YMCA v. Barrie AffirmativeDebate

In the case of Anderson V. YMCA of Barrie, I will prove there were no grounds for discrimination based on sex


The fitness facilities in Barrie offer fitness for both men and women, and of course, women only. In the case of Anderson V. the YMCA of Barrie, Anderson and O’Neill brought the complaint that women were unable to buy premium memberships. We’re talking about the YMCA, which stands for Young Men’s Christian Association, women were still able to use the facilities and they had women’s change rooms and shower facilities available. The only difference was that they lacked amenities such as an additional change room facility, including perhaps a sauna and such other things offered with premium memberships. This would not prohibit them from the use of the facility itself, which is really the main intention for going, or at least it should be. When I searched an online directory for fitness centers in Barrie, 12 out of the 34 fitness centers were for Women ONLY! The others were all for both men and women, such as Allendale Recreation Center. I challenge you to find even 6 fitness centers in one city that are men’s only, which would be half of what I found for women’s only. It was quite easy to find 12 women’s only, and those that I counted were only those obvious ones, whose name clearly stated it was for women only, such as: Ladies workout Express, and ExpressFit for Women. I did not see one out of the 34 that only offered fitness only for men.

Women were allowed into the YMCA, which was a step forward for an organization that was men’s only to begin with, and a sign of non-discrimination compared to the YWCA, who is still closing the doors to men. Having a women’s changing facility, and opening all of its programs to women is expressing equality. The fact of building a premium facility meant only to provide further luxury services and amenities which are above and beyond the necessities of the YMCA’s members. Building these facilities would bring about large expenses, not to mention the quite major renovation.

Furthermore, the YMCA defended the non-existence of a Women’s Plus facility on the basis that women members, when surveyed, had not expressed an interest in one. This information came straight from the case file. Clearly, if only Anderson and O’Neill wanted this expensive renovation, the demand would not have permitted its construction.

So with this, there was no reason that the YMCA of Barrie should have been forced to create extra facilities and amenities for women, when there were plenty of other availabilities in the area.

Curves, fitness for women is yet another institution (also found in Barrie) that only offers fitness for women, however also provide a separate facility for men under the same corporation, BUT not curves itself. This is just like the YMCA by the fact that they have a YWCA, except for the fact that Curves doesn’t let men into the facility, yet the YMCA (young men’s Christian association) lets women into their facilities. The YWCA’s in Kitchener for example are for women and children only. They do not provide services for men equal to the services for women. So I bring about a question, wasn’t this case supposed to be about EQUALITY?

Adding to this, institutions have rights of their own. They are able to offer their services to specific areas of the public. If you dictated what the YMCA had to provide as far as services, then you would have to follow through with this precedent for countless other organizations and institutions. Let’s just take a look at any women’s fitness centers, should they have to build facilities for men? Or how about an even a broader aspect, we saw a women play on the PGA Tour for golf, yet men are definitely not aloud to go on the WPGA Tour where there is surly money to be made for numerous men. This would also go for countless other sporting organizations. And how about the United Negro College Fund, should they not be forced to provide funds for whites?


Allot comes down to institutional right. Institutions have the right to provide specific services, aimed towards certain areas of the public. Forcing an institution to provide services based on a certain sex goes against the institutions rights to focus their services towards a particular area of the community. Again it comes back to the fact that there are many other institutions that do so, and aren’t penalized for it. This is what was violated for the YMCA, and so therefore including all the other particulars, there were no solid grounds for making the complaint.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION


This case involves the principals of affirmative action. However, Affirmative action groups are discriminatory. So if Anderson and O’Neill claimed they were discriminated against, bringing in such affirmative action to force the YMCA into renovation would further spoils institutional rights. That is the real discrimination, telling an institution that they have to change simply because the complainants are women.

At that I rest my case

Thank you Madame/ Mr. speaker

The National DNA Databank: Affirmative Debate

The National DNA Databank

Good afternoon Madame Speaker. Today I bring before you an issue of Canadian security, justice, and freedom that affects every man woman and child in Canada. On June 30, 2000, the National DNA Databank was created in Ottawa. This Databank contains DNA profiles from adults and youths convicted of serious offenses, as well as a crime scene index of DNA profiles from unsolved crimes. This information is kept highly confidential, but legislation allows the data to be cross-referenced with other law enforcement databanks. While this databank is an important tool in solving crimes, some may see it as a violation of civil liberties.

Today, I am here along with my affirmative partner, to say that the National DNA Databank is a justifiable infringement of civil liberties.

