Society is so obsessed with being better than others that it is a malady. Peoples’ conversations from day to day are mostly attempts to justify their self-worth. Gossip is a malicious instrument that, like a ranking system, detracts from morals and values and does not allow for one to live life to its full potential. Through their stories, Tolstoy and Poe display parallels of society in both Prospero and Pahom. Both men strive for different goals in their lives, but are hindered through certain choices they make. Pahom and Prospero show that hierarchical societies do not allow for self-actualization due to the overemphasis on the individual. By assuming superiority over others, Pahom and Prospero are sucked into the vortex of desire. When
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As Pahom quarrels with his neighbors, his image deteriorates, “so though Pahom had more land, his place in the commune was much worse than before.” (Tolstoy III) His arrogance arises from his belief that he is more superior than the landless peasants. Pahom begins to feel constricted by his image, but believes the solution is to become more supreme in the eyes of others by buying lands. When he goes to the Bashkirs to talk about land, “they [the Bashkirs] were much amused.” (Tolstoy V) Because they see themselves as equals, the Bashkirs do not feel the need to possess material wealth in order to elevate their standing. Also, since the Bashkirs do not have hierarchy in their society, they do not place power upon ownership, unlike Pahom. Prospero relies on his followers to boost his self esteem and position. His eccentric beliefs cause there to be, “some who would have thought him mad,” but his followers, “felt that he was not,” and that, “it was necessary to hear and see and touch him to be sure that he was not.” (Poe 2) Prospero uses his eccentricities as a way to set himself apart because he is jealous of others getting more attention than he is. His arrogance towards those who do not give him attention, even if they may be of a higher class, is very strong. He goes so far to have arrogance towards death itself when he demands, “Who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery?
As Pahom quarrels with his neighbors, his image deteriorates, “so though Pahom had more land, his place in the commune was much worse than before.” (Tolstoy III) His arrogance arises from his belief that he is more superior than the landless peasants. Pahom begins to feel constricted by his image, but believes the solution is to become more supreme in the eyes of others by buying lands. When he goes to the Bashkirs to talk about land, “they [the Bashkirs] were much amused.” (Tolstoy V) Because they see themselves as equals, the Bashkirs do not feel the need to possess material wealth in order to elevate their standing. Also, since the Bashkirs do not have hierarchy in their society, they do not place power upon ownership, unlike Pahom. Prospero relies on his followers to boost his self esteem and position. His eccentric beliefs cause there to be, “some who would have thought him mad,” but his followers, “felt that he was not,” and that, “it was necessary to hear and see and touch him to be sure that he was not.” (Poe 2) Prospero uses his eccentricities as a way to set himself apart because he is jealous of others getting more attention than he is. His arrogance towards those who do not give him attention, even if they may be of a higher class, is very strong. He goes so far to have arrogance towards death itself when he demands, “Who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery?