A Good Man Is Hard To Find Writing Assignment

It was a hot summer, and the blinding sun shone down on the quiet grey pavement in the front of the house. Tommy May sat on the curb of the road across the street, engaged in a staring contest with a watermelon. Sadly, the watermelon was winning. For you see, though he knew the people living in the house, and that the watermelon was meant for the ill tempered woman who would sometimes come out and yell obscenely at him, he also knew it was really hot and had been a little while since he last had food. Like a mirage in a desert of concrete, the watermelon seemed to good to be true, yet he knew that there it was, staring unblinkingly at him like a forbidden fruit he could not have. And so he sat. And so the watermelon sat. The sun sat as well, on his chest, taking the breath from his lungs and the wind from the sky. Why was it that he did not take the watermelon? It was not from any regard for the woman intended to have it that he hesitated. Rather, it was because of the cars that passed through the street and the people he was sure also stared at the step, watching to see what he would do next. A minivan drove by, stirring the dust on the street, and as it cleared, he caught a glimpse of the melon’s final play. Three gleaming letters sparkled up at him, clear as day. E.A.T. With a gracious sigh, and a tip of his hat, he accepted defeat. The watermelon had won. Yet, his defeat was only bittersweet, for you see, that watermelon was the best he ever had. 

The Hurricane Film Analysis

1. An important motif in Norman Jewison’s film, “The Hurricane” is communication. Represented in many different ways, communication is essential to everyday life and to the story of Rubin Carter. Connections between people are both what make the story of Hurricane Carter so inspiring and at the same time so heartbreaking. There are many different symbols of communication over the course of the film. Interestingly enough, many of the important instances of communication take place through the written word. The initial connection between Carter and Lesra is established when Lesra finds Rubin Carter’s book, “The Sixteenth Round.” Over the course of the film, both are connected through letters, photos, and ideas, even though they exist in very different places and times. Communication both links Lesra and Hurricane Carter and destroys Rubin Carter’s connection with the outside world. It is also miscommunication and communication of evidence and facts that send Carter to prison in the first place. Communication both helps connect and disconnect Hurricane Carter with people, places, and ideas important to him.

2. The first symbol in “The Hurricane” is jail. Trapped in the barred walls of the jail cell, Rubin Carter’s prison takes on not only a literal but metaphorical meaning as a symbol of oppression, discontent, and also to an extent racism and the abuse of justice responsible for his entrapment in the first place. A second, important symbol in “The Hurricane” is the written word. Words carry a lot of power, both connecting Rubin Carter and Lesra and trapping Carter in jail for a crime he did not commit. In “The Hurricane” words represent the interconnectedness and connection between people.

3. The court system in “The Hurricane” is chaotic and dominating. Representing an unfair abuse of power, the court is shown as abusive and unbiased. Many of the detectives on Carter’s case attempt to influence the proceedings in the court, manipulating witnesses and evidence to reach a desired conclusion. Though the film only is a representation of an actual story, and it is unclear how much of the story of Rubin Carter is factual, the court is shown to be very unfair. This contrasts sharply with Atticus Finch’s representation of the trial of Tom Robinson, and you are able to see how calm, professional, and unbiased Atticus is. The two trials are very different, but interestingly enough, Hurricane Carter is released and Tom Robinson is still sentenced.

4. A significant theme in both “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “The Hurricane” is the role personal prejudice and racism plays on the justice system. An essential part of law is that justice be unbiased and fair, no matter who is sentenced. This is so significant because of the profound impact a court hearing can have on the life of both the accused and victim. It is shown both in “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “The Hurricane” that justice can and is swayed and influenced by personal opinion and prejudice, often with tragic consequence. Much of the knowledge of a crime depends on who is represented and the ability of the lawyer to fairly explain the facts, though much of the sentencing relies upon the fair and honest opinion of the jury and judge trying the case. In the story of Tom Robinson and the story Hurricane Carter, the role racism takes on the sentencing of the accused (even though both are said to be innocent) takes much more sway than would be fair in an equal court of law.

Globalization Blog Post

Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is beautifully and eloquently written, and touches upon the classic themes of light and dark, good and evil, and the difference between inner nature and surface reality. Heart of Darkness also offers a critique and look at European colonialism. Symbolically stunning, many of the ideas and motifs of HofD take on different meanings depending on the context and circumstances they are in and the interpretation of the reader. In this way, Conrad represents the dualistic, or often even multifaceted nature of reality and the futility of looking at the world through a single lens.

I've decided to explain Heart of Darkness and the connection it holds to globalization in the same way that Conrad lets the readers interpret the story of Marlow. The meaning of Heart of Darkness is open to the reader's interpretation, and since you may possibly not have read the entirety of Marlow's account,   I’m just going to ask questions that relate to the book. Some of these may be interesting to think about, but all, I hope will lead to greater insight and clarity for you in everyday life. What is the nature of the world? Is brutality ever justified? Is who you are ever definite, or does how you see the world and what you think and represent fundamentally as a person change depending on the circumstances that you are in? Is it possible to stay sane in madness? What is most important? Are people more likely to act from self-gain or from love? Can darkness and light ever be fully defined? Is it possible for light and dark to exist independently or are they connected? Is Marlow racist? Is colonialism ever justified? What is the inner nature of people? What role does nature play on everyday life? Is how we see the world ever finite? And finally, What is the meaning of Heart of Darkness? 

