| <!-- @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { | | | | suggest that learning should be made freely accessible |
| margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> | | | | to the masses. Any attempt to reserve it for a select |
| Is learning for all? Umberto Eco's novel- The Name of | | | | few is a self consuming endeavor. |
| the Rose, throws off various religious and theological | | | | We find examples of this debate not just in Christianity |
| questions to the reader. Of the many such debates, | | | | but in Hinduism too. The Brahmins ( higher caste |
| one major question raised by the book is- should | | | | religious scholars) sought to preserve the knowledge |
| learning be freely accessible by the masses or should | | | | of the scriptures for their self consumption only. They |
| it be reserved for the scholars only? | | | | maintained these scriptures in Sanskrit, a language that |
| The mysterious library of the prestigious medieval | | | | the masses did not understand. |
| abbey is a physical symbol of this religious debate. The | | | | But with time, this attempt to restrict learning resulted in |
| Abbot requests William to investigate the murder of | | | | a general disinterest among the masses to understand |
| six monks in the abbey but restrains him from | | | | the scriptures. The religion was reduced to a body of |
| investigating the library, even though many clues lead | | | | mere symbolisms and idolatry with the main message |
| directly to the library. | | | | of the scriptures being lost in time. |
| The library has been built in a way that is inaccessible | | | | Similarly, in today's world, the power of the Roman |
| to most monks. Wandering inside the library premises | | | | Church to preserve controversial religious documents |
| is also discouraged through various devious | | | | under its own wing has been greatly reduced. The |
| architectural means. The library is supposed to | | | | world seems to be moving in a democratic direction in |
| preserve various scholarly treasures from across the | | | | general with theological questions being open to |
| world but access to these books is forbidden. Monks | | | | anyone who cares to answer them. |
| are required to perform only transcription jobs and not | | | | A downside to this trend is that the layman may be |
| delve into religious debates. | | | | confused with no clear source of didactic religious |
| As a result of this high level of secrecy the Abbey | | | | instructions. Controversies on religious questions may |
| meets its doom at the end of the novel. The Abbot | | | | leave him bewildered- he may choose an erroneous |
| dies in an attempt to preserve the secrecy of the | | | | path for himself. |
| murderer. The library is consumed by a devastating | | | | However, the general consensus today seems to be |
| fire due to its architectural inaccessibility. | | | | that 'to err and learn' is more desirable than to follow |
| So by the ending of his novel, Umberto Eco seems to | | | | instructions blindly. |