More Power To You: Seats of Power Walk for IAS 201

This walk was both informative and intellectually stimulating.  Not only did it help me form a more cohesive map of London in my mind, but it also helped me to realize the enormous roles that the military and their campaigns of war have played in Britain’s history and how their extensive experience in battle have molded their government and national identity. 

At the beginning of the walk, we came upon a memorial for the Battle of Britain, which took place in 1941.  The memorial has a really unique design with high relief sculptures of soldiers and scenes from the battle done in bronze.  I liked how they included the quote from Winston Churchill, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Every walk I go on helps me to put a mental map of London together in my mind, and it seems like Trafalgar Square is the center of London.  I always feel as if I’m running into it.  If it does act as the sort of center of activity, it seems very appropriate that it commemorates one of Britain’s most celebrated battles—the Battle of Trafalgar.  As we moved out of the square and down Whitehall, I was surprised to find so many historical landmarks on that street—including Scotland Yard, which I now know the origins of.  Before this walk I had little idea of the historical significance of the Banqueting Hall.  As the sight of Charles I execution and the location of the official offering of the throne to William and Mary, it seems that it has always been an important building to the British government, even though the exterior is rather unpretentious.

As we came upon the Cenotaph shooting up through the center of the street, I really could see Britain’s preoccupation with war, especially WWI.  The monument is clearly very important, both because of its location in the middle of a major thoroughfare but also because of what takes place there each year.  Britain’s remembrance of WWII was also made obvious a little further along the walk by the activity that was taking place around the Cabinet War Rooms.  They were allowing anyone to sidewalk chalk something to commemorate Churchill and his extraordinary efforts during WWII.  It’s obvious that even today they still love and respect Winston Churchill here in England. 

It was interesting to see how important the monarchy still is to Britain.  Although the Queen may not hold very much direct governing authority, there is still a lot of ceremony with regards to the monarchy.  This was evident to me as we passed Admiralty Arch, which constructed only within the last century.  The importance of the monarchy was clear looking at the arch, for only the monarch is allowed to pass through the center archway.

As I completed the walk and reflected upon all of the dozens of war and military memorials I had seen, I realized how significant Britain’s military history is to who they are as a people and a government.  

Theatre Review for English 382: The Winter's Tale

The role of memory is a significant one in The Winter’s Tale.  In a production of the play, a director might choose to emphasize or deemphasize the remembrance of past events in the play.  It might be that a specific production will have Leontes, during the last two acts, constantly reminded of his past mistakes through the staging, costuming, and blocking.  It might be that there are very few mementos of the tragic events of the first three acts, simply recitation of the lines that mention the disasters without any particular emphasis. In the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Winter’s Tale, directed by David Farr, reminders of the past show themselves in the set design, especially in the recurring visual motif using books and papers. 

This production of The Winter’s Tale, performed on October 3 at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, was miraculous.  Every actor played their role not just convincingly but with a great deal of appropriate fervor and emotion.  Some of the actors portrayed their characters in a way that helped me to believe certain events to be more probable.  I was especially impressed with the actor who played Leontes and his ability to play the part of a jealous and vengeful tyrant while at the same time seeming so vulnerable.  This helped to believe in his change of heart more and made the moment when he is reunited with Hermione very powerful.

The motif dealing with books and papers played a dominant role in the set design.  Act II ends with a dramatic cascade of books, falling off their shelves in a swirl of dramatic chaos as the chandelier crashes to the floor.  The bear that chases, or in the case of this production, drags Antigonus offstage is made of pages from a book.  Rather than sweeping the destruction off the stage, the production leaves the books on stage, and they become part of the scenery for the second half of the play.  The wreckage of the cold, blue books and disheveled shelves starkly contrasts with the vivid colors of the set design and costuming Acts IV and V.  However, the Bohemian setting still has hints of the falling books: the stage is littered with papers and each tree branch is covered by page-leaves, as if the trees were growing out of a story. 

