10 Interpretation of Jose Rizal’s Poem Essay

1. Mi Ultimo Adios He adores the beautiful country that he and others are fighting for. He wants his fellowmen to pray for others who also have died and suffered for the country. In the last part of Mi Ultimo Adios, he said â€Å"In Death there is rest!† which means that he, being ready to be executed, is happy to die in peace. 2. Himno Al Trabajo He states that the Lipeà ±os will always be willing to work hard for the country. The men encourage others to farm. The wives, are taking care of the household chores and educating their children. The children yearn for the adults to teach them on how to work productively. 3. Awit ni Maria Clara In this poem it expresses the love for the native land. The experience of living in one’s own country to the comforts felt from a mother’s presence. 4. Sa aking mga kabata This poem tries to awaken the Filipino Youth, to love our country and respect people. It also tells the significant role of the youth for the betterment of the country. 5. Our Mother Tongue This poem talks about love and taking pride of one’s own language to acquire a sense of freedom and identity. 6. My Retreat He describes the surroundings of his place of exile in Dapitan. He reminisce his past, and he mention his desire returning home. 7. To the Virgin Mary It tells the gratitude for whatever we have is a powerful prayer or calling. 8. Kundiman This poem shows a person’s love for his country and delivers a message of hope to his countrymen. 9. Education Gives Luster to Motherland He describes that education makes a country more beautiful. He mentions that it is a Christian education that always endures. 10. Goodbye to Leonor He wrote this poem as a goodbye, to Leonor Rivera for his departure to Europe.

Mark Twain, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay

In the novel by Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the two main characters, Huck and Jim, are strongly linked. Their relation is portrayed by various sides, some of them good and some others bad. But the essential interest of that relation is the way that uses the author to describe it. Even if he had often been misunderstood, Twain always implied a message behind the themes developed around Huck and Jim. The first encounter between Huck Finn and Jim is at the beginning of the book, when Huck’s friend, Tom Sawyer, tries to fool Jim, Miss Watson’s slave. Huck and Jim still don’t know each other, but Huck isn’t biased against the old slave. It’s an important point because, as racism was a widely held mentality in the South, we can learn that that young boy was more open-minded than most people there. Later, they find themselves in the same situation. As they were escaping from the civilized world, they take refuge in the Jackson’s Island, on the Mississippi river. Huck is running away from a bad father and Jim has leaved Miss Watson because he didn’t want to be sold to New Orleans. Look more:  huck finn chapter 20 essay Soon after joining Jim on the island, Huck begins to realize that Jim has more talents and intelligence than Huck has been aware of. Jim knows â€Å"all kinds of signs† about the future, people’s personalities, and weather forecasting. Huck finds this kind of information necessary as he and Jim drift down the Mississippi on a raft. As important, Huck feels a comfort with Jim that he has not felt with the other major characters in the novel. With Jim, Huck can enjoy the best aspects of his earlier influences. Jim’s meaning to Huck changes as they proceed through their adventure. He starts out as an extra person just to take on the journey, but they transform into a friend. â€Å"It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger. â€Å"(chap. XV) Huck tries to squeal on Jim but can’t because he remembers that Jim called him â€Å"de bes’ fren’ I ever had;†¦ de on’y white genlman dat ever kep’ his promise to ole Jim. â€Å"(chap. XVI) Huck realizes that he can not turn Jim in since they both act as runaway outcasts on the river. The support they have for each other sprouts friendship. As does the Widow, Jim allows Huck security, but Jim is not as confining as is the Widow. Like Tom Sawyer, Jim is intelligent but his intelligence is not as intimidating or as imaginary as is Tom’s. As does Pap, Jim allows Huck freedom, but he does it in a loving, rather than an uncaring, fashion. Thus, early, in their relationship on Jackson’s Island, Huck says to Jim, â€Å"This is nice. I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else but here. † This feeling is in marked contrast with Huck’s feelings concerning other people in the early part of the novel where he always is uncomfortable and wishes to leave them. The lack of comfort is also shared by Jim. As a slave, he truly feels like an outcast. Considering the context of the United States at that period, during the slavery conflict, we easily understand the situation of Jim. And one of the main ideas of this Mark Twain’s masterpiece deals with a multiracial couple’s story. The relationship between black and white was hardly accepted in the 1830’s. Such an adventure, two male characters, with opposite colour of skin, striking up a friendship, was considered as a provocation by the society. The author knows that very well and will try, through his two heroes, to denounce the drifting of the Nation. Irony is his main weapon against that obscurantism. He uses it as often as possible. For instance, on chapter XIV, Huck tries to explain to Jim why a Frenchman is a man, even if he speaks differently. The ironical feature comes from the fact that this black slave doesn’t understand the equality of all people, whereas himself isn’t considered equal by the white. Besides, another ironical aspect is that we think first, in that chapter, that the white boy will civilize the black man whereas we’ll discover further that it is the contrary. First person brings the reader a more innocent side of the story, so the reader feels more compassion for the small boy. The symbolic image falls into play between Huck and Jim, â€Å"†¦ en trash is what people is dat puts dirt on de head er dey fren’s en makes ’em ashamed†¦ â€Å"(chap. XV), this made Huck open his eyes for the first time in his life. Jim for the first time shows feelings for Huck and lets him know you don’t treat people who care for you like â€Å"trash†. This makes Huck aware that Jim means more to him than just someone’s slave, he now considers him a true friend. Next, Huck finally sees Jim’s loyalty toward him, â€Å"†¦ so Jim he said he would stand the first half of it for me†¦ â€Å"(chap. XX), keeping a special watch not waking him on his turn, â€Å"†¦ I went to sleep, and Jim didn’t call me when it was my turn†¦ â€Å"(chap. XXIII). Even the little things like not waking Huck, show more than just an undying friendship. The symbolism of a grown man and a child had more effect instead of having two grown men, because a child needs a father figure. Jim fit the description and perfectly provided that for him. The mutual affection between Huck and Jim will even lead them to sorts of sacrifices. When Huck discovers that Jim has been captured, Huck must decide whether to turn in Jim and tell Miss Watson, or accept going to hell. He finally chooses â€Å"hell† when he says, â€Å"I took it [letter to Miss Watson] up, and held it in my hand. I was a-trembling, because I’d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. I studied a minute†¦ and then says to myself: ‘All right, then, I’ll go to hell,’ and tore it up. â€Å"(chap. XXXI) Huck’s sacrifice for his friend Jim, a man he has come to view as a father, forces Huck to accept a life of everlasting pain and anguish. In reality, Huck’s sacrifice is a noble and uncharacteristic achievement, allowing Huck to unknowingly be bound for heaven. Jim’s sacrifice, although small in his own mind, is in fact one of the bravest sacrifices made throughout this book. For example, after Tom gets shot in the leg, Jim displays his concern for Tom as he says, â€Å"No, sah-I doan’ budge a step out’n dis place ‘dout a doctor; not if it’s forty year! † Despite all of the racist and harsh tricks Tom has played on Jim, Jim risks his life to save his â€Å"friend. † Rather than abandon Tom, Jim is willing to risk his freedom to save Tom’s life. Moreover, as Jim makes this brave sacrifice, Huck thinks to himself, â€Å"I knowed he was white inside. â€Å"(chap. XL) Through Jim’s sacrifice for Tom, Huck discovers that all men, including blacks, are in fact equal. Huck no longer looks down upon Jim as a â€Å"nigger,† but rather as an equal human being. Lastly, the doctor describes Jim’s heroic sacrifice to the Phelps and tells them that, â€Å"He ain’t a bad nigger†¦ and I never see a nigger that was a better nuss or faithfuler, and yet he was risking his freedom to do it [save Tom]. â€Å"(chap.XLII) Jim risked his freedom to save an insolent, racist white boy who had treated him, not as an equal, but as an inferior, unequal nigger. Jim’s sacrifice is clearly an act of bravery far more heroic than the sacrifice Huck made earlier in the novel. Huck and Jim’s sacrifices for each other, however different, also present many similarities. For example, Huck and Jim both think they are sacrificing themselves for a friend. Huck sacrifices himself for a black friend he has come to love as an equal. Similarly, Jim sacrifices himself for a friend, when in reality, he is risking his freedom to save the life of a racial bigot, Tom. In addition, both sacrifices have as a consequence a life of everlasting hell. When Huck sacrifices himself for Jim, he accepts a literal hell (that is truly the path to heaven). Jim, on the other hand, accepts a life of figurative hell in slavery, when he is in fact free all along. Finally, each sacrifice shares irony, in that they were both based on unknown pieces of unknown, but significannot pieces of information. Huck is unaware that his decision of accepting â€Å"hell† will actually lead to his salvation and ironically decides on doing what the thinks is â€Å"wrong. â€Å"Likewise, Jim is unaware that he is free, and is not risking his freedom in saving Tom. In making these two brave sacrifices, Huck and Jim achieve a higher character than if they had chosen easier paths. Huck’s willingness to face hell to protect Jim and Jim’s willingness to face capture and slavery to save Tom, both contribute to the overall theme of racial equality/inequality present throughout the book. Huck and Jim’s journey down the Mississippi River has led them to look past colour boundaries, and discover that â€Å"all me are created equal. â€Å"

Antigone: an Assessment of Antigone’s and Creon Essay

