Sindbad’s Character Traits On Contradicting and Sympathizing with Homo Economicus - Literature Essay Samples

The story of Sindbad the Sailor, found in â€Å"The Arabian Nights’ Entertainments† and filled with countless economic transactions, can be understood through the application of different economic models to reveal the motives and driving forces of the principal character. By evaluating the actions of Sindbad in this 10th century collection of tales through an economic lens, and by applying the models of Homo Economicus (economic or self-interested man), Homo Reciprocans (reciprocating or cooperative man), and Homo Islamicus (Islamic man), we are able to infer why characters make certain choices and take certain risks. This allows us to gain a plethora of essential information we would otherwise neglect. The suggestion that Sindbad is the â€Å" perfect embodiment† of Homo Economicus is an interesting, although ultimately unsupported statement. By focusing on three main theoretical models, Homo Economicus, Homo Islamicus, and Homo Reciprocans, we can work to chara cterize the actions of Sindbad, ultimately realizing that he seems to not conform to one specific economic model, but fits criteria of each. Although Sindbad’s self-centeredness and greed fits with the traditional definitions of Homo Economicus, his charitable actions and irrational measures to obtain wealth make this statement unjustifiable. To apply these theories to the tale of Sindbad, we must acknowledge the academic conversation that has preceded this paper, and the opinions of scholars who have thoroughly studied the economics of these stories. It is also helpful to consult economists’ definitions of each theoretical model in order to correctly characterize the actions of our protagonist-hero, Sindbad. Kay and Mill are in agreement on the portrayal of Homo Economicus, using descriptive words such as â€Å"materialistic†, â€Å"self-interested†, and â€Å"pursuit of wealth†. Perhaps most valuable to analyzing Sindbad’s situation are Quiggin’s words on the Homo Economicus saying, â€Å"moral considerationshave no role to play.† Throughout Sindbad’s journe ys we are given examples of his egocentrism, with a large focus on his fourth voyage where he kills for personal gain. Another variable that all three scholars agree upon is that the Homo Economicus is â€Å"calculating† and â€Å"capable of judging of the comparative efficacy of means for obtaining that end†(Mill, n.p.). This is a potential flaw in the sentiment that Sindbad is a perfect example of Homo Economicus. Throughout the book Sindbad’s judgment calls can be defined as irrational and risky. Two economists, Gintis and Romer, have helped to break down the character traits of the Homo Reciprocan in â€Å"The Human Side of Economic Analysis†. While many economists such as Mill use Homo Economicus as the general model for today’s human, Gintis and Romer argue that, â€Å"a considerable body of empirical evidence contradicts this view.† They argue that many humans fit into the category of Homo Reciprocans. This model helps to explain some of Sindbad’s economic choices when he is concerned with the â€Å"well-being of others† and as seen in many of the stories his willingness to, â€Å"cooperate and share with others†, especially when they have helped him. One other important model to apply to this situation would be Homo Islamicus for many reasons, especially focusing on the geographical setting of the story and the religious emphasis that Sindbad places on praising Allah and religion. Timur Kuran argues that Homo Islamicus, based off of laws from the Qur’an and Sunna, describes the man that is able to trade for a profit but is unable to cause harm to others with these activities. He is also forbidden to earn more than he should. The only problem with the description is the ambiguity of words such as, â€Å"norms†, â€Å"fair†, and â€Å"reasonable†. We can see parallels to Homo Islamicus as Sindbad’s consumption consists of land and charity, rather than adulte ry, wine, and illegitimate items. When consulting each professionals’ definition, the reader may find that Sindbad exemplifies not only one theory, but pieces of them all. When looking at these definitions, it is obvious that Sindbad cannot be the, â€Å"perfect embodiment† of Homo Economicus. To prove these definitions apply to Sindbad and to show his failure at fully representing the Homo Economicus prototype, an examination into his seven journeys must be made to back up this claim. Applying the concept of Homo Economicus to the character Sindbad is an interesting and insightful way to analyze his actions. The overwhelming consensus on definitions of Homo Economicus points to a man who is selfish, greed driven, and lacking in morals. We find overwhelming evidence of these traits in his ability to sacrifice human lives for his own, and although he constantly reprimands himself for his greed moving him to go onto new voyages, he cannot resist the temptation of riches. The most moving cases of self-centeredness and lack of concern for others are found in the fourth and fifth voyages. Page 162 includes the passage, â€Å"I gave the unfortunate wretch two or three great blows†¦[and] killed her† and ends with, â€Å"I committed this inhuman action merely for†¦provisions.