Nietzsche's Superman

Although we read the excerpts from Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment a month ago, I thought this month’s blog topic should revolve around the analysis and critique of Nietzsche’s “Superman” theory. 

            The first element of his conjecture states: “The superman is often seen in the present as a criminal.”  This concept is fairly prevalent in both Crime and Punishment, and moreover, in the media.  The television series Dexter correlates with this idea.  (Note: I have never watched this show, but have a general understanding of the basic storyline).  In the show, Dexter (the superman) kills serial killers.  Though this is seemingly a paradox, in the eyes of many viewers as well as in the context of the series, Dexter is still the protagonist.  This is also displayed in the following lines from Crime and Punishment: “But the same masses set these criminals on a pedestal in the next generation and worship them (more or less).  The first category is always the man of the present, the second the man of the future.”  (Page 307).

            Next, Nietzsche affirms that “The superman has the right to break laws.”  In the case of Dexter, he is morally subjected to taking the lives of those who murder others.  Because he is “getting rid of” the “bad guys”, it is acceptable according to society’s moral standards.  However, if one were to look at it in the opposite spectrum, it is a contradictory act in the way that Dexter is attempting to decrease the crime/killing rate, when he is in fact increasing the fatalities.  Nonetheless, he is still glorified for his “courageous acts”.  Again, this proposal is referred on page 306 of Crime and Punishment: “…and so on were all without exception criminals, from the very fact that, making a new law, they transgressed the ancient one, handed down from their ancestors and held sacred by the people, and they did not stop short at bloodshed either, if that bloodshed often of innocent persons fighting bravely in defiance of ancient law were of use to their cause.” 

            Thirdly, “The superman is a benefactor of society.”  Once more, this connects to Nietzsche’s second statement, but also interferes with the first concept.  Dexter Morgan is viewed as the protagonist because he is eliminating the antagonists and “evil” of society.  Then again, he is still technically a “criminal”.  The quote aforementioned continues to state “the first preserve the world and people in it”. 

            Additionally, “The superman is focused on the future.”  Dexter is internally looking out for the future of society; he is trying to protect the lives of the innocent from that of the wicked.  He gives the public hope for both their well being and prospective outlook on life.  Of as Dostoyevsky’s likes to put it, “…the second move the world and lead it to its goal.” 

            Lastly, Nietzsche states: “The superman may destroy what exists to create something better.”  Clearly, Dexter has been approved by society’s ethical principles to defeat the malevolence living among them.  He is permitted to kill and eradicate these criminals for the sake of creating a better, safer future for civilization.  This idea is also suggested on page 307 of Crime and Punishment:  “The second category all transgresses law; they are destroyers or disposed to destruction according to their capacities.  The crimes of these men are of course relative and varied; for the most part they seek in very varied ways the destruction of the present for the sake of the better.” 

            All in all, Nietzsche and Dostoyevsky had similar outlooks on the characteristics of “The Superman”.  Personally, I think Nietzsche’s analysis of the Superman is practical and full of pure genius.  Though I disagree with the killing of others, when it comes to protecting society as a whole, I believe that the superman has the right to not be viewed as immoral.  In other words, Nietzsche is brilliant!

Meaning to Mersault

I decided to relate this post to the question nine part b of The Stranger Socratic Seminar Discussion Questions.  It regards the argument of whether or not Mersault lives more in prison than while a free man.  Personally, I believe that thiMersault not only “lives” in prison, but also discovers how to express his emotions and live comfortably knowing that the meaning of life is that there is no true meaning. 

During the first part of the novel, Mersault goes through life day by day without expressing any sort of emotion.  He is indifferent to society and the environment in which he is surrounded by.  Mersault lives his life by the same daily routine; he goes to work, spends time with Marie, and goes to his usual restaurant, Celetes’.  Because of his brutal honesty and inadequately expressed emotions, he is severely misunderstood, and is often criticized for putting his mother in a home.  Mersault is not a bad person for putting the care of his mother in other hands; rather yet, he is the most practical character I have yet to read of in any book.  As can be seen on page 5 of The Stranger, “It was true.  When she was at home with me, Maman used to spend her time following me with her eyes, not saying a thing.  For the first few days she was at the home she cried a lot.  But that was because she wasn’t used to it.  A few months later and she would have cried if she’d been taken out.  She was used to it.  That’s partly why I didn’t go there much this past year.  And also because it took up my Sunday-not to mention the trouble of getting to the bus, buying tickets, and spending two hours traveling.”  

