Memorable Quotes From Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies by William Golding was first published in 1954 and instantly became controversial. The coming-of-age story tells of a group of British schoolboys stranded on a desert island after a plane crash during a major war. Its by far Goldings best-known work. As the boys struggle to survive, they devolve into violence. The book becomes a commentary on human nature that shows mankinds darkest undertones. The novel is sometimes considered a companion piece to J.D. Salingers coming-of-age story The Catcher in the Rye. The two works can be viewed as flip sides of the same coin. Both have themes of isolation, with peer pressure and loss featured heavily in the plots. Lord of the Flies is one of the most-read and most popular books for high school and college students studying youth culture and its influences. Piggys Role Concerned with order and doing things in a properly British and civilized way, Piggy is doomed early in the story. He tries to help keep order and grows distressed when the boys cant even manage the basic task of building a fire.   They used to call me Piggy! (Chapter 1) Before this statement, Piggy tells Ralph,  I dont care what they call me so long as they dont call me what they used to call me in school. The reader might not realize it yet, but this does not bode well for poor Piggy, who becomes a symbol of knowledge in the narrative. His weakness has been identified, and when Jack, who leads one of two groups that form on the island, breaks Piggys glasses soon after, readers have  already started to suspect that Piggys life is in danger. Ralph and Jack Battle for Control Jack, who becomes the leader of the savage group of boys—contrasting with Ralphs anointing as a more rational leader—cant conceive of a world without British dominance: Weve got to have rules and obey them. After all, were not savages. Were English, and the English are best at everything. (Chapter 2)   The conflict between order and savagery is a central point of Lord of the Flies, and this passage represents Goldings commentary about the necessity and the futility of trying to impose a structure on a world inhabited by people ruled by base instincts. â€Å"They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate.† (Chapter 3) Ralph represents order, civilization, and peace, while Jack—ironically, the leader of a disciplined boys choir—stands for disorder, chaos, and savagery. When they meet, they are always wary of each other, as evil against good. They do not understand each other. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling. (Chapter 4) This description of Jack shows the beginning of his decline into savagery. Its a truly disturbing scene and sets the stage for the brutality thats to come. All this I meant to say. Now Ive said it. You voted me for chief. Now you do what I say. (Chapter 5) At this point, Ralph still has some semblance of control as the groups leader, and the rules are still somewhat intact. But the foreboding here is clear, and its obvious to the reader that the fabric of their little society is about to tear apart.   The following exchange came between Jack and Ralph, starting with Jack: And you shut up! Who are you, anyway? Sitting there telling people what to do. You cant hunt, you cant sing... Im chief. I was chosen. Why should choosing make any difference? Just giving orders that dont make any sense... (Chapter 5) The argument displays the larger dilemma of earned power and authority versus power that is bestowed. It can be read as a debate between the nature of democracy (Ralph was chosen leader by the group of boys) and a monarchy (Jack assumed the power he had coveted and decided was rightfully his). The Beast Within? As the doomed Simon and Piggy try to make sense of whats happening on the island, Golding gives us yet another moral theme to consider. Simon, another leader, ponders: Maybe there is a beast...maybe its only us. (Chapter 5) Jack has convinced most of the boys that a beast lives on the island, but with the world in Lord of the Flies at war and considering Goldings status as a war veteran, this statement seems to question whether humans, either civilized adults or savage children, are their own worst enemy. The authors answer is an emphatic yes. As the novel nears its conclusion, Ralph, running from the boys who have descended into anarchy, collapses on the beach. When he looks up, he sees a naval officer, whose ship has come to investigate a massive fire on the island started by Jacks tribe. The boys have finally been rescued: The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy. (Chapter 12) Ralph weeps like the child he no longer is. He has lost more than his innocence: He has lost the idea that  anyone  is innocent, either in the war that surrounds them but remains unseen or in the small, ad hoc civilization on the island where the boys created a war of their own. The military officer reproaches the boys who have slowly assembled on the beach for their warlike behavior, only to turn and look at his own warship standing off the islands coast. Sources Lord of the Flies Quotes. Literary Devices.Lord of the Flies Quotes. Shmoop University.Lord of the Flies. Genius.com

The Morality in Medieval England from The Millers Tale by...

