Assignment 3: A Giant's Manifesto

Inspiration

In the final chapter of H.G. Wells' The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth, the giants' leader, Cossar’s eldest son, states that growth is TRUE the law of nature – the death of the old, the birth of the new – and that giants will inherit the earth come what may, as part of the never-ending process which will carry the human race towards complete knowledge of the universe. He proclaims his manifesto before the Prime Minister and all those present, stating:

"It is not that we would oust the little people from the world,’ he said, ‘in order that we, who are no more than one step upwards from their littleness, may hold their world for ever. It is the step we fight for and not ourselves…. We are here, Brothers, to what end? To serve the spirit and the purpose that has been breathed into our lives. We fight not for ourselves – for we are but the momentary hands and eyes of the Life of the World. So you, Father Redwood, taught us. Through us and through the little folk the Spirit looks and learns. From us by word and birth and act it must pass – to still greater lives. This earth is no resting place; this earth is no playing place, else indeed we might put our throats to the little people’s knife, having no greater right to live than they. And they in their turn might yield to the ants and vermin. We fight not for ourselves but for growth – growth that goes on for ever. To-morrow, whether we live or die, growth will conquer through us. That is the law of the spirit for ever more. To grow according to the will of God! To grow out of these cracks and crannies, out of these shadows and darknesses, into greatness and the light! Greater,’ he said, speaking with slow deliberation, ‘greater, my Brothers! And then – still greater. To grow, and again – to grow. To grow at last into the fellowship and understanding of God. Growing…. Till the earth is no more than a footstool…. Till the spirit shall have driven fear into nothingness, and spread….’ He swung his arm heavenward: – ‘There!’

Assignment

A manifesto is a declaration of aims and policy. Often used in a political context, it is also useful to apply to arts and social change work. This assignment asks you to articulate and commit to a statement regarding the ethical questions posed in the final chapters of The Food of the Gods. It asks the question, "What do you believe?"

You may choose to write your manifesto from the creative, fictionalized perspective of one of the giants in H.G. Wells story OR you may choose to write your manifesto as a personal assignment using your own voice and lived experiences.

Assignment Value (25 pts)

Requirements

Your manifesto must include at least THREE similarities and three differences between the world of H.G. Well's text and our world
Your manifesto must synthesize at least THREE of the ethical dilemmas presented in Reading Assignment 3, Article 3, and Video 3
Your manifesto must be between 500-1,000 words in length.
You may choose to reflect on materials, assignments, or topics from Week 1 and Week 2
Be clear and concise in message throughout
Be appropriate to purpose and audience
Demonstrate college-level writing and be free of significant spelling and grammar errors
Include a bibliographic entry for the story and any other resources used. This should be located at the end of the infographic, in either APA or MLA format for the course or specified by the instructor