Let me start out by saying this, having a DNA databank does not only greatly increase public safety, but it also PROTECTS individual rights. I believe that perhaps the most notable claim in free societies is that it is better to let a thousand guilty go free rather than imprison one innocent person. Just on this aspect alone, the idea of a National DNA databank can be justified, as DNA has set many innocent free, and contributed to rightful convictions.
Once a DNA databank gets started, and material is added, it becomes a major deterrent for criminals. Of course, one of the main goals in society would be to prevent crime from even occurring. If a criminal knows that even a single hair or drop of sweat found at a crime scene will be stored and come back to be used against him in the future, no matter how far that may be, fewer crimes will be committed. This goes on top of the fact that there will be more sound convictions, and that serious offender like rapists can be put behind bars before they re-offend.

Now, straying away from criminals, potential suspects in crimes will be benefited as well as saved from humiliation and costs which result from an investigation and trial. Dr. Paul Ferrara, Director of the Virginia Division of Forensic Science, states, and I quote “We typically and routinely eliminate approximately 25 percent to 30 percent of the suspects who the police have centered on in their investigation using our DNA analysis”
DNA Data bases are much more reliable than police procedures. They vastly enhance the likelihood that those who are guilty will be convicted, and that those who are innocent will be rapidly cleared.
DNA is now considered so highly reliable, that the evidence is not contested. In the United States, databanks are climbing up to a fairly large scale, and have proven themselves by not only putting closure on cases, but by setting large numbers of wrongfully convicted inmates free.
My question is now, why hasn’t Canada adopted this same system to assure that justice is served. First, unless one merely views the government as some kind of cold-blooded enemy, there is no reasonable grounds to believe that it will use DNA collected to find out about people's family history, illnesses, and for other unintended purposes. Furthermore, by making the government responsible for this data, that is not saying they wont be limited by law and scrutinized.
Another dismissible argument comes up that DNA collection violates the right to reasonable search and seizure. However, it is also stated that if it is in public interest, it is found reasonable. Isn’t that what criminal acts violate, society?

Suspects of a crime have diminished rights compared to innocent people not involved in a criminal investigation. Suspects are allowed to be fingerprinted without their consent, and fingerprinting is a measure taken to incriminate the right suspect, so if this is aloud, than surely DNA tests can be made to be just as minimally intrusive. When it all comes down to seeking justice, there is no obvious reason why a suspect should not be tested and included in the databank. After all, if the suspect were to be innocent, they would have nothing to worry, and it would ONLY benefit them.

Now we all know that there have been wrongful convictions in the past. It is shown that there is an increasing number of inmates requesting DNA tests to prove their innocence. Now, as I stated earlier, we all have a notion to protect the innocent, so this right should be made more available for inmates. All it would take, is adopting a system in which each inmate can receive ONE test, that’s all it takes, and it has potential to save countless people from wrongful sentences.

Now, accepting that there have been wrongful convictions, having databanks and enforcing testing within 14 days after a crime will ensure that the innocent are not incarcerated in the first place. Which would be the ultimate goal.



When it comes to a violation of privacy, I ask you this: if someone were to walk naked down the street, they have little reason to complain if others see their private parts. Criminals who leave behind their DNA at a crime scene have no more reasonable right to privacy than if fingerprints were to be left and collected.

As I have just expressed, having this system will not only help convict criminals, but it will prevent crime, stop wrongful convictions, free the innocent and protect individual right.

So I ask you this, are you on the side of common good and the goals of society, or are you out to fend for criminals and put forth doubt in our government and our country.

Thank you Madame speaker, I now stand for cross examination.












Lines of Questioning
1) Would you agree with what I had stated earlier, in that a free society believes that it is better to let a thousand guilty go free than to incriminate one innocent person?

2) Do you acknowledge the fact that there have been people wrongfully convicted?

3) would you agree that in many cases, the reason for this wrongful conviction, could have been due to a lack of solid and undeniable evidence?

4) Do you acknowledge the fact that DNA evidence is now rarely contested?

5) you would agree that if DNA evidence had been present in many of these cases, it, in all likelihood would have prevented a wrongful conviction?


1) Do you believe that every person has the right to a fair trial?
2) Do you think that you could call it a fair trial if evidence that could lead to the truth wasn’t included?
3) Would you consider an inmate still guilty even if evidence was found down the road that would prove his or her innocence?
4) So, do you believe that inmates in these situations should have a chance to prove their innocence through DNA testing?
5) So would you agree with me that it would be better of to prove their innocence before they step behind bars?

