Life Value vs. Existentialism in Grendel Essay examples

A main theme in John Gardner’s Grendel, is the constant competition of the ideas of meaning in life versus existentialism. Throughout the novel, Grendel makes a steady spiritual decay to the point of denying any value or significance in life itself. He believes the world is nothing more than â€Å"a mechanical chaos of casual, brute enmity on which we stupidly impose our hopes and fears†(16). This progression starts at a young age, and through out the twelve years of Grendel’s life, he grows closer to a total commitment to this theory. Because of the actions of his mother, the dragon, and man in general, Grendel ultimately dies in the misery that has been created by this belief of his life being nothing but programming, machinery, and random†¦show more content†¦When the bull is trying to attack him, he notices â€Å"He’d struck too low, and even in my terror I understood that he would always strike too low: he fought by instinct, blind mechani sm ages old† (16). While wanting to deny it, Grendel first realizes here his ongoing theory that all living things are mechanical, driven only by what they are programmed to do. Here is where he first loses a large part of his innocence, finding himself having to face the split down the middle of his mentality, between skepticism and believing that life has significance. This begins his downfall to ultimate nihilism. Shortly after this scene, when Grendel has his first encounter with men, he realizes a contradiction to his theory of mechanism. Hearing their â€Å"crackpot theories†(64), he recognizes that he is not dealing with a â€Å"dull mechanical bull, but with thinking creatures, pattern makers, the most dangerous things [he’d] ever met† (21). Grendel believes the human to be â€Å"dangerous,† because they challenge his theory of mechanism. It worries Grendel, seeing that there are beings who can in fact think for themselves and create their own destiny. He sees their challenge to his original belief, noticing the seemingly random theories they express when coming across Grendel, who at the time is caught in a tree. Grendel believes their speculations are â€Å" all crazyâ€Å" (20). Despite humans not being mechanical, Grendel still sees them as nothing more

Introspection in How to Tell a True War Story, and Into...

In the text, â€Å"How to Tell a True War Story† Tim O’Brien expresses his thoughts about the true war story and how the war story is changed according to the person who tells it. Jon Krakauer illustrates Chris McCandless’s journey into the Alaskan wilderness and reasons for McCandless’s gruesome death in an isolated place, in his book â€Å"Into the Wild.† O’Brien relates introspection and a soldier’s war story by saying that the war story portrays the feelings of a soldier. A soldier’s war story is not the exact war story; it is the illustration of that particular soldier’s perception. Narrating a war story is not like inundating others with facts and numbers however, it is about the introspection of a soldier, because that soldier determines†¦show more content†¦As an author, O’Brien explains feelings of one of his readers in this way â€Å"She’ll explain that as a rule she hates war stories; she can’t understand why people want to wallow in all the blood and gore† (449). This reader views a war story as inhumane, and it conveys the cruelty of blood and death. This is an easy conclusion, but it is also trivial. Most obvious part of a war story is numbers and facts regarding the casualties, and it will absorb the whole attention of a person. It will create a thought that war stories are always savage. If that person never attempts to see the inconspicuous part of the war story, it never comes to brink. Then the false conclusion of the war story persists forever. This false conclusion is created due to the ambiguity that existed in perceiving an experience. The reason for this ambiguity is superficial thoughts about that experience. To discover more about McCandless, Krakauer not only travels to wilderness and questions himself but also gathers information about McCandless from people who knew him. Krakauer shares the view of an Alaskan correspondent, which s ays â€Å"The scope of his self-styled adventure was so small as to ring pathetic †¦ Only one word for the guy: incompetent† (358). This correspondent describes McCandless journey as ‘pathetic’ and McCandless as ‘incompetent’ person. Words of this correspondent criticize the act of McCandless without any substantial information. This shows thatShow MoreRelatedModernist Drama Essay2500 Words   |  10 Pagescreate dramatic masterpieces that thrill, dazzle and overwhelm the audience by appealing to their emotions. However, the dawn of twentieth century gave rise to new theatrical forms that take the audience into a world of unfamiliarity and deep introspection. While modern plays differ vastly in form, scope and origin, they all deviate from Aristotle’s code by rejecting the fundamental belief that a drama must arouse specific emotions in its spectators. Specifically, the plays of Anton Chekhov, BertoltRead MoreWho Goes with Fergus11452 W ords   |  46 Pagesgong-tormented sea,† then being made into permanent artifacts by â€Å"the golden smithies of the Emperor.† It is impossible to say whether this is all or part of Yeats’s intention, and it is difficult to see how the prevalent symbols of the afterlife connect thematically to the topic of images (how could images be dead?). For all its difficulty and almost unfixed quality of meaning—the poem is difficult to place even within the context of A Vision—the intriguing imagery and sensual language of the poemRead MoreTexts Fof Written Discourse7878 Words   |  32 Pagesbullet-proof vest. 8. Miss Pope remained a quiet source of support through the awful transition from a sunny childhood to a dark adolescence. Cards would arrive at Christmas, and every summer, detailing walking holidays with Sheena and the abundance of wild flowers in Devon and Cornwall. â€Å"Don’t fret about what others think of you,† she wrote once. â€Å"Just work hard, remember that it’s all right to be yourself, and try to laugh at the bad bits.† Her teaching was sensible, solid and compassionate. The valuesRead MoreTexts Fof Written Discourse7893 Words   |  32 Pagesbullet-proof vest. 8. Miss Pope remained a quiet source of support through the awful transition from a sunny childhood to a dark adolescence. Cards would arrive at Christmas, and every summer, detailing walking holidays with Sheena and the abundance of wild flowers in Devon and Cornwall. â€Å"Don’t fret about what others think of you,† she wrote once. â€Å"Just work hard, remember that it’s all right to be yourself, and try to laugh at the bad bits.† Her teaching was sensible, solid and compassionate. 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Long-Term Planning Free Essays

