Affluenza, or the social issue believed to affect the behavior of upper class individuals regarding empathy and understanding of other people, is an evident rising obstacle in modern America highlighted by author Herman Koch in his novel The Dinner using main characters who struggle to find balance within their dysfunctional upper class family units.
The murder of a homeless woman committed by cousins and main characters Michel and Rick and the subsequent blackmail from Rick’s adopted brother Beau provide several focal points regarding affluenza. When the incident is finally discussed by the four parents attending the dinner, Babette and Serge reveal that Rick was dealing with an immense amount of guilt because of what happened; it reached a point where it began to affect Rick physically (Koch 229). Rick’s feelings of guilt represent one facet of affluenza; he feels guilty as a result of senselessly
…show more content…
There are mentions of incidents involving Paul and his major temper early on, as well as an internal dialogue vaguely hinting that Paul does not seem to care for the majority of individuals, but it is revealed further on that Paul wears a façade of emotion in order to mask that apathy. When directly challenged and angered, Paul truly believes that he is above any person in his way. During the chapter where Paul is beating Serge with a pan, he pauses only when, “Michel was standing in the doorway. He wasn’t looking at his uncle on the floor, but me. ‘Michel,’ I said. I tried to smile. I let the pan drop. ‘Michel,’ I said again,” (Koch 214). Paul does not feel true remorse for his brother in the entire duration of the story, even when Serge is severely injured by Paul himself. He simply cares for Michel’s approval. The absolute disregard for any other living creature’s wellbeing is a prime example of the upper class
Out of the six chapters, I prefer to write about Chapter One: The Duel and Chapter Two: The Dinner. This book was very intriguing and helped to understand the post-revolutionary America and the lives of the founding brothers and what they went through. Chapter One: The Duel was a well-known duel in American history. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. July 11, 1804 is the exact date when the duel happened.
At this part of the novel Paul finally is done with keeping quiet about Erik. In doing so, Erik comes to confront him telling him it wouldn’t work. Then, in the book, Paul says,” I raised my finger like it was loaded, and pointed it at Arthur. ”I saw you kill Luis Cruz””(Bloor 262). After saying this, Paul feels as if he is free and is no longer chained up in his lies.
At this point in the story, he admits his fault, but that doesn’t cover up his long history. It can be inferred that he expects immediate forgiveness. However, that is not at all what he deserves, for this ignorance subconsciously changed Paul into a child that could not rely on his own
I yelled back. ' Come On!' " This illustrates, that Paul was altruistic during this scene, which shows how much of a heroic character he is. Although he might have a slight problem with his eyes, in addition he's intimated by his brother, Erik. Paul saved many lives.
On the other hand, Paul values human life. For example there was a time when Paul tries to make Joey feel better by reassuring him that everything will be okay with Mike after Erik put him down about it. Furthermore, throughout the story Erik has done some pretty sick things too just put others down, while Paul picks them right back up to make them feel better. Im sure you agree, that Erik will always disregard others feeling, which means Paul’s heroicness will always make him seem
He also saw that coach walski was unfair or biased to paul because of his IEP (82-83). Paul also sees that his friends think of him as an real and good soccer player and not just another player on the soccer team. They also see that paul is not like Erik but is still afraid and scared of him. This shows Paul's friends see things like Gino saying that he is a good soccer player and the coach didn't bend the rules for him but do it for many others players. This show Paul that his friends see that they care about paul and he is like another brother to the team.
Empathy vs. Dehumanization is depicted throughout All Quiet on the Western Front by showing how Paul can be both empathetic and indifferent on the battlefield, such as when he pitied a French soldier he wounded, or when he was reflecting on how a word of command could make Russians his enemies. Furthermore, on page 144 of All Quiet on the Western Front, Paul is hesitant to kill a wounded French soldier and states that "The eyes follow me. I am powerless to move so long as they are there." In this instance, empathy is represented through Paul feeling remorse for the soldier and Paul's lack of response. His emotions can be best explained as empathy, because his body freezes from guilt when noticing the scared soldier watching him.
Throughout the story Paul shows that he cares about his comrades by protecting them from the dangers of war, and he also displays that he will guide them in war. Paul uses his skills of intelligence to guide his team in the trenches and at the front, and he passes on his knowledge and tricks of war to the new recruits. Not many soldiers have all of these qualities, which makes Paul stand out more than his comrades. Even today some men don't express the passion and leadership Paul shows in All Quiet on the Western Front, which brings up the fact that the war needs more men like Paul. To sum up, Paul is an honest and true man who will always be there for his comrades when needed, and he is a man the troops are proud to say is a patriotic
For example, “I raise my finger like it was loaded, and I pointed it at Arthur. ‘I saw you kill Luis Cruz.’” (page 262). In this section of the book, Paul finally learns to stand up for himself to Erik and Arthur after years of being afraid. He even causes Erik to lose control and go into a full rage.
Throughout the book, he must disinter whether his presence helps or hurts those around him. He must find it in himself to accumulate enough strength to realize his true potential without requiring approval from his father. This internal conflict is not only caused by the mistreatment of Paul by his father and brother but also because of Paul's tendency to crave approval from
This quote shows why Paul would hate his brother. Paul remembers that his brother let his friend spray paint into his eyes and that instead of protecting his brother, Erik pries open his eyelids so that Vincent can spray paint in his eyes. The reason Erik got mad was because Paul “told on” Vincent for spray painting a neighborhood wall. The effect it has on Paul is that now he has to wear glasses and is scared of his brother because of all the mean and horrible things he has seen him
I’m afraid Arthur now too.” Paul has a low self-esteem. He is weak and does not think that he can stand up for himself. “I can see things that Mom and Dad can’t. Or won’t.”
This can be seen in All Quiet on the Western Front when Paul sees the Russians prisoners and the French soldier that he killed. He realizes that they are nothing like the illusion depicted them to be. The illusion made them seem to be cruel and wicked when they are just like any other man. After realizing how terribly wrong he has been he states, "But now, for the first time, I see you are a man like me. I thought of your hand-grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see your wife and your face and our fellowship.
The Social Class in American Television How many times have you seen an American TV series? Have you realized that they show some of the most common situations in the country, like social classes? They make comedy or a drama about it and that is amazing. For example, 2 Broke Girls, Gossip Girl, 90210, and many others. Max and Caroline from the sitcom 2 Broke Girls are the best example for this and we can see how American television shows to the audience differences and similarities between people that were born rich and people who were not.
After experiencing the horrors of World War I, Paul believes he is “nothing but an agony for myself, for my mother, for everything that is so comfortless and without end” (Remarque 185). Paul is in fact guilty for his involvement in the violence of the war. He realizes this fact and becomes dispirited because he bemoans allowing himself to get involved in such cruelty. Despite the fact that Paul experiences adverse emotions because of it, he learns from his past blemishes. Even though he can never really rescind his previous actions, he still uses them as a guide towards refraining from repeating the same missteps.