Marlow Character Sketch

Charlie Marlow is a seaman, wanderer, and philosopher. Unlike many of his colleagues, who love the sea as an only way of life and are uninterested in exploring the shore, Marlow is inspired by his wanderlust and want to see the world’s unknown places. As a boy, he was forever intrigued by the blank spaces on the map, and “Heart of Darkness” is built around him telling the story of a journey he made to a then unknown country. Marlow is quite average looking and very amicable. Though it is clear he disagrees with the European colonialism and treatment of the native African people, it is also unsure if he himself is racist and possibly even sexist. He can be intuitive and picks up on the first impressions of people. He also is well read and well informed about what is going on. Yet you also get the impression from reading that the Company may not be what it seems, that there may be more than what Marlow knows.

In Obasan, Naomi is just beginning to discover her history and heritage. Learning from the letters and papers her passionate aunt gave to her, and from her own memories, blocked for so long, she begins to discover more about her family and own identity. A young schoolteacher, Naomi feels torn between the silence of her aunt, Obasan, and the outspokenness of her aunt, Emily. Learning about what has happened brings back a whole host of terrible memories she has tried to suppress for so long, including those of her mother leaving and her neighbor, a sick and twisted creepy old man. 

The Taming of the Shrew Lit Web

The Taming of the Shrew Blog Post

“The Taming of the Shrew” is a play within a play, told to Christopher Sly (or rather the actor who plays Christopher Sly, whose character believes) he is a lord because of a trick a real lord decided to play. Performed by actors playing actors playing characters (who often play other characters) the play within the play tells the story of Katherine and Bianca, two young women -played by young men- who are daughters of a wealthy family. Many of the characters act in disguise (either as each other, or different characters entirely) adding a layer of mystery to an already complicated plot.

It is likely that Shakespeare wrote “The Taming of the Shrew” this way (that is as a play within a play) to create distance between the story and audience. Many of the characters, themes, and stigmas present in the play would also likely be a part of everyday life in Elizabethan England. Without an idea of distance, and the ability to be able to laugh at the exchanges between Kate and Petruchio

  “Why, what’s a movable?” “A joint stool.” 

              or Vincentio and the Merchant,

  “Art thou his father?” “Ay”

the play would too closely resemble everyday life to be comfortable. Creating a sense of distance would also make it easier for the people coming to see the play to brush off, or even laugh off, the more concerning scenes. There are many scenes of violence and abuse, and many representations of sexism or stigmatism that an audience would rather not see.  

“The Taming of the Shrew” is very sexist and detrimental to women. Throughout the play, the definition of a good woman as someone who is docile, obedient, and silent is startlingly apparent. Shakespeare writes with the belief that ‘taming’ a disobedient woman is an achievement to be celebrated. Independent mindedness, spirit, and respect are condemned and criticized. Many women are seen only as possessions, equal to ox or to things. Many men are seen as jerks, which can only be summed up by Petruchio’s speech.

  “I will be master of what is mine own.

   She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,

   My household-stuff, my field, my barn,

   My horse, my ox my ass, my anything,”

In the hopes of holding out for an ending, reading “Taming of the Shrew” only more clearly illustrated the negative and harmful perceptions in many societies. For sure, though, the ending must be that Petruchio comes to respect Kate and realize that he loves her more for her independence than he would if she was docile. Lucentio and Bianca would get married, and Gremio and Grumio would reveal that they were one person all along. Yet, the ending was not that. “The Taming of the Shrew” ended with a very long speech by Katherine about the importance of obedience in woman.

It is difficult to know what Shakespeare intended when he wrote “The Taming of the Shrew”. His play can be viewed in many different ways. It could be that that was how he thought. It could also be a commentary of society at the time. What is the most difficult to read and accept about his play is the knowledge that is a representation of a real worldview. Many of the attitudes the characters express are reflective of the attitude of general society. Perhaps that is why Shakespeare wrote the “Taming of the Shrew”- to allow the audience to realize the attitudes they themselves had.    

To Kill A Mockingbird Conclusion

To Kill A Mockingbird is ultimately about growing up. Over the course of the novel, several important lessons are introduced to Scout, and in the last ten chapters you see her finally fully realize their true meaning.

At the beginning of the book, when she is talking to Atticus about her first day at school, he tells her about putting herself in another person’s shoes, considering things from his or her point of view. It is only at the end of the novel, standing of the Radley porch, do you see that she fully understands what he was trying to say. It is in that moment that you can see how much she has truly grown up.

She also learns about racism and courage. Understanding that many of the people in Maycomb are racist is hard for her and for Jem, especially after watching the trial. Learning that Tom Robinson will be convicted, even though he is innocent is difficult for the children to comprehend and hard for them to come to terms with. Both Scout and Jem learn about courage and also become more aware that racism exists in the wider world.

Finally, she learns about the mockingbird. Throughout the novel, a mockingbird has been a symbol of innocence, of someone who has done no harm. When Scout and Jem receive guns for Christmas one year, Atticus tells Jem that he can, ‘shoot at all the bluejays he wants, if he can hit them, but remember that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ You see that Scout understands not only this, but it’s deeper meaning, when she talks to Atticus about Boo Radley. In a way, she says, convicting Boo Radley would be like shooting a mockingbird.