...In the novel, Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck portrays society's harsh judgements of a person’s mental or physical disabilities, identifying them as outcasts. Steinbeck addresses this idea through his use of symbolism. Candy’s old dog that has “pale, blind, old eyes” and “struggl[es]ed lamely” to walk symbolizes Candy because “‘I [he] lost my [his] hand right here on this ranch,’” showing both Candy and his dog have lost their usefulness for the ranch and can no longer provide much service to the ranch. Since Candy’s dog is so old and unneeded, Carlson, a harsh ranch worker, wants to put the dog out of its misery and shoot it. Carlson says that nothing “stinks as bad as an old dog,” depicting that the poor dog’s time was up in its life. After Carlson shoots Candy’s dog, Candy comes to a sudden realization that both he and his dog are just alike, and that Candy will be “canned” soon because he is no longer useful to the ranch, just like his dog was. The old swamper is different from the other men physically because he has lost one of his hands and because of this impairment, Candy is doubtful of himself that he has nothing to offer for the ranch. Steinbeck also shows another character as an outcast through the use of diction by using the phrase said by Crooks, “‘’Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t because I’m black. They say I stink,’” to show how Crooks describes himself conveying the struggles Crooks goes through by being black because he is different...
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...Society creates unspoken rules and standards of living and those who do not adhere to the rules are considered monsters. It is for this reason that the responsibility falls on society for the creation of monsters since society is responsible for creating the rules and standards in the first place. In literature, and the modern day, it is the creation and expression of superficial standards that creates monsters. In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein attempts to create a man but the man that he creates turns out to be hideous in appearance. The only differences between the man created by Frankenstein and a man created in the typical sense of birth are (1) the manner by which the men are brought into the world, and (2) the...
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...behavior that even though it was legal, it greatly tethered the line of being immoral. On the other hand, this documentary was not surprising because situations such as those described in the video have been happening for years and will continue to happen because of the way many previous judgements have been determined. The major problem with the criminal justice system in the United States is the fact that it does not fully adhere to the principles behind the concept that people are presumed innocent until proven...
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...In ‘Give’, the persona can ‘dance or sing’, ‘spit fire’, or ‘escape from locks and chains’ in return for money, yet these acts haven’t turned out well, and they are yet to help him escape from his economic locks and chains. This suggests that doing things that are perceived to reject societal conventions may not turn out well and may result in rejection from society, economically in this case. Likewise, in Armitage’s ‘The Clown Punk’, the persona's rebellious nature during the Punk era has resulted in the Clown Punk being rejected from society. The poet wants the reader to ‘remember’ the Clown Punk, who has a ‘dyed brain’. This could be interpreted as a warning to the younger generation about rejecting societal conventions, perhaps impulsively, and how it could lead to problems and ultimately total rejection by society. The persona’s ‘dyed brain’ may suggest that even the most colourful of minds may be rejected by society’s harsh judgement. The poet has also portrayed the persona as having a ‘dyed brain’ to show that the very dye that has disfigured his skin has disfigured his brain and his social standing...
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...“solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”. I disagree with Hobbes regarding his ideas that everything a man does benefits himself in some way. We can see this time and time again in human nature. A great example of this is when people donate a kidney to a loved one. They gain nothing from this, but are still more than willing to do it. This selflessness is so engrained in us, it can even be seen in our movies and TV shows. The classic scene where someone jumps in front of a bullet to save their friend has been acted out hundreds of times. Another point of contention I have with Hobbe’s view of the state of nature, is his idea that a strong ruler must exist to swiftly punish those who defect from the state. I favor Rousseau’s view that this harsh ruler is not necessary because people will not naturally want to defect from the state. They gain the most while cooperating, so there is no reason for them to defect. 2. According to Rousseau, what is the role of the sovereign in social contracts? Explain how this role relates to the general will. Provide a short critique of this view from a descriptive perspective {e.g. is it true of the real world? Why or why not? Rousseau believes that the central...
