moralhod Morality in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness...

Morality in The Heart of Darkness I trust I shall be forgiven the discovery that all moral philosophy hitherto was boring and belonged among the soporifics (Nietzsche 561). Maybe so, but the issue of moral philosophy has been discussed though out time and provides a significant element in Conrads story Heart of Darkness. In general, the timeless discussion traces back to the first philosophical writings of Plato and transcends from general religious grounds to general applications and codes of behavior espoused by Kant and Mills. These individuals and lines of thought try to establish a good code of behavior based on something: a benevolent god, extensible codes similar to The Golden Rule, or even relativistic†¦show more content†¦His argument is basically this: if God is omnibenelovent, omniscient and omnipotent then either evil does not exist, or, if it does, it is not really evil. Milton lays the groundwork definitions, aligning the parties in his illustrative argument early. If then his providence / Out of our evil to bring forth good, Our labor must be to pervert that end, / and out of good still to find means of evil (Milton I: 162-165). The word his refers to God and relates the word good with him, and relates Satan to the word evil. The justifications for these labels are more implied than anything else, based in the relationship of the Christian God, and thus the Bible and the actions and motivations displayed by Satan. He becomes tied to ... deep malice to conceal, couched with revenge (Milton IV: 123) and ... ire envy and despair (Milton IV: 115). Thus, good is implicitly the opposite of that: kindness with forgiveness, pleasure and joy. Miltons argument follows a path of self-discovery, illustrates a sympathetic character and describes his internal conflict and resulting horror of his situation. Mainly that he cannot ask for forgiveness and is thus locked into downward spiral between the reality of the situation, the expectations of his cohorts, and his own pers onal motivations. In the end, his actionsShow MoreRelated moralhod Relative Morality in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness1511 Words   |  7 PagesRelative Morality in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   It has been well documented by critics that modernist literature departs from the blind acceptance of beliefs, religious beliefs in particular, evident in literature of prior periods (Abrams 1).   As Jump notes [...] the modern western world is less sure of its values than most previous cultures with which we are familiar; relativism and subjectivity are facts of everyday experience (15).   Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness is no exception

Capital Punishment And The Death Penalty Essay - 793 Words

Points of View Capital punishment has been in effect for centuries, and the topic of the death penalty invokes massive controversy still to this day. According to the Death Penalty Information Center (2015), Lake Research Partners took a poll in 2010, based on â€Å"support for alternatives to the death penalty.† The outcome of the survey resulted with a mere 33% of Americans in favor of capital punishment, in contrast to the 61% that were in support of an alternative to the death penalty. The remaining 6% voted they had no opinion either way. Is capital punishment the reasonable means of reprimand for the murder of another human being? The Death Penalty: Approve or Oppose? Now to consider, a couple notorious expressions immediately come to mind (clichà © as they sound): An eye for an eye? Alternatively, Two wrongs don t make a right. Of those sayings, which is morally correct in this matter? Following is a quote from the mother of a murder victim upon being presented with the intended execution method (lethal injection) of her child s slayer (Sarat, 2014, p. x), in which I unreservedly concur: â€Å"Do they feel anything? Do they hurt? Is there any pain? Very humane compared to what they’ve done to our children. The torture they put our kids through. I think sometimesShow MoreRelatedCapital Punishment : The Death Penalty1482 Words   |  6 PagesMrs. McElmoyl 12/12/14 Capital Punishment As stated by former governor of New York, Mario M. Cuomo, Always I have concluded the death penalty is wrong because it lowers us all; it is a surrender to the worst that is in us; it uses a power- the official power to kill by execution- that has never brought back a life, need inspired anything but hate. (Cuomo 1) This is one of the main arguments against capital punishment (also known as the death sentence.) Capital punishment is the ability for a governmentRead MoreThe Death Penalty And Capital Punishment931 Words   |  4 Pageswritten down (Robert). The death penalty was applied for a particularly wide range of crimes. The Romans also used death penalty for a wide range of offenses. Historically, the death sentence was often handled with torture, and executions, except that it was done in public. In this century, the death penalty, execution or capital punishment, whatever you’d like to refer it as, is the result for committing capital crimes or capital offences and it is not in public. The death penalty has been practiced byRead MoreCapital Punishment : The Death Penalty1410 Words   |  6 PagesCapital Punishment in America In 1976 the Supreme Court of the United States of America ruled the Death Penalty constitutionally permissible. The debate over capital punishment has always been a topic of great controversy. Before the Supreme Court ruling in 1976 America had been practicing capital punishment for centuries. At the current time some states enforce the death penalty, while some do not. There are differences of opinion’s relating to whether or not the death penalty is the proper wayRead MoreCapital Punishment And The Death Penalty991 Words   |  4 PagesCapital Punishment Imagine your having a normal morning, eating breakfast doing your normal routine. Suddenly your phone rings and when you answer you hear the worst news possible. One of your family members has just been murdered in cold blood. You cry, mourn, then become angry. You attend the court hearing and you sit less than 20 feet away from the murderer. Do you truly believe this person deserves to live? Or should they face a punishment that is equal to their crime? Some may say CapitalRead MoreThe Death Penalty And Capital Punishment1569 Words   |  7 Pagesthe death penalty also referred to as capital punishment. The death penalty is both useless and harmful to not only criminals but also their potential victims. This paper uses these horrific facts to try and convince the reader that the death penalty should be done away with before it is too late, although that time may have already come. With supporting evidence to support my cause, I hope that the following information sways at least one reader to see the harm of keeping the death penalty an activeRead MoreCapital Punishment And The Death Penalty1235 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is capital punishment? Why do people support it, but yet people cherish lives? Is it a moral thing to do? Should one be for or against the Death Penalty? Let’s take a look deep into the world of justices and why capital punishment still exists in today’s society. Capital punishment or the death penalty is a feder al punishment given to criminals who are convicted of murders. It is the highest law punishment available that can prevent future murders by developing fear within them. Capital punishmentRead MoreCapital Punishment And The Death Penalty1017 Words   |  5 PagesName: Lucas Falley Topic: Capital Punishment Background: Capital punishment, or the death penalty, has existed for thousands of years. For as long as there has been organized society, the death penalty has existed in numerous cultures and civilizations. Throughout the years the methods have changed, but the use of capital punishment is becoming a pressing matter. Amnesty International reports that there are 140 countries worldwide that have abolished the death penalty, while over 50 countries stillRead MoreThe Death Penalty Is A Capital Punishment1271 Words   |  6 Pages What is the death penalty? The death penalty is a capital punishment that is punishable by death or execution. This is usually given to people that have committed serious offences or capital crimes. There are 31 states in the United States that are for the death penalty. Crimes that are punishable by the death penalty, vary from state to state. Examples of such crimes are; first degree murder or premeditated murder, murder with special circumstances, such as: intende d, multiple, and murder whichRead MoreCapital Punishment And The Death Penalty1539 Words   |  7 PagesCapital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty, has been the center of debate for a long time. Capital punishment may be defined as the â€Å"[e]xecution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense† (Capital Punishment). Up until 1846, when Michigan became the first to abolish the death sentence, all states allowed legal practice of capital punishment by the government (States). Currently, there 32 states still supporting the death penalty and 18Read MoreThe Death Penalty Of Capital Punishment1480 Words   |  6 Pagesjustice system, such as the death penalty. Capital punishment has been used many times in history all around the world, and it was quite popular. Many people argue that capital punishment is useful in deterring crime and that it is only fair that criminals receive death as punishment for a heinous crim e. On the contrary, others see the death penalty as a violation of the 8th amendment. It restricts excessive fines, and it also does not allow cruel and unusual punishment to be inflicted upon criminals

Fences Vs A Lesson Before Dying Essay Example For Students

Fences Vs A Lesson Before Dying Essay In the novels, A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines and Fences by August Wilson, the characters struggle to overcome lifes difficulties and to find the true meaning of their existence by freeing themselves from their troubles. This form of self-redemption helps to renew each characters conscience and bring him or her to a new light, where they can reach the full potential of their lives. Both works of literature contain several characters that overcome lifes hardships with redemption, but the ones who make the biggest sacrifices are the most important. The two that truly redeem themselves are Grant, from A Lesson Before Dying and Rose, from Fences. In August Wilsons novel Fences, it is Rose who experiences the greatest redemption when she agrees to care for Troys daughter, Raynell. Rose experiences one of lifes worst hardships when she discovers that her husband has had an affair with another woman. When Troy admits the truth to Rose about his affair, she is heart broken and deeply hurt. Rose can not believe that after eighteen years of marriage Troy would go and do such a thing. Not only was Troy neglecting his family but he was also jeopardizing the well being of his new daughter, Raynell. It was then that Rose truly begins to see the real Troy. She sees how selfish he is for visiting the woman at his leisure just to make himself feel better. In the following line from page 78, Rose explains to Troy how he is not the only one suffering and that she too feels like she is trapped inside their small, immobile world. You not the only one whos got wants and needs. But I held on to you, Troy. Unlike Troy, Rose has accepted her current situation and has learned to deal with the problems she is faced with everyday. She has also not strayed from Troy, but has stayed in his bed. The next big problem Rose must face is what to do with the baby. On page 78, Troy uses sympathy to persuade Rose to take care of the child. He states she innocentand she aint got no mama. Troy knows that he would not make a good parent so he asks Rose if she could be the mother to his child. Rose, being the good-hearted person that she is, pushes her own feelings aside when she decides to care for Troys baby. Although she is in a great deal of pain, Rose still manages to realize how Raynell is not to blame for Troys actions but that she too deserves a good home. Roses words at the bottom of page 78 further show her strength as she agrees to mother Raynell even after all the pain Troy has put her through. Like you sayshes innocentand you cant revisit the sins of the father upon the child. By accepting the responsibility of the baby from Troy, Rose was not only retaining her dignity and self respect but she was greatly redeeming herself. Her self-redemption came from controlling the pain and anger she felt towards Troy and accepting the situation she was in with the baby. By putting the past events behind her, she was able to overcome her problems with Troy and turn her life in a positive direction. Another character that experiences self-redemption by overcoming lifes difficulties, is Grant Wiggins from Ernest Gainess novel, A Lesson Before Dying. Grant experiences his self-redemption through his visits with Jefferson at the jail, while waiting on death row. After Jefferson was wrongly convicted of murder, he was sentenced to death by way of electrocution. While he was awaiting execution, his godmother, Miss Emma, requested that Grant go to Jeffersons cell and teach him how to be a man. It would be through Grants interactions with Jefferson and his talks with Reverend Ambrose that would set him on his way to self-redemption. His redemption begins when he first goes to visit Jefferson. When Grant arrives at Jeffersons cell he sees how depressed and lonely he is. Grant reaches out to Jefferson by telling him about the weekly events and bringing him food to eat that the school kids prepared for him. .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df , .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .postImageUrl , .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df , .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:hover , .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:visited , .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:active { border:0!important; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:active , .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf589f1f38eeafdda49850418e6c8f3df:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Christopher Columbus Essay Grant .

JOHN UPDIKES A & P AND JAMES JOYCES ARABY Essays - John Updike

JOHN UPDIKE'S A & P AND JAMES JOYCE'S ARABY John Updike's A & P and James Joyce's Araby share many of the same literary traits. The primary focus of the two stories revolves around a young man who is compelled to decipher the different between cruel reality and the fantasies of romance that play in his head. That the man does, indeed, discover the difference is what sets him off into emotional collapse. One of the main similarities between the two stories is the fact that the main character, who is also the protagonist, has built up incredible,yet unrealistic, expectations of women, having focused upon one in particular towards which he places all his unrequited affection. The expectation these men hold when finally face to face with their object of worship (Wells, 1993, p. 127) is what sends the final and crushing blow of reality: The rejection they suffer is far too great for them to bear. Updike is famous for taking other author's works and twisting them so that they reflect a more contemporary flavor. While the story remains the same, the climate is singular only to Updike. This is the reason why there are similarities as well as deviations from Joyce's original piece. Plot, theme and detail are three of the most resembling aspects of the two stories over all other literary components; characteristic of both writers' works, each rendition offers its own unique perspective upon the young man's romantic infatuation. Not only are descriptive phrases shared by both stories, but parallels occur with each ending, as well (Doloff 113). What is even more telling of Updike's imitation of Joyce's Araby is the fact that the A & P title is hauntingly close in pronunciation to the original story's title. The theme of A & P and Araby are so close to each other that the subtle differences might be somewhat imperceptible to the untrained eye. Both stories delve into the unstable psyche of a young man who is faced with one of life's most difficult lessons: that things are not always as they appear to be. Telling the tale as a way of looking back on his life, the protagonist allows the reader to follow his life's lessons as they are learned, imparting upon the audience all the emotional pain and suffering endured for each one. The primary focal point is the young man's love for a completely unattainable girl who unknowingly riles the man into such a sexual and emotional frenzy that he begins to confuse sexual impulses for those of honor and chivalry (Wells, 1993, p. 127). It is this very situation of self-deception upon which both stories concentrate that brings the young man to his emotional knees as he is forced to compensate for the emptiness and longing in the young boy's life (Norris 309). As much as Updike's rendition is different from Joyce's original work, the two pieces are as closely related as any literary writings can be. Specifically addressing details, it can be argued that Updike missed no opportunity to fashion A & P as much after Araby as possible. For example, one aspect of womanhood that fascinates and intrigues both young men is the whiteness of the girls' skin. This explicit detail is not to be taken lightly in either piece, for the implication is integral to the other important story elements, particularly as they deal with female obsession. Focusing upon the milky softness and the white curve of her neck(Joyce 32) demonstrates the overwhelming interest Joyce's protagonist place in the more subtle features; as well, Updike's character is equally as enthralled by the sensuality of his lady's long white prima-donna legs (A & P 188). One considerable difference between Updike's A & P and Joyce's Araby is the gap between the young men's ages, with Updike's embarking upon his twenties while Joyce's is of a significantly more tender age. This divergence presents itself as one of the most instrumentally unique aspects separating the two stories, as it establishes a considerable variance between the age groups. The reader is more readily able to accept the fact that the younger man has not yet gained the ability to ascertain the complex differences between love's reality; on the other hand, it is not as easy to apply this same understanding to Updike's older character, who should by all rights be significantly more familiar with the ways of the world by that age. The lesson that romance and morality are antithetical, whether learned from haunting celibates or breathed in with the chastising Dublin air, has not been lost on the narrator (Coulthard 97). What does not escape either story, however, is the manner in which the young men are transformed into distracted, agitated, disoriented (Wells, 1993, p. 127) versions of their former selves once they