Okay, sorry for the confusion, but I changed my book choice for the independent reading. I could tell you why in detail, but suffice it to say i really don't like the book.
I am now reading The Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan, Book Thirteen in The Wheel of Time series. It's a very complex story and its pretty hard to explain, but i'll try. One of the themes in this book is good vs. evil. Basically, theres a Creator, and then theres the Dark One. Think of them like God and the Devil, if you will. There's is an age old struggle, the Dark One trying to destroy the world, the Creator trying to preserve it. Instead of fighting this battle directly with each other, they use humans to do so. This is the major struggle of the series.
The main character in this book is Rand Al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, He Who Comes With the Dawn, Car'a'carn, Coramoor, etc. Those are the majority of his titles, according to the different prophecies and cultures that have them. So, as you can see, though all these prophecies differ, they are all about one person. He is destined to save and destroy the world, and die doing so. As you can tell, he has a lot of responsibility. A Shienaren quote sums it up pretty well, "Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain." To a certain extent this book is also a coming of age story, though it focuses quite a lot on the struggle between good and evil.
The Wheel of Time refers to how they believe in a sort of cyclical pattern to everything, rather like Hinduism and Buddhism. They also believe in reincarnation, at least for certain people. Most of the time, the people who are reborn don't remember their past lives. Certain souls are generally only reborn for a purpose. Rand Al'Thor is an example of a reincarnation. He is the reincarnation of Lews Therin Telamon. He also has some memories of being Lews Therin.
There are channelers in this story, which vaguely resembles magic. I'll post a more detailed definition of it later. Basically, there are male and female channelers. Some are born with the ability to channel, and will do so no matter what. Others can learn. Men channel saidin, and women channel saidair. In the Age of Legends, thousands of years ago, Lews Therin attempted to reseal the Dark One in his prison (it did work) but in the process, the backlash tainted saidin. So now, any man who can channel will go insane, and their body will start to rot while they're still alive. A rather gruesome death, to say the least. Earlier in the series, though, he cleanses saidin, though any male channelers who were insane before it was cleansed will remain so.
Another theme of this book is stereotypes. Theres a stereotype that Two Rivers people are stubborn. It's true, but its still a stereotype. Duty is an important thing to all of these characters. Rand, for example, only accepted that he was the Dragon Reborn because he felt it was his duty and he knew no one else could do it. Another thing i found interesting about the characters was how they view themselves and how they view what they do. They don't think of themselves as heros, merely as people doing what must be done. Also, they aren't totally out of this world people, they are just like us. Granted, they live in an entirely different world, but their personalities are just like regular people. You can really relate to them, rather than being intimitated by their larger than life personas.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Independent Reading 2
In this book there are many battles. They are described as being extremely brutal and bloody, but the knights, even after witnessing it, still wish to join the battle. This displays their courage, as well as showcasing the difference in their societal views as compared to modern day.
Arthur has a dark dream, which seems to indicate that there are dark days ahead. In this book, he's not the only one who has significant dreams. This seems to be a central theme to this book, having somewhat prophetic dreams. This leads into another potential theme, which is prophecy and foreordained events. Some of these characters have their deaths seemingly already decided, which raises the question of whether or not everything that happens has already been decided or not.
Arthur unwittingly sleeps with his half-sister, conceiving a child with her, who will be Sir Mordred. By doing this, he unwittingly sows the seeds of his own destruction. He has committed a sin, so God is displeased with him. It's God's will that he will be punished for his sins. He sows the seeds for his destruction by fathering Mordred, for he will one day destroy Arthur, his knights, and his kingdom.
This story has an almost fairytale like quality to it. It has magic and prophecy, but it could actually just be an exaggerated tale of actual events. Rather like Beowulf, who could easily have just been a regular warrior, King Arthur could have actually existed. This story is also realistic in the sense that a lot of these knights, Arthur included, have affairs. Now, is it necessarily true that he slept with his half-sister and conceived a child who later destroys him? It's far more likely that, if this story has a basis in fact, that it was just someone who wanted power and so he decided to attack.
There is a certain irony in the fact that though Arthur sinned and God will punish him for that, he actually conceived the means for his own punishment. This is also another example of how religion is such a central part to their lives. An atheist would say that they died and there's no divine punishment behind it, but someone who's religious would say that it's God's roundabout way of punishing him. Merlin tells Arthur that he will die an honorable death, which might be because though he sinned, it was unintentional and he did so unknowingly.
