R.D. Laing’s Knots explores the intricate and paradoxical patterns of human relationships and thought through poetic vignettes. Highlighting the self-reinforcing nature of psychological struggles, Laing illustrates how these “knots” entangle us, often preventing growth and understanding. Rooted in existential psychology, the work subtly invokes the concept of metanoia, suggesting that true transformation arises from acknowledging and embracing these paradoxes.
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Croupier: A Cinematic Exploration of “Hold on Tightly, Let Go Lightly”
Mike Hodges’ noir masterpiece, Croupier, is a taut exploration of control, loss, and identity set against the backdrop of a casino. Through the saying “hold on tightly, let go lightly”, uttered by its enigmatic protagonist, the film captures the delicate balance between ambition and detachment, crafting a narrative that is as much about gambling as it is about the gamble of life.
Continue readingExploring the Wilderness: A Comparative Study of Warlock by Oakley Hall, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, Sorcerer, and Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me by Richard Fariña
This article delves into the uncharted territories of human survival, morality, and existential dread through a comparative analysis of Warlock by Oakley Hall, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, the film Sorcerer, and Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me by Richard Fariña. Although set in vastly different landscapes and eras—from the lawless American West to the countercultural 1960s and the brutal South American jungle—these works converge on themes of rebellion, chaos, and the limits of human endurance. Through shared influences and resonant themes, this article unravels how each narrative confronts the human struggle for meaning in worlds that seem determined to thwart it.
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