Exploring How Selections from The Best American Essays Essay Example for Free

Exploring How Selections from The Best American Essays Essay The selection of essays contained in The Best American Essays which highlight painful truths and confront undesirable social realities do not only paint a clear picture of the imperfect world we live in, but also serve as catalysts for change that we may be sorely in need of. The relevant knowledge conveyed by the essayists provide more than catharsis or a cleansing or anxiety-relieving purging effect. They have huge potential to elicit concrete ethical responses, notably new attitudes and mindsets that will eventually shape future action. The latter depends greatly, though, on how closely the readers identify with the painful truths or social realities contained in the literary pieces. Nonetheless, the superbly written essays merit close scrutiny or perusal, which should be enough, ideally, to jolt people to action. Exploring How Selections from The Best American Essays Can be Catalysts for Change Where does learning end and action begin? Can knowledge spur action? Mulling over the hard facts, undesirable societal realities or painful truths expressed in beautiful fluid prose by literary talents in insightful essays contained in The Best American Essays edited by David Foster Wallace, one question comes to mind: are the masterfully written pieces capable of spurring people to action? Offhand, the answer points to a resounding yes. Literary masterpieces, particularly the essays under study, have an immense potential to serve as catalysts for change. Any standstill or hindrance, however, for works of literature to elevate humankind in terms of heightened awareness and positive behavioral changes, may depend a great on the values and predispositions that the current crop of readers may have. It is a known fact that we, as humans, cannot escape pain as we go about our day-to-day lives. Just about everyone can identify with pain, but the natural tendency of the average person is to crawl into his comfort zone and not to ponder on negative or painful realities, much less do something about what they may have read. The painful truths, usually in the form of trying individual circumstances or clear societal harms, expressed by the most gifted writer in the most riveting prose may not always warrant the desired ethical response. The sad reality is, complacent people who glean useful insights from reading about painful truths expressed in clear and incisive essays may not budge, even if the ideas may stick around in the recesses of their minds for some time. Each person will also be relying on his own perception of truth, and this perception will most likely guide his future action. On the other hand, there are also those individuals who are inclined to strive to make life generally better, both for themselves and society-at-large. This latter breed of people brings to mind ancient Confucian teaching on doing the right thing at the right time. By following the dictum of choosing to do what is right and moral over ones self-centered interests, people who adopt a new way of thinking or do something about a vexing social truth expressed, for instance, in an essay like â€Å"What Should a Billionaire Give – and What Should You? By Peter Singer (Wallace, 2007, p. 266), make the writer’s efforts worthwhile. The sense of enlightenment, followed by change in one’s mode of thinking created by a well-written essay makes every ounce of investigative effort poured into it well worth it. There are also certain essays in the collection that highlight idiosyncrasies, or peculiar habits and traits, such as the piece about people with stage fright, or another dealing with the apex of sex childhood, or even the youth-oriented essay about a cellular phone ring tone that drifts into a discourse about adults’ tendencies as they age. They not only amuse and inform but also lead readers to adopt new ways of thinking and behaving. There are other clear-cut examples of works included in the collection that forcefully makes the case for a controversial issue that may spur action, notably â€Å"Loaded† by Garret Keizer, who explosively says, â€Å"I hope that I shall never have to confront anyone with my gun, but owning a gun has forced me to confront myself† (Wallace, 2007, p. 137) and â€Å"Rules of Engagement† by Elaine Scarry, who opined that â€Å"every act that carries us into neo-absolutist territory burs our vision†¦ and puts us at ever-accelerating risk of carrying out moral harms (such as the use of nuclear weapons) from which we may not soon recover† (Scarry, 2006, para. 12). There are likewise lighter topics explored in essays in the collection, such as â€Å"What the Dog Saw† by Malcolm Gladwell that focuses on how an egocentric person may not be emulated, while prescribing better ways of dealing with those around us. The various other essays, whether they serve as an earnest appeal for action or as subtle vehicles for behavioral change, providing stern warnings of things to come, derive much of their strength on the fact that what is presented is a shared experience, most of them culled from real-life circumstances and developments, forming painful realities that people must contend with. They may reflect hard truths about society’s past intermingling with the present, or they may point to the future, but the single thread running through the selected essays in The Best American Essays that the writers may want to put across is that their readers can do something about the painful truths or hard-to-bear facts presented therein. In essence, the essays under study embody a form of literature that â€Å"represents much more than a pristine chronicle of a particular time and place†¦As a flexible medium, literature (like the essays) allows the author to manipulate modalities of past and future, real and unreal to alter patterns of perception†¦ Analysis of these models can shed light on the events which actually took place, and on the scope of possibility for alternative outcomes (Werbach, 1991, Introduction section, para. 1). Thus, when people learn painful truths about themselves or society-at-large, how they act depends, to a large extent, on where their beliefs and principles are anchored, not to mention the resources at their disposal, which still does not negate the fact that great works of literature can be catalysts for change. References Wallace, D. (Ed. ). (2007). The best American essays. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Werbach, K. D. (1991). Literary models for alternative social development in Russia. Retrieved May 7, 2008, from http://werbach. com/stuff/thesis. html Scarry, E. (2006). Rules of engagement. Boston Review. Retrieved May 7, 2008, from http://bostonreview. net/BR31. 6/scarry. php

Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels Essay -- essays research papers

Although Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift has long been thought of as a children's story, it is actually a dark satire on the fallacies of human nature. The four parts of the book are arranged in a planned sequence, to show Gulliver's optimism and lack of shame with the Lilliputians, decaying into his shame and disgust with humans when he is in the land of the Houyhnhmns. The Brobdingnagians are more hospitable than the Lilliputians, but Gulliver's attitude towards them is more disgusted and bitter. Gulliver's tone becomes even more critical of the introspective people of Laputa and Lagado, and in Glubbdubdrib he learns the truth about modern man. Gulliver finds the Luggnuggians to be a "polite and generous people" (III, 177), until he learns that the Struldbruggs' immortality is a curse rather than a blessing. Throughout the course of Gulliver’s Travels, Gulliver’s encounters with each culture signify a progression from benevolence towards man to misanthr opy, resulting in Gulliver's final insanity. In the first part of the book, Gulliver arrives on a strange island and wakes up tied to the ground by a culture of six-inch tall Lilliputians. Gulliver is amazed by the skill of the Lilliputians in handling him, but he is offended by their disrespect: â€Å"†¦in my Thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the Intrepidity of these diminutive Mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk on my Body, while one of my Hands was at Liberty, without trembling at the very Sight of so prodigious a Creature as I must appear to them† (I, 8). However, Gulliver complies with every inconvenience that the Lilliputians bestow on him, because he allows them to take him prisoner even though he could destroy them with one stomp. It is rather amusing that Gulliver surrenders to these tiny people so quickly: â€Å"†¦when I felt the Smart of their Arrows upon my Face and Hands†¦I gave Tokens to let them know that they might do with me what they pleased† (I, 9). They also tie Gulliver up as if he were a dog, and search his pockets in order to confiscate any weapons, among numerous other actions in which Gulliver placidly succumbs. No matter how respectful Gulliver is, however, it is negated by his lack of shame. By urinating on the queen’s palace to put out a fire, he does not realize that he offended the queen immensely, and this is the cause for his impeachment. By making th... ...is own race begins to turn on him ironically when he describes the culture of his native country to the Houyhnhnms. The rational beings conclude that Gulliver really is a Yahoo because the civilized people of Gulliver’s culture are just as corrupt as the less civilized Yahoos. Upon realizing the morose fact that he is indeed a Yahoo dressed up like a civilized man, Gulliver’s psyche collapses and he is transformed into a misanthrope, forever alienated from the rest of society. All four books of Gulliver’s Travels form a rapid descent into the dark nature of man. Swift is satirizing the elements that make men human, from small pettiness to corruptness and greed. When a sane man such as Gulliver is exposed to the different aspects of human immorality, Swift shows how these influence his life and the effect, ultimately, is the deterioration of his mind. At the end of the book, Gulliver cannot even look at his family without feeling disgust. Above all, he is disgusted with himself for being a part of such a corrupt race as man. But Gulliver is â€Å"an honest Man, and a good Sailor, but a little too positive in his own Opinions, which was the Cause of his Destruction† (IV, 191).

Environmental Analysis Essay

Introduction This essay will discussed one of the most controversial environmental issue climate change along with some of the facts including how people first discover that climate change does existed; as well as legitimation in climate change globally; public debate; and the way in which government response to this issue. Furthermore this paper will discuss the role of science to identify the existence of climate change. Identification and legitimation of the issue Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges that the world encounters. It has obvious impact on our planet causing higher temperature, shifting seasons, sea levels rising. These phenomenon are closely tide up with world’s economic as it affect businesses around the world. The British government report warned if no action is taken to control carbon emissions climate change would cost 5 to 20 percent of the annual global gross domestic product. (Climate change impacts, 2011). The United Nation’s intergovernmental Panel on Climate change published a report in 2007 regarding the discovery of Global Warming since the 20th Century. (IPCC, 2011). The possible reason for this phenomenon may be caused by human activity. The appropriate definition is explained by the IPCC, which states that climate change is â€Å"a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.† (IPCC, 2012) Many countries have taken the initiative to legislate appropriate regulation regarding climate change. In 2010 a published article noted that â€Å"Qinghai† is one of the first province to establish a regulation that holds local government and state owned enterprises response in coping with climate change (Xinhuanet, 2010). The statistic have shown that â€Å"Qinghai† ‘s temperature in general has been rising by 0.35 centigrade every ten years compare to the world’s average of 0.13 centigrade. (Mu Xuequan, 2010). This regulation will stress the importance and specified the local government’s responsibility on climate change. Public Debate The argument around the topic of climate change is one of the most controversial topic because it involved in whether climate change is man made or its simply nature forces. Some scientist believes that the temperature of earth is actually getting colder not warmer due to the cycle of the sun. This is known as the â€Å"Sunspot cycle†, sun gets a little bit hotter and colder every 11 years and when it gets colder it causes the temperature of earth to get colder too. Other scientist argued that the change of temperature is so small that it can barely be detected. Most scientists agree that an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the main cause of global warming. They argued about the details of the effects of global warming on the earth. However it is generally agreed that it will lead to worldwide changes in weather patterns, gradual melting of the ice caps and rising sea levels. These changes will impact on your lifestyle, agriculture and the survival of other organism. (Haire, M et al, 2000). Energy savings, emissions reductions and water resource conservation and many other works related to climate change need to be considered Government policy response Recent years many countries have impose law relevant to combat climate change. Energy savings, emissions reductions and water resource conservation and marketing â€Å"green† have been the primary goal amongst most organization. Country like Australia is promoting energy efficiency measures through a wide range of programs and rebates. The election of Kevin Rudd in 2007 especially shows a major change of the Australian government policy through Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. In terms of some specific initiatives the Australian government also continue the measure of mandatory renewable energy target scheme. And since 2010 the Government also established a climate change committee with the main purpose of investigate â€Å"options for implementing a carbon price and help build consensus on how Australia will tackle climate change† (Parliament of Australia, 2012) Role of science Science has played an important part in proving the existence of climate change by observation and experiment. This graph above depicts the global change in sea level since the end of the last ice age. During this 15,000 year period sea level has increased approximately 125 meters. Conclusion By evaluating the historical development of climate change we can conclude that climate change is the most important and challenging environmental issue. Regardless of the disagreements, climate change has been proven exist by scientific research. It has drawn the public attention and requires international cooperation among different governments. Reference Haire, M et al (2000). Core Science3. Singapore: Kyodo. P110-111. IPCC (2011) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. [online] Available at; http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_cn.pdf [Accessed: 27 Jul 2012]. Parliament of Australia (2012) Australian government response to climate change. [online] Available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/ClimateChange/Governance/Domestic/national [Accessed: 27 Jul 2012]. Sunspots and climate (2000) Sunspots and climate. [online] Available at: http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap02/sunspots.html [Accessed: 27 Jul 2012]. The Nature Conservancy (2012) Climate Change Impacts. [online] Available at;

