Learning in this course occurred in so many ways for me as the assignments were so diverse. I was very open in the beginning about being a bit overwhelmed with the thought of this course and each week I found myself breathing heavy as I opened the module. Having opportunities to process the readings through the varied analytical approaches was positive. The books chosen if in the very least taught me tremendously to look at the elements I would not normally consider when reading. While religion was a common thread woven in each, I gained a better ability to search out the themes, look for them consciously instead of just reading to read. Not that reading for the pure enjoyment is wrong, it is wonderful, but reading to gain purpose and insight has power to evoke change and I haven't always embraced that.
I appreciated the discussion board more so than I expected I would. So many of you have such incredible life experiences and they were reflected in your writings. I gained wisdom from each of you. There were moments I was dumbfounded at the intelligence represented in the collective. I claim to be very tolerant and to make great effort to be understanding of others religious views and perspectives, yet I noticed at times, I was far from the place I professed to be at. My Name is Asher Lev and The Power and the Glory really challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone of faith and consider beliefs I wasn't so knowledgeable about. Not just to consider them, but to extend acceptance to them and all that comes with them, good, bad and everything in between.
I do feel the course objectives were met entirely. The two that most impacted me were:
-Examining religion and its importance to humanity. How could someone complete this course and not have some truths resound in them regarding religions influence on humanity?
-Graduate level written and oral communication skills. This was the first course that has challenged me to think outside my box in the way that I did so far in my graduate work. The expectations were at such a different level than most of the courses I have already taken. I was at first terrified of that. I stand at the end quite thankful, surprisingly, for that high expectations. I have a better knowledge of MLA format, writing skills and a greater ability to think analytically.
I think my one greatest a-ha moment in this course didn't necessarily come from a text but from advice Christine gave me. She reminded me to not take myself so seriously and allow myself to enjoy the stretch that was occurring in my learning process. I am thankful for her reminder as it centered me in focusing on the value of the experiences I was gaining and to enjoy the steps along the way.
If there were a change in the course, I would consider adding the opportunity for students to read a work of their choice and present the work to classmates in a project or paper format. Having so many other glimpses into how religion in literature can impact us would be insightful and interesting. It might open doors for the student to make additional connections by providing them with additional books to explore.
Great course, great classmates, great leadership. Didn't always love the text choices but I do respect the learning that occurred from them. There value in growing us is evident!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The Power and the Glory
Wow, I don't know where to start. I guess I will begin by saying this novel has to be one of my least favorite books I have EVER read. Maybe it is seen as literary genius, but I guess others opinions of genius are lost on me. I wanted some redemptive spirit to resound in me when I read the final paragraph and I was just left with "blah". As I read the last half of the book this morning (Saturday), I actually had to close the blinds so I couldn't see outside as my urge to mow the yard (my absolute least favorite thing to do) was so much greater than reading the end of this story. Maybe a bit harsh, but oh, isn't it great to be able to express an opinion.
Now, moving on, the title of the novel, The Power and the Glory was a bit lost on me. The power part I get, the glory part, not so evident to me. When I think of the word glory, the passion in it is more in the action of "glorify", and I didn't feel as if I could glorify anything related to the story. If anything, I can only connect the title to what the past was referenced as in comparison to the present situation that played out in the words of the novel. I also found it a bit harder in reading as it seemed disjointed and I found myself trying to keep track of the connections throughout. I am sure that was the intent of the author to weave things so that they came full circle in understanding at the end, but as the reader, it made it harder for me to invest in the authors efforts of bringing me full circle.
The Power and the Gl0ry was sad and depressive, and the thread of hope stated at the very last moment that not all the priests were gone, well, that wasn't even hopeful enough to mask the despair the novel blanketed life with in that place and time. Other moments that seemed to have little weight in the novel spoke much more to me than what I perceived as the "evident, big picture moments". For example, early in the novel on pg. 26, it spoke of Juan's father beating him for thinking he had lied. Later, he apologized when he learned his son had told the truth. Juan replied to his father's apology, "Dear father, just as our Father in heaven has the right to chastise when he pleases..." In that entire exchange, the thing that stood out to me the most and was the most powerful, even over the humility of a child stating his father had the right to chastise, is the apologetic nature of the father. I adamantly believe that in life, it is important for children to hear adults apologize when they are wrong. Too often adults take the stance that as the grown up, it isn't necessary or warranted. I think it speaks such grace and is such a teachable moment of forgiveness when adults admit to a child they are not always right, that they make mistakes and that it is important for adults to show that repenting nature towards a child. I think kids don't see that enough. For Juan's father to have done it in the time period of the novel surprised me as the parents role was so authoritative (at least in my mind it was).
In the novel, happiness was nearly an illusion, so few of the characters seem to have any ability to capture it at all, and if they did, it was for a fleeting moment. Captain Fellows seemed to be one of the only people to hold tight to it and even he was effected greatly. On pg 37, Captain Fellows thought was immensely profound to me, "He walked slowly; happiness drained out of him more quickly and completely than out of an un-happy man: an unhappy man is always prepared." What a statement! This notion was strikingly accurate when I thought about it.
Coral Fellows was an interesting little girl. She was portrayed a lot like Eva in that her "ailing" mother contributed to her life being much different than it should have been. But Coral unlike Eva, didn't carry the same child life persona. Coral was so grown in actions and lacking emotions and sentiment. The one thing she did seem to have that paralleled Eva from UTC was a wisdom beyond what should have been natural for her age. At one point, the Priest was trying to explain to her why he couldn't renounce his faith that it was out of his power. Coral followed the priest's rational with, "like a birthmark?" What a word picture to root faith as something so basic, innate, and with such permanence that it cannot be discarded.
Probably the most powerful aspect of the novel to me was the fallacies and falsehoods man has towards religion were laid out in many instances. What I am trying to say is, many times, we as man put degrees on religious doctrine or we have created rules that weren't God implemented but man implemented. Then, when people don't abide by the "man" rules or doctrine, they are chastised as having forsaken the faith or to have a lesser measure of faith than others. Moments in the novel unveiled many of the doctrine issues I have heard debated and argued many, many times by Christians amongst themselves. One example, on pg 62, the people were burying a child and it was urgent that they HAD to have a priest to say the prayer or blessing. The argument that people have been taught to depend on priests or pastors and have forgotten the power within themselves to pray and speak forth blessings comes to mind in this piece of the story. In several instances throughout the novel, there is reference to paying a fee for the priest to perform mass, communion or a baptism. I have watched entire faiths falter because "Godly men" took money for something that should have been done in love to edify the people in the name of God. This is not to be confused with provision for the priest in general, but in the novel, he seemed as if he would deny the people the blessing of God and drawing closer to God in walking out their faith if they could not pay him to initiate the acts. Why was there a charge to do the work of God? On pg 78, the priest stated, "there's nothing sacred in wine. Only it's hard to get hold of here." The sacred nature of communion and communion elements are again often of great contention in discussion of faith. Whether it is ok to deny someone communion if they are not of that faith or baptized, or if it is for all as in the bible when Jesus shared indiscriminately with saint and sinner. These types of references in the story were the real meat of this writing. I think that today, much of the intolerance in religion is because of the rules we impose that were never meant to be imposed. And the ensuing arguments that come just worsen the taste of the whole mess in the mouths of those trying to figure out if following God is even worth it.
One final thing I have to make note of before ending this blog.... so often in the novel, the priest was referred to as "giggling". This drove me nuts. The word giggle was so ill used by Greene to me. Men don't "giggle" It gave me a very wimpy perception of the priest. Was this Greene's intention?
Lines that caused me to take pause:
pg 33 ..while she stayed in a cemetery no one visited, in the big above-ground tomb.
pg 133 ..time depends on clocks and the passage of light.
pg 199 You always have answers which mean nothing.
Now, moving on, the title of the novel, The Power and the Glory was a bit lost on me. The power part I get, the glory part, not so evident to me. When I think of the word glory, the passion in it is more in the action of "glorify", and I didn't feel as if I could glorify anything related to the story. If anything, I can only connect the title to what the past was referenced as in comparison to the present situation that played out in the words of the novel. I also found it a bit harder in reading as it seemed disjointed and I found myself trying to keep track of the connections throughout. I am sure that was the intent of the author to weave things so that they came full circle in understanding at the end, but as the reader, it made it harder for me to invest in the authors efforts of bringing me full circle.
The Power and the Gl0ry was sad and depressive, and the thread of hope stated at the very last moment that not all the priests were gone, well, that wasn't even hopeful enough to mask the despair the novel blanketed life with in that place and time. Other moments that seemed to have little weight in the novel spoke much more to me than what I perceived as the "evident, big picture moments". For example, early in the novel on pg. 26, it spoke of Juan's father beating him for thinking he had lied. Later, he apologized when he learned his son had told the truth. Juan replied to his father's apology, "Dear father, just as our Father in heaven has the right to chastise when he pleases..." In that entire exchange, the thing that stood out to me the most and was the most powerful, even over the humility of a child stating his father had the right to chastise, is the apologetic nature of the father. I adamantly believe that in life, it is important for children to hear adults apologize when they are wrong. Too often adults take the stance that as the grown up, it isn't necessary or warranted. I think it speaks such grace and is such a teachable moment of forgiveness when adults admit to a child they are not always right, that they make mistakes and that it is important for adults to show that repenting nature towards a child. I think kids don't see that enough. For Juan's father to have done it in the time period of the novel surprised me as the parents role was so authoritative (at least in my mind it was).
In the novel, happiness was nearly an illusion, so few of the characters seem to have any ability to capture it at all, and if they did, it was for a fleeting moment. Captain Fellows seemed to be one of the only people to hold tight to it and even he was effected greatly. On pg 37, Captain Fellows thought was immensely profound to me, "He walked slowly; happiness drained out of him more quickly and completely than out of an un-happy man: an unhappy man is always prepared." What a statement! This notion was strikingly accurate when I thought about it.
Coral Fellows was an interesting little girl. She was portrayed a lot like Eva in that her "ailing" mother contributed to her life being much different than it should have been. But Coral unlike Eva, didn't carry the same child life persona. Coral was so grown in actions and lacking emotions and sentiment. The one thing she did seem to have that paralleled Eva from UTC was a wisdom beyond what should have been natural for her age. At one point, the Priest was trying to explain to her why he couldn't renounce his faith that it was out of his power. Coral followed the priest's rational with, "like a birthmark?" What a word picture to root faith as something so basic, innate, and with such permanence that it cannot be discarded.
Probably the most powerful aspect of the novel to me was the fallacies and falsehoods man has towards religion were laid out in many instances. What I am trying to say is, many times, we as man put degrees on religious doctrine or we have created rules that weren't God implemented but man implemented. Then, when people don't abide by the "man" rules or doctrine, they are chastised as having forsaken the faith or to have a lesser measure of faith than others. Moments in the novel unveiled many of the doctrine issues I have heard debated and argued many, many times by Christians amongst themselves. One example, on pg 62, the people were burying a child and it was urgent that they HAD to have a priest to say the prayer or blessing. The argument that people have been taught to depend on priests or pastors and have forgotten the power within themselves to pray and speak forth blessings comes to mind in this piece of the story. In several instances throughout the novel, there is reference to paying a fee for the priest to perform mass, communion or a baptism. I have watched entire faiths falter because "Godly men" took money for something that should have been done in love to edify the people in the name of God. This is not to be confused with provision for the priest in general, but in the novel, he seemed as if he would deny the people the blessing of God and drawing closer to God in walking out their faith if they could not pay him to initiate the acts. Why was there a charge to do the work of God? On pg 78, the priest stated, "there's nothing sacred in wine. Only it's hard to get hold of here." The sacred nature of communion and communion elements are again often of great contention in discussion of faith. Whether it is ok to deny someone communion if they are not of that faith or baptized, or if it is for all as in the bible when Jesus shared indiscriminately with saint and sinner. These types of references in the story were the real meat of this writing. I think that today, much of the intolerance in religion is because of the rules we impose that were never meant to be imposed. And the ensuing arguments that come just worsen the taste of the whole mess in the mouths of those trying to figure out if following God is even worth it.
