“History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” ― Mark Twain
As much as people like to declare themselves as progressive, open-minded thinkers, society as a whole hasn't changed much from colonial times. In fact, in some ways it seems to have regressed. The literature of colonial times we read through was surprisingly familiar. It was the same stuff we see today--journals and love letters, religious sermons and oppressed minorities. We've collected a few fancy new toys along the way, but the same questions and themes are still relevant. It's ironic how Americans, after freeing themselves from British "tyranny," turned around and started keeping slaves. Equiano wrote to inform the world of its cruelty. Although not as severe, didn't proponents of same-sex marriage and women's rights have similar goals? As for Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," the basic message is still relevant today, if not more so. He'd probably have a heart attack if he saw something like the recent VMA's. The present may not be a carbon copy of the past, but they do share similarities.
It seems that human nature is hard to change, for all of our technology and education.
“But here's some advice, boy. Don't put your trust in revolutions. They always come around again. That's why they're called revolutions.”
― Terry Pratchett, Night Watch
I too agree that our history is very similar to today. I also enjoyed that you added how Jonathan Edwards would have a heart attack if he were to view the VMAs. Good insight.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your quotes in the beginning and end of the post, they really bring the post to life. I like how you likened the advances in technology to "a few fancy new toys"! I agree with your point that society has not really progressed when it comes to the literature.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how many connections there are between today and colonial times. There are still journals and love letters, and there are still minorities fighting for their rights. I though your comment about Jonathan Edwards and the VMAs was pretty funny. Nice job, Newton!
ReplyDeleteIt's worth noting that we are the same humans as we were during colonial times, but our fancy new toys have made it so that we as humans have much more impact on many more people. Mass media and the like have made it very likely that those like Edwards who scream "wrath" enough will get more people to at least listen to them than ever before. That's actually a fairly big difference.
ReplyDeleteIt really is interesting to think about how we've changed. I like how you incorporate modern references like the VMA and satirize our modern advancements. I can't agree with you more on calling them toys. Most of the new technology we hear about in the news these days are trinkets for self entertainment. The new iPhone is more a toy than ever, with its new colorful frames. Also, thank you for introducing me to Terry Pratchett, he seems like an amazing author.
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