Forgiveness and Compassion Theme in The Sunflower On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2157 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/07/01 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Forgiveness Essay Did you like this example? Should criminals involved in mass crimes be forgiven? This is the difficult question with different answers that many ponder. Simon Wiesenthal investigates this question along with other authors in the The Sunflower. Simon was in a Nazi concentration camp during World War 2. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Forgiveness and Compassion Theme in The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness" essay for you Create order One day during his imprisonment, he was sent to remove waste from a German army hospital, where he was then called over to the bedside of a soldier. The SS soldier, Karl, was mortally wounded and was dying. The soldier asked for Simon, because he needed someone of the Jewish faith to confess to. Karl asked for forgiveness from Simon when he confessed and repented his evil doings of murdering a mass number of people by burning a building and shooting at anyone who tried to escape. While Simon listened to Karls confession, he was fighting with his mind the matter of forgiveness. After Karls confession, Simon did not give Karl an answer if he forgave him, instead, Simon walked out silently. From that day forward, Simon presses the issue of forgiveness. While some argue that we should strive for compassion and understanding to forgive, others believe that we shouldnt forgive, because to forgive you must forget. I can understand both viewpoints. I believe that forgiveness is a personal de cision and is up to the individual and circumstances. By not forgiving, it will ensure that the same crimes will not be repeated, because perpetrators wont take advantage of forgiveness and will learn from their actions. By forgiving, the actions of the perpetrator will not turn the victim into bitterness and the memories will be permanent notes to not repeat the same crimes, because victims can use their memories as knowledge and let go. Some may argue that we should show compassion and forgive criminals of mass crime, such as the crimes committed by the Nazis during the Holocaust. The act of compassion is showing pity for others while understanding that theyre fully responsible for their actions. We all have an innate ability to show compassion and understanding which empowers us to let go of self-righteous feelings of resentment to forgive. Dith Pran says in The Sunflower that, The key to forgiveness is understanding (Pran 232). Pran suggests that in order for us to forgive, we m ust understand. Understanding the position and conscience of the perpetrator allows one to be liberated from the negative feelings that can oppress one; which allows one to forgive. Showing compassion or forgiving doesnt reprimand ones actions, instead, it brings awareness. With awareness and new understanding, one will find healing, the ability to forgive, and a great strength of compassion. While arguing that we should forgive, Matthieu Ricard in The Sunflower states that, The notion of a stable and autonomous self is, from the Buddhist point of view, itself the source of inner poisons such as hatred, obsession, pride, and jealousy, for it divides us from others and prevents us from being more compassionate (Ricard 235). Ricard emphases that not forgiving will allow negative beliefs to manifest in us, which prevents us from being compassionate and forgiving. When we forgive, we become truly compassionate about the pain of those who have inflicted pain. Ricard also states that true compassion has to accept all things and everyone, even the righteous and the guilty, and the friend and the enemy (Ricard 235). Ricard is saying that we should show compassion and forgiveness for everyone, so that everyone and everything has the opportunity to be refined from pain and suffering to good. Forgiveness is a deep and personal process, but with compassion, forgiveness can be offered to everyone. Many people argue that we should not forgive perpetrators of mass crimes. Many say that to forgive, you must forget all the wrongdoings made. This excuses and dismisses the crimes, and the suffering made by the perpreptor, which is unacceptable. Sven Alkalaj says in The Sunflower that forgetting crimes is worse than forgiving, because forgetting belittles the humanity that vanished in the atrocities (Alkalaj 102). Alkalaj suggests that by forgetting the injus tices, such as the ones that the Jewish people received, it would disparage the sufferings and trauma that one has beared. It is hard to visualize that anyone would be capable of forgiving the suffering and inhumanity endured by the victims of the Nazis. Moshe Bejski claims in The Sunflower that, Such an act of mercy would have been a kind of betrayal and repudiation of the memory of innocent victims who were unjustly murdered, among them, the members of his family (Bejski 115). Bejski conveys that showing pity for the criminals involved is not only impertinent to the victims and their family; but it would cause us to forget the killings and tortures committed. We cannot forgive if the memories of the atrocity continues to haunt and enslave the victims. Bejski also states, The survivors have been sentenced to bear their pain and sadness to the grave. Without forgetting