Category: Literature Essays Samples

Amy Tan’s experiences have shown that language plays a significant role in our day-to-day lives. Language can have an impact on and provide insight into cultures other than our own. Amy Tan writes Mother Tongue about the many ways she felt the native language of her birth was powerful and influential in her life. In order to tell her story, she draws on moments from her childhood. Amy Tan displays her inhibitions while relating her traumatizing past memories to the theme: To find a voice among two worlds. Tan is trapped between two worlds. She speaks simple English while she is speaking with her mother. But when she’s out and about, she uses a more formal, acceptable English. We can see the expressiveness of her mother’s broken English when she tells us her story. Although the language used in her story may not be as familiar to us, it is still easy to understand. Tan tells us her mother’s story is vivid and full of images. Amy Tan writes in a casual, episodic style. To show that the subject is important to her, she writes in the first person. Her tone is intelligent because of the examples she uses. Tan cites Tan’s mom’s words when Tan recounts an incident in which her mom struggled to communicate with her stockbroker. Tan also quotes Tan’s mother’s “Why did he not send me a check two weeks late?” Tan 1: “So mad he lies tone, losing my money.” This is to reflect on the events and show how her mother’s English affected them. Tan is similarly enthusiastic and, to some extent, furious at the purposes of her essay. Tan makes this clear in her story about her mom’s struggles with doctors as well as when she talks about how her teachers “steered” her away form writing and into science and math (Tan 3) Tan’s casual and intelligent tones suggest Tan is writing the paper herself. She is trying to show that her passion is genuine and encourages people to think about the topic. Amy Tan’s audience with the message she conveys in her paper includes many types of people. This exposition focuses on those who speak broken English like her mother. They are those who are mentally regarded as the least in the network. A second group of people that are being cared for is those who don’t understand or care about non-local English speakers. Amy Tan and other like-minded people help English speakers who are unable to communicate with one another understand all aspects of English.

Communication styles can be informal or formal depending on how people use english. One example of a situation that calls for formal English is the work environment. The increase in diversity among the workforce and the inclusion of different ethnicities and nationalities makes it difficult to use the same language at work. With each new person, the variety of accents becomes more apparent. This can create a challenge for those who speak english as an additional language. Bilingualism can be both a benefit and a disadvantage in business situations. Her natural personality is determined by the world she lives in.

Tan uses a range of rhetorical techniques to communicate her use oblique, parallel structures throughout the text. Tan’s first section begins with Tan’s expression “I am no researcher of English” (Tan 1). This expression implies that Tan’s mom might not speak English well, and yet she isn’t off-base. Tan clearly states this when she said, “Some state they do not see it.” It’s as if Tan were speaking pure Chinese. Despite this, I find my mom’s English to be exceptionally clear and characteristic. She also uses exemplification to emphasize the diversity of English she speaks when she refers to ‘the crosspoint of memory and creative energy’. Amy tells stories about individual experiences in the fifth section to show how she came to terms with the humiliation and inconveniences that she experienced as a teenager with her mom. Amy uses exchange throughout the content to give the reader an opportunity to meet her first language.

Tan starts with disclaimers. Tan is, for example, not a researcher in English or literature…but a writer. As she continues with her paper, she shares many anecdotes about her use of English. To highlight the differences in language employments she employs her mother’s broken English. Tan gives several examples of Tan using ‘impeccable English’ in her story about her mom and specialists. She also mentions her address at the beginning. Tan also cites instances where she used ‘impeccable’ English in the story about her mom and the specialists. This shows that, despite her mother’s English being an accurate assessment of hers, she still felt it was important to be able to use ‘immaculate English in her writing. Tan’s exposition is a long, meandering tale that addresses a range of topics. Tan concludes by talking about how she saw her mom’s English and the importance of using it in her writing. Tan then advises Tan about trying to use her mom’s English to write her own book. Tan 3

Amy Tan wrote Mother Tongue as a way to demonstrate and persuade people about the evaluation of thoughts. Tan is still trying to communicate the importance to others of being consistent with themselves and returning to the core of your beliefs, regardless of what the world thinks. Tan believes it is her mom’s plan to communicate her plans in English. Her communication style is increasingly honest, crude, consistent and consistent with Tan, which conveys more meaning than if Tan spoke in ‘impeccable English.

In everyday life, the symbols of religious and biblical scriptures are easily hidden like a book that has no seams. It is not common for people to be able to recognize religious symbols or signs. Music, movies, books, and art all depict religious symbols. Don and Jin Chang, the founders Of Forever 21, were known for hiding John 3:16 on their bags. Of the verses and illustrations in the bible, many are favored towards God. But rarely the former. The Devil is in the details. We must be open to all the hidden messages that society has. “Where Are You Moving?” is a hidden collection of symbolism and Biblical allusions. “Where have you been?” Arnold Friend is the antagonist and the Devil symbolizes it. Arnold Friend is the Devil’s main antagonist, according to the text. His “disguise”, exterior appearance, and behavior are all part of his godawful portrayal.

