The Penal Colony Analysis

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Freedom, in definition, a state of being free, the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. However, we all know that such state cannot be true, we are all in a certain extend confined by different rules of society, and total freedom will only bring total chaos; freedom is just the pretty word for us to feel better in captive. And most importantly, freedom is not equal in most cases. Some people will always enjoy more freedom than other people, and those in power will even rationalize their superiority with the status or knowledge they have. In the past, that is very obvious, such as male dominance and white supremacy. In “the Penal Colony” by Franz Kafka , “the Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and …show more content…

It is about an explorer who is invited to an execution, which was a traditional and popular event in the Penal Colony, but is now diminished. In the story, the officer who is responsible for the execution has been talking about his glorious days as well as the era of the former Commandant in the past. As the new Commandant disagrees with such execution method, the officer as an adherent of the former Commandant faces the change of power and status. The officer realizes that his power and freedom has been diminishing and he asks the explorer for help so the execution can regain the influence among the people. However, the explorer is not impressed by the machine and refuses to help, the officer eventually killed himself with the …show more content…

First of all, her husband John, and her brother are both physician in a high standing, which both of them suggest that the woman isn’t sick but is only having a temporary nervous depression. It will be hard for the woman to deny these statements made by his husband and brother even she disagrees with them inside her heart. Secondly, the woman wishes to work and she thinks that congenial work with excitement and change will be good for herself, however, her husband doesn’t think the same way. He forbids her to work or even socializing with others, not even her own children:”it is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby, Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous” (Gilman, 928), until she gets well. How can a mother be not nervous without her babies with her? Her husband, as well as his status and knowledge as a physician, has been the most powerful force confining her. She cannot find evidence, nor she has the knowledge to prove his husband wrong. It will sound dumb for her not listening to her husband who loves her and is a physician of high

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