The Da Vinci Code
About The Author
Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 bestselling novels,
including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the best selling novels of
all time as well as the subject of intellectual debate among readers and
scholars
About The Novel
The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery thriller novel by Dan Brown. It is
Brown's second novel to include the character Robert Langdon: the first was his
2000 novel Angels & Demons. ... The book also
refers to The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (1982) though Dan Brown has stated
that it was not used as research material
Post-viewing Task: The D Vinci Code
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."
Ans. 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. The painting of Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last
Supper, which tells about the relation between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
Seemingly it is an entertaining story murder mystery, the puzzle, paintings of
Da Vinci. As a part of spiritual discussion Dan Brown attempts to raise the
issue of blind faith in religion, people like Bezu Fache, Silas, Bishop Aringarosa,
who have faith in Opus dei.
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[1].” How far do you agree with this observation of
Norris J. Lacy?
Ans.Yes, the observation of
Norris Lacy is true. We can say Akiva Goldsman has conserved the story line and
it is much like novel. The grail related material, definite aspects of
Leonardo's art and many things. The screen writer is successful to keep the
core content through the use of all the symbols and secrets about the novel. We
can find the scenes in Louvre museum so it is much realistic. Dan Brown's major
materials for the novel is taken from the book 'The holy blood and the holy
grail'. The idea of feminine sacredness is much live as Sophie Nevue leads to
Robert Langton.
3. 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?
Ans .. Milton's
narrative seems more truthful, because the novel has some evidence about the
Christianity but it's somehow confusing. People keep on doubting on the
paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci, he was known for his mirror writing, but there
is nothing like that he was suffering from Dyslexia, so there is nothing like
code hidden in his paintings. Dan Brown's narrative has so much lies so,
Milton's narrative can be more convincing
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?
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? This idea is the damaging for humanity.
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 JoffÃĐ'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?
Sophie's character is
portrayed more powerful and intelligent and in decent manner than other women
characters. Ophelia was powerless who used by his father and Hamlet. Elizabeth
in Frankenstein has no power. Monster kills her though he has enmity with
Frankenstein. Hester Pryne is powerful character but can't do anything in
patriarchal society. Hermione is intelligent but she becomes part of male ego.
Sophie is intelligent, not emotional, and she is not got insulted in any way.
6. Do novel / film lead us
into critical (deconstructive) thinking about your religion? Can we think of
such conspiracy theory 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.
7. Have you come across any
similar book/movie, which tries to deconstruct accepted notions about Hindu
religion or culture and by dismantling it, attempts to reconstruct another
possible interpretation of truth?
Yes, we can find in films
like 'OMG' and 'PK', which deconstructs the idea of God and the existence of
God.
8. When we do traditional
reading of the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Robert Langdon, Professor of
Religious Symbology, Harvard University emerges as protagonist and Sir Leigh
Teabing, a British Historian as antagonist. Who will claim the position of
protagonist if we do atheist reading of the novel?
In the case of certain
actions we can say Sir Leigh Teabing's character is more powerful than Robert
Langton. Leigh Teabing has certain depth and he is an intellectual. He plans
everything to reveal the truth behind it rather than for the sake of money
9. Explain Ann Gray’s three
propositions on ‘knowability’ with illustrations from the novel ‘The Da Vinci
Code’.
1) Identifying
what is knowable
2) identifying
and acknowledging the relationship of the knower and the known
3) What is the
procedure for ‘knowing’?
Firstly, i) deals with the
assumption, all the characters claims that they are known something. Sophie
Nevue and Robert Langton both are in search of truth. Sophie is in search of
the truth of her family, her own identity. ii) Sir Leigh Teabing and Robert
Langton both are in the quest for the truth of Holy Grail. Langdon and Neveu's quest
for the truth is rewarded when Langdon learns the location and truth about the
Holy Grail, and Sophie learns the truth about her family and heritage. iii) Sir
Leigh Teabing known about the greed of Aringarosa whereas Langdon and Sophie
has pure intentions. So, there is matter of knowability one can not claim that
whatever known is truth.
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