Existentialism, The Lottery, And Good Country People

As I sat in the desk of my afternoon class, â€Å"Intro to Philosophy 1101,† I longed to be outside with my fellow colleagues enjoying the winter air as it turned to spring. Instead of sitting on the grassy lawn, I sat confined behind the jail-resembling cinder block walls of the classroom. My professor’s lesson contradicts the atmosphere of the classroom as she mumbles about, â€Å"Existentialism† and how it is â€Å"a philosophy emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice that influenced many diverse writers in the 19th and 20th centuries.† (Funk Wagnalls 1.) At the time, I did not notice a significance to the lesson, but while reading pieces of literature in English, I understand the purpose of existentialism and how apparent it is in written works. Writings such as â€Å"Raj Bohemian,† â€Å"The Lottery,† and â€Å"Good Country People† all show evidence of an attitude of choice. The term itself suggests one major theme: the stress on the concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice. (Funk Wagnalls 1.) The use of existentialism shapes the characters’ such as the Narrator in â€Å"Raj Bohemian,† Mr. Summers in â€Å"The Lottery,† and Manly Pointer in â€Å"Good Country People;† and explains the motives behind their heroic behavior because they each remain true to who they are. The narrator of Hari Kunzuru’s short story, â€Å"Raj Bohemian† faces an existential crisis when he is introduced to a scheming manipulator. The story revolves around an urbanShow MoreRelatedPhilosophical And Sociocultural Influences On Educational Theory And Practice954 Words   |  4 Pagesfocused on ethics, rhetoric, natural science, and psychology. Furthermore, he aimed for education to produce good and virtuous citizens. Unlike Socrates emphasis on questioning, Aristotle felt students should be lead systematically and repetition should be used to acquire knowledge. During the Renaissance, Michel de Montaigne challenged the educational system and that some caste systems held people who were smarter and wiser than others. As time continued, John Lock e began shifting the view and roleRead MoreThe Philosophical And Sociocultural Influences On Educational Theory And Practice958 Words   |  4 Pagesquestioning, Aristotle felt students should be lead systematically and repetition should be used to acquire knowledge. Aristotle’s realism period focused on ethics, rhetoric, natural science, and psychology. Furthermore, he aimed for education to produce good and virtuous citizens. During the Renaissance, Michel de Montaigne challenged the educational system and felt that some caste systems contained who were smarter and wiser than others. As time continued, John Locke began shifting the view and roleRead MoreAn Existentialist Meaning of Life Essay2565 Words   |  11 Pagesin modern existentialism provide the necessary framework for establishing a so-called â€Å"meaning of life†. Marcel, Sartre, Heidegger and Camus, refer to the theoretical frameworks of subjectivity, freedom, responsibility and purpose, in modern e xistentialism. With reference to the theoretical frameworks, established by these reputable thinkers, one could propose an answer to the age old question, â€Å"What is the meaning of life?†. That being, the meaning of life is â€Å"to live a good a good life†.