Catherine McCormack
EN101.16
Blog 4
October 16, 2013
“Theology”
by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, “Tableau” by Countee Cullen and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley all focus on different aspects of
society; religion, race, and appearance, that cause separation amongst others. Although
these pieces of literature were written many years apart, these aspects of
separation are still present within society today. These three authors reflect
on how these aspects of society, religion, race, and appearance, cause
separation and conflict within society.
Paul
Lawrence Dunbar’s “Theology” focuses on the speaker and neighbor’s separation
due to their religious beliefs. The
style of the poem can help the reader understand the difference between the two
beliefs; the speaker’s belief being in the first stanza and the neighbor’s
beliefs accounted for in the second stanza.
This difference in the religious views separate them distinctively, but
when the speaker’s states “there is a hell, I’m quite as sure; for pray, If
there were not, where would my neighbors go?” he insinuates that he is superior
to his neighbors. This disconnection in
status makes it hard for the separation between the two viewpoints to ever be
brought together.
“Tableau”
by Countee Cullen accounts for the separation amongst races. This poem reflects
upon the reaction a town has when seeing a black and a white boy walking
together, linked in arms. It is expected
by society for those of different races to be separate, “And here the fair folk
talk, indignant that these two should dare in unison to walk”. When these two boys walk together, they are
judged for their behavior as it is expected of them to be separated in
society. Not only is there a distinct
separation between races being seen together, but also a distinct separation
between how the races react to the situation.
The African-American’s observe “from lowered blinds” where as the
Caucasians “talk” and are more upfront about what is going on within
society. These actions and reactions
help the reader understand the complete separation that society feels is
necessary between races.
Mary
Shelley’s novel Frankenstein reflects
upon the separation that attraction has and how the monster feels separated
from the outside world because of his ugly and unattractive appearance. After Victor Frankenstein’s monster runs
away, he is alienated by anyone in which he comes across because of his
appearance. Society places a high
importance on appearance and the way one looks and as seen in this novel, those
who are considered ugly are often times are exiled and separated because of the
way they look for it is different than what society expects.
I
think that the expectations that society holds for people makes it hard for
others to be more open and understanding and often times find it easier to be
separated from those who are different from the norm, or what one considers the
norm. Being involved in service
learning, I have had to force myself to rethink what I consider the norm as I
am put into a situation that is much different that one I am use to. When I first came to Loyola I was often times
told to be careful of York Road and stay away from it if possible, a way of
separating the Loyola community from one that is much different than it’s
own. Being involved in service within a
school on York Road, I have been able to move past this separating factor and
allowing myself to see a new perspective.
Tunbridge Elementary School is a much different community than one that
I am accustomed to and the school itself does not have as many resources available
to them. This opportunity has given me the chance to open my mind to what I
have often times taken for granted and realize that separating myself from
those who are different than me takes back from life in general. I think that
society needs to learn to move past what separates different people in order to
create a more united community.
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