Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
the value of the study of literature
the value of the study of literature
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: the value of the study of literature
East of Eden - The Gift of Free Will An excellent benefit of choosing to major in English is that it has allowed me four years to dig deeply into my love of the written word. This involves looking beyond the surface of literature and studying its effects in the course of my everyday life. Some books are easy to read quickly, enjoy, and forget, but others exert an influence that is not easily discarded or forgotten. In my mental library, the classic American novel East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, falls into this category. I believe East of Eden has helped shape me morally by illustrating the power of free will in a world caught between a constant battle of good and evil. I decided to read East of Eden after hearing a friend share a short passage from it in his valedictory address. Although I do not remember the contents of that particular passage anymore, I remember that it was the power of Steinbeck's simple, direct language that urged me to take it on as my next big foray into what my high school English teacher called "real literature." The Cain and Abel story, possibly the most enigmatic story of good and evil in the Bible, is the basis for East of Eden. Although allegorical elements are scattered throughout the whole novel, the most evident theme struck me as three of the main characters discussed the ramifications of God's words to Cain after Abel's death. Lee, a Chinese servant to one of the novel's main families, explained to his two companions a little-known conflict between the translations of Genesis 4:7 in two versions of the Bible. In one translation, God tells Cain that "thou shalt" rule over sin. In another, God says to Cain, "Do thou" rule over sin. The first is a promise, and the second is an order. Lee concluded that the ambiguity presented by the two translations is at the heart of the universal human story. I agree. I know some people who surrender themselves to the fatalistic belief that everything in life has been mapped out by God. I also know people who believe that God is a harsh drillmaster who issues demands under the constant threat of damnation. Until I read this book, however, I never wondered where the dispute originated. As the characters in Steinbeck's novel discussed the discrepancy of Genesis 4:7, I also wondered at the intended meaning of the verse.
I propose that there be a $12,000 stipend allocated to the building of entertainment facilities to deter young adults from criminal activities, and instead encourage them to participate in activities that would prevent this problem. This stipend would stem from revenue already included in Charles County property tax, which goes towards the maintenance of land and current businesses. I’ve chosen $12,000 to cover the starting costs to build at least three businesses to return revenue to the city: Dave & Buster’s, the YMCA, and a local skate park. According to the Charles County Government, it would cost $1,805 each for the application for growth ("Charles County Government" [2]). Additionally, it would cost $1,203 each for architectural and design planning of these businesses ("Charles County Government" [2]). Coupled with construction costs, and fees...
Following behind motor vehicle crashes, traumatic brain injury in sports is the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries for people fifth-teen to twenty-four years of age. Immense concerns follows given that American football accounts for the highest incidence of concussions (Rowson and Duma 2130). In addition, th...
Through sports or through everyday life, concussions tend to happen. An estimated 300 000 sport-related traumatic brain injuries, predominantly concussions, occur annually in the United States. Sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged 15 to 24 years. (U.S National Library of Medicine). Coaches and parents often do not go through the right procedures or protocols when dealing with a teenager who has received a blow to the head. The usual questions that are asked when there is a head injury are, “what day is it, what’s the score, and how many fingers am I holding up?” Now these are not poor questions, but these questions alone cannot determine if a person has suffered a concussion. The correct method, which they are now implementing in most professional sports leagues, is for anyone with a head injury to take a legitimate concussion test performed by the team doctor. (WebbMD) At present the symptoms can be hit or miss. After receiving a concussion, research shows that an “estimated 80 to 90% of concussions heal spontaneously in the first 7 to 10 days”. (Barton Straus) But, it is important to remember not to return until all symptoms are
Vaughn, Christopher, Gerard Gioia and Maegan Sady. “School Problems following Sports Concussion. Which Children Are at Greatest Risk?” British Journal Of Sports Medicine. 47.5 (2012) : 47-51 Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
Cathy Ames makes choices based on how much it benefits her, and if it ensures that she will prosper from the choice, even if that means destroying everyone else in the process. It appears “that Cathy… was born with tendencies, or lack of them, which drove her and forced her all of her life” (Steinbeck 72). Most humans have natural instincts that allow them to function in a civil society together. Cathy is different, however, and distinct since birth. She plans and decides things unlike how the rest of society does. A chance encounter between the gray James Grew and Cathy leads to one of Cathy’s first evil actions. Nothing happens until Cathy meets him and “[f]or a time it was noticed that a flame leaped in James Grew… and then the flame went out” (Steinbeck 79).
After all thousands of years of traditional tea drinking cannot easily be broken, for example, instead of offering flavored frappacinos and caramel macchiatos like we have here in the united states, Starbucks developed a range of Chinese tea’s flavors, such as green tea-flavored coffee drinks, that appeal to local tastes and began selling traditional desserts like Mooncakes. Another reason why Starbucks in China has become so successful is the cultural difference between American and Chinese consumers. The American consumers is always on the go and have the need to get their food and beverages as quickly as they can, Starbucks now lets consumers order their coffee with a mobile app and have ready to pick up in the store without waiting in the line. And the clients who do decide to have their coffee in the store are in a corner working on their laptops as a "Do Not Disturb Sign" going on with their business without interruption. In China however, Starbucks has a become a ideal social setting to meet up with friends and family. With chic modern interior, comfortable seating, and upbeat music, their locations appeal to the younger
The early twentieth century was a time of change for America with western expansion, discrimination, and innovation. The western United States became one of the places to live because of its sense of wild lands and industrial progress. This time of change paved way for legendary literature including great authors such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and even the great J. R. R. Tolkien. However, one of the best authors during this time was John Steinbeck. Born and raised in California, he wrote many novels that were influenced by his childhood backyard and experiences in the Central Valley and Monterey areas. Steinbeck’s short story collection The Long Valley shows Steinbeck’s influence from his childhood home in the settings around the Salinas and Monterey regions in many of the short stories, as well as prominent and common themes such as communion, unfulfilling marriages, and the road to manhood.
