Ishmael by Daniel Quinn - Book Report/Review Example

Ishmael – A Critical Thinking Paper When the light falls on a prism it splits into different colors. The existence of these colors, till the time thelight has not entered the prism is not known to naked eye. But they do exist in white light. Moreover, the quality of the colors seen after the light passes through the prism is on the eminence of prism and the medium in which it is placed. Similarly, “Ishmael” is the light which when get absorbed in the “mental prism” of the reader reflects many “colors of life” which depends on the quality and knowledge of the reader. This quality of “Ishmael” gives it a niche in literature. An analysis of “Ishmael” cannot lead to “an interpretation”; but to a permutation of interpretations and this is how we intend to cover it in this paper. The main thrust on which entire discussion between the two characters in the novel develops is the existence and effects of “Takers” and “Leavers” on human society. Most comprehensive and short explanation of these two categories is given in Ishmael as “(Takers believe) The world belong to man” whereas “(Leavers believe) Man belong to the world”. The implication is that Leavers are subservient to nature where as Takers strive to make nature subservient. The concept in itself has many dimensions some of them are as follows:- Quinn bisected existing human society into two categories, which is too simple a categorization of a complex human society. Having said so, it will also be interesting to contemplate that given the plot of the novel adding another dimension(s) to the “human society” would have withdrawn the lucidity from the novel. The broad distribution has enabled the writer to contain to the crux of the issue and avoid the peripherals, like discussing the complexity of the society. However, the pitfall in this approach is that since the “moderate bulk” is not contemplated therefore the eventual solutions derived are also extreme ended, that is an almost domination of Leavers over Takers. Notwithstanding the bisection of human race in two attitudes, the term Takers and Leavers are beautifully coined words. These terms from the outset indicates the attitude and the likely activities which can be associated with it. When we talk of Taker, the term itself indicates three things. One, such individuals are “taking” things from the one who might also be requiring it. Two, they are “taking” things which might not necessarily be urgently required, and three, it has an inbuilt domination over Leavers and thus an authoritative tinge. Whereas, Leavers depict generosity, considerate attitude and has a virtuous out look. The completeness in meaning which is to be conveyed and simplicity of terminologies makes these two words perfect to be used for the purpose. If we try to use another word to substitute any one of these two it will fall short on any one of the account i.e. simplicity or completeness. For example the synonyms for “taker” are stealer, user and beggar. These words do not convey the meaning and do fall short in the desired meaning required in Ishmael due to their passivity and lack of aggressiveness as compared to the word “Taker”. This categorization of human society is used to “discuss wide-ranging if highly general examination of the history of our civilization, illuminating the assumptions and philosophies at the heart of many global problems.” ( Editor Review, Publishers Weekly) This can only be done if the driving force behind the attitude of Takers and Leavers is completely understood. Every society develops a thinking process which leads to their attitudinal inclination. This development is over a period of time. On one hand, it enables a collective response from a society towards its surrounding but on the other hand it also stymied any inclination away from the axis of thinking which had been developed over a period of time. The analytical capability to understand and judge the efficacy of the developed collected attitude (named as mother culture) in a society is obstructed and thus room for a change towards improvement is closed or becomes difficult. In short, as Mother has a tremendous influence on the character of child and development of his ability to look at the world around him, similarly “Mother Culture” drives the thinking process of society as a whole. Both Takers and Leavers have their own “mother culture”. Therefore, to address the global problems in totality we have to set the direction of “Mother Culture” right and that is why “Mother Culture” becomes the most important concept. If successful transformation of “Takers’” “Mother Culture” can be done than “the original culture may fade (and) the mother culture’s influence grows for ages in future. Later civilizations either learn and build upon their old ways, or can learn them through peaceful or military assimilation.” (Wikipedia, Mother Culture). Closely associated with mother culture is myth. “Myth is a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people.” (The free dictionary, myth) Science had always been struggling to control the nature and managed to do so to an extent, but not without the cost of disturbing the natural balance of the world. The success of science has therefore developed a “story / myth” of controlling the nature to humans benefit and formulated a world view of Takers. So the myth in which Takers have indulged themselves is developed by science and thus can be said that it is an “origin myth” which has developed the “mother culture” of Takers. Having analyzed the foundation on which “Ishmael” was built we can now understand in a better way the presentation methodology of these ideas in “Ishmael”. There are four distinct ways which Quinn adopted to present the intricate idea he had to address in the book. These include the method of introducing the story, an anonymous narrator, an ape as a teacher and use of the metaphors. Without any one of these the scope would have narrowed down and this is what we intend to analyze in ensuing paragraphs. Ishmael is a book which has to touch uncountable topics of global consequence, which implies that it is not targeted to a particular section of society. Instead it is for humanity. It is hardly difficult to understand that the deepest educative relation ship in humanity is that of a teacher and a student. The bond is so vast (as parents can be termed as teacher of their children, or a teacher-student relationship between trainer and an animal) that any interaction between the living species can be made to fall in this category. The bond becomes more strong and fruitful if the teacher is willing to teach and student is a keen learner. Therefore, understanding the importance of teacher-student relationship and its wide reaching approach; to start the novel with an advertisement of a teacher seeking a willing student was the only way to tell the reader that the scope of the book is unlimited. It is basically the start which had attracted so many readers world wide. The style is further supported by the anonymity of the narrator. If the narrator had a name associated to him he would have become “An Individual i.e. Mr So and So”. His anonymity makes him a representative of “Takers” culture. However, the use of an ape as a teacher is the master piece of the novel. What would have required a book to explain, Quinn did it by intelligently placing an ape as a teacher. Some of the brief interpretations of what has been achieved are:- As per Darwin evolution theory, ape was evolved to become a human. By having ape as a teacher Quinn has used “discovery” of science to speak against the science it self. Animals are closer to nature and an ape being the most intelligent in the animal kingdom is a perfect choice to advocate the case in favor of nature. Showing a less intelligent being (ape) teaching a human also indicates that although the problem we are facing in this world are so obvious that a lowly being with some deliberation can grasp them. But we on the other hand so engrossed in our “mother culture” that we have blocked the most obvious from our vision. The choice of an ape as a teacher can also be seen with this point of view that “it is a general rule that any particular culture can only be understood by someone outside of it - a neutral observer, unaffected by prejudice or indoctrination”. (Schaich , Ishmael: A Critical Analysis of Civilization) And who can be more neutral than a gorilla. Lastly, the name Ishmael given to an ape creates a confluence of religion and science. As per the science humans evolved by progressing from ape onwards. As per major religions Ishmael was the first son of Abraham. The reason why Quinn did not name Ape as Abraham is that Abraham was created in heavens whereas Ishmael (being first son of Abraham) was the first human being born on earth. With this in mind the choice of name for ape Ishmael is ingenious. A different approach. There can be an altogether different approach to these two characters. We learned in early part of the novel that the narrator in his child hood was keen to do something constructive for the world. The novel idea died down as he grew up. From this we can conclude that naturally man is inclined towards good of the world but with the passage of time when the forces of “mother culture” drives him he drifts away from his instincts. But deep within there is that “ape” which stayed alive. Only it is by an effort that narrator was able to find that “Leaver” ape deep within and then able to converse with him. In short ape is not a separate character but a being “within” which when explored by every one will bring out the same answers as given in the book. The last thing with which Quinn made his writing multi-dimensional was the use of metaphors which created flexibility in interpretation. With metaphors the interpretation is dependent on the knowledge and vision of the reader. It is the use of this literary aid that Quinn had been able to handle such a vast topic. The fractals of complex ideas in the book are beautifully handled by using metaphors. The book had a wide appeal and was quickly adopted / absorbed in academic circles. It addressed subjects as diverse as history, geography, ethics, animal behavior, zoology, anthropology and many more. And all this was made possible by handling the issues the way it is done in “Ishmael” and discussed above. Therefore, the relevance of these aspects with science cannot be denied. The book is a true master piece and has an ability to spread its influence in unexplored vista of human wisdom. In the words of Quinn Ishmael is a story about hope. "I think we have a much finer and more exciting destiny than conquering and ruling the world.” WORKS CITED Quinn, Daniel, Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit, 1992, Bantam/Turner Books, 7 December 2006 Editorial Reviews, Publisher Weekly, Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc http://www.amazon.com/Ishmael-Adventure-Spirit-Daniel-Quinn/dp/0553375407 Free Dictionary, Myth, 8 December 2006 http://www.thefreedicionary.com/myth Wikipedia, Mother culture, 8 December 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_culture Schaich, David, Ishmael: A Critical Analysis of Civilization, Boston, Massachusetts, 8 March 2002, 8 December 2006 http://www.amazon.com/Ishmael-Adventure-Spirit-Daniel-Quinn/dp/0553375407 Read More

