The Fear Of The Unknown - 1617 Words

Humanity has a natural curiosity to it. A sort of drive to seek out the unknown and discover the wondrous. But often our systems of power that are regarded as perfect eliminate the need for that curiosity. The most powerful rulers or governments leave nothing left unknown and the people are often depicted, as in Utopia, as being perfectly happy to go along with that. Even though removing the unknown from the human experience seriously deprives us of humanness, it is often argued as being the easier option. According the stories and historical accounts, the purpose of establishing human power or governments is to provide a relief from the unknown. This is because we innately fear the unknown, power gives control to that fear, and therefore the most perfect level of control is one that removes all instances of the unknown from those under it. Fear is arguably one of the strongest human emotions and can greatly affect those who experience it. The fear of the unknown is a classic version of this emotion. Many children feel it as a part of growing up as they explore the world. It also expresses itself in the more adult world as fear of the divine, fear of the future, or even fear of new peoples. The government in Carthage was uncertain in its own future after its people moved in masse to the newly discovered island. They acted out of fear and stopped the entire process (De Montaigne 107-108). The government of Carthage certainly didn’t know one way or the other if the peopleShow MoreRelatedFear Of The Unknown ( Xenophobia )1036 Words   |  5 PagesFear of the Unknown (Xenophobia): Why and How to Conquer this Fear Goal: I will inform the audience about the Fear of the Unknown (Xenophobia), why people have this fear and how to conquer this fear. Introduction: I. Jacob Olesen’s definition of Xenophobia is â€Å"the irrational sense of fear experienced about a person or situations that are perceived as strange or foreign.† II. Fear of the Unknown is the fear of anything that is beyond one’s comfort zone. III. The intense and irrational fear of foreignersRead MoreFear and Control of the Unknown Essay874 Words   |  4 Pagesindividuals to assimilate or be constrained because of the publics fear and anxiety of the unknown. Such insecurities led to the mistreatment and restraint of both the slaves as portrayed in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and the mental patients in One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest. One of the most apparent and important themes in both One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is control. Fear is used as a means to gain control over the slave by their masterRead MoreCreative Writing: Fear of the Unknown 678 Words   |  3 Pagesnatural occurrence after the sun descends. Senses are heightened which sparks the imagination to soar. A moment of time when things of legend becomes a reality and self-doubt are unveiled. In the darkness the line between fact and fiction blur. Sounds, fears, and intuition are the elements that rule when light does not exist. Things that pop and crack populate the house. Hearing sounds in the middle of the night that send chills down my spine. A sense of alertness occurs when standing there frozen, waitingRead More Greek Mythology: Fear of the Unknown1814 Words   |  8 Pages Greek Mythology: Fear of the Unknown The ancient Greeks lived in an influential and creative time. Music filled the streets, sculptures towered over the city and masterpieces hung on walls everywhere. Children were being educated which led to great philosophers in the future. This city-state was flourishing and is now known today as one of the most advanced ancient civilizations. As progressive as these people were sadly, they were held back by their own beliefs. 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One of many prominent themes in William Golding s novel, the Lord of the Flies, is Fear of the unknown. From the beginning of the novel, the boys fear what they cannot see, the partsRead More Lord of the Flies: Fear of the Unknown Essays1006 Words   |  5 Pagesor imagined is described as fear. Fear is what William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies encompasses. By taking three major examples from the novel, fear will be considered on different levels: Simon’s having no instance of fear, Ralph’s fear of isolation on the island, and Jack’s fear of being powerless. Fear can make people behave in ways that are foreign to them, whether their fear is real or imagined. In response to fear, people may act defensively by attacking, fear c an either stop one from doingRead MoreAn Analysis of How Fear of the Unknown Affects Characters in Hamlet1357 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿An Analysis of How Fear of the Unknown Affects Characters in Hamlet Hamlets famous To be or not to be soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1 provides the context for several of the characters actions. It is a soliloquy about fearing the unknown that lies waiting on the other side of the grave (are we punished and/or rewarded according to our actions on earth?) and as Hamlet reasons, Conscience does make cowards of us all (3.1.2). In other words, Hamlet feels that he is unable to act because of theRead MoreFear Of The Unknown Has Been A Constant Thread Intricately1092 Words   |  5 PagesFear of the unknown has been a constant thread intricately interwoven throughout the tapestry of my life. Although intricate in color and vast in depth, it has furrowed a chasm in my past, present and dare I say future. As a seminarian on the verge of graduation the prior statement may appear somewhat odd. Aptly applying a biblical scripture such as â€Å"God has not given us the spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind†, should suffice to calm anxiety and t repidation. However, I have notRead Moreâ€Å"Fear of the Unknown Is a Common Gothic Theme†. Is This True in Your Texts?3510 Words   |  15 PagesThe fear of the unknown is a common Gothic theme that is used to create fear and uncertainty in the responder. This is achieved through the use of a number of different techniques and conventions. The fear of the unknown is expressed through dark, uncertain and mysterious circumstances cause responders to feel vulnerable and fearful. In Bram Stoker’s Dracula the overpowering force of the sublime, the prominence of religion, death and use of darkness accompanied by typical Gothic techniques evoke