Walt Whitman and War Essay - 1626 Words

Walt Whitman was a revolutionary poet who let his emotions run free through his poetry. Whitman was never afraid to express himself no matter how inappropriate or offensive his emotions might have seemed at the time. This is why Whitmans poem still echo that same sentiment and emotion today almost as loudly as when the drums were first tapped. Life in its ever-evolving glory seems at times to be nothing more than a serious of random events that lead us from one place to another. It takes many years of grace and wisdom to see that life is much more than that. Life is far bigger than any one person or group of people. Life is a lesson and sometimes lessons need to repeat. Life during the time of Walt Whitman was oddly and sadly similar†¦show more content†¦Some will come home but countless others never will. No poem proud, I chanting bring to thee, nor masterys rapturous verse, But a cluster containing nights darkness and blood-dripping wounds, And psalms of the dead ( Whitman 260). These are the true cold harsh realities of war. It in all its painful and bloody visceral imagery is something that was Whitmans forte. Whitman told the true story of what it was like to be in the middle of war. Although Whitman himself was never in the army, His visual style can sometimes make it seem as though he was right there on the front lines fighting the enemy: With its cloud of skirmishers in advance, With now the sound of a single shot snapping like a whip, and Now an irregular volley, The swarming ranks press on and on, the dense brigades press On, Glittering dimly, toiling under the sun-the dust coverd men, In columns rise and fall to the undulations of the ground, With artillery interspersd-the wheels rumble, the horses sweat, As the army corps advances ( Whitman 242-3). Whitman was able to do this almost effortlessly because he saw what was really going on. He volunteered as a wound-dresser; he wrote letters for wounded soldiers, he gave of himself tirelessly. Whitman saw his nation divided and stood to tell his tale. He was an everyman; he was any man. Whitman was the human embodiment of undying compassion. Most of all Whitman is somethingShow MoreRelatedWalt Whitman and the Civil War Essay955 Words   |  4 Pages Walt Whitman is a famous poet in American history and the founder of free style of writing poem. He was well-known with his work of Leaves of Grass and Drum-Taps. Walt Whitman was inspired to write poems about Civil War and changed his style of writing after experiencing the horrible result of the war. Walt Whitman was born in West Hills, Long Island, on May 31, 1819. He is the second son of eight siblings in the family. In his early life, Whitman received a formal education until age of 11 becauseRead MoreAbraham Lincolns War Aims Compared to William Sherman and Walt Whitman739 Words   |  3 Pagesoffice of presidency, the south had seceded from the Union and brought on the beginning of the American Civil War. 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As Martin McCauley says in Russia, America and The Cold War, coldRead MoreWalt Whitman Essay901 Words   |  4 PagesWalt Whitman Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, Long Island, New York. He was the second of six children. From 1825-1830, he attended public school in Brooklyn. After his years of education, Walt Whitman experimented with many different jobs. From 1836-1838, Whitman taught at several schools in Long Island. After teaching, Walt Whitman returned to printing and editing in New York. During this time he edited many papers such as the Aurora (daily newspaper)Read MoreDemocratic Individualism in Walt Whitman Poetry1663 Words   |  7 PagesWhitman’s Poetry Walt Whitman will remain as a well-known, superb poet. Clarence Brown stated, the words of someone speaking on Walt Whitman, â€Å"He is the only one of the conventionally recognized American poets who is worth reading† (37). Walt Whitman is a poet that writes with purpose. His poetry seems to attempt to teach the more desirable behavior and traits for Americans. It depicts the ideal American democrat, peace maker, and a well-rounded person, in general. Not that Walt Whitman is only aboutRead MoreWalt Whitmans Influences1597 Words   |  7 PagesThere have been many influential writers that left their own unique mark on American history; one in particular that has made a significant impact is Walt Whitman. His writing styles evoke different nontraditional methods that did not coincide with the traditions of more â€Å"mainstream† American writers. He did this by establishing a pattern that utilized a lot of free verse compared to the more natural rhyme of poems, and al so by describing his subject with emphasis to make the story as real as possibleRead More A True Patriot: Walt Whitman Essay1081 Words   |  5 Pages A True Patriot: Walt Whitman When one talks of great American Poets, if the person has any since of intelligence, then they can in now way fail to mention Walt Whitman. Whitman is unmistakingly a great American poet, So great, that