Shangri-La In James Hilton's 'Lost Horizon'

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Shangri-La: a mystical lamasery that serves as either a paradise, prison, or both to those who happen to stumble across it. “Our prevalent belief is in moderation. We inculcate the virtue of avoiding excess of all kinds”(76). Moderation, defined as “the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one's behavior or political opinions,” is part of the tenet of Shangri-La and plays an important role in the nearby Valley of the Blue Moon. In James Hilton’s fictional novel Lost Horizon, 4 individuals known as Conway, Mallinson, Brinklow, and Barnard are kidnapped while attempting to escape a revolution. They are rescued, and brought to the secretive and uncharted lamasery known as Shangri-La, where they unlock a world of mystery and impossibilities. …show more content…

Lo-Tsen, a Manchu princess who arrived at Shangri-La at the tender age of 18 in 1884, looks like she has not aged a year. However, it is only the mystic properties of Shangri-La and its tradition of moderation that keep her young; when she leaves Shangri-La, she ages rapidly: “About that Chinese woman,... was she young?... Oh no, she was most old-- most old of anyone I have ever seen”(240). The doctor who treated protagonist Hugh Conway said this about Lo-Tsen, having seen her when she dropped Conway off at the hospital. It is later revealed that the old woman the doctor spoke of grew ill and died not much after. In order to live an abnormally long life, like those who live in Shangri-La enjoy, one must embrace the concept of moderation. The residents of Shangri-La have done such: Father Perrault learned over ten languages during his time at Shangri-La, though he believes that he could have learned twenty had he been immoderate. Shangri-La is a peaceful sanctuary, away from the all the suffering and strife in the modernized world. Those who reside at Shangri-La often willingly adopt its doctrine of moderation, as they are keen to explore, and later exhaust, their passions. For example, Ms. Brinklow learned Tibetan in order to convert the residents of the valley to Christianity. However, the undertaking of these passions leads to exhaustion of said passions, and that is what leads to wisdom. …show more content…

Fertile and rich with natural resources, it is a businessman’s Garden of Eden. Peaceful, and rid of all crime, it is a Utopia for those who seek an escape from all of the conflict and suffering found in the “outside world.” There is almost no form of structured government: “Ah, but you see, we believe that to govern perfectly it is necessary to avoid governing too much”(119). Conway and Chang were discussing how the valley effectively runs itself; it is clear that it is run by moderation. Moderation in the sense of an almost non-existent government; governing in moderation, per se. There is no democratic institution: voting is non-existent, and there are no set laws, only actions that are “not done.” The people of the valley are peaceful, and without want, according to Chang. The system of moderation that is present in the valley allows all affairs to run smoothly.There is no intervention in the valley, and the people are left to run their own business, free from government presence. The residents of the valley are mellow, and that is what allows the system of moderation to work so effectively. However, moderation in governance does not mean a non-existent government. Intervention is still an entirely possible scenario, and punishments are meted at the discretion of the servants of the lamasery. But, the moderation omnipresent in the valley is the key factor that keeps the

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