† Sindbad ends up killing 3 people for their water and bread. He justifies this by saying he needed their resources to live, but this is an extremely selfish act. To take multiple peoples’ lives to ensure one’s own is an extreme example of the self absorbed nature of Homo Economicus, pres entation Sindbad as a reliable example of this economic model. In his fifth voyage, he kills an old man by getting him drunk although this is somewhat justified as Sindbad had an immediate risk of death if he did not remove the man from his neck. But, he is undoubtedly more aggressive and violent than his attacker. Although he could have refrained from killing the man, this murder is more acceptable than killing others for their food and water who have never done anything to harm him. Addressing the other major qualification of Homo Economicus, the drive for greed, we are able to find specific examples of Sindbad’s voraciousness. He is driven by greed, to fulfill his sense of adventure, continuing onto seven separate journeys. His sixth voyage starts out with, â€Å"I could not but reflect upon myself as the cause of my own ruin, and repented that I had ever undertake this last voyage† (169). He fears he finally has to pay a price for his greed. However, this quote can also be an example of one great incongruity with Sindbad being a Homo Economicus. He proves time and time again that he will let his emotions and greed get the best of him by going on these life-threatening expeditions. We know he regrets these choices, starting most narratives with, â€Å"the pleasures of the life which I then led soon made me forget the risks I had run in my two former voyages† (151). After almost dying six times, he still goes on the seventh voyage. This show s that his want for money clouds his judgment. If we take from Mill’s definition, we see Homo Economicus is someone who â€Å"is capable of judging the comparative efficacy of means for obtaining that end† and one who knows, â€Å"consequence of the pursuit of wealth† (Mill). Although Sindbad returns with sufficient wealth each time, enough to donate to charity and buy nice estates, he still pursues more. According to this theory, after gaining riches, Sindbad should have discontinued his voyages. Yet, his choice to keep going is illogical, and counter to the principle of rationality in Homo Economicus. Another line of inquiry is that Sindbad is not Homo Economicus, but rather Homo Reciprocans. Sindbad, gracious to those who help him and obliged to help those who have provided for him, offers jewels to the merchants who aid him in his second voyage, and the king in the fourth voyage. This demonstrates his willingness to show gratitude and give of material possessions to others. Homo Reciprocans share even at a personal cost. Nevertheless, Sindbad cannot be classified as Homo Reciprocans due to his neglect for the â€Å"well-being of others.† With the multiple murders he commits, his selfishness is a major contradiction to this theoretical model. The last theory we can apply to Sindbad would be that of Homo Islamicus. This theory is especially interesting due to the religious aspects of this book and the setting. It focuses on morality with a special emphasis on charity. Although we find Sindbad to have the selfish characteristics of a Homo Economicus, in his second, third and forth voyages he says he, â€Å"gave a great deal to the poor† (156), and he doesn’t spend his money on things such as adultery and gambling. The Islamic man is permitted to â€Å" trade for personal profit† so Sindbad’s line of work is an acceptable way to receive wealth. However the Homo Islamicus is, similar to the Homo Reciprocans is, â€Å"required to avoid causing harm to others†, and Sindbad clearly doesn’t have much concern for others. Homo Islamicus, â€Å"forgoes temptations of immediate gain when by doing so he can protect and promote the interest of his fellows†(Kuran, n.p.). And although he trades for profit and gives to charity as he is required to, he sometimes does this at the expense of theirs, and it can be argued that he lives in excess wealth that exceeds the amount of riches he should have. Throughout this piece, the evidence for and against Sindbad’s characterization as â€Å"the perfect embodiment† of Homo Economicus has been explored and disproven. Although he exemplifies many traits of this economic model, his transactions heavily borrow variables from Homo Reciprocens and Homo Islamicus. After a review of each of the three main theoretical archetypes, Sindbad appears to not fit into any of these choices. Although the audience pushes to