Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Preaching Acceptance

        In the literary works "Theology" by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, "Tableau" by Countee Cullen, and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley the common theme seen among all is acceptance for various walks of life.  "Theology" shows a speaker who judges his neighbors hinting that they deserve to  go to hell.  "Tableau" shows a change in culture and the need to accept relationships between both blacks and whites. And in Frankenstein the people in a village judge the creature Victor Frankenstein created based on his frightening appearance.  Lastly, during the Zen Meditation we are encouraged to maintain an open mind to life, often believing in acceptance of everything.
        In "Theology" Paul Lawrence Dunbar describes a man's beliefs on the afterlife.  In a short six lines he describes how his soul encourages him causing him to believe in a place like heaven. He also displays a sense of confidence believing that he will make it there one day. He also expresses his belief in hell and how his neighbors are destined to go there.  It is ironic that he is so confident in saying that he shall go to heaven and his neighbors shall go to hell when it is he who is judging his neighbors immediately.  He should not jump to conclusions and be more accepting of his neighbors.
        In "Tableau" the speaker describes two young boys walking together, one black one white.  The second stanza states, "From lowered blinds the dark folk stare, and here the fair folk talk, Indignant that these two should dare in unison to walk." This means that those observing this situation look upon these two boys with disapproval.  they cannot see past the color of their skin believing that whites should stay with whites and blacks should stay with blacks.  It is evident that this way of thinking is improper and they should be accepting of any type of friendship.  The issue of race should not influence people's thinking and their relationships with one another. 
        In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the people of the town are terrified by the creature that Victor Frankenstein has created.  All of the people judge him immediately based on his outward appearance and his scary features.  This is improper as one is ignorant to the true character of another when he is obsessed with what is on the surface rather then what is on the inside.  The people do not realize that he has feelings and emotions just like everyone else.  Rather than accepting him for who he is he is judged and shunned by society solely based on appearance. 
        In the Zen Meditation we are all encouraged to relax and maintain an open mind when living life.  Keeping an open mind can prevent one from making rash decisions, or judgements that are fueled by ignorance.  I believe that this connects to acceptance as it is good to always keep an open mind towards your judgements on people, activities or events.  Preaching acceptance of everything in life can help make the world a better place. 






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