Summary Paper Essay Example for Free

Summary Paper Essay In a May 22, 2011 article Why are so many students still failing online? the author, Rob Jenkins, argues the difference between online and on-campus classes. There is a problem with students failing online classes, but I believe that hybrid classes should be the primary choice. Jenkins mentioned that online classes are a better choice, but not with all classes. Jenkins asks, Can we agree that none of us would want to be operated on by surgeons who received all of their medical training online?† Online classes have their limits, but also have more conveniences. For example, Jenkins states that For students who arent able to attend college in the traditional way, good enough, can be a godsend. They are less costly and the enrollment rate is higher than on-campus courses. Online courses seem to be the future according to Jenkins. On the other hand, I disagree because the problem of students failing online classes exists because of the success rates. Online classes have a lower rate because classes such as speech should be taken in a traditional classroom instead of online. Some professors tried to have the students do their speeches on their own time but video tape them and send them to the professor to watch and evaluate. While this idea seems to work, I still believe that online courses such as this one are better taken in the classroom than online. Jenkins argues in a department meeting that faculty members should use the same principal as entry level on-campus classes and have students take an entrance exam to see if they score high enough to be able to take them successfully. The administrators told Jenkins that it more than likely wouldnt happen. Jenkins is in a working progress of getting the online class success rate up higher and making it a majority of the community college life. However, while Jenkins plan may succeed, I still believe that it is the wrong choice. Every college course is beneficial in some way or another, and almost all of them bring up questions throughout the semester that would be better answered in a classroom setting. The students would get more out of asking in class than through email. Again, in my opinion, I think campus classes should be the majority of the college life.

Theological Reflection Approach on Practice

Theological Reflection Approach on Practice A written reflection on practice (1,500 words) Rational of the Theological Reflection Approach I have decided to use the Imagination and Spiritual Wisdom approach to this theological reflection because it allows for a deep understanding of the experience and the feelings involved. Then it progresses into creating an image from those feelings and by questioning the image we may develop an insight to what was really happening and use theology to help us to understand this insight. Thus, leading to action or an understanding of future actions in similar events.[1] Thick Description Someone in the church (A) was organising a surprise party for the vicar and his wife (VW) for their 25th wedding anniversary with permission from the rest of the family. They were organising it as a friend and not as a member of the congregation and therefore it was a non-church event. It was mentioned to people in the church as they would obviously be invited as friends of the couple. There was an element of tension between certain members of the congregation as they felt that it should have been done through church and this was expressed to the church wardens, who had also been asked to help with the party, and A. This led to a disagreement between A and another member of the congregation (B) one Sunday morning before the service. This was witnessed by a few people although they could not hear what was being said. It did however turn out that this issue was resolved quickly once tensions had calmed down. The pastoral situation came from someone (J) who had witnessed this altercation. J has been a member of the congregation for many years and has developed a close pastoral relationship with the vicar and his wife and the member of the congregation. She was concerned about how B had be treated through this situation. Over the course of the week various messages had been sent via social media between A, J and various others in the congregation about this altercation, the party in general and views about it. The messages had become somewhat hurtful and not appropriate. J had become quite upset about it and went to speak to the VW to ask if A would stop sending messages to her. J did say that she could not go into detail about the messages and why they had started in the first place as she did not want to spoil the surprise. It transpires that the messages continued to be sent with A convinced that the surprise had be spoiled and was placing the blame towards J. Due to wanting to keep the surprise J contacted myself. I met with J on a Friday evening in church with most of the meeting explaining what had transpired over the past week. J was very agitated and angry about what was happening in terms of the messages. I allowed her to speak and reassured her that I was listening to what was being said but clear that I was not agreeing with her opinion about A although was sympathetic towards her feelings about what had happened. I was also aware that J did not like A but the reason for this was unknown to me. Others had also noticed this dislike and I mentioned this to J. I also pointed out that A was a liked person and people were viewing Js actions as not very nice. J took exception to this comment and defended what she had said and done by saying that something had happened with A in a previous church that none of us were aware of. The meeting concluded with a decision that I would speak to A and ask for the messages to stop, that I would reassure A also that J had not spoiled the surprise, J agreed that she would not respond to any messages that were sent to her in regards to the party or anything else along similar lines. We finished by praying and J thanked me for listening. Feelings 2.1 Reflections on Personal Feelings of the Situation Personally, the whole situation felt a little petty and had no feelings towards this situation and felt that this could be sorted out. Yet I was aware there would need to be further reconciliation of J and A as feelings ran deep of dislike towards each other. 2.2 Reflection on Js Feelings of the Situation The feelings that were clearly visible by J in this situation were: Anger towards A because of the altercation with B Frustration asked for the messages to stop and they had continued Shock she had been challenged over her attitude towards A Power knew information that no one else knew about A When reflecting on these feelings being displayed I felt that the underlying elements to all of this was a sense of jealousy towards A and the VWs newly formed friendship and therefore an element of displacement by J in her relationship, which was ultimately a pastoral one, with VW. Image Based on the feelings mentioned above the image that comes to mind is: This image shows the child-like nature of the situation (the messages sent via social media), the exclusion or perceived exclusion of one from a group, and finally the two who have paired off not being aware of the person or the feelings of the person who has been excluded. Theology 4.1 Biblical Passages The biblical passages that reflect jealousy which could speak into this situation are: Genesis 37 Joseph and his brothers being jealous of his relationship with their father. Proverbs 27.4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand against jealousy? Luke 10.38-42 Mary and Martha being with Jesus Genesis 4 Cain and Abel and the jealousy of how God favoured them Mark 10:35-45 James and John asking to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus and the reaction of the rest of the disciples Reflections on the Biblical Passage Genesis 37 The passage that I felt reflected this situation the best was of Joseph and his brothers being jealous. Joseph receiving his coat from Jacob is a sign of love towards his son to the exclusion of the other sons/brothers. The brothers reaction to this situation was one that led to Joseph being separated from his family as they sold him to be a slave. The brothers reaction could not be hidden within them but was publicly acknowledged between them and towards Joseph himself with a lack of greeting or salutation.[2] The selling of Joseph should not have happened, and was not actually planned but the opportunistic nature of the brothers, brought a situation to pass which ultimately was used by God for a greater purpose (Gen. 50.20). The hatching of a plan to tell Jacob about the death of Joseph had wider issues for the brother as their fathers grief was great. [3] The brothers jealousy led to the pain of Joseph as a slave and then in prison. The pain of Jacob in the act of grief over Joseph, the story does not tell us of the life of the brothers and Jacob but the grief would have been a long running issue within the house hold. The brothers had to live with knowing that they had caused this grief. Parallels between the Thick Description and Biblical Passage If the people in the thick description were the biblical characters it would be: A was Joseph, J was the brothers, VW was Jacob and to an extent I was the caravan of Ishmaelites. Js jealousy of A was great and in effect trying to sell A to me as someone who was of no value and a trouble maker. Reflecting on this now I could see that if this was to carry on then there could be great pain for VW in the long term and then the ripple effect of this amongst the church community. New Insights and Action Reflecting on the theology of Joseph and this pastoral care situation I would have addressed it in the following way: Not challenged Js behaviour towards A in the initial instance. I should have listened to the problem that was being raised and dealt with that in the way that I did. I would have then arranged another meeting with J to discuss her behaviour and attitude towards A. In a follow up pastoral care situation I would have addressed the feelings of J towards the relationship between A and VW. I would have asked her to share how seeing the relationship form made her feel and why she felt that this might be an issue. Hopefully over time she would have seen her jealousy was not necessarily something that