Romantics cautioned Essay Example for Free

Romantics cautioned Essay Whereas the great minds of the Enlightenment has placed great value on the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge, the Romantics cautioned that knowledge, unrestrained by a proper respect for the natural order, could lead to despair. There are several episodes in the book that point to the destructive power of knowledge that does not respect proper boundaries. The readers impression of Victor undergoes a transformation from a light, idyllic childhood, to a darker, more solitary figure pursing his passion by moonlight at Ingolstadt. His retelling of the story takes on a rushed, obsessive mood as he talks of nights in graveyards and charnel houses, foraging in the ground for human flesh and body parts. He remarks, I seem to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit.(Shelley 39) In his obsessive pursuit of knowledge and the power to create life, Frankenstein oversteps the boundaries of nature. In a moment of reflection, Frankenstein warns Walton, Learn from me how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. (Shelley 38) In a similar manner, the innocence and naivetà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ of the monster undergoes a transformation while sitting outside the cottage increasing his knowledge from tales in Ruins of Empire. Retelling this new knowledge to Frankenstein, the monster laments, I could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, or even why there were laws and governmentswhen I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased and I turned away in disgust and loathing. (Shelley 104) Having previously been enamored with the beauties of nature, and capability of man, the monster reflected a sense of disillusionment when he asked, Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and base?(Shelley 104) Perhaps the most powerful caution against knowledge that does not respect natural laws comes when Shelley invokes the themes of Genesis, and Miltons Paradise Lost. What more powerful image could there be to prove this point, than that of Adam and Eve disobeying Gods laws, eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge, and being cast out of the Garden of Eden into the dark world? Shelleys portrayal of Victor and the monsters evolution seem to align the innocence of childhood with the Romantic themes of sentiment, emotion, and an idealized view of the world. Victors depiction of his childhood seems to be filled with hope and happiness. He retells fond memories of family and friends that appear in stark contrast to the path his life took after the death of his mother. Similarly, the monster is initially described as possessing a childlike inquisitiveness, innocent and optimistic, until the outside world changes him. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.(Shelley, 84) Experience and knowledge change both of these characters for the worse. It is only the return of a friend from Victors childhood, Henry Clerval, which can pull Victor out of his darkness and rekindle an appreciation for the beauties of nature. Romantics believed that people should look to the natural world around them in order to provide insight into their inner selves. (Spielvogel 152) Frankensteins obsessive and reclusive studies cause him to neglect correspondence with his family for two years, and it is only Clervals appearance that can draw him out of seclusion and into nature. Their explorations through the countryside restore life to Victor. His renewed appreciation for nature makes him temporarily forget the dark, destructive path he was on. Clerval is the epitome of a Romantic character, well read in books of chivalry and romance, a composer of heroic songs, and an author of tales of enchantment and knightly adventure. (Shelley 23) These are the themes of the Romantic Movement! Shelleys depiction of Victor and Clerval are not meant to be an indictment of education and knowledge, or even of science for that matter. According to Patricia Neal, Shelley considered education essential for improvement. (Neal) In fact, it is the knowledge the monster receives by reading great works of literature that allow him to develop a sense of awareness and truth about himself. Shelley cautions against the unrestrained quest for knowledge, as Victor warns Walton you seek for knowledge and wisdomand I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.(Shelley 15) It is the selfish pursuit of knowledge, to the detriment of an appreciation for natural beauty, which leads her characters down destructive paths. An important theme of Romantic literature, and one very present in Frankenstein, is the idea that the progression of industrialization would cause people to become estranged from their inner selves, their identity, and the natural world all around them. (Spielvogel 152) The Movement placed a great deal of emphasis on nature and a glorified past because the Industrial Revolution was destroying nature and creating a gloomy environment. Victor is so immersed in his selfish scientific pursuits that he becomes oblivious to natural beauty all around him, Never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage, but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature. (Shelley 40) Waldmans characterization of scientists penetrating the depths of nature to discover its secrets, draws attention to industry and Sciences attempt to master the natural world, and the disruption of the delicate balance between humankind and nature that had existed in a previous era. (Shelley 33, Damyanov) The early days of the Industrial Revolution held so much promise and potential for improving civilization, but the results were not always so beneficial. Similarly, Victor had noble intentions when he began his research, but a lack of self-restraint meant the outcome was destructive. Shelley was alarmed by the absence of conscience, or awareness of implicit obligation to provide safeguards in scientific creations. (Neal) She was concerned about the long-term effects as Victor/mankind focused on his ability to manipulate nature, and lost sight of the bigger picture. The creation that held so much promise in the beginning, whether it was Shelleys monster or the Industrial Revolutions machines and science, had become a scourge upon society and a threat to its very existence. Shelley issues an eerie warning as the monster threatens the lives of Victors loved ones, Remember that I have poweryou are my creator, but I am the master. (Shelley 152). The countless adaptations of Frankenstein that have been drawn from the original, fail to capture the essence of the story and the societal conflict it addressed. Victor Frankensteins desire to challenge the laws of nature led him down a path of self-destruction. His pursuit of knowledge and glory consumed him as he lost sight of the larger purpose, and lost respect for the natural world. Shelley intended his story to be a lesson to a rapidly changing society. Originally applied to the Industrial Revolution, these same lessons are still appropriate to a contemporary society engaged in a Technological Revolution. Works Cited Bushi, Ruth. The author is become a creator-God (Herder). The deification of creativity  in relation to Frankenstein' October 15, 2002 http://www.kimwoodbridge.com

