Comparing Plato s The Republic Of 380bce And One Of The...

Plato wrote the Republic in 380BCE and one of the key themes in the book is the theory of justice (C. D. C. Reeve, 2004). In this essay, we will follow the three main views of justice set out by , Glaucon (Ademantus) and Socrates highlighted in Plato’s The Republic. Whilst Thrasymachus explains a very simple and easily understood view of justice, seeing it as the laws created by the rulers of a city, there is no input from anybody else (Lampert, 2010, p260) In my opinion, Glaucon has a much stronger view of justice, explaining that it is split into 3 types of good, laborious good, good for the benefit of others and good for the sake of being virtuous (Ophir, 2002), he also explains about the origin of justice and the social contract signed†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœSocrates describes Thrasymachus with images of wildness and vulgarity (336b, d; 344d)’ (N. Pappas, 1995). This discourteous and offensive image of Thrasymachus is useful when studying the context o f his theory of justice, because his theory of justice is just as pessimistic and despondent (Guthrie, 1969). Thrasymachus begins by describing justice as ‘nothing other than the advantage of the stronger’ (Plato, 338c). From this, it is interpreted that he defines justice as a fake system whose agenda is controlled by the rich and powerful and use it to exploit the poor and vulnerable (Cleary, Glurtler, 1998). This view can be offensive to certain sections of society but Thrasymachus continues anyhow explaining how justice does not have a set definition and is interpreted by the power structure, in the modern world, this means that justice is decided by the ruling government of the day (Cleary, Glurtler,1998). Santas (2010) argues that in Thrasymachus’ view, by observing the laws of your country, you are considered just and by breaking the laws and facing punishment you are considered unjust. The problem with this system of justice is that the ruling party make laws in their own favour and consequently there are different interpretations of justice across different nations. An example could be censorship in autocratic governments such as North Korea where criticising the government is seen as

George Orwell s Animal Farm - 942 Words

George Orwells Animal Farm (1945) is an illustrious political novella which delineates the fact that the Utopian Ideology of communism is not perfect. Orwells eagerness to express his view on the Russian Republic led him to produce his satirical and metaphoric masterpiece; Animal Farm. The fictitious text based on the events manifest in the Russian Revolution show how communism fails as power corrupts minds, displayed in the novella with Animalism. Napoleon, the main protagonist portrays the leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin. Through certain themes and literary features, Orwell explains how communism is not ideal. George Orwell was born in 1903 in India was educated in England. In England Orwell noticed that the school treated the wealthier kids better than the poorer ones. In 1922 Orwell had joined the Indian Imperial Force there he served for 5 years in Burma until he resigned to become a full time writer. Late in 1936 Orwell had made the journey to Spain for the sole purpose of fighting against the republicans whom were against the republicans whom were against Francos Nationalists. Orwell had no choice but to flee from Spain due to the Soviet-backed communists who were repressing revolutionary socialist disputes. This experience was the reason for him being a life long anti-socialist. The ordeal along with his yearning to write, he developed the Dystopian novel; Animal farm to show his politIcal standpoint on the Russian Republic. His thoughts, hisShow MoreRelatedGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm958 Words   |  4 PagesImagine that you were an animal s or citizen living under Napoleon or St alin rule and the fear that your life can be taken always from you at any time. In the novel of Animal Farm, George Orwell he wanted to show how a book is a sarcasm of the Russian Revolution during the communist years and the satire of that time between Trotsky and Stalin. Where Orwell chose to create his character base of the common people of Russia at the time of the Revolution. Animal Farm is a social or allegory about NapoleonRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1361 Words   |  6 Pagesfarmer, but of late he had fallen on evil days†(Orwell 38). In Animal Farm George Orwell describes life for the animals on a farm in the english countryside during the mid to early 20th century before, during and after a revolution against their master Mr.Jones in order to represent the russian revolution and describe to people throughout the free world how leaders in both capitalist and communist societies oppress the working class as a result Orwell s tone throughout the novel is concern ed. TsarRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1392 Words   |  6 Pages George Orwell Never Misuses Words In what was a vastly controversial novel published in 1945, George Orwell’s Animal Farm describes the horrific brand of communism in the Soviet Union and the conscious blindness that most of the West accepted at that time. Although Orwell labeled Animal Farm as a fairy tale, this historically parallel novel branches into the genres of political satire, fable, and allegory as well. What made Animal Farm so controversial among the â€Å"British socialists† and WesternRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1395 Words   |  6 PagesGeorge Orwell’s Animal Farm: The Power of Corruption In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Orwell illustrates how power corrupts absolutely and how Napoleon degrades the structure and stability of Animal Farm because of the decisions that he makes. I will also expand on the idea of how Old Major’s ideas for an organized society get completely destroyed by Napoleon’s revolutionary actions. It was ironic and satirical that Napoleon’s own power annihilates Animal Farm. The satire in George Orwell’s AnimalRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm922 Words   |  4 Pages In the novel Animal Farm, by George Orwell, the wisest boar of the farm, Old Major, mimics Karl Marx, the â€Å"Father of Communism,† and Vladimir Lenin, a Russian communist revolutionary. George Orwell introduces direct parallels between the respected figures through their mutual ideas of equality and profoundly appreciated qualities. Furthermore, his utilization of dialect and descriptions represent the key ideas of the novel. Throughout the novel, Orwell continues to show comparisons betweenRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1463 Words   |  6 Pagesbut of late he had fallen on evil days†(Orwell 38). In Animal Farm, George Orwell describes life for the animals on a farm in the English countryside during the mid to early 20th century before, during and after a revolution against their master, Mr.Jones. Orwell does this to represent the Russian revolution and describe to people throughout the free world how leaders in both capitalist and communist societi es oppress the working class. As a result Orwell s tone throughout the novel is concernedRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1645 Words   |  7 PagesPeople respond to control and power differently for various reasons, however, one of the main reasons is based on their personality; their confidence and intelligence. In, Animal Farm by George Orwell, confidence and intelligence is a big factor for why certain animals obtained power and control and why other ones did not. People with confidence and intelligence are likely to gain most of the control and power. People with little intelligence, but lots of confidence are more likely to have someRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1449 Words   |  6 Pagesconcept that the animals in George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm crave. The animals of Animal Farm want freedom from their â€Å"dictator† Farmer Jones and the rest of humanity. Their problem is that Farmer Jones and humanity are still in power. With the bravery of two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, the animals overthrow their human oppressors and free themselves from humanity. With his new freedom Napoleon craves power and expels Snowball. He becomes the dictator of Animal Farm and makes the farm a place whereRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1360 Words   |  6 Pagesquestion minus the answer.† In George Orwell’s â€Å"Animal Farm†, the author raises the question whether the type of government, communism, is feasible in a community without leading to a type of dictatorship or totalitarianism. Orwell presents the idea that communism is a good idea in theory, but it always leads to corruption by the people who take power. The author presents the novel as an entertaining fable featuring an animal revolution; however, beneath this storyline Orwell utilizes literary devicesRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Animal Farm1403 Words   |  6 PagesGeorge Orwell believes â€Å"What you get over and over again is a movement of the proletaria t which is promptly characterized and betrayed by astute people at the top and then the growth of a new governing class. The one thing that never arrives is equality† (Letemendia 1). Orwell simply loathes revolution and thinks it is unfair to the majority, for the people. He thinks that while individuals change, the people in power are always corrupt and they will corrupt any attempt at change. He communicates

French and Haitian Revolution Comparisons - 1531 Words

9 January 2013 How France started a Revolution across the Atlantic Throughout history, there have been dozens of times when people were extremely upset with the government that was ruling over them. However, these angry citizens only revolt a fraction of the time, due to fear of the government. Two examples of when people stood up for their rights and revolted are the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution. These revolts are loosely connected, as many say that the Haitian Revolution was inspired by the French Revolution. The French Revolution started in 1789 and continued all the way until 1814. The people in France had discontent with the classes, as 98% of the French population was living in serious poverty. The French people†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"According to Revolutionary French legislation, slaves should have been free. Nevertheless, fear and profit momentarily bound them to a lucrative business. Revolution was the only alternative.†(Bromely). After they were not freed even though the document clearly said all men are born free, the slaves saw rebellion as the only way they were going to truly get their freedom. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen made slaves really hungry for freedom, which is one of the reasons that they ended up starting the slave revolt. (â€Å"The Declaration of the Rights†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). Finally, Haiti got quite a bit of their motivation and reason for revolt from some of the Eighteenth century Enlightenment philosophers. These philosophers played a very big role in the development of many revolutions across the globe, including Haiti’s. â€Å"Throughout history, revolutions have started because of new ideas that change thinking and disrupt the status quo. The Haitian Revolution of 1789-1804 is no exception.†(Nicholson). The main philosopher that the Haitians took their ideas from is John Locke. Some of Locke’s ideas were previously unheard of, and started quite a debate when he published his books. These ideas gave people a new view on the way that things were seen all across the world, and gave people ideas they would have never had before. (â€Å"The Enlightenment†) â€Å"A government, he said, has an obligation to the people it governs. If a government fails its obligations or violatesShow MoreRelatedEssay On The Causes Of The French And American Revolution1061 Words   |  5 PagesThe American, French, Haitian, and Mexican revolutions are epitomes of responsible citizens advocating for social and political upheaval in hopes of saving and furthering their states. These revolutions, more than others, exemplify nations that rebelled against governments which maliciously abused their power. The American Revolution focused on achieving independence from Britain, as Britain abused their power by unfairly taxing colonists. The Mexican Revolution concentrated on eliminating dictatorshipRead MoreThe Revolutionary War : Wim Klooster s Book Revolutions1114 Words   |  5 PagesWim Klooster’s book Revolutions in the Atlantic World expresses the deep roots of the revolutionary war period throughout various locations and circumstances. He strives to express the causes, effects, and the political civil war which caused the great uproar in the once colonial lands. This shift in history is noted in Klooster’s book and expanded upon in his chapter entitled â€Å"The Revolution’s Compared.† He notes the various commonalities between the American, French, Haitian, and Spanish AmericanRead MoreAge of Revolutions Essay1523 Words   |  7 Pages) What do you think was the most important outcome of the Age of Revolutions? There have been several vital products of the Age of Revolutions but most importantly was the introduction of post-colonial attitudes with the need of self-governess away from empires overseas. This was achieved through the democracy and constitutions which still are the most important legacy existing in the modern world. It this outcome that societies were able to create influential pieces of works and change how societiesRead MoreThe Haitian Revolution1975 Words   |  8 Pagesrebellion is called the Haitian Revolution. The Haitian Revolution is one of the largest slave revolts that have ever occurred. Finally fed up with oppression, severed rights under the French, and failed promises of liberty, the slaves of Saint Domingue took matters into their own hands. After years of violence and struggles for freedom, the slaves of Saint Domingue finally were emancipated, making all their efforts worthwhile. The Haitian Revolution is the most notable revolution that have ever occurredRea d MoreThe African Of African Descent1400 Words   |  6 Pagestheir liberty in even the smallest of ways, although large-scale slave rebellions were most common in areas where slaves outnumbered the enslavers. These large-scale rebellions include the famous Stono rebellion, which took place in 1739, the Haitian Revolution of the year 1791, and the 1733 slave insurrection on the island of Saint John. The 1733 rebellion of Saint John’s population of slaves was started on November 23, 1733. Slaves infiltrated a military fort by pretending to only be deliveringRead MoreThe Age of Revolutions1515 Words   |  7 PagesThe Age of Revolutions is often a term used for a period of time, usually between 1760 -1848. Although the term encompasses many revolutions across the globe, it isn’t very often that these events are examined as a whole; compared and contrasted to show the similarities, differences, and even some potential catalytic properties between them. The book The Age of Revolutions in Global Context, c. 1760-1840, put together and edited by David Armitage and Sanjay Subrahmanyam, is a book of essays collaboratedRead MoreEffects Of The French Revolution On The World1907 Words   |  8 PagesCarolina Swindel Dr. Frost; MYP World History, Period 1 30 October 2015 The Effects of the French Revolution on the World After the American Revolutionary War the French were left with millions of dollars in debt because of their efforts to help the U.S defeat the British. Charles Alexandre de Calonne, the Controller-General of Finances in 1786 attempted to fix the money problem but his ideas on reform offended the French Parliament so much that Louis XVI was forced to dismiss him. The Controller-GeneralRead MoreAnalysis Of John Locke And Toussaint L Ouverture1938 Words   |  8 Pagesone’s true self. In the Haitian Revolution: L’Ouverture written by Jean Bertrand Aristide, Aristide presents the story and ideology of Toussaint L’Ouverture. L’ Ouverture fought for the freedom of black slaves. Although he supported the uprising, L’Ouverture had the idea of still following the rules already set in place. He wanted those who were oppressed to continue to play by the remaining rules. Thus, showing that the Haitians were not stooping to the level of the French Government. L’ OuvertureRead MoreThe Lasting Effect Of Colonialism On Haiti1961 Words   |  8 Pageslasting effects of colonialism in Haiti especially in comparison to the Dominican Republic which