The story begins with Connie, the protagonist, being a young, two-voiced girl. There is one version at home, and one when she’s not. Her mother would always make her feel guilty about not being the same as her sister. June, Connie’s little sister, has a calm, steady nature. Connie was raised by a single father. He worked, ate, and went to sleep. It appears that Connie has been isolated. The Devil can be intrigued by loneliness when he is isolated. Connie’s actions (like lying about where she was headed after being dropped off at her father’s house) and spending hours in the company of eddie really revealed who she was as a non-innocent young girl. The Devil is Connie’s first encounter. It was due to bad intentions. When “Without Eddie noticing any” is spoken, it reinforces our point. Connie is the Devil’s only target. It makes sense since she is the only one who can spot him. Arnold Friend drove into Connie’s driveway in a shiny, gold convertible car. The Devil’s greedy nature and vanity is represented by the Golden jalopy. This illustrates that greed can be a dangerous vice. This can be related to “The Devil and Tom Walker”, an allegory which warns against greed and the pursuit for material gain. Sinful acts are punishable by death, and wealth-oriented souls will be subject to the Devil’s control. Arnold’s car also shows the numbers 33, 19, 17 These numbers refers back to Judges verse 19, verse 17 of the Bible. Joyce Oates, the author, supports the idea that Arnold is the Devil by this verse. “When he looked at the traveler in a city square, the old gentleman asked, ‘Where is your destination? Where are you from ?'”.?

Connie uncovers truths about Arnold’s appearance and Arnold’s “disguise”. Arnold attempts to present himself as a young “boy”. These tricks are often used by teens to convince them that he is a real man. This trick was inspired by seeing connie at the drive-in, where older children usually hang out. “The driver was wearing metallic glasses and they mirrored everything at a miniature scale.” Eddie and Arnold both wear sunglasses in order to hide the fact that their eyes are dead. It would be strange to have a person with cat-like eyed at your front door. Connie also notices his shaggy, shaggy hair. The wig is intended to disguise his red horns, and he does not wear it to look normal. His nose has a hawklike appearance, which is similar to that of the Devil. Arnold stumbles in greasy leather boots as he approaches the front door. Arnold’s boots do not fit him. His feet don’t reach the end of his shoes. His face looked like a child’s, his eyebrows seemed narrowed, and his eyes were “Thick as if black tarlike material was applied to them.” This is a clear indication that he has cat-like Devil eyes.

Arnold Friend is a symbolism name. It’s in his name. You could take the “r” from the name and leave the words surrounding you as they are. The result would be “An Old Fiend”. Arnold has trouble uttering faith words. “But even that “Christ” sounded forced.” It is no surprise that mentioning religious names and idioms can be difficult. This creates a feeling of challenge to the lord, something that the devil should not do.

The Devil is smart and skilled, with many years of experience in dealing with humanity and society. Satan is more powerful than anyone and stronger than any angel. Arnold knew Connie was the daughter of Connie’s parents. He also knew that Connie was named Connie. He is “guessing” her identity and tells us, “It’s Connie.” His strength is his ability to find information. Arnold lifted his sign out of the air. It seemed as though it was still lingering. Ellie is a perfect example of a “Right Hand Man”, who follows the devil. Faust tells the German story of a man who refuses to be satisfied with life and eventually becomes Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles is the final straw. He will condemn those who have been condemned and make little effort. Much like Mephistopheles, Ellie represents him quite well.

Tom Sawyer may be a young boy, but his actions are not child’s play. They enter the world of wrongdoing. This annoying, comical chapter in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn offers insight into a major point of Mark Twain’s novel. It reveals that Jim is just like whites and should be treated accordingly. In this pre-Civil Wars era, slaves were considered to be half-humans or subhumans. This gives them the freedom to sell them and make them work for money. Slave owners were forbidden from allowing slaves to escape. Jim was one example of a slave who ran away, and was not considered a human fleeing for freedom. He was instead criticised for stealing the property of his masters. Twain challenges our view of this and uses Huck Finn’s simple heart to see human characteristics in Twain such as love and kindness. Tom Sawyer comes into the story after Huck goes through several chapters. Huck’s approach to Jim is quite different from his, and the absurd demands of Tom Sawyer cause readers to lose patience. Twain’s race beliefs can be better understood if we look at specific details.

Tom demands that Jim complete ten absurd tasks. Each task comes from Tom’s view that Jim should play the role a free and adventurous prisoner. Huck struggles to comprehend the meaning of these absurd tasks. These tasks can be described as “the trouble of raising the mullen, and jew’s-harping and petting the snakes/spiders and such, along with all the other work he did on pens. inscriptions. journals. And things. Which made it more troubled and responsible to be a jailer than any [Jim] ever attempted” (254). Tom had an idea to have Jim write a long explanation about the problems of a prisoner along the “prison” walls. Tom rejects log walls. Jim and Huck have to drag the heavy grindstone back to their camp. Ironically, the prisoner is temporarily released to comply with conditions for being free. This shows that Tom views Jim’s freedom only as a game. Jim, however, regards his freedom as a matter of rights and freedom and his own life. Tom and Jim have very different priorities. This creates conflict which makes the readers want Tom to give Jim a rattlesnake. Tom wants Jim to take care of the snake and keep it happy so it can follow Jim everywhere. Jim, fearful for his safety, pleads to Mars Tom to speak so. It is impossible for me to believe it!” (251). Tom responds, “Jim! Don’t be so foolish. A prisoner must have some sort of dumb pet. There is more glory in being first to attempt it than any other means of saving your life. (251). The conflict between Tom, Jim and their priorities is evident again. Tom may be playing a game, but Jim is negotiating for his freedom, life, and future. Twain’s article makes it clear to readers that Jim can gain glory by playing the role of pretend prisoner. Instead, readers should sympathize. Additionally, it is evident that Jim does not fool Tom. Because Jim is a slave, any whimsical ideas Tom might have must be accepted because he’s white. Twain’s interactions with slaves help readers see the injustice of slavery.

