Humans are consumed by wickedness. It runs rampant like a plague among us and each person is hopelessly bound by our abhorrent deeds. Our catharsis is seeing that maybe we aren't so far gone after all. Maybe there is hope for us to be seen as good, despite our inherent evilness. Cry the Beloved Country, by Alan Paton, displays the same sentiments. It paints a mural of evils from prostitution, racism, and murder to pride, complacency, and judgment. However, there is hope for the characters. Paton uses a cast of broken and downtrodden characters to point us toward the hope of redemption in our own lives.. 

Absalom´s girlfriend lived a life of promiscuity and sexual immorality. She had many ¨husbands¨ and lived on her own from a young age, doing whatever it took to make ends meet. But as all people do, she had a deep desire to be loved for more than just her body or her looks. At first, Kumalo takes her in because he sees her as his responsibility, but everntually he begins to see her need for love and her willingness to listen and learn. Mrs. Lithebe comments that Absalom´s girlfriend displays a willingness to change and grow in response to Kumalo´s kindness. Absalom´s girlfriend says to her, ¨I desire to be nowhere but where I am. I desire no father but the umfundisi. I desire nothing that is not here,¨ (Paton 120). We see that Kumalo´s heart is softened for this girl who seems to have no home or direction. Kumalo redeems her from her muddled past, and brings her to a better life. We see the opposite in Gertrude, who was brought out of a similar life by Kumalo. She is ungrateful for her redemption and seems to want to return to her old life. The foil between these characters allows us to see the value of redemption, and how it requires effort and a willing heart.

Stephen Kumalo is a religious leader from a small village called Ndotsheni. He is a devout Christian and as we examine the language of the text, we can draw the parallels between his faith and the theme of redemption. Kumalo seems to mimic the story of Jesus Christ who redeemed mankind from their sins, and brought them into a better life of joy and hope. Kumalo does the same for both Gertrude and Absalom´s wife, bringing them out of lives of sin, and into a home where they could grow and have a better future. By using biblical language, connections, and themes, we are able to to further understand the role of redemption in the story. This also helps to  characterize Kumalo, who acts as the godlike figure in the story.

Although Kumalo is portrayed as nearly perfect, Paton weaves his flaws into the story almost imperceptibly. Kumalo is judgemental of others, especially those who are seemingly less moral than him. When he walks into Gertrude´s home he is disturbed by her laughter, which usually has a positive connotation, associated with joy. He describes it as, ¨…the kind of laughter of which one is afraid. Perhaps because one is afraid already, perhaps it is in truth bad laughter,¨ (Paton 29). Kumalo speaks to her in a very condescending tone before forgiving her and praying for her. As the book progresses, Kumalo storms into his brothers shop to condemn him for his son´s incarceration. The text says that, “For all his prayers for the power to forgive, Kumalo desired to hurt his brother,” (Paton 211). Kumalo later sees his mistakes and weeps out of sorrow for the man he has become. He prays for forgiveness, and leaves Johannesburg behind. Kumalo, although seen as a very moral man, also is a major recipient of forgiveness and redemption in this story. From Kumalo we learn that even the most lvoning and kind among us aren´t perfect, and are still in need of someone to restore them.

The character of Jarvis is also very complex, as he is both complacent and discontent. He is full of contradictions as he wades through the grief of his son´s death, and discovers what his son was fighiting for. Kumalo and Jarvis have an interesting relationship  because they are in a very similar position. Both know and care little about the issues in Johannesburg, both have sons who are, or are about to be dead, and  both are struggling with an inner conflict. Toward the end of the book, Jarvis sends a man to Ndotsheni who helps to relieve the people of their famine. We see a mutual respect begging to form between the grieving men as they are able to forgive each other for the things that happened between their sons. 

Being in a court is difficult, especially if you are guilty. Absalom Kumalo knew his murder of Arthur Jarvis would condemn him to death, and he was afraid. Stephen Kumalo hopelessly wrestled with his son´s decisions throughout the novel, but eventually comes to terms with what will occur. He knew that Absalom was only repentant out of fear of punishment, and yet he continued to show him love. Flawed and messy love, but love nonetheless. During the court case Stephen thinks to himself, “Who knows if he weeps for a promise broken? Who knows if he weeps for another self, that would work for a woman, pay his taxes, save his money, keep the laws, love his children, another self that has always been defeated? Or does he weep for himself alone to be let be, to be let alone, to be free of the merciless rain of questions, why, why, why, when he knows not why,” (Paton 99). As a preacher, Stephen Kumalo felt a deep sense of shame that his son would commit such a reprehensible act. As we know Kumalo struggles with judgment and judges Absalom for his mistakes rather harshly. But when he is faced with the stark truth that Absalom will die for his crimes, he is overwhelmed by his love for him, despite his mistakes. Through the character of Absalom we can see forgiveness in the face of the most difficult of circumstances despite a lack of repentance.

Through the redemption of Absalom´s girlfriend, Kumalo, Jarvis, and Absalom, Paton shows us how mistakes do not have to define you as a person. Each of these characters had their own individual struggles and difficulties that seemed to distance them from hope of redemption and freedom from their mistakes. Throughout the novel we see each of them redeemed and restored by each other, no matter how formidable the mistake or how difficult their attitude. By reading about these flawed characters we are able to see ourselves in them. Our messy, flawed, and unrepentant selves that don´t deserve to be forgiven. Paton shows us that even when we don´t deserve it, love breaks down the barrier and says, ¨It´s okay, I love you anyway.¨ Forgiveness comes in all shapes and sizes and even though we are wicked people who don´t deserve it, a special person will come along and extend a hand of grace.

Many people have argued over the origins of talent. Is each person born with a specific level of talent and potential or is it developed by hours of practice and repetition? Daniel Coyle may have found the answer. In his book, The Talent Code, Coyle discusses the role of a protein called myelin in developing skills. This protein acts as insulation, wrapping itself around our neural connections and allowing transmissions to travel faster along those pathways. The way to strengthen these connections is through deep practice that penetrates our short-term memory. Coyle claims that we shouldn’t be surprised by success because success is always a result of persistent practice. This book teaches that to become good at something you must pursue it with a passion. Without passion and desire any goal dies within the mind. You can only become great when you strive to attain something that you love. From this book, I have been able to better understand what my mind needs in order to grow and I hope to strive for the things I care about with more intentionality.

The quote, “Practice makes perfect,” is thrown around often, usually to motivate people to try harder. Unfortunately, it often falls on ears that expect talent to come naturally. Many people assume that all of the puzzle pieces will fall into place, and eventually, they will become a genius. When it comes to brain chemistry, the buildup of myelin is a direct result of our actions. It wouldn’t be logical for our brain to reinforce all of our neural connections just as it wouldn’t be logical to build three-lane highways through the suburbs. We build three-lane highways on roads that are used often and by many people. Our brain works the same way. When we use a neural pathway often, our brain reinforces the connection with myelin. This could be a golf swing, a calculus problem, or a complex concerto. The more you use a pathway the faster the connections will be and the more you will improve. By understanding this science we are better able to understand the importance of repetition. 

Not only is practice important, but practice should penetrate the surface level of your mind. In order to learn efficiently and effectively, you must do what David Coyle calls, “deep practice”. Deep practice is essentially a productive struggle. Coyle describes it as a step by step process, “1. Pick a target. 2. Reach for it. 3. Evaluate the gap between the target and the reach. 4. Return to step one” (Coyle 92). Deep practice is allowing yourself to fail and correcting mistakes as they come, which they will. No one can play Bach the first time they sit down at a piano just like no one can write a bestseller the first time they pick up a pen. Trial and error is the best teacher and it allows us to experiment and improve within our own strength. And when we use our own strength, it increases our confidence and allows us to continue to improve.

But the passion necessary to dedicate a person to hours and hours of deep practice is hard to come by. It requires a specific set of conditions and triggers to light the fires that burn beneath the hearts of the greats. These triggers allow people to be inspired to chase their dreams. They can consist of like minded people pioneering in a foreign field or an exuberant teacher holding out a violin. Whatever the trigger, it is nurtured by people who share the same passion and also love to teach those who show potential. 

Talent is a goal people often see as unattainable. We look at world class chess players and enigmatic painters and wonder why they were divinely gifted with such talents while we were not. While naturally given talent is a wonderful thing, many times the only thing stopping us from becoming Veronica Roths and Simone Biles is a lack of dedication and a lack of repetition. We all have the ability within us to improve and become great at what we do by practicing in a way that maximizes our ability to learn from our mistakes.

Addendum: Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy

As the texas sharpshooter fallacy says that people are more likely to look for commonalities than they are instances that disprove their point, Daniel Coyle chooses to focus his book on the instances in which practice has created talent rather than explaining the existence of prodigies and those who seem to develop talent from a higher starting point than the rest of us. When we look at books that make a specific claim, they often forget to address counterpoints that could damage their argument. This taints their reasoning and compromises the truth and credibility of their arguments.

“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul - / and sings the tune without the words - / and never stops - at all -”. This poem by Emily Dickinson, “ ‘Hope’ is a Thing With Feathers”, speaks to the obscurity of hope and its indisputable perpetuality. It is one of the many forms of media that speak to the mystery and power of this thing with feathers. Hope is a sort of strange concept to grasp in a society where the pessimism bias has infected all but a select few. And yet, hope is undeniably what our society needs in a time of corruption, mistrust, and discord. Javier Zamora tells the harrowing tale of his immigration from El Salvador to the United States in his memoir, Solito. This memoir demonstrates how transformative journeys are driven by hope. Through his story we also see his hopes and dreams altered by his experiences.

In most literature, new or old, a journey represents a time of change for the sojourner. Most journeys begin to accomplish a goal or reach a destination, but they are far more complex than that. The traveler must undergo trial after trial until their skin is scorched black from the purifying fires. Despite their scars, their journey has made them stronger, and their goal becomes all the more sweet. Javier’s journey begins in a coastal town in El Salvador where he lives with his grandparents and other extended family members. He leaves his family and his home with a coyote named Don Dago who will guide him and a few others along their travels. Venturing through Guatemala and Mexico before arriving at the Mexico-U.S. border, he will go to California to reunite with his parents who immigrated many years before him. An interesting cast of characters from all areas of El Salvador accompanies him along the way. These people become his home away from home and support him in trying times. 

As is customary in these journeys, Javier leaves El Salvador as a naive and unaware child and arrives as a scarred but strong young man in the United States. Throughout his trek across Central America, he is accosted by Mexican soldiers, arrested by the American border patrol, and walks across the desert three times only to be deported. Any one of these things would be hard for a grown adult, and this was impossibly difficult as a child. But with the help of his newfound family, Javier was able to push through and hold onto the hope that he may one day see his parents again in “La USA”. The memoir highlights the ways children move through trauma and hardship.  Children may be younger and less experienced in this harsh world, but they still experience its treachery the same if not to a higher degree than adults. However, kids are resilient like an adult could never be. They acknowledge the vast future ahead of them and recognize that they may be the only person who can make that promising future come to fruition. Javier’s childlike resilience enables him to look past the raging sea around him to the hope he holds so closely, of reuniting with his parents and living a life of luxury and success.

Despite his longing for his parents, Javier bonds with his fellow immigrants along the way and makes a second home among them. He grows especially close to Chino, Patricia, and Patricia’s daughter Carla, who are his family according to their false Mexican identity papers. These people are crucial to Javier’s success in his journey as they encourage him to persevere, despite the hardships they face. A family, even a strange one, can be an enormous boon in a time of great difficulty. You can achieve anything if you have the right group of people surrounding you and supporting you. Our protagonist gains not only a family in his estranged parents but also in his fellow migrants who were there for Javier when it seemed the world had turned its back on him. Consequently, we see that hope is not solely born from a desire for a goal but drawn from the inspiration of those around us. 

While all of these sentiments apply to fiction as a whole, the story of Solito is very real. It takes courage to embark on a journey that has so many risks, but we see that the payoff in this case far outweighed the temporary difficulties. Literature, no matter the genre, tells the timeless epic of striving toward one’s goals despite the looming obstacles that may present themselves. All of us are sojourners, straining towards our futures with inexplicable hope. Through the memoir, Solito, we can see the concept of hope fueling a journey through the unfiltered eyes of a young boy looking for his home. Javier draws hope from the prospect of reuniting with his family and finding a new life, but also from those who came alongside him to inspire him.

