Academic v/s Non- academic Writing

Academic v/s Non- Academic writing

(1) Academic writing avoids short form such as isn't, I'd, I'll, I'm whereas Non- academic writing includes all such abbreviations. 

(2) Academic writing includes complex sentence whereas Non-academic writing uses simple sentences. 

(3) Academic writing makes the use of passive construction whereas Non- Academic writing uses active construction. 

(4) Non- academic writing is sometimes full of vague expression. Whereas academic writing uses special references. 

(5) Non- academic writing directly addresses the reader by using ' You' - Conversational style. 

Super 30

Super 30 is amazing movie which portrays the pathetic condition of poor people to get the education.

1. Struggle for survival

Initially struggle of poor people is depicted that how it’s very difficult for poor people to get the education. It shows the real picture of society in which lot many brilliant students are living but just because of lack of opportunity  they can’t prove themselves. They are unable to take admission in good organization because of lack of money.

2. Education is the best business

In recent time education becomes the best business for some people. Ethics of education are forgotten slowly and steadily. Money is only aim of life for some people. They are making money out of education. And initially Anand Kumar was attracted towards the power and pissa.

3. Ab Raja ka beta Raja Nahi Banega

“Ab Raja ka beta Raja Nahi Banega, Raja vahi Banega Jo hakdar Hoga” This is very attractive line in movie. But question is “What is the requirement of Raja as we are living in democratic nation ?” But, it shows the mindset of poor people that slavery is internalised within themselves. As a result they can’t be free from that thoughts. And once they will come to power they will behave same as master as Anand Kumar did intially to the poor people. This reminds me the pair of lucky and pozzo from waiting for Godot by samuel Beckett. Where slave could not make himself free even after the disability of master. In the same way people living in the democratic nation are having this kind of mentality.

4. Opportunity for poor children

Anand Kumar provides learning opportunities to the poor children. He gave the best education to students which he was unable to get. When money is not at all the problem everything can be stable and equal.

5. Ask Questions

“Question is the mother of knowledge”. Teacher teaches students to ask questions as it was taught to us by Barad Sir. He taught what to see, how to see, what to think, how to think. Students look for solutions everywhere. Questions must be raised by students. It’s very melodious song “Tu banja chalta firta question mark”.

6. Overpowering English

Film portrayed the dominance of English language. Some people have to face insult just because of this language. Moreover film speaks about the love for our National language.

7. Practical knowledge

Anand Kumar taught not only syllabus but also taught how to apply that knowledge into real life. As Barad Sir taught “How to connect the dots”. Real life knowledge was provided to the students in the film. In that way information became the knowledge at the end of the movie.

8. Post- Colonialism

Now, India is independent country still some people are colonized by our own people. Movie speaks about this reality. Poor people has to face lot many adversity in order to survive.

9. Class Conflict 

Burning issue of India 'Class Conflict' has depicted very well in the film. Difference between ”Haves and Have nots” is clearly visible. Poor children have to face several problems as they belong to the lower class.

10. Hard work  Results into Success

At the end of the movie students and Anand Kumar got the success as all 30 students passed out in IIT exam. Therefore the title of the movie is very apt “Super 30”.

This is really fantastic biopic.

Importance of Electronic Media in Mass Communication

Name: Gausvami Surbhi A.

Assignment Topic: Importance of Electronic Media in Mass Communication

Paper no. 15, Mass Communication and Media Studies

Roll No. : 22

Submitted to: Dr. Dilip Barad, M.A. Department of English

MK Bhavnagar University.

Email id: gausvamisurbhi17@gmail.com

Batch Year: 2016-18

To Evaluate my Assignment please click here. 

Importance of Electronic Media in Mass Communication

What is Electronic media?

Electronic media definition – Electronic media is the media that one can share on any electronic device for the audiences viewing, unlike static media (Printing) electronic media is broadcasted to the wider community. Examples of Electronic media are things such as the television the radio, or the wide Internet.

What is the purpose of using Electronic media?

The purpose of using electronic media can be for many reasons; one of the reasons is that you can connect yourself with entire world. Electronic media is an efficient way to communicate to one another, either by the use of media devices and networks or social media sources such as Television or the Internet these are a few of the many ways you can use Electronic media to your advantage.