One final thing I have to make note of before ending this blog.... so often in the novel, the priest was referred to as "giggling". This drove me nuts. The word giggle was so ill used by Greene to me. Men don't "giggle" It gave me a very wimpy perception of the priest. Was this Greene's intention?
Lines that caused me to take pause:
pg 33 ..while she stayed in a cemetery no one visited, in the big above-ground tomb.
pg 133 ..time depends on clocks and the passage of light.
pg 199 You always have answers which mean nothing.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Uncle Tom's Cabin, Part 2
There are so many things I want to talk about, I should first say that I have a totally new respect for this novel than I had before reading it. Maybe its pitiful that this is my first time reading UTC, but wow, did not expect to be moved in the manner I was by it.
To start, in one of the character analysis papers, someone wrote about Mr. Shelby's treatment of the slaves not being as respectable as it first appeared. On pg 261, Mrs. Shelby confronted her husband about straightening things out by selling property, horses etc instead of people. His response is to tell her she knows nothing of business. I was proud of her in that moment for speaking against what he was doing by presenting a logical alternative. It was just sad that his possessions were more important than human lives, even after his wife tried to identify more humane ways to deal with the past to honor a promise. The more Mrs. Shelby spoke, the more I rooted for her. She stated "It's only the morality of the Bible, Mr. Shelby" when addressing how she taught the slaves to commit to one person in marriage and her husband refuted that by stating she shouldn't have burdened them with a morality above their condition. Wow, what an arrogant thing to say. His comment in that era did cause me to consider the current opinion of marriage in modern times. His statement is often adopted by choice as many people CHOOSE to not burden themselves with morality in reference to marriage. Something meant to be a put down or insult all those years ago has morphed into an excusable "out" in today's society. Not by all, but so many, many people don't take marriage seriously. I wonder if they had their choices ripped away from them as slaves had if the sacred nature of marriage would be more evident verses convenient?
On page 269, words describing Eva's mature spirit were written. A portion of one sentence seemed to really stand out and personify more than her individual spirit but the spirit of the novel. "...for the seal of heaven is on it, and the light of immortality looks out from its eyes." Whether it was meant to or not, I interpreted that line as a blessing in the words of the book that honored the darkness of the story and the eventual triumph. Uncle Tom's Cabin does have the seal of heaven on it and immortality does shine through it. This novel has immense power almost 2 centuries later and will be timeless in its message to readers. God is honored in the writing and it speaks out for the good of humanity, as a reminder to present day people of where God has brought us from in our near past. That line just really spoke to MY spirit.
Eva's character really shown bright in the second half of the book. I was transfixed by her story. She was so perceptive and wise beyond her years. I believe the author used her child like faith and wisdom, to appeal to the sensibilities of the reader. On page 285 Eva asked,"Papa, isn't' there any way to have all slaves made free?" I appreciate that the author used a child to reinforce the morality of the slave issue. The purity of Eva's request was one of the most compelling moments for me in the novel. Shortly after this, evil reared it's ugly head again and once more, Marie St. Clare stunned me. Harriet Beecher Stowe really knew how to write the villains masterfully into the story line. Marie stated she would not trust the doctor that tended to Eva in her "critical" case. That behavior, not trusting the Doctor that took care of her dying child to see her, what a selfish perspective. Marie was both jealous of her daughter and habitually needing to "one up" her in each situation regarding her health. That Eva was such a sweet spirited child was a true blessing that Marie St. Clare wouldn't have even recognized to be thankful for. A final piece on Eva that just made me smile, on pg 296, she is talking about Jesus to the slaves gathered and she told them, "it is for you as much as me". Eva truly was a champion of equality. She and Tom together passed a torch that I gather greatly sparked a nation, or part of it anyway, to extend grace in a new way because of the hearts of these two beautifully written characters
I was surprised by the emotion evoked while reading the second half of the novel. I found it odd that I bawled when Eva died but was stone silent when Tom died. I considered it over and over, that Eva was a child and so forth but that wasn't really it. The redemptive nature of their deaths on others was touching, but that wasn't it either. All I can figure is by the time Tom died, I was numb and resolved to bitter outcomes. Ironically, I am sure that was one of the themes the author wanted to communicate, to create a more urgent awareness to rise above the numbness.
Another surprise to me was that by the novel's end, almost all the white characters ended up in the North and all the slaves ended up in Africa. It was an ending of homecomings. I guess there would be no where else that they could go to feel truly free.
The final thing that stands out is how heartbreaking it was to me that the slaves were set free
by Ms'r George but were terrified to embrace it. How sad that there dependence on slavery was the only thing they knew to cling to when offered what their souls longed for. To venture into their freedom was blinding to them. On pg 227, George told the freed slaves, "Think of your freedom, every time you see UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; and let it be a memorial to put you all in mind to follow in his steps, and be as honest and faithful and Christian as he was." I loved how George redeemed Uncle Tom's Cabin as a place of honor and remembrance instead of something degrading and shameful.
Some favorite moments for me in the novel:
-when Eliza and George reached the Canadian shore and knelt down and lifted up their hearts to God.
-when Beecher Stowe wrote in the concluding remarks, "These men and Christians cannot know what slavery is; if they did, such a question cold never be open for discussion."
(in reference to people remanding escaped fugitives back into slavery being debated in an 1850 legislative act)
-stated in the concluding remarks, "...beneath the shadow of American law, and the shadow of the cross of Christ." What a powerful statement, I had tried to elude to this in a previous blog but came no where near presenting the thought with such clarity as this statement did.
To start, in one of the character analysis papers, someone wrote about Mr. Shelby's treatment of the slaves not being as respectable as it first appeared. On pg 261, Mrs. Shelby confronted her husband about straightening things out by selling property, horses etc instead of people. His response is to tell her she knows nothing of business. I was proud of her in that moment for speaking against what he was doing by presenting a logical alternative. It was just sad that his possessions were more important than human lives, even after his wife tried to identify more humane ways to deal with the past to honor a promise. The more Mrs. Shelby spoke, the more I rooted for her. She stated "It's only the morality of the Bible, Mr. Shelby" when addressing how she taught the slaves to commit to one person in marriage and her husband refuted that by stating she shouldn't have burdened them with a morality above their condition. Wow, what an arrogant thing to say. His comment in that era did cause me to consider the current opinion of marriage in modern times. His statement is often adopted by choice as many people CHOOSE to not burden themselves with morality in reference to marriage. Something meant to be a put down or insult all those years ago has morphed into an excusable "out" in today's society. Not by all, but so many, many people don't take marriage seriously. I wonder if they had their choices ripped away from them as slaves had if the sacred nature of marriage would be more evident verses convenient?
