Some course references to think about before you start writing:
Does Gilgamesh wear a mask? Why? What are some of Marji’s masks in The Complete Persepolis?
In the epic, Gilgamesh’s struggle is that he is 2/3 god and 1/3 human. He has to go on a journey to discover how to genuinely love someone, understand his own mortality, and the human condition. He goes through various identities and emotions to get there. Marji’s identity is always changing, as she comes of age. She is often navigating two states of being (Iran and Austria, veil and no veil, public and private, conventional and nonconventional truth or deceit). She questions what is home, who her friends are, and how she sees herself. And finally, in the documentary, The Mask You Live In, the people interviewed reveal their desires to live as their true selves. Researchers talk about why the mask of conventional hyper masculinity exists and what needs to change in order for men and all people to live authentically.
The questions to answer in this paper are:
How do you view yourself?
How do others view you?
Do you wear a mask(s)? When? Where?
What is your mask?
Why do you wear it?
Do you ever take it off? Why? How?
Who has seen you without your mask?
How does your mask relate to the larger society? Do other people wear a similar mask? What needs to change so that you can take off your mask (if you want to).
What I’m asking you to do is reflect on your real, imagined, and/or performed identity and answer the questions above. Be as specific as possible. This reflection essay is about you and your lived experience.
Essentially, you are going to define and describe the feelings associated with who you are and how you’re seen, and write it as a piece of memoir or personal narrative. It is your account. A good narrative should move its reader, so write about something specific that makes you feel something. And if you don’t feel anything, write about that and why it’s significant.
Maybe you have felt afraid, stuck, confused, relieved, happy, sad, alone, anxious, or confident? Maybe you felt these feelings emotionally, physically, spiritually, intellectually, or existentially? Maybe you are somewhere now where you feel like you don’t completely belong because of stereotypes, privilege and oppression, status, sexuality, gender, ability, language body type, or attractiveness? Maybe you are at a border or edge of a next phase? Maybe you’ve felt trauma? Maybe you’re still working some of these things out? I want you to express what has happened (if there was a specific event or journey) that has made you decide to wear you mask (or take off your mask), and what exactly you feel/felt. And then, where do you want to go from here?
Try to accomplish this through narrative and storytelling. Please go deep and reflect. Get as personal as you wish. Details go a long way. Most of us tend to write very abstractly, typically, because no one ever taught us otherwise. Show, don’t tell. Show me what you’ve experienced. Don’t just tell me how you feel. Describe it. You’ve lived it, real or imagined or performed, so try to find the words to let me live it too. Tell your story.
A lot of us don’t communicate this kind of stuff often and that’s ok. Writing this might be challenging. It might require vulnerability and trust. Also, remember that reflection doesn’t require a ‘moral of the story’ or absolute closure. Reflection is a work in progress, as are humans. There will be no judgment. And I will be the only person reading your paper. I’m aware that telling your story can uncover old and new feelings. Let me know if I can offer support or if you need to communicate anything beyond this paper.
