When discussing Literature, what do we mean when we talk about the
human condition and
universal truths? Write a definition for each, in your own words please! Then
give an example of each from any work of literary merit. This post is due by Saturday 3:00.
Human Condition: refers to common life events, and how people react to and deal with these events, ie. death and the mourning process.
ReplyDeleteUniversal Truth: refers to statements or opinions globally accepted as true about humans and their behavior, ie. women being frail and inferior to men, but they don't necessarily have to be false like the previous, ie. children being innocent.
The human condition are feelings or emotions associated with existance such as joy, terror, or humor. The universal truth can refer to certain values that are important to us such as pride, sacrifice, love,or honor.
ReplyDeleteJennifer<3
The Human Condition (HC) is the emotional situations that are hard to deal with because of our, human, nature. An instance of this would be in Slaughterhouse-Five; dealing with death. Billy deals with his pain from the war, the memories of bloodshed without reason, by creating the Tralfamadorians.
ReplyDeleteA Universal Truth (UT) is a permanent fact in which all except to be valid and true. They are facts of human behaviors, in which are timeless. One such example is in Slaughterhouse-Five, The Children's Crusade. The reader always knows why Mary O'Hare is upset with Vonnegut, because she thinks he won't depict their innocence they had in the war, because they were just babies.
Human Condition are feelings and situations that humans will always face, it could be a positive or negative reaction. An example could be love, we all struggle when it comes to attract the opposite sex. Universal Truth are facts that every human being accepts and it can't be avoided. An example could be death, we know that death can't be shunned and we will face it one day.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Human Condition- is act of existence as a human being, and experiencing things that only humans go through and inevitable; having emotions, needs, and etc.
ReplyDeleteExample: In Marquis De Sade's Tale "Philosophy in the Boudoir" When Eugenia is faced with the act of sexual gratification, she adsorbs herself in it making her a victim the Human condition.
Universal Truth- a proven fact on human behavior that is timeless and constantly reoccurring.
Universal Truth: Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" When Dorian has the ability to age taken away; he still has the fear of his own vanity being seen and viewed as ugly. In the end his self conscious kills himself.
Human Condition: An experience or state of being that can be related to by virtually all human beings because it is an intrinsic part of being human.
ReplyDeleteExample: "The Great Gatsby" speaks on the human condition of love and lonliness. More specifically, how we as humans often wish we had second chances to either avoid or explore these avenues. Even if love and lonliness don't connect to the reader (even though they're human conditions) the idea of second chances definitely will.
Universal Truth: A general/widely applicable thesis that maintains its veracity no matter what the subject matter
Example: "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison postulates the universal truth that people's preconceived notions (whether they be subconscious or not)dictate the way they treat people. Thus, they don't see the person for who s/he is, rather their perceptions are based on the way they think the individual "should" be. Another universal truth (though not as obvious) possibly put forth in "Invisible man" is the idea that individuals only do things so long as it interest themselves, and thus they see not persons, but tools for their own satisfaction.
The Human Condition is the situations that we as people can relate to because we experience such situations regularly like when we read a love story i.e. relating to heartbreak or falling in love like the love story of the scarlet letter
ReplyDeleteUniversal Truths are the statements that people generally perceive or accept as true, although they are not always accurate i.e. the arrogant, yet flawed here of Beowulf
Keturah
The human condition deals with typical emotions that humans tend to face, such as love, loss, jealousy, etc. This is exemplified in The Great Gatsby when Gatsby's killer envies Gatsby and later murders him. The universal truth, on the other hand, regards certain truths that is known worldwide, like the fact that every life is temporary. For instance, Slaughterhouse Five brings out the universal truth that war is unavoidable.
ReplyDelete:)
-Rachel
The Human Condition can be described as circumstances that all human beings must endure, such as the pain of losing a loved one. The Human Condition affects all of mankind; no one is omitted. The human condition is displayed through Edna Pontellier in The Awakening. Edna is repressed by the conventional standards of the time, yet experiences passionate, uncontrollable emotions towards her love interest, Alcee Arobin.
ReplyDeleteA Universal Truth may be interpreted as a thought or concept that is timeless and accepted worldwide. A universal truth may pertain to the inevitability of war as well as that of death. In Slaughterhouse Five, Vonnegut writes, "So it goes" after mentioning death. Vonnegut's statement clarifies that death, painful as it may be, is a part of life and cannot be eschewed.
-Laura
The human condition (HC) is the way, we as humans, react emotionally to certain events. An example of HC would be in The Great Gatsby; his longing for happiness because even though he has everything, he still feels he would find true happiness in love.
