The Buddah of Suburbia

Post modernism is exemplified throughout the book "The Buddha of Suburbia" as Kureishi brings together elements that do not normally belong. The main example of this in the book is the idea of a Budd ah in suburbia, hence the title of the book. Suburbia is a place for common people to live; middle class people who are living average lives. While Buddha is a great and respected religious figure that is not associated with mainstream English culture. Buddha would also not likely reside in the suburbs because of his important religious status. The two obviously clash, and make you wonder why they are brought together.

The story starts out with Karim as an adolescence, trying to find his place in the world. I find it interesting how Kureishi uses so many different symbolic situations to show us how Karim is torn between his two worlds. Born in England, but of Indian ethnicity, Karim does not really know how he fits into society. He is bullied and beaten at school because of his Indian decent, and darker color, which causes him to resent his heritage for the trouble it has caused him. The people in his town also treat him as a person of lower class. Hairy Back, for example used racial slurs towards Karim and prohibited him from coming to see his daughter Helen. So, although being born in England he does not feel like an Englishman, nor is treated one.

Karim also is torn in two different directions about himself in another aspect of his life: his sexuality. To Karim, he is seeking pleasure and doesn't care how he gets it; either from a man or woman. However, I think that he is just experimenting to find himself. I got the impression that he tended to be more interested and infatuated with males, especially Charlie, and that he was using the girls for pleasure. This could be the case since homosexuality was not accepted in society, and he was having enough problems fitting in as it was. His father was initially upset when he caught the two boys together at Eva's house, but he could not really express his feelings since Karim had saw Eva and him fooling around in the garden. I think that his father was accepting of Karim's sexuality, but was not exactly pleased with the news. Karim knew this, which was why he brought Haroon and Eva so quickly.

Karim lastly was a "free spirit" who was open to any and every adventure and opportunity. He was not afraid to experiment sexually or with substance, which is common in young boys his age who are in the process of becoming men. They are coming of age and are figuring out who they are and what they want in life. I think this novel did a good job following the life of an average boy as he came of age and matured into manhood. He discovered that along the way there are going to be many hardships, heartbreaks, and disappointments. However, that is just a part of life and can not be avoided. I think he learned not to sugar coat the future and not to hold his expectations to high for certain events. For instance, I think he idealized what life would be like living in London and developed an unrealistic picture of an absolutely blissful and carefree life once he finally made it there. He of course was mistaken and disappointed, and soon left for New York. Realizing the ups and downs of life is just a part of growing up, and once we learn how to handle and work through the down times in our lives we can look past those hard times and keep a positive outlook on life. It seemed like Karim was starting to reach that point when the novel concluded. He had realized that life is certainly not perfect, and that things are always changing. Though I would have liked some more closure on his life and how he ended up, I think that Karim would have continued to mature and would eventually lead a successful life.

The London Eye

The view from the London Eye was amazing. From the start of the trip I have wanted to go on the Eye so I could get a bird's eye view of the city, and I can definitely say that it is a much different scene from over 400 feet in the air. The city looks more compact; the buildings look extremely close to one another. The buildings look smaller and you can no longer see the intricate detail and designs that make them so beautiful. From the ground, I would stand with my head tilted back as I gazed at the magnificent structures that towered over me. Yet from the Eye, they seemed to loose some of their majesty, and they almost seemed like just another building in a big city. In particular, Parliament and St. Paul's Cathedral did not seem as majestic and powerful from the top of the eye. When from the ground, the large buildings radiate grace and intensity.

