Saturday, August 29, 2009
Group B Researcher
Researcher: Your job is to find some background information related to an important idea in the reading. Search through available references such as library books, reference books such as the encyclopedia, magazines. You might even interview someone who knows about your topic. Find some websites on the Internet so that you can do your investigation online. Share an interesting tidbit related to your reading.Please respond to each others' Research entry.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This novel made me very curious about arranged marriages in India. I read a few different websites on this topic and all agree that the terms for arranged marriages have become less stringent as they were in the past (around the time that this novel takes place). In an Indian arranged marriage, the parents of the groom and bride look for a suitable mate. Their goal is to try and match educational levels, social standing, and overall values. Some people believe that arrange marriages negatively promote the social system in India meaning that the wealthier members of society will always have arranged marriages to other wealthy members of the society...the wealthy marrying the wealthy over and over again. In the past, if two people had an arraged marriage set up by their parents, they married pretty much no matter what, even if they were not attracted toward one another or loved one another. However, I read that in modern times, the bride and groom have a chance to meet each other before the wedding in kind of like a "getting to know you period". If they really feel that they are not compatible, very often the parents will agree to break the arranged marriage.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, Malati's marriage was arranged by her parents and was very traditional. However, Vidya's arrangement with Raman was a little different. From what I read, Raman requested to marry Vidya and asked thatha permission. I am wondering if this is because her father could not speak so he asked her grandfather instead...
I worked with a para for two years from India and she had an arranged marriage. She met her husband the day of the wedding. Luckily, their marriage worked out and she is very happy, but I remember a story she told me about her friend who did not have such a happy experience in her arranged marriage where their was the absence of love. I find the whole tradition of arranged marriages very interesting...
While reading Climbing the Stairs, I found myself questioning what it meant for Vidya’s family to be Brahmin. I wondered why their was such a disconnect between Vidya’s father and her uncle. I was interested to learn more about why those who were not Brahmin were treated as “dirty”. I remember periamma talking about washing clothing again because it had been touched by non-Brahmins and refusing to drink from glasses they had touched.
ReplyDeleteWhen researching the Indian caste system, I have learned that there are four major castes called Varna. The varna you were in dictated the type of job you would have as well as the type of food you would eat. Although there are four major varna, it seems that each of these are also divided into a number of communities, jat or jati. This was somewhat confusing to me when I was researching the caste system.
Caste
1. Brahman (priests and the educated people)
* I think that Vidya’s family belonged to the Jat called Sarasvat
2. Kshatria (rulers and aristocrats)
3. Vaisia (landlords and businessmen)
4. Sudra (peasants and working class, who work in non-polluting jobs)
*below these castes are the outcasts who are untouchable to the four castes. These untouchables worked in degrading jobs like cleaning, sewage etc. This is why members from the Brahmin would not have contact with them.
Kristyn,
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this research. I inferred through the story that the family was in the highest caste system, but I wasn't aware of the other castes. What I like about Vidya's immediate family at the beginning of the novel was how they treated their servants in the house with so much respect. They didn't have the "holier than thou" attitude where they thought they were better than everyone else. However, once they moved to live with appa's family, their extended family totally gave off the vibe that they were better than others and made it known how they felt.
One of the advantages for women living in America has been the feminist movement. Women today are allowed to vote, earn equal pay and have the similar job opportunities as men. However, the culture of India continues to follow a hierarchal system. This system can serve as a great disadvantage for women. In the story Climbing the Stairs it was evident that Vidya's lifestyle was based on a hierarchal system. With her father's family, Vidya is eventually able to overcome this obstacle by pursuing her dream, which was going to college and becoming a doctor.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the story Vidya's father was very relaxed with his customs. For example, he was agreeable in letting his daughter attend college. Unfortunately, her father has a debilitating accident which forces the family to move in with her relatives. Vidya's extended family follows the old Indian customs. These customs are based on a hierarchal system. Vidya was very unhappy because she had to leave behind the lifestyle she loved.
According to Kwintessential (online reference), the hierarchy system continues to be dominated by males, especially father figures in a household. "Every relationship has a clear-cut hierarchy that must be observed for the social order to be maintained." (Kwintessential, 2209)
Therefore, while Vidya was living with her relatives she was required to take on a subservient role. At the end of the story Vidya's grandfather realizes her intelligence and dream to learn. So he supports her desire to go to school and become a doctor, like her father.
Kwintessential:India-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. (2009) Retrieved September 8, 2009, from Kwintessential Website:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/india-country-profile.html
While reading Climbing the Stairs, I had so many questions about India’s culture, Gandi’s part in WW2, and how India has changed over the decades regarding arranged marriages. Through Vidya’s eyes, I wanted to know more about how arranged marriages have changed since the 1940’s. While visiting http://www.pardesiservices.com/tradition/arrangedmarg.asp, it was interesting to know that marriage is such an important decision that family members feel they need to help with the process as it is a lifelong decision. Even though India is advanced in its technology and modernized in many ways, they still believe that a marriage should be arranged. My cooperating teacher who is Indian, is very “Americanized,” but also had an arranged marriage. She was raised in Connecticut, received 3 degrees in education and is currently obtaining her doctoral degree; however, an arranged marriage was expected and accepted. I remember when her family was “looking” for a suitable husband and I couldn’t imagine her (someone so independent) would want to go through with an arranged marriage. However, she said that it was part of her culture, and her culture what an important part of her life.
ReplyDeleteI think this book would be a great way for students to explore India’s culture, history, and other questions that arise while reading. I was interested in so much, but mostly how India’s culture is still so strong.
I also thought it was interesting how different Indians could be, as in Vidya's immediate family compared to her extended family. I thought it was so strange that her father's brother would treat his maids so differently than her father. I also wondered about India's higher order, or caste system. Even though appa and periappa where siblings, they would completely different in their views, especially when it came to educating women. After reading your post, Kristyn, I understand a little better ... however, still very interested to know more. I wonder if it's still like that?
ReplyDeleteOkay ... the more I read your comments the more interested I become in researching! So, I did a little more research. Even though India is still very traditional in many ways, I did read that the Indians have become more flexible in their caste system customs. I guess the different jadi are now exchanging in conversations ... a small step to big changes.
ReplyDeleteI just thought I would share, since it was something new and interesting to me.
Here's the website if anyone is interested:
adanieltripod.com/mondernindia.htm
Thanks for the additional websites, Jessica M. I am still in awe that your cooperating teacher had an arranged marriage. I guess I was a bit naive to assume that these cultural tradition no longer took place. Have you had any contact with her since she's been married? I am curious to know how her husband was selected, or vice versa, and whether or not they still live in Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kristyn I have had contact with her. She actually just had a baby! It was done through and India arranged marriage organization. It is very up-to-date and basically done via e-mail and through resumes! Because she is very "Americanized" there was some modifications and she was able to go on a few "dates" before they got married, so she did have some say. I thought it was strange, but it works for them and they have been happily married for 2 years.
ReplyDelete