The Blind Beggar

People with disabilities are attached with stigmas, such as being less intelligent or incapable in certain facets of life. Stereotypes are present in society, but it may be difficult to discuss and to further change or overcome them. However, humor can be used as a device to allow a serious topic to be more approachable by relying on preposterous situations. Through the use of dark humor in Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, John Callahan breaks these stigmas and illustrates an outrageous…

Samuel Howe was at the time of this report a 62-year-old Caucasian male. He was a doctor and an educator, famous for his work with blind people and for the organization of the New England Asylum for the blind. Together with his wife Julia Howe he was an activist as well, and “a strong vocal opponent of slavery”. It would seem then, that as Howe was writing and collecting information for this report, he was a little…

Although the book has a somber tone, this scene allows for a more peaceful mood to help break up the more dark and intense scenes. Amir leaves the bagger and with immense gratitude says, “Thank you… Thank you so much. And I [mean it]” (263). With the beggars kind words, Amir is for once at peace knowing his birth cost his mother her life. This event is a prerequisite for Amir’s healing process and an influential part in Amir’s path to redemption. Also, it marks Amir’s final step in the…

handle problems and fix them while not in control. His interactions with Oedipus also show how growing up as a commoner benefited him. Because of Theseus’s background, he doesn’t instantly banish Oedipus and Antigone, despite the pair appearing to be beggars. Being raised into poverty allows Theseus to pass judgment only after he has heard Oedipus’s story, and even after hearing it he knows that he should help Oedipus, so he offers the ex-king protection. Theseus does all of this out of…

The people of Victorian London in that time didn’t have all the things that we have today, they had to play in alleys, while we play in our yards and they had to dress with what we considered rags, while we can choose whatever we want to wear. Beggars were seen all over the streets of London, they wore filthy clothes and never showered their bodies, so the streets always…

succeed. After reading “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift, it is clear that poverty is something that is almost impossible to escape. Since the beginning of time, the saying has been true; “the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer”. We see beggars on the side of the street and turn our heads the opposite way. Society has learned to hate those in need, because the wealthy tell them time after time, that poor people are less worthy than those with money in their pockets. It is the…

recovery of sight to the blind, and to let the oppressed go free. Lucius Nereprampil argues that this passage read by Jesus from the book of Isaiah brought out the clear consciousness of Jesus and his identity ‘of being anointed and sent to bring good news to the poor’. The good news is the arrival of this kingdom of God on earth. Nereprmpil goes on the state that “the actions of Jesus clarify this through his healing of the blind, the lame and lepers. Giving hope to beggars, the hungry, the…

After Odysseus reaches Ithaca, he disguises himself as a beggar, but miraculously changes into a great, wonderful looking man with Athena’s help. When Telemachus marvels at how his transformation happened, Odysseus responds, saying, “[his transformation] is light work for the Gods … / … to exalt a mortal man or…

paranoia after their experiences. One example of this is Bear Mercer. His wife started sleeping on their couch because “Bear always sleeps with a knife under his pillow despite her pleas not to.” Bear is very keen about “forcing his family to lower the blinds at sundown,” and he “walks the perimeter” every night before bed looking for snipers and ambushes” (Shay para. 26). Bear Mercer’s mental state remains fixed in combat mode, which caused him to alarmingly search the parameters of his home…

English Fairy tale Once upon a time, in a far away castle, where the peasants and the royalty were close, and the animals were friends of the humans, a king and a queen were leaving happier than ever with their 3 princes. It was well known by everyone around the village that princesses, queens, kings or other majesty figures, always had blond hair which was a symbol of royalty, magnificence and dignity. One day, the queen, who was known for her endless generosity and had the kindness of an…