-Randle McMurphy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
16 January, 2012
Sailor’s Manifesto
ARTICLE ONE. THE SAILOR
I believe that sailing is neither a hobby, nor a daily activity but it is a lifestyle. With constant progress the sea itself becomes home to the real sailor. The deck, the mainsail, the foresail are merely limbs of his body.
I believe that a sailor can only learn from what he has seen. He cannot be taught or be expected to learn from books. The real sailor will want to see for his own and to solve problems on his feet.
I believe that the biggest struggle that a sailor has is with Mother Nature herself. To know it’s ways and to fight against it or even to try to predict its actions is implausible; therefore the sailor must be ready to act, agile and sharp-minded.
I believe that a sailor should be able to appreciate. The true act of sailing involves the beauties of nature and the sailor should be able to comprehend and be grateful for all that is given to him.
I believe that a sailor should be able to discern his place amongst the eclectic phenomena of Mother Nature. He should be able to understand that he is no more than a dot on the face of the earth and that he is not the one who will overcome or alter nature. He must perceive that he is at the will of Mother Nature and that all he can do is change his course in order to escape her wrath.
I believe that a sailor should be strong, both of mind and body.
I believe a sailor should be able to adapt. He should be changing and shifting himself, like the winds he sails, to fit his role in the crew. He should learn to work with others and most importantly by himself should he need it.
ARTICLE TWO. THE SAILBOAT
I believe the ship is more than a vessel for the sailor. It is more than a floating entity bound to take men from one place to another. The sailboat is for the sailor the home, the wife and the children.
I believe that the captain should care for the sailboat: keep it clean, away from danger and without any defects. The sailboat should be repaired immediately if it is harmed in any way during the journey.
I believe the sailboat should be treated as a living entity like the rest of the crew. The boat is, in fact, essential to the crew. The sailboat provides shelter and cares for the captain and his men, hence it deserves the same caring from its crew. The captain’s task is to protect his vessel with his life. He should realize that none of his travels could have occurred without it.
I believe the sailboat is not to be abandoned at any point. Even in death, the vessel shall be cared for like a friend on his deathbed. This is why it should be that the captain should go down with his ship. The vessel is a true friend for the captain.
ARTICLE THREE. THE ACT OF SAILING
I believe sailing is not only the labor and hard work, but also, the storms, the winds and the sun itself. It is the joy, the exhilaration of surviving yet another journey.
I believe sailing is not an act of singular person but a result of all the actions of the crew. Therefore, the sailor must be able to communicate, he must be able to understand and solve problems. He should be able to foresee what is to come and learn from what has passed and the mistakes he made.
I believe that after the course set for a journey to a foreign land it cannot be changed or altered. The sailor will face all that is to come and go forth to the land beyond the sea. Nothing will make him suffer, hurt or give up.
I believe that sailing is not only a journey between the two cities across the sea; it is the experience you gain from this journey. The true passion for sailing comes from the burning desire in man’s heart to throw himself into the bosom of the ocean.
I believe sailing is not learned behind a desk, taking notes and listening to lectures. The true art of sailing is in practice. One cannot be called a sailor as long as he has not sailed the winds of the ocean or defied its waves. The only way of becoming a true sailor lies in going out to sea, unfurling your sails and letting the wind take you away to a foreign land.
I believe sailing is an art of survival. It is the sum of all of the capabilities of the sailor and the ability to overcome perilous circumstances.
I believe sailing is a lifelong realization of death’s close proximity, the awareness of life’s essential beauties, and the appreciation of the smallest of gifts of nature that come with it.
I believe that only in this way will the sailor learn the art of sailing and, with God’s will, master the seas of the world.
I believe that sailing is neither a hobby, nor a daily activity but it is a lifestyle. With constant progress the sea itself becomes home to the real sailor. The deck, the mainsail, the foresail are merely limbs of his body.
I believe that a sailor can only learn from what he has seen. He cannot be taught or be expected to learn from books. The real sailor will want to see for his own and to solve problems on his feet.
