Okay. I admit it. Shangri-La has completely sucked me in (just as it is doing Conway who found the puzzle of Shangri-La gave him a "charming fascination," ch. 4 ). What is so charming about the place anyway?
Well for starters, it is isolated and in a dangerous place (cold, harsh mountains, high altitude that is difficult to breathe in, no ordinary wind--but a living frenzy, ch. 2, entered only by way of a steep, narrow, difficult ascent) yet it is strong and prodcues strong people who can survive it (Conway admires the men carrying Chang's chair as well as Chang being able to sleep through the ascent, being situated in the valley largely protects it from the cold, and it has drugs that relieve breathlessness, ch. 4).
It seems to represent the ancient in its customs and isolation, but yet it also has a touch of the modern in that it has central heating and modern baths. It is loaded with mystery and it is a type of mystery that is charming (unlike, say, the mystery surrounding a violent murder). It is beautiful and produces beautiful things--art and music--seemingly not for the sake of collecting or making money, but because it is wonderful.
In particular I can see why it is charming to Conway. Mallinson says Conway is "confoundedly philosopic." Ch. 3. And the place seems full of philosophic people, I mean hell, they are monks, and seemingly committed to learning (the library), producing art, and living in a philosophic way. I think Conway both admires and envies the lives grounded in a meaningful purpose, though we don't know what that purpose is yet. Conway suffers from lack of deep purpose in life--no relationships, he is not an empire builder and his professional success lacks heart, it is for a salary and to accomplish it he sometimes puts on a one act play. Ch. 4. Also, because Conway is a person who likes and is used to "creat[ing] and control[ling] an atmosphere," Shangri-La is worthy of his admiration because it appears to be a created and very much controlled atmosphere as well as a challenge because it is not an atmosphere he can control. Ch. 4. Additionally, Conway seems to have a sort of contempt for his lower intellect companions. But at Shangri-La he comes face to face with a man of "high intelligence," Chang, who thus merits Conway's respect. Ch. 5. Conway doesn't mind the mystery and untrustworthiness of Chang because he is a man on Conway's level. Shangri-La seems to have that which Conway craves most in life: worthy companionship, isolation from unworthy people/goals/places, beautiful surroundings, challenge (physical and intellectual), and a place to learn and improve one's artitistic abilities.
It is a place where someone like Conway can feel the "pleasant mingling of physical ease and mental alertness." Ch. 4. So far, I am completely enchanted by Shangri-La and like Conway am willing to take the good with the bad if only I could just be there. And though there is still a lot of the book left, I am willing to declare that I am sure Shangri-La will not disappoint. It just couldn't. It's Shangri-La!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I was under the impression that Chang was faking sleep so Conway couldn't ask more questions.
Post a Comment