Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Khattum-Shud
“Haroun and the Sea of Stories” covers many of the things we have studied in class. It is a hero’s journey, complete with spiritual guides and mystic weapons. Haroun’s quest helps him find happiness and heal those around him. “Haroun” contains an anti-hero in the form of Mudra. When Haroun first comes upon Mudra, Mudra seems like a foe, someone that Haroun will go up against. He is scary in appearance, with his reverted eyes, and he is first shown fighting his shadow, something that seems wrong and terrifying. Mudra seems like he should be a villain but he turns out to be an ally for the land of Gup. In this way, he is an anti-hero. We expect him to be a villain but he is a good guy. The book also features a lot of magic, an element often found in traditional hero stories. “Beowulf” contains mystical creatures like Grendel, and Beowulf fights with an ancient, magical sword. “Haroun” is set in an otherworldly place known as Kahani, a moon. Here, there a talking fish and floating gardeners and ships made of shadows. Haroun uses some Wish Water and a Bite-a-Lite to accomplish his odyssey. The book contains a female hero, something that we have not really looked at. Blabbermouth is a strong woman. Men do not daunt her. When she and Haroun have an argument, she holds her own and wins. Because “Haroun and the Sea of Stories” is a hero cycle and features properties from all of our units, it is a good story to end the semester on.
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I agree that the reason we read ended with this book is because its a good story that follows the archetypal hero that was structured in this class. It includes everything we have studied into one book and ties it all together. I can also see the resemblance that you talk about with Beowulf, both having mystical creatures a main hero and villains. You also mention Mudra as a anti hero, this is a good point that I have not thought about. Overall I agree with your points, and great blog.
ReplyDeleteI thought you made a good point when you talked about Mudra being an anti-hero. I also thought your mention of magic compared to Beowulf and other stories we've read was good as well. I didn't really think that magic was something that we've done before but as you've said it's come up in the stories through all of those creatures, weapons, and other things that the hero deals with. I agree with everything you said. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMaddie!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I would just like to say that your title for this blog was brilliant! Great thinking dude! Also, I agree what you said throughout the blog! This story contained alot of the elements we learned about so it was a good choice to end with so we could wrap everything up! I also agree with what you said about Mudra being an anti-hero (I said that too) We expected him to be a bad guy, but he ended up being the one that helped defeat the Chupwalas. Also, I agree with what you said about the book containing alot of magic, which was found in alot of the other hero stories we read or talked about! Great post Maddie!