I believe that the biggest struggle that a sailor has is with Mother Nature herself. To know it’s ways and to fight against it or even to try to predict its actions is implausible; therefore the sailor must be ready to act, agile and sharp-minded.
I believe that a sailor should be able to appreciate. The true act of sailing involves the beauties of nature and the sailor should be able to comprehend and be grateful for all that is given to him.
I believe that a sailor should be able to discern his place amongst the eclectic phenomena of Mother Nature. He should be able to understand that he is no more than a dot on the face of the earth and that he is not the one who will overcome or alter nature. He must perceive that he is at the will of Mother Nature and that all he can do is change his course in order to escape her wrath.
I believe that a sailor should be strong, both of mind and body.
I believe a sailor should be able to adapt. He should be changing and shifting himself, like the winds he sails, to fit his role in the crew. He should learn to work with others and most importantly by himself should he need it.
ARTICLE TWO. THE SAILBOAT
I believe the ship is more than a vessel for the sailor. It is more than a floating entity bound to take men from one place to another. The sailboat is for the sailor the home, the wife and the children.
I believe that the captain should care for the sailboat: keep it clean, away from danger and without any defects. The sailboat should be repaired immediately if it is harmed in any way during the journey.
I believe the sailboat should be treated as a living entity like the rest of the crew. The boat is, in fact, essential to the crew. The sailboat provides shelter and cares for the captain and his men, hence it deserves the same caring from its crew. The captain’s task is to protect his vessel with his life. He should realize that none of his travels could have occurred without it.
I believe the sailboat is not to be abandoned at any point. Even in death, the vessel shall be cared for like a friend on his deathbed. This is why it should be that the captain should go down with his ship. The vessel is a true friend for the captain.
ARTICLE THREE. THE ACT OF SAILING
I believe sailing is not only the labor and hard work, but also, the storms, the winds and the sun itself. It is the joy, the exhilaration of surviving yet another journey.
I believe sailing is not an act of singular person but a result of all the actions of the crew. Therefore, the sailor must be able to communicate, he must be able to understand and solve problems. He should be able to foresee what is to come and learn from what has passed and the mistakes he made.
I believe that after the course set for a journey to a foreign land it cannot be changed or altered. The sailor will face all that is to come and go forth to the land beyond the sea. Nothing will make him suffer, hurt or give up.
I believe that sailing is not only a journey between the two cities across the sea; it is the experience you gain from this journey. The true passion for sailing comes from the burning desire in man’s heart to throw himself into the bosom of the ocean.
I believe sailing is not learned behind a desk, taking notes and listening to lectures. The true art of sailing is in practice. One cannot be called a sailor as long as he has not sailed the winds of the ocean or defied its waves. The only way of becoming a true sailor lies in going out to sea, unfurling your sails and letting the wind take you away to a foreign land.
I believe sailing is an art of survival. It is the sum of all of the capabilities of the sailor and the ability to overcome perilous circumstances.
I believe sailing is a lifelong realization of death’s close proximity, the awareness of life’s essential beauties, and the appreciation of the smallest of gifts of nature that come with it.
I believe that only in this way will the sailor learn the art of sailing and, with God’s will, master the seas of the world.
Language of the African-Americans in Southern American Literature
Every culture has its own properties ranging from dance, rituals and music to children’s tales, language and dialect. In the context of dialect, some cultures go so far as to create their own grammatical rules and sometimes even come up with alternative spellings of the words they use. These words help us discern the culture of the individual even when reading about these people in books and stories. Most common dialect we encounter in southern American literature is the dialect used by the African-Americans. Flannery O’Connor is only one of many authors that use this dialect to reflect the cultures of the characters in their fiction. The dialect both gives a sense of reality to the characters and allows the author to tell us about the character without the use of excessive words.
