Atlas in Greek mythology is a titan, groups that came before Olympians, but were defeated by the Olympians. Atlas is thought to be holding up the weight of the World, actually this is inaccurate. When the titans were banished Atlas damned to hold up the sky and keep it separated from the earth titan Gaia, because the two were in love. In American Culture as to me Atlas is burdened to hold an unbearable weight, as many of us are. Our weight is usually in the form of a secret, whether it is our own or that of a friend we will always have this massive weight on our shoulders. It can also come in the form of stress, when we stress about school, family, frustrations, etc…it can feel like we are being weighted down. Atlas should not only be thought of the weight that we can’t bare, but the weight that we would gladly bare so that others might not have to. Yes he was damned to carry this weight, but he does so diligently and unwavering; even though the weight brings him to one knee, he does not drop it, he does not complain, he presses on and perseveres. Perseverance is defined by Webster’s as to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly. This is exactly what Atlas personifies.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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These are my favorite sentences: "Atlas is burdened to hold an unbearable weight, as many of us are... Atlas should not only be thought of the weight that we can’t bare, but the weight that we would gladly bare so that others might not have to. Yes he was damned to carry this weight, but he does so diligently and unwavering; even though the weight brings him to one knee, he does not drop it, he does not complain, he presses on and perseveres."
ReplyDeleteI think they're excellent examples of the power of reflective sentences. I love the way that you include in them the bit about the weight of the sky bringing him to one knee: imagery within reflection. Beautiful! "The weight that we would gladly bear so that others might not have to" is especially useful reflection, helping to remind us of where we'd all be if the sky were allowed to follow his passion and fall down onto the earth.