To many critics of the novella, the implementation of such words should not have been introduced into this story. However, supporters of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness disagree with that statement and believe that it added emphasis and influence to his work. Such supporters included Edward Crankshaw, who stated that “Conrad provides us with very little critical guidance.” As Edward Crankshaw put it, Conrad “seems to have worked in a state of semi-blindness, calculating as the need arose, crossing his bridges as they came, living, so to speak, from hand to mouth.” So, which side is right, those who support Conrad or those who oppose him? The use of ambiguity in Conrad’s writing provides the reader the choice as to whether or not
Moral vs Influence: Huck's journey “How can a society that debases human lives on a mass scale consider itself civilized?” This comes from an article, Twain in 85 by Shelly Fishkin, that articulated the irony of the morals of civil society as a whole. It directly criticizes racism which was not “allowed” because slavery was considered justifiable. Mark Twain, originally named Samuel Clemens, was one of the few who questioned the morals and ideas of society because he believed that they weren't right. He used Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to characterize the irony he saw in societies clashing standards that decided slavery as right but thought that every human had inalienable rights such liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Huck's moral and the development of that moral is advanced through Jim's search for freedom where it can be seen him growing as a person by accepting Jim, a slave, and the stages of his development: absence of morality and clashes of societies standards with his own.
Some specify the morality of Huckleberry Finn is in the instance of slavery being portrayed, and even claim that it was flawed and misinterpreted to the point where it was a mockery. Julius Lester not only stands behind this claim, but also argues, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is not an axe; it is the frozen sea, immoral in its major premises, one of which demeans blacks and insults history,” which is incorrect considering the era in which the novel was written and the fact that the story was being told by a Caucasian adolescent who perceived the events through his own experience and thoughts on the matters at hand. Huck described every situation through his own eyes which contributed to the authenticity of the novel. Regardless of what is considered morally right and wrong to the highest degree, Huck portrays slavery is immoral and just because it is not the level of severity of what others believe it to be, it still boils down to being wrong in his opinion. This is clear throughout the entire book, especially a specific passage where Huck has a conversation with his conscience and argues that he should write a letter to Tom Sawyer and relay the message to
The story portrays how other members of society view him in terms of racial stereotypes—as a mugger, bumpkin, or a savage. Constantly worn down by these stereotypes, he decides to do nothing and lives outside of everyday society and reinforcing his own invisibility. The narrator craves recognition of himself for his individuality rather than recognition based on these stereotypes. The “blindness” of others comes from an inability to see the narrator without imposing their own stereotypes on him. The narrator knows this and mocks himself, stating it does not matter how he thinks of himself, because anyone—even the anonymous blond man on the street—can force him to conform to these stereotypes, simply by uttering a racial insult.
Through the use of allusions Hamid illustrates to the reader the extent to which Changez is nostalgic towards a past that happened over a thousand years ago (I still need to find the quote though I believe its 3,000 years ago) and how this same nostalgia has trapped him inside of a world of nationalistic fundamentalism and has led to him holding a resentment of others and a feeling of cultural superiority. The ambiguity of the novel established through the use of a framed narrative leads to its ultimate failure in truly addressing the feelings of Changez in relation to foreigners.
Because he realizes that Jim is a human he decides to keep Jim’s escape a secret and lie for Jim, Huckleberry Finn shows that he doesn’t live by society’s morals, but that he creates his own. Even though society’s morals are unethical and do not recognize Jim as a human, Huckleberry acknowledges Jim’s humanity. Huckleberry Finn is set in the 1800s when only white people were viewed as humans, and African-American slaves were viewed as property, so it is a very impactful point in the novel when Huckleberry acknowledges Jim as a human. In a conversation between Huckleberry and Aunt Sally discussing an accident on a boat, Aunt Sally says: “‘Good gracious! Anybody hurt?’”(Twain 279).
He epitomizes himself as a coward, frightened by the societies rejection; he follows cultural standards rather than abiding by his own. Orwell comprehends that he has contradicted his principles merely to avoid discernment from the natives. Correspondingly, In “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America,” Barbara Ehrenreich, masks her “real life” to pursue the life of ones financially less fortunate. Ehrenreich is a middle-class journalist who disguises herself with the intention to appear as a low-class woman to conduct an experiment; yet, the mask gradually begins to become her reality. Orwell illustrates his true identity by using internal oscillation illuminating his natural morals, but ignoring and substituting them for those of the arbitrating community, soon realizing he has become overpowered by his mask.
America Falling Apart: National Identity & Consumerism In Anthony Burgess’ Is America Falling Apart, Burgess states that America is not where it should be. Our nation for all we portray it to be has many issues, which cannot be easily solved, as they are part of the social fabric that holds us together. If we were to go out and proclaim about the ills that senseless consumerism brings us to our society we would be laughed upon, as we don’t see them as issues, but part of our greater American identity. Americans view consumerism as part of our identity, but our fascination on it does not allow us to appreciate the greater things in life, which play a much more important role in who we are. The United States of America comprises only 4% of the world’s population yet with our few numbers we manage to use around 25% of the world’s oil.
Because this novel was written during a period in history that dealt with the injustices of slavery, this paper will take on the aspect of a sociological criticism. Truly, the actions of the characters contained within the novel can be tied to the culture of the period and thus create the complexes witnessed therein. There are many critics who would disagree about the theme of this novel. There are those who believe it speaks only about the ills of slavery and would certainly not be agreement that this novel deals with the issues of treachery and virtue. Yet there is much that can be said about each of these themes throughout the story.
The second text, “Black History Month”, is written by Eric Holder (EH). This text is more negative towards the theme and it states that there still are racial issues, consequently that people do not talk to each other about race. EH thinks that conversations about race will help USA to achieve a future where all people are equally valued. The third text, “The Obsession over Race Continues”, is written by Walter Backstrom (WB).The text is, just like text one, subjective because the reader sees the things from WB’s point of view. It is negative towards the theme and it states that people are obsessed with race.