🌹The Rose & Skull ☠️

Response 3D

[I’ve left the responses more or less as they were, except I’ve indicated in bold where proofreading might help.]

Novel & Film

In “The Years of Living Dangerously” [Correction: The Year of Living Dangerously. Always use italics for films and novels in academic writing] Curtis and Kumar have very distinct and different characteristics. Kumar is a hardworking man with wisdom and pride. He doesn't want “charity”. [avoid putting regular words in quotes] Even though he is a member of the PKI, his loyalty to Guy never wavers. Pete Curtis on the other hand is quite crass and makes many provocative jokes. In the film those characteristics are magnified by the acting, as we see it “live” and not only as the words in the novel. The actor portraying Kumar gave him a softer tone making him easier to “approach” than in the novel.

In the movie vs the book, Curtis and Henderson have a greater presence. In the movie, Curtis and Henderson are treated as if they are more involved in Hamilton’s life. [Does this apply to Henderson?] Meanwhile, in the book, we don’t see them as much. In the book, Jill mentions that she has started going out together. In the movie, we rarely see them together. In the book and the movie, Curtis is treated to appear as what Hamilton doesn’t want to be. In the beginning of the book, Curtis is trying to convince Hamilton to go to the cemetery with him and he refuses. Later in the book he goes with Curtis and realizes that he doesn’t want to be there because it's not who he is.

🔹

Kumar

In the film, Kumar is shown to be extremely timid, constantly referring to Hamilton as 'boss'. [This is the correct academic way to highlight a single word; one can also use italics] He keeps to himself, Tiger Lily having to be the one who tells Hamilton he is having financial issues. His past or current behaviour is unknown until the end of the film where he's revealed to be PKI. The novel tells Hamilton this in the beginning. Henderson is very rude in the film, insulting and demanding the waiter to get drinks without ice. In the novel, this does not happen. He jokes with Hamilton and is very kind to everyone around him.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

In the movie and the book, Kumar is depicted as a quiet, behind-the-scenes character. However, in the book, he is far more vocal and bold; speaking up at PKI Demonstrations, driving a Russian up to the Villa, for example. This all makes Hamilton suspect that he is PKI earlier in the novel, but also cultivates a deeper relationship between the two and makes Kumar stand out as his own character. This difference in his perceived independence is perfectly captured with him choosing to leave in the novel versus risking his life to drive Hamilton to the airport in the movie.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

Both the film and the book present Kumar as a prototype of an ordinary educated Indonesian who is intelligent and concerned about the deteriorating situation in his country, thereby helping us understand why the PKI had such an influence among the Indonesians. In the book, Kumar comes across as a formal, sly, watchful, mysterious, sophisticated, ambitious, and sometimes insolent subordinate, who begrudged Hamilton his financial superiority and his race, harboured a hostility towards Hamilton for the neo-colonial forces he symbolized, and whose actions are suspect due to his unconfirmed PKI connection, whereas in the film his character is warmer and more supportive, unhindered by any suspicion in his relationship with Hamilton, and ends up saving him in two separate instances.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

In the first part of the book The Year of Living Dangerously, Kumar’s involvement with the PKI and soft-spoken demeanour ”sometimes made Hamilton uncomfortable”(67). Later in the book, Hamilton begins to understand Kumar’s struggles as an Indonesian and acknowledges Kumar as a respected individual. So much so [that] Kumar becomes a sophisticated, valuable source to Hamilton. Whereas in the movie, Hamilton struggles to understand Kumar and other Indonesians. Kumar tries to explain the inequalities to Hamilton but does not have the same opportunity. Kumar, unlike [in] the book, has little influence on Hamilton's preception in [of] Kumar's life and Indonesian hardship.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

In both Koch's novel and Weir's film, Kumar is portrayed as a watchful and mysterious person, with great patriotism. However, in the novel, Kumar has more loyalty, care, and emotions toward Hamilton. In chapter six, Kumar saves his "boss" and Kwan during the chaotic march, showing his influence on people through speeches. He surprises Hamilton many times: attending University of Leningrad, speaking Russian, and expressing his own opinions about the differences between the Communists and people like Hamilton. Kumar represents many Indonesian patriots, understanding his nation's problems and desiring independence as well as peace for his country. [The comparative aspect of this response could be more clear throughout.]

