Change

 

Everyone at the school was anxious. A new principal had arrived, and that meant change. The fear of the unknown had gripped everyone. Like life, life at the school seemed bleak.

Beside this uncertainty, disappointment also reared its face around the teachers' hearts. It was ridiculous that nobody from Kisumu had been chosen for the principal's position. The new principal was from Thika, which made the Kisumu staff feel undermined and disrespected. Moreover, the method the head office used to introduce the principal had not served him well. The chief finance officer had arrived with him, blazing fire and declaring how lazy the Kisumu staff was. The new principal appeared to adopt this subjective view, as his first speech to the staff he barely knew was full of threats.

Two weeks of holiday  passed, and a new semester begun.

Ochieng made sure he arrived early at school that morning. He had missed his cherished morning workout just to be on time. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain. Mr. Maingi was already in and had signed the attendance register. Anyone who signed after him was late. Ochieng was not a person to notice such things. While knowing well the significance of keeping time at work, lateness was something trifle that warranted no to minimal reaction from the management. He took the book and confidently penned his signature below the principal's, claiming he had reached school at eight in the morning. He then opened his office, sat at his desk, and started marking exams.

Marking exams was the worst experience in Ochieng's teaching career. He didn't enjoy any bit of it. He hated having to think for the students, that is, trying to validate their wrong answers. Being human and subject to human failings, he hated seeing students fail. Thus, he took his time to go through their papers and think like them. This process was cumbersome and mentally tortured him.

 Striking the right balance among right, almost right, and wrong answers was a decision he faced in every question of the hundreds of papers he marked. But this time, he had to do it. The deadline for submitting the results had long passed, and the new principal, who seemed to be a lover of diligence, was already on their case.

 For a moment, Ochieng wondered whether he would have time for the long lunches outside the school premises, which had become his norm. He believed stepping out of that work environment was beneficial to his motivation at work and health.

 Ochieng's colleagues had finished marking their papers. They were in the process of creating student mark sheets and finally submitting the results to the exams office. Most of them had arrived late that morning, only to be surprised to see Mr. Maingi's signature on the attendance register.

 It was their concern about this occurrence that aroused Ochieng's interest. He had never cared that the principal had signed the register, locking out others. It was a non-issue for him. However, now that his colleagues seemed alarmed, his interest in the matter grew.

 However, Ochieng had no time for idle chatter. His focus was on beating his Friday deadline for submitting the exam results. He put his head down and continued marking.

 Only Lydia's arrival caught his attention. He liked her both as a colleague and as a woman. She was simple, which aligned well with his value for simplicity. Besides, Lydia was attractive - tall and slim, with a small waist that he often imagined taking hold of.

 

But Ochieng was a cautious man. He feared women and kept his distance as much as he could.

 Lydia's reaction to Mr. Maingi's signature was sarcastic. "I hope these measures will increase enrollment," she retorted and walked away.

As she approached Ochieng's office, she checked to see if he was in. Ochieng rose up to meet her and embraced her tightly. She seemed more beautiful this morning - the short holiday had done her good. He held her so tight for a few minutes, unwilling to let go. Once he stopped leaning on her shoulders, he held her waist and looked into her eyes.

 Lydia blushed, pulled away, and started laughing to hide her shyness. Unwilling to push things further, Ochieng exchanged greetings with her casually and let her make her way to her own office.

 Mr. Maingi had called for a meeting with the top management. He was then to meet the entire staff after this initial meeting. The management meeting was long and drawn-out, lasting the whole morning until noon while the staff waited outside.

 "What could they be talking about for so long?" asked Doram, anxious about the prolonged discussion.

 Ochieng had grown tired of marking exams. He had gone for a plate of "chapo and beans" and was back in his office. He also couldn't help worrying about that meeting. It reminded him of his time at Maranda High, when the boarding master and deputy principal would lock prefects in similarly long meetings. When the prefects came out of those meetings, they were like wasps that had sensed danger.

Ochieng hoped this would not be the case here.

 Precisely two minutes past noon, the entire staff settled into Lecture Room 8. Everyone seemed anxious. They all settled in the back row, leaving only Ochieng and Jane, the exams secretary, in the front row.

 Ochieng jokingly dared his colleagues to come occupy the front seats, but they vehemently opposed the idea. The room became uncomfortably quiet as the staff waited for the top management officers and the principal to arrive.

 When Jesse arrived and settled on a seat reserved for management, Ochieng felt his heart skip a beat. Jesse had often avoided such seats, opting to sit with the staff in most meetings. This change in position signified a possible change in heart.

