Appearance Vs Reality In The Lives Of The Saints

Humans are philosophical creatures who constantly challenge and question whether they are inherently good. The biological and psychological evidence suggests that yes, human nature is good. Although, in literary works such as The Lives of the Saints by Nino Ricci and King Lear by Shakespeare, they explore themes that gravitate toward the less humane aspect and displays the selfish tendencies of human beings. Both authors use the theme of appearance vs. reality to show why humans turn to falsity by connecting the theme to the traits of characters who display the roots of falseness: jealousy, excessive selfishness and perception. Jealousy allows people to blind themselves from their harsh actions. For example, Ricci writes of Giuseppina trying to …show more content…
For instance, Ricci writes Cristina walking unashamedly around the town in tight clothes that reveal evidence of her growing stomach. Although she appears to be strong and unaffected by the gossip and her ostracization, she does so as a way of protecting herself. Her perspective of her own situation and the feministic values that goes along with her pride, blind her into thinking she is constantly in the right. This results in her further victimization as she goes against the townspeople. Her perception and judgement allow the appearance vs. reality to take place and hide the effects it has on her. Another example of perception as a cause of appearance vs. reality is in King Lear: Kent disguising himself as a peasant to protect King Lear. Although Kent is banished by his beloved King, he is blinded by his perception of his need to be loyal to King Lear. He continues to stand by King Lear’s side even if he is treated horribly. He disguises himself as Caius and defends Lear throughout the novel. This falsity of his appearance shows how a perspective of extreme loyalty can allow your judgement to be