Courage in Blue Flower Power

Courage is a key part of Blue Flower Power. But it’s more than physical bravery or taking risks; it’s about moral and intellectual courage—the courage to be true to yourself, resist social pressures, and, as Novalis said, "embrace the mystery of life."

Here are some voices who championed Romantic courage:

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Abigail fights for the Powder of Life

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage." ("Self Reliance")

Emerson's take: Trust yourself and be strong.

For Emerson, true courage requires a willingness to stand apart from society and embrace one's own individuality. In other words, "Be true to yourself."

Friedrich Nietzsche*:

Frank Needlenose

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ("The Will to Power")

Nietzsche's take: Embrace the chaos within to create something new and beautiful.

"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star."  

("Thus Spoke Zarathustra")

Having chaos within means accepting the unknown and difficult parts of life to create something powerful. The "dancing star" shows that this creation takes not only courage but also a joyful freedom and creativity.

(*Although technically not a Romantic in the Blue Flower sense, Nietzsche believed in embracing the unknown and facing the mysteries of life with courage.)

Edgar Allen Poe:

No! It can't be.

"And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor /Shall be lifted—nevermore!" ("The Raven")

Poe's take: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the willingness to confront and overcome it.

In The Raven, he is haunted by the memory of his lost love. Here, he expresses his determination to lift his soul out of that shadow, even though he knows he’ll never fully escape the darkness. This line highlights the importance of facing the darker parts of our minds and finding the courage to confront our fears and insecurities.

William Wordsworth:

What happened to Sparkle Valley?

"And I will dare to tell you, that the mind

Of Man in solitude and gross darkness lodged,

Deems not the struggle vain, the good man’s cause

 A momentary speck."

("Resolution and Independence")

Wordsworth's take: The struggle for goodness and purpose, even in solitude and darkness, is never in vain.

The "good man's cause" that he refers to is the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life, and to continue moving forward even when the path ahead is unclear or difficult.

Joseph Campbell:

"I'll protect you."

"The hero’s journey always begins with the call. One way or another, a guide must come to say, ‘Look, you’re in Sleepy Land. Wake. Come on a trip. There is a whole aspect of your consciousness, your being, that’s not been touched. So you’re at home here? Well, there’s not enough of you there.’ And so it starts." ("The Hero with a Thousand Faces" 1949)

Campbell's take: "Wake up sleepy head!"

The hero's journey is a metaphor for the human experience of growth and self-discovery, and the call to adventure occurs when we realize that there is more to life than what we have previously experienced. It represents a call for courage—the hero leaves the comfort zone of "Sleepy Land" and embarks on a quest into the unknown.

Friedrich Schlegel

Abigail isn't afraid

"The Romantic hero is characterized by his courage, his willingness to take risks, and his rejection of conformity and convention." ("Dialogue on Poetry")

Schlegel's take: Take risks,,, and responsibility.

The Romantic hero’s courage to take risks comes from rejecting conformity and convention. This type of bravery requires self-awareness and a willingness to take responsibility for one’s actions.

Being self-aware means clearly understanding your thoughts and actions, which helps you act in line with them. Acting on these beliefs can have both good and bad outcomes, but taking responsibility shows integrity and commitment to your values, even when facing challenges.

Novalis

Emily sees the Magic Garden has been invaded

"The blue flower is a symbol of courage, which arises from the willingness to face the unknown and to embrace the mystery of life."

Novalis' take: Courage is the driving force that moves you forward.

Novalis believed that by facing the unknown and embracing life’s mysteries, we can find the courage to overcome challenges and discover meaning. In this way, courage is the driving force that moves us forward. Only by pushing past our fears and limits can we truly experience life to the fullest.

Even Aristotle (not a Romantic by any stretch) recognized this — "You will never do anything in this world without courage..."