The poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann reminded me of when I go to Wyoming. In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, it is very peaceful. There is not much electronic devices, hardly any cell phone service, and not much civilization. It is basically just you, the mountains, and your mind. While we are there, we horseback ride and each ride is around three hours. During those three hours, all I do is think while I ride about different topics in my life as well as be philosophical. I think about the different feelings people can feel and why they feel them as well as why people act the way they do. When I am out there, I feel at peace and I feel like I am “a child of the universe” in this “beautiful world”. I also think about different events that have happened in my life such as past relationships, current relationships, my family, basketball, and about where I see myself in the future.
I feel like that Max Ehrmann might have been in a peaceful setting when he wrote this. He is thinking positively about life and this world. He seems like he is content where he is, but he has gone through a lot to get there. I could relate to this poem because I have been in a peaceful setting that has caused me to think deeply about life.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Awakening Vs. The Story of an Hour
The women in “The Awakening” and “The Story of An Hour” are similar. Both Edna and Mrs. Mallard were married and did not like it. They were not able to be individuals and did things to please their husbands. They were not able to make their own decisions and they felt trapped.
In “The Awakening”, Edna’s freedom came from swimming and realizing she could do things by herself. This caused her to not depend on her husband which led her to get her own home called the Pigeon House. This independence lasted only awhile until she got unhappy. She ended up committing suicide in the ocean due to her realizing that no one understood her and that Robert was not able to break away from society like she wanted.
In “The Story of an Hour”, Mrs. Mallard got her awakening from her husband dying. After the news of his death, all she could thing about was that she was free. Instead of feeling grief, she was seeing life in a positive way. However, once she saw that her husband was not dead, she died. I think it was because she was so happy to feel free and once she saw her husband, all her optimistic thinking was destroyed so she died. Her hopes were ruined.
In “The Awakening”, Edna’s freedom came from swimming and realizing she could do things by herself. This caused her to not depend on her husband which led her to get her own home called the Pigeon House. This independence lasted only awhile until she got unhappy. She ended up committing suicide in the ocean due to her realizing that no one understood her and that Robert was not able to break away from society like she wanted.
In “The Story of an Hour”, Mrs. Mallard got her awakening from her husband dying. After the news of his death, all she could thing about was that she was free. Instead of feeling grief, she was seeing life in a positive way. However, once she saw that her husband was not dead, she died. I think it was because she was so happy to feel free and once she saw her husband, all her optimistic thinking was destroyed so she died. Her hopes were ruined.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Lady or the Tiger?????????????
So we’re supposed to make up our own ending to “The Lady or the Tiger” and I am not that creative. We are supposed to decide whether the princess tells the suitor to open the door with the tiger or the door with the woman. I want to be facetious and say that he opens both of the doors and that the tiger kills the woman so he can be with the princess. However, that is not a choice. It has to be one or the other.
In my ending, the princess tells the suitor, her lover, to open the door with the tiger. She would rather see him get eaten by the tiger than to see him marry the woman. She is a very jealous type and hates the woman’s guts. The author goes on for several paragraphs how the princess despises the woman and has even seen her love flirt with her. To see her lover and the woman together would be worse than him being dead. If he was dead, she wouldn’t have to worry about whether he loved the woman more or if he still thought about her. The princess would not have to see them together and would not have to suffer jealousy. Either way she can’t have him and she would rather no one have him.
In my ending, the princess tells the suitor, her lover, to open the door with the tiger. She would rather see him get eaten by the tiger than to see him marry the woman. She is a very jealous type and hates the woman’s guts. The author goes on for several paragraphs how the princess despises the woman and has even seen her love flirt with her. To see her lover and the woman together would be worse than him being dead. If he was dead, she wouldn’t have to worry about whether he loved the woman more or if he still thought about her. The princess would not have to see them together and would not have to suffer jealousy. Either way she can’t have him and she would rather no one have him.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
King Lear #5
Gloucester’s eyes were plucked out one at a time by Cornwall. By showing Cornwall plucking out Gloucester’s eyes, it shows the audience first hand how Cornwall is an evil and corrupt person. He shows no remorse for the man and does not really give him a chance to explain himself. When he asks him questions, he just assumes Gloucester is lying. Gloucester’s crime was not to the severity for Cornwall to take his eyes out.
