Hungering for Grass and Leaves Books About Nature and Wildness

Hungering for Grass and Leaves Books About Nature and Wildness It’s that time of winter (or winterish spring) when I’m nature-hungry. Chicago usually has harsh winters; going outside is not pleasant from November to March or even into April. Sometimes I’ll have that moment that makes me really yearn for those temperate months. I’ll smell dirt or see a patch of green (but very dead) grass that reminds me of picnics in the park and happy walks in the blossoming world. I miss birds twittering away in trees and fat bunnies on all the green spaces. To tide myself over, I read nature and animal books to help get me through this gray cold time. Were facing snow here tonight in Chicago as I type this. Below are some books about people’s contemplation and relationship with animals and nature. Some of the books about nature in particular feature very unusual takes on our relationship to the animals around us. A few authors focus on the thrill and danger of the African bush with elephants and other megafauna. The Elephant Whisperer/Babylon’s Ark/The Last Rhino by Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence The Elephant Whisperer is the story of South African Lawrence Anthony rehabilitating very traumatized elephants. It starts with a phone call offering up a group of elephants to him. If he didn’t take them, they would all be shot. And thus begins the painful and beautiful story of his relationship with a herd of elephants. Babylon’s Arc, though written first, is Anthony’s struggle to rehabilitate the Baghdad Zoo after the most recent Iraq war. It’s an incredible reminder about the cost of war on everyone and everything around us. The last book is his work to try to save the rhinos in war-torn Congo. It ends up being an interesting look at the infamous Lord’s Resistance Army settled in part of the Rhino territory. I highly recommend reading these books in order. Wildness: Relations of People and Place edited by Gavin van Horn and John Hausdoerffer; City Creatures edited by Gavin van Horn, edited by Dave Aftandilian Wildness is a collection of essays about humans and our relationship to nature. What is the meaning of “wild” in the U.S.? In Enrique Salmon’s “No Word,” he discusses how there is no word for wild in his native language of Rarámuri. There’s no setting aside the world of human and the world of the wild. It’s a beautiful essay about the importance of how language divides and separates us. We are part of nature and nature is part of us. In Mistingutte Smith’s essay “Wild Black Margins,” she discusses the intersection between African Americans and land. She talks about what is perceived as wilderness and the complicated story of land in the U.S. City Creatures is another collection of essays that focuses on animals in urban environments. There are beautiful essays, photos, and comics about the animals that live amongst us. Full disclosure: I have published articles at the City Creatures blog for the Center for Humans and Nature. But it was the exhibition and book of City Creatures that drew me to the Center and Van Horns work. Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America by Jon Mooallem This book is one of my favorite books about nature. Mooallem focuses on three speciesâ€"the polar bear, Lange’s metalmark butterfly, the whooping craneâ€"to explore the U.S.’s changing perception of animals and humans. I didn’t know much about the origins of conservation in the U.S. The title is apt; the stories go from hilarious to tragic. One that sticks in my mind is about a scientist who lived with a whooping crane, a very endangered species. She had been raised by humans and had imprinted. In order to artificially inseminate her, one scientist lived with her and did bird things, like digging for bugs and nesting. When they did a mating dance, his assistants would rush in and inseminate her. After a few miscarries, she finally laid an egg. During the time, he was waiting to talk on the Lettermen show when he realized that he was about to be skewered for this experiment. But then he got a phone call saying that a coyote had broken into the habitat and killed both the crane a nd her offspring. H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald This memoir details Helen MacDonald’s experience training Mabel, her Goshawk, as a way to deal with the sudden death of her father. While she discusses the particulars about training a hawk, it’s a very psychological book, looking at the issue of death and grief.  She talks a lot about the author T.H. Whites chronicle The Goshawk where he details his attempt to train a goshawk and focuses on the author’s own complicated life. It won the 2014 Costa Book of the Year. Whatever You Do, Dont Run: True Tales Of A Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison In comparison to the other books, this book is a breeze. It details Peter Allison’s misadventures with elephants, water buffalos, and crocodiles while working as a safari guide. Most of his stories leave you wondering how he lived to tell the tale or how he stayed employed. The Urban Birder by David Lindo This book is about the birding life of David Lindo. His philosophy is simple: look up. He advocates for birding in the most unexpected areas: green spaces in the middle of the city. You never know what will happen. In addition to this wonderful philosophy, he talks about how he got his start as a birder and his experiences of being the son of Jamaican immigrants in England. Truly a book for aspiring birders. Unseen City: The Majesty of Pigeons, the Discreet Charm of Snails Other Wonders of the Urban Wilderness by Nathanael Johnson This was one of my favorite books of 2016. The inspiration for the book comes from Johnson’s tiny daughter who asks him questions about the nature he sees on their walks. So he writes the book, dedicating each chapter to an organism like pigeons, ginkgo balboa trees, and more. The pigeon chapter I thought was rather enlightening. Two words: pigeon milk. ?? Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine Oh Douglas Adams, how I love you so. This nonfiction book is about Adams and zoologist Carwardine traveling across the world to seek out endangered creatures. They look for the Yangtze river dolphin, the kakapo in New Zealand, the Komodo dragon on a Indonesian island, and much more. It ranges from funny to sad with all the wit of Douglas Adams at the helm. You’ll fall in love with the ridiculous kakapo just like Adams. Also twenty years later (and after the too-early death of Adams), Stephen Fry and Caradwine do a TV series to revisit some of the creatures. Again, funny and depressing all the same time. Being a Beast by  Charles Foster This has to be one of the strangest books I’ve read in a long time. It was mentioned in a This American Life episode in 2016 but it’s even weirder than the segment goes. Foster wants to really understand what it is like to be an animal. So he decides he’s going to try living and experiencing the world as five different animals: badger, otter, red deer, swallow, and urban fox. He talks about living in a hole with his son as they pretend to be badgers. Or hiding in the bushes in London to understand how a fox saw the world. Or he asked a friend with hunting dogs to have them chase him in the woods to see how far he could get. The books sometimes go places I didn’t expect but it’s certainly a unique read. I hope you enjoy these books about nature to help you get through the last few months of winter. Want more books about nature? Check out Rioter  María Cristina Garcia Lynchs Read Harder 2018: A Book about Nature or Gretchen Lidas 3 Nature Books by Women for My Brother.

