I saw a few noteworthy references to the
promise and power of hybridity in two films I saw recently. First, there was Aquaman. My daughter and I really
enjoyed this movie and its telling of the origins and growth of Aquaman as a
hero. I was particularly struck with the prominence of the theme of hybridity. Arthur
Curry (Aquaman) is constantly called a "half-breed". There is a
constant tension between "land" and "sea." He is not
accepted in Atlantis and particularly by his brother, Orm, because he is a
"half-breed mongrel." But only when Arthur learns to accept, embrace
and live in two worlds is the harmony achieved. Only then does his hero's
journey go into full throttle.
Some
particularly noteworthy quotes that touch on this theme:
Mera: [speaking to Aquaman] You think
you’re unworthy to lead because you have two different worlds. That is exactly
why you are worthy.[Queen Atlanna speaks to baby Arthur]
Queen Atlanna: You could unite our worlds one day.
Queen Atlanna (to her son Orm): You have been misguided. There are not two worlds; the sea and the land are one!
Mera
tells Arthur: Atlantis has always had a king. Now it needs something more.
Arthur:
“What could be greater than a king?
Mera:
A hero. A king fights for his nation. A hero fights for everyone.
***
The
Legend of Mowgli also
has a significant message about hybridity.
Mowgli
is raised by wolves after his family is killed by Sheer Khan, the tiger. However,
since he is not a real wolf but a man-cub, he cannot run as fast as the wolves.
More significantly, he is always torn between his "different" status
in the pack although his mother tells him that he is not a freak but
"special."
He
eventually makes peace in some measure with his hybrid identity as
"neither wolf not man" and in that hybrid capacity, he is able to
secure peace for the jungle.
