To Judge or Not to Judge

Judging others is very natural without even trying. No matter how hard we try not to judge others, it’s a battle being fought by many. Judging others is so common, many of us do so when we encounter someone different from you without meaning to do so. Regardless of the nationality, race or sex they will automatically be judged. For example, when one sees a person who weighs 350-400 pounds they will automatically be judged and labeled as someone who eats everything in sight or just plain lazy. Or if we see someone wearing a pink tutu and orange tights we automatically think ‘ what in the world is she thinking’.

A religious difference or religious preference would cause one to be judged. Such as in ‘Young Goodman Brown’, he was a really having a bad dream that he thought that was actually happening. He thought the people in his dream were real evil and he went so far as to believe that they were the devil. He began to take the devil’s lead while he was in the forest. Take Bailey for instance, who went against his better judgement in a ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find’, he knew he should have gone to Florida as he had planned originally. But instead, he let the persuasion of his kids and grandmother lead him in another direction. This change in plans led them right to the misfit in the forest. It’s ironic that the two stories have the same setting, with same message. The message was if you take a detour and not follow your original path, you are being led straight to something bad happening. When it reaches this point the devil has the upper hand and unwelcomed events start occurring around you.

It is very normal and common to wander or question the outcome if you had stuck to your original plan. It is very natural to make a decision self- consciously to take the word of others or what led us to pass judgement in the first place. You are left to wander if based off judgement can the outcome be something other than what is expected. As I read the stories these questions came up and had me constantly second guessing myself.

In the story ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find; the extremely religious grandmother was the one who most often than others gave her two cents without being asked. She was rather direct and more candid than anyone else in the family. Her reasons to visit Tennessee instead came across very strong and convincing. She provided two possible routes to take to reach the destination, and to make Bailey aware of the misfit murderer that’s was on the loose. The misfit was headed to Florida after he escaped from the penitentiary. Unfortunately, Bailey’s bad decision to not go where he originally planned, left him to question his own judgement. Good things appeared to be happening for Bailey, but trouble still finds Bailey again. Which appears that since Bailey did not stay on course to his path to Florida, he was convinced to take another path instead. On the outside looking in, it didn’t take much to persuade Bailey to do otherwise.

Bailey and his family head into town and they find a restaurant, where they eat and chat with the owners. After this stop they head back on course to their journey. This is when trouble finds them again when they have an accident. They pull off to the side and hopes someone comes along to help them. Low and behold the Misfit and his friends stumble upon them. Instead of getting help, this is when the worst of all things happen. They all lose their lives at the hands of the Misfits and his friends.

Then there is ‘Young Goodman Brown’, where in it has you thinking the same path is being taken as in ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find’. But Good makes an appearance and it wins over evil. Brown has an unwavering faith in God and his surroundings. This path takes a more drawn out route which soon turn into when evil subsequently wins. This is all due to different paths and roads taken. The way Brown loved and had affection for his wife is portrayed you would think evil doesn’t have a chance. Once Goodman ignores his wife’s begging him to reconsider his trip, and he goes off on his way in the dark and gloomy forest. He’s determined more than anything to go on this journey, as he promises to come back a better individual. Once Goodman reaches his destination and see nothing but evil all around, he’s hoping it’s all a dream. But when the next morning comes and once he comes upon Faith as one of the people in this world of evil, he loses all hope. He loses his trust and faith in everything and everybody around him. All of this shock, forces him to live the rest of his life in a gloomy state of fear.

In conclusion, the manner where in Goodman could not resist temptation of the evil doings of the devil himself. In other words, this is a direct example of how easy it is to be swayed from good to bad. Whereas when the family encounters the Misfit and friends on the unfortunate wrong turn is a portrayal of evil hanging out and waiting for you just around the corner. This is the test of one’s beliefs and faith in God, which would not make it easy for one to be consumed by evil and its evil doings. Staying strong at all times is sure way to avoid any unfortunate mishaps or wrong turns in life. So, I conclude that yes, our lack of judgement in certain situations, could actually help us avoid certain situations in the long run. Being judgmental and being a good judge of character will more than likely guarantee a good outcome or positive results. One must hold onto their faith and beliefs and not let evil consume you and take a wrong turn or path in life.