â€Å"The Millers Tale† in the Canterbury Tales provides insight into the morality of people of medieval England by showing the Miller’s views on religion, heroic ideals, and common morality. Religion at this time was defined by a religious code outlined in the Bible and the ten commandments. Even though all men were expected to live by these laws, those closely related to the church, like Absalom, were expected to never break from these codes. Heroism involved a set of ideals that were meant to guide men to a heroic state of being. A hero was supposed to seek revenge and never let a crime go unpunished. Common morality was the behavioral code all men were expected to follow and it is essentially what we now call common courtesy. This†¦show more content†¦After he is tricked and fooled by Alison and Nicholas he seeks vengeance. At this time retribution was heroically just, and did not allow their names to be dishonored. When Absalom takes the blacksmiths hot-po ker and brands Nicholas he receives the satisfaction of justice and is not further punished in any of the subsequent scenes of the story. He sought retribution from the shame felt by kissing Alison’s behind and though he does not brand Alison, who is the intended recipient of his revenge, he does harm Nicholas, who Alison loves. Absolon’s heroic qualities provided him with retribution to punishment inflicted upon him. The inability for men to follow social customs also caused negative repercussions. Some moral ideals highlighted within â€Å"The Miller’s Tale† are Cato, the idea that you should not trick other men, and the idea that you should not sleep with another mans wife. As Absaloms revenge is sought Nicholas is punished with a branded butt. If he had not slept with Alison and had been moral this would have never happened. His intended trickery of Absalom is what causes him to be branded and his unjustified love for Alison is what places him in this situation. The carpenter is also at fault for not following the social normalities of his time. Marrying Alison was in direct violation of Cato. Though unspoken it was not socially acceptable to marry below or above someone ones age range. The carpenter did so without apprehension. If he had followedShow MoreRelatedGeoffrey Chaucer s The Canterbury Tales867 Words   |  4 PagesAt the beginning of Geoffrey Chaucer’s â€Å"T he Canterbury Tales,† he opens with a description of twenty-nine characters who are going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. Each character in the story represent a stereotype of a kind of person that would be seen in England during the Fourteenth Century. Every single character is unique, but also embodies physical and behavioral traits that would be common for someone in their profession. He writes each character so they have realistic qualities. However, whenRead More The Role of Quiting in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales Essay2759 Words   |  12 PagesThe Role of Quiting in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales  Ã‚   In Chaucer’s, The Canterbury Tales, many characters express the desire to pay back some other pilgrim for their tale. The function of quiting gives us insights into the ways in which Chaucer painted the social fabric of his world. The characters of the Knight, the Miller, and the Reeve, all seem to take part in a tournament of speech. The role of quiting in The Canterbury Tales serves to allow the characters themselves to transcendRead MoreHistory of British Literature3343 Words   |  14 PagesLate Medieval Period 14th Century British Literature 14th and 15th were period of transition from feudalism to pre-industrial era. A time of political, social and ideological conflicts; England was in war with France (the hundred year war 1337-1453 Edward’s claim to the French throne and attempt to bring England, Gascony and Flanders under unified political control). The defeats in France lead to deepening the internal crisis. The decline in agriculture together with the rise in the populationRead MoreThe Sonnet Form: William Shakespeare6305 Words   |  26 PagesPetrarch published a sequence of love sonnets addressed to an idealized woman named Laura. Taking firm hold among Italian poets, the sonnet spread throughout Europe to England, where, after its initial Renaissance, â€Å"Petrarchan† incarnation faded, the form enjoyed a number of revivals and periods of renewed interest. In Elizabethan England—the era during which Shakespeare’s sonnets were written—the sonnet was the form of choice for lyric poets, particularly lyric poets seeking to engage with traditional

Hmong Culture Free Essays

Prior to writing this research paper on the Hmong culture, I did not know anything about their history or beliefs. The only time I had heard of Hmong people was in the movie â€Å"Gran Torino. † The movie revolves around a Hmong family living in Michigan and the cultural stereotypes and discrimination they face each day. We will write a custom essay sample on Hmong Culture or any similar topic only for you Order Now After reading a few chapters in Anne Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, I felt it was necessary to take a further look into the Hmong culture for a better understanding of their way of life. I. Hmong migration from China to various Southeast Asian countries The Hmong have not had the easiest or most simple life. After reading many different sources reporting their history, I couldn’t believe how many times they were forced to relocate. The Hmong originated as a culturally unique group from Asia. Their original homeland was Central Siberia which was where most of them lived. The first time the Hmong were forced out of their homeland was in 2500 B. C. The Chinese and other Asian groups