Summer Essay
Clarice
Mrs. Conley
Honors English 9
2 August 2013
Tuesdays with Morrie: Living a Full and Meaningful Life
It is not often that one takes an in-depth look at their past. But when one does reflect back on their life, they tend to focus on their regrets and mistakes. Why did I do that? What should I have done instead? I could have been so much better! But, in the opinion of Morrie Schwartz, they are looking at it the wrong way! In Mitch Albom’s best-seller, Tuesdays with Morrie, the last few months of Morrie’s life are outlined, and he shares with others what he has learned from living with a terminal illness. Within, we are taught that to live a full and meaningful life is to live with harmony, appreciation, and love.
Everywhere you look you will see newspapers, books, and television programs biting people’s heads off just because they think differently than others. It is hard to get along when everyone has a different opinion! In a few different sessions between Mitch and Morrie, Morrie addresses this issue as it pertains to our society. In a word of advice he says: “’Be compassionate, and take responsibility for each other. If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much better a place.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie pg. 288) We must look after and support each other if we are to get anywhere in this world. If you drag others down, it will only drag you down too. “’Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie pg. 291) If we could all live by these philosophies, life would be all the better for it!
One thing, among many, that is extremely lacking in our society today is gratitude. It is all about bigger, better, faster, more! What about the things we already have? Throughout Tuesdays with Morrie, as Morrie grows weaker, he comes to notice and appreciate the smaller things in life more than he did in the past. During a session in which Mitch prompted Morrie to describe his “perfect day”, Morrie answered by saying he would spend it with friends; eating, laughing, dancing, and talking. “It was so simple. So average. I was actually a little disappointed… After all these months, lying there, unable to move a leg or a foot – how could he find perfection in such an average day? Then I realized this was the whole point.” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie pg. 313) The perfect day would consist of doing the things that he cannot do! Not doing anything bigger or grander. If everyone was as appreciative of an average day, perhaps society would be less tending to push for even more.
And then, there is love. A tricky business if ever there was one. When someone says “I love you”, do they mean it? Are they simply saying it out of habit, or because they’re obligated to do so, or because they are family? In Morrie’s opinion, that should give them all the more reason to do it! As he is dying, he is surrounded by family and loved ones. Quoting the wise man Levine, he says, “’Love is the only rational act.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie, pg. 100) How true! Where would we be without love? It is the foundation upon which we grow. “’Love is so supremely important.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie, pg. 164) How could one live without it? “’We think we don’t deserve love, we think if we let it in we’ll become soft.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie, pg. 99) Some people see love as a weakness, but it’s really a fortifier. From love branches respect, kindness, camaraderie, and so much more! We need love, as much as we need the air we breathe.
So, as you look back on your life, recall not the bad times, but the good. Not your weaknesses, but your strengths. And from your bad experiences, take away wisdom. But most importantly, as taught in Tuesdays with Morrie, live a full and meaningful life with harmony, appreciation, and love.
Mrs. Conley
Honors English 9
2 August 2013
Tuesdays with Morrie: Living a Full and Meaningful Life
It is not often that one takes an in-depth look at their past. But when one does reflect back on their life, they tend to focus on their regrets and mistakes. Why did I do that? What should I have done instead? I could have been so much better! But, in the opinion of Morrie Schwartz, they are looking at it the wrong way! In Mitch Albom’s best-seller, Tuesdays with Morrie, the last few months of Morrie’s life are outlined, and he shares with others what he has learned from living with a terminal illness. Within, we are taught that to live a full and meaningful life is to live with harmony, appreciation, and love.
Everywhere you look you will see newspapers, books, and television programs biting people’s heads off just because they think differently than others. It is hard to get along when everyone has a different opinion! In a few different sessions between Mitch and Morrie, Morrie addresses this issue as it pertains to our society. In a word of advice he says: “’Be compassionate, and take responsibility for each other. If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much better a place.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie pg. 288) We must look after and support each other if we are to get anywhere in this world. If you drag others down, it will only drag you down too. “’Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie pg. 291) If we could all live by these philosophies, life would be all the better for it!
One thing, among many, that is extremely lacking in our society today is gratitude. It is all about bigger, better, faster, more! What about the things we already have? Throughout Tuesdays with Morrie, as Morrie grows weaker, he comes to notice and appreciate the smaller things in life more than he did in the past. During a session in which Mitch prompted Morrie to describe his “perfect day”, Morrie answered by saying he would spend it with friends; eating, laughing, dancing, and talking. “It was so simple. So average. I was actually a little disappointed… After all these months, lying there, unable to move a leg or a foot – how could he find perfection in such an average day? Then I realized this was the whole point.” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie pg. 313) The perfect day would consist of doing the things that he cannot do! Not doing anything bigger or grander. If everyone was as appreciative of an average day, perhaps society would be less tending to push for even more.
And then, there is love. A tricky business if ever there was one. When someone says “I love you”, do they mean it? Are they simply saying it out of habit, or because they’re obligated to do so, or because they are family? In Morrie’s opinion, that should give them all the more reason to do it! As he is dying, he is surrounded by family and loved ones. Quoting the wise man Levine, he says, “’Love is the only rational act.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie, pg. 100) How true! Where would we be without love? It is the foundation upon which we grow. “’Love is so supremely important.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie, pg. 164) How could one live without it? “’We think we don’t deserve love, we think if we let it in we’ll become soft.’” (Anchor Books, Albom, Morrie, pg. 99) Some people see love as a weakness, but it’s really a fortifier. From love branches respect, kindness, camaraderie, and so much more! We need love, as much as we need the air we breathe.
So, as you look back on your life, recall not the bad times, but the good. Not your weaknesses, but your strengths. And from your bad experiences, take away wisdom. But most importantly, as taught in Tuesdays with Morrie, live a full and meaningful life with harmony, appreciation, and love.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Clarice
Mrs. Conley
Honors English 9
19 January 2014
The Power of Oppression
Throughout history, millions of people worldwide have experienced the oppression of others - whether it be religious persecution, moral indignity, or simply a matter of the color of their skin. In its many forms, oppression can afflict an entire race, or only one person. In Harper Lee’s historical fiction novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, oppression is a central theme that is covered throughout its duel plotlines as the young protagonist, Scout, grows up during the Great Depression in southern Alabama, and slowly comes into awareness of the reality of the human nature. Through the characters of Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mayella Ewell, Lee endeavors to edify us of the immorality of persecution. Using the symbolism behind these characters, Harper Lee implies that oppression has the power to transform.
Almost immediately, Lee’s novel sails into the back-story of the long-oppressed Arthur Radley, and the topic of his “misdeeds” versus the religious values of his family. As young adults, Boo and his friends had been “…hanging around the barber shop; they rode the bus to Abbotsville on Sundays and went to the picture show; they attended dances at the county’s riverside gambling hall… they experimented with stumphole whiskey” (Lee 10). For a teenager to partake in such activities does not seem uncommon. But to Boo’s family this was an abomination; they were of the strictest religious conformity, and did not believe religion to be taken only as a “recreation” (Lee 11). And so, “The doors of the Radley house were closed on weekdays as well as Sundays, and Mr. Radley’s boy was not seen again for fifteen years” (Lee 13). The lore behind Boo Radley’s past had lead Scout to believe that he had “died and been shoved up the chimney” (Lee 14). Upon questioning her father about the situation, “Atticus said no, it wasn’t that sort of thing, that there are other ways of turning people into ghosts” (Lee 14). The diction employed in using the term “ghost” unveils how Boo’s persecution had left him feeling hollow and worthless, to the point that he would not show his face, disappearing from public life. His isolation changed him – metaphorically – into a ghost, to both others and himself. Boo is an outcast, having been transformed from an ambitious man to a lost soul. It is only in the face of further persecution – not on himself but on “his children” – that he was willing to stand up against the tyranny that had ailed him since his childhood (Lee 321). And then still, oppression followed him right back home.
Wearing the face of racism, oppression next strikes a blow against Tom Robinson. Tom, having been accused of raping a white woman, was to be defended in court by Scout’s father, Atticus. “Why reasonable people go stark raving mad whenever anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand” said Atticus, concerning the mannerisms of the townspeople as per Tom’s trial (Lee 120). The connotation behind using the word “reasonable” to describe Maycomb’s population appears odd in the context of going “stark raving mad”. However, in its execution, this term provides a picture of a collective with morals and traditions that are adhered to, and rarely strayed from. Their opinions are based on the tradition behind their society, and are not likely to be altered by “… showing the jury that Tom had nothing to hide” (Lee 217). Tom was a reputable man, but regardless of the respect he held within the black community, the white community would only ever persecute him. Upon questioning at his trial, as to the situation regarding the Ewells, he said, “…if you was a nigger like me, you’d be scared, too” (Lee 222). The allegations behind being tied up in such a disastrous affair with white people frightened him. Upon his conviction, Tom was incarcerated, but had a chance of vindication in federal court. However, in a desperate attempt to escape his fate, Tom was shot by prison guards. Regarding this subject, “’We had such a good chance,’ he [Atticus] said, ‘I told him what I thought, but I couldn’t in truth say that we had more than a good chance. I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own’” (Lee 269). The desperation in this act shows how the oppression Tom faced had transformed him from a sensible human being, with the fortitude to endure through difficult circumstances, into a man who risked – and lost – his life to potentially end up for the worse.
In the appearance of Mayella Violet Ewell, the woman Tom is accused of raping, it is glaringly evident that oppression is a distressing prospect to any human being. Whilst being called to witness at Tom’s trial, she was described by Scout as “…somehow fragile-looking, but when she sat facing us in the witness chair she became what she was, a thick-bodied girl accustomed to strenuous labor” (Lee 203). This narrative provides an image of a hardened woman with a soft interior. As well, upon being questioned by Atticus about her relationship with her father, she stumbled upon her own words, “tollable, ‘cept when-“ (Lee 208). As Atticus continued to infer that her father was an alcoholic, after “tryin’ to make him out left-handed…” it is made abundantly clear that Mayella’s father had abused her physically and sexually (Lee 204). Yet even so, Mayella states “My paw’s never touched a hair o’ my head in my life. He never touched me” (Lee 209). The substantiation behind Tom Robinson’s testimony combined with that of the county sheriff made it appear highly improbable that Mayella’s father hadn’t harassed her. But this broken woman had firmed against all else. She was willing to sacrifice the man that she had taken a fancy to in order to shield herself from persecution. As Atticus articulates in his closing argument, “…it was guilt that motivated her. She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with” (Lee 231). Here it is implied that Mayella had a choice; to either face up to her misdeeds in order to save Tom, or to throw him under the bus in order to save herself. She chose the latter. And from this we can see how, in the face of oppression, Mayella was twisted into something she was not, and pushed to do things she ought not have done.
To Kill A Mockingbird is a prime instance of the symbolic application of characters in order to express the transformative power of oppression. In employing the characters of Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mayella Ewell, Harper Lee demonstrates the despotism of such persecution. As a vital theme of Harper Lee’s novel, the idea of oppression is a significant aspect of individual nature. Whether present on a large scale or small, oppression can appear in the visage of anything from racial prejudice to spiritual discrimination to ethical disgrace. As is evident spanning thousands of years, in one form or another, oppression has wrought its wrath on millions.
Mrs. Conley
Honors English 9
19 January 2014
The Power of Oppression
Throughout history, millions of people worldwide have experienced the oppression of others - whether it be religious persecution, moral indignity, or simply a matter of the color of their skin. In its many forms, oppression can afflict an entire race, or only one person. In Harper Lee’s historical fiction novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, oppression is a central theme that is covered throughout its duel plotlines as the young protagonist, Scout, grows up during the Great Depression in southern Alabama, and slowly comes into awareness of the reality of the human nature. Through the characters of Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mayella Ewell, Lee endeavors to edify us of the immorality of persecution. Using the symbolism behind these characters, Harper Lee implies that oppression has the power to transform.
