Friday, October 25, 2019
The Crucible - Thomas Putnam :: Arthur Millers The Crucible
Thomas Putnam plays a major role in the Salem witch hunt in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Inheriting a handsome amount of property makes Putnam a wealthy person; however, it doesn't seem to satisfy his ambition. After the town terribly rejected Putnam's brother-in-law, Bayley, Putnam's bitterness has increased. Finally his prodigious involvement in the relentless accusations places him in the center of the spot light, making him a salient character in both the play and the indignant period of the American history. Â Â Â Â Â Thomas Putnam has a very large part in initiating the Salem witch hunt. He is the first character who blames unnatural causes for the illness among the children. Furthermore, he firmly believes in the existence of 'vengeful spirits layin' hands on these children';(15). 'There is a murderous witch among us,'; he vehemently cries out(16). His action isn't surprising because he has lost seven newborns and his Ruth is sick. He wants to hunt down the witch, but he needs some aid. He lays his eyes on Parris because Parris is the minister and Betty is also ill. Thus, Putnam tries to coerce Parris to witchcraft. 'Declare it yourself,'; Putnam tells Parris, 'you have discovered witchcraft';(16). At this point, Putnam captures everyone's attention, and then he strikes. Â Â Â Â Â Thomas Putnam is behind the accusations toward many people. 'Did you ever see Sarah Good with him,'; he questions Tituba, 'or Osburn?';(46). With fear and panic, Tituba confesses she sees the Devil with them. Sarah Good and Osburn are insignificant in Salem. They certainly don't satisfy Putnam's fastidious demand, so he moves on to the next victim and eventually accuses Rebecca Nurse. 'For murder, she's charged! For the marvelous and supernatural murder of Goody Putnam's babies';(71). Putnam truly stands out of the crowd this time. He is perhaps the only person corrupt enough to accuse Rebecca. Last but not to the least he manipulated his daughter to accuse George Jacobs. Does Putnam simply wants to killed the witches and save the children? No, there is something bigger he is after. Â Â Â Â Â Thomas Putnam profits remarkably in the Salem witch hunt . The person who initiates the event receives all the benefit. Is it a coincident? It is not. Thomas Putnam must have a plan. At the beginning of the play, the argument between Putnam, Giles, and Proctor shows contentions between people over land. 'The tract is in my bounds, it's my bounds, Mr.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Compare and Contrast the “White Public Opinion†Essay
Public opinion is simply the complex of preferences expressed by a significant number of persons on an issue of general importance. Blacks were included in national polls and surveys in numbers reflecting their proportion of the population, but typically these surveys yielded too few respondents to produce valid and reliable findings or to explore opinion differences internal to the black community in terms of such things as gender, class, age or region. Black opinion was seen as a mere derivative, secondary and less important compared to white opinion. Research shows that White Americans are not racist in the old fashioned way; instead they resent or are hostile to blacks because of the whites’ commitment to basic or core American values, particularly individualism. White Americans resist equality in the name of self-reliance, achievement, individual initiative and they do so not merely because the value of individualism provides a socially acceptable pretext but because it provides an integral component of the new racism. It’s a perceived belief that whites are more intelligent and better than blacks, but the problems facing the black community have been ignored, because they feel like the black community is inferior and don’t have anything better to do. So therefore they refuse blacks the resources they need for a good foundation, like education, jobs and so on. The pervasive and deep sense of alienation from and distrust of the American government as well as the deep racial divide between blacks and whites was reflected in public opinion on hurricane Katrina. There is a lack of attention and urgency in handling the problems which are facing the black community, both in the past and present. Another powerful function of the press was to attack and remake the stereotypes and negative characterizations that the white press visited on the community. They see the issues affecting the black community and use it to pass negative comments and judgments against them, Instead of addressing the situation and seeking amends. The mainstream or white media tend to ignore the internal life of the black community, thus the black media serve as a vehicle of intragroup communication and solidarity. The mainstream or mass media gathers and reports news of interest to the mass public, which are mostly middle class whites. Since the 1950’s, content analysis of the mass media has consistently shown that the routine, day-to-day coverage of African Americans is predominantly negative and stereotypical; blacks are portrayed as poor or criminal and they are shown as entertainers or athletes. The fact is that, black Americans have being fighting for equal rights and opportunities for some time, but discrimination against minorities still exist. We have to keep fighting for any changes we want done in our community and take it upon ourselves to transform some of those issues, because the mass media focus on the problems facing the majority of the American problems in the white community.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
I, Being Born A Woman And Distressed Essay
This sonnet of Edna St. Vincent Millay is a literary piece shows many faces and expresses so many meanings. But even if it has many meanings, the general message and meaning is about unrequited love. It expresses overpowering feelings; longing and a desire for a lover. The interesting factor of â€Å"I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed†is the intriguing features of the sonnet conflicting message and desires expressed. Saying that she is â€Å"born a woman and distressed†signifies that she surrenders to such fate that she is of the female gender with its consequent circumstance surrounding women. Followed by the sultry acknowledgement of the â€Å"propinquity†(nearness) of a lover, the sonnet defines what pleasure such nearness brings. The sonnet yearns that the two bodies of the lover be near to each other. It is because such nearness enables the â€Å"fume to clarify the pulse and cloud the mind†, meaning such nearness allows the savoring of their mutual scents. Wherein, it is further expressed that such nearness and feeling of â€Å"undone, possessed†brings them to higher levels of joy. However, the sonnet defends that such extreme happiness of being together does not necessarily mean that it deters rightful reason or thinking as â€Å"stout blood†is â€Å"against my staggering brain†. It is just that such nearness always invoke joyful sojourn and leaves fond memories. Furthermore, such nearness reaffirms the commitment and conviction of love shared and cherished. Nevertheless, amidst all the â€Å"frenzy†, the confusion, the sonnet evoke the inability to truly express in words that could make a reasonable conversation â€Å"when we meet again†. The entire sonnet is a slow mode of rising feelings from the beginning until the conclusion that apparently can leave one expressionless, wordless.  There is a possible paradox wherein the sonnet embody humongous run of feelings and yet could not find the words to say them.  There is also the possible inconsistency that inasmuch as the rise of feelings is joyous, yet, they may not be wanted. Maybe it is because it is so difficult to contain enormous feelings of love and joy, that it might be better not to have the feelings anymore than not being able to contain them. It is like as if the sonnet portrays a lover’s dual role of being â€Å"both [a] winner and [a] loser. It is because there is â€Å"zest†, frenzy†, â€Å"seduction†, â€Å"staggering†. (Hubbard, 1995) The sonnet somehow refers to such incongruent thoughts and paradox to the fact that the feelings and emotions come from a woman – who is not capable of such enormity of feelings. This sonnet explains that â€Å"being born a woman†is not the fault of anyone – thus, it is not anyone’s fault that the subsequent experience and nurturing such passion and joy could not be contained. The ultimate interesting part is that despite all the paradox, the sonnet is convinced that there is complete reason and awareness as to what pleasure such passion and joy beings. The sonnet finally intends to illustrate that even if there is confusion in such situation and such enormity of feelings, it is still right to nurture such feelings. The sonnet confirms that love and passion is a right and it is logical. Reference: Hubbard, Stacy Carson. â€Å"On ‘I Being Born a Woman and Distressed†. 1995            Millay at 100: A Critical Reappraisal            Modern American Poetry            http://www.english.illinois.edu/MAPS/poets/m_r/millay/born.html
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