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...of five and twelve from all around the world with different religious backgrounds to play a game in which they were asked to make decisions about how many stickers to share with an anonymous person from the same school and similar ethnic groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. Max Weber would describe religion as shaping a person’s image of the world, and this image of the world can ultimately shape their interests and how they decide to take action. Emile Durkheim, a functionalist, would say that it is the social cohesion of a society that ultimately determines whether to go for or against your religion. Both theorist believe morality comes into play for religion and how people act towards others shapes the person and religion itself as a whole. For a religious family, according to Durkheim, people see religion as a contributing to the health and continuation of society in general. Which in turn, religion functions to glue together members of society to share common values and beliefs on a regular basis. So with all that being said how does it relate to the article? It relates to the article by showing religious families do get taught what is morally right but don’t have empathy it seems when it comes to judging othe/rs. The data shows** that children judged harsher punishments than did the children from non-religious households. It is consistent to past research results of adults, who by showing their religiosity is...
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...A heroine is a woman who is admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. The novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne centers on the story of a heroine by the name of Hester Prynne. The novel is set in New England, where Hester resides in a strict Puritan community. From the beginning one learns that Hester is condemned to public humiliation for her crime of adultery. All through the novel Hester deals with the pressures from her community, from motherhood and from the men in her life as she attempts to redeem her freedom. Hester Prynne accepts the consequences of her actions by transcending the harsh criticism and shame from the Puritan community; therefore, she proves to be a pertinent heroine...
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...In many ways the lives we live are governed by our inheritance of culture, genes and our youth. However, the modern society has by an increasing amount come to judge every person individually and collectively. So to speak some say living is actually just life in a bigger prison. The dynamic of labelling will always categorize by good and bad to maintain law and order, thus resulting in a lot of questions. How can society definitively determine evil, and what is an equivalent for the process of fair judgement upon it? The short story “Sorry for your loss”, first published 2008 by Bridgette Keenan, raises the question of human judgement. The story unfolds with an omniscient narrator with the point of view from the main character. In an unknown small town the prison Chaplain, Evie, has to deliver her first death notice to an inmate named Victor Zamora. As she has never seen him before, and the prison’s faith database does not reveal specific characteristics of him, she is quite nervous. When delivering the news Victor, whom seems to be a good-looking sensible young man, reacts indifferent towards his grandmother’s passing, and is contrary more pursued on redeeming his ill doings. This is shown when Victor asks if he was accepted in the ‘SORRY-course’. As the conversation proceeds, it occurs to Evie that Victor is educated and on the path for re-entering society. She leaves with a feeling of inadequacy, as if she could not reach him through deciphering his character. Or as if...
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...feeling guilty for an action that you did, or completing a conquest for oneself? Well, the scaffold scenes are some of the most important scenes that occur in The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. These scenes provide insight as to how much of a significant factor the scaffold was in Puritan society. In puritan society, the scaffold was used as a symbol for one’s sin. In The Scarlet Letter, there are three different scenes that occur at the scaffold at different times during the book. All of the book's main characters are present in each of these scenes; Hester Prynne, Pearl, Arthur Dimmesdale, as well as Roger Chillingworth. Along with these characters being present, so is the novel's primary symbol, the scarlet letter. In The Scarlet Letter, even though the scarlet letter was the main symbol, the scaffold portrays...
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...In modern criminal law, a crime does not have a widely accepted or correct definition. Many know it as “someone who breaks a law” or “someone who does something wrong.” While some crimes such as murder and theft are clear cut, others are not so black and white. The definition of a crime changes over time as laws and societal sentiments change. Even some crimes that may seem obvious were once thought to be normal. For example, slavery today is abhorred and it is a widely-held opinion that owning a slave is both a legal and moral crime. However, until only two centuries ago, the ownership of slaves was neither a legal nor moral crime. It is clear that the definition of a crime changes over time to fit the needs of society and its ideas of what is “wrong.”. To define crime would be to differentiate between right and wrong, a...
