Despite their differences, James Murray and William Minor portray traits of the archetype "The Scholar" that are reflected in todays students and education morals
William Minor
Self Disciplined
His ability to make a healthier lifestyle for himself: removing the erotic desires by changing environments
Through doing this, gained more insight on events that would change his life in America: Civil War
Ambitious students also take the responsibility to show self discipline through the ability to change their bad habits or arrangments that differ them from success
His successful studies in medicine despite his families religious success and views
Was able to obtain a medical degree at Yale University
a career as a doctor
Turned into a career as a medic/surgeon in the Civil War
Relates to how students must differ from their parents and develop good self discipline in order to be successful
The ability to disconnect
a negative side effect/characteristic, plausible cause to his insanity because of the feeling of having a meaningless life with so much information
could have resulted in the lack of motivation to learn for both characters
Can be the result of a characteristic that also kills motivation for most students, especially when faced with heavey courses including calculus, chemistry, etc.
James Murray
Determined
Using Math to calculate buoyancy but failed, did not give up
Pursuing his education although his family did not have the funds
Teaching himself languages and maths
A characteristic students share when dealing with tough classes or issues, especially coming to financial aspects
Divorce own Opinions and Emotions
always seeking the truth no matter the prejudices he had
When he found out William was in an asylum, he did not conform to being scared like other but only showed interest in meeting the intellect behind the definitions
Connects to how students, in order to understand tings fully, must sometimes shpw this characteristic. Especially when sharing opinions and writing essays.