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Explain the quality of self-reliance
Explain the quality of self-reliance
Explain the quality of self-reliance
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"Monkey see, Monkey do." The clever pidgin-style phrase means to follow blindly or the act of mimicry similar to how the characters act in Stephen Crane's short story, "The Monster." Crane uses the bandwagon-discrimination Henry Johnson receives from the community to bring light to the prejudice and pettiness people experience that appear physically different. The small town's shared perspective and disownment of Henry Johnson shows why it's important for people to form their own individual opinion. It’s similar to the importance of individuality in Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance." Crane illustrates Emerson’s belief that people conform to social norms discussed in Emerson's "Self-Reliance" by illustrating how characters in Crane’s “The …show more content…
According to Old Judge Hagenthorpe and everyone else in town that copies his opinion, Henry Johnson “could not live. His body was frightfully seared, but more than that, he now had no face. His face had simply been burned away... [He’s] a monster, a perfect monster, and probably with an affected brain." Johnson is referred to as a monster due to his physical scars after his heroic gesture. Ironically, there are many characters throughout the story who are monstrous because they lack empathy, morals and humanity for Johnson. To further illustrate, Old Judge Hagenthorpe suggests death by euthanasia for Johnson to Dr. Trescott when he says, "No one wants to advance such ideas, but somehow I think that poor fellow ought to die… you are performing a questionable charity in preserving this negro's life" (Crane). Not only is it disgusting of Old Judge Hagenthorpe to suggest that Dr. Trescott should kill the man who saved Dr. Trescott's son, - just to spare him and the town the sight of Johnson rather than applaud him for acting as a hero - but it's even more awful that he insults Dr. Trescott by saying that Trescott's kindness to Johnson is "questionable." When Hagenthorpe begins with "no one wants to advance such ideas" he reveals that no one in town wants to confront Trescott about Johnson, but they have decided that Johnson should die. Their monstrous request for Johnson's death reveals …show more content…
Crane also discloses his view of the American society in a realistic light because he exhibits realism by unveiling America’s true monstrous face, and its white privilege- he same white privilege that causes blacks to conform to the standards of a white American society. In doing so, Crane compliments Emerson’s main idea of “Self-Reliance” that people should “believe [their] own thought, to believe that what is true for [themselves] in [their] private heart is true for all men.’’ Emerson’s belief that people should take heed to their own thoughts because society persuades people to conform, summarizes the idea of individuality Crane express in his story “The
Individuality is rejection, whether it be a rejection of society or a rejection by society. Burton explores the consequences that can derive from rejection and how appearances may differ from reality. The work of Tim Burton consists of a unique style unlike any other. Not only do his films convey his ideas of individuality to the audience, it is done in a distinctive Burton way. Burton’s style of the formal elements of German Expressionism, gothic horror, and unique characters allow him to convey his ideas. His views of individuality are evident through the work of his film 'Edward Scissorhands' and short film 'Vincent'.
Schroeder, John W. "Stephen Crane Embattled," University of Kansas City Review, XVII (Winter 1950), 119 Rpt. in
However, the most traditionally "romantic" facets of his artifice are most fully manifested in a series of private correspondence between himself and a certain society maiden by the name of Nellie Crouse. It is these letters that serve to illustrate Crane's writing prowess as it transcends traditional Romantic genrefication. Through these letters, which serve as an informed testament to Crane's marked skill as a writer, we begin to examine Crane in the context of his own existence, devoid of the fictional trappings of his most acclaimed accomplishments.
Mary W. Shelly’s classic book, Frankenstein, was written in the early nineteenth century. The setting that is taken place within the story has multiple locations. Amongst these multiple locations are Switzerland, Geneva, the home of Dr. Frankenstein, unknown villages/cottages, and the North Pole which was the exposition of the story to begin with. The style of the classic, Frankenstein, has a different style of writing due to not being written in the proper chronological nature. When Frankenstein, is adapted to motion picture film, the film focuses on the horror of Frankenstein’s monster, however the book is really about romanticism. Stephen Gould intertwines his opinion on the book Frankenstein. His opinion is
The concept of what is "individuality" and what is not has plagued and delighted man since the dawn of time. “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy adds 302 more pages to the pile of all the works that have been on the quest to define individualism. In this novel, McCarthy takes us through four faces of the key character’s life, John Grady, to portray the idea of illusory individualism. He contends that John Grady is simply a product of a society in contrast to his (Grady) notion of free will. Simply put: Grady has no alternatives but an obligation to conform to society. McCarthy uses him to create the platform in which to comment on oppression of individuality, expectation of conformity to the values of the society and the fact that the concept of individualism is a myth.
The human spirit is very diverse including different cultures, language, and people. Even though the people of Earth are common, to each have their own personality and characteristics. These subjects are looked upon with high regard, considering the fact that a person may look at another with relation to themselves. To this extent the said person, when among others, is changing to fit with the other people that are around him/her. These traits are the treasured welfare and the indescribable villainous evil. Robert L. Stevenson created the novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and My. Hyde to teach the reader both the marvelous and inferior morality of an individual.
