Reading Response Paper Essay Example

of genuine friendship. Lucie's escape to London via airlift was an exhilarating experience where she gave birth to her second daughter Catherine. Aubrac's memoir vividly portrays Lucie's determination, bravery, devotion, and love for Raymond and France. Through this portrayal, readers derive deep satisfaction while witnessing her genuine passion for France and ordinary people as well as the ideals of free will and liberty. Aubrac's book showcases a remarkable writing style that is both personal yet poetic despite the struggles faced by Lucie's family and friendsThe book (Aubrac, 1994) provides a deeply satisfying perspective on a woman's experiences in the French Resistance. Lucie's motherly instincts and feminist qualities are clearly apparent as she navigates through her pregnancy over the nine months covered in the book. Despite not being the typical choice for Mother's Day reading, Slavenka Drakulic's "How We Survived Communism and even Laughed" beautifully captures the resourcefulness, courage, and boundless love of all mothers. This portrayal is further intensified by the constant danger they face. Lucie's determination and bravery in outsmarting Klaus Barbe undoubtedly fill her husband, children, and colleagues with pride and admiration. However, despite its strengths, the book (Aubrac, 1994) does have flaws. The author took significant risks in her plans to rescue her husband - organizing prison escapes with other Resistance leaders and meeting Klaus Barbe under a false identity daily. It left me questioning how she maintained composure and focus amidst these challenges. Additionally, it was hard for me to believe how she orchestrated acquiring silencers from Switzerland - traveling there to obtain them without arousing suspicion upon returning. Overall, this demanding yet captivating book (Aubrac, 1994) comes highly recommended for

those interested in exploring women's bravery during this historical period."How We Survived Communism and even Laughed" by Slavenka Drakulic (Drakulic, 1993) is a collection of essays that provides detailed accounts of the experiences, lives, and sufferings of Drakulic and other women during communism and its aftermath in Eastern Europe. As a Croatian author and journalist, Durkulic skillfully portrays the personal lives of Eastern European women in her essays based on her own experiences. Despite its age, the book remains informative and vivid as it explores the impact of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. The mindsets of inhabitants were deeply affected by these regimes, including the Soviets and Tito, which took away hope for progress, resistance against dictatorial power, and understanding of better living conditions in Western countries (Drakulic, 1993). Throughout the work, one recurring theme is that communism not only functioned as a political system but also had lasting psychological effects. This significant piece sheds light on the marginalization experienced by women in Eastern Europe and globally while highlighting their unique perspectives. Additionally, it emphasizes the disparities between Eastern Europe and the West. Drakulic's book offers insight into the struggles endured by Eastern European women during communism while presenting a heart-wrenching portrayal of resistance that prompts readers to question both communism and feminism.The author effectively engages readers of all genders through personal stories told with empathy and humor. One essay titled "On Doing Laundry" captures daily life realism in Croatia and Yugoslavia during their transition from communism to democracy, showcasing how basic tasks remained unchanged. The book "Make up and Other Questions" by Drakulic explores the significance of cosmetics and fashion in communist countries, highlighting

the struggles faced by Eastern European women to express femininity in an unfriendly society. Critics argue that focusing on topics like make-up, laundry, and tampons detracts from the main theme of life under communism; however, these struggles are effectively connected to the origins of feminism in Eastern Europe. The author's repetitive use of certain words and missing words is also mentioned. Despite its title implying a narrative focused on laughter and overcoming circumstances, the novel actually centers around depression, hardship, and misery – which can be seen as misleading. However, this focus significantly enhances readers' understanding of Eastern European history and sheds light on overlooked events from Western perspectives. The book is essential for those interested in Eastern European women's history and culture, as well as contemporary human rights and feminism. On another note, "Soul on Ice" by Eldridge Cleaver is a compilation of letters and essays written during his imprisonment.In these writings, Cleaver shares his journey from being a marijuana dealer and serial rapist to becoming an advocate for Malcolm X and actively engaging in American politics. Throughout the book, he emphasizes the importance of unity within the black community in shaping the destiny of its members, which he believes relies on Black Power. Despite expressing strong negative emotions towards white people and society as a whole, it is intriguing that he also admits to having an attraction towards white women. It is unsettling to discover that he was a serial rapist who targeted both white and black women while trying to justify it as a revolutionary act. In my personal opinion, Cleaver's justification for his actions lacks integrity. If Cleaver's aim was to

express his discontent with racism and oppression against blacks, then this belief was severely misguided. He could have pursued alternative strategies to combat racism instead of resorting to rape. From my perspective, Cleaver had a desire to transform the society he lived in but lacked the necessary knowledge to achieve this objective. Consequently, he believed that by defying and breaking laws established by white men, he would accomplish his goal. Using rape as a revolutionary tactic to bring about change in American society was completely deranged conceptually. I believe that his resentment and anger towards the white race impaired his ability to think logically.
The text highlights the importance of black individuals worldwide coming together and establishing a distinct identity through Black Power in order to advocate for their rights. Cleaver, the protagonist in the novel, realizes that he is not alone in experiencing suffering as a black person; countless others across the globe face oppression, disdain, and discrimination from whites. His animosity towards white people undergoes a transformation as he embraces ideologies similar to Malcolm X's, leading him to become part of the black revolution rooted in self-determination.

Additionally, the issue of Vietnam is mentioned where black soldiers were sent by the US government to kill peasants who supported them, all while fighting for their own self-determination. Cleaver sees this as a tactic by white society to suppress the black revolution and believes immediate measures are necessary for freedom and change. This racial discrimination still exists today in certain societies, emphasizing the need for unity among blacks globally to advocate for their rights.

This book offers a compelling and insightful portrayal of black experiences during the

1960s, even though it may primarily target the white community. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in American history.