The Iks Reflection

936 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: india culture vs american culture

“The Iks” by Lewis Thomas, is an essay of reflection on the book about the Iks. The Iks is a small tribe that is located in the mountain valleys of northern Uganda. Due to the fact that the government wanted to build a national park, the Iks were forced to move to the poor hillside soil and became farmers. This migration leads to their loss of land and working area. Thus, they do not know how to live without hunting and their life becomes miserable. As a result, they transformed themselves to unattached, brutish creatures. Each of the Iks becomes a self-constituency and treats other badly in order to survive. According to the anthropologist who wrote the book about Iks, the personalities that the Iks have are the same compare to human’s, which we are bad in our inner selves. However, Thomas disagrees with this idea. He thinks that the Iks are not the representatives of humanity of its core. Human are not born to be evil. He states that Iks Parris is the minister of the town; hence, he wants to keep his reputation good in order to make more people admire him. In Act one of the play, people pressure Parris to answer whether there is witchcraft going on. He does not want to tell other people about what he saw because his daughter Betty Parris and his niece Abigail Williams are the members of the witchcraft. It will ruin Parris’s reputation if people know his family members were practicing witchcraft. Parris says “they only thought that was a witch, and I am certain there be no element of witchcraft (143)”. He lies to the people in the town in order to keep his reputation. The living condition of Parris has changed to which he does not need worry about living. In order to fulfill his desire of having a good reputation, he lies to the people. Like the Iks, when Parris’s surrounding changes, he tends to have a different desire and his negative personality was therefore

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Iks By Lewis Thomas

    652 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this essay, "The Iks" the author Lewis Thomas focuses on the behavior of individual Iks and "group of one size or another, ranging from committees to the nations.". The Iks were a tribe who lived in the mountain valley of northern Uganda. According to Thomas's understandings, these Iks were often recognized to be selfish, heartless. Furthermore, the Iks used to teach their children to grab food from elder people and let them starve to death. According to Thomas, he considers the Iks as a "mean society" since they did not really care about other people, not even their children. Two things which Thomas mentioned in the essay to explain the reason why the Iks were behaving unmannerly. First, the government of Uganda planned to build a national park and so they forced the Iks to stop hunting and start farming on hillside soil. Second, an anthropologist was sent to study their behavior and also wrote a book about them. Thomas proposes that the behavior of the Iks was somewhat similar to the nations. He believes that all the nations' behavior is quite similar to the Iks. "Nations are Ik-like of all. No wonder the Iks seems familiar. For total

    Read More

  • The Real Minister in Arthur Miller´s The Crucible

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reverend Parris’s cunning behaviour of influencing other individuals helped him save his reputation in the society. Parris manipulates Marry Warren by confusing her in her own words and by making Danforth believe that Mary Warren is a liar in order to save his reputation in the society. When John Proctor brought Marry Warren during the witchcraft trails to prove that she was pretending to faint and did not see any spirits, Parris argues and asks Marry Warren to faint in court and pretense again, he says “Aye, faint. Prove to us how you pretended in the court so many times” (Miller 106). This shows the eagerness inside Parris has to save his reputation. He is willing by all means to prove in the court that Marry Warren is lying. When Mary Warren denies that she cannot do it, Parris says, “Your Excellency this is a trick to blind the court!” (Miller 106). Clearly, Parris here gets agitated and scared that if Danforth believes Marry Warren then his reputation will be in trouble so therefore he makes such a statement so that he can now directly play with Marry Warren’s statement and make her confess the way he wants. Furthermore, Parris is successful in doing so becau...

    Read More

  • The Crucible Literary Analysis Essay

    503 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of scene 1, we notice him positioned at his daughter (Betty) sick bed. Appearing sad at first people might be feel remorseful for him, but after a while we notice that he is just reminiscing and thinking about his reputation, unconsciously think about his daughters wellbeing , he is fearful of what the people of Salem will think about him and thinking about the consequences of there being witch craft in his household, he will be relinquished from his status as the minister of Salem textual evidence state,”parris (studies her, then nods, half convinced) Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character”(crucible 144). This reveals that he is only worried and concerned about the respect he has gained and the concern he has about protecting

