The Tenth of January- Blog 4

In The Tenth of January thanks to the POV the reader is able to get inside of Sene's head and understand her emotions throughout the story. In the beginning the words/emotions used to describe her life show her depression and insecurity with herself and her appearance. “of brutal scowls where smiles should be; of days when she wandered dinnerless and supperless in the streets through loathing of her home; of nights when she sat out in the snow-drifts through terror of her home;” By the harsh words used in this quote it depicts a hard life. She is consistently made fun of through the story also by people who do not know her and judge her just by seeing her. This can relate to things that still go on today because everyone is judged whether they like it or not. Also, as hard as you may try everyone judges other people based on stereotypes that they have created or developed over their lifetime. In the beginning/middle of the story I enjoyed the part where she finds real love with Aseneth. "“What should I have if I did n’t have you?” she said, and caught her breath.The young man paced to the window and back again. The firelight touched her shoulders, and the sad, white scar.

“You shall have me always, Asenath,” he made answer. He took her face within his hands and kissed it; and so they shelled the corn together, and nothing more was said about it." This can relate to the class because we have recently discussed relationships and marriage ethics. It shows that he didn't judge her for what she looked like but tried to find the true beauty that lies within her, which is how a person should truly be judged. It made their relationship seem like it was true love and that they had a partnership instead of him owning her like a possesion. American ethics in marriage is about love, where in other countries it is most likely about hierarchy and the class system. I believe many people should learn that judging people before knowing them does hurt that person and it shows through the thoughts of Sene and how she was effected by all the name calling. She was truly a great girl who was willing to help others. Everyone has been judged in their life, but that doesn't mean they should continue the trend.

"Forget what hurt you in the past, but never forget what it taught you."