🇮🇩🧨❤️

Peter Weir adapts Christopher Koch’s The Year of Living Dangerously [Correction: The Year of Living Dangerously. Always use italics for films and novels in academic writing] into a film that follows the events of the novel closely. However, some events and character decisions are not completely carried over from the novel. Vera tries to extract information from Hamilton about the PKI-Chinese arms shipment, and Kumar arranges a meeting between the two. This event is absent in the film, thus removing a layer of complexity surrounding Kumar. Despite Hamilton’s pleas for Kumar to leave the PKI, Kumar is adamant on fighting to improve Indonesia.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

The movie The Year of Living Dangerously did a fantastic job of portraying Kumar from the novel. Towards the end of both the movie and the book, Kumar is shown talking with Hamilton while Hamilton is laying down on the bed injured. During this scene in both the movie and the book, Kumar delivers a very memorable quote after the failed revolution saying, “Tell me something, boss. Am I a stupid man?”. This exchange in dialogue was shown to be very powerful in both the movie and the book giving justice to Kumar in the movie.

🔹

Henderson

🇮🇩🧨❤️

In both film and novel, Colonel Henderson, the British Military Attaché, is a typical British [typical British person or typical Brit] who likes to display his superiority. In the film, he appears as Jill's boss, who shows affection towards her with no big role. However, in the novel, he acts as a disruptor in Jill and Hamilton's love relationship, being a rival to Hamilton. He also leads Hamilton to significant events by provoking Hamilton's jealousy and inferiority. For instance, Hamilton decided to cover a coup because of Henderson's contemptuous smile, and he loses his eye in that event.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

The film and the novel deal with Colonel Henderson in a matter consistent with the direction of the stories told. The film is about romance in a foreign land and the novel is about the plight of the Indonesian people in the face of Western colonial powers. As such, the film stopped after the line that Henderson was “the classic, almost cartoon type of British Army officer”, no more than a romantic rival to Hamilton. The novel dives into the metaphor of the ebbing British empire. A heroic and powerful representation [reminder?] of bygone days, [: or —] arrogant and intellectual yet increasingly impotent. [This is a very good response, although I would rewrite the final sentence: Henderson is a heroic and powerful reminder of bygone days — arrogant and intellectual, yet increasingly impotent.]

🇮🇩🧨❤️

Romance Removed. Henderson’s role in the film adaptation of The Year of Living Dangerously has been largely turned into a character foil for Hamilton. While in the novel Henderson serves as both a personification of old, colonial Britain and as a romantic interest to Jill, in the film, Henderson’s role is simply to make Hamilton look good when Hamilton throws the swim race and then to vaguely tut at Jill’s negligence in regards to curfew. Henderson’s gin and tonic with ice tantrum, while replicated in the film, also lacks the meaning ascribed to it in the novel as we as viewers lack the further character development of Henderson that happens in the novel.

🔹

Curtis

In the movie Curtis is regarded like a typical American. He likes to party, spend time with women, and is arrogant, as he has a bad attitude regarding being threatened by Hamilton. He lashes out on him by threatening to use his reputation against him. The movie showcases him as an ignorant man, who either has a lack of awareness or just a general apathy towards the prostitutes at the cemetery. In the book, he is described as dim witted by Kwan when he states that “When a though crosses your mind, it’s been on the shortest trip in Jakarta”. The perception is similar in both mediums.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