On page 269, words describing Eva's mature spirit were written. A portion of one sentence seemed to really stand out and personify more than her individual spirit but the spirit of the novel. "...for the seal of heaven is on it, and the light of immortality looks out from its eyes." Whether it was meant to or not, I interpreted that line as a blessing in the words of the book that honored the darkness of the story and the eventual triumph. Uncle Tom's Cabin does have the seal of heaven on it and immortality does shine through it. This novel has immense power almost 2 centuries later and will be timeless in its message to readers. God is honored in the writing and it speaks out for the good of humanity, as a reminder to present day people of where God has brought us from in our near past. That line just really spoke to MY spirit.
Eva's character really shown bright in the second half of the book. I was transfixed by her story. She was so perceptive and wise beyond her years. I believe the author used her child like faith and wisdom, to appeal to the sensibilities of the reader. On page 285 Eva asked,"Papa, isn't' there any way to have all slaves made free?" I appreciate that the author used a child to reinforce the morality of the slave issue. The purity of Eva's request was one of the most compelling moments for me in the novel. Shortly after this, evil reared it's ugly head again and once more, Marie St. Clare stunned me. Harriet Beecher Stowe really knew how to write the villains masterfully into the story line. Marie stated she would not trust the doctor that tended to Eva in her "critical" case. That behavior, not trusting the Doctor that took care of her dying child to see her, what a selfish perspective. Marie was both jealous of her daughter and habitually needing to "one up" her in each situation regarding her health. That Eva was such a sweet spirited child was a true blessing that Marie St. Clare wouldn't have even recognized to be thankful for. A final piece on Eva that just made me smile, on pg 296, she is talking about Jesus to the slaves gathered and she told them, "it is for you as much as me". Eva truly was a champion of equality. She and Tom together passed a torch that I gather greatly sparked a nation, or part of it anyway, to extend grace in a new way because of the hearts of these two beautifully written characters
I was surprised by the emotion evoked while reading the second half of the novel. I found it odd that I bawled when Eva died but was stone silent when Tom died. I considered it over and over, that Eva was a child and so forth but that wasn't really it. The redemptive nature of their deaths on others was touching, but that wasn't it either. All I can figure is by the time Tom died, I was numb and resolved to bitter outcomes. Ironically, I am sure that was one of the themes the author wanted to communicate, to create a more urgent awareness to rise above the numbness.
Another surprise to me was that by the novel's end, almost all the white characters ended up in the North and all the slaves ended up in Africa. It was an ending of homecomings. I guess there would be no where else that they could go to feel truly free.
The final thing that stands out is how heartbreaking it was to me that the slaves were set free
by Ms'r George but were terrified to embrace it. How sad that there dependence on slavery was the only thing they knew to cling to when offered what their souls longed for. To venture into their freedom was blinding to them. On pg 227, George told the freed slaves, "Think of your freedom, every time you see UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; and let it be a memorial to put you all in mind to follow in his steps, and be as honest and faithful and Christian as he was." I loved how George redeemed Uncle Tom's Cabin as a place of honor and remembrance instead of something degrading and shameful.
Some favorite moments for me in the novel:
-when Eliza and George reached the Canadian shore and knelt down and lifted up their hearts to God.
-when Beecher Stowe wrote in the concluding remarks, "These men and Christians cannot know what slavery is; if they did, such a question cold never be open for discussion."
(in reference to people remanding escaped fugitives back into slavery being debated in an 1850 legislative act)
-stated in the concluding remarks, "...beneath the shadow of American law, and the shadow of the cross of Christ." What a powerful statement, I had tried to elude to this in a previous blog but came no where near presenting the thought with such clarity as this statement did.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Uncle Tom's Cabin
First of all, UTC has confirmed deep within me that God is divine. I realize what I am about to type is quite selfish and most likely naive but it is what I believe to be true. I have always been quite sure that I could have NEVER survived slavery, on either side of the ugliness. Now after just 250 pages of UTC, I am surer than I have ever been about anything that God is aware of how much "I" can bear, as I would have never bore slavery and survived it. The resiliency of the characters is breathtaking. The representational similarities of the characters to real slaves and the atrocities they faced was gut wrenching. When the trader sold the young woman's baby on the ferry, my heart ached, sincerely ached for those woman who had to live through that.
At one point, Shelby says, "He got religion at a camp-meeting, four years ago; and I believe he really got it." This comment struck me as it transcends time. I took Shelby's statement as an implication that many say to have found religion, or God, but few honestly do. That interested me that two centuries later, we still see this occurring. Very often people use "religion" or "finding God" as a crutch to validate or vindicate themselves. I see that it has always given people a bad taste in their mouth, not just in my time. A few paragraphs later, Haley says, "I consider religion a valeyable thing in a nigger when it's the genuine article, and no mistake." His shrewd ability to connect Godliness to monetary value unnerved me.
"....-undubitable signs, which showed too plainly that a man could not become a thing. this final piece of a sentence on pg 10 caused me to stop reading all together and just sit. That simplistic sentence summed up slavery to me in those few moments. It really was that simple of a basic human premise. A man is not a thing, an it, of no value, or worth less than another man. The way God's word had been mis-construed to permit slavery in the eyes of the partakers and those who sat idly by is a shameful piece of our American History. Even though slavery was not just an American issue, as a nation, we were founded on principles that established freedom and rights that separated us from being indebted to or controlled by others. How could we have allowed what Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote about to occur? In allowing it to occur, opportunities for people to feel as Eliza did on page 22 were possible, and that's not a good thing. Eliza said, "I always thought that I must obey my master and mistress, or I couldn't be a christian. What a sad thing for her to have felt. It astounds me that this ownership and obedience to another human had so rooted itself in her spirit that it affected her own perception of her salvation.
