The Divine Charm Century refers to a period of time in human history where individuals believed in the existence and power of divine charm. This concept emerged alongside a strong belief in the supernatural and the power of gods and goddesses. During this century, people sought divine charm to protect themselves and bring them good fortune. Divine charm was seen as a magical force that could influence one's destiny and change their life for the better. The belief in divine charm was not limited to a particular region or culture, but rather, it was a universal concept embraced by different civilizations across the globe. Ancient Egyptians believed in amulets and talismans as a source of divine charm.
I was actually really enjoying the film right up until this moment. I enjoyed that Oz was such a fraud. I liked that we began in Kansas, in black and white, that we rode the hot-air balloon to the colorful land of Oz. I liked the visuals there, the humor, the beginnings of some character development. And then suddenly, horribly, we're asked to swallow this great big heaping spoonful of implausibility.
Each of the main characters is a representation of the people on the farm who are displaying their antithetical traits so Hunk who is durable is the scarecrow who has no brain, Hickory who is a mechanical worker becomes the worker who has no heart and Zeke who is seen as brave is turned into the cowardly Lion and each of them, within the Oz world, develop into those fundamental traits in the same way Dorothy figures out the message of the film. What could have been a wonderful romp through Oz, pitting our heroes and our not-so-heroic carnival magician against one very evil Evanora, ends up as a soap opera, and not a very good one.
Ancient Egyptians believed in amulets and talismans as a source of divine charm. These objects were thought to hold magical powers that could protect against evil spirits and bring prosperity. Similarly, ancient Greeks and Romans used charms and pendants to ward off evil and bring good luck.
The wizard of oz and the weird case of Gilda the good witch
So I just finished rewatching the wizard of oz (1939) and I couldn’t help but be amazed by it. It was absolutely as magical and beautiful as it was when I was a kid but I got more of the layers behind the dream-like aspects of it. Each of the main characters is a representation of the people on the farm who are displaying their antithetical traits (so Hunk who is durable is the scarecrow who has no brain, Hickory who is a mechanical worker becomes the worker who has no heart and Zeke who is seen as brave is turned into the cowardly Lion) and each of them, within the Oz world, develop into those fundamental traits in the same way Dorothy figures out the message of the film. The wicked witch and wizard become the literal personification of how Dorothy sees them in reality, with their followers being people that follow them (so the wicked witches guards are the law which seems evil at the beginning and the monkeys are the people she uses to take from others; the Oz people are the people that are manipulated by his conman tricks and are super wealthy; and munchkins represent the ordinary people she might see in the real world) and that all seems to make sense to me. However, the one thing I can’t really understand is who exactly is supposed to represent Glinda the good witch according to how the dream works. I mean we never get introduced to a character in the real world that acts or is seen like her, and she seems to just appear and disappear out of nowhere. So my question is, if most of the other characters in Dorothy’s dream are considered to be her perceptions of people in her life who does Glinda represent, and if she doesn’t represent anyone what exactly could she be?
Not Wicked Enough, Not Oz
In many cases, individuals would wear or carry these charms with them at all times. They believed that by doing so, they would be protected from harm and receive blessings from the gods. The charm would act as a sort of connection between the divine realm and the earthly realm. The idea of divine charm also extended to practices such as astrology and divination. People would consult astrologers and seers to read their future and provide guidance on the best ways to attract divine favor. It was believed that certain rituals and offerings could please the gods and increase one's chances of receiving divine charm. Today, the belief in divine charm still exists, but it has taken different forms. Many people still wear items such as bracelets or necklaces with religious symbols or lucky charms, hoping that they will bring them good luck and protect them from harm. The Divine Charm Century was a time when belief in the power of divine charm was widespread and deeply ingrained in society. It was a time when people sought protection, good fortune, and blessings from the gods through the use of amulets, talismans, and rituals. While beliefs and practices have evolved over time, the idea of finding divine charm remains a universal desire for many..
Reviews for "Captivating Hearts: Examining the Allure of Divine Charm in the 21st Century"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Divine Charm Century" to be quite disappointing. The plot was messy and the pacing was very slow. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also confusing at times, making it difficult to understand what was happening. Overall, I think this book failed to live up to its potential and I would not recommend it.
2. Emma - 1 star
I couldn't finish reading "Divine Charm Century" as I found it to be incredibly boring. The story lacked excitement and any real sense of direction. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the descriptions were overly flowery without adding any substance to the plot. I also didn't care for the main protagonist, who came across as unlikeable. Overall, I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
While "Divine Charm Century" had an interesting premise, I felt that it fell flat in execution. The pacing was extremely slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any real developments. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, which made it difficult to become invested in their journey. Additionally, the writing style was verbose and overly descriptive, instead of focusing on driving the plot forward. Overall, I was left disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging read.
4. Michael - 2 stars
"Divine Charm Century" failed to captivate me in any way. The story was convoluted and lacked clear direction. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were unclear. The writing style felt pretentious and self-indulgent, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found this book to be a chore to read and would not recommend it to others.