This scene also shows how, for the most part, all of the others are cruel as well. Regan tells Cornwall to pluck out Gloucester’s remaining eye (after one was already taken out). This shows she has no remorse. Besides one servant, when all of the tying up Gloucester and plucking his eye out was going on, all the servants followed what Cornwall and Regan instructed them to do. When that one servant did stick up for Gloucester, the result was that he was stabbed in the back by Regan. This scene shows the violent manners in Gloucester and Regan.
Some movies use gruesome scenes to add to the movie. They want it to be more dramatic and cause a rise out of the audience. However, these movies typically warn the audience beforehand to make sure they know they might be seeing some gory scenes. I think it is ok for these types of movies to have violent scenes because that is what the audience wants to see. Also, I think it is ok for video games to have violence as long as there is a warning on the cover. People (adults) should know what their kids are playing. In addition, when adults buy the games for themselves, they are paying for the game and they want the brutal fighting.
This scene also shows how, for the most part, all of the others are cruel as well. Regan tells Cornwall to pluck out Gloucester’s remaining eye (after one was already taken out). This shows she has no remorse. Besides one servant, when all of the tying up Gloucester and plucking his eye out was going on, all the servants followed what Cornwall and Regan instructed them to do. When that one servant did stick up for Gloucester, the result was that he was stabbed in the back by Regan. This scene shows the violent manners in Gloucester and Regan.
Some movies use gruesome scenes to add to the movie. They want it to be more dramatic and cause a rise out of the audience. However, these movies typically warn the audience beforehand to make sure they know they might be seeing some gory scenes. I think it is ok for these types of movies to have violent scenes because that is what the audience wants to see. Also, I think it is ok for video games to have violence as long as there is a warning on the cover. People (adults) should know what their kids are playing. In addition, when adults buy the games for themselves, they are paying for the game and they want the brutal fighting.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
King Lear #4
Why would Edgar choose to take on the disguise of Tom O’Bedlam, a madman and beggar? His father, Gloucester, wrongfully renounced Edgar as his son and praised Edmund as his “loyal and natural boy” whom will become Gloucester’s heir. This was because Edmund tricked Gloucester into believing that Edgar wanted to murder him. Edgar’s disguise is appropriate because he is poor and without a kingdom as he has been stripped of his social status and inheritance. In addition to being poor, Edgar is an outlaw. Edgar chooses to look like a poor man and act crazy so that people searching for him would have no idea that he is of royal blood. By taking on this extreme disguise, Edgar can stay in the kingdom so he can be near his father to whom he is still loyal. It also enables him to be out in public where he can find out what is going on and who is plotting against each other. As Tom O’Bedlam, he would not be considered a person of note and they might be inclined to talk in front of him since he was too crazy to understand what they were saying. By acting like a madman, he could learn what Edmund and others are plotting against him and thus could prevent wrongful actions.
Although the disguise of a Bedlam beggar is extreme, it is symbolically fitting. Edgar, like King Lear, is reduced to a man with no possessions or aspirations. There is no future. A man in this state is helpless; he is little more than a beast and is at the mercy of his fellowmen. By taking on this disguise, Edgar is able to befriend King Lear. King Lear relates to this horrible condition as he himself experiences the misery of being turned out in the cold without belongings or shelter. By sharing his misery with Edgar, King Lear learns the importance of compassion and treating others humanely.
Although the disguise of a Bedlam beggar is extreme, it is symbolically fitting. Edgar, like King Lear, is reduced to a man with no possessions or aspirations. There is no future. A man in this state is helpless; he is little more than a beast and is at the mercy of his fellowmen. By taking on this disguise, Edgar is able to befriend King Lear. King Lear relates to this horrible condition as he himself experiences the misery of being turned out in the cold without belongings or shelter. By sharing his misery with Edgar, King Lear learns the importance of compassion and treating others humanely.
King Lear #3
Although King Lear is portrayed as a tragic figure for whom most readers have empathy by the end of the play, it is curious how he could have been the father to Goneril and Regan, two odious creatures. King Lear must not have been such an honorable and worthy ruler or father during his prime. He must not have set a good example or else these two materialistic daughters would not have turned so easily against him and kicked him out into the cold, leaving him without dignity or his train of servants. What would cause Goneril and Regan to act so vile and serpent-like?
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
King Lear Blog #3
Although King Lear is portrayed as a tragic figure for whom most readers have empathy by the end of the play, it is curious how he could have been the father to Goneril and Regan, two odious creatures. King Lear must not have been such an honorable and worthy ruler or father during his prime. He must not have set a good example or else these two materialistic daughters would not have turned so easily against him and kicked him out into the cold, leaving him without dignity or his train of servants. What would cause Goneril and Regan to act so vile and serpent-like?
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
The primary explanation could be that Lear was a self-absorbed, cold and arrogant leader who had no time for his children or family. He ruled like a tyrant and demanded complete obedience and respect. His decisions were never to be questioned. If challenged or if he thought someone was not paying him respect, he would become violent and swept away by his rage. For example, Lear banished Kent, his most loyal courtier, telling him to get out of his sight after Kent had said that his majesty had fallen to folly, implying that Lear was foolish to have divided up his kingdom based on his daughters’ declarations as to how much they loved him. Lear could have been just as upset or incensed by his daughters’ actions. He has trouble controlling his wrath even towards his own daughters. When they heartlessly kick him out of his former kingdom he asks nature to make Goneril, his thankless daughter, sterile or if she were to have a child, he hopes it will bring her only misery. He even banishes his obedient, faithful Cordelia because she will not flatter him to his liking. Later he calls Goneril and Regan “unnatural hags” and says he will find revenge on them that will be “terrors of the earth.” Lear obviously knows nothing about fatherly love or how to be compassionate. Since he does not have these qualities, his daughters probably have not learned these qualities either. Although Cordelia is not hateful like her two older sisters, her love for her father seems to be out of duty and respect because he is her father and king, not because she feels affection for him.
A second cause for the cruelty Goneril and Regan exhibit towards Lear arises from jealousy. They resent the fact that Cordelia is Lear’s favorite daughter. If Lear constantly showed his preference for Cordelia and favored her more, Goneril and Regan might feel so slighted that they would want to get even by hurting their father. This could be one of the reasons they falsely told Lear how much they loved him in order to get part of his kingdom in order to gain power. Once King Lear relinquished his kingdom to them, they could kick him out since they no longer needed him. They verbally abused him as he did to them. Regan stated that he had “ever slenderly known himself” and Goneril said in reference to him “Old fool will be babes again.” They have no use for this old man who lacks insight and is so self-centered. Lear’s two daughters are “a disease that’s in (his) flesh”; they are like “a boil, a plague-sore, an embossed carbuncle in (his) corrupted blood” (2.4. 225-28). There obviously is no love in this relationship. It almost sounds like they detest each other.
Sadly, some children do end up resenting their parents. This could happen for several reasons. Perhaps the parents did not spend valuable time with their children because they were too busy or did not care. Resentment could also occur if the parents treated their children differently by unfairly favoring one of them. Another reason could be that the parents stifled their children by not allowing them to make their own decisions and being able to pursue the career of their choice. Children could also resent their parents because of bad conduct. The parents might abuse their children, either physically or verbally. They might even have alcohol or drug addictions that cause them to behave irrationally or meanly towards their children. Children naturally want to please and be respected by their parents so it is important that parents establish a trusting relationship where the parents set a good example. This was not the case with King Lear and to a large part is why he is a tragic figure.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
King Lear #2
Goneril and Reagan are both driven by power and greed. In their minds, they do not think their thoughts or actions to obtain supremacy are wrong. They think that they have the right to all the land and power since they are the daughters of King Lear. They view their father as getting old and foolish, so they think it is proper to take over. Once King Lear hands over the land and power to them after they pledged their “love” to them, they do not treat him well. Goneril even tells Lear to get rid of his troops, which was the only thing he had left to show he used to be king. She also heartlessly tells Reagan to not take him in when he comes to stay with her. The two daughters no longer have to flatter and make him believe they care about him. Having usurped his land and power they have no need for their father. They have no mercy as they turn him out of their kingdoms and strip him of what little pride he has left.
Today, people still do the same evil things as Goneril and Reagan, but generally on a smaller scale. Kids will sweet talk their parents to get what they want, whether it is money, a ride, or a favor. Likewise, employees may be nice and polite to their bosses to get a raise or promotion, but behind their backs they might be critical. People often act in deceitful ways out of self-interest and greed. They want to better themselves and improve their conditions so they use or flatter people. On a larger scale, countries may deceive other countries into trusting them, allying with them, or trading with them, but really their intentions are self-serving. The countries are just using other countries to get what they want whether it includes advanced technology, assistance in fighting wars, or exchanging goods to create dependency. In conclusion, Goneril and Reagan show how people in society can be deceitful and untrustworthy mean in order to better themselves.
