Leaves of the Banyan Tree - Book Report/Review Example

But soon after Tauilopepe is obsessed with the materialistic world and indulges in activities that do not go with his stature. He denies his own culture afterward and gives preference to money and power. Tauilopepe uses his power in a corrupt way and in an incident described in the novel by the author Tauilopepe gives a sermon in the church in which he preaches about God, money, and success. This preaching shows the negative side of Tauilopepe as even in the church he is not advocating about his religion only.

Tauilopepe in the story tries to connect money and success to God religion and culture.2. What are some of the possible "messages" about Samoan and papalagi cultures that you see in the symbols and images of both cultures (including religion and mythology/folklore) in the novel Ans. The novel revolves around the cultures of Samoa and Papalagi. It shows a revolution in the society of Samoa culture as the new visions of Papalagi culture comes in the way. Many people in the society reject the old traditions and carry on with the new ones (i.e. Papalagi).

One lead character which is Lalalogi (son of Taulipepe) also rejects his native Samoan values in preference to the Papalagi views. The novel shows that Samoan views are all about being honest and faithful to god and people. While Papalagi culture is all about money power and success. This story is based on the times when Papalagi culture was newly introduced by the Europeans. This story shows how the new Papalagi culture crept in Samoan society and gained popularity amongst the people. The novel shows that Samoan culture respects the power of God above everything while Papalagi respects the power of money.3. How does Tauilopepe change in the course of the novel At the end of the novel, do you feel any differently about him than you did earlier in the novel Why Ans.

Tauilopepe undergoes two changes over the course of the novel. At the starting of the novel, Tauilopepe is a man of honor who respects his traditions culture, and religion. But soon after he undergoes a change and he develops greed for money and power. At the end of the novel once again Tauilopepe goes a change because of the malicious plans of Galupo. The change this time is in the positive sense as Tauilopepe understands the philosophy of life and power. He realizes that power is not everlasting and it may crumble down at one point.

In the end, Tauilopepe is the refined version of his old self. He gets closer to the people and God. Because Tauilopepe suffers a lot to realize his mistakes I feel differently for him. This is because he has changed the routine of his life he had developed and become a changed man who works for the betterment of people. 4. What do you think is significant about the similarities and differences between Galupo and Pepe Which character do you admire or understand more and whyAns. Galupo and Pepe have the same thinking of power.

They want to gain power and success but both have their own ethical values and ways to gain it. Galupo is a swindler who works to gain the top level of success by cheating and making his plans. He is a man who has different thinking than that of Pepe. Pepe represents a revolutionary who does not believe in religion and god. He has an entirely different approach than Galupo in gaining and using the power he needs. I understand the character of Galupo more as he perfectly portrays a person who is in need of power and can go to any extent to achieve it.

He uses perfect ways to achieve power for e.g. cheating and playing tricks on Tauilopepe. He is a man who uses his intellect in the perfect manner to gain over the whole territory of power.