The completeness in meaning which is to be conveyed and simplicity of terminologies makes these two words perfect to be used for the purpose. If we try to use another word to substitute any one of these two it will fall short on any one of the account i.e. simplicity or completeness. For example the synonyms for “taker” are stealer, user and beggar. These words do not convey the meaning and do fall short in the desired meaning required in Ishmael due to their passivity and lack of aggressiveness as compared to the word “Taker”.

This categorization of human society is used to “discuss wide-ranging if highly general examination of the history of our civilization, illuminating the assumptions and philosophies at the heart of many global problems.” ( Editor Review, Publishers Weekly) This can only be done if the driving force behind the attitude of Takers and Leavers is completely understood. Every society develops a thinking process which leads to their attitudinal inclination. This development is over a period of time.

On one hand, it enables a collective response from a society towards its surrounding but on the other hand it also stymied any inclination away from the axis of thinking which had been developed over a period of time. The analytical capability to understand and judge the efficacy of the developed collected attitude (named as mother culture) in a society is obstructed and thus room for a change towards improvement is closed or becomes difficult. In short, as Mother has a tremendous influence on the character of child and development of his ability to look at the world around him, similarly “Mother Culture” drives the thinking process of society as a whole.

Both Takers and Leavers have their own “mother culture”. Therefore, to address the global problems in totality we have to set the direction of “Mother Culture” right and that is why “Mother Culture” becomes the most important concept. If successful transformation of “Takers’” “Mother Culture” can be done than “the original culture may fade (and) the mother culture’s influence grows for ages in future. Later civilizations either learn and build upon their old ways, or can learn them through peaceful or military assimilation.

” (Wikipedia, Mother Culture). Closely associated with mother culture is myth. “Myth is a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people.” (The free dictionary, myth) Science had always been struggling to control the nature and managed to do so to an extent, but not without the cost of disturbing the natural balance of the world. The success of science has therefore developed a “story / myth” of controlling the nature to humans benefit and formulated a world view of Takers.

So the myth in which Takers have indulged themselves is developed by science and thus can be said that it is an “origin myth” which has developed the “mother culture” of Takers. Having analyzed the foundation on which “Ishmael” was built we can now understand in a better way the presentation methodology of these ideas in “Ishmael”. There are four distinct ways which Quinn adopted to present the intricate idea he had to address in the book. These include the method of introducing the story, an anonymous narrator, an ape as a teacher and use of the metaphors.

Without any one of these the scope would have narrowed down and this is what we intend to analyze in ensuing paragraphs. Ishmael is a book which has to touch uncountable topics of global consequence, which implies that it is not targeted to a particular section of society. Instead it is for humanity. It is hardly difficult to understand that the deepest educative relation ship in humanity is that of a teacher and a student. The bond is so vast (as parents can be termed as teacher of their children, or a teacher-student relationship between trainer and an animal) that any interaction between the living species can be made to fall in this category.

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