Friday, December 17, 2010

The post-modern Everyman

After a conversation with a co-worker, I've reached the conclusion that the greatest example of the modern-day Everyman is this:

Arthur.  The Tick's timid yet level headed sidekick. He lives a rather mundane existence.  Some unknown part of him longs to break out,  for excitement, for intrigue.
He wants to be a hero.
Arthur.  A shining example of the post-modern everyman.

He is the voice of reason.  The Ego to the Tick's Mighty Blue Id (the pleasure principle being the joy The Tick derives from the unending fight for Good - Honk if you love Justice!)

Having set his goal and made his decisions, he faces battle, albeit reluctantly, screaming "Not in the face! Not in the face!"  He is torn between his safe, non-descript existence and his yearning for adventure.  Although he may appear a coward, Arthur is a realist.  He looks fear in the face and although he may cower, he still flies forth.

He embodies the crisis of masculinity.  He's brains over brawn.  In the Tick Vs. Arthur, he has difficulty negotiating his masculinity when it is given a new dimension.  He feels powerless, but his empathy with the little guy keeps him from embracing his darker tendencies.

I don't know where I was going with this, honestly. 

2 comments:

  1. omg THE TICK. i haven't thought/seen that show in forever!

    i don't care that you don't know where you were going with it, i still love this. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm sure your brain just wanted to remind you of the Tick's awesomeness :D
    I loved that cartoon back in the day!

    ReplyDelete

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