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The interplay between good and evil has been a perennial theme in literature, continually challenging our understanding of morality and the origins of malevolence. This essay delves into the nuanced perspectives on evil presented in John Marsden's Tomorrow When the War Began and Will Stanton's "Barney." By meticulously examining the characters' interactions with evil and the profound implications of its existence, we aim to unravel the complex relationship between humanity and the concept of evil.
Both Tomorrow When the War Began and "Barney" prompt us to question whether evil is an inherent force or a product of human agency.
In Tomorrow When the War Began, Ellie, the astute protagonist, grapples with the idea that evil may be a human creation, not a natural occurrence. Her contemplation arises from a meticulous observation of nature, particularly focusing on the dragonfly and the mosquito. The dragonfly, she notes, acts without cruelty, merely fulfilling its survival instincts. This profound juxtaposition prompts Ellie to suggest that evil is a human-made concept, conspicuously absent in the unadulterated realm of nature.
Similarly, "Barney" serves as a metaphorical exploration of the origins of evil.
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The intelligent rat, Barney, embodies a spectrum of evil actions, yet his malevolence is a consequence of human intervention. The scientist, by endowing Barney with intelligence, becomes the unwitting creator of evil. This underscores the persuasive argument that evil exists only in the presence of human influence, either through perception or direct creation.
Society, as vividly depicted in both works, grapples with the inherent ambiguity surrounding the concepts of good and evil.
Ellie's thought-provoking observation in Tomorrow When the War Began questions the validity of moral absolutes when she reflects on the contradictory messages within religious texts. The fluidity of these concepts becomes strikingly apparent as actions labeled as evil can also be perceived as good, depending on one's perspective.
Ellie's profound realization that terms like good, bad, heaven, and hell are mere labels challenges the absolute nature of these concepts. This philosophical stance suggests that good and evil are not immutable entities but are subjective and contingent upon human interpretation. The malleability of these moral constructs emphasizes their dependence on human perception for existence.
The symbolic representation of the dragonfly and mosquito in Tomorrow When the War Began elucidates the primal struggle for survival. Ellie's keen observation that the dragonfly lacks the cognitive capacity for cruelty highlights the intrinsic absence of evil in nature. In the relentless pursuit of survival, actions deemed evil by human standards become not only justifiable but necessary. The novel masterfully illustrates that nature operates on instinct rather than moral considerations, further reinforcing the compelling argument that evil is a human construct, a byproduct of our intricate societal frameworks.
The intricate relationship between humanity and evil is artfully mirrored in "Barney," where an ostensibly intelligent rat becomes the embodiment of malevolence. Despite Barney's apparent evil nature, it is crucial to recognize that this evil is a direct consequence of human interference. The rat's actions are a chilling reflection of the intelligence bestowed upon it by the scientist, emphasizing the irrefutable human origin of evil.
In conclusion, Tomorrow When the War Began and "Barney" provide profound and thought-provoking perspectives on the concept of evil. The meticulous exploration of evil as a human construct challenges preconceived notions about its origins and nature. Ellie's insightful reflections into the fluidity of moral concepts and the primal depiction of nature in Tomorrow When the War Began, along with the allegorical narrative of "Barney," collectively underscore that evil is a product of human influence. Whether through perception or direct creation, evil manifests in the palpable presence of humanity, revealing its inherent connection to human existence.
Unraveling Evil: Tomorrow When the War Began & 'Barney'. (2022, Feb 06). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-evil-in-human-nature-in-tomorrow-when-the-war-began-by-john-marsden-and-barney-by-will-stanton-essay
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