Sunday, September 9, 2007

The Raging Bull




So, for a second time, they[Pharisees] summoned the man who had been blind and said:
"Give glory to God and tell the truth.
We know this man is a sinner."

"Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know", the man replied.
"One thing I do know.
I was blind but now I see!"

(Extract from the Bible)

Those cheers still ring in my ears.
For years, they remain in my thoughts.

As you know, my life wasn't drab, though I'd much...
Though I'd rather hear you cheer when I delve into Shakespeare.

My kingdom for a horse. I haven't won in months.

Though I'm no Olivier, I'd rather...
I'm no Olivier, but it ain't the ring, it's the play.
Give me a stage where I'll rage.
Though I can fight, I'd rather recite.
That's entertainment.

-Jake La Motta


At the start of the movie, in the middle of a fight, La Motta's undefeated but behind on points. He is taking a lot of punishment. The commentator exclaims,
"Tell me why.
Why come here to get beat?"

"Do the right thing.
You're outpointed.
You'll have to knock him out."

Voices resound among the audience.
" Bite him, kick him, anything.
Listen to Joey(his big brother)."

"Get all over him."

Jake pays no heed to the noises around him. All he is concentrating is on his fight. He takes one jab after another and another. He waits. He is allowing himself to be beaten to pulp. He then looks lowly at his fellow fighter and jeers, "Is that the best you can do?". He waits patiently.
Seizing the opportunity when the opponent feels he is almost finished, goes complacent, Jake explodes with a burst of punches, jabs and hooks. He just keeps them coming one after the other till his opponent is floored. The count of 10 begins. The opponent is knocked out completely, very evidently. But before the referee finishes counting, the time is up.

Jake is declared the loser based on the scores till then.

Winning was his primary objective, yes. But, that was not all. In the case of Jake LaMotta
atleast, it is not just the win, the victory that mattered, but the way in which he achieved it. He could have possibly very easily outscored his opponent. The ends are important nevertheless but what really provides true satisfaction is the means to reach the ends or somewhere close to it.

Differently put, the ends are for the world, while the means are for oneself.

(be be continued)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

i believe in that line of thought ...
but dunt you think this is a wrong example .. in this case .. it was a game .. or a fight .. or whatever !!
the objective of which was to win !!
so win with style .. !! not loose with style !!??

Kaushik said...

yes true... but go forbid, i f a situation were to occur, whr u cud gain by compromising say sumthing like pride, would you still go for it or settle for a loss?
Basically, can you stoop to cheap levels to achieve momentary glory?

Anonymous said...

what cheap in him .. fightin the game .. hes supposed to be fighting ...
for him the matter of pride was .. making an impact !! ..
for me in that place .. them atter of pride would be winnin !!
.. but either way .. i suppose u cant compromise ure pride !!

Kaushik said...

precise!! =))