One of the main themes of the book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is the “struggle between change and tradition”. The story told in this book is one of a culture that is prone to change by the influence of white man. Most of the books tension revolves around question of privileging change over tradition; however, for the author this has a negative connotation as the title of the book suggest that apparently something is falling apart.
We can identify this theme not only in Things Fall Apart, but also in others of the books we have read so far, for example: William Faulkner’s characters struggle with the oppose forces that are the north and the south, the south represents tradition, and the north the change.
Nowadays, in our country’s current affairs we can identify this this epic battle between change and tradition. It is all around us. Conservatism opposing to abortion, gay marriage and Cannabis legalization and liberalism agreeing to all of the above.
I leave you with the three following questions:
1) In which of the other books we have read so far, you can identify this clash between change and tradition?
2) When is it okay to oppose to liberal ideas, when is it okay to oppose to conservative ideas?
3) Is it possible for progress and conservatism to coexist in a culture?
In regards to your third question, neither liberalism or conservatism can assure you that progress will be made. Both of them ponder different ideological views that make sense to the people that follow and are absurd to those who oppose. Nowadays, conservative parties are opening their minds to change. For example, La Florida's major Rodolfo Carter who belongs to UDI party put up a giant condom in the middle of an avenue to raise awareness about sexual transmition diseases and teenage pregnancy.
ResponderEliminarDespite that we (conservative-minded people) believe that abortion should be strictly penalized or that marihuana should not be legalized, we do acknowledge how important it is for same-sex marriage to be approved or that at least some kind of legislation will protect those who decide to live together without getting married no matter if the couple is homesexual or heterosexual. Above all, we believe every single human being has the right to live their lives.
So if I answer your question, I do believe is possible for progress and conservatism to coexist in the very same way that progress can be made if liberalism rules. Life is not black or white, there is a full scale of colors in between.
the first part of your answer is concerning your personal opinion and how you feel about those specific topics that I used as an example of conflicts... but when you said that you do believe is possible for progress and conservatism to coexist....do you consider that it is possible in the sense that ...in our country ...sometimes people get pregnant using condom and pills... sometimes people get raped... isnt it progress to have free will into choosing what you want to do and what you dont want to do with your body?... is it progress if you just ban people from doing everything?....by doing that we are reducing our society's capacity of thinking by themselves....if everything is banned....then theres not much thinking to do.... just do what you are told and be a good girl... but sometimes if unfortunately thing do not go your way...lets say rape or cancer...wouldn´t you prefer to have the choice.... if you want to smoke weed to deal with the pain, or to abort a baby that you cannot take care of for what ever reason.. is are you okay with someone else making that decision for you?... I believe that it is important to have the freedom of chosing what to do with your life in every aspect ... it is part of growing... and when we are not allowed to make our own decisions...then we are not thinking and we are being treated like babies....let the grown ups (politicians) think for us...and decide what is best for us...without even knowing who we are. I agree with you when you say there is a full scale of colours in between... but when one colour out shines the others...and makes you see everything blue for example....we might be missing a beautiful rainbow. That is the problem with not allowing changes...just by the fear of the different...but sometimes different is beautiful.
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ResponderEliminarI personally believe that it is possible for conservatism an progress to co exist on a society, only if conservative people learn to be tolerant, and that's quite a challenge!!!
ResponderEliminarPeople will always have their own ideas about their own contexts, but they have to learn to understand people who do not think in the same way, and that's valid for both sides of the coin.
Our society has evolved and that is crystal clear as now people are, at least considering different ideas and are much more open to the debate. But still we have a lot to learn in terms of tolerance and, as long as we do not evolve in that, progress and conservatism will always have problems to co exist.
Exactly, I 100% agree with you....the key is tolerance, from both parts the problem comes when one tries to step over the other....that makes it impossible for these two forces to coexist.
EliminarAlso as a conservative person, I have to agree with Caro´s opinión as well as with Rodrigo´s. The discussion cannot be about choosing between black or White: life is made up of a palet of greys.
ResponderEliminarDefinetely as individuals we need to be sure of our believes, but we also as part of a democracy and a pluralized community we need to respect the beliefs and opinions of others. As in "Things fall appart" we need to understand where the other party comes from, their history, culture and beliefs, we cannot imposse our ideas as if they were the only right option. Of course we believe we are right, I feel that my beliefs are the right ones, but we have to give the time and space for other people to come to their own conclusions. And that is how a respecful and pluralist community can healthy survive.
Another thing to clarify is the difference between acceptance and respect. We all talk about tolerance: "we have to tolerate", "they are intolerant", etc. But tolerance is also a kind of harsh Word, to tolerate is to resist, or endure someone else´s behaviour. But I think we need to go beyond that. As I clearly state to my friends: "I respect your opinions and I will be here for whatever you need, but that does not mean that I accept or agree with what you are doing, I love you and that will not change". It is not tolerance, is Loving respect. We do not have to agree, we have to love.
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Eliminarfeeling the love in your comment... if things were just as simple as saying I do not agree with what you are doing....I dont accept it but its okay because I respect you and love you... if only most of the people shared your world view... then maybe progress and conservatism will just be a personal life style like it should be....and not something someone is trying to impose to others..
EliminarRegarding your first question, we can also see this confrontation between change and tradition in Streetcar Named Desire. Blanche Dubois is who rejects to accept that her reality has changed, that she is not a Sothern Belle anymore. In fact, in every of her actions she tries to prove and show herself and others that she's still the young beautiful woman who has never known indignity despite of her current economical situation, her sexual urges and, of course, her long list of lovers. That's the reason why she needs to create a world of fantasy in which she cannot accept the pure truth because she would have to admit defeat just like the South never admitted defeat in its fight against North.
ResponderEliminarloved how you related my post with Streetcar Named desire, struggling with change can be represented in so many ways. It can be social, cultural and in this case, personal struggle.
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