Reimagin Destiny By Paul Berman Analysis

In his essay “Reimagining Destiny,” Paul Berman questions the idea of destiny as a whole, asking facetiously, “Is there a single destiny for mankind?” (Berman 1). Berman battles with the idea that their are natural imperatives that govern all people, citing the newly found freedoms of women and ethnic minorities as proof of free will and individualism in people. He also uses the form of government liberal democracy to argue his claim. However, Berman twists the argument in his favor with a pessimistic view, suggesting that the natural order of things is chaotic and unfair. He makes the claim that humans have complete control over everything because of certain social and political achievements of mankind.
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After Harry’s wife Helen offers her help to ease his pain, Harry responds, “you can shoot me” (Hemingway 1). Harry’s request does not represent a surrender to death, but rather a failed attempt to take control over his life. Harry not only recognizes the inevitability of his death, but also the lack of agency he has in the situation. His denied request exemplifies the plight that accompanies a man’s lack of control in his own life. Now closer to death, after verbally berating his wife, Harry explains that, “It 's trying to kill to keep yourself alive, I imagine” (Hemingway 5). Harry’s justification of his involuntary and cruel behavior suggests that, once again, he recognizes the lack of control he has over himself. At this point, Harry completely lacks agency in his life; cruel words fly out of his mouth and he can do little more than justify the actions of a man that is clearly not himself. Harry’s looming death creates a new persona that takes full control of him as the formerly kind and loving Harry is left to watch and …show more content…
In “The Swimmer,” after Ned tries to “force” the door of his own home down, he looks in the window and sees that “the place [is] empty” (Cheever 12). With Ned’s swim seemingly representing his journey through life, meeting numerous people and experiencing highs and lows, this blunt and rather depressing ending highlights the hopelessness of Ned’s attempt to control his life. Despite pushing himself as hard as he could throughout the swim, Ned is never able to actually make it home: it was never in his ability to do so. Even after attempting to “force” his way in, Ned is left outside, with no control over the result of his grueling swim. In “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” after Harry is rescued, he notices a change in the plane’s direction and the only thing he could see “was the square top of Kilimanjaro” (Hemingway 15). Despite seemingly being rescued, nothing can be done to change Harry’s fate of dying on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Harry’s death is inevitable and any attempt or even, in this case, hope for rescue is futile. He lacks complete agency to act or even think in a way that would allow him to