Clay Arlington's Identity

Our identities are who we are or what we stand for, as Christians our identities are found in Christ and what he did for us on the cross. We often try to find our identities in other things such as popularity, friends, grades, or status and in the end none of that stuff matters. In the book, Gene, the main character, tried to find his identity in popularity and friends. His goal throughout the book was to be like Finny and do exactly what he did. In the book A Separate Peace many of the characters struggle to find their identity at Devon and in the war effort. Throughout the book, we are faced with the questions how is Gene's identity changed to try and fit in? Also, what does Gene find his identity in?

based on this event it is obvious that the environment defines who we are and by changing our environment, we can change ourselves. Just like what had happened with Arnold when he created his new identity. For example, me my self as an international student, had to blend in the new environment I am in in order to socialize and be recognized as a member of culture. All that has benfited me back and gave the chance to adjust my lifestyle and adabt in a short period of time. Unlike others who still struggle between sticking their original identities and the identity of the culture

The start of chapter 23 began with Alma talking to her sister, Evangeline, about how Clay has been acting since he shot and murdered Denzel. Alma describes Clay’s personality being completely dull ever since the incident, “all he does is come straight home from work and sits down in that chair and stays there the rest of the evening.” p. 253. Evangeline tries convincing Alma to talk Clay into leaving the area for a while to get Clay’s mind off the subject of Denzel’s death. Evangeline expresses that “time and distance is the only thing that can heal a wound.” P. 253. Finally Alma strikes up enough confidence to approach Clay and talk to him about

It is not until the characters learn to accept the past that they can move on from this state of confused identity.

Identity is the key to life. Some go many years without knowing who they really are, some question themselves everyday, some pretend to know who they are and some know who exactly who they are. April Raintee pretended to know who she was, Thomas King knew exactly who he was and Ellen questioned herself about life and who she was and wanted to be.

Clay’s openness is a direct contrast to the other white, middle class man in the group, Christensen, who immediately wants everyone to just get along since he, and his friends, never had race as an issue between them. The immediate reaction to him is disbelief. It becomes abundantly clear that even though he does not perceive any problems, he also refuses to understand how it still is a problem for other people. As the discussion progresses, it is obvious he has no ability to see beyond himself, with no willingness to learn. He kept repeating that everyone has an equal opportunity in life, they were all on the same footing and how he never feels like he has the power or is in control. The first reaction to him was that he was slightly naïve and a little ignorant, a bit arrogant, but as he continued to repeat these points maybe the thought process is not so insensible. Rather, he has come to believe in the meritocracy myth, the American Dream, the ideology that so many people are disillusioned with as all the ways that it is untrue directly impacts their life chances. However, as a white, middle class, male, there is nothing to be disillusioned with. A non-college graduate, he manages to have a comfortable life as a jeweler. He never had to realize that he was afforded that experience because of his standing in society. He honestly believes that the people who are struggling, who do not have it as great or easy as him, is because they are not working

Some things cannot happen in an instant. Some things take time to blossom and grow while others can happen in seconds. Changing personal beliefs or the personality of a person themselves, is one of those that is a process of time. Time that is more detrimental than most of the characters may realize. Throughout A Lesson Before Dying we see changes, whether they are in the form of structure, theme, or even characters, which is one of the most prominent changes we see. Ernest J. Gaines created a story about Jefferson, a young “boy”, who is sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. Who then can supposedly only become a “man” with the help of another “man”. This “man” is Grant Wiggins, a teacher who is only trying to help others but doesn’t

Clay is not naive. He may be misguided, misled, and mistaken, but he is anything but naive. Clay is an individual who has shed the roots of his race, disregarding many of the cultural implications that such a decision could have on him. He is a misguided individual who, because he is human, does the wrong things at the wrong times for the wrong reasons. He continually struggles with his own identity and the power struggle between him and Lula. The notion of power dynamics in The Dutchman is brought forth in the character of Clay, who knows the limits of his power, takes the forbidden fruit from the more powerful Lula, and fantasizes about his own life.

An identity defines a person’s life on who they are. We do not get to choose our identity; our identity chooses us. Whether one doesn’t get to choose their identity, it is important to be appreciative of ones identity. In the novel The Human Stain by Phillip Roth, identity is displayed through Coleman Silk actions. Coleman Silk a man that made decisions in his life such as making a racial comment while teaching, lying about his race, and having an affair. In all, he was trying to find a new identity in search for power. In results of his life decisions, Coleman Silk lost his original identity that would dawn on him forever.

In life, one goes through different experiences which makes and shapes us into the person who we become. Whether something as little as a "hello" by a crush or a death in a family, they contribute to the difference, as they are all equal in importance. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the protagonist Hamlet struggles throughout his life as he is in search of his true identity. The Webster's dictionary, under the second definition, defines identity as "The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group." As life only moves forward for Hamlet, he struggles to find his place in life, nonetheless to revenge the murder of his father.

The novel starts off with Wilson giving us a glimpse of Troy’s past life. Troy did

Identity, is not a tangible thing; however, it is always there either lifting people up or pulling people down. This can haunt people so much so that they are constantly on the run from themselves. This is seen in Thornhillever changing identity, almost never providing him with contented. London, is the place where Thornhill’s sense of self is satisfied momentarily but then brutally stolen from him. He is constantly yearning for his identity whilst in the colony of Sydney and later the farmland of the Hawkesbury. Upon his reflection on what he has done to become who he is; the identity of Thornhill is forever stained resulting in him never being contented with.

In, “A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality,” the author, John Perry, proposes three totally different ways of thinking about personal identity. The first theory is presented by a character named Gretchen Weirob, she believes that a person is their body. By this she means that a person’s identity is intertwined with the DNA and molecules of their body. Their personality as well as their personal identity can’t be separated from their body, and they cannot exist without it. The second theory was presented by a character named Sam Miller, he believes that a person is their immaterial soul. So in general, Sam thinks that the soul is this invisible, immaterial substance that is able to exist from the body. The third and final theory was presented by a character named Dave Cohen. Cohen believes that a person has continuity of memory, and/or psychology. So in general Cohen’s theory is that personal identity is a set of correlating experiences and/or memories enclosed in the brain. All three of the personal identity theories state some very valid points, but they also have some inconsistencies, some more than others. But there is one theory that seems to be the most credible, and creates a very compelling argument while also having a little science to back up some of its points.

Arnold’s change of identity is shown through the author’s use of setting. At first, he lives in Wellpinit, an Indian reservation. On the reservation there is violence, poverty, and alcoholism. Arnold does not appreciate where he lives because his “reservation is located approximately one million miles north of [important] and two billion miles west of [happy]” (Alexie 30). Arnold does not like his culture, nor does he like his home. He thinks that his race is far from important and happy. This contributes to his identity crisis. He does not like his identity, but one thing that keeps him from forsaking it, is his

Clay is unique because he does not like black people. He was always rude to his mother. He likes to whip and punish slaves when they are doing stuff that doesn't fill fold their needs or for no reason. Clay is a bad person he threw tidbit into the water and it was filled with gators because he was using him as bait. And he was happy that he did that to tidbit. He sucks up to Amari so she thinks that she likes him and if she said no then clay will punish her.