Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
For years, various forms of literature have been used to entertain audiences. Apart from serving as a source of entertainment, literature has also been used to comment on social issues that communities face. A Thousand and One Nights is a collection of stories which serve the two purposes. The stories in this collection shed light on various social issues that the contemporary society faces. Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is among the stories in the collection. In this essay, a look at the issues in the story that makes it stand out is offered. The essay also offers a comparison between the story and The Tale of Ganji.
Highlights from Aladdin and the Wonderful Map
Overall, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp makes for an interesting read. The key highlight in the story is the role that fate plays in the lives of individuals. As one reads the story, they are able to realize that fate possesses the power to completely transform the lives of individuals. Aladdin is the main character in the story. He emerges from poverty to become a very wealthy man who marries the princess (Carrick, 1989). A magic lamp that Aladdin receives from a magician makes his transformation possible. The wealth and fame that Aladdin acquires thanks to the lamp is clear indication that fate is indeed powerful.
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Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp sheds light on contemporary social issues. Economic inequality is among these. In the story, Aladdin is able to acquire wealth by commanding the genie to provide whatever he needs. The genie repeatedly mentions that he is slave to whoever holds the lamp (Carrick, 1989). The fact that Aladdin is able to obtain items points to the ease with which the rich are able to generate wealth. As already mentioned, the genie who identifies himself as a slave provides Aladdin with whatever he desires. The genie can be taken to represent the oppressed and the poor who languish as they strive to create wealth for the rich. The relationship and the status of Aladdin and the genie highlight the income disparities between the rich and the poor.
Parallels can be drawn between elements in Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp and The Tale of Genji. One of the similarities lies in the themes explored in both stories. Betrayal is among these themes. In Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Aladdin betrays the magician by refusing to hand back the lamp. His wife, the princess, goes as far as stealing the lamp back from the magician (Carrick, 1989).. This is the very definition of betrayal. The theme of betrayal is developed through Genji in The Tale of Genji. Genji enters into a secret relationship with Emperor Kiritsubo’s wife, Lady Fujitsubo. They even have a child together. The emperor remains in the dark regarding the relationship and is convinced that the Genji’s child is his (Shikibu, 1008). It is clear that Genji betrayed the trust that the emperor placed in him. The transformation of the main characters is another element that contains similarities. Aladdin emerges from poverty and goes on to marry the princess. Genji also recovers from his mother’s death and proceeds to become a person of power and influence.
In conclusion, the stories discussed above highlight the power of literature. Apart from entertaining audiences, they also provide lessons. The power of fate to transform lives is the main lesson that one draws from Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. This story also provides lessons that allow individuals to draw insights from modern experiences. The fact that literature possesses so much power points to the need for individuals to embrace it.
References
Carrick, C. (1989). Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. New York City: Scholastic.
Shikibu, M. (1008). The Tale of Genji.
