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Sophocles tells the story about families who have been through generations and years of personal tragedy in his Theban plays. Sophocles plays have a much more intimate approach to tragedy than epics such as The Iliad’s depictions of war, death, or destruction. The importance of interpersonal relationships is highlighted. This reveals the ideals ancient Greeks believed in when it comes to their family life. Antigone, the final play of the saga, is a focus on family interactions and the consequences. Antigone’s events reveal how much importance was attached to respecting family members as well as elders in the community. Relationships like those between Ismene with her deceased brothers, Creon to Haemon, Creon to Teiresias are all examples of how the Greeks valued family respect.

Antigone’s rich history with Oedipus is key to understanding the play’s character dynamics. Even characters who don’t appear onstage often provide evidence of close family relationships. Antigone made the tragic decision at play’s opening to remember her brothers Polyneices as well as Eteocles. Antigone refuses Creon’s orders because she cannot believe her brother Polyneices should be buried unburied. She is a loving and respectful brother to both her brothers (162, line 23). Antigone feels confident in her actions, even though she is not sure what the consequences will be of her decision. She claims, “I’ll be a criminal-but I will be religious.” (164. Lines 71-74; 89). This sentiment is a testimony to the influence of the cultural idea of respecting and honoring one’s relatives, especially since the gods value this ideal.

You can also see the influence of Antigone’s family history and that of Polyneices. Due to the incestuous union Oedipus/Jocasta has made it socially unacceptable for her family to be insecure about their honor. Antigone most likely sees her family with an “us-versus-them” mentality. Thus, the notion that she defends her tribe, sect or team, is given more credibility. Antigone also feels that Polyneices should not be blamed for his capture of Thebes. After all, Eteocles was Polyneices’ elder son. Sophocles admired and implicitly accepted Antigone’s burial in Polyneices.

Although it raises questions about what familial respect looks like, the relationship of Antigone and Ismene highlights the importance family bonds. Antigone strongly feels that she has a duty to Polyneices and to show him respect. Antigone’s venomous response to Ismene’s opposition is harsh. Antigone’s feeling of responsibility for her brother outweighs any respect she may have for Ismene in this instance. Antigone, even when she is arrested, refuses Ismene’s offer of self sacrifice because Ismene didn’t want to take the risk. This shows that Ismene and Antigone aren’t deserving the respect they deserve.

Antigone dismisses Ismene’s attitude as cowardly but she sees it as a beautiful example of love and devotion for her sister. Ismene claims she is not trying to honor her brothers, but her nature makes it impossible for her to defy the law. Antigone is her concern, and she must end her protests. Her feelings are valued and emulated by Sophocles’s depiction of Ismene, who is described as a kind and sympathetically shy character. She is deeply in love with her sister, and she pleads for Antigone to execute her alongside her in memory of Polyneices. (182, line 48). Although her devotion to her family is quite different from Antigone’s bold actions in the past, it undoubtedly supports the importance of family in ancient Greece.

Creon and his relationship with Haemon make up the other family dynamics of Antigone. Haemon’s opening lines indicate that he abides to society’s code for respecting elders and family. Haemon is even willing to leave his bride in an act that demonstrates total submission. The dialogue between Creon and Haemon shows that Creon’s son isn’t as submissive after all. Haemon raises concerns about Creon’s sentencing Antigone. However, he is able to keep his objections in line with the accepted level familial respect. Instead of expressing his disapproval in private terms, Haemon frames it as the opinion of Thebes’ common man. Because Creon’s success is dependent on Creon’s contentedness, Haemon says, “Nothing that I own, father, I value more than your success” (188 lines 700-701). Haemon clearly feels a primal urge to be respectful of his father, in spite of the differences between father and son.

