What interested me?

The works that have interested me the most have been The Sunflower, “The Man in the Well,” “Against interpretation,” “Everything that Rises Must Converge,” and “Where is the Voice Coming From?”
The Sunflower is so interesting because it raises so many intriguing questions: What is forgiveness? Whom is forgiveness for? Where do you draw the line with forgiveness? Are there certain time limits? How much can be forgiven? Where does punishment factor in? Should people want to “get even” with those who have wronged them? What if revenge is impossible? Does it mater if the perpetrator is sorry or has done penance? How bad can an act be to be forgivable? Is anything unforgiveable? Are all people potentially forgivable? Do you forgive the person or the act? Should you forget about the forgiven act? What is good/bad about forgiveness? Is it ever an obligation to forgive? Can you forgive yourself? What would I have done?
Looking at politics and ethics in the story “The Man in the Well” interested me. I found the perspectives of my classmates on good and evil to be thought provoking. Moreover, I read the story thinking that the man in the well was eventually going to be found to be criminal of some kind and did not focus on the actions of the children as being inherently wrong. However, after hearing their thoughts I can see how their actions can be considered deplorable. Another interesting question brought up was: Is there such a thing as good or evil? Additionally, I found the intergroup politics of the children to be interesting, especially when they reveal each others’ names. Lastly, guilt is a major topic that the story addresses. The children never check to know for sure if the man is dead, and never return to the well.
I thought the question that “Against interpretation” asks is fascinating: What is art? “The earliest theory of art by the Greek philosophers proposed that art was mimesis, imitation of reality.” Also, what is the value of art? Does art have to justify itself? Is the material world just an imitation of the ideal world?
“Everything that Rises Must Converge” caused me to engage in some self evaluation. Throughout the story, Julian wants to teach his mother a lesson, and at certain times it is obvious why he might be justified in wanting to do so (i.e. her racist opinions). However, even though there is definite room for positive growth for his mother, Julian seems to focus on her shortcomings too much. He does not pay enough attention to improving his own life. This only leaves Julian stuck in his state of depression.
“Where is the Voice Coming From?” interested me because of its form. The text consists of the narrator’s internal thoughts and no other points of view. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that he is proud to be a racist murderer. The combination of these factors makes this work very different from the other texts we read for class.