Rethinking The English (fanfic)

Medicine and Magic

Quite an important theme in The English is medicine, through the device of Eli's medicine bag and spiritual beliefs in the power of sacred objects, and Cornelia's necklace. We could arguably replace these terms with the idea of fate, indeed the repeated references to the stars add a Romeo and Juliet-esque dimension to this western tale. I think many writers find this concept fascinating because they can imbue a story with their own god-like power as the author of the piece, the ultimate creator of their world. I know this achieves great dramatic effect, elevating stories to a higher level of epic style fiction, but in my opinion we could just as easily replace the notion of fate with editorial control. These characters are designed and directed by their authors at all times. Now as a writer I understand how stories can twist and twirl out of your control, but ultimately responsibility for the plot and everything is down to the person with the pen in their hand or the fingers over the keyboard.

Medicine - I am aware of its importance in the Native American culture. Their spirituality is not a religion in the sense most up of us might understand it. Rather it is intrinsically linked to nature, the land, the sky, and all the creatures that exist in those plains. Also for a 'race' that didn't write their history down, relying on story telling and verbal mythologies, placing power into significant objects, symbols, and animals, was and is a way of honouring and memorialising past people and times.

In Eli's medicine bag are a few items, the most important of which appears to be a bird skull and a claw. These things symbolise his family I believe, and as such his old, lost way of life. This must have been crucial to a man who had lost everything it's possible to lose: family, friends, land, home, rights, safety, respect. Can you imagine what that might feel like? I can't even begin to...

Cornelia's magic lies in the locket she wears with a lock of her son's hair in it as well as his picture. Indeed in a crucial scene it even saves her life, so yes, magic might just be the word to explain it. As someone who has lost loved ones I can attest to how important physical treasures and keepsakes become. They form a physical link to someone who is no longer in physical form. It is a tangible and comforting thing to hold onto, proof of life, even if that life is now in the past tense.

Stars - ahh fate. How cruel but satisfying is it to explain the horrors of war, the sorrows of life or the notion that nothing we do can avert or divert the course of our own lives? I'm more of an advocate of free will myself, but the romantic in me recognises the poetry of believing in a higher power, whatever you choose to call it. As we learn more about the stars and apply a scientific lens on all aspects of our world, we tend to move away from 'simple' ideas about the space above our heads. Some people believe in astrology, many different cultures have a form of this somewhere, and many of them revolve around the night sky. And why not? It's always there, presenting us with fixed and recognisable points in time and space. They guide us, protect us, fascinate us, but they also put us in our place don't they? We are down here and they are up there, always.

In all of this it can be indeed gratifying to acknowledge that our actions and life stories are very small when compared with the longevity and grandiosity of the stars. The idea that someone or something does have control over me however feels unsatisfying. The King Lear quote about flies and wanton boys and gods, comes to mind. Surely no immortal power should determine a mortal's lot? How can they possibly comprehend the human experience which is bookended by birth and ultimate death, if they themselves were not born and will not die?

Okay so I realise this chapter has posed more questions than answers. I don't pretend to know of such things, I just think it's interesting that a six part limited series on the BBC has made me contemplate such things.

Well done.