It is important to recall that Haemon was going to marry Antigone, and that they had forged a close familial bond. When justice and other personal issues are taken into consideration, parental respect is only possible. Haemon feels that to accept his father’s decision and to not respect Antigone’s sacrifices would be to disrespect Antigone. Creon’s treatment of his son is very stoic. Sophocles uses Creon’s disinterestedness for his family as a didactic tool. Creon will suffer the most from Sophocles’s mistreatment. These are the consequences of disrespecting your family.

Elders are considered family-like in the sense that they deserve respect. This is why the elders play an integral part in Antigone. The chorus is made up of elders from Theban who have constant discussions with the main characters about their problems. The ruler is proud of the views of this chorus made up of ordinary citizens. Creon asks the chorus whether they will accept his orders (thus showing some deference). The chorus responds that there is “no one so foolish to love their own death” (196, line 220). Creon asks the chorus what it should do in light of Teiresias’s prophecy. The chorus responds by showing even more respect. Creon’s actions are too late in this instance. The wise chorus clearly gives the right advice. In several cases, Creon or Antigone may ignore moral judgements or disregard the advice of the chorus. Creon’s plan to die is pursued unabated by the chorus in 184 line 574, as he warns Creon. These situations are a reminder of the importance to obey elders’ wisdom.

Antigone’s final elder, Teiresias the blind seeker, must be respected. Teiresias serves as both an elder and prophet to Thebes. Creon, an egotistical head, respects his talents and says so (189 line 993). Teiresias makes a shockingly accurate prediction about what Creon’s decision was to do with Polyneices. Creon may argue briefly with the Seer, but eventually yields his wisdom. Tragically though, those few minutes of disagreement may be all that is needed to save Antigone (and thus Haemon). Creon’s disrespect of elders is another grave problem.

Sophocles is clear in his endorsement of respect in Greek society through Antigone. The fate-determining factor is respect for family and elders. Antigone and Haemon might die, but Creon is the one who suffers the most. Antigone is therefore a tragedy that exhorts people to live lives of honor and respect.

Table of Contents

An opening statement

My Father is my favorite person.

In conclusion,

An opening statement

When I think of the person I admire most, many names come to mind. My sister, mother and some of my best friends. I was even tempted to write about Steve Jobs. His vision of the world changed everything. I decided to write a tribute to a man who I greatly respect and has influenced. My father has been my inspiration since day one. It is his personality and outlook that have shaped my character. His personal impact is also significant. I am inspired by his dedication to helping stray pets. My father taught me how to love through the gift of a rose that he gives my mother every day. This love and consistency inspires us all to treat others the same. My father has taught me everything I know about cars and sports. This is why I want to become a banker. This is why I want to tell you about the many personal characters that he has made me a better person.

My father is the one I like best. However, I am convinced that my father is the best. This conviction is not just based on his love, but also because of who he is. My father is the director of Institute of Improving Qualification, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Personnel. He is very disciplined in all areas of his life. He taught me how to keep my head straight no matter what I do. My mother always laughs at his silly antics. He is a very silly person and I love it when he’s with his family. He is a good listener and tries to please us all, but he can also be strict when it is necessary.

My third love is his ability to keep his family safe and open. He is open to our conversations and we can share anything without being judged. This has made it easier for us to not lie, as I’ve seen with friends.

Fourth, my father is very compassionate towards animals because of his deep love. He is extremely religious and generous. My father has never misbehaved with his elders, which makes it all the more inspiring to me. He is kind, gentle, and very peaceful. He is not one to get into arguments with others. He is actually helpful and willing to help any person who needs it. He is always polite to let you know if he cannot help. My favorite trait is politeness. He believes words can change the world and does not want his words to touch the hearts of others.

My father is also the person I love most in my entire life. While he may be busy all day, he still thinks of us. Although we have our problems, we resolve them as a family. He was also very careful to ensure the happiness of all members of his family and that they live in harmony. We can sink to the bottom of our boots if things go wrong.

My father, on the other hand, is unparalleled. He is calm and patient, even though he will make no grunts or groans. He made so many sacrifices for us that I realized how much he would never return. My father encourages me to excel in every area of life. My father is always there to help me when I’m feeling discouraged or need advice.

He taught me that you sometimes have to prioritize the needs of others over your own. But not so much that they can take advantage of you. His determination and strength are unbreakable, even during difficult times. He is a man I admire for his courage and determination to stand up for the things he believes in. His openness, compassion, and understanding are all things I admire. He is a reserved man with a great sense to humor.

My father is a man of distinction. He is a man of great principles. I am proud of him. He is honest and brave. He won’t be a stranger to the truth, no matter what it may cost him.

I also love him. He is hardworking. He believes that the most busy man has the most leisure. This belief is proven in his life. He is an extremely busy man, but he always makes time for us to go on outings. He enjoys writing poetry and travelogues, which he writes when he has the time. He enjoys writing about the places he visits when we are on holiday or an excursion. It is a pleasure to read his travel writing.

He’s also passionate about reading. He is very particular about keeping his books tidy. These books can look new and can be purchased in well-known book cafes. He’s strict and will only allow me to read his book if they’re clean. He is known for his discipline. He is punctual and sticks to his timetable. He insists on me being punctual and on time.

My father enjoys different sports, and he encourages friends to do the same. Many people struggle with getting up at the proper time. For him, this is not a problem. He wakes up early and does not stay awake until the early hours of the morning. This is his way of keeping himself healthy. My father is the man I go to for advice whenever I have a question. Children tend to be more close to their mothers and share their secrets more often with them. In my case, it’s different. My father is my confidante and I always run to him when I have questions. He is able to see the big picture and calm down my crazy thoughts. I can ask him if I’m having a fight or if I need to focus on my studies or if I’m having trouble choosing the right co-curricular activities. He has a great understanding of me, is extremely knowledgeable and also very worldly. His advice takes into consideration both my personality and his own experiences.

Final thoughts. I can sum up that I admire many people, but my father is the one I admire most. My father is the best person to know what is best. He is the one and only person that matters to me. I don’t see any reason to live my life without him. He is the one who guides me through my childhood, offers me advice, supports me in all things, and always helps me. My father is a true superhero. He is a master of both professional and personal management. It amazes me every day. My father was always tougher no matter what the circumstances were. I would love to be like him. My life would be much easier if I could inherit 10% of his wealth. Therefore, I will make every effort to ensure my father receives the best treatment once I’m done with school and begin working. In all areas of my life, I will try to be like him. Because i will never have another father in my lifetime, I will always be grateful to my father.

My literacy event analysis focuses on how I am able write about something I care deeply about. My life has been enriched by Lacrosse and it is the main reason I chose Wheaton College. Lacrosse is something I love. This essay is about lacrosse culture. I analyze insidelacrosse.com’s input on today’s lacrosse issues. I analyzed their concerns and the conversations they had about large lacrosse topics.

I was looking through the fan forum and noticed one issue that stood out to me. It was all about Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) expansion to Atlanta. They intend to induct a new Atlanta team and re-draft their league. The MLL has eight teams currently. Atlanta expansion would bring it to 9. Lacrosse is now a major sport in the northeastern United States, New York, Delaware, Colorado. These areas have many lacrosse stars and are a great place to watch the sport. Florida Launch was just the last MLL team that was expanded. The team has been struggling to make money. The Northeast is not as fond of lacrosse in the south. My opinion is that the league should not be expanded to Atlanta. If they have a significant impact on their team, MLL players can earn around $20,000 Florida Launch doesn’t allow players to earn that much money. These same problems are likely to be experienced by the Atlanta team. In addition to not bringing in enough revenue, players and their colleagues will be cut off. It will result in a loss of chemistry among players, as well as a change in the way lacrosse is played. It is not right to expand MLL and put a team in Atlanta. When playing lacrosse, there’s a certain language that the players use to communicate with one another and fully understand each other. It can be very confusing for those who are not familiar with the conversation. One example of these slang terms is “Tilt.” This refers to how tilted your helmet. Tilt refers to how tilted your helmet is towards the ground. Tilt is good for you. It makes you more intimidating and will make you seem like a very good player. Tilt has been a key component in lacrosse’s safety. A helmet that is not properly fitted can lead to a player with good tilt. Officials and doctors are becoming more aware of lacrosse players who have concussions from the way they wear helmets. Some teams have hired professionals to fix their helmets. The tilt of my high school team was not what I expected. I also did this, but many players do it to improve their tilt. This topic was very much discussed on the lacrosse fan forum. Many players felt that it was safer to be intimidating and tilt than to be safe. Unfortunately, they were right. Tilt has been an integral part lacrosse.