1) Do you believe that Canada is one of the best countries in the world as far as civilian rights and international safety?
2) Do you have a trust in our government for keeping our personal information, e.g. health information, safe and secure and out of wrongful eyes? [ if NO----- (are they out to get us)]
3) Then Would the collection and distribution of DNA material not be trusted in the hand of Canadian government?


1)Would you agree with me when I say that DNA evidence can quickly narrow down suspects?
2) Would you agree with me that eliminating innocent suspects from an investigation saves both time and money?
3) Would you agree that eliminating innocent suspects saves them from the humiliation of a trial they didn’t deserve?
4) So would it be fair to say that a databank could save people from these types of humiliations and violations which would further ensure their security?
IF NO- so you don’t think that DNA evidence could eliminate certain suspects? You just agreed previously that investigations take up time and cause humiliation for innocent suspects.
4) would it now be safe to say that a National DNA databank would provide safety for the innocent, and punishment for the true criminal.

As we can now see, it seems that the only people who could possibly oppose this introduction would be criminals

Water Systems; The Foundation for Great Ancient Civilizations

Throughout the past, we have seen the formation of many great civilizations. Like all humans, the populations in these great civilizations that grew and prospered relied heavily on the liquid life-source of water. The development of water systems in ancient civilizations proved to be a momentous advantage and benefit to their people’s standard of living. The advantages they brought about became the basis for influential and strong lasting civilizations. For the Roman Empire, the presence of materials for piping and the development of the aqueducts provided them with access to the necessity of water and allowed them to build up their greatest populous city. Egypt built up its striking prosperous empire using the solid base of well designed irrigation and water systems, a blessing that helped them survive for over 3000 years. For the Inca Empire, their great waterworks helped them to expand their empire throughout an immense part of South America and press forward to become one of the most agriculturally advanced civilizations of their time. Water was a source of life to these great civilizations, which without this necessity, would not have been able to leave their influential mark in history.
The Roman Empire was one of the most startling civilizations in history. Their astounding structural designs and engineering enabled them to build some of the most amazing and valuable water systems. During its imperial times, the city of Rome had a population of well over a million (Roman Aqueducts). Such a massive population enabled them to build up a large and powerful empire using their manpower, but what enabled them to have such immense manpower at their disposal was the development of great waterworks. Their amazing water distribution system was able to provide every person in Rome with one cubic meter of water per day (Roman Aqueducts). They were able to do this thanks to their outstanding aqueduct and piping systems. Rome’s first aqueduct was constucted in 312 B.C.E.. Over the next five hundred years, ten additional aqueducts were built to fulfill increasing demands (Ibid). The aqueducts consisted of channels dug through rock from the water intake in the surrounding hills (Newman, 203). The water ran through filtration systems, and once the water got into the city, it flowed into large cisterns, which enabled the water to be piped throughout the region. Most of it was available to the public through fountain systems, which were positioned at junctions throughout the city (Roman Aqueducts). The people of Rome were given the luxury of flowing water, in a place where they before would have to travel miles to get. The water played a role in their culture, enabling them to have public baths, and these were not only made available to the rich. Baths were a big part in the social life of Rome, and they would incorporate religion into these luxurious meeting places (Trueman). Bath admissions also brought in a steady flow of money to the state, as did selling private pipelines to rich citizens, improving the economic structure in Rome (Trueman).
The demand for water and the need for piping to carry it throughout the city made Rome depend on trade to acquire the proper and essential materials. They used massive amounts of lead for piping, which had to come from Spain or Great Britain, which pushed Rome to expand trade for the construction of these mammoth waterworks (Roman Aqueducts). But above all, these systems brought about massive population growth that led to a city that was in fact the largest of its time. The ability to support such a large population allowed Rome to open its doors to a high degree of specialization in the roles of its people. The more citizens the city had to carry out day-to-day tasks, the more economic room they had to develop. Because Rome was able to uphold such a large population due to their enormous supply of clean water, it was able to build up into a strong prosperous city, and develop a powerful military that made them an influential power. Their water systems were the foundation of their accomplishments, and made them one of the greatest civilizations in ancient history.
The blessing of the Nile River proved to make Egypt one of the most startling civilizations in history. Its rich agriculture that allowed them to prosper was not due to rainfall, but to the flooding of the Nile, and their integration of irrigation systems (Newman, 56). The fortunes of Egypt depended on this annual event, which left behind a new fertile layer of soil in the region (Ibid). Egypt’s wealth was measured in their abundance of food supplies. During the time after the flood, the Egyptian farmers needed a way to retain some water, to provide their fields with fertile soil for extended lengths of time. Irrigation canals and dams were created through fields, and seeds would be planted along these regions (Newman, 56). Along the canals, filled with water from the Nile, they build innovative devices for extracting the water, and raising it to higher ground. One such device was called a shaduf, which was a counterweighted mechanism with a bucket on one end hanging from a rope that was dipped into the canal and then swung over the field (Wilkinson, 35). They also utilized waterwheels to extract water and put it down small channels to bring to other areas (Postel). The ancient Egyptian farmers built large level basins for growing crops next to the river’s edge, and simple channels that took water in at the height of the flood (Postel). It was uncomplicated yet highly effective, and it allowed them to arrange for good flow of water throughout a number of basins, which they controlled using gates. They let the water stay in the fields for forty to sixty days, then had to be drained out at the right time in the growing cycle, back into the river. They did this to ensure that salts would never build up in the soil, and the crops always got a fresh supply of water (Ancient Irrigation).
