Glass Castle Essay Example for Free

Glass Castle Essay However, there are some far more substantial themes and symbols taking place within the novel. These themes require a little more critical thought, and aren’t directly delivered to the reader. One of these themes being the heavy emphasis placed on the glass castle, and also metaphorically what it signifies to Jeanette and her father, Rex. Through extensive deliberation and thought, the meaning of the glass castle becomes clear. It stands for the contrast between how Jeanette views her father, and how everyone else sees him. The idea of the glass castle in itself is the idolized version of Rex that Jeanette sees, while the reality of it never being completed, represents the views that everyone else has. Throughout the novel there are multiple instances that show the strong love and trust Jeanette feels for her father. A bond that remains strong, even when other member’s of the family have lost some of that trust. This contrast of emotions can best be described through various quotes given throughout the novel. â€Å"In my mind, Dad was perfect, although he did have what mom called a bit of a drinking situation† (Walls 23). This is one of the first occasions where the reader is introduced to the contrasting feelings about Rex that members of the Walls family have. Jeannette, despite already knowing that her father has a drinking problem at a young age, still feels that her father can do no wrong. This sets the scene for how most of the book develops, Jeannette idolizing her father, despite the slight disdain visibly felt by others. â€Å"We laughed about all the kids who believed in the Santa Clause myth and got nothing but a bunch of cheap plastic toys. Years from now, when all the junk they got is broken and long forgotten,’ dad said, ‘ you’ll still have your stars† (41). This is yet another example of the strong bond developed between Rex and Jeannette. However, it is important to note this quote is delivered at a time when Rex is still in relatively good standings with the rest of the family, besides just Jeannette. On that Christmas, even though he couldn’t provide his children with material gifts, he was still able to deliver a memorable gift, which the children could cherish for the rest of their lives. I swear honey, there are times when I think you’re the only one around who still has faith in me,’ he said. ’I don’t know what I’d do if you ever lost it. ’ I told him I would never lose faith in him. And I promised myself I never would† (78-79). This quote perfectly sums up the relationship Rex had with his daughter. It also further exemplifies th e acknowledged differences between how Jeannette feels about her father, and how the rest of the family feels. Even though Rex has let Jeannette down just as many times as Lori, or Brian, she is still able to somehow see past these faults of Rex’s. Throughout this novel the character’s general feelings on Rex sway dramatically. Even Jeannette’s feelings for her father are tried at some points. Yet through everything that happens she never truly loses faith in her father. Jeannette always maintains a sense of respect and love for Rex, despite the tribulations he has brought the family through. Even up to his last moments on his deathbed, Jeannette’s positive feelings for her father remain strong. This contrasted affection between what Jeannette feels for Rex, and what everyone else thinks, is what the glass castle really signifies.

Essay --

Gun Control The time has come for our country to take action to reduce gun violence in America. Aurora, Colorado, Sandy Hook Elementary School, and most recently Arapahoe High School are only three of the recent atrocities. More than twenty mass shootings have taken place since 2009, yet many people still believe it’s acceptable to own guns. We, as a country, have suffered too many losses to not take action. No laws created can ever fully stop every act of violence, but there are ways to prevent the mentally ill, the suicidal, and criminally minded from buying guns and ammunition. If the government tries to ban people from owning every type of gun, we will get no where with the issue. The problem in our country is having access to assault rifles and handguns. Many assault rifles sold are semi-automatic, firing one round every time the trigger is pulled. For example, an AR-15 can fire between 45 and 60 rounds per minute. No civilian needs to have a gun this powerful; the only place they should be allowed is for military use. Having these types of guns available to the public ...

