[odesseus]

This sort of foreshadowing demonstrates the generations of uninterrupted male wisdom. Fathers of each generation passing on the lessons of nature, nurture, character and experience to their sons. The men of the era knew they were standing on the precipice looking into the abyss.

The only comforting thought is that change can happen in a single generation. The children raised today, if properly instructed, could easily bring about a return of patriarchal thought and community in their lifetimes.