One reality is that Negroes, or “niggers” as O’Connor calls them, have had certain stereotypes associated with them throughout history. Some saw them as uneducated and some others thought they were worth less as humans. They have been looked down upon and discriminated by the white folk in southern America. Their dialect is thought to be unsophisticated and unstructured. What most people did not understand then, and many still don’t, is that the African-Americans had their own structure of language and their own way of communicating. This dialect was neither less sophisticated nor unstructured. Rather, only once they were able to speak and understand this dialect did people discern its nature. It is a matter of being able to understand the grammatical structure and the usage of the dialect in daily life. The grammatical errors were not results of ignorance or a lack of education. The stories written in the 1930s do reflect some aspects of this discrimination with the language used in their contexts, a degradation of African-Americans seen easily through the characters’ interactions.
The use of language in O’Connor’s stories start with the inclusion of the word “nigger.” This tells us quite a lot about the way southern Americans view African-Americans. Now considered an insult, the word “nigger” was used widely in the 1930s USA. It reflects the way African-Americans were condescended at the time, seen as less educated and of little value to the Americans. In her story, “The Displaced Person,” O’Connor also includes different spelling of certain words. Instead of “Sure is,” she uses “Sho is” which demonstrates the way many African-Americans speak. This use of language reflects the ways in which the “niggers” in the story and in southern America use American English. O’Connor also presents the use of some sentences that are flawed grammatically. The comment made by a “nigger” right after “Sho is,” is “They there.” This short sentence portrays the grammatical errors the African-Americans are thought to make during this time. What is not understood by many others is that speech has both a surface and a deep structure. While the surface structure is what spoken, the deep structure is what is meant. In the sentence “They there” a large chunk of information is given with the use of less words. So in this case, it could even be said that this is a sign of intelligence. But since no one is able to understand this distinction, the example of the “nigger” using this sentence instead of saying “They are there.” shows the common notion their inferiority in the 1930s society.
“Niggers” did play a huge role in 1930s. No matter how they were treated or how they were viewed, Negroes played essential roles in the 1930s southern American society; as gardeners, laborers, convicts or businessmen. Whatever role the character may play, it is easy to stereotype it and carve it into default shapes for the author by the usage of typical language. The language through which culture is revealed impacts the audience and informs the reader without having to use excessive words.
One reality is that Negroes, or “niggers” as O’Connor calls them, have had certain stereotypes associated with them throughout history. Some saw them as uneducated and some others thought they were worth less as humans. They have been looked down upon and discriminated by the white folk in southern America. Their dialect is thought to be unsophisticated and unstructured. What most people did not understand then, and many still don’t, is that the African-Americans had their own structure of language and their own way of communicating. This dialect was neither less sophisticated nor unstructured. Rather, only once they were able to speak and understand this dialect did people discern its nature. It is a matter of being able to understand the grammatical structure and the usage of the dialect in daily life. The grammatical errors were not results of ignorance or a lack of education. The stories written in the 1930s do reflect some aspects of this discrimination with the language used in their contexts, a degradation of African-Americans seen easily through the characters’ interactions.
The use of language in O’Connor’s stories start with the inclusion of the word “nigger.” This tells us quite a lot about the way southern Americans view African-Americans. Now considered an insult, the word “nigger” was used widely in the 1930s USA. It reflects the way African-Americans were condescended at the time, seen as less educated and of little value to the Americans. In her story, “The Displaced Person,” O’Connor also includes different spelling of certain words. Instead of “Sure is,” she uses “Sho is” which demonstrates the way many African-Americans speak. This use of language reflects the ways in which the “niggers” in the story and in southern America use American English. O’Connor also presents the use of some sentences that are flawed grammatically. The comment made by a “nigger” right after “Sho is,” is “They there.” This short sentence portrays the grammatical errors the African-Americans are thought to make during this time. What is not understood by many others is that speech has both a surface and a deep structure. While the surface structure is what spoken, the deep structure is what is meant. In the sentence “They there” a large chunk of information is given with the use of less words. So in this case, it could even be said that this is a sign of intelligence. But since no one is able to understand this distinction, the example of the “nigger” using this sentence instead of saying “They are there.” shows the common notion their inferiority in the 1930s society.