conquered Central Siberia and forced its people to flee south into northern China (Moua). Because of this, they resettled and started a new civilization on the banks of the Yellow River. Fortunately, their civilization was prosperous and successful until history repeated itself and the Han Chinese attacked them again for their fertile land along the Yellow River. The Hmong were faced with a decision to either fight or flee. They decided to fight for their land through a series of warfare but were outnumbered and therefore lost their land as well as many men. Consequently, the Hmong were forced to flee yet again. This time, they settled in the southern parts of China in today’s provinces known as Hepeh, Hunan, and Hubei (Xiong). â€Å"There are approximately 8 to 12 million Hmong still living in this region of China† (Quincy, 1988). Throughout history, the Hmong people continued to face hardship. During the Qing Dynasty, three major wars pushed hundreds of thousands of Hmong even further into the Southeast Asian countries of Laos, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam. The first war erupted in 1735, the second in 1795, and the third, the largest and longest in 1854-1873 (Xiong). II. Hmong migration to the USA In the early 1960’s during the Vietnam War, the Hmong in Laos were recruited and trained by the United States Central Intelligence Agency to assist the United States as a secret guerrilla force army. The Hmong fought directly against the North Vietnamese and Lao Communists. That same year, the American forces pulled out of Vietnam and in result, the Lao Communists came to power in Laos. The Hmong were forced to flee yet again. â€Å"As a result, hundreds of thousands of Hmong escaped the genocide of the Lao Communist Government. This time they settled in France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, West Germany, the United States, and even Argentina as political refugees in order to continue their peaceful way of life. Statistically, the majority of the Hmong refugees (about 200,000) settled and restarted their new lives in the United States† (Teng Moua’s personal record, 1999). The states with the largest number of Hmong immigrants are California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (Yau). III. Hmong religion The Hmong are a very spiritual group of people. They are animist/pantheist which means that they believe in a variety of natural and supernatural forces. Their world is inhabited by spirits and gods and they believe that their spiritual world has the capability to coexist with their physical world. Some of these spirits that influence their human life are ancestral, household, natural, and evil. If there is contact with a supernatural spirit, the Hmong believe that their life will be affected, either positively or negatively. Ritual ceremonies are performed to please ancestral spirits. If the spirits are pleased, they will protect the believer’s descendents from illness and natural disasters. To maintain communication with the spiritual world, the Hmong refer to the shaman, who is a healing practitioner who acts as an intermediary between the spirit and physical world. The shaman is the main communicator chosen by the spirits and performs the rituals (Tapp). â€Å"While there is no standardization in Hmong religious rituals and practices, Hmong rituals usually revolve around the practices that their ancestors passed onto them. Clan and lineage variations also are prevalent between and within individual clans as practices are traditional passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition† (Hmong Cultural and Resource Center of Minnesota). Hmong also believe in afterlife. With the guidance from Hmong musical performers during the rituals, the souls of the deceased will come back to their ancestors for reincarnation. IV. Hmong education and language Many Hmong have had no formal education. In Laos, public schooling was limited and in some areas, completely unavailable. Even after Laos achieved independence, ethnic minorities such as Hmong were still denied schooling. It was not until 1939 that the first village school was built. Even then, only students from the wealthiest class were admitted. Once the Hmong arrived in the United States where they were free people, education has become a main priority. The Hmong have their own language, called Hmoob (Hmong in English). It braches into two main dialects: White Hmong and Blue (or Green) Hmong. The colors represent the colors used in traditional clothing of the different groups in the different regions of China. The Hmong language is one of a group of closely related languages of Southeast Asia and Southern China often referred to as the Miao-Yao languages. Besides being spoken by Hmong people in Laos, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam, the Hmong language is widely spoken by the Miao minority in Southern China. The Hmong language is also related to the Yao languages which include Iu Mien, spoken in Laos an d Thailand as well as China, and five other languages spoken by minority groups in the larger region† (Vang). Because of the lack of education, for many centuries, the Hmong language was only an oral type of communication. There was no alphabet system, no written texts, and no literacy system. Culture and learning was passed down from one generation to the next from memory. Elders had the most knowledge, memories, skills, and abilities. Older Hmong residing in the United States often do not speak English and, because of the recent development of the written Hmong language in the 1950s, may be illiterate in the Hmong language (Helsel, 1993; Queensland Health, 2004; U. S. Census Bureau, 2000). Young Hmong may be literate in English, but may not be able