fit Sindbad’s actions into one simple model, this is not a realistic way to portray his economic choices and motives. He heavily borrows ideas from all three. When applying economic ideas such as these to a fictional text, we must understand the many limitations that may cause the characters to differ from the models. It is hard to place a character from a 10th century Arabic collection of tales into modern day economic models originating in the West. Although there are limitations to the models, they are helpful in evaluating this tale. Looking to the bigger picture, in the frame story, Scheherazade is very similar to Sindbad. They both tell a new story every night and are trying to entice their listeners to come back and listen every night. Scheherazade is telling these stories of a wealthy man who is surprisingly generous, ga ining and giving lots of money, to try to convince King Schahriar to be generous and kind. Sindbad never gives up when bad things happen to him, and only though his perseverance gains riches. If the king gives up hope on women and on kindness because of his wife, he will never receive anything good. Sindbad helps us to understand the difficulties economists have in classifying consumers. Sindbad’s stories exhibit that many people are driven for wealth and can make selfish choices, while also having moral obligations give. Ultimately we learn that human beings are complex, irrational, and hard to classify. Works Cited Kay, John, â€Å"In Search of Self-Interest.† Financial Times. 30 July 2002. Web. 27 Jan 2015 Kuran, Timur, â€Å"The Economic System in Contemporary Islamic Thought: Interpretation and Assessment.† International Journal of Middle East Studies. 18.2 (1986):135. Mack, Robert, Ed. The Arabian Nights’ Entertainments. Oxford: Oxford up, 2009. Print. Mill, John Stuart, â€Å"Essay V: On the Defintiion of Political Economy and on the Method of Investigation Proper to it.† Essays on Some Unsettled Questions of Political Economy. London: Parker, 1844, 137. Print. Quiggin, John, ‘Economic Rationalism,’ Crossings 2.1 (1997):3-12. Romer, Paul and Gintis, Herbert, â€Å"The Human Side of Economic Analysis: Economic Environments and the Evolution of norms and Preferences.† July 15, 1998. 1. Web. 6 Sep., 2015. http://www.umass.edu/preferen/gintis/human.pdf

Forgive and Forget Essay - 883 Words

The rage that first overtook Achilles in the Iliad eventually subsides to compromise with his king, reconciliation with his enemies, and complete acceptance of his fate. The quarrel that incites Achilles anger is never resolved but is instead put into the past by a compromise with Agamemnon. Achilles anger over the death of Patrokolus rages until the death and disgrace of Hector. Only through avenging his fallen comrade can Achilles accept his fate and quell his fury. After the disgrace of Hector and the ransoming of his body, a complete and meaningful reconciliation between Priam and Achilles resolves the epic. All the rage, death, and destruction of the Iliad are ended in a quiet and meaningful reconciliation between Priam and†¦show more content†¦Achilles has lost what is most dear to him, his friend and lover Patrokolus. Lying in the arms of his fallen comrade, Achilles is visited by his mother, who brings replacement armor from the god Hephaestus and words of advi ce. quot;Go then and summon into assembly the fighting Achaeans,/ and unsay your anger against Agamemnonquot; (I,19.34-35) . Achilles, realizing his quarrel has indirectly led to the death of Patrokolus, is willing to make amends now in order to avenge his friend: quot;Son of Atreus... Now I am making an end of my anger. It does not become me unrelentingly to rage onquot; (I.19,56-68). Agamemnon, too proud to make true reconciliation, compromises, blaming his hateful words on the gods. quot;The Achaeans have spoken often against me/ and found fault with me in it, yet I am not responsible/ but Zeus is, and Destiny, and Erinys the mist-walking/ who in assembly caught my ear in the savage delusion/ on that day I myself stripped from him the prize of Achillesquot; (I.19,85-89). Reconciliation between the king and Achilles is more of a compromise than true reconciliation. Agamemnon still refuses to accept any personal responsibility for the argument, while Achilles wishes quot;to remember our joy in war craft immediatelyquot; (I.19,148) and fight for the vengeance of his fallen Patrokolus. Still seething with anger, Achilles redirects his energy to fulfilling his fate by killing Hector. In killing Hector, AchillesShow MoreRelatedWe can Forgive but We Cant Forget1635 Words   |  6 Pageswould be able to forgive him for abandoning his own family with not enough resources to survive. I would like to think I would because I acknowledged and overcame what had happened to my family and chose to move forward without dwelling in hatred and anger. I forgave, but I did not forget. According to Lewis B. Smedes, a Christian