Argument+1

Effect of society, interactions upon self choice
 * Adaptability**

The foundation of our norms and our customs have been established through our society. Yet, whose to say that the norms and customs which we have established are correct thus should be followed. Society consists of human, whom are no where near perfect, yet with this knowledge we establish the 'right', the 'wrong, the 'good' and the 'evil'. It seems easier and somewhat lazier to adapt a given character in an environment where you can mimic those around you and follow the 'norm of human actions' with the rest of society. Yet how are we to recognize our true nature, our true being? Edgar Huntly's journey to discover his true self develops in his interactions with the Indians, Clithero, and Sarsefield.

__Edgar interacts with Indians__ Does man adapt to become something he is not when he in 'civilization' where the role which you must play, and the laws you must obey are written; or in an environment where there is no one to imitate, and there are no written laws. The difference in life styles between the 'civilized' Americans and the 'savage' Indians cause little understanding in their relationship. Thus when Edgar is //mysteriously// transported to a cave where he begins his encounters with the Indians, we see a transformation in Edgar's character, "The panther was slain, not from a view to the relief of my hunger, but from the self-preserving and involuntary impulse." This cave mirrors the cave which we find in Plato's "Allegory of the Cave", where ignorance is the state of many, and knowledge is our choice. Edgar seems to revert to a unstrained nature, yet once he actually thinks about it, we see that he outweighs his instinct by standards which have been instilled in him: what is right and wrong. "The first suggestion that occurred was to feed upon the carcass of this animal....I review this scene with loathing and horror. Now that it is past I look back upon it as on some hideous dream..." Edgar's instincts no longer mirrors what his 'civilized' society ahs taught him, but mirror that of the indians. "Savages are not accosted to leave their exterminating work unfinished.". He is not satisfied with killing the beast, but wants to eat it.

__Edgar interacts with Clithero__ Edgar's interaction with Clithero are crucial to discovering loyalty to himself, adapting to Clithero's methods of helping others, by standards frowned upon by society. After having found the man guilty of Waldegrave's death, Edgar gets to know Clithero, and comes to the conclusion that he is not to blame fro the murder because it "was not intended, the deed was without crime; that, if it had been deliberately concerted, it was still a virtue, since his own life could, by no other means, be preserved." Therefore we see that Edgar has interpreted Clithero's reasoning for murder, somewhat justifying him. The justification does not lay basis solely on the good intentions of Clithero, but also in Edgar's thoughts of not being able to judge others after the actions he himself has committed. ""These were the evils which his malignant destiny had made the unalterable portion of Clithero, and how should my imperfect eloquence annihilate evils?" Edgar disregards society's pessimistic critique of a murderer, and inserts his own personal views. These personal views even begin to mirror Clithero's own, but something held him back. "These positions were sufficiently just to my own view, but I was not called upon to reduce them to practice." Edgar begins to loose that which society has instilled in him, but adapts Clithero's view, rather than revealing his own.

__Edgar interacts with Sarsefield__ As his mentor, his "parent and forester of my mind, the companion and instructor of my youth, from whom I had been parted for years..."we see the defiance, or revelation of true knowledge, beyond what Sarsefield had initially instilled in Edgar. The root of Edgar and Sarsefield's disagreements were Clithero. "Had not Clithero's remorse been more than adequate to crimes far more deadly and enormous than this? This however was not time to argue with the passions of Sarsefield " Sarsefield takes notice of the changes, the 'errors' Edgar has made,"You acted in direct opposition to my council, and to the plainest dictates of propriety. Be more circumspect and more obsequious for the furture." In using the words 'plainest dictates of propriety' Sarsefield claims to know what is right and wrong (what society has made him think to be right and wrong), therefore he resembles a 'civilized' society, that is not evil but stubborn and has clearly defined perspectives. Yet ultimately Edgar is once again influenced by his 'civilized' instinct to state "I shall not escape your censure, but I shall likewise gain your compassion. I have erred, not through sinister or malignant intentions, but from the impulse of misguided, indeed, but powerful benevolence."

Go to Argument 2

Bibliography
 * Brown, B. Charles. __Edgar Huntly: Memoirs of a Sleep-Walker.__ Penguin Classics, 1799.