The Debt Shall Be Paid

Commentary

The Book and its Culture often determine a society.

The Book and its culture often define a society.

My favorite quote from the West about books is from 17th-century English poet John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, who says, “A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.” In other words, it should be a transcending gem of value and spirit.

Books have the ability to inspire and are inseparable with violence in history and politics. The book is a medium of expression and knowledge, and as such, cannot exist outside the political realm. Authors and readers could be harmed. Chinese historians have taught us the expression “fenshukeng ru” (burning and burying Confucian scholars) which was used in China’s Qin Dynasty. This is a reminder that violence has existed against knowledge and books for many thousands of years.

When the 1988 novel The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, a British-Indian writer, was found to have insulted the Islamic prophet Muhammad (the Satanic Verses), the Iranian spiritual leader Ruhollah Khaneini ordered his assassination. This order is still in force today.

Banned books were unimaginable years back. They are now part and parcel of Hong Kong life. Library shelves have been removed from books written by democratic authors. The Hong Kong regime now considers universal values to be inciting violence. This is a joke, however.

During the Cultural Revolution the Quotations of Chairman Mao were used as a tool for armed struggles. Red Guards would pick up the book and chant a portion of the text before they began to fight against their opponents. This booklet, which is considered to be an “incitement of violence”, should have been the most provocative in China’s history.

Books that are banned by autoritarian regimes often shed some wisdom. A Hongkonger recommends “The Moon is Down”, by John Steinbecker (American author). This novel was forbidden in Germany during World War II. This novel is anti-fascist and it is widely believed that it was written in Norway at the time when Norway was being occupied by German troops.

This novel had an enormous impact on the occupied France and the Netherlands. It also inspired the resistance. Steinhecker, who was considered a hero in the aftermath of the War, was awarded the Haakon VII Freedom Cross by the King of Norway.

This book tells the tale of a Norwegian village that is occupied by Germans. They demand cooperation from the local government, which they resist. Although the story itself is simple, it has a lot of depth and inspiration.

When the army invaded, Mayor Orden was asked to look out for the citizens of the town. He proudly replied, “My people don’t like it to have other people think for them.” They might be different than your people.” Orden explained that he couldn’t do what he wanted because “authority” was in the town. It is .”

. I’m not sure how it works.

He said, “Defeat can be a temporary thing. A defeat doesn’t last. Now we are attacking. Defeat is nothing

In the novel, the German Army was compared to the counter-attacking of people as flies and the German Army as flypaper. The Germans eventually admitted that the flypaper was destroyed by the flies because the latter were deeper and more deeply embedded in molasses .”

.

The ending is thought-provoking. Mass killings by an invading army leave no one behind, including the mayor. He told his friend before he was executed that he still owed a friend a chicken and asked him for a favor. He said that a debt must be paid. The mayor placed his arm on the shoulder of the German soldier and stated, “I remember that one.” He didn’t forget it.” His friend said, “Yes, I remembered.” .”

The amount due will be paid

These views are solely the opinions and not necessarily those of The Epoch Times.