Though much glamour is anticipated, death through faith is rather gloomy. I do not talk, this time, of petty nuisances such as terrorists. I talk of an event mentioned in Salman Rushie’s The Satanic Verses. He does not mention that it is this event, but the two events are very similar. In The Parting of the Arabian Sea. A prophet (so they believe) tells her followers that the Arabian Sea shall part for them, allowing them to walk safely through, just as Moses in the Bible. However, it is obvious that the sea did not part for them, and that they drowned. in 1983, thirty-eight Muslim pilgrims walked into the Arabian Sea after a certain revelation from one of their number, and 18 of them died after the sea “failed” to open for them.

Now, the argument arises. Was it worth it? The dead ones died for their faith and died believing in their god. To their no-longer existent souls, they are pleased. However, the families of those who died apparently from either foolishness or stupidness are left alone. Those who drowned, those who selfishly did not think of the consequences of walking into the Arabian Sea without a means of breathing, did not think about the welfare of those that they have left behind on earth. Even though those who died might have been pleased with what they have “accomplished,” no one can argue the fact that such an act hurts those who are left to suffer the deaths of their beloved. Therefore, the argument that “Faith causes pain and suffering” as quoted from a Post-It note left in the archives of Mr. Salman Rushdie stands strong and with little opposition. If you have anything that you wish to say about this (some interesting facts or opinions), then please feel free to reply. I will take your thoughts under consideration as I finish my final project for my English 1102 class.

Thank you all for your attention.

From Cloud to Montgolfier

A principle theme in The Satanic Verses is the metamorphosis of man into animals. Saladin shapes into a goat-like devil character. This demonstrates to the reader his greed and demonic outer self. However, the novel also stresses that, for survival, one need to change. Gibreel was fortunate to be an angelic character by looks, but his selfish ways lead him to his death. Saladin changes, in fact throughout the entire novel, and his survival is certain.

If one does not change his/her ways in order to adapt to new conditions, then he/she will surely die. For example, If I have lived in the United States my entire life, eating and consuming at my hearts desire, and then moved to the Sahara Desert, I will have to change my natural ways in order to live. There are no Drive-Thrus in this African desert, and one must ration their meals. Water is also in shortage, therefore, one must learn to drink less at each meal, and save it for the next meal.

The band, Metamorphosis, even though the music is dreadful, makes good points about the need for change in life, adaptation, seeking new answers, or else death is upon us.

“Change or die / We’re looking for the answers of our life / Tonight / You’ll never change or die / The answer is for you to do what’s right / Tonight”

The singer stresses tonight in order to tell his audience that they must change as soon as possible, in order to find the answer to their lives, in order to survive. This is so deep, truly profound.

Gibreel’s first dream takes place in chapter 2 and is about Muhammad, the chief Islamic prophet, whom the narrator calls Mahound, in the city of Jahilia. It refers to Muhammad’s perios of persecution in Mecca and the episode in which several “satanic verses” were alleged to have been told to Muhammad and later expunged from the Qur’an. After several confrontations with the Grandee of Jahilia, his wife, and the poet Baal (Semetic god and one of the seven princes of hell), Mahound flees the city.

The Satanic Verses in Qur’an

Sura an-Najm (Star) 53:19-22

http://www.muhammadanism.org/Quran/SatanicVerses.htm

These Satanic Verses condemn women to be a slave to man, basically. Many Muslims deny the existence of such verses, and claim them as an insult of their prophet Muhammad. (     *sigh*     ) Overall, the first dream consists of Mahound and the Satanic Verses, and the condemning of these verses from the Qur’an because of religious blasphemy and such. I say, if Muslims do not like something in their most holy book, why even follow the book. I think I talk of a perfect world, without war or religion to influence wars. This may be what Salman Rushdie talks about, also. This is what I will find out with my research at Emory.

Salman Rushdie - The Satanic Verses

Are Muslim (or any) terrorists people? They have bodies, they think, they act. But where is their soul? They kill with the belief that they are pleasing their god(s), their religion. They are holy to the eyes of god for doing His bidding. This is foolish. People need to start thinking for themselves and need to stop following the thoughts and belief of “religious” individuals. No good has ever come from the murder and sacrifice of people–only fear and terror. That is the goal, of course, to create fear in order to get what the terrorists want. Most of the time, terrorists have a motive, that it may be revenge or a need. Either way, even if one claims that it is done for Allah or God, it is VERY selfish; it is murder.

Salman Rushdie begins his novel, The Satanic Verses, with two men, “real men” as he calls them, who jump off a building. What could ever motivate a person to end their life in such a way? Religion, peer pressure, the fear of Hell and the reward of 72 virgins. There lacks a common ground, or even, common sense. Where is their proof that an almighty figure is telling them to end their lives? Did they not have a family? Friends? Do these friends support the opinions of the terrorist individual? So many questions, and the people who could answer them are either dead or in prison for murder, treason, or terrorism.

I am guessing the terrorist are people–people who have nothing left to live for. Therefore, they explode buildings and planes in order to show that they in fact have nothing left. Again, selfish. Why not just live life to the fullest, where everyone is happy, content, and melodious? I understand that this is a very “hippie” view of life, but it really, really works. Try it, and I promise that all of your worries will just… disappear.

I must say: I am impressed with the support from the British government. They showed much optimism from free speech and the freedom to express opinions such as writing a book. They offered Salman Rushdie federal protection and jeopardized peace between Iran and Britain in order to protect the freedom of speech, also represented in the first amendment of the United States Constitution. (What whaaat!! U.S. representing!) I really just wish that the world was without ignorance and foolish behaviors–a world were no one would ever consider death as the consequence for writing a novel (and a best seller).

Salman Rushdie wrote a book (a pretty good one, too; I am half-way done), and as a consequence, a good part of the world wants him dead because their feelings were “hurt.” Well, I say too bad and get on with your life! I question the angry Muslims, do they have so little to do, that they must parade around with banners saying “Kill Rushdie”?

(This is not the first time that a religion rejects a book for blasphemy. The Catholic Church has an entire list of “bad” books. Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons found its way on the list. I also want to point out that the Church, though it does not like the views expressed in Angels and Demons, does not plan on killing Dan Brown anytime soon.)

This is really just an aside. : )

My prime focus during the readings of “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” as been the invisible man, since this individual is the one that my group picked to do a research project on. His arrogant attitude reveals his desires and successfully image the British government’s corruption. Being able to do anything he wants without any punishment parallels the government’s ability to do as the wish without any consequences. His dark acts directly relate to the government’s reckless corruptions. This is sort of a preview into what my group and I will be trying to prove in our website argument.

Now, I want to discuss the second volume of “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. What?!? It was a shock all around. Two of the heroes, the invisible man and Mr. Edward Hyde, died! There was sex, nudity, and rape (gay rape). I was simply not expecting Mr. Hyde to explicitly rape the invisible man before his bloody murder–what a monster. Also, this relationship between Mina Murray and Mr. Quatermain is too detailed and slightly repulsive. Am I to believe that a young attractive woman would have deep sexual relationship with an old, decrepit drug addict. No, it is just too convenient. Is she so insecure about her neck that a mere complement of beauty would turn her hormones to Quatermain’s advantage. Of course, everything described by Alan Moore is human nature and entirely possible. Nevertheless, I am still impressed that the second volume’s style is entirely different from that of the latter. The first was introductory and without any surprise. This volume, however, involved the deaths of two primary heroes! Such a turn of events is rare in a novel or movie. It was rather thrilling.

I really want to read “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Volume III” now.

There are some similarities, in fact, between Alan Moore’s graphic novel, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Stephen Norrington’s adaptation, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Many passionate fans of the comic book would argue that they are two very different works, but the idea is essentially the same. Alan Moore assembled a world where all of Britain’s greatest literary heroes are united. The movie plays more on the epic material rather than on the plot. The first difference can be seen as Wilhelmina Murray’s role as the leader or chief figure. Her part as a strong woman in a colonizing world is viewed grimly by people, making her different, out of the ordinary, extraordinary. She has yet to have shown any powers or skills similar to her compatriots, but she has talents. She is able to control the gravest of beasts (such as her ability to subdue Mr. Edward Hyde). This strength in a women in this society of controlled and “proper” ladies (as strangely portrayed in Miss Rosa Coote’s Correctional Academy for Wayward Gentlewomen) is unconditional, making her the monster to the extent of her being different (not that she has claws or anything). This development in Mina Murray is plainly seen in the graphic novel, but the movie fails to include any such story in her character. She is not even the leader in the story (incredible, right?). Still, the movie adaptation of the comic is quite a thrill ride and worth the my time.

In addition (as an aside), Alan Moore focuses deeply within British literature and bases every character from a pre-existing novel (a British one). His use of Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’s nemesis, is an unexpected one. I, in fact had trouble accepting him as a villain, since the story of Sherlock Holmes, though science-fiction, seems possible in real life, while the league of extraordinary gentlemen is rather far-fetched.

Disgrace—the loss of respect, honor, or esteem; ignominy; shame*—is also a matter of perspectives. In J.M. Coetzee’s novel, Disgrace, disgrace play a key role and is in fact the key theme. Having read far into the first half of the book, the plot has already expanded far beyond imagining, but let me start from the beginning:

“The reason is that, as far as I am concerned, what happened to me is a purely provate matter. In another time, in another place it might be held to be a public matter. But in this place, at this time, it is not. It is my business, mine alone.” (112)

*Dictionary.com definition

Lord George Byron

“This could not last–she lies by him she loved; / Her tale untold–her truth too dearly proved.”

–Lord Byron’s Lara

George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, most commonly known as Lord Byron, was a British poet and a master of Romanticism. One of his poems, “Lara”, was read in my class. His technique proved strenuous and challenging to the least. His methods are unorthodox, which, though making him unique, adds a myriad of difficulties. In “Lara”, Byron leaves key plot out of his story for varying reasons. For example, the reader is never told what the threat directed at Lara was. Also, the characters’ deaths remain mysterious and clouded. Though his reasons for covering the story with a mist of uncertainty can never be sure (since he never told anyone), it can be surmised that he felt the need to do so in order to leave some imaginative thinking space to his audience. It can, however, be irritating to never know the “true” story (the story Lord Byron had in mind). Some of this plot holes are what others could consider essential. Still, this demonstrates true mastery of the British element.

As I was reading Lord Byron’s “Lara”, I could not help but notice that Lord Byron left a commentary on femininity, cross-dressing and… well… male “bonding”. Firstly, there is the title and the name of the main character, Lara. The name itself, in this new century, is rather feminine and is rarely given to a man. Lara in the poem is in fact a man and the protagonist in this poem. Then, there is the servant (serf), Kaled. Lara and Kaled have a relationship that could be considered homosexual, to the point that Kaled ended up being a female. This dynamic character undergoes a dramatic change in the poem. He literally becomes a “she”. Cross-dressing, which was of course looked down upon by morality and the Church, is common in plays and acting, but uncommon in Victorian literature. The inclusion of such a topic can only mean that Lord Byron had something to say about it. I personally believe that Byron was indifferent about sexuality (this belief comes from Byron’s tone on the subject), but this is an open-ended argument–a never-ending mystery.

This YouTube video introduces the basics of Google Maps.

Google proves itself to be worthy again! Google Maps is an innovative way to present information to my viewers. Centered around a map, I can add text, videos, or pictures in order to share thoughts. The basic idea behind the map is that any person is able to locate my text’s setting. With “My Maps”, I am able to create stories or journeys and share them with any audience. This is also going to be an assignment in my English 1102 class at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Utilizing Google Maps, I will have to define “transnational migration” and show how the migration of people, ideas, or social norms impacts the psychology, politics or morality of one character from our readings.

Google Maps was already well known for its use as a locating device, a direction giver, or, plainly put, as a map. Our ability to drag a little stick figure onto the map in order to see the world virtually is astounding! Now, Google Maps enables people to make, using the world map, basically anything that they want, from a tab mark of a single place to a world tour. Imagination is the only limitation in Google Maps, because it lets you share videos and pictures from your own computer and even the entire World Wide Web. The ability to write text on a location allows the audience to situate themselves in the setting of the story, making Google Maps an innovative way to share ideas.

I invite anyone to use this free program; the application’s freedom and capabilities are remarkable to the least. Though I will be required to make a Google Maps as part of a graded assignment, I will be more than happy to use the program again in the near future.