Due to their success, and thanks to their well planned irrigation systems, Egypt was left with a great agricultural surplus. In fact, crops could be saved and stored years after a surplus season of growth (Ancient Irrigation). Barley and wheat as well as many nourishing vegetables such as onions and lentils prospered in their well irrigated fields (Newman 76-77). They were able to use their agricultural surplus to fulfill religious practices such as offerings to the dead, feed livestock that was used as a source of labour and food, and to feed in abundance their growing working population. These aspects are what make a civilization come together, and have prosperity in an overall aspect. Egypt’s amazing feats of construction were able to be carried out so well because of this abundance. It gave them agricultural room to feed populous groups of workers with food to meet their nutritional demands. The only thing that was missing was outside interaction (Newman, 55).
Following an agricultural surplus, vast trading opportunities arose. Egypt took advantage of their abundant food supply and began to trade it for other goods. Acquiring new goods enabled them to develop ideas in building methods and technology boomed with the addition of more large and more capable boats, metals, and wood (Newman, 58-59). Foods such as grains were also used to barter and trade within Egypt, and it was a common source of currency. Trade opened up Egypt’s doors to new opportunity that allowed its people to move on into the golden age of the New Kingdom, and it all was made possible by the gift of the Nile, but more importantly, by the valuable irrigation systems that made Egypt a prosperous nation.
The Inca Empire was an ecologically diverse paradise. The majestic Empire started along the Pacific Ocean in the low coastal valleys, and stretched over the Andes, all the way down into the Amazon Rainforest. This great ecological diversity helped the Inca grow a large variety of crops as well as an abundance of food (The Incas Remembered). It was a nation of millions, built up around their astonishing irrigation and watersystems, some in which are still in used today (The Incas Remembered). The Incas built irrigation canals which were lined with millions of rocks, allong sloped to form retaining walls. These enabled them to carry water from the melting snows of the Andes and nearby rivers for up to five hundred miles (The Incas). Water ran through the cities in canals called runners, which is where the Inca people got water to wash, drink, and cook (The Incas Remembered). Water brought into the cities was so essential to people on the mountains. The location was indeed close to paradise, but difficult to collect and goods and necesities to support a large population, so they greatly relied on these canals. The Incas had a strict policy to use the land and water carefully, and to never be wasteful. Their amazing irrigation systems used water to its full advantage, even up on the slopes of terraced farmland. They had hundred of levels of fields built to last countless centuries. Drainage systems worked allong with the intake canals to help develop a vast and abundant surplus of crops. The irrigational effects were highly sophisticated; for the canals were able to provided water to the roots of plants during a drought, and during heavy rain, they provided drainage so that the crops wouldn’t become drowned (Inca). Furthermore, the canals also provided sediment which were rich in nitrates, and these nitrates were used as fertilizer. The Inca utilised this concept throughout their whole Empire, and their canals worked in partnership with their roads throughout the empire building an extensive variety of crops in various climates that enabled them to feed the entire population (Inca). Not only could they feed their entire population, but they also had a massive surplus, and due to their storage techniques and food preservation, they were able to build up and maintain seven years worth of surplus food. Food was also used as a means for trade, as the Incas had no currency (Inca). The Incas used their skill to create water systems to bring vast amounts of water to them. After contructing such amazing stuctures, they had the time and a greater ability to expand their empire; no longer did the have to search to get enough food and water, for it was brought right to their fingertips. To support a large population, there needs to be allot of food, and that requires steady and sophisticated irrigation systems that bring a constant supply of water. The Incas were truly skilled engineers, who developed water systems so advance that they are still being used today. They are the solid base that gave the Inca the ability to sustain a high standard of living, and emmense expantion.
The liquid treasure of water has always played an important role in developing civilizations. However, it was not always handed to humans in readily available reserves. The development of water systems in ancient civilizations proved to offer significant advantages to those who constructed them. They brought about the basis for influential and strong and long-lasting civilizations by giving them the power of life, the prosperity that can only sprout from water. The Romans built and expanded their empire, as well as its economic and social diversity using vast piping systems and the development of the great aqueducts which allowed them to build up their grand populous city. Egypt built up its remarkable empire using the firm base of well-designed irrigation and water systems, allowing it to prosper and expand with its immense surplus of foods. For the Inca Empire, their great water and irrigation systems were perhaps the most advanced of their time, enabling them to expand their empire throughout a vast part of South America. These civilizations developed outstanding systems to harness the potential of water. It was only through the development of these systems that they could grow to possess their large numbers and powerful Empires. They brought the key to abundance in food, customs and religious practices, communal gatherings, and the overall ability to prosper; for these great feats of engineering brought to them water, the very foundation of life.


