Wabi Sabi And Tadao Ando

Wabi Sabi And Tadao Ando We can easily now conceive of a time when there will be only one culture and one civilization on the entire surface of the earth. I dont believe this will happen, because there are contradictory tendencies always at work on the one hand towards homogenization and on the other towards new distinctions. In the 1970s and 80s, architecture in Japan was developed as a quick imitation of some indistinct international style or much worse disneyfication of Japanese cities littered with out-of-place, or downright quirky, architecture. Attempts to be creative were easily blurred by sublimated ideas from pre-WWII period, as Japanese architects are lost in translating Western aesthetic forms for a Japanese public. Likewise attempts to be traditional remains most often restricted to the production of experimental skyscrapers with cut-outs and occasional pagoda roofs (note: need to find examples, images). Many Japanese architects of that period struggle to establish an identity for themselves in an increasingly homogeneous world (Isozaki, 2011: 35) Asahi Beer Building, Asakusa district, Tokyo, by renown product designer Phillip Strack, 1989. The same struggle is evident at the beginning of Tadao Andos career as he seeks to reconcile aspects of modern construction with aspects of Japanese tradition. His travels to the West in his late 20s, taught him extensively on the precedents of modern masters such as Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Louis Kahn (Dal Co, 1997). Yet, remarkably, Ando has never been described as a neo-Corbusian, a neo-Miesian, or a neo-Kahnian. His concrete surfaces have textures as smooth and delicate as fine Japanese craftwork. His compositions are spare and clean. By these means, Andos architecture embraces a contemplative, ascetic realm of stillness and abstraction. His works embodies a rare mastery of materials and light that seeks to reconnect mankind with nature, with a monastic sense of plainness. Kenneth Frampton in his essay Tadaos Andos Critical Modernism (Frampton, 1984) further celebrates Tadao Ando as a critical regionalist. So, how did Ando overcome his struggle for an identity? To answer this question, this dissertation begins with a look back into Japanese history. In the region of Kansai during the 16th century, the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his protà ©gà ©, tea master Sen No Rikyu, laid the foundation for the discipline of wabi-sabi: a strict adherence to the virtues of simplicity, poverty and modesty, in direct resistance to the unrefined pretention of wealth. It also reflects the dissatisfaction with institutional power and resistance to tyranny. Osaka, Kansais regional capital, is Tadao Andos native city. Thus, by birth and inclination, it is no coincidence that he belongs to wabi-sabi aesthetic which is still alive today, as do many of his clients. This dissertation therefore argues, for the first time, that the fundamental key to understanding Andos capacity for abstraction must be found in wabi-sabi aesthetics. This argument may best be illustrated by a comparison of his work with that of Sen no Rikyu (1522-91), one of the greatest of all tea ceremony masters, and an important architect of tea ceremony pavilions. This dissertation will then further discuss the role of wabi-sabi in making Ando a critical regionalist. By briefly exploring the concept of critical regionalism , its importance in contemporary architecture discourses and its criticism, the dissertation shall further reflect upon how Critical Regionalism functions within Japanese culture, in which its architectural past is often more of abstraction rather than physical. Wabi-sabi: A Context The Japanese aesthetic tradition, like any other cultural tradition, encompasses diverse tastes and arts. They range from the ordinariness of Noh theatre to the lavishness of Kabuki theatre, the severity of monochrome brush ink paintings to the opulence of gold-gilded screen paintings, and the simple rusticity of tea huts to the august majesty of castles. Among the variety of aesthetic pursuits, one theme stands out for being somewhat unconventional. It is a celebration of qualities commonly regarded as falling short of, or deteriorating from the optimal condition of the object (De Mente, 2006). While such works may appear somewhat homely and rough, at the same time they impart a sense of elegance and tranquillity, a kind of unsophisticated sophistication, like the moon obscured by clouds. (Koren, 1994). This study will refer to this Japanese aesthetics of the imperfection and insufficiency as wabi-sabi. The discussion in this chapter will briefly review the aesthetic, social, historical, and philosophical dimensions of this Japanese aesthetic taste. Wabi and sabi Wabi is derived from the verb wabu (to deteriorate) and the adjective wabishii (solitary, comfortless). The essence of wabi has been described as nonattachment and subtle profundity (De Mente, 2006: 45). The nonattachment essence of a wabi is part of the Zen School of Buddhism that teaches detachment from all material things and the ability to experience the essence of things (Koren, 1994: 12). On the other hand, the original meaning of sabi is rust or patina, but it also connotes loneliness and desolation as reflected in the adjective sabishii (lonely), particularly with reference to old age (1994: 13). Koren (1994: 21) primarily suggests wabi-sabi as the most conspicuous and characteristic feature of what we think of as traditional Japanese beauty, comparing its importance in Japanese aesthetics to the Greek ideals of beauty and perfection in the West. The essence of wabi aesthetic is perhqaps best captured in Sen No Ryikus words: never forget that the way of tea is nothing more than boiling water, making tea and drinking tea. And the tea ceremony conducted in the smallest of spaces serves primarily the practice of meditation and its goal is enlightenment. Originally, the meanings of neither wabi nor sabi were specifically related to aesthetic qualities. The development of the wabi-sabi aesthetic began in earnest during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) coinciding with the spread of Zen Buddhism in Japan (Koren 1994: 12). Zen ideas about transcending the mundane world and conventional ways of looking at things through concepts like emptiness, impermanence and renunciation inspired a kind of appreciation of negative experiences such as old age, poverty and loneliness (Suzuki, 1972: 42). Hermits, priests and poets leading a solitary wandering life in search of spiritual insight incorporated this sense of appreciation in their works and teachings. As these ideas gained momentum, people tried to resign themselves to the sufferings of life and began to see a kind of beauty in them. Expressed in artistic forms, this in turn evolved into the aesthetic appreciation of wabi-sabi (Koren, 1994:14). Later, the development of the tea ceremony in the 16th century marks an important step in the evolution of wabi-sabi. Sen no Rikyu, credited with establishing the tea ceremony in its current form, was also influential in