Suphiyana Ghimire - Aug 23 2024 Introduction
“An observer of the caged birds, one who is capable of singing the bird’s emotions like their own all while remaining true to their role” is the befitting set of words describing the innate talent of the author, Paulo Coelho. Born on August 24, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Coelho is a famous writer from Brazil. His first debut book was "The Alchemist” first published in 1988 and has been loved by millions of readers ever since. "The Winner Stands Alone" is another of his splendid creations that came out in 2008 and is also really famous for creating an opportunity to become a bestseller. However, the book that has brought out the author's vivid imagination and observation skills is none other than ‘The Spy’.The book was first published on September 2, 2016, and has subsequently captured the hearts of billions of readers selling thousands of copies worldwide. ‘The Spy’ is a book that deciphers the woman whose only crime was being independent, Mata Hari.
Plot
The book starts as a letter from Mata Hari to her lawyer, Mr. Clunet. At the start of her letter Mata Hari shares her belief of being freed from the prison that she is currently staying in with the help of the many influential friends she claims to have made and holding on to this letter for her daughter to read once she gets out however she also shares her awareness of situation possibly turning to a worse outcome and if that were to happen she believes that the letter will be stored away in the lawyer's drawers left untouched until thrown out. Reading further into the letter we come to understand that she was born in Holland (The Netherlands ) with the birth name Margaretha Zelle. The letter then presents the struggles of Mata Hari’s past where she was sexually abused by her principal and then by her husband who tormented her by assaulting her in a way that would force her to recall the principal. Mata Hari also bore a daughter during her marriage and her stay in the East Indies this had given her hope that her marriage would become a normal one however that wasn’t true as even after the birth of their second child, a son who was killed by his nanny, Mata Hari couldn’t find a hit of sadness and solace in her husband. This all changed after the suicide of her husband’s colleague’s wife who she believed baptized her and opened her eyes to the reality that this marriage wouldn’t work. This incident pushed Mata Hari to abandon her identity as Margaretha Zelle and flee to Paris the land she dreamed of.
Mata Hari’s life had taken a fresh turn and with her good looks she managed to make multiple rich men succumb to her and she began on the journey of being a facade of the dancers of the East Indies and performing exotic dances under that pretense. However, as it is said a person falls harder to the ground when climbing higher, Mata Hari’s connections with influential military and political figures draw the attention of intelligence agencies. Her relationships with men from both sides of the conflict lead to suspicions that she might be involved in espionage. Although she claims to be an innocent entertainer, both the Germans and the French see her as a valuable asset in the war. However, as the war drags on and tensions build up, her carefree lifestyle and influential relations make her an easy scapegoat. The French authorities arrest her, accusing her of being a double agent. Despite the flimsy evidence, Mata Hari is put on trial in a highly publicized case, where she is portrayed as a dangerous femme fatale.
The novel concludes with a letter from Mr. Clunet to Mata Hari which serves as an epilogue to her tragic story.He looks back on her life and trial, expressing his sadness and regret that he couldn't save her. He acknowledges that they were up against powerful forces, including public opinion and political pressure, and that there was very little real evidence against her. Mr. Clunet’s letter is important because it highlights how unfair Mata Hari’s trial and execution were. He explains that the case against her was based more on her reputation as a seductive and independent woman than on any actual proof that she was a spy.
Critical Analysis
The book reflects important themes like love, justice, and change through the story of Mata Hari, as seen by her lawyer, Mr. Clunet. It suggests that Mata Hari's downfall partly came from her not fully believing in love, instead using it for her own selfish purposes. This implies a lesson about the importance of genuine emotional connections and hints that her mistrust in love made her more vulnerable. The thought that Mata Hari would find freedom with the sun dissipates the hope of spiritual peace with the reality of her execution. However, her accusers try to justify her death by dragging her down, showing how they used her as a scapegoat to hide their own wrongdoings. The image of dragging fetters, or chains, emphasizes the injustice and cruelty she faced.The mention of the Greek word "Metanoia," which means change or repentance, adds a deeper meaning. It suggests that life is full of potential for change, but also warns that people can turn against each other, symbolized by the barbed wire. This reflects the harsh realities of life, where change can bring both hope and danger. The justice system and those in power. Mr. Clunet couldn't save Mata Hari, even though he believed she was innocent, showing the limits of legal and moral authority when corrupted by hidden agendas. The fact that love doesn’t need evidence contradicts with the legal system’s demand for proof, implying that true justice is something only God can ultimately judge.
Conclusion
Overall, the book has wonderfully deciphered the author’s remarkable writing skills and the failure of the justice system had been discussed, along with the power of love and personal growth. It suggests that, despite the imperfections of human systems, hope for spiritual healing and redemption had existed. However, a somewhat idealistic view had been presented, focusing on love and divine justice rather than on practical changes needed to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future.I highly recommend ‘The Spy’ by Paulo Coelho as I found it fascinating how the novel not only explores the tragic end of Mata Hari's life but also reflects on broader ideas about societal judgment and redemption.
Reviewed by: Suphiyana Ghimire
Roll no: 27016
Grade: X, Machapuchhare
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