Ralph Waldo Emerson said that he was an â€Å"American Shakespeare† (Tucker 247). While the debate still goes on about that comment, there is no debate about the greatness of Whitman. Walt Whitman was born in West Hills, NY on May 31, 1819 on Long Island. He was the secondRead MoreOut from Behind This Mask Review1645 Words   |  7 PagesOut From Behind This Mask By: Walt Whitman †¢ Synopsis In Whitman’s poem Out From Behind This Mask, the poem starts out by talking about the passion and excitement that to many, lies just out of reach. Whitman is trying to illustrate how this ecstasy is much closer than once thought, by comparing the barrier as a curtain or a mask. The wonders that lie beyond this mask range from â€Å"passionate teeming plays† to â€Å"the glaze of God’s serenest, purest sky.† To Whitman, the possibilities are endlessRead MoreWalt Whitman And Allen Ginsbergs Poetry1332 Words   |  6 Pagesinner moonlight; don t hide the madness. You say what you want to say when you don t care who s listening.† Walt Whitman was a brilliant writer of his time, a writer that created a voice for the masses to no longer be a mass, but an individual. He was truly a pioneer of his generation, a revolutionary in thought, and this is not his quote. Due to his paralleled lifestyle to Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg learned and drew inspiration from such works as â€Å"Leaves of Grass† to apply towards his own bookRead MoreWalt Whitman Research Paper1323 Words   |  6 PagesWalt Whitman and the Civil War Walt Whitman is considered one of America’s greatest poets. During his lifetime, Whitman wrote hundreds of poems about life, love and democracy, among many others. In particular, Whitman’s poetry reflects the spirit of the age in which he lived, the Civil War. In taking a closer look at one of his most renowned and brilliant pieces, â€Å"When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d†, three particular themes are observed; his love for nature, the cycle of life, as represented

John Millington Synges Romantic Vision of the Aran...

John Millington Synges Romantic Vision of the Aran Islands When John Millington Synge made his way to the western most islands of Ireland he was in search of inspiration for his writing. The fruit of his journey was the fame-winning book entitled â€Å"The Aran Islands†. Synge had many purposes for this book, but one of the most compelling was his desire to write an anthropologically geared account of the people and lifestyle of what many believed to be the last bastion of true Irishness. However, Synge’s anthropological work could not avoid the strong Romantic tendencies that influenced his writing. In my opinion it is Synge’s Romanticism that makes his account more believable.†¦show more content†¦In Part One of the book he begins by relating the image of the Aranmor countryside as he walks through it for the first time. He states: I was wandering out along the one good roadway of the island, looking over low walls on either side into small flat fields of naked rock. I have seen nothing so desolate. Grey floods of water were sweeping everywhere upon the limestone, making at times a wild torrent of the road†¦ Whenever the cloud lifted I could see the edge of the sea below me on the right, and the naked ridge of the island above me on the other side†¦ (Synge 2) The most vivid aspect of this passage is the diction, which Synge uses to describe the island’s environment. More than once Synge uses the word â€Å"naked† to refer to the rock. He also builds further that image by calling the land â€Å"desolate† and â€Å"wild†. Synge also makes an important play of the colors of the Aran Islands. He uses the images of grey and black quite often throughout the book. At one point he states that everywhere he turns he finds, â€Å"†¦the same grey obsession twining and wreathing itself among the narrow fields†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Synge 46). By describing the island thus he helps the reader build the image of the Aran Islands as something quite distinct from the lushness of the Irish mainland. The contrast between the environment of the islands and the mainland is important for Synge to establish,

One Laptop Per Child Free Essays

Technology in Classrooms: One Laptop per Child-A Failed Idea? Is the use of technology benefiting the students in classrooms today or is It taking away from their education? Should students be allowed to have easy access to a computer during a lecture to find relevant information or is it a distraction that puts their attention onto something completely off subject? It has certainly been argued both ways. As technology becomes more prominent In everyday life, the global world changes at the same time. Third world, developing countries have begun to see this hang, and are starting to accept It. We will write a custom essay sample on One Laptop Per Child or any similar topic only for you Order Now One proposed start-up for Introducing technology Into the classrooms of these countries was the One Laptop per Child, a nonprofit organization