#Indian Peacekeeping | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

phoward89 · 8 months ago

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Masterlist

Dark!Coryo, Dark!Peacekeeper Coryo, Innocent!Reader, Delulu!Coryo, obsession, manipulation, toxic relationship, drinking, cussing, etc

Chapter 4:

“You know, you might want to change into something more casual later- for when we go to the Hobb.” You told Coryo, who had an arm slung over your shoulders possessively while still carrying his sack over his shoulder. It had a few of his personal items in it so you didn't blame him for carrying it around instead of leaving it on your front porch.

“I will, darling.” Assured Coryo, walking with you towards the meadow. “So, how much farther to the meadow?”

“Not much.” You simply told him, spotting the vast green sprawling meadow and the large oak tree in the distance. Pointing it out, you said, “See, it's right over there.”

Gesturing to the meadow and tree up ahead, Coryo chuckled, “It's still quite a walk in this heat to get there.”

“The heat won't really start calming down for another month or so, but sometimes there's an Indian Summer.”

Having never heard of that term while living in the Capitol, he asked, “What’s that, darling?”

“An Indian Summer’s when it's unusually hot in late November, feeling like summer during late autumn.” You explained, causing the peacekeeper to nod.

“I hope District 12 doesn't get that this year.” Coryo grumbled, shuddering at the thought of breakthrough summer weather during late autumn. Ugh, he hates the climate of 12. He prefers the crispness of the Capitol; he's sure that you will too once he gets you there.

And mark his words, he's getting you there. No matter what it takes, Coriolanus is going home to the Capitol with you hanging on his arm.

“You and me both.” You told your new man, electing giggles and chuckles from the two of you. “You know, I still can't believe that I'm your girl.'' You admitted to the platinum peacekeeper when silence settled between you.

“Why not, Y/N? What's so hard to believe?” He asked, pulling you to a stop; tipping your chin up gently so that you'd look at him.

Coryo's crystal blue eyes bore into yours as you admitted, “I dunno, Coryo. I just wasn't expecting you to like me like that’s all.”

“Actually, darling, I don't like you. I love you.” Your peacekeeper confesses with a Cheshire cat grin.

He loves you? But you haven't known him for that long. And, yes, he's sweet and makes you smile- is handsome too, but you're not there yet when it comes to being in love.

“You love me?...” You trailed off in disbelief, your eyes wide as you stare up at him.

Coryo gently cups your cheeks in his hands, while confessing his undying love *cough* obsession *cough* for you. “Y/N, my sweet darling girl, I just knew it was love at first sight when we smiled at each other. That we're meant to be; I’ll show you my love and devotion every chance I get, my little dove.”

You felt a bit overwhelmed by his sudden love confession. You weren't expecting it. You know that Rein and Ashlie aren't going to be so accepting of your relationship with Coryo; that they'll flip if they hear him say that he loves you.

“You don't have to be shy, darling. You can tell me that you love me too.” Coryo sweetly smiled, tenderly swiping his thumbs along your cheekbones.

Coryo looked so hopeful, like a puppy that was excited to see their new owner, and you didn't want to ruin that by telling him you didn't know how to feel. That you weren't in love with him, yet.

Coryo was a nice guy; a good friend that went out of his way to protect you and keep you safe when you first met him. He was concerned about your safety walking alone in the district and he also had no family nearby. He seems easy to get along with.

Maybe you're just nervous because you've never had a boyfriend before?

“I've never told anyone that wasn't family I love you before, Coryo.” You confessed, hoping that would get you off the hook.

Actually, your family rarely exchanges those sentimental words. Life’s harsh in the districts, sentiments aren't viewed as important by your brother: survival is.

“I told you, Y/N, my darling, that you don't have to be shy with me when it comes to such things.” The platinum blonde boy told you, his baby blues shining brightly with obsession- although to you it seemed like adoration. He tilted his head slightly, only to ask in a too sweet tone, “You do love me, don't you, baby?”

You just couldn't say no to him. It'd crush him. Coryo seems so vulnerable right now. You couldn't be the reason that his bright cerulean eyes turned dull. So, you nod and tell him, “Yes, I love you.”

If only you knew how damning uttering those 3 little words would be.

Coryo was a bit unhinged; by telling him that you loved him back you had literally just tethered your soul to him. In this messed up, delusional, touch starved, admiration craving, power hungry, obsessive mind he truly thought that the two of you had some love at first smile bullshit. Coriolanus was desperate for somebody to love him, to be gentle, soothing, comforting, and just unconditionally kind to him, since he's never had that.

To Coryo love is to possess, to obsess, and to own somebody. He over thinks so, of course, he over ‘loves’. But, the thing is, the platinum blonde peacekeeper's so twisted that he doesn't even know what real love is, despite being shown it by his cousin, Tigris. Of course he’s sweet and soft to the object of his affection, it's only natural to be. Plus, if he was mean he wouldn't get the love he craves back, now would he?

Coryo pressed his forehead against yours, feeling like everything was right with the world since you vocalized your love for him. He knew how you felt, but hearing you say it was like heaven on earth. Oh, how he can't wait to ‘make love to you’ err fuck you nicely, to show you the depths of his feelings.

He decided that tonight, after spending some time at the Hobb, he'll have you.

“I'll show you just how much I love you tonight.” Coryo vowed before capturing your lips in a kiss.

Unknown to you and Coryo, Lucy Gray was under the tree in the far off meadow; watching what she assumed was lovers sharing secrets. Seeing Coriolanus twisting you around his finger made her heartsick. She couldn't stick around and wait for the two of you to join her under the meadow’s oak tree.

So, she slung her guitar over her back and took off towards the woods for a quick hike. The songbird was just walking to clear her head; give you and Coryo some time to defile her meadow, her safe space, before having to go to the Hobb and get ready for her show with the Covey tonight.

A show that she hopes you're not bringing Coriolanus Snow to.

“It's beautiful out here.” Coryo told you, leaning against the oak tree while you nestled between his legs with your back resting against his chest. “But not half as beautiful as you.” He whispered, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

The word beautiful to describe you is an understatement in Coriolanus' mindset. To him, you're the most precious thing in his life. Your kindness and friendly demeanor makes you shine like a diamond in his eyes.

He's never met anyone quite like you before. Back in the Capitol girls are very superficial and shallow. They're caked in makeup, sprayed in artificial scents, and squeezed into the latest fashions- may that be corsets, velvetene jumpsuits, silk dresses, or sky-high heels. But not you.

No.

You're genuine, bright, and vibrant in a world full of misery and falsehoods. You're a ray of sunshine in his life. You, in a way, remind him of his mother. From what little Coriolanus can remember of his mother, Demeter, he remembers how gentle and kind she was. How she always smelled of roses, how she was such a caring person; loved him unconditionally.

Yes, you remind him so much of his late mother. No wonder he loves you so much.

Looking up at the man whose arms were wrapped around your waist, you smiled, “And you're a very pretty boy.”