On Page 114 thru 120, George and Mr. Wilson have a very poignant conversation about slavery and God. The points George makes are intelligent, profound, insightful and extremely persuasive. I appreciate the author showing the realistic side of people living in slavery. The perception that slaves were ignorant, un-educated, un-emotional, irrational etc. was stomped in these pages. George's references to God and the country being "your", not his, umm, I wonder how many must have felt like George did? Can you imagine having nothing to cling to and call your own, to feel your whole life is another mans possession? Awful!
At one point, Shelby says, "He got religion at a camp-meeting, four years ago; and I believe he really got it." This comment struck me as it transcends time. I took Shelby's statement as an implication that many say to have found religion, or God, but few honestly do. That interested me that two centuries later, we still see this occurring. Very often people use "religion" or "finding God" as a crutch to validate or vindicate themselves. I see that it has always given people a bad taste in their mouth, not just in my time. A few paragraphs later, Haley says, "I consider religion a valeyable thing in a nigger when it's the genuine article, and no mistake." His shrewd ability to connect Godliness to monetary value unnerved me.
"....-undubitable signs, which showed too plainly that a man could not become a thing. this final piece of a sentence on pg 10 caused me to stop reading all together and just sit. That simplistic sentence summed up slavery to me in those few moments. It really was that simple of a basic human premise. A man is not a thing, an it, of no value, or worth less than another man. The way God's word had been mis-construed to permit slavery in the eyes of the partakers and those who sat idly by is a shameful piece of our American History. Even though slavery was not just an American issue, as a nation, we were founded on principles that established freedom and rights that separated us from being indebted to or controlled by others. How could we have allowed what Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote about to occur? In allowing it to occur, opportunities for people to feel as Eliza did on page 22 were possible, and that's not a good thing. Eliza said, "I always thought that I must obey my master and mistress, or I couldn't be a christian. What a sad thing for her to have felt. It astounds me that this ownership and obedience to another human had so rooted itself in her spirit that it affected her own perception of her salvation.
On Page 114 thru 120, George and Mr. Wilson have a very poignant conversation about slavery and God. The points George makes are intelligent, profound, insightful and extremely persuasive. I appreciate the author showing the realistic side of people living in slavery. The perception that slaves were ignorant, un-educated, un-emotional, irrational etc. was stomped in these pages. George's references to God and the country being "your", not his, umm, I wonder how many must have felt like George did? Can you imagine having nothing to cling to and call your own, to feel your whole life is another mans possession? Awful!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Part 2: My Name Is Asher Lev
I have so many disjointed thoughts to share I hope you will forgive the jumps about as I try to get out all the thoughts rushing through my mind. My Name is Asher Lev has completely turned out to be entirely different than I had anticipated. The author did a magnificent job of bringing the story full circle yet leaving the reader with so, so much to contemplate.
Asher grew under the tutelage of Kahn. At times, Jacob seemed to stifle the joyful aspects of Asher's gift to mold him into something Kahn considered to have more depth. Kahn told Asher on pg 215, "you draw with too much love." I am not sure that was a bad thing, Asher's true heart in drawing began by producing beauty, it was his joy. How often do you think that a mentor may steer the student wrong by pounding out the simplicity of a gift or trait in the one they guide?
I had rented a movie, The Devil's Arithmetic last week not recognizing the significance it would have to me after reading this book. For those not familiar with the movie, it is about a modern day teenager who has an experience that allows her to fully understand the pain of the holocaust. I just watched the movie this evening and it brought much clarity for me in visually helping me understand the "why" and the "depth" of Asher's fathers pain in reference to his son's art. Asher's fathers life purpose was so deeply entrenched in his heritage, in the Jewish past. He referred more than once to his father who was killed on the eve of Easter and the pain of that. His father understood from personal experience that which Asher could not. He felt the immense pain of a people, his people, his flesh and blood who had been offered up in ignorant sacrifice by those who were filled with self-entitlement and hatred. Asher's father realized the danger of his son's gift in that it could draw him away from truly comprehending the sacrifice of his ancestors for the freedoms to worship his God. This movie really encompassed the dilemma within Asher's father to me in the line spoken so many other times throughout life and history, "I will never forget." Asher's father was trying to assure his son never forgot where his people had come from by trying to chain him to that tradition and the past. Unfortunately, a parent so often fails when they hold so tightly for all the right reasons in their heart.
The final pages of the novel were riveting for me. Throughout my reading, I rooted for Asher, I longed for him to be set free to use what had been given him. I believed it would culminate in that "happy ending", especially as in the final chapters, Asher's father seemed to be coming around to his son's gift, finding ways to celebrate it in his own way. I was devastated in how it ended. I actually cried. All along I had wanted Asher to be vindicated and right and I was left with such a raw taste in my mouth. I wanted Asher to stand on his feet, to make a decision that was right for him. This is what I saw developing in the story line, that Asher was learning how to reconcile his 2 worlds. But it seemed he was finally given the chance to be true to himself (and I realize this is my interpretation) and he caved. He allowed the history of the past to continue, he allowed another to make a decision for him he felt was not the right choice and it brought shame that for once, he had the power to have avoided. When Asher questioned Anna Schaeffer about the two paintings and suggested displaying something else, he allowed personal conviction to be trumped by motive of another instead of listening to his heart. I believe there is purpose in balance and Asher realized that too. I think, he just didn't have the courage to stand on his conviction after fighting for his right to go against the grain for so long. I felt an ache for him as it seemed he took the wrong moment to buckle or make his stand. Balance is a choice. It's intended to temper ourselves and help us align with what is true within us and outside of us. I feel Asher made a devastating decision that he knew broke his parents heart and for the first time, I believe he truly, truly, carried the responsibility of that pain. Growing up, he accepted it, struggled with it, chewed on it, spit it back out, experimented with it but in the exhibition hall when his parents walked away trying to maintain pride and honor, the pain pressed him in a way that was crushing. He was mature and grown and able to have caused a different outcome and still maintained his integrity in his art, his family and his faith but he neglected that responsibility.
