Chapter 9 of Parable of the Sower (P.O.T.S) opens, "All struggles/Are essentially/power struggles./Who wil rule,/Who will lead,/Who will define,/refine,/confine,/design, who will dominate./All struggles/Are essentially/power struggles,/And most/are no more intellectual/than two rams/knocking their heads together." - EARTHSEED: THE BOOK OF THE LIVING (page 94)
Explain what Lauren, the main character, means by this statement. How is it relevant to human existence and interaction? Use examples for life experience, literature and various reading to express your points.
By saying this statement, Lauren is trying to say that any struggle displayed by 2 opposing sides are inlfuenced by dominance. Throughout time, fights have beeen taken place around the world. Most of these fights, struggles, altercations, and etc revovle around the simple need of power. By relating them to "two rams knocking their heads together", Lauren is saying that these struggles are just as simple yet idiotic to begin with. Many wars, such as World War II, were started for the gain of power, and sadly these events are meaningless. It's natural for all humans to want some type of domminace and power over others. Sadly, the society projected today only answers to those with some type of power or major influence over others, which is why many seek to obtain it. As I stated earlier, wars is an example of how some interact with one another terms of struggles. Struggles where no opposing force is willing to back down can cause major problems, which can become a global threat towards the whole world. Without struggles to take place in the world, many enviorments would be a much safer place to live in. Power is a natural thing that all people desire, aas well as the basis of many problems. In a way, it's reasonable to see disputes over power in human interaction, as it seems to be he only thing that most people care about in today's society.
ReplyDeleteLauren means that people interact with one another through these power struggles instead of just being one and equal. People are trying their hardest to over power one another and it's not coming out to anyhing good.For example, when two heirs to a throne are both competing for that spot, they'll go at eachother but yet not one of them ever stopped to say, "Let's work together." If they cared about the people's sake, they would decide to collaborate so they can be more helpful for their people. People just worry about gaining all the power for themselves rather than whats good for the people they'll be ruling. And if that person that was fighting for power isn't of any good to the citizens, the citizens lives will be hanging on that one thread to their lives and civilization. Their home and even themselves will be in danger which is why people shouldn't fight for power struggle but collaborate with their opposing side to make a better place for everyone.
ReplyDeleteLauren means that as long as there's something or someone to fight for, something or someone to rule, the world will always be a war zone; we'll never know peace,interaction, equality or a place where things are not so much of a chaotic game. Power, pretty much like money is indifferent, it's not biased, it doesn't care about whom you are or what you are, so it's down to who's using it. Hence, the corrupt use power in a corrupt way and the virtuous vice versa. Ultimately good and bad are man made concepts, where corruption is merely another part of the concept, it doesn't really exist but relatively speaking you can define it. People corrupt themselves - they loose touch with their humanity - they're often corrupt before they attain the power that is said to have corrupted them. Corrupt people are more prepared to do whatever it takes than an honest man. All over the world many have witness many power struggles throughout their existence. For instance economy, life, politics and so much more; Country after country fight for things that doesn’t belong to them, sometimes the fight is too much that it leads to wars like WWI and WWII. You might think that many of us have learned something by then but no, we still fight for dominance and such and it’s never going to end.
ReplyDeleteEssentially, Lauren is basically generalizing all struggles to power struggles. Although sometimes struggles may be important, majority of the time, it is no more intellectual that two fans butting heads. She is demeaning the purpose of struggle by saying that we have a significant objective to our struggles which do make sense. For example, in my life, I have problems balancing school in general and at times, I have wanted to quit but when I think about it; why am I struggling? I realize I want to become a successful lawyer; why do I want to be a lawyer? I dive deep and assume I want to argue and make lots of money; why do you want to include these aspects into your life? Then it hit me; I want to be a powerful man with control. This really helped me understand the true aspect of my struggles. Besides, many struggles we face truly do root down to love or power, specifically power. Say for instance, there was middle class man who cannot seem to pay all his bills because there are too many. The struggle he's having is paying his bills or the "power" to pay his bills. He's losing essential power that could be resourceful in the bill paying process which he unfortunately lacks. Moreover, Lauren said uses this because as much as we may not think it is true, all, if not most, of our struggles root down to power.
