What happens when a rich white woman from Georgia is taken hostage by a native group that has never seen a person with skin color that contrasts theirs? The aftermath is the death of a baby in the womb and a power struggle that would haunt the land of New Guinea for many years to come. In Outlaw by Ted Dekker, Julian Carter’s hope of starting a new life with her newborn baby, Stephen, is cut short when her boat is destroyed in a storm and she is abducted by an unknown group of natives known as the Tulim. Now surrounded by people who treat her as if she weren’t even human, Julian has to focus on her one and only chance of escaping the valley: to convince the natives that she can give them a child that will rise to be the warrior that they have …show more content…
foreseen in ancient prophecies. The given title for this novel, Outlaw, is appropriate due to Julian’s cultural diversity, Wilam’s painstaking decision, and a group of people with a unique outlook on life. The first reason why Outlaw is a good choice for this novel’s title is because of the cultural differences between Julian Carter and the three Tulim tribes. The second reason why Outlaw is an appropriate choice for this novel’s title is because of the jaw-dropping decision that the chief elder of one the tribes, Wilam, had to make about Julian’s fate.
When Julian is “put on trial” in front of all three tribes, native chiefs Kirutu and Wilam seemingly agree to have her put to death due to the color of her skin, as they have never encountered a white woman and immediately consider her a threat. However, before Julian is carried out to be executed, she pleads her case and tells them that she is capable of conceiving a child; the warrior that they have been waiting for. After hearing this, Wilam states something that leaves the entire valley shocked: “No, Kirutu. The white woman is mine. But her song and her dance are from the spirits, a great gift for this great day.” (Dekker 148). This shows that Wilam has gone against the law that he has lived by his whole life. Not only has he dismissed the sin of Julian’s existence within the Tulim valley, but he has also stated that she is his new wife. Wilam blindly disowned the customs that enforced his way of living in the hope that Julian may produce the warrior that has been predicted to save them from the darkness of human savagery. In addition to the possible birth of the highly anticipated warrior, Wilam would also increase his rule over the land as he would be considered the father of the savior. While Wilam prepares to face the consequences of his decision, the son of Julian is …show more content…
subjected to an extremely peculiar culture. The third and final reason why Outlaw is the best choice for the title of this novel is because of the existence of a unique group of individuals with an outlook on life that only they can understand.
After being captured by Kirutu, Julian learns that her son Stephen, whom she presumed was killed in the boat crash, is still alive. Although this is good news, she also realizes that her son will have to grow up alongside the Tulim; a stark fate that she would never wish upon anybody. In order to secure her son’s future, she agrees to surrender to Kirutu as long as he hands Stephen off to a mysterious figure known as the Nameless One. Even though Julian knows very little about the Nameless One, she overwhelmingly trusts that he will do a better job in raising Stephen than any of the Tulim natives. Eighteen years after Julian sacrificed herself for Stephen, the Nameless One explains to Stephen why they are different from both the Tulim and the average human being: “You are Outlaw, dead to the laws of separation and death that cause insanity.” (Dekker 233). This shows that the way Stephen is being raised by the Nameless One is very different from any other culture worldwide. After taking Stephen under his wing, the Nameless One has raised Stephen to be a clairvoyant. Through his teaching, the Nameless One has shown Stephen how to be connected with all of the parts that make up a person: the physical body along with the omnipotent mind. Stephen is aware that there is more to life
than just physical things; that the actual spirit inside of people is much more important. The Nameless One refers to these kind of people as Outlaws; people who are able to see things beyond the physical level.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel written by Harper Lee. The novel is set in the depths of the Great Depression. A lawyer named Atticus Finch is called to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. The story is told from one of Atticus’s children, the mature Scout’s point of view. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the Finch Family faces many struggles and difficulties. In To Kill a Mockingbird, theme plays an important role during the course of the novel. Theme is a central idea in a work of literature that contains more than one word. It is usually based off an author’s opinion about a subject. The theme innocence should be protected is found in conflicts, characters, and symbols.
Despite his situation, Stephen is able to separate the good from the bad and his experiences benefit him greatly. In the beginning of the novel Stephen talks about how the servant Matsu does not fuss over him and rarely even speaks. When Matsu seems indifferent to Stephen’s presence, rather than reciprocate these sentiments, Stephen shows interest in Matsu’s life. Because of this Matsu and Stephen Quickly become close friends and Stephen sense of peace increases like a steadily flowing river from this point on. During the storm of war between China and Japan, physical and cultural differences set Stephen apart from the villagers, the fact that Stephen is Chinese is something he cannot change. Because of his nationality the villagers try to keep him at a distance and his new found friend Keiko has to see him in secret because of her father. The more Stephen and Keik...
Prologue: On page 4 the narrator says, “Personally, I like a chocolate- colored sky. Dark, Dark chocolate. People say it suits me.”(Zusak 4) This led me to believe the narrator is death. He sees life in color because he appreciates color more because his life is so dark and filled with death, color is in our lives and our souls will soon be filled with darkness and him and not have a colorful life.
she became Father Damien. This calls into question how important an identity Sister Cecilia is
Although the main character in the book was white, the author, Sue Kidd, does a great job of depicting the African American culture during the time. Whether it was Rosaleen getting beat up in jail, or Zach dreaming of being a lawyer, this book showed you what it was like being a minority during a time when rights where still being fought for. One of the smaller conflicts in the story was a man verses man conflict, when Lily and Zach started to like each other. Though they knew that a colored man, and a white girl could never be together, they both were attracted to each other. Were they not from different cultures, people would have been fine with them dating, but because Zach was black, it couldn?t work out.
