Recognition and Definition

One of the most discussed and strong ed opinion ed conflicts we have had in our time has been the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

I expect that most of us has heard about it and has a little knowledge on the different opinions that exist relating to this. In a nutshell (my nutshell-for this is my way of viewing it), from the beginning the Palestinians occupied the territory which is now known as Israel. Soon after the atrocities that occured to the Jewish people in World War II, the united nations along with the rest of the world did not know where to place the 'left over' Jewish people. Therefore in order to to keep calm among the world they agreed to let this crowd invade this mentioned territory. They chose this territory for a specific reason, a religious one. They believed that this territory belonged to them because it had been their holy land. Now I must point out that they weren't the only ones that thought like this, there were the Muslims and even the Christians that had religious connections to this territory. So why did the world let them create their own nation? If there existed other religions that also had religious connections? And most of all, why did the world allow for them to kick out people? 

In my opinion, the world felt sympathy for the Jewish community because after all they were tortured without an end in concentration camps and most of this happened while the world had no clue about it (specifically the United States). The world felt they owed the Jewish people, a personal debt since they did not do much for them until the end. Also, the nation was created a few years after the United Nations was created which meant they did not have the sufficient experience to deal with the problem. 

But what matters now is not why it happened, who let it happened nor the reasons behind the decisions but how to solve the problem. We witness that from both sides there is suffering going on but it is pride that is stopping these two groups from agreeing on peace. 

As Yonatan Touval stated in his op-ed article 'A Recognition Israel Doesn't Need', Israel may have the right to declare their nation as a nation even if the bases of this idea has to do with their religious beliefs. They must not as for the Palestinians to recognize it due to this reason because they will never agree to it. 

"But if Israel seeks peace, it must not demand that the Palestinians recognize its Jewish character. This is not only an unnecessary obstacle, it is deeply harmful to Israel’s own sense of being. After all, you don’t need to be a student of philosophy to know that once you subject yourself to the recognition of the other, you let the other define who you are."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/opinion/13iht-edtouval.html?scp=20&sq=op-ed&st=cse

"Jesus or Dan Brown. You can't have both"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/opinion/19douthat.html?scp=3&sq=op-ed%20articles&st=cse

In the article "Dan Brown's America" written by the columnist Ross Douthat on May 18, 2009 and published in the op-ed section of the New York Times, Douthat talks about a subject that has been on the minds of many people every since all sort of controversy was created by the novels made by Dan Brown. 

Right after Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" was published, and soon after it was read by almost half of America along with a large international crowd, the novel created much controversy. Although his novel was page turning and the plot was contained suspense, romance and drama it also openly criticized much of the Church's activity in the society. Not only the novel accused the Church of many of the problems in modern day but it also criticized it from ancient times, from the beginning, starting with the life of Jesus and the way the Church depicted him. 

Although there have been many opinions against the Church in the past by many organizations around the world, this novel created a huge impact. But why this novel? In my opinion, the answer to this question lies in the fact that it is still literature, it is still a novel, a form of entertainment. And since people started reading it as if though they were reading any ordinary novel and did not realize until later on that some of the things mentioned in the novel were actually real, people kept on reading. 

As Douthat said in his article, "But if you want to sell a 100 million, you need to preach as well as entertain — to present a fiction that can be read as fact, and that promises to unlock the secrets of history, the universe and God along the way." This is true in every single aspect. In order to truly affect the reader you must be able to write about things that 'hit their hearts', touch upon subject matters that you know will have strong opinions from both sides. 

So like his first novel, Dan Brown again stirs up the public with his second novel 'Angels and Demons'. Not only is it the novel but it is the fact that it is now a major motion picture (this time a good one) which means it is now available to everyone of any age, it doesn't matter if they don't know how to read. 

At the end of Douthat's article, he clearly states his opinion relating the Dan Brown/ America situation.  Not only does he accuse Brown of giving out false information but he also blames him for creating confusion in the american public. He believes people should stop questioning whether Brown says the truth ( since he already says its pure lies) and concentrate more on their lives. In other words, he is telling the public to realize they are being manipulated by a novelist. 

Square by Square

Most art techniques and artists use their skills to imitate real life things, in fact some exaggerate and end up making real things seem unrealistic only because they want to emphasize some things.

But one artist that differentiates himself is Chuck Close. His style and technique is truly unique and in my opinion very very interesting. 

One of the beauties of photography is the fact that you are able to capture moments in life that are truly amazing and that you may take for granted and not see everyday. Chuck Close combines photography and art to create pieces that you will not find anywhere. He takes a picture of himself and paints that. But his painting skills and colors are so precise that most of the time whoever views the piece may think it is in fact a picture. 

