According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of humanity is (n.) the quality or state of being kind to other people or animals. However, humanity can be defined by so much more than the mere quality of kindness. To be fully human, one must be able to form opinions and act on them, show compassion, and persevere despite overwhelming obstacles.
Being able to form an opinion for oneself and acting upon it, despite overwhelming obstacles is an important quality when defining humanity. This quality allows humans to share their feelings and take a stand for their beliefs. In the story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, a mentally stunted individual named Charlie proves his humanity when he acts on his own opinion, despite overwhelming …show more content…
Charlie could just laugh along with the other customers and hope they would eventually stop. However, Charlie’s firm opinion causes him to take action and speak up for his belief, defining his humanity. Just as Charlie proves his humanity by standing up for an individual, Frederick Douglass proves his humanity by standing up for the freedom of slaves. In the short biography “Tale of an American Slave”, Frederick Douglass grows up on a slave plantation where he constantly sees people being punished for small things such as being late or taking short breaks. Through seeing these things Douglass learns that slavery was wrong. As each year passes in slavery, Douglass knows something must be done. Douglass finally decides that a life of slavery is not a life at all and decided to take action on his opinion. “Determined to resist, he grabbed the [slave master] by the throat and tumbled in a heap” (Anonymous 6). Instead of being scared, Frederick Douglass speaks out, rebelling and speaking against slavery. Assuming Douglass chose not to fight back, America may have never been freed from slavery. He chooses to stand against something that he thought was unfair, therefore defining his humanity. The ability of people being able to make their own decisions through overwhelming obstacles is very important in proving
Being able to form an opinion for oneself and acting upon it, despite overwhelming obstacles is an important quality when defining humanity. This quality allows humans to share their feelings and take a stand for their beliefs. In the story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, a mentally stunted individual named Charlie proves his humanity when he acts on his own opinion, despite overwhelming …show more content…
Charlie could just laugh along with the other customers and hope they would eventually stop. However, Charlie’s firm opinion causes him to take action and speak up for his belief, defining his humanity. Just as Charlie proves his humanity by standing up for an individual, Frederick Douglass proves his humanity by standing up for the freedom of slaves. In the short biography “Tale of an American Slave”, Frederick Douglass grows up on a slave plantation where he constantly sees people being punished for small things such as being late or taking short breaks. Through seeing these things Douglass learns that slavery was wrong. As each year passes in slavery, Douglass knows something must be done. Douglass finally decides that a life of slavery is not a life at all and decided to take action on his opinion. “Determined to resist, he grabbed the [slave master] by the throat and tumbled in a heap” (Anonymous 6). Instead of being scared, Frederick Douglass speaks out, rebelling and speaking against slavery. Assuming Douglass chose not to fight back, America may have never been freed from slavery. He chooses to stand against something that he thought was unfair, therefore defining his humanity. The ability of people being able to make their own decisions through overwhelming obstacles is very important in proving