Part 9/14:
In contrast, Philip Marlo lives as a realist. Acknowledging the world’s depravity, he still endeavors to live by an internal code of nobility—carrying the torch of true manhood in a corrupt society. This embodies an act of moral rebellion: to be a knight in a fallen world, fully aware of the risks.
A Personal Crusade: Living the Values in a Decaying Culture
The speaker narrates his own life: he intentionally ignored modern feminist and cultural movements, choosing to behave with integrity—opening doors, respecting women, ignoring corruption—regardless of societal reactions. His goal was to embody the ideal of a good man amid chaos, even when it meant facing failure or rejection. This resilience shaped his identity and creative work.