Though everyone is so seemingly devout, plenty of them have committed sins. For example, King Lot's wife, Arthur's half-sister, committs adultery when she sleeps with Arthur. Also, the fact that they kill so many people in battle, though they never say so, is actually a sin. This brings us back to the rampant hypocrisy apparent in their society. To quote Voltaire, "It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets."
Arthur has a dark dream, which seems to indicate that there are dark days ahead. In this book, he's not the only one who has significant dreams. This seems to be a central theme to this book, having somewhat prophetic dreams. This leads into another potential theme, which is prophecy and foreordained events. Some of these characters have their deaths seemingly already decided, which raises the question of whether or not everything that happens has already been decided or not.
Arthur unwittingly sleeps with his half-sister, conceiving a child with her, who will be Sir Mordred. By doing this, he unwittingly sows the seeds of his own destruction. He has committed a sin, so God is displeased with him. It's God's will that he will be punished for his sins. He sows the seeds for his destruction by fathering Mordred, for he will one day destroy Arthur, his knights, and his kingdom.
This story has an almost fairytale like quality to it. It has magic and prophecy, but it could actually just be an exaggerated tale of actual events. Rather like Beowulf, who could easily have just been a regular warrior, King Arthur could have actually existed. This story is also realistic in the sense that a lot of these knights, Arthur included, have affairs. Now, is it necessarily true that he slept with his half-sister and conceived a child who later destroys him? It's far more likely that, if this story has a basis in fact, that it was just someone who wanted power and so he decided to attack.
There is a certain irony in the fact that though Arthur sinned and God will punish him for that, he actually conceived the means for his own punishment. This is also another example of how religion is such a central part to their lives. An atheist would say that they died and there's no divine punishment behind it, but someone who's religious would say that it's God's roundabout way of punishing him. Merlin tells Arthur that he will die an honorable death, which might be because though he sinned, it was unintentional and he did so unknowingly.
Though everyone is so seemingly devout, plenty of them have committed sins. For example, King Lot's wife, Arthur's half-sister, committs adultery when she sleeps with Arthur. Also, the fact that they kill so many people in battle, though they never say so, is actually a sin. This brings us back to the rampant hypocrisy apparent in their society. To quote Voltaire, "It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets."
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tragic Hero & Analysis of Things Fall Apart
Tragic Hero
I believe a tragic hero is someone who tries to be a hero (according to their societal views), sometimes succeeding or failing, and then dies. Okonkwo definitely has attributes of a tragic hero. One attribute is the fact that he tries so hard and still fails. He is a hero in the sense that he tries to do whats right, though what he views as being right isn't necessarily the case. Another thing that makes him a tragic hero, is that he tries to preserve his people's traditional values. The main reason he objects to Christians is how they're trying to supplant his people's traditions (revere their ancestors, gods, etc.). In this sense, he is trying to stand up for whats right. He is trying to prevent his people's destruction, though he doesn't realize this. His people may not be destroyed in the physical sense, but as a culture they are slowly dying.
Analysis of Things Fall Apart
Though Things Fall Apart focuses on the destruction of the Ibo people's culture, it is also a prime example of many cultures total lack of understanding of other cultures, as well as the destruction of many supposedly "primitive" cultures. The British think that the Ibo's culture is primitive and unsophisticated, when in reality it is extremely intricate. It also demonstrates how we have destroyed so much that we can never get back.
I also believe that this story has a personal aspect to it, as well as a cultural one. The personal aspect is about Okonkwo. He is actually rather relatable as a character. He undergoes a personal struggle and eventually gains everything he's ever wanted, but in the end he loses it all. He's driven to the edge of despair, to the point that the only thing he can do is to take his own life. For Okonkwo, in my opinion, this has to be far worse than being killed, because the one thing he feared most has come to pass: failure.
The reason Okonkwo is a relatable character is because, like most people, he is afraid and lets his fear rule him. Can any of us honestly say we're any better? For example, if you're afraid of heights, there are plenty of things you can't do if you let that fear rule you. This makes Okonkwo very human in my opinion. There is a certain irony to this story. He let his fear of failure drive him, but in the end it was this fear that killed him. He didn't wish to be thought weak, so he counseled that they should go to war, as well as killing the messenger. If he hadn't done this, he might not have been driven to the point of killing himself.
