The story of Merime's novel Carmen is well known, and the image of the bohemian girl Carmen is deeply rooted in people's hearts. What attracted me to this rereading was the contrast in values of the narrator, archaeologist, rogue, Don Jose, exotic beauty, and Carmen.
1. Chivalrous values
The hero in Carmen is Don Jose, but the person who really does things according to the chivalrous spirit is the first-person narrator "I", an archaeologist.
Archaeologists have met the famous thief Don José, and in the archaeologist's account, this is something to be excited about, after all, such figures are not encountered every day.
"Needless to say, I'm dealing with a smuggler, maybe a bandit. But what does it matter to me? I know the character of the Spaniards very well, and I can be sure that there is nothing to be feared about a man who has eaten with you and smoked. Having him present is also a reliable protection against any bad guy. Besides, I would love to know what kind of person a robber is. This is not something that can be touched every day. It always feels a little interesting to be with a dangerous person, especially when you feel that he is gentle and docile. (Archaeologist's words)
In the imagination of archaeologists, the story of the great thief Jose Maria deserves praise; In Don Jose's eyes, it was just an ordinary person.
"At that time, there was a famous thief in Andalusia named José Maria, whose deeds were really popular." Maybe next to me is José Maria. I thought to myself. So I talked a lot about the rumors of this good man that I knew, all of which were praiseworthy, and I highly appreciated his bravery and righteousness. José Maria was just an ordinary person. The stranger said lightly. (Archaeologist's words)
Archaeologists let go of don Jose, the thief, because he and Don Jose had smoked and eaten ham. Archaeologists at this time do not follow the so-called legal provisions and civic morality, but a value that conforms to human nature. The thief in front of him, according to legend, he is particularly hurtful; But reality is not a legend, and the reality in front of us is simple: archaeologists do not want to see people who have eaten together during the day and are taken away at night. Letting him go was an instinct of conscience.
"Should a robber, or perhaps a murderer, be rescued from the gallows for having eaten ham and Valencian fried rice with him?" Didn't I betray my guide who defended the law? Am I not going to invite him terrible revenge from criminals? But friends must be righteous! ...... I said to myself: What an ignorant view, I am responsible for the sins committed by the robbers in the future... But is this incomprehensible and visceral instinct the view of ignorance? Perhaps, in my complex and delicate situation at that time, I would inevitably regret what to do. (Archaeologist's words)
2. Human values
The real hero Don Jose, his life experience is a legend in people's mouths, but his values are the values of ordinary people.
Don Jose was originally an officer, and after being charmed by the exotic beauty Carmen, he deliberately let go of the criminal Carmen; In order to meet Carmen, he left his post without permission, and was demoted from an officer to an ordinary soldier.
"Why am I being punished? Just for a bohemian stinky bitch who plays with me. Now this guy may not know where in town he is stealing. But I couldn't help but miss her. Can you believe it, sir? As she fled, I could clearly see her torn stockings always flashing in front of my eyes. (Don Jose's words)
Don Jose, jealous of Carmen's new lover for committing a murder, has since embarked on a career as a thief in smuggling crimes; And because he hated Carmen's original husband, he killed him in a duel; Turning his back on Carmen for the money of an archaeologist who was kind to him; Finally continue to be jealous of Carmen's new favorite matador... There is no resistance to beautiful women, to the benefactor wants to repay the favor, to the unpleasant want to kill, these are the most common values of normal men.
This kind of role swap between archaeologists and rogue Don Jose is common. The story of the Rogue has been processed by the literati and looks full of legends; However, when you really get close to a living hero, you will find that his life is full of small daily life, and his ideas may be direct and ordinary.
3. Demon values
If goblins are spiritual animals, then the bohemian girl Carmen is a veritable demon (not pejorative, even positive). Her values are heaven and earth: on the one hand, like animals, follow the laws of survival; On the other hand, she obeyed The Divine Righteousness and believed in the fate that God had arranged for her.
She has a wild beauty.
She wore a very short red dress, revealing white stockings full of holes, and a pair of small Moroccan-style red leather shoes with fiery red ribbons tied to them. She lifted her veil, revealing her shoulders, and a bouquet of acacia flowers pinned to her shirt, with another acacia flower tied to the corner of her mouth. She twisted her waist and walked forward, like a small mare in a cordoba stable. (Don Jose's words)
Carmen's value judgment is simple and straightforward, how much you help me, how much I return to you, although you have not thought about returning; If you bargain, you may not get what you want.
"The first time you helped me was bigger than this one, but you didn't care if you were paid. Yesterday, you bargained with me. (Carmen's words)
Carmen is a predator in the animal world, and like a clever and dexterous fox, she will never give up on the prey she sees.
"We were not born to grow vegetables, and we have lived our lives by cheating on the countrymen all our lives. By the way, I had a deal with Nathan ben Joseph of Gibraltar. He has some cotton fabrics, just waiting for you to transport them. He knows you're not dead, it's all up to you. If you are untrustworthy, what should we say about the people who are engaged in the reception in Gibraltar? (Carmen's words)
"Carmen stole your watch and wants your money, especially the ring you're wearing now, which, according to her, is a magic ring and would be better off getting it." We had a big fight and I beat her up. She was pale and crying. It was the first time I had seen her crying, and it was a great stimulus to me. Afterwards, I asked her for forgiveness, but she ignored me all day. When I set off for Montia, she didn't even bother to kiss me goodbye. (Don Jose's words)
Carmen obeyed fate's arrangement, and she fully accepted everything that she deserved and deserved.
"I've seen it in coffee grounds more than once, and we'll both finish together." Leave him alone and resign yourself to fate. (Carmen's words)
Don Jose wanted Carmen to convert and go to America with him to live a peaceful life, but Carmen was not an ordinary woman after all, this bohemian girl regarded freedom as more important than life, she did not want to listen to her man's arrangement, she said to Don Jose:
"Yes, I would like to die with you, but I will never live with you again."
Author: Stop Cloud
Editor: Qian Yutong