#The Human Comedy

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]

[whumpetywhump]

Favourite Trope: Held Hostage (153/?) The Human Comedy (2019)

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[blueheartbookclub]

"Alchemy of Immortality: Unveiling Honore De Balzac's 'The Elixir of Life'"

"The Elixir of Life" by Honore De Balzac, elegantly translated by Clara Bell and James Waring, is a literary elixir that transcends the boundaries of time, weaving together elements of mystery, alchemy, and human desire. This enigmatic work, originally part of Balzac's magnum opus "The Human Comedy," delves into the quest for immortality, blending the ethereal with the tangible in a narrative that both captivates and challenges the reader's perception of life and death. The title itself acts as a beckoning potion, inviting readers to partake in Balzac's exploration of the mystical elixir that promises to unlock the secrets of eternal life.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, "The Elixir of Life" follows the protagonist, Don Juan de Manara, as he embarks on a quest for the legendary elixir that promises to confer immortality. The title encapsulates the allure of this mythical substance, resonating with the age-old human desire to conquer mortality. Balzac, through his vivid prose and masterful storytelling, weaves a tapestry that intertwines the mystical and the mundane, challenging readers to ponder the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

As Don Juan delves into the world of alchemy and esoteric knowledge, the title becomes a metaphor for the elusiveness of the human pursuit of eternal life. Balzac navigates the realms of science, philosophy, and the occult, crafting a narrative that dances on the fringes of possibility and imagination. The title, "The Elixir of Life," becomes a key to unlocking the symbolic layers within the text, inviting readers to decipher the allegorical significance of the elixir as a metaphor for the elusive nature of true fulfillment and meaning in life.

Balzac's exploration of immortality is not confined to the literal quest for a magical potion; it extends into the psychological and emotional realms. The title serves as a guide through the labyrinth of human desires and ambitions, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of their own pursuits and the lengths to which individuals may go in search of fulfillment and transcendence. Balzac, with his keen insight into the human condition, unveils the complexity of the human psyche, making the title a portal into the depths of existential contemplation.

"The Elixir of Life" also delves into the theme of sacrifice and the moral implications of the quest for immortality. The title resonates with the alchemical symbolism of transformation and metamorphosis, suggesting that the pursuit of eternal life requires a profound alteration of one's being. Balzac challenges readers to question the ethical considerations of such a pursuit and to ponder the consequences of tampering with the natural order. The title becomes a moral compass, guiding readers through the ethical dilemmas woven into the fabric of the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Elixir of Life" by Honore De Balzac, translated by Clara Bell and James Waring, is a literary alchemy that invites readers to partake in the quest for immortality, both literal and metaphorical. The title, with its alluring promise of an elixir, encapsulates the essence of Balzac's exploration of the human desire for transcendence and fulfillment. Through rich symbolism, philosophical depth, and intricate storytelling, Balzac invites readers to sip from the chalice of his narrative elixir, challenging them to reflect on the mysteries of life, death, and the eternal quest for meaning.

"The Elixir of Life" by Honore De Balzac is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 17.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 76

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[carolinemillerbooks]

New Post has been published on Books by Caroline Miller

New Post has been published on https://www.booksbycarolinemiller.com/musings/all-ye-need-to-know/

