The Never-Ending Battle Between Jes Grew and Atonism
At the end of Mumbo Jumbo, Hinckle Von Vampton and Hubert "Safecracker" Gould are captured, but Jes Grew dissolves. Nevertheless, PaPa LaBas remains optimistic that it will resurface, that it will never die out. Which makes one wonder: what would a true victory for Jes Gew -- or, for that matter, Atonism -- actually look like? PaPa LaBas (whom, on a completely unrelated note, I have the irresistible urge to keep calling Pops LeBops) says that Jes Grew has existed since before the universe and may outlive even death itself. Of course, the discussion of what exactly Jes Grew is is a whole other can of worms, but I take it as a representation of some part of a culture, especially African culture, that is the lifeforce of the people, that ties cultures to their roots, that evokes freedom, but also that threatens the status quo.
According to the story, it seems that once Jes Grew finds its Text, its existence and place in mainstream culture will no longer be so uneasy. People will be affected by it in the way they are meant to be. However, I find that idea inherently contradictory to Jes Grew as a concept. The way I see it, whatever form Jes Grew takes (for example, Jazz), it is as a piece of minority culture that fights against the institutions that seek to oppress it. It is rebellious freedom and self-expression. But once Jes Grew "wins," it becomes itself part of the institution. When PaPa LaBas describes how Jes Grew has and will effectively exist forever, he is talking about how humanity is naturally rebellious and self-expressive, and this allows society to progress. By virtue of the fact that Jes Grew will always exist, Jes Grew can never win, because if it ever does, a new "Jes Grew" will simply take its place to fight against the old one.
As a result of Jes Grew's immortality, not only is it doomed to failure, but so is Atonism. As long as Jes Grew continues to challenge the status quo, the status quo will always be set (unintentional pun) as a challenge. The powers that be will always try to maintain their power and suppress those they oppress. But even if they momentarily win and dissolve some given uprising, there will always be another -- it is human nature. Therefore, no matter for whom you are rooting, neither Jes Grew nor Atonism will ever win. We can only hope that their never-ending battle continues to push society towards progress.
I think that this is a super interesting analysis first of all, and I love how you put it in sort of a dialectical frame. But, for me, actual change is not precluded. There does seem to be a sort of monotonous clash, constantly reinventing itself and sinking beneath, but by virtue of its dialectical nature, there must be a point in which these social contradictions cease to exist, or at least take a non-antagonistic form. I think, while Jew Grew could be replaced, there will not always be a new one: there must be a point, given the eternal continuation of society, where this stops
ReplyDeleteInteresting observations. Although I think the conflict between Jes Grew and Atonism will continue, I don't think it will be constant nor consistent. To say there would be an end to the conflict is to say that the world will become a complete utopia, which is practically impossible due to human nature. I think there will be indeed some progress made through the clash, as you mentioned at the end of your post. I also think that both sides will continue to evolve on their own.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I really enjoyed reading your take on Jes Grew, Atonism, and their conflicts and intersections. I agree that there must be this ever-constant battle representative of Jes Grew and Atonism, and that this kind of conflict is a foundational characteristic of human society. It's the kind over old vs new, traditional vs modern, conservative vs liberal clash that will never die.
ReplyDeleteHey Aditi, you articulated this complex concept very clearly, great post! I agree with your idea of Jes Grew never really winning, since its more of an expression of rebellion, or going against the status quo. When the movement is accepted, it no longer is a rebellion, so Jes Grew finds a new manifestation. However, I guess I don't see the relationship between Jes Grew and Atonism as a battle where one side wins or loses, or is even trying to win or lose. I view it as a constant push and pull that will always exist through time, and without one, the other cannot exist. Its almost just like a check and balance of society. Really great points here Aditi!
ReplyDeleteWe do get a kind of glimpse of a Jes-Grew-dominant culture in the historical/mythical narrrative LaBas gives in chaps. 52--the time when Osiris's dances are spreading, the people are happy, the fields are prosperous, and Set is starting to get angry. The backlash--which begins with Set and continues through the anti-jazz Wallflower Order in the 20th century--forces the dances to "go underground," and it remains an oppositional, insurgent, minority culture after that. There is a kind of utopian implication to the idea that JG could someday become prominent again, but it seems like the Atonist consolidation on power remains pretty strong (within the novel, as they control world wars and stuff like that).
ReplyDeleteHmmm okay I read your (Aditi) post and was like, oh yeah I can definitely see it that way and I think I agree that Jes Grew can't ever completely win. But then, I read this comment and was reminded of the way that there really was kind of a culture where Jes Grew was big and prominent, so now I've gotten confused. If it weren't for this comment, I'd totally agree, as it seems like a main part of Jes Grew to be fighting against the mainstreem and opposition. However, at the same time, the culture in chapters 52 can't be ignored.
DeleteGreat post! Your in-depth analysis of Jes Grew highlights that there really is no winning the race of socially acceptable things, but rather all that can be won is certain aspects becoming implemented within society. However far we get in our progressive world, there will always be something to be improved, while almost facing backlash from another group of people. I wonder how this story could be rewritten as multiple Jes Grews occurring at once, as many movements overlap, creating a complex world we live in.
ReplyDeleteJes Grew and Atonism have a very interesting dynamic. They sort of need each other in order to stay relevant, since Atonism has no purpose without something to fight against, and Jes Grew, as you said, needs Atonism to rebel against or else it becomes the status quo and not Jes Grew. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI also found this really thought-provoking when you brought it up in class. Jes' Grew and Atonism are always at odds, but one can never actually win out over the other because they are interdependent. It's a paradox -- the result of winning the fight for Jes' Grew and against Atonism, in the end, will only result in the disappearance of Jes' Grew. Though Mumbo Jumbo and Ishmael Reed are on the side of Jes' Grew, in my opinion, both Jes' Grew and Atonism are necessary to preserve the balance of society. Great post!
ReplyDeleteReally good job on explaining such a complex topic. I think we often get caught up in explaining what Jes Grew is and how to spread it. But on the other side of that are the Antonists which are a little more complex to explain. And I really like your take on the fact that there isn't ever really a "winner" to this ongoing battle. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour blog brings up interesting points. Although, if Jes Grews nor the Atonists are winning, then no one is progressing. The idea that Jes Grews is immortal intrigues me because for me, it means that Jes Grews is a movement that can't die; no matter how much mainstream society pushes down on the oppressed, the movement revives itself over and over and grows little by little. I only wonder if I will see the day that the 'status quo' is no longer the standard.
ReplyDeleteHi, I agree that Jes Grew is amore a rebellious force rather than another art form that will be allowed to peacefully coexist along with others - I guess this is because it's more than just art form but a new culture. I would also say that this constant pushback from the Atonists and other forces of society brings out the 'best' of Jes Grew as it is defined by being counterculture and that this constant conflict has to exist for Jes Grew to exist because that's it's very definition.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I really like how you interpreted Jes' Grew as something that at its core, has to move up from the bottom and fight against the status quo, whatever it is at the moment. When we're told about the history and mythology surrounding Jes' Grew and the Text, with Osiris and Set, there is no "African culture vs. Western/European culture" going on - it's all about the free, fun-loving and connect-to-nature dancing of Osiris versus the stiff, aggressive, and violent behavior of Set. It was later, with colonialism, imperialism, and the ravaging of African land, people, and culture, that Jes' Grew emerged as a representation of African culture fighting against the Eurocentric and "ordered" ideals of the Atonists and the Wallflower Order. The only way I could ever see Jes' Grew/Atonism ceasing to exist would be if somehow a perfect balance is struck between all the different cultures and values in the world, such that there is no one top power to fight against. But that will likely never happen, ever, so yeah, Jes' Grew and Atonism are around for good.
ReplyDeleteI really like your analysis of Jes Grew and Atonism, and I completely agree. However, I think that Jes Grew wins by default, simply because of the way that atonism was created. Atonism is simply a response to Jes Grew, and for that reason it will never truly be able to catch up. Jes Grew is always one step ahead, because it isn't even fighting back. It's a one-sided fight that atonism is losing. Just look through history: people have tried to stop Jes Grew so many times, but they never succeed, Jes Grew overcomes everything in the end. Great post!
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