The Titanic. Sunk in 1912, commemorated by film in 1997, and memorialized in literature more times than one can count. But the Titanic isn’t the only ship to pull thousands to their deaths. In 1945, the Wilhelm Gustloff was torpedoed by the Russian military, bringing over 9,000 refugees to a watery grave. It is known as the most fatal nautical disaster in all of history. So why isn't it featured in movies, books, and history curriculums? The novel, Salt to the Sea, by Ruta Sepetys tells the story of three refugees running from the physical threats of war and the emotional threats of their pasts. They meet each other along the way and find themselves on the doomed Wilhelm Gustloff,  hoping to find refuge in western Germany. Sepetys’ depiction of the atrocities that occurred during this period allows readers to understand the historical ramifications of the Nazi and Stalinist regimes as well as understand the complexities of war and dehumanization.

In the 1940s, evil reigned incarnate in Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. With the Nazi regime to the west and the Stalinist regime to the east, Europe was overcome by brutality and horror. Sepetys paints a harrowing picture of this war, describing the horrors of both sides with brutal historical accuracy. One of the protagonists, a Lithuanian doctor named Joana, remarks, “The brutality was shocking. Disgraceful acts of inhumanity. No one wanted to fall into the hands of the enemy. But it was growing harder to distinguish who the enemy was” (Sepetys 30). This description of feeling torn between two evils speaks to the difficulties of loyalty in the midst of war. Am I loyal to the country of my birth or my country of residence? Am I loyal to my homeland or my morals? Am I loyal to my family or my country? Salt to the Sea raises all of these questions, providing the reader with a deeper understanding of the conflicting emotions people experienced at the time. By portraying this conflict through a novel, readers can connect to the characters and their experiences. While these specific characters may not be real, they represent the experiences of thousands. And that is the difficulty of history. We can lose the value of hearing a specific individual’s story in the broadness of the event itself. One of the protagonists, a Polish teenager named Emilia,  is a victim of rape at the hands of a group of Russian soldiers. The concept of rape is difficult to grasp, but by reading its ramifications people can understand the effects it had on its victims. Sepetys brings complex issues such as these to light with tact and grace, demonstrating the dehumanizing efforts of both warring parties. Sepetys describes Emilia’s encounter as her host family gives her up, “[Mrs. Kelst] spotted my basket peeking out from behind the tree and commanded me forward. ‘You see? So pretty. Very, very pretty. Take her instead.’ The soldiers looked at me with their dead faces. A trail of mushrooms spilled behind me as they dragged me to the cold cellar” (Sepetys 199). This description further connects the reader to the story of Salt to the Sea through the fear Emilia felt. Learning that her experience was a common one is utterly heartbreaking. Joana says “I had seen things. A girl, dead in a ditch, her skirt knotted high. An old woman sobbing that they had burned her cottage” (Sepetys 30). These small brutalities of war are hardly mentioned compared to the magnitude of the holocaust. The Gustloff was Emilia’s only hope for a semblance of safety, no matter how small.

The Gustloff was hit by four Russian torpedoes, each etched with a different phrase. For the Motherland, For the Soviet People, For Leningrad, and For Stalin. From a strictly historical standpoint, one can see the danger of mechanizing warfare. By the development of military technology mankind has minimized the importance of human life. If a soldier can kill thousands by the click of a button how can he understand the ramifications of his actions without seeing the floating corpses in the freezing water? In describing the sinking of the Gustloff Ruta Sepetys confronts the idea of killing people without seeing the actual consequences. Alfred, an idealistic Nazi soldier, supports the Third Reich unconditionally and attempts to kill Emilia in the name of Hitler. “He leaned over and tried to shove me into the water. [Emilia] kicked him with all of my remaining strength. He fell backward on the raft, chanting and repeating, ‘Hero, hero.’ He pulled himself to a crouch, then leaned in, eyes narrowed. He began reciting. Or was he singing? ‘Poles, Prostitutes, Russians, Serbs, Socialists.’ He took a breath, tightened his lips, and spit on [Emilia]…” (Sepetys 299). Hilter’s categorization of people by race or political orientation diminishes their humanity, leading his followers to kill in a blind rage. When we dehumanize people we make human life less valuable and make people more vulnerable to discrimination, hatred, and mistreatment.

Literature brings us closer to characters and events. By learning history through novels readers can connect deeper to the events described.  Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys addresses the dehumanization of war through the establishment of historical context.

A Tale of Two Cities has remained one of the most revered books of all time. Dickens’ gutwrenchingly beautiful language and compelling story of love, revolution, sacrifice, and revenge has echoed across land and sea, impacting hundreds of lives across the globe. Despite it’s inherent uniqueness, the themes of love, sacrifice, and rebirth echo another story with a profound impact: the story of Jesus. A Tale of Two Cities presents themes and situations that mirror the biblical accounts of Jesus’ life and death, creating a story of beauty and purpose few other literary works could claim.

All great works of literature show love in one form of another. A Tale of Two Cities exhibits the theme of love through romantic love interests, love for one’s country, and the familial love demonstrated between Doctor Manette and his daughter, Lucie. Each of these kinds of love can also be found in the biblical accounts of Christ in his love for his father, love for his disciples, and his love for mankind. Sydney Carton’s unceasing love for Lucie led him to pay the ultimate cost: his life. This love, though unrequited, was so strong that Carton was willing to forfeit his own life so that Lucie could find joy and happiness with Charles Darnay, her suitor. Jesus’ own love for mankind was so strong it surpassed the indifference of the people and sacrificed for them, in spite of their anger and hatred towards him. Jesus also spoke often of his love for his father and the love his father had for him, which is reminiscent of the love expressed between Doctor Manette and Lucie. The love of the patriots for their country also demonstrated a pursuit of justice and rebirth for the country, which is eerily similar to Jesus’ pursuit of reform within the hypocritical and legalistic Jewish religous system.