All Ye Need To Know

Retired scientist Ronald Mallett continues to work on the possibility of time travel.   Like Albert Einstein, he believes time and space are interconnected. That’s why he is tinkering with technology that will allow him to bend time as if it were in a black hole. Despite this seemingly hopeless pursuit, he invites us to imagine the possibilities that could occur if he succeeds.  Covid-19 could have been stopped in its tracks if we’d been able to carry a vaccine into the past.   Mallett says nothing about negative consequences that could arise when we fiddle with history. An ill-fated adjustment might recreate the Mesozoic Era. True, some people make a habit of looking backward. Mississippi’s legislature is nostalgic enough to resurrect the separate but equal Jim Crow laws of the 1800s.  Unfortunately, in their bid to defend state rights, they forgot about human ones.   Knowing little of ourselves, substituting the past for the present takes us into a tulgey wood of thorns and bogs. Writers from William Saroyan to Honoré de Balzac see our misadventure as the Human Comedy. By the phrase, they mean that ignorance gives birth to countless absurdities. These literary giants have spent many a candle-lit night in pursuit of them. The result has been an endless series of written comedies and tragedies. If vanity could learn from genius, we might survive…perhaps even grow wise from the exposure.  But imagination isn’t the sole purview of brilliance.  Lesser minds employ it, roo.  How else could QAnon exist? Belief is awkward to confront because it is impervious to evidence. If I prefer strawberry ice cream to pistachio, the question of accuracy doesn’t apply. Ambiguity, of course, is part of the human condition.  Quantum physics informs us that truth is relative. Reality lies at the intersection of matter and the observer. Any ignorance we carry en route alters what we perceive. Just as a black hole bends time and space, so black holes of the mind bend reality.      Lauren Boubert, a Republican member of Congress, provides an example. She has submitted a tax proposal to Congress based on her notion of geography. Since her knowledge of our country is limited to the continental United States, she leaves out Alaska and Hawaii. If her bill succeeds, these two states would have to fend for themselves. Or, they could form a separate but equal union which Mississippi might envy. Equally unburdened by evidence, a drag queen astounded 11-year-olds at an elementary school with the announcement that many genders exist. Seventy-three to be precise. With a little imagination, more be possible. The number has been growing. President Barrack Obama created the opportunity for these endless possibilities. Executive Order 13672 was his attempt to end lifestyle discrimination at the federal level.  The impression the document left was that gender was a state of mind. A Facebook friend warned I was dipping my toe into troubled waters when I wrote a blog about Executive Order 13572. But how could I ignore it? I’m an  English teacher. When I hear plural pronouns used in the singular, I bristle. Yet as an English teacher, I also know that language changes. The MLA Style Center, that arbiter of modern usage, already prods me in the direction of a new “they.”…Jules is writing their research paper on Jane Austen’s Persuasion;  Ari read the instructions to themselves [or themself] before beginning the test. Unfortunately, no one has alerted Grammarly about the change. K. Rowling stumbled into the gender crisis without the benefit of a friendly warning.  Not one to mock different lifestyles, she uttered remarks meant to defend women’s rights. But, we all know where the road of good intentions leads. Harpies soon descended and claiming the high ground, they called for a boycott of her latest video game, though it, like many of her enterprises, provides the lifeblood of numerous charities. J. K. Rowling needn’t have worried.  Isle Bryson made her point for her. Faced with an 8-year jail sentence, “they” claimed to be a transgender female, and at “they’s” request, “they” was sent to a woman’s prison. No sooner had “they” donned a uniform of one shade of gray, than “they” proceeded to rape two fellow inmates. Rowling’s video game, as it happens, suffered no similar harm.  Hogwart’s Legacy game enjoyed record sales. In this Barnum and Bailey world, a little humility doesn’t go amiss.  As homo sapiens, we are no more in control of our lives or the environment than earth’s smallest creatures.  We may shrug with indifference at an ant war unfolding beneath our feet, yet we fail to consider that Nature may take the same view of us and our endless wars.  Like Lauren Boubart, Nature shows a wanton ignorance of geography. We’d do better to ponder our place in the universe than spend time making up rules that discriminate.  If a child born as a girl wants to be a boy,  I doubt the moon will fall out of the sky for that ambition. If we are honest, controlling someone’s inner life is more difficult than controlling the outer one. How can we take charge of anything when we are blind to events that will occur over the next 30 seconds?  Some of us avoid the terror of a random cosmos by placing our faith in a god or gods.  I, too, feel the impulse. Nonetheless, when studies show that prayer is no more successful than a coin toss, I’m disinclined to take a leap of faith. Should I be wrong in my irreligious leanings and one day find myself in the presence of a celestial being, I’m certain to be struck with another conundrum. Shall I refer to this deity as “he,” “she,” or “they”? 

[hanakogames]

The Human Comedy

I bought this soundtrack CD set without having heard a single note of the music, solely on the recommendation that it was both good and highly niche. 

The CD comes with a thin booklet that credits the cast, but certainly no lyrics, and I have almost no idea what the musical/opera is even ABOUT, and am not likely to work that out for a while by just half-listening to some songs. But at least it’s pleasant on the ears!

[blueheartbooks]

"Alchemy of Immortality: Unveiling Honore De Balzac's 'The Elixir of Life'"

"The Elixir of Life" by Honore De Balzac, elegantly translated by Clara Bell and James Waring, is a literary elixir that transcends the boundaries of time, weaving together elements of mystery, alchemy, and human desire. This enigmatic work, originally part of Balzac's magnum opus "The Human Comedy," delves into the quest for immortality, blending the ethereal with the tangible in a narrative that both captivates and challenges the reader's perception of life and death. The title itself acts as a beckoning potion, inviting readers to partake in Balzac's exploration of the mystical elixir that promises to unlock the secrets of eternal life.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, "The Elixir of Life" follows the protagonist, Don Juan de Manara, as he embarks on a quest for the legendary elixir that promises to confer immortality. The title encapsulates the allure of this mythical substance, resonating with the age-old human desire to conquer mortality. Balzac, through his vivid prose and masterful storytelling, weaves a tapestry that intertwines the mystical and the mundane, challenging readers to ponder the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

As Don Juan delves into the world of alchemy and esoteric knowledge, the title becomes a metaphor for the elusiveness of the human pursuit of eternal life. Balzac navigates the realms of science, philosophy, and the occult, crafting a narrative that dances on the fringes of possibility and imagination. The title, "The Elixir of Life," becomes a key to unlocking the symbolic layers within the text, inviting readers to decipher the allegorical significance of the elixir as a metaphor for the elusive nature of true fulfillment and meaning in life.

