Let who you are shine through every sentence you write.

What constitutes 'good writing'? Is a 'good' piece of literature one that is easily accessible for the reader? Or is it something that should challenge the reader? To allow them to feel more knowledgeable about the given subject once they have finished reading, to provide aid or assistance in learning. Does a good piece of writing have to be enjoyed? Or can we dislike something that is undoubtedly well written - but does not concur with our ideals for the topic it focuses on. Should good writing be creative? Or factual? Should it follow a routine based on facts and truths? Or should it allow the use of similes and metaphors to delve deeper into meaning?

These are the questions that run throughout a writers mind regularly. Every word that is written is done so with the intention of being read, with the intention of being judged and with the intention of catalyzing a certain reaction from the reader. The reaction the writer aims for could be one of praise for the subject or the writers manner of presenting their attitudes on said topic. Or alternatively, the writer may wish to challenge the reader with a controversial topic or unusual writing style. With whichever style the writer may choose to develop, the universal intention of a writer is to be understood.

Thoughts and feelings are laid down on a blank piece of paper to express oneself. As artists and performers do, writers choose to unearth their desires, their goals or even their basic thoughts on everyday life onto paper and aim for their reader to relate to them, to understand them and most importantly appreciate them.

As well as an important method of communication, the written word and literature itself can serve as a wonderful method of expression. Each word that is chosen is chosen to convey a certain image. An image that the writer hopes you, as the reader will be able to envisage in your minds eye to allow you to be on the same page as the writer. Adjectives and metaphors are used to familiarise words, to allow the reader to grasp the writers intentions in creating the image in our imagination to allow the reader to immerse themselves in the text. It is with such immersion, that the reader is able to feel what the writer feels. The reader is able to appreciate and understand the reasons behind the writers use of words to feel satisfied of the shared experience between them.

Whatever reasons may form the basis of a piece of writing - it is a simple form of expression that highlights more about the intellect, philosophy and most importantly inner feelings of a person than any other actions. It is an endless art that will remain forever more.

For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.

The Woman's mission is not to enhance the masculine spirit, but to express the feminine; hers is not to preserve a man made world, but to create a human world by the infusion of the feminine element into all of its activities - Margaret Thatcher.

Recent events in my personal life have led me to question the significance of femininity in this modern life we inhabit. It seems that the world is now filled with women who are solely focused on the next step on the career ladder, completely obsessed with maintaining a stern exterior and utterly devoted to not showing any signs of weakness. Even though such women will no doubt be successful in achieving the goals they set for themselves, they seem to who have lost contact with the glorious femininity that encompasses their natural beings and differentiates them from the other.

Yet what exactly is weakness? One may define weakness as being overly emotional, perhaps not being able to make decisions based on reason or rational - but allowing oneself to be ruled by the emotions of the heart. Alternatively, another may define weakness as allowing others to affect one's direction, causing indecisiveness and vulnerability for deciding the correct path to follow for one's own future.

However we may wish to define it, I cannot help but wonder why femininity has become such a problem. In my opinion, femininity is not immovable. As with anything, it evolves with time and is reflective of the modern state. To be feminine today, is not the same as what it meant fifty or sixty years ago.

If we were to look back on women in the 1950s we may not understand why their domesticity was celebrated. We do not allow ourselves to stop to consider the lack of opportunities for them, for education or for work – but merely choose to see them as housewives. Yet if we were to consider the strength and support they provided as the 'angels of the house' - we would in fact consider them to be entirely strong admirable women who ruled their households with a precision and organisation that we can only envy in this modern world ruled by convenience.

In today’s society, and in particular when comparing one’s feminine self with others, it is strikingly obvious that at times femininity is not a positive attribute to have. Using flowering language, spending time on perfecting your look from clothes to hair to makeup, or from simply being friendly with a constant smile – all seem to shout weakness. As if in some obscure manner, being courteous and considerate automatically causes one to be weak-minded and naïve. Since when has maintaining natural feminine grace resulted in women losing their intellect or reason?

As a young woman focused entirely on my career and future, I consider it a blessing to be able to maintain courtesy and consideration in life. Without wanting to sound materialistic or shallow as some may say – I take pride in my appearance, and consider it an important tool in demonstrating my own strength of character. No single person can judge another life and consider it menial or unimportant. The fact remains, that in today’s society, it is the successful balance of the workplace and family that enables women of the twenty first century to be the strongest women the world has seen.

Role models such as Hilary Clinton and the deceased Benazir Bhutto in the political world, to literary figures like Mary Wollstonecraft to Virginia Woolf or even those millions of unknown women who continuously strive to perfect the lives of themselves and their families – the twenty first century is the ideal place for femininity. It allows successful women to balance their emotions, their goals and principles wonderfully. In such a dynamic, fast moving world – it bodes well to maintain composure in the midst of chaos in order to be truly happy in both career and personal life. It is an attribute that is innate for me, and one that I am proud to harbor.

Elegance is an attitude.

In times of stress and anxiety - femininity and grace must always overcome.

The new chapter begins...

As I write this post, my soul is infused with feelings of anxiety, anticipation and happiness. The new chapter of my life is about to begin. I am in the final sentences of my London chapter and am very much looking forward to the next.

The three years I have spent living, studying and working in the wonderful city of London have been unique. As each year progressed, I learnt that my identity is constantly developing and adapting itself to each setting in which I place myself. I am not rooted in a stable psychological state where I know myself inside and out and will never allow myself to change; but am in an interesting realm of selfhood where I realise that I am not yet entirely familiar with myself. I am excited for the changes that will occur within me as each year of my life passes, and allow such feelings of familiarity.

I know I will keep developing, moulding or adapting myself to each situation and for this I am grateful. I have spent a mere twenty one years on this planet, I am right at the cusp of my adult life. Even though I have been privileged to spend time in many different countries of the world, with some extraordinary people with diverse cultures and traditions - there is still so much more of the world that I must experience.

I look forward to more times of happiness, joy and even sadness to be able to find myself. Having not spent the first year of my life in London enjoying the unique aspects of city life, the following two years were infused with joyful times that allowed me to truly appreciate my circumstances in life and enabled the realisation that I am truly blessed. It is not necessarily true that I was ungrateful or unaware of how privileged my life was before I came to London, I was very much aware that I had much to experience outside of my life in the suburbs, but did not realise how wrong I could be about myself.

I know that this next chapter will only serve to be more life changing than the previous one. My enthusiasm and passion will work together to hopefully create an individual who appreciates every breathing second and continuously strives to maintain happiness and joy within her life.

I will love, laugh and most importantly live.

We've come to the end of the road...

And so it has finished...

The three years spent studying English Literature in Mile End are over. 'Done and dusted' would be an apt statement. Even though at times I yearned for these three years to be over so I could make my grand entrance into 'real' life, now that I am officially no longer a student, I cannot help but feel creeping anxiety spread itself throughout my mind. Having looked forward to bursting the student 'bubble' that I felt trapped in, I now find myself anxious to be protected. 

It being three weeks since I finished, these feelings seem entirely premature. Surely hope and optimism for the future should carry me for another couple of months? It seems not. 

Rather than find comfort or even a sense of achievement at finishing my degree, my thoughts are overridden by a sense of harsh reality - so what? To be a success surely you need to be doing something to get there? With competition in every industry, what do I do? 

I comfort myself with the thought that I have a degree and will be graduating soon (Looked forward to it since childhood), but am fiercely searching for my next goal!! 

British?

What does it mean to be a foreigner? Let us forget the political issues associated with immigration - but focus on the domestic, everyday aspects of living as a foreign national.

Having moved to the UK at the age of four - I am very much aware of the difficulties of living in a foreign country: that is foreign from the already established culture, race and religion of my home country. Some may argue that the younger we are, the easier it is to adapt ourselves to change. This may be the case - but one cannot help but constantly notice the vast differences between themselves and those around them. From as young as five years old - children question the differences in skin colour, hair colour, accents and even the differences of the lunch box! Surely it should be easier to adapt to the differences between humans? Are we not after all merely a fraction of the worldwide human population? How can one child be prejudiced against another merely for the reason of their birthplace?

