Analyze how Nguyen Du uses an element of literature to develop a theme Essay

Analyze how Nguyen Du uses an element of literature to develop a theme in THE TALE OF KIEU, or if you wish to push yourself to a - Essay Example The imageries in the tale are perceived as symbols that define a character. A common object used in the poem is the moon. Moon has a great significance to the society especially to Asian people whose cultural beliefs revolve around it. Thus with reference to Asian’s, the author has used to convey the message more significantly. For instance, Chinese believe in the goddess moon and as a result make extensively use images of the moon in their literature works. Imagery of moon has been used to illustrate Kieu, who is the tale’s main character. She is a beautiful, attractive lady and thus the author likens her to the moon in order to emphasize her character and striking physical appearance. The moon diligently and gradually shines from a crescent to a full moon within the same time period year in year out. Despite the weather changes, it is persistent to complete its course. Like the moon, Kieu faces many challenges and complications. However, her undeterred persistence and determined to retain her natural character and assume her role is alarming. She even takes the risk of engaging herself in the prostitution to defend her responsibility to her father. In addition, the moon has been used to describe other characters in the tale such as the Thuy sisters. Kieu and Van are both charming and physically attractive. Their beauty epitomizes that of the goddess moon in the Chinese culture. Men who admire and praise her because of her enticing look illustrate the beauty of Kieu. Chinese believe in a goddess moon called Chang-o, a moon ruler whom they highly praise due to her feminine beauty that surpasses any generations. According to the author, Kieu deserves such a high position in the society. Moreover, the changing aspects of her life are characteristic to those of the moon. Just as the moon changes from crescent, that only shines with mild brightness and grows into a full to assume more lighting responsibility, so do her responsibilities increase as she matures. In addition, Kim and Kieu’s lover share such deep love that they pledge vows to the moon. As they do so, the moon is shining brightly and epitomizes their moods at that point in time. Their happiness and excitement could be equated to the moon’s brightness. In addition, the poem ends with Kieu reuniting with her family and lover, Kim, after having been away for fifteen years. Author uses the imagery to illustrate her happiness by saying the moon shone unusually bright at that time (Du 161). Her past fifteen years can be likened to the numerous dark nights that are slowly lit by the moon. The unusually bright full moon depicts joyous return home. Imagery has also been used to illustrate mental conditions of Kieu. A crescent appears during cold windy night (Du 85). At this time, she is sitting at the window while waiting for Thuc. A crescent mood is used to illustrate her low mood since it produces a less bright light as compared to the full moon just as she ap pears gloomy and dull. The presence of three stars surrounding the crescent shows that Kieu has missed Thuc. This is because, to a Chinese character, crescent together with three stars represent the heart, which is also part to the name given to Thuc in Vietnamese. Lastly, the physical nature of the moon illustrates her determination to retain her original personality of innocence and faith despite the challenges in life. In her life,

Husayn-McMahon Essay Example for Free

Husayn-McMahon Essay McMahon-Hussein Correspondence refers to an exchange of letters between Sharif Husayn Ibn Ali of Mecca and Sir Henry McMahon of Britain detailing the future of the Arab world in the face of a possible annexation by the Ottoman Turks. The background to this communication can be traced to early 1914 when Sharif Husayn’s son, Amir, paid a visit to the then British Consular in Egypt, Lord Kitchener, seeking British assurance that they would offer their support incase Arabs opted to revolt against Turkey. While at first Kitchner was reluctant to make any commitment, his successor in the region, McMahon, upon sensing the dwindling British fortunes in the Middle East, made hefty promises to garner the Arabs support during the First World War. It is during this period that McMahon would initiate correspondence with Husayn. The Husayn family emerged to be an influential force in the Middle East as it lay claim to be the descendant of Muhammad and held the mantle leadership of a number of kingdoms in the region (Daly 215). The issue of McMahon-Hussein correspondence has emerged highly controversial and is held to be at the core of the crisis in the Middle East. It is regarded as an important correspondence by the Palestinians as it was seen as a commitment by the British of granting them independence. In these series of letters, Husayn had asked for Arabs independence, he outlined these areas to be the Arabian Peninsula, Palestine and Iraq amongst others. McMahon on the other hand made a commitment to ensure the independence of a number of territories which would not damage the existing cordial relations with France. Arabs in the Middle East have maintained that British had promised independence to the Palestinians; on the other hand, Britain claims that this was merely a declaration of intent that was not legally binding and cannot be used to lay claim of independence to the Palestinians (Mack 123).

Main Features Of British Conservatism

Main Features Of British Conservatism The ideology of conservatism is seen as one of the most important structural components of modern political ideologies. However, there are great difficulties in determining its substantive content. The term conservative comes from the Latin conserve to maintain, protect. However, its ideological and political importance can be hardly identified, which is associated with a number of circumstances. Firstly, in the process of development an inversion of historical values of liberalism and conservatism has occurred. Thus, many fundamental principles of classical liberalism the demand for freedom of the market and limiting government intervention are now seen as conservative. At the same time the idea of a strong central governing power of the state, launched earlier by traditionalist conservatives, now became an essential component of a liberal mind. Secondly, there is the internal heterogeneity of the political ideology of conservatism, which includes various aspects, but is gathered by one common feature the justification and stabilization of established social structures. Bearers of the ideology of conservatism are the social groups, strata and classes who are interested in preserving the traditional social order, or in its recovery. There are two ideological formations in the structure of conservatism. One focuses on the sustainability of the social structure in its unaltered form, the other one addresses the opposing political forces and trends. In this context, conservatism is both political ideology justifying the existing order, and appeal to the lost. Different directions and forms of conservatism exhibit common features. These include: recognition of the existence of universal moral and religious order and the imperfection of human nature, belief in the innate inequality of men and the limited possibilities of the human mind, the conviction of the need for a rigid social and class hierarchy and preferences of established social structures and institut ions. British conservatism is perceived by many people as a British national trait, inseparable from everything English. Conservatism, which got here its highest expression and perfection, is a traditional political ideology of the British. It is with the English Parliament originated the famous distinction between right and left, and many other political definitions (Clarke 1996). British conservatism, which understands that human nature is not perfect enough for perfect political institutions, is implemented in the following fundamental approaches: Preference of gradual changes to the radical. Preference of specific and nearby to the distant and utopian. Mentality of conservatism is the mentality of traditionalism. Conservatism is characterized by a certain conception of man, society, state, and history. Conservative thinking may be regarded as an ideology of right-wing forces in society, expressing their desire to preserve the existing social organization. But not this aspect is important. It is important that the proletariat has nothing to lose but their chains, right and conservative members of society have much to preserve, develop and grow. Conservatism can be considered independently of the material and economic interests as an ideology consisting of certain basic principles and concepts of human, state, society and history. For example, the answer to the question What makes the freedom of each person and the real political freedom in society and state? inevitably leads us to understanding of the better role of conservative unchanging institutions like the state, family, law, religion, against the backdrop of progressive attempt to rebuild and destroy for extreme individualistic self. Traditional conservatism is associated with the names of E. Burke (1729-1797), J. de Maistre (1753-1821) and Louis de Bonald (1754-1840). In the 20th century, the main forerunner of this trend was R. Kirk, who published in 1953 book The Conservative Mind. Homeland of conservatism as a political ideology, which was a specific reaction to the ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, was England. In 1790 E. Burke published a book Reflections on the Revolution in France. Louis de Bonald and J. de Maistre are considered to be original classics of feudal aristocratic conservatism. E. Burke, son of modest Irish lawyer, is characterized by ambivalence and inconsistency of the feudal-aristocratic and bourgeois system components of his political views. Precisely because of inconsistencies and discrepancies, many of Burkes ideas can be interpreted very widely and in different contexts, and find support of the wider social groups (Coxall & Robins 2003). Political ideology of the British conservatism includes many of the categories developed by these thinkers. One of the most important in it is the concept of natural aristocracy, which includes, according to Burke, not only the nobles, but also rich businessmen, educated people, lawyers, scientists and artists. Wealth on the grounds of reason and policy deserves a privileged position in society. Otherwise, recurrence of the revolution is possible. One of the main features of the British conservatism is the concept of traditionalism. In contrast to the ideas of the Enlightenment, tradition is opposed to reason and put over it, because it means the subordination of action under the natural course of things and the age-old wisdom. Traditionalism is the basis of understanding the change, update, reform, which should not violate the natural course of things. At the same time two main types of reforms are distinguished: reforms aimed at restoring the traditional rights and principles, and preventive reforms aimed at preventing revolution. At the same time there is seen the difference between change and reform. Changes alter the essence of the object; the reform doesnt affect it and is forced as a tool that must be applied. Joseph de Maistre and Louis de Bonald, rejecting the republic, any reform and contrasting it to tradition and prestige, saw the path to salvation in strengthening the political role of religion. The core of the po litical ideas