Question

An important aspect of a theme is that it is "universal" which means it can be applied beyond the story itself. Compare and contrast how "Mercury and the Workmen" portrays the importance of honesty to how another story shows the importance of honesty.

Answer 1

The story “Mercury and the Workmen,” a famous Greek fable, deals with the topic of honesty. In the story, the honest man is rewarded, and the dishonest one punished, highlighting the importance of honesty and the benefits it can bring. This theme is universal, as honesty is appreciated everywhere in the world. This moral therefore is relevant for a wide range of stories and situations beyond the Greek story itself.

Another famous story that gives a lesson on the importance of honesty is “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant. There are several similarities between both stories. In both cases, dishonesty is punished, and the dishonest characters end up worse than they would have been if they had not attempted to tell a lie. However, they are different in that in the Greek story, it is Mercury who punishes the liar, while in the French story the consequences are brought about by fate. Also, the motivation to lie in the first story is greed, while in the second one it is a desire for recognition and status. Both stories are good examples of this universal theme.