Christmas Quotes From the Bible

From a religious perspective, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Quotes from the Bible are staples at many holiday plays and pageants as young children are taught the story of baby Jesus. Bethlehem. Quotes from the Bible are staples at many holiday plays and pageants as young children are taught the story of baby Jesus. Biblical Christmas Quotes   Matthew 1:18-21This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law and yet  did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus  because he will save his people from their sins. Luke 2:4-7Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger  because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 1:35And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Micah 5:2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Matthew 2:2-3The Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Luke 2:13-14And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

How Is Lutie Johnson s Murder Of Boots Smith And Bigger...

As portrayed in both novels, how is Lutie Johnson’s murder of Boots Smith and Bigger Thomas’s murder of Mary Dalton a direct representation of oppression and it’s impact on the American Dream for the African American? Ann Petry’s novel The Street (1946) is a commentary on the social injustices that confronted the protagonist Lutie Johnson. Lutie is a single African American mother who lives in segregated America during the 1940’s. Throughout the novel, we see that during this time period Lutie is confronted by racism, sexism, and classism on a daily basis while in her pursuit of the American Dream for herself and her son Bub. Lutie is convinced that if she follows example of Benjamin Franklin, by working hard and saving wisely, she will be able to achieve the dream of being financially independent and therefore be able to move out from the Street in which she is confined to. Benjamin Franklin is embodied in the text through the character Junto. It is Junto that is supposed to get Lutie closer towards her dream. However, Junto, through his secret manipulations tries to possess Lutie sexually, ultimately leading Lutie towards her path of destruction and she ends up committing the murde r of Junto’s henchman, Boots. Junto represents the writer Petry’s deep disillusionment with this cultural myth of the so-called American dream. In Richard Wright’s novel Native Son (1940), The protagonist Bigger Thomas, is a 20-year-old African American youth who grew up in segregated AmericaShow MoreRelatedHow Is Lutie Johnson s Murder Of Boots Smith And Bigger Thomas Essay1460 Words   |  6 Pagesin both novels, how is Lutie Johnson’s murder of Boots Smith and Bigger Thomas’s murder of Mary Dalton a direct representation of oppression and it’s impact on the American Dream for the African American? Ann Petry’s novel The Street (1946) is a commentary on the social injustices that confronted the protagonist Lutie Johnson. Lutie is a single African American mother who lives in segregated America during the 1940’s. Throughout the novel, we see that during this time period Lutie is confronted byRead MoreThe Street By Ann Petry Essay1576 Words   |  7 Pagesnovel The Street (1946) is a commentary on the social injustices that confronted the protagonist Lutie Johnson. Lutie is a single African American mother who lives in segregated America during the 1940’s. Throughout the novel, we see that during this time period Lutie is confronted by racism, sexism, and classism on a daily basis while in her pursuit of the American Dream for herself and her son Bub. Lutie is convinced that if she follows the example of Benjamin Franklin, by working hard and saving

Mannerism vs Classicism Free Essays

During the sixteenth century a style of art was developed almost by accident. It was developed mainly in Italy, in the city of Florence. It was different than all the other styles, and this intrigued many. We will write a custom essay sample on Mannerism vs Classicism or any similar topic only for you Order Now It had not had a real name until about 1921, it was called Mannerism. Mannerism is the best art form that came out of the Renaissance. During the sixteenth century while the High Renaissance was evolving two definite styles of artwork developed. The first, which was Mannerism and is also sometimes called anti-classical style, and the second was Classicism, also known as anti-mannerism. This is some sort of hint that the two were almost opposites. 1 One response that was provoked by the upheavals of the sixteenth century was the attempt to escape reality, an effort that was echoed by some of the painters of the age, known as Mannerists. The Mannerists and their patrons cultivated artificial and esoteric images of the world; they undermined perspective, distorted human figures, and devised unnatural colors and lighting to create startling effects. 2 Mannerism broke all of the unwritten rules of painting. It created darker paintings and showed more emotion. Mannerism can be quite easily recognized. Art was no longer boring, it was more creative; this is not to say that art before then was not creative. The artists mixed colors, creating new shades. Classicism however was almost totally different. Classicism, attempted to recapture the aesthetic values and the strict forms that had been favored in ancient Greece and Rome. Classicism aimed for grandiose effects, through restraint and discipline within a formal structure. 3 A classicist painter was restricted in the ways that he painted. There were unwritten and written codes on how to paint in the classic style. There was not as much creativity in the painting. The classicist painters used traditional shades and lighting effects, while mannerists experimented with them. Mannerism tore away from the traditional bounds that held the rest of the art world in. Mannerism produced many new ways of painting. Mannerism breaks apart from the formal principles established during this period. Michael Angelo, with his tormented figures, seems to have shown the road. Symmetry disappears in favor of diagonal compositions; balance and measure give room to movement and expression. The games played by light and shadow become as dramatic as the faces. 4 Many new shades of color and lighting effects were developed and this helped to set the mood that the artist wanted you to feel. They began to use acidic colors and painted new scenes not seen before. This got the people interested. They had seen the scenes that the classicist painters were painting, and that got boring. It s the same with things now. People always want the new, and not the old. The Mannerist artist has the right or duty to employ any possible method of observation. Thus, creating new and exciting paintings. Some of the best painters of all time came out of the Mannerist style. If one removes from an account of sixteenth century art in Rome Raphael and all Michealangelo s works then little is left. Only Sebastiano del Piombo and Giulio Romano remain as major painters. 6 Although these are the major painters of the Mannerist style, there were others, such as, Vasari, Ammanati, and Salviati. Mannerism was first definable by Raphael s pupil Giulio Romano. 7 Mannerism as a style had many influences in later art, such as with baroque. Baroque tried to do the same as the Mannerist style, only on a more grandeur scale. 8 Caravaggio who grew up in Rome around the evolving styles of art, mannerism influenced him the greatest. One of his greatest paintings, The Supper at Emmaus, is a great example of how mannerism was blended into a painting, although it cannot be placed under the same category. Mannerism doesn t only produce brilliant and rebel artists, it also produces schools which imitate it. 9 This sparked a whole new movement in art because individual artists shape their own styles, developing new ones, which people imitate and so on. Also, it wasn t just a period of art like classicism, people later in history painted in this style. Painting was not the only form of art that mannerism was used for. Architecture was also a form of art that was widely used in Europe. The Sistine Chapel is perhaps one of the greatest examples of mannerism used in architecture. The handling of decoration and space seen in Michealangelo s plans for the Laurentian Library is also Mannerist. 10 Mannerism used in architecture however was mainly used in the northern parts of Europe, but the most famous are in Italy. The architecture of the Classicism movement was all straightforward and Gothic-like. The mannerists found new ways to design manneristic architecture. The figures of the rhythmic anti-classical painter and or architect function otherwise, for in themselves they express neither an established rule of nature, nor any unambiguous rationally understood space. In a word, for them the problem of three-dimensional space vanishes, or can do so. 11 The Classical painter or architect would stay with many two dimensional figures and not let the building give a true three-dimensional look and feel, mannerists did this. In conclusion, Mannerism is definitely the best art style that came out of the Renaissance period. Not only did it find new and exciting ways to paint and sculpt, but also new ways to build buildings. Some of the greatest artists of all time were mannerists. The mannerist style influenced many painters and architects of later time. Mannerism, unlike other art styles was not so much a rebellion against older styles as a deliberate cultivation. 12 Therefore mannerism is the best art form that was developed during the renaissance. How to cite Mannerism vs Classicism, Essay examples

