Hero or Villain?

As enlightened in the novel culture means “the sum total of what’s passed along, of course, not just information and techniques, it’s beliefs, assumptions, theories, customs, legends, songs, stories, dances, jokes, superstitions, prejudices, tastes, attitudes. Everything.” (pg.198-199). Then it’s seen throughout the book how Leavers have a different culture than Takers. Takers’ perspective towards Leavers is superiority. Leavers instead are unconcerned to Takers. Chapter ten of Ishmael emphasizes the differences amongst both idealists.

In my opinion, Leavers are made the heroes of the novel during this chapter. Their intentions are noble, the main characteristic of any hero. Although they are indifferent to the rest of humanity and only improve between themselves, Leavers still are more “helpful” than Takers. Leavers don’t care much about mankind, but they co-exist and respect further more with the rest of species. In the phrase “Take it or leave it” corresponded to the beginning of the book, to represent the meaning of Takers and Leavers is an apparent example of my position. When people say this expression the situation usually involves a proposal, either tangible or insubstantial, were the proposal is to be taken or leaven. Most people take it, in the belief they have an advantage, which is the same thought Takers have about themselves. When people choose to leave it, instead they think that what they have in mind is better than the choice their given. Leavers don’t only think this; it is proved in the book, by Ishmael’s words.

Takers on the contrary, are selfish, and only are in need to improve their tools, their best achievement, which doesn’t even benefit themselves. They keep on destroying the world and will eventually raze with everything. Then Takers are shown as the villains in chapter ten, the destructors of the world, who always get the option of taking, and always being in advantage.

In this section of the book Quinn does an official clarification about Takers’ and Leavers’ thoughts. He shows his point between the two different cultures. As said in the passage, “That’s what Takers want. We don’t want to know a way to live that works well. We want to know the one right way.” (pg.204), Takers are always willing to find this way. They are given this by all the prophets, that is their importance, that is what they carry out. Instead Leavers have searches for a way that works well to live for several generations. This accumulation, known as culture, has been saved by each group of Leavers in their own sense. The majority of mankind is known to destroy, and the few exceptions are known to store.

In the novel Daniel Quinn said, “And every time the Takers stamp out a Leaver culture, a wisdom ultimately tested since the birth of mankind disappears from the world beyond recall, just as every time they stamp out a species of life, a life from ultimately tested since birth of life disappears from the world beyond recall.” (pg.207), exposes a topic with extreme significance. It basically gives a notification that the world is being destroyed, piece by piece by the Takers, who we blong to.