"... Turnus is driven by the Furies;
he glows with sparks; his fierce eyes flame with fire:
as when a bull, preparing to do battle,
awakes tremendous bellowings; trying
to hurl his rage into his horns, before
the fight, he butts against a tree trunk and
he beats the wind with blows and paws the sand."
The explanation of a furious preparation for the war is supported by the imagery set with this simile. Furies is the goddess of revenge; hence, Turnus is compared to an awakening bull that is filled with rage seeking for revenge. The fact that he glows with sparks show that he is ready to enlighten people. How he "beats the wind with blows and paws the sand" shows his strength and power over the both the air and land.
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Voices ~ John Cavafy
| Ideal voices we have greatly loved, of those that death has taken, or of those that are, for us, lost, even as are the dead. At times we hear them talking in our dreams; at times in thought they echo through the brain. And, with the sound of them, awhile recur sounds from the first poetry of our lives, — like music, on still nights, far off, that wanes. |
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| Translated by John Cavafy |
| (Poems by C. P. Cavafy. Translated, from the Greek, by J. C. Cavafy. Ikaros, 2003) |
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Paradise of the Blind #10 ~ To Let Her Go
I knew that she was now a gorgeous young girl. She could complete all of her chores perfectly, she could cook and clean. For God's sake she had got into college! I was no help for her. The few coins I gained were not worthy of a girl as enlighten as her. Sister Tam was a much better helper for her. I had to focus on my nephews. These were the reasons why I was being distant to Hang. Or these are the lies I tell myself.
She reminds me too much of Ton, of my miserable days at the village, of the pain I felt all over my body, as if the air was made up of needles pinching me at each second. If I cannot let go of her, I will never be able to let go of my past. She is going away in ten days anyways, I must get used to her absence. Since I'm now determined to grow up my niece and nephew, nothing should block my path, not even Hang.
I felt like I was becoming the person Tam became: greedy and obsessive. And the problem was that I did not feel bad about this. If I was going to be able to serve well for my family, I was ready to give up my valuable characteristics.
She reminds me too much of Ton, of my miserable days at the village, of the pain I felt all over my body, as if the air was made up of needles pinching me at each second. If I cannot let go of her, I will never be able to let go of my past. She is going away in ten days anyways, I must get used to her absence. Since I'm now determined to grow up my niece and nephew, nothing should block my path, not even Hang.
I felt like I was becoming the person Tam became: greedy and obsessive. And the problem was that I did not feel bad about this. If I was going to be able to serve well for my family, I was ready to give up my valuable characteristics.
Paradise of the Blind #9 ~ Final Overview
Like I've said in my preview, I had never properly read about Vietnamese history. This insightful story of Hang's family truly enlightened me about the life many people led during the times of the communist regime.
I really enjoyed hearing about those times from many perspectives. With Hang, I got to think about the events from a clear, objective, and stubborn point of view. From Que's eyes, I saw the sorrow that weakened a women dedicated for her family. Ton's short lived life with shame reminded me how important it is to stand straight in life, even is people's words are too heavy to carry, I must never let other's pull me down. In contrast, Tam showed me how revenge can make a person go delirious and how even in the worst times with the worst people and faith, one can get what she wants if she is willing to work hard enough. Chinh actually presented me the communist dream, maybe even blind commitment.
The blog post task also made me feel alert while I was reading the book since I was constantly trying to sympathise with Que. This helped me keep track of the events so that I wouldn't miss important information that might be presented about my character. Overall, I liked the flow of the book that gave insightful historical context from different points of views.
I really enjoyed hearing about those times from many perspectives. With Hang, I got to think about the events from a clear, objective, and stubborn point of view. From Que's eyes, I saw the sorrow that weakened a women dedicated for her family. Ton's short lived life with shame reminded me how important it is to stand straight in life, even is people's words are too heavy to carry, I must never let other's pull me down. In contrast, Tam showed me how revenge can make a person go delirious and how even in the worst times with the worst people and faith, one can get what she wants if she is willing to work hard enough. Chinh actually presented me the communist dream, maybe even blind commitment.
