As students and scholars studying English (and other disciplines), we are learning to embrace reflective thinking in order to analyze literary works. Additionally, we can also utilize the process of thinkING to lead a more meaningful and direct life. Throughout “Frenzy”, Vlepo is trying to find answers by utilizing this reflective system. One maintains a certain amount of control over their existence by being conscious of, and being able to critique their own thoughts and behaviors. This is certainly a valuable and dangerous skill to have, as the excessive practice of reviewing can lead to self-doubt which renders one unable to function. Ironically enough, if you are aware that this could happen to you, it makes it easier to avoid it by possessing an attitude of indifference. Regardless of the implications of adopting the idea of constant reflection, I would argue that it is beneficial.
Dionysus is quite apathetic towards people. True, he provides them with gifts and makes them happy, but the god doesn’t seem to really care about them or anything for that matter. He is seemingly detached from the world. Therefore, he is incapable of genuinely feeling and seeing the implications of his actions. This is where Vlepo comes in. Vlepo’s purpose is to observe the frenzy and report back to his Bakkhos. Undoubtedly, he takes great pride in his purpose, which is to describe what’s going on (the first step in the reflection cycle). Vlepo must be in constant suffering for a multitude of reasons. One of them being the fact that, he cannot actually engage in this ritual madness. It must be torturous to be so close to something but still on the outside of it. Additionally, almost all of his experiences and feeling are commanded by Dionysus. At will, the god can toss Vlepo’s very being into inanimate objects, animals, or people. While in these forms Vlepo has two duties: to mark the events happening from a third-party perspective and to recognize the feelings and thoughts that the host has and report that to Dionysus. One instance of this exercise is when Vlepo gets to read Sibyl, his crush’s, mind. Lo and behold, he finds out that she believes, “I feel only for my Bakkhos.” Vlepo also has the ability to evaluate and analyze experiences, but he struggles with formulating a conclusion and action plan for much of the story. As we know, he eventually goes through the full cycle by killing Bromius.
If you were to pretend that you were Vlepo, looking at your own life, what would you observe? How would you describe it? By answering these questions truthfully, one has the power to make drastic changes in their life for the better.