The new collegiate shot-clock rule was also a topic of great discussion. The rule stipulates that officials will begin a 30-second shot clock if a team stalls in shooting the ball to try and score. Before this rule, most teams just held the ball and did not attempt to score. A team must score within the 30 second time limit set by the officials. This topic received mixed responses. Some people agreed that the rule was fair and would make close games more interesting. The losing team would have more chances for a tie or winning. Some fans feel this rule diminishes the game’s originality. Many teams with close games were able to keep the ball in their hands and run the clock. The shot clock was useless because it allowed the losing teams to pressure the person who was carrying and to regain possession for their team. I don’t like the shotclock rule. The defense of the losing team should try to pressurize the offense to take back possession. The defense should wait for the shot clock turn on and then start playing defense. It reduces the excitement inherent in lacrosse.

Lacrosse is a passion of mine and I could easily talk for hours about it. It is difficult for many people to understand the terminology involved in lacrosse, so it was interesting and exciting for me to discuss this topic with others on the insidelacosse.com fan forums. Everyone understood my explanations so I didn’t need to make it more complicated. Tilt, shot clock rules, expansions, tilts and lacrosse types. Lacrosse has been an integral part of our lives and we have made significant strides. It is quite different from the normal way people talk to lacrosse players. This holds true for many other sports. This unit helped me to see the differences and cultural language barriers that surround us.

Anne Frank once stated that “All of us live with the objective to be happy. We all face difficult situations such as death, divorce, foreclosure, and other circumstances.” But in the end, all that matters is our happiness. Even if you have to forgive the person who made it difficult. Cherry Valance is a wealthy and well-off Soc who has to deal with the tragic death of her boyfriend.

Movies don’t usually make people change their lives. Cherry Valance was a victim of this. Cherry would not have spoken to Greasers had her boyfriend not died. Let me just start at the top. Cherry and Marcia, Cherry’s friend, plan to take their boyfriends to the movies. The men get into a major fight when the boys bring alcohol. A Greaser boy group shows up just a few minutes later. After getting into an argument, Cherry, Marcia, and the Greaser girl group befriend the rest. The boys offer to drive them home towards the end. They accept the offer, which is the girls’ error. Halfway through the houses, Cherry’s and Marcias’ blue Mustangs roll up. The boys are furious that their girlfriends have been seen with dirty Greasers. Bob stated, “And even though you are mad about us, that doesn’t mean that there is any reason to go walking on the streets alongside these bums.” (45). Things began to decline from there. Cherry, Pony, and their backgrounds may be different, but they soon realize they aren’t as different. Let’s go back to the beginning. Cherry and Pony met at the movies. They quickly get to know one another and start to talk. It is quite funny that they are able to watch the same sunset. They decide that maybe they live in two different worlds. Cherry tells her boyfriend before she leaves that “some people watch the sunset also” (46). Johnny kills Bob, protecting Pony, later in book. They hide. After being safe to return home, they discover that the fire had set off a church, which was full of children. Ponyboy is a good friend to Johnny. Johnny is nearly to die from severe injuries sustained in the rescue mission. Cherry struggles to forgive Johnny, despite the fact that nobody has been charged with fleeing police. Pony was upset that Pony wouldn’t be going to Johnny’s house, but she realized that it was difficult all around and said “Can you see sunset real good from West Side?” Cherry then blinked, looked startled, and smiled. “Real Good.” “You can also see it from East Side,”” (130).

