Topic: 1a subject of conversation or discussion
Theme: 2a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art
The Three Major Themes of Eternal Curse
Purpose | Discovery | Faith
Discovery
The discovery of truth is prevented more effectively, not by the false appearance things present and which mislead into error, not directly by weakness of the reasoning powers, but by preconceived opinion, by prejudice. ~Arthur Schopenhauer
Much of the “action” of this story is fueled by need to discover something or the actual process of discovery. In this story the role of discovery is two-fold. There is the physical act of finding something new or “new to you” and then there is the realization of something that’s been there all alone, but has been hidden or unseen.
I’m not giving away any spoilers here, but the discovery of the Eternal Curse is the ultimate goal even though the characters don’t know they are looking for it. In truth, the curse itself isn’t a secret or mystery, but the characters do struggle with acknowledging that it truly does exist. Ultimately, it is the discovery of what the curse actually is and deciding how it will affect their lives hence forth that is greatest discovery Giovanni and Mira will find.
Oh, but there is so much more to be discovered in the interim. Intimacy between two people is always a journey of discovery especially when not focusing on the physical. While Giovanni has much to learn and discover about relationships, in general, platonic and romantic, Giovanni, Mira, and Abraham learn a lesson or two about emotional intimacy and attachment to others.
Eternal Curse also happens to be one of those stories that doesn’t just come right out and tell you some things. Much of the plot has to be figured out by the reader which also adds to the sense of discovery. There are some discoveries that are so minute, that if you aren’t reading carefully, you might not pick up on them until the very end.
Lastly, the discovery of truth is hindered by the presence of fear. Fear is the main obstacle holding back the characters of this story from learning the truth. As fears are overcome and set aside, discoveries will abound only to lead to more mysteries and struggles to solved and overcome.
To hunt is instinct, to discover is intellect; to be human is to never stop searching.
Next time I’ll touch on the subject of Faith. Until then, please enjoy this excerpt from Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel.
~
Mira sat in silence, watching a tear form in Giovanni’s right eye. She couldn’t figure out if he was trying to scare her or if he really meant what he was saying. With shivers running down her spine, Mira realized she had to break this awkward silence. “So, what did you think when you first saw me, that is before I fainted? Was I what you were expecting?” she asked cheerfully.
Giovanni’s body perked up as he began to answer her question. “You were not what I expected you to be. I thought you’d be older. You seemed to have done so much in your life and expressed yourself with such wisdom and maturity. I thought you’d be a good companion for Abraham.”
“Abraham!” Mira said with a giggle. “You must have thought I was really old… Tell me, am I much of a disappointment to you?”
Giovanni thought about it for a moment. He relived the experience in his mind and tried to explain and understand what he felt the moment he first saw her, but he couldn’t do it. He had never felt that way before. “I don’t think I was disappointed at all,” he said. “I think I was overcome with excitement. I liked the way you looked right away, but you also made me feel…small somehow.”
“Oh, okay,” said Mira, a little flattered and disappointed at the same time. She felt she’d heard a compliment somewhere in Giovanni’s statement, but his speech and mannerisms lacked the emotion to solidify the feeling. Mira wasn’t quite sure how to react at that point. After a few silent moments of awkward tension, Mira began to raise herself up to head back into the house. Just then, Giovanni started to say something, as though they had been conversing the whole time.
“Did you know that you’re named after a special star?” he said, looking up at the sky.
“No, I didn’t know that,” she replied, retaking her spot on the porch. “I always just assumed I was named randomly. My benefactor never told me that my name had any significance.”
“Oh, but it does,” said Giovanni as he turned his head to look at her. “You are named after the first of a series of stars that change their brightness over periods of time. Mira is a large red star and it shines for like three hundred or so days at a time and then disappears from sight.” He returned his eyes to the sky as he continued to explain. “Then it miraculously reappears again. That’s why they called it Mira when they discovered it. It was like a miracle to them.”
Mira was in awe at Giovanni’s rhetoric. “Thank you for sharing that with me. That was wonderful,” she murmured. Giovanni shook his head, as if to say you’re welcome, but said nothing else and remained gazing upon the starry night. Mira thought to ask for the significance of his name, but it seemed that Giovanni had already shut down socially for the night. Mira said good night to him and headed off to her room.
Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel Copyright © 2013 Toinette Thomas
A new edition of this book is now available.
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Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
