Why does Dersu call himself a bad man?
Correct me if I'm wrong but even before the tiger incident Dersu called himself a bad man. Anyone have a theory as to why?
shareIn an earlier instance when Dersu and the soldiers are about to go their seperate ways, he sheepishly reveals to the Captain that he has no bullets with which to hunt sable. Of course, after the amazing adventures and guidance he had given the soldiers up to that point (in some cases even saving their lives), a couple of middling bullets seem almost trivial.
But it's obvious that Dersu feels a deep sense of shame and embarrassment in revealing his need. The idea of taking something from someone, regardless of reason, is completely lost on him. Instead of seeing this as a quid pro quo of sorts, I think he sees it as a hand out, perhaps even as a form of theft.
That's why he called himself a bad man. Of course the Captain replied that this was complete nonsense on Dersu's part and indeed ordered that the soldiers give him every bullet they had left. It was the very least they could do, and do they did with laughter and heartfelt joy.
It was quite a touching scene, actually.
"Gravity is a harsh mistress." -Tick
I loved this scene. Dersu was so austere, he felt ashamed of asking something from men he had saved over and over again. I felt so joyous when the soldiers break up Dersu's bad mood with a laughter and give him the bullets. It was these little touches of humanity that made me love this movie so much.
This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.
You shouldn't forget the death of Dersu's wife and children from smallpox. This comes up so often in the film that it clearly left him with a profound survivor's guilt, on top of the normal self-criticism that would come from having been a father and husband powerless to help his family. It's an offscreen tragedy that is all the more powerful for only being referenced and not shown.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
You shouldn't forget the death of Dersu's wife and children from smallpox. This comes up so often in the film that it clearly left him with a profound survivor's guilt, on top of the normal self-criticism that would come from having been a father and husband powerless to help his family. It's an offscreen tragedy that is all the more powerful for only being referenced and not shown.I agree. He must have wondered why he was spared and not them. Also we don't know what type of man he was before his family's death. After their death he was committed to the forest, being part of it and seeing all sentient life as akin to human.
A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.share