The Things They Carried Essay Example for Free

The Things They Carried Essay 1. Jimmy’s love for Martha is in a very real and literal sense in his mind. This love was constructed in part from a brief encounter they had in the past and established and elaborated on, by his loneliness and battle fatigue brought on by the war. I believe he has constructed this relationship with her because of this. It’s not entirely clear in the story if his love is genuine or merely a catalyst or distraction to transport him away from the world he now lives in, where there is no love or morality only death, pain, and destruction. 2. Jimmy seems to mostly think of Martha when he is feeling alone, when things have become still, or the war has become too much and he has to escape. This is why when his platoon member is in the tunnel, he thinks of her because he knows the place he is in and the danger he could face. It all becomes too much and Jimmy needs to escape for a time. 3. Ted Lavender’s death could be described as a result of carelessness. Maybe in the story he is described of being fearful to the point he was self medicating to numb himself to the reality that surrounded him. On the other hand later in the story the author eliminated the fact of â€Å"in times of war men will sometimes do anything escape†, maybe in some respect Ted was inviting death as means of relief. 4. I believe Jimmy uses this excuse to justify actions and behavior of ordinary men and sometimes even boy’s place an extraordinary and incredibly stressful situations. It excuses him because he falls into the same category of everyone else in the same situation. There are times when men regardless of differences can come together because they all understand a common thread. On the other hand Jimmy’s ranking of Lieutenant places him in a position of leadership and the tie that holds and protects the lives of other and must disassociate himself from excuses to do this. 5. The soldiers make jokes about the war to minimalize what is happening. If you can laugh about something it cannot be that bad. It is also a form of comradely and escapes. 6. The author uses and develops the idea and descriptions of weights in this story to convey to the reader the burden both literal and psychological the soldiers had to endure. Because the author goes into such great detail illustrating to the reader you can almost feel it upon yourself. 7. Jimmy sacrifices his heart at first for one sided love then his duty as a leader and protector of his men. I think he does this because he is human and looking for the same thing everyone else is, a sense of home and normalcy. 8. Jimmy changes in the end of the story by letting go of something that had been weighting him down, pretends to see the love of someone who did not live him back, and has accepted the fact of this situation. It seems he has lost his escape in loving Martha but has gained a sense of closure and will probably help him save his sanity and allow him to be a better soldier and leader. 9. I think the war will seem more real to jimmy now because he is totally immersed in it. He no longer has that place he can go to, to escape. Thinking of Martha and pleasant things and times surrounding her allowed him to be saved from the everyday stresses tragedies, dehumanization’s, and hell of the world of war all around him.

Ben Sira Essay -- Bible, Attributes Ascribed to God

WISDOM OF BEN-SIRA How does the author of the book justify the goodness of God in the face of the evil present in the world? ANSWER: Ben-Sira’s theology, though not systematic, offers a coherent presentation of the sets of belief necessary in understanding and living the Jewish faith (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 940). In this regard, one important question that has been addressed by the author is the presence of God vis-Ã  -vis the presence of evil in the world. In addressing the question the author has laid down his Doctrine of God and from there explain how evil is present and persist in the face of the goodness of God. Ben-Sira’s doctrine of God affirms the Judaic concept that there is only one God. This becomes significant not only because it re-echoes the Jewish faith but because it counters the notion of the belief on pluralist God, which was the dominant notion or belief during the ancient period. This concept is significant in understanding of the notion of god vis-Ã  -vis evil because as it removes the plurality of gods, it opened the tension between the goodness of God and the presence of evil. This tension necessitates justification as the presence of evil in the world does not only posits a contradiction to the goodness of God but it also acts as a counter-claim for the one God being all-powerful. Ben-Sira claims that there are certain attributes ascribed to God alone. These are God is one and the same (42:21). God is eternal (42:21). God is the all and in all (43:27). This means that God is both transcendent and immanent in all creation (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 940). God is the creator (G:1). God is powerful and His power is manifested in the creation when He created everything out from His words (39:17-1... ...ce ill-gotten goods! Presents from the lawless do not win God’s favor The Most High approves not the gifts of the godless, nor for their many sacrifices does he forgive their sins On the other hand, To keep the law is great oblation And whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering In works of charity one offers a fine flour And when he gives alms he presents the sacrifice of praise To refrain from evil pleases God And to avoid injustice is an atonement (35: 1-5) For the author the goodness of God remains despite the reality and face of evil in the world because evil is the result of man’s weakness, of man using his free will to veer away from the laws and opt to live in sin. God in all his power shows the utmost respect on man’s freedom by not imposing his will on men but by respecting his choice – to be good or to be evil.

