The Drawbridge Exercise

The drawbridge exercise have improved the way I think about simple things or scenarios. It has also evoked my creativity on seeing things and making interpretations about ordinary situations. This exercise is a great way to enhance critical thinking because you will be forced to think out of the box and assume all the possibilities that could happen in the story. It is also a unique and exciting way of eliciting information about people’s background and perception about the story and its implications.

I think that the arguments that I have posted for this exercise have their strengths and weaknesses.

For the positive aspects of my arguments, I think that I was able to state three plausible grounds that proved that the baroness among all the characters in the story is the most guilty or responsible for her own death. More so, I was able to connect each points with one another by using supporting ideas and insights to create a singular coherent argument.

As a result, one can be able to weigh the different factors, which is based on the answers of the people regarding the story, involved that can support or negate an existing argument. The Drawbridge Exercise

The baroness herself is responsible for her own tragic fate. Her irresponsible and rebellious behaviors were the main cause of her death. The baroness’ stubbornness and disregard for authority or rules instigated the ill-fated events that happened after her husband had left the castle. From here, a snowball effect have transpired that eventually led to her death. The first and major mistake that the baroness did was leaving the castle despite the instructions of her husband not to leave the vicinity. Her disobedience have violated her verbal agreement with her husband.

This circumstance alone is an indication that the baroness is very much guilty because in a relationship both parties should be able to stand by their words and promises to each other. If she only adhered to that particular instruction of her husband, she would not probably have met the madman at the drawbridge and she would most likely have lived. When the baroness decided to entertain her loneliness and pursue her want to meet with her lover, the odds of going her back to the castle grew slimmer because she acted on impulse and did not carefully analyze the situation and foresee the many possibilities that might happen.

The moment the baroness left the castle, she was probably confident that no extraordinary event will happen once she reaches the house of her lover. If she had only carefully planned her departure and considered all the possibilities that could happen which is in this case a madman threatening to kill her if she passes through the drawbridge, she could probably be still alive. More so, if she just thought things through and pictured various scenarios that could have transpired, she would have most likely brought with her some money in case she needs to pay someone to bring her back to the castle.

Also, she could have probably brought her own boat so that she would not worry about crossing the drawbridge in case her husband went home early. The baroness’ lack of preparation and absence of critical thinking about the the possible manifestation of unusual events can be considered as crucial factors that have influenced the materialization of the unfortunate incidents cited in the story. Moreover, her shortcomings can be connected to her assumed sexual relationship with another man, in which her concept of that relationship tempted her to disobey her husband and leave the castle.

The baroness relationship with her lover can be assumed as purely sexual with no emotions attached because in the story the lover stated that their “relationship is only a romantic one” and that he would not help her with her problem probably because that is beyond his duty as a lover and, most likely that helping her is not part of their unwritten rule in their relationship as lovers. The death of the baroness can be directly blamed on the baroness’ stubbornness and rebellious actions.

Her defiance over her husband’s instruction had led to her to leave the castle. Meanwhile, the tragic events that followed after she left the castle can be attributed to the baroness’ neglect on proper planning and execution of her action of going to her lover’s house and returning to the castle without her husband knowing about her little adventure. More so, these two things would not have happened if the baroness did not start a romantic relationship with another man. This relationship provoked her to act the she way she did that unfortunately led to her death.