1) Provide clear, concise and explained definitions for the words “victim” and “agent”. A victim is someone who finds themselves in a misfortunate situation where they are totally helpless. They are incapable of overcoming these different and dangerous obstacles by themselves and rely greatly on the help of others to get them out of it. To be a victim doesn’t necessarily mean to be physically harmed, people can also be victims to something simple like a prank. So long as the person cannot defend him or herself to the situation they become useless therefor victimized. They are totally passive. Agents are people who appear in dangerous situations but can prove to be much more then useless. Although they don’t necessarily put themselves in these potentially life threatening situations they will fight to get out and will take action to find relief. They do not rely on the help of others and will take an aggressive role. They are capable of producing an effect.
2) How is it that the distinction between a victim and an agent can often become blurred? The distinction can often become blurred because so easily people can switch from being a victim to becoming an agent or vis-versa. One moment you may be attacked and as you let them attack you are merely a victim but if you begin to fight back you are no longer a helpless person you have become an agent because you are taking your own action, changing the outcome without another person’s help. It is such a fine line because in a situation like the one described before you are a victim to something you didn’t want to happen, you still got harmed. On the other hand you could start as an agent by say jumping into a fight to try and break it up only to become a victim in the crime and if you too become useless. Feminists for example, the women all want to be treated as agents yet we are victims to rape and harassment. Constantly needing protection we become victims but are standing up for ourselves by speaking out, like an agent. Does this make women victims or agents?
3) Expalin the role of victimization and agency in literary tragedies. These two meanings go very well together in tragedies. First by introducing a character as very strong and capable makes the reader gain respect for this lead role. They are active and will fight to no end for what they believe and want. These characteristics are very desirable in a person and are seen in a positive way that helps people make a connection to the character. Once this respect bond is formed a tragedy can then be put upon them. Seeing the once very strong able person weak and helpless compels people to feel compassion towards them. It allows the reader to again relate better, seeing that bad things can happen to anyone. Even if they don’t deserve it and life will do that, just as it most likely has done to the reader before as well. When we see them as victims we see that everyone can be harmed by something. This allows for a much stronger feeling of tragedy because the reader can so easily relate and feel like they know the character.
4) How should we treat and view those who bring misfortune upon themselves as opposed to those whom misfortune is thrust upon? Whenever someone has misfortune thrust upon them the automatic human response
