Like most optimists, I believe that Mark Twain was right when he portrayed Huckleberry Fin as an archetype human being. Huckleberry Fin treats struggling no longer against the great challenges posed against him. He is already expecting the worst case scenario- that society would shame him if people discover that he helped a nigger to get his freedom.
That's just how people go: people know that there are consequences to their actions and they don't want to put themselves in a position where they have to take the risk- unless you give them a good reason for doing so. A man of purpose would think that as long as he was able to do what has to be done, there are no regrets. Even betrayal can come in the service of a higher purpose.
Star Wars, Matrix, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings Movies are all driven by faith in human cussedness; from Han Solo's grudging heroism to the Ewoks vanquishing the combined forces of Darkness, and Darth Vader's betrayal against The Sith in order to save his son Luke Skywalker and bring balance to the force. We can also see how Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to vanquish Lord Voldemort.
The assessment that of our species displays a faith that even in the force of unprecedented threats, the human tendency to do what has to be done, boosting honor in order for good to triumph against evil and wend its way to glory.
2 Response to Reflections on the Promise and Peril of Making a Better World; and What it Means to be Human
Nice entry. I really like your reviews about movies especially those seem to be hard to be understood by us. The message is there. Thanks for sharing and keep on posting.
Mariel from Cagayan de Oro
Reply to Mariel: Thank you for being the first to comment on my blog. It has been months since I last opened my blog and it is only now that I got the opportunity to reply. I will find the time to look into your blog too.
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