History 101 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

History 101 - Essay Example Besides the Goths taking over the Roman Empire, and the Franks and Gauls rising up to form the Frankish Kingdom, Christianity was spreading quickly and had already permeated in Roman society and still survived even the fall of Rome. All of this resulted to the integration of various cultures and practices. The Carolingian Dynasty was perhaps the earliest successful of a prosperous medieval kingdom. It was considered a model or example of how a successful merging of different cultures and practices can mix well to bring out a stable political structure, a flourishing society and a thriving intellectual atmosphere. This was all possible and caused by and during the rule of Charles the Great or Charlemagne. The Carolingian period was stable in rule, but nothing really as compared with that of the Roman Empire’s political structure. While the Romans had their Caesars as absolute rulers and the Senators as representatives of the people as well as advisors to the Caesars, the Carolingian rulers formed what seemed to be a different form of government. What developed were kingdoms -- the king had to constantly move around his land in order to show and prove himself to his subjects (Kreis, â€Å"Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance†). This of course was called the Feudal system, or Feudalism, in which the land was divided among the nobles in power who laid their allegiance to the king of the realm. This was particularly very Gallic and Germanic influence because they did not maintain for the sole reason that Rome had built a government around the emperor and his elaborate and extensive administrative bureaucracy (Kreis). The Roman political structure relied on its efficient and effective system of political management to keep the state running properly. Proper protocol is followed among the hierarchy of powers, and the various political positions are there to check each other and maintain balance and order. The legal system, as well as

In The Essay -- English Literature

In The â€Å"In The Knight, the knight is an epitome of human society, yet his appearance doe not portray his true self. Do you agree?† In Adrienne Rich’s poem The Knight, the reader is given a brief yet profound insight into the deceiving nature of humans; how we give a calm, collected front full of light and purity, yet beneath the surface we are in truth dark and inevitably mortal. The Knight portrays what every man, woman and child must inevitably decide on: to expose their true face or to hide behind a false mask to please others. The initial line â€Å"A knight rides into the noon† evokes a sense that the knight, a chivalrous and pure being, is riding gallantly into the noon, where the sun’s brightness is at its apex. When the knight’s â€Å"helmet points to the sun†, it further reinforces the first line by exemplifying the light that exists on the knight’s outer coat of armour. His bright shining armour has the brightness of â€Å"a thousand splintered suns†, dazzling any who would cross him in glorious battle. â€Å"The soles of his feet glitter†, evoking a feeling that every little detail of his armour blazes, even the soles of his feet, which would not normally see much light at all because they face down towards the earth. The knight’s outward appearance illustrates the mask that all of us put on in front of other people, whether to please or manipulate others. However, towards the end of the first paragraph, we start to see that things are not all they seem, that not all that glitters is gold. Because â€Å"under his crackling banner he rides like a ship in sail† gives the sense that although his task is underway, his â€Å"crackling banner† symbolises that the knight’s image is starting to give way to what he is truly b... ...the same peers. Rich evokes the feeling that not everyone is willing to give up their false image and that they hide behind their mask to be praised by society. Only a select few go against the false mask and live a true life free from lies and being a crowd-pleaser, but at the same time being shunned by their peers. In the end, the knight may go either way, living a false life and a dying a false death; or he could live a false life but atone himself by revealing his true self in death. Without his armour to conceal him, his true form would be exposed to the world and he could stop living a lie. Inevitably however it is out of his hands, he cannot choose whether or not to shatter his own armour in an intense battlefield. However, the knight’s true form might be known, and he might find that one measure of peace that all people seek, in death, at last. In The Essay -- English Literature In The â€Å"In The Knight, the knight is an epitome of human society, yet his appearance doe not portray his true self. Do you agree?† In Adrienne Rich’s poem The Knight, the reader is given a brief yet profound insight into the deceiving nature of humans; how we give a calm, collected front full of light and purity, yet beneath the surface we are in truth dark and inevitably mortal. The Knight portrays what every man, woman and child must inevitably decide on: to expose their true face or to hide behind a false mask to please others. The initial line â€Å"A knight rides into the noon† evokes a sense that the knight, a chivalrous and pure being, is riding gallantly into the noon, where the sun’s brightness is at its apex. When the knight’s â€Å"helmet points to the sun†, it further reinforces the first line by exemplifying the light that exists on the knight’s outer coat of armour. His bright shining armour has the brightness of â€Å"a thousand splintered suns†, dazzling any who would cross him in glorious battle. â€Å"The soles of his feet