During our discussion this past Monday, there was a general consensus around the table that “Let The Great World Spin” was a book very much concerned with death and how different people perceive death differently. While each of the main chapters (especially in the first book) deal with death (J.A Corrigan’s death, Jazzlyn’s death, Joshua being killed in ‘Nam, Tillie’s hinted-at suicide), the “walker sections” in between the books provide a stark contrast.
The walker’s dream of walking across the Twin Towers on a tightrope, and what some might perceive as his recklessness with his life, is not born of a desire to die, but of his desire to express the thrill of living. The insane amount of effort the walker puts into the completion of his goal and his eventual accomplishment of it express the purest form of living there is. While he was practicing, and when he eventually performed the feat, the walker was free; free of all the shackles of an everyday life, free of all worries, and, perhaps most importantly, free of any fear of dying. In those 45 minutes on the wire, in the skies of New York City, he was truly alive.
It was this stark contrast of life/death that really fascinated me about the book and why the walker sections were particularly exciting for me to read. And with that, I leave you all with a quote that I feel applies to the walker.
I completely agree with you on how ones desire to live and enjoy their life may seem as reckless and suicidal for others. Everyone has a different outlook on dreams. For the tightrope walker, he felt alive even though he put himself on the verge between life and death. This moment was the highlight of his life and having completed his dream the walker must feel accomplished. I find it fascinating how ones desire to live may seem as the desire to die in another individuals’ eyes.
I also agree with you. The documentary we watched “Man on Wire” really highlights the point you are making. The thrill of being able to accomplish a goal that seems nearly impossible is the greatest experience one can ever hope to attain. The walk itself however is still death defying, and although the walker himself is not making a mockery of death, those watching him can feel that way as you said. This is especially true for Joshua’s mother whom felt personally offended by the act, whereas her husband thought it was absolutely amazing. Although they both lost their son, Solomon, as a judge, has watched as his city decayed, and this act of defiance brought life back to it. Solomon did not even really think too much about the death of the walker, a lot of the onlookers did not even care about his life, many were calling out to him telling him to just jump already. They were all indifferent to his survival, but all were amazed at his brilliant act.
Hi Shahrouk,
Yes, I totally agree that the walker’s act was born of his desire to “express the thrill of living,” as you so aptly put it. I think it’s all a matter of perspective. Like Angelika said, what one deems to be suicidal can be life-giving for another. Further, I admire how much courage it takes to break away from society’s standards and define for yourself what being ‘alive’ really is. Not many people can pull that off. Hats off to Petit for being exceptional in this regard!