Role of Identity in Nathan the Wise, and Peruvian Letters - Essay Example

? [European Enlightenment] Role of Identity in “Nathan the Wise” and “Peruvian Letters” In life, it is undeniable that each person is different, yet may be said to be similar because of identity. There are different people with different identities. By implication, it means that identity springs forth in various categories. The categorization could be religious, social, professional, cultural and so on. Even though a school of thought believes that there is a knot that ties every kind of identity, some people are still of the opinion that their identity can’t be equaled with that of others. Broadly, there are many sides to identity that can be considered; one of them has to do with whether its depiction is fluid, susceptible to change or fixed. There are many texts that depict identity on different level; however, Gottholo Ephraim Lessing’s Nathan, the Wise and Letter from the Peruvian Woman by Francoise Graffiny are the one that have been chosen for this purpose. Most times, the issues that degenerate into serious challenges are not worth it. It is often the case that people are not enlightened about such issues because had it been that they were enlightened about them, they would realize that there is absolutely no course for such challenges, in the first place. For example, as depicted in Gottholo Ephraim Lessing’s “Nathan, the Wise”, there is no just cause for people of different religion to have cause to raise issues that touch on which of them is superior. There is also no cause for them to argue over whom they can marry and relate with and those they cannot. In the same light, if everyone in the world realizes that all identities are one and same they would never be concerned about who they can help and whom they cannot help. All these and more are clearly exemplified in “Nathan, the Wise.” It must be noted that the world would be a more peaceable place to live if all and sundry sincerely care for their neighbor as much as they care about themselves, irrespective of whatever their coloration in terms of identity is. As depicted in Gottholo Ephraim Lessing’s “Nathan, the Wise”, identity, particularly religious identity, is fluid. There are good men in every land. The tree of life has many branches and roots. Let not the topmost twig presume that it alone has sprung from mother earth… We did not choose our races for ourselves. Jews, Moslems, Christians – all alike are men. Let me hope I have in you—a man. (Lessing 2003, p.18) As the saying goes, no man is an island. No identity is an island. No religion is an island. No matter which religion anyone belongs, one thing is in common—humanity. If everyone is not humane to their neighbors because they are not of the same religion, there would have been an end to the human race a long time ago. The best way identity can be to the good of all of humanity is when it is flexible. When the German Templar of the Third Crusade rescued Recha, he never cared about Recha’s identity, national or religious, what prevailed at that moment was the humanity they shared (Lessing 2003 p.19). It was later that issues that have to do with identity started raising their ugly heads. In the same light, the Saracen, sultan Saladin, spares the Templar’s life just because the Templar resembles his (the Saracen’s) brother (Lessing 2003 p.8). Also, it was later that issues that have to do with their differing identities came up. From this, one can state that as depicted in “Nathan, the Wise”, identity could be so fluid that no matter how prejudiced anybody may be about the identity of others, they can still realize a need to be good to them. It is definite that there will be almost no challenge in the world, if everyone shared the kind of opinion Nathan, the supposed possessor of “the greatest gift, wisdom, and the most worthless, riches” (Lessing 2003 p. 5) has about issues. In the play, he is indeed the wise one. On many occasion, he reveals the fact that understanding is premium. He also makes us believe that if everyone, irrespective of who they are is well enlightened about what is true and what is not, the world would be a very peaceful place to live. Taking Nathan as the example, he is able to surmount every obstacle of identity brought before him because he knows the foundation of what he believes; he is also able to substantiate it. One must make recourse to the point in “Nathan, the Wise” when Saladin asks Nathan what the truest religion is the truest and the best. The story that Nathan tells is very instructive. Like the precious ring, all forms of identity, all types of religions are precious. All have the ability to win the love of God and man. Of course, every kind of identity, be it religious, social, cultural etc. has something special that it possesses. So, each person (possessor of each identity) should have no cause to feel insecure about their identity, neither should they make others feel insecure about theirs. If every form of identity is important, there would be no need for hatred and exhibition of insecurity among people of different identities. Similarly, like the rings, none is more important. However, unlike “Nathan, the Wise” in which mainly raises issues that have to do with religious identity, Letters from a Peruvian Woman mainly raises issues that have to do with racial identity. This does not mean that the latter raises other issues that have to do with other kinds of identities. Francoise de Graffigny’s Letters from a Peruvian Woman, in many ways, emphasizes the fact that no identity is superior and none is inferior. This is particularly through the eyes of a native of Peru, Zillia, in eighteenth century Europe, France to be precise. Before one goes further in analysis, one may desire to know what the author wants