The irrationality of human existence within the The Outsider by Albert Camus and A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Essay Example

The irrationality of human existence within the The Outsider by Albert Camus and A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Essay Example The irrationality of human existence within the The Outsider by Albert Camus and A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Paper The irrationality of human existence within the The Outsider by Albert Camus and A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Paper Essay Topic: Literature The Outsider reflects Camus philosophical theory, referred to as the theory of the absurd, that there is no rational meaning in human existence. He believes that humanity is unable to accept this truth and so search for meaning where, in actual fact, none exists. This idea is explored implicitly through the character of Meursault, the narrator and protagonist of the novel. Moreover, aspects of Camus theory can be identified within Ibsens play, A Dolls House. The play illustrates humanitys search for meaning of which Camus suggests, although Ibsens intention was merely to portray the oppression of nineteenth century marriages. In the novel The Outsider, the protagonist, Meursault, is depicted as a man who does not possess any rational meaning in his thoughts or actions. When put in a room with several other prisoners, most of them Arabs1 and is asked what he had done unlawful, Meursault simply replies that he killed an Arab1. Then, he carries on recounting other aspects of the occasion such as his sleeping mat and how he could just see the sea2 through the tiny window. This scene demonstrates how Meursault is not concerned with judgment as he does not ponder over what should or should not be said in order to conform to the accepted morals of society. His candid reply exhibits his irrational nature, both in thought and action, seeing as he does not think any further of the incident or have an explanation for what had happened. In addition, he carries on noticing the physical matters surrounding him despite their insignificance to the situation. Camus creates such a character to exemplify the true nature of human beings, according to him. He does not make it so that Meursault is a supporter of societys customs in order to clarify the characters status as an outsider. Meursault is perceived as an outsider to society because of his acceptance that there is no rational meaning in human existence. Furthermore, his way of thinking and the way he acts show no basis on reason, but more so, on irrationality. This proves that, for Meursault, rational meaning is nonexistent. Camus emphasizes this through the simple language used throughout the novel. He writes in first person perspective and without the use of adjectives and metaphors to reflect Meursaults straightforward nature and how his interest lies in physical truth rather than interpretations. An illustration is when Meursault receives a telegram from the home. It announces: Mother passed away3. Meursault only states that it could have happened today or yesterday but that he do esnt know. This reveals his concern for the physical truth and his lack of response to the situation. He does not continue on to expressing his sentiment which also illustrates his indifference to humanity. In contrast to Meursaults character, Ibsen creates his protagonist as one who does base thoughts and actions on the basis of rationality. When asked if it ever occurred to Nora Helmer, the protagonist of Ibsens play A Dolls House, that she was committing fraud by forging a signature on an official paper, she replies that it didnt mean anything to her because, at the time, her husband was in a critical state4. She then reasons for the fraud by saying she couldnt stand4 the man she made the deal with as he went through all those cold-blooded formalities4 knowing the difficult situation she was in. Unlike Meursault, Nora seems to be concerned with judgment as she attempts to justify her misdeed with an explanation. This is a representation of what Camus mentions in his theory as Nora searches for a rational meaning in order to conform to the social and moral standards set by society. Initially, Nora is conveyed as a complete adherent to the conventions of society. She did not question nineteenth century marriage norms and accepted her status as a wife and mother. Her husband, Torvald, addressed her as a little sky-lark5, a little squirrel6 as well as a little singing bird7. The recurrence of the word little suggests Noras insignificance and expresses Torvalds condescending attitude towards her. Further, these pet names signify her as purely a plaything. Nora is also symbolized as a plaything by the Christmas tree mentioned at the beginning of the play. She is comparable to a Christmas tree as it possesses a physical beauty about it and can also evoke feelings of warmth as a mother does. However, both the tree and Nora seem to be simple household decorations to Torvald as opposed to anything with genuine worth. As the play progresses, Nora finds herself being more and more oppressed by her marriage and decides to leave behind her family in search of an identity independent from her own as a wife and mother. Her rebellion against her family, and especially her husband, is foreshadowed at the very start of the play as she takes a bag of macaroons out of her pocket and eats one or two5 against her husbands favor. When asked of the matter, she lies directly to him and states that she would never dream of doing anything8 that he didnt want her to. This remark contrasts to Meursaults frank nature as Noras deceitful personality is revealed. Additionally, Noras departure explores Camus theory in the way which she attempts to find meaning in her own existence. By leaving behind her family, she believes she will discover her true identity as somebody more than just a wife and mother. Ibsen uses irony to present this situation by symbolizing Nora as the singing bird which her husband regularly addressed her as. He tells her that she mustnt go dropping her wings7 but, in reality, she does quite the opposite she flies away. The bird is a symbol for her freedom as it is able to fly freely without the limitations of its cage, in Noras case, without the limitations of being a wife and mother. In The Outsider, humanitys search for meaning is also communicated, however, through the other characters rather than the protagonist. Camus uses the motif of observations to exemplify how endless this search for meaning is. In the courtroom of Meursaults trail, the judge observes a witness for a rational answer to either convict or discharge Meursault for the murder previously committed. In response, the witness again repeated9 a futile statement that results in him being asked to sit back down. This scene demonstrates how people attempt to give rational explanations to irrational actions. As the prosecutor is unable to find a rational meaning behind the murder, Meursault is condemned to death for being a menace, or merely an outsider, to the customs of society. His trail beforehand is incorporated to encapsulate humanitys attempt to find rational meaning. It is an illustration of the theory of the absurd because, in the end, there is no rational meaning, and so, this scene successf ully depicts Camus belief that to find rationality in an irrational world is prone to be a failure. This motif of observation also communicates Meursaults emotional detachment, mentioned earlier, as he describes things only as they are, without any interpretation or judgment of it. This detachment is significant as it verifies Meursaults status as an outsider to humanity. He does not do as the majority of people would: form opinions. An illustration of this is when Meursault observes the peculiar little woman10 dining at Celestes. He notices all the physical details such as how she took out a blue pencil11 to write with and the magazine which gave the radio programmes for the week11. He notices these details of color and subject without thinking any deeper about them and, within moments, he forgets about her. This is ironic as she is very similar to Meursault himself yet he regards her as peculiar. Both Camus and Ibsen also explore how appearances can disguise reality. Ibsen displays this through Noras drastic change in character from a seemingly unintelligent and simpleminded woman to someone of strong will and independence, whilst Camus shows that Meursaults appearance as a menacing person is all along masked by societys perception of him as an outsider. In conclusion, both protagonists accept their reality and experience what freedom is to them. For Meursault, he accepts the reality that he is truly an outsider to society whereas for Nora, she accepts the reality that she is not fitted as a wife or mother. For that reason, she decides leave, against the conventions of her time, in order to pursue her own aspirations. However, if Camus philosophy were to be applied to Ibsens play, then Noras search for meaning would ultimately be a failure as no meaning would exist in the first place.