Although the motif dominates the last acts of the play, books also have a significant role in the beginning acts as well.  Before their dramatic demise, the neatly organized bookshelves loom over the set.  In the beginning of a scene, after having accused his wife and best friend of adultery, Leontes is seen thumbing through one of the volumes.  At the end of Act III when the Shepherd discovers the baby Perdita even he ties in the book motif: “Though I am not bookish, yet I can read waiting-gentlewoman in the scape” (III.iii.72-73).  And Time, who begins Act IV by setting the scene sixteen years later, held a book in his hand.

The question is raised: why are books such a prominent element in the production?  The book motif effectively reminds the audience of the past events of the play, particularly the dramatic falling bookshelves that can be interpreted to represent the falling apart of Leontes’ world with the death of his wife and son.  The first time the audience sees Leontes after the sixteen years have passed by, at the beginning of Act V, he is sitting among the rubble of books, talking about how he remembers the virtues of Hermione.  This suggests that the books somehow act as a reminder to Leontes of his past misdeeds. 

Also, the book theme is reminiscent of the title of the play.  As the viewer contemplates the importance of tales in the plot, he or she is reminded of the scene when Mamillius begins telling a tale of “sprites and goblins” in Act II scene 1, and while dwelling on Mamillius, is reminded of his tragic death and absence for the rest of the play.  Although the rest of his family is eventually reunited, Mamillius is markedly missing.  With this interpretation in mind, the book and paper motif casts a melancholy shadow over the play, stirring the viewer’s memory of the tragic loss that occurs.  Even after Leontes, Hermione, and Perdita are together once more, the soldiers’ jackets are still covered in dust from the destruction at the end of Act II, reminding the viewer of the falling of the bookshelves, the demise of family relationships, and most sadly, the death of a little boy who isn’t restored to the arms of his parents.

Because David Farr’s production strongly emphasized the remembrance of past events in the play, the poignancy of the hopeful redemption of Leontes and the sadness of the missing Mamillius are made more potent. Not only does memory play a significant part in the remorse and redemption of Leontes, but because of David Farr’s production contains the books and papers motif that makes memory an important factor in the viewing experience.  

Country Walk

The Country Walk has been one of my favorite excursions in England so far.  Although we had to walk several miles through the driving rain and rising mud, up steep, thigh-busting hills and down slopes slippery with wet leaves and fallen trees, I still really enjoyed this experience that had given me a greater understanding of this nation’s love for the beautiful English countryside.

            We started the walk—led by George Chittock and his two brothers, John and Ron—in the Kentish village of Shoreham.  I was immediately impressed at how fast we got into the countryside after leaving London—it only took us about an hour to get to Shoreham by train.  After walking through a damp field we came to a quaint churchyard, one that George said has been around since the 11^th century.  I loved walking inside, smelling that familiar old wood scent unique to old buildings, and seeing the fall decorations that brightened up the cold interior.  We continued walking through several beautifully picturesque fields and stretches of forests, eventually coming to a small country store that was exactly how you would expect a small country store in rural England to be—sponge cakes, shortbreads, and ginger beer, lavender soap and potpourri, handmade scarves, teapots, and just about every variety of jams and jellies imaginable.  As we moved on into more picturesque landscapes, I felt like I had just stepped into a Jane Austen whenever we came to a stile to go over a fence or encountered a “kissing gate” that we had to pass through.  After a few hours of walking, we stopped to eat our packed lunches at Eylesford Castle, an old Norman fortress that is now in ruins.  Here a few people decided to go back to London, but I, being the budding adventuress that I am, wanted to finish the walk. It started to rain, but I was just fine (at least for the present time) with my handy dandy umbrella.  We eventually came to a steep hill, one that took a little extra exertion to conquer, but all of the huffing and puffing was worth it when we reached the breathtaking meadow at the top, which was beautiful even in the pouring rain, perhaps more beautiful because of it.  However, the way down the hill required a little more concentration and skill to descend due to the many felled trees and slick leaves blocking a straight path down.  By some miracle, I managed to make it all the way down the slope without any major embarrassments.  After walking crossing a few more streets and train tracks and trekking through a few more muddy fields, we finally completed our walk/hike back at the Shoreham train station, drenched and mud splattered, having enjoyed a satisfying day in the English countryside and very English rain.