Maybe I am not as understanding in regards to art as I should be; maybe I don't have a grasp of the intent of the artist to break boundaries that is expected in the genre, but I was saddened at what I perceived to have been such needless selfishness. Not intended selfishness, but selfishness none the less. How devastating to stand so alone at the end of that journey. It's as if Asher could see texture, color, feeling in art and his environment, but in gaining skill in his art, he lost the ability to see peace. He grasped the pain, the sacrifice his mother had given for so many years, but expressed it in a way that she could never process, that could never thank her for the realization that he experienced. Yes, it was his realization to have, it was his to express how he needed to, but what a lesson to learn how our need to express can damage those we love so deeply. So profound that his eyes were referenced so often and in the end, he saw truth but allowed it to undo him.
On page 203, Asher read the words of Robert Henri, "Every man who has shown the world the way to beauty, to true culture, has been a rebel, a "universal" without patriotism, without home, who has found his people elsewhere." I would say that the words of Henri became a self fulfilling prophecy for Asher. Asher began with sharing beauty in his world, he was a rebel who appeared to have no patriotism to his culture, his people, he never fit in his skin it seemed, so alone in a community that was so tight knit. And in the end, Asher was left to find his people elsewhere for his "true culture". I just am left wondering how "true" it really was in his spirit man.
Asher grew under the tutelage of Kahn. At times, Jacob seemed to stifle the joyful aspects of Asher's gift to mold him into something Kahn considered to have more depth. Kahn told Asher on pg 215, "you draw with too much love." I am not sure that was a bad thing, Asher's true heart in drawing began by producing beauty, it was his joy. How often do you think that a mentor may steer the student wrong by pounding out the simplicity of a gift or trait in the one they guide?
I had rented a movie, The Devil's Arithmetic last week not recognizing the significance it would have to me after reading this book. For those not familiar with the movie, it is about a modern day teenager who has an experience that allows her to fully understand the pain of the holocaust. I just watched the movie this evening and it brought much clarity for me in visually helping me understand the "why" and the "depth" of Asher's fathers pain in reference to his son's art. Asher's fathers life purpose was so deeply entrenched in his heritage, in the Jewish past. He referred more than once to his father who was killed on the eve of Easter and the pain of that. His father understood from personal experience that which Asher could not. He felt the immense pain of a people, his people, his flesh and blood who had been offered up in ignorant sacrifice by those who were filled with self-entitlement and hatred. Asher's father realized the danger of his son's gift in that it could draw him away from truly comprehending the sacrifice of his ancestors for the freedoms to worship his God. This movie really encompassed the dilemma within Asher's father to me in the line spoken so many other times throughout life and history, "I will never forget." Asher's father was trying to assure his son never forgot where his people had come from by trying to chain him to that tradition and the past. Unfortunately, a parent so often fails when they hold so tightly for all the right reasons in their heart.
The final pages of the novel were riveting for me. Throughout my reading, I rooted for Asher, I longed for him to be set free to use what had been given him. I believed it would culminate in that "happy ending", especially as in the final chapters, Asher's father seemed to be coming around to his son's gift, finding ways to celebrate it in his own way. I was devastated in how it ended. I actually cried. All along I had wanted Asher to be vindicated and right and I was left with such a raw taste in my mouth. I wanted Asher to stand on his feet, to make a decision that was right for him. This is what I saw developing in the story line, that Asher was learning how to reconcile his 2 worlds. But it seemed he was finally given the chance to be true to himself (and I realize this is my interpretation) and he caved. He allowed the history of the past to continue, he allowed another to make a decision for him he felt was not the right choice and it brought shame that for once, he had the power to have avoided. When Asher questioned Anna Schaeffer about the two paintings and suggested displaying something else, he allowed personal conviction to be trumped by motive of another instead of listening to his heart. I believe there is purpose in balance and Asher realized that too. I think, he just didn't have the courage to stand on his conviction after fighting for his right to go against the grain for so long. I felt an ache for him as it seemed he took the wrong moment to buckle or make his stand. Balance is a choice. It's intended to temper ourselves and help us align with what is true within us and outside of us. I feel Asher made a devastating decision that he knew broke his parents heart and for the first time, I believe he truly, truly, carried the responsibility of that pain. Growing up, he accepted it, struggled with it, chewed on it, spit it back out, experimented with it but in the exhibition hall when his parents walked away trying to maintain pride and honor, the pain pressed him in a way that was crushing. He was mature and grown and able to have caused a different outcome and still maintained his integrity in his art, his family and his faith but he neglected that responsibility.
Maybe I am not as understanding in regards to art as I should be; maybe I don't have a grasp of the intent of the artist to break boundaries that is expected in the genre, but I was saddened at what I perceived to have been such needless selfishness. Not intended selfishness, but selfishness none the less. How devastating to stand so alone at the end of that journey. It's as if Asher could see texture, color, feeling in art and his environment, but in gaining skill in his art, he lost the ability to see peace. He grasped the pain, the sacrifice his mother had given for so many years, but expressed it in a way that she could never process, that could never thank her for the realization that he experienced. Yes, it was his realization to have, it was his to express how he needed to, but what a lesson to learn how our need to express can damage those we love so deeply. So profound that his eyes were referenced so often and in the end, he saw truth but allowed it to undo him.
On page 203, Asher read the words of Robert Henri, "Every man who has shown the world the way to beauty, to true culture, has been a rebel, a "universal" without patriotism, without home, who has found his people elsewhere." I would say that the words of Henri became a self fulfilling prophecy for Asher. Asher began with sharing beauty in his world, he was a rebel who appeared to have no patriotism to his culture, his people, he never fit in his skin it seemed, so alone in a community that was so tight knit. And in the end, Asher was left to find his people elsewhere for his "true culture". I just am left wondering how "true" it really was in his spirit man.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
My Name Is Asher Lev
The story of Asher Lev is a contrasting picture of childhood. Childhood has such very different meanings when looked at in context of cultural and religious traditions. In this story, the religious perspective of Asher's people has very different meanings of what a child "should" do in contrast to the child today. His culture honors conformity to the norm set forth by the religious leaders, history and tradition. Asher is a contradiction to that norm and sits precariously in the middle of a family that carries the "torch" for the traditions of his people. When an adult is the catalyst for change or when an adult pushes the confines of limits, challenging those around them to view realities differently, that adult is usually ostracized or pushed to the outside of the group. In Asher's case, it is a child that is defying the limits and the adults are struggling to deal with the "how" of it all when it comes to parenting, guiding and understanding Asher.
