A Lesson before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines - 1155 Words

Chapter 1: Plot: Main character recalls the trial that he wasn’t present at. He knew that the verdict would be execution. Jefferson took a ride from Brother and Bear after drinking. When the police came to the store, Jefferson had money stuffed in his pockets and Brother, Bear and Mr. Alycee were dead. Jefferson will die by electrocution. Chapter 2 Plot: Grant Wiggins, who is a school teacher, comes home from work and tries to avoid his aunt, Tante Lou, and his godmother, Miss Emma. He sneaks into his room but realizes that it would be rude to ignore them. He walks into the kitchen and they tell him to sit down. Miss Emma tells Grant to teach Jefferson not to be killed like a hog and to die like a man and with dignity. Now they must visit Henri Pichot, who is the son in law of the sheriff, to see if he can lower the charges and let Jefferson live Chapter 3 Plot: They arrive at Henri Pichot’s estate and they go through the back door. In that time it is a sign of being lesser than the white man. Miss Emma and Tante Lou give him the guilt trip and remind him of all the work they have done for him and his family. He finally agrees to talk to the sheriff. Chapter 4 Plot: Grant drops off Miss Emma and tells his aunt he is going to Bayonne for dinner, which makes her angry because she was going to make dinner. He goes to see his girlfriend Vivian and asks her to leave town with him. She calls him a liar. Grant starts to find an inner struggle seeing if he can teach Jefferson howShow MoreRelatedA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1640 Words   |  7 PagesThe definition of what it means to be a human or a man, is a topic that is has been and is often discussed all over the world today. In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, Gaines breaks down the meaning of what it means to be a man thought a character named Grant Wiggins. Grant Wiggins is the main character of the novel and is a very educated African-American man who is also a teacher at a local church in the town. He is trying to define and understand the concept of what it meansRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1094 Words   |  5 PagesA Lesson Before Dy ing by Ernest J. Gaines, Vintage Contemporaries  ©1993, 256pp. In his poignant and moving novel, A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines asks us questions that reignite our own quest for the meaning of compassion. What do you teach a man condemned to die? What lesson might be useful in the final month of a man’s life? Is there a futility that we succumb to when we accept the judgment of men? These are the questions faced by Grant Wiggins, a young, black school teacher who has returnedRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1293 Words   |  6 Pageseveryone is a student and a teacher in their own discoveries about the lessons of life. As hard as it can be to assimilate in a situation where you re at a disadvantage, Grant Wiggins and Jefferson took the jaundiced community and made their mark on the static populace. Everyone deserves the right to grasp certain basic lessons, even if it is not encouraged in your society. As the title implies, in A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines, Grant and Jefferson acted as both the teac her and student in orderRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines926 Words   |  4 Pages I found A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines a deeply moving novel, which kept me on the edge of my seat and had a hard time putting down. The novel explores various themes and concepts that surround the education system, filled with multiple emotional moments, conflicts, and surprising moments scattered throughout the storyline. However, the novel does not just focus on the education system and its underlying issues, but it also focuses on human transformation, where the emotional momentsRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines960 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"A Lesson Before Dying† is known as an outstanding book, in which I would have to agree on. The book has many excellent messages and morals throughout its entirety, But no other message speaks out more than the message of â€Å"Becoming a Man† and the obstacles you must first tackle before achieving that message. The author of â€Å"A Lesson Before Dying†, Ernest J. Gaines, expresses this thr oughout the book immensely. In many ways also making this the theme of the book. Miss Emma says at the beginningRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1122 Words   |  5 PagesThe Power of a Strong Character In the novel A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, racism and prejudice are clearly evident and talked about throughout the novel. The novel expresses the oppression of the blacks under a white-ruled society through the narrator, Grant. Grant is a well-educated black man who struggles to free himself from the oppression he has felt from the white community. Despite the fact that he is educated and a teacher, he initially lacks the vigor needed to take the firstRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1321 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"You don’t get to choose how you’re going to die and when, you can only decide how you are going to live†. (Joan Baez). In the novel A Lesson Before Dying, written by Ernest J. Gaines, Jefferson doesn’t get to choose how and when he’s going to die, but he learns valuable lessons from Grant about how to live the rest of his life. This novel takes