Thinking activity: 'The Da 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."

- Brown tries to prove his opponent's Christian issue, yet he denies that his books are not anti-Christian. There is a problem in their statement. From the beginning the book gives signals or signs to reach the truth with the relationship with the Christian Jesus Jesus and Mary Magdalene. That's not just an entertaining story, if we want to look completely, we can find that there are many serious questions that Brown brings to light. In a way, he is trying to awaken people with superstitions. In the book, she focuses on female chastity and therefore Sophie poses as a strong protagonist, who does not doubt the false beliefs about religion or religious system throughout the priest.

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?

-Yes, Norse Lacey's observation is correct. We can say that Akwa Goldman maintains the story line and it's like a novel. Grail related content, certain aspects of Leonardo's art and many things. The screen writer is successful in keeping the main content through the use of all the symbols and secrets about the novel. We can find scenes in Louvre Museum so it is very real. Dan Brown's main content for the novel is taken from the book 'The Holy Blood and Holy Grail'. Sophie Nevu leads Robert Langton, because the idea of ​​a woman's holiness is very alive. 

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?

-Milton's story seems more true because the novel has some evidence of Christianity but it is suddenly confusing. People doubt the painting of Leonardo da Vinci, he was known for his mirror writing, but there is nothing like suffering from dyslexia, so there is nothing like hidden codes in his paintings. There is so much lies in Dan Brown's story, so Milton's story can be stronger.

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 tries best to argue Eve by nature, which is true or realistic with contemporary society. Not only the air but every human being should inquire by nature, it should be suspected against the system, which Eve did in heaven. However, when we look at the moral boundaries of society, it hurts humanity. But all kinds of ethical things are being created by any kind of authorities in power. It can be personal from the person. This is the case with the description of 'Vinci Code' in which the author attempts to open the eyes of religious people who represent the relationship of Jesus Christ. She thinks that sexual worship falls under the frame of the spiritual annals. Everyone is needed to get richness in peace and peace. God is also a human being who needs someone to satisfy his own desires. These thoughts try to awaken all religious people. However, it can be harmful to people who have strong or superstition followers of religion. Not for everyone.


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 Joffé'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?

- There is a lot of difference in the role of women in movies and novels. Ophilia, we can see that her character is int
ended, because she is also Elizabeth's character, there is no such scenario between Frankenstein and her. So, in the movie, close to scenes of love-making, which is very small in the novel. As Hamster Prone, as Dammi Moore in Scarlet Letter, she also objected as her perfect body appearance. In Harry Potter, the scenes between Hermione and Ron are valuable. Where there is no nudity in Ron Howard's Da Vinci. The director remains loyal to the novel and cinematic goal.


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, this novel and film leads us to critical thinking. We can find the lost stone about religious doctrine, there is no evidence that the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene is between husband and wife. Chapel does not have a code about Mary, but it is a picture of a dyad and music. Because it is also a few ideas about religion in Hindu religion which needs serious thinking. Ramayana is a belief, so he will question whether it is a real or just legend to keep everyone's faith in 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 think of the plot theory of Hindu religious symbols / beliefs by taking into account the decisive reading of the film. Everything in this universe should be put on suspicion, a self-sufficient mind does not believe in things without inquiry without question and if there are knee stones it must be open to make the audience aware of the truth. These are doing these things by making films about Bollywood's definitive thoughts. For example, the "Oh My God" movie represents God very formally, like a human without any ornaments or hollow circle. Hinduism is broad to accept this type of film. Controversies are only after the promotion and release number. People went to see such movies. This Islam is very narrow compared to religion which does not depict the messenger 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?

- Obviously, if we read the novel's novel, then Leg tabbang will emerge as the protagonist. Leg Teabing is a very intellectual personality, and without knowing all the facts, he does not create things in his mind. First it reads all the history, then it determines it. She wants to open eyes of people and awakens her about the relationship between Jesus and Mary. She wants to reach Mary Magdalene's Sarcophagus. They are convinced that after getting DNA, they will find out the living descendants of Christ and prove their point. No



9. Explain Ann Gray’s three propositions on ‘knowability’ with illustrations from the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’.

a.       1)  Identifying what is knowable 
b.      2)  identifying and acknowledging the relationship         of the  knower and the known
c.      3)  What is the procedure for ‘knowing’?

   
1.The first steps is to identify which is known to be. In the novel, things begin with the symbol of Pantakal and recognize Da Vinci's code, which is known to keep secrets in his work of art. Each of each signs, pictures, objects that follow the design of Vinci creates some mysteries that need to be revealed by the protagonist.

2. The second step in the process is to identify the relationship between known and known. Knowing which secrets is known, knows the truth behind the codes and how it connects with the famous things of Vinci. One way Leagues knows a lot about the Teabing Code and knows how things decodes. But their relationship with late-known secret material Decoding crypts at Langdon but it keeps a secret against bbing. Sophie uses his so-called grandfather and how to keep those secrets and make puzzles, but knows everything about everything connected at the end of the novel.

3. The last thing to know about 'knowing' is to understand. In this way, everything has been decoding between Sophie and Langdon and reached the final truths. The signature of the pentacle on the cinnarer's chest is decoding the truth behind the Holy Grail, which is Mary Magdalene's carcinogens, which provides DNA for living organisms.