The novel Things Fall Apart Essay Example For Students

The novel Things Fall Apart Essay The traditions and values in a society or civilization are essential for its fate and future well-being. Many times, a societys health is being reflected upon individuals and group attitudes toward the traditions and values. The author, Chinua Achebe explains this idea through the novel Things Fall Apart in which the Umuofian values of religion, personal achievements, and male superiority are questioned by many individuals. These questions spark conflict among the tribe and its people. As a result, the inflexible Umuofian traditions and values cause the cultures to fall apart. The religion in the Umuofian tribe has a dominant control over the social and political life of its people which caused the tribe to break apart. The head of the religious hierarchy in the tribe consists of the oracle which is perceived as the most supreme (Clayton 1). Being the most supreme ruler, the Oracle has the absolute power in making arbitrary decisions in both social and political issues. The Oracle is fixed in its decisions and not tolerant of any changes. Therefore, even the most far-fetched decisions are expected to be carried out in full obedience. In the scene where Ikemefuma is told to be killed, the messenger, Ogbuefi Ezedu confronts Okonkwo and says The Oracle of the Hills and the Caves has pronounced it. We will write a custom essay on The novel Things Fall Apart specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now They will take him outside Umuofia as is the custom, and kill him there (Achebe 57). This issue is resolved by only one representative, the Oracle. There is no consensus from which bodies of members could discuss over these issues. As a result, the decisions which are made are irrational and illogical as shown by the killing of Ikemefuma. Most importantly, without a body of legislatives, there is a separation between low class of tribal members and the high class of religious members, which weakens the tribe as a whole. A similar situation is shown by where old people and twins are left in the Evil Forest to die (Sarr 2). Both the killing of Ikemefuma and twins left to die in Evil Forest are highly related. All of these decisions are based on superstition in which individuals question their moral standards. Nwoye, son of Okonkwo describes seeing twins left in the forest as the same feeling when Ikemefuma is killed (Achebe 62). This feeling that Nwoye had eventually made him realized the cruelty and immorality of the tribes beliefs. Consequently, when the missionaries arrive, Nwoye accepts the Christians alternate view of love and acceptance. He responds to their message by turning away from his tribe, which influence many others to do so with the same values. Moreover, Obierkas reasons for opposition to religious authority are even more subtle. While Okonkwo ask for his presence in Ikemefuma death, Obierika simply replies Because I not want to (Achebe 66). This defiant assertion demonstrates Obierika direct disagreement on the full authority of the religion. It may be assumed that Obierika wants a change in this society where the full control of religion is minimized and transferred to the hands of the people. Not only would religion be a factor in the cultures destruction but also other traditions and values which would open up the Pandoras Box in the society. Besides religion, the emphasis on individual values and achievement cause major downturn in the Umuofia tribe. The Umuofia tribe greatly focuses on the value of masculinity by demonstrating the significance of the wrestling match. In the beginning of the book, Okonkwo has a lot of fame by throwing Amalinze the Cat (Achebe 3). Since this society stress the value on physical strength, individuals have to prove themselves in order to receive a high position in the tribe. Thus, individuals will eventually become obsessed with strength and fearful of weakness. Okonkwo is one prime individual who is greatly impacted by this notion. During the slaughter of Ikemefuma, the author states that Okonkwo his machete and him down. He afraid of being thought as weak (Achebe 61). .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 , .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .postImageUrl , .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 , .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:hover , .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:visited , .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:active { border:0!important; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 { 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; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:active , .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .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; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9 .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u86a78b0a07581fbf2777405ea1b89ad9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Compare and contrast David and Lucys EssayThe action that Okonkwo made is rather irrational and rashful based on his fear of weakness. However, the cause of Okonkwos attitude is influenced by the tribes culture of achievement and masculinity. As individuals such as Okonkwo try to become strong, they become unnoticed that their downfall is right at their doors. As a result, the tribes unity is broken as a whole due to individual downfalls in the society. Moreover, the positions in tribe are important in determining economic success such that a mans prestige is in direct proportion to the size of barns and compounds, number of titles (Sarr 2). A detriment problem is associated with this tradition as individuals who have physical strength tend to have higher recognitions in the tribe compare to those who do not have the masculinity. As a result, those individuals with higher status will own more economic wealth than the lower class. This unequal distribution of wealth in the society causes the immense division of the Ibo society and eventually leading to its downfall. The fear of failures in individuals and the separation of social classes lead to the disunity of the tribe however the discrimination on women delivered a final blow to the Umuofia village. The lacks of feminine importance in the Umuofia tribe bring the tribe to its end. Women are supposed to be partners and helpers of men and have to be treated with respect. However, the Ibo tribe reverses this idea of women and brings male to superiority. Uchendu describes the status of men as the head of the family and his wives do his bidding (Achebe 133). The Ibo culture is base on male prosperity where only the men could achieve high social status. In contrast to men, women are regarded as unnecessary objects and had to obey the commands of men. Hence, women could not voice out their opinions and ideas in the society. These opinions and ideas could help advance the society in politics, technology, and education. Without the equal rights of women and men, the Ibo tribe would not develop but rather contract and wither away. In the content of agriculture and farming, men own the yams, the king of crops (Osei-Nyame 8). Even through agriculture, the men gets dominate rights over the women in deciding the crops to own because the male society believes that women are weak and failures. Consequently, women are deprived of their natural abilities and a division among males and females occurs in the tribe. In addition to mens superiority, men could also abuse their power by beating their wives. The author states that Okonkwo back to his obi . . . and when she he her very heavily (Achebe 29). Since wife-beating is common in the Ibo tribe, women have a large opposition against the superiority of men. The form of opposition comes through passive questions and doubts which provide a further insecurity in the tribe. Fables and folktales told by women suggest the fact that female questions and ideas are implemented into the male culture of the Ibo tribe. The unequal rights of women and the disrespect for female virtues lead to the devastating fate of the Ibo tribe. The authoritarian attitude towards the questioning of traditions and values in the Umuofia tribe result in the downfall of the tribe. In fact, the dominant control of religion over individuals life, the emphasis on the value of achievement, and the lack of feminine importance contribute to peoples distrust on higher authority. When people doubt and seek change in a society, the welfare of a nation falls apart just like the Umuofian village in Things Fall Apart.

Virginia Woolf To the Lighthouse

Virginia Woolf To the Lighthouse Virginia Woolf’s â€Å"To the lighthouse† is a thoughtful novel that focuses on childhood emotions and adult relationships in a typical contemporary family. This is portrayed by different behaviors exhibited by characters of this novel.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Virginia Woolf: To the Lighthouse specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper seeks to analyze the characters of this book and show the relationship that is shared among the characters. The paper will also describe the symbolism that ties the characters together and finally it will show their development at the end of the story. Mrs. Ramsey is one of the main characters in this novel, and takes the lead role of bringing all the other characters together (Woolf 2). The writer describes her as a strong woman who acts as a mother not only to her family but also to other people surrounding her. This is shown by the roles she plays in the novel which makes her image come out as caring, loving, and a wise woman. Her figure is seen as a house where others can find shelter. Mrs. Ramsey depiction is symbolic in that she is seen as a source of light for the house where people can gather hope. Woolf uses this character to employ the technique of symbolism. She explains the need for marriage between men and women saying that marriage was a must, even though her marriage was not perfect. She tries to soften the attitude that her husband posses due to his ego. She manages to change the attitude of her husband from the action of labor sharing at the end of part one (Woolf 117). Mrs. Ramsey has the power to attract people with her beautiful looks and her passionate interaction. However, she has been criticized for damaging other people lives through her efforts to bring her family together. She tries to make people change to what she wants them to become (Woolf 43).Advertising Looking for essay on british literature? Let's s ee if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Her daughters, Prue, Nancy, and Rose disagree with her on various occasions. As a result of this disagreement, her daughters decide to take different paths in life. Mrs. Ramsey tries to show her womanhood through her activities like holding parties for dinner and raising her eight children. She displays herself as a â€Å"superwoman† who is even capable of taking men’s responsibilities. She is not satisfied with her husband’s responsibilities as a husband and as a father (Woolf 50). Mrs. Ramsey tries to expose her husband’s failure through her actions and it worries her that her husband cannot realize her efforts. The author depicts Mrs. Ramsey as a person who was able to care for all classes of people, including the rich and the poor. In addition, she cared for those people with disabilities by showing them compassion and by fighting discrimination and gender inequality. Her gender roles are shown by the soft response she gives to her husband, who is depicted as rude. She is seen as role model by other people; this is shown by mourning of her death by her family and other people (Woolf 78). Mr. Ramsey is initially seen as a brutal man who displays selfishness from the way he speaks and the words he uses to address people. After reading the novel, the reader realizes that he was suffering from his pride. He deeply interested in his achievements and his line of work. His pride wanes when he realizes he was emotionally disturbed and is forced to seek help from his wife. This is also evident in part three when he begs for sympathy from lily in absence of his wife. Mr. Ramsey exhibits dictatorial moods when in stress; these are the times when he is rescued by his wife. He struggles between being a scholar and fulfilling his domestic duties. However, with his big family, he found it difficult to concentrate on his work (Woolf 22).Advertising We wi ll write a custom essay sample on Virginia Woolf: To the Lighthouse specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More James Ramsey is one of the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. At the beginning of the novel he is seen as a child of six years who had a passion for going to the lighthouse. His father does not give him a chance to go to the lighthouse in part one; this is however different in part three when his father is forcing him to go to the light house. Woolf uses the lighthouse symbolically to depict the relationship that existed between James and his father. The motherly relationship that existed between James and his mother was so strong that he wished that she was his dad. James even has a fantasy of stabbing his father so as to replace him with his mother (Woolf 45). James is described as a normal person without any mental illness. His attitude towards