Identity or Identities?

       The question that arose in class that was of particular interest to me was the one dealing with the debate on whether or not we can have two identities - or is there always a pressure to choose between one or the other? I am currently struggling with this issue in my own life, and often find myself asking whether or not I can continue to be both things.  

       In high school, I began dating someone that was in college.  Being a part of two different worlds seemed only temporary - because that following year I would be able to join him at school and become a part of the same world.  We would be able to share in more experiences together and grow closer.  Little did I know that my life would change drastically that following year ...

Currently, my boyfriend is enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He left for K9 training in San Antonio, Texas the week of our spring break.  He will remain there until June and then be stationed on a military base until he is shipped out to Afghanistan by the end of the year - where he will spend the following 7 months fighting.  The next four years of my life I will spend little time with Ryan.  Although it seems that I have assumed an identity that does not fit well with the identity of college student at 19, both identities have become such a significant part of me that I could never bring myself to choose between them. 

       The reason that this relates to the initial question is that fact one of my most domineering identities is that of Marine's girlfriend. However, I have to learn to balance that with my other identity as first year college student.  While my family and friends push me to experience the fullness of the college life and to take advantage of every opportunity, I find it difficult to just go out and have a good time knowing that Ryan cannot do the same.  There will always be that part of me that wants to be carefree and just have fun with my friends, being social and having no ties to anything serious.  I know, however, that this is not the right path for me because I cannot picture my life without Ryan.  I am committed to both identities because together, they make me who I am - and I refuse to allow anything to come between that. 

    In response to the initial question, I believe that a person can assume two identities and remain committed to both.  There will always be those outside pressures, trying to persuade you to come to a decision.  And as humans, to rid our lives of all that is complicated seems like the easier road to take at times.  However, what many fail to realize is the fact that life is all about the challenge and overcoming the many hardships we are faced with at any given time.  Defining our true identity means acknowledging our positive emotions and learning to accept difficulty with open arms. Regardless, we have to learn to balance the identities we chose and the ones that happen without our knowledge. I chose to go to college, but I also happened to care for someone who had to grow up quicker than I did. We will always be pulled in different directions, testing our boundaries, uncovering more identities--but these remind us of what defines humanity: we have the capacity to be more than ordinary, so take advantage of that and don't run from the things that make you who you are. 

       

Do Opposites Attract?

       Twinkle and her husband Sanjeev were recently married, and they are just moving into their new home - a place where they will begin their life together.  From the very beginning, we sense tension in the way the couple speaks to one another.  

     Twinkle, on the one hand, is curious and open minded about the exciting religious statues and pictures that she keeps finding within her new home.  She wonders about the previous owners and what these items must have meant to them.  She ponders the thought that they may have left these items in "an attempt to convert people." Sanjeev is less than amused ... "Now, look", he says, "I will tolerate, for now, your little biblical menagerie in the living room.  But I refuse to have this displayed in our home."  

       It is obvious to the reader that Sanjeev and Twinkle just do not share the same viewpoints on certain things.  It's the little things that really seem to irritate one spouse about the other. Twinkle is a very easy going person - she is imaginative, curious, and spends a lot of time doing things her own way.  She does not use recipes when cooking meals, and she drops ashes on the ground when she smokes her cigarettes.  The couple, now well into the second month of their marriage, appear to be complete opposites that do not attract.  Sanjeev hates that fact that Twinkle spits a little when she speaks, and that fact that she tends to leave her undergarments at the foot of their bed, among other things.  The only thing that the two seem to have in common is their Hindu faith - but even Twinkle begins to stray a little from that.

       What I find most interesting about this couple is the fact that, as newlyweds, they cannot seem to agree on anything.  Sanjeev seems to make the little things into the big things and he can not stand the differences found between them.  It is as if they are trapped in a marriage and a home with no where to go.  They only have each other, but even that proves to be a struggle. This story goes against the cliche that tries to tell us that opposites attract.  It is possible that this cliche can hold true for some, but the relationship between Sanjeev and Twinkle is one of constant struggle and a search for common ground.  What we cannot forget in this, however, is that fact that marriage, in and of itself, is a constant struggle.  No matter how in love two people are with one another, there will always be those underlying differences that exist between either spouse.  So we must be reminded that a successful marriage is not without its hardships - we must learn to accept the differences and to reach an understanding about sharing a life together.  

     Although Sanjeev seems to have valid arguments at times regarding Twinkle's behavior, he must learn to communicate better in the relationship.  With the amount of tension that continues to build between them, it makes us wonder how far they will inevitably grow apart from one another if they continue to live like the present.  Both Sanjeev and Twinkle need to learn to acknowledge that marriage is hard and that each needs to work to compromise in any given situation so that success works its way into their future together. 

Shakespeare & The Modern World

      In the last two class periods, we have been discussing the importance of the modern films that have been based on the story plots of Shakespeare's works from the past.  The idea of this 'universal Shakespeare' really got me thinking about the role these films play in the modern world and how much the themes can be applied to our lives today.  Back in the time of Shakespeare, these same themes were considered for mature audiences.  The content was made for and understood mainly by adults.  This idea made me take a step back and realize how much times have changed, and how much these themes are becoming more prevalent among teens, in addition to adults. 

       The concepts of passion and jealousy are found in our everyday lives and in our modern world.  These concepts were part of relationships in the past, and will continue into the future as well.  Initially, Shakespeare's works were performed and presented close to the original text. However, as time went on, the texts have become more modernized.  This modernization of Shakespeare opens our eyes to the fact that famous historical works are still applicable to our everyday lives.  I feel that the modern films, including 'O', Ten Things I Hate About You, etc., really serve to capture this reality.  Learning about Shakespeare and studying his works offers so much more to us than just a simple English or History lesson.  In this, we are able to look past the language, and focus on the underlying message of the work being revealed to us. We become more aware of the dangers of jealousy and love.  We learn about life and the modern world from works of the past -- offering us a much greater reward.

       The whole idea of the intended audience really interests me and got me thinking about these works as well.  As the modern versions of Shakespeare's works continue to be produced, it is evident that most films are intended for teen audiences.  Is this meant to be a reflection of the changing times or is this meant to serve as the most effective way to make a profit?  Typically, teen audiences are portrayed as the biggest supporters of the growing world of entertainment.  Many teens strive to act and dress in response to what they see on the screen.  However, it must also be noted that as times change, the modern world of entertainment is exposing younger audiences to themes considered extremely mature in the past.  Teens today are 'growing up' at a faster pace than the teens of the past.  Relationships are placing more pressure on the importance of the physical, as well as the emotional, aspects.  Passion and jealousy now applies to the kinds of relationships teens are finding themselves in today. 

       So which is it? Is the world of entertainment the main component that is exposing teens to more mature themes at earlier times than in the past? Or is the entertainment world simply a reflection of the things that teens are being exposed to in the modern world, but not the actual source?