Not only did the individual buildings look different from the London Eye, the city as a whole was also viewed in a different light. From the sky, you can distinguish the different sections of the city; the old Victorian city of Westminster versus the newer and more modern parts of town. When walking around the streets of London, the city feels like it just goes on forever. But from the Eye, it seemed condensed with buildings lined up and crammed together. Instead of feeling small and gazing up at all the magnificent architecture London has to offer, I felt like I was looking down on a toy-sized city. It almost makes you feel larger than life in a sense, and you are no longer enthralled by the beauty of London.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the London Eye, and would recommend others to take the time to do the same. However, I think I am more entranced with London when I am in the midst of its beauty, and not towering above. There is just something that is lost when you are looking down on an entire city at once, in stead of looking at each individual structure and really taking the time to appreciate all it's beauty and history. I don't know if it is just my perception of London as being this medieval city full of old buildings and history that doesn't like the condensed feeling of the Eye, but I definitely appreciate the city more when I am on the streets wandering around. I feel like so much is missed when we look at something from such a great distance, and sometimes we overlook many things of great importance or beauty because we can't see those qualities from such great heights. I appreciate the amazing view that the London Eye offers, but would much rather see the city from my normal point of view on the ground.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern Museum was a very interesting field trip for me because I have never been into a modern art museum before. Although some of the artwork I found a little strange, I enjoyed my experience there and saw some really creative and interesting pieces of art.

In the Surreal section of the museum, I really liked the piece "After Us, Liberty" by Constant (1949). The painting is dark, gloomy, chaotic, and mysterious. It grasped my attention right away and I stopped and stared for a while. Since our novel for the modern era is Mrs. Dalloway, I was thinking about all the characters as I was walking through the museum. When I saw this particular painting I immediately thought of Septimus. To me, I think this is kind of a glimpse into how Septimus saw the world after he had returned to England once the war was over. His world was distorted, dark, and depressing. He once expressed that he didn't even see anything worth fighting for in London. When I looked at the painting, I felt as if I was looking at the world through his eyes, trying so hard to make sense of what I was seeing, but never able to. It must have been a very frustrating thing to live life that way and not be understood, or even understand the world around you.

The painting "Marquerite Kelsey" by Meredith Framptom (1928) reminded me of Mrs. Dalloway. The picture is of a woman sitting on a coach with her head turned and looking slightly upward. It is the face that makes me think of Mrs. Dalloway. Throughout her entire life she had wanted to live a respectable and prosperous life. Not just to make herself happy, but more importantly to impress the others in the community. The position of the woman's head tilted up, like she is holding her chin up, is how I picture Mrs. Dalloway sitting at her party. Trying to be proper and play the part of a wealthy woman, I can see her having this almost arrogant expression on her face as she talks with her guests.

The other section of the museum I liked was the States of Flux, and particularly the room of Cubism. Pablo Picasso was partly responsible for forming Cubism from 1909-1914, which was initially rejected by both artists and the public. His artwork was abstract and he rejected the need for realism. I wanted to come and see some of his work since he is obviously one of the most famous artists in history. But I didn't realize until today the breakthrough he made in art. He went against the flow of society and broke away from realistic art that had been prominent in that time. Modernism is about the quest for meaning, and I respect Picasso for going against status quo and painting the way he felt like painting. It was a new way of looking at the world for Picasso, and a new way to express himself. I especially like his piece "Bust of Woman" (1909) because it is a painting of a woman, but it looks like the woman is a wooden sculpture. It was not as abstract as some of his others, but still different enough to make to stop and stare for a while.

It seems like many of the artworks and art exhibits are unusual, strange, and different than the type of art that we are accustomed to in other museums, which is exactly the statement the modern artists were trying to make. Their art is breaking away from the conventional and realistic types of art, and is more of an expression of them as a person. I found each exhibit to be unique and really enjoyed wandering around the museum.

Comparison between St. Paul's and Tower of London

Since the portrayal of death was more of a contrast between the two field trips, I thought I would do another blog about how the two are similar. When our tour guide was guiding us around the palace, I noticed how many guards there were on patrol to make sure the grounds were safe. There were several positioned in front of doors and towers, and other walked around on patrol. Our tour guide also mentioned the elaborate measures that took place when constructing the palace to ensure safety, such as moats and walls 30 feet thick.

These measures were taken to protect the palace, and especially the Royalty within, from outside enemies. So when you are inside the tower, you feel a sense of security and comfort knowing that you are inside a fortress. The same feelings can be felt when you are inside St. Paul's Cathedral. Those who are religious believe that God is watching done over them, and when you are in the house of God there is a sense of extra protection from the outside world. The first place many people go to when they are afraid is to a church. There is just a sense of protection and security when you are inside a church or chapel. You can remove yourself from the worries and struggles of live for a moment and just reflect or pray.

