We know we are going to die. This, however, is never a sudden realization. Our parents do not sit us down at age five to tell us that we will one day go to sleep and never wake up. We may grasp the meaning of death when loved ones and pets die when we are young, but likely no one has a memory of grasping the idea of death in relation to his- or herself. Grasping the idea of death is coming to an understanding about life.
When we are young, death doesn't seem to be an immediate threat. We go on with life, not concerned with what seems so far, far away. There are even stereotypes related to how different age groups perceive death- all to do with the permanence of it. Children are supposed to not realize death is forever. When people or pets in their lives die, they may ask the next day where this person is, not realizing they are gone forever. Teenagers are supposed to believe they are immortal. That's why they are reckless and do dangerous things- they "don't think it will happen to them." Once past their prime, people usually fear aging. Once over the hill, its all downhill from there, and that's a scary thought. No one can stop aging, but people spend billions of dollars each year trying. However, at some point, some people embrace their age, while others get more depressed. When I see my grandfather and ask him how his day has been, he tells me every single time, "Well any day I wake up is a good day, I suppose." He tells me he visits more people in graveyards than in houses now. He certainly understands death is inevitable, but at the same time, he has forgotten how to enjoy life. This is especially hard since he is quite healthy and could easily live another twenty years. People come to different understandings about death. We all know it is happening, but we all don't feel the same about it. However, the understanding of death, like death itself, is a common experience among all humans.
The idea of death for oneself probably isn't terribly frightening. If I personally think of my own death, what else is there to think about but my family and friends? If that is the end, so be it. If it isn't, well then that's wonderful. Either way, death happens to everyone. We know it happens to everyone, so it can't be some dark, scary thing.What makes death frightening is the idea of loved ones dying. The idea of my own death isn't too horrifying- it doesn't even seem quite real yet. I am, after all, an immortal teenager. I know that I will likely live to see my parents and even my brothers die, and that is terrifying. Even after my last dog died, I was hesitant to get another one, because I knew I would have to go through that all over again. I know that this dog will die, too. Death is terrifying because when these people die, they are at peace, but we are left here, grieving.
Gilgamesh, like many others since, sought eternal life. Utnapishtim explains, "There is no permanence." Nothing in life is forever, and life itself is not forever. We don't expect anything to last for eternity, so why would we expect this of life? Gilgamesh may have been seeking this immortality for himself, but it is much more likely he is seeking to reverse the death of Enkidu. Gilgamesh, like any human, is crushed by the death of his loved one. It is this version of death that he fears, and this is the one we all fear.
Even though we all know we are destined to die, that doesn't mean we stop fighting to live. What other option do we have. Life is good, so why shouldn't we enjoy it? Just because we know a party is going to end doesn't mean we sit and sulk the whole way through. Also, people behavior in the manner in which they have been taught. We are not raised to obsess over death; therefore, we don't obsess over death. Most of us are taught to enjoy life and to strive for our goals. It is animal instinct to fight for survival, and humans, after all, are animals.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Hero
The hero is a universal character. Societies throughout time and throughout the world have embraced the hero. Though values vary greatly between cultures, the hero is one archetype that transcends these diferences. Much can be learned about societies, both ancient and modern, by examining the stories they tell.
Beowulf and The Odyssey may be tales from long ago, but they have endured because their messages are timeless. Each features a champion who placed himself on the line to defend an entire community, then returned to lead a long life and share his wisdom. This, however, is the ancient storyline. In every other movie, there is an action hero who saves the world, but there typically isn't an epilogue describing how this hero went on to lead a long, happy life, imparting his wisdom along the way. Although the specifics of what defines heroism may have evolved over time, there are some basic traits that every hero seems to embody. Its seems the overriding trait in most heroes is selflessness. Whatever defining act a hero does, it is not done for personal glory, and it is done in spite of personal sacrifice. This is what sets the hero apart from ordinary people. People instinctively look out for themselves, and personal interest is not the first priority of a hero. Whether risking life or even something as seemingly trivial as personal humiliation, a hero puts his- or herself on the line for the sake of something they deem worth that risk. Heroes are idolized because not everyone has that courage. A hero is not fearless; a hero is afraid and pushes forward anyway.
