Operative: "That girl will rain destruction down on you and your ship.
She is an albatross, Captain."
Mal: "Way I remember it, albatross was a ship's good luck, 'til some idiot killed it."
(to Inara) "Yes, I've read a poem, try not to faint."
--Serenity (2005)
The above exchange is one of my favorite moments from Serenity (which is expected from an English major, I suppose). The poem they're referring to is "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I think the Operative's literary reference (and Mal's reaction) is a really smart way to talk about River since there are varying opinions among Serenity's crew about whether keeping River on board is a good idea or a completely terrible idea. When the Operative suggest she's nothing but bad news, Mal quickly points out that River has become a problem mostly because of guys like him. In this case, The Operative would be the "some idiot" who "killed it" (or at least really, really wants to).
Though the exchange is quick--and still packed with Whedon-esque humor--there is a lot happening within the dialogue. The Operative deems River capable of destruction, and Mal is in a tough spot where he could easily agree since he's been struggling with Simon and River's involvement on the ship for a while. In this moment, however, I feel like he realizes River may not be at fault and there is a much deeper darkness out of her control. Mal uses his famous humor to not only snap back at The Operative but also defend River and claim (or perhaps reclaim) her as a part of the crew--for better or for worse. (Also, I think it's a pretty funny moment for Mal to try to point out to Inara that he is well read.)
Here's an excerpt from Coleridge's poem (it's pretty long, so if Mal did in fact read it, good for him!):
And I had done a hellish thing,
And it would work 'em woe:
For all averred, I had killed the bird
That made the breeze to blow.
Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay,
That made the breeze to blow!
Nor dim nor red, like God's own head
The glorious Sun uprist:
Then all averred, I had killed the bird
That brought the fog and mist. . . .
6 comments:
Very Interesting! I was not aware that the poem Mal was referring to was ever made known! It was funny to hear him commenting on a poem when he would seem to be the last one that I would picture kicking back to read poetry! I'll have to check the poem out myself! Great Post!
I love the way you say that this scene is a great representation of all the "issues" surrounding River.
Also right on about the Whedonesque humor.
Do you think in a show like this references to things like classic lit ground a futuristic show in reality, or should something set far in the future try to create its own 'acient'/older history?
@Cait: In this particular scene, it at least grounded Mal in reality for me. Viewers become attached to these characters--characters who are constantly running around in danger, dealing with emergencies--but I think a part of us just wants them to be people, too (at least at moments, for relief). So, that's probably one of the many reasons I found this scene so endearing.
Also, is it cheesy to say that the chosen reference gave me hope about literature's endurance in a futuristic world? It's a poem from 1798 referenced (I'm not doing math) way, way, way ahead in time. I can't speak for Whedon & Co. about the chosen reference other than that the symbol of the albatross works so well for River. Firefly has excellent allegorical/metaphoricall tendencies, too, so I believe literature references work very well. :)
I totally agree about it making the character's relatable, and personally I enjoy it being a reference we've all at least heard of.
I also nerd out about good literary references in television and film. I almost squealed int he rejection scene of "500 Days of Summer" just because she talked about sitting in a diner reading Dorian Gray.
Mal IS a poem. I want the script to this movie because there are so many beautiful expressions and phrases, most of them Mal's.And River's.
And I love how you brought real depth and analyzed what is going on in the scene so clearly.
I need to go read this poem now. I have been delinquent.
I love how in the last scene, Mal calls River "little albatross." So sweet...
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