Monday, April 13, 2020
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Analysis Essay Example
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Analysis Essay The novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, depicts the life of Stephen Deals from his disjointed youth to his clarifying adulthood, In a stream of consciousness approach that reveals his Inner thoughts. Throughout the novel, he perceives the world around him In an unusually keen way, considering he Is extremely aware of his senses, particularly his sense of smell. People by nature have Involuntary connections between their physical world and their mental state, just as Stephen fleets his own subconscious in the everyday smells he encounters. In James Jockeys, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Stephens solidarity allows him to perceive the world in a detached, but consequently, more sensory and observant fashion, demonstrating the theme that isolation leads to self-discovery. Stephen endures a youth filled with disconnection and confusion, followed by an adolescence trite with rebellion, angst, and a superiority complex. As a boy living in Clones University, he feels a sense of detachment that Isolates him from the other boys, but In his naivety he doesnt understand why he Is so different and unhappy. Because of his young age, Stephen doesnt have a fully developed analytical mental process, so he reflects on only what he observes. None-the-less, It Is evident Stephen Is not In a peaceful mental state upon comparing how he perceives the smells at school versus how he perceives those of his family in his memory. Stephen thinks about his mother, correlating her to such a lovely warm smell (22). We will write a custom essay sample on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Contrastingly, he mentions how the infirmary at Clones came a smell of medicine, (34). This is furthered a few pages later when Stephens peer says, They said you got stinking stuff to drink in the infirmary (38). Stephens time at Clones is ridden with unpleasant associations, whereas his memory of being at home, particularly with his mother, is much more positive. Though, Stephen is too young to verbally associate the smells with being bad, his subconscious does It for him. Stephens disdain for his school Is evident, not only by him saying he wants to go home, but also by his reflected emotions wealth his senses. As Stephen becomes a teenager, he becomes depressive and painfully aware of halls unhappiness. HIS sense of smell again reflects how unhappy he is, now even more grossly emphasized. During one of his particularly dark moments, Stephen is talking about how much he loathes the church and those he sees going. He describes them, The dull piety and the sickly smell of the cheap hair-oil (112). Hi hatred for them is reflected in the vividly unpleasant description he consciously gives them. Aside from knowing what Stephen is feeling through these sensory perceptions, his detachment also is revealed. He is more preoccupied with sensory perceptions than he is with social or even scholarly issues. His priorities do not coincide with those of other boys his age, tenting him apart from everyone else and making him a social pariah. Furthermore, he is less prone to distractions and has a narrower focus on his own reality, making him a prime candidate to become an artist. HIS Incredible awareness of his surroundings, evident In his meticulous sense of smell, contributes to the qualities that make up an artist. Of fear, guilt, and shame, which lead to his feelings of rebirth, discovery, and repent. His sense of smell connotes these emotions through the descriptions of the things he smells. This is the portion of the book that includes his most depressive and stubbed thoughts, so the smells he experiences are the most exaggerated. When Stephen has a nightmarish fantasy, after hearing the vividly impacting sermons, he fears for his soul and recognizes smells as being evil and foul (144). His dream is so horrifying, ridden with a reeking dour poring down his throat, clogging and revolting his entrails, that he wakes up and profusely in agony (144). Stephens sense of smell is being affected by his emotions. His subconscious is identified through the grotesque descriptions of these smells, making it clear that he is battling with severe fear and unrest. But, its also showing the magnitude to which his senses operate. Stephens sense of smell, even that of his dream, pushed him to the point of physical illness. His senses are much stronger than most peoples, which makes the sermons he had to sit and listen to much more impacting to him. He could physically experience what the Father was saying, making his radical transformation understandable. His sensory capacity also contributes to his artistic potential. Considering he has a sense of smell that is capable of inducing sickness, his senses are insurmountable in their power and exactitude. Stephen undergoes a frantic need to expense this torment, and