The “nature of man” is a statement that should be referenced more in our public and private conversations for it relates to every interaction with other creatures on this planet. Humans that understand the concept typically find more peace in this life than those who do not. Understanding why people act the way they do will make dealing with others easier for it limits our emotional reaction to certain events. For example, in Saki’s “The Blood-feud of Toad-Water: a West-country Epic” we find that two families at odds for minimal ethical reasons would rather feud than see the human emotion that is fueling this fight. Björnson’s short story “The Father” , displays another aspect of man’s nature, pride. As noble as this man’s pride was regarding his son, it manifests itself like the proverb says, before a fall. The father was sure that he would not need the services of the church anymore after his son was to be married. Yet, the comfort of a man of the cloth was all that would do in his life after morning the tragic loss of his beloved son. Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” displayed covetousness. Admiring the woods that someone else owns, this character continues his work belabored by the fact that it is far from done. Tennyson’s poem “Mariana,” blind allegiance to love will distort reality and leave many people depressed and wanting what will never come.
All of these stories use beautiful words and combinations that give the works texture. These wonderful under used words also give hints and details to the intended meanings the author wanted the audience to know. A poem usually gives a rather average story another dimension so the work is appreciated more by the literary public which is what some of the authors above took advantage of. Sometimes the different literary forms used in conceiving these works helps the audience to relate.
My experience within a high control group relates to the pride aspect of the story “The Father.” From the top down each member has an air of arrogance when it comes to those who are not part of the organization. They are far more enlightened religiously than the balance of humankind thereby making them special. Pride certainly comes before a fall, and as is common with humans I look forward to the train wreck that will ensue when it does come crashing down. That is not the proper ethical and moral way to view it, but I too am a human prone to “the nature of man.”