Thinking Activity on Dan Brown's The Dâ Vinci Code
About Author: Dân Brown
Daniel Gerhard Brown (born June 22, 1964) is an American author best known for his thriller novels, including the Robert Langdon novels Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013) and Origin (2017). His novels are treasure hunts that usually take place over a period of 24 hours. They feature recurring themes of cryptography, art, and conspiracy theories. His books have been translated into 57 languages and, as of 2012, have sold over 200 million copies. Three of them, Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Inferno, have been adapted into films.
The Robert Langdon novels are deeply engaged with Christian themes and historical fact and have generated controversy as a result. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a "constant spiritual journey" himself. He claims 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."
Post viewing Task :
★ 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."
-) Yes, of course, I agree with Brown's views on ‘Da Vinci Code' that novel is simply an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" We can do another reading book that Robert Langdon is in search of his own truth and at the end on the path of quest he is alone and at the end, he finds truth which symbolically presented that where is the Sarcophagus. So, Robert Langdon is representative of many individuals, who are in search of the truth of their own self. Thus, the book can be used as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith as Brown said.
★ “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” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?
-) Lacy’s observation is reasonable. What film is trying to show as fact those are just composed theories. But it held the viewer's attention as it is unfolding in a very interesting way and till the end suspense get created by one another situation. One can say that it beautifully tricked those who don’t have enough historical sense and proofs to prove Brown’s narration wrong or in other words those who don’t know what is Theology Fiction at all. Also, there are many things in the novel is not accurate and fact like there is no realism and reliable proofs about the existence of Priory of and novel have not shown real Opes Die. Similarly, there is no such proof about Mary Magdalene.
★ (If)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?
-) In modern time many people are becoming rational and raise their question against religious. People are searching for the logical answer and argument upon religion. From my perspective 'The Paradise Lost' is truthful because of the character of Eve is against the condition of God and she breaks down God's structure or arrangement. Then Milton gave the voice of Eve and Satan than Adam and God. Their voice has put forward to in recent time.
★ 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?
-) The Paradise Lost, the character of Eve and Adam punished by God. The garden of Eden Eve tempted and she tasted the fruit of proficiency. Though this world and system were arranged by God then why God is putting the tree of knowledge in the garden of Eden? Then Eve and Adam both break the rules and punished by God. In biblical reference who was against God then God became angry and avenged. Fall of Man is the damage for humanity.
★ 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 'Hermione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would justify your answer?
-) Apart from Sophie Neuve, other female characters have powerless they don't raise her voice or any argue of them. Sophie's character is portrayed as more powerful and intelligent and in a decent manner than other women characters. Ophelia was powerless who used by his father and Hamlet. Elizabeth in Frankenstein has no power. Monster kills her though he has enmity with Frankenstein. Hester Pryne is a powerful character but can't do anything in a patriarchal society. But, the portrayal of Sophie Neuve is strongly connected with the theme of women sacredness and director faithfully made not any changes in this theme. In the movie part, the seen of driving Sophie is more potent than Robert and her aura is very influential.
★ Does 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 kind of novel and film lead us into critical thinking. We can find the loose stone about religious theory, there is no proof about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene as they are husband and wife. I couldn't find any specific conspiracy theory about Hinduism but there are myths and belief in Hinduism which can deconstruct with a logical argument. Hindus are blindly following the rituals behind their illogical statement.
★ When we do a traditional reading of the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology, Harvard University emerges as the protagonist and Sir Leigh Teabing, a British Historian as the antagonist. Who will claim the position of the protagonist if we do an atheist reading of the novel?
-) If we will do an atheist reading of this novel the position of antagonist and protagonist will change. Robert Langdon who find the ultimate truth of Sarcophagus but didn’t reveal to the world and became secret keeper. While to reveal this truth to the world and destroy the blind faith of people from Christianity was the prime aim of Leigh Teabing.
†† † Thank you.!
About Author: Dân Brown
Daniel Gerhard Brown (born June 22, 1964) is an American author best known for his thriller novels, including the Robert Langdon novels Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013) and Origin (2017). His novels are treasure hunts that usually take place over a period of 24 hours. They feature recurring themes of cryptography, art, and conspiracy theories. His books have been translated into 57 languages and, as of 2012, have sold over 200 million copies. Three of them, Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Inferno, have been adapted into films.
The Robert Langdon novels are deeply engaged with Christian themes and historical fact and have generated controversy as a result. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, though he is on a "constant spiritual journey" himself. He claims 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."
Post viewing Task :
★ 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."
-) Yes, of course, I agree with Brown's views on ‘Da Vinci Code' that novel is simply an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate" We can do another reading book that Robert Langdon is in search of his own truth and at the end on the path of quest he is alone and at the end, he finds truth which symbolically presented that where is the Sarcophagus. So, Robert Langdon is representative of many individuals, who are in search of the truth of their own self. Thus, the book can be used as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith as Brown said.
★ “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” How far do you agree with this observation of Norris J. Lacy?
-) Lacy’s observation is reasonable. What film is trying to show as fact those are just composed theories. But it held the viewer's attention as it is unfolding in a very interesting way and till the end suspense get created by one another situation. One can say that it beautifully tricked those who don’t have enough historical sense and proofs to prove Brown’s narration wrong or in other words those who don’t know what is Theology Fiction at all. Also, there are many things in the novel is not accurate and fact like there is no realism and reliable proofs about the existence of Priory of and novel have not shown real Opes Die. Similarly, there is no such proof about Mary Magdalene.
★ (If)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?
-) In modern time many people are becoming rational and raise their question against religious. People are searching for the logical answer and argument upon religion. From my perspective 'The Paradise Lost' is truthful because of the character of Eve is against the condition of God and she breaks down God's structure or arrangement. Then Milton gave the voice of Eve and Satan than Adam and God. Their voice has put forward to in recent time.
★ 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?
-) The Paradise Lost, the character of Eve and Adam punished by God. The garden of Eden Eve tempted and she tasted the fruit of proficiency. Though this world and system were arranged by God then why God is putting the tree of knowledge in the garden of Eden? Then Eve and Adam both break the rules and punished by God. In biblical reference who was against God then God became angry and avenged. Fall of Man is the damage for humanity.
★ 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 'Hermione Granger' (Emma Watson) in last four Harry Potter films - and 'Sophie Neuve' (Audrey Tautau) in Ron Howard's The Da Vinci Code? How would justify your answer?
-) Apart from Sophie Neuve, other female characters have powerless they don't raise her voice or any argue of them. Sophie's character is portrayed as more powerful and intelligent and in a decent manner than other women characters. Ophelia was powerless who used by his father and Hamlet. Elizabeth in Frankenstein has no power. Monster kills her though he has enmity with Frankenstein. Hester Pryne is a powerful character but can't do anything in a patriarchal society. But, the portrayal of Sophie Neuve is strongly connected with the theme of women sacredness and director faithfully made not any changes in this theme. In the movie part, the seen of driving Sophie is more potent than Robert and her aura is very influential.
★ Does 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 kind of novel and film lead us into critical thinking. We can find the loose stone about religious theory, there is no proof about the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene as they are husband and wife. I couldn't find any specific conspiracy theory about Hinduism but there are myths and belief in Hinduism which can deconstruct with a logical argument. Hindus are blindly following the rituals behind their illogical statement.
★ When we do a traditional reading of the novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology, Harvard University emerges as the protagonist and Sir Leigh Teabing, a British Historian as the antagonist. Who will claim the position of the protagonist if we do an atheist reading of the novel?
-) If we will do an atheist reading of this novel the position of antagonist and protagonist will change. Robert Langdon who find the ultimate truth of Sarcophagus but didn’t reveal to the world and became secret keeper. While to reveal this truth to the world and destroy the blind faith of people from Christianity was the prime aim of Leigh Teabing.
†† † Thank you.!
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