The Secret River - Kate Grenville Essay Example for Free

The Secret River Kate Grenville Essay Kate Grenville describes the characters in The Secret River as not heroes and not devils, but Just human beings, stumbling from one small decision to the next and in so doing, without really planning it, creating the shape of their lives. The character of Will Thornhill in the novel makes several decisions some of which come from a place of circumstance and others that do not. Kate Grenvilles statement about the characters describes them to an extent as there is nothing extraordinary about them, they do not stand up for what is right as heroes do, they do not commit evil deeds as evils do. Will makes several decisions that spring from his familys history and circumstance and some that are out of his own desire for something more for his life and family. Will comes from a lower class family who feel the need to steal to survive all the Thornhills stole turnips from time to time, pg 9 They where all thieves, any time they got the chance. The dainty person could shrill all he liked about sin, but there could be no sin in thieving if it meant a full belly. Pg16 Wills dad was the primary caregiver nd was the most skilled at stealing to provide for the family. By comparison Sal comes from a middle class family; her father has money to buy her things that Wills family could not afford. In Wills eyes Sal was never short on food, especially indulgences such as oranges, sweetbread and soft white bread. Pg 17 Will comes from a long line of William Thornhills Your name is common as dirt pg 1 Iwas a curse that his sister Mary had professed over him at a young age, his response to this was William Thornhills will fill up the world pg 11 From this appening at a early age he made the decision to make himself stand out from the crowd, Its through this that every other decision in his life is affected. Will has various Jobs while he is growing up in London, after his parents passed away he feels it is his responsibility to take care of those remaining in the household. In every Job he makes the decision to steal not based on circumstances but out of a desire for excess. No-one would miss a little as there is so many pg21 this is the first instance that Will is caught stealing, He tries to lie his way out of the situation and is hipped by Crocker on the docks as a public display. Will learns not to get caught pg21 instead of not stealing at all, this is a trait that will follow him, to make decisions not from circumstance but by his own free will. There is an added element of peer pressure in this as well as his work colleagues forced the barrel to break open and encouraged him. He didnt steal the sugar out of necessity or survival but out of surplus and desire for something more in his life. Most watermen where thieves, although some went about it in a more businesslike ay page 23 this quote is fairly accurate when applied to Wills decision to steal at the river. Collarbone came into Wills life as a replacement father fgure after his died and showed him the many ways to steal from this Job. Collarbone stole some brandy saw the consequences of stealing but was blinded by the surplus amount of goods at the docks where he worked. Marrying Sal was the easiest decision Will could make, he had to work for seven years on the river to earn it and become a free man of the river the day this was granted, was the day they wed. This decision was one of desire, it was a natural progression from his initial attraction from when they were younger and was the easiest decision for Will to make. Mr. Middleton gave Will and Sal his second best wherry as a wedding gift and it was at this point that Will realized that all his decisions up until now had lead him here and he believed that this was the reward for a mans labour. page 28 The death of Sals parents had a profound effect on Wills Judgement, before this he had Just established a feeling of security and an easier future for himself and his family. This was brought about by Mr. Middleton not having any sons to leave the family business to, Wills plan was to become a strong son-in-law and through this inherit the business. The day this happened Will felt all the closed opportunities of his life open up and he gained a sense of direction. Mr. Middleton had savings and assets but during the frozen month, all of his savings and investments where dried up, Will ; Sal had seemed to have lost everything they had worked years to get What point could there be to hoping, when everything could be broken so easily? 49 It is uring this period that Will feels like he has been reduced to an animal p49 His character is described as feeling extremely empty and having a massive space where hope had been. This shifted Will back into his circumstantial decision making, the need to steal for survival mentality resurfaced and the family derived cycle began again. The biggest decision that Will makes in the story is to steal the Brazil wood from Mr. Lucas on the River. Will had been stealing all his life to survive, he knew the risks of stealing through his friend Collarbone and at this point he doesnt need to. He makes this decision based on a desire to have more in his life and refers back to when Mr. Middleton was alive and he had hope for their future. An added element was pressure for provision as Sal had Just informed him that she was expecting another mouth to feedp 55 this influenced his decision to steal as he had to increase his responsibilities as a provider and wanted to get back to getting ahead in life. It is through this decision that his life changes and it is due to a small amount of peer pressure and a desire to succeed, not based on circumstance. Factoring in all of these elements Will Thornhill makes several decisions through the novel some based on circumstances when he is a young child and his family steal for survival, and some out of a desire for more in his life fuelled by the words of his sister. This can be interpreted as greed to some extent, and to provide the kind of life Sal is used to having. Toa large extent Will is not a victim of circumstance but falls true to Kate Grenvilles comments about the characters Just human beings, planning it, creating the shape of their lives. The Secret River, Kate Grenville 2005, The Publishing Company

