Friday, August 21, 2020

Emperor Hadrian in Marguerite Yourcenars Memoirs of Hadrian and E.L. D

Head Hadrian in Marguerite Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian and E.L. Doctorow's Everyman figure of Coalhouse Walker, Jr. in Ragtime As Marguerite Yourcenar states in Memoirs of Hadrian, â€Å". . . there is constantly a day where Atlas stops to help the heaviness of the sky, and his revolt shakes the earth.† (114) When Coalhouse Walker walks purposely, even energetically, into his passing, he is more remarkable at that point than he has been at some other point in his campaign. Since he has no respect for death or for the impact of his choice upon the remainder of the world, his picked destiny sends a reverberating response through all who witness his end. Furthermore, what may drive a man to surrender his life so openly? Love and passing. Inseparably fit in the two Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar and E.L. Doctorow’s Ragtime, these immortal states significantly change the viewpoints of Emperor Hadrian and Coalhouse Walker Jr. In spite of being isolated by hundreds of years, the two men go to outrageous lengths for their impression of adoration, however when demise mediates they have inqui sitively inverse responses. Hadrian is Emperor of the tremendous Roman Empire, and when he first comes into power he is ablaze with new thoughts of beautification and enhancements for all the regions of the Empire, regardless of whether the individuals of said areas needed to be improved or not. He is secure enough in himself to see himself as, while not a divine being, something like a lieutenant, â€Å"seconding the god in his push to provide structure and request to a world, to create and duplicate its convolutions, expansions, and complexities.† (Yourcenar, 144) After numerous individual triumphs, he despite everything denies the honors that past Emperor’s have felt were legitimately theirs, wanting to allow his to individuals and his ... ...ife. This idea is absolutely unfamiliar to Coalhouse Walker Jr. who, simply in the wake of accomplishing the affection that he looked for and afterward losing it so rapidly thus obtusely, gains practically exceptional control over the individuals of the city, motivating apprehension and no little wonderment for the man who might go to such lengths over a vehicle and some irrelevant (to them) dark lady who wasn’t even his better half. Passing and love: indistinguishable through the course of time, rising above the ages†both Emperor Hadrian and Coalhouse Walker Jr. face them, and keeping in mind that one additions conviction and a reason, regardless of whether that intention is at last his own passing, different decreases, never observing that the demise of his adoration might fill a need other than straightforward anguish and grieving, never getting that, with time and activity, â€Å"the future [could] again [hold] the desire for the past.† (Yourcenar, 176)

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Essay Samples of David and Goliath

Essay Samples of David and GoliathEssay samples of David and Goliath are written by Jack Johnson for his biography, The Last Four Days. He's on the couch watching TV. As he's reading The Clash and Dylan hits the keyboard. Goliath is not so much winning as devouring Jack.This story is not only taken from the autobiographical biography of Jack Johnson, but it's also a metaphor for all professional writers who struggle with their craft. They need to understand that life isn't fair and that many people will never get past being humble or sweet.Just like how the tenacious Goliath can't be stopped and the epitome of humanity that is Jack is often faced with rejection, many people are told they are too insecure to write. At first this seems good, a bonus that you will still be getting paid to get your creative juices flowing. After a while though, you might realize that if you want to become an author you may have to become more than just a writer. You might need to be the voice of someone who has a literary conscience.The challenge is in writing your own voice, coming up with new and interesting ideas, and breaking away from those people that never gave you a chance. You need to learn how to stand out from the crowd and how to create a masterpiece for yourself. Writing that masterpiece is not as hard as you might think.Writing essays samples of David and Goliath is actually a lot easier than you might think. In fact, I am sure you can come up with some much better topics to write about than writing about the struggles you faced to create something that would make you proud. No one has ever written about their childhood memories without writing about something else, so what do you think you could write about?I'm not saying that writing about childhood memories is easy, but there is a way to break out of this little box and create a masterpiece about those moments. You see, with your story you can remind the reader that life is often not fair. The character is telling the reader that as hard as life can be, there is always a way out. You might even add a twist or turn of events that make the story more special than life itself.So if you're going to write essay samples of David and Goliath, make sure you try to talk about something other than what you've been forced to write about. Maybe try to create something that people will find interesting. That way, if it turns out that you're rejecting you can write about something else.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Netherlands - Geography, Government and History