shares the same island. While Haiti, formerly Saint Domingue under French control, was at one time the world’s wealthiest sugar and coffee producer, the tides have changed in terms of Haiti’s economy and it is now one of the worst off in terms of measurement of GDP per capita and income inequality. This change largely took place after the Haitian revolution, which transformed Haiti’s economy to a rural subsistenceRead MoreRastafari and Vodou Essay2432 Words   |  10 Pagesconquest and the subsequent slave system used to cultivate economic interests. The Haitian Vodou tradition and the Jamaican Rastafarian movement developed out of similar histories, each with their own ideology, theology, and social functions. Although these two religions share many elements, it is interesting to recognize the distinct developments created out of shared circumstances. In comparing and contrasting the Haitian and Jamaican experiences, I am going to focus on three themes that are consistent

Cultural Impact of The Great Gatsby free essay sample

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, written in 1925, depicts a portion of Nick Carraway’s life characterized by the time he is influenced by the mysterious Jay Gatsby and his extensive pursuit of his former flame and Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan. Set in the year 1922, the novel occurs during the thriving period of prosperity in America where materialism set the tone of society as reflected by the main characters’ economic successes. However, Fitzgerald illustrates the price of prosperity as he portrays its negative effects such as the greed, lies, and deceit the characters possess in order to satirize the selfish way many were choosing to live. The characters Fitzgerald portrays represent distinct social groups who ultimately face their own struggles, demonstrating how uncertain the culture of the 1920s really was. Because he creates characters that personify the American Dream, juxtaposes western and eastern American cultures, incorporates examples of law breaking under Prohibition, and depicts the corruption of the wealthy, Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby as a reflection of America’s culture in the early twentieth century by highlighting the culture’s successes and failures. Fitzgerald’s illustration of the American Dream within his characters directly echoed the society’s high-esteemed qualities of success and delight. In the time period immediately following the Civil War until the Great Depression, America experienced a period of rapid growth and fortune, especially located in this novel’s setting, New York (â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Novels 74). A mentionable character representing the American Dream was Jordan Baker and her representation of women’s independence. The 1920s marked a key time of change in the social status of women as so called â€Å"flappers† defied the traditional norms for conduct and dress, and women finally received the right to vote (â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Novels 74). Jordan is direct and critical all while being collected and intelligent; she defies the typical standard of the effervescent, submissive women of her time and instead represents a new breed of women, all standardized by the future of American prosperity and affluence. In addition, Gatsby himself also perfectly personifies one who represents all things pertaining to the American Dream: wealth, happiness, and prosperity; he is able to attain his success while chasing after his perfect girl, Daisy. The son of deprived farmers, Gatsby had built himself up from practically nothing, and he â€Å"sprang from his Platonic conception of himself† into a man who truly represented the American Dream (Fitzgerald 98). Modeled after his closest friend and mentor, Dan Cody, who also was a self-made man, Gatsby acquired a vast amount of wealth and fortune with perseverance and a fixed purpose in mind. This desire of Americans to reach such a high social status and level of attainment was no better displayed through the ability that Gatsby possessed as he faithfully stuck to the conception of himself he desired to be and eventually obtained it. In addition to the perception of the American Dream, the opposing cultures of the Midwest and Eastern regions of the United States are depicted by Fitzgerald and embody the characters’ morals. Nick began his life in the Midwest and always regards it as his home and the place where he belongs, which is directly reflected in his unhappiness and ability to see the corruption of those who reside in the East; conversely, Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby all have roots in the Midwest, were drawn to the East, and remain there, blind to the horrors occurring in their daily lives. To Nick, the way that Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby line up morally â€Å"correlates with their geographical choice of lifestyle† (â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Novels 73); in other words, Nick’s unsophistication and simplicity reflect his admiration for the Midwest just as Tom’s, Daisy’s and Gatsby’s materialistic and immoral behaviors mirror their affinity for the fast-paced life of New York. As further proof of Nick’s morals, he declines Gatsby’s reward for reuniting him with Daisy, a risky business deal that would provide Nick with a surplus of money, as he realizes its faults, and he retains his dignity. As Nick continues to realize, although the East appears to glitter with fascinating opportunities and excitement, it lacks the strong moral