Week 6 Flashcards
What is the difference between “Time of End” and “End of Time”?
- “Time of End” represents an ongoing process with potential for change (marked by “…”),
- “End of Time” signifies absolute termination (marked by “.”).
- The first is imaginable but not drawable, the second is drawable but not imaginable.
How does religion respond to revelation in two key ways?
1) As a response to revelation itself
2) As a response to extraordinary events of change or cataclysm
What’s the difference between Eschatology and Apocalypse?
Eschatology is the study of “last things” and final destiny, while Apocalypse means “revelation” or unveiling of knowledge (though popularly misunderstood as catastrophe).
Why is the “Time of End” important for religious study?
It’s a fertile period for religious interpretation, revelation, and meaning-making as people try to understand and respond to anticipated changes.
What are typical human responses to “something big happening”?
People may ignore, contemplate, calculate, ponder, wallow, explain, or dismiss the event as they try to make meaning of it.
What is Eschatology?
The study of “last things” - including final judgment, final end, death, and the final destiny of the soul and humankind
What characterizes an “Apocalyptic Predisposition”?
A time particularly fertile for new revelations, characterized by potential for change, new realizations, and both hopeful and dreadful visions
How does John J. Collins define apocalypse?
A genre of revelatory literature with a narrative framework where revelation is mediated by an otherworldly being to a human recipient, disclosing transcendent reality both temporal and spatial
How does Melancholia (2011) uniquely handle the concepts of Time of End and End of Time?
The film incorporates both concepts, taking advantage of both narrative frames - showing both the anticipation period and the final moment
According to Agamben’s theory, what can we draw versus imagine regarding time?
We can draw a line to represent time and end it, but we cannot imagine the actual end of time
What’s the difference between representing and experiencing apocalyptic events?
We can imagine and experience the fear of approaching disasters (like storms or earthquakes), but we cannot fully draw or represent our inner experience of them
How does Daniel 12 relate to apocalyptic time concepts?
It presents both a time of waiting/revelation (Time of End) and references to final events (End of Time), showing the dual nature of apocalyptic literature
What is the philosophical significance of “living in the presence of pending death”?
It represents the constant state of being in a “time of end” that all mortal beings experience, highlighting the existential nature of human existence.
How does Melancholia define “religion” in relation to revelation?
Religion is defined as a response to revelation, created when contemplating redemption or rescue from an anticipated event for which we might have few or no words.
What are the key questions posed by the characters facing the apocalyptic event?
- Will it really happen?
- Will I survive this thing?
- Will anyone?
How does the film portray the relationship between scientific knowledge (telescope) and religious response?
The telescope represents both scientific observation and a ritual object for seeking meaning, showing how scientific and religious responses to catastrophe can overlap.
What does the “impossibility of redemption” theme suggest in the film?
That accepting the inevitable may be its own form of redemption, particularly shown through Justine’s character arc
How does the film’s orbit diagram represent the theme of reversal?
It shows Melancholia’s unusual orbit pattern that reverses back to Earth, symbolizing the reversal of expected outcomes and traditional power structures
What role does the telescope play in the theme of redemption?
It transforms from a symbol of human mastery over the skies to a measurement tool of humanity’s impending doom
What are the two main segments of the film “Melancholia” and how do they contrast?
Part I “Justine” (Wedding/Comedy/Anti-comedy) and Part II “Claire” (Death/Tragedy/Anti-Tragedy). They contrast in tone, character capacity, and number of characters.
How does the character of Gaby (Justine and Claire’s mother) symbolically connect to religious themes?
Her name references Gabriel, the angel of prophecy and revelation
What are the key object architectures presented in “Melancholia”?
- The telescope
- the magic cave
- the wire thing
- the floating lanterns
- the sundial, horses
- Little Father’s bean jar.
How does the “magic cave” function as a sacred space?
It serves as a temporary sacred place built from sticks, representing a mythical narrative created for Leo (the nephew) as a protective ritual space during crisis.
What is the significance of the “wire thing” in relation to human limitation?
It represents a childlike attempt to measure and comprehend the incomprehensible, ultimately showing the inadequacy of human tools to contain cosmic events.
How do the floating lanterns symbolically connect to the film’s themes?
They represent human attempts to create “stars” and control the heavens, but ultimately highlight the ephemeral nature of human existence and control.
What is the relationship between the object architectures and the concept of “Impossibility of Redemption”?
The objects (especially the telescope) initially represent human attempts at control and redemption, but ultimately reveal the impossibility of escaping cosmic fate.
What are the Four Horsemen in Revelation 6 and their symbolic meanings?
White Horse (Conquest), Red Horse (War), Black Horse (Famine/Illness), Pale Horse (Death)
How does Abraham (the horse) function as a symbolic figure?
As a black horse, he represents famine/illness/depression, and his resignation foreshadows the inevitable apocalyptic event
How does the film use the concept of “Life is evil”?
This statement by Justine represents a radical philosophical proposition challenging traditional religious views, suggesting either a personal traumatic experience or a categorical philosophical statement about the nature of existence.
What is the significance of Bruegel’s “Hunters in the Snow” painting in the film?
The painting symbolizes the juxtaposition of somber news (hunters returning unsuccessful) with joyful ignorance (skaters playing), reflecting the film’s themes of impending doom versus denial.
How does the character of Ophelia relate to Justine?
While both characters share tragic elements, Justine is portrayed as more complex and less innocent than Shakespeare’s Ophelia, suggesting a more nuanced exploration of depression and fate.
What is the key difference between allegory and metaphor?
Allegory is the expression of truths or generalizations about human existence through symbolic fictional figures and actions (like fable and parable), while metaphor is figurative language that uses one kind of object or idea to suggest a likeness to another.
What are examples of allegory versus metaphor in Melancholia?
Allegory: The entire film as an allegory for depression
Metaphor: “The ship plows the sea”
