Major Themes Of Wuthering Heights

Major Themes Of Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte, who never had the benefit of formal schooling, wrote Wuthering Heights. Bronte has been declared a romantic rebel because she ignored the repressive conventions of her day and made passion a part of the novelistic tradition. Unlike stereotypical novels, Wuthering Heights has no true heroes or villains. It does have however, characters who give into their fleshly rage, and those who grow up and come to accept that there is a life to be led out side of revenge. There are many major themes of the book, but revenge is the most imminent theme, the factor that leads the protagonists to their dismal fate. Bronte proves there is no peace in eternal vengeance, and in the end the self-injury involved in serving revenges purposes will be more damaging than the original wrong. Nelly Dean serves as the chief narrator of Wuthering Heights. A sensible, intelligent, and compassionate woman, she grew up essentially alongside Hindley and Catherine Earnshaw and is deeply involved in the story she tells. She gives reference to Heathcliffs appetite for revenge, which dominates the novel. She also hints at her own lack of good judgment, something from which she suffers throughout the tale. Nelly gives insight to the depths of Heathcliffs antipathy toward Hindley and foreshadows his impending doom. Hindleys ruin does not, however, give Heathcliff happiness or satisfaction. In fact, his vengeful acts make him only more miserable and evil. Evil always desirers to kill and destroy. This is exactly what the essence of revenge is. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. Healthcliff lives his life out of a wound. The fruit of which his self pity and anger. Heathcliff never finds peace through his revenge. In fact, the only time he truly finds happiness is when he gives up his plan for retaliation. Austin OMalley, a United Irish leader, stated that Revenge is like biting a dog that bit you. OMalleys quote reflects Heathcliffs immature need to propagate agony in those who have offended him. Heathcliffs plan for revenge on Edgar and Catherine is to marry Isabella, who is ignorant of love and of men because she has never experienced either. He wants to hurt Edgar through his marriage to Catherine, and he wants to get revenge on Catherine by making her jealous. Catherines death proves that this flawed plan of repayment helps nothing. Heathcliff, haunted by the ghost of Catherine because he is her murderer, still is motivated by the need for revenge and tries to get young Cathy away from Edgar by having her marry his son, Linton. Heathcliff never finds peace until he gives up his plan for revenge just before he dies. When Heathcliff gives up his plan for revenge, he meets Catherine in death and truly becomes happy once more. The absence of revenge is life. Catherines revenge does not make things better for her. Her revenge on Heathcliff by blaming him for her upcoming death does not meliorate her mind. Just before she dies, she ascribes Heathcliff for her murder. You have killed me, and thriven on it, I think (Bronte 158). Catherine resembles what Oliver Goldsmith said, When lovely woman stoops to folly, and finds too late that men betray, what charm can soothe her melancholy? What art can wash her guilt away? The only art her guilt to cover, To hide her shame from every eye, To give repentance to her lover, And wring his bosom, is-to die. Catherines death is caused by her lack of emotional control and her dual personalities. She and Heathcliff are each other (Bronte 80), but her wants of social status and popularity draw her toward Edgar (Bronte 78). She does not love Edgar, but her selfish material wants control her. Catherines revenge on Heathcliff does not assist her in finding happiness. She looks forward to dying and is wearying to escape into that glorious world (Bronte 160). Her death is, however, miserable as she wanders around the earth as a waif for 20 years occasionally visiting Heathcliff and torturing him. Just as Heathcliff and Catherines revenge make them miserable, Hindleys revenge on Heathcliff causes him to go bankrupt and eventually die. Hindleys attempt to kill Heathcliff only hurts Hindleyin the process; it proves the point Isabella makes, Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies (Bronte 177). The fact that Hindley is mistreated as a child reveals the source of the built up anger and resentment inside him and towards others. The hurt that Hindley feels is clearly understood, but sympathy for Hindley is only temporary because it is still his own fault for his predicaments. Hindleys loss of Wuthering Heights to Heathcliff and his mysterious death reflect how revenge does not make anything better, only worse. Bronte corroborates that revenge is not only a harsh and rash way to live life, but is counter-productive and hurtful. Out of all of her major themes, revenge is the most imminent. The self-hurt involved with vengeance shows there are better ways to solve conflicts. Bronte sends a great message across by showing how negative revenge can be. There is no resolution to obeying the spontaneous reaction of this negative reprisal.