Balzac's exploration of immortality is not confined to the literal quest for a magical potion; it extends into the psychological and emotional realms. The title serves as a guide through the labyrinth of human desires and ambitions, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of their own pursuits and the lengths to which individuals may go in search of fulfillment and transcendence. Balzac, with his keen insight into the human condition, unveils the complexity of the human psyche, making the title a portal into the depths of existential contemplation.

"The Elixir of Life" also delves into the theme of sacrifice and the moral implications of the quest for immortality. The title resonates with the alchemical symbolism of transformation and metamorphosis, suggesting that the pursuit of eternal life requires a profound alteration of one's being. Balzac challenges readers to question the ethical considerations of such a pursuit and to ponder the consequences of tampering with the natural order. The title becomes a moral compass, guiding readers through the ethical dilemmas woven into the fabric of the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Elixir of Life" by Honore De Balzac, translated by Clara Bell and James Waring, is a literary alchemy that invites readers to partake in the quest for immortality, both literal and metaphorical. The title, with its alluring promise of an elixir, encapsulates the essence of Balzac's exploration of the human desire for transcendence and fulfillment. Through rich symbolism, philosophical depth, and intricate storytelling, Balzac invites readers to sip from the chalice of his narrative elixir, challenging them to reflect on the mysteries of life, death, and the eternal quest for meaning.

"The Elixir of Life" by Honore De Balzac is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 17.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 76

Language: English

Rating: 9/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[feeldco]

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[kaybetme]

The human comedy - william saroyan

[shroomiethefrogwhisperer]

I Am Menstruating, So Here's A Period Thought.

(Yes, it's about aliens again.)

We, as humans, eat a lot of food that other animals can't eat. Chocolate, grapes, avocados, broccoli, alcohol (although I did once have a cat who loved beer), caffeine, almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts, any spicy food, tomatoes, the list goes on. Dairy products, everyone.

I am currently having period cravings. For hot cheetos, spicy ramen, raspberry-infused dark chocolate, and hot cocoa. Any and all of that would kill a dog.

But, would it kill an alien?

I once saw a thing that said that chocolate is a universally poisonous substance. And sure, I'll stand by that. If you give chocolate to any species except for humans, they will die. Miserably.

BUT! And this is a large but.

HUMANS ARE NOT ALL-POWERFUL, NOR ARE THEY ALL-IMMUNE!

Pokeweed (a little, deadly plant characterized by its red stem and purple berries) is absolutely lethal to us. One tiny berry will kill us. Oleander, a beautiful pink/red/white flower, can kill with any/all of its parts. Nightshade, recognized by its bright red berries, kills in less than 24 hours.

Aliens consider all of these plants to be delicacies.

Zygerin chefs whip up fabulously delicious hemlock soups for their patrons. Ytertjjijkis bakers utilize nightshade, pokeweed, and yew in all of their most famous pastries. Aàkî cooks use Oleander and destroying angel mushrooms in common garden salads.

But yes, chocolate is deadly to them. And the other 99.999% of the universe.

[philosophybits]

A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to warn the public; they thought it was a joke and applauded. He repeated it; the acclaim was even greater. I think that's just how the world will come to an end: to general applause from wits who believe it's a joke.

Søren Kierkegaard, Either/Or

[geek-22]

[lascenizas]

The Last Movie I Watched...

The Human Comedy (1943, Dir.: Clarence Brown)

[dailyflicks]

CHRIS EVANS as JOHNNY STORM/THE HUMAN TORCH in DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024) dir. Shawn Levy

[genericpuff]

I made this comic back in 2020. It is, unfortunately, even more relevant today than it was back then, and it's only been 4 years.

[fourdifferentdogs]

the most important and beautiful thing about never stop blowing up for me is that it’s ultimately a season of a man peacocking for his wife 🥰

[lemonduckisnowawake]

You know, it's a tragedy that there are no (or very little) Vampire x Christian stories out there, not for angst or theology or forbidden seductiveness or whatnot but for the sheer comedy of it all. I mean, the Christian would technically be immune to all of the vampire's shenanigans, like for example...

Vampire: Fool, I am the most powerful vampire in the West. Nothing but the force of an entire holy temple could even deign to scratch me Christian: Idiot, I AM a holy temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19, fear me and the Spirit inside that can burn you to ashes