The Messages of “To Build A Fire” and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Naturalism and Existentialism, two theories that are mutualistic with each other, create the atmosphere of an individualistic real world setting in literature. Naturalism is a depiction on what is real; Existentialism depicts authentic individuality. The short stories, written by Jack London and Ambrose Bierce respectively, “To Build a Fire” and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek,” are exemplary of these philosophical literary theories. The showcase of characteristics in the protagonists demonstrate the truly timeless meaning behind these philosophies. These stories’ contain messages and themes such as: The natural foolishness of man, the power of perception, and death. …show more content…
It is a message of human tendency and behaviour that is applicable even today.
“It did not appear to be the duty of these two men to know what was occurring at the center of the bridge; they merely blockaded the two ends of the foot planking that traversed it” (Bierce 518).
Operating off of sheer duty, the soldiers ignore what is taking place in what seems to be an effort to ease their responsibility. Creating alternate realities is very popular in younger people. It is part of the creative mind of humans and seems to be etched into our biological makeup. From a message standpoint, he who creates an individualistic version of reality for himself shelters himself from what may bother him.
“From this state he was awakened—ages later, it seemed to him—by the pain of a sharp pressure upon his throat, followed by a sense of suffocation” (Bierce 521-522).
The message behind this quote is that though there alternate realities possible in your mind they will soon mesh with the true reality, which is the state of everyone. Our minds can only hide us for a little while before all that we have is …show more content…
Death or near-death is the most humbling state of man. Once an awareness of how insignificant you are in the grand spectrum is developed, you come down from your high horse and realize that there is more to the world than you.
“Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him” (Bierce 519).
Death should be treated with utmost respect, it is the most intense thing that can happen to someone. In no way, shape, or form should it ever be disrespected. Death defines man and no power of man can overcome it. In their works, London and Bierce provide lessons of conduct for humanity. Though their style of writing is very individually-oriented, they are aware of the limits of man. Man may be philosophically indestructible, but never will he surpass nature. Today’s society isn’t all that much different than any other society in regards to human conduct. However, contemporary society provides more risks for people, resulting in a need to further emphasize these messages of advice. These authors were very much philosophers in that they their belief systems and words are applicable even
Naturalism and Existentialism, two theories that are mutualistic with each other, create the atmosphere of an individualistic real world setting in literature. Naturalism is a depiction on what is real; Existentialism depicts authentic individuality. The short stories, written by Jack London and Ambrose Bierce respectively, “To Build a Fire” and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek,” are exemplary of these philosophical literary theories. The showcase of characteristics in the protagonists demonstrate the truly timeless meaning behind these philosophies. These stories’ contain messages and themes such as: The natural foolishness of man, the power of perception, and death. …show more content…
It is a message of human tendency and behaviour that is applicable even today.
“It did not appear to be the duty of these two men to know what was occurring at the center of the bridge; they merely blockaded the two ends of the foot planking that traversed it” (Bierce 518).
Operating off of sheer duty, the soldiers ignore what is taking place in what seems to be an effort to ease their responsibility. Creating alternate realities is very popular in younger people. It is part of the creative mind of humans and seems to be etched into our biological makeup. From a message standpoint, he who creates an individualistic version of reality for himself shelters himself from what may bother him.
“From this state he was awakened—ages later, it seemed to him—by the pain of a sharp pressure upon his throat, followed by a sense of suffocation” (Bierce 521-522).
The message behind this quote is that though there alternate realities possible in your mind they will soon mesh with the true reality, which is the state of everyone. Our minds can only hide us for a little while before all that we have is …show more content…
Death or near-death is the most humbling state of man. Once an awareness of how insignificant you are in the grand spectrum is developed, you come down from your high horse and realize that there is more to the world than you.
“Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him” (Bierce 519).
Death should be treated with utmost respect, it is the most intense thing that can happen to someone. In no way, shape, or form should it ever be disrespected. Death defines man and no power of man can overcome it. In their works, London and Bierce provide lessons of conduct for humanity. Though their style of writing is very individually-oriented, they are aware of the limits of man. Man may be philosophically indestructible, but never will he surpass nature. Today’s society isn’t all that much different than any other society in regards to human conduct. However, contemporary society provides more risks for people, resulting in a need to further emphasize these messages of advice. These authors were very much philosophers in that they their belief systems and words are applicable even