Macbeth and Jerry(Chocolate War) related to the quote by British author Aldous Huxley "Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him."

Essay by twinkiepinkHigh School, 10th gradeA, April 2003

download word file, 2 pages 3.5

NOTE - its pretty decent, but could use more insight

British author Aldous Huxley said, "Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him." His reactions to these clashes not only shape him, but also give him more knowledge. In books, characters are constantly presented with choices about what to do with conflicts that confront them. A character's choice sets off a catalyst of events that mold him or her, changing them drastically. Other literature with characters like this is from Shakespeare's Macbeth and Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War. In both works, the main characters struggle. This is shown through theme, symbolism and characterization.

In Macbeth, by Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth is plagued with fulfilling a prophecy and killing friends. The theme of corruption applies to Lady Macbeth's desire to become queen. His wife berates and belittles him into killing Duncan.

She corrupts his mind into turning foul. He is so disparaged by her that he is unable to truly tell what he feels about the plan to kill Duncan. After he had done the deed of killing Duncan, Macbeth slowly goes insane and is driven to kill more and more people to protect his position. The symbol of the blood from the killed represents Macbeth's feelings of guilt from the crimes he has committed. For example, after he kills Duncan he tries to wash his hands, but is vexed with the feeling that the crime has stained him in a way that cannot be washed clean. He cries, "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?" Characterization shows the radical changes that have occurred to Macbeth. He starts out as a brave soldier and a powerful man, but after committing the murders his weakness...