De Jesus, Mary Anne O.
August 24, 2010
EL1
Extended Definition
Outline: Subtle Truths in Patent Illusions I.
Introduction A. Backgr Background ound and defini definitio tion n of illusion illusion 1. Common Common gestu gestures res done by magic magicians ians/il /illus lusioni ionists sts 2. Form Formal al defin definit itio ion n of illu illusio sion n B. Hook Hook sta state teme ment nt 1. In associ associati ation on with with refus refusal al of of realit reality y 2. In associa association tion with with socia sociall apath apathy y C. Thesis Statement Statement – Illusion, Illusion, a magical magical haven haven created by people, people, is a form form of social apathy and a refusal of reality.
II. II. Illus Illusion ion as soci social al apat apathy hy A. Gove Goverrnmen nmentt 1. Prom Promis ises es of a good good futur futuree 2. Brok Broken en pr promis omises es B. Witn Witnes esse sess of crim crimes es 1. Indifference Indifference towards towards the the victims victims of certain certain crimes crimes (on the time time of the crime) crime) 2. Fear Fear of of thre threat atss by the the sus suspec pects ts III. Illusion Illusion as refusal refusal of reality reality A. Death 1. What What Buddha Buddha says says abou aboutt the future future of of humans humans 2. People’ People’ss refusa refusall to to accept accept the truth truth
3. Brief explanation of the discussed concept B. World of Cosmetics 1. Plastic Surgeries 2. Hair Revolution a. Extensions b. Coloration c. Straightening/Perm IV. Conclusion A. Restatement of Thesis Statement B. Hopes of people accepting reality someday R – a lecturer A – teenagers and up (students or not) P – to inform of the “truth” about illusions that are not readily visible in one glance
De Jesus, Mary Anne O.
August 24, 2010
EL1
Extended Definition Subtle Truths in Patent Illusions
Twirl a wand over an upside-down hat, say “abracadabra” and poof, a rabbit jumps out of the hat. The crowd gives the magician a round of applause, and the magician responds with a bow. The event that just transpired is commonly known as a magic trick, or it is often dubbed as an illusion. Illusion is the creation of misleading impression regarding reality. As such, the reason why the crowds cheered the magician is they accepted the illusion that some unseen force has made the rabbit appear in the seemingly empty hat, but in fact there is a trick. This is a rejection of reality, for reality-wise, illusion is impossible without a trick. At a critical level, it can be a form of social indifference. Under the influence of illusion means one does not care about anything beyond it. Illusion, a magical haven created by people, is a form of social apathy and a refusal of reality. One may not realize it, but illusion can be connoted as a form of social apathy. He does not have to go to other places to experience it for it is happening right before his eyes. Take the predicaments that the Philippines is experiencing now. One of the great illusionists in the country is the government. Various political parties during the campaign were feeding the mass with their flowery platforms and their redundant promises of a good future. At that instant, they are putting the people under an illusion that they will really give them what they declare. Now that they are seated, not all of their platforms are put into action. Why? That is because they care more about the money to feed their pockets than the money to feed the poor. Is it not social apathy? Look at some areas in Manila. Sidewalks, which were built for sight-seeing and recreation have been degraded into mere households for the poor. These people are victims of the illusion made by the government, and the fact that they are continuously poor is the manifestation of such illusions.
