`` An Outpost Of Progress `` By Joseph Conrad And William...

â€Å"What are your thoughts?† â€Å"When reading seems to be an activity with which fewer and fewer people engage, what is the point of reading fiction or poetry? It seems to be the case, as one critic claims, that it’s not that â€Å"Johnny can’t read† but that â€Å"Johnny won’t read.† Fiction is evocative and subjective. It s made up and indirect in its communication. Fiction may evoke feelings and perception on the human condition and teach us just how fragile our cultures are from keeping history and thought between the lines. In the story â€Å"An outpost of progress† by Joseph Conrad and in William Blake s â€Å"London† we can see for ourselves the human condition of conflict and mortality. Fiction is subjective. A novel or poem is from an authors imagination and way of thinking. The characters and situations are made up. Readers do not expect fiction to portray the real world yet expect fiction to just reflects it. Yet fiction can seem real without being total fact showing us the human condition in culture. Poems can capture feelings or images to perfection with only the sound of the spoken language. In the story â€Å"An outpost of progress† by Joseph Conrad we see both conflict and mortality when Carlier and Kayerts both go through tribulations to become successful. With constant arguing and making a deal for slave trading, during a seemingly trivial matter after losing moral throughout the story, sugar sparks an irrational, uncontrolled and violent conflict between them ends with

Things Fall Apart and Take Three - 1384 Words

Religion. According to Webster’s Dictionary, religion is the belief and moral code a group of people believe in (â€Å"Religion†). Since religion gives people that moral code to live by, large groups of people turn to religion for ways to live their lives. In a study done by Ed Diener, at the University of Illinois, he found at that in the end, religion truly does make people feel more happy with whatever situation they are in (Rees). Throughout real life, and in many novels, religion plays an important role on how people speak, act, and live their lives in general. In Things Fall Apart and Take Three we can see how within these societies, people turn to their religion to get through tough times because they believe that if they believe in a religion it will give them a sense of peace and happiness. In Things Fall Apart and Take Three each novel had the characters go through something traumatic, be it family problems, friend problems, or work problems. Through each of these issues, it brings the characters closer to their religion, they turn to their religion to help them get through the tough time. Throughout Things Fall Apart and Take Three, it is easy to see that people rely on religion in hard times. In the novel Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo, the main character, lives in a village, Umuofia, that has very strong beliefs and ways to live their lives. Within their tribe they have been living their life a specific way for a long time and that is just the way that their cultureShow MoreRelatedThings Fall Apart831 Words   |  4 PagesBy: hulseb Things Fall Apart: An Evaluation In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe tells two different stories at the same time. One is of Okonkwo, the villager whose rise to power is halted because of all of his misfortunes. The other is of Okonkwos village, Umuofia, and its struggle to hold on to its cultural tradition while facing colonialism from the West. The title, Things Fall Apart, describes perfectly what happens to both Okonkwo and his village. Okonkwos life falls apart and as a resultRead MoreMisogyny in Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe1129 Words   |  5 PagesMisogyny, the hatred or dislike of females, is a recurrent theme in World Literature. Women’s suffrage was at its prime between 1840 and 1920. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, two stories based in Africa, show different points of misogyny, the first being from the time of women’s suffrage, and the latter being after the womenâ€℠¢s suffrage movement. The value, view, and role of women was undermined greatly in these two novels. Heart of Darkness was publishedRead MoreThings fall apart1057 Words   |  5 Pages Reflection on the novel Things Fall Apart The Idea of Culture in Things Fall Apart The novel Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe is a story about personal beliefs, customs and also about conflict. There is struggle between family and within culture and it also deals with the concept of culture and the notion of the values and traditions within a culture. The word culture is Latin and means to cultivate. To cultivate has several meanings; it can mean to plow, fertilize, raise and plantRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1519 Words   |  7 PagesChinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, explores the complicated journey of the protagonist Okonkwo, an influential clan leader within the Nigerian village of Umuofia, and the struggles he encounters as a result of white colonist infiltration. Prior to the arrival of the colonist forces, Okonkwo is an individual that prides himself on his masculinity and success; living in direct contrast to his father Unoka, a rather lazy and cowardice man, as a result of a sense of shame he endures from his fatherâ⠂¬â„¢sRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart1719 Words   |  7 PagesThings fall apart is a classic novel written around the turn of the century, the novel focuses on the protagonist who we can also call a hero, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a wealthy and respected leader within the Igbo tribe of Umuofia in eastern Nigeria. Strong individual with a passionate belief in all the values and traditions of his people. Chinua Achebe presents Okonkwo as a particular kind of tragic protagonist, a great man who carries the fate of his people. Okonkwo is a man who is inflexible andRead MoreThings Fall Apart913 Words   |  4 PagesThings Fall Apart The theme of the book Things Fall Apart, which focuses on the breakdown of a society as well as the main character’s personal breakdown, stems from many conflicts of interests and misunderstandings throughout the book. There is not one single moment in the book where everything falls apart, but many times throughout. In the beginning a lot of problems arise from Okonkwo’s anger problems, and his inability to see other’s views. His ignorance is what ultimately leads to his exileRead MoreEssay about An Analysis of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart1631 Words   |  7 Pagesis well known as the father of African literature. His first novel, â€Å"Things Fall Apart† is an interesting story full of tragedy, which takes place in Umuofia, Nigeria in the 19th century. Achebe sought to correct European writers who were misrepresenting Africans and life in Nigeria. According to Nnoromele (2000), the Igbo clan is a self-sufficient, complex, and vigorous gr oup of African people. Achebe wrote â€Å"Things Fall Apart† to accurately represent the conflict between Nigeria’s white colonialRead More T.S. Eliots The Wasteland Essay1303 Words   |  6 Pagesto our survival. As we struggle to survive when our world begins to fall apart, our basic instinct to cooperate with each other kicks in and we cling to each other for comfort. This concept is brought up in Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart. And again W.B. Yeats’s says in one of his poems, Things fall apart; the center cannot hold. In either case the concept of clinging to one another and cooperating when things fall apart is displayed as a basic instinct that is the key to our success asRead MoreChinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart Essay1347 Words   |  6 Pageswhen Things Fall Apart while Joseph Conrad authored Heart of Darkness. Conrad and Achebe set their individual titles in Africa; Achebe is an African writer whereas Conrad is Polish-British. The au thors draw strength from their backgrounds to validity the authenticity of their fictional novels. Conrad writes from his experiences in the British and French navies while Achebe uses his African heritage. The theme of culture is prevalent in both Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Achebe s Things Fall ApartRead MoreThe Heart Of Darkness And Things Fall Apart1585 Words   |  7 PagesKirkus review speak about Things Fall Apart, â€Å"This book sings with the terrible silence of dead civilizations in which once there was valor.† This novel is the incredibly powerful story of an Ibo Brave Man, Okonkwo, and his tribe’s fall fromgrace. It is impossible to read this novel without feeling the powerful passion, tragedy, and courage involved in the story. The Guardian says of Heart of Darkness, â€Å"Despite his protestations, this is undeniably an invaluable historical document offering a glimpse

Humanity Term Paper Essay Sample free essay sample

I neer of all time thought that Humanity would be such an interesting class when I choose it as one of my electives. I choose it because it fits into my agenda. After sitting through a few categories. this class has become such an interesting category to take. Even though I would neer volunteer to make a term paper on Humanity but I am glad the Gordon Rule of college encourage us to believe about how does the past shapes the present and how the present sets the bars for the hereafter. I decided I want to larn more about my ain civilization. I emigrated from Taiwan to the United States about twenty two old ages ago. I was raised in a Chinese-American family and being educated in the United States there are a batch of Chinese traditions and influences I do non truly understand. This paper is traveling to assist me and my fellow readers understand more about the background and the heritage of the Chinese civilization. people. history and the passage from old China to the new Modern China. I hope you enjoy taking this escapade through the Past. Present and Future of the Chinese civilization and revolution. China a state rich in cultural history and it’s the 3rd largest state in the universe and most populated. China produces many natural stuffs to the universe. steel. jade. and coal are many illustrations of what China produces. The Chinese authorities is one of the oldest authoritiess in the universe started in 1726. All of these things make up China and we would wish to cover a few countries of the China heritage and civilization and the cause and effects of the humanity of the Chinese cultural base point. We will get down on the history of China and how the Chinese people’s behaviour and point of position were affected by the political base point of the authorities. History of China With the Chinese civilisation being one of the oldest civilisations in the full history of our planet. it would be difficult to cover the history of China from the beginning to the terminal. We would wish to concentrate our larning on the history of China from the Three Kingdom Period. It is the period between the foundation of Wei in 220 B. C and the conquering of Wu in 280 B. C. . The Three Kingdoms period was one of the bloodiest periods in Chinese history. as a big per centum of the population vanished because of the changeless wars and conflicts that were interrupting out. Even though the Three Kingdoms period were characterized with war lacerate conflicts but many great Chinese innovations were develop around that period. For illustration the gun pulverization. Zhuge Liang’s wooden ox ( a precursor to the garden cart ) and our day-to-day necessity the lavatory paper. As I learned in Humanity when the people are repressed. the creativeness and the wonder of the people hei ghten. They start to spread out and inquiry thoughts and beliefs of the authorities and policies within the dynasty. The Three Kingdoms period was an of import period in Chinese history because like the Romans. This period was the aureate period of China where the creativeness and thoughts was fluxing. people was traveling against the authorities and the regulations and ordinance they imposed on provincials. The provincials started to arise and develop new thoughts and ways to better their quality of life. The most celebrated heroic poem narratives came from The Three Kingdoms period and turn over the incorporate China that Emperor Qin Shi Huang envisions China to be. This is a major turning point in the history of China and reawakens the Chinese people to believe and be originative. â€Å"If the Great Way perishes there will morality and responsibility. When inventiveness and cognition arise great prevarications will boom. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial responsibility and love. When provinces are in confusion there will be faithful retainers. † Lao Tzu Quotes. hypertext transfer protocol: //www. brainyquote. com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu_2. html 2001-2012 visited April 4th 2012. Humanistic disciplines in China Whether is ancient or modern art. Chinese art is a ocular art that originated and practiced by Chinese creative person and performing artists. Stone-Age art dates back to 10. 000 B. C and it’s largely consisted of simple clayware and sculptures. The Stone-Age art period was followed by many art dynasties. The art dynasties lasted for over many 100s of old ages. Many of the art work are based on the Chinese heritage and civilization. The first Chinese clayware is consist of cord marked and unpainted clayware. First ornaments on Stone-Age clayware were fishes and faces. Jade art civilization was besides a popular signifier of Chinese art. Jade art civilization is dwelling of big pendents and ritual clayware. Jade was besides used for Cong cylinders. Bi phonograph record. and Yue axes. Bronze casting became a major art signifier from China because of the practicality of integrating it for day-to-day usage and besides it became a major collector’s point because of the intri cate bronze work from the Song dynasty. Chinese penmanship is an ancient art signifier that was praise as the highest and purest art signifier in ancient China. It takes old ages to get the hang the art signifier of Chinese penmanship. Ancient bookmans used Chinese penmanship as a tool for storytelling and retaining information. Chinese penmanship was foremost written on silk and subsequently was replaced by the innovation of paper because it was a cheaper stuff to utilize. Porcelains and terracotta were besides widely used as a signifier of Chinese art. The most celebrated terracotta creative activity from ancient China is the terracotta soldiers. The soldiers were made for Emperor Qin to protect him in the hereafter. It is sing one of China’s national hoarded wealths. Music in China Music is one of the oldest art signifier in China. The art signifier dates back to ancient Chinese civilisation. ( 1122 B. C. to 220 B. C ) The legendary laminitis of Chinese music was Ling Lun and early signifier of Chinese music incorporated music from cardinal Asia. The first written music in China is Yulan or The Lone Orchid. Early Chinese music was performed in tribunals in the imperial castle and musician’s place was lower than painters. Why does Chinese music sound different from Western music? Traditional Chinese music puts certain accent on each the five musical elements much otherwise than its Western opposite number. Chinese music besides uses a different graduated table. utilizing a five-tone graduated table instead than the eight-tone graduated table of Western music. One can non besides ignore the fact that Chinese music is sung in the Chinese linguistic communication. which will surprise and strike many Westerners as uneven and unbelievable. Another ground why Chinese music sounds so typical is the usage of Chinese instruments. Ancient Chinese music uses solo instruments made from bamboo. calabash. silk or animate being teguments. Chinese orchestras traditionally consist of bowed strings. woodwinds. plucked strings and percussion. The most celebrated signifier of Chinese music with dance is the Dragon Dance. It is a remembered tradition. Each twelvemonth the dance is performed for Chinese New Year. No 1 truly knows the beginning of the Dragon Dance or when the tradition started. It was believed 1000s of old ages ago. it was used as a signifier of amusement of former emperors. royals and Lords. The Dragon Dance is still widely popular today and continues the tradition of ancient music and dance in modern China. Folk Music is besides a popular type of music in China. In different parts of China. different idiom is used to sing folk vocals. Emperors took common people vocals really earnestly by directing functionaries of the tribunal to roll up common people vocals to inspect the popular will. Education of ChinaChina’s instruction is the largest instruction in the universe. Since ancient times esteeming instructors and valuing instruction has been a tradition of Chinese Peoples. In 1986 China passed a compulsory instruction jurisprudence doing 9 old ages of general instruction mandatary for the Chinese people. Today about 99. 7 per centum of the Chinese population has completed the compulsory 9 old ages general instruction. The Beginning of the Chinese instruction system started back in the Xia dynasty. ( 1523-1027 B. C. ) The development of authorship started around that clip. During ancient times the instruction system was purely provided merely to the elites. By the Shang dynasty epoch ( 16th-11th Century B. C. ) The development of Chinese character entered more beforehand phase and formal schools emerged with the names like ‘Xiao’ ( school ) . ‘Xue’ ( survey ) and ‘Daxue’ ( higher school ) . The Golden epoch of Western Zhou dynasty ( 11th century-771 B. C. ) the six classical arts-rites. music. archery. siting. authorship and mathematics became the content of the instruction. In ancient times the authorities attached great importance to knowledge people to read and copy books. The development of official and private school evolved around this epoch. The Chinese authorities ever applied accent around the development of instruction. In modern China the importance of instruction secures your position in the work force and the Chinese authorities invests major clip and money around instruction. I am talking personally on my ain term. Both of my parents were college educated and both of my cousin’s Teachs English in China. Having a strong educational background is of import in the modern Chinese society. Food in ChinaChinese cookery is one of the greatest methods of cookery in the universe. Since ancient times many nutrient constituents and factors have influence Chinese cookery. Cooking Chinese takes accomplishments and experience. Regional nutrient is influence by different parts of China. ( For illustration BBQ joint porc is a stable of the Canton part which is the southern portion of China and the Northern part consumes largely bread and pasta merchandises like the pot spines and soup noodles. ) Common Chinese utensil for feeding is the chopstick. Common utensil for cookery is the wok or bamboo steamer for steaming nutrient. A repast in the Chinese family is dwelling of two general constituents. Rice being the chief constituent in southern portion of China while noodles and buttockss being the chief constituent in northern parts. The 2nd constituents are the side dishes and it’s normally dwelling of vegetable. fish. meat or other points. The nutrient consumed by household in the early twentieth century reflects the life criterions of the single household. â€Å"The stallss were chous. sesame oil. salt. soy sauce. soy paste and acetum. the lone meat bought was mouton. The nutrients bought in some measure by over 90 per centum of the households were rice. buckwheat flour. salted ke-te. Sweet murphies. bean sprout. Allium sativum. benne paste and runt. † Jonathan D. Spence Chinese Roundabout 1992 ( W. W. Norton: 1992 ) pg. 175 Even though there are many parts in China but in modern China there is merely four chief popular manner of cooking Beijing manner. Shanghai manner. Szechuan Style and the Cantonese Style. Cantonese manner is the most popular manner overseas due to the migration of the Chinese population in the early twentieth century. When you eat Chinese nutrient is an escapade in itself due to the cookery manners and ingredients from different parts of China. Family Life in ChinaThere are many alone features sing Chinese household life. The traditional vision of household life is a strong household unit led by the male parent and hubby. who has absolute control over the household. Through the instruction of Confucius. faith plays a major portion in specifying the functions and duty of household members. Social order and behaviour was taught through Confucianism. Choosing matrimonies were done through the parents and many arranged matrimonies still exist in modern China. The most alone about household life in China is the one- kid policy. It’s been enforced in China since 1978. Families in metropoliss were restricted to one kid merely due to the turning population roar in the metropoliss. In rural countries of China twosomes may seek for a boy if the first Born was a girl. Exceptions are made in certain countries of China and for the minority folk. The one-child policy has a profound consequence on relationships between parents. kids. women’s position. and matrimonial chances. With the one-child policy even urban planning. instruction. and planing of car are strongly influenced by this policy. The first coevals of the one-child policy has changed the prospective of modern China. The new age thought has a profound impact on the following coevals of Chinese people. The one-child policy has brought down the birth ratio from 26 per centum down to 8 per centum a twelvemonth. It had a strong impact on the sex ratio instability of modern China. The traditional importance of baring a boy to go through down the household name still holds a strong line of descent on the Chinese society. In rural countries of China. The tradition of a boy supports the whole household is still in being today. In the Chinese civilization the male race dominates in society and the women’s function might hold changed throughout the old ages but the women’s function in China is still taking attention of the family and her household. The adult male works and is responsible for the income of the family. Religions in ChinaWhen we speak on the faith of China. there is non one faith that has non being spread by missionaries from the West or influences from India or the environing countries. But if we want to get down someplace on faith in China. we have to get down with Buddhism. Buddhism came to China around one century A. D. Due to its broad spread popularity. it became the largest faith in China. There are three types of Buddhism in China. Chinese Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism and Pali Buddhism. There are around 200 thousand monastics under these 3 subdivisions. There are more than 13 1000 temples. 33 Buddha colleges and 50 different Buddhism publications. Taoism is an ancient faith derived with history since 2nd century A. D.Taoism worships natural objects and ascendants. It became reasonably influential among the Han people. It’s hard to cipher the Taoism believer due to its unfastened door policy. At current statistics there are over 15 100 Taoism temples and 2500 believers. Islam. Catholicism and Christianity besides have major impact on the faiths in China. Islam faith is broad spread around the Tibet and Nepal parts. Most Moslem lives in little communities in the environing Autonomous Region and there is more than 40 1000 Muslims in China. Catholicity and Christianity were widely spread during the nineteenth Century. China has approximately 5 million Catholic trusters and 10 million Christian trusters. Due to popularity of Catholicism in China. China has cultivated over 15 thousand immature bishops and 3 1000 misss has been crowned nun goon. The impact of Christianity has brought over 18 1000 priests and 12 churches in China. Government of ChinaThe complexness of the Chinese authorities day of the months back to the Formative Age ( Prehistoric Age 206 B. C. ) â€Å"It is rather apparent that Shang China developed a reasonably sophisticated governmental system to get by with the size of the province and the complexness of its activities. † Charles O. Hucker China’s Imperial Past 1975 ( Stanford University Press. Stanford California 1975 ) pg 50. Even in prehistoric clip the China Shang Monarch already developed and recognized their authorities as a centralised 1. â€Å"Regional provinces were graded in proportion and distance from the royal capital. † China’s Imperial Past 1975 ( Stanford University Press. Stanford California 1975 ) pg 50. The male monarch prescribed regional Godheads and the Godheads have administrative staffs. Even with the Imperial sovereign governing enduring over centuries. it did non halt the Communist party or the CCP ( Chinese Communist Party ) taking control of the Chinese authorities in 1949. China is one of the really few states still under Communist regulation. Under the Communist guideline. the authorities takes control of the public sector. I see it first manus by sing China in 2009. The oil companies are all owned by the authorities. There are no private oil companies in China. The elites are the ace wealthy. most elect households have at least one member that works for the authorities. The pensions and retirement financess are controlled by the authorities. I was watching the Beijing intelligence and it informed me that the mean retirement fund in China was $ 3. 00 a month. Facebook and Google are banned due to censoring of address and the freedom to shop the cyberspace is restricted by the authorities. Imagine populating under a microscope and being controlled in about every sector of your life. That is what modern China has become. China has a great tradition of autocratic swayers with an imperium that goes back 2000 old ages. There had neer been any democratic regulation in China before 1900 when it was a powerful and advanced civilisation. During the times of the dynasties. the Chinese people could non take who led them and who was in charge of the state. But they did hold private endeavor in commercialism and agribusiness. This led to the state being powerful and advanced. The CCP might non desire to give the people democratic rights but promote private endeavor in industry. commercialism and agribusiness as this manner of regulation was in force for 1000s of old ages when China was a powerful and advanced civilisation. The CCP wants to return to those ways as they were so successful for the state and its people lived in prosperity and felicity. Besides. as the state has non been democratic for about all of its history. really few people in China would hold experienced democratic regulation. Wayss of unrecor ded and tradition have been molded around autocratic regulation. The CCP could believe that if the state went to democratic regulation. these ways of life would hold to alter and tradition would be lost. East vs. WestThe subject on East vs. West is on the difference of Chinese cultural differences and United States cultural differences. The differences between the two dramas a major factor in societal interaction between the two civilizations and it besides helps us understand how every sector that I covered in this essay contribute to the cultural impact and interaction of the Chinese people. Social construction of China is formal and you abide by the regulation. There is no traversing into other countries. United States societal construction is informal and loose. Peoples of different societal degrees interact with one another. If you planned on carry oning concern or anticipating an drawn-out stay it is good to cognize that the direct American attack is non the manner to travel. Direct confrontation over issues is frowned upon. Respect and award is valued and it’s shameful to face issues straight in China over concern affairs. The Chinese expression at ego as a group corporate whiles the American’s pushes for individuality. A individual from China is more prone to look at how their Acts of the Apostless affect the whole alternatively of how it affects them personally. They are more willing to give up and forfeit for the greater good. America’s individuality has been its anchor and the ground for its success as a universe power. but when sing China it needs to be reined in. Repute is extremely valued in China. If an action humiliates person. it is extremely avoided. When shame occurs a Chinese individual will make whatever it takes to salvage face or salvage their repute. In America repute comes and goes and it does non count. The terminal consequence is more of the focal point. A individual is more likely to overlook a repute to acquire the occupation done. Chinese society topographic points high values on the ethical motives of their people. Marriage is non encouraged until the late mid-twentiess. In fact. dating is discouraged early in a immature adult’s life and propernesss are expected to be held up. The American civilization is much more relaxed and some could even reason that at that place needs to be more moral emphasize. Humility is a virtuousness in Chinese civilization. The success of one’s concern and personal life is down played. While American likes to publicize their humbleness. American’s views humbleness as a mark of failing. Last but non least the Chinese mentality on Respect. Respect is extremely valued in Chinese society. It is expected for you to esteem and handle the other individual good. In the American circle regard is non as extremely valued. I hope you enjoyed the overview of China today. Bing a Chinese American and life in this state for over 22 old ages at that place is a batch I can learned and understand about my ain civilization. This humanity class has helped me acquire in touch with my traditional side of my heritage. From Family life to religion the position and mentality of the Chinese civilisation is non merely fascinating but besides intriguing. For those of you who do non hold the pleasance of sing China. This is one topographic point you should perfectly set on your pail list. From the Great Wall of China to the Terracotta warriors of the Qin Emperor. China is the gem of the Orient. Thank you for taking this journey with me through the past and present of Chinese civilization and civilisation. I want to stop this essay with a Lao Tzu quotation mark. â€Å"Be Contented with what you have ; rejoice in the manner things are. When you realize there is nil missing. the whole universe belongs to you. † hypertext transfer protocol: //www. brainyquote. com/quotes/authors/l/lao_tzu_2. html 2001-2012 visited April 4th 2012. Pg 1.

Dulce et Decorum est by Owen and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson Essay Example

Dulce et Decorum est by Owen and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson Essay The two poems I will be analysing are `Dulce et Decorum est by Owen and `The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson. Tennyson and Owen have very different views on war, I think that it is important to look at their reasons for writing the poems, and their backgrounds. Tennyson was poet laureate, and therefore a high profile figure, and expected to write poems. He came from an aristocratic background, and had a higher-class family than Owen. He did not see war for himself; he simply read a newspaper article and wrote his poem as a result of that. His information was secondary, and therefore ubject to bias, that was beyond his control. Owen had a much different upbringing, he came from a working class family, but managed to go to university, which was unusual at that time, for working class people. He was a soldier, and had first hand experience of the reality of war, so his information on which he based his poem was primary, and we can assume it was probably much more true to the reality of war. Owen wrote his poem out of a desire to communicate the horror of war to those who still believed that it was glorious and honourable, as promoted by Tennysons poem. We will write a custom essay sample on Dulce et Decorum est by Owen and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Dulce et Decorum est by Owen and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Dulce et Decorum est by Owen and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Tennyson specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The two views on war held by Tennyson and Owen could not be more different. Tennyson believes that the valiant and courageous should be remembered for dying in that war, on the other hand Owen is adamant that no more young boys be sent to somewhere as abhorrent as that, without knowing the truth. He knows that a lot of propaganda is prevalent, and wishes that they made up their own mind about whether they want to fight, rather than be forced, or coerced into something that they will regret. Tennyson uses a strict rhythm and structure, while Owen uses numerous similes and a much slower speed, to encapsulate his perception of war. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, This rhythm is set from the first two lines and last until the very end of the poem. In my opinion it reflects the strict regimentation of the soldiers, and the rhythm of the horses galloping towards their destination. It is designed to make the reader feel a sense of power and glory, disregarding the facts of the situation, that there was a terrible massacre of the English armys finest soldiers. Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Owens poem is much more ironic, in that the poem is called `Dulce et Decorum est which is Latin for `it is sweet and fitting so he first line of the poem is a strong and shocking contrast, moreover the title is very ironic, as it was quite a common saying at the time, and he has named his poem after it, and then goes on to describe the atrocities of war, the exact opposite of the title. His similes metaphors are very effective, and in this simile he also uses alliteration, to emphasize the pain and suffering that the men endured. The fact that the British army were in this grave position was bad enough, but that they were `like old beggars is the ultimate disgrace to the army that was arrogant enough to believe that they were unbeatable. This was poignant at the time he wrote the poem. Tennyson does use metaphors, but a minority in comparison to Owen, who uses many highly effective similes and metaphors. `Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Here Owen continues to create an image of the downfall of the mighty army, and how poor they are now. He compares them to `hags, which implies witches and the ugliness of war, and what it has made of them. He uses the word `we reminding the reader that he was one of those soldiers, and that he knows what is was like to be in that situation, going through the hell that those soldiers were suffering. The word `sludge gives the feeling of biting cold, and thick mire that made even walking difficult. Owen makes it very easy for us to imagine the plight of these poor men. `All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Here Tennyson uses a metaphor that is effective on its own, but is also from the bible, Psalm 23. This brings a religious angle to the poem now, and that God is on the side or the Light Brigade, against the enemy. He the writes `Rode the six hundred which is repeated throughout the poem, and in fact there were more like seven hundred and fifty men in the Light Brigade, but Tennyson only chose to ay six hundred, maybe to make them seem more heroic because there were less of them, or possibly just for poetic licence, to keep the strong, pulsating rhythm. Tennysons poem moves very rapidly, and does not dwell on the consequences, where as Owen focuses on the consequences. Tennyson tries to whip up enthusiasm, without a thought for the reality of what is happening. ` `Forward the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns! he said: Tennyson creates an image of the Light Brigade approaching their target in a very commanding and impressive stampede, almost regal in their stature. The adrenaline rush that the soldiers were eeling was very important, to make sure that they did not become discouraged, and the generals would shout instructions to keep them motivated and rapt in what they were doing, and that is what Tennyson is writing about here, the sheer determination of the Light Brigade. His use of exclamation marks conveys the atmosphere of the charge to the reader. `Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod This imagery uses a metaphor in `men marched asleep and also alliteration, to give the slow plodding feel of the soldiers walking on in the ghastly conditions. Use of the words `blood-shod s excellent imagery as it has a meaning that they were shod with blood and the similarity of sounds gives an enhanced mental image of the scene that Owen was recounting. Owens poem does pick up pace when he talks about a gas attack, which contrasts with the rest of the poem, and Tennyson writes briefly about the fact that a mistake had been made, but the soldiers carried on, regardless. `Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! An ecstasy of fumbling, fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; Owen describes the slow plodding side to the war previously, and here contrasts it to the extreme with a gas attack that forces hem all into action. He uses capitals for the word `Gas, showing the pure desperation in which they had to save themselves. Gas was one of the most horrible ways to die, and it was not a swift death, so it was extremely feared among the soldiers, making this section of the poem all the more dramatic and contrasting to the rest of it. He uses the word `ecstasy, which is usually associated with pleasure, but in this case it is the `fumbling, to put on their gas masks, which makes it all the more noticeable and effectual. Tennyson does hint about the mistakes of the generals, and hat the soldiers knew about it, but then he reinforces his point, of patriotism and loyalty, regardless of the cost. Owen focuses on one particular man, who is unfortunate, and treats him as an individual, not the generalisation of Tennyson. `And floundering like a man in fire or lime Here Owen creates a scene of a man who had not fitted his gas mask in time, and is suffering the consequences of the gas attack. He uses the word `floundering to describe the way he is moving in this simile, and gets the reader to visualise a man in fire or lime, a horrible enough image in itself, but that only describes is movement. Not though the soldier knew someone had blundered: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Tennyson gives a glimpse of what had really happened in the battle, and that it was a farce, but then backs it up with one of the most effective sections in the poem, where the repetition of the `Theirs not to and the rhythm of the passage speeds up the whole poem, into a similar frenzy that the soldiers would be worked into by the adrenaline of the battle. They had no say in the orders in those days, and to answer back to a superior was unheard of, you just ollowed your orders, and did not question them. Tennyson uses repetition again to show the odds faced by the brave soldiers, and how they pressed on regardless. Owen recounts his personal view of what happened to a real person, which is very effective as it gets the reader to envision the revulsion felt by the other soldiers, looking on this incident. Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered; Tennyson successfully accentuates the dire predicament that the soldiers are obliged to undertake. He uses the repetition of the hrase, with the same rhythm to underline the hectic feeling of the Light Brigade, as the ride towards their formidable enemy. `Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. Here Owen uses a simile, then goes on to use it as a metaphor. He describes the eerie colour of the gas as `misty panes, and `thick green light, which, combined with the fact that he is in acute pain gives a terrifying and harrowing account of the abhorrent way that men died in the war. The reader gets the impression that Owen feels guilty and helpless, all he can do is be a bystander, and ait for the pitiable man to die. Owen uses astounding onomatopoeic language, among very effective similes and metaphors. Tennyson explains to the world the bravery and courage it took to do what they did. He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. Owen selection of language is impeccable for its intention, as he uses the word `guttering, to describe the way the man sounded before he died, and it does so remarkably. It is onomatopoeic, and very convincing that it was in fact the final `plunge, of a dying man. He also continues his metaphor of the man `drowning, in the gas. Charging and army, while All the world wondered: Tennyson is writing his poem for the world to read, so in a sense, it is to the reader, without having to directly say it, he implies it. He tells the reader that they charged the army for valour and honour, not because of a well-informed decision, but because they were so dedicated to their cause that they were willing to lay down their lives for their country. He acknowledges that it seems strange to charge an army, when you are armed only with sabres, and you are riding a horse, when they are armed with cannons, but he encourages he reader to join his perspective, that it was a valiant charge, and they should be honoured for it. Tennyson gets the reader to be patriotic too, as he tells of the amazing attack that the Light Brigade made, even with the odds against them. Owen describes the awful disrespect for the dead, which became so because of the normality of somebody dying, which is horrific, that a person can die without anyone bothering or taking the time to be respectful to him. `Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre-stroke, Tennyson has already inferred that they were fighting a attle that they were not going to win, but regardless they fought on gallantly. It is very surprising that they did actually break through the Russian line of defence, and it was amazing that they got that far, but colossal losses were made to the Light Brigade, without doing a proportionate amount of damage to the Russians. Tennyson uses three rhyming endings out of four lines, which speeds the pace of the poem up to its maximum, and makes it mirror the frenzied attack on the mighty Russians. The Russians and Cossacks were renowned for their mercilessness and brutality, moreover there were many more Russians han there were Light Brigade. All of this contributes to Tennysons image of how gallant the attack was. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon we flung him in, And watch his white eyes writhe in his face, Owen uses alliteration to give emphasis to the dream image, of being suffocated and smothered and mauled by the dream, he makes the reader liken this to what he has to endure, recalling all of the horrific scenes of the war, day after day. He challenges the readers to ask themselves if they could walk behind that wagon, and watch his writhing eyes, and knowing that you have no time to pay proper respect o them, moreover it could be you in that wagon next, or your best friend. He uses the word `flung, to show how carelessly the dead were dealt with, and the impersonality with which they had to be treated. The soldiers were desensitised to the horror now, but still the memories, and nightmares remained. This particular incident seems to have been one that particularly affected Owen, and he uses this as an example of how every soldier would have similar ghastly and atrocious recollections of the war that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. It is no longer a recounting of his experiences, but t now involves the reader, and confronts their own views on war. They have to revaluate what they think of war, and whether they would be willing to go themselves, or in most cases send their sons, husbands and fathers. This is hugely effective, for the sheer fact that it is unfeasible to read the poem and not take on board what Owens point is, and that he feels so strongly about it that he has to convey to the general public. Owen uses vivid language to express what he believes to be the reality of war. Tennyson steers attention away from pain and death, and asks that everyone honour them, regardless of whether they ied or not. His hanging face, like devils sick of sin; If you could hear at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Owen has already challenged the reader about whether they could be the ones that fling the man into the wagon, then whether they could be the ones that watch him in the wagon, now Owen brings in yet another sense, whether the reader could listen to `the blood come gargling from the froth corrupted lungs, He challenges the reader in so many ways which makes it more efficient at achieving the emotion that he wants the reader to feel. This conveys Owens views of war to he reader skilfully and efficiently. His use of a simile is one of the most effective in the poem; he uses a spiritual and hellish simile, which also incorporates alliteration, to give it a raspy, evil sound. The image created here is truly evil and foul, and I think that this summarises Owens feelings about war quite well, it is now clear to the reader what Owen is trying to communicate, and why. Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well, Tennyson comments on the prowess of their adversary, as they are still firing at them when they are trying to retreat, and mentions hat soldiers have died, but he uses the word `fell, to take the attention away from the fact that they have died, and he wants the reader to focus on the glory of it all, in addition to that they should be seen as heroes whether they died of not. Tennyson and Owens poems both reach their climaxes in terms of their dramatic language and dev ices. These make the point that each writer is making stick in the minds of the reader. `When can their glory fade? O, the wild charge they made! Here Tennyson uses a rhetorical device, to infer to the public that the glory of the soldiers, dead or alive should never be orgotten. Tennyson glamorises the whole image of war, and makes the glory of it the focal point, without mentioning the pain, suffering and death, which seems to be a large omission in my opinion, as that is a large part of the reality of war. Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile incurable sores on innocent tongues, Owen uses the word `obscene, which is often used in a different context, but here it makes the point that it is so foul, what he sees before him that he does not even want to look at it. He writes that it is `bitter, which provides a perfect expression of the ay that he feels about this scene. By writing about innocent tongues, he is implying that the men that are fighting the war are innocent; it is th e superiors and government that are the guilty ones, the ones that command the armies. Here, the soldiers have to live with the consequences, rather than the people who are really to blame. Nobody can bring the dead back to life, or undo what has been done, so that is why Owen calls the it `incurable, which is really a main theme of his poem, that what has been done is done, and all this suffering is not even their fault, it is simply paying the price for thers shortcomings. The last lines of each poem summarise perfectly the two views on war held by these two writers. My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori. Owen is fighting the views of such people who think that to go to war is honourable, the exact opposite of the intention of Tennysons poem. He uses irony in his poem, as the title simply means `It is sweet and fitting, where as at the end he clarifies what he really means, and what he really thinks about war. He has experienced war for himself, and does not want others to have such a horrific burden placed upon them without being fully informed of the great hardships to be endured in doing so. He calls it `The old Lie, which is a very strong statement to make against a saying that people genuinely believe in, with which he intentionally shocks the reaHe also says `My friend, this is applicable to everybody, not just to select people, and the reader knows that. `Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! Tennysons use of exclamation marks makes his point very lear. This poignant ending commands the public to follow his views on war, and instructs them to honour the whole six hundred, whether they returned or not. Tennyson writes with one clear aim, that patriotism is instilled in every person who reads it, and does not doubt his or her country. He uses repetition to make his point all the more clear and concise. His poem is mainly propaganda, and is not supposed to be used as a historical account of the battle, but as a symbol of the bravery of the soldiers, and a monument to their glory, that in Tennysons opinion should never fade.