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Guilt Essay Examples

Guilt - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

Guilt is a powerful emotion that arises when a person believes they have done something wrong or regrettable. It can manifest as a feeling of discomfort or unease, and can lead to negative behavior like self-blame or avoidance. Guilt can be caused by a range of situations, from minor mistakes to serious offenses, and can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health and well-being. While acknowledging and addressing feelings of guilt can be difficult, it is an important step in moving past the negative emotions and behaviors associated with this complex emotion.

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  1. 1
    The Time When I First Experienced Guilt
    Words • 756
    Pages • 3

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    I was eight years old, when I first experienced the feeling of guilt. An experience that changed my life forever. I enjoyed school, I showed up every single day ready to see my friends and learn. In third grade, I had three close friends, David, Kyle and Richard, and I could rely on them with anything. We did everything together, from playing four square and handball at recess, to eating lunch at our own spot. We hung out every second…
    GuiltPersonal Experience
  2. 2
    Gary Soto’s Use of Literary Devices
    Words • 737
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    Gary Soto’s autobiographical narrative reinvents a memory of his guilty six-year-old self. Soto is a hungry child who wants nothing more than a pie from the German market. He has no experiences of sin being bad except from what he is told, from his parents and from the bible. The author eventually learns from experience as he steals a pie and savors its sweetness, until he realizes the harm he cannot undo. In this narrative, Soto uses alliteration, imagery, and…
    Guilt
  3. 3
    Shame and Guilt: Hidden Metaphors in Bernard Schink’s ​The Reader
    Words • 387
    Pages • 2

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    Guilt is a powerful concept. When an individual commits something they know is morally wrong, a heavy feeling settles in their chest, all-consuming and at times, unbearable. They carry that guilt for a long time, looking for any and every way to rid themselves from it. In Bernard Schlink's award-winning novel, ​The Reader, ​we can see exactly how much of an effect guilt has on an individual’s life. Critically acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as a “formally beautiful, disturbing,…
    Guilt
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  4. 4
    An Analysis of the Burden of Guilt in Robertson Davies’s Fifth Business
    Words • 3723
    Pages • 14

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    Interwoven with light and shadows, Robertson Daviess Fifth Business is penetrated with fantastical elements that rub uneasily against feelings of guilt. A snowball thrown by young "Boy" Staunton misses Dunstan and hits Mary Dempster, causing the premature birth of Paul and the insanity of Mary. Guilt ensues and threatens to envelop Dunstable, Dunny, and Dunstan. One is his name by birth; the other a pet name; and the third, his true name upon being born again. With so many identities,…
    CultureGuiltReligion
  5. 5
    Guilt and Depression in Quarrel With Mother: A Personal Analysis
    Words • 500
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    I can't believe this nonsense. I'm glad Im leaving you for college. Well both be happy then. With immense anger and rage, I slam the door completely shut, not letting even the slightest air remain in or escape. With tears of frustration sliding from my red eyes, I head out onto the right of Terrace Avenue, passing four of the vast blocks ahead of me. Finally, my destination was achieved, and alongside, the chain of familiar present houses lives the…
    AngerGuilt
  6. 6
    The Moral Logic of Survivor Guilt 
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    Survivor guilt is the responsibility soldiers feel for a death or suffering, even when it is not their fault. Soldiers see a tremendous amount of suffering and often blame themselves for it. For example, Captain Bonenberger’s friend Specialist Jeremiah Pulaski was killed by a police officer. Before his death, Pulaski had saved Bonenberger’s life twice during the war, but Bonenberger was not able to help Pulaski. Captain Bonenberger blamed himself for the accident even though it was not his fault.…
    EthicsGuiltPhilosophy
  7. 7
    Guilt After Nursing Errors
    Words • 683
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    The guilt nurses experience after completing a medical error is an important concept that needs to be evaluated. Many nurses and advanced providers will commit a medical error during their careers. A medical error is defined as the failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or use of a wrong plan to achieve an aim (Grober & Bohnen, 2005, p. 42). Medical errors can be an unintended act of omission or commission or one that does not…
    EmotionGuiltNursing
  8. 8
    My Media Guilty Pleasure
    Words • 1202
    Pages • 5

