Patterns in Life
"It is human nature to want patterns, standards, and a structure of behavior. A pattern to conform is a kind of shelter." From the time we wake up in the morning to the time we bed down for the night, our lives are filled with patterns. Our lives have a certain structure. You do this and this and this and then after that you do this and this. Finally, after you are done with that, you do this. Fill in the "you" with your name and fill in every "this" with what you do on a daily basis, and there is the proof. Got a job? You have to be there by a certain time and once there you have specific duties to perform. Go to school? You have a schedule of classes starting and ending at certain times. Just a lazy bum? You still have a pattern of sitting around and being lazy. The words "pattern," "standard," "structure," or "conform," tend to make any person balk, especially those who value and selfishly guard their "freedom." These words resonate with connotations of control and uniformity. Yet, as much as we hate to admit it, our lives are controlled. We are controlled not by the government or even by a living person but by our very nature. Human nature wants structure. It is in our nature to want to know what is expected,
We get stuck in a rut and even if it is boring, it is comfortable and right for us. In the novel The Stranger by Albert Camus, the main character, Mersault thrives on his pattern. Even though it is boring and mundane, he felt comfortable. He knew that he was going to work and after that he might either swim or go to the movies or sleep but he knew he would partake in one of those activities. In fact, he hated Sundays with a passion because his schedule had been interrupted. He did not have to work, he did not have any obligations, and he was free yet he did not know what to do with it and even abhorred it. We get used to the pattern in our lives and come to expect and even depend on it. Our daily patterns serve as something constant in an ever-changing world. We know what to expect and we do not like surprises. This is perhaps why some people hate surprise parties so much. Surprises are quick little shots of inconsistency and chaos and our human nature veers away from chaos. Humans like order and standards since those things carry along minimal worry. In conclusion, the quotes "It is human nature to want patterns, standards, and a structure of behavior. A pattern to conform is a kind of shelter," can be both defended and challenged. Human nature is complicated and therefore it is impossible to say that such and such is definitively true or false. Emotions, personalities, and quirks must all be evaluated when discussing an aspect of human nature making it hard to completely prove or disprove it without a doubt. It is in our nature to like patterns, structure, and certain expectations since they all bring along a sense of comfort. Yet, the monotony of our daily patterns may compound forcing us to escape, even for a little while
Some common words found in the essay are:
Albert Camus, Finally Fill, , human nature, nature patterns, human nature patterns, structure behavior pattern, daily patterns, homework bed, filled patterns, lives structure, pattern conform shelter, standards structure behavior, behavior pattern conform, minimal worry, comfort occasionally, structured life, sense comfort,
Approximate Word count = 1182
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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