Drawing Parallels

     Religion and science set forth contradicting arguments concerning questions that often seem unanswerable. From a religious standpoint, all things have a specific purpose to fulfill; no effect can exist without cause. When science was still a combination of philosophy and theology, the reasons why things exist and function as they do could be explained by unseen forces. However, as ideas developed, thinkers grew skeptical of such abstract explanations, which led to the conclusions that there is no predetermined purpose for the Earth to fulfill and that questions cannot solely be answered in terms of unseen forces, such as God. In an excerpt of “Man Against Darkness,” W.T. Stace discusses the turning point at which people grew skeptical of religious explanations. Stace argues that people ceased to believe that all things have a specific purpose because scientific findings logically disproved it. This major turning point can be compared to the turning point the characters in Voltaire’s Candide experience.

     Similar to philosophers such as Aristotle, Pangloss philosophized that everything happens for a reason, that no effect exists without a sufficient cause, and as a result the world in which they live is the “best of all possible worlds.” Despite the misfortunes that befall Candide, he is satisfied with using Pangloss’ ideas to justify such adversities and remains optimistic. This is similar to the people described in Stace’s essay who accept that religion provides sufficient reasons for why things happen. However, just as the scientists of the 17^th century abandoned the idea of “final causes,” Candide grows skeptical of Pangloss’ philosophy. In Chapter 29, Candide asks Pangloss, “…when You were hanged, dissected, whipped, and tugging at the oar, did you continue to think that everything in this world happens for the best?” The latter question indicates Candide’s growing skepticism.

While Candide’s gradual abandonment of Pangloss’ teachings is a sign of doubt in Pangloss’ ideas, the most significant turning point occurs when Pangloss himself admits to the fault in his teachings. This point can be directly paralleled to the turning point in the excerpt from “Man Against Darkness.” In the concluding chapter, Pangloss admits that he has suffered a great deal and while still wants to believe in his philosophy, he does not believe in it at all. Pangloss’ loss of faith in his teachings is similar to the 17^th century scientists who lost faith in the answers provided by religion and who turn to the practical reasoning of science as a result.

     At the turning point, Pangloss can no longer find any reason that justifies the atrocities that he and the other characters endured and therefore reacts with confusion. When the Dervish does not provide Pangloss with answers, Pangloss is left oblivious to the shallowness of his optimism. In general, he cannot explain the shift in his core beliefs, which confuses him and causes him to fall back on his previous beliefs because it is all he knows. In the end it is ironic because Pangloss tries to support philosophy that he no longer believes in himself.

     Contrastingly, Candide has a different attitude towards the turning point of his beliefs. Instead of returning to his old beliefs as Pangloss does, Candide ascertains that while it may be true that no effect can occur without cause, it is necessary to cultivate the garden, a task free of philosophical analyzing. The meaning of Candide’s garden is ambiguous and therefore can be interpreted in many ways. Candide could arguably intend to say that because there is no concrete answer to why evil things happen individuals must focus on their own lives and realize that living without knowing all the answers might be for the better. This realization demonstrates Candide’s practical attitude toward his new belief. Candide realizes that the only practical way of escaping misery from suffering and boredom from a lack of suffering is by living a simple life in his garden. While it may seem as if Candide ends on a positive note, Voltaire intends the ending to further satirize the work as a whole. Ironically the characters are bored because they have no suffering to occupy their time. The only way they find solace is by working in the garden. Therefore, the characters are not truly happy. Instead, labor distracts them from their discontent.

     Leibniz theorized that the greater the evil, the greater the good that will follow. Voltaire satirizes this overly optimistic view of life through Candide. Voltaire arguably imposes his disproval of Leibniz’s theory on the Dervish, who refuses to philosophize with Pangloss. If Voltaire intended his voice to be heard through the Dervish, Voltaire’s overall attitude is clear: it is illogical to believe that horrific things must occur in order for there to be good. While bad things will always inevitably occur, they are not necessarily the cause of all good things.

     If Voltaire were to respond to Stace’s excerpt, he might agree that theories solely supported by religion are surrounded by skepticism and that such skepticism causes new ideas to flourish. Voltaire might also be appreciative of the turning point that Stace describes. If not for such a turning point, people would not feel the need to search for new and more logically and scientifically based answers to questions that seem to never have definite answers.

The essay is an articulate, detailed, analysis. It has all the chunks. It is evident that you have thought deeply about the issues in the essay. The essay could develop irony more. You have a few word choice issues. A solid piece of work.

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In his essay “Man Against Darkness,” W.T. Stace argues that the turning point from medieval to modern belief came not with the discoveries made during the Scientific Revolution, but rather the process of reevaluating the purpose of life.  Stace believes religious skepticism existed before Darwin and other scientists, and would have continued without their influence.  He even says that religion could have “accommodated” these new discoveries.  According to Stace, the true shift came when the scientists of the 1600s willingly rejected the old paradigm of the “final causes”.  Stace defines these “final causes” as the purpose something served in the universe.  The previously accepted order of everything no longer satisfied the people of the 17^th century; which led to an overall questioning of the real purpose. 

                Stace’s argument relates to the journey taken in Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.  Gulliver initially rejected the Houyhnhnms, their culture, language, and methods.  Gulliver was skeptical of this new society because he was uncomfortable, similar to Stace’s case that skepticism existed in the 18^th century because people were uncomfortable with the new science. In Chapter III of Book IV, Gulliver explained the role of horses in European culture to the dismay of the Houyhnhnms. After living with the Houyhnhnms, Gulliver discovers that horses can be more intelligent than Europeans realize. This signifies a turning point in Gulliver’s attitude towards the purpose of horses. This change in attitude regarding horses is a microcosm for Europe’s change in attitude regarding the purpose of the universe during the 1700s. Stace would argue that this resembles the Enlightenment because it is a modification of the way people view the purpose of things in the world. Neither Stace nor Gulliver conclude on an ultimate purpose in life, but they agree that the previously accepted model may not be ideal. Gulliver, ashamed and unsatisfied with European life, wants to stay with Houyhnhnms. He associates the greed and selfishness of the Yahoos with Europeans and seeks a more refined and “civilized” society. Gulliver refuses the European idea that accumulating wealth is the purpose of life.

      Gulliver’s attitude, though it changes throughout his journey, results in a negative stance towards the accepted European culture. His embarrassment leaves him wanting to escape Europe. He is initially troubled when the Houyhnhnms’ compare him to a barbaric Yahoo, and is disappointed to discover how similar his society is to the Yahoo’s. His gravitates towards the Houyhnhnms, even though they reject him. Gulliver admits that he would rather live alone than with fellow men. Gulliver’s attitude is ironic because he realizes his supposedly civilized culture is inferior to a group of horses; an animal his people use for labor. Gulliver rejects his own people. In a way his response is mature because he can accept rejection.

     Swift’s tone is apparent in his writings though Gulliver’s actions. Swift has the impression that humans are naturally bad; consumed with selfishness and greed. He would probably agree with Stace’s point that the presupposed order to life does not exist. If there was a plan, specific purpose, or reason to life, why would Swift portray humans so flawed? If there was a set purpose for human existence, then their actions would be justifiable. Swift clearly rejects human’s actions and takes a negative tone towards European society. Swift leaves the reader with some hope, however, because Gulliver learns the error of his ways and seeks a simplified life away from Europe.

Has all the chunks.

Nice job of basing your reading on the text (horses as microcosm)—very nice

Developed analysis of Gulliver’s and Swift’s tone.

Nice work

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This is one of the better paraphrases. 

Note how the essay analyzes a specific incident in the story. Note how the writer bases the reading on that specific incident. Note how the analysis goes beyond the literal.

Take note of the chunks.

Mystery in Oedipus Rex

            As Oedipus stands in the palace, with many as his witnesses, he realizes the terror that is the truth about his life.  For some time, Oedipus tries to figure out the mystery of who murdered King Laios, but that investigation led something much worse.  Oedipus was motivated to discover who he truly was.  By investigating the death of Laios, Oedipus saw his fate come true.  He in fact was the one who killed his father.  In addition to that, he realized Jokasta was his own mother who he had married. The prophecy was real after all.

            Despite being told he was the murderer by Tiresias, Oedipus did not listen.  He was too stubborn to realize the truth which was right in front of him.  Afterwards, he was able to realize his flaws but it was too late.  His stubbornness took over his life and caused many problems for him.  Perhaps, if Oedipus was not so stubborn the mystery would have been solved faster.  In addition to that, ignorance got in the way .  Oedipus did not know what was happening right before his own eyes.  He was blind to his own downfalls and weaknesses.  He was ignorant of the fact that his parents in Corinth were not biological, which caused him to flee in the first place.  By being slightly more informed and in check with his own life, Oedipus could have prevented his undesirable fate.  Throughout the investigation, Oedipus said things that were due to ignorance, but also ironic.  He said he would act as though he was the son of Laios, which the reader knows to be true.  Being unaware that he truly was the son, Oedipus made that statement.  In addition to that, he said he would find the hand that killed Laios, yet it was his own hand that was responsible.  This dramatic irony helps to illuminate Oedipus’s ignorance.

            During the play, the insight Oedipus gained is significant to the whole piece of literature.  He realized that what is meant to happen always will.  Although he tried to escape the prophecy, it still came true.  A major theme of the play that came out of the mystery is that fate cannot be changed.  The investigation showed Oedipus that his unfortunate fate could not be stopped.  In addition to that, he was able to recognize his own flaws that caused the catastrophe.  The message at the end was depressing, stating that one cannot be happy until they are dead.  It shows that humans cause their own shortcomings and will not be happy until life is over and no problems can happen.  The life Oedipus had can be applied to mankind.  It is human nature to be ignorant or stubborn, but that is major flaw. Just like Oedipus, humans suffer from imperfections. Oedipus had to suffer misfortune from the mystery in order to gain insight in the end.

The phrases in bold are typical of the vagueness of many first paragraphs. What is that "something" that is "much worse" than the answer to the mystery? 

The analysis in the second paragraph is accurate, but it is more descriptive than analytical. This paragraph should be about the "something worse" mentioned in the first paragraph. It needs to engage in a character analysis that goes beneath the surface and examines the characters' motivations, relationships, and attitudes. It should focus on irony.

The essay laudably attempts to assess the work as a whole. The paragraph is unfortunately vague. It does not examine irony.

Things They Carried Summer Reading Essay score: 8

“What happened to”

      Mary Anne’s experience describes what all of the soldiers went through. Thus, this passage is a microcosm for the entire novel, as Vietnam pulled young men from familiarity, and launched them into a completely new world. A world that was terrifying yet enthralling. Dangerous yet mystical.

     The most striking sentence in the passage is how Vietnam “made her glow in the dark.” Tim O’Brien emphasizes Mary Anne and the soldiers’ captivation with Vietnam by using the word ‘glow.’ This word depicts that Vietnam was an optimistic and encouraging experience. For them, the war was a thing of beauty . This ironic notion that war is beautiful permeates throughout the novel. O’Brien consistently contrasts the views on the home front that war is horrible and devastating, with the feelings of the soldiers themselves. He contrasts the old woman at home who is horrified of Vietnam, with Mary Anne and the soldiers, who are captivated by it. In the phrase, “not bad,” the word bad is strategically italicized to contradict the belief held by many that Vietnam is a terrible, frightening thing. In this passage, O’Brien demonstrates more irony by saying soldiers become “intimate with danger.” Just as he used ‘glow’ to describe their intense captivation, he uses ‘intimate’ to magnify the close personal connection they felt with danger. It is disconcerting to imagine someone feeling intimate with danger, because it is dehumanizing to be comfortable with something as unpleasant and disturbing as war.

    The end of this passage takes on a tone of desperation. Mary Anne is “wanting,” then “needing,” then “craving.” This tone is mirrored in another part of the book when Tim O’Brien is anxious to get back in the fields and the war after being shot twice. He is distressed about losing the close bond he held with his fellow soldiers, and about missing out on the unexplainable excitement of the action. His desperation to return quickly develops into an intractable internal conflict as his emotions become uncharacteristically vindictive.

     This passage has many distinguishing words to highlight the soldier’s emotions and thoughts during the war. O’Brien strategically uses ‘unnamed’ twice in the phrase, “unnamed terror and unnamed pleasure,” to draw attention to the fact that Vietnam was completely foreign to those involved. The young soldiers felt things that they could never have imagined when growing up, things so distinct from familiarity that they were impossible to label or define. Even more unsettling is that they found the war appealing and energizing. This defied logic and reason, and they doubted themselves for feeling this way. The word ‘unnamed’ connotes that Mary Anne and the soldier’s emotions and experiences were entirely revolutionary and inconceivable.

A solid, text-rooted analysis of the passage. The depth and insight are impressive.

The essay needs a stronger conclusion that considers the work as a whole. There are some paragraphing issues as well.

What distinguishes this essay is its text-rootedness. Notice how the writer develops a reading of the passage by closely examining the connotations and metaphorical values of the words and imagery. 

Notice also how the writer develops a reading of the passage by noting its contrasts.

Note how the writer treats the passage as a microcosm of the entire novel.