Right now I am reading Infidel, an autobiography by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and of course I am reading Romeo and Juliet as well. Infidel is about this women's life growing up in a very strict Muslim household in Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya. She had a terrible childhood, but she begins to overcome this, and escapes the worst of her past. The two books are very different, but I did notice some similarities. This was between Ayaan's childhood, and Juliet's, and how their family's beliefs are sort of similar.
One similarity is the overall expectations of them in life. They are expected to get married, have children, and that is it. Their parents keep talking to them about how many girls their age have already married, and have kids. For example, Lady Capulet says to Juliet in Act 1, Scene 3, “Well, think of mariage now. Younger than you/Here in Verona, ladies of esteem/Are made already mothers.” Ayaan’s parents are very similar, they also do not expect anything more of their daughter than to get married to the right person and have kids.
Another similarity is how both of the daughters, in their own ways, do expect more out of life than that, and want to go further. Ayaan had a terrible childhood. She grew up with her mother beating her, and she has never been allowed to do anything. Her mother was miserable and took it all out on Ayaan. After this, Ayaan realized that she did not want to be anything like her mother. She wanted to get an education, and actually do something with her life. Unfortunately, when Ayaan suggested that she get a job, her mother bought padlocks to put on her door, and locked Ayaan up in her room for days. She feels it is inappropriate for a women to have a job and support herself without a husband. Juliet loves Romeo, a Montague, and knows better than to ever tell her parents that she is about to marry him. They would be completely appalled, and would freak out.
This is probably more an example of cultural similarities, but part of the reason that neither of these girls are allowed to do what they wish to do is because of women’s roles in their societis, and families. For example, Ayaan’s mother had a terrible reaction when Ayaan wanted to get a job, even though Ayaan’s mother desperately needed the money. In Romeo and Juliet, an example would be the freedom that Romeo experiences everyday, compared to Juliet who cannot leave the house, except for to go to church. Another example in Infidel is through the differences of what Ayaan and her brother Mahad get to experience. Mahad has been able to go out at night till whatever time he wanted since about age fourteen. Ayaan is now seventeen, and has to sneak out to go to the movies once, and it is a pretty big deal for her.
Another similarity between the two books, is the parents views on marriage. Both sets of parents (especially the two mothers) believe that marriage is exclusively for social and economic class. Both girls also already have people chosen for them to marry. Juliet loves Romeo, never Paris, and Ayaan has never even met the guy she is supposed to marry.
In conclusion, both books take place in very different time periods and locations, yet the cultures have some minor similarities which I found very interesting. Both girls are forced to do what they do not want to, when they have bigger dreams. Luckily, Ayaan goes on to a far better future, but unfortunately Juliet dies (at least she dies with Romeo though.)
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