David Leans film Lawrence of Arabia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

David Leans film Lawrence of Arabia - Term Paper Example Particular emphasis is placed on Lawrence’s participation in attacks on Aqaba and Damascus, as well as his involvement in the Arab National Council. Within this overarching narrative, the film further explores Lawrence’s complex and oftentimes conflicted identity and perspectives. The film would go on to claim an Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as an extensive array of other awards.1 Even while the film gained great critical acclaim, one considers that the film undeniably is of first class aesthetic quality. Through a consideration of criticism, perspective, and my personal opinion, this essay examines David Lean’s film Lawrence of Arabia. The film opens with a truly epic credit sequence. While the film title and credits remain static the epic music and slow paced editing indicate to the viewer that the film is going to be expansive and truly Earth moving. Following this credit sequence, however, is a scene where T.E. Lawrence is riding on a motor scooter along a narrow road. The filmmakers implement a cinema-verite style means of articulation, as bumpy shots of Lawrence on the motorcycle are counter-posed against point of view shots from his perspective. Critics further argue that Lawrence’s lack a helmet intensifies his characterization as wild and potentially reckless.2 The scene itself serves to act as juxtaposition from the slow-paced credit sequence, but also seems to function as a metaphor on Lawrence’s life.... In the next scene Lawrence is featured writing on a map. It is here that, in a sense, the actual story begins. The film then explores the meeting that leads to Lawrence’s transfer to Arabia. While from a strictly narrative standpoint the information in this scene could be explained in a simple sentence, the scene holds the viewer’s interest through the strong and engaging acting and character dynamics. Indeed, this will become a one of the prominent structural elements that drive the narrative and viewer interest. This scene is followed by a shot of the Arab sunrise. This shot demands further consideration, as it is both expansive and exquisite. One considers that the film’s widescreen format functions as a means of allowing the capture of this transcendent image. In addition to fitting thematically into the film’s epic scope, it operates as a powerful interlude between the Western capital model of organization and what could be considered a more desolate, yet firmer connection to natural being evidenced in the Arabian desert. One considers the ancient Muslim tradition of praying towards the Sun, as well as endless mythology that figures the Sun as a central aspect of spiritual existence; in this sense the scene transcends the film’s narrative elements for a deeper sense of spiritual purpose. One considers that later in the film there are perspective shots of the Moon and surrounding stars. The effect seems to be a general linking of the film’s infrastructure to the timeless and transcendental qualities of the universe and nature. Still, in terms of the narrative this shot functions as a pivotal transition between the aforementioned Western culture and that of the Middle East. This clash of perspectives will become of the film’s central thorough-puts

International Students Essay Example for Free

International Students Essay Attention getter- â€Å"Did you have a lion in your backyard when you were growing up?† â€Å"Did you have to hunt for your food?† Reveal Topic- These were the questions asked by my classmates when I first moved to the United States. Often times, international students are asked bizarre questions about their culture. Frequently, international students are asked what their names mean and although most may know, some don’t have the slightest idea. My name, Taiwo, means first of the twins to be born and the first to taste the world. From the audience survey I received back, only 2 out of 16 people that took the survey knew the meaning of their name. Most questions asked of international students can be humorous but some are very offensive. Credibility Statement- I moved to the United States when I was 12 years old, and my biggest problem was readjusting to the weather, which by the way I’m still not adjusted to. In Nigeria, my home country, there are only two seasons which are the wet and the dry season. Although I am not an international student, I can relate because I had to go through so many changes and at one point it was unbearable. Each year, Johnson County Community College is home to international students from more than one hundred countries with their own cultures, skills, and struggles. Preview of main points- Today, I am going to inform you about international students struggle with challenges like cultural and social adjustment. Connective- First, I would like to explain I. International student’s struggles with cultural adjustments. A. According to Gregory Trivonovitch, there are four transitional stages: a honeymoon, hostility, integration/acceptance, and finally, the home stage. 1. The honeymoon stage is described as the stage full of joy and excitement because most international students that are just arriving are captivated with everything new. They  a excited to start studying at a United States university. The second stage is hostility that â€Å"is characterized by frustration, anger, anxiety, judgementalism, fear, and sometimes depression† (Claremont). The third stage  is integration and acceptance, meaning when international students start to feel comfortable and relaxed in their new environment. At this stage they can join different clubs like the international club. The international club at Johnson County Community college â€Å"brings together students from America and around the globe for educational and social activities† (Johnson County Newspaper). The last stage is the home stage. This final stage is the â€Å"feel at home† stage that allows the students to absorb both their culture and the American culture. 2. Students go through these stages because they feel that they have lost but at the same time gained their identity. B. The anxiety and stress of being separated from their families, relatives, and their friends in their native countries can be overwhelming for them. 1. Leaving a culture and surroundings that one is very familiar with while transitioning to a new one can be difficult. 2. For instance, my friend john, an international student, said he asked one of his friend to â€Å"hook up†, meaning he wanted to hang out, but his friend taught he meant to â€Å"hook up† â€Å"hook up† as in sexually. John also mention how difficult it was for him to adjust to this new lifestyle and is still learning how to. Connective- Now that I have informed you about international students struggle with cultural adjustment and along with it explaining the four stages of cultural shock, II. I am going to explain international students’ struggles with social adjustment. A. International students usually stay in the United States for a short period of time or depending on how long they study for. They face sets of challenges such as interacting with others and making new friends. B. â€Å"International students may also experience a loss of social status and self-respect because their social standing in their home country may not be recognized in the U.S.† (Eunyoung). 1. Even though their suffering might be too much there are ways to manage. As mentioned earlier, the Johnson County Community College International club is a great way to network. a. The club â€Å"is an organization that works to increase international understanding and friendship† (JCCC brochure). b. This club as many goals in mind like â€Å"support for new students, social activities that increase awareness about American culture, fundraising activities to support scholarships for international students† and more (JCCC brochure). 2. Fear of belonging and coping with it. Conclusion- In closing we have learned the struggle international students face with challenges like cultural and social adjustment challenges. International students badly need to be given full initial and ongoing explanations of what is expected of them, how the system works, and where to get help. Being in a country you’re not familiar helps you learn. If you go to a foreign country you are not familiar with, these tips will be very useful in adjusting without any complications. Bibliography Stages of Cultural Adjustment. CGU Writing Center. Claremont Graduate University, n.d. Web. http://www.cgu.edu/pages/945.asp. Hurtado, David. Students Clubs Aim to Increase Involvement. The Campus Ledger 21 Sept. 2012: 6. Print. Johnson County Community College International Club. Johnson County: n.p., 2012. Print. Eunyoung, Kim. An Alternative Theoretical Model: Examining Psychosocial Identity Development of International Students in the United States. Rep. Project Innovation (Alabama), n.d. Web.

An Overview of McCarthyism and the McCarthy Era Essay example -- Essay

An Overview of McCarthyism and the McCarthy Era This is the first definition ever of the word McCarthyism, first published in 1954. The basis of this definition is the life of lawyer, judge, and senator of the United States of America, Joseph R. McCarthy. If one takes a look at the actions of this man, it is not very hard to understand where this definition comes from. Joeseph McCarthy was a master of media and public manipulation for the purpose of his own notoriety. Throughout his career as a politician, he used many issues to gain him attention, the most well known, of course, being his anti-communist crusade/witch hunt during the early 1950, of which he was the leading spokesperson. McCarthy’s record at every stagae of his life and career has been one of failure and ridicule, of lies and half-truths, yet somehow he managed to pull enough media strings to gain him a positive reputation with the American people through his antics. McCarthy’s first political position was as judge of the tenth circuit court. While he was in this position, he was cited numerous times for â€Å"highly improper† behavior, such as destroying records and rushing through cases just to clear the backlog, with no particular regard to seeing that actual justice was done. He also destroyed records of cases that could show him as negligent for the purpose of destroying evidence that could be used against him. Ironically enough, the slogan under which McCarthy won this position was â€Å"Justice is Truth in Action.† The next step for Joseph was his short war career. Although he saw almost no real battle time, he did not allow this to keep him out of the media. He went so far to attract attention as to unnecessarily fire of... ... Senate, and on December 2, 1954, the state voted to remove McCarthy for abuse of power and contempt. This was the end of McCarthy’s luck. The McCarthy era, as this period in time is referred to, is a very good example of how an individual relates to a society. Joseph R. McCarthy singlehandedly occupied the whole nation and the government with his accusations. It has been said that his lies and destructive antics had more impact upon American political affairs in the 1950's that any other public figure. One man or woman can make a difference, be it for better or worse, and Joseph R. McCarthy is a perfect example of one man influencing the policies of a whole nation for the worse. Works Cited 1. Klingman, William K. Encyclopedia of the McCarthy Era. New York: Facts on File, 1996 2. "McCarthy, Joseph." Encyclopedia Brittanica. 1993

Water Imagery in the Works of Eudora Welty, Teresa de la Parra, Kate Ch

Water Imagery in the Works of Eudora Welty, Teresa de la Parra, Kate Chopin, and Marà ­a Luisa Bombal â€Å"’The pouring-down rain, the pouring down rain’ –was that what she was saying over and over, like a song?†. Eudora Welty, â€Å"A Piece of News† â€Å" Usually I prefer to stay at the pool because there the river holds a serene and mysterious charm for me†. (Por regla general yo prefiero quedarme en la toma, porque es alla en donde el rio tiene para mi aquel encanto sereno y misterioso). Teresa de la Parra, Iphigenia (The Diary of a Young Lady Who Wrote Because She Was Bored) (Ifigenia (Diario de una seà ±orita que se escribà ³ porque se fastidiaba)) â€Å" The voice of the sea speaks to the soul†. Kate Chopin, The Awakening â€Å" And like this, naked and golden, I dive into the water† (Y asi, desnuda y dorada, me sumerjo en el estanque). Marà ­a Luisa Bombal, The Final Mist (La à ºltima niebla) Water imagery occurs repeatedly in the works of Eudora Welty, Teresa de la Parra, Kate Chopin, and Marà ­a Luisa Bombal suggesting that it is intimately connected with the inner worlds of the female protagonists in these stories. The storm dramatizes Ruby’s death fantasy in â€Å"A Piece of News† by Eudora Welty. The river provides a place for Marà ­a Eugenia to express herself in Iphigenia (The Diary of a Young Lady Who Wrote Because She Was Bored) (Ifigenia (Diario de una senorita que se escribo porque se fastidiaba)) by Teresa de la Parra. The sea elicits Edna’s deepest desires in The Awakening by Kate Chopin, and the mist triumphs over the nameless narrator’s attempt to escape death in The Final Mist (La à ºltima niebla) by Marà ­a Luisa Bombal. According to Carl Gustav Jung, water is the commonest symbol for the unco... ...h. Furthermore, Jung’s explanation of water as â€Å"carnality heavy with passion† is linked with life, or the conception of children. However passion is also linked with death, because extreme passion is traditionally linked with sinfulness, which leads us to death rather than to eternal life in the Christian tradition (Archetypes 19). Jung also writes of â€Å"the longing to attain rebirth through the return to the mother’s womb† and the idea that the mother’s womb is described using water imagery (207). Water thus links death, passion, birth, and life. But for the protagonists in these stories, these forces are somewhat out of sync. Failures of individuation, and the completion of transformational journeys which lead to madness, resignation, and death point to an inability of the characters to reconcile their wants and needs with their actual lives.