Perhaps a woman is not the stereotypical hero, but how many heroes don't fit into that mold? For thousands of years, one hero model has been the war hero. This is perhaps the character people initially think of as the quintessential hero. Now however, most people won't cite Odysseus as their hero. It likely isn't some war hero at all. Times have changed, and with that have come new challenges. Many people would consider the kid who stands up to a bully a hero, risking being targeted. Doctors often sacrifice much of their personal lives to "do their job," which is helping other people every day. These people may not initially stand out as heroes, but upon closer thought, perhaps more people would consider them to be so. That being said, women only recently have begun to be accepted as soldiers, and so there aren't many historic women who were war heroes. Those who were are most atypical. Even in Disney's Mulan, Mulan had to disguise herself as a man in order to fight. However, once accepted that a hero is not only a combatant, it is clear that women can be heroes. While males may still dominate the military, the military character no longer dominates the theme of heroism. Therefore, a woman can be a hero because anyone can be a hero. It is not about the person or their background, but their actions. No one is a hero because they have big muscles or run quickly; it is action that makes a person heroic.
People need heroes to give them hope. Heroic struggles are a pattern people can look to and apply to their own lives. The hero is often closely linked with the idea of a role model. A hero is someone people can look to to emulate. Even in violent war stories, by pulling out a heroic theme, the deeds are made acceptable with the idea of a "greater good." People do need heroes, but to have them or not isn't really a choice. People do have heroes and always will. That is why it is a universal idea- no one dreamed up this idea. It is an innate idea. It is the kind of person everyone wishes they could be.
Beowulf and The Odyssey may be tales from long ago, but they have endured because their messages are timeless. Each features a champion who placed himself on the line to defend an entire community, then returned to lead a long life and share his wisdom. This, however, is the ancient storyline. In every other movie, there is an action hero who saves the world, but there typically isn't an epilogue describing how this hero went on to lead a long, happy life, imparting his wisdom along the way. Although the specifics of what defines heroism may have evolved over time, there are some basic traits that every hero seems to embody. Its seems the overriding trait in most heroes is selflessness. Whatever defining act a hero does, it is not done for personal glory, and it is done in spite of personal sacrifice. This is what sets the hero apart from ordinary people. People instinctively look out for themselves, and personal interest is not the first priority of a hero. Whether risking life or even something as seemingly trivial as personal humiliation, a hero puts his- or herself on the line for the sake of something they deem worth that risk. Heroes are idolized because not everyone has that courage. A hero is not fearless; a hero is afraid and pushes forward anyway.
Perhaps a woman is not the stereotypical hero, but how many heroes don't fit into that mold? For thousands of years, one hero model has been the war hero. This is perhaps the character people initially think of as the quintessential hero. Now however, most people won't cite Odysseus as their hero. It likely isn't some war hero at all. Times have changed, and with that have come new challenges. Many people would consider the kid who stands up to a bully a hero, risking being targeted. Doctors often sacrifice much of their personal lives to "do their job," which is helping other people every day. These people may not initially stand out as heroes, but upon closer thought, perhaps more people would consider them to be so. That being said, women only recently have begun to be accepted as soldiers, and so there aren't many historic women who were war heroes. Those who were are most atypical. Even in Disney's Mulan, Mulan had to disguise herself as a man in order to fight. However, once accepted that a hero is not only a combatant, it is clear that women can be heroes. While males may still dominate the military, the military character no longer dominates the theme of heroism. Therefore, a woman can be a hero because anyone can be a hero. It is not about the person or their background, but their actions. No one is a hero because they have big muscles or run quickly; it is action that makes a person heroic.
People need heroes to give them hope. Heroic struggles are a pattern people can look to and apply to their own lives. The hero is often closely linked with the idea of a role model. A hero is someone people can look to to emulate. Even in violent war stories, by pulling out a heroic theme, the deeds are made acceptable with the idea of a "greater good." People do need heroes, but to have them or not isn't really a choice. People do have heroes and always will. That is why it is a universal idea- no one dreamed up this idea. It is an innate idea. It is the kind of person everyone wishes they could be.
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