his father shows how much he hated him. The return to the lighthouse is used to show the change of cha racters that was realized after the death of Mrs. Ramsey. James is seen in a reconciling mood with his father, a person he hated when his mother was alive. Lily Briscoe is an artist who keeps on painting everything that she comes around. By painting, she tries to bring out the characters of people through imagery. The relationship that exists between Lily and Mrs. Ramsey is full of criticism. Lily criticizes the idea of Mrs. Ramsey making decisions for others and not being supportive to other people’s choices. At the end of the story, Lily admired Mrs. Ramsey and wanted to be like her. The relationship that exists between lily and men is much complicated in that she does not want to be married; instead she considers marriage as personal incapability to maintain creativity. Like Mr. Ramsey, lily is faced with a dilemma of trying to define her life. Nevertheless, she uses her paintings to come up with the answers. At some instance, she makes a painting of Mrs. Ramsey, a figure she profoundly admired and a figure she wanted to emulate (Woolf 48).Advertising Looking for essay on british literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Charles Tansley is a guest to Mr. Ramsey and also his student. His role in the novel is to show a boundary between different classes of people. The relationship that exists between him and Mrs. William Bankes is also invited to the summer house as a friend of Mr. Ramsey. He is widower who befriends lily. He adores Mrs. Ramsey but due to his friendship with Mr. Ramsey, he is forced to keep it down. His role in the novel is to bring out the characters of lily and Mrs. Ramsey, their stand on marriage, and the way they perceive men (Woolf 58). Augustus Carmichael is depicted as person with his own unique lifestyle. He has his own principles which he maintains throughout the story. He is the only person who is resistant to the tricky traits of Mrs. Ramsey. He is used in the novel to bring down the dominance of some characters and to neutralize the tension in the story. Through this character, the reader is able to see the human nature of Mrs. Ramsey. Symbolism has been shown by use of ce rtain words like lighthouse to show solidarity and transformation in the novel. Lighthouse as a form of solidarity has been used by the Ramsey family as way of showing their togetherness. This structure remains even after ten years showing the stability that was initiated and left by Mrs. Ramsey. The light of the house gives way to allow the family to move on even when the dark falls. Lighthouse has been used to show the source of power for the family as they gain control over the house. Waves have been used symbolically to show the obstacles faced by the characters in life. These challenges are constructive in that they make characters to be strong enough to move on, and in some occasions, they discourage the characters making them to give up. These waves reveal themselves through the behaviors adopted by some characters, like bravely or ignorance. Waves are also not permanent; they come and go meaning they do not take away what is permanent like the light in the house (Woolf 102). The window also has been used symbolically to give lily a chance to observe clearly what to paint. The paintings are her efforts to find answers about life. The window clearly portrays Mrs. Ramsey as the center stage of the whole family over which everyone can look through. Lily looks through this window when painting Mrs. Ramsey in order to see her clearly, to understand her, and to enumerate her in life (Woolf 116). Towards the end of the story, the skull has been used as a symbol of death for different characters. This happens towards the end of the novel like the death of Mrs. Ramsey. The basket that was filled with fruits shows unity, even Carmichael refuses to disturb it so as not to break that unity. The idea of Mrs. Ramsey arranging them on the table shows her as the pillar to distribute and maintain this unity (Woolf 118). In conclusion, â€Å"To the Lighthouse† is a symbolic title that is realized at the end of the story. The author chooses this to represent the fa mily unity that becomes even more concrete at the end of the book. The death of Mrs. Ramsey is painful but serves as an eye opener to her entire family. This is evident at the moment they go to the light house for the last time. It also serves to show that the family’s hope was not taken away by the demise of one of its leader. â€Å"To the Lighthouse† is Woolf’s masterpiece that brings out a story of a huge family, the relationship between the members, their disagreements, and their common grounds. Woolf, Virginia. To The Lighthouse. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print.