“Niggers” did play a huge role in 1930s. No matter how they were treated or how they were viewed, Negroes played essential roles in the 1930s southern American society; as gardeners, laborers, convicts or businessmen. Whatever role the character may play, it is easy to stereotype it and carve it into default shapes for the author by the usage of typical language. The language through which culture is revealed impacts the audience and informs the reader without having to use excessive words.
"Family" as Portrayed in The River
Bevel is a young boy from an American family, who only seeks for attention as any boy of four or five does. He only wants to “count” as repeated over and over in the story of Bevel’s journey to the river. Bevel is only after caring from his parents but is unable to receive it from what we observe throughout the story. He is a lonely boy at home who is not taken care of by his parents but rather given to a babysitter to be taken out of the house. Bevel’s parents could not be considered his “parents” in this sense because they do not share the bonds that make a family; neither does the house possess values that make it a home. A home is supposed to be bound by loving and caring, with feelings that bind the individual to it. Bevel’s house and parents are not connected to each other by these bonds and Bevel himself is merely an excess individual to be fed.
Bevel is obviously highly saddened by this fact. Even though he is only a four year-old boy, and is not completely aware of the parties that take place in the house, Bevel is dire need of attention and caring from the parents. He does not feel that he “counts.” What Bevel refers to when he says “”He said I’m not the same now,” he murmured. “I count.” is his view in the eyes of his parents. He feels that because he is baptized, now that people will care about him and give him the attention he lacks at his house. Bevel is not want attention and loving but he is willing to do anything to receive it. The only place where he actually feels this belonging is the river in the story. Taking this into consideration, his actions at the end of the story are in no way illogical. The fact that “He hadn’t taken a suitcase because there was nothing from there he wanted to keep.” shows that Bevel does not appreciate his life at home and wants to keep as far away from it as possible. A family is a binding entity; it is an environment in which you feel safe and comfortable. Bevel’s parents do not possess this and therefore Bevel has no reason to be bound by the house. He wants to be in a place where he is “counts” and in which he feels happy.
“Mrs. Connin stood a second, staring into the room, with a skeleton’s appearance of seeing everything.” when she brings Bevel back home to his parents. At this point, she realizes what Bevel was talking about when he said his mother had a “hangover.” The party that is going on in the house involves the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Bevel is not aware of this but he certainly feels the outcomes of these parties that should not involve a four year-old kid sleeping in the next room. As Bevel’s mother “whispered and her bitter breath covered his face.” we can see that Bevel is not in a suitable environment for young boy to be raised in. Considering the state that the parents are living in, the only thing that Bevel can do is to find a better life for himself. Always being passed on to a different babysitter, who mostly does not even know his name, Bevel is excluded from his parents’ love. Bevel only wants to know he matters to his parents and that they are actually aware of his presence, he only wants to “count.”
Like any wise person, Bevel chooses to go to the only place where he knows for sure he matters. The river is where Bevel believes he actually is part of something more important than he is at home. Therefore, at the end of the story, Bevel runs back to the river as fast as he can, leaving everything behind him. He wants to be somewhere where he actually means something to people, and in this case, the Kingdom of Christ. There are many reasons as to why Bevel thinks this is important to him and many ways we can interpret his actions. We can look at it from a Biblical point of view and say he has exercised the demons inside him and that he is now a clean person. But when you look at Bevel as a simple little kid, we can see that he only wants some sort of attention. The river is where he finds this. The calmness he feels as the story comes to an end is due to the beautiful thoughts that fill his body. He dreams of a beautiful place as the “current caught him like a long gentle hand and pulled him swiftly forward and down.” “…all the fury and fear had left him.” when he was pulled and taken into the soft and gentle arms of the river. Even when he died, Bevel believed that he was being taken to better place; therefore, he did not suffer as many do.
