Lyrics and link of Days Go By (Dirty Vegas)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONCY0xnefAE&feature=related

You
You
You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin
You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursed
Bitter cold within
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
You are still a whisper on my lips
A feeling at my fingertips
That's pulling at my skin
You leave me when I'm at my worst
Feeling as if I've been cursedBitter cold within
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Days go by and still I think of you
Days when I couldn't live my life without you
Without you
Without you
Without you
Without you
Without you

Oh Days!

Oh, days, come back
when we were five!
When happiness in our home
was able to thrive
The days that we enjoyed
when SAMAR was alive
The days before my beloved
went on her last drive
And before joy became
a word in our archive
Oh, present, I wish
that you had not arrived!
I never have imagined
that I would survive
a day
where in the sea of sorrow
I would dive
Oh, days, come back
to when we were five!


Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©
Summer Rays

Samar's Drawings (33), Grade 8A

عزف على قبر لارا لغسان مطر

ليس من عادة لارا أن تنام
أتراها سهرت أمس لتنهي قصة الفارس
والوردة والقصر
وأقواس الغمام،
ثم نامت عند نصف الفجر
حين انتهت القصة
وانهار الكلام؟

يا ابنتي،من يفتح الباب
وقد أقفلت دون العمر "بابا"؟
قلق قلبي على رجلك
أن يجرحها الشوك
إذا دست الترابا
من سوى"بابا"يغطي الأرض
بالورد والقلب
لكي يحميك
يا دمعة" بابا"؟

أضيئوا قناديل غربتها
وأخرجوا

إنه وقت غفوتها
واتركوني وحيدا على باب غرفتها
أستعيد تفاصيل ضحكتها
رقصتها
شعرها

...صوتها
لعلي أصير مسيحا
وأصرخ :"عودي"،فتخرج من موتها

ما هي نتيجة اهمال الوالد لعائلته في كل من طرطوف و بقايا صور؟

منذ بداية الدهر الى الآن تعريفنا لواجبات الأب لم تتغير، فالأب يعرف برب الأسرة الذي يصرف على عائلته و يحميها. ربما يكون قد تغير تعريف الأب عبر السنين نتيجة التطور فى حركة المرأة، ولكن أساس تعريف الأب لا تزال تقوم على الحماية والصرف. ربما علينا تغيير تعريفنا للأب لأن هناك الكثير من الآباء اللذين لا يستطيعوا ان يتحملوا المسؤولية. المجتمع يتوقع من الوالد، أن كان مسؤولاً أو غير مسؤولاً، ان يقوم بهذا الدور المتطلب، فعندما الأب الغير المسؤول لايلبي احتياجات عائلته لأسباب شخصية، تكون النتيجة الهلاك للعائلة. فى هذا الوضع العائلة تدفع العائلة ثمنا باهظا و قاسيا نتيجة أسباب اللأب الشخصية. فى الرواتيين طرطوف لمولير و بقايا صور لحنا مينة نرى ابوين مهملين لعائلتيهما، و لكن قد تكون طريقة الاهمال. فما ماهي نتيجة اهمال الوالدين فى الرواتيين؟

طرطوف تحكي قصة عائلة ارستقراطية فرنسية يرأسها الوالد اورغون الذى خدعة رجل دين يدعي طرطوف. تبدأ القصة بحوار ساخن بين مدام برنيل، والدة اورغون، وأفراد اسرة اورغون حيث شنت هجوما عنيفا عليهم لانهم لم يروا طرطوف فى نفس الطريقة التى كانت تراه بها. فكانوا يرونه كمنافق ودجال ونذل، أما برنيل فكانت تراه فى غاية النبل والقداسة. كان اورغون خارج البيت أثناء الشجار فلما عاد الى البيت و سأل عن طرطوف قيل له ان زوجته مريضة ولكنه لم يهتم واستمر فى اسئلته عن طرطوف. دون مشاروة ابنته ماريان، قرر اورغون أن يزوج ابنته لطرطوف رغم انها كانت شبه مخطوبة لحبيبها فالير. غضب فالير كثيراً لاعتقاده ان ماريان كانت موافقة، وبعد حوار ساخن تصالح الحبيبان بمساعدة الخادمة دورين. في الحقيقة كان طرطوف يحب زوجة اورغون المير، فعندما سمع داميس، ابن اورغون، طرطوف يتغزل بزوجة والده، أخبر أبيه عما سمعه، ولكنه لم يصدقه اورغون وطرده من البيت. ليطيب خاطر طرطوف، كتب اورغون كل مايملكه باسم طرطوف. خططت المير بأن تفضح حقيقة شخصية طرطوف، ونجحت خطتها التي كانت نتائجها غضب اورغون من طرطوف وطرده من البيت. ولكن طرطوف ذكره بأن البيت أصبح ملكه. فى نهاية الأمر، قبضت الشرطة على طرطوف وعرفت حقيقة أمره