Enjoying King Lear :: King Lear William Shakespeare Literature Essays

Enjoying King Lear If there was ever a historical King Lear, his memory has faded into mythology and/or been conflated with others. Llyr and his son Manannan are Celtic ocean-gods; Manannan reappeared in Yeats's plays and the "Dungeons and Dragons" games. The "children of Lir / Llyr" were transformed into waterbirds in another Celtic myth. Anglo-Israelite lore describes ("Llyr Lleddiarth "Half-Speech", king of Siluria / the Britains, father of Bran the Archdruid, who married Anna, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea; his close relatives included Cymbeline (Cunobelinus, fictionalized in Shakespeare's later play), and Caractacus (Caradoc), a well-attested historical figure better-known today from the children's song ("It's too late... they just passed by"). In the Mabinogion, one of Llyr's two wives is Iweradd ("Ireland"). Geoffrey of Monmouth ("History of the English Kings", around 1140), who provides our oldest written reference to King Lear (spelled "Leir"), describes him as a pre-Christian warrior king in what is now southwest England. (Click here to read it yourself.) This area now includes Cornwall (origin of cornish game hens.) Saint Albans ("Albany", for which the capital of New York State is named, is farther away. In the old story remembered by Geoffrey, Lear asked his three daughters whether they loved him. Two claimed to do so extravagantly, while the third said she loved him only as a daughter should. Lear disinherited the honest daughter. The story appears elsewhere in world folklore; there is an Eastern European version in which the honest daughter says she loves her father as much as she loves salt. Lear went to live with his first daughter, bringing a hundred followers. She demanded that he reduce his followers to fifty. Lear then went to live with the other daughter, who reduced the n umber to twenty-five. Lear went back and forth between the daughters until he was alone. Then the third daughter raised an army, defeated the other two, and restored him to his kingdom. (The story appears in Holinshed, who adds that Cordelia succeeded her father as monarch and was deposed by the sons of her sisters.) This tale about how actions speak louder than words had recently been played on the London stage in "The True Chronicle of King Leir.