In my opinion, the most interesting thing I found was how he actually does it to capture that 'photographic look'. One of the most interesting teqniques is where he places a thin paper over the photo, this divides it into little squares. And then, Close paints each and every little square onto a canvas. He is so precise with the colors and details that in my opinion, it makes him one of the greatest artists I've heard of. 

Red Balloon-Paul Klee

There are some paintings that are completely obvious and others that are not. By 'obvious' I mean, the viewer can automatically identify the focus on the painting and at time the artists motives for painting such a thing. However there exist works such as Paul Klee's Red Balloon that in my opinion are not so obvious and leaves the viewer wondering why Klee decided to paint such an object. 

First of all, in this painting the main focus is the red balloon which seems to be hanging in a distance between what seem like buildings. We know its the focus because not only is it located in the center of the piece but it's shape a circular one. All around it, the only shapes we witness or rectangles, triangles and squares, or shapes that have sharp corners, so obviously the shape of the balloon differences itself from everything inside the painting. Also around the corners and the whole painting, there is a certain 'dark fuzz' until we get to the center where there is much illumination. 

If we were to imagine that what look like buildings are in fact buildings, the view or illusion we get is that the person who is viewing the painting is standing on top one of the buildings, on its roof on a corner. One of the things I found quite interesting was that Klee used the movements or placing of the 'boxes' to create an illusion the right hand side building. Since we are supposed to be viewing that building sideways, the way he interlocks the squares creates a feeling that they are in fact balconies. 

The colors used in this painting seem to me as if they were oil pastels. Klee uses most earthy colors, which are green, red, yellow, orange and brown. This paintings contains all of these and their different tones depending on the lighting. 

Details, Details, Details

The whole week we've been working on descriptive writing. We've learned that sometimes descriptions are not so obvious and that at other times they are, it simply depends on the author. 

In the last chapter of Seize the Day, we witness various passages where descriptive writing is used. 

“The sidewalks were wider than any causeway; the streets itself was immense; and it quaked and gleamed and it seemed to Wilhelm to throb at the last limit of endurance.” (Pg. 111)

“He heard it and sank deeper than sorrow, through torn sobs and cries toward the consummation of his hearts ultimate needs.” (Pg. 114)

“From every side he heard pianos, and the voices of men and women singing scales and opera, all mixed, and the sounds of pigeons on the ledges.” (Pg. 103)

All of these passages contain words that make the passage a descriptive one, in fact some even use metaphors to elaborate on their ideas. 

Another element I would like to point out, is the way the book ends. As I mentioned in my earlier blogs, I feel pity towards Tommy and have no compassion towards him due to the fact that all he does is complain and expect a change to fall out of the sky. Even though it is quite sad that the book ends with Tommy at a church, crying his problems out, I believe that this is what he gets for not taking the advice when he should and taking life for granted. 

Time to face reality Tommy...

At the end of chapter 6, we are left with the idea that Dr. Tamkin did in fact take all the earnings and leave. Just as how Wilhelm had stated earlier, how Dr. Tamkin was not trustworthy at all.

From what I can infer, I completely disagree with Tommy. In fact, I believe deep down he is jealous of Dr. Tamkin and his way of dealing with problems. He tries to make the reader believe that somehow Dr. Tamkin is crazy, that he is fake and lies just because he mind view is totally different from those of others. So just because it's different its bad?

At times, this makes me dislike Tommy. All he does is complain and he is so caught up in what other people think of him, and all of society's nonsense that when someone like Dr. Tamkin who is willing to help ends up being depicted as the bad guy. At this point, I feel pity towards Tommy. Complaining does not get you anywhere, it just makes you run around in circles around your problems. Like they say, 'you want change, be the change'. If he really wants to solve all his problems, he might as well accept that it is partly his fault, his attitude instead of blaming it all on money, his father and bad luck. 

Those small details...

"And say to yourself here-and-now, here-and-now, here-and-now. 'Where am I?' 'Here'. 'When is it?' 'Now'. Take an object or a person. Anybody. 'Here and now I see a person.' 'Here and now I see a man.' 'Here and now I see a man sitting on a chair.' Take me, for instance. Don't let your mind wander. 'Here and now I see a man in a brown suit. Here and now I see a corduroy shirt.' You have t narrow it down, one item at a time, and not let your imagination shoot ahead. Be in the present. Grasp the hour, the moment, the instant" (pg 86)

I believe this passage summarizes the whole purpose of the book. Although it isn't the first time this type of thinking is mentioned, it is the only time when it is truly emphasized and developed upon. The whole book describes one day in Wilhelm's life where everything goes wrong and he starts facing all his problems. In my opinion, the character Dr. Tamkin plays an important role in the book, he is the only one who is willing to give Tommy advice that is really worth knowing. He constantly tells him to live in the moment. To seize the day. 