author, ethicist, and theologian, â€Å"Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a newRead MoreEssay on Forgive But Never Forget - Personal Narrative749 Words   |  3 PagesForgive But Never Forget - Personal Narrative There he was standing in the doorway of our house, a stranger to my mother and I, his shadow looming over me. His face, distraught and lonely, faced my mother who sat there crying on her chair as she had done for many nights for many years. In his right hand a black worn suitcase with a RAF badge on it, in his other a briefcase. A black hat was trapped beneath his armpit. He was a well-dressed man with a pitch-black suitRead MoreForgive and Forget in The Poisonwood Bible by Nathan Price Essay1516 Words   |  7 Pages People are taught to â€Å"forgive and forget† in order to be happy, afterall living with a grudge can being a serious damper in ones life. It may be easy to forgive a friend, or even a stranger depending on the situation, but what if the person that had to be forgiven was themselves? In the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, the story is told through multiple points of view. Each member of the Price family is noticeably different, and each have their own inner demons. As each character is unlikeRead Moreâ€Å"Forgive Your Enemies, But Never Forget Their Names.† –John1302 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.† –John F Kennedy This quote was said by a man who was once someone that the American people would call the 35th President of the United States. John F. Kennedy was a very young President, as well as a very good looking president. Women would swoon over the idea of John F. Kennedy but also be jealous of his wife that he was married to at the time. John F. Kennedy is well known for his affair with Marilyn Monroe the world’s leading bombshell blondeRead MorePersuasive Essay On The Sunflower1181 Words   |  5 Pagesto my house and then he would sleep on the floor and I would sleep on the bed. One week later I found out about his â€Å"fix† to the pain, I was initially hurt but decided to try the â€Å"forgive and forget† method. At first this caused me to check his phone, be over cautious and untrusting. But eventually I did the whole â€Å"forgive† part, I stopped checking his phone and gave him my â€Å"trust†. I still checked his phone secretly. Next I tried †Å"forgetting† I thought that if I pretended it didn’t happen then weRead MoreForgiveness Is An Important And Influential Part Of Forgiving Others865 Words   |  4 Pagesthe process it takes in order to forgive someone varies on the severity of the incident as well as the relationship the person has with the perpetrator. I am amazed by all of the different ways forgiveness is used and interpreted. If it was not for the opinion and view of my classmates as well as the large amounts of research done, I would not be able to see things as broadly as I do now. I originally wrote about a study that was conducted on what it takes to forgive someone, the mental and physicalRead MoreDgrwtrw1526 Words   |  7 Pagesthis quote means being able to forgive a person actually allow the person forgiving to begin the healing process, but this does not mean that the person forget what damage it has caused them. In psychology, â€Å"forgiveness is a process that involves the change in emotions and attitudes regarding the offender.† This definition of forgiveness points out that forgiveness is a personal choice and is not dependent on the person who is receiving this forgiveness. You can forgive and move on with your life toRead MorePersuasive Essay : The Power Of Forgiveness?701 Words   |  3 PagesJonathan Lockwood Hule once said, â€Å"Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.† Not forgiving only means that you’re hurting yourself. Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things that one can do in their lives, but there are myriad of things to do if you want to feel free in your life. The word â€Å"forgive† makes people wonder if forgiveness is something that can just come easily to one’s heart. The word â€Å"forgive,† which has the meaning of grantingRead MoreDivorce And Its Effects On Children896 Words   |  4 Pagesfamily, and society, 2013) The best ways to solve, or at least minimize, divorcing statistics are: marriage counseling, biblical or not (before as well as during marriage), communication between the children as well as both spouses, and to â€Å"forgive and forget†. The first way to help prevent divorce is to have marriage counseling. Some couples may choose to have biblically based counseling sessions. Adding God into the way the counseling is incorporated into the lives of the couple help them findRead MoreThe Sunflower Essay787 Words   |  4 PagesTut. Karl wanted a Jew to confess to. Simon Wiesenthal walked in the room and was talking to Karl. Karl wanted to cleanse himself, he was asking for forgiveness for all the sins he has done. Karl wanted to talk to Simon because he thought he could forgive for the other Jews. Simon just walked out of the room. Karl’s father died in a factory, it was bombed and he passed away only his mother lives. Simon left the Hospital and keeps thinking of the ss man’s crime and if he should have a sunflower. A sunflower

