THE TRIXTER
“In the criminal underworld, which is one trickster realm,
there are overlords and underlings, kingpins and masterminds,
but only the confidence man
is an artist.
The con artist is a trickster
who blurs the categories
of villain and victim,
crime and commerce.
He plies his craft not by taking but by giving,
by inventing a story for his marks.
A well-constructed con job
entertains, flatters and teases;
it invites the mark to fill in gaps in the story. It only works
if the sucker’s avarice,
rather than the con artist’s, sets the con in motion.
The con artist’s greed
is wholly controlled and channeled;
the mark’s is in conflict with itself,
ultimately doing him in.
It is the mark’s identifying mark.
Where most criminals try to leave no evidence, the con artist builds a monument to his creativity and wit.
The better the story he leaves, the better the con.” (Leland 169-170)
INTRODUCING:
“When you marooned me on that god forsaken
spit of land, you forgot one very important thing, mate:
I’m Captain Jack Sparrow.”
The most epic sword fight scenes ever made Barbossa vs Jack Sparrow
“Me i'm disshonest.. and a disshonest man you can always trust to be disshonest .. honestly..
it's the honest one's you want to watch out for.. cause you can never predict when they gonna do something incredibly stupid .” Captain Jack Sparrow
Captain Jack Sparrow's Desiderata tattoo.
Latin for "desired things'.
Seen during Sparrow's entrapment in Davy Jones' Locker .
The poem Desiderata is about attaining happiness in life.
http://www.squidoo.com/Johnny-depp-artistic-tattoos
http://www.squidoo.com/Johnny-depp-artistic-tattoos
Jack Sparrow's Desiderata poem tattoo
-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
When you Have your own theme song like Jack SparRow
That is Hip.
I've really enjoyed reading your blog all semester. One of the things you do a great job of is using specific quotes from Leland and other texts to make your points. This is exactly what I'm asking you do to in the second essay.
ReplyDeleteYou're missing your second post/bibliography, though.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You SW! I appreciate your kind words and enjoy the in class discussions.
ReplyDelete