Kerima Amer

English Class 4
Manipulatipon Essay

Manipulation is something that can happen to anyone, It is also something that may or may not
be avoided. In multiple stories Ive read, they all show some situation of a form of manipulation.
Manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of
others underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. Domestic Violence is a violent or
aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.
Manipulation will most likely always create conflict .There are many ways someone may try
to manipulate someone else. Like in the play Othello (Parker, O., Roeg, L., Barron, D.,
Fishburne, L., Jacob, I., Branagh, K., & Shakespeare, W. (1995). Othello. United States: Castle
Rock Entertainment.)The character Iago tries to manipulate another character named Cassio.
Cassio is a person that gets drunk very fast and Iagos plan was to get him drunk easily so he
can create a fight and basically get fired from his job. Iago says this If I can fasten but one cup
upon him with that which he hath drunk tonight already, hell be as full of quarrel and offence as
my young mistress dog. This is his way of manipulating Cassio, so Iago can be the center of
attention in the play Othello. The character Iago also uses a different tactic to manipulate
Brabantio,( Desdemona's father) He changed his way of looking at the marriage between
Desdemona and Othello. He grabs Brabantios attention by saying Awake! What, ho,
Brabantio! Thieves! Thieves! (l.i.76-78) By saying this, Iago shows a new perspective to
Brabantio by insisting Othello has stolen his daugabused you are scared to leave your
relationship because you are worried as to what will happen with your children. One of the
most common reasons women stay in relationships is so their children will have a father and an

intact family, the abuser will often threaten to take custody of the children and hire an aggressive
attorney. This creates conflict because husband and wife fight over who will win custody over
the children. In the movie O (0 [Motion picture on DVD]. (2001).Tim Blake Nelson)the
character Odin goes through a lot of stress, at the end of the play he says My life is over, thats
it. But while all yall are out here livin yours, sitting around talking about the nigger who lost it
back in highschool, you make sure you tell them the truth. You tell them I loved that girl! I did!
But I got played! He then shoots himself and sadly dies, throughout the whole movie O he was
in conflict with either Des, Hugo, or Michael. This shows that manipulation will most likely
always create conflict.

Manipulation can change people, In a short story called lamb to the slaughter ( New York:
Harpers magaine.-Dahl, R. (1953). Lamb to the slaughter)It talks about a woman who loved her

husband, until he tells her he is leaving and she kills him! She then tries to cover it up and calls
the cops, she fell into jack noonan arms crying uncontrollably he gently put her in a chair She
changed her personality so she wouldnt have to go to jail. In a short film called The Monsters
Are Due On Maple Street(Monsters are due on Maple Street [Motion picture]. (1960).) It talks
about a whole society that changes, When machines and appliances suddenly stop working, the
people on Maple street start suspecting each other. A teenage boy obsessed with sci-fi comic
books tells the others it must be aliens from another planet. When some of the residents
appliances start working again, they each take turns in being the subject of suspicion. Soon later
the neighborhood becomes a mod! Especially the character Charlie, who accuses everyone,
before becoming the suspect himself. This manipulation did not change one person, it changed a
whole neighborhood.

Manipulation can sometimes be avoided and sometimes it cant, like in the story The Cask of
Amontillado One of the characters say Come, I said with decision we will go back your health
is precious. At this point Fortune might still be free to turn back but he is trapped by his desire
for Amontillados help. He is clueless that he is about to be cemented behind a wall.
(http://www.tomikobuchanan.com/domestic-violence-awareness-month-5-tips-avoid-victim/)
According to this website there are 5 ways you can avoid manipulation, number one is knowing
the other acts of Domestic Violence, the first step in avoiding Domestic violence is Awareness.
Step number two is knowing that anyone can be a victim of Domestic Violence, Three is, watch
out for the first sign of Domestic Violence. Step four is trust your instinct! When you feel
something is wrong or you are uncomfortable dont avoid it start acting. And step five is know
your worth, Sometimes, women tend to be dependent on their partner in terms of recognition.
This weakness becomes an advantage for the abusers to use against you. So knowing your worth
as a woman and as a person will prevent him from breaking your spirit.
In conclusion, Domestic Violence and manipulation are two very serious things. Which in
some cases lead to death. If you are a victim of someone getting abused get help immediately, if
you ignore it chances are youll never be heard.

~ New York: Harpers magaine.-Dahl, R. (1953). Lamb to the slaughter

-Monsters are due on Maple Street [Motion picture]. (1960).
-Moran, M. (2014, October 21). Guest viewpoint:understanding the many faces of domestic
violence. Retrieved November 13, 2014, from masslive.com
-Domestic Violence and the law (3rd ed.). (2013). Foundation 3rd edition.