This past week in class, we have been discussing what monsters can teach us, what defines a monster, and how society views monsters. This week we studied two different texts:
In both "The Birthmark" and "The Eye of the Beholder", the plot revolved about the flaws of two women that made them monsters in the eyes of society.
What do these women teach us?
- "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- "The Eye of the Beholder" from "The Twilight Zone"
In both "The Birthmark" and "The Eye of the Beholder", the plot revolved about the flaws of two women that made them monsters in the eyes of society.
What do these women teach us?
I think that these women expressed society's perception about the small difference between being a monster and a human. The smallest of flaws could be enough to convince someone that they are a monster and unaccepted. In "The Birthmark", Georgiana's husband was the only one who believed that her birthmark was demonic and inhumane. Soon after, she was convinced that the birthmark was evil. The removal of this insignificant flaw came at a terrible price. To be rid of the birthmark, she paid with her life.
Miss Tyler, from "The Eye of the Beholder", is seen as more of a monster than Georgiana because she is viewed as different to all of her society. Even though her "flaws" are more dominant, she is better off than Georgiana. Miss Tyler was lucky to be able to live with others of her own kind, while Georgiana died to get rid of her flaw. I think this shows how humans always strive to fit in and be perfect. The ultimate goal of humankind is perfection.
What about the people in society that decide what is normal and what isn't?
In both "The Birthmark" and "The Eye of the Beholder", it shows that people are the ones who control what is considered normal and what isn't.
What about the people in society that decide what is normal and what isn't?
In both "The Birthmark" and "The Eye of the Beholder", it shows that people are the ones who control what is considered normal and what isn't.
In "The Eye of the Beholder" it is clear that what is considered normal and beautiful, is all based on perspective. This example shows that monsters can be created based on what is not considered "normal".
In "The Birthmark", Aylmer is the one judging what is considered normal and what isn't. To him, the mark on his wife's face is not considered normal, therefore is a monster, or some sort of evil.
In both examples, people are the ones that judge what is "normal" and what isn't. "The Eye of the Beholder" shows how everyone in society can be in agreement on what isn't normal, while "The Birthmark" displays the effect of one person obsessing another's flaws.
What does this say about us as humans?
Humans are very self-centered, and are always striving to fit into the norms of society. Humans care about what others think, no matter what. When most "normal" people see a person out of the norm, we respond in a way that makes the "weird" person feel uncomfortable, and hurt. Quite a few humans are very cruel to those who are not considered normal. I think this happens because we try to cover our own flaws. They would rather point out someone else's imperfections to divert the attention away from their own. I think those who judge and create the standards for the "norm" are monsters because they are so close-minded. When an individual can't accept that someone is different from them, I feel that is one of the most monstrous things one can do to another human being.
These two women were regarded as monsters for the most pointless reason. They were different. So what? Being different is what makes you, you! No one wants to be exactly the same as everyone else, To me, society is the real monster.
In "The Birthmark", Aylmer is the one judging what is considered normal and what isn't. To him, the mark on his wife's face is not considered normal, therefore is a monster, or some sort of evil.
In both examples, people are the ones that judge what is "normal" and what isn't. "The Eye of the Beholder" shows how everyone in society can be in agreement on what isn't normal, while "The Birthmark" displays the effect of one person obsessing another's flaws.
What does this say about us as humans?
Humans are very self-centered, and are always striving to fit into the norms of society. Humans care about what others think, no matter what. When most "normal" people see a person out of the norm, we respond in a way that makes the "weird" person feel uncomfortable, and hurt. Quite a few humans are very cruel to those who are not considered normal. I think this happens because we try to cover our own flaws. They would rather point out someone else's imperfections to divert the attention away from their own. I think those who judge and create the standards for the "norm" are monsters because they are so close-minded. When an individual can't accept that someone is different from them, I feel that is one of the most monstrous things one can do to another human being.
These two women were regarded as monsters for the most pointless reason. They were different. So what? Being different is what makes you, you! No one wants to be exactly the same as everyone else, To me, society is the real monster.