Coryo bent his head down and pressed a kiss to the tip of your nose. “Then, I suppose, we make quite the pair. A beautiful girl and a pretty boy.”

Sighing, you told him the harsh reality of, “Rein and Ashlie aren't going to like us being quite the pair, Coryo.”

Shaking his head, Coryo scoffed, “I don't care what they like or don't like, Y/N. You're my girl, so they need to accept that.”

“What if they never accept you?” You asked, hoping that he wouldn't make you choose between him and your family.

Little did you know that he wouldn't make you choose in that traditional sense. No, he'll make you think that he's supportive; paint your family out as the ones that can't get along with him. And when your family gives you an ultimatum, Coriolanus will be the one telling you that he's the only one that truly loves you; that'll always take care of you.

“Let's just hope that they do, darling.” Coriolanus said, taking one of your hands in his; linking your fingers together. “I love you and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Of course you're not going anywhere, you're stuck here for 20 years.” You reminded Coryo of the conditions of his peacekeeper duties.

Coriolanus prays to gods, he doesn't even believe in, that he won't be stuck in District 12 for the next 20 years. Honestly, to him that'd be a fucking living hell. The only thing he likes about the muddy, depressing, coal district is you and the meadow. Other than that, the district could burn for all he cares.

Your house was empty when you and Coriolanus returned from the meadow. Rein and Ashlie had gone to the Hobb earlier than they needed to. Neither you nor Coryo brought it up, you both know they're avoiding him. No need to talk about it.

“I know it's not much, but this is my room.” You told Coryo, opening up your bedroom door and leading him inside.

Setting his bag down on the floor, he gave you a thin smile. “It's nice, Y/N.” His baby blues took in the simplicity of the room, only to say, “Looks like the bed might be a tight squeeze tho, darling.”

Coriolanus made a mental note to buy you a full size bed when he gets you your own apartment, closer to the barracks. And he's going to get you your own place. In fact, he'll be looking into it come Monday.

Your eyes widened. You didn't think too much of Coriolanus staying at your house for his weekend leave, but now you're realizing that he's expecting you to share a bed with him- being a couple and all. You feel like it's all very sudden; maybe too much too soon.

“I've never shared my bed with a boyfriend before, Coryo.” You admitted as the two of you went over to your bed.

Sitting down, he smugly remarked, “Of course you haven't, baby. I'm the only boyfriend you've ever had.”

The platinum blonde’s proud that you'll only know him as a lover. He honestly can't wait to claim you tonight.

And talk about tonight…

“How long do we have before we need to meet up with Rein and Ashlie at the Hobb?”

“I dunno. Few hours, maybe.” You shrugged.

“Ah.” Coryo simply nodded.

“I made a wild berry pie earlier, we could have a slice to kill some time.” You offered, figuring that Coryo might be hungry.

“I'd like that.” Coriolanus smiled. “How about you go slice us up some pie while I change into my denim fatigues, yea?” He suggested, causing you to just nod in agreement before leaving him alone in your room to change.

So, while you busied yourself with pulling the berry pie off the windowsill and slicing it, Coryo was getting changed. You'd just finished placing your plates and silverware on the wooden table whenever you heard the heavy bootsteps of your boyfriend coming from down the hall. As you grabbed the small bottle of cream, courtesy of your neighbor Tam Amber's goat, you heard Coryo enter the kitchen.

“The last time I had pie was before being sent here; my friend Sejanus' Ma gave me a slice when I was visiting their apartment.” Coryo told you, his baritone full of nostalgia, as he walked up to the table and took a seat.

“What kind of pie was it?” You asked, sitting next to him at the table.

“Blueberry; Ma Plinth put a scoop of ice cream on it too.” He answered, reaching for the bottle of cream set between your pie plates. Pouring some cream onto his pie, he said, “She sends Sej treats; he shares them with me and our squad.” Gesturing to your pie with the glass bottle in his hand, he asked, “Cream?”

Figuring that he was offering to pour some cream onto your pie, you nodded, “Yes, please.”

“Do you bake often?” He asked, pouring some cream on your pie.

“We can't afford baked goods from the Mellark bakery, so I have to bake pies for us.” You honestly told Coryo as the two of you began to eat your berry pie.

It was true, living in the Seam meant that you're so poor that it's a miracle your family has electricity. Hell, your family doesn't have hot water or a bathtub/shower in the bathroom. The bathtub's an old tin tub. You're lucky your shack house has plumbing for a toilet and a kitchen sink.

You live at the end of the line of the Seam; it's considered the poorest place in District 12. And here you are, sitting at your modest kitchen table sharing a pie you baked with a Capitol born and bred peacekeeper. You couldn't help, but start to feel a bit embarrassed at how poor you were compared to the platinum blonde boy sitting next to you.

If only you knew how Coriolanus grew up in a crumbling penthouse without a pot to piss in, eating watery cabbage soup and congealed potatoes for every meal. Then maybe you wouldn't feel so inferior.

Hearing you tell him that you can't afford to buy anything from the bakery breaks Coryo's heart. It also makes him feel for you in a way he's never felt for anyone before- ever in his life. Yes, what he feels for you is empathy.

Which is a feat in and of itself since Coriolanus Snow is not a naturally empathetic man.

“How ‘bout we go to the bakery tomorrow; I'll get you anything you want.” Coryo suggested, his tone saccharine as the corners of his mouth turned up into a slight smile.

The idea of going to the bakery to get something excited you. You've never been able to do that before because you've never had the money to. But now Coryo’s in your life and wants to treat you to something from the Mellark Bakery.

Just the thought of it puts a smile on your face.

“I’d like that.” You told Coryo before taking another bite of pie.

The two of you fell into a comfortable silence while eating pie together. It felt nice, just spending time with him. If only you knew that he'd be making sure that he's the only one you ever spend any of your time with, ever again.

It was dusk whenever you and Coryo emerged from your house to go to the Hobb. He kept a protective arm wrapped around you while walking to your destination. You got a few judgemental or dismayed looks from people wandering around- mostly headed to the same place you are.

The Hobb.

“So, is the Hobb a bar or a nightclub?” Coriolanus asked as street lamps started to appear, signaling that the two of you are entering the Merchant Sector of the district.

Coriolanus knew that Lucy Gray and her Covey performed shows at the Hobb, but other than that he didn't know much about the place. He wondered if it was something like Pluribus’ nightclub. Or maybe it's smaller, more plain since it's in 12 after all.

“No.” You shook your head. “It’s an old abandoned coal warehouse that's been turned into a large black market and dance hall. In the very back there's a wooden stage made of crates that my neighbors perform on; there's also a makeshift bar that separates the market part of the Hobb from the dance hall part.”

“Lucy Gray's your neighbor?” Coryo asked, his baritone full of anger and resentment, as you walked along the cobblestone streets of the nicer part of the district. “I hope you're not friends with the little songbird.” He said very condescendingly.

