Great Expectations Essay Example for Free

Great Expectations Essay This shows just how angry she is about being dumped. In Havisham Carol Ann Duffy makes miss Havisham seem less than human in many ways, first of all she degrades her by not giving her a proper title, just Havisham not Miss Havisham just Havisham this makes her seem in an under class, then she says that she spent whole days cawing nooooo this makes her seem like a crow as a crow caws, also the crow is an ugly bird so this makes miss Havisham seem even worse. In both Great Expectations and Havisham miss Havisham is shown as an evil old woman, however her appearance is described more shockingly in Great Expectations as miss Havisham is described through the eyes of a small child, Pip. In Havisham she is described through her own eyes, also her description in Great Expectations was of her appearance, her white hair, the yellowing dress e. t. c and in Havisham it is more so her feelings and not so much to do with her appearance. Great Expectations was wrote in a time when gothic novels were very popular, for example Bram Stockers Dracula or Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, also The Castle of Otranto by Mrs Radcliffe, as a result of this Mrs Havisham is portrayed in a very gothic way, as when Pip first sees her he compares her to a waxwork, see was very similar to a waxwork I remember having once seen that quite scared me also because Great Expectations was written a lot earlier than Havisham so Charles Dickens will have been a lot more restricted with the language he could use. You can see this as in Havisham Carol Ann Duffy describes miss Havisham making love to her fianci then biting off his manhood, Charles Dickens would never had dreamed of putting that in his novel so it shows that the two pieces of writing are different not just because of the authors styles or format but also because of the social and historical context. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Great Expectations section.

Life Behind the Veil in Du Bois The Souls of Black Folk Essay

Life Behind the Veil in Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folk Du Bois' metaphor of double consciousness and his theory of the Veil are the most inclusive explanation of the ever-present plight of modern African Americans ever produced. In his nineteenth century work, The Souls of Black Folks, Du Bois describes double consciousness as a "peculiar sensation. . . the sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity" (Du Bois, 3). According to Du Bois assertions, the Black American exists in a consistent "twoness, - an American, a Negro"(3). Further, he theorizes, the African American lives shut behind a veil, viewing from within and without it. He is privy to white America's perspective of him, yet he cannot reveal his true self. He is, in fact, protected and harmed by The Veil. Nearly a century later, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., himself a Harvard scholar, addresses the anomaly of the Afro-American as he has existed for the past two centuries; that the Black American's greatest obstacle is the lack of self determination. The inability to define oneself will undoubtedly lead to an unhealthy dependence upon the definition of a biased party that will apply an erroneous definition. Gates states that "the Afro American's attempt to gain self-consciousness in a racist society will always be impaired by the fact that any reflected image that he or she seeks in the gaze of white Americans is refracted through 'the dark veil-mirror of existence'..."(Du Bois, xx). Since 1945, in what is defined by literary scholars as the Contemporary Period, it appears that the "refracted public image"(xx) whites hold of blacks continues to necessitate ... ...one existing trapped within the view of hegemonic society; angry, but powerless so long as he remains in this state. Yet Sanchez provides a succinct plan for Black Americans in their quest to ascend the Veil: to exist as both African and American while feeding white America a pacifying view of a half truth-destruction fueled by deadly ignorance. The speakers of the poems are merely victims of the same system, seeking the same freedom. While the works of these authors differ greatly, one characteristic is common in both works: The desire for power to ascend the Veil that hangs heavily upon them like a cloak that prevents their ascension. The desire to live beyond the Veil. Works Cited Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. New York: Bantam, 1989 Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heeath Anthology of American Literature: Volume Two. New York: Houghton Mifflin Inc., 1996

Public Support for Chartism Essay

Which is more important in explaining the public support for Chartism: economic circumstances, or the tradition of radical politics? To explain the rise of the chartist political movement and the public support it received we need to consider the two main contributing factors at the time. Historians like Asa Briggs, W.W. Rostow and Gareth Steadman-Jones take differing views on which was the most important explanation for the dramatic rise in public support for the chartist movement. Briggs agreed with an economic based reason and Steadman-Jones agreed with the radical new policies that Chartism offered being the main reason for the growth in support for the movement. This essay will explore these two views and try to identify which is the most important. There is evidence of early political reformers dating back to the 1740’s, all wanting universal male suffrage and many of them agreed with parts of the charter. But, due to the French revolution in 1789 and the ongoing war between France and Britain, political change was resisted in case any of these events were repeated. The war had left Britain facing harsh economic circumstances and deep political divides. When Chartism was at its height economic issues were a major problem throughout the poor and working classes. These economic circumstances were a major factor in gaining support for the chartist movement. W.W. Rostow studied this connection to see whether this was a reoccurring theme. He gathered evidence to argue that economic problems caused tension in the lower and working classes. When economic pressures were low the tensions felt by the lower and working classes were low. This is shown in figure 17 graph of social tension 1790-1850 (Stevenson. J. (1978) Longman Atlas of Modern British History, London, Longman p.159). [pic] Looking at the graph it shows well the peaks and troughs of the economic downturns fitted in with the protests for parliamentary reforms and the peaks of chartist activities. One such parliamentary reform was the national petition of 1842 ‘†¦..your petitioners can produce evidence of the gradual decline of wages, at the same time that the constant increase of national burdens†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Parliamentary debates (1842) third series, vol. 1xii, cols. 1376 – 1381). This statement shows that economic conditions were crucial to the public support of Chartism as so many of the working class were seen as poor and in poverty. The cost of living and food increased whilst wages stayed low causing poverty and in turn Ill health and starvation. Dorothy Thompson’s view of the support for Chartism was ‘†¦why the British workers responded to hunger by forming a nationwide movement around a political programme†¦.’ (Thompson, 1971. P11-12). Thi s view of Thompson’s clearly links together both the economic situation and the increase of radical political ideas suggesting that the economy might have been struggling at the time but the main support for Chartism was rooted in the deeper political issues that were effecting Britain at the time. Gareth Steadman-Jones was in agreement with Dorothy Thompson as he saw Chartism’s support as a ‘political solution’ and saw Chartism as a continuation of radical political ideas from previous years. ‘†¦..a particular political vocabulary must convey a practicable hope of a general alternative†¦..’ (Steadman-Jones, 1983, p.96). The Chartists used a political vocabulary which was easier for the poorly educated and working class to interpret helping gain more attention and mass support across the country. The working classes were hearing solutions for their problems and liked the idea of change for the better. The general feel of the working class was expressed in the chartist newspaper the morning chronicle ‘we require justice before charity’. (Morning Chronicle may 3rd 1842). This was taken from a banner in the crowd of supporters. The speaker in the extract reflects the sentiment of the banner and the feeling of the crowd at the rally. This shows how political motivations were a major factor in the growth of Chartism and how the chartists used public feeling to garner support. In conclusion to explain the growth and mass support for Chartism and the rise of the political movement which gripped the nation A mix of both economic problems combined with radical political ideas left a nation wanting change the Chartists used the economic situation to tailor support for their cause and increase the idea that political change would improve conditions for the working classes. Chartism would not have had the same effect without a combination of these 2 factors. References O’Day, R., Hardy, W., Marsh, G., Padley, S. And Perryman, L.A. (2011) Making Sense Of The Arts, Milton Keynes, The Open University. Briggs, A. (ed.) (1959) Chartist Studies, London, Macmillan cited in Making Sense Of The Arts – Resource Booklet 1, (2011) Milton Keynes, The Open University, P36. Stedman-Jones, G. (1983) cited in Making Sense Of The Arts – Resource Booklet 1, (2011) Milton Keynes, The Open University, P37. Yeo, E. (1982) cited in Making Sense Of The Arts – Resource Booklet 1, (2011) Milton Keynes, The Open University, P38. Thompson, D. (1984) cited in Making Sense Of The Arts – Resource Booklet 1, (2011) Milton Keynes, The Open University, P39.

Everyday Use by Alice Walker How to Appreciate One’s...

Alice Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use† revolves around a conversation the mother has with the Dee, the daughter that went off to college and her sister Maggie. A discussion over who is more deserving of the hand stitched quilts sewed together by their mother, Grandmother, and Aunt Dee. During their conversation, both daughters will demonstrate how they appreciate their family quilts, but sadly, we can conclude that only one of the girls illustrates how to appreciate one’s culture. Maggie uses the quilts to remember her Grandmother Dee, while her sister Dee changes her name and only wants to use the quilts to decorate her home. Dee, a family name that the mother can trace beyond the civil war (464), but in spite that lineage Dee goes and trades†¦show more content†¦The perspective Maggie gives us shows the value and care she has for her immediate family heritage, while Wangero (Dee) would rather have them lying around her home as furniture. Dee cannot fully appreciate the culture she left with her new identity Wangero. When they sat down to eat Hakim-a-barber did not eat the pork on his plate, claiming that it was â€Å"unclean† (465) Dee on the other hand enjoyed everything prepared by her mother. This shows at the very least that she is not completely committed to her new identity and that she is still trying to enjoy her culture. This is one instance where the two identities clash. At an earlier point in the story, Dee declined the offer of her Grandmothers quilts before heading off to college, but on her return, she cried out furiously, â€Å"But they’re priceless!†Ã¢â‚¬ (467) this shows how little her culture meant to Dee before she left and when she continues to yell, â€Å"You just will not understand. The point is these quilts, these quilts!†(467) Dee is trying to convince her mother that her new identity can fully understand her culture. She fails to convince her mother by simply a cting and expressing her views on their family, but the mother and Maggie doShow MoreRelatedEveryday Use By Alice Walker996 Words   |  4 PagesIn the short story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker, the author describes different ideas about one’s heritage. Culture and heritage is at the main point of the story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker as symbolized by the quilt. The bond that Mother and Maggie share is brought by their common talent to make works of art like quilts. Dee does not have similar capacity because she does not appreciate manual labor nor believes in her heritage. The idea of pride in culture, heritage, and family is the mainRead MoreEveryday Use By Alice Walker1372 Words   |  6 Pagessociety as a whole, but more specifically in the African American Community. Alice Walker gives slight insight into   what being forced   to assimilate is like. 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Slemmons, the towns newest arrival, is rich, but by closer inspection by Joe Banks and Missie May, is found to be poor.   In Everyday Use, Maggie doesnt appear to be smart enough to honor and appreciate her heritage, but she and not Dee/Wangero is really preserving the family traditions as well as heritage.   Both The Gilded Six-BitsRead MoreEveryday Use, And Seamus Heaney s Digging1152 Words   |  5 Pagestraditions/heritage is an aggregate of attitude, ideas, ideals and the environment, which a person inherits from his parents/ancestors. Individual identity entails aspect of one’s life that no one has control over, i.e., race, the color of skin, beliefs, etc. These family traditions and cultural legacies play a detrimental role in influencing one’s self-identity, which can be both negative and positive. A positive legacy consists of the trait that is inherited from consistent, diligent and thoughtful fa miliesRead MoreEssay on Alice Walkers Everyday Use1658 Words   |  7 PagesAlice Walkers Everyday Use In the short story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker, the author portrays opposing ideas about one’s heritage. Through the eyes of two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who have chosen to live their lives in very different manners, the reader can choose which character to identify most with by judging what is really important in one’s life. In Dee’s case, she goes out to make all that can of herself while leaving her past behind, in comparison to Maggie, who stays back withRead MoreEssay on Alice Walkers In Search of Our Mothers Gardens1483 Words   |  6 PagesAlice Walkers In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The essay â€Å"In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens† by contemporary American novelist Alice Walker is one that, like a flashbulb, burns an afterimage in my mind. It is an essay primarily written to inform the reader about the history of African American women in America and how their vibrant, creative spirit managed to survive in a dismal world filled with many oppressive hardships. This piece can be read, understood, and manage to conjure up manyRead MoreTwo Kinds and Everyday Use Comparison918 Words   |  4 Pagestimes. Throughout a variety of different cultures, the level of respect and obedience for one’s parents has diminished while the negotiation of conformity and rebellion has risen. This statement is supported and evidential in two different stories, â€Å"Two Kinds† by Amy Tan and â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker. Although these stories represent different cultures, they both exemplify the values and importance of f amily relations; as well as demonstrate in every culture families face social problems. In bothRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Alice Walker s Everyday Use2414 Words   |  10 PagesCritical Analysis of Alice Walker’s â€Å"Everyday Use† Alice Walker, most revered African American writer of the present time was born on 9th February 1944 in Eatonton, Georgia. She started her career as a social worker/activist, followed by teaching and and being a writer. She has won many awards for her fantastic social and literary works. Everyday use† was published in 1973, when African Americans were struggling to revive their original African culture, to stay connected with their culture. As a result ofRead MoreIn Search of Our Mothers Gardens Essay1505 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican novelist Alice Walker is one that, like a flashbulb, burns an afterimage in my mind. It is an essay primarily written to inform the reader about the history of African American women in America and how their vibrant, creative spirit managed to survive in a dismal world filled with many oppressive hardships. This piece can be read, understood, and manage to conjure up many emotions within the hearts and minds of just about any audience that rea ds it. However, Walker targets African AmericanRead MoreEveryday Use, Lorraine Hansberry And The Sun, And Langston Hughes s Poetry Essay1055 Words   |  5 Pagesthat they have true roots to what is being written and what they actually represent. When looking at the similarities of how literature is represented it obvious to see that there are certain socially constructed groups presented. Although these socially constructed groups do vary throughout literature, they still tend to be very similar. In Alice Walker’s short story â€Å"Everyday Use,† Lorraine Hansberry play â€Å"A Raisin in the Sun,† and Langston Hughes’s poems â€Å"Harlem† and â€Å"Theme for English B† they evaluate