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Summary Of Robert Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land

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In society there are people who lead with authority and those who follow. Parents, teachers, religious leaders, and government officials are just a few of the people in society that provide people with a sense of right and wrong, giving advice and guidance through hardship. Society is grateful for those who they believe are all-knowing individuals who will only do right by them. These teachers and government officials in society are the equivalent to “Old Ones” in Robert Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land. They are the ones the Martians trust to guide them, and rightfully so as their creditability is built upon the fact the use the idea of grok, or fully understand situation, before acting or passing judgement on it. These reputable figureheads lead the Martian society, teach religion, philosophy and all the other fundamentals of life. Valentine Michael Smith raised by these Old Ones, a human completely immersed into Maritain society. When brought to Earth it is seen quickly how different Mike thinks from humans, not being bound by their societal norms growing up. Those with authority in our society, whoever they may be, are supposed to protect their people’s freedom yet often they force their ideals onto society, confining people without them even knowing. By keeping Mike on Mars for the first twenty years of his life the Old Ones did free him from the constraints of the earthily society, however they also confined him to their way of life.
Growing up on Mars allowed for

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