Cultural Theory: The Individual and Society in Modernity

Tradition v Modernity

OWEN PARABLE OF THE OLD MAN AND THE YOUNG -

 

ANIMATED CLIP OF THE STORY OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC.

ABRAHAM, THE FATHER OF ISAAC, WAS TOLD BY GOD THAT HE MUST KILL HIS SON AS A SACRIFICE (INSTEAD OF THE USUAL LAMB OR RAM).

THIS TERRIBLE DEED WOULD PROVE THAT HE LOVED GOD.

AS ABRAHAM PREPARED TO KILL HIS SON GOD SENT AN ANGEL TO STOP HIM AND HE KILLED A RAM INSTEAD AND OFFERED IT TO GOD AS PROOF OF HIS LOVE.

In Owen's poem the final couplet demonstrates a contrast with the original bible story.

The old generals and politicians and the gods of war devoured a whole generation of young men who were sacrificed on the altars of nationalism and modern mechanised war.     

Disabled by Wilfred Owen

'Strange Meeting' a short film by Mike Stephenson

Rabbit-Proof Fence (Australia 2002)

19. Philip Roth, The Human Stain