place in Bayonne, Louisiana, in the late 1940s. Jefferson is a twenty-one-year-old uneducated black man, who is accused of a robbery and murder that he didRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines Essay1011 Words   |  5 Pagesvery much felt that way. Blacks were oppressed in many ways including having unreachable requirements to vote, such regulations included literacy tests, poll taxes, and elaborate registration systems, but it only started there. The novel A Lesson Before Dying is about a young, college-educated man and a convict, Grant Wiggins and Jefferson. Grant is asked to make a man out of Jefferson who is convicted of killing a white man during a robbery in which he got dragged along to. Grant is asked by EmmaRead More A Lesson before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines Essay1992 Words   |  8 Pages A Lesson before Dying, one of Ernest J. Gaines later works, was written in 1993. Some of his earlier works include A Gathering of Old Men and In My Father’s House. The novel covers a time period when blacks were still treated unfairly and looked down upon. Jefferson, a main character, has been wrongly accused of a crime and awaits his execution in jail. Grant, the story’s main protagonist must find it within himself to help Jefferson see that he is a man, which will allow him to walk bravely toRead MoreA Lesson Before Dying By Ernest J. Gaines1419 Words   |  6 Pagesfear and pity in the audience. In Ernest J. Gaine s’s novel, A Lesson Before Dying, Jefferson conforms to four out five of the characteristics, and it is the quality that he doesn’t meet that leads to all of his problems in the first place. By meeting four out of the five characteristics, Jefferson meets Aristotle s definition of a tragic hero. Jefferson is not of noble birth, in fact in his culture his is not even average. The society in which A Lesson Before Dying takes place is one that refuses

Oedipus Destiny and Fate Essay - 1333 Words

Although it is widely alleged that destiny is by choice, there are a vast number of people who believed that it is by fate. Those who believed it is by choice follow the directions and guidance of their elders. For example, they will try to hold on to the values that their parents instilled in them and use them to guide their entire lives. Others who believed that destiny is by fate, believe that the outcome of their lives is determined by luck, and that no matter what they do or how careful they are, whatever has to happen to them must happen. These proponents that emphasize that destiny is by fate may have gotten their belief from myth such as the story of Oedipus, which is a perfect illustration of how destiny is by fate. Just like†¦show more content†¦Throughout his childhood to manhood, Oedipus started to inherit little pieces of his past. But when he tried to obtain more information, no one would say anything. So he went to the Oracle of Delphi. There he was inform ed of his fate in an unclear way. When Oedipus heard of this, he left Corinth to avoid killing his adoptive father who he believes is his real father. On his way to Thebes, he runs into this chariot. It just so happens that this chariot had his birth father in it, but both father and son didn’t know nor recognize each other. They got into a heated fight because Laius ordered him out of the road. Oedipus thought of this demand as being an insult, and furthermore killed his father and his guards (Fun Trivia). As you can see, no matter how it’s sought out, whether knowing consciously or not, fate is going to come true. According to the story, â€Å"Oedipus the King† (trans. By Stephen Berg), a famous part of Oedipus’s life was when he came across the Sphinx at the cross roads that asks riddles to travelers. No one ever passed this intersection to or from Thebes because no one ever got one of his riddles correct. The specific riddle he asked Oedipus was: â€Å"What walks on four in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night?† Oedipus answered, â€Å" Man; as an infant he crawls on all four, as an adult he walks on two legs, and in old age he relies on a walking stick.† He was the first to answer a riddle correctly, which caused theShow MoreRelatedOedipus The King, Fate And Destiny1201 Words   |  5 Pagesplay, â€Å"Oedipus the King†. In case you did not know, Sophocles is from Greece. In Greek mythology there are three goddesses who preside over the birth and life of humans. Each person s destiny was thought of as a thread spun, measured, and cut by the three Fates, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. In the story â€Å"Oedipus the King† fate and destiny was the main theme. On Google the definition of destiny is the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future. Fate is definedRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - The Fate of Oedipus1239 Words   |  5 PagesThe Fate of Oedipus in Oedipus the King    In Oedipus the King there comes a point in the play where Oedipus learns something that plays an important role throughout the play.  Ã‚   He learns from a   oracle that he will eventually kill his own Father and sleep with his own mother.   As one could imagine this is a shock to Oedipus, and he does not believe the oracle.   However, he cannot prevent any of this from happening because it is his fate.   