he sees that holiness is the only way to do so. He describes his path to faithfulness and with quiet fragrance he made a covenant with his heart (145). He undergoes a momentary sense of peace, evident in this olfactory description of faith. However, this lapse into religion is as lasting as it is genuine. He quickly revolts, not consciously yet, but his senses again reveal his true feelings. As he further delves into saint-hood, he becomes more and more aware of his discomfort, though at the forefront of his mind he remains content. Upon thinking about becoming devout, he associates more foul smells than he does nice ones, showing the growing disdain for his assumed path. He connotes his troubled mental state with smells, describing The troubling dour of Clones (166). He doesnt want to revert to his lifestyle back at school, revealing that he isnt as happy as he claims. He has therefore not yet discovered himself. Finally Stephen embodies a ponderous, insightful, and peaceful persona. His sense of smell coincides admittedly with his emotions, and for the first time, they are positive. Stephen has identified himself as an artist. This self actualization resonates peacefully within him as the things he smells are described in a calming, lyrical fashion. He develops a questioning nature, pondering and challenging everything. This is what defines him most as an artist, and is what finally sets him apart from the others. His keen senses are not the only divider, but his passion and pursuit also define him as different. Its apparent he has escaped emotional turmoil in his sensory descriptions as well. When he thinks about the girl from the train, his descriptions no longer connote anxiety or unrest; in fact they create a sense of peace ND beauty. His imagination runs ramped in desire as he thinks of her, Her nakedness yielded to him, radiant, warm, odorous and lavish-limbed, enfolded him like a shining cloud (225). There is no mention of anything foul or anything else unpleasant, even the word odorous suggests something pleasant. From this quote depressing disconnection that he endures throughout most of the book. Though he still isnt Just like all the others in his life, he isnt sad anymore. Being different is acceptable for him so long as he understands himself. He finally immerses himself n the artistic world he is destined for, making him content. His sensory perceptions, though still equally powerful as they have been all his life, are no longer reflecting his uncomfortable subconscious, but instead emulating the creative and unique individual he is. Stephen Deals, a rebellious and disconnected boy, grows into a suddenly devout teenager, until he becomes an adult who finally discovered his calling. His differences isolate him from those around him, allowing him to observe the world in a more sensory-based fashion, and evidently leading to his self-discovery as an artist.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Free Essays on Appplied Gentics
There are many different types of fashionably edible fruits today due to the growing world of Appling genetics to fruit and citrus . Today fruit and citrus are commonly hybridized for benefits. Crossing fruit types and mutations to get the most desirable apple and juicy oranges has become a new type of biology. The apple of today is firm and sweet as the apple of yesterday was tart and bland. Apples like the Rome and Granny Smith are being replaced with Gala and Fuji species. The Fuji apple is a very delicious and new breed of apple. This great new tasting apple is a product of Japan developed at Tahoka Research Station in Morioka, Japan, achieved by crossing the two American apples the Ralls Janet and the Red Delicious. It is medium sized, 52 -65 mm, and has fine-grained crisp, white flesh. It has an excellent tart and sweet flavor and is generally available when it ripens in early November. The Fuji apple has been on the rise in apple popularity. Michiganââ¬â¢s most popular and widely grown apples are the Red and golden Delicious. The Fuji apple is grown all over and is taking a rise in the orchards of Michigan. It is perceived as the second best apple in Michigan behind the Red Delicious and in front of the Golden Delicious. It has popularity in the west as well. ââ¬Å"Fuji has fa st replaced Red Delicious as the grower's choice here on the West Coast. It has an outstanding flavor and is one of my favorite applesâ⬠- Patrick Rogers (patrick@forkandspade.com) Modesto, Ca. This great apple is taking America as well as many parts of the world and is quickly becoming a favorite in the world of fruit and hybridization. With this science it is expected to see many more awesome species like the Fuji apple developed by applying genetics to fruit.... Free Essays on Appplied Gentics Free Essays on Appplied Gentics There are many different types of fashionably edible fruits today due to the growing world of Appling genetics to fruit and citrus . Today fruit and citrus are commonly hybridized for benefits. Crossing