Critical Lens Essay :: essays papers

Critical Lens Essay Whenever someone performs a task, he/she can labor over it carefully, or do a rushed job. A student writing an essay describing the causes of the American Revolution, or a president proposing ways to end World War II illustrate two situations where both simple and complicated ways to address a problem exist. Writing a non-analytical response to the essay question would be easy to do. Likewise, dropping atomic bombs over cities, razing them and eliminating many people would not be entirely morally correct. H.L. Mencken^s assertion that ^for every problem there is one solution which is simple, neat, and wrong^ is excellent for assessing the literary elements in two works: Fences by August Wilson and Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. Fences is filled with difficulties between characters, and many of these were not reconciled in a proper manner. One problem involved Cory, a high school student and his father, Troy. Cory, an accomplished football player wanted to focus on his team and play in college. However, his father was against Cory^s goals, insisting he prioritize his work and house chores over the football. Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong with a parent making major decisions for his/her children, but in this case, Troy^s solution to the problem was simply to go behind Cory^s back and revoke his membership on the team. Going behind one^s back is an easy way out of resolving a problem^the person was plainly too indolent to spend the time to find a more mutually acceptable solution. Troy^s demeanor is unacceptable not only with Cory, but also with other characters in the book. For example, when Lyons asks him for a small amount of money, Troy creates a big scene, detailing problems he had had in the past with getting credit, such as paying for furniture through ten-dollar monthly installments. It is clear that Troy is rather selfish, for he tries to keep what little amount of money he has for himself. In Snow Falling on Cedars, readers observe different types of problems. While those in Fences tend to be between two people, those in Guterson^s book usually involve a large group of people, often the entire town of San Piedro. The principal question throughout the novel centers around who killed Carl Heine. The entire town seems to show prejudice against Kabuo, primarily because he is Japanese. This prejudice is obvious even in affairs unrelated to Kabuo^s trial. In a descriptive paragraph about life in San Piedro, readers learn that Japanese workers at the Port Jefferson mill were

