Free Essays On Shakespeares Sonnet 55 :: Sonnet essays

Analysis of Sonnet 55 Not marble, nor the gilded monuments Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme; But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time. When wasteful war shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry, Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory. 'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room Even in the eyes of all posterity That wear this world out to the ending doom. So, till the judgment that yourself arise, You live in this, and dwell in lover's eyes. [Line 2]* - The poet could be referring to his own sonnet specifically, or to poetry in general. [Line 4]* - "'stone' (1) gravestone set in the church pavement on which the memorial inscription is rendered illegible by accumulated dust and the footsteps of the congregation; (2) uncared-for upright tomb or monument (the prey of dust and passing time)" (G. Blakemore Evans, Shakespeare's Sonnets, 163). [Line 7]* - Mars is the Roman god of war, often portrayed as a warrior in full battle armor, including a sword and shield. In Greek mythology Mars is known as Ares. [Line 12]* - 'that' refers to 'posterity', not to 'eyes'. [Line 14]* - Some scholars believe that Shakespeare is saying that his friend will be a source of inspiration for lovers everywhere (ie. 'dwell in the eyes of lovers everywhere'). But it most likely means that the poet's friend will dwell in the eyes of people who grow to love the friend through the poet's verse. Sonnet 55 is one of Shakespeare's most famous works and a noticeable deviation from other sonnets in which he appears insecure about his relationships and his own self-worth. Here we find an impassioned burst of confidence as the poet claims to have the power to keep his friend's memory alive evermore. Some critics argue that Shakespeare's sudden swell of pride in his poetry was strictly artificial - a blatant attempt to mimic the style of the classical poets. "It is difficult on any other hypothesis to reconcile the inflated egotism of such a one as 55 with the unassuming dedications to the Venus and Lucrece, 1593 and 1594, or with the expressions of humility found in the sonnets themselves, e.

Ancient Chinese Contributions

The world owes a lot to the Chinese for all the major contributions and innovations they introduced. For example, during the Era of Disunity (approx. 220-581 AD) the ancient Chinese invented kites, matches, umbrellas and much more (â€Å"Inventions,† â€Å"n. d. †). The Yuan dynasty brought us paper money, blue and white porcelain and several other contributions (â€Å"Inventions,† â€Å"n. d. †). The discovery of making gunpowder came from the Tang dynasty (200AD) (â€Å"Inventions,† â€Å"n. d. ); the list goes on. The most significant contributions came from the Han dynasty (approx. 202 BC-220 AD) introducing moveable rudder and sails, cast iron technology, wheel barrow, and the hot air balloon (â€Å"Chinese culture,† 2007-2011). More importantly, the Han dynasty brought to the world the manufacturing of paper, the compass and the production of Chinese silk (â€Å"contributions,† 2003-2012). The four most ingenious or innovative c ontributions are paper, the compass, printing and silk. Europeans thought of Chinese silk as elegant and traders would pay the same weight in gold for this high commodity. Silk was traded along the â€Å"silk road†, another ancient Chinese innovation, which stretched from the Yellow River valley to the Mediterranean, nearly five thousand miles long (Sayre, 2011, p. 224). The silk road was the doorway to the spread of ideas, religions and technologies to the rest of the world. The ancient Chinese taught the world how to harvest silk from silk worms along with paper making, glass making and printing. The first printing technique put to use was block printing, a very lengthy process, from the ancient Tang dynasty. Much time and labor went into block printing, but once the carved block is finished, the advantages of high efficiency and large printing amount made it very worthwhile (â€Å"Chinese culture,† 2007-2011). The printing technique was enhanced with moveable type printing during the Song dynasty by the inventor Bi Sheng. Moveable type printing greatly boosted printing efficiency by reducing block making time. Other advantages were, moveable type was smaller and easier to store and can also be used repeatedly, saving materials (â€Å"Chinese culture,† 2007-2011). We wouldn’t need printing techniques if we did not have the creative invention of paper, also brought to us by the ancient Chinese. Before the invention of paper, characters were written on animal bones, turtle backs or stones (â€Å"Chinese culture,† 2007-2011). The Han dynasty produced paper from fibrous hemp, which later, improvements in technique and quality introduced by Cai Lun were made using silk rags, hemp and tree bark. His method, although now simplified, is still used today (Sayre, 2011, p. 226). It is hard to imagine the world without this ingenious invention. Everything we learn comes from some form of media printed on paper, whether it’s a book, magazine, newspaper, encyclopedia or journal. Can you imagine all of us walking around with our clay I Pads? The compass is another great contribution to the world by the ancient Chinese. It was used primarily for religious purposes to determine if a building being constructed was facing the right direction so it could be in perfect harmony with nature. The early compass resembled a wooden circle which had a number of marks on it along with a magnetic spoon on the top (â€Å"contributions,† 2003-2012). Today’s compass is probably the most important navigation tool we have. A mariner wouldn’t dare set out to sea without a compass, nor would a pilot take a flight without a compass, for fear of getting lost. Of all the many contributions given us by the ancient Chinese, the one I could not live without would be the combination of printing and paper. How would I learn without being able to research a book or reference an encyclopedia? In my career, it takes a reference manual to complete a project or task safely and properly. I would miss being able to sit down and read a relaxing novel or magazine in my spare time. I just cannot imagine not having this wonderful contribution. I praise the ancient Chinese for all they have given us.

Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart - 996 Words

Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe Contemporary Classics Study Questions PART I Chapter 1 1. Describe Okonkwo’s position in the clan and his personality. Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected warrior of the Umuofia clan, a lower Nigerian tribe that is part of a consortium of nine connected villages, including Okonkwo’s village, Iguedo. In his youth, he brought honor to his village by beating Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling contest. Until his match with Okonkwo, the Cat had been undefeated for seven years. 2. Describe Okonkwo’s father. His father is named Unoka. Okonkwo is completely unlike his now deceased father, Unoka, who feared the sight of blood and was a debtor, always borrowing and losing money, which meant that his wife and children often went hungry. Unoka was, however, a skilled flute player and had a gift for, and love of, language. By the standards of the clan, Unoka was a coward and a spendthrift. He never took a title in his life, he borrowed money from his clansmen, and he rarely repaid his debts. He never became a warrior because he feared the sight of blood. Moreover, he died of an abominable illness. On the positive side, Unoka appears to have been a talented musician and gentle, if idle. He may well have been a dreamer, ill-suited to the chauvinistic culture into which he was born. The novel opens ten years after his death. Chapter 2 3. What does Okonkwo think when he hears the gong? He wonders what was amiss, and he sensed in the crier’s voice that it may be aShow MoreRelatedChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1719 Words   |  7 PagesThings fall apart is a classic novel written around the turn of the century, the novel focuses on the protagonist who we can also call a hero, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected leader within the Igbo tribe of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Strong individual with a passionate belief in all the values and traditions of his people. Chinua Achebe presents Okonkwo as a particular kind of tragic protagonist, a great man who carries the fate of his people. Okonkwo is a man who is inflexible andRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1033 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Chinua Achebe is a famous Nigerian novelist in worldwide. Things fall apart is Chinua Achebe’s first novel published in 1958, the year after Ghana became the first African nation to gain independence. And this novel is one of the first African novels to gain worldwide recognition. (Phil Mongredien, 2010) This novel presents people a story of an African Igbo tribal hero, Okonkwo, from his growth to death. The fate of Okonkwo also indicates the fate of Africa caused by the colonizationRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart883 Words   |  4 Pagesdehumanize the native population and convince themselves that they are helping. Chinua Achebe’s book Things Fall Apart attempts to correct these misguided views of African societies by portraying a more complex culture that values peace, and the art of conversation. Achebe also tries to portray the idea that not all European people they come in contact with are aggressive, and misconstrued in their view of the African societ ies. Achebe tries to show us the value of his society through repeated views into conversationsRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1410 Words   |  6 PagesTeddy Manfre Ms. Blass ENG 209-001 April 24, 2017 Things Fall Apart In 1958, Chinua Achebe a famous Nigerian author publishes one of his most famous novels Things Fall Apart. The novel takes place in a Nigerian village called Umuofia. During the time that this novel is published Nigeria is being criticized by the Europeans for being uncivilized. In response, Achebe uses his brilliance in this novel to express the valued history of his people to his audience. His focus in the novel is on the pre-colonizedRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1015 Words   |  5 PagesIn his novel Things Fall Apart, author Chinua Achebe utilizes his distinctive writing style in order to accurately capture the culture and customs of the Igbo people despite writing his story in a foreign language. Five aspects of Achebe’s style that make his writing unique is the straightforward diction present in dialogue, the inclusion of native parables convey Igbo life authentically, the inclusion of native Igbo words and phrases, detailed descriptions of nature and the usage of figurative languageRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1702 Words   |  7 PagesTitle: Things Fall Apart Biographical information about the author: Chinua Achebe was born in Nigeria in 1930. He had an early career as a radio host, and later became the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nigeria. After moving to America, he became an English professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Achebe has won numerous awards for his poetry and fiction, including the Man Booker prize and Commonwealth Poetry Price. He currently teaches at Bard College. Author: Chinua AchebeRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1347 Words   |  6 PagesCulture is an Important Element of Society Chinua Achebe is the author of when Things Fall Apart while Joseph Conrad authored Heart of Darkness. Conrad and Achebe set their individual titles in Africa; Achebe is an African writer whereas Conrad is Polish-British. The authors draw strength from their backgrounds to validity the authenticity of their fictional novels. Conrad writes from his experiences in the British and French navies while Achebe uses his African heritage. The theme of culture isRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1248 Words   |  5 PagesChris Lowndes Ms. Cook A.P.L.C. 21 October 2015 We Are Family: Hardships in One s Family in Things Fall Apart Specific attributes correlate with each other to help create or not create the ideal strong family. However, through those attributes arise conflicts and major disputes. This issue of trying to achieve and create a strong family is of immense importance in one’s life, especially in Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart, a milestone in African literature. For instance, the father leaves his legacyRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1682 Words   |  7 Pagescertain degree of the priest class, libation, holidays, creation stories, divine systems of punishments and rewards. In the novel, Things Fall Apart, written by Chinua Achebe, is a story of tragic fall of a protagonist and the Igbo culture. Achebe demonstrates different examples and situations of where an African culture, in the instances of tribal religions, did certain things because of their tradition is and the way they developed into. African cultures pondered life mysteries and articulated theirRead Mo reChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1314 Words   |  6 PagesChinua Achebe masterpiece â€Å"Things Fall Apart† (1959) is the classic story of Okonkwo, a young man who strives to be revered by his village and family but because of his own internal character flaws meets his own demise. In the Igbo culture, family traditions are an important narrative throughout the novel. Okonkwo, the protagonist character of this story, begins with many attributes of what would be concluded as a hero with his cultural society. He is hard working, a material provider, feared and

