Thesis

As I am writing my essay, I will update the blog with my arguments.

The thesis I have come up with and argumentative standpoint is:

In The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, Brown conveys the theme that faith needs to be used in temperance with reality. He does this by using narrative point of view, contrasting characters, and allusions.

These are two passages I found that contrast our protagonist, Robert Langdon and our antagonist, Mal'akh.


"Another question," Sato said as they hastened deeper into the labyrinth. "My staff said that while cross-checking the concepts of the ‘thirty-third degree’ and ‘portal’ with Masonry, they turned up literally hundreds of references to a ‘pyramid’?"
"That’s not surprising, either," Langdon said. "The pyramid builders of Egypt are the forerunners of the modern stonemasons, and the pyramid, along with Egyptian themes, is ?
very common in Masonic symbolism."
"Symbolizing what?"
"The pyramid essentially represents enlightenment. It’s an architectural symbol emblematic of ancient man’s ability to break free from his earthly plane and ascend upward toward heaven, toward the golden sun, and ultimately, toward the supreme source of illumination."
She waited a moment. "Nothing else?"
Nothing else?! Langdon had just described one of history’s most elegant symbols. The structure through which man elevated himself into the realm of the gods.
"According to my staff," she said, "it sounds like there is a much more relevant connection tonight. They tell me there exists a popular legend about a specific pyramid here in Washington—a pyramid that relates specifically to the Masons and the Ancient Mysteries?"
Langdon now realized what she was referring to, and he tried to dispel the notion before they wasted any more time. "I am familiar with the legend, Director, but it’s pure fantasy. The Masonic Pyramid is one of D.C.’s most enduring myths, probably stemming from the pyramid on the Great Seal of the United States."
"Why didn’t you mention it earlier?"
Langdon shrugged. "Because it has no basis in fact. Like I said, it’s a myth. One of many associated with the Masons."
"And yet this particular myth relates directly to the Ancient Mysteries?"
"Sure, as do plenty of others. The Ancient Mysteries are the foundation for countless legends that have survived in history—stories about powerful wisdom protected by secret guardians like the Templars, the Rosicrucians, the Illuminati, the Alumbrados—the list goes on and on. They are all based on the Ancient Mysteries . . . and the Masonic Pyramid is just one example. (164-165)
　
　
　
Once Mal’akh had finished dealing with his unexpected visitor—a female security guard from Preferred Security—he fixed the paint on the window through which she had glimpsed his sacred work space.
Now, ascending out of the soft blue haze of the basement, he emerged through a hidden doorway into his living room. Inside, he paused, admiring his spectacular painting of the Three Graces and savoring the familiar smells and sounds of his home.
Soon I will be leaving forever.
He wondered if Robert Langdon yet understood the true power of the pyramid . . . or the importance of the role for which fate had chosen him. Langdon has yet to call me, Mal’akh thought, after double-checking for messages on his disposable phone. It was now 10:02 P.M. He has less than two hours.Mal’akh went upstairs to his Italian-marble bathroom and turned on the steam shower to let it heat up. Methodically, he stripped off his clothes, eager to begin his cleansing ritual.
He drank two glasses of water to calm his starving stomach. Then he walked to the full- length mirror and studied his naked body. His two days of fasting had accentuated his musculature, and he could not help but admire that which he had become. By dawn, I will be so much more.(317-318)



In these passages alone, there are an immense amount of literary devices that support my arguments. Lets start from the beginning: Mal’akh knew that after tonight he would be unable to return to this place. After tonight, he thought, smiling, I will have no need for this place.

• Contrasting Characters: Langdon's immediate disregard for the myth because it has not factual base. He has no faith that such a pyramid could exist, even though Mal'akh is so sure it exists he was willing to kill Peter Solomon just to grab Langdon's attention.
• Allusion: "The pyramid essentially represents enlightenment. It’s an architectural symbol emblematic of ancient man’s ability to break free from his earthly plane and ascend upward toward heaven, toward the golden sun, and ultimately, toward the supreme source of illumination." This section is alluding to Icarus, that possibly the pyramid is similar to Katherine's discoveries on Noetic Science. Is it possible that the human race is flying too quickly towards the sun and will eventually burn? Or possibly this is representing Mal'akh's obsession to become immortal or above all other humans. Either way it represents a certain perserverence that Langdon clearly lacks, and Mal'akh has an excess of.
• Contrasting Characters:"Because it has no basis in fact. Like I said, it’s a myth. One of many associated with the Masons."
• Allusion:"The Ancient Mysteries are the foundation for countless legends that have survived in history—stories about powerful wisdom protected by secret guardians like the Templars, the Rosicrucians, the Illuminati, the Alumbrados—the list goes on and on. They are all based on the Ancient Mysteries . . . and the Masonic Pyramid is just one example." Is it possible that Brown is alluding to Templars, Illuminati and Alumbrados because of his first two novels, Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code? Hasn't Langdon learned his lesson? He was so skeptical in The Da Vinci Code as well just to find out that the Templars and Illuminati were involved in the Holy Grail cover-up.
• Contrasting Characters:" Soon I will be leaving forever. Mal’akh knew that after tonight he would be unable to return to this place. After tonight, he thought, smiling, I will have no need for this place." Mal'akh has that smug attitude where he knows that he will be leaving tonight. He is the exact opposite of Langdon in this way because Langdon needs evidence and facts to even consider a possibility let alone accept it, opposed to Mal'akh who acts on blind faith.
• He does it again "Soon I will be so much more"