I am not writing this piece to come into defense of Dan
Brown. Yes, I do read his novels. However, this does not mean I advocate for
him. I agree with some of his views while in others not. Just like will Carlos
Celdran, I openly comment on his page if I don't agree with his opinions on
certain issues.
My take on this sudden brouhaha: The problem with some
people is that they tend to look at things too literally. Hey! Those things are
really present in Manila. Traffic jams, pollution, prostitution. The “gates of
hell” reference points out to what the character experienced and not Manila per
se or Philippines per se. No direct sentence stated as "Manila is a gate
of hell". It has been used figuratively. It will still mean the same even
if say Bangkok is quoted. It will still be in its figurative use.
This is more so like the recently concluded elections where
some of us failed to see with an analytic eye and mind.We only saw
superficially. Too literal. Some of us voted with simple name recall. A popular
surname does not necessarily mean that he or she will serve as the same of his
or her father, husband, or uncle. There is a failure to some in examining their choices
deeply.
A certain facebook page of facts stated this: "...also called the city "the gates of hell" in his latest novel, Inferno". But when I read the news page in its entirety, there no portion stating that Brown directly said "Manila is the gates of hell". Here's what on the news page: In Inferno, ...one of the characters goes through the "gates of hell" in Manila. If you have read up to
this part, you might take it too literally. But if you read this: The book went
on to detail a turning point in Brooks’ life. “I’ve run through the gates of
hell,” she said. It is will be seen as figuratively used.
The actual
news page article title fans the too literal views. Dan Brown calls
Manila "gates of hell" in novel. But as I read it in its entirety, I
see it to mean two different things. The facebook page saw it too literally
whereas the news page contents on in its entirety quoted
the book where it has been used figuratively. This is the same to an
actual news footage shown on another channel wherein the reported read the page
aloud. Again, the word or tagline has been used figuratively.
There is no
controversy here. Those things are present in Manila. Let us use this as wake
up call to change Manila and have it back as once it was known, a pearl of the
orient. As for the gates of hell tagline, it has been used to refer to what he
has experienced as if he had been run through the gates of hell. No direct
reference per se to the city or the country. Again, it will still mean the same
even if say Bangkok is quoted. It will still be in its figurative use.
Your
opinions may differ from mine but I am glad to say that mine was made by
keeping an analytic eye and mind rather than see things too literally
and stir an unnecessary controversy.
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