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    Paper Type:1200 Word Essay Examples
    Description: Observing the phenomenon and making notes of those observations Guilty pleasure are the things that hide inside our souls and capture our minds to do things that make our brains explode with addiction. It's called guilty pleasure for a reason and I believe everyone has at least one, two or more. I have three guilty pleasures. My first is calling out sick, watching shameless and lastly, reading for pleasure. I have enjoyed doing these three for a long time…
    GuiltMediaPsychologyReading
  9. 9
    “When I Say No, I Feel Guilty” by Manuel J. Smith
    Words • 885
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    Paper Type:800 Word Essay Examples
    The book I chose to read was “When I Say No, I Feel Guilty” by Manuel J. Smith. The first thing to stand out to me in this book was it seemed a little outdated. Even though the writing style and the examples appeared to be from a different era, I was still able to see how different points were relevant today and to me personally. This title screamed my name when I was browsing the list of choices because…
    Guilt
  10. 10
    The Pervasive Influence of Guilt in Shakespeare’s Macbeth
    Words • 630
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    Paper Type:700 Word Essay Examples
    William Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, intricately weaves the theme of guilt into the fabric of its narrative, portraying the psychological turmoil experienced by the characters, particularly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The profound impact of guilt on their actions and the tragic consequences that unfold serve as a compelling exploration of human morality and the consequences of succumbing to one's inner demons. The Overwhelming Burden of Guilt At the core of Macbeth's internal struggle is the haunting specter of guilt that emerges…
    Guilt
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  11. 11
    Comprehensive Analysis of Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter
    Words • 720
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    Paper Type:750 Word Essay Examples
    Introduction Nathaniel Hawthorne's magnum opus, The Scarlet Letter, intricately explores the complexities of human guilt and redemption through the character of Arthur Dimmesdale. Set against the puritanical backdrop of seventeenth-century New England, Dimmesdale, a revered Puritan minister, grapples with the consequences of his clandestine affair with Hester Prynne. The evolution of Dimmesdale's guilt and hypocrisy unfolds across three scaffold scenes, revealing the profound psychological impact of his hidden sin. This essay delves into how Dimmesdale transforms from an embodiment of…
    Guilt
  12. 12
    The SMU “Death Penalty” and Its Impact on College Football
    Words • 1363
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    Paper Type:1600 Word Essay Examples
    College football is a beloved American tradition, where teams compete for the chance to play in prestigious bowl games and vie for championship titles. To assemble a winning team, college athletic boosters go to great lengths to recruit top talent from across the country. However, what transpires behind the scenes in the world of recruiting can cast a shadow on the game of college football. Behind Closed Doors: The Dark Side of College Football Recruiting The recruitment process in college…
    Death penaltyGuilt
  13. 13
    Developmental Psychosocial Stage: Initiative Versus Guilt
    Words • 564
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    Paper Type:Compare And Contrast EssaySimilarities and Differences Essay
    Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development delineates the third crisis as "Initiative Versus Guilt," which unfolds during the "play age" or later preschool years. In this critical stage, the child encounters the opportunity to foster imagination, broaden skills through active play, cooperate with others, and learn both leadership and followership. However, failure to navigate this stage successfully may lead to immobilization by guilt, resulting in fearfulness, social detachment, dependency on adults, and limitations in play skills and imagination. The Play…
    Erik EriksonGuiltPsychology
  14. 14
    Macbeth’s Ambition: Unveiling Consequences in Shakespearean Tragedy
    Words • 729
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    Paper Type:800 Word Essay Examples
    William Shakespeare's renowned play, Macbeth, delves into profound themes of murder, guilt, ambition, and the ruthless pursuit of power. Within the narrative, the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are intricately woven together in a chilling quest for absolute dominance. Initially, Macbeth appears as a noble and patriotic individual willing to sacrifice for his country. However, as the story unfolds, a darker side of his character emerges, leading to dire consequences not only for Macbeth but also for Scotland. The…
    Guilt
  15. 15
    Guilt and Innocence in ”The Scarlet Letter”
    Words • 2444
    Pages • 9

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    Paper Type:2500 Word Essay Examples
    Knowledge and sin connect in the Judeo-Christian tradition in the story of Adam and Eve. Sin becomes the outcome in the story of Adam and Eve when they get thrown out of the Garden of Eden. After their banishment from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve must work and bear children. Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale experience similar situations as Adam and Eve in the novel _The Scarlet Letter_ written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. For Hester, the scarlet letter becomes…
    Guilt
  16. 16
    A Deeper Look into Gary Soto’s Inner Struggles With Guilt
    Words • 531
    Pages • 2

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    Paper Type:450 Word Essay Examples
    Isabelle Holland once remarked, "Guilt is the price we pay willingly for doing what we are going to do anyway." Gary Soto, in his poignant narrative, delves into the intricate realm of guilt, weaving a tapestry of emotions surrounding his act of stealing an apple pie. Soto meticulously explores the facets of his inner self, the influence of religion, and the repercussions on his outer self, shedding light on the profound impact of guilt on his psyche. Paranoia: A Manifestation…
    GuiltStealing
  17. 17
    Emotional Motivations in The Crucible
    Words • 692
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    Paper Type:500 Word Essay Examples
    Emotions serve as powerful motivators for human behavior, often driving individuals to make crucial decisions in their lives. In Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible," the themes of fear, guilt, and revenge play a central role, influencing the actions of various characters. Through the complex relationships and interactions within the play, these emotions are brought to the forefront, providing a nuanced understanding of the characters' motivations and the consequences of their choices. Fear: Catalyst for Cowardice and Dishonesty Fear, a potent…
    GuiltRevenge
  18. 18
    Effects of Guilt in Crime and Punishment
    Words • 967
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    Paper Type:900 Word Essay ExamplesCause And Effect Essay
    Guilt is a force in all that has the ability to bring people to insanity. When guilt becomes great enough, the effects it has on people go much deeper than the surface. People's minds and body's are overpowered by the guilt that consumes them every second they live with their burden. The devastating effects of guilt are portrayed vividly in Dostoevsky's fictional but all to real novel Crime and Punishment. In the story, the main character Raskolnikov commits a murder…
    Guilt
  19. 19
    Inhibition’s Paralyzing Effect, Proactivity’s Liberating Power
    Words • 995
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    Paper Type:1000 Word Essay Examples
    Negative, because it arrests or inhibits one's action. This trait reduces one to smallness or to what Nietzsche calls the "morality of slaves", thus congealing the soul of the Filipino and emasculating him, making him timid, meek and weak. Positive, because, it contributes to peace of mind and lack of stress by not even trying to achieve. Ningas-cogon (procrastination) Negative, by all standards, because it begins ardently and dies down as soon as it begins. This trait renders one inactive…
    ChildhoodChildrenEmotionFamilyGuiltPeace And Harmony
  20. 20
    Oedipal Guilt in Psychoanalysis of Cinderella
    Words • 298
    Pages • 2

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    Paper Type:300 Word Essay Examples
    In the article “Cinderella”: A Story of Sibling Rivalry and Oedipal Conflicts,” Bruno Bettelheim claims that the oedipal guilt and oedipal conflicts present within the story of “Cinderella” are critical to a child’s unsatisfied thoughts and feelings; this is why children identify strongly with this fairy tale. In his argument, Bettelheim uses anecdotal evidence to prove his statement. For example, a mother tells her five-year-old daughter to grab some salt, and the daughter acts out because she feels that she…
    GuiltHuman Nature
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