What are the different types of Electronic media?

There is a wide range of Electronic media that broadcast a variety of different things like advertisements and promotions. Different Electronic media types are below:

•Television

•Radio

•Internet

Television is the most effective medium of mass communication. It can engage people in wider scope. Even illiterate people can understand the meaning of the message. It has audio-visuals effect which can have deep impact on the minds of viewers. Radio is another significant medium of communication. The Radio is similar but does not give the audience visuals, just sound. This method of Electronic media can be effective and much more affordable than Television but does not engage the listeners as much as visual ads. Internet is the famous tool of communication. With a single click of a button one can reach to any other person in the world. (Xie-Connell)

Role of Electronic Media in Mass-Communication:

Communication is the process of transforming information from one person to another. Technology has advanced in such fantastic way in this 21^st century that it has developed the new way of communication and interactions.  Electronic media plays a vital role in today’s world of communication.

In today’s world television has became most popular medium of communication. It is vital device in our life and almost every family has it. By sitting at home and looking at T.V we can have information about entire world. Many events and competition can be seen ‘Live’ on the T.V.  We can see live broadcasting of sports such as cricket, football, hockey etc. By the help of electronic media people are able to know about other country people, their culture, life style etc. Which change our way of thinking about another country.

Electronic media has become very popular. Any small event that takes place somewhere in the world is being telecasted within minutes and the rest of the world is aware of that event. As a result the world is now socked in the ocean of information. Recently a complicated operation was performed by a surgeon and the other doctors are able to see that by sitting in their drawing rooms how the doctor is performing the critical operation and they have learned the techniques. Sometimes interactive sessions are also possible. In view of that you can conclude that the importance of media is growing in the modern or today's world. Media is playing a very important role in today's world. Especially the TV. Sitting at home we can literally see what's happening at any part of the world.

Communication is the passing of information by utilizing various electronic medium. E-media contributes to the advancement of business environment. With the help of video call managers can conduct meetings with other employees. They can share information about their business planning. With the help of e-media numbers of people can participate at the same time in communication.

Radio and television provides entertainment to audience but at the same time all these medium become good source of information and knowledge. Electronic media empowers citizens to participate and influence their politics. It enables them to raise their voice.

Electronic media, especially the internet and cell phones, are a major form of communication. Students and staff use this media to communicate about matters involving and relating to school. Is Electronic Media beneficial in Children’s Education?

Over the last decades, it is generally realized that the educational technology has developed dramatically. Electronic media has benefitted the system of education in an enormous way. Electronic media is the media which uses electronics or electromechanical energy for the audience to access the content. Video recording, audio recording, multimedia presentations, CD-ROM and online content are all forms of electronic media and any equipment used in electronic communication process such as radio, television, desktop computers, laptops, electronic whiteboards, and electronic textbooks is also considered as electronic media. Education has become far more convenient as internet and social media had provided a vast opportunity to access as much knowledge as one can. From generation to generation, education remains as the essential part of a child life. To enhance the learning techniques and cognitive skills of a child electronic media play a vital role. But the valuable side of electronic media also meets some hazardous effects such as social isolation, obesity and eating disorder.

Man has a nature of curiosity. He always engages with doing something unique. In the past century they explored in many field. It was a time when a man could hardly think about the unbelievable development that is within reach now.

Media is a mean of transmitting the message, thought, opinion and view point. In the beginning, man used horse and other animal to send the message to the receiver. It took time to deliver the message and the probability of spoiling the message was on the top. Now man has entered the age of science and technology. They have explored the farther space. The have got a tremendous achievement in many field as well as Electronic Media. We are living in the era of electronic media. None can avoid and escape from it. It is prevailing profound effects on advertisement, education, information, politics and other social activities.

Now students have a great opportunity to enhance their knowledge through accessing internet. All the information in all topics is far beyond one touch of a button. Electronic media has entirely changed the mode of advertisement. Different types of tricks are employed to attract and attend the valuable customers. Sometimes an innocent client is really confused in making the decision. On the other hand it gives extensive options in selecting the desired product.Electronic media has revolutionized the information system. Now everyone can be aware himself with current information and updates. So many TV channels in the country and internet websites justify the importance and advantages of electronic media where everyone has a freedom to exchange his view point freely.

