Often in literary works and throughout history, the use of violent retribution was seen as justifiable. In societal ethics of past periods, violence was be used to preserve and to support honor and respect. Yet one can see that, throughout the Edwardian period, this philosophy was becoming less accepted. Primarily when examining literary artwork such as the Heart of Darkness, Conrad depicts violence more as an unnecessary act of savagery in which it only brings pain and suffering. The natives were seen as uncivilized, violent, and unintelligent while Marlow, Kurtz, and other whites were portrayed as refined, intelligent, and superior. This depicts violence as something brutish and unrefined. In a sense, even though this belief was still uncommon due to the prominent development of imperialism and nationalism along with the popularity of jingoism, it was subject to change. Death and suffering in war was amoral and it was justifiable because war itself was encouraged at times to promote imperialism. This way of thinking soon changed as a result of sheer casualties and destruction from the violent retributions in World War I and its surrounding events. Such violence and war had now become too costly and horrific, man could not continue such a destructive way of living. One can see that even in our own time violent retribution is costly and often does more harm than good. Instead, modern society uses its court system to carry out justice and retribution. Within the Edwardian Era, society had started a paradigm shift in the content of violence itself. (255 Words)
Dylan Mulcahy
James Jin
Amber Austin
Jenny Zhan
Caleb Ong
Although I must say that the synthesis does show a good amount of effort to understand the nature of violence within its own right and its interpretation within the period, it seems to really show a lack of quality in supporting detail. Even without research, and the taking of the quite visible nature of violence within Heart of Darkness aside, one can easily interpret that major wars and events that affect the global level of the world will have a profound effect upon that, and the coming time period. To say that from X comes Y, and to spruce it up in a new tuxedo and corsage for the Misses does not make this a new concept or show much of really anything. Your examples from Heart of Darkness, although rich and are meant to show a clear parallel through the structure of which they were presented, give little to the overall meaning of the essay, and the addition of the rhetorical device seems rather out of place and odd considering the overall style of the remaining work. To this end, however, i must still commend your logical and algebraic skills in the creation of your Synthesis. In the end, a period is about the feelings and beliefs of the people, and should not be presented in a cut and dry presentation that does little to capture the hearts and minds of both authors and layman alike in this time of great change within history. But, considering the almost sole example of heart of Darkness, your Synthesis does give some justice to the beliefs and time period, and, combined with the almost odd use of rhetorical device outside of your main point, the synthesis is over all quite nice.
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