“The Sad, Never-Ending Tale of the Novice Monk Alyosha”
In a miraculous development, the novice monk, Alyosha Karamazov, has come back to life on April 25, 2022. Although the world has changed in many ways, he still labors under the weight of his brother Ivan’s rant about the evil lurking within the human soul. Worse still, Alyosha has rejoined the human race at a time when information is pouring in about Russia’s unspeakable war crimes in the Ukrainian city, Bucha. Thus, Ivan’s cruel challenge to his faith rings through his ears one more time. How could a merciful God allow for such horror? For that matter, why should one worship a God who shows such indifference? Alyosha cries out: “Oh, humanity! Is there no room left for hope that we might still treat each with decency and goodness!”
Wracked by a loss of faith in his Creator, Alyosha returns to his old cell. There, he is surprised to find three works that offer lessons about finding hope in dark times: Roy Scranton, “Raising my Child in a Doomed World”; Matthew Desmond, Evicted; and Samuel Sheffler, “The Importance of the Afterlife.”
Alyosha angrily shoves his Bible into the bottom drawer of his desk and slowly reads each of these pieces in search of a more satisfactory source of consolation about the human condition.
In a world in which God seems to be absent, which one of these three writers will offer Alyosha the most persuasive guidance about finding hope in a world where atrocities, such as those in Bucha, still occur?
Please respond to this question in a typed, double-spaced essay of no more than five (5) pages
To ensure that Alyosha is not confused, you must choose one–and only one–of the three writers. (In characterizing Desmond’s position, use one of his characters to make your point, not his policy recommendations). In each case, you will need to address not only the similarities but also the differences among the three writers’ approaches. In thinking about these differences, you may find it helpful to imagine expressing each writer’s position in a nutshell.
Important advice: Re-read my Tips as well as well as my comments on your earlier papers before writing this paper.
The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! Since this is your final essay, please do not discuss it with your classmates. Your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work.
As always, I recommend that you begin writing and re-writing this essay immediately. Naturally, my expectations are not unreasonable. I simply request that you compose the 5 best pages of prose that you have ever written in your life.
Be sure that your paper has a title and that you have put your name on it.
Please submit your essay in an editable document (NO PDF!) in your folder.
Your paper is due on Tuesday, May 3, by 10:00 a.m. Naturally, please feel free to submit your essay earlier.
The Registrar gives me a short time window by which I must submit my grades. Thus, if you would like me to provide you with detailed comments on your essay, just let me know and I will be pleased to send them to you later.
It has been a pleasure working with you. I hope I will see more of you down the road.
Good luck!
AJM