Dignity in Ivan and the Sound of Waves Essay Example for Free

self-worth in Ivan and the Sound of Waves EssayIn the novels, unitary Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich by black lovage Solzhenitsyn and The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima, the characters value their dignity and take many actions to preserve it. First of all, in angiotensin-converting enzyme Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, Shukhov attempts to keep an eye on his human dignity in the face of oppression. As Shukhov begins his workaday routine, he quickly finished up the job. Theres work and work If youre works for human beings, then do a real job of it (Solzhenitsyn 33). Shukhov is impris cardinald in a gulag, one of the worst possible places to be, scarcely he still maintains his human dignity by keeping a good work ethic. Shukhov knows that if he works well he provide be treated well, but beyond that, the fact that he is working for another human being gives him reason to maintain a good work ethic, and his self- think of.Furthermore, Shukhov always preforms many sm all, but meaning full actions in order to maintain his dignity. While eating his rations, Shukhov removed his cap from his shaven headhowever cold it was, he wouldnt let himself eat with his cap on (16). Shukhov still maintains his manners, even when he is forcibly kept in a gulag prison. His manners are very important as they allow him a way to hold on human and keep his dignity, rather than deteriorating to the state of an animal, like some of the other prisoners. While the characters in One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, attempt to maintain their dignity as a means of holiday resort in the gulags, the characters of The Sound of Waves, retain their dignity as a means of protecting their status in society. To begin, the characters in the Sound of Waves do not tolerate any embarrassment or loss of respect to their peers.When Shinjis mother visits Terukichi Miyatas home he ignores her visit and she replies, so you say you wont read a poor widowWell let me tell you something never in life will I ever flub Miyatas damned threshold again (Mishima 128-129). Shinjis mother vows never to cross paths with Miyatas home after he insults her by refusing to meet with her. Shinjis mother takes a earn to her pride and retaliates in a way that would imply her intolerance for disrespect. Moreover, the characters in the novel are guileless and refrain from committing any acts that would call into question their morals and self-respect.While resting naked with Shinji in the shrine, Hatsue says, Its bad. Its bad Its bad for a girl to do that before she is married (76-77). Although the urge to withdraw in a sexual relation with Shinji is strong, Hatsue knows it would hurt not only her self-respect but in addition defile her fathers reputation in the hamlet. Although characters in both novels take actions to preserve their individual dignities, in One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich, It is done to maintain their humanity and sanity when they are treated like ani mals. While in The Sound of Waves, the characters preserve their dignity to uphold the respect of the village and their peers. Overall, the characters in both novels value their dignity and take many actions to uphold it.