Essay on the Paradox of Vanity - 2235 | | Company. This raises the fundamental question of the extent of man's helplessness in certain circumstances. Furthermore, it juxtaposes issues of personal choice and responsibility on one side and immense social circumstances on the other. For the reader and reviewer, the question to ask is whether human beings can rise above a morally corrupt edifice and reach the high pedestal of decency. In Cranes' short story, the environment condemns the characters to an irremediable and inevitable vanity. Vanity exacerbates the situation as the characters become absorbed in futile pursuits. Maggie and Jimmie, siblings whom Cranes uses as protagonists, live in deplorable and violent conditions. The setting is Western America, in the era of industrialization. The transition from the agricultural economy to the industrial economy has claimed many lives, including Maggie and Jimmie's parents. They found themselves on the outskirts of an economic edifice where poverty was endemic. Now alcoholics, they are unable to provide parental care and support to their children. This leaves children at the mercy of a violent, vain, and despondent society that shapes them into what they ultimately become. Cranes' ability to create and maintain characters that readers can empathize with is epic, even though critics like Eichhorst have lambasted his episodic style (23). This article will demonstrate that despite its inadequacy, Cranes Novella caricatures American naturalism in a novel way by illustrating the profound effect of social circumstances on its characters. Social...... middle of article......' The family is plunged into deep alcoholism, depriving the children of the benefits of a good education. The Johnsons are also chaotic and tyrannical. Jimmie and his fellow young fighters embody the violence that shook society. Amidst this violence is the pursuit of vanity. The children fight viciously to establish superiority. The adults look on indifferently. Maggie goes into prostitution because she lives an elegant life. She lacks appreciation of her beauty and personality. Ultimately, the question to ask is whether human beings have the capacity to make personal choices in the midst of immense social circumstances. Unfortunately, the Johnsons share responsibility for the kind of people their children have become. Society too remained passive in the midst of great social anxiety. Maggie and Jimmie share responsibility for their vain pursuit of vanity.

Essay / Essay on the Paradox of Vanity - 2235 | | Company. This raises the fundamental question of the extent of man's helplessness in certain circumstances. Furthermore, it juxtaposes issues of personal choice and responsibility on one side and immense social circumstances on the other. For the reader and reviewer, the question to ask is whether human beings can rise above a morally corrupt edifice and reach the high pedestal of decency. In Cranes' short story, the environment condemns the characters to an irremediable and inevitable vanity. Vanity exacerbates the situation as the characters become absorbed in futile pursuits. Maggie and Jimmie, siblings whom Cranes uses as protagonists, live in deplorable and violent conditions. The setting is Western America, in the era of industrialization. The transition from the agricultural economy to the industrial economy has claimed many lives, including Maggie and Jimmie's parents. They found themselves on the outskirts of an economic edifice where poverty was endemic. Now alcoholics, they are unable to provide parental care and support to their children. This leaves children at the mercy of a violent, vain, and despondent society that shapes them into what they ultimately become. Cranes' ability to create and maintain characters that readers can empathize with is epic, even though critics like Eichhorst have lambasted his episodic style (23). This article will demonstrate that despite its inadequacy, Cranes Novella caricatures American naturalism in a novel way by illustrating the profound effect of social circumstances on its characters. Social...... middle of article......' The family is plunged into deep alcoholism, depriving the children of the benefits of a good education. The Johnsons are also chaotic and tyrannical. Jimmie and his fellow young fighters embody the violence that shook society. Amidst this violence is the pursuit of vanity. The children fight viciously to establish superiority. The adults look on indifferently. Maggie goes into prostitution because she lives an elegant life. She lacks appreciation of her beauty and personality. Ultimately, the question to ask is whether human beings have the capacity to make personal choices in the midst of immense social circumstances. Unfortunately, the Johnsons share responsibility for the kind of people their children have become. Society too remained passive in the midst of great social anxiety. Maggie and Jimmie share responsibility for their vain pursuit of vanity.

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