{VIRTUAL} Fighting Fascism with the Power of Magic: Inspiration for Modern Times from Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth

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In Guillermo del Toro’s films, the manipulative power of the villains can range from the allegiance of a small group who will not betray their leader to an entire army which out of devotion, obedience, or even fear refuse to break rank and oppose the evil regime. These two companion films present unlikely heroic characters—children—who become the moral and symbolic center of the force that fights the oppressor, breaking open the mundane world and imbuing it with the power of magic, vanquishing evil. Though their mortal lives are tragically ephemeral, these children heroically teach us about the immense power of magic in triumphing over the forces of darkness. Join me for a deep dive into these two films, discovering deeper symbolism and meaning, appreciating how del Toro affirms how formidable magic is in the face of forces that wish to dehumanize and subjugate us. These magical realist films are thus sources of inspiration for us through these dark times, reminding us of the value of our own magic. And if time permits, I’d love to have a discussion on the many ways we can connect with our own magical power to help ourselves and each other fight the power of authoritarianism.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Susan Redington Bobby, the founder of Professor of Words, LLC, is an online teacher, a freelance editor, a writing mentor, and a tutor. Her specialty is being able to read people on a deeper level through their writing, and she has recently completed a certificate course on integrative somatic trauma therapy.  She is a retired professor of English with expertise in fairy tales, adolescent literature, goddess archetypes, magical realism, creative writing, and film studies. She is the author of Beyond His Dark Materials, the editor of Fairy Tales Reimagined, and co-editor of The Artemis Archetype in Popular Culture. The Series Editor of Tales from Fiddler’s Green, she also occasionally publishes creative fiction. She is currently studying the Bardic Course in Druidry from OBOD. She maintains Mellie’s Grove, a certified NWF backyard wildlife habitat that is home to a rescued and small stabilized cat family and all manner of wildlife.