Janies Metamorphosis in Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay example --

Janie's Metamorphosis in Their Eyes Were Watching God    "Dey all useter call me Alphabet 'cause so many people had done named me different names," Janie innocently expresses (Hurston 9). The nickname "Alphabet" is appropriate in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God because she is indefinable to others and herself. From her early childhood, Janie Crawford searches for self-knowledge and grows through her relationships with men, family, and society. The main character continually seeks autonomy and self-realization, but her quest cannot continue as long as she is the object of others. Janie must find her own identity to become the subject of her desires and dreams. To accomplish this, she enters into, not away from, black culture to find her meaning in life. Janie dares not to be pathetic, or tragic, but to defy the expectations of her men, family, and society. Through Janie's life experiences, she is able to shift from the object of other's lives to the subject of her own life. Hurston uses the power of language and different narrative techniques to show Janie's transition throughout the novel. It is important to notice that in Janie's journey from object to subject, the narration of the novel shifts from third person to a mixture of first and third person; thus, the shift shows the awareness of self within Janie. Language becomes an instrument of injury and salvation and of selfhood and empowerment. The use of powerful language is exemplified well in the text when Janie is asked to say a few words as the new Mrs. Mayor. Joe, her second husband, quickly cuts in and says, "Thank yuh fuh yo' compliments, but mah wife don't know nothin' 'bout no speech-makin'. Ah never married her for not... ...izes the chance for happiness. Janie is comfortable knowing that she can live for herself, for she has become the subject of her own life. Janie is a complete woman because her inner and outer self unites; she transforms her social role into an organic role. Being comfortable in one's own skin and self, because of and not in spite of, is the true source of joy. Sources Cited and Consulted Hinton, Kip Austin. "Zora Neale Hurston." Zora Neale Hurston Web Site. Kip Austin Hinton, ed. 07/16/2003. Available at www.1.am/zora Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. New York: Harper & Row, 1937. Kubitschek, Missy Dehn. " 'Tuh de Horizon and Back': The Female Quest in Their Eyes Were Watching God." Modern Critical Interpretations: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987.

Death of a Salesman Essay -- essays papers

Death of a Salesman In the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Willy is both sympathized with and looked down upon throughout the story. Willy is a very complex character with problems and faults that gain both sympathy and also turn the reader off to him. Willy Loman is both the protagonist and the antagonist, gaining sympathy from the reader only to lose it moments later. The play begins with Willy as the antagonist, fighting with his wife Linda and a generally mean person. He insults his sons and scolds Linda for buying the wrong cheese. Willy shows his biggest personality flaws early on in the story; contradicting his own thoughts, being verbally abusive, and showing his over developed sense of pride. Willy loses the readers sympathy again in a flashback early on in the play when he goes off on a rant about the money he owes for things, almost blaming Linda for their hardship. During a conversation with Happy, Willy again loses his temper and yells at Happy for trying to be nice and saying "Pop, I told you I'm gonna retire you for life"(I,1300). As that is going on the next door neighbor, Charley, comes over because of the noise and strikes up a conversation with Willy. The two are playing cards and shooting the breeze when Willy once again starts with the insults, calling Charley ignorant, and telling him hes disgusting, as if to boost his own con fidence or make himself seem smarter or better than Charley. Soon after his arguement with Charley, Willy is in a flashback ordering Happy and Biif to steal lumber from a nearby building project, teaching his boys to steal to impress his brother Ben. Willy and Biff then get into an arguement over Biff's lack of effort in getting a job and keeping it, and about ... ...is off in his own little world almost ignoring Biff. The reader sympathizes with Willy due to his clouded mind, yet is turned away by his arrogance and showmanship attitude. In the begining of the story Willy is scolding his wife and bad mouthing his sons one moment, then the next hes saying how great his children are and telling his wife how much he loves her. Willy sends the audience on a roller coaster throughout the entire play, gaining sympathy and pity one minute, while the next turning the reader's sympathy and pity elsewhere. Willy Loman is both the protagonist and the antagonist, gaining sympathy from the reader only to lose it moments later. He is his own worst enemy, causing his life to be much harder than it needs to be. If only Willy had realized his faults and accepted life as it is, perhaps the reader would have been his sympathizer the entire play.

