Relationships: Defined by Symbols

Relationships… everyone has them in their lives, either with a friend, a family member, or even with objects. They play vital roles in our everyday lives, and define most of who we are. The book “The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen” takes place in the early 1500s in Italy. The book centralizes around Sanchia, a slave from Florence, Italy, and Lionello (a.k.a. Lion), a soldier and owner of the land of Mandara. The main goal of the book is to achieve retrieving the Wind Dancer, a golden Pegasus statue that has been in Lion’s family ever since the fall of Troy. However there is a greater and deeper subliminal problem throughout the whole book; the freedom of Sanchia. After many times arguing about what rights Sanchia has, Lion refuses to let her go because ever since she stole that purse, she took his attention as well. Throughout the novel, Iris Johansen utilizes various symbols to clearly portray the relationship between Sanchia and her master Lion.

            A commonly used symbol, that is found in the novel, is Lion’s purse. Lion’s purse if analyzed might actually symbolize the attention that Lion has for Sanchia. In the beginning of the novel (pages 26 and 27), we see that Lion goes to the Piazza of San Michele in wait of the thief who would help him retrieve his family’s Wind Dancer. At the Piazza listening to the story teller, he does not notice that his purse has been stolen until it is pointed out by his friend. He goes off to find this mysterious thief that was promised. When he finally corners the thieve he finds that it is Sanchia and buys her off of her cruel owner Giovanni. This might seem like an ordinary scene but there is more than meets the eye; most of what happens in the book revolves around this moment. As Sanchia took the purse with the ducats she symbolically took his attention as well. Later, as he grows more familiar with Sanchia the attention towards her increases drastically; as we see later in the story.  Later, he could hardly stop thinking about Sanchia. He even admits that he always thinks of her and loves her on page 176. They are alone out on deck when Lion makes this confession. Every time they are close he says that he lusts. He always had his attention on Sanchia, and even put Giulia aside. Before she was all he wanted whenever he came to Florence, Italy. Many may argue that Lion probably might not put so much attention to his purse; however, although Lion is rich he still has careful attention for money. Sanchia makes this careful observation on page 39 where she asks, “And you wouldn't want to lose your money, would you?” Lion’s attention isn't for everyone like his money. He always had preferences on who gets his attention, as we see with Giulia. However, his attention has gone to Sanchia, who as far as he is concerned up until this part is just a stranger.  Ever since that purse ended up in Sanchia's hands, she was thrown into a complicated and strong relationship with Lion, in which she constantly receives all of his attention.

            Another representation of this relationship is the Wind Dancer, which is symbolically Sanchia who is admired by Lion like he admires the Wind Dancer. On page 53 Lorenzo, Lion’s friend starts to notice and points out to Lion that he is acting like Sanchia is literally the Wind Dancer. He claims that to him she is property, for she is his slave, and that to get the Wind Dancer he is doing anything possible. Previously we see that Lion is spending large amounts of money to get Sanchia. He gives some to the man who promised her, to her owner, and even to Sanchia so that she can give it to her close friends, so that they can survive without her. It takes him a lot just to get her and her loyalty. We later see, on page 57, that when he sees her and describes her to herself he begins to see the similarities between the statue and her. He notices her golden skin and the gold on the Wind Dancer. Before he goes any farther he stops himself, noticing that Lorenzo was right. He was literally seeing Sanchia like the Wind Dancer. We also see how Sanchia was able to manipulate her own former owner and Lion into getting her what she want, she also survived a torture Lion probably wouldn't have handled, and still came out strong, her ability to steal so easily and smoothly is rather incredible, and Lion also compared her to a butterfly, small, delicate and beautiful. All of these are attributes Sanchia has that are not found in any other person, leading him to awe. Who wouldn't admire Sanchia by any of these attributes/ characteristics? This awe is similar to the one passed by seeing the Wind Dancer as described by Marco, Lion’s brother. Marco describes it as alive, and breath taking. This also very similar to what Sanchia is to Lion. Finally, on page 53 we also see that Lion responds to Lorenzo’s comment on the Wind Dancer, where he claims that it is just a golden statue. “It’s more than a statue,” he says. Later on the deck Sanchia has a discussion on the deck of his ship. Part of it goes like this: “’And you do have value to me.’ ‘As property?’ she asked scornfully. ‘As… Sanchia.’” Lorenzo reacted in a similar way as he did to the conversation with Lorenzo. Sanchia isn't just property. She is a person who he admires. All of these parts of the novel can clearly lead to the conclusion that the Wind Dancer is symbolically the direct representation of Sanchia.

