Effect of Alchemy on Religion, Science and Society and Government - Essay Example

Effect of Alchemy on Religion, Science and Society and Government Mans existence on earth has always remained fraught with uncertainties and vulnerabilities at the hands of different natural or supernatural forces. He has always been in grip of premonitions and fears about the sustainability of his existence on earth. Death and mortality have always haunted him and egged him on to find elixir of life to be immortal. These concerns have also forced him to look for those powers that may enable him to overpower the forces around him. For this end his imagination has helped him coin the possibility of such magical or powerful things that may empower him to be the controller of everything around him. Alchemy is one of ever desired and ever dreamed metaphysical force that may help man to materialize his age old dream of getting the power of transmutation of natural phenomenon in his own hands. Alchemy may also assist man in regard to solving his multifarious problems. Alchemy is a kind of metaphysical art through which the practitioners claim to change the nature of things by using natural energy. It is a science that has ancient beginnings in the civilization of Egypt when its practitioners tried to change the very essence of the state of different matters through alchemy. Hartzman gives a very comprehensive definition of alchemy in the following lines: Alchemy in its more material aspect teaches how minerals, metals, plants, animals, and men may be generated or made to grow from their "seeds." In other words, how that generation, which is accomplished during long periods of time in the due course of the action of evolution and natural law, may be accomplished in a comparatively short time, if these natural laws are guided and supplied with the proper material by the spiritual knowledge of man (para 7). The anime series “ Fullmetal Alchemist” is set in a fictional world where Alchemy reigns like a magical power. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist knows Alchemy as a source that may help them in all walks of life. In this world alchemy is manipulated in the form of subduing people, attempting to immortalize oneself and by trying to go into different bodies. It is their only science that is helping them develop different technological creations that have become part of their life. The story of the movie shows two brothers engaged in an effort to rehabilitate their bodies after failing to give life to their mother through practices of alchemy. This is an imaginative saga of two brothers who are skilled in the art of alchemy and believe that Alchemy has a vital role to play in their life and it is the art through which they could even enliven the dead. Their primary quest is for the catalyst which is named as philosopher’s stone which according to them could help them restore their bodies which were damaged during their attempt to use alchemy to enliven their mother. They are the denizens of a country of Amestris where they lived with their parents. Their father deserted them due to certain unknown reasons. Trisha, their mother falls a victim to a terminal disease and dies after leaving her sons to this cruel world. The death of the mother had a strong impact on son’s mind who in order to bring their mother to life resorted to alchemy which in their time was regarded as a science which had touched the peaks of advancement. This science was based on the assumption that through raw materials one can create certain objects. The love of mother made them practice some uncanny and prohibited things. The idea of bringing their mother to life could have met success through “ human transmutation”. Even though they knew that such an act would amount to the practice of a prohibited art, they carried on their mysterious plan. But their attempts did not bear fruit. Rather the experiment turned out to be counter productive resulting in the amputation of one leg of a brother named Edward and damage of the whole body of Alphonse. Meanwhile they meet another alchemist Roy Mustang who gave them a proposal to serve military of the country and in return get some material that would help them restore their bodies to its original form. Edward with the help of a Winry Rockbell, a family friend succeeds in having his arm and legs back in the form of prosthetic limb. Edward’s skills in alchemy are acknowledged by State Military of Amerstris which offers him to be state alchemist which he readily accepts and becomes “ Kokka Renkinjustsushi” or Alchemist of the state. Here he uses his skill for the favour of that government which was stigmatized for annihilation of an entire race in the past. During that period brother’s quest continues to look for a Philosopher’s stone so that they may get their bodies rehabilitated again. The saga includes their multifarious encounters with men in guise of friends and foes. They come across strange peoples and creatures. They meet Scar who belonged to the race of Ishbal who were annihilated by state sponsored alchemist of Amerstris. Their meeting with semi-human creature homunculi at last nears them with object of desire. These animals kept Philosophor’s stone inside their bodies which could immune them from any harm to any danger. This part of the journey makes them realize how the power is abused in the hands of the people who misuse the power of alchemy. Here government and state are shown as the instruments that use or misuse alchemy to their own evil ends. They use it as an instrument of controlling other people. Both the brothers also come to know the state of Amerstris has pursued the policy of expansion with the help of houmculis who control the military of the country. Homunculis are semi-human creatures who have certain mysterious powers through which they manage to manipulate different forces and people. The source of power of homunculi is a man known as Father who possesses