Portents of the Monotheocracy in The Handmaids Tale Essay

Portents of the Monotheocracy in The Handmaids Tale American society has had certain cultural and political forces which have proliferated over the past few decades-described as the return to traditional Christian values. Television commercials promoting family values followed by endorsements from specific denominations are on the rise. As the public has become more aware of a shift in the cultural and political climate through the mass media, Margaret Atwood, in writing The Handmaids Tale, could have been similarly affected by this growing awareness of the public consciousness. This may have led Atwood to write of a bleak future for the country where a new regime is established and one religion becomes so powerful as to†¦show more content†¦Though the Commander reads accurately from Genesis 30: 1-3 to the household-- Give me children or else I die. Am I in Gods stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? Behold my maid Bilhah. She shall bear upon my knees that I may also have children by her (Atwood 114)-- the Biblical context, however, is irrelevant to the modern society which existed before the coup. The context of the scripture is that of an ancient patriarchal society where men often had multiple wives whose value was to produce progeny, and the Judaic laws accorded women few rights. Though there are some similarities between ancient times and Gilead-the high infant mortality rate and death in childbirth--scripture is used by Gilead as a means to an end. In order to increase the birth rate, the regime forced the wives to accept their roles as barren women, hence inferior people, and surrogate mothers. Consequently, the handmaids are not seen as whole people at all, just reproductive machines. Offred observed that her uterus made her like a womb on legs. At the Red Center, the women listened to a tape of the Beatitudes, and Offred knew the reading was incorrect. She recollects, †¦Blessed be the meek. Blessed are the silent. I knew it was wrong, and they left things out, too, bu t there was

A Comparison Friar Lawrence vs the Nurse Free Essays

A Comparison: Friar Lawrence VS The Nurse Thesis: Both Friar Lawrence and The Nurse are loyal to Romeo and Juliet (respectively), they have defended, protected and have helped upkeep their well being, but do not always make decisions in their best interests, which in fact lead to both of their demises. In Romeo and Juliet, a story where two lovers are destined to be together, but their heritage prevents them, Friar Lawrence and The Nurse are similar to fathers and mothers, wise guardians, trusted companions to these two. Or are they reckless, hasty, and thoughtless? They have spent their lives with Romeo and Juliet, watching them grow and guiding them along their paths of life. We will write a custom essay sample on A Comparison: Friar Lawrence vs the Nurse or any similar topic only for you Order Now But now they allow these â€Å"star-crossed lovers† to marry, though they know nothing of the other but a few whispered words. Are these sages to be admired and sought after, or fools at which to scoff and avoid? The Friar assumes a very opaque character, in a sense that his objectives are not always very clear to both the reader and the other characters, but in these cases his purposes are pure, to provide the best advice to Romeo. When The Friar questions Romeo’s judgment when he shares with him that he has so quickly given up thought on Rosaline and moved on to Juliet, Lawrence tells Romeo that he isn’t thinking right and that he needs to reconsider. Although this does come across as blunt, he only wants what is best for Romeo, yet he still agrees to wed them and is important because it demonstrates that The Friar has respectable intentions (Act 2, Scene 3, Lines 69-83). And when Romeo states that he would rather die than be banished and forced to live without Juliet, Friar advises him to not kill himself, which is very noble and is significant because shows that Romeo’s life is of some importance to him (Act 3, Scene 3, Lines 8-84). The Nurse finds herself acting as an advisor, a faithful servant, and as a parent like figure, but without the stern qualities towards Juliet and others. When The Nurse delivers a ring sent from Juliet to Romeo, and most importantly, reminds Romeo that Juliet still loves him and that he should ot give up hope, even though he had been banished. This proves that The Nurse does not have any pre judgmental thoughts about Romeo, that she believes in him, and is substantial because it solidifies that she is kind not only just to Juliet (Act 3, Scene 3, line 85-173). The Friar actually accompanies her in this scene, acting out the same behavior, attempting to keep Romeo from slipping into a deep depression at the thought of never seeing Juliet again. And When The Nurse is commanded by Lord Capulet to bring forth the news to Juliet that she must marry Paris, though reluctant as she is, she agrees that marrying Paris would be in her best interests, and The Nurse tells Juliet what she must do which is critical because it validates that The Nurse will do anything to keep Juliet from harm even if she does not like it. Although marrying Paris is not something Juliet wants to do, The Nurse knows that that is what is best for her, and Juliet lies and tells her that she will marry him (Act 3, Scene 5, Lines 176-246). The Nurse, a woman who is supposed to help guide Juliet on the right path, yet mistakenly confuses Juliet’s needs with her father’s wants. Although the Nurse does not realize it, the attempt at provoking Juliet to marry Paris could have further convinced Juliet that she did not want to live with her family any longer, and ask Friar Lawrence for help, which is important because this resulted in her death (Act 3, Scene 5, Lines 176-246). And when Friar Lawrence recites and recognizes all who are dead in a quite hurried and distasteful manner, although he does imply that he grieves over all of the life lost, it is to be noted with significance because he does not recognize that he is somewhat responsible for their deaths (Act 5, Scene 3, Lines 238). Although Friar Lawrence had a strong positive influential role in how Romeo and Juliet came together, he also made crucial mistakes that in their absence could have resulted in Romeo and Juliet being alive. When Friar devises a plan to give Juliet a potion that makes her appear dead while she remains in a deep slumber, so that she can avoid marring Paris and escape off to Romeo. Besides the many chances where this plan could have failed, it was hastily conceived, and should have been given more time to be thought out, which is important because it proves that in critical moments, The Friar can become hasty and his ethical thought process can be clouded by the pressure of the moment (Act 4, Scene 1, Lines 181-185). How to cite A Comparison: Friar Lawrence vs the Nurse, Papers

