The dilemma between good and evil began long before our time, and it’s been chronicled since man could write. Stephen King, one of the controversial writers of our time, brings his characters to life by giving them peculiar attributes, individual and bold attitudes, and places them in unusual predicaments. The Gunslinger series by Stephen King is a sequence of books that show the internal struggle between good and evil. His character are presented with obstacles, and readers observe how each one responds to the challenges presented to them, waiting to see how far they will go to achieve what they believe is the greater good. King realistically conveys to his readers that although his characters put forth their best efforts to do what they feel is upright, their actions are not always in their best interests. The author clearly shows readers that no amount of good a person does can prevent them from getting hurt. In books one, two, and four King puts his characters through certain situations to create certain outcomes. King makes an effort to show readers how people arrive at the right, or wrong choice, in different situations. This is, of course, the classic struggle between good and evil.
King introduces Roland, the protagonist, in “Gunslinger”. Roland is crucial in King’s endeavor to present to his readers how people make the choice between good and evil. In “Gunslinger”, Roland is presented with an option; he can either save a boy’s life, or he can let the boy plunge to his death and not deviate from his plan. Roland loves the boy, Jake, and is torn between saving him and pursuing his target, the man in black. Roland decides to sacrifice his friend’s life in order to hound the man in black. Roland’s goal is to reach the Dark Tower, and he feels that he must make sacrifices and forgo the sentimental, in order to achieve his goal. His ultimate goal is what he believes is the greater good, and he will go to any length to reach it. Society has sacrificed of innocence to achieve their definitive purpose, history is proof of this. King simply brings this to light. Roland has love for the boy; however, in not saving his life he saves more lives in the end. Saving Jake’s life might be in Jake’s best interest, but in doing so Roland will be affected negatively.
In “The Thematic Paradigm,” Robert Ray explains how there are two vastly different heroes: the outlaw hero and the official hero. The official hero has common values and traditional beliefs. The outlaw hero has a clear view of right and wrong but unlike the official hero, works above the law. Ray explains how the role of an outlaw hero has many traits. The morals of these heroes can be compared clearly. Films that contain official heroes and outlaw heroes are effective because they promise viewer’s strength, power, intelligence, and authority whether you are above the law or below it.
... other. Although Peter is considered evil and cruel, the novel never mentions him killing any human being. Ender is another perfect example of good and evil coexisting in one body though he is generally seen as good, he has his moments. Finally, Card expresses his thoughts on his theme of good versus evil with symbols that can describe the deception of looks; not all who look innocent are innocent, and not all those who look guilty are guilty. Good and evil lives within us however it is up to each individual person to decide which side of the fence they would rather be on: good or evil.
Part of the development of a human being involves acquiring the ability to classify good and evil as well as distinguishing right from wrong. It has become an inherent trait that is invariably used in our everyday lives. In John Gardner’s novel, Grendel, the main character, Grendel, seeks to find the meaning of life. Through his journey, a depiction of the forces of good and evil is revealed. Aside from being a novel about the search for the meaning of life, Grendel also suggest society’s good and evil have a meaningful and imbalanced relationship where good prevails evil yet facing evil is still critical.
...cence fall prey to the evil within the novel, demonstrating the corruption of innocence. Knowles and Golding responded to World War II with a novel presenting the darkness of human nature, as the terrors of World War II surpassed all others. However, even today examples of inherent human savagery can be witnessed. People still find joy in the pain of others, similar to Jack and the hunters. For instance, people enjoy violent sports and laugh at the misfortune of others. Moreover, people act self-centered and abandon the needs of others. These selfish actions are not only committed but supported. Many television shows base their plots on personal gain. Competitors have to be willing to sacrifice their follow man for their own personal gain and survival. Perhaps, modern civilization closely resembles the evils within the groups of boys in these novels.
Readers often find themselves constantly drawn back to the topic of George Orwell’s 1984 as it follows a dystopian community which is set in a world that has been in continuous war, has no privacy by means of surveillance and has complete mind control and is known by the name of Oceania. The story follows a man by the name of Winston who possesses the features of “A smallish, frail figure… his hair very fair, his face naturally sanguine [and] his skin roughened” (Orwell 2). The novel illustrates to readers what it would be like if under complete control of the government. As a result, this book poses a couple of motifs’, For instance part one tackles “Collectivism” which means the government controls you, while part two fights with “Romance” with Winston and Julia’s sexual tension as well the alteration of love in the community, and part three struggles with “Fear” and how it can control someone physically and mentally.