Pluma: Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat Essay

Jose Rizal, just like any of us, used to live an ordinary life. Just like a normal person, he underwent the mundane stages of human life such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Yet, unlike any of us, Rizal inadvertently stood out because he lived by the saying, â€Å"Live life to the fullest.† He made the best out of his 35 years of existence. However, certain events and persons might have inspired him on the first place that eventually transformed his life from ordinary to an â€Å"extraordinary† one. Rizal’s parents, Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso, had already introduced to him the value of education. His father owned several books in their shelf in which the young Rizal had a lot of novels to choose from and to read that suits his interest as a child. His mother also served as his first teacher. She taught him how to read and write. At an early age, he already shows brilliance as a writer with a good sense of social awareness. An 8-year old Rizal was able to write his first poem, â€Å"Sa Aking mga Kabata.† This poem highlights love of nationality and Filipino language. Additionally, he excelled academically when he started attending schools in the Philippines, as well as in abroad. Putting his thoughts into writing became his hobby through the years. His works such as A La Juventud Filipina and El Consejo de los Dioses earned him the recognition to the Filipino youth and won an award in Manila respectively. Given the fact that Rizal’s eyes had long been opened to the awful reality during Spanish colonization, he further wrote novels, which include the famous Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed). Most likely, the former includes the story of Sisa, which was said to be inspired by what happened to his mother, Teodora, who was imprisoned due to the accusation of poisoning her sister-in-law. This taste of injustice could have aided Rizal to boost his patriotism. The latter was also written in honor of the memory of GOMBURZA who were executed due to the 1872 Cavite mutiny. With the aid of Paciano who witnessed the execution, Rizal’s eyes became widely opened to the gruesome reality of the Philippine society during their time. In a celebration of the achievement of Juan Luna’s Spoliarium and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho, Rizal also realized and proclaimed that Filipinos do have something to be proud of.

The Wives of Anthony the Great

Mark Antony was a womanizer and it could be said that his decisions were made by his wife, which was considered improper behavior at the time. The Roman emperors Claudius and Nero ran into trouble later for similar reasons, so although Antonys third wife Fulvia had what may have been good ideas, Antony was frowned upon for following them. Antonys debauched lifestyle was expensive, and so by an early age, he had accumulated tremendous debt. It is possible that all his marriages were carefully conceived to provide money or political advantage, as Eleanor G. Huzar argues in Mark Antony: Marriages vs. Careers, from The Classical Journal. The following information comes from her article. Fadia The first possible wife of Antony was Fadia, the daughter of a rich freedman named Quintus Faius Gallus. This marriage is attested in Ciceros Philippics and letter 16 to Atticus. However, it is an implausible marriage because Antony was a member of the Plebeian nobility. His mother was a 3d cousin of Caesar. The marriage may have been arranged to help with Antonys 250 talent debt. Cicero says Fadia and children were all dead by at least 44 B.C. If he actually married her, Antony probably divorced her.​ Children: Unknown Antonia In his late 20s, Antony married his cousin Antonia, a proper wife, to help his career. She bore him a daughter and they remained married for about 8 years. He divorced her in 47 B.C. on a charge of adultery with Publius Cornelius Dolabella, husband of Ciceros daughter Tullia. Children: Daughter, Antonia. Fulvia In 47 or 46 B.C., Antony married Fulvia. She had already been married to 2 of Antonys friends, Publius Clodius and Gaius Scribonius Curio. Cicero said she was the driving force behind Antonys decisions. She bore him two sons. Fulvia was active in political machinations and although Antony denied knowledge of it, Fulvia and Antonys brother mutinied against Octavian (the Perusine War). She then fled to Greece where Antony met her. When she died shortly thereafter in 40 B.C. he blamed himself. Children: Sons, Marcus Antonius Antyllus and Iullus Antonius. Octavia Part of the reconciliation between Antony and Octavian (following the mutiny) was the marriage between Antony and Octavians sister Octavia. They married in 40 B.C. and Octavia bore their first child the following year. She acted as peacemaker between Octavian and Antony, trying to persuade each to accommodate the other. When Antony went east to fight the Parthians, Octavia moved to Rome where she looked after Antonys brood (and continued to do so even after divorce). They remained married for five more years during which time they never saw each other again. Antony divorced Octavia in 32 B.C. when the confrontation that was to be the Battle of Actium seemed unavoidable. Children: Daughters, Antonia Major and Minor. Cleopatra Antonys last wife was Cleopatra. He acknowledged it and their children in 36 B.C. It was a marriage that was to be unrecognized at Rome. Huzar argues that Antony made the marriage in order to utilize Egyptian resources. Octavian wasnt very forthcoming with the troops Antony needed for his Parthian campaign, so he had to look elsewhere. The marriage ended when Antony committed suicide following the Battle of Actium.​​ Children: Fraternal Twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II; Son, Ptolemy Philadelphus.