 The principal then walked in, and the meeting began.

The Visitor

 

David woke up quite late this morning - 7:31 AM to be precise. The weather was cold, and he would have loved staying in bed. Unfortunately, life is life; one has to get up and face it.

 His love for physical exercise was one thing that often amazed others. He showed no greater commitment to anything in this world than his dedication to exercise. A few months ago, he had rejected a good opportunity that promised to double his earnings on the basis that he wouldn't have time for workouts. Nothing was more valuable to him than the work-life balance that Kisumu offered. At his age, he knew that only a substantial offer would lure him away from Kisumu.

 The only thing on his mind now was doing two hundred reverse lunges and coupling them with several other calisthenic techniques. He cleared space for the workout, removed his vest, and wore only his shorts. David walked confidently to the center of the space, placed his hands on his waist, and started doing reverse lunges. Gosh, this guy loved activities that made him sweat and breathe heavily. He believed that sweating was crucial to health, considering it an important way of removing waste from the body. Thus, he pitied those who passed their days without breaking a single drop of sweat.

 David loved his body and was proud of himself. The fact that he wasn't potbellied at his age was one of his greatest achievements. A few weeks ago, a girl he had met had guessed that he was twenty-eight. The thought of it flattered him so much that he stupidly grinned to himself. He was strong and lean, an amazing feat for an African man in his late thirties.

An hour and a half later, David finished his workout. He walked into the bathroom to take a shower. He loved water too; he bathed twice a day, a habit that made him the subject of ridicule from his brother Jacob, and Benedict, his colleague at work and his roommate a week ago during the CBET training.

Benedict had declared that he was too clean to be married. "Now, if you keep clean the way you do, what's the need for a woman in your life? You have to be untidy for a woman to find a place to fit in your life," Benedict had proclaimed.

 David responded meekly that he had reached a point in life where marriage was out of the question. It was a dream that eluded him.

 Water scarcity had hit Nairobi. Being aware of this fact and keen to maintain a good reputation as a visitor, David ensured he used the minimum possible amount of water. He didn't want his host begrudging him for wasting this resource that was increasingly becoming valuable all over the world.

He half-filled the basin with water and began to bathe, implementing the "dry" bathing skills he had learned in the water-deprived Maranda High School, where five cups of water were enough to wash the whole body. Even though soap irritated his eyes, he had to tolerate it until he scrubbed his whole body and then rinsed it off.

Twenty minutes later, he walked out of the bathroom feeling clean and fresh. He passed by his mattress and reached for a clean T-shirt on the simple African-style sofa. This T-shirt held cherished memories of his grandmother, Alfreda. The front side had a large mural of Alfreda printed on it. The back side had a verse printed on it, which he couldn't remember at the moment.

He had worn this T-shirt during his grandma's funeral. That day was fateful as he gave his last regards to one of the few people he had ever loved wholeheartedly. Now he was using this T-shirt to blot water from his well-toned body.

David put on a vest, short, pair of trousers, and a sweater, then sat on the sofa. It was a cold Monday morning, and this reality struck him. Willy, his cousin, had rushed out of the room to open his clothing business, and Donna had gone out to meet a client who needed her hair done.

David realized that his time as a guest was up. He had to move out the next morning and start facing life again.

 

Carl Jacobs: A Champion for Individualism in Conflict with Society in "Euphoria" Season 2, Episode 4

 

"Euphoria," the critically acclaimed HBO series, is a masterful exploration of the tumultuous lives of modern adolescents, delving into the complexities of addiction, relationships, and identity. In Season 2, Episode 4, the narrative takes a profound turn as it focuses on the character Carl Jacobs, a symbol of individualism in stark contrast to his family, representing societal norms and expectations.

This pivotal scene, in which Carl enters his home intoxicated and urinates on the floor, serves as a powerful allegory for the clash between the pursuit of personal freedom and the conforming pressures of society.

A Defiant Act of Rebellion: Carl's Urination on His Family's Pride

Carl's audacious urinating on the floor of his family's home in "Euphoria" Season 2, Episode 4, carries profound symbolic weight. This house, built with his sweat and toil, represents the epitome of societal achievement and conformity. However, Carl's act is a stark rejection of the societal norm that places unwavering emphasis on hard work and material success. It serves as a poignant commentary on the potentially hollow nature of relentless ambition.

In this moment, as he relieves himself on what should be his pride, Carl appears to grapple with a sense of regret, realizing that there must be more to life than the relentless pursuit of material success. His act becomes a form of self-inflicted punishment, an acknowledgement of the emptiness that can accompany a life dedicated to work and achievement.

The Bold Rebellion: Carl's Unveiling of the Individual's Power

In a stunning and audacious display of rebellion, Carl's decision to walk with his exposed penis in front of his family in "Euphoria" Season 2, Episode 4, unveils a powerful symbolism. In most societies, exposing one's nakedness, particularly in front of one's children, is seen as taboo, often laden with dire consequences. The biblical reference to Noah and his son serves as a poignant reminder of the historical weight attached to such actions. In many African societies, witnessing a parent's nudity can be considered a curse.

Carl, embodying the essence of individualism, takes a bold step that asserts these norms. He symbolizes that the individual should inherently be greater than the society they inhabit because the individual is the one who creates the society. Just as without the parent, children cannot exist; without the individual, society is void.

Carl's nudity becomes a declaration that the restrictions and expectations society imposes on the individual are a curse to society. A child can never instruct a father, but the father shows the child the way. Thus, society has retarded growth and development because it instructs its parent, the individual, instead of following the parent’s way.

In this act, Carl's defiance mirrors the sentiment found in Eminem's song, "I Am Not Afraid," where he speaks of challenging the universe by pulling out his penis in the dark, a symbolic act of reckoning with life's injustices. Similarly, Carl's audacious stride with his penis exposed can be seen as his way of exacting a form of payback upon society for the ways in which it has constrained, controlled, and perhaps even "messed him up."

Carl's bold actions in this scene are a stark reminder that the individual possesses immense power—the power to challenge societal norms, question established conventions, and assert their right to exist as more than mere cogs in the machinery of society. It underscores the idea that true growth and progress can only be achieved when individuals are unafraid to challenge the status quo, even if it means confronting the uncomfortable and unsettling norms of the world around them.

The Power Play: Carl's Positioning and the Society-Individual Dynamic

In a scene rife with symbolism in "Euphoria" Season 2, Episode 4, the spatial positioning of Carl and his family underscores the intricate power dynamics between society and the individual. This visual representation speaks volumes about this complex relationship's inherent imbalances and struggles.

Carl, embodying the essence of individualism, occupies the lower ground, speaking from a position downstairs while looking up at his family. This arrangement serves as a potent symbol, illustrating the societal construct that places the individual beneath the collective power of society. It suggests that the individual often finds themselves in a subordinate position, accountable to the collective's norms, expectations, and judgments.

Conversely, Carl's family, situated upstairs and looking down at him, symbolizes the overarching power of society in this context. Their elevated position signifies the societal hierarchy that tends to exert control, influence and even judgment over the individual. It reflects the societal structure where conformity is often demanded, and deviation from the established norms can lead to ostracization or marginalization.

This powerful visual representation encapsulates the perpetual struggle between society and the individual. The family's gaze directed downward upon Carl mirrors how society often looks down upon and enforces conformity upon those who dare challenge its norms. The individual, represented by Carl, is left with the choice to conform or face the potential consequences of non-conformity.

In this scene, "Euphoria" masterfully captures our world's intricate power dynamics. It prompts viewers to reflect on the constant negotiation between individuality and societal expectations, where the individual must navigate the ever-present pressure to conform or risk being marginalized by the collective force of society.

Marsha's Outreach and Carl's Defiance: The Symbolism of Society's Response

In the pivotal scene featuring Marsha, Carl's wife, reaching out to him in "Euphoria" Season 2, Episode 4, a complex interplay of symbolism unfolds, shedding light on society's response to the rebellious individual and the individual's defiant stance against societal expectations.

Marsha's reaching out to Carl is a potent symbol of society's attempt to extend a helping hand to a wayward individual, aiming to guide them back towards conformity. Her suggestion that Carl should see a doctor symbolizes how society often judges non-conforming individuals as "sick" or deviant. It reflects society's inclination to pathologize those deviating from established norms.

In response, Carl vehemently protests, asserting that he is "100% fine." This defiant declaration carries profound symbolism, signifying the individual's yearning for autonomy and the belief that self-discovery and self-fulfilment can only be achieved by charting one's path. It underscores the idea that when individuals are allowed to find their way, they have the potential to achieve a sense of self-fulfilment that cannot be attained through conformity alone.

Marsha's response, expressing her fear in response to Carl's defiance, mirrors society's apprehension toward those who challenge the status quo. Society often becomes accustomed to the default norms and is reluctant to accept change, fearing the disruption that may come with it. Just as Marsha is scared by Carl's refusal to conform to societal expectations, society can fear those who seek to redefine or challenge established norms.

In a moment of poignant irony, Carl embraces the derogatory names that society may assign him: "faggot, sexist, pig, creep." While this may initially sound like a form of empowerment, it prophesies society's tactics to eliminate those who refuse to conform. These derogatory labels can become weapons to discredit and marginalize those who question the status quo.

This scene in "Euphoria" masterfully encapsulates the intricate dance between the individual and society. It highlights the struggle of the non-conforming individual, their defiance against societal expectations, and the societal fear of change. It serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges and consequences faced by those who choose to tread their path outside the boundaries set by society.

Carl's Bold Revelation and Society's Unyielding Isolation

In a striking sequence in "Euphoria" Season 2, Episode 4, Carl takes centre stage, fearlessly acknowledging his non-conforming desires and embarking on a journey to reveal the double lives led by his family members. This emotionally charged scene unfolds with powerful symbolism, shedding light on the dynamics between the individual and society.

Carl's unapologetic declaration of his sexual preferences, encompassing men, women, and transsexuals, is a resounding affirmation of his identity. He boldly embraces who he is, refusing to conform to societal norms that attempt to restrict his self-expression. This act symbolizes the individual's relentless quest for authenticity and self-acceptance.

As Carl stands upstairs with his family members, the symbolism of their equal positioning underscores a momentary glimpse of parity between the individual and society. However, his revelations soon take a different turn. Carl begins by confronting his wife, Marsha, about her flirtatious interactions with other men on social media, a breach of the loyalty expected within a marriage. This act of non-conformity by Marsha mirrors Carl's defiance against societal expectations.

In a moment of empathy, Carl tells Marsha that it's acceptable for her to feel loved by someone other than him, extending the same understanding he desires. However, Marsha's response, retreating to her room and locking herself in, symbolizes society's unwillingness to confront its contradictions. It often prefers to hide behind established norms rather than confront the complexities of individuality.

Descending the stairs and sharing his revelations with Erin, Carl's symbolic positioning shifts, signifying the futility of the individual's efforts to find equal footing within an unyielding society. He confesses to Erin watching explicit content on his computer, exposing Erin's double life. However, Carl's demeanour suggests a sense of resignation, as if he knows that his revelations may not alter the course of his familial relationships.

As Carl finally descends the stairs, leaving his family members still positioned upstairs, his comment, "You pushed me to a corner," resonates with the defeat of the individual by society. It symbolizes how the relentless pressures of societal conformity have isolated him, pushing him into a metaphorical corner.

When Carl ultimately leaves the house, it signifies the sad culmination of a non-conforming individual's battle against the unyielding forces of society. He is a symbol of someone who, after relentless pushback, has been effectively eliminated by a society that often struggles to accept those who challenge its established norms.

The Complex Dance of Society and the Individual in "Euphoria"

In the tumultuous world of "Euphoria," Season 2, Episode 4, a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between society and the individual unfolds, weaving a tapestry of symbolism and introspection. This episode's various scenes and moments offer a poignant commentary on the struggle for autonomy, self-identity, and the relentless push and pull between societal expectations and individual desires.

Throughout the episode, Carl Jacobs, embodying the spirit of individualism, becomes the focal point of this intricate dance. His bold defiance of societal norms, symbolized by urinating on his home and openly embracing his non-conforming desires, represents the individual's yearning for autonomy and self-discovery. Carl's actions challenge the status quo and beckon society to confront its contradictions.

Marsha, Carl's wife, and other family members represent society's reactions to non-conformity. Marsha's fear and withdrawal when confronted with Carl's revelations mirror society's reluctance to address its double standards and norms. The episode underscores society's propensity to pathologize non-conforming individuals while ignoring its inconsistencies.

The spatial symbolism of Carl being on equal footing with his family members upstairs, only to descend the stairs as he exposes their hidden lives, is a powerful visual metaphor for the futility of the individual's struggle to find equality within the unyielding embrace of societal norms.

Ultimately, Carl's departure from the house represents the tragic outcome of a non-conforming individual pushed to the margins by a society unwilling to confront its realities. It encapsulates the toll of the relentless battle between the individual and society's expectations.

"Euphoria," in this thought-provoking episode, invites viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between individuality and conformity, offering insights into the challenges and consequences faced by those who dare to challenge the established norms. It reminds us that pursuing personal freedom, identity, and self-discovery can be a lonely and difficult journey in a world where society often demands conformity above all else. The episode serves as a testament to the enduring struggle between the individual and society, leaving us much to ponder about the complexities of this timeless dance.