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...People in today’s society will do almost anything to escape harsh realities, even if it means getting rid of their own child. My grandmother was pregnant with my mom when she was only seventeen years old. Commonly, pregnant teenagers will often revert to abortion, to avoid judgement and because it seems like the easiest option. She could have easily “taken her problems away” by aborting the baby but instead she decided to have the child and give her up for adoption. I think even with the hardships that comes with childbirth women should reconsider all of the options before choosing to abort, just as my grandmother did. I think abortions should become illegal because there are other options a women can take instead of getting rid of the life...
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...English Analytical Essay Craig Silvey's thought provoking novel, Jasper Jones, examines the harsh but ever so present reality surrounding the issues of racism on individuals and communities during the 20th century. In 2001, prominent literary theorist, Lois Stover presented the view that the best young adult fiction confronts readers to consider the shades of grey that exist between the black and white of their own moral experience. Jasper Jones, by Craig Silvey, represents through certain characters in the novel, a coming of age story which forces readers to view the impact of prejudice on natural justice between the town of Corrigan in the 1960’s and in today’s contemporary society. Charlie Bucktin the novel’s moral guide and narrator, enlightens...
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...The town hated her for seven years, until they saw her sin as forgivable. At first, Hester got the harsh punishment of humiliation. However, the years passed and Hester’s “nature showed itself warm and rich. . . such helpfulness was found in her. . . many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said it meant Able” (Hawthorne 111). Citizens of the town were able to forgive Hester’s sin as she dealt with her punishment and changed her ways by helping the society. Later on, Hester finally removes the scarlet letter. A sense of relief embodies her as her sin is redeemed. When the letter was lifted, “Hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit. . . all at once, as a sudden smile of heaven forth burst the sunshine” (Hawthorne 139). Hester was able to easily remove the letter and let her sin go, whereas Dimmesdale was forced to hold onto his sin. Hester’s expressed sin showed she was able to redeem the sin, however, Dimmesdale’s hidden sin shows one cannot...
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...theme is evident through the lessons and role models. Although all of the three adults make an impact on the children, Atticus is the main catalyst for his children’s growth because he emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding to Jem and Scout from a young age. He passes a love for reading onto both of his children, and he tries to understand others’ situations, no matter their social status. He once says to Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 30). This is valuable to Jem and Scout as they become more involved in Tom Robinson’s case because they learn to lovingly accept harsh words that are said about them and to not let others’ opinions cloud their judgement. Another influential role model in Jem and Scout’s childhood is their house maid, Calpurnia. Calpurnia teaches Jem and Scout important lessons such as respect and acceptance. A prime example of this is when Scout criticizes Walter Cunningham at the dinner table, and Calpurnia brings her into the kitchen and scolds her by saying, “If you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen” (Lee 25). This unpleasant situation, in the words of Neil Heims, “teaches Scout the importance of taking the good of others as the central concern that must govern behavior” (53). Calpurnia disciplines Jem and Scout so that they can learn from their mistakes. Even though Scout feels that...
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...The Four Pillars In the National Honor Society, the four pillars are leadership, scholarship, character, and service. Whether I am in or out of school, I feel that I exemplify these four pillars. First, the pillar of leadership stands for leading other to achieve goals in an organization. I express leadership by being an example to follow in school. I help to lead my classmates in group discussions and display respective behavior in class. Also, I lead by example as a varsity athlete to younger, aspiring athletes in the two sports I play, field hockey and lacrosse. Character is a very important pillar that demonstrates the qualities of an individual. I feel I exemplify because I show respect to my teachers and peers, I always follow the rules, and I take responsibility for my actions. I always try my best to do the right thing and show kindness towards my classmates and teammates. I treat everyone the same and do not place harsh judgements on others. Most importantly, service is taking action to kindly help out others and make a difference. I...
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