establishing wabi-sabi as an aesthetic concept (Okakura, 2005: 33). He extolled the use of simple, indigenous home-style tea utensils over the expensive and highly decorative tea utensils imported from China, placing objects expressing wabi-sabi at the pinnacle of aesthetic appreciation (2005:34). Initially, these new aesthetics could only be discovered in the humble utensils used by the common people, or in a neglected stone lantern overgrown with moss. However, as time progressed, design works were intentionally created to reflect wabi-sabi, for example, raku earthenware tea bowls or the design of the tea-house, which took on the style of a simple rural hut, with space inside for only two tatami mats (around 3.5m ²) (De Mente, 2006:45). Futhermore in art and design, two other elements that are often associated with sabi objects are asymmetry and austerity. Kakuzo Okakura (2005:15), the Japanese tea master, labelled this asymmetry beauty as the art of imperfection. Surprises are achieved by the unbalanced by the apparent randomness of things that allows the observer to complete the image. This stands in contrast to the Western compulsion to symmetry and mathematical balance, leaving no surprises and nothing for the viewer to add. Also worth nothing is that in modern Japan, the definition of a wabi-sabi style of living evolves into the elimination of things which that are inessential. The tranquillity aspect of wabi dictates a look and feel that radiates an aura of calm and solace. The natural aspect of sabi results from avoiding machination of any sort. This includes making an object or area look as if it were created by nature, not by human or machine (Koren, 1994). Wabi-sabi and Tadao Ando [further writing here on Tadao Andos background and why Tadao Ando: his significance in Japanese architecture since the 1980s] Several themes related to wabi-sabi can be identified in Andos works, and these will be discussed under the following distinct but interrelated headings: light, overlapping spaces and materials. This study will engage the expression of these themes through the analysis of his better known works, alongside an examination of similar principles in traditional Japanese exemplars. Light The spaces in Andos works are typified by light within darkness. Common features among Ando works are their meditative calmness and dimness. While describing Andos Church of Light in Ibaraki, Jodidio (2004) sums it up: If the enclosed world is a microcosm, the shaft of sunlight penetrating it is a ray of hope rendered vivid by the enclosure and the surrounding darkness. On the other hand, the fragile beauty of shadows that marked the Japanese cultural identity, as were praised by novelist Junichiro Tanizaki (1977), are utilised by Ando to infuse his buildings with an uncanny mood which enrich the void with darkness. In Andos Shiba Ryotaro Memorial Museum in Higashiosaka, visitors experience a space saturated with a heavy darkness, yet made significant by the sudden burst of light in the south-west elevation. Spatial Enclosure Though set in an urban environment, in true spirit of wabi-sabi, Andos buildings strive for the mood of a mountain retreat. Andos buildings are often described as an enclosed world, shut off from the exterior environment (Jodidio 2004:10). It shuts out the exterior world but introduces nature, in symbolic form. The symbolic representation of nature is a major expression of wabi-sabi aesthetic, and is prevalent in all Japanese art. One outstanding example is the Zen rock gardens of the Ryoan-ji, a 13th century Buddhist temple in Kyoto, where stones and white sand are used to depict islands and the sea. In Andos Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, near Kobe, visitors are greeted with a deceptively closed, minimalist volume of raw concrete. Dal Co (1997:125) describes the form of the museum as one which is radically new, yet there is still the old feeling of seclusion, of an architecture that creates another world remote from the everyday. He further describes the overall spatial structure is as closed to the outside yet open within, the former tempered by a few slits and the latter by layered planes (1997:125). One can argue that this is suggestive of the wabi-sabi approach in older, traditional Japanese architecture, where buildings are enclosed with a simple mud wall and made inwardly porous by layered screens. Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, outside Kobe Thus, spaces which overlap and figuratively fold in on each other add depth and richness to the composition and stimulate excitement and expectation in the person experiencing the space. The effect is achievable through the approach to the building. For example, the approach to a tea ceremony pavilion often leads through a garden space called a roji. This is exemplified in tea-ceremony huts in Kyotos Katsura Imperial Villa, one of Japans best known architectural heritage. In the course of traversing this garden, the visitor must pass through several gates, usually designed delicately and minimally, before finally reaching the pavilion where the tea ceremony will be performed. Detours are deliberately included in the stepping-stone walkway to generate similar anticipation and excitement. The same kind of indirect approach is characteristic of Andos buildings. Materials Traditional Japanese house architecture often employs unfinished logs, simply split bamboo, and walls made of clay with an admixture of chopped straw, as in Katsuras tea-ceremony hut. One can notice that materials were deliberately used without finishes for the sake of creating an aesthetically pure, ideal world of sobriety, calm and refined rusticity (Okakura, 2005). One can conclude that designers of tea ceremony architecture carefully selected only those materials conducive to production of a microcosm compatible with the aesthetics of wabi. Designers of such architecture tend to use natural materials, to have them look as natural as possible, and to employ muted -almost monochrome colour schemes. One could argue that Andos works severely limits the range of interior colours. In Andos buildings one could observe almost entirely unfinished concrete with the exception of floors and furnishings, which are of natural materials. Window sashes, which, though steel, are always painted gray, never bright self-assertive colours. This approach used both by designers of tea ceremony buildings and by Ando, is determined by a concern for the materials themselves and for spatial composition (Baek, 2008). Furthermore, in the spaces in Andos works, one can observe the same peaceful, almost desolate spirit of wabi-sabi that informs the design of a teahouse or lonely mountain temple. Apart from warm touches of wooden flooring and nature beyond, every surface of concrete, steel or mass presents a chilly monotonous grey. These black-and-white tonalities are distinctly Japanese, apparent in traditional buildings in silvery roof tiles, grey-weathered boards, neutral plaster and white paper screens. Tadao Andos Critical Modernism This chapter of the dissertation begins with a brief overview of critical regionalism, its