Picassos Guernica Essay -- Essays Papers

Picassos Guernica While it may seem at first glance that Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, is a political statement against the tragedy of the bombing of a small Basque town during the Spanish Civil War, this painting holds connotations beyond the syllogism for which it is given credit. Picasso, unlike Romantic period artists, who are attributed to great political propaganda, is not suggesting an emotionally based judgment should be made about the contemporary event, but rather a focus on the contemplation of the forces of good and evil at work throughout timeless humanity. On the afternoon of April 26, 1937, German forces under the command of the Spanish fascist leader Francisco Franco embarked on the first aerial bombing of a civilian target, the small town of Guernica. The attack was due to the conflict in Spain, the Spanish Civil War: an issue of Democracy against Fascism. The war heightened the threat of Communism and Fascism in Western Europe to a new level. Franco’s attack on the small town, a center of culture in Basque, made it clear that his forces were strong and unrelenting. His allegiance with German forces spawned one of the most tumultuous times in modern history. The aerial bombing of Guernica became a symbol of his unmerciful, cruel political power. Guernica was almost completely destroyed. News of the mounting death toll spread rapidly. However, universally, the impact of the Guernica bombing could have been minimal. While Spain would surely never have forgotten Franco’s reign of terror and its zenith with the bombing of Guernica, Picasso contributed an everlasting reminder to the entire world of the threat of Fascism and the evil of unrelenting power. Having been invited to contribute a piece to the Spanish Pavilion for Paris’ World’s Fair in 1937, Picasso was inspired by the grief of Spain to present an image that would make the most powerful statement against Franco yet. His creation became not only the symbol of the Spanish crisis but of protest of Fascism for all time. Not only is the size of the mural overwhelming, but the shocking images that mix classic symbols with modern technique provide an emotion and passion that is unforgettable. While passion and empathy undeniably drove Picasso to choose his subject, Guernica, it is not the fruit of spontaneous emotion, but of a ... ... agenda is unworthy of praise because he was most focused on creating more a shocking piece for his exhibition, in which the tragedy was merely an outlet for his desire. However, Picasso’s careful treatment of the subject, the fury with which can be seen in him through the grotesque distortions of his figures, and the sympathy for which he begs of humanity in the helpless, horrified faces which look upon the world from his mural, make an everlasting impression on civilization of the brutality of war. Whether Picasso’s political agenda was his priority is certainly debatable, but Picasso once said, â€Å"I like what continues†. Guernica must be a source of great satisfaction to him. Works Cited Becraft, Melvin E. Picasso’s Guernica. New York: The New York Times Company, 1981. Blunt, Anthony. Picasso’s ‘Guernica’. London: Oxford University Press, 1969. Fisch, Ederhard. ‘Guernica’ by Picasso. London and Toronto: Associate University Press, 1988. Russell, Frank D. Picasso’s Guernica. Montclair, NJ: Allanheld, Osmun & Co., 1980. Zervos, Christian. â€Å" Historire d’un tableau de Picasso†, Cahiers d’ Arte. Vol.12 no. 4-5, Paris, 1937, pp. 109-111.

