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GEE

GEE by Adam_Michael_Barck

Recommended and reviewed by T.I.

Here we have a discussion between a man and his friend, one called August, the other, just Gee. Throughout the piece, they delve into the modern frames of philosophy, psychology, religion, and self-expression, including the idea of God, the existence of labels in society, and the concept of tolerance as the "true brotherhood".

At the start, the very root of belief is challenged, through the eyes of Gee, who does not exist but comes to, like a soul into a container. Gee passes out in response to Sam, a man who attempts to imbue "Gee" with the knowledge of God. Gee says, "I know not what God is, nor an atheist, Sam. I apologize. I am neither from around here, nor have I all my memories with me at the moment." The lack of belief in God and Gee's vernacular, reminds me of the Victorian Era, in which the fast pace of the Industrial Revolution had the working class on their toes.

Indeed, Barck effectively uses dialogue to mold, shape and develop each of the characters, but in particular, Gee is the most fascinating subject, something like a vessel or source of knowledge. Though he is portrayed as ignorant, especially of rules that have been placed over modern society, his knowledge is that of a sage, of knowledge before it was corrupted. Perhaps his naivety contributes to the irony of his God-like presence and his superior understanding of an original ideal utopian world.

Barck engages and leads readers into thought-provoking questions not only through comparison between old and new constructs, but in language as well. There are curious misplaced phrases used by the characters, that seem strange in our present context. Gee's own words of advice and wisdom, so to speak, sound like the hauntingly profound words of a disembodied divine being or those of an oracle. This poetic, archaic way of speech that Gee uses imbues the words with an almost sacred feeling. In the same way, the writer's narrative and descriptive prose has a classical rhythm and flow, and captures the strangeness of the environment.

Throughout the piece, the idea that an outside voice often jogs us to stop and think about the seemingly mundane, everyday things in our lives, resonates with readers. Barck may be reminding us of our blindness to how we act, what we do, what we look like, on a daily basis. Mirrors only show a flipped image of ourselves after all, not the exact reflection of our self. Unless we evaluate the status quo with an external perspective, Gee suggests we will fail to recognize the defects in our "perfect" society.

Gee at last leaves us all this message, as he departs August's world:

"I would hereby beseech to spend your given time in search of that Truth that is inside you. Think you not seriously on things that cannot be known. Know you what you know and be happy. Draw no lines, erect no statues. Believe not answers given by other mouths. Truth is experienced. Let go. Love. Forgive. Unify. Live with open eyes and heart. Be you a radiant beacon for those seeking succour in dark storms. Become."