to read Hmong or Lao, though there is an effort in the Hmong community to teach young people to speak and read their traditional language (Lipson et al. , 1996). V. Hmong beliefs about illness and curing individuals Hmong believe that an illness is caused when one’s soul is lost, captured by evil spirits, or by having offended an ancestral spirit. The shaman will discuss with ancestral spirits who may have been offended by the ill person and see what the spirits want to ask from the living. Shamans may bargain and struggle with wild spirits who have capture the patient’s soul or locate the lost soul and force it back into its body. When a shaman cures a sick person, he goes into a trance and veils his eyes with a black cloth to see the spirits. He sits on a bench and faces the altar. Then, he calls his teacher spirits to help cure the ill person (Lewis). Shamans differ in ability so when a shaman is unable to help the family, they will look for a more powerful one. VI. Hmong attitudes toward Western medicine As previously mentioned, Hmong believe in natural and spiritual healing. Most older, traditional Hmong are opposed to Western medicine and practices. Not only does it go against their beliefs, but they also fear that Western medicine may be too potent for Hmong bodies to handle. People of more recent generations, however, are becoming more and more accepting of Western medicine and surgery. Hmong are also using a combination of Western medicine and traditional techniques such as massage, acupuncture, and dermabrasion (Yau). Reading about Hmong culture has been extremely interesting. I was so surprised to find how spiritual they were. It saddened me to learn about the numerous times they were forced out of their homeland. It’s unfortunate that their people are so dispersed throughout the world, however, in a way it is neat that the Hmong culture is so prevalent in various cultures outside of China. Researching Hmong culture has been a big help in reading Anne Fadiman’s, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Now, I have a much better sense of the Hmong way of life and can see a different perspective on their attitudes and beliefs. How to cite Hmong Culture, Essay examples

Rock Music and Violence free essay sample

Of the social impacts that music is blamed for, violence is the most shocking. The assumption by the before mentioned groups, that music causes violence in American youth, is very debatable. Firmly believe that music doesnt at all cause violence. I on the Other hand, argue that music reinforces certain feelings and incites emotion in the listener as it is intended to do. Music cant be blamed for acts of violence, because it sins t music or the music industry that shoots up a school. It is the children who are committing acts of violence. Music is meant to incite emotion and convey meaning not to cause violence.Teenage Violence is a problem that plagues Americas children. Suicide and school shootings are two of the most visible and horrid forms of violence displayed by American children. Many parents have been quick to blame this violence on the music that violent children listen to. Although these songs may depict violent situations and feelings, the artists who are blamed for the violence intend the songs to incite an emotion in their listener, not violence. There are several cases in which a parent has sued a record company over an act of violence committed by theyre children.An example of this is the court case McCollum v. CBS, Inc. (1988) which was brought by the parents of John McCollum, who it was alleged, listened repeatedly to two Osborne albums, Blizzard of Oz and Diary of Madman, on the familys stereo before going into his bedroom and listening to a third album, Speak of the Devil, at which point he shot himself with a . 22 caliber handgun. He was found dead the next morning as the phonon cartridge sat on the still revolving turntable. McCollum had reportedly been listening to the song Suicide Solution before retiring to his bedroom.The plaintiffs contended that this song was the proximate cause of the young mans actions. The songs lyrics include the phrases, Suicide is the only way out. Dont know what its really about (McCollum v. CBS, Inc. 249 Cal. Reporter 187 (1988). 189-191). The truth in this case however is not that Oozy caused John McCollum death. The causes of his death are much more complicated. The song in question didnt glorify suicide at all. The song was written to point out the dangers of drinking alcohol in excess. The song related to Bon Scott Of the group AC/DC who had drank himself to death.The song Suicide Solution was an anti suicide song, and was being blamed for a childs death. John McCollum had problems that led him to suicide long before listening to Oozy Osborne music. Music is not a cause, but an outlet for the suicidal or violent feelings a child might have. Another example of the problem of music being blamed for violence happened with the advent of Gangster Rap in the early asss. In 1993 Ronald Ray Howard, an eighth grade drop-out, was convicted of shooting Texas State Trooper Bill Davidson. This teenager had been listening to the song Sister Soulful, by Outpace Shaker.The songs lyrics are: Cops on my tail they finally pull me over and I laugh. Remember Rodney King and I blast his punk ass. The jury remained unconvinced that Hoards listening to the song caused him to commit an act of violence. Howard placed responsibility in Shaker for pulling the trigger. He was convicted of the murder. Lyrics such as the lyrics to Oozy Osborne Suicide Solution and OPAC Shakers Sister Soulful arent the cause of violence, but they are listened to by troubled youths who commit violent acts, and they merely serve as a way of expressing