Philosophical Framework, Essay Example

“The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Araby” both incorporate philosophical frameworks that define the sacred. The sacred can be contrasted to the profane in many distinct ways. While sacredness can take on a religious definition, it could also be defined as a sense of majesty or mystery. Something that is sacred, therefore, could be little understood and awe will result because of it. A second important component of the philosophical framework is an understanding of the second law of thermodynamics. This law states that entropy, or disorder, tends to increase. We can therefore use these two understandings to define “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Araby”.

When “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” begins, we are introduced to the majesty of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is also called “The House of God”. Throughout the story, we learn of Harry’s life and then understand that life itself is sacred at the end when Harry dies. Thus, in this situation, sacredness is literal; it is a religious understanding of life. This short story also appeals to the second law of thermodynamics. As Harry’s story unfolds, it becomes increasingly complex until in the end, he dies and this complexity is no longer relevant.

In “The Araby”, the concept of sacredness is more concrete. The narrator holds Mangan’s sister sacred and is afraid to talk to her because he holds her in such high regards. The author holds the idea of the Araby in a similar way. However, once he finally reaches the Araby, he recognizes that his beliefs about both Mangan’s sister and the Araby are correct. In this manner, his life has fallen victim to the second law of thermodynamics because he no longer knows what he holds to be sacred. His life is now in chaos.