اهمال اورغون لعائلته ووضع كل اهتمامه بطرطوف كان فيه ظلم لعائلته المسكينة. أولاً، اهمال اورغون لعائلته كان له نتائج سلبية على زوجته. فعندما رجع اورغون الى منزله لم يهتم بزوجته المريضة بل شغل نفسه بطرطوف. ربما لم تكن المير مريضة جدا ولكن تجاهل الزوج لزوجته له تأثير سلبي على نفسية الزوجة، فتشعر الزوجة بالاحباط لعدم اهتمام الزوج بها وقلة قيمتها عنده. ثانياً، شدة اهمال اورغون لعائلته اتاحت لطرطوف استغلال الفرصة للتحرش بالمير! ان هذه الجرأة في التحرش بالمرأة المتزوجة تأتي عندما يشعر الرجل بأن الزوج ساذج لدرجة انه لن يكشف نواياه، فطرطوف تغزل بأمرأة اورغون و هو مرتاح البال غير قلق لعلمه أن اورغون يثق به ولن يشك فى امره لشدة اعجاب اورغون به . اورغون لم يفكر في راحة زوجته و عائلته، فأسكن غريباً فى بيته واعطاه الحرية الكاملة. المير المسكينة دفعت الثمن، فكبرياؤها انجرح و كرامتها خدشت. اورغون هو السبب الغير مباشر لتحرش طرطوف بزوجته، وهو الذى يستحق اللوم. بالضافة إلى ذلك، اورغون لم يصدق ابنه داعيس عندما اخبره عما سمعه. اورغون لك يكن قادرا بأن يرى طرطوف كخائن لكنه استطاع ان يكذب ابنه، و يقسى عليه، و يطرده من البيت، ويقلل من قيمته. ولكن اللوم لايقع بأكمله على طرطوف، بل على اورغون الذى راعى مشاعر طرطوف بدلاً من مراعاة مشاعر ابنه. لم يكن داميس وحده ضحية اهمال والده، فماريان كانت ضحيه ايضاً حيث أن والدها قرر ان يزوجها لطرطوف دون ان يسألها، فاستهان رغباتها وأراد أن يغصبها على الزواج. فاورغون ولد المشاكل بين ماريان وخطيبها، وكادت ان تنتهي علاقتهما لولا مساعدة دورين، فقد كانت ماريان ستدفع ثمن اعجاب والدها بطرطوف. و اكبر أخطاء أورغون انه كتب كل مايملكه باسم طرطوف، فكانت العائلة بأكملها ستخسر كل شيئ. أن كل أفعال اورغون لها تأثير مباشر على عائلته، فانه المسؤول الأول عليهم، و لأجل ارضاء شخصاً قريباً لقلبه، اهمل عائلته، و اخفق فى اداء دوره كأب مما كان له الأثر السلبي على الأسرة بأكملها

بقايا صور هي سيرة ذاتية لحنا مينة تحكي عن طفولته المعذبة والفقر الشديد الذى كانت تعاني منه عائلته. انتقلت اسرته من بلداً الى آخر بحثاً عن لقمة العيش. وضع الأسرة المعيشي كان سيئا للغاية اذ كانوا يقطنون بمنزل بسيط ذو غرفتين، واحدة تجمع افراد العائلة والأخرى الحيوانات. و لم يكن باستطاعتهم ان يلبوا احتياجاتهم اليومية، فقد امضوا اياماً يتضورون جوعاً لعدم ايجادهم للقمة واحدة تسد جوعهم. حالة العاثلة الرديئة دفعت اخوات حنة منية للعمل كخادمات مما ادى الى تفرق الأسرة حيث كان والده يعيش حياة عابثة ، فانه لم يشعر بالمسؤولية اتجاه عائلته فقد وظيفة تلو أخرى مما اضطر عشيقته وقريب لهم مد يد المساعدة للأسرة

