Hello everyone,
While reading myself back to sleep very early this morning, two sentences found on page 139 jumped out at me: "You know how people feel about death. Not about life, though." This is what Ruhiyya expresses to Asmahan in conversation when telling her of the difficulty in making funeral arrangements for her deceased husband. Within the narrative discourse there is this sense of exploration in trying to negotiate what life now is and means for Asmahan and the other characters within the context of war. Overall I feel that the text does provide a glimpse into what life means for those complicit in the narrative, the will to continue on and to adapt to the conditions forced upon them by the effects of war.
There is always a sense of happiness in the moments where life is uninterrupted. A close friend of mine who is Lebanese (and who returned to Beirut shortly after the fighting had broken out during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict of 2006) had told me when the fighting stops, everyone goes to the beach to take full advantage of that moment of peace. Life is lived, the enjoyment never dies even when faced with difficult situations. I sense that same joie de vivre within the text. Do any of you feel the same way when reading Beirut Blues?
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Well, during the civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990), most parties used the walls of the buildings in Beirut as a kind of media device to widespread their beliefs and ideologies; using colored paint sprays to signify themselves: Red would be for communists or socialists, Green for Amal movement, Black for HezbuAllah, and so forth. The most distinguished idiom I used to read in my way to the school was, "Life is stronger than Death." Actually, this was totally right during the war. people would not leave their jobs, schools, or even the Beaches (if it is summer time) except when shells start to hit at their places. This reason, in fact, multiplied the number of killed and injured persons. I would like to apologize if there is any linguistic or grammatical mistake but it is already 3:15 in the morning and I feel the fever of my eyes. I have to sleep a little. it was a pleasure for me to add a comment on the blog today.
ReplyDeleteThere is a sense of peace within Asma, the narrative, that is not necessarily seen with other characters. She seems to not be worried of herself but is more worried for others. It is not her actions that is reflected upon but the actions of others and the life that the war has brought. She has adjusted because Beirut has adjust even though it can be seen that they both do not want to change.
ReplyDeleteAsma seems to be living day by day and not for the future and she gives this impression that the whole of Beirut is also living day by day and not for the future. With this feeling in mind it comes easy to believe that with a day of peace everyone wants to live life to the fullest and to take in the pleasures that the world offers. Going to the beach is an excellent way to experience the pleasures of life.