Ernest Becker from his book The Birth and Death of Meaning Chapter "The Inner World"

    ESSAY - at least 5 pages long (I don't expect you to write 5 pages, but to give me an outline or synopsis to help get me started.) Ques. Who are you? Is there more to this fleshy casing? What makes you who you are? Write a 5 pg letter to Becker, using at least 3 quotes from the photocopied chapter. As far as who I am...I am a kindhearted, loving person (I will help anyone and come to the aid of any person) I go crazy when I see an injustice committed, when I see prejudice or malice towards any one. I was raised in a family that was not the "normal American Family." And I am so grateful for not being "normal". My grandfather was a philosopher and in order to feed his family he became a Rabbi and wrote wonderful books.All my mom's family fled just before Hitler and spent just a short time in a camp. They could not get into NY so they went to Buenos Aires, Arg. and settled there. My father is Italian and was an alter boy. I have my mom's Jewish guilt and my insecurities stem from my dad always criticizing and telling us we could do better. My father screamed from sunrise to sunset. My mom never yelled but belittled him as revenge. My mom is very intellectual and open-minded. He will never admit he is wrong or say I'm sorry. Somehow I managed not to repeat my parent's behavior. This is usually not the case. My brother is a renowed Plastic Surgery and lives like a King surrounded by people that admire him , yet he seems to be always unhappy, depressed and/or angry just like a more civilized version of my father. He has my mom's intelligence but he also has her very well concealed maniputalive ways. Thank you for bearing with me as I vented a bit.