ان اهمال الوالد لأسرته في بقايا صور كان له نتائج وخيمة حيث جمع الوالد في شخصيته صفات عدة تؤول دون قيامه بدور الأب حسب المتعارف عليه، فكونه سكيراً، عابثاً، وأنانياً أدى إلى تقصيره فى دورة الأبوي حيث كان غير مسؤولاً اتجاه عائلته. انتقل الوالد من وظيفة إلى أخرى هرباً من المسؤوليات التى فرضتها تلك الوظيفة عليه. مثلاً، عندما كان يعمل عند المختار، وجد العمل متعباً فتركه دون التفكير بعائلته التى كانت تتضور جوعاً، بل غلبت عليه الأنانية. و هذا التصرف نتج على دفع زوجته اعالة العائلة بدلاً منه رغم ان هذه المسؤولية هي مسؤولية الأب فى الدرجة الأولى. ان عدم التزامه بالعمل كان واضحاً حيث كان يترك وظيفة تلوى الأخرى اذا اصابه الضجر دون التفكير بالعواقب، كما انه غادر البلدة عدة مرات تاركاً وراءه اسرة محتاجة و اجبر الوالد ابنتيه الصغيرتين على العمل فى بيوت الناس كخادمتين، فتحملتا مسؤولية توفير لقمة العيش بدلاً منه حيث امضى وقته بالسكر والعربده و قد اضطرت احدى ابنتيه العمل خارج البلدة التي يقطنون بها. ان اجباره لابنتيه على العمل فى سن مبكر سلب منهما الشيئ الوحيد الذى امتلكتاه وهو الألتفاف الأسري حول الأم. ان عدم اداء الأب لدوره ادى إلى حرمان أولاده من التمتع بطفولتهم البريئة و دفعهم لتحمل المسؤولية فى عمر مبكر. ان خطورة هذا الحرمان عالية حيث ان الطفولة لاتعوض، الساعة لاتعيد الزمن، وتجاوز هذه مرحلة الطفولة دون عيشها لها عواقب مستقبلية. الوالدة دفعت ثمناً عالياً نتيجة تصوفات زوجها، فاضافه إلى قيامها بدور الأب والأم فى آنٍ واحد، عانت الوالدة نفسياً، و اجتماعياً، واقتصادياً. و كثرة معاشرة زوجها للنساء أمام عينيها و على مرآة من المجتمع زاد في معاناتها. فاضافة الى تلك المعاناة عاانت أيضا من الناحية الاقتصادية ومن وحدة الفراق. جرح كبرياءها وانهدمت حياتها الزوجية ، فكان عليها ان تتعايش مع خيانة زوجها المهينة لكبرياؤها. كتابة حنه مينة لسيرته الذاتية اثبات قاطع لمدى التأثير العميق لتصرفات والده عليه وعلى اسرته بأكملها

تصرفات اورغون ووالد حنا مينة كان لهما أثر على عائلتيهما ولكن تصرفات الوالد فى بقايا صور كان لها الأثر الأبلغ حيث ان العائلة كانت تتعذب نتيجة اهماله. لم تستطيع عائلة حنا مينة تحمل تكاليف الحياة، فدفع كل فرد بدموعه ودمه وعرقه ليحييوا نتيجة انانية والدهم. أما فى طرطوف، لم تكن النتائج كارثية لهذا الحد. أولاً، مساعدة المير ودورين والشرطة منعت تحول تهديدات اهمال الوالد الى حقائق. كادت عائلة اورغون ان تخسر كل شيئ ولكن هذا لم يحدث نتيجة مساعدة المير والشرطة. و كادت ماريان ان تخسر خطيبها، ولكن دورين منعت حصول ذلك. فى بقايا صور، نرى ايضاً ان العائلة تطلعت الى اشخاص اّخرين للمساعدة، ولكن هذا لم يوقف من عذاب العائلة بل خففه. بالرغم من اهماله الرجلان لعائلتيهما، ان اورغون والوالد شخصيتان مختلفتان كلياً. اورغون اهمل عائلته لشدة سذاجته وطيبة قلبه، فانه كان يهتم بطرطوف ويشبه كأنه ابنه. ولكن هذا ليس عذراً لاهمال العائلة. اهمال اورغون لعائلته لم يكن مقصودا، بل نتج عن استغلال طرطوف لطيبة اورغون وضعف شخصيته. أما فى بقايا صور، اهمال الوالد كان متعمداً، فأنانيته جعلته لا يفكر في مصلحة أحد سواه. أننا لانستطيع ان تلقب اورغون بأناني لأنه اهتم في مصلحة طرطوف رغم انها كانت على حساب مصلحة عائلته. في نهاية القصة، ادرك اورغون اخطاءه، ولكن لا نستطيع قول نفسي الشيء عن والد حنا مينة. رغم ان اصابع الاتهام تتجه نحو والد حنا مينة على الوضع الذى كانت الأسرة عليه الا أن الوضع الاقتصادي والسياسي فى تلك الفترة لاشك أنه لعب دوراً فى رداءة حالتهم الاجتماعية. فى المقابل، ماجرى لأورغون يؤول لسذاجته فقط دون أي تأثير خارجي