immortality through a philosopher’s Stone which he managed to create through deceiving Hohenheim(the father of Edward and Alphonse) many years before. The ultimate goal of Father is to bring Amestris under a circle of transmutation. The brothers stand against this Alchemist who was misusing his powers of Alchemy to gain control of the people and the states. The political ends of Father show how the power of alchemy is misused in the hands of the rulers who use this as an instrument of exploitation and subjugation. The state military of Amestris joins hands with Elric brothers. The clash of giants ensues and in this fight the supporters of Father are defeated. Again Father resorts to his nefarious designs and plans the transmutation of Amestris in order to become a deity. But Hohenheim and Edward succeed against him and are able to subdue this evil exponent of Alchemy. His brother Al sacrifices himself so that his brother may get back his lost arm. In the end, Edward had to sacrifice his powers of using alchemy so that his brother Alphonse may be back in his original body. The brother continues a return journey to Resembool. But after a stay of two year they set out again separately to return the favours of those people who during their journey stood by them and helped defeat the evil forces. The world of the “Fullmetal Alchemist” permeates with alchemy and its practitioners who are using this skill according to their own ends. The very power of alchemy is known and accepted in this world. But it is the objective behind the use of this force which may help us categorize it either good or evil. In the hands of the government and its dictatorial minded rulers it becomes and instrument of hegemony. It could be used a tool of exploitation of people as it was used by Father and his supporters to have a control of Amestris. But the moral force of consciousness forced Elric brothers to use their alchemist skills for the sake of humanity. Though they were given liberty to exploit alchemist’s resource to their personal ends, but the voice of conscious made them turn towards the path of liberty of Amestris from the clutches of evil forces. Alchemy and society Social fabric of the story goes hand in hand with alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist. Alchemy has significant presence in the people’s life who are around Elric brothers. Their father was a practitioner of alchemy and they themselves knew alchemy. The concepts of resurrection through alchemy are prevalent in Elrics’ world. All characters are engaged in some kind of pursuit with the help of alchemy. Edward and Alphonse’s obsession with the resurrection of their mother through alchemy, Father’s attempts to gain control of the people through alchemy. The characters in the story believe in alchemic principle which wants something for creating something new. That is why sacrifice is in vogue in that society. Alchemy and religion Some critics point out that anti-religious feelings permeate the story in Fullmetal Alchemist where it is shown that a priest is exploiting the people and the different characters’ hope of the resurrection of their beloved ones are shattered when they see the corruption in church. The very character Dante is the evil incarnate who possess the power of transferring her soul to any body. But she uses her powers in the bad way hence giving credence to the impression that among religious circles alchemy is also misused. She meets her end at the hands of Gluttony. The mention of seven deadly sins may refer to the religious tone of the play which is trying to correlate the world of alchemy with the world of religion. Religion supports only the positive use of alchemy for the betterment of the people. Whoever uses alchemy to his or her own ends, He or she meets a terrible end. (The Curious Case of Religion in Fullmetal Alchemist, para 6). Homunculis haven been given the names of seven deadly sins and they actually represent the many facets of evil present in the character of Father. Alchemy seems to be permitted in the very frame of reference of religion and good and bad both characters practice alchemy. Religion only sees the use of alchemy for a higher end other than personal. Alchemy and science The origins of alchemy are in science. Alchemists tried to change baser metals into gold. Thus the very roots of the practice are in the domain of science. Though some metaphysical mystery has been attached to the process of alchemy, yet the practice of alchemy follows certain scientific principles. Alchemy needs scientific laws to execute transmutation. For the denizens of Loire. alchemy was an advanced science which enabled them to accomplish even the impossibilities. Fullmetal Alchemist’s world seem to be the world of Alchemy. Every character and every event of this world is either directly or indirectly influenced by the practice of this art or science. A strange thing is that every character has to pay at least some price for pursuing this art. Ed and Al’s father who was the practitioner of this art had to leave in some mysterious circumstances. The brother lost their bodies partially or wholly. Dante and Father also had to suffer. The practice did help them transform the matter but in the very act of transformation they had to sacrifice some part of their body. The influence of alchemy also encompassed society and religion and state as well. Everything came under the powerful influence of this art or science. Works Cited "Fullmetal Alchemist." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Apr. 2012. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. . "What Is Alchemy? A Look at the History and Principles of Personal Transformation." Transform Yourself Using the Operations of Alchemy!Web. 22 Apr. 2012. . "The Curious Case of Religion in Fullmetal Alchemist." GAR GAR Stegosaurus. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. . Note: MLA7 has been used for citation purposes Read More