For Love of Rocky
When traveling in Europe, I remember being struck by how many historic leaders had built some sort of stone monument to themselves (Napoleons Arc de Trumph, to the left, for example).
They were meant, I think, to leave a lasting mark on the world–to be an eternal tribute to the power and accomplishments of these men.
Stone was the chosen material, I’m guessing, because it seemed so permanent. They probably imagined the people of the future–thousands of years later–reading the carefully etched homages to themselves.
Of course, that’s not always how it works.
Take, for example, the crumbled remnants of ancient Rome–broken columns and pillars laying half-buried in the dirt of Rome. Tourists walk past them, taking photos of what survived, not stopping to read any inscription, unsure of who had any of it built or what it was even meant to look like when puzzled together.
Our country, of course, doesn’t have ancient monuments. We have maybe–maybe–200 year old monuments. Monuments that were still built by someone’s grandfather’s great grandfather; whose family lineage is still traceable.
There is also, in Philly (my mystery location from Saturday’s post), a more prominent statue. One that stands apart from the tributes to America’s founders and political leaders, standing apart mostly because–well–people pay attention to it.
While the other statues stand alone, people sideways-glancing at them–slowing their pace momentarily but not bothering to stop long enough to read the plaques attached to them–this over-achieving statue attracts lines of people. So much so that a paid museum employee has to be posted by the statue to organize the crowds that want to get their photo snapped next to it.
Its a statue of Rocky.
Yes, Rocky Balboa.
Not a statue of the actor Sylvester Stallone, mind you.
But a statue of the fictional character, Rocky.
Rocky raises his arms in victory, knowing that he has outdone Lincoln who sits stoically, and alone, on the other side of the museum’s yard.
It makes me wonder what is is that Rocky represents that we all want to remember? What does Rocky’s story tell us about our own? What kind of monuments do we want to represent our stories someday?
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Danielle January 18, 2010 (8:08 pm)
Maybe Rocky is meant to inspire us to never give up?
Keith Lee January 18, 2010 (8:12 pm)
Ah. Rocky. One of the most influential people of my 30 years of life. I own the original five on VHS, refusing to part with them even though I have long done away with a VCR. Rocky was a symbol of hope. An urge to do more. A motivation to get off of the couch. Rocky is a symbol of hard work. Putting your mind to something and your nose to the grindstone. I think the first time I watched Rocky was while I was in middle school. All of the times I have watched it since, it’s effect has yet to change. That is what Rocky memorializes for me. Thanks Sarah for reminding me how much I love Rocky, the character that stirred the fighter in us all.
TomKinsfather January 18, 2010 (9:11 pm)
Personally, history fires me up way more than fiction. Everybody needs heros. I believe Rocky stirs more interest than Lincoln because most Americans don’t know history, whereas most everyone watches movies. The result being there is far more attachment in society to Rocky than to Napoleon or Jefferson.
I’m attached to movie characters myself. Frodo, Luke, and Wallace are all heros. But history has so much more depth and inspires me more than fiction ever could.
Moral: Digging into history is definitely worth the effort.
Roger Varland January 18, 2010 (10:11 pm)
My thoughts are very similar to the previous post by TomKinsfather. I’m a little bummed that someone would go to the trouble of making and erecting a statue of a fictional character as opposed to an historical figure. Fiction can inspire, but not like the real thing. Now it’s true that the little mermaid draws a crowd in Copenhagen and there must be a Rip VanWinkle somewhere in New England, but my vote would be to move Rocky to Hollywood, the epicenter of visual fiction.
Keith Lee January 19, 2010 (6:29 am)
I agree with the two posts regarding history. I love history. Nearly majored in it but went the PoliSci route instead. The problem I think we have with history vs fiction is twofold. First, our history teachers, at least the ones I experienced until college, can be a bore. They sucked the fun out of it. For most people, that is enough to turn them off from history all together. And it is sad. Second, history texts can be extremely esoteric and didactic making them tough to read through. They strip away the personality of the “characters” of history by taking away the relational possibilities and simply report the facts, living out the minutiae of life.
Simply put, if history professors and authors made the heroes more relational, gave them more personality, more people would find interest. Until then, Hollywood will always win out with the million dollar budgets and the overpaid cast.
As for digging deeper, couldn’t you guys have at least attempted to answer the questions asked instead of picking on the common man (lighthearted here fellas). We all have a little Rocky in us, that is what Sarah was asking. Instead of calling out America’s apathy toward anything less than entertaining, dig deep and tell us what Rocky means to you. We don’t have to be serious about everything. A little fun is a prescription for happiness.
“It makes me wonder what is is that Rocky represents that we all want to remember? What does Rocky’s story tell us about our own? What kind of monuments do we want to represent our stories someday?”
Sarah Cunningham January 19, 2010 (8:12 am)
Thanks for the comments. I agree. My observation was that Rocky was a bit out of place over by the museum and Independence Hall etc. Maybe there is a different place in Philadelphia, that is more entertainment centered (a movie theater) that would be more appropriate. Today’s winner was Andrea Schulz, who entered via Twitter (winners are selected via Random.Org after total entries are submitted).
Thanks for participating though. And remember, regular participants will be automatically entered in a drawing for bonus book prizes at the end of the contest.
DeQuan Shanks January 19, 2010 (9:16 am)
I am a bit late for the contest but I thought I would comment anyway. The story of Rocky to me means that we can change perception of who we are. Rocky, at the beginning, was a muscle man for a loan shark. He was a goon. As the movie continues on, he begins to change himself. His perception of himself, his demeanor, who everyone thought he was supposed to be. The change in him made him the favorite rather than just another guy. He became just over the course of the fight the toughest man ever. Though he looked like he was supposed to fall, he didn’t. He kept standing up, taking shots and giving them back just as hard. The story of Rocky is to stand up, even though everyone thinks you should just fall.