Art is a Language

There's also a symbolic angle as to why I think Duckie is correct about Bon idolizing Rosemary and not being Jack

Two posts ago, I talked about the symbolism of American Gothic in The Walten Files but this time I'd like to talk about the opening monologue in Faces of Grief and the whole reason why we keep seeing these statues in association with Rosemary

There's a few cultures that historically believed that statues served a greater purpose in worship other than just being a means of showing appreciation. Since the statue used in particular is the disarmed Venus de Milo, I'll be focusing on Greek Culture.

Statues were built with the intention to "House the Divine." Statues were treated as potential vessels a god may choose if they decided to make themselves present among humans or worshippers. Because of this, every detail mattered as to not potentially upset said divine entity; there are a few cases of statues being rejected for not being modest enough or not being perfect enough. Tl;dr, the statue represents divine presence among worshippers.

Early Christianity considered this belief to be "False Idols", something akin to pagan worship and considered the statues to be demonic deception which played a part into why the statues were targetted specifically during religious transitions or tensions; Hence the destroyed arms.

Faces of Grief largely centers around Rosemary and Bon's interest in "aiding" her.

Rosemary in their dynamic at first is the sculptor, she provided an identity when Bon needed it most through the character that she helped create.

This dialogue is from the concept phase of designing Bon, the fact this is the specific memory highlighted right in the middle of the episode shows it's significance to the over all importance of her having created Bon to begin with.

The fluctuations in his voice, although consistently varying in terms of tone and pitch, seems almost ecstatic to proclaim this new identity. He continues to sound profoundly ecstatic and obsessive over the idea of having the opportunity to return the favor, leading to what I think to be the most chilling delivery

This, is not the love of a husband not even one that's been twisted by the events and grief throughout the episode. This is the obsessive ramblings of a distant observer who's dreamt of this moment for a long time compared to the way he's addressed the others in the past.

In rosemary's "exit" sequence before it snaps to what she is in reality, she's an angelic lamb with her arms twisted and mutilated similar to the statue used to represent her

With this last line, Bon almost sounds choked by some sort of emotion though it's unclear exactly what it is that makes his words have that edge between them. He desperately wants her to relish the life he's given her and desperately wants to hear that her "Sculptor" did a good job granting a vessel for her spirit.

Another thing is Sophie mentioned she was talking to an angel that wants to help her and her mother, more so she's "Been" talking to this angel, implying it was a lot longer than when she initially decided to tell her. We aren't given a clear timeframe as to when this started but it's likely it was while Jack was still present since Bon is a spirit of opportunity, he'd likely take the chance since Sophie was left largely alone.

This is more speculation but I believe this is symbolic of the point when Bon started talking to her through the bear especially since she's seen with it on her desk instead of in her arms the day Jack goes in to wake her. The bear also looks a little different.

Before this point, the bear is always seen close to her and in her arms in some way and even while she's in the attic she doesn't seem to have it close to her anymore.

At first my mom was a little concerned since it was scheduled for 11 pm; who wouldn't be when their son tells them they got an interview at such a late hour?

I was super happy when I got the call but as the hours passed I started to get a little doubtful and anxious. like, what if they had told me the wrong location? What if I give the wrong impression? What if this job doesn't turn out to be a good fit? What if, what if, what if...

By the time I was in the car heading towards the place, the street appeared darker and smaller, less lights than usual too. I'm thankful I had made the decision to ask my mom to drive me instead of myself 'cause there were two drag racers we had to dodge, nearly crashed into us. I'm not sure what they were really up to, they seemed to be going 80 in a 45, one practically tailgating the other. there was some metal hanging off the car in the back. the car in front flashed their brights twice before turning left and away from where we were going. It was a bizarre occurrence, I do hope we never cross paths again.

This happening didn't settle my nerves either, when you're anxious everything seems like some kind of omen or another. I remember when things started to shift at my former workplace I saw five rabbits playing with each other in the parking lot. After a bit, four jumped into a hedge while one turned around 180 degrees and took off, running as fast as it's legs could take it without turning back. I was so convinced this was a sign of some sort but it's not like rabbits know secretly everything that is and isn't just as much as I don't know what is and isn't. The patterns and coincidences just seem so out of place and bizarre that it's hard to think anything but. Thoughts like, "is there a grander reason that at that moment, at that time under those circumstances I bore witness to this?" Rationally, no. Superstitiously, yes.

