The definition of fate is the development of events beyond a person’s control. It is regarded as something determined by a supernatural power, but I believe otherwise. In fact, I believe the exact opposite. I believe that people do in fact have the power to manipulate their fate; Based on the good or bad choices they’ve made in the past. The novel Silas Marner by George Eliot , helps to explain this. Through the actions of three major characters Dunstan Cass, Godfrey Cass, and Silas Marner. These characters were chosen because they all made good or bad choices throughout the novel with a clear punishment or reward; Or in other words these characters show how they control their fate based on previous actions or choices.
To begin with, Dunstan Cass made bad choices throughout the novel. For example, Dunstan decided to use the knowledge that he had about Godfrey as blackmail. As the Dunstan says, ‘“ I might tell the Squire how his handsome son was married to that nice young woman, Molly Farren, and was very unhappy because he couldn’t live with his drunken wife, and I should slip into your place as comfortable as could be”’(24). Dunstan had the choice to be a good and loving brother by using that knowledge to help his brother in the situation he’s in. As he would have a better understanding because of the knowledge he already has. Instead, he chooses to use that knowledge to control his brother. Dunstan also steals Silas’s money. Again, Dunstan had a choice. He could’ve told Godfrey about his idea to borrow some money from Silas. Which although, may not have worked but was the right thing to do. The novel tells us why he made that choice. As the narrator says, “ a spiteful jeering fellow, who seemed to enjoy his drink the more w...
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...all trusten till I die”’(181) . Silas has got what he truly deserves for his kindness through the choices that he made. For instance, if he never adopted Eppie, he wouldn’t be in this state of happiness and love. That novel plainly shows right there, that his decision affected his future. All in all, Silas’s good choices paved the way from a lonely and gloomy past to a bright and healthy future.
In conclusion, these three character’s actions in the novel Silas Marner by George Eliot, prove that people get what they deserve. Through good or bad choices George Eliot shows that they caused their own fate. We know now that this might’ve been the main point that George Eliot was trying to express in this novel. Was this her plan all along to show that all men reap what they sow? Leave that for later. What we do know for certain is that our fate is in our own hands.
Well there is always the fate aspect in everything that occurs in our lives but majority of the outcomes created from the individuals own decisions. It is up to the individual to determine what can occur, if they do one thing then something will be the outcome. A side from that, there is always the possibility of being at the wrong place at the wrong time which can have an affect of on the outcomes of life.
The guilt felt by Dunstan adjusted the way he survives his perfect dedication for Mary Dempster. Dunstan's guilt is the aftereffect of his religious childhood. This guilt is brought about by Percy Boyd Staunton when he throws the snowball that hits Mrs. Dempster, bringing about her insanity and Paul's premature birth. Dunstan ...
"Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do” said by Voltaire. Dunstan Ramsay from Robertson Davies’s “fifth business” life revolves around his inner guilt. Dunstan lives his whole with the guilt of the destruction of an innocent family. Ever since he decided to be "sly" and dodge the snow ball that was meant for the back of his head but instead hits an innocent pregnant lady, Mrs.Dempster. He was linked to that family for life from that moment as he describes “My lifelong involvement with Mrs.Dempster began at 5:58 o'clock p.m. on 27 December 1908, at which time I was ten years and seven months old” (Davies, 1). From the shock of the snowball Mrs.Dempster was forced to give an early birth to her premature son Paul. Dustan was forced to be the guardian of Mrs.Dempster and the premature baby Paul by his mother. Dustan felt guilty for all the tragedy in the Dempster family. The unknown feeling of guilt he had was hurting him in many ways and was controlling his life. Robertson Davies shows how guilt causes Dunstan to have unhealthy relationship with Mrs.Dempster, Boy and Paul.
Also, it is evident that each character seems to run away due to the insecurities that they faced as children. Dunstan ran from his guilt, Percy for his status and ego, and Paul from his challenges as a misfit. Each seemed to wander like nomads throughout their lives, while these insecurities where never faced or challenged so they could change their point of view. It was what seemed to be instilled within them, the theory that the first five years of childhood shape the personalities of individuals. This is certainly evident in the novel, from the beginning to the end.
