Maya Bassett English 131 28 March 2013 Ignorance Is Bliss “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” and “Harrison Bergeron” are both dystopian stories depicting utilitarian societies where human suffering must occur in order to uphold their social structures. Each is a parable about extremism with a central figure key to maintaining the equilibrium of these societies. The authors pose questions about freedom and equality while exploring suppression, ignorance, and apathy. In Ursula Le Guin’s science fiction short story, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” the town is filled with happiness, joy, and freedom. Although to maintain this utopia, a single innocent child suffering from malnutrition and neglect must be locked away from society so the others may enjoy their freedom.
Harmonium and Nettles Harmonium and Nettles both highlight the theme of memory. As they both are looking back over past memories that are painful, the poems feature the feelings of being helpless in stopping the hurt that was caused. The writer in Harmonium feels remorse for the things he hadn’t said to his father as Armitage states “then mouth in reply some shallow sorry phrase or word too starved of breath to make itself heard”. The writer in Nettles is protective of the recurring threat to his child that he can’t destroy. “rain had called up tall recruits behind the shed,” this quote shows the father cannot destroy them .They differ in the way they felt powerless however as in Nettles the father is feeling powerless because of a physical threat whereas in Harmonium it is an emotional threat of the inevibility of death and unspoken feelings that makes the writer feel powerless.
Later, however, the author uses the same description for his creator Victor as he soon becomes “so miserable a wretch”, demonstrating how they ultimately face the same fate. One may also recognise that both Frankenstein and the creature seem to share a strong need for the support and love of a family. Even though Victor often acts quite egoistical, he sincerely loves his family. Without them, he feels life is pointless, which is evident when he contemplates suicide, “I was tempted to plunge into the silent lake”, but he decides against it as it would cause too much pain for his loved ones, “But I was restrained, when I thought of the heroic and suffering Elizabeth”. There are also parallels and opposites in terms of the experiences
Compare and Contrast From the Motorway and The Pylons The poems From the Motorway and The Pylons both share the same similarities between their subject matter, themes and tone, however the writes use different literary techniques to convey their message. The two poems warn the reader about the spreading of modern urban life. From the Motorway states how man has made Britain uniformly dull and removed her beauty. 'asleep in the promise of being nowhere anyone would like to get to' This quote shows places that have not been touched by the growth of the motorways and how quaint and tranquil they are. 'this dwarfs our emerald country by its trek' This quote fromThe Pylons tells the reader how the pylons are travelling across the country, not realising the damage they cause.
Neither understands having though, passion, feeling, or emotion in life. The Myth of Sisyphus helps explain some of the meaning of some of the events taking place in The Stranger. In The Stranger the main character Meursault takes life for granted in a way of not enjoying it. He seems more satisfied with the usual as if no excitement lives in his life. The death of his mother doesn’t even bother him so show sadness.
His innocence and lack of knowledge about what was going on in the concentration camp, lead him to a tragic death. Your book taught me a life lesson that, innocence can lead to tragedy. Your book has made me to recognize that innocence in this case became an ignorance, which lead to tragedy. Bruno was so innocent that he refused to see anything wrong. Even though he witnessed many horrible things, he could not believe in his Father’s true work.
By doing so he showed insincerity and selfishness. To be forgiven a person should show true sincerity, and consider the victims situation. Karl did not do either of these things and therefore should not be forgiven. He said he needed forgiveness from any Jew so that he could die peacefully. He did not consider the additional burden he was handing over to Simon so that his conscious could be clear and the last minutes of his life would be peaceful.
Because fear and pain does not play a role on this utopian society, let alone death, the term “Release” was created to veil the true meaning of death. When Jonas found out the true meaning of Release through watching his father release a baby, he felt so angry and confused that his own father killed a baby with his own hands. However, the Giver calmed him and explained to him: “Listen to me, Jonas. They can’t help it. They know nothing….
Despite its significance as a once-in-a-million meeting, he feels as though he cannot say anything, since; “The people in Farquarson’s Living room seem united in their tactic claim that there had been no past, no war—That there was no danger or trouble in the world.” (pg 76) This incident may have triggered Francis unconscious resistance against the narrow and irrelevant suburban society. In fact, Francis Weed’s name is a symbol of what his true self is to Shady Hills; an ugly troublesome “weed” to the regular people, and that he will remain unhappy by staying in Shady Hills. Francis Weed’s “brush with death” at the stories beginning causes him to have the epiphany to start enjoying life, and he realizes that he is unhappy with following suburban
During this meeting, they discussed Holden’s academic failure and his unwillingness to conform to society and apply himself to his studies. Antolini has a paternal attitude towards Holden. He seems genuinely concerned about the boy and tries to help him realise that his irresponsible behaviour is spiralling out of control. He tells him he is headed for a fall and “the man falling isn’t permitted to feel or hear himself hit the bottom.”(Chapter 24, The Catcher in the Rye) He offers advice: “The mark of an immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” (Chapter 24, The Catcher in the Rye) The visit is relaxed and friendly. He doesn’t question Holden too much.