IRJ-QR#11
Prince Bolo: A Person of “Authority”
“’So it’s murder he plans,’ cried Prince Bolo, putting his hand upon the hilt of his sword. ’Well, he won’t have it all his own way I promise that’” (Rushdie 130). This quote, from Haroun and the Sea of Stories, reveals Bolo’s ignorance and false sense of heroism. Prince Bolo assumes a great position of power even though nobody in the story respects or admires him.
The prince stands as one of the most ridiculous characters in the novel. He makes unintelligent remarks about things he possesses no knowledge of. Even the General of the Gup army acknowledges Bolo’s foolishness by telling him he should refrain from speaking as much as possible.
Prince Bolo loves Princess Batcheat, but the ruler of darkness, Khattam-Shud, kidnapped her. Simultaneously, this evil sorcerer pollutes the Sea of Stories, destroying thousands of cherished, old tales. Rather than saving the Ocean, he desires to save his princess even though she means much less to their world than the Sea of Stories. Prince Bolo’s ignorance to understand that the Ocean possesses much more value than the princess leads all his subjects to lose faith in him and dislike him.
Prince Bolo believes that his heroism stands out above all of his other “bold” characteristics. By putting his hand upon the hilt of his sword, he thinks he appears courageous. And, by questioning every little thing his enemy says, he considers himself wise and experienced. The soldiers with him obviously know that he fakes this heroic appearance because Prince Bolo holds no military understanding or common sense. Heroism requires sacrifice, and Bolo does not care for putting his nation before his personal needs (love).
Proposition: To be a true hero, people must let go of their personal needs and become less selfish, because putting others before oneself remains the prime component of heroism.
[...] | I wrote a quick reflection on a passage from the book Haroun and the Sea of Stories, IRJ-QR#11, and I quote, “’So it’s murder he plans,’ cried Prince Bolo, putting his hand upon the hilt [...]
The Quick Response/ Open Prompt Reflective Piece « Butterflies and Zebras
January 11, 2010