Davies introduces the reader with Dunstable Ramsay and Percy Boyd Staunton. They are depicted as friends yet rivals at the same time. This is shown when Dunstable had a sleigh that was faster than Percy’s. Of course Percy who is the spoiled rich boy becomes jealous, and starts calling Dunstable names. Knowing that Percy hates it when he is being ignored, Dunstable provokes Percy and ends up with him being chased with snowballs. Eventually someone gets hit and it’s not Dunstable, rather it was Mrs. Dempster whom he had ran around of cover. This is where the whole chain of guilt starts right after this incident. Dunstable feels guilty for this because the snowball who was supposed to hit him, ended up hitting Mrs.Dempster who was pregnant at that time.He feels even guiltier when he hears about the premature birth and infancy of Paul Dempster, which gives him a sickening feeling. As well Dunstable was raised in a strict family and has been encouraged to feel guilt even in the smallest of matters. From that day onward Dunstable was a changed individual who became a responsible person to Mrs. Dempster and was a loyal one. Throughout his life he becomes a better person because of the guilt which he accepts and tries to resolve.
...hoices, Eliot shows the opposite outcome of depression and regret from a lifetime of indecision. Whether it is a far-away land of fantastical beings, the woods down the street, or perhaps the nearest city, a journey will always yield a different experience, and indecision is just as much a decision as any other. Choosing to remain inactive in a world that calls for action is to choose to grow old and have nothing of substance to look back on, since nothing was ever done.
Fate is an old, debated concept. Do one's actions truly play a role in determining one's life? Is fate free to some or is it binding to others, in that no individual can make completely individual decisions, and therefore, no one is truly free. Nowadays, fate is a subject often rejected in society, as it is seen as too big, too idealistic, and too hard to wrap a person's head around. However, at the time of Antigone, the concept was a terrifying reality for most people.
One example demonstrates Prynne’s conflict with society and her punishment. After Prynne’s public punishment on the scaffold, she obtained a shameful reputation throughout society. For Prynne, “the days of the far-off future would toil onward, still with the same burden for her to take up, and bear along with her, but never to fling down; for the accumulating days, and added years, would pile up their misery upon the heap of shame” (73). This sad description of Prynne’s life shows how the unending waves of pain become more unbearable as the days go by. However, Prynne accepts her punishment with patience while maintaining a sense of humility. Hawthorne uses this conflict to reveal Prynne’s humility and patience in the midst of a painful
Fate is non-existent as one's future is based upon their own personal decisions. It is believing
Fate can be defined in many different ways. Webster's Dictionary defines fate as a power that supposedly predetermines events. Fate is synonymous with the word destiny, which suggests that events are unavoidable and unchangeable. Whatever happens in life is meant to be and cannot be changed by mankind. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, fate plays an important role in the lives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo.
... him not giving into his greed and his selfish ambition, but Silas “awakening” to what is morally right. Silas is now able to have a clear conscious and not let the money dictate his decisions. After all the wrong doing that Silas has done through his down fall and bad decision, he has finally reached his “rise” to a better self by expressing humility and honesty.
Fate may state what will be in one's life however, how that destiny comes about is a matter of man's own choice. In other words, incidents don't occur because our destinies are written. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare expertly uses the theme of fate vs. free will and raises the pre-eminent question of which holds power over the characters. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, fate is not the cause of his downfall, his own desires and choices prove to be the deciding factor.
Fate is the development of events beyond a person’s control. Essentially it means that there are certain events in everyone’s life that are predetermined and completely unavoidable. In The Iliad, fate is even unchangeable by the gods. The belief is that there is a fixed natural order to the universe and that
Webster defines fate as a “ a power thought to control all events and impossible to resist” “a persons destiny.” This would imply that fate has an over whelming power over the mind. This thing called fate is able to control a person and that person has no ability to change it.
...dfrey has made throughout his life, he also realises the importance of a good family life. “I feel now it’s my duty to insist on taking care of my own daughter. I want to do my duty” (Chapter 19 page 171). Due to this reason, I believe that justice has been done as Silas has been rewarded after his betrayal in Lantern Yard and taking care of Eppie by himself. He has been rewarded by having a peaceful and happy life, and also by being surrounded by people who care for him. Godfrey’s past misdemeanors have gone on to punish him later on in life, as, although he got Nancy, he was left without an heir.