The two essays, ¨The Moral Equivalent of War¨ by William James and the discussion about whether ¨real men¨ can thrive in a peaceful society, explore how masculinity, war, and society are connected. Both ask an important question: can the energy and toughness that come from war be redirected toward something positive in a world without violence?
In his essay, James talks about how war has shaped human nature and society. He explains that people have inherited a love of fighting, glory, and discipline from their ancestors, who survived through struggle. War, he argues has brought out qualities like bravery, teamwork, and endurance. However, James wants to find a way to keep these ¨manly virtues¨ without the destruction of war. He suggests creating a ¨moral equivalent of war¨, where young people are required to do tough jobs like mining, construction, all this in harsh conditions. These tasks would teach them discipline, hard work, and a sense of pride, just like the military does, but without the violence. James believes this could preserve the positive aspects of war while helping society move toward lasting peace.
The second essay focuses on how masculinity changed during the Industrial Revolution, when the middle/high class (The ¨Bourgeois¨) became more important. Men’s roles became less physical and more about office work and family life. This created a new kind of man who was seen as soft and less exciting compared to the rugged, brave men of the past. At the same time this shift brought safety and comfort, it also led to dissatisfaction. The essay points out that some people still admire hyper-masculine traits, like physical strength and boldness, but warns that unchecked masculinity can lead to problems like violence, gangs, and authoritarianism. It asks whether men can channel their natural aggression in healthy ways or if war and conflict will always be part of human life.
Both essays agree that masculinity often thrives in conflict and challenge. James offers a hopeful solution by suggesting hard civilian work as a substitute for war, while the second essay highlights the risk of ignoring or suppressing masculine energy. The essay also mentions how sports, like boxing have been used as an outlet for aggression, but it questions whether these can fully replace the excitement of war.
In the end, both essays remind us that masculinity is a complex part of human nature. Instead of trying to eliminate the traits that come from war, they suggest we should find ways to canalize them into activities that build society. James and the second essay agree: toughness and strength can exist without violence, but it will take creativity and effort to achieve this balance. The challenge is finding a path where men can grow, stay true to themselves, and contribute to a peaceful world.
Author: Cristian
PW #3-My Life here in Canada
It’s time to write my personal writing and I want to talk about how in the last couple of days my work had piled up and I got sick. Right now, I’m trying to catch up with my tasks. Hopefully I’ll be able to finish soon, I just want to recover from this illness.
We are now not so far from returning home for the winter break and I can’t believe that after this I won’t see some of my friends again. I’ll keep texting them and remain in contact but despite all this I’ll miss them. On the other hand, I’m happy that finally we will have a break from school, but even if I decide to rest and relax on the holidays, I’ll have to do my personal proyect.
PW #2-¨My life here in Canada¨
I can’t believe that already have been 3 months since I got here from Mexico. Time have past so fast that I didn’t realize how much memories and fun I had until now. Lately the days feel much colder than before, so I have to buy more clothes to not freeze outside. Sincerely I don’t have much to say because everything has been so relaxed and anything interesting have happened right now.
PW #1 – My Life Canada
Today I realized that I have already spend so much time in Canada without noticing, it’s been already 2 months. I have already made so many friends and I’m so thankful for that because I had met so great people and makes me sad thinking that some of them will be gone in some time.
My time here has also been remembering to appreciate those how are far away. That it doesn’t matter if they are not exactly at our side, they are on our hearts always. To appreciate the moment because someday they will by only memories.
Of course, I’ve been having a ball here with the incredible people that I have met so far until now. I also been going around the city. Living along people of my age, younger and older people had been great. It had been a challenge to get along with somethings, but I finally did it. All I have left to say is that I’ve been enjoying being an exchange student.
IRJE #1-All quiet on the Western Front
In ¨All Quite on the Western Front¨ by Erich Maria Remarque, is a story that talks about WW1 in the eyes of our young protagonist Paul Baumer. Paul seems caught in the front lines of the fight against the French troops at the Western front of Germany. Through the story we can see how Paul questions a lot to himself; this starts to rip apart his personality and changes the way he sees the world. The author in this book took all the labels that were put on the Germans and show them as they truly were, just young men as humanized as others, they were not monsters. He took the idea of the patriotic duty that was going to war and threw it away showing that everyone is afraid at the battlefield. In the quote I chose Paul was confused and hopeless when suddenly a comrade says something that makes him realize that
¨We were eighteen and had begun to love life and the world; and we had to shoot it to pieces. ¨ pg. (87,88)
This quote captures the tragic irony faced by young soldiers during WW. At just eighteen, Paul and his friends are on the cusp of adulthood, filled with dreams and appreciation for life. Yet all these dreams are rip apart and thrust into the brutal reality of war, where they must destroy the beauty, they have come to cherish. This quote shows the devasting impact of conflict on youth, giving us a glimpse of how war shatters not only bodies, innocence but also the spirit and the potential of a generation.
WW1 Readings and Poetry
All Quiet on the Western Front and the excerpts of the WW1 Poetry gave us a different about war and how awful and heartbreaking was for every single soldier.
Erich Maria Remarque is the author of the book-¨All Quiet on the Western Front¨- which back on those days was really criticized because was the first book to show the true colors of war and not with a patriotic view of heroism and duty as always. This book tells the story of the young soldier Paul Baumer a German soldier fighting for his nation. Paul describes how him and his friend’s comrades live in fear, a quick picture of the brutality of war. A sense of being lost and falling apart, that the war has taken everything from them and change them completely, their entire personalities has been reshaped by being a soldier.
On the other’s handouts we can read excerpts from Luis Barthas, Herbert, Gabriel Chevallier and Arthur Graeme West. Here we can read about the horrors of living in the trenches, the disgusting that it was because of the mud and pests, the devastation of crossing across ¨No Man’s Land¨.
On the handouts of poetry, give us a little glimpse of the view from people that’s express with the beauty of their words. What I like about this is that as you read this you are able to feel what the author wanted to express, the beauty behind the madness, and the sarcasm make these excerpts worth of reflection and thought.
My world and I
My name is Cristian, and this is my first year being a Brookes student, I’m 16 years old, I like hearing music, going to the gym, draw, manga, anime, Superhero stuff, read, playing video game and chess, Basketball, Football. I’m from México, Guanajuato. I’m really interested in learning other languages or how to play a instrument, generally I’m really open to new experiences.