Intro To Philosophy 1030-202 Essay

Socrates was not a Sophist; he never took money for his teaching, and rejected sophistical arguments.For one thing, the sophists taught for money. Socrates did not. For another, the sophists used language to win arguments and to sway people’s opinion regardless of the truth. Socrates used language to attain the truth. Socrates lived as an independent man. he did not want to go under any category. He was not paid for his â€Å"irony† and maieutics. Therefore he was not a sophist, as being a sophist was having a profession. Socrates was genuinely worried about why the young men were so disappointing. Socrates’ young students had been a particular disappointment to him. If Socrates could figure out exactly how the fathers had failed to properly educate their sons, he could save the city and restore Athens to its former glory. Socrates’ interesting idea was that human excellence was really a kind of knowledge. Sophists were skilled in elaborate argumentation; were they would try and make the argument they were focusing on the stronger side, even if it was wrong or weaker. This often made them seem devious as they were working only for the benefit of themselves and their students, who were aiming to become high profile speakers or politicians. Socrates was unlike this in that his main focus was not on argumentation or speaking, he rather focused on questioning virtues to understand morals and ethics. He believed that all opinions were valid which also opposed the views of the Sophists who assumed that the wisest of people were genuinely correct and only they had the ability to teach. The main goal of socrates was unlike that of the sophists. The aim of the Sophists was varied around material possession and desire. They believed knowledge is a means to power and is to be used for political or material gain. Socrates believed his questions would encourage personal growth and create a better society as a whole who would understand philosophy and ethics. Him only questionig rather than focusing on teaching separates him from the Sophists. This is due to the fact that questioning isn’t a real method of teaching and Socrates himself stated â€Å"I know one thing, that I know nothing†. This puts him on the same level as his interlocutor and gives him an insight to other opinions. In Ancient Greece, the sophists were a group of teachers of philosophy and rhetoric. This group of Greek philosophers and teachers in the 5th century BC, who speculated on a wide range of subjects flawed arguments superficially correct in its reasoning, which deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone. There was a difference between the two, sophists showed that equally good arguments could be advanced on either side of any issue; they were skeptics who doubted that there could be any certain or reliable knowledge. On the other hand, socrates was committed to the pursuit of truth and considered it his mission to seek out certain knowledge. Unlike philosophers before them, Sophists claimed to be wise enough to teach whatever you might want to know as long as you. Socrates said he was a citizen of the world. Whether in Athens or elsewhere he was meditating, and he was helping others finding their true selves. Furthermore, Socrates did not travel from city to city seeking new students to teach. He was the opposite in that he remained loyal to his home town of Athens. This is evident as he started becoming popular amongst the people who would often regard him as ‘annoying’. His popularity therefore proves that he wasn’t a travel like the sophists. Socrates has some attributes of the Sophists, such as having students, his overall method and aim was contrary to theirs. Socrates himself states in his apology â€Å"I do indeed admit that I am eloquent. But in how different a way from theirs!† which reinforces the fact that he may be good in rhetoric but his goal is not to teach argumentation and political skills. As a result it is clear that Socrates wanted to simply question people on ethics and morals and not teach for material or prolific gains.