Nothing Good Ever Comes from Violence

The twentieth century was the century of discovery for life . Dreadful diseases like diphtheria and leprosy were halted; sterile women have been given children; handicapped people were made a part of society. Numerous vaccines have been found to stop the most dangerous diseases. New technologies have enabled the creation of better conditions for life. International humanitarian organizations were felt all over the world where living conditions were not acceptable. Humanitarian aid have been sent many times where they were needed: Africa, Haiti, Pakistan, etc..Under these conditions, feeding his superego with illusions, man has become complacent. He is gracious and fair. He is, finally, human. However, what ultimately is not understood is that violence, which has its roots deep infiltrated in human consciousness , cancels all these developments. For each cured disease , hundreds of ways to return it are invented. For every child saved in high-tech hospitals there are another hundred k illed innocent children. Not a virus manages to disappear as we rush to replace it with another. Violence is everywhere.In this situation , the following idea needs to be understood : violence , in the common perception of this word, destroys everything we dream for. In this essay I will try to argue my thesis, demonstrating why each type of violence in part must be avoided. In the beginning, I’m obliged to clarify the essence of the term violence. Violence is the expression of physical and / or verbal force of one person against himself or another person / group of persons ,that brings the pain to whom it is addressed. There are several forms of violence : Physical, Sexual, Emotional, Psychological, Spiritual, Cultural, Verbal, Financial.Each one is a tragedy for one against whom it is directed. Violence is a primal part of human nature. Since ancient times, it has governed human acts. His destructive tendencies and self-defense were the ones that have characterized all his actions. However, for some time, the state claims, for better or worse, a monopoly on violence practiced within the confines of a specific territory ( Max Weber) ,realised by law and education, to impose the man to conform himself to cooperation and group working, whitch is much more effective and productive than the free violence.Violence is everywere. In families were husbands abuse their wives and children we speak about domestic violence. Domestic violence' is a specific form of violence in which physical, psychological, or sexual abuse is perpetuated by one spouse upon another, or by both partners upon each other. It is caused by many factors , including : the pure impuls control , lack of education,social stress, need of power and control, mental illnesses , etc. Domestic violence has a lot of negative results. Broken bones, head injuries ,internal bleeding are some of the acute effects .Hundreds of thousands of dead women and children annually: it is the result of domestic vi olence. And those who survive have a nightmare during all their life. A life marked by depresion, stress, fear, and anxiety. These symptoms are generally experienced for a long span of time after the victim has left the dangerous situation. But problems do not stop there. If victims can escape the abusers, they are tortured by the society. They don’t have money , they don’t have the ability to get money, they don’t have friends that can help them†¦ This leads many times to the suicide.For children, domestic violence can become an enormous psychological trauma that will change the perception of the world. For example, Hitler was physically abused by his father in childhood. Because of this, he became a sociopath and did what he did. Franz Kafka was educated under the moral domination of his father, which made him one of the biggest pessimists in the history of mankind. So, the domestic violence pursues its victims till the grave. War is another manifestation of violence on a very large scale. It is thought to be the key of solving of the territorial, ideological and resources problems.During the war, violence is encouraged in the highest level. After the Industrial Revolution, that is percepted as a very good event, the number of war victims has grown. For example, World War I has caused 40 mln victims and World War II – 70 mln. New technologies are constantly developed to ensure the governments of all countries with weapons to bring as many victims as possible. From the machinegun to the atomic bomb, every discovery is greeted with applause. Death smiles at us and we applaud. Then we go home, satisfied of ourselves, and criticize the politicians.We applaud, but then we close our eyes in front of terror victims. Do you think that after Hitler has caused 50 million victims in his war people haven’t made new weapons? Do you think that after Hiroshima and Nagasaki haven’t appeared new types of atomic bombs? We applaud them all. Every year on May 9, Russia shows its military force one the Red Square. And we applaud, proud of what we’ve created. While we’re applauding, millions of Africans die in civil wars, progress in the black continent can not be put on wheels, people dying of hunger because of civil wars.And we applaud. Much more horrible are the conflicts caused by religious, racial and national hate. During the middle age, near 300  000 people ( especially women ) were killed because of their religion. The Jews were killed and chased all other the Europe. The Crusades against Muslim have caused a lot of human and material prejudice. Interracial hatred, maintained by Ku Klux Klan in America, which has started since the late 19th century and continue fruitful so far, does not allow free evolution of American democracy, as well as the evolution of democracy all other the world.Thousands of people are killed in Russia, according to race. The new national-socialist organization a re growing rapidly . In a world where the Hungarian National Socialist Party gain 9% in the elections, progress is a castle on sand. Well†¦ This is our world – a world of violence. It surrounds us , wispers sweet words to our ears , decieve our eyes, feed our egos by illusions, and continues its very productive work. Millions of people die from violence.Is not it enough that we die because of pollution and unhealthy way of life? Should we help nature in the murder? Is it not time that the understanding between people to become the engine of a better life? We arrived at times when the slightest mistake could cost us a lot. We are on an unstable platform and only on us depens our future. A future soaked in the blood of violence or dried by the Sun of welfare. It’s our turn to choose now. Listen Read phonetically Listen Read phonetically

Ikemefuna Described as an Ill-Fated Lad

In the book ‘Things Fall Apart’ Chinua Achebe describes Ikemefuna as an ‘ill fated lad’. Behind the meaning of this description lie different literary elements that pay a great significance to the book, in general. Before the author describes Ikemefuna in this manner, he writes about Okonkwo’s reputation and youth. He says, referring to Okonkwo, ‘He was a wealthy farmer and had two barns full of yams, and had just married his third wife’. By saying these words, the author wants to show Okonkwo as a man who earned his good reputation by hard work and not family wealth. He also writes ‘And so although Okonkwo was still young, he was already one of the greatest men of his time’ meaning that age was not the problem for him to succeed in life. ‘As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings’, by stating this proverb, the author means that being one of those boys who ‘washed their hands’, Okonkwo believed that he himself, could treat anyone in this manner if they ‘washed their hands’. He compares and contrasts Okonkwo’s youth against Ikemefuna’s who is later on described as an ‘ill fated lad’. Behind the description of Ikemefuna as an ‘ill fated lad’ lies foreshadowing which shows the readers that the fate of Ikemefuna is not fortunate, and there will be some event later on in the book that will prove the description right. As well as foreshadowing, the words ‘ill fated’ are a metaphor. ‘ill fated’ if translated correctly means a fate that is ill, therefore unfortunate. Even though the passage where Ikemefuna is described is short, there lies a lot of significance that affects the book as a whole. If the readers would not have read those lines saying ‘the ill-fated’ lad, they would most likely not predict anything unusual happening to him in the future. And because this line foreshadows the coming of Ikemefuna’s unfortunate fate, the readers pay more attention to the way Okonkwo treats Ikemefuna later on in the book. They see how Okonkwo treats him like his own son, and for the first time it is seen that Okonkwo becomes interested in something more than simply power and physical strength.

The Yellow Wallpaper Questions for Study and Discussion

The Yellow Wallpaper Questions for Study and Discussion The Yellow Wallpaper Questions for Study and Discussion: The Yellow Wallpaper is the most famous work by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. She also wrote about why she created this short work in Why I Wrote The Yellow Wallpaper .Students often are asked to read this story in  Literature classesthe description is compelling, and the storyline is unforgettable. Here are a few questions for study and discussion related to this famous work. What is important about the title, The Yellow Wallpaper?Could the wallpaper have been any other color? How would a change in color have changed the story? How does the color yellow affect you? Do you like (or dislike) it? What are the psychological implications of the color yellow? How would a different color change the story?How does the narrators description of the wallpaper change over time? How is the wallpaper representative of the domestic sphere?Could the story have taken place in a different place (or at a different time)? Why does the narrator live in a colonial mansion? What does the setting mean? Is it important?Why does Charlotte Perkins Gilman change the point of view? Is it an effective technique?Why does the narrator say: what can one do How does that statement represent her state of mind?Why do you think Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote The Yellow Wallpaper? Historically, the story was based on personal experience (autobiographical)how effectively does Gilman employ the events of her life to create this work of literature? What are the conflicts in The Yellow Wallpaper? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) did you notice? Is the conflict resolved?How does Charlotte Perkins Gilman reveal character in The Yellow Wallpaper?Do you care about the characters? Do you like (or dislike) them? How real (or well-developed) do they seem to you?What are some themes in The Yellow Wallpaper? Symbols? How do they relate to the plot and characters?Does The Yellow Wallpaper end the way you expected? Did you expect a longer (or more involved narrative)? How? Why?What is the central/primary purpose of The Yellow Wallpaper? Is the purpose important or meaningful?What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women? What is important about womenin the historical context?How does the narrators relationship with her husband evolve/change? Does her mental state improve or worsen?Compare the main character in The Yellow Wallpaper with the mad wom an in the attic (from Jane Eyre). What does love have to do with it? What about mental illness? Compare the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper with Edna in The Awakening. Is the narrator suicidal?Compare the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper with Susan from Doris Lessings To Room 19. Is the narrator suicidal?Compare the narrator in The Yellow Wallpaper with the narrator from Virginia Woolfs Mrs Dalloway. Why is the party so important?Would you recommend The Yellow Wallpaper to a friend? Why? Why not?What did you enjoy (or hate) most about The Yellow Wallpaper? Why?Why is The Yellow Wallpaper sometimes considered essential reading in Feminist Literature? What are the qualities that make it representative?How does The Yellow Wallpaper fit in with the other known works of literature by Charlotte Perkins Gilman? Study Guide The Yellow Wallpaper QuotesWhy I Wrote The Yellow WallpaperCharlotte Perkins Gilman Biography

Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Essays

Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Essays Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Paper Seek First to Be Understand Before Being Understood Paper Stephan Covey is one of the speakers that will inspire you to truly listen to what the other person is trying to say. If a person does that, one will be able to reflect what the other person is saying and therefore be more able to assist him/her in what they are feeling. Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening? Most people probably seek first to be understood; we want to get our point across. And in doing so, we may ignore the other person completely, pretend that we are listening, selectively hear only certain parts of the conversation or attentively focus on only the words being said, but miss the meaning entirely. So why does this happen? Because most people listen with the intent to reply, not to understand. Covey warns that giving out advice before having empathetically understood a person and their situation will likely result in rejection of that advice. In order to participate in communication fully, one should be sure to understand the speaker by asking questions and then replying in a way that lets the listener know that you understand the situation. This could be done by trying to mimic the other person’s feeling by repeating what he or she says, a topic that we went over in class when the professor mentioned that this a tactic some interviewers do when interviewing a job candidate. They try to do some bodily gestures and if the interviewee follows their actions, this means that they are on the same level of understanding each other. Seeking understanding is a two-way street that relies on the ability of each listener to ‘actively listen’. Generally speaking, our first impulse in communication is to make sure that we have been understood. Especially as managers and leaders and parents, we often give instruction to others. While this sort of directed communication is important, it is not the only way that we communicate. There are many times that others will come to us with problems, with needs, or with conversation. And I as a mother can attest that my first impulse is to help, to solve the problem or to offer solutions even before I know all the facts. After listening to Covey, sometimes it is a good idea to just listen and say nothing for the first few minutes so I can be able to gather all the facts before offering any assistance. It is in those times that we practice listening with empathy. This means turning our communication practice around and seeking first to understand, rather than first to be understood. This puts the power in the hands of the other person, the power to communicate their feelings. The responsibility then lies with us to accept, and understand the source of, these feelings and then seek to offer any help, if necessary.

