We often criticize commercials for telling people they've got to buy something to be happy. Ok, so I guess that isn't exactly the most honorable of messages. But think about the bigger picture. I think these materialistic messages come from the same root as the noble messages of stories like Lord of the Rings, Paradise Lost, or even Spiderman.
For example, the message of every commercial can be summed up as follows:
- you're unfulfilled
- buying this product will fulfill you
Meanwhile, the message of every story, whether factual or fictional, can be summed up as follows:
- hero faces conflict
- hero overcomes conflict
The heartbeat of both messages is that something is wrong with the human race and that humanity must overcome this something. Once again, the Ultimate Story has filtered down into everyday life.
So next time you find yourself scoffing at a commercial, remember:
Commercials are epic too.
I'm commenting. :)
ReplyDeleteWait a minute missy. Are not epics supposed to have some type of grand, life and death struggle that takes the hero to far away exotic lands?
ReplyDeleteMax