When I think of someone that has integrity, Arnold isn’t a person that comes to mind. According to the definitions in order to have integrity one must have a belief system without faltering, no matter how dangerous it is or how unpopular it is with others. A person must keep one’s word and agreements, honesty, truthfulness, ethics, fairness and justice. According to that definition I do not believe that Arnold has shown much integrity.
One of the first things that happen in the story there is a 4th of July party and everyone passes out for drinking too much. Arnold thinks that it’s a great idea to light off fireworks in the house which causes a fire where the boys become entangled in this terrible lie that Arnolds almost takes to his grave. Arnold if he wanted to show integrity he would have came forward and stopped worrying about what would happen to him. After all people just died, there was more concern on the family and the son who survived. Arnold was afraid of what people thought and not the consequences of his lack of integrity that he showed and the effect that it would take on his family.
Another proof of Arnold’s lack of integrity was him walking out his wife. Even though I may believe that there is more to a marriage than a contract it is still a contract. Marriage is a contract between two people that links them together for better or worse. Arnold did not honor that contract when he left. There are legal ways to end a marriage but riding off into the sunset because his wife says they are not going to drink anymore because of the effect that it is having on their son is it.
That brings me to Arnold leave his son, the one person that he should have loved unconditionally. Arnold was not only running away from his demons and his remorse for what he did but his family. His son regardless of having a contract or not a parent when they have a child is basically stating that he or she will do everything in their power to provide emotional and financial support for them until they can be able to provide for themselves. Arnold did no such thing he just left.
The fire it was an accident and if Arnold would have taken responsibility for his part in setting the fire and deal with the consequences of his actions he and his family would have came out better for it. Remember your actions or lack of actions have affect not just on you but people around you.
HI Michelle,
ReplyDeleteYOur thesis statement is fairly strong. The body paragraphs are written well too. There are some grammar errors that could be fixed. I enjoyed reading your perspective on the movie "Smoke Signals. I think if you could elaborate a little more about your critical thinking it would be longer and more thorough. I also think that your conclusion needs to have a little bit more information on wrapping up the essay. This is a great rough draft so keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
Dina