emotion.Critics Of my argument against the correlation between music and causing violence would be quick to point to accidents and deaths that have occurred at concert venues. I, however, argue that it is the people in charge of the venues at which the concerts are held that are responsible, not the musicians themselves. I myself who go to allot of concerts at many different venues see this first hand. One place that go to often is Riverbed, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the security there is great.They allow no shoving, as am always upfront also, what they call the Pit Area, which is where allot of the mussing goes on, at this venue it is not allowed and they go through every extreme to make sure it does not happen. On the other hand, Nationwide Arena in Columb us, Ohio, s not quite as good, the security there is much lacked; Ive seen fights break out from people shoving and pushing past others and the security not doing anything. But a very good example of when violence erupted at a music gathering was at the infamous Woodstock 99.The festival was supposed to commemorate the original Woodstock of 1969 that promoted peace, love, and rock n roll erupted in violence. Woodstock 99 was transformed from a three-day festival of music and blazing sun into a night of violence. Concertgoers trashed much of the 1 00 acres on the former Air Force base used for the concert. The reason for the violence was not the music itself. It was a mixture of events that caused mass hysteria and tons of damages. The factors that led to the violence are clear. There were two days of 90 degree heat. Vendors took quick advantage of this by selling a 20 oz. Outlet of water for $4. Everything was commercialese from the expensive tickets to the outrageous profits being reeled in by greedy vendors. The heat and rain which led to mud and filth caused the 225,000 + fans develop hatred at the people that were profiting from the concertgoers. The results were disastrous. Seventeen fires were burning in the area of East Stage, explosions could be heard, 1 1 tractor-trailers were on fire, and the right tower was burning after concertgoers pulled it down. A mob looted the Tams and vending huts, and the New York State Troopers had to be called in to keep the peace.Overall, the concert showed that the commercialism and poor security caused the riot. The mob that did the looting and fire setting wasnt a product of the music itself but of the conditions and the hysteria that erupted after days of high prices and blazing heat. Have mentioned several times over the course of my argument that music s designed to incite emotion or display a meaning in its listener. Almost every child is exposed to various types of music throughout childhood. The messages displayed arent really comprehensible until we get older, usually in our teen years however.Music offers all kid an outlet for the feelings that drive them. It offers them more than a role model. It offers them a chance to be influenced by its messages. According to some, the influence is very negative and leads children to commit violent acts. This argument cant be substantiated. Music is Often up to the interpretation Of the listener. This enables a piece of music to touch all of its listeners in a different way. The interpretation of certain youths will reinforce already negative sentiments; it will not cause them to think a certain way. In The Social Impact of Music Violence Senator Joseph Lieberman (D. Con. Recently said, When combined with the all the murder and mayhem depicted by the whole gamut of media [music], they are helping to create a culture of violence that is increasingly enveloping our children, desensitizing them to consequences and ultimately cheapening the value of human life. I totally disagree with this statement cause music isnt cheapening human life. It is broadening the horizons of todays children. With so many genres of music available on the Internet today, a child can learn about different cultures through their music. Senator Lieberman is blaming the music for things that it alone is not powerful enough to do. Music isnt meant to incite violence. It is meant to incite an emotion with each of its listeners. It is meant to touch people on a personal level. Any violence acted out by a teen would be caused by various elements that depend solely on their own environment. Music cant be cited as a cause. Adjust isnt plausible. Senator Lieberman is not the only one to down music, The Parents Music Resource Center (MARC) was an American committee formed in 1 985 with the goal of increasing parental control over the access of children to music deemed to be violent or sexually suggestive. The committee was founded by four women: Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice President AY Gore; Susan Baker, wife of Treasury Secretary James Baker; Pam Howard, wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howard; and Sally Envies, wife of Washington City Council Chairman John Envies. They were known as the Washington wives a reference to their husbands connections with the deader government. The Center eventually grew to include 22 participants. Who can forget, for those that love the rock music, them going up against Dee Snider?Dee Snider, frontal and lead singer of glam metal band Twisted Sister, testified that he [did] not support Mr.. Servitors unnecessary and unfortunate decision to agree to a so-called generic label on some selected records. Like John Denver, Snider felt that his music had been misinterpreted. He defended the Twisted Sister songs Under the Blade, which had been interpreted as referring to sadomasochism, bondage, and ape, and Were Not Goanna Take It, which had been accused of promoting violence.