Media is playing an important role in the systems of present life. People want to remain informed about everything and news, which is taking place anywhere in the world. The world has become a global village and this is because of media only. Now people living in different countries know everything about the people of other countries sitting at home with the help of media. Education has become very easy and understandable with the help of audio and video media because children understand things through them quite easily. The main advantage of media is current information, which is available round the clock and people remain informed about important news through radio, television and other sources. So we can say the role of media is very important in our life. (Sam)

Internet is very handy tool in this 21^st century to interact with other people. One can have endless information about any field. Whats app, facebook, Instagram, have made communication very easy and faster. One can connect himself in a second with entire world.

Advantages:

• Many areas people get educated through the media were they get to learn many things form media about the politics, outside environment, etc.

• Media like television is a good source for the people to get updated through the electronic media.

• Electronic media makes people aware of world-wide things.

• Greater opportunities you get through this media sitting at your place, this is an advantage of media.

• Firstly people used to use radio for the news but as the generation changes the media generation also changes to television and other electronic devices.

• Also through this electronic media you can get to see many cultural events going in world.

• Elder citizen and children get more knowledge through this media.

• Many people get a chance to do their courier (Dhawan)

Conclusion:

Mass media is the integral part of our life. With the use of mass media life becomes easier to live for people. It provides wide range of information and builds a bridge among the people. Mass media is the best medium of communication. People can interact effectively with the help of mass media. 

Works Cited

Dhawan, Ajay Prabhakar. Importance of Electronic Media in Mass Communication. 8 February 2018. 6 April 2018 <https://theknowledgereview.com/importance-electronic-media-mass-communication/>.

Sam. Importance of Electronic media in Communication . 14 March 2017. 6 April 2018 <https://essaybasics.com/importance-of-electronic-media-in-communication-essaypaper-sample/>.

Xie-Connell, Carl. What is Electronic media? June 2015. 5 April 2018 <http://www.skillmaker.edu.au/what-is-electronic-media/>.

 

“Chi” Symbolism in Things Fall Apart

Name: Gausvami Surbhi A.

Assignment Topic: “Chi” Symbolism in Things Fall Apart

Paper no. 14, The African Literature

Roll No. : 22

Submitted to: Dr. Dilip Barad, M.A. Department of English

MK Bhavnagar University.

Email id: gausvamisurbhi17@gmail.com

Batch Year: 2016-18

To evaluate my Assignment please click here. 

“Chi” Symbolism in Things Fall Apart

Introduction:

Things Fall Apart is a novel written by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. Published in 1958, its story chronicles the pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the arrival of the Europeans during the late nineteenth century. It is seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, one of the first to receive global critical acclaim. It is a staple book in schools throughout Africa and is widely read and studied in English-speaking countries around the world.

The novel follows the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo man and local wrestling champion in the fictional Nigerian village of Umuofia. The work is split into three parts, with the first describing his family, personal history, and the customs and society of the Igbo, and the second and third sections introducing the influence of British colonialism and Christian missionaries on the Igbo community.

We have African philosophy, Western philosophy, Oriental philosophy, American philosophy, Latin American philosophy etc., each of which has a plethora of philosophical doctrines, schools and traditions. African philosophy is the rational comments on African way of living and experience of life. Because of its critical nature, African philosophy constitutes the highest form of African thinking and reflection; it is the motor and catalyst of Africa’s entire cultural endeavors and civilization. The picture of an Igbo society that was highly organized and deeply religious, a society which valued bravery, hard work, material wealth as well as eloquence and dignity–a society that possessed an enviable culture.

“Chi” symbolism

Fiction is fiction but ides that are conveyed in that is far beyond one’s imagination. Chinua Achebe is the prominent novelist of Igbo culture and he tried to give “Narration of the Nation” through this novel. He deliberately used various symbols in the novel and ‘Chi’ is most significant symbol in the novel.