Bevel is only a young boy of four. He only wants his parents’ love and caring. The lack of the warmth of a true family, drives Bevel to the river. He is compelled to run somewhere where he actually matters to some people. He is joyful as he dies and finally feels that he will leading a life actually worth something. He may even believe that he will make a change, that he will count, people will recognize him and maybe even know his name
Bevel is obviously highly saddened by this fact. Even though he is only a four year-old boy, and is not completely aware of the parties that take place in the house, Bevel is dire need of attention and caring from the parents. He does not feel that he “counts.” What Bevel refers to when he says “”He said I’m not the same now,” he murmured. “I count.” is his view in the eyes of his parents. He feels that because he is baptized, now that people will care about him and give him the attention he lacks at his house. Bevel is not want attention and loving but he is willing to do anything to receive it. The only place where he actually feels this belonging is the river in the story. Taking this into consideration, his actions at the end of the story are in no way illogical. The fact that “He hadn’t taken a suitcase because there was nothing from there he wanted to keep.” shows that Bevel does not appreciate his life at home and wants to keep as far away from it as possible. A family is a binding entity; it is an environment in which you feel safe and comfortable. Bevel’s parents do not possess this and therefore Bevel has no reason to be bound by the house. He wants to be in a place where he is “counts” and in which he feels happy.
“Mrs. Connin stood a second, staring into the room, with a skeleton’s appearance of seeing everything.” when she brings Bevel back home to his parents. At this point, she realizes what Bevel was talking about when he said his mother had a “hangover.” The party that is going on in the house involves the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Bevel is not aware of this but he certainly feels the outcomes of these parties that should not involve a four year-old kid sleeping in the next room. As Bevel’s mother “whispered and her bitter breath covered his face.” we can see that Bevel is not in a suitable environment for young boy to be raised in. Considering the state that the parents are living in, the only thing that Bevel can do is to find a better life for himself. Always being passed on to a different babysitter, who mostly does not even know his name, Bevel is excluded from his parents’ love. Bevel only wants to know he matters to his parents and that they are actually aware of his presence, he only wants to “count.”
Like any wise person, Bevel chooses to go to the only place where he knows for sure he matters. The river is where Bevel believes he actually is part of something more important than he is at home. Therefore, at the end of the story, Bevel runs back to the river as fast as he can, leaving everything behind him. He wants to be somewhere where he actually means something to people, and in this case, the Kingdom of Christ. There are many reasons as to why Bevel thinks this is important to him and many ways we can interpret his actions. We can look at it from a Biblical point of view and say he has exercised the demons inside him and that he is now a clean person. But when you look at Bevel as a simple little kid, we can see that he only wants some sort of attention. The river is where he finds this. The calmness he feels as the story comes to an end is due to the beautiful thoughts that fill his body. He dreams of a beautiful place as the “current caught him like a long gentle hand and pulled him swiftly forward and down.” “…all the fury and fear had left him.” when he was pulled and taken into the soft and gentle arms of the river. Even when he died, Bevel believed that he was being taken to better place; therefore, he did not suffer as many do.
Bevel is only a young boy of four. He only wants his parents’ love and caring. The lack of the warmth of a true family, drives Bevel to the river. He is compelled to run somewhere where he actually matters to some people. He is joyful as he dies and finally feels that he will leading a life actually worth something. He may even believe that he will make a change, that he will count, people will recognize him and maybe even know his name
A Place To Get Lost
On an ocean, with nothing around to see; that would be my favorite place to get lost. It is not understandable to everyone as not everyone is a sailor. But when you have seen the vast sea, the endless possibilities in which you can end up, then you understand its value. With the sun shining on your face and the sea murmuring right next to you, you see what beauties the world has. The world does not have eight wonders but seven in my opinion; the seven distinct oceans of the world.
Lying on your sailing boat with nothing to worry about and nothing to think about, you can only think about yourself and your existence. You become one with yourself, you understand who you are. You see the true beauty of nature and compare your existence to it. Only then, lost at sea and alone, can you see that you are able to explore your deepest feelings.
