Read the prompt below. Post your first paragraph in response to the prompt. On your honor: Time yourself. No more than 11 minutes total to read, brainstorm and then post your response.
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Michael Ignatieff, Professor of the Practice of Human Rights Policy at Harvard University, made the following observations.
"To belong is to understand the tacit codes of the people you live with."
- Blood and Belonging
Consider how unspoken rules help to define group identity. Then write a carefully reasoned essay that examines the relationship between spoken rules and belonging. Use specific examples to develop your position.
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Michael Ignatieff is sharing his opinion that rules are often what make a person belong and be identified to a group of others not being verbally informed. This observation happens to be true in high school nowadays. For example, if a female hangs out with other females that are lazy and don’t care about their education, that female will probably have a tendency to slack like her peers. That female would downgrade her standards in excelling, because she thinks she is suppose to act careless and blithe, and her friends would not accept her.
ReplyDeleteAs social animals we all long to belong to a certain group, but in order to belong somewhere there are certain things we must fullfil. These prerequisites are "codes" or rules that will dictate how we will dress and act. Describing this phenomenon that occurs throughout the world, Michael Ignatieff accurately states that in order to belong to a certain group of people, there is a "code" we must folow even though it is not written in stone. Since these "codes" are not written humans need to be good observers to determine what they are in order to belong.
ReplyDeleteIt is part of our nature to want to belong and in this there are rules that all must follow, most are unspoken. For example, in every clique, whether it is the geeks, the popular crowd or if you are somewhere inbetween there are one or two dominant personalities. Everyone knows their boundaries and how far they can go not to piss that person off because they do not want to be 'kicked out' of the clique. Michael Ignatieff correctly points out the significance 'tacit codes' have on human's way of belonging.
ReplyDeleteTo belong is to understand and know the people whom you live with or may be surrounded by. The observation that Professor Michael Ignatieff made can be debatable because in order for someone to fit in they must go by the rules or “tacit codes” of the people around them. However, that can be challenged by the fact that by one understanding the rules of the people they live with it does not mean they belong if they do not follow them or do not care for them. This can be demonstrated through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter since Hester understand the tacit codes of the people of her society in which she lives with but she is still not a part of them. Also Dimmesdale shows that he understands the “Tacit codes” and lives by them he still does not belong since he did not follow them. From experiences one can take a different perception of the observation Professor Ignatieff made since everyone experiences and deals with the challenge of feeling like they belong whether it is with family or friends, but by understanding the “tacit codes” in which they live with does not make one feel like they belong.
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ReplyDeleteBelonging is the total acceptance of a group ethic whatever it may be.
ReplyDeleteTo "belong" means to go along with unspoken rules of conformity regarding dress codes, how you talk, where you go to school,whatever prejudice groups hold against blacks, jews catholics, Russians, Chinese or people from the other side of the world, whatever beliefs they hold you also hold. In some cases it means where you live, what you drive,and where you worship God. Belonging can be religious, national, regional,work-related neighborhood....there are all kinds of belonging but generally it means your social life, and the people you live with. Belonging is knowing how others think and acting in a certain way so your relationship grows stronger.It means that you truly belong when you understand the unspoken communication of people you live with.
To belong to a group or society means that someone simply understands what kind of people are in that group or society. Humans belong with humans. They understand the human language and lifestyle. Their ability to understand one another makes communication play a big role among people.
ReplyDeleteSpoken rules are meant for people who belong but are still expected to understand the type of people they live with. Spoken rules could also be the obligations and guide for one to belong. When one belongs the person understands what it takes to belong.
If they don't understand the people they live with then they can not belong.
Not all codes in life are repeated, but once the code is understood they are not questioned. Michael Ignatieff believed that if a person wanted to belong, they must understand the tacit code of the people they live with. In the novel "The Scarlet Letter", by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne lived in a society where their tacit code was religion which was imperative. Hester needed to understand the code to live amongst everyone else in the society, but once she broke the code by sinning she was forced to wear the scarlet letter which was a punishment of shame. If one can't respect the code of their society, it becomes hard for them to live peacefully. People want to belong and feel important so inorder to belong many times one must accept the codes without question.