Oedipus is a victim of circumstancesRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Driven by Fate1105 Words   |  5 PagesThe Role of Fate in Oedipus Rex Before we approach this complex question inductively, we are at first obliged to contemplate what definitions and assumptions are being made. This essay, perhaps more so than others, requires a more extensive look at this aspect of the question, because of the sheer variety of possible responses. However, I now have reduced them to three possibilities. Firstly, we could make the assumption that perhaps as destiny controls all fates, then Oedipus character wasRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Victim of Fate3445 Words   |  14 PagesThe Victim of Fate in Oedipus Rex The question has been raised as to whether Oedipus was a victim of fate or of his own actions.   This essay will show that Oedipus was a victim of fate, but he was no puppet because he freely and actively sought his doom, although he was warned many times of the inevitable repercussions of his actions. When first considering this topic, I speculated that maybe it was the destiny of Oedipus to suffer, but a friend asked me to explain why Oedipus, in the actRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Fate and the Modern World966 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus Rex, Fate, and the Modern World  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the two thousand since â€Å"Oedipus Rex† was written, it has been analyzed and dissected innumerable times and in every possible way.   Usually the analysis has been within the context of the play itself or within the context of other Greek tragedies.   Perhaps it would be more relevant and interesting to evaluate the play within the context of the modern world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his play Sophocles brings up many questions which are not easily answeredRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King3894 Words   |  16 PagesThe Concept of Fate in Oedipus Rex  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To the first-time reader of Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus Rex, it seems that the gods are in complete domination of mankind. This essay will seek to show that this is not the case because the presence of a tragic flaw within the protagonist is shown to be the cause of his downfall.    In the opening scene of the tragedy the priest of Zeus itemizes for the king what the gods have done to the inhabitants of Thebes:    A blight isRead More Boundaries of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King1282 Words   |  6 PagesBoundaries of Fate and Free Will in Oedipus the King    The ancient Greeks firmly believed that the universe was guided strictly by order and fate. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles has examined the relationship between free will and fate, suggesting that free will paradoxically exists inside the boundaries of fate. It may be concluded, however, that man has free will and is ultimately held responsible for his own actions.    Oedipus destruction was brought about by a combination of fate and freeRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Defining Fate1000 Words   |  4 PagesFate in Oedipus Rex      Ã‚  Ã‚   During ancient times, the Greeks believed very strongly in a concept called fate.   What is fate?   Fate can be defined as a cause beyond human control that determines events.   It can also be defined as the outcome or end of some sort.   In Oedipus Rex, King Oedipus is a character that lived by fate and died by fate.   This element of fate truly impacted the storyline and the plot, while allowing for some interesting developments that may have been unforeseen byRead MoreDestiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Role of Fate635 Words   |  3 PagesThe Role of Fate in Oedipus the King In Oedipus the King, one can easily see the tragedy that comes when Oedipus lives out fate, although not of his own intentions. Oedipus did everything in his own power in order to keep the prophecies from being fulfilled. One might even say that Oedipus ran from fate. Webster defines tragedy as a medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great man. Oedipus the King is certainly a tragedy, and as Dr. Lucas states in his blogRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - The Paradox of Free Will1318 Words   |  6 PagesA Paradox: Oedipuss Free will in the Play Oedipus Rex William Shakespeare once wrote, Who can control his fate? (Othello, Act v, Sc.2).  A hero and leader must acknowledge above all else his honor, and the pride of his image.   In ancient Greek beliefs, a hero was a man who stood taller than the rest; he was able to better any conflict.   He did this not for himself or for any token award that may be given to him, but for the security of his fellow man.   Physical strength and superior wit are

Prospero Free Essays

Prospero (the rightful Duke of Milan) is the protagonist of The Tempest, William Shakespeare’s final written play. Finding himself deserted on an island with his daughter Miranda after being betrayed by his own brother for power, Prospero ends up having twelve years of built up anger and revenge to dish out on those who have wronged him. From early on the readers see how Prospero’s use of magical powers from his spell books almost guarantee his authority on the island. We will write a custom essay sample on Prospero or any similar topic only for you Order Now In The Tempest, Shakespeare depicts Prospero as like a controlling puppet master whose desire to manipulate everyone and everything around him is shown consistently, with the use of magic. Prospero’s motivation is fueled by two main things. According to R.D Gooder, â€Å"The first is Prospero ‘s ambition to marry his daughter to the right sort of person; the second is his desire to be revenged upon his enemies† (4). From