            On the negative part of the relationship, we can see how the hammer and Sanchia’s hand represent the brokenness and betrayal that Sanchia feels towards Lion. Before entering the maze in which the Wind Dancer is carefully guarded, Lion makes her a promise in which he says that nothing will happen to her in there or anywhere (page 99). However at the maze, after getting the Wind Dancer and giving it to Lion, she is captured by Damari, the owner of the place and who stole the Wind Dancer. During her time in the dungeon she is tortured by him and a friend, called Fra Luis, in order to get information on where Lion and the Wind Dancer are. They threaten to cut off her fingers and hand, as it is the normal punishment for thieves. However, instead they break her hand instead, having her take a long time to have her hand fixed, though her pinky probably won’t work anymore. At the same time this trust and great/ strong relationship between her and Lion is broken. He trusted him that she would be safe but was left alone in Damari’s dungeon for three days. All that she was able to think is that “Lion had abandoned her.” (page 150). Imagine that; you were promised something and then the person just doesn't do his part. You did what you had to do but the other person just left you without giving anything in return. That is exactly how Sanchia felt. Even after she is rescued by Lion, the relationship would never be the same. Before she was obedient to him at all times and did what she was told without questioning. Now she demands to be freed by him and chooses to disobey or reluctantly obey (page 166). That is all that she asks for, freedom from him. On page 173, she even says “I don’t belong to you… I belong to no one but myself.” She even made the promise that she would belong to no one but Lion. Now in response to this broken promise, she is willing to break her own promise. Their relationship is basically all shattered after this event and left Sanchia with this idea that Lion purposefully left her alone and broke his promise.

            In life, relationships have their ups and downs; it’s perfectly normal. Some days you admire someone and give them all they want, like Lion does to Sanchia. Other days you just hate that person, and want them out of their lives forever, like Sanchia does.  This doesn't only apply to relationships similar to the one between Sanchia and Lion, but all of the different types of relationship. However, it is important for us to know how to live in a mostly joyful relationship. Sure, you might have felt or feel betrayed because of that one time someone did something you found terrible, but try to forgive. Is there any point of living if all you are going to do is live it in resentment and hate towards one another. Life is for us to enjoy as long as we have it. There is only so much time we have to live until we die, and to live it in resentment is not the best idea. The concept of and word ‘forgiveness’ exist for a reason, a meaningful one that plays an important role in our everyday lives. It is there to help us get over things and move on with our lives without any problems. As human beings we all have feelings and we must know how to handle situations found within relationships with forgiveness.

Life and Money Red in Tooth And Claw in Jurassic Park

            If someday you were given the choice to pick just one and only one option what would you pick? Would it be the life of someone else, that you do not know, or a fortune of money that can keep you happy for a life time? This is the questions many are asked, especially in businesses, yet they sadly value money over life. The book Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton portrays this issue well. This book takes place in the early 1990s, in Isla Nublar, an island not far from Costa Rica, where a resort is being built for kids to visit. Genetically engineered dinosaur clones are being displayed, and four adults and two kids are invited to experience a weekend in the resort. However, not long after their arrival do things start to go wrong. However, multiple times during the book, Crichton provides the reader with social commentary, on this topic, with the perspective of both sides.

            One of the two perspectives shown in the book is the view of money over life. Many times people’s eyes no longer view the lives that can be at risk with decisions they make, but instead their eyes turn into dollar signs as they realize that they can make a fortune with their decision. For instance, in pages 67 to 68, Hammond, the owner of Jurassic Park, has a conversation with his son, Gennaro. They talk about this new park and Hammond claims that when the park is opened to the “public”, they will make a load of money. After sometime, Gennaro has to bring up the topic of the three workers that died during the construction of the park. Hammond then speaks of it as if it is just a small inconvenience. He says that after these accidents no casualties occurred, assuring Gennaro of his safety. It is the same as saying that these people died, and it was bad luck for them, but they shouldn’t worry and neither should the money because they will get the fortune. Also, on page 88, Gennaro finally sees a real life Apatosaurus and starts to believe in his father. At first he doubted the plans and thought that they will fail. Now that he has the dinosaur right in front of him, all that he can think is: “We are going to make a fortune on this place. A fortune.” He does not think about the kids having a great time and a happy life there. It is all about that will be coming out of their parents’ pockets. Finally, on pages 222 to 223, Hammond states that he would never use the technology and money to make medicine for human kind by saying: “Personally, I would never help mankind”. He claims it will take a lot of work to create and get the medicine to pass as safe and legal. This is time and work that Hammond is not willing to do. He would rather make the park for the entertainment of the rich people that would pay $5,000 per day at the park. Many more character act in such selfish manners, sometimes even more, which put others’ lives at great risks and don’t even care. That thought does not even pass through their mind.