Plato’s Philosophical Significance (in Regards to Metaphysics, and Ethics Essay

Philosophy spans the reaches of the human mind in countless topics, but is often divided into three main branches: metaphysics, the study of the nature of existence; epistemology, the study of knowledge and truth; and ethics, the study of morals. One of the first philosophers to look at these fields is Plato (427BCE-347BCE), whose writings are incredibly influential. Plato’s work lays the fundament for philosophy because of his cohesive contributions to the fields of metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Firstly, Plato’s work with Forms greatly influences metaphysics. He contributes the idea of the Forms which exist as â€Å"eternal and perfect ideals that exist in an unchanging, perfect heaven† (via Velasquez, 2002, p. 84). [2] The Forms contrast with worldly matter; this contrast leads to Plato’s next contribution to metaphysics, his concept of â€Å"Two Worlds. † Plato divides reality into the worlds of senses and forms, the latter of which he considers to be true reality and where the soul resides. Finally, Plato’s description of the tripartite human soul greatly influences St. Augustine’s religious work on Christianity 800 years later. Therefore, Plato’s Forms helped shape metaphysics. Secondly, Plato’s Forms and myths built the foundation for epistemology. Plato argues that due to the soul’s unchanging nature, the process of â€Å"learning† is the soul’s recollection of knowledge. He also provides two myths, both closely related to his metaphysical works. In the first, the Chariot Allegory, Plato describes a charioteer en route to heaven, in which there exists â€Å"true reality [the forms] with which real knowledge is concerned † (as cited by Velasquez, p. 84). The journey is impeded by an unruly horse that represents ignobility. The concept of the journey’s difficulty is mirrored, finally, in the Allegory of the Cave, which discusses ignorance and the escape thereof. Thus, Plato’s myths form the basis of epistemology. Finally, Plato’s work in ethics regarding justice is among the first and most influential. Firstly, he defines justice as the balance between the three parts of the tripartite soul. Thus, his justice theory states that justice in both the state and the individual is defined by â€Å"harmony between the various parts for the good of the whole† (Velasquez, 2002, p. 630). This justice theory shows cohesiveness with Plato’s tripartite theory of the soul. Finally, Plato associates justice with merit: individuals are treated proportionally to their talents and accomplishments. Hence, Plato’s philosophies regarding justice form the starting point for the field of ethics. In conclusion, Plato’s writings act as a basis and connection for the three main branches of philosophy: metaphysics, through his Forms; epistemology, through his myths; and ethics, through his justice theory. His influence on philosophy and society is expansive and, as such, Plato is one of the most significant philosophers. That his ideas are still being taught to modern day shows the true nature of philosophy: to pose questions so profound that they cannot be answered 2500 years later.

The haitain revolution essays

The haitain revolution essays The most important individual in the Haitian Revolution was Toussaint L Ouverture. He was a good leader and he worked hard to fight for the slaves. Toussaint L Ouverture was born 1774. He freed slaves and led a rebellion in 1791. Toussaint wanted to fight for the slaves so he planned strategies. In 1793 he went to the Spanish side. Those were some events, in 1803 Toussaint L Ouverture died in prison, which is where he was sent to after being tricked and arrested by the French. Toussaint L Ouverture was an important individual because he was a good leader. When the Haitian Revolution started Toussaint knew that there had to be something done so he stepped up. To everyones eyes around him he was someone special. What helped him to be more of a leader was his courage to defeat France. Toussaint was known as, The great hero of the Haitian Revolution and a man considered one of the great revolutionaries and generals in his own time throughout America and Europe. This means a lot of people were looking up to him and he completed what he started. Toussaint L Ouverture was an important individual because he worked hard to fight for the slaves. Just like him and all the other slaves they all wanted slavery abolished. He also knew that the French, Spanish, and English saw the revolution as a good time to try to get Haiti for their selves. Toussaint thought about it and decided that in order for this not to happen he needed the slaves to be militarily and politically organized. For some reason though that didnt happen, Haiti remained apart of France with the professional advice of Toussaint. Also because of his hard work and leadership Saint Domingue had a constitution established and slavery was abolished. The most important individual in the Haitian Revolution was Toussaint L Ouverture. He showed he was a good leader and he proved t ...

