Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Symbolism and Moral...

In the opening lines of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Gawain-poet predicates the numerous dualities—which lead the reader through questions of moral seriousness—that exist in the poem. The opening historical recounting, according to Richard Hamilton Green, reminds the reader that â€Å"the greatness of the past is marred by reminders of failure† (179). The paradox of triumph and greatness arising out of failure foreshadows Sir Gawain following the same pattern of fate as his predecessors. While the completion of Gawain’s quest reaffirms the historical paradox of greatness, his journey to renown is fraught with situations and symbols that develop the poem’s main concern of moral seriousness. The Gawain-poet skillfully reveals his†¦show more content†¦While GGK is an entertaining romance upon the initial reading, as Prior claims, a retrospective reading reveals Christian meaning and the implications of Gawain’s actions, even if not discussed overtly, are central to the poem. In order to discover the poem’s moral significance, the reader must concentrate more on what is unsaid than what is said by focusing on the meaning of symbols and the significance of setting. After the history of great men, the poem opens at King Arthur’s court during Christmas time. Having the poem begin and end during the Christmas season, the beginning of the liturgical calendar, has underlying significance (to be discussed in more detail later) because it marks the First Coming of Christ, the model of perfection. Befitting this major event in Christian history, the mood of the court is one of revelry. However, even with the merriment of the feast, King Arthur demands a marvelous event before he will eat: But that day he was driven by a different resolve; He had nobly decided never to eat at feasts Such as these, until someone had told him A strange story or a splendid adventure— Something marvelous and beautiful that he might believe, With the clamour of battle, attacks, the clash of arms—. (90-95) Arthur’s desire to see â€Å"something marvelous and beautiful that he might believe† reveals a misconception of a marvel’s nature. Hearing a marvel for the first time inspires

Affirmative Action needs to be Changed not Ended Essay

Affirmative action: Should it be mended or ended? Affirmative action is an attempt to correct unequal distribution of benefits (status, income and wealth, power and authority), and burdens associated with ethnic and gender differences. Affirmative action has been promoted by the Federal government since the mid 1960s, when president Lyndon B. Johnson ordered federal contractors to adopt affirmative action plans. (Congress and the Nation, 748). This paper will focus on the relevance of affirmative action in the American society. It is important to acknowledge the truth of affirmative actions main claim: historically, African Americans and women have been victims of discrimination. Theoretically speaking, African Americans enjoy the†¦show more content†¦( Do Racial preferences help, 1 of 2). Debates have been held even at the federal level. The Reagan administration was the first one to challenge federal affirmative action policies (Congress and the nation, 748). The history of the United States has brought forth both good and bad socio-economic relations, just like in any other nation. Pathetic social circumstances during the colonial era for example, encouraged slave trade and from this inhuman practice arose racism. The people of the European descent thought of themselves as superior because of slavery. Blacks were thought to be of very low intelligence level. According to an Anthropological view, people of the African descent were thought to be taxonomically closer to the apes (Statement on Race, 3). This degrading ideology is a major contributant to the rank and status differences that still exist between blacks and whites. So, affirmative action should not be ended as it ensures that people are given equal opportunity to participate in the society. One positive role that affirmative action has played is ensuring diversity in the workplace, schools, plus other institutions to which it is applicable. With the increase of diverse communities and cultures in the United States, diversity has filtered into daily social life. Providing equalShow MoreRelated Its Time to Put and End to Affirmative Action Essay1586 Words   |  7 Pages Affirmative action should be changed or ended altogether In the late Sixties, Martin Luther King Jr. fought hard for equal rights. Before he was assassinated in 1968, he made a speech about his vision of human equality. â€Å"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.† (King) The Sixties were a turning point for racial equality. Because of leaders like King, many blacks and minorityRead MoreAffirmative Action Should Be Changed or Ended All Together1605 Words   |  7 PagesAffirmative action should be changed or ended altogether In the late Sixties, Martin Luther King Jr. fought hard for equal rights. 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Brown v. Board was revolutionary, it not only changed the students bodies of schools but also opened America s eyes to the inherent racism they had been living with for decades, causing the case to play a big part in America’s history in the 1950’s and even to this day. It is difficult to understandRead MoreAffirmative Action Does Not Help1858 Words   |  8 PagesMa tthew Diaz Prof. Jones English 1A 30 November 2016 Affirmative Action Does Not Help Affirmative action does not have any real benefits; on the contrary, it is detrimental to both minorities and students who would be passed over in favor of minorities. It runs contrary to the spirit of different treatment based on race. Any system where employees or students are selected based on race, and not qualifications, is deficient. All college and hiring criteria should be based solely on academic achievementRead MoreAffirmative Action Should Not Have Any Real Benefits1844 Words   |  8 PagesAffirmative action does not have any real benefits; on the contrary, it is detrimental to both minorities and students who would be passed over in favor of minorities. It runs contrary to the spirit of different treatment based on race. Any system where employees or students are selected based on race, and not qualifications, is deficient. All college and hiring criteria should be based solely on academic achievement, not any kind of racial preference. There are 3 major institutions t hat affirmative

