Notes from Paterson, New Jersey.
Or would you like to be a fish?
“Passion”.
A debonair, sensuous-sounding word.
A self-deceptive toxic word used for masochist branding for all the aspiring ones. A beacon for all the insecurities of urbanization. It’s funny how aspiring rhymes with aspirin. You’re gonna need one.
A nihilism takes it is. But that’s how today’s keyboard warrior defines the word. A self-made prison made to eat up a quarter of your life chasing a wild goose. Also a self-made elimination method, rather than mere unique classification. Often used as a silly justification of stupidity.
Paterson (2016) is a perfect dissection about passion. Where we see an almost parasitic relationship between Paterson and Laura. Paterson, New Jersey is a perfect allegory for Paterson’s life. Having similiar name with his birthplace, one could assume that it could be a blessing but also a dangerous hope to live up to his birthplace as a place full of successful artists and poets. One thing that Paterson himself didn’t ask for.
Paterson is a simple man with a simple job and seemingly living a warm and calm happy life. He seems to cherish his simple routine, from waking up next to his wife, trying so hard not to wake her up. Eating his breakfast, taking his bus across the town, walking his dog while treating himself with a cold one at the end of the day. He doesn't need any excessive pressure for having to check about celebrities or any current gossips happening on social media. Its just him, his dog and his wife altogether. Whereas we see an opposite of Paterson in Laura, an “aspiring” cupcake and interior job artisan. Different from Paterson who seemingly have a knack for poetry but didn’t want to pursue it further. Laura have a strong desire to communicate her crafts to the world, and making sure that Paterson had that same desire as well. But it seems that she doesn’t have that “gift” inside her. One subtle way is shown in the pie scene where Paterson seems unimpressed by her wife’s cooking. Another example can be shown while Paterson is eating his wife’s cupcake for lunch. Again, not impressed by it. Leaving the cupcake unfinished, just eating a half portion of it. Paterson, playing his role as a good husband. Reluctantly supporting his wife ambitions.
For how good a poet Paterson is, poetry is a curse for him. Paterson, NJ an “aspiring” poet prison. The birthplace of William Carlos Williams. His own hero, become his own enemy. Paterson did aware of that. Good for him.
Self-awareness. A keyword in Paterson’s story. Aware of his curse, the birthplace and his own name. He seeks out another passion.
This piece is just a reminder. Humans are created from an abundance of stimuli, embracing our primary needs. We’re literally an end-product of a passion.
- YM