The Netherlands, officially called the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is located in northwest Europe. The Netherlands borders the North Sea to its north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east. The capital and largest city in the Netherlands is Amsterdam, while the seat of government and therefore most government activity is in the Hague. In its entirety, the Netherlands is often called Holland, while its people are referred to as Dutch. The Netherlands is known for its low-lying topography and dikes, along with its liberal government. Fast Facts: Netherlands Official Name: Kingdom of the NetherlandsCapital: AmsterdamPopulation: 17,151,228Â  (2018)Official Language: DutchCurrency: Euro (EUR)Form of Government: Parliamentary constitutional monarchyClimate: Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild wintersTotal Area: 16,040 square miles (41,543 square kilometers)Â  Highest Point: Vaalserberg at 1,056 feet (322 meters)Lowest Point: Zuidplaspolder at –23 feet (–7 meters) History of the Netherlands In the first century BCE, Julius Caesar entered the Netherlands and found that it was inhabited by various Germanic tribes. The region was then divided into a western portion that was inhabited mainly by Batavians while the east was inhabited by the Frisians. The western part of the Netherlands became a part of the Roman Empire. Between the fourth and eighth centuries, the Franks conquered what is today the Netherlands and the area was later given to the House of Burgundy and the Austrian Habsburgs. In the 16th century, the Netherlands were controlled by Spain but in 1558, the Dutch people revolted and in 1579, the Union of Utrecht joined the seven northern Dutch provinces into the Republic of the United Netherlands. During the 17th century, the Netherlands grew in power with its colonies and navy. However, the Netherlands eventually lost some of its importance after several wars with Spain, France, and England in the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition, the Dutch also lost their technological superiority over these nations. In 1815, Napoleon was defeated and the Netherlands, along with Belgium, became a part of the Kingdom of the United Netherlands. In 1830, Belgium formed its own kingdom and 1848, King Willem II revised the Netherlands constitution to make it more liberal. From 1849–1890, King Willem III ruled over the Netherlands and the country grew significantly. When he died, his daughter Wilhelmina became queen. During World War II, the Netherlands was continuously occupied by Germany beginning in 1940. As a result, Wilhelmina fled to London and established a government in exile. During WWII, over 75% of the Netherlands Jewish population was killed. In May 1945, the Netherlands was liberated and Wilhelmina returned the country. In 1948, she abdicated the throne and her daughter Juliana was queen until 1980 when her daughter Queen Beatrix took the throne. Following WWII, the Netherlands grew in strength politically and economically. Today, the country is a large tourist destination and most of its former colonies have gained independence and two (Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles) are still dependent areas. The Government of the Netherlands The Kingdom of the Netherlands is considered a constitutional monarchy (list of monarchs) with a chief of state (Queen Beatrix) and a head of government filling the executive branch. The legislative branch is the bicameral States General with the First Chamber and the Second Chamber. The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court. Economics and Land Use in the Netherlands The economy of the Netherlands is stable with strong industrial relations and a moderate unemployment rate. The Netherlands is also a European transportation hub and tourism is also increasing there. The largest industries in the Netherlands are agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, and fishing. Agricultural products of the Netherlands include grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Geography and Climate of the Netherlands The Netherlands is known for its very low lying topography and reclaimed land called polders. About half of the land in the Netherlands is below sea level, but polders and dikes make more land available and less prone to flooding for the growing country. There are also some low hills in the southeast but none of them rise above 2,000 feet. The climate of the Netherlands is temperate and is highly affected by its marine location. As a result, it has cool summers and mild winters. Amsterdam has a January average low of 33 degrees (0.5ËšC) and an August high of just 71 degrees (21ËšC). More Facts About the Netherlands The official languages of the Netherlands are Dutch and Frisian.The Netherlands has large minority communities of Moroccans, Turks, and Surinamese.The largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Essay on Banning Smoking in Public Places - 720 Words