values encompassed in those like himself from the Midwest. Ironically enough, Nick resides in West Egg while Tom and Daisy reside in East Egg, this being analogous to where they find their moral values and happiness. Overall, the cultures in the East and Midwest are represented clearly through the characters’ actions, decisions, and values throughout the novel as examples of Fitzgerald’s way of highlighting social flaws. Alongside the juxtaposition of the Midwest and the East, Fitzgerald also reflects the culture of the 1920’s with descriptions of Prohibition and the law breaking that came as a result. Historically speaking, with influential leaders of temperance movements that believed in the dangers of alcohol and its ability to disrupt families, the Volstead Act was put into effect outlawing the â€Å"manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors† (â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Literature 147). However, the act was greatly ignored by Americans who continued to drink on a regular basis as shown in Gatsby’s extravagant parties where alcohol is in abundance. Gatsby is accurately accused of being a â€Å"bootlegger† by those who attend his parties as he displays no signs of difficulty acquiring liquor and breaking the law (Fitzgerald 17). Most suppliers of alcohol during Prohibition were highly esteemed since one who could live on the edge and â€Å"without restraint† was admired (â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Literature 151). In spite of this, Gatsby is actually more ignored and used as opposed to honored. His efforts to reacquaint himself with Daisy through massive parties instead prove to be areas where those yearning for liquor could obtain their desired alcohol with little to no regard toward their host; this is exemplified in the fact that Owl Eyes is the only character other than Nick to attend both Gatsby’s lavish parties and his funeral. Fitzgerald illustrates the era of Prohibition by displaying Gatsby’s flagrant misuse of the law, which only results in his own demise and failure as he perishes the same way he entered the city of New York with himself being his only true friend. Together with the examples of deceit under Prohibition, Fitzgerald’s novel was inspired by the corruption of certain Americans during the 1920s as reflected in the actions and deceit used by the major characters he created. A prime example of such an immoral character is Meyer Wolfsheim who, as Gatsby nonchalantly stated, â€Å"fixed the World Series back in 1919† (Fitzgerald 73); the character of Wolfsheim acts as a representation of the man who was actually responsible for the crime, Arnold Rothstein. This so called â€Å"Black Sox Fix† proved to be an enormous scandal in the early twentieth century as Rothstein, Wolfsheim in the novel, was able to get away with committing the crime with clever and crooked smarts while obtaining a large sum of money. Similar to Wolfsheim’s unethical lifestyle, the character of Tom Buchanan also proves to reflect the judgmental attitudes of several biased and racist people in the novel’s era with his claims that â€Å"civilization is going to pieces† and â€Å"if we don’t look out, the white race will be . . . utterly submerged† (Fitzgerald 13). Ironically, with Wolfsheim being a powerful Jewish man who is more successful than Tom, his perceived fears become a reality (â€Å"The Great Gatsby† Literary 271); despite his unethical conclusions of other races, Tom struggles with the fact that he cannot combat the future success of others as proof of his immoral values. Tom’s unethical conduct is further reflected in several other characters in The Great Gatsby who resort to lying in order to reach success, which ultimately leads to their demise. Myrtle’s affair with Tom is her approach of taking advantage of him to reach an extravagant lifestyle, Daisy allows Gatsby to take the blame for Myrtle’s death without regret, and Gatsby changes his whole name and way of life in order to feel personally accomplished; all eventually realize that the happiness they expected to receive in the end resulted in misery, especially with the deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby. The journey to reaching a fulfilling life and the American Dream came with struggles, and many people resorted to crime and dishonest behavior as a way to circumvent their actual problems. Fitzgerald’s characters that each selfishly overcome different hardships with corrupt solutions represent the immoral mindset of success-hungry people in the 1920s proving that the culture of Fitzgerald’s time was accurately mirrored in his novel. Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in the â€Å"Roaring Twenties,† an era largely influenced by gaudiness, independence, and corruptness, which is immediately reflected in the central characters and events that occur in the novel’s plot. The book will always be considered a great classic in American literature for its exceptional plot and the themes it conveys. Fitzgerald incorporates the topics surrounding his era into this classic of the American Dream, the contrasting cultures of the Midwest and East, the struggles under Prohibition, and the immoral behaviors exemplified throughout the nation. Fitzgerald captured this period of rapid post-war growth and the frenzy surrounding the era with insightful examples of the deleterious effects of superficial behavior. He accurately describes and critiques this materialistic society in order to leave a lasting impact on the public to recognize the inevitable failure of their economy and success waiting. ? Works Cited