glitter†, evoking a feeling that every little detail of his armour blazes, even the soles of his feet, which would not normally see much light at all because they face down towards the earth. The knight’s outward appearance illustrates the mask that all of us put on in front of other people, whether to please or manipulate others. However, towards the end of the first paragraph, we start to see that things are not all they seem, that not all that glitters is gold. Because â€Å"under his crackling banner he rides like a ship in sail† gives the sense that although his task is underway, his â€Å"crackling banner† symbolises that the knight’s image is starting to give way to what he is truly b... ...the same peers. Rich evokes the feeling that not everyone is willing to give up their false image and that they hide behind their mask to be praised by society. Only a select few go against the false mask and live a true life free from lies and being a crowd-pleaser, but at the same time being shunned by their peers. In the end, the knight may go either way, living a false life and a dying a false death; or he could live a false life but atone himself by revealing his true self in death. Without his armour to conceal him, his true form would be exposed to the world and he could stop living a lie. Inevitably however it is out of his hands, he cannot choose whether or not to shatter his own armour in an intense battlefield. However, the knight’s true form might be known, and he might find that one measure of peace that all people seek, in death, at last.

That which Makes Him or Her

Virginia Woolf once asked, â€Å"Why are women†¦ so much more interesting to men than men are to women? † Did she ask the right question or is it the other way around like most men actually think? In the modern day of this age, the world is immersed in complicated relationships that shape the very roles each person portrays. In the midst of it all, some assumptions are made turning society into a blur with respect to the very ideas that define gender roles. The world has changed. People who want to have something said will ask a man.On the other hand, people who want something done will ask a woman. Therefore, allow me to state that the social factors that shape gender roles give far more influence than that of the cultural and biological ones. In society, gender roles are related largely to the set of acceptable standards in society. These standards define what is to be a female and what it is to be a male. Generally, the focus of how to understand gender roles is mostly dependent on the social, biological and cultural factors seen in every society.According to Reiter, â€Å"this is due to the fact that gender is an essential part of the gender or sex system. Every society and community holds a gender or sex system in which its characteristics will mostly be different in all aspects† (Reiter, 1975). Thus, for every country, nation or culture, there are certain social, biological and cultural influences only relevant and limited to that time and place. There are so many ways and guidelines which influence gender roles.A large chunk of the social influence is about the interactions and relationships people have with one another. A person’s family, friends, peers or community are the models and critiques a person has to follow or copy in order to fit in. There are â€Å"proper† ways in which a man or a woman have to act with his family, friends, peers and community. Those people who cannot live up to these standards are labelled a s outcasts or weirdoes. Moreover, television shows and films are society’s perfect role models of how they must act as a man and as a woman.The acting in shows and movies are transformed into the very roles each person plays with regard to their own genders. The essential point to why the social factor is the most influential is because of the need of every person to be accepted by the people around that person and the society where he or she lives in. The biological and cultural factors are not as influential as the social factor. First of all, the truth is that the sex in which a person is actually born does not directly determine his or her abilities or roles.The proponents of the biological factor say that, â€Å"The biological influence proposes that the differences with respect to gender roles are rooted from the differences in the body. There was even an extensive research in the late 1980’s to prove the connections between biology and gender roles† (Conn ell, 1987). However, the studies have not concluded anything. When a person is born, there is no exact way of determining how she or he will be in the future. Lastly, the cultural aspect of gender roles explains that ideas of the proper behaviour in relation to gender vary among time and place.An individual processes information and regulate their behavior based on whatever definitions of femininity and masculinity their culture provides† (Bem, 354 – 367). But culture and tradition can be easily altered or changed. People are becoming more aware each day of their unbounded potential and abilities. As people strive to become better and more successful, they will not allow themselves to be limited by culture or tradition. In essence, everything really influences gender roles whether in a miniscule or gargantuan level.The quintessential point is that first, culture or tradition can be broken and set aside without having far reaching consequences. Moreover, biological influ ences on gender roles can be overcome by simply seeing that people are not limited to their genetically inherited make up. And most importantly, the social factor gives the most considerable influence simply because it is but natural for any human being to socialize, interact and find a place where he or she can fit.

