So, there’s an interesting fan theory for the classic Cartoon Network show, “Courage the
Cowardly Dog.”
Perhaps, the show is trying to tell a story of how tiny, fearful dogs see the world.
It’s not how the world actually is, it’s just the world through Courage’s eyes, or
the way his mind views the world.
For example, from Muriel’s perspective, “The Stitch Sisters” are just identical
twins, but from Courage’s perspective they look like a mutated monster.
This “false perception” theory has even more confirmation to it when you observe the
show’s opening.
Seven seconds into the intro we see courage standing next to a terrifying shadow, but
wait, isn’t that HIS shadow?
This is something that I never noticed until the making of this video, and it completely
changes the way I look at the show.
It pretty much confirms that everything he reacts to with fear is an exaggeration, it’s
his mind playing tricks on him, and not actually the case.
It would only then make sense that the reason he’s so fearful of strangers has to do with
the extreme trauma that he faced when he was a little pup.
The second to last episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog provides some context and a neat
explanation as to why he is so fearful all the time.
This might be the darkest episode in the series based on the flashback alone, if not the saddest,
definitely.
Our story begins with Courage ignoring Eustance’s “no dogs allowed at the table” policy.
After killing some bomb chicken dumplings, he notices a “have you seen these dogs”
message on a milk carton.
This changes his mood completely, and gives him ptsd flashbacks.
We are then taken into Courage’s memories where we see him playing with his real parents.
After getting his head stuck in a fence, he is taken to a vet.
This “vet” frees him no problem and it's all “happy go lucky” vibes until he goes
psycho and straight up kidnaps Courage’s mom and dad.
Just that piece of memory alone is shocking and traumatic enough to cause him to sit at
the table for 24 hours.
All day and all night he doesn't speak, he doesn't eat, he doesn’t flinch, he doesn’t
move period, because he just can’t believe that something that shocking actually happened
to him.
Not even Eustance’s patented mask scare is enough to snap him out of it.
This memory that he’s forgotten about until this point breaks him psychologically.
When I really think about how deep and dark this scene is, it makes me miss when Cartoon
Network shows used to go big and bold with the backstory for their characters.
Anyway, as history repeats itself, Muriel and Eustance take Courage to a vet to get
fixed.
After the fake vet psychopath asks for some “quality alone time” with Courage, it
gets pretty easy to tell what his sick intentions are.
Courage runs for his life, and more painful memories pop into his mind.
He remembers his parents being shoved into a rocketship, and sent away to outer space.
He remembers his attempt at rescuing them being unsuccessful.
He remembers watching his parents blast off into outer space and that being the last time
he’s ever seen them.
Present Courage fears he’s going to witness the same torture his parents went that tragic
day.
After Muriel questions what the madman is up to, the evil scientist decides to give
Courage company on his space ride.
Courage breaks free from the rocket at the last minute, and runs around the lab to look
for a solution.
He screams at the top of his lungs to make the scientist’s ears bleed, and then saves
his family with under 20 seconds remaining.
He gets his revenge after he gives the dude a beatdown, and sends his ass to outer space
where he can no longer bother any dog ever again.
While the memories are still painful for Courage to reflect on, he at least has an owner that
comforts him and takes good care of him.
If his parents were never taken from him, Muriel would have never found him.
This is the silver lining that he holds on to.
It may be difficult to find something positive to take out of a traumatic experience, but
doing so can’t help us find peace and closure for that situation.
During the times when life doesn’t quite make sense, gratitude for the things that
do make sense can change our perspective for the better.
According to a blog post on goodtherapy.org, these “silver lining” benefits of trauma
might include developing:
Resilience, inner strength, grit Wisdom
Increased empathy and compassion for others Humility
Motivation A closer relationship with God
and personal confidence... just to name a few.
The writer of this article expands upon this point by saying,
“Of course I am not saying people need to experience extreme forms of trauma in order
to learn and grow.
However, I do believe people benefit from facing hardship and difficulty, and the struggles
we often undergo in order to persevere through these life challenges help us become strong
enough to face them.
With trauma, then, often comes the development of strength of character and inner conviction
of survival and victory.
It should be emphasized it is never advised to push yourself or others to hurry through
the grief process in order to arrive at the “making meaning” stage.
The process of making meaning is not something to be forced.
It is something to behold.
It becomes apparent.
The process toward posttraumatic growth is not fixed, and each person may experience
growth in different ways.
However, what I consider the three necessary steps toward this growth are as follows:
Grieving who you were and how you viewed reality prior to the traumatic event(s)
Making meaning out of your experiences and choosing hope
Credit: (www.goodtherapy.org)
Here’s what I would add to that advice: if your trauma leads to depression, like the
trauma that Courage had to go through, then holding on to hope, any form of hope, like
chilling with your family or friends during the sunset becomes even more important.
What we’re doing in the present moment is what matters.
Trauma doesn’t just affect our past, it affects our beliefs about what the future
may hold, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Trauma doesn’t have to win.
I was curious to hear other people’s perspectives on this topic.
So I asked them if they have any traumatic experiences to share.
I will provide a warning though, these stories get pretty deep.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy.
What I will leave you with is to never underestimate the power of family.
Without a family, Courage would have never been able to cope with that shocking image
of witnessing his parents blast off to outer space, and how powerless he felt in that moment.
It might be what motivates him to protect his owners.
By finding the motivation to continue, you can show others what courage you have.
Don’t forget to express yourself.
And thanks for watching.