Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Good 1 Charlotte Perkins Gilman experienced astonishing success during her life. When she died in 1935, she left behind a legacy of ingenious writing. “Charlotte Perkins Gilman was one of the leading intellectuals of the American women’s movement in the first two decades of the 20th century” (Gilman, The Living of Charlotte Perkins Gilman). Her literary works explore the minds of remarkable and courageous women. Charlotte Perkins Gilman left an impression on society not only through her brilliant writings and social reforms, but also in her own perseverance in overcoming personal hardships. Charlotte was born into the prominent Beecher family (Gilman 3). In fact, the illustrious Harriet Beecher Stowe was a great-aunt (3). Charlotte grew up with pride in her family. She recalls “When about fifteen years old I was told of our extremely remote connection with English royalty and I wrote eagerly to my learned father to inquire as to the facts- was I related to Queen Victoria?” (1). However, her father solemnly replied, “It is quite true that you are related to Queen Victoria, but there are a great many persons between you and the throne and I should not advise you to look forward to it” (1). Despite her legendary family ties, Charlotte’s childhood was filled with pain, uncertainty, and rejection. Her father abandoned his family shortly after her birth (Lane 3). While a young woman, she suffered through a bad marriage that caused her to endure a nervous breakdown (3). It was during this time that Charlotte encountered her first bout with depression; there were many battles to follow (3). Thus, within the formative years of her young life, Charlotte suffered immeasurable pain and agony at the hands of males. This may possible be a motive behind her works based around strong female characters. Throughout her early life, it was apparent that Charlotte was an extremely strong-willed girl. “At the age of sixteen or seventeen she perceived herself as having “no character to be especially proud of: impressionable, vacillating, sensitive, uncontrolled, often loafing and lazy” (Lane 57). However, she was determined to change herself into a disciplined, controlled person. Charlotte, an extremely intelligent child, was not able to consistently attend school until the age of thirteen. Living in poverty for most of her life, Charlotte was only able to attend school after the death of a great-aunt who left her an inheritance. Although her teachers were impressed with her aptitude, they soon became frustrated with her resistance to routines that restricted her imagination (59). Charlotte longed to be different. She was driven to defy conditional notions of what young girls “should be.” Dr. Studley, a teacher who instructed Charlotte in hygiene, became particularly influential (59). Charlotte instantly converted to “a regime of cold baths, exercise, fresh air, and dress reform (59). She became caught up in the physical culture movement of the late nineteenth century. “In a culture that valued frailty in women, Charlotte took delight and pleasure in her robust health and her strong body” (59). Much of Charlotte’s late adolescence was spent nursing her ill mother. She describes her mother as being the “disciplinarian” and this caused problems between the two of them (Gilman 12). Charlotte complained that her mother was so “rigorous in refusing all manner of invitations for me… I was denied so often (Lane 60-61). Her mother’s denials protected her from entering the adult world of men, relationships, and love. Charlotte soon, however, entered this world when she was married to Charles Walter Stetson (Gilman 82). In her autobiography, she discusses her mixed emotions regarding Mr. Stetson and marriage. She says, “my mind was not fully clear as to whether I should marry. On the one hand I knew it was normal and right in general, and held that a woman should be able to have marriage and motherhood and do her work in the world” (83). However, there were more cynical times when Charlotte expresses “I felt strongly that for me it was not right, that the nature of the life before me forbade it, that I ought to forego the more intimate personal happiness for complete devotion to my work” (83). Despite her doubts, the two were married in May of 1884. The new Mrs. Stetson expressed that the two were happy together (87). At one point she stated “there was nothing to prevent it but that increasing depression of mine” (87). That “increasing depression” was the early stages of a nervous breakdown looming on the horizon of Charlotte’s future. She became weak, tired, and constantly depressed. Even after the birth of a baby girl, Charlotte was unable to pull out of the misery that controlled her life. In desperation, Charlotte and her husband agreed to get a divorce. Charlotte left, and began to recover (97). Looking back, she realizes “if this decision could have been reached sooner it would have been much better for me, the lasting mental injury would have been less” (97). Charlotte endured more scrutiny and criticism when she gave her child to her husband to be raised by him and his new wife, also Charlotte’s best friend (Lane 134). The media publicized her life even more when she was wed to her first cousin, seven years younger than she (Gilman 281). Despite her personal hardships, Gilman established herself as a prominent social critic and feminist writer from the 1890’s to 1930’s. Many of her literary works resemble struggles encountered in her own life. Charlotte focused on strong-willed, courageous women who were capable of being self-sufficient. In Herland, Gilman creates a utopian society made up of entirely women. She uses this setting to create a culture and political system. It is important to note that the changes taking place in this society are not because of the absence of men, but because of the presence of women. After observing the community created by these women, the narrator, Vandyck Jennings, is convinced to view these women “not as females, but as people” (Herland). Herland is said to be Gilman’s “radical, alternative vision of collective motherhood” (Lane 293). The women living in this utopia have no knowledge of sexuality, similar to Charlotte herself during her early years, while under the protection of her mother. Gilman believed education to be extremely important and she communicated this value in Herland. The children are a main focus in this society. Every action is considered so that its effect will be desirable in the lives of the children. Charlotte Perkins Gilman used this same belief in education to help spark a movement for female education. She believed that with education and training women could be a valuable addition to the workforce and even to the global community (De Simmone, internet). Gilman’s famous work, The Yellow Wallpaper also resembles struggles that she encountered in her personal life. In the short story, the narrator is suffering from depression and is confined to a small room for resting purposes (Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper, 29). In contrast, the narrator’s husband is free to leave the house and participate in normal activities. The woman is essentially trapped in her environment. Desperate to find an escape from her terrible reality, the woman finds pleasure in writing (33). She writes about her surroundings, especially the yellow wallpaper that she finds horrid, yet intriguing. She writes about her mundane routine and her conflicts with her controlling husband, John. Writing is one of her only sources of joy, yet she is forced to hide it because of John and Jennie. The wallpaper is symbolic of the boundaries that women are expected to abide by. However, the woman was obsessed with getting beyond the wallpaper. She wanted to “free” the woman trapped inside of the yellow pattern. Eventually, just like Charlotte herself, the woman succeeded. She found victory over all of those who tried to restrict her. It was in that victory that the character and Charlotte found happiness and relief from depression. Through her remarkable writings, as well as her struggles in her personal life, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was truly a woman of great significance. She established herself as one of the leading intellectuals of the American women’s movement and a brilliant author to be studied for decades to come. Gilman’s works provide an intimate portrait of not only herself, but of all women who wish to be seen as self-sufficient, strong, intelligent citizens who are capable of leaving an impression on their society and the lives of those around them. BibliographyDe Simmone, Deborah M. Charlotte Perkins Gilman and the Feminization of Education. 20 January 1999. Online. Internet. Available: www.scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/WILLA/v4/DeSimone.html. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. The Living of Charlotte Perkins Gilman: An Autobiography. New York: University of Wisconsin Press, 1935. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” The Yellow Wallpaper: A Critical Edition and Documentary Casebook. Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1998. Lane, Ann J. To Herland and Beyond: The Life & Works of Charlotte Perkins Gilman. New York: Pantheon Books, 1990.


Words: 1411

Charles Dickens Tone

When creating a story many authors, like Charles Dickens, show and express their feelings on certain topics through their writings. Charles Dickens uses this technique as a universal translator for all of his writings for his readers as he expresses his disgusted views on the judicial system in a Tale of Two Cities. Through literary devices Dickens is able to show us the unfairness of the judicial system, during the French revolution as he creates this disgust tone in chapter three of book two. During this time the independence that is so renown in the United States in the 20th century, was revoked from most citizens during the 1700’s. Charles Dickens felt that everyone should be treated equal and receive fair trials for the acts they are accused of. The rest of France however thought differently. In chapter three book two, Charles Dickens uses the blue flies as symbolism for the courtroom. Excluding Mr. Darnay, the people of the court were deceitful and untrustworthy. Even the judge in this chapter was accusing the innocent individual, creating an unfair trial. This corruption disgusted Dickens so bad that he would compare the people in the courtroom to an item so revolting that flies would gather around them as they spoke of their evasiveness and favoritism. This represented a symbol of squalor and waste as Dickens describes it. His thought went so far into detail that he was able to give the readers a perception of this destructive justice called a courtroom. Another way Dickens adequately conveys his feelings toward the system is how the people in the courtroom perceived about Mr. Darnay and his punishment. Dickens helps us to see the coldness in the court when he says: “The accused who was --and knew he was-being mentally hanged, beheaded and quartered by everybody there, neither flinched at the situation, nor assumed any theatrical air in it.” Dickens explains to the reader that the people in the courtroom were aware of his punishment and did not concern themselves that he would be put to death in such a cruel manner. It would be just a normal day for the townspeople. In fact, they would pay for the hanging of the man and cheer afterwards. This sickened Dickens to see such barbaric acts towards another member of the community, that he would expose the court so bluntly. The feeling of the court was diminutive of heart that Dickens would reveal, to the last detail, of cruelty for the readers to vision. During a time of so called “creative differences” of people and a time of “barbaric humanitarians,” it could be assumed that Charles Dickens seemed advanced in his way of pondering the way a society should live. He was able to see past social differences between people and live different than the world around him. He accomplished this task so well that even an average individual of the 20th century would not be able to perceive nor consider.


Words: 494

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin Charles Spencer Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in Walworth, London, and lived a Dickensian childhood, shared with his brother, Sydney, that included extreme poverty, workhouses and seeing his mother's mental decline put her into an institution. Both his parents, though separated when he was very young, were music hall artists, his father quite famously so. But it was his mother Charlie idolized and was inspired by during his visits backstage while she performed, to take up such a career for himself. He achieved his ambition when he joined a dancing troop, the Eight Lancashire Lads, and this eventually led onto parts in Sherlock Holmes and Casey's Court Circus. Sydney, meanwhile, had joined the famous Fred Karno Company and quickly became a leading player and writer therein. He managed to get Charlie involved, and he too became a Karno star. For both boys, Karno was almost a college of comedy for them, and the period had a huge impact on Charlie especially. In 1910 Charlie toured the U.S. with the Karno group and returned for another in 1912. It was on this tour that he was head hunted by Mack Sennett and his Keystone Film Company, and Charlie was thus introduced into the medium of film. His first film, in 1914, was aptly titled Making A Living, and it was directed by Henry Lehrman. He starred in many of his Keystones along side Mabel Normand, who also directed three of his films, but it wasn't until Twenty Minutes of Love that he had a taste of directing himself, and this quickly became the only way he worked. His success was such that he was able to move from one company to another, each time into a better deal. In 1915, after thirty-five films, he moved to Essanay, and it was here he really found his feet, not to mention his longest serving leading lady, Edna Purviance. Notable films during this period include The Champion, The Tramp and The Bank. In 1916 he moved to Lone Star Mutual, with even greater control and financial rewards. Here he made the definitive Chaplin short comedies, The Rink, Easy Street, The Cure and The Immigrant. First National were next, and it was here he constructed his full length masterpiece, The Kid. Shorter comedies of note at this time included Sunnyside and The Idle Class. Along with his great friend, Douglas Fairbanks, as well as Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith, Chaplin formed United Artists in 1919. He made his first film for them in 1923, the Edna Purviance vehicle, A Woman of Paris, perhaps the least known of his films, but it was followed by the Chaplin classics - The Gold Rush, The Circus, City Lights and Modern Times. It wasn't until 1940 that he made his first talkie, The Great Dictator, to be followed by the more refined Monsieur Verdoux and Limelight, a look back to the music hall world of his youth. Limelight (1952) was the last film he made in America. McCarthyite political maneuverings effectively ejected him from the country and he wasn't to return until 1972, when he received a special Academy Award. In the meantime, though heartily welcomed back to Britain, he moved to Switzerland with his wife, Oona O' Neill, and their children. He made two more films, A King In New York (1957, with Dawn Addams) and A Countess From Hong Kong (1967, with Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando) and spent his final years writing music for his films and enjoying his family life before he died, at 4 A.M. on Christmas Day in 1977. BibliographyRobinson, David. Charlie Chaplin: The Art of Comedy (1995) Mitchell, Glenn. The Chaplin Encyclopedia (1997) Karney, Robyn and Cross, Robin. The Life and Times of Charlie Chaplin (1992) Gifford, Denis. The Comic Art of Charlie Chaplin (1989) McCabe, John. Charlie Chaplin (1978) Payne, Robert. The Great Charlie (1957)


Words: 600

Canterbury Tales

In Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales there are twenty-nine plus one characters. Out of the twenty-nine plus one characters two will be compared and contrasted. The Friar and the Miller have some similarities and at the same time some differences. The Friar and the Miller show a few similarities in Canterbury Tales. They are both very strong and able to head butt things without a problem. The Friar was,” strong enough to butt a bruiser down”(94). The Miller was,” Broad, knotty, and short-shouldered”(109)”he would boast he could heave any door off hinge and post, or take a run and break it with his head”(101). The Friar and the Miller both played musical instruments in Canterbury Tales. The both of them also had a way of cheating people out of their money The are also a few differences the Friar and the Miller show. The Friar, for instance, was part of the church; the Miller was not. Also, the Friar has a name, Hubert. The Miller does not have a name. The instrument the Friar plays isn’t the same as the Miller. The Friar,” played the hurdy-gurdy,”(95) and also the harp. The Miller,” He liked to play his bagpipes…”(101) Even though they had ways of cheating people out of their money they had different ways of doing it. . The Friar would hear confessions from the wealthy for a good price and,” The Friar was also the finest beggar of his hatch”(95). The Miller had,” A thumb of gold, by God, to gauge an oat”(101)! The Miller would press down on the weighing scale to make the oat weight more. Therefore making the oat cost more. In Canterbury Tales there are twenty-nine plus one characters. Out of the twenty-nine plus one characters, the Friar and the Miller are compared and contrasted. Out of this comparison and contrasting the outcome showed how the Friar and the Miller are alike and somewhat different. Even though they do some of the same things like cheat innocent people out of their money, they do it in different ways which make them have differences. Words: 347

Aristotle's Poetics

From POETICS Aristotle’s Poetics is considered the first work of literary criticism in our tradition. The couple of pages in the book mainly describe tragedy from Aristotle’s point of view. He defines tragedy as being an imitation of an action that is a whole and complete in itself and of a certain magnitude. Aristotle also points out terms such as catharsis, which can be said that is the purification of one’s soul. He argues in his Poetics that catharsis is achieved through emotions of pity or fear, which is created in the audience as they witness the tragedy of a character who suffers unjustly, but is not entirely innocent. Then he moves on to describing the main elements of tragedy. Such elements are: plot, character, language, thought, spectacle, and melody. Then he classifies these in three parts, the media, the manner and the objects. The language and melody constitute the “media”, in which they effect the imitation. Then there is the spectacle, which is the “manner”, and the remaining three, the plot, character and thought are the “objects” that are imitated. Aristotle considers the plot to be the most important of these elements. He describes the plot as not being a unity revolving around one man. Instead, he states that many things happen to one man, which may not always go together, to form a unity. At the same time, he says that among the actions that a character performs there are many that may be irrelevant to one another, but yet they form a unified action. Aristotle continues depicting the plot categorizing it in two manners: simple and complex. In a simple plot, a change of fortune takes place without a reversal or recognition. In contrast, in a complex plot, the change of fortune involves recognition or a reversal or both. To understand these ideas better he defines reversal and recognition for us. Reversal or peripety is a change from one circumstance to its exact opposite. Recognition, is a change from ignorance to knowledge leading either to friendship or hostility depending on whether the character is marked with good fortune or bad. There is a phrase used by Aristotle in Poetics, “from the machine,” which is basically any implausible way of solving complications of the plot. An example would be when Medea escapes from Corinth. She’s solving her situation by escaping in her magic chariot. This “from the machine” phrase should be employed only for events external to the drama, which lie beyond the range of human knowledge, and which require to be reported or foretold. Lastly, Aristotle explains the importance of the chorus in a tragedy. According to him, it should be regarded as one of the actors. Therefore, the chorus should be integrated into performance and be considered as part of the whole.


Words: 467

Andrew Jackson

Guardians of Freedom? The first and truest ideals of democracy were embodied in the political ideas of Andrew Jackson and the Jacksonian democrats. Calling themselves the guardians of the United States Constitution, the Jacksonian politicians engendered wide spread liberty under a government which represented all men, rather than only the upper class. While some policies under the democrats had evident flaws, they were, for the most part, eager social reformers who strived to put the power of government into the hands of the common citizens. The convictions and ideals of the Jacksonian Democrats can be best illustrated through a passage written by George Henry Evans. Evans was an editor with strong democratic principles who created “The Working Men’s Declaration of Independence” (Doc. A). Within the declaration, Evans stresses the importance of establishing democracy. He uses words and phrases from Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence” to clarify his points and stress his convictions. Stating the absolute “necessity of the organization of the party,” Evans explains that it will be possible to prevent the upper class from subverting the “indefeasible and fundamental privilege” of liberty. And finally, Evans states that it is the common citizen’s right to use every constitutional means necessary to “reform the abuses” and “provide new guards for future security.” In doing so, he documented the characteristic attitude of the majority of the country in the 1820’s and 1830’s. Evans was only one of the many Jacksonian democrats to contribute to the success of the party and to the reforms that they made. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney’s opinion in the Supreme Court Case of Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge was a capitalist decision which was a typical response for a Jacksonian democrat (Doc. H). This decision stated that while the Charter of 1785 allowed the Charles River Bridge to be constructed, it did not prohibit any other bridges from being constructed. Therefore, Taney decided that the capitalistic competition would be healthy for the economy of the regions along the Charles River. In doing this, Taney was eliminating the monopolies of the elite and creating equal economic opportunities for all citizens. As a result, Taney contributed to one of the major achievements of the Jacksonian Democrats - to create economic equality. The President of the United States of America and leader of the Democratic party, Andrew Jackson, was perhaps the most outspoken democrat of the time. He used his position as leader of the country to give more power to the common man. Even before his election as president, he succeeded in having the property qualification eliminated, therefore, increasing the voting population tremendously. Jackson became the first president truly elected by the common man, rather than only high society. For the first time in the history of the nation, the middle class received the opportunity to participate in the government that ruled them. Jackson did not stop with the reformation of the election process. Instead, he attacked the Bank of the United States and vetoed the re-charter for the institution. President Jackson explained that the bank’s stock was held by only foreigners and a few hundred rich American citizens. As a result, the bank maintained an “exclusive privilege of banking...” - “a monopoly” (Doc. B). The Democrats believed the bank to be a tool of rich oppression and a dangerous institution because the men in power were of the highest class and utterly “irresponsible to the people.” So, President Jackson vetoed the re-charter and it was closed. The money was dispersed into several state banks and the monopoly was disintegrated. Indeed, the Democrats succeeded in creating a new government for the rule of a society of middle class citizens. And, the middle class began to prosper under the struggle for economic equality. Visiting the United States in 1834, Harriet Martineau reported the prosperity of the country (Doc. D). She discovered “the absence of poverty, gross ignorance, and insolence of manner” as well as towns with newspapers and libraries. She also reported on political debated with common citizens as judges. It is quite clear that the expansion of suffrage, support for individual rights, and advances of democratic society were responsible for the prosperity of the time. However, it would be both irrational and naive to assume that the ideals of Jacksonian democrats were without flaw. And it would be preposterous to conceive a period in American history without its low points. This holds true for the period of 1820 - 1830 as well. A number of middle class citizens misinterpreted democratic reforms as an opportunity to disregard decorum and law. Philip Hone, a Whig politician, wrote descriptions of riots which erupted in Philadelphia and large Eastern cities (Doc. E). Middle class citizens who took advantage of individual rights caused chaos and destruction. Yet, an understanding of human nature is necessary to continue. It must be expected that some people are unable to handle the privileges of individualism, and a crowded city is the most likely place for a riot to break out. Such is the situation even presently. Especially in large cities, violence and rioting is not uncommon. A political party aimed at better the nation can not be justly held responsible for the terrible behavior of a few. The same principle holds true for the Acts and Resolutions of South Carolina in 1835 (Doc. F). While the Jacksonian Democrats believed that the only way to reform society was through constitutional means, South Carolina did not abide by the same convictions. Instead, they used individual liberty to over-rule the government. The South Carolina legislature decided to nullify the Post Office Department (which violated the first amendment to the Constitution) and outlaw abolition movements (thereby denying freedom of speech). Finally, the soon-to-secceed South Carolina decided not to collect taxes on imports and President Jackson decided they had gone too far. He threatened them with war in order to restore rational behavior. Although is possible to show all the positive and constructive reforms initiated by the Jacksonian Democrats, it is impossible to ignore the tragic oppression of the Native Americans by President Jackson. On the Trail of Tears, thousands of lives were senselessly ended en route from Georgia to the western reservations. There can be no justification for the terrible mistreatment the Indians had to endure. However, it is necessary to look at the situation for that time period. While all white man were now considered equal and the middle class was elevated, the Blacks and Native Americans were not included. Even Thomas Jefferson did not intend to include either race when drafting the Declaration of Independence. So, while it can not be excused, it becomes possible to comprehend how such a travesty might occur. Despite several inevitable flaws in the time period, the Democrat’s proclamation as “guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and economic equality” is quite valid. Indeed, the Jacksonian Democrats succeed in the ambitions, and their avid social reforms helped make the United States a more liberated and democratic nation.

Words: 1165

An Open Life By Joseph Campbell

In the novel, An Open Life, by Joseph Campbell, I agree that life is like a novel and that disasters result in structuring a great aspect of your life. If you really think about what Mr. Campbell is saying, he is right. Looking back at my life with all the ups and downs I have experienced, made me who I am now, which is a great thing. I had an experience with a boyfriend which caused me to get a great job to make as much money as my Mother. A reading that makes me agree with Mr. Campbell quote, was when I read my Mother’s journal that she kept from the start of my birth until I was ten. An observation that I got to see was from the movie Don’t be a Menace to Society While Drinking your Juice in the Hood. In this movie, Ashtray becomes a man by observing on how his friends are. I agree with Joseph Campbell, that life is like a novel. An experience I had with the opposite sex made me who I am now. One evening my boyfriend and I agreed that we would go out with some friends, and go our separate ways. When he left, I called my friend to see if she wanted to do something. We ended up going to the movies. During the movie I noticed that my friend wanted to tell me something but backed off for a while. When she could not hold it any longer, she told me to look back. When I did, I saw my now ex-boyfriend making out with a girl. I was devastated when I had seen that, I even ended up quitting college for this. I was thinking about this all day and forgot to realize that I had a math exam the next day. So what I did was that I quit college. My Mom was very upset that I had quit for such a reason. It was impossible living with my Mom when this had happened. She did not like the fact that I quit school and did not even have a job to take advantage of. But a couple of weeks later, opportunity came ringing on the phone. My aunt called and told me that she was looking for an assistant. I went the next day for an interview and got hired on the spot. Till this day I am working at Century 21 Su Casa, a real estate company, making almost as much money as my mother. Sometimes I think that if this would have never happened, where would I be or what would I be doing? If this disaster would have never happened to me, then my life would be different than how it is now. Reading my Mother’s journal makes me agree with Mr. Campbell. She had kept this journal from my birth until I was ten years old. According to my Mom thought now for me was the right age to learn where I came from and the disasters my Mom had to go through. In this journal she states that when I was younger my mother left my father because of his drinking problem. When this happened she had to claim welfare for about one year. During this year my mom could have just decided to stay on welfare for the rest of her life, but she got smart, went to college and got a degree in Business. If my mom would have not gotten smart during this period we would have probably still been on welfare, but thanks to mom she gave us a better life. She now has more than enough money to support us both. Nothing could be better, we have our own house, and each a car. This proves that problems whether big or small structure a great aspect of your life. By observing the movie, Don’t be a Menace to Society While Drinking your Juice in the Hood, we see that Ashtray by observing on how his friends made him to become a better person. What I observed from this movie was that Ashtray’s friends were playing with women and not take responsibility toward their actions. Most of all his friends had had enpregnated women and did not even care for the children. This girl that lived in the same block as Ashtray and his friends was very easy to get in bed. This girl, Darmica had seven kids. All of Ashtray’s friends had had her. Ashtray really fell for this girl. At the end of the movie he ends up leaving the hood with her and her seven kids. With him leaving the hood with this girl, you wonder how he came about this choice when this girl slept with everyone in the hood. This proves that life is like a novel and that little disaster structure on who you become to be. By looking back in your past at all of the disasters you have faced, if you really think about it, you wonder who wrote your life. With all the ups and downs you have overcome our lives seem to be just like a novel. With these experiences, readings, and observations we can see that life is like a novel. If we do not suffer disasters we will never learn to be better than we are now. This is why disasters result to turn out to structure a great aspect of our lives. In this novel called life, we have disasters that structure on who we are today. YOUR NAME 1 OUTLINE Thesis: In the novel, An Open Life, by Joseph Campbell, I agree that life is like a novel and that disasters result in structuring a great aspect of your life. I. Intro (examples, briefly explain each) a. Explain why do I agree b. experience c. reading d. observation II. Experience a. tell about boyfriend b. what happened c. results d. compare experience on why I agree III. Reading a. moms journal b. situation she was in when I was young c. how she over came to structure her life better for us IV. Observation a. movie b. ashtray became a better man c. responsible for all seven kids d. did not follow in footsteps of his friends, like portrayed to be V. Conclusion a. combine experience, reading, and observations b. compare life with a novel c. close with thesis


Words: 1079

An Inspector Calls - Differences And Comparisons Of Arthur B. And Sh

“An Inspector Calls” by JB Priestly Differences & Comparisons between Mr B. and Sheila Arthur Burling is the main man in the Burling family, and seems to control it, i.e. whatever he says - goes! The play is set in an imaginary town called Brumley, somewhere in the North of England. Mr. Burling has a selfish attitude towards life, and also an attitude to only care for himself and family, and basically forget everybody else, in fact, this is exactly what he tells a speech on at the celebration of Sheila’s and Gerald’s engagement, “... a man has to look after himself - and his family too, of course...” which gives the impression of the selfishness, and also greed. Another example of this is when he tells a speech about how it is the best day of his life, “Gerald, I’m going to tell you frankly, without any pretenses, that your engagement with Sheila means a lot to me. She’ll make you happy, and I’m sure you’ll make her happy. Your just the type of son-in-law I wanted...” makes people think whether he wants them to get married for themselves, or for him, and whether it means a lot to him sentimentally, or a lot to him in the business world. Burling’s first priority is to make money, “It’s my duty to keep labour cost down” and is also a social climber, and Sheila is engaged to the son of his “friendly” rival, which is why it could mean a lot to him in the business world because Gerald’s father is in a higher class than the Burling family. We can see that he is a man that tries to “make everything better” by using his money, “Look inspector, I’d give thousands...”. I think this may be a “domineering” attitude, because he wants to dominate people, and do all he can to do it, which reflects on how he treats his employee’s. In his factory, there is certain employees which ask for a pay rise, but Burling refuses to pay more than “the going rate”. Burling can afford the pay rise, but returns by sacking one member of the “strike” pack, Eva/Daisy Smith. After this, Burling was blamed for starting the “domino” effect of Eva/Daisy’s suicide, but refuses to accept the blame. Appearance plays a big part of Burling as well. How he looks is very important to him indeed in the respect that he always has to look “posh” and always dresses cleanly and smart. I think he does this not because he always want to be clean and smart, but to keep a good reputation with other high class people, and not to make them think that he is any lower than themselves. When the inspector asks questions to/about his family, he tries to protect his reputation by acting the innocent to the questions, even though we know, that he knows the answers to the questions, but wont tell them, to protect his reputation (hard to explain!!). Burling cannot see the consequences of neither his, nor his family’s actions. We know this because Burling makes comments which seem ridiculous to us now, in the ‘90’s and the year 2000. Things like the Titanic being unsinkable and that European nor World war would never happen. According to Burling, war will never happen because in his eyes, it would affect business, but Burling does not stop to think that people may care more about things other than business, which is why he cannot see the consequences of his own actions and is also another example of the selfishness within him. Burling hates stealing. When Eric (Burling’s son) steals £50 from Burliness office, he cares about nothing more than that he stole from him, and the amount he stole (because £50 was quite a bit of money in 1912), and Burling wasn’t really concerned why Eric stole the money. Burling then exclaims, “You dammed fool - why didn’t you come to me when you found yourself in this mess?”. Eric’s reply indicates that Mr. Burling was never close to his son, “Because you’re not the kind of chap a man could turn to when he’s in trouble”. Such a response indicates that things aren’t going to improve much after the play ends, and also indicates that there may be a bad family relationship. Sheila is Mr. Burling and Mrs. Burling’s daughter, and is engaged to Gerald, Burling’s rival. Sheila has a totally different attitude to Burling, and we see this emphasized as the play progresses. She is very happy with life at the beginning of the play, young, and attractive. Although her happiness is about to be destroyed, as in her faith in her family. Her response to the tragedy is one of the few encouraging things, which I think, came out of the play. She is genuinely upset with the death of Eva/Daisy, and learns from her actions, unlike Burling. Not only she admits her faults and it seems as though see takes too much guilt on her shoulders, but seems keen and anxious to change her behavior in the future, “I’ll never do it again” she exclaims. I think Sheila is aware of the mystery surrounding the inspector, yet realizes there is no point in hiding the facts from him, which is also a totally different attitude to Burling, because Burling seems to think he can hide the facts, and it will be okay, but Sheila, unlike Burling is not bothered about impairing her reputation, she is only bothered about the suicide. Sheila is amazed that her parents have not learned anything from the episode, and thinks that even though the inspector may be a hoax, I think she is convinced that her parents behaved in an entirely unsuitable manner, the way they were hiding facts, etc. Eric agrees with her, and is like Sheila in many ways. For example, Eric is also amazed that their parents have not learned anything in the episode. Sheila’s family have tried to block knowledge of everything that is unpleasant in life, but Sheila respects the truth and her parents don’t know that she has more knowledge of unpleasant things that happen, and sometimes even more than her parents, e.g., Eric’s Drinking. At the start of the play, Sheila is selfish, moody and has a bad temper, which she may get from her father. So at the beginning, Sheila is rather like her father, but she cannot see this. One day, her bad temper goes too far because Mrs. Burling says her dress does not suit her, and Sheila unleashes her anger on Eva/Daisy, resulting her getting sacked from the fashion store. I think she regrets this later on, when she changes, and sees how ill tempered and selfish she was, but makes no attempt to do anything about it. Sheila does realize, in the end, the harm she has caused, and still wonders why her parents cannot see what they have done. Although the inspector does turn out to be a hoax, her parents seem to carry on as normal, especially Arthur, because he is just happy that the scandal will not get out, thus Arthur loosing his Knighthood, but, Eric and Sheila will probably never be the same again, as they have learned what they have done. There are a couple of comparisons between these two people, e.g., Arthur being selfish, and Sheila being selfish (at the beginning of the story) but overall, these are two very different people, the way they turn out in the end, and even the beginning when they are a little like each other. I did enjoy this book, although I think there should tell more about what the inspector actually is, instead of leaving it in suspense, but it cant really be suspense because it doesn’t ever tell you what he is, because it is the end of the story, and suspense is where you really want to know what it is, but it will tell you in the end. I think suspense at the end of a story is not good, because it puts a bad ending for the story, because you really want to know the end, or something. English Essay - Peter BibliographyThis is an English literature GCSE exam question. Done by Peter G, Liverpool UK, Y2K


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All New People By Anne Lamott

I believe All New People by Ann Lamott was chosen for the Independent Thinkers Ser Sex, drugs, presidential scandals, all this and more is to be found in the magnificently written novel All New People by Anne Lamott. Probing into a timeless array of chaos and personal tragedy, Lamott manages to tie the story together with a mixture of personal experiences and documented historical references creating an almost nostalgic, dreamy tone. As Naddy Goodman, the narrator and main character of the saga is introduced, she is undergoing a series of hypnosis sessions which reveal many painful childhood memories. While none too extreme, the sheer simplicity of her emotional problems is ironic. After a lifetime of longing for emotional and physical acceptance from others, she has come full-circle to the realization that she must first accept and love herself. I especially enjoyed the way the author expresses her feelings about the breakdown of morals in society. This, to me, was best exemplified when the neighborhood fathers, including Naddy’s, decided the world held more fascinating things for them than they could find within the boundaries of their own, settled lives. Before this time it was almost unheard of for a father to leave his family because he was “tired of it.” Lamott clearly and loudly states the meaning of her book in the title, All New People. This book was written for anyone who has ever looked back on his or her life with regret. Whether a pessimist or an optimist, “In a hundred years? -All new people.”

A Man For All Seaons

A Man For All Seasons (A man Cannot Serve Two Masters) Neither Thomas More or the Common Man are able to serve two masters In the play A Man for All Seasons by Roger Bolt, The Spanish Ambassador Chapuys says to Steward, a role played by the common man, No man can serve two masters…(Bolt, 24). Within the play this statement is proven true for all the characters, especially for The Common Man and Sir Thomas More. The Common Man, shows himself time and again that he truly serves one master and that master is himself; whereas with More attempts to serve two masters. More attempt to serve King Henry of England, and God. By the end of the play it is shown that More cannot serve two masters despite all his efforts. It is apparent within the play that the Common Man is serving himself as his only master and no one else. In the play it may seem that he is not a self-serving character due to the fact that he obeys what people tell him to do, for instance in his conversations with Cromwell, and Chapuys, they ask him for knowledge about his master, Sir Thomas More. Firstly Cromwell asks him information concerning More's attitude towards the King's divorce of his wife the Queen. The Common Man replies, Sir, Sir Thomas doesn't talk about it…He doesn't talk about it to his wife, sir…Sir, he goes white when it's mentioned! Cromwell (hands coin): All Right.(Bolt, 23.). Later with his conversation with Chapuys he is asked about More's spirituality, Sir Thomas rises at six, sir, and prays for an hour and a half…During lent, sir he lived entirely on bread and water…He goes to twice a week, sir. Parish Priest. Dominican…(Bolt, 24). Chapuys then replies to the Common Man, Good, simple man. Here. (Gives coin. Going)…(Bolt, 24). As you can see he does what he wants for himself and no other especially divulging information for money. The Common Man also only holds loyalty unto himself and no other. At the first sign his needs will no longer be met to his satisfaction he leaves. For when More loses his job and no longer has an income, the Common Man collects his belongings and leaves, Now, damn me isn't that them all over…I nearly fell for it…`Matthew, will you kindly take a cut in your wages?' `No, Sir Thomas I will not.'(Bolt, 57). The Common Man is a very sly person, and holds nothing back when it comes to him and a job. This is evident as he acquires a position with Richard Rich, another very self- serving person by easily manipulating him. Richard Rich had no inclination to hire the Common Man; he was manipulated so well that the Common Man gets a job, Oh. Oh, I must contradict you there, sir; that's your imagination. In those days, sir, you still had your way to make. And a gentleman in that position often imagines these things. Then when he's risen to his proper level, sir, he stops thinking about it…Well - I don't think you find people `disrespectful' nowadays, do you sir?(Bolt, 61-62). Now, Sir Thomas More, through out the play tries to balance his life between God and King. More as he obeys God and King prays for his King, Dear Lord give us rest tonight, or if we must be wakeful, cheerful. Careful only for our soul's salvation. For Christ sake. Amen. And bless our lord the King.(Bolt, 8). To continue his service for both God and King, More is willing to sacrifice everything if it will allow him to serve both; There is my right arm. (A practical position.) Take your dagger and saw it from my shoulder, and I will laugh and be thankful, if by that means I can come with Your Grace with a clear conscience.(Bolt, 31). For in the play More is forced with a choice, to either continue in his service to King Henry and go against the Catholic Church or quite his job and continue in his service to the King, If the Bishops in Convocation submitted this morning, I'll take it off…It's no degradation.(Bolt, 48). In the play the Act of Supremacy is passed. The purpose of this act is to affirm that the King is the Supreme Head of the Church in England. If More were not to swear to this act he would be committing high treason against the King. Since More believes that he can serve two masters, he roots through the act looking for a loophole. A loophole that will allow him to continue serving his God and King. Supreme Head of the Church in England --- `so far as the law of God allow it remains a matter of opinion since the act doesn't state it.(Bolt, 48) Only at the very end of his life, as he sits in a courtroom does he finally realize that he cannot serve God and King. It is here that he realizes that he must choose, and he chooses God. After Richard Rich perjures himself to convict More in court, Cromwell offers More his last chance to choose between God and King, and More does choose God above all, To what purpose? I am a dead man. (To Cromwell.) You have your desire of me. What you have hunted me for is not my actions, but the thoughts of my heart. It is a long road you have opened. For first men will disclaim there hearts and presently they will have no hearts. God help the people whose Statesmen walk your road.(Bolt, 95). It is evident that in the play A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt the characters in focus, The Common Man serve's but one master himself. And Sir Thomas More who attempt to serve two masters is unable and in the end when he chooses to serve his King keep his life and lose his soul, or serve his God keep his soul and lose his life. He chooses God. This play clearly shows that, no man can serve two masters.

A Jury Of Her Peers: A Character Analysis

James McMasters English 112 October 17, 2000 A JURY OF HER PEERS - A CHARACTER ANALYSIS BY SUSAN GLASPELL As in the case of most, if not all, good allegorical stories, the primary impact of the tale is strongly influenced by the author’s detailed characterization of the setting, as well as the characters’ feelings and passions. Certainly such is the case in Susan Glaspell’s story “A Jury of Her Peers”. Here we see a richness of characterization and setting that is elusive at first reading, but becomes clearer as the story evolves. In the final analysis, it becomes clear just who the jury is and the outcome of their collective verdict. It is by the use of allegorical and metaphorical rhetoric that the tension of the story is maintained so very well. Initially we are introduced to a woman, Mrs. Hale, who first seems cast as a central character, if not the central focus of the story’s plot. By use of this literary diversion, the reader is intentionally mislead by focusing on the details of the patterns of her life and her overall guiding thought processes. For example, in Paragraph 1, we are shown the concept of Mrs. Hale’s inherent instinct for “neatness”, “her bread all ready for mixing, half the flour sifted and half unsifted”. Although this appears as a seemingly innocuous detail, it later becomes a key point as the plot develops, in that this trait seems to be directly opposite the nature of the accused. Mrs. Hale is shown to be a person of neatness and detail; no job is to be left unfinished, and high importance is attached to keeping a “proper” household. She is shown to be a strong woman, a woman of principle, who is concerned, if not outright ashamed, of her failure to be a good neighbor. In direct comparison to Mrs. Hale, we meet her fellow conspirator, Mrs. Peters, the wife of the sheriff. It is interesting to note that while the author makes it clear that Mrs. Hale is well suited for her role in life, that of a farmer’s wife, Mrs. Peters seems to be ill at ease being the wife of a lawman. She initially seems to lack the very force of character that is required of someone of authority, yet we understand as the plot is developed that she is instead a woman of equally strong convictions and character, and a person who can and will, in the final analysis, rise to the occasion. Finally, we are introduced to the character around which the story is centered, the accursed murderess, Mrs. Wright. She is depicted to be a person of great life and vitality in her younger years, yet her life as Mrs. Wright is portrayed as one of grim sameness, maintaining a humorless daily grind, devoid of life as we regard it in a normal social sense. Although it is clear to the reader that Mrs. Wright is indeed the culprit, she is portrayed sympathetically because of that very lack of normalcy in her daily routine. Where she was once a girl of gaiety and laughter, it is clear that over the years she has been forced into a reclusive shell by a marriage to a man who has been singularly oppressive. It is equally clear that she finally was brought to her personal breaking point, dealing with her situation in a manner that was at once final and yet inconclusive, depending on the outcome of the legal investigation. It is notable that regardless of the outcome, Mrs. Wright had finally realized a state of peace within herself, a state which had been denied her for the duration of her relationship with the deceased. For purposes of character and plot development, the men in the story are superfluous for the most part. Their major contribution to the story is their good-natured contempt of women in general, and a woman’s ability for discernment. In this case, this ignorance on their part is a fatal flaw that is at the same time a familiar one. As humans, we all are egocentric by nature, and it is only through conscious effort and will do humans become able to fully see and appreciate those subtle nuances that form the complete human psyche. We also note that the men’s’ approach to the investigation is based on their experience with other men for the most part. The subtlety of the female mind escapes their attention entirely; in fact, it is a subject of derision. This is in direct opposition to the “investigation” conducted by the women. Although they themselves are only vaguely familiar with the accused, they are also very familiar with, and sympathetic of, the plight of her daily routine. The scene set by the author; the broken stove, the threadbare clothes, the dirty pots; all contribute to creating a sense of empathy on the part of the reader for Mrs. Wright. We know the facts of the case as presented in the story. Mr. Wright, ever the dour one, with little to no appreciation for the beauty of life, imposed his overbearing will upon his wife one time too many. By taking from her the only thing in life that she truly cherished, he in effect destroyed all that was left inside her that was good, pure and still relatively untainted. By his wanton killing of her bird, he committed the unpardonable sin; he crossed the line formed by her inner feelings by taking from her the last vestige of all that she ever held near and dear to her heart. It is equally clear to the reader that the act of murder was one which was not a matter of impulse so much as it was a calculated act based on years of mental and marital abuse. Although the actual killing was in all likelihood not premeditated, the thought pattern leading up to the actual act had been long in formation. That Mrs. Wright had been abused to the point of desperation was finally and clearly understood by the two women who were the “peers” forming Mrs. Wright’s “jury”. The telling details center on the unfinished task of putting the sugar away, and in the untidy sewing of a small piece of the unfinished quilt. We can easily visualize what occurred: Mr. Wright, after taking from his wife the only thing she truly still cared for, caused her to become distraught to the point of total distraction and fury. This is evidenced by the fact that, although the majority of the stitching was very precise, that one piece was a total mess. It is not an accident that this very piece of stitchery covered the final resting place of the bird. It is also very notable that the dead bird rested in a beautiful box that obviously was one of the last things Mrs. Wright considered of value in her life. The correlation between the bird and the box is very strong; both represented the loss of all that she ever held near and dear to her heart. The loss of them virtually simultaneously became the last straw for Mrs. Wright. We can imagine her state of mind as she sat in shock after witnessing the destruction of all that she had left in her life to love and hold dear. The fact that she put the bird in the box, that last remnant of happier times, increases the pathos experienced by the central characters as well as the reader. The visual mirror drawn by the author between the singing of the bird and that of the young Mrs. Wright strongly suggests the affinity between her and the singing of the bird. It wasn’t the bird so much that kept her sane, as much as what it represented to her of her lost youth and former life. When the bird was needlessly killed, it was as if in doing so, Mr. Wright symbolically “murdered” the last vestige of his wife’s’ innocence and youth which was the only element still sustaining her in her grim existence. In taking from her all that she truly loved, it was as if her husband physically destroyed the central core element of his own wife. This treatment she could no long tolerate. In her defense, the other women understood all too clearly what had driven her to commit the deed. The final irony of the tale is the manner of dispatch; Mr. Wright was murdered in a manner that was entirely consistent with his wife’s sense of justice. The fact that he also was choked until dead reflects wonderfully the justice required for his wringing of the bird’s neck. Note that although there was a gun in the house it was not used. Only by taking his life in the manner that he lived was justice fully and completely served. This is a wonderful tale that stands on its own merit. It is an even greater story when considered in light of the symbolic and allegorical elements contained therein. The author’s masterful use of seemingly subtle and unrelated elements is woven into a complex tapestry that illustrates fully the complexity that is the human condition. One can only hope that the “jury’s” final verdict was a binding one.

5 Para. Character Sketch On A Seperate Peace

Friendship is a bond that is held together by mutual respect and common benevolence. John Knowles explores this realm deeply in his novel, A Separate Peace. Phineas and Gene are best friends, but their friendship is challenged as Gene feels that Finny is superior. Finny, unlike Gene, has no inner conflict, but instead he mentally creates a perfect universe. When Gene finally unleashes his suppressed anger by use of violence, Finny is unable to accept it as intentional in an effort to sustain his perfect world. Unfortunately, he permits this hidden truth to fester until ultimately it destroys his mental paradise along with himself. Finny utilizes his idealistic views of life, genuine caring for others, and charismatic abilities to make people love him in order to preserve his inner utopia. Finny’s idealistic views of the real world are optimistic and show the naiveté of his character. He has standards of perfection for life, and he is willing to sacrifice the truth to uphold this perfection. This is true even when the truth is openly admitted, such as when Gene confesses that he “deliberately jounced the limb so you [Finny] would fall off” (Knowles 62). Finny simply denies it and even shows some anger by threatening to “kill you [Gene] if you don’t shut up” (62). This anger becomes the first step in the deterioration of his perfect universe. Finny cannot accept the fact that there are imperfect feelings in the world, such as losing, because “Finny never permitted himself to realize that when you won, they lost” (27). Furthermore, Finny has a genuine heart, which aids in his friendship with Gene. His sincerity and honesty significantly depicts how uncorrupt his character is. He sets aside certain rules to live by, of which he strongly believes to “Never say you are five feet nine when you’re five feet eight and a half” (26). This reveals how true Finny’s character is, and the fact that it is a commandment shows how his morals are the basis for his life. Finny is also very sincere with his friendship towards Gene, by openly revealing that “‘At this teen-age period in life the proper person is your best pal.’ He hesitated and then added, ‘which is what you are,’” (40). Whereas Gene is insecure about their friendship, Finny readily admits his true feelings. This genuine attitude deteriorates in the end along with his world as he lies in an effort to suppress the truth. Additionally, Finny has an undeniable charisma that gives him the natural charm respected by all, all but Gene. He has an extraordinary power to make people love him, and it is that love which Gene envies. His power is shown when “he was forced to speak himself, the hypnotic power of his voice combined with the singularity of his mind to produce answers, which were often no right but could rarely be branded as wrong” (46). His charisma allows him to slip out of difficult situations, such as when Finny wears the Devon School tie as a belt, the substitute Headmaster “seemed pleased or amused in some unknown corner of his mind” (19). Gene, however, envied this, and it gives him an excuse to unleash his anger and the violence. So consequently, Finny’s charisma ultimately leads to his demise. Finny is idealistic in his visions of the world, genuine in his caring for people, and charismatic in his convincing nature, and these qualities make him highly revered by many. Unfortunately, Gene tries to compete with Finny, which is impossible for Gene, so he envies Finny. When Gene releases his anger, Finny is unable to accept the truth, because he wants to preserve his utopia. This perfect world is created by Finny’s mind in order to not see the evils of the real world. The friendship between the two of them is not mutual. This is why one must keep their enemies close, but their friends closer, because friends are most likely to stab their friends in the back.

Essay topic: Being the odd one out

I took a final look at myself in the mirror before I put on my high heeled shoes. I thought I looked presentable enough. My brother was furiously sounding the horn hurrying me up. I went down the steps with difficulty due to my shoes. The minute I stepped into the car, he sped off, not caring that my heart had leapt into my mouth.He was to meet his friends for a barbecue. He hated to take me along on such occasions. He said that I was a spoil-sport tagging along behind him. However, he had to bring me because my mother insisted. She said that every time he needed to use my father’s car at night, he must take me along. Well, whether he liked it or not, he had to oblige. I was to one who had to bear his deafening nags while we traveled to and fro in the car.He stopped at the East Coast Park and told me to get down. I was nearly in tears because I thought the barbecue was to be held at friend’s house. If I had known that it was to be at the beach, I would have at least put on my pants and flat sandals. I would never dream of going to such an occasion in party skirt and high-heeled shoes. Oh… why didn’t he inform me? Although I was very angry with him, I kept my peace. I knew better than to say anything.I hurried behind him towards the beach. When we reached the location, I was utterly shocked to find that there was not a single female soul around. His friends stared at me. I felt strange, although I still cannot interpret their stare. I looked down shyly, and my eyes met my skirt. At that moment, I felt like tearing it to pieces.The boys did not say anything to me. I realized that my presence was not welcomed. I felt admixed feeling of embarrassment and anger. Who should I blame? I thought everybody was to blame; my mother, my brother and I. My thought was rudely interrupted by a rough voice offering me a seat on an overturned pot. I thanked him and sat, looking at the pitch black, moonless sky against the dark blue, calm waters.I had been in the company of boys for a number of times but the occasions were never as forbidding as this one. At home, my mother and I live among seven males. They are my father, two of his brothers, my elder brother and three younger brothers. I love their company.I was again interrupted by the rough voice. This time he offered me some mutton cubes pierced in an iron skewer. Without thinking, I took it and began to eat. I shouted in pain when the burning skewer touched my lips. My unsympathetic brother turned around to look at me. Instead of doing something, he gave me a threatening look and turned away. I heard him telling his friends that I was a spoil-sport. I felt tears in my eyes but I would not permit them to fall.I waited patiently till 11.30 p.m. At exactly 11.30 p.m. my brother signaled me to go to the car. I walked away alone, without saying goodbye to anybody. This time warm tears really poured down my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away as I heard my brother coming up behind me. Then, I realized that being the odd one out was indeed trying. I thanked God that it was all over.

Essay topic: Honesty is the best policy.

One fine day, while I was on my way to school, I found a wallet. It was lying outside the lift.Opening the wallet, I found two hundred dollars and some coins inside. There were some pieces of paper but no identity card. I was tempted to keep the money, but I remembered what my teacher had taught us. She said, “It is wrong to take things which do not belong to us.” I scolded myself for harboring such dishonest thoughts. Then, instead of going to school, I went to report what I had found to the neighborhood police.The policeman was very kind and listened to me patiently. As I was about to finish my story, I saw my neighbor, Mr. Song, walk into the police-station. He looked surprised to see me. After much explanation, we discovered that the wallet belonged to Mr. Song. What a coincidence!My neighbor thanked me over and over again. The policeman praised me for being an honest boy. He also called up my school to inform my principal of the incident. I am glad that I had not kept the wallet. Indeed, honesty is the best policy.

Essay topic: At the bus-stop

Every morning, I wait at a bus-stop near my flat to take a bus to school. It is always very crowded. While waiting for the bus, I usually observe the people at the bus-stop. Some of them I have come to know by sight.One person who caught my attention is a tall and thin man wearing thick glasses. He always drops his files whenever his bus is coming. I guess that is because he is over-anxious to board the bus.Another person I have noticed is a shabbily-dressed old woman. Every morning, she carries one big bag full of pieces of cloth to the bus-stop. Once, she came with two big bags instead of one and she got stuck in the door of the bus. Luckily, the kind man with the thick glasses helped her to free herself. However, he dropped his files again while doing so.There is also a rude school-boy who always pushes his way up the bus instead of queuing up like the other passengers. This angers the other passengers. Once, he tried pushing his way past the old lady with the big bag. To my amusement, he was almost knocked down by the fat bag.There are indeed interesting things to note at a bus-stop if only one is observant.

Essay topic: Talk about a trishaw rider

Trishaw riders can be seen in areas frequented by tourists, in particular around Little India. A trishaw rider is no doubt a hardworking man. In Singapore trishaw riders are source of attention to the visiting tourists from developed countries.

A trishaw rider is tactful and understands the temperament of tourists. He acts as guide to the tourists. The nature of his work requires energy and strength. A trishaw rider enjoys taking tourists around and acts as a host. The tourist feels relaxed and takes in the city sights.

A trishaw rider has to ride his vehicle on the roads. He has to work in any weather. He has to be ready to take the passenger to any destinations.

A trishaw knows few joys and entertainment. All his joys rest with the service he renders to the passengers. The tourist brings home with him the memory of the trishaw rides.

Essay topic: Talk about the life of a farmer

Mr. Lim is a farmer by profession and he is proud of being one. His holdings are small, but he feels they are enough for him.

He owns a few hectares of good land, a ploughing machine and a small cottage. His fields are fed with water from a stream. As a modern farmer he has a pumpset for pumping water. So his fields are never allowed to go dry. He grows mainly paddy, in a small patch of land he has the vegetable garden.

Usually he is an early riser. He starts his pump and waters his fields. He will be going round to see whether water does not overflow. He may remove the weeds from among the plants. He goes into the vegetable garden to see if there is any pick for the day. He trims the hedges, digs the plots or dresses them up for the next planting. He is fond of his flower pots of which he has a few. He takes pride in them.

After these morning rounds he takes his breakfast. It is his gossiping time. He meets others and takes part in the village gossip. He cannot read, he learns about with morning news. As it is common nowadays, he discusses with his friend the day’s politics. Sometimes, the commission agent may come, and our friend will talk to him about the market prospects.

In the afternoon, after a wash and a lunch, he stretches himself for a mid-days siesta. He gets up and after a cup of tea, he goes to the fields and sees everything is in order. Then he takes a stroll in the nearly towns and makes some purchases for the house. That is also the time for him to meet friends and exchange views.

He returns home and had an early dinner. He plans for the next day. Sometimes it may be taking the grains to the market, it may be transplanting; some other times it may be taking the machine for repair. Thus he leads a simple life and he is contented.

Essay topic: Men’s enemy in the world of nature

Somebody has observed that man is born free but everywhere he is in chains. Though this was said in some other circumstances, ma is not so free. From birth to death, he has to contest with his enemies. Where the enemy is known, man has always found ways and means of combating it. If it is disease, he has medicines for it. He would set up snares and catch certain types of enemies. He would kill them with slings, bows and arrows, spears and guns and so on. But the story of man, when he cannot fight his enemy, is helplessness as in the case of a big storm.

Among the animate enemies, the bacteria and virus are the worst for one does not know when they may strike for they are lurking everywhere only to enter the human system and play havoc. Long, long ago man believed that diseases were caused by evil sports and hence he tried to appease them by sacrifices and by worshipping them. Now thanks to the advance of science and invention of scientific instruments especially the microscope and the X-ray machines, man knows diseases are caused by bacteria and virus. He knows also how to prevent falling prey to those diseases. He has in repertoire sulpha drugs and antibiotics, vaccines and serums. Almost all epidemic diseases have become things of the past. For instance, small pox, the scourge which was taking away a toll of men has been eradicated practically from the face of the earth. Only cancer is defying all treatment.

Man has to be wary about insects that bite because he cannot hope to eradicate them. From experience he has come to know of medicines for such things, for example snake bites can be treated with serum.

Man has enemies among animals such as tigers, wolves and foxes. They do not attack man unless he interferes with them. These animals have their part to play in the ecological balance. Even the dog, man’s best friend can prove as an enemy especially when it becomes mad. The bite of a mad dog causes rabies; thanks to the pioneering effort of Louis Pasteur and anti-rabies vaccine has been prepared and has proved a blessing in healing dog bites.

These are also other types of enemies which destroy man’s food. For example, rats and other rodents destroy sizable quantities of grains and fruits. But man with experience and scientific skills has overcome these enemies. He builds rat proof warehouses where grains are dusted with chemicals so that they do not rot. He keeps food items in cold storage and thus preserves them.

There are then the enemies from the very elements themselves. The life giving atmosphere may prove fearsome when it turns into a storm or tornado. With scientific instruments man is able to forecast a coming storm. Similarly the rain, snow, ice and frost may prove to be enemies when they occur. Rain destroys life and property and leaves destruction when it recedes. Fog has caused many disasters on land and in water such as ships colliding, air crashes and land accidents. Ice was known to have broken ships. But the dangers from them are being minimized because of sophisticated apparatus man has at his command. Mother earth herself very often makes up her mind to heave and shake. These earthquakes do cause a heavy loss almost every year.

The worst enemy of man is death. One does not know what death is except that all the organs fail to function. Man may argue as to how death is caused, but nevertheless it does occur at every age and in all places at all times. There is none who is not afraid of death. People carry mascots and talismans to avoid death. The mystery of death is so deep that a lot of theories have sprung up about it. It may be a friend in certain cases and it may appear cruel in other cases. Whether death is an enemy or a friend depends on how one views it.

So one can conclude that man is always surrounded by enemies and if at all he survives, it is indeed a miracle.

Topic: Suppose you are a lazy boy. Your father advises you to study hard. Tell about what he talks

Yes, study comes hard to you, my dear son. You don’t set out for school with that resolute mind and that smiling face which I should like. But listen; reflect a little! How poor and pitiable your days would be if you did not go to school! Everybody studies now. My child, think of the workmen who go to school in the evening after having toiled all the day; think of the women, of the girls, of the people, who go to school on Sunday, after having worked all the week; of the soldiers who turn to their books and copy-books when they return exhausted from their drill! The dumb and the blind study nevertheless; and last of all, the prisoners also learn to read and write. Reflect in the morning, when you set out, that at the same moment, in your own city, thirty thousand other boys are going, like yourself, to shut themselves in classrooms for three hours of study. Think of all the boys who, at nearly this precise hour, are going to school in all countries of the world. Behold them with your imagination, going through the lanes of quiet villages, through the streets of noisy towns, beneath the burning sun or amid fogs, on the far-reaching plains, millions and millions, all going to learn the same things in different forms of languages.Imagine this vast throng of boys of different races, this immense movement in which you take part, and remember if this movement were to cease, humanity would fall back into barbarism; this movement is the progress, the hope, the glory of the world.Courage, then, little soldier of the immense army! Your books are your weapons, your class is your squadron, the field of battle is the whole earth, and the victory is human civilization. Go ahead! Be not a cowardly soldier, my dear son.

Essay topic: Unemployment, especially among young people, is a serious problem in many countries today. What can be done about it? What do you think a

Essay topic: Unemployment, especially among young people, is a serious problem in many countries today. What can be done about it? What do you think about job-creation projects currently run in Vietnam?



Leaders off all countries in the world are confronting a serious problem – unemployment. Unemployment leads to social degeneration. In less developed countries, unemployment becomes increasingly crucial. In Vietnam, our government are trying to solve unemployment which has increased in recent years. The following measures have been applied.Young jobless people from 18-35 are taught certain careers suitable to their ability and their liking.People whose knowledge is weak are sent to evening continuation classes.After learning a career, they will be introduced to some companies in the city. Up till now a number of unemployed people have been able to get jobs.Moreover a great number of young people were sent abroad to learn different careers. After the course, they will return to their country and will be qualified for some jobs offered to them.The job-creation projects currently run in Vietnam can, to some extent, reduce unemployment, however, there are still lots of young people who are out of work and have to make a rather precarious living and therefore social evils cannot be avoidable “Idleness is the mother of all vices”.To reduce unemployment in our country, the government should pay close attention to the following matters:- For young people weak at knowledge: Open more career schools or encourage them to move to new economic zones where conditions of living should be favorable to them from the outset.- The training plan should be effective from the beginning to the end, that is to say, each student, upon graduating, must have a post.- The training program should be planned to the letter, not on a large scale but to an extent previously scheduled.- The vocational training program should be introduced in the High School curriculum. The pupils should be taught knowledge and skills at the same time so that after leaving school they are able to find a job suited to their ability and capacity.- Young engineers, doctors, scientists, specialists, teachers should be given preferential conditions to find jobs from any government offices or be introduced to foreign companies in Vietnam.- Excellent students should be granted scholarship.I hope that once these proper measures are strictly applied, the number of unemployment people will probably diminish and that the government will no longer worry about social evils which destroy human dignity.