Born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California, John Ernst Steinbeck is one of the world’s most popular authors. Steinbeck’s American classics depict portraits of the conditions of human life, struggles and triumphs. He is commonly known for his novels The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, and novella Of Mice and Men. “He was an intellectual, passionately interested in his odd little inventions, in jazz, in politics, in philosophy, history, and myth” (“John Steinbeck, American Writer”). John Steinbeck experienced several struggles and rejections in order to be successful and have his books published the way he wanted them to. Steinbeck experienced an interesting life full of stories, controversy, adventure, love, and loss.
John Ernest Steinbeck Jr. was born February 27, 1902 in Salinas, California. (The Biography Channel) His family was never wealthy, but they were middle-class, and his father John Ernest Steinbeck had several jobs to keep food on the table, and his mother Olive Hamilton was a school teacher. He was the third child of four children, and all of his siblings were girls. His father owned a feed-and-grain store, managed a flour shop, and was Monterrey County treasurer. (The Biography Channel) His father was a mason and his mother was a member of Eastern Star. (ANB) John Steinbeck sr. and Olive Hamilton were immigrants and were very rooted into the community; they established their identities this way. His parents believed it was good to expose their children to culture when they were little. They went to the theater often in San Francisco. His parents also had a variety of literature in the house for the children to read. Steinbeck’s biggest influence in his career was when he had been given a copy of Malory’s Morte d’Arthur at the age of nine. (Stephan) His mother and John Steinbeck's family lived in the "fertile agricultural valley,” and with that he formed an appreciation early for the Salinas Valley land, which he used in most of his later novels. (Wyatt) As a kid Steinbeck was shy and quite, but very smart. At the age of fifteen Steinbeck was "encouraged by his freshman English teacher to write," (ANB) and from then he knew he wanted to become a writer. He would often lock himself away in his bedroom and write. After high school he worked as a laborer in a sugar factory in Salinas, California, a laborer in mills, and a ranch hand. (Stephan)
“America's Quilting History: African American Quilting: A Long Rich Heritage”. Womenfolk. Web. 7 March 2011.
The idea of good versus evil is illustrated in several ways in John Steinbeck's East of Eden. This is seen through the external conflicts in the novel, the internal conflicts of the characters, and a universal understanding of the battle between good and evil.
The decision of Adam and Cal Trask to overcome their struggles and Cathy’s decision to succumb to evil prove that the choice of what to do with one’s life is completely up to the individual. John Steinbeck’s use of the biblical story of Cain and Abel builds on the idea that a person is completely responsible for choosing what becomes of them in result of a word, an action and a memory. Undoubtedly everyone has the choice whether or not they wish to triumph over the pain and the sins they are struggling with. After all, look at Ghandi he witnessed children burdened with evil inheritance walk away surmounted because of their strength to rein over evil.
In "The Grapes of Wrath", Steinbeck takes a great leap forward in his storytelling. His characters are better developed and more human. Steinbeck's development as a writer was linked to his growth as a person and his furthered capacity for understanding in others, particularly the disenfranchised. The process and struggle that ensued during the early years of his career were instrumental in his growth and are demonstrated in the development of his views on industrialization and it's effects on the working class.
Steinbeck uses the biblical story of Cain and Abel in East of Eden to show us that we do not have set fate. Steinbeck uses the Hebrew word “timshel”, which means “thou mayest”, to suggest that man has the ability to choose good or evil. “Timshel” affects the characters in East of Eden such as Cal and Aron and their choice of overcoming good or evil. Steinbeck sees this novel as his most important work, and he uses it as a way to state his personal ideas concerning mankind:“The free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual.”(Steinbeck,132). Steinbeck shows God has given humans free will and their ability to choose good or evil, if they so decide. He portrays the “C” characters to be connected to Cain, such as Charles and Cal and the “A” characters to be connected to Abel, such as Aron and Adam.
People saw China as a nation based strongly on traditional values and one being strong consumers of tea, not coffee. Starbucks saw something different and catered to the Chinese culture. They introduced certain types of teas and created an environment that appealed to younger generations who wished for the Western lifestyle. By withholding the need to force American culture on the Chinese, Starbucks ' new endeavor had very positive effects on their business. Starbucks now sees China as the largest market outside of the United States for their product. Forbes reported in an article that “Starbucks now has 570 stores in forty-eight different cities in China and planned for 1,500 by the end of 2015”.6 As the market for Starbucks continues to grow they have continued appeal to the younger generations who now view Starbucks as a way to feel connected to the Western lifestyle.7 This has allowed Starbucks to charge more for their products due to the trending demand and therefore has resulted in outlets in China to be more profitable per outlet than that of the United States.8 China has become an expanding market with great demand and promising return for profits. As Starbucks continues to expand globally to other countries such as India, they will continue to be successful as long as they can adapt to the culture. India resembles China in similar ways such as they have a large population with a