Abuse vs. Discipline

In the book we read this week, Great Expectations, Pip is a very disciplined child. While his sister was harsh and could have been more nurturing, I think his situation was far from abuse. This is an issue that affects parents still today. At what point does physical discipline become abuse? In my opinion that is simple. When the parent no longer has an intent of discipline but of anger or even pleasure, it is abuse. Swatting a child on the hand or spanking your child is not abuse. More and more parents are being punished for using this technique, but it has been proven that it does not negatively affect a child's growth physically or emotionally. I think as long as the intentions are correct, parents should have free reign on how they would like to discipline their children. In my opinion, a small swat or spank can be just what a child needs to understand the seriousness of their misbehavior.

Duke vs. Duke

While reading the poem "My Last Duchess," I couldn't help but think about the movie Moulin Rouge. In the movie, the Duke comes to purchase/invest in the cabaret and expects to receive the star, Satine, as well. Both Duke are privileged and arrogant. They expect to get anything they desire, simply because they have the power and money. In both cases, women are treated like property and their opinions and desires are completely disregarded. When I read "My Last Duchess," I had the same feelings toward the Duke as I did in the movie. They are both dispicable and disgusting. They both put their own desires above everyone else's wellbeing. They are both coincidentally named the Duke.
The word duke is defined as a male holding the highest hereditary title in Britain. Like the aristocracy in their times, these dukes were born into entitlement and persecution of others. Both of these examples show how corrupt and self-important these people were. While both characters are detestable, they are perfect symbols of the aristocracy.

Creator vs. Created

As a creator, do we have complete control over what we have created? Are we ultimately responsible for how our creation turned out?
The questions can apply to nearly anything. If you are a scientist that creates a vaccine that eventually turns people into zombies, are you responsible for the end of human race? Or is it out of your hands because you could not possibly know what was going to happen? If you are a parent that raises a child that turns into a serial killer, are you responsible for the deaths of innocent lives?
There are no specific or correct answers to the questions. Each person probably has a different view on what is right or wrong in these situations. Who do you blame? Or do you blame anyone at all?
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the question of creator vs. created is a huge theme. Who's fault is it that the monster turned evil? Should Frankenstein be blamed for his lack of action to stop the creature?
In my opinion, Frankenstein should have cared for the creature he made. Imagine being completely rejected by the only person that would ever want you... your creator. What if when we were born, our parents disowned us and left us to fend for ourselves? Every time we went outside, people were horrified. Obviously your life would be miserable and you would have so much hate and anger. If Frankenstein had gone after the monster and cared for him, or even stopped him from going loose, no one would have been killed. He should have taken responsibility in the beginning, so he didn't have to take responsibility for the horrific deeds later on.