Upon arrival, I was starting to think I was right about the omen. I arrived, told an associate I was here for an interview only to find myself waiting for what felt like forever since, at least I assume, they probably didn't think I'd show up the same day they called me. The lady was nice, just a mite sick and very apologetic about such. I told her it's very late, I'd never ask of her to be Willy Wonka levels of eccentric. We shared a few laughs, interviews always feel more like a casual conversation afterwards and I often forget why I was nervous in the first place.

I'm in love with the American Gothic Symbolism in Walten Files (An Analysis)

So I watched "Faces of Grief" recently and I love the artistic symbolism overall within the episode. The one thing I noticed that became more prominent after "Hotline" is the inclusion of the American Gothic painting by Grant Wood and the overall repetition of American imagery and audio especially considering the fourth of July aspect.

This, I believe, was included with intent behind it. The American Gothic painting was originally created as a means to bring comfort during the depression especially at a time where rural American values were put into question at the beginning of the Great Depression. The reception by the vast majority, however, was that it was a satirical take on Midwesterners being just a mite out of step or out of touch compared to a rapidly modernizing America.

Traditional American values serve a very important role in this episode, the most obvious being Jack Walten who believes his purpose is to protect his children and his wife and, therefore, needing to persist and remain unbothered by the chaos happening around him. He describes grief as an illness when talking to Sophie about her mother and that he's the one strong enough to take care of and manage everything; something directly contradicted by the scene of shattering being heard from beyond the door to his study as well as his brief monologue about what grief does to a person.

As for Rosemary, there's a line she utters during the projector scene in the episode.

This is more blatant throughout the whole episode but a large part of her identity revolved around her kids, her husband, and the perfect life she lead. While this isn't uncommon, she's relied on that identity for so long that when she loses any of it she's unable to move on as easily. She's a grieving mother without much else to turn to for comfort since everything had been done with the kids and her husband in mind. Her paintings rarely depict anything other than that, the animatronics were designed with her family taking heavy inspiration, and she even says that everything was taken from her and she was left behind.

Michigan is considered midwest culturally speaking, exactly what American gothic was meant to depict. A thing with traditional midwestern America traditions is these ideas are what a family is supposed to be in order to be "picture perfect". That doesn't mean they were wrong for doing so but the reliance on these ideals and resistance to change can often be the detriment to a family if tragedy occurs.

The scene where Rosemary is painting the parody is especially important given the history of the American Gothic painting. It was originally intended to be reassuring to midwestern America but was ultimately taken as satire around their resistance to change or modernize. In this scene, Rosemary is reminiscing on the last time she saw her kids while Jack's TV plays in the other room. The picture is devoid of any distortion or reality seeping through, she appears to be returning to a more comforting and reassuring idea of her life having just recently needing to sort and process her kids being gone. This is during the chapter "Denial" fittingly enough. The painting itself is unfinished and presumably left unfinished after the events of the episode.

The painting and her whole life becomes stagnant beyond this point, not adapting or moving forward just stuck in this snapshot as grief persists. Jack is also just as stagnant since he never grew to accept that he himself is also vulnerable in this point in time. He actively rejects the idea of appearing bothered or allowing himself to process the situation and his emotions; instead he's focused on trying to move forward almost immediately to "Start living" again in such a small frame of time that he actively tells his own grieving wife that they need to move on. Regardless, his moving forward is an attempt to return to his ideal life rather than trying to start a new one and actually progress to better himself.

These resistant qualities in different ways cause both's journey through grief to alternate and worsen over time, never fully processing their emotions and memories in a healthy manner. It's even emphasized during the diner scene that Rosemary feels as though she was left behind by the whole world. Without a proper support group or healthy coping mechanisms, grief can take terrifying forms as depicted in the episode and alluded to by Jack during his brief monologue.

I think incorporating American Gothic as a representation for the two is clever especially considering Sophie is typically not depicted along side them or the her siblings. She's an unwilling observer to this resistance, left alone to interpret what her family used to be and what it is now, the wedding footage being the only thing she has left as a reminder of what once was. Her journey of grief is interesting especially considering she has no one to confide in and is left alone with her emotion and turmoil. She describes not feeling anything but it's clearly not out of apathy, it's not uncommon either but that would require it's own analysis and I'd like to do more research before I dive into her. I have only a basic idea of what's happening with her grief in particular despite having experienced this type but that doesn't mean I know why it happens, I only know the others since I've observed it.