The themes surrounding "individualism" in the story are touching in relation to the coming of age journey we see Asher on. Unfortunately, Asher lived in a societal group that thrived on sameness and inherent structure verses unique individual qualities. We see this carry out with a twist though when his mother is allowed to defy the cultural norm and attend university. Why then was it acceptable for everyone but Asher? He carried a mantle passed down through his lineage that defined who he should be and in all intents and purposes obliterated his chance at being an individual unless he completely threw down that mantle which we begin to see happening in the first half of the story.
In the novel, value also plays a large role. Those in authority refer to humans having the same value despite their calling, or the job they carry out. Yet, that respect is not given Asher for his calling. At one point Asher's father is trying to explain responsibility and the connection between man and the Master of the Universe to help Asher understand fulfilling purpose. He says, "man must make the opening by himself; man must take the beginning step. Then the Master of the Universe will move in, as it were, and widen the passageway. Asher, we have to make passageways to our people." This was profound to me that Asher's father explained purpose and responsibility in this manner when really, Asher in his way was also trying to make the beginning step and the Master of the Universe was moving in to widen the passageway but his father was trying to close it on Asher. His father understood this concept for his life when he placed "value" on what he did, but didn't recognize the value of what Asher did to also have the potential to be a passageway to people. His father overlooked the sweet spirit Asher approached those he loved with in regards to his drawings. In the beginning, Asher drew and attempted to share his drawings to bring joy, to evoke pride and as an expression of love for his mother and father and those he admired. But the adult value system and the purpose of "tradition" did not allow Asher's connection to widen.
Asher battles with right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark. He has a very mature sense of contemplation for his age in this way. He asks on page 119, "How can evil and ugliness make a gift of beauty?" This demonstrates another theme of contradiction. Asher is torn repeatedly between what he senses within himself as good verses what is told to him by authority figures as wrong or bad. Because of his gift, his mother says things like, "Asher, please don't be a child" or "I'm sorry to be such a mother". His father says, "a genius in drawing is foolishness" and "I am ashamed of my son". What difficult messages for a child to sort out. Even the words spoken to Asher contradict as in the line of "a genius in drawing is foolishness", so his father calls him a genius but then attaches foolishness behind it. Asher has so much to figure out. Adults are supposed to be his guides, but instead they seem to muddle things and make it even more difficult for him to find his way.
I find the hierarchy of authority in the religious community very intriguing. When the Rebbe has such influence in Asher's parents decisions it is not surprising that they in turn expect Asher to obey and submit without question. The Rebbe gave Asher's father three choices in regards to Vienna. The parents honored those three choices instead of making their own independent decision about what was best for them personally. Later there seems to be a level of resentment forming in Asher's father for that. Again though, this just deepens the threads of submission expected in the culture and demonstrates the immense struggle that little Asher has before him when he is seemingly so out of place in his own world.
Finally, I found that reading this novel has evoked an interesting emotional connection for me. Completely unexpected I can say for sure. When Asher's mother is sending her husband off to Vienna to do "God's work", she always tells him "have a safe journey, my husband." That statement becomes a prayer, a request to God and allows us to see her heart of love for her husband and a sliver of fear entwined with the prayer. What a strange parallel I feel right now as my own fiance' is in Vienna, doing God's work for a missionary organization and so often I find myself saying nearly the same thing as Asher's mother, "keep my love safe". I know this is a totally different time as then with not nearly the same stakes in regards to safety, but the love and protective spirit of a woman is timeless and I am feeling deeply connected to this character as I feel the passion of Asher's mothers plea.
The themes surrounding "individualism" in the story are touching in relation to the coming of age journey we see Asher on. Unfortunately, Asher lived in a societal group that thrived on sameness and inherent structure verses unique individual qualities. We see this carry out with a twist though when his mother is allowed to defy the cultural norm and attend university. Why then was it acceptable for everyone but Asher? He carried a mantle passed down through his lineage that defined who he should be and in all intents and purposes obliterated his chance at being an individual unless he completely threw down that mantle which we begin to see happening in the first half of the story.
In the novel, value also plays a large role. Those in authority refer to humans having the same value despite their calling, or the job they carry out. Yet, that respect is not given Asher for his calling. At one point Asher's father is trying to explain responsibility and the connection between man and the Master of the Universe to help Asher understand fulfilling purpose. He says, "man must make the opening by himself; man must take the beginning step. Then the Master of the Universe will move in, as it were, and widen the passageway. Asher, we have to make passageways to our people." This was profound to me that Asher's father explained purpose and responsibility in this manner when really, Asher in his way was also trying to make the beginning step and the Master of the Universe was moving in to widen the passageway but his father was trying to close it on Asher. His father understood this concept for his life when he placed "value" on what he did, but didn't recognize the value of what Asher did to also have the potential to be a passageway to people. His father overlooked the sweet spirit Asher approached those he loved with in regards to his drawings. In the beginning, Asher drew and attempted to share his drawings to bring joy, to evoke pride and as an expression of love for his mother and father and those he admired. But the adult value system and the purpose of "tradition" did not allow Asher's connection to widen.
Asher battles with right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark. He has a very mature sense of contemplation for his age in this way. He asks on page 119, "How can evil and ugliness make a gift of beauty?" This demonstrates another theme of contradiction. Asher is torn repeatedly between what he senses within himself as good verses what is told to him by authority figures as wrong or bad. Because of his gift, his mother says things like, "Asher, please don't be a child" or "I'm sorry to be such a mother". His father says, "a genius in drawing is foolishness" and "I am ashamed of my son". What difficult messages for a child to sort out. Even the words spoken to Asher contradict as in the line of "a genius in drawing is foolishness", so his father calls him a genius but then attaches foolishness behind it. Asher has so much to figure out. Adults are supposed to be his guides, but instead they seem to muddle things and make it even more difficult for him to find his way.
I find the hierarchy of authority in the religious community very intriguing. When the Rebbe has such influence in Asher's parents decisions it is not surprising that they in turn expect Asher to obey and submit without question. The Rebbe gave Asher's father three choices in regards to Vienna. The parents honored those three choices instead of making their own independent decision about what was best for them personally. Later there seems to be a level of resentment forming in Asher's father for that. Again though, this just deepens the threads of submission expected in the culture and demonstrates the immense struggle that little Asher has before him when he is seemingly so out of place in his own world.