The benefits of immigration are of course endless - the profound impact on the economic, political and social evidently proves the amelioration of cultural diversity between countries - but once more, should we not be focusing on the domestic daily issues and not the wider economic issues? The prejudices we harbour as children are maintained through to adulthood - even though we may not be aware ourselves, we always differentiate ourselves from those who do not match our cultural ideals.

The issue cannot be generalised under the broad term of 'racism' - the fact remains, that even though the world is slowly slowly decreasing in size due to the improvement of communication, increase of travel, greater influence of international figures etc - how can one adapt oneself completely to the new culture that they are plunged into?

Even though we may feel comfortable living in another country - the underlying differences in culture will always remain. Take for instance the huge growth of British expats living in the United Arab Emirates. Recent media has been infused with tales of unfair prison sentences, harsh living guidelines and cultural stigmas attached to being 'foreign' (to name but a few). Surely one would expect such conditions after moving to an Islamic country? Even if the said country welcomes the growth of foreign nationals - the fact still remains, that one must adhere to the rules of that country. In this case - one must respect the culture of the UAE. Occasions in which this respect is ignored are increasing day by day, as people seem to be blindsighted by the modern progressive surroundings to lose sight of the traditionalist culture that has built the foundation for such modernity.

Let us consider a different case: France. The large population of Algerian, Mauritian and Arab people in France enables particular focus on the significant issues of cultural diversity in a particular country. The 2004 Headscarf bad caused outrage amongst the international community. The republic of France being based on the 'liberté, egalité, fraternité' of the 1789 French Revolution, the banning of such religous symbols have been defended as merely maintainng the difference between the state and religion. Symbols include: Christain cruxifixes, Jewish skull caps, Sikh turbans as well as the controversial Islamic headscarf. But can such secularism match the multifaceted (ie multiracial) nature of France today? Even though many of the young schol girls who felt the force of the ban were born and raised in the republic - they were still isolated from mainstream society; highlighting the notion that cultures cannot integrate.

If we were to delve deeper into the controversies of our multinational world, we would find that however much we may fool ourselves into thinking ourselves progressive, broad minded or even simply welcoming of different cultures - we find ourselves rooted in our established identities. Identities moulded by feeling included in all social aspects of society. Belonging and self fulfillment are intricately linked, highlighting the significance of our connection with our surroundings.

Can one ever be multinational? Or does our comfort remain rooted in the established identity of the culture nurtured before our birth?

Tweet Tweet?

Am I yet to be enlightened about the wonders of 'Twitter'?

I have recently conformed to the new phenomenon that is 'Tweeting', but am failing to see its worth!

Surely, it is merely adding to our obsession with surveillance? Firstly - what is the point in constantly updating one's status? I understand that it is amusing to see what celebrities do in their normal everyday lives, of course - but only for the first couple of days, no actually only for the first couple of hours! By 'following' celebrities, are we not glorifying them to a ridiculous extent? They are all human - what does it matter what they're doing, who they're following etc?

Previous experience from Facebook status updates lead me to question how real people are. When you are aware that a certain person will be reading your thoughts, those thoughts are somehow influenced by their perspective. Our identities are based primarily on what people think of us, or rather what we want people to think of us. Therefore, it leads me to question if Twitter is in fact real? Similar to facebook and myspace, has it not created a bubble where we can mould a new identity? Appear to be more attractive or more intelligent purely by updating a status? Is it not ridiculous that we fool ourselves into thinking we are 'living', when we are actually sitting in front of a laptop or phone - NOT living!!

I will remain on Twitter for a little while longer, perhaps I am missing something significant? I hope to find out! Until then, I remain confused...

Love.

Good morning, on July 7

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

Ever thine

Ever mine

Ever ours

Ludwig Beethoven

Another Consolation...

