Perhaps it's the Simple Things...

Here’s to my penultimate weekend in Paris!

On Saturday we spent our time getting to tour the Louvre which was truly such a splendid delight. On one end the Louvre is a magnificent building and the architecture is something to marvel at. Inside the building, the paintings transport you to another world. It is a world that would be so wonderful to be completely entranced by. However, unfortunately, due to the capacity of people that tour the Louvre at all times, you find yourself constantly bumping into people which puts a bit of a damper on the awe-inspiring experience. Nonetheless, the painting is much bigger than I was expecting. In fact, most of them are massive. When I put this in the context of the time in which they were created this only makes it even more impressive. I felt as if I was in a special little world as I toured the rest of the Louvre.

This got me thinking about the concept of fantasy and its relation to both a Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables. Both novels are fictional tales, albeit Les Miserables was loosely based on a real-life person. And despite their fictional nature, they are classic novels that explore life in Paris and London in a way that feels real to what the actual lived experience of the time might have been like. Of course, this is part of the purpose of any narrative. And yet, the intersection between fantasy and reality felt a bit blurred while I was visiting the Louvre. At times I would see these grand paintings of humans with angels' wings or humans being personified as other mystical beings and I simply stared in awe.

While those paintings were not meant to illustrate reality they still had a profound effect on me in real-time. In the same way, the novels that we are reading in class are not based on true events but they also provided me with a meaningful experience. Of course, there is nuance here as the novels were are reading are still meant to mimic real life whereas the paintings I am referencing were completely in the realm of fantasy. Nonetheless, the texture and contrast between fantasy and reality is something fun to dig into especially when I place it in juxtaposition to the novels were are reading.

As I enter my last week in Paris I find myself appreciating the city more than I originally did. When I first got here, I found myself underwhelmed by the city. It was everything I expected in terms of the city layout and certain aspects of french culture. But at the same time, I found myself not appreciating the acclaimed appeal this city is known for. For example, I alongside many of my other peers found the food in Paris to leave much to be desired, which was surprising coming from a city renowned for its culinary expertise. But now I as I enter my last days in the city, there is a unique and subtle love I am starting to develop. This love is rooted in the very simple things the city has to offer.

Today when I woke up, I looked out my window and simply stared with love and awareness of the garden beneath me. The sun had only just started to peak and the air felt fresh. The garden was lush and green. And for that moment, life felt good. Being able to order a pastry at every whim is also another delight, since there seems to several bakeries on any given block in Paris. It is the ability to “flanuer” or roam about the city in a pensive manner. It is simply the simple things in Paris that make this city so marvelous.

But isn’t the simple things in life what make life in general worth living, not just life in Paris. For example, when we look at the novel Les Miserables, we see various characters and how their lives intersect. At the backdrop of it all is the brink of revolution and active revolution. But even this novel was at its heart showing regular everyday people trying their best. Characters such as Jean Valjean, Marius, Eponine, and Cossette were all at the end of the day driven by the love they had for other people in their life. And the revolution that drove the plot, was a really a fight for a simple life. Everyday citizens were dying violent deaths for the right to be able to comfortably exist and love others around them.

It’s the simple things in life.

In France We Riot

As we continue discussing Les Miserables and its many themes and connotations relating to revolution. I cannot help but make connections to modern-day France and how its revolutionary history has helped shape the scope of society. This is especially true in comparison to the United States which has a society with laws and regulations that are stifling and limiting the individual and their right to the pursuit of happiness.

It was so fascinating walking through what once was. I thought a lot about how time allows for change and evolution, but even with change, there are still some aspects that remain the same. In fact, we visited the building in which Cossette and Jean Valjean would have been living in the novel. As we were viewing the building I could easily envision Cossette looking out her window longingly. I could also easily envision Marius looking up the building hoping to catch a glimpse of Cossette from the window. And so, even though the street had changed drastically it still had remnants of its century-old history, that with the context of the novel, made it easy to physically enter the world of the novel.

The ability to really ground yourself in the fictional universe of any narrative is such an asset, especially when pondering various themes. This past week we visited the area in which the students and others fighting for the revolution in Les Miserables built barricades. It really put the revolutionary spirit in perspective for me. As such, I started to think about France’s history with revolution and how that corresponds with their present-day times. I have always found it super interesting and admirable how the French are known for rioting when they disagree with the government. It's a part of their culture; the French are known for their love of protest. And as a result, they have a society that prioritizes individual well-being, at the very least, in comparison to American lifestyle values. We see this in their universal healthcare, the ease and affordability of medication, and even their lengthy vacations in the summer. The ability to protest effectively allows there to constantly be dialogue and collaboration between the people and their government about how to form and shape society. I find this to be a very beautiful concept.

