William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice - 1970 Words

It is a recurrence with Shakespeare’s plays that the titles are reflective of the protagonists featured within. For example, the famous titles of Julius Caesar and Hamlet tell the tragedies of those respective characters. However, when it comes to William Shakespeare’s fourteenth play, The Merchant of Venice, it can be argued that Antonio, the merchant, is not who the play is about. In fact, there is not just one character, but instead multiple that fit the description of the protagonist. The main plot, or rather plots, of the play revolve around four different characters, each possessing the qualities of a protagonist. Antonio, Shylock, Bassanio and Portia are all profound and interesting characters, are essential to the plot and have a perpetual goal for the entirety of the play. Antonio is often considered the protagonist of the play as it is titled after him. There is also much evidence in the play’s content that supports this. The play begins with Antonio sp eaking to Salarino and Salanio. Antonio speaks of his sadness and confesses that he doesn’t know the origin of his sorrow, â€Å"In sooth I know not why I am so sad./It wearies me, you say it wearies you† (I, ii : 1-2). As Antonio speaks of his emotions, his character is distinguished as a noble christian with great sadness hidden within. It is never clearly mentioned what the source of his sadness is, however, it becomes apparent later on in the play that he has no love in his life, which could possibly be whatShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice Essay1624 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare s comedy The Merchant of Venice uses contrasting religions to draw out major themes through the ethnic divides that are exemplified. The play expresses the extreme cultural divide between the Jews and Christians through a legal contract between two men. The rivalry between the two men, Shylock and Antonio is clear from the beginning of the play and o nly intensifies as it continues on. Modern day readers most likely take away a slightly different message from the play than whatRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1320 Words   |  6 Pagesghetto, and were treated as inferior to the rest of the city. William Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice exhibits the prejudicial attitudes of his era. Antonio, a Christian merchant, makes a deal with Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Shylock uses it as an opportunity to exact revenge by demanding a pound of Antonio’s flesh if he does not meet his end of the bargain. By pitting the majority of his characters against Shylock, Shakespeare portrays Shylock in a way that discriminates against all JewsRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice2269 Words   |  10 PagesSamantha Hansen ENG 314 Brother Brugger 12.15.14 The Question of Shylock It is hard to read The Merchant of Venice without finding at least one character to sympathize with. The unforgettable villain Shylock as well as Portia, Shakespeare’s first and one of his most famous heroines are arguably some of this plays most beloved characters. But, is Shylock really the villain? Or is he a victim of circumstance? Shylock’s insistence for a pound of flesh has made him one of literatures most memorableRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1315 Words   |  6 PagesIn The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare the play is based upon the hierarchy between Christian men and Jewish men. A character by the name of Bassanio borrows money from his friend Antonio, and Antonio borrows the money from Shylock to give to Bassanio. Eventually, Antonio cannot pay the money back because his ships have supposedly sunk. Therefore, he comes close to death because he signed a bond with Shylock stating that Shylock would get a pound of his flesh if t he bond was not repaidRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1532 Words   |  7 Pagesuseless dialogue can make readers skip over what seems like a false beginning to a good story. But think about this: what if those seemingly lengthy, extra, useless words were actually important? For example, the opening 115 lines of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice are provide minimal support to the story at first glance. In these lines, Antonio and his friends are discussing the dynamics of happiness and sadness in order to find the root of Antonio’s sad mood. This portion of the play givesRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Merchant Of Venice988 Words   |  4 PagesAs I finished reading Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare, I realized that the struggle of the play gyrates around whether justice is truly served and is morality advocated or manipulated by those in authority. The struggle between the principles of justice have caused many readers to question the interaction between the definition of morality and justice. The bond that causes readers to take a closer look throughout the play originates from Shylock’s desire for vengeance and Antonio’s desireRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1532 Words   |  7 Pagesfundamentalist Americans. The ills of money-lending from the Eastern perspective have been fodder for Western literature for centuries, replete with illustrations that mirror the differences and similarities in East-West cultural norms. In William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, money-lending has gone awry. In Act I, Scene iii, the Italian Antonio seeks to borrow 3,000 ducats from