fruit types and mutations to get the most desirable apple and juicy oranges has become a new type of biology. The apple of today is firm and sweet as the apple of yesterday was tart and bland. Apples like the Rome and Granny Smith are being replaced with Gala and Fuji species. The Fuji apple is a very delicious and new breed of apple. This great new tasting apple is a product of Japan developed at Tahoka Research Station in Morioka, Japan, achieved by crossing the two American apples the Ralls Janet and the Red Delicious. It is medium sized, 52 -65 mm, and has fine-grained crisp, white flesh. It has an excellent tart and sweet flavor and is generally available when it ripens in early November. The Fuji apple has been on the rise in apple popularity. Michiganââ¬â¢s most popular and widely grown apples are the Red and golden Delicious. The Fuji apple is grown all over and is taking a rise in the orchards of Michigan. It is perceived as the second best apple in Michigan behind the Red Delicious and in front of the Golden Delicious. It has popularity in the west as well. ââ¬Å"Fuji has fa st replaced Red Delicious as the grower's choice here on the West Coast. It has an outstanding flavor and is one of my favorite applesâ⬠- Patrick Rogers (patrick@forkandspade.com) Modesto, Ca. This great apple is taking America as well as many parts of the world and is quickly becoming a favorite in the world of fruit and hybridization. With this science it is expected to see many more awesome species like the Fuji apple developed by applying genetics to fruit....
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Personal savings and insurance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Personal savings and insurance - Essay Example me of the actions that necessitate precautionary savings include business risk, health risk, risk of labour income change, unavoidable expenditures, childrenââ¬â¢s educations, and savings for retirement (Carroll and Kimball, 2001). Life-cycle motive involves anticipation of the disparity between expenditure and income. This theory provides that consumers save a proportion of their income so they can have something to turn to in their elderly ages, when they are not able to raise income. In this view, individuals are chiefly motivated to save so they can accumulate for their retirement (Modigliani and Brumberg,1954). Some consumers are motivated to save so they may enjoy interests or dividends that those savings may attract in the future. The group of people who save to enjoy interest, therefore, prefers saving where their savings can grow, such as in the stock exchange and banks. Independence motive is whereby consumers save so they can use their savings as a source of power to do their thing independently. They believe that their savings is fully theirs and hence they will not ask for approval from anybody when deciding what to do with it. Furthermore, consumers are motivated by the fact that, when they have savings, they will not borrow from anybody or ask help from anybody each time they want money for consumption or investment. Enterprise motive is whereby the savings give investors freedom to spend the funds if and when necessary. As such, consumers find saving money as a way of empowering them economically since they can have capital to invest in viable projects whenever the need arises. Bequest motive is whereby savers put aside money so they can have adequate to inherit to their heirs. The reason for this motive is to safeguard the welfare of their beneficiaries when the savers pass on. This motive, therefore, goes beyond personal interest as individuals think of how those who are close to them live after they dies. A good example is where a parent
Friday, February 7, 2020
Strategic Management Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Strategic Management Process - Essay Example Origin Energy Limited is a company that sees her self-be more than an energy retailer. Rather, the company claims to ââ¬Å"find and produce gas, generate electricity and invest in renewable energy opportunities including wind, hydro, solar and geothermalâ⬠. As a fast-growing company in the energy industry (Australian Security Exchange, 2011), Origin Energy is endowed with a number of distinctive competencies that have been the reason behind the companyââ¬â¢s performance and growth on the Australian Stock Exchange over the past years. Quoting Bianco from Kenneth R. Andrewsââ¬â¢ 1971 definition of distinctive competencies, it can be said that distinctive competencies refer to ââ¬Å"the set of activities that an organization could perform especially well in relation to its competitors.