Conflicting Feelings Over Essays

 
The word "essay" scares most students. They are long, detailed and every teacher has different expectations. You would assume you'd only get assigned an essay in English, however somehow teachers manage to find a need for them in most subjects. Perhaps they think that the more we write them the better we'll get, which makes sense, but only adds to the fact that we strongly dislike (hate) them.

I experience some mixed feelings when it comes to essays. In contrast to many of my peer's opinions, I don't always mind having to write them. Sometimes I would prefer writing an essay over having to write a big test. If the topic is interesting and allows for personal input they can be easy to write. Although many teachers find the best way to torture students; give them a formal essay with a boring topic, and see if the "creative process" can flow. When this happens I get stuck with writer's block, which makes the essay writing experience extra painful. Otherwise, if the topic is interesting this does not happen.  

 

In grade nine I wrote my very first essay on Romeo and Juliet. I found out then that essays aren't all they are hyped up to be. Last year I wrote an essay on a topic of my choice, the mistreatment of athletes in the NCAA. I had gotten the idea from a newspaper article that my mom was reading for work. A benefit of choosing this topic was that my teacher at the time, Mr. Spergeon, was really into sports, making him more interested in my topic of choice. The scary thing about essays are that they won't magically get any better. While they are confined to only five paragraphs at the moment, in grade twelve they will extend to seven paragraphs and later, in university, they need to be pages and pages long.

I realize that my personal experiences with essays aren't too bad, however that doesn't get rid of the feeling of dread that comes before every one I am assigned. The worst type are in-class essays. We are expected to write something amazing, in a classroom, under high pressure, with cramping hands and increasingly messy hand-writing. To write an in class essay well, I need to be prepared for what the topics may be. But even then, if I am not in a "writing mood" it is almost impossible to write something that I feel is well-written. Sometimes I just feel like Calvin:

 

Television Addiction: Only a Part of a Bigger Problem

 

Watching TV has become one of today’s biggest pastimes. Almost every household across North America is suited with a television. Is it possible that the actual act of watching TV can become an addiction? The essay Television Addiction written by Marie Winn attempts to prove this point, by backing up her ideas with some convincing arguments. Many people would not associate the word “addiction” with their countless hours spent watching TV.  Winn points out that this is because people don’t relate watching TV with negative feelings, as they would with drugs or alcohol, but rather they see it as a normal activity. People are not used to hearing the words “addiction” and “television” together, but the definition of addiction is the state of being confined in a habit, which can easily be related to television viewing. She explains that watching TV is a mindless activity, saying that; “these do not provide the true nourishment that statiation requires, and thus they find they cannot stop watching”.  Her points have good merit, however this essay was written in 2002 so is it still relevant in today’s society?

I would argue that it still is relevant however that the addiction has spread to a broader category of electronics. This including television, cell phones, computers and hand held devices (i.e. tablets). While new technologies have taken up some of the average TV watcher’s viewing time, the whole idea of “television addiction” as explained by Marie Winn, has not subsided. The television experience has continued to be enhanced. Bigger and better TVs produce a higher quality picture for the viewer.  Millions of shows air every day, aimed at various audiences. Starting at a very young age, small children are participating in the act of watching TV. They become mesmerized at the sight of The Wiggles, Barney, Caillou or whatever show it may be on the big screen. However, in the teenage years they start to move on, spending a large amount of time focused on the screen of their cell phone. Many teens engage in hours of video gaming and texting and spend less time watching TV. With new technologies and advancements, such as PVR and On-Demand, people can record their television shows and watch them when they want. This means they can fast forward through commercials, be less inclined to continue watching other shows and as a result spend less time actually watching TV.  

For these reasons, television addiction still exists, but now plays a less significant role in society’s obsession with electronic devices.

Othello: Links Between Act 1 and Today

While it was written a long time ago, Shakespeare’s play Othello has many themes that can still be related to current themes in society. Act one in this play, introduces main characters and even highlights the major themes that will be reoccurring throughout the play.

