Brittney Cento
Hypocrisy
You say that judging people is wrong but can you honestly say that you don’t? Yes, it is a fact that all human beings are indeed hypocritical. We can say we believe one thing and then turn around and do it. The more one preaches the more difficult it is to live up to it. Dictionaries define hypocrisy as “the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc., contrary to one's real character or actual behavior, esp. the pretence of virtue and piety”. In simple terms, it’s something you claim to believe and live by but you’re actually taking part in.
Torvald Helmer, from The Doll House, is a perfect example of a hypocrite. Many times throughout the play, Torvald criticizes the other characters and their actions. He believes that if the mother of a household is dishonest, then surely the children will become morally infected. Therefore, after having a good time at a party, Torvald tells Nora how much he loves and cares for her. Moments later when Torvald finds a letter revealing how Nora has brought blackmail into his household, he is furious and wants nothing to do with Nora and her out of the house so his reputation is not ruined. He preached that honesty is the best policy but as soon as he was in trouble he was prepared to lie and cover up everything like it had never happened. Torvald also claims to not like Nora’s father for how he treated her as a child when he is doing the same thing- treating her like a doll.
A perfect example of hypocrisy in action can be found in presidential campaigns. Often a candidate will present himself to the public and tell them what they want to hear but in fact his actions will be hypocritical. For example, John McCain consistently tries to separate himself from President Bush who is a Republican by saying he is a different kind of Republican who represents change because of President Bush’s unpopularity. This statement can be seen as hypocritical by a person wanting a Republican...