Chapter 8: Different View
Chastity left for school in a horrible mood, having had a fight with her parents about college applications again.
"Chastity you need to stop dreaming. You should've had all of this done in the summer. Why do you insist on last minute everything?" Chastity's mother scolded.
"Mom, it's fine. I've got plenty of time. I'll handle it all."
"You always say that Chastity. This is the most important part of high school. Have you decided on a major yet?" Her dad asked her.
"No, but that's not absolutely necessary. People change majors all the time anyway."
"Aiyah Chastity. Just study law or medicine. It's the best, and you'll be sure to have a job," her dad insisted.
"But I have no interest in being a doctor or a lawyer. Does it have to be so cliché?" Chastity groaned.
"If you don't know what you want to do, there's nothing wrong with those majors. You can always work with computers too. Why be so picky?" Mr. Tse roared.
Chastity had lost count of the number of times they had this argument, and it always ended the same way. She heaved a deep sigh and went out to wait for Ken. Fighting with her parents was emotional, painful, a bit more complicated than it is in most families. There were just so many wounds below the surface. Ken noticed her less-than-sunny disposition, and he thought it best to let her cool down. The morning incident kept replaying in her mind, and she had to find an outlet for it. When Hinderson started to analyze the moral convictions of Kant, she grew impatient.
"Mr. Yen, what is Kant's purpose in writing this essay? Is the theme clearly stated and successfully conveyed?" Hinderson asked Jerry, surveying a classroom full of droopy-eyed teens.
"Kant wanted to stress the value of morality, and he saw human beings as essentially capable of perfecting the society around them. His essay relies on carefully planned logic, and the idea expressed is not only thoroughly explained, but he offers profound insight into the decision making process…"Jerry was seated a few desks from Chastity in their usual spot, and it was hard to miss the hand she was waving frantically, trying to catch Hinderson's attention.
"Very good Mr. Yen. Miss Tse, do you have something to add to that?" Hinderson acknowledged her.
"I have a different opinion about Kant's Metaphysics. He spends a good portion expounding the innate good of beings, but then he goes on to insist that true morality is determined by reason and rational thinking. If it is indeed an instinctive quality, then how could rational thinking have a role?" Chastity pointed out.
"The rational nature of it is subconscious. It makes sense because it's something that is supposed to be done. Kant is saying that doing something without wanting to or liking it but rather only because it should be done is a sense of propriety that we all have," Jerry argued back.
"That doesn't explain how it can be a natural sense if somewhere in the process of acting, the action must be considered for its consequence. The fact that our society is so immoral, when morals are to be inherent, indicates that people CHOOSE to do wrong," Chastity and Jerry carried on this increasingly impassioned discussion until the end of the period. It was obvious that the two had sharply different views of personal morals matched with an equally strong penchant for squabbling. Chastity felt alive and refreshed to voice her mind on something. It's not that she cared the least bit about Kant and his raving; it was the thrill of the debate that energized her. Probably because at home, she had no room to talk back to her parents, that's why she took such interest in debate. In that setting, everyone was given equal opportunity and victory was determined by talent alone.
In the next class, Euro, Chastity and Jerry got tangled in another spew about the consequences of imperialism. Chastity could tell Jerry didn't like being challenged. His eyes sort of glowed with this fire, and Chastity could see he was forcing himself to remain civil. Neither of them had an advantage over the other, and both presented equally valid arguments. The professor applauded their lively discussion and complimented their excellent public speaking skills. He was probably thrilled that they weren't dozing off in class for once. When the bell rang, Chastity zipped out of the room first.
"Chastity, hold up," Jerry rushed to catch up to her.
"Great morning huh? I can't wait till debate starts."
"Are you okay?" Jerry tweaked an eyebrow. She had just spent the entire morning, purposely playing devil's advocate with him, and yet she's smiling brightly and behaving eerily chipper?
"Fine. I'll see you later at lunch okay?" Chastity smiled and darted off towards the auditorium. Jerry watched her retreat, then turned to Ken and asked, "What's up with her today?"
~
"Director's out today," Vic said to Chastity as she took her usual seat across from him.
"Oh," was her only response.
