Life of Galileo is the text.
Prompt: 'Whenever there is conflict there are no winners'
As conflict is forced upon each of us as part of our livelihood we are subjected to make decisions as there are enemies to face, decisions to make and challenges to conquer. Neville Chamberlain believes, ‘In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners’.
Although such statement is applied to war, throughout society we can find a similar case. With a winner defined as someone who succeeds and gets the victory, it is common in conflict to think of a victorious hero or a defeated villain. However in many conflicts, upon closer examination there are no victors or conquered; in many conflicts, there is no winner.
In the face of conflict many become a victim of their circumstances and circumstances become something that defines them. In ‘Life of Galileo’, written by Bertolt Brecht we see in the experiences of Ludovico and Virginia, once tied up in romance; how the circumstances around them dissolve their engagement and marriage, leaving both of them at a loss. Galileo’s beliefs that the Earth revolves around the sun and Ms Sarti’s suggestions that Virginia is ‘too young’ result in the conflict arising between Galileo and Ludovico as they challenge beliefs. Consequently, Ludovico loses Virginia and Virginia loses both her future and loved one; resulting in neither winning.
Sounds like text response to me. It seems as though Ludovico gets his way, however his obstinance and the fact that Virginia would have to align herself with the ‘town Church’ ultimately end the marriage prospect. Similarly, America’s ‘war on terror’; although Megan Stack in her biography ‘Every man in this village is a liar’ suggests it ‘doesn’t exist’ is a clear example of there being no winners as a result of conflict. With the conflict beginning with the al Qaeda’s attack on the Twin towers, America set out to ‘[find], [stop] and [defeat]’, ‘every terrorist group of global reach’. Today we see that the terrorist movement still exists although Osama bin Laden has been killed, and America hasn’t been defeated as it still stands as one of the most powerful nations on earth. Osama bin Laden was the ultimate target and seen as the ‘ringleader’ however through the war in Afghanistan that is still raging as we sit here today we see that Taliban haven’t achieved their objectives. Such situations in life show that conflict does not produce winners.
You have used basically no external examples here. The other text you school (I presume) is doing does not count for an external example (and neither does a section A text). Please use more external example as they are a part of the context criteria. The strength of one’s inner morality and values can have a defining effect on the outcome of conflict. Again in Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Life of Galileo’, the conflict that Galileo faced in trying to promote human reason to the church results in neither the Church nor Galileo coming out as victor. Although Galileo suggests, ‘they did win’, the Church’s actions of supressing Galileo and challenging his stance as to the Bible results in Galileo’s recantation and a suppression of his work, however, the Churches superiority is nullified with the way that Galileo is able to overcome his suppression and continue his works through to completion in secrecy. Although Christopher Clavius believes ‘[Galileo]’s right’, the theologians are unable to accept such a challenge to their beliefs. The Churches strict following of Aristotle’s writing and the Ptolemaic system and Galileo’s true belief in, ‘human reason’ resulted in neither side becoming successful. The morals and values as portrayed and upheld by each party were influential in defining the outcome of the battle.
(Perhaps a linking word here would really help. Eg. Similarly.) In Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’, the battle that ensues between Antonio and Shylock seemingly leaves Antonio victorious, however both characters loose. Shylock gains his reputation over Antonio but doesn’t get his ‘pound of flesh’ and Antonio is brought to Shylock’s mercy however his reputation as a merchant is doomed. Shylocks strict Jewish religion and Antonio’s deep conviction of needing and wanting to pay his debts are the catalyst for neither man becoming the conqueror. In most conflicts we see no winners are produced but rather are subject to their morals and values in the way they react.
In a few instances of conflict, we see a clear winner; someone who through enduring the conflict comes out on top of their opponent. In ‘Life of Galileo’, Andrea, Galileo’s student, faces the set back of Galileo’s recantation however withholds his beliefs and although not the protagonist of the script, is victorious when he risk fully takes Galileo’s Discorsi over the border where it will be beneficial and safe to refer to. Stating it is ‘only the beginning’ of scientific discoveries, Andrea shows his victory in spreading the long awaited scientific breakthroughs. Andrea’s optimism is seen to be crushed when Galileo comes back alive, having recanted, however as Andrea says, Galileo’s hands are, ‘better stained than empty’. His renewed courage allows him to take the Discorsi across the border where ‘new science’ will be free to be developed; reigniting the ‘new age’.
This could come off as text responsy. (not even a word but who cares)) always link to the context. Also, as we’ve just seen in the Olympics in Rio, this year, that the gold medal is there for the winner. With the conflict being the fight to be the best, it is through the athletes strength and determination that one is able to emerge victorious. As with every conflict people face setbacks and challenges, however there is someone who is ‘the best in the world’.
(There needs to be more exploration of this examples, rather than your text ones.) It is not true that whenever there is conflict there are no winners, yet there is only marginal situations in which this is not the case. Expression: your double negatives are very confusing. I am trying to figure out what you are trying to say, and so would the examiners. You don't want that. You want to be bluntly clear. It may be natural to us to think that conflict evokes a winner, however the majority of conflicts conclude without a true winner and there are only a minority of battles in which we actually see someone succeed over others. Some become a victim of their circumstances or subjective of their morals and values resulting in neither parties emerging victorious.
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You essay is very text heavy, with both the text you've studied. There is no need for that much text references. You need to refer more to your external examples. And make sure to focus on ideas, not on the text. You do appear to focus on the text too much, which is why it can come off as very text responsey.
Look at this
essay, which is a great example of how a text heavy essay could be ideas focused.
Best of luck tomorrow.
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