Works Cited

Agriculture and Food. 7 April 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca>.


Ancient Irrigation. May 1999. 15 April 2007 <http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~cowen/~GEL115/115CH17oldirrigation.html>.


Boak, E.R and William G. Sinnigen. “The Emergence of Agriculture and Raising Livestock.” Ancient Civilizations. Ed. Don Nardo. Vol. 1. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002. 40-50.


Boak, E.R and William G. Sinnigen. “The Founding of Rome, The Eternal City.” Ancient Civilizations. Ed. Don Nardo. Vol. 1. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002. 211-218.


Inca. 7 April 2007 .


Newman, Garfield, et.al. Echoes from the Past. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 2001.


Postel, Sandra. Egypt’s Nile Valley Basin Irrigation. 15 April 2007 <http://www.waterhistory.org/histories/nile/t1.html>.


Roman Aqueducts. 7 April 2007 .


Shaw, Ian. Exploring Ancient Egypt. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.


The Incas Remembered. DVD. Monterey Media Inc, 2005


The Incas. 22 April 2007 .
Trueman, Chris. Roman Baths. 15 April 2007 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_baths.htm>.


Wilkinson, Gardner J. “The Ancient Egyptians; Their Life and Customs.” A Popular Account. Vol. 1. London: Bracken Books, 1988.

An In-Depth Comparison Between Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Treasure Island

