Rekindle the mystery
One might say that our modern world is lost in the woods. We live in a world of pharisaism, religious fanaticism, political disillusionment, and general loss of innocence.
It is no surprise to me, then, that we are drawn to the world of fantasy. Works like Tolkien's masterpieces Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the less erudite yet still captivating Harry Potter (Yes I mentioned those in the same sentence), role-playing, comics and anime fill a void in our lives. What is that void? It is the absence of mythological significance.
We have in many ways sucked all the mystery out of our lives. Most mundane phenomena can be explained ad nauseum by science. We are consumed with the pursuit of technology and possessions (I am aware of the irony in this statement, but it is unavoidable). We abdicate personal responsibility in favor of tort and blame-shifting.
The characters in these works of fantasy are intriguing to us because they represent what has been lost. They live their lives in accordance with a mythological order. They have purpose and drive because they are fulfilling a role within the cosmological design. They embody qualities that we sorely lack: pursuit of justice, protection of the greater good at all costs, resistance to the temptations of evil, overcoming personal weakness, humility, loyalty, bravery, persistence and love. The hobbits and Harry Potter are excellent examples of how the meek shall rise above. The Fellowship, especially Gandalf and Aragorn, risk their lives for the sake of protecting freedom and goodness. Samwise Gamgee shows loyalty to Frodo even when Frodo rejects him. Harry Potter exhibits bravery even in the face of incredible obstacles. Naruto exceeds his own abilities.
But these traits could be part of anyone! What makes these characters so special, what makes them resonate so much with our inner selves? Theirs is the trial by fire, the descent into darkness, the hero journey. It is the transformation from selfishness into the selflessness of true heroism. Gandalf battles the Balrog to near death and emerges as the white wizard. Aragorn enters the Path of the Dead, overcomes his self-doubt and emerges the true King of Gondor. Frodo endures the temptation of the ring and the horrors of Mordor and emerges as savior of the free world. Harry descends into the depth of Hogwart's, defeats Voldemort and recovers the Sorceror's Stone. Naruto overcomes his self-doubt and saves Iruka-sensei and Kakashi. The sacrifice of self for the sake of greater society is the essence of the hero journey.
Some of you who I hold dear understand the significance of these ideas and their special relevance to me. What I am suggesting is that we must engage the myth of the hero journey in our everyday lives. The antagonists of myths are allegories to the more complex challenges that we face. Our foes and challenges are not like Voldemorts or Saurons or Balrogs or Zabuzas. They are much more subtle and more dangerous. They are hypocrisy, political deceit, injustice, avarice, addiction, apathy and indifference. We must endure the pain of battling them to emerge as greater individuals and a greater society. We must battle them, it is our duty, else we stay in the darkness forever.
It is no surprise to me, then, that we are drawn to the world of fantasy. Works like Tolkien's masterpieces Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the less erudite yet still captivating Harry Potter (Yes I mentioned those in the same sentence), role-playing, comics and anime fill a void in our lives. What is that void? It is the absence of mythological significance.
We have in many ways sucked all the mystery out of our lives. Most mundane phenomena can be explained ad nauseum by science. We are consumed with the pursuit of technology and possessions (I am aware of the irony in this statement, but it is unavoidable). We abdicate personal responsibility in favor of tort and blame-shifting.
The characters in these works of fantasy are intriguing to us because they represent what has been lost. They live their lives in accordance with a mythological order. They have purpose and drive because they are fulfilling a role within the cosmological design. They embody qualities that we sorely lack: pursuit of justice, protection of the greater good at all costs, resistance to the temptations of evil, overcoming personal weakness, humility, loyalty, bravery, persistence and love. The hobbits and Harry Potter are excellent examples of how the meek shall rise above. The Fellowship, especially Gandalf and Aragorn, risk their lives for the sake of protecting freedom and goodness. Samwise Gamgee shows loyalty to Frodo even when Frodo rejects him. Harry Potter exhibits bravery even in the face of incredible obstacles. Naruto exceeds his own abilities.
But these traits could be part of anyone! What makes these characters so special, what makes them resonate so much with our inner selves? Theirs is the trial by fire, the descent into darkness, the hero journey. It is the transformation from selfishness into the selflessness of true heroism. Gandalf battles the Balrog to near death and emerges as the white wizard. Aragorn enters the Path of the Dead, overcomes his self-doubt and emerges the true King of Gondor. Frodo endures the temptation of the ring and the horrors of Mordor and emerges as savior of the free world. Harry descends into the depth of Hogwart's, defeats Voldemort and recovers the Sorceror's Stone. Naruto overcomes his self-doubt and saves Iruka-sensei and Kakashi. The sacrifice of self for the sake of greater society is the essence of the hero journey.
Some of you who I hold dear understand the significance of these ideas and their special relevance to me. What I am suggesting is that we must engage the myth of the hero journey in our everyday lives. The antagonists of myths are allegories to the more complex challenges that we face. Our foes and challenges are not like Voldemorts or Saurons or Balrogs or Zabuzas. They are much more subtle and more dangerous. They are hypocrisy, political deceit, injustice, avarice, addiction, apathy and indifference. We must endure the pain of battling them to emerge as greater individuals and a greater society. We must battle them, it is our duty, else we stay in the darkness forever.
posted by Seanicus at
3/02/2005 09:00:00 AM
