To make himself feel better he embodies a fatalistic view which is that ‘there is no pattern to who lives or dies in war’. His reliance on fate answers the tough questions and demons that he has inside him. ‘I know it is all fate. Once you understand this, it makes life here much easier, for you are freed of the idea that you can prevent something from happening’. Talzani’s reliance on fate relates to the theme of hopelessness, where things in war are out of our control and thus we cannot prevent something from happening.
He means that if the venture needs you to be anyone else but yourself, it will lead to no good. This reveals to me that Thoreau believes strongly in the individual, being yourself, and seeking your own path. This quote is also applicable to modern life because many ventures nowadays require you to conform for some purpose. The second aphorism I remembered is “Our life is frittered away by detail...Simplicity, simplicity.” Thoreau means that our focus and attention to detail now in society and culture do nothing but to waste our lives away needlessly. He believes simplicity is the better choice.
Instead, the book shows man inability to give up. Throughout the novel Billy just wants to give up and die, and through no fault of his own, he is unable to achieve this. Billy feels no pride in fighting for individual liberty in World War II, although I understand that his experiences in Dresden are perhaps a great cause of this, I think he would have felt the same way had he not been in Dresden. Billy shows none of the pride and enthusiasm of fighting against Communism that we commonly associate with World War II. Perhaps this is another reason that this book has been censored.
He risked his existence, his wealth, and his men. Beowulf did not think of the safety of his men, he was not aware of others' lives, but instead focused on his own victory. Through his thoughts, one may see how far Beowulf would go to be successful, and can see his selfish ways. As for modern Christian values, pride is seen as a deadly sin, in which Beowulf seem to be doomed to hell if judged on twenty-first century ethics. Excessive pride is frowned upon as for the sinner only sees himself and leaves no room for God.
1.Thoreau desires for man to wish for a simple life, only living on what is needed to survive and sustain himself, and not concern himself with material possessions or extra indulgencies, but only those that nourish his body and soul. He is calling for a life of simplicity. 2.Thoreau would despise and disdain such electronic devices and make them out to be distractions and extra necessities in our lives, because of his resentment and lax attitude toward subjects such as communication and industrialism. I believe technological devices have made a benefit in people’s lives who use them in moderation, but those who indulge and excessively spend time on and with them become unaware of the world around them and too consumed with the distractions they impose, not to mention the time they waste and space they take up. Those who use technological devices in moderation can communicate with loved ones far away, or utilize them in ways that
In “An Essay on Man” Pope delineates the importance of living according to God’s plan, or the Great Chain of Being. Like K’ung Shang-Jen he emphasizes man’s transient life on earth and confirms that humans are unable to judge their outcomes simply because they know that they have lived virtuously. Both authors suggest that human’s should live their lives knowing that their circumstances are unpredictable; even so, it is necessary for humans to appreciate what they have been given rather than long for what they think they should have. K’ung Shang-Jen correlates Hou and the Fragrant Princess’s inability to judge the fate of their relationship with the varying phases of the peach blossom fan. K’ung Shang-Jen introduces the simple, yet thought provoking, fan as a symbol of how the hero and heroine should live their lives.
You can’t pray a lie-I found that out” (Twain 227). Huck is trying to follow what society views as normal. Although he attempts to pray for it, he knows he cannot because it is not what is right. The reason Huck is unable to pray what he wanted is because, in his heart, he knows it is wrong. He knows that he should not turn in Jim because Jim has done nothing but help Huck in his adventure and has done nothing wrong to Huck.
This staple of his beliefs is why he doesn't fear death, but in fact looks forward to it. By escaping he is committing an unjust act against the state, and committing unjust acts ruins the soul. With a ruined soul there is no point in living life as the soul is the only important thing, not the body. Therefore the most important thing is not only living life, but living a just life. While Socrates arguments may be sound in his opinion, I'm not sure if I agree with them.
Guilt presented as corrosive and ultimately destructive of the human spirit. Proctor’s sense of shame does not permit him to initially demonstrate principle conviction like Rebecca Nurse in the face of a self anointed, morally superior authority. He declares ‘let them that never lied die now and to keep their souls’. (pg 119) Proctor wants to live, and is willing to draw on the fact of his past transgressions in order to justify recanting. He is ready to be swayed by Hale’s compelling argument that ‘life is G-d’s most precious gift, no principle, however glorious, may justify taking it” (pg
All the evidence is there and it proves why this tale is one of caution. The story warns the reader that if you were mean and greedy, no one would like you. Also, the book shows how a man like Scrooge would not leave a positive impact on the world. One of the biggest fears in life is to die alone without leaving some sort of positive impact on the earth, or at the very least in one persons life. People should take caution in these facts, so that they can live their lives happily and not obtain the same unfortunate fate as