Sydney Carton’s sacrifice to save Charles Darnay, Lucie Manette’s lover, mirrored Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Carton even repeats Jesus famed words found in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.” (Dickens 398). Carton willingly gives up his own life, rescuing Charles Darnay to please Lucie, thus, proving his undying love for her. This love was unlike any other because it was unrequited, and yet he gave up his life for it in the end. Jesus’ love for humankind is similar in that despite man’s active rebellion against him, he still gave up his life for hope that all would be reconciled to god through him. Dickens portrays Carton as a Christ figure, willing to sacrifice his very life out of love for someone who didn’t love him in return. Many patriots in the novel also gave their lives in hope of securing a prosperous future for their nation and their descendants. This theme of sacrifice exemplifies the necessary nature of sacrifice and it’s profound impacts in all aspects of the human experience.

But the stories of Sydney Carton and Jesus don't end with a sacrifice. Both characters are reborn, one physically and one metaphorically. Jesus rose three days after his bloody crucifixion as prophesied by Hosea in Hosea 6:2 and by Jesus himself in Luke 24:46. Jesus ressurects and reappears to his followers, comissioning them to spread his word and establish the early church. Carton is ressurected metaphorically in Darnay and his son, who is incidentally named Sydney Carton. Both characters are given life in place of Carton’s, continuing his legacy as a selfless hero. Doctor Manette also undergoes a rebirth from madness to clarity of mind. Manette can only experience this rebirth through the love of his daughter, who’s patient and steadfast care for him calls the shadows from his mind and brings a newfound light and purpose to his life. The nation of France is also reborn in a sense through the revolution. The aristocracy is brutally sacrificed to make way for a new regime of supposed prosperity and freedom for the French people. The city of Paris and nation of France as a whole died as a result of intense bloodshed, but was ressurected in the form of a new nation run for the peoples’ best interest. 

Dickens used these biblical expressions of love, sacrifice, and ressurection to structure his novel with brilliance and human interest. Only a story with true moral and psychological intrigue could engage readers, and Dickens responded to this primal need by weaving the story of Jesus into his novel. The cultural climate at the time was staunchly christian, though many had fallen into cultural religiosity rather than individual expressions of committed faith. Dickens challenged this practice in his daily life, but he remained a religious person and practiced Christianity. Dicken’s used Jesus’ moral principles rather than strict doctrines to challenge society’s deviation from morality to cultural legalism and express the true values and impacts of Jesus Christ’s life and death.

The undeniable parallels between the biblical story of Jesus Christ and A Tale of Two Cities present compelling themes of love, sacrifice, and rebirth. This holy trinity of thematic concepts has become one of the most profound and impactful structures used in literary works, and it’s origin can be traced directly back to the Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. Dicken’s use of biblical themes both reflected the religous climate of the time and aided in the growing popularity of biblical themes in literature. 

From Ben Franklin’s ‘Join or Die’ cartoon to Rosie the Riveter, propaganda has remained an integral role in modern politics. Propaganda inspires patriotism and unity as well as anger and aggression. Manipulative and divisive, propaganda can be a great danger for the integrity of a government. In Suzanne Collins’ Sunrise on the Reaping, the themes of manipulation and propaganda highlight the damaging effects of oppression and totalitarianism through the story of Haymitch Abernathy’s hunger games and the chaos ensuing from his rebellious actions.

A central quote driving the narrative comes from Haymitch’s father who told a hunger games tribute, “Don’t let them paint their posters with your blood,” or don’t let them use your actions to fuel their own desires. This is repeated often through the story, often to remind characters to control the narrative and prevent the Capitol from using them for their own sick ends. Haymitch takes this to heart, reminding himself often that he refuses to be turned into another piece of capitol propaganda. During the parade with the tributes, a rogue firework causes the dirstict 12 chariot to crash, killing Louella McCoy. Haymitch is enraged at the capitol’s carelessness and lays Louellas lifeless body at Snow’s feet, condemning their endangerment of a child and flippant response to her grisly death. Haymitch takes control of the capitol’s manipulative narrative, rebelling againt the totalitarian instruments of control and power to retain his own sense of agency and autonomy. Collins uses his actions to emphasize the negative effects of the capitol propaganda and the courage necessary to fight it’s oppressive effects.

Not only do the characters’ commitment to retaining their autonomy and controlling the narrative highlight the struggles of oppressive societies controlled by propaganda, but the capitol’s constant rewriting of history allows them to retain control and continue manipulating the people for their own benefit. During the reaping in district 12, the second male tribute attempts to escape his fate by making a break for it. The peacekeepers unfortunately fire and put a bullet through his head. Haymitch’s subsequent move to rescue Lenore Dove ends with him onstage as the district 12 tribute, sentenced to a death in honor of the capitol. The capitol, who televises the reapings to the districts as another form of propaganda, edits the film of the district 12 reaping to cover up the death of Woodbine Chance and underhanded selection of Haymitch Abernathy. The manipulative nature of the capitol’s actions fuels their propaganda and promotes their desired narrative, further entrenching the districts into their lies. The dangers of this kind of totalitarian society where one person controls the entirety of a community is clearly shown through the fear and violence present in district 12. 

In the case of Louella McCoy, the Capitol continues to manipulate the narrative through their insertion of a body double into the games in place of the girl killed by their mistakes. Louella McCoy’s lookalike, called Lou Lou by her fellow district 12 tributes, struggles with signifigant mental health issues resulting from her torture and brainwashing by the capitol. To cover their mistakes, the capitol again manipulates the narrative by disguising the true events occuring during the parade and replacing Louella with Lou Lou, all to ensure their propaganda games provide them with power over the districts. This desire for power over the districts and control of the population become a breeding ground for oppression and poverty as the government marginalizes it’s people and forces them to live in fear. Suzanne’s expert depictions of totalitarianism and it’s effects shed’s much needed light on the danger of propaganda and government manipulation as tools of oppression.

The capitol also utilizes posters and slogans to enforce their propaganda. Haymitch describes posters with phrases like, “No peacekeepers no peace” and “Panem’s #1 Peacekeeper” hung in hsi district to encourage the people of the government’s good intentions. Despite the obvious inconsistencies depicted in these propaganda posters, the capitol uses catchy slogans and manipulative turn of phrase to placate the districts, lulling them into complacency. Despite their discontentment with their quality of living and governance, the district are unwilling to speak up for themselves because of a combination of fear and ignorance. They fear the backlash of the capitol against resistance, but they also don’t know what they don’t know. The manipulative propaganda found in the hunger games and all aspects of the capitol’s self portrayal disguises the true actions and intentions, preventing their people from taking action and fighting opression.