Short Story - 793 Words

The sound of dripping water caused Kiara took look up from her desk. It had been raining and drops of pooled water were dripping onto her window. The Princess sat in her private chambers while gazing lazily at a stack of treaties that her father had told her to study. She had a long time before she would become Queen, but her father refused to let her enjoy her spare time. He always wanted her studying up on the latest information from all of the neighboring kingdoms. More specifically the kingdom to the northwest. A kingdom filled to the brim with demonic beings. She had seen them before. Her father liked to entertain traveling nobility. When she snuck out of the castle to wander the market she would sometimes see them as well. The market†¦show more content†¦Her arms were covered fully by tight sleeves that ended at her wrist. Thank you ladies...you are dismissed... She told them, causing them to depart quickly. Kiara slipped on some sparkling earrings and a necklace that dipped down into the exposed area of her chest. I suppose I should get this over with... she sighed softly. The Princess turned to leave her room, headed towards the royal ballroom. Her mind wandered. Her Kingdom was large and relatively wealthy. There were several different towns surrounding the castle itself, deep and often dangerous woods bordered them from their closest enemies but also left towns farther away in peril. The humans often had little to defend against the beasts from the dark woods, and she believed her father was trying to remedy that situation. If they could gain a relationship with one of the demon monarchies they could likely get help protecting their towns from the beasts on their borders. The only question would be what said demons would want in exchange, and if the humans even had anything of worth to them. Kiara stopped before two large doors, carved intricately with ancient symbols that even she didnt understand. She could tell that the party had already begun. She waited to be announced and then placed a warm smile on her lips, walking gracefully into the ballroom. The ballroom was set up with a large staircase leading down onto an expansive dance floor.Show MoreRelatedshort story1018 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Short Stories:  Ã‚  Characteristics †¢Short  - Can usually be read in one sitting. †¢Concise:  Ã‚  Information offered in the story is relevant to the tale being told.  Ã‚  This is unlike a novel, where the story can diverge from the main plot †¢Usually tries to leave behind a  single impression  or effect.  Ã‚  Usually, though not always built around one character, place, idea, or act. †¢Because they are concise, writers depend on the reader bringing  personal experiences  and  prior knowledge  to the story. Four MajorRead MoreThe Short Stories Ideas For Writing A Short Story Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pageswriting a short story. Many a time, writers run out of these short story ideas upon exhausting their sources of short story ideas. If you are one of these writers, who have run out of short story ideas, and the deadline you have for coming up with a short story is running out, the short story writing prompts below will surely help you. Additionally, if you are being tormented by the blank Microsoft Word document staring at you because you are not able to come up with the best short story idea, youRead MoreShort Story1804 Words   |  8 PagesShort story: Definition and History. A  short story  like any other term does not have only one definition, it has many definitions, but all of them are similar in a general idea. According to The World Book Encyclopedia (1994, Vol. 12, L-354), â€Å"the short story is a short work of fiction that usually centers around a single incident. Because of its shorter length, the characters and situations are fewer and less complicated than those of a novel.† In the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s DictionaryRead MoreShort Stories648 Words   |  3 Pageswhat the title to the short story is. The short story theme I am going conduct on is â€Å"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ by James Thurber (1973). In this short story the literary elements being used is plot and symbols and the theme being full of distractions and disruption. The narrator is giving a third person point of view in sharing the thoughts of the characters. Walter Mitty the daydreamer is very humorous in the different plots of his dr ifting off. In the start of the story the plot, symbols,Read MoreShort Stories1125 Words   |  5 PagesThe themes of short stories are often relevant to real life? To what extent do you agree with this view? In the short stories â€Å"Miss Brill† and â€Å"Frau Brechenmacher attends a wedding† written by Katherine Mansfield, the themes which are relevant to real life in Miss Brill are isolation and appearance versus reality. Likewise Frau Brechenmacher suffers through isolation throughout the story and also male dominance is one of the major themes that are highlighted in the story. These themes areRead MoreShort Story and People1473 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Title: Story Of An Hour Author: Kate Chopin I. On The Elements / Literary Concepts The short story Story Of An Hour is