Dennis Thompson “The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Head”

¶ 1 Leave a comment on paragraph 1 0 Dennis Thompson

¶ 2 Leave a comment on paragraph 2 0 Baruch University

¶ 3 Leave a comment on paragraph 3 0 .This essay focuses on prejudices and the biases that cause prejudice. This essay is not a critique of literary prowess, but more of an in-depth look at the subject matter and how it relates to human interaction. This paper will explore the psychological implications of the subject matter and offer a hypothesis based on recent studies as to the origins of the fundamental flaw that is prejudice. As a social construct we as a people believe that prejudice is wrong in the light of our being identified, but if we were to remain anonymous would we still have such high morality. It is with this direction in mind that this paper is being written.

¶ 4 Leave a comment on paragraph 4 0 . I will attempt to answer some very basic questions about human understanding, where do our views originate and from that starting point are the ideas we have original or are they manufactured based on external influences. Do people short circuit their own ideas about the world, and adopt those of authority figures and influential people? While this may not be the last word on the subject or the first for that matter, I will endeavor to bring as much new information as is readily available.

¶ 5 Leave a comment on paragraph 5 0 Dennis Thompson

¶ 6 Leave a comment on paragraph 6 0 Professor J.Peer

¶ 7 Leave a comment on paragraph 7 0 English 2850

¶ 8 Leave a comment on paragraph 8 0 14 November 2016

¶ 9 Leave a comment on paragraph 9 0 “The Bees Made Honey In The lion’s Head”

¶ 10 Leave a comment on paragraph 10 5 . We are not evolved as we would like to believe, human beings are but a pale comparison to what we really are and what we are is distracted. Human beings are quaint in existence, hopelessly focused on external factors such as skin color, religious beliefs and so on, as a means of determining the worth of another sect of people as compared to their own particular belief system and or environmental adaptation, (ie skin color). There is an ignorance that appears at first glance to be innate to the human condition. But this ignorance is causality, and not predetermined doctrine. Ignorance is an infectious disease which is shared willingly and lovingly, processed and stored in our superegos by those who we consider to be authority figures, as well societal pressures.The Heart of Darkness and The Season of the Migration North reek of this ignorance. The purpose of this paper is to highlight and explain possible cause and effect. Does art imitate life? or more accurately is art the reflection in the mirror?

¶ 11 Leave a comment on paragraph 11 3 .Comparatively both novels differ in the fixed point in time of both nations, in one time frame the story unfolds during an occupation as with The Heart of Darkness, but in Season of the Migration North the story unfolds several years after an occupation. What makes one country invade another? There seems to be one common denominator, resources and this translates to profit. Do we have to think less of a people or society other than our own to justify our actions? The answer to this question is yes, when we have a psychological conflict this creates dissonance and we reduce this dissonance through the act of justification and rationalization. We reduce this dissonance by dehumanizing the object of that dissonance typically by reducing that object to the level of savage. In order for this reduction of dissonance to be complete the subject must also elevate themselves to a level of superiority, which is commensurate to the object of the dissonance. This dynamic is not without its own consequences, after an occupation ends we may find that people are disconnected from their respective cultures, while suffering the effects of shattered local governments. If we look at both novels as a documentary, as opposed to a fiction novel we can see evidence of these claims.

¶ 12 Leave a comment on paragraph 12 4 . Implicit bias is the bias in judgment and/or behavior that results from subtle cognitive processes (e.g., implicit attitudes and implicit stereotypes) that often operate at a level below conscious awareness. As a culture we are taught through propaganda which is guised as patriotism to think of others and their respective belief systems as uncivilized or our own belief systems as Superior to another culture’s is an example of that bias. (“The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much” H.O.D ) this quote from The Heart of Darkness illustrates my point, however this is not wholly exclusive to external factors.

¶ 13 Leave a comment on paragraph 13 0 .Structuring of a bias could never be described as an overnight process, it is a long arduous process,It requires great strength to continue standing under the weight of this type of ignorance. Implicit bias can develop over time with the accumulation of personal experience. Personal experiences include not only traditional learning experiences between the self and the target (i.e., classical conditioning; Olson & Fazio, 2001), also social learning experiences (i.e., via observing parents, friends, or influential others; Greenwald & Banaji, 1995). If we subscribe to a Kantian theory, which believes that we are born devoid of morality and if we also subscribe to tabula rasa theory one could postulate that biases are a learned dynamic.

¶ 14 Leave a comment on paragraph 14 0 .(They asked me about Europe were the people there like us or were they different? was life expensive or cheap? what did people do in the winter? They say that the women are unveiled and dance openly with men “is it true”? Wad Rayyes asked me.pg.4) this further illustrates my point, not having the narrator to answer their questions they would have no information to rely on other than the information provided by the people in their respective social networks.The disease of ignorance has a rather unique delivery system, we infect one another.This infection can be to the detriment of any and all who come into contact with us. (“They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force — nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others” pg.5). When we are bathed in our own superiority during our formative years, it makes that much easier to subjugate another culture, particularly those who are not as technologically advanced.