Economics in the early renaissance Research Paper

Economics in the early renaissance - Research Paper Example The economic development at the time portrayed the economy as a cohesive structure with numerous facets all of which function independently albeit in unison to enhance the economic growth of the entire society. The numerous sectors in the early renaissance economies thrived on peaceful economies coupled with systematic integration with other neighboring economies in order to expand their economies. Specific dynasties and think tanks such as Aristotle and Plato contributed fundamental economic ideas that fostered the development of the economies as I discuss in the easy below. In the research of the early renaissance economy, I research the theories fostered by numerous classical and neoclassical economists such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo. Effective taxation refers to a system of taxation in which the government demands a fair share of the citizens’ earning thus leaving the citizens with an adequate amount to foster the economic growth of the countries. At a time that the church played an important role in te formulation and implementation of policies, taxation was a fundamental issue since the royal dynasties often collaborated with the church to defraud the people. However, in order for the countries to register economic growth, the leadership had to implement effective policies that would enhance effective taxation, a system that would curb exploitation and enhance the appropriate utilization of the expenditure. Among the early cities worse governments exhibited effective management of resources was Florence. Florence was a small inland cit y in Italy that unlike other inland cities became economic success. Among the reasons for Florence’s success was the use of the resources in enhancing the liquidity of the economy. The Medici circulated the money in the economy through increased public spending thus resulting in the thriving of arts among other sectors of the economy. This way, the government raised the purchasing power

The Growth of Anti-Communist Belief In the 20th century Essay

The Growth of Anti-Communist Belief In the 20th century - Essay Example The ideas of communism later grew rapidly spreading the political and social structures in countries all over the eastern bloc and causing an intense rivalry between the east and countries in the Western bloc that were mainly capitalist. During the cold war, the feelings against anticommunism began spreading in the eastern countries thereby resulting in the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The cold war created an enabling environment for the spread of propaganda about other countries and economic regimes. The cold war period preceded the Second World War, a period in which countries in the different economic blocs never shared any business transaction and they each lived in fear of the operations of each bloc. Each region therefore feared that the other was progressively becoming stronger and accruing military assets thereby gaining military power. This culminated into fear which no bloc could break by opening war against the other. However, the fear and sus picion that the East had against the economy of the West slowly began countering the effect of communism in the East resulting in the abolition of the economic regime. The West led by the United States of America and countries in Europe had the capitalist economic structure. Capitalism enabled rapid economic growth since it permitted private enterprises thereby enabling the government to collect taxes from the population thereby gaining more revenue. The ideas of capitalism promised rapid economic growth through private investment. The western countries therefore looked economically stronger than the Eastern bloc did since they had enough money to purchase any military artillery they would require. This was unlike the situation in the Eastern bloc where the countries communally owned the economy and therefore the military assets. The regime looked weak and threatened the growth of the entire Asian continent and their affiliates. The precarious times of the cold war therefore created an enabling environment for the spread of propaganda and hate messages among each region. The East progressively became suspicious of the activities of the western bloc, which had active economic activity. The fear and propaganda led to fighting among the different regions in the eastern bloc resulting in the split within the socialist world. The West feared that the growth of the communist ideologies in the East would eventually affect their economies since they targeted foreign markets after the war. The cold war therefore created an enabling environment for the spread of propaganda which the west appropriately created and used their advanced telecommunication mechanisms to spread to east and other neutral countries. The infiltration of the propaganda resulted in fear, which compelled the socialist countries to split their political ideologies a feature in the history of communism that resulted in the creation of left wing anticommunism. The creation of the left wing anti-communi sm preceded the split of the communist parties from the previously predominant socialist second international to create three different political ideologies including the democratic socialist, the third international and the social democrats2. Communism had an elaborate political system referred to as the socialist. The regimes had