Dogville

I just watched Dogville, starring Nicole Kidman. I feel that I understand intimately the fight to keep your own soul and stay true to your cultivated principles. The rest of the world will exploit you for those principles, while misunderstanding them and trying to break you of them. Grace was tortured immeasurably for her peaceful tolerance and nearly indomitable kind-spirited nature. She believed in forgiveness, and accepting others' behavior as a product of their life and experiences: in other words, she exonerated others for their shortcomings. However, she held herself to another standard, and self-punished for any perceived transgression. She was humble and demonstrated humility in every encounter with the residents of Dogville, and allowed herself to be exploited by each of them, taking the "higher path" every time. The residents of Dogville felt that they were helping her so therefore she owed them a debt, which she paid and paid and paid. I was getting frustrated with her lack of indignance and fight - a little too close to home for me, really. My soul resonated with her passivity and I fought to stay engaged in the movie, rather than introspecting on some of my experiences. I believe I now understand the use of the word "naivete" that has been so often directed at me. But like Grace - I have the uncanny ability to dismiss and move past corporal abuses. I'm sure if I thought on them, I should be vengeful indeed. In the end, she was convinced. Her high-mindedness was a form of arrogance; her personal moral code should be applied universally; and no-one deserves more forgiveness than you reserve for yourself. Of course the residents of Dogville failed these standards miserably and justice was harsh. The movie was intriguing, and I'm feeling a little pensive about it all right now. Is there a lesson in it for me? And - Is it the Right Lesson? After all: who could blame her for what she became - based on her life and experiences? I do love a circular argument...