My Identity In A Blog

Part 1) Does Marjane’s identity shift throughout the story? Cite passages that demonstrate this shift? Why do you think this shift occurs? Are there parts of Marjane’s identity that come from factors that she didn’t choose? What are some of these?
In Marjane’s memoir her identity shifts throughout the story, all starting at the beginning. “At the age of six I already was sure I was the last prophet. This was a few years before the Revolution.” (pg. 6) During this time she said that God would visit her, and then eventually she shifts and God does not come back to visit her. “Maybe I will be even better as Fidel Castro! Where are you? …God where are you? That night he did not come” (pg. 16-17) As her story moves on she then shifts into this rebellious persona that gets her into a lot of trouble. “…In spite of everything, kids were trying to look hip, even under risk of arrest.” (pg. 112) This is when she decided to skip class so that she could hangout with her older friends. Then in doing so she got into trouble with her mother and the school. Eventually she gets into much more trouble with how she dresses and her beliefs, she gets into so much trouble that her parents decide to send her away.

Part 2) What parts of your identity come from factors you didn’t choose?
Frankly I do not believe that there are really any parts of my identity that I got to choose. I have started to notice how similar my mom and I are. We are both very creative people. Then when someone asks for some help we are always the people that come to him or her and do whatever it takes to get their project done.

Have people you have known ever had a negative reaction to these factors?
The only people that have ever had any problems with me helping someone out would be when my friends would want to hang out and I was busy with helping someone. But they would get over it. It has never been anything really serious.

How much control does someone have over their own identity?
I do not believe that anyone has much control over his or her personality. I think their families, friends, and things that happen around them form someone’s personality.