Blog Post # 5: Captains and Slaves

Can they just make up their minds?

It is amazing to see that since the 1600s there were people who openly opposed slavery. It is also amazing and disheartening that even though, that was the case, slavery still became such a huge business all over the world. As seen in Oroonoko and in Captains and Slaves, slavery was not thought of as being a bad thing, instead it was some fait that resulted from a lawful war that was lost. If your side lost, the opposing side could take you as a slave (regardless of race) and it would be considered morally right. The problem began when only the black population of the world started to be taken as slaves, and they were not a result of a lawful war. According to Aprah Benh and John Locke, the way in which slavery is done is what makes it wrong or right. The thing that supports the idea that Aphra Benh is not opposed to slavery is due to the fact that Oroonoko is described as one who captured, owned and traded slaves. This makes a lot of sense if seen from that point of view, however, it is still not enough to conclude on that. I still don’t feel comfortable o say that she was an advocate of slavery.

Tryon, John Duston and Richard Baxter, unlike Aphra Benh and John Locke, make it very clear that they think slavery is a horrible crime. John Duston said that ‘making a lawful purchase of slaves was no less culpable than a slave trader. Accessory is just as bad as the thief’; John Duston said that slavery is ‘inconsistent with Christian principles’.

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Blog Post # 4: John Locke

The thrill of the hunt

John lock was one of the most influential philosophers in a time of turmoil in science and religion. The enlightenment period was a time where new ideas were introduced, and old ideas (such some by Aristotle) were replaced. John lock’s idea called Tabla Rassa (blank slate) is perharps the most crucial of his contributions. John locke challenged different ideals and perhaps posed as a threat to the monarchy. Tabla Rassa, an existential way of thinking may be what inspired our constitution.

What I found most amusing in his essay is how he says that we are supposed to enjoy the process that takes us to having a finished work, rather than the actual finished product. So, when he wrote that letter, he told the reader how much much he enjoyed writing it, and he hoped that they did as much also. When he mentions that writing should be straight to the point and easy to understand, it made me think of how much literature has changed, since then. I wonder sometimes if it has to do with his ideals. Writers began to be more focused on being more direct rather than using all sort of extravagant words and beating around the bush. Literature has evolved incredibly and I think it is thanks to people like John Locke.

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Blog Post # 3: Religion and Science

The Pursuit of Salvation

Everything goes out of style: music style preferences change, fashion changes, everything changes! One of the only things have remained constant throughout the centuries is the bible and other religious texts. We always wonder, how come we are still holding on to these practices so dearly? What is the reason behind that?

            In John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, we are taken through the journey of a man that is in search of salvation. This man wants nothing in this world, except to reach the heavens and join with the angels. There is a fear of not attaining salvation and ending up in hell. He gives the characters of the story very descriptive names, that depict their current standing in relation to Christian values.

            Even though “The pilgrim’s progress” is almost 400 years old, it is still very relatable today. The reason for that is the Bible. The bible is considered holy and the word of a God that is unchanging. Humans are capable of so much “wickedness” that if there wasn’t such a text and such level of spiritual connection (that gives hope and comfort to so many), this world would be so much more chaotic. One can’t say with 100% certainty whether the bible is true or false, however, we do know that it is one of the most crucial things to shape humanity into what we have become today.

            We are in the 21^st century, and Christians all over the world, like 'Christian' are in pursuit of salvation. This salvation is achieved in the same way that 'Christian' would have achieved it. 'Ignorance', the character is used as an example to portray that ignorance is not an excuse, and it appears ignorance is just as bad as a willful sinner. Just as today, it is taught in Christian churches that those that have knowledge have the duty to spread Jesus’s word to the ignorant, if not, their blood is in the Christian person’s hand. Everything in “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is relatable to today because Christianity is fully alive and growing every second.

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Blog Post # 2: Dryden

Dryden; Why so Dry?!

If only Dryden would have stopped worrying about what others thought of him? I wonder if he would have had the same impact? I think one of the biggest differences between him and current satirical works is that in today’s satire, the writers seem very little worried about what the haters think. Nowadays, writers will get a laugh out of you at anyone’s expense without any regrets. There is no concern with appeasing a person/group in power or anything of that sort. In contrast, Dryden seemingly was very concerned with being in good standing before the kingdom, he even changed his religious practices, which, I find very entertaining.

Dryden and today’s satire engage in the business of attacking, judging and poking fun. The game is still the same, the way in which the game is played is what has changed. In Dryden’s time, since there were no digital media outlets, all was done in writing. His writing style was what we call heroic verse, it always had to involve an elevated character for it to be considered and interesting read. In today’s world, way satire is done is very differently, I think we have become so less interested in royalty and people in power that we don’t need to always make fun of them. Maybe we have come to realize that the middle and lower class, have more interesting things going on. I don’t know, I am just guessing! Well, in a way that can be true, but, we all know that we love making fun of our governmental figures and their off the wall decisions, especially in recent months. We just love our President! What can I say?!

Overall, I am so thankful for writers that try to make us laugh at the expense of Donald Trump or king whatever. I am also glad that we are not stuck with only using elevated characters. A writer can be just as successful, using a moose as their main character. No one cares if the moose is of royal blood or if the moose is rich. All we care about is how the moose managed to go shopping at the local grocery store.

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