In the novel “The Year of Living Dangerously” by Christopher Koch Curtis is portrayed as someone who enjoys protecting Kwan or at least believes he does. Whereas in the movie “The Year of Living Dangerously” by Peter Weir we do not see that caring side of Curtis nor does it look like Kwan and Curtis have a friendly relationship. In the movie Curtis is treated as a foil character, who highlights the good qualities of Hamilton and Kwan. However in the novel the readers get to understand that Curtis is more than a sex and alcohol driven reporter.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

In both the movie and book, Curtis is careless, flirtatious, and doesn’t seem to consider others feelings. Readers see Curtis as a “laid back” guy and fools around to have fun, contrary to Guy Hamilton who is relatively serious, until showing the other side of himself when meeting Jill. [Isn’t Hamilton serious when he meets Jill? I’m assuming “until showing” modifies Hamilton; if not, the student should give an example of how Curtis becomes serious when meeting Jill.] When Curtis buys the man for Hamilton and makes him dance, it shows his lack of respect for Indonesian culture and those around him. It is unprofessional, and visibly uncomfortable for the people around at that time, which has the same tension in the book. Curtis does not receive respect, because he does not reciprocate it back to others.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

There is a clear difference between the book and the movie in relation to Pete Curtis. In the early chapters of the book, Pete Curtis sees Hamilton as a new journalist that will not interfere with him at all. In the following chapters and specifically in chapter 5, we see an evolution of hate from Pete Curtis towards Hamilton that even results in an attempt of physical aggression. In addition, in later chapters we can appreciate Pete Curtis trying to offend Hamilton using Jilly because Curtis knows that Jill is his week spot at that moment. Overall, the development of Pete Curtis as a character is caused by the consequences of the success of Hamilton that ends up taking him out of Indonesia. On the other hand, In the movie we just see jokes that everyone: o’sullivan, Kwan and Hamilton dislikes but there is not a clear intention of Pete Curtis because he is taken as a secondary character in the movie. [At 162 words, this response is too long.]

🔹

Rework a short, specific dialogue between Jill and Hamilton. Remember to make an insightful point and to give the location of the dialogue in the novel

Google Play Books, “The Year of Living Dangerously” at the end of page 149 . ‘You fully support Ralph and share his interests, right?’ Hamilton said with a grin, as if indicating that it could not be otherwise since she works in a foreign country and not just for air, but for money and career. ‘Well, he’s a lovely man, it’s not surprising I support his ideas and provide my help when it’s possible,’ she said it in one breath, and her eyebrows frowned a little. Then she asked defensively, “Aren’t you grateful when [you] get fidelity from your workers?”, it was noticeable to the naked eye that the question touched her. “Like Billy Kwan who idolizes you, haven’t you notice?”, Jill began to delve into pillow, leading her fingers. It was clear that Billy was dear to her. ‘It’s not like that, don’t exaggerate’, he was embarrassed by such words, but at the same time felt she was mistaken.  [PMC, especially for comma splices]

🇮🇩🧨❤️

From a scene found here: LOC 1714 (kindle), chapter 8 I rewrote a moment that Hamilton and Jill shared by changing it into romantic moment.  Wally, Condon and I, sat back in our chairs and as we sipped slowly on our drinks, we caught of selves glancing over to the other room where Jill and Hamilton seemed to be making up for lost time. Their laughter filled the room with life and their smiles matched ear to ear. I mumble under my breath, “they are perfect for each other”, the others nod to agree. The two were sitting on the couch with their arms around one and other, it was a moment they both longed for, when suddenly my eyes met with Hamilton’s, he glanced back at Jill as he tells her to stay there. Hamilton approaches us at the door, and suggest we find another way home hinting to us he wants time to enjoy Jill’s company without an audience. Fair enough I say, let’s get out of here and let the love birds be, and I could see Jill’s face begin to glow, we left the two there and went on.  [PMC, especially for comma splices]

🇮🇩🧨❤️

🔹

Setting: Billy’s bungalow, where Jill and Hamilton retreat to be alone… 

Jill: I have been let down by men before, I hope you do not prove to be the same.  

