John_Browning wrote:
ArrantPariah wrote:
However, this Boy Scout memorial from 1964:

Something about the Boy Scout Memorial does seem wildly inappropriate. I wonder why no-one ever said anything?
I'm guessing the symbolism has been lost in time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scout_MemorialQuote:
The sculpture consists of three bronze figures: a Boy Scout in the center wearing a uniform stepping forward and carrying a walking stick in his proper left hand. Flanking him are two larger allegorical figures of a man and woman. They represent "American Manhood and Womanhood and the ideals they will pass onto the youth." To the Boy Scout's proper right side is the male figure, nearly nude, who carries a bundle of leaves and drapery in his proper left arm. Part of the drapery blows across his middle as he strides forward with his proper right leg. To the Scout's proper left side is the female figure who holds a torch in her proper left hand that has a gold-colored flame. Her proper left hand extends slightly and her palm is facing upward and she strides forward on her proper right leg. The three figures are mounted on a hexagonal-shaped base (62 x 92 x 98 in.) and in front of the sculpture is a circular pool of water....
The three figures represent various concepts. According to the National Park Service the Boy Scout "represents the aspirations of all past, present, and future Scouts throughout the world. The male figure exemplifies physical, mental, and moral fitness, love of country, good citizenship, loyalty, honor, and courage. He carries a helmet, a symbol of masculine attire. The female figure symbolizes enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy. She holds the eternal flame of God's Holy Spirit."...
I don't quite buy that. The man's expression seemeth to say "Yeah, I'm naked. So, what are
you looking at?" The lack of so much as a tiny bulge in the genital region would symbolize emasculation. Indeed, he carries a broken phallic symbol in his left hand. I don't perceive "physical, mental, and moral fitness, love of country, good citizenship, loyalty, honor, and courage" anywhere in the figure. And, the helmet is a "symbol of masculine attire?" Oh, cum now. The broken phallic symbol is still stiff, he is handling it, and would seem to be ejaculating a huge stream of semen into a vagina, which the helmet actually symbolizes.
The boy has a good grip on what is obviously a very long phallic symbol.
The woman seems to have a rather confused expression on her face. Her form is not to fully feminine--she is broad shouldered, muscular, and her titties are small and mannish.
Her right hand is in w*king position. I don't see where she "symbolizes enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy" at all.
And, that flame in her left hand? "The eternal flame of God's Holy Spirit?" Really? I looks more like a conjuring trick. Her right hand says "See? Nothing Here!" while her right hand holds up the symbol of what the left hand would be stroking, if it could.