Thinking Activity : The Da Vinci code

Thinking Activity : The Da Vinci code

Introduction :

The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery-detective fiction novel written by American author Dan Brown. It follows symbologist Robert Langdon as he investigates a murder in Paris's Louvre Museum and discovers a battle between the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei over the possibility of Jesus Christ’s marriage with Mary Magdalene.

Post-viewing Task :

1 ) Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a 'constant spiritual journey' himself, and says that his book The Da Vinci Code is simply "an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" and suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith."

Dan Brown asserts that his books are not anti-Christian, and it is right also because he wants to reveal the facts. He also says that he is on the spiritual journey as he portrays the characters who have faith in the religion. Through the murder mystery he unfolds the factual things about the Christianity. There is not only one religion in the world and if Brown is finding other religion better than one which he knows that, then he can try to change it, after all religion is made by humans. Spirituality is in knowing our own self and this book let the characters do it. He also have shown some flaws of Christianity,  As suggests that the book may be used "as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith." which if we look at it with septic eye seems true to us.

 2 ) “Although it is obvious that much of what Brown presented in his novel as absolutely true and accurate is neither of those, some of that material is of course essential to the intrigue, and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman has retained the novel's core, the Grail-related material: the sacred feminine, Mary Magdalene's marriage, the Priory of Sion, certain aspects of Leonardo's art, and so on.” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?

Yes,  I agree that the observation of Norris Lacy is true. We can say Akiva Goldsman has conserved the story line and it is much like a novel. The grail related material, definite aspects of Leonardo's art , paintings and many things. The screenwriter is successful to keep the core content through the use of all the mythical symbols and secrets about the novel. We can find the scenes in the Louvre museum so it is very realistic. Dan Brown's major materials for the novel are taken from the book 'The holy blood and the holy grail'. The idea of feminine sacredness is much live as Sophie Nevue leads Robert Langton.

3 )(If)You have studied ‘Genesis’ (The Bible), ‘The Paradise Lost’ (John Milton) and ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Dan Brown). Which of the narrative/s seems to be truthful? Whose narrative is convincing to the contemporary young mind?

I have studied these three texts by its style of genre of narration than, “The Da Vinci Code” is more convincing to the contemporary young mind than “Genesis” and “”The Paradise Lost”.  “Genesis” (The Bible) is written as words of God, where there is no space to question anything which seems totally foolish or unbelievable. “The Paradise Lost” (John Milton) tries to give some different personality to the characters of “Genesis”. But it still shows the fear of God. When we talk about “The Da Vinci Code” (Dan Brown) he is trying to free human beings from blind faith in religion. It also tries to give logical reasons (though not fact) to convince the readers. Other texts are trying to show God as divine but “The Da Vinci Code” is trying to show God as a human being who has done good deeds.

4 ) What harm has been done to humanity by the biblical narration or that of Milton’s in The Paradise Lose? What sort of damage does narrative like ‘The Vinci Code’ do to humanity?

As I've discussed Genesis as Theology or religious book with not any scientific proof or evidence but people blindly or faithfully followed what is written in it on name of Religion. We have scientific theory of biological evolution by Darwin, which is more relevant than creation by God.

I didn't think that narrative like ‘Da Vinci Code’ does any harm to humanity because It is a theology Fiction and as a part of literature it is far open and gave logical argument to prove it's point about Sarcophagus of Magdalene.

5 ) What difference do you see in the portrayal of 'Ophelia' (Kate Winslet) in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, 'Elizabeth' (Helena Bonham Carter) in Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or 'Hester Prynne' (Demi Moore) in Roland Joffé's The Scarlet Letter' or David Yates's 'Harmione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would you justify your answer?

Sophie Neuve in Ron Howard’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’ portrayal of all the women characters as supporter of male protagonist and Objectification of women body. Camera works as male gaze on women's body. Which is not part in particular book but directors intentionally added scene of women's nudity and use women’s body as tool for catching intention of audience. But, portrayal of Sophie Neuve is strongly connected with theme of women sacredness and director faithfully made not any changes in this theme. She is portrait as knowledgeable and rational thinker even her grandfather is dead and she seen her grandfather but she can't be emotional, beginning to middle she is in drive position.

6 ) Do novels / films lead us into critical (deconstructive) thinking about your religion? Can we think of such conspiracy theories about Hindu religious symbols / myths?

Yes, these kinds of novel and film leads us into critical thinking. We can find the lose stone about religious theory, there is no proof about the relation between Jesus and Mary Magdalene as they are husband and wife. Chapel do not have code about Mary but it's deaide and the picture of music. As it is in Hindu religion also some ideas about religion which needs to critical thinking. The Ramayana is a myth so it raises the question that it actual or just myth to keep everyone's faith in the religion.

       

               Thank you….