ReplyDeleteIn the book Blood and Belonging Michael Ignatieff accurately argues that "To belong is to understand the tacit codes of the people you live with." In this world one must follow certain rules to fit in. For example in the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester did not follow the rules of the town by having a baby with someone other than her husband; she therefore did not fit in with the townspeople. Some rules are unspoken but should be known; these rules, that some follow and others don’t, helps put us in certain groups that we belong to.
ReplyDeleteIn todays society it is natural for people to have a desire to belong and to fit in with others. It is rare that one wants be seperated from the rest of the world. Little do some know, there are "rules" to fitting in and many are unknown therefore many people are unwillingly secluded. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne was forced to be seperated from their Puritan society because of her sin of adultery. The leaders of a certain group or society tend to make the decisions of who is worthy based on their own rules that only they may know. Society is rigged and there is a mystery as to what the "rules" are to fitting in. Therefore in order to fit in, one has to aware of the way everyone thinks an ultimately agree with their state of mind.
ReplyDeleteAs people grow up they realize how they must act in order to be accepted in a society that is by unspoken and spoken rules. Parents teach their right from wrong. People act a certain way to fit in the crowd they want to be apart of. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is out casted by the Puritans for one act of sin. She committed adultery which very frowned upon in the Puritan community. For if she had not gone against this rule that is listed in the 10 commandments people would have still accepted her. Being apart of society is all about trying to fit in. People tell you the things you the things you need to do or people just learn them as time goes.
ReplyDeleteSociety is the base that shapes the actions of people. Within that society rules also involves relgion and its rules. These rules are expections made for the people to live by. This is demonstrated in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter,Hester Prynne no longer fits in the Purtian society because of her sin of adultery. However, Hester tries to fit in by doing good deeds and accepting her punishment on earth. The rules that are imposed in society limit us from doing right or wrong.
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ReplyDeleteWhen we are born, God blesses almost everyone with five senses which we use to adapt to our surroundings. All are most often equally important and equally used. As humans however we find ourselves manipulating the levels of how often and for what purposes we use our senses. We also know that our senses are attached to our emotions and thoughts, bringing us to want to belong therefore using our senses to comprehend and adopt the unspoken rules necessary to belong, in fear of being rejected. For example in the book of Genesis in the Bible it tells the story of Joseph who was sold by his brothers for comprehending but holding the inability (because his parents didn’t allow it) to adopt the unspoken rules within his family. But none of his brothers had to tell him they disliked him; He could tell by the way they looked at him, they told him with their eyes. Joseph felt his inacceptance and desired to belong but wasn’t allowed to be like the rest of his brothers so he was set aside by them. Because he didn’t comply with the unspoken rules, he became an outcast and couldn’t belong.
ReplyDeleteIn order to fit into society you must abide by a set of commonly known, yet often unsaid guidelines. Michael Ignatieff acknowledges that the undeclared rules are “tactic codes” which allows those we “live with” to judge us and determine if we “belong” or not. Such rules define who we are as a society. For example, in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the Puritan society shuns Hester Prynne because she committed an act of adultery, but when her accomplice Dimmesdale admits to his sin, his name was not dragged through the mud as Hester’s was. This simple act depicts the Puritans as a hypocritical and sexist society because adultery at the time was punishable by death, but because Hester was a beautiful and talented young lady they allowed her to live and simply be spurned from society. Also, Dimmesdale did not endure the same punishment as Hester because he was a male minister and Hester was just a female seamstress. With the information provided in the novel, the Puritans never wrote a law that states Hester should be an exception to the law, nor was it discussed within the entire community. The citizens of the Puritan society just went along with the decision that Hester’s punishment would be for her to become an outcast without any objections, although they knew everyone is a sinner, because everyone commonly understood that if one sins they no longer “belong” to their society.
