The Da Vinci Code

Novel: The Da Vinci Code

Q. 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 seem/s to be truthful? Whose narrative is convincing to the contemporary young mind?

Answer:

In ‘Genesis’ (The Bible), ‘The Paradise Lost’ (John Milton) and ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Dan Brown) three of book presents religion as the centre.  In Genesis book also God is the center. Paradise Lost also presents power of God and fall of man at the center. In comparison of these two books The Da Vinci Code is more complicated narration and presents so many things together. In this book, cryptic code, Story of Jesus Christ, his relation with Mary Magdalene, Painting of Mona Lisa, Painting of Last Supper, Holy Grail, Blood line of Sophie Neveu and Sarcophagus at the center. This book presents so many secrets in the story. Dan Brown’s narrative technique is so difficult to understand the whole idea in comparison to Genesis and The Paradise Lost.

According to my point of view narrative of The Da Vinci Code is very truthful. Because we can relied on code of the language so many different places like Paris, France, England, and Scotland etc. Though there is some doubt in story because in the painting of Last Supper we cannot found Holy Grail. But character of Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu played a vital role in beginning to the end of the novel. Because of this reason narrative of The Da Vince Code is convincing to the young mind. The era of 21^st Century shifted the mind of young people because this world is depends upon technology and science. So, now we can see turning point of people to religion to science. But we can no say that this idea is totally convincible because some limitations also played a vital role.  Superstitions and wrong beliefs of the people lead them to another way and that’s why whole world always debate for religion and science.

But we cannot clearly say that in this modern age every people believes in science because some of the people living this world who are the follower and believer of Idea of God and Religion. But young generation is more flexible towards technology.   

Q.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?

Answer:

Milton’s ‘The Paradise lost’ clearly presents that if we don’t follow the God then it will become harmful for us. Biblical narration also told that God at the center and the creator of Heaven, Earth and Hell. Milton gives voice to character of Eve and Adam. God created the Garden of Eden and told Adam and Eve that not to test the fruit of knowledge but they don’t follow this rule. First Eve tested and then Adam tested this fruit. So, here we can say that maybe they overpower the God or Satan (serpent) who intentionally convince to Eve. But rule is broken by them and God gave then punishment. Fall of Man is the damage for humanity. Because of this people believed that fall happens because of Eve. So, here Eve blamed for this fall but one question arise that Eve tempted for this fruit then why Adam also tested that fruit? If he has different idea then he not tested that fruit of knowledge but he does this. So, Adam also equally responsible for this fall but women always blamed for such things. This idea is the damaging for humanity.  

   

Narrative of The Da Vince Code presents Christianity, Priory of Sion, Holy Grail, Story of Jesus Christ, Religion etc. But some of the characters damage the humanity like Silas murders Jacques Sauniere. Idea of pain that presents by character of Silas and it’s also presents image of Vitruvius man. Sign of Vitruvius image shows that we have to chastise our body by some kind of pain. Till the end of the novel Robert Langdon keep the secret of Sarcophagus. When he knows about that blood line of secret at that time he reached this place and kneels down. He also suggests Sophie Neveu that in critical situation Jesus Christ always with him. So, here we can say this type of narrative harm the humanity because it depends upon individual character because every person not believer of God.  

Q.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 justify your answer?

Answer:

Character of Ophelia to Sophie Neveu we can see the vast difference. Women characters always follower of male member of society and depended to them. Sometimes woman used as an object only to serve family members. Society looks towards women as inferior way and always tried to defeat them. But here the women characters are different to struggled and fight with the odd situations.

In Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet Ophelia portrayed as more cruel way. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet there is no single description of Ophelia as an object but in movie some scene of Ophelia shown as a bad way. Even scene of madness of Ophelia is more attractive in movie than Hamlet. In Frankenstein also Character of Elizabeth killed by Monster. Monster forcefully harassed her and behaves as crude way. Character of Hester Prynne also struggled a lot in puritan society because of the birth of Pearl. Puritan society not accepted her and gives the symbol of “A” for adultery. Because of the Chillingworth, her husband she more attracted towards Arthur Dimmesdale. But puritan society not looking for that perspective and gives her punishment. But she confidently and bravely faces all the circumstances. 

 

In Harry Potter, character of Hermione more powerful than Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. She is not central character of the novel but Harry Potter as a center. Limited space given to Hermione. In fact she used as a rivalry between Harry and Ron. But in comparison to Ophelia, Elizabeth and Hester Hermione is more powerful, intelligent and not used as an object or sexually harassed. 

 

 The Da Vince Code presents Sophie Neveu as a both side intelligent and sometimes silent. She is working in French Police, Cryptologist. Beginning to end Sophie is always with Professor Robert Langdon. Sometimes she very secretly solves the problems in this novel. She also destroyed phobia of Robert to some trick. But when discussion going on between Robert and Leigh Teabing at that time most of the time she is silent and easily follows Leigh Teabing. But in comparison to other female characters she is very intelligent portrayed by Ron Howard’s The Da Vinci Code.    

   

So, to move towards puritan society to modern age to these new literatures we can find major differences. Major differences are that to only sexual platform to very intelligent space given to them. It is the effect of literature that we can see so many changes characters.