Revelation 18:10
Recently, I reread (for the fourth or fifth time) Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, and enjoyed it more than ever. The book inspired two pieces of writing (three if you count this), so at the current moment it's in my good books (terrible pun intended). Here's the links in case all of my devoted readers wish to see them:
Short - http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/writing.php?id=42565
Poem - http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/writing.php?id=42511
Or you could just go to the Window (link in "Other Places To Be"), go to "Read Published Writing" and type "Excelsior" in the search bar. It's "The Little Pink Box" and "The Thousand Year Night". I'm reasonably happy with TYN (although I suspect some of my friends are starting to question my sanity), but, IMHO, "Little Pink Box" was only so-so. The ending was too obvious. Drat it.
*cough* Back on topic, Alas Babylon. In one scene, Randy (protagonist) and Lib (girlfriend) were alerted that Florence (Western Union lady) appeared to be in distress. When they go over to see what happened, they find that Florence's cat, Sir Percy, had eaten her parrot, Anthony. Also, her angelfish had died because the electricity had gone out because of the catastrophe the book centers around (leaving the aquarium unheated), which added to her distress. One comment that Randy makes, on the newly reinforced rule of the survival of the fittest, was:
" 'The common guppy lives. So does the tough catfish...That's the way it is and that's the way it's going to be.' " (Frank, Alas, Babylon, p. 176)
and when applying it to his own life
"Walking back to his own house, Randy said, 'Florence is a guppy, a nice, drab little guppy. That's why she'll survive.'
'What about you and me?' Lib said.
'We're going to have to be tough. We're going to have to be catfish.' "(Frank, Alas, Babylon, p. 177)
Florence, before the Russians had nuked the US, was a person who "existed" and no more. Randy and Lib had been the sort of stand-out people who garnered attention because of their brains, talents, and general sucess at making a sucess of life. With this background information, I think I may assume that Mr. Hart was saying that those who generally don't make a grand "sucess" out of their lives (as according to society's standards) find it easier to go through crises then your average sucessful person. Why? Possibly because everyday life is tougher for these people, and thus they build a coating around themselves which helps them to squeeze through the major crises. Maybe people in general tend to treat those whom we see as being sucessful better than those whom we see as having fallen short of their potential, or as not having worked hard enough to make a "sucess" out of their lives. Maybe laziness can give people an edge; of course, this depends on how one defines laziness. Is laziness the opposite of self-discipline? Or is that which is termed "laziness" simply a lack of ambition? I believe that it depends on the person (or character, as in this case). In Florence Whechek's case, she simply didn't have the ambition - nor the ability (possibly) - to go farther than she had with her life. Randy and Lib had the opportunity, ability and pressure of their parents and peers to steer them through life. They probably didn't have the unconcious struggle to get through the day which people like Florence had, and, when a great disaster came, they were less able to keep some of their struggles under the surface - they simply didn't have the practice. Interesting.
I know I'm going to look at this a year from now and think "What? How did I get there?" Heh.
(Not so) Random Quote of the Day:
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
- Revelation 18:9-10, KJV
Short - http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/writing.php?id=42565
Poem - http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/writing.php?id=42511
Or you could just go to the Window (link in "Other Places To Be"), go to "Read Published Writing" and type "Excelsior" in the search bar. It's "The Little Pink Box" and "The Thousand Year Night". I'm reasonably happy with TYN (although I suspect some of my friends are starting to question my sanity), but, IMHO, "Little Pink Box" was only so-so. The ending was too obvious. Drat it.
*cough* Back on topic, Alas Babylon. In one scene, Randy (protagonist) and Lib (girlfriend) were alerted that Florence (Western Union lady) appeared to be in distress. When they go over to see what happened, they find that Florence's cat, Sir Percy, had eaten her parrot, Anthony. Also, her angelfish had died because the electricity had gone out because of the catastrophe the book centers around (leaving the aquarium unheated), which added to her distress. One comment that Randy makes, on the newly reinforced rule of the survival of the fittest, was:
" 'The common guppy lives. So does the tough catfish...That's the way it is and that's the way it's going to be.' " (Frank, Alas, Babylon, p. 176)
and when applying it to his own life
"Walking back to his own house, Randy said, 'Florence is a guppy, a nice, drab little guppy. That's why she'll survive.'
'What about you and me?' Lib said.
'We're going to have to be tough. We're going to have to be catfish.' "(Frank, Alas, Babylon, p. 177)
Florence, before the Russians had nuked the US, was a person who "existed" and no more. Randy and Lib had been the sort of stand-out people who garnered attention because of their brains, talents, and general sucess at making a sucess of life. With this background information, I think I may assume that Mr. Hart was saying that those who generally don't make a grand "sucess" out of their lives (as according to society's standards) find it easier to go through crises then your average sucessful person. Why? Possibly because everyday life is tougher for these people, and thus they build a coating around themselves which helps them to squeeze through the major crises. Maybe people in general tend to treat those whom we see as being sucessful better than those whom we see as having fallen short of their potential, or as not having worked hard enough to make a "sucess" out of their lives. Maybe laziness can give people an edge; of course, this depends on how one defines laziness. Is laziness the opposite of self-discipline? Or is that which is termed "laziness" simply a lack of ambition? I believe that it depends on the person (or character, as in this case). In Florence Whechek's case, she simply didn't have the ambition - nor the ability (possibly) - to go farther than she had with her life. Randy and Lib had the opportunity, ability and pressure of their parents and peers to steer them through life. They probably didn't have the unconcious struggle to get through the day which people like Florence had, and, when a great disaster came, they were less able to keep some of their struggles under the surface - they simply didn't have the practice. Interesting.
I know I'm going to look at this a year from now and think "What? How did I get there?" Heh.
(Not so) Random Quote of the Day:
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
- Revelation 18:9-10, KJV
thus said The Meganekko at 1:21 PM
2 Comments:
Well, my friend, you have definately made me think deeply about this. Of course, I don't believe in survival of the fittest and all that, but I think I would tend to agree with the points you made about successful people and those who are on the sidelines. Interesting thoughts, and I loved your quote at the bottom. Keep on thinking!
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