يجب أن لا نلقب كل من ينجب أطفالا نستطيع ان نلقبه بالأب، فالأب هو الذى ينجب و يربي و يحمي أولاده، ويصرف عليهم. ليس كل رجلا قادراً على تحمل هذا الدور و القيام بواجباته، فربما يجب على هؤلاء ان لا ينجبوا لكي لا يتعذب أولادهم و يدفعوا الثمن.في الروايتين، نتج اهمال الوالدين بالتفكك الأسري و بعض العواقب الاجتماعية و الاقتصادية. نرى أن اورغون كان افضل كوالد من والد حنا مينة ولكنه بنفس الوقت لم يكن والداً جيداً. أما والد حنا مينة، فانه يحوز على جائزة اسوأ أب
سمر الأنصاري

الصف 12

You Listen,Still

Tonight we cried together,
my lovely,special friend.
It's rare to share true feelings;
most try to keep them in.

When all my words are sad ones,
and all my thoughts tear-filled,
it helps to know you love me,
enough to listen, still.

Others think to cheer me
they should take my thoughts away.
But my pain remains unbroken.
My words dam up and stay.

Instead you burst me open-
out come my words of grief.
I share my darkest thoughts with you,
and then I feel relief.

By Genesse Bordeau Gentry
Stars In The Deepest Night p.43

خذوني

خذوني في أحضانكم أحبائي، خذوني
ومن حبكم لابنتي ، قليلا اسقوني
وقبلات الحبيبة على وجنتي،أهدوني
وللحديث عن ذكرياتكم معها زودوني
أعلم أن شوقكم إليها دفعكم لتزوروني
وأشعر بألمكم وحزنكم ،صدقوني
أترقب لقاءكم وأنتظر حتى تأتـوني
أنتم أصدقاء حبيبتي ، نور عيوني
أحبتكم و وهبتكم لي، لتواسوني
شاكرة لكم لأنكم دوما تفتكروني
ومقدرة مشاعركم وبأنكم تقدروني
أؤكد لكم أنها سعيدة بأنكم لم تنسوني
فأهلا وسهلا بكم عندما تأتوني
.تعالوا أيها الأحباب لأضمكم و تضموني

رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)
جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة© 2010

Samar's Drawing (32),Grade 5D

Afghanistan

In April of 1978, a leftist government seized control of Afghanistan with Mohammed Nur Taraki as their prime minister. Taraki announced a revolutionary program including the emancipation of women, land reform, and a campaign against illiteracy. In addition to the fact that Taraki was running a secular government, these reforms inspired opposition from Islamic traditionalists. In response, Taraki looked to the Soviet Union for support.

In spite of both the Soviet Union’s military and economic support, the Islamic militants were gaining more and more powerful to the extent that they controlled the majority of the Afghani countryside by 1979. Civil unrest reached an acute stage when Taraki was assinated by the opposition. In response to the unrest, Taraki’s successor, Hafizullah Amin, launched a campaign of terror where he had his opponents arrested and shot. Amin became even more of a revolutionary as he swept aside Muslim tradition in an effort to make Afghanistan more Western, thus aggravating the Islamic traditionalists even more. As a result, thousands of Afghanis began to join the Mujahadeen- a guerilla force on a holy mission for Allah.

At this point, the Soviet Union faced a dilemma critical in determining its power in the region, it had to decide whether to send its troops to Afghanistan or not. Afghanistan’s strategic location made a compelling case for the Russians to send their troops. Afghanistan was a direct neighbor to the Soviet Union, and if it fell to the hands of the Mujahedeen this could lead to the invitation of a Western presence such as the US in the area. In addition, Afghanistan was neighbored by both Iran and Pakistan, countries that undermine the Soviet Union’s power in the region. Although there was a strong anti-U.S. sentiment in Iran, there was an equally strong anti-communist fervor from the Iranian Islamists. As for Pakistan, it was believed to be completely allied with American policy. On the other hand, if the S.U. sent its troops, it could face tremendous losses due to its unfamiliarity with the Afghani terrain.

Ultimately, the Soviet Union decided to send its troops to Afghanistan under the claim that they were invited and that they were supporting a legitimate government. The invasion of the Soviet troops in 1979 signified the fist invasion of the Soviets since the Warsaw Pact. The first task the Soviets wished to accomplish upon their entrance of Afghanistan was to assassinate Prime Minister Amin. Amin was believed to be conspiring with the CIA against the Soviet Union and as a result he was assassinated in December 27, 1979 and replaced with Babrak Kamal.

Civil unrest continued to increase dramatically as the Mujahadeen equipped with old rifles fought against Soviets equipped with napalm and poison gas. Even though the Soviet soldiers were much better equipped, the war was beginning to sway in the Mujahadeen’s favor due to their familiarity with the mountainous terrain.

