Descartes’ Ultimate Purpose of the Meditations Essay

Descartes’ Ultimate Purpose of the Meditations My initial approach to Renà © Descartes, in Meditations on First Philosophy, views the third meditation’s attempts to prove the existence of God as a way of establishing a foundation for the existence of truth, falsity, corporeal things and eventually the establishment of the sciences. When viewed in this light, Descartes is accused of drawing himself into a ‘Cartesian circle,’ ultimately forcing this cosmological proof of God to defy Cartesian method, thus precipitating the failure of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth meditations. This approach to the meditations, in the order with which they are presented, allows me to state that a proof of the existence of God cannot hold†¦show more content†¦In my research, I have not found any critical analysis of Descartes’ meditations that cite the source of this circularity to be anything but the issue of clear and distinct perceptions. From the start of the third meditation, Descartes consults his per ceptions, â€Å"So now I seem to be able to lay it down as a general rule that whatever I perceive very clearly and distinctly is true† (Descartes: 24). Descartes does acknowledge, however, that his perceptions have been wrong in the past: â€Å"through habitual belief I thought I perceived clearly, although I did not in fact do so† (Descartes: 25). This establishment of doubting that which seems obvious is the mission of the first meditation where Descartes outlines his method: Cartesian doubt. Yet, due to the conclusion of â€Å"cogito ergo sum† from the second meditation, â€Å"let whoever can do so deceive me, he will never bring it about that I am nothing† (Descartes: 25). Furthering his reasoning of the clear and distinct perception of his own existence, Descartes writes that not even a deceiver could bring about a falsity that would produce â€Å"a manifest contradiction† (Descartes: 25). It is when Descartes proclaims the mission of th is third meditation that a circularity arises: â€Å"I must examine whether there is a God, and, if there is, whether he can be a deceiver. For if I do not know this, it seems that I can never be quite certain about anything elseShow MoreRelatedThe Cartesian Circle is Wrong1586 Words   |  7 PagesRene Descartes meditations on the existence of God are very profound, thought-provoking, and engaging. From the meditations focused specifically on the existence of God, Descartes uses the argument that based on his clear and distinct perception that cannot be treated with doubt, God does exist. In the beginning of the third meditation, Descartes proclaims that he is certain he is a thinking thing based on his clear and distinct perception, and he couldn’t be certain unless all clear and distinctRead MoreDescartes : Synopsis Of Meditations 1987 Words   |  4 Pages Descartes: Synopsis of meditations 1, 2, 3 (p530-546) In what follows, I will summarize and come up with some explications to the first three meditations covered by Descartes. The first deals with the method of doubt, the second deals with the human mind and body, and finally the third with the existence of God. I will summarize these parts separately, in that order. In the first meditation, the meditator, who’s Descartes, introduces us with â€Å"the method of doubt†. WhatRead MoreThe Second Meditation Essay845 Words   |  4 PagesThe Second Meditation The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt. --Renà © Descartes Le Discours de la Mà ©thode, I In the First Meditation, Descartes invites us to think skeptically. He entices us with familiar occasions of error, such as how the size of a distant tower can be mistaken. Next, an even more profound reflection on how dreams and reality are indistinguishable provides suitable justification to abandon all that he previouslyRead MoreEssay about Descartes discourse on method931 Words   |  4 Pages Understanding Descartes’ Method of Doubt Clear your mind, if you will, of everything you have ever seen or known to be true. To begin understanding Rene Descartes’ method of doubt, you need to suspend all prejudice and prior judgments and start with a clean slate â€Å"for the purpose of discovering some ultimate truth on which to base all thought.† (Kolak, Pg.225). Discouraged with much skepticism from his own beliefs, Descartes was embarrassed of his own ignorance. He set out to try and accomplishRead MoreDescartes Discourse on Method931 Words   |  4 PagesUnderstanding Descartes Method of Doubt Clear your mind, if you will, of everything you have ever seen or known to be true. To begin understanding Rene Descartes method of doubt, you need to suspend all prejudice and prior judgments and start with a clean slate for the purpose of discovering some ultimate truth on which to base all thought. (Kolak, Pg.225). Discouraged with much skepticism from his own beliefs, Descartes was embarrassed of his own ignorance. He set out to try and accomplishRead MoreThe Matrix, Descartes First Meditation, And Plato s The Allegory Of The Cave909 Words   |  4 Pagesare common questions that everyone asks sometime in their lives. These questions date back since man was made. Nobody knows 100% what happens to us when we die, or what our purpose is in life. Humans have a natural instinct to raise questions to material that we are uncertain of. The movie The Matrix, Descartes First Meditation, and Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave all raise different aspects to questions such as do I exist, what is reality, and how do I know? In The Allegory of the Cave, SocratesRead MoreThe Dream Inside Of A Dream By Christopher Nolan1683 Words   |  7 PagesFinal Paper: Descartes The possibility of having a dream inside of a dream is an idea that has been discussed far and wide. However, before Inception came out in 2010 by director Christopher Nolan, many people in the modern world may not have ever considered this idea. Nonetheless, this idea of â€Å"a dream inside a dream† has been around since 1640, when Rene Descartes published Meditations. In Inception, Christopher Nolan uses Descartes ideas to enhance the storyline of his film. In this paperRead MoreThe Existence Of Beliefs Beyond Doubt Essay2214 Words   |  9 PagesRenà © Descartes set out in his writing of Meditations on First Philosophy to prove the existence of beliefs beyond doubt. He begins his first meditation by casting all things into doubt, claiming that there is no reason to believe that anything exists at all, including the external world, God, and even his own being. Descartes believes that anything which cannot be cast into doubt must certainly be true, and then goes on to i ntroduce an argument which attempts to prove the existence of God. ThoughRead MoreDescartes And The Fourth Meditation Essay1742 Words   |  7 PagesAt the beginning of the fourth meditation Descartes has developed three main certainties: 1) God exists. The understanding that God exists, comes from the intellect and not from the senses or the imagination therefore God exists 2) God is not a deceiver because deceiving is a sign of weakness or malice and because God is perfect he would not be allowed to do things of such evil nature. And 3) if God created him, God is responsible for his judgment, and so his ability to judge must be sound; so longRead MoreThe Existence of God: According to Descartes Essays1758 Words   |  8 Pages Once Descartes has proved his existence by way of the Cogito argument, and has determined what it is that belongs to his essence of being a thinking thing, he must move to examining questions about the world around him. However, before doing this, he thinks it better to examine the question of the existence of God. If he can prove that he was created by a perfectly benevolent creator, then his innate ideas must carry some semblance of truth, as God is not a deceiver and has placed these ideas

Essay on The Victorian Society in The Picture Of Dorian Gray

The Victorian Society in The Picture Of Dorian Gray Works Cited Missing The Victorian age was the time when the British Empire was at its strongest and greatest. People of Britain felt better and more special then other people from different countries. The nature of England had begun to change, the farming industry began to deteriorate and England started to become a manufacturing industry. It was the time of contrast especially where the rich were extremely rich and the poor were extremely poor. Aristocracy was everything and it was what everyone wanted to be even though the†¦show more content†¦In the upper class world the weather is always pleasant but when Wilde is describing the life in the lower class it is always dark and cold and foggy. The slimy pavement looked like a wet mackintosh The opium den is described with unpleasant seedy adjectives and it makes you feel like it is a horrible place to live. Greasy reflectors à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦stained with dark rings of spilt liquor. This makes you feel like it is a ghastly place to live in but is the squalor that the majority of England lived in. In contrast to this horrible and hideous mage that Wilde portrays to us about the lower classes of Victorian society, we also see what it is like in the upper class where Dorian Gray lives. The aristocrats in Victorian society lead very indolent lives where they frown upon any means of work. As they therefore spend a lot of time doing nothing, they amuse themselves with scandal and gossip amongst their friends. This is why scandal is very important and not frowned upon in the upper class, as they love to know anyone involved in crime and they regard it mainly as exciting. I should like to know someone who had committed a real murder. (Lord Henry.) The aristocrats of the Victorian age have a very relaxed and sedentary life style. They do not do much except for going out to dinner and socialising. As I lounged in the Park, or strolled down Piccadilly.Show MoreRelatedThe Picture Of Dorian Gray Analysis1257 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Victorian prose, The Portrait of Dorian Gray explores the idea of duality. The divided self within the character of Dorian Gray begins with his misunderstanding of his self-image, because of the influence of a portrait. Dorian’s fate and transformation connect to the painting, which leads to his downfall. The painting contains Dorians moral decline as changes to the picture affects his life. Through the portrait, he gains an image of himself as an independent individual compared to his previousRead MoreOscar Wilde s The Picture Of Dorian Gray1656 Words   |  7 PagesThe Victorian era is an extraordinarily complex age that occurred throughout the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. The Victorian Era was a tremendously exciting period that created the emergence of many various artistic styles such as literacy, poetry, and painting . In addition, the Era caused the social, political, and religious movements to flourish. The Victorian Era, although being known as the beginning of modern times, still embraced some radical views that today we would associateRead MoreModern Society As A Reflection Of The Picture Of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde1432 Words   |  6 PagesTraditional gothic fiction was at the height of its popularity during the Victorian era, it exploded in the 1790’s and continued its reign well into the 1800’s. This confrontational style of fiction often blurs the lines of realistic and artificial, forcing readers to challenge their beliefs and surpass the norm. However, the aspect of gothic fiction that was most attractive to the Victorian audience was the way human fears and societal tensions were reflected in the deliberately fictionalised literaryRead MoreModern Society as a Reflection of the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde1460 Words   |  6 PagesTraditional gothic fiction was at the height of its popularity during the Victorian era, it exploded in the 1790’s and continued its reign well into the 1800’s. This confrontational style of fiction often blurs the lines of realistic and artificial, forcing readers to challenge their beliefs and surpass the norm. However, the aspect of gothic fiction that was most attractive to the Victorian audience was the way human fears and societal tensions were reflected in the deliberately fictionalised literaryRead MoreEssay on Disregarding Women in The Picture of Dorian Gray1297 Words   |  6 Pages In the Victorian Era of mid nineteen to early twentieth century, a woman’s role in society remained to be in the household, away from the business and cares of men. The feminine side is portrayed as negative, powerless, and lacking (Kileen 49). Society discouraged women from having power in society and neglecting women represented normal in the eyes of most men and women. However, Victorian novels such as The Picture of Dorian Gray illustrate the consequences of disregarding women. In Oscar Wilde’sRead MoreThe Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Dorian Gray Essay918 Words   |  4 PagesDr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Dorian Gray The novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert L. Stevenson and first published in 1886. The years from 1837 to 1901 are considered the Victorian Era, so the novel is considered a Victorian novel. Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is written in the same era as Dr Jekyll and is a Victorian Novel as well. Having read the extracts of the novels and knowing what happens in the end, a comparison of the Victorian Era and the novels can easilyRead MoreThe Picture Of Dorian Gray971 Words   |  4 PagesIn Oscar Wilde’s Popular nineteenth century novel, the Picture of Dorian Gray demonstrates the importance of the aesthetic movement in Victorian England. This suggests youth and physical attractiveness is emphasized and are valuable additions to society. Therefore, what matters to Dorian, is not the internal goodness an individual possesses but the appearance they present. Consequently, Dorian is able to forget the violent acts he commits as long as he appears beautiful on the outside. Since externalRead MoreTheme Of Sexual Dissonance In The Picture Of Dorian Gray1641 Words   |  7 PagesA Picture of Sexual Fluidity Oscar Wilde was a figurehead for a larger cause in the late nineteenth century. His reality crumbled under the cognitive dissonance of the high-class aristocrats and their struggle to find any reason to overthrow those who are cognizant enough to see and react to said dissonance. What are best known as the Wilde trials, consisted of using completely fictional literature as evidence to real events. Wilde’s novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray was a tool used to undermineRead MoreOscar Wide s The Picture Of Dorian Gray914 Words   |  4 PagesOscar Wide’s The Picture of Dorian Gray illustrates Basil Hallward’s portrait as a primary catalyst for the fluctuating personality of Dorian Gray. As Dorian gazes at the portrait of himself, he is upset that even though he will continue to age and wrinkle, the portrait will always remain young, beautiful and unaltered. Upon multiple readings of The Picture of Dorian Gray deconstructive textual analysis suggests that there are always new interpretations of the image of the painting. â€Å"UltimatelyRead MorePortrayal Of Female Sexuality By Bram Stoker s Dracula1598 Words   |  7 PagesBram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula is a novel that condemns liberated female sexuality, presenting it as volatile and threatening to the established patriarchal order of the Victorian Era. By examining the varying level of sexuality among Stoker’s female characters and their narrative outcomes, the novel’s attitude that female sexuality is hostile becomes apparent. In Castle Dracula, Harker meets three vampiric women whose monstrosity is presented as inseparable from their eroticism. Describing their fangs

AP English 4 Essay free essay sample

For as long as I could remember, money was tight in my household, and once my younger brother and sister joined the picture it only got worse. Both of my parents chose a path in life that involved not going to college. My father was a local mechanic and part time cars salesman; my mother worked as a waitress and stayed at home to take care of my siblings and I. Vacations were never possible, and we would always live paycheck to paycheck. Growing up my parents would tell me a good education and a college degree was important in getting a good job. When my father lost his job after my grandfather passed away it became more relevant just how necessary a degree was in the job field. It was very difficult for him to find a well-paying job that would support our family. If it wasn’t for my grandparents helping out, I don’t know where we would be today. We will write a custom essay sample on AP English 4 Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page My family’s financial stress growing up helped me strive to gain a higher education. I’ve always enjoyed math and problem solving. Trying get ahead, I took all three years of accounting, along with competing in UIL events. To gain my CPA I would need at least six years of college. Going into my senior year is nerve racking honestly. College will be here before I know it, and I feel like I’m only going to only get one shot at earning a degree. My grandparents offered to help pay for college, but being able to take any pressure off of them by being able to pay for a portion of the bills would be something I needed to do. â€Å"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand† – Vince Lombardi. My most important goal in life is to be successful; I don’t ever want money to keep my children from doing something they would enjoy; I want my children to grow up without worries. I want them to have what I didn’t; that’s why I am pursuing a higher education beyond high school.

The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay Example For Students

The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay A New Cultural Identity By Anus Overstress AkA Awesome, Cool, Brilliant and any other synonyms of these qualities Originally known as the New Negro Movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a period of immense social activity and great innovations among artist and writers. The movements name is derived from its origin; Harlem New York. At this time Harlem became the Mecca to which scholars, writers, musicians and photographers traveled. African American migration to the northern states played a major role in the initiation of this intellectual movement which harbored and preserved a new black cultural identity in multiple aspects. We will write a custom essay on The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Prolific writers such as Longboats Hughes influenced many poets. The improvisation of Jazz and its syncopated rhythms was popularized by Jazz legends such as Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong. The Harlem Renaissance began in the late sasss after World War II. However much of the foundation of this movement was established by earlier generations of African American educators, students, and intellectuals. In the decades following the Civil War, multiple racial barriers to education were removed and African Americans took advantage of the new educational opportunities in prodigious numbers. Due to the rash aspects of the Jim Crow laws in the south (which contained approximately 90 percent of the Black population at the time) and the discrimination and mistreatment that followed, African American individuals migrated to the urban northern states to escape the oppressive system of the rural south where they were able to find work. Some of the most prominent works created during this era were in the field of literature. Longboats Hughes was the epitome of prolific writers and a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his pomes which he wrote with the rhythmic pattern of Jazz and blues which influenced many poets. Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. The book was very popular and established both his poetic style and his commitment to black themes and culture. Hughes skillful use of words to portray African American heritage played a major role during this era. No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped the United States as much as Jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers. Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and Jazz vocals. Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences as white Americans caught Jazz fever. For the first time white Americans could not look away. The Harlem Renaissance was a major period in American history. The northward migration by African Americans to escape white movement. Its origin Harlem, brought notice to great works that might have otherwise been lost. Writers of this era such as Longboats Hughes were extremely influential and Jazz legends Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong took this form of art characterized by improvisation and syncopation to new levels of innovation. The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay Example For Students The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay A New Cultural Identity By Anus Overstress AkA Awesome, Cool, Brilliant and any other synonyms of these qualities Originally known as the New Negro Movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a period of immense social activity and great innovations among artist and writers. The movements name is derived from its origin; Harlem New York. At this time Harlem became the Mecca to which scholars, writers, musicians and photographers traveled. African American migration to the northern states played a major role in the initiation of this intellectual movement which harbored and preserved a new black cultural identity in multiple aspects. We will write a custom essay on The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Prolific writers such as Longboats Hughes influenced many poets. The improvisation of Jazz and its syncopated rhythms was popularized by Jazz legends such as Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong. The Harlem Renaissance began in the late sasss after World War II. However much of the foundation of this movement was established by earlier generations of African American educators, students, and intellectuals. In the decades following the Civil War, multiple racial barriers to education were removed and African Americans took advantage of the new educational opportunities in prodigious numbers. Due to the rash aspects of the Jim Crow laws in the south (which contained approximately 90 percent of the Black population at the time) and the discrimination and mistreatment that followed, African American individuals migrated to the urban northern states to escape the oppressive system of the rural south where they were able to find work. Some of the most prominent works created during this era were in the field of literature. Longboats Hughes was the epitome of prolific writers and a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his pomes which he wrote with the rhythmic pattern of Jazz and blues which influenced many poets. Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. The book was very popular and established both his poetic style and his commitment to black themes and culture. Hughes skillful use of words to portray African American heritage played a major role during this era. No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped the United States as much as Jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers. Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and Jazz vocals. Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences as white Americans caught Jazz fever. For the first time white Americans could not look away. The Harlem Renaissance was a major period in American history. The northward migration by African Americans to escape white movement. Its origin Harlem, brought notice to great works that might have otherwise been lost. Writers of this era such as Longboats Hughes were extremely influential and Jazz legends Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong took this form of art characterized by improvisation and syncopation to new levels of innovation. The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay Example For Students The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay A New Cultural Identity By Anus Overstress AkA Awesome, Cool, Brilliant and any other synonyms of these qualities Originally known as the New Negro Movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a period of immense social activity and great innovations among artist and writers. The movements name is derived from its origin; Harlem New York. At this time Harlem became the Mecca to which scholars, writers, musicians and photographers traveled. African American migration to the northern states played a major role in the initiation of this intellectual movement which harbored and preserved a new black cultural identity in multiple aspects. We will write a custom essay on The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Prolific writers such as Longboats Hughes influenced many poets. The improvisation of Jazz and its syncopated rhythms was popularized by Jazz legends such as Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong. The Harlem Renaissance began in the late sasss after World War II. However much of the foundation of this movement was established by earlier generations of African American educators, students, and intellectuals. In the decades following the Civil War, multiple racial barriers to education were removed and African Americans took advantage of the new educational opportunities in prodigious numbers. Due to the rash aspects of the Jim Crow laws in the south (which contained approximately 90 percent of the Black population at the time) and the discrimination and mistreatment that followed, African American individuals migrated to the urban northern states to escape the oppressive system of the rural south where they were able to find work. Some of the most prominent works created during this era were in the field of literature. Longboats Hughes was the epitome of prolific writers and a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his pomes which he wrote with the rhythmic pattern of Jazz and blues which influenced many poets. Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. The book was very popular and established both his poetic style and his commitment to black themes and culture. Hughes skillful use of words to portray African American heritage played a major role during this era. No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped the United States as much as Jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers. Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and Jazz vocals. Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences as white Americans caught Jazz fever. For the first time white Americans could not look away. The Harlem Renaissance was a major period in American history. The northward migration by African Americans to escape white movement. Its origin Harlem, brought notice to great works that might have otherwise been lost. Writers of this era such as Longboats Hughes were extremely influential and Jazz legends Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong took this form of art characterized by improvisation and syncopation to new levels of innovation. The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay Example For Students The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay A New Cultural Identity By Anus Overstress AkA Awesome, Cool, Brilliant and any other synonyms of these qualities Originally known as the New Negro Movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a period of immense social activity and great innovations among artist and writers. The movements name is derived from its origin; Harlem New York. At this time Harlem became the Mecca to which scholars, writers, musicians and photographers traveled. African American migration to the northern states played a major role in the initiation of this intellectual movement which harbored and preserved a new black cultural identity in multiple aspects. We will write a custom essay on The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Prolific writers such as Longboats Hughes influenced many poets. The improvisation of Jazz and its syncopated rhythms was popularized by Jazz legends such as Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong. The Harlem Renaissance began in the late sasss after World War II. However much of the foundation of this movement was established by earlier generations of African American educators, students, and intellectuals. In the decades following the Civil War, multiple racial barriers to education were removed and African Americans took advantage of the new educational opportunities in prodigious numbers. Due to the rash aspects of the Jim Crow laws in the south (which contained approximately 90 percent of the Black population at the time) and the discrimination and mistreatment that followed, African American individuals migrated to the urban northern states to escape the oppressive system of the rural south where they were able to find work. Some of the most prominent works created during this era were in the field of literature. Longboats Hughes was the epitome of prolific writers and a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his pomes which he wrote with the rhythmic pattern of Jazz and blues which influenced many poets. Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. The book was very popular and established both his poetic style and his commitment to black themes and culture. Hughes skillful use of words to portray African American heritage played a major role during this era. No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped the United States as much as Jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers. Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and Jazz vocals. Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences as white Americans caught Jazz fever. For the first time white Americans could not look away. The Harlem Renaissance was a major period in American history. The northward migration by African Americans to escape white movement. Its origin Harlem, brought notice to great works that might have otherwise been lost. Writers of this era such as Longboats Hughes were extremely influential and Jazz legends Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong took this form of art characterized by improvisation and syncopation to new levels of innovation. The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay Example For Students The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity Essay A New Cultural Identity By Anus Overstress AkA Awesome, Cool, Brilliant and any other synonyms of these qualities Originally known as the New Negro Movement, the Harlem Renaissance was a period of immense social activity and great innovations among artist and writers. The movements name is derived from its origin; Harlem New York. At this time Harlem became the Mecca to which scholars, writers, musicians and photographers traveled. African American migration to the northern states played a major role in the initiation of this intellectual movement which harbored and preserved a new black cultural identity in multiple aspects. We will write a custom essay on The Harlem Renaissance and a New Cultural Identity specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Prolific writers such as Longboats Hughes influenced many poets. The improvisation of Jazz and its syncopated rhythms was popularized by Jazz legends such as Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong. The Harlem Renaissance began in the late sasss after World War II. However much of the foundation of this movement was established by earlier generations of African American educators, students, and intellectuals. In the decades following the Civil War, multiple racial barriers to education were removed and African Americans took advantage of the new educational opportunities in prodigious numbers. Due to the rash aspects of the Jim Crow laws in the south (which contained approximately 90 percent of the Black population at the time) and the discrimination and mistreatment that followed, African American individuals migrated to the urban northern states to escape the oppressive system of the rural south where they were able to find work. Some of the most prominent works created during this era were in the field of literature. Longboats Hughes was the epitome of prolific writers and a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his pomes which he wrote with the rhythmic pattern of Jazz and blues which influenced many poets. Hughes first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. The book was very popular and established both his poetic style and his commitment to black themes and culture. Hughes skillful use of words to portray African American heritage played a major role during this era. No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped the United States as much as Jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers. Singers such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday popularized blues and Jazz vocals. Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong drew huge audiences as white Americans caught Jazz fever. For the first time white Americans could not look away. The Harlem Renaissance was a major period in American history. The northward migration by African Americans to escape white movement. Its origin Harlem, brought notice to great works that might have otherwise been lost. Writers of this era such as Longboats Hughes were extremely influential and Jazz legends Duke Elongating and Louis Armstrong took this form of art characterized by improvisation and syncopation to new levels of innovation.

Free Essays on World War 1

World War I, also known as the Great War, was immediately caused by the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in 1914. Another prominent cause of the war was the entangling alliances between the countries of Europe. The war was thought to be the war to end all wars because it was the bloodiest war the world had seen yet. The war was supposed to end by the Christmas of 1914, but it lasted four long years. The fighting finally stopped on November 11, 1918, when the Allied and German delegates signed an armistice on terms established by the Allies. Political leaders then took up the task of trying to transform the military armistice into a durable peace. The Germans and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. It was negotiated during the Paris Peace Conference held in Versailles beginning January 18, 1919. Represented were the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy. The German Republic, which ha d replaced the imperial German government at the end of the war, was excluded. The treaty was more like a punishment for Germany than a peace treaty. For damage incurred by the Allied powers during the war, Germany was required to make extensive financial reparation. In addition to money, payment was made in the form of ships, trains, livestock, and valuable natural resources. After World War I, the German, Austria-Hungarian, and Russian empires ceased to exist, and the Ottoman empire soon followed them. New nations emerged, borders were radically shifted, and ethnic conflicts erupted. Victors and losers alike faced an enormous recovery challenge after four years of financial loss, economic deprivation, and material destruction.... Free Essays on World War 1 Free Essays on World War 1 World War I, also known as the Great War, was immediately caused by the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in 1914. Another prominent cause of the war was the entangling alliances between the countries of Europe. The war was thought to be the war to end all wars because it was the bloodiest war the world had seen yet. The war was supposed to end by the Christmas of 1914, but it lasted four long years. The fighting finally stopped on November 11, 1918, when the Allied and German delegates signed an armistice on terms established by the Allies. Political leaders then took up the task of trying to transform the military armistice into a durable peace. The Germans and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. It was negotiated during the Paris Peace Conference held in Versailles beginning January 18, 1919. Represented were the United States, Great Britain, France, and Italy. The German Republic, which ha d replaced the imperial German government at the end of the war, was excluded. The treaty was more like a punishment for Germany than a peace treaty. For damage incurred by the Allied powers during the war, Germany was required to make extensive financial reparation. In addition to money, payment was made in the form of ships, trains, livestock, and valuable natural resources. After World War I, the German, Austria-Hungarian, and Russian empires ceased to exist, and the Ottoman empire soon followed them. New nations emerged, borders were radically shifted, and ethnic conflicts erupted. Victors and losers alike faced an enormous recovery challenge after four years of financial loss, economic deprivation, and material destruction....

The Nanking Massacre of 1937

The Nanking Massacre of 1937 In late December  1937 and early January  1938, the Imperial Japanese Army perpetrated one of the most horrific war crimes of the World War II era. In what is known as the Nanking Massacre or the Rape of Nanking, Japanese soldiers systematically raped thousands of Chinese women and girls of all ages - even infants. They also murdered hundreds of thousands of civilians and prisoners of war in what was then the Chinese capital city of Nanking (now called Nanjing).   These atrocities continue to color Sino-Japanese relations to this day. Indeed, some Japanese public officials have denied that the Nanking Massacre ever happened, or significantly downplay its scope and severity.  History textbooks in Japan mention the incident only in a single footnote, if at all. It is crucial, however, for the nations of East Asia to confront and move past the gruesome events of the mid-20th century  if they are going to face the challenges of the 21st century together. So what really happened to the people of Nanking in 1937-38? Japans Imperial Army invaded civil-war-torn China in July of 1937 from Manchuria  to the north.  It drove southward, quickly taking the Chinese capital city of Beijing. In response, the Chinese Nationalist Party moved the capital to the city of Nanking, about 1,000 km (621 miles) to the south. The Chinese Nationalist Army or Kuomintang (KMT) lost the key city of Shanghai to the advancing Japanese in November of 1937.  KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek realized that the new Chinese capital of Nanking, just 305 km (190 miles) up the Yangtze River from Shanghai, could not hold out much longer. Rather than wasting his soldiers in a futile attempt to hold Nanking, Chiang decided to withdraw most of them inland about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west to Wuhan, where the rugged interior mountains offered a more defensible position. KMT General Tang Shengzhi was left to defend the city, with an untrained force of 100,000 poorly-armed fighters.   The approaching Japanese forces were under the temporary command of Prince Yasuhiko Asaka, a right-wing militarist and the uncle by marriage of Emperor Hirohito.  He was standing in for the elderly General Iwane Matsui, who was ill. Early in December, division commanders informed Prince Asaka that the Japanese had encircled almost 300,000 Chinese troops around Nanking and inside the city. They told him that the Chinese were willing to negotiate a surrender; Prince Asaka responded with an order to kill all captives. Many scholars view this order as an invitation to the Japanese soldiers to go on a rampage in Nanking. On December 10, the Japanese mounted a five-pronged attack on Nanking.  By December 12, the besieged Chinese commander, General Tang, ordered a retreat from the city. Many of the untrained Chinese conscripts broke ranks and ran, and Japanese soldiers hunted them down and captured or slaughtered them. Being captured was no protection  because the Japanese government had declared that international laws on treatment of POWs did not apply to the Chinese. An estimated 60,000 Chinese fighters who surrendered were massacred by the Japanese. On December 18, for example, thousands of young Chinese men had their hands tied behind them, then were tied into long lines and marched to the Yangtze River. There, the Japanese opened fire on them en masse. The screams of the injured went on for hours, as the Japanese soldiers made their leisurely way down the lines to bayonet those who were still alive, and dump the bodies into the river. Chinese civilians also faced horrific deaths as the Japanese occupied the city.   Some were blown up with mines, mowed down in their hundreds with machine guns, or sprayed with gasoline and set on fire.  F. Tillman Durdin, a reporter for the New York Times who witnessed the massacre, reported: In taking over Nanking the Japanese indulged in slaughters, looting and rapine exceeding in barbarity any atrocities committed up to that time in the course of the Sino-Japanese hostilities... Helpless Chinese troops, disarmed for the most part and ready to surrender, were systematically rounded up and executed... Civilians of both sexes and all ages were also shot by the Japanese. Bodies piled up in streets and alleyways, too many for any accurate count. Perhaps equally horrifying, the Japanese soldiers made their way through entire neighborhoods systematically raping every female they found.  Infant girls had their genitals sliced open with swords to make it easier to rape them. Elderly women were gang-raped and then killed. Young women might be raped and then taken away to the soldiers camps for weeks of further abuse. Some sadistic soldiers forced celibate Buddhist monks and nuns to perform sex acts for their amusement, or forced family members into incestuous acts. At least 20,000 women were raped, according to most estimates. Between December 13, when Nanking fell to the Japanese, and the end of February  1938, the orgy of violence by the Japanese Imperial Army claimed the lives of an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war.  The Nanking Massacre stands as one of the worst atrocities of the bloody twentieth century. General Iwane Matsui, who had recovered from his illness somewhat by the time Nanking fell, issued several orders between December 20, 1937 and February of 1938 demanding that his soldiers and officers behave properly.  However, he was not able to bring them under control. On February 7, 1938, he stood with tears in his eyes and upbraided his subordinate officers for the massacre, which he believed had done irreparable damage to the Imperial Armys reputation. He and Prince Asaka were both recalled to Japan later in 1938; Matsui retired, while Prince Asaka remained a member of the Emperors War Council. In 1948, General Matsui was found guilty of war crimes by the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal  and was hanged at the age of 70.  Prince Asaka escaped punishment  because the American authorities decided to exempt members of the imperial family. Six other officers and former Japanese Foreign Minister Koki Hirota were also hanged for their roles in the Nanking Massacre, and eighteen more were convicted but got lighter sentences.

To Whome do we belong Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

To Whome do we belong - Essay Example nts and tragedies forces an individual to change his true self and wipes away everything he believes in forcing him to acquire a new identity in an unimaginable way. The work of Victor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning, will be used as a reference for the purpose of this paper. Obi was an ordinary Nigerian man, of the Igbo tribe, who was brought up in the best of moral character within the conservative Nigerian cultural setting. His problems began when he undertook a scholarship to further his education in Britain. The Western culture in Britain did not hesitate to influence him to a multi-cultured person, obviously bringing in conflict. In Britain, it was alright to take bribes, to marry a person from any tribe or race and to have sexual relations with them even before marriage. Actually, it was alright to do a lot of things. End of four years of study in Britain and Obi is ready to return to home sweet home. The only problem is the people back home are still the same as he left them four years ago: the same culture, same mind set, same believes, same everything. They do not allow marriage to certain casts (Obi’s girlfriend was from a cast that was considered an outcast, Osu) leaving him with no choice but to perform an abortion for the girl who was carrying his child. Bribery was an abomination and unheard of especially from a son of the village whom the community had made a collection for him to take higher studies so as to come back and help the village people maneuver around the new white-dominated Nigeria. Within a few years, he had changed a lot, but he was the one who changed not the world and now he was back to reality: he has roots as a traditional Nigerian man and uprooting them was hard if not impossible. He had no choice but to adapt to his old ways of life. Within no time, Ibo finds himself a prisoner of his multiple identity in a conflict that would later tear down his whole life; career wise, socially and morally, eventually turning him