Throughout the year Professor Prudden has been teaching us the idea of the individual and when and how it came about. We have studied The French Revolution, Scientific Revolution, Colonialism, and Reformation, all stressing what made this time period important to the individual. We finished the class reading the novel Frankenstein with does a great job of demonstrating a man or “monster” creaking his own being. We have already determined that an individual is; the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant. Mary Shelley demonstrates individuality through Frankenstein and leads to his internal isolation and loneliness. She shows that uniqueness is the most important aspect of individualism not only through Frankenstein but Victor
Education is a tool to advance an individual and a society; however, education can become a means to gain power when knowledge is used to exercise control over another. In Frankenstein, knowledge becomes the downfall of both Victor Frankenstein and the Monster. The novel explores the consequent power struggle between Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the dichotomy of good and evil, and the contrast between intellectual and physical power. Finding themselves in mirroring journeys, Victor Frankenstein and the Monster are locked in a struggle for dominance. Through these two characters, Mary Shelley explores the consequences of an egotistical mindset and of using knowledge to exercise power over others.
I had the opportunity to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley several years ago and it became one of my favorite books. My initial feeling was sorrow, what a wonderful story that has been slowly destroyed by Hollywood through the years. We think of Victor Frankenstein as a mad scientist trying to destroy mankind, and the monster having bolts in his neck with very little intellect. Mary Shelley’s book is completely different from the Hollywood version we are accustom to. The monster is intelligent and has emotions, the mad scientist or Victor was scared of his own creation due to his appearance. The monster initially showed no signs of evil in the novel, but where did he learn it from? Who is the real evil monster
Many innovations throughout the modern world have made life significantly easier, safer, of higher quality, and are said to be done for the "greater good of humanity". However, these accomplishments come at a cost, as expressed through the concepts of creation and responsibility that lie at the core of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It is through these concepts that Shelley explores how society has changed during Romanticism and the Industrial Revolution, with lessening importance on shared knowledge and the "public sphere" and more emphasis on individual achievement and identity, leading to a fractured and isolated society. In this paper I argue that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein criticizes the impacts of Industrial Revolution and Romantic era-inspired individualism on the community and individual, using Victor Frankenstein's disruption of the reproductive process and subsequent relationship with his creation as examples of potential negative consequences.
Stephen Crane’s short story, “The Open Boat” speaks directly to Jack London’s own story, “To Build A Fire” in their applications of naturalism and views on humanity. Both writers are pessimistic in their views of humanity and are acutely aware of the natural world. The representations of their characters show humans who believe that they are strong and can ably survive, but these characters many times overestimate themselves which can lead to an understanding of their own mortality as they face down death.
Sometimes, in novels like Frankenstein, the motives of the author are unclear. It is clear however, that one of the many themes Mary Shelley presents is the humanity of Victor Frankenstein's creation. Although she presents evidence in both support and opposition to the creation's humanity, it is apparent that this being is indeed human. His humanity is not only witnessed in his physical being, but in his intellectual and emotional thoughts as well. His humanity is argued by the fact that being human does not mean coming from a specific genetic chain and having family to relate to, but to embrace many of the distinct traits that set humans apart from other animals in this world. In fact, calling Victor's creation a `monster' doesn't support the argument that he is human, so for the sake of this case, his name shall be Phil.
In his characters, he used powerful imagery and interesting language to draw a picture of what people in those days were really like. The novel's impact is so great that it has become a part of common language, with the phrase "Jekyll and Hyde" meaning a person who is vastly different in moral character from one situation to the next.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel ‘The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ was deeply influenced by his family and social background. Stevenson was born in a family with a history of doctors, lawyers and other standard occupations. He was taught wrong from right from a very young age by his nanny who was a very faithful Christian. Therefore, he received a good education in his childhood. These well-educated experiences restricted his behavior and forced him to perform formally which is similar to Dr. Jekyll delineated in his novel. Another influencing factor is Darwin’s theory of evolution. ‘The origin of species’ was published in 1859 in which Darwin stated that men are descended from apes. This made Stevenson believe that we all have human nature within our physical body and it has rationality that cannot be strangled. Another factor which have significant influence on Stevenson’s portrayal of the duality of man was Sigmund Freud’s psychological theory. According to Freud, everyon...
Dorian’s divided self is explored through the competing characters of Lord Henry, and the artist Basil Hallward who paints Dorian’s portrait. Both are engaged in a struggle over Dorian’s soul. Lord Henry projects onto Dorian the view that “all influence is immoral— immoral from the scientific point of view,” and admonishes him about the dangers of adhering to conventions and morals; while Basil, despite his declared fascination with Dorian’s outward beauty, reminds him of the need to nurture his sense of common humanity. In Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde, degradation and immorality is also equated with a lack of evolution. Published after the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859) and during the rise of ideas of Social Darwinism, Stevenson attributes primal, almost subhuman characteristics to Mr Hyde, referring to his “ape-like fury,” with Mr Utterson, the narrator, noting that he “seems hardly human.” Hyde is thus constructed as bestial in appearance and character. Through him Stevenson suggests the importance of evolution and refinement for human society, while also proposing that within us all is a trace of our animal origins. The motif of the physical appearance of evil is also explored in Dorian Gray: “Sin is a thing that writes itself across a man’s face. (...) If a wretched man has a vice, it shows itself in the lines of his mouth, the