Also I think we should all learn from this. Currently, we live in a world where every things moves fast, where life has to be lived a a fast pace, and the only way to keep up is by adjusting ourselves to this change. Although this type of lifestyle be beneficial sometimes, it also harms us. We fail to acknowledge those small details in life that make us happy, those small things that we take for granted are the ones, that without knowing it, make us really appreciate we are very lucky to have the many things we have. 

Sooner than later is better

In chapter four of Seize the Day by Saul Bellow, I noticed various passages that give important meanings. In fact, out of all the chapters so far I believe this one has been the best one. 

The first passage I want to point out is one where Wilhelm is expressing his thoughts and describing how everyone in the hotel has a story to their life, this happens right after Dr. Tamkin tells him about the case he dealt with in the morning. 

"Everybody in the hotel had a mental disorder, a secret history, a concealed disease. Everyone was like the faces on a playing card, upside down either way." (pg. 60)

I was very surprised when I read this passage because I was thinking about this today. The fact that it is very difficult to trust people due to when each and every one of us has deeper things going on that what we usually show. I'm not saying nobody is true and that everybody walks around with a mask on but we are also not capable of completely exposing ourselves to the world because we are afraid that this world will hurt us and of course we cannot afford this under any circumstances.

"I am at my most efficient when I don't need the fee. When I only love. Without a financial reward. I remove myself from the social influence. Especially money. The spiritual compensation is what I look for. Bringing people into the here-and-now. The real universe. That's the present moment. The past is no good to us. The future is full of anxiety. Only the present is real-the here-and-now. Seize the day"

I do not feel the need to elaborate on this passage simply because I find it is quite self explanatory.  We can finally make a connection between the content of the novel and the novel's actual title. I believe we should all live as how it is being described here, there would be less worries in our lives. One thing we need to be clear on is that you may have a lot of money, a good career, and all those material things, but if you spend your whole life developing only these what good will it do you? I mean the last thing you are left with in this world is your spirituality and your love. So instead of realizing this when it is already to late, start now, seize your days. 

Money isin't everything you know...

The first two chapters lead up to this point in the book. We reach the climax of the breakfast. The chapter is full of discussion, anger, frustration and we are really able to see how Wilhelm's patience reaches the top. He is very careful of what he says around his father, he tries not to contradict him even though inside he is screaming to tell his father what he truly thinks of him. 

During the conversation they have over breakfast, including Mr. Perl's various comments, we can tell that Tommy's dad is very caught up in what other people think of him. He does not want to let Mr. Perl know about his children's failures, in a way he is ashamed of them. Also, every little thing revolves around one thing only, money. This is a reoccurring topic, it's all Dr. Adler, Mr. Perl and Tommy think about. Tommy blames all his disgraces on the fact that he no longer has the money he used to nor he does he have the career and lifestyle to earn money. In fact, I find Dr. Adler is actually quite obsessed with money, everything he says always comes back to that. He is a very materialistic person which leads me to think that this may be the reason why he is so selfish and was never able to be the unconditional father one should be. 

"I can't give you any money. There would be no end to it if I started. You and your sister would take every last buck from me. I'm still alive, not dead. I am still here. Life isn't over yet.  I am as much alive as you or anyone. And I want nobody on my back. Get off! And I give you the same advice, Wilky. Carry nobody on you back"

To me, this is the most shocking and revealing passage of the whole chapter. It shows how greedy and superficial a person can become, how self involved with money a person can become. This clearly shows why Dr. Adler thinks the way he does and treats his son the way he does. 

Although you cannot always carry everyone on your 'back' you can atleast try to because you will never know if you will need their help in the future. Even though it is in our nature to be selfish for the most part you try not to be because in the end who will you have? Will you be the person who ends up alone?

The right way to move on...

Throughout the second chapter of Seize the Day protagonist keeps on describing his dislike towards life, his disgraces throughout it and most importantly his father's opinion towards him. 

Every child, especially in a father-son relationship, is always craving to make your parent proud, to exceed his expectation, to make his father feel like he can say 'boy, that's my son', and in my opinion the worst thing a person can show to another is deception. So obviously even though Tommy does not admit it directly, you can tell that he knows he has disappointed his father by the career and life choices he has taken, which in a way has a huge influence on how Tommy goes about the day. 

