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The world is full of cruelty, and the issue of violence’s origins occupies many minds. Trying to explain the reasons for the prevalence of the problem, professor of Biblical Interpretation Walter Wink introduced the concept of the myth of redemptive violence in his works. Wink discusses how the theme of redemptive violence has become the basis for narratives and plots in the past and modern world. His interpretation of the violence problem is of interest for its study and finds much evidence – in films, cartoons, and real events. Although Wink uses a common vocabulary discussing the theme, he can apply some words in their special meaning, which requires clarification to understand his work better.
The very concept of the myth of redemptive violence requires some explanation for its understanding. The term myth is often used for stories or legends, which people have used to explain various phenomena, often including a supernatural element. Nevertheless, following the Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics, myths can be redesigned for a particular culture in which they are distributed (Greene et al. 906). As a result, myth is applied to view widely accepted in certain societies (Greene et al. 906). In the case of professor Wink’s concept, the word myth refers to such a generally accepted idea.
In the essay “The Myth of Redemptive Violence,” Wink examines ancient mythical stories, which laid the foundation for the modern myth-idea of violence. The Babylonian myth about the world creation “Enūma Eliš” tells how primordial entities Apsu and Tiamat created the gods but then decided to kill them (Wink 1-2). After learning about such an intention, the gods destroy Apsu, and then, led by Marduk, kill Tiamat, who wants to avenge Apsu. From the body of Tiamat, Marduk creates the whole world; that means that the world comes from violence. As a result, the narrative line, which has spread in other cultures, distinguishes – there is evil and oppression, which the hero confronts and wins, and then does something good that redeems the cruelty of the hero himself. The end of such stories leads to the concept of redemption, an element of the modern myth of redemptive violence.
Redemption and salvation are phenomena that usually oppose cruelty than characterize it. The concept of redemption implies saving from evil, independently or with someone’s help (Redemption). Applying this meaning to Wink’s concept and taking into account the myths described by him, redemptive violence is cruel actions that are justified because they oppose another evil. Appealing to the myth as an idea, the myth of redemptive violence is a common suggestion in society that cruelty is permissible if it fights evil. However, such an assumption creates a vicious circle of violence supported by the community, which worries professor Wink.
Various examples can support Wink’s assumption that the myth of redemptive violence is accepted in society. Many criminals justify their actions with revenge or confidence that their crime contributes to justice (The Myth). Such ideas also contribute to discrimination – in the past, people killed African Americans with the slightest suspicion of attention to a white woman. Such patterns of thinking through the prism of the myth are imposed on people from childhood.
“The Myth of Redemptive Violence” presents the process of how this myth spreads among children. As already noted, the storyline of the hero opposing evil and, as a result doing something good has spread in many cultures – modern cultures and plots in them are no exception. Wink cites a cartoon about Popeye, where the antagonist Bluto kidnaps the protagonist’s beloved Olive Oyl in each episode (Wink 1). After Popeye and Bluto fight, the good guy wins and returns the girl. Wink draws attention to the fact that the cartoon does not teach other ways to achieve justice besides violence. The behavior of the characters does not change; they do not try to agree and solve their issues.
Such a plot is the basis of most cartoons, films, and other works that people, particularly young generation, see every day. At the same time, children associate themselves with a good character and direct their negative emotions on the opponent. The protagonist’s victory and its feelings confirm the effectiveness of cruelty and inspire a sense of justice for the child. They learn and accept violence as a common phenomenon and a way of protection without considering other measures.
Speaking about his idea, Wink also uses the concepts of religion and indoctrination, and the meaning he puts into them helps better understand the myth of redemptive violence. Religion can be understood as devotion and obedience to gods or similar supernatural power, including certain religious rites (Religion). However, this concept can also be interpreted as a particular interest or a pursuit marked by special devotion (Religion). Speaking of redemptive violence as a religion, Wink emphasizes the commitment to this idea, which prevails in society. In this case, indoctrination, that is, the imposition of a particular belief as the only correct one, can be applied to religion of redemptive violence. As a result, confidence in cruelty as the only way to achieve justice becomes the main consequence of the presence of the discussed myth in society.
Thus, Walter Wink, in his essay “The Myth of Redemptive Violence,” expresses concern about violence interweaving with human culture. To emphasize the particular aspects of the problem, Wink uses some well-known words in their less popular meaning. For example, the very concept of the myth of redemptive violence contains words, the deeper understanding of which is necessary to explain Wink’s idea. The basis is the exploration of redemptive violence, which means harsh measures to confront evil. Myth, in turn, implies the widespread concept or idea in society. Wink also calls redemptive violence a religion, emphasizing society’s devotion to it. Gaining commitment occurs through indoctrination, suggesting that alternatives to cruelty as a method of opposing evil are not considered. As a result, the world is in a vicious circle of cruelty and violence, which became part of the culture.
Works Cited
Greene, Roland, et al., eds. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 2012.
“Redemption“. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Web.
“Religion“. Oxford English Dictionary. Web.
“The Myth of Redemptive Violence“. National Council of Churches. Web.
Wink, Walter. “The Myth of Redemptive Violence“. The Bible in Transmission, 1999, pp. 1-5. Goshen College. Web.
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