When fiction becomes logically established and weighed on the balance of reality, they could stand for philosophy. Etymologically, hermeneutics suggests a sacred origin, being derived from the Greek word “hermeneia” which is related to the name of the god Hermes and the verb “hermeneuein”. These words have three directions of meaning:

To express/expression, to explain/explanation and to translate/ translation. All the three shades of meaning are rendered in English by to interpret/interpretation which in general, means “bring to understanding.” In Greek mythology, Hermes is the messenger of the gods, the go-between between gods and men. Hermes, the wing-footed messenger-god, functions significantly, to render what was beyond human understanding into a form that the human mind could grasp. In order to accomplish his tasks, Hermes had to be conversant with the idioms of both gods and men. He makes manifest the divine thought, translates the infinite to the finite, the divine spirit into sensory phenomenon and therefore he denotes analysis, measure and particularity. On this issue, Ralph Madu says Hermes had to understand and interpret to himself what the gods wanted to convey before he could proceed to translate, articulate and explicate their intention to mortals. Paul Ricoeur sees the history of modern hermeneutics as dominated by two movements, one epistemological and the other ontological. The first is the act of understanding as a mode of knowing and the second as a way of being and a way of relating to being.

Symbol, Paul Ricoeur says in Hermeneutics, is “any structure of signification in which a direct, primary, literal meaning designates in addition another meaning which is indirect, secondary and figurative and which can be apprehended only through the first”.  Thus, one can say that a symbol is any expression which refers to some intuited universal meaning. Symbols are characterized by multiple meaning. They are signs with double references of which the first meaning points analogically to a second which is not given in any other way. There is always a natural link between the signifying and the signified.

The Igbo concept, Chi, has a religious background even though it occupies an enviable position in Igbo sapiential framework. It is used in various forms. Ralph Madu postulates two forms: it could mean simply day as in chi abola (it is day break); from a more sacred origin, it means personal god—divine afflatus—the spirit that animates human beings. Theophilus Okere corroborates that chi is really a personal god. It is the supreme God shared by each individual but more specifically in his aspect as giver and author of destiny. For Madu, destiny is the philosophy and belief of the traditional sage that every life is unique in significant way and is subject to series of unforeseeable hazards and unexpected rewards all mapped out by chi.

Justin N. Ekennia sees chi as the third element of the Igbo metaphysical understanding of person. This 60 Chi Symbolism in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is an additional element to western understanding (27). For him, chi ‘is a unique life force, which each person possesses. No two persons have the same chi. It is regarded as the Igbo principle of individualization…. each person is unique and irreplaceable’. Arinze regards it as an emanation or participation of the supreme God. Arinze calls chi a personal god. Chi is seen as the supreme God as shared by each individual but more especially in his aspect as giver and author of destiny. In another articulation, Mbonu Ojike in his work My Africa asserts: ‘No one chi is like another because no two persons are identical. A rich man’s chi is rich and a poor man’s chi is poor. A man’s chi is masculine and a woman’s chi is feminine. A man’s chi is equal to that man’.

Chi is a good example of a symbol with accumulative intention, a traditional sapiential and religious symbol which has taken on so many contradictory values that tend to neutralize one another. The chi symbol also demonstrates the potentiality of some symbols to Chi Symbolism in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart acquire oppositional values and function that make polysemy one of the prime problems of semantics.

Existentialism and Concept of ‘Chi’:

This universe is very large. We are tiny part of this universe. and it does not get affected by our actions and deeds. it doesn't care for us. Universe will remain as it is weather we do anything for it or not. There is different between what we expect from it and what we find in it. 

Either people believe in God or they find life as meaningless. once we find it meaningless then we start thinking that does it mean that 'life is not worth living?'. So some people may committed suicide but we can give our own unique meaning to life rather than committing suicide. 

Unlike Rene Descartes, who believed in the primacy of consciousness, existentialist asserts that Human being is "thrown into" a concrete, inveterate Universe. We don't know that weather it is our choice or not to be human, to be Hindu or Muslim, Man or Woman. Sometimes we can choose something but sometimes we remain choice less. Here we find Choice v/s choicelessness. Albert Camus said that "Existence precedes essence". We are indifferent to material things such as chair,fen or any material thing. The essence of material things are predetermined so they act accordingly. But the essence of human cannot predetermined. therefore we are creator of meaning of our life. as a human being we are free to make choices. But after that we are responsible of consequences that may arrive as a result of our choices. Generally what happened is that people make their choices but they try to escape from its result. Existentialism is not escapism.