Persuade/Learn to Swim Essay

Everyone should learn how to swim. Swimming gives a wide range of benefits for people of all age groups. It can help prevent calamities from happening and is a great way to stay active. It is a simple and affordable way to keep busy year round and have a great deal of fun. Many people begin swimming as a child and become very passionate about the sport as they grow up, and some even swim professionally. Knowing how to swim can avoid many injuries and accidents from occurring. Although there is lots of fun to be had in the water, it can be dangerous for those who are not capable to keep themselves afloat. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children between the ages of one and fourteen, according to a document published by the Centers for Disease Control in 2003. Are these deaths preventable? Absolutely. Everyone should at least have a basic skill to keep their head above water and ideally the ability to help save someone else if they are in trouble. Swimming can be a great way to make friends and meet new people. Joining the local swim team is a popular activity among children and teens. While there, they are able to spend time with friends and even meet new ones while maintaining an active lifestyle. Many kids spend their summers at pools or beaches. These are wonderful ways to relax and have fun, but beaches and pools can be very dangerous for those who are unable to keep themselves afloat. It is not necessary to master difficult strokes. Knowing a simple freestyle or even the â€Å"doggie paddle† will be adequate to make the water a much safer place. Children from non-swimming households are eight times more likely to be at-risk of drowning, according to the USA Swimming Foundation as of 2009. Swimming is a common way to stay healthy and maintain an active lifestyle. Swimming has also become a major part of many physical therapy routines for those recovering from surgery or injuries. According to Livestrong.com, when  compared to running, swimming burns approximately 89 percent of the calories burned during running. Elderly people can also benefit from swimming and other water related exercises because it is a low impact activity which decreases their chance of injury or joint stress. Some might dispute that swimming is a waste of time or that it is an unnecessary pursuit but, they have the wrong impression. As swimming is not only a popular and enjoyable pastime, it also has numerous benefits. Learning how to swim is important for everyone and it should not be overlooked. The process of learning to swim is a great way for younger children to gain independence and confidence in their own abilities. It teaches them that if they try hard they can accomplish a task all on their own and gives them the ability to stay safe in the water at the same time. Everyone should give swimming a try at least once in their life. It might not become a lifelong passion for everyone but it will for a select few. And no matter how someone feels about swimming, they will at least have gained a valuable ability and can now safely enjoy the many other water sports and activities. So, to sum everything up, everyone can benefit from learning how to swim.

Biography of Lydia Maria Child, Activist and Author

Lydia Maria Child, (February 11, 1802–October 20, 1880) was a prolific writer and fervent activist for womens rights, Native American Rights, and abolition. Her best-known piece today is the homey Over the River and Through the Wood, but her influential anti-slavery writing helped sway many Americans toward the abolitionist movement. Fast Facts: Lydia Maria Child Known For:  Prolific author and activist for abolition, womens rights, and Native American rights; author of Over the River and Through the Wood (A Boys Thanksgiving Day)Also Known As:  L. Maria Child, Lydia M. Child, Lydia ChildBorn:  February 11, 1802 in Medford, MassachusettsParents: David Convers Francis and Susanna Rand FrancisDied: October 20, 1880 in Wayland, MassachusettsEducation: Educated at home, at a local dame school, and at a nearby womens seminaryAwards and Honors: Inducted into the  National Womens Hall of Fame (2007)Published Works:  Over the River and Through the Wood, Hobomok, The Rebels, or Boston before the Revolution, Juvenile Miscellany magazine, An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called AfricansSpouse: David Lee ChildNotable Quote: I was gravely warned by some of my female acquaintances that no woman could expect to be regarded as a lady after she had written a book. Early Life Born in Medford, Massachusetts, on February 11, 1802, Lydia Maria Francis was the youngest of six children. Her father David Convers Francis was a baker famous for his Medford Crackers. Her mother Susanna Rand Francis died when Maria was 12. (She disliked the name Lydia and was usually called Maria instead.) Born into Americas new middle class, Lydia Maria Child was educated at home, at a local dame school, and at a nearby womens seminary. She went to live for some years with an older married sister. First Novel Maria was especially close to and influenced by her older brother Convers Francis, a Harvard College graduate, Unitarian minister, and, later in life, a professor at Harvard Divinity School. After a brief teaching career, Maria went to live with him and his wife at his parish. Inspired by a conversation with Convers, she took up the challenge to write a novel depicting early American life. She finished it in six weeks. This first novel, Hobomok, has never been honored as a literary classic. The book is remarkable, however, for its attempt to realistically portray early American life and for its then-radical positive portrayal of a Native American hero as a noble human being in love with a white woman. New England Intellectual The publication of Hobomok in 1824 helped bring Maria Francis into New England and Boston literary circles. She ran a private school in Watertown where her brother served his church. In 1825 she published her second novel, The Rebels, or Boston before the Revolution. This historical novel achieved new success for Maria. A speech in this novel, which she put into the mouth of James Otis, was assumed to be an authentic historical oration and was included in many 19th century schoolbooks as a standard memorization piece. She built on her success by founding in 1826 a bimonthly magazine for children, Juvenile Miscellany. She also came to know other women in New Englands intellectual community. She studied John Lockes philosophy with activist Margaret Fuller and became acquainted with the Peabody sisters and Maria White Lowell. Marriage At this point of literary success, Maria Child became engaged to Harvard graduate and lawyer David Lee Child. Eight years her senior, David Child was the editor and publisher of the Massachusetts Journal. He was also politically engaged, serving briefly in the Massachusetts State Legislature and often speaking at local political rallies. Lydia Maria and David knew each other for three years before their engagement in 1827. While they shared middle-class backgrounds and many intellectual interests, their differences were considerable. She was frugal and he was extravagant. She was more sensual and romantic than he was. She was drawn to the aesthetic and mystical, while he was most comfortable in the world of reform and activism. Her family, aware of Davids indebtedness and reputation for poor monetary management, opposed their marriage. But Marias financial success as an author and editor allayed her own fiscal fears and, after a year of waiting, they were married in 1828. After their marriage, he drew her into his own political activity. She began to write for his newspaper. A regular theme of her columns and of childrens stories in Juvenile Miscellany was the mistreatment of Native Americans by both the New England settlers and earlier Spanish colonists. Native American Rights When President Andrew Jackson proposed moving the Cherokee Indians against their will out of Georgia, in violation of earlier treaties and government promises, David Childs Massachusetts Journal began virulently attacking Jacksons positions and actions. Lydia Maria Child, around that same time, published another novel, The First Settlers. In this book, the white main characters identified more with the Native Americans of early America than with the Puritan settlers. One notable interchange in the book holds up two women rulers as models for leadership: Queen Isabella of Spain and her contemporary, Queen Anacaona, Carib Indian ruler. Childs positive treatment of Native American religion and her vision of a multiracial democracy caused little controversy, mostly because she was able to give the book little promotion and attention after publication. Davids political writings at the Journal had resulted in many cancelled subscriptions and a libel trial against him. He ended up spending time in prison on this offense, though his conviction was later overturned by a higher court. Earning a Living Davids decreasing income led Lydia Maria Child to look to increase her own. In 1829, she published