Using Journals Effectively in Classrooms Essay - 983 Words

Using Journals Effectively in Classrooms Journal writing seems to be a popular element teachers use to give students the opportunity to become involved in the classroom without always speaking. However, is journal writing a beneficial tool for student learning? How can it become more effective in the classroom? There are many types of journals which can be used in a classroom. I have decided to look at the different types of journals that exist to gain a broad overview of journal usage. This is to help me decide what the most effective journal for this classroom would be. First, let us look at what journal writing is. Journal writing is a method to provide students with an alternate way of expression. It promotes individual†¦show more content†¦Journals are also a way for students to express ideas without feeling pressure to respond in a certain manner in order to receive a good grade. Along with the freedom to express thoughts and concerns, a journal also can provide the freedom in which you express these thoughts and concerns. Journals are considered an artists notebook. Journal entries are normally done by using words, however there is a move to allow students to use photographs, drawings, paintings, or any creative way the student may choose to express themselves. According to Teaching Writing written by Gail Tompkins, the purpose of journal writing is for students to use journals to 1) record personal experiences, 2) explore reactions and interpretations, and 3) record and analyze information. These criteria or aspects can be applied to any and all disciplines. I think that the most important place to include journal wrtiting is in the English classroom. This is where writing begins to take shape. Since it such a vital aspect of everyday life, students should feel comfortable expressing themselves and should have the means to do so. Journals allow students the opportunity to visual express themselves and to see their ideas on paper givingShow MoreRelatedThe Effect Of Technology On The Classroom Essay1210 Words   |  5 Pagesof technology in the classroom. As a teacher, I am always looking for ways to use manipulatives in my lessons to increase meaning and authenticity for students. I would love to keep my students engaged, motivated and interactive in the classroom and still be able to get through the content each day. In order to achieve this, I need to have an arsenal of tools to draw from. That is why I agree with (Tataroglu Erduran, 2010) as stated in the International Electronic Journal of Elementary EducationRead More Teachers Education Essay1648 Words   |  7 PagesCouncil for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), new skills needed in the workplace are catalysts that spur technology use in the classroom. It is clear that the business world demand schools to prepare educated workers who are skilled at working in teams, c an effectively solve problems, are able to process and apply information, and who can use technology effectively in the global market place in order to maximize productivity. Thus, the challenges and educational goals for schools should focusRead MoreEffective Implementation of Differentiated Instruction926 Words   |  4 Pagesto Effectively Implement Differentiated Instruction in the Standards-Based Classroom Xavier Anderson EDUC 8011 Fall 2011 Walden University Introduction Most modern day classrooms are structured to operate under the premises that students must demonstrate mastery of specific state mandated standards in order to show academic growth. The purpose of this paper is to explore some effective methods to effectively implement differentiated instruction in the standards based classroom. AsRead MoreAssessment for Learning Approach: An Analysis1583 Words   |  6 Pagesat the second level. As we will see in this essay, Surely, the school curriculum is in many ways akin to a well-stocked took kit. It has a number of different types of tools, tests and formative assessments combined. Only by using them together can the job be done effectively. Analysis The above question is not a new one. In an (AfL), students know at the very outset of a block of learning what is expected for them to absorb. At the beginning , the teacher works with the student to understandRead MoreIntegrating Instructional Technology And Technology1175 Words   |  5 Pagestechnology tools that can be used inside the classroom effectively are classroom website, interactive white boards, and TED Ed. Classroom Website A classroom website can be a valuable tool within a classroom. Having a classroom website provides students with literacy, history, science, and math skill practice. It also increases their opportunities to read, write and exchange ideas with others, and extended learning experiences across the curriculum. Classroom website is engaging and allows more interactionRead MoreDigital Skills And Technological Awareness798 Words   |  4 Pageseducation by the teachers, and it is important to analyse the perception of the teacher about the integration of ICT in education. The digital skills and awareness are to be understood as the knowledge about the integration of ICT into the classroom in order to effectively implement ICT and in that way achieve better results than through traditional teaching and learning processes only. Hennessy, Ruthven, and Brindley, (2010) reported that the weak side of the integration of ICT in education and analysedRead MoreLaptops in Classrooms as a Means o f Learning Hindrance and Distraction 1638 Words   |  7 PagesDuring the last decades, laptops have become standard learning tools in university and college classrooms. Since today’s students’ are high-technology demanding and tech savvy, laptops manufacturers and engineers are constantly thinking of unique ways to design their products. With advanced functions and specifications, laptops can do various activities and educational tasks for students. Also, as technology advances, yesterday’s laptops are less expensive compared to today’s and tomorrow’s whichRead More The Positive Impact of Technology on Education Essay689 Words   |  3 Pagesare computers in many of the classrooms and schools contain computer labs, or at least numerous computers in the library available to students. In my paper, I want to discuss some of the positive and negative effects that technology has on education. Throughout my schooling, I’ve seen technology go through different stages of importance in education.When I was in elementary, I remember seeing maybe one computer in the whole school.Moving to middle school, each classroom had around two computers forRead MoreEssay Adolescents: Leave the Cell Phones At Home1676 Words   |  7 Pagesteenagers imaginatively playing alongside each other with the only restriction being his or her ability to effectively communicate. Virtual conversations, text messages and online social networks have replaced development of social skills through personal interactions. Some educators insist that cell phones provide a unique opportunity to capitalize on the learning experience in the modern classroom. Unfortunately, cell phones also provide an opportunity for adolescents to compromise their ethical valuesRead MoreInterning At The Tmc Head Start My Internship Experience1188 Words   |  5 Pagesemotional, and moral development of children, my paper focuses on the importance of classroom community in schools. Through journaling, observing, and working directly with Pre-Kindergarten students, I discovered how classroom community can facilitate learning, promote social awareness, and provide much needed stability. At first, I was overwhelmingly nervous about my placement in a substantially separate classroom. I was unsure of to expect and did not believe I had the proper training to support