An individual’s response to the drastic changes in their life reveals a lot about their character. In Steven Galloway’s novel, The Cellist of Sarajevo, the author follows the lives of three distinct characters affected by the siege on their beloved city. In the face of such compelling and often violent circumstances, each character learns to adapt their behaviour and attitude to fit their stark surroundings. During such dark times, individuals find their survival challenged by showing acts of kindness and mercy. Much like Sarajevo itself, Arrow, Dragan and Kenan experience the deterioration of their principles and spirit. In order to survive, they sometimes have to make powerful sacrifices in war-torn Sarajevo that they would never have considered…
In his short story “No Face”, Diaz explores how a man’s mental growth is stunted by his community’s perpetual scrutiny of him for reasons beyond his control. One’s superego represents societal ideals as seen by an individual and while No Face aspires to one day achieves his, he has been told since infantry that he will not before his face is restored. This story’s theme is that without the opportunity to satisfy the superego through societal fulfillment; a person may become supremely id driven and is likely to depend on defence mechanisms to cope, specifically regression in the case of Ysrael.…
First, choose either T. C. Boyle's "The Love of My Life" or Joyce Carol Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Second, choose a brief passage (a few sentences, a short paragraph) that exemplifies either the main symbol or the story's point of view. As you closely read the passage, i.e., attending to the subtle language cues like we've been practicing in class, discuss what the symbol or point of view conveys about the overall meaning of the story. What idea or theme does the symbol point to? Why is the story told from this particular point of view, and what does the attitude toward the main character(s) imply about the main idea? Due Thursday, August…
Heroes can be shaped by the environments they exist in. A hero must adapt to their surroundings and be resilient. This essay will be about The Captain (from “Shipwreck from the Bottom of the World” by Jennifer Armstrong) and Holling HoodHood (from “The Wednesday Wars” by Gary Schmidt). Please read along and enjoy this awesome essay.…
Beahs experiences things no child should ever have to experience: “My squad was my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed… My childhood had gone by without my knowing, and it seemed as if my heart had frozen”(126). With losing his own family, Beahs tries adjusting to his new soldier friends and bonds with them. Also, his weapons can mean life or death. However, his rough childhood made Beah grow into a person who can accept change. In addition, Beah changes physically and emotionally, he is now a killer and cannot control his state of mind: “The corporal gave the signal with a pistol shot and I grabbed the man’s head and slit his throat in one fluid motion. His Adam’s apple made way for the sharp knife, and I turned the bayonet on its zigzag edge as I brought it out”(125). Here, the author illustrates that a person can change within a matter of time. This part of the memoir can have a huge impact on students because of how gruesome one human can be.…
What happens to people when the seemingly simplest parts of life become a question of survival? In Steven Galloway’s “The Cellist of Sarajevo” people are forced to make decisions that will decipher whether or not they will remain alive and whether or not they will remain altruistic. Often, when people are forced into conditions like the ones outlined in Galloway’s novel, they may have to choose to focus on simply enduring to the end, even if doing what it takes to survive outweighs remaining genuine to their morals and to their humanity.…
When events like these take place, a question of who to feel sympathetic for arises. Society tends to challenge an individual’s sense of change and often causes the person to feel lonely, fighting against the entire world in pursuit…
In two similarly heart wrenching tales of struggle and perseverance, the novel Rain of Gold and the film A Better Life put on display the stories of two families working hard to stay together and make their living. Themes such as family, hard work, and discrimination are common to both stories in which the ideas of love and hardship are closely examined. Through the exploration of these major ideas, two beautiful stories emerge to explain the power of family and devotion, the strain of challenges, and the pain and fear caused by prejudice and discrimination.…
When we think about heroes, Superman, Batman and other stereotypical heroes usually come to mind, but perhaps it’s the people that the public eye might consider “flawed” that bring this concept of bravery and courage into perspective. In Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Christopher is a most unexpected example of a hero. Although he may seem like an ordinary, 15-year-old boy, somewhat limited by autism, Christopher, in his own unique way, brings a new meaning to the word “hero”. Christopher shows the characteristics of a hero through his determination, and his ability to overcome his dependence on routines and certainties. This ability to conquer over his “disability” puts him above the common stereotypical hero.…
Have you ever been faced with a challenge that is so strange you can hardly believe it’s real? In The Incorrigible Children of Aston Place by Maryrose Wood, hard work is beneficial if you try hard enough. Penelope works hard and is determined to give the children the education they deserve. The theme in Maryrose Wood’s The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place is if you try hard you will succeed. This essay will examine hoe Penlope and children must work hard in order to lead a normal life.…
In the opening scenes of ‘Millions’, Boyle leads into the theme of brotherhood by introducing us to the characters Damian and Anthony through the use of camera work. The film begins with a montage of many different camera shots cut together to show a bicycle race between the brothers from a train station, to the construction site where the foundations of their new house are being laid. This has the effect of showing the audience that the brothers have a strong and positive relationship, as they are appearing to enjoy themselves in each other’s company. This introductory montage ends with a high angle shot of Damian and Anthony lying on the ground close next to each other after the race, looking happy and smiling. This, combined with the montage, has the effect of leading the audience to believe that the brothers enjoy each other’s company all the time – whether they are playing, competing or in this case relaxing. Through these techniques the audience is shown the strong brotherhood bond between Damian and Anthony before circumstances change or pressure is added to the relationship.…
Both Sebastian Faulks and W. H. Auden write about the tales of Jewish refugees living in the time of holocaust during WW2 in their two pieces, ‘The Last Night’ and ‘Refugee Blues’. By using literary techniques such as imagery and tone both writers, Auden and Gray create a sense of alienation for the characters portrayed in their writing. Both Auden and Gray create a sincere illusion of reality to promote the refugee’s alienation and suffering in both stories ultimately bringing the two gripping tales to life.…
Paul Theroux is a writer that expresses his concerns and views about the stereotype of manhood in his essay “Being a Man”. He claims that the idea of manhood in America is “a hideous and crippling lie;” that “ not only insists on difference and connives at superiority, it is also by its very nature destructive—emotionally damaging and socially harmful.” (Theroux) Theroux clearly opposes the stereotype of a tough and superior guy that, according to society, all men are supposed to become. In Theroux’s opinion, these ideas of manhood become an “ill-fitting coat” that in the end destroy a male individual. However I disagree.…
From the memoir, I will attempt to sway the audience to feel empathy for the Najaf-like character and change their mindset about asylum seekers. The Najaf-like character will have vulnerable and powerless qualities which hopefully the audience will understand better after reading this piece. I hope that they will be stirred to make allowances for asylum seekers, as they have suffered many hardships in their life.…
Many children are forced to be in a camp for the rest of their lives. [The rest of their lives some see the barb wires, many want someone to care.] However, their lives…