A River Runs Through It Essay

A River Runs Through It Essay The River plays a significant role in this novel. It offers a setting in which the main characters escape from the shackles of civilization as well as a means to journey to a better place. The river also acts as an artery through which Huck passes in his transition from innocence to awareness. In this essay on A River Runs Through It I will explore the role the relationship between the symbolic importance of the river and the design and structure of the novel. A river is at its weakest just as it begins to form. As the stream of water begins to flow toward the ocean it must develop and change, as it will branch off in many directions. After branching off, the flow of the river strengthens as it begins travel to its final destination, the ocean. Huck and Jim journey down the Mighty Mississippi has a very weak and fragile beginning. Neither character has any direction, they both know that they would like to have their freedom, but in different capacities. Just as the river strengthens as its flow picks up, so does the bond between Huck and Jim as their adventure down the Mississippi begins to reach their final destination of their adventure, freedom. The river in a physical sense was Huck and Jim’s main source of how they traveled throughout the novel. The river also acts as a main artery through which Huck passes in his transition from innocence to awareness. Along the way, Huck encounters many situations that strengthen his character about the way things are and the way things should be. When Huck played that awful trick on Jim, Jim told Huck how awful that made him feel that he would do such a terrible thing especially when he cared so much for Huck. It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger- but I done it, and I warn’t sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn’t do no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d a knowed it would make him feel that. (Twain 272) Huck recognized Jim for a human being with feelings and not just a slave. At that point in Huck’s life, the rules of society took the back burner to how he was feeling abou t Jim the slave and his friend. In the novel, the river symbolizes freedom for both Huck and Jim. Freedom to move around without having to adhere to rules and restrictions of the southern culture. Huck took the river to Jackson Island. Huck acknowledged his passion for freedom his third day on the island. The next day I went exploring around and down through the island. I was the boss of it; and it all belonged to me, so to say, and I wanted to know all about it; but mainly I wanted to put in the time. (Twain 243) Huck expresses here that putting in the time to explore something that you want is well worth it. The relationship between Huck and Jim becomes the mainstay of the novel. This relationship enhances and complicates the journey down the Mississippi. Jim’s role evolves from friend to parent. Although, the friendship is still very apparent throughout the novel. In chapter nine, when Jim and Huck came upon the houseboat, Jim took the initiative to protect Huck from what Huck thought was a dead stranger, when it was indeed Huck’s father, Pap. At the end of the novel, Jim reveals to Huck that it was Pap on that houseboat. (Twain 406-407) Jim wanted Huck to be assured that his money was safe from Pap. At the point that Huck and Jim meet up on Jackson Island, this is true symbolism. The meeting of the two is like a tributary (a smaller river joining a larger one). They joined forces to take on whatever they would encounter on the way down the Mississippi. Jim and Huck became a team. They both collectively came up with the plan for Huck to dress up like a girl and venture into town. Huck practiced over and over the mannerisms of a girl, and Jim told him what he was and wasn’t doing right (Twain 252) It is clearly evident throughout the novel that when the two of them operated together they seem to master the inevitable. It was when they got separated, that their weaknesses stood out. Jim even becomes vulnerable. In chapter XV, Jim risked giving up his own freedom by looking for Huck. He called Huck’s name knowing that his distinctive voice could be heard and recognized (Twain 272) In conclusion, I hope that I conveyed the symbolic importance of the river and the design and structure of the novel. It was very clear to what role that river played in this novel. However, it was slightly difficult to explore the relationship between the two. I attempted to do so by bringing in the relationship of Huck and Jim to the forefront, as they ventured down the Mississippi. This adventure was a coming of age experience for Huck. I attempted to use the Physical properties of a river to show that rivers start out weak and along the way it picks up strength in its flow, as does Huck’s maturity in the novel.