            The other view of this is the one where the characters would value life over money. Take for example on page 214, where the employees of Jurassic Park struggle to find the two kids. They comment on what Hammond would do by saying, “`Anybody tell Hammond the kids aren’t back yet?’ `Hell no,’ Arnold [says]. `I don’t want that son of a … running around here, screaming at me.’” This shows the importance that these kids play in Hammond’s life. If they are missing they could be dead or just lost, both which can mean they have been harmed. If this happens, Hammond would get desperate looking for them and would do anything to find them. He possibly might offer money in order to get them found, since he has so much to spare. Also, when the Tyrannosaurus Rex attacked the land cruisers, the kids are left alone in one car, after their guardian runs off in fright. The Tyrannosaurus Rex then throws the car over a high altitude leaving the kids helpless and injured. Alan Grant, one of the visitors and adults, then goes down in search of them. He could have just left them and ran on his own, where he was more certain to survive, and get the promised money that he was offered just for visiting. However, he stays to help the kids and increases their possibility of survival, which were slim, after the car accident. People like these are true heroes in the books and know the true value of life.

            To sum things up, the author shows both sides of this argument. He does however seem to lean towards life over money more. I agree with Crichton on the fact that life has more value than money. In fact life is priceless. Money can probably bring temporary happiness, but what is the point of money if there is no life. Every person in the world has the right to live a life full of happiness, and not be sacrificed by others. Even if people don’t know the other person, that person is also a human being. That person has a life. That person may have a family. That person has a dream for his/her future. It is not just or logical to put that person’s life at risk just because of one’s selfish self. Money can go by in snap and can be gathered back. Life cannot. If someone died, they are dead, that is it. There is no way to bring them back to life. It deeply breaks my heart to think that not many accept this fact. However as a new generation we can stop this issue. Now, after reading this, if someday you were given the choice to pick just one and only one option what would you pick? Would it be the life of someone else, that you do not know, or a fortune of money that can keep you happy for a life time?

Safe Haven Now in Svalbard, Norway

                       Imagine living in a place where there is little crime, everyone has a job, and everyone has a home. It is perfect; the ideal society for the whole world to see and follow its examples. This place is Svalbard, Norway. In the newest Upfront Magazine issue, the article “No Job? Get Lost!” by Andrew Higgins, states that this territory is a very safe and stands out of the rest of Norway. Only six police officers attend the only jail cell in all of Svalbard, and everyone leaves their belongings unattended, sure that nothing bad will happen to it, even though everyone owns a gun. Everyone has a job and a permanent home; a big difference from the rest of Europe. Throughout the article, Andrew cleverly shows that this part of Norway is the best, compared to the rest of Norway, and the world.

            Cleverly Higgins provides the readers with facts and loaded words, to enforce his claim and convince readers that he is correct. Take for example, when he says that unlike the rest of Europe, this act of banning unemployment and homelessness was to ensure that no one “freezes to death.” In a place where it snows all the way up to summer, it seems great that the government is doing this. Yet the “freezing to death” seems to over exaggerate, yet fits so well within the article. “Get cold”, or even “get sick” seems like a more realistic way of talking, but “death” makes us admire and feel proud of this government. It makes us feel like the government is a hero, saving the lives of the citizens from the ferocious claws of coldness. Also, Andrew writes that Odd Olsen Ingero, the governor, says that, “[It] is a very quiet and law-abiding society”. Providing this quote from the governor, the leader, and someone important who lives in this place, is meant to convince us that this place is even recognized as great by its own leaders. If he knows all the statistics, then most likely it is safe and credible to hear, that the citizens follow the laws, from his mouth. Finally, he states that “No serious crimes have been reported so far this year…” giving us the feeling of reassurance for this place. This place has no serious crime to worry about, just little solvable ones like shoplifts and “reckless driving”.  Their police attend 100 cases a year, while we in N.Y.C already had 332 homicides since December 29, not counting other crimes such as robberies, assault, abuses, and more. These pieces of evidence and words, that quickly make simple sentences bolder, make us feel and believe that Svalbard truly is a safe haven.