While the The Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral are two very different structures, they are similiar in the fact that they provide those inside with a sense of protection and comfort from outside enemies. In times of trouble, both are also a place where people run to for safety, either physically or mentally.

Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Death

I really enjoyed today's field trips to the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral, despite the rain, and thought they were both beautifully constructed buildings. Although they were very different in their looks and purpose, both places had one common theme: death.

The Tower of London is a grand palace bursting at the seams with history. Some of the most famous monarchs, such as King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, and Queen Mary all resided in the palace. All that needs to be said is that King Henry VIII lived there, and we know that death most certainly is associated with the Tower of London. In fact, one of the towers is named the Bloody Tower. Prisoners were held in this tower as they awaited their executions, and many were held and tutored for information. It was also in this tower that the Princes of Duke Richard of Gloucester.

To me, the tower almost represents the unjust slaughtering of people. While I do not know the story behind every execution that took place, the ones that I know of seem somewhat unjustified. For instance, the Princes who were murdered by their uncle so he could preserve his throne, or the killing of those who refused to accept the King as the head of the Church of England. Today, such executions would be considered murder and those involved would be charged with a criminal offense. The Tower is so infamous for its brutality and gruesome executions that the entrance to the palace is known as Traitor's Gate, because of the number of those convicted of treason and who were lead to their death through those gates.

However, the depiction of death in St. Paul's Cathedral is much different. Those buried in the Cathedral are honored and respected for their lives here on Earth. Walking through, I was amazed at how many memorials there were for those who died in the World Wars. The church went to great lengths to dedicate and honor chapels and other locations to the men and women who fell fighting for their countries. I was also surprised at the fact that American servicemen were also included in the memorials. Not only were they included, they also had a chapel dedicated to them specifically. Having a brother in the Marines, who has already served a tour in Iraq, I hold a special place in my heart for those who serve in the military. I think many people take their service for granted and forget the hardships they endured to protect us here at home, so I stood a while in the chapel and took notes on the memorial.

On one of the wings in the Cathedral there was a memorial dedicated to those who fought in the Great World War 1939-1945. Engraved was "To the Memory of the Choristers who fell in the Great War". And to the side was a quote that stated, "The men were very good to us. They were a wall unto us, both day and night. So they passed over and all the trumpets sounded for them on their side." I thought this was very moving and was very honorable to all those who fought and lost thier lives in the war. The memorial celebrated their sacrifice and put a positive light on death.

The chapel that was specifically dedicated to the Americans was especially moving. Above the memorial was a very large and gorgeous golden cross, with two large golden candlesticks on either side. In a large glass case was a book containing all the names of the American servicemen who died fighting in WWII. The memorial read, "To the American dead of the Second World War from the People of Britain". The tablet containing the names was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of Richard Nixon, VP of the United States at the time. I thought that was just a really speical memorial that struck me as I passed through the Cathedral. But I definitely noticed that the notion of "death" was not as gruesome or somber as in the Tower of London.

To me, the Cathedral is a place were death is honored, respected, and almost celebrated. Those buried or honored there were either military men and women, or monarchs who accomplished great things for thier nation and who are celebrated for the lives they lived. While at the Tower of London, those who died there have tragic and sometimes horrifying stories of their experience at the Tower. When combining the words "death" and "the Tower of London", one almost shivers because of the gruesome events that took place. While when "death" is combined with "St. Paul's Cathedral" there is a sense of pride for one's country and gratitude for those who died in service.

Mrs. Dalloway and the Pressure to Conform

In the novel Mrs. Dalloway, Clarissa spends the entire day (and book) wondering what could have been if she had taken a different path in life. When she meets her old love and long time friend, Peter, memories come rushing back of the passionate time they spent together. Recalling the lack of passion between her and her current husband, she dwells on the thought that she could have been happier had she accepted Peter's proposal.

She rejected his proposal for the hand of her current husband, Richard, for security and status. Richard is a very prosperous and respected gentleman in society who is hardworking and provides a stable life for Clarissa. Life with Peter would be more passionate, but she knows that he would never be able to provide her with the materialistic things in life. Since Richard is the "safer" choice, and is higher on the societal totum pole, Clarissa ultimately chooses status over love. However, throughout the entire novel she worries whether she made the right decision.

