Comparison essay between the m

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorCollege, Undergraduate February 2008

download word file, 4 pages 5.0

Downloaded 1479 times

"Success comes with a price" which can be connected to The Perfect Storm and Armageddon. Both stories explained very well on how far humans will go to earn a living. The Perfect Storm is a story about a group of fishermen who end up drowning by a 100-foot wave and the main characters are Bobby Shatford, Billy Tyne and Murphy. Armageddon is a story about a group of oil workers whom go to an asteroid to drill an 800-foot hole into it. The main characters are Rockhound, Harry Stamper and A.J. Their professions are what the stories are based on. The finical rewards are very good which can include a $100 000 salary. Often the earnings go towards paying bills and child support. These jobs give the workers independence and freedom to do what they want. The professions are difficult and challenging. Only a selected, few men in the world can cope with the hard times that come with job.

Often, a person is motivated to be involved in an extreme job such as a fisherman and an oil worker; the financial rewards grab the attention of a man who needs money. In addition, the thrill of danger and the independence that the job brings to them motivates them to work.

A general reason why anyone works is to gain finances for themselves and others. Two characters fit the description of greed. The characters are Rockhound from Armageddon and Murphy from the Perfect Storm. Rockhound never saves the money that he makes unfortunately what he has left over goes towards his alcoholism. His problem is increased because of the other people who worked around him and the fact that they too were alcoholic's. Rockhound could spend all his earnings in a week compared to Murphy from the Perfect Storm that is lots of money. Murphy saved his earnings to pay off child support and mortgages. He was very careful with what he did with the net proceeds because his wife was on him like bee's to honey. When the Captain on the boat asked if Murphy was going on the trip with him Murphy replied, "You darn right I'm coming, I need this money to keep my ass out of jail" (Junger 87). His marriage, taken away from him and he did not have control over his own life. Murphy, torn apart from his dreams and stuck in a boat for eternity. Murphy has received nothing but heartaches and misery from the life as a wealthy fisherman. He and Rockhound can think of only leaving the profession and reattaching with society. These men go to their job because they have no choice. Rockhound needs to fulfill his alcoholism and Murphy needs to pay the bills but some men do it for the independent lifestyle that comes with the job.

Billy Tyne and Harry Stamper worked in dangerous environments to have the feeling of freedom. The independence that Harry received was phenomenal because he owned his own oilrig and all he had to worry about was the people from "Green Peace". His independence allowed him to do his job so well and teach his skills to the other workers on the rig. Harry said "God I love this life they let me use drills, they let me use power and they let me use explosives" (Bruckheimer). The only problem with being independent is that it is very hard on family and unfortunately, Harry had a daughter with him. Harry's daughter lived on the oilrig with him all her life. Harry felt independent yet he had a responsibility that was neglected. On the boat in The Perfect Storm, Captain Billy Tyne felt like a million dollars when he saw miles and miles of open water and he loved it. In addition, Billy was similar to Harry. Sure he had all the freedom in the world when he was fishing but his ex-wife, three-year-old son, mother, father and girlfriend did not share his happiness. He was a courageous man on the Grand Banks but on land, he was nothing but a regular guy. Both Billy and Harry did their job because they chose to and the saying "It is all for one and one for all" describes why. Both these professions have a certain appeal to them, which attracts men who strive for and independent job.

A "wild man" can be dangerous and on the Andrea Gail and an oil digging environment. A.J. was a young man without a care in the world and that description works well with Bobby Shatford from the Perfect Storm. A.J. was a loose cannon who was stuck on an oilrig he need the challenge to calm his senses down. The industry needed him as much as he needed the industry. A.J. said, "I work for Harry because he is the only one who let's me be who I am" (Bruckheimer). His presence in the movie is similar to that of Bobby Shatford. He was a 30-year-old man who was living on the line ever since he stepped onto the deck of The Andrea Gail. He risked life and limbs every month to bring home a $5000 paycheck and nothing more. The killer swordfish and the enormous waves challenge him to become a great fisherman. The challenges that both these men endured man it even more desirable for them to keep doing their job.

Often, a person is motivated to be involved in an extreme job such as a fisherman and an oil worker; the financial rewards grab the attention of a man who needs money. In addition, the thrill of danger and the independence that the job brings to them motivates them to work. The financial gain that the men can achieve tempted them. Independence on an oilrig and fishing boat give the men at a chance of real freedom. The lifestyle and challenges are a big reason why men choose that particular line of work. The lesson that is learned is that a style of work may seem dangerous to one but to someone else that job would be paradise.