As it relates to Les Miserables, the process of being able to follow a narrative in which at certain parts you got to witness certain individuals eat, breathe, and live revolution was such an interesting dichotomy when put in place with present-day France. Specifically, some of the students in Les Miserables were very dedicated to the cause of the revolution. However, it almost felt like the modern-day equivalent of a naive and pretentious college student who just discovered Marxist literature and won’t let anyone within a two-mile radius of them forget it. But what does that mean? What does it truly mean to be young and radical? For example, Marius discovers revolutionary ideals through learning about the true details of his father’s history that has was hidden from him by his grandfather. But in joining the revolution, one cannot help but understand that no matter what Marius will always have a safety net. He chose to be poor, which is radically different than being confined to a life of poverty. At the end of the day, he comes from a comfortable background, and should things ever get too tough for him, he can always go back to his grandfather who loves him dearly and will welcome him with open arms. This is a privilege most people fighting for the revolution are not privy to.

And so, I think we often have to call into question the true nature of people fighting for progressive ideals when much of their own well-being is based on inequity. Will they continue to fight for equality if that means that their own way of life will be compromised? For example, there are many people in Western countries that speak openly about the injustice the West has inflicted on the global south, through colonization and neocolonialism. And it is very easy to champion wealth distribution on a global scale when you know that the chance of such a thing happening is virtually impossible. But, if it were possible in some hypothetical situation, I think many of the same people who champion this kind of equality would not be so eager to redistribute wealth if it meant that their own quality of life had to be diminished.

For example, a country like France, as with all western nations, built most of its wealth by depleting resources from African nations. Under the hypothetical situation, that France was forced to give back all of the stolen wealth it has accrued, or even a portion of the stolen wealth it has accrued, this would devastate France’s economy. And so, once an individual’s way of life is being directly threatened they are much less likely to want to pursue the most equitable course of action.

It is timely to note that Haiti is still paying off a massive debt to France in exchange for recognizing Haiti’s sovereignty as a country.

Overall, the concept of revolution is of course an important topic. It is such a treat to be able to ponder such topics in a country like France. However, I think it is also very important critically think about the investment we all truly have in the concept of revolution and a progressive future. Our background and upbringing as well as our current socio-economic standing will certainly shape our investment. This is true within the context of Les Miserable and this is true now.

All These Riches...

Opulence. Luxury. Absolute decadence.

As we continue on our Bookpacking journey I continually find myself almost dumbfounded by the sheer amount of riches that this country of France holds. Of course, this is only the result of its history as a major imperial power. However, outside of that lens, I find myself looking at this from a more insular perspective. This is especially true as we read a Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables. The dichotomy between the peasant class and the elites in terms of quality of life and wealth is incomprehensible at certain points.

I started to feel hints of this curiosity about the wealth disparity peer through on Thursday as we walked through the Rue St Honoré. We are walking through the streets, I cannot help but marvel at the beauty these buildings hold. They are tall, and exceptionally French, which is synonymous with elegance, simplicity, and grace. As a modern-day tourist, I find myself so eager to know how it was back then. I want to know what life was like two hundred years ago in contrast to the current moment in which I am standing.

Of course, it is impossible for me to truly understand the experience of the common-day people in Paris centuries ago. However, that does not stop me from trying. As a result, I use the novels of a Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables as literary mediums to help transport me into another world that can help me more effectively attempt to understand the plight of the common day people.

As such, when I am working from the limited and colored perspective of these two novels, I cannot help but feel infuriated on behalf of the common folk. I think of people such as Dr.Mannette, Sydney Carton, Eponine, and Fantine. When I think of these characters I find myself deeply affected by their stories, albeit fictional, and wonder why greed continues to wreak havoc on the most vulnerable.

It was not until I visited the Palace of Versailles that I was both mystified and completely outraged. Of course, the plethora of rooms within the Palace of Versailles was absolutely exquisite! I kept thinking to myself I can’t believe someone lived like this! Wow! Holy Moly! But, in contrast to that, the moment I think about the life struggle of Fantine, I cannot help but think of how evil one must have been to be content living in a palace and land mass so grand it is the size of a small country.

