Our Responsibility: By Esha Dhaliwal
What is our responsibility to others?
Lamb To The Slaughter
As Mary Maloney finally began to think about her current situation regarding the murder of her husband she realized that the consequences of her actions "made no difference to her. In fact, it would be a relief. On the other hand, what about the child?" (2). She realized that while her incarceration might not affect her it would affect her child. They would grow up without parents or they wouldn't even be born at all, should Mary receive the death penalty. She began to cover her tracks to avoid jail and keep her child safe because she had a responsibility as a mother, to take care of her child.
While the connection is distant, the responsibility that a parent has to their child reminds me of a movie that I have recently watched called "King Richard" based on the true story of Venus & Serena Williams and what their father did for them to get them where they are today. In the movie, Richard had nothing to gain from his daughters becoming athletes, meaning it had no effect on him just like how jail would have no effect on Mary Maloney. But both parents knew that they had a responsibility to their children to ensure that they could succeed in life or at least have a fair chance. Mary had to cover up the murder to make sure that her child could be born and raised by a parent while Richard supported and provided his daughters with opportunities to reach their full potential because that is what responsible parents do. They both had their children in mind and worked hard to help them.
The Sun Is Also A Star
Attorney Fitzgerald questions Daniels's reasoning for attending the interview even though it is not in his best interest and daniel tells him the reason he came was because "I owe it to my parents"(291). He has a responsibility to them to show that he is grateful for everything they have done for him. He also owed it to his parents to at least give their plan for him a chance before pursuing his own dreams.
I relate to Daniel's reasoning for attending the meeting and the responsibility that he feels toward his parents. As I previously discussed in my reader response paragraph, My parents also have dreams for me that are not in my best interest. They wish for me to attend medical school and then settle down while I wish to travel the world and attend law school. But I owe it to them after the incredible life that they have provided me with to at least keep an open mind and see if medical school could be right for me. I have a responsibility to them to at least try because they deserve that.
Firefighter Dies Trying to Save Mom Who Allegedly Drowned Herself and Child
42-year-old LaTonya Bell attempted to drown herself and her child by intentionally driving her car into the Elk River. 24-year-old John D. Forbush was off duty from his job as a firefighter but still drove to the scene to help. He eventually died trying to save both mother and child but his actions were heroic and courageous. Even though he was off duty he still had a responsibility as a firefighter and a person to try and save the child in the car who had gone down with the mother. He had a responsibility to others to at least try, even with the deathly consequences.
This example is meanigful to me because it really shows how as a citzen you have a responsibility to help others even if there could be risks because everyone deserves to be saved. While you might not have to go to the extremes that John D. Forbush went to, you can still call 911. This helps me to understand the responsibility we have to other humans even if they are strangers because that is the noble and right thing to do.
What is our responsibility to ourselves?
Lamb to the Slaughter
After Mr. Maloney had told Mrs.Maloney of his plans to leave her"She couldn’t feel anything at all- except a slight nausea and a desire to vomit."(2). She was sick to her stomach about the news he had just given her and she had to do something about it. She had a responsibility to herself to make herself feel better and get back at her husband for doing this to her and her unborn child.
The Sun Is Also A Star
As Patricia and Samuel Kingsley argue about how they are going to deal with Samuel's DUI, they continue on to the subject of their old dreams and expectations compared to their current life in New York City. Patricia reminds Samuel of all the things he promised her and all of her dreams that he was supposed to fulfill. Samuel gets tired of all of these accusations and tells Patricia "You know what me tired of hearing about? Me tired of your dreams. What 'bout mine?" (228). While Samuel had a responsibility to his family to take care of and provide for them, he also had a responsibility to himself by carrying out his dreams and hopes. Samuel wished to be a Broadway actor and tried his best to become one by auditioning for many parts and practicing his skills. He owed it to himself because that was his passion.
Firefighter Dies Trying to Save Mom Who Allegedly Drowned Herself and Child
While John D. Forbush had a responsibility to others to make sure that he tried to save them, he also had a responsibility to himself to make sure that he stayed alive, which he, unfortunately, failed to do. He had a responsibility to make sure that he could stay alive to help others and himself.