Notes and Study Guide free essay sample

Exam one was returned for students review. Listening assignment for this week was distributed and uploaded to mix. Ensemble- usually a small group of performers Polyphonic- The simultaneous sounding of two or more melodies of equal importance. Group Work: Sidney Becket First notable Jazz saxophone player, soprano sax Played clarinet, too. Composer Professional by age of 6. Louis Armstrong 1901-1971 [Greatest trumpet player] The most Influential Jazz musician Learned to play the bugle In home for boysFirst to be considered a jazz artist. Big Bedecked 1903-1931 1924 Formed a band named the Wolverines Trumpet player From Iowa First cool artist Influenced by Debussy, classical music The King Designation reserved for trumpet players A King was designated by peers. Joe King Oliver was the last designated King. Joe Oliver mentored Louis Armstrong Early New Orleans Jazz- Ease of style, 4/4 rhythm, included cornet, trombone, clarinet, drums Chicago Style- sasss, faster, more intense, featured solos, 2/4 rhythm, instruments now included: guitar, sax, string bass Notes on Board cot 9, 2013Another listening assignment was distributed and will be uploaded to MIX. We will write a custom essay sample on Notes and Study Guide or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Reminder: Next exam is on October 30th, 2013 Scat Singing- The use of nonsense syllables while improvising vocally. Obbligato- An accompanying or free melody played by a second instrument. We studied Louis Armstrong: Had an effect on all music that followed. [We listened to music from two movies: Youve Got Mail and The Jungle Book which featured his music, though there are others] Made the impossible possible on the trumpet. Changed the whole idea of what a band was. Changed the way soloist thought of themselves.He created interest in soloists because his talent was so obvious, people wanted to hear him play; Emerged as a solo instrumentalist Master accompanist Ensemble player Pioneer in scat singing [popular singer all around] Was first taught by instructor Peter Davis. [in the Boys Home] Was a protog of Joe King Oliver Armstrong was the first Jazz player to receive international fame His artistic style: well developed technique, tone, rhythm and a master at improvisation Armstrong created and recorded with bands in Chicago known as the Hot Five and later, HotSeven He knocked the Beetles off the Top 100 charts with Hello Dolly in 1964 He received the Grammar Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972 H) Notes on Board for Cot 16 Next exam: October 30th 2013; Page 1 of 2 A new listening assignment was distributed and all six pieces have been uploaded to Mix. You will need to be able to identify Title, Artist and Style for the next exam. We listened to the following pieces: All of Me, OK-OK, Maple Leaf Rag, West End Blues, Singing the Blues, Dipterous Blues.Today, we are reviewing Chapter 6. Obbligato- An accompanying or free melody played by a second instrument. Swing- In general, swing refers to the music of large dance bands that played written arrangements and occasionally improvised solos. Swing Era- Era of Jazz in the sass and early sass. Riff-A short pattern of sounds repeated and played by a soloist or group. Mary Lou Williams First woman to compose/arrange for a large Jazz band Greatest female performer in Kansas City Her first public performance was at six years of age. Composer and band leader Count Basis Joined the road show of Bennie Moment Became a big band leader and composer in Kansas City 928 played with Walter Page and Famous Blue Devils and nicknamed Count Played an economic piano style and organ Died 1984 Benny Goodman Named the King of Swing Played clarinet Organized his first band in 1934 Ella Fitzgerald Named the First lady of song and the Queen of Jazz By 1982 had received 10 Grammars and 22 downbeat readers polls Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George Bush National Medal of Arts by Ronald Reagan Sold 40 million records in 59 years Jimmie Luncheons ContinuedPage 2 of 2 Biggest diverse program of music by any black dance band His band played 19 engagements in WV Formed by a group of college students with unusual discipline Ranked as high as any other swing band Duke Longtime Proved that orchestrating was an art of the highest level His music was a combo of solo and ensemble playing One of the figures of the Harlem Renaissa nce Developed his own sound by using exotic trombones, growls, way wash, and high squealing trumpets and sultry saxophones.Chick Webb Drummer One of the first band that appeared in NY Unable to read music, he memorized the arrangements played by the band In the id 19302 Ella Fitzgerald raised the band to prominence Could swing while playing lightly Fletcher Henderson Came to NY to study chemistry at Colombia but became so involved with music that he followed it instead Pianist Arranging was his most notable talent His arrangements [with the help of WV Don Redden] were used by the Benny Goodman orchestra Helped bridge the gap between age of Jazz and swing era He thought that too much improvisation was dreary and that polyphonic and Dixieland style were too risky [for large bands. ] Notes on Board, October 23, 2013 Exam next week, October 30th. Study Guide for exam 2 was distributed and will be uploaded to Mix. Listening assignment for exam 2 was distributed and will be uploaded to Mix. Cotton Club- A Harlem night spot, this club was both a part of the Harlem renaissance and an expression of the racial divide. Plunger Mute- The rubber bottom of a plumbers helper. Waving it in front of the bell off brass instrument like a trumpet causes the sound to be modified drastically. Cross-sectional voicing- Instead of all the saxophones playing together for example, grouping the voices (instruments) of a big band in a creative way. West Virginian Don Redden developed the arrangement of instruments for swing band: l)saxophones, 2)trumpets, 3)trombones, 4)rhythm.The Duke Longtime, Chapter 7 Duke was born on April 29, 1899 [Edward Kennedy (Duke) Longtime, born in Washington DC] Duke was recognized as one of Jazzs premiere composers He formed an effective balance between individuals and group expression because he struck a model between personal musical freedom [within his orchestra] while other band lea ders restricted their individual musical freedom. By the age of 17, Longtime had a five-piece band called the Washingtons. Longtime began his career in New York as a leader in 1923. Some of the skills Longtime developed early in NY were: band leader, writer and composer and arranger. Duke helped lay a foundation for future musicians. Dukes major instrument was the piano. He got his nickname Duke from a high school friend. [Because he always gave great attention to his appearance. ] Fats Waller and Willie (the lion) Smith were stride pianist who inspired Longtime.The Cotton Club was a Harlem night club, which was both Harlem Renaissance and expression of racial divide. Duke Longtime was booked t the Cotton Club from 1927-1932 Longtime played: swing, Jungle Jazz, mood style, concerto, [standard] Duke didnt like his music categorized as simply Jazz. It limited it. To What about swing? He replied, What about harmonics? After his mother died, Duke Longtime experimented with longer musical compositions and almost was robbed of his musical ambitions. [He overcame this grief. ] Billy Statutory- Composer and arranger for Duke Longtime. Of him, Duke said, Billy Statutory was my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine.