an article on poor self image can be self destructive with reference to the poem the frog and nightingle
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Poor Self Image Can Be Self Destructive
It is universally true that poor self image can be self-destructive. On the other hand good self image is a very rare and hard-won virtue. This is the fruit which appears on the tree of long industry and perseverance. Once a man succeeds in nurturing self-image through discipline, self-control, and dedication to higher principles of morality and ethics, it becomes a source of unprecedented inner power. All great men of all times and in all climes were men of high self-image. Lincoln, Helen Keller, Einstein, Vivekananda, Jessica Cox, Addison, Louis Pasteur, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin King Luther, Nelson Mandela, etc, developed self-esteem in them. They used this power to set so many things right.
However, in the case of nightingale, she had low self-image which proved to be her Achilles heel. The frog came to know about her weakness on his first meeting with her; he decided to exploit her and succeeded in his nefarious plans. If the nightingale had high self-image, she would never have thought of relying so much on the cunning frog. She could have seen the frog’s hypocrisy and shrewdness. Her low self-image became the cause of her downfall, misery, and death.
Knowledge of the self is very important for rising to one's full potential. Psychologists advise SWOT analysis in which one focuses on his strength and weakness to become a better personality by working as per our strength and eliminating weakness. How we can encash opportunities and remove threats that challenge us. Through the poem 'The Frog and The Nightingale' the poet, Vikram Seth highlights the similar idea by portraying the Nightingale as an innocent, gullible and timid character. Her poor self-image leads to her destruction.
If the Nightingale were confident and knew her strength, the Frog would not be able to exploit her. She trusted the Frog blindly and became a victim who ultimately loses her precious life. Neither she could assert her excellence over the crooked Frog nor she could revolt against the Frog's cruelty due to her simple and innocent nature. She could have easily denied practicing in the rain and she could have easily averted the tragic end she met if she knew that the Frog stood nowhere as a singer. She was much better than him and hence did not need his tuition and training.
So, the poem comes to the reader as a learning to warn against the oppressive forces and not to succumb to them.