there can be no forgiving (Bejski 116). Bejski is saying we should not forgive, because survivors are given a life sentence of trauma and pain that cannot be rehabilitated or healed. The crimes carried out will remain in the victims, and their loved ones minds forever. These viewpoints provide ample evidence on whether to grant forgiveness. Some say that we should forgive to show compassion and understanding. While the other side recognizes that we shouldnt forgive, because we would have to discard all sufferings. I can acknowledge both sides of the argument and believe that forgiveness is up to the individual and how they feel. Although, a part of me argues that we should show compassion and forgive criminals of mass crimes, a part of me believe we should not. Perpetrators who were forgiven have a possibility of exploiting and abusing what was granted to them and not learning from their mistakes. Therefore that would dismiss the atrocity, because there is no real consequence. In The Sunflower Robert McAfee Brown points out that, If we forgive, it will be a sign to those in the future that they can act without fear of punishment, and that the universe has a moral escape valve labeled forgiveness that permits evil not only to survive but to thrive (Brown 121). Others need to know that if one commits a crime, there will be consequences. Punishment for crimes will set an example for others not to commit crimes. If we allow criminals to escape punishment, it will be an injustice for the victims. The victims of perpetrators would have to suffer with the trauma, while the perpetrators are granted to move on. In th e case for the Nazis, many of them were not brought to justice and continued living their lives, while 17 million people, including 6 million Jews, lost theirs. Moshe Bejski states that the number of Nazi criminals being brought to justice is decreasing, which leave thousands of Germans involved in committing genocide and crimes to return to their quiet, peaceful homes and lives without feeling remorse or a troubled conscience (Bejski 116). Bejski is highlighting how we should not forgive criminals who have committed mass crimes, because they do not deserve forgiveness. Perpetrators show no remorse during and after committing heinous crimes, therefore it would be hard to show compassion and grant them forgiveness. Primo Levi states in The Sunflower that, When an act of violence or an offense has been committed it is forever irreparable (Levi 191). Levi shows that when such destruction has been done, it cannot be undone. The actions made by perpetrators cannot be repaired or forgotte n and for that reason, we should not grant forgiveness to criminals of mass crimes. Although, some say that to forgive you must forget, I argue that we should forgive, but no forget. Criminals and victims must remember the actions done to ensure that crimes and atrocities dont reoccur. By forgiving, we are letting go of the anger and hatred that holds us down. By remembering, we are making sure the wrongdoing doesnt occur again. In The Sunflower Mary Gordon states that, Forgiveness can, of course, be good for both sides, but forgetting almost never is, first because it is a form of denial, and second because only a recognition of guilt by both sides can begin to prevent repetition of the same heinous deed (Gordon 152). Gordon emphasizes that forgiveness is good for us, but we should never forget, because it is a form of denial and we should make a permanent note of the penitence from both sides to prevent the same destructive actions from happening again. Nothing can change the memory the victim holds within their minds, because the crime has already been done; so the best thing to do is learn from that memory and forgive. In The Sunflower Matthew Fox states that, One should forgive†but not out of altruism but out of the need to be free to get on with ones life†but we ought not forgetSimon did not forgetHis story prevents our forgetting (148). Fox highlights how we should forgive, but not forget so that our stories, just like Simons, can be learned from and reminders for others not to allow the same mistakes to happen. Remembering is essential, because it allows us to have the past knowledge in knowing what to do, so that mistakes arent repeated. Robert McAfee Brown says that the phrase never forget is a clear lesson and if we do forget there will be a time where worst atrocities will occur against anyone by ones who wish to destroy power (Brown 121). Brown is saying that we have to remember crimes because there may be a period in the future where worst monstrosities will occur. If a worst monstrocity is in the works in the future, well have our memories and others stories to help overcome it. Forgetting is not good for us, as memories are who we are. Memories are a way of moving forward and granting forgiveness. Additionally, forgiveness is something we should all strive for to move forward. We should forgive to expel all the hatred and bitterness that we hold with us. By holding on to the hatred, resentment, and bitterness, we are only hurting ourselves. You can see forgiveness as something to benefit yourself rather than the perpetrator. Forgiveness lets perpetrators know that their actions were hateful, but you dont carry the hatred for them so you can better yourself. Forgiveness allows one to define themselves rather than allow the perpetrator to define them. In The