Admitting defeat is difficult for everyone. But when you see nothing in your thousand-kilometer radius, you have to admit that you have lost against nature. So, you learn; you learn about feelings that you never thought humans could feel, you learn about the doubts and regrets you have had up to today.
Then you see perfect unity and harmony of nature. The way winds ripple the tops of waves. The scents that are carried in the breeze reach you and swipe you off your feet. The trees on shore crackle and hum as you look around aimlessly.
You see that you are lost, off the radar. Somewhere no one passes. Somewhere nobody cares to look. Then you think about all the things you had been missing by not being lost long before that day. You are stranded and you cannot even walk away; yet you are glad that you are here, because it feels right. It feels like the place you should be in at that very second. It feels life has played its course and all your deeds, both good and bad, have lead to where you are now.
Lying on your sailing boat with nothing to worry about and nothing to think about, you can only think about yourself and your existence. You become one with yourself, you understand who you are. You see the true beauty of nature and compare your existence to it. Only then, lost at sea and alone, can you see that you are able to explore your deepest feelings.
Admitting defeat is difficult for everyone. But when you see nothing in your thousand-kilometer radius, you have to admit that you have lost against nature. So, you learn; you learn about feelings that you never thought humans could feel, you learn about the doubts and regrets you have had up to today.
Then you see perfect unity and harmony of nature. The way winds ripple the tops of waves. The scents that are carried in the breeze reach you and swipe you off your feet. The trees on shore crackle and hum as you look around aimlessly.
You see that you are lost, off the radar. Somewhere no one passes. Somewhere nobody cares to look. Then you think about all the things you had been missing by not being lost long before that day. You are stranded and you cannot even walk away; yet you are glad that you are here, because it feels right. It feels like the place you should be in at that very second. It feels life has played its course and all your deeds, both good and bad, have lead to where you are now.
Birds
Ever since I was a little boy, I have dreamed about flying. Not flying in a plane or in a hot air balloon but like Peter Pan does. I’ve tried to go up in a hot air balloon, in a plane or a simulator but none of them gave me what I had hoped to gain from flying. None of these gave me the freedom that I expect to get when I’m flying high in the sky. I have always wished I could just jump out of a twenty-story building and simply fly off in any direction I wish. When I’m bored, when I want some peace or simply to get to where I want to go, I’d start flying. Most people found this weird and others said that I was a dreamer. Yet, to this day, my biggest hope is to be able to fly out of my balcony and touch the clouds. To see the whole world beneath me and to level with the birds as they fly to lands across the sea has been my dream.
Reading books in which men flew using different techniques. I saw the men from Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy describe it as “falling but not touching the ground.” I saw in television shows where men flew faster than the speed of light. I calculated the time it would take me to travel to cities if I were able to fly. Sometimes I wished I could just fly away in the middle of a mind-numbing conversation; just simply say, “Why bother?” and fly out the closest window. I wished to feel as free as birds do. With nothing to bind you, no responsibilities, five thousand meters above the ground in the cold sky I wanted to let go of everything and just fly.
Yet the closest I have gotten to any of this in my dreams. I have flown above buildings, above trees and travelled across the sea to a new land. It was all gone when I woke up in the morning. Yet still there remained an inkling feeling that I it would be the day I flew away. Maybe in the future my genes will be altered in a terrible nuclear accident and I will be able to fly. But until that day, my feet will touch the ground and I will tread the path that leads to where I am supposed to be.
Reading books in which men flew using different techniques. I saw the men from Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy describe it as “falling but not touching the ground.” I saw in television shows where men flew faster than the speed of light. I calculated the time it would take me to travel to cities if I were able to fly. Sometimes I wished I could just fly away in the middle of a mind-numbing conversation; just simply say, “Why bother?” and fly out the closest window. I wished to feel as free as birds do. With nothing to bind you, no responsibilities, five thousand meters above the ground in the cold sky I wanted to let go of everything and just fly.
