Orientalism - Said

I find that Orientalism is apparent in other aspects of pop-culture and the arts, not just film. When reading Said's selection, I instantly thought of literature that upholds this biased view. Several semester's ago I had to read Coleridge's poem Kubla Khan. Kubla Khan makes many stereotypical references regarding the Orient. For instance, Coleridge writes:

"But oh ! that deep romantic chasm which slanted
Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover !
A savage place ! as holy and enchanted
As e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted
By woman wailing for her demon-lover !"

This passage touches on the "romantic" notion of the East, as well as its supposed "savage" nature. Coleridge is saying that despite the beautiful landscape of Kubla Kahn's vast empire, the land is untamed, wild and dangerous. Coleridge depicts the East as a place of mystery and enchantment, much like Spielberg depicted India in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Said writes that "Orientalism reveals more about the West and its fantasies than it does about the actual people, culture, and history of the East" and it is moreover a "valuable sign of European-Atlantic power over the Orient than it is a veridic discourse about the Orient." Due to the fact that Coleridge's text dates back several hundred years, it is obvious that Orientalism has been an issue for some time. However, now, more than ever, has its influence become apparent due to political biases and the horrifying opinion many Americans harbor that the East is subordinate to the West.

A Wild Sheep Chase - Murakami (part deux)

I got to thinking today about Boku's detached nature, and his seemingly purposeless life. The reader doesn't have any sort of insight as to why Boku is this way; no background of his childhood, major life experiences, etc. He just is. Yet, the entire premise of the sheep seems to carry some sort of spiritual meaning to those who "believe", so to speak. Boku becomes wrapped up in the whole ordeal which resembles a kind of cult. He seems unfazed by the entire notion of coincidence (ie. the Dolphin Hotel, his girlfriend's predictions) and he lacks the ability, or perhaps, the desire, to find a deeper meaning to the sheep incident. Generally, I find that someone who leads a very meaningless life would find coincidence, or somewhat magical events, to raise questions as to why or how this could be. However, Boku remains unmoved. It is frustrating to see someone who is entirely cold to the world. I thought that Murakami's purpose in making Boku so removed may be to represent a kind of generational touchstone. Though the novel was written some twenty years ago, it seems relevant to today's society, in which the younger generation carries a detached air about them regarding the state of the world. I find many similarities in Boku's character that are reflected in many of my peers today.

A Wild Sheep Chase - Murakami

Thus far, I have thoroughly enjoyed Murakami's novel. His writing is modern, witty, and politically conscious. At first, I found myself irritated that the characters lacked names. Somehow, because of this, they seemed to lack "definition." However, as I read on, I determined that the nameless characters add to the mystery/adventure of the story. I can also admit, that at this point in the novel, I am completely confused. This isn't a bad thing. It's more that I'm unprepared for what's to come. So far, Murakami's novel is anything but predictable. Murakami, for me, at least, writes in such a way that allows the reader to convey vivid visualizations. I have a good idea in my mind of the setting of the various locations Boku visits, and the way the characters appear and carry themselves. This differs from Rushdie, in that his novel did not trigger as many visual ideas in my mind. I feel Murakami's book is far more developed. I would love to see this novel made into a movie!

Haroun and the Sea of Stories - Rushdie

This was my first experience reading Rushdie's work. I found Haroun, as a character, to be delightful. I think Rushdie was able to portray a character with youthful innocence, yet, a grown perspective on life. I feel that the importance of fantasy and fiction lies, not only its ability to provide escape, but also in its ability to relate to reality. For instance, Rushdie used his real-life experiences growing up in post-colonial India, to create a fantasy novel. At first glance, the novel appears light and child-like. But, to delve deeper, Haroun is torn between two opposites: fiction and reality. He grasps, by the novel's end, that both the real and make-believe can co-exist together. This can be paralleled to Rushdie's own life, in regards to religion and politics. He can write fiction (with a message) as a means of escape from the turmoil/conflict of certain Eastern religions. Yet, he must face the reality that there is no relief for religious conflict in the near future.