“On Aug. 5, 2010, a gold and copper mine near the northern city of Copiapó, Chile caved in, trapping 33 miners in a chamber about 2,300 feet below the surface.” There was no word of their survival for quite some time and so it was believed that none of the miners had survived. But miraculously when communication was established, all the miners were alive and well. The only problem was trying to rescue them. On October 12, the first of the miners were rescued and so the process of rescuing the miners began. As the miners came out, family welcomed them however they were taken away for medical treatment. Experts say that the miners will still face obstacles such as post dramatic reactions that can last a couple months.
This article is similar to the story of Odysseus in The Odyssey. Odysseus is being held against his will by Calypso on an island where he is unable to escape. His family, just like the families of the miners are anxiously awaiting for his return. Penelope says, “How I long for my husband-alive in memory, always, the great man whose fame resounds through Hellas right to the depth of Argos.” (Page 268 line 394) It would be a miracle for Odysseus to return back to Ithaca just like the miners to be alive and well after being trapped for so long. However, in the case of the miners and Odysseus, they both survive their hardships and return back to their family. When Odysseus returns he is skeptical about what is going to happen upon his return so he disguises himself until he finds out more information. This is an example of a post dramatic reaction which is also what experts say is an obstacle that the miners will have to face.
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/c/chile_mining_accident_2010/index.html?scp=4&sq=miners%20trapped%20underground&st=cse
God is love,
-Sajjad Ali