ReplyDeleteA universal truth (UT) is something that is widely accepted and considered true for everything. When I think of universal truth, I think of the fact that Slaughterhouse Five shows war is inevitable.
The Human Condition could best be defined as the attributes which make us human. The way we react to certain events and how our behavior and emotions shape our character all part of the Human Condition.
ReplyDeleteFor example, in A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Gene Forrester shows many signs of deep regret and guilt after he caused Phineas's (Finny) leg injury which ultimately led to his death. This leaves Gene battling his internal feelings of hatred of war and of himself in order to find the peace which all humans desire.
Universal Truth is something which we can all relate to. Ideals which are true for everybody, no matter where they are or in which era they live in.
In Slaughterhouse-Five, the theme of universal passiveness brought on by the Tralfamadorians is ever-present in the book. After a character dies, Vonnegut simply says "So it goes". This is done to remark upon the idea that there is no reason to grieve about a dead body, since he or she is alive in another time.
~German
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUniversal truth are the actions and behavior of humans worldwide that is continuously repeated through all generations.
ReplyDeleteExample: In "Slaughterhouse Five",Roland Weary
blames Billy Pilgrim for killing him. He had no evidence or proof that he was killed by him, because he had come in the war himself. Humans always find someone to blame their faults on. His death was his, and not Billy's.
Human Condition is what humans feel as far as emotions such as anger, happiness,and depression. Every human goes through every emotion in their lifetime.
Example: "In the Crucible", John Proctor's life could have been saved if he would have said that he was blasphemying against God. But he didn't say that he had talked to the devil; so he was hung. This is a sign of a human emotion called guilt. He did'nt want the guilt to be on his conscience so he claimed God and was killed for doing so.
The Human Condition: It refers to the way individuals are affected internally and externally by instinct. This typically relates to emotion and needs people have and the obstacles that they must be overcome.
ReplyDeleteExample in Literature: In Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Jane's experiences a childhood full of torment/violence and hypocrisy. From an early age, she learned to accept oppression and the hardships that came her way. Even though she was "plain", Jane learned to fulfill her emotional needs despite thinking she will ever find happiness. The blaming placed on herself through her conscience forbid her to take other routes to a standard life. This different form of thought process she had led her to falling in love with Mr. Rochester, contrary to the gothic atmosphere of this tale.
The Universal Truth: This refers to a more global perspective; it is an understanding of something that can’t be evaded. It is typically the ideology used in order to portray a general idea.
Example in Lit: In Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, it is demonstrated that society can certainly dominate individual status, whether it is for money, love, etc. In this novel, Archer flies to Europe to steal Ellen’s heart when he is overcome with crushing news. Humans will always look for something they cannot have, as with Archer. Self-sacrifices will always be made, no matter for what reason; it can be either materialistic or something that comes deep from the heart. The human being can never be happy; they will always look for a flaw in order to satisfy this reality. This idea is accepted in just about every corner of the globe; we know humans are always going to be imperfect.
-Marcela
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Human Condition relates to the thoughts and emotions that basically define us as human beings. We've all experienced sorrow, anger and even joy. We've all judged at least once in our lives or felt pride after an achievement, traits like these are what define us and actually establish our existence on this earth. An example of the human condition would be in "The Odyssey." After fighting in the Trojan War for ten years, it is Odysseus's prideful banter that gets him in trouble and forces his journey home to be another decade. Though arrogance is usually seen as a flaw it still defines us as human beings.
ReplyDeleteUniversal truth are more relavant to ideas and values that stand on thier own and can be applied to any human being in any part of the earth. The unviversal truth pertaining to the coexistance of good and evil is evident in Herman Melville's "Billy Budd." Billy's goodness contrasted greatly to the evilness of John Claggart. Also the truth that the two forces cannout exist without each other is also illustrated in the fact that when Billy dies so did john Claggart.
Human Condition are aspects of human lives. Things that are going to happen regardless of who the person is. For example death, childhood, aging and birth.
ReplyDeleteIn Little Women by Louisa Alcott when Beth dies it was hard for the 3 other sisters to deal with it.
Universal Condition are things that are accepted by the world as truths. Like war, hatred and pride.
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Elizabeth's pride was hurt when Mr. Darcy said she was intolerable and this lead her to have preconceived notion about him.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHUMAN CONDITION: The conditions of which humans face througout life and also there existence.
ReplyDeleteex: Humans and there feelings, such as human emotions (Love, emotions, etc.)
UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Would be statements that everybody accepts and or may feel is true, that will continue throughout generations.
ex: The difference between heaven and hell i feel would be a good example of universal truth.
~Camile Hall