            This walk not only gave me an enjoyable day outside of the hustle and bustle of London, but it gave me a greater understanding of why the English so enjoy walking through the country.  Yes, it is beautiful, but it also possesses a unique rejuvenating quality that I have felt in few other locations.  One can come here and escape the busyness of life for a while.  I am so glad that England has preserved its rich countryside for so many years; I for one thoroughly enjoyed it.

Theatre Walk

The Theatre Walk really helped to orient me to many of the traditional main attractions of London and the layout of the city as a whole.  Before I started the walk I had no idea how close together so many things are in London.  Prior to this experience I had mostly seen the city in small snippets, going from one Tube stop to another.  But going from the Thames, past Charing Cross, up the Strand, by Drury Lane, through Covent Gardens, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, along Pall Mall and up through Piccadilly Circus and Chinatown helped me to put together a clearer picture of London.

At the beginning of the walk I particularly enjoyed walking along the Victoria Embankment, and as I watched runner after runner pass by, I realized that is one of the few places in London, beside parks, where one could run without running into crossroads or traffic all while having a lovely view of the Thames.  It was surprising as we were leaving the Victoria Embankment Gardens to see where the Thames used to come to—quite far from its present day edge.  It struck me how quickly things, especially things that seem so permanent, can change.

As we continued along the walk, it was so cool to come to Drury Lane, that famed road from many a nursery rhyme and cultural reference.  It seems to crazy to me that this area used to be one of the biggest slums in London, since now there seems to be no sign of its rough past.  I loved Covent Gardens, there were so many interesting shops and kiosks but without the major touristy feel.  That is an area that I definitely would like to return to.  I loved seeing the London’s “other St. Paul’s,” or, as I like to think of it, the My Fair Lady church.  I thought it was so fun to see a Punch and Judy show going on in front of it and knowing that was where the first was performed.

It was great to explore Leicester Square more extensively.  I had no idea that it was kind of like London’s version of Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre.  It was interesting to walk around the square and look at all of the handprints of different actors—I was so excited to see Charlton Heston’s.  I was also glad to walk around Trafalgar Square and to learn about the small details that make it even more special—like the end of it that is raised to mimic the poop deck of a ship, relating back to the Battle of Trafalgar after which the square is named. 

One of my favorite things about the walk was learning about the origins of the names of certain places, like Charing Cross and Piccadilly Circus.  Knowing that Piccadilly comes from Elizabethan times when a tailor made “piccadilles”, or a ruff worn by men at the time, helped me to see the places in a more historically and culturally rich light.

Westminster Abbey: England's Treasure Chest

As I sauntered through Westminster Abbey on Friday morning, it felt almost as if I was in a dream, or rather, in a time machine, propelling me into England's past. The church is chock-full with history, containing hundreds of relics from England’s rich cultural traditions. Going through Westminster Abbey and seeing the tombs of kings, queens, important historical figures, and everyday people helped me comprehend the reasons why England values preserving the past so much. When I saw the Coronation Chair that has been used for every monarch’s coronation for a thousand years, I realized just how much the English strive for continuity while accepting change. It was cool to see how the Coronation Chair embodied this national principle.

Another highlight from Westminster Abbey was Poet’s Corner. Looking at the memorials for all of the poets and authors from years past, this quote from George Eliot’s memorial caught my eye: “The first condition of human goodness is something to love: the second something to reverence.” I thought this summed up one of the purposes of Westminster Abbey: as well as being a place of worship, it also serves as a symbol and final resting place for many of the things that England holds dear.

