What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
The narrative explores the theme of power and the wish for it. This is illustrated through the story of first Phantom. He vows to combat injustice after surviving a pirate attack. It shows how individuals create imaginary, powerful personas when they feel insecure. This reflects a common societal longing for heroes to restore order. The text also underscores the importance of responsive systems, law enforcement, and community support in creating a peaceful society. Ultimately, it emphasises the responsible use of power. It highlights the need for effective governance to guarantee the safety of citizens. It also ensures their satisfaction.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The narrative explores the theme of power. It delves into the wish for power through the story of Cristopher Walker, the first Phantom.
- It highlights how individuals create powerful personas to combat insecurity and societal injustices.
- Imaginary heroes represent a longing for protection and order in chaotic situations, emphasizing the need for effective governance.
- The article critiques both personal and societal power dynamics, stressing the importance of responsible power use.
- Ultimately, it calls for a responsive system that fosters security and satisfaction among citizens.
Intrinsic wish
A special skill or power is felt essential for anyone trapped in an unwanted or precarious situation. An ordinary person feels unsafe and insecure in such a circumstance, especially when the individual is physically weak and timid. The traumatic condition can last for days to come. It haunts the individual and can lead to serious psychological problems. The fictional story of “Mr Walker” will shed enough light to feel it. The story underlines the significance of creating an imaginary character. This character fights with ruffians and helps the law to take its course. The psychological undercurrent in the story is the imagination of a superpower like the Almighty.
The story
Long ago, a man was travelling in a vessel when pirates attacked. They looted the vessel and annihilated it. Amidst all, the man managed to save himself. Drifted to the shore on a plank, he was tended by pygmies of the jungle.
The oath
On regaining strength, the man vowed to fight pirates, injustice and crime. He took an oath, holding a human skull, before a bonfire in the presence of pygmies. The man was Cristopher Walker, who became the first phantom – the ghost who walks. The character brought to life in comic strips created by Lee Falk. (thephantom dot com)
“The ghost who walks”
The iconic saviour character lived in a skull cave in the deep forest with pygmies and wild animals. They treated him with great respect and gave him the sobriquet of “the Ghost who walks”. It was a fantasy. Humans are not immortal. They have a life span. So, the man masked to keep continuity, Generations have passed. People other than pygmies consider Phantom as immortal, but Kit Walker (modern day Phantom) belongs to 21 generation of Phantoms
Persisting trait
Yet another happening of modern times will highlight the continuity of the problem. It was a journey in a crowded train. A simple person was travelling in it. Most berths were occupied by daily passengers and ticketless travellers. Among them, a cantankerous person had occupied the whole upper berth to stash his luggage. He was howling for yet another full berth below. The plump and nonaccommodative man had enough space for himself and his family. Still, he was pushing the simple person for more space. The poor man kept shrinking and adjusting so much so that he was sandwiched. Seeing his difficulties, some fellow passengers objected to the fatty, grumpy person and warned him not to bully further. The timid traveller was incapable of doing anything; he started dreaming. Had he been a powerful person, he would have replied more fittingly to the heavier person.
Apart from early verbal exchange, the journey was peaceful. Still, it kept the simple man mentally agitated and furious. He was scolding himself and cursing his nature. He was thinking about his inability to stand against people who behave recklessly. Albeit his indignation was futile. The train reached its terminal destination. Passengers de-boarded the train. With all, he also got down, came out of the station and went to his place. His mind, though, was engaged in the incident and thought of subsidiary things.
Supernatural power
People create an icon and perceive him or her as their saviour who comes to save them. Some believe that a group or an individual can develop supernatural power. Though it is doubtful and has not been corroborated with scientific studies. It is true that humans have the capability to develop extraordinary or outstanding capabilities through training or genetic adaptations. Nature is an omnipotent entity. It can’t be challenged.
Imaginary omnipotent
Simple people usually create an imaginary omnipotent and resourceful personality who can sort out complicated situations in a moment. It occurs when people feel insecure without any help around. In the situation described above, for example, the ideal situation would have been proper crowd management. The authorities should have allowed only ticket holders to travel as bona fide travellers.
People’s confidence is necessary
Common people love a peaceful life. It is not that everyone is weak, but they try to avoid confrontation to prevent getting involved in brat situations. Such situations can land them in unwanted situations because of the poorly managed setup. A well-mannered society needs a swift, effective and sensitive network to help the needy. Honest execution develops trust. Quick justice delivery builds a sense of confidence in people who respect the law and abide by it. Though the work to improve it is honestly being done by the government, a lot more still remains. Most importantly, people’s participation helps a lot, but their confidence in the system is crucial.
Hero vs villain
Daydreaming, creating an imaginary “He-Man” and viewing him as self is not uncommon. It reflects in daily lives, and people want to see it. It is very common in almost every film and literary creation.
In films, one person is a hero while another is, in juxtaposition, a villain. The latter is responsible for all devilish things. He plots, conspires and does everything that harms the protagonist and the public in general. At the end of the film, the table turns in favour of the hero. In a concluding fight, the villain and hero exchange hard-hitting blows. In the last few minutes, the villain gives up. Police arrives in the nick of time, and thus with a happy ending, the film finishes.
Situations can also be villains
A villain is not always a person. Hostile situations are equally as dangerous as villains, which jeopardise the normal life of an individual. Some are intrinsic, while some are created. In such situations, a peace-loving gentleman may wish for extraordinary power. This power would help combat the adverse situation he faces. This gives a temporary respite, but the permanent solution is to fight the problem head-on and defeat the situation.
Extraterrestrial power?
A desperate person often wishes for extraterrestrial power, like black magic or martial arts. They might also wish for a stout, well-built, chiselled body. These techniques are not practical and must not be used for diabolical purposes. It is not advisable and not in consonance with the law of the land. A well-maintained stout body with physical power is good for health, which wards off many minor but irritating bugs.
Entertainment
Using black magic for entertainment and earning a livelihood is acceptable. It has a limited scope of entertaining people. Using them with malicious intentions is unlawful. It can be used to help law enforcement agencies in containing crime, acts of sabotage, and terrorism. It is like a tool which is good when used with good intentions. The imaginary characters of Mandrake the magician and his friend Lothar can be taken as an example. They show how physical and magical power can be used for public good.
Use of power for good
Our brave heroes at the frontiers are adapted to combat any unseen and hidden danger, rough terrain and hostile enemies. They are experts in martial arts and face-to-face combat. The commando forces are specially equipped with the bare-handed fighting technique. They are living weapons that can clean an enemy-infested area within no time. Still, they act as per strict norms and never use this for personal gain. This is the Supreme training they get.
Controlling negative forces
Wishing to have power is natural. Some want political power, some executive, while some are happy with physical power. Power is energy. The subjectivity of power is in its use. A politically powerful person engages in poverty alleviation, improving the condition of their people and the nation. An adverse condition is derogatory for him and his people. The ancient scriptures tell a lot about it. In that case, the elimination of destructive force becomes imperative. A small group of miscreants, criminals, and terrorists can’t be allowed to take control and impose their sinister plots.
In the end
Power must be used judiciously. This system must be responsive to common people. It should be responsible and sympathetic to those who are not well-equipped and resourceful. They need quick and effective help. The law-enforcing machinery is duty-bound to instil a sense of satisfaction, security and fearlessness in the hearts of common people. A healthy, secure and satisfied group of people is an asset to a nation. We need to remember it.
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