1) The author considers himself to have an "ancient soul" despite being a 22-year-old medical student, as evidenced by his love of watching Titanic repeatedly and preference for vintage attire like suits and ties. 2) He takes pride in maintaining Victorian values and lifestyle standards from an earlier era, which he sees as emphasizing virtue, respect, and unconditional love, in contrast to what he views as modern temptations and values. 3) While acknowledging benefits of modernization like democracy, the author argues it has damaged societal reputation and culture by replacing old world values, increasing corruption, distrust, and exploitation of sex, as seen in higher divorce rates and issues like sexual harassment.

1. An ancient soul in a young 21st
century body, is it bad?
By Visith Dantanarayana
Quite recently I watched an all-time movie known as Titanic probably for the unprecedented
tenth time or so I believe. The next day I walked into the university lecture hall, perhaps with
the intention of narrating this tale to my best friend. Well, his reaction was predictable and
simultaneously unsurprising. His surprise was evident on his face the moment I pronounced the
word ‘Titanic’. It was probably how he would have reacted if the police approached him with a
warrant for his arrest. He said and I quote, “Dude, you are an antique soul living in a very young
body,” I couldn’t have agreed more.
My name is Visith Dantanarayana, a 22 year old person with the dream of becoming a good
doctor. I am currently studying in the Russian Federation. Well, I am the kind of person who
would wear shirt and tie for every single lecture and class of my program. The reason behind
this attire is neither gloating nor boasting but instead it is quite complicated, probably the same
reason why I prefer watching Titanic repetitively. However, it would be an understatement to
say that I love suits.
I desire opulence and glamor which come wrapped in virtue. This was always the formula of an
aristocratic gentleman though I am not trying to convince myself or anyone else that I am an
aristocrat. However, wherever he went, the aristocratic gentleman was showered with respect
and admiration, after all that’s what almost every man wants.
I am a Victorian. I am also proud of the fact that I constantly endeavor to maintain the strict
standards of a Victorian person. It is a tedious task, one that requires dedication and most
importantly the deep desire to live the old fashioned life style. It also requires a considerable
amount of sacrificing; the many temptations that come in your way in the modern day.
Today, the contemporary 21st century is an entirely different era with new trends and dreams
that are altogether influenced by the advancement of technology or perhaps it’s the novelty of
the human mind. It tends to cast off the old fashioned mindset only to adapt to the new one.
Giving into temptations has been an age old weakness of humans. Ever since my arrival in
Russia I have almost fallen in love with the culture that is rich in some Russian families, after all
it was once a country with Imperial powers, despite the fact that the abolishing of the
aristocracy after the October Revolution disturbs me consistently.
It is correct to say that the present day is budding with democracy, but is it the only thing that
matters? Unfortunately no; almost every country is experiencing the inevitable modernization.
Well, modernization has its positive aspects as well as its negative aspects. The positive side is
clear to most of us and we decipher it as development. However, the grim reality of life is that

2. nothing comes without a prize, and in most cases the prize could have a tremendous impact on
the society in a way that the majority of people wouldn’t even realize. Modernization implies
the departure of the old world along with all its values. This process can be explained via
physics. An empty box on earth isn’t empty although we use the term ‘empty’. It is occupied by
air. Now let’s assume a situation where the box is required to be filled with water. Even though
we hardly notice the air leaves the box to vacant the space for the newcomer. The same
process takes place in the society.
I believe that the contemporary trend of modernization has done much damage to the
reputation of mankind. Charles Darwin introduced us to the theory of Evolution according to
which we could conclude that humans are probably the highest of the hierarchy of mammals.
Well, frankly this superiority comes from the presence of our mind with which we could think.
This extraordinary ability of thinking facilitated in the prosperity of humans in times yonder.
The ancient people created empires out of small civilizations, empires that are to this day
remembered as some of the greatest accomplishments of man. I believe the Macedonian and
the Persian Empires are more than sufficient to substantiate it. They left us with culture.
Modernization and politics together have done much to destroy this prestige.
An old fashioned person understands and appreciates the values of the ancient world. He
doesn’t enforce it on another person, rather influences another by being a role model. Some
people argue with this fact. They believe that an old fashioned person is highly inappropriate
for the contemporary mindset. “How can an old fashioned person be happy?” “He’s so uptight.”
I hear these on a constant basis. “Has modernization brought happiness?” Most people choose
to leave it as a rhetorical question. The answer could be complicated. Modernization has given
us corruption which is been exploited by almost every government. Modernization has
seemingly robbed the world of love. Today on most occasions when someone says, ‘I love you,’
he usually has a hidden agenda.
Marriage is an age old tradition which binds a man and a woman in love until ‘death do us part’.
However, we see more divorces than marriages today. Some people have had two even three
unsuccessful marriages. Why does it happen? I believe that racy lifestyle of today has brought
in a lot of distrust. A loving wife awaits the return of her beloved husband with a cup of tea of
coffee, but he doesn’t return, perhaps the economy forces him to work or otherwise. A tinge of
distrust creeps into her mind, and as time passes this distrust grows to immense magnitudes
which ultimately lead to a messy divorce. When it comes to marriage I am the ‘one and done
type.’
Today most music stars and celebrities tend to exploit their sexual desires. Sex is a very
important part of the relationship between a man and a woman, something that should be
treated with responsibility and respect. However, when one exploits sex, it inadvertently results

3. in the violation of the rights of youths for many generations to come. Sexual harassment is a
major crime today. It seems to thrive along with the modernization. In the Victorian Era the
mere portrayal of the private body parts was a crime, hence, rape was almost unheard of. The
contemporary music has but a considerable role to play in the contribution for this uprising. I
believe that I could proudly say that I try as much as I could refrain from paying attention to the
new style of music. On the contrary I find the country classics more interesting and harmonious;
something you could enjoy without experiencing an adrenaline rush. The tranquility that’s been
emitted by the classic ballads genuinely relaxes your mind and probably could help someone to
cope with the highly stressful lifestyle of today. In the least it would teach one about true love.
When someone dresses properly, coat and tie with an exquisite wrist watch, an elegant pair of
shoes, it seldom reflects you as an uptight person, rather a person who deems respect. It brings
out the aristocratic elegance in a person. I believe it to be true. When this elegance is mixed
with virtue and the ability to love unconditionally it creates a Victorian gentleman. So, finally to
answer the topic, the ancient soul in the young 21st century body would take that body to great
heights of success. It isn’t a bad choice. In fact it is probably the best choice that someone could
make. I made the choice, will you?