Where we live

[mamculuna]

I've been completely overwhelmed by Reading Lolita in Tehran. It's the kind of book that makes me have to get up and pace around every fifteen minutes or so while I'm reading. I keep thinking of my students in Beijing, which by 1994 certainly was nowhere near as difficult as her experience, but so much is similar--the idea that these old boys (Fitzgerald, etc.) could really be subversive, the semi-clandestine meetings in someone's home, the joy of meeting minds. But above all, the seriousness of the class. I saw this also in Africa. We don't realize here how every flip comment betrays our privileged status.

That ideas can have meaning, that a book is worth a life.

Comments

[haytanbello.livejournal.com]

I heard an interview with the author -- I can't remember where -- and it was fascinating.

When I was a little kid I was pretty sure that one day I'd have to face severe persecution and probably torture because of the beliefs I received from my fundamentalist missionary parents. Partly as a result, I identify strongly with people in situations such as those described in Reading Lolita. Would I have the courage to defy the authorities? Would I be able to stand myself if I didn't? What would life be worth if I couldn't muster the courage?

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I agree--I admire the people who keep their integrity in those situations so much. At the same time, I know that there are those who had to sacrifice their personal desire to speak out because they couldn't put family at risk. It's a terrible choice, and it affects the people in the country for years afterward.