the Jewish Shylock, and Shylock intends to charge him interest, which is against Jewish economic-religious principles (BateRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice Essay1275 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is so alike to our financially afflicted world. The rules of law and commerce are subject to deceptive manipulation, fear of the other overwhelms respect for a common humanity, duplicity is the norm, sexuality is a vehicle for ambition, and money drives and wraps almost every action. It is a classic tale that includes important details of the financial crisis in the Unit ed States during 2007-2009. Shakespeare’s Venice, like the New York of his time - and theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice2059 Words   |  9 Pagesin The Merchant of Venice resembles a folktale known as â€Å"A Pound of Flesh† (325). Artese supports his supposition with background context and parallels between the two story lines. Literary versions of the pound of flesh story circulated during the sixteenth century and were collected since the nineteenth century because of the plot’s longevity and populairity Shakespeare would have been familiar with pound of flesh stories (326). Human commodification is a central issue in both The Merchant of VeniceRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice1616 Words   |  7 PagesThe Merchant of Venice offers another unique perspective on crossdressing as it existed on the English Renaissance stage. Howard suggests that Portia’s crossdressing is â€Å"more disruptive than Violaâ€⠄¢s† (Howard, p. 433) because Portia herself was an unruly woman to begin with. Portia has become the master of her own destiny with the passing of her father, for she is referred to as the Lord of Belmont now that no man exists to fill such a role. What remains of the patriarchal authority, particularly

The Jungle A Close Examination Essay - 2731 Words

There are a million people, men and women and children, who share the curse of the wage-slave; who toil every hour they can stand and see, for just enough to keep them alive; who are condemned till the end of their days to monotony and weariness, to hunger and misery, to heat and cold, dirt and disease, to ignorance and drunkenness and vice! And then turn them over to me, and gaze upon the other side of the picture. There are a thousand-ten thousand, maybe-who are master of these slaves, who own their toil. They do nothing to earn what they receive, they do not even have to ask for it-it comes to them of itself, their only care is to dispose of it. They live in such palaces, they riot in luxury and extravagance-such as no words can†¦show more content†¦Also, Jurgis is paid five dollars to pick up paychecks for imaginary city workers. Later in the novel, Jurgis becomes involved in the political machine. He finds that he becomes one of the henchmen for the political powers in the packing yards. After he gets put in jail, he is forced to buy is way out, which costs him everything he has. After he is forced to live like a vagabond again, he feels an inadequacy about his life, an empty feeling. He misses how he used to live extravagantly, and wonders how he could have lived without it.Another character that finds the evils of capitalism is Marija, who is forced in a life of prostitution and drug use due to the competitive nature of capitalism. When she first tries to get a job in the meat plants, she needs to bribe the forewomen in order to get the job. Also while Marija is trying to support the family without Jurgis, she is led to a life of prostitution because it is the only job she can obtain. While living in the brothel, she acquires a morphine addiction. While she lives in the brothel, she finds that living there was unexpected consequences, such as having to pay for living there, which amounts to basically the entire paycheck. She soon finds out that she cannot support her family due to the capitalist mindset in Chicago. She figures that being a whore is a better than having to starve and liveShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis Of Rudyard Kipling s The Jungle Books 1275 Words   |  6 PagesRudyard Kipling with both the protagonists suffering from identity crisis by means of a close reading. In this study, I found out that both the novels have an autobiographical element of identity crisis. In the Jungle Books, Kipling confronts his young male audience with the reality of death and violence, in order to turn them into efficient rulers. The law of jungle plays an important role in this. The law of jungle was meant to be practical, not moral. I elaborately discussed Mowgli’s identity betweenRead MoreA White Heron and the Beast In The Jungle: A Comparison Essay785 Words   |  4 PagesComparing and contrasting Jewetts Sylvy in quot;A White Heronquot; with May Bartram of Jamess quot;The Beast in the Junglequot; proves to be an interesting task. How can two such unlike characters be so alike. Only on close examination do these common threads appear. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In the story quot;A White Heron,quot; Sylvy is presented as a young, pre- adolescent girl, living in the country with her grand mother. They are very isolated to themselves, living fairly simpleRead MoreEssay on Critical Circumstances of the Vietnam War1607 Words   |  7 Pagesrole (or lack thereof) in the War. Through the literary works and the characters, both fictional and non-fictional, that will be highlighted, one will be able to see a first-person perspective of the war through the eyes of differing people. This examination hopes to place further clarity on the positions of both the Americans and the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War, while also providing additional insight behind living through the war experience. VIETNAMESE INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES DuringRead MoreA Report On The Vietnam War1419 Words   |  6 PagesThe Vietnam War started on November 1, 1955. 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era. Those that went into the war zone suffered, not only from wounds but also from a variety of jungle diseases and malnutrition. One of the few sources of clean water came from water purification tanks at Vietnamese refugee camps.Preventive medicine teams worked to control rodent and insect infestations, spray for malarial mosquitoes, and purify unclean water. Navy medical personnelRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1704 Words   |  7 PagesThe U.S. started sending combat forces in 1965 (Tucker). Thereafter, the number of troops continued to increase, in the article, â€Å"Vietnam War,† the author comments, â€Å"At the end of 1964, about 23,500 Americans had been serving in Vietnam, but by the close of 1968, that number would grow to 525,000 in a steady stream of additional deployments† (Tucker). Thousands of Americans were sent to serve in the war, and after only four years that number went up to hundreds of thousands American soldiers. InitiallyRead MoreEllis Island First Person Creative Essay1011 Words   |  5 Pagescleaned. Dirt and mud sat on the floor. Many passengers caught diseases. I stayed healthy but I wondered if the more sick would make it into America. Now focusing on some of the more tasteful parts of the voyage. Im normally quite shy. Living so close to others breeds annoyance and irritation, especially towards those others, but I did make a few friends. There was this bouncy girl, also from Spain, called Carlotta. She spoke Portuguese as well as Spanish and introduced me to her good friend SanchoRead MoreFood Products And Its Effects On The Context1722 Words   |  7 Pagescontent of meat products, similarly, is not doctored or minimized to the degree that Sinclair found a century earlier. In microscopic examinations of commercial meat products, skeletal muscle content was perhaps a lower proportion than might be implied by the ingredients list, but all other animal content were tissues that would not be unreasonable to find in close association with skeletal muscle. The risk of becoming ill as a direct result of product consumption has taken a different form in today’sRead MoreEnglish Language1951 Words   |  8 Pagesw w w e tr .X m eP e ap UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS International General Certificate of Secondary Education .c rs om 0500/22 FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH Paper 2 Reading Passages (Extended) Additional Materials: * 6 1 2 9 3 6 9 5 7 9 * October/November 2011 2 hours Answer Booklet/Paper READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST If you have been given an Answer Booklet, follow the instructions on the front cover of the Booklet. Write your Centre number, candidate number andRead MoreAnalysis Of Cat s Cradle 1554 Words   |  7 Pagesturns out, is almost all the time. In the first half of the novel, â€Å"Jonah† travels to a small town named Ilium to learn more about the late Dr. Felix Hoenikker, a scientist who helped develop the atomic bomb, from the people close to him. What follows is Vonnegut’s close examination on the effects of pure science on society -- while Felix had a knack for science, that was all. His son Newt recalls that â€Å"He was one of the best-protected human beings who ever lived. People couldn t get at him becauseRead MoreFilm Review : Blood Diamond1687 Words   |  7 Pagesstereotypical identity of whites, described by Bell Hooks in her book Black Looks: Race and Representation as â€Å"terrorists...who enter the segregated space of blacks† for their purposes of â€Å"economic exploitation† (2014: 170). However, the film’s examination of race becomes much more complex with its introduction of Captain Poison and the RUF. Captain Poison either ignores or does not realize the tragic irony with which he delivers rhetoric in glorification of his black brothers’ new freedom from slavery

Biblical analysis on genesis and exodus Essay Example For Students

Biblical analysis on genesis and exodus Essay After Adam and Eve the Hebrew ancestry grew on the shoulders of Abraham. From there we learn of the many books that comprise and make up the collection of stories that is The Bible. Depending on who you ask, The Bible according to the first full English translation (, King James Version,) construes the Old Testament and the New Testament, and in the process offers information for guidance and faith. What ultimately leads countless people to believe and religiously care for the works in this book solely is determined upon the readers perception and dogmatic beliefs. Of course none of this translates into why the Bible remains the most widely read book of all time. Morality, creation of time, and the purpose of life associate and form the backbone. These themes incorporated, through poems, hymns, proverbs, and dictations, enrapture the reader, even atheists, for the styles utilized gives the moral book a place on the shelf of every individual who can read and write. Genesis, Exodus, Job, and Matthew are a few selections that begin to explain the creation of time into the lineage of Jesus Christ. Now what prompts a sensible individual to believe that Eve was created by Adams rib or the devil took form into a snake, which lost its upright standing, in more ways than one? The use of allegories, aphorisms, parables, and proverbs place a broader meaning left for the reader to interpret the best it applies to them. Though some translate it literally, the masses understand it on its basis, uniquely, and the originators of this text simply wrote to enlighten and encourage despite religious preference. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, so the story goes into distinct and simple details of how earth was formed. God proceeded to create the great sea monsters and every living soul that moves about, with an air of nonchalance, stories told and retold were written and convinces the reader that this is exactly how it occurred. No room for questioning, Genesis continues in explaining the ancestry of Adam and Eve and Abraham. Gods contract with Abraham, God said that Abraham would be the father of many nations and that Abraham and his descendants should circumsize the male babies on the eighth day after birth to seal the contract, rules applied stray away from conventional history but go under the verisimilitude of truth. The explanation of morality and the changes God had to undergo displays itself in the story of Noahs Ark. †¦ the earth is full of violence as a result of them; and here I am bringing them to ruin together with the earth, God, the principal charac ter, shows his disapproving side of an immoral society. Through Noah, the righteous man, God regenerates the population from suitable ancestors and brings the immoral society a new image. In doing this, the observant reader understands that moral stability is the role he or she must play or they may risk certain death physically and spiritually. Though Gods admittance of not repeating this form of punishment if things do not turn to his liking, he uses the rainbow to signify all that ended will not repeat, giving a sign that stubbornness and learning from history must be achieved for a society to thrive. All this said in so many words. Having understood this, the future links Moses, who he himself has sinned, with the bearing of the Ten Commandments. Immorality reigned supreme again, and when Moses begged for God to give him a replacement for the tablets destroyed earlier one wonders if God would trust and accept an offer placed before him- with the promises of the people obedience should God risk his making another set of tablets. Carve out for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I must write upon the tablets the words that appeared on the first tablets, which you shattered, hence the rules and guidelines to acting and playing the role of an upright citizen devoted to God is given once more. The purpose to living and showing devotion to God is questioned by Job and he feels the adverse effects of doing so. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the Name of the Lord be praised, and Job embarks on his routine not having the best of situations. The Book of Job points out that suffering or wealth should not be directly related to sin: sometimes good people suffer and sometimes bad people prosper. This realization lends itself to the birth of Jesus Christ who, in Matthew, wrestles with individuals in giving pointed tips on how their lives should run its course. Jesus had many statements regarding how to live; some important ones were: Bu t I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also†¦And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by menBut when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Direct statements and the existence of Jesus paralleled with the acknowledgment of his stature in common society add fire to the embers of the purpose and convert ability of this book. .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb , .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .postImageUrl , .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb , .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:hover , .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:visited , .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:active { border:0!important; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:active , .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4029becbc725eb4a4d7e884ab9e4efcb:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Colorado River EssayThe Bible, in ancient Hebrew, simply translates to a collection of books. These collections of stories go far beyond in asserting the faith and well-being of a volatile and unconventional society- a melting pot of cultures changing through the generations. One can perceive how a group of people can gather and relate on one item- this item the Bible. For the reason can only contribute itself to the way the Bible is handled, past through time, and taken down to scripture. Genesis, Exodus, Job, and Matthew summarize the important proverbs that have captured the attention of people, stemming from the Roman Catholic Church to the Lutherans, since the beginni ng of recorded time to the presence of modern sects beneath an established religious organization which incorporate the same beliefs. The only difference: with sophistication. Used and affiliated with numerous religious organizations, the Bible has undergone the test of time and considered to be the ultimate in theories of how the universe was created, as well as a study guide on the meaning of life. Despite the Darwins and Castros, many still turn to the Bible for inspiration and purpose. All of this achieved by the dogmatism, installation of guidelines, and universal perception of morality that made this book a religious experience for many.

The Art of Forgiveness free essay sample

I’ve often been taught that God moves in mysterious ways, and that He speaks to us through a canvas of sky and a language of love. With love comes trial and tribulation, and upon overcoming these, the heart develops a new kind of strength. Some people have a defining moment in which they have a revelation about this love, and ultimately, about their character. My moment came on the fifth day of a rainy December. Reluctantly, I stepped off the afternoon bus and into a thick atmosphere. With effortless, instigating talent, the wind whispered some of my flaws. Cowardice. Selfishness. Grief plagued my mind, and I did the only thing I had known to do for the past five years. I retreated to my bedroom; my sanctuary, with an armful of oil pastels and an endless pulse of memories. December 1st of 2001, my baby brother was born under fatal circumstances. We will write a custom essay sample on The Art of Forgiveness or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Lack of oxygen rendered him lifeless for nine minutes. Resuscitation proved to be a miracle; however that did not save him from serious heart and brain trauma. After seeing the furrowed brows of several medical professionals, my parents decided to pull the plug on December 5th. I was in fourth grade at that time, and had never previously experienced the death of a family member. The expression on my ten year old face must have been one of both disbelief and incredible confusion. After the initial shock, our household had reasonably succumbed to a state of depression. As my vision clouded with the dark tapestries and umbrellas of the burial, my hand responded with the smudge of charcoal on a blank canvas. Art has always been a path of relief and self expression for me. In this instance, my neutral usage depicted the numbness I felt. What began as abstract shapes and lines took a symmetrical turn. Before I knew it, I was creating the patterns and features of Jeremiah’s perfectl y sculpted face. Subtle movements for his long, baby eyelashes and soft gestures for his hidden cheekbones provoked a sensation I hadn’t felt since the funeral. My sketches came to life in a flicker of imagination. His newborn gaze shifted toward the artist, his arms came into view, and small hands reached out off the paper to link life and death. I sat helplessly on the edge of my bed with the thought of him invading my senses. I sad wordlessly at the hurt I had tuned out for so long; the same hurt that was bleeding out of my portrait and staining my fingers hueless. My eyes wandered out the window to a cemetery just down the street. Jeremiah rested footsteps away from my front door in a place where birds withheld their song. He had seen a collection of serious faces showing respect in a strictly business-like fashion, but what of his family? His sister sat comfortably in a house on a hill, with no concern for her past actions. I jumped out of my position to fix what was bro ken. Along with the circulating storm overhead, a sickening feeling circulated in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to run back inside and embrace the security I was accustomed to. Stubbornly, my feet would not submit. My mind screamed at its disobedient exterior until I reached the iron entrance to the cemetery. All was still. In the general location of his tiny tombstone, I began to scan the names. Baker. Cooper. Yates. Stone and marble figures loomed above, watching my every move. Adams. Oaks. Whitehouse. Another gust of wind nearly knocked the breath out of me. Jones. Ellis†¦Johnson, it read. Jeremiah Johnson. December 1st, 2001, to December 5th, 2001. Clean and crisp, the engraved letters spelled out a message from my mother. My Sweet Jeremiah. I sat eye-level to his memorial stone, unsure of what to expect from myself. The air came to an uncomfortable halt. â€Å"Thought I’d see how you’re doing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I bit my bottom lip in embarrassment. How was I s upposed to address this situation sensibly? How could I reach my closure in a way that was predictable and formal? Everyone else seemed to have mastered this technique, why couldn’t I? I tried again. â€Å"I’m sorry I missed your birthday†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My eyes glazed over. I had so many thoughts to express, and no words to say them with. I was at war within myself; my heart for justice, my mind for contentment. I closed my eyes and bit my tongue. It was then that I got an answer to my question, and then that I began to release my feelings for the first time. Just let go. Ever fiber of my being reacted to these three words collectively. Years of self conflict exploded in an incoherent babble, and I collapsed face-first into the dirt. I screamed and spat until I had to gasp for air. I apologized to Jeremiah for refusing to accept his death. I apologized to my friends and family for passing judgment on whatever ways they were able to cope. I repented for blaming God in a situation where I needed Him the most. I surrendered my body and soul, both works of art, and He gave me the strength I needed to lift myself off the ground. Anyone within hearing distance could tell it was a visitation long overdue. Some people may consider my resolution that day an act of humiliation, but I disagree. I had passed a test of strength, and the wind no longer had the authority to whisper to me my flaws. Recognizing me as a worthy opponent, it swept in a gift on inspiration. Water droplets plummeted from competing rain clouds. I wordlessly witnessed the transaction of art from Heaven to Earth. That day, I found beauty in the art of forgiveness.

Ten Most Common Trees in the United States

Ten Most Common Trees in the United States A United States Forest Service report called the Checklist of Native and Naturalized Trees suggests that there may be more than 865 different species of trees in the United States. Here are the 10 most commonplace native trees in the United States, based on several Federal surveys of tree species stem count, and are listed here in order of estimated numbers of trees by species: Red Maple or  (Acer rubrum)   Red maple is the most common tree in North America and lives in diverse climates and habitats, mainly in the eastern United States.  Acer rubrum  is a prolific seeder and readily sprouts from the stump which makes it ubiquitous  in both the  forest and in the urban landscape. Loblolly Pine or  (Pinus taeda)   Also called bull pine and old-field pine, Pinus taeda is the most widely planted pine tree in the eastern coastal states. Its natural range stretches  from east Texas to the pine barrens of New Jersey and is the dominant pine tree harvested for paper and solid wood produces. Sweetgum or  (Liquidambar styraciflua)   Sweetgum is one of the most aggressive pioneer  tree species and quickly takes over abandoned fields and unmanaged cut-over forests. Like red maple, it will comfortably grow on many sites including wetlands, dry uplands and hill country up to 2,600. It is sometimes planted as an ornamental but out of favor because of the spiky fruit that collects underfoot in the landscape. Douglas Fir or  (Pseudotsuga menziesii)   This tall fir of the North American west is only surpassed in height by the redwood. It can grow on both moist and dry sites and covers coastal and mountain slopes from 0 to 11,000. Several varieties of  Pseudotsuga menziesii, including the coastal Douglas fir of the Cascade Mountains and the Rocky Mountain Douglas fir of the Rockies. Quaking Aspen or  (Populus tremuloides)   Although not as numerous in stem count as red maple,  Populus tremuloides is the most widely distributed tree in North America spanning the entire northern portion of the continent. It is also called a keystone tree species because of its importance in diverse forest ecosystems within its large range. Sugar Maple  or (Acer saccharum)   Acer saccharum  is often called the star of eastern North Americas autumn foliage show and very common in the region. Its leaf shape is the emblem of the  Dominion of  Canada and the tree is the staple of  the Northeast maple syrup industry.   Balsam Fir  (Abies balsamea)   Like quaking aspen and with a similar range, balsam fir is the most widely distributed fir  in North America and the primary component of the Canadian boreal forest.  Abies balsamea  thrives on moist, acid and organic soils in swamps and on mountains to 5,600. Flowering Dogwood  (Cornus florida)   Flowering dogwood is one of the most common understory  hardwoods you will see in both hardwood and coniferous forests in eastern North America. It is also one of the most common of small trees in the urban landscape. It will grow from sea level to nearly 5,000. Lodgepole Pine  (Pinus contorta)   This pine is in abundance, particularly in western Canada and the Pacific Northwestern portion of the United States. Pinus contorta is prolific throughout the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and extends to southern California. It is a pine tree of the mountains and grows to an elevation of 11,000 feet. White Oak  (Quercus alba)   Quercus alba can grow on the most fertile of bottomlands to the most sterile of mountain slopes. White oak is a survivor and grows in a wide range of habitats. It is an oak that inhabits coastal forests to the woodlands along the mid-western prairie region.