Civil Engineering Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 11250 words

Civil Engineering - Dissertation Example According to the report findings transit service works best when it is considered as an integral part of roadway design, development, and urban revitalization. The success of the transit service is directly tied to accomodation of the pedestrian. Pedestrian phases at busy intersections provide additional protection. Separate bicycle stop lines at intersections increase visibility and give cyclists a chance to pull away ahead of turning vehicles. As the paper stresses cities should take into account when investing money into roads that address the diversity of the population that is going to use those roads such as poor people, and households that do not own cars. Hence high and low road designs must â€Å"meet multiple objectives which are as follows: improving highways for their traffic movement, linking transporation investments to land use planning. In designing high and low roads then it must be essentially a factor as to what sorts of people it would benefit by using these roads -some people who are regulars who are using these roads to go to work, and kids riding the school bus to get to class everyday as opposed to someone who is a tourist and is more likely to frequent the use of the road much less. In the low road scenario, the role of any central organization is to ensure the integrity of the internal data definitions and networking standards and to provide full access. Indeed, aside from a process for establishin g a minimal set of data definitions and a means for data exchange, there may be no centrally controlled organization at all. The role of standards in the low road scenario is an important but limited one. Standards ensure the integrity of the internal data exchange process. The low road philosophy view most corporate technology standards as impediments to progress. They demand to use the latest technology, the best of new development tools, and the most appropriate software for their particular application (Azad,nd. p.1)." I would like to address this last point that my research included to use as a fundamental

Child development observations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Child development observations - Research Paper Example 5:05- She is still looking and stops at one particular page and tries to read- she makes a very serious face and points out to a picture of MASHED POTATO but says â€Å"ICE-CREAM†. â€Å"With chocolate sauce and chocolate-chips† she adds after deciding what she wanted to have. 5:10- She places them all together and puts back the stand from where she picked it up. â€Å"When will my food be ready?† she enquired. Her face looks a bit impatient now as she stares at the waiters carrying trays to other tables. 5:11- She starts scratching her legs with her right hand. As soon as the waiter approaches her table, G looks up at the tray he was carrying. Her eyes beam up when she sees the large bowl of sundae. She smiles and looks at the bowl with awe filled eyes. 5:12- G picks up the spoon with her right hand and looks around. She then looks leans forward on her chair and digs into the ice-cream with the spoon. She is unable to get a proper scoop which falls back as soon as she picks it. With her left hand she reaches for the cherry placed on the top of the sundae. 5:13- G put the cherry into her mouth with her left hand and then used both her hands to hold the spoon and scoop a bit of the sundae. She has a look of determination on her face. She finally manages to accomplish her task and put the spoon into her mouth and eats the sundae off it. â€Å"Its cold!!!† she exclaims and shakes her head left to right four times. 5:15- She drops a bit of the melted dessert on her frock and looks down with a look of disgust. G then smiles and tries to pick the fallen bits of dessert with her spoon. She fails since the ice-cream melts and runs down her clothes. 5:18- â€Å"I am done can I have the cheese?† she asks. She is now looking at the sandwich kept right across her. G is given a bit of the cheese slice. G happily takes it with her right hand and puts it into her mouth at once. She chews on it

Personal Development self -managemnt and reflection Assignment

Personal Development self -managemnt and reflection - Assignment Example Section 1 There is a number of skills that one need to posses in order to successfully go through the Higher Education system. One of the most important personal skills that one should have is organizational skills, this skill is very important because it assist an individual to plan wisely and manage time well and bit any deadlines set .Having organization skills illustrates that one has a high level of intellectual ability and thus in a position to undertake a higher education course in any field. Determination is yet another skill that a student pursuing higher education should posses, determination is the zeal to keep on working hard until one achieves his/her goals ,.Determination will enable student to focus on achieving his career goals . Communication skills are needed to promote teamwork and collaboration, leadership skills and research skills ,without communication skills a student may not be in a position to smoothly carry out their business around the university .In moder n world the use of information technology and knowledge in numeracy is a must for any student pursuing higher education more over, a student should have problem solving skills, be in a to improve own learning and performance and should practice self discipline. Individually, I understand that I have some weaknesses in some of the skills mentioned; in particular I have gaps in organizational skills, zeal to improve my own learning and performance and I also have poor communication skills. Section 2 Action Plan for Academic skills needed to be attained Skill Target Action Timescale Success Criteria Recourses Organisational skills Excellent organizational skills Have a workable time table in place Become committed to my school work Time management Practice free and effective communication Listen to others Exercise leadership skills 6 months Neatness and clarity in my work Beating of deadlines Excellent grades Fellow students Lecturers Reading material Improving my own Learning and Perf ormance Excellent all round performance Consultation Teamwork Hard work Commitment Motivation 6 months Improved performance Involvement in most activities Reading material Fellow students Family Lecturers Communication Skills Excellent communication skills Stay focused Listen carefully See the point in other people messages Ask for assistance if needed Practice clarity 4 months Improved teamwork Excellent listening skills Excellent organisational skills Improved performance Reading material Fellow students Lecturers Action plan for the four subjects to be covered during the program Subject Target Action Time Frame Success Criteria Recourses Subject one to four Perform exemplarily in the respective subjects Get the core units Understand the topics Visit libraries and other resource centers Carry out in depth research on the subjects Submit all assignment on time Practice teamwork with class mates and lecturers During the course duration Good performance Good communication skills Libr aries, the internet , Fellow students Lecturers Section 3 Topic 1 Understanding this topic was easy for me, this is due to the exciting lecturer we had, and the lecturer was amusing besides being very knowledgeable. I ensured that I would not miss nay lecturer ,personally ,this topic has assisted me to develop my communication and interpersonal skill due to the high level of involvement

Gawains Moral Superiority Revealed in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Gawain's Moral Superiority Revealed in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In the final scenes of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Gawain’s encounter with Sir Bertilak allows Gawain to perceive his own flaws, manifested in his acceptance of the Green Girdle. The court’s reaction to his personal guilt highlights the disconnect between him and the other knights of the Round Table. Gawain’s behavior throughout the poem has been most noteworthy; his understanding of his sin, one that many of us would dismiss since it was propelled by his love of life, enhances his stature as a paragon of chivalry. When Gawain shows up at the Green Knight’s chapel, his mere presence provides comfort to his host, who greets him: â€Å"Sir so sweet, you honour the trysts you owe.† Perhaps the green gallant had been expecting Gawain, as representative of the crumbling House of Arthur, to be derelict in his duties. Gawain lives up to his good name. Similarly, he resisted the unbearable temptations of Lady Bertilak on numerous occasions, providing a mere kiss, in accordance with the code of chivalry. Yet, Gawain did err in accepting the girdle; that much cannot be denied. We, the reader, can forgive him since he repents fully, even going so far as to impose penance (of wearing the girdle eternally as a mark of his fall) on himself. It takes a mild rebuke by the Green Knight to crack Gawain’s faà §ade of confident valor. His conscience compels him to break down when confronted by his host as to his indiscretion. However, this happened only when the host had revealed himself to be the same as the Green Knight. We realize that Gawain had previously perceived in Sir Bertilak an equal in knighthood; thus his ease in deceiving him in the exchange of winnings game. When Gawain realizes he was the subject of a test, he sees Bertilak/Green Knight in a different light. The Green Knight now becomes Gawain’s confessor and in doing so assumes a fatherly role. We see that Bertilak perceives Gawain’s fault, his love of life, and irrespective of it, loves Gawain. Despite having sinned, Bertilak sees in Gawain a first-rate knight, far superior to his peers in Camelot, who, faced with the spectre of death, grew silent with cowardice, as the honor of the King lay unguarded.