â⬠This definition was given as an elaboration of the original theory of distinctive competencies developed by Philip Selznick in 1957 after he studied ââ¬Å"vastly differing organizatio ns, from the Communist Party to the Tennessee Valley Authorityâ⬠. Judging from the definition, it can be pointed out that Origin Energyââ¬â¢s foremost distinctive competencies are in the areas of diversity of business orientation.Origin Energy operates in several sectors of the energy industry. Among these sectors are oil and gas exploration and production, of which the company has several oil and gas reserves across Australia. This is, of course, a competitive advantage for crisis moments when oil and gas may be in adverse shortage. The fact that the reserves are spread across Australia in regions such as the Cooper Basin of South Australia, the Bass Strait, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania means the company is assured of nationwide constant supply. This is because there is reduced need for transporting oil over long distances to get various parts of their oil stations with oil and gas supply. Still on oil and gas, the company has a gas field in Australia (Sustainability R eport, 2009). This makes Origin an International company that enjoys the benefits of foreign exchange. Apart from oil and gas exploration and production, Origin Energy is into wholesale and retail of gas and electricity (Silo Breaker, 2011). Silva (2011) observes that retail marketing especially ââ¬Å"helps increase the revenues of stores and aims to improve the experience consumers get when they visit their favorite shops.â⬠This is of course a benefit that Origin Energy is not exempted from. By wholesale and ret
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Historical Materialism Essay Example for Free
Historical Materialism Essay Social structures fall and crumble, and new ones take their place. This is a fact of civilization that has been with humanity since before the beginning of recorded history. Marxist theory takes this concept of change and asks an important question of it. Why do societies revolutionize themselves? Marxist theory, in this particular vein of thought, concerns itself with societyââ¬â¢s motivations for change. In answer to this question Marxists use two distinct yet related forms of Materialism, Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism. They seek to use these concepts to apply logic to a seemingly random event, and there are indicators in history that this interpretation works. The important question to ask afterwards is do these interpretations still apply in a modern context. First, though, it is important to understand the Marxist concept of how revolution occurs. The Marxist interpretation of Materialism can be roughly broken up into two groupings, Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism. The aims of both of these concepts are the same though. Based on Marxist ideals these two concepts aim to explain the development of human history and give concrete motivation as to significant changes in human history. By considering both concepts in tandem one gains a full understanding of the Marxist interpretation of Materialism. Dialectical Materialism is based in two separate concepts, Dialectics and Materialism. Dialectics is one of the three original liberal arts, first developed in the classical world by the Ancient Greeks. (Saksena p543) Together with Rhetoric and Grammar, these liberal arts were developed as a means to fully understand the art of persuasion. Dialectic itself refers to the logic behind the argument, having a sound backing for your points. As such it is heavily grounded in logic. By combining this with materialism, the monist concept that everything in existence is made up of matter, you get a unique understanding of the basic makeup of Marxism. (Saksena p544) This is the lens through which the Marxist views the world, analytical and logical, with all things made up of a base product. When considering this with history, Historical Materialism is formed and Marxist understanding is applied to historical developments. Historical Materialism concerns itself with asking why and how Social progress is driven. The basic idea of this theory is that Human Society is based around how humans work to produce the means to live, and that all actions present in history are intrinsically tied to this. (Sober p310) There is also, in tandem with this, the concept that labour is divided into social classes, and that class division is dependant on the means of production. Finally, in terms of social movements, this theory states that these actions only occur when the dominant class is displaced by a newly emerging one. Eckstein p912) There are a series of ideas that go along with this concept of Historical Materialism. First and foremost is the concept that social progress is directly related to material progress, without some advancement in the process of production, social change will not occur. (Crimmins p523) Innate to this, it should be mentioned, is the concept that humans are involved with production. By tying societal progress intrinsically into manufacturing process, it ties the development of humanity, at its base level, to the worker. The worker then, becomes the means through which social progression is achieved, and also has some power over how humanity develops as a society. This