David Leeb wrote a very compelling, unpublished paper titled "Shades of Goodman Brown". In this paper, Leeb discussed a common "yarn" that presented itself in Young Goodman Brown, The Man that Corrupted Hadleyberg, Monster, and The Devil and Daniel Webster. He writes that "It is truly curious that four stories, which at first glance seem more remarkable for their dissimilarity than anything else. -should have much more in common than mere appeal. They have, in truth, a theme of origin, and with repetition the theme has become almost a tradition." In each of these stories, some strange being gets into some smug region and causes a catalytic upheaval to bring about a revelation of human frailties. This theme writes Leeb "is now a kind of literary legend, over a century old, and still going strong.".
After reading and rereading these great American classics, one question surfaced and resurfaced in my mind. Why were these groups of individuals so commonly frail that "some smug being" could cause such a catalytic upheaval? What commonality are these writers describing about our western civilization that is so typically unbalanced. I believe that we as a society are unable to face the truth when the truth exposes something negative. We are taught to hide negativity at all costs. We can't talk to others about it, we can't expose it, we can't even think about it. One of the best examples of Leeb's thesis statement is the fable about "The Emperor's New Clothes". In this fable, the strange being is the child that tells the smug community that the emperor has no clothes on. Of course everyone is aware of the fact, but the child is the catalyst that causes the reaction of exposed awareness. The child is simply exposing the obvious truth. What I would like to explore is what would have happened in these and other stories if people were able to deal with reality whether it was good or bad.
Of all the works, Goodman Brown is probably the best example of personal upheaval caused by his inability to expose the dark truth.
Specifically, however, we were discussing David, my mentor, my neighbor, and my friend. ... David seemed to know everything. ... Never the less at least twice a week David would get the scoop. David, at age thirty-five, was a handsome man. ... David had passed away of a aneurysm. ...
"# David said to Nathan that this person should be killed. ... Nathan also helped make David aware of what he had done. ... David then ate a large meal. David's repentance is noticed by God who forgives David for his actions. David didn't set out to commit this particular sin. ...
David Copperfield The book that I am reading is David Copperfield, who is written by Charles Dickens, and the book has 238 pages. ... Murdstone, which now is David's new dad. ... David met with Dr. ... David replies, "On my word." ... David says. ...
Although an insanity plea tried in David's defense a court ordered psychologist found David Berkowitz sane to stand trial. ... David, born on June 1, 1953. ... Betty Broder eagerly agreed to talk to David and soon learned of the events surrounding David's birth. ... Shortly before the first crime David committed, Roslyn, David's sister had becoming worried about David who frequently complained of massive headaches. ... The death of David's mother obviously the hardest part in his life that David had to face. ...
Although an insanity plea tried in David's defense a court ordered psychologist found David Berkowitz sane to stand trial. ... David, born on June 1, 1953. ... Betty Broder eagerly agreed to talk to David and soon learned of the events surrounding David's birth. ... Shortly before the first crime David committed, Roslyn, David's sister had becoming worried about David who frequently complained of massive headaches. ... The death of David's mother obviously the hardest part in his life that David had to face. ...
David 1. ... David has many personality traits, the three that stick out the most are, David is a good explorer, he enjoys climbing and loves finding new mountains to climb and conquer. ... Once David has an idea in his head he won't relinquish it for anything. ... David is his best friend maybe his only friend and he's forced to end it? ... Bob does this after much convincing by David, if David had the strength to do it himself I"m sure he would've. ...
David Cash Case The David Cash case was a tragic crime, which was led many to call for Good Samaritan law. ... Nothing had happen to David Cash; he could still eat, sleep, and live his life well!! ... But David didn't do anything, or even say anything to stop his best friend. ... In the other hand David Cash didn't harm or murder Shanice. ... If you were David Cash what would u have done? ...
Charles Dickens uses this technique in David Copperfield to enhance not only the character of David but others as well. ... During David's imprisonment under Mr. ... Murdstone's corruption of David. ... Although David is in awe of James it is foreshadowed to us that Steerforth is not as admirable as David believes him to be. ... David also met his future confidant her. ...
Theology King David+ David was born in 1085 BC in Bethlehem. ... The history of David falls naturally into three periods. ... One day David was sent with presents to the camp wear Saul was fighting the philistines. ... David was forced to flee Jerusalem. ... David died at the age of seventy just after anointing Solomon his successor....