Year Round Schooling

Year Round Schooling Free Online Research Papers The end of summer vacations is what most people think of when year round education is brought up. But is that all that it is about? Is year round schooling a better environment for students? Are those students smarter than students in traditional learning environments? Is it more cost effective? For everyone involved in the education system from parents and students to educators and administration, the issue of year-round schooling brings a passionate response from people both for and against it. So just what is a year round education exactly? A typical American school operates on a ten month system. This system was originally established during a time that children were often needed to work in the fields during the summer. Since then times have changed. Many people desire to disregard this system entirely and move to a year round education. Its important to understand that most students in year-round schools attend school the same number of days, usually 180 days, as students in traditional nine-month schools. So for most students there is no advantage of additional time in the classroom. Year round schools spread their 180 days out differently with small breaks between each term. The most popular example of year round education is the 45-15 plan. This has students attending school 45 days and then getting three weeks (15 days) off. The normal breaks, holiday and spring, are still built into this calendar. There are several popular arguments used by those who are for year round education. Some believe that students forget a lot of what they have learned during the summer and that shorter vacations might increase retention rates. There are also some people who suggest that schools that are not being used in the summer are inefficient. There is also the argument that other countries around the world use this system. However, the major benefit of year round schooling appears to that it facilitates continuous learning as the students are not out of school for a long period of time. As a result, the students tend to forget less over the shorter breaks, and teachers spend less time reviewing material. Just as there are several popular arguments for year round education there are several popular arguments against year round schooling as well. There seems to be a major inconvenience to families with children who are in need of child care during the multiple breaks in schooling. It is also more complicated for families to plan vacations. Some people argue that students are going to forget information whether they are out of school for three weeks or ten. It also is a concern to many that student summer employment will be virtually impossible as will summer camps and vacation bible schools among the other typical summer activities of children. The major reason stated by the majority of those who oppose year round education is that their children are in need of a longer break because they are so busy during the typical school year with sports and other extracurricular activities. Summer vacations give children a chance to simply be children. The studies comparing the year round to the traditional schedule are problematic because they are inconclusive. For one thing, it is difficult to isolate the year round calendar as the reason for any positive or negative results. The fact is that the biggest gains were made in schools that were truly trying to improve the overall quality of education. Implementing the year round schedule was just one of their efforts to achieve this end. If students, teachers, and parents are not supportive of the new schedule, it is bound to fail. If they are making their decisions based solely on funding they are quite possibly setting the system up for failure. Schools that are investigating year round education need to decide what they are trying to accomplish and whether a new calendar will move them further towards their goals. Ultimately, it appears that there is simply not one better way of schooling than another, but two separate forms of schooling which provide a proper education to its students. For both types of schooling the children and the quality of their education is priority. References Cribbs, Jonathan (18 October). Parents support year-round schedule: Group makes itself heard at school board meeting. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News,1. Retrieved December 15, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Dateline database. (Document ID: 1161237171). Coulter, Phyllis (3 September). Year-Round Schooling On The Rise. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News,1. Retrieved December 15, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Dateline database. (Document ID: 1120936861). Frost, Peter (23 February). Parents oppose calendar change. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News,1. Retrieved December 15, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Dateline database. (Document ID: 1221801481). Lyons, Linda (2002). Can we learn from year-round schooling? The Gallup Poll Tuesday Briefing,56. Retrieved December 15, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 283846531). Should school be year-round? (2003, September). Junior Scholastic, 106(1), 5. Retrieved December 15, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 410098721). Research Papers on Year Round SchoolingCo-Educational vs. Single Sex SchoolsStandardized TestingDistance Learning Survival GuideThe Mechanics of Grading Grading SystemsThe Broken FamilyProbation OfficersBooker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-BarnettEmmett Till BiographyMy Writing ExperienceExempt vs Non-Exempt Employees

Acts of Faith Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Acts of Faith - Essay Example In this book, the author talks about various identity related issues that young Muslim immigrant generation faces in America. The author tries to find a perfect balance between the life of a Muslim and a fully American person. A person taking birth in America comes usually faces identity crisis because he/she has to cope with the challenge of finding the real identity out of the pool of incomplete identities. In this book, the author has mentioned that in the process of finding his true self, he experienced different aspects of a mixed culture. For example, the author was taking inspirations from people from other religions and had relations with Mormon and Jewish women. Practicing a different religion (Buddhism), having parents from some other religion (Islam), and discovering roots in some other culture (Indian Culture) are the basic elements of this book. This book is mainly for such immigrants who are in despair or feel alienated about their future. In a world full of fundamentalist aggression and noticeable religious division, this book provides a way and hope for people to find their real self, as well as a direction towards their future. I think this book is a good source of hope for people taking birth and growing up in America as Muslim immigrants. In general, such people face difficulty in finding their origin in terms of culture and region because they live in a Western culture that does not hold the same cultural or religious values as of their real cultures and religions. In some cases, they face identity crisis in their whole lives. This book provides them with some hope to find their identities while living in a different society. One of the main challenges for a second generation Muslim immigrant is to find the roots of his/her own religion and culture after facing a series of rejections all through his/her adolescence and early adulthood. This book can help such