In-class Online Lesson 10

Theme - Filial Piety

In “The Merchant of Venice”, one of the very important themes was “filial piety”. We are able to make a comparison between Portia and Jessica. Portia was very filial, even after her father died; she still respected him and followed his orders. Before her father died, he made every man who wanted to marry Portia go through a test. This was done in order to make sure that only those worthy of Portia would get her. Although Portia disapproved of the idea, she still respected her father’s decision and made every men who wanted go through the test.

However, Jessica, on the other hand, was not filial. She disliked her father greatly, and she stole all his money and eloped with Lorenzo. She showed no signs of regret and she even felt what she did was right. Therefore, from the above two daughters’ behaviors, we can see how much difference there is between them.

Narrative

Ali had been out of job for 2 months. He was already running out of money. He knew that this could not continue any longer. He had to find some means to earn money. His mother was extremely sick; she lay in bed all day. He needed to find money somehow, for her treatment. Finally, he made a decision. He had no other choices. He would take up stealing as his profession. “It was the fastest and easiest way to earn money,” he thought to himself.

The next day, Ali went out to the busy city streets of India early in the morning. He tried his best to act like a normal citizen. He analyzed the movements of everyone, including the policemen, in order to make sure that he would not get caught. By noon, he started pick pocketing. He stole from so many people without getting caught. By evening, he had already collected about 300 dollars. “I just have to continue this for a month and I will get enough money to treat my mother!” he thought to himself happily.

Ali continued this daily routine for two weeks or so. However, one day, he got caught by a policeman. When asked why he was stealing, he replied, “My mother is really sick and I have no money to let her see a doctor for treatment. I really need the money, so please let me off.”

The policeman was touched by how filial Ali was to his mother that he decided to let Ali off this once.