11 Comments

We need to leave the archetype of the hero behind and embrace the archetype of the king: the wise nurturer, the father, the emotional healer. Love this piece. Congrats on the twin girls. As a parent of twins, let me tell you, you’re in for a unique adventure, twice the stress, twice the blessing.

Expand full comment

I should say, rather, that the archetype of the hero should be subsumed into the archetype of the king, making the latter primus inter pares, the headstone of the arch, who both gathers together the heroes and exemplifies what they should aspire to. To remove either archetype diminishes both; the latter is, properly, the entelechy of the former.

Expand full comment

You think the king used to be the hero? Not necessarily. Both archetypes are important and both can be exclusive. I suppose I should have said that what we should leave behind is the story of the archetype of the hero as the one to strive for. I see the world in need of the service of the king at this moment. There were times when we needed the service of the hero. But now is not that time. The much heroics have gotten us in a pickle. We need wisdom. Not ego.

Expand full comment
Mar 28, 2022Liked by The Postliberals

Bravo!

Expand full comment

Congratulations!! 🥳

Expand full comment

I have long loved that photo.

Expand full comment

How will your ‘responsible fathers’ enforce their authority? Is he obligated to listen to the wishes of his wife and children? What happens when they disagree with him?

Expand full comment

It’s been a whole week and Pecknold hasn’t even attempted to answer my question: how do fathers exercise their authority? What happens when the serfs — his wife and children — don’t want to bow to the King?

Expand full comment
author

Well, I have newborn twins to whom I, as king, must bow.

Expand full comment
User was indefinitely suspended for this comment. Show
Expand full comment

I think the French revolution "fraternite" is an attempt to encourage country unity, and in no way advocates single parenthood. The problem of Western modernity is the overall degradation of KINSHIP, including of brothers!

Expand full comment