ReplyDeleteLauren is saying that people shouldn't let their struggles dominate their life. Having a struggle is only a setback that will prevent you from the next step to success. Imagine if Thomas Edison gave up on the discovery of electricity because he was struggling to find the right tools needed to do so. We wouldn't be in the technology era at all since everything is practically run on electricity. Anyway, letting your struggles define who you are just show that you are too "weak" to overcome it. Instead of having the struggle define you, make the way you overcame it define you because it will show your determination and strength. From experience, giving up is not always the best option. Once you give up you show people that you aren't capable of attacking life's struggles. When Lauren says "...no more intellectual than two rams knocking their heads together", she is stating that anyone can "outsmart" a sturggle meaning that overcoming it may come easier than expected. Having determination will definately help you "outsmart" the struggle.
ReplyDeleteLauren is basically saying that these struggles are just dilemas over power and as phalasade said "people shouldn't let their struggles dominate their life. It's a road block for success. For example, this school year I came in ready to be ontop of my work even more then my last two years. I was ready an prepared for a successful year but then situations arose and I struggled through them. I came to the point where I told myself I shouldn't let my struggles bring me down but be a motivation to success and that's what I think of it now.
ReplyDeleteWhen Lauren mentions two rams knocking their head together that portrays two people fighting over power. When rams knock their heads together they're either fighting over territory or a women. In life we have people who fight for power a lot. In magazines we see celebrities dissing each other just to gain power over the other. During a presidential election the always knocking their head together to win the race and become one of the top leaders in the USA. There's not a place you go where struggles aren't about power.
Lauren is saying that every struggle is a struggle to power that will help one succeed in the end. In order to succeed you have to struggle because it makes you stronger. For instance, my freshman year in high school I did not understand algebra and I ended up passing the class with a C. However, during my sophomore year I knew that I had to work harder in order to pass algebra 2. Therefore, since I had to struggle my freshman year it motivated me to want to work harder my sophomore year.
ReplyDeleteWhen Lauren says "And most are no more intellectual than two rams knocking their heads together" she is trying to say that many people are no smarter during their struggle than two rams bumping heads because for two rams to bump heads its pointless. For instance, in the human interaction people tend to fight for things that are pointless like who won the football game, who looks better, or who has the most money. These things are pointless to fight for and struggle over therefore, it makes people look like two rams butting heads because the fight is going to get nowhere.
Lauren introduces chapter 9 with the idea of struggles and what they essentially are. This bold section basically states that all struggles are intentional; they creep up on us to separate the weak from the strong. Lauren’s purpose for writing this statement is to express that during the hardest times, a certain amount of people always seem to prevail above the impermeable obstacles. The effects that she presents us with: the rise of true leaders that put forth their ability to reassure the people in hard times, whether negatively or positively; the idea of who will have the power to rule in such times, and who will transcend beyond what they initially thought they weren’t capable of. This just shows how people tend to perceive and handle their struggles; some choose to rise to the occasion because they are aware of the light of the tunnel, which is what Lauren is trying to say. Others fall at the feet of their struggles. She’s saying that all struggles are inevitable, but temporary and they are a driving force behind shaping people. Take into account how my junior year have been so far; I can honestly say that I find myself wanting to sit in solitude, in a corner, and never shift. I’ve found myself questioning my future as a result of all the stress that I have been under, it’s so hard sometimes that I feel that I might fall to my worst fear; to fail. But, each time I come under this spell, I reiterate to myself that I must struggle now to enjoy the fruits of my labor in the future, and though my sisters ridicule me at times because I am always stressing over a pile of assignments, I understand that the work that I am faced with on a daily basis is what will allow me to prevail in the future, it’s just a matter of time. “Two rams knocking their heads together”, is a direct use of imagery. It depicts two stubborn animals, who are not very smart, that will stop at nothing to dominate over the each other. They will push back and forth until one falls, then, it will be true who is stronger and willing to overcome their obstacles. However, the text can be perceived in a negative way; for instance, when it comes to politicians. The two stubborn animals may present, let’s say, Barack Obama and John McCain, as politicians do, they fight, through promises, for the power over the people. We also see this constantly in magazines how billionaires always seem to have the upper hand; Steve Jobs, prior to his death, was head of a company that produced the world’s most elite electronics, the gizmos and gadgets the Apple produce is what rule the people. Do you believe that the average teenager, or even adult, would be able to go as day without their cellphones, iPods, or laptops?, yet the prices for these items can be very expensive; people struggle for a paycheck to buy these items. All struggles are power struggles because they push you beyond your limits, they take to fallow regions that lay far beyond your comprehension, but you must remain determined to live through and past them; this is what makes you a stronger person. If one can achieve this, then they will render themselves from becoming engulfed in their hardships. However, Keith’s struggle lied with his incapability of grasping the understanding why his father was so compelled the shield him from the outside world beyond the wall. In the end, this led him to places, and action that were, initially, unfamiliar to him, but brought him to his end.
