Finally saw Spiderman 2 tonight

[pegkerr]

Twice.

What is my responsibility?

And how can I arrange my life so that I can live up to it?

Watching that movie on top of reading The Silmarillion all week and consequently thinking nonstop about heroes is probably rather dangerous.

Comments

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

Somewhere in my current paper journal are three pages of handwriting outlining why being talented as a writer was like being a superhero. It made perfect sense at the time. I've been struggling with this same question for a while, myself, and must agree: tolkien and comic book heroes in heavy doses can make one feel very small and futile.

[kate_nepveu]

There's been a lot of interesting discussion in blogs about the movie's take on responsibilities (and guilt and motivation and love)--there are some links starting in this comment to my post talking about the movie, if you don't mind spoilers for comic-book continuity.

It is a topic that lends itself to some multi-faceted questions.

[bobhowe.livejournal.com]

Peg, I was going to say you have two (incredible, peerles) daughters and you're a writer: that should be enough responsibility for anyone (and too much for me, personally).

But you know what? There will be plenty of people who'll be glad to tell you what your responsibilities are, or should be. Emerson's Self Reliance comes to mind:

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think. This rule, equally arduous in actual and in intellectual life, may serve for the whole distinction between greatness and meanness. It is the harder, because you will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

What is my responsibility?

Sure, ask the easy questions. *g*

I don't know what your responsibility is, but I tend to think of mine in superhero terms too--my responsibility is to use my powers for good.

Which means trying to leave the world better than I found it, I think.

Superheroes united for a better tomorrow--

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link! Some good meaty discussions here that have given me much to think about.

[kate_nepveu]

Glad to hear it. I personally think it isn't nearly as simple a question that the movie suggests.

[dejaspirit.livejournal.com]

I think that having children and not leaving them out on the side on the road with a "free to good home" sign on their foreheads should probably fall under some category for heroism.

No worries, Peg.