The Declaration Of Independence And Independence - 877 Words

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is without a doubt one of the most important documents ever to be written in American history so far. It was signed by fifty-six different men, all who were representatives from different states. The person who wrote the Declaration of Independence is someone who we all know and grew up learning about, the famous Thomas Jefferson. The purpose of it was to declare the 13 colonies in America free and independent from Great Britain, get other colonists on board, and to encourage other nations to help them. The document was drafted and sent to King George III of England, politely requesting independence from English rule. In Jefferson s words, the Declaration was written, In order to place before mankind the common sense of the matter in terms as plain and simple as to command their assent. Jefferson not only wrote how they were splitting from Britain, but he also gave thorough reasoning as to why they should be allowed to do so The handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence that was signed by Congress is dated July 4, 1776. This is why we celebrate Independence on the fourth of July. Jefferson uses reasonable arguments, which is why the Declaration of Independence was so persuasive. Some examples of this are Britan’s wrong doings; it gives the audience reading the document a chance to see the exact reason to why they are breaking from Great Britain. One of the strongest reasonable arguments in theShow MoreRelatedThe Declaration Of Independence And Independence1501 Words   |  7 PagesThe Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important document in U.S history that helped led to this country s independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence helped us earn our freedom to become an independent nation with our own rules. However, without Thomas Jefferson and the rest of their concerns and reasons for separating this wouldn t have been possible. The writing alone wouldn’t have made this document memorable.The use of rhetoricalRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And The Declaration Of Independence1833 Words   |  8 Pagessocieties all over the world, the government has always been viewed as the powerhouse and reliable source for a country’s decision-making process. Another similar source of official government documentation exists in the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was written by the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. During that time period that Jefferson seemed to be the most significant towards the political spectrum, America was just about to enter a birthRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And Independence1972 Words   |  8 PagesThe Declaration of Independence brought America its independence, and it self, as well as our constitution. The declaration of independence had many positive effects on America. The Declaration of Independence is the usual name of a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This stated that the thirteen American colonies, called themselves the thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and that they were no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead of staying in the BritishRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And Independence969 Words   |  4 PagesThe US Constitution, The Declaration of Independence as well as the Letter to the Danbury Baptist are not just historical documents, but some of if not the most important documents of the history of our nation. Although, similar in m any facets the intentions and the goal pursued by each highlight their individuality. The fact that the Declaration of Independence was the first to be implemented and signed is of significant importance as it set the pace and put in motion the proceeding documents thatRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And Independence3280 Words   |  14 PagesWho were the writers of the Declaration of Independence? Who are our founding fathers and where did they receive these great ideas? I will examine the main writer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson and look at the sources he used to begin our country. If Thomas Jefferson was a student at the United States Sergeant Major Academy, and he submitted his Declaration of Independence to turn it in would he pass? Were our founding fathers even great thinkers or were they just takingRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And Its Independence1765 Words   |  8 PagesThe Declaration of Independence remains a sacred but a