Meetings involving town councils analyzed the poor as those “unwilling to work” as well as being “harmful to the public good” and not to mention their actions to “expel the poor from the city” (Doc.5). France’s Cardinal Richelieu added to that by stating that they have turned to begging and stealing from the sick (Doc. 8). Due to their crimes, this lead society to alienate them. Netherland’s Emperor Charles V stated, “If begging for alms is permitted to everyone indiscriminately, many errors and abuse will result for they will fall into idleness, which is the beginning of all evil” (Doc.4).
Source G suggests that the monasteries wrongly abused their influential power over the common folk, gaining money from the supposed religious relics they claimed to be in ownership of. Items such as ‘God’s coat, Our Lady’s smock’ and ‘part of God’s supper,’ this implies corruption because deception was being used against the ordinary worshippers. Source G also suggests that corruption was held amongst monks, telling us of their illegitimate children under their supposed life of celibacy and the holy fathers inability to life such a life ‘The Pope, considering this holy father’s weakness, has given him license to keep a whore.’ Source G is a report given by Richard Layton to Cromwell in 1535, providing Cromwell with ammunition for the Valor Ecclesiasticus. Source H is similar to Source G suggesting that there was corruption in the monasteries, stating that the monasteries live in ‘Manifest sin, vicious, carnal and abominable living.’ The source also states that such doing is on the increase ‘their vicious living shamelessly increases’ suggesting that the only way in order to stop such doings, was to dissolve the monasteries. Source H confirms the points made in Source G, suggesting corruption was at the heart of royal motives for dissolution.
Through this we have learned that as working class, we expect and accept that we will be exploited by the ruling class in terms of our surplus value. This is known as a crisis of Hegemony. They go on to say that we have internalised the DVS to such an extent that any other value system seems absurd, resulting in a state of false class consciousness. Marx believed that we will see a social revolution which will overthrow capitalism and replace it with true communism. Marxism sees religion as a feature which is only relevant in a society based on class division I.E the ruling classes and the working classes.
Holden explores the concept of relationships through the similar attitudes displayed towards popular society and his repulsion of their values. Holden is seen throughout the novel to have difficulty accepting people due to their pretentious nature and expresses this through the constant use of the word “phony.” “…very phony, Ivy League voices, one of those very tried, snobby voices” this quote by Holden displays his criticism of middle to upper class America. Holden’s relationship with his own parents is one that he deems
Miller criticized those contemporary instances by representing them in the play as characters and events. “Name calling” by the characters who in reality took the empowerment for their own benefit or desires are used as criticism for the society in fear of Communism. Insecurities of the officials who are in fear that they might have made wrongful accusations, but continued their falsehood to retain authority, and accused ones that act against their authority are a criticism of the leaders at the time. Moreover, by facilitating the idea of “guilt by association”, Miller shows how people are accused without evidences, and are forced to testify so they can save their own lives. Before the House Committee of the Un-American Activities are formed, names of “Un-American”, or communists are called (1).
The battle between religion and the government is also shown here. Although the church and the government were not in unison, they were both fooling the poor people of El Salvador and making them think or act a certain way for their own benefit. The government forced them to do things and used violence if they did not cooperate or showed the least bit of rebellion. The church, although seen by the people as a good temple to run to during their mess of a time, also tricked them in to thinking certain things like giving up sacrifices for the priest, while they were the ones who were poor and needed those sacrifices. Manlio Argueta portrays the indecency of their live and their treatment by those with the authority above them.
Miller uses the setting of the Salem Witch hunts as a contextual allegory for the McCarthy era communism paranoia. Miller explores the detrimental effect of a society in which people are forced to belong, often resulting in the isolation of people who do not conform through characters such as Proctor. Proctor, however chooses not to belong as he converses with Parris “There is a party in this church…” proctor then replies, “well I must find it and join it.” (Pg. 35 Act 1) the audience can witness the criticism conveyed to Parris, and Proctors adamant trait to uphold his own values and
Christian Salvation Through Father Renteria Juan Rulfo’s attempt to expose his time era’s dishonest establishments is successful as he employs Comala to be a haven of corruption. One of Rulfo’s main targets is the Catholic Church and how it forces the townspeople to live subpar in order to be allowed to enter into heaven. Rulfo places the Church in the middle of hell and shows the outcome of this foil. In reality the Church cons the people to take as much money as they can. The theme of salvation is emphasized immorally by Father Renteria.
These are qualities of human nature which were brought out of a god because of his want for more power. In Oedipus, we see different type of struggle for power. It is not so much power over a kingdom or a people, but power over his own fate. Oedipus starts the play with the reputation of being a compassionate ruler. He is also approached by the blind prophet and given news that causes him to turn angry and even insult the blind prophet.
Pope Urban II looked to regain some of the power that the position of the pope had lost due to the Gregorian reforms. He used the Crusades to manipulate clergy and laity alike to achieve his own ends. The laity had various reasons for becoming involved in the Crusades. For those of the lower class, it was an attempt to better their lives in some way, even if it just meant getting them off the land they had been bound to for their whole lives. For those of the knightly class, it was a way of penance; by killing the “heathens” they were able to cleanse their sins.