& # 8211 ; Individualism Essay, Research Paper
There is much to be said about individuality. Feelingss of freedom and eternal possibilities for single growing are presented throughout these two novels. Although being an person has its high points, it is non ever the route to take. Billy Budd and Ignatius Reilly were both premier illustrations of persons. They both showed individuality in their expressions and their actions. Individualism finally killed or ran off each of these characters.
Billy Budd has singular expressions. He is known as the & # 8220 ; Handsome Sailor & # 8221 ; . He is tall with dark tegument and ruffling musculuss. Peoples admired him for his actions every bit good as his expression. He was the conciliator on the ship. He was the single everyone looked up and turned to. When Billy was traveling to be taken from his ship Captain Graveling was non happy about it, & # 8220 ; Lieutenant, you are traveling to take away my best adult male from me, the gem of & # 8216 ; em & # 8221 ; ( Melville 46 ) . Billy was so removed from the ship. His adieu was thought of as instead uneven though. He left the Rights-of-Man beckoning a & # 8220 ; affable adieu & # 8221 ; . ( Melville 49 ) Many would be devastated if they were forced to function their state but Billy looked at it as an chance to derive new experiences ( Ellis ) , & # 8220 ; He instead liked this adventuresome bend in personal businesss, which promised an gap into fresh scenes and soldierly exhilarations & # 8221 ; ( Melville 49 ) .
A concluding manner he shows individuality is when the chaplain approached him at the terminal of the narrative seeking to explicate to him how to derive redemption before his decease, but Billy stayed true to his beliefs about God ( Wood ) , & # 8221 ; ? one whom though on the confines of decease he felt he could ne’er change over to a tenet ; nor for all that did he fear for his hereafter & # 8221 ; ( Melville 121 ) . An single sets out to make what they want to make. Here Billy Budd does non conform to the beliefs of others and sticks to what he believes right up to his decease.
Billy Budd shows the positive side of individuality. On the opposite side of that, Ignatius showed the negative side.
Ignatius J. Reilly showed his individuality with his bad expressions and his rude personality. He was really corpulent with black wiry hair and full-pursed lips, which protrude
vitamin D beneath the shaggy black mustache. ( Toole13 ) The nature in which Ignatius dressed was instead unsympathetic to the general public’s oculus, “Ignatius sent moving ridges of flesh ruffling beneath the tweed flannel, waves that broke upon buttons and seams” ( Melville 13-14 ) . These words put a image in the readers mind and helps proves a point that Ignatius doesn’t care how he looks, where most people do.
A large manner that Ignatius & # 8217 ; individuality radiances through is how he lives his life. Ignatius, a 30-year-old adult male still populating at place with his female parent, does non hold a occupation. He does non happen this to be out of the norm. His female parent and he have heated statements of when he will travel out and acquire a occupation, & # 8220 ; Ignatius a large adult male like you can & # 8217 ; t pedal around on no motorcycle presenting newspapers. & # 8221 ; & # 8220 ; Possibly you could drive me? & # 8221 ; & # 8220 ; Listen, male child, you gon na travel attempt somewheres tomorrow. I mean it & # 8221 ; ( Toole 73 ) .
When Ignatius does happen a occupation he does non conform to what the regulations are of the occupation. ( Wood ) He takes it upon himself to travel above his superior and make his occupation the manner he wants to, & # 8220 ; Ignatius went to the make fulling cabinets, picked up the accumulated and unfilled stuff, and threw it in the wastepaper basket & # 8221 ; ( Toole 125 ) . To most, this would look unusual, but non to Ignatius. He likes to make things his manner and non bow down to others regulations.
Bing an person has it good points and it & # 8217 ; s bad. Billy Budd brought out all the high facets of it by being a leader and conciliator to all of his shipmates. Even though in the terminal he was punished for standing up for what he believes, in his individuality will non be forgotten by his crew. Ignatius, on the other manus, showed the low side of being an person. His life style did impact many people but in a negative alternatively of a positive manner. Ignatius will be remembered as a bull-headed fat adult male who did non amount to anything, and Billy Budd will be remembered as the & # 8220 ; Handsome Sailor & # 8221 ; who made peoples lives a small easier. The writers try and include different ways of making things in each of the narratives. By doing each of the characters an person they can demo how society works against those who choose to be different.
Ellis, Brian. & # 8220 ; Melville Comments. & # 8221 ; April 4, 1998.
