I’m writing an essay on the story of Cranes. My thesis statement would be: In "Cranes" by Hwang Sun-Won, the protagonists and antagonists exhibit differing motivators and reactions to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, highlighting the intersecting themes of empathy, duty, and societal norms. I need help though. I need 3 reasons to go along with my thesis and I need textural evidence and examples to support those reasons. Could you help?
Sure! Here are three reasons to support your thesis statement for the essay on "Cranes" by Hwang Sun-Won:
1. The differing motivators of the protagonists and antagonists
- Textual evidence: The protagonist, Songsam, is motivated by empathy and a desire for reconciliation, as seen when he tries to save his childhood friend, Tokchae, from execution. In contrast, the antagonist, Songsam's commander, is motivated by duty and societal norms, enforcing the law without considering the personal relationships involved.
- Example: When Songsam pleads with the commander to spare Tokchae's life, the commander responds, "The law is the law. I can't help it" (Sun-Won).
2. The different reactions to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli
- Textual evidence: Songsam's reaction to the internal conflict of loyalty to his friend and loyalty to his country demonstrates his struggle with societal norms and personal feelings. The commander's reaction is more rigid and unyielding, prioritizing duty over empathy.
- Example: Despite being torn between his duty as a soldier and his friendship with Tokchae, Songsam ultimately decides to help his friend escape, showing his willingness to defy societal norms for the sake of empathy.
3. The intersecting themes of empathy, duty, and societal norms
- Textual evidence: Throughout the story, the themes of empathy, duty, and societal norms intersect, as the characters grapple with their obligations to both themselves and others. Songsam's empathy for Tokchae conflicts with his duty as a soldier, highlighting the tension between personal feelings and societal expectations.
- Example: When Songsam reflects on his memories with Tokchae and considers the consequences of betraying him, he struggles to reconcile his sense of duty with his desire to empathize with his friend's situation, illustrating the complexities of navigating moral dilemmas in a society with strict norms and regulations.