            All in all, I really do agree with Andrew with this place being a safe haven. His evidence did get to me in various ways. The trust the citizens all have with one another is incredible. Here in N.Y.C. I’m sure that not many are willing to leave their personal belongings vulnerable to a whole throng of strangers. Another place that got to me was where Andrew said that immigration is largely blamed for the rise of crime rates in various places, yet in Svalbard 1/3 of the population are immigrants and the crime rate is still low. After reading this article I began to wonder, why is it that many places including the United States cannot manage to be a place similar to this. I then realized that it doesn’t take laws against unemployment or homelessness to change the world, from its dark self to its best possible self. It isn’t much of the governments’, of all the countries, fault either; it is our fault, the people. Had we only stopped being so self-centered and took a bit of our time to think of what we can do to contribute to the world, to contribute to the homeless man’s/woman’s situation, to contribute to those who lie on hospital beds at this instant, to contribute to those who are suffering economically, or to contribute to anything or anyone else who is not in a great state of being right now, instead of ourselves. What a great place we would be living in, and life as well. Now, what can you do to make the world a better place to live in? 

Darkness Too Visible Response

Published in the Wall Street Journal, on June 4, 2011, the article “Darkness Too Visible”, by Megan Cox Gurdon, addresses the topic of banned books. She brings up her perspective, in which she believes that the books on the shelves, available for young adults, should not be there, because of their content. These books are "dark" and give a wrong and horrible image of the world, according to her.

Throughout the article, she proves her point through various examples, of both books and people. Take for example the beginning of the article, where she gives the reader a short narrative of Amy Freeman. This mother goes to a Barnes & Noble, to get a book for her daughter, yet she comes out “empty-handed”, because all the books are “lurid”. The Wall Street Journal is written typically for adults, and what better example is there to give than one with a parent with a child that can't find a book because of their content. This example is secretly shouting out to all parents to go look at the books themselves and decide if they want their children, who they care so much about, become corrupt by reading books with such content. Also, Megan provides the example of the book “Inexcusable”, by Chris Lynch. She says that it “...revolves around a thuggish jock and the rape he commits." She also gives the example of “Shine”, by Lauren Myracle, where the character has been sexually assaulted and lives in a place with many drugs and people that prejudice minorities. Her friend, a homosexual person, even gets beat. Both of these books, “Inexcusable” and “Shine”, are used to shout out at the parents that this is the content of the books their children read. She even says profane language is found in these books. Megan targets the parents well, with all these examples.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.” I agree with him, for I disagree with this article. Children have the right to read all sorts of books, and this right should not be taken away. During our young adult years we mature and learn a lot about the world, in order to make the clean transition into adulthood. Young adult books simply show us the world as it really is. The content in the books are real issues that are found all over the world, and should not be hidden from our sight anymore. With these books children can learn from the character ’s mistakes and not commit them in their lives. With these books, adolescents will not be naive and left back in their adulthood. With these books children can mature more and be prepared for things, instead of something happening and they don't know what to do. It is going to happen, and was always going to happen, where children learn and pass through an epiphany where they learn and become adults. It is not all about the details and the content; it is all about the big picture and the lesson.

Struts & Frets Reading Response

           Life as a teenage musician isn’t always easy. Having learned music since I was 7 years old, I had various struggles; work constantly interfered with practices vital to events, and even the events themselves. The fact that I had nothing to practice with also slowed me down on my growth in music. However, until today I am certain that I will not get separates from music easily, like Sammy. The novel, “Struts & Frets”, by Jon Skovron, guides the reader through the teenage life of the guitarist Sammy Bojar. Going through hardships and tribulations, which vary from trying to keep his metal band, “Tragedy of Wisdom”, together, all the way to having a therapist mom that the leader singer of his band, finds alluring, Sammy struggles to find his identity and place out in the world. Throughout the novel his view on the world changes due to his changing view of his best friend to girlfriend, his grandfather, who he trusts and loves so much, now beating up Sammy’s mother, and seeing “tough” Joe, the lead singer, on the ground crying because of a broken hand, during a fight with Sammy. However, throughout the novel, one thing remains the same; his love for music. Jon Skovron utilizes items that belong to Sammy to symbolize and portray his critical relationships with music.