The Mystery of Great Zimbabwe essays

The Mystery of Great Zimbabwe essays Throughout the ages, whispered reports of the Queen of Sheba's stone palace were passed from sailor to sailor through the Portuguese ports. The later discovery of the ruins labelled Great Zimbabwe and their subsequent excavation has resulted in a wider respect for African sites. Moreover, the grave inaccuracies and miscalculations that took place in the excavation of Great Zimbabwe, has shocked the world into the realisation that prejudices and bigotry can be detrimental to the development of historical and archaeological knowledge. The great stone ruins were first uncovered by Portuguese traders in the 16th Century. Sailors continued to visit the site, declaring it to be the remnants of the Queen of Sheba's palace. For nearly 400 years romantic speculation as to the true heritage of the mysterious stonewalls was passed from word of mouth until it reached the coastal trading ports of Mozambique. In 1552, Joo de Barros wrote ofa square fortress, masonry within and without, built of stones of marvellous size and there appears to be no mortar joining them?. The actualdiscovery? of the site was in 1871, by Carl Mauch a young German who had heard the fabled tales of the Queen of Sheba's palace, and was eager to substantiate the tales. He visited a lone German trader who told him ofquite large ruins which could never have been built by blacks? and, on September 5th local Karanga tribesmen led Mauch to the site. The immense stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe are located in the southeast of the African country of Zimbabwe, which, interestingly enough, took its name from the site after gaining independence from Great Britain in 1980. When Mauch viewed the site firsthand, the impressive stonewalls aroused much interest in the site, and their immense and almost impossible construction added credence to the myth that the site was the work of foreigners. Mauch uncovered a series of soapstone and iron relics, which therefore provided concrete ev...