Issues in Church and Sacraments

Summary Issues in church and sacraments are practical atheism, deeply upright, deeply crooked, putting our faith to work and catholic devotions. Practical Atheism Is one who does not believe In God. It came from the Greek word â€Å"ethos† which means â€Å"without God† late Pope Paul VI labeled this as an Insidious wolf In sheep's clothing because It hides under a mantle of religious faith but worships wealth, power and the self. Atheism is out and opens, while practical atheism hides the religiosity of people.Most people may appear religious like the practical atheism but the truth is hey don't focus mainly on God but on instead they just focus on themselves since they Just need a God who they can manage and hear their prayers cause the truth is they're not interested in a God who will teach them about truth and Justice. This disrespectful for God is not that obvious in the sense that practical atheist only uses God for their self-interest focusing only for one's self . Idolatry is worshipping an idol; a false image of God Is an idol.Idolatry is worshipping something that projects to one's self Like In times of solving a problem or granting wishes. We control God even though based on the scripture that we are created In the Image and likeness of God but the saddest part Is that we are the one who Is re-creating God In our Image. Practical Atheism Is preoccupied with money, obsessed with wealth and material success. Self-centeredness, self-garnishment, distorted priorities and corruption as a way of life in a nation of fervent church-goers are the signs of practical atheism. Deeply upright, Deeply Crooked explains something about facing the reality.The Philippines is said to be the most religious country in all Asia and also one of the most immoral countries in all Asia, if not the most immoral. Philippines is also known to be the second most corrupt country in Asia this survey is an example of how deeply the Philippines is upright and at the same time how deeply crooked this could be. People's entire concept is based on†investing† in heaven an example of this Is by donating something to a religious organization and assuming that they are already exempted from having to live exemplary lives.Hearing masses, going to confession and receiving the sacraments are the practice that we do and Imagining Like we are just taking a bath to cleanse our sins for going back again to the normal routine like lying, cheating, and stealing with a punishment that is inflicted in return for a wrong doing. The principle here is simple; form is everything like the practices that we are doing but the substance on why we are doing this is nothing. Putting our Faith to Work gives details about on how do we put our faith to work realizing the fact that our churches are filled on Sundays, and yet people very often do not seem to act like Christians at all.We must stress that it is not our Catholic faith that is wrong. We have convert peopl e to Christianity for church membership, rather than for discipleship. We have taught people to seek the kingdom of heaven but we failed to urge them to build a better society. We have drawn our members to our churches for worship but have not sent them out to the world for service. The Catholic faith that we have propagated has been directed more toward celebrating In the Church than a Christian living in the world.The problem, however, does not lie inside our churches people go out of the church that trouble begins. We need to put our Christian faith to work in all choices that we make we must make our Christian faith at the center of our lives in and out of the church. Catholic Devotions expresses the people's personal experiences like when we talk about devotions that has been a greater part of our lives especially in religion that may attract others. Different people have different perspectives that may lead to different religions even if there is only oneGod or worst establish ed a religion because of differences in beliefs. We only express our faith in God in God according to our background and culture. Catholics know more about devotions, rituals novenas that turns out to be a practice and little about scriptures and the teachings of Jesus. Belief is different from faith; a belief without the right faith is fanaticism and gives security, but true faith involves insecurity. We do not need faith when we are so sure of our beliefs. What's it all about making the grade but missing out on learning?Going to class is seen as a duty by most students, rather than an opportunity that they should be thanking for. They are more concern about the grades, assignments, projects and how to pass the subjects than what they have really learned. Learning is necessary and shouldn't be taken for granted. Homework should never be done only because it is needed; if the only reason that a student completes his or her requirement for the sake of getting a grade then it is not a good result because you didn't learn something from it you Just memorize.Figuring out Life's Most Important Questions, students do everything that is required so that they can land to the right Job. Career motivations, questions about the best way to help society in knowing who am l, how shall I live are the questions and things that are important to be talking about at this stage in our lives. Students don't want to e told on what to believe or how to live their lives. Guidance and encouragement is needed to help us figure out life's most important questions for ourselves not to Just be talking about it but also to act on it as well.

Compare/Contrast My Two Favorite Places Essay

Everyone has their secret special places that they go to or places just to simply get away or look for advice at every once and a while. I am not anyway different than anyone else, as I also have some very secret places where I go when I need privacy or just seeking much needed advice. One of my places is the lake in the wintertime. There I can escape from the everyday mess and can think more rationally or just simply soul search. The lake is located approximently 45 minutes from my house; it has a beautiful view as well as total silence in the winter. The lake water is some of the bluest I have ever seen and the choppiest in the wintertime. I visit the lake in the winter due to the fact that it is not bust with the energy of all the people that come during all the other months. I go to mostly just to get away form the hustle and bustle of work and the city scene. The quietness is very peaceful and soothing to me. It is nice to just hear the waves hitting the mountain side that surround the lake shore. I normally don’t stay very long, but just stay long enough to know there is still a great place left where I can think and reflect on myself and my thoughts. My second place is long missed, for it is not here anymore. It was going to my great grandparents house. They were wisest people that I have came across in my life, much like people read about in storybooks or fairy tales. I could always go to them and receive wonderful answers and stories behind any question that lurked in my mind. No matter what the question may have been the answers I was given were always one hundred percent honest. This place was definatly the better of the two! As opposite as to going to the lake this place was usually loud as he was a man that talked ver loudly as well. Going to his house was somewhat a treat to me and I always walked away with the feelings I was seeking answers for. This place is missed very greatly, but not lost. It will forever be with me in my heart as long as I am here. The second place is much better than the first, but seeing how he is no longer here anymore, the first always helps me reflect upon the second. I find myself going to the lake more often to seem at peace with a lot of things.

Election in the Philippines Essay

â€Å"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,† said Dumbledore of one of my favourite books, Harry Potter. Was my ‘direct speech’ properly-written? *stereotypical-cheerleader-giggle* Being a democratic country, we are given the opportunity to choose our country’s leaders in a marvel called ‘election’. But in a country where officials use their position for graft and corruption and enjoy a monopoly of political power to the disadvantage of rival leaders called â€Å"political dynasty†. Some of them even resort to unfair if not illegal means to keep their political rivals out of office: corruption, fraud, violence, vote-buying and intimidation. Graft and corruption in the Philippines has long been a topic of concern for those interested in improving the conditions in the area. The corruption of government officials and the failure of governmental leaders to use their position of power wisely has led to ongoing financial hardship throughout the nation and restricted its economic growth and cultural development. Since its inception, the Philippines has been known as an area suffering from such severe corruption. Moreover, the issue of political dynasties has heated up in relation to the 2013 candidates for the Senate who come from one and the same family or clan and thus bear the same surname as another senator, or President Aquino himself. In this sense, loud public criticism and some cynicism greeted the announcement of senatorial candidates for the 2013 elections. One set belongs to the majority coalition: Bam Aquino, the President’s cousin; Sen. Alan Peter, brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano and others. Under the banner of the United Nationalist Alliance, led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, the senatorial candidates include his eldest daughter, Nancy; Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. who would be joining his father, the Senate President; Rep. J.V. Ejercito who would join his brother, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. In this rumpus, we can also cite many provinces and cities with political dynasties giving no opportunity to other aspiring leaders which may be more competent. The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, *ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made government ofiicials should on no account be allowed to do the job. This year is our chance to contend with this. Make shrewd decisions and choices because our choices will affect our future. In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to infinity of choices. Choices. Choices. Choices. You are doomed to make them. This is life’s greatest paradox. The chains continue to ignite. I am part of the chain; you are part of the chain. Can we be chains of positive change? For sure, none would claim he has seen three sides of a coin. Decisions, coming by two, are always placed in the individual’s capacity to discern truthfulness and goodness against fallacy or wickedness. Are you HEADing out for a brighter country free from corruption and poverty or are you TAILing down on a movement towards gloomy befouled Philippines?

Problems with Education Essay

What is it that’s making our nation suffer from excelling in education? Not many would argue about the importance of excellence in education. Problems such as teacher attrition, lack of parent involvement, and teaching high-stakes testing may hinder progress in education. An education is an indispensable and essential tool, unfortunately, with all the jaded judgments; our students aren’t valuing or able to value their education. An Education can open the doors to opportunities that would have never been possible if it had not been for the knowledge and preparation that one received while in school. With the fluctuating economy and hesitant times, it is more important than ever for our nation’s children to receive the proper education and training that will allow them to acquire a good job and produce the revenue needed to live. Unfortunately, there are many problems facing our education system today, and several of them are having negative effects on the quality of the education our students are receiving. Would one feel comfortable fifty years from now, when the children who are victim of the disadvantages of teacher attrition, lack of parent involvement and a majority of their education being how to take a high stakes test, are running this nation? How soundly can one sleep knowing that their decisions on a bill deciphering how much of a pension someone will receive or what’s legal and what’s not is at stake? Should these problems be quietly swept under the rug and addressed again in another five years, or is it best bite the financial bullet and at the very least, acknowledge there is an issue? A serious problem that is attacking the education system in America is the alarming attrition rate of teachers. Only those not involved with education at all will argue that it is an undemanding profession; in actuality, it is a very demanding profession with an often overwhelming amount of pressure and responsibility tied to it. However, it can also be a very rewarding profession. Unfortunately, many teachers simply cannot overcome the immense responsibilities well enough to stick with the profession for any length of time. Jalongo and Heider (2006) present staggering statistics in their article, saying that forty-six percent of new teachers in this country quit teaching after five years or less, with that percentage growing to fifty percent in urban areas. Even more shocking is the fact that ninety percent of teachers who are hired in this country are replacements for teachers who have left teaching for some reason other than retirement (p. 379). There are many reasons that the rate of teachers leaving the profession is so high. Anhorn (2008) very concisely sums up some of the major problems in her article when she says, â€Å"Difficult work assignments, inadequate resources, isolation, role conflict, and reality shock are some top reasons for the horrendous attrition statistics with the widespread â€Å"sink or swim† attitude that is prevalent in so many schools† (p. 15). It is easy to see why the beginning teacher attrition rate is so high. There is simply so much to do these days, between extracurricular responsibilities and high-stakes testing, it is easy to get overwhelmed. In her article, Sitler (2007) sums it up quite nicely when she says, No one expects the first years of teaching to be easy. No one expects that Teaching assignments will never change. But no one expects either that One’s first years of teaching will be compromised by administrative Systems that make instability and disillusionment routine occurrences Rather than exceptions. (p. 22) If teachers received more support from the administration and less of the strong arm effect, educators wouldn’t be so timid in teaching and instead bring more value to the classroom. Many of us probably remember our parents being very involved with our education, whether they were part of the PTA or just asked about your grades and homework every day when you got home. Unfortunately, today, parental involvement seems to be waning. While there still is a good deal of involvement at the elementary level, middle school and high school, when children really need that parental guidance, it’s almost nonexistent. It is our responsibility to try to involve parents who seem hesitant and reluctant to be a part of their child’s education. No matter what the hesitation is from the parent, be it a language barrier,  fear of school itself, whatever might be causing a parent to be stand offish about their child’s education and being an active part of it, not only the teacher, but administration should use every opportunity to pull a parent in and allow them to become and active part in their child’s education. When parents are involved in education, teens typically have higher grade point averages, higher test scores on standardized and classroom assessments, enrollment in more rigorous academic courses, more classes passed, more credits earned toward graduation, and higher graduation rates. Parents are not performing their duties as first teacher to their kids in education. Many parents left their kids behind and keep putting the blame on the teachers due to their misunderstanding of the No Child Left Behind Act. These parents concerned are the ones who left their kids behind and not the schools; teachers are secondary to kids’ education. Unfortunately so many educators feel such pressure to prepare students for the TAKS test that they fail to ever demonstrate the relevance of what they are teaching. They fail to teach the items within the curriculum that are useful outside of the walls of the school. So, we have students who graduate and can solve quadratic equations, classify living organisms and distinguish between a plant and an animal cell but don’t know how to budget money, complete a financial aid form, solve a real-world problem, think for themselves, or apply the testing information beyond what was taught. I have heard people say the purpose of the exams is to make sure our students do not graduate before they know basics skills†¦ like Physics? Most of the arguments I hear come from people who have never even looked at the test; people who just blindly adhere to the regulations because it is a law. Which leads me to the most frustrating and most often argument I hear which is, â€Å"We need to hold students accountable because it is the law? † Well, there have been lots of bad laws over the years. Does anyone remember the Jim Crow laws? If as a country we were to have blindly followed these laws, then blacks and whites would still be segregated. There is no denying the fact that the problems mentioned, are not going to go away over night. They are major issues facing American education, and educators simply must do everything in our power to conquer them. An education is such a valuable and necessary tool, and we must do everything we can to get our students to value their education. I personally do believe there is hope for a positive change. Problems don’t fix themselves, and if admitting that we need help in going about the way our nation views the importance of education is what needs to be done, then it’s time to slap on the â€Å"HELLO MY NAME IS †¦Ã¢â‚¬  sticker and start being honest and start fixing the problems of teacher attrition, lack of parent involvement and teaching children how to take a state issued test. References Jalongo, M. R. , & Heider, K. (2006). Editorial teacher attrition: An issue of national concern. Early Childhood Education Journal, 33(6), 379-380. Anhorn, R. (2008). The profession that eats its young. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 74(3), 15-26. Sitler, H. C. (2007). The lived experience of new teachers, or why should I stay in this profession? Phi Kappa Phi Forum, 87(4), 22.

The Concept of Privacy under the Fourth Amendment Essay

The Concept of Privacy under the Fourth Amendment - Essay Example The right to privacy is stipulated in the 4th amendment of United States Constitution (Hess & Orthmann, 2008). The court argued that making a telephone call is a personal affair; therefore, the FBI and Police Department illegally recorded Katz’s phone call. This is because the 4th amendment barres any state agency to engage in unlawful seizures and searches of American Citizens (Hess & Orthmann, 2008). The 4th amendment of the U.S. Constitution defines what is needed to trespass into any American’s right to privacy. It also defines what privacy right means. This amendment is what made the U.S. Supreme Court rule in favour of Katz. This test asks two questions; first, whether a person has a subjective, or actual expectation of privacy. This is evaluated in the context of individual behaviour, case by case, and is focused on the subjective or actual belief of the victim, who is the subject of the search (Hess & Orthmann, 2008). Second, whether or not there is an objective expectation of society. This tests whether there is a substantial expectation of privacy. The majority of the court rejected trespass doctrine, holding that the 4th amendment does not protect things that an individual exposes to the public, but what an individual expects to keep private, in all places, including public areas (Hess & Orthmann,