Cited: Byers, Michael. “Monuments to Our Better Nature.” 75 Readings: An Anthology. Eds. Santi V. Buscemi and Charlotte Smith. New York; McCraw-Hill, 2010. 58-62. Print.…
The eighteenth chapter of the book "Peace Like a River" by Leif Enger is called 'Winning Her Hand". The title of this chapter is significant because it relates to the events that occur in the chapter. This is because, in the chapter, Jeremiah attempts to court Roxanna. In the chapter, it states, "'All right then.' he conjectured... 'of winning her hand'"(Enger, 253). This quote literally states the chapter title in it, imparting significance to the chapter title. Another quote that supports the assertion made above is, "He really did look good, a clean-shaven courting man with quick arms and steady eyes"(Enger, 253). This quote shows that shows that Jeremiah was well dressed to court Roxanna. This means that he will propose to her, or attempt…
A common challenge that everyone faces, is when they are confronted with the reality of their situation, it can often trigger one of two reactions; one is to either dig in and understand the situation and the other is to resist, and ignore it. A Separate Peace written by John Knowles, shows in depth the constant mindset of a 16-year-old boy, Gene, at a boarding school called "Devon" in New England. Throughout Gene's experience at Devon, he meets his best buddy Finny; Who puts reality away and goes into his own world. With Gene finding envy to be included in Finny's world, Gene finds himself stuck in the middle of Finny's world where the truth may just kill you. Without Finny being able to accept the truth, and face reality none of the events…
“Human beings ,we have darkside's; we have dark issues in our lives . To progress anywhere in life you have to face your demons “ was once said by famous actor John Noble about Human beings.This is true in life and Literature. For example, Mary Maloney from “Lamb to the Slaughter” a house wife who loves her husband but he thinks differently, or Vera from And then there Were None who was invited and hired to be a secretary but would figure out later what she was really in for, or Hannah from “The Perfects“ who was just babysitting some odd children but then got in lots of trouble. Vera ,Hannah and Mary struggled to face their demons.…
In the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, Sanger Rainsford and General Zaroff are similar in many ways. From the beginning to the end, it becomes more clear how they are similar when Zaroff challenges Rainsford to a game where both men play roles as hunters and huntees. Each man uses his own skill set to survive the other's way of hunting, although in the end Rainsford ends up winning and Zaroff is killed. One main reason the protagonist, Rainsford and the antagonist Zaroff are alike is because both men have a drive to hunt. For example, Rainsford knows how to hide, set traps and outwit his enemy. General Zaroff states, “Not many men know how to make a Malay…
The absurdity of certain arguments, for me, makes it difficult to fairly analyze a piece of work. It is my lack of patience for supreme stupidity that disables me from comparing two certain articles on the topic of “Wilderness”. When asked to read, summarize, and then write about the differing opinions between Wallace Stegner’s “Wilderness Letter” (1960) and William Cronan’s “The Trouble with Wilderness” (1996), I approached reading them not expecting too much of a difference or surprise. I actually expected the latter article to be more astute being that it was written 36 years more recently. Upon completing the philosophical, brief, and rather vague article by Wallace Stegner, I looked forward to reading the next article to see if my assignment was worth my time. The incoherent, unfounded ramblings of William Cronan baffled me so much that I never re-read the first article, opting instead to read and research his arrogant nonsense many times over. I have been instructed to represent the ideas of each author fairly; but fairness is a term subject to interpretation, and I believe it is only fair (or rather my duty) as a critic to…
One of the most asked questions for A Separate Peace is: who exactly is the protagonist and antagonist? Most would agree that Gene is the protagonist, however is it Gene or Phineas that is the enemy? I believe that the real ‘bad guy’ in this book is Gene. He envied Phineas from the very beginning but didn’t admit it until a little later on. Whether it was getting away from trouble, having a natural athletic ability, or simply being modest and humble about things, Phineas seemed to have been better at almost everything.…
