Individuality

I have just finished reading "Burmese Days" and have to say that I did not find many of the characters particularly endearing, in fact I did not find any of them endearing! I am not sure that Orwell wants you to. What he shows is the bigotry of colonial rule as he sees it based on his own experiences in the colonial police. It seems to me that the British characters in the book, with perhaps one exception, do not think that there is anything wrong with the way they are living or what they think and say. When people are like this then it is probably very difficult to get them to change, especially if such change might mean they lose some of the power they have, or perceive they have. When this power is threatened the "like minded" often stick together to defend their privileges and anyone who breaks ranks is criticised. This is in fact what we see in the story. It is as if each individual puts aside their individualism for the common cause. Now when the common cause is a just one that can be seen  laudable, but what if it isn't? And who is to say what is and is not a just cause?

In the first volume of "The Nature and Destiny of Man" Niebuhr explores human nature. Early on he looks at individuality critiquing the standpoints of Naturalism, Idealism and Romanticism. I have to admit that takes a bit of careful reading and I do not think I have grasped it all but this comment of Niebuhr's seems to make sense to me:  "Without the presuppositions of the Christian faith the individual is either nothing or becomes everything"1.

I think that this is worth reflecting upon. As individuals we are all important to God, but how do we express that individualism? Is it always in the way God intended? How far does our Christian faith help us to be the individuals God intends us to be?  In fact will we ever be those individuals in this life?

Moving on........

I am setting myself the challenge of reading two Orwell books at the same time. " Keep the Aspidistra Flying" is Orwell's third novel and starts off in a bookshop, "The Road to Wigan Pier"is his account of working class life in the industrial areas of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the 1930s.

Gracious God

We give you thanks for a world

where individuality means so much diversity.

Help us to be the individuals 

You have called us to be;

Help us to be thankful for others

as individuals;

Help us to guard against a 

selfish individualism that only sees what 

we want to see.

We pray for those in need today;

The hungry, the homeless, the lost and the lonely.

For those who are persecuted 

because of who they are, or what they believe.

We ask that your spirit of love and reconciliation 

may flow into those places that need it; 

so that all may live in peace and dignity.

Amen

1. Niebuhr Reinhold: The Nature and Destiny of Man Vol I: Human Nature . Louisville Westminster John Knox Press . 1996 p92