ReplyDeleteAs human beings, it is natural for us to seek a group in which we call “ours”, but in seeking that group, we unwarily adjust ourselves to meet the “standards” or as we so call it “rules” imposed by our groups. As Michael Ignatieff asserted in his observation, one who truly belongs to a group understands and knows the people whom they are surrounded by. In Nathaniel’s novel, The Scarlett Letter; Dimmesdale is faced with a similar dilemma as Ignatieff asserted. Being part of a Puritan society, Dimmesdale knows and understands the “tactic codes” imposed by his religious society. For that same reason, he fears to speak of his sin in front of his town because he knows that his sin was unacceptable. Therefore, Dimmesdale decides to silent himself throughout the novel as a way of “meeting the requirements” imposed by his own Puritan community. His knowledge on the punishment given to Hester by his own community, serves as a daily torment to his silence. To truly belong to a group, one must accept the regulations implied by that group and must obtain knowledge of the people whom one is surround by.
ReplyDeleteOne must understand those we live with, just like we all must have a basic understanding of society in order to be able to act appropriately based on certain standards that have been set. Much like, a rule book we all secretly abide by. As humans, we are observant people by nature. Through observations we are able to make judgements, and through judgements we base our actions. In order to get along, and significantly fit into society we must observe and follow the norm. Although this regimen has been a form of instruction instituted for years it puts a stop to creativity and self-expression. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, Hester does not fit into society because considering the religion, she has gone against popular belief, and therefore is regarded as an outsider by most of society. Although through most circumstances, these standards do not fit, one must abide by them in order to be an active member of society.
ReplyDeleteTo truly belong to a society, one must know the ways and the rules of the group they are seeking to become apart of. Although there is truth to Micheal Ignatieff assertion, this is not always the case. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Dimmsdale and Hester are perfect examples of how they went against their society's "tactic codes" and still dealt with their lives. Dimmsdale, a well respected minister in the Puritan society, knew the rules of his community and knew the distinct difference between right and wrong and what his religion would and would not tolerate. He went against the rules of his society and therefore does not belong. Hester also sinned but she was well aware of what she was doing and the effect it could have on her stance in the community.Both Hester and Dimmsdale felt like an outcast in their society. Dimmsdale felt it internally while Hester dealt with the constant humiliation externally. For one to truly belong to a group, one must know their the "tactic codes" and develop an understanding of the ways of their society so they can have a sense of belonging.
ReplyDeleteIn order to fit in the society we live in, we as people make drastic changes to ourselves to fit in. Michael Ignatieff made an observation and came to the conclusion that in order for people to fit in with the ones they live with they must follow the "tacit codes." In Nathaniel Hawthrone's The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne lives in a Puritan Society where everyone living there tries to fit it. Hester does not fit in her society and neither tries because she commits adultery which is wrong to do in that society. Both Hester and Dimmesdale do not fit in their society. As Michael Ignatieff stated, many people try to fit in by changing how they are to how everyone else.
ReplyDeleteRules determine who you are in a group. Are you one that follows them? Or are you the one that breaks them? Whether or not you follow these rule, spoken or not, determines if you belong in the group or not. In the Scarlett Letter, by Nathanial Hawthorne, Hester is isolated from the townspeople because she broke a moral unspoken law, which is adultery. This law was a part of the moral code of the bible. Because the group was defined as a very strict Puritan town, everyone took her moral wrong doing as the worst thing someone could ever commit. She was punished, and is alienated from the rest of the townspeople. Hester broke this unspoken law, so the townspeople felt that she didn’t belong because they were so strict on the moral code of the Bible. This novel was set in the Puritan age, so they felt very strongly about their way, and their laws. This also applies to modern high school. Whether or not you follow the rules determines who you are in high school. Are you the nice girl that follows all the rules? Or are you the Bad boy that doesn’t do their work, and is somehow popular? Unspoken rules determine whether or not you belong, as well as the group itself. All this is taken into account in whether or not you belong in the group or not.
