Catcher In The Rye And Huck Finn :: essays research papers

All novels contain common elements and qualities. In most cases the plot, conflict, and a narrative voice forms the style of writing. Frequently the incidents told are direct experiences from the narrator himself. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Huckleberry Finn by Samuel Clemens employ these characteristics, particularly using a constructive voice, symbolism, and a complex connected sequence of events, dealing with human experiences.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many instances in The Catcher in the Rye which deal with such characteristics. The novel is told in first person through the eyes of the narrator, Holden. He recalls the events as a series of flashbacks placing the setting of the story in his mind. Next, there is the repeated use of symbolism throughout the novel. Three major symbols were the ducks, the Museum of Natural History, and Jane Gallagher. While Holden is wandering around New York City, he asks many people about what happens to the ducks in the pond when it freezes. In actuality, the ducks represent Holden wondering about himself. Jane Gallagher and the Museum of Natural History, both represent the theme of the past in two different aspects. Jane Gallagher was an old friend of the past, and he mentions calling her repeatedly throughout the story. She is a significant part of his past that he misses a lot, which makes him want to reminisce those times once again. The Museum of Natural History, o n the other hand, makes Holden realize he will never be the same as he used to be, and this changes his mind on wanting to return to the past. All of these hidden messages represent Holden, revealing the way he thinks and acts. Throughout the novel there’s continuance of events that deal with human experiences. The novel is based on the story of his nervous breakdown lead by being expelled from Pencey Prep, increasing feelings of loneliness and desperation brought on by the insincerity and ugliness of the adult world, and the tormenting memories of the death of his younger brother Allie.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Huckleberry Finn was also written in first person but through the eyes of the Huck Finn. Huck tells about a series of adventures, making many observations on human nature and the South as he does. The use of symbolism is again portrayed throughout this novel. It is often said that the story of Huck Finn is about Mark Twain himself.

Are traditions worth preserving? Essay

In this era of humanity, people have come a long way in establishing human rights, liberty, justice and dignity. However not every individual country have upheld these momentum in a dignified way. Take the Jamaica for, example, due to Jamaica’s colonial history; there are some traditions that are not worth preserving at all. In Jamaica and other countries, parents are expected to beat their children as a way of ‘punishing them’. They may do this with various objects, such as a belt, broomstick, ruler, or anything that can subject pain to the human flesh. If parents believe their child is â€Å"misbehaving†. There is no proof that imposing physical pain on youngsters help to discipline them, to become better persons, and to become productive citizens of their countries in the future. There is no logical reasoning or perception that is implied to arrive at a solution to the indiscipline that Caribbean parents may think some of their children have. Instead Caribbean parents do the first thing that comes to their mind; and that is, imposing physical harm on their youngsters. If not, imposing physical harm on children, the next in line would be milder corporal punishments, such as, telling them to kneel on the floor, whether in corners of classrooms or near balconies to face the sun. Also, holding their hand up horizontally for long periods, or holding their hands aside vertically with heavy books in each palm. Any other imaginative means of pursuing corporal punishment. It is reasonable to state that for the Caribbean parents that punish their children corporally; it leaves the intended effect, but only temporarily. That is, the youngster would refrain from the supposedly disapproving activity, but only temporarily. Instead the real effect would be psychological abuse of their state of mind. That is the youngster may be scarred for life, whether he or she is aware of it or not. And so; criminal elements in a society of deteriorated cultural elements are inevitable. If the average Caribbean parent that beat their children knew exactly what child abuse was, while still committing acts of corporal punishments on their youngsters, (beating will be used as the subject in this rhetorical question) wouldn’t it be difficult to generally access what type of beating  is child abuse and what isn’t? Every parent’s assessment of child abuse would be based on personal perception and judgments and not on a general and well established one. The uplifting of children rights is lacking in Jamaica, due to unconsciousness of it. The culture of the average Jamaican adult is, the elder is always correct when in comparison to the perception of a youngster. This ignores the possibility of an adult’s perception being right to a certain extent, that their can be mistakes in perception of an adult, overlooks in perception, and misconceptions, or downright dissipation. Youngsters in this culture are forced to accept that adults are always â€Å"right†. Youngsters in this culture are also forced to accept that adults should be â€Å"respected†, ignoring respect in vice-versa. For â€Å"respect† in Jamaican society, could be that completely different from a dictionary, simply a word with a culture underneath, that is not worth preserving. Another tradition not worth preserving is ‘religious education’ and ‘religious assembles’ in public schools. This is an effect of the colonial past of Jamaica. Youngsters should practice their own beliefs and way of life outside of school. Schools should be receded for learning and studying work, and/or the introduction of people who have been successful in careers, to provide motivational talks, therefore acting as a positive influence on youths. This will help them to obtain a suitable occupation in any time of adult life. Supposed religious education in schools gives students no freedom of thought, spiritual confinement, and may allow them to not stay focused on their schoolwork. Due to the colonial past of the country, the preservation of indigenous African beliefs that came with the millions of blacks that were detained from the African continent, are overshadowed by these European origin beliefs which are currently indoctrinated in public schools. This will corrupt the souls of the younger generation leaving them in ambivalence or racial and ethnical unconsciousness. Traditions are not worth preserving unless it poses a positive effect on people. And has people we should strive to make the world a better place to live, even if it means abandoning traditions.