Marxist Theory in Hard Times (Coketown) and Watercress Girl :: hard Coketown Watercress

Marxist Theory in Hard Times (Coketown) and Watercress Girl      Ã‚   These two works may both be looked at from a Marxist point of view in finding explanation for the authors' purpose in putting pen to paper. When using a Marxist approach to analyzing literature we must bear in mind several key terms. As we look at these texts we must bear in mind what the bourgeoisie is; this is the upper or ruling class of a society. They are in place to rule due to their control over the "base, or the economic means of production" (Bressler 212). Because the have control over the base the bourgeoisie will, "consciously and unconsciously force" their "ideology" on the proletariat, or working class. The ideology referred to is the beliefs, values, and art of a society. When analyzing Coketown and Watercress Girl we can see definite influence on the ideologies of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie conveyed in the text.    In Watercress Girl we have several excellent examples of the forced ideologies. When interviewing the young girl, Henry Mayhew, recorded statements like, "although only eight years of age, had entirely lost all childish ways, and was, indeed, in thoughts and manner, a woman" (1838). In this case we have an eight-year-old girl forced into womanhood because of the economic conditions of the time. Even though this child lived with her mother who was a seamstress she was still forced to work as a street vendor of "watercress" (1339). Evidence of this life missing state of the young girl can be seen in the statement, "We children never play down there, cos [because] we're thinking of our living"(Mayhew 1389). Here we have a statement made by a young girl admitting that she cannot play because of the necessity or her working to live.    One might ask what does that have to do with the bourgeoisie and its control over ideology? If we look at the young girls statements closely we may see underlying meanings. This young girl is missing out on her childhood; a time when she is supposed to be learning values that only her parents can supply. These values that she should be learning at home from her parents are now being instilled by values learned on the street attempting to make a living. When the girl says, "we never goes [go] home to breakfast till we've sold out" (Mayhew 1839).

Education Dialogue Essay Essay

There are many people in today’s society that believe going to school is essential in order to live a rewarding life. What people don’t understand is the fact that there are many different aspects of education and some are more important than others. Although practical knowledge is important to learn, there is a big difference between schooling and educating. There are many elements of education that stimulate growth and are necessary in order to fulfill ones learning potential. The purpose of education is to help humans grow and mature intellectually. Education should foster creativity and the students should be able to develop their potential by believing they are capable individuals. Education should also let the student’s curiosity and interests direct their studies. It is important that the learning environment is positive and will help the students develop their set of morals and characteristics such as respect, loyalty, and kindness. Boredom is the common condition of most students in any type of school. This could be because the teachers are boring which makes it nearly impossible for the students to be interested in what is being taught. The boredom may also be caused by the lack of imagination and creativeness in the classroom. It is important that education fosters creativity and lets the students express themselves individually. â€Å"The aim.., is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality.† (Gatto, p.3) People would agree with Gatto in the sense that schools generally put down originality and confine students to standardized education. Many schools group students together based on test scores and proficiency levels and students start looking like robots as they go day to day in the same routine. In elementary school, I expressed my creativity in so many ways; finger painting, writing stories, coloring. It was difficult when I got into middle school and began taking classes that were strict in a sense that all I did was sit there, write notes, and regurgitate my new knowledge the best I could. It’s safe to say when I entered high school; I realized how much of my creative self I’d lost. I got so accustomed to taking notes, reading textbooks, and taking tests on scantron paper. I took a creative writing  class my freshman year in high school. When I entered the class, I didn’t think I would be able to write creatively because I had just spent the last three years writing hypothesis and formal essays. Thankfully, there was a spark in my brain that lit and developed a passion for creative writing. Throughout the year, I wrote poems, short stories, prose pieces, I even attempted writing a chapter book. I discovered a creative side of myself that had been shaded out in middle school. The next year, I took Creative Writing 2 as an elective. I created poetry pieces that I was very proud of and I decided to enter one into a statewide writing competition. The poem was titled Magnolia and it won me second place. I had finally found something that expressed who I am, I loved writing and I was good at it. I was afraid that school would make me feel jaded and unable to express the things I feel and the thoughts I think. Albert Einstein once said, â€Å"Everybody is a genus. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.† This quote has been in the back of my mind throughout my years of schooling. Everyone is different; everyone has different skills, knowledge, and abilities. It is important that students understand that just because they may not excel in math or science courses, they may be outstanding in something else. â€Å"Schools are meant to tag the unfit—with poor grades, remedial placement, and other punishments—clearly enough that their peers will accept them as inferior and effectively bar them from the reproductive sweepstakes.† (Gatto, p.4) Standardized tests do a magnificent job of making students feel stupid or inferior to other students who score higher on their aptitude tests. Schools and tests should not make people think less of themselves because of poor scores. Throughout high school, I did well in my classes. I got my homework done on time, I quizzed fine, but when it came time to take tests; I froze and forgot all knowledge previously put in my head. Although I may not be a very good test-taker, I believe I have an important set of skills that cannot and will not be defined by scores and grades. The learning process begins on day one of life. Growing up means learning about yourself, your surroundings, and how to put the two together. In the early years of education, children develop their character and discover their set of moral values. I think it is so important that in any learning environment there is respect and kindness being encouraged. People learn at a young age how they are going to interact with others. It is necessary that young people learn how to be kind hearted and understanding. Education should give students, a sense of right and wrong, good and bad. It should teach people the importance of respect, trust, and compassion. Character traits are developed in the early years of education so it is crucial that the learning environment encourages positive character and makes it possible for the student to expand a strong sense of morals. The world is a tough place but it is important to teach young people how significant it is to have compassion for other people. Today’s education system is a controversial issue because there is so much to be taught and some topics never get touched in public school. Education should let students develop themselves creatively, let the student’s curiosity and interests direct their studies, and it should help the students develop their character, morals, and teach the significance of compassion and respect. Education has many different aspects that should, all in all, stimulate growth and fulfill one’s learning potential by letting them discover and express themselves. Standardized education can be toxic because it groups students together and does not leave room for creativity and open-mindedness. Education should inspire students to be individuals with positive mindsets and outlooks on life.