The barrage of lies and deceit found in capitol propaganda isn’t unlike the constant stream of information devised by modern media. The age of the 24 hour news and social media has brought a new means of propaganda, and thus, manipulation. Unlike the posters and lies of the capitol, today’s propaganda is much more subtle. It’s found in the articles and reels we watch every day. The modern age of media has brought us into a time where we are far more susceptible to manipulation than ever before, and it’s vital that we remain vigilant and shrewd. We must scrutinize and examine, never allowing someone else to control the narrative. It’s imperative we confront manipulation and propaganda before they become a means of oppression. Suzanne Collins’ deliberate depiction of Haymitch Abernathy’s story highlights the themes manipulation and propaganda in a totalitarian society, warnign us not to become complacent consumers but rather vigilant examiners, unwilling to be oppressed by the control of others.

Innocence is a high and lofty thing, full of the potential to fall. Humans begin life positioned on a precipice, a well-placed breath enough to send them tumbling into oblivion. The precipice of innocence allows those upon it to identify what those on the ground fail to see: the truth. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, tells the ethically fraught story of Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends an African-American man accused of raping a white woman. Six-year-old Scout Finch, a free-spirited girl with a sharp tongue and a quick mind, narrates the novel. She too, begins the story teetering on the precipice of innocence, but as the trial and its difficulties escalate, she begins to notice the hypocritical nature of those in her town. This book’s ability to confront those who fall victim to their own biases in times when objectivity is paramount makes it one of the greatest novels in American literature. By conveying convoluted matters such as racism and injustice through the eyes of an impressionable and curious child, Lee highlights the importance of viewing complex issues with an open mind and childlike innocence.

Unfortunately, innocence doesn’t last forever. Children and their interpretations of the world around them change as major events occur during their developmental stages. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem Finch, as well as their friend Dill, are confronted with the issue of Tom Robinson’s trial and sentence to death. In the middle of the trial, Dill begins to cry uncontrollably and rushes from the courthouse. He says, “It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to do ‘em that way. Hasn’t anybody got any business talking like that--it just makes me sick” (Lee 266). Sometimes it takes someone young to point out when something is unjust. Often adults become so swept away in what they believe, they forget to evaluate their situation objectively. Children are open minded and examine their surroundings in order to come to a decision. When examining an incident from the perspective of a child who seeks first to understand, the reader can look past their own biases and come to a logical and fair decision.

One can only fully understand a situation through curiosity. Scout asks countless questions while processing her father’s role in the Robinson vs Ewell case and the ramifications of Maycomb’s final decision. After a discussion in class about Hitler’s mistreatment of the Jews, Scout asks, “Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home” (331). The parallels Scout discerns between the Nazis’ treatment of the Jews and the issues in Maycomb demonstrate her ability to decipher the events unfolding around her through curiosity. By examining the situation from the precipice of innocence, she sees that people cannot be selectively prejudiced. One cannot stand against the heinous acts of a dictator without first realizing that their own hometown unjustly judges its neighbors. An innocent child can say and ask anything they want, no matter the consequences. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee utilizes Scout’s curiosity to teach the reader the importance of examining people’s perspectives before condemning them.

Additionally, Lee’s use of Scout’s perspective expands upon themes of childhood and maturity. Throughout the book, Scout’s fiery temper flares up constantly, dragging her into many spats with other characters. At first, this quality seems detrimental to Scout and those around her, but as the story progresses, the reader sees that this temper has roots in loyalty and an innate sense of justice. Through Atticus’ guidance, Scout learns to control her temper and solve problems with her mind rather than her fists. The old saying, “Pressure makes diamonds” exemplifies Scout’s transformation perfectly. The pressure she feels surrounding Tom Robinson’s trial allows Scout to mature in her ability to deal with conflict, creating a gem, able to stand up for what she believes with maturity.

Lee emphasizes the value of seeking to understand complex issues with an open mind and examining them from a perspective of youthful innocence through her use of a child’s perspective. In an era where political polarization is commonplace and biases spread like the plague, the next generation can attempt to view today’s conflicts with an open mind, seeking to understand rather than seeking to condemn. It requires people to return to the precipice of innocence and take a moment to look down at the truth rather than relying on their own knowledge and emotions to be the judge.

An inquiry into the human spirit is a messy endeavor at best. Our very souls seem inherently tuned to better themselves above all, or everyone, else.  Despite our most valiant efforts to be good, we wind up leaving a wake of destruction along the path to our desires. But despite our evil natures we still find it within our sickly souls to love and serve others. How can this contradictory duality be possible? John Knowles’ critically acclaimed novel, A Separate Peace, explores the complexities of human nature through the story of two friends, Gene and Finny, who room together at a boarding school amid World War Two. Finny is charismatic and athletic while Gene is brooding and intelligent. However close they claim to be, a current of enmity flows through their relationship, eventually causing Finny’s death.  Even within a friendship as deep as that of Finny and Gene, jealousy, paranoia, and resentment can still take root. The author uses this contrast and tension between the characters to demonstrate the conflicting aspects of human nature.

Gene and Finny attend a lunch at which Finny charms the adults present with a quick wit and unabashed honesty. Afterward, Gene comments “I couldn’t help but envy him a little, which was perfectly normal. There was no harm in envying even your best friend a little” (Knowles 25). While innocent in theory, these seeds of jealousy became the weeds that choked their relationship. Gene enjoys Finny’s company and admires him, but he also cannot help but envy him. When taken too far, admiration can become envy very quickly. This delicate tension exemplifies the thin line between the lightest and darkest aspects of our human nature.

As admiration can lead to envy, envy almost always leads to resentment. When Gene is studying in his room, he begins to suspect that Finny is sabatoging his academics with wild antics like blitzball and the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session. He grows increasingly angry and finds himself declaring a rivalry with Finny. He says, “Yes, I sensed it like the sweat of relief when nausea passes away; I felt better. We were even after all, even in enmity. The deadly rivalry was on both sides after all” (Knowles 54). This anger at Finny’s supposed attempts to undermine him leads Gene to take drastic action against Finny in the tree. Gene’s descent from admiration into cold-blooded hatred was the result of the subversion of the balance within his soul. While beginning in innocence his emotions grew into a darkness that ravaged his friendship with Finny. While the results may not have been immediate, they were ultimately  fatal.