    Read More

  • How Fear Motivates the Characters in Arthur Miller’s Play, The Crucible

    770 Words  | 2 Pages

    Reverend Parris’ fear of losing his job provokes him to cry witch. Reverend Parris’ daughter feigns to be in a coma. When the doctor bade Susanna tell Reverend Parris that he “might look to unnatural things for the cause of it” (9), he denies that possibility because he fears that rumors of witchcraft under his roof would help his “many enemies” (10) to drive him from his pulpit. Later, by supporting the Salem witch trials, Reverend Parris secures his position in the church. When John Proctor brings a deposition to court signed by Mary Warren that calls Abigail and her girls’ frauds, Reverend Parris urgently tells Judge Danforth that “they’ve come to overthrow the court” (88). When Mary Warren cannot faint in court, Reverend Parris accuses her of being “a trick to blind the court” (107). After Abigail pretends that Mary Warren is attacking her, Reverend Parris spurs on the accusations by telling her to “cast the Devil out” (118). Reverend Parris fears that if Abigail becomes exposed he will be punished for supporting an illegitimate court procedure. When execution day arrives, Reverend Parris fears that the “rebellion in Andover” (127) over hangings will occur similarly in Salem. Reverend Parris pleads to Hathorne that “. . . it were another sort that we hanged till now . . . these people have great weight yet in the town” (127). Reverend Parris’ last attempt at preserv...

    Read More

  • Perception In The Crucible

    1406 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play, there were many situations that in return caused new developments and even more problems in the town of Salem. The problems and situations that happened can all be tied back to perception, or the way someone regards or interprets a situation or event. Perception can be terrifying and have devastating effects on people and places. “Parris: Now then, in the midst of such disruption, my own household is discovered to be the very center of some obscene practice. Abominations are done in the forest” (1030). Parris had caught the girls dancing in the forest and viewed it as witchcraft. He could have believed Abigail that it was just sport and the whole situation in Salem could have been prevented. This one perception is what caused everyone to believe that the devil was loose in Salem. Many other perceptions took part in leading to the devastating situations that happened in

    Read More

  • The Crucible

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the beginning of the play, Miller describes Reverend Parris using narration. This is the first impressions we get of Parris.

    Read More

  • Psychological Criticism In Arthur Miller's Play The Crucible

    1396 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every character in The Crucible has a backstory that becomes well-known at some point during the play. For example, Abigail mentions, “I look for John Proctor that took me from my sleep and put knowledge in my heart… And now you bid me tear the light out of my eyes? I will not, I cannot! You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet!” (150; Act One; lines 465-472). Abigail clearly displays her affection for John, which informs the audience of their previous affair. However, since John is married and Abigail is so obviously in love with him, she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep John to herself. Abigail even goes so far as accusing his wife of witchcraft, which leads to her imprisonment. But Abigail is not the only character seeking revenge, as Mrs. Putnam’s actions openly illustrate. Mrs. Putnam, a woman who has lost seven of her eight children, undoubtedly displays her need for vengeance when she utters, “I knew it! Goody Osburn were midwife to me three time. I begged you, Thomas, did I not? I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her. My babies always shriveled in her hands,” (162; Act One; lines 1038-1041). Here, Mrs. Putnam demonstrates her tendency to jump to conclusions when she settles with any name she hears. Mrs. Putnam is eager to place blame on anyone for the death of her children, but will not accept that her children’s deaths were not the result of witchcraft. In a similar manner, Reverend Parris also has a background that affects his present day actions. Early on in the play, Parris states, “Abigail, I have fought here three long years to bend these stiff-necked people to me, and now, just now when some good respect is rising for me in the parish, you compromise my very character,” (144; Act One; lines 121-125). Parris recognizes that as a reverend, he is well-respected within his parish, and he fears Abigail’s

    Read More

  • Dramatic Tension in The Crucible

    4276 Words  | 9 Pages

    Act One begins with Reverend Parris praying fervently over his daughter, Betty Parris, who lies unconscious on her bed. The stage directions indicate that the room is quite dark with only a candle burning and sunlight through the window lighting the room. Parris is frightened, confused and angered by Betty’s illness, perhaps wondering what he has done wrong to be inflicted with such misery. This shown by the way he prays, then weeps and then starts praying again as if he unsure even of his emotions. He is very tense and is quickly angered without provocation, for example when Tituba inquires about Betty he turns on her in fury and shouts at her to get out. He then starts to sob and in his fear he starts to mumble to Betty to wake up, his feeling of inadequacy is expressed through his fragmented, disjointed sentences.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Crucible Fear And Fear

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mr. Parris has a fear of the town finding out that Betty and Abigail and another friend of hers were dancing in the forest and that is now in bed not moving or able to wake up. If people find out that in his family there have been strange things happening, then they will think of witchcraft and that means that Paris will lose his place as minster. Mr. Parris says to one of the people that was with Betty, who was Abigail and he told her Parris “There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit” and it means that if they do find out not only he is going to get punished but the rest