importance in contemporary architecture discourse in Japan, and the criticisms against. Building on the discussion of wabi-sabi in chapters before, the chapter further discusses the role of wabi-sabi in making Ando a critical regionalist. Critical regionalism and Japan In history, regionalism is a manifested concept since the times of the Romans. Regional variations has been extensively discussed in Vitruvius treaties De Architectura (Ten Books on Architecture). The Romantics further propounded picturesque regionalism during the 19th and early 20th century. (Nesbitt 1996: 486) Critical regionalism, on the other hand, was first coined as an architectural concept in the early 1980s in essays by Alexander Tzonis, Liane Lefaivre and, subsequently, Kenneth Frampton. Tadao Andos works are situated within this backdrop of a newly defined focus on regionalism. This new focus is seen as a reaction to the authority of modernism and the imitating scenography of postmodernism, both of which were thought to have failed to address the human condition in their extreme stances towards historicism. The core question which arises is how to become modern and to return to sources?. In their 1981 article The Grid and the Pathway, Tzonis and Lefaivre hypothesise critical regionalism as the solution. In the context of architecture in Greece, they defined the term critical regionalism as the third and latest type of regionalism, following the English picturesque of nationalist regionalism, and the Neoclassical historicist regionalism. They further argued that modern architecture is impersonal and monolithic, destroying the humanistic qualities in architectural expression which would be reinstated by a new form of regionalism. (Tzonis Lefaivre, 1981) Frampton later followed their lead in propounding critical regionalism. In his 1983 seminal essay Towards a Critical Regionalism, he embeds the concept with a higher sense of urgency and highlights its critical nature against placeless monotony. Frampton saw critical regionalism exemplified by Jà ¸rn Utzons Bagsvaerd Church (1973-76) near Copenhagen, which represents, according to Frampton, a self-conscious synthesis of universal civilization and world culture. The combination of universal elements like the concrete outer shell of the church, with an organic and individualistic interior and a roof shape reminiscent of pagodas as a reference to world culture, make, in the eyes of Frampton, this architecture simultaneously resistant and modern (Frampton, 1983: 16) This resistance, one could argue, is also apparent in 1980s Japan in the midst of an economic boom. There exists a typified reaction against universal standards, western culture homogenisation and placeless modernism, but at the same time the reaction is critical in its outlook. Likewise, one could also argue that critical regionalism in Japan is self-evaluating such that it is confrontational with not only the world but also to itself. Although the Japanese (like the Chinese) had developed doctrines relatively early that emphasised the necessity of space essence, ma, and Western functionality and aimed, at least sporadically, at a reconciliation of Chinese and Western elements in architecture, regionalism has never been established as a critical architectural movement (Isozaki, 2001: 131). (note: further elaboration needed) On the contrary, Peter Eisenman argued there is no tradition of resistance in Asia. Thus, he concludes, rendering architecture in Asia, in principle, conservative and accommodating. Eisenman refers to the importance attributed to critical thinking in late 18th century Europe developed, in particular, by Kant and Giovanni Battista Piranesi that strongly contributed to the formation of a critical consciousness among European architects. Eisenman pointed out that such tradition cannot be traced in Asia. (Eisenman, 1995) (note: further elaboration needed) Tadao Ando: a wabi-sabi Critical Regionalist Frampton celebrates Tadao Ando as a critical regionalist. This is most evident in his essay Tadaos Andos Critical Modernism (Frampton, 1984) in which Frampton uses the label to discuss Andos architecture One of Framptons criteria for critical regionalism is a direct dialectical relation with nature, a dialog with the environment that Andos architecture embodies in the articulation of structure through the changing impact of terrain. This is exemplified in Andos Chikatsu-Asuka Museum outside Osaka. The work is characterised by the valley which surrounds the site. Ando decisively situated the museum on the severe slopes to make it a quiet building standing quietly in nature (Ando, 1989a: 46). In contrast to the modernist clean slate approach of levelling the site, Andos approach is in true adherence to the spirit of wabi-sabi of preserving the tectonic quality of the nature. In Chikatsu-Asuka, the work is tactile, another component of Framptons (1983:28) definition which resides in the fact that (the building) can only be decoded in terms of experience itself. Indeed, Ando professes that a building exists to be seen and experienced and not to be talked about (eds. Knabe Noennig, 1999: 118). It could also be argued that, in abidance to the tenets of wabi-sabi, Ando is seeking to tackle the tactile range of human perception. This romanticised emotion of wabi-sabi can be seen in the way Ando describes his buildings and context, which he refers to as cruel urban surroundings (Ando, 1997:12). As discussed earlier, within his territorial walls and spatial enclosure, Ando is determined to establish a natural, Zen-like relationship between the person, material and natural phenomena. His works are designed to be experienced in body and spirit. (eds. Knabe Noennig, 1999: 118) At the same time, Ando often speaks of the spirit and emotional contents which he has translated from the Japanese vernacular and the richness of the tradition of sukiya1 and minka2 which is lost in urban chaos and economic growth (Ando, 1982). In fact, his architecture is largely influenced by the nostalgia of his childhood memories: We all have had certain experiences in our childhood that have stayed with us for our entire lives. The house that I grew up in was very important to me à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ It is very long, and when you come in from the street you walk through a corridor and then into a small courtyard and then another long space that takes you deeper into the house. The courtyard is very important because the house is very long and the amount of light is very limited. Light is very precious à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Living in a space like that, where light and darkness are constantly interacting, was a critical experience for me. (Auping, 2002: 22) Ando (Auping, 2002: 22) speaks of himself, I value cultural treasures and would like to develop them in a creative way, revealing his, and many Japanese architects, fondness for cultural artefacts and a related lament at the loss of such an environment due to unrelenting urban development. On the other hand, the argument that posits Ando as a critical regionalist lies in this