Driven by the Spirit
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Spirit.” "Spirit" is the basis for what seems to be an underbelly network of
hidden lost objects. As said before, alcohol and Nucky’s little boy are lost
objects, both of which are spirits —“spirit” in terms of liquor and “spirit” in
terms of the soul of the little Enoch boy. Likewise, Angela's lost object, Mary, is
a “spirit” within the photo. The way in which Angela is affected by her lost
lover is identical to the way Nucky is affected by his lost boy and the way all
characters are affected by alcohol. These dead things will not go away. Rather,
they become more effective, more valued, and more desired by the characters. In
addition, the spirit/ghost is perfect to represent the object a, for just like the
object a is questioned to exist in the first place (the only thing that makes it real
is that it is experienced as real), so too are spirits and ghosts questioned to exist.
One last thing to note about the photograph shown to Angela is a
characteristic of photography itself Much in the way alcohol represents a
combination of preservation and death, so does the photograph. It can only
preserve what has already passed, what is dead. In addition, what photography
captures is something completely fabricated — the manipulated and orchestrated
pose — something that never truly existed in the first place. Photographs are
also nostalgic and mass-produced, much like people and liquor. Photography
and liquor are two comparable elements used to represent nostalgia, lacking, and
death in the film.
Apart from Nucky and Angela Darmody, there is one last character through
whom alcohol, the “spirit,” and the underlying subconscious web are connected.
That character is Agent Nelson Van Alden. Van Alden is the puritanical
character of the show, who — due to his religious beliefs — commits a great
number of atrocities, including torture and murder in the name of God. One of
those atrocities is when Van Alden, in a depressed state, goes to a speak-easy,
drinks, and has an affair with Lucy Danziger in episode ten. The repercussions
of these particular failings by Van Alden are important to note. In the last
episode, Lucy finds Van Alden at his office and tells him that he made her
pregnant, and a link is made yet again between liquor and children. The one
night Van Alden imbibes liquor, a baby is associated with the night as well. In
addition, the “spirit” is involved, but not just any spirit. It is the Holy Spirit.
Prior to Lucy's informing Van Alden of his possible child. Van Alden tells his
wife of his plans to quit the FBI. He states, “I’m unhappy. Rose. Unfulfilled.
Increasingly so these last few months.” His wife then responds to console him
by saying, “You're doing God's work there. Nelson.” Nelson’s challengingly
reply is, “Then if God wants me to stay in Atlantic City, let him give me a sign”
{Boardwalk). Lucy Danziger, twenty minutes later in the episode, in memory of
the night in which Van Alden both drank and had sex, comes to him, pregnant,
and tells him that it is his child. Lucy Danziger is that godly sign. Thus, alcohol,
babies, and the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit are connected, and the repressed web
of things that drive and haunt Boardwalk's characters flourishes once again