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Close Topic OptionsVS Naipaul - Page 2 of 5
Trinis tend to be small minded so Naipaul - Page 2 - Trinidad, Tobago / Caribbean - Posted: 19th Jul, 2007 - 7:57pm
Posts: 33 - Views: 5639
Author / Controversial writings
VS Naipaul - Page 2
First of all, it is not good protocol to put Sir Vidia Naipaul on the spot like that. What made matters even worse was the "loud support" the student received from her peers. I believe this is why Sir V.S. Naipaul got on the defensive and dismissed all questions as being trivial. If I were those students, I would have left at that point.
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Naipaul VS
| QUOTE (Geenie) |
| If I were those students, I would have left at that point. |
You mean if you were Naipaul?
Although not diplomatic I think that it was a genuine question that could have been answered tactfully, but the whole point of the matter is that Naipaul does not have tact, in fact it is not one of his known qualities.
We must keep in mind that the young minds of today can research anything off the net, and I am sure after reading all the points of focus on him they came ready for an 'attack'. I would too if I were a black child of Africa, considering how Naipaul seems to put Africa / Blacks down.
VS Naipaul Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad
No. What I meant was, if I were in the shoes of the students, after hearing such a negative response from Sir V.S. Naipaul, I would have walked out on him (meaning, the students should have left at that point).
Isn't it fascinating to meet a prolific writer, who doesn't know the art of diplomacy? 
Edited: Geenie on 21st Apr, 2007 - 4:33am
Page 2 Naipaul VS
| QUOTE (Geenie @ 21-Apr 07, 12:05 AM) |
| Isn't it fascinating to meet a prolific writer, who doesn't know the art of diplomacy? |
I would say: Isn't fascinating to meet a prolific writer whose racist statements can be seen all over the net and works would actually win a Literature Nobel Prize and even "honored" in the same country he can't stand?
These are some of the controversial moments:
| QUOTE |
| There were some awkward and embarrassing moments during the question and answer session which secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Satnaryan Maharaj tried to smooth over. As questions were read, students were supposed to go to the microphone and await a response and ask any supplemental questions. However, Naipaul's responses may have intimidated and Maharaj had to coax students forward. Eventually, a few students challenged Naipaul. Akesh Samaroo, of Hillview College, who told the renowned writer that "a little advice or message would go a long way." Naipaul referred the student to his works to see what he could gain from them. Samaroo said, "So you are saying your inspiration lies in your work? No keep trucking on, nothing?" Earlier on, Naipaul was asked if he would return to Trinidad and share his knowledge. "The books share the knowledge and to come back and present myself as a man with a message, I think I will be stoned. The books speak for themselves." Students from Lakshmi Girls asked Naipaul why he was evading their questions. This caused Naipaul to say that the questions were trivial. "I always thought literature is for grown people, adults. Not for children and today proved that again and again. The questions have been so awful they have not done anything for me, they have exhausted me." This caused Maharaj to advise the students to study harder so their questions could be "deeper." |
https://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,55835.html
Interesting also that the Minister of Education referred to him as a "role model". Oh yes, achievements by the world's standards seem to always surpass character.
VS Naipaul
True, I did not think about that. If it is, I think is pathetic. We have enough racial tensions in the country to now support it through books and authors.
I think Naipaul did not expected those sort of questions so he got kind of frustrated.
VS Naipaul - Page 2
I feel very sorry for all the students who were looking forward to Sir V.S. Naipaul's visit. I am sure that all the students' hearts were brimming over with excitement while they carefully planned in advance, what questions they wanted to ask. And now that he is in Trinidad, all the excitement has died very suddenly. Why? All because of the writer's negative attitude; the students did not anticipate such poor responses from a man they admired the most. Instead, they feel deflated, discouraged and frustrated. There is a lesson to be learnt from this experience: never put anyone on a pedestal, without realising that their feet are made of clay.
VS Naipaul Trinidad & Tobago / Caribbean - Page 2
Trinis tend to be small minded so Naipaul should not have been surprised by the questions. I admire Naipaul because I believes he truly loves T&T and his works are an indirect message for us top get our act together.
TOPIC: VS Naipaul