As I reflect on the concept of revolution, while visiting the Palace of Versailles, I envision the peasants who once stormed the palace and killed the king and his family. And I feel vindicated on their behalf. I think it is just and right for them to have done so. And I guess in this way, the spirit of revolution touched me while at Versailles.

But the ghost of revolution would not have been able to reach me had it not been for Les Miserables. I needed that human perspective to help me feel the passion behind the revolution. In a sense, I needed the holy trinity to fully feel revolution. In this, I needed the historical context that I’ve been getting through class discussions and field excursions. I also needed, the stories from the two novels, but particularly, Les Miserables, to allow me to sympathize with the peasant class. Lastly, I needed the lived experience of touring places like the Palace of Versailles in order to invoke the spirit of revolution within me.

How do we define the concept of revolution? Of course, we are all well aware of the traditional concept of revolution that involves grandeur, violence, and sacrifice in hopes of a better future for all to come. But what about the smaller revolutions? What about the intrapersonal ones? The ones that involve a radical reinvention or innovation of one’s self and one’s soul.

For example, Jean Valjean is the main protagonist of Les Miserable he navigates a society on the brink of a revolution until eventually revolting. But if we pay keen attention to his character arch, he seems to go through several striking emotional revolutions himself. His character’s ability to become a man of mercy and morality is perhaps the most obvious one. Bishop Myriel’s kindness to him allows him to embark on this transformative change. But even towards the end of the novel, Jean Valjean is able to undergo another revolution– one of acceptance. We see throughout the novel that his love for Cossette often prevents him from letting her go in search of her own life. Yet, Jean Valjean’s ability to exercise his own volition and allow Marius to marry Cosette speaks bounds about his evolution.

All of this is to say, as I walk through the streets of Paris, I wonder what my own revolution may look like. Walking through the Palace of Versailles has certainly awakened a greater clarity about the dynamics involving wealth and greed that seem to continue to preserve across timelines. But as I continue to search for greatness in Paris, perhaps the greatness I will find will not be in the streets, but rather within myself. I think that would be a wonderful discovery in and of itself.

Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate...

We arrived in Paris last Sunday. As I was on the Eurostar I continued to reflect on my experience in London. In doing so, I started to draw some more insights and connections about how the novels we are reading related to my lived experience in the place we were now leaving. But, as I find myself in Paris I see myself in the same reflective state as I was on the Eurostar. The only difference is I am no longer in a transitory state as I remain stagnant in one country.

I don’t particularly know what I was expecting from Paris, except greatness. As we read a Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables, both novels spend the majority of the setting in Paris. Of course, both novels illustrate the intricacies and depth of human suffering, but they are also exceptional literary classics. Paris remains a hub of excellence where renowned authors, playwrights, artists, and philosophers come to experience life. And so, when I say I was expecting nothing except greatness from Paris, perhaps I was setting myself up for failure. How can one expect greatness, yet remain naive enough to not specify the parameters of what constitutes greatness for you?

In this way, I oddly feel that this internal dilemma relates much to the struggle of Sydney Carton. He is a man capable of greatness, and yet his own inability to recognize his talents leaves him constantly at the mercy of exploitation by Stryver. And so, as I roam the streets of Paris, I wonder to myself. I see so much to marvel at. There are chic restaurants at every corner, there are niche shopping stores, and the buildings remain so quaint, and yet I cannot help but feel as though I am just touching the surface. There is greatness lurking somewhere in Paris and yet I have yet to uncover it.

Where will I find it? I am not sure. I have no idea. Perhaps I will find it in the city lights, or promising nightlife, or maybe in an unlikely friend. The possibilities are endless and at the same time wholly unknown. And what makes this most frightening is that I remain the master of my own fate. Will I cower like Sydney Carton at the immense responsibility that is pushing forward direction in one’s own life, or shall I fly?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.”

The first time I heard this quote was while watching Akeelah in Bee as a small 10-year-old girl. It was a poignant scene for me then, and eleven years later still remains as such, feeling even more applicable to my life now. As I reflect on the character of Sydney Carton during my first few days in Paris, I find that his narrative arch is intrinsically linked with the notion of responsibility. But the question with both Sydney Carton and myself, remains a responsibility to whom?