ReplyDeleteAs part of a group, there will always be rules that are set, although they are not always properly established or made in concrete. They are rules that help define a relationship and maintain order. If someone disturbs the peace or bothers the flow of things, they will not be accepted or most likely frowned upon by society or their fellow companions. For example, in our crowded hallways, when one walks to class there will always be shoulder bumping, elbow grazing, or chest to chest impact. Under our set of rules, there is not one that states that we should apologize every time we bump in to someone in school. However, it is something that we all know we must do. Unless of coarse, we don't want to fit it. In that case this is exactly how things would go. You would walk down the hall, bump into someone who's not having a great day, arguments would arise and it would end in hair pulling with fists flying in the air. That would immediately get you expelled and by definition you would no longer belong to the school. To belong, or be accepted into something greater than yourself, one must learn the rules which aren't always going to be set in stone. They must learn the way humans interact through observations and try not to disrupt the way things run.
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ReplyDeleteComing from an religion point of view, when transferring from an all black christian school to an dominantly white Lutheran school; belonging became hard. All the things that were taught from my old school were not put into practice like the new school. Yes, all the rules in the handbook were known but rules in the bible were also used but never really spoken of. For example "Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain" was always broken at my other school but when dishonored at my new one, detention was the first word heard from the teacher. As Michael Ignatieff asserted, belonging requires the knowledge of spoken and unspoken rules of the congregation.
ReplyDeleteTo belong somewhere one must first recognize the rules, more considerate of the spoken rules that sustain the people one lives with. Certain rules cannot be settled down on paper but simply demonstrated through actions. The spoken ones are more direct and clearly enough to explain what to expect from a person. Michael Ignatieff states that unless one cannot recognize the "codes" presented from the people sharing a living one with, you can't expect to be counted as one of their own. For example, a soccer player would belong to the team once she has acquired discipline by obeying all the rules, accepting the rules that make the team and gaining respect from the other players by following their directions. Just as rules that are unspoken and are understood,spoken ones can truly be fulfilled and allow you to say "I belong there", just like in a game, if you follow the rules you can participate and belong in it.
ReplyDeleteIn society, belonging takes a huge role on how others look at you, if you’re an outsider you’re automatically regarded as pecuilar as opposed to those who fit in. As human beings, we all tend to “fit” in and “belong” in our certain groups. To fit in the “group” one must understand society to comprehend the standards that are given. As if, there is a secret book with all the rights and wrongs. Being part of our human nature, we tend to observe all of our surroundings. Through those sights and scents, judgments soon begin to form, and one's act based on our past observations. However in order for us humans to act based on our human nature we must abide by certain standards. This has been occurring for plenty of years, and although it is not written in white and black, it has changed and stopped many beliefs from coming to the light. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, Hester does not belong to any group or society because she went against the strongest belief in her religion, and is seen as an outsider. Most of the times, these standards should not be played by, however if one wants to “fit” in, one must try and go by the secret rule book.
ReplyDeleteIn society, there are unspoken rules and guidelines that people are pressured to conform to. People often tend to do whatever it takes to belong to certain groups because they are afraid of being criticized, ostracized, or looked upon as different. Michael Ignatieff asserts that in order to belong, one must understand the “tactic codes” of those that they live with. In short, unspoken rules must be understood and followed if people want to belong. Breaking these “tactic codes” that are instilled within particular social and religious groups may have consequences. In “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne committed a sin that broke the unspoken rules of the Puritan society in which she lived in. As a result, she was considered an outcast by the rest of society and forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest for the remainder of her life. In everyday life, people who dress differently and share different beliefs than those that surround them are ostracized or bullied because they don’t understand the unspoken rules they are expected to conform to. Understanding “tactic codes” of those that surround one is essential and if one does not understand these codes, they are essentially deemed as an outsider and forced to feel as if they don’t belong.
