More Than Book: agosto 2009

lunes, 31 de agosto de 2009

The Anti-War

It took some time to understand what was going on at the beginning of the story, until I understood the post-war feeling of it.

First of all its important to know what is Dresden:

"The bombing of Dresden by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force between 13 February and 15 February 1945, remains one of the more controversial Allied actions of the Western European theatre of war. The inner city of Dresden was largely destroyed by 800 RAF and USAAF bombers that let loose 650,000 incendiaries and 8,000lb of high explosives and hundreds of 4,000lb bombs in three waves of attacks — approximately one bomb for every two people." (wikipedia.com)

Now that we know what happened in Dresden, its clear for us the will of the character to make a book about it. The main character tries to finds ways to write his book, making it appealing for readers, and in a way making his past a bit more honorable. But as he meets people who help him recall events to write it, he realizes his main purpose. To write a book that is against war. A book that expresses all of its horrible factors that have oppressed and decreased our moral. "And war will look just wonderful, so we'll have more of them." This is what made him realize what he doesn't want to write, motivating him to find more topics that would fill the pages of his book. "If i ever do finish it,though,i give my word of honor:there won't be any Frank Sinatra or John Wayne."

Once the character chose the main topic of his book, its easy for the reader to know what will it be about.

I think that experiencing the war, helps you find a new perspective of it, making your opinion worthwhile. But when it comes to being against ones country, because of war, things get a bit complicated. Its hard to criticize something after defending it. In the case of the character, he will criticize war, but in a way he is criticizing his country, he is against with what his country did. Its a tough position the one he is facing, I mean we are all free to express what we feel, but not everyone approves it.

We will just have to wait and see if the character meets with this struggle.

domingo, 30 de agosto de 2009

If It Were To Continue

As I was reading Dante, I never came to think if he really changed after the end. Well it comes out he did.

"My guide and i came on the hidden road

to make our way back into the bright world;

and with no care for any rest we climbed---

he first,i following---until i saw,

through a round opening,some of those things

of beauty heaven bears." (Inferno, Dante Canto XXXIV)

Its quite repetitive, after what we discussed in class. But its inevitable to choose this quote. This is what tells us that the journey is over, that Dante has seen what he had to see. That he is stronger for what may come. He is confident to reach god's glory. "It was from there we emerged to see --once more--the stars." (Inferno, Dante Canto XXXIV) He has changed in the way, that he found his way back out, he has lived and seen the most unwilled, but continues his way as a fearless person who has an objective in life.

With this I can also respond to what might happen next. Its simple, his journey continues to reach God. What more can be expected of hell if he already saw it all? Hell will continue to be the dreadful place he saw, but he has to continue his way. He changed for a reason, and that is to find a way to god, which is his eternal goal. I cant imagine nothing else, than what he already wrote. Its well planned, after all you have to head a long journey to reach your goal.

Thats what means for humanity, some fail but some prevail in their perseverance for their objectives.

In Dante's case he continues his journey through the purgatory to reach heaven.

martes, 25 de agosto de 2009

The Failure Of A Dream

In my/ mind hu/mans are/ bene/volent A

Hope can/ evapo/rate the/ endless/ pain B

Our vir/tues subs/titute/ the violent A

Everyone/ knows that/ a dream/ is in/ vain B

A sin/gle thought/ is use/less in/ reality C

Can some/thing stop/ the path/ through this/ lane? B

lunes, 24 de agosto de 2009

The Twilight Zone Justice

Humans always unite in the deepest despair, when everything is lost and the only way of surviving is the help of someone else.

In the case of this episode we see how hatred is a basic feeling in both of the characters, making them react as selfish, war loving people. As the episode goes on, we clearly see how they both join due to their loneliness, some kind of regret is shown by the American character, expressing compassion and forgiveness. This allowed the female to feel a peaceful environment. Through this small "click" the characters had, we can see how they both felt. This feeling made them grow close to each other until the past ruined everything. What made them enemies came back to separate them. "The enemy meets our troops."(min 19:41)

This part made me realize how, when men leave behind their past their is a sense compassion where we join as one same being. No one said it was easy.

The justice here is quite ironic because even though they killed, hated and destroyed each other, you may think that the easiest way of punishment is death. On the contrary, the punishment was to leave hatred,death,selfishness etc. behind to try to live in peace, which is harder, knowing how the past once was. Its clearly shown in the part where the Female goes to the American, after shooting him, in the civil dress.(min 23:15) Leaving her past behind to start a new future.