It's been storming off and on all day (truth be told, WEEK is more accurate), heard lots of things falling around us for the past three days. When I saw the silhouette of a tree fall towards the house last night, just mere inches from touching it I couldn't help but wonder if the closing-in feeling started becoming more literal than metaphorical.

This afternoon I left my house on my own for the first time since I lost my job to see my best friend; it was raining then too. I took some pictures (though of course that'd be like doxing my friend so I won't be posting those here). We caught up on the Walten Files and Lacey games, she seemed dead tired the whole time though. I wasn't surprised when she called it quits early to take a nap. (Sleep well, sis!)

Upon arriving home, however, I had noticed the dining room seemed more barren than before. I asked my sister, who was home the whole time, what happened and she described that when I had left there was a loud thump and then she noticed this leak. She assumed it was new but my dad caught on to the discoloration. This photo doesn't do it justice as I'm using a cheaper camera instead of my more expensive one but it's clear there's something more going on even to me. According to my sister, when my dad received the text he said it means there was something already wrong with the roof.

I'm still shaky on driving but I need to get back out and driving since I haven't really driven anywhere since the closure of my workplace; trying to save gas especially with how expensive it is these days. We plan to catch up on Walten Files and probably some other things.

It's a Panasonic CF-SX4, the seller put windows 11 on it so I got rid of it almost immediately in favor of Linux Cinnamon Mint

First time ever using it since I was scared to boot it on my actual home system in case I didn't like it and... Honestly? First time I've ever been happy using an operating system. I forgot what it's like to be able to completely change everything about your system to your preferences. So many options that aren't stored behind weird uis and tabs and I get to keep the majority of the storage instead of a fraction being dedicated to windows.

I put the Chicago 95 theme on it since I like the older look more than the polished but chances are I'll cycle through a few themes before I settle on one. I don't know what I want for a desktop so I'm settling for miku right now

I also feel better knowing my laptop isn't paper thin as hell

My boss only ever called me by phone twice; the reason behind both being drastically different than the other.

The first time was to inform me I had just gotten the job. I had left my previous job two months beforehand willingly and had gotten little to no response from the employers I had applied to. To my excitement, I was being formally invited to an in-person interview to what I considered my dream job with a boss that seemed genuinely excited about about the franchise he had just bought.

I remember being so excited that I couldn't sleep, my body doesn't adjust well to sudden changes but I could at least find solace in the fact that this change was for the better. By the time that in person interview came along, I was still excited and went through the trouble to look my absolute best! Admittedly, I had overdressed a little; sporting a blazer of sorts for a sales lead position. The dedication, however, set my position in stone.

That moment was 1 year and 6 months ago...

1 year and 6 months before I had gotten the second and last call from my boss.

You should watch Azumanga Daioh

Like, right now

I don't watch anime very often mainly just because a lot of modern titles just don't really catch my attention or the animation style just all looks like SAO for some reason? But recently I got something called "Osaka Simulator" to work on my computer. It's not seamless, there's still some issues as you'd expect with trying to run older programs on modern computers but at least she's not on crack cocaine constantly. She kind of seems to change depending on the window resolution too which is common for certain programs.

Since I've seen this character in gifs and trending audios I decided to actually start watching the full series and considering the opening episode was the teacher stealing a student's bike to get to class on time needless to say I was hooked.

What I love about Ms. Yukari is she's delightfully absurd and every episode that follows her is a delight to watch I don't really want to spoil the series too much but I REALLY wanna talk about Osaka (Ayumu Kasuga) First off to clear confusion for those who haven't seen the anime, Osaka refers to the city Ayumu is from and it's a gag where she's referred to as Osaka instead of Ayumu at times, likely due to either Yukari's forgetful nature and/or Tomo starting to call her Osaka since episode 1 and the name sticking more than her real name From the first episode she's established to be much quieter than her peers and was described as "Weird and spacey" by her peers back in Osaka, a trait she consistently proves throughout the episodes. This is one of the many things I love about her, she's often seen in her own thoughts or following her own "eye floaters" instead of paying attention in class even though she does have a strong desire to pull herself together like the rest of her peers. She often says the darndest things seemingly out of pocket, something I relate to heavily