Sunflower Harold S. Kushner recalls a conversation with a woman were he states, Im asking you to forgive because he doesnt deserve the power to live in your head and turn you into a bitter, angry woman (Kushner 185). Kushner is saying that no one deserves the ability to turn you into something evil. Anger and bitterness from not forgiving puts heavy weights on us and hold us back. Ricard states that, For the victim, forgiven ess is a way of transforming his own grief, resentment, or hatred into good (Ricard 236). Ricard shows that forgiveness is a kind of transformation, it can turn one from anger and hate into good and happiness. We shouldnt let grudges and hatred define us or create new pain. Forgiving can be a way for one to cope with their trauma, because it helps the victims move on. Kushner express how forgiveness represents letting go of grievance and the role of victim (186). Kushner indicates that we should forgive to not only let go of resentment, but to also let go of defining ourselves as the victim. Victims will always be suffers of crimes committed against them, but they dont have to let that determine them or their future. Granting forgiveness relieves the heaviness of the past and gives us the opportunity to move toward to greatness.To sum up, many people have different opinions on whether to grant forgiveness to those who have committed mass crimes. Forgiveness is a personal and deep choice, therefore there are no right or wrong answers to granting forgiveness. Some may say that we should aim for compassion and understanding to always grant forgiveness for everyone, including those who have commited mass crimes. Others will say that we should never forgive perpetrators of mass crimes, because they dont deserve it and we will forget their wrongdoings. I understand both viewpoints and argue for both sides. By not forgiving, perpetrators wont abuse the power of forgiveness and will learn from their actions. This is significant, because this will ensure that the same crimes wont be repeated in the future. By forgiving, victims will let go of the resentment and hatred, but will not forget the injustice an d sufferings inflicted. This is important, because one must not let the actions of perpetrators turn them into bitterness and should allow the memories to be preserved so crimes dont repeat themselves. Forgiveness could be circumstantial, but in the end, it is up to the individuals decisions on whether to forgive.

Totalitarianism, Violence, and the Color Red in the...

Totalitarianism, Violence, and the Color Red in The Handmaid’s Tale In literature, the color red symbolizes many things, each with its own emotional impact. Red can be associated with violence and bloodshed, or it can be associated with love and intense emotions. In The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred, chosen to be a â€Å"baby-maker† for a couple she was assigned to, desires to escape the dystopian society that she lives in. Thus, Margaret creates a fictional government that uses totalitarianism, violence, and the reoccurring pattern of the color red to illustrate the negative impact it has on women, especially the Handmaids. Throughout The Handmaid’s Tale, Offred recalls her past life before and during the creation of the Republic of†¦show more content†¦They also wear a white habit, which blocks their peripheral vision when walking to the market. â€Å"Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood† (8). The color r ed that the Handmaids are dressed in represents fertility, their main purpose. The desire to conceive a child is what all Handmaids strive to achieve. When a Handmaid has her menstrual cycle each month, the blood serves as a reminder and reinforces what they desire so much. â€Å"Likewise, the blood-red gowns of the Handmaids conjure positive associations with birth and life as well as pejorative links with suffering, shame, and female bondage to reproductive cycles† (enotes). The government stresses the importance of conceiving a child so much, that the Handmaids have become fearful if they do not become pregnant. The Handmaids that are unable to are sent to the colonies to perform hard manual labor and are called â€Å"Unwomen†. This ideology has a negative psychological impact on how the Handmaids view life; it is mostly based on survival. Throughout the novel, Offred’s and the Handmaids’ lives are dominated by the color red. Their garments are red , the doctors who examine them each month wear red armbands, the sidewalks they walk on are red, and the vehicles that transport them to view each birth (the birthmobiles) are red. Red also serves s a symbol of danger and violence to enhance the nature of the government. For

Sexual identity and gender stereotyping Free Essays