very statement by Frampton (1995:12), in which Ando is described as at once both an unequivocally modern architect and a figure whose values lie embedded in some archaic moment. In the same text, he further argued that Ando is committed to some other time before the machinations of progress has turned into an every present nemesis. Hence, one can conclude that Ando is critically opposed of the chaotic Japanese urban context and reproduction traditional Japanese physical elements. In his work there are none. One can hardly find the traditional open pavilion, bare timber skeleton, deeply overhanging roofs, or sliding shoji doors of spotless white paper (Jodidio, 2004: 21). Nevertheless Ando has transmuted these properties into something new, grounding his architecture in an ancient culture while freeing it of depiction. Wabi-sabi as a representation Japanese architectural identity. One could argue, like wabi-sabi itself, the notion of Japanese identity is perceived sensually rather than visually. Notes Sukiya is a type of Japanese architectural style. It can be literally translated as sophisticated, cultivated experience, often a reference to delight of the elegantly performed tea-ceremony. Minka are private dwellings of farmers, artisans, and merchants, constructed in traditional Japanese building styles. Illustration credits Leonard Koren, from his book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets Philosophers, fig. 2-3 Author, fig. 1, 4-10 Word count 3493

Future of Smart Phones

In recent years, the concept of a smart phone is changing dramatically. Just review what we have already got. iPhone, a creative mobile phone, has established a platform full of potential, which allows programmers to design innovative applications and sell them online. We cannot deny that iPhone is the leader of the smart phone market, however, there’s another powerful purser, smart phones based on Google Android system, which is an open-sources operating system. Features of present smart phones are evident to see, touchscreen, GPS navigator, gravity sensor, massive delicate applications and so forth.These things have come up in such a short time and changed the market entirely. 2. Changes and Improvements of future smart phones As it’s said before, smart phones are full of potential. With the increasing growth of customers’ appetite, these little digital machines are evolving rapidly to benefit people. More functions will be integrated into smartphones. 2. 1 Gam ing experience It’s believed that the gaming experience will be greatly improved in next few years. Gamers will be able to experience what we are experiencing on PCs where a FPS game is involved with high-resolution graphical display and multiplayer co-operation.These should ascribe to faster processor and faster carrier service. Moreover, the installation of games will be much easier. Only several steps are needed to be done to have a latest game downloaded and ready to run. Payment and whatever can be accomplished online. Also, with the need for intense empathy of gaming experience, the screen of smart phones will be much bigger but not as big as an iPad because it’s a burden to carry. Some designed for game may have gaming controller on themselves, just like PSP. 2. 2 Security Perhaps most challenging concern for the future is security.Nowadays, increasing people use their credit cards via smart phones. It’s devastating to see that online thieves working day and night. At present we cannot make the conclusion that smart phone we are using is pretty secure, not by the iPhone being hacked to acquaint administration right. Manufactures and security corporations should work together to ensure that customers’ password won’t be stolen by villains. When a smart phone is infected with virus, powerful anti-virus software should alert the user and wipe out the threat immediately. 2. 3 CommunicationThe famous SNS website Facebook has already achieved 500 million registered accounts, which means there’re more and more people that enjoy online communication. This gives smart phones a perfect opportunity to be the very useful tool to keep in touch with others. Although we cannot access internet everywhere at present, the future smart phone will become the most common communication device with widespread Wi-Fi network. Moreover, contact with friends will be fun under the help of some features such as multi-touching and mini camera . Sharing at any time can be the top entertainment in our daily life. 3. ConclusionHave you ever dreamed of having an ultra-functional hand like device that can do almost everything for you? It’s not transformers, but it can come into being with the rapid development of technology. Smart phones, with faster processor and high developed operating system, won’t just be your travelling companion, but your key to the colorful digital world.Bibliography (References) John Brandon (2010, February). The Future of Smartphones: 2010-2015 and Beyond. Retrieved October 28, 2010, from Digital Trend, Features Web site: http://www. digitaltrends. com/features/the-future-of-smartphones-2010-2015-and-beyond/

Hamburger Universities Essay

As of today, we have seven Hamburger Universities (HUs) around the world. They are state of the art training centers for restaurant employees and corporate staff. Since its inception, Hamburger University training has emphasized consistent restaurant operations procedures, service, quality and cleanliness. The curriculum is comprehensive, thought-provoking and the perfect foundation for building a successful career. The fact that our Oak Brook Campus Hamburger University is the only restaurant company training academy awarded  college credit recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE) is indicative of the value Hamburger Universities bring to our system and our employees. ACE recommendations mean that credits earned at Hamburger University can be applied toward a college degree. 100% of the restaurant manager and mid-management curricula are eligible for a total of up to 46 credits – approximately two years of full-time college study. Over the years, McDonald’s Malaysia sent its Restaurant Managers to Hamburger  Universities located in the United States, Australia and Korea. In mid-2006, we officially launched the McDonald’s Leadership Institute, a virtual learning community with guidance and resources to support and develop employee leadership and talent. It gives McDonald’s leaders opportunities to grow and develop through structured learning with other leaders, to participate in challenging development experiences and to access a wide variety of development tools and best practices resources. The Leadership Institute helps them develop critical leadership skills needed to address major short and long-term business challenges that are affecting the corporation. Under the auspices of the Institute, accelerated leadership development programs for high-potential directors and officers are offered annually across all areas of the world. As the end of 2007, 184 employees from 43 countries had participated with more than 40% of those who graduated receiving promotions.