power is not to be ignored, as this power is the central means to change in the Marxist view of history. By giving the workers this power it puts the means to change directly into their hands and makes them responsible for the future, and also for the past. But there is still the question of how this sect of society is motivated to action. Two distinct and yet related forces act in the concept of Historical Materialism, Production Relations and Productive Forces. Production Relations, here, can be understood to refer to the interaction between those producing the product and those paying the labourers to produce the product. (Manicas p241) Productive Forces refer to the actual labour pool that powers the productions. (Manicas p241) Understanding those two distinct terms, there is another sequence of required concepts in Historical Materialism that go along with those two concepts. Production Relations, it should be noted, develop relative to the development of productive forces. Manicas p244) An emphasis on production determines the speed of production force development. In other words, social progression is inversely relative to the way workers are treated. The change, for Marxist theorists, comes from dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. If the workers are happy they will have no desire to change the situation. If the current state is not in their favor, however, they will be motivated to action. This of course will result, op timally, in a change in society. That is what is central about this concept, the impact it has on society. The theory believes that the structure of a society is intrinsically tied to the mode of production, or in other words the structure of a society is an expression of the mode of production. (Manicas p245) For example, a society built around a production structure heavily dependant on mechanical production will find an increase in the repair and maintenance industry, whereas a society based around manual labour will require a large number of individuals working to achieve its product. Stating that the product developed by a society has an impact on its structure can essentially sum up this whole concept. Moving beyond simply the types of jobs that would be desired, this speaks towards what the educational system of that society would be like, what the pay scale would be, what the living conditions would be at. This is all relative to the skill of the labour and the amount of education necessary to do the job. If the market is based around specialized jobs that require immense amounts of schooling, then the pay scale and standard of living for that society will be higher than a manual labour society which requires little to no education for the job. To put it simply, the more difficult the standard job for the society, the better off that society will be. But what of the problems that would arise form this formation. Critical Marxist theory believes that these concepts are tied in to some of the problems present in societies. Every state, they believe, is an institution of the ruling class. (Mayer p143) As such the laws and values of that state would seek to reinforce the means to profit. They would be utilizing everything down to the structure of the state to optimize the goal of the collective. In a capitalist structure, for example, the value structure is built around profit. As such, according to the Marxist theory, the values and systems inherent to this state would reinforce this ideal. Taking into account modern corporate practices of exporting service and manual labour to other countries where it is cheaper to attain, one sees the profit-based value structure of the capitalist system affecting their policy. The second important factor in this consideration is that State power is usually only transferred through upheaval. Sober p323) This is an extremely destructive means to achieve change, and this should be noted. It does not make it untrue, however. This violent upheaval, combined with the obliteration of the previous system, combine to show the means to change. As upsetting as it may be to think that our system is based on a wholly violent means to achieving its end, every indication through history shows this factor working time and again. Finally, this particular mode of production has to give out at some point as new technologies discover more efficient means of production. Thus the final belief of the Marxist Historical Materialist perspective is that when current production relations no longer function, progress is either stalled, or there is revolution. (Stiermotte p112) So the final catalyst, the straw that will break societies back, will be the death of production. This idea makes perfect sense when taken in terms of the whole of the argument. If motivation for change were present in the means to production and the relations between producer and employer, then the death of production would mean the end of that society producing. That is a perfect catalyst for setting off change. If there is