Communtiy

A detailed Summary of Communtiy

Joseph K. Hart once said, "No child can escape his community...The life of the community flows about him, foul or pure; he swims in it, goes to sleep in it, and wakes to the new days to find it still about him. He belongs to it' it nourishes or starves him, or poisons him; it gives him the substance of his life." Community plays a large role in everyone's life; Pearl and Hester of The Scarlet Letter, LeAlan Jones, Lloyd Newman, Eric Morse and his killers, of Ghetto Life 101 and Remorse, and the rest of the world. The four aspects of community are neighborhood, peers or friends, family, and faith. Although, as an individual, a person shapes their own identity; nevertheless, the community that the person lives in plays a significant role in their actions, beliefs, and decisions.

Hester Prynne's neighborhood greatly influenced her identity. Although she had already grown up, her personality changed greatly after the labeling of her sin, adultery. Hester's town was very strict with the punishment of sins and the citizens frowned upon many things. Public displays of a person's crime were common. Some may think that the simple task of wearing a scarlet letter is no big deal, but try to raise a child who questions almost everyt

Her community did not only affect Hester's physical appearance. Although the neighbor hood played a large part in Hester's hiding of herself; there was a single man who was mostly responsible for her appearance. This brings the second part of community influence into play, family. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is the man who was mostly responsible for Hester's somber cast.

Strangely enough, since the town scowled upon her at first, eventually the citizens almost forgave but more like forgot about her sin. Not many people would approach Hester or her child Pearl at first but eventually the town did. Not only did they approach them, but also they acquired stitched goods from Hester that had been sewn by the Devil Woman's own hands. From a person that could hardly walk around town without being judged to a woman making an honest living, Hester made a big transition. However, her physical appearance stayed the same, dull, covered up, boring, and not very attractive.

In listening to the tapes one moment sticks in my mind and always will. LeAlan asked his grandmother to share her favorite song with us. Like anyother grandmother, Jude complained about a scratchy voice but with a little persuasion she sang "One day at a time." As LeAlan said she may be a little old but "she still can blow." How she keeps her positive attitude in a neighborhood like this is in the simple act of faith.

The immediate family of a person is usually to blame for how the child turns out. If a child is troubled, it is common for our society to say, "oh they just has troubles at home." That is not always true but for the most part it is. A persons family greatly affects them. Your parents always say, "don't do that it makes people think bad things of the family." We don't' want to except this but it is true, one person determines how the entire family is.

My lack of religion is mostly due to my family not exposing me to it. However, my family has played a large role in my life, for example my religious views. If it was not for my family I would not be who or where I am today. They have instilled their morals upon me, they views on life, their points of view on everything.

LeAlan comapred the ghetto to Vietnam. Constant gun shots going off. One day he was at his aunt's house plaing video games when a lady shot about eight shots at a person then there was a return volley of many shots. LeAlan just continued playing his videogames like noting happened.

Some may not consider Dimesdale as part of Hester's family, but he is the father of Pearl thus showing importance to the family. Pearl also greatly affected Hester's personality. The source of Hester's problems, the "elf child," the "devil child," all labels that brought grief and frustration to Hester. Hester is to blame for Pearl being frowned upon in the first place, but Pearl brought on many frowns from the community by her actions. Pearl, being young and a pistol was blind to the community thus forcing her mother to accept the full brunt of the harsh words and looks.

Peers, who would think that who you spend time with would change or life or even end it. This happened with Janelle Jones. At age thirteen she was an honors student. She had won the spelling bee and was name Saludatorian of her class. She had a good life lined up for her. Who knows maybe she would go to college and get out of the ghetto. But one mistake, one little error would ruin everything that she had worked for.

Family means a lot when you are growing up. With or without them they will ultimately influence you greatly. Along with your neighbor hood, peers, and faith your family will make you who you are. Often times your family also affects your faith. LeAlan's Grandmother showed great faith when she was interviewed.

Some common words found in the essay are:
People Vietnam, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth, Hester Prynne's, Crystal Lake, LeAlan Lloyd, Grandson Jamia, Janelle Jones, Tommy Tyronne, Vietnam Constant, crystal lake, life community, arthur dimmesdale, peers friends, greatly affected, african americans, friends killed, scarlet letter, lealan lloyd, tyronne jenkins, lealan jones lloyd, ghetto life 101, jones lloyd newman, life 101 remorse, thirty friends killed,

Approximate Word count = 4111
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English