It can be difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you, or someone near you. It is easier to hold grudges than to forgive someone. Cherry struggles throughout the book with forgiveness and holding grudges against Johnny. She stated, “But it was impossible for me to look at the man who killed him.” (168) This shows that she has difficulty allowing Johnny to kill Bob. But she eventually forgives the Greasers. Ponyboy as well as his friends will be able to see that she has forgiven them. They want to be helped. She doesn’t need to warn them. She could be more helpful if she didn’t, since she is supposed to be on Soc’s side. But, she turns neutral as she forgives Greasers. She doesn’t want any more people to be killed or injured. Cherry discovers that it is okay to forgive people, regardless of past mistakes, and that they do not need to be defined by their past.

Cherry Valance feels protected by her privilege and wealth. But after suffering the pain of her boyfriend’s death, she learns that it is not always a bad thing to be different. Because she decides to become neutral rather than staying with the Soc, she is one her most memorable characters. Despite the horrible and depressing situations she faces, she eventually realizes that it is possible to put aside our differences and become good friends.

Loving my self is an important part of my life. This is because I’m able to learn about myself. Loving my self has been a major part of me life. Even if I never loved myself, it was a part of my life. It was not easy to be able love oneself. It had been hard for me to love myself after I experienced low self-esteem. Also, I felt like an outsider. Every person at one time in their lives needs to love themselves. It is because of this that I believe self-love is one joyous thing in life.

Being happy with your self is a key to being able to love and accept others. It wasn’t possible for me to feel the same way as others. This meant that I needed to expect society to be like me. For example, uniforms were required for elementary school. I wore dresses as well, just like girls. I didn’t see myself as pretty as the girls in their dresses. I thought that I didn’t live up to my “expectations”. It wasn’t my expectations, it was society expectations. I tried to achieve them all the time. I would follow the example of others. I was a middle schooler and would read social media. It said, “It helps me think and it doesn’t stress my shoulders when you worry about what other people think.” This meant to me that I should dress as I wanted without thinking. While it is possible to take it in any other way, that was not my choice. Low self-esteem teenagers find middle school hard. I found middle school difficult because of the bullying. I hated seeing others get upset by stupid things. I realized that I wanted help and started to offer compliments. It had a positive effect on other people when they learned to love and accept themselves. They would ask me how my day was and I’d get back compliments that made it easier to love me for who I am. My teen years have taught me that socializing is essential for self-love. You can discover your true self and potential by getting to know others. Ask someone how they are doing. Then, have a conversation. Be open to listening and showing love. Positive feedback can be received by being positive. I have received positive feedback and respect from caring people. You can achieve happiness by being happy. Your presence can bring happiness to others by accepting yourself. It was easy to see how my day runs so smoothly once I started to love myself. Loving oneself is powerful and can also be a positive influence on others. I believe that everyone should love themselves wholeheartedly.

What is loyalty? Loyalty to friends, family, or oneself is what defines loyalty. Although the analysis of Long John Silver, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island character, is interesting and complex, it can also be subjective. Silver exhibits many leadership-oriented and charismatic traits. However, does this make him loyal? What happens when someone has bad intentions but still remains loyal? This is a difficult dilemma to grasp. We tend to think of faithfulness as a positive goal, but it isn’t always true. Treasure Island is all about loyalty to a cause. But Silver was only loyal himself. The determination of Long John Silver to find treasure proved loyalty to himself.