The blog post task also made me feel alert while I was reading the book since I was constantly trying to sympathise with Que. This helped me keep track of the events so that I wouldn't miss important information that might be presented about my character. Overall, I liked the flow of the book that gave insightful historical context from different points of views.
Paradise of the Blind #8 ~ New
Later on, I realised that Tam's demands gave Hang strength to be studious. I've become ill, but Hang took great care of me. Seeing that my girl could stand on her own feet gave me power to get back on mine. I knew that Hang did not need me anymore. She was much better off without my help. If I was not going to help Hang, I needed to help someone else. Without purpose, it is arduous for me to feel strength.
My illness reminded me of my nephews. They were also weak because they weren't getting enough nutrition in their home. I was the only family member who could help them. This would be my new motive. It was time that I put aside the powerless me. My blood needed the hardworking me. Like a blossom that opens up its flowers at the end of spring, I've decided to shake off this sickness and start building a better life for my niece and nephew, before its too late. Hang stopped by the market to say goodbye, and did so. I've wanted to let go of Ton for so long, that seeing her go away actually let me feel relieved. I understood that love was not enough to keep a person close to you. This realisation put a smile on my face as I put away old memories. Now, it was time for me to start living with a new purpose.
Paradise of the Blind #7 ~ Secure
As I watched Sister Tam breathe revenge, I wondered if one day I'd become like that. Would I really feel that much hatred that I'd be willing to endlessly buy and spend? I've never been able to understand the gluttony people have. Aren't life and the people we have in it enough for us to enjoy?
Tam had prepared a feast for as, as abundant as it might have seemed, I've later realised that it was actually representing her overflow of joy, her never-ending affection and connection for Hang, who was the last drop of blood from her family. When Tam loaded Hang with tasks so that the Tran family could be proud, I felt my brother's orders flowing through my veins. I did not want Hang to go through the same miseries I had to, just to serve my family. Yes, family is undoubtedly important. But isn't family supposed to help one another, like Vi's family? If even the closes people to you, your family members, are giving pain to you, how can the agony rolling on the streets relieve the obligations hurled on you?
I had to prove Hang, prove Tam, and prove myself that I was worthy of something. I needed time to rejuvenate my soul and my body. Would time heal these pains caused by love? Why is it that love, the most beautiful feeling a human being can sensate, had to be one that must be endured? Hang was my daughter and mine alone. I didn't have Ton to help me and I did not want Tam's monetary help. I wanted to build a roof for my daughter so that she could feel secure. I knew that I seemed weak in front of Hang, so I needed a concrete proof for her to trust in me. If Tam could get rich, so could I. I know that this desire is not gluttony. All I want is to see a genuine smile on my baby's face.
Tam had prepared a feast for as, as abundant as it might have seemed, I've later realised that it was actually representing her overflow of joy, her never-ending affection and connection for Hang, who was the last drop of blood from her family. When Tam loaded Hang with tasks so that the Tran family could be proud, I felt my brother's orders flowing through my veins. I did not want Hang to go through the same miseries I had to, just to serve my family. Yes, family is undoubtedly important. But isn't family supposed to help one another, like Vi's family? If even the closes people to you, your family members, are giving pain to you, how can the agony rolling on the streets relieve the obligations hurled on you?
I had to prove Hang, prove Tam, and prove myself that I was worthy of something. I needed time to rejuvenate my soul and my body. Would time heal these pains caused by love? Why is it that love, the most beautiful feeling a human being can sensate, had to be one that must be endured? Hang was my daughter and mine alone. I didn't have Ton to help me and I did not want Tam's monetary help. I wanted to build a roof for my daughter so that she could feel secure. I knew that I seemed weak in front of Hang, so I needed a concrete proof for her to trust in me. If Tam could get rich, so could I. I know that this desire is not gluttony. All I want is to see a genuine smile on my baby's face.
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