“Of course I'm friendly with her. Why wouldn't I be?” You told him, only for your brows to knit curiously. Looking up at the platinum blonde, whose buzzcut brightly glows like a halo due to the streetlights, you ask, “Have you heard about her?”

“No, I had the unpleasant experience of meeting the manipulative little bird-boned girl myself in the Capitol.” Coryo spat out, as if the words were sour on his tongue. The peacekeeper wouldn't leave it be. No, instead he went on a rant of, “She's no victor, just a manipulative whore living off her charms while I'm forced to serve here. If it wasn't for me getting her out of that arena and back to her Covey, she'd be dead in a den of rainbow snakes.”

Oh no…The lightbulb went off and suddenly, you figured out that Lucy Gray batted her eyes at him and he wooed over her; causing him to cheat to ensure she became the victor. You don't have a tv, so you don't know what happened, other than Lucy Gray saying that she had to sing for her life and use her snake charming skills at the end. But now you're pretty sure that Coryo cheated; somehow got her scent aka pheromones to the snakes to make her a friendly familiar to them.

You didn't like snakes, but you knew enough about them from what you read in your apothecary book. So you know that your boyfriend had to get your neighbor’s scent into their cage or something before the snakes were dumped into the arena. Dens and pits of snakes will attack strange scents; especially when they feel endangered or threatened.

And now you know why Coryo looks at you like a puppy. He literally has no one, but his friend from home, because he was drafted into Peacekeeper service as punishment for cheating: for rigging the games for Lucy Gray's survival.

“You dropped something of hers into the snakes’ cage, to get them familiar with her pheromones.” You stated, not asked, in a whisper as you spotted the arch up ahead that marked the end of the Merchant Sector and the entrance to the warehouse and coal headquarters.

Coriolanus looked down at you, a proud, but slick smirk on his face. Your background in apothecary aided you in your aha moment about how he cheated. Of course you're smart, you're his girl. His other half. Only his girl would be intelligent enough to put the puzzle pieces together about what he did without having to see the physical evidence.

You're smarter than those fake twists back in the Capitol. Kinder and more beautiful too.

Oh, how he's blessed to have you by his side. He wonders if this is how his father felt when he met his mother? His father was gone a lot, ironically General Crassus Snow was the Commander here in 12 and refused to have his wife and son live in such squalor; would take leave to make family visits, so he doesn't remember much about him. But he does remember how his father's cold icy eyes would lighten up slightly when his mother was by his side; how his deep, stern voice would soften by a slight octave while talking to her.

Yes, the way Coryo feels about you has to be the same way his father felt about his mother. It just has to be; nobody can tell him otherwise.

Coriolanus knew that he couldn't tell you the exact truth of what happened to land him here in 12 as a Peacekeeper, but he also knew that the best lies were actually twisted half truths.

So, he spun you the half-assed truth of, “As my Academy graduation project I was assigned to be her mentor in the games. During one of our strategy meetings, she cried and I wiped her tears with my handkerchief; then when I learned the snakes would be unleashed in the arena, I placed the handkerchief in the terrarium.”

“You got caught when the cleanup crew found the hankie on the floor because it had your name or initials on it, right?” You concluded as the two of you walked under the arch; entering the area the Hobb was in.

“Yes.” Coriolanus nodded. It's just his dumb luck that he has the same initials as his late father; that he had to use his father's old handkerchiefs because, despite being talented with a needle, Tigris couldn't afford to make him shirts and handkerchiefs- the material has to be used sparingly and wisely.

“Then Dean High-as-a-kite-bottom sent me here as punishment.” Your boyfriend hatefully hissed, sounding like a snake about to strike its enemy.

You wanted to ask why he called his dean what he did, but you never got the chance.

Turning to you with disapproval blazing in his baby blues, he ordered, “I don't want you hanging around Lucy Gray or the Covey anymore. She's no good, Y/N.”

“But, Coryo-” You started to object, only to be roughly cut off by Coryo's bitter snap of, “A girl like her, a lying, manipulative whore that sings on live Capitol TV about living off her charms; whoring herself out, while her ex runs off with the Mayor's daughter, isn't somebody I want my girl to be around.”

Dragging you towards the warehouse people were flocking to, Coriolanus seethed in a sickeningly sweet baritone, “If I say you can't talk to somebody then you better listen cause I love you; just wanna keep you safe.”

Not wanting to ruin the night, which was meant to be a good time dancing with Coryo at the Hobb, you nod and squeak out, “Okay.”

Coriolanus feels that the Hobb's a crowded, dirty, dingy, smoke infested, shithole of a dive bar. Hell, calling it a bar's a bit much since the place’s a warehouse turned into a bar with dancing and live music- courtesy of Lucy Gray and the Covey. Being in a tin building meant that the clanking of boots on the wooden dance floor loudly echoed into the air, bouncing around in the platinum blonde peacekeeper's head like a pinball.

He didn't like it one bit. He'd rather be back home in the Capitol at a proper nightclub. Oh, he makes a mental note to take you to a posh nightclub when he takes you back to the Capitol with him- when the time comes. And hopefully it comes soon because he doesn't know how much longer he can handle living out in the districts like some filthy scumbag peasant.

The excited smile on your face makes him crack a smile. Despite the Hobb being a shithole, being out with him made you happy. You're proud to be seen with him, so he decides to stop getting lost in his head and just enjoy the night with you.

A night that's going to be full of drinking, dancing, and fucking.

The fucking will be after he takes you home, but he's sure that you'll enjoy that too.

As he guides you down some rickety steps that are so rusted he's afraid they'll buckle under his weight let alone yours, in order to get to the main dance floor of the Hobb, Lucy Gray spots you. She nearly fumbles her song at the sight of Coriolanus’ large hand in yours, your fingers laced together, as he leads you downstairs to the dance floor. The look in his eyes unnerves her. His crystal blue eyes seem dark, sinister almost, with an unchecked emotion.

One that Lucy Gray's only seen gleaming in not so nice men.

She continues to sing, watching as Coriolanus spots somebody seated at the tables against the wall. Her worried brown eyes follow you as Coriolanus leads you over to where a big-boned young man with a dark buzzcut and a baby face was sitting. His fellow peacekeeper rose from the table, only to clasped Coriolanus on the shoulder before giving you a friendly hug. The small he gave you and Coriolanus was warm and genuine.

Lucy Gray just hopes that Coriolanus' friend can keep you safe from the cold blooded snake. Because any young man that can lead on a girl, who's afraid to die, and convince her that he cares so she'll stay alive to win him a prize is a man that'll do and say anything to get what he wants.

You're her neighbor and friend; she'd hate for something to happen to you because of Coriolanus.

“Thank you, thank you, everyone!” Maude Ivory called out to the crowd as soon as her cousin finished her song. “This next song, well, you all know it; it's a good’un to do some two-steppin’ dancing, to.” The blonde tween cheerfully announced, stomping her feet. “So, 12, let's have a good ol' time tonight! Let's have it for Lucy Gray Baird and the Covey!” Maude Ivory shouted, causing the rest of the members of the Covey to appear on stage with their instruments in hand.

