Lost part four "the Moth"

In the episode the "The Moth" we are introduced to Charlie. Charlie was the bass player in a one hit wonder band with his brother. He is also addicted to heroin when the plan crashes on the island. John Locke takes Charlie's heroin away from him telling him he is stronger enough to quit. When Charlie asks for his drugs back Locke shows him a Moth struggling to escape from its cocoon in the jungle. Locke explains to Charlie that he could help the Moth escape but he won't because the Moth needs the struggle and the pain to become strong and survive.

This is a very common sentiment; struggle makes us stronger; pain builds character. I don't know if I agree with that. I think when we are in pain or in a difficult place we make worse decisions which ultimately lead us to worse places. This is certainly true with Charlie in this episode of Lost. After the he "learns" his character lesson from Locke we are exposed to another flash back where his brother says some very hurtful and things to him and abandons him. Charlie is hurt and this hurt drives him to try heroin.

If you look at the people who are successful generally they come from stable homes with stable families. The were given love and encouragement as children. The were taught good values in a loving respective environment. Those who have to struggle to survive more fail more often than not. Sure there are exceptions, and those exceptions are very strong and capable. However, I'm a person who likes to play the odds and I think that if more people are better off without pain and suffering and struggle than those things should be avoided.