Agra city Essay

AGRA FORT Also renowned as the Red Fort of Agra, Agra Fort is located near to the Taj Mahal gardens on the banks of River Yamuna. The real specimen of architectural marvel, this fortress was constructed in the 15th century. The construction of this mammoth structure started during 1565 during the Great King Akbar and continued the developments up to the period of King Shah Jahan, the grandson of Akbar. The fort, in a length of 2.5 km marvelous enclosure walls, is built in red sandstones and encloses many monuments which are real architectural wonders. Many exquisite palaces such as the Shah Jahani Mahal, Jahangiri Mahal and the Khas Mahal, and audience halls named Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas are enclosed in the fortress. Other monuments include the Fish Pavilion, the Nagina Masjid, Garden of Grapes and the Pearl Mosque. FATEHPUR SIKRI Fatehpur Sikri is a town located about 40 km away from Agra and is one of the renowned World Heritage site by UNESCO. The city was built during the period 1571 to 1585 by great Mughal emperor Akbar. The city in red sandstone was built to celebrate the birth of his son Salim and also to honor the Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of Mughal Kingdom for few years, during which the city reached at the pinnacle of its developments. The architecture of the city is a mixture of Islamic and Hindu styles of constructions. There were places complexes and Mosque complexes in the city. TAJ MAHAL One of the Seven wonders in the world, a must see place in India, Taj Mahal is situated majestically in Agra. It is acclaimed as one of the three World Heritage Sites in Agra and is the living specimen of romantic love life of Shah Jahan and his favorite beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. Located at the bank of majestic River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of architectural design and excellence in finishing. Ustad Isa, the renowned Persian Architect, led the construction. The most famous marble structure in Agra, in fact the most beautiful and fascinating monument all over India, completed the construction in 1653 AD. The Mughal King Sha Jahan built this as the final resting place for the queen Mumtaz. It is believed that it took nearly 22 years to complete the grandeur palace. There are 22 small domes over the Taj Mahal, denoting the 22 years and the verses of holy Koran are inscribed on the domes. DAYAL BAUGÂ  Dayal Bagh area is located towards the north of Agra city. The place constitutes an extension of the city. The place lies at a distance of about 13 kms from the city center. Although it forms the peripheral regions of the city but the place has a good influence of the city. The place is one of the many tourist destinations in Agra. The place is sacred to the followers of Radha Swami faith. The prime attraction of the region is the memorial of Swamiji Maharaj. The structure is a blend of mosque, temple and gurudwara architecture. Built in white marble the construction of the lofty structure started on 1904 A.D. and is believed never to be ended.