In today’s environment many suffer illnesses from pollution, and second hand smoke, and they seek for cleaner air. About five years ago, the health department was successful in banning smoking in public places and smokers needed to go outside unless companies set-up a designated area for smoking. Now, in Pierce County, smoking is banned in all public places such as restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels and taverns. This has caused an up roar with the business owners losing customers and money because of this ban. Within the health department satisfaction is in the environment because the workers will finally have working conditions that has clean air. This has caused many businesses to decide on closing the doors after feeling a little†¦show more content†¦Remind you that local bartenders at taverns do not get paid that on one shift, so they will be forcing their customers to take it outside. Many customers are not happy with the idea of not being able to smoke while enjoying their time playing pool, pull tabs, darts, watching the ball games and drinking. For years alcohol and smoking has been a common entertainment for many people within the community. Banning smoking in these establishments will not only cause profit loss with these companies but also within the tobacco, alcohol industry and the state. Like anything else things trickle and many people are not understanding a lot of the tax money that comes from these sales pays for many things in the community. If we think we have a problem now within funding wait until the impact of this comes to the state, many things and places will be shutting down and won’t only be the so called sinful joints. As many people who are working in these establishments are seeking clean air and a better health, have pushed the issue of banning smoking within these establishments. Many will ask themselves, is time to quite smoking or where else can I go to enjoy myself? We need to really analyze a how much can the state have control over people and the business that are in the community. Is this a sign of to much control or just someoneShow MoreRelatedThe Debate of Banning Smoking in Public Places Essays718 Words   |  3 PagesThe Debate of Banning Smoking in Public Places â€Å"There is no difference between a smoker and a suicide, only that one takes longer to kill themselves than the other†. Everyone has their rights, and if you want to smoke or not should be your choice because you are doing the damage to your own body. But if it’s supposed to be your choice and every gets their own choice then when you smoke in public places or wherever anyone is around you, you are making that choiceRead MoreThe Debate Over Banning Smoking in Public Places Essay607 Words   |  3 PagesThe Debate Over Banning Smoking in Public Places In my opinion I think smoking should banned from public places. My reasons for this are; People who smoke should be considerate of that fact that not only are they damaging their own existing health but also they are harming the others around them who are only breathing in the tobacco smoke. During the past ten years of tests, experiments etc. on the effect of smoking both directly and passive, there is now enoughRead MoreEssay on Why I Support Banning Smoking in Public Places567 Words   |  3 Pagesin any of their offices. Most governments have banned smoking in all public places. Based on personal experience, personality style and emotional concern, we find that some hold the notion that smoking in public places should be banned. Meanwhile, others want to be as free as possible and do as they please, as long as their actions do not violate the rights of others. From my point of view, it is more sensible to ban smoking in public places rather than allow second-hand smoke to continue to harmRead MoreAwareness and Attitude on the Law Banning Smoking in Public Places in Osun State, Nigeria577 Words   |  3 PagesArticle Review The tittle: Awareness and Attitude on the Law Banning Smoking in Public Places in Osun State, Nigeria. Published in: Tobacco Induced Diseases, 2014, 12:6. The objective of this study was to assess people’s awareness and boldness towards law stopping smoking of tobacco in public facilities in Osun, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with sample size of 520. Ethical clearance was obtained from the â€Å"Osun State Hospital Ethics and Research Committee.