Kite Runner Essay Essay Example for Free

Kite Runner Essay Essay Hitler was an undoubtedly deranged man with the desire to concur a nation, who used inhumane methods to achieve his goal of a ‘perfect’ society. The proud words of Assef about him were, â€Å"Now, there was a leader. A great leader. A man with a vision.† (39-40) In the novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Assef is characterized as a cruel sociopath; his character is created through Hosseini’s use of figurative language and connotative diction. Throughout the passage with Assef as a child Hosseini describes Assef with repetition. Repetition in a novel is a way to convey the point that an author is trying to make. Hosseini makes his statement about Assef very clear. He uses the words â€Å"relentless†, â€Å"ambush†, and â€Å"Savage† over and over to push the severity of Assef’s lunatic way of life. Even more words are used like â€Å"stainless steel brass knuckles† (38) and yelling out the prejudice slur, â€Å"Flat-Nose† (38), referring to the Hazara people. They were repeated because they show up later in the novel and foreshadow Amir’s journey back to Kabul. Also the author uses an epithet to describe Assef, as if he were an evil character of an old epic story. Amir proclaims him to be â€Å"Assef ‘the ear eater’† (38) and the gruesome name created a legacy from his actions. Assef’s character is also shaped by the way Hosseini uses connotative diction to support how crazy Assef is. His word choice clearly states how Assef dominates the other children in Kabul, as Amir says â€Å"blond-blue eyed towered over the other kids.† (38) Assef is a force to be reckoned with because of â€Å"his famous stainless steel brass knuckles† (38) He uses them as a way to prove his authority in the neighborhood. His obsession to be the leader is unusual and he is out of control as a child. The way Hosseini describes Assef there is no bright future for him as he is a corrupt boy with the drive to cause suffering. Assef plays the role of the antagonist in the story where he instigates all conflicts by creating turmoil in the novel, which the main character, Amir, has to overcome. His psychotic mindset leads him to become part of the unexpected climax of the story, and helps to develop the novel further in relation to all the obstacles Amir must face when dealing with his past.

A Decision To Make :: English Literature Essays

A Decision To Make What do you do if there is a difficult decision to make, and this decision will effect your entire family and even what people think of you? Add the fact that no matter what decision you make, it will feel like a mistake. These are the things I am dealing with when trying to decide whether or not to put my son in a group home. My son is nine years old and suffers from Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and mental retardation.He was born prematurely and critically ill. Though odds were very much against him, he made it. A year later, after his first MRI, we first heard the words Cerebral Palsy. By the age of two I knew he was Autistic but we could not get a diagnosis until he was seven. He was put on medication to help his self-abusive behaviors and self-stimulation. Self-stimulation is a behavior that my son enjoys and can feel, but I do not care for them. My son would bang his head continuously, slap himself, and vomit. It is hard to imagine enjoying these behaviors but he does, and I certainly do not. We do not go on trips or in public unless my husband and myself are present to help control his behavior and our two other children's behavior. He has been known to bite and scratch strangers, steal food from other's plates while eating out, and pour drinks right on top of his head. My other children have no extra-curricular activities because I can not control him alone. He can be violent, to himself or others. On the other hand, he can be so sweet for a child who does not need hugs or kisses, though we give them anyway. The strain of caring for him can be exhausting and the responsibility is tremendous. He knows no fear and has no concept for his own safety so he must be watched constantly. He will not perform any activities of daily living, so we bathe him, brush his teeth, dress him, and change his diapers. Every door in our home has a lock that he can't reach, except the front door, which has four. Many people we have contact with mentioned group homes, but for a long time I refused to even consider it. One day, as I was cleaning up vomit for the second time that day and after I changed the fifth dirty diaper of the day, I broke down, sobbing.

Factors Contributing to Christopher Columbus’ Voyage

Christopher Columbus departed Spain on August 3, 1492 for his first voyage. He stopped at the Canary Islands for a final restocking and left there on September 6. He was in command of three ships known as the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria. On October 12, they first sighted land which turned out to be a small island in present-day Bahamas (Minster, 2012a). There are various factors which influenced Christopher Columbus to undertake this voyage. He had a personal interest and determination to find a faster more efficient route to the East Indies. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella financed his voyage because they were interested in material wealth and converts for Spain. The time period in which Columbus lived also had a great influence since the Renaissance period was a time of exploration and finding new meanings for existence. Christopher Columbus examined mostly southward voyages of the Portuguese into the Atlantic and Africa and thought that one could also sail westward and ultimately reach India. This belief was also influenced by accounts he read from the travel accounts of writer Marco Polo. Columbus may have conceived this idea of sailing west to reach Asia as early as 1481 in a correspondence which he sent to Italian Scholar, Paolo del Pozzo Toscaneli. Apart from proving his theory of traveling westward, Columbus also had a personal interest on the voyage. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella approved his voyage, Columbus would become viceroy of all the lands located and he would keep a tenth of all values found (â€Å"Thinkquest,† 2013). When Columbus sighted land, he believed he had reached the Asian islands as is evident in his self-promoted letter which he sent to the King and Queen of Spain. When Columbus developed his theory of sailing westward across the Atlantic in search of a shorter route to Asia, he first submitted his proposal in 1484 to John II, King of Portugal. He wanted the Portuguese to finance his expedition across the Atlantic. The King passed on the petition to the Royal Maritime Commission who rejected Columbus since other ships were already traveling to Africa (â€Å"Ucalgary,† 1997). Columbus then moved to Spain where he petitioned Queen Isabella. The Royal Commission first rejected his plan but he tried once more in 1492 when it was approved. Spain had its own interest in the voyage since it had a desire to spread Christianity and claim new land to expand its empire. They were also interested in the Northwest Passage which Columbus claimed since it would allow them to gather new sources of wealth such as spices, silk and gold. Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 which was the period of the Renaissance. It was a time marked by renewed interest in art, culture and exploration. As mentioned before, countries such as Spain and Portugal wanted to expand their empires and spread Christianity to new lands. This was the perfect period for Columbus to explore new lands since people began to chase secular pursuits and there was greater emphasis on human potential and human progress (Tammy, n. d. ). Knowledge became the key to understanding the world that surrounded human beings and Columbus’ voyage would directly help in increasing this thirst for knowledge. During this period there was increased trade and commercial activity, growth of cities and towns and the expansion of learning all aided in fueling Columbus desire to initiate his voyage. After landing on the island which he named San Salvador on his first voyage, Columbus sailed to other islands including Cuba and Hispaniola. Columbus returned to Spain in March of 1493 and although his first voyage was almost a failure, he lost his biggest ship and did not find the promised route to the west, the Spanish Monarchs were very intrigued with his discoveries. Spain financed three more voyages for him with the aim of establishing permanent colonies (Minster, 2012b). As can be seen there are various factors which contributed to Columbus’ voyage, including his personal interests, Spain’s interest of expanding its empire and religion and the time period in which his voyage took place. Today, Columbus is remembered for both the ‘good and the bad’ since he discovered the Americas but also opened the doors for exploitation, subjugation and slavery.

Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter - 872 Words

Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, is a wonderful piece of writing that thoroughly analyzes the critiques and flaws of early Puritan society. Many enjoyable factors are present, including the heavy and enlightening use of symbols to develop Hawthorne’s revolutionary viewpoint as well as the strong portrayal of the characters that challenges ideas of the time. However, the book also has some flaws; most notable including the fact that the writing is an archaic writing style and thus is difficult to parse through as compared to more recent texts. It also lacks many strong motifs – only two or three are continuously present throughout the book, but the total number of motifs briefly developed is in the tens. Altogether the novel is an incredibly enjoyable read and continuously points out problems in Hawthorne’s society that may even still be present today. The novel could use more consistent motif coverage and rely less heavily on older writing styles, bu t altogether the book is quite splendid. Many published critics also share these sentiments. One of the first criticisms published on the book after it was released was by Henry James, a renowned American author who explored themes of change and ideological shifts. In his criticism, he notes that Hawthorne â€Å"†¦ liked to fraternize with plain people, to take them on their own terms, and put himself, if possible, into their shoes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (James). This criticism is valid and seen throughout the novel, in which Hawthorne doesn’tShow MoreRelatedNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1187 Words   |  5 PagesPuritanism in Red Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter shows the early view of Puritanism by concentrating on sin, guilt, and its effects on society. Nathaniel Hawthorne conveyed a dark and romantic style of writing in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, impacting the society by focusing on the concepts of romanticism. The Scarlet Letter is considered a classic book and is still read today. Nathaniel Hathorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts on July 4, 1804. He was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth ClarkRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1631 Words   |  7 Pagesdeveloped the theme for his most renowned literary novel, The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne emphasized the impact that societal isolation can have on individuals. Several of the victims inflicted with isolation throughout the novel were ultimately met with their inevitable downfalls. One particular character, Hester Prynne, was selected to undergo a struggle comparable to Hawthorne’s own. Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter centered its characters on a theme of both physical andRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1896 Words   |  8 PagesIn a surface examination of the work of Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is quickly evident that no good things come from the wilderness. Therein, the wilderness is often associated with the savages and the devil. In his work The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne finds herself exiled by society for having an adulterous affair with the town reverend which brought forth the child known as Pearl. Pearl is quickly established as the child of the wilderness: wild, capricious, and thought by the town to be a demon-childRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1944 Words   |  8 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne adds a satirical twist throughout his novel The Scarlet Letter which manifests his perception of the Puritanism. The novel portrays the strictness and impact of Puritanism on human lives. Hawthorne’s usage of Puritan characters and outcasts also demonstrate Hawthorne’s position on Puritanism. Throughout Hawthorne’s novel, all of the characters in this novel represent strong Puritan belief, Puritan lifestyle, strong resistance to Puritanism, and satirical Puritan lifestyles. HawthorneRead MoreWilliam Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1871 Words   |  8 Pagestechniques for roman tic themes are light and setting. Hawthorne describes that details â€Å"are so spiritualized by the unusual light, that they seem to lose their actual substance, and become things of intellect† (Hawthorne, 35). This then leads him to describe that, â€Å"when one removes further from the actual, and nearer to the imaginative† (Hawthorne, 36), the romance writer can actually, â€Å"dream strange things and make them look like truth†(Hawthorne, 36). The purpose of this chapter is to serve basicallyRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1193 Words   |  5 PagesThe Scarlet Letter, is most often referred to as Nathaniel Hawthorne’s best work. It gives a detailed image of life in a Puritan society. The heroine of the book-Hester Prynne, defies power, and rebels against colonial rule. Laws composed of religious convictions and individual beliefs. Through Hester’s action, you can depict a feminist consciousness. She differs from traditional colonial woman who s sole purpose it to be obedient, despite the unfair rules carried out by puritan men. Hester representsRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter869 Words   |  4 Pagesof human life. The most famous Dark Romantic writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne, emphasizes human proneness to sin and self-destruction, uses symbols that are considered dark, and believes that evil can overtake good. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne employs elements of Romanticism and symbolism to communicate the idea that sin and guilt have psychological effects which can turn into physical and mental manifestations. Hawthorne utilizes the romantic element of the focus on the individual toRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1850 Words   |  8 PagesShe s an archetype. She is Eve. She s Juno. She the good woman gone bad. She is Hester Prynne. As part of NPR s series, In Character, my colleague, Andrea Seabrook, shows how this Puritan woman is still very much alive today. ANDREA SEABROOK: Hester Prynne is the protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne s magnum opus The Scarlet Letter. Any serious literary scholar will tell you that she is one of the first strong women in American literature and is still among the most important. She s veiled(ph)Read MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter2120 Words   |  9 Pagesher cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.† (Hawthorne 92) In this quote, all of the townspeople are saying that even if Hester were to cover up the the scarlet letter A on her shirt, she will always have the guilt in her mind. She will also have Pearl as a constant reminder of her sin. This quote impacts the story because it really shows how the townspeople feel about Hester and hawthorne gives a good life lesson saying that even if you cover up your mistakes, youRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter2106 Words   |  9 Pagesother religions. Because they â€Å"deeply and fervently believed t hat they were doing the work of God†, Puritans often punished and shunned those who did not follow their rules or share their same views (Collier 62). In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne presents these popular ideas and truths about the Puritan way of living in a symbolic story of submissive defiance. He creates a strong feminist that contradicts the majority of the Puritan views on feminism. This rebellious main character