Jim can only take so many absurdities. Each new, absurd idea only adds to Jim’s frustration. He has “so much to fault” with his onion being sent to him in his cup of coffee. Jim’s complaints, while understandable and tolerable, can be found here. Tom loses patience when Jim protests these absurd ideas. He counters that Jim had been given more opportunities to make a name for themselves than any prisoner, but he didn’t have enough knowledge to appreciate the benefits. Jim apologized and stated that he would not behave like this again. ]” (254). The reader is allowed to see a mature man being controlled by a foolish young boy. Readers will sympathize with Jim’s struggle to be a prisoner. He wants nothing more than to be free and to be reunited with his family. His white friend is even made to apologise for his actions. Jim is seen as kind and humble by this humble admission. Twain’s details are a comment on Jim’s ability to think and make decisions. Twain’s details make it seem unfair that Jim should be subordinated to Tom.

Chapter 38% of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a detailed account of the schemes of a young boy that creates a whimsical adventure about an imprisoned prisoner. This story is charming but loses its charm when the prisoner becomes a slave. Tom’s attempts to have fun are so absurd that it frustrates readers that Jim is required to do such useless and inexplicable tasks. Tom’s demands and attitude reveal that he doesn’t value Jim as a person. This is in contrast to Huck’s attitude, who values Jim because of the friendship he made with Jim on the River. Mark Twain reveals these details in an attempt to make readers angry at slavery and to challenge them to view former slaves with the same humanity. It is absurd to treat them as if they were nothing.

The final powerful scene in The Awakening is Kate Chopin’s masterpiece. It marks the end of Edna’s long struggle with desire and expectation. Edna is restricted by her traditional roles as a mother and wife, which prevents her from being free. Edna sees the sea and birds as symbols of freedom and embraces them. We can see that Edna died from suicide motivated by hopelessness.

Edna is most likely to be influenced by the symbol of ocean. Edna was attracted to the ocean’s “seductive” voice early on. It “invit[es] a soul to wander for an hour in the abysses solitude; to lose its self in mazes that inward contemplation,” and the sea and its endless potential lead her to deep reflection about her life (25). Edna can’t swim, despite her passion for the ocean. Edna suddenly learns to swim after she begins to awaken by becoming closer to Robert. Edna is finally letting go of the life that confines her. Before Edna became a partner with Robert, her life was nothing but a series of daily activities. She was a faithful wife and obeyed her husband. She learns to swim when she becomes able. Then she explores the infinite possibilities of the ocean. Edna took her first steps into water to break free from her life of conformity. Edna encounters the sea for the first time yields some interesting results. She is overwhelmed with freedom when she dives in to the ocean for the first time. Edna is overwhelmed by “a quick view of death” as she swims out. This scene is clear evidence that Edna continues to struggle to be herself in her role.

The novel’s second major symbol, the bird, is a colorful caged Parrot. “The parrot could also speak Spanish, but no one understood it” (5). This parrot could be easily mistaken for Edna before she awoke. Edna believes in freedom, which neither she nor her family understand. The parrot is also unable to comprehend. Leonce’s response to the parrot makes these similarities even more evident. He simply leaves when he is tired of listening to it talk. Edna feels that her husband treats her like a traditional woman and should provide care for their children. Leonce is not able to understand the parrot and his wife. Also, his tendency to leave the room when the bird tires makes it seem that Leonce would reject Edna if he tried to explain himself to her.

Mademoiselle Reisz, the pianist, is the second time a bird is mentioned in the novel. Edna recalls the time Madame Ratignolle used her piano to sing a song. Edna called it Solitude. This song brought Edna an unusual image of a man standing on top of a rock near the shore. The naked man was looking out at a flying bird as it flew over the ocean. Edna attaches this image to herself again. Edna’s freedom symbolizes Edna leaving her husband and children behind and flying free.

Edna soon leaves the resort and returns to her hometown. Robert returns to Edna’s home after a long period and discovers that Edna is different. Edna now feels isolated from her life and her role. Leonce has left her feeling no attachment and she is ready to accept her feelings for Robert. Robert is not happy and wonders about the social impact of being married to a woman. Robert leaves a message that says “I Love You” (185). Good-bye – because you love me” (185). Edna sees the note as a clear indication that Robert doesn’t love Edna enough to give up his social status.

