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God and Fathers
It is normal for us to look to our father as god. The Catholic Church
uses it as the priest or sub-conscious "God Tempore" is referred
to as father. In of beetles and angels, Mawi Asgedom’s book of Beetles
and Angels exhibits many signs of his subconscious belief in his father
as god. These traits of his writing include how he describes his father
as a benevolent yet controlling figure and "justly harsh". A
very telling clue into Mawi’s belief in his father is the style
in which he writes his fathers quotes in all capital letters, a device
that is bestowed unto none of the other characters. Finally, Mawi describe
Haileab as a person that others would turn to in times of need and whose
need’s would be met by Haileab. This is the description of an ideal
god; one who meets our needs and looks like us. Haileab is described as benevolent and gentle towards his children yet
always willing to use his belt, or "Mr. Quul-fee" as his children
call it and Mawi went on to state “like with the aerobics, we would
have mutinied had we not harbored such respect for our good friend Mr.
Quul-fee. Mr. Quul-fee was long and made of animal leather- he would usually
be found around my fathers waist- and when he came to call, you cried”
(108). This shows that Haileab would not hesitate to use corporal punishment
when he believed the situation warranted it. Mawi was not bitter over
his father’s use of corporal punishment on him and his brothers
but rather accepts it as a fact of living in his household and a price
of later success. Haileab possessed the trait of a loving yet vengeful
god typical of that of god in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is interesting
to point out that the predominant church in Ethiopia is the Orthodox Tewahedo
Church (Religion). He seems to care deeply about his children yet willing
to do what is necessary in order to correct their behavior. The Publisher,
Megadee books, writes “He follows his father’s advice: treat
all people-even the most unsightly beetles-as though they were angels
sent from heaven. The results spur the child to unimagined success”
(book jacket). This shows how influential Haileab beliefs and wisdom were
to mawi when he was young and explains how mawi believes so much in his
father and his beliefs. Probably the most obvious sign of Mawi’s belief in his father as
a god-like figure is how Mawi writes Haileab quotes in all capital letters.
This is a definite sign that Mawi believed his father to be long and to
have sage advice. Both characteristics of a godlike figure. Furthermore,
I believe that Mawi realizes his belief as he fought to keep his father
quotes in all capital letters in the paper back version according to my
Writing for College Teacher, Ms. Cheryl Sullivan. Mawi himself says that
he wrote his fathers quotes in all capital letters mainly because he was
loud but it was probably for other reasons as well. In the Harvard Review,
Mawi speaks of writing his fathers quotes in capital letters by this "I had read John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. Owen Meany's
speeches are always in capital letters, even though he's a tiny guy who
almost seems like he’s inconsequential. Words in capital letters
say to the reader, 'You've got to listen up.'" By this, he shows how his father’s main qualities are on the inside, the heart and soul, rather than the outside which American culture may superficially value. Various representations of god have been exhibited in stories and tales in which god or a god-figure takes the shape of a lowly person in order to test the kindness and faith of others. In this way, Haileab may be considered an angel of sorts. Near the end of the book, Mawi wonders what would have happened if his father lived to see him graduate from Harvard. Mawi writes “[Haileab] standing with his back straight, chest out, and right hand pointing forward, he would have shouted out enough for everyone to hear:…” (147) followed by a quote from Haileab in the same style as the rest of his quotes in the book. This shows that the capital letters are meant because he is loud as well as because he has something important to say and does not usually speak unless he does have something of value to say. Finally, Mawi describes Haileab as a person that fellow refugee’s
would turn to in times of need and confusion. Much like god. Haileab would
always help as best he could, also much like a god-like figure. Mawi mentions
that Haileab forced his children to run around the Wheaton College track
eight times every day. However, Mawi says of Haileab “but he [Haileab]
did not just sit by and time us; he practiced what he preached. No matter
how much his 50-year-old frame ached, he always hobbled the two miles
with us. He would walk part of it, if necessary, but he always finished
all eight laps” (108). This is the description of a benevolent figure
that sets high goals that he makes those that he loves achieve so that
they may become greater. While the goals may be hard, he is always by
his children’s side helping them along, even when it is nearly impossible
for him to do so. The concept of Haileab as a god-like figure to Mawi may have seemed alien at first but I believe that the facts show that it is a grounded theory. First of all, Mawi characterizes Haileab as a father who is harsh but just and who helps his children at any expense of his own. Secondly, Mawi put his father’s quotes in all capital letters and has fought to keep the style that way. This style gives Haileab the air of a god-like figure who is both benevolent yet controlling. Finally, Mawi shows haileab as a figure that refugee’s and others would admire, glamorize, and most importantly, come to him for help. He was looked at as a figure that was wise and honest yet controlling and willing to do whatever was necessary for justice to be served. These are all characteristics of a god-like figure and show just how much mawi admired haileab 22/3/2004 http://www.ethiotreasures.plus.com/pages/religion.htm (Harvard Review http://www.harvard-magazine.com/on-line/030247.html)
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