Sunday, August 14, 2011

Bonnie and Clyde: Why do we love them?

Many, many years ago, when the movie Bonnie and Clyde appeared both the critics and public went wild for it. As I did. But my sister, brighter than me was irritated by such enthusiasm. Four years older than me, she had been aware of the real villains they were and she resented the notion that killers should be so lionized. Of course, I was annoyed with her because she, gratuitously, had demolished my pleasure in the film. OK, the many many years have passed and the other day I briefly glanced at a movie about Billy-the-Kid and my sister's frown flashed into my head. Another sympathetic portrayal of a killer. Of course, I could not watch that film but this time my brain held on to the reality that some really bad people have gotten amazing public approval.

Recently, a flight attendant, miffed by a passenger's behavior opened an escape hatch and slid down the inflated ramp to get away. In a minor way he had run amok, but his behavior surely was inappropriate. But, a segment of our peace loving law abiding public cheered for him, praised him for “sticking it to the man.” And there was the young man who committed petty crimes and eluded the police for a very long time. Again, the people cheered. Jesse James had admiring songs written about him: “He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor” enlightened the world about his nobility. Forgot that he was a robber and killer. The ancient general, Alexander, went off and killed people over a wide swath of the earth and is called “the Great.” The great killer would seem more appropriate.

With the advent of popular media, in particular movies, we have thrust upon us the same sorts of hero, all cut from the same cloth. First, they are loners, isolates. They have little regard for the general run of humanity but often wind up, albeit reluctantly, eliminating social miscreants. 007 is licensed to kill whenever he deems it appropriate because his cause is just. Second, they have little regard for the laws of the land or common concern for ordinary social behavior. Car chases are fun to watch, but try counting up the laws they break and the property they damage. If their supervisors take note, they can put up only feeble objections. Watching police dramas is hair-raising. Dirty Harry has little regard for anything except his own version of justice. And, The Godfather glorifies criminal behavior. Show the good guys in the worst possible light and the bad guys as if they are paragons of virtue.

What is it about the public, you and me, that gets us to pay money to see such stories. Clearly, the “good guys” act almost without restraint and in the real world would face significant jail time; why do we always want more?

I think that Americans have a powerful sense that their lives are constrained by forces outside their control and long for “freedom.” Get up, breakfast, clean up, go to work, come home deal with wife and kids and go to sleep. This is repeated day after day until whatever end is in store. Thoreau said that most people live lives of quiet desperation and have no way to change that existence and why should this be so?

The human animal came into existence in wildly different circumstances from current existence. Life was dangerous and was physical. Hunting occupied much of its time, and it was dangerous. Evolution shaped us to fight or run,
procreate and survive. It is hard to imagine that early humans were ever bored. We are engaged in the same demands, but in civilization which has separated us from what our bodies were designed for. We need action, but our lives are designed to keep us under control lest we upend the social contract. So, we love the outlaws, we smoke, drink, dope ourselves up, get on campaigns to remove life's restrictions i.e. Tea Party, anything for freedom. London is in flames as is the Near East. American soldiers are coming home from war and cannot find jobs, a dangerous mix.

We better wise up. Civilization is all we have and we better learn to love it.

1 comment:

Rainbow said...

sister smarter....hmmmm

are we civilized? interesting idea

enjoyed this very much