"What do you want to go over?" He indicated towards the heap of music books on a nearby table.
"Nothing. Do we have to stay here?" Chastity fidgeted a little, uncomfortable that Vic was watching her so closely.
"Come on then."
"Where are we going?" Chastity found that these Boston boys were in the habit of pulling her around. Through the back stage and up a narrow flight of stairs, they came across a small access. Vic pushed it open, and the hatch creaked as it gave way. Sunlight flooded through the dark stairway, and Vic helped Chastity through. They were standing on a small balcony, cluttered with leaves and obviously neglected. One side of the tiny balcony was blocked off by the large brick building next door, but the view on the other side was spectacular. Chastity made her way to the railing and took a deep breath of the fresh air.
"It's gorgeous," Chastity brushed off the broad stone rail and pushed herself up, swinging her legs over. She patted the spot next to her, suggesting that Vic join her.
"Is music in your future? Is that what you want to pursue?" Chastity asked him.
"I don't know, doubt it. Family business comes first."
"And are you happy about that? I mean, do you want to do it?" Chastity knew he was the heir to a massive insurance enterprise, but she couldn't picture him sitting at a desk signing papers all day. Her own future was hazy, but she hadn't ruled out the possibility of joining her father's line of work. Her dad had taught her a lot about his work, and her technical skills were impressive though rarely used. She always felt she owed him too, but she just wanted to have more options.
"I don't think about it that much." Vic and Chastity sat in silence for a long time, and Chastity felt so calmed by the breeze and the warm sun she felt a little sleepy. She unknowingly leaned closer to Vic, until her head was resting lightly on his shoulder. Vic moved in, let her lean against him, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She really was a sweet girl. He wondered what about her tugged at his heartstrings like that. He had shown her his secret place but felt no regrets about it. Vic could smell the fruity essence of her hair and smiled to himself, remembering that Jina's hair always smelled delicious too. But Chastity wasn't Jina, and Vic didn't feel the least bit distraught by the idea anymore.
[thanks so much to those who resubmitted reviews that had been deleted, an awesome gesture. Made me very happy!]
Chastity left for school in a horrible mood, having had a fight with her parents about college applications again.
"Chastity you need to stop dreaming. You should've had all of this done in the summer. Why do you insist on last minute everything?" Chastity's mother scolded.
"Mom, it's fine. I've got plenty of time. I'll handle it all."
"You always say that Chastity. This is the most important part of high school. Have you decided on a major yet?" Her dad asked her.
"No, but that's not absolutely necessary. People change majors all the time anyway."
"Aiyah Chastity. Just study law or medicine. It's the best, and you'll be sure to have a job," her dad insisted.
"But I have no interest in being a doctor or a lawyer. Does it have to be so cliché?" Chastity groaned.
"If you don't know what you want to do, there's nothing wrong with those majors. You can always work with computers too. Why be so picky?" Mr. Tse roared.
Chastity had lost count of the number of times they had this argument, and it always ended the same way. She heaved a deep sigh and went out to wait for Ken. Fighting with her parents was emotional, painful, a bit more complicated than it is in most families. There were just so many wounds below the surface. Ken noticed her less-than-sunny disposition, and he thought it best to let her cool down. The morning incident kept replaying in her mind, and she had to find an outlet for it. When Hinderson started to analyze the moral convictions of Kant, she grew impatient.
"Mr. Yen, what is Kant's purpose in writing this essay? Is the theme clearly stated and successfully conveyed?" Hinderson asked Jerry, surveying a classroom full of droopy-eyed teens.
"Kant wanted to stress the value of morality, and he saw human beings as essentially capable of perfecting the society around them. His essay relies on carefully planned logic, and the idea expressed is not only thoroughly explained, but he offers profound insight into the decision making process…"Jerry was seated a few desks from Chastity in their usual spot, and it was hard to miss the hand she was waving frantically, trying to catch Hinderson's attention.
"Very good Mr. Yen. Miss Tse, do you have something to add to that?" Hinderson acknowledged her.
"I have a different opinion about Kant's Metaphysics. He spends a good portion expounding the innate good of beings, but then he goes on to insist that true morality is determined by reason and rational thinking. If it is indeed an instinctive quality, then how could rational thinking have a role?" Chastity pointed out.
"The rational nature of it is subconscious. It makes sense because it's something that is supposed to be done. Kant is saying that doing something without wanting to or liking it but rather only because it should be done is a sense of propriety that we all have," Jerry argued back.
"That doesn't explain how it can be a natural sense if somewhere in the process of acting, the action must be considered for its consequence. The fact that our society is so immoral, when morals are to be inherent, indicates that people CHOOSE to do wrong," Chastity and Jerry carried on this increasingly impassioned discussion until the end of the period. It was obvious that the two had sharply different views of personal morals matched with an equally strong penchant for squabbling. Chastity felt alive and refreshed to voice her mind on something. It's not that she cared the least bit about Kant and his raving; it was the thrill of the debate that energized her. Probably because at home, she had no room to talk back to her parents, that's why she took such interest in debate. In that setting, everyone was given equal opportunity and victory was determined by talent alone.
In the next class, Euro, Chastity and Jerry got tangled in another spew about the consequences of imperialism. Chastity could tell Jerry didn't like being challenged. His eyes sort of glowed with this fire, and Chastity could see he was forcing himself to remain civil. Neither of them had an advantage over the other, and both presented equally valid arguments. The professor applauded their lively discussion and complimented their excellent public speaking skills. He was probably thrilled that they weren't dozing off in class for once. When the bell rang, Chastity zipped out of the room first.
"Chastity, hold up," Jerry rushed to catch up to her.
"Great morning huh? I can't wait till debate starts."
"Are you okay?" Jerry tweaked an eyebrow. She had just spent the entire morning, purposely playing devil's advocate with him, and yet she's smiling brightly and behaving eerily chipper?
"Fine. I'll see you later at lunch okay?" Chastity smiled and darted off towards the auditorium. Jerry watched her retreat, then turned to Ken and asked, "What's up with her today?"
~
"Director's out today," Vic said to Chastity as she took her usual seat across from him.
"Oh," was her only response.
"What do you want to go over?" He indicated towards the heap of music books on a nearby table.
"Nothing. Do we have to stay here?" Chastity fidgeted a little, uncomfortable that Vic was watching her so closely.
"Come on then."
"Where are we going?" Chastity found that these Boston boys were in the habit of pulling her around. Through the back stage and up a narrow flight of stairs, they came across a small access. Vic pushed it open, and the hatch creaked as it gave way. Sunlight flooded through the dark stairway, and Vic helped Chastity through. They were standing on a small balcony, cluttered with leaves and obviously neglected. One side of the tiny balcony was blocked off by the large brick building next door, but the view on the other side was spectacular. Chastity made her way to the railing and took a deep breath of the fresh air.
"It's gorgeous," Chastity brushed off the broad stone rail and pushed herself up, swinging her legs over. She patted the spot next to her, suggesting that Vic join her.
"Is music in your future? Is that what you want to pursue?" Chastity asked him.
"I don't know, doubt it. Family business comes first."
"And are you happy about that? I mean, do you want to do it?" Chastity knew he was the heir to a massive insurance enterprise, but she couldn't picture him sitting at a desk signing papers all day. Her own future was hazy, but she hadn't ruled out the possibility of joining her father's line of work. Her dad had taught her a lot about his work, and her technical skills were impressive though rarely used. She always felt she owed him too, but she just wanted to have more options.
"I don't think about it that much." Vic and Chastity sat in silence for a long time, and Chastity felt so calmed by the breeze and the warm sun she felt a little sleepy. She unknowingly leaned closer to Vic, until her head was resting lightly on his shoulder. Vic moved in, let her lean against him, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She really was a sweet girl. He wondered what about her tugged at his heartstrings like that. He had shown her his secret place but felt no regrets about it. Vic could smell the fruity essence of her hair and smiled to himself, remembering that Jina's hair always smelled delicious too. But Chastity wasn't Jina, and Vic didn't feel the least bit distraught by the idea anymore.
[thanks so much to those who resubmitted reviews that had been deleted, an awesome gesture. Made me very happy!]