THE LAW OF PROPERTY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

THE LAW OF PROPERTY - Essay Example Further, he also cannot act independent of the landlord, in any matter connected with the tenancy. All his rights and obligations stem from his contractual agreement with the landlord, which could be terminated by either party, by giving suitable notice as determined by the agreement. There are certain characteristics of licences, which are as follows: 1. Cancellation of the Licence. The cancellation of a licence is always possible, as was seen in the decided case law of Wood v Lead bitter (1845). The facts were that the plaintiff, A, brought a case of alleged assault against the defendant. The plaintiff was in Doncaster Race course with a ticket. He was asked to move out but he did not, and challenged the cancellation of his licence. It was held that â€Å"licence by A to hunt in his park, whether given by deed or by parole, is revocable; it merely renders the act of hunting lawful, which, without the licence, would have been unlawful." 2. The heirs or succeeding parties in the contract of licence would not be bound by the licence: this was seen in the decided case law- King V David Allen & Sons (bill Posting) Ltd. (1916). In this case, the plaintiff, David Allen was under contract with King’s to stick billposters on the walls of the theatre. Later, however, the ownership of King changed hands, and it was held that the right of David Allen, being a ‘personal’ right and not a ‘real’ right, could not be enforced against the succeeding Company. (Property law summary). In another case law, Clore V Theatrical Properties Ltd. (1936), the licensor A, was denied permission to sell drinks in the theatre, formerly run by D. The new owner C, refused to validate the licence given by D to A. Held, the court upheld C’s contention, and the only remedy for A was to seek redressal from D, who had assigned the licence to A.

Fight Club Analysis Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fight Club Analysis - Movie Review Example (Fight Club 1999); when he mentions the growing relationship between Tyler and Marla; and when he talks about the destructiveness of Project Mayhem. But in many cases too, words of the actual actors take over. In some places, especially where the narrator is talking, the dialogues are brief and to the point, just added to move the story forward at that particular point in time. Take for instance the opening scene at the support centre for men with testicular cancer where Bob Paulson, weeping, chips in a question to the protagonist, 'Are we still men' (Fight Club 1999), while the protagonist/narrator's voice, is telling the story in the background. In other scenes in the movie the dialogues are longer, starting with the time the protagonist meets Marla Singer, and discovers that she is faking her reason for being at the therapy session. They hold a conversation after the session. Other longer dialogue scenes include when the narrator meets Tyler Durden, the time the Fight Club begins, and the scene in the bathroom where the narrator and Tyler have a talk. For the fighting in the film, the actors were expected to show real fighting skills. Light and Colour Fight Club has good art direction (Linson 2004). The director, David Fincher, gave a vivid effect to the colour. As a result of this, people appear kind of shiny. Colours were also added to some nighttime shootings. A Super 35 format was used in shooting Fight Club. The narrator's scenes without Tyler Durden, the scenes are casual to look at. Those scenes which have Tyler in them have more visual effects, looking more real than is normal. Many parts of the film were shot at night, while those that were taken during the day... Giroux, H. A. (2001). "Brutalized Bodies and Emasculated Politics: Fight Club, Consumerism, and Masculine Violence", Breaking in to the Movies: Film and the Culture of Politics. New York, Blackwell Publishing Limited, 258-88