Jared Diamond versus Charles Mann on the Sophistication of Metalwork Essay Example

Jared Diamond versus Charles Mann on the Sophistication of Metalwork Essay Jared Diamonds theory in his book Guns, Germs and Steel states that the Europeans were able to conquer the Natives because of their favorable geography, a key factor that lent itself to the manufacturing of steel and which Charles Mann, author of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, also discusses in detail.Both Diamond and Mann agree that the centuries of experience in making steel weaponry in Eurasia gave the Spanish conquistadors an advantage over the Natives in combat; however, Diamond claims that the Europeans had an upper hand because their metal work was more sophisticated, whereas the Natives were merely stuck in the bronze age, (3) for which he discredits their advancements in metal technology.On the contrary, Mann contends that the Natives metal work was more advanced than their European counterparts (3), and that the indigenous societies may not have had steel for weapons, but [they] did highly sophisticated work with other metals (3). Although Europeans had more experience in working with metal, and in developing different techniques in manufacturing metal that seemed more refined, Mann argues in 1491 that the Natives techniques and use for metal was not nearly as primitive as what Diamond presumes in his book Guns, Germs, and Steel.Diamond argues that the Europeans conquered the Natives because of superior metal technology. A close examination shows Manns argument that the Natives metal techniques undermines Diamonds argument that the Europeans had superior metal techniques. To understand the main differences between these two authors, one should examine the specific points before considering their different views on the specific metalworking techniques in the respective cultures.The Europeans had steel and Indians did not, which has led some researchers, Diamond among them, to argue that Indian metallurgy essentially [did not] exist (2). After all, they didnt have the steel axe, (1) Diamond says in the national geographic movie adapted from his book. The Europeans borrowed innovative techniques from steel manufacturers in the Fertile Crescent to build swords, or rapiers, and guns.Judging by his point of view, Diamond presumes that at the time of arrival of the Europeans the new world societies had just begun making bronze artifacts and had not started making iron (Diamond 259). Diamond stresses the crudeness of the Incas metalwork and the tools. He then contends that the Incas used metal for almost nothing useful (3). The term useful can have many implications, but in this case Diamonds definition of useful is using metal to make a device that is going to allow subjugation.Diamond believes that a culture should [seek] to optimize metals hardness, strength, toughness, and sharpness' to make weaponry (3). Diamonds research led him to believe that because the Natives had not developed lethal weapons made of optimize[d] (3) metal, the Natives were far inferior to the Europeans. Diamond discred its any advancements in Native metalwork because he believes that the Natives were not advanced, and only squandering their resources. In his book 1941, Mann believes that the Natives techniques in working the metal were far superior in comparison with the Europeans.He says that Incas metallurgy was as refined as European metallurgy, if not more, but it had such different goals that until recently scientists had not even recognized it as a technology (3). Mann explains the misconception that researchers, namely Diamond, are guilty of asserting: the fact that the Europeans used metal to conquer overshadowed the Natives advances, because they used metal for more practical things. Mann then says that unlike the Europeans, the Natives by contrast, valued plasticity, malleability, and toughness (2).Whereas the Europeans used metal as a symbol of wealth, power, and community affiliation (2), the Natives used it for practical tool making. It is important to look at the specific techniques involved in metalworking in the respective cultures to determine who, either Diamond or Mann, is more convincing. Diamonds account stated that European metalworkers created metal objects by pouring molten alloys into shaped molds (2). Diamond says that rapiers, represented a high point in a very sophisticated metalworking technology.There are many different qualities needed in a sword that the Europeans had to consider: First of all, the metal had to be hard enough to take a sharp edge, and that requires steel that is iron infused with carbon, and the more carbon one puts into the iron, then the harder the metal will be. But if it is too hard, then it will be brittle, and that would not work because when someone would hit someone else with his sword, then the sword would break (3). The Europeans also had to consider pliability as a factor, because an ability to bend and spring back into shape was important in combat (3).Diamond argued that it took centuries of experimentation for th e Spanish to perfect the techniques needed to make the deadly rapier, and he concluded that the budding metal mongers(Diamond 97) had nowhere near the experience necessary to build these kind of weapons. In contrast to Diamonds ideas about the use of metal, Mann argues that the Natives were far ahead of the Europeans when it came to working with the metal; and given the right resources, the Natives could have easily beaten the Europeans in combat.The Natives knew about the European technique of pouring molten alloys into shaped molds (2), but they vastly preferred to hammer metal into thin sheets, form the sheets around molds, and solder the results (2). The Incas employed metallurgical processes such as alloying, casting, cloisonni? , hammering, incrustation, inlay, repoussi? , riveting, smelting, and soldering (2). In 1941, Mann calls their work remarkable by any standard (Mann 143) and describes a bust he found that was less than an inch tall but made of twenty-two separate fasti diously joined gold plates.Mann believes that researchers underestimate the ingenuity that the Natives had in manipulating metal. It is evident that Mann is telling the reader not to disregard the advances made by the Natives in metal just because they are not innovative weapons. The natural inclination is to think in a broad sense that whoever wins the war has better technology. Especially since the Europeans were so outnumbered by the Incas, there had to be a reason why at such a disproportion in numbers the Europeans were able to conquer them.Mann argues that the Natives skills with metal were a cut above the Europeans, and that the Natives could have made better weapons than the Europeans if that is what they were trying to do. Europeans demonstrated expertise in making swords and whereas the Natives focused on more pragmatic applications of their resources. He warns the reader not lose sight of the fact that when the Europeans were pouring metal into molds, the Natives had alre ady accomplished this feat and had moved on to more sophisticated techniques.Both Diamond and Mann acknowledge that the Europeans used centuries of experience to manufacture steel to make deadly weapons. Diamonds contention that the Europeans were more advanced is more appealing to the reader because it is the more intuitive answer. The reader is naturally inclined to choose the Europeans as the superior workers in metal because of their exposure to other cultures advancements and favorable geography; however, Diamonds underestimation of the Natives takes away from his argument because he dismisses anthropological evidence.Diamond makes the point in his book that the there was no shortage of copper, tin, silver and gold in the mountains of the Andes, but then he disbelieves the Natives ability to find value in the metal and use it to their advantage. Manns argument is more convincing because he acknowledges and he gives specific examples that support his opinion that the Natives met alwork stressed functional and utilitarian design (2). What the issue eventually involves is what one views as technology.Clearly, Diamond is holding the Natives and colonists to a higher standard than the Europeans held many years ago and what Mann holds today. Mann says technology refers to any application of a systematic technique, method, or approach for practical purposes (3). He argues that colonial accounts suggest that Europeans then viewed technology in these broad termsand that they were impressed by what they saw in Native American hands; and that to the first European visitors, the encounter with Indians was much more like a meeting of equals than is commonly taught today (3).In summary, Diamond and Mann agree that the weaponry in Eurasia allowed the conquistadors to conquer the Inca; however, they are strongly divided in identifying which culture is more advanced as far as metal working techniques, in addition to the cultures main influences and uses of metallurgy. Mann believes that the Natives metalwork manifests a high degree of sophistication, and that the European efforts to come up with different techniques were not nearly as advanced.Diamond believes that the European techniques were more advanced, and he attributes this to the centuries of experience from the Fertile Crescent. Mann and Diamond both present convincing arguments, and it is difficult to determine who is more convincing, since both have valid points. The issue comes down to whether the Natives or the Europeans were more advanced in metalwork. Judging by both arguments, Manns case is more convincing because he provides great support by directly comparing the ways that each culture manipulated metal, which showed that the Natives had more advanced and sophisticated techniques.Literature Cited(1) www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/show/transcript2.html (2) www.threemonkeysonline.com/threemon_article_ancient_americans_charles_ mann_interview.htm(3) www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles /2005/09/04/Native_ingenuity/?page=full(4) http://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/show/episode2.html(5) 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by: Charles C. Mann(6) Germs, Guns, and Steel by: Jared Diamond We will write a custom essay sample on Jared Diamond versus Charles Mann on the Sophistication of Metalwork specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Jared Diamond versus Charles Mann on the Sophistication of Metalwork specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Jared Diamond versus Charles Mann on the Sophistication of Metalwork specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Let it snow Essays

Let it snow Essays Let it snow Essay Let it snow Essay Let It Snow Critical Reading In the short story Let It Snow by David Seeders a mother of five children becomes overwhelmed when her time away from her children becomes interrupted when an unusual snow fall hits and delays school for a few days. After kicking her children out in the snow the mother then relies on alcohol and watching television to help her deal with her internal conflict she has been faced with. The children decide to use Amy, the youngest child, to lie in the middle of the road to attract a motorist to their situation. Shortly after the motorist was informed what had been going on, the mother trotted through the snow toward the children and brought them back home safely. David Steadiers use of tone is essential in making this story successful. The role of tone in this story causes the reader not to stop and think about the actual events that are taking place. When stopping and thinking about the actual events, an alcoholic mother kicking her children out, a father who spends his time at work instead of at home with his family, kids who try to murder one of their siblings Just to get back into he house, and neighbors who witness the situation and seem to be okay with it. When stopping and taking the time to think about the actual events it becomes a pretty scary situation to be in. Along with tone being essential in the story, the snow is important as well because it helps to distract the reader from what is actually going on. When I began reading this story, I was expecting a story about a funny childhood memory, or perhaps one of those strange occurrences in our daily lives about to be old to us through the prospective of a child, but this story caught me by surprise. I think the author of the story was trying to tell a story about something that was sad, without actually coming out and writing a sad story. In my opinion, the ending of the story was the most meaningful part. In the ending of the story we are shown a heartbreaking situation of young childrens unconditional love for their mother, with their forgiveness and acceptance. I really enjoyed this story and how surprising and unusual it was.

The American Mideast Leadership Network Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The American Mideast Leadership Network - Essay Example George W. Bush, in his second inaugural address, stressed that "it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world" (qtd. in Lowenkron, 2006: np). While these policies may sound familiar, almost boilerplate in some respects, it is the increasing interest in and overt support of many non-governmental organizations that merits attention. For instance, in his remarks to the American Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Barry F. Lowenkron, the Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, stated, regarding President Bush's desire to end tyranny in the world, that "The work of NGOs is crucial to reaching that goal" (Lowenkron, 2006: np). It is this nuance, the interposition of non-governmental organizations, that indicates a growing trend in international relations. ... s; for example, they report and publicize facts otherwise not known about civil societies, they lobby and protest, and they sponsor educational conferences and debates. Non-governmental organizations deal with health issues, environmental concerns, education, humanitarian relief operations, and the protection of fundamental rights and liberties. They are, in short, free of many of the constraints faced by state actors and increasingly well-funded and supported. This trend, from a western perspective, has been emphasized by one leading scholar in the field: NGOs in this context appear as missionaries of the good word about the marriage of convenience between the free market and democratic elections, and the virtues of social democratic action in the spaces available within the power structure as opposed to direct action against it. In this context, the NGOs are enlisted by official development agencies (ODAs) and governments as partners in the process of "sustainable human development" and "good [democratic] governance"-as watchdogs of state deviancy, as interlocutors and participants in the formulation of public policy, and guarantors of its transparency to inhibit or prevent corruption and rentierism (Veltmeyer, 2005: 90). In the final analysis, non-governmental organizations are increasingly thought to be able to accomplish goals traditionally associated with more traditional state and multinational actors. One example of a non-governmental organization doing such work is the American Mideast Leadership Network. American Mideast Leadership Network Incorporated as a section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code, the American Mideast Leadership Network is dedicated to the creation of educational and cultural exchanges (American

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides - Essay Example The parents were afraid of the girls’ independence, and showed signs that they wished for Victorian moralities for their daughters, for the parents were also afraid that the girls would capitalize on their budding sexuality. As these fears drove the parents to the drastic measures of virtually imprisoning the girls, and the girls’ suicide was probably a result of this decision, it can be said that the parents fears of letting the girls be independent and to experiment with boys were the key decisions that led to the girls’s suicides. Discussion One of the themes of the novel is the lack of independence of the girls, and the parents’ desperate attempt to subvert any sense of independence that the girls might have had. This is a theme that is found in the book and in life, for much has been written about how women should be weak, and docile, not strong and independent, and this apparently is what motivated the Lisbon parents. According to Simone De Beauvoir (1949) the appearance of femininity is one of docility, futility and weakness, and that â€Å"to please they must abdicate† (De Beauvoir, 1949, p. 353). This is shown by an examination of great novels, such as Little Women, The Last of the Mohicans and The Mill on the Floss. In each of these novels, the tomboyish, independent woman is pushed aside, romantically, by the protagonist boy. According to De Beauvoir, this is proof that passive, servile women are preferred to their independent sisters (De Beauvoir, 1949, p. 352). Alex de Tocqueville felt that women entered confining marriage, and that these women gave up their sense of independence â€Å"It may be said that she has learned by the use of her independence to surrender it without a struggle† (Faludi, 1991, p. 48). Another theme in the book is the tamping down of nascent sexuality. De Beauvoir contends that adolescent girls cope with the changes that are bestowed upon them by becoming the coquette, as they were i n childhood. They accomplish this by doing their makeup and hair, massaging her breasts to make them grow, and studying her smile in the mirror. This awakens an eroticism in the young girl and the young adolescent boy. However, for the adolescent boy, this awakening eroticism is a badge of honor – of â€Å"transcendence and power† (De Beauvoir, 1949, p. 349). For the adolescent girl, this awakening causes the girl to â€Å"retain a cast of shame† (De Beauvoir, 1949, p. 349). In other words, it is perfectly normal for a girl to want to become feminine and use her feminine wiles as she reaches puberty, and this was something that was denied by Mr. and Mrs. Lisbon, especially Mrs. Lisbon. At the same time, acting upon the newfound eroticism is a cause for censure. This is in line with the Lisbon’s parents’ beliefs about their daughters, for any hint of sexuality was extinguished before it could even come into fruition. The Lisbon parents made sure of this by not allowing the girls to go out with boys. There is every indication that the parents in The Virgin Suicides had these antiquated beliefs, that the girls should not have independence and should not realize their sexuality, despite the fact that the novel takes place during the early to mid 1970s. This was an era that was marked by change in the female situation – women were helping to forge anti-discrimination policies and policies regarding equal

The Effects of Cyberschools on Public Education Essay

The Effects of Cyberschools on Public Education - Essay Example When the Western Pennsylvania cyberschool opened in the 2000-01 school year, 525 grade 12 students were enrolled in it. In the 2001-2002 school year, 996 students were enrolled (KPMG Consulting, 2001). Indeed, demographic figures are a testament to the success of the Western Pennsylvania cyberschool for, not only are enrolment figures steadily n the increase but, an increasing number of students and parents are opting for cyberschool as a preferred alternative to public schooling, with the result being that that while 48% of the enrolled students are former home schoolers, 52% are former public school students from twelve south west region counties. Added to that, 27 of the enrolled students are classified as gifted' and 117 are special education needs students (KPMG Consulting, 2001). The implication here is that, within Western Pennsylvania at least, cyberschooling is emerging as a viable, valid and vital alternative to public schooling. Within the parameters of the outlined problem, the research shall attempt the determination of the impact of cyberschools on public education, with the focus being on Western Pennsylvania. 3 Definition of Key Terms The focus of this action research is well-defined and limited to the relationship between public schooling and cyberschooling, on the one hand, and the emergence of cyberschools as an alternative to both home and public schooling. The focus, as stated, allows for the identification of three key terms, those being cyberschools, public education and home schooling. Each of these terms shall now be defined in order to contextualize their usage in the... The focus of this action research is well-defined and limited to the relationship between public schooling and cyberschooling, on the one hand, and the emergence of cyberschools as an alternative to both home and public schooling. The research and data analysis carried out allows for the statement of a set of conclusions. The first of these is that the public school system is under tremendous strain, both because of increasing student populations and decreasing qualified teacher populations. The consequence of the aforementioned is the decreasing capacity for effective education and an ever dwindling ability to ensure the safety and security of students on school grounds and property. The stated has led many parents to turn to Homeschooling and, eventually, to cyberschools. As pertains to cyberschools, the research data allows for the conclusion that it is an effective, viable, vital and feasible alternative to both public education and Homeschooling. This paper makes a conclusion that given that no data was found on the actual effect that cyberschools have had on the public school system, it is difficult to present definitive conclusions regarding this relationship. Nevertheless, one may assume that cyberschools will be integrated into the public school system in due course, thereby relieving state and federal governments of a substantial percentage of the cost involved in the maintenance and running of public schools and allowing access to education for those who, for a variety of reasons, had no previous access. In other words, cyberschools will not function as a threat to public schools but as a support system.

The Absence Of Mr Glass English Literature Essay

The Absence Of Mr Glass English Literature Essay In May 29 1874, Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in London, England. In 1887, He enrolls as a day student at St. Pauls Preparatory School and begins writing and sketching in journals. His time there was not outstanding like his writings. He lacked the capability to direct his attention to subjects that did not interest him. Physically he was a large and clumsy boy, and in athletics he won no distinction whatsoever (British Writers, 1983, Vol. 6, P.335-246). He was depressed, which triggered his thoughts of suicide. Though he was intelligent, his academic career was not going so well. However, he blossomed with his writing and with the encouragement of his friends. He enjoyed debating and journalism. In 1893 however, when he joined the Slade School of Art, he experimented with an Ouija board and became almost fascinated with diabolism. In 1895 Chesterton left University College without a degree and worked for the London Publisher Redway and T. Fisher Unwin (Gilbert Keith Chesterton-Biography and works). In 1899, war broke out against two small Dutch South African Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. Chesterton had strong political interests (Biography: G K Chesterton, writer). Chesterton opposed this war, not because he was a pacifist, but because he thought that this was an unjust war. Chestertons liberalism was always a liberalism of belief in small unites. He hated imperialism and large units and the uniformity that imperialisms tyranny imposed upon people of different traditions. He was in violent reaction against the popular imperialism of the day (British Writers, 1983, Vol. 6, P.335-246). In 1896, he fell in love with a girl named Frances Blogg only to fin d him in a spiritual crisis in 1900. Then, in 1901 he married Frances Blogg, who pulled him out of his spiritual crisis. In 1901, he begins writing a regular Saturday column for Daily News, much to his journalisms delight. He was then asked to preach in 1905 at St. Pauls Church, along with entering a 30-year public debate with George Bernard Shaw (Chestertons Literary Life). He was officially received into the roman Catholic Church in 1922, but had been writing from a Roman Catholic point of view for a long time before that( G K Chesterton, Writer). Though he was a journalist, Chesterton wrote many fiction novels. He wrote books like the Father Brown Mystery novels, and the adventure story The Man Who Was Thursday. The tone of the story, as of every Chesterton story, is strongly affected by the exuberant style of the author (G K Chesterton, Writer). Chesterton was influenced by many people in his lifetime. In his childhood, when he was struggling, he surrounded himself with a group of friends. One of these friends would be recognized later in life as E.C. Bentley; who created a light verse known as the clerihew and helped formed the Junior Debating Club. He was also influenced by his family, which gave him his liberal nature concerning politics. His parents were Unitarian in religion; but that was something he did not inherit. However, his little brother Cecil joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1913 (Chestertons Literary Life). Unfortunately, just five years later in 1918, Cecil dies in war. The next year he traveled with his wife Frances to Jerusalem, the Continent, and North America. He fell gravely ill in 1914, which it is unknown to as whether it related to his death in 1936. He died the 14 of June in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. During his life he published 69 books and another ten of them would be published after his de ath (Chestertons Literary Life). Overview/Summary of Father Brown Mystery Stories: Mr. Glass This story is from a collection of the Father Brown Mystery Collection. The story begins with a scientist by the name of Orion Hood is reading a grand collection of novels. The novels whereabouts and identities were emphasized strongly in this story. The Doctor was suddenly interrupted by a disheveled man, stumbling over heavy load of luggage and an umbrella. It was Father Brown, the priest, who had come to see him. Father Brown then begins to explain the situation that he has come for advice on, because Dr. Hood has assisted criminologists and detectives in his career, because he was a genius in his department and in his studies. So Father Brown, a detective as well as a priest, came to him with a case. He asks for the help of the doctor to solve a case involving a young couple, Mr. Todhunter and Ms. MacNab. They are planning a wedding and the mother of Ms. MacNab is complaining about the profession of young Todd. She says that he spends hours in his room, talking to an unknown pers on named Mr. Glass, who is described as a tall dark stranger with a silk top hat on. The young man denies these accusations and says that his trade will be revealed before the wedding. The young woman suddenly interrupts the discussion, saying that Todd had been tied up and a murder could have occurred. Naturally, Father Brown and Dr. Hood rush to the seaside hotel and investigate the so called murder. What they find when they arrive is a man tied up with scarves on the floor, presumed to be Mr. Todd, of course. They examine the room intensely to understand the gravity of the situation, and find several key items. First, they discover two wineglasses on the table and then a smashed one on the floor. Then they also discover a sword with a drop of blood on the tip, along with a silk top hat, much too large for Mr. Todd, with no trace of hair inside of it. There were playing cards scattered across the floor as well. Dr. Hood deduces that the sword was the murder weapon of Mr. Glass, and the glasses on the floor were from their session together. The hat belonged to Mr. Glass, and he was evidently bald because there was no hair on his head and he was also elderly. He al so deduced that Todd could break free from his binds at any time, and that this was his cover up for killing Mr. Glass, who was evidently buried somewhere in the garden or stuffed up the chimney (Chesterton, Gilbert Keith). But when the clever man thinks he has solved the case, Todd begins laughing because of the accusations Dr. Hood placed on him. Father Brown then figures out the truth: Todd is really a magician. The hat was too big for him because it wasnt meant to be worn, it was meant for pulling rabbits out of. The glasses and the conversations between him and Mr. Glass were really Todd juggling and saying one, two, three, missed a glass, not Mr. Glass. The playing cards scattered all over the floor was him trying to perform card tricks. Lastly, the sword with blood was him trying to swallow swords and falling. As for the scarves, he was trying to perform a Houdini and escape from them successfully. Critical Analysis: Influences Throughout Chestertons childhood he wasnt athletic or popular. He had trouble academically, which I believe was the influence on the character Dr. Hood, who was extremely intelligent and at the end of the story, was dumbfounded because his deductions are wrong and Father Brown figured out the truth. When Chesterton went to college he struggled with skepticism and depression in 1893 and during this period he experimented with an Ouija board and grew fascinated with diabolism. (Gilbert Keith Chesterton) These events may have influenced his writing of Heretics or the mystery stories he wrote in collections called The Father Brown Mystery Stories, or the Wisdom of Father Brown. . Chestertons religion also came into play with his writings. He wrote many speeches for churches and books that often the character struggled for good morals and godly behavior. His novel, the man who was Thursday, was an anarchist named Thursday who struggled with his self and his religion. There is also a character named Sunday who is considered to resemble God in his characteristics. That was partly influenced by his experiments with the Ouija board and with his wife, Frances Blogg, who was a major part in pulling him out of his crisis (Gilbert Keith Chesterton). .Critical Analysis: Main Themes The main themes of Chestertons novels revolve mainly around religion and changing circumstances. In his novel, The Man Who was Thursday, the main theme of it is focused mainly on the character Sundays shifting perceptions of Sunday. The detective initially experiences a vague sense of evil in the presence of this godly figure, but is later replaced with respect for the man, who is thought to represent the human failure to completely fathom the paradoxes of life and nature (The Man Who Was Thursday). In his short story The Absence of Mr. Glass the themes that are evident are the changing circumstances. The circumstance changes drastically when Dr. Hood indicts the murder of the pseudo Mr. Glass on Todhunter, but the truth was ironically discovered by Father Brown when he points out the truth of the murder objects. His novel The Man Who was Thursdays theme also focused on spiritual struggle, something Chesterton himself also experienced during his years of college that he ended up dropping out of. Religion is a theme for most of his stories because of his own struggles with it, when he became fascinated with diabolism (Gilbert Keith Chesterton) and when he was writing from a Catholic point of view when he was accepted into the church in 1922 but in 1905 when he was asked to speak for the churchs behalf. Critical Analysis: Stylistic Devices All authors use some method of literary and stylistic device. G.K. Chesterton was no exception. In his story he incorporated many devices, such as similes. But if one took a volume of Chaucer or Shelley from that rank, its absence irritated the mind like a gap in a mans front teeth. (Chesterton, Gilbert K.). He used such devices like synesthesia, which is words describing different sensations. For example, in his story he uses heathen holiness (Chesterton, Gilbert K.). The effect of synesthesia is meant to be poetic and to provoke thoughts to the reader. Chesterton also uses rhetorical questions in his writing, such as Maggie MacNab and young Todhunter want to get married. Now, what can be more important than that? (Chesterton, Gilbert K.). The effect of a rhetorical question is the emphasis of the subject. Chesterton enjoys using a lot of allegories in his writing, for example in The Man Who Was Thursday. The suffering of the main character was contributed to Chesterton, who also suffered from depression during his college days at Slades Art School, and claimed afterwards that he wrote this book as a strange confirmation that goodness was at the heart of every aspect of the world. He also used aspects of the bible in this work, Sunday, the character that represented God, sits on a throne in front of the other members of the anarchists. His last words were, can ye drink of the cup that I drink of?, and that is the same question that Jesus asks James and John in Mark 10:38-39, because he wanted to challenge their commitment in becoming his disciples. Critical Analysis: Characters Since the Father Brown mystery stories were short stories, the characters were not as plentiful as are in longer stories. But the characters that are mentioned are Father Brown, Maggie MacNab, Mr. Todhunter, Dr. Orion Hood, and Mrs. MacNab. Father Brown was the detective, and he added to the story because he introduced the idea to the doctor and was demeaned somewhat by the presence of the scientist and logical sense of Dr. Hood. He seems rather disorganized, as well as not as intelligent as Dr. Orion Hood. Maggie MacNab did not add much to this thrilling short story except she was the one who informed the Father and doctor of her courters current situation. Mr. Todhunter was the innocent magician; he was practicing his tricks and was wrongly accused of murder by Dr. Hood. Dr. Hood was the brilliant scientist, who deduced a wrong persecution of Mr. Todd from a convincing set of clues. When the doctor was contradicted of his intelligent assumption it was rather of a shock to the reader because he was seemingly as intelligent as Sherlock Holmes. Lastly there is Mrs. MacNab, mother of Maggie MacNab, who misheard the mutterings of the magician as she nosed in on his room whilst he was practicing his magical arts alone. She interpreted ventriloquism and Mr. Todd saying missed a glass into a second person named Mr. Glass into the conversation with Mr. Todhunter. In the story, Maggie MacNabs mother overheard some conversations between Mr. Todhunter and the fictitious Mr. Glass. She hears Mr. Todd talk, then overhears a strange, high pitched voice. She assumes it to be another person, but is actually Mr. Todd practicing his ventriloquism, for he is a magician. Mr. Glass was rumored to be a tall, strange man in a silk top hat with a strange spectral quality to his presence. Such rumors were false, of course, because Mr. Glass was nothing more than misinterpreted dialect of the magician with himself. The point of Mr. Glass was that he was a made up character by the household to explain Mr. Toddhunters strange behavior as a reticent magician.

The Significance of ?Xenia? Essay -- essays research papers

The Significance of â€Å"Xenia† Ancient Greece is known for its beautiful theaters and its skilled poets. One of the most famous ones at that time and famous even now is Homer. Nobody knows who he actually is but the works that he has created are far more than magnificent. The Odyssey and The Iliad are two poems that turned into myths, have actually been accepted as part of the history of the Greeks. The Odyssey is a story about a hero from the Trojan War who struggles to get home to his family and when he finally does he faces the suitors who he fights and defeats with the help of the gods and his son who he hasn't seen for around twenty years. The gradual development of the plot, the actual, end of the book is easily noticed. A big role in that development plays hospitality or as Homer calls it the xenia. Odysseus' journey on his way back to his island Ithaca contains numerous details about hospitality and what it is to be a good or a bad host. His voyage is based on the kindness and the warmth of the people . There are gods and humans, and giants that do not appreciate the hero but he deals with them and we meet with the actual plot of the story, his homecoming. Warmth and kindness are presented within every visit described in the book. Homer draws a very good picture of how guests are welcomed, what entertainment they are given and the way they are send on their way. The picture is filled with kindness and warmth. We could say that the kind of hospitality presented in the book is hardly seen today. The different steps of welcoming some one are really interesting. The host is bathed and fed right after his arrival no matter who he is. Hosts do not really present the question that identifies their guest until later on, after he has been well rested and entertained. A great example of this is when Telemachos and Athene, in the body of Mentor, visit Nestor. When Nestor sees the two men he has never seen before he has a feast with his sons and companions. In the sight of the strangers they all stand up and greet them. The first thing that is done is to find a place for the two guests on the table and to feed them. â€Å"When they had satisfied their appetite and thirst, Nestor, the Gerenian charioteer, said: ‘Now that our visitors have eaten well, it is the right moment to put some questions to them and enquire who they are?†(Book#3line ... ...e, son, and servants they abuse for so long. "You dogs!’ he cried. ‘You never thought to see me back from troy. So you fleeced my household; you raped my maids; you courted my wife behind my back though I was alive- with no more fear of the gods in heaven than of the human vengeance that might come. One and all, your fate is sealed.†(Book #22, lines 35-40) These are the words of Odysseus, mad with the destruction the suitors have caused to his home. He kills them all, right before they are about to eat. He kills Antinous right when he is about to drink from the wine. The suitors do not deserve the food that is being served to them because of their cruelty towards the host ,the hostess and their disloyalty to him and Ithaca The Odyssey is a book that grabs its reader with its story about Odysseus and his final homecoming. There would be no homecoming or he would have been home too late to save his wife and son from the â€Å"arrogant " suitors if there was not the good hospitality of the people he visits. Everybody Odysseus meets on his way has helped the story progress by their bad or good hospitality. Therefore xenia plays a very significant role in the plot of the story.