Yoga Meditation Experience free essay sample

At the beginning of the semester I did not really know what I potentially could take away from this class, or, in particular, the meditation I was assigned to do at home. My mother does Yoga as well and she always keeps telling me how beneficial it is for both your body and your soul; personally, I am not really the type of individual that believes in the vital effects religious philosophies can have on one’s life. However, I am always willing to experience something new and so I decided to engage myself in the practice of Yoga. I chose to do the Concentration Kriya; this mediation technique mostly focuses on empowering mind and body through the practice of controlled breathing. A controlled breath can be extremely beneficial to overcome various obstacles in one’s daily life; this is the reason why I chose the Concentration Kriya as my meditation technique since I usually have struggles developing a calm, constant, and controlled breath. We will write a custom essay sample on Yoga Meditation Experience or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I sacrificed 5 minutes of my time in the morning to go through the cycle; my intent was to do it before the â€Å"real† day had begun since I hoped to go more relaxed and focused into classes and practice. Within the first two weeks, I did not really notice any change after I had meditated; I actually felt pretty awkward sitting on the floor of my room all by myself doing those awkward breathing techniques. However, this feeling went away after some time; I think you have to get used to it before you get more comfortable in its practice. Further, during the third week, I could definitely feel some changes coming up; I did not only breathe more concentrated but I also felt more loosened up and relaxed. I started to manage the imbalances of my daily life better; in relation to that, I also started to notice a more vital and well-being daily experience. Eventually, I think it also affected my performance in soccer practices and games since my mind was more focused and, on a physical level, the increased oxygen supported the complying parts of the body. Eventually, there were mornings when I was not really motivated; though, I reminded myself of the benefits I had experienced through meditation and found myself again. I think one has to come out his comfort zone to do it since one just has to invest 5 minutes of his or her day. However, I do not really know if I will continue meditating every morning; I am usually not a person that is that disciplined to follow a certain routine. Yet, I can still see myself meditating in the future to overcome difficult challenges or parts of my life. Looking back on the five weeks I spent meditating I can fairly say that it is totally worth it to spend that little time and effort in terms of the possible ways it can affect one’s lifestyle. I still think that some religious philosophies and practices are sort of questionable, but Yoga and its meditation techniques can definitely have a positive effect on one’s life. Hence, I would not only recommend it to friends and individuals that are striving for a transformation in their body, mind and inmost consciousness, but also to individuals who want to experience something new as I did.

Puzzled how to write a character sketch Ask us!

Puzzled how to write a character sketch Ask us! Complete Guide on Writing a Character Sketch We all want our written works to be not only engaging but also full of life and vivid. It is a great intention, but not every student knows how to achieve such an important goal. Most of them are not aware that a wrong approach may only harm the story, especially if you don’t know your characters well enough. In most of the cases, outstanding stories are character-oriented and experienced writers know it very well. If the characters are boring or even absent, the story will not be interesting at all. So if you want to succeed, your characters should have the leading role, showing the story what direction to go. To achieve this, you must know your character from A to Z. And the best way to know the character is to start with writing a character sketch. Character Sketch Definition A character sketch is a brief and comprehensive description of a person that aims to introduce the reader to certain attributes of a character: whether it is physical appearance, behavior under different circumstances, thoughts and experiences that impact actions in future. In other words, it is a description of a character, which is needed for the success of the story. Your main goal is to provide the audience with a clear image of the character, which is necessary for your story. Description of the chosen character should answer all of the questions that the audience may have. Including: What are the physical features of the characters? What is the story behind the characters? In what psychological state the characters are? What are their goals, emotions, and fears? How do they communicate? What are their main life aspirations? How can the story benefit from such information? These questions are not compulsory but yet very advisable if you want to understand your characters. There is no single and accepted pattern of writing a character sketch because everything depends on the goals you are pursuing and the format of the story. However, below we will explain what to include to your sketch and what things to avoid. Just answer a series of questions about the character, and you will get all the data you may need! What Are the Physical Features of the Character? When you think of your character, physical appearance may not be the first thing that comes to your mind although you need to have a clear image of how your character looks like. Any time you make a new acquaintance you notice a few details (if the stranger is not wearing a mask): face, height, hair, body type and attire. Imagine that you need to tell your friends or relatives about a special meeting. How would you start? For example: Hello Anna, today I met a man at the gas station. He looked so handsome in plain jeans and a t-shirt with a superhero logo. He is very tall and has curly brown hair just like Uncle Sam! I guess he is a doctor because there was a big folder with medical histories in his hands.   Probably he was leaving the hospital. In the example above you have told Anna (your friend or sister) about man’s age, his body type, possible occupation and also noticed a resemblance with your Uncle Sam. You may have talked to him, but you will most likely remember the physical appearance and details of clothes, and not his name or the way he talked. If you meet that man at the hospital or any other place, you can just start the conversation: Hello, I guess I saw you two days ago at the gas station. You were wearing a funny t-shirt and held a pile of medical histories. As you see, physical appearance and attributes can create a broader picture of the first impression. So if you want to skip this important stage to dive into the character’s psychological world at once, you risk of losing a big part of the story. Appearance and emotions are inseparable, and you need to give readers a chance to imagine how the character looks like in order to understand the story better. Describing appearance is one of the first steps in creating a character sketch. What’s Your Character Busy with? Your readers will always be interested in what your character is up to (unless he dies in the first chapter). This aspect is as important as describing physical appearance. The audience should know what the character is busy with when you introduce him for the first time. Providing such details helps readers to evaluate other important aspects of the story: time and setting, location and much more. Let’s imagine that your character is a medical intern and he sleeps on a shift. The reason may be that he had a rough night, arguing with his girlfriend or he is simply lazy. Of course, you will want to tell the reader why your intern is asleep in the workplace. Will he be fired? What will the consequences be? As you see, such details may give your story further direction. Your character’s sketch should also reflect the actions or inactions of the person and how they impact the plot. A sleepy intern will surely be a bad example for others. You can draw a picture of how his alarm clock wakes him up, and he rushes to admission’s desk. Remember, your sketch should contain a detailed description of the character’s actions. That is exactly how the plot evolves. Why is your character sitting over textbooks late after midnight? Why is he constantly distracted by smartphone notifications during a date? Your description needs to explain the actions of the character. In such a way you will help the audience to understand what part the character will occupy in a bigger story. What Are His/Her Emotions? Every character has a certain emotional state. Of course, emotions may vary, and every person may go from positive to very angry in a matter of seconds. However, such a switch is usually caused by different experiences. You may stick to several dominant emotions that determine your character’s outlook on life. Are they positive? What things make them happy? Do they often experience anxiety? Do they feel themselves a part of the community? What fears do they have? Are they playing by the common rules? When you need to describe the emotions and behavior of the character further in the story, you can refer to your sketch and person’s dominant emotions. Now, when you add emotional state to your character’s sketch, you should be sure that these details are relevant to your story. Make sure that you are not simply stating emotions that people feel but also showing the reader by inserting dialogs, actions, and thoughts of the character. For example, if your character is happy and positive, he won’t be angry with a broken tire. He will just come up with a solution and will go on through the day. Referring to dominant emotions is a great way to develop the plot and to make your story interesting and engaging. Does Your Character Need a Name? Even if the character appears only episodically, he will need a name. If you decide to write a sketch, it means that the character is important and you definitely need to give him a name. In addition, your readers may need to refer him further in the story. Don’t worry, you may change that name in the future, so there is no need to spend days on choosing a proper one. However, there are multiple online catalogs, which may greatly simplify the process of choosing a name. Some websites offer users to choose a name depending on gender, ethnicity or even time period. You can also choose a meaningful name that will contribute to the story. In addition, you can always give your character a nickname that will explain the background of the person or some of the hobbies he has. The Story Behind the Character As you remember, character sketch aims to guide the reader through a bigger story. That is why you need to create details that will give your readers background information. At a certain point, your plot may require such information: character’s birthplace, childhood experiences and how they influenced adult personality. You may not need such information more than once, but it will surely help you to create a true story. If your goal is not to generate tens of unanswered questions, it is better to be ready and give all the answers that readers may need. If you find it challenging to create a background story of the character, you can think of a person you know that is similar to the character you are describing. It may be a friend or a family member that will inspire you and will help to create a true story of the past. Your main goal is to make such a story believable. For example, if the character doesn’t like people, he was probably hurt in the past and now is trying to distance from others not to experience that pain again. The audience is always willing to know what experience and situations made characters to get where they are now. At first, it may be quite challenging to write a character’s sketch, but it will become much easier if you practice. In case you don’t have time, don’t worry! There are professional writing companies that are ready to help. Important Details Even if you think that your character sketch is ready, there may still be pieces of important information that can occur when working on a bigger story. When they appear, don’t forget to write them down and add to your character sketch. In most of the cases, stories write themselves, so you won’t simply be able to work on all of the details before writing the story itself. The next time an interesting detail or fact comes up you only need to write it down. You can easily forget them, and it will only harm the story, so don’t trust your memory and keep all the thoughts on paper. What may these details include? For example, things that distinguish your character from others and how these differences lead to an argument. The same applies to similarities of the person to others and how these similarities contributed to creating better communication with other characters of the story. Remember, you should always include maximum details, because they will enrich the story and explain readers the motives of various characters and their impact on the plot. Things to Keep in Mind A character sketch is a sort of a guideline of the story. Its main goal is to help the author to understand the character in order to introduce them to the audience. Not all of the elements of the sketch will be included to the story, but you still need to make sure that it contains all of the necessary details, like gender, age, body type, height, birth country, dominant emotions and so on. You should also keep in mind that some of the elements of your sketch may be transmitted through the actions.   You may not simply declare that your character loves reading but tell how he postponed a date to finish reading an interesting novel. Or how he spent two days of vacation in a local library instead of sunbathing on the beach. As a result, you will create a character that will develop the story and will help it to evolve. You will understand the character, his actions and what consequences those actions may have. Remember, the main purpose of a character sketch is to create a comprehensive, character-based and reliable story that the audience will admire.

Morin Surname Meaning and Family History

Morin Surname Meaning and Family History The Morin surname derives from the Old French morin, a diminutive of the name More, meaning dark and swarthy [as a moor]. It may also have originated as a topographical surname for one who lived on or near a moor. The Morin surname could also possibly originate as an adaptation of Irish surnames such as OMorahan and OMoran, or as a patronymic surname meaning the son of Maurice. Surname Origin: French Alternate Surname Spellings:  MOREN, MORRIN, MORREN, MORINI, MORAN, OMORAN, MURRAN, MORO Famous People with the Morin Surname Jean-Baptiste Morin  -  French  mathematician,  astrologer, and  astronomer.Jean-Baptiste Morin - French composerArthur Morin  -  French physicistJames C. Morin  -  American Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonistRenà © Morin  - head of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during World War IIJean Morin - French Baroque artistLee Morin - American astronaut Where is the Mori Surname Most Common? The Morin surname, according to surname distribution information from Forebears, is the 3,333rd most common surname in the world. It is most commonly found today in Canada, where it ranks as the 24th most common surname in the country. It is also very prevalent in France (ranked 47th) and the Seychelles (97th). WorldNames PublicProfiler indicates the Morin surname is most common in France- particularly in the regions of Poitou-Charentes, Basse-Normandie, Bretagne, Haute-Normandie, Centre, Pays-de-la-Loire, and Bourgogne. It is also fairly prevalent in Canada, particularly in the Northwest Territories, as well as Maine and New Hampshire in the United States. Genealogy Resources for the Surname Morin Morin Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Morin family crest or coat of arms for the Morin surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted. MORIN Family Genealogy ForumThis free message board is focused on descendants of Morin ancestors around the world. Search the forum for posts about your Morin ancestors, or join the forum and post your own queries.   FamilySearch - MORIN GenealogyExplore over 2.4 million  results from digitized  historical records and lineage-linked family trees related to the Morin surname on this free website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. MORIN Surname Mailing ListFree mailing list for researchers of the Morin surname and its variations includes subscription details and a searchable archives of past messages. GeneaNet - Morin RecordsGeneaNet includes archival records, family trees, and other resources for individuals with the Morin surname, with a concentration on records and families from France and other European countries. The Morin Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Morin surname from the website of Genealogy Today. Genealogy of Canada: Morin Family TreeA collection of links and information for Morin ancestors shared by researchers. Ancestry.com: Morin SurnameExplore over 1.2 million digitized records and database entries, including census records, passenger lists, military records, land deeds, probates, wills and other records for the Morin surname on the subscription-based website, Ancestry.com References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil.  Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Dorward, David.  Scottish Surnames. Collins Celtic (Pocket edition), 1998. Fucilla, Joseph.  Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2003. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges.  A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick.  Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Reaney, P.H.  A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1997. Smith, Elsdon C.  American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

Job Satisfaction Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Job Satisfaction - Research Paper Example In job satisfaction research, there are several variables (both quantitative and qualitative) that are vital while undertaking the research. Among the variables are gender (qualitative) and intrinsic (quantitative) components. Several studies suggest that demographic characteristics may be linked to a person’s satisfaction with their work. If gender relates to job satisfaction, this relation might be partly examined and explained by a mediating effect of another set of variables. However, the fact is there is no defined relationship between gender and job satisfaction. Inconsistencies in findings concerning the relationship between job satisfaction and gender may be because of various factors. Not only might females and males in the same firm differ in the job level, pay, promotion prospects and many more, but they may differ in the extent to which the same job satisfies their needs. Intrinsic rewards such as task significance, task autonomy, opportunities to learn new things, task involvement and recognition are vital antecedence to job satisfaction to employees in the organizations. The qualitative variable is a descriptive variable. They have a greater bearing on the result due to their manipulation of other parameters. Quantitative variables are variables that can be measured. They are purely mathematical in nature. In this study, gender is one of the qualitative variables it is descriptive in nature while intrinsic, benefits, departments and age can be measured hence they comprise the quantitative variables. The mean is 1.777778 while the standard deviation and sample variance are 0.423659 and 0.179487 respectively. At 95% confidence level, the SD is the deviation from the central mean. The skewness in -1.41623, therefore, job satisfaction tends to be skewed towards the men gender. The graphs explain that job satisfaction is fairly divided between males and females.

ICT Policy Evaluation and Compliance Research Paper

ICT Policy Evaluation and Compliance - Research Paper Example The other challenges are that ICT is a fast growing sector and this provides many challenges with regard to policy development and implementation. These two factors, combined with the volatility of ICT create issues with policy development thus leading to a point where the policies developed may not be useful in advancing technology (Pilat, 2003). Policies, which hinder the development and growth of ICT can be very detrimental, and it is necessary for stakeholders to understand this and try to come up with new ways to streamline ICT processes. This is very important for Qatar especially with regard to its vibrant and fast-growing economy, which requires ICT backing in order to be sustained. It is in this regard that the policy evaluation process should be able to identify how ICT policies in Qatar are affecting the growth and uptake of the sector. Impact on ICT policies on ICT uptake ICT policy can be very useful in making sure that ICT is being utilised properly. On the other hand, one of the main challenges, which can be faced with regard to developing ICT policies, is that they can hinder the uptake of ICT (Roy, 2005). Different policies meant to help in improving the ICT sector can lead to it being harder for the ICT to develop. For instance, those policies which are geared towards control are more likely to have a negative impact if they are unchecked. This is why it is absolutely to have a mechanism through which ICT policies are supposed to be evaluated in terms of how they achieve what they are meant for and also in terms of how they are likely to be generate other negative impacts in the industry (Roy, 2005). For instance, with regard to ICT products, it is necessary to have those policies which support the capabilities of the consumers to uptake or to start using various ICT products. One of the areas where this should be regarded with care and diligence in the communication networks. According to Metcalfe (1979), networks increase their utility to th e users as the number of users increase. In this regard, those policies which are geared towards control must be looked at and evaluated in terms of how they are affecting the growth of ICT. Failing to do this may end up meaning that there will be issues with the growth and development of the ICT sector. In this regard, there are a number of issues which must be looked at in order to make sure that the policies are not being detrimental to the growth of ICT. Compliance with international standards The world has become a global village, and this has made it necessary for all countries and territories in the world to be able to look at the ways in which they can align themselves in the global village (Roy, 2005). Compliance with international standards is not just an issue affecting only ICT, but it affects all sectors on a country’s economy. In this regard, there is a need to identify ways in which the ICT policies in Qatar are affecting the ability to comply with internationa l standards. There is a need to guarantee compliance with international requirements as well as the standards which are being implemented internationally (Khosrowpour, 2000). Failing to evaluate the ICT policies would bring in the risk of not complying with international standards and this would lead to Qatar being isolated from the rest of the world. With regard to ICT, compliance with international standards can never be stressed enough. In this regard, t

Oscar Wilde Constanly Mocks Victorian Society Essay Example for Free

Oscar Wilde Constanly Mocks Victorian Society Essay Act III offers happy resolution to the problems of identity and marriage that drive much of the humor in the previous acts. Wilde continues to mock the social customs and attitudes of the aristocratic class. He relentlessly attacks their values, views on marriage and respectability, sexual attitudes, and concern for stability in the social structure. Wilde attacks social behavior with the continuation of speeches by his characters that are the opposite of their actions. While Cecily and Gwendolen agree to keep a dignified silence, Gwendolen actually states that they will not be the first ones to speak to the men. In the very next line she says, Mr. Worthing, I have something very particular to ask you. Wilde seems to be saying that people speak as if they have strong opinions, but their actions do not support their words. If actions truly do speak louder than words, Wilde has made his point: Society, literally, speaks volumes, but the words are meaningless. Wilde continues his criticism of societys valuing style over substance when Gwendolen says, In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing. Lady Bracknell discusses Algernons marriage assets in the same light. She says, Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say an ostentatiously, eligible young man. He has nothing, but he looks everything. What more can one desire? Indeed, in a society where looks are everything and substance is discounted, Algernon is the perfect husband. What else do aristocrats value? They seem to esteem the appearance of respectability. Respectability means children are born within the context of marriage. Wilde once again mocks the hypocrisy of the aristocrats who appear to value monogamy but pretend not to notice affairs. Jacks speech to Miss Prism, whom he believes to be his mother, is humorous in both its indignant defense of marriage and also its mocking of the loudly touted religious reformers virtues of repentance and forgiveness. He says to Miss Prism, Unmarried! I do not deny that is a serious blow†¦. Mother, I forgive you. His words are all the more humorous when Miss Prism indignantly denies being his mother. It was not at all unusual for aristocrats to have children born out of wedlock, but society turned its head, pretended not to know about those children, and did not condemn their fathers. The gulf between the upper class and its servants is explored in the scenes with Merriman and Prism. When Lady Bracknell unexpectedly shows up at Jacks, Merriman coughs discretely to warn the couples of her arrival. One can only imagine his humorous thoughts as he watches the wealthy tiptoe around each other and argue about what should be important. When Lady Bracknell hears the description of Prism and recognizes her as their former nanny, she calls for Miss Prism by shouting Prism! without using a title in front of her name. Imperiously, Lady Bracknell divides the servant from the lady of the manor. Wildes audience would recognize this behavior on the part of the servants and the upper class. The stuffy class distinctions defined the society in which they lived. In an age of social registers, Lady Bracknell laments that even the Court Guides have errors. In the next breath, she discusses bribing Gwendolens maid to find out what is happening in her daughters life. In Act III she also reveals that her aristocratic brothers family entrusted their most precious possession — Jack — to a woman who is more interested in her handbag and manuscript than in what happens to the baby in her charge. Wilde seems to be questioning the values of a society that believes in social registers, hires other people to neglectfully watch its children, and uses bribery to keep track of the children who are not missing. The death of Bunbury gives Wilde the opportunity to speak of aristocratic fears and have some continued fun with the upper classs lack of compassion about death. The 1885 Trafalgar Square riots brought on ruling-class fears of insurrection, anarchism and socialism. Wilde humorously touches on these fears when he allows Algernon to explain the explosion of Bunbury. Lady Bracknell, fearing the worst, exclaims, Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity. Evidently, to Lady Bracknells acquaintances, laws that protect the welfare of those less fortunate are strictly morbid subjects. In fact, this attitude seems to contradict the upper-class concern for reform. However, in reality, Wilde is confirming the upper-class definition of social reform: conforming to the status quo. In Act III Wilde makes a comment on the value of being homosexual with a veiled reference to Lady Lancing. When Lady Bracknell asserts that Cecily needs to have a more sophisticated hairstyle, she recommends a thoroughly experienced French maid who can make a great deal of change in a very short time. She explains that such a change happened to an acquaintance of hers, Lady Lancing, and that after three months her own husband did not know her. Jack uses the opportunity to make a pun on the word know, using it in an aside — a comment only the audience can hear. Jack interprets know to mean they no longer had sex, insinuating Lady Lancings preference for the French maid. He says, And after six months nobody knew her, indicating that the homosexual experience made a new woman of her. Although homosexuality would have been seen as immoral to Wildes audience, Jack indicates that being homosexual might be a good thing — almost as a social commentary — directly to the audience. It seems a double life is necessary after one is married, whether it be bunburying or the homosexual life Wilde was experiencing in an increasingly public way. Wilde continues his assault on family life in Act III by mentioning its strange qualities in several conversations. It appears rather strange, for example, that Lady Bracknell cannot even recall the Christian name of her brother-in-law, Algys father. Algernons father died before Algernon was one, so stranger yet is Algernons comment, We were never even on speaking terms. He gives that as the reason he cannot remember his fathers name. Further assaulting family life, Wilde has Lady Bracknell describe Lord Moncrieff as eccentric but excuses his behavior because it was the result of the Indian climate, and marriage, and indigestions, and other things of that kind. Marriage is lumped together with things such as indigestion. In explaining Lord Moncrieffs marriage, Lady Bracknell says that he was essentially a man of peace, except in his domestic life. Her description invites suspicion that the local constabulary might have visited because of domestic disturbances. Family life and domestic bliss do not get high marks in Wildes estimation. When Miss Prism humorously resolves the problem of Jacks lineage, Wilde takes his hero of unknown origins and paints him as the aristocrat who will now be assimilated into his rightful place in the social structure. Through the sad melodrama of Jacks handbag parentage, Wilde exaggerates the Victorian clichà © of the poor foundling who makes good. As soon as Jack is known to be a member of the established aristocracy, a Moncrieff in fact, he is seen as an appropriate person for Gwendolen to marry. They will, according to Wilde, live happily ever after in wedded bliss and continue the aristocratic blindness to anything that truly matters. The tag line of the play, spoken by Jack, is a familiar convention in Victorian farces. In discovering that he has been telling the truth all along — his name is Ernest, and he has a brother — Jack makes fun of the Victorian virtues of sincerity and honesty and asks Gwendolen to forgive him for speaking nothing but the truth. He now realizes the importance of being the person he is supposed to be. Wilde is saying perhaps that a new kind of earnestness exists, one that is different from the virtues extolled by the Victorians. Maybe it is possible to be honest and understand what should be taken seriously in life rather than being deceptive, hypocritical, and superficial. Some readers believe, however, that the ending shows Jack mockingly redefining Victorian earnestness as just the opposite: a life of lies, pleasure and beauty. Critics debate the interpretation of the last line. A curious stage direction occurs in Act III, revealing the concern Wilde had for the staging of his play to compliment his ideas. As his couples come together and move apart, he emphasizes the choreography of the pairs. He has them speak in unison, both the women together and the men together. It matters not who they are; they are interchangeable. Marriage is simply an institution that is a gesture, like a christening. The unison speaking is very stylistic, not meant to be realistic at all. It reveals Wildes attitude that what is important in Victorian marriage — names — really should not be as important as other considerations. In the end, Wilde leaves his audience thinking about the trivial social conventions they deem important. Their Victorian virtues perhaps need redefining. Institutions such as marriage, religion, family values and money should perhaps have new interpretations. The character of people, rather than their names and family fortunes, should weigh most heavily when considering their worth. Wilde was able to use humor to skewer these attitudes and convince his audience about the importance of being earnest.

Robert Frosts The Oven Bird Essay example -- Robert Frost

Robert Frost's The Oven Bird In his 1916 poem "The Oven Bird" (Baym, Vol. D 1188), Robert Frost chooses a title that presents a single, natural image of a particular species of bird. The title not only identifies this "mid-summer and...mid-wood" bird as the "singer everyone has heard" in the first line, it also establishes the "nature image" as a main theme in the poem. The bird's song presents images of "solid tree trunks," "flowers," and "pear and cherry bloom," while imposing its individual voice on the landscape. This motif is a defining characteristic of many romantic writers, including the transcendental writers of the nineteenth century American Romantic period. In his little book Nature, Emerson writes, "I am the lover of uncontained and immortal beauty....In the tranquil landscape...man beholds somewhat as beautiful as his own nature....Nature always wears the colors of the spirit" (Baym, Vol. B 1108, 1109). Emerson endows nature with everlasting life, beauty, and passion. Therefore, he feels that he (a nd everyone else) can realize and experience the beauty of human existence by immersing himself in the landscape. And, like the oven bird, he imposes himself on the landscape through his individual essence (in Emerson's case his spirit). Despite the initial parallels with the Emersonian persona, the bird's song takes life and beauty away from the natural images that it describes, denying the immortal quality of nature. In "The Oven Bird," several natural images, traditionally symbolizing strength and beauty, construct a romantic landscape. But, these images are individually deconstructed, leaving the natural scene as a whole barren and hollow. Frost crafts a poem that is dependant on nature for both its subject and it... ... he holds on to the romantic notion that nature reflects the human experience. Where Emerson says, "I am nothing. I see all" (1109), Frost would say, "I am nothing. I see nothing." Therefore, in "The Oven Bird," Frost reconstructs the romantic perspective of the nature image by removing the romantic ideals of immortal beauty and spirituality that are associated with the perspective, and imposing the modernist zeitgeist upon this traditionally romantic subject. Works Cited Frost, Robert. "The Oven Bird." The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Volume D. Ed. Nina Baym. New York, London: Norton, 2003. 1188. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Nature. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Volume B. Ed. Nina Baym. New York, London: Norton, 2003. 1106-1134. "Oven-Bird." Birds of Eastern North America. 17 November 2003. http://www.aboutbirds.org.html.