In Chapter 1, Mordred discusses his state of happiness before he learned his true identity and his status as a “bad seed.” As we move forward with our reading of the novel, we will learn how this label profoundly shapes Mordred’s view of himself and of life in general.
In today’s society, people are often labeled at any early age, particularly by parents, peers, and even school officials. Whether the label is a positive one or negative one, consider these questions:
• Do these labels become “self-fulfilling prophecies” that either limit or expand how a person views himself/herself and what they can achieve/do in life? Why or why not? Explain.
• If the label is a negative one, such as Mordred being called a “bad seed” can a person can overcome this perception and create a life that is productive and positive? Why or why not?
In a paragraph for each question, explain your ideas. In other words, you should have two well developed paragraphs. Support your ideas with examples and detailed explanation. Try to write in complete sentences and follow rules of standard American English.
No I don’t think that they become self-fulfilling prophecies because no one knows what you are going to become only you know that. No one can make decisions for you. I’m sure that it can have some effect on someone if you tell them that they aren’t going to be anything in life but wouldn’t that push someone hard to try to prove themselves.
Yes I think a person can overcome a negative label can create a productive and positive like. Like I said in the fist paragraph you are the only one that can decide what you are going to be and what you are going to do. No one can make that decision for you. Kids all over are getting judged when they are young because of where they live and who they hangout with.
Comment by Brandon W. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
1. In a certain way it could affect the way that you look at yourself but it doesn’t necessarily say that, that is what you are to be. It all depends how much you respect yourself. And I think if you respect yourself enough than you won’t let what other people think stop you.
2. I think that a person can certainly prove a bad prophecy wrong for two big reasons. One would be to prove people wrong about what they are saying. The second would be to seek a better prophesy for themselves.
Comment by Ben A. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
I don’t think that these labels become self-fulfilling prophecies at all. A label is just something that someone else said to you. Just because someone might say something about you putting a label on you does not mean it’s true at all. I have been labeled before and I am sure everyone else has too. I don’t think it affects me in any way at all. Some people though if they are labeled by a peer or teacher it really can upset them. It could very well possibly change how that person’s outlook is or it will not affect them at all. If the label is positive then I say roll with it, but if it’s negative then it’s probably not true.
Comment by MaRk F — June 5, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
1.In life, we have the choice to follow our own path, or follow someone else’s ideas or thoughts about us. I think if we are able to overcome this fortune placed upon us, I think we would be able to do whatever we please in life. If we continue to listen to the voices that float in the back of our minds, you will never be able to follow your dream.
2.If a person has enough will to overcome this image that they have been placed upon, I think that they could be able to overcome this certain destiny that people give you. If they look out to what they want to do, and they try to accomplish this, they will be able to make their life a positive and productive one.
Comment by Robert B. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
If someone is labeled in a negative fashion for a majority of their life I think that it would eventually limit their goals in life. The may start to conform to the negativity that was attached to the image created from other people about them. Likewise if you give a positive label for the majority of their life the will most likely strive to achieve great things and life. They would have limitless borders and lead a fulfilling life.
I believe that being labeled in a negative fashion can also push someone to be more than what they are portrayed as. Being labeled in that way can provoke defiance in the sense that they would strive to prove that image created by a society of them wrong. While it is a positive outcome negative reinforcement would defiantly not work would everyone, but many people have overcome this struggle and made a productive happy life for themselves
Comment by blake a — June 5, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
1. Do these labels become “self-fulfilling prophecies” that either limit or expand how a person views himself/herself and what they can achieve/do in life? Why or why not? Explain.
I think the labels do become self-fulfilling prophecies because you control your own life. You don’t have to live your life around how you are labeled. Just because someone might think you are a bad person or a mean person just because of the clothes you wear or the friends you have doesn’t mean it’s true. You could look all mean and hateful, but you could be like the nicest person someone has ever met.
2. If the label is a negative one, such as Mordred being called a “bad seed” can a person can overcome this perception and create a life that is productive and positive? Why or why not?
Yes, a person can over come that. You really shouldn’t base your life on what people think about you. People will judge and label you all of your life. Some will be good and some will be bad. You just have to deal with it and move on. Just because a few people might think you’re a bad person, doesn’t mean it’s true. I would just let people think what they want.
Comment by wesley d — June 5, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
To me, I do think they become self fulfilling whether it’s good or bad. Because if it was a good label, then that just motivates the person as a whole to do better. But it’s kind of the same way with if it was a bad label. They say that bad vibes or comments only motivate the person to do better. At the same time it depends on how much self esteem they have. This can also tear a person down. It depends on how you treat your self as a person because nine times out of ten if you have good self esteem you can just keep it moving. If you have bad self esteem you might get stuck there.