In this novel, Rich Marshall who is also an antagonist meets a woman who has an African American kid who he mentally bullies so bad that she thinks she is the “wrong color”.
In a country like the United States of America, with a history of every individual having an equal opportunity to reach their dreams, it becomes harder and harder to grasp the reality that equal opportunity is diminishing as the years go on. The book Our Kids by Robert Putnam illustrates this reality and compares life during the 1950’s and today’s society and how it has gradually gotten to a point of inequality. In particular, he goes into two touching stories, one that shows the changes in the communities we live in and another that illustrates the change of family structure. In the end he shows how both stories contribute to the American dream slipping away from our hands.
Robert, the story of the Prodigal Son is very unique, and based on your outlined; you will be exposing some underline theological concepts and interpretation that will assist the readers in understanding the content of the text. My thoughts does operate with Dr. Klauk comment regarding your thesis, however, may I suggest some things that helped me: First, your thesis statement must take a position? Second, you must be specific. Your thesis must consist of one to two sentences. This will help you in being more precise. Third, it must convey one main idea. Lastly, it should spark some form of discussion. In reading some of your past threads, you are were very analytical. I know that God is going to reveal to you a thesis statement that will
Escaping poverty was one of the themes of “A Raisin in the Sun.” The family’s chance of escape becomes a reality when a $10,000 check arrives in the mail. Everyone is wanting to spend their money for their own dream, each with their own way of escaping poverty. Walter believes that investing all the money into the liquor store will put the family higher in the ranks while earning them more income, therefore they would no longer be poverty-stricken. He believes money is everything and wants his family to have the best. This can be seen when he tells his son, “[without even looking at his son, still staring hard at his wife] In fact, here’s another fifty cents…Buy yourself some fruit today – or take a taxicab to school or something!” (pg 1.1.59).
I chose to read the novel The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. This story is told from two very different points of view and takes place in Philadelphia and the Western frontier between the years 1788 and 1792. The novel starts off with the point of view of Ethan Saunders who was a spy for George Washington during the war but who is now viewed as a disgrace because of rumors that he committed treason during the war. One day while he is at a bar he gets news that Cynthia Pearson who was to be his fianceé many years earlier, asked him for help finding her missing husband Jacob Pearson. He only agrees to help Cynthia because he still loves her. In
The story in 1 Kings 19:1-21 is the conclusion of Elijah’s ministry. Because of this, the author introduced the characters in previous chapters. In order to gain an understanding of the characters in the context of the narrative, prior chapters must be consulted. The main characters of the story are Elijah and Yahweh, surrounded by other lesser characters in this specific narrative.
Death can both be a painful and serious topic, but in the hands of the right poet it can be so natural and eloquently put together. This is the case in The Sleeper by Edgar Allan Poe, as tackles the topic of death in an uncanny way. This poem is important, because it may be about the poet’s feelings towards his mother’s death, as well as a person who is coming to terms with a loved ones passing. In the poem, Poe presents a speaker who uses various literary devices such as couplet, end-stopped line, alliteration, image, consonance, and apostrophe to dramatize coming to terms with the death of a loved one.
In the short story, “Hills like White Elephants”, by Ernest Hemingway, is based on determination to abort a child. Hemingway introduced the readers to Jig a naïve girl, who lacks self-confidence and an American man who is self-indulgence. Jig and her partner made an adult decision to conceive a child, but are not capable of keeping the unborn infant. Jig is in a position of contemplation, where she has to decide her own seed over infatuated love because she does not want her decision to affect their relationship. The man she has unconditionally love for does not condone to her pregnancy. The American man specifies the abortion as a “simple operation”. He tries to persuade Jig into the operation, but does not realize life will not remain the same after the surgery is complete. Hemingway helps readers visualize the situation of abortion by comparing Jig pregnancy to the scenery and fictitious objects.
As Stephen grows, he slowly but inexorably distances himself from religion. His life becomes one concerned with pleasing his friends and family. However, as he matures he begins to feel lost and hopeless, stating, "He saw clearly too his own futile isolation. He had not gone one step nearer the lives he had sought to approach nor bridged the restless shame and rancor that divided him from mother and brother and sister." It is this very sense of isolation and loneliness that leads to Stephen's encounter with the prostitute, where, "He wanted to sin with another of his kind, to force another being to sin with him and to exult with her in sin.
Throughout the book, I’ve also learned about many racist things. It was painful to read about the hateful treatment of Blacks during that time and the effect that it had on Black children. When Maya had a bad tooth and her grandmother took her to a white dentist in town. The white dentist refused to help Maya because, as he stated, "I would rather put my hand in the mouth of a dog than to put it into a nigger's mouth." This incident serves only as an example of the many ways that Blacks were cruelly mistreated in those days.