† Informed consentRead MoreShould Smoking Be Public Places?912 Words   |  4 PagesThe Debate about Smoking in Public Places Smoking cigarettes has been around for over two thousand years and is a debatable issue in the United States. The issue with public smoking is the controversy between banning it and not banning it. Many non-smokers view it as a harmful bad habit, while users view it as a choice that they are free to make. Opponents of banning smoking in public places feel that it is a choice and that it will take away their free will. â€Å"They argue that people should haveRead MoreThe Need to Ban Smoking in Public Places: A Persuasive Essay744 Words   |  3 Pagesnot to ban smoking in public places has been ongoing for quite a long period of time. While there are those who are opposed to the banning of smoking in public places, quite a number of studies conducted in the past have clearly demonstrated that second-hand smoke has serious health implications for nonsmokers. In this text, I concern myself with the need to ban smoking in public places. Smoking in Public Places In the past, there was a widely held assumption that cigarette smoking only harmedRead MoreSmoking in Public: Banned or Allowed885 Words   |  4 Pagesarea in public places a problem. If you are outside are in close area people are still exposed to the fumes of second hand smoke. Can the option of smoking be left up to the public rather or not an individual should smoke in public. Where does the line end in the rights of a person the right to inhale clean air, the right to excise your right to smoke in public? Non-Smokers have the right to smoke free clean air environment, and smokers have a personal right to smoke in designated smoking areasRead MoreBanning The Issue Of Banning Cigarettes1317 Words   |  6 Pagesthat regard, what are considered public places in state laws in reference to smoking is very much debatable. It is our duty as individuals to exercise certain behaviors that will benefit others, regardless of life circumstances and serve our society in the most respe ctable manner, in accordance to people rights and choices. Since the nineties, there has been a massive controversy on the issue of banning cigarettes in the U.S. Some claim that banning public smoking is an infringement on their freedomRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?824 Words   |  3 Pages Introduction: Tobacco Humans have been using tobacco in one way or the other since ancient times. Use of doesn’t always imply smoking it, but it can be chewed or used in different forms such as Tobacco chewing, dipping tobacco, etc. History: There is no fix time for the start of the use of tobacco in humans but it has been in human use since very ancient times. Locals were using before the arrival of Europeans to Americas. Las Casas brilliantly describes in his journal what the scouts who firstRead MoreSmoking Essay1600 Words   |  7 PagesJerry Thomas Professor Michaud Comp amp; Lit 101 December 13, 2010 Ban Smoking The human body is made up of all different organs that are essential to our living being. Taking care of these organs is vital to maintaining our health. One of our most important organs is the lungs. The lungs are used to take in oxygen from the air and help us make blood cells in the body. Keeping the lungs healthy is necessary to keeping your breathing and blood healthy. There are many things that keep