The final scene in which the symbols meet answers the question as to whether Edna has fulfilled her destiny. Edna is full of thoughts and worries after Robert’s note arrives. Edna now realizes that she is not right for any man. Edna realized that Robert was not the right man for her, despite her love. Edna walks to the beach carrying these thoughts and meets both seabird and fish. Edna is ready to listen for the ocean’s seductive voice. Also, she discovers a bird with a broken, dislocated wing. This bird is a sign of Edna’s modest failures. Edna succeeds in her suicide attempt, but the broken wings of the bird symbolizes that Edna failed socially to meet her expectations. She is forced to commit suicide to get away from her husband and the men she loves.

Edna is able to see her fulfillment when she walks on the beach. She shed all of her clothes which symbolise her marriage, her role in the household, and her husband’s failure to please her. In this act, she forgets all her worries and jumps into the water confidently. While she’s swimming out, she thinks about her husband (190) and her children (190). Edna, unlike her previous swims, isn’t afraid. After a glance back at the shoreline, she realizes she is swimming too far and quickly regains control. Edna was confident swimming and eventually died. She gave her body for freedom. Edna’s love for birds and sea inspires her. It also reflects her changing beliefs and helps to bring about the death she dreams of.

John Keats’ “When I Have Fears” poems and “Bright Star” poems are very similar but vastly different. Shakespearean sonnets are similar in rhyme scheme and subject matter. However, they cover different aspects the same topic. Both men describe love in a way that is so important that it is impossible to live without. But neither one of these conclusions is reached until the last line.

Each poem can be broken down to reveal its emotion. Parallel construction is used well in “When My Fears”. The first 12 words are divided into three sections. Each section contains the word “when”, an action, and the word “when”. Keats uses this construction only in the final couplet. The speaker is able to explore his emotions first and then see the results. Another way to break down “When I Have Fears” is also possible. You can separate it into an opus and a stave, rather than just three quattrains and a couplet. Keats is focused on his musings for the first eight line, while he delivers an address during the last sestet. (9) Keats may be adhering to a Shakespearean structure. However, he is unable to control his emotions and falls to a Petrarchan form. “Bright Star,” too, is composed in an octave and a sestet. Its volta gives both the speaker as well as the reader a different perspective. Keats’s poem is filled with musings, up to line 9, when the topic turns to love.

Although both poems are about love, neither mentions this until the end. “When I Have Fears” is about the speaker’s fear that he will die before he can capture the true nature and beauty of romance on paper or create art. In lines 9-14, we learn that he is afraid of losing his lover; he “shall always look upon you more” (10). He is alone. “Love and Fame do not sink.” (14). The poem’s focus changes at the volta to the speaker and his lover. It describes her impact on him. This is because the poet’s poetic goals are subordinated to love, but that it is central to his ability reach them.

The volta of “Bright Star” is similar. The poem’s focus shifts from Keats appreciation of nature to his love for his “fair-love” (10). While “When I Have Fears”, waits for line 10, to reveal who the poet is speaking to, “Bright Star”, alerts you to the subject right from the beginning. The speaker addresses the star and focuses on its wonderful qualities until the last sestet. At that point, the speaker shifts the focus and describes the similarities between him and the star.

Keats’ use of punctuation and deliberate words help to reveal hidden emotions. “When I Have Fears,” is about a loved ones who are not there. But the repetitions of “I”, reveal that the poem is really about an author and his reaction in the face of loss. The speaker’s anger and sadness can be seen in the many breaks and pauses throughout the poem. There are ten total commas. These commas are used mostly to separate thoughts and not to complete them. Seven times the word “I”, seven times in fourteen lines. Keats shows how the speaker’s mind is full of chaotic thoughts by using repetitions and uncoordinated word placements.

“Bright Star” uses 11 commas but in a much more informal way. The commas should be placed at either the end or beginning of lines to avoid indicating a break. Each dash is carefully placed. The poem’s meter is not affected by the first dash in line 1. The three remaining dashes in line one show the speaker’s strong reaction on his own thoughts. These dashes show that he isn’t as “steadfast” (9), but he still has the same qualities regarding love. The poem’s final dash is actually the first five words. It prepares you for the speaker’s claim that love would make him die.

The only thing that is different between the two poems is their tone. “When I Have Fears” reflects on death and loss of love. The tone of “Bright Star” is lighter and touches on subjects like purity, innocence, and unending love. However, the endings of both poems share a common theme. The endings of both poems are dominated by couplets that express the speakers’ inability not to be surrounded by their loved ones. “When I Have Fears”, together with “Bright Star”, create a poetic circle. The latter starts where the former ends. “When I Have Fears,” is a poem in which the speaker frets about his ability and lack of love to convey true romance. These fears are only quelled by the poet’s end. He is left completely alone. All he thought about vanishes at the end of the poem, but he will be re-engaged in “Bright Star”. The speaker describes a star which he longs to be like. But this star is “not alone splendor” (2), just as the speaker in “When I Have Fears”. The speaker is once more faced with death without love at the end, as the “Bright Star” arc ends.

A person’s perception of right and wrong in times of turmoil can easily be mistaken for insane. Hamlet by William Shakespeare is an example of this insane person. Hamlet does what he believes to be right, but almost all the characters see him as crazy. As the play progresses, you are shown the character traits leading to his downfall. This includes his intellect and indecision as well his love of being remembered.

Hamlet’s intelligence is crucial to his downfall. The following is an example of Hamlet’s intellect: “To put a tic disposition on, so that you, at such occasions seeing me.” We see in this quote that Hamlet is making a spectacle of madness in order to hide his knowledge. Hamlet’s excessive analysis leads him to be persecuted for his knowledge by Claudius. Hamlet is acutely aware that he is unable to see the bigger picture. His intelligence is the reason he over-analyses each situation. His intelligence is a factor, he knows the possible outcomes of each situation and thus becomes a man based on thought, not action. You can see his intellect throughout the play. Now, venom! To your work. Hamlet can still think and kill Claudius, even though he is in the midst of his actions. His intellect not only leads him to this point but also allows him to make crucial decisions. Hamlet’s indecisiveness as well as his fear of not being remembered, all of his worries and fears, as well his fear of losing his mind, are all due to his intellect. This excerpt shows how the audience can see where his obsession with being remembered comes from.

“Within one month

You still have the salt of the most unrighteous tear

Her galled eyes had seen the flashing.

She got married

Hamlet’s fear of being forgotten derives from his father’s death. His mother quickly forgot him. Hamlet’s dilemma is how his father, who was so influential, can be forgotten. His unpredictable behavior was the result. This famous line also shows his obsession with being remembered. He still wants his sins to be remembered, even after reflecting on them. Hamlet closes his soliloquy, stating that he still wants to remember his worst sins. Hamlet states his dying wish, “So Tell Him with th’occurets,” which means more and less that have elicited silence. Hamlet attempts to remember his story, but he soon realizes that his actions have resulted in his death. He is driven to remember many things, including his decision to put on the play that lead to Claudius’ persecution. His downfall is due to Hamlets obsession in being remembered.

Hamlet’s inability, in most of his interactions and important moments, to make decisions is a hallmark of the play. His most famous soliloquy is:

“Whether it is nobler to suffer.”

Incredible fortune is found in the slings & arrows

Oder to arm yourself against a sea full of trouble

Hamlet is aware that there are two options available to him, but he cannot decide which one will bring him the best outcome. This is also a glimpse into Hamlet’s inner conflict, his inability as a man to take action and not think. Also see “When he’s fit and ready for his passage?” Take down the sword and you will be a worse hent. Hamlet’s indecision at the crucial moment when he could have taken action to kill Claudius causes him to fail. He could have prevented his poisoning if he had been able to decide to kill Claudius. The soliloquy “Tobe or not to be” also speaks of his thoughts. Hamlet might be acting on knowledge he already knows, by spending his time contemplating suicide. Hamlet prefers to think than take action. Hamlet’s indecisiveness hinders his ability to take action.

Hamlet’s self-inflicted downfall can be attributed primarily to his flaws. His indecision and lack of intelligence is what led to his downfall. He also loves being remembered. All of these aspects of Hamlet’s personality lead to his self-made demise.

Scout Finch’s small hometown seemed like the perfect place for a young and curious child. The south was the setting for To Kill a Mockingbird, and her life included a lot prejudice and opinionated people. Everybody who lived in close proximity to one another knew the other. Scout’s brother Jem and her dad, Atticus, were also part the town. All of the characters lived in Maycomb County Alabama, which was small and prejudiced. Harper Lee, author of The Death of Innocence and Coming of Age, depicts Scout’s coming of age and conflicts with the rest of the world.

Harper Lee describes the loss in innocence caused by Scout’s encounter with Miss Caroline. Scout loses the ability to feel a sense of purpose when she is forced to inform Miss Caroline about Walter Cunningham’s financial affairs. She feels guilty for trying too hard to be helpful, as Scout had already fallen off the wrong path. Miss Caroline says, “You’re shamein him. Walter didn’t have any quarters at home so Miss Caroline grabbed me by her collar and hauled us back to the desk. “Jean Louise, it’s enough. Hold your hand.” She thought she was going for spit. I was confused. Miss Caroline reached for her ruler and gave me half a dozen pats. After that, she instructed me to stand in a corner. Victims are forced to accept that they did something they shouldn’t have done. The victim can then reflect upon their own shortcomings and make changes to avoid making the same mistake. It is possible to see that Scout learned from Miss Caroline to be a good listener and not get involved in other peoples’ problems. Although the reader might infer that, Scout still decided to go after Walter for getting her into trouble. Scout had learned a valuable lesson. Lee, alongside Aunt Alexandra, also expresses her grief through Scout. Aunt Alexandra, an additional character, was obsessed with Scout’s attire. I couldn’t possibly imagine myself being a lady if my clothes were breeches. When I told her I could only wear breeches, she replied that I was not supposed to wear pants. Aunt Alexandra was very proud of my personality. She saw me playing with small stoves and tea pots. Scout was raised with her father and older brother. Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, was very afreast. Scout and Jem were wild and messy. Scout didn’t know better without a mother-like influence. Scout was conscious that the way she behaved was unusual for a girl her own age, but she refused to follow the example of other girls. Aunt Alexandra tried persuading Scout to be a “proper” woman by teaching her proper mannerisms. The way Scout behaved could be used to infer that Aunt Alexandra was trying reform Scout’s lifestyle.