The Role of Ghost in Hamlet and His Resolution on the...

The Role of Ghost in Hamlet and His Resolution on the Dramatic Work The Ghost of the previous Danish king in Hamlet is a potent element that causes Prince Hamlet variety of reactions toward the world around him and to the unexpected killer, King Claudius. Besides, the Ghost is the tool of knowledge that lights Hamlets heart with the love of insisting on searching the credibility of the crime. The Ghost of Hamlets father played a crucial role in the play especially on Hamlet by telling him the truth of his death and commanding him to revenge from the killer. The role of the Ghost and his command in Hamlet caused Hamlet hesitation and skepticism about Ghosts credibility. It drives Hamlet to choose between the consequences of life or†¦show more content†¦That explains that she is dishonest with him and she concerns on outputs, such as, herself, throne, prestige and her economic and political power more than her family and especially the source of all these graces her husband and the father of her son. However, the Ghost tells Hamlet to not thin k badly of his mother, because the heaven will deal with her actions. Taint not thy min, nor let thy soul contrive against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven and to those thrones that in her bosom lodge, to prick and sting her. The metaphor of (thorns in her bosom) contradicts with (to prick and sting her) because the bosom symbolized femininity, but the prick and sting portrays the idea of pain, and the Ghost sees that she hurt his heart by her actions. 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Compare And Contrast Essay On The Outsiders - 2059 Words

Compare/Contrast Essay - The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton The Outsiders was about the greasers and the Socs. The Socs always jump the greasers, one day Johnny fights back, he ends up killing Bob. Johnny and Ponyboy run away to a church and hide until Dally comes and gets them. They then see the church was burning, Ponyboy and Johnny run into it to save the kids inside. Johnny and Dally get injured, Ponyboy is okay. The greasers win the rumble, the Socs will stay out of the greasers territory, Johnny passes away from his injuries, Dally robs a store, the police shoot him, and he does not survive the shots. In the end Ponyboy decides to regather his life and he starts with writing his theme for his ELA class. The book The Outsiders book, the†¦show more content†¦At these points it is more up to the reader to imagine what the settings looked like instead of the author just stating what the places looked like. An example of this is when the author says Dally was waiting for Johnny and me under the street light at the corner of Pickett and Sutton.† Here the author says that there is a street light in a corner, this has some description, but it is up to the reader to figure out what the rest of the place looks like. The reader has to figure out whether there is a brick sidewalk or a cement one, this is good because then it will be more fun for the reader and it will keep them more entertained. The book also has really specific descriptions, such as this one, â€Å"One time there was a very specific description of the setting was when the author was describing the park. â€Å"The park was about two blocks square, with a fountain in the middle and a small swimming pool for the little kids. The pool was empty now in the fall, but the fountain was going merrily. Tall elm trees made the park shadowy and dark, and it would have been a good hangout, but we preferred our vacant lot, and the Shepherd outfit liked the alleys down by the tracks, so the park was left to lovers and little kids.† In this quote it s hows how big the park is, that there is a pool and a fountain. The quote also says that theShow MoreRelatedOutsiders Compare And Contrast Essay757 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Outsiders†: Compare/Contrast Essay â€Å"The Outsiders† is by far one of my favorite books of all time. I think it’s a great story that tells about how a fourteen-year-old boy overcomes many challenges and learns how to get through each of them individually. â€Å"The Outsiders† is a story about a boy named Ponyboy that lives with his two older brothers, and they have a group of friends, called the Greasers. One day Pony gets upset with his older brother, Darry, and goes to a park with his friend JohnnyRead MoreInsider in Fahrenheit 451 and Extra, a Thousand Years of Good Prayers1646 Words   |  7 PagesPage 1 of 6 The meaning of ‘outsider’ is the person in part of the society. They obey and converge in the social value which set up by the government. In both Fahrenheit 451 and A thousand years of good prayers, we see that there is several of characters absorb the knowledge and social value. These characters are under controlled and they find it is a right way in obeying the structure of the society. ‘Outsider’ in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury represents to the main character Montag and otherRead MoreThe Relativity Of Tradition And Modernity1738 Words   |  7 Pagesis more brutal to people or community than modernity? Is modernity drifting apart from tradition as a heretic? Therefore, to compare two societies this essay will provide the main view of modern society s traits and conducts more conform the human beings, to compare two societies, and this essay will only elaborate an opinion is more sympathetic to the modernity. This essay will first state a brief description of tradition and modernity, to explain the distinction between two societies. Then willRead MoreMidterm Essay Questions757 Words   |  4 PagesLIT 201 Midterm Examination-Essay Questions . . You are required to answer at least three of the questions listed below. Indicate which questions you are answering. Review the guidelines below for full details. Each essay response should be approximately 500-750 words. Include your full name, course number, and date in the upper right of your document file before uploading it. Name your document with your first initial, last name, and submit it to the 3.1 Discussion Board forum by ThursdayRead MoreAffect of Vampires on Society1233 Words   |  5 PagesBrittany Nobrega ENG 201 11/19/12 Essay #3 The Vampire Diaries is a CW television series that revolves around a love triangle between two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, and the main character, Elena. The show takes place in Mystic Falls, a small town with many secrets including witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and hybrids. It is a constant struggle for Elena to keep her family and friends alive with all of the violence vampires and werewolves bring to the town; along withRead MoreEssay on Rhetorical Analysis on High School646 Words   |  3 Pagesor in a drill sergeants sudden bellow. Not only does he get into the descriptions of the girls, but the typical jock. If one was too compare and contrast the people in their high school to the ones that Denby is speaking of, they will be able to pin point them perfectly. Denby uses many examples of stereotypes, but also presents ethos. He takes many movies and compares the characters from both views, so in a way he is strengthing his claim with the same repetiti ve information, but with his own viewsRead MoreDifference Between Traditional And Modern Society Essay1255 Words   |  6 Pagesoffspring’s success. Conversely, the government is exclusively responsible for many of the services in modern society. Therefore, the success of the individual solely depends on the person rather than their families. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast the important distinction between traditional and modern society. Furthermore, this paper will demonstrate the different beliefs held by each society and show many distinct comparisons between the two societies, along with the writer’sRead MorePsychological Perspectives On Studying Juvenile Delinquency And Disorder Behavior1642 Words   |  7 PagesThis essay will compare and contrast some psychological and sociological approaches to studying juvenile delinquency and disorder behaviour. The question is what makes people behave disorderly. Youth disorderly behaviours are studi ed using different approaches including psychological and sociological approaches. Both psychological and sociological approaches to studying juvenile delinquency are necessary. This essay starts with outlining and defining disorderly behaviour and juvenile delinquencyRead MoreThings Fall Apart and the Case Against Imperialism1433 Words   |  6 Pages and personal achievement in Igbo culture. How is social life organized? What are the important celebrations? What is the role of war, of religion, and of the arts? What is the role of the individual in relation to the community of Umuofia? Compare /contrast Igbo ways of life, customs, perspectives, beliefs, and values to those of your own culture. 6. What is the importance of drums in the novel? 7. What effect does night have on the people in Ch. 2? What do they fear? How do they deal withRead MoreComparison Between Brazil And Vietnam1200 Words   |  5 PagesIn order to compare and contrast business in Brazil and Vietnam is important to first understand the overviews of each country. The text Managing Cultural Differences begins to layout the historical, political, and economic culture of Brazil in the Latin America section of the book. The first inhabits of Brazil were labeled the Amerindians ( Moran,R.T., Abramson, N.R. Moran, S. V., Harris, P.R., 2014, Pg. 344). The Amerindians were able to develop empires from their basic civilizations and in

Analysis A Midsummer Nights Dream by Shakespeare Essay

Analysis A Midsummer Nights Dream by Shakespeare The story of A Midsummer Nights Dream was mainly about love and its abnormal dealings. In the play, Shakespeare tried to show that love is unpredictable, unreasonable, and at times is blind. The theme of love was constantly used during the play and basically everything that was said and done was related to the concept of love and its unpredictable ness. Shakespeare made all of the characters interact their lives to be based on each other’s. At first, everything was very confusing, and the characters were faced with many different problems. In the end, however, they were still able to persevere and win their true love, the love they were searching for in the first place.†¦show more content†¦Hermia was not going to give up her growing passion and desire for Lysander. She decided to run off into the woods with Lysander and get married. The two ran in the woods, got lost, and settled down to rest until the morning. Herm ias love was still deep for Lysander, but she was not comfortable sleeping directly next to him. This showed that she still had her morals in tact and she made him sleep further away from her. As morning came, Lysander awoke before Hermia and, abandoned her because he was under the spell. When Hermia woke up and saw that her true love was missing, she quickly went to find him. Hermia never gave up on her love for Lysander. She only wanted him and nothing was going to stop her. Astonishingly she was able to pass all of the obstacles in her way and still retain the love for Lysander. Lysander on the other hand was not able to hold on to his love for Hermia during the time in the woods. In the beginning he started out madly in love with Hermia and unable to hide his true feelings for her. He was forced by the spell to forget about Hermia and instead he wanted her friend Helena, because of the nectar in his eyes, which made him fall in love with the first person he sees (intervention of supernatural, to change destiny). Lysander chased Helena and begged for her love. The spell from the nectar caused Lysander to take a totally different view on his life. Now, he wanted Helena and he could not even stand to look atShow MoreRelatedAnalysis on A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare1239 Words   |  5 PagesBeing. This hierarchy, with God and royalty at the top, man in the middle above women, and animals near the bottom, was the basis of status. Deviation from the established order was considered absurd and created chaos. In A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Shakespeare uses the juxtaposition of contrasting people and settings to explore the effects of disorder in Elizabethan society while revealing character flaws for comic effect. The antagonistic setting of Theseus’ Athens and the surrounding woods driveRead MoreMidsummers Night Dream1004 Words   |  5 PagesHow does the ‘play within the play’ enhance your enjoyment of the rest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream? If not, why not? I would argue that A Midsummer Night’s Dream  is one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies. Comedy is in abundance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, especially in ‘the play within the play’. ‘The play within the play’ is a key characteristic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and deserves a thorough analysis as it holds a tight link to the main plot of this play. This part of the play takes upRead MoreMidsummers Night Dream1017 Words   |  5 PagesHow does the ‘play within the play’ enhance your enjoyment of the rest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream? If not, why not? I would argue that A Midsummer Night’s Dream  is one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies. 