Reaction Paper-Non-Fiction Essay

Having traveled a great deal since birth, partly due to my father being in the Air Force and the rest is blamed on some gypsy spirit residing deep within, much of Gretel Ehrlich’s story, â€Å"About Men† resonated with me. I understood her loneliness for places once visited, and the need to find solace in the now places as she did while on the New York Subway searching for posters of Cowboy’s. â€Å"What I am aching to see is horseflesh, a glint of spur, a line of distant mountains, brimming creeks, and a reminder of the ranchers and cowboys I’ve ridden with for the last eight years† (Ehrlich, 1985). In contrast, for me personally, is Joan Didion’s memoire of a woman that has a lot of time at â€Å"home† and is clearly unhappy with how she must live out her days. Home can mean many things to people, after all is it a unique and subjective experience that only we can appreciate-good or bad. In these stories I read each woman seems to de fine â€Å"home† as an entirely different existence, though they are both lonely, drifting through life in the places they must now call home. Even though Greta was not born on a ranch, she felt a connection to the ranch life so strongly that she decided to live among them for eight years. Greta felt a kinship to the cowboy’s she lived with so deeply that writing about them became more than a hobby or pastime. She felt the need to set the world and society right on the stereotypes and bent visions of those who roamed the Western sky. Greta reminds me of a big sister standing up to bullies who are bringing down her best friends. When she says, â€Å"Such ideas have perverted manliness into a self-absorbed race for cheap thrills† (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 83) it is obvious to me she is offended greatly by societies depiction of the Cowboy and feels the need to defend the disesteemed character of him. Joan Didion writes, â€Å"And the nameless anxiety colored the emotional charges between me and the place that I came from† (Didion, 1967). Obviously there is great deal of conflict for Joan as she tries to give her daughter a â€Å"home† that she once had with her parents and constantly struggles with her desire to be at her parent’s home where she had felt happy and content. Living with her husband and daughter she seems lost, and homesick, even though she is much older. In Joan’s story we, the reader, must at times read between the lines, as Joan is not entirely clear on some points. Like when she says she is tired of her parent’s dusty house and dusty lifestyle. Also, I felt that Joan was dealing with an identity complex, not really knowing how to be in her own home, especially when she felt such a longing to be back with her parents. Her husband even felt this rift and Joan writes about it stating, â€Å"My husband likes my family but is uneasy in their house, because once there I fall into their ways, which are difficult, oblique, deliberately inarticulate, not my husband’s waysà ¢â‚¬  (Didion, 1967). The sad truth is that Joan feels trapped in her parents’ home though she has long since moved from there on to her own home. She muses, â€Å"That I am trapped in this particular irrelevancy is never more apparent to me than when I am home† (Didion, 1967). Joan then reflects on what kind of home her baby will receive from her, and what kind of mother will she be. I believe, as parents, we can all relate to these feelings of adequacy and wonder which is at least one area I feel connected to Joan and her story. Joan states quite boldly, â€Å"Paralyzed by the neurotic lassitude engendered by meeting one’s past at every turn, around every corner, inside every cupboard I go aimlessly from room to room† (Didion, 1967). Never alluding to a home full of abuse, trauma or otherwise it seems that Joan is really struggling with her childhood, that has naturally extended into her adulthood and somehow has become lost in translation. I can’t help but wonder why so much negativity surrounds her description of â€Å"home†- â€Å"paralyzed, aimlessly, neurotic- those are very powerful words Joan uses to describe a home she misses and I feel confused. Gretel lives away from the ranch but longs to return, even attempting throughout her day to find solace, â€Å"When I am in New York but feeling lonely for Wyoming I look for the Marlboro ads in the subway† (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 82). Rather than missing a small family unit as Joan does her mother and father, Gretel has encompassed a lifestyle and called it â€Å"home†. She creates a stoic image of men who possess physical prowess, and a tireless heart. Writing, â€Å"For the most part his work is done on horseback and in a lifetime he sees and comes to know more animals than people† (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 83). She describes the Cowboy as having a â€Å"toughness and interior fragility† which contradicts what society has depicted of the American Cowboy as being â€Å"tough as nails, and lacking emotion†. In comparison, â€Å"home† to Joan was hallways, rooms, doors and dust that accumulated on century old furniture, while â€Å"home† to Gretel was a western sky, herd of cattle, men with hearts of gold and the woman who loved them. Gretel was more involved with the plight of the Cowboy, and Joan was consumed with