Abstract
The Importance of Self reimagines the struggles of identity and expectations within the context of ancient Rome. The story follows Marcus, a young man pressured to conform to his father's vision of military honor. As he endures training, war, and personal loss, Marcus questions Rome's rigid ideals of masculinity, courage, and duty. Through vivid imagery and emotional introspection, the story explores themes of individuality, social conformity, and the cost of living under imposed roles. By contrasting Marcus's self awareness with his friend Lucius's blind devotion to tradition, the narrative reveals how personal authenticity can challenge the very foundations of societal expectations.
Bio
Thomas Stevenson is a student writer and engineer major whose work explores themes of individuality, perseverance, and human identity. The Importance of Self reflects inwardly on Thomas's life and how he put societal pressures upon himself. By displaying the story of Marcus, Thomas hopes to create reader reflection upon themselves and how they expect things of others. The Importance of Self reflects his interest between societal expectation and personal freedom.
Recommended Citation
Stevenson, Thomas
(2025)
"The Importance of Self,"
Night Flight: Online Literary Journal: Vol. 6
, Article 35.
Available at:
https://commons.erau.edu/night-flight/vol6/iss1/35