Determination and courage help us to develop and achieve our identity. There are many factors that help develop and determine an individuals’ identity. These factors are caused as a result of the various experiences that an individual goes through in life. These experiences promote determination in some and courage in others and help develop a person’s identity. The journey that a person takes in life similar to Santiago’s in The Alchemist clearly illustrates the factors that contribute towards one’s identity.
Pearl is a sort of living version of her mother’s scarlet letter. Like the letter, she is something that stands out in society by being an uncommon child. Yet, even as a reminder of Hester’s sin, Pearl is more than a mere punishment to her mother: she is also a blessing. She represents not only sin, but also the vital spirit of that sin. Thus, Pearl’s existence gives her mother reason to live, bolstering her spirits when she is tempted to give up; acting as a hero who constantly saves her mother from the tortures of Puritan society.
051.3.1. Explain how people from different backgrounds may use and/or interpret communication methods in different ways. Backgrounds are a person’s education, experience, and social/ economics circumstances. Experiences and understanding of the world, the words we use and how we use them is influenced by your culture. In this sense, communication is very dependent on backgrounds, such as all about our origins: geographic, religion, social, economic, education, etc.
Grandma Lynn is one of the more vibrant, vain and misunderstood characters within the novel, like her Daughter she portrays an air of selfishness (Relating back to her daughter leaving the family in a time of crisis) however she takes the role of the level-headed peacekeeper throughout her appearances in the Novel, from her arrival before Susie’s funeral to her departure. We also notice how she is a hardened person, unlike the rest of the family. Sebold represents her as a vain and self-conscious character, an alcoholic and above all she has a straight forward attitude. Sebold initially represents Grandma Lynn in the play as one of the more hardened characters, upon her arrival we already get an idea of the character as someone who is unaffected by personal crisis’s such as Susie’s death, even before her arrival the call between Abigail and Grandma Lynn helps to portray her hardened character, the way that she is blankly states that “She has to come because it’s Susies funeral” she doesn’t seem to show much emotion on her arrival and the way that she brings a more vibrant atmosphere into the solemn and sad house. Even on her arrival instead of confronting the issue of Susies death she orders for a “Stiff Drink”.
Riley Walters October 26, 2014 “Everyday Use” Character Analysis The Character of Mama in “Everyday Use” Mama, the narrator of Alice Walker’s story, “Everyday Use,” is a strong, loving mother who is sometimes threatened and burdened by her daughters, Dee and Maggie. Gentle and stern, her inner monologue offers us a glimpse of the limits of a mother’s unconditional love. Mama is brutally honest and often critical in her assessment of both Dee and Maggie. She harshly describes shy, withering Maggie’s limitations, and Dee provokes an even more pointed evaluation. Mama resents the education, sophistication, and air of superiority that Dee has acquired over the years.
Dee’s sister Maggie is described as being more restrained, and intimidated by her sister’s success. The feeling of intimidation sets up the tone of the story and displays the significance of how Dee’s character affects her sister and mother. Throughout the story, it
The gesture also inspires Edna to speak openly and freely and by doing so Edna feels intoxicated as if she tasted “the first breath of freedom” [VII Chopin]. Madame Ratignolle’s sympathy gives Edna the courage to say what is on her mind without censoring, an exercise that helps her outward existence and inward life to correspond. To Edna, Madame Ratignolle is an embodiment of the mother woman, and through her presence Edna realizes that she is not like her, and that she does not want to devote herself to her husband and children, she would rather have some space and freedom for herself to pursue her interests. Thus Edna realizes that she is not and does not want to be a mother woman. This realization helps Edna further understand herself and she gradually starts neglecting her marital obligations in action rather than only questioning them in her head.
Both fail to recognize and see each other for who they really are. Hulga/ Joy is bothered daily with her simple-minded mother because she portrays herself as a very kind and patient person towards other people. For example, she gives compliments and tell people that Mrs. Freeman‘s daughters Glynese and Carramae “are the finest girls she knows”, and Mrs. Freeman “is a lady and she would not mind taking anywhere with her.” (51). Mrs. Hopewell is embarrassed with how the way Hulga/Joy behaved and how she would dress inappropriately by wearing worn tattered clothes. Knowing that Hulga/Joy disposition toward those girls was unfavorable and she ignored daughter’s need to be accepted.
For instance, Oates presents Connie’s appearance as narcissistic and explicates how Connie is always “craning her neck to glance into mirrors, or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right” (paragraph 1) and that her looks are a way of demonstrating self-absorbency and arrogance. Connie is seen by her mother in this fashion from her mother’s words such as, “You think you’re so pretty?” (Paragraph 1) and Connie’s thoughts of herself being significantly beauty and charming through the use of the quote “she knew she was pretty and that was everything.” (Paragraph 1) Connie’s mother is after her because of her looks. She is coveted for her looks because her mother was once as stunning as Connie is now, and can’t let go of the past and accept that Connie deserves some attention, now that she is a goddess to society. Although Connie’s mother seems like the “evil stepmother” in this tense atmosphere, Connie always seems to ignore her mother’s jealousy and continue to look attractive, no matter what the situation or dilemma. Another powerful symbol Oates uses is the omnipresent music to dictate the way different characters think, feel, and act.
Donna Woolfolk Cross explains in her article, "Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled" that propaganda shapes our attitudes on thousands of subjects by tactics such as name-calling which "consists of labeling people or ideas with words of bad connotation" (Cross 210). Aunt Lydia uses name-calling by stating that these women were lazy sluts and explains how important and how much better childbirth is in Gilead in comparison to the old days. Her manipulative speech is what blocks the handmaids from thinking, only to react unquestioningly. Cross's article explains that glittering generalities "try to get us to accept and agree without examining the evidence" (Cross 211). Aunt Lydia's use of glittering generalities and convincing tone of voice makes these women accept whatever she defines them as, giving no reason to think otherwise.