Slumdog Millionaire

One's surroundings play a large role in determining how one evolves as a person and how one "ends up" in the end. In Slumdog Millionaire, Jamal and Salim are both largely influenced by their surroundings in the slum. Especially after their mother was killed right in front of them, they were forced to use whatever means possible to fend for themselves. They had to steal in order to eat, and they slept in low-down places. School, when compared with survival, was not a top priority. They used primitive instincts in order to live. Although Jamal and Salim both turned out very differently, they were both influenced, or shaped, by their childhood. Salim, overly affected by previously having to use violence and corruption to survive, worked for the very person who oppressed his family when he was younger in order to secure his place in society and to ensure his survival. He adapted his actions to his environment. Jamal, on the other hand, used everything that had affected him and everything he had learned on the streets and in his life in order to win "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire." In the same way that this knowledge from Jamal's past made him destined to win, it also shaped his continuous search, and eventual reunion, with Latika. If both Salim had Jamal had not been "molded" from their past, then they would not have been in the situations, or lives, that they ultimately ended up in.

Machiavellian Advice for the President

Due to the many differences and circumstances between our present-day society and the time in which Machiavelli lived, I believe that many of Machiavelli's lessons should be avoided rather than followed in order to serve our country's best interests. First of all, I would advise President Obama to not be the first to instigate a war between countries. With so many extremist political countries overseas (ex. Iran), we may find ourselves in some form of a nuclear weapons war. In addition, there is already plenty of anti-Americanism abroad due to Bush's presidential decisions involving occupation of Iraq and so forth. Why would we want to give anyone a reason to dislike America more or to think that we find ourselves superior to them? In today's society, war may not be inevitable. Second of all, I would tell Obama to not be like a "lion and a fox (at least not completely)." At times it is necessary to be aggressive and proactive, but it is not necessary to use such brute force that one is basically hated (again the invasion of Iraq comes to mind). I do understand that a soft nature can be taken advantage of, however. As far as deception is concerned, one should stay far away unless it concerns something that does not directly affect the people. There are things that are basically none of the peoples' business; however, if the President is to lie about numerous things, it will not promote any kind of trust between the people and himself. And it is important for the President, of all people, to be trusted and well-liked. Third of all, the President should try to avoid making any decisions that oppress any group of people. Machiavelli often says that a prince should choose the lesser of two evils, which makes sense if one is in such a predicament; however, he also says that a prince should pay no mind to hurting, offending, or oppressing small or poor groups of people. If the President were to do this, then our country would be flooded with chaos and rebellion. We have certain laws to protect minorities that did not exist in Machiavelli's time. So not only would Obama be involved in a serious legal issue, but he would also be looked upon as being cruel and as misrepresenting our country's true ideals. Machiavelli's advice would definitely not be the best for Obama to follow given our present situation, both foreign and domestic.