Malcom X s Literacy Behind Bars - 957 Words

In Malcom X’s â€Å"Literacy Behind Bars†, Malcom shares his journey of self-educating himself while behind bars in the Charlestown Prison. Malcom attempted to read books, but never succeeded because he struggled to understand the meaning of the words on the page in front of him. He claims that prison allowed him to study more than he would have if he had attended college. Although Malcom struggled on an intellectual level, he serves as a prime example of an individual with self-belief and self-determination which lead to great success. Personally, I can relate to Malcom X in the sense that my personal experiences with education have allowed me not only to believe in myself but also have a mindset that allows me to come to certain realizations not only about myself but also about the world around me. Throughout my life I have struggled when it came to the education system and learning itself. I have had highs and lows; I have been through several tutors, and have spent a lot of money in attempting to learn certain concepts and subjects. Although school has not come as easy to me as it does to others, I have not let that stop me from developing a mind of my own and self-educating myself. I never failed school, but I always struggled through most subjects. I would be the girl who tutors other students in Chemistry, but would then fail a test on the same subject matter that I just taught to the students I tutored. This took a toll on me mentally; it creates a sense of anger and a

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - 1180 Words

The clockwork of Nature does not stop for any Man. In the classic novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Arthur Dimmesdale conceals an abominable truth. Avoiding subjugation to the conservative Puritans Society rule, the reverend feigned obliviousness all the while Hester, the person he committed adultery with, fearlessly bared her shame upon her bosom. The society held Dimmesdale to a higher standard; as a result, their influences hindered his ability to take responsibility for his actions. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne manipulates complementary diction, parallel juxtapositions, guilt-ridden indirect characterizations, and enlightening dialogues to interpret how the society symbolized the prison bars cemented by incarceration, cannot bring to naught the natural order of humanity. Character is the light and reputation is the darkness. Without light, you are blind. In the beginning, this theme accentuate the value of reputation in contrast to ones character by complimentary diction. Amidst the members of the Puritan Society, a righteous reputation inhabits Reverend Dimmesdales image as the epitome of the Perfect Puritan. Savory phrases such as, his eloquence and religious fervor (46), embodies Dimmesdale reputable atmosphere through the eyes of his fellow puritans. Dimmesdales, eloquence and religious fervor (46) suggests his visible passion for religious matters. Hence the Puritans respect for him was only plausible by virtue of hisShow MoreRelatedThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1242 Words   |  5 PagesLYS PAUL Modern Literature Ms. Gordon The Scarlet Letter The scarlet letter is book written by Nathaniel Hawthorne who is known as one the most studied writers because of his use of allegory and symbolism. He was born on July 4, 1804 in the family of Nathaniel, his father, and Elizabeth Clark Hathorne his mother. Nathaniel added â€Å"W† to his name to distance himself from the side of the family. His father Nathaniel, was a sea captain, and died in 1808 with a yellow fever while at sea. That was aRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne960 Words   |  4 Pages3H 13 August 2014 The novel, The Scarlet Letter, was written by the author Nathaniel Hawthorne and was published in 1850 (1). It is a story about the Puritan settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, set around 1650 (2). The story is written in the third person with the narrator being the author. The common thread that runs through this novel is Hawthorne’s apparent understanding of the beliefs and culture of the Puritans in America at that time. But Hawthorne is writing about events in a societyRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne919 Words   |  4 Pagessymbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†. Symbolism is when an object is used in place of a different object. Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the most symbolic writers in all of American history. In â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, the letter â€Å"A† is used to symbolize a variety of different concepts. The three major symbolistic ideas that the letter â€Å"A† represents in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter† are; shame, guilt, and ability. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, the firstRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1397 Words   |  6 PagesFebruary 2016 The Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850 which is based on the time frame of the Puritans, a religious group who arrived in Massachusetts in the 1630’s. The Puritans were in a religious period that was known for the strict social norms in which lead to the intolerance of different lifestyles. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the puritan’s strict lifestyles to relate to the universal issues among us. The time frame of the puritans resulted in Hawthorne eventually thinkingRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne999 Words   |  4 Pages Nathaniel Hawthorne is the author of the prodigious book entitled The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne commits adultery with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Her husband, Roger Chillingworth, soon finds out about the incident after it becomes clear that she is pregnant. The whole town finds out and Hester is tried and punished. Meanwhile, Roger Chillingworth goes out then on a mission to get revenge by becoming a doctor and misprescribing Dimmesdale. He does this to torture DimmesdaleRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne1037 Words   |  5 Pagesthat human nature knows right from wrong, but is naturally evil and that no man is entirely â€Å"good†. Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the classic novel The Scarlet Letter, believes that every man is innately good and Hawthorne shows that everyone has a natural good side by Hester’s complex character, Chillingworth’s actions and Dimmesdale’s selfless personality. At the beginning of the Scarlet Letter Hester Prynne is labeled as the â€Å"bad guy†. The townspeople demand the other adulterer’s name, butRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1517 Words   |  7 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne composes Pearl as a powerful character even though she is not the main one. Her actions not only represent what she is as a person, but what other characters are and what their actions are. Hawthorne makes Pearl the character that helps readers understand what the other characters are. She fits perfectly into every scene she is mentioned in because of the way her identity and personality is. Pearl grows throughout the book, which in the end, help the readers better understandRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne1488 Words   |  6 Pages In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, the main character, Hester Prynne, is a true contemporary of the modern era, being cast into 17th century Puritan Boston, Massachusetts. The Scarlet Letter is a revolutionary novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne examining the ugliness, complexity, and strength of the human spirit and character that shares new ideas about independence and the struggles women faced in 17th century America. Throughout the novel, Hester’s refusal to remove the scarlet letterRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1319 Words   |  6 PagesPrynne and Arthur Dimmesdale are subject to this very notion in Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter. Hester simply accepted that what she had done was wrong, whereas Dimmesdale, being a man of high regard, did not want to accept the reality of what he did. Similar to Hester and Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingworth allows his emotions to influence his life; however, his influence came as the result of hi s anger. Throughout the book, Hawthorne documents how Dimmesdale and Hester s different ways of dealingRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1714 Words   |  7 PagesSome two hundred years following the course of events in the infamous and rigid Puritan Massachusetts Colony in the 1600s, Nathaniel Hawthorne, descendant of a Puritan magistrate, in the 19th century, published The Scarlet Letter. Wherein such work, Hawthorne offered a social critique against 17th Massachusetts through the use of complex and dynamic characters and literary Romanticism to shed light on said society’s inherent contradiction to natural order and natural law. In his conclusive statements

Humanity vs. Conscience Essay Sample free essay sample

â€Å"I couldn’t of all time ben free ef it hadn’ ben for Huck ; [ he ] done it. Jim won’t of all time forgit you. Huck ; you’s de bes’ fren’ [ I have ] of all time has ; en you’s de merely fren’ ole Jim’s got now. † ( Twain 88-89 ) Throughout Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. he puts a heavy accent on the relationship of a white stripling and a black center aged. father-figured slave. As the novel progresses. Huck debates whether the ethical motives Miss Watson and widow Douglas Teach him. abandoning a true friend. are right or if he should follow his ain scruples. which tells him non to abandon person whom is trusty and an first-class comrade. This immature white male child originally learns from these two adult females that African American slaves are merely suppose to work ; nevertheless. as Huck befriends Miss Watson’s slave. Jim. Huck goes against the original ethical motives that were implanting in his caput by Miss Watson. He takes a base and runs off with Jim to do a better life for them both. Throughout Huck and Jim’s escapades and battles. society trials their relationship while their ain scruples affects major determinations they make towards each other. Over the old ages. Huck accumulates information from Miss Watson and widow Douglas about how the slaves are on a lower graduated table than the white folks. Widow Douglas teaches Huck a version of her mentality on society. but Huck neer seems to be interested and has his ain position about humanity. They continuously remind him that he needs to hold a proper instruction. yet Huck refuses to listen. He neer wants to obey widow Douglas because he believes she acts as a dissembler. Huck is in desperate demand of a fume. but widow Douglas says â€Å"†¦ [ smoking ] was average pattern and [ it ] wasn’t clean†¦and she took snuff. excessively ; of class that was all right. because she had done it herself. † ( 2 ) . While she says this. she lights up right in forepart of him. These adult females could non care less about Jim. or about any slave at that. They do non recognize that Jim has a bosom and a scruples. They implant irregular information about African American s in Huck’s head. but as he grows older. Huck begins to develop his ain thoughts about slaves. Huck sees Jim for the existent Jim and they learn more about each other than expected. Befriending Jim. Huck and him run off together and get down a new journey to the North. Along their drawn-out journey. Huck begins to believe deeply about what he should make with Jim. He contemplates whether he should squeal and turn Jim in to the constabulary. or maintain their loving friendly relationship traveling. Huck feels that if he were to turn Jim in as the suspected individual that â€Å"killed† Huck. he would experience awful and would repent it because they developed a strong connexion that would basically last a life-time. Huck and Jim’s friendly relationship strengthens as their journey to the North progresss. They help each other break free of their old lives they lead and continue to help each other on making new 1s. Huck supports Jim in desiring to go a free slave to populate a free life in the North. and â€Å"†¦conscience up and says. every clip. â€Å"But you knowed he was running for his freedom and you couldn’t ‘a’ paddled ashore and told person. † ( 87 ) . Jim helps Huck detach from his opprobrious r elationship with Pap and his commanding relationship with widow Douglas. Since Huck develops this alone bond with Jim. they grow fond of each other and admit how to protect one another. Huck looks upon Jim as a male parent figure. since Pap has non been the best male parent to Huck. There may be some at odds sentiments in the novel about the difference between both society and Huck’s inventive scruples. However. readers think Huck’s mentality on this state of affairs seems to be more politically right in today’s universe instead than the clip of the Civil War. Widow Douglas’ attitude toward slaves and society in general creates much dissension between Huck and her. Huck subsequently on leads himself to swear in Jim and does non see him as an unfortunate slave that works for his neighbour. Society would merely see Jim as an improper slave. and â€Å"†¦if he didn’t acquire saved he would acquire drownded ; and if he did acquire saved. whoever saved him would direct back place so†¦Miss Watson would sell him South. † ( 76 ) . but Huck sees Jim as his true ego and would neer bewray him in such a conniving manner. Huck does non believe he should bewray Jim because he evolves into a new individual and has such a tight bond with Jim that he would non desire to ache or disobey him. If Huck were to turn Jim in for his false â€Å"murder† that he committed. Jim would non be able to carry through the life he ever talked about to Huck ; a free life. Therefore. the immature male child has evolved into a all-around adult male and conquers society’s trial of his relationship with Jim while his scruples plays the function of positive decision-making. In today’s civilisation. Huck would be known as a modern twenty-four hours citizen and his point of view would be more constitutionally correct in present twenty-four hours society in comparing to life in the 1860s. While Huck understands the positions of society. he chooses to move by his ain ethical motives and protects Jim who has become a victim of bondage and bias during the Civil War epoch.

Reformation and Rise of Nationalism

Introduction Profound changes in human conduct have been witnessed in the world especially in medieval Europe. The changes which were mainly brought about by rights movement and discontent with established practices culminated into the organization society with orderly and systematic way of doing things. This paper seeks to describe the sequence of things that led to Reformation, the rise of nationalism and finally the development of universal laws.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Reformation and Rise of Nationalism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reformation Reformation is a term that is used to refer to the â€Å"Christian reform movement that led to the establishment of Protestantism as a constituent branch of contemporary Christianity† ( Revesz 45). The advent of this reform movement can be traced to 1517 after the publication of the â€Å"Ninety-Five Theses† by Martin Luther (Malhotra , pars. 3). The reformation was facilitated by Catholics from western European Catholics who had tried to transform the Roman Catholic Church (Revesz 26). This faction was opposed to the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. They were especially discontented with the habit of â€Å"buying and selling of clerical offices which they regarded as evidence of the systematic corruption of the Church’s Roman hierarchy† (Social Origins of Democracy, pars. 34). The â€Å"ninety-Five Theses on the power and Efficacy of indulgences† written by Martin Luther mainly argued and criticized both the Pope and the church (Revesz, pars. 3-5). The movement was joined by various reformers who later disintegrated due to lack of doctrinal consensus. As a consequence, various protestant denominations were established. This later led to a 30 year ware between the rulers who had adopted Protestantism and those who defended the Roman Catholic. In the end a treaty was signe d to ensure that: all the states be aware of the â€Å"peace deal which allowed the prince of a given state to determine the religion of his own state; Christians living in states where their denominations were not the established church would be guaranteed the right to practice their faith†. Origins of nationalism and equal rights The roots of nationalism can be traced to the reformation period. The interdenominational wars resulted into insecurity. In the â€Å"absence of strong Government’s the people surrendered their lands and labor to local war loads in return for shelter and support† (Malhotra, pars. 2). This systematically gave rise to aristocracy which would later form the basis for revolutionaries towards nationalism. â€Å"The first expression of nationalism came with the French Revolution in 1789† (Malhotra, pars. 3). The country was then an already operational state was being ruled by monarchy. â€Å"The political and constitutional changes that came in the wake of the French Revolution led to the transfer of sovereignty from the monarchy to the body of the French citizen† (Malhotra, pars. 4).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This was the first historical instance in which collective identity was being introduced on the people by various practices and actions that â€Å"emphasized the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution† (Malhotra, pars.4). During this period many changes took place including the election of estate generals, abolition of duties, and establishment of a system for administration and nationalizing of the French language which was previously used in Paris alone (Malhotra, pars. 4). The French revolutionaries required the established French nation to play an integral role in the liberation of Europeans from despotism. The campaigns that followed led to mo vement of the â€Å"French armies into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in the 1790s† (Social Origins of Democracy, pars. 6). The return to monarchy in France under Napoleon led to the destruction of democracy though he brought onboard other principles that led to a more balanced system. The â€Å"Civil code of 1804, which is often referred to as the Napoleonic Code-did away with privileges based on birth, established equality before the law and secured the right to property† (Malhotra, pars. 6). This code was replicated in other states that were controlled by France. â€Å"In the Dutch Republic, in Switzerland, in Italy and Germany†, the administrative divisions were made simple, feudalism done away with and freedom from serfdom offered to peasants (Social Origins of Democracy). Before nationalism was established in â€Å"Europe, Germany, Italy and Switzerland were divided into kingdoms, Duchies and cantons whose rulers had autonomous territorie s of which lived diverse people†. The individual groups in these countries communicated in different dialects and never envisioned themselves coming together â€Å"under a common culture or collective identity† (Malhotra, pars. 5). The groups had only the emperor as common factor. In terms of social and political status, the aristocrats were the foremost class in Europe. Members of this class were drawn from different regions and were unified by similar lifestyles which were basically defined by owning estates in the countryside in addition to townhouses, speaking French for societal status or diplomatic reasons among others (Malhotra, pars. 4). The aristocrats constituted a small percentage of the population that was dominated by peasants. In the 19th century, the concept of national unity was closely associated with the notion of liberalism (Revesz 45). Liberalism, as interpreted by the emerging middle classes was seen as a concept that emphasized â€Å"freedom for a n individual and equality of all before the law† (Malhotra, pars. 6).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Reformation and Rise of Nationalism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A political definition depicted the term stood for â€Å"Government by consent† (Revesz, 56). However, equality before the law did not have the same meaning as universal suffrage. In France, the initial steps to the attainment of liberal democracy had several downsides. For instance, â€Å"the right to vote and get elected was granted exclusively to property owning men. Men without property and women were excluded from all political rights† (Malhotra, pars. 7). Thus in the 19th the new middle class based their strong demands on these practices. The â€Å"defeat of Napoleon led to the establishment of conservatism whereby established traditional institutions such as the church, monarchy and social hierarchies were t o be conserved† (Malhotra, pars. 6). â€Å"Conservative regimes became so autocratic and did not tolerate any criticism and dissent† which led to the rise of many secret societies composed of liberals (Social Origins of Democracy, pars. 4). This culminated into revolutions that ended in the creation of nations states. Conclusion This paper sought to describe the sequence of things that led to Reformation, the rise of nationalism and finally the development of universal laws. It has been established that the reformation of the church and the resulting wars formed a strong foundation for the establishment of nationalism (Malhotra, pars. 4). It has been established that the first forms of nationalism were expressed after the French revolution. Works Cited Malhotra, Jyoti. THE RISE OF NATIONALISM IN EUROPE. June 2009. Web. Revesz, Imre. History of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Knight. Washington D.C: Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, 1956. Print Social Origins of D emocracy. February 2010. Web.1 November 2010 http://www.icpd.org/democracy/index.htm.Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This research paper on Reformation and Rise of Nationalism was written and submitted by user BettyBrant to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.