Love’s Triumph

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou

As Valentine’s Day dawns, a world-renowned day of celebration, it is essential to recognize the triumph of love over the different ages in human history. Human history is influenced by wars, literature, and not to mention the timeless essence of Aphrodite, a Greek deity, whose power over love was impactful in Greek Mythology. 

War is like a dark cloud that brings trouble and suffering. It brings hunger, takes away human rights, and makes life hard for all entities involved. However, love triumphs over war, the handwritten letters exchanged between the soldiers and their loved ones were a symbolic testament to the strength of affection in the face of adversity. This was portrayed in the movie “Hacksaw Ridge” (2016). Directed by Mel Gibson and starred Andrew Garfield. The movie depicts the true story of Desmond Doss, an ambitious, young man who served as a medic during World War II. Doss, driven by his strong personal beliefs and love for humanity, refuses to carry a weapon but later in the movie becomes an extraordinary hero, saving 75 soldiers during the battle. The romantic element in “Hacksaw Ridge” revolves around Doss’s relationship with his wife, Dorothy Schutte, played by Teresa Palmer. Illustrating the strength of personal convictions and the challenges of maintaining love during conflict.

The narratives of iconic literary works like “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Great Gatsby” bring rich flavors to the romantic feel of Valentine’s Day. These tales, even though sometimes heartbreaking, show that love can triumph over challenges. They’re like timeless guides for couples, teaching them that love can persist even in the toughest moments. Both literatures have also been portrayed even in blockbuster movies, which have been a massive success.

“Romeo and Juliet” is a timeless tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Set in Verona, Italy, the play revolves around the passionate love story of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, whose families are sworn enemies. Despite the feuding between the Montagues and Capulets, Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love. The play is iconic because it explores the themes of love, fate, and the consequences of longstanding family rivalries, which leads to a tragic end for both lovers. 

“The Great Gatsby,” a classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is set in the 1920s during the Roaring Twenties. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who becomes entangled with his mysterious and wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin, and the novel revolves around Gatsby’s extravagant parties, his unrequited love for Daisy, and the illusions of the American Dream. The motion picture, Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” takes a modern approach. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan, the film brings the Roaring Twenties to life—both the film adaptation and the classic novel end with a tragic misunderstanding of love. Jay Gatsby’s unrequited love for Daisy comes with great consequences as she makes impulsive decisions, leading to a tragic end for both lovers. 

Both depictions signify that real love can give rise to joy, but it may also bring forth challenges, sacrifices, and unforeseen circumstances. In the modern day and age, couples are not willing to go the extra mile to deal with tough challenges and might not try as hard. The world is faster, and people want things quickly. Modern-day challenges such as careers get in the way of true love. However, these classic depictions and film adaptations portray otherwise. 

Through the journey of love woven through the ages, from the tragic tales of Romeo and Juliet to the complexities of modern relationships, a common thread emerges — the triumph of love. 

Written by: Rtr. Adhithya Seram

Graphic design: Rtr. Sathmi Dinanja