Finally, I found that reading this novel has evoked an interesting emotional connection for me. Completely unexpected I can say for sure. When Asher's mother is sending her husband off to Vienna to do "God's work", she always tells him "have a safe journey, my husband." That statement becomes a prayer, a request to God and allows us to see her heart of love for her husband and a sliver of fear entwined with the prayer. What a strange parallel I feel right now as my own fiance' is in Vienna, doing God's work for a missionary organization and so often I find myself saying nearly the same thing as Asher's mother, "keep my love safe". I know this is a totally different time as then with not nearly the same stakes in regards to safety, but the love and protective spirit of a woman is timeless and I am feeling deeply connected to this character as I feel the passion of Asher's mothers plea.
Monday, March 31, 2008
A Wrinkle in Time
I will begin with my first "final" impression of the book the moment I closed it, stunned. I have always heard of A Wrinkle in Time, but had never read it. I also thought of it as a children's book but am wholly surprised at the complexity of themes and lessons conveyed in the book. I reflected back to being eleven to thirteen years of age and am not so sure I would have understood. Or maybe, its that at that time, the connections to faith might have turned me off and I would have disregarded the content. Either way, reading the book now was extremely thought provoking but I do think I am a bit of a skeptic in regards to the actual intended target audience of the book.
A Wrinkle in Time utterly surprised me with its wisdom's. L'Engle's writing was very dead on in perceiving the core of the matter. Almost immediately in the first chapter Meg comments on, "It's not just the weather, she thought. It's the weather on top of everything else. On top of me." On top me was so simplistic of a thought but such a word picture to me in how the burdens of life really can appear to parallel the forces of nature in personalizing a feeling.
Meg's character was extremely relatable. She speaks of why she cant hide things, why she must always show everything which is a very feminine characteristic as women are more naturally nurturers and evoked by emotion. Meg's character was allowed to vacillate between understanding and selfishness, inherent desire to do what was right and fear of where or how to start or even a capability to be able to do it. She had tantrums and was unruly towards authority as she struggled internally with the realities of her life. Meg was just real, she made you feel comfortable as you felt she was no better or worse than yourself. Her faults were visible yet her heart was sincere. It made you want to cheer for her, scold her, love her and guide her all at once.
The placement of scripture throughout the story often caused me to take pause. It came when I least expected it and from characters I hadn't intended to hear it from. For example, Mrs Whatsit quoted Isaiah 42:10-12 in Chapter four as the translation of what the creatures were singing. L'Engle extended scripture beyond our sense of humanity and beyond the perception of many that we solely exist in the universe, and used other beings to proclaim the word we know in a strictly "man" form.
Other concepts of faith and divinity were woven very naturally into the story yet were concepts beyond a norm in the basic christian faith I grew up in. At one point, Mrs Whatsit encouraged the children to look into the Happy Mediums ball saying, "how small is the earth to him that looks from heaven," indicating that the children were physically inhabiting heavenly space. This was a concept that was contradictory to me as I have always thought of that as a realm humans cannot conceive, imagine or venture to in life. The idea that all through the universe this evil and power of darkness was being fought was also a statement about faith uniting from multiple realities. It intrigued me. When Calvin asked, "who have our fighters been?" on page 85, the answer given pointed towards scholars and philosophers, artist and Christ. This placing of Christ with mortal men was disturbing as I felt it didn't honor him as he should be, yet it also upheld the role of others as torchbearers, so I was left perplexed about how I really felt.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed reading this book for the first time. It challenged my thinking, made me step back and consider some truths I hold as self evident. It also just made me feel normal because I had finally read something it seemed everyone else on the planet but me already had.
A Wrinkle in Time utterly surprised me with its wisdom's. L'Engle's writing was very dead on in perceiving the core of the matter. Almost immediately in the first chapter Meg comments on, "It's not just the weather, she thought. It's the weather on top of everything else. On top of me." On top me was so simplistic of a thought but such a word picture to me in how the burdens of life really can appear to parallel the forces of nature in personalizing a feeling.
Meg's character was extremely relatable. She speaks of why she cant hide things, why she must always show everything which is a very feminine characteristic as women are more naturally nurturers and evoked by emotion. Meg's character was allowed to vacillate between understanding and selfishness, inherent desire to do what was right and fear of where or how to start or even a capability to be able to do it. She had tantrums and was unruly towards authority as she struggled internally with the realities of her life. Meg was just real, she made you feel comfortable as you felt she was no better or worse than yourself. Her faults were visible yet her heart was sincere. It made you want to cheer for her, scold her, love her and guide her all at once.
The placement of scripture throughout the story often caused me to take pause. It came when I least expected it and from characters I hadn't intended to hear it from. For example, Mrs Whatsit quoted Isaiah 42:10-12 in Chapter four as the translation of what the creatures were singing. L'Engle extended scripture beyond our sense of humanity and beyond the perception of many that we solely exist in the universe, and used other beings to proclaim the word we know in a strictly "man" form.
Other concepts of faith and divinity were woven very naturally into the story yet were concepts beyond a norm in the basic christian faith I grew up in. At one point, Mrs Whatsit encouraged the children to look into the Happy Mediums ball saying, "how small is the earth to him that looks from heaven," indicating that the children were physically inhabiting heavenly space. This was a concept that was contradictory to me as I have always thought of that as a realm humans cannot conceive, imagine or venture to in life. The idea that all through the universe this evil and power of darkness was being fought was also a statement about faith uniting from multiple realities. It intrigued me. When Calvin asked, "who have our fighters been?" on page 85, the answer given pointed towards scholars and philosophers, artist and Christ. This placing of Christ with mortal men was disturbing as I felt it didn't honor him as he should be, yet it also upheld the role of others as torchbearers, so I was left perplexed about how I really felt.
Overall, I really, really enjoyed reading this book for the first time. It challenged my thinking, made me step back and consider some truths I hold as self evident. It also just made me feel normal because I had finally read something it seemed everyone else on the planet but me already had.
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