Outside of the region, the United Nations openly condemned the Soviet invasion, but unfortunately a Security Council motion calling for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The inability of the United Nations to stop this crisis from escalating further enhances the similarities between the UN and the League of Nations. They were both flawed systems that lacked real power to implement decisions. As for the US, President Carter used economics as a political tool as he blocked all grain exports to the Soviet Union. In addition, he ended the SALT talks taking place then, and displayed his outrage of Soviet behavior on a global level by boycotting the Winter Olympics held in Moscow in 1980.

The United States wanted to get involved in the Afghani Crisis in order to stop the Soviet Union from growing as a power, but seeing as how this crisis was shortly after Vietnam, the United States would be foolish to repeat the same mistake. However, this did not mean that it would not support the Mujahedeen fighters, this only meant that they could not help them directly. Thus they chose an indirect path to help the Mujahadeen militants which was by sending financial and military support through Pakistan.

In Afghanistan, the ferocity of the war was becoming more and more severe as the Soviet casualties were becoming heavier. Thus the Soviets abandoned ground action and resorted to the airfield. As Ronald Reagan becomes US president in 1981, he increased aid to Afghani rebels and provided them with Stinger Missiles, missiles capable of shooting down Soviet helicopters. The United Nations tried once again to create peace, but the U.S. and the S.U. resisted its efforts, further demonstrating the UN’s lack of real power.

In the S.U., propaganda was telling civilians that their troops were going to Afghanistan to build roads, but as more and more soldiers returned home, more people began to know the truth.

The war in Afghanistan continued well into the late 1980s as more and more foreign aid began to spill into the country. On one hand, the Russians under new leader Gorbachev, was financing the communist government, and on the other hand the US, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China were financing the Mujahadeen. Foreign aid continued despite the Geneva Accord of 1988 prohibiting such finances.

Finally, towards the end of the 1980s Gorbachev pulled Russia out of Afghanistan under the terms of the 1988 agreement knowing that it could not possibly win the war. Even after the Soviet pullout, there remained a high level of unrest in Afghanistan as the Mujahadeen was at war itself with the emergence of the Taliban.

The Afghani war resembled a fire that continued to be fueled by foreign aid. This fire not only produced Afghani death tolls in the million range, but it also led Afghanistan to be the largest refugee group in the world. More than 10 years after the end of the war, 2.6 million Afghanis live in exile. The Afghani war signifies to me the most extreme of the Cold War events as it clearly shows the ruthless extent in which both super powers will go to flaunt their power.

Sources Used:
Behnke, Alison. Afghanistan in Pictures. Minneapolis: Lerner Publication Company, 2003.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/20/
http://www.pwc.k12.nf.ca/coldwar/plain/afghanistan.html
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/afghanistan.htm
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569370_10/Afghanistan.html#p122

Primary Sources:
Cnn interview with Valentin Varennikov for COLD WAR in August of 1997
Brezenski memos to Carter on Afghanistan courtesy of http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/20/

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

Sharing

Today,my friend,we chanced to meet

and tears in your eyes.

You'd just been to the grave side

of my daughter,who had died.



From your saddened visage,

clear,again,it was to see

you also loved my daughter,

and you cried for her,and me.



This accidental meeting

helped connect us through tears.

Lori's spirit shines within us;

in our friendship,she appears.

By Genesse Bordeau Gentry

Stars In The Deepest Night, P 42

Gatsby's Eulogy

Gatbsy’s Eulogy, delivered by Nick Carraway who was put on spot at the funeral. People present: Gatsby’s father, the minister, and Nick.


“ (Clears throat) I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jay’s house as empty as it is today. The life, fun, and excitement that have become characteristics of Gatsby’s beloved house seem to have passed with Jay. I remember the first time I came here was when I attended one of Jay’s famous parties. At that party, I could barely move because of the amount of guests. To speak to the person sitting beside me, I would have to shout, but now my words can get across to you two with a hushed whisper. Do not be fooled by the empty seats for Jay Gatsby was a name that slipped off everybody’s tongue at one point in time. (Nick looks at a wine stain on a carpet and remembers Gatsby’s parties).

Jay will always be remembered for his generosity. For he continuously opened the doors of his home to the public, providing them with entertainment, leisure, and endless nights of glamour. He was one of the wealthiest men I knew, but unlike my other wealthy acquaintances, Jay shared his wealth with everyone. Jay’s cars, servants, and other of his belongings were at the dispense of his acquaintances. I remember once Jay bought a complete stranger a brand new designer dress because she had torn hers at one of his parties. Only white hearted men are capable of such generosity. Jay always listened to his heart and not his mind; he was a slave of his own heart.

