“And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected.”
I can’t help but pick this quote, I know two of us did already, but it really “spoke” to me.
I think that the power of free will in the human mind is the most precious of human capabilities. The ability to fight against any force – ideological, religious, political or otherwise – is something that is amazing and beautiful. To stand up and fight for what you believe in is something that everyone should be able to do without worrying about reprisal or persecution.
I think that the characters in East of Eden have struggled with the problem of evil throughout most of the novel so far, and I think that there is still hope that they will have the freedom to choose between either good or evil in the end.
I have to agree with you guys, I think Steinbeck is an amazing author, he has a way with the human language that speaks volumes hours after you close the book. To have that ability is enviable and spectacular.
This quote reminds of something else too:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I have to agree with you. Free will of the human mind is absolutely precious. It's a sad thing to see throughout history the attempts to destroy that. It makes me wonder how long we'll take to come to a point where our free will is actually remembered.
ReplyDeleteAnd the last bit also fits in with your quote really well. It's amazing how little the government seems to remember that little tidbit.