Consolation - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

All are not taken; there are left behind

Living Belovèds, tender looks to bring

And make the daylight still a happy thing,

And tender voices, to make soft the wind:
But if it were not so—if I could find

No love in all this world for comforting,

Nor any path but hollowly did ring

Where 'dust to dust' the love from life disjoin'd;
And if, before those sepulchres unmoving I stood alone (as some forsaken lamb
Goes bleating up the moors in weary dearth)

Crying 'Where are ye, O my loved and loving?'—
I know a voice would sound,
Daughter, I AM.

Can I suffice for Heaven and not for earth?

Consolation

Consolation

James Wilson’s beautifully written fictional novel Consolation crosses the boundaries of the real and the enchanted to demonstrate the blurring of the two realms when dealing with grief. An intricately detailed novel set in 1910, that focuses on love, estrangement, obsession and creativity in a manner that captivates the reader’s heart and soul through its attempt to make sense of the world we inhabit.

The novel focuses on the highly celebrated children’s author Corley Roper and the complex healing journey that he is embarking on at the start of the novel. The modern reader enters the Edwardian backdrop painted by Wilson to the image of an isolated and confused man desperately searching for logic when his world is overturned after his estrangement from his wife and the death of his beloved daughter Elspeth. An unknown force propels him into action regarding the mysterious figure of Mary Wilson, another parent mourning the loss of her stillborn child. Through his personal quest for reason, Roper finds himself impelled by a mysterious internal spirit to help Mary Wilson to figure out her ancestry and identity, whilst attempting to relight his own fire of creativity.

Wilson’s powerful use of language leads the reader through the chaotic maze of Roper’s mind in his desperate need to help another to balance his failure in keeping his daughter alive ‘I honestly believed that – If I could only nerve myself to it – I’d be able to bring her back again. It would be like trying to rescue someone from a burning house. Just one supreme act of enchantment.’ The reader is able to feel Ropers despair so effectively, that we cannot help but be transfixed by his quest. The graceful tone reaches out to our sentiments as we yearn for closure to ease Roper’s frenzied despair.

Wilson elegantly distorts the different realms of fiction and reality to illustrate the psychological turmoil present in the protagonists psyche; disorientating and confusing the readers mind to illustrate the overpowering affect that heartache has on the human consciousness. Entwining romance, ghosts and history – the novel intricately links inspiration and the need for purpose in one’s life, to demonstrate the fragility of creativity. The aptly titled Consolation expresses the importance of comfort in other things after disappointment; by helping the soul of Mary Wilson’s stillborn child, Roper celebrates the memory of his own fatherhood and pays tribute to his daughter’s past and his own creative future.

The novel celebrates altruism beautifully, individualism and selfishness do not account for anything throughout the text: Wilson exemplifies the charismatic English gentleman, Corley Roper wonderfully – allowing the reader to truly appreciate his talent as the Children’s author of ‘Largo Frog’ and ‘Alcuin Hare’ who is able to spellbind his readers to travel to a more innocent and so happier sphere. An escapist novel that remains firmly rooted in reality: A magnificent read.

The Blood of Flowers

The Blood of Flowers

Anita Amirrezvani’s charming fictional debut provides a beautiful insight into the rich cultural world of seventeenth century Iran through the eyes of its young, nameless female narrator. In dedication to the ‘anonymous artisans of Iran’, Amirrezvani weaves eloquence and charisma to authentically describe the vast differences between the wealthy and the poor, the male and female and most significantly the differences between those prepared to settle and those never willing to give up their dreams.

The novel surrounds the plight of a young village girl forced to move to the city of Isfahan after the death of her father. Unable to support herself with no dowry or hope for a respectable marriage, the helpless mother and daughter must live in servitude to repay their distant relatives for the kindness they show in allowing them a home in their wealthy quarters.

Amirrezvani beautifully exploits the artistic culture of Iran in her focus on the art of rug making, and the young girl’s unprecedented talent for it. The rich Persian heritage and culture is effectively depicted through the colours and design of the rugs of the famously striking city of Isfahan, ‘Every surface of every building glittered with ornament. It was as if a master goldsmith had selected the most flawless turquoise, the rarest of blue sapphires, and the purest of diamonds and arranged then into an infinity of shimmering patterns that radiated colour and light.’ (p. 39) The reader will truly appreciate Amirrezvani’s exquisite use of language that pays homage to her personal insight as an Iranian born writer.

