The Big Reveal

I think a fear many of us humans share is the fear of our true selves. Have we really been acquainted with our actual inner thoughts and character? A lot of people live in a trance and are consumed with their constant lives, where they don't really consider this though, similar to Dorian Grey in the beginning of The Picture of Dorian Grey. Dorian, also was innocent before his mind was strayed to other thoughts he had never considered thinking before by the genius Lord Henry. But the difference in this situation than any other regular human that has changed their mindset to being like Dorian's in the novel is that Dorian is able to bring his thoughts into his action without being changed.

Because Dorian was given this ability to commit these horrid actions that reflects his inner self without consequence, the terror of these actions had no affect on his mind. This gave him a feeling of power and fearlessness. If all humans were given the chance Dorian received, which is the ability to reveal your inner self through not only thoughts but actions without consequence in return (although in the end he does face death, but some argue that is not substantial enough to constitute for all he has done) what would it reveal in each of us. It's a scary thought to see the true thoughts and desires that are hidden beneath inside every human. There would probably be mostly power and ambitious actions that are violence based. We can see even in today actions of governments, media, and people the hunger of power that lies beneath the cover up. But with no consequence the cover up would slide away.

I'm not saying the whole world is full of evil power craving crazies although a good amount is. I am just pointing out what we as humans would do if we could show our true selves with no consequence. But because of evil, it creates a fear in us of confronting ourselves. what are we afraid of? being so evil we can't control or evilness I don't know no one knows because Dorian Grey doesn't exist and these types of confrontations are very rare. The confrontations that do occur in todays world are mostly of the evil power craving type, I'm sure many examples pop into your head. Maybe if we weren't so afraid of what evil is there inside of us we might possibly be able to see the good hidden underneath with the evil too.

Work Force and Women

A large issue that has been continuously present in history and persistently present in todays society is equality. Whether it's for women or those of colored skin equality is still a goal for many of us we are striving to enforce and implicate in our society so there is no longer any room for inequality. As we see in the essay written by Virginia Woolf "A Room of One's Own" she speaks the truth of women and women literature back in her time period. And although the essay was written almost 100 years ago, her points and statements she make are still alive in our society today.

An issue Woolf addresses in her essay is how women were not given the equal opportunity of success as men have received, this is where she derives the purpose of having a room of one's own. Now a lot of us would say both men and women all have an equal opportunity now a days in society, right? Wrong. Specifically in the work force this is still a very present issue.

According to studies women earn approximately 77 cents for every dollar men earn. But some might say well that has nothing to do with equal opportunity? But money has everything to do with equal opportunity, according to Woolf. Woolf makes sure to bring up multiple times that without money one cannot possibly be successful.

Another problem in the work force is the influence women receive. According to studies done in 2002 women were only 10.8 percent of all engineers; 1.4 percent of all auto mechanics; 1.8 percent of all carpenters; 30.6 percent of all doctors; and 29.2 percent of all lawyers. These statistics create fear in women, who wants to go somewhere they aren't welcomed? These statistics need to change, until then equality will continue to drag on in the work force. And by a change in the statistics I'm not expecting a perfect 50/50 but there is a large gap between these numbers, and this occurrence is not just by chance.

Women Oppression

                Unfortunately, women oppression is still widely present in the world among us. Whether it appears in the physical form, verbal form, or societal form it is present throughout every country.

                Although it is not as pertinent in the United States as other countries, middle eastern countries per say, Americans also deal with women oppression. Specifically in the area of society, where women are still struggling for equality. This struggle is seen in literature through The Awakening, where Edna is stuck in an average American family and discovers that she has her own wishes and desires other than what has been implicated on her.

                Women in the Middle East experience women oppression through all three variables physically, verbally, and through their society. The society in the Middle East set women lower than men, where women are given much less rights than men. Rights such as education, where education is less available for women than it is for men. In the book A Thousand Splendid Suns, women oppression is shown through two amazing stories, Laila’s and Marian’s. The book not only unveils women oppression in the Middle East but also the strength these women have to persevere and remain strong for their children and the people they love. I truly admire the ability these women have to experience such oppression and continue to move on.

                It is important for us to not ignore women oppression, women are just as human as men there is no reason for any higher acclamation of either. Men are not greater than women, and women are not greater than men. This needs to be recognized entirely throughout the world, because where this mentality is not present, others are provoked.

Prufrock's Fear in today's culture

The poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" speaks of a lonesome man scared to be loved. He fears he is not adequate enough for the women of his days. Not only does he believe he is not physically qualified but he also fears he is not meant to "disturb the universe". In my opinion I believe Prufrock is making outrageous excuses to avoid admitting what his true fear is. He is afraid of love, to be loved, what love will do and how it will affect him. Another big fear of love is if it is lost after it is gained. This fear of love is present in society just as much today as it was with Prufrock in the early 1900's.

I believe the fear of love can be developed through experiences where love was mistreated. I also believe that the fear can be developed in oneself, either through avoidance of love or a grown fear. Today love deserves the fear that Prufrock had. I say this because love is used so carelessly now. Marriages fall apart only for those who got divorced to remarry and be divorced again, repeating the same abuse of love and not realizing the image of love they are creating not only for those around them but themselves. Not only marriages but relationships abuse the beauty of love also, it is unconsidered and replaced with selfish desires leading to a destroyed relationship and those in the relationship.

Love now consist of disloyalty, unhonesty, imprudence, and emptiness. No wonder why Prufrock was so scared to put himself out there no one wants a failed attempt at love.