Boris Akunin the Turkish Gambit:

Boris Akunin the Turkish Gambit: "Midhat Pasha"

The inserted tale of Midhat Pasha in Boris Akunin's novel The Turkish Gambit is used to symbolize both the corruption of the Ottoman Empire, the "sick man of Europe" and also to show that not all aspects of the Islamic empire are repressive. The Pasha was a Turkish reformer, who attempted to alleviate some of the archaic customs of the empire. (39) However, for this the Pasha was despised. Allegedly, the Pasha' coffee was supposed to be poisoned and he was the frequent target of assassins throughout his reign. Despite numerous attempts on the man's life, he survived thanks to his wily secretary Anwar. Worse yet, the narrator says with some irony, Midhat Pasha uncorruptable, which again made him an object of hatred by the empire's bureaucrats. (40) The tale of the pasha demonstrates the level of corruption and intrigue during this period of time, but also the possibility of reform. The pasha's goodness is contrasted with tales of brutal customs, like the fact that servants whose eardrums are pierced and whose tongues are cut raise heirs to the throne. However, the one thing the pasha could not control was the traditional succession in the Ottoman Empire, whereby the reign passes from the oldest to the youngest brother. Unfortunately, the pasha's younger brother was mentally ill, so he had to allow another man to ascend to the throne, on the condition he create a constitution (46)

Charlie Kaufman: "Human Nature" -- "Nathan the Scientist"

The phrase "Nathan the Scientist" gives the person bearing this title a certain level of unquestioned authority, given that scientists are supposed to know the truth in a factual, objective and logical manner. According to Nathan, all human beings are potentially teachable. Hence, over the course of "Human Nature" he attempts to civilize a supposedly wild man who has been raised by apes in the ways of modern human life. This is ironic, given that men of science are hardly thought to be the most socially adept individuals, and Nathan's ability to understand human nature is frequently revealed to be faulty. Nathan does not understand the emotional truths of human nature, and is not in touch with his gut, natural instincts even though he sees himself as an expert. Understanding something on an intellectual level does not necessarily mean that someone understands something on an emotional level, and in many ways the man that Nathan tries to civilize is more innately human than Nathan, even though Nathan considers himself a teacher.

Spencer Reece: The Clerk's Tale -"Then" (12-13)