This week's readings focus on the issues of freedom and enlightenment. In Angelique Chrisafis’s essay France’s headscarf war: ‘Its an attack on freedom’ we are introduced to the problems many Muslim women in France are experiencing regarding their traditional headscarf, the hijab. Chrysalis explains that the French Republic lays a great deal of importance and focus on the separation of church and state and, therefore, do not allow any religiously affiliated clothing or items to be worn in the public work sector. However, many Muslim women are upset, embarrassed, and feel targeted by the treatment they are receiving at the hands of different institutions in France when wearing their hijab. The on-going battle between the right to religious
Sinner’s in the eyes of One “The Minister’s Black Veil,” by Nathaniel Hawthorne uses a black veil to symbolize the sins that the human may carry throughout their entire life. “ At the end of the story, as he lies dying, the Reverend Mr. Hooper says that he sees a veil on all the faces of those who are attending his deathbed. In this way, the major theme of the story is developed; that is, it is suggested that everyone wears a black veil, that everyone has a secret sin or sorrow that is hidden from all others. Everyone could, like the Reverend Mr. Hooper, cover his face with a black veil.” ( Reed 3 ).
The Crucible There is no greater fall, than a fall off a pedestal. In the play, “The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller, the protagonist John Proctor endures many struggles and as a consequence had many mistakes. Unluckily for John he was placed on a pedestal, he was viewed in the town as a religious figure. Although, through his closeted flaws he fell from his grace, that downfall eventually led to his execution.
* The article “Reinventing the veil” by Leila Ahmed discusses how the concept of hijabs has changed over time. Back then many people had the assumption the veils would
The Minister Black Veil Mr. Hooper put on the black veil, which changed his life until death. Although, the town knew him before the veil, their feeling changed drastically after the veil. It is human nature to judge one’s feelings by someone’s facial expressions and body language. Mr. Hooper was trying thorough symbolism to show that everyone has something to cover up. In the end, Mr. Hooper life was lonely and sacrificed, by choosing to wear the veil.
In The Minister’s Black Veil, the veil holds different meanings for the minister and for the people in his congregation. The congregation starts out confused about the meaning, and even though they get hints of the meaning over the years, they never understand it fully, and their obsessive fear of the minister continues even though he remains a good and harmless person. The minister seems to know what the symbolic meaning of the veil is, although he only reveals it slowly in bits and pieces until the climactic scene on his deathbed. He, too, views the veil with fear, because he sees it as a symbol of the secret sin in himself and everyone. In addition to the meaning the veil holds for the congregation and for the minister, it is important to consider the effect of the veil on the relationship between the two.
While I previously viewed the Muslim form of veiling as misogynistic and compulsory; however, Tamira Stephens describes that certain American Muslims see it as empowering (Stephens pg. 5). Furthermore, despite the common belief as veiling being particular to Muslims, Tamira Stephens also reports through her essay that even “more American” subcultures (the Amish) have a form of this practice much closer to my perception of misogyny (cite). Though Stephens’ comparison of the Amish and American Muslim veil serves as a means to subdue any negative stereotypes surrounding the Muslim practice, Stephens’ description of this Islamic practice of veiling can also serve as a testament to the positive effects of pluralism and equality in the United States.
According to the author’s opinion Canadian Muslim women feel the most targeted leading this to be the main issues as it is states for any head wear such as niqab or burka covering the face to be removed when receiving public services regarding identification (Shingler, 2017). Despite, the author being able to relate to the controversial topic he is able to incorporate statements from those who are not in favor of the new bill. In summary, CBC News author Benjamin Shingler uses statements from Quebec’s government and Muslim Canadians grasping a better understanding of both viewpoints. As a result, the issue seen is being examined through a micro-level as looking beyond a problem and looks at cause and effect for individuals throughout society.
How would you feel if you was being judged on what you wear? Well in the allegory The Minister’s Black Veil contains a deep moral message. Nathaniel Hawthorne tells about tells about a man of the name Mr. Hooper that has a black veil was rejected not only by his finance but his people, because they ask him to remove the veil but he didn't want to. That got me thinking because these people flee England to be free but when they see something different they were very quick to deny.
“ We magnify the flaws in others that we secretly see in ourselves” -Baylor Barbee. In “ The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the main character Reverend Hooper is alienated by his community because he is the wearer of a mysterious black veil. Reverend Hooper is the reverend of his community’s church and has always been well respected by his surrounding peers. One day, Hooper shows up to his church and preaches the sermon wearing a mysterious black veil causing his peers to alienate him. Throughout the story, Hooper’s actions portray just how judgmental our society really is.
In 1939, Reza Shah’s unveiling declaration sparked a worldwide debate as to what the veil actually symbolizes. Ever since the beginning of Islam, women throughout the Islamic world have had to adopt the hijab as part of their cultural and religious attire due to various interpretations of the Islamic dress code. In addition, the Koran emphasizes purity in the name of Islam by asking both men and women to be modest when it comes to the way they dress. Furthermore, in his efforts to modernize Iran, Reza Shah failed to satisfy the needs of his people, as he gave women no say in what they could and could not wear in public. This eventually resulted in the division of Iranian women, as there were those who favored the Islamic tradition, and those who supported the regime and its adoption of Western values.
The issue of the veil has come to represent the essence of Islam, not only to the West, but also to Muslim Conservatives and Fundamentalists. To some in the West, the veil represents repression and constriction of women’s freedom and choice, limiting their capacity for self-determination. However, some Muslims would argue that women must veil because it is a first step towards restoring true Islam and a defiance against the West Interventionist policies (Lazreg, Why Women Should Not Wear the Veil, pg. 113). Additionally, the idea of freedom as the ultimate value, is a western standard and that for some, piety is more important. Lila Abu-Lughod and Marnia Lazreg have contrasting views on the veiling of Muslim women and the affects it has on their lives.
Mr. Hooper wore the veil for his own sin but tried to use it to make people realize the deep sins that are kept within themselves that need to be shown. When Mr. Hooper first show cases the black veil he opens his most significant sermon by discussing "secret sins" which makes the congregation speculate as to what his sin might be. However, the impact of his sermon made with the presence of the veil gives it a powerful meaning. The black veil will soon turn on Mr. Hooper, everyone that loved him and cared for him will turn on him.
The main character in “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Mr. Hooper represents how everyone carries a sin with them but some choose to acknowledge it, while others choose to hide them. People may live for long periods of time and say that they are “free of sins”. The truth is everyone carries a sin with them, they just choose to not acknowledge it. This world is filled with people with sins, they may be horrible, while others are not so significant, and others are shared. When people tell their sins to the world everyone looks at them like if they are the devil themselves, or if one did have a sin everyone tries to figure out what that sin is, forgetting that them, themselves also carry sins, but it is much easier to acknowledge others sins.
It was later called The Islamic Revolution” (Satrapi 3). The readers see right away that every students entered school was asked to wear veil due to the fact that “1980: The Year it became obligatory to wear the veil at school” (Satrapi 3). The veil symbolizes the restriction of social liberties for
