Racial Theme in Faulkner’s Light in August Essay -- Faulkner Light in

Racial Theme in Faulkner’s Light in August One theme that I really noticed was stressed throughout Faulkner’s Light in August was the theme of race. Joe Christmas’ mixed race is a central issue all through the novel. The reader is continually brought back to the fact that he is half black, especially during his affair with Johanna Burden. Johanna (and Faulkner) always makes his racial status known while Johanna and Joe are making love by Johanna’s gasping â€Å"Negro! Negro! Negro!† (260). It is intriguing that while Johanna’s father believed that the white race was cursed by the ‘White Man’s Burden’, the duty to help lift the black race to a higher status, and that blacks would never be on the same level as whites, and yet she lost her virginity to a half-black man. Why would she wait her whole life, devoting herself to virginity to help the black people, and then suddenly give herself up to a man her father failed to believe was worthy? What was it about Joe Christmas t hat made Johanna want to give herself up to him? Was it because he was of mixed race that made him such an attract...

Analysis for “Two truths are told… but what is not” speech Essay

Macbeth’s speech (Act 1, scene 3, lines 128-142) is very important to the play’s plot. This is because of three reasons. Firstly, the first truth is told from the witches’ prophecies. Secondly, this extract shows Macbeth’s reaction to the first prophecy coming true in his thoughts. Lastly, his speech shows the start of Macbeth’s vaulting ambition. The three witches revealed to Macbeth that he will soon become the Thane of Cawdor, and later onwards, the King. You see the plot slowly advancing when Macbeth is pronounced Thane of Cawdor by Ross and Angus, Kind Duncan’s messengers, (â€Å"happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme† Act 1, Scene 3, lines 129-130) Thus, with the first prophecy coming true, Macbeth’s trust for the witches becomes slightly stronger as he starts to believe that â€Å"If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me†. Macbeth’s speech shows his confusion and fear of what him becoming King could mean. Macbeth was confused between good and evil, for example † If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success†. Here Macbeth is wondering, if this supernatural persuasion is wrong, then why has it given me the honour of becoming Thane of Cawdor. Another example, † If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair, and make my seated heart knock at my ribs†. Here, Macbeth is questioning, if this is right, then why am I so afraid. Macbeth is also afraid of what him soon to be becoming a King would mean to the present King, Duncan. If Macbeth were to be King, that would mean that both Duncan and his son Malcolm would have to die or be executed. Macbeth wasn’t as much thinking about what might happen to Duncan but rather, what Macbeth would do to him†¦ murder. This extract of the play reveals the start of Macbeth’s vaulting ambition. Macbeth’s ambition to kill Duncan and Malcolm and finally become King rises with every new scene. It shows that there is conflict between Macbeth’s ambition and his conscience. For example, in lines 139-141, its states â€Å"my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical shakes so my single state of man that function is smothered in surmise†. There he is firstly saying that  the idea of murdering Duncan is fantastic, but then his conscience kicks in and tells him that he is too scared of doing so. However, his ambition steps forward and finishes Macbeth’s speech with â€Å"nothing is but what is not†. Hence, this extract is very important to the rest of the play because the first of the two prophecies become true and thus this unfolds the plot, you are told of Macbeth’s reaction to this coming true and finally, the ambitious Macbeth begins.

China s Revival Of Confucianism - 1292 Words

Through recent years it has been stated that China has begun a revival of Confucianism. Confucianism is a philosophy founded by Kongfuzi or Confucian. He was a man that believed that by doing good positive outcomes would come of it. Yet, is this the only major detail that Confucian did? No. Confucian is a man that believed that education was truly important. He stressed the idea that men should study many works. These works supported the idea of studying the world around them and see the world for what it was. Many ideas of Confucian can truly be spread but China is still focuses on the idea of maintaining harmony. Being fair to others is a philosophy that exists too. China keeps Confucianism alive today in other ways. Other ways include†¦show more content†¦Classic writings of Confucianism include Analects and the three characters. Analects is a writing that Confucian did not personally write himself. Many of his followers were the ones that recorded his writings. Now why d oes this hold any importance? Education of Confucian even to the followers of him were truly important. The work itself helps establish the idea of living a life of justice, harmony, and fairness. A lot of discussion can be expressed in regard to this particular writing alone. However, the main primary one that still learned today is that of fairness. It is like the old saying of treat others the way that they treat you. There is some circumstances in regard to this. Old Confucian ideas exist in place that in order to maintain positive outcomes someone must be nice to others. In the writing of Confucian it states that when someone sees an unworthy man they should evaluate themselves. (Humanistic Tradition). This relates to the article of Lam as the children’s parents want them to learn them about their own culture. All of this does not really stress that idea of kindness but is to be noted that China wanted to keep the children aware of ancient philosophy. The new education system though is entirely then the time of Confucian. Confucian and many of his followers believed in the idea system of Gentleman. Gentleman meant that men were to analyze the world around them.