an advice book directed at the new American middle-class wife and mother: The Frugal Housewife. Unlike earlier English and American advice and cookery books, which were directed to educated and wealthy women, this book assumed as its audience a lower-income American wife. Child did not assume that her readers had servants. Her focus on plain living while saving money and time focused on the needs of a far larger audience. With increasing financial difficulties, Maria took on a teaching position and continued to write and publish the Miscellany. In 1831, she wrote and published The Mothers Book and The Little Girls Own Book, more advice books with economy tips and even games. Anti-Slavery Appeal Davids political circle, which included abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and his anti-slavery cohort, drew Child into consideration of the subject of slavery. She began to write more of her childrens stories on the subject of slavery. In 1833, after several years of study and thought about slavery, Child published a book that was a radical departure from her novels and her childrens stories. In the book, awkwardly titled An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, she described the history of slavery in America and the present condition of those enslaved. She proposed the end of slavery, not through colonization of Africa and the return of the slaves to that continent but through the integration of ex-slaves into American society. She advocated education and racial intermarriage as some means to that multiracial republic. The Appeal had two main effects. First, it was instrumental in convincing many Americans of the need for the abolition of slavery. Those who credited Childs Appeal with their own change of mind and increased commitment included Wendell Phillips and William Ellery Channing. Second, Childs popularity with the general public plummeted, leading to the folding of Juvenile Miscellany in 1834 and reduced sales of The Frugal Housewife. She published more anti-slavery works, including an anonymously-published Authentic Anecdotes of American Slavery (1835) and the Anti-Slavery Catechism (1836). Her new attempt at an advice book, The Family Nurse (1837), was a victim of the controversy and failed. Writing and Abolitionism Undaunted, Child continued to write prolifically. She published another novel, Philothea, in 1836, Letters from New York in 1843–1845, and Flowers for Children in 1844–1847. She followed these with a book depicting fallen women, Fact and Fiction, in 1846 and The Progress of Religious Ideas (1855), influenced by Theodore Parkers transcendentalist Unitarianism. Both Maria and David became more active in the abolitionist movement. She served on the executive committee of Garrisons American Anti-Slavery Society and David helped Garrison found the New England Anti-Slavery Society. First Maria, then David, edited the National Anti-Slavery Standard from 1841 to 1844 before editorial differences with Garrison and the Anti-Slavery Society led to their resignations. David embarked on an effort to raise sugar cane, an attempt to replace slave-produced sugar cane. Lydia Maria boarded with the Quaker family of Isaac T. Hopper, an abolitionist whose biography she published in 1853. In 1857, at 55 years old, Lydia Maria Child published the inspirational collection Autumnal Leaves, apparently feeling her career coming to its close. Harpers Ferry But in 1859, after John Browns failed raid on Harpers Ferry, Lydia Maria Child plunged back into the anti-slavery arena with a series of letters that the Anti-Slavery Society published as a pamphlet. Three hundred thousand copies were distributed. In this compilation is one of Childs most memorable lines. Child responded to a letter from the wife of Virginia Senator James M. Mason that defended slavery by pointing to the kindness of Southern ladies in helping slave women give birth. Childs reply: ... here in the North, after we have helped the mothers, we do not sell the babies. Harriet Jacobs and Later Work As the war neared, Child continued to publish more anti-slavery tracts. In 1861, she edited the autobiography of ex-slave Harriet Jacobs, published as Incidents in the Life of a Slave-Girl. After the war—and slavery—ended, Lydia Maria Child followed through on her earlier proposal of education for ex-slaves by publishing, at her own expense, The Freedmens Book. The text was notable for including writings of noted African-Americans. She also wrote another novel, Romance of the Republic, about racial justice and interracial love. In 1868, Child returned to her early interest in Native Americans and published An Appeal for the Indians, proposing solutions for justice. In 1878, she published Aspirations of the World. Death Lydia Maria Child died on October 20, 1880, in Wayland, Massachusetts, on the farm she had shared with her husband David since 1852. Legacy Today, if Lydia Maria Child is remembered by name, it is usually for her Appeal. But ironically, her short doggerel poem, A Boys Thanksgiving Day, is better known than any of her other work. Few who sing or hear Over the river and through the woods... know much about the writer who was a novelist, journalist, domestic advice writer, and social reformer. One of her greatest accomplishments seems ordinary today, but it was groundbreaking: She was one of the first American women to earn a living income from her writing. In 2007, Child was inducted into the  National Womens Hall of Fame. Sources Child, Lydia Maria. An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, edited by Carolyn L. Karcher, University of Massachusetts Press, 1996.Child, Lydia Maria. Lydia Maria Child: Selected Letters, 1817–1880, edited by Milton Meltzer and Patricia G. Holland, University of Massachusetts Press, 1995.Karcher, Carolyn L. The First Woman in the Republic: A Cultural Biography of Lydia Maria Child. Duke University Press, 1998.

