Vengeance Is Ours Analysis
THE VIRULENT ARROW: THE CAVEATS OF REVENGE IN THE MODERN STATE In “Vengeance is Ours,” Jared Diamond explores tribal societies’ views of revenge and compares them to our modern perspective by considering two detailed narratives. Diamond sets out to challenge the notion that the desire for revenge is “primitive, something to be ashamed of,” and instead suggests that such a feeling is natural and healthy (12). To accomplish this, Diamond tells the story of Daniel, a member of the highland New Guinea Handa clan, who orchestrates the paralysis of a rival clan leader, Isum, by a third party to avenge his late uncle, Soll. Upon doing so, Daniel exclaims “I have everything, I feel as if I am developing wings,” even though he didn’t release the virulent arrow himself (7). Diamond supplements this story with that of his father-in-law, Jozef, who, when given the opportunity to exact revenge on the man who brutally murdered his family during World War II, decided to place the …show more content…
But we have seen that the stories of Daniel and Jozef support the decision to act upon the desire for revenge and appear intended to discourage its mere expression. Diamond’s conclusion, though unsupported by his evidence, is not unreasonable. In fact, I agree that revenge is a natural emotion that needs to be expressed rather than repressed, but this can be done more efficiently and effectively through socially acceptable means, such as small comments and actions, rather than the large, virulent, melodramatic declarations Diamond seemingly recommends. This new conclusion can be applied to many other socially repugnant emotions like greed, envy, and sloth. Though Diamond’s evidence is independently enlightening, the conclusion he draws from it provides the reader with the broader opportunity to reconsider current philosophies about how we can best express common emotions within
Dynamic Change In Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game
772 Words | 4 Pageshe Most Dangerous Game Around the time after World War 1 on Ship-Trap Island, Rainsford, the protagonist of this fantastic prose, goes through a dynamic internal change. In his short story, “The Most Dangerous Game”, Richard Connell, portrays and paints a picture of how civilization and society can ever defeat a man’s murderous drive; the instinct in a man that pressures him on to perform a murderous task. Connell also touches on how the roles can change: the dominant can become subservient or less than, and how the forceful and strong minded can become the weaker ones. He tries to make the reader understand that to be successful, the hunter (the strong), must imitate the hunted (the weak); the man must act the animal, and civilization must impersonate and hide its brutality. The major conflict reflects dynamic change in the main
World War 2 Page Essay On Unbroken
569 Words | 3 PagesWhen learning about and analyzing acts of mass atrocity during World War II, hundreds if not thousands of questions can be asked trying to gain a deeper understanding for their actions. Probably one of the most intriguing thoughts to ponder is what leads individuals and societies as a whole to descend to such a level of cruelty. According to the author of Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand, one reason may be, “Few societies treasured dignity, and feared humiliation, as did the Japanese, for whom a loss of honor could merit suicide. This is likely one of the reasons why Japanese soldiers in World War II debased their prisoners with such zeal, seeking to take from them that which was most painful and destructive to lose” (189). To elaborate, the Japanese
Analysis Of The Terrible Vengeance
980 Words | 4 Pagesalbeit with masterful exaggeration – the dining table groaning under comestibles to the road connecting Konotop and Baturyn, which is about 15 miles. In The Terrible Vengeance, Gogol touches on another important festivity among Ukrainians: wedding. He commences the tale with illustrative anticipation: “Noise and thunder at the end of Kyiv: Captain Gorobets is celebrating his son’s wedding” (Gogol 64). Then he bestirs himself to explain the source of the noise: The thing is that Ukrainian people were doughty trenchermen in the days of yore, and even doughtier drinkers, not to mention that they were doughtier merrymakers (Gogol 64).
Stereotypes In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
849 Words | 4 PagesSome are naturally violent, but this attitude also comes from people feeling like they need to prove something because they are insecure about themselves. Many people who are insecure look for a chance to prove how great they are by attacking others. In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, the character Curley is always picking on others just because he wants to make other people respect him. Curley’s dominant traits are his constant desire for violence as well as his lack of connection to anyone--even his own wife. Steinbeck uses Curley to reveal his theme that without companionship, a person’s life is empty and often directed toward
Summary Of Revenge In Bisclavret
1423 Words | 6 PagesA Deliberate Revenge At the end of the story “Bisclavret”, the werewolf punished his ex-wife brutally to punish her disloyalty. His revenge pushed the story to the climax, but what the story did not explain was how he planned for the revenge or if he even planned for it at all. The werewolf’s special identification as a mix of animal and man makes this problem confusing but interesting. By analyzing the story and applying theories like “The Prince” and “Homo Sacer”, this essay will draw the conclusion that his revenge was intended and planned out of human reason.
My Last Duchess And The Cask Of Amontillado Essay
1239 Words | 5 PagesRevenge: A Narrative and Scientific Perspective Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” and Browning’s “My Last Duchess” both revolve around revenge. We are introduced to men who swear vengeance on other characters. Yet, the mindsets of these men are, in some aspects, very different. To truly comprehend a story, we have to understand why authors make their characters behave the way they do in addition to the message being presented. In the case of “The Cask of Amontillado” and “My Last Duchess,” why do both narrators believe murder is totally necessary?