I don’t know if I am the right person to be delivering this eulogy due to the short period of time I have known Jay. His life was such a blur to me, but the mysteriousness of his identity did not blind me of his great attributes. His kindness, determination, and extraordinary achievements were evident whenever I conversed with him. (Looks outside window and sees yellow police tape around pool).

Not long ago, I remember being told that Jay was in fact Kaiser Wilhelm’s nephew. Rumors grew in number day by day, and each one was more preposterous than the other. The residents of East Egg and West Egg occupied themselves with unraveling Jay’s identity, and spread rumors in order to quench their dying thirst for entertainment. These people disappeared at the most inopportune time. How I would have loved for them to be here and discover that Jay Gatsby was not the nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm, but merely a boy with a dream. (Looks down at Gatsby’s body and puts a hand on his coffin).

I shall wipe the foul dust off your coffin dear friend (wipes coffin).Your body is no longer tainted, you can finally let it all go. Goodbye old sport.

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

You Will Heal

Words of advice like
“You will heal”
To a grieving mother
are so unreal.
Is her heart
made of steel?
Or of layers
that she can peel?
Grief to mothers
is like a spinning wheel.
No one can appreciate the pain
she feels
Or the agony
that is felt and she conceal.
Do not advise a grieving mother
I appeal
And tell her that one day
“You will heal.”

Randah R. Hamadeh, 2009, Copyright©

Summer Rays p63

Written in loving memory of my daughter,
Samar Ahmed Al Ansari

Slipping Through My Fingers

February 2010

Gatsby-Instructions for the Gatsby Household

Kitchen Staff

Wash hands in warm soapy water before performing any task.
Wipe and polish all appliances to a shine.
Go to market five times weekly and purchase a variety of food and ingredients regardless of the price. Necessities include Beluga caviar, Alaskan smoked salmon, and prime rib.
Go to liquor store four times weekly and buy enough champagne, scotch, wine, and gin to keep the cellar full.
Carefully prepare Mr. Gatsby’s meals making sure to always add elements of color. Use a lot of colorful vegetables, and if necessary, food coloring.
Place a bouquet of flowers on Mr. Gatsby’s breakfast tray every morning.
Garnish all of Mr. Gatsby’s plates with parsley and lemon wedges.
Dispose of items after they have been used once.
Wipe all china and crystal twice daily.
Polish silverware daily.
Scrub floors and counters every two hours and a half.
NEVER present Mr. Gatsby with food from a previous meal.


Cleaning Staff

Scrub all floors, wipe all windows, and polish all furniture before Mr. Gatsby’s time of awakening.
Dust Mr. Gatsby’s master bedroom twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Dust all other rooms once daily. Important note: Use vacuum cleaner only when Mr. Gatsby is out in order to not disturb him.
Clean Mr. Gatsby’s bathroom after every time he uses it.
Clean other bathrooms daily.

Wardrobe Staff

Wash Mr. Gatsby’s dirty clothes daily. Imp note: Do not wait for more clothes to accumulate; you must wash every item of clothing as soon as it is given to you.
Add a touch of lavender to every load of wash.
Press and iron every item of clothing twice, in order to make sure that it is completely wrinkle free.
Shine Mr. Gatsby’s shoes daily.
Remove hair from Mr. Gatsby’s hair brush twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Pick out outfit for Mr. Gatsby every night in order for him to wear it the following day.
Place his pajamas on the right side of his bed everyday at promptly 9 pm.

Gardeners

Cut grass every morning.
Water plants three times daily.
Arrange bouquet of colorful flowers from the garden every morning at 6 am and present it to one of the kitchen staff members.
Tend to the hedges, bushes, and plants twice daily.
Important Note: If flowers do not seem to be blooming, purchase flowers from florists and plant them.

Chauffeurs

Wash cars twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Imp Note: Make sure that the cars shine.
ALWAYS open the door for Mr. Gatsby.
Fill the cars with petrol every night.
Pick up and drop Mr. Gatsby’s guests whenever instructed to do so.

Party Staff

NEVER leave a guest empty handed. Plates and glasses must be filled at all times.
Clean up any and all messes made.
Do not make conversation with any of the party guests; you are there to serve them.
Do not eat or drink until instructed to do so.

General Instructions

Always greet Mr. Gatsby whenever you see him.
Do not make direct eye contact with him.
Refer to him as Sir.
Wipe your feet before entering the house.
Maintain a clean and attractive appearance.
Do as instructed by Mr. Gatsby or myself without asking questions.
REMEMBER: Mr. Gatsby’s manor has to appear clean, shiny, and attractive at all times. In order to so you must follow all instructions exactly.

Samar Al Ansari

12 IB

Gatsby-Essay

What purpose was Fitzgerald trying to fulfill by using both unrealistic and disillusioned characters?