â€Å"Pay yourself first† is a standard commitment device used by financial planners seeking to encourage disciplined saving and budgeting; it is also the principle underlying US payroll-deduction 401(k) plans. These plans are one of the most successful commitment devices in current use, and they are formulated such that contributions are automatically deducted from workers’ pay before the money can be spent. As such, saving in 401(k)-type plans would be best for my personal situation, as participation rates in 401(k)-type plans, where payroll deduction is the norm, are at least four times as high as for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) (Mitchell and Utkus, 2004), where structured payroll deductions are uncommon. We will write a custom essay sample on Long-Term Planning or any similar topic only for you Order Now Additionally, I am given the liberty to exert some control over how my money is invested (subject to some constraints), and receive the risk and reward for those investments. Since my tax rate when I retire would be presumably higher than my tax rate before retirement, I would likewise be better off with a Roth IRA than a traditional IRA because I won’t have to pay tax on my withdrawals at the higher rates. I can withdraw the money I contributed to a Roth IRA penalty-free anytime, since I already paid tax on it so the government would not care. Since I would not probably need my money I invested in Roth IRA for at least five years from now, my money will be tax-free on withdrawal. The catch is that I cannot know for sure what my tax rate would be when I retire, but I can find several online calculators that will help me compare results with a Roth IRA versus traditional IRA. Further, the new Roth IRA provisions apply even if I am covered under my employer’s retirement program. Lastly, the SEP proves to be a promising retirement plan based on my personal situation. Although the SEP is an employer-provided retirement plan, record-keeping and tax reporting are simplified, a plus factor for me. The higher limit in a SEP makes this plan as attractive as the profit-sharing plan, but easier and less costly to administer, which are two of my foremost criteria when choosing a fitting retirement plan for myself. WORK CITED Mitchell, O. Utkus, S. (Eds.). (2004). Pension Design and Structure: New Lessons from Behavioral Finance. Oxford, England How to cite Long-Term Planning, Essay examples