one to interpret from the fact that the narrator was abducted into another land. One of the numerous interpretations is that the fact that some persons are powerful enough to abduct someone else means that they (those that captured) believe that they are superior to the one they’ve captured, also to others from her race. This is reinforced by the status of a mere thing that is conferred on Zilia. As there is no superior race, it is important that all agree that they are not complete in themselves. No human race or nationality can of itself be full. Some skeptics say that is the reason that Zilia was abducted in the first place. The French needed her to 'complement' themselves. To this, it must be made clear that when races complement one another, it doesn't mean that one would have to play second fiddle to the other. It takes diligence and sincerity for anyone to agree that they are not from the superior race. This sincerity is displayed by Zilia, at many points. Although she doesn't feel at home with the entirety of the way of the French, she doesn't fail to see the good side in them. She is awed by the lifestyle of the aliens. She is enamored by their advancement. Almost all she encounters in this land is new to her, yet in spite of the circumstances surrounding her coming to the place, she doesn't see all they do as meaningless. On the other hand, the treatment meted to her by the Europeans that come her way is very dissimilar to what is supposed to be. She is treated condescendingly. The Europeans speak of her as though she is not human like them. From all that has been said thus far about the depiction of identity in the novel, it is obvious that it is contrastive to that of "Nathan, the Wise." Unlike Nathan, the Wise, Letters of a Peruvian Woman reveals a situation in which identity is both fluid and rigid. If one is to take it from the point of Zilia, identity is fluid because she sees the possibility of all identities to relate on a plain playing field, without any form of prejudice. Conversely, for most of the Europeans, identity is nothing but fixed. They, of course, do not see any reason why they should relate with someone like Zilia whom they do not see as an equal. As their way of life reveals, they are so classy that they interpret relating with the like of Zilia as an equal to mean that they are condescending below what is required of their social standing. In the eyes of the French, as Zilia's letters reveal, there is nothing special about the way of life of Zilia and her people. But one factor these so-called civilized people fail to realize is that decadence and impurity comes with their advancement. Zilia, on the other hand, supposedly because of her uncouth ways, has one element which the so-called civilized lack—innocence. This innocence cannot be bought with any precious thing. Conversely, Zilia herself should not be vindicated because on many occasions, her letters reveal that she considers the Europeans as unenlightened, specifically in matter that have to do with respect (Graffigny 2009 p. 65). The interpretation of this simply means that Zilia is guilty of the same offence of which the Europeans are guilty. She believes that the cultural identity of her people is superior to that of the Europeans. One may say this is modest (at least she doesn't boast of things that are mostly vain like the Europeans do), but that is far from the point. The point that deserves emphasis is that she opines that her cultural identity is better than that of the Europeans. So, she also reiterates the opinion that that Letter of a Peruvian Woman treats identity as fixed. Also in the novel, the issue of religious identity is raised. Generally, the reader gets to believe that identity is once again fluid. One is made to believe and even respect the kind of religion practiced by the Peruvians; one is made to see reasons that they honor the Sun so much. The reader is made to realize that they are not some brute people who had no minds of their own before they were colonized. Not only does the flow of the novel 'glorify' the way of life of the Peruvians, the author also seems to have intentionally embarked on writing the book so as to correct the wrong notions some persons have about people from other races. The author even goes to the length of using terms - "pallas" and "cacique" (Graffigny 2009 p. 48) – that are related specifically with Peru. One of the most striking points during the narration is when Zilia mentions the aristocracy of the European society in relation with the sun (Graffigny 2009 p. 87). This action by Zilia further reinforces the belief that the novel, Letters of a Peruvian Woman, depicts identity as fluid. One may even feel free to insinuate that there are similarities in all identities. As Zilia is able to find the similarity between the French aristocracy and the sun, one may not be wrong to assume that there are other parallels that other forms of identity have. If everyone, no matter their identity, recognizes this, they will know that there is absolutely no course to believe that there are differences between various identities. From all that has been stated so far, it is very obvious that different strokes are applicable to different folks. While it will be very difficult to find instances in "Nathan, the Wise" in which identity is depicted as fixed, in Letters of a Peruvian Woman, it isn't so difficult. However, one must reiterate that a writer is free to express whatever they want to express. Similarly, a reader is free to choose whatever they are inclined to choose. References Graffigny, F. (2009) Oxford World classics. "Letters of a Peruvian Woman". Mallinson, J. (Ed. & Trans.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lessing, G.E. (2003). Nathan, the Wise. E. Kemp (Trans.) London: Nick Hern Books. Read More