Surviving in the Wilderness
by S Edwards
When you do what is right in your heart, you tend to stand on the edge of the crowd, not pulled away by the consensus. To not be a part of the crowd separates you. It often leads you to be ridiculed and patronized by others.
It can be difficult to stand alone. Human nature tends to want and need to conform to a group. It is in this group they gain courage and comfort.
In the 1998 film, The Edge, with Anthony Hopkins, the character stands alone. Wealthy and handsome in his own right, he is however, outshone by his beautiful young model wife and her friends.
Cast together in the wilderness, on a photo shoot in Alaska, (Charles) Anthony Hopkins has his common sense and knowledge ‘teased’ by a trendier more lively crowd, where image and fun mock the more noble qualities of his character. He remains quiet, yet aware. Good-humoured in their antics. He is however suspicious, and his suspicions boil down to his own cross in life, and that of mans love for money, fame and recognition.
It is an excellent ‘observation’ in how to not resent those who mock and terrorize you.
Tragedy always comes, and it is in this film that strength of character has its day.
Surviving a plane crash, the small team of survivors are left to go it alone. Without food, warmth or shelter, the qualities they need to survive are going to have to come from within. During the whole escapade, their plight is tested by a killer bear who continually treks them for supper.
It is interesting that despite their dependence on the older and more wiser of the group, the character of Charles, continues to be mocked. The group, bond to him on occasion, but more often than not are embarrassed by their own weakness, and react in the only way they know how to, with anger and ridicule.
How true is it, that at times I have thought my ways are better than those of common-sense. How often have I fell flat on my face thinking that I know what is best for me, rather than listen to the reason and voice of sense?
Our passage is continually hindered by that which we run away from, and it is in this film that the survivors, encouraged by Charles, do confront, rather than run, from their biggest fear, the bear. His power is ‘seemingly’ bigger than theirs, his strength more mighty and destructive.
The character, of Charles, is exasperating to those who give up at the first hurdle. His continued resilience, his overcoming, his forgiveness, his continued outstretched hand to help others up is rejected time and time again. Yet it is at the very end, he is called out to.
How much easier and free would lives be if they did not leave it to the very end to call out and acknowledge the one who can see the way out of the wilderness.
The whole harrowing adventure in the wilderness is survived by the ones who stand on the edge of the crowd, who listen to what they know is right, and carry it through. Mistakes are made along the way, but if you hang on to an invisible hand that is somehow leading, a strength appears, you make it out.
It is in the final scene, Anthony Hopkins ‘thanks’ the fallen comrades for helping save his life. Despite the ridicule, the miss-haps, the betrayal and lies, he is a better man, and they played a part in helping him see and realize this.
To stand on the edge means you have to stand alone, on the outside of the crowd, often ridiculed and made to doubt your common-sense, by those who sometimes appear more clever. Despite your many obvious attributes, such as looks or wealth, the crowd will always find ways to ridicule you, with youth, status and charm. There is always someone who ‘appears’ bigger chasing you, in this film represented by the killer bear. Holding ground, remaining still to something bigger than ourselves, is the only chance of survival. The only way out of the wilderness…It is then we do not get killed by the bear...... It is then we do not die in shame…..We are connected to someone so much bigger. He can lead us through deserts and oceans, and has no problem in helping us, if we listen to His voice.
When you do what is right in your heart, you tend to stand on the edge of the crowd, not pulled away by the consensus. To not be a part of the crowd separates you. It often leads you to be ridiculed and patronized by others.
It can be difficult to stand alone. Human nature tends to want and need to conform to a group. It is in this group they gain courage and comfort.
In the 1998 film, The Edge, with Anthony Hopkins, the character stands alone. Wealthy and handsome in his own right, he is however, outshone by his beautiful young model wife and her friends.
Cast together in the wilderness, on a photo shoot in Alaska, (Charles) Anthony Hopkins has his common sense and knowledge ‘teased’ by a trendier more lively crowd, where image and fun mock the more noble qualities of his character. He remains quiet, yet aware. Good-humoured in their antics. He is however suspicious, and his suspicions boil down to his own cross in life, and that of mans love for money, fame and recognition.
It is an excellent ‘observation’ in how to not resent those who mock and terrorize you.
Tragedy always comes, and it is in this film that strength of character has its day.
Surviving a plane crash, the small team of survivors are left to go it alone. Without food, warmth or shelter, the qualities they need to survive are going to have to come from within. During the whole escapade, their plight is tested by a killer bear who continually treks them for supper.
It is interesting that despite their dependence on the older and more wiser of the group, the character of Charles, continues to be mocked. The group, bond to him on occasion, but more often than not are embarrassed by their own weakness, and react in the only way they know how to, with anger and ridicule.
How true is it, that at times I have thought my ways are better than those of common-sense. How often have I fell flat on my face thinking that I know what is best for me, rather than listen to the reason and voice of sense?
Our passage is continually hindered by that which we run away from, and it is in this film that the survivors, encouraged by Charles, do confront, rather than run, from their biggest fear, the bear. His power is ‘seemingly’ bigger than theirs, his strength more mighty and destructive.
The character, of Charles, is exasperating to those who give up at the first hurdle. His continued resilience, his overcoming, his forgiveness, his continued outstretched hand to help others up is rejected time and time again. Yet it is at the very end, he is called out to.
How much easier and free would lives be if they did not leave it to the very end to call out and acknowledge the one who can see the way out of the wilderness.
The whole harrowing adventure in the wilderness is survived by the ones who stand on the edge of the crowd, who listen to what they know is right, and carry it through. Mistakes are made along the way, but if you hang on to an invisible hand that is somehow leading, a strength appears, you make it out.
It is in the final scene, Anthony Hopkins ‘thanks’ the fallen comrades for helping save his life. Despite the ridicule, the miss-haps, the betrayal and lies, he is a better man, and they played a part in helping him see and realize this.
To stand on the edge means you have to stand alone, on the outside of the crowd, often ridiculed and made to doubt your common-sense, by those who sometimes appear more clever. Despite your many obvious attributes, such as looks or wealth, the crowd will always find ways to ridicule you, with youth, status and charm. There is always someone who ‘appears’ bigger chasing you, in this film represented by the killer bear. Holding ground, remaining still to something bigger than ourselves, is the only chance of survival. The only way out of the wilderness…It is then we do not get killed by the bear...... It is then we do not die in shame…..We are connected to someone so much bigger. He can lead us through deserts and oceans, and has no problem in helping us, if we listen to His voice.
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