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In particular, he voices, â€Å"Shakespeare s type of romantic comedy follows a tradition established by Peele and developed by Greene and Lyly†¦ We may call it the drama ofRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1279 Words   |  6 PagesMonumental Texts (An Analysis of the Three Most Important Texts Studied This Semester) Literature affects every aspect of our lives. The great, classic writers teach timeless, valuable life skills. Shakespeare was the greatest writer of all time. His writings mainly consisted of dramas and sonnets. Romeo and Juliet, as well as, A MIdsummer Night’s Dream were written about the same time period. He was able to inter relate everything that wrote. For example, the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe couldRead MoreA Midsummer Nights Dream Research Paper (with Cited)1161 Words   |  5 PagesThe play, A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare, is about four lovers and their dreamlike adventure through a fairy ruled forest. There are many different characters in this play and they each play their own individual role in how the play is performed and read. Three main characters that showed great characteristics are: Puck, Tom Bottom, and Helena. The play, A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare, uses characters and their conflicts to give meaning to this piece of literatureRead MoreShakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream Character Analysis of Bottom the Weaver680 Words   |  3 PagesShakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream Character Analysis of Bottom the Weaver â€Å"A Midsummer Night’s Dream† Character Analysis of Bottom the Weaver The play â€Å"A Midsummer Night’s Dream† by William Shakespeare offers a wonderful contrast in human mentality. Shakespeare provides insight into man’s conflict with the rational versus emotional characteristics of human behavior. Athens represents the logical side, with its flourishing government and society. The fairy woods represents the wilder, irrationalRead MoreEssay The Comedies of Bernard Shaw and William Shakespeare1018 Words   |  5 Pagesassignment will critically analyse the comedies of William Shakespeare and Bernard Shaw and consider what characteristics they share and how they differ. It is also important to fully understand the genre of comedy, exploring its origins, definitions and sub-divisions. Literary comedy can be sub-divided into ‘Burlesque’ (associated with the ridiculous), ‘Comedy of Manners’, ‘Satirical’ and ‘Farce’, amongst others (Stott, 2005). 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Two lovers yearn to run away together to get married, but trouble sets in and their lives become more complex when magical fairies and a love potion get involved. The four Athenians have to battle their way through love’s complications. The perplexing â€Å"love square,† mythical interference, and the endeavor to find equanimity are

Erik, Gangs and Boyle Heights Essay Example For Students

Erik, Gangs and Boyle Heights Essay Payback: The Cost Of Being a Gangster, by Erik Soto with Williams Wallis, was about a boy who was a gangster who was raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. This book talks about his life from when he was younger to the present where his life is now as he is disabled. Erik is the child of immigrants; both his mother and father came from El Salvador as they fled from the terror in their homeland. His parents immigrated to the United States so that he can have a better life for their child than they had when they were younger. Like his parents, Erik is a proud Latino. Although Erik had so many great opportunities to be someone important in life, the way his parents had hoped, he had actually made it harder for them. Erik wrote this book to honor his parents, but most importantly he wrote it to help young people realize that it better to stay out of the violence and troubles that the gang life would bring them. Instead he wants the kids to stay in school, study hard, and stay away from crimes. Sooner in Erik’s life his father passes away. He was He knew as a young kid it was easier for him to get involved in the gang life as that life brought easy money and personal power. According to Erik, â€Å"Boyle Heights was the prison of my youth and the battlefield of my adolescence. † Now he refers to Boyle Heights as a â€Å"gang wasteland†. The neighborhood Erik lived at the time was just a gang- infested neighborhood, as the average citizen is a prisoner at night. There were no Boy Scout troops, sports teams, camping grounds, or parents that spend time with their children, just pure gangsters that looked for trouble. Boyle Heights was a place for immigrants, a place where poverty was at every corner. Erik’s parents didn’t spend as much quality time with him, as they never attended a football game or go to any of his school events such as other kids parent would go. Erik’s father was a workaholic who always had two jobs and the only time Erik would be able to spend time with his father was when they were doing chores such as cutting the grass or stomping on recycled cans in the driveway beside their house. His parents felt that education was more important than religion. According to Erik â€Å" The gang life lingers, omnipresent, outside the schoolroom- seeming to offer gratifying excitement, a sense of power and control, and easy money- it’s hard for kids who have little or nothing to resist. † Erik was always surrounded by death, either hearing about it at school or seeing it in the streets. He even describes the one time him and his father went to take his mother to the airport, and as they were pulling away from their house and on Dacotah a guy comes out of the projects running fast, beside him came another guy shooting at him with a nine millimeter handgun. As his father tried to get them to safety he put the car in reverse and backed up the hill as fast as he could. He says that school is a blur, but he enjoyed learning, but real life was outside of school and in the streets. He remembers being able to play sports and hang out with friends during the day but as night came the streets were for the gangs. There were always pops and gunshots at night, he can still hear them in his head as he claims they echo. Erik said he remembers living in parallel universes, during the daytime world going to school and hanging out with friends. .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 , .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .postImageUrl , .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 , .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:hover , .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:visited , .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:active { border:0!important; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:active , .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4 .