that alms to provide laptops for the children of developing countries (â€Å"One Laptop per Child†). Technology has certainly changed education, Thither Garments, a faculty member of a Montreal school, asserts the use of laptops and technology In school classrooms allows for academic success. He claims that by using computers concentration and motivation has increased as well as a way of successful teaching students important ND valuable computer skills (in â€Å"Laptops in school classes improve scores†). Robert Imaginer speaks on the behalf of students saying that they are more eager to integrate the use of computers into school because they are motivated to learn from it, they typically already know how to use one before starting school, and they are more likely to learn and understand the importance of technology which will help them with any future academic and employment opportunities. Imaginer claims that students have shown great excitement and are very curious in the classrooms with the introduction of computers. He said that teachers are seeing less and less absenteeism and behavioral issues through this technological learning style (Imaginer). The use of technology is becoming more, and more valuable, as we get older and get busier, the use of computers help manage our everyday, somewhat complicated lives no matter if we are in the classroom or not. While some strongly agree that computers are a good thing and should be used in every school classroom, there are also those who disagree by providing reasons why computers will not help in educating students. Paul Lam reported that both teachers ND students worry that computers in the classroom will be very distracting. Students agreed, saying that computers would take their attention away from what their teacher was saying. Teachers noticed that when computers were allowed during class time, students weren’t looking up, and they would smile at the computer screen, or be typing during Inappropriate times (Lam). Yes, computers are useful, but they take attention away from Important lectures and class time. It’s Important for these third world countries such as India, Peru, Kenya, and Afghanistan to continue to grow with this global change. Technology Is being used more. And more, and it can be very helpful improving education especially in these countries. Even though they are at different stages of developing, as the world moves forward in development, countries to be ready to incorporate those changes. Technology is a new and very big change, it is one change, but a very important one not only have access to it, but to also know how to effectively and efficiently use it. Everyone, everywhere can benefit it; sometimes it Just takes time to figure out the best way. Integrating technology is an issue all on it’s own. Countries may want to eave the ability to access technology, and Western cultures may want to push the use of technology, but it’s not always that easy. Technology has quickly taken over the world that we live in, we use it everyday, everywhere. The program, One Laptop per Child was designed to send low-cost, specially designed laptops to children in developing third world countries. According to the OLAP website, their â€Å"mission is to empower the world’s poorest children through education† (â€Å"One Laptop per Child†) by providing them with this laptop. Kenneth Kramer says that OLAP put in a lot of effort to design a computer that loud withstand both the different and difficult conditions in a developing world country environment. Kramer stated that the designers had a great understanding of what developing countries needed when it comes to introducing technology. The computers are sealed, made to keep dirt out. The screen can read in bright sunlight, runs on very low power, and has a built in wireless system (Kramer). What’s the best part? These computers were set to be only $100, completely affordable, right? The governments of these countries can purchase the computers and they can afford to give them to all the children. They have an important goal that no one is left out. All children should be able to experience the use of technology. One MIT professor, and adviser to the OLAP, Seymour Appear, talked about the benefits of the program saying that through the use of computers children can do anything, they â€Å"will take charge of knowledge† (Appear). With this program they will have access to computers, and they will have their own computer all the time. This will allow students everywhere, especially in developing countries to learn (Appear). Of course there are many cons and negative feedback based upon this program. There are always going to be two sides and it’s important to look and understand both of them. From the New York Times, flogger David Vogue says it perfectly by saying, â€Å"think again. This laptop is not intended for the sneaky floggers. This laptop is intended for poor kids in other countries. And for that, I say it’s amazing’ (Vogue, 03:43). Nicholas Negotiate, founder of OLAP, says that these computers have now been