Final Thoughts on Dialectic of Solitude

"It is during [adolescence] that we become aware of our singularity for the first time. But the dialectic of emotions intervenes once more: since adolescence is extreme self-consciousness, it can only be transcended by self-forgetfulness, by self-surrender. Therefore, solitude is not only a time of solitude but also of great romances, of heroism and sacrifice."(Paz, Octavio. Labyrinth of Solitude, 198.)

       Octavio Paz's essay "Dialectic of Solitude," was easily one of my favorite readings from this semester.  Paz's thoughts on loneliness and man's search for commonality were profound. He was accurate to the point that I was disturbed--does Octavio Paz know me? It sure seems like it. I recognized his descriptions on such a personal level, and because of that they resonated deeply with me.  I quickly felt like I trusted Paz, and he pulled me into his essay where he could teach me about myself and my fellow man. This essay was not written to inspire, I see it more as a detailed commentary on a singular aspect in the plight of mankind. The power in this essay comes from its effect in helping readers recognize our similarities. There is something powerful about coming to understand our universal need for validation, for acknowledgement, for communion.

         In closing, let me just say that the content we covered in IHUM260 was exceptional. I don't think that the purpose of this course was to give us a complete understanding of the humanities of Latin America. I do believe, however, that we were given an opportunity to experience a taste of Latin America through its media and recognize common themes. "Dialectic of Solitude" was just a snippet from this course, but it played an important role in helping me recognize that cultural elements, however different from region to region, stem from common human experience.

Becoming a Man Gives Life Meaning

"What makes a man a man?" (Hellboy, Dir. Guillermo del Toro, 2004.)

              Taking the story of a demon conjured by and rescued from nazis, director Guillermo del Toro successfully leveraged the ridiculous with the real in Hellboy. However fantastic and stylized, viewers can comfortably suspend their disbelief through Hellboy's journey because of the humanity Del Toro instilled in this character. Hellboy is magnetic, his story compelling and his actions believable because his "coming-of-age" process is consistent with Viktor Frankl's "will-to-meaning" theory.

       According to Frankl, an individual's primary motivational force is to find a purpose in life, directly opposing Freud's will-to pleasure theory and Adler's will-to-power theory. Frankl suggests that man needs meaning, and can discover it in the following ways:

1. by doing a deed
2. by encountering someone
3. by defining our attitude toward life

       The experiences that guide Hellboy to manhood fit Frankl's descriptions of experiences that guide one to meaning, man's ultimate purpose. Experiences that fit Frankl’s requirements and help Hellboy become a man include developing a relationship with Liz, overcoming Rasputin and the forces of darkness, and defining his attitude towards life (described in the words of Agent Myers as, "What makes a man a man? It’s the choices he makes--not how he starts them, but how he chooses to end them." 01:58:41.)

        Frankl suggests that when we find meaning in life by any of the three ways described, we can overcome depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, OCD, etc. Similarly, the process of becoming a man/finding purpose transforms Hellboy. His extreme self-consciousness in the beginning (evidenced by Agent Clay’s warning, "Don't stare at him, you'll make him angry... His horns! He files them to fit in!" 00:24:57.) is replaced with  self-assurance (evidenced by Hellboy telling Liz, "I wish I could do something about this *points to face* I can't,  but I can promise you two things: One, I'll always look this good, and two, I'll never give up on you." 01:29:39.) However absurd the premise, Hellboy’s journey to manhood and meaning harmonizes with reality. Having the experiences prescribed by Frankl transformed Hellboy in the ways they would any man, and thereby make a man out of Hellboy.

Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca in Bless Me, Ultima

"'Take the llano and the river valley, the moon and the sea, God and the golden carp-and make something new,' I said to myself" (Rudolpho Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima, 247.)

         Bless Me, Ultima, details Antonio's search for balance in his life. Living in a world of conflicting religious beliefs, family expectations, and the hopes of his mother and father, Antonio must reconcile the differences that confront him. Eventually, Antonio creates for himself a harmonious set of beliefs and balances the competing influences that make him who he is.

         For Antonio, the main source of internal conflict stems from his diverse heritage. His mother is of the Luna family--the people of the moon, religious farmers destined to homestead and till the land. Antonio's father is of the Marez clan--descendants of the sea, restless vaqueros who roam the llanos seeking adventure. These separate and opposing influences are effectively balanced by the end of the novel, much like the opposing mythical Aztec gods Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca.

           The god Quetzalcoatl is associated with priests, the acquisition of knowledge, and farming. In many ways, the equally powerful god, Tezcatlipoca, is seen as Quetzalcoatl’s counterpart. Tezcatlipoca is associated with the night winds, hurricanes, strife, and night. Constantly at odds, the rivalry between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca, as they jointly rule, mirrors the conflict between the Lunas and the Marez described in the novel. Not only can clear associations be made between both Quetzalcoatl and the Lunas and Tezcatlipoca and the Marez family, but their competition over the ownership of the world is comparative to the developing rift between the Lunas and Marez over who will “govern” Antonio’s future. Additionally, myth dictates that Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl eventually decided to rule the world in a partnership, accepting shared responsibility. The return to balance that results in their universe matches the peace that Antonio experiences, as demonstrated in the above quote, when he is finally able to reconcile the conflicting powers within himself.