ReplyDeleteEach social group consists of their identity, something they are generally known for because of their unspoken rules. The quote above asserts that it is necessary to know and be aware of the unspoken rules and even spoken rules in order to fit in with that group. This assertion is evident in social groups like sports teams. For the most part, people from different backgrounds; social, cultural, ethnic are eligible to fit in as long as they know and adapt to their spoken and unspoken rules. In The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the puritan society had a very strong religious foundation. Their actions and daily activities were centered on their religion, the bible, and their teachings. Hester went against what she was thought and the spoken rules the puritans lived by. Because of that, she was deemed an outcast of her society. Often times the fear of breaking the unspoken rules of a social group is what we fear the most.
ReplyDeleteOne of the simplest natures of a human being for the craving for acceptance. The feeling of rejection can be the worst punishment because of the alienation that a human can receive. According to Ignatieff in order for person to be accepted they first need to understand their surrounding and that may include the people, land, and or laws and religion. Societies can be vicious when their beliefs or traditions are interrupted Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" is a perfect example of how an entire town can turn their back on a single person.
ReplyDeleteMichael Ignattief's observation of belonging in a group is created by the rules they must follow which all is seemed the same. To be classified in a group one must follow the tactics codes that one puts to be equal. For example, In "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne he demonstrates certain ways that made a group which all belonged by the rules they followed. For example, Hester Prynne was disobedient and didn't follow the rules of the town and was viewed different by the beliefs she was classified different than the others for sinning. She was punished and had to have the scarlet letter A in her chest in her everyday life which showed she was different. By not following the rules an individual is set to be apart from others as if they don't belong.
ReplyDeleteTo belong is a feeling that we yearn for by nature. Whether or not one chooses to admit this desire varies from person to person. Once the sense of belonging is achieved, there automatically are unspoken rules that must be followed. In addition to these unspoken rules, there are those rules that are spoken. The spoken rules are generally more important than the unspoken. This is evident through the fact that they are verbally stated rather than simply common knowledge. All of these rules are beneficial because they provide principles for the relationship. An example of how spoken rules equate to belonging could be found within many social groups. When you are new to a social group you will most likely be informed of only the spoken rules. Over time you will learn of the unspoken rules. In many instances there are just as many unspoken rules as there are spoken rules. As you learn of the unspoken rules, over time, you will begin to feel more a part of the group because you have learned something new, something that you would have not learned had you not been a part of this group.
ReplyDeleteMichael Ignatieff stated that in order to belong, one must understand the unspoken rules of the people around her. I agree with him. When friends are together, there is no need for one to say to the other, “Be nice to me.” This is already understood to be a tacit rule among friends. Also, in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Pearl asks Hester what the scarlet letter is for. Hester gets upset and threatens to punish Pearl. Even though Hester had never told Pearl not to mention the scarlet letter before, it was a tacit rule that Pearl broke. However, in some situations, the rules do need to be spoken. For example, when my friends ask me for money, I like to clarify whether or not they plan to pay it back or if they want it as a gift. If I don’t ask this, it may later become an issue between us.
ReplyDelete"Belonging" goes hand-in-hand with "fitting in". The nature of just about any living animal is togetherness and acceptance from others. In our society there are many pressures and, one can say, "qualifications" to fit in. These qualifications and this need to be accepted has many affects on a person. Some are naturally qualified with their features, traits, and/or characteristics so they fit in, some others change themselves to fit in, some others spend their entire life on an emotional rollercoaster eaten from the inside out because they do not fit in, and some are just content being outcasts. Understanding society's codes and qualifications may not necessarily help one to belong, as prefessor Ignatieff has asserted. The path one walks to be accepted is never the same as another and can definitely change much like the classic "ugly duckling" scenerio. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" speaks directly to societal standards and pressures and their affects on a person. There are many paths and points of view in the story that express the author's ideas of belonging, fitting in, and identity.
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