A Man for All Seasons
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- Category: English: Poetic Works
- Date Submitted: 12/04/2010 02:40 PM
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The Lasting Impact
Titles in books have an underlying meaning that connects to the story. Some titles have an obvious meaning, but others are difficult to identify. Some titles are left open to a person’s own interpretation. In the book, A Man for All Seasons, by Robert Bolt, there is no correct answer to what the title symbolizes. “A Man for All Seasons” symbolizes the relationship between the common man’s fear and Thomas More’s integrity to fight for their own beliefs.
The common man represents most of the lower class characters. He shows the attitudes and opinions that are common to everyone. “’ […] Only an unhappy few were found to set themselves against the current of their times, and in so doing to court disaster. […] Imprisonment without trial, and even examination under torture, were common practice,’” (81). The common man tends to side with the law. He fears that if he acts out from what is normal, it will result in a caustic diatribe or an abject punishment. When the brave common men did stand up for what they believed, it only resulted in a disaster. Therefore, he knows that he has to keep his opinions to himself. More also believes this to be true about the common man. “’[…]You see, we speak of being anchored to our principles. But if the weather turns nasty you up with an anchor and let it down were there’s less wind, and the fishing’s better. And “Look,” we say, “look, I’m anchored!” (69). He states that the common man’s opinion changes habitually based on what other people think. In fear of death, the common man says “’Better a live rat than a dead lion’” (127) when he puts More in jail. He believes that life is always better than death no matter how immortal it is. He never wants to show his own opinion because he wants to stay alive. He also says, “’I’m breathing… Are you breathing too? ... It’s nice, isn’t it? It’s not difficult to keep alive, […] if you must make trouble, make that sort of trouble that’s expected....
Titles in books have an underlying meaning that connects to the story. Some titles have an obvious meaning, but others are difficult to identify. Some titles are left open to a person’s own interpretation. In the book, A Man for All Seasons, by Robert Bolt, there is no correct answer to what the title symbolizes. “A Man for All Seasons” symbolizes the relationship between the common man’s fear and Thomas More’s integrity to fight for their own beliefs.
The common man represents most of the lower class characters. He shows the attitudes and opinions that are common to everyone. “’ […] Only an unhappy few were found to set themselves against the current of their times, and in so doing to court disaster. […] Imprisonment without trial, and even examination under torture, were common practice,’” (81). The common man tends to side with the law. He fears that if he acts out from what is normal, it will result in a caustic diatribe or an abject punishment. When the brave common men did stand up for what they believed, it only resulted in a disaster. Therefore, he knows that he has to keep his opinions to himself. More also believes this to be true about the common man. “’[…]You see, we speak of being anchored to our principles. But if the weather turns nasty you up with an anchor and let it down were there’s less wind, and the fishing’s better. And “Look,” we say, “look, I’m anchored!” (69). He states that the common man’s opinion changes habitually based on what other people think. In fear of death, the common man says “’Better a live rat than a dead lion’” (127) when he puts More in jail. He believes that life is always better than death no matter how immortal it is. He never wants to show his own opinion because he wants to stay alive. He also says, “’I’m breathing… Are you breathing too? ... It’s nice, isn’t it? It’s not difficult to keep alive, […] if you must make trouble, make that sort of trouble that’s expected....