“Sej, can you get us some drinks? I'm gonna dance with my girl.” Coryo told his friend, who reminded you of a big teddy bear, before dragging you off to the dance floor.

Sejanus didn't even get a chance to blink let alone give his best friend an answer. But, seeing him spinning you around on that dance floor with a look of love in his usually hard eyes and a bona fide smile on his face made it hard for Sejanus to be annoyed with his friend. Without giving it a second thought, he left the table to go grab some jars of moonshine for you and Coryo.

Leaning against the bar was your brother, Rein. He was nursing his umpteenth jar of shine for the day while Ashlie, his girlfriend, worked the bar. He spotted you on the dance floor with Coryo, smiling and giggling as he spun you around with his fancy Capitol moves. Showing off like some big fucking hot shot.

Rein just shook his head and tipped back his jar. He wasn't drunk enough to watch you fall victim to some peacekeeper's affections and advances.

But you know what they say:

Like mother, like daughter.

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zvaigzdelasas · 1 year ago

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[Asbarez is Armenian Media]

27 Jul 23

[Economic Times is Indian Media]

28 Jul 23

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dove-da-birb · 1 year ago

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I bet canadian history is more interesting...why is amerikan history so boring

...

what's canadian history like???

Okay, so it has been a bit since I've been in public school, and the most recent history course I took was a college course;

There's your standard stuff like knowing about how Canada became a country (1867), and also knowing about our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. There's also the war efforts (ranging from War of 1812 to modern peacekeeping missions).

I personally do not care what some white dude did all those years ago; like the first prime minister was a massive racist. I outright do not celebrate any holiday which celebrates colonization (Victoria Day, Canada Day, Thanksgiving, etc.).

In more recent years there has been more inclusion of the history of our Indigenous people, and the genocide that happened and is still happening today. Actually, on September 30th it's the national day of Truth and Reconciliation.

As a general disclaimer before you go searching through Canada's history; you will find genocide, as North America is a colonized continent. You will find articles and survivor accounts of "Indian" Residential 'Schools', of which they are still discovering mass graves of children. These 'schools' were an act of cultural genocide and were active until 1996, and were governed by both the government and various churches.

The history of any colonized place has a history bathed in blood, but it may not be taught due to different policies (cough, racist policies, cough).

Sorry for my bit of a tangent, I'm just so tired of people ignoring the history, because the 'past' is very much still felt today.

#kei!#cw genocide #cw death #there is even more racism alongside how we treat our indigenous people #other examples; japanese internment camps during WWII; the death of chinese immigrants building the pacific railways-#-segregation of black and white people (see viola desmond's story)#cw racism #yeah i get pissed at my country's history #fuck colonizers

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aspiringbelle · 1 year ago

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It is one thing to see Western nations backing Israel. They have backed colonialism and hegemony for a long time.

It's another to see India backing Israel. India fought colonialism. India once sought neutrality between East and West.

More importantly, in 1967, when Israel invaded Egypt, Indian peacekeepers were there, under a UN flag. Israel attacked through them, killing fourteen of them. Some were even run over by tanks.

#politics #india #israel #stand with gaza

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ognimdo2002 · 1 year ago

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Red Panda – Red Cuddler

The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), or Lesser Panda, is one of the species of carnivorans found in mountainous forests from Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. Later, DNA analysis suggested that red pandas might belong in the bear family. However, later genetic research placed red pandas in their own family: Ailuridae.

Distribution and Habitat

The red panda lives in Nepal, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China, the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan, southern Tibet, and northern Myanmar. The red panda's maximum global habitat size has been calculated to be 47,100 km2 (18,200 sq mi). This habitat is in the Himalayas' moderate climate zone, where the average annual temperature ranges from 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F). It has been observed at elevations between 2,000 and 4,300 meters (6,600 and 14,100 feet) throughout this range. The red panda prefers steep slopes with dense bamboo cover close to water sources. It lives in temperate broadleaf and mixed forests as well as coniferous forests. It is mostly arboreal and solitary. In addition to fruits and blooms, it primarily eats bamboo shoots and leaves.

Conservation

The species has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2015. It is protected in all range countries. Their main risks include poaching, human meddling, and habitat loss and degradation. The total number of red pandas has reportedly decreased over the past two decades by 40%, according to researchers.

Lore

This is the only member of the Ailuridae family; the family consists of the red panda (the sole living representative) and its extinct relatives. The red panda was first formally described in 1825. The two currently recognized subspecies, the Himalayan and the Chinese red panda, genetically diverged about 250,000 years ago. The red panda's place on the evolutionary tree has been debated, but modern genetic evidence places it in close affinity with raccoons, weasels, and skunks. It is not closely related to the giant panda, which is a bear, though both possess elongated wrist bones, or "false thumbs," used for grasping bamboo. The evolutionary lineage of the red panda (Ailuridae) stretches back around 25 to 18 million years, as indicated by extinct fossil relatives found in Eurasia and North America.

The red panda's role in the culture and folklore of local people is limited. A drawing of a red panda exists on a 13th-century Chinese scroll. In Nepal's Taplejung District, red panda claws are used for treating epilepsy; its skin is used in rituals for treating sick people, making hats, scarecrows and decorating houses. In China, the fur is used for local cultural ceremonies. At weddings, the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. Hats made of red panda tails are also used by local newlyweds as a "good-luck charm".

In western Nepal, Magar shamans use its skin and fur in their ritual dresses and believe that it protects against evil spirits. People in central Bhutan consider red pandas to be reincarnations of Buddhist monks. Some tribal people in northeast India and the Yi people believe that it brings good luck to wear red panda tails or hats made of its fur.

In Turning Red, the story follows Meilin "Mei" Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian student who transforms into a giant red panda when she experiences any strong emotion due to a hereditary curse from her ancestor in ancient China. Sun Yee was the ancestress of the main protagonists, and she was the poet and the member of a hybrid from the Assassin Order and Templar Order, the real enemies of Conservationist Hunters, the peacekeepers of planet Earth that either hunt or preserve creatures or people from extinction.

Reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_panda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Red

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/red-panda

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/red-panda-bear-and-more-red-panda-facts#:~:text=Red%20pandas%20were%20first%20described,in%20their%20own%20family%3A%20Ailuridae.

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intheshadowofwar · 2 years ago

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28 May 2023

On Parade

Anzac Parade 28 May 2023

If there’s one thing every capital city needs, it’s a big ceremonial thoroughfare. Washington has the National Mall, London has the Mall, Paris has the Champs Elysees, and even humble Canberra has Anzac Parade. In times of less construction, one could stand on the steps of the War Memorial and have an unobstructed view of the long avenue, and then, across Lake Burley Griffin, to both the Old and New Parliament Houses.

