Well, where to start? I enjoyed Persepolis as a whole, but found it somewhat difficult to identify with at first. I think I was turned off by some of the anti-American sentiment in the beginning. Interestingly enough, I found a lot of this criticism to be ironic. While Satrapi is dismissive of the U.S. Government as imperialistic, she embraces the culture whole-heartedly. Then I thought, "Hold on a minute... I love this nation, (America) but I hate the government." At last, common ground.
Realizing that she and I were both disliking different facets of the same thing, I was able to overcome my bias, and enjoy myself as a comic book fan. While Persepolis doesn't really go all out on the artwork, which is my favorite part of graphic fiction, the simplistic artwork along with the unembellished narrative served to bring the reader into the youthful mindset of the main character.
And even though I'm complaining about the art, there were a few panels that I enjoyed despite my snobbery, notably pages 77 and top panel page 102. Respectively, the trip to Spain, and the description of the children being "zealotized" and tossed to the front lines . I liked the imagery of the trip to Spain for a few reasons. Firstly, I thought the idea of a magic carpet ride out of one's war-torn country to a far away land was both uniquely middle eastern and universally appealing. Secondly, the background in that panel is reminiscent of "Starry Night" which I felt was an appropriately somber yet beautiful backdrop for the situation the characters were in. Finally, the juxtaposition with the violence of the demonstration on the preceding page was striking to me.
On 102, the expression of the explosion I thought was very powerful. Dozens of young children with keys around their necks flying in disparate directions. This being a true story, really disturbed me a bit. I certainly hope they get to their promised afterlife. After being deceived and used like that, I feel it would only be just.
After watching the interview with Satrapi, I have to say that she achieved her goal with me. She said she wanted to express her experience in such a way as to make it relatable to the western mind. I really felt as if this could be me. I could have been born in a different time and place, been raised in a different manner, and born witness to the tragedy of warfare in my own backyard rather than hearing about it on the news. I don't think I would've been a Marxist though.
Nope, not a chance.
Hmm... that's a good a place as any to end.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Moviegoer
This was a really excellent book. So much so that I really don't know where to start. I guess I have to begin with the search. Binx is constantly after an unknowable escape from the "everydayness" of life. I can relate. How easy it is to get caught up in the routine of life, and then in your better moments to feel that nagging itch. The itch to discover what ever happens to actually be there, rather than what you are seeing. I think I'm having about as hard a time describing it as Binx was.
I think it is more of a search for meaning than anything else. I'm lead to believe this because of the things that break him out of his malaise. His main escapes are making money, his dalliances with random women, and the all-to-occasional meaningful relationships he has; such as with Kate or Lonnie. It seems to me that all of this plays into Percy's Catholic beliefs. The only thing that seems to break up the neutrality, (and therefore boredom) of life is either meaningful connections, one might go so far as to refer to them as love, or sin.
When I look at Binx I see a man content to live in his own despair. He is actually aware of the despair, and it seems to me he knows, at least subconsciously, what will release him from it. This is why he seeks out the romance with his secretaries. This idea is reinforced when he is lectured by his Aunt Emily near the end of the novel. He states"Whenever I take leave of my aunt after one of her serious talks, I have to find a girl". It is here that religious influence makes its subtle appearance. Binx is faced with his own inadequacies as a human being and seeks redemption through fleshly satisfaction. This is all well and good, save the fact that he has at this point in the novel already deemed the flesh un-fulfilling. As with Sharon when after he initially woos her he laments, "... I do not love her so wildly as I loved her last night." and then again with Kate, "flesh poor flesh now at this moment summoned all at once to be all and everything, end all and be all, the last and only hope-quails and fails." How depressing. He seeks that instant elevation of endorphins only to find out that after it's over his life still sucks. We've all been there buddy.
However, his search must go on. So what is he left with? The actual unselfish love that he has for Lonnie and Kate. I use these two only because they were the only obvious examples to me. The sex with Kate failed because he went after it with the wrong intentions. Had he cared more about the connection with Kate rather than the possible escape from the malaise he might of had one of those Dickinson style "Wild Nights". Luckily for him he ends up marrying the loony chick. If you don't consider that an unselfish and therefore ethically sound action, then you certainly haven't ever dated a psycho. It's no light endeavor allow me to assure you.
And with Lonnie, well he can't very well have sex with his crippled little brother, so all that's left there is the social connection. To his credit, Binx explores that avenue to the best of his ability. And I believe is rewarded with a clue to his search. It's the connections with those around us and what we do to give to them that gives life meaning. As with his mock religious debate with Lonnie. He does it to humor Lonnie, more than actually make a point. This gesture is especially pertinent considering their family's dissonance toward religion.
Well, there was a lot of other stuff I wanted to talk about but this is already longer than I expected it would be. So I guess I can always write a paper on it later...
I think it is more of a search for meaning than anything else. I'm lead to believe this because of the things that break him out of his malaise. His main escapes are making money, his dalliances with random women, and the all-to-occasional meaningful relationships he has; such as with Kate or Lonnie. It seems to me that all of this plays into Percy's Catholic beliefs. The only thing that seems to break up the neutrality, (and therefore boredom) of life is either meaningful connections, one might go so far as to refer to them as love, or sin.
When I look at Binx I see a man content to live in his own despair. He is actually aware of the despair, and it seems to me he knows, at least subconsciously, what will release him from it. This is why he seeks out the romance with his secretaries. This idea is reinforced when he is lectured by his Aunt Emily near the end of the novel. He states"Whenever I take leave of my aunt after one of her serious talks, I have to find a girl". It is here that religious influence makes its subtle appearance. Binx is faced with his own inadequacies as a human being and seeks redemption through fleshly satisfaction. This is all well and good, save the fact that he has at this point in the novel already deemed the flesh un-fulfilling. As with Sharon when after he initially woos her he laments, "... I do not love her so wildly as I loved her last night." and then again with Kate, "flesh poor flesh now at this moment summoned all at once to be all and everything, end all and be all, the last and only hope-quails and fails." How depressing. He seeks that instant elevation of endorphins only to find out that after it's over his life still sucks. We've all been there buddy.
However, his search must go on. So what is he left with? The actual unselfish love that he has for Lonnie and Kate. I use these two only because they were the only obvious examples to me. The sex with Kate failed because he went after it with the wrong intentions. Had he cared more about the connection with Kate rather than the possible escape from the malaise he might of had one of those Dickinson style "Wild Nights". Luckily for him he ends up marrying the loony chick. If you don't consider that an unselfish and therefore ethically sound action, then you certainly haven't ever dated a psycho. It's no light endeavor allow me to assure you.
And with Lonnie, well he can't very well have sex with his crippled little brother, so all that's left there is the social connection. To his credit, Binx explores that avenue to the best of his ability. And I believe is rewarded with a clue to his search. It's the connections with those around us and what we do to give to them that gives life meaning. As with his mock religious debate with Lonnie. He does it to humor Lonnie, more than actually make a point. This gesture is especially pertinent considering their family's dissonance toward religion.
Well, there was a lot of other stuff I wanted to talk about but this is already longer than I expected it would be. So I guess I can always write a paper on it later...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)