Stereotypes Of Domestic Homicide
1068 Words | 5 PagesIt seems that the general emotions of Jealousy and possessiveness exist merely as a vessel for the act of aggression of which has been a staple of the evolution of man since the dawn of
Stanton L. Wormley's Essay Fighting Back
109 Words | 1 PagesIn the essay “Fighting Back,” author Stanton L. Wormley Jr. explains that developing the instinct to fight back diminishes the ability to forgive. He supports this explanation by first establishing credibility with his personal experiences, then captivates the audience by presenting a powerful question, “Was I less of a man for not having beaten my attacker to a bloody pulp?” (Wormley 1). Wormley’s purpose is to illustrate the unnecessity of violence in order to also make a political statement to our country’s government. He builds a formal tone for an audience of minorities and majorities.
Irony In The Cask Of Amontillado
1121 Words | 5 PagesAny fan of the medieval and Victorian eras knows that there are many stories centered around the rectification of lost or sullied honor through varying means of revenge. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” is no exception. The story’s protagonist, Montresor, feels that his friend, Fortunato, has insulted his family’s honor and decides to take revenge during a nighttime carnival by luring Fortunato into the Montresor family crypt and sealing him inside to die a slow death. Through the use of irony and symbolism, Poe reveals to readers an intense theme of revenge. Poe’s theme of revenge is illuminated through his application of the three different types of irony: dramatic, verbal, and situational.
Examples Of Diction In The Count Of Monte Cristo
823 Words | 4 PagesSometimes a person will go so far with their revenge they can influence pain to others. The imagery in the short passage from The Count of Monte Cristo shows how shocked and regretful The Count of Monte Cristo really is. “Look Edmond Dantes! Said Villefort, pointing to the bodies of his wife and son. Is your vengeance complete now?
All The King's Men Justice Analysis
589 Words | 3 PagesAll actions can be rationalized so long as they are done for the sake of justice. For the definition of justice is up to the definer. In the novel All the King’s Men violence and vengeance constitute justice. Through actions of violence, one can receive vengeance, and as a result of this justice can be obtained. Warren explores the theme of justice and reveals how it is perverted by greed, for out of one’s selfish desires comes violence; violence which is see as redemption, but also characterizes irrationality, suggesting that the meaning of justice is in the eye of the beholder
Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History Of Violence
360 Words | 2 PagesThroughout the world, violence has occurred in some form in each individual’s life since the beginning of time. Violence is any action, inaction, or structural arrangement that results in physical or nonphysical harm to one or more animals. There are three types of violence to classify the act, which is Institutional, Interpersonal, and Structural. Within each type of violence are specific categories that occur, such as family, religion, educational, corporate, and even economical violence.
Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed Analysis
1010 Words | 5 PagesReverend Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Often times, when there is conflict that involves violence and threat of personal danger, people tend to become compliant to those who intimidate them instead of holding their ground and acting on their own beliefs and values. Such was the case for the majority of the French nation during the Second World War after Nazi Germany invaded and occupied the country between 1940-1944, only occupying a certain area until 1942 when Germany infiltrated all of France. The Vichy government of France, led by Marshall Philippe Pétain, ended up complying with their occupiers’ orders and signed a law that would allow
Act Of Vengeance Analysis
2126 Words | 9 PagesVengeance has been an ongoing problem for many centuries. In the long run, with the new generation, they have been following the same pattern to get revenge, without knowing the reasons why. If no one is willing to stop and think it over, to evaluate if it’s worth the risk, then the act of vengeance will be ongoing at the cost of many lives. Many people do not realize that having to avenge the death of a loved one will take so much time and patience in their lives. In the short story, “An Act of Vengeance,” by Isabel Allende, the issue involves a young girl who gets raped by Tadeo Cespedes, whom also killed her father on the same day.
Revenge: The Ever-Present Themes Of Revenge In The Iliad
1455 Words | 6 PagesRevenge can be a horrible emotion; it can sometimes lead people to do horrible things. By definition, Revenge means to get retribution for a wrongdoing done to you. In my opinion, revenge is mostly caused by fear and the overwhelming feeling of payback Throughout history, revenge, or vengeance, has been altered by several cultures and religions, and even the American culture. Though it often leads one to perform criminal acts, Howard argues that it is a necessary component in the functioning of society. He points out that revenge is a threat that acts as a disincentive to undeserved violence.
More about Vengeance Is Ours Analysis
Dynamic Change In Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game
772 Words | 4 PagesWorld War 2 Page Essay On Unbroken
569 Words | 3 PagesAnalysis Of The Terrible Vengeance
980 Words | 4 PagesStereotypes In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
849 Words | 4 PagesSummary Of Revenge In Bisclavret
1423 Words | 6 PagesMy Last Duchess And The Cask Of Amontillado Essay
1239 Words | 5 PagesStereotypes Of Domestic Homicide
1068 Words | 5 PagesStanton L. Wormley's Essay Fighting Back
109 Words | 1 PagesIrony In The Cask Of Amontillado
1121 Words | 5 PagesExamples Of Diction In The Count Of Monte Cristo
823 Words | 4 PagesAll The King's Men Justice Analysis
589 Words | 3 PagesFist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History Of Violence
360 Words | 2 PagesLest Innocent Blood Be Shed Analysis
1010 Words | 5 PagesAct Of Vengeance Analysis
2126 Words | 9 PagesRevenge: The Ever-Present Themes Of Revenge In The Iliad
1455 Words | 6 Pages