    Read More

  • Fear And Paranoia In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    11) “ It were sport, uncle.” “...I cannot blink what I saw…” “...I saw it” ( Miller pg.11). This conversation is about Abigail and her friends “ supposedly” dancing in the woods naked while conjuring spirits. During their talk Abigail clearly says that her and the other girls were just dancing and had nothing to do with witchcraft. Parris on the hand wouldn’t believe her, because in his mind dancing naked in the woods and chanting over fire could only mean witchcraft and evil. Another good example would be the conversation between Proctor and Hale, “...But I know the children’s sickness had naught to do with witchcraft,” “ who told you this” “ Abigail Williams” “ Nonsense! Mister, I have myself examined [them], and…[others] that have confessed to dealing with the Devil.

    Read More

  • Causes Of The Salem Witch Trials

    988 Words  | 2 Pages

    Most of the people in Salem were based on the Puritan belief, which was very strict. The Puritans believed in a punishment for the disobediences against the laws during the period of Salem. There were only a few things a person could do to avoid being hanged. If a person confessed of witchcraft, they would not be executed. According to the article “Witchcraft in Salem,” “a confessor would tearfully throw himself or herself on the mercy of the town and court and promise repentance.” Even though many people did confess to witchcraft, many would not because they wanted justification. However, there were only a few to confess, but were still punished in jail. Reverend Samuel Parris was the town’s minister during the trials, and two of the main accusers Betty and Abigail lived in the Parris’s household. However, once a person was accused of witchcraft, Reverend Samuel Parris had no interest in believing otherwise in the person’s innocence. Reverend Parris was very imprudent, and careless to the hangings. Ragosta observes that “through either direct order or indirect insinuation, Parris may have chosen not only those who represented an unusual or disliked position in the village, but also those who had supported his enemies and

    Read More

  • Cause Of The Salem Witch Trials

    2438 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...easons why we could not join with Mr.Parris in prayer, preaching, or sacraments…the said Mr. Parris having teaching such dangerous errors, and preached such scandalous immortalities, as ought to discharge any from the work of the ministry…” (Salem Witchcraft: Compromising More Wonders of the Invisible World, Collected by Robert Calef; And, Wonders of the Invisible world, by Cotton Mather: Together with Notes and Explainations. Page 161 middle). (The Witchcraft Trials in Salem: A Commentary).

    Read More

  • How Did Reverend Parris Change In The Crucible

    824 Words  | 2 Pages

    But in the beginning, his selfishness and impoverished attitude towards the trials and the people were very different from how his attitude was in Act 4. The hysteria was growing and we see Reverend Parris as a different human being. “These people should be summoned. For questioning.” (Miller 1194). Here he acts concerned for the judges so he could feel better about himself. This is a big contrast between the Reverend Parris we knew in Act 1. He has now changed into a man of afflicting attitudes and trying to turn innocent people in. “The Devil lives on such confidences! Without confidences there could be no conspiracy, Your Honor!” (Miller 1196) Parris’ character is now a totally different

    Read More

  • Corruption In The Salem Witch Trials By Arthur Miller

    1388 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Salem community, corruption already existed with the rumors circulating around the community about witchcraft. Mrs. Putnam confirms the existence of these rumors when she sent her daughter to conjure the dead with Tituba—a slave known for her witchcraft. Her Husband, Thomas Putnam, decided to take advantage of these rumors and persuade Reverend Parris and the rest of the town of the existence of witchcraft in Salem. In act one, while Reverend Parris was denying the accusations of witchcraft in Salem, Thomas Putnam and his wife convince him otherwise. Miller describes that Thomas was “intent upon getting Parris, for whom he has only contempt, to move toward the abyss” (14). Miller shows that Thomas Putnam was going to persuade Parris

    Read More

  • Who Is Reverend Parris Greedy In The Crucible

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    Foremost, Parris is very concerned about his position and power in Salem because he has two afflicted children. His fear of power loss is so great that he fears being thrown from Salem;¨...They will howl me out of Salem for such corruption in my house¨(Miller I. 145). Parris is fearful of his name and power in Salem being taken because of the girls actions. He believes that the people of Salem will throw him out of his home for these sins. Parris is scared that Abigail will speak of witchcraft and blacken his name in Salem as this quote suggest,¨Go directly home and speak nothing of unnatural causes¨(Miller I. 142). Abigail is a lying snitch and Parris fears that she will speak about unholy causes. Parris’ name, if blackened, would surely get him kicked out of the church, and kicked out of Salem.

    Read More

More about The Iks Reflection

Open Document