of de Maistre was the idea of equilibrium, understood as the creation of the strategic balance in the political and spiritual life based on a theocratic approach. De Bonald, without giving priority to either secular or religious authorities, launched the idea of an alliance of religious and political society (Clarke 1996). In general, the political idea of traditionalism includes organic conception of society, according to which it has been originally there, like organic nature, and does not arise as a result of social evolution: the interpretation of the participation of the individual as presenting no intrinsic value, but entirely dependent on the support of the conservative order; the idea of elitism and antidemocratism, according to which inequality among people is an axiom of politics, because equality is the enemy of freedom (Burke), freedom for the highborn and propertied; rejection of the idea of progress and contrasting it to the ideas of the historical cycle (Mitternih). In the 20th century, R. Kirk, developing the principles of traditionalism, wrote that in the revolutionary era people were fascinated by novelty, but then they got tired of it and wanted the old principles back. History is interpreted as a cyclical process. Therefore, at a certain turn the conservative order comes back again. Conservatives seek to ensure a broad national consensus, appealing to the traditional views and prejudices, authority and religion. Social and economic problems they rarely transfer into a religious-ethical plane. Thus, in the 80ies, R. Kirk has emphasized the following principles of traditionalist conservatism: the belief in the order of a higher level than the human ability to adapt, and the belief that the economy goes into politics, politics into ethics, and ethics into religious concepts. Another basic feature of the British conservatism lies in understanding that individual is foolish. The crowd is stupid, when acting without thinking, but the human race is always wise, and when it has enough time, he is always doing the right thing. The experience of many generations is embodied in the mores, customs and traditions. So, we must take care of this heritage: instead of getting rid of all old prejudices, we must consider them. It is dangerous to allow people to live and act with the support of just own stock of mind, because this stock of the individual is small, it is better to turn to a universal bank of knowledge accumulated for centuries by many peoples. The older the existing institution is, the more respect it deserves, as it has passed the hardest test the test of time, and absorbed the wisdom of the ancestors (Coxall & Robins 2003). Confrontation between parliamentary factions gives the necessary guarantee to preservation of the state system of Britain. Party unities, regardless of what goals they pursue in their work, are an integral part of a free state. British people by Burkes mouth gave the classic definition of a political party a group of people united by a particular, shared by everyone principles for national interests. But not only inter-party contradictions define the development of the state. Rivalry between different branches of government, each of which wished to expand its influence but is forced to reckon with other similar encroachments, provides a dynamic equilibrium for the state, and the inviolability of the rights and privileges for citizens. This balance of opposing aspirations lies at the basis of the English political system. Although the three highest state authority in Britain are of different nature the monarchy (the Crown), aristocratic (the Lords) and democratic (House of Commons) together despite their differences, are harmoniously integrated. English conservatism also recognizes divergence of interests between different social strata, in particular, stressing that income inequality is the most effective incentive to work, without which the existence of civilization is impossible. According to the conservative views the problem of poverty can be solved only gradually, with the development of production. Conservatism believes the contradictions are an inherent element of social life and art of politics is to achieve such an optimal combination of strengths and weaknesses, where even weaknesses would serve to the benefit of society. Conservatism of Great Britain denies the possibility of the existence of political organization, same suitable for all ages and nations (Clarke 1996). Institutions of each state are the result of long historical development and adaptation to national circumstances, traditions and customs of the country. Every age has its own customs, and policies are determined by them. During the conflict of Britain with its American colonies, the Conservatives called on to carry out in each of the parts of the empire management according to the nature and circumstances of local people. They believed that the government was something purely practical, designed to benefit of people rather than to ensure compliance with the schemes of politicians. Among the most serious crimes of Lord Hastings and the entire administration of the East India Company conservatives attributed assault on centuries-old way of life of local people. If you manage the inhabitants of another country, you must do it according to their norms and principles, rather than forcing them to adapt other peoples ideas. Together with the respect for the historically formed institutions British conservatism does not reject the possibility of reforming them. Life goes on, and in the new circumstances the old institutions may lose their original significance and become a hindrance to the normal functioning of the public body. In this case, even the most advanced age does not justify their preservation in old form (Coxall & Robins 2003). However, any transformation, according to conservatives, must be partial and purely pragmatic. Reform is never a change of the essence or the common device of the subject. It is nothing more than a pill directed specifically against harassing malady. In other words, here the dominant principle for conservatism is also continuity and respect for the existing realities.

