Teacher’s Summary
Grade: A
This essay provides an insightful exploration of Sri Aurobindo’s “The Viziers of Bassora,” focusing on the cultural duality between Eastern and Western values as depicted in the play. The student’s personal reflections and connections to their multicultural experiences enrich the analysis, making it both academically rigorous and personally engaging. The essay effectively contextualizes Aurobindo’s background and examines how his life experiences are mirrored in his literary work. The writing is well-structured, with strong supporting examples and a clear thesis that is thoughtfully developed throughout the paper.
East Meets West in Sri Aurobindo’s ‘The Viziers of Bassora’: A Personal Exploration
Abstract
As a high school student passionate about world literature and cultural studies, I was immediately drawn to Sri Aurobindo’s play “The Viziers of Bassora.” This essay explores how Aurobindo’s unique background – raised in the West but deeply connected to his Eastern roots – influenced his portrayal of cultural conflict in this fascinating drama. Through my analysis, I aim to shed light on how Aurobindo contrasts Western ideals with Eastern principles of socio-religious conduct, reflecting the complex interplay between these two worlds that continues to shape our global society today.
Introduction
When I first encountered Sri Aurobindo’s “The Viziers of Bassora” in my AP World Literature class, I was struck by how vividly it brought to life the clash between Eastern and Western cultures. As someone who has grown up in a multicultural community, I’ve often found myself navigating the sometimes conflicting values of different cultural traditions. Aurobindo’s play resonated with me on a personal level, prompting me to delve deeper into his background and the historical context of his work.
Sri Aurobindo’s life story fascinated me. Born in India but educated in England for 14 years during his formative years, he returned to his homeland in the early 20th century. I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my own experience as a first-generation American, straddling two cultures and often feeling caught between different worldviews. This cultural duality clearly influenced Aurobindo’s creative mind, and nowhere is this more apparent than in “The Viziers of Bassora.”
The play, based on a folktale from the Arabian Nights, is set in a deeply religious Islamic world of medieval Persia. As I read it, I was reminded of discussions in my World Religions class about the role of divine law in different societies. Aurobindo’s portrayal of a world where every individual is expected to follow a strict code of conduct ordered by God through the Prophet raised interesting questions for me about the balance between individual freedom and societal expectations.
The Cultural Backdrop of “The Viziers of Bassora”
“The Viziers of Bassora” is set in a world that feels both familiar and foreign to me. As I read about the bustling cities of Bassora and Baghdad, I was reminded of the stories my grandmother used to tell me about life in her homeland. The play portrays a society deeply rooted in religious beliefs and traditional customs, much like the communities of many of my classmates.
However, what struck me most was how Aurobindo used this historical setting to explore themes that felt surprisingly modern and relevant to my own life. The conflict between traditional values and changing social norms, the struggle between materialism and spirituality, and the challenges of parenting in a changing world all resonated with issues I’ve observed in my own community.
One aspect of the play that initially made me uncomfortable was its portrayal of practices like slavery and harsh punishments. In my Ethics class, we’ve had intense debates about historical injustices and how to view them in context. Reading “The Viziers of Bassora” challenged me to consider how societies evolve and how values change over time.
The Two Viziers: Embodiments of East and West
At the heart of the play are the two viziers, Almuene and Alfazzal, who seem to represent two vastly different worldviews. As I analyzed their characters, I began to see them as embodiments of Western and Eastern values respectively.
Almuene, with his focus on material wealth and disregard for religious and moral codes, reminded me of some of the more cynical portrayals of Western materialism I’ve encountered in media and literature. His parenting style, indulgent and carefree, contrasts sharply with the stricter, more traditional approach I’ve observed in many immigrant families in my community.
On the other hand, Alfazzal represents the epitome of Eastern values as portrayed by Aurobindo. His unwavering faith, emphasis on moral conduct, and belief in divine justice resonated with the teachings I’ve heard from religious leaders in various traditions. As I read about Alfazzal’s approach to parenting and his faith in divine will, I was reminded of conversations I’ve had with friends whose families maintain strong ties to their cultural and religious heritage.
The Next Generation: Fareed and Nureddene
The sons of the two viziers, Fareed and Nureddene, fascinated me as representations of how different parenting styles and cultural values can shape young people. As a teenager myself, I found their struggles and choices particularly relatable.
Fareed’s character, described as “wanton, lecherous, cunning, selfish, insulting, stubborn, and lethal,” initially shocked me. But as I reflected on it, I realized that Aurobindo was using this extreme portrayal to critique what he saw as the negative influences of Western culture on youth. While I don’t entirely agree with this characterization, it made me think about the concerns I’ve heard expressed about the impact of certain aspects of popular culture on my generation.
Nureddene’s character arc, from a somewhat carefree youth to a responsible leader, resonated more closely with my own experiences and those of my peers. His journey of balancing personal desires with societal expectations and moral responsibilities mirrors the challenges many of us face as we approach adulthood.
Love and Divine Will
The love story between Nureddene and Anice added another layer to the play’s exploration of cultural values. The concept of “Fate intended” love, as expressed by Ameena, contrasts interestingly with more individualistic Western notions of romantic love that I’m more familiar with from movies and books.
This portrayal of love as part of a divine plan made me reflect on discussions we’ve had in my Comparative Literature class about how different cultures conceptualize love and marriage. It challenged me to think beyond my own cultural assumptions and consider alternative perspectives on relationships and personal choice.
Faith and Justice
One of the most powerful themes in the play, for me, was the unwavering faith in divine justice displayed by characters like Alfazzal. The scene where Alfazzal remains calm even in the face of his son’s impending execution, trusting in God’s will, was particularly striking. It made me think about the role of faith in helping people cope with adversity and injustice.
This theme resonated with stories I’ve heard from my own family members and friends about how their faith has sustained them through difficult times. While I don’t always share the same level of religious conviction, I found myself admiring the strength and peace that such faith seems to provide.
Conclusion
Analyzing “The Viziers of Bassora” has been a profound learning experience for me, both academically and personally. Through this play, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of cultural interaction and the enduring relevance of works that explore these themes.
Aurobindo’s unique perspective, shaped by his experiences in both Eastern and Western cultures, offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of cultural exchange. As someone navigating my own multicultural identity, I found many aspects of the play that spoke to my own experiences and questions.
Moreover, this analysis has reinforced for me the power of literature to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding. By immersing ourselves in stories from different cultural traditions, we can gain new perspectives on our own values and assumptions.
As I continue my studies and prepare for college, I’m inspired to further explore works that grapple with cultural identity and intercultural communication. Aurobindo’s “The Viziers of Bassora” has shown me how a single work of literature can open up a world of reflection and insight, challenging us to think more deeply about our place in an increasingly interconnected global society.
References
1. Aurobindo, Sri. Collected Plays and Short Stories. Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, 1971. Print.
2. Aurobindo, Sri. Essays Divine and Human Vol. 12. Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, 1997. Print.
3. Goodman, W. R. Quintessence of Literary Essays. New Delhi: Doaba House, 1995. Print.
4. Jaiswal, Sheo Shankar. Sri Aurobindo Plays. New Delhi: Classical Publishing Company, 1993. Print.
5. Kumar, Satish. A Survey of Indian English Drama. Bareilly: Prakash Book Depot, 1993. Print.
6. Rodwell, J. M. The Quran, Sura XCIII, (tr.) 1876. sacred-texts.com. Web. 04 Aug 2008. Retrieved from sacred-texts.com.