Argument For Criticizing Utilitarianism And Deontology

Benny Mutoni Ethics Society Instructor: Joseph John Argument for criticizing utilitarianism and deontology In this paper, I will discuss various ethical courses of action during ethical dilemmas. I will be examining how utilitarians and deontologists use different approaches to solve ethical dilemmas, by citing the text â€Å"Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues† and views of philosophers such as John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham. Using these, I will develop an argument for why I think the most ethical course of action varies from person to person, and why this is as a result of flaws in both utilitarianism and deontology An ethical dilemma can be defined as a scenario when two or more ethical principles appear to come into conflict. In the trolley example, the ethical dilemma comes about as a result of having to make a decision to either save five people at the cost of two, or do nothing and take five people, keeping in mind that all these are innocent lives. The most ethical course of direction becomes a source of argument between two groups, utilitarians and deontologists, that have opposing views. Vaughn explains that classic utilitarianism, which Bentham developed, is the simplest form of the theory, which  ¨affirms the principle that the right action is the one that directly produces the best balance of happiness over unhappiness for all concerned. ¨ (Vaughn 85) According to this theory, a utilitarian considers happiness to be the soleShow MoreRelatedChristmas Trees in the Workplace and the First Amendment: An Overview of the Issue5305 Words   |  21 Pagesconsiderations utilitarianism and deontology Historical Court Cases Historiography of Issue Evolution of Courts opinion and interpretation of the issue Polarized Views Pro and Con of allowing Christmas Trees in workplace Christmas Trees should be part of protected 1st Amendment Rights Christmas Trees are an expression of religion, and therefore are not Protected for public view in workplace Conclusions and Further Research Table of Contents Abstract Page 3 Arguments Page 4 Overview-Read MoreEthical Issues Arise As Scientists Peek Into Baby Genes1755 Words   |  8 Pagessequencing from the deontological ethics, utilitarian ethics, and feminist ethics perspectives found throughout this article. These multiple areas of ethics will urge those that believe otherwise about genome sequencing to reconsider their views. Deontology, according to Immanuel Kant, is a duty-based ethics which focuses on the underlying moral principles of our actions and our corresponding moral duties. This leads to obligations that we can determine which actions are right and wrong. A duty isRead MoreTorts study notes Essay17110 Words   |  69 Pagesfor deterrence writers, almost all of them have been neglectful or dismissive of corrective justice.53 Posner, at least in his original form, declined to attach any independent significance to justice reasoning. Justice arguments, he seemed to say, were merely efficiency arguments in disguise.54 â€Å"[T]he logic of the law is really economics . . . .†55 Writing in 1987, George Priest declared that from an economic perspective it is â€Å"unimportant† and â€Å"irrelevant† that a judge, in supporting liability,