The Pursuit of a Personal Legend

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a tale that breathes such simplistic beauty that by reading its words we shed irrelevance with just a turn of the page. For anyone who is not familiar with it—you are missing out on a world of esoteric wisdom. In this way, I suppose if you don't already hold the key, it may not make much sense to you (Perhaps, it may even cause frustration). 

But for those who enjoy a nice glimpse at age old mysticism, the Alchemist will not disappoint. It all starts with an ancient story of Narcissus—who finds comfort in staring at his own reflection in the water, yet whose fate is to drown in this very same lake. After his death, a flower blooms in remembrance of him—the narcissus. And the lake turns salty with tears. When the goddess of the forest comes to ask the lake why she would weep over his death, the lake replied that she did not notice Narcissus' beauty. Rather she did not see him at all. “I could see in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected.” Without his presence the lake wept at the absence of her own divine reflection.

This particular initiation into the journey that is presented within the Alchemist foreshadows the symbolic and spiritual nature of the entire novel. The story is short and sweet—as straightforward as pure wisdom is able to manifest into words. The introduction hints the lesson we must learn at the beginning of such an endeavor. Narcissus is he who is a slave to his own ego—a martyr of the material realm fueled by the self-serving principle. This age old tale of the narcissist shows that such a force has the power to become our own undoing. On both ends the recognition of such beauty within this world has the potential to overwhelm us to the point that we fall completely within it and become lost in an enchanted state until death, like Narcissus. Or like the lake, we weep over the discovery of such beauty and cannot find a way to live without it—thus we become bitter. In the end, the true lesson is outlined through the boy, Santiago's own journey and encounter with such forces.

In pursuing his 'Personal Legend'—the thing which gives his own life meaning, the boy encounters forces greater than himself that begin to take the form of a unique, all-encompassing, ancient language. It is this universal language that guides him on his way to his one true destination, the fate for him that was always written 'Maktub—it is written' as the Arabs would say. The desert provides a stage to capture the subtleties of this great journey in that the compass always points to the end—fulfillment of one's life goals, despite the many obstacles that were written into the sands before the boy ever arrived. Each test was placed to keep the boy on track to show him the truth behind the worth of what lies at the end of the road. And however tempted he may be to sway off the destined course, the boy's pursuit of his 'Personal Legend' is more powerful than the most ideal side-quest ever imagined.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1993), x.

Sawako Ariyoshi with a Generational Tale

The River Ki by Sawako Ariyoshi is a beautifully written novel that opens a window into Japan's historic shift in social culture and separation from tradition. The story begins at the turn of the 20^th Century, when high ranking family names and samurai titles still had a hold on the land. Traditional life was very much alive and complimented with intriguing myth and rituals practiced by the Japanese for generations. Among these myths are tales of the River Ki that seem to indirectly shape the lives of three generations of women that live along its banks. The first daughter Hana is told by her grandmother that a woman must travel down the River Ki on the day of her wedding, since going against the flow of the river is bad luck. It is like going against the will of nature. Like all the brides of her family did so before, Hana would travel down the river to meet her husband on her wedding day.

This tale is infused with rich symbolism of the River Ki, though it offers an even more unique glimpse at the rapid social shifts that changed the face of Japan. The tradition, rituals and social rules that Hana so gracefully practices seem only to offend her daughter Fumio. It is probable the focus on Fumio holds the most importance, since Hana's other daughters seem to accept the old traditional ways with pleasure. Fumio represents the shift in a woman's role in Japan, and this is presented with a saddening desperation from her mother Hana. She cannot find a way to get through to her daughter, and the tradition is slowly slipping away.

Sawako Ariyoshi is one of the most popular and successful modern writers of Japan. Her ability to craft beautiful prose only adds to each story rich with compelling characters and historic context. This author follows the ever-changing waves of life in 20^th Century Japan at a time when war and social upheaval paved the way for modern development. This rapid shift came to Hana like a rug pulled out from underneath her family tree. The framework in which the greatness of the Matani family was built had become obsolete and thus disintegrated with the changing times.

#8 A Short History of the World by H.G. Wells

Chapter 45:  The Development of Latin Christendom

 When it comes to history, H.G.Wells gives a great overview of empire and ages that stood the test of time to shape the progression of mankind. A Short History of the World is focused on the most prominent past civilizations from the Mongols to China and Egypt to Rome. 

But Wells' ability to adapt the ages through religious and philosophical trends of the era seems to put things into perspective when it comes to the most prominent social and spiritual ideas. People can not be labeled as a product of their country alone. In reality, a sense of nationalism is more a concept of the recent future. In the past, the empire was gathered by force or won over through presenting a new, more tantalizing ideal. These ideals were often sold to mass populations through the institution of religion. Which is why religion should always be considered when viewing historic events and vast shifts in mode of thought.

A Short History of the World just barely scratches the surface of Earth's past. At times it seems to be lacking a few important peoples, places and events. Luckily, the newer versions seem to make up for these narrow shortcomings by placing an additional set of notes in the back. Anything that has since changed through research and scientific discovery is modified and noted as such. What makes this book fascinating is the time period in which it was written. Written in 1922, the concluding chapter The Political and Social Reconstruction of the World, reflects Wells' concerns for the impending aftermath of the Great War. He writes:

“The war had arisen as a natural and inevitable consequence of the competitive nationalisms of Europe and the absence of any Federal adjustment of these competitive forces....”

“....and if the Great War had not come in the form it did it would have come in some similar form – just as it will certainly return upon a still more disastrous scale in twenty or thirty years' time if no political unification anticipates and prevents it.”

It just so happens, the second world war came no more than seventeen years after the publication of these words. The concerns of this keen historian and author foreshadow the events of World War II before they would unfold. With this intelligent observation of world affairs, we can begin to understand how accepting the inevitable only welcomes this static outcome. H.G.Wells only wished to call people into action to make the necessary changes for a brighter future. Instead, these words would collect dust on the shelves, while tanks and bombers destroyed the world.

Wells, H.G.  A Short History of the World.  (New York:  Penguin, 2006).  340.

H.G. Wells Unearths the Histories

H.G.Wells was both a British historian and fiction author in an era that was rapidly changing with each unfolding decade. 

Wells is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Science Fiction,” though his wider collection of work reflects his overall versatility as a writer. This man of many opinions was not afraid to express them –with modesty, of course. Wells was highly focused on  world events and predicted the consequences as the future would unfold. In the 1922 publication 

A Short History of the World, Wells does not fail to enrich the past with this unique book that finds itself in the middle of two great wars, frozen in time.

Aepyornis with Egg

H.G. Wells was insane enough to tackle one of the most difficult tasks of interpreting the ages by referring to the most prominent primary sources. As crazy as it sounds, Wells did just that. A Short History of the World reads easily like a novel, and finds its place up on the shelf under non-fiction. 

Although at times the description and interpretation seem to fall short of modern 'perspective', the timeline does hold a worthy sense of the larger picture. With this historical re-telling of the oldest civilizations and even the dawn of nature and species, Wells opens a window into his own perspective of the histories which also speaks in part for the general consensus of the people in his time period. However, Wells does not cease to add his own opinions at the most opportune moments.

I find myself enchanted by H.G. Wells when he takes on another form of writing. In the short fictional story Aepyornis Island, we find the other side of Wells that paints the scenery of Madagascar with fantastic imagery that completes the most extraordinary description. The simple humor and memorable characters within the story, mainly the elephant bird or 

aepyornis, give it a peculiar twist of excitement and discovery. Whatever it be with H.G. Wells, it is sure to entertain if nothing else.

 

Shedding Light Upon the Shade of Time

 When it comes to Ayn Rand, I just can’t put the book down.  There was one point where I stood up from my seat, continued out the waiting room and onto the scale still searching for the bookmark (receipt) and fumbling for an ending word.  But, it never came, so I had to find my spot on the page again later.  It has taken me a month to get back to this when the book was only 100 pages!  

Sad to see my own goal mocking me, but I will just say I was a bit naïve and get on with it.  Things come up and distractions are a disaster mixed with the untimely appearance of my dear old skill-set of professional procrastination.  But at the end of the day, I read it and that’s all that matters.  So, here it 'tis.

This book is genius.  Anthem was published a novella in the U.S. during the 1940s and is a perfect example of Ayn Rand’s claim to fame in the world of philosophical fiction.  Her ability to craft visual phrases into beautiful exposition is impressive and the characters are relatable because of their human qualities and imperfections.  Rand delivers the background and information as simple as possible, but also in a way that will influence the audience to give the final story new meaning.  In the end, she has shown her mastery of the art of literary theory.

Never have I ever considered writing a fan-fiction, for ANYTHING… but.

