Just Lather, That's All

It is difficult to decide which is the right decision to make when a situation presents itself. Normally, people carefully think over the consequences both positive and negative and we may believe that we have made the right choice although, others may not think so. The barber's choice in the short story, "Lather and Nothing Else" written by Hernando Tellez, is negotiable. He is secretly a member of the resistance that is fighting against the government. The conflict is introduced when Captain Torres, an executioner, walks into the barber’s shop to get shaved. That gives the barber an opportunity to kill him and become a hero. As the barber shaves him he contemplates every possible outcome of

“Do as you please with us, but please do not send us away from you” (83). This quote from the character Liberty 5-3000 (Golden One, named by Equality 7-2521) in Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem, shows the reader that Liberty 5-3000 wanted nothing more than to be with Equality 7-2521 even if it takes away her freedom. The partnership between the two characters have a different relationship from other novels. Anthem, shows the reader that the character Liberty 5-3000 is a fierce and as independent as a person can be in their society; which is different because they live in a communist society (doesn’t allow independence). Liberty 5-3000 used to be almost like Equality but as the novel progresses the Golden One starts to obey Equality’s every demand and give herself to Equality to an extreme; which is not common in most relationships in novels.

“Just Lather, That’s All” proves that decisions people make and the dilemmas they end up in reflect largely on their personalities. Decisions show everyone what kind of person you are (enthusiastic, depressed, anger-deprived, intelligent, careful, judgmental, etc.) This short story is about a war between the governments’ military forces and the protestors (‘The Rebels”). During this war, there was a local barber in the town. The captain (of the troops against the protestors) came into

This argument signifies that Hale builds trust by speaking up about the accused's innocence. This indicates that Hale values life over

There are many ways to decide what makes a man guilty. In an ethical sense, there is more to guilt than just committing the crime. In Charles Brockden Browns’ Wieland, the reader is presented with a moral dilemma: is Theodore Wieland guilty of murdering his wife and children, even though he claims that the command came from God, or is Carwin guilty because of his history of using persuasive voices, even though his role in the Wieland family’s murder is questionable? To answer these questions, one must consider what determines guilt, such as responsibility, motives, consequences, and the act itself. No matter which view is taken on what determines a man’s guilt, it can be concluded that

The reasoning and thought process behind any decision will dictate the outcome of the situation, as it is affected by prior knowledge and experience, which is necessary in predicting how an event will play out. In both “The Day of the Last Rock Fight” by Joseph Whitechill and “Lather and Nothing Else” by Hernando Tellez, the authors use fear driven characters who are in similar situations regarding immorality. However, the events leading to and reasoning behind their thoughts remain very different despite the fact that the circumstances they find themselves in are alike in nature. This is portrayed through the barber and Ronnie’s contrasting beliefs and impact from society. It is also shown through the variance in the decision making process carried out by the two individuals. Ronnie habitually makes hasty decisions that will benefit himself, whereas the barber makes calculated and selfless decisions. Through the two stories it is explained that the latter will result in a better conclusion, as being selfish and too quick to act can lead to unexpected personal and external conflicts. The opposing outcomes highlight the idea that the ways in which decisions are made are extremely influential, regardless of the circumstances.

After reading “the Innocent Man” by Pamela Colloff’s who write a long journalism about Michael Morton, who was found guilty for murdering his wife Christine was sentenced for fifteen years in prison. Later founding that Michael was Innocent after reinvestigating his case, capturing DNA testing and finding new evidence was able to help prove his innocence. The theme of this essay a widow husband who seek to fight for his freedom in prison and staying connected with his son. Michal son Eric gave him a reason to have hope that they would one day reunite and his son would know for himself that he did murder his wife. The point of view of this essay although a man is falsely accuse for a crime he did not commit he is self-determined to fight.

