During a time of war and crisis, there are only two types of people: people that live or people that die. Both Night, by Elie Wiesel, and A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah, are set in a time of war and crisis. The theme “hope and fear drive human behavior” best fits these two novels. During tough times, such as war, many people get into a mode of self-survival; fear can be a great motivator and has the ability to take away one’s humanity and to turn a once loving human being to a selfish monster. During the book Night, Elie faces many life changing challenges and is endeavoring to survive in the Holocaust.
What is fear? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fear, “To be afraid of someone or something (Fear).” Fear, is a very small yet oh so powerful word. This definition fits the word very well.
Fear is an involuntary response to a danger or threat in our surroundings. Whether it is an internal doubt or external fright, humans have been taught to view it as an obstacle to subdue. In "Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card, Card plays with the concept that fear can influence a human’s reactions to conflict. Similar concepts are shared in “What Fear Can Teach Us” by Karen Thompson Walker; the author congregates points on how our anxieties can actually be used to an advantage, instead of it being a vexing thought. In both pieces, the authors establish the idea of how fear can be a decisive mechanism.
Violence is a part of America, and more than that, it is part of our species. It is around us and in us.” (De Becker 8). In a country where violent crime is on the rise millions of innocent lives are exposed to it. Many people use any means necessary to protect themselves from these violent crime such as: owning a gun, having pepper spray or taking self defense classes to help you fight back.
Throughout the Will to Survive, it is clear the events that take place drastically alter the mental state of the hero. Walters initially portrays Adam as an innocent teenager who goes to school, plays sports and deals with normal teenage problems. However, a computer virus results in the destruction of modern technology forcing Adam to take on leadership responsibilities and make difficult decisions for the good of the community. In one situation, he murders two members of a hostile military group, as they attempt to hijack the plane and coerce him at gunpoint to pilot it to their compound. It is this event that ultimately leads to the decline of Adam’s mental state.
Fear is the depravity of man—not merely that thing feared, but the act of fear itself. “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” Nonetheless, the conquering of fear lies not in doing away with it completely, but by overcoming it.
Fear is natural in most human beings. It is a "painful emotion experienced when one is confronted by threatening danger or evil". The response for most people who fear something is to run away from what they are scared of and feel safe afterwards. On the other hand there are some people like Bruce Wayne who embrace their fear, this is called "caraphobic reactions". For example, someone who is afraid of heights might climb a mountain and feel an adrenaline rush that makes them feel powerful in some sense.
Fear can be an idea that people believe that doesn't affect others. Fear-Mongering is the tool that people are still afraid that anything can happen. It's important that people know what's going on and why they are fearful. There are things that the society is still holding on because of some of the events that has happen. When 9/11 happen a lot of people were worried as I did an interview on my teacher and I can see that it does still affects us now in the future.
Fear can be defined as a conscious state consisting of both associative and non-associative components, caused
The subjective feeling of apprehension 2. The physiological reaction to fear (e.g., increases heart rate) 3. The behavior response to fear (e.g., and effort to escape the fearful situation)” (University of Pennsylvania, “Courage”). He stated that one could not experience one of these steps without experiencing the other two steps. If one does not feel fear or the need to stand up to something they fear, there is no reason to be courageous or get away from whatever it is that is giving them the feeling of fear.
Fear is described as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. As people, we all fear something, whether it be spiders, clowns, or even heights. My fear is different because while those are physical things mine is more abstract because it is the fear of growing up. When I was a little kid all I ever wanted to do was to be an adult because I thought it was so cool. I mean come on what kid doesn’t want to adult things like drive and have the liberty of going to bed whenever.
The term ‘anxiety’ refers to an emotional state which consists of feelings of worry and tension, worried thoughts and various corresponding changes at the physiological level. It may also be defined as response of multiple systems to an anticipated threat or danger. These responses arise from a combination of one’s biological and biochemical changes, one’s personal history and memory of various experiences, learned responses to various situations and the social situation itself. Anxiety is often seen as a uniquely human experience. Animals understand fear, but humans have a unique capacity to reflect and anticipate when they are anxious- a capacity other animals do not possess.
Fear is a part of who you are. Your fears are part of what define you. When one learns to get over their fears, is when they can really start living their life to its full potential. Fear is like an anchor holding you down from unlimited opportunities. Fear isn’t something we should ignore or deny.
Moreover, fear is one of the most impactful emotions
A blustery wind breeze through the window; a scratching noise beneath the wooden floors; a dark spectral shadow past the hallway light; a gasping whisper crying your name from across the room. These are just a few of the numerous manifestations of fear most people have already gone through. Have you ever been so afraid to let your legs hang off the bed, fearing that monsters would grab them from under your bed? Or letting the lights stay on worrying that if you turn them off, a wild, monstrous creature would come crawling up your side? Some say it’s foolish, some consider it a hoax, but for several people, particularly the little children, they believe it’s how the monsters appear at night.