early on readers can see the protective nature that Prospero has for Miranda. He shelters her from knowledge about their past until the boat carrying his betrayers arrive. Prospero says to Miranda, â€Å"The hour’s now come. Obey and be attentive, the very minute bids thee ope thine ear† (Shakespeare 1.2.46-48). Prospero is finally about to tell Miranda how and why they ended up on the island. This scene lets the readers sympathize with his selfishness, shows the justification of his reasonings for using his spirit Ariel to stir up The Tempest (storm), and why he brings his betrayers on land. Prospero’s love for his daughter motivates him to make sure that she ends up with the right type of person. This should portray him as being a caring father at this point but his motivation for revenge shows the audience his bluff. The play slowly reveals that â€Å"the true internal necessity for his opposition being feigned lies in his double nature† (Snider 197). Miranda meeting and eventually marring Ferdinand, who is the prince of Naples, isn’t by chance. Prospero uses his magic and hold over Ariel to help them meet. This is just another little piece in Prospero’s real agenda to get revenge and his eventually dukedom back. Prospero is like a two-faced person; on the outside he seems like a dad wanting what is best for his daughter, but his real motives are what helps benefit him in the end. The relationships between Prospero and the people on the island seem different but he uses magic to manipulate every single person in some way shape or form. At first the readers catch a glimpse of the relationship between him and his brother. Antonio takes advantage of Prospero being so into the studying of his magic and books, â€Å"While Prospero’s nose was buried in his extensive library, his snaky brother manages to steal his title and gets him thrown out of Italy† (Shmoop Editorial Team). So, going forward from this, the audience can somewhat relate to why he acts the way he does. He uses Ariel as he pleases; it is always either him or Prospero manipulating every moment of everyone on the island. No one on this island is truly free; Prospero uses his magic to ensure that. Prospero also uses Ariel to spy on Caliban, who is described as a fish like man and a servant to Prospero. Caliban encounters Trinculo and Stephano, who are a Lester and a drunken butler. Caliban begs them to let him be their servant, saying â€Å"Ill show thee every fertile inch o’ th’ island, and I will kiss thy foot. I prithee, be my god† (Shakespeare 2.2.154-155). Caliban eventually talks them into killing Prospero, all while Ariel is listening. Betrayal for power is a big theme in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. First with Alonso and his pupils and now his servant Caliban. The way he puts them all through hell associates with the justice and revenge themes also plotted throughout the play. Illusion vs reality is also a big theme carried out by Prospero throughout this play. The whole time everyone is on the island, they are in an altered state of reality, tailored specifically to how he sees fit. The way this is used throughout the play forces both the characters and readers to wonder if something is real or the result of Prospero or Ariel’s doing. The audience can see it being used on his daughter Miranda, when he asks her to remember about her past and she says â€Å"tis far off, and rather like a dream than an assurance that my remembrance warrants† (Shakespeare 1.2.56-58). She is telling the audience that her memory of her life up to this point seems like a dream, with only Prospero’s illusions using magic to blame. Prospero stands for Prospero is portrayed to be a certain stereotypical character, the forceful, controlling, protective one. This is seen time and time again in the play. On the island Prospero and Miranda live among of his now servant Caliban, the son of a witch that was on the island before they arrive. Prospero takes the island from him, which is another way he shows the audience how controlling he is. At first, they live together nicely, and Miranda and Prospero even teach Caliban how to speak their language. They way they treat Caliban abruptly stops when Prospero catches Caliban trying to rape his daughter. Prospero says â€Å"Filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee in mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate the honor of my child (Shakespeare 1.2.415-418). Caliban becomes Prospero’s servant from this point on. Prospero’s stereotype is however, crafted to be broken. The way he changes throughout the play from how he is and becomes this forgiving, almost new person, makes for a very intriguing character. This also puts Prospero into the Round character category. Round characters are complex and develop through their stories, sometimes adequately to shock the readers. Prospero does end up surprising the audience in The Tempest in the last act of the play. Although Prospero remains the same self-centered, controlling man throughout the entire play, he changes from an unsympathetic character into a sympathetic one. He makes his servant Ariel to do much of the dirty work for him. He doesn’t care about his enemies and puts them through a lot while he sits back and watches. This is seen almost immediately in the beginning of the play as Prospero has Ariel disperse his brother Antonio, the king of Naples Alonso and his son Ferdinand, and everyone else that is on the boat onto different places on the island. Watching them scramble around, he is getting pleasure out of their disarray. All these things show Prospero’s superiority complex for control. According to the Shmoop webpage, â€Å"in Prospero, Shakespeare creates a figure who decides to forgive his enemies even though they betray him in the worst possible ways† (Shmoop Editorial Team). This is where he changes into a sympathetic character, surprising the audience by forgiving all his betrayers. How to cite Prospero, Papers

Career Assessment Paper free essay sample

In order for me to complete this career assessment paper, I initially took an Interest Inventory survey. Upon completing this process, it revealed that my personality profile score was (I, C, A). These three letters represented my strengths and interests in determining which career field would best suit me. The letter â€Å"I† represents the personality of investigating. This includes people who like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze or solve problems. Some of the careers that are associated with this include: Chemist, doctor, investigator, and engineer.The second letter, â€Å"C† from my profile score represents the personality trait of being conventional. This includes people who like to work with data, have clerical or numerical ability and pay attention to detail. Sample career profiles include: accountant, air traffic controller, computer operator and customer service. The final letter from my profile score is â€Å"A†. This letter represents the personality of being artistic. This type of person has innovative or intuitive abilities. We will write a custom essay sample on Career Assessment Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They usually like to work in an unstructured situation, using their imagination or creativity.Sample careers include: actor, architect, musician, stage director and writer. The results from the survey gave me a better understanding of my interest in the career field. When exploring each personality profile, I discovered that the letter â€Å"C† profile offered the most types of careers that would best suit my interests. The career that I selected from the list was the career of computer operator. Computers play a large part in our society today. They are used for various personal and business reasons and many people would find it difficult to live without them.For this reason, computer-related jobs are quite prominent in the job market. A computer operator has various duties depending on their specific job title and place of employment. The first duty of a computer operator is to enter data into the computer. The data which is entered may be related to ensuring the proper workings of the computer whereas other data that is entered into the computer by the computer operator may be relative to the job field in which the individual works within. The entering of data is an important part of the computer operator’s daily routine.Computer operators may also have to take calls from customers complaining of computer system issues. The computer operator will diagnose the problem and then walk the individual through how to fix the situation. Should further help be needed, the computer operator will contact the necessary parties or advise the customer how to do so on their own. There are a few traits which will come in handy in relation to the role of a computer operator. One trait which all computer operators should possess to aid them in their line of work is well-rounded computer knowledge.Computer operators have a wide array of duties which they must take part in on a daily basis. Computer operators should also be good communicators. This is due to the fact that computer operators will often have to deal with other individuals such as clients, coworkers and supervisory staff members. A computer operator must also be an inventive thinker. The computer operator will have to solve problems every now and again. With that being the case, one who fills this job role must be able to exhibit good problem solving skills in an inventive manner which will resolve any issues that may arise.Also, a computer operator should also be detail oriented. By having this type of trait, the individual will be able to dictate any computer related issues to the fullest extent. Whether there be problems or advancements made with relation to the computer department, the computer operator must be able to document such items in a detailed way. Since computer systems in an organization run through a network, operators who possess skills in computer networking will be in high demand. Due to technological developments, some of the computer operation tasks may be overtaken by automated software.Therefore, operators who are skilled in computer networking, database maintenance and user support will be in extremely high demand by employers across a range of industries. A career as a computer operator can bring you good earning opportunities if you possess excellent technical skills and carry a few years of working experience. The starting annual salary earned by computer operators is around $19,000. However, the average annual earning is around $30,000. With increasing experience and skills, a computer operators career can fetch you as much as $47,000 annually or more.Levels of training will vary depending on the specific roles you take up in a company. Many employers provide on-the-job training to workers. Computer operation field continues to evolve with the advent of latest technological developments. To boost your employability, you should complete a course in computer hardware or a relevant field. People with technical skills in computer hardware and networking with a couple of years working experience will receive the maximum career benefits.