poorly understood document to numerous people. To understand the most significant issue found in the document itself, we must first observe the historical context behind the text itself. Commonly, the text itself represents a range of America’s efforts to create a new and independent society but what made Americans so prone to declare itself its independence? As the document reveals a list of issues that ultimately led civilians to free themselvesRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence1330 Words   |  6 Pagesparagraph of the most significant of all American historical documents, the Declaration of Independence. The very theory of natural rights dramatically influenced the conception of this starting paragraph. Natural rights is a political theory that strongly asserts that each individual who enters into any society possesses certain rights that no government can deny. The Declaration of Independence is a full and formal declaration adopted on July 4, 1776 by the representatives of the thirteen coloniesRead MoreThe Declaration of Independence1200 Words   |  5 Pages The Declaration of Independence is one of the most remarkable documents of the United States of America. The elaborate document contains almost fourteen-hundred words including a basic structure divided into two parts and within the two divided parts contains four main ideas within seven components. The declaration is not just any standard written document; it is a work of art painted by colonists who are driven by rage because of King George III of Great Britain injustices’ toward the coloniesRead MoreThe Declaration of Independence1186 Words   |  5 Pagessignificance of the Declaration of Independence Often a single document defines and commemorates an event or a moment in time that is of importance. The Declaration of Independence is the principal document that defines and commemorates the birth of the United States and the independence of our nation. The Declaration of Independence defines the right of the people to defy the established order, to change their government, and to throw off an oppressor. [1] The Declaration of Independence expresses AmericasRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence857 Words   |  4 PagesThe Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, has been interpreted and used many times by people throughout the 20th Century. The three most dominant are the Progressive, dominant during the first half, Neo-Whig, dominant during the middle half,and variant of the Neo-Whig, dominated during the last half. The interpretation that makes the most sense to me is the Neo-Whig. I agree with Neo-Whig because in that it is a â€Å"logical culmination of a decade-long pamphlet war† because if I were treated

Decisions, decisions free essay sample

My faith is by far, the most important thing to me and it is just as important to many others. I remember, feeling afraid to practice it outward around my fellow friends and classmates. The sheer utter of â€Å"God Bless You† after a sneeze seemed to be met with an awkward silence. â€Å"Oh how the mighty have fallen from grace, literally.†In our schools, prayer was outwardly excepted and vividly practiced, but eventually banned. I remember not knowing when I left home every morning, to either leave or bring my bible, due to the negative vibes and cold shoulders I would get throughout the day. It never feels good to be on the outside, neglected and abandoned, but on the second hand, it is never right to substitute your beliefs for someone else’s, just for the sake of fitting in.Faith is something in our schools, communities, and ultimately in our world that often gets overlooked, whether or not we are willing to admit it. We will write a custom essay sample on Decisions, decisions or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The question I ask is, why? Why are we so afraid to believe in what we don’t understand? I guess the idea of a God or greater being, whichever your personal preference, is simply inconceivable and in this case unacceptable.It’s not within anyone’s right, to say what religion you should or should not choose, in our schools or in our communities. I feel that it is an individuals choice alone, who or what he or she believes, without encountering or experiencing hostility.The topic â€Å"Religion† isn’t entirely the point of the matter here, but how the constant nagging pressure of students, can ultimately lead to more serious and complicated situations, than a simple debate over bringing or leaving a personal item.Many students around the world, throw away their ambitions to be in a more popular group or to not be teased and made fun of. In fact, this course of action, if not address, can result in bullying and torment. The support from guidance programs and student resource centers are more valuable now, than ever.After leaving the pressures of my peers and the whole High School experience behind me, I seemed to have stumbled into a environment possibly worse than before. As a 19 year old sophomore in college, my will to do what’s right has been many times tested. But ultimately, in my time of doubt I remember my religion and how I shouldn’t abandon my ambitions regardless the situation.How eager are we to fit in and be excepted, that we are willing to throw away our values and beliefs? Until we stop, and stand up for what we believe in, this will continually be teens â€Å"right-of-passage.