In physics, quantum entanglement posits that certain subatomic particles always exist in paired states; electrons act dependently upon one another, ‘spinning’ in opposite directions. However, things get curiously interesting when one attempts to observe these spins. According to theory, the two interacting electrons will only have opposite spins once observed — that is, witnessed by an individual outside the realm of entangled particles. Like the observed electron, people are also entangled with others, and based on the perceptions of those that they interact with, they are capable of assuming a role that fits with their ‘observed’ identity. The perception of others (whether it is society, a friend, stranger, or loved one) can have a profound …show more content…
effect on determining an individual’s own identity, causing the individual to assimilate into an identity far from their original self. In Waiting for the Barbarians, the Magistrate is viewed as competent and is admired by others.
However, when he becomes involved with a barbarian girl, their perception of him changes and he is viewed as a traitor and an outsider. The Magistrate’s identity is formed on the basis of his position in relation to his community, so when their view of him changes, so does he. It leads to a conflict between his loyalty to the empire and his own goals, leading to fragmentation and a lack of cultural belonging. Near the end of the novel, the Magistrate says: “This is not the scene I dreamed of. Like much else nowadays I leave it feeling stupid, like a man who lost his way long ago but presses on along a road that may lead nowhere” (Coetzee 156). The Magistrate’s desire to retain the approval of his countrymen comes into conflict with his desire to protect the barbarian girl, creating inner turmoil and reshaping his identity. The moral dissent caused by the Magistrate’s peers influence him greatly, masking his true sense of self. However in the end, the Magistrate’s true identity wins out against the sway of the others, as expressed by his sense of liberal guilt. This shows that one’s identity can be greatly influenced by others perception of us, but ultimately, one’s actual identity will steer an individual towards the road they are meant to
take. Similarly, in The Namesake, Gogol’s identity changes when he adopts the name of Nikhil. After introducing himself as Nikhil at a party, Gogol dons a cloak of confidence, giving him the courage to kiss a girl for the very first time. Euphoric over his victory, Gogol presses his new identity further and goes off to college to become an architect, despite his family’s wishes. Later, he dates an upper class girl named Maxine. Throughout the story, others perceive Gogol’s alias ‘Nikhil’ as a confident, intelligent, and ambitious young man — far from the unsure and timid person he originally was. When going into kindergarten, Gogol refused to change his name to Nikhil on the basis that "he is afraid to be Nikhil, someone he doesn't know. Who doesn't know him" (19). This fear and lack of confidence is lost once he adopts the persona of Nikhil, which is further augmented by others’ perception of him. At first, the transformation appears to positively impact his life, allowing Gogol to step out of the shadows and achieve his desires. However, the mask of Nikhil breaks under the strain of this adopted personality, as Gogol must deal with the problems caused by Nikhil: namely, his wife’s adultery and the death of his father. And while it was the creation of Nikhil that served as the catalyst to a new identity, it was the positive reinforcement of others’ perception of Gogol that allowed Nikhil to survive. Without their influence, Gogol would have remained Gogol. But with each successful accomplishment as Nikhil, Gogol’s confidence in the persona grew — thus, he no longer needed to be afraid of Nikhil. Throughout the course of one’s life, an individual is destined to come into contact with many other electrons. As quantum entanglement theory suggests, once observed, such electrons will inevitably adopt different spins. The perception of others does to an individual’s identity what an observation does to an electron: we are constantly spinning, changing and adapting our identities to reflect what is reflected upon ourselves. For the Magistrate, it was the negative reinforcement of his countrymen that incited a moral dilemma within himself; for Gogol, it was the positive reinforcement of others that allowed Nikhil to grow. Positive or negative, the influence of others is a force that can cause one’s identity to shift from its original position, away from the true self.
The Return of Martin Guerre, written by Natalie Zemon Davis, is the tale of a court case that takes place in sixteenth century France. Martin Guerre is a peasant who deserted his wife and family for many years. While Martin Guerre is gone, a man named Arnaud du Tilh arrives at Martin’s village and claims to be Martin Guerre. Bertrande, who is Guerre’s wife, Guerre’s sisters, and many of the villagers, accepts the imposter. After almost three years of being happily married, Bertrande takes the fraud to court under pressure of Pierre Guerre, her stepfather and Guerre’s brother. Arnaud du Tilh is almost declared innocent, but the real Martin Guerre appears in the courthouse. Throughout this tale, many factors of the peasant life are highlighted. The author gives a very effective and detailed insight to a peasant’s life during the time of Martin Guerre. Davis does a successful job of portraying the peasant lifestyle in sixteenth century France by accentuating the social, cultural, and judicial factors of everyday peasant life.
Sipiora states that, "Characters often perceive (or fail to perceive) the context and implications of the circumstances and relationships they are in. Some characters act in good faith, whereas others do not. As we examine literary personae, it is especially important to judge them in terms of how they react to others" (77)
...writes. He makes sure that he knows that he is a nobleman but as time goes on, you see change in Antipas and that he becomes more humble and aware of others. He genuinely wants to know more about Luke and what his values are.