I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world Essay Example

I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world Essay It has always been a common belief in this country that there is nothing that cannot be obtained through hard work and diligence. This is a belief that America was founded on and leaned against during its hardest times-this is the American dream. On the surface level, Benjamin Franklins Autobiography reflects upon the life of an extraordinary man who was able to come from the meager beginning of youngest son to a position of financial well being and social status. Nevertheless, Franklins autobiography contains a plethora of contradictions and flaws and one comes to doubt just how much appraisal he actually deserves. Franklin has noble aspirations; but, because they are directed by his relentless effort to achieve prosperity and great industry, his autobiography ultimately portrays him as a model of tyranny and arrogance. Franklin has noble aspirations; but, because they are directed by his industrious nature and relentless effort to achieve prosperity, his autobiography portrays him as a man who contradicts the very ideals he advocates. Throughout Benjamin Franklins Autobiography, we observe actions and decisions that credit him as Americas prime example of a self made man. While this journey to glory and success was shaped by his own two hands and with good intentions, the social standing and wealth did not come without breaches in morality and good work ethics. Franklins journey to financial success began in a community of commoners and a humble family where the sons all had to work at early ages. However, even at an early age, we see a manifestation of Franklins keen intellect and determination to better himself as he begins to build his future. About this time I met with an odd Volume of the SpectatorI bought it, read it over and over, and was much delighted with it. I thought the Writing was excellent, and wishd if possible to imitate it (546). Franklin proceeds to master the art of writing by meticulously copying sections from the Spectator and other works with an intense diligence. We will write a custom essay sample on I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Moreover, Franklin is not content with simply writing like the Spectator, he wants to rise above it. This was to teach me Method in the Arrangement of Thoughts. By comparing my Work afterwards with the original, I discoverd many faults and amended them; but I sometimes had the Pleasure of Fancying that in certain particulars of small Import, I had been lucky enough to improve the Method or the Language and this encouragd me to think I might possibly in time come to be tolerable English Writer, of which I was extremely ambitious (546-47). Franklin constantly checked himself for self improvement and his ambition manifests itself in every aspect of his early life. From these examples in Franklins early life, we see that he has the determination, intellect, and aptitude to climb the social and economic ladder. Nevertheless, as time elapses in the following pages of his autobiography, we find that though Franklin should be applauded for his accomplishments, he should also be condemned for attaining them through manipulation and dishonesty. In fact, the actions he makes directly conflicts with his noble belief that Truth, Sincerity, and Integrity in Dealings between Man and Man, were of utmost Importance to the Felicity of Life (575). One of his first dealings is with a man named Samuel Keimer, a printer in Philadelphia whom Franklin starts out working for, but through deceit and manipulation, manages to rise above him. Soon after Franklin is employed at Keimers print shop, he makes the judgment that these two printers I found poorly qualified for their BusinessKeimer tho something of a Scholar, was a mere Compositor, knowing nothing of Presswork (555). Following his shrewd instincts, Franklin conspires against his boss when Governor Sir William Keith comes with a better job opportunity. In the meantime the Intention was to be kept secret, and I went on working with Keimer as usual, the Governor sending for me now and then to dine with him, a very great Honor I thought itAbout the End of April 1724, a little Vessel offerd for Boston. I took Leave of Keimer as going to see my friends (556). Here, Franklins ambitious character has put business and social standing above personal integrity and honesty. Although one ma y not consider this deception particularly bad in the business realm, it is his decision to keep Keimer in the dark for he suspected nothing of my Setting up (560) and as a safety backup that is morally questionable. In addition to disloyalty, Franklin is also capable of revenge. As Franklin and Keimers relationship deteriorates over time, they eventually have a complete fall out when Keimer steals one of Franklins paper publishing ideas. I resented this, and to counteract them, as I could not yet begin our Paper, I wrote several Pieces of Entertainment for Bradfords Paper (578). To gain control again, Franklin writes for the rival paper, publicly ridicules Keimer, and effectively manages to shut down Keimers paper before it has a chance to begin. The Person that bought them employd Keimer to use them, but in a few years died. There remaind now no Competitor with me at Philadelphia (581). Franklin is acclaimed for his shrewd politics in dealing with Keiser and other opponents of his business career. In comparison to the early accounts of his childhood, we can see that Franklin has definitely risen up from his humble origins. However, the passion for perfection and prosperity that created Franklin s self made man image has also directed him to step on his associates, manipulate, and beguile them with no hesitation or shame. Inside Franklins private life, it becomes even more obvious that he consistently puts pragmatics and ambition over morals. Part two opens with two letters to Franklin encouraging him to continue and publish his brook. quote ( ). Franklins book is no longer merely a story of his life; he now seems to sincerely create a future model by which people can better their lives. Directed by his passion for self betterment, Franklin takes on the bold and arduous project of arriving at Moral Perfection (591). This is a fine aspiration and Franklin tackles it with firm resolution-creating calendars, charts, and little books imploring for guidance. Father of Light and Life, thou Good supreme, O teach me what is good, teach me thy self! Save me from Folly, Vanity and Vice, From every low Pursuit, and fill my Soul With Knowledge, conscious Peace, and Virtue pure, Sacred, substantial, neverfading Bliss! (595). Nevertheless, under more careful examination, we find mixed signals to Franklins said beliefs and ideals. Franklins original intention was the enrichment of his moral life. However, once again his ambitious and pragmatic character gets the best of him. Frugality and Industry, by freeing me from my remaining Debt, and producing Affluence and Independence would make more easy the Practice of Sincerity and Justice, (594). On analyzing Bens priority of virtues, it is interesting to note that he puts qualities associated with producing social and economic affluence above those that truly characterize moral values-just as he put retribution above honesty and good conscience with his boss Keimer. Franklins underlying definition of moral perfection is best explained by contrasting it with a Puritans definition. While Puritans do good for the sake of salvation, Franklin does it for pragmatic and utilitarian purposes. Even the audience his manual is directed at is affected. I had purposely avoided them; for being fully persuaded of the Utility and Excellency of my Method, and that it might be serviceable to People in all ReligionsI would not have anything in it that should prejudice anyone of any Sect against it (598). This in and of itself, is a contradiction because prior to making his famous list of virtues, Franklin announced, I wishd to live without committing any Fault at anytime; I would conquer all that either Natural Inclination, Custom, or Company might lead me into (591). While integrity and justice are extremely important, they serve second to pragmatic values when it comes to securing a profitable future-thus, one must take caution before applying Franklins self help manual to our own personal lives. While the aforementioned was determined by analyzing his famous list of virtues-the actions and decisions Franklin makes among his friends, family and acquaintances serve to strengthen the notion that his life contradicts his ideals. Throughout the novel, Franklin repeatedly points out his own skills by showing that another individual was unable to accomplish the same things he did. I have since kept several Lents most strictly, leaving the common Diet for thatI went on pleasantly, but Poor Keimer sufferd grievously, tird of the Project, longd for the Flesh Pots of Egypt, and orderd a roast Pig (561). Granted, Keimer is not the model citizen, yet the point remains, Keimer held a position of authority over Franklin and thus, Franklins criticism of him illustrates his vengeful nature and creates doubt that Franklin is as virtuous as he claims to be. Franklin outlines yet another time when he rose up to become better than the people who was superior to him earlier on in life-this time, his own brother. If Franklin was really as humble and modest as he declares, he would not have visited his brother better dressd than ever while in his Service, having a genteel new Suit from head to food, a Watch, and in my Porckets lind with near Five Pounds Sterling in Silver ( page ). Franklin is undoubtedly extremely intelligent and possesses all the qualities of a successful businessman. Nevertheless, his success in the printing industry does not prove moral success. In fact, if humility and respect were the factors that bring affluence, Franklin would be penniless. And yet, there are still numerous times in the Autobiography when Franklin sounds like he is trying to prove to the reader of his virtues. A Doctor Baird notes, and Franklin readily reports, that Franklin is superior to anything I ever saw of the kind: I see him still at work when I go home from Club; and he is at Work again before his Neighbors are out of bed (page #). Franklin is industrious and frugal, but this blatant boast shows that Franklin takes great measure to flaunt his hard work and ensure his reputation. In trying so hard to appear virtuous, Franklins integrity is thrown into doubt-is he really so humble and diligent, or is it just an elaborate faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade to appear moral?

