We discussed in class how the physicality of a person often determines whether or not a character is evil. Many times if the character does not live up to what the culture considers normal, he or she is evil. I believe this happens outside of the stories as well. For example, if we see someone wearing all black, we immediately assume that they are Gothic, dark, evil and worship the devil. Well, did you ever stop and think maybe they just love black for some reason? It does not matter the reason why, but its the assumption.
When I was younger, I remember watching an adventure movie by the name of The Goonies. There was a specific character who was deformed and in captivity with evil people. However, he was not really evil. And when the kids saw him, they feared him because of his facial features. It was not normal to see someone with deformed features. His deformity determined he was evil. The children eventually made friends with him, and he help them overcome the very people that had him in bondage.
Can you be considered evil from assuming? There is a cliche that states, “Never judge a book by its cover.” And I believe it is a human flaw to judge. We do it sometimes and do not even notice it! Just by the way a person walks through a door, we automatically have a thought of the person having attitude problems. But that is the same thing as looking at someone and assuming they are evil! So lets think of the last time we looked at someone and had a negative thought! Remember we are just as evil if we assume. Test the waters before you miss the best swim of your life!
I like the connection that you made with the goonies.
ReplyDeletePreach! Assumption is major part of characterizing one as evil. I definitely agree that is human nature to judge naturally... Even though Gilgamesh knew that Humbaba was the light of the forest, he still went by his assumption. I question whether humans mistake assumptions for instinct or intuition. I think we do but we don't realize it.
ReplyDeleteThats so true Nana! Look who is preaching! And it is something that needs to be changed! We went to wars and more over "intuition". Oh he or she is a threat to our society. But we do not even truly know the person. Its a flaw, that needs to be fixed or we will be in deeper situations in life!
DeleteThis reminded me of last year when we read "The Scarlet Letter". Chillingworth had a limp b/c his legs were uneven and he had a hunched back. People assumed he was evil. I think in that case, his outer appearance reflected his feelings on the inside though. I do agree that it's human nature to judge someone's appearance before knowing who they are.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, its human nature. We sometimes judge people without taking a step back and looking at ourselves. Great connections Al-Jeanette!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you also. Sometimes I believe that people should take a step back and look at themselves before they judge others. Everyone has a skeleton in their closet, so no one is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLooks can be deceiving
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Aljeanette, however that's not always as easy as it sounds. I think it's human nature to prejudge someone before really getting to know them. We sometimes unconsciously form this preconcieved idea of what a person might be like based off of what they wear and how they look. Is it always done purposely, of course not! But I feel it's in our nature to do that because we do it without even realizing sometimes! Stereotypes all play a major role in the prejudgement of someone else but let me not get i to that cause I'll be on here writing forever LOL
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