One theme that is present from the very first few lines of the play is a theme of jealousy.  Jealousy is timeless, it existed back in the 1600s and it still exists today.The play starts off with Iago complaining to Roderigo out of jealousy. Iago is angry with Othello for not appointing him Lieutenant. Othello instead gave this position to Cassio and demoted Iago to his servant. Iago believes that this position should have been given to him; that Cassio is not the right fit. His long rants to Roderigo outline his jealousy:

“Despise me

If I do not. Three great ones of the city

(In personal suit to make me his lieutenant)

Off-capped to him, and by the faith of man

I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.

But he (as loving his own pride and purposes)

Evades them with a bombast circumstance

Horribly stuffed with epithets of war,

And in conclusion

Nonsuits my mediators. For “Certes,” says he,

“I have already chose my officer.”

And what was he?

Forsooth, a great arithmetician,

One Michael Cassio, a Florentine

(A fellow almost damned in a fair wife)

That never set a squadron in the field,

Nor the division of a battle knows

More than a spinster—unless the bookish theoric...”

(Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 8-25)

In his rant he is explaining how Othello chose Cassio over him. He talks about how Cassio is not well-suited for the job, saying he has no more hands-on experience in battle than an old woman. Iago is clearly jealous that he himself did not get the position. His jealousy is the root of his anger and leads him to devise plans to bring down Othello and Cassio. This very situation could still happen today. If someone gets a position that another wants they are likely to have feelings of jealousy. This can happen in a workplace, school, household etc.

Another major theme in Othello is that people are prejudice against those who are not like them. Today, prejudices are not at their worst, however they still exist, including prejudices against race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Othello, being a black man in a white society, is subjected to many prejudicial remarks. He may be respected by most; however those people still express feelings of racism. Although his race hasn't necessarily affected his ability to gain power and become General, it has affected the way people treat him. For example, in Act One Othello is often referred to as "the Moor", a derogatory term for a black man. Roderigo also refers to Othello as “thick-lips”, making a crude racist comment. This following quote demonstrates racism used by Iago to convince Barbantio that his daughter, Desdemona, has run off with Othello: 

“ Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.
Arise I say!”

 (Act 1. Scene 1. Lines 94-98)

Iago is making racist remarks to urge on Barbantio’s anger towards Othello. He explains that Othello, “an old black ram” is having intercourse with his daughter. Othello is also being called a devil. In that time there was a belief that only black men could be possessed by the devil. This was a prejudice belief in that era. This can be connected to many prejudices and stereotypes today, i.e; black men are more likely to commit a crime. Later Iago says to Barbantio:

“I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.”

 (Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 126-127)

Here Iago is referring to Othello as an animal, telling Barbantio that he and his daughter are making “beasts with two backs”. While at first Barbantio does not believe Iago, after some convincing his is ready to kill Othello. His anger and negative feelings towards Othello are amplified by the fact that Othello is black, lower class and older than Desdemona. These differences between them cause Barbantio to feel such severe prejudice feelings.  

One more major theme expressed through Act One of Othello is that some people will manipulate others to help them get ahead and that people are not always who they appear to be.

In this act, Iago needs Roderigo. Iago does not want to get in trouble himself, so instead he uses his “friend” Roderigo to act out his plans. Roderigo is not very intelligent and is very gullible, which makes him an easy target for manipulation. Iago realizes this and takes advantage; using him like a puppet in his show. Iago tells Roderigo that he will help him get Desdemona, while in fact he is only using him. To Roderigo, Iago appears to be a kind and caring friend, but he admits himself that he is not who he appears to be:

“Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,

But seeming so, for my peculiar end.

For when my outward action doth demonstrate

The native act and figure of my heart

In compliment extern, ’tis not long after

But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve

For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.”

(Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 61-67)

 

Iago is good at fooling others, just like many people in today’s world. Dominant individuals sometimes take advantage of people less powerful because it is easy and makes less work for them. In society, the weak and trusting can be victims to manipulation as Roderigo is in this act.

These are only a few on the themes brought out in the first act of Othello. Though this play was written a long time ago, it seems as though many themes can still be applied to today’s society.