Witnesses of crimes are also considered as great illusionists. Believe it or not, as a witness of a crime, one is torn on whether he will report it on the spot or just leave it as it is. The two main reasons of such uncertain actions are: (1) It is none of his business and (2) fear of threats made by the suspects. On an ethical level, he will surely save the poor victim by calling the police. Regarding his safety, he will create an illusion that he never saw anything, and move on. First off, why should he bother with a business that he was never a part of? It would be ridiculous to intervene. Another is the moment the suspect threatens the witness. Anyone will have his knees turn to jelly, or his mouth shut with an invisible force. So, regardless of ethics, he will just have to be indifferent of the event. Nothing has happened. Is it not a form of social apathy? What of the victim? A good soul who never indulges himself in illusions will give him justice. It is undeniable in nature that illusion is the blatant refusal of reality. Has anyone ever thought about his future? Yes. Albeit he only sees with good things such as, his future with his own family, a large mansion by the beach, a car, and abundant money. But according to Buddha, one’s future is his death. It is unquestionable, is it not? No matter how high he climbed the ladders of success, it all ends with death. But death is a very dark subject, and people tend to push it in the dark recesses of their minds. They do not want to think of their deaths. They want to think of their glory, money, fame, and the things they have yet to achieve. They are not yet ready to die, so death remains a single spot on their minds, which is often forgotten, or to be specific, refused. People, who do not acknowledge their futures as death, are refusing what is factual, what is bound to happen. It’s a refusal of reality. How one looks now is a masterpiece of God, yet some people are discontented with how they look. So, here comes the world of cosmetics to the rescue. Most often than not, people have their faces or noses lifted. Some even have their eyelashes longer, or lips are surgically modified to be fuller. These are some of the plastic surgeries done on people in order to
have that extreme make-over look, and a total transformation of what they look before. But cosmetics do not circle around plastic surgery alone. It has extended to hair revolutions such as hair coloration, extensions and straightening. These make one really different from his former self, and it is good in some way. However, there transformation is a refusal of reality. He cannot accept the fact that he has a stubby nose, so he went to a facial surgeon to have his nose lifted. She is tired of curly hair, so she went to a saloon and had her hair straightened. She wants to have her freckles removed, so she went to the store to buy a facial cream for lightening the freckles. These cosmetics put the people under an illusion that they must have to look like this and that, which in turn is an indirect refusal of reality. She will look better, but that means she is refusing her former appearance. Is it not a refusal of reality? Truly, illusion is very blatant at face value, yet very subtle at the concealment of truth. Who knew that it is a form of social apathy? At a deeper level it is a refusal of reality? Surely, reality is so cruel that people are forced to create their magical havens as an escape mechanism. They stay there for a period of time in order to let the cruelty of reality pass by while they indulge themselves in their own illusions. When they feel the ruthlessness of reality subside, they crawl out of their havens and live in reality again. Many people are unconsciously accepting illusions due to cowardice, but will the time come when they finally confront their fears and accept reality? This must happen not later, not sooner, but today and change for the better.
De Jesus, Mary Anne O.
August 24, 2010
EL1
Extended Definition Reflection Paper
This was one of the major papers I had written, and the very thought of it being written at an early time shocked me. I was truly unprepared, and I even thought of begging Miss Purpura to switch to Comparative essay instead. But nothing could be done, for her word was law in the Republic of EL1. It was hard doing a thesis statement for this essay. I’d gone through the lectures on Extended Definition essay an searched for others . I even consulted the Inertia essay, so I would have an idea of my own. But as usual, nothing came to my mind the whole night. So, the next day, I tried to brainstorm on the spot that’s why I was marked late. The generation of my topic actually included a list of possible topics that I might have chosen. Then, I remembered my Cause and Effect essay and associated the Philippine poverty with any of the words in the list. It just happened that illusion fits well. That’s how I came up with a late thesis statement. I was shocked all the more when my thesis statement was broadcasted in the class. I was in total euphoria, for I thought it would be rejected or be asked to revise. I suddenly felt a burst of energy to continue my essay. I found it slightly difficult to establish connection between illusion and social apathy. Then, as I was watching the news, witness and suspect suddenly dawned on me. That gave me an idea of witnesses who denied what they see for they fear for their lives. Illusion as refusal of reality was kind of tricky, too, but as I was reading a magazine that Allan gave me, I came to a page with the Belo advertisement. Then, I utter the words “hmpf! They are never contented with what they are blessed…” Suddenly, a light bulb went on in my head. I established a connection with illusion and cosmetics through discontentment. With the outline I had, the writing of the essay became like strolling in the park with my dog. This essay harnessed my critical thinking skills. It really urged me to go beyond reasoning and reality. To add to that, I felt comfortable with topic for I’m into magic tricks as well. This is an
essay that has marked a change in my life, and with this essay, I was able to keep track of my progress in essay-writing skills. This was truly a blessing in disguise.
