Brendan's Big Question: Innocence vs. Evil


Throughout literature, society, and all aspects of human life, innocence and evil are displayed. It doesn't matter where you or who you are, there will always be good and evil. Within literature, you generally have a character who is a good, innocent person . This character is generally a young person, who hasn't been exposed to certain types of bad actions or just doesn't understand them yet. And then you have a villain/antagonist who is provoking and aggravating someone or something. Was this atagonist at one time a good, innocent person? Were they born to be evil? Is humankind inherently good or evil?

I believe that humankind is inherently born to be good. All people are born with the slight ability to reason and tolerate certain actions, people, and events. This reason and tolerance suggests that everyone is born with the same instinct and are morally righteous. However, as we all know, mankind isn't all good. There is bad in this world. So where does this bad come from? How does an inherently good child become tainted by evil?

A person's uprising is the most important aspect that contributes to their eventual character and identity. The way they were brought up by their family or guardian suggests the eventual outcome of who they will be. Family/guardian settings is a factor of possible future character and identity. What did their family/guardian believe in? Were they positive? Did they stress morally righteous actions and/or education? All of these are simply small questions that are big factors and can affect a child's upbringing and possibly who they become. Another factor that can turn good into evil are past events. Certain past events and a person's response to those events can trigger a taint from good to evil. For example, a child who is abused by his/her parents may become secluded and eventually full of anger, range, and vengeance. The event of being abused may trigger certain responsive and negative characteristics that will indulge into an evil personality.