Historical Novel Review - Book Report/Review Example

Historical Novel Review Number Historical Novel Review Religion is a fundamental component that determines livelihoods. Eli Shafak succeeds in presenting an insightful literary piece to the audience. Her novel explores significant elements of life that include religion and love. Her characters in the Forty Rules of Love enable her to develop the inspiring story that she does. The novel is extremely fascinating in its revelation of historical and religious transformations in the 13th Century. It also presents the impacts of understanding Islam amongst her characters. The transformation in the ideals of all the characters is exemplary making Eli Shafak’s piece worth exploring1. There are diverse ways in which the relationship between Shamz of Tabriz and Rumi reflect a period of historical transformations. Eli Shafak introduces her narration by creating the character of Rumi. This is a tactful way to begin her narration because Rumi enables her to explore the transformation in her entire narration. The creation of Shamz of Tabriz is equally creative because it enables the audience to notice the evident differences in the two characters in Shafak’s novella. Shamz of Tabriz is a spiritual mentor who appears to represent an older generation from Rumi’s. The interaction of these two characters is a transformation in itself because the two characters seem to play protagonist roles in their own ways. Each time the two characters interact, the audience notices that Shamz of Tabriz intends to change Rumi. This could be probably because Shamz of Tabriz considers Rumi inadequate. During the interaction of Rumi and Shamz of Tabriz, the audience also notices that the two characters seem to have entirely different views on life2. The lessons that Tabriz of Shamz seems to focus on highlight the presence of historical transformation. Tabriz of Shamz appears to have exemplary mastery of ancient philosophy. All the teachings given to Rumi are borrowed from the 13th century. It is fascinating that the ideals appear to be so archaic but can be related to the current world. The transformation in the history during Shafak’s narration seems to be irrelevant at some point. For example, Tabriz of Shamz indicates that unity of people and their respective religions is fundamental. He also implies that each individual is endowed with certain feelings to love. The introduction of the concept of love becomes universal to the audience of the narration. Shafak’s diction throughout her narration convinces her audience to acknowledge themes, and other fundamental concepts. Another element of transformation in the narration is the impact of the narration on other characters. The language that Shafak uses in the narration makes it easy for the audience to identify diverse contextual concepts. For example, Rumi becomes a talented poet when the narration develops. The poetry prowess that she displays is inspired by the lessons from Tabriz of Shamz. Shafak uses the story within the story to highlight a component of historical transformation in Forty Rules of Love3. In the second story that she reveals, there is a noticeable transformation in certain characters. For example, the character of Ella registers fundamental levels of transformation during the narration of the second tale. She changes from resigned wife to an extremely adventurous wife. The continuous relation between Shamz of Tabriz and Rumi reflects the transformation from the above changes in the character of Ella. Both Shamz of Tabriz and Rumi belong to the 3th Century where people live by established philosophical ideals4. The second protagonist, Ella belongs to the 21st century. All the realizations that Ella encounters are inspired by the interactions of the protagonists of the first narration. Shafak is extremely creative when she interchanges both the first and the second narration. The interchange of the first and second stories make the audience experiences the intended transformation. For example, Shafak ensures that she creates her chapters by focusing on the two sets of protagonists interchangeably. The two protagonists that Shafak presents are controversial because they seem to challenge the rules in their settings. Their courage to display such antagonism on the set rules is proof of a historical transformation. This is because traditional rules could not be broken under any circumstance. The two are more liberalized because they appear to belong to new civilizations that allow them to be free. For example, Ella embraces a different life after her analysis of the novel that she reads for her first assignment. Initially, she was aware that her husband was unfaithful but could not attack him because f societal expectations. Later when she had finished reading the book, she is transformed in her entire mindset. Suddenly, she realizes that she is entitled to a happy life unlike the previous life she had that was miserable. It was acceptable for her to raise the three children regardless of the misery she underwent5. The title of the book that Ella reads on the first assignment at her new job is an element of historical transformation. The author of that book titles the book Sweet Blasphemy. This is extremely unconventional especially when one considers the teachings of Shamz of Tabriz. They train people to appreciate the phenomena of religion in all their daily practices. This implies that blasphemy cannot arise because of the appreciation of religion that people are trained to display. Writers who address such issues proof that the relation of Shamz of Tabriz and Rumi is equally transformational6. In the entire narration, the revelation of all the historical events does not consider blasphemy. This makes the title of the book to be a significant symbol of a historic transformation. Shafk makes her audience adore Rumi because of his ability to handle the transformation admirably. For example, when Shamz of Tabriz seeks a student, Rumi’s family seems to disapprove. Shamz of Tabriz has a clear agenda when he sets out of the spiritual endeavor7. Eli Shafak depicts that Shamz soul wished to identify a companion that would significant in his spiritual explorations. The forty rules of love must be understood by Rumi for Shamz of Tabriz to be satisfied in his role of spiritual mentor to the youthful Rumi. Rumi and Ella disobey the elements of tradition in their lives. For Ella it her cruel husband Aziz while for Rumi it Shamz of Tabriz. The interrelation of these characters proves the transformation that seems to be chief message of Eli Shafak in this inspirational narration8. The two characters have a similar plight but choose different ways of solving their problems. The choices that Rumi makes have significant connections with the experience he has from his interaction with Shamz of Tabriz. Rumi realizes that he cannot follow what his society expects him to follow if it makes him unhappy. Later in her naration Shafak implies that Rumi regretted the false servitude that he had displayed when the narration begins. This is an evidence of liberalization for Rumi. He is transformed to an individual that is selfish and demands to practice what he wishes to regardless of the opinions of other people. Shafak highlights a historical transformation of the Islam religion in her narration. When she explains the relation between Rumi Tabriz of Shamz, she also indicates the change in religious practices. For example, Tabriz seems to convince Rumi of the existence of a universal love regardless of the religions individuals. Shafak also believes Islam is a peaceful religion that does not encourage any element of evil9. This is a dual faceted transformation of the historical development of the Islam religion. For example, several modern nations suspect Muslim countries to be violent because of previous terror attacks from certain Muslims. The evident transformation is the change from a peaceful religion as dedicated by Shamz of Tabriz. Alternatively, there is positive transformation of religion from the interaction of the two characters. The positive element is that Shamz of Tabriz is able to transfer desirable teachings from the Islam religion to Rumi. Rumi develops exemplary wisdom that guides him to make fundamental choices about his life when Shafak ends her narration. There is evident transformation of several factors in Shafak’s narration. Her charters are transformed from conventional ones to extremely liberalized ones. When her narration begins, the audience meets characters that seem not have any ability to transform. She creates them in a way that does prepare the audience for any possibility of transformation. When Shafak develops her narration, there is transformation of both events and characters. This is fundamental because it highlights the historical transformation that her novel seems to focus on throughout the fascinating narration that she presents10. I believe that Shafak supports the historical transformation of both individuals and the ideals in their lives. She depicts that people must be free in all decisions that regard their lives. No one should force them to make certain choices that do not favor them. The relation that she creates between Rumi and Shamz of Tabriz presents this reflection on society. She is against the ideals ST impacts on Rumi. Instead, she seems to suggest that Rumi should have chosen what he wanted to follow. She spends a significant portion of her narration explaining the occurrences based on the mentor and student. It is crucial for the reader to determine the impact of forceful decisions on other people. Her narration also praises the individuals who seem to have transformed from unacceptable traditional ways to more liberal ones11. The context that she provides in the narration is easy to understand for a diverse audience. Bibliography Shafak, Elif, 2009. Forty Rules of Love. New York: Viking Adult Read More