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a man who spends most of his life trying to fulfill his dreams. Gatsby spends his youth trying to fulfill his dream of belonging to the high class of society. Eventually Gatsby does become a wealthy man, but nonetheless he cannot fit into the social class he desires to be a part of, thus his dream is only partially fulfilled. In addition, Gatsby has a strong desire to gain Daisy’s love, but unfortunately his dream is not fulfilled. Numerous characters throughout the novel have certain dreams they wish to achieve, but what differs from character to character is the way in which he/she approach his/her dreams. Some characters are unrealistic and believe that their desires are within their reach, while other characters are more realistic and practical in their approach. Fitzgerald deliberately uses both unrealistic and realistic characters in order to show the reader that one can only obtain one’s heart’s desire when one is realistic. The ways in which Myrtle Wilson, Gatsby, and Daisy Buchanan approach their desires clearly show the contrast between unrealistic and realistic behavior.

Myrtle Wilson, the wife of a poor, unsuccessful blue collar worker, wants nothing more than to escape the unsatisfactory life of the working class. She meets Tom Buchanan, and shortly after, he is not a mere lover, but a means of escape. Myrtle, being naïve, actually believes she can obtain her heart’s desire. She approaches things in an unrealistic manner and convinces herself that she is getting what she always wanted. By acting the part of a wealthy woman belonging to the upper class of society, she believes she can eventually become one. During her outing with Tom and Nick, Myrtle clearly tries to act out the role of a wealthy woman by purchasing items she believes upper class women purchase. This is shown through Nick’s comment: “At the news-stand she bought a copy of ‘Town Tattle’ and a moving picture magazine and, in the station drug store, some cold cream and a small flask of perfume” (pg 31). Myrtle, the victim of illusion, cannot see things as they are. She sees Tom as her savior and truly believes that she will be able to escape her unhappiness. She fails to see the obstacles that prevent her from obtaining her heart’s desire. Tom would never leave his wife, especially for someone from Myrtle’s social class. Tom poured dust in her eyes and blinded her to the truth by telling Myrtle that he is not able to divorce Daisy, his wife, because she is of the Catholic faith. Myrtle foolishly believes him and by convincing herself of his love for her, she thinks she can obtain her heart’s desire.

Not only is Myrtle unrealistic, so is her sister Catherine as she truly believes that her sister will eventually become Tom’s wife; “When they do get married,’ continued Catherine, ‘they’re going West to live for a while until it blows over” (pg 38). Catherine’s optimistic way of thinking embodies the thoughts of many belonging to Catherine and Myrtle’s social class at the time. Everyone is under this illusion of prosperity and believes that their desires will be met. When Wilson finds out about Myrtle’s affair, Myrtle responds by running out to Gatsby’s car, believing it to be Tom’s. Myrtle approaches the situation unrealistically believing that Tom would save her, and as a result, she is killed. Myrtle’s death clarifies to the reader Fitzgerald’s view on unrealistic approaches; he believed they would ultimately lead to the downfall of the person and prevent him from obtaining what he truly wants.
Gatsby is the epitome of the unrealistic character. His ridiculously high expectations of Daisy prevent him from obtaining her love. Gatsby’s desire t o repeat the past, “Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredously. “Why of course you can!” (pg 116), clearly shows how out of reach Gatsby’s expectations are. He too, blinded by the dust of illusion, spends much of his adult life chasing after a desire that he can not obtain due to his unrealistic expectations. This is shown in Nick’s observations: “There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams-not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (pg 101). Nick’s statement is yet another example of Fitzgerald’s thoughts on the matter. Many agree that Nick’s narration is a reflection of Fitzgerald’s thoughts due to the similarities between Nick and Fitzgerald, thus this comment exhibits Fitzgerald’s opinion. Fitzgerald believed that Gatsby would continue to be disappointed because of his expectations, and thus could never obtain the ‘Daisy’ he idealized in his head. Gatsby idealizes his love for Daisy to the extent that he believes that their love is stronger than the forces of reality. Not only is Daisy married, but she belongs to a completely different social class. Nick’s comment, “He wanted nothing less of Daisy that that she go up to Tom and say: I never loved you” (pg 116), clearly demonstrates Gatsby’s unrealistic expectation of Daisy to disregard Tom and her marriage. Gatsby expects Daisy to confront her husband and confess the affair as well as tell him that she never loved him. That was extremely naive of Gatsby; he wants it all and is so blinded to the reality of the matter that he actually believes he can get Daisy in the end.
Daisy is quite a complex character, for she is torn between two conflicting desires. Daisy’s heart is torn between her need for security and her desire for love. Her desire to love Gatsby represents her unrealistic approach, while her desire for security represents her realistic approach. Before Daisy receipt of Gatsby’s letter on her wedding night, she was on her way to obtaining security. She was going to marry a wealthy man from a similar social level. Even though Daisy did not love Tom in the way that she loved Gatsby, Tom ultimately provided her with her needs; she was being realistic. But upon her receipt of the letter, Daisy gets drunk and goes astray of her path to achieving security. This is shown through Daisy’s order, “ ‘Take ‘em downstairs and give ‘em back to whoever they belong to. Tell ‘em all Daisy’s change’ her mine. Say ‘Daisy’s change’ her mine!’ ”(pg 81). Under the influence of alcohol, Daisy could not see things clearly and was under the illusion that her happiness could be fulfilled by Gatsby, thus she turned to the desire of love. After an extreme effort on Jordan Baker’s part, the effects of alcohol wore off, and Daisy pursued her desire for security by marrying Tom. Several years after her marriage to Tom, Daisy reignites her desire for love upon her affair with Gatsby.