Today, people still do the same evil things as Goneril and Reagan, but generally on a smaller scale. Kids will sweet talk their parents to get what they want, whether it is money, a ride, or a favor. Likewise, employees may be nice and polite to their bosses to get a raise or promotion, but behind their backs they might be critical. People often act in deceitful ways out of self-interest and greed. They want to better themselves and improve their conditions so they use or flatter people. On a larger scale, countries may deceive other countries into trusting them, allying with them, or trading with them, but really their intentions are self-serving. The countries are just using other countries to get what they want whether it includes advanced technology, assistance in fighting wars, or exchanging goods to create dependency. In conclusion, Goneril and Reagan show how people in society can be deceitful and untrustworthy mean in order to better themselves.
King Lear #1
Edmund is the Earl of Gloucester’s bastard son, and therefore, does not have any legal right to the throne. Edmund’s envy and ambition lead him to plot against his father and his half brother, Edgar, who is the legitimate son of Gloucester. Not only is Edmund driven to obtain power and land, he also wants others to realize how he is denied equality and rights just because he is considered a bastard. He does not think it is fair that Edgar, who shares the same father, has the right to all the land and power, but he has none. He thinks he is just as worthy of it as Edgar.
Even though Edmund is devising a scheme against Gloucester and Edgar, he is able to suppress his emotions and act as if nothing is wrong. For example, when Gloucester tells Kent that Edmund is his bastard son and then introduces him, Edmund acts like nothing is wrong and is very polite. He does not seem bothered that his father was appeared embarrassed about his illegitimacy. I know that if I were in that position, I would not be able to hold in my anger and I would show Gloucester that I had a problem with how he was talking about me. After all, Edmund did not have any control over being born and who his mother was.
Gloucester perhaps treats Edmund with great disrespect because he reminds Gloucester of a mistake he made. Gloucester had an affair with another woman and Edmund is the evidence. Also, Gloucester probably does not treat Edmund fairly because Gloucester does not want to hurt his reputation since he values appearances more than reality. If people find out about his illegitimate son, it could change their view of him. In addition, he might not want to be nice to Edmund because he wants to remind him that he is not his real son and will never be able to obtain the power or the throne.
A modern day equivalent to this could be when a family has step-children. One of the parents might remind their step-children that they are not blood-related and therefore they are not their kids. This could be a way to show power and dominance over the children or it could be a means of disowning them so they have no responsibility for them. The step-children could also tell their step-parents that they are not their real parents so they do not have to listen to or obey them.
Even though Edmund is devising a scheme against Gloucester and Edgar, he is able to suppress his emotions and act as if nothing is wrong. For example, when Gloucester tells Kent that Edmund is his bastard son and then introduces him, Edmund acts like nothing is wrong and is very polite. He does not seem bothered that his father was appeared embarrassed about his illegitimacy. I know that if I were in that position, I would not be able to hold in my anger and I would show Gloucester that I had a problem with how he was talking about me. After all, Edmund did not have any control over being born and who his mother was.
Gloucester perhaps treats Edmund with great disrespect because he reminds Gloucester of a mistake he made. Gloucester had an affair with another woman and Edmund is the evidence. Also, Gloucester probably does not treat Edmund fairly because Gloucester does not want to hurt his reputation since he values appearances more than reality. If people find out about his illegitimate son, it could change their view of him. In addition, he might not want to be nice to Edmund because he wants to remind him that he is not his real son and will never be able to obtain the power or the throne.
A modern day equivalent to this could be when a family has step-children. One of the parents might remind their step-children that they are not blood-related and therefore they are not their kids. This could be a way to show power and dominance over the children or it could be a means of disowning them so they have no responsibility for them. The step-children could also tell their step-parents that they are not their real parents so they do not have to listen to or obey them.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Brave New World Blog 4
I find a utopia to be bad, disruptive, and disturbing. Even though all the citizens are happy and do not have to worry about war, they do not have freedom or the chance to be an individual. Everyone is a twin and they are not allowed to think for fear it would mess up their society. People would not be able to exercise their minds. The citizens are not allowed to think philosophically or about science because they are afraid their system would fall apart. Also, they are encouraged to sleep with many people and to not have a steady relationship with anyone. This is so they do not get attached to a person (or start feeling emotions) and so it keeps their mind from thinking about the society.