Harper Lee describes the loss of innocence as Scout and Jem learn about the dangers associated with racial discrimination. Scout and Jem discover the views that Maycomb’s white women have about black people when they get involved in the case involving their father. Scout and Jem’s brother learn about equality. “Cry about how people treat others without thinking. Crying about the misery that white people can cause for people of color, while not even thinking they are people. Scout attends Tom Robinson’s trial. He is adamantly falsely charged and convicted by a family who was trying to justify their wrongdoing. His only possible reason for losing the case was that he was a man of color in a preconceived universe. Being a person from color in the 30s is difficult enough. Tom Robinson needed to be tried against all white men. Atticus Scout showed Atticus what most people don’t know until they get older.

Harper Lee’s book, The Death of Innocence and Coming of Age, is a collection of stories about Scout and her many struggles. The book’s most important chapters focus on Miss Caroline’s problems and the angry influence she has from Aunt Alexandra. She learns to confront the prejudices against her race that her small town is subject to. To Kill a Mockingbird may have many themes. The most prominent theme, however, is the death-of-innocence and coming of adulthood. Scout Finch was 9 years old when she experienced some transformations that allowed her to mature as a thinker. Overall, this book offered a glimpse of life in the 1930s’ turbulent world.

Oh leader! O Captain!

Many leaders lack the ability of moving great people. It is a difficult task to mourn the loss of a leader. Abraham Lincoln was a rare exception. In O Captain! Walt Whitman uses the metaphor of a Captain in O Captain! to express the love and respect he felt for Abraham Lincoln.

Captains must respect their crew to be able lead their crew. Abraham Lincoln had people around him who were willing to follow him into every situation. This is what the poem’s Captain admired. Oh leader! Our fearful journey is over, my captain. Whitman describes a terrifying trip, which Whitman would only recommend to someone he trusted and respected. This was the Civil War. Lincoln won his struggle. Whitman said that the price we paid was paid. People weren’t content to mourn Lincoln’s death but were more prepared to celebrate his victory. Whitman used metaphors like ribbond wreaths and bells to express his loyalty towards Lincoln. Lincolns sudden death caused widespread confusion in the country. You could feel the eagerness and longing to see him again, as you crowded the beaches.

It is a sign that a man calls another man father. Fathers are loved and respected by their children. They should also be treated with loyalty. It’s common to take a moment to reflect on a parent’s death or any other loved one. A loved one will always be remembered. Years of admiring smiles and expressions will soon be a distant memory. Whitman turns to his Captain, his dad. He stares at his Captain, his father, and examines the paleness of his lips.

Whitman’s last verse shows him feeling true joy. He is reminded of Lincoln and this brings him joy. He feels pain but the joy radiates. Whitman should remember that Lincoln won, and that feelings of joy as well as triumphant power must be present. Exult, O shores. Ring, O bells. These are powerful words. Leaders should feel these emotions. A leader who inspires a follower to continue the quest of his leader after he has passed away is considered successful.

Whitman shows dignity and compassion for Lincoln’s passing. He manages to mix happiness and sadness gracefully, while not losing sight of the seriousness.

Owen’s poetry makes strong use of the notion guilt. Owen uses guilt to show the indifference and indifference of his home countrymen as well as those in authority. Although they should feel guilty about sending their children to death, they don’t feel this way. Owen, on one hand, expresses both his and the soldiers’ guilt. Owen is highlighting the mental suffering that soldiers endure as a result of this guilt.

Inspection is a clear example of the theme indifference. While the authorities are aware that soldiers are suffering, they insist that blood isn’t dirt. It is not worth acknowledging that sacrifice. The soldiers’ sacrifice is represented by blood imagery. The sacrifice of the soldiers is described in several places throughout the poem. Because it was the young soldiers that were killed, the authorities continue hiding the sacrifice of the soldiers. This idea is connected to the Ram of Pride’ in The Parable of the Old Man. The Bible’s original story line shows that authorities would prefer to kill ‘half of Europe’ one at a while than surrender their pride. They won’t feel guilty, even though they make soldiers suffer during war. Owen also mentions this combination of false patriotism with national pride. These ideas fuel propaganda, which in turn leads to more soldiers being brainwashed to go to war. Public ignorance is a result of the propaganda. This leads to indifference and indoctrination towards reality. Disabled et Decorum Est is a prime example of war propaganda based false patriotism. Owen gives us clear examples of youth brainwashing to believe that war was glorifying. The poet harshly critiques war poets through their poetry who promote ‘The Old Lie’ in his last work. They should also be guilty, as they were responsible for manipulating Britain’s youth into going to war. Owen’s poetry was an attempt to escape from the war poetry of that time and speak truth through his poetry. However, the authorities also provided propaganda, as Disabled demonstrates. Owen provides us with a list that promotes war, including the ‘jeweled’ kilts/For daggers dressed in plaid socks. This propaganda was one of the reasons youth enlisted. Owen also believes the public was responsible for encouraging them into war. While he was trying to please ‘the silly jilts’, he now feels that these same people encourage him to ‘touch his like a quer disease’. We also see the idea of betrayal or treachery. This is where we feel strong guilt. Owen expands on Owen’s point that the public shouldn’t feel guilty because there isn’t any affection or type connection between those sent to battle and them. This is shown in Disabled and in The Dead-Beat as well S.I.W.

Disabled clearly shows the disconnect between young men and women. The soldiers are disfigured and the former discourage them from going to war. Owen’s work shows how the authorities are unable to feel affection. They will even take in underage soldiers to join them. This also shows that authorities don’t value youth. It is important to feel the guilt. The Send-Off also reveals this and other aspects of the disconnect. This is where the authorities abandon and cut all ties with soldiers. The Dead-Beat is the pinnacle of where there is no affection. The Dead-Beat is the epicenter of lackluster camaraderie. The current state of affairs means that the soldiers are being continued beating around. Even soldiers fighting against the same enemy don’t have any kind of connection. Instead they beat vulnerable soldiers, who are only seen as deadweight and are therefore disposed. They should feel guilty about how they treated their own. In both Owen’s work and Disabled, soldiers are “drafted out with drums, cheers”, glad to be gone, but then return in silence. The Send-Off is a sad example of the lack affection. The women cheer them off, spraying them with wreaths and spraying them. This ironically prefigures their impending death. These women should not be celebrating their deaths, even though they celebrate their departure. But, this propaganda fuels the celebrations.

S.I.W. The guilt of the general public that sets expectations on young men for going to war is also seen in S.I.W. This is also fueled by propaganda that brainwashed young men to join the war effort and encouraged them to recruit. This is the mindset that encourages soldiers to join the ranks of the enemy. The young people of Britain should feel ashamed of their actions, especially the families of those who were the soldiers. They were well aware they were sending them off to war. Although they knew they wouldn’t return, they kept pretending that their soldiers would die for Britain. These soldiers felt guilty for not being able to meet their expectations because of the pressure they were under. This led them to want to die. This guilt was not only displayed in S.I.W. Mental Cases was more revealing.

Mental Cases shows us how soldiers feel guilt. It has two main reasons. Survivor’s guilt as well the guilt for killing are what we see. They feel violated by the things they’ve seen. They feel violated by their actions, and the fact they have stepped on ‘lungs loved laughing’ reminds them of the pain that dead soldiers had to endure. These corpses and body parts were once people, just like the soldiers who fought for freedom. However, their fate was different from that of the soldiers. The poem continually emphasizes this guilt at different points. The capitalization on ‘Dead,’ indicates that they are still suffering from the death they witnessed. The idea of perpetual torment can be seen in the image that both day and night are dominated by thoughts about the dead. They are described as “purgatorial shadows” and are therefore constantly tortured by guilt for their killing. Owen’s work continues the aggravation of the guilt felt by authorities. Readers are also angered when they see and experience the indignities, atrocities, and deaths of soldiers at war. Owen also feels guilty in Mental Cases. This can be seen mostly in Inspection.

Mental Cases Owen uses Owen’s first name to show that he is guilty of inciting the young soldiers into ‘war’ and’madness’. Owen plays the victim and is continually tormented by his guilt. This can be seen by Owen’s’snatching’ or ‘pawing on the dead. These verbs create a feeling of uneasiness in the reader. This is a reflection of Owen’s anxiety when he imagines those soldiers who are blaming Owen for their sufferings. The reader can see Owen’s guilt more clearly in Inspection. While Owen uses the term “us” in his first work, he plays the role of an officer in Inspection. This is the same person who was completely indifferent to the deaths of soldiers and claimed that ‘blood’ was ‘dirt. Owen is now one with the same authorities he had harshly criticized in his other works. As a high-ranking military officer, Owen is responsible for having participated in the slaughter of half of Europe’s seed.

The irony of Owen’s poetry can be appreciated when the whole situation is considered. In pursuing their propaganda, the authorities have made it so clear that those who feel guilty shouldn’t. Those who feel guilty shouldn’t. The image of war and its glory has become so well-known that the public is conditioned to believe it.

“You may say I’m a dreamer. However, I’m also not the only one. I hope someday I’ll be joined by you, and the entire world will live in one.” John Lennon says that “Imagine” transcends the limits of his time and embraces the sentiments a vast audience. Lennon asks his listeners not to imagine a society where people can see the beauty and splendors of heaven but instead to work towards creating this environment. There are no manmade barriers, and the world is a “brotherhood for men” where people respect each other’s rights, liberty, and pursuits to happiness. Humanity has long been subject to the struggle of reality. Lennon’s utopian vision was a dream come true. Ideally, this civilization would be freed from all forms of human suffering, including pain, need, and despair. The daydream fades, the flower dies, and love is lost forever. Artists and poets don’t have to be the only ones who are frustrated by reality’s cruelties. Edgar Allen Poe’s poems show him struggling to find the right balance between reality’s harsh reality and dreams. His collection of poems on this topic and the distinction between them is unifying through their themes and titles. His poem “Dreams,” which he wrote, focuses on how dreams have made him feel happy and innocent. Referring to the idea of lost innocence in childhood, “A Dream” states that daydreams reflect youthful aspirations not yet achieved. “A Dream Within a Dream” reveals a jaded and pessimistic perspective that ultimately leads to a regressive and pessimistic conclusion. All dreams are false and futile. Poe’s speech reveals his feelings of insignificance as he speaks through the various works. He imagines a fantasy world that is unattainable, far more than the reality he can see.

