In the story, "The Balek Scales", the nature of man is seen in three different views. All views differ greatly from each other and for someone to specifically narrow down what kind of creatures human beings are, would be an almost impossible task. Because the views are so different, it is very simple to contrast the characteristics of those views. One way the nature of man is viewed is through the lives of the Baleks. The second way is through the unknowing villagers, and the third way is through the narrator's grandfather, Franz Brucher.
The Baleks lived a very high-class life, a life that only the other villagers could dream of. Because they retained such a high status in society for so long, the Baleks were able to get away with any wrong doing. No one ever questioned the law that stated that no one was permitted to have any scales in their own house and that was because of the Baleks" high status. No one ever questioned the reason why the gendarmes came or why the hymn that was always sang was banished. That was all because of the Baleks" high status. The Baleks sent the gendarmes after their scales and books and it still seemed as though there was no thought or question as to why, but most of the village already knew. What about ethics? Were the Baleks so high is society, that ethics no longer concerned them or the people inferior to them? The Baleks lived off of greed - the greed to be bigger, better, and richer. The Baleks were so consumed by greed that ethics no longer concerned them, and that is why the Baleks were so happy. They stole from their own village, and nobody could really do anything about, except take a stand and be pushed back down. Unfortunately, the characteristics of the Baleks are commonly seen among many individuals of today, and it is because of those individuals our world is what it is now.
The villagers in the story were not mentioned very much, but by the way the village acted as a whole, it was easy to see that they were never really concerned with the issues the village had and the people seemed very content with the way their lives were.
A very broad theme for the "Balek Scales" is man is often cruel to his fellow man. ... These two themes show how even though the Baleks seem like nice people they are very cruel. They also show how the Balek Scales which stand for justice and honesty are wrong and cheat people out of money. ...
