Fear and ignorance generally have catastrophic consequences.
Whilst it is normal to be afraid or egotistical, these qualities can often cause conflict that will result in severe consequences. It is important to explore the situations in which they occur in order to understand the resultant effect, whether serious or necessary – for sometimes conflict is necessary in order to survive or progress. Fear and ignorance may have consequences, but it may also have a positive result in some instances or scenarios.
It is in human nature to fear the unknown – what they do not know, be suspicious or skeptical of the concept, and often this trait may lead to dissension. When thrust into a foreign environment, individuals may need to adapt in order to survive, however, often the fear of the unfamiliar may hinder such progress and as a result lead to a cataclysmic breakdown of moral and social values. Fear is a powerful motivation, and regularly it can drive individuals to act outside of their norm. Sometimes, fundamental reasoning may have to be forsaken in order to quash the “fear”, and as a result, the consequences of such actions may be severe. In Kate Grenville’s Secret River, William Thornhill encapsulates such an idea. William is plagued be the fear of aborigines and the stories of their cannibalistic acts instilled by White settlers, and through this unfounded reasoning, William justifies his partake in the atrocious massacre in Darky Creek. The result however, is one that remains with William for the rest of his life, the guilty and regret of committing the acts of brutality and breaking his own moral code. Fear is a potent motivator; but it is also capable of clouding the judgment of individuals and often leads to distasteful endings.
In addition, understanding is a key element and integral in the success of social cohesion, between individuals, groups or cultures, thus the lack of awareness and understanding – ignorance – can often spark disarray with dire consequences. Whilst ignorance is not intentional, but it can pave the way for discord, as instances like the sudden convergence of cultures, where there may be major conflicts in views and values – right and wrong. Humanity is egocentric and thus is normal and easy for individuals to be ignorant of others, this was such in Colonial Australia, when the different cultures of the White settlers and indigenous population collided. Aborigines knew no concept “fences” or the sense of territoriality. However, to white settlers ownership was a concept of fences and materialistic boundaries, this split in understanding by one culture, resulted in countless violent encounters. The colonists saw fit to claim any land as it was assumed that the “Subhuman” indigenous population could not own land. The foreigners could not understand the reason for continual Aboriginal presence on their property, ignorant of their way of life and heritage with the land. Effectively, fierce encounters erupted as the indigenous population fought back against the uninformed settlers. Grenville reflects this notion in her novel, as William is oblivious to the idea that Thornhill point may actually be the land of the aborigines, simply because he sees no boundaries confining it. Thus, he is also unable to comprehend why they continually venture into his property and gather food grown by him. The absence of fundamental cultural understanding consequentially leads to the massacre in Darky Creek. Individuals are often only self-interested and are thus ignorant of those surrounding them, and because of this conflict is sure to ensue.
Subsequently, whilst fear and ignorance may lead to conflicts that end disastrously, it is not always the case, as it may be necessary in order to survive in harsh environments. Ignorance and possibly fear are often seen as a pejorative traits, frowned upon by society today, however, in 18th/19th century London it was a necessity for an individual’s survival in the cruel world. Individual had to forsake morality to survive, and thus one could only think of themselves and not for others, or face being trapped by the poverty. Ignorance could therefore be labelled as a desirable trait, as it meant being self-centred and unaware of others. Furthermore, fear, acted as a perfect motivator to drive individuals to break moral codes in order to survive – such is the act of thieving, there was “no sin” in it, as food and money was essential. Grenville depicts such a world in the novel, as she describes the life of William Thornhill in London. These traits are most vividly explored in the sequence when, William and his disabled brother thieve in the docks, whilst being pursued, Tom falls overboard and proceeds to drown, whilst Will may have saved him, the fear of facing death – legal system – and need to survive, resulted in the painful decision to abandon his brother. As much as fear and ignorance may have its consequences, in some circumstances it is necessary in ensuring the preservation of one’s life.
Fear and ignorance, will no doubt have consequences, potentially catastrophic. However, these traits are part of human nature and are difficult to avoid in many cases as they are naturally occurring. Fear is an adept motivator, that may compel individuals to act rashly and out of the ordinary and as a result cause conflict, as the fear of something in particular and the need to avert it can cause individuals to break principles. Furthermore, individuals will more often than not think of themselves first then others let alone other cultures and as a result of satisfied their own needs they may inadvertently cause discord. Cumulatively, these traits can result in catastrophic endings. However, whilst there may be adverse consequences, sometimes they are necessary in the act of survival, as it may be those undesirable traits that help make the difficult decisions in life. In the end, fear and ignorance will generally have catastrophic endings.
971 words
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