Beowulf and Grendel Essay Example for Free

Beowulf and Grendel Essay The animation used for the movie, Beowulf was simply superb. I thought the characters were human but after a while, I noticed that they move quite differently so I learned that it was actually a motion captured film, like the ones used in Polar Express and Monster House. The effects were good, and the characters really looked like the actors who played them. It’s amazing what technology can do these days. As for the story, I think some scenes are really violent and brutal. Like the part when Grendel, the monster, tore the head of one of the soldiers and ate it, it was disgusting. Some parts were also rated PG. ut overall, I think the plot was good. The character of Beowulf was very brave and courageous. From the beginning of the story, we can already tell that he is a hero and that he practices the code of honor (whatever that is). He was willing to sacrifice himself to save his people and the kingdom. I think he is also wise as the king. He didn’t fight the soldier who was trying to kill him, instead, send him off saying â€Å"He has a story to tell†. But the protagonists also have some poor qualities. For one, he didn’t think of the consequences when he gave in to Grendel’s mother’s advances. He also lied to king Hrothgar and his people when he told them that he killed Grendel’s mother. He did all that just so that he could have wealth and the crown. I also didn’t like the fact that he took a mistress, when his wife was still there. I think Queen Wealtheow is a wise and beautiful queen, what more could he ask for? Also, I think Ursula, the concubine, didn’t really love Beowulf. She was just submitting herself to him because he is of course, the king. I think the historical accuracy was good, the costume and the traditions; they even had the right accents.

Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby and the Tragic Hero Essay -- Great Gats

Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and the Tragic Hero      Ã‚  Ã‚   Aristotle invented a list of criteria in an attempt to determine the exact definition of a tragic hero.   The list states the following - the tragic hero must cause his own down fall; the tragic hero's fate is undeserved; the tragic hero's punishment exceeds his crime; the tragic hero must be a great and noble person according to the standards of the current society.   In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby can be defined as a tragic hero who possesses all of the aforementioned traits.  Ã‚   Jay Gatsby's main desire in life is to become a member of high society, respected more than anyone else.   Gatsby has taken steps to ensure that this desire becomes a reality.   He has accumulated wealth, power, and influence, all in an attempt to create the sparkling image of a successful man.   Although Gatsby's friend Nick is "inclined to reserve all judgements" (1), Gatsby is a strong, unselfish idealist.   Gatsby is a romantic dreamer who wishes to fulfill his ideal by gaining wealth in hopes of impressing and eventually winning the heart of the mat... ...his vision, until his death. Daisy indirectly causes Gatsby's death, making her more than ever, unworthy of Gatsby's affections. Ironically, Gatsby lived for Daisy and up to his death, believed and had faith in her and his vision.    Works Cited Dillon, Andrew. "The Great Gatsby: The Vitality of Illusion." The Arizona Quarterly 44 Spr. 1988: 49-61. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992. Irwin, John T. "Compensating Visions: The Great Gatsby." Southwest Review 77 Autumn 1992: 536-545.

Essay on “Bread Givers” by Anzia Yezierska

Bread Givers Essay: Sara’s Identity In the book â€Å"Bread Givers† by Anzia Yezierska a young girl from poland grows up in america. Set in the 1920s conditions for immigrants living in the United States were tough, not to mention living in the lower East side of Manhattan, New York. Reb Smolinsky the father of Sara in this book really tries on impressing his beliefs onto his children for he is very set on his traditional ways. This becomes a very prominent underlying to the story as Sara grows throughout the book moving from her fathers beliefs to her own.This clash between the â€Å"old way† of doing things and her new american life style Sara breaks free from this conflict in finding her own identity in this new world. By doing so Sara really connect and Identifies with three main factors in her life independence, education and hard work. With these three basic elements in Sara’s life she really transitions into her own being and self identity. Througho ut most of the beginning of the book Sara is oppressed by her father’s tyranny that drives her to crave independence.After her father demolishes the lives of Sara’s three other sisters she â€Å"began to see that Father, in his innocent craziness to hold up the Light of the Law to his children, was as a tyrant more terrible than the Tsar from Russia† (Yezierska, 64-65). As this is just the beginning of Sara’s unrest with her father it is none the less the beginning of the end for their relationship. Because she does come to the end of her patience with her father. With him constantly beating her her down she would never be able to vocalize or blossom into her own ideas or beliefs.He would constrict all of her self identity out if she was unable to break free from him. â€Å"I’m smart enough to look out for myself. It’s a new life now. In America, women don’t need men to boss them† (Yezierska, 137). Sara finally speaks her mind along with realizing she is able to break free from tradition and be independent in this new world. America had really shaped her ideals and helped to create that pathway to break away. As she is independent she discovers herself through the freedom of being on her own. As seen when she is finally in freedom on her own. â€Å"My hands clutched at the knob. This door was life.It was air. The bottom starting-point of becoming a person. I simply must have this room with the shut door† (Yezierska, 159) Having her own place would create the birth spot for her dreams and aspirations. By now having her own place she is able to cut herself from her family and their hold on her opinions. She is able to break free and now allow her the freedom needed to discover her identity. As she clearly states when she says â€Å"starting-point of becoming a person†, this defines her. Education makes its impression on Sarah when she immediately connects and realizes her dream of becoming a t eacher.Giving education a high value in her life. â€Å"A school teacher-I! I saw myself sitting back like a lady at my desk, the children, their eyes on me, watching and waiting for me to call out the different ones to the board, to spell a word, or answer me a question. It was like looking up to the top of the highest skyscraper while down in the gutter† (Yezierska, 155). When she imagines what this one girl had done she realized thats what she wants. This teacher symbolizes a better life for Sara, a life Sara is determined to achieve. The only thing keeping her from achieving this is education.Education becomes what she believes to be the only gateway to the better life she wants. I becomes what defines her as her and changes her status. Finally starting her way to her dream she goes to school. While there she gets her dream and love of education rekindled. â€Å"There was one in the school who was what I dreamed a teacher to be- the principal, Mr. Hugo Seeling. He kept t hat living thing, that fame, that i used to worship as a child† (Yezierska, 270). The passion she describes here is what directly comes from her and her desire. She puts teaching and education on a pedestal just like hr father puts his faith.She strives to get that same identity with education as a teacher as her father does with the Torah and his religion. Even Fania compares them saying â€Å"Come, Bessie. Let’s leave her to her mad education. She’s worse than Father with his Holy Torah† (Yezierska, 178). This shows how strongly Sara really takes education in her life. Just like the Torah is her fathers identity this is hers'. Sara even when she was young believed in hard work. She wouldn’t hold herself to a lower standard even if it was easier. When she goes to buy herring from Muhmenkeh the elderly women offers to give them to her free.In which Sara replies â€Å"No–no! I’m no beggar! I want to go into business like a person. I mu st buy what I got to sell† (Yezierska, 21). Even as a young child Sara refuses to take the easy route and accept this charity. She wants to earn it for herself and rise above the life of a beggar. To not let herself be defined and lumped with the poor low lives that don’t take the initiative to do better in life. This hard work is what fuels her to achieve her dreams. As wonderful as living and being on her own is Sara quickly figures out how hard it is.Because in order to pursue her dream she must work hard in order to support herself while going to school. Not to mention give herself time to study and understand what she is learning in order to move on in school. â€Å"As you had to shut your eyes to the dirt, so you must shut your ears to the noise. A quietness within me soothed my tortured nerves. I turned to my books on the table, and with fierce determination to sink myself into my head, I began my lesson again† (Yezierska, 164). She pushes herself through this hard time unlike most people in hard times that just give up.Instead she pushes onward and later on sees the reward of her hard work. Through these hard ships they mold her more and more into who Sara Smolinsky is and becomes. With out this determination and freedom of thought she would never have created her identity for herself. There are many other factors throughout the book that take its toll on Sara’s life and shape the way she changes. Although these three are the most strongly associated with how she identifies herself because these are all characteristics that are unique to her. By the end of the book Sara has fully embraced these and discovered herself.

College Library

A library is a never-ending source of precious knowledge. A properly stocked library is a great advantage for every college, high school or university. There is always a smart librarian out there to help you to find what you’re in search for. Books are set and kept properly. Their arrangement let you easily search for a particular book. As a member of college or local library, one can borrow a couple of books for a certain time and take them home. From now on, the reader is responsible for the book. In case he loses one, he’ll face with the payment for the loss. Apart from college or university libraries, there are also local libraries. Informational technologies have amazingly improved the facilities of the libraries. Some people say that books are our best pals. They are the best company in times of sadness and happiness. And the best place to meet them and hang out together is a library. Not only books, but tons of journals, magazines and newspapers are arranged for our benefits. To say more, one can also get a lot of Encyclopedia, atlas, etc. in order to broaden the spectrum of knowledge. The readers are free to read the books all day long or borrow several books and spend some time for home reading. A good library requires a smart and skillful librarian. Only dedicated person can maintain the whole treasure of the library in a proper way. He should be the guide to the most suitable books for every client. It is highly important to be co-operative and positive in order to interact with the readers. If they consult the librarian, they easily get the book they’re in need of. Besides, a good and attentive librarian always takes into account the readers’ suggestions if they are useful to improve the service. A typical college library assigns special membership card to every reader. A student is provided with an opportunity to borrow a book in case she’s got the card. Still, the books can be kept ONLY for a limited time. In case the reader fails to bring the book back, he is issued with the library fine. If something worse happens – a student loses a book, it’s up to him to replace it with a new one. The library is really priceless for the students, who cannot afford to purchase a brand-new book, journal or any other material for classes. Borrowing them and studying at home is a perfect solution! Thus, librarians provide real help for the society. If you take a closer look at the modern library, you will see that the majority of librarians have special notice boards. In what way they are used? Just to write the hottest news of the day. Besides, a so-called â€Å"idea of the day† may also appear there. Everyone has notices that in recent years internet has completely changed the basic concepts of the library. Now information technology is a great way to improve the facilities of the library. And though internet fills up every segment of our life, there will always be enough space for the libraries and, as a result – educated society!