A Christmas Carol Analysis - 1036 Words

â€Å"I’m not the man I once was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Dickens 685) are the most famous words spoken by Charles Dickens’s main character in â€Å"A Christmas Carol†. This play is about the story of a man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who was greedy, loved money, and had a heart that was hardened toward Christmas. Charles Dickens wrote this story to help expose the suffering of the poor and to convince readers that conditions need to be corrected. Through the visitations of three spirits, Scrooge learned why he had become greedy, how much he had missed out on by avoiding Christmas, and that he was capable of becoming a compassionate person who could make a difference in the lives of others. The Ghost of Christmas Past came to teach Scrooge about how as child he became†¦show more content†¦The Ghost of Christmas Present came to teach Scrooge about how much he misses out on every Christmas season, and what the true meaning of Christmas really is. Because Present is the mer riest and friendliest of all the spirits, he makes the biggest impact on scrooge because he is kind to Scrooge though no one else has been for so many years. Present takes Scrooge to Bob Cratchit’s house which teaches him a very important lesson. As he watches them he realizes how much love the Cratchit family has for one another, especially Tiny Tim because he is very ill, but yet still so kind and loving. Not only does Scrooge see how much love and joy Christmas brings, he also gets a glimpse of how others see him through these visions of Christmas present. The second place Present takes him is to his nephew, Fred’s, house. Fred and his guests begin talking about Scrooge while playing a game called â€Å"Yes or No† where Fred thinks of something for the others to guess. After many questions, they find out the thing Fred was thinking of was an animal that grunts and growls, which turned out to be Scrooge. The guests begin condemning Scrooge, but this is what Fr ed says about him, â€Å"He’s a comical old fellow, that’s the truth: and not so pleasant as he might be. However, his offenses carry their own punishments, and I have nothing to say against him.† What Fred means by this is that despite Scrooge’s attitude towards Christmas and towards others, he feels sorryShow MoreRelatedA Christmas Carol Analysis1141 Words   |  5 Pageswrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. This short novel has a Christmas theme and has been popular since it was first published. This moral story is about an old man called Scrooge who hates Christmas and is mean to everyone, but he is transformed. The lessons he learns are as much for the reader to benefit from as Scrooge. His transformation is the key event in the novel and the reader clearly sees Scrooge before and after his experiences. This process will now be explored more fully. A Christmas CarolRead MoreA Christmas Carol Analysis1409 Words   |  6 PagesThe novels A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, and Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte display a strong parallel in the ways in which they use their different styles of narration in the story to reveal the true inner-feelings of characters. In A Christmas Carol, the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is taught many valuable lessons through the testament of three different spirits, each working to bring out the true emotions of this man. Likewise, in Wuthering Heights, the main character, Mr. LockwoodRead MoreChristmas Carol Analysis679 Words   |  3 PagesCesar Granda E.G 121 When reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens you realize that Scrooge’s childhood has a huge impact on his adult life, his adult self is a mirror image of his child self, both in his emotions and relationships. This becomes apparent when the ghost of Christmas past appears and takes Scrooge on a journey back into his childhood days. His childhood really molds Scrooge into the person he becomes later in life. Scrooge was a lonely and withdrawn child becauseRead MoreA Christmas Carol Analysis1123 Words   |  5 PagesWhile Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol, gives an account of one wealthy man’s insight towards the lower class, Steven Johnson’s work, Ghost Map, explores the hardships endured by the lower class in Soho, a poor area of London in the 1850’s. The two pieces of literature work in conjunction to examine how the quality of life during these times was affected by the disparity between classes. Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist in A Christmas Carol, demonstrates early in the novel how the richRead MoreA Christmas Carol Analysis707 Words   |  3 PagesA Christmas Carol Discussion By Kalana A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a story about a man who is stingy, rude and solitary. His name is Scrooge, and he gets taught many lessons. Scrooge comes out a changed man who is optimistic and happy. The lessons he gets taught is not only for him but also for Dickens readers. Throughout this text, there many situations where usual readers can relate to. In other parts of the text, there are moments that are rare and have a massive impact on ScroogesRead MoreThe Christmas Carol Character Analysis1006 Words   |  5 Pages During the book â€Å"The Christmas Carol† by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge changed very much, during the beginning of the book he was a cold hearted person but by the end of the book he was a jolly old man. The Christmas Carol started off with Scrooge at his business partner, Marley, funeral. It said that: â€Å"And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain.† ScroogeRead More Analysis of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Essays3690 Words   |  15 PagesAnalysis of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol is a novel written by Charles Dickens (1812-1870) during the Victorian age, an era that took its name from Queen Victoria, England titular ruler from 1819-1901. Under Queen Victoria’s rule, London reigned the worlds dominate city country and the country’s incomparable center of commerce, culture and government. At this time London’s industrial age contributed to a large share of the manpower and capital that brought theRead MoreAnalysis Of A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens1395 Words   |  6 PagesMore than Just a Novel for the Christmas Season Christmas, the most joyous season of the year for many Christians. Yet, in the early Victorian era many industry and business leaders started to emerge as people who lacked the spirit of giving of kindness, particularly around Christmas. Charles Dickens, in eighteen forty-three penned a novel that to this day is one of the most beloved books of the Christmas season. Many view the book only as a seasonal novel to read as a young child or even an adultRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Scrooge In A Christmas Carol1524 Words   |  7 PagesDicken’s A Christmas Carol is a stubborn character that insists on his lone, grumpy life. His outlook on life had been skewed ever since his beautiful fiancà © Belle left him after she saw his love of money and wealth only growing. Scrooge lost the love of his life to greed yet he still holds tightly to it. Although many in his life have extended a warm hand to show him love and kindness, he has rejected it coldly. As Scrooge’s narcissist ic and selfish attitude only grow with time, three Christmas ghostsRead MoreAnalysis Of Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, And A Tale Of Two Cities2379 Words   |  10 Pagesunknowingly sparked the social changes in nineteenth century London by exposing the harsh conditions of the lower class through the life of an innocent child. Charles Dickens, born February 7, 1812, wrote many classic novels including Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens grew up in a lower class family, because of that his father, John Dickens, was arrested and put in jail for debt when Charles was twelve years old. Soon after this, Dickens had to stop school and go into work