want us to celebrate Eritrean traditions because we don’t want to lose our cultural background and forget where we came from and who we are. Eritreans in America still celebrate their traditions even though people in Eritrea celebrate them as well. We all are like one nation, and we are all in this together. Sometimes Eritreans will have traditional parties and picnics but it’s for an important reason. I also still go to an Eritrean church for special occasions but I mainly go to a Greek Orthodox Christian church. This is all related to different traditions that we celebrate, but it’s not only what you look like it’s where you came from.

Question: If your family came from a foreign country, would you still celebrate some traditional holidays even though you might be busy? Why or why not?


Quote #2: Any immigrant who comes to this country and becomes a citizen and doesn’t vote, according to him, should just go back. –Firoozeh –Page 118

Significance: This quote relates to the question, “Why have the characters in your book come to America?” Firoozeh’s dad is serious about the economy and he wants every citizen in America to vote. Firoozeh thinks that her dad is strict because coming to America means having economic oppurtunities to him. He can vote for what type of president he wants, so that he can have a say in how the president should make America a better place to live. This quote shows how much Firoozeh’s dad cares about the economy and education for his kids.

Character Judgement: Firoozeh thinks that her dad is over -reacting about people who don’t vote to leave to another country to see how it feels like. It may seem like a little issue but here in America especially now days the economy is in a bad situation. So we really needed people to vote for the best president who will lead us in the right path to success. Now that Obama is president, everybody is in the right hands. I can see why Firoozeh’s dad would get upset about the economy because it affects everybody, especially the immigrants.

Question: Are your parents like Firoozeh’s dad, who always talks to you about the economy and how you should vote?