How to Overcome Cultural Differences in ESL Writing

It’s a universal phenomenon to see writing students audibly yawn and groan in the face of a new writing task. Few first language writers fancy the process; it must be a lot more daunting to second language writers. An ESL writer is not only tasked with handling syntax and the craft, but also wrestling to overcome the tentacles of confusing cultural differences. The writing style is normally a vivid reflection of the writer’s background and character; breaking free to follow strict style guidelines of another language is often challenging. Fortunately, it’s quite possible. ESL students find writing challenging in different ways, depending on the student’s background. To capture the communication styles of different cultures, it’s needful to analyze the personality of that culture. Take an example of a business meeting with native English speakers. Are there warm greetings with hugs, handshakes, and so on? You will realize that English speakers are generally reserved. They often use short simple sentences; it passes as the writer’s responsibility to embrace this simplicity. All questions need to be answered, while avoiding lengthy paragraphs and complex explanations. Complexity of prose is found in other languages, such as the romance languages. Like the Spanish, Italian and Portuguese cultures, their writing is similarly fiery and passionate. Most ESL writers hope that winding repetitive explanations would make it more comprehensible; the English reader finds it confusing and irritating. Therefore English writing avoids long, wordy sentences. The semi-colon can greatly help you achieve this goal. Taking the business meeting example, you will find that the native English speakers will state their points precisely, in short direct statements that seamlessly connect to build the whole concept. Repetition is only sprinkled as vehicle of emphasis. Adverb clauses, participial phrases and prepositional phrases are good snipping tools for superfluous words. By reading out your work aloud, you should know the sentence is too long if you need to breathe by the end of the sentence. ESL students from the Asian culture also have a notable share of problems. The Japanese, Koreans and Chinese have a typically circular writing, which respects politeness and avoids offense. A writing plan helps organize ideas better. Asian writing features lots of fragments (e.g. Chang went to the scene. Because he wanted to see it) and frequent choppy statements. This is basically because the structure is vertical instead of horizontal. Connectors and transition words easily fixed these problems, reducing choppiness and enhancing smooth link of ideas. Chang went to the scene because he wanted to see it. As Chang wanted to see the scene, he went. Even though writing is difficult, it remains an essential tool for communication in business and academia. This makes it to you an indispensable craft. Keeping an error log of your common mistakes is a great strategy to learn fast and grasp creative writing. Creativity frees learners form set rules and allows room for imagination, making a path to gaining confidence. With confidence in your skills, you can do anything including becoming an impressive ESL writer!

The importance of the role played by the educated elite...

africa came under the direct jurisdiction of Europe after the initial carving out of the continent referred to as the Scramble for Africa. This partition was fulfilled at the Conference of Berlin 1884-85 resulting in the political mapping of the continent. Thus, Africa facilitated the extension of the European hegemonic powers overseas. This colonization rendered the African continent the play-toy of wealthy European imperialists who raked the profits from the resource-rich territories. The period between 1880 and 1919 saw an upsurge of African resistance to colonial rule this was the period of African nationalism. The Africans were now exasperated with their economic and social situation. Thus discontent and protest was bound to†¦show more content†¦Gumede and I. A La. Guma from south Africa. There were also other movements such as the Garvey universal Negro improvement association which exerted significant influence on the educated elite and intern the masses of African. . Pan-Africanism which was a philosophy that promoted African awareness and pushed for the betterment of all Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora, was inspired by Sylvester Williams, Marcus Garvey and William Du Bois and other black American and Caribbean influences. Pan-Africanism must be said gave strong influence to the decolonisation process it further gave the eal to the nationalist movements. The subsequent advent of World War II ushered in a massive wave of decolonization struggles, and dozens of new states. The first half of the twentieth century was devastating for European colonial powers. The cumulative cost of World War I, the collapse of control and stability during the Age of Anxiety, and the devastating epic conflict of World War II, all contributed to the erosion of colonial control. Although regions seeking independence still had years of fighting to endure after 1945, countries like Britain, France, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands were in a losing st ruggle to hold onto their colonies. Japan, Germany and Italy lost their colonial empires immediately following their defeat. World War II also spawned the new geopolitical realities of the cold war. Both the U.S. and the Soviet UnionShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of the Role Played by the Educated Elite in the Process of Decolonisation in Africa2261 Words   |  10 Pagesafrica came under the direct jurisdiction of Europe after the initial carving out of the continent referred to as the Scramble for Africa. This partition was fulfilled at the Conference of Berlin 1884-85 resulting in the political mapping of the continent. Thus, Africa facilitated the extension of the European hegemonic powers overseas. This colonization rendered the African continent the play-toy of wealthy European imperialists who raked the profits from the resource-rich territories. The periodRead MoreChina in Africa Essay20116 Words   |  81 Pagesnews from the Nordic Africa Institute from the Nordic Africa Institute numBer 3 novemBer 2007 from the contents china and Africa Fantu Cheru theme: AfricAn Agriculture Agriculture and the World Bank Atakilte Beyene Property rights Kjell Havnevik Tor A. Benjaminsen Espen Sjaastad inequality and climate change contents to our reAders AfricAn Agriculture 1 3 november 2007 Carin Norberg African agriculture and the World Bank: development or impoverishment? Atakilte

Grapes of Wrath Essay Example For Students

Grapes of Wrath Essay It is said that everything is done for a purpose, and if that purpose is not obvious, it could be evident within oneself. In The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, the story not only entails the tale of the tragically poor, but also an uplifting sense of discovery. The story tells not only of the physical journey to California, but of the characters spiritual travels as well. By examining the lives of Jim Casy, Tom Joad, and Ma Joad, one will see the enlightening changes that mark their lives through the depression. Jim Casys journey is an astounding one. In The Grapes of Wrath, the Californians wanted to rid the dirty Okies from California because they were afraid of them. They were afraid that the Okies would take their land. In The Grapes of Wrath, Okies were unjustly beaten. The California police beat them for no just reason because they wanted the Okies to leave the state. The police killed Casey for no just reason. They killed him just because they thought he was an Okie fighting for more rights. The Californians did not like the Okies even though they were Americans, just like how the Blacks were not liked by the whites, even though they were Americans. In chapter 21, the workers are in California and the mild people of California find in the Okies what they have yet to experience- fear and desperation. Sensing the extent to which the migrants are willing to work, the locals begin to fear for their own jobs, and most importantly, for their own property. In fearful defense, they attack the Okies as marauders who mean to destroy both populations through their desperation. This fear transforms into hostility, which reveals itself in the story through the deputies and managers who abuse and assault the Joads, as well as other migrant families in the workers camps. Throughout the novel there are several symbols used to develop the theme; man verses a hostile environment. Each symbol used in the novel show examples of both extremes. Some represent man that struggles against the environment; others paint a clear picture of the feelings of the migrants. As each symbol is presented chronologically through the novel, like the turtle at the beginning and then the dust. They all come together at the end to paint a clear picture of the conditions, treatment and feelings the people (migrants) as they make their journey through the novel to the West. Violence is everywhere, more today than yesterday. We still see or hear of random acts of violence that are happening all around. Whether it be racial or not, this violence will not stop but only escalate. It is whats being passed down for generations to come and for all to learn.

The Man of Property Essay Example

The Man of Property Essay Soames is anything but a simple character. He is, for one thing, a symbol of the possessive principle motivating the upper-middle-class of England. He is the most Forsyteian of the Forsytes, an honour he shares, perhaps, with his father, James; he is the embodiment of the need to possess which regards all thingsland, bouses, paintings, even womenin terms of ownership QUESTIONS AND TASKS 1. What is John Galsworthys manner of writing? What distinguishes him from other writers of his generation? 2. How is Galsworthys ironic attitude to the family relationship of the Forsytes expressed? 3. What is the authors feeling towards his characters? Does he put it into words? 4. Is the description of the room and the dinner detailed or brief? Are the details of furniture, dress relevant for the understanding of the Forsytes? Make a list of details illustrative of the elegance of their home. 5. What are Galsworthys ways of disclosing the feelings of Soames? Point out the words showing Soamess growing alarm. 6. Find out the sentences containing the authors generalizations of the Forsyte character. 7. How far can we judge Soames by the attitude he adopts towards his wife? Also by her attitude to him. 8. We will write a custom essay sample on The Man of Property specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Man of Property specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Man of Property specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Pick out the epithets that characterize Irenes dissatisfaction with her married life. 9. Prove that Soamess feeling for his wife is that of a man of property. Show the means that make it clear that Soames looked upon Irenes beauty as one of his finest possessions. Give examples and quotations from the text. 10. Why does Galsworthy repeatedly stress the silence of the husband and wife? 11. Analyse the short dialogue between husband and wife: which of their features stand out clearest in their conversation? 12. Characterize Soamess manner of speaking. 13. Speak of the elements of parody in Galsworthys description of modern plays.