How was your understanding of cultural and contextual considerations of the work developed through the interactive oral? After taking part in the interactive oral presentation carried out by Sonia’s group, I now believe that I have gained a much greater understanding of the play Antigone. Themes commented on by the presentation were women, religion and tragedy; further examining their place in society at the time the play was written by contrasting it to society today. Obstacles hindering my understanding of the play, including its time and setting, have been removed. After comparing so vividly the society of Ancient Greece and that of the one I live in, I can now empathize with Antigone and the rest of the characters in the play, consequently broadening my understanding of the hard times that they had to endure. Many of the issues regarding women, religion and politics in the country during the period were observed in Sophocles’ Antigone, clearly displaying their importance. The contemporary issues that shaped the play deserve further exploration. Women’s roles in ancient Greek society were shockingly different in comparison to that of today. Before the presentation, I was aware of some differences between their society and ours but I was unaware that they were so extreme. Although she seems extremely negative and erratic, Ismene was shown to be a leading example of a woman at the time – the first difference between their society and ours. Although she is elevated in society she doesn’t hear about anything important – â€Å"No one has told me anything, Antigone, I have heard nothing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Before the presentation, the irrelevant positions of women were unknown to me. As well as seen to be worthless, women were also presented as being a negative influence on men – â€Å"Don’t let any woman ensnare you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  was Creon’s advice to Haemon, displaying the general consensus on women. We examined Creon’s motives, prospecting that if Antigone weren’t a wom an, would the punishment be the same? Another important theme that was brought to my attention during the interactive oral presentation was that of religion. The religious laws in this time and country were incredibly significant. This society’s view on religion is a major influence in the play Antigone. It would have affected how the people in the country (the characters in the play) acted and what they thought, a large contrast to today. The themes examined by Antigone would have been incredibly shocking to the original audience as they were the social norms. After being informed, I was then able to make connections in the text, as to why certain things were said and insinuated about being rewarded in the afterlife and why specific acts were committed – all under the influence of religion. Prior to the presentation, I was completely uninformed as to the religion and many other cultural aspects of Ancient Greece. Antigone: An Assessment of Antigone’s and Creon’s Deeply Held Beliefs and Views On Familial and State Responsibilities In his play Antigone, Sophocles explores the ethical integrity of familial and state ties through the opposing viewpoints and beliefs of the central characters, Antigone and Creon. By pitching these two individuals against each other, Sophocles also successfully reveals the raw and multi-faceted nature of humanity. The tragic consequences that conclude Antigone emphasize the deadly differences between each character’s views on the unwritten duty towards family and the binding laws of the city-state, a conflict that would very likely be less of an issue in modern society. Sophocles promotes Antigone’s character, as she is the traditional protagonist of the play. By doing so, Sophocles succeeds in building the audience’s compassion towards her. The audience is influenced therefore, through this empathy created towards Antigone, to view Creon’s ethical actions as being less moral than her own. However, it must be added that Creon’s points of view and actions can nevertheless also be justified. By studying the destiny of each character, and how each of their fates come to pass, one can get a clearer understanding of how and why Sophocles influences the audience into favoring Antigone and her domestic role, rather than Creon and his cold inflexibility. The contrasting views and principles that drive each character deserve assessment as the opposing passions driving each of them, lead to the play’s tragic, dramatic and poignant conclusion. Sophocles brings to life the characters of Antigone and Creon, developing for each, a sense of responsibility and a set of morals, which clash dramatically with the opposite character’s. By pitting these two characters against one another, Sophocles not only successfully contrasts the ethical views of each, but also cleverly exposes the true face of humanity. Antigone is placed as both lead character and heroine of the play, as she holds a domestic, reasoned and more acceptable stance; any audience would name her as heroine. A.E. Haigh, author of ‘An analysis of the play by Sophocles – The Tragic Drama of the Greeks’ clearly states that Antigone lives a more familial motivated lifestyle, saying, â€Å"Antigone, however, seems to have been of a more domestic type.†1 Antigone’s resilient, and somewhat egotistical, feeling of responsibility toward family is what drives her to publicly violate Creon’s new decree and to question his judgment on, and knowledge of, divine law. Antigone does this without question, so deep is her respect of the gods over the state. She clearly feels more obligated towards her religious responsibilities and ties than anything else. This somewhat defiant character believes that the gods alone determine her fate; she will do whatever is necessary to appease them. â€Å"I shall die in the knowledge that I have acted justly. What greater satisfaction than that †¦ We have too little time to waste it on men, and the laws they make. The approval of the dead is everlasting, and I shall bask in it as I lie among them.