Exploring Human Nature and Destruction - Essay Example

For some it is to do in good for one another, for others it is just to make it another day. Human nature consists of moments of love, hate, passion, living and dying. In this case, it is destruction, both in war conflict and from the standpoint of considering suicide to end an internal war. A person is born and a person will die but it is what the person does in between these two milestones that is of importance. The purpose of life is unknown but while these writers look at a reflection of human nature, only each individual can narrate their own story.

When looking at the references that William Manchester discusses, he analyzes the concept of war. He includes in his essay about Okinawa the concept that war has existed for several years. Manchester uses World War II as a reference discussing how it came to an end eventually with the United States being crippled in the middle of war by its opponents. Using a landing force, a fleet of 1200 ships as part of the United States invasion in Okinawa, the people on these ships were subjected to attack from other ships in the sea and from the dropping of deadly bombs from the air.

When analyzing the two enemy forces, the goals were similar: to destroy one another. The Japanese planned to attack the United States Marines as they approached the island by sinking the ships. Alternately, the Marines were on a mission to attack the Japanese by creeping onto shore and driving them into the sea (Manchester). While this is just a simple narrative of a historical event that deeply impacted the United States, it is evident that human nature was at work here. Both Americans and Japanese fighters were together in combat but were working against each other.

Both sides of the war saw their opponents as enemies and the goal was to kill or destroy. Each side desired to win the victory of the war. Human nature is at work here because by just where a person was born determined which side they fought on. While many outsiders rarely know the purpose of a war, the goal is always for their country to be victorious. It is like rooting for a team, wanting to see the opponents walk away, holding their heads in shame. Everyone wants to be on the winning team.

Though human nature is not necessarily to kill, it is to fight for one's own side. When looking at this issue further, these U.S. Marines did not know each other when they walked into battle but they became teammates, fighting for their country, fighting for their lives and most of all, fighting for each other. Outside of war, they may have had nothing in common but in war, they let down all guards and help each other toward a common goal. Being an American or being Japanese gave each person in this war an identity.

This defines battle lines and identifies the enemy. Marines more than likely had a feeling of hatred toward their Japanese enemies and as a result, aimed toward destroying them. When it comes to human nature, what goes on in one's mind that causes destruction? In war, it is the motive to devote oneself to their country and pray to come home to their families alive. However, some people self destruct as well, fighting a battle against themselves. This issue is discussed by Hoagland's essay discussing “Heaven and Nature,” and describes suicide.

A person that is contemplating suicide is instead at war with themselves. Human nature is a different force here where a