12.11
This week, I continued my reading on The Human Stain, but I didn’t finish it, and I finished a book called The Consolations of Philosophy by the British writer Alain de Botton.
First, I’d like to say something about The Human Stain. Though I didn’t finish it, I like the story. Actually, I did some research on the Internet, and out of my surprise, it seemed that most the quintessence of the content is given out in the beginning chapter. And our literature teacher recommended us to read another chapter which literally tells the rest part of the story. So, though I didn’t complete the book, I’ve already gained much thought about its content, and by finishing it, I believe I can have more understanding about Roth’s techniques of writing which I now think is turning a little bit different from Don Delillo’s.
A major theme of the book is identity. There are three basic features illustrated in the book: its coercion, its fluidity, and its secrecy. Coleman is a black man who pretends to be a Jew because his appearance is relatively white. Men are categorized into different types. You can’t choose your color when you are born. In this sense, your identity is coerced. Coleman is a black guy, but he desires to be a white man. It is this kind of desire that made his identity flowing like river, like his last name: Silk. What’s more, nobody knows that he is actually a black whose black grandma is raped by his white grandpa. It’s the secrecy of identity that made people’s distance between one another so far away. Philip Roth gives us a very good historical story. It is realistic, but somewhat transcendental, for it is about human nature.
And next, I want to say something about de Botton’s book. I really admire this writer whose language is so beautiful and simple. He gives me a brand new feeling about philosophy, its bright and popular side. De Botton’s belief is that if philosophy is only a kind of theory without guiding people to better lives, then the philosophy is incomprehensive. His aim of writing this book is to let us know that we can learn life from philosophy, not just some big words about existence, form, or dualism. He talks about six great philosophers. And my favorite part is Seneca. He, a Roman minister enjoying all the good life he wants, is actually a leader of Stoicism. He never lets any wealth or desire interfere with his mind, because he disbelieves fates. He thinks that all those money and luxury will be finally taken away by the God of fate, and he won’t let this change affect his mentality, so he prepares everything to its utmost adverse side. I like this theory. If the whole world is by a grave, then what are we to be afraid of? The next time I am anxious or worried about the coming and crucial events, I would tell myself to think about the worst situation. If I am prepared, what is there to be worried of?
So much for today. I have to get hurry with my paper!!
First, I’d like to say something about The Human Stain. Though I didn’t finish it, I like the story. Actually, I did some research on the Internet, and out of my surprise, it seemed that most the quintessence of the content is given out in the beginning chapter. And our literature teacher recommended us to read another chapter which literally tells the rest part of the story. So, though I didn’t complete the book, I’ve already gained much thought about its content, and by finishing it, I believe I can have more understanding about Roth’s techniques of writing which I now think is turning a little bit different from Don Delillo’s.
A major theme of the book is identity. There are three basic features illustrated in the book: its coercion, its fluidity, and its secrecy. Coleman is a black man who pretends to be a Jew because his appearance is relatively white. Men are categorized into different types. You can’t choose your color when you are born. In this sense, your identity is coerced. Coleman is a black guy, but he desires to be a white man. It is this kind of desire that made his identity flowing like river, like his last name: Silk. What’s more, nobody knows that he is actually a black whose black grandma is raped by his white grandpa. It’s the secrecy of identity that made people’s distance between one another so far away. Philip Roth gives us a very good historical story. It is realistic, but somewhat transcendental, for it is about human nature.
And next, I want to say something about de Botton’s book. I really admire this writer whose language is so beautiful and simple. He gives me a brand new feeling about philosophy, its bright and popular side. De Botton’s belief is that if philosophy is only a kind of theory without guiding people to better lives, then the philosophy is incomprehensive. His aim of writing this book is to let us know that we can learn life from philosophy, not just some big words about existence, form, or dualism. He talks about six great philosophers. And my favorite part is Seneca. He, a Roman minister enjoying all the good life he wants, is actually a leader of Stoicism. He never lets any wealth or desire interfere with his mind, because he disbelieves fates. He thinks that all those money and luxury will be finally taken away by the God of fate, and he won’t let this change affect his mentality, so he prepares everything to its utmost adverse side. I like this theory. If the whole world is by a grave, then what are we to be afraid of? The next time I am anxious or worried about the coming and crucial events, I would tell myself to think about the worst situation. If I am prepared, what is there to be worried of?
So much for today. I have to get hurry with my paper!!