Hello Readers!
Here on my blog. This blog related to thinking activity on "The Da Vinci Code" Brown wove a tale about Robert Langdon, a renowned symbologist (we guess they can be renowned…in certain circles) who ends up on a quest for the Holy Grail with Sophie Neveu, cryptologist and estranged granddaughter of the guy who gets murdered in the prologue. They're on the run from the cops and unseen forces that are after what they know, in a race to find evidence that the Holy Grail isn't actually a cup, but a cache of evidence that Mary Magdalene had a child by Jesus Christ. (Whoa.)
some questions here :
《1》Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a 'constant spiritual journey' himself, and says that his book The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."
Answer:
Brown asserts that his books are not anti-Christian and were not against Christian rules. Through the mystery of the murder he reveals the facts about Christianity. Leonardo da Vinci's painting, The Last Supper, which tells of the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
《2》 “Although it is obvious that much of what Brown presented in his novel as absolutely true and accurate is neither of those, some of that material is of course essential to the intrigue, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman has retained the novel's core, the Grail-related material: the sacred feminine, Mary Magdalene's marriage, the Priory of Sion, certain aspects of Leonardo's art, and so on[1].” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?
Answer:
Yes, I agree with some factors in " Da Vinci Code . '' For example like The grail related material, definite aspects of Leonardo's art and many things. The screenwriter is successful to keep the core content through the use of all the symbols and secrets about the novel. We can find the scenes in the Louvre museum so it is very realistic. Dan Brown's major materials for the novel are taken from the book 'The holy blood and the holy grail.
《3》(If)You have studied ‘Genesis’ (The Bible), ‘The Paradise Lost’ (John Milton) and ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Dan Brown). Which of the narrative/s seem/s to be truthful? Whose narrative is convincing to the contemporary young mind?
Answer:
The narrative of the da Vinci code is more convincing for the contemporary young generation. It is time of doubt and not believing in what is written and said. Genesis and " The Paradise Lost" tells the story of God. It picturised punishment of God to men. So it keeps people in fear while The Da Vinci code tries to prove Jesus as a man in a logical way. So Da Vinci code is more convincing in this era.
《4》What harm has been done to humanity by the biblical narration or that of Milton’s in The Paradise Lose? What sort of damage does narrative like ‘The Vinci Code’ do to humanity?
Answer:
Milton’s ‘The Paradise Lost’ clearly presents that if we don’t follow God then it will become harmful for us. Biblical narration also said that God is at the center and the creator of Heaven, Earth and Hell. Milton gives voice to the character of Eve and Adam. God created the Garden of Eden and told Adam and Eve not to test the fruit of knowledge but they don’t follow this rule. First Eve tested and then Adam tested this fruit. So, here we can say that maybe they overpower the God or Satan (serpent) who intentionally convinces Eve. But rule is broken by them and God gave them punishment. Fall of Man is the damage for humanity. Because of this people believed that fall happens because of Eve. Here Eve blamed this fall but one question arose that Eve was tempted for this fruit then why Adam also tested that fruit? This idea is damaging for humanity.
Narrative of The Da Vinci Code presents Christianity, Priory of Sion, Holy Grail, Story of Jesus Christ, Religion etc. But some of the characters damage humanity like Silas murders Jacques Sauniere. Idea of pain is presented by the character of Silas and it also presents an image of Vitruvius' man. Sign of Vitruvius' image shows that we have to chastise our body by some kind of pain. Till the end of the novel Robert Langdon keeps the secret of Sarcophagus. When he knows about that blood line of secret at that time he reaches this place and kneels down. He also suggests to Sophie Neveu that in critical situations Jesus Christ is always with him. So, here we can say this type of narrative harms humanity because it depends upon individual character because every person is not a believer of God.
《5》What difference do you see in the portrayal of 'Ophelia' (Kate Winslet) in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, 'Elizabeth' (Helena Bonham Carter) in Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or 'Hester Prynne' (Demi Moore) in Roland Joffé's The Scarlet Letter' or David Yates's 'Harmione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would justify your answer?
Answer:
Sophie's character is portrayed more powerful and intelligent and in a decent manner than other women characters. Ophelia was powerless, used by his father and Hamlet. Elizabeth in Frankenstein has no power. Monster kills her though he has enmity with Frankenstein. Hester Pryne is a powerful character but can't do anything in patriarchal society. Hermione is intelligent but she becomes part of male ego. Sophie is intelligent, not emotional, and she is not insulted in any way.
《6》Do novels / films lead us into critical (deconstructive) thinking about your religion? Can we think of such conspiracy theories about Hindu religious symbols / myths?
Answer:
Yes I agree In Hindu religion also there are established gods and goddesses. Rama and Krishna are prominent gods of Hindus but they can be men. Only source of their information are books. Books can be fiction also and after translation and rewriting it keeps changing. For example Valmiki has never used the word God for Ram. But then also he is considered God. Any religion sustains itself in fear. So who gets advantages by religion they will keep people in fear. Most of the stories of Hindu religion tells the stories of how God punishes who do not worship them.
《7》Have you come across any similar book/movie, which tries to deconstruct accepted notions about Hindu religion or culture and by dismantling it, attempts to reconstruct another possible interpretation of truth?
Answer:
Yes, the movie like, "Aakhri Udaan" ,
"Oh My God'' or P.K. which tries to question religion, It also tries to redefine what is being followed blindly by people. In the movie Oh My God we see the hero of the movie Kanjibhai who does the case against God because his antic shop was destroyed in an earthquake. He believes that his shop was destroyed because of god. So here we see that he questions God which breaks the stereotype mindset of the society and questions against God also.
《8》When we do traditional reading of the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology, Harvard University emerges as protagonist and Sir Leigh Teabing, a British Historian as antagonist. Who will claim the position of protagonist if we do atheist reading of the novel?
Answer:
When we do traditional reading of the novel 'The DA Vinci Code', Robert Langdon, Professor of religious symbology, Harvard University emerges as protagonist and sir Leigh Teabing, a British historian as antagonist. Teabing will claim the position of protagonist if we do atheist reading of the novel.
《9》Explain Ann Gray’s three propositions on ‘knowability’ with illustrations from the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’.a. 1) Identifying what is knowable
b. 2) identifying and acknowledging the relationship of the knower and the known
c. 3) What is the procedure for ‘knowing’?
Answer: Ann Gray describe three proposition on knowability that can we apply in the novel “ The Da vinci code” because in the novel one of the major question is about ‘identity’ and ‘knowledge
about the self’. Ann Gray’s three propositions of knowability.
(A) This is an ontological question; it refers to the aspect of social reality to be studied but also deals with assumptions. We are willing to talk about the nature of reality. This is a very waste concept and one cannot claim that whatever we know is true. Character like Silas dies in blindness about his knowledge.
(B) Identifying and acknowledging the relationship of the knower and the known.This is an epistemological question and simply asks how we know that we know. In the novel Silas doesn't know who the teacher is but then also he works for him and kills so many people under the order of the teacher.
(C) What is the procedure for knowing?This is the methodological question so in this we come to know that there are many ways to find out the things. In this novel procedure for knowing we find the character of Sophie Neveu. She knows about herself that she belongs to the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ after slowing many riddles. So these three questions are very much related to the novel because one of the major things of the novel is that; knowledge and knowability. So for that perspective understanding of these things from Ann Gray’s book is very helpful.
Thank you...
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