Culture is a body of common beliefs, traditions, values and principles which are shared by members of a particular group. A culture helps to determine the behaviors, attitudes and expectations of its people. Every society or community has some traditions, beliefs and customs regarding either gender. We will write a custom essay sample on Sexual identity and gender stereotyping or any similar topic only for you Order Now Most of this expectations are based on the sexual identity of one being either male or female which emanate from their different roles in human reproduction and variations in their physical characteristics. Cultural views on sexual identity comprises of beliefs, expectations and constraints of what men or women are supposed to do or not to do. Sexual identity refers to the level or degree to which we identify ourselves as male or female depending on various social, cultural and biological aspects . Our culture has various ways of distinguishing between the two major sexual identities. As a result, the expectations and constraints imposed on a woman are different from those imposed on the males. The fact that women give birth and lactate exposes them to certain constraints in their motherly roles in the society. For instance, our culture tends to view females as receptive and the males as intrusive in their respective sexual behaviors. Though such constraints are presumed to be less pervasive in the society today due to the fact that our culture is evolving into a modern social structure away from the hunter-gatherer kind of socio-economic life it used to be, the distinction between the two sexes still remains quite pervasive in terms of behavior, roles and interests . Many sociologists have traced the origin of such differences to the different cultural norms put forward by our culture to the society. Since birth, boys and girls become accustomed to different cultural standards either consciously or unconsciously which reflect their respective roles later in life. For instance, girls tend to take up the role of mothers and caretakers in the family while boys are taught to be the heads of the family as the bread-winners and protectors. The differentiation between male and female behaviors is a matter which is deeper than the concept of contextual relativism in the culture. Apart from behaviors, roles and expectations based on sexual identity, our culture has led to the evolution of some gender stereotypes which are associated with a particular sex whether male or female . The spread of such classical stereotypes in the media particularly dominates the society today. Both print and electronic media clearly indicate the different cultural standards of men and women in the society together with their varying capabilities based on their sexual identities. Until recently, the media has depicted the female gender as a weaker sex in terms of the roles, professions and the society expectations as compared to the male gender. However, the continued calls for gender equality has led to certain media portraits which show that women are as capable as their male counterparts thus removing the long held constraints and stereotypes imposed by our culture on women which tend to undermine their professional capabilities. Houston stresses on four major gender stereotypes. She puts them across as; men are afraid of commitments, men are bound to say or do anything in order to prevent their partners from discovering that they are cheating on them, women concentrate too much on what men say or do and finally, a woman can use any available strategy to keep a man. Such gender stereotypes she adds, are the source of certain phrases like ‘just like women’, ‘men are dogs’ and so forth which tend to associate men and women with certain behaviors and not others. As a young woman, all these cultural views have shaped my behavior and my self-understanding as such in various ways. For a young person to understand his or her sexual identity, it is vital to solve the tension caused by numerous cultural values between ‘who i am’ and ‘what how the society views or expects of me’. As a woman, the culture expects me to be submissive and to behave as so especially when dealing with the male gender. Moreover, our culture expects women not to show their interest towards men as they are said to be the ‘hunters’ and women the ‘hunted ‘. Such cultural values expect women to suppress their feelings and behave in a particular manner in matters concerning their sexual orientation and identity in the society. All these cultural views have shaped my personal behavior as a woman and my view on the whole concept of sexual identity. Due to the numerous gender stereotypes, behaviors, expectations and constraints imposed on the different sexes, there arises some tension between religious and societal values. Our culture which views women as second to men has consequently put some cultural restrictions which burr women from top positions in the religious matters and other societal issues. However, some cultural values tend to be in consistency with religious value in that in both cases, women especially those who are married are expected to act in a submissive way when dealing with their husbands. It can thus be said that, the environment and the cultural background in which one is brought up largely influences his or her future relationships with the opposite sex and other people in the society. Many gender stereotypes have adverse effects on future relationships especially for the young people who wish to establish stable and strong foundations for their future family lives. For instance, the stereotype that all men promoted by our culture are polygamous or unfaithful can have detrimental the women’s ability to trust men hence the increased number of divorces in the modern society . From a theological point of view, marriage is seen as a vocation, covenant, sacrament, communion and a lasting partnership . However, this views are exposed to various interpretations especially in the cultural context of the modern society. How to cite Sexual identity and gender stereotyping, Papers