However, Mersault eventually receives the notion that there is no real purpose to life, and that he is free to decide his purpose for himself.  Thus, he is more than happy to be lost of all hope, because in the end, we are all bound to die.  “As if that blind rage had washed me clean, rid me of hope; for the first time, in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.  Finding it so much like myself- so like a brother, really- I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again.  For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.”  Mersault both mentally and physically shows his mixed emotions for the first time in his life in the prison due to the influence of the frustration forced upon Mersault by the Chaplain.

Much of Camus’ existentialist views can be traced in The Stranger. The key points visible in The Stranger are: “Reason Alone Cannot Deal with the Depths of Human Life” (Mersault is seen as mysterious for not seeing a legitimate reason to physically express his sorrow for his mother), “Alienation or Estrangement” (Mersault is alienated from Society), “Confrontation with Death or Nothingness” (Mersault discovers the purposeless universe) and “Freedom” (Mersault is free as soon as he loses all hope). 

            The film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a prime example of existentialism for it revolves around people who are completely isolated from each other in a fundamentally insignificant society.  Not only are they liable for their own actions, but also they are responsible for shaping their own characters and destinies without any certain knowledge of what is morally correct and incorrect.  This can be traced back to the “Freedom” aspect of Existentialism: “With freedom comes choice and responsibility.”  In both Clementine and Joel’s case, it is the choice of whether to erase one another from their memory, or to return to their previously committed relationship.

            Mersault of The Stranger experiences life in the most unexpected place and under crucial circumstances.  He eventually realizes with the futility of life, and discovers that it is better to die a free man than to live by the rules of society.

Suicide Marks Victory

Whether one be Jewish, Christian, Islamic what have you; suicide is recurrently viewed as the most deplorable sin that potentially sends one straight to hell with no return.  Conversely, there are certain circumstances where one’s suicide can conclude them as a martyr.   Thus, different suicides we have read throughout the year can also take on the same label.  The characters of Edna Pontellier  (The Awakening) and Okonkwo (Things Fall Apart) took their own lives in order to free them from oppression, and to give their lives for either “themselves” or for the good of their people. 

Although suicide is frowned upon in Okonkwo’s culture, he carries through with the act to prove to the Christians that even though they have invaded their land, they will never replace the leadership role he has developed over time.  Over the years, he has grown to have great strength both mentally and physically.  Though suicide is seen as a sign of weakness, Okonkwo’s people still looked up to him.  No one in their culture has provided such heavily influence as him.  Okonkwo chooses to take his own life by hanging himself with his own hands so that the Christians won’t have control over his life too.  In a way, his act can be seen as both strength and surrender.  However, he still refuses to give in to the Christians who have ruined his village and peoples’ way of life.

The most memorable quote in The Awakening is when Edna declares, “I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children: but I wouldn’t give myself.”  While women during Edna’s time were more concerned with conforming to the few rights and unfair place in life that they have been given, Edna realizes her individualism is far more important than anything else.  She sees that she can only live once, and comes to the understanding that she cannot live the life she truly wants to live without being declared an outcast; another lifestyle she would not feel comfortable living.   I believe this suicide is a very courageous and triumphant move for Edna, because the value of human life is so precious, and the value of a life well lived is even more so.  Because Edna was honest with herself, she ended her life passionately and in the proper place.

Even though we view suicide bombing as a terrible act, in certain parts of the Islamic culture, it is viewed as a very admirable deed. Suicide bombers have spread over the years throughout the Middle East to Russia and even in to some parts of the United States.  Similar bombings occurred during World War II with the Japanese Kamikaze.  Both cultures view suicide bombing as an act of self-sacrifice.  As I had mentioned in my previous blog post, what we see as being bad, other cultures are “okay” with, and continue to abide by those standards for that is what they have been surrounded by their entire lives.  Therefore, while we may mourn for the deaths of those who have been killed by the suicide bomber, we do not mourn for the death of the suicide bomber themselves.  I’m not saying that we should or should not; personally, I think it is so sad to see people being brainwashed by such a violent culture.  However, we cannot criticize those who participate in the act, for they do not know any better, and they only have good intentions, though it does not appear to be so.