Clarissa knowingly rejected passion and love for the sense of security and high status because that is what society dictates as more important. Clarissa is plagued with worries of what others think of her, which is why she is so desperate to conform to what society expects. She knows that she would be ranked higher in the social classes of London if she were Mrs. Dalloway, in stead of Mrs. Walsh. It this purely her desire for acceptance and the pressures of society that lead her to marry Richard and live a prosperous, yet dull life.

Yet, this is not the only time Clarissa succombs to the pressures of conforming. Her passion and romantic kiss with Sally never materialized into a relationship because it would not be considered "acceptable" by mainstream society. Clarissa chooses to refuse her desire to be with Sally in order to preserve her reputation. Being homosexual in that time period, late 1800's, was widely disgraced and by choosing to be with Sally, Clarissa would be sacrifising her status. Again, she ranks status over love and chooses the conventional mate, Richard.

Again, the same pressures exist today for us to conform to the expectations that our society places on us. We are so worried about what people may think of us that we sacrifince our true desires and dreams. Some never seek out their dream job because of their parents' pressure for them to become a "doctor or a lawyer". It would be unacceptable to pursue a career in acting or music since its not a "stable job". As a whole, we think too much about pleasing others and let the fear of their disapproval keep us from reaching our goals and dreams in life. This book reminded me of the fact that some decsions affect the rest of our lives, and that we need to make sure that we are making such important decsions for ourselves, and not to please others. If we do not, we could end up like Mrs. Dalloway, forevering wondering whether she made the right decision.

Dorian Gray and the Quest for Youth and Happiness

Youth and happiness are two of the most desperately sought out qualities in life, both in the time period in which The Picture of Dorian Gray was written and today. This is especially true for the character Dorian Gray, who spends his life in pursuit of pleasure and a way to preserve his innate good looks and charm. His obession, however, eventually leads to his demise.

In the beginning of the book, Dorian is a "good" young man who is innocent to the pleasures and corruptions of the world. However, after meeting Lord Henry he is introduced to a new way of thinking about the time we have here on earth. Lord Henry tells Dorian that he needs to take advantage of his youth and good looks since they will soon fade. He also repeatedly intices Dorian to seek out all his desires and pleasures in life while he is young enough to enjoy them. While Basil is horrified at Lord Henry's influence and sees a change in Dorian, he is powerless to stop the impact Lord Henry has on the young man.

Soon Dorian's main goal is to have fun, and he spends his life trying to fulfill his human desires. However, he is plagued by the knowledge that he will loose his looks as time goes by and he ages. Now a very superficial person, this eats away at Dorian and he desperately searches for a way to preserve his beauty. He wishes that the portait by Basil could age, while he remains young forever. And this almost comes true. As time goes by, the protrait gets noticeably older and deformed, while Dorian seems hardly to age at all. However, time is not the only factor that changes the portrait. The change in Dorian's lifestyle and soul also makes the portrait transform into a horrific and deformed figure, reflecting Dorian's true soul.

In the end, Dorian murders his friend Basil and in an effort to destroy his portrait he kills himself as well. I would argue that such a tragic ending would never have occured if the tormenting desire for youth was not placed in Dorian's heart. It was his actions in an attempt to remain eternally beautiful that changed him into the shallow and immoral man he became.

The same can be said today about the pressures society places on people to remain young and beautiful. How many people have had plastic surgery or other alterating procedures to change thier appearance? They do this in an effort to conform to society's lust for beauty. Many people, like Dorian, become obesessed and take things to the extreme. Some ruin their faces after too many facelifts have been performed, others are left scarred from procedures gone wrong, and others still are never satisfied with who they are and can only see their remaining flaws when they look into the mirror.

Its a shame how our world has placed such importance on something that is impossible to maintain. We will grow older. There is no way around it. No matter how hard we try to preserve our youthful looks with creams, surgery, and hard work, there is just no outsmarting mother nature. If we could learn to be happy with ourselves as we are and focus on living life to the fullest, I think many people could avoid tragic endings such as the one in The Picture of Dorian Gray.