Free College Essays - Mr. Shimerda in My Antonia :: My Antonia Essays

Mr. Shimerda of My Antonia Most people find it very hard to pull up roots in their native land and move to a strange country. Throughout history, countless millions of people have done so. People forsake their homeland and move to another country for various reasons. Some people emigrate to avoid starvation. Some seek adventure. Others wish to escape unbearable family situations. Still others desire to be reunited with loved ones. However, the main reason for immigration has long been economic opportunity--the lure of better land or a better job. Yet, some people can't conform to the American way of life. Like replanting a flower's roots, completely moving a person so attached to their homeland and customs, can prove to be fatal. In the book, "My Ántonia," the Shimerdas seemed to be very religious. For example, on Christmas evening, "When the candle ends sent up their conical yellow flames, all the colored figures from Austria stood out clear and full of meaning against the green boughs. Mr. Shimerda rose, crossed himself, and quietly knelt down before the tree†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦" History shows that the Bohemian people were constantly revolting for their freedom. This was probably one of the reasons for the religious Shimerdas move to America, to get away from those many "hard times." "All the time she say: 'America big country; much money, much land for my boys, much husband for my girls†¦my mama, she want Ambrosch for be rich, with many cattle." This must have been the main factor for the move from their "kawn-tree." Unfortunately, not all the Shimerdas were excited by the move. "My papa sad for the old country. He not look good. He never make music anymore†¦He don't like this kawn-tree†¦M y papa, he cry for leave his old friends what make music with him." These quotations were the warning signs of what happened next. "Why, mam, it was simple enough; he pulled the trigger with his big toe. He layed over on his side and put the end of the barrel in his mouth, then he drew up one foot and felt for the trigger. He found it all right!" Mr. Shimerda was so depressed about losing everything and anything that was familiar to him that he felt there was no use in living. Jim thought, "I knew it was homesickness that had killed Mr. Shimerda, and I wondered whether his released spirit would not eventually find its way back to his own country.

Happy Endings Essay

In the short story Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood the author displays how plot can affect characterization, or the reader’s perceptions of characters, by showing several different scenarios using the same characters but different plot lines. For example, plot B, although it uses the same characters, creates very different perceptions of those characters than the ones created in plot A. In plot A, John and Mary appear to be in love, and they appear to be happy. The plot seems to indicate this; â€Å"John and Mary fall in love and get married. They both have worthwhile jobs which they find exciting and challenging. â€Å"They buy a charming house. From the sequence of events revealed, we are led to believe that John and Mary are two ordinary people with good lives and a healthy relationship. However, in plot B, this perception changes, even though it is told with the same characters. In this story, the reader perceives John as a selfish jerk who shamelessly uses Mary, and Mary as a poor girl with a weak will. â€Å"Mary falls in love with John but John doesn’t fall in love with Mary. He merely uses her body for selfish pleasure and ego gratification of a tepid kind. † This sequence of events leads the reader to conclude very different things about the characters than in the first plot. The plot structure is set so the audience is always changing his or her perceptions. There are some interesting themes that develop from this short story. One theme could be the idea of what the middle class values as important. Version A seems to sum up what the middle class expects life to be and thinks life should be. Another theme is the Inevitability of Death mentioned in version F. This is the idea that death can’t be avoided no matter what as stated in the story over and over again â€Å"John and Mary die. † This is definitely the main thought behind the entire short story.

The Prohibition The Dry Years Before the Depression

In the early 1900’s, many Americans, including women and Anti-Saloon activists, were promoting an â€Å"alcohol free society†. These activists believed that alcohol was the cause of high crime and other down falls of American society (Okrent, 2010). A group called the Anti-Saloon League (ASL) soon became one of the biggest contributors to Prohibitionists groups. They contributed money and also ideas that would help to make the idea of an alcohol free country, also known as a dry country, a reality. The ASL toured the country discussing their viewpoints with many different types of people in order to attain the American people support. The ASL discussions really reached out to one person in the crowd especially, Wayne B. Wheeler (Okrent, 2010). Wayne B. Wheeler joined the ASL after hearing them give a speech involving the end to alcohol in America. Wheeler believed that what the ASL was talking about made sense and decided that he wanted to join the cause. He began by a ttempting to get a law passed in every single state to ban alcohol for the American way of life. He traveled around the country giving speeches in an attempt to gain more support from his fellow Americans. Wayne B. Wheeler was an icon for Prohibitionists and many say that without his influence, the 18th Amendment may have never been passed (Okrent, 2010). The 18th Amendment passed in 1919 under President Woodrow Wilson; this amendment stated that it was illegal to make, sell and transport any type of alcohol inShow MoreRelatedProhibitionin the Twenties1600 Words   |  7 PagesProhibition In the roaring twenties the idea of a dry age was crossing the minds of many citizens in the states. During this time, the economy was starting to boom. As society was booming, the temperance movement started to cause problems in the system. Most people went along with the idea that drinking was bad and needed to be put to an end but they still wanted to drink. 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