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BZ
Jul 22, 2024 15:59:15 GMT
Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jul 22, 2024 15:59:15 GMT
Pulling this from the secondary article for this week, so credit due elsewhere, but many critics have read the character BZ as an abbreviated version of Beelzebub-- which is to say, in Christian understanding, a demon or perhaps the chief demon, Lucifer or the Devil.
This would make a great deal of sense, as BZ seems to be constantly around Maria scheming, accusing, beguiling, etc.-- and (spoiler) at the end seems to tempt Maria with the opportunity to kill herself with sleeping pills.
That makes two consecutive texts in which we've seen some sort of devilry, witchcraft, etc. Not what I would have expected from texts that are largely secular in nature, and set in the "God is dead" period....I do wonder how this fits into existentialism, and existential theology?
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BZ
Jul 24, 2024 21:37:04 GMT
Post by mjunious on Jul 24, 2024 21:37:04 GMT
I did not make that connection until I read the secondary text but found it fascinating! In some instances, it strengthens the "God is dead" argument because it is not always the faith in a higher power that pulls the characters through; Binx is a good example of this in my opinion. On the other hand I think it widens the splintering of the schism between the Christian existentialists and the atheist existentialists. Although not necessarily promoting a faith in a Judeo-Christian God, texts like Bless Me, Ultima, and, maybe an argument can be made for Winter in the Blood, do seem to point to the positivity of exploration of an individual's acceptance of a certain spirituality.
With the BZ and Maria dynamic, I felt that writers like Didion looked to these older beliefs and stories as allegories that can be applied, secularly, to navigating difficult times on an individual's life, where prior to the "'God is dead' period", the stories were only meant to be read literally.
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BZ
Jul 24, 2024 21:38:57 GMT
Post by reluedders on Jul 24, 2024 21:38:57 GMT
I think this is an interesting idea. I have long argued with someone close to me that in order for him to denounce the presence of God, that he in fact had to acknowledge that his presence is possible. Also, just because people don't believe in God, doesn't mean that they don't believe in the idea of both evil and good beings. Lastly, we have so many things in this world, like witchcraft, that we don't understand. I've spoke with people that don't believe in God per se, but they believe that there are things in this world that they can't explain. Maybe these authors are recognizing that fact, even though they are writing in the "God is Dead" era.
I'm not sure if I'm making sense or not, I'm sorry.
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BZ
Jul 24, 2024 22:05:54 GMT
Post by connorswauger on Jul 24, 2024 22:05:54 GMT
Pulling this from the secondary article for this week, so credit due elsewhere, but many critics have read the character BZ as an abbreviated version of Beelzebub-- which is to say, in Christian understanding, a demon or perhaps the chief demon, Lucifer or the Devil. This would make a great deal of sense, as BZ seems to be constantly around Maria scheming, accusing, beguiling, etc.-- and (spoiler) at the end seems to tempt Maria with the opportunity to kill herself with sleeping pills. That makes two consecutive texts in which we've seen some sort of devilry, witchcraft, etc. Not what I would have expected from texts that are largely secular in nature, and set in the "God is dead" period....I do wonder how this fits into existentialism, and existential theology? I had also read from other sources that saw BZ as a closeted homosexual who is only in his marriage with Helene to keep up his appearances. He and Helene are being paid by Carlotta to stay together. He also keeps referencing the “game”, which I assume to be life. From this information, I would think that in an existential lens, BZ is plagued by anomie. He is living in a world where being a gay man is heavily looked down upon and without seeing a way to live authentically, he feels disconnected from society and his excitement for life. I’m thinking that him offering the pills to Maria was also to offer her a way out of her “game”. |
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BZ
Jul 24, 2024 23:54:40 GMT
Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jul 24, 2024 23:54:40 GMT
Wow, if we read it that way, BZ becomes a much more sympathetic, even a tragic figure! I suppose that would also lend further credence to the idea that appearances can be deceiving, and that people cannot live authentic lives, as you mention.
Interesting that so many of these different readings can exist at once...
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