The author portrays Gene and Finny as two sides of human nature. Trusting vs paranoid. Joyful vs angry. Rebellious vs straight-laced. Transparent vs ambiguous. Each of these traits should alienate Finny and Gene, but they instead seem to bring them together. Their relationship represents the convoluted union of evil and good within mankind, messy, conflicting, and beautiful. John Knowles develops the themes of each of these contrasts in order to teach the reader what it means to be human. The most apparent of these themes is that of trust and loyalty. When Gene admits to Finny that he had considered enlisting, Finny’s response is that of disbelief. Gene reflects that, “In some way he needed me. He needed me. I was the least trustworthy person he had ever met. I knew that; he knew or should know that too. I had even told him. I had told him. But there was no mistaking the shield of remoteness in his face and voice. He wanted me around” (Knowles 108). Despite Gene’s conspiracies and vengeful actions, Finny remains loyal to him to a fault. He refuses to see that good and evil can coexist in a friend.

John Knowles utilizes the conflict between the friends as well as the contrast between their personalities and actions to demonstrate the paradoxical nature of the human spirit. While the culture of today says that each person is basically good, the truth of the matter is that we are not the sum of our deeds. We are an intricate mix of good and evil.  John Knowles uses his novel to prove that people are capable of the bitterest of evils and the sweetest of kindnesses. There is a delicate balance to the light and darkness within each of us, and one mistake can usurp all semblances of the order that prevents the potentail chaos of humankind.

Life is full of difficult choices, with every desire and passion pitted against one another in the arena of the mind. “The Bass, The River, and Sheila Mant” is a short story that examines the choices of a teenage boy, torn between impressing his crush and catching a large bass. The author uses brilliant symbols and a compelling tone, warning readers not to sacrifice their passions in pursuit of transient desires. 

The bass that the narrator hooks symbolizes his inner conflict as he oscillates between his desire for Sheila to like him and his love for fishing. As the fish struggles, the narrator can “...sense the extra strain on the line, the frantic way it cuts back and forth in the water,” just as he himself cuts back and forth between trying to impress Sheila and trying to catch the fish (Wetherell 12). In addition to the symbol of the bass, the shallows with “weeds on one side and rocks on the other” illustrate the difficult situation the narrator finds himself in, “torn apart between longings,” (12, 13). The author allows the audience to see inside the mind of the narrator and examine his inner conflict through observing the bass and its surroundings. These symbols illustrate the complexities of fighting the urge of instant gratification of one's desires or the pursuit of passions that last beyond the present. 

In addition to vivid symbols, the author’s mature and contemplative tone further exemplifies the theme of sacrificing passion in favor of desire. The author tells the story through the lens of a wiser man looking back on the immature fancies of a young boy. The narrator says “the memory of the bass still haunted me all summer and haunts me still” and that he “never made the same mistake again,” (13). This tone allows us to see how the author views his choices after more years of experience. Without this compelling tone, the symbolism of the bass and the shallows are only symbols with no true message. Considering the tone of retrospection and maturity the reader can infer that the author’s internal conflict allowed him to learn the value of seeking the things that are truly important rather than fleeting desires.

W. D. Wetherell’s use of literary elements such as symbolism and tone exposes and enhances the theme of seeking your passions above infantile desires. While decisions such as these may be difficult in the moment, taking a moment to evaluate a situation can be the difference between a miserable unrequited love and the triumph of catching a large bass.

From the bloodstained pages of Macbeth to the minefield of contemporary politics, rhetoric remains a timeless tool of ambition and manipulation. Both John F. Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural Address and Shakespeare’s Macbeth masterfully wield the weapon of rhetoric to influence their audiences and compel them to take action.

Like any weapon, rhetoric has the potential to create both peace and conflict. Kennedy inspires unity within the American people, while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to commit treason against the king. After describing the various issues the country faces, Kennedy asks his audience, “Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?” (Kennedy). JFK appeals to the audience’s sense of patriotism and camaraderie by inviting them to unite despite their struggles. This rhetorical question allows the audience to confront the issues of the times head-on rather than become passive participants, further bonding them as fellow Americans. He concludes his speech with one of the most famous presidential quotes of all time, “Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country” (Kennedy). This antimetabole is the spark that lights the kindling of the previous rhetorical question on fire, bringing the citizens of the United States together as one nation, striving to fulfill the democratic dream of their forefathers. In contrast, Lady Macbeth appeals to Macbeth’s sense of pride and self-worth through rhetorical questioning to manipulate him into killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth finds her husband doubting their ability to carry out Duncan’s murder, to which she responds with condescension and indignance. She asks, “Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely?“ (I, VII, 39-42). Lady Macbeth’s sarcastic accusation challenges Macbeth to act courageously rather than continue in cowardice. She continues, “We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we'll not fail” (I, VII, 67-69). Using rhetorical questioning, Lady Macbeth motivates Macbeth to preserve his reputation as a courageous warrior by taking action rather than shrinking back in indecision and fear. Both Kennedy’s and Lady Macbeth’s rhetorical questioning lead their audiences to action, one to unity and peace and the other to murder and treason. 

While rhetorical questioning allows readers the space and time to consider a topic, asyndetons provide a rhetorical crescendo, building ideas on top of one another to emphasize a point. When the witches meet with Macbeth to share his fate, he commands them with arrogant urgency, “Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down; though castles topple on their warders' heads; though palaces and pyramids do slope their heads to their foundations; though the treasure of nature's germens tumble all together, even till destruction sicken; answer me to what I ask you.” (IV, I, 54-63). Through this asyndeton, the reader observes the recklessness accompanying Macbeth’s actions and his determination to fulfill his desires, no matter the cost. He addresses the witches with authority and utilizes rhetorical devices to compel them to do what he asks. Similarly, Kennedy employs this technique in his speech, proclaiming, “...we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to ensure the survival and the success of liberty” (Kennedy). This declaration imbues a sense of urgency and determination in the audience, compelling the American public to do everything possible to move the country forward again. The asyndeton highlights the changes necessary to bring our country peace and prosperity through repetition and emphasis. While each speaker has different motives, both use asyndetons to emphasize their points, Macbeth’s desire to achieve his goals and learn his fate, and Kennedy’s to establish peace and prosperity for the United States.