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Chapter 9 of Parable of the Sower (P.O.T.S) opens, "All struggles/Are essentially/power struggles./Who wil rule,/Who will lead,/Who will define,/refine,/confine,/design, who will dominate./All struggles/Are essentially/power struggles,/And most/are no more intellectual/than two rams/knocking their heads together." - EARTHSEED: THE BOOK OF THE LIVING (page 94)
ReplyDeleteExplain what Lauren, the main character, means by this statement. How is it relevant to human existence and interaction? Use examples for life experience, literature and various reading to express your points.
` What Lauren is trying to state is that, in the world we live in, the struggles we have, leads to things greater than our understanding. It can either be essentially good or bad. Where we live today, we use the struggles of others, to get what we want and need, which gives us power. And power is needed for essential things but also to give us a meaning of our life. Everything is intertwined with everything. It's like trying to find the end of a bundle of yarn, you're going to have to move around in all directions to find it. However, like mostly everyone says, peace is the answer. As much as I agree with their statements, war will only come from it. People are too stubborn and ignorant of the fact of winning and maintaining a title in the world. Peace is nothing and useless when your fighting against people who crave power. So what do you do? War is the next thing, which starts the cycle over again. America is known for its so called, "Peace" with other countries, but if so, why do they still hate us? It's because America was the one who bring many countries together and used their struggles to make them imperialist; even though it claims that "America" isn't one. Though it shows many signs that America is one, even today. There is no solution to this cycle, because even if there was peace, it wouldn't last, because people have always gone against it. This is our utopia, and this "Peace" will probably last until the end of time.
Lauren is most likely trying to say that all fights or struggles are basically competitions to see who is the strongest, but she compares it to "two rams/knocking their heads together." to show that all fights are basically pointless and could just be avoided through non physical contact (like talking). This can be related to the many wars that occurred throughout history. Wars like WWII and the War at Iraq could have been avoided if the two opposing forces approached each other in a non lethal way. However, some people think that declaring war on another country is the best way to express their standing on certain topics.
ReplyDeleteFor a more 'everyday' example; in middle school I've been in many fights, and the person I would fight would never want to settle the problem through talking. Their minds become so deluded to the point where talking would prove ineffective and fighting is their only option.
In these verses, Lauren is stating that power is the root cause of conflict. Throughout history, man has fought and killed his fellow man for the ability to govern, whether it be himself or others. Every war that has ever been fought was triggered by either the lack of, desire for, or abuse of power. World War II, for instance, was fueled by Adolf Hitler's obsession over "white power." Though history will tell us that Hitler was a madman, he was a man nonetheless. His crazed Nazi regime is a shining example of the lengths man will resort to in order to gain, maintain, or keep his beloved authority over others. The reference to rams suggests that the love of power is a part of nature. It's in our DNA to want to rule, to dominate. It also implies that most power struggles have little to no intellectual value. There is truly no rationale behind fighting and dying in order to gain authority over another human being. Yet I see a deeper meaning. Power struggles are fought to maintain one's own internal feeling of security. Men feel inferior unless they wear the pants in the relationship, parents feel like they have not raised their children properly if they rebel or question them, and politicians are seen as ineffective if the people they govern protest their agendas. This leads to insecurity, and eventually a struggle to ensure that the power is truly theirs. But power has a way of changing the people who hold it.
ReplyDeletePower corrupts the mind.
Power takes lives.
Power is the root of all evil.
Lauren states that what you think is the greatest struggle of all, is in fact not so much of a struggle. It is obvious that when a tragedy happens, or something goes wrong for someone, they panic. They begin to freak out, and worry about the result of that certain tragedy. When Keith disappears, their family is worried. They contact an expensive, unhelpful police station, and spend a lifetime searching for him. When he returns home unharmed, dressed nicely, and as if he had been out for a hour, his father is very angry, and Cory is worried, and becomes an over-protective mother. They question where he got the expensive clothes from, and why he looks too normal. After being badly beaten by dad, Keith runs away again, only returning once, when dad is not home. He has a roll of money for Cory, and expensive milk for the younger brothers. Cory continues to worry, knowing that he will leave again. She is too blinded by the fear of losing Keith to understand that he may not be in danger. He possibly has really found a new way to live and decided to keep to himself for the benefit of his family, and community. Basically, the struggle that they faced with Keith's disappearance may have been, "no more intellectual than two rams knocking their heads together," or much easier done than said to them.
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