Right to Die Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Right to Die - Essay Example They are against organizations and people who believe that everyone has an intrinsic right and autonomy to choose life or death under any circumstances especially in the face of emotional and physical suffering. People who choose to end their lives under any circumstances have a choice of being euthanized in hospital settings or seek the help of physicians to commit suicide. Euthanasia is the compassionate killing of an individual painlessly. This service is obtainable for people who have terminal, painful and debilitating diseases or handicaps with death being the only hope for them. People who choose death can choose active euthanasia, refuse life prolonging treatments or choose to be assisted to commit suicide. The governing of these services is through various legal requirements including the patient’s state of mind and reasons why they choose to die. Active euthanasia is the deliberate act by a doctor to end a person’s life by use of lethal medicines; passive eutha nasia is the withdrawal of life saving treatments and nourishment that sustains life. Euthanasia is voluntary and must be requested by the patient orally or through written requests. Immediate family members or people bestowed with power of attorneys by patients may also request for the service if the patient is mentally incapacitated, clinically brain dead, or in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). There is persecution of doctors and physicians who administer euthanasia or assist patients who have chosen death over treatment by some sections of the society even in countries that have legalized euthanasia. Some have had their licenses revoked and further punished by jail terms without the consideration that euthanasia takes place on compassionate grounds. Background People are increasingly choosing to die, when medical conditions become unmanageable and they suffer too much emotional and physical pain. Communication for this choice is through both oral and written requests when one is fully competent. Alternatively, through pre- written wills by competent people who direct that they be put to death in the event that they lose their mental faculty due to disease or accidents. People who write advance directives may give instructions on what should be done in case a disease or accident makes them incompetent. Thus, they can refuse life prolonging treatments using life support machines or request for active euthanasia when their diseases make them incompetent, incapacitated or virtually dependent on people for survival. A person may choose death driven by the hate of helplessness and dependence that makes the quality of life poor. When in this state, many people refuse treatment, food and some attempt suicide where euthanasia is not legal. Where euthanasia is legal, it is often the moral responsibility of the family and patient’s physicians to heed the patients requests, upon meeting all legal requirements in which a person has the right to choose to die. Normally, it is only the patient’s doctors and close family members who may decide if the person’s wish to die has any merit, based on medical prognosis, emotional status, mental competence and degree of physical pain. People against the right to choose death believe that causing death on compassionate

Enrollment trends in adult education or training setting, such as Research Paper

Enrollment trends in adult education or training setting, such as community college, university, distance learning, workplace-sp - Research Paper Example However, these statistics are generic and do not account for differences of such elements as race, ethnicity, income, disability or gender. Examination of these numbers from the microscope of these elements increases challenges. Attainment of education has been the most difficult for the poor. In the last 6 years, no more than 8 per cent and 7 per cent of the poor have attained an associate degree and a bachelor degree respectively. This article by Ginsberg and Wlodkowski (n.d.) tends to determine the population that generally participates in adult education, explore the concept of adult participation, the individual and institution specific factors which can increase the adult participation in learning, and the means to ensure greater and equitable participation. The authors started the discussion with the definitions of such terms as adult basic education, access, persistence, formal, informal and nonformal learning, and workplace learning so that the audience may perceive the disc ussion with respect to their understanding of the respective terms. The researchers found that least earning adults with least formal education were least participative in adult education programs while workers aged between 45 and 54 years were the greatest participants of the formal and nonformal education programs. Hispanic adults that did not complete high school were found least likely to participate in formal learning programs in the workplace.