Almost immediately, Lee’s novel sails into the back-story of the long-oppressed Arthur Radley, and the topic of his “misdeeds” versus the religious values of his family. As young adults, Boo and his friends had been “…hanging around the barber shop; they rode the bus to Abbotsville on Sundays and went to the picture show; they attended dances at the county’s riverside gambling hall… they experimented with stumphole whiskey” (Lee 10). For a teenager to partake in such activities does not seem uncommon. But to Boo’s family this was an abomination; they were of the strictest religious conformity, and did not believe religion to be taken only as a “recreation” (Lee 11). And so, “The doors of the Radley house were closed on weekdays as well as Sundays, and Mr. Radley’s boy was not seen again for fifteen years” (Lee 13). The lore behind Boo Radley’s past had lead Scout to believe that he had “died and been shoved up the chimney” (Lee 14). Upon questioning her father about the situation, “Atticus said no, it wasn’t that sort of thing, that there are other ways of turning people into ghosts” (Lee 14). The diction employed in using the term “ghost” unveils how Boo’s persecution had left him feeling hollow and worthless, to the point that he would not show his face, disappearing from public life. His isolation changed him – metaphorically – into a ghost, to both others and himself. Boo is an outcast, having been transformed from an ambitious man to a lost soul. It is only in the face of further persecution – not on himself but on “his children” – that he was willing to stand up against the tyranny that had ailed him since his childhood (Lee 321). And then still, oppression followed him right back home.
Wearing the face of racism, oppression next strikes a blow against Tom Robinson. Tom, having been accused of raping a white woman, was to be defended in court by Scout’s father, Atticus. “Why reasonable people go stark raving mad whenever anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand” said Atticus, concerning the mannerisms of the townspeople as per Tom’s trial (Lee 120). The connotation behind using the word “reasonable” to describe Maycomb’s population appears odd in the context of going “stark raving mad”. However, in its execution, this term provides a picture of a collective with morals and traditions that are adhered to, and rarely strayed from. Their opinions are based on the tradition behind their society, and are not likely to be altered by “… showing the jury that Tom had nothing to hide” (Lee 217). Tom was a reputable man, but regardless of the respect he held within the black community, the white community would only ever persecute him. Upon questioning at his trial, as to the situation regarding the Ewells, he said, “…if you was a nigger like me, you’d be scared, too” (Lee 222). The allegations behind being tied up in such a disastrous affair with white people frightened him. Upon his conviction, Tom was incarcerated, but had a chance of vindication in federal court. However, in a desperate attempt to escape his fate, Tom was shot by prison guards. Regarding this subject, “’We had such a good chance,’ he [Atticus] said, ‘I told him what I thought, but I couldn’t in truth say that we had more than a good chance. I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own’” (Lee 269). The desperation in this act shows how the oppression Tom faced had transformed him from a sensible human being, with the fortitude to endure through difficult circumstances, into a man who risked – and lost – his life to potentially end up for the worse.
In the appearance of Mayella Violet Ewell, the woman Tom is accused of raping, it is glaringly evident that oppression is a distressing prospect to any human being. Whilst being called to witness at Tom’s trial, she was described by Scout as “…somehow fragile-looking, but when she sat facing us in the witness chair she became what she was, a thick-bodied girl accustomed to strenuous labor” (Lee 203). This narrative provides an image of a hardened woman with a soft interior. As well, upon being questioned by Atticus about her relationship with her father, she stumbled upon her own words, “tollable, ‘cept when-“ (Lee 208). As Atticus continued to infer that her father was an alcoholic, after “tryin’ to make him out left-handed…” it is made abundantly clear that Mayella’s father had abused her physically and sexually (Lee 204). Yet even so, Mayella states “My paw’s never touched a hair o’ my head in my life. He never touched me” (Lee 209). The substantiation behind Tom Robinson’s testimony combined with that of the county sheriff made it appear highly improbable that Mayella’s father hadn’t harassed her. But this broken woman had firmed against all else. She was willing to sacrifice the man that she had taken a fancy to in order to shield herself from persecution. As Atticus articulates in his closing argument, “…it was guilt that motivated her. She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with” (Lee 231). Here it is implied that Mayella had a choice; to either face up to her misdeeds in order to save Tom, or to throw him under the bus in order to save herself. She chose the latter. And from this we can see how, in the face of oppression, Mayella was twisted into something she was not, and pushed to do things she ought not have done.
To Kill A Mockingbird is a prime instance of the symbolic application of characters in order to express the transformative power of oppression. In employing the characters of Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mayella Ewell, Harper Lee demonstrates the despotism of such persecution. As a vital theme of Harper Lee’s novel, the idea of oppression is a significant aspect of individual nature. Whether present on a large scale or small, oppression can appear in the visage of anything from racial prejudice to spiritual discrimination to ethical disgrace. As is evident spanning thousands of years, in one form or another, oppression has wrought its wrath on millions.