Long John Silver is a shrewd man, but his greed keeps him focused on his goals. It’s easy to see how Long John Silver has managed to conceal his true identity for many days. Jim then accidentally hears the pirates express their rebellion for mutiny. Silver fooled Dr. Livesey and Jim until that moment. Jim recalls that “It was Silver’s voice, and I didn’t hear a dozen words before I could show myself to the world. Instead, I lay there, trembling, listening, in extreme fear and curiosity. For, in those twelve words, it became clear that the lives and safety of all honest men aboard depended upon me alone.” (Stevenson 99). A group of illegal pirates could be controlled by the mutineer-leader for several weeks. These actions could be motivated by his passion for something else. He is driven by his selfishness. Silver will kill honest, good-hearted men like Tom Reruth. He shows that he is focused on his goals and doesn’t show any culpability. This mutineer might have an immediate need for the treasure. However, his inability to determine how much wealth he has over others may indicate that he is greedy. Long John Silver is determined to attain riches. Silver’s honor is sacrificed to take a piece of the jewels. This happens even close to the book’s end. Long John Silver’s resolve to accomplish precarious tasks is constant. However, relationships are rarely in Long John Silver’s way. One pirate said that he liked that boy now. He was the best boy I have ever seen. He is a far better person than any of you who are present in this house. Silver described Jim as a teenager but more manly than any mutineers. Long John Silver doesn’t want to let this love slip, even though it seems sincere. Although he will physically hurt Jim, he won’t do it emotionally. Although Long John Silver may be fond of Jim, he doesn’t let it stop him from following his narrow, one-way path.

Long John is so strongly committed to winning the treasure that he only holds his own survival in high regard. Silver’s personal mantra is “Dooty Is Dooty” which states that any responsibility you have is your obligation and must be fulfilled in all circumstances. It doesn’t matter to what lengths you need to go to accomplish this goal. Success is indisputable. Silver’s life is at risk if he doesn’t want it to be. This is yet another testament to Silver’s selfishness and insatiable concern for his own wealth and life. Jim Hawkins didn’t say these words after Silver switched sides from the mutineers to the honest man. To ensure his safety, he does this. Silver is not described as being generous or greedy. This would be a disruption to the whole plot. Long John Silver is self-sufficient, which drives his character and drives the storyline. Silver would have no motivation to commit deceit or murder if it wasn’t for his present sense of rapacity. Long John Silver’s success can be attributed to greed. But this is not true of all life.

Loyalty can be subjective and relative. Loyalty can be viewed from multiple perspectives (ethically and socially) in order to determine its value. Long John Silver may be considered loyal only to him. He might not be loyal to his fellow mutineers or peers, but that’s all relative. Long John Silver is loyal to his own mindset. Silver’s ultimate success at stealing treasure is down to his greed. In the end, it was proven that greedy and pre-determined thinking can make you succeed.

It was a dark and snowy night for Liesel Meminger (the six-year old book thief), as she traveled by train with her mother to Munich. This is where Liesel will be placed with her brother and taken into foster care. Liesel dreamt about Hitler during a train ride. He smiles at Liesel as he speaks at a rally. He greets her in broken German, but she wakes up from a dream before he can reply. Werner is still asleep when his mother wakes up. Death then takes Werner’s spirit. They get out of the train when it stops. Two train guards argue about Werner’s body. Two days later, gravediggers bury Werner’s body. Liesel searches for her brother’s remains, but her mother carries her away. Liesel then steals a book from a cemetery to help her get back on the train.

Liesel is surrendered to the foster-care authorities in Munich. Liesel is taken to Himmel street. Himmel is the German word for heaven. Her foster parents reside in this city. Her foster parents’ names were Rosa Huberman & Hans Hubermann. The women are described as short-tempered and squat. Hans, her husband, is tall and quiet, who also rolls his own cigarettes. Hans finally persuades Liesel to leave the car after she arrives at her house. A crowd forms on the other side of the street, while liesel continues to refuse to get out of her car. Rosa curses the group and tells them that they should be careful. Liesel had only one suitcase, containing clothing, and the Grave Diggers Handbook. Death tells Liesel that she will steal many books. A hidden Jew will make two of them. Liesel arrives at her new house very hungry. Liesel is very hungry when she arrives at her new home. Rosa, a book describes her as loving Liesel but being harsh to her. Rosa shouts at Liesel a lot and even calls her a dog for not taking a hot bath. Hans is kinder to Liesel, though. He is an accordian and house painter.

