Early writings derived from the Western world are important when studying what shapes society today. Some may think that the old texts are obsolete or no longer resourceful, but in reality they are the roots of all aspects of society. The underlying messages or meanings in some of these ancient texts are still relevant in today's world, and most relationships have been shaped based on the ideas presented in these original writings. Our world is constantly evolving, but Western ideas are strong and are always present in everything that is produced, whether it is a television show, a presidential election, or a magazine article. The ideas expressed in Genesis, Plato's Republic, and the story of St. Francis have all helped shape our world today; without the interpretations of these texts, many relationships could potentially cease to exist or have a different effect on today's society. The relationship between oneself, one's gender, and who one is in relation to society is strongly shaped by these texts; without the foundation of these works, it is likely that everyone's roles would be altered. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay St. Francis is one of the first and greatest examples of people discovering who they are and pursuing what they believe, regardless of the context beliefs ingrained in his family. His family was exceptionally traditional; families during this time taught their children to be “vain and arrogant” (Francis 22). From birth, Francis' parents ingrained evil acts in his life so that he could continue family virtue. These acts consisted of acting narcissistic and selfish; these were the only ways one could act to maintain wealth within the family. Rich families in Francis' time behaved the same way; they often married into other prosperous or entitled families because they behaved in a greedy and presumptuous manner. The narrator suggests that in this family structure “…a defective tree grows from a defective root” (Francis 23). Francis challenges this commonality because as he approached adulthood, his desires and needs changed. He was generous at heart, so instead of using money for evil, he showed the world that being rich was not his priority, even if it didn't attract the attention of the rest of the world. During this time one did not give up one's wealth to be one with the poor and his choice was extremely unpopular with his family, especially his father. Francis found that giving back to society was a much more rewarding feeling than owning wealth. He found his purpose in life when his father confronted him to get the money back. Francis, "immediately stripped himself, threw away all his clothes and returned them to his father" (Francis 33). This was the biggest turning point in his life. When he took off his clothes, he was removing his old reputation, his last name, his morals and his will. This event shattered his family structure, but he found himself in a better position in the world although his family envisioned a different lifestyle. Plato's allegory of the cave coincides with the idea that society may have an image, but finding oneself and remaining true to oneself regardless of society's constraints is more important. The cave described in the book had three prisoners tied to a wall so they could only see passing shadows; one of the men was freed and his life changed dramatically. When.
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