Rudyard Kipling: A Matter of Fact
In the short story A Matter of Fact, there are three journalists aboard a vessel traveling around Cape Town African. After a series of strange phenomena, such as a foul odor surrounding the vessel, a beast emerges from the water. As all aboard the boat stare in amazement and wonder, it becomes apparent that this beast is injured. To add to the power and intensity of the situation, a second beast comes to comfort its dieing comrade. Concerning the beasts one journalists says, "It was not human, and it was certainly not animal, for it did not belong to this earth known to man", describing the creature before him. In some ways these creatures could represent the sublime as talked about in class. The sublime is overwhelming and awe inspiring. Just as the journalists are unable and weary to convince the world of what they saw, those who experience the sublime are unable to put into language their experience effectively. Our experiences with the sublime instil in us a sense of smallness, and they help to reduce our egos by showing us the magnificence and power of the spaces around us. Our encounters with the sublime teach us to be humble, as they allow for us to see our selves within the world around us.
- November 2, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment