Everyone- don't forget to vote on Tuesday, if you haven't already!!!

Sorry for the delay of this posting, I needed some time to digest Black Hawk Down after watching it on Friday, and then was out of town. We can talk about Black Hawk Down in class on Friday, for now I'll talk about Sweet & Sour Milk.

Since all the questions about Chapter 6 are about Keynaan, I'll talk about my take on him as a character. First, the relationship between him and the General that we have discussed in class are pretty obvious. Keynaan is head of the family, as the General is father to the nation. Both are also characters that are easy to hate. But something that bothered me and that relates to the discussion on co-narcissism in class is that while it is easy to hate the person doing the horrible things, its also important to consider all the people who are not just letting this happen, but who are making it easier for them.

I wouldn't say that Loyaan or Ahmed-Wellie are as guilty as the General, but I couldn't help but be frustrated when Loyaan conceded to Soyaan's last words being "Labour is honour," or as Ahmed-Wellie calmly tells of the secret work he does dressing up torture victims. This may be why I dislike Keynaan the most- because he is both an enabler to the General and a doer to his family.

But, I do feel for these characters, even Keynaan. The situation in their country is not one with any easy solutions. I can't help but think of Faiz's "famished guards," with "their faces pale," making their "reluctant rounds." I doubt even Keynaan would choose to live as he has and is if he had a true choice in the matter.