Throughout history, novelists have always written about subjects that stir up the inner most passions and emotions of their readers. Subjects that captivate dreams and imaginations in ways nothing else can. Notable authors of the 1800’s came up with some of the most controversial tales for their time, for it was the Victorian age; a time of new and strong ideas fastened by the views of the church. For some of the most influential authors, this was a time when their text was taken beyond the story and out of context, stirring up some fiery emotions within the crowds. For Thomas Hardy, the author of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, this was definitely the case. His story of an innocent woman, tortured by the ideas of the church and the upper-class man, as well as the discussion of rape, was unthinkable to the Victorian reader. Hardy displayed Tess Durbeyfield as a victim of the times, “…Hardy was able half to suggest that Tess was more a passive victim of male aggression and idealization than an active participant in her own disastrous fate” (Brady 106). Writers of this time also captivated their readers imagination by taking them into tales only found in their wildest dreams. Robert Louis Stevenson captured his reader’s attention and drew their interest, but by using a different method compared to Hardy. In his classic novel Treasure Island, he tells of a tale of piracy, death and trickery, creating a story that would influence writers for years to come. It was his first full-length work of fiction, for which he became best-known; “In the 1800’s, despite his continuing poor health, Stevenson wrote many of his best-known works, Including Treasure Island” (“Robert Louis (Balfour) Stevenson.”). Although there is a difference in direct content of their stories, Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson display comparable lessons and themes in mistakes impacting the future, the display and loss of innocence due to a tragic or sudden event, and appearance vs. reality.
Throughout the history of man, mistakes have always had an impact on the future. In most cases, the fallout from these mistakes are negative, causing hardships and irreversible happenings. These types of situations can be found in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, where they mostly revolve around Tess, and her misfortune. Shortly after the beginning of the novel, Tess committed her first mistake when she took responsibility for her drunken father, Jack Durbeyfield. She made the mistake of delivering bee hives for him with the horse, even though she was unable to drive. On the trip, Tess falls asleep and collides with an on-coming buggy, killing Prince, the family horse. Due to the accident, Tess feels obligated to go to the d’Urberville mansion, starting her years of future trouble, and her connection to Alec d’Urberville; “Well, I killed the horse, Mother…I suppose I ought to do something” (Hardy 47). Later in the novel, Tess commits her second mistake through falling in love with a man named Angel Clare, an upper-class man apprenticing at Talbothay’s dairy. After having Alec’s child, Tess felt she could never get married, nor love another man; but after Angel’s persistence to pursue their love through marriage, Tess gives in and goes against her beliefs. This was a big mistake in judgment for Tess, as she puts aside her inner unrest. From the very start of their marriage, they were burdened with ill omen, as a cock crowed three times as they exited the marriage hall in the afternoon, bringing in the biblical reference of betrayal. Their quick marriage ultimately lead to a tragic collapse in the very near future, due to hidden secrets of Tess’s past with Alec. Tess’s third mistake, and the one that had the largest impact over her future, or the future she could have had, was the murder of Alec d’Urberville. This is what lead her to her ultimate demise; the very act that she felt was her escape from earthly suffering, and the only way to break the wall between her and Angel. Due to this mistake, Tess was wanted for murder and her life lasted not long after, as justice must be served.
Mistakes can also be seen impacting the future in the novel Treasure Island. In the case of this novel, Jim Hawkins is a young man torn from his peaceful life as an inn-keeper and brought out to sea with treasure hungry mutineers. It was his first mistake that got him into that chaos; taking the map from Captain Billy Bones’ chest. This made him the one with the key to dreamed of riches, and the target for other mutineers, as expressed by Dr. Livesey, “We are not the only men who know of this paper” (Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island, 40). After Jim is sucked into this treasure hunting adventure, he commits his second mistake just before they set sail. Just as Tess failed to reveal her secret before her marriage, Jim fails to express his concern about the sea cook, who he believed portrayed a striking resemblance to the one-legged buccaneer the captain had previously warned about. Thinking he knew better than his instincts, Jim kept silent, letting all of the honest crew set out to sea with a bunch of bloodthirsty pirates. Once on the island, Jim and his honest men sought out a stronghold for defense against the mutineers. This is when he commits his third mistake, leaving his men alone, and seeking Ben Gunn’s boat. Ben Gunn was a man found deserted on the island upon arrival, and Jim felt it necessary to find the boat he had made to cut their ship, the Hispaniola, loose. While Jim was gone, his men were left weak in their defense, and were ambushed by the mutineers. Jim, upon return, could see where his short expedition had got him. He was surrounded by dangers, and ashamed to look his men in the face.
Tragic or sudden events can often change a person’s life quiet drastically. In the novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Tess displays innocence in her times before her many entanglements, but as the novel moves on, a tragic or sudden event brings about a loss of this innocence. Her innocence can be looked at from two perspectives, the physical perspective, as in her purity and virginity, but also an emotional and mental aspect, as in her innocence to experience and life’s troublesome manipulative ways. Unfolding from her first mistake, the death of Prince bring about Tess’s first loss of innocence. It becomes Tess’s first major experience with loss of life. She felt a sense of harm that for the first time, she had committed. The sorrow she felt over the matter drowned her in guilt, and stripped her of emotional innocence; once so free of any tragedy by her own doing, she was all of the sudden burdened with the death of the family horse. As Tess was sent to work off the loss of Prince, she encounters her first loss of innocence in a physical sense. When out near midnight returning to Trantridge from a nearby town, Alec offered Tess a ride home. When they take a break in the chase, Alec takes advantage of Tess and rapes her. This is a major turning point for Tess, for she is no longer innocent in terms of virginity. She becomes burdened with a child which forces her to grow up, and the unaccommodating townspeople force her to remain hidden to avoid harassment. Tess realizes how she was used, and questions her mother, Joan Durbeyfield, why she was never warned, “why didn’t you tell me there was danger in men folk? Why didn’t you warn me?” (Hardy 98). After years of anguish laid on Tess, she was driven to commit a crime that would rob her of any innocence she had to crimes of her own intentional doing. Tess decides to murder Alec d’Urberville, as she felt it to be the only release from her sufferings, and a cure for her and Angel. However it is through this action that Tess took the step to sin by her own will, losing the innocence she once had when she was sinned upon before. As a result, she lost her own innocence, as well as the innocence she had with society and the law; for she was now seen as a murderer.
