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https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/demian/section2/
An interpretation of a few pages from the book "Demian" by Hermann Hesse.
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A new student, Max Demian, appears in Sinclair's school. The son of a wealthy widow, Demian was a year older than Sinclair, but seemed almost adult. During one of Sinclair's scripture classes, Demian was forced to sit in and write an essay. After school, Demian approached Sinclair and began to engage him in conversation. They discussed Sinclair's house, about which Demian seemed to have a bit of knowledge. He told Sinclair that the arch above the doorway contained a coat of arms resembling a sparrow hawk.
Demian then brought up the subject of the day's lecture—the story of Cain and Abel.
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Demian then offers Sinclair a way of reading the Cain and Abel story that differs from what he learned in class. Demian argues that Cain's mark was something more of an air about him—he was a man of whom others were in awe. People, unable to deal appropriately with men of true worth, incorrectly interpreted this sign as indicating that Cain was in some way evil. Scared of Cain and upset because they were scared, people slandered him since it was their only available revenge. The notion that Cain was marked as evil, then, is to be dismissed as a fabrication of the weak.
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Before and after I first read this book about fifty years ago, I have felt that individuals who are supremely strong and accomplished are often put down (marked) by the weak as being evil.
Donald J. Trump gets this treatment.
ping to #42
I don’t disagree. It is the same way people of strong faith are ridiculed because they hold themselves to a higher standard.
There is never any use arguing with them (unless they are doing something illegal.). You will never change their mind.
Thanks aleg, interesting take on it.