Oedipus's Tragedy

In class all this week, we read the greek tragedy, Oedipus the King. This story was full of dramatic ironies and double meanings on Oedipus's part. Something that we discussed about, was fate, or destiny. For centuries, it has been a struggle for mankind to figure out just how much of our lives is controlled by fate, and what we can decide for ourselves. The greek god Apollo had put a curse upon Laius, that his own son would kill his father and marry his mother. To prevent this, Laius sent the child to die in the wilderness, and thus prevent the prophecy from ever coming true. Yet fate's hands were at work, and the child managed to survive, taken in by Polybus, king of Corinth. Many years later, when the child, Oedipus, heard for himself the same prophecy, he chose to take matters into his own hands. He fled the city of his own volition so that he would not kill his father and wed his mother (even though he did not know that he was adopted). But this choice made by Oedipus still brought a part of the prophecy to pass. While traveling, running away from Corinth to protect his family, he is confronted by a small escort on the road, one of who's members are none other than King Laius, Oedipus's true father. When they are cruel to   Oedipus, he becomes completely enraged, and kills them all. So in fleeing his fate, he ultimately met it.
And the story continued on, and Oedipus did indeed marry his mother, because not only was there no king left to rule Thebes, but he'd also solved the Sphinx's riddle. After many years of peaceful ruling, past deeds begin to beckon Oedipus, and the city is struck by a terrible plague. The murder of Laius has gone unpunished, and until then, the city will never be at peace. Oedipus again, tries to do what is noble and right, to save his city. But his pursuit of this knowledge with ultimately bring about his downfall. So it stands to question, " Was any of this avoidable?" and " Are people really doomed to meet tragic ends, based on their own tragic flaws?" Predestination is also a touchy topic today. If the Creator (or whatever deity one follows) already knows what our futures hold for us, or what choices we make, or what will become of us, then are we already trapped and bound for one certain outcome? Is there no way to defy fate? Whether or not we ourselves know it has decreed for us?

"There is no Escaping Fate"

The Sun Is Rising!!!

Hello again. While I'm still looking for my new independent reading book, Sunrise: Chapter Two (Part One), is now posted. Take a look and enjoy! ^.^

Silver Pen and Pad

Is It Human Nature?

In class, we are covering chinese literature, and yesterday we were talking specifically about Confucius. The view he holds for life is pretty simplistic. Do not be evil. Seek to better yourself with knowledge while remaining humble. Live to honor your family. Rule with kindness and moral order. Just simple things that one would think are common knowledge. The good ol' "do unto others as you would have done to you." I sat at my desk thinking, " Duh, this stuff is a no brainer, right?" But then then as conversation progressed, it seemed others thought differently. Some said that it was impossible to rule/govern that way. That punishment is the only way to get through to some people. As a whole, we discussed how America is constantly endorsing compettition. People are continuously striving to get another rung up on the social ladder, and people want to know who is the best. For example, the Daytona 500 or the Superbowl. Its always a race, a fight to be champion. Why is it all so important to us? Why do we have to step on people to feel a sense of self worth? Throw them under the bus just to get ahead? By the end, the conversation was clinched with, " Its just hard to be a good person. Its hard work."
Why? Why is it hard? Shouldn't goodness and wanting to do whats right just come naturally? Shouldn't we strive for a better world where everyone gets a shot and when they fall short we help pick them up? If not, goodness, then what? What is our preset? The preset of human nature? Is it really violence and rebellion? Is that why there's so much chaos going on in the world? Why there are delinquent kids not respecting their parents, why in some places it isn't even safe to come to a school without fearing for your self respect or even your physical soundness? Are we all just bad on the inside? Take away the politics, the wars, and social cliques, and what would happen? Left to start over again, how would we proceed? Would violent human nature and a passion for power and glory win out over an understanding of common good and camaraderie?

Pursuing Persian

Hello. Me again. To be honest, I haven't done much reading lately. In fact, not really any at all. I can't seem to get into Lolita like I thought I would, and there isn't anything else on the reading list that i want to read at the moment. But, while we were going through our last unit in World Lit, Persian Literature, I came across a summary for a piece called Scheherazade. Its a story about how a princess cleverly staves off her execution by spinning tales for a vicious king. I was excited and very interested in reading it, but when I turned the page, the story wasn't there. I was SO disappointed. So, I'm going to find it myself, and read it. ^.^ Aren't you proud Mrs.Olson?

Scheherazade tells her Stories