A recent article over at Slate examines the phenomenon of the one-hit wonder in the art world. While Munch does not fall into this category, The Scream is doubtless his best-known work. The article continues with an analysis of why this painting, which recently sold for a record $120,000,000 at auction, has been so popular over the years. The executive summary: it continues to terrify us. “After a century of mechanization and generally advancing secularism, The Scream continues to resonate because the inner turmoil it depicts remains part of the human condition.” As to its purpose, Munch noted that “that he’d created an image for a godless age, as people struggled to understand their place in a world without divine purpose.”

Not being a student of art history, I never knew that last little bit. Yet somehow, looking at the image, it makes sense. If you believe that the universe has no underlying purpose, that humanity and all else is the result of random evolution of hydrogen atoms into order, the madness of society could indeed leave a person feeling much like the faceless symbols of fear we see in the painting. On the other hand, my experience of people of faith is that they are less apt to respond in that manner; those who look beyond themselves for answers are more apt to leave the unanswered questions to God and find peace in a conviction that in some way, shape or form the universe is in good hands despite the inherent unfairness and difficulty of life.

To be fair, I know many humanists who live lives of fulfillment, contribution and purpose, and who work to lift the human condition without falling into psychotic fugues of terror. What I’m relating here applies more to myself than anyone else – I know that if it weren’t for my faith in a divine plan of happiness, I would probably spend my time screaming like the dude on the bridge.

The Old Wolf has spoken.