Each aspect of childhood is filled with innocence and purity. Children can be happy simply living and daydreaming. Through “Dreams”, the speaker invokes his past memories, wishing them to live beyond their reveries and become a reality. Because dreams are temporary and constantly changing, the speaker feels like he is living in a world of hopeless despair. A dream can be conformed to any expectation without regard to physical barriers. Reality is both real and inevitable. Every thought and action of man is governed by external expectations. Man is in control of his reactions and not subject to the outside world’s demands. Dreams are not conformist because they are made by individuals and not society. The future of the speaker as a boy was promising and welcoming. He “revealed…in the summer skies, in dreams of live light/And loves,” wherein nature’s beauty embodied his hopes. (ln 13-15). The boy must become a man as soon as possible, abandoning all imagination and fascination. Reality was at the most vulnerable time of innocence, and left “behind its images on [his] spirits,” making him a jaded, sarcastic man (ln 22/23). While he enjoyed childhood pleasures, this world can only be relived through dreams. Capitalization of Paradise and Hope, Love is a great example of the respect and value that is placed on these entities. These aspects are what give life purpose. According to the speaker, reality is all there is in the world. However, dreams have the unique ability of sustaining hope. Traditionally, adolescence is a time when one evaluates morals and goals. It is the time when you move from accepting everything with your whole heart to critically analyzing it. The speaker of “A Dream” believes that dreams can offer a glimpse into inner peace that cannot be achieved. Man is bound to wake up every morning from his “joy departed”, only to find himself enslaved by a daily routine (ln 2). He will eventually look back on his past to recall the times when life was so wonderful (ln 8). He is constantly reminded of his childhood hopes and goals. The past that was once considered pure is now clouded by pessimism. Realizing that the past is not possible, even though it may seem beautiful and idyllic, people begin to see the limitations of their fantasies. The speaker falls asleep each night and wakes up “broken-hearted” from his dreams. The dream is not finished and has yet to be fulfilled. These dreams are not realized by the speaker. His hope seems to have been futile, and he is not content. He is often alone, but his hope is a “lonely soul” that helps him get through any difficulties. He is determined to find meaning in his life and clings to the concepts that give it to him. Although reality is often interrupted, dreaming provides hope for the future, even if it is not.

Adolescence and childhood are just paths to wisdom and adulthood. Adulthood embodies many aspects of maturity-obligations, incredulity, and cynicism. These formidable foes are difficult to overcome with imagination and hope. “A Dream Within a Dream” says that regardless of where you are at the time, the loss of hope cannot be reversed. Because he lost all reason to move forward, man becomes a shadow or a ghost of his former existence. His attempts to make society better seem futile in a world where he has no place or purpose. The speaker is “amid waves roaring on a shore-tormented coast,” and conveys a sense that he feels helpless and ineffective. (ln 13) He is terrified of this concept in adult stage because he sees how small he is within an infinitely vast universe. He fondly remembers his childhood dreams and his childhood as a boy. He realizes that the opportunities and time are rapidly passing. The speaker says that life is a “dream within the dream”, a fleeting image that can only be cherished for a moment (ln 24). Dreams are not eternal. The fact that life can be compressed into another dream is only an added bonus to its shortening. The poem’s final line questions existence. It encompasses reality, dreams, God, and everything in between. The speaker is unsure of his purpose in the world and contemplates how he fits into it. He requires tangible evidence that faith-based concepts are real. The purpose of today is debated by him because he doesn’t know what the future might hold. Is the future nonexistent? Where is the past or the present? With each passing hour, the chance to realize your dreams is less and less.

People gravitate towards John Lennon’s utopia of peace, love, harmony because they are human beings with human natures. But, this same sense of nature as well as will makes it difficult to imagine such an idealistic existence. This pessimism results from the emotional abuses that men have suffered as they mature. Poe believes that human beings are imperfect and designed to dream, wonder, question. An imaginary world cannot be separated from reality. Some dreaming and fantasizing are necessary when planning for a realistic future. Man finds paradise on Earth when he combines his hopes with his duty. Reality can be as harsh as dreams. While dreams survive, life remains bearable. The speaker in “Dreams” recognizes that there is a lot to be optimistic about in a world where despair is rampant. This makes it clear that dream life is better than real life. A Dream further encourages optimism. It depicts the corruption that dreams can cause in a world full of despair. These dreams must be kept pure in order to maintain stability. Through “A Dream Within a Dream”, hope plunges into the abyssal of reality. The speaker applies the lessons from “A Dream” to his situation and declares that life without dreams is futile. Poe is a darkly-skinned writer who struggles against his fear that he will be impoverished. He is vulnerable and shares his inner fears about growing older and losing sight on the dreams he once treasured. Poe uses a somber tone to address the cruel reality of life. These poems are Poe’s testament to the fact that time is not going to wait for anyone. Poe believes that there is no need to wait for tomorrow in order to realize his dreams. He instead insists on the certainty of today and hopes for a society in that people will act according to their natural inclinations. Poe is akin to Lennon in that he “imagine[s]” all people living today.