It’s perhaps odd to consider that nearly none of this was intentional. Anzac Parade was part of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for Canberra, which I’ll link to here - Griffin, it seemed, really liked his big avenues, and you can see most of the modern Canberra roads there. Looking at drawings by Marion Mahony Griffin, which are in Nicholas Brown’s History of Canberra, there doesn’t really seem to be anything in the spot where the memorial is, and a bizarre domed building that looks like a cross between the US Capitol and the Angkor Wat stands on Capital Hill. Even Old Parliament House was only intended to be temporary. Of course, the First World War intervened, and thus the War Memorial came to sit where it does now at the base of Mount Ainslie, while the permanent parliament house was not constructed until the 1980s, and certainly looks like the product of its decade.

Just as Anzac came to exist, so did Anzac Parade. Like much of Burley Griffin’s plan, it took until later to come into fruition - it was opened in 1965. Over time, it came to be lined with individual war memorials to specific services, battles or wars. They run the gauntlet from the traditional statuary of the Army Memorial to the modern, cubical Peacekeepers Memorial; from the traditional heroic imagery of the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial to the sombre, ambiguous concrete monoliths that form the Vietnam War Memorial.

My uncle has been in town recently, so I took him up and down Anzac Parade to look at the array of memorials. It was a good opportunity to reorientate myself with them - and it’s a fairly good walk besides.

We started on the left side of the road (facing towards Mount Ainslie.) At the start of Anzac Parade there are two giant basket handles on either side of the road, forming the Australia-New Zealand Memorial. It’s perhaps fitting that we start with the oft-forgotten ‘NZ’ part of ANZAC; a healthy reminder that Gallipoli and the Western Front are just as important in Wellington as they are here. Moving along, one passes the Boer War Memorial. This is a very recent addition indeed - it was well into the 21st century before the South African War had its memorial in the national capital. Past that is the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial.

I’m going to go a little deeper into this one, as there’s not much scope for the discussion of the Palestine campaign anywhere else. The Desert Mounted Corps, initially the Desert Column, operated in the Sinai Desert, Palestine and Syria between December 1916 and the end of the war, fighting against the Ottoman Empire. Initially the force was commanded by General Chetwode, but in mid-1917 General Harry Chauvel took command, the first Australian to command a corps. (Lawrence of Arabia, apparently, was not a big fan of him.) The Corps consisted of three divisions - two ANZAC and one British. An additional British division and an Indian brigade were added in mid-1918, and I believe there were detachments of French Colonial troops, although I can’t seem to confirm this right now. I tell you this because you would not know from looking at the memorial, which is entirely an Australian and New Zealand affair. Grumbling about the omitting of nationalities aside, a big reason the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial is of particular interest is because it’s actually a replica. The original was erected at Port Said in Egypt after the war, but during the Suez Crisis, it was targeted and destroyed by Egyptian nationalists as a symbol of the British Empire. The destruction of statutory, despite what some might say, is by no means a 21st century phenomenon.

Moving along, one passes the grey, funereal Vietnam Memorial, which asks visitors to walk inside it, and in which the names of the dead are gathered on a ring above. Then you pass the Korean War Memorial, with its army, navy and air force figures surrounded by tall steel poles that look like rain, and after that the comparatively conventional memorial to the army. At the end of Anzac Parade, nestled into the corner, is the Hellenic Memorial, which commemorates the battles of Greece and Crete during the Second World War. It’s built to resemble an amphitheatre, with a pillar marked with the Greek Orthodox cross and pair of steel beams in the middle. A map of the Aegean, almost stained glass in appearance, is made from tiles on the floor.

Perhaps entertainingly if one knows the history of Greco-Turkish relations, it’s positioned directly across the road from the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Memorial. There probably aren’t many western democracies, with the obvious exception of Germany, that have memorials to the enemy in their capital - still less to an autocratic dictator. Yet Ataturk holds a key position in Anzac mythology. As a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Ottoman Army, he played a role in the defence of Gallipoli against the British and Anzac forces. After the war, he became a key figure in the Turkish nationalist movement, and eventually the President. I have to be very careful what I say here, as I have to load and edit this in Turkey where it is illegal to defame Ataturk, so I’ll focus my discussion on the inscription on the memorial.

It’s a long one, and it’s a little hard to see on my photograph, so I’ll just type it out.

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours … you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway counties, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom, and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.

Beautiful sentiment, right? The only problem is that Ataturk almost certainly didn’t say them. I’ll link to an excellent article on the subject at Honest History (and honestly, I’d recommend that website for a lot of things) but the basic gist of the problem is that knows when he said it, or if he dictated it to someone else, or if it was a letter, or really anything else about the providence of the quote, and it really seems to have started being kicked around in the 1980s. There is no evidence prior to 1953 of the speech (or letter, or dictation, or lavatory graffiti) existing.

So why, when we know he probably say it, is it still there? I think it’s because it’s comforting. It’s a little bit of myth making that serves to make the past a little more bearable. To imagine your father or grandfather lying in the bosom of a friendly nation is palatable. To imagine him buried in an enemy country, whose soldiers killed him, is less so.

Traveling back down Anzac Parade, one next passes the memorial to the Royal Australian Navy Memorial, a mishmash of flesh and steel shapes which includes a fountain. Beyond that is the ‘shower curtain’ - the derogatory name a veteran nurse gave to the Nurse’s Memorial. This is the most vertical of the memorials on Anzac Parade - a blue glass structure that visitors can walk into, listing the names of conflicts and postings of the nursing service and displaying images of nurses throughout Australian military history. It is worth pointing out that this is a memorial specifically to nurses in the Australian service, not Australian nurses - nurses who died in the British service are not commemorated either here or on the Roll of Honour. I know you’re getting sick of links by now, but here’s one to a video on that subject.

We then pass the Royal Australian Air Force Memorial, which I’ve never been a particular fan of - it just seems a bit dull to me, if I’m completely honest. Past that is the great tan monument to the Rats of Tobruk - the men of the 9th (and one brigade of the 7th) Division who defended Tobruk from the Nazi Afrika Korps in 1941. (I am going to get into so much trouble for calling Rommel’s Afrika Korps ‘Nazi,’ which is of course precisely why I did so.) Finally, one passes the impenetrably abstract Peacekeepers Memorial, before reaching the other side of the New Zealand Memorial.

This walk took us about an hour, and on the way home, we decided to try to find the Air Crash Memorial in the Pialligo Forest. The key word was ‘try,’ because it turns out there’s no road access and it’s a 3.2km walk to reach it. As we’d already been walking, we decided to call it a day. The air crash in question was the Canberra Air Disaster - a Lockheed Hudson crashed on approach to Canberra airport on the 13th of August 1940, killing three members of the cabinet and Chief of the General Staff General Sir Brudenell White. This is another name we’ll probably come back to. Suffice it to say, it was a major body blow to Robert Menzies’ first government and probably contributed to its fall the following year (although Menzies buggering off to London for several months to pester Churchill probably didn’t help either.)

