Flush It Friday: A Fish That Breaches The Water’s Surface
“Struggle, contend, wriggle. That alone is the sword of one who confronts death!”
In times as strange as these, we can find hope and inspiration in equally strange places. Throughout the last few years, few pieces of art have resonated with me as much as Berserk. Despite the story’s extreme-grim-dark ethos, Guts’ struggle against the forces of causality and fate is one that fills me (and many others) with a hope akin to Albert Camus‘ seminal “The Myth of Sisyphus.” In that way, Berserk is incredibly existential, asking the reader/viewer to contemplate the nature of fate and the power it takes to struggle against it.
Frankly, the uphill battles throughout the various arcs that make up the manga would make even Sisyphus break down in tears. I don’t wish to spoil the events of the books for those who wish to read it (content warning: this story is incredibly violent and morose, containing themes of violence and S/A) but, as the tyrannical forces around us become more and more openly hostile, it’s made me think long and hard about the themes that Kentaro Miura placed in his life’s work.
Throughout the events of the Golden Age arc and beyond, we see what I would consider various philosophical musings that play out within the Band of the Hawk, a group of mercenaries led by the charismatic Griffith. We see the Nietzschean concept of the “Will to Power;” how the desire for this will drives man to the highs of self-actualization and the lows of oppressive violence (think of the difference between Kraft and Macht in Nietzsche’s work). In this way, I find Guts’ struggle against the forces of the Godhand to be a purposeful dichotomy between these visions of the concept. Nietzsche’s work was infamously misused as justification by Nazis and other fascistic forces, so to see this story, in a way, acknowledge this dichotomy gives us insight on the power struggle between the opposing “dreams.”
But, for those who have been downtrodden by immense forces, this battle can seem just as hopeless as the fight Guts engages in. Throughout the story, everything is taken from him as he constantly fights off nearly-invulnerable demons. Fate itself is playing out against Guts in his journey, making it seem as if his arduous efforts are for naught.
Yet, he persists.
A mysterious being named Skeleton Knight often gives the main party cryptic prophecies on the winds of causality. He uses the metaphor of the moon’s reflection on the water to describe the unbreakable chains of fate, as no fish in the stream can break the moon’s reflection. Yet, upon seeing the might of Guts’ will, he concedes that “a fish in the water can break the surface and create ripples, obscuring the moon’s reflection for a moment.” Guts chooses to forge his own path forward and is able to, if only for a short while, inflict his own power onto fate and the malignant forces who are destined to be victorious.
Maybe it’s wishful thinking that the forces that hold us down can be broken in such a way, but I believe we have the power to take care of our own and forge our own paths forward in time. There’s an amazing clip from the ’97 adaptation where Guts, speaking to Casca far before the worst would come, admits to not knowing why he fights. All he’s ever known is battle and combat, his sword is the only thing allowing him to survive. Even still, he desperately desires to fight for his own purpose. We find that purpose in those we care about, the people and things we care most deeply about, as Guts does in the people he fights alongside. That purpose is something we all desire and, maybe someday, that purpose will carry us forward through the most insurmountable challenges.
In Guts’ own words: “Anyway, I imagine this all sounds pretty dumb. I’m sorry I brought it up, I’m not really sure why I did.”
Let’s get on with the summary of the week!!!
TMP from JQN STK and TTT from RDS
Stevo gets the spins from Messa‘s latest effort:
Funnily enough, Iron Goddess is thinking about absurdity too; considering the new Dead Chasm premiere:
The Podcast People(TM) better “Stop!” making fun of Perry Farrell before he gets violent:
Iron Goddess hits round two with mondo-video band Golem of Gore, asking the brave question – what if Impetigo was a the kinda band that screams “GETDAFUKUP” before a breakdown:
Reliquary Tower and Falxifer teamed up for a Deafheaven double feature:
Well, that’s all for the Ghoul. Drop your GBU below, even if I know what your B and/or U are for this week.
