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Similes
Book 1: An Immodest Proposal
Explanation and Analysis—Tasteful Blend:
In the following passage from Chapter 3, Cal/lie outlines Smyrna's cosmopolitan roots, ironically referring to the Greek city as a hub for international, intercultural exchange:
[...] Smyrna, the most cosmopolitan city in the Near East. Among its reputed founders were, first, the Amazons (which goes nicely with my theme), and second, Tantalus himself. Homer was born there, and Aristotle Onassis. In Smyrna, East and West, opera and politakia, violin and zourna, piano and daouli blended as tastefully as did the rose petals and honey in the local pastries.
Cal/lie describes a seamless blending of Eastern and Western tastes in Smyrna, yet it is Smyrna and its denizens who are destroyed by all-out war between the Turkish and the Greeks/British/French/etc. East and West clash here, rather than forming a happy alliance.
Berlin, which Cal makes his residence, has a similar history: a cosmopolitan, international city, once a place of unity, torn apart by war and ideological division. The pattern repeats itself throughout history, whether in Berlin or Smyrna. International cities breed conflict when disparate groups begin to dehumanize one another, rather than value cultural exchange. Difference breeds both curiosity and animosity, depending on the conditions under which it forms. In an era of increasing globalization, such conflicts occur with increasing severity.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Smyrna Tobacco:
Over the duration of Chapter 3, the Greek and allied armies slowly withdraw from Smyrna, leaving the refugee-packed city defenseless to the oncoming Turkish army. The British soldiers display shockingly little regard for their fellow Europeans—now refugees—even degrading them in the following example of situational irony:
“There’s nothing we can do about it, Phillips. I’ve spent years in the Near East. The one lesson I’ve learned is that there is nothing you can do with these people. [...] They’ve burned down the whole country and now they swarm in here crying for help. Nice cigar, what?”
“Awfully good, sir.”
“Smyrna tobacco. Finest in the world. Brings a tear to my eyes, Phillips, the thought of all that tobacco lying in those warehouses out there.”
“Perhaps we could send a detail to save the tobacco, sir.”
The British commander speaks with more emotion about the loss of fine Smyrna tobacco than he does about the loss of Smyrna's residents and refugees. This passage is satirical, intended as a condemnation of racism and bigotry, which in turn breed inhumanity. Immigrants and refugees are common targets of this racist inhumanity, treated as nothing more than pests (note, the commander refers to these refugees as a "swarm"). Those who are homeless, beleaguered, poor, and without country—or all of the above—receive a lion's share of derision from those who are more privileged.
Related Themes:
