Purpose of Lies> Lies Themselves

One idea I thought of during our revision class was what is the most important aspect of a lie? Is it the lie it self? Is it who is lying and to whom? This class made me believe that most important aspect of a lie is its purpose. The lie itself does not matter and the people you are lying to are irrelevant. The purpose behind the lie is the most crucial element. In the various texts we read this semester, characters, authors, and actors all lied to us or themselves for some kind of greater good. Tim O'Brien wrote lies in order to cope with his feelings from Vietnam. The San Lorenzos lied to themselves in order to be happy and "live in a perfect world." Susan lied to herself to give herself power. Leonard lied to himself (and to the audience) for revenge and to be able to control his life in the tiniest way possible. In all of these situations, the lies that the characters told were irrelevant to the cause. Each individual had a purpose for their lies, and whether or not it was moral, it (in their eyes) improved their lives.
One take home message I took from this class is that we will always be manipulated. The important thing is to acknowledge when and how we are being manipulated, and be aware that manipulation is taking place. Whether we are manipulated by others or by ourselves, actively knowing gives us power over the manipulator. What we choose to do afterwards, be manipulated or prevent it, is up to us. But having the power to decide is what is most important.