Thematic Analysis of Jack Londons White Fang Essay -- Jack London Whi

Thematic Analysis of Jack London's White Fang White Fang, written by Jack London, is a wonderful adventure novel that vividly depicts the life of a wolf by the name of White Fang. Throughout the course of the novel, White Fang goes through numerous learning experiences as he interacts with humans and other wolves from Alaska around the turn of the century. Jack London uses the events that transpire during White Fang's life to illustrate that only the cunning, intelligent, and strong will be able to survive. The ideas of Darwinism and survival are reinforced by almost every action that takes place in the novel. Man is shown defeating nature through superior intelligence, a wolf cub conquers his puppy-hood, and a young wolf survives despite the hardships placed upon him by man.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the story begins, Jack London is quick to introduce his theme, but he opens the first three chapters without the main character, White Fang. Two men, named Bill and Henry, are trying to transport the body of a rich man across the frozen tundra of Alaska by sled dog, while a pack of hungry wolves is pursuing them. The wolves gradually kill off the team of dogs, and eventually Bill, in an attempt to survive the long winter. It is ironic in that both the wolves and Henry are struggling against each other for their lives. The wolves need to eat Henry to fight off their maddening hunger, and Henry needs to get rid of the wolves so he can remain living. In the end, Henry proves the victor of t...

20th Century Genius Award Essay

A nominee for the 20th Century Genius Award should be Riley B. King. King has had an integral part in the history of the blues style of music since the mid 1950s. The manner in which he plays his guitar, Lucille, and his voice are very distinguishable. His style of instrumentation has carried over to other genres of music as well. He is hail as the reigning king of the blues. Most blues guitar solos will have some of the recognizable King inspired bent notes. Riley B. King, better known as B. B. King, was born September 16, 1925 to a family of poor sharecroppers in Mississippi. King’s artistic contribution to the 20th century is music, most notably the Blues. In the blues arena, he is probably one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the history of the genre. When one hears the name B. B. King, the music of the blues immediately comes to mind. His musical motivation came from the music in his church. At first, Riley wanted to become a gospel singer. The pastor in his church taught him the basics of guitar. He then became a self taught guitarist by using instruction books he ordered through the mail. Since his arrival on the scene in the mid 1940s, King has been the definition of blues for the world wide audience. In his youth, he would play his guitar on street corners for dimes. There were nights when he would play in four towns. Riley also performed with small gospel groups. At the age of 21 hitchhiked from his home in Mississippi to Memphis to pursue his dreams in music. In 1948 King’s performance on a radio station in West Memphis launched his career. This performance turned in to regular performances at a grill in West Memphis called Sixteenth Avenue Grill and to a 10 minute time slot called â€Å"King’s Spot† on a radio station in Memphis. King’s 10 minute show was such a hit, the show was lengthened and turned in to a show called â€Å"Sepia Swing Club. † Riley decided he should have a name that was easily remembered for his radio show, so he started out with Beale Street Blues Boy. That named seemed to be too long, so he shortened it to Blues Boy King. When Blues Boy King first performed in New York, he decided to shorten his stage name to B. B. King. King has named his guitars â€Å"Lucille† after he performed at an event in Twist, AR. A couple of men began to brawl over a woman and during the brawl a stove that was fueled by kerosene was knocked over. This set fire to the building and everyone rushed out. When King realized his guitar was still inside, he risked his life to run back inside and retrieve it. After it was all said and done, he found out the two men were fighting over a lady by the name of Lucille. At that time he figured he would give the name â€Å"Lucille† to his guitars so he would remember to in no way do a foolish thing like fighting over a woman. In King’s song, â€Å"Three O’clock Blues (1951), the song begins with a four bar guitar introduction, followed by four full choruses of the twelve bar form. The third chorus is an instrumental with the guitar improvising on the harmonic progression. In this song, King sings and then plays guitar lines that serve as a response to his vocal lines. The guitar lines reproduce and expand on the vocal melody to which they answer and often use string bends to reach blue notes. An accompaniment is provided by saxophones playing notes that are long held. The drums are very quite with little or not accenting of the backbeat. Some urban sophistication in the arrangement is the occasional use of half step slides into some of the main chords of the progression. A great deal of the time, King slides down to the appropriate chord, then turns around and slides up to the tonic chord at the final beat. During his career, King has created one of the most individualistic guitar techniques in the world. He integrated his specific and intricate vocal-like string blends and his left hand vibrato. These types of instrumentation have turn out to be important works of a rock guitarist’s expression. B. B. King was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He received the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1987 and has received honorary doctorates from several universities. According to Billboard, â€Å"B. B. King has 74 entries on the Rhythm and Blues charts and he was one of the few full fledged blues artists to score a major pop hit when â€Å"The Thrill Is Gone† crossed over to the mainstream success. † King’s lyrical and expressive solo style has made a large impact on several artists in the rock genre such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix, Mike Bloomfield. B. B. King’s urban blues guitar style includes the playing of lines that are equal in importance to the lines he sings. There is no single recording that can show the brilliantness of B. B. King’s abilities as a guitarist or a singer. His interest in playing melodic lines rather than chordal accompaniments is quite obvious in several of his numbers. King has performed as a featured soloist with jazz bands and groups of all sizes. He has also performed with large orchestral string sections playing arrangements of blues songs. Considering what B. B. King has done for the art of blues music, the accomplishments he has had during his career, and the influence he has had on the various genres of music, his contributions to the blues music will continue to impact the music industries for years to come. For these reasons, B. B. Kind should be considered for nomination for the 20th Century Genius Award. References (April 03, 2008). B. B. King. Retrieved April 10, 2008, from Academy of Achievement Web site:  http://www.achievement.org/

