Altruism and the Development of Souls, Now in Technicolor!

Kay, before I say anything else, I know this post may really bother people...lot's of soul discussion and development of souls and what not. I'm just posting because this honestly relates to how things develop in the story and I want to be sincere in this documentation in as much as I am able to be. Even if at times my thoughts may not even feel clear to me.

I've been pondering all day whether or not people can truly be born 'equal'. If there is such a thing as a blank slate. I mean, maybe we all do come into this world with the equal capacities to love and hate, but can you say that a child born into cruelty, poverty and abuse has the same chances at growing up to be happy, healthy and trusting as someone who was born into love, comfort and wealth? Even then...there is some evidence that there are some disorders that people can be born with that can cause violent, hostile or angry personalities.

I ponder this as I wonder about some of the characters the main characters will later encounter. For those of you who have been following this story for a while, these questions apply specifically to Lillith who we will be meeting later.

Once when I was reading about a philosopher (whose name I can't recall, and who evades me despite many searches) I ran across the idea proposed that "children have no souls". (If anyone knows who said this, please, please tell me! I've been looking all over and can't find it!) I don't know if I totally agree with that sentiment, but I think it suggests the interesting idea that perhaps, if children have no souls, but adults do (that was a part of the philosophy as well) that there is something between childhood and adulthood that imbues you with a soul.

Now, I know there are a lot of people out there who don't believe in a soul, but even if you don't I think there is something to run with in that idea. Anyway, this is a historic/romance/fantasy/horror/god what is it?, so let's just run with the idea that in this story, people have souls. I've often heard that in famine and war situations, children will actually exhibit the most vicious behavior in order to survive. We like to think of children as inherently innocent, naive and gentle...but I think if you will recall grade school it's clear that this isn't always true. For much of your early life, you existed only to be taken care of

So what is it then that makes us sympathetic? Where do we go from being creatures that take to ones that can give? Or, if you don't believe in altruism, at what point do we start deluding ourselves into thinking that we are doing something strictly for the benefit of others? (Not saying I don't believe in altruism, but the idea exists that it's just a fantasy and I had to bring it up)

Such thoughts are currently influencing the later chapters...slippery little buggers, sloshing around in my poor old skull.

And then, as I think these things I listen the podcast "I Should Be Writing" and I know that all this thinking is keeping me from doing. I must find a way to think and do at the same time. Sigh...well...I will do my utmost to get a rough done for page 2 tonight. I have a kind of scribble for it. Once I get to the 5th page or so I'll post the scribblies, because they're all kind of on one page.

Anyway, to compensate for all the ponderation and to add color to my page, I'll give you a picture too! Enjoy! Here is some of the early color tests for Hélène...though, she may still be called Cosette on the page and yes I know that's not a real name, but it was kind of a 'filler' name I was using for her for a time. I'll do a nice long post about that sooner or later, it's a fun story in it's own right, and it's an issue I should address.

Anyway, picture tiemz!

In fact, have another picture too! This one is gruesome, but it's definitely one of my faves. There is something about this that just kind of feels as though it suits the series. If it weren't for the fact that the story wouldn't allow for this to be the final image, I kind of wish this could be what I close on. Dandelions and decay are kind of a big recurring motif in this.