One thought that struck me as I read this is the 'homo religioso' view. Human beings need/desire greater meaning, the old line that if God didn't (or doesn't) exist humans would have to create God.
Many religions fall on a spectrum of orthopraxy vs orthodoxy. That is living right (practice) vs believing right (doctrine). Different religions come down on different parts of the spectrum, and individuals will have their own views. For example, many born-again Christians have ideas about right living and sin, but also think you just need to believe in Jesus to be saved (orthodoxy). Other sects may care less what you believe in your heart, as long as you follow the rituals and rules (orthopraxy). Some sects combine these in uber devoted ways, like Mormonism where you need to both believe the correct truths, and practice the correct life. The point is, one or both of these things will bring promised blessings.
What struck me about our anti-hero was that he believed that by believing the right things and living the right way he would be rewarded – even that he was entitled to reward. The failure of the promised blessing led to his disillusionment. That’s a religious view on life, even if it isn’t tied to a specific church. The inability to blame a god in that context led to his rejection of women and sexist males (who you cold argue he had deified in some ways).
This isn’t an endorsement of condemnation of religion or feminism or this character’s take on feminism etc. I’m just noting how real the character was in that he displayed this need and expectation in his pleas: aren't I good? ...or good enough? Don't I deserve? That is so very very human.
I really love this analysis! Very interesting to consider.
The inability to blame a god in that context led to his rejection of women and sexist males (who you cold argue he had deified in some ways).
This immediately made me think of the "Virgin vs. Chad" memes. The "Virgin walk vs. Chad stride" in particular. I love thinking of these memes as religious iconography. I can't unsee it now. If the creation of "Chad Thundercock" by 4chan users doesn't represent the deification of sexist males I don't know what does!
It’s so exceptional that I felt like I actually experienced his life! Powerful. Really makes me think 2 things - I have been so lucky in my own life and secondly other people haven’t and it’s heartbreaking.
I feel like I have just gone through a heavy duty wash cycle - tossed, tumbled, spun - done! I’m disoriented, saddened, amazed - at the honesty, complexity, pain of these words. A 10!
I needed two 30-min sittings for this. Damn.
I forgot how good a true 10 can be. I can’t recommend this highly enough.
One thought that struck me as I read this is the 'homo religioso' view. Human beings need/desire greater meaning, the old line that if God didn't (or doesn't) exist humans would have to create God.
Many religions fall on a spectrum of orthopraxy vs orthodoxy. That is living right (practice) vs believing right (doctrine). Different religions come down on different parts of the spectrum, and individuals will have their own views. For example, many born-again Christians have ideas about right living and sin, but also think you just need to believe in Jesus to be saved (orthodoxy). Other sects may care less what you believe in your heart, as long as you follow the rituals and rules (orthopraxy). Some sects combine these in uber devoted ways, like Mormonism where you need to both believe the correct truths, and practice the correct life. The point is, one or both of these things will bring promised blessings.
What struck me about our anti-hero was that he believed that by believing the right things and living the right way he would be rewarded – even that he was entitled to reward. The failure of the promised blessing led to his disillusionment. That’s a religious view on life, even if it isn’t tied to a specific church. The inability to blame a god in that context led to his rejection of women and sexist males (who you cold argue he had deified in some ways). This isn’t an endorsement of condemnation of religion or feminism or this character’s take on feminism etc. I’m just noting how real the character was in that he displayed this need and expectation in his pleas: aren't I good? ...or good enough? Don't I deserve? That is so very very human.
I really love this analysis! Very interesting to consider.
This immediately made me think of the "Virgin vs. Chad" memes. The "Virgin walk vs. Chad stride" in particular. I love thinking of these memes as religious iconography. I can't unsee it now. If the creation of "Chad Thundercock" by 4chan users doesn't represent the deification of sexist males I don't know what does!
Damn; fucking intense and heavy. 10; though not an upper 10 emotionally.
Highly recommended even though reading this might ruin your day. Really exceptional writing.
It’s so exceptional that I felt like I actually experienced his life! Powerful. Really makes me think 2 things - I have been so lucky in my own life and secondly other people haven’t and it’s heartbreaking.
I feel like I have just gone through a heavy duty wash cycle - tossed, tumbled, spun - done! I’m disoriented, saddened, amazed - at the honesty, complexity, pain of these words. A 10!