Relation+to+Edgar+Huntly

 There are many views on how a government should be relegated and many of these views are believed to be the most just in their opinion. On Duties by Cicero is also regarded as on obligations, however only the obligations of the embodiment of a “good man”. Cicero writes his essay to his son, on whom it can be argued that the audience of which Cicero desired was a larger one. Cicero in his essay criticizes the ruling of Julius Caesar after his assassination and focuses more upon the absolute rule of dictatorship. Whereas Edgar Huntly by Charles Bockden Brown discusses the American political nature of the 1790’s where a new nation is presented with the decision on how to base the constitutional rights, known as natural law in Cicero’s On Duties to extend to all men as equals. Edgar Huntly asks “Was I born to a malignant destiny never tired of persecuting?”; he asks this after he realizes how much his people have done to the Native Americans. Yet, these actions of hostility deference towards the Native Americans paved way to America becoming one of the most powerful nations and instilling the Constitution which inspired many into revising their own methods of governing over their people. Edgar Huntly also admits that “Since, therefore, the justice of my claim is to be measured not by law, but by simple equity” (145). Brown acknowledges that laws pronounce justice only when people believe that that is what is correct and just. Cicero writes “For a man to take anything wrongfully from another, and to increase his own means of comfort by his fellowman’s discomfort, is more contrary to nature than death…”(5). Cicero in this quote believes that tyrant totalitarian governments or dictatorship under one absolute ruler entails the robbing of one man from another. And in Cicero’s perception those are not the characteristics of a good man acceptable into a society. Cicero later remarks; “…any evil affecting the bodily condition or property to be greater consequence than moral evil” (5) Cicero also asks how anyone can reason or interact with some one who robs a man of all that makes him a man.
 * Government
 * How does Cicero view the late Julius Cesar’s dictatorship rule?

 The concept of individuality in a society is always argued, especially when the society’s members place no interest into being different than everyone else. Fads, trends, advertising often lead to a society in which many of its members look, speak, and think the same. This irrational utopia places ignorance as bliss; a misdemeanor not condemning non thinkers into a war against opposite beliefs. Edgar Huntly relates to the changing of reasoning and opinions differing one’s actions; “The chief object of his labours, in this new state of mind, was to counteract the effect of his former reasoning on my opinions” (126). Brown states that his main character, Edgar Huntly will change his views and actions based on what he perceives to be reality. Edgar Huntly is seen as a fickle person, as he changes his mind of what is right and wrong based on the information that new characters and experiences bring him. However distinctiveness among people in “On Duties” by Cicero is only met by common men, good men, and wrongful men. Cicero in his essay attempts to urge his son into using the “liberal supplies” that Cicero himself had bestowed upon his son. He alkso urges his son to realize whether or not it is in his interests to pursue the confident expectation that Cicero had of his son rivaling his reputation. Edgar Huntly understands how Clithero had decided upon what to do to stay alive; “…to govern himself by that knowledge”(87). Edgar Huntly respond differently to Clithero in many points of the book. First, he seems to view Clithero as the monster who killed his friend Waldegrave. Then, after he hears of everything that Clithero has been through he feels compassionate over him. Every new thing that Edgar Huntly learns changes his actions. His indecisive actions are extremely common among most people. Cicero in this viewpoint is the same as Edgar Huntly and Brown. Cicero writes “…unskilled view with delight and commendation things that do not deserve praise” (3) he believes that as long as people are ignorant of occurrences or issues they will continue to mirror the response of the majority, which is often incorrect. And as long as people remain to not know what is going on around them we cannot at any degree trust their judgment of right and wrong. In more extensive analysis Cicero also writes “…good of kind to take the fancy of the ignorant…while after they have been taught by experts, they readily change their opinion” (3). Because in the end as Cicero wrote “…if at any time what we call expedient shall seem repugnant to what we conceive of as right, there must be established some general rule, which if we recognize in the comparison of things, we shall never be false to our duty” (4).
 * Individuality


 * How does Edgar Huntly change in his opinions of Clithero after he hears his story?