Comparing Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment and Ralph Waldo Emersons Self-Reliance :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

Comparing Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance "It is only as a man puts off from himself all external support, and stands alone, that I see him to be strong and to prevail..." -Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson's stance on human nature as seen in Self-Reliance is antithetical to that of Dostoevsky's in Crime and Punishment. It is my sincere hope that, had Emerson read this novel, he would have considered more carefully the implications of embracing a self-reliant human nature. A self-reliant nature infers that the self is not relying on the divine for wisdom, but on personal judgments, scientific conclusions, and moral convictions. A self-reliant human being is one that believes that (s)he is capable of arriving at the same plane as God; divinity lies within. Following this nature leads to pervasive feelings of isolation from others because one feels independent from the thoughts of all human beings and thereby rejects any commonality among humans. By failing to recognize the fallibility of the self and the limitations of personal thought and experience, one transcends and also defies his own humanity. Svidrigailov, the pernicious, obstinate character who successfully defies humanity, personifies Emerson himself. Emerson's words echo Svidigailov's resolute theory on human nature: "... If I am the devil's child, I will live then from the devil. No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature. Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to that or this; the only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong what is against it. A man is to carry himself in the presence of all opposition as if every thing were titular and ephemeral but he" (Emerson, 260). Emerson and Svidigailov share in the amoral belief that Truth is found only by following one's own nature. Because divinity lies within one's nature, it is logical that not following one's nature is to reject the will of God. Emerson's words spell out the very point Dostoevsky wishes to refute. Dostoevsky conveys that this notion of a personal "constitution" is the very cause of immorality and misery among human be ings. For it is in one's personal "constitution" where isolation begins and the common Truth in all beings is defied. Raskolnikov, the self-righteous student who tests his ability to transcend human nature by committing murder, cannot fully accept his personal constitution as truth. He is dubious of Svidigailov's character and thus Emerson's theory.

Illegal Immigration Essay Essay

About all of us can state we are kids of immigrants. Either our great grandparents or grandparents came to America for a better life. We know that the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are the symbols of that great dream that so many sought so many old ages ago. During a visit to Ellis Island last summer I learned that during the early 1900’s we encouraged in-migration because it was a clip when our country’s district had grown and we needed more people to assist with the continued development of our state. Today. nevertheless. we find that in-migration is non seen as a positive for our state. but instead it is unimpeachably considered a job today in America. Immigration jurisprudence is in the intelligence a batch and in-migration policy is a large subject discussed in Congress ; it is even a major issue for Obama’s disposal. Some people in authorities believe that we should â€Å"close the door† and cut down the sum of people coming into our state ; particularly as it relates to the jobs we have had with terrorist activities. But. I believe that the chief job with in-migration is non the legal immigrants who come here following the regulations. but instead it’s the illegal immigrants who sneak into our state over boundary lines and so put a load on our societal services and do harm to our state. So. what is the solution? Presently there are about 12 million illegal immigrants in America and that makes it merely excessively expensive and a large undertaking to merely behave all of them at one clip. so we need a better program ; something must be done. Illegal in-migration inflicts a great menace to America. Aside from the belief that illegal immigrants are stealing occupations from our ain citizens and the legal immigrants. but some illegal immigrants are doing offenses. In a 2006 survey from January 1999 to April 2006 about 260. 000 illegal immigrants committed about 1 million sex discourtesies in America. Besides illegal immigrants today make up 30 % prison population in America. A subject that has been on the intelligence frequently in other provinces where there is a batch of illegal immigrant offense is overcrowding of prisons. Many illegal immigrants are coming over and do offenses and jeopardizing the American citizens. But non all illegal immigrants are bad some illegal immigrants are here because they are seeking to do a better unrecorded for themselves. Illegal in-migration besides has a great cost every bit good. Illegal immigrant families imposed. in entire. costs transcending $ 26 billion for the federal authorities. while these immigrants paid merely 16 billion dollars in federal revenue enhancements. hence making a financial shortage of $ 10. 4 billion per twelvemonth at the federal degree. The largest subscribers to this shortage were Medicaid with $ 2. 5 billion. medical intervention for the uninsured with $ 2. 2 billion. food-assistance plans with $ 1. billion. the federal prison and tribunal systems with $ 1. 6 billion. and federal assistance to schools with $ 1. 4 billion. While I believe there are excessively many illegal immigrants to hold them all deported. I do believe that those illegal immigrants who are taking up condemnable activities are the 1s that should be deported ; instead than set in our already overcrowded gaols. I think the other illegal immigrants who really want to go a citizen and do a life for themselves should be able to come frontward. and if they pass condemnable background cheques and pay fees and punishments. they can so be eligible for a probationary legal position. Agricultural workers and those who entered as kids should besides be eligible for the same plan. This would supply a procedure and a manner to command the sum of people coming to the state. These persons would wait until bing legal in-migrations become citizens. so they can acquire in line to go a legal immigrant. I think another thing that could be done is have a startup visa for immigrants who want to come here and get down a concern. If their concern does turn further and is successfu. they should so hold the option to remain for good. This would make more occupations and beef up the community. I think we should besides hold plans set up that would assist new immigrants coming over discovery occupations or a list of people to name for work. I besides think we should hold plans to verify the eligibility of a worker to assist employers find people who are available to work. In the president’s program he had a plan called E-verify. I agree with his program to spread out the usage of this plan. One of the last things I think we should hold in our in-migration policy is something that encourages instruction. For illustration. immigrant kids who attend college could besides gain recognition toward citizenship. I besides believe that all immigrants registering for lasting position should besides be required to larn English within 5 old ages of their reaching. It’s crazy that our state spends all that money and clip with â€Å"English as 2nd language† categories in schools and in communities. If I decided to travel unrecorded in Italy. that authorities would non get down to interpret all their marks and advertisement so that I could understand it. Nor would they pay for me to go to particular categories to larn their linguistic communication. If I decided to populate and work in Italy. it would be my duty to larn the Italian linguistic communication before I go at that place or try to go a citizen at that place. Unfortunately. in-migration continues to be a job chiefly because our state can’t handle the immense inflow of people desiring to come here. Although our state was founded by â€Å"immigrants† . we no longer are capable of covering with all the other issues like instruction. occupations. health care and lodging. that come with leting more people to come to our state. I understand there is no easy reply. but I do believe we need to do certain we are protecting our state and our citizens foremost.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Puck, Bottom, and Dichotomy in...

Although Shakespeare wrote many well-received plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the most popular by far, and its engaging love story and comedic tone are undoubtedly the biggest factors contributing to the production’s success. However, while the love square between the four young Athenians is the central plotline of the play, Shakespeare included many humorous elements that alter the story’s course drastically. The misunderstanding between Oberon and Puck over the Athenians accounts for well over half of the play, and if not for the Mechanicals’ production of Pyramus and Thisbe, audiences never would have been introduced to the wonderfully bombastic Bottom. Beyond the purely utilitarian purpose for the fairies and Mechanicals, though, is an excellent and unlikely comedic partnership between Robin Goodfellow and Nick Bottom. Both characters, while radically different, strengthen the play through their assorted antics and interactions. Puck, the Lord of Misrule in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is mischievous and more than willing to have a laugh at others’ expense, even when the trick has gone too far. Despite Oberon’s chiding, Puck shows no remorse after his careless mistake when applying the flower’s juice on the wrong Athenian’s eyes. Puck merely observes the chaos he creates, and revels in every moment of it. Neither the disarray brought into the four lovers’ lives nor the possible consequences of his actions ever affect what Puck does next. He may be loyal to