Yet the closest I have gotten to any of this in my dreams. I have flown above buildings, above trees and travelled across the sea to a new land. It was all gone when I woke up in the morning. Yet still there remained an inkling feeling that I it would be the day I flew away. Maybe in the future my genes will be altered in a terrible nuclear accident and I will be able to fly. But until that day, my feet will touch the ground and I will tread the path that leads to where I am supposed to be.
Some introspective ideas...
I acquire something from every small experience in life. I like to look at the smallest detail and learn something from it. Nothing vital goes by without me noticing it because I believe that even in every-day experiences, there is something else to learn. There is a lesson to learn in what you do everyday. Being a truly knowledgeable individual, I believe, comes from this ability to be aware. Not of the news, the media but what goes on around you, what you are experiencing. Making connections between your own and others’ experiences, between your life and the life of a character in a book you have read long ago… These are essential to becoming fully human; the ability to not to miss a single thing you have seen or experienced. The ability to record everything in your brain and use it later… If you do not gather anything from what you experience then, what’s the use? Is it really living if you let everything slip by? If “life is what you make of it”, to make the most of it you have to recall most of it.
Professions as Lifestyles
Joseph Conrad, throughout the course of various stories, has explored seamanship. As a preface to a collection of his works, Conrad stated “Men earning their bread in any very specialized occupation will talk shop, not only because it is the most vital interest of their lives but also because they have not much knowledge of other subjects. They have never had the time to get acquainted with them. Life, for most of us, is not so much a hard as an exacting taskmaster.” The biggest example to the “taskmaster” referred to in this quote is of course, the seamen that take part in many of Conrad’s tales. Of the two we have read in class, both show qualities that reflect this idea of “exacting taskmaster.” Seaman in general are devout; seamanship is not a profession for them but a lifestyle, such people as Marlow and Captain McWhirr, “observe at the same time that (they) hate(d) going ashore.” Their profession, has become their life. What else can they do but “talk shop” all the time?
Marlow is a one character that we can observe from two points of view. Both from his days as a master seamen, one who has traveled the seas of the world and the man he was way back in his youth. These men are not the same; the old Marlow, complacent and reminiscent of his past days as a young a man, the young Marlow, full of joy and life. Even though throughout the storyline Marlow states repeatedly that he wishes to be a young man, he never does realize what his youth as a seamen has brought him. He is wise and experienced with the sea; he knows more about the east than anyone around him at the time. Marlow is experienced and he is an “exacted taskmaster.” Even though he does seem to realize this fact, his experiences have brought him a great deal of knowledge. The sea has not only become the most vital interest of his life, but it has become Marlow’s life indeed. Marlow does not signal other knowledge about other areas of life in the tale yet, he is glad, he does not care for any other areas of life.
Marlow’s willingness to work in the hardest times has proven him to be a valiant man and has added excessively to his knowledge in the sea. The fact that he does not give up in the face of hardships he faces in the plot of Youth, shows that he is willing to do anything to excel in his area, mirrors the idea of Conrad’s quote. Even when “engaged in grave digger’s work” Marlow strives to become the better sailor. As he strives further, instead of being discouraged, the disastrous events they face only reinforce his feelings of youth. “Morally it was worse than pumping for life. It seemed as though we had been forgotten by the world, belonged to nobody, and would go nowhere…” is what he thinks at his darkest time of the trip He is still optimistic because Marlow is glad to be excelling in his line of work. The compassion he feels towards Judea is impeccable as displayed in the lines “I would have just as soon have abused the old village church at home for not being a cathedral.” His compassion never leaves him throughout his voyage to the east even when he becomes the first mate on the rescue boat, he takes his job seriously. It is these experiences that help him move forward in his profession. What better way is there than learning from first-hand experience of the vast seas?
