Secret River Context Essay Essay Example for Free

Secret River Context Essay Essay â€Å"There is some good in the worst of us, and some bad in the best of us. When we discover this, we become less prone to hating our enemies† once deliberated Martin Luther King jr, a key figure in the American Civil rights movement, and a man that constantly strived for equality in racial-fuelled disputes, a key aspect of that being understanding when to and when not to engage in such dissension. His teaching can be instilled into the majority of conflicts faced in day-to-day life, and how crucial the choice can be when deciding whether or not to interfere. Many people adopt the ‘avoid conflict at all costs’ stance, removing themselves from any discord no matter how large the consequences may be. Admirable as it may be to some, to completely avoid confronting conflict without first evaluating the seriousness of it is simply cowardice, and a complete disregard for the ingrained ethical code branded into humans. Some disputes are so significant, perhaps proving to be seminal for the development of history that neglecting involvement in them could be detrimental for, depending on the scale, mankind or as narrow as personal failure. Like many countries penetrated by colonial influences, Australia’s history has been marred by its handling the indigenous, the rightful owners of the land, and the failure to engage in the dispute by major governmental figures left a stain on the development of a nation that preaches equality and liberty. Sometimes, engaging in conflict doesn’t even mean expressing despotic actions on others as it is so often associated with, but instead could be as simple as confronting a home truth that was growing in significance as time went by, as is seen in the story of Vincent Lingiarri, member of the Aborigine tribe the Gurundji. As portrayed in Paul Kelly’s ballad â€Å"From Little things, Big things Grow†, Lingiarri and fellow members of his tribe worked on Wave Hill cattle station for an â€Å"English lord Vestey†. Yet the false claiming of sacred Aboriginal land propelled Vincent to lead a workers strike at â€Å"Wattie Creek† in August 1966, where the song depicts Lingiarri defiantly declaring to the English â€Å"We’re sitting right here/ Til we get our land†. Despite the valid plea to remove the terra ullis or ‘land of no-one’ brand from the country and return portions of it back to the original inhabitants, the Australian government refused to involve themselves, and looked the other way, hoping the issue would sort itself out. â€Å"Eight long years of waiting† transpired of defiant protest from the Gurundji, and despite Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s attempt at reconciliation, in which the iconic image of the white man passing the vibrant red earth into the leathery, black palm of Lingiarri was taken, it wasn’t until the Mabo decision of 1992 that the land was returned to the rightful owners. This gap of 26 years of pure ignorance and callousness has permanently stained the history of the proud country, due to the inability of the supposed leaders of the country to reconcile, and engage in conflict that they preferred to leave alone. Yet dispute between the Aborigines and the settlers have always been present, as seen in Kate Grenville’s didactic novel â€Å"The Secret River†, as she loosely explores the brutal perforation of English Colonists in the later 18th century. In her historical fiction, Grenville explores protagonist William Thornhill escape from a brutal, industrialized London to seek a new life in the apparently greener pastures of Australia’s east coast. Yet upon arrival, Thornhill discovers tension to be nigh in the desolate land, and a fear of the unknown permeates the frightened arrivees, as he admits that despite owning a hundred acre property, it â€Å"no longer felt quite his own†. His inner drive to provide unconditional safety for his wife and children ultimately pushes his into a state of immorality, as he complies with the group mentality and participates in the massacre of the Aborigines, failing to heed Blackwood’s thought that to coexist with the natives, one must â€Å"give a little, take a little†. While William does engage in conflict, it is the greater of two evils. Had he strayed from the norm, resisted the urge to keep all that he wanted and sided with Blackwood to protect the Aborigines, it would be the desired outcome for his inner being. Yet he conforms, aids in the mobs mass murders and the fate of his character is set to be defeated, his avoidance of the larger conflict at hand leaving him with the misunderstanding â€Å"why it did not feel like triumph†, and the loss of his youngest son Dick who â€Å"would not† look him in the eye anymore. As Thornhill discovers, the easy option to take, the one that only benefits a minority will prove to be the one that renders people worthless, yet it is the harder option, the one that will pave the way for others that will prove the strength of the mettle in one’s being. In the face of dissension, how one performs offers insight into their moral code, and should they resist the ill-fated temptations of easiness and self-satisfaction, they will end out on top. In conflict, the old adage â€Å"the pen is mightier than the sword† often proves to be true. Gao Xingjian, a Nobel Prize winner for Literature operated in a tense Chinese climate polluted by Communism, which he described as â€Å"question of survival†¦ The atmosphere was so poisoned. People even in your own family could turn you in†. His statement proved to be truthful, as when writing allegorical accounts of the toxic environment he lived in, he was forced to burn a suitcase of manuscripts during the ironically titled Cultural Revolution out of fear of prosecution, as art was seen to be a threat to the Communist concept. The sane thing to do, the simple thing to do was to stop his controversial pieces, yet he opposed this, and continues to wage his dispute with his own country and fled to France to continue writing stories of brave heroes fighting against a prejudicial and ignorant political system that still subjugates 2 billion people. Thus his courageous dedication to the occupation he loves, feeling obligated to provide the world with information on the oppressive times as he believed â€Å"under the mask of fiction the truth can be told†, a belief that Grenville acutely followed. The admiration of the one that stands up against the burning tension of conflict is magnified, especially in the case of Bant Singh, a man whose courage, trepidation and loyalty should be shared with everyone to display true morality. Singh, an Indian farmer from the Dalit tribe, commonly looked upon as less than dirt to the hierarchal social system of India, fought against forces seemingly unstoppable for familial love, demonstrating how conflict must be addressed in some circumstances. When his 14 year old daughter was raped by two wealthy landlords, Bant did not do as many Dalit’s before him would have done, accepted the monstrosity and moved on. Yet he did stand up, and went for legal action against the two men. They quickly offered him a bribe that would secure the financial future of the family, yet he refused, advocating e would â€Å"not put a price on [his] daughter’s honor†. Days later, Bant was set upon by men with axes and steel rods, who attempted to beat him to death. Yet he made it to hospital, where gangrene took both of his legs and left arm. Sing saw the two men responsible go to jail for life; his war waged proving successful as justice was restored and the social separation in the country is beginning to wane. Singh’s battle is testament to the fact that not every fight can be ignored; some are so imminent that they must be addressed or the results will linger and effect future circumstances. Conflict, the consuming beast will continue to claim the souls of those who cannot persevere its burning glare. Yet those who oppose it, confront it with the correct intentions will be exposed as true heroes of human society, as Bant Singh will forever be. As legendary war general Napoleon Bonaparte once promoted â€Å"The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know†, summising that those who avoid dissension that must be addressed will never be respected.

Comparison of Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God and Walkers Color

A Comparison of Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Color Purple    Of Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, Alice Walker says "it speaks to me as no novel, past or present, has ever done."   Though 45 years separate Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Color Purple, the two novels embody many similar concerns and methods. Hurston and Walker write of the experience of uneducated rural southern black women. They find a wisdom that can transform our communal relations and our spiritual lives. As Celie in The Color Purple says, referring to God: "If he ever listened to poor colored women the world would be a different place, I can tell you." Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God depicts the process of a woman's coming to consciousness, finding her voice and developing the power to tell her story. This fresh and much-needed perspective was met with incomprehension by the male literary establishment. In his review in New Masses, Richard Wright said the novel lacked "a basic idea or theme that lends itself to significant interpretation." Hurston's dialogue, he said, "manages to catch the psychological movements of the Negro folk mind in their pure simplicity, but that's as far as it goes. . . . . The sensory sweep of her novel carries no theme, no message, no thought." Many male reviewers and critics have reacted with similar hostility and incomprehension to The Color Purple. But to be blind to the definitions these and other women writers give to women's experience is to deny the validity of that experience. For Hurston's heroine, Janie, self-discovery and self-definition consist of learning to recognize and trust her inner voice, while rejecting the formulations others try to impose upon her. Increasin... ...: 181-202. Tate, Linda. "No Place Like Home": Learning to Read Two Writers' Maps // A Southern Weave of Women. Fiction of the Contemporary South. The University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia & London, 1994 Wade-Gayler, Gloria. Black, Southern, Womanist: The Genius of Alice Walker // Southern Women Writers. The New Generation. Ed. By Tonette Bond Inge. The University of Alabama Press, Touscaloosa & London, 1990 Critical Essays on Alice Walker. Ed. By Ikenna Dieke. Greenwood Press, Westpoint, Connecticut, London, 1999 Modern Critical Views. Alice Walker. Ed. by Harold Bloom. Chelsea House Publishers. New York & Philadelphia, 1989 Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Bruce Jovanovich, Publishers. New York, San Diego, London, 1992 --. "Finding Celie's Voice," Ms., December 1985, 72 --. Meridian. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1976.

Gender and Family Essay

It can be said the males make up the vast majority of the prison population. It can also be said that men are just plain different than women when it comes to ethics, morals, and violence. Whether gender has any influence on whether or not a crime is committed is not fully understood, but there are many theories. What are some current explanations for gender differences as they relate to delinquency? * * There are many views and theories as to if and how gender affects delinquency. One of the major theories is the gender-schema theory which basically states that society influences create girls feminine and boys masculine and that they are expected to adhere to those gender roles. Others theorize that differences are based on traits and that it is the â€Å"interaction of biological and psychological traits with the social environment that produces delinquency† (Siegel & Welsh, p. 142). Much of this has to do with child development. Other theorists believe social factors such as family life and friendships play a major role in criminal behavior. The feminists hold that crime rates have fluctuated because of the increased role women have in today’s society .Another contributor to the debate is the power-control theory which attests that women commit less crime because men have a role as the breadwinner for the family. How does family affect delinquency? * Much of our life is based on relationships and family is a big part of that. Family relationships, or the lack of relationships, can influence a  person in many ways. The affect is unique to the person and their situation so it is hard, if not impossible, to determine if family interactions can influence criminal behavior. * How does family makeup affect delinquency? * Factors in regards to family makeup that affect delinquency can include divorce or separation, economic stress, abuse, as well as lack of adequate or positive adult supervision. The family interactions can either be a positive influence or a negative one which could increase the risk for delinquent behavior. * How does family behavior influence delinquency? * * There are four categories of family behavior that are possible contributors to delinquent behavior. These include family breakup, conflict, deviance, and neglect (Siegel & Welsh, p. 159). These factors can combine or work individually to create a high risk environment for delinquent behavior. Research done in regards to these four relationship theories and their applicability is still controversial. * Unhappy marriages, separation, divorce, and remarriage all contribute to an unstable home environment. The institution of marriage is no longer what it used to be. There have been studies done, but none have concluded with substantial results on this issue. Although the divorce rate has increased to, it has not been shown that this has been caused by family breakup. The theory that family conflict can lead to delinquency has shown in research to be a contributing factor in delinquency. †Adolescents who are incarcerated report growing up in dysfunctional homes† (Siegel & We lsh, 161). This can mean anything from parents who argue a lot to parent-child conflicts based on rules or punishment. Other family members who exhibit deviant behavior can also have a negative influence. When delinquent behavior appears to be acceptable and other family members are participating in criminal acts, children or other siblings may view it as an appealing practice or condoned behavior. Neglect can come in many forms and is also a theory behind what causes delinquent behavior. Although each family structure is different with  contributing cultural factors, there may be a link between children who do not have a strong parent-child connection. Problems may arise due to inconsistent discipline, inadequate supervision, or family resources being stretched too thin due to family size or economic situations. Are delinquent females treated differently than delinquent males by members of the juvenile justice system? * Yes, female juvenile offenders are treated differently than male offenders. They are less likely than males to get arrested and charged for a crime. However, once charged, females typically receive a harsher punishment. Are they treated unfairly? * Typically, female offenders are under more scrutiny of stereotypes than males. Society, and those employed in the juvenile justice system hold females to a different moral standards than men. However, this is dependent upon the situation as well as the location. * Do they benefit from being female? Why or why not? * In some ways, females benefit from gender inequality, but in other ways it works against them. While they may not get arrested as often, once in the system they often deal with unfair conditions. In fact, â€Å"Institutionalized girls report that they are given fewer privileges and less space, equipment, programs, and treatment than institutionalized boys† (Siegel & Welsh, p.152). References Siegel, L. J. & Welsh, B. C. (2005). Juvenile delinquency: The core. (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Martin Luther King s Speech - 932 Words

Martin Luther King Speech contrasted to Frederick Douglass Speech â€Å" I Have A Dream’† (King) Speech made by Martin Luther King, shows significant passion for freedom and for a future among different nationality. What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?† (Douglass) Speech made by Fredrick Douglass expressed his will to make a difference in the world, before slavery was abolished by Abraham Lincoln. Both were striking speech on discrimination. Slavery was present in the beginning years of our great nation of the United States of America. Slavery has tarnished America’s past with a stain that is still talked about today. There were two outstanding anti-slavery activist that has changed the direction of America’s definition of what it means to have the black man be free. They are Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King. Frederick Douglass was born in 1818 in the America’s dark years of slavery. Frederick learned how to read and write when he was around 12 years old by the wife of the slave owner, Hugh Auld. (1) Frederick became an outspoken abolitionist after he ran away from his slave master in 1838. Frederick lived the life as a slave, whereas Martin Luther King after the Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. King was born in 1929 and was a pastor, activist, humanitarian, and a leader in the African-American Civil Rights. Martin Luther grew up free from slavery, but in a time when discrimination kept the black man in a form of slavery and notShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther King s Speech1188 Words   |  5 PagesMartin Luther King’s speech, I Have a Dream, rallied a historic march on August 28, 1963 to Washington, to show the importance of solving the United States racial problems. A large crowd of people gathered and listened to his uplifting and amazing words, (Garrison, 1831, pg. 2577). â€Å"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!† (Garrison, 1831, p. 2581)Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr. s Speech914 Words   |  4 PagesAt the time of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, there was a very â€Å"heavy† racism issue in the United States. African-Americans saw themselves being victimized by a corrupted system. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of many civil rights activists that c ame out during that period, in the middle of the 20th century. â€Å"I have a Dream† speech symbolized the chaos in 1963; Martin Luther King Jr. used it to give hope to the hundreds of thousands of African-Americans who marched for freedom, and also to createRead MoreMartin Luther King s Speech887 Words   |  4 Pagesas Martin Luther King junior dreams did? Martin Luther King dreams of a world where there is true freedom, justice, and equality for blacks and whites. As he calls his fellow native Africans to stand up for their civil rights so that one day there will be no difference between black and white. By observing the goals King presents, what techniques he uses and how he appeals to his audience, we can then discover how effective these techniques are in achieving his goals. When dissecting Martin LutherRead MoreMartin Luther King s Speech962 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther King speech had a big impact through the society. He was once a hero, who stood to speak for everyone’s right, that all men should be equal. As a community, people acknowledge the change that Martin Luther King started. It occurred that hope will always occur to be alive in circumstance of rich or poorer, high or low. Culture brought people together for a reason to improve the past and come up with a solution to change and make a difference to end people’s agony. Where different stagesRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King s Speech1460 Words   |  6 Pagesspecific way. One of the reason why this text became the most popular text of our century. First of the speaker Martin Luther King Junior deliver his how he delivered his speech in a majestic way is a preacher of the Southern Southern Christian Leadership Conference, (Martin Luther King, Jr.) BIOGRAPHY, familiar with public speeches â€Å"I have a dream†: Who doesn’t have Martin Luther King speech resonating in his head when he hears these worlds. â€Å"I have a dream† When this repetition is so well used thanRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King Jr s Speech970 Words   |  4 Pages What makes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech so important till this day? It’s ability to still move people. Dr. King Jr. was one of the best speakers of his time during the Civil Rights Movement. He wrote many distinguished works, two of them being his I Have a Dream Speech and his letter, Letters from Birmingham. Letters from Birmingham Jail was written from jail after he was shortly arrested for attempting to share his views with clergymen on this racial injustice. Dr. King delivered his I HaveRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King s Speech1127 Words   |  5 PagesIn Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, â€Å"Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence†, King asserts that the war in Vietnam is a â⠂¬Å"symptom† (7) of a much larger disease that affects the â€Å"American spirit† (7). The disease King mentions is causing destruction where ever it is found, and in the case of the Vietnam war, it has led to their oppression and the death of people. In the section, Strange Liberators, King states, â€Å"They move sadly and apathetically as we heard them off the land of their fathers intoRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King s Speech1318 Words   |  6 PagesAugust 28 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his infamous speech â€Å"I Have a Dream† to America. His dream highlighted the injustices of segregation and discrimination of African Americans that took place in this nation every single day. Dr. King inspired thousands despite the color of their skin, to take a stance against racism, with his powerful way with words. In his speech MLK efficaciously uses, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos by using allusions, developing credibility, in his speech to persuade allRead Mor eMartin Luther King s I Have A Dream Speech891 Words   |  4 PagesSince Kindergarten, teachers have been teaching students about Martin Luther King Junior’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech. Ever since children have been born, they have celebrated Independence Day by either going to a parade, or shooting fireworks. Although, at these young ages, children don’t quite know the real importance of each of them. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted every human being, regardless of their race to be treated fairly or just. Independence Day was the day on July 4, 1776 where fifty-sixRead MoreMartin Luther King s I Have A Dream Speech961 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther King Jr.’s Historic â€Å"I Have a Dream† Speech Dr. Martin Luther King’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech was written and delivered on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and remains one of the most historically influential and world-changing speeches of all time. Fifty-two years later, this speech is considered to be one of the best persuasive speeches ever delivered. Dr. King is not only attempting to persuade his audience to understand the plight of minorities in the United