Started reading a book called "The Power of Myth." It's an interview of a guy named Joseph Campbell conducted in the late 80s by Bill Moyer. Came across this passage, looked up the picture, and voila- a blog was born!
Moyers: I saw a photograph of this latest cult figure from Hollywood, Rambo, the Vietnam veteran who returns to rescue prisoners of war, and through violent swaths of death and destruction he brings them back. I understand it is the most popular movie in Beirut. The photograph showed the new Rambo doll that has been created and is being sold by the same company that produces the Cabbage Patch dolls. In the foreground is the image of a sweet, lovable Cabbage Patch doll, and behind it, the brute force, Rambo.
Campbell: Those are two mythic figures. The image that comes to my mind now is of Picasso's Minotauromachy, an engraving that shows a great monster bull approaching. The philosopher is climbing up a ladder in terror to get away. In the bullring there is a horse, which has been killed, and on the sacrificed horse lies a female matador who has also been killed. The only creature facing this terrific monster is a little girl with a flower. Those are the two figures you have just spoken of- the simple, innocent, childlike one, and the terrific threat. You see the problems of the modern day.
Moyers: I saw a photograph of this latest cult figure from Hollywood, Rambo, the Vietnam veteran who returns to rescue prisoners of war, and through violent swaths of death and destruction he brings them back. I understand it is the most popular movie in Beirut. The photograph showed the new Rambo doll that has been created and is being sold by the same company that produces the Cabbage Patch dolls. In the foreground is the image of a sweet, lovable Cabbage Patch doll, and behind it, the brute force, Rambo.
Campbell: Those are two mythic figures. The image that comes to my mind now is of Picasso's Minotauromachy, an engraving that shows a great monster bull approaching. The philosopher is climbing up a ladder in terror to get away. In the bullring there is a horse, which has been killed, and on the sacrificed horse lies a female matador who has also been killed. The only creature facing this terrific monster is a little girl with a flower. Those are the two figures you have just spoken of- the simple, innocent, childlike one, and the terrific threat. You see the problems of the modern day.
1 comment:
Great book. There's an awesome video series about Campbell and the power of myth. George Lucas says that Campbell and that particular book were his influences for the Star Wars saga and it is clearly evident. Strangely enough, I know a few people who swear that it was Campbell who helped steer them towards atheism. I see Campbell's mythic traditions pointing us to the greatest storyteller of them all - God. Just as all roads lead to Rome (metaphorically) all myths ultimately help point to the risen Christ. Peace.
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