distributed to 2,000 students across the globe, in 40 different countries, and available in 25 different languages. Negotiate goes on to say that 25% of teachers in developing countries re illiterate and have very poor education. The other 25% teaching didn’t finish school themselves, someone teacher fifth grade may only have a sixth grade education. These computers will not Just teach students, it will allow non-student adults to learn too. Negotiate said that we he first started this project people told him that you can’t Just build a laptop that is connected, give it a kid and walk away. He responded with, â€Å"you know what, you can, you actually can, and we have found that kids in the remotest part of the world, when given that connected not only teach homeless how to read and write, but most importantly, thy teach their parents how to read and write† (Negotiate 2010, 03:52). In a separate interview, Nicholas Negotiate says that the most important part of this project isn’t that children will have their own laptop, it’s that this will become a part of society. This project has education (Negotiate 2009). One Laptop per Child, has been widely criticized by many for not actually helping children. Jeffery James, quoted in a Journal article by Jeanine Renders, argues that the OLAP program leads to too much time spent focusing on computers and rumoring the use of the Western technology and way of life that not enough effort will be put into other forms of education that are of equal or greater importance (Renders). Lisa Marie Allen argues that Western cultures have a long history of trying to put their values, beliefs and way of life into non-western cultures. They are constantly exploring different ways to â€Å"help† these developing counties, when in reality they have little knowledge or understand of these third world countries, which are at a completely different stage of development. What Westerners believe to be a rarity, these non-western countries don’t see as a priority. She states that in many countries such as Ghana, education is not a priority. Many children need to stay home, do chores and work for their families. They are not concerned with being computer literate (Allen). Eileen and Michael Benson continued this argument, by saying that OLAP believes that, â€Å"one educational model is suitable for all educational environments and that the latest educational approach should displace, historic, locally developed teaching approaches† (Person, 243). Pelham agrees saying that Hess countries don’t need laptops, building schools and libraries is a bigger priority and will be more beneficial for students in developing countries. These students will go without pencils and paper while the computers end up being sold on the black market. Bringing laptops to the world’s poorest children could be the educational equivalent of delivering cans of food to people who have no can-openers† (Pelham, 76). Paula Cook Mackinac talks about why teachers in developing countries have a hard time bringing the use of laptops into their education plans. Mackinac says hey have very little knowledge about how to use computers themselves, let alone having to teach young students how to use them. Teachers said they need technological support if they want to incorporate technology in school classrooms of these developing countries, and they don’t have it (Mackinac). Did One Laptop Per Child fail or succeed with their mission? It’s up to individual interpretation and what is or should be important, as well as what has happened versus what was supposed to happen. Yes, computers were distributed to over 2,000 children throughout the world, and they have definitely learned from it. Many resources say it failed and they critique every aspect, but why did it fail? Computers were distributed and studies have showed that children learned from them. Sure, developing countries could use buildings, food and water more, but education is important. These laptops are Just one part of helping developing countries more forward with the rest of the world. In reality, there isn’t enough information to say for certain if this project truly failed or succeed. It would definitely be beneficial to research and find out exactly what happened with OLAP. Did students benefit from the program and the use of computers? Or did they slowly fade out? Do computers in class actually help students? What do advocates and critics think about OLAP and technology in classrooms? The more interest an issue gets, the more information, research, and solutions will be made or educational problems of the world’s poor† (Weyerhaeuser, 46). Weyerhaeuser continues by saying the process of improving education with technology is at a very early stage. To make such a change will take time and the use of several different professionals (Weyerhaeuser). One Laptop per Child is definitely an area of study that should be continued. This is a program that needs to succeed, education is key for children and everyone has the right to one. How to cite One Laptop Per Child, Papers