I believe a tragic hero is someone who tries to be a hero (according to their societal views), sometimes succeeding or failing, and then dies. Okonkwo definitely has attributes of a tragic hero. One attribute is the fact that he tries so hard and still fails. He is a hero in the sense that he tries to do whats right, though what he views as being right isn't necessarily the case. Another thing that makes him a tragic hero, is that he tries to preserve his people's traditional values. The main reason he objects to Christians is how they're trying to supplant his people's traditions (revere their ancestors, gods, etc.). In this sense, he is trying to stand up for whats right. He is trying to prevent his people's destruction, though he doesn't realize this. His people may not be destroyed in the physical sense, but as a culture they are slowly dying.
Analysis of Things Fall Apart
Though Things Fall Apart focuses on the destruction of the Ibo people's culture, it is also a prime example of many cultures total lack of understanding of other cultures, as well as the destruction of many supposedly "primitive" cultures. The British think that the Ibo's culture is primitive and unsophisticated, when in reality it is extremely intricate. It also demonstrates how we have destroyed so much that we can never get back.
I also believe that this story has a personal aspect to it, as well as a cultural one. The personal aspect is about Okonkwo. He is actually rather relatable as a character. He undergoes a personal struggle and eventually gains everything he's ever wanted, but in the end he loses it all. He's driven to the edge of despair, to the point that the only thing he can do is to take his own life. For Okonkwo, in my opinion, this has to be far worse than being killed, because the one thing he feared most has come to pass: failure.
The reason Okonkwo is a relatable character is because, like most people, he is afraid and lets his fear rule him. Can any of us honestly say we're any better? For example, if you're afraid of heights, there are plenty of things you can't do if you let that fear rule you. This makes Okonkwo very human in my opinion. There is a certain irony to this story. He let his fear of failure drive him, but in the end it was this fear that killed him. He didn't wish to be thought weak, so he counseled that they should go to war, as well as killing the messenger. If he hadn't done this, he might not have been driven to the point of killing himself.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Independent Reading
I'm reading The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck. Basically, its the classic story of King Arthur written into modern english.
Something that annoys me alot about it is how all the lords don't believe that the sword chose Arthur simply because he's young and to their knowledge not of noble birth, though in fact he is. This shows just how hypocritical they are because they swore that they would abide by the swords judgement, which would be God's judgement. Also, they keep postponing the decision to name Arthur king. They repeatedly have as many people as possible attempt to draw the sword out of the stone. No matter how many times Arthur draws the sword from the stone, they don't seem to want to believe he's the true king.
This leads up to what i consider to be a theme in this story, which is religion. Their belief in God plays a major role in their lives. Also, i believe that hypocrisy (particularly towards religion) is also a theme in this book. They are hypocritical in their faith because if they truly believed they wouldn't question the sword's choice for king. Granted, blind faith isn't necessarily a good thing, but they did swear to abide by the sword's choice.
Merlin is an interesting character. He delights in mystery and misdirection, which is probably one of the reasons he is what we think of when we think of wizards. Now, i personally think its a stereotype to view him and all wizards in stories as having to be old, bearded, and gray. I wonder how that stereotype even developed? It's also interesting to see these people's views of wizards as compared to, say, the Puritans. Whereas Merlin is respected, the so-called witches were killed. Now, there is a difference between the two, but most wouldn't see the difference (witches & warlocks are connected to the devil, wizards aren't).
I also believe that another theme in this book is honor, or lack thereof. Loyal knights gain alot of honor (both for their loyalty and courage in battle). Now, some caharacters in this book are seemingly honorable but i don't believe they are. Uther may have been a good king, but he lacked honor in my opinion. Uther had Merlin disguise him so he appeared like the baron (then he could sleep with Igraine). Granted, he later marries her, but the fact that he was willing to do this shows his lack of honor.
This leads to Merlin's lack of honor. He was the one who used his magic to disguise Uther and he certainly wasn't forced to do so. He had a purpose, true, but its still dishonorable. He also disguised two of Uther's loyal knights, which also shows a certain lack of honor on their front. They were willing to aid their lord in such a thing, though the fact that they do so shows loyalty (another theme).
