Gaining Freedom Through Acceptance in “The Strangers that Came to Town”
Charlotte Bronte once wrote in her novel Jane Eyre: “ I am no bird, and no net ensnares me. I am a free human being, with an independent will.” The feeling of a bird no net ensnares or a human being with a respected independent will is freedom. Freedom is never given; it is won with the great sacrifices of many in pursue for it. Literature has always been used as a powerful weapon to fight against bigotry and prejudice in society and promote freedom to drive social change. In “The Strangers that Came to Town” author Ambrose Flack examines the concept of freedom and the prejudice and bigotry that exists in society. Set in a small American town in the mid-1900s, the story illustrates the story between two families living on Syringa Street. The protagonist, Andy, comes from a wealthy and aristocratic family, crowned to be the town’s greatest. On the other hand, the Duvitches is a large, poor family living in poverty constantly on the move “to escape starvation, separation, possible assassination” (Flack 2). The contrast of wealth between the families on Syringa Street caused the Ducitches to be discriminated upon, creating a schism between the Duvitches and other families in town. In “The Strangers that Came to Town”, Ambrose Flack …show more content…
The Duvitch family transformed from being humiliated to being respected; from being unwanted to being needed in the community. Their transformation also reinforces the idea that freedom is gained through respect and acceptance of others. If we all strive and contribute to a society of respect and acceptance, freedom can be achieved no matter where. The power of acceptance is much stronger than any weapon of harm. Let freedom reign, in a society where respect and acceptance is for everyone and treated equally without
Charlotte Bronte once wrote in her novel Jane Eyre: “ I am no bird, and no net ensnares me. I am a free human being, with an independent will.” The feeling of a bird no net ensnares or a human being with a respected independent will is freedom. Freedom is never given; it is won with the great sacrifices of many in pursue for it. Literature has always been used as a powerful weapon to fight against bigotry and prejudice in society and promote freedom to drive social change. In “The Strangers that Came to Town” author Ambrose Flack examines the concept of freedom and the prejudice and bigotry that exists in society. Set in a small American town in the mid-1900s, the story illustrates the story between two families living on Syringa Street. The protagonist, Andy, comes from a wealthy and aristocratic family, crowned to be the town’s greatest. On the other hand, the Duvitches is a large, poor family living in poverty constantly on the move “to escape starvation, separation, possible assassination” (Flack 2). The contrast of wealth between the families on Syringa Street caused the Ducitches to be discriminated upon, creating a schism between the Duvitches and other families in town. In “The Strangers that Came to Town”, Ambrose Flack …show more content…
The Duvitch family transformed from being humiliated to being respected; from being unwanted to being needed in the community. Their transformation also reinforces the idea that freedom is gained through respect and acceptance of others. If we all strive and contribute to a society of respect and acceptance, freedom can be achieved no matter where. The power of acceptance is much stronger than any weapon of harm. Let freedom reign, in a society where respect and acceptance is for everyone and treated equally without