5. You’re part of something bigger George Bailey is part of Bedford Falls. Indeed, as Clarence shows him, George Bailey is Bedford Falls: Pottersville would have been a Potter’s Field of the living without him. From local businessman to community organizer, from confidante to husband and father, George Bailey is actively part of his community. You just can’t imagine George Bailey bowling alone. 4. You should be a proud American George Bailey is proud to be a small-town American. He’s proud his little brother saved a whole troop carrier from kamikaze attack. While he might not have gone overseas to fight World War II, he “fought the Battle of Bedford Falls,” doing all the thankless but necessary work needed on the home front, be it paper and rubber collection or blackout warden. He epitomizes what de Tocqueville meant when he spoke two centuries ago about the American voluntary spirit. Mr. Potter might have sat on a draft board deciding other people’s fates, but what characterizes George Bailey is that he doesn’t sit around. 3. Sacrifice is not a bad thing One cable network runs a commercial in which an actress tells another, “you need to take time for yourself!” A certain pop psychology has been focusing on the “me” for years: Does American society look so much richer for all these egoists who never relinquish their dreams? George Bailey relinquished a lot of dreams, but never his character or his core principles. Maybe he didn’t build that skyscraper or lasso the moon. Maybe he was tempted for a moment by an easier life at Mr. Potter’s company (before announcing “no, this is all wrong!”). But what he built had a lot more value, even if it didn’t bring him a quick buck. Can you imagine Mr. Martini getting foreclosed? Or Bailey Park disappearing in the burst of a real estate bubble? 2. Marriage and parenthood are important George Bailey may not have fulfilled his dream to “go places and do things,” but marrying Mary seemed to be a dream come true. It’s interesting that the film’s only fully developed characters are parents: George’s, and then George and Mary. It’s what the developmental psychologist Erik Erikson meant by “generativity,” that maturity that takes responsibility for a generation yet unborn. And while he may not have lassoed the moon, “George Bailey lassos stork!” 1. Life is sacred The whole film opens not on earth but in heaven, just as a man is considering “throwing away God’s greatest gift,” his life. Note that it’s God’s gift, not my right. No “assisted suicide” in this film. No “personal autonomy.” And, unlike some South African philosophers, it’s definitively not “better not to have been born.” Maybe the film remains popular because its character reminds us of the best of our character. John M. Grondelski is former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University (NJ). Thinking of submitting an op-ed to the Washington Examiner? Be sure to read our guidelines on submissions for editorials, available at this link.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 16:46:03 +0000
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