All in all, it was a good day. I don’t know when I’ll write again, though I’m hoping soon - otherwise I shall see you in two weeks, as there’s a few thoughts I might want to get onto paper while I’m in Sydney.

#anzac parade #australian war memorial #first world war #second world war #vietnam war #korean war #australian army #royal australian navy #royal australian air force #new zealand #australia #greece #turkey #mustafa kemal atatürk

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aspiringbelle · 6 months ago

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For those who know their history, when Israel launched the Six-day War, they attacked UN peacekeepers. All but one of those killed were Indian.

#politics #india #stand with gaza

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marygracegabrielle · 3 days ago

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M65 MT, Pagsusuri sa Akda || BABEL

Panimula

Ang May-akda ng aklat na ito, si Rebecca F. Kuang ay isang award winning na may-akda ng Poppy War trilogy, Babel: An Arcane History, at Yellowface. Mayroon siyang MPhil sa Chinese Studies mula sa Cambridge at isang MSc sa Contemporary Chinese Studies mula sa Oxford. Sa kasalukuyan, kumukuha siya ng PhD sa East Asian Languages and Literatures sa Yale University.

Ang Babel: An Arcane History, ay isa sa pinakamabentang gawa ng RF Kuang at Nominado para sa Best Fantasy (2020)' sa Goodreads, kasama ng mas kahanga-hangang mga parangal, na nagpapasigla sa genre ng dark academia sa iba't ibang platform ng social media.

Sasabihin ko na ang pamagat ng libro, Babel: An arcane history, in relation to R.F. Si Kuang ay dahil sa kanyang kadalubhasaan sa Linguistics at mga paksang katulad nito. Ang pamagat ng aklat, na may kaugnayan sa nobela, ay tumutukoy sa institusyon kung saan ang pangunahing tauhan ay nag-aaral, at sa isang paraan, ay tumutukoy sa Babel tower sa Bibliya.

Katawan (Warning, some spoilers ahead!!)

Pangunahing tauhan

Ang pangunahing tauhan sa Babel ay si Robin Swift, isang ulila mula sa Canton, at kung saan ang pananaw ay halos umiikot ang kuwento. Sa lalong madaling panahon ay ipinahayag na siya ay isa sa mga anak ni Propesor Lovell.

Si Ramiz Rafi Mirza o Ramy ay isa sa mga pangunahing tauhan, isa ring estudyante sa Babel, at siya rin ang pangunahing love interest ni Robin. Siya ay isang Indian Muslim mula sa Calcutta at dinala sa Babel, tulad ni Robin, upang mag-aral ng mga wika at kung paano magsalin. Isa sa mga paborito kong karakter.

Victoire Desgraves, isang Haitian na estudyante na lumaki sa France. Isa siya sa pinakamatinong tao sa nobelang ito, madalas ang peacekeeper sa tuwing nagkakagulo.

Katunggali

Letitia Price, Isang dating anak na babae ng admiral. Nakikipag-ugnayan siya sa kanyang mga kaibigan dahil sa mga misogyny na kababaihan na naranasan noong 1800s ngunit dahil siya ay British, hindi niya nakikita ang kapootang panlahi na kailangang pagdaanan ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

Propesor Richard Lovell, isang propesor sa Babel. Pinalaki sina Griffin at Robin, nang magkahiwalay, hanggang sa sila ay sapat na upang mag-aral sa Babel.

Propesor Jerome Playfair, isa pang propesor sa Babel na tila silya ng faculty. Naglagay siya ng isang harapan na nag-uudyok sa mga dayuhang mag-aaral na isipin na ang instituto ay nasa puso ng kanilang pinakamahusay na interes.

Iba pang tauhan

Si Griffin Lovell, kapatid sa ama ni Robin at isang napaka-aktibong miyembro ng Hermes Society, isang Lipunan na ang pangunahing layunin ay upang durugin ang silver supremacy ng Britain, tulungan ang ibang mga bansa (tulad ng China) sa pamamagitan ng pagnanakaw ng mga silver bar mula sa Babel at gamitin ang mga ito para tulungan ang mga mahihirap. Siya ay lubos na naniniwala na ang karahasan ay pinakakailangan upang mailabas ang hustisya.

Si Mrs. Piper, kasambahay ni Propesor Lovell at isang matandang matandang babae na gumanap sa tungkulin bilang pangalawang ina ni Robin. Ibinigay niya sa kanya ang init at pagmamahal na hindi nakuha ni Robin mula sa kanyang nakapikit na ama.

Anthony Ribben, ipinakilala bilang isang postgraduate na estudyante sa Babel, na nagbibigay sa pangunahing apat ng paglilibot sa lugar. Inihayag sa ibang pagkakataon sa kuwento na si Anthony ay nasa parehong klase at pangkat ng nakatatandang kapatid ni Robin, si Griffin, at bahagi siya ng Hermes Society.

Buod

Tagpuan

Nakatakda ang aklat sa Oxford, England, at ang panahon nito ay itinakda noong mga 1830s dahil sa mga pagbanggit sa The First Opium War na nakipaglaban sa pagitan ng China at Great Britain. Ang kuwento ay halos umiikot sa Babel institute at maikling binanggit ang Canton, China.

Simula

Sa simula, ipinakilala sa atin ang pangunahing tauhan, si Robin Swift, sa isang hindi masyadong pag-asa na sitwasyon. Ilang oras na lang ang layo niya sa kamatayan, hindi makaalis sa tabi ng kanyang namatay na ina na namatay mula sa bubonic plague. Nang malapit na siyang sumuko sa kanyang pagpanaw, isang misteryosong lalaki ang pumasok sa walang laman na tahanan, iniligtas ang maliit na batang Chinese na may isang mahiwagang bar ng pilak, na bumubulong ng ilang salitang Mandarin at ang pagsasalin nito sa Ingles. Sa lalong madaling panahon ang lalaki ay ipinahayag na si Propesor Richard Lovell, isang propesor sa Britanya sa Babel institute, at ang biyolohikal na ama ni Robin. Pinapasok niya si Robin at tinuruan siya ng mga tutor ng Latin, Greek, at iginiit na patuloy siyang mag-aaral ng Mandarin, lahat bilang paghahanda sa kanyang pag-aaral sa Babel institute.

Makalipas ang ilang taon, ipinadala siya ni Propesor Lovell sa Babel. Nakilala niya ang iba pang miyembro mula sa kanyang first-year cohort at nakipagkaibigan sa kanila; Ramy, Victoire, at Letty. Simula noon, silang apat ay gumugugol ng halos lahat ng kanilang oras na magkasama, sa panahon ng mga klase at sa labas ng mga ito, kasama sina Ramy at Robin na halos hindi mapaghihiwalay. Nasisiyahan sila sa kanilang buhay bilang mga unang taon na magkasama, ang pamagat ng pagiging isang iskolar sa Babel na nagpapalaki sa kanilang lahat at umaasa para sa kanilang kinabukasan bilang mga tagasalin, na niroromansa ang kanilang paglalakbay sa akademya nang magkasama. Natutunan nila ang lahat ng tungkol sa mga wika at ang kahalagahan nito, ang masalimuot na paraan ng mga pagsasalin ng match-pair at silver bars (ang mismong bagay na nagpapaikot sa kanilang mundo), nang sama-sama, kapag binibigkas, ginagawang realidad ang mga salita.