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2927f3e49e1819009a534198cc6e6cb4:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Romeo and Julliet- act three scene one EssayThen during the nighttime the gangs would come and do their violent crimes. As Erik got older he became attracted to the night. During the day he would respect his teachers at school, but at night the influence of gangs was strong and overcame him. He was curious about the gang life, he had heard about gangs from as long as he can remember and always saw gangsters constantly on the street. In gangs when a homeboy is killed, he has to be avenged, no exceptions. Respect is everything and territory is sacred. When Erik’s father noticed he was moving towards the gang lifestyle he would punish him severely. Which made Erik rebel even more against his father’s authority. Erik became a gangster at the age of thirteen, he joined the White Fence Gang (WF) as a matter of survival, but once he was in the game it became a matter of power it was about being strong or â€Å"macho. Before Erik could be with the WF he had to go through initiations, the first one was where he had to get jumped in and the other initiation was going to a spot where VN (an enemy gang) hangs out to play basketball and to shoot at them. That was his first violent crime, he even remembers the boy that got hurt his name was Mouse, he had known him since he went to school with him. Mouse became a quadriplegic, just like Erik Mouse joined because it was either joining or getting beat down by the VNEs every day. As Erik grew so did the gang life, the death rates, dangerous encounters, and also partying. To him it was a new way to life; he would always get a thrill out of it. He felt it overpowering him making him believe he was invincible. By the time Erik’s parents found out he was in the White Fence it was already too late for them to do anything about it. Erik was soon kicked out of the house when his father found out about the guns Erik had hidden around the house. Erik then moved from house to house until his mother came looking for him telling him to come back and live with them, Erik moved back home but this time he respected his parents wishes which meant no guns (yet Erik had one small handgun under his pillow or mattress for protection) or any homeboys could not come over. Later on Erik falls in love with Michelle (which is now his wife), they later have a son named Justin, which they all live in the small house in Boyle Heights including his parents. Later Erik’s parents moved out into a house in the San Fernando Valley, so Erik and his wife and kid still lived in Boyle Heights. Erik met Vago, which later became his most important partner in crime. They started cooking methamphetamine in ten thousand- dollar batches; Vago even rented a house on a dirt road in the remote area of Corona. There was also the time when Michelle and Erik went to jail for the first time. One of Erik’s his worst memory was at the time when he’s married and father of two kids. When an enemy was talking smack to Justin while sitting on Erik’s lap, Erik contains himself from wanting to do anything threating the enemy in front of Justin. Erik then later saw himself in the enemy, as he would talk smack to other gangsters on the street with their kids. Then when Justin going inside the house with Michelle, Erik goes to the room and gets a gun and looks for him. He saw the enemy with some friends in a car and as they saw Erik pull up with the gun they left the scene as fast as they could. .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 , .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .postImageUrl , .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 , .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:hover , .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:visited , .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:active { border:0!important; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:active , .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456 .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf93fb1c49bb3f1e8a6e5e5d6aecc0456:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Tennis EssayBut it was all Erik could do to protect his family. Later in life, Erik and Michelle leave each other, Erik did love Michelle and he thinks she is a great mother to his kids. He said it was too hard to live with them while being in a gang, he said he never brought his gang life into his personal life with his family. Michelle thought it was hard to balance the two lives, so she left with the kids. Now in present time, Erik is now a quadriplegic after being shot in the neck on January 3, 2002, while driving with his friend who was sitting in the passenger seat, sadly he was killed. That’s when Erik realized what goes around comes around. He now spends his days in a wheel chair and nights on a motorized bed; he has to sleep with an oxygen machine. His mother and other nurses take care of him since he is disabled now, he needs help for everything from showering, having to use the resting, to even eating. But, Erik understands the pain that he has made others suffers, so he deals with it thinking it is karma for all the wrong he has done in life. His life now brings him great pain since now he relives the memories he had during the gang lifestyle, which brought pain to many of his loved ones. He can only thing he can do is take responsibility for his actions. My life is a tad bit similar to Erik’s as in family and moral wise; my parents were also immigrants to this country. Both of my parents are from Mexico, yet they met here in California, got married, and had three kids (including me). My parents taught us that education was way more important than the gang life and made sure we stayed away from that lifestyle. My parents taught us to be someone important in life, to make sure that we don’t end up like them living by paychecks by every week or two. Most of my relatives from both of my parents side are or were involved in some sort of gang, so my parents moved away from them to start a new life on their own. My father was like Erik’s father, he is a workaholic, and my dad has two jobs to maintain our lifestyle. My father works hard to make sure we get the education we deserve since he didn’t get to finish school since he needed to help feed his family. My father also fought of addiction as he use to do drugs and binge drink when he was younger, even before my older brother was born. Yet my father has now conquered the addiction and has been sober ever since my older brother was born, was never depressed and he has never tried to killed himself. We were also never around violence like Erik at all; it would have been shocking for us to hear that someone was killed in our block really. Although Erik and I have a different lifestyle, both of our parents taught the same morals about gangs. Yet my parents made sure we stayed away from it, but I’m sure if my parents lived the way they use to live we would have been involved in gang activity just like their family members.