"Relinquunt Omnia Servare Rem Publicam."
I have spent the last few weeks researching for my Long
Essay, reading tome after tome of Dystrophic themed literature and critic. It's
fascinating, humbling and not a little scary how easily these made up worlds
filled with satirical social critique can become reality. The Handmaid's Tale
by M Atwood is one such. Another is The State of Denmark by Derek Raymond. The difference is how the authors deal with
the totalitarian states. Atwood is by far the most gripping as her lead character
seems to fall deeper and deeper into the empty promises made by those in power.
Worse, she begins to actively pursue the role demanded of her, not out of fear,
but out of compliance. Raymond however allows Richard to die without being broken. Yes, the quality of Raymond is stark compared to Atwood, however, there is a individual rebellion which gives the novel an extra dimension.
The quote above is from a Poem I only read today, but this one stanza -of a very dark poem- stood out. It is I believe the core of my argument: Agency. We have the power to choose life, and when that life becomes meaningless, we have the obligation to die, we should not, cannot bend our backs. As Colonel Shaw is willing to die to give his fellow humans equal liberties and civic rights, is it not possible for a modern day individual to feel so strongly about the core moral values that they are willing to die for them?
Now, I'm not arguing that we should all become suicide bombers. It is far from that. In fact, to say that would be to turn my argument upside down. I'm not asking how many people one can kill to prove that they are right. I'm asking, can one person stand, in the face of a government, of hundreds and simply refuse to buy into what ultimately would be ideals and values completely against their own.
DO we have the courage to stand by our beliefs? Or have they, as most things in this world become so easily bought and sold that it really does not matter anymore? We have that ability to choose. Now the question is will we?
Luke Skywalker refuses to give into the Dark side, not because it's easier, but because if he did, he'd lose his values and moral compass. Popular culture is filled with such images, of the good guys fighting off these temptations, of the individuals taking up their rights and their voices. Now if only popular culture was not the only way to see such determination and steadfastness.
I wonder if I could in fact stand up and die for my beliefs. I'm not sure. I'd first have to untangle a few of my knots and be absolutely sure I knew what I was fighting for.
In the end, Lowell's poem, and a few others from the 1950-60's beat period gave me quite a lot of insight into my readings, strangely and prompted me to think long and hard on these topics.
Maybe one day I'll find an answer ... maybe not.
The quote above is from a Poem I only read today, but this one stanza -of a very dark poem- stood out. It is I believe the core of my argument: Agency. We have the power to choose life, and when that life becomes meaningless, we have the obligation to die, we should not, cannot bend our backs. As Colonel Shaw is willing to die to give his fellow humans equal liberties and civic rights, is it not possible for a modern day individual to feel so strongly about the core moral values that they are willing to die for them?
Now, I'm not arguing that we should all become suicide bombers. It is far from that. In fact, to say that would be to turn my argument upside down. I'm not asking how many people one can kill to prove that they are right. I'm asking, can one person stand, in the face of a government, of hundreds and simply refuse to buy into what ultimately would be ideals and values completely against their own.
DO we have the courage to stand by our beliefs? Or have they, as most things in this world become so easily bought and sold that it really does not matter anymore? We have that ability to choose. Now the question is will we?
Luke Skywalker refuses to give into the Dark side, not because it's easier, but because if he did, he'd lose his values and moral compass. Popular culture is filled with such images, of the good guys fighting off these temptations, of the individuals taking up their rights and their voices. Now if only popular culture was not the only way to see such determination and steadfastness.
I wonder if I could in fact stand up and die for my beliefs. I'm not sure. I'd first have to untangle a few of my knots and be absolutely sure I knew what I was fighting for.
In the end, Lowell's poem, and a few others from the 1950-60's beat period gave me quite a lot of insight into my readings, strangely and prompted me to think long and hard on these topics.
Maybe one day I'll find an answer ... maybe not.