Monthly Archives: April 2022

Final Reflections

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“I had not ceased while sleeping to form reflections on what I had just read, but these reflections had taken a rather peculiar turn; it seemed to me that I myself was what the book was talking about,” – Combray, Part I.

I’ve never done a proper literature course before, save for my GCE A-Levels, but that was more depth than breadth of coverage. It’s been a valuable experience.

Many of the books we’ve read seem to have common threads. They often shift in chronology or perspective, and talk about harsher social realities, or perhaps relationships, or life. They often have an element of autobiography. I think that the authors, by placing themselves in the story, help to place us in the story too. That’s the beauty of literature. I never went through anything close to what these authors talk about, and yet I feel often that I’m there with them, or at least come to understand a little better what they’ve been through.

Granted, I only contracted an additional 3 books beyond the 4 that were assigned (I’m on exchange so the grade isn’t important to me), so I didn’t read many of the books we did. I think having the extra time to read helped me appreciate some of the books better though, but I will admit that not all of them appealed to me. I think my favourites have to be Black Shack Alley and The Society of Reluctant Dreamers, because they were more coherently structured and the colonial aspect is something that intrigues me. I also enjoyed The Trenchcoat even though it confused me greatly. Combray, W, and Amulet, I didn’t enjoy as much, but they had fascinating contextual backgrounds that were interesting to learn about and the intellectual challenge is always welcome.

All in all, I had a great time in this course. Glad I bought the books too, because they’ll be on display on my bookshelf 🙂

I forgot to include a question! What were your favourite texts and why?

Jose Eduardo Agualusa, “The Society of Reluctant Dreamers”

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“The war isn’t over, my friend. It’s only sleeping.” (p.131)

At first, it was refreshing to be reading a book set in the modern-day. Seeing mentions of social media and smartphones was a slight surprise after reading older pieces of literature. However, very quickly, I began to forget what time period it was set in. I suppose that some things don’t really change, especially in a place recovering from war and suffering the leadership of an egoist.

The book itself follows Daniel Benchimol, but not always. Sometimes it pivots its perspective through the use of letters and journals, such as to former interrogator Hossi, or to Benchimol’s daughter, Karinguiri. I found every one of these characters to be compelling in themselves. Each one dreams of some kind of freedom or progress, but they go about different ways to achieve it. Ultimately, the revolt at the end of the book is not thanks to any one person. Karinguiri may have started it with her stunts, but Benchimol adds the fuel to the flames with his outburst, and Hossi is the one who delivers the coup de grace.

I do have one thing I want to discuss more about. Why is it The Society of Reluctant Dreamers? Dreams are an interesting part of this book. Everything revolves around the dreams that people have, and dreams take on a supernatural character. Benchimol dreams of Moira before he ever meets her, while Moira herself depicts her dreams using photographs of herself. Hossi has the ability to travel into the dreams of others, and Helio is a scientist who develops a way to record someone’s dreams.

“It’s hard to tell a lie when we’re naked.” (p.169)

It’s interesting that Moira is always naked in her photos. I believe in our dreams we are “naked”; that is, our minds are bared to their fullest. Dreams are truth. We have no control over them and there is always an element of the real in dreams even when they are fantastical. It extends to the metaphorical sense of dreams as ambitions too. So when Hossi enters the dreams of everyone and stomps the dream-President into the ground, he is revealing the truth to everyone: that the oppressors are weak and the oppressed are strong.

All they have to do is wake up.

But I would like to ask my fellow classmates: why do you think it’s The Society of Reluctant Dreamers?

 

“A friend once told me she thought dreaming was the same as living, but without the great lie that life is.” (p.43)

 

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