Hair Removal: What is the Best Way? :: Persuasive Argumentative Essays

Hair Removal: What is the Best Way? Susie really needed to go to the bathroom. She had been enjoying a peaceful slumber until the urge hit. Quickly, Susie threw back the covers and sprinted to the bathroom. She reached for the doorknob and tried to turn it, but it would not budge. Her sister, Caroline, was locked in the bathroom. "Caroline, I really have to go!" "I am sorry , Susie." "Caroline, you really do not understand." "Well, Susie, if you could find a better way to get rid of the hair on my legs, then I would not have to occupy the tub for this long. Until then...leave me alone!!" "Caroline...Caroline?" And with that, Susie gave up. She just decided that she would have to wait another half hour while Caroline finished plucking every single hair from her legs. Caroline had tried many different methods for hair elimination, but she still had not found one that suited her. All techniques of hair removal -- depilatory lotion, laser, wax, soap and water shave, and electric razor -- accomplish the same goal, but they do it in very different ways. However, I feel the best option for hair removal today is the electric razor. Now I will explain each form of hair removal and how they all have advantages, but I will prove why I feel the electric razor method is the best. The first type of hair disrooting is depilatory lotion. It is fairly easy to use, but sometimes the strong odor of the lotion offends users. Consumers simply squeeze a small amount from the bottle and apply it to the designated area. After the lotion has been allowed to penetrate, it is wiped off and the roots of the hair are dissolved. The pain is minimal; usually none occurs unless the user suffers an allergic reaction. If that happens, the fault lies with the consumer. The directions should have been read by the consumer, and a test should have been performed also. The price is moderate; it is not as expensive as a different technique, but there are some methods that are cheaper. A bottle of lotion ranges from $5.00 to $6.00, and it would last for 20 to 25 applications. The effects also last a reasonable length of up to a week. However, the lotion needs to be applied every week to keep the desired effect. The second method of hair removal is lasers.

Memory Keepers Daughter Essay

Truth be told nobody is normal or perfect each and every one of us have our flaws, insecurities and concerns. In The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards argues that . In life, there are many things that we can neither cure nor accept nor overcome; sometimes all it takes is one choice to determine the rest of our lives. One winter night in 1964, a Dr. David Henry makes a decision that will haunt his life forever. On a winter night in 1964, an unusual Kentucky blizzard forces Dr. Henry and his nurse Caroline Gill to deliver his own twins for his wife, Norah. First born is the boy, Paul, who is a visibly perfect baby. Shortly after, the baby girl Phoebe is born and is noticed to have symptoms of Down Syndrome. David cannot accept his baby girl because he does not want his wife to go through the same trauma his mother went through with the death of his little sister due to a heart defect. In a split second, David decides that the girl should be placed in an institution to spare Norah the suffering, and he asks the Caroline, the nurse, to take Phoebe to the institution. After Caroline left the Henry’s house, and seeing the horrible conditions of the institution, Caroline decides to keep the baby and raise Phoebe herself. David then lies to his wife and says that their daughter died at birth. This quick lie David Henry tells his family changes their life forever. The â€Å"death† in the family immediately causes a distance between David and Norah; David becomes infatuated with a camera that Norah bought for him while Norah turns to drinking. The distance between the Henry’s continues to grow even further while David and Norah aspire to do totally different things with their lives. David wants to become a photographer and tries to immerse himself in his work, he tries to ignore the resulting toll it takes on his family by viewing everything through a camera lens, almost†¦ We as people are in general very bias even if you don’t mean to be, you can be bias to the types of foods that you prefer, or to people who may or may not have mental illnesses. Life is filled with things beyond our control, and we must rely on ourselves to discover the link between suffering, joy and acceptance. There will always be thing that we can neither cure nor accept nor overcome; sometimes all it is going to take is one choice to determine the rest of our lives and The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards proves this.

The Ancient Myths about Athena

In his mythology (The Age of Fable: Vols. I II: Stories of Gods and Heroes. 1913), Thomas Bulfinch uses the Roman name Minerva for the Greek goddess Athena. Chapters from Bulfinch that Feature Athena: Chapter 14Arachne and the Weaving Contest With AthenaThe beginning of this chapter details Athenas skills, her special connection with Athens, and her birth from the head of her father Zeus. The chapter goes on to describe a contest between a mortal woman, Arachne, and Athena. It follows with another challenge made by a mortal against a goddess, but the goddess is not Athena.Chapter 15MedusaBulfinch has already identified Athena in the previous chapter, so in this one, Athena is introduced as the goddess challenged by Medusa to a beauty contest. Regardless of who was more beautiful, Athena had to punish Medusa, which she did by turning her into a monster. Then, when the hero Perseus goes off to slay the monster, Athena comes to his assistance by lending him her shield -- the one he uses as a mirror so he can decapitate without being turned to stoneChapter 30Odysseus and AthenaIn this chapter, Bulfinch is describing the adventures of Odysseus. Odysseus has returned to Ithaca but doesn t recognize it until Athena in disguise tells him where he is. The chapter describes Odysseus return to his home where he finds and eventually slays the suitors who have been harassing his wife. Elsewhere in Bulfinch, Athena plays minor roles: Chapter 16Athena invents thunderbolts and deals with the winged horse Pegasus.Chapter 20Theseus blames Athena for abandoning Ariadne and sets up the Panathenaea to honor her.Chapter 2Here Athena helps Prometheus steal fire to give to mankind.Chapter 19Athena and Hermes accompany Hercules to the Underworld.Chapter 7In this chapter, Bulfinch invents a conversation between Aphrodite and her son in which she names Athena as one who defies her.