On Compassion

             In Barbara L. Ascher's essay "On Compassion", she addresses the need for compassion. Ascher used examples of the homeless to illustrate how compassion is necessary in society. It was recognized that Ascher believes the homeless people we see today is what brings about our compassion that we have for humans. The Greek dramas of the past that Ascher refers to reinforced compassion through their plays. Unlike a theatrical play homelessness is real life; this is a reality (163-5).
             As I read Ascher's essay, I found the subject of compassion to be quite intriguing. Ascher insists that for one to be compassionate, compassion must be learned. I agree with her claim. When I see someone less fortunate than I, someone without regular meals, clean clothing, someone clearly unable to pay for a haircut, compassion comes about in me. Regardless the circumstance, something seems to sympathize with my heart and give me a reason to care. That "something" that I mentioned would be referred to as compassion. I agree with Ascher that if it weren't for the unfortunate homeless than I wouldn't be compassionate. However, I am not accustomed to seeing homeless people everyday, it is a reality; "this play doesn't end- and the player's can't go
             Homelessness is a definite reality, even to someone so naive as I. When I was a younger girl I remember going to a fashion show in Chicago with my mom. Chicago being a bigger city, there was an abundance of homeless people. My mom and I, eager to find a nice place to dine before the show, wearily set down the long sidewalks of the city. It was then obvious that a strange looking man walking our way was on the verge of approaching us. I felt my mom grip my hand a little tighter and we proceeded to walk on ahead. The poor man stared at us with a smile and stopped directly in our path to bring us to a halt. He began to show my mom torn old recei
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On Compassion. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 04:27, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/28068.html