As I left the Abbey, I briefly stopped at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. I thought this was a poignantly simple tribute to all of the young men who sacrificed their lives on the battlefields of Europe in WWI and II. On the simple black marble was inscribed, “They buried him among kings because he had done good toward God and toward his house.” This memorial showed me how scarring the World Wars were for England, and how that scar hasn’t fully healed today.

Up North

This last week was one of the most amazing weeks of my life.  I feel like I've found another home in the northern English countryside.  There are so many things I have seen and done that have ignited my love for this region of the country.  The North feels different than the South.  There is a beauty in it that seems to spare nothing.  You can stand on a narrow road and stare across the hills, fold after fold, wind-scoured, to the horizon.

On the first day we visited the country parsonage where the Bronte sisters lived and wrote.  It was very easy to see how growing up around the wild moors filled with wind and heather inspired them to write some of the masterpieces of English literature.  Later that day, we went to York Minster, a very beautiful and significant cathedral.  Its crossing tower has the best views of the surrounding city.

The next morning we wandered around the romantic ruins of Fountains Abbey, an old abandoned monastery founded in the 12th century.  The landscape surrounding the abbey was so picturesque-the rough yet graceful pillars of stone covered in a layer of soft green moss, a babbling stream scarcely audible over the whispering winds rustling the quietly changing leaves, placid ponds only disturbed by a stray raindrop or swan diving through the glassy surface-it was so beautiful and possessed such a peaceful feeling. 

Wednesday consisted of a heavenly day in the Lake District, starting with a tour of William Wordsworth's home, Dove Cottage.  It was good to learn more of his life and see where his poetry was inspired.  He really is a wonderful poet with a very suiting last name.  We then went on a lovely drive around other parts of the Lake District, complete with our own road barricade made of a herd of sheep.  We ended the day by walking around the gardens of Beatrix Potter's Hilltop Farm, where the characters Peter Rabbit were born.  It was exactly how I had always imagined the garden to be.

Thursday we left the wild country landscapes for Preston, where we learned more about the missionaries and the history of the early church in England, which deepened my love and respect for the people who sacrificed so much for the gospel.  We ended the spiritually loaded day perfectly by going to the beautiful Preston Temple (or, as the locals would have you remember, the Chorley Temple).

The final day of our trip led us to Liverpool, where we saw the docks that so many immigrants sailed out of.  As we sang the first verse of Come, Come Ye Saints around the statue of an immigrant family that the church erected there, I was so grateful to those who had sacrificed so much for the truth.  While at the Liverpool docks many of us also went to the Beatles museum which was so awesome!  However, the culmination of my trip was the last event: our tour of Chatsworth, or more commonly recognized as Pemberley in the Pride & Prejudice movie.  Call me a hopeless romantic, but I was giddy while walking through the rooms and grounds of this exquisite country estate.  Does the Duke of Devonshire have any eligible grandsons?

Tower of London: A Step Back in Time

Today’s adventuring led us to the Tower of London, which might possibly be my favorite thing we’ve done so far.  This powerful fortress that has come to symbolize the authority and fearsomeness of monarchs was everything thing I thought it would be and more--tales of gruesome executions, mysterious disappearances, formidable kings, and heinous murders.  It was like submerging myself in Tudor England, which, due to my obsession with learning about King Henry VIII that developed at an early age, made this morning’s adventures even more rewarding.  I have now seen with my own eyes the places that have been for so long alive only in my imagination: Traitor’s Gate, Tower Green, the Crown Jewels (which were absolutely EXQUISITE), The Great White Tower, Bloody Tower, Yeoman Warders and Beefeaters, the famous ravens.  It was almost overwhelming to think about the staggering amount of history and legend that has taken place there.  It helped me realize how rich England’s heritage is, and visiting the Tower of London is another reminder of their many efforts to preserve that heritage in a world that is constantly changing.  I love being able to visit these historical sites, take a break from the world, and step back in time.