Applying Movie Philosophies to Life
I'm back...and I brought a soapbox with me.
Last weekend I watched the 1966 film, "A Man for All Seasons".
In a nutshell, it's about Sir Thomas More, the 16th Century Lord Chancellor of England, who was persecuted for refusing to condone the actions, namely the divorces, of King Henry VIII.
The plot is much more complicated than that, but like I said, it's the nutshell version.
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| Have you ever seen a soap box? If the phrase was coined today, would we all be talking abut climbing up on our milk crates? You can buy one of those here, but you can't buy a soap box,,,at least not one big enough to stand on. |
As I watched this movie, I realized that as a people, we haven't come too far from where we were then. The king wanted Sir Thomas' approval and Sir Thomas refused. He agreed to not speak against the king, but that wasn't enough. The king wanted his blessing.
The king didn't need Sir Thomas' permission. He was the king. Free to do pretty much whatever he wanted. Perhaps a guilty conscience made him feel the need to strong-arm everyone into mental submission. I'm not sure, but I will say, God help anyone, including the devout Sir Thomas, if they weren't willing to yield and walk in lock-step with the king's opinion.
Okay, so right now, you're probably thinking...wait, no one (in the free world) gets beheaded anymore for not agreeing with the king.
That's true.
But take a moment and look at the hatefulness on social media. Watch how people with opposing opinions start swinging verbal axes trying to force their opposition into agreement.
It gets ugly out there. On all sides.
As Voltaire most eloquently probably didn't ever say*, "I may not agree with what you say, but I would defend to the death your right to say it."
*This famous quote has never been found in any of Voltaire's writings or letters. It is a a quote, most likely coined by Evelyn Beatrice Hall and mistakenly attributed to Voltaire in her book, Friends of Voltaire.
I have a good thing!!
My short story, Mind Body Soul, will be included in the upcoming IWSG Anthology!
I’m really excited to get to be part of this! After a summer of reading short works like Annalisa Crawford's You. I. Us and Yolanda Renee's When Zombies Attack: Tales of Horror and Romance, I felt inspired and decided to try my hand at short stories. I'm not going to lie. Writing short stories is in many ways, much harder than novel writing. In a short story, words have to be chosen more carefully. Gone is the luxury of lengthy explanations, yet that same story arc that rules over the novel must unfold. The beginning, the middle, and the end. No meandering stops along the way...all that lovely purple novelist can paint along the way is stripped. Short tales must be honed and the fluff and stuff must be applied succinctly.
It was a challenge I was always hesitant to try, but I'm glad I did. I'm happy to join the 11 other talented authors in the up-coming Hero Lost anthology!
Thank you to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, the judges and Freedom Fox Press, a division of Dancing Lemur Press, for this wonderful opportunity.
Hero Lost
Mysteries of Life and Death
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Can a lost hero find redemption?
What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?
Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these twelve tales will take you into the heart of heroes who have fallen from grace. Join the journey and discover a hero’s redemption!
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Glad you tried as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, as some say, have an open mind and believe what you will, just as long as those beliefs line up with mine... Glad I've avoided most of the ugly.
And even if I don't agree with someone, I can still be polite.
DeleteI'm honoured to be a tiny part of your inspiration to try short stories - they are my heart and soul, novels on the other hand are sooooo hard for me! And it's so awesome that your story was selected :-)
ReplyDeleteI noticed as I was writing this post that I even patterned my title after your book. It was such a great collection of tales. It really stuck with me!
DeleteNever argue with a fool and things can be avoided haha but yeah, humans haven't come far, we've just gotten better at faking being more civilized.
ReplyDeleteAnd people who are firmly entrenched in their beliefs aren't just going to switch sides because you call them names. You lure more flies with honey than with vinegar.
DeleteI'm keeping my head down, doing my own thing....
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the story! :)
Same here. And since I'm not the ultimate authority on anything, the world will never miss my opinions on politics, etc.
DeleteWe were taught about Thomas Moore in school....didn't like history much.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Elizabeth.
Yvonne.
I love history. I'd rather got to a museum over Disney World. But I am a huge nerd...
DeleteI'm excited to read your short story!
ReplyDeleteLove the quote, even if it isn't Thomas Moore. :)
I think it definitely applies to our world today.
And I can't wait to read yours!
DeleteI do think it applies today more than ever. Freedom of thought and speech must be protected.
I agree that Social media is getting a bit ugly out there...all the more reason to spread the love even more:)
ReplyDeleteHugs all around. :)
DeleteI think the sides are too fundamentally different to ever agree. And they shouldn't. No group has the right to force its ideas or lifestyles on others. That will be unacceptable forever. Congrats on your anthology selection! It's a great looking cover! Have a lovely weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. And I see stuff posted I don't agree with, so I scroll on past. (Now, I am not opposed to discussing an issue without the name calling and insults, but I find that a rare thing on social media.)
DeleteI saw that movie when it came out in '66, but I can't remember much about it, other than I loved it at the time. When I started reading your post, I thought you were dipping your toe into today's political climate. Kinda the same, except for our "king" hasn't cut off any heads of people who disagree with him. (yet)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your short story being chosen for the anthology. That's so cool! The cover looks amazing, too. Can't wait to read it!
I have no desire to dip my toe in politics. For one, I would have a hard time finding a politician worth fighting for...
Deletei loved your blogs as it owns a beautiful name theme and sharing !
ReplyDeleteold movies are soul consuming ,i like them .Elizabeth Taylor and Anthony Quinn and few more who's names are have slipped at the moment were my favorite .Roman holiday ! i saw it many times though due be much busy i did not see movies since long but you provoked me friend .
I love old movies too. I have never seen Roman Holiday, so you have given me one to add to my list. I'm glad you like the blog. :)
DeleteLiz, you haven't noticed the people being beheaded by Isis because they don't agree with them? Nothings changed, just different sects/people/religions. Not only that, I wouldn't be too sure. Trump is already talking about water boarding!!!!
ReplyDeleteI made the edit to free world- I did think of places like that. Freedom of speech is a right we should protect and cherish. Many don't have the luxury.
DeleteYAY for the anthology. I can't wait to read it!!! As for the social media fighting, it's exhausting. And has anyone EVER changed their mind on anything based on Facebook fighting? I don't think so. I mean, some of the messages might get through, but not the ones that are shouted at you.
ReplyDeleteThat's it exactly! I have had reasonable people change my mind on issues. I have never been swayed by people who call me idiot. LOL
DeleteCongrats on the Anthology!!! I must say Facebook is getting or has gotten to a ridiculous point!! It's out-of-control-Bashing, criticizing, and all out nasty-nasty! Too much fake news and people are ill-informed. Needless to say, I don't get involved with politics on social media sites.
ReplyDeleteI usually just scroll right on past the ugly, but every now and then it catches my eye. It gets pretty hateful.
DeleteAt least beheading is quick and final, lol. Social media hating and shaming is worse. I've seen some horrible things on there. Makes me want to delete my FB profile and just get my news the old fashioned-paper way. Not sure that's much better though.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your anthology acceptance. I'm looking forward to reading it.
I liked it a whole lot better when it was kid updates and pet pictures.
DeleteI like your take on beheading...you definitely know how to see the bright sode of bad situations. That's a good skill.
Congrats on the short story!!!! I agree about social media. I've been posting news stories because I think it's important to be informed but I've given up on interacting on opinions. Thoughtful discussion is just not possible on FB feeds, not sure why. I think having two news streams that call each other fake news doesn't help, but that's where we are. We're all in this together though, even if we don't agree on anything else.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with posting information or even posting an opinion. What I hate is the lack of respect. I'll read some of the posts and comments and I wonder...would some of these people say this stuff to someone's face? Sadly, some probably would.
DeleteMy motto: Stay away from the herd, read the facts and make your own best decisions. Always act as if your grandmother were at your side.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the story in the anthology, Elizabeth. I'm excited to read it when it comes out.
You're such a smart lady!
DeleteNo, in some ways, humanity hasn't come a long way, but I do love that quote. Congratulations on your story! :)
ReplyDeleteNo, we have not. We still want to beat anyone who doesn't agree with us over the head...or chop off their heads.
DeleteCongrats on getting your story in! I can't wait to read it. I simply steer away from the social media and forcing of opinions. I'm a fact person and usually contrary to everyone anyway ;) I'm told that comes with age...Lol!
ReplyDeleteBeing fact lead is the best way to go. I never want to be a mouth piece for a party or an ideology. Blind loyalty has been a historic path to destruction over and over.
DeleteCongrats on making the anthology Liz! Yes indeed it has become perilous times to have an opinion. You either soldier on or duck for cover.
ReplyDeleteI suppose we should be very thankful that we just get beat up with words. Like Jo said, some people on this planet still have to live in fear of beheadings.
DeleteWoohoo. Congratulations to you and the others. That's awesome, and I really like the cover. I have a really tough time writing short stories. All the more reason to admire you.
ReplyDeleteYeah, too much ugliness. I won't tolerate opposing views when those views are racist or hateful or otherwise destructive to humanity. But for every friend I lose in the virtual world, I seem to gain one or two. I'm better off.
Cheers and Mai Tais all around.
I agree. You don't have to agree to remain human. Or so one would think...
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