The Human Condition: It’s Paradoxical Nature

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The human condition is all that humans have to encounter, both negative and positive, from the birth of a child to relationships to death; and about the reactions to these inevitable events, sorrow, happiness, anger, and humor. But humans can feel both humor and pathos simultaneously when certain events take place. In Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford, Bradford utilizes the use of humor and pathos to demonstrate how the human condition is not as straightforward as it seems. Through Josh’s point of view, Bradford illustrates Josh’s feelings towards events that happen in his life, which reveals certain paradoxical aspects of the human condition. Bradford discloses the nature of the human condition through the balance of humor and pathos, the proceedings of discrimination and racism, the difficulty of growth and aging, the importance of friendship and sex, and the inescapability of life and death.
Many people in this story have different views on discrimination and racism. In the south where Josh lives, racism takes place in his daily life. Like Josh’s mother, who believes southern born Americans, whose bloodline can be traced back to the confederacy, are superior to Italians, African-Americans, Asians, and many other races. And since it is built into the colloquialism of the south, for some moments it is humorous; for instance when Josh playfully teases Paul and Lacy, ““What are you going to do with those big old ten-dollar bills?” [Josh] asked. “That is a lot of money for a couple of childish darkies.” Paul whooped and nearly dropped a cup” (5). The conversation may be playful banter between them, but some people may feel the communication is insulting. The truth is that many crimes, fights, and discrimination are deeply ro...

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... humor and pathos, Bradford is able to reveal different views on human condition and opinions on occasions like racism, maturity, relations, and the life cycle. Bradford shows he has a strong perception and insight on the human condition, and is able to forebode what will happen through his use of words with humor and pathos. The human condition is not clearly understood and can be paradoxical and confusing. In certain happenings, ambivalent feelings can be felt, even apathy; reactions are also paradoxical, from no responses to extreme reactions in certain situations. Human condition is a concern for human beings; it also represents what human beings are capable of, and captures how deep humans are able to feel. The human condition not only represents humans’ behavior, the incidents they have to conquer, and their feelings, it also represents the entire human race.

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