Yet Amirrezvani does not sway from the realities of life for the young girl, forced to ‘sell’ herself to a wealthy older man for the sake of security, the girl encounters a different side to the picturesque city. From severe illness to corruption and religious hypocrisy; Amirrezvani still maintains a beacon of hope for the girl’s dreams of love, honourable marriage and independence through her writing. Through her inclusion of traditional stories, the author focuses on the extensive history of oral tradition in Iran and further signifies the theme of weaving or inter-layering within the novel. The reader will be completely transfixed by the power of Amirrezvani’s writing, and will find themselves yearning for the traditional endings familiar from The Tales from a Thousand and One Nights.

The charm of the novel closely relates to the author allowing the reader to see another perspective of life in Iran. With no mention of contemporary political issues associated with the region, Amirrezvani’s credible portrayal of the country stems from a patriotism that many readers will relate to. The author enables the reader to identify with the heroine through the successful depiction of the girl’s strength in the face of her troubles. We are able to travel alongside Amirrezvani in her journey back to seventeenth century Iran, and truly admire the rich diversity of life and history as depicted through the majestic art of the region: An enchanting read.

---

Divan-e-Hafez...

The World to me has been a home;

Wherever knowledge could be sought,

Through differing climes I loved to roam,

And every shade of feeling caught

From minds, whose varied fruits supply

The food of my philosophy.

And still the treasures of my store

Have made my wanderings less severe;

From every spot some prize I bore,

From every harvest gleaned an ear,

but find no land can ever vie

With bright Shiraz in purity;

And blest for ever be the spot

Which makes all other climes forgot!

This ghazal is able to convey the sadness of being away from home with such poignant beauty. The power of Hafez's poetry is truly timeless, as one appreciates the yearning for one's hometown or rather 'Vatan.' Nothing compares to the feeling of belonging to a certain land - I find comfort in Hafez's poetry as I feel closer to my heritage, culture and indeed my identity.

Independant Women...

Girl Power

After the recent emergence of the ever powerful girl band 'The Spice Girls', I have begun to consider the female role models that are present in today's society. It would be interesting to consider who or rather what is considered to represent the feminine ideals of the 21st Century. If one was to consider the influential female figures of in popular culture, Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbs and Charlotte York instantly spring to mind. YES! The Sex and The City ladies that have shaped how women are viewed and most importantly view themselves in this society. From our obsession with fashion and beauty to difficulties with love, careers, health and of course friendship - the series (and indeed the new blockbuster movie) seems to provide for all the feminine needs of the modern woman. 

One of the main reasons that the concept of the show has been popular with the likes of men and women alike is perhaps the honest thread that runs throughout the entirety of the six series. Realistic issues that are ever present in society are presented refreshingly in such a way that helps viewers to deal with them. For instance, the obvious Big and Carrie relationship has been interpreted in so many different ways to fit with the expectations of individual women worldwide. Or even Samantha's battle with breast cancer against Miranda's inability to allow herself to love another person to Charlotte's intense hope for  that ultimate romantic happy ending that women have been programmed to expect. Even though the movie has been criticised for being another marketing tool to encourage brand ideology through its passion for fashion, such viewers fail to see the realistic journey that these four fictional characters allow for the millions of viewers. 

It would seem that the ideals of traditional feminists such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Virginia Woolf are channelled through the modern archetypal woman known as the fictional 'Carrie Bradshaw'. From the political defiance of Wollstonecaft, woman have been encouraged to see themselves as independent individuals who can achieve equality through their own development. That is: through education, cultivation of natural feminine reason and wit and most importantly to have the belief that the female sex can rise against patriarchy. Eighteenth century literature was affected greatly by Wollstonecraft's celebrated text A Vindication of The Rights of Woman,proving how influential one woman can be. It would seem that Wollstonecraft began to lay the bricks for the path that powerful, independant women have and indeed will continue to follow.