Thursday, October 11, 2007

Rodin's "The Fallen Caryatid"


Here's the passage about Rodin's
"Fallen Caryatid Carrying Her Stone"
- from Robert A. Heinlein's
Stranger In A Strange Land:

"This poor little caryatid has fallen under the load. She's a good girl - look at her face. Serious, unhappy at her failure, not blaming anyone, not even the gods... and still trying to shoulder her load, after she's crumpled under it.

But she's more than just good art denouncing bad art; she's a symbol for every woman who ever shouldered a load too heavy. But not alone women - this symbol means every man and woman who ever sweated out life in uncomplaining fortitude until they crumpled under their loads. It's courage... and victory.

Victory in defeat, there is none higher. She didn't give up... she's still trying to lift that stone after it has crushed her... she's all the unsung heroes who couldn't make it but never quit."

11 comments:

  1. Whenever I feel I'm getting close to that stage, I think of something worse that has happened to someone else.Making me think I've got a cheek complaining.

    We all have our limitations, I suppose.

    My mother used to say that we never have to endure more than we can bear. I wonder, though.

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  2. Beautiful statue, and it says so much.

    Hi Mgt. I've never understood that saying. Someone said it to me just after my little boy died (SIDS). I just thought to myself, "oh really!"

    I know it was meant to be comforting, but it escaped me completely.

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  3. None of us has fallen, yet...

    Nadine, if there's one thing I can imagine worse than losing my husband, it would be losing a child. Bless you.

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  4. I learned the quote as " God never gives us more to endure than we can bear." If thats true I just wish he didn't have such a high opinion of my ability. And no my waist w3as never that small.
    Betty

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  5. You will hurl that stone in the face of fate Ronni. I have no doubt of your righteous strength. Steady as you go! You have a multitude cheering you on, with much love and admiration.

    Hi Betty!

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  6. Ronni, I admire your anger, your poetic grace and your ability to write. Keep on keeping on. Knot to mention your love for the arts and for us!

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  7. Good day (I hope), Ronni.

    I will be away next week as I have taken some annual leave. Please could you send me any entries that would normally drop away.

    Nadine, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. That would not be a good time to use that phrase, I have to say. Bless your heart, sweet lady.

    I think my mother used to continually try to toughen me up. My dad used to do the "You are better than, that" speech. Having a moral compass was big in my parent's world. You know, "If you can't say anthing nice, say nothing at all". Now, I hear my daughter teaching my grandson all the same things. Teaching him about compassion for others. "Don't hurt people's feelings...you don't like it when others hurt yours". "Don't be racist, people are all the same". "Always look after girls and little children". It definitely works. You have to explain to your children, not just talk to them.

    Sorry for rambling, here, Ronni. I hope that wasn't too sanctimonious.

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  8. "How would you like it if somebody did that to you?"

    That was Mom's mantra.

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  9. Forgot to say, have a great week, Mgt. I shall miss you!

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  10. How on earth could I have forgotten that one, Ronni!

    Thanks, I am going to try to get some sleep. Four hours Wednesday night and three hours last night. I'm tired! Think I'm going to have to work late to catch up. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as though anyone will be covering my job while I'm off. Aaargh!

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  11. What a beautiful post to read at an amazingly appropriate time. *hugs* TY kindly for sharing ;)

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