Cultural Liaisons free essay sample

When I signed up for the Startalk Arabic Program hosted at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah I expected to spend a month of my summer wholly immersed in Arabic culture. I knew that the program would provide a difficult, yet rewarding introduction to the Arabic language, as well as to the Islamic religion. I was ready for the challenge and to engross myself in learning about a part of the world which had interested me for as long as I could remember. I did not expect to find myself living among a mystifying social, religious, and political culture, different from the one which I had intended to find. To say that life in Provo was immeasurably different from life at home would be an understatement. I had never visited this part of the country before and from the second I got off the plane I realized that the people in Utah were different from myself. We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Liaisons or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Upon arriving, I was aware that I would be attending a Mormon university located in the area with the highest Mormon population in the world. Yet, before attending the program at BYU, I had never met a Mormon person and suddenly, there I was, completely immersed in their culture. After I began to adjust to my surroundings, a fascination towards the Mormon culture grew inside of me. I satisfied this newfound inquisitiveness by posing endless series of questions to everyone I met. I asked questions about the Mormon religious beliefs, Mormon missionaries, Mormon families, and Mormon dress codes. I may have asked too many questions-but I needed to find the answers, needed to know the facts. I did not only depend upon the answers of others to satiate my curiosity; instead, I began to seek answers for myself. While in Utah I attended a three-hour Mormon religious service. I took note of Mormon liturgy and compared their practices to my own. Religiously, I do not agree with Mormonism as whole, however there are aspects of the religion which I find inspiring, namely the Mormon philanthropic spirit and the Mormon acceptance of international cultures. Eager to learn how the Mormon religion influences the political beliefs of its followers, I attended a political event on campus. I was not surprised to recognize that the vast majority of Mormons are overwhelmingly conservative. My time in Utah helped me to perceive the vastness of the American political spectrum. I had spent so many years of my life shunning conservative beliefs, but the people I met in Utah enthused me with their family values and commitment to our troops. As the weeks went on, I began to compare these Mormon values to the Islamic values I was learning about in the classroom. I began to draw parallels between these two lifestyles, specifically noting that in both the Mormon and Islamic cultures religion dictates every aspect of society. I compared these religiously-dominated lifestyles to my own way of life, in which religion is not a dominant factor. How would my life have been different if I had been born into a Mormon or Islamic family instead of into my Christian/Jewish/agnostic/religiously-confused family? If I had been born into a religiously grounded family, I would have grown up with a secure source of hope to cling to in times of trouble. At times, I have felt like this source of optimism is missing in my life. My parents did not raise me with any formal religion; therefore, I view all religions, and cultures, with both an open mind and skepticism. I have developed a life-long curiosity for others peoples religions, seeking i nformation in a subconscious effort to understand the value or disvalue in having a strong religious foundation. While I am by no means anti-religion, I am not sure that I will begin to understand the role of religion in my life anytime soon, so I question others to try to make sense of the role of religion in my life and the lives of others. My time in Utah, spent investigating the Mormon and Islamic ways of life, answered some of my questions about religion but also raised some new ones. While I see value in having a strong religious foundation, I find both the Mormon and Muslim lifestyles slightly objectionable. Because religion is so prominent in these two cultures, the ability for their adherents to question their faith is taken away. Although I acknowledge the importance of strong faith and family tradition in religious communities, I believe in utilizing self-reflection to adapt a pre-existing set of religious beliefs to my own liking, to form my own set of religious beliefs, or to shun religion all-together, if I so choose. My month at BYU underlined one paradox which I believe to be meaningful: while the Mormons I met, the Arabs I learned about, and the friends and family I returned home to could not be more different from one another, parallels can be drawn between seemingly disparate groups of people. We are all citizens of humanity and I will continue to seek understanding of others and myself.