¶ 15 Leave a comment on paragraph 15 2 .There is a common theme that is synonymous with both novels,the outlook that anything that is not white Anglo-Saxon is somehow subhuman, even the most Prolific character is reduced to that of a house pet in the novel Season of The Migration North. Is this a byproduct of the creative process, or is this a scathing indictment of the human condition? I say yes to the latter what other purpose does it serve to try and elevate ourselves above a sect of the population of the planet if it were not hubris intentions. In the light of his Superior intellect Mustafa Se’eed was reduced to that of a possession in season of the migration North (“It seems he was a showpiece exhibited by members of the aristocracy who in the twenties and early thirties were affecting liberalism”pg.48) his acceptance into English society is not based on his ability, but in their own wanting, he was no more than a sign or banner that could be brought out at parties and functions to illustrate how liberal they are in respect of his presence. This is the basest type of liberalism.

¶ 16 Leave a comment on paragraph 16 0 .

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w.fernandez November 21, 2016 at 1:17 pm

Mr. Thompson the way you use both stories you elaborate you argument is superb !!! All I can say is “Can’t wait for the end of your paper, if would definitely be interesting to read.”
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:35 pm

I’m still curious about what this title means. You can’t give it a title as interesting as that and then not explain.

Perhaps explaining your title would give you a more concrete thesis, and help to tie all of your arguments together. You could then return to the idea of “the lion’s head” in your transition sentences (many of which still need to be written) and it would make your essay feel more focused.

w.fernandez November 21, 2016 at 1:19 pm

“Ignorance is an infectious disease….” What a quote !!! Your analysis here is right on point.
p.zalewska November 21, 2016 at 5:17 pm

You analyzed the the theme of ignorance from every perspective, great job
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:16 pm

I can’t help feeling like your opening sentence here might be clarified and edited somewhat.

The first part is crystal clear, though I’m not sure if beginning with such a general third-person statement about humanity is the best opening for an essay. Rather than opening with the widest lens, the most general question, it would perhaps be better to start with a more specific point.

I am a bit confused about where the sentence goes from there. Can you explain the “pale comparison” we are? How does distraction fit into the rest of your argument?
1. d.thompson1 November 24, 2016 at 2:31 pm
  
  This is a first draft mistake, it should say we are a pale comparison to what we think we really are, the distraction is our own self-importance, we are hopelessly distracted by ourselves what else do people think about but themselves.
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:20 pm

I think your introduction should get right into the heart of what your paper is about. You have some broad general statements and some questions with a wide scope here. Perhaps you should move more quickly into some of the more relevant material from your second paragraph: the question of colonization, and the justification and rationalization that goes along with it. This would help to tie your arguments more closely to the texts you discuss, which seem of secondary importance in this draft.

3 Comments on paragraph 11

p.zalewska November 20, 2016 at 11:26 am

Interesting point of looking at both novels as documentary
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:22 pm

This seems to be the place to introduce your Conrad quote about “the conquest of the earth etc.” That way, your arguments will appear to be an analysis of the text.
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:23 pm

I certainly think you might find some examples of this “justification and rationalization” in the Conrad. Marlow seems to do a lot of it, even while seeming uncertain about it. There is certainly evidence of a perspective that would consider the Africans in the story as somehow subhuman.

4 Comments on paragraph 12

p.zalewska November 20, 2016 at 11:22 am

Excellent choice of a quote to support your idea, perhaps you could elaborate on how they are connected
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:11 pm

The quote is clearly relevant, but your argument would be improved if you spelled out the connection explicitly. Take a few sentences to show how Conrad’s point about “the conquest of the earth” demonstrates your argument that “implicit bias” is a necessary part of the “justification and rationalization” that come along with colonial exploitation.

Does Conrad’s novel bear this out? It seems to me that his point gets somewhat muddled in his fascination with Kurtz and the pass he gives to any colonizer who happens to be British.
1. d.thompson1 November 24, 2016 at 2:55 pm
  
  As a clinician if I have ten sick patients who are afflicted with an unnamed pathology,two of them hate each other,one is in love with another and so on, my job as a clinician is not to examine the interpersonal interactions of my patients,it is to isolate and identify the cause of the sickness,how the afflicted interact is incidental. What causes people to commit such horrors,why does this not fascinate people as much as it fascinates myself? But I can see your point, I think it takes away from a clear a concise diagnosis however.
Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:26 pm

Please don’t start paragraphs with quotations. Your use of the CEA style has much improved, but that is still an important style point. Use transition sentences at the beginning and ending of paragraphs and introduce quotations.

Jeff Peer November 22, 2016 at 10:32 pm

I think you might say more about the perspective on bias that this insincere or weak liberalism suggests. It is still rife with racial bias, but combines it with a smug superiority, as though only others could be biased.

Isn’t that exactly like Marlow, who pretends to criticize “the conquest of the earth,” even while giving England a pass? Perhaps you could make a connection here?

In any case, I feel that this argument about Mustafa’s time in Europe in Season of Migration to the North is not so much a conclusion as another body paragraph. Your conclusion should return explicitly to your thesis and tie all of your arguments together. I think you need another paragraph here.
1. d.thompson1 November 24, 2016 at 2:58 pm
  
  This is going to require some thought on my part,good one!! Not liking you right now Professor!! lol

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