Captain McWhirr on the other hand tells us straight off that he does not value book-learning in his lines “It’s only to let you see, Mr. Juke, that you don’t find everything in books.” and “There are things you find nothing about in books.” Even though he is considered a dull man by the Nan-Shan crew, I believe they are mistaken. These lines show that McWhirr is not a bookworm but excels in his line of work by using first-hand experience. After all how many men could live to tell the story of his voyage inside a circular storm? Captain McWhirr relies on his instincts as a seaman and not solely on books that give formulaic information to the reader. And in his actions there is great wisdom about profession and what Conrad referred to in his statement. He is merely a seamen and nothing else. He would in fact be otherwise dull and prosaic. His relying on experience brings him more than man can expect to get from books. He has achieved his exactment through life itself and of course this has brought a large variety of achievements as a seamen.
Man has passion. His passion can be directed in many areas of life but there is but one area man can flourish to the full extent. This area shapes who they are and tells us more about the man than anything else. Men like Marlow and Captain McWhirr are such men that have adopted seamanship as a lifestyle. They know only the ways of the sea and the wind but that is enough to make them happy with their life. What other achievement can man ask for but to be able follow his passion and exact as a taskmaster?
Marlow is a one character that we can observe from two points of view. Both from his days as a master seamen, one who has traveled the seas of the world and the man he was way back in his youth. These men are not the same; the old Marlow, complacent and reminiscent of his past days as a young a man, the young Marlow, full of joy and life. Even though throughout the storyline Marlow states repeatedly that he wishes to be a young man, he never does realize what his youth as a seamen has brought him. He is wise and experienced with the sea; he knows more about the east than anyone around him at the time. Marlow is experienced and he is an “exacted taskmaster.” Even though he does seem to realize this fact, his experiences have brought him a great deal of knowledge. The sea has not only become the most vital interest of his life, but it has become Marlow’s life indeed. Marlow does not signal other knowledge about other areas of life in the tale yet, he is glad, he does not care for any other areas of life.
Marlow’s willingness to work in the hardest times has proven him to be a valiant man and has added excessively to his knowledge in the sea. The fact that he does not give up in the face of hardships he faces in the plot of Youth, shows that he is willing to do anything to excel in his area, mirrors the idea of Conrad’s quote. Even when “engaged in grave digger’s work” Marlow strives to become the better sailor. As he strives further, instead of being discouraged, the disastrous events they face only reinforce his feelings of youth. “Morally it was worse than pumping for life. It seemed as though we had been forgotten by the world, belonged to nobody, and would go nowhere…” is what he thinks at his darkest time of the trip He is still optimistic because Marlow is glad to be excelling in his line of work. The compassion he feels towards Judea is impeccable as displayed in the lines “I would have just as soon have abused the old village church at home for not being a cathedral.” His compassion never leaves him throughout his voyage to the east even when he becomes the first mate on the rescue boat, he takes his job seriously. It is these experiences that help him move forward in his profession. What better way is there than learning from first-hand experience of the vast seas?
Captain McWhirr on the other hand tells us straight off that he does not value book-learning in his lines “It’s only to let you see, Mr. Juke, that you don’t find everything in books.” and “There are things you find nothing about in books.” Even though he is considered a dull man by the Nan-Shan crew, I believe they are mistaken. These lines show that McWhirr is not a bookworm but excels in his line of work by using first-hand experience. After all how many men could live to tell the story of his voyage inside a circular storm? Captain McWhirr relies on his instincts as a seaman and not solely on books that give formulaic information to the reader. And in his actions there is great wisdom about profession and what Conrad referred to in his statement. He is merely a seamen and nothing else. He would in fact be otherwise dull and prosaic. His relying on experience brings him more than man can expect to get from books. He has achieved his exactment through life itself and of course this has brought a large variety of achievements as a seamen.
Man has passion. His passion can be directed in many areas of life but there is but one area man can flourish to the full extent. This area shapes who they are and tells us more about the man than anything else. Men like Marlow and Captain McWhirr are such men that have adopted seamanship as a lifestyle. They know only the ways of the sea and the wind but that is enough to make them happy with their life. What other achievement can man ask for but to be able follow his passion and exact as a taskmaster?
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