Both Macbeth and John F. Kennedy display the strength of rhetoric in their discourse, demonstrating the power rhetorical devices and appeals possess over an audience. Contemporary politics and Shakespearean language utilize these devices and appeals to compel their audiences to action, whether for peace and unity or murder and treason. While Macbeth and Kennedy exhibit similar persuasive techniques, their application and effects remain vastly different. However, their strategies both remain applicable to today’s world. Because of the media’s growing influence, it has become increasingly important for this generation to develop discernment and shrewdness. Examining the rhetorical techniques of modern politics and Shakespearean language provides students with real-world skills that allow them to interpret the many messages that bombard them each day. Students also gain a greater appreciation for language and its capability to create positive and negative change, as well as the ability to use similar language in their own lives. By examining rhetoric, readers and audiences can become more informed and equipped to resist manipulation and deceit in literature and the real world. 

Works Cited

Kennedy, John F. 1961 Inaugural Address. 1961.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Deleware, Prestwick House.

Think about what you have to do today. Is it a project for work? Grocery shopping? Household chores? Once you finish that, maybe you have to pick up your kids from school. Then you have to make dinner, do the dishes, drive your daughter to volleyball, get food for tomorrow’s bake sale, call the plumber, and take the dog out. Just thinking about a busy day like that can make your head spin. Unfortunately, this is the reality for most people in the United States. We all experience stress for different reasons and in varying severities, but all of it  triggers the same  response in the brain. This stress response causes changes to occur in both our brain and body. While this acute, or short term, stress is normal, chronic stress can be dangerous and causes us to act differently than we usually would. While stress is a well-known topic in theory, I would like to understand how and why the brain and body react differently to stress on a deeper level.

Why do we stress?

Stress is a word that we use on a daily basis, but its definition is often misunderstood. Stress is the brain’s response to pressure (“Stress”). This response triggers a series of physical and physiological changes in our bodies that are meant to help us respond quickly to unsafe situations. This reaction originated from our ancestors who were forced to live in wild and untamed surroundings. While they would face life or death situations often, in our modern times our reactions to traffic, final exams, and a busy schedule are somewhat uncalled for. We use the term stressor to describe the trigger for our body’s response to stress (Insel et al. 23). This can be any kind of situation that causes a negative reaction. Stressors can be a variety of different people, places, and things and can vary from person to person.

Different people experience stress for a variety of reasons. In the Health textbook, Connect Core Concepts in Health, it explains that, “There are many factors that influence how each person responds to stress. Personality, cultural background, gender, and individual experience are important to consider when dealing with stressful situations” (Insel et al. 26). For example, minorities may feel more stressed about racism and harassment they encounter. Someone who consistently does poorly on biology exams may stress more about them than someone who excels in biology. Women may feel more pressure to maintain their physical appearance than men. All of these factors can vary and play a role in how people experience stress. Many studies also show that women experience stress drastically differently thandifferently than than men. The American Psychological AssociationAssiciation says that, “Men and women report different reactions to stress, both physically and mentally. They attempt to manage stress in very different ways and also perceive their ability to do so — and the things that stand in their way — in markedly different ways” (“2010 Gender and Stress”). Women tend to admit their experiences of stress faster than men and often take more steps in order to cope. Men however experience fewer physical symptoms of stress than women. This contrast between gender experiencesexperinces in stress must be noted in order to cope effectively.

How do the brain and body react to stress?

When you are walking on the sidewalk and a biker is hurtling toward you, what do you do? Most people feel a rush of adrenaline and leap out of the way, and maybe utter some profanities. These are normal physical responses to a stressor, but what causes us to feel this way? When we perceive a threat, our eyes and ears send a message through our nervous system to a part of the brain called the amygdala, which is depicted in the diagram below. Inside the amygdala, the brain interprets the message sent by the eyes and ears and decides whether or not the threat is significant. If it determines that the threat needs to be dealt with, it alerts the hypothalamus, which triggers changes in your body through the nervous system (“Understanding the stress response”).

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(Harvard Medical School)

Within the nervous system, there are certain areas that control different things. In this case, we focus on the autonomic nervous system, which controls our involuntary body functions such as breathing, digestion, and heart rate. There are two sections of the autonomic nervous system: the parasympathetic division and the sympathetic division. The sympathetic division is the part of the nervous system that activates when your body is stimulated. The parasympathetic division is the area that activates when your body is relaxed and stable. When the nervous system is activated to deal with a stressor, the sympathetic division alerts the endocrine system to release two different hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones are called cortisol and epinephrine, which in turn trigger the physical responses we associate with stress (Insel et al. 24). This is called the fight, flight, or freeze response, which refers to the three main reactions that people experience when in a stressful situation.

These processes in the brain occur so quickly we don’t even notice them until they have taken effect. When you are faced with a close call, such as the biker flying down the street toward you, “Through rapid chemical reactions affecting almost every part of your body, you are primed to act quickly and appropriately in times of danger” (Insel et al. 24). These physical changes are designed to enable you to jump away from the danger quickly. This response of the sympathetic division halts the digestive process in order to divert extra energy to your muscles and increases your heart rate to increase blood flow. Your airways widen to allow more oxygen to enter your lungs. All of your senses are heightened in order to help you react to stimuli faster (Insel et al. 25). The diversion of energy to heighten body functionfuntion is called the sympathetic reaction. This same reaction can occur when we experience a stressful day at school, but often to a slightly lesser degree according to the amygdala’s interpretation. When our brain determines that the threat has passed, the parasympathetic division takes over to help the body return to homeostasis. When the brain responds to smaller stresses like it would respond to a life threatening situation, this physiological response can cause health concerns.

What negative effects does stress have on behavior, decision making, and health?