her place in this world away from her parents’ home. It seems that Gretel is creating her own vision of the Cowboy on her terms, by what she witnessed on one ranch in Wyoming. Claiming it is the â€Å"geographical vastness and social isolation† that makes the Cowboy hard to hold and even harder to love going so far as to state, â€Å"They lack the vocabulary to express the complexity of what they feel† (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 84). Perhaps Gretel felt the need to be the voice for the American Cowboy, and a strong sensitive one at that. Is it possible that she created the Cowboy in her mind the way she wanted them to be, even admitting in her story that they were â€Å"standoffish and formal† (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 84) while claiming they are impulsive, passionate and intuitive. It seems contradictory, perhaps she is still learning too. And does Joan really miss her parents and their dusty old house or is she merely unsatisfied with her new marriage and new home? Is it perhaps easier to go backwards than forward, in an effort to free yourself from any responsibility? When Joan writes, â€Å"There is nothing like seeing a thing you know was meaningful to you once and is now empty and wondering† (Didion, 1967)- what was all that for? I can’t help but wonder. Here she is, a woman with a child of her own grasping for emotions of the past rather than working on building new memories with her new family. That was most frustrating for me, but possibly because I did not have a home growing up and I married early, glad to get away from the daily strife my parents created on a regular basis. It seemed absurd to me to constantly go back to those days and reflect, let alone long for them. Honestly, I don’t believe there was a week that passed my mother wasn’t wasted and my father wasn’t beating her up. Because of these moments in time I have learned to be thankful for the beautiful life I have surrounded myself in, determined to break every cycle of abuse, neglect and addiction. Maybe Joan needed a reason to go on, to find herself in the new. And maybe Gretel found a bit of herself in the ranches of the west- The old and the new, the real and the perceived it is all relative I suppose. These selections are Non-Fiction due to the fact that the women wrote firsthand accounts of their experiences. Gretel wrote about the â€Å"football-field-sized lambing sheds† and recited a bit of history when she said, â€Å"many of the men who came to the West were Southerners-men looking for work and a new life after the Civil War† (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 84). Joan’s visit home â€Å"is made palpable† as she recites her experience in the present tense. It is easy for me to use my imagination as each writer sets the scene; Gretel in the Wild West and Joan in the East and the California West. I can envision myself on a horse, riding the range, pulling calves and holding baby lambs as Gretel’s story winds its way across the wide open plains. Similarly, I am planted into Joan’s childhood home walking the halls, smelling the dank air, and looking inside cupboards that hold antique plates and bowls. The author’s use of imagery is sensational, and makes for an easy and enjoyable read. I can envision Joan’s sense of confusion when upon describing her home of childhood from her now home, she says, â€Å"It is a vital although troublesome distinction† (Didion, 1967, p. 164). So, in attempting to explain the distinction between the homes, she creates a troublesome tone. She takes me to her parent’s home quite easily as she goes about describing the â€Å"Canton dessert plates and assay scales† (Didion, 1967, .p. 164). Because my life did not hold the same truths as Joan’s I find it hard to relate to her longing for home. But I do relate when she states the importance of creating a home for her daughter who is having a birthday, and the reason she had come home at all. She writes, â€Å"She is an open and trusting child, unprepared for and unaccustomed to the ambushes of family life, and perhaps it is just as well that I can offer her little of that life. I would like to give her more† (Didion, 1967, p. 167). How many times have I said this very same thing about my own children? In conclusion, I found both of these stories to be very intriguing and enjoyable to read. Both of these women are obviously very passionate about their relationships in life and both have a need to express, and to protect those who reside there. Because I am from the state of Wyoming Gretel’s story deeply resonated with me, as I too have fallen in love with the Old West and its beautiful country and the Cowboy Code. And often when feeling lonely for my Wyoming, while residing in a small beach town in Maryland, I too search the landscape for a glimpse of Western wonder in a billboard, or a sign, perhaps in the smile of a stranger as I secretly hope for a tip of his hat and a â€Å"howdy ma’am.† As Gretel would say, â€Å"their strength is also a softness, their toughness, a rare delicacy (Ehrlich, 1985, p. 85). And I would say from experience, a delicacy indeed. References Didion, J. (1967)., Slouching towards bethlehem. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux Ehrlich, G. (1985)., The solace of open spaces., New York, NY: Viking Penguin, Inc.

Frankenstein Monstrous Behavio essays

Frankenstein Monstrous Behavio essays In Mary Shellys Frankenstein, she uniquely portrays both characteristics of mankind. Shelly explores the romantic idea of man being born innately good, then turning to the darkerside. Both the main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, could be considered the monster. However, the creature displays several definite signs of monstrous behavior. Physical appearance can sometimes aid one in defining a persons character. The monsters (60).... gigantic structure and deformity is more hideous than belongs of humanity instantly gives the reader a clue about the creatures build. The creature is very deformed and looks like a wretch of a monster. The monster had an enormous structure, which can be easily compared to modern ideas of monsters appearance. Frankenstein explains the creatures (36)...yellow skin scarcely covered his shrivelled complexion and straight lips. The description created a vivid terrifying image in the readers mind about the creatures. The creatures scary appearance frightened the creator itself. The monsters monstrous physical appearance compliments his monstrous deeds. The monster uses revengeful tactics to ruin his creators life, both emotionally and physically. He states (129). From that moment he declared everlasting war against the species, and more than all, against Frankenstein. The act of plotting revenge upon an entire species can only be displayed by an emotionless monster. The monster declared that he would personally make his victims miserable. The monster did not try to control his anger because he admits (78) The first time the feelings of revenge filled my bosom, I did not strive to control them, I bent my mind towards injury and death. The creature realized his feelings of hatred were evil and vindictive. Yet, the monster continued to plot disastrous murder i...

The Lord of the Rings- The Return of the King essays

The Lord of the Rings- The Return of the King essays The Return of the King leads us to the conclusion of the journey of our Ring Bearer and his former company. There is a constant struggle of good versus evil throughout the novel as our characters attempt to restore peace to the Middle-earth. Fortunately many of these struggles come to prove that good will surpass evil in the end. During the novel other themes arise, such as the struggle for power, story telling, and friendship. I believe the main theme of The Return of the King is the battle between good and evil. The Return of the King has our fellowship divided. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli besieged in a castle as the dark forces approach, with Gandalf resurrected and trying to mount a defense. Whereas Sam and Frodo are separated deep in Saurons land. The quest to defeat Sauron seems hopeless, but with the return of the king, the powers of good shine through, and Aragorn with his armies are able to fight back Sauron and his evil army. Frodo with much help from Sam finally makes to the Crack of Doom. However, the ring has taken too strong of a hold on Frodo and he is unable to cast the ring into the fire. Instead he claims the ring and puts it on; alerting Sauron the ring is near the Crack of Doom. Gollum finds his way into the mountain with Sam and Frodo, and manages to bite off Frodos finger wearing the ring. As Gollum rejoices for the return of his precious, the inevitable force of good causes him to fall into the fire with the ring. Destroying the ring along with Sauron and winning the battle for good. Later the hobbits return to the Shire which has been taken over by Saruman. Once again good defeats evil and the hobbits take back control of the Shire. Wormtongue finally seeing the light kills Saruman. At the end of the novel Gildor, Elrond, Galadriel, Bilbo, Frodo, and Gandalf left on the white ship to the undying lands. Thus ending the Third Age of Middle-earth. Tolkien uses various literary techniq...