should have been an issue. This may have taken a few pastoral encounters to come to a conclusion. There may have also been a need for a time of reconciliation between J and A and also a session between J, A and VW to discuss the feelings between the three of them. I would have been a good person to facilitate this as I was neutral in the situation and had a relationship with the people involved where there could be honesty and openness. Word Count: 1563 Appendix 1 This situation was part of a larger situation that soon unravelled within the church community so the new actions and insights are speculative as to how I would have handled the situation if it had continued. Bibliography Killen, Patricia OConnell, and John De Beer, The Art Of Theological Reflection, 1st edn (New York: Crossroad, 2014) Longman, Tremper, How To Read Genesis, 1st edn (Downers Grove, Ill.: Authentic Media, 2005) Mounce, William D, The Crossway Comprehensive Concordance Of The Holy Bible, 1st edn (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2002) Thompson, Judith, Stephen Pattison, and Ross Thompson, SCM Studyguide To Theological Reflection, 1st edn (London: SCM Press, 2008) UpChurch, John, and Association Counselors, Genesis 37:4 Commentary John Gills Exposition Of The Bible, Bible Study Tools,2017 [accessed 17 March 2017] [1] Killen and Beer, The Art of Theological Reflection, p. 21 [2] UpChurch, Exposition of the Bible, [3] Longman, How to Read Genesis, p.151

Nathaniel Hawthorne | Dr Heideggers Experiment

Nathaniel Hawthorne | Dr Heideggers Experiment Dr. Heideggers Experiment is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 19th century. Dr. Heideggers Experiment is about a doctor who claims to have water from the fountain of youth. He then he invites his friends over and conducts an experiment on them. He uses the water from the fountain of youth and makes them young again, but they break the vase holding the water and it wears off. Nathaniel Hawthorne is an American novelist and writer. He is known for his allegorical tales and excellent usage of literary devices. In Dr. Heideggers Experiment, Hawthorne uses symbolism, allegory and characterization to describe how people dont learn from their mistakes. Hawthorne uses the characterization of Dr. Heidegger to describe how people dont learn from their mistakes. Right before Dr. Heidegger lets his friends drink the water from the fountain of youth he says, Before you drink, my respectable old friends, said he, it would be well that, with the experience of a lifetime to direct you, you should draw up a few general rules for your guidance, in passing a second time through the perils of youth. Think what a sin and shame it would be, if, with your peculiar advantages, you should not become patterns of virtue and wisdom to all the young people of the age!' (Holt 231). Dr. Heidegger is characterized as uninterested in the how growing young again happens, or how the water from the fountain works. It is also revealed that Dr. Heidegger is wise, and is seeking answers about peoples behaviour and the folly of man. Dr. Heidegger has the intention of testing whether if given the opportunity, will people change their ways and learn from their mista kes. After the vase holding the water from the fountain breaks, Dr. Heidegger says, Yes, friends, ye are old again, said Dr. Heidegger, and lo! the Water of Youth is all lavished on the ground. WellI bemoan it not; for if the fountain gushed at my very doorstep, I would not stoop to bathe my lips in itno, though its delirium were for years instead of moments. Such is the lesson ye have taught me!' (235). It is revealed that Dr. Heidegger is curious about whether one will learn from his/her mistakes of the past. Dr. Heideggers experiments hypothesis that people dont learn from their mistakes was proven to be accurate. For my own part, having had much trouble in growing old, Im in no hurry to grow young again (231). Dr. Heidegger is characterized as one who values age and experience which he understands gives him wisdom. He remembers the mistakes he made in the past and learns from it. Hawthorne wrote Dr. Heideggers Experiment as allegory, where the four friends taking part in the experiment stand for mistakes and flaws which they dont change, to describe how people dont learn from their mistakes. As Hawthorne introduces the characters at the beginning of the short story he writes, Mr. Medbourne, in the vigor of his age, had been a prosperous merchant, but had lost his all by a frantic speculation, and was now little better than a mendicant (228). Mr. Medbourne stands for greed. He lost money making bad business decisions in the past. After the four friends transformed into their younger selves, Hawthorne writes, Mr. Medbourne was involved in a calculation of dollars and cents, with which was strangely intermingled a project for supplying the East Indies with ice, by harnessing a team of whales to the polar icebergs (233). Mr. Medbourne made the same foolish greedy business ventures again when he transformed. He has not learned from his mistakes. As Hawthorne intro duces the characters at the beginning of the short story he writes, Colonel Killigrew had wasted his best years, and his health and substance, in the pursuit of sinful pleasures, which had given birth to a brood of pains, such as the gout, and divers other torments of soul and body (228). He also describes Colonel Killgrew later in the story, Colonel Killigrews compliments were not always measured by sober truth (232). Colonel Killigrew stands for dishonesty and sin. He was a liar and pursued sinful pleasures, such as drinking and lusting. After the four friends transformed into their younger selves, Hawthorne writes, Colonel Killigrew all this time had been trolling forth a jolly bottle song, and ringing his glass in symphony with the chorus, while his eyes wandered toward the buxom figure of the Widow Wycherly (233). Colonel Killigrew is once again lusting and drinking excessively when he transformed. He is repeating the mistakes he made in the past. As Hawthorne introduces the ch aracters at the beginning of the short story he writes, Mr. Gascoigne was a ruined politician, a man of evil fame, or at least had been so till time had buried him from the knowledge of the present generation, and made him obscure instead of infamous (228). Mr. Gascoigne stands for stagnation. He failed as politician due to the lack of new ideas. After the four friends transformed into their younger selves, Hawthorne writes, Mr. Gascoignes mind seemed to run on political topics, but whether relating to the past, present, or future, could not easily be determined, since the same ideas and phrases have been in vogue these fifty years (233). His mind ran on the same ideas and topics just as he did in the past. He didnt learn from his mistakes and change. As Hawthorne introduces the characters at the beginning of the short story he writes, As for the Widow Wycherly, tradition tells us that she was a great beauty in her day; but, for a long while past, she had lived in deep seclusion, on account of certain scandalous stories which had prejudiced the gentry of the town against her (228). Widow Wycherly stands for vanity and promiscuity. She was very beautiful and did many scandalous things which forced her to go into hiding. After the four friends transformed into their younger selves, Hawthorne writes, As for the Widow Wycherly, she stood before the mirror courtesying and simpering to her own image, and greeting it as the friend whom she loved better than all the world beside. She thrust her face close to the glass, to see whether some long-remembered wrinkle or crows foot had indeed vanished. She examined whether the snow had so entirely melted from her hair that the venerable cap could be safely thrown aside (233). Hawthorne also writes, Doctor, you dear old soul, cried she, gets up and dance with me!' (234). Widow Wycherly is repeating her obsession with looks and vanity. She is also not changing her old promiscuous ways. She doesnt learn from her mistakes. When introducing the characters, Hawthorne also writes, It is a circumstance worth mentioning that each of these three old gentlemen, Mr. Medbourne, Colonel Killigrew, and Mr. Gascoigne, were early lovers of the Widow Wycherly, and had once been on the point of cutting each others throats for her sake (228). The three men used to fight over Wycherly. This conflict between the characters stands for hate. After the transformation, Hawthorne also writes, Dance with me, Clara! cried Colonel Killigrew. No, no, I will be her partner! shouted Mr. Gascoigne. She promised me her hand, fifty years ago! exclaimed Mr. Medbourne. They all gathered round her. One caught both her hands in his passionate grasp another threw his arm about her waistthe third buried his hand among the glossy curls that clustered beneath the widows cap. Blushing, panting, struggling, chiding, laughing, her warm breath fanning each of their faces by turns, she strove to disengage herself, yet still remained in their triple embrace (234). The four of them repeated what happened in the past and the men started fighting over Wycherly again. They all again didnt learn from their mistakes. Hawthorne uses symbolism of items belonging to Dr. Heidegger to describe how people dont learn from their mistakes. When describing Dr. Heideggers study, it says, Between two of the bookcases hung a looking-glass, presenting its high and dusty plate within a tarnished gilt frame. Among many wonderful stories related of this mirror, it was fabled that the spirits of all the doctors deceased patients dwelt within its verge, and would stare him in the face whenever he looked thitherward (229). The mirror symbolizes Dr. Heideggers failures as a doctor. The mirror reminds him of those failures and he learns from them. After the transformation and when they are fighting over Wycherly, it says, Never was there a lovelier picture of youthful rivalship, with bewitching beauty as the prize. Yet by some strange deception, owning to the duskiness of the chamber, and the antique dresses which they still wore, the tall mirror is said to have reflected the figures of three, old, gray, withered gran d-sires, ridiculously contending for the skinny ugliness of a shrivelled grand-dam (234). The mirror reveals that they are making the same mistakes as they did in the past and how foolish they are. The mirror symbolizes their repetition of those mistakes. When first introducing the experiment Dr Hiedegger says, This rose, said Dr. Heidegger, with a sigh, this same withered and crumbling flower, blossomed five and fifty years ago. It was given me by Sylvia Ward, whose portrait hangs yonder; and I meant to wear it in my bosom at our wedding. Five and fifty years it has been treasured between the leaves of this old volume. Now, would you deem it possible that this rose of half a century could ever bloom again?' (230). Dr. Heidegger kept this rose as a reminder of his mistakes in his relationship with his dead wife. It symbolizes Dr. Heideggers learned lessons of the past. Also in the description of Dr. Heideggers study, it says, In the obscurest corner of the room stood a tall and narr ow oaken closet, with its door ajar, within which doubtfully appeared a skeleton (229).The skeleton symbolizes peoples refusal to learn from their mistakes and as a result being internally dead. The skeleton being kept in the closet reveals that Dr. Heidegger has past horrible mistakes that he now learns from. The usage of the literary devices characterization, allegory and symbolism by Hawthorne excellently reveals the theme of the story, which is that people dont learn from their mistakes. Hawthorne characterizes Dr. Heidegger as wise and seeking answers about peoples behavior. Dr. Heideggers real intention of the experiment was to find out whether his friends will learn from their mistakes. Dr. Heideggers Experiment is written as an allegory. The four friends taking part in the experiment stand for the mistakes of the past which stay unchanged. Mr. Medbourne represents greed, Colonel Killigrew represents dishonesty and sin, Mr. Gascoigne represents stagnation, and Widow Wycherly represents vanity and promiscuity. The three mens conflict over Widow Wycherly represents hate. Items owned by Dr. Heidegger symbolize different aspects of learning from mistakes. The mirror represents Dr. Heideggers mistakes as a doctor and the repetition of mistake. The rose symbolizes Dr. Heideggers learned l essons of the past. The skeleton symbolizes Dr. Heideggers mistakes and also people not learning from their mistakes. Siddhartha: Book Analysis Siddhartha: Book Analysis One utilizes a potters wheel to mold and shape a piece of clay. As the wheel continues to spin, the clay transforms into a beautiful shape of art. This tool, however exists as more than just a mechanism for sculpting clay. The potters wheel stands as a profound metaphor for the circle of life. Herman Hesses prolific novel, Siddhartha, illustrates this metaphor through the examination of its protagonists life. In Siddharthas spiritual journey, his potters wheel initially spins, then slows down almost to the point of a standstill, and, with the help of that delay, sets into motion again. Just as the wheel physically sculpts clay into beautiful art, it metaphorically sculpts Siddharthas life into enlightenment. Siddharthas potters wheel spins from the very beginning of the story. Even his name exemplifies this metaphor, for it translates into the journey of life. (Lachotta) As the son of a Brahmin, Siddhartha feels unsatisfied with his transitory existence. (Hesse) He constantly thirsts for spiritual knowledge. In an effort to obtain this knowledge, he pumps the pedal of his potters wheel, and leaves his family behind to live a life of asceticism. On his spiritual journey, he encounters the samanas and Gotama, but cannot accept their teachings. He believes that true peace cannot be taught; he must experience it for himself. He expresses this belief in his conversation with the exalted Buddha, stating that for myself alone must I judge, must I choose, must I decline. (Hesse) In essence, he believes that he exists as the only potter in control of his wheel. He realizes that only he can cultivate his clay of life. As his journey continues into the city, his eyes become transfixed on an entirel y different existence Kamalas love. Although he previously denies all teachers, he allows Kamala and Kamaswami to teach him the arts of love and trade. This sets the new motion within his potters wheel, and ultimately, the new motion within his circle of life. As Siddhartha adapts to this new life of prosperity, he remains the samana within his heart. He continues to practice his own arts of thinking, fasting, and waiting, and feels indifferent to business affairs. (Hesse) However, as he plunges further into the world of the child people, his wheel begins to slow. The game of samsara begins to occupy his thoughts as much as the gods and Brahmin once [occupy] them. As Siddhartha makes love to Kamala, he slowly becomes seized by the spiritual malaise of the rich. (Hesse) The potters wheel within in his soul encompasses the wheel of asceticism, the wheel of thinking, [and] the wheel of determination. These wheels continue to whirl. However, they now spin slowly and hesitantly, and nearly [come] to a standstill. A slower speed in a potters wheel prompts errors in the clays structure. Similarly, this speed endangers Siddharthas self. Once the wheel reaches a standstill, it contains the potential to permanently engulf its creation. Siddhartha no tices this gradual transformation within his self, but becomes paralyzed to act against it. He lives as the hollow men do in the twilight kingdom. (Eliot) No longer a man of spirituality, he becomes a prisoner to gambling, wine, and dancing girls; he exists as the bird in the golden cage. In a symbolic dream, Siddhartha sees that the bird in the golden cage lies dead. This prompts him to head to the river, where his wheel sets into another motion. Upon his arrival to the river, Siddhartha stands hesitantly by the shore. The bird in his heart feels dead, and thus, his potters wheel feels at a standstill. He spits at his reflection, and then plunges into the water, where he sinks down toward death. Then he hears a word from the remote precincts of his soul. The holy OM of perfect completion penetrates his being, and sets his wheel in motion again. Siddhartha feels reborn. He realizes that with his unity of suffering and prosperity, he achieves true understanding of the world; he achieves nirvana. Although the slowing of the wheel exists as potentially detrimental to the clay, it also exists as necessary for a beautiful masterpiece. Paralleling the unity of both worlds, a potter must spin the wheel both fast to make the clay taller, and slow to center it. (Devries) Thus, Siddhartha molds his clay into enlightenment. Also, just as Siddhartha went through many smaller cycles to achieve his goals, the potters wheel spins in smaller cycles as it cultivates the clay. Siddhartha realizes these many cycles of life when he tells Govinda that the wheel of forms turns quickly. Furthermore, the river guides Siddhartha through his entire journey, just as the potter must continuously wet the clay as he guides its final shape. Water, therefore, exists as the sustenance for the potters wheel, in both physical and metaphorical terms. Siddharthas wheel sets into motion again, and ultimately, he completes his circle of life. Overall, Siddharthas spiritual journey parallels that of a potters wheel. Hesse creates this metaphor as the circle of life, and intricately weaves it throughout his entire novel. Siddharthas wheel initially spins, slows down almost to a standstill, and, with the help of that delay, sets into motion again. A potter must meet both motions in order to obtain a deeper and more beautiful creation. Otherwise, the creation exists as nothing more than a shadow, just as Siddhartha before he obtains his unity. In the end, Siddharthas circle of life results in an enlightened self. With his potters wheel, he creates something beautiful.

Edgar Allan Poe and His Works Essay -- Stories of Edgar Allan Poe

Thesis: Edgar Allan Poe was one of the most influential, yet misunderstood writers in American Literature. I. His Early Life A. His Adoption B. His Education II. His Later Life A. Books Published B. Military Life III. The Conclusion of His Life A. His Marriage B. His Death IV. His Works V. What Others Thought Of Him Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, known as a poet and critic but most famous as the first master of the short story form, especially tales of the mysterious and macabre. Since his early death, the literary qualities of Poe's writings have been disputed, but his works have remained popular and he influenced many major American and European writers. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Poe was orphaned in his early childhood and was raised by John Allan, a successful businessman of Richmond, Virginia. Taken by the Allan family to England at the age of six, Poe was enrolled in a private school. Upon returning to the United States in 1820, he continued to study in private schools. He attended the University of Virginia for a year, but in 1827 his foster father, displeased by the young man's drinking and gambling, refused to pay his debts and forced Poe to work as a bookkeeper. (Anderson, 9-22). Poe quit this job, which infuriated John Allan. Poe then left and moved to Boston. There he published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems. After this, Poe enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a two-year term. Poe published his second book of poems, Al Araaf in 1829. Poe then reunited with Allan, who obtained him an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. After only a few months at the academy, Poe was dismissed for neglect of duty, and John Allan disowned him permanently (Anderson, 23-34). P... ...nius." (Regan, 1) While some loved him, others despised him; almost all recognized the value of his works. WORKS CITED Anderson, Madelyn Klein. Edgar Allan Poe: A Mystery. New York: Justin Books, Ltd., 1993 Buranelli, Vincent. Edgar Allan Poe. New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1961 The Collected Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: The Modern Library, 1992. Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1966. Fisher, Benjamin F. The Cambridge Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print. Kesterson, David B., ed. Critics on Poe. Coral Gables: University of Miami Press, 1973. Regan, Robert, ed. Poe. A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1967. Stoudt, Ashley, ed. "An Edgar Allan Poe Reader". State Street Press, 2000.

Christian Sybolism in Beowulf Essay -- Christianity epic Poem Beowulf

Christian Sybolism in Beowulf Within the poem Beowulf, the poet utilizes the Christian religion to symbolize the elements of good and evil and Heaven and Hell. Beowulf is the oldest known English epic poem. The manuscripts date back to about 1000 A.D., when two scribes wrote it down for posterity. The poem was handed down from the Anglo-Saxon period, and through the retelling of the poem, it changed a little each time. The poem creates an oral depiction of an epic hero who strived to fight against the forces of evil. There really was a â€Å"historical† Beowulf who helped the Geats and Danes fight off pirates, but he was neither King of the Geats nor Danish hero at any time. In fact, he was not considered a man of any extraordinary qualities, much different than the Beowulf in the poem. Christianity influenced much of the literature during this period of time. Although the poem never mentions Christ, the poet did use various characters and references to the Old Testament. The poet uses them sparing ly, but the references to biblical events and characters are clearly evident. Protected by God, King Hrothgar became a mighty ruler over the lands surrounding Herot. When Grendel, an epitome of sin, comes into the poem, Hrothgar was probably less worried about himself, and more worried about his people. He was not â€Å"an old pathetic king, incapable of protecting his people†(Bloom 47). He was described as being a famous hero because of his goodness and great wisdom. Made of earthen walls covered by gold and ivory, Herot’s beauty and reverence reigned throughout the land. â€Å"Herot, the great hall becomes an emblem for God’s word itself †(Chickering 271). Fire has and probably always will be a representation of evil. I... ..., â€Å"[Beowulf’s] sacrificial death is not seen as tragic, but as the fitting end of a good ( some would say â€Å"too good†) hero’s life† (Bolton 1). Bibliography: â€Å"Beowulf†. Elements in Literature. Holt, Rhinehart, and Winston. Harcourt Brace and Company, 1997. Bloom, Harold. â€Å"Beowulf.† Bloom’s Reviews: Beowulf. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999. 46-47. Bolton, W.F., The New History of Literature: The Middle Ages. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1986. Chickering Jr., Harold D. Beowulf: A Dual Language Edition. New York: Doubleday, 1977, 267-277 Gardner, John. Grendel. New York: Random House, Inc., 1971. Price, Martin, et al. The Oxford Anthology of English Literature. New York: Oxford University Press, 1973. 24-26. The Student Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.

What aspects of your life would you most like to keep and why

There are many aspects of my life which have become important to me and the way I live day to day. Many of the things which I include myself I can easily live without and are merely acts of procrastination which I would be better of abandoning, yet there are some things which improve me as a person and are vital to my well being. The first and most important of aspect of my life which every person needs to have, for a secure and happy way of life is family; and our ability to rely upon our family to always love and care for us. It is my parents who raised me and cared for me when no one else would they are the reason I am living the way of life I am today. Family is important because they give us the significance that we need to feel. They act as our own group of loyal supporters which we all crave to have. In a world that never stops moving for anyone, those closest to will, they will share in my sorrows and be joyous in my success. Our parents, siblings and relations are all that we have and they are who mould us into great people and the provide us the motivation to do great things and make the positive influence on society that keep the human race moving forward. Another aspect of our aspect of my life which I would want to keep is my religion. Islam was too first given to by my family, yet now it has become a complete way of life for me. It gives us humans the sense of purpose which we strive for and it instructs us on how we should act and behave to not only others around us but ourselves. Religion also has the ability to unite billions of people around the world to one common belief, and this common ground which we share with each other is invaluable because too much now days people focus on our differences yet fail to acknowledge the similarities; the belief in God. Religion is a central part of my life and makes up part of my identity, without which I am nothing. The internet is an aspect of my life which over the years has become a pivotal part of my life. It is a treasure trove of information that can provide you up to date news as well is an encyclopaedia of knowledge about history and connects people worldwide. The internet has revolutionised my way of life, and the fact that it has been phased into my life does mean that with time one could become used to living without it again. I use the internet in all aspects of my life and it comes to use from being used for school work and keeping connected with friends and family living too far away to contact any other way. The final part of my life which I would like to hold onto until I am old and grey is my participation in sports; sport is beneficial to my mind and body in so many ways; from the obvious facts of reducing body fat and increasing stamina to its ability to help me fight away depression and anxiety. Sports gives us a sense of belonging and helps us fit in with other people who we may not normally meet or talk to. If I am able to continue my involvement in sports then in the future it would lower the chances of me suffering from illnesses and diseases and also continue to give me that competitive edge over others who I may meet in the world of work. Participation in sport gives me that sense of achievement and confidence which is not always found in other aspects of life and therefore I will continue my affiliation with it for as long as possible. We as a human race must strive to maintain the ability to celebrate and learn from the past, for if men and women are freed from tradition and the experiences of history and the family environment, we will be but clueless beings; making the same mistakes of those who have already come before us and be moulded by eccentrics and maniacs, which would only be detrimental to the development of the humanity.

“Flight 063” by Brian Aldiss Essay

The poem Flight 063 by Brian Aldiss compares the business flight 063 to Icarus grand flight. Aldiss shows a different side of Icarus, showing the bright side of him, his flight, rather than about his great fall. While talking about Icarus flight, Aldiss talks about corporate men flying high over the Arctic Circle, without a care in the world about flying up in the sky, having it be a normal part of their lives, unlike Icarus, who only flew once. Aldiss tries to say that one should reflect on the good things in life instead of just the bad and to make the best of life. The diction used to describe Icarus flight and Flight 063 shows the difference in the style of flying that they are using. Why always speak of Icarus fall?(1). Well, everyone always remembers the bad things that happen in life, and the only good things remembered are those that impact the whole world. There is a poster somewhere that says, When I do something good, nobody remembers. When I do something bad, nobody ever forgets. That poster shows how everybody dwells on the bad, but Aldiss is showing that you should remember the good as well. The everyday was lost in his ascent (25-26) shows that when Icarus was flying, everything normal went away during his cliff-top jump, The leap of heart, the blue air scaled his glorious sense of life Imperiled (21-24). Icarus was doing what no other man has done- fly up high into the sky. His glorious flight into the sun left his sense of life gone, just wanting to fly closer to the sun, becoming a beautiful thing. Yet [w]hy always speak of Icarus fall?(1) when his flight was so much more. The allusions used to describe Icarus fall embellish on the fact that it could either be small and insignificant, or large and memorable. For example, that little splash which caught the eye of Brueghel refers to the famous painting, The Fall of Icarus. If you look at it, it looks like a regular scene of ancient Greece, but if you look closely in the bottom right hand corner, there is someone- Icarus- drowning in the water. Brueghel shows that Icarus fall was unimportant to the normal lives of the Greeks. The myth of Icarus is the main allusion in this poem. Aldiss uses the story of Icarus to state a point that before the fall the flight was (14). Before the tragic  fall, there was a great flight of Icarus, which we barely remember in our minds. When we hear Icarus, we think of a man whose wax wings have melted and who has fallen into the sea instead of a man who has accomplished flight, accomplished the discovery of the world in the air, and a man who found out that humans can fly. This is similar to how we think of Adam and Eve. —just before The Edenic Fall, [Adam] had that first taste of Eve (15-17). We think of only that if Adam and Eve hadnt been so foolish as to eat from the Tree of Knowledge that there would be no evil in this world, and that we would be immortal; we dont focus on what was happening before the eating of the fruit. They were in paradise. That just slips our minds sometimes and we only dwell on what happened afterwards. The best things in life are meant to be remembered, and the bad things are there just to remind you that youre human. Aldiss is trying to tell people that the best things of life should be enjoyed, and one should take heed silly limitations as the melting point of wax (28-29). Sources: Flight 063 by Brian Aldiss