Amory interiorizes the conformity that Moretti describes on survival upon matriculation to Princeton. His life becomes a fraud as his daily interactions grow predicated upon what Moretti refers to as the curbing of “intrinsically boundless dynamism” (6). In essence, Amory restrains his role as a dynamic character in his pursuit of mastery of social structure and popularity. This obsession is alluded to and eventually cemented in his first year at Princeton. Walking into Princeton, he concedes his fascination as he “watched each rank of linked arms” pass by with “voices blent” (45). His admiration of the football team’s pack mentality and high position on campus provides insight into his willingness to compromise his character as well as into his overconcentration with trivialities …show more content…
Right as the character attains a realistic world view, Moretti proposes that the protagonist is forced to face a major decision: Should he abandon his values for conformity or continue to pursue his personal goals in the face of failure? Such a double bind implies Moretti’s belief that a bildungsroman presents two undesirable situations for a character and he or she must choose between the lesser of two evils: self-betrayal or failure. Moretti describes that bildungsroman characters grow “far less ambitious than synthesis” (Moretti 10). Likewise, Amory realizes the difficulty of remaining unique and grows “decidedly unheroic,” using inaction as a “tool for survival” (Moretti 10). Admittedly, Amory reaches an ingenuine but high social position on campus, thus embodying his active pursuit of conformity. Through his entrance into elite clubs, Amory capitulates to conformity and eventually solidifies his decision to become “one of the gods of his class”
In the short story “The Glass Roses” by Alden Nowlan. Nowlan portrays the idea that adversity is part of our lives, and this adversity shapes us as individuals. But in the face of adversity an individual must either strive to fulfill their individual self-interests and ideas or abandon them to conform to authority. Nowlan suggests this idea through the character, Stephen and his struggle to conform to authority or pursue his ideas which suggests that humans often bring about changes to themselves in order to adapt to the environment they live in.
In the short story “The Red Convertible” you will find some important elements that are integral to the support and development of the theme brotherhood. First, you will see how the road trip gives a lesson in the story. Second, you will discover how the war affected the relationship of Lyman and Henry. Finally, you will understand the symbolism of the red convertible and the link it has between both brothers. One important element that has a powerful lesson in the story is the road trip. While Lyman and Henry went on a drive one afternoon, they met a girl named Susy in the middle of the road. Susy had her hair in buns around her ears and was very short. They let her jump in the car and
In his essay, “The Achievement of Desire,” Richard Rodriguez informs readers that he was a scholarship boy throughout his educational career. He uses his own personal experiences, as well as Richard Hoggart’s definition of the “scholarship boy,” to describe himself as someone who constantly struggles with balancing his life between family and education, and ends up on the side of education. In recognizing himself as a “scholarship boy,” he shows that he has gained what sociologist C. Wright Mills terms the “sociological imagination,” which “enables its possessor to understand the larger
In his work entitled “The Shock of Education: How College Corrupts”, journalist and author Alfred Lubrano poses the question of how receiving education can lead to a harsh reality. Lubrano explains that as a child works toward a higher education, there are certain aspects of life they are forced to leave behind as they enter into a new existence. According to Lubrano’s statement, “At night, at home, the differences in the Columbia experiences my father and I were having was becoming more evident” (532). Additionally, Lubrano states, “We talked about general stuff, and I learned to self-censor. I’d seen how ideas could be upsetting, especially when wielded by a smarmy freshman who barely knew what he was talking about” (533). In answering this question, Lubrano must explore the types of conversations that occurred with other family members, the disconnection from his peers, and how segregating himself from his family
In the Medieval Period, knights dedicated their lives to following the code of chivalry. In Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, a number of characters performed chivalrous acts to achieve the status of an ideal knight. Their characteristics of respect for women and courtesy for all, helpfulness to the weak, honor, and skill in battle made the characters King Arthur, King Pellinore, and Sir Gryfflette examples of a what knights strove to be like in Medieval society. Because of the examples ofchivalry, Le Morte d’Arthur showed what a knight desired to be, so he could improve theworld in which he lived.
Many individuals is faced with the decision of conforming or choosing personal desire, and it is not an easy decision. It is hard because being shunned by others for being different is not a good feeling. Choosing to conform over personal desire, often leads to loss. On the other hand, personal desire is what sets others apart and gives them joy. In the poem, “The Jackhammer Syndrome”, Al Purdy discusses the good and bad memories he has experienced. He goes through his memories of when he had fun and made mistakes, but he reflects on what he could have done better. The author of “The Jackhammer Syndrome informs against choosing the welcoming joy of conformity over the long-term gains of personal desire. Making the decision to pursue conformity over personal desire may seem easy at first, but if the choice is to conform, the joy it gives will not last. Making the decision to pursue conformity over personal desire Conformity may seem to give joy at first, but it does not last. When Al is playing pool with his brother, he wants to win badly, but losses. However when he did not care to win, Al wins! Conforming can lead to loss but personal desire has much to gain. If the choice is to conform, personal identity may be lost. In my life, I recognize several instances in which I found several similarities between Al and myself. I have made decisions that were not always good ones such as swimming across long distances with friends.