The Link Between Biology And Psychology - 998 Words

The discussions on the permissibility or impermissibility of abortion move around justice, including the rights to life and body autonomy, and morality based on the characteristics that define human beings. A variety of scholars propose that one becomes a person at the moment of conception or viability, or at birth. Philosopher Don Marquis questions the link between biology and psychology to morality in defining human beings (186). Marquis references Feinberg, who states that humanity is based on the capacity for consciousness, sense of self identity, in keeping interests and a having a future (187). Morality is what gives meaning to each physical or mental characteristic (Marquis 187). Marquis explains that people cannot base their arguments on solely one category, as they are interconnected (188). Similarly, Jane Maienschein explains that biology and society both help define when life is spiritually meaningful (9-10). Maienschein contends that moral worth grows with each stage of development; therefore it is wrong to treat a fetus as the equal of a human being (11). However, Marquis believes that fetuses do have significant moral value based on the capacity to undergo a life or have c oncerns. Philosopher Judith Thomson contends that the fetus is not a human being at the moment of conception, but rather become a person in late stages of development when it acquire human characteristics (48). Walter Glannon explains that the right to life argument is based on the definitionShow MoreRelatedBiological Psychology966 Words   |  4 PagesAssignment: Biological Psychology Paper †¢ Resources: Assigned readings, Electronic Reserve Readings, the Internet, and/or other sources †¢ Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you analyze biological psychology. Be sure to address the following items in your analysis: o Define biological psychology and examine its historical development. o Identify three influential theorists associated with biological psychology. o Describe the relationship between biological psychologyRead MoreBiological Psychology839 Words   |  4 PagesBiological Psychology Melissa Thompson University of Phoenix Biological Psychology When most hear the words biological/psychology, many tend to have trouble rapping their mind around it. Psychology is the study of behavior, so how does biology fit into this equation? Well we have to assume that our brain has influence or somehow effects are behavior. In order to prove or disprove this theory, we have to research the biology and psychology of both the brain and our behavior. So how doRead MoreBehavioral Psychology And Human Behavior771 Words   |  4 PagesBehavioral neuroscience or biological psychology employs the principles of brain pathology to the study of human behavior through genetic, physiological, and developmental operations, as well as, the brain’s capacity to change with experience. Since the second world war, crime was largely attributed to mostly economic, political, and social factors, along with what psychologists termed at the time, the â€Å"weak character† of mental disturbance, and brain biology was rarely considered. Howeve r, new advancesRead MoreAnatomy Of Violence : The Biological Roots Of Crime908 Words   |  4 PagesBehavioral neuroscience or biological psychology employs the principles of brain pathology to the study of human behavior through genetic, physiological, and developmental operations, as well as, the brain’s capacity to change with experience. Since the second world war, crime was largely attributed to mostly economic, political, and social factors, along with what psychologists termed at the time, the â€Å"weak character† of mental disturbance, and brain biology was rarely considered. However, new advancesRead MoreDispositional Essay example1154 Words   |  5 PagesEvolutionary Psychology University of Phoenix Dispositional, Biological, and Evolutionary Psychology Personality theory has come a long way since its beginning in psychology. Many theorists have based their work on theorists before them, but made changes that indicate that the characteristics of the individual affects the ideas behind their work (Feist, Feist, amp; Roberts, 2013). Comparing dispositional, biological, and evolutionary theories indicates the similarities and differences between the theories;Read MoreExplain How Neurons Transmit Information Our Knowledge of the Nuerons Helps Us to Understand Human Behaviour1109 Words   |  5 Pagesunderstand human behaviour.’ Discuss. The relationship between biology and psychology is a ‘give-and-take’, shared relationship where one can be used to explain and provide insight into the other, as both are related to the physical body and the mind. For that reason biology holds a much significant and important role in the study of psychology. One of the main areas of psychological studies is the mind therefore this essay aims to explain the biology of how neurons transmit information, this essay alsoRead MoreMy Development As A Psychologist1408 Words   |  6 Pagesthe later part of his career to research in smoking – funded by the tobacco industry. He had a lasting interest in Russian psychology particularly Pavlov and the neo-Pavlovians. A considerable amount of his work is devoted to drawing parallels between Eastern and Western conceptualisations of personality, learning and arousal which culminated in an influential book â€Å"The Biology of Human Conduct: East-West Models of Temperament and Personality†. As well as these three areas he published on a broadRead MoreInterrogating Culture And Psychology1424 Words   |  6 PagesInterrogating Culture and Biology in the Understanding the theory of Person Overview Within the purview of the understanding of the theory of the person, relativism holds sway. Several things are at play in forming an individual’s response to external stimuli. An individual’s understanding of his culture often informs these responses. Whereas individual’s understanding of culture(s) is limited, that is the point where relativism comes in. where a knowledge stops is where another start, hence opinionsRead More Beauty, Biology, and Society Essay1544 Words   |  7 PagesBeauty, Biology, and Society What is beauty? How do human beings decide who is attractive and who is not? Society is full of messages telling us what is beautiful, but what are those definitions based on? Do we consciously decide whom we are attracted to, or is biology somehow involved? The issue of beauty and how we define it has been studied for centuries. Scholars from all fields of study have searched for the formula for beauty. Darwin in his book The Descent of Man wrote, It is certainlyRead MorePsychology of Attraction1620 Words   |  7 Pagesattracted to certain people more than others? The science of Psychology explains how people become attracted to one another. Certainly some aspects of beauty are cultural; fashion and trends change over time. Also, society and the media influence us into thinking what traits are attractive. Some reasons for attraction have to do with familiarity and proximity. Biology also plays a role in determining what traits we will possess. Biology and Psychology work hand and hand to help us pick our mates. The media

African American - 1129 Words

| African Americans | | | Christy B. | ETH 125 June 5, 2011 | | African Americans Who are we, where did we come from, what has been our experience since we landed on United States soil? The migration of Africans has been very significant in the making of African Americans history and culture. Todays 35 million African Americans are heirs to all the migrations that have formed and transformed African America, the United States, and the Western Hemisphere (The New York Public Library, n.d.). African American history starts in the 1500s with the first Africans coming from Mexico and the Caribbean to the Spanish territories of Florida, Texas, and other parts of the South (The New York Public Library, n.d.). Although†¦show more content†¦In 1831, northern free slaves began to try to free slaves from forced captivity of southern slave owners, which began the movement of the Underground Railroad. In 1865, the victory of the civil war, freed four million black slaves, but white southerners were not happy with the idea of slaves having freedom so they designe d laws to restrict freed slaves from civility and ensure that they did not lose their labor force. As the years went on and new laws were passed for citizenship, white southerners continued to come up with ways to restrict Blacks from many social activities in which they were already granted through the laws of the Constitution. By the 19th century, many social forms of discrimination existed to keep Black Americans from being equal to White Americans. Laws like separate but equal where put into places to keep Black Americans from being in the same places as White Americans, like; neighborhoods, schools, churches, restaurants, and so on. White Americans also believed that Blacks should not have the right to vote; which led to many black movements for the continuous fight for equality in the nation of freedom. By 1954 the Brown vs. Board of Education case reversed the â€Å"separate but equal† doctrine that previously had been set in 1896, allowing children both White and Black children to attend the same schools and same classrooms. InShow MoreRelatedAfrican Americans And African American Community852 Words   |  4 PagesAs seen through time, African-Americans have been at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing funds that are available to most people. This however has not stopped them from cr eating and accessing help that supports and aids their families. Through communal efforts, African-Americans have been able to create mutual aid for themselves. In these communities, there are many sectors that have been built, but the main reason many are â€Å"making it† or able to afford and do what they are currently doingRead MoreAfrican Americans And Identity Of African American1169 Words   |  5 PagesIn the year of 1619, the largest oppressive legal structure in American History came about, the institution of slavery. Although slavery was abolished in the year of 1865, African Americans are still enslaved by intuitional racism. There are systems in place to keep minorities at a disadvantage. This system of oppression is carried by a number of factors such as; the segregation of black people in urban areas referred to as ghettos, mass incarceration rate for people of color, large educational gapsRead MoreAfrican American Oppression : African Americans Essay1123 Words   |  5 Pages African American Oppression 1. A group that has been oppressed for a long period of time is African Americans. They dealt with so much from history to present that I feel they should benefit from community organizing. Especially with recent events that’s going on with them as a population, they could benefit from it. 2. The African American population in the U.S is 13.3% and what distinguishes them from the rest of the population is that there’s a lot of history behind African Americans. The descendantsRead MoreAfrican Americans And African American Males3422 Words   |  14 PagesCurrently, African Americans make up nearly one million of the total 2.3 million incarcerated population. Nearly one in three African American males born today can expect to serve time in prison during their lifetime (NAACP, 2015). A central issue in today’s society is the rate of criminalization of African American males. There are many speculations on this topic; however, the central one is when a crime is committed then there is â€Å"time† to be served. However, the time served by African American malesRead MoreThe And Of African Americans1525 Words   |  7 Pageshow we see things. Like with the AOK history. The concept of history can change the way Caucasians or African Americans view sl avery. White people may view slavery as a good thing or a bad thing and view black people as equals or not. They may feel horrible about what their people has done to African Americans in the past and become sympathetic to them.White people may feel guilty. African Americans may not be as understanding to white people. White people were responsible for slavery.Slavery wasRead MoreAfrican American Music And Its Impact On African Americans997 Words   |  4 PagesMusic in the 1900 s had meaning , music was how African Americans got through a long working day . Music then was something that no man could take away . That still applies to the 21st century music , back onto the 1900 s African Americans were not given the same privileges as they are today . Music was the less threatening way for African Americans to get there point across . The music was not always about them wanting equality , there was loving songs , upbeat songs , songs about what they areRead More African Americans1998 Words   |  8 Pagesleased, or mortgaged like a form of livestock (Gilder Lehrman, 2009).† Because slaves are under the private control and care of their owner they were often exposed to sexual abuse and cruel unusual punishment. In many cultures, especially the African American culture, slaves were representa tively desecrated; for instance, many were branded, tattooed, or required to wear distinctive clothing that could represented a slave. Also, regardless of the place and time period, societies had established certainRead MoreAfrican Americans And Caucasian Americans1400 Words   |  6 PagesThe tensions are still there also because there still continue to be separate standards society sets for African Americans and Caucasian Americans. Would individuals feel the need to set or think about the standards if we did not have black history month? This notion probably would not cross the minds of individuals if certain months of the year did not celebrate one race individually. Interracial marriage or dating is still considered a socially unacceptable sighting or experience. Individual feelsRead MoreThe American Dream Of African Americans1400 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is the American Dream? To many people across the globe, the United States of America appears to be a place where one can be proud of. America the land where dreams come true and there is always a chance for any person to succeed. People who are not from the United States have been painted a beautiful picture of what life in our country is like. Not only do they think that there is a special place in American Dream of African American soldiers after WWI American Dream of African American soldiersRead MoreAfrican Americans And The American Revolution1122 Words   |  5 PagesIn their demands for liberty and equality, African Americans would point to their role in all of America’s wars. Many fought for liberty in the American Revolution, like Philadelphia’s James Forten who served aboard an American privateer. God created all men equal. Why are they not being treated equally? Blacks and whites should be protected by the same laws and privileges. James Forten was a freeborn African American who had a nice job and was very wealthy for his time. Forten says, â€Å"Whilst so

What is Gantt chart - A Discussion on Gantt Chart - Myassignmenthelp.

Question: Explain how the tool works. Why does it interest you? Explain how this tool has, or could have, been useful in a project you were involved with. How can the tool be useful in future projects? Explain. Answer: Gantt chart, as designed by Henry L. Gantt is essentially a horizontal bar chart that allows the graphical illustration of the manner in which the schedule of a project (Ong et al., 2016). This illustration, on the other hand, facilitates the process of planning the entire project, managing the resources associated with it and ensuring co-ordination among them, as conducted by the managerial authorities associated with the projects (Srivastava, 2014). The capability of the tool in suggesting reschedule of plans in accordance to the availability of resources (Gantt charts are capable of identifying over-allocation of resources) is the most interesting feature of the tool that I have identified. It is a well known fact, that Gantt charts provide the several scheduling and resource allocation facilities to project managers: the following were utilized in the project that I was associated with- The Gantt chart provided information regarding all the activities associated with the project The exact start and end date of each of the project activities were easily estimated using the bar graphs available from the Gantt charts. An assessment of the length of time for which each activity continued was available from the Gantt chart. An assessment of the overlaps that existed among the project activities was also available. In the future, this very tool can be utilized to revise the project schedule in case the inclusion of changes in the project plan becomes necessary (Ong et al., 2016). Revision of the entire schedule can be conducted easily by changing the time periods allocated to the activities and including new activities (or excluding old ones) into the schedule: the calculations required for estimating the start and end dates of the project would be automated by the Gantt chart tool (Srivastava, 2014). References Ong, H. Y., Wang, C., Zainon, N. (2016). Integrated Earned Value Gantt Chart (EV-Gantt) Tool for Project Portfolio Planning and Monitoring Optimization.Engineering Management Journal,28(1), 39-53. Srivastava, A. (2014). A Survey of Software Project Management Tool Analysis.Advances in Computer Science and Information Technology (ACSIT), 57.

Twains Effective Strategies Essays - Geography Of The United States

Twain's effective strategies Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi is a story that follows a chronological order from beginning to end. The first chapter of the book begins with the historical background of the Mississippi River, which is the main focus of the story. The reason for providing the background information of the river is to let the reader have a better understanding of Twain's delight and awe that catches his imagination. Moreover, Twain uses effective strategies such as detailed description, verbal irony, and comparative devices to relate his own experience on the Mississippi River to the audience. Throughout the story Twain grabs the reader's attention through his detailed description of the different experiences that take place on the river. In chapter four, Twain describes a town before and after the steamboat arrives. "The white towns drowsing in the sunshine of a summer's morning; the streets empty, or pretty nearly so; one or two clerks sitting in front of the Water Street stores, with their splint-bottomed chairs tilted back against the walls?.but nobody to listen to the peaceful lapping of the wavelets against them; the great Mississippi, the majestic, the magnificent Mississippi?"(21). Twain's use of thorough description provides the reader with many details about the scene. The purpose of the details is to add the flow of the sentence, thus enabling the reader to resemble a concrete picture in their own minds. Later on in the paragraph the description drastically changes when the steamboat draws nearer to the dock. "Presently a film of dark smoke appears above one of those remote 'points'; instantly a negro drayman, famous for this quick eye and prodigious voice, lifts up the cry, 'Steamboat a coming' and the scene changes. The town drunkard stirs, the clerks wake up, a furious clatter of drays follows, every house and store pours out a human contribution, and all in a twinkling the dead town is alive and moving" (22). When the scene changes from a calm and relaxed morning to frantic excitement, not only does the description changes, but the sentence structure changes as well. The description of the steamboat arriving to the town contains more subjects and verbs; thus this makes the sentences more choppy and concise rather than long and flowing detailed descriptions. The shorter sentences have a different purpose than the longer sentences. The shorter sentences describe the action that is taking place and at the same time, it also brings out the atmosphere and the intensity the village people are going through. On the other hand, the longer sentences describe more in depth of the scenery and the people in the town. The different sentence structure devices transform the scene, and move it in a forward direction. This change allows the reader to mentally picture Twain's experiences. In the beginning of the story, Twain recounts the historical background of the Mississippi and the different explorers during the time period. In order to re-tell history, Twain uses verbal irony and humor in chapter four to amuse the reader. "La Salle himself sued for certain high privileges, and they were graciously accorded him by Louis XIV of inflated memory. Chief among them was the privilege to explore, far and wide, and build forts, and stake out continents, and hand the same over to the king, and pay the expenses himself; receiving, in return, some little advantages of one sort or another; among them the monopoly of buffalo-hides" (6). "In fact, all around, religion was in a peculiarly blooming condition: the Council of Trent was being called; the Spanish Inquisition was roasting, and racking, and burning, with a free hand; elsewhere on the Continent the nations were being persuaded to holy living by the sword and fire..."(4). This passage is filled with Twain's humorous descriptions of kings, religions, and explorers. In order to make the dull history more exciting, Twain uses his wit to lighten up the historical background of the text. His technique allows the reader to smile at his blunt and ironic humor. Twain's humor is considered to be ironic because of the satire he uses to write the history. When the reader hears the historical facts of the Spanish Inquisition being described as roasting and racking and