Black Sails Wrap Party Questions/Comments
Added 2021-12-07 01:52:08 +0000 UTCOur Black Sails Wrap Party live stream will happen this week or next. If you have any questions for us or comments share here.
Comments
Rachel's analysis of some of the effects of Silver's actions has reminded me of another question for you guys. From both comments and the podcast, there is an interpretation that Flint is the character we'd all like to be but Silver is the character we actually are - meaning as much as we would all love to 'change the world', in reality we're always going to put our own lives and that of our loved ones first. What do you guys think of that interpretation?
Jay
2021-12-11 08:31:04 +0000 UTCWhat do you think about the fact that Silver never got a backstory? I know I've mostly left my questions here open, but I feel compelled to give my own input on this one. I think Silver's lack of history is essential to his character, because of all the main cast, he's the one least affected by England's oppression. His lack of a tragic past is exactly why he is who he is- a peace-seeking moderate who can say (to borrow the words of Dr. King), "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action," and who "paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom." Like so many people without conviction, he has a certain love and admiration for radical would-be heroes; it's why he attaches himself to Flint, and then falls for Madi who is practically a mirror image of Flint. But despite his admiration for their passion, he cannot share it and so he is unable to respect it. It is people like Silver that allow forces like England to continue existing unopposed. Of course, England would have demolished Flint and Madi's forces in a fight, Silver was absolutely right about that... but was that ever really the point? Because of Silver, England was allowed to rewrite Flint's story so that he's nothing but a monster. Because of Silver, all of Madi's bravery and righteousness was reduced to merely "a few scattered objections" in the record books. And even in our own history, how much damage has been done allowing empires to write the history books? Why did I go through school seeing men like Christopher Columbus and Andrew Jackson as heroes, but Sitting Bull or Malcolm X as unequivocal villains? How much is that same logic holding true even today? But yeah, if Silver had some grander motive, I think it would fundamentally change his character. Ultimately, he is meant to show how simply being unaffected or unconcerned is in itself a defense of the status quo.
Rachel Espiritu
2021-12-11 07:39:40 +0000 UTC