In "The Thematic Paradigm", Robert Ray explains how there are two distinctly different heroes, the outlaw hero and the official hero. The official hero embraces common values and traditional beliefs, while the outlaw has a clear sense of right and wrong but operates above the law (Ray). Ray explains how the role of an outlaw hero has many traits. "The attractiveness of the outlaw hero's childishness and propensity to whims, tantrums, and emotional decisions derived from America's cult of childhood", states Ray. (309) Ray also says, "To the outlaw hero's inconsistence on private standards of right and wrong, the official hero offered the admonition, you cannot take the law into your own hands." (312) The values of these two traditional heroes contrasts clearly. Society favors the outlaw hero because we identify with that character more. We see ourselves more so in the outlaw hero than in the official hero. The outlaw hero has the "childlike" qualities that most of us wish we had as adults. To civilians it may seem that the outlaw hero lives more of a fantasy life that we all wish to have.
"All conflict in literature is, in its simplest form, a struggle between good and evil." This means that all conflict in any work is basically just a fight between the forces of good and evil. The Crucible by Arthur Miller and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne show that this statement is true.
Krakowiak, K. Maja. "When Good Characters Do Bad Things: Morrison, Toni. Sula. New York: Knopf;, 1974. Print. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Sula.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNote
“Evil has always existed, the perfect world that most people seek will never come to pass and it’s gonna get worse (Richard Ramirez).” These words from a convicted serial killer perfectly describe the world today because it seems that as time goes on, people become more vicious. This is incorporated into the book Ruthless by Carolyn Lee Adams, when a 17 year old girl named Ruth was kidnapped by a man named Jerry. He took Ruth to the woods, and though she managed to escape him, she still remained lost in the woods with no way to get home. With Jerry at her heels, she plotted ways to escape the woods, but until she figured out how to leave, he was still a constant threat to her. The growing lack of empathy and fear throughout
Perloff, James. "1984 revisited: sixty years after Orwell's 1984 was first published, his tale of a world ruled by Big Brother is proving to be a ever more frighteningly accurate depiction of the world we live in." The New American 27 Apr. 2009: 27. Print.
“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved,” these words were stated by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The book 1984 was written to be a political message to warn future generations about the dangers of totalitarian societies, much like those described by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Orwell portrays a totalitarian world where there is no freedom and citizens are constantly being manipulated. Orwell’s story is centered on a man named Winston Smith. While having authentic characters and lifelike symbolism, George Orwell’s 1984 exemplified the main themes of manipulation and rebellion in an oppressed society.
Through the semester of Winter 2016, I was assigned many essays, reflections, projects and journals. These are artifacts that demonstrate my growth in my course learning outcomes. The
Throughout the history of American Literature, the use of the ‘bad boy’ or the rebel in the literature has always fascinated readers. We may ask ourselves why would a bad person with typically bad morals and a bad attitude appeal to people in society? American society typically flocks toward certain characters in literature, based on their character. In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, we are able to examine one of the most famous rebellious young men in the history of American literature. Huck reveals all the typical qualities of a ‘bad boy’, while retaining his inner compassion. Through analysis of Huck and other characters in American Literature, we can come to a conclusion that the ‘bad boy’ is usually a character that is non-conforming to society, such as in religion, school, and moral standards, while retaining their compassion inside. Although these rebellious boys may look tough and scary on the outside, on the inside they actually have a good heart and are able to have feelings such as remorse, regret, love, and compassion for others. In addition, there is a thin line between the American bad boy that we all know and love, and truly a bad person. Both come off tough on the outside, but it is the inner character that will separate ‘the men from the boys’. The rebellious boy we are fascinated boy has a good heart, while the other ‘bad boy’ is bad in all aspects. People are drawn to the inner moral fiber, not how bad people are on the outside. This is why Huck is so famous in literary history. It is evident that he has a tough outside, but a caring personality on the inside.
...er, there are those who “break through” and make more than the average worker, but when making a decision to pursue a career in acting, one must understand the difficulties and risks involving such pursuit, and be prepared for them. Fame and money should not be the first priority. Instead, anyone aspiring to become an actor should have a genuine love for becoming what nobody had thought of before; creating a character so emotionally intense that it will be remembered for years to come by those who had been in contact with it. An actor should love spending hours creating and studying his or her character and its story and background, and even more hours rehearsing lines and stage position, as well as camera and lightning position. It is the only career that allows one to become all others and it can be extremely rewarding if taken seriously and, mainly, with passion.
In Mark Twain’s “The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg”, the concept of good and evil is put to the test. Twain tells the story of a stranger, whose visit to the town of Hadleyburg does not precede its reputation of honorability. The stranger plays a cruel prank on the greedy people of the town and sets into motion a series of events that expose the town residents for the deceivers they really are. “The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg” is a story that questions the idea of keeping up appearances and confirms the myth that the truth will always prevail.