From Riches to Rags
In life, we are used to only moving up in the social ladder. However, we forget about the slides… Since our infancy we’ve gotten used to the idea and hope of rags to riches with movies like Aladin, Cinderella or Snow White. Today we still see it in shows like The X Factor, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?; and movies like the Pursuit of Happiness. Under this circumstances people are able to succeed either by a talent, merit, or simply good luck. It is most commonly displayed in the American Dream, making Americans inspired by it and foreigners attracted.
In Candide characters slide down instead of climbing up. They are constantly followed by misfortunes ending each time in a worst position. Abigail, the old lady, has the most dramatic slip. "Imagine the situation of a Pope's daughter aged fifteen, who in three months had undergone poverty and slavery, had been raped nearly every day, had seen her mother cut into four pieces, had undergone hunger and war, and was now dying of the plague in Algiers." (pg 55) . She was extremely rich, had royal blood and expected to live glamorously ever after. Escaping her fiancé’s death and heading to a peaceful break she was captured. In a blink of an eye her life was flipped over. Cunegonde had an overall comfortable life when the Bulgars attacked her home. "... Unless you have been ravished by two Bulgars, had two stabs in the belly, and two of your country houses demolished, two mothers and two fathers butchered before your eyes, and beheld two of your lovers flogged in an auto-da-fe, I do not see how you can rival me; moreover, I was born a Baroness with seventy-two quartering’s in my coat of arms, and yet have served as kitchen-maid." (pg 48) You never know what will happen next that will make you jump out of your comfort zone.
Nevertheless there are some rags to riches examples that have to blame their own victims. Addiction is a path that can lead you straight down. Today, there are many people addicted to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. They have the decision and pick these destructive vices over their welfare. At times, they are sometimes not the only ones affected by their mistakes, but their family too. Teenagers are starting from an early age meaning that their downfall will arrive earlier. One’s future can change drastically because of these toxic obsessions.
Estefania, even though you are aware of how your fortunate life cannot be taken for granted, do you think most people are truly prepared for change? The fact that you are exposed to violence in Colombia, prepares us as citizens of this country, to handle obstacles. However, as only observers of life misfortunes, do you think we are ready or accepting to deal with problems? There is the common example of cancer. One has always been surrounded by cases where this epidemic has "infected" our loved ones, but do you think that if we were diagnosed with this disease, we would be prepared to cope with death? As bystanders we can learn to be aware, but if the time comes, would we act accordingly?
ResponderEliminarI really liked the way you used Disney movies to establish your point. The comparison actually helped me truly understand your thoughts. I agree with you when you say that in Candide characters face tragedy after tragedy. I think that Voltaire is actually targeting the ideas of "rags to riches". He is critiquing these kinds of stories by taking them to an absurd level.
ResponderEliminar