Reply To: The Searcher: What are your thoughts on this quote?
I had difficulty trying to work through all the nuances of what Cal is trying to express here but I’ll give it a try. I think Cal doesn’t have respect for Ben because he’s observed Ben parroting other people’s thoughts and ideas, and therefore sees him as weak. And Ben uses those ideas to present himself as morally superior. People in authority often use a facade of words to obscure their true intentions or actions and to increase their power and influence. We see this in Mart and what he does. How many politicians, preachers etc, have been exposed as corrupt while still presenting themselves as morally righteous? So, seeing people blindly following what they are being told without any self-reflection is disturbing. Cal’s musings feel especially relevant today, when language is being weaponized to the point where many people are too afraid to speak out, too concerned with getting or retaining power to challenge it, or accept what they’re told without question. And Nancy, you’re right that this quote seems to present the idea of morality as fluid, but it’s a dangerous kind of fluid. I’d liken it to the bogs in Ireland, where the morality of those in power (like Mart) can pull you under and trap you if you’re not careful.
