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Blog Post #2: Taj Mahal

Five Lines with Literary Language and Interpretation:

1. “Beyond count are those, in this world who have lived and loved. Could anyone deny the truth of their passions?”

Interpretation: This line uses universal truth to emphasize that love is not exclusive to emperors. Non-literally, it points out that countless lovers exist who lack the means to immortalize their love like the Taj, underscoring the inequality between wealth and emotion.

2. “For you, my love, the Taj may well be the quintessence of ardour; while full well may you regard this exquisite veil.”

Interpretation: This line uses metaphor to compare the Taj Mahal to the "quintessence of ardour" (ultimate symbol of love). The "veil" signifies the beauty that hides deeper truths. Non-literally, it suggests that the Taj is admired as a monument of love, but it may conceal unspoken realities of pain, loss, and impermanence.

3. “These edifices, these tombs, these battlements, these forts haughty relies of the conceit of emperors.”

Interpretation: The line uses imagery and irony to describe the grand structures. "Haughty relies" refers to the pride of emperors who built them, implying these buildings are relics of their arrogance. Non-literally, it critiques the pursuit of grandeur that disregards the struggles of common people.

4. “My love, behind the veils of love’s proud proclamations did you see the signs of imperious grandeur?”

Interpretation: Through personification and rhetorical questioning, the poet asks if love's grand proclamations overshadow the darker truth of imperial rule. Non-literally, this line questions whether we fail to notice injustice hidden behind seemingly noble intentions.

5. “The lush gardens and palaces, the Yamuna’s edge; the exquisitely carves portals, the arches and niches.”

Interpretation: Vivid imagery paints a picture of the Taj’s surrounding beauty and craftsmanship. Non-literally, it highlights the stark contrast between the luxury of the emperors and the poverty or suffering of others, questioning the price of such opulence.

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Guide Questions

1. Who is the writer of the essay? Describe her in two words. Answer: Laurel Fantauzzo; Filipino-American. Laurel is a writer of mixed heritage, exploring her identity and experiences as both Filipino and American. This dual perspective shapes her reflections on culture, privilege, and belonging. 2. What culture and tradition are being mentioned in the essay? Write three (3) of them. Answer: Respect for foreigners, economic disparity, family unity. The essay highlights the Filipino tendency to show respect and even favoritism towards foreigners or those perceived as wealthier. It also addresses the significant economic gap in the Philippines, and the strong sense of family unity, as seen in her interactions with relatives who warmly welcome her despite their different life circumstances. 3. There are two kinds of essays — formal and informal. What can you say about the essay you read; is it formal or informal? Can you tell why? Answer: Informal; it includes personal reflections and conversational language. The essay feels informal as it is written in a reflective, narrative style. Fantauzzo uses personal anecdotes and casual language to express her inner conflicts and observations, making it accessible and intimate for the reader. 4. Filipino culture and tradition are far different from other countries. Which of these culture and tradition do you think other foreign people would experience? Why do you think so? Answer: Hospitality; foreigners are often given special treatment, as shown when locals offered her extra service due to her appearance. Filipino hospitality is deeply rooted, often resulting in foreigners or balikbayans (Filipinos returning from abroad) receiving privileged treatment. This is evident when Fantauzzo describes locals going out of their way to serve her, a form of hospitality that may be surprising or even uncomfortable for foreigners unaccustomed to it. 5. What “Tagalog praise” does the writer find difficult to articulate? What does it imply? Answer: “Salamat po” (Thank you); it implies her struggle with fully embracing her Filipino heritage and the discomfort of receiving special treatment based on her appearance. Fantauzzo hesitates to say “Salamat po,” indicating her mixed feelings about receiving preferential treatment due to her “whiteness” or foreign appearance. This reluctance reflects her discomfort with the privileges she receives and highlights her struggle to reconcile her Filipino identity with the postcolonial dynamics that still exist in the Philippines.

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21st Century Literature Blog1

BLOG Laurel Fantauzzo’s essay, *Under My Invisible Umbrella*, explores privilege, identity, and belonging through her experiences as a Filipino-American in the Philippines. She describes how her “invisible umbrella”—the unearned privilege tied to her whiteness and American identity—affords her small comforts that often go unnoticed. Strangers shelter her from the rain, guards wave her past security checks without question, and servers assume her “dayuhan” (foreigner) status places her above many native Filipinos. This privilege is unspoken yet pervasive, a type of invisible protection that keeps her shielded from the daily struggles faced by many locals. At the heart of Fantauzzo’s reflection is a deep discomfort with her own privileged position. Her mother, who left the Philippines to seek better opportunities in the U.S., once lived a modest life there; Fantauzzo recognizes that her own circumstances could have been very different. She contrasts her life with those of her Filipino cousins, who dream of overseas work as an escape from limited job prospects at home. The tension between her connection to the Philippines and her automatic elevation within its social structure challenges her to ask herself where she truly belongs. Her “invisible umbrella” becomes a metaphor for the hidden but persistent inequalities in Filipino society and beyond. By receiving preferential treatment that shields her from the harsher realities faced by many Filipinos, Fantauzzo feels an uncomfortable sense of responsibility. She is not merely a tourist; her mother’s heritage connects her to this culture, yet her American upbringing and appearance constantly mark her as an outsider. She is left questioning her role in a society where her presence inadvertently reinforces historical and socioeconomic divides. In the essay’s closing, Fantauzzo observes a rainstorm where people of all backgrounds take shelter together, soaked and equally halted. In that moment, stripped of her privilege, she feels a brief sense of unity with those around her. This moment encapsulates the essay’s central question: How can she belong to a place where her identity and privileges continually separate her? Fantauzzo’s story invites us to consider our own “umbrellas”—the privileges we may not notice but that shape our interactions with others. Her narrative reminds us that true belonging and understanding require humility, empathy, and a willingness to confront the invisible protections that often divide us from others. Sometimes, it means choosing to stand in the rain without an umbrella, connecting through shared experiences rather than hidden advantages.