Journal Entry #3: "The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword"

Journal #3: "The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword"

Writers have an extraordinary potential to change people’s minds and to create revolutions. Reflect upon some of the radical changes that have been wrought by such texts as The Declaration of Independence, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and The Communist Manifesto. What issues or topics are you interested in exploring in your writing? What changes do you feel are worth making?

Over the years, there have been many radical authors who have written about controversial topics. For example, "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" was extremely controversial at the time of its release, as it was anti-slavery in the times of slavery. "The Declaration of Independence" is another example of an influential text, as it declared the 13 American colonies as states which were independent of the British Empire, and essentially founded the United States as an independent nation. In another political sense, "The Communist Manifesto" was an extremely influential text which explained the purpose and ideas of the Communist party, and helped the party gain recognition.

I’m interested in many topics, but I find there are few that I am actually able to write about passionately. I wouldn’t be able to make another "Uncle Tom’s Cabin." I’m mostly interested in writing fiction with no real underlying message. This is likely because I’m more of a go-with-the-flow kind of person. For example, I know the war in Iraq is going on, and I know that people are both for and against it. I don’t really have an opinion on it. I could support either side. There is just nothing important going on that I’m passionate enough about to actually write about.

However, there are changes in the world that I feel are worth making. There are starving people all over the world, while we in North America throw food away. People are doing terrible things to one another. There is a video on the internet of a man being murdered by a hammer and a screwdriver. If I could do something to fix these things, I would, I just don’t think there is anything I could do to change them.


On a side note, my journals are coming off as fairly pessimistic, ha ha ha. I should at least act like I believe I could change the world, or be an astronaut, or become famous. Jeez.