Wednesday 22 January 2014

ISU Check #2

Sara Banerji's novel Shining Hero revolves around many characters living both the poor and rich life in India and how their worlds collide around a scandal. Throughout the novel, there are many different examples of how Indian culture displays gender and the meaning of family.

Banerji displays this through the marriage of Koonty and Pandu how differently each sex is treated within an Indian family. If it was found out that Koonty had had a child with another man before their wedding, her life would have been ruined. She would not be able to wed, her parents would exile her out of shame and the town would shun her. While on the other hand, Pandu is able to come home every night from a brothel smelling like the perfume of another woman without any consequences whatsoever. There is a clear distinction here on who holds power over who in the marriage based on how a woman is expected to be faithful, proper and conservative and a man can do whatever he wishes. Also, when Pandu dies, the money of the household goes to their 8 year old son because no one would leave money to a woman.

Overall, this novel taught me a lot about Indian culture and how harshly woman can be treated even within their own family






Tuesday 21 January 2014

Does Tuition Compromise Learning?

If you are like me, you have probably thought about your education after high school quite a bit. You have also probably thought about how much of a financial strain it is to continue your education.

Even if you are an intelligent individual, get accepted to a college or university, there still is the question of whether or not you can afford it. Even though there are student loans that someone can use to put them through schooling, they are in debt until they have a stable career and can pay them off. If people wanted to create a brighter future for our generation and the next, why would they compromise our right to continue our learning?

For example, in my family, my parents have 3 daughters that are 15, 16 and 18 years old and they want to pay for the first few years of university for each of us. My first sister is already at university and my parents are already incredibly nervous about saving for when myself and my younger sibling go. It does not just put stress on the students it puts stress on the parents as well. I also have a cousin who went to school off of student loans to become a teacher. He is now in huge debt and is struggling to find a job.

Education for a better future should not be based on whether or not you can afford it. It should be based on whether or not a person has the grades and is willing to further their learning. Tuition should be lowered in order for the next generation to realize their potential.