We
grasp the past in stories. We frame our understanding of history in the stories
historians tell.
There’s
a school of thought that human history is largely shaped by single individuals.
Thus, some speak not of the perennial evil current that is antisemitism, or of
the German people in the middle of the twentieth century, but of “Hitler.”
Hitler did this, and Hitler did that, and it’s all because of Hitler.
I
remember reading a book (wish I could remember the title) where someone was
bent on inventing time travel so he could go back in time and kill baby Hitler
in his crib, before this baby would grow up and wreak havoc. I can’t remember if
in the story the protagonist succeeds (=alternative history) but another baby
grows up to stand in Adolph Hitler’s stead, or if the attempt fails. It was one
or the other, because we know what did in fact happen.
A
similar theme is in a graphic novel, Bodies,
by Si Spencer, now made into an eight-part
filmed series. It was interesting to
watch, and as wrongheaded as can be.
The
lone savior/lone villain who can either save the world or destroy it is the
basis not only of every superhero comic, but of all stories going back to the Bible
and before.
For
this reason, the multitude accept politicians who state a variation of “I alone
can fix it.” It sounds preposterous to most thinking people, but we have been
conditioned to frame our understanding of reality in this way.
All
this is a reminder to storytellers. Storytellers have a responsibility for the
ages. Our protagonists struggle to overcome and do right. But as they do, is humanity
saved?
Even
in kidlit, there is a stream of “kid saves the world.” (Think Harry Potter)
Blimey
if I never write such stories, despite publishing professionals constant urging
to “up the stakes.” I’m a big proponent of stories where an individual changes
their own perspective or helps a person near them.
A
Messiah is one because their teaching lights a way of being to individuals.
Save
me from the save-the-world ones. We keep telling their stories, and the world
is clearly not saved.
11 comments:
Well-thought out post on a very important theme. It boils down to individual responsibility. The best way to change the world is to change oneself in a positive way, then reach out to your neighbor in service.
What you said,^ Karen.
That's the thing, isn't it? Evil doesn't exist in a vacuum. The same forces that allowed for Adolf will allow for someone just like him.
A friend of mine has an uncle who claims he hit Adolf with his car in the early 30s. No real damage to either though.
Yup, Dave. To quote the New Testament (Matthew 18:7) "Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must happen that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." Repeated in Luke 17:1, "...It is impossible but that offences will come but woe unto him, through whom they come."
I am not a New Testament scholar. But i have read one who wrote that even as the story of Yeshu'a of Nazareth is told as a "lone person" savior, it could have been someone other than Yeshua, but it would have been someone.
We are trained on the story of the individual. It has shaped the way we understand. Many more children have read the story of Ann Frank, a single Holochwost victim, than have read about the calamity itself with its scope pf a million and a half children who also perished there. This is how stories work. But I don't and won't write "save the world, kid" stories.
I remember a sci-fi tv series, The Time Tunnel, starring James Darren, in which he and his companion step through the Time Tunnel at the beginning of the episode in order to change some historical catastrophe. Surprise! They never succeed in changing the past, nor can they return home...
I have enjoyed many what if/alternate history stories but in all of them, the battle between good and evil continues. I've often wondered what would've happened if Mary had said, "No." They say all creation waited to hear her Fiat. Then I go further back, what if Adam and Eve not eaten the forbidden fruit? But every Easter Vigil we sing, O happy fault of Adam that brought us so great a Redeemer.
I live by Romans 8:28--"ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I might not be able to see how but I trust in the Lord.
An thought-provoking post, Mirka. I liked what Karen had to say.
A lot to think about here. I think we can save a little piece of the world by helping others and being an instrument of peace and love. If everyone did that, the world would be a better place.
A very good post. I agree, there is no super figure that can save us. I do believe in the value to the world of inspirational figures who show a better way to live and to treat people: Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi, Mandela, Dr. King, Mother Theresa,Thich Nhat Hanh . . . We don't seem to have a lot of role models any more. This is a very cynnical age. But there are a lot of individuals who still seem to practice kindness, compassion, caring. I would like to know what we can do to nurture more of that.
As far as "what if" famous bad people had never come to the forefront of history, the artist in me has always wondered "what if Hitler had never flunked out of art school . . ."
Yes, Elizabeth. If I could situate myself anywhere into that time I would be on the committee of Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the art school Hitler applied to, and make sure he was accepted. I still am convinced someone else would have done in his place and possibly even more competently, and then we really would have wound up with a thousand-year Reich. OUCH.
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