If I was ever into that sort of thing, this story is definitely worth writing an entire series about.  The idea itself is exciting, since it takes place in a civilization that would seem very strange when compared to our own.  Everything is done for “we” and thinking collectively has become the mode of society.   

Anthem Graphic Novel by Charles Santino

And if you don’t comply, you will be lashed (just when you thought we had gotten past the Dark Ages).  There is no advancement in every day life, any discovery of knowledge is buried, there is only that which you are assigned and ordered to do, and you obey.  No one rebels, it is unheard of and unthinkable.

But just when you thought it could maybe be not so bad, you realize that the main character’s name is Equality 7-2521.  There are no personal names.  Names are more like numbers in a classification system.  And the anthem of the ages goes like this, "We are nothing.  Mankind is all.  By the grace of our brothers are we allowed our lives.  We exist through, by and for our brothers who are the State.  Amen."

Oh, Equality 7-2521 is about the age where he is beginning to see the bigger picture.  He’s genuinely intelligent, more so than all others.  And, he has a thirst for knowledge.  It is reminiscent of the forbidden fruit meaning the understanding of all things you did not know before.  It can change a person, and it has since the dawn of humankind.  Now we all wear clothes, and that feeling of embarrassment while unclothed is symbolic of the realization that we are a being that is looked upon by other beings.  The themes are quite similar, since there seems to be a switch in mode of thinking once he crosses the barrier of forbidden knowledge.  The story itself is short and sweet.  My only complaint is that, I want to know more!

Ayn Rand.  Anthem.  (New York:  Signet, 1995),  21.

#6 Dubliners by James Joyce

"The Wild Ones" by Jack B. Yeats

 This book is definitely one of the most well written pieces of literature that I've come across in a long time. It is a good sign when you can reread something and receive even more enjoyment out of it the second time around. That being said, I am excited to read more by James Joyce some day, but for now it is all about Dubliners.

I began reading just before leaving for a tour, and ironically enough, my tour guide was from Dublin. It is interesting to me to find myself being pulled into these scenes when Temple Bar or the river Liffey is mentioned, but the stories really do the city and the people justice. There is such a huge difference of social functionality between cities in Ireland that I was utterly amazed. From Galway to Killarney to Cork to Dublin, the Irish are the same, but all so different!

So for Dubliners at this time, it is all about routine and fantasizing about breaking away from this daily droning into something full of spontaneous excitement. The difficulty lies in a moment when you must make a sacrifice to build something better, and in each scene the character will struggle with a reaction. It is fear or a circumstance or even a person who has such an impact that change seems impossible.

When it comes to the last story, The Dead the theme is obviously in the title. In this story, the final word leaves the reader with a somewhat reassuring truth to the matter at hand. The life of those who live outside the routine leaves more of an impact, because they were devoted to something and this force is carried over even after their deaths. They will be remembered among and even over the living for their passionate nature.

Out of all of these stories, I have to say my favorite is Eveline. There's just something very romantic about it.

Encounters with Realism

James Joyce in 1904

#6 Dubliners by James Joyce

 Ever since I left for Ireland, I’ve been carrying around the next book Dubliners.  This book which is a compilation of fifteen separate short stories was written by James Joyce in and about early 20^th Century life in Dublin.  The stories are told through the eyes of narrators at various stages in life, and each is progressively older than the next.  

It took me awhile to really get into this, and it may just be because the writing style is so relaxed and fluid.  The stories need no build up or introduction, and as you read, you have to allow yourself to fall into the scene.  

What I have found to be most intriguing is the simplicity and realism within each story.  Joyce is the type who picks each word carefully and will not overdo the description.  Because of this, time seems to pass at the true pace of experiencing a memory. 

These scenes are snippets of average, everyday life for all middle class Dubliners at this time.  But there is also a powerful message in each one of these stories.  I find most of them are unsettling in some way.  Each seems to hold a key lesson.  There is always something to be silently observed from the distance in these stories, and the difference between succeeding and failing at what appears the smallest insignificant moment becomes symbolic of the larger picture.  

Much of Joyce’s intent when it comes to the emotion of each story is to demonstrate how life is never as simple as it seems on the surface for a Dubliner.  Routine is inevitable at the end of the day.  To break away requires change for the better and can depend on another's cooperation.  Or the joys in life may very well be missed for fear of taking the next step into the unknown.  

The Liffey Swim by Jack Butler Yeats