Hamilton: I am not sure what you mean by this Jill, you know I care for you more than anything else. 

Jill: Big news dropped at the embassy today, this will change everything we have come to know about Indonesia  

Hamilton: and what is this news? 

Jill: Well, if I were to tell you, I would no longer have a job, my carrier is on the line. 

Hamilton: Does our love mean nothing? I would never betray you in such a manner, you can trust me… 

One week Later: 

Scene: Hamilton has breaking news that he is broadcasting to Sydney: 

Hamilton: This just in, The Chinese government is backing the PKI and is supplying the ammunition behind their cause.  

🇮🇩🧨❤️

The days heat had not yet worn off and as Jill and Hamilton sat inside Wally’s bungalow, The Beattle’s played softly in the background.  

Hamilton glanced out the window and noted that the other men were absorbed in conversation. Hamilton reached out, gently pressing Jill’s hand. 

Recalling Kwan’s request, Hamilton said “Kwan wants me to ask if you’d accept his hand in marriage, he is such a great guy.” Hamilton leaned over and whispered the rest in Jill's ear, “marriage is a big commitment, there are many men who would like to get their hands on you.” Hamilton ran his fingers softly up her arm before standing up, while Ticket to Ride continued to play in the background. 

🇮🇩🧨❤️

The interaction between Jill and Hamilton is a clear demonstration of the manipulations of Billy. Their conversation is orchestrated by and revolved around Billy, as seen by Billy puppeteering them. Billy's obsession with 'playing God' can be seen as he schemes to bring the people he saw fit to be together, closer. The topic of marriage brought up by Hamilton is contrasted later in the novel in a reversal of roles when Billy tells Hamilton 'she wants to marry you'. Thus demonstrating the extent of Billy's attempts at control which when rejected by Hamilton, spurred the start of his downfall.

🇮🇩🧨❤️

My re-worked version is based off the telephone call from the end of chapter 9 between Jill and Hamilton.

“Guy? It’s me, Jill.” He already knew it was Jill before she even introduced herself.

“I’m sorry for calling so late right now, I just can’t stop thinking about what happened earlier.”

“What are you taking about?” Hamilton said in confusion.

“Billy’s maniacal behavior, I couldn’t stand to be there while he was making a fool out of both himself and us, it was far too embarrassing.”

Hamilton thought about what to say to reassure Jill. “Don’t worry about that Jill, I’ll talk with him one on one tomorrow and see if I can knock some sense into him.”

“No, no, just forget about it. It not too unusual for this to happen, I mean… I get upset with Billy, but…[”]

“But what?”

“Maybe he was right.”

Hamilton smiled in the darkness of his room. “Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that”

“That whole situation just made me think of how my life is a never-ending mess. I was married for 2 years and then divorced; then I had an affair with a gentleman from the French embassy. Everyone knew about it and my reputation started declining. To this day I don’t feel satisfied with who I am. I think me and Ralph Henderson should marry each other. He’s a good man, very kind, and close with my family. Guy, are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m still here, half awake.”

“Guy, why did you have to come here?” She whispered as if she was being eavesdropped.

“I came here to report on the political climate, and to see you, speaking of which, when will we be seeing each other again?”

There was silence, followed by a sigh of irritation. “Tomorrow night, Moira will be up at Bogor”

They kept speaking for about half an hour. “I don’t want to hang up yet jill,” he said.

“neither do I,” Jill hung up on Hamilton, but he didn’t think much of it as he just drifted into seep after a long, hectic day.

 I re-wrote this short dialogue using a more contemporary style in an attempt to make an impact with younger audiences.  Hamilton and Jill are still discussing Billy’s antics earlier in the chapter, but I tried to change the perceived mood making Hamilton seem irritated for being awoken at night and making jill seem weary about her marital status. The original dialogue focused more on the discussion of Billy’s antics and Jills worries.

🌹☠️

Back to Top

Undergrad English Contents