For these two articles that we read in Crito and Apology by Plato, we could know Socrates is an enduring person with imagination, because he presents us with a mass of contradictions: Most eloquent men, yet he never wrote a word; ugliest yet most profoundly attractive; ignorant yet wise; wrongfully convicted, yet unwilling to avoid his unjust execution. Behind these conundrums is a contradiction less often explored: Socrates is at once the most Athenian, most local, citizenly, and patriotic of philosophers; and yet the most self-regarding of Athenians. Exploring that contradiction, between Socrates the loyal Athenian citizen and Socrates the philosophical critic of Athenian society, will help to position Plato's Socrates in an Athenian legal and historical context; it allows us to reunite Socrates the literary character and Athens the democratic city that tried and executed him. Moreover, those help us to understand Plato¡¦s presentation of the strange legal and ethical drama.
...ealization that he should live as an innocent, free from the evil burden of guilt, allow this novel to be called a morality tale. Not only good, but also evil are linked to the concept of morality. However, acts of good or evil doing depend on the views of the person making the decision. Understanding that each and every person does not have the same viewpoint is a valuable lesson that Mulisch presents in his novel. Another lesson is coming to the realization that there is no need to feel guilty for something that cannot be controlled. These two moral lessons, presented in the novel, suggest that people should live a prosperous life. Even though good and evil are opposing concepts, they are necessary to piece together the puzzle known as the universe.
The lawyer, also the narrator, hires Bartleby to work as a scrivener at his business that involves bonds, mortgages and titles. The lawyer thinks he has all of his scriveners behaviors “on lock”. Although Bartleby started as a hard working employee, he eventually and in a calm manner refuses to do any requested work by the lawyer by simply saying, “I would prefer not to”. The lawyer doesn’t fire Bartleby after he declines to work, instead he gives Bartleby another chance. The lawyer preference to remain calm shows that he chooses to stray from confrontation. Bartleby continuous refusal to work leads to him being fired, but he refuses to leave. The lawyer’s philosophy and careful balancing of his employees is compromised by Bartleby actions. The lawyer moves his entire practice to another building to only find Bartleby there. Bartleby is arrested and continues in his bizarre daze. The lawyer visits Bartleby to convince him to eat and get through to him, but it doesn’t work and Bartleby dies. The lawyer sensitivity and empathy towards Bartleby raises questions to the lawyers sincerity. Ultimately, my goal is to demonstrate what was the lawyer’s intent to help Bartleby?
Gawain’s behaviour is not looked upon as modest by others in the court, but rather disreputable. The D...
...ferent from their peers has isolated Bernard, Helmholtz, and John, it has also deepened their individuality. This scenario, at a lesser level, often plays out in modern day. People possess a natural desire to fit in and often are willing to forego individuality in order to do so. Though one may gain a facade of happiness as a result of fitting in, being truthful to oneself and expressing one’s free will allows for honest expression of individuality, a concept much greater than such a facade. A society without unique individuals is a society without humanity, and, as demonstrated through these characters’ experience, does not function. Ultimately, people must realize that individuality, knowledge, and raw emotion is more important to society than superficial happiness.
Johannes portrays to Arthur that he should be in fear of him, offering the idea that he believed he held power over this individual, in this case, to take the innocent man’s life. The judge involved in the case d...
...s important both symbolically and literally within the novel. Since manhood and masculine features are so heavily valued within this society, the challenge of one’s personality or actions can completely change them and push them to drastic measures.
The identity of a person is created by how one precieves themselves to other people. With respect to Garcin of No Exit, this is very evident. He claims: "I'm no talker, I don't move much; in fact I'm a very peacful sort of fellow"(Satre 9) even though speaks and voices his opinion often. Garcin becomes more comfortable when he begins to realize his identity, "I'm no gentleman, and I have no compunction about striking a woman". Thomas Whitaker believes "Garcin...finally sees that one who identitfies conciousness with any role or ideal must submit to the unpredictable validating judgement of others"(par. 4). Garcin's identity becomes clear as soon as he enters the room when talking to the valet: "I tell you, I regret nothing"(Satre 24). This is also evidence that Garcin thinks of himself as a hero. Garcin's deludes himself by convincing himself that he did do the right thing: "I shan't be sorry for myself, I'll face the situation, as I said just n...
In Victorian times, one who came from a wealthy and respectable family was considered to be a gentleman. This is clear in numerous characters in the novel, who are immediately perceived to be gentlemen as they boast a large amount of money and dress in the finest clothes. One example, Compeyson, uses this to get a reduced sentence in court, as Magwitch says ‘one, the younger, well brought up, who will be spoke to as such’. This highlights the importance of social class in the Victorian era and it is clear to see here that the justice system is very much more favourable to the higher social ranks, deciding how they would get treated and addressed, and that the punishment is not dependent on the crime, rather the individual at trial’s background and upbringing. Dickens has shown that the Victorian concept of a gentleman is all about wealth and social ranking, not the characteristics we see in a gentleman today.
Whether is was intentional or not the theme of the common man asserting himself against capricious punishment and rule by the nobles is evident in this passage. The passage opens -
The narrator wrestles with conflicting feelings of responsibility to the old man and feelings of ridding his life of the man's "Evil Eye" (34). Although afflicted with overriding fear and derangement, the narrator still acts with quasi-allegiance toward the old man; however, his kindness may stem more from protecting himself from suspicion of watching the old man every night than from genuine compassion for the old man.
. All these false identities and disguises come to in the end. Isabella has her brother saved and in turn will marry the Duke. Angelo must marry Mariana and in turn his life is saved. The positions each person takes whether they are their “true or false” identify allows them to see their action and pay for them whether good or bad, virtuous or evil. The Duke helps them function while at the same time manipulating what is happening around them. This is what makes the plot complexly woven, and in the end unravels the resolutions of what the Duke has done.