If I were to be accepted into the National Junior Honor Society, which is one of the highest honors that can be awarded, I would consider myself to be a very lucky person. Throughout my life, I've always considered myself as someone with good character and values.I've always prided myself in always doing the right thing and helping others. In addition, I view myself as a leader, not a follower. Being a leader comes naturally to me. I'm a leader amongst my friends and siblings. They always look up to me when they have a problem or when they need advice. I have a good standard education with an A average which will help me achieve my goals in the future.
I may not be the best candidate for the next member of the National Junior Honor Society, but I certainly believe I could be a great addition! Overall, I am a great learner, leader and student. I have not had any major discipline problems since kindergarten! I have always had top grades and have been top of my class at some point or another. I have good grades that I always maintain and standards that I never lower. My character is not the best but it certainly isn’t the worst. I try to help out in my school or community when possible but regrettably I have not given much of my time to my school or community. At the end of the day, I am a good student, friend, son and brother.
Mark Edmundson, the author of “On the Uses of a Liberal Education”, is an English teacher at the University of Virginia who expresses his concerns about the trajectory of the universities and colleges in America. Edmundson depicts how college students today have “little fire, little passion to be found,” towards their classes (4). In an effort to find the source of this lack of passion, Edmundson describes contacting other professors about this issue while refining his own ideas. Ultimately, Edmundson comes to a conclusion. He believes that the consumer mindset of college students has hindered American universities as a whole. My target audience is my professor, Professor Chezik. Looking closely at his wording, formation of sentences, and idea structure, one can see a recurring theme throughout Edmundson’s essay. Edmundson uses fragments, specifically at the beginning of his paragraphs, to start his point, pose counter arguments, and to have a poetic refrain.
One of the most impertinent characteristics of a happy life, is the loyalty to one’s morals and ideals. In order to thrive, one has to know what they stand for and not allow anyone to change their path in life. While growing and changing, their path may shift on its own accord, but it should never be moved by anyone other than the person who will follow it, as others who try to change it, will not walk it, and will not suffer any detriments to their life. Sandra Cisneros and Kathryn Stockett, authors of The House on Mango Street and The Help respectively, stress that loyalty to one’s character, despite outside forces, is important to one’s growth.
In short, Herman Melville’s story “Bartleby, the scrivener”, tells the tale of a successful lawyer hiring a new copyist and the challenges he faced with his new hire. Initially, the new hire, Bartleby, was extremely driven and very efficient. He had a great work ethic, and had an extraordinary output of writing for the head lawyer. On the third day Bartleby stunned his boss by preferring not to comply with his boss’s request. Bartleby’s refusal to comply was at first directed at anything outside of his copyist responsibilities, but gradually shifted toward refusing to do anything including his responsibilities as a copyist. Upon further analysis into Bartleby’s descent from a productive scrivener, to utterly useless in the office. I have found a connection between the people that isolate others because of differences, and the people that choose to stray away from “normal behavior”. This impacts the isolated person, people are negatively impacted when they live in isolation and have little personal and emotional connection with others. Without any emotional connection or contact with others, humans lose their purpose in life, or become useless like in Bartleby in the office.
Let me then address their pride. Let me speak of them of what is the most contemptible; but that is the last man” (Soloman, 73). Lester also has similar characteristics of the “last man”. Before his transformation, he even confessed that he was living a life of a “dead man”. Nietzsche saw the “last man” among the middle class and he was afraid that they would be suffocated by the dreadful office space. This greatly relates to Lester’s working environment and the suburban area where he lived. Everyday felt like yesterday, nothing changes. There is no creativity or passion in Lester’s life and Nietzsche believed that people should be pushed and encouraged to break the cycle.
vanity, pride, and self - knowledge intervenes in the development of the virtue of the characters,
The things we do as children are often irresponsible and reckless. Yet we do them for fun, and because others are watching, judging, and expecting us to fulfill our 'friendly,' peer-pressure driven responsibilities. There are times, however, when these things lead to something bad, something unexpected. During such times, it is difficult to get over what once was, and to go on with life, especially if the said occurrence is a tragedy, which often times, it may be. Such an event happened in the story "Samuel" by Grace Paley, where a boy died because of his and his friends' reckless behavior, but also because of the actions of the individuals surrounding these boys. This paper will thus analyze the story, in order to determine who was responsible, in this case, for the tragedy that occurs in the story.
I have to disagree that Alma is not a significant part of the story. I actually think she will play a huge role in what Arty will become. Alma seemed to spark something in Arty, as Oly says she never saw him that happy. To me it seemed Alma awoke something an Arty, and he discovered the full effect he could have on people. I think she is what inspired him to form his cult, and opened his eyes to what people would be willing to do, just to follow him. Oly mentioned in this chapter that she will always hate Alma for saying she wanted to be like Arty. I have to think this is because of the path Arty took after meeting her.