"I find noble and sordid for one to lend its own words to others to express themselves." - Santos
The Nobility and the Sordidness of Lending Words.
Cyrano de Bergerac In the story, Cyrano is a brilliant, witty, and courageous poet, but deeply insecure about his appearance – especially because of his prominent nose. In love with Roxane, Cyrano believes he could never be loved by her due to his "ugliness". When he finds out that Roxane is interested in Christian, a handsome but intellectually simple young man, Cyrano decides to help him. On Lending Noble, because Cyrano lends his words to Christian out of love and friendship. He wants to see Roxane happy, even if that means hiding his own feelings. By writing letters and whispering words for Christian to repeat, Cyrano gives voice to the passion he himself feels but cannot reveal. Sordid, because there is deception involved. Roxane is led to love a constructed image – a poetic lie where Christian’s face conceals Cyrano’s soul. Even if the intention is altruistic, the act involves deceit and omission.
Ellie Chu Like Cyrano, Ellie Chu is a brilliant young woman with a special talent for writing. Lonely and introspective, she lives in a small town and earns some money by writing papers for other students. The story unfolds when Paul, a kind but inarticulate athlete, asks for her help in writing love letters to Aster, whom he loves. The problem is that Ellie also falls for Aster as she writes. On Lending Noble, because Ellie agrees to help Paul despite her own repressed feelings. She shares her sensitivity and worldview with Aster, even if under someone else's name. The gesture carries empathy and friendship, revealing her ability to love silently and place others’ feelings above her own. Sordid, because it involves a layer of pretending and self-effacement. Aster is charmed by words she believes are Paul’s, but that actually come from Ellie’s soul. Like Cyrano, Ellie becomes an invisible voice, living her love through someone else – generating conflict, pain, and questions about identity, authenticity, and desire.
"I find noble and sordid for one to lend its own words to others to express themselves." This sentence captures the essence of Cyrano’s (Edmond Rostand, 1897) dilemma: his verbal brilliance drives the plot, but the act of giving that voice to another creates tragic beauty. In the end, the gesture reveals both his greatness of spirit and the pain of his renunciation. It also sheds light on the emotional core of Alice Wu’s (2020) film: the act of lending words as a form of love, but also of self-erasure. Ellie’s story, like Cyrano’s, reflects on the power of language, the limits of representation, and the desire to be seen – not just heard. In the end, The Half of It suggests that being “half of something” – or someone – is not enough, and that there is beauty and courage in finally speaking with one’s own voice.