Paid Employment and Identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Paid Employment and Identity - Essay Example According to Kirpal (2011), the company and occupational categories are the source of work-related identity formation processes. Employees form identities as they engage in their job and as they interact with their colleagues and customers giving them a source of commitment, motivation and effective job performance (217). People are also judged according to the work they do rather than who they are and a result people are in continuous search for the right job which brings meaning into their lives. This depends on what individuals view as meaningful work to them and the community as a whole. The question that begs an answer then is what constitutes meaningful work? Klein (2008) observes that content and meaning of work for individuals evolves as technological and economic circumstances change thus making it difficult to find meaning in work and form identities. This paper will explore how paid employment affects identity based on the contextual nature of identity. Identity Identity i s defined by Goffman (1959) as an impression management where we monitor all aspects of behaviour of people we encounter. Identity is therefore like a theatrical performance where actors try to convince the audience that their actions are real when in reality they are not authentic. Actors thus identify the things to be taken into account, act on basis of these identifications and attempt to fit their actions with others in the situation (Burke, 2006). Just like in performances, the actors in society have roles to play and they attach meanings which are derived from culture or from own understanding to themselves while performing the roles. However, the individuals must negotiate meanings derived from own understanding with others who have different views such that self meanings correspond to role behaviour. For example, in a work setting if the role of the worker means service to others, then the worker’s actions or behaviour should match the meaning by attending to customer s needs promptly. Jensen (2011 p. 163), defines identity as â€Å"a process of recognizing and being recognized by those who count.† The nature of identity in this case is relational as individuals try to distinguish themselves from others. For example, in a work situation an individual tries to identify himself by distinguishing himself from non-work situation therefore an individual constitutes his context of development. Jensen also acknowledges that individuals have various identity options which vary across cultural contexts but the individual has to explore the most convenient identity from the available options and make a decision to adopt the chosen identity. According to Goffman (1959), choosing the right option requires negotiation with the other pathways available. For example, people can negotiate on the requirements to fill a certain position or occupation hence set a criterion for identifying with that option. In traditional societies, options were limited as ch ildren followed the path of their parents through apprenticeship hence identified with parent’s occupation. For example, a child from a poor background or uneducated parents was also not educated hence ended in same occupation as parents. However, Rehn (2009) acknowledges that children learn differently from adults and should not be ignored as they also form a

Sexual Harassment Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sexual Harassment - Term Paper Example Review of the Case After reviewing the case of sexual harassment, which went for trial and later on became the law in California, I believe that sexual harassment is a big problem for many of the working women these days. Many women face the problem of sexual harassment when they go to their offices for work. The dilemma is that most of those women do not report sexual advances of their colleagues and managers to anyone because they feel ashamed in front of others. In such cases, offenders get more courage and they continue doing sexual acts with their subordinates. In case of Zurian and Lawicki, Zurian also did not tell anyone about the sexual advances of Zurian, which encouraged Lawicki to continue harassing her sexually. Lawicki harassed Zurian physically and verbally for three years, which is a very awful example of the shameful act of sexual harassment. Lawicki used to grab Zurian’s breasts from behind, pinch her buttocks, touch her crotch, and make sexual inquiries. Zuri an was the subordinate of Lawicki because of which she was afraid that if she told anyone, it would not be good for her professional career. The fact is that there is a limit to everything. A person cannot continue to be victim of a crime for an endless period. That is the reason why Zurian finally decided to contact higher authorities for ending the sexual advances of Lawicki. ... This behavior of higher authorities made Zurian take the decision to resign from job. However, the case did not end here because resignation brought many problems for Zurian. She not only lost a good source of income but also suffered from panic attacks, depression, and sleep disorder. These issues led Zurian file a case against Lawicki because of whom she left the job. The court, after hearing all parties involved in the case, decided to award compensatory damages to Zurian that amounted up to $125000. The court also held Lawicki responsible for the whole situation. It was a good decision by the court as Zurian was compensated for what she had suffered for three years. However, the court did not give her the right for a trial related to punitive damages. Although the court gave compensatory damages to Zurian but did not let her file case for punitive damages. Award of punitive damages was the right of Zurian because she had suffered a great deal from the sexual advances of Lawicki. My Policy at the Workplace The above-mentioned case of sexual harassment will really help me create an effective policy for the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace. I will develop a policy, which will eradicate all sorts of discrimination against the employees along with the incidents of sexual harassment. I will give proper training and education to all employees regarding exhibition of workplace ethics and good moral. I will try to inject the value of workplace ethics in the minds of the employees in order to prevent them from teasing or harassing any other employee. In the above-mentioned case, I have learned that showing negligence towards complaint of any employee results in creating big problems not

