Saturday, February 27, 2010

Culture versus Change

The Janissary Tree interestingly portrays the struggle between achieving progress and maintaining one's unique identity and culture. Although the plot unravels a bit too quickly, the journey to the end of the book was enjoyable. I spent much of my commute to and fro New York city reading this novel, despite the busy surrounding, I felt completely immersed in the old Istanbul. At first, I thought the lengthy descriptions of Yashim's cooking sessions were standing in my way of getting other juicy details, however later on, these descriptions helped seal a clear image of the Ottoman empire, its people, their habits, and the struggle they were facing.

There is nothing worse than being the best, and watching yourself, your team slip to number two, and slowly, three, and so on, until you are no longer taking part in the race. I believe it is this panicking fear of being left behind that pushes people to abandon some part of their identity to adopt another. The Sultan's need to follow the "civilized" societies's example, such as the French, which were building their own empire, is understandable, is it laudable? I am not sure, as no one can predict the future, however one can notice recurring patterns of assimilation. Since the 19th century, developing countries strive to achieve economic independence and look to Western countries for models of success. Adoption new ways is not necessarily the key to success, that is why it is understandable for Turks to have been opposed to the complete modernization of their people. Customs, as cumbersome as they may seem, are the reason why our world is so advanced, it is our difference that allow us to learn and grow. That said, it is also suicidal, economically, and politically speaking, to completely reject any foreign advancement. The key is to achieve a balance between innovation, and owning its implementation, which the Turks were entrusting a little too much to foreignors in the Janissary Tree.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Janissary Tree

The Janissarry Tree is FANTASTIC! I am a mystery book junkie, although I have not picked up such a novel in a long long time, but I am thoroughly enjoying this one, it was about time I got back into the habit. When I was in elementary school, every Wednesday I would go to the Centre Culturel, our library back home, and I would pick up an Agatha Christie novel, that I would read during my nap time. Yes we have nap time past pre-school, where I live, because the heat is crushing around the middle of the day. Anyway, I would finish the book by the fall of the night, and I was always delighted that I could never guess the motives or who the murderer was. This Janissary Tree novel kind of takes me back to those days, as I feel completely clueless as to whom could want to harm the Polish ambassador, or as to how Yashim became a eunuch. There are so many things that arouse my curiosity in this novel, that I would gladly enjoy taking a break from class just to read and finish the novel. Until now, I had no idea how fascinating the Turkish world was, the ways of the people, and their intrigues. There are intrigues in all countries, however the way the Janissary Tree unfolds makes learning World history a pleasure. I believe reading a novel, watching videos, and taking a look at maps once in a while, is the most effective way to get the material to stick. For history is fascinating for its people, their acts, and the decisions they made, not so much for the dates and the facts, not for me at least. I definitely look forward to getting on with the Janissary Tree, and figuring out who did this to poor Yashim. I wonder if there are still eunuchs to this day...

La Graine et le Mullet

I went to the French Movie Festival tonight, and tonight’s movie was called La Graine et Le Mullet. It is about an Algerian family, who immigrated to France, and whose patriarch is trying to establish a couscous restaurant on a boat. The entire movie plunges the viewers deep into the layers of southern France’s society. Now that we are studying this region’s history, I pay particularly close attention to the mannerisms and the food, and the words that they use. I do not expect to become an expert of the Arabic language anytime soon, however I hope to learn a thing or two by the end of the semester.

For example, I wonder if the interactions between Europeans and the Ottoman Turks, or North Africans were always so strewn with varying levels of racism, distrust, and ignorance. The director of this movie was so skilled that watching the characters interact made one aware of all the spoken and unspoken aspects of communication. One could almost smell the delicious food, as well as the heavy pretension that the locals exuded. The patriarch Slimane, spent his whole life trying to better that of his children, ends up dying in the pursuit of happiness (no surprise here it is, after all a French movie). I wonder if Muslim conquerors faced the same disdain from their Christians subjects, or were they met with fear, and respect, as they held the power, or with time, did they, the subjects, learn to admire their ways, once they saw the liberal way they ruled. I cannot understand how people from regions that have always dealt with one another for centuries, on some level or another, still feel as though their land, their history, their customs, have remained untouched for as long as man can remember, and therefore things should remain the same. I do not understand how the majority choose to ignore a part of history because it is convenient, because it fits their definition of themselves. Most importantly, I do not understand why after so many milestones of knowledge have been achieved, ignorance still persists, as many continue to believe they stand above others.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Palaces

After watching the “Snowy Day Assignment” youtube videos, I got to thinking about how beautiful those palaces were, and how incredible it was that there were not as publicized as other wonders of the world. These architectural feats are amazing, like the commentator said himself, yet, few of us non history buffs know so little about these incredible landmarks. The restoration, or up keeping of Esfahan is also outstanding, considering the age of these buildings, and the historical and political changes the country has been through. It is so sad that political aspirations and ensuing conflicts keep so many people in the dark about so many wonderful cultures. So far, all I thought my only impressions of Iran were from the Kite Runner (which was really helpful in understanding the current situation), and from the news reports of possible nuclear armament. I find it deplorable that because of ongoing conflict of interest, only a certain part of history is kept alive, and is constantly revisited (such as that of Ancient Rome or Greece) while other parts are pushed into the corner, rarely touched upon by those feel “unrelated” to the “other side”. The western civilization has always been considered to have contributed the most to our world, and evidently, no great feat of its history is left unmentioned in textbooks. However all other civilizations are briefly touched upon in mainstream classrooms, and those who are interest have to read between the lines to find out what really happened. I find this “partial” education even more dangerous than ignorance, as those who do not know, feel as though they do, as they have been thought very little and ignore it is only the tip of the iceberg. If only everyone could have the chance to see the full picture, or at least a greater, fairer, portion of what happened in the past, the next generations would be better off. I think.