The Perspective of Crime

Crime, in many cases, is solely based the element of perspective. In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment the murder of the pawnbroker is one of these instances. At first, Raskolnikov sees little harm in the murder. Based on his own perspective, he is benefitting society by sacrificing the life of one person for the good of the greater populace. An average person would view murder for what it truly is, a crime. Raskolnikov’s personal perspective influences his view of the situation. Based on his economic and social situation, he views the pawnbroker as a source of evil in society and makes it his own personal mission to eradicate this evil. I think perspective is extremely relevant when it comes to judging the crime. Raskolnikov’s mental, emotional, and economic state influences Porfiry’s treatment of him. Based on his situation, Porfiry feels sympathetic towards Raskolnikov and treats him differently than one would expect a criminal to be treated. In both cases of crime and the judgment of a crime, perspective factors into one’s definition of morality and the truth.

A Man More Mentally Blind Than Mad

Like in Oedipus, blindness is a major motif found in King Lear. The most poignant example of this blindness is Gloucester. At the beginning of the play, Gloucester is blind to the deceiving ways of his illegitimate son, Edmund. He fails to recognize Edmund’s manipulation of him in his devious plot in pursuit of power. Then, Gloucester is literally blinded. Ironically enough, this physically blinding is a result of his “blindness” to Edmund’s plan. Gloucester’s other son, Edgar, helps Gloucester to “regain his sight” when he stages a suicide. This “suicide” provides Gloucester with a new view of his world, even if he is unable to physically see what is around him. King Lear is another victim to blindness. When Cordelia refuses to outwardly proclaim her love for her father in order to earn a part of his kingdom, Lear is blinded by her true intentions. Cordelia says, “Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth.” King Lear interprets her words to say that she does not love him. Lear is blinded by his pride. For a long time, the King has always had power and pride at his fingertips. Since he now must hand his power over to his daughters, Lear is attempting to preserve what he has left, which is his pride. In order to maintain his pride, he needs reaffirmation of his daughters’ love for him. He is blinded by the true meaning of Cordelia’s actions. King Lear is also blind to the state of his kingdom. The storm scene is the first time where he truly sees the conditions his subjects are enduring . This scene is the first time that Lear genuinely reflects on his actions as King and accepts the truth. In a sense, each character apart of this play is blind to something. In turn, they all have misconceived notions of “the truth”.

Blinded by the Truth

The motif of blindness is a major one in Oedipus. Oedipus is blind to his true identity .When attempting to locate Laius’ murderer, Oedipus consults Tiresias, the blind prophet. Although Tiresias is blind, he sees more than others do. When he names Oedipus as the murderer, Oedipus begins to mock the old man. During the confrontation, Tiresias replies, “You mock my blindness do you? But I say that you, with both your eyes are blind”. Oedipus and Tiresias are opposites of one another. Although Tiresias is physically blind, he sees the truth and while Oedipus still has his eyesight, he is blind to the truth. This quotation proves ironic at the end of the play when Oedipus really does blind himself upon discovering that his wife and the mother of his children, Jocasta, is also his own mother. Originally, Oedipus is viewed as very insightful, intelligent and reliable by his people. The Thebans trust his word more than anyone else’s. However Oedipus’ blindness to the truth shows that human knowledge can only go so far. Not only was Oedipus blind to his true identity, he was blind to Tiresias’ efforts to inform him of the truth. Looking at the juxtaposition of Tiresias’ and Oedipus’ characters, as human beings, are we all essentially “blind” in one way or another?

The Truth Is...

How does perspective shape or alter the truth?

Do different viewpoints provide insight into what is “true” and what is “false”? This question interests me because I often feel that the divide between the truth and a lie is a complete gray area. What may seem “true” to one may seem completely false to another. It often depends on the person. I feel people often “see” what they want to see, rather than what is standing right in front of them. Personally, I’ve witnessed perspective interfere with judgment of “the truth” in my own life; whether with friends, family, sports, or education.

As human beings, do we truly “see” the truth or do we simply engineer our own versions of it? How do we let our own experiences and judgments influence our understanding of the truth?

I read Atonement by Ian McEwan over the summer. This novel strongly connects to my “Big Question”. In a way, Briony creates her own truth. She lets her jealousy, her imagination, and her constant pursuit of attention dictate what she perceives to be “the truth”. She lets her emotions get in the way of her judgment and misperceives an encounter between her older sister, Cecilia, and the housekeeper’s son, Robbie. Her misinterpretation of “the truth” creates a mistake that changes the lives of many. In this case Briony’s perspective completely transforms the truth into a dramatic, over the top fabrication that one would expect to read in one of her childhood plays.