In the confrontation scene between Tom and Gatsby, the transformation of Daisy is evident; she went from an unrealistic girl to a realistic woman. She is forced to make a choice between her two desires, and ultimately she chooses security. In Gatsby’s attempt to get Daisy to confess their love, “ Daisy that’s all over now-just tell the truth” (pg 139), his unrealistic approach is clearly demonstrated. Daisy at this point is still pursuing the unrealistic desire for love. This is demonstrated through her denial of her love for Tom: “She looked at him blindly. ‘Why,-how could I love him-possibly?”(pg 139). Fitzgerald’s deliberate use of ‘blindly’ clearly exhibits the absence of clarity in Daisy’s thought. Through Daisy’s reluctant statement, “I never loved him.’ She said, with perceptible reluctance” (pg 139), it is clear to the reader that Daisy is beginning to turn to the more realistic desire for security. The ‘dust in her eyes’ begins to wash away as Daisy realizes the true consequences of her actions: if Tom was lost to her, so was her security. The final comment from Daisy, “ ‘Even alone I can’t say I never loved Tom,’ she admitted in a pitiful voice. ‘It wouldn’t be true’ ”(pg 142), marks her transformation and her choice to pursue security. . At this point, Daisy realizes what she is about to do. In an instant her security could be taken away from her; thus this confrontation was Daisy’s moment of clarity. As for Gatsby, he continued to be blinded. Tom’s comment, “Go on. He won’t annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over” (pg 142), is highly ironic because Gatsby continued to be blinded; he does not undergo a transformation as Daisy did.
Gatsby and Myrtle, victims of the destructive force of illusion, did not obtain their hearts’ desires at the end. In fact, they both were killed. As for Daisy, she managed to cling on to her security by maintaining a realistic approach. Some might encourage Gatsby and Myrtle’s way of thinking and might label it as optimism, but their optimism only brought them death. Some might refer to Daisy as a pessimist, but as the philosopher Noir once said, “Pessimist is a word used by optimists to describe someone who sees the world for what it really is.” [1]



[1] “The Best Quote Posters, ” The Board of Wisdom, < start="11&topic=" listname="Quote%20Posters"> , October 28

Samar Al Ansari
12 IB

A Quote

To the whole world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the whole world


By Heather Cortez

انزعي القناع

أنت بكل خطوة إياي ترافقين
أنا معك أينما ذهبت،تأخذين
بكل لحظة اسمي ، تهمسين
وطوال اليوم لي تشتاقين
والعبرات التي علي تذرفين
تروي وسادتي التي إليها تلجئين
ومع صورتي يوميا تتكلمين
وبالشعر إياي دائما تخاطبين
لكن اسمي أمام الناس، بت لا ترددين
وأصبحت سرا من الأسرار تخفين
وإن تضايقت، أمامهم تصمتين
لأنك على مشاعرهم تحرصين
أمي، اخلعي القناع الذي تلبسين
لقد تعبت وأنت من أجلهم تمثلين
اذرفي الدمع علنا لكي ترتاحين
ابكي! فبكل دمعة همك تغسلين
وتخففي اللهيب الذي به تحترقين
انزعي القناع الذي وراءه تختبئين
أخشى بأنك في يوم قد تمرضين
ورغما عنك، الفراش تلازمين
حينها، إخوتي وأحبائك ستؤلمين
حتى أنا، وإن كنت عند رب العالمين
إذا انزعي القناع ، كفاك أمي تتعذبين

رنده ربحي حماده
(أم سمر)
جميع الحقوق محفوظة للمؤلفة© 2010

Cats by Samar Al Ansari,Grade 1 (8/8)

Cats by Samar Al Ansari, Grade 1 (7/8)