Emerson said himself, "To be great is to be misunderstood." A hard truth I've had to accept is that the true artist can only really be born out of some degree of suffering - inner, social, etc.; the best art is made by those who have felt like outsiders in some way, because they are better able to observe society's failings in an objective, clearsighted manner. But it does feel like it comes at a cost, though I think it's a blessing - to have experiences that no one else will ever have. You have seen corners of lives that a lot of people don't get to see, so the grass isn't always greener (I try to tell myself).
The harder truth for me to accept is that some great artists who may carry this sense of isolation and deep sensitivity also happen to be charismatic celebrities, and I think this can cause a huge cognitive dissonance that leads to inner desperation and conflict (I think of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Winehouse...).
I also think of Gatsby and Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, to harken back to characters your mentioned in Hitchock's film; in the Great Gatsby, everyone has this sense that because Gatsby is rich, handsome, and popular from all his parties, that he is a lucky man. Then we see Nick Carraway, who may come off as a "nerdy dweeb" to that social scene. But we soon discover Nick is actually the most acute, sensible character in the entire story, while Gatsby has this hidden decadence. I'd like to think the same applies in real life... even those people we think are so great, so lucky, who have it all - they're still human, and therefore they still err.
Hmm, that's a great reflection, and something I hadn't considered. There's something about being unpopular that forces one out of the limelight, and gives them a better opportunity to observe other people. Meanwhile if the stage lights are on you, you can't see anything, you have no real perspective other than what you imagine the audience to be doing.
There are certainly people who can be both charismatic and empathetic, and I think these are the people who share the limelight, who more often push other people to accept it, but when it is thrust upon them, they don't cower in false humility or bashfulness, but embrace the attention and rise to the call. People who prefer to listen rather than speak, but when they do speak, their words are profound because they have truly been listening and paying attention.
So thought provoking and necessary to get our priorities right! I need to rewatch this movie asap!!!
Emerson said himself, "To be great is to be misunderstood." A hard truth I've had to accept is that the true artist can only really be born out of some degree of suffering - inner, social, etc.; the best art is made by those who have felt like outsiders in some way, because they are better able to observe society's failings in an objective, clearsighted manner. But it does feel like it comes at a cost, though I think it's a blessing - to have experiences that no one else will ever have. You have seen corners of lives that a lot of people don't get to see, so the grass isn't always greener (I try to tell myself).
The harder truth for me to accept is that some great artists who may carry this sense of isolation and deep sensitivity also happen to be charismatic celebrities, and I think this can cause a huge cognitive dissonance that leads to inner desperation and conflict (I think of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Winehouse...).
I also think of Gatsby and Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, to harken back to characters your mentioned in Hitchock's film; in the Great Gatsby, everyone has this sense that because Gatsby is rich, handsome, and popular from all his parties, that he is a lucky man. Then we see Nick Carraway, who may come off as a "nerdy dweeb" to that social scene. But we soon discover Nick is actually the most acute, sensible character in the entire story, while Gatsby has this hidden decadence. I'd like to think the same applies in real life... even those people we think are so great, so lucky, who have it all - they're still human, and therefore they still err.
Really enjoyed this!
Hmm, that's a great reflection, and something I hadn't considered. There's something about being unpopular that forces one out of the limelight, and gives them a better opportunity to observe other people. Meanwhile if the stage lights are on you, you can't see anything, you have no real perspective other than what you imagine the audience to be doing.
There are certainly people who can be both charismatic and empathetic, and I think these are the people who share the limelight, who more often push other people to accept it, but when it is thrust upon them, they don't cower in false humility or bashfulness, but embrace the attention and rise to the call. People who prefer to listen rather than speak, but when they do speak, their words are profound because they have truly been listening and paying attention.