They do not realize their situation because they do not know any better or of any other ways of living. They are always being told their lives are good and that they are happy. In addition, they are all the same with no diversity. Because their society is not diverse, it cannot improve and there will not be any new innovations. There aren’t any chances to be different. If they are different, they are looked down upon and are sent to an outside island to make sure they do not disrupt the society. Also, they do not realize how unfair their situation is. Once they are born, they are stuck into a class, whether it is the upper-class (alpha) or the lower-class (epsilon). They cannot work hard and chance their social status. They do not realize they don’t have any freedom and that the leaders are the ones who determine their destiny.
They do not realize their situation because they do not know any better or of any other ways of living. They are always being told their lives are good and that they are happy. In addition, they are all the same with no diversity. Because their society is not diverse, it cannot improve and there will not be any new innovations. There aren’t any chances to be different. If they are different, they are looked down upon and are sent to an outside island to make sure they do not disrupt the society. Also, they do not realize how unfair their situation is. Once they are born, they are stuck into a class, whether it is the upper-class (alpha) or the lower-class (epsilon). They cannot work hard and chance their social status. They do not realize they don’t have any freedom and that the leaders are the ones who determine their destiny.
Brave New World Blog 3
Mond and John discuss how the leaders in the society control people’s minds and emotions. Mond thinks the society is fine the way it is, but John thinks there should be a change. Mond tells John that science and religion need to be restricted from the people so the citizens won’t start thinking. People who philosophize could cause rebellions and could disrupt society. The leaders do not want people to read, learn, or be independent and think on their own. In addition, they do not want the citizens to be isolated or alone because this causes them to think. Also, Mond tries to explain to John that people turn to God and religion when they get old and realize they are mortal. In Huxely’s society, people do not fear death, which means there is no need for a God. On the other hand, John tells Mond that people should be able to be individuals and make their own choices whether it causes happiness or discontent. They should learn how to deal with problems and fix them and not to take “soma” whenever anything gets difficult. He doesn’t think people should take the easy way out.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Brave New World Blog 2
The purpose of sex and games is to keep the people’s minds occupied so they cannot think about emotions, question the society, or come up with revolutionary ideas that could ruin the society. The men and women are encouraged to sleep with the opposite sex with no commitment. Also, they are not supposed to have one partner for too long for fear they might start getting attached and having feelings for the other. After sex, there is just calmness and they only think about the opposite sex. They do not get caught up with thinking about religion or philosophy. The only philosophy that they do know about is Ford, who is somewhat of a god in this society. They say “Ford” instead of “God” since they do not even know about God. The quote “ending is better than mending” means that it is better to die or to throw something away than to try to fix it. In this society, people do not fear death and this saying helps them feel better about bad situations. Once they get old and their organs start to fail, they just give up and take a lot of soma instead of trying to get better. It is like history and the past are thrown away to make room for the future. All of these things control society’s mind and help make sure they do not try to think outside of what they know. They do not want people to start being rebellious.
Brave New World Blog 1
There are several aspects of Brave New World’s society that seem relevant today. First off, Huxely separates the citizens into a five class system with the alphas and betas on top, gammas in the middle, and deltas and epsilons at the bottom. This is like today except today’s society is divided into three classes based on wealth, which are the upper-class, middle-class, and lower-class. Next, Huxely makes all the characters look young, beautiful, and healthy. Today, the population is putting an emphasis on looking young and beautiful as well as staying healthy. In some cases this means getting plastic surgery, being on strict diets, or wearing certain clothes. Third, Huxely shows how his society avoids problems and stress by taking “soma”. By doing this, they never had to worry about anything. This is like today’s society except people take drugs or use alcohol to forget about their problems. Fourth, Huxely has all the people’s DNA altered for desired results. This is sort of like today except people are genetically modifying crops, not humans. They do this to have a better result to give the greatest crop yield.
I think Huxely’s vision of there being a utopia is the most far fetched aspect of the book. I don’t think there will ever be a state of total happiness even though people want it. The only way to do it is by not letting people be knowledgeable (which is the case in the book). In addition, I think the class system is far fetched. In today’s society, people would always want to get ahead and become part of the high society. They would not be satisfied in being in the lowest class.
I think Huxely’s vision of there being a utopia is the most far fetched aspect of the book. I don’t think there will ever be a state of total happiness even though people want it. The only way to do it is by not letting people be knowledgeable (which is the case in the book). In addition, I think the class system is far fetched. In today’s society, people would always want to get ahead and become part of the high society. They would not be satisfied in being in the lowest class.
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