Hmongs Epilepsy and Americans Epilepsy Essays - Free Essays

Hmongs Epilepsy and Americans Epilepsy Essays - Free Essays Hieu Nguyen English 111 Writing Essay Hmongs Epilepsy and Americans Epilepsy Mar 14, 2016 Hmongs Epilepsy and Americans Epilepsy Science and culture are two different fields but they usually affect mutual. According to theconversation.com, " First, that people of non-western cultures may come to western medicine holding different beliefs about the causes and treatments of illness from those of scientific medicine, causing a culture clash between doctor and patient" (theconversation.com). Sometimes, a different culture is hard for doctors to help their patients. An example is Hmong people in America. Hmong people believe in a shaman, who has the power to heal any diseases. Hmong people have particular ways to help their epilepsy patients. In the past, the Hmong had a separate way to cure epilepsy, but in the current century the Hmong have had a revolution in their beliefs regarding epilepsy. Hmongs culture appeared in ancient times. They mostly live near the border between China, Vietnam, and Laos. According to hmongculture.net, 1810 - Hmong people cross the borders of China into Northern Laos (hmongculture.net). They live in mountainous areas because they think it will protect them from danger. 1976 - The first wave of Hmong immigrants begin to arrive in the United States (hmongculture.net). This was a big step for the Hmong people. In this country, they had to learn a new language and find jobs. Also, in this country, everything is very different culture to their country. "2004 - Another larger group of Hmong people arrives in the United States. There is a steady flow every year in the area of 1000-5000 immigrants" (hmongculture.net). In this century, America keeps accepting Hmong immigrants, because they want provide the opportunity to get a better life in their country. Anne Fadiman is an author, essayist, editor, and teacher. Anne Fadiman has a famous book, it is THE SPIRIT CATCHES YOU AND YOU FALL DOWN is a book written by Anne Fadiman. In this book, Anne Fadiman teaches us about the Hmong medical culture in America. The main actor in her story is Lia, who was born in a Hmong family. Lia's was diagnosed with epilepsy when her family took her to a hospital. Her family did not believe in the diagnoses from the doctors and nurses. Her parents thought her disease was from a spirit in her family. They believed they had to invite a good shaman in their village to help her. According to Anne Fadiman, "They recognized the resulting symptoms as qaug dab peg, which means the spirit catches you and you fall down (Fadiman, 20). A doctor at the hospital tried to investigate Lia's disease history. The doctor wrote, The patient is an 8 month, Hmong female, whose family brought her to the emergency room after they had noticed her shaking and not breathing very we ll for a 20-minute period of time (Fadiman, 28). The author also tells us how Lia's parents talked to her doctors with broken English. They had to use another Hmong person, with marginally better English, to translate. This language barrier presented another challenge for her parents to believe the American doctors. Hmong medical culture is different from American medical culture. In the Hmong tradition, every illness is from the soul. Epilepsy is included as an illness of spirit. Western science teaches doctors and nurses to use medicine, but Hmong people use their Shamans to heal their patients. In the Hmong language, they have different words to call epilepsy. According to Anne Fadiman, In Hmong-English dictionaries, qaug dab peg is generally translated as epilepsy (Fadiman, 20). This word is the name of the spirit Hmong people think is the sources. Epilepsy is a famous illness in Hmong village. It is a very serious and potentially dangerous condition. According to Anne Fadiman, Their seizures are thought to be evidence that they have the power to perceive things other people cannot see, as well as facilitating their entry into trances, a prerequisite for their journeys into the realm of the unseen ( Fadiman,21). However, in American culture doctors and nurses have a different idea about this illness. According to medicinenet.com, Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally causing strange sensations, emotions, and behavior,