Leavers: The Differences Between Takers And Leavers

2088 Words5 Pages

Carla Sánchez Torres Professor Eileen Tejada ENGL 120 8 October 2017 Takers and Leavers The terms Takers and Leavers are ones that the author, Daniel Quinn, uses to distinguish two types of people in his novel, Ishmael. So, what is it that separates Takers and Leavers and how do we know which one we fall under? There are multiple concepts that the Quinn covers to really understand "how things came to be this way" which is what underlines the story of the Ishmael and digs to find the Takers and Leavers roles (42). The most fundamental difference between Takers and Leavers is that Takers believe that the world was made for them and Leavers believe themselves to belong to the world. Even though this isn't explicitly mentioned everywhere, it is …show more content…

According to Quinn, Takers live their lives with the end goal of one day being able to conquer everything in the world (78). The thing is that they can't seem to do that without destroying the world faster than ever, and no one seems to know why that is that they can't control themselves so that the world can heal. On the other hand, Leavers and all other species follow this rule, "Take what you need, leave the rest alone" (Quinn 133). Because the world is made for people, then it would make sense that we do as we please with it, and if others think otherwise, then that's too …show more content…

The way that Quinn describes connections between Takers and connections between Leavers is with the simile of a hand, "…family is like a hand, of which they are fingers. They are fully aware of being a family but are little aware of being individuals. […] Five severed fingers do not make a hand." (13) He uses this simile to point out that Takers don't naturally form a community and look for how to take care of each other. In a society centered around capitalism, it is more natural to think of everyone as individuals and work for what's best for themselves and their own situations. As I had mentioned previously, the economy has made it so there is always constant competition creating a situation where if some people are greatly successful profit-wise, others will be struggling with making ends

Show More
Related

  • Theme Of The Century Quilt

    1123 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the depiction of the century quilt, the author touches upon how each quilt square “holds a sweet gum leaf,” before furthering the description by relating the leaves as having fingers that would “caress [me] into silence.” Such description of the quilt’s embroidery further reiterates the quilt’s metaphorical representation of familial bonds. When constructing a family tree, the grouping is divvied up into differentiating sides known as branches, upon which each individual can be considered a leaf. Though each leaf is relatively small in relation to the tree as a whole, it is the entirety of the leaves that provide a tree with a structure and shape. In this same vein, the characterization of each quilt square in possession of a leaf parallels each leaf to a member of the lineage. However, the author chooses particular words to describe the quilt squares and the leaves, noting that the squares are not the leaves themselves, but merely holders of them. This particularity in language indicates that while each square belongs to an individual, the leaf itself is not a part of that being—merely a placeholder. The leaves prove to be the common entity bonding the differing squares together, and their function is analogous to that of a common ancestor; though family members differs in origin and history, they are united under the visage of a particular individual. As was mentioned earlier, the

    Read More

  • Eighner Style Analysis

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    The author juxtaposes the rich and poor with those in between in order to convince the audience, the middle class, that they should follow in the footsteps of both those richer and poorer than them in order to cease their materialistic attitudes. Near the end of the essay, Eighner states, “I think this is an attitude I share with the very wealthy—we both know there is plenty more where what we have came from. Between us are the rat-race millions who have confounded their selves with the objects they grasp and who nightly scavenge the cable channels looking for they know not what.” The author is stating that the wealthy and the homeless are both aware that there are things more important in life than tangible objects. Everyone else, however, has not made this connection yet and still searches, meaninglessly, for something of value. The middle class is often known to aspire to...

    Read More

  • Subject of Family in Lessing’s Flight, Hughes’ Mother to Son, Kincaid's Girl and Adrienne Rich's Po

    1645 Words  | 4 Pages

    While reading through the writings from Children and Families in our textbook, I see many different connotations of what “family” means either to the writer, or the meaning that the writer is trying to place in their story or poem. Often times the writer is portraying their own culture or that of which they are writing, and at other times they may be taking a straightforward, eye-opening look stand at what “family” has become to some people and that it needs to be changed back to a positive part of life. Again, a member of your family doesn’t have to be a blood relative, they can be anyone who has an impact on your life, positive or negative, friend or enemy.