One thing I found very interesting was the fact that Dr. Adler forgets his wife's death anniversary. I cannot tell exactly if he does it on purpose of he truly forgets it. Tommy is actually quite offended by this and this gives him more material to criticize his father's cruelty and non support. Although many people may argue that this can be seen as a positive attitude, as in a demonstration that the person has moved on with their life and accepted death as a natural thing, I strongly disagree with this opinion. If you were to really believe that you moved on with your life after such a tragic event, you could be brave enough to face it, and remember the person instead of forgetting him/her, if you do this you are simply running away from it all. 

Interpretation? Imagination? Narration?

At first I did not like the tone and mood of the novel Seize the Day, I found it meaningless and boring. But once I got more and more caught up in the story I realized that the what makes the novel what it is, is the way it is written. In fact you have to be very careful because you might get mixed up between parts where the narrator is narrating and when it is actually talking almost in first person from Tommy's thoughts. So even though the story is being narrating from a different perspective there are parts where the story line is being interrupted by Tommy's thoughts or even what other people in the story think of Tommy such as Dr. Adler's opinion. This is the reason why the reader may sometimes not know the difference between whether it is an interpretation, imagination, or simply narration, it gives a confusing feeling between reality. 

From the way the narration and Tommy's thoughts develop, we can automatically tell that Wilhelm's life isn't the best one. As he descends to the lobby and stops at the new stand before meeting his father he has various flashbacks such as the one about Maurice Venice. From the choice of words and the description of his relationship with his father we can tell that he cares a lot about what his father thinks of him, and in his eyes he sees himself as a failure. Due to the fact that the novel is written the way it is, as if to say you might be confused about what is narration and what is opinion, we may even say that the description of Venice in the story at some point mixes with the description of Tommy himself. Of course the catch to this is that Wilhelm himself is giving the description, so we can infer that he's not very fond of himself. 

Also the reader is left we an intriguing feeling about how Dr. Adler actually is. At times he may seem like sophisticated retired doctor whom Tommy admires and at other times he seems like  a selfish, ambitious father who has never supported any of his son's decisions. 

Should we laugh or not?

At first I saw A Simple Soul by Gilbert Flaubert as a not so good short story, a simple story about a girl whose life only had tragic events in it. I won't say it was pointless since I have found out throughout the years that nothing really is completely pointless or else the author wouldn't have put so much effort in it. But I can admit that after today's discussion in class my opinion on this short story took a whole new turn. 

Even though most of the story is written in a serious tone describing not so funny situations in the end I noticed that what Flaubert is doing is mocking us, as in society. When you read many of the situations the protagonist has to endure, you don't feel the need to laugh and even thinking about laughing will automatically seem completely cruel. 

Flaubert makes various comparisons between life vs. death and happiness vs. sadness by using several metaphors such as the parrot. At times these metaphors or connections may not 'click' in our minds this is the reason why we are not able to appreciate A Simple Soul at its fullest. 

I want to point out that my favorite part of the whole story was the last paragraph. Where Felicities dies. It creates a clear image even though it doesn't use much description. The fact that Felicity is in another room dying while everyone else is in a ceremony creates a sad and pity tone to it. The way Flaubert uses the description of the 'blue vapour', as in the scent that is usually spread in church, leads the reader to thinking that Felicity was actually poisoned by this. Soon the paragraph makes a complete turn when Flaubert mentions the parrot as the last thing she sees. Once you know that the parrot actually symbolizes Felicity's happiness, dull life, and death, you will notice that you won't know whether to laugh about the fact that it is a huge parrot staring over her while she dies or feel sadness since it shows that in a way her life wasn't very interesting. 

The view from the sideline

In class we discussed and analyzed the form of writing called 'free indirect style'. Most of A Simple Soul by Gilbert Flaubert is written in this style. Even though it is narrating the story of a young girl called Felicite and how her life changes throughout the years, we can see how this style actually makes the reader understand how the protagonist is feeling even though it does not say it directly. Personally, I find this style makes you feel as if you were there witnessing what is being told in the story. In other words, as if you were an spectator on the sideline. There might not be a great need for elaborate descriptions, but the word choice changes everything and the tone it is written also. 

"She opened it gladly for Monsieur Bourais, a retired lawyer. His
bald head and white cravat, the ruffling of his shirt, his flowing
brown coat, the manner in which he took his snuff, his whole
person, in fact, produced in her the kind of awe which we feel
when we see extraordinary persons. As he managed Madame's estates,
he spent hours with her in Monsieur's study; he was in constant
fear of being compromised, had a great regard for the magistracy

and some pretensions to learning." 

This passage is a great example of how Flaubert uses the indirect style. In the first few sentences, there is a vivid description but if you pay close attention and at times you might have to read it more the once, we can detect Felicite's opinion in the description without actually saying that this is what she thinks of the man. Also towards the end of the passage there is a description of his personality which is the perfect example of how Felicite regards him as.