Calamitatum Of The Individual Essay Example For Students

Calamitatum Of The Individual Essay In the realm of critical thinking, Abelard undoubtedly ranked highly in his day. He was an expert dialectician, philosopher and theologian, and as a result led a movement towards individual thinking. He traveled a lonely path of individuality, and when his ideas were suppressed, he found different ways to express his individuality. The beginning of his life was marked by extreme personal freedom. As his journey through life continued, he found himself compounded with innumerable restrictions. The role of monk could not change Abelard, and his individuality brought him even greater misfortune. He may forewarn others against the risks of such extreme individualism, but his life clearly shows that Abelard thought his individuality was a natural part of him, a part that was as inseparable as his faith. From the beginning of Abelards Story of my Calamities he portrays himself as an individual. The as oldest child in his family his life was intended for a military career, but as he tells us, he abandoned Mars for Minerva, denouncing the popular and glorious profession of arms for that of learning. In writing this he shows his clever and distinct way of thinking by referring to dialectic, the art of examining options or ideas logically, as a weapon of war. I chose the weapons of dialectic to all the other teachings of philosophy, and armed with these I chose the conflicts of disputation instead of the trophies of war. (p. 58, ll. 7-9). This is remarkable for the son of a soldier to make such a choice even renouncing his inheritance and pursue only intellectual advancement. Leaving home, he traveled off to school in Paris. He was welcomed for a short while, but soon found disfavor with his teacher Champeaux, the grand master of dialectic at the time, by refuting his arguments and proving himself several times to be the superior in debate. This shows Abelards superior intellect at a very early age. This is no doubt a major reason for his individuality. One of his intellectual rank finds it hard to conform to others standards, and naturally becomes a spectacle when showing his skills. This early conflict caused Abelard to leave and start his own school. Unfortunately, he could not maintain it and had to return home. Years later he was teaching in Paris again, he tells us how pupils flocked to him from every country in Europe, a statement which is more than corroborated by the authority of his contemporaries. He was, In fact, the idol of Paris, eloquent, vivacious, handsome, full of confidence in his own power to please. As he tells us, the whole world at his feet. In the Story of My Calamities, he confesses that at that period of his life he was filled with vanity and pride. I began to think myself the only philosopher in the world, with nothing to fear from anyone, and so I yielded to the lusts of the flesh. (p.65, ll.13-15). The first part of this statement is a window into what made Abelard an individual. He felt that he did not have to follow the same rules that other people did because he was superior to them. The result was a man that did things differently, for better or for worse. The second part of that statement lead Abelard down his next path of individuality, the first to cause him physical pain. To these faults he attributes his downfall, which was as swift and tragic as was everything, seemingly, in his dazzling career. He tells us in graphic language the tale of how he fell in love with Heloise, niece of Canon Fulbert. .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a , .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .postImageUrl , .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a , .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:hover , .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:visited , .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:active { border:0!important; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:active , .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue32a25b0be952234ee647e547eaa884a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Who is the person whom affected EssayIn the midst of his exploits he met Heloise, and in the first time writing about her in The Story of My Calamities he describes her individuality. in the extent of her learning she stood supreme. A gift for letters is so rare in women that it added greatly to her charm and had won her renown throughout the realm. (p.66 ll.15-17). This shows that Abelard valued individuality highly in others as well as in himself. He arranged an agreement with Heloises uncle to educate her, and gained access to Heloise. Their relationship encompassed the maximum in personal freedom and experimentation. They had a premarital sexual affair of unparalleled proportion. The whole affair was entirely against the rules of society at the time, and was the culmination of the progressive pattern of freedoms, turned into the abuse of opportunity. Soon after Abelards individuality and superiority caught up to him. Heloise became pregnant, and Abelard could not successfully sidestep the ethics of society again. To appease her uncle, Abelard offered him satisfaction in a form he could never have hoped for: I would marry the girl I had wronged. (p.70, ll.6-7). In this offer, Abelard showed that he was out of touch, because to marry in secret was really just an insult, and he considered it a complement of the highest magnitude. As a result of this final insult, the uncle could not contain his rage any longer, and had Abelard castrated. This very profoundly caused him pain for the rest of his life. Then Abelard embarked down his last path, but still as an individual. He made the decision to become a monk. About this decision he writes, I admit that it was shame and confusion in my remorse and misery that rather than any devout wish for conversion which brought me to seek shelter a monastery cloister. (p.76, ll.15-17). Abelard is distinguishing himself from others by demonstration that while he made a choice that others had also made, he made the choice for special reasons, reasons that are different from anyone elses. Of course, as soon as he was positioned in this monastery, he started making waves with the head of the monastery, and doing things not expected of a monk: I applied myself mainly to the study of the Scriptures as being more suitable to my present calling, but I did not wholly abandon the instruction of the profane arts in which I was better practiced. (P. 77, l.31) This aroused the envy and hatred of the other heads of school against me. (P.78, l.5) It would seem that Abelards extreme individuality led him into trouble no matter where he turned, or what endeavour he undertook. When he did apply himself to religion, he got himself into more trouble than even he expected. In his most unpopular argument he says that even though there is only one God, God did not beget Himself, even though there is the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost. This sets off a multitude of enemies against Abelard, and is the beginning of a very bad reputation for him. He refuses to recant anything he has said, and is forced to his own book burned. This attack on his pride was the one to cause him the most pain. Abelard is harassed at every step by enemies, and eventually he moved to the wilderness. Abelard lived there in an oratory of weeds and thatch (p.88, l. 22), while other his peers surely would have thought of him as uncivil. This shows that Abelard really just doesnt even care what anyone thinks. Soon, many eager student appeared at the wilderness spot, and a school was eventually created. Being an irrepressible individual, Abelard titles the school controversial name of Paraclete as a way of reemphasizing his beliefs about God, causing enemies to attack him. He is again forced to leave for fear of injury or death. .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 , .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .postImageUrl , .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 , .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:hover , .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:visited , .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:active { border:0!important; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:active , .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8 .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u962e3b4d81fe467297e4290f116d53a8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Xerox Persuasive EssayHis refusal to conform to the certain norms of society was consistent even when his life was endangered. It comes to the point where he states, But now Satan has put so many obstacles in my path that I can find nowhere to rest, or even to live; a fugitive and wanderer, I carry every where the curse of Cain (p.102, ll.15-17). With standing all adversity Abelard proves himself definitely a true individual Through good times and bad, that is maybe his only constant. Even though in closing Abelard says, This is my experience all the time; a poor monk raised to be an abbot, the more wretched as I have become more wealthy, in order that my example may curb the ambition of those who have deliberately chosen a similar course. (p.104, ll. 18-21), it is painfully clear that the lone path of individuality was the only route for him.