David Strorm is the protagonist in the book, "The Chrysalids." He is a telepath in a dystopian era where genetic mutations are believed to be works of the devil. His father, Joseph Strorm, is a strict religious leader in their community, strongly against mutants like David. He doesn't know about David's mutation, but if he did, he would surely banish him like they do all deviants, even though David is his son. These two characters, despite them having different beliefs, can be similar. David and Joseph Strorm are the same because they both think they are doing the right thing and are both seen as leaders. However, they are different because, while David accepts deviants, Joseph is strongly against them.

At first glance, Utilitarian moral theories may seem to support the idea of torturing this innocent man. If we look at this situation we see that there is a dilemma of hurting one man, or having to bear the death of many. We may say that since the basis of Utilitarianism is

He is tried for the crime of murder, but is not judged solely on his actions during the aforementioned crime. He is judged on his specific actions that society regards as absurd

How is our character reflected through the choices we make? Daily actions help reveal what beliefs and values are important to each individual, which will begin illustrating a person's character. One’s actions usually demonstrate important values and beliefs such as respecting others, courage, and dignity. As an individual becomes more conscientious of the values and beliefs they deem are important their choices and actions will further establish character. In “Just Lather, That's All”, Hernando Tellez develops the idea that an individual's values and beliefs influence the choices and actions they make, which in turn will further reveal the person's character. This is demonstrated by the barber’s decision to allow the Captain to leave

To choose to do the right thing and admit it or to try your hardest to deny deny deny. The most significant difference between the play and the actual case is that in the conviction of Minnie Wright from Trifles she had no regrets and she admitted to it. Mrs. Wright sat there on her chair and pleaded guilty to committing the crime in the most nonchalant way possible. “Mr. Hale: ’Cause he's dead," says she. "Dead?" says I. She just nodded her head, not getting a bit excited, but rockin' back and forth. "Why--where is he?" says I, not knowing what to say. She just pointed upstairs--like that [himself pointing to the room above]. I got up, with the idea of going up there. I walked from there to here--then I says, "Why, what did he die of?" "He died of a rope round his neck," says she, and just went on pleatin' at her apron…” (Glaspell, Trifles). Mrs. Wright was just sitting there in her rocking chair looking calm, cool, and collective not giving a care in the world about what she had just done. When Mr. Hale comes walking in asking about her husband and if he’s home she just responds with a simple yes and pretty much blurts out that she murdered her husband. She knew exactly what she did and the reasons for why she did it and for that she was not about to run because at this point in her life even though she was now going to be sent to

Once the character has become conscious of the evil around them, it is the individual’s responsibility to take on the challenge of eliminating it. In “Lather and Nothing Else”, after the barber confirms that his customer is a heartless executioner, plans of murder run through his mind. He thinks, “I could cut his throat just so, zip! Zip!” (Tellez). This thought demonstrates that he has an intention to eradicate the evil by killing his customer. He concludes that he must eliminate it to prevent others from being trapped into the executioner’s duties and by ending his life, nobody else will have to undergo his treatment. This is where the barber takes on the challenge, but fails to complete it because the captain leaves the shop unharmed. “The Tell-Tale Heart” also

If we examine some arguments presented from both sides, opponents of the capital punishment claim that executing someone is nothing more than an immoral, state-authorized killing which undervalues the human life and destroys our respect for our government which itself says that killing is wrong. But the supporters of the death penalty think that certain murderers

Would it be true that capital punishment saves lives? Edward Koch, in his article “Death and Justice” believes it does. Koch, using common techniques to influence his audience, suggests that killers should be handled within this tried and avenged form of punishment. Koch opens his article by quoting convicted murderers Robert Lee Willie and Joseph Carl Shaw, both in the last moments of their lives pleading for the justice system to put a stop to the endless cycle of killing. Using simple logic, Koch argues that the sudden changing of the killers’ moral character is not a result of remorse for the victims, but rather an attempt to save their own lives from the killing hands of the justice system. Koch effectively uses these quotes to suggest to the reader that a killer might have thought twice about his/her own actions if the death sentence were a belief.