"The Group" of Will Power

While reading, The Group written by Mercy Otis Warren, it made me think about my own attitude towards bravery, power, and will. Another subject that I thought was interesting was the discussion on having a guilty conscience. These themes seemed to hold a strong undertone throughout the document. I started to think about these themes and how they related to me and what my general thoughts were on bravery, power, and will. There were a few examples in the text that I studied closer to see if I agreed with what the character was saying.
The first passage that caught my eye was when Simple was discussing people that were brave. He said, “I fear the brave, the injured multitude, repeated wrongs, arouse them to resent…resolved to die or see their country free.” I thought this was a great passage, perhaps a speech to give before a big game or before battle. I agree with Simple that the brave are the ones to be most scared of, they may not be the biggest or meanest, but the more fuel you give them, the more fire you will get in return.
After I read about being brave I moved onto power and will. This was mentioned by Hateall when he was responding to Halzerod about feeling no remorse for killing their opposition. He said, “Nor I – But had I power, as I have the Will I’d send them murmuring to the shades of hell.” Although this is a very brutal passage and is clearly being satirized by Otis Warren, the words have such great force. This passage is such a parallel to athletics. Day in and day out people train to become the strongest, fittest, and fastest, but only the ones who are mentally strong and have to strongest will can emit their greatest powers at all times.
The last passage I found intriguing was near the beginning of the play when Halzerod and Crusty are discussing having a guilty conscience. I found it interesting that Halzerod tells Crusty he has resolved himself of ever having a guilty conscious and Crusty replies eagerly wanting to know how to get rid of the “guilty” feeling. I don’t agree with Halzerod that one can wish away their morbid feelings; rather a person must stop doing the act that is making them feel guilty.