Dignity in Ivan and the Sound of Waves Essay

In the novels, unitary(a) Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich by horse parsley Solzhenitsyn and The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima, the characters value their dignity and take many actions to preserve it. First of all, in atomic number 53 Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov attempts to admit his human dignity in the face of oppression. As Shukhov begins his passing(a) routine, he quickly finished up the job. Theres work and work If youre functional for human beings, then do a real job of it (Solzhenitsyn 33). Shukhov is imprisoned in a gulag, one of the worst possible places to be, still he still maintains his human dignity by keeping a good work ethic. Shukhov knows that if he works well he exit be treated well, but beyond that, the fact that he is working for another human being gives him reason to maintain a good work ethic, and his self- wish.Furthermore, Shukhov always preforms many small, but meaning full actions in order to maintain his dignity. While eating hi s rations, Shukhov removed his cap from his shaven headhowever cold it was, he wouldnt let himself eat with his cap on (16). Shukhov still maintains his manners, even when he is forcibly kept in a gulag prison. His manners atomic number 18 very important as they allow him a way to detain human and keep his dignity, rather than deteriorating to the state of an animal, like some of the other prisoners. While the characters in One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, attempt to maintain their dignity as a means of base sprout in the gulags, the characters of The Sound of Waves, retain their dignity as a means of protecting their status in society. To begin, the characters in the Sound of Waves do not tolerate any embarrassment or loss of respect to their peers.When Shinjis mother visits Terukichi Miyatas home he ignores her visit and she replies, so you say you wont essay a poor widowWell let me tell you something never in life will I ever brush Miyatas damned threshold again (Mis hima 128-129). Shinjis mother vows never to cross paths with Miyatas home after he insults her by refusing to meet with her. Shinjis mother takes a hit to her pride and retaliates in a way that would imply her intolerance for disrespect. Moreover, the characters in the novel are impeccable and refrain from committing any acts that would call into question their morals and self-respect.While resting naked with Shinji in the shrine, Hatsue says, Its bad. Its bad Its bad for a girl to do that before she is married (76-77). Although the urge to consider in a sexual relation with Shinji is strong, Hatsue knows it would hurt not only her self-respect but also defile her fathers reputation in the crossroads. Although characters in both novels take actions to preserve their respective(prenominal) dignities, in One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, It is done to maintain their humanity and sanity when they are treated like animals. While in The Sound of Waves, the characters preserve t heir dignity to uphold the respect of the village and their peers. Overall, the characters in both novels value their dignity and take many actions to uphold it.