Ethics on Surrogate Mothers Essay Example for Free

Ethics on Surrogate Mothers Essay Sometimes couples who cannot conceive a baby by themselves choose to use a surrogate mother, where another woman carries their child. One way of surrogacy is when a woman whos unable to carry a baby to term, but is otherwise fertile, has her embryos transplanted to the surrogate mother. The eggs might be fertilized by the biological father or by artificial insemination if the male has fertility issues. In other cases, a surrogate mother is in fact the biological mother of the child as her very own eggs are used to create the embryo. In certain states, such as Arkansas and Delaware, surrogacy is illegal. Even in states where surrogacy is allowed, it can be quite a complicated process for the non-biological mother to be named as the parent, particularly in cases when the surrogate is the biological mother. The surrogate must sign away her maternal rights so the intended mother can adopt the child. If the sperm of the adoptive mothers husband was used to fertilize the egg, the biological father is named on the childs birth certificate. Many states require a legal contract be drafted between the couple and the surrogate and her spouse or partner detailing all arrangements concerning the pregnancy and birth. The parties involved with a surrogacy contract should seek the advice of legal counsel to be sure that pertinent issues are addressed and that the contract is in compliance with state and local laws involving surrogacy and adoption. Sometimes a surrogate mother changes her mind and refuses to give up her child. However, in states where surrogacy is allowed, the biological mother usually doesnt win custody or visitation rights. Typically, the surrogate and the parents sign an agreement to avoid this from happening. Nonetheless, there’s always the possibility that the surrogate mother might win her case. Many surrogacy agreements state what the surrogate can and cannot do while pregnant. But ultimately, the parents should trust the surrogate mom to do whats in the best interests of the baby. Issues may develop whenever a surrogate breaches the agreement by smoking, abusing drugs or consuming} alcohol while pregnant. As with any pregnancy theres always the possibility for medical or obstetrical troubles, which may hurt the baby or the surrogate mother. For starters, theres the chance of transmission of contagious disease to the surrogate when another womans eggs are transplanted into the surrogate. Because of this, both biological parents should be prescreened. In case a surrogate develops problems in the beginning that put her life at an increased risk, she may want to end the pregnancy. Another issue that may arise is if health practitioners discover learn that the fetus has possible birth defects and other health concerns. In that situation, the parents may choose they cannot continue with the surrogacy. This generates all sorts of legal issues, especially when the sperm is from a donor or eggs other than the surrogates were used for pregnancy. The problem then becomes who gets to determine whether to proceed with the pregnancy. Even though some people see surrogacy as baby-selling and look down on a female who is a surrogate, in recent years surrogacy has become more of a recognized practice. However the ethical issue remains concerning whether a female whos being paid for her surrogacy is exploiting infertile couples and entering the agreement for money. Others begin to see the infertile couple as exploiting the surrogates body and taking advantage of a female who needs money. Another issue, a couple that would adopt a child would be rigorously screened and be assessed to their suitability. This would not be the case with surrogacy. Some people who would be restricted from adopting could avoid this process by using a surrogate. One of the key issues is with regards to surrogacy is it is impossible to determine the risks involved in the surrogacy process. A surrogate needs to be informed of the potential risks to her health and the possible psychological trauma she can suffer. There should a moral requirement for all parties involved to consider the welfare of the child born into any agreement. However, surrogacy raises the debate of people’s â€Å"right† to have children. If we refuse the option of surrogacy, are we discriminating against the infertile? The first recorded case of surrogacy in the United States was in 1976. Noel Keane, a lawyer, arranged the first surrogacy agreement between a surrogate mother and the intended parents. This mother was not compensated financially. Afterwards, Keane went on to create the Infertility Center, which arranged hundreds of surrogacy agreements every year . However despite the numerous ethical issues at stake, statistics show that there has been an increase in the numbers of women who become surrogates. From 2004-2008 the number of infants born to gestational surrogates had doubled. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reported from 738 infants born to over 1,400 from surrogate births. However, the amount of surrogacies annually is likely to be more, as many fertility centers dont report to SART. Additionally, there are couples who enter private agreements with a surrogate where agencies arent involved. References Pacific Connection Fertility Services: Surrogacy Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Ethical Problems Surrounding Surrogate Motherhood Dr Rebecca Gibbs, North East Essex PCT, Surrogacy, January 2008. http://www.northeastessexpct.nhs.uk/public_29_01_2008/surrogacy-policy.pdf