The first relationship that Skovron portrays, through guitars, is the relationship between Sammy and his band. Take for example, towards the beginning Sammy shows devotion towards his prized possession, a 1961 Gibson SG reissue. This guitar takes him more than a year to get enough money for only half of the total price. Devotion similar to this also applies for the band, where it costs him a lot to save it and keep it together. Sammy is even willing to give up his role as the song writer, for the sake of the band.  He can’t bear to see either the guitar or the band fall apart. However, later Joe, the lead singer of the band, talks about how alluding Sammy’s mom is and how he ought to marry her, forcing Sammy to throw his guitar towards Joe. The guitar ends up breaking and as Sammy quits the band which causes the band to fall apart. Not long after this does Sammy get a new and better guitar, as he starts a new band, “Fidgeting”, with his friend Alexander  and the old drummer, TJ, which ends up being an even greater band. The author uses the guitar, because of its vital role in Sammy’s life. The relationship between the band and him is also vital. The guitar is not, however, the only symbol to represent his relationship with music.

The next relationship between Sammy and music in general, is demonstrated through Sammy’s old 1970’s Buick, or what he calls the “Boat”. Just like the Boat, the relationship between them is old but still remains.  He says that he crashed the car, yet the car still holds together and works well. His mother completely opposes the idea of Sammy turning into a professional musician for a career, but she does not stop him. The Boat is also Sammy’s only mode of transport to far locations, from where he lives. Music is also Sammy’s only mode of transportation to a faraway world, free of the real world’s hardships and plights. Thus, Sammy constantly drives his friends around in the Boat as well. His love of music in the same way is shared with them, for they also love music. Skovron shows through this relationship that the love of music is not personal or private. He is not ashamed to share it with others. Skovron also shows that there is more to the world than what is visible. Many other worlds can be reached through the talent that on possesses.

As a musician, I can relate with many of these problems that Sammy encounters throughout the book. Yet this does not only apply to the musician. It applies to anyone who is willing to take the advice. Many times we will find ourselves challenged where we have two options, you are either going to do what I tell you to do or not. If we love what we do, we will try to do all that is possible to have it last. However, like Sammy we must learn to break and hold on to some relationships, for it will come in handy in our future. We must also learn to be determined to continue and preserve what we believe and love. Many problems will come but it is up to you to decide if you will do what it takes to keep what you love.

Richness in the Eyes of Pip

           The book Great Expectations by Charles Dickens takes places in 1860 and is about a boy, named Pip Phillips, who grew up through many hardships. His dream is to be a gentleman but at his early age it seems impossible. After suffering from a close person being hurt his dream becomes reality, thanks to a mysterious benefactor. Soon he realizes that his guess on whom his benefactor is wrong and his hopes of the future come crashing down. Pip at the end realizes what it truly means to be a gentleman and not a rich jerk. During most of his youth, however, Pip lives in a fantasy world, with a view rather incorrect way, being only by the physical.

            Pip looks at being rich by that of a physical appearance rather than internally. He puts down people that are full of goodness on the inside, but are not so attractive on the outside. This comes up when he is rich and refers to Biddy, a childhood friend, by saying, “She [is] not beautiful – she [is] common, and [cannot] be like Estella …” (pg. 125) Estella  is a rich girl who Pip considers as beautiful, because she constantly wears fancy dresses.  Biddy, on the other hand is rather kind and intelligent, but not so rich. She cares for Pip and even likes Pip. However she, as stated in the quote above, isn’t attractive enough for Pip. Pip doesn’t even think about her. This injustice is constantly done by Pip not only to Biddy, but to others, close to Pip, himself.

            Pip also views being rich on physical richness. Many can be rich in good characters or internal qualities, but if they don’t have much money they aren’t rich in any way for Pip. This even applies to Joe Gargery, Pip’s brother-in-law and “father”.  On page 218, he says, “Not with pleasure, though I [am] bound to him by so many ties; no with considerable disturbance, some mortification, and a keen sense of incongruity. If I could have kept him away by paying money, I certainly would have paid money.” It is a long time since Joe has visited Pip for Pip is rich. Now he is coming to visit him, but haughty Pip doesn’t even want to see him. Joe raises Pip and cares for him but Pip acts ungratefully. He wants to do anything to avoid his visit, so that he will not be embarrassed in front of all his “rich” friends, for Joe is blacksmith and doesn’t win much money. Being with his poor, common “father” is a “disturbance to Pip.

            To sum things up, Pip has lived fancying the meaning of richness. He thought it was only the material (the physical) that determines if you are rich or not. He thought it was only the appearance that determines if you are rich or not. He does later learn what it really means to be rich, when he loses everything he cares about. His sister, money, and a hope of living with Estella all lost. “…No man who was not a true gentleman at heart, ever was, since the world began, a true gentleman in manner . . . no varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself.” (pg. 181) Many times as teens we will find ourselves in a position where we want to deny our true identity. We must however stay true, and not be ashamed of others in the manner that Pip was.