Victor Frankl asks many questions in his book The Meaning of Man, especially regarding man's ability to make choices regardless of his situation. Throughout the semester, the class explored many different texts focusing on individuals who find themselves in a variety of circumstances, which force them to face difficult situations. In the autobiographical story Twelve Years a Slave, the protagonist and author Solomon Northup is kidnapped and sold into slavery. He faces multiple pressures in his situation. Psychologically, he is traumatized by multiple beatings. He is both successful and unsuccessful in overcoming his difficulties. He suffers bouts of depression, but ultimately never gives up hope. He also practices his ability and inability to make choices about his situation. The same is true of the social pressure of acquiescence and the ultimate historical pressure regarding the institution of slavery. Another literature series covered in class is Maus I and Maus II by Art Speigleman, which is a biography about his father Vladek Spiegleman. Vladek suffers psychological trauma. Similar to Solomon, he is socially forced to conform and suffers from the historical pressures caused by the Holocaust. Although both men lived in two very different times and survived two historical events. They faced different pressures, different choices and different situations. They have experienced varying levels of success. Often their ability to exercise freedom of choice was poor, but ultimately they were able to make their experience better or worse. Chronologically, Solomon Northup's experiences occurred first, forcing him to endure historical pressures related to the institution of slavery. ....middle of paper ......erring of other human beings. He makes many decisions to increase his chances of survival. These decisions include befriending the guards, learning new skills to present yourself as a helpful worker, and giving yourself peace of mind that you are doing your best to take care of your wife. Each of these small choices helps him achieve his ultimate goal of surviving the Holocaust. He succeeds. Both protagonists support and deny Victor Frankl's claims. They were given no options regarding their placement in their situations, but they were able to make small decisions, react to different circumstances, and survive. They had both successes and failures in defeating the historical, social and psychological pressures imposed on them, but ultimately they were able to achieve their ultimate goal, demonstrating that man is a combination of both environmental factors and psychological decisions..