When I got done reading Jobnik! I felt there was no reason to the story but the more I thought about it, (or I should say the less I thought about it), I knew I was missing something. It doesn't make sense that we would be required to read a book that has 'no meaning' behind it plus every book has a reason to be written.
My initial reaction was I felt bad for Miriam. I wanted to reach out to her. I hated the way she was giving herself away sexually to men that didn't care for her. It's not that she didn't know that but in some cases it seems she was genuinely interested in them. I think she was having an identity crisis. She said she was an American Jew who moved to Israel to fight in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
She didn't seem to be to publicly outspoken for one side or the other and the news stories ,whether they were from the T.V. or newspapers, seemed unbiased as well. Some talked about the attacks on the Israeli's then some seemed sympathetic to the Palestinian side. One example that I can think of is the News story where there was an attack on Palestinian civilians and they mentioned that a young child was killed as well as his father. I took this as she feels somewhat sympathetic because this story is mentioned therefore she feels somewhat confused.
Miriam also talks about how she never really belonged to any group of people. She is kind of a 'loner.' One example is from her home life. Her parents raised her in a conservative, strict, Jewish religion but her family was somewhat lax. Her way of dress was not completely 'modest' according to Jewish rules.
There is one scene in the book where Miriam is talking with a therapist and he diagnoses her with all these different mental illnesses. She does not seem to have a reaction it's like she just accepts them.
I think all of these points taken from the story do show a sense of confusion as to who she is. I think she takes it out in her relations with men as well. I think she is trying to cling to someone rather than something in order to 'define' herself.
I would really like to hear other ideas and opinions on the matter EVEN IF IT IS AN OPPOSING VIEW I LOVE DEBATE! Let me know y'all!
I agree that this is one of those stories where you have to think less. We're so used to the plot-filled graphic novels that we are not used to a more autobiographical book. Since it is a collection of several issues, there may be some themes that we don't see yet. It would be interesting to see where the story goes from here. The story is autobiographical though, and doesn't necessarily need to show a theme.
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