Assignment Of Project Planning - 869 Words

Church Street Park Staff Lead: Jerry Allen/Mike Wright No update. Crabtree/Hatcher Creek Greenway Staff Lead: Mike Wright The section of greenway that runs adjacent to Morrisville Market has been paved and a railing has been installed on top of the retaining wall. This section of greenway is almost complete. The boardwalk that connects Misty Groves Cir. to the section of greenway behind Morrisville Square has been completed. The section of greenway that connects to the section behind Morrisville Square to Crabtree Crossing Parkway has been paved out and the concrete has been poured to complete the bridge. The contractor plans to pave behind Morrisville Square the week after Thanksgiving, weather permitting. This will wrap up this†¦show more content†¦See Updates/Items of Interest. Historic Christian Church Parking Lot Staff Lead: Todd Wright The initial site and construction plan review submittal occurred this month as planned. The project remains on schedule for a spring 2018 construction start date. Town Center/Library Staff Lead: Todd Wright Wake County and Little Architect presented a schematic design for the Library project at the November 14, Town Council meeting. Website Redesign Staff Lead: Stephanie Smith After a week of successful training, staff is making the first round of revisions to the new website. Council will have an opportunity to preview the website and will see a tour of the new site at the November 28 meeting. TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS/ROAD SIDEWALK PROJECT UPDATES Morrisville Carpenter Road: The 75% design plans remain with NCDOT for review. Morrisville Carpenter Road/Davis Drive Street Lights: Duke Energy has started work on the five streetlights on Morrisville Carpenter Road along the frontage of the Savannah Subdivision. Work is expected to be completed by the end of November. FY2018 PAVING PROJECT NO. 1: The work includes full depth reclamation (FDR) on Perimeter Park Drive (from Watkins Rd to Airport Blvd), FDR on McCrimmon Parkway (Perimeter Park Dr to Airport Blvd) and 2† mill and fill on McCrimmon Parkway (McCrimmon Extension to Perimeter Park Drive). The Town expects to receive the signed contract form the vendorShow MoreRelatedHrm 517 Week 6 Assignment 1 Planning Document896 Words   |  4 PagesHRM 517 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT 1 PLANNING DOCUMENT To purchase this visit here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/hrm-517-week-6-assignment-1-planning-document/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM HRM 517 WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT 1 PLANNING DOCUMENT HRM 517 Week 6 Assignment 1 - Planning Document You have recently been appointed head of human resources and are now in charge of managing a small team. 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