 Existentialism is not Nihilism. Nihilism denies that there is ultimate meaning of life. it completely believe in objectivity. While existentialism believe in subjectivity. in a way this not a pessimistic idea but optimistic idea by giving subjectivity or hope to individual's life. 

It does not believe in “Karmic philosophy". It does not believe in God as divine power, but it believes in self. Some existentialist is believer also, so they argue that there is God as divinity. but He will not do anything for you. But we have to do work for our existence. According to existentialism one should live with passions. we are the creator our "own work of Art". We can give variety of colors to our Universe. 

Life is full of adversity; there cannot be a best teacher rather than your sorrow and sufferings. One can learn new things only through pain and grief. Therefore we become habituated to sorrows and suffering.

Existentialism and concept of ‘Chi’ is directly connected because both believe in making the destiny by one’s choice and also responsible for the consequences that may arrive at the end.

Chi Symbolism in Things Fall Apart:

Achebe has described the Chi through the main character Okonkwo. the son of the lazy and unsuccessful Unoka, by dint of his industry, rose to power and prominence in his community. He became a successful farmer and thereby acquired wealth, and so took traditional Igbo titles. In his observation with important implications for both Okonkwo and his chi, Achebe argues that: anyone who knows his grim struggle against poverty and misfortune cannot say he has been lucky. If ever a man deserves his success that man is Okonkwo. At an early age, he had achieved fame as the greatest wrestler in all the land. That was not luck. It seems that Okonkwo strongly believe in Nietzsche’s concept of “Superman” that man is capable of doing everything.  At most, one could say that his chi or personal god was good… Okonkwo said yes very strongly, so his chi agreed. But like the little bird nza who so far forgot himself after a heavy meal that he challenged his chi, Okonkwo began to lose fame through arrogance and brusqueness in dealing with less successful men. In one incident, he had called a fellow clansman a ‘woman’ because the man in question had merely contradicted him at a village meeting. This meeting is for men, Okonkwo had said. In another instance, he beat his wife during the week of peace when such an act was an abomination–nso ani. For this, Okonkwo had to placate the earth goddess by offering a she-goat, a hen, a length of cloth and a hundred cowries. In yet another incident, Okonkwo defied the warning from Ezeudu and took part in the killing of Ikemefuna ( a slave entrusted to his care for more than three years and who like his children grew to regard him as a father), thus committing a second offence against sacred laws and tradition of his clan. (kush)Finally, at the funeral of Ezeudu Okonkwo killed his son accidently. That is the point of no return. He got punishment from village people and he had to flee to Mbanta(his maternal land) with his family. While in exile he lost his taste of work. He becomes charmless, without enthusiasm of youth. When he returns from exile he found that Umuofia people have accepted Christianity.  It was great shock for him. He thought that how people can accept other religion. Thus, he was in state of ‘Ambivalence’. He could not accept the other religion. At the same time he committed suicide which is considered ‘Taboo’ in Igbo culture. Okonkwo tried to burn Church with the help of his fellow members. After knowing the fact that Igbo people will not fight against British people he committed suicide. Obereika, Okonkwo’s best friend complained to the district commissioner, ‘that man (Okonkwo) was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself and now he will be buried like a dog’.

As is evident from the above account Okonkwo’s life was filled with ups and downs, climax and anticlimax, praise and dejection and finally shameful death. How best can one interpret Okonkwo’s fate vis-à-vis his chi? As his life was characterized by contradictions –success and failure, greatness and shameful death–could one say that he had two chis or only one that was both successful and unsuccessful? Here what is important is not the raising of particular philosophical problems but the spotting of the general philosophical orientation of the chi/personal destiny issue in Igbo culture. Like most African tradition, Igbo have a participatory culture. To have created man, God is to bear a hand in his cause and be involved. (Okoro)

Conclusion:

‘Chi’ means personal God who drives someone to act In particular way. Each person has his own unique chi which different from other. One can have more than one chi. as in the case of Okonkwo, he has two chis or we can say that one chi that is both successful and unsuccessful.

Works Cited

kush. Chi in Igbo cosmology. 20 March 2014. 5 April 2018 <https://youngafrikanpioneers.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/chi-in-igbo-cosmology/>.

Okoro, Edward. "CHI SYMBOLISM IN ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART:A HERMENEUTIC UNDERSTANDING." (n.d.).