Tragic or sudden events can also be seen leading to the loss of innocence in the novel treasure Island. Before Jim Hawkins even leaves for his hunt at sea, he is struck by the death of his father. It was the first death le had ever known, and due to the fact it was his own beloved father, he lost the innocence one has when they are a ignorant to the concept of death. This sudden tragedy hit Jim hard, and he was unable to think of anything else for some time. He was no longer afraid; “My poor father died quite suddenly, which put all other matters on one side” (Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island, 17). Just as in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, there can be seen a loss of innocence in these two characters, both resulting from their first death known. In both cases the character felt remorse, and something was lost in them that could never be replenished. After the tragic death of his father, Jim is quickly thrown aboard the great Hispaniola, the ship on which they would seek treasure with the Squire John Trelawney’s newly acquired crew. This sudden event forced Jim to lose the innocence he once had as a home-town boy. The great treasure hunt in which he was about to embark on was his first experience away from home, which surely brought on much more fear of the unknown world he had yet to experience. For Jim, this innocence to worldly experience was about to end, and he would have to adapt in order to survive. Their treasure hunting adventure suddenly came to a fork in the road when the mutineers turned on Jim and the rest of the honest crew. When Jim found himself alone aboard with one of these men, he believes his wits will get him out to safety. However, when Jim sees this man take out a knife, he knew there would only be one of them getting off alive. After constant betrayal and blood thirst from these mutineers, Jim was not feeling too sparing, and when the mutineer threw the knife at him, pinning his shoulder, he shot the pirate with his pistol, sending his lifeless body overboard into the blue sea. Just like Tess in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Jim takes the life of another, which resulted from a sudden outburst of emotion, and tragic history. For Jim, once a law biding citizen who would never do wrong, this was a major loss of innocence, for like Tess, It was the first time he had committed such a crime out of his own will.
Life can be full of false appearances. One must always keep in the back of their mind the chance of a very different reality emerging; one which was never, or could never have been expected. In the novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles, appearance is often very different from reality. This can be seen starting from the beginning of the novel, as Tess’s mother, Joan Durbeyfield appears to be a generous caring mother. Tess always observes her working terribly hard for her family, and due to her husband Jack’s addiction to the bottle, she was seen as the major care taker and role model to the children, besides the obvious attention they showed towards Tess. However, Joan’s character, like many people struck with financial hardships, is quickly turned towards jealous and selfish like behavior when confronted with the idea of potential riches. Joan, upon hearing of the news from Trantridge, turns into a selfish, neglecting, and potentially dangerous mother. She carelessly sends Tess of to claim kin, not warning her of the potentially life altering outcome. When Tess returned pregnant, Joan says one of the most unimaginable statements imaginable, “Why didn’t ye think of doing some good for your family instead o’thinking only of yourself” (Hardy 97); truly showing the reality of her character, and her selfish worries. Another appearance seemingly full of potential was the whole idea around the job in Trantridge. The opportunity for Tess to go work for Alec seemed like her chance to help her family move up in life. Alec himself even seemed like a kind and generous man, giving her the job, and offering out any help to her family. Soon after this kind invite, Tess began to see what Alec was truly after; a woman, to simply satisfy his sexual urges. Starting out as a kind man at first appearance, Alec quickly turned into Tess’s worst nightmare, raping her, and burdening her with a child to raise all on her own thus beginning her life of troubles. When Tess finally met Angel, he is seen as a final relief; a way to ease her suffering. He was Tess’s first true love, the one that Tess would risk it all for, trusting herself to him in all aspects. Shortly after their marriage, Angel seemingly loses his senses, and becomes just another man out for the idealistic pure woman. Upon Tess’s revealing of her past, Angel abandons her, and moves to Brazil, leaving her once again to fend for herself. To Tess, this was a life ruining state of affairs which drove her to give up on all of society and herself.
Appearance is also very different from reality in the novel Treasure Island. However, unlike in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, the reality is not always completely destructive or disastrous, but instead starts new adventures. Starting from the beginning of the novel, Captain Billy Bones just seemed like another rum-soaked buccaneer with only the self illusion of valuable knowledge. He looked as if he was a man gone senile with no value to his words. However, upon arrival, he carried into the inn with him a chest which was shrouded in mysterious potential. After the poor captain’s death, his chest was opened disclosing a map which held the key to countless riches. Captain Bill surely knew more than he revealed, or what others thought of him. The valuable reality behind this seemingly unimportant Captain greatly influenced the novel and brought about the realization that had he survived, he would have had much more to offer. Before they all left to sea on the great Hispaniola, John Trelawney, the squire, believed to have set up a good crew, including a cook named John Silver. Jim and Dr. Livesey felt safe and settled in the squires confidence, as he told them he had put together the finest crew in England. For Jim, a trustworthy crew came as a great opportunity, but as Trantridge was for Tess in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, it was only in false appearance, overall too good to be true. Just as Tess learned the reality of Alec when it was too late, Jim learned the true character of the crew out at sea. The reality of his situation was that these men wanted the treasure, and if it took trickery and piracy to get it, then that’s what they would do. When Jim first meets Benn Gunn, he appeared to be a man who could only offer geographical help on the island. He seems to be a man faded to instincts and insanity after being stranded for a long three years. However, Ben turned out to be a bigger help than expected when the mutineers went to dig up the treasure, and it was apparently gone. It was Ben who notifies Jim of its location as he used his time while stranded to relocate the treasure. This put Jim and the honest men at the upper hand, now having control over the treasure; “…Ben Gunn, the half-idiot maroon, was the hero from beginning to end” (Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island, 214). Benn Gunn comes out as a final character in the novel dedicated to justice, first appearing as an unfortunate cast-away, then turning into the key to their chased success.
Thomas Hardy and Robert Louis Stevenson are both astounding writers who cleverly incorporated captivating themes into their novels. Hardy’s daring style in Tess of the d’Urbervilles to challenge society and the church brought through the harsh reality about the treatment of women. The strong lessons and morals displayed throughout the novel have the power to impact the reader, and its story has proven itself a classic, making Hardy of the most notable British authors. Through Treasure Island, Stevenson, although on a less controversial note, has also created a classic. It is seen to be one of the most adventurous novels of the 1800’s, packed with tales of betrayal, piracy, death and riches. In fact, it was unique in the idea that through all of the tale, there is no obvious emphasis on teaching morals. Morals or not, Treasure Island has influenced countless novels, as well as provided the base for many stories and films created thereafter. Though the content and general mood of their stories are different, Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Treasure Island display quite comparable lessons and themes which were essential to the novels. Past mistakes were most definitely seen impacting the future, especially for the two novel’s main characters, Tess and Jim. They remind society that for every action there is a reaction. There can also be seen a display and loss of innocence in these two characters, that was brought about by a sudden or tragic event, ultimately changing who they would be forever. Appearance vs. reality also proved to be a common theme; one in which brought the stories to a higher level of suspense, and gave the reader a deeper look into the true characters. The deep passions seen in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and the adventurous tales of Treasure Island will surely continue to influence both readers and writers to come. Not only do they tell fascinating tales, but they bring the reader back in time to experience life in another’s shoes, far more difficult than the experiences of today.