I think that if some one has bad negative labels towards them, yes I do think they can over come it. I say this because some people are different and things that people say to them can go one ear and out the other. You can’t get under everyone’s skin because some don’t allow those types of people to bring them down. But at the same time others who have a lot of issues I think won’t be able to over come the negative label quick they might need help. I guess what I’m trying to say is it depends on what you are going through wit life
Comment by Lauren L. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
I don’t think labels are “self-fulfilling prophecies” because I don’t even believe in prophecies. They don’t limit how a person acts and feels. If some labels you as a “bad seed” it dosn’t mean you can’t change it and bee something else.
I think a person can over come a label such as a “bad seed”
Comment by zak skrobot — June 5, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
1. I think labels do become self-fulfilling prophecies because most people do make themselves become that. Most people that have a positive label that try to do better and stay that way. But for people that are label negative, they might try to get better and work harder but others just follow it. 2. I believe that they can if they want to because I think anybody can do or become anything they want to do. It is just a label or your life.
Comment by Adrian R. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
When you are labeled by you parents or peers it can make a difference on how you view yourself. There are many different labels in today’s time. You see this most often in middle and high school but you do also see it in elementary. There are the jocks, preps, geeks, goths, skaters, freaks and a lot more. There are many things that decide what you are labeled. What you weir, how you talk, the way you look, your grades, what you drive all these thing factor in to your high school life. What you are labeled determines who you can hang out with what parties you can go to where you can sit at lunch. It can be hard to deal with when you are labeled a geek, a freak, or a goth. People look at you differently because they don’t understand you. And when you chose to be individual and what you want to be it is not accepted. Most high school student thank that they need to be more like the jocks. The football players and cheerleaders they are the ones that are idealized most often everyone tries to be just like them but I thank that you should be you no matter what or who that is. Be yourself and don’t let other put you down because you are different.
When people are labeled it makes it harder for them to accept life for what is it. I thank that many can overcome the labels that are given to them. Some get them at a very young age and this does make it harder for them to overcome it living with it for so long, but everyone just has to keep in mind that you do have some friends many thank that it is bad do just have one or two friends but I say that it is better to have one or two true friends that fifteen or twenty friends that you really just don’t know about. Like the jocks and the cheerleaders they are friends with everybody but are they really friends? When you have a problem or need someone to talk to are you going to go to them? Most likely not they are more like acquaintances that friends and people have to remember that and go on with life.
Comment by Tiffany D. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
No I don’t agree, I think if you are labeled something when you grow up that doesn’t necessary mean you are going to become that person. I think you control what you want to be. I think anyone can achieve something if they try.
Yes, I think you can overcome a negative perceptive. You will have to grow out of it. I think it could be hard but you could do it. Just because you are labeled a certain way doesn’t mean you can not overcome it.
Comment by TonyaG — June 5, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
I think it would label that person to be that way. It would have an effect on someone’s life tremendously. For example telling someone that you will never make in life would really destroy someone and I know for a fact that It would because during my 10th grade year I was told that I would never pass it hurt a little but its life and there will be things that people may not want to here or for someone to say to you. It kind of stopped me from reaching my goal but I sat back and thought about the positives and not the negatives on what I need to do to achieve what I want in life. Hearing that kind of made me push to show that I could do what someone didn’t expect of me to do. But in return I thank myself for not listening to what someone else has to say or what was said to me.
I think that you could over come that perspective and create a life that you would fill comfortable. If you were called a “Bad Seed” or if some had called you that some people would believe that I was true and wouldn’t think the positive. There are some people who would view there life in that type of way and there are some that do not. For the people that would not will either not pay any attention to it or show that person that they can do what you think they can’t do and try to put in their face. But most of the time people can over come this type of situation. I have in the past and it has really helped me out by not going by what other people say and listening to my own judgment and following what I want to do. So I do think it’s possible that you could find a way out of that situation, but all it takes is finding yourself and doing what you want to do.
Comment by Nate R — June 5, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
I believe that when a person is labeled from an early age they begin to believe that the name fits them for a reason. I believe that a label limits how a person views themselves. If for instance, you are labeled as a good for nothing person all of your life then you probably will end up believing you are good for nothing because everyone has already labeled you that way. Even though you might have enormous amount of potential after being labeled for so long you might begin to believe that there is something wrong with the way you are just because of a label; this of course can cause many people to give up in future goals.
I believe that a person with a negative label can definitely overcome the perception and become a productive and successful person. A label is just a name that people use to identify who they believe you are, yet no body knows who you really are better than you. Although a label can be hurtful, you should never let it get to you that much because it is really just an assumption of who you are and what you can do. You are the only person who really needs to believe in yourself in order to be successful in life; no one better than you knows of what you are capable of .
Comment by Astrid A. — June 5, 2007 @ 4:44 pm