all about the series of emotions that the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard showed to the readers. With the kind of plot of this short story, it actually refers to the moments that Mrs. Mallard knew that all this time, her husband was alive. For the symbol, I like the title of this short story because it actually symbolizes the time where Mrs. Mallard died with joy. And with thatRead MoreShort Story Essay1294 Words   |  6 PagesA short story concentrates on creating a single dynamic effect and is limited in character and situation. It is a language of maximum yet economical effect. Every word must do a job, sometimes several jobs. Short stories are filled with numerous language and sound devices. These language and sound devices create a stronger image of the scenario or the characters within the text, which contribute to the overall pre-designed effect.As it is shown in the metaphor lipstick bleeding gently in CinnamonRead MoreRacism in the Short Stor ies1837 Words   |  7 PagesOften we read stories that tell stories of mixing the grouping may not always be what is legal or what people consider moral at the time. The things that you can learn from someone who is not like you is amazing if people took the time to consider this before judging someone the world as we know it would be a completely different place. The notion to overlook someone because they are not the same race, gender, creed, religion seems to be the way of the world for a long time. Racism is so prevalentRead MoreThe Idol Short Story1728 Words   |  7 PagesThe short stories â€Å"The Idol† by Adolfo Bioy Casares and â€Å"Axolotl† by Julio Cortà ¡zar address the notion of obsession, and the resulting harm that can come from it. Like all addictions, obsession makes one feel overwhelmed, as a single thought comes to continuously intruding our mind, causing the individual to not be able to ignore these thoughts. In â€Å"Axolotl†, the narr ator is drawn upon the axolotls at the Jardin des Plantes aquarium and his fascination towards the axolotls becomes an obsession. InRead MoreGothic Short Story1447 Words   |  6 Pages The End. In the short story, â€Å"Emma Barrett,† the reader follows a search party group searching for a missing girl named Emma deep in a forest in Oregon. The story follows through first person narration by a group member named Holden. This story would be considered a gothic short story because of its use of setting, theme, symbolism, and literary devices used to portray the horror of a missing six-year-old girl. Plot is the literal chronological development of the story, the sequence of events Short Story - 793 Words Side by side, the women walked, silent, tension stiffening their spines. Joan pressed her free hand against her belly, trying to quell a sharp pang of nausea. Saying goodbye would not be easy. Behind her, Joan heard the whispers of several dozen voices, and those whispers swelled into chatter. She glanced over her shoulder to see many hundreds of people walking behind her, all there to offer support and farewells to the knights. It warmed her heart to see them, for it meant she and her friends were not alone. Joan rounded the corner, and there at the rendezvous point stood the considerable army, its ranks swelling every moment as men sped down the hill in groups of five to ten. Perceval careened down the slope, flanked by Ulrich, Lionel,†¦show more content†¦However, Joan was immune to his charms. She was more concerned about his sword arm. â€Å"Sir Kay, my husband tells me you’re a skilled warrior. I am pleased to have you watching over me and my son.† â€Å"The honor is all mine. When I escort you back to the castle, we’ll discuss your needs and preferences. I plan to be as invisible as possible, unless you state otherwise. Now, I shall step away as you bid your husband a final farewell.† The ram horn sounded, indicating it was time for the men to ride. Joan motioned for Perceval to lean down. â€Å"He’s not half as handsome as you.† Perceval chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. â€Å"I’ll miss you and I love you. Stay safe.† â€Å"Same to you.† Her throat tightened. â€Å"I love you, and write when you can.† With a nod, he mounted Aethon and lined up in formation. Meanwhile, Joan found her way back to Carina, Drea, and Alis. They held hands as they watched their husbands ride off into the forest. Finally, Joan allowed her tears to fall. â€Å"This is hard.† She could not think of anything more to say, and her friends, tearful, nodded in agreement. As the last rider disappeared into the woods, Queen Guinevere joined them, grasping Drea’s hand. â€Å"I feel as if a part of my heart’s gone missing.† â€Å"As do I,† said Joan. â€Å"But we will remain strong together.† Those words sounded braver than she felt. XXXX The first week of Perceval’s absence was wretched, and Joan feared she would never adjust. It did not matter how much time she spentShow MoreRelatedshort story1018 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Short Stories:  Ã‚  Characteristics †¢Short  - Can usually be read in one sitting. †¢Concise:  Ã‚  Information offered in the story is relevant to the tale being told.  Ã‚  This is unlike a novel, where the story can diverge from the main plot †¢Usually tries to leave behind a  single impression  or effect.  Ã‚  Usually, though not always built around one character, place, idea, or act. †¢Because they are concise, writers depend on the reader bringing  personal experiences  and  prior knowledge  to the story. Four MajorRead MoreThe Short Stories Ideas For Writing A Short Story Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pageswriting a short story. Many a time, writers run out of these short story ideas upon exhausting their sources of short story ideas. If you are one of these writers, who have run out of short story ideas, and the deadline you have for coming up with a short story is running out, the short story writing prompts below will surely help you. Additionally, if you are being tormented by the blank Microsoft Word document staring at you because you are not able to come up with the best short story idea, youRead MoreShort Story1804 Words   |  8 PagesShort story: Definition and History. A  short story  like any other term does not have only one definition, it has many definitions, but all of them are similar in a general idea. According to The World Book Encyclopedia (1994, Vol. 12, L-354), â€Å"the short story is a short work of fiction that usually centers around a single incident. Because of its shorter length, the characters and situations are fewer and less complicated than those of a novel.† In the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s DictionaryRead MoreShort Stories648 Words   |  3 Pageswhat the title to the short story is. The short story theme I am going conduct on is â€Å"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ by James Thurber (1973). In this short story the literary elements being used is plot and symbols and the theme being full of distractions and disruption. The narrator is giving a third person point of view in sharing the thoughts of the characters. Walter Mitty the daydreamer is very humorous in the different plots of his dr ifting off. In the start of the story the plot, symbols,Read MoreShort Stories1125 Words   |  5 PagesThe themes of short stories are often relevant to real life? To what extent do you agree with this view? In the short stories â€Å"Miss Brill† and â€Å"Frau Brechenmacher attends a wedding† written by Katherine Mansfield, the themes which are relevant to real life in Miss Brill are isolation and appearance versus reality. Likewise Frau Brechenmacher suffers through isolation throughout the story and also male dominance is one of the major themes that are highlighted in the story. These themes areRead MoreShort Story and People1473 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Title: Story Of An Hour Author: Kate Chopin I. On The Elements / Literary Concepts The short story Story Of An Hour is all about the series of emotions that the protagonist, Mrs. Mallard showed to the readers. With the kind of plot of this short story, it actually refers to the moments that Mrs. Mallard knew that all this time, her husband was alive. For the symbol, I like the title of this short story because it actually symbolizes the time where Mrs. Mallard died with joy. And with thatRead MoreShort Story Essay1294 Words   |  6 PagesA short story concentrates on creating a single dynamic effect and is limited in character and situation. It is a language of maximum yet economical effect. Every word must do a job, sometimes several jobs. Short stories are filled with numerous language and sound devices. These language and sound devices create a stronger image of the scenario or the characters within the text, which contribute to the overall pre-designed effect.As it is shown in the metaphor lipstick bleeding gently in CinnamonRead MoreRacism in the Short Stor ies1837 Words   |  7 PagesOften we read stories that tell stories of mixing the grouping may not always be what is legal or what people consider moral at the time. The things that you can learn from someone who is not like you is amazing if people took the time to consider this before judging someone the world as we know it would be a completely different place. The notion to overlook someone because they are not the same race, gender, creed, religion seems to be the way of the world for a long time. Racism is so prevalentRead MoreThe Idol Short Story1728 Words   |  7 PagesThe short stories â€Å"The Idol† by Adolfo Bioy Casares and â€Å"Axolotl† by Julio Cortà ¡zar address the notion of obsession, and the resulting harm that can come from it. Like all addictions, obsession makes one feel overwhelmed, as a single thought comes to continuously intruding our mind, causing the individual to not be able to ignore these thoughts. In â€Å"Axolotl†, the narr ator is drawn upon the axolotls at the Jardin des Plantes aquarium and his fascination towards the axolotls becomes an obsession. InRead MoreGothic Short Story1447 Words   |  6 Pages The End. In the short story, â€Å"Emma Barrett,† the reader follows a search party group searching for a missing girl named Emma deep in a forest in Oregon. The story follows through first person narration by a group member named Holden. This story would be considered a gothic short story because of its use of setting, theme, symbolism, and literary devices used to portray the horror of a missing six-year-old girl. Plot is the literal chronological development of the story, the sequence of events