PARCC Project Marc Michelle Rebecca by Marc Mekhanik

"The Black Cat"- Edgar Allan Poe

mekhanikm — 2015-01-21 14:58:09 UTC

“And then came, as if to my final and irrevocable overthrow, the spirit of PERVERSENESS. Of this spirit philosophy takes no account. Yet I am not more sure that my soul lives, than I am that perverseness is one of the primitive impulses of the human heart-- one of the indivisible primary faculties, or sentiments, which give direction to the character of man. Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or silly action, for no other reason than because he knows he should not? Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgement, to violate that which is Law, merely because we understand it to be such? The spirit of perverseness, I say, came to my final overthrow."

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” explains what perverseness is and how it is in human nature to do rebellious things. Poe writes that the heart is inclined to do wrong for wrong’s sake only. He writes that everyone is guilty of being perverse and that we all do wrong things just because we “know we should not”.

Man Used His Olive Garden All-You-Can Eat Pass To Feed People In Need

2015-01-21 15:18:52 UTC

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/02/olive-garden-pasta-homeless_n_6251060.html

This article goes against the statement that it in human nature to be perverse. Instead of showing that it is in human nature to be evil, this article shows that people are generally good and will use their power to do good for others. The man helps hungry people because he wants to, not because he has to, which shows that he was not inclined to to evil.

This Millionaire Wakes Up At 5 A.M. To Pick Up Trash Around Town

2015-01-21 15:19:28 UTC

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/05/millionaire-trash-collector_n_6107594.html

This is another example of a person who does what they can for the good of others. It shows that people can live by a moral standard and have good will. It also shows that power does not always mean superiority. This man who has extreme wealth isn't inclined to do evil and, in fact, wakes up every morning to good for the community. He is more inclined to do good than he is to do evil.