How do these texts explore similar themes?
These texts all explore the idea that we, as human beings live in a society amougsnt other people with feelings and a heart. We are therefore not different islands but all apart of countries or cities put together to make continents, (mankind) and thus, the world. (as it says in John Donnes text). Because of this we must learn to take care of each other because ultimately, we depend on each other for survival. This is seen clearly in the short video, giving one of the many examples, homeless people, the type of people we as a society tend to turn our backs to and look away, when really these are the types of people who need our help the most. Like said before, it is important we help each other because we "are in this together". Society will always be better when everyone in it is benefiting in a positive way, " any man's death diminishes me". In Donnes text it also talks about how we must all help each other because one never knows when you will require the help of others so we must treat the needs of others as we would if they were the needs of friends or family, as we would see at others as we see family and friends, the 'same'.
How do the texts provide insights into prejudice and "otherness"?
The author of all the texts are clearly trying to portray a message out to the world, saying that mankind as a whole, needs to cooperate with each other and live peacefully. Opposed to living in a world where people misjudge others for the wrong reasons. (Color, appearence, language, beliefs, gender, race etc.) The book the island uses a single vulnerable and fragile man as a metaphor for all the people in our world that are left aside from society due to prejudices. And the villagers, big, bold, strong, and in a group, represent those who shut away all the ways that people could join hands and connect despite differences. Throughout the book many themes are shown behind the literal. For example when the man is forced to live in a goat pen, he is automatically de-humanized, and seen as an animal, put away and sacrified for the benefit of the group. All villagers look down upon him in disgust, disgusted by his difference all except for one man whose voice is not strong enough to save the stranger from this segregation and the mob's ignorance. All these concepts and more relate to real day problems in mankind and I feel the island is a great way to illustrate these complications.
Why do people make distinctions between "us" and "them"?
People make distinctions between "us" and "them" because it is much easier to judge someone and keep them away than to help them and try to understand their dissimilarity and accept it. What these people are failing to see is that helping others that are 'different' would benefit them, especially knowing that one day you might need their help in return. But instead people looking away not wanting to see, shutting their eyes away from a relationship that could be great and instead name 'them' and 'us'
No comments:
Post a Comment