He shows Liesel how to light a cigar. As time passes, Liesel starts to call her foster parents Mama and Papa. Liesel had nightmares about the brother nearly every night during the first month she lived with her parents. She would wet her bed from nightmares.

In a few sentences, I’ll describe Exterminate All The Brutes: One Man’s Odyssey Into Darkness & the Origins of European Genocide. It was written by Sven Lindqvist. Exterminate ALL the Brutes’ primary purpose is to give advice on genocide. The book explains that human beings have tried to eradicate the lower classes from the beginning of history to the holocaust. They are also noted for the country’s political and economic development. The book’s key message is that superiority leads those in power to believe they can exterminate people who are not like them or have lower social standards. However, this is not the case. The Europeans possessed superiority that was evident in their minds, while the rest was subordinate to them. To support their belief in their superiority, they used scientific discovery and biological reasons. As you can see in the book Exterminate ALL the brutes: One Man’s Odyssey in the Heart of Darkness&the Origins of European Genocide, Sven Lindqvist used the simple adaptation of European plants and animals to the climates of Australia. The hardiness of Australian plants and American animals in Europe as justification. White supremacy was seen as a means of giving the rest a better life, a life that was similar to theirs. It was as if the white superior race had nearly civilized all the other races on Earth. It is fascinating to see where the expression “exterminate ALL the brutes” comes from. Lindqvist also connects the concepts of “spreading civilisation” and “exterminating ALL the brutes” within the colonialism project. Kurtz, the protagonist in Heart of Darkness, first mentioned Exterminate all the Brutes. He was the first to mention it. Kurtz saw firsthand the cruelty that is being shown to natives. Europeans believe they are more advanced and civilized than others and colonize countries that have not yet been developed to spread civilization. Capitalist Europeans exploit others for profit. The book also shows the link between racism and ideology of progress.

Carl Sagan, author of “The Fine Art of Baloney Detection”, contemplates the possibility of a supernatural reunion. Carl Sagan believes that he can feel the same connection with his deceased parents. It is not the death of loved ones that we can’t accept, but it is what we must do. Humans make the mistake of not acknowledging that we have lost someone or that they are gone forever.

Sagan includes other scholars who are in agreement with his points to emphasise the point even more. Sagan doesn’t believe mediums can channel spirits from the deceased. He knows that there are many fraudulent mediums out there who will trick people into believing their loved ones will communicate with them in the afterlife. J. C. Knight, a scholar, allegedly channels Rathma (35,000 years old). Because Knight must be telling the truth, he won’t believe anybody else than Knight. His argument is that if the deceased were really speaking to us, why wouldn’t we get verifiable data? Alexander the Great doesn’t give us his burial location. John Wilkes Booth should tell us the story of Lincoln’s assassination. He believes people want the mediums to be true because it would mean life after death or immortality. B. S. Haldane, a British scientist, suggested a type of immortality known as “Consolation of Haldane”. He saw a future where the stars will go dark and space will be filled by a thin, cold gas. This gas will over time fluctuate in its density. The fluctuations will create a universe that is very similar to ours over “immense amounts of time” (Haldane pg2). The Universe will have infinitely many reconstitutions if it is infinitely long. This would mean that there will be infinitely many appearances of stars and planets in the Universe. Life would also appear on an infinite amount of galaxies. Sagan said that, if such a thing happened, he would still be able to see the parents over and again. But, he doesn’t feel it’s as comforting than religion. However, if we can’t recall our previous lives, how will we be able to remember the next? Sagan informs the reader that his parents have died and that he hopes they are still alive somewhere. He wonders where his parents are. Sometimes he dreams about them and then wakes up to grieve. He understands the reason someone would visit a graveyard and speak to them like they are there.

