Great Person

The questions associated with the problem of existence such as, “who am I” also relate to the concept of the Great Person. In part three of C&P Porfiry stated Raskolnikov’s view of the Great Person by establishing the difference between an extraordinary man and an ordinary man, “extraordinary men have a right to commit any crime and to transgress the law in any way, just because they are extraordinary” (241). After reading this I thought of the concept of the Great Man and I began to wonder, what makes one person remarkable and another person average? How does one become a ‘great person?’ These questions also relate the feelings we are currently going through. In high school I feel there is a constant power struggle to be the best, whether this means being the most popular or getting into the best school, we can all relate to this topic of the Great Person. However, Raskolnikov’s extraordinary man justification stuck out to me as being morally unjust. Although I know this justification is mearly fiction, it is still a border that was established to break people up into different classifications.

Sacrifice

This week in class we discussed the presence of sacrifice in Crime and Punishment. We talked about how Sonya, Dounia and Katarina all sacrificed something in order to provide for their family. For instance, Sonya sacrificed her body and dignity for her family. While we were talking about this, I began to realize all the things we will have to sacrifice when we go away next year. We will have to sacrifice the friends we have already made and we will have to sacrifice our own room and homes. However, this sacrifice does not seem so bad especially when all you are thinking about is solely getting into college. Although most of us expect to get rejected from at least one place, it is still a little shocking when you realize you really did get rejected. Personally, I was rejected from a school this week, but I also got into a school, so it all balances out.

What Matters

This week in class we discussed this quote:

"I see no reason to get up in the morning if I don't mean to matter." - Tom Peter

I believe this quote is advocating that we should go about each day with a purpose or a goal in mind. Although this may seem over the top or unnecessary we have to realize that everything you do is for a purpose. Whether you are just relaxing and watching TV all day, you are catching up on your sleep, which is beneficial. Hence, I think everything we do matters. This way of thinking is very optimistic and it sheds light on our individual importance in the world. The difficult part of the day is not achieving the goal or purpose, it is deciding what that goal or purpose is.

Existence Precedes Essence

This week in class we discussed the five themes of existentialism and how they relate to our existential books. While I was writing my reflection, the theme of "existence precedes essence" stuck out to me. I began to question myself and relate my own life to this existential theme. Am I really who I am as a result of my choices? This is an important question and I agree with it, to a certain extent. For instance, I believe your personality shines through as a result of your choices, hence your choices define who you are to the outside world. However, I also believe that we are who we are because of our upbringing and the people we surround ourself with.

Another interesting point this theme brings up is "you are what you make yourself to be." I strongly agree with this phrase and I believe it plays well into everyone's life. To take this case in point, Mersault in "The Stranger" did not make anything of his life, therefore to him life was somewhat meaningless and he did not even care when he died, for he realized it is the same as dying years later. "You are what you make yourself to be" is an important quote for next year because for the most part we are all starting over, making new friends and living in a new place, thus to enjoy your time to its fullest potential, you have to act yourself, and make yourself be who you are.