1. My scene I will choose will be scene 2, I believe the author wrote this to show the reader which side of the Civil War he was loyal to.It contributes to the story is such a way that I felt his longing to be a part of the Confederacy.He truly wanted to feel like a soldier might through battle.the whole larger than life of the soldier.Peyton Farquhar also desired the opportunity for distinction.This scene contributes to the meaning of the story specifically to represent how and why he arrived in this situation of being hanged.
My prediction is that a Confederate soldier is going to be executed for being a traitor.The difference between my prediction and what actually happens is,Peyton Farquhar was a loyal southern gentlemen. Who was desperately acting on the South's behalf as a civilian spy.To gain some notoriety or accomplishment for the South through this action.The story makes it clear to the reader that the war was still going on.Even though the North and South were still fighting.The feelings were that of hatred and distrust.They each were desperately clinging to their beliefs and were brutally defending them.
that The historical context of this story is about how Americans beliefs about slavery could divide them in such a deep way they they were willing to die for it.As much as we Americans today don't live in quite a racially divided society.There are still a myriad of issues facing minorities today.I can easily understand , Peyton's need to feel apart of the Southern cause and even though he lost his life. He knew that the consequences could or would be dire if he was captured. Obviously his own personal fear of death or capture overrides his deep desire to be glorified by his actions.
What was going on in America when this was written was civil unrest and racism.Fear of being equal to the backs was a problem for southerners and they obviously they could not become equal to the people they once viewed as possessions. To me it seems a real tragedy that racism actually existed to the point of slavery. Furthermore my own personal view is that we are all equal and we should embrace our diversity as well as our similarities. To me it is God who will judge us in our final days not each other.
In closing I can understand clearly Peyton's need and desire to contribute to the cause of his Southern brothers and sisters cause. Not withstanding the fact that I find the situayion morrally wrong.I believe we all have that part of us that wants to be and become more than we are.But at what cost are we as a people willing to sacrifice our own lives to be a part of a whole belief system we are trying to defend.
Great work here Anthony! I enjoyed reading this insightful post. You express a deep understanding of the division between north and south during Reconstruction. Especially effective is your statement, "...they could not become equal to the people they once viewed as possessions." This analysis shows you are able to 'dive' below the surface of the story and gain a deep understand of the central conflict here. However, I find the most interesting aspect of this story to be that, despite this Southerners loyalty, he is not thinking at all about the war in the end of the story. In the end, he is as much like his enemy as any other human. His thoughts are of life: nature, beauty and family. In this way we are all united despite our 'differences.' Keep up the good work!
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