the dark knight

It's true. My favorite superhero is Batman. But, I am not alone in the world. The record breaking $158.3 million gross profit of the movie just after it's first weekend at the box office proves my point. The fact of the matter is that the world wants a superhero, and the best ones are apparently in films. So, what do people do? They watch and wonder as good triumphs evil every time.

I went to the Renoir theater today, the English theater, and watched as Heath Ledger pinpointed the ultimate fear of all people: chaos. As I watched, albeit a bit disturbed by the twisted reality unfolding before me, I kept thinking about how bizarre and true is his ploy. He has no purpose save to create chaos. He has no plan, save chanting "c'est la vie" to every unfortunate happenstance. How sad that he lives without purpose. But, my question is, how many people watching him could relate to him? In how many hearts did he trigger a sense of distress and a sense of emptiness? I fear that all too many people suffer from a sense of disconnect, though perhaps not as grave as the Joker's.

Then, there's Batman: not a hero, but 'whatever Gotham needs him to be.' He is constant, he is above and beyond comprehension. He loves his city and does everything in his power to keep the peace. But, sometimes, the people don't understand his methods, right? How many times do we not understand His ways? He is always out for our best, but we, in our self-righteous indignation, assume that we have the priority and control over our own world. Not true. Unfortunately, the night lights up evil, and we must pay all the more attention to what is good so that we are guarded against the onslaught of evil. We cannot assume that we have the answer. He has the answers, because He knows us better than we know ourselves.

I know I am babbling about Batman, but it was such a remarkable film, and you know how I am about analyzing things. Can you imagine a world without evil? Can you imagine a world without good? They are the warring powers that never rest. Their energy is seemingly eternal and forever vying for our attention. Think only of this: to what do you give your attention?
That which has your attention has control over you.

For the people in Gotham, 'the greater good' had their attention in the moment of crisis, and they conquered the darkness because they had faith in something greater.

For the people in France, 'the self' has their attention at all times. The sense of autonomy is a bit strange to me, although I know it's familiar to most Americans. People do what they 'feel' like doing. How strange. There is a misplaced sense of purpose pervading the economy (lead by Nicolas Sarkozy, President, at the moment), an unfortunate lack of faith, and a death grip on history, all of which are barriers to being able to live for other people. For me, a foreigner, I am so often surprising to people when I offer to help them or even to just smile at a passer-by on the street. It is unheard of here, but I love being me, so I'm alright with it.

I am passing my last few days abroad and I am enjoying every moment. The English lessons with the boys are more intense and longer these days simply because they are starting school soon. I am excited to close this chapter only to begin a brand new adventure on the west coast. The family here has my attention for now. I like being able to help them. The world is full of people who just refuse to lift a finger because they have never seen beyond themselves. I can't imagine living a life for myself. I am subconsciously selfish enough. I don't need to add to it, ya know?

So, to what do you give your attention?