In my generation, I am able to catch what is relatively the tail end of this slow extinction. And to be quite honest, I had not devoted a moment of thought to this phenomenon until I read Leopold's passages. In fact, I am always the first one to compliment a new highway project that saves me five minutes of driving or even a tidy farmstead as I pass. Now, more than ever, my thoughts are in limbo. It was just last week when my dad pointed out an area off the highway that displayed miles of slowly rolling cornfields. His reaction was to the beauty of the countryside. Mine was to question his. I found myself thinking about all of the hard work that created that beauty, and then how much more beautiful it was fifty, a hundred, or even two centuries ago. Only the mind's eye can create this beauty now, and that is exactly why Leopold's concerns are validated.…
Many people seek to improve upon themselves and yet are so blind to their own flaws. Perhaps if they had been told these flaws or heard uplifting passages they could make themselves aware of what it is about themselves that they need to improve.…
In his critique, “The Trouble with Wilderness or Getting Back to the Wrong Nature,” William Cronon argues against the romantic conceptualization of nature that a great portion of the environmentalist movement has embraced. Subsequently, Cronon revokes the Romantic and even quasi-religious notion that wilderness spaces are separate from those inhabited by man. He argues that by eliminating the divide in perception between the human constructs of the natural world and the civilized world, man will be encouraged to take more responsibility for his actions that negatively impact the environment. In prefacing his conclusion, he writes, “Home, after all, is the place where finally we make our living. It is the place for which we take responsibility,…
When it comes to the topic of America’s social problems, most of us will readily agree that the obesity epidemic is one of the major problems in America’s society now. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of who is responsible for this problem. Whereas some are convinced “Don’t Blame the Eater”, that the fast-food industry is responsible, other maintains that is a personal responsibility and what you eat is your business. My feeling on the issue are mixed. I do support Radley Balko’s position that it is a personal responsibility “What you eat is you business”. However I find that Radley Balko has over looked some issue on the corporation’s side and I also agree with David Zinczenko’s argument that it is corporate responsibility.…
Continually throughout history humanity’s connection to the natural world has been probed, celebrated, mocked and forgotten in a haphazard cycle that has been classified as human nature. Through a comparison of Mary Shelley’s 19th Century didactic novel, ‘Frankenstein’ (the Modern Prometheus) and the director’s cut of Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’, a common conception of man’s place amongst nature is posed as being submissive to her dominance. Though each text shares the same values each represents its core concepts in a manner inimitable to its context, ultimately critiquing the respective society’s, bringing to light the fears that the majority of society refused to acknowledge at the time. These fears centre mainly around three broad concepts; scientific discovery, industrial development and religion, which collectively invite consideration of humanity’s unabridged connection with the natural world and how it has been altered over time.…
"Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even a death by violence." Page 6…
From the bitter, cold winters in Antarctica to the blazing, hot summers in Africa and from the ugly, thick swamplands of Louisiana to the beautiful, clean coasts of Hawaii, nature plays a pivotal role in life on this wonderful planet. Nature is extremely dangerous but it is also a beautiful component of the earth. People view nature in unique ways that are displayed through actions and words. Jack London, author of “To Build a Fire”, and Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, both value nature and view it in a unique way that is translated to their works of literature. These two authors apply a unique perspective of how nature can apply to everyday life. The aspects of interacting with nature and human emotions analyzed and examined in the works of Jack London and Henry David Thoreau.…
CHAPTERS 1-5: • Narrator introduces himself as a detective and claims he craves truth but lies • Manipulates his suspects into giving in and giving him the confession he wants • His name is Adam Robert Ryan • He grew up Knocknaree, Ireland • Book opens and it is 1984 • His best friends were Peter Savage and Jamie Rowan • Went into the woods to play but did not return in time for tea and as the night dragged on their parents grew worried and finally called the police • Adam Ryan was the only one who was found: 4 gashes in his shirt, legs all cut up, shoes soaked in blood, petrified and in shock • No DNA testing in Ireland at the time but blood is believed to be from a 4th person • Jamie and Peter are never found • Adam moves to London for boarding…