OLIVE15

Prompt #5**
 * April 5, 2009

I believe that the theme most important in Of Mice and Men, is that of relationships. Every major character in the novel has some sort of relationship. Whether it be a friend, an enemy, or a lover. That, or a character is desperate for a companion. The truth of this theme, is that everyone needs someone. Candy had his dog, Lennie had George, Curley had his wife, but his wife was still lonely. She felt neglected. In today's world, people who do not have a strong bond of some sort are often troubled. It is proven that humans need social interaction in order to function. People who are lonely, are not happy people, ever. And the novel reveals that.

Prompt #4**
 * April 5, 2009

The truth about our expectations, is that they will never be reached. Dreams are never realistic. They are always something we want, and usually never have. Even when we do reach our goals, we keep setting the bar higher, and higher. Either to please others, or ourselves. An expectation is generally our idea of perfection. Which is obviously never something that can be possible. We want things that we can't have, and we will never be good enough for others, or our own ideals. Which is the truth that Dickens was trying to explain. He is such a realist. We were led to believe over the course of the book that Pip was going to get the girl for sure. It was what he had been working towards for years. But in reality, a happy ending is never possible, and Pip seems destined to be alone.

Prompt #3**
 * April 5, 2009

To Kill a Mockingbird is a very realistic novel, in the sense that the characters face the same horrific situations as many of us do. Harper Lee is very truthful when explaining to us, the terrible realities of prejudice, and growing up. Scout is forced to come to terms with the situations of her family, and Tom Robinson. As is the reader. Although none of this is necessarily justified, it is truth. Although we are living in a more socially advanced, and educated world today, we are still not completely humane when dealing with differences. Which is the biggest most important truth of the novel.

Tom Robinson, being a black man, was treated very unfairly by the townspeople. He was accused of a crime he did not commit, simply because he was of color. Racism is still prominent in our world today. Regardless of what we have done to help the cause, prejudice will always exist.

Prompt #2**
 * April 5, 2009

In __Lord of the Flies__ one of the larger themes of the novel was the "beast within." Most characters let their primal instinct overcome their common sense, giving them violent and cannibalistic tendencies. There are several things we can learn from William Golding. Personally, understand your limits, and recognize human nature. When put in an unfamiliar environment, when you are struggling to survive, instinct will overcome you. Regardless of how proper and charming you are, your brain is programmed for survival. And if conditions are extreme then you will resort to some very unholy actions. There really is nothing we can learn, except try to keep yourself away from danger so you do not reach that point.

One of the most important truths in the novel was survival of the fittest. This has existed since the beginning of time. Throughout the course of the novel, characters that were not strong enough, or did not please other characters, were killed. Another truth in the novel, is that people naturally resort to violence and cruelty when anxious or fearful.

Prompt #1**
 * October 8, 2008

Although the supernatural figures and events described in myths never really existed, or happened, there is still a great deal of truth in these stories. The myths give simple explanations of human nature today, and also natural disasters. A good example of a modern day archetype that is described in a myth, is that of Narcissus, the vain man who fell in love with his own reflection. I see terrible cases of vanity today, look at Hollywood. It's not just celebrities that have this problem, everyone takes so much pride in their appearance, it's ridiculous.

Now looking at another aspect of mythology, natural phenomena, I realize that the events described in myths, give very accurate, truthful explanations of whats going on today. Take the Polynesian myth of Pele as an example. The myth tells us how, and why the famous volcanoes of Hawaii were formed (in mythological terms), and also some aftermath, and cause and effect.

Although mythology is really just a replacement of actual scientific explanations of real events, it still gives us a sense of history, and our world today.