Manipulation in Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray Essay

Manipulation in Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray  Ã‚        Ã‚  "I do not think that one person influences another, nor do I think there is any bad influence in the world," Oscar Wilde uttered when under trial (Hyde 353). Although this statement may be true, one of Wilde's most famous works shows a great deal of the effects of people shaping one another, causing one to wonder about Wilde's sincerity in that statement. The Picture of Dorian Gray shows variations on the existence and purposes of influence, displaying two types of personal influence: obvious manipulations such as that of Lord Henry upon Dorian and that of Dorian over Sybil Vane, and those that are more often overlooked such as the more subtle manipulation of Dorian over Basil, of Dorian over Lord Henry, and in the interaction between Dorian and his portrait. Wilde demonstrates the many possible impacts made in these two categories, proving that there is more to a relationship than an outside viewer may perceive, and eventually leading the reader to the unavoidable morbid end ing of the book, in which the characters meet their own pathetic ends, with Dorian Gray committing what could be considered a ghastly suicide. Taking into account Wilde?s own life of controversial relationships, this book is especially poignant in its autobiographical suggestions. Dorian Gray is first described as a naà ¯ve and attractive young boy, with a striking resemblance to Adonis, having the physical description of a Greek god. The beauty and innocence of youth cause him to be quite attractive, and the fact that he is unaware of the power of this beauty is even more appealing. Dorian?s beauty is the source of Basil Hallward?s obsession, which peaks in the act of Hallward painting Do... ...rinceton University Press, 1967. Twentieth Century Criticism, Volume 41. Pages 353-60. Shewan, Rodney. Oscar Wilde: Art and Egotism. The Macmillan Press Ltd, 1977. Excerpted in Twentieth Century Criticism, Volume 41. Pages 374-84. Spivey, Ted. R. "Oscar Wilde and the Tragedy of Symbolism," The Journey Beyond Tragedy: A Study of Myth and Modern Fiction. Copyright 1980, Board of Regents of the State of Florida, University Presses of Florida, 1980. Twentieth Century Criticism, Volume 41. Pages 501-2. Summers, Claude J. "In Such Surrender There May Be Gain: Oscar Wilde and the Beginnings of Gay Fiction, " Gay Fiction: Wilde to Stonewall, Studies in Male Homosexual Literacy Tradition, Continuum, 1990. Excerpted in Twentieth Century Criticism, Volume 41. Pages 398-401. Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Oxford University Press, New York. 1994

First Writing Assignment “Two Views of the Mississippi” Essay

As Mark Twain learned the trade of steamboating he needed to be able to discern between the beautiful aspects of the river which he talked about figuratively and the critical awareness of those same aspects as they pertain to navigation. The two sets of details are in juxtaposition. However, there is something larger happening in the excerpt. What is it? Define it as the thematic concern for your paper. Develop your thesis around the larger message. In other words, what is the big picture here? What is the larger message that the writing attempts to engage for the audience? Most, if not all, of the language speaks about two views of the river, but the tension between those descriptions is both explicit and implicit. What are the implied factors (implications) beyond the language of the piece? The explicit examples (tools/devices/strategies of rhetoric) of language will help you speak specifically about the evidence on the page as it pertains to the global outlook that the piece hints at. The two sets of descriptions set up a much larger concept and that concept permeates into the real world. What is that concept or what are those ideas? They are wide ranging. The ideas are crucial in the understanding of the piece itself, no doubt, however it (they) reach further? How much further do they reach? Respond to the prompt in a way that you touch on the larger messages that are inherent in the piece. Do the ideas shape the reality you are currently forming for yourself? The specific language of the piece are nice examples and activities of rhetoric, so how do they ultimately point to and lead us into answering the bigger question/concept of the piece? In your quest to develop and support your interpretation as to the message of the piece you will find it important to identify tools of figurative language and how they differ from the literal translations of those same descriptions. Identify tools of figurative language: What does that language say? How does it help support your case? Why does the language work? Furthermore, identify the language that juxtaposes the appearance of the figurative language: How does that language differ? How does it help support your ideas? What does the language reiterate about the larger picture? Essay will be 5 pages. It will discuss the main idea and  support it by defining the moments of language that are pertinent to the discussion of the larger message.

