Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

It has become clear throughout all of our Grail Quests that the Grail is unattainable. I found it particularly interesting that Indiana- the "superhero" or "action figure" who always wins (or, really, takes the treasure) in the end- actually does not get the Grail in the end. I think it is an indication that no person can have it- not even Indy! (And it's Indy's job.) While the Grail is often viewed as a representation of religion or an understanding and appreciation for the maternal, I feel that all of our quests so far have had included an even deeper meaning behind the Grail: the maturing of the main character. In all three of our quests, the main character has been immature, brash, and naive in regards to appreciation of the feminine. Indiana is impulsive and often acts like a teenager, especially with the woman with whom he sleeps and then falls into the trap of. He does not appreciate his family- much like our other two 'knights'- and, likely because he seems to have no living mother figure in his life, must come to acknowledge his father. He also embarks on an "impossible" journey. This journey, though- through all three of the quests- is actually seeking to end the human habit of ignorance and immaturity. Indeed, all three of our 'knights' set on "pointless" journeys- though here, the journey is the most important part. The real point is not for them to eventually possess the Grail, but that they grow into a better human being while on the journey. Being able to let go of the Grail is the ultimate test of the quest- the ability to let something go when they know they should. Persse had to learn to let go of his infatuation with Angelica's image, and to become an adult who acted responsibly rather than impetuously. In Indiana's case, he came extremely close to getting the Grail- but his father knew that Indiana had to act like an adult, be smart (and stop endangering his life), and let it go. In letting the Grail go, Indiana is actually attaining it after all: he has matured into a true man, a worthy 'knight'- which was the point all along. He- and the other knights- have to recognize that there is more beyond the dangerous quest, and that one should work to live a life that is good and charitable, rather than one that is focused on attaining immortality.

Small World, part four

1. How do you feel about the end to Persse's story? Was there a resolution? Did he make the right decisions?

Wow. This character's ending was nearly infuriating. While most of the other characters make some sort of movement or transition at the end of their stories (such as Zapp and Kingfisher), Persse seems to not learn anything; in fact, it seems as though he takes a step backwards. After spending all of his time and money on his quest in following Angelica (and listening to others when they tell him to continue in a display of his own naivety), he finally finds out that she never wanted him after all. Angelica, the woman he told himself he deeply loved, is even cruel in her "gentle" way of letting him down: knowing that he has been chasing her across the world, she allows him to run longer instead of ever sending him (so perhaps his university) a message telling him to stop; she has already involved herself with another man and is engaged; and she sends her twin, of all people, to break the news. Angelica has burnt Persse bad; and yet at the end, he decides to hopelessly chase yet another woman. (She even states outright to him his ridiculous views of love: "Persse, I'm trying to tell you that you're not really in love with Angelica...you were in love with a dream" 326; even this does not seems to affect him.) Persse essentially has the immature romanticism of a teenager, but with the passport and budget of an adult: he believes each chase to be after the woman he truly adores and needs; and he relies on Cheryl as his "back-up plan" after having lost Angelica. He has proved that he's learned nothing at the ending; apparently his disillusionments about Angelica would never repeat themselves with another woman. Furthermore, he is now pursuing a woman he knows even less; he has barely spoken to Cheryl at all, and seems to convince himself of his liking for her. I think Persse should just act as he really feels: he should admit to loving being a lost foreigner, get a Visa, and pitch a show to the Travel channel. I had so much hope in Persse, but Lodge once again proves himself a superior writer in his choice to display the character as, unfortunately, a real person would act.

Small World, part three

1. This section covers a plot arc in which Philip meets Joy and they reassume their relationship; but shortly after he decides not to break ties with his wife. Is he making the right decision by staying with Hilary? What do you think will happen to his character and his relationships?

To be honest, when I wrote this question, I had solidified an answer, and by the time I got down to this part of the typing, I have begun to doubt myself. I am truly confused as to what the right decision for Philip is. He is caught in a very difficult situation, but it is notably all his fault. If he had separated from Hilary long ago, when he began to feel as though the marriage was over, he may have saved himself, and Hilary, much trouble and pain. "We nearly separated ten years ago. I think we should have done," Philip states (221) to Joy while on the train; and he makes another point for their divorce: "I've stood in Hilary's way. She'd do better on her own" (221). Though this may be another of his excuses to forget her, it is true that their marriage is probably holding both of them back. Furthermore, my personal beliefs influence my statement that they should just get separated. I believe that couples should separate if they truly believe they might have to, most particularly for their children's sake, but also for their own mental health. On the other hand, there appears to be a rekindled flame after Philip kissed Hilary in the taxi. This leads to a confounding conflict: who does he stay with? At the end of the chapter, it seems as though he spares Hilary the bad news out of cowardice to let her down; but it seems to me as though he is hopeful that they will repair their relationship. Though he believes that he loves Joy (which he states quite rashly to someone with whom he has only spent one night), it is probably the equivalent of Calisto's love for Melibea in The Celestina: he lusts after her, but does not truly know her well enough to love her. Philip probably feels a responsibility in taking care of his child, but he is turning it into an idealized life with a person he barely knows. Hilary is a person whom he truly fell in love with; he had new experiences with her, lived with her for many years, and once felt a passion that may now be returning. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure Philip will figure something out (though it is guaranteed that someone will be hurt in the end).

2. What are your thoughts on Persse's journey so far? Will he reach his goal? Has he changed at all?

In my opinion, Persse is mirroring his model character (Perceval), by entertaining a pretty impossible task. To locate a person somewhere in the world without any solid information proves to be much more difficult than he thought. (Of course, he set off with the naive hope that he could find her or her family within a whole country). It seems as though Persse's obstacle in completing his journey is the same as Perceval's: himself. Persse becomes overconfident and overwhelmed by his romanticism, forgetting the logical point of view, and instead brashly setting on a quest with little information to work on. He is still naive, without changing at all as a character (much like Perceval). For whatever reason, he acts betrayed by Angelica's (seeming) actions to lead a life as a stripper/some sort of performer; he then proceeds to judge her, and seems to think that because of this profession, he cannot be with her. (As Zapp points out, a man might marry a woman of such a profession because "perhaps he wouldn't know" (201)...thus, Persse's quest for a perfectly innocent woman is likely in vain. He will probably need to compromise a partner's past at some point, but does not seem to realize this.) Persse is still a static character, still allowing his emotions and romantic fantasies to get the best of him; but hopefully, he will change soon, and find his Angelica in another quest.