Works Cited


Brady, Kristin. “Critical Views on Tess of the D’Urbervilles.” Thomas Hardy:
Comprehensive Research and Study Guide; Blooms Major Novelists. Ed. Harold Bloom. Philadelphia: Chelsea House publishers, 2003. 47-120.


Gordon, Jan B. “Origins, History, and the Reconstitution of Family: Tess’s Journey.” Modern Critical Views: Thomas Hardy. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. 115-135.


Hardy, Thomas. Tess of the D’Urbervilles. New York: Penguin Group, 1980.


“Overview of Thomas Hardy.” in Discovering Authors, Gale Group, 1999. Student Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 06 March 2007 .


“Robert Louis (Balfour) Stevenson.” Discovering Authors. Online Edition. Gale. 07 March 2007 .


“Robert Louis Stevenson.” 2007. National Library of Scotland. 07 March 2007 .


“Robert Louis Stevenson.” Notable British Novelists. Ed. Carl Rollyson. Vol. 3. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2001. 883-890.


Stevenson, Robert Louis. “Treasure Island.” 1883. Novels for Students. Ed. Ira Mark Milne and Timothy Sisler. Vol. 20, Detroit, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005. 230-250.


Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. New York: Penguin Group, 1994.


“Tess of the D’Urbervilles.” The Literature Network. 07 March 2007 .


“Thomas Hardy.” Notable British Novelists. Ed. Carl Rollyson. Vol. 2. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2001. 445-460.