† No one must be forgotten or left behind, so consider standing up and saying, No! It’s the only way to actually start making a positive change even if it’s only in your community.I’ve m ade my decision, what will be yours†¦? Decisions, Decisions free essay sample I am a writer at heart. I don’t always have time to write as much as I want, but when I do find a few moments, I immediately feel much more relaxed. If I’m going to be stranded on some random island for a year, I know I’m going to need something to do with myself lest I go insane with boredom. This is where my writing ability would come in handy; not only will it keep me occupied for 365 days, but the new and different storylines will provide me a constant source of entertainment as I scramble to decide what’s going to happen next. While my DVD, item, and book decisions were difficult, I think I finally found the most beneficial combination. There is only one movie that I have always loved: The Princess Bride. I may not seem like such a softie on the outside, but the mushy love story between Westley and Buttercup make my insides bubble with glee every time I watch the film. We will write a custom essay sample on Decisions, Decisions or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The supporting characters aren’t bad, either: Inigo’s infamous, â€Å"You killed my father, prepare to die,† mantra excites me every time I hear it, and I swear that Fezzik could make even a pre-ghost-visited Scrooge laugh. Besides, who doesn’t want to watch Cary Elwes prance about in a Dread Pirate outfit for a few hours? But I digress. The Princess Bride is the first â€Å"adult† movie I remember watching, and I’m one hundred percent sure that this story is what inspired me to start writing; this basic storyline can be seen in almost all of my early â€Å"books,† though some of the names were changed†¦ mostly just to â€Å"Buttercup and Wes† or â€Å"Bell and West.† The Princess Bride is absolutely going to come with me to that island, whether or not I have a player with which to watch it – it can just act as silent inspiration if I can’t actually view the film. My DVD was an immediate decision, but my item was not so easy for me – what I really want to take is pencil and paper, but that would constitute two things, which is against the rules. I suppose I cheated a little; I don’t actually own what I want to take with me, but I hope to own it soon. There’s a laptop called a â€Å"portable word processor† that does nothing but run Microsoft Word – no internet, no games, nothing. I imagine that I’ll have an endless amount of time on this island, something I lack now. I would definitely use that time to get at least one of my millions of ideas on paper (or in print, to be specific), and in order to do that, I need something with which to write, and something to write on – sand will merely wash away, and I feel that carving my story into stone would be much more work that it’s worth. For me, the word processor (with a fully-loaded, fully-charged battery, of course) is the way to go. My book choice was by far the hardest decision; I literally have my own library of books and, unless a Kindle is allowed, choosing just one was nearly impossible. After much thought, I decided that if I were writing my own stories, there really wouldn’t be a need for someone else’s fiction, so I took all those out of the pile†¦ which left me with only three books: two on how to write and one on the history of pirates. Though the pirate one may be a good thing to have on my little island, I decided instead to take Stephen King’s On Writing, a work that contains both his autobiography and an overview on what he believes makes a good, if not spectacular, writer. On Writing is both satirical and informative, and because I plan to start – and finish, for that matter – a novel or two while I’m on the island, this handy-dandy little book will certainly be useful. Part of me – oh, who am I kidding, all of me – is dying to go on this trip now, because it’s just what I need: time, freedom, and peace. Unfortunately, it’s fictional and impossible, so my personal Fantasy Island is just going to have to reside in my head for now, waiting until I can drop in for a few hours in order to write. When I do find that time, I know for sure that The Princess Bride, a portable word processor with a spectacular battery life, and On Writing are coming with me. I just hope I don’t run into a band of pirates.