The Da Vinci Code: Feminine Leadership in Religion

Name: Gausvami Surbhi A.

Assignment Topic: The Da Vinci Code: Feminine Leadership in Religion

Paper no. 13, The New Literature 

Roll No. : 22

Submitted to: Dr.Dilip Barad, M.A. Department of English

MK Bhavnagar University.

Email id: gausvamisurbhi17@gmail.com

Batch Year: 2016-18

To evaluate my Assignment please click here.

    

The Da Vinci Code: Feminine Leadership in Religion

Introduction:

The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery thriller novel by Dan Brown. It follows "symbologist" Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu after a murder in the Louvre Museum in Paris causes them to become involved in a battle between the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei over the possibility of Jesus Christ having been a companion to Mary Magdalene.

Public memory plays a vital role to construct, Deconstruct and reconstruct the memory. The needs and interests of a particular community dictate narrative frameworks that structure memory-making into the collective memories that define that community, such as the Church. Exposing how representations of historical women like Magdalene are constructed and maintained in public memory offers a rich site of inquiry. Furthermore, drawing on Michel Foucault's (1969) theories about the power/knowledge relationship, powerful people created the memory of Magdalene as prostitute. Magdalene as an historical and biblical figure has captured the imagination of people throughout history, from New Testament Gospels and Gnostic sources to Christian storytellers, medieval legends, and popular culture.

Dan Brown Remembers Mary Magdalene as Wife and Mother

Mary Magdalene is the perfect example of drastic difference in history, public memory and gender ideology. Most notably Magdalene is portrayed as prostitute and outcast. Particularly in Martin Scorsese's controversial 1988 film “The Last Temptation of Christ”. But she has been revered as wife and mother in Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

The central argument in Brown's plot is the claim that Jesus and Magdalene were married. Pregnant at the Crucifixion, Magdalene later escaped to France, known then as Gaul, in order to bear his child. Thus, Mary Magdalene is Holy Grail because she carried the royal bloodline. According to Brown's thesis, the Catholic Church has spent the last 2,000 years trying to cover up these facts in order to diminish the role of women in the early Church—"the lost sacred feminine"—and to deny that the bloodline still exists in France today. Brown tried to prove that Jesus was Devine as well as human being. , Brown also obliterates one of the most prominent images of Magdalene in public memory—that of the repentant whore. As one character says in the 2006 movie version of the novel, "What if the world discovers that the greatest story ever told is actually a lie?"  

 Brown paints the new and pure image of Mary Magdalene. That generates debate and discussion among the readers. However book is labeled as ‘Fiction’ but he included real characters and events. it raised the question about history itself, as Brown himself told that : “How historically accurate is history itself?”

Dan Brown has challenged the Christian ideas of feminism by fevering Pagan ides. Before Christianity there was existence of ‘Paganism’. Followers of paganism believed in equality thus they worshiped both God and Goddesses. Sometimes they revered feminine leadership too. Therefore Brown attempted to restore that ‘Sacred Feminism’ in his novel. Dan Brown gave the example to prove feminine leadership;

In The Da Vinci Code, Brown quotes the Gospels repeatedly. One such quote from the Gospel of Phillip says:

“…and the companion of the saviour is Mary Magdalene. Christ loved her more than all the disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval. They said to him, ‘Why do you love her more that all of us?’”

It shows that Jesus was more close to Mary Magdalene and wanted her to be the leader of Christianity. But, some followers were against this idea because they believed that women are lower and impure. Novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’ celebrates feminine sacredness. Writer tried to restore feminine leadership in religion. Novel shows that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and they had child named ‘Sarah’. It also indicates that Sophie Neveu is in the same bloodline; therefore she is Granddaughter of Jesus and Mary. As a reader we feel  that divine power in Sophie’s character as story moves.

The name ‘Sophia’ has the symbolic meaning. It means ‘Wisdom’. Sophia is the Goddess of wisdom in Christian religion. Novel presents Sophia as highly intellectual being. The way she saved Robert Langdon, the way she explained Cryptex  to Langdon, the way she drives the car, all this aspects shows feminine leadership.

What makes this book so controversial is that Brown weaves a story about a museum curator with a secret life, a historian and how the church has been on a bloody rampage for several years trying to cover up the “truth” about Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. Much like other mystery novels before its time, Along with Mary Magdalene’s untimely historical death, Brown also incorporates the “homicide” of the concept of feminine divinity. Brown ties all these concepts together, much like a detective would, and likens these two separate, but similar, murders to one killer: the Church. Although Mary Magdalene’s role in the known Bible is relatively short compared to other characters, Mary Magdalene plays a critical role in the book The Da Vinci Code.

Dan Brown shows how Mary Magdalene’s role in the Bible was deliberately downplayed and cast in a negative light. Brown also uses the written history of Mary Magdalene to represent the feminine leadership that was lost after Christianity.

In The Da Vinci Code, Brown uses the Gnostic Gospels to suggest that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. The Gnostic Gospels reveal many controversial ideas and this also adds to the animosity that Christians have had towards the Gospels, making it exceedingly difficult for them to accept text as complete or legitimate.

Brown is trying to prove that Mary Magdalene was the favorite of all the disciples. What Brown is trying to prove is obviously very profound, and his use of ancient texts makes his argument very convincing. There are other things that he says about Mary Magdalene, “the Priory of Scion, to this day, still worships Mary Magdalene as the Goddess, the Holy Grail, The Rose and the Divine Mother”. Brown also writes that Mary Magdalene traveled to France after Jesus Christ’s resurrection and bore his child, Sarah.   

Christianity spreads rumor that Mary Magdalene was prostitute. But Brown proves that Mary was not prostitute her family was very healthy so there was no need to be prostitute for her. InThe Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown commonly attributes Mary Magdalene to be a symbol of the lost goddess tradition before Christianity took over. Although Brown never refutes the history of Mary Magdalene as a disciple of Jesus, making her a devotee to the faith, he merely suggests that the way that the Church spread horrible rumors about Mary Magdalene and removing texts from the Bible that portrayed her in a favorable light is interestingly similar to how the Church eradicated the Pagan tradition which incorporated both genders into its worship and emphasized the equality of both and sometimes revered feminine leadership and divinity. Because of this analogy, Brown ties the two ideas together, suggesting that Mary Magdalene was intended to be the founder of Jesus’ church instead of Peter, placing the Church as a potentially female-led institution, much like ancient Paganism.

To undermine the appeal to Mary of Magdala as a warrant for women’s leadership. So it is clear to see that Mary Magdalene’s role was deliberately downplayed and cast in a negative light for the purpose of eradicating any female leadership in the male Christian Church. Since the find at Nag Hammadi, the Gnostic Gospels have revealed that Mary Magdalene was intended to be the leader of the Christian movement, and suddenly people are faced with “one tradition where Peter plays a role of tremendous significance and Mary is on the margins, while in another tradition, Mary is the significant figure and Peter is the suspect”. It is the tradition that emphasizes Peter also known as orthodox Christianity, which people are most accustomed today. It is unfortunate that Mary Magdalene’s reputation suffered so greatly over so many centuries. Although having Mary Magdalene as a part of fictional and non-fictional literature is not relatively new, Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code most certainly shows how Mary Magdalene’s role in the Bible was deliberately downplayed and cast in a negative light by limiting the mention of her name in the Biblical Canon as opposed to the exclusivity that she plays in the Gnostic Gospels. Brown also uses the written history of Mary Magdalene to represent the feminine leadership that was lost after Christianity took over the masses by showing how the Gnostic and Coptic texts hold Mary Magdalene in a high regard compared to the orthodox texts. Mary Magdalene has not been completely exonerated of the accusations that she has weathered throughout the ages, though on a large scale, many people have set the rumor to rest in their hearts and minds, and have accepted Mary Magdalene as “apostle to the apostles. 

Works Cited

A.Reyes, Crysti. "Mary magdalene and The Da Vinci Code: How Brown interprets feminine Leadership in Religion." (n.d.).

Giannini, John. "The Sacred Secret: The Real Mystery in The Da Vinci Code." Jung Journal: Culture & Psych 2 (2008): 63-84 .

Kennedy, Tammie M. "Mary Magdalene and the Politics of Public Memory: Interrogating "The Da Vinci Code"." Feminist Formations 24 (n.d.): 120-139.

 

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