Essential Vocabulary for Air Travel in France

Essential Vocabulary for Air Travel in France Is travel in your future? Are you planning to fly to France or another French-speaking country? Study this airport vocabulary to help you make reservations, buy tickets, negotiate airports, and get on the plane. Bon  voyage! General Airport Terms airline: une compagnie aà ©rienneairplane: un avionairport: un aà ©roportArrivals: les arrivà ©esbaggage: les bagagesbaggage claim: la livraison des bagagesboarding pass: la carte dembarquementcarry-on luggage: les bagages maincart: un chariotchecked luggage: les bagages enregistrà ©scheck-in: lenregistrementcustoms:  la douaneDepartures: les dà ©partsduty-free: une boutique hors taxesearly: en avanceeconomy (coach) class: la classe à ©cologique, la classe à ©co (informal apocope), la classe touristein economy class: en classe à ©cologique / à ©co / touristefirst class, in first class: la premià ¨re classe, en premià ¨re classeflight: un volgate: une porteimmigration: limmigrationlate: en retardone-way ticket: un billet simplepassport: un passeportplane ticket: le billet davionround trip ticket: un billet aller-retoursecurity check: le contrà ´le de sà ©curità ©shuttle: une navettestopover: une escaleterminal: une aà ©rogarevisa: un visa People passenger: un passagerpilot: le pilotesteward: un stewardstewardess: une hà ´tesse de lair Travel Verbs to board: embarquerto buy a ticket: acheter un billetto check bags: enregistrer (les bagages)to declare: dà ©clarerto land: atterrirto make a reservation: faire une rà ©servationto take off: dà ©coller