Pagkatapos ay nakilala ni Robin si Griffin, ang kanyang nakatatandang kapatid sa ama - ipinakilala bilang isa pang half-Chinese na anak ni Propesor Lovell - na nag-recruit sa kanya sa Hermes Society, isang lihim na organisasyon na ang pangunahing layunin ay upang bawasan ang silver supremacy ng Britain. Ipinaliwanag ni Griffin kung paano sinasamantala ng Babel ang mga wika ng mga dayuhang bansa upang mapanatili ang pangingibabaw sa kanila ng Imperyo ng Britanya, kaya nagpasya si Robin na sumama dito, tinutulungan si Griffin na magnakaw ng mga pilak na bar upang matulungan si Hermes. Gayunpaman, ang pagkabalisa at pag-aalinlangan ay nagsimulang bumalot sa isipan ni Robin habang lumilipas ang panahon, na gugulo sa pagitan ng pagnanais na makipaglaban sa tabi ng Hermes Society para sa layunin na kanilang pinaninindigan o upang ipagpatuloy ang pagiging isang mahusay na mag-aaral sa Babel, upang tuluyang maging isang tagasalin ng imperyal at mamuhay ng komportableng buhay tulad ng gusto ng kanyang ama sa kanya.

Sa kalaunan, sa panahon ng kanyang ika-3 taon sa Oxford, nagpasya si Robin na putulin ang lahat ng pakikipag-ugnayan kay Hermes, na hindi nagawang magsinungaling sa kanyang mga kasamahan at sa mga nasa paligid ng institute.

Kasukdulan

Ang pangunahing apat ay sumama kay Propesor Lovell sa isang paglalakbay-dagat sa Canton bilang kanyang mga tagapagsalin. Nakuha niya si Robin na magsalin para sa kanya sa pakikipagpulong kay Lin Zexu, isang opisyal na ipinadala upang ihinto ang kalakalan ng opium. Ang mga pag-aalinlangan ni Robin tungkol sa imperyo ng Britanya ay lalong lumala habang nasaksihan niya mismo ang isang opium den, panloob na pumapanig sa mga opisyal mula sa Canton, na madali sa kanila habang nagsasalin siya para sa mga Propesor. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit si Propesor Lovell ay kagalitan siya sa kanyang pribadong kwarto, na nagpabigla kay Robin, na pinatay ang kanyang biyolohikal na ama gamit ang isang silver bar. Ang parehong pilak na bar na ginamit ni Griffin upang patayin ang isang matandang miyembro ng kanyang pangkat. Ang kanyang mga kaibigan, sa isang estado ng pagkabigla, ay tumulong na itago at itapon ang katawan ni Propesor Lovell.

Nang bumalik ang apat sa Britain, natuklasan nina Ramy, Victoire, at Robin na ang mga negosasyon sa Canton ay isang bitag, na sinusubukan lamang ni Lovell at ng kanyang mga kasamahan na bigyang-katwiran ang pagsisimula ng isang digmaan, na nagpapahintulot sa Britain na sakupin ang mga pilak na stockpile ng China. Si Letty ay pumasok sa kanila sa pag-aaral ni Propesor Lovell, pagkatapos na pasukin ng grupo ang kanyang bahay habang naghahanap sila ng matutuluyan, at isinumpa niya ang kanyang katapatan sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Nakipag-ugnayan sila sa Hermes Society at pinapasok sila ng mga miyembro, dahil wala nang ibang ligtas para sa kanila pagkatapos ng ginawa ni Robin, at nakabuo sila ng isang plano upang makatulong na matigil ang digmaan. Sa kasamaang palad, ang kanilang mga plano ay nauwi sa pagkabigo dahil si Letty ay nagtaksil sa kanila. Hindi niya sinasadyang nabaril si Ramy habang sinasalakay ng mga pulis ang punong-tanggapan ng Hermes, na diumano'y pinupuntirya si Robin, na ikinalungkot ni Letty at Robin. Sina Robin at Victoire ay dinala sa kulungan.

Wakas

Sina Robin at Victoire ay pinahirapan sa kani-kanilang mga selda, sinusubukan ng kanilang mga nang-aabuso na sabihin sa kanila ang higit pa tungkol sa kanilang nalalaman tungkol sa Hermes Society, ngunit wala ni isa sa kanila ang sumuko, karamihan ay dahil wala silang masyadong alam tungkol sa lipunan. Sa kabutihang palad, dumating si Griffin upang kunin sila, sinira sila sa kanilang mga cell, ngunit nauuwi sa pagkamatay sa proseso. Naging sanhi ito ng pagpapasya nina Robin at Victoire na ang puwersa ang kanilang tanging pag-asa kung gusto nilang magtagumpay, sa huli ay nagpasya silang kontrolin ang tore ng kolehiyo ng Babel. Nagre-recruit sila ng ilang estudyante at propesor sa sandaling sinunod nila ang kanilang bagong nabuong mga plano, na pinipilit ang iba na umalis sa gusali. Inalis nila ang mga resonance rods nang unti-unti, pinuputol ang magic ng pagsasalin sa iba't ibang bahagi ng Britain, na nag-aanunsyo na magpapatuloy sila sa paggawa nito maliban kung ang Britain ay nakipagkasundo sa China.

Si Robin at ang kanyang grupo ay nakakuha ng mga tagasuporta, mga radikal at mga repormador, na tumutulong na protektahan ang Oxford laban sa hukbo ng Britanya, na nag-aalok kay Robin at sa iba pang pagkain at iba pang mga suplay na kailangan para mabuhay. Kung wala ang Babel, hindi magagawa ng ibang mga tagapagsalin ang silverwork at maintenance na kailangan para suportahan ang lahat ng imprastraktura ng Britain, at bilang resulta, ang Westminster Bridge ay nawasak. Binisita sila ni Letty, nakikiusap sa kanila na sumuko, na ipinaalam sa kanila na ang hukbo ay sasalakayin ang tore sa madaling araw. Sina Robin at Victoire ay namamahala na maging diplomatiko sa kanya, ang kanilang mga damdamin ay magkasalungat pagkatapos ng kanyang pagkakanulo. Matatag sila sa kanilang desisyon na manatili at kaya umalis si Letty sa ilang sandali. Si Robin, na hindi matatag ang pag-iisip mula noong Canton, ay nagpasya na sirain ang tore, at lahat ng iba pa dito, sa halip. Hinayaan ni Robin ang mga gustong tumakas, kaya tumakas si Victoire, kusang isinakripisyo ni Robin at ng iba pa ang kanilang mga sarili para sirain ang Babel tower para matigil ang silver industrial revolution.