Now that we have explored the physiological and psychological impacts of stress on the body, we need to dive deeper into its more practical effects. When we are stressed we act much differently than we would in a normal circumstance. This is evident everywhere you go. Harvard Business reviewer Ron Carucci says that, “Our brains are wired to be more reactionary under stress.” This can cause us to make decisions without thinking them through. People also have many different behavioral reactions to stress such as eating problems, irritability, insomnia and other sleep issues, anxiety, depression, memory issues, and difficulty concentrating (Insel et al. 28). But what actually causes these behavioral reactions?

In the brain there is a small section called the striatum. This area focuses on developing habits and weighing risks versus rewards in decision making. Scientists at MIT did a study on rats who experienced chronic stress and then had to make a decision between a high risk high reward scenario and a low risk low reward scenario. They found that there was a circuit between the striatum and the medial prefrontal cortex. When someone experiences chronic stress, this circuit is impaired, which explains the way that our behavior is different when we experience stress for an extended period of time. “Normally, when the circuit is turned on, neurons of the prefrontal cortex activate certain neurons called high-firing interneurons, which then suppress striosome activity. When they are stressed, these circuit dynamics shift and the cortical neurons fire too late to inhibit the striosomes, which then become overexcited. This results in abnormal decision making” (Trafton). The impairment of this circuit of neurons in the brain causes us to make poor decisions without thinking. As the amygdala takes action in these situations, the prefrontal cortex becomes less active in order to allow the amygdala to take care of the situation at hand. With our emotional processing center in control, we tend to make decisions based on our emotional responses rather than logic (Young and Camara). With these two factors combined it is difficult to break the cycle and stay calm under pressure.

But what happens when we experience pressure for a long period of time? Chronic stress can be extremely dangerous and cause health issues such as Cushing Syndrome and increased infection rate. As I explained previously, when we experience a stressful situation the endocrine system releases cortisol into the body to keep it alert and ready to protect itself. However, when one is under chronic stress, there is increased cortisol production. This can raise cortisol levels to an unhealthy degree, causing Cushing Syndrome. Cushing syndrome usually causes weight gain, arthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and hypertension (Thau et al.). When your body is releasing these hormones it also causes the immune system to slow down in order to divert energy to the other areas of the body. While this is good when one is being chased by a bear, it isn’t good for your immune system to be functioning on a low level for extended periods of time. When you are experiencing the stress response, this impairs the immune system giving viruses and other illnesses an opportunity to invade. But how do you prevent stress? Contrary to popular belief, not all stress is bad. It’s all about having balance. You need a certain amount of stress in order to stay motivated and challenged intellectually, but not too much that you trigger that fight, flight, or freeze response. In the diagram below the curve depicts how stress levels interact with our performance in the workplace, relationships, and in life. 

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(Babson College)

When you feel like you are in the orange/red area of the diagram, it’s probably wise to take some time to destress. You can do this in many different ways. Each person copes in a different way so it is important to find what works for you. You could read, listen to music, draw, or cook. The CDC also suggests getting ample sleep and eating healthy foods (“Tips for Coping” with Stress|Publications|Violence Prevention|Injury Center”). Many studies have shown that physical activity can increase feel-good chemicals in your brain, so taking a walk or doing a workout can give you a little boost. Whatever way you prefer, giving your brain time to relax and calm down can help prevent these stress-induced health conditions. 

Conclusive Takeaways

Ultimately, the brain's reaction to perceived threats impact the body’s physical state  as well as our cognitive, behavioral, and emotional reactions. When we perceive a stressful or dangerous situation, our brain alerts our nervous system and dispatches hormones to keep our body alert and ready to face the threat. This causes many different feelings in our bodies such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, heightened senses, perspiration, and wider airways. Being in this constant state of fight, flight, or freeze can impair our decision making as the prefrontal cortex becomes less active, the medial prefrontal cortex-striatum circuit is impaired, and the amygdala takes charge of decision making. Therefore, iIt is important to regulate stress so that we have the right amount, keeping ourout nervous system in homeostasis instead of the sympathetic response. When one feels like they are experiencing too much stress, coping skills are a valuable tool to help keep them at their highest level of performance. As mental health illnesses continue to run rampant in Gen Z, regulating stress is becoming a vital skill in order for us to succeed in social and occupational settings. The first step to becoming more aware is being more informed, and with this information Gen Z can rise from the fire that has destroyed it and return stronger than ever before.

Works Cited

Babson College. 2018. Stress Curve Diagram. babson.edu/student-life/health-wellness/health-wellness/health-promotion/Pages/stress/aspx

Carucci, Ron. “Stress Leads to Bad Decisions. Here's How to Avoid Them.” Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business School Publishing, 29 August 2017, https://hbr.org/2017/08/stress-leads-to-bad-decisions-heres-how-to-avoid-them. Accessed 23 October 2023.

CERC: Psychology of a Crisis. 2019. emergency.cdc.gov, https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ppt/CERC_Psychology_of_a_Crisis.pdf. Accessed 2023.

Harvard Medical School. brain diagram. 2020. Harvard Health Publishing, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response. Accessed 2023.

Insel, Claire E., et al. Connecting Core Concepts in Health. 17 ed., McGraw Hill Publishing, 2022.

“Stress.” mental health.org, Mental Health Foundation, 17 September 2021, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/stress. Accessed 20 October 2023.

Thau, Lauren, et al. “Physiology, Cortisol - StatPearls.” NCBI, Stat Pearls Publishing LLC, 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/. Accessed 30 October 2023.

“Tips for Coping with Stress|Publications|Violence Prevention|Injury Center.” CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/about/copingwith-stresstips.html. Accessed 1 November 2023.

Trafton, Anne. “Stress can lead to risky decisions.” MIT News, MIT, 16 November 2017, https://news.mit.edu/2017/stress-can-lead-risky-decisions-1116. Accessed 23 October 2023.

“2010 Gender and Stress.” American Psychological Association, https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2010/gender-stress. Accessed 1 November 2023.

“Understanding the stress response.” Harvard Health, Harvard Health Publishing, 6 July 2020, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response. Accessed 23 October 2023.

Young, Danielle, and Ahmed Lamine Camara. “Trauma and the Brain: Signs You Might be Living in "Survival Mode."” CGRC.org, CGRC, 12 June 2020, https://cgrc.org/blog/trauma-and-the-brain-signs-you-might-be-in-survival-mode/. Accessed 1 November 2023.

TBD