Quote On Pain

“In such a situation, pain remains the only measure promising a certainty of insights. Wherever values can no longer hold their ground, the movement toward pain endures as an astonishing sign of the times; it betrays the negative mark of a metaphysical structure.” (p. 47)

               This quote reminds me of the saying “When you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.” It is saying that facing the pain helps to relieve any problems that one is suffering from. Junger is saying that pain is the only measure that forces one to think or rethink about their circumstances. He in a way is disregarding the belief system that states that values and morals keep one aloof and in line. It seems as though he is saying that humans have a habit of ignoring their problems and that when pain is faced head on that it shows a remarkable feat for mankind.

This reminds me of the reading on Nietschze in which he compared the differences between Christians and the Greeks. He believed that Christian beliefs suppressed natural human desires while Greek beliefs encouraged them. This very sentence “Wherever values can no longer hold their ground, the movement toward pain endures as an astonishing sign of the times,” rings true of what Nietschze was saying.

I chose this passage because it is a statement that defies what most of us have been taught. In America, we are taught to be ashamed of having problems whatever they may be. We are taught to walk by faith and stick to our morals that way we fit into the society. But in all reality, talking about your problems and acknowledging your experiences help make a better person. When these bad experiences are repressed then the result is all of these psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder or adhd.

Reflection Paper

I actually saw the movie with Tom Cruise. I thought it was some what interesting when I first saw it and in reading the book ,Dream Story , it made a lot more sense. Dreams are our perception of reality and sometimes can be accurate. I think that dreams are our suppression of our subconcious. In the movie, Tom Cruise really wanted to be with the girl. She was a fantasy for him but because he was married, it was morally wrong and he couldn't act on his true feelings without hurting his wife. Its kind of like what Nietszche says " These Christian morals suppress the real humanistic nature."

Dream Story Quote

 "neither the reality of a single night nor even of a person's entire life can be equated with the full truth about his innermost being."
I chose this quote because I thought it was very interesting. It is essentially saying that no one moment can define a persons being. You can know someone's entire life and still not know who they are.  I think this rings true. People's actions aren't always indicative of who they are. Sometimes they are a victim of their circumstances or products of their environment. This quote takes in to account that there are other  factors, outside factors, that develop a person's innermost being and it is impossible to pinpoint and explore them all. This is why you can never truly know someone and it might be safe to say one can truly never know themselves either. Depending on the effects of these events, one might suppress them and the affects may never truly be realized.

Reflection

I enjoyed Blue Angel more so than the other film. It was easier to follow and the story was more like the ones of today where the man chases after this woman who can't be tamed and he ends up going crazy in the end. Also these films represent the beginning of what would be Hollywood and directing. They manipulate light and stage props to set the tone of the moment. And today of course we are more advanced.

Themes

Themes present in Dr. Caligiri’s cabinet and the Blue Angel:

Obsession with beauty or all things beautiful- A woman’s beauty leads the man to despair. In Ceseare’s case he is killed as a result of Jane. In Immanuel Rath’s case, he loses his job and his money chasing after Lola.

Concept of Reality/ Insanity- In both films the concept of reality is distorted. Dr. Caligiri has a twist ending and it turns out that instead of being the doctor who works in the asylum, he is actually a patient. And even in the Blue Angel when Rath finds out that Lola is cheating on him, before he can attack her he is attacked by the people at the club and eventually he goes insane.

Depression/Darkness- Both films have a depressed undertone to them as both characters seem to be hopeless. It seems as though in both films, the characters experienced this life changing event, usually something to do with a woman, and then they become depressed and despondent. Their lives seem to spin out of control and essentially they lose it.

These themes represent Nihilism because they expose the superficial and mock the things we take seriously. The fine line between reality and insanity was explored in both films. This is an important part of Nihilism because as we know this ideal attempts to destroy the present norm and create a new one.  A woman’s beauty being the reason the men went insane is the superficial theme.

Quiz1

1.       What is nihilism? Is it correct to say it is the belief in nothing?

Nihilism is the belief in destroying old norms, beliefs and systems in order to create new ones. I don’t think it would be correct to say that it is the belief in nothing. I think it is more so like challenging the current system because it isn’t working and attempting to create a new one.

2.       What are the differences between Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian values according to Nietzsche? Which values does he believe are better for living a full and healthy life and why?

Judeo-Christian values were the opposite of Greco-Roman values. The Greeks were physically stronger but the Christians were more intelligent. Nietzsche thought that the values of the Romans were humane and played into human nature while the values of the Christians sought to restrict and contain human nature.

Nietzche believed that the Greco-Roman values were more suitable for living a full and healthy life because they did not repress natural human traits.

3.       Why is Dada art so pessimistic and bizzare? What groups in Germany society where Dada artists trying to discredit and undermine?

Dada art is pessimistic because it is coming from the perspective of post war Germany. Germany was humiliated after World War II. They were blamed and forced to pay reparations which eventually bankrupted their economy. Dada artists were trying to undermine Army Generals and Politicians, people that they felt were responsible for dragging Germany into the war and ruining society.

4.       How many jobs does Dr. Caligari have in the film?

2

5. Why does Siddhartha leave his father?

He leaves his father because he wants to seek more wisdom. Siddartha feels like his father has taught him everything that he knows.

6. How does Cesare "die" in the film?

Cesare dies by jumping off the ledge after he kills Jane.

7. Why is the river so important to Siddharta at the end of the novel?

The River is important because it is the place where Siddhartha achieved the enlightenment. He learned to listen. 

Reflection #2

The lecture on Siddartha, Buddhism and Dada made me see Eastern Religion in a different light. From what I have studied about Shintoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, I have learned that they are very spiritual religions that focus on becoming one with the earth and honoring animals. But I have never seen these religions in direct opposition to Western religion. Americans who reject Western religion for Eastern religion are nihilists in their own right. I found that to be an interesting point. I would love to study the reasons as to why Americans or any other westerner turns toward Eastern Religion and what are they looking to achieve when they do this.