Reading a bit like Iron John at times, Erikson places great emphasis on a man’s relationship with his father. In describing Luther’s, he quotes a passage from Tom Wolfe:
From the beginning . . . the idea, the central legend that I wished my book to express had not changed. And this central idea was this: the deepest search in life, it seemed to me, the thing that in one way or another was central to all living was man’s search to find a father, not merely the father of his flesh, not merely the lost father of his youth, but the image of a strength and wisdom external to his need and superior to his hunger, to which the belief and power of his own life could be united.
-Thomas Wolfe, The Story of a Novel, p.39
I suspect there is a LOT of truth wrapped up in this.
Possibly Related posts:
Entries (RSS)
March 16th, 2010 at 3:46 PM
I find it odd that the thing humanity craves most is something bigger than himself and as soon as he finds it, he wants to rebel against it and be the biggest thing in his world… where he once again finds himself craving something bigger. It seems the neverending search for the Father and subsequent proving he doesn’t exist takes up more time and attention than just about any other subject.
March 16th, 2010 at 3:55 PM
That’s a really interesting way to put it.
The subsequent beating him down or proving he doesn’t exist though is not necessary. You can rest in peace before that.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:53 PM
I agree. Give in to the craving! Let God be God, and let us go on to do other things with our time and energy!