I must begin this last post of the summer with a brief commentary on my thoughts regarding all six of these works. I must say that they have all challenged me to think, and John Knowle's masterpiece A Seperate Peace is no exception. Written with powerful language, a noble theme, and a message that still speaks to us today, I feel that this book is certainly a contemporary classic.
Phineas is a bright man trying to perfect himself. Always, Finny is trying to excell. But there's something special about him, which Phineas doesn't quite realize is unique. He doesn't have to work to excell. Things come naturally to him. Gene Forrester, not knowing what to make of Finny, makes him an enemy. And time and time again, we see that Gene's suspicions have no foundation, and we see Finny's unwillingness to believe in such treachery.
Phineas has what I think all of us would call a pure heart. He never suspects anyone, never judges anyone, and in doing this he refuses to lower himself. But ultimately, Phineas cannot face the truth. The truth shows Phineas what the world truly is: base and inhumane. Again, Finny's childlike innocence prevents him from seeing the truth of war just as it prevents him from seeing the reason for his broken leg.
Present in these examples is the common theme of perfection. Phineas perhaps recognizes that he can't be perfect, but cannot accept the fact that the world won't live up to his standards. Ultimately, everyone's own worst enemy is themself. Gene's guilt consumes him, Phineas' innocence betrays him, and all those going off to war lie to themselves by making someone else the enemy.
I was powerfully affected by the instance where Phineas burns The Iliad. This symbolizes the fact that none of the boys have strong convictions. Achilles was a character with convictions which he stood for to the end. We all see others "die in battle", but this can not pollute our minds in seeking our own perfection. The inner battle is what matters.
I think this book gives a most powerful message to students in particular. It is set in the same spot as, ironically, our lives. Let us endeavor to not pit ourselves against the world. For we are the real monsters. Also, I was reminded of the quote by Nietzsche, "He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how." Is Knowles challenging us to find a why before it is too late?
We as humans have evolved from worm to man, and there is still much worm in us. But there is hope. There is always faith that a little bit of Phineas' triumphant character will live on in us all. I intend to enter the academical year with this vigor and passion.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
God is Dead........And We Have Killed Him........
Arthur Miller brilliantly investigates good and evil in this magnificent work of drama, The Crucible. I would even go so far as to suggest that Miller uses the words "God" and "Devil" to temporarily replace "Good" and "Evil". He is certainly not lecturing to us about a Christian God, and I came to think that he was reffering to God as something within us that we can use to be well-rounded intellectuals like John Proctor. Likewise, the Devil is a type of value system that allows us to repress others and become tyrants. It also bears a striking resemblance to Nietzsche's theory of Master morality and Slave morality.
Abigail's every action is, in a sense, a reaction to the events around her. When a strong individual like John Proctor speaks up for the greatest good, she finds it easy to call witch. It boils down simply to a game of resentment. This is a game that makes Abigail a slave to her own mind; a resentful creature who cannot hope to achieve happiness. Miller is afraid that we as citizens might become Abigails, and that we will pollute the Earth with lies.
In opposition to this possibility stands the "eroica", John Proctor. If John has any resentment, it is towards his own actions, which he finds disgusting. But after all, what is a man without faults? Proctor is a man who will unflinchingly defend what is right, even if he must reveal his lechery; even if he must die. He becomes a sort of Prometheus, who brings knowledge and light into the world but must suffer for it. But in the end, he doesn't mind martyrdom. Hopefully, says Miller, this is what we'll become. Perhaps "God" can survive after all.
Nothing hurts more than the realization that we are wrong. This is why I feel that Reverend Hale is an "eroica", right beside John Proctor. He realizes his terrible miscalculations, and does everything within his power to correct it. He finds that a mistake is not a mistake until it goes uncorrected. This is why Hale becomes another enlightened person. I think we can close this book knowing that at least this character is wiser for all his suffering.
Take action regardless of the consequences. I found this to be a huge focal point in the development of the narration. Arthur Miller would later be imprisoned for his strong reation to McCarthyism, a situation similar to that in The Crucible. But yet I think that he would be happy being compared to John Proctor, Prometheus, Reverend Hale, the "eroicas" of his age.
Finally, a note on God. I said earlier that the word God is used to represent a type of morality within us. When God is polluted by lies and his beard is removed, he is without identity. There is no way for us to recognize him. "God is Dead!", cries John Proctor. And we have killed him. Now, says Arthur Miller, it's time to find him again.
On the word Eroica: Ludwig von Beethoven wrote a symphony titled "The Eroica" during the height of his career as a composer. Eroica means simply Hero in German, but Beethoven had a slightly different conotation. The symphony is written with a "Promethean theme", Prometheus being the Greek God who was punished for bringing fire to humans. I use this word throughout this blog because I think the conotation is stronger for Proctor. Hero seemed to be a flat term for him.
Abigail's every action is, in a sense, a reaction to the events around her. When a strong individual like John Proctor speaks up for the greatest good, she finds it easy to call witch. It boils down simply to a game of resentment. This is a game that makes Abigail a slave to her own mind; a resentful creature who cannot hope to achieve happiness. Miller is afraid that we as citizens might become Abigails, and that we will pollute the Earth with lies.
In opposition to this possibility stands the "eroica", John Proctor. If John has any resentment, it is towards his own actions, which he finds disgusting. But after all, what is a man without faults? Proctor is a man who will unflinchingly defend what is right, even if he must reveal his lechery; even if he must die. He becomes a sort of Prometheus, who brings knowledge and light into the world but must suffer for it. But in the end, he doesn't mind martyrdom. Hopefully, says Miller, this is what we'll become. Perhaps "God" can survive after all.
Nothing hurts more than the realization that we are wrong. This is why I feel that Reverend Hale is an "eroica", right beside John Proctor. He realizes his terrible miscalculations, and does everything within his power to correct it. He finds that a mistake is not a mistake until it goes uncorrected. This is why Hale becomes another enlightened person. I think we can close this book knowing that at least this character is wiser for all his suffering.
Take action regardless of the consequences. I found this to be a huge focal point in the development of the narration. Arthur Miller would later be imprisoned for his strong reation to McCarthyism, a situation similar to that in The Crucible. But yet I think that he would be happy being compared to John Proctor, Prometheus, Reverend Hale, the "eroicas" of his age.
Finally, a note on God. I said earlier that the word God is used to represent a type of morality within us. When God is polluted by lies and his beard is removed, he is without identity. There is no way for us to recognize him. "God is Dead!", cries John Proctor. And we have killed him. Now, says Arthur Miller, it's time to find him again.
On the word Eroica: Ludwig von Beethoven wrote a symphony titled "The Eroica" during the height of his career as a composer. Eroica means simply Hero in German, but Beethoven had a slightly different conotation. The symphony is written with a "Promethean theme", Prometheus being the Greek God who was punished for bringing fire to humans. I use this word throughout this blog because I think the conotation is stronger for Proctor. Hero seemed to be a flat term for him.
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