Though we have read and criticized the suicides of other characters such as Nana, we still see the deaths for Okonkwo and Edna as being honorable.  Though suicide is seen as an act of selfishness, these characters have allowed us to adapt that definition to being an act of selflessness.  I normally disagree with the act of suicide, but when I put myself in the place of these characters, I feel as if it is the right choice to make depending on the circumstances.  I’m sure others still continue to see suicide as being “bad”, but these novels have attempted to allow suicide to take upon a whole new meaning. 

Equal Opportunity?

When referring back to the essential questions we responded to prior to reading The Awakening, question number eight immediately grabbed my attention.  It raises the issue of whether or not we as a society have equality between genders.  Personally, I do trust that when compared to other countries around the world, we alone have become the closest to achieving parity among the sexes.  However, though at times I can still see America as being a “man’s world”, I am absolutely moved by the advancement of women. 

While women had formerly stayed at home to tend to the housework and children while their husbands went to their white or blue collar jobs, the whole situation has seemed to increasingly reverse itself through present day.   According to the Washington Post, there are an estimated 159,000 stay-at-home fathers in the United States to date; a number that has practically tripled in the last ten years.  It’s astonishing to think that while at one time women have gone from not even being allowed to vote, some are now even becoming politicians such as Sarah Palin (unfortunately), Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Polosi (also unfortunately). 

In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier can be seen as one of the women who tried to break the housewife trend.  During her time period of the late 1800s, it was almost unforeseen for a woman to move out of her house, mind you during a marriage, to live independently elsewhere.  She even had the guts to challenge her husband’s authority by insisting that she would follow her aspiration to be an artist and do as she would like.  Surprisingly, her obviously male physician, Doctor Mandelet, sided with Edna in her personal desires against the wishes of her husband.  Shortly after, her once dominating husband was no longer objectionable to her choice of lifestyle. He was likely seen by other men as being “henpecked”; a rarity of that time.

Of course, not all husbands approve of their wives idea of having personal freedom, as is seen in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns.  Mariam and Laila’s husband, Rasheed, a polygamist, puts his fist down and controls his wives’ every move; even their outward appearance.  Not only are his wives practically prisoners, but they are also constantly abused both verbally and physically throughout the entire novel.  Though this oppression may seem like something of the past, it is sadly still apparent in Middle Eastern society today.

A lot of our views on gender can be traced back to the media.  As stated in STS9’s song and documentary, Regeneration, “…And when you’re surrounded by an environment that way, you have to be shaped by that.  That’s how culture works; culture shapes identity, culture shapes how we understand the world.  So it’s not that we’re surrounded by media, what we’re surrounded by is commercialized media,”.  This idea that “culture shapes identity and how we understand the world” can be applied to the way men treat their wives in countries such as Afghanistan.  While we may wonder how so many women tolerate their lowly role in that society, we also need to realize that in theory, they are ignorant of their potential due to the environment in which they were raised.  In contrast, while such countries lack surrounding media, our country thrives off of it, and so, I believe that the media can take most of the blame for the gender roles we see today in our country; and sadly, we continue to listen, watch, and even enjoy the entertainment that concentrates the majority of its subject matter on women as “sex objects”.  Take the Rolling Stones’ song, Under My Thumb for instance: One verse includes the lines: "Under my thumb, a Siamese cat of a girl.  Under my thumb, she’s the sweetest, hmm, pet in the world.”  If a woman was not acquainted with the song, and read those lyrics, she would likely have a fit and label it as a “sexist” piece of material.  Nonetheless, despite the chauvinistic lyrics, women (my Mom and her sister included) still love Mick Jagger, and are still huge Stones’ fans.  

I do believe that as a country, the U.S. is moving toward equality between genders in a variety ways.  However, other countries around the world, and even some parts of our own society are still far from achieving this egalitarianism.  I do believe that women deserve more credit for their ideas and strength as individuals.  As an infamous bumper stick declares – “Well behaved women seldom make history”- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich  - However, for now, I believe that the preponderance of our concern should be attributed to that of other societies; mainly the underdeveloped countries in the world where, in many cases, women are deprived of even basic education and overall respect within their own society.  Still, I believe it is absolutely incredible to see that women are making their mark in contemporary society as they increasingly enter into the work force, and live independently without the need for male dominance.