For Sydney Carton, his self-deprecating nature showed how little he thought of himself. Was he afraid of life itself or was he afraid of himself? For me, I see the greatness in Paris. I am aware of it. And yet, I remain paralyzed in actively seeking it. Am I afraid of life itself or am I afraid of myself? Perhaps the answer is both. On one end, I almost want to save Paris, so I can always savor the anticipation I once held about one day of visiting the city. But, on another end, I know that should I experience the city as much as I know I am capable of, I will change in some formative way.

At this moment, I suppose both me and Sydney Carton are, at the root of it, simply afraid of growing. And, I think that is understandable. I choose to embrace this emotion and allow myself to recognize it in me fully. But, I refuse to allow it to consume me. I refuse to wallow in it. This same stubborn refusal is a fate I would have wished on Sydney Carton.

When in London One Must Remain Pensive

My first week on this Bookpacking adventure has been filled with rich explorations and excursions into various territories in London. This is my first study abroad experience and so I did not know what to expect. Being able to get a tour of different parts of London has exposed me to areas and regions that I otherwise would not have discovered by myself. I have been finding it quite cool to be able to explore various parts of the city. I was talking to a friend about my experience in London and they asked me a question I found quite striking. “Does the city feel old-timey?” Now I have spent a good portion of my time strolling around the city and marveling at the different buildings. For sure, I noticed that they have a different look and feel than most cities in America. In particular, it is quite fascinating how well they have been able to preserve historic buildings. In America, historic buildings are much fewer and are almost bubbled away from the rest of the city. They stand out as these landmarks to tour and visit. However, in London, the mix of the old and new is so interconnected. It is not uncommon to see more historic buildings juxtaposed with the uber-modern buildings of the city. And so, when faced with the question of does the city feel old-timey, I must pause and reflect. In a sense, yes. Especially, from my perspective as an American, the city does have an old-timey feel. And yet, the juxtaposition of all of these modern buildings stops the city from feeling antiquated. It is a rather interesting mix this city has. While I love being in this new city, I am starting to feel some of the perplexing emotions that come with traveling. On one end, I’m in London! I should absolutely love it. Yet, I learned that the word “should” is the enemy of the present and often compounds onto whatever suffering or difficulties you may be feeling at the moment. While it is such a gift to be able to explore the city of London. There is also a feeling of being upended that comes with the territory of traveling. While, I don’t feel like my world has been shaken in any way that is significant, there is still the acknowledgement that I am somewhere different. And with this acknowledgement comes a slight feeling of unsettlement. As I come to travel more, I recognize this feeling more. It last briefly and slowly falls to the wayside as you become acclimated to your new environment. Nonetheless, by virtue of being in a different area, there is a subtle feeling of unsettlement that makes me long for the familiar. I long for my family and the comforts of my home, and yet I don’t want to act on this feeling and leave the environment that is causing me this discomfort. Perhaps this is the plight of any traveler. Lastly, being in the UK in general is an interesting experience for me as Ghanian-Gambian. I am from two West African countries, both of which have a long history of colonial rule by the British. As someone who has recently visited Ghana this summer, I reflect on my past travel experience and apply it in tandem to my current travel experience. Ghana is truly a beautiful country with so much vibrancy and life inside of it. And yet, while I was there I couldn’t help but reflect on the poverty I was seeing on a daily basis. It made me reflect on ideals I’ve always held and I came to the realization that poverty is not the natural state of man. It a deliberately manufactured product of the elite onto the rest of society. Coming to Britain, I see the kind of luxuries that this country has as a result of the oppression and exploitation of my people. And so, it is an interesting dichotomy that both angering and resentful. Moreover, as I reflect on Charles Dickens and a Tale of Two Cities, I find that the suffering that is of the time period is not far removed from the kind of suffering that the majority of the world, outside of imperial countries, still deal with. Many of the seemingly American concepts such as the American Dream have roots in Charles Dicken’s writing. This idea of self-help which places the onus of poverty on the individual rather than the societal system is one that is still prevalent, but I find to be deeply and inherently flawed. The only reason that Britain is seen today as a top world power is because of their violent exploitation of Africa and Asia. Overall, I found my experience in London to be a truly fascinating adventure. The ability to explore and marvel at the different areas and parts of the city has been a treat. And yet, as I embark on sightseeing, I cannot help but be reflective of my own life experiences, principles, and concepts I discuss in class. At times, grappling with all of these reflections can be rather burdensome. However, this is only when I cannot arrive at a resolution to my own questions that I see just. However, I have been learning how be okay and even revel in a state of irresolution. In doing this has provided me with much comfort.