OTWF

"As we watch the film On the Waterfront this week, consider the varying beliefs of the characters when it comes to what the difference is between a traitor and a whistle blower, or a "stool pigeon" and an "informant on criminal activity". In your 2 paragraph blog post, discuss what the characters believe about this question and then discuss what YOU believe about this question. When are you being a 'tattle tale' and when are speaking out against what you believe is improper behavior?"

I believe that, in this instance, what defines being a traitor is being what kind of cause you are doing it for. For example, we view Benedict Arnold as a traitor because he went against the American cause, which is good in our viewpoint. In our viewpoint, we also view the mob as bad, and that anything that compromises the mob would be good. I mean, from the mob's point of view, Terry is a traitor, but we view him as someone that stood up. (Note that I agree with the positive perception)

Also, point of view is the key in such a perception. If you are on the side that is being supported, you praise him. If you are on the other side, where you were betrayed, that defines a traitor. The thing is is that since the mob is bad (our general conception makes that way), we view Terry as an honest person.