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Frank 's And Walter White 's Rejection Of Human Nature

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Emma Seidl
Professor Sumpter
ENG 300W
21 June 2015

Narcissism: Frank Underwood’s and Walter White’s rejection of human nature

In our modern world of war, disease, and poverty it can be hard to find a sense of hope for humanity. During times of suffering people are constantly looking for some type of understanding, some way to relate to another individual and not feel so alone. This longing is often rectified through fictional characters. We are living in an anti-heroic age of television. Instead of tuning in every week to watch characters that possess strong moral codes and ethicalness, we have become increasingly devoted to those who do not. We long to find an escape from, not only reality, but sometimes from our own ethical structures. Yet, many of these characters dangerously deny all and every sense of morality and in response reject their own human nature. The anti-heroes of Frank Underwood in House of Cards and Walter White in Breaking Bad are no exception to the rejection of one’s own intrinsically good nature. While viewers initially identify much more with Walter than Frank, eventually both men allow pride to destroy any hope for redemption. How can viewers continue to look up to characters that willingly turn from human goodness to human depravity? Both House of Cards and Breaking Bad allow the audience to reflect upon their own morality and clearly show how a world lacking in any sense of moral ethics can lead to an individual’s narcissistic downfall. If the

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