Respond in a well-organized essay, and make sure your answer is written in complete sentences.
Respond to one of the questions below. Include at least two supporting details or examples.
A. In “The Literature of the Middle East and South Asia,” Laura Winkiel writes: “These stories help us to understand the complex questions that Middle Easterners and South Asian people ask as they stand at a crossroads of cultural and religious change.” Explain how this statement applies to one of the selections you read. Be sure to include the title of the selection and explain the crossroads that it illustrates.
B. Setting and mood are important elements in many of the stories in this unit. Choose one story and describe some aspects of its setting: where it takes place; what mood is created by the details of weather, place, and time; and how this setting helps to convey the theme of the story.
C. What did you learn about the role of women in the societies described in the reading selections in this unit? Describe how the women cope with the conflicts they encounter.
Note: If you respond to essay (C), you may not choose the similar essay in the Unit 3 Unit Test.
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In Laura Winkiel's essay "The Literature of the Middle East and South Asia," she discusses how stories from these regions can help us understand the complex questions that people in these areas ask as they navigate cultural and religious change. This idea is exemplified in the short story "The Kite" by Aliyyah Eniath. Set in Trinidad, the story follows the protagonist Leela as she grapples with the expectations placed upon her as a young Indian woman in a changing society.
"The Kite" illustrates the crossroads of cultural and religious change through Leela's internal conflict as she struggles to navigate the traditional values of her family and community with her desire for personal freedom and independence. Leela's mother, Ma, represents the traditional expectations placed on women in their society - to prioritize family duties and adhere to cultural norms. On the other hand, Leela's friendship with her neighbor Caroline introduces her to a different way of living, one that values individual choice and self-expression.
As Leela tries to balance these conflicting influences, the setting of the story - the vibrant and multicultural island of Trinidad - plays a crucial role in conveying the theme of cultural change. The diversity of Trinidad's population, with its mix of Indian, African, and Caribbean influences, mirrors the internal conflict experienced by Leela as she tries to find her place in a society undergoing transition. The setting of Trinidad as a backdrop also emphasizes the idea of hybrid identities and the blending of different cultural traditions.
Ultimately, "The Kite" serves as a powerful exploration of the challenges faced by women in patriarchal societies as they navigate the tensions between tradition and modernity. Through Leela's journey, readers gain insight into the struggles and complexities of women's roles in the changing landscapes of Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures.