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Transcript

White Noise

"You're a different person altogether... You look so harmless, Jack. A big, harmless, aging, indistinct sort of guy" (Delillo 83).

The power of identity is seen in this novel. Jack symbolizes the modern idea of individualism and creating the person and identity he wants to be knwon as. His relationship with society becomes based on what identity he projects to the community.

Utopia

*Turning Point*

More's utopian society provide a false sense of individualism, a new wave of thought seen in the Renaissance ideal of humanism. The status of the individual is questioned, in which the individual should have their own sense of purpose.

The Utopian world has led the individuals to "possess with false opinion of pleasure, so that there is no place left for true and natural delectations"(More 95).

Inferno

The Pilgrim's role in society was based on his sins and whether or not he was in the favor of God. His whole life was dedicated to repenting his sins, which became his purpose in life.

"We climbed, he first and I behind, until, through a small round opening ahead of us I saw the lovely things the heavens hold, and we came out to see once more the stars" (34. 136-139).

What does it mean to be an individual in society?

The Odyssey

Odysseus' life is controlled by the Gods. His position in society is influenced by the Gods as they play with his life and his individual sense of self.

The Trial and Death of Socrates

The god Zeus remarks, "Now that royal Odysseus has taken his revenge, let both sides seal their pacts that he shall reign for life" (24.533-534).

Socrates' role as an individual in society is shaped by those who detest his writings because they do believe in a higher power. While his position does not change, the future generations view his role as a revolutionary in society.

"There will be more people to test you... they will be more difficult to deal with as they will be younger and you will resent them more" (40-41 c-d).

Book of Job

Job's status in society is determined by his relationship with God. His ultimate role in society as an individual is to allow a higher power control his position and purpose.

The community "commiserates with him over all the suffering the Lord had inflicted on him"(Mitchell 91).

Waiting for Godot

Estragon: I can't go on like this.

Vladimir: That's what you think.

Estragon: If we parted? That might be better for us.

Vladimir: We'll hang ourselves tomorrow. [Pause.] Unless Godot comes.

Estragon: And if he comes?

Vladimir: We'll be saved.

...

Vladimir: Well? Shall we go?

Estragon: Yes, let's go.

[They do not move.]

(Beckett 84-85)

Vladimir and Estragon are always waiting for Godot. Beckett mocks the idea that individuals in society have to wait for a higher power. By waiting for an unknow power to give you purpose, you waste away your life.

By: Jessie Russell

Civilization and Its Discontents

Freud highlights how individuals strive to be happy, the ultimate goal in life. This is a modern ideal that resists the pre-modern emphasis that one's purpose in life is to please a higher power.

"In addition, one might say the intention that man should be happy is not included in the plan of Creation"(Freud 21).

To the Lighthouse

"With a sudden intensity, as if she saw it clear for a second, she drew a line there, in the centre. It was done; it was finished. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision"(Woolf 209).

As the texts enter the modern era, the characters' sense of individualism evolves. The characters' purpose does not revolve around a higher power, rather they each create their own sense of purpose and belonging.

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