Tragedies of Love Ingreek Mythology

Everyone loves a good tragedy. The ones that make you cry and give the person next to you a big hug. Jack and Rose in Titanic; ninety percent of the people I know cry every time they watch Titanic. Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind, even Borat and Pamela Anderson in the movie Borat! But this paper isn’t about tragedies in recent times; it’s about love stories gone wrong†¦in Greek mythology. I have researched the stories I think were the saddest and most touching: Apollo and Hyacinthus: Apollo, the Greek god of knowledge and the arts had many affairs with both men and women, most of which didn’t end so well.He had an affair with Hyacinthus who was a prince of Sparta. Hyacinthus admired and loved Apollo so much so that he followed him everywhere. One afternoon, the lovers decided to practice discus throwing. You’d think it was a harmless enough game for two people in love to play. Apollo threw the discus and in such excitemen t to get it, the discuss hit Hyacinthus square on the head instantly killing him. Apollo later learned that it was Zephyrus (god of the West wind) who was also deeply in love with him, that manipulated the winds resulting in the change in direction of the discuss and ultimately the killing of Hyacinthus.It is said that the grieving Apollo turned his beloved Hyacinthus into the flower we all know as the Hyacinth. This is a good example of people who lose loved ones and keep mementos of them, keeping them in their memories. Apollo and Clytie: This is another story of Apollo’s many love affairs. I guess he just liked to ‘sow his seeds wildly’. Apollo and Clytie were hopelessly in love. Obliviously happy. Then Apollo did what he knew how to do best, he left Clytie for another woman: princess Leucothea. Feeling robbed, Clytie ousted Leucothea to her father who judged that his daughter be buried alive.Clytie thought she would finally have her Apollo back but alas this made him turn away from her for good. Sad as she was, she sat on a rock for days without food, waiting for her beloved and staring at the sky. Clytie suffered and turned brown and yellow, eventually turning into a heliotrope flower (it always turns its head towards the sky). This is an example of going to extreme lengths for love and yes, it often does not end well. Eos and Tithonus: After being cursed by Aphrodite to be eternally in love, goddess of the sun, Eos, fell in love with a Trojan Tithonus.Being so enchanted and taken with him, she kidnapped him and took him to Zeus to ask him for immortality for Tithonus. Zeus did give him the immortality that Eos asked for but in her haste she didn’t ask for eternal youth and health for Tithonus. So yes they were together forever but Tithonus grew older and older with each passing day. He eventually lost use of his body but he whimpered every so often. In need of preserving her love for him, she turned him into a cicada. To foreve r sing a mournful tone to her. Orpheus and Eurydice:Orpheus, son of Muse Calliope was married to Eurydice. Once, he sailed with the Argonauts meanwhile, back at home, Aristaeus attempted to seduce Eurydice away from Orpheus. But faithful she was. She fled him and unfortunately, she trod on a serpent which bit her and killed her. When Orpheus returned and found his wife dead, he played a song so mournful and sad that the gods and nymphs told him to go to Hades and retrieve her. He went to Hades and asked for his Eurydice back. Hades agreed and told him that she would follow him back to earth on the one condition that he not look back.As they approached the gates of the underworld, Orpheus couldn’t resist. ‘Is she really following me? ’ he thought ‘I can’t tell. ’ He couldn’t wait to see her face. He turned around and with that he watched her fade away, slip, away from him forever. This story is indicative of what love can do to people. I t makes you break the rules because it hurts so bad to abide by those rules. Narcissus and Echo: The nymph, Echo, was cursed by Hera to be unable to start conversation and to repeat last words uttered by others.She was hopelessly in love with Narcissus, son of a river god who was incredibly handsome as well as incredibly vain. One day Narcissus went hunting and Echo saw him and followed him. Narcissus thought he heard someone behind him and asked ‘Who’s there? ’ and poor Echo, unable to say anything apart from that, replied ‘Who’s there? ’ In a last ditch effort to get Narcissus’ attention, she showed herself to him but he turned her away and went on with his hunting. Heartbroken Echo went into a cave, sat and sadly faded away into nothingness†¦a voice.Narcissus grew thirsty from his hunting and decided to take a drink in the river. He saw his reflection in the water and fell in love with it, never knowing that it was HIS reflectio n. For fear of destroying the reflection he didn’t drink the water and wasted away of thirst, turning into the narcissus flower. I think this is the worst story because they both died of unrequited love which to me seems like the worst kind of scenario. Echo never being loved by Narcissus and Narcissus never being loved by his reflection. They both died unsatisfied.

Joshua L. Chamberlain in the American Civil War