    Read More

  • Monogamy and Marriage: The Battle Between Biology and the Buck

    4694 Words  | 10 Pages

    Longley, Clifford. "Sacred and Profane: What Exactly Do We Mean by a Family?" {The Daily Telegraph} 30 Jan. 1998.

    Read More

  • A Raisin in the Sun: The Foundation of Family

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ghtful and inspirational to many. Realizing that each member of a family has his own issues that he is dealing with on top of keeping his family together can alter his reasoning and decision-making. Becoming less self-obsessed and demonstrating empathy for family members during difficult circumstances can be essential in keeping a family strong. Building and fortifying a foundation of family unity can be pivotal distinction between a family who stands together and one who crumbles apart.

    Read More

  • As I Lay Dying

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    within a family tear it apart. Every member of the family is to a degree

    Read More

  • Essay on Loss of Freedom in The Giver

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    Family in the novel is described as a group of people that have a unit or bond that they share each day

    Read More

  • The American Cultural Configuration

    698 Words  | 2 Pages

    When you think about family, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you only thought about your parents or close relatives, then you may have been caught in an “individual vs. family” paradox. Nearly every culture considers family important, but “many Americans have never even met all of their cousins” (Holmes & Holmes, 2002, p. 19). We say we are family oriented, but not caring to meet all of our extended family seems to contradict that. Individual freedoms, accomplishments, and goals are all American ideals that push the idea of individualism.

    Read More

  • Family Systems Theory

    944 Words  | 2 Pages

    Furthermore, “the central premise of this theory is that one must resolve all emotional issues with the family of origin, rather than reject reactively or accept passively that family, before one can become a mature and healthy individual” (Charles, 2001, p. 280). Bowen believed that the change in the self occurred through the change in relationships with others, so he encouraged the client to reconnect with the nuclear family members and resolve all emotional issues with them. This is because Bowen believed that unresolved conflicts with the family of origin would catch up with the client and affect his or her present relationships. Also, conflicts do not exist in the person, but in the family system. The necessary changes must take place in the self as well as in the larger system.

    Read More

  • Who is to Blame for Sibling Incest?

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    Their conclusion is that family dynamics have a key role in creating the context where sibling

    Read More

  • Eight Wonders of the World: Eight Adopted Children.

    1584 Words  | 4 Pages

    Eight children. All just a little bit different from the rest. All with different parents and different genes and completely different deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that traces back to completely different parts of the world. Broken branches grafted onto a different family tree, as Shane Koyczan would say. They are all a part of the same family, though; all held together, to each other, by the same bond. They are now and forever linked together. They are brothers, sisters, and friends. My mother’s parents adopted Tim, Mary, Carolyn, Paul, Helen, Patrick, Maureen, and, my mother, Amy into a part of their family and they wouldn’t want it any other way.

    Read More

  • The Impact Of Family Structure In Juvenile Delinquency

    1439 Words  | 3 Pages

    Family structure is a vital aspect in any person’s life, the values and norms reinforced in a person by his or her family at the right stage of life

    Read More

  • Dysfunctional Families and Drugs

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    Califano, Jr., Joseph A. "It's All In The Family." America. 182. 2 (2000): 6. Academic Search Premier. Odum Lib., Valdosta, GA. 10 Mar. 2003 <http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp? an= 26926317db=aph>.

    Read More

  • What Is A Family?

    940 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of family is different from person to person. Regardless of the differences, everyone’s family is unique and special in their own way. No one can judge or discriminate against people for their meaning and interpretation of what a family looks like. For example, family may have two parents; one parent; or no parents (since these are brief phrases, semi-colons shouldn't be used). The variation and differences between families makes culture and society so diverse. Family does not have limitations or boundaries (true). As long as the definition of family contains the qualities of unconditional love, and endless support, help, and guidance; all different families (awk) will be able to succeed and achieve a greater feeling of happiness and a sense of belonging and acceptance.

    Read More

  • Essay On Family System

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Simons et al. (2004), “the family is considered to be the most significant social system in which all individual function” (p. 96). The family consists of many synergistic and intricate parts creating a unified working system. Within the family system, each individual plays an important role in its healthy or unhealthy development, needs, desire, and specific family type, and overall success. “From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesian 4:16). The family system is influenced by all elements ranging from spiritual, culture, traditions and genetic

    Read More

More about Leavers: The Differences Between Takers And Leavers

Open Document