Getting to Know the Pachycephalosaurus

Getting to Know the Pachycephalosaurus As befits a dinosaur named after its massive skull- which measured a whopping 10 inches thick on the front and forward side of its head- most of what we know about Pachycephalosaurus is based on skull specimens. Still, that hasnt kept paleontologists from making educated guesses about the rest of this dinosaurs anatomy: its believed that Pachycephalosaurus possessed a squat, thick trunk, five-fingered hands, and an upright, two-legged posture. This dinosaur has given its name to an entire breed of odd-looking boneheads, the pachycephalosaurs, other famous examples of which include Dracorex hogwartsia  (named in honor of the Harry Potter series) and Stygimoloch (aka the horned demon from the river of hell). Thick Skulls Why did Pachycephalosaurus, and other dinosaurs like it, have such thick skulls? As with most such anatomical quirks in the animal kingdom, the the most likely explanation is that the males of this genus (and possibly the females as well) evolved big skulls in order to head-butt each other for dominance within the herd and win the right to mate; they may also have gently, or not so gently, butted their heads against each others flanks, or even the flanks of menacing tyrannosaurs and raptors. The main argument against the head-butting theory: two half-ton Pachycephalosaurus males charging each other at top speed might have knocked themselves out cold, which would certainly not be an adaptive behavior from an evolutionary perspective!  (Whatever its ultimate purpose, Pachycephalosaurus block-shaped bean clearly didnt protect it from oblivion; this was one of the last dinosaurs on earth, in the late Cretaceous period, when a meteor impact 65 million years ago rendered the entire breed extinct.) As with another family of ornamented dinosaurs, the horned, frilled ceratopsians, theres a fair amount of confusion about pachycephalosaurs in general (and Pachycephalosaurus in particular) at the genus and species level. It may well be the case that many diagnosed genera of pachycephalosaurs actually represent the growth stages of already-named species; for example, both the above-mentioned Dracorex and Stygimoloch may well turn out to belong under the Pachycephalosaurus umbrella (which will no doubt be a major disappointment to Harry Potter fans!). Until we know more about how the skull of Pachycephalosaurus developed from hatchling to adult, this state of uncertainty is likely to persist. You might be amused to learn that, in addition to Pachycephalosaurus, there was also a dinosaur named Micropachycephalosaurus, which lived a few million years earlier (in Asia rather than North America) and was a couple of orders of magnitude smaller, only about two feet long and five or 10 pounds. Ironically, the tiny thick-headed lizard may have engaged in true head-butting behavior, since its tiny size would allow it to survive head-on impacts unscathed.

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 39

History - Essay Example Her family realizing how dedicated Swift was, they decided to move close to Hendersonville, Tennessee. Therefore, this shows how supportive her family was to accomplishing her goals and becoming a renowned artist (Burlingame 7). It is among the many sacrifices her parent’s made in years to ensure that Taylor Swift succeeded. They kept on encouraging her on her quest to becoming a country musician and more so her mother Andrea who has been her role model and mentor. She always loved to perform her music. In her free time, she would watch biographies of country music legends which made her realize that most of the stars had started in Nashville (Burlingame 13). Every time the name Taylor Swift comes up in the media such as magazines, newspaper or even online articles, there is a chance that at least one of these phrases will be included. Taylor Swift the first singer of country music to win an MTV award in the music video category, one of the youngest female artists in history of mankind to win the best year’s Album in the Grammy Awards (Burlingame 17). In addition, Taylor Swift became the year’s best selling artist. Even though one could see Taylor Swift have become a star over night, at the age of 11, she was already singing and writing her own music. She had big dreams and continued to do what felt right until 2006 when she had a break through with herself titled debut Album (Burlingame 21). In the year 2006, Taylor released her single debut Tim McGraw and then self titled it that later on the Recording Industry Association of America certified multi-platinum. The same year in October, she had sold 2.5 copies of the album. In the 50th Grammy Awards, Taylor was nominated for the Best New Artist. Fearless, her second album won the album of the Year in 2010, released in 2008 at the 52nd Grammy Awards which were her pop stardom. As the year ended, Swift became the best selling country artist of the year 2008. In 2009,