More than a third believe they have communicated with the dead on some level. He stated that scientists receive a “baloney detector kit” as part of their training. The kit contains baloney tests that will determine if the idea is valid. However, this does not guarantee acceptance. Some tools confirm facts independently. You should encourage discussion among experts. You may have to come up with multiple hypotheses, as yours could be stronger or disproven. You don’t have to be attached to a particular hypothesis. It doesn’t matter if it is true, because other people will. Quantify the evidence so that it can be compared and contrasted with other hypotheses. Sagan would love to see evidence of life after death presented to him, but that data must be scientifically backed up and not based on personal experiences or accounts. Sagan encourages us not to believe everything we see or hear from others.

Elizabeth Bishop concludes her poem “One Art” by writing, “It is evident the art and science of losing’s not too difficult / though that may seem like… tragedy.” Although there are many symbolic and literal forms of loss in “One Art,” the one that stands out most in Bishop’s poetry, it is the loss time. Both “In the Waiting Room” (and “At the Fishhouses”) show the connection between personal growth and the passing of time. This essay will examine the many ways Bishop uses imagery over time to show maturity and growth.

Although these poems were published first in 1947, “At Fishhouses” uses imagery similar to that of “In the Waiting Room” in which it depicts seasons and age. The poems begin in a similar fashion. The speaker of “At Fishhouses” says “Although It is Cold Evening, / Down by One of the Fishhouses / An Old Man Sits Netting,” which suggests winter, the season that is death. The image of an elderly man out in cold reiterates this. The speaker of The Waiting Room is a young Bishop. She begins her speech by speaking very plainly about her surroundings. It was dark early. It got dark / early. Her narrative shifts quickly between childhood and adulthood. This gives the reader a strong sense her childish stream and the desire to be free from the waiting room. . . “Back, behind and begin / the dignified firs tall.” They are a result of seedlings. The fact that they are both metaphorically and literally behind the speaker suggests that the trees are much older than them. The description of water is similar in tone to the last stanza “In the waiting room,” when Elizabeth states “Outside” that “…were night, slush, and cold/and it was still the fifth/of February 1918.” Although she is six years old, she is aware of the growth, being, understanding, and understanding of adults. The “At The Fishhouses’ line suggests that Elizabeth is in control of her life. But the “In the Waiting Room”, last line represents a return to reality.

The most striking difference between the poems is their childishness. The main difference between the poems is the presence of childishness. In “In The Waiting Room,” Elizabeth, young, moves between childhood and adulthood using her language. First, she notes how long it has taken her to find her aunt. Then, in childlike fashion, she tells the reader that her memories of moving her eyes from the science section with the volcano, to the section with horses, to the culture section with naked women leads her to be shocked into adulthood by images of a new world. Her aunt’s voice is heard as she urges her into becoming a woman immediately after she has seen the picture of the woman with her “horrifying breasts”.

Young Elizabeth cannot accept the fact that “At the Fishhouses”, a world-wide acceptance of her role, was established years later. While she was certain that nothing would happen, or that anything could be stranger, she thinks back to her childhood and contemplates her future birthday. However, this momentous change ultimately has a lasting impression: she can’t help but wonder how it happened that she would become a woman. The adult speaker of “At the Fishhouses”, although she may not be capable of answering this question, does illustrate the fact that something holds us all together, and that adulthood is something that must be accepted.

“In the Waiting Room” as well as “At the Fishhouses”, both show the link between personal growth and the passage of time. The first shows how this connection can be temporary, while the second shows how it can eventually be accepted. Although they may have different perspectives, both examine the many ways Bishop uses imagery in poetry to show growth and maturity.