Essay: Metaphors in Season 6.

[elisi]

S6 metaphors

There are some lessons that can’t be taught.

rahirah is forever coming up with interesting posts. I don’t always agree with them, but they never fail in making me think. The latest one that really caught my attention was this one, about perceived truth - and how we all see the show. And - in passing - she also said this:

In season six the

Comments

[petzipellepingo]

You've done an amazing job weaving all the storylines together. I'm putting this in my memories so I can study this when I have more time.

[elisi]

Thank you! It's taken me *forever* (or at least that's what it feels like), but I'm very pleased with the result. *g*

[gillo]

Excellent, thought-provoking, very convincing.

To me S6 has always been primarily about the nature of serious depression and the means of achieving mental health. "Coming back from the dead" is a direct metaphor for a nervous breakdown, and the various choices and attempts to deal with internal problems by externalising them are explorations of various methods used clinically and personally. In S5 Buffy lost her mother, nearly lost her sister, saw her lclosest friends unable to save for her the things that mattered most. Her death was the biggest metaphor of all, arguably - loss of childhood, of the right to be protected we consider an inalienable part of infancy. It's not surprising she cracked up, and the show explores the whole gamut of possible ways of addressing the void

[elisi]

Her death was the biggest metaphor of all, arguably - loss of childhood, of the right to be protected we consider an inalienable part of infancy
Oh that's good!

Giles is the well-meaning member of the generation brought up to assume a bracing talk and instructions to snap out of it are all that's needed
And that's possibly even better! I'm going to be quoting that, trust me.

But they have to learn who they are, to fight off their own demons and find their own cure for depression first - and the metaphors there are hugely important.
::nods:: Cue: The First Evil! (Have you read this essay btw?)

[gillo]

Oh that's good! ::preens::

I'm going to be quoting that, trust me. Feel free. I think Giles is to some extent modelled not on people currently ASH's age, but people closer to Joss's father's generation in terms of Brit attitudes at least - presumably some of the teachers at Winchester when Joss was there were a bit like him. But not, in all probability, quite so hot.

I hadn't read the essay, but have now - fascinating and very thought-provoking.

[elisi]

But not, in all probability, quite so hot.
Bwah! And here I was thinking deep thoughs! ;)

fascinating and very thought-provoking.
Isn't it? The First Evil is becoming one of my favourite Big Bad's I think, just because it's so versatile.

[frelling_tralk]

Oh wow, amazing post!

[elisi]

Thank you! :)

[bogwitch]

Very interesting. Shame I don't have anything to add.

[elisi]

Thank you. And I'll take the 'nothing to add' as a compliment! :)

[fishsanwitt]

Absolutely *beautiful* work. It's gone into my 'Memories'.

[elisi]

Squee! Thank you - although part of the beauty was kathyh's work!