'So where does love come in? It's not strictly necessary, is it?' What are Barnes' views of the role of love in history and in this novel? [A History Of The World In 10 1/2 Chapters]

'So where does love come in? It's not strictly necessary, is it?' What are Barnes' views of the role of love in history and in this novel? In this novel, Barnes makes little reference to love in any of the 'main' chapters of the novel, however he explores the concept in some depth in the 'parenthesis' chapter. He seems to display very confused and contradictory views of love, his opinion oscillating wildly as the chapter progresses. Julian Barnes, at the beginning of the chapter, starts to ponder on the necessity of love. He begins by listing various languages' words for 'I love you', and muses upon the concept of tribes without words for the saying. 'Or have they all died out?' he wonders. This seems to be idle thought, in which Barnes merely hypothesises that, perhaps, without love humanity cannot survive. However, he later expands upon and contradicts this idea. 'Our love does not help us survive... Yet it gives us our individuality, our purpose.' States Barnes. It is perhaps worth noting the conclusive tone evident in this phrase; here, he doesn't pose a question, but instead offers an answer. This appears to imply that he has a certain confidence in his answer, that he has reached a personal conclusion in his mind. Therefore, one can read into it that Barnes decisively views love ass being superfluous to survival in practical terms, but is necessary to make us

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  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Sexism in A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns Sexism - A major theme throughout the novel is sexism and the ideology that men possess complete control over their wives (helped further by the Taliban). A few days after living with Ransheed, Mariam is required to wear a burka as where he comes from "a women's face is her husband's business only." This statement objectifies women, likening them to possessions without personality or any individuality. If not for the tone, it could be said that Ransheed wants to free his wife from unwanted glances and snide remarks of another men, that might make her feel uncomfortable. However, no affection or protectiveness is expressed, the burka is simply for his benefit; a way to maintain his 'pride'. The quotation links closely to The Handmaid's Tale - the handmaid's dress code consists of an "ankle-length, full, gathered to a flat yoke that extends over the breast" and "white wings" which keep them from "seeing but also from being seen" showing extreme of objectification. The idea that women can be so indoctrinated indicates they are viewed as not having a mind of their own, free to make their choices, almost like animals (not possessing a higher order of thinking). Ransheed also expresses his distaste when he mentions "women come uncovered...look me in the eye without shame" claiming how it embarrasses him to see a "man who's lost control of his wife"

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  • Word count: 813
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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