Now, so you know honor is both something you can gain by performing acts of courage, being a good warrior, being a good king, loyalty, etc. It also refers to behaving with honor (not being cowardly, following a code of conduct, etc.). Honor in battle is still around even to this day, which is something that is definitely taken from earlier civilizations. Also, honor can also be adapted to suit modern day ideals.
Something that annoys me alot about it is how all the lords don't believe that the sword chose Arthur simply because he's young and to their knowledge not of noble birth, though in fact he is. This shows just how hypocritical they are because they swore that they would abide by the swords judgement, which would be God's judgement. Also, they keep postponing the decision to name Arthur king. They repeatedly have as many people as possible attempt to draw the sword out of the stone. No matter how many times Arthur draws the sword from the stone, they don't seem to want to believe he's the true king.
This leads up to what i consider to be a theme in this story, which is religion. Their belief in God plays a major role in their lives. Also, i believe that hypocrisy (particularly towards religion) is also a theme in this book. They are hypocritical in their faith because if they truly believed they wouldn't question the sword's choice for king. Granted, blind faith isn't necessarily a good thing, but they did swear to abide by the sword's choice.
Merlin is an interesting character. He delights in mystery and misdirection, which is probably one of the reasons he is what we think of when we think of wizards. Now, i personally think its a stereotype to view him and all wizards in stories as having to be old, bearded, and gray. I wonder how that stereotype even developed? It's also interesting to see these people's views of wizards as compared to, say, the Puritans. Whereas Merlin is respected, the so-called witches were killed. Now, there is a difference between the two, but most wouldn't see the difference (witches & warlocks are connected to the devil, wizards aren't).
I also believe that another theme in this book is honor, or lack thereof. Loyal knights gain alot of honor (both for their loyalty and courage in battle). Now, some caharacters in this book are seemingly honorable but i don't believe they are. Uther may have been a good king, but he lacked honor in my opinion. Uther had Merlin disguise him so he appeared like the baron (then he could sleep with Igraine). Granted, he later marries her, but the fact that he was willing to do this shows his lack of honor.
This leads to Merlin's lack of honor. He was the one who used his magic to disguise Uther and he certainly wasn't forced to do so. He had a purpose, true, but its still dishonorable. He also disguised two of Uther's loyal knights, which also shows a certain lack of honor on their front. They were willing to aid their lord in such a thing, though the fact that they do so shows loyalty (another theme).
Now, so you know honor is both something you can gain by performing acts of courage, being a good warrior, being a good king, loyalty, etc. It also refers to behaving with honor (not being cowardly, following a code of conduct, etc.). Honor in battle is still around even to this day, which is something that is definitely taken from earlier civilizations. Also, honor can also be adapted to suit modern day ideals.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Fear
Countries fear that others will take advantage of them by either conquering them or trying to control their actions. I'd say they probably fear that they'd stop trading with them or stop giving them their support. I'd say that the biggest fear would be that another country would attack and try to take control of their country, which would mean war, in all likelihood. So, war is definitely a very major fear (death, too). The human mind is what drives these fears.
This is very relatable to human kind because we humans fear nearly everything; nature, war, heights. . . even other humans. Fear is a very dominating and controlling factor in our lives; from what we eat, how we dress, where we go, etc. To be honest, i don't really know whether i deal with my fear, so much as i simply ignore it. Not that i'm not afraid, but i try not to dwell on it more than necessary.
I can easily relate to Ikemefuna. I've never really been away from my family for more than a couple of days, and even then, i knew i could just call or text them. Ikemefuna probably still clings to the hope that he might see them again. Its far worse knowing that you'll never see them again. Its like a nightmare that you can never wake up from.
This is very relatable to human kind because we humans fear nearly everything; nature, war, heights. . . even other humans. Fear is a very dominating and controlling factor in our lives; from what we eat, how we dress, where we go, etc. To be honest, i don't really know whether i deal with my fear, so much as i simply ignore it. Not that i'm not afraid, but i try not to dwell on it more than necessary.
I can easily relate to Ikemefuna. I've never really been away from my family for more than a couple of days, and even then, i knew i could just call or text them. Ikemefuna probably still clings to the hope that he might see them again. Its far worse knowing that you'll never see them again. Its like a nightmare that you can never wake up from.
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