More About Heroes
About Kathy Hoten
Kathy will be grown up now. About 35, if my arithmetic is right. The incident
depicted in the column took place back in the winter of 1975-76, I believe. Some time
later both her parents died within a very short period of time. Kathy later went to live
with relatives in another state. She wrote a nice letter to me, but since that time I've lost
complete track of her. Throughout her elementary school years she was very much her
own person. Lots of ideas. I remember her in earlier grades being involved in organizing
a pop singing group and at least one play with some friends (in the fourth grade, I
think). Always smiling; popular, a leader in her own way; Kathy ever seemed
to be shaping the way she wanted her life to be, even when she had little or no control
over the way it was going. In her way she was indeed an elf (see Elves I have Known).
I hope you're having a good life wherever you are, Kathy. You deserve no less.
By the way, click on the picture to see it in a larger format.
G.K.
About Joan of Arc
For centuries, literally, historians, professional and amateur, religious and lay, have
offered opinions about Joan's voices. I even read one author who flatly declared that
Joan was insane (I've forgotten whether she decided Joan was maniacal or schizophrenic
or what the heck). Some, well, many have felt that at the least she was delusional. Even
the Catholic Church, it seems to me, hedges on the issue, even though she's been
officially declared a saint. Back at the time of her trial, it was insisted by her accusers
that her visions were more diabolic in origin than holy. I don't know ... I suppose there
needs be someone to come up with a final definitive judgment on the matter. Since I can
find little - very little - sense in most opinions I've read or heard, I humbly accept the
responsibility for coming up with that final definitive judgment myself.
Pulling together and summing up the possibilities, there seems to be four reasonable
alternatives: one, she was delusional - mad, if you will; two, she made it all up; three, she
dreamed or imagined the voices and only thought they were real; four, the voices were
the real thing.
I dismiss the first alternative out of hand. Reading the transcripts of her trial, I find her
statements too reasoned and balanced, and lacking in the necessary concept of
egocentricity, She never claimed to be any more than a simple country maid. She never
seemed particularly concerned to be so singled out by her saints. She certainly was never
known to complain of being singled out for surveillance or harm (although she had
plenty of cause to think so). Her only compulsions seemed to be that the voices did exist,
and that the English had to be expelled from France. There is precious little concern on
her part why heavenly beings talked with her, or why it seemed to be up to her to expel
the English. She wasn't a shy little worry wart. Fact is, by all accounts, she was quite
self-confident ... cocky ... and, sure, arrogant, as many heroes are. And she knew fear.
She ever appeared to be totally aware of her situation, its dangers, and its implications
for her future welfare ... or lack thereof. She was a heroic martyr because she knew,
understood, and was terrified by what was to come ... and stood by her principles even
so. No, folks, our Joan was a very reasoned sane person, and obviously very intelligent.
Joan of Arc was no madwoman.
Nor was she so light headed as to act upon a vivid imagination or realistic dreams.
Again, her words and actions were too sensible and wise ... and down to earth.
Could she have made up the words she claimed came from her saints? Sure. She was
perceptive, knowledgeable of political movements, bright. And she had gall enough to
claim saintly advice for her decisions. Heck, I've written stories; I've invented characters
to say and do what I want them to. And believe it or not, I've had the fun of quoting one
or the other to make a point. In that sense, then, they were real. But deep down I knew
it was me making the decisions. Joan's very typical "second thoughts" on decisions, I
think, are dead giveaways. To the end: Joan even reconsidered her confession, and
recanted after talking with her "saints." She went to the fire with her eyes wide open, so
to speak.
And she could really have been spoken to by heavenly messengers. There's no way of
knowing for sure which of these last two alternatives was, in fact, the explanation for her
voices.
However, truly, it doesn't matter to the heroism of her life. Again, she was always aware
that her life was fragile. She never claimed to be fearless. In fact, she often admitted to
having been afraid after she returned from a second thought. Whether her voices were
inspired or made up, Joan of Arc was a courageous human being. She is one of the few
genuine heroes in the annals of history.
It should also be added, Joan of Arc was a hero out of the people in a world history that
rarely even accepts the existence or importance of regular people
I'm including this picture of Joan. As I understand, it's the only portrait made of her
while she lived - by a court reporter in the margin of his transcription ... I think.
G.K.
(Not a thumbnail)
About Audie Murphy
Audie Murphy was a hero out of the people too. His exploits are beyond imagination.
There's a great website in his honor that I highly recommend. It contains his biography,
official citations, pictures of all his medals, and much more. Try it out at:
http://www.audiemurphy.com
G.K.
Back to Heroes
Comments or Questions: GKEARNS@prodigy.net