Our family caught a little more than half of The Elephant Man on television Friday night. I had never seen it before. I suppose that's not especially surprising, considering it came out when I was in high school and lived out in the boonies, a hundred miles from anything resembling a movie theatre.
It was an awesome film. Main Man was actually heading out to do some errands after supper when the boys and I started watching it, and he stood with his coat and boots on at the door, entranced with the story. I bet he stood like that at least twenty minutes, unable to draw himself away. (Too bad it was on a no-commercial channel.)
What really amazed me about the experience of watching it with the boys, though, was their reaction to the way John Merrick was treated. #2 and #3 were particularly vehement in their contempt of the people who mistreated him.
After watching that famous scene in which Merrick shouts out, " I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!", #3 spontaneously shouted out, "Good for you!" I actually think he had tears in his eyes.
It is extremely gratifying to think that my boys might actually "get it". You know, you work so hard to instill values, and you hope and pray that it might actually be taking hold. Sure is nice when a simple, unexpected time like this shows you that you might actually be on the right track.
15 comments:
Isn't that amazing!
It makes me wonder whether it is an age, generational, cultural or whathaveyou difference.
Or, if all of the above---since those aren't mutually exclusive.
That's fantastic that you have such caring kids...es, those "Maybe I'm getting it right here" moments are fabulous.
I have a feeling your point here will linger in ym head a while. Good post.
Thanks for stopping by, Julie, and thanks for the comment.
I know what you mean about the differences, but - you know - I bet there are still people around who would treat Merrick that way. I'm just really glad to know that my kids wouldn't! :-)
Stop by again soon.
u must be a gr8 mom.
Awww, thanks, Brooklyn. I try.
Still, sometimes my boys do things that make me wonder if they'll be maniac psychopaths when they grow up.
That's why situations like Friday night give me hope. ;-)
Nice to meet you, by the way. Come again soon.
Hah! Just realized, BF, that I should probably be calling you Frank, not Brooklyn. Let me know. :-)
That's such a great movie. So inspirational and great for the kids too :)
Great blog! I saw this with my mon when it first came out. Made a lasting impression. Hope all is well in the CA!
It really was great, Turtle. Better than I expected, really.
And you're right about it being good for the kids. It has an abundance of teachable moments.
Hey, Sabatkes! Great to see you. Yes, everything is great here, but we're getting a little tired of snow. March is here, darn it! Doesn't that mean spring?!
Sounds like they got it, LM! :-)
Well, in this case, anyway, Susan.
:-)
Good job on the parenting!!!!!
Movie sounds intersting have to add it to my list with netflix
Thanks, Katie, but I think it's more luck than anything.
I highly recommend the movie.
Have not seen this in years. Not sure if I ever watched the entire thing. Should arrive tomorrow from Netflix. Thanks for the reminder!
I am not surprised about your boys, but I know what you mean. We tend to see a lot of the negative (mostly our own influence) but the good shines through sometimes too, eh??
Lowa - I know. Those little surprises are great.
Enjoy the movie.
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