no profit then the system, inherently built on it, fails and must be replaced. This is the full circle of Marxists Historical Materialism, the concept that when production fails, revolution will occur to re-imagine production systems to increase profit and thus advance that society. The hard question, however, is to what extent does this view of Historical Materialism apply today? Is it still a prescient means to understand societal development? If it is then perhaps it can be applied to see the future of society, maybe as a means to ensure we are not heading down a path we would not agree with. The system that comes afterwards is based in the values of those who are generally in opposition to the ruling class they have just ousted. As such they, logically, would seek to be as contrary to the original as possible. Before revolution occurs, one must contemplate what the most likely scenario would be and whether it is favorable. But before that can even occur, the question of whether this theory does indeed apply or not must be answered. As such there are four basic questions that must be answered in the affirmative for this to be the case. Is the motivation still present? Is there still a need for change? To this the answer would be affirmative. Present still in this world are primary causes for change; poverty, social inequality. These motivators are still present as a means to have the ââ¬Å"poorâ⬠class desire change. The best example would be the rising unemployment rate in the UK. As is stated in the article, the rate of employment in the UK has descended from a ââ¬Å"low unemployment economy to the high unemployment reality of the present era. (Leslie p371) So not only is there the sort of motivator to initiate change, the situation is actually getting progressively worse. Are there current social classes? Is there immense inequality between the classes? Yes, there are rich and poor classes in our current time and there is a distinct difference between them. Moreover the capability to move between classes is but a faint hope and it is not often that this occurs. Are these classes developed based on the mode of production? If one observes the poorer classes and their particular jobs, then one must see that their poverty is indeed tied in to the mode of production. Most often the only means of employment is to work for the rich class in a company owned by them. (Mayer p144) The ruling class here is utilizing the labour forces as a means to production. Is the state an institution of the ruling class? Does it enforce their values? In a capitalist society the values are based around profit. The values inherent to the state thus reinforce the values of the ruling class, the desire for profit before any other considerations. This is seen through the mutually declining state of employment and also health care in the UK. Through putting profit before the welfare of the employee, considerations that should normally be considered mandatory are lost by the wayside. Healthcare, in particular neonatal health care, declines as suicide and para-suicide rates increase. (Cook p73) All together this forms the impression of the powers in charge of production being unmoved by the plight of the labour force they are using. The factors for change, as outlined through Historical Materialism, are still present in current culture. Action, however, is not present. But this action, according to Historical Materialism, will only be sparked when production fails. This failure will either stall production or bring about revolution. Production, at this time, has not stopped so the final motivation for revolution is not present. But Marx never did suppose that any progress would be instantaneous, rather he stated quite the opposite. His logic was grounded in the development of the world from a proto-communist/tribal society, through ancient civilization, to feudalism, to capitalism, and finally to the ideal communist state. Marxââ¬â¢s worldview is that humanity is slowly progressing towards a communist state of peace, yet by his own admission; the world actually began in a proto-communist state, and then progressed away from this. Is the end state of Communism actually a step back, or is it a cyclical view of the world wherein, upon reaching the communist state at the end, the cycle begins anew and humanity goes back to ancient civilization. Progression does not necessarily entail constant forward movement in the Marxist view, only that a new class will replace the ruling elite, and society will be accordingly supplanted with a new structure. Nowhere does it emphasize this progress as a positive development. What we must really ask ourselves is, is this the future we want for our society? Do we want to go back to where we began? Do we want to develop the same way we have for years or have the myriad of problems that have arisen accordingly shown us that perhaps searching for a better means to development is the best option? Do we want history to repeat itself, or do we want to shape it?
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Comparing Relationships in Susan Minots Lust and Coraghessan Boyles C
Comparing Relationships in Susan Minot's Lust and Coraghessan Boyle's Carnal Knowledgeà à à à à à à à à à "After the briskness of loving, loving stops"-Susan Minotà à à This quote from Minot summarizes the love affairs in her short story "Lust" and T. Coraghessan Boyle's short story "Carnal Knowledge." The protagonists in these stories go to great lengths to please their significant others hoping to find loving, fulfilling relationships. They make sacrifices and relinquish certain degrees of power to find happiness, only to discover that this happiness is temporary. Both authors use literary techniques to enhance these themes. The short stories "Lust" and "Carnal Knowledge" maintain that relationships that lack an honest, loving foundation and a lack of balance of power end abruptly and cause pain and loneliness. The love the narrator hopes to find in Minot's "Lust" continually eludes her. The story consists of a young female narrator recollecting her numerous sexual experiences with numerous partners. Her motivation is not licentious, nor is she proud of her experiences, she is only struggling to find comfort and emotional fulfillment. Unfortunately, her experiences only take her further and further from the love and acceptance she yearns for. Sex initially makes the narrator feel loved, appreciated, and valued. She loved feeling "safe, at rest, in a restful dream" (258), as she would feel when he would first begin touching her with tender caresses. It becomes almost an addiction for her, a necessity for happiness. Ironically, it is an addiction that does not satisfy the need. Like a drug, sex brings the narrator a temporary means of escape and a temporary "high", yet after the the "high" is gone, she feels empty, alone, and ... ...d the last few paragraphs have no mention of Alena. This also helps to demonstrate how she flew in and out of Jim's life. Her effect on him was very short-lived and impermanent, and he is able to return to his old way of life after she is gone. Both "Lust" and "Carnal Knowledge" examine very brief love affairs. The relationships depicted in each story lack a solid foundation, therefore they cannot last. Power imbalances exist in these relationships that intensify the pain of the protagonists. Both characters initially derive great pleasure from the relationship only for it to slip away and leave them feeling empty and lonely because "After the briskness of loving, loving stops." Works Cited Boyle, T. Coraghessan. "Carnal Knowledge." The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. Michael Meyer. 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 242-255.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Jim’s Nobility in Huck Finn
Houlihan 1 Mike Houlihan Ms. Fledderman English H April 15, 2013 Nobility at the Bottom of Society Someone who is noble is defined as a distinguished person noted for feats of courage and heroism. The character of Jim inà Huckleberry Finnà by Mark Twain certainly fits that description. He risked his life in order to free himself from slavery, and in doing so, helps Huck to realize that he has worth. Huck becomes aware of Jim's sense of love and humanity, his basic goodness, and his desire to help others.Jim faces discrimination based on the color of his skin and is faced with the challenges of racist stereotypes. Twain characterizes Jim as a sincere yet naive character, representing the runaway slave as a fatherly figure who maintains his integrity as being one of the sole characters of the novel who wouldn't be described as hypocritical, despite the fact that Jim also retains a childlike mentality. Throughout the novel Jim expresses nobility through his selfless nature, his stre ngth to good while resisting evil, and his ability to bear with any misfortune that may befall on him or his loved ones.Mark Twain allows Jim to break racist stereotypes by showing more human qualities of him when he expresses his selfless nature. by assuming a role as a father figure to Huck, who he watches over throughout the bulk of the novel. Jim protects Huck by shielding his view from the dead body that turned out to be Huck's father Pap. ââ¬Å"I went in en unkivered him and didn't let you Houlihan 2 come in? Well, den, you kn git yo money when you wants it kase dat wuz himâ⬠(320).This show of consideration and paternal care for Huck makes Jim out to be more humane. Jim demonstrates his humanity by not only caring for Huck physically, but also mentally and emotionally in shielding him from a sight that could have been mentally or emotionally strenuous on someone like Huck. Jimââ¬â¢s actions are partly a result of his inability to distance himself from the society whi ch he has been conditioned. There are countless opportunities for Jim to leave Huck during the story, yet he remains by Huckââ¬â¢s side.When Huck and Jim are separated in the fog, Jim says ââ¬Å"When I got all tired out wid work, en wid de callin you, en went to sleep, my heart wuz most broke because I was los, en I didnââ¬â¢t kyer no mo what became er me or der rafâ⬠(85). Jimââ¬â¢s freedom is then not worth the price of Huckââ¬â¢s life, and letââ¬â¢s people know that he would readily risk his life for Huck. Twain represents Jim as a paternal figure who maintains his integrity as being one of the only sincere characters of the novel, while contrasting this quality with the typical stereotypes of an uneducated slave during the American slave era.Jim is one of the sole characters of the novel who wouldn't be described as hypocritical, for he has the integrity to do whatââ¬â¢s right when everyone around him choose not to. After Jim and Huck decide to travel tog ether on the Mississippi river; the pair has to depend on each other for survival as they encounterà people who cause obstacles and jeopardize Jimââ¬â¢s freedom. For example when Jim is forced to accompany the king and the duke during their scams he says ââ¬Å"But Huck dese kings o ourn is jus reglar rapscallions; dats what dey is deys reglar rapscallionsâ⬠(153).Although Huck is simply putting on an act and appeasing them in order to prevent turmoil. Jim thinks that it is ridiculous for someone to be entitled to a servant and recognizes that this is wrong by calling them ââ¬Å"rapscallionsâ⬠. This could also be twain making a jab at slavery, which is Houlihan 3 ironic because Jim has been a slave all his life without asking questions. When Jim talks about his family, he mentions his daughter whom he had hurt due to the misunderstanding that she was deaf and dumb; this proves to be pivotal point in the novel to see what kind of man Jim truly is. Oh, she was plumb de af en dumb, Huck, Plumb deaf en dumb en Iââ¬â¢d ben a treatn her soâ⬠(156). Jim, like most fathers wanted his child to have manners and due to his ignorance of his daughterââ¬â¢s condition hurt her, for he believed she was just being rude. After coming to the realization of her condition, he begins to feel guilt for being unintentionally cruel. By being simple minded and at the very bottom of the social order, Jim is able to see right wrong, while others who claim to be above him cannot see this. Jim continues to show his nobility by enduring the hardships that he is faced with throughout the novel.He talks about how he feels to Huck to the extent where he forces Huck to stop and think over how he treated Jim. After talking down to Huck after playing a trick on him, Jim tells Huck how he feels and Huck even thinks that ââ¬Å"I wouldn't done that one if I'd a knowed it would make him feel that wayâ⬠(142). After thinking this, Huck himself subverts the racist stereo type by humanizing Jim and acknowledging that the black man has the capacity to feel, and Huck allows his mood to be negatively influenced by the thought that he hurt the feelings of a man he considered his friend.Jim's condition as a human being is improved even more when Huck considers Jim as his friend, making him equal to a white boy. By making Jim equal to himself, Huck is able to humanize Jim and break the cultural perception that Jim is bound to. Another example of how the book illustrates this theme is when Tom kept Jim locked up as a slave when he clearly could have been set free at any moment. Tom was aware Jim was freed from being a slave but decided to keep it a secret. This caused Jim unnecessary poor treatment. Houlihan 4He was forced by Tom to do things he didnââ¬â¢t want to do. This is shown when Tom forces Jim to have rats, spiders, and snakes in his room. Tom says to Jim ââ¬Å"But Jim, you got to have ââ¬Ëem- they all do. So donââ¬â¢t make any more fuss a bout itâ⬠(263). This was cruel because Jim was forced to live with the creatures that traumatized him in his past. Though Mark Twain breaks some racist barriers with Jim, other stereotypes about blacks in the era are reinforced throughout the novel and Jim still maintains the strength to endure.Throughout the novel, Mark Twain both reinforces and disputes racist stereotypes of the time period through the portrayal of Jim as a noble character. Jim is depicted as a genuine yet unsophisticated character. Twain represents Jim as a selfless, paternal figure that is able to see right from wrong and maintains his integrity as being one of the only sincere characters of the novel. Twain contrasts this quality with stereotypes typical of an uneducated slave during the American slave era.Though he is a stoic character, Jim is able to span the entire novel as a father figure who protects Huck both physically and emotionally and, even after Huck plays tricks on him, forgives Huck and cont inues to protect him. Nobility is reinforced when Jim's simple nature is revealed in various parts throughout the novel. Jim's gullibility and his language relay the stereotypes of the antebellum south that blacks were somehow not people and were much lower than whites. These ideas become relinquished in the end, for readers are able to see the distinguished human being that Jim characterized.
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