Uri ng nobela

Ang genre ng Babel ay isang fiction, historikal, fantasy na nobela na nagsasangkot ng mga tema ng imperyalismo, kapitalismo, rasismo, pang-aapi sa wika, kolonyalismo, at rebelyon. Mayroon itong madilim na academia vibe na nauugnay sa mga kumplikado ng pagsasalin, pagkakanulo, at natagpuang pamilya.

Tema/ Damdamin

Bisang Pangkaisipan

Nakatulong sa akin ang nobela ni RF Kuang na maunawaan na kahit na ang pangunahing layunin ng pagsasalin ay pagsama-samahin ang iba't ibang kultura, maaari rin itong maging kasangkapan para sa pang-aapi, isang sandata, kapag kinokontrol ng mga maling kamay. Ang ideya na ang akademya, na kadalasang nakikita at inaanunsiyo bilang isang lugar na nakatuon sa pag-aaral at mga gawaing intelektwal, ay maaari ding kasangkot sa kolonyal na pagsasamantala at mga bagay na katulad nito ay talagang nagtanong sa akin sa etika ng paggawa ng kaalaman.

Bisang Pandamdamin

Ang nobelang ito ay nag-iwan ng isang pangmatagalang emosyonal na epekto sa akin at natagpuan ko ang aking sarili na sumasalamin at nauugnay sa karamihan ng mga karakter sa kuwento, nakikiramay sa kanila nang higit at higit habang binabasa ko ang bawat kabanata. Ang mga pangunahing bahagi na higit na tumatak sa akin ay ang panloob na kaguluhan ni Robin habang ang mga bagay ay dahan-dahang nagsimulang masama at ang kanyang sakripisyo sa huli, ang pagkamatay ni Ramy at ang paraan ng pagdurog ng lahat ng kanilang mga puso, lalo na ang kay Robin, at ang paraan ng pagtataksil ni Letty sa mga taong mayroon siya. ginugol ang karamihan sa kanyang mga taon ng paggising sa Babel. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng dalamhati, ang nobela ay nag-alok sa mga mambabasa nito ng mga kislap ng pag-asa at mga pahiwatig ng mainit at komportableng pakiramdam sa tuwing magkakasama ang mga pangunahing tauhan. Ang aklat na ito ay ganap na pinatunayan na "Ang dugo ng tipan ay mas makapal kaysa sa tubig ng sinapupunan," salamat sa maka-inang pag-ibig ni Mrs. Piper para kay Robin at sa kanyang hindi mapatid na ugnayan kina Ramy at Victoire.

Bisang Pangkaasalan

Ang nobela ay nag-iiwan sa atin ng maraming mensahe at moral na aral, at kahit na napakalaki para sa akin, narito ang ilan na nakuha ko:

Ang pagtindig laban sa mga kawalang-katarungan ay nangangailangan ng malaking lakas ng loob at kadalasan ay nangangailangan sa atin na gumawa ng mahihirap na desisyon at sakripisyo.

Ang pag-unawa sa linggwistika at pagkakaiba-iba ay mahalaga kapag nahaharap tayo sa mga sitwasyong may kinalaman sa pagbubura ng kultura.

Ang kasakiman ay mapanira. Kapag ang mga ambisyon ay naging masyadong makasarili, maaari itong humantong sa iyo na saktan ang iba.

Sa ilang mga kabanata, binibigyang-diin ng aklat na ang pamilya ay hindi kailangang maging mga taong biyolohikal mong kamag-anak.

Itinatampok nito ang kahalagahan ng empatiya at pagkilos, na nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa atin, mga mambabasa, na ipaglaban ang pagbabago sa mapayapang paraan man o sa pamamagitan ng karahasan. Ang pagbabago ay pagbabago pa rin at kung ito ay para sa ikabubuti ng lahat, bakit hindi ito subukan?

Pagsusuring pampanitikan

Teorya

Ang nobela ay medyo nauugnay sa teoryang Marxist, na inilalantad ang kawalan ng katarungan sa pagitan ng makapangyarihan at walang kapangyarihan. Sa Babel, ito ay kinakatawan sa pamamagitan ng British Empire na pagsasamantala sa mga kolonisadong bansa at paggamit ng kanilang mga wika upang mapanatili ang kanilang pangingibabaw. Ang mga silver bar at translation magic ay nagiging metapora para sa paraan ng pagkontrol at pagsasamantala ng mga imperyal na kapangyarihan sa mga dayuhang kultura/bansa para mapanatili ang kanilang superyoridad.

Akda

Sinusuri ng RF Kuang ang mga makasaysayang kaganapan sa pamamagitan ng paglalahad ng kuwento sa pamamagitan ng mga marginalized na pananaw, sa pamamagitan ng mga mata ng ating minamahal na bida, si Robin Swift. Ibinunyag din ng may-akda kung paano maaaring maganap ang kolonyal na karahasan hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng pisikal na puwersa kundi sa pamamagitan din ng linguistic at cultural appropriation. Bukod pa riyan, ang pagsasamantala ay makikita sa nobela kung paano umaasa ang mga pilak na bar ng Babel sa kaalaman at kasanayan ng mga kolonisadong dayuhang estudyante upang sila ay magtrabaho. Ginagamit ito ng mga British para mang-api at mangibabaw sa ibang mga bansa sa halip na gamitin sila para magkaisa.

Pagsusuri

Ang mga kaganapang ito ay nagpapakita sa atin ng mapangwasak na kalikasan ng kasakiman, partikular na nakikita sa pamamagitan ng pangangailangan ng The British Empire na magkaroon ng kapangyarihan sa ibang mga bansa at nangangailangan ng higit pang pilak, sa kabila ng pagkakaroon na nito ng sapat, na sumasalamin sa pagsasamantala at karahasan ng mga kolonyal na sistema. Kaya't nang maghimagsik si Robin at ang kanyang mga kaibigan laban dito, na isinakripisyo ang kanyang sarili sa proseso ng pagsira sa tore ng Babel, itinatampok nito kung gaano kinakailangang kumilos at paglaban laban sa pang-aapi. Pinupuna din ng nobela ang papel ng akademya sa mga sistemang ito.

Konklusyon

Isinulat ni RF Kuang ang Babel na nasa isip ang mga isyu ng nakaraan, dahil itinakda ito noong 1830s, habang umaasa rin na harapin ang mga paksa at problema na naroroon pa rin sa kasalukuyang panahon tulad ng rasismo, pang-aalipin, at kolonyalismo. Sa pagtatapos ng lahat ng ito, sinasabi sa atin ng aklat na ang pagkilos, o ilang uri ng karahasan, ay medyo kailangan kung gusto mong gumawa ng pagbabago. Ngunit ipinaalala rin sa atin ng Babel na posible rin ang mapayapang rebolusyon kung bibigyan ng pagkakataon na mangyari. Ang Babel ay talagang hindi malilimutang nabasa.

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