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Eco Map free essay sample

Luis Perez and his family immigrated to the United States from Argentina. In Argentina they were very successful, but thought that America could open up more possibilities for the family. The thought of better education for his children and better chances for his business of growing grapes to sell to vineyards is the main reason why Luis and his family immigrated to America. Luis and his wife Maria whom he has known most of all his life have eight kids; Rolando, Lupe, Anna, Roselina, Gracelia, Yesenia, Garielle, and Maritza. Rolando is the eldest at nineteen years and Maritza being the youngest at three years. Luis’s father and mother, Ramon and Carmen also reside with the family. Luis and his family are very family oriented. Being that most catholic families are very family oriented and very close. Luis’s family is the strongest influence on his behavior. Luis wants to provide for his family the best way he knows how. We will write a custom essay sample on Eco Map or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He also seems to be very close with his parents since he is their only child. Luis is very devoted to his job. Although he was very successful in Argentina his business of growing grapes for vineyards has not been going well for him. Luis who has fallen ill due to his diagnoses of multiple sclerosis and since it just his wife Maria trying to keep the business going. As much as Luis wants his eldest son Rolando to carry on the business he has been reluctant to do so because of him wanting to go to college and not continue with the family business. Luis and his family are not only dealing with the Luis’s diagnoses of multiple sclerosis but his father Ramon has passed away and his mother Carmen seems to not want anything to do with the family. Before the hardships started happening to the Perez family they were really close but since the death of Ramon and Luis’s illness the family seems to have fallen apart, leaving Maria to keep the family together herself while she is dealing with the fact that she is pregnant. Right now Luis is in his middle adult hood stage of life. His work is very important to him and also defines him as a person. I believe that Luis has some fears and anxieties about himself now that he is not working. He may feel as though he has no meaning since he can’t work. The stage that I think he is going through is Generativity vs. Stagnation. His transition into late adulthood could change either way. It could get worse or it could get better. Any person will have prejudice of biases about the families that they are working with. One thing that you must keep in mind is that every one of the families that you are working with has been raised a certain way that may be different from your own upbringing and that they are human beings. They should be treated with respect no matter what you think about their lifestyles. With that said everyone has prejudice or biases against some people and yes I believe I would have some against the Perez family. First I don’t believe that Luis should put so much pressure on Rolando to take over the family business. Rolando wants to go to school. I would talk to Luis about Rolando going to college so he can learn more about the family business, and be able to take over it. There are many stereotypes that can be put on the family. For one they immigrated over to the United States, so one of the stereotypes would be that they don’t speak English. Both Luis and Maria can speak English and so can the kids. As a human service professional even though I have my feelings about how Luis raises his family he is still a client that should be treated with respect. Statement 2 of the human service professional’s responsibility to clients states that â€Å"human service professionals respect the integrity and welfare of the client at all times. Each client is treated with respect, acceptance and dignity. † (NOHS, 2009) In conclusion, Luis and his family came to the United States from Argentina looking for better opportunities. Since arriving in America they have been plagued with hardships. Luis has lost his father and basically his mother as well. His son Rolando who is expected to take over the business does not know if this is what he wants. He wants to go to college and is keeping a secret from his family. Luis’s wife Maria has found out that she is pregnant and Luis himself has fallen ill with multiple sclerosis. Reading their case study I have learned tolerance and respect. I know have tolerance of other people’s beliefs on certain aspects of life. I always have respect for everyone no matter what, but tolerance is a big thing that would change within me.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Building Material

Introduction Timber, as a construction material, is relatively eco-friendly. One analyses the environmental feasibility of a material on the basis of the effect it has on the environment during manufacture, construction of the facility and energy use after constructing the house.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Building Material – Timber specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This refers to the green house gases released by the product as well as the total amount of energy required during the lifecycle of the material. Some materials may consume plenty of energy during construction but may lead to energy savings during occupation of the facility. Timber in floor construction Timber manufacture results in minimal by-products and even the relatively small amounts that do come about can be recycled. For instance, they can make mulch or generate heat in kilns (Hanson 2000). Members of the population are concerned a bout native plantations as well as forests. Not only do these areas act as habitats for biological species like plants and wildlife, they are also important sources of recreation and stabilize soil properties in those settings. Forests serve a host of other functions in the country’s ecology. Therefore, when architects choose the material, they may disturb these natural settings and the organisms that rely on them. Nonetheless, proper planning for their use can mitigate the problem. Plantation forests are an environmentally sustainable method of sourcing for timber. These areas are well managed as pre-planned building sites that have been created specifically for manmade uses. Manufacturers would need to liaise with timber associations in charge of these areas to source the materials (National Timber and Development Council Australia 2001). Energy requirements for preparing timber for construction are relatively lower than the ones used by other construction materials. The on ly process that consumes a lot of energy is drying. This stage accounts for three-quarter of the energy consumption.Advertising Looking for report on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In a mill, workers often rely on wood cuttings from the same timber to provide heat energy. Only minimal gas and electricity is needed for this material. Usually, the latter sources account for 15% of the energy used. It is possible to rely on kilns that consume solar energy as described by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Timber in the form of clad can consume 31,020 MJ for construction and will need 24,750 MJ for a forty