Not so Good Earth Analysis

The Not So Good Earth For a while there we had 25-inch Chinese peasant families famishing in comfort on the 25-inch screen and even Uncle Billy whose eyesight's going fast by hunching up real close to the convex glass could just about make them out–the riot scene in the capital city for example he saw that better than anything, using the contrast knob to bring them up dark–all those screaming faces and bodies going under the horses' hooves–he did a terrific job on that bit, not so successful though on the quieter parts where they're just starving away igging for roots in the not-so-good earth cooking up a mess of old clay and coming out with all those Confucian analects to everybody's considerable satisfaction (if I remember rightly Grandmother dies with naturally a suspenseful break in the action for a full symphony orchestra plug for Craven A neat as a whistle probably damn glad to be quit of the whole gang with their marvelous patience. ) We never did find out how it finished up†¦ Dad at this stage tripped over the main lead in the dark hauling the whole set down smack on its inscrutable face, iping out in a blue flash and curlicue of smoke 600 million Chinese without a trace†¦ The title contains â€Å"not-so-good† describing the contents of the poem, which is a negative adjective compound. It is a parody of the book â€Å"The Good Earth† by Pearl Buck, which is about the good times, values and Chinese proverbs. The phrase â€Å"For a while there† shows how Western society is apathetic towards the Chinese. â€Å"25-inch Chinese peasant families† explains that the characters in the poem are watching a 25-inch screen television. â€Å"famishing in comfort† is a juxtaposition in line two, whose comfort?Certainly not the Chinese. In line four â€Å"convex glass† relates to the television. Dashes â€Å"-† in the first nine lines represent changes in tone of language and persona of the narrator. â€Å"He saw that better than anything†-there is more concern for Uncle Billy being able to see what’s happening than what is actually happening. In line 11, the main character is bored by the part â€Å"where they’re just starving away†, this shows his lack of compassion for their situation. â€Å"Confucian analects† – Chinese philosopher. Analects are proverbs and/or homely wise sayings.In line 21 â€Å"it† represents the television. From line 21 onwards they seem to be more worried about the television breaking than they do about the real life tragedy of the deaths of so many Chinese peasant families. Line 25 (the last line) concludes with the phrase â€Å"600 million Chinese without a trace†¦ † this portrays the complacency of western society in the way that they don’t realize there is life beyond their own lives, they are so immersed in themselves, that they think that this reportage is only for ente rtainment and once the television brakes the scene just goes off air.They don’t realize that this is still happening after the Television breaks, they don’t feel touched or even realize that this is a real life thing not just some program. Generally: Consider the general attitude: very complacent and detached. The characters are ignorant and apathetic towards the Chinese in the documentary. Revealing the imperfection of western society being too self-absorbed, and preying on their lack of consideration and respect for others. The poem constantly drifts between fact and fiction.Floating in the midst of reality displayed on the television, and the artificial world which our mind creates to block out the poverty and suffering that we are not directly involved with. Throughout the poem the media promotes death scenes and action, while blunting the emotional impact of reality. Dawe uses many colloquialisms â€Å"to be quit of the whole gang† this express the general laid back style of the poem. Tone: Dawe maintains the tension between humor and seriousness.The Not-so-good Earth (1966) Like ‘Televistas' this poem is centred on the common place activity of watching television. It is a concept totally within the audience's experience. Television in our consumer society is our prime source of information and entertainment. Often the two become confused: lives and human tragedy are considered a product, something that will engender interest and thereby generate revenue. The greater the suffering, the more successful the program and the greater market share.Dawe is concerned that we have become desensitised to human suffering because it is presented to us as entertainment: a product rather than an issue. The irony is that we have become emotionally distanced from reality even though the world enters our homes via television. The title and the film description are references to ‘The Good Earth† based on a novel by Pearl Buck. Set dur ing the Japanese advance on China during the late 1930s, it contains ideas that the land sustains life and that suffering is rewarded.This poem describes a family viewing the film, complete with the advertisements, and their reaction (or rather, lack of) to it. They never actually see the end as the father trips over the cord in the darkened room. It is a very satirical poem that creates black humour. Through the characters' complete insensitivity and absence of either empathy or sympathy, Dawe expresses amazement at the complacency of people in our society. There is continual tension between the humour and the seriousness of what is described.For instance, Uncle Billy's sight problems are comical but Dawe's biting satire is evident by its juxtaposition to the riot scene's seriousness he is straining to see. The uncle's triviality is as obvious as the insensitivity of the watchers. Modern man is more concerned with superficial appearances, ‘using the contrast knob to bring the m up dark', the ‘mess of old clay' that is dinner, than in meanings attached to them. There seems an inability to comprehend the events as having happened to real people.The narrator is used to suggest modern man is apathetic and completely self absorbed. He is revealed as such by his inability to comprehend the implication of his comments. He speaks about the Chinese ‘famishing in comfort on the 25-inch screen'. The paradox is clear to the audience. The reference to the ‘terrific job' on the ‘screaming faces and bodies going under the horses' hooves' reveals a similar insensitivity. The lack of punctuation helps create the idea that society does not pause to consider the reality of other people's suffering.Instead, like the narrator, we just move quickly onto the next item of information. Here Dawe mocks the movie's idea that suffering reaps reward: how can it if nobody even notices? The fact the narrator does not seem at all concerned about what happened in the unseen ending further demonstrates his lack of engagement. The ‘blue flash' eliminating the picture represents how quickly the situation has been forgotten. The blank screen and the ‘dead' set may symbolise modern peoples’ inability to empathise with others. Our concerns are trite and centred on ourselves.We’re indifferent to the suffering of others and view it only as a source of entertainment. Dawe also suggests that the media nurtures this insensitivity. It is ironic that in an age (thanks to the media)where people know far more about what happens all over the world that people seem to care little beyond their own insular world. There is a sense of confusion between reality and fiction. It is ironic that advertisements for luxury indulgences like ‘Craven A' cigarettes have been interjected into what should be deeply moving moments of the film.The advertisement is described as having a ‘full symphony orchestra' which is a farcical contras t to the grandmother's death. The media does not treat tragedy as real and this blunts society's reactions and emotional involvement. Linked to both these ideas is the way people distance themselves from unpleasantness and shirk responsibility. Dawe's use of the aside'( if I remember rightly.. )' implies that the narrator deliberately avoids discussion of the seriousness of the movie's events. Not-so-good-Earth' is a clever poem that maintains the audience's interest. It is colloquial, using everyday expressions like ‘For a while there', ‘a terrific job' and ‘probably damn glad'. This makes it very accessible. It is also personal with the use of the first person. It is, at least at first glance, humorous, but the humour darkens as the poem progresses. The title is a pun, referring both to the movie and our modern society. Overall, whilst the events are clearly exaggerated, they stimulate the audience to evaluate their own attitudes.

The State of The Music Industry essays

The State of The Music Industry essays The state of the music industry is a curious and everchanging phenomenon. Lately, the multi-billion dollar industry has been in definite decline. Not to say however, that this decline doesnt have any relation to that of the state of the economy. In fact, looking statistically at the economy could help determine why in fact the music industry is in the state that it exists today. Also due to the internet, the popularity of the CD-R, and the various styles of retailing currently available, it will be more clearly revealed why the Music Industry might be suffering. The CD-R has become the poor mans answer to good music neglecting to understand that what they are doing in fact is piracy. They are stealing not only from the industry and the artist but from the economy. Music is a huge part of the economy and it has been thrown off center by the grand entrance of the CD burner. The burner has nearly become a staple part of a computer system and if not, dont fret, there are a bunch of external units to choose from. The RIAA states that one in two people had dowloaded music in the last month. The RIAA also states that three in 10 consumers report owning a CD burner; people who download music from the Internet are amongst consumers most likely to own CD burners (48%). Plus the most common use for CD burners amongst most consumers is making CDs for friends and family (54%) and making CD compilations (51%). That is truly a blast to recorded music sales and the retailers who distribute them. Still, number of CDs being shipped in seems to be high but unfortunately the demand is not coinciding with actual amounts of music sold. If the downloaded music was in fact being paid for, there would be ahuge difference in sales and that is the truth. DVDs seem to be the only things doing well at the moment because of the peril to duplicate them. Alas, the technology to do this is rapidly being updated and soon enough burning DVD...

Getting a Drivers License in the U.S.

Getting a Drivers License in the U.S. A drivers license is a government-issued piece of identification required to operate a motor vehicle. Many places will ask for a drivers license for identification purposes including banks, or it can be used to show legal age when buying alcohol or tobacco. Unlike some countries, a U.S. drivers license is not a nationally issued piece of identification. Each state issues its own license, and requirements and procedures vary depending on your state. You can check your states requirements by referring to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Requirements In most states, you will need a Social Security Number in order to apply for a drivers license. Bring all required identification with you, which may include your passport, foreign drivers license, birth certificate or permanent resident card, and proof of your legal immigration status. The DMV will also want to confirm that you are an in-state resident, so bring proof of residence such as a utility bill or lease in your name showing your current address. There are some general requirements in order to obtain a drivers license, including a written test, vision test, and driving test. Each state will have its own requirements and procedures. Some states will acknowledge the previous driving experience, so research the requirements for your state before you go so you can plan to bring any required paperwork from your home country. Many states will consider you a new driver, though, so be prepared for that. Preparation Prepare for your written test by picking up a copy of your states drivers guide at the DMV office. You can usually get these at no charge, and many states post their guidebooks on their DMV websites. The guidebook will teach you about traffic safety and the rules of the road. The written exam will be based on the contents of this handbook, so make sure youre well prepared. If youve never driven before, youll need to learn new driving skills to pass the road test. You can either take lessons from a very patient friend or family member (just make sure they have the right auto insurance to cover you in the case of an accident), or you can take formal lessons from a driving school in your area. Even if youve been driving for a while, it might be a good idea to take a refresher course to familiarize yourself with the new traffic laws. Testing You can usually walk into a DMV office without an appointment and take your written test that day. Watch the time, though, since most offices suspend testing for the day about an hour before closing. If your schedules flexible, try to avoid the busy times at the DMV. These are typically lunchtime, Saturdays, late afternoons and the first day after a holiday. Bring your required documentation with you and be prepared to pay a fee to cover the cost of taking the test. Once your application is complete, youll be directed to an area to take your exam. When you finish the exam, you will be told immediately whether or not you have passed. If you didnt pass, youll need to successfully pass the exam before you can take the road test. There may be a restriction on how soon you can attempt the exam and/or how many times you can take the test. If you pass the exam, you will schedule an appointment for a road test. You may be asked to take a vision test at the same time as your written exam, or during your driving test appointment. For the driving test, you will need to provide a vehicle in good working condition as well as proof of liability insurance. During the test, only you and the examiner are allowed in the car. The examiner will test your ability to drive legally and safely, and will not try to trick you in any way. At the end of the test, the examiner will tell you if you passed or failed. If you passed, you will be giving information about receiving your official drivers license. If you fail, there will likely be restrictions on when you can take the test again.

Diabetes Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Diabetes - Research Paper Example al., 2010). The use of pig cells for the purpose of treating diabetes was originally researched and practiced in treating Australian and oceanic region patients ailing from the disease (Soto-Gutierrez et. al, 2011). However, it has been increasingly used in treating patients suffering from the disease through the injection of cells that produce insulin throughout the globe. These cells are taken directly from pigs which are healthy and are mainly utilized on patients suffering from type 1 diabetes (Lopez-Larrea, et. al., 2012). The cells injected into humans are collected from the pancreas of pigs which are coated with the seaweed gel. The cells are then implanted into human abdomens for the purpose of producing insulin that later on helps in controlling the amounts of sugar in the blood stream (Soto-Gutierrez et. al, 2011). Reports indicate that when using the technology, all risks of infections from the animal cells should first be examined and eliminated to ensure that patients receiving the treatment are safe from animal infections. In the previous tests carried out on the use of these cells, the patients developed no side-effects and were seen to be staying away from the usual insulin injections that were expensive for most of them (Hakim et. al., 2010). Subsequently, the new method of treating the ailment has enabled patients who have been suffering from an unstable diabetic condition to seek adequate treatment since the use of injected insulin has become uncontrollable (Soto-Gutierrez et. al, 2011). In the recent past, many diabetes patients have been able to abstain from utilizing insulin in the treatment of the disease since they received the pig cells. The cells have benefited the patients by producing extra amounts of insulin to aid in the absorption of the glucose found within their bodies (Hakim et. al., 2010). The use of

Living on a Lifeboat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Living on a Lifeboat - Essay Example According to Hardin, lifeboat ethics become hugely critical elements of human survival. Lifeboats have lifeboats have limited space and people in it can survive only if they do not exceed the number of persons that it can take up. Thus, people in the lifeboat must desist saving people from overcrowded boat or drowning people if they want to survive. The self-interest must prevail in the lifeboat ethics. The tragedy of the commons is perceived as hugely crucial factor that adversely impacts the interests of the people at large. The metaphor broadly refers to resources that are used by all people and as such, being ‘common’ nobody takes up the responsibility for it. Hardin says that natural resources like air and water are prime example of the metaphor. People use it indiscriminately but are not concerned as to how it should be saved for posterity as legacy for our children. Christian-Marxist moral imperatives cannot be applied across the board because world is crowded wit h imperfect human-beings and selfish people would tend to look for their own interests and which would ultimately lead to mutual ruin of the commons. This he has defined as tragedy of the commons. The system of common that affect everyone must be incorporated within the framework of government agendas and world organizations like United Nations, World Bank etc. The wealth and natural resources of the rich nations are increasingly being used to serve the needs of the poor through various agencies. Thus, they can become vital tools or platforms to promote sustainability of resources, with pre-requisite conditions like population control, plantation drive, reforms in agricultural area etc., while disbursing aids in the poor countries. Human survival is at stake because of extreme burden due to increasing population on the limited resources of earth. The rising population has led to fast urbanization which has caused destruction of natural resources in terms of deforestation, pollution of air and water, indiscriminate use of fossil energy etc. Thus, it is important that system of common must become more responsible towards their consumption of natural resources. Hardin has applied the theory, tragedy of the common, on the immigration policy of the rich nation like America to show how the good intentions of the government could adversely impact the interests and survival of the American citizens in the long run. He says that net inflow of immigrants in America is around 400,000 per year while illegal immigrants is nearly 600,000 which goes undetected because they offer cheap labor who can be easily exploited to make huge profits by the business. Natural annual population growth rate is 1.7%, out of which immigrants make up nearly 37%! He has also put forward very interesting concept of pajoristic system that creates unacknowledged commons that tend to worsen situations. It can be applied on the immigration policy of the government that continuously allows immigrati on. A time will come when the immigrants would be same or more than legitimate American citizens and the wealth from rich American will keep going to the poor immigrants till both become poor! Indeed, Hardin’s concern is genuine because after some time, the immigrant population will not only out number the legitimate American citizens but it would also lead to scarcity of resources, lower quality of life and no significant resources left for our future generation. Hardin’