For the Love of a Woman
Who would be crazy enough to compare Surrealism with Country and Western music? Well, me, for one. Okay, it's not exactly those two art forms that I'd like to consider, but arguably the foremost figures in those respective fields.This is a story about a man who's genius comes naturally to him. Sure, he has to put forth effort to get started, but once he does, his unique style becomes the hallmark of his art form. A story about a man who, left to his own devices, would spiral out of control- losing his art, his family, and his life. But in this story, the man is saved from this descent by one thing, and one thing only- the unlikely love of a strong woman. I'm talking here about Salvador Dali.
In his book, The Secret Life of Salvador Dali, Dali himself tells his story with his trademark wit, more than a dose of self-importance, but with surprising candor. As I see it, the overarching theme of the story is that a man on his own is unreliable and likely to self-destruct. Salvador continually fights and loses ground with madness. The only thing that can save him is the stabilizing force of a strong, intelligent woman, in this case his friend's wife Gala.
This strikes me as quite a progressive idea in his time- that man's worth can be tied up in his relationship with a woman. The reverse- the woman dependent on a man- has long been portrayed in literature from Snow White to Gone With the Wind. This interesting take on gender is also portrayed in one of this year's sweetest movies, Walk the Line.
In the film, Johnny Cash is portrayed convincingly by Joaquin Phoenix as an effortless genius, who's art and life is in danger- not from madness- from drinking and drugs. Johnny shows every sign that on his own, he'd succumb to his weaknesses. But he knows that he can be saved by the love of the pure good, strong June Carter (played with elegant radiance by Reese Witherspoon).
In the end of both stories, the men find their reason to live. They find their power to overcome, their salvation, in their amazing wives. I think some of us can relate : )
posted by Jeff @ 9:26 PM
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