†2. Here Antigone’s use of language shocks the audience as she has clearly prioritized her existence in accepting death and rejecting mortal life. This strong and deeply held belief drives Antigone to stand by her familial responsibilities with steely determination and to perform the burial rights for her deceased brother that were callously denied him by Creon. Her acceptance of death shocks the audience as it almost seems as if she desires it. She remains certain throughout the play that the gods will reward her devotion and her heroic actions in the afterlife. Although she says differently, it appears that Antigone also strives for public acclaim in Thebes. When Ismene mentions that she won’t inform anyone of Antigone’s plans, Antigone responds strongly, â€Å"Don’t you dare! You must tell everybody, shout it in the streets.† This rebellious response from Antigone seems to indicate that her actions are not only divinely, but also somewhat egotistically motivated. The second central character, Creon, shares Antigone’s determinism in abiding by principles and beliefs. However, contrary to Antigone, Creon remains certain that humans can in fact dictate the moral laws of society and that the state should and can handle its own matters by asking, â€Å"Is it likely, remotely likely that the gods will think twice over that stinking pile of meat?† Rather than fearing the immortal gods and their unwritten laws, Creon strives to uphold those of man and of state. His stubborn punishment of Antigone, a woman whose only desire is to bury her brother, shows a lack of respect and contempt for all family values and ties. Although Creon could justify his actions as being those required of a king, it is evident that they are too extreme. G.H. Gellie in ‘Sophocles: A Reading’ states, â€Å"He reminds us repeatedly of the physical nastiness of the [body’s] exposure †¦ We are made to feel in our stomachs that this is no way to treat the body of a human being.†3 Any empathy that the audience may have felt towards Creon quickly vanishes at this point in the play. However, this is somewhat redressed later when, ironically he loses his family members: his wife and son. Throughout Antigone, Creon appears to be unable to grasp the key traits of ruling and living in an ethical society. This is evident when he states, â€Å"I’ve just seen her inside in fury, not like someone in full control of her senses. The heart of one who weaves wickedness in darkness is usually convicted beforehand. I, for my part, hate anyone caught in the act who tries to beautify his crimes thereupon.†2 Statements of this nature show Creon’s cold and callous assessments of the morally upright Antigone – the effect on the audience is unambiguous: One can feel nothing but disdain for such a harsh and unfeeling character. It is Creon’s own rules and regulations that publicly expose his apparent lack of respect for family values and duties. This is evident when he introduces his new decree, stating that Polynices cannot be buried. Creon’s secondary flaw is that he continually acts on his own self interest. His motivations are driven by his selfishness and not by the opinions or interest of his people. Egotistical traits such as these are neither honorable nor wise for a successful ruler. Creon’s son, Haemon, challenges his father, informing him that he neglects to serve the people of Thebes and fails to pay attention to their cries. He argues, â€Å"How the city weeps for this girl, says she’s the least worthy of all women to die so badly for such noble deeds.†2 Creon responds, with an outrageous outburst, displaying his arrogance through his strong views. He asks, â€Å"The city will tell me how I ought to rule it? †¦ Isn’t the city thought to be her rul er’s?†2 His blatantly conceited claims, coupled with his unconcealed disregard for fair judgment, build tension towards a seemingly inevitable clash with Antigone, who is filled with equal tenacity but whose views are diametrically opposed to his. The viewpoints of each character can be interpreted as quite ironic and at odds: Although Antigone strives to defend family values by violating the state’s laws, she remains a prominent and functioning member of Theban society. Likewise, even though Creon remains a loving husband and father, his ability to completely disregard familial ties in support of state laws is shocking. As the two are directly opposed, it is interesting to see how the characters cope in the same culture. Antigone and Creon are of such determined characters, that the irony considering each of their particular devotions to family and state becomes even more alarming. Antigone appears the most ethical of the two as she is willing to risk her life over her decision to uphold family rights; Creon can also appear morally just, because, as king, he is motivated solely by his duty to serve Thebes. It could also be argued that neither Creon nor Antigone are wrong in their convictions: they are two sides that are simply conflicting. As the two protagonists stubbornly remain true to their deeply held beliefs and responsibilities, they are driven to make decisions that ultimately lead to their mutual destruction. This destruction in itself demonstrates the ethical validations of both Antigone’s and Creon’s opposing characters. As well as highlighting the problems with society at that time, Sophocles through the characters of Antigone and Creon, reveals the true face of humanity, in all its ugliness. Sophocles cleverly manipulates the emotions of his audience in order to expose humanity’s true nature. G.H. Gellie identifies the depth of the audience’s feelings when he says that we feel this response â€Å"in our stomachs†3 Our response is almost instinctive: we cannot help but react deeply in this way. Sophocles successfully plays with our emotions and makes us feel outraged. Although Creon’s flaws reflect the flaws of humanity, Antigone herself is not without flaws. Like her king, Antigone demonstrates strong opinions and, at times, acts in her own interest. She passionately defies the state’s dominance over domestic values. These obstinate principles are what lead Antigone down the path of destruction, glorified nonetheless. Sophocles portrays Antigone’s reasons, as being nobler than Creon’s who is profoundly selfish and possesses a frightening persistence to carry out his brutal deed. Tiresias, another character, provides an omen when he sternly warns king to be more understanding and to consider the impact of what he is doing, â€Å"You don’t protect it when you trample the honors of the gods!†2 Haemon and the chorus also warn the king, impartially informing him that his actions may not be as ethical as he imagines they are. Each character’s warnings are disregarded, amid wild accusations of bribery and foul play. Consequently, the audience is encouraged to feel less sympathy for Creon than they do for Antigone, a woman whose only desire is to bury her slain brother. Antigone is prepared to lose her life trying to uphold family values and feels she has no choice but to accept her fate. On the other hand, after pleas from numerous characters, Creon repeatedly fails to see sense and strives to avoid his dark fate. To conclude, in the play Antigone, the catastrophic conflict of beliefs that occurred between family and state in ancient Thebes is carefully demonstrated in the disastrous events that take place. Questions of morality and duty are challenged throughout the play as the two central characters, Antigone and Creon, clash violently in their battle to uphold the views they so diligently and resolutely stand behind. The views and deeply held beliefs of Antigone and Creon are of key significance in the play; they are what drive the plot to its tragic conclusion. However, they are not simply the driving force of the play, but the vehicle through which Sophocles exposes the many facets of humanity: its beauty and its ugliness. Through the tragic events that conclude the story, Sophocles was likely indicating that an amalgamation of the two characters’ contrasting approaches would be the best way to operate in ancient Greek society. Bibliography 1. An analysis of the play by Sophocles – The Tragic Drama of the Greeks – A.E. Haigh -Oxford: Clarendon Press 1896 2. Sophocles – Antigone 3. Sophocles: A Reading – G. H. Gellie – Melbourne University Press 1972

Sunshine center Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sunshine center - Case Study Example Under the church’s control, the Sunshine is under the management of Barb who had no prior experience as a teacher, childcare provider or manager. The resignation of the first Sunshine Center committee led to the formation of a two person committee comprising of Olivia as the secretary and Sarah as the chair of the committee with the Rev. Andrew as an ex-officio member. The new committee has noticed some inconsistencies in the running of the center especially its finances. The Sunshine center need a radical overhaul inn terms of its financial management and its overall operating protocols and procedures. This paper aims to provide an outline of the organizational structure and specific internal control activities that must be in place for Sunshine Center Committee and the church to consider keeping the Sunshine Center open. The Sunshine Center lacks a clear organizational structure as Barb carrying out all the organizational duties all on her own exemplifies it. This puts her i n a position of stress because she handles every issue concerned with running the organization. Barb is responsible for both the human resource and financial management of the organization, which diminishes the effectiveness, and efficiency of the organization’s management. ... The development of a monetary or financial policy to govern how the organization’s funds will be managed is dependent on competent governance. Administration is another arm of an organization’s internal structure that is concerned with the execution of policy recommendations. Olivia who can coordinate staff duties in achieving the goals of the organization should handle this task. The primary program that is the concern of Sunshine Center is to deliver affordable childcare to the community served by the church. This endeavor should be handled like a program with its head being responsible for spearheading the goals and objectives of the center in delivering quality child care to the community. To achieve internal control according to Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission  (COSO), Sunshine Center Committee must institute changes at all levels of management and their standard operational procedures. Internal control is described as a process t hat is affected by an organization’s board of directors and management that is meant to provide reasonable assurance in the attainment of objectives and goals. Internal control ensures that there is effective and efficient operational management and reliable financial reporting. Internal controls will ensure that Sunshine center is compliant with applicable and necessary laws and regulations like the filing of tax returns with the IRS. The institution of appropriate internal controls will see Sarah and Olivia safeguard the Sunshine center’s assets. Financial reporting is the key weakness at Sunshine Center, which exposes the organization to risks of litigation from the IRS and their creditors. Instituting an internal control at the Sunshine center will ensure that the execution