Advancing yourself beyond the literary track
Back in school we were often told what we should read and how best to dissect it. Various narratives were read uniformly as a class then channeled into one generic examination, usually for grade purposes. What I like to call the meaningless point system. “Can I copy your notes” and “shall we just go on spark notes and bootleg all of the visible themes”.
Education can be so parrot fashion. Youngsters are not taught to gravitate towards their own literary aspirations. We all know that observable fact has never been innate; an individual has to reach out of their comfort zone and explore. When I was at school I used to get so frustrated with the classroom sharing of ideas. I am great believer in teamwork but only when it is reciprocated within a small group with a project in mind. Imagination charity was not for me, especially when half the class had not even bothered to read the book.
I feel that schools should regiment reading habits. Pupils should try and embark on a tombola reading method. Read a book you know absolutely nothing about. The experience is perilous but far more invigorating. It is the only way to test your interests and make gratifying discoveries. I usually relish in fantasy, food and travel books. I am a food fanatic and love travelogues, I have just finished reading, “Eat my globe” by Simon majumdar. I enjoyed it hugely but it didn’t force me out of my comfort district.
However, I boarded my first lottery book challenge in the waiting room at the dentist a few years ago. On the table I took the first grab available to me. A clockwork orange it was. Most certainly not my usual choice of book. The story is bleak, brutal and fiddly, especially trying to get your head around the nadstat words. On the first page there is a glossary which generates a sort of unifying feel. It makes the book more active for the reader and means you can absorb its deepness at a range of levels. I kindly asked my dentist if I could borrow the book and return it the next morning. I must say, reading 139 pages in one sitting suited the nature of narrative, thus making it all the more powerful to convert.
This book became my literary revolution and ever since I have been a lot more adventurous. Other haphazard volumes soon followed: a book on fabric Architecture: Creative Resources for Shade, Signage, and Shelter. My uncle is an architect so there is an invested interest somewhere in my blood. Just from reading this one book I felt so much more knowledgeable in the aspects of thought and design. You have to be rebellious sometimes with your reading to gain some adventure. Try it!
A culture review of Slumdog millionaire
Jamal is born into adverse poverty. He is wholly uneducated, yet his resourcefulness helps him to conquer the corrupt state of Mumbai and route his way out of poverty. Just one question away to earn his fortune..
Set in the Twenty-first century of modern day India – we are taken aback by the culture and state of the Mumbai slums. The film exposes the viewer to the social and economic misfortune through its vivid depiction of distorted India. Mumbai has been directly affected by the West, resulting in a quest for liberty through financial empowerment. The cast, location and Hindi word captions remain genuine, thus exacerbating this endemic corruption and extreme brutality.
Even without the olfactory reality of aroma, physical sensation and disease the film creates a realistic and rich trauma. We can feel the native throbbing of pain versus contentment. An impulsive cash society, corrupt police force and a city dominated by gangsters there is no hope for Jamel. Nevertheless – Jamel believes in industrious poverty. Similar to Rocket, the leading protagonist in ‘The city of God”, if you follow your aspiration, there is always a way of it.
A really awakening film – I highly recommend!
faybeemarie 