Innonence to Villainy, Forwards Beckon Rebound by Adrienne Lenker, and what makes "Villains" - Carter Jobe

Recently, I saw something on the internet that spoke to me. It was a post featuring Adrienne Lenker's song, Forwards Beckon Rebound, and the lyrics featured were,

Villain and violent
Infant and innocent
Baby, both arms cradle you now

And on screen was media of lion cubs, cute and innocent. It made me think about how a creature so innocent, playful, and adorable could turn into the fierce maned killer that is a fully grown lion. What does a lion go through that changes them so much? 

Even the worst of people were once innocent little kids. Most of the time, there are events that shape this person into who they are, villain and violent. There is a common saying that hurt people hurt people, and I find this to be true in most cases.

Obviously, the lions grow up, and they are faced with the reality that they need to hunt to eat, to kill in order to survive. I think we all face a tradeoff like this in our human lives, where we (maybe even subconsciously) hurt others to thrive ourselves. I know I personally have made jokes that hurt people to bring myself up, and I am not proud of those moments. I know that most good people do. However, there are certainly people who make excuses for themselves or simply do not care. I wonder, does the lion feel shame for killing its prey like some humans do? Or does it make excuses for itself, and lack any shame?

Concerning the last line of this verse, I interpret it to mean that we should always hold empathy with everyone, no matter their violence and cruelty, for we do not know what they went through that made them this way. Maybe in their minds they have to act this way.

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