None Provided Analysis Essay Example For Students

None Provided Analysis Essay The quality of American television has become a national disgrace. Young women in America who are displeased with their appearance more likely then not can trace those feelings directly back to images from the mass media on television.The unrealistic representations of women that the mass media bombards young women with indicates that the television has become a source for a distorted understanding of gender roles among adolescent women.These images warp young womens views of their own gender identity. The mass media on television should in an attempt to provide more positive gender identities for adolescent women depict women on television in more realistic ways, should stop reinforcing negative stereotypes of women, and stop portraying women as sex objects in advertising. Television is unrepresentative of the real world. Since most major directors on television are males, they depict a world, which agrees with their concepts of society on television. Young women see women in roles on television as being submissive to men or as not as intelligent as men are. For example, the case of the female mayor on the comedy shows South Park. She went to Princeton, yet she makes moronic decisions for the town and flagrantly poses for photos. The mass media should show positive roles that young women could identify with and imitate positive behavior from strong female role models. Television besieges women with portrayals of old women fearing the youth of young women. The result of these images is that these ideas create competition among women and divides women. The mass media ought to be aware of the images of women depicted since young women in other countries also see the American television. In developing countries television ownership is rising and as much as seventy one percent of television programming is from more affluent countries (Wolf 80). Equally important would be to stop reinforcing negative stereotypes of women on television. Television still represents tr aditional views of society. Women are often still generally represented as inferior to men on television. Television shows have to stop representing women as being neurotic like Monica on Friends, or difficult and bossy like Amanda on Melrose Place, or ditsy like Phoebe on Friends. Women should be represented as more than the standard stereotypical negative and simplified character viewers generally see.Television allows people to see more and choose what they want to be. Women need to be shown in occupations that are not the stereotypical, such as the occupations of nurse, maid, sales assistant, or models. Men are often shown as the breadwinners while women are shown as being emotional and domestic caregivers. Television ought to demonstrate strong older women instead of feeble grandmothers baking cookies. Teenage girls should be represented on television as being able to have serious conversations and feeling that their brains are as important as their looks. Women are often shown as only being able to get what they want by using sexuality. Television audiences certainly must demand more from the television shows the audience watches. Additionally, advertisers see women as parts. Advertisers represent women as lips, legs, breasts, butts, and as creatures that become overly excited about soup. For example, in the commercial for an herbal shampoo a woman is so excited by the shampoo she is moaning and groaning because of the shampoo. According to Mia Adjali, a womens division executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in an article by Shanta M. Bryant for the Official news agency of the United Methodist Church, The media often focus on legs, breasts and mouth of a woman, so in essence women are looked at in pieces. If this happens continuously it makes it legitimate, and also acceptable, to do violent things against women (Bryant). Advertisers should produce high quality, entertaining socially conscience ad campaigns. Women are featured predominately in weight- loss advertisements. Women on television commercials are most often portrayed as housewives. As a result, women are shown as not being in c ontrol. Furthermore, girls in advertisements are often seen playing house while little boys are seen with trucks and action figures. .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe , .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .postImageUrl , .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe , .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:hover , .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:visited , .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:active { border:0!important; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:active , .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud39dcabbece75b218c9a2932954c3fbe:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: management (2273 words) EssayJudging from these viewpoints the mass media has reflected negative images of women on television to the point of distorting womens views of their own gender identity. The ramifications of the images that the mass media bombards young women with indicates that the television has become a source for negative understanding of gender roles among young women. The conclusion of the above stated facts is that young women are exposed to gender stereotypes on television causing negative understanding of gender roles. As has been shown television should make an attempt to provide more positive gender identity is for young women and represent women on te levision in more realistic ways, should stop reinforcing negative stereotypes of women, and stop portraying women as sex objects in advertising. For all these reasons, society should have a deep concern with the gender roles that young women are learning from televisionBibliography:

American Imperialism Research Study free essay sample

S was building a corporal empire to increase peace between areas such as China and Japan in order to maintain overall trade. Trade between these areas and the U. S. would also change America’s economic situation completely. †¢ What were the benefits of America’s imperialistic actions for the people in these countries or areas? What were the disadvantages? How would you describe their experiences in terms of being conquered, assimilated, or marginalized? America’s imperialistic actions in other countries have both benefits and disadvantages. Countries that received imperialistic ctions from America have increased trade options between the U. S. and other nations. There is also the benefit of having American protection during times of revolts or having America as an allied during times of war. Disadvantages to American imperialistic actions are that the governments of these nations no longer have control over their government. American influences centralize ev ery nation’s government into one government abiding by American rules. We will write a custom essay sample on American Imperialism Research Study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Another disadvantage is that if a country is not controlled by American Imperialistic actions then they are in danger of retaliation from America in times of war. Each nation that the U. S. sought to control for whatever reason was done so either by brute force or through the manipulation of peace treaties and trade agreements. For example, when Japan would not increase trade with the U. S. and closed many of their shipping ports, the U. S. posted the Navy at the ports and eventually forced the ports to re-open for trade. If America sought to control or expand to an area it did so in a way that would benefit America. †¢ What were the moral implications of American imperialism? How did imperialists justify their actions? How did the anti-imperialists justify their position? Consider the role of race, economics, science, and religion. American Imperialism began in the late 1800’s as a means for America to build more wealth, gain more power, and acquire more territories. Imperialistic ideas came in the form of extending the nations authority to other nations. The implications for extending the United States authority to other nations in some aspects was in relation to morals were neither justified nor ethical in some cases. The United States involvement in other countries was justified by the United States effort to make these countries more civilized. Anti-imperialists strictly opposed any form of Imperialism. Anti-imperialists believed that it was unjust to try to rule or conquer other nations. They also felt that the Imperialist effort was unjustified. They also believed that by conquering or expanding into foreign nations for the purpose of foreign trade was a racial discrepancy. The efforts of Anti-imperialists to change American imperialism were weak and never made it as a viable part of American history but their belief system was greatly contrasted to American Imperialism. What significance did the Spanish-American War have in the development of the United States as an empire and world power? The Spanish American war was a result of Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain. The United States wanted to see Cuba rise as an independent nation based on the economic investments the United States had in Cuba. During the war between Cuba and Spain, Spain had offered concessions to Cuba; Cuba refused and demanded their fu ll independence. Peace negations between the United States, Cuba, and Spain ultimately failed leaving the United States no choice but to intervene in the war efforts on Cuba’s behalf. The United States naval force defeated Spanish troops. Cuba’s long seemed independence was now a reality and the United States had acquired two new territories (Guam and Puerto Rico). The United States now had expanded as far as the Caribbean to the Far East. Therefore making the United States an empire along with a world power. †¢ Do you think the United States is currently an imperialist country? Why or why not? Yes, I do believe that the U. S. is currently an imperialist country. The United States spends much of its time creating peace treaties with other nations, between other nations such as China and Japan, and creating trade agreements between other nations. The United States has also established many alliances with other nations. Whenever there is a war between two nations the United States steps in to either fight the same war or to help create peace between the two fighting nations. When American Imperialism began the main purpose was to civilize other nations of the world and America still does that today when they step into a war that is based on one countries suffering. Early American Imperialism also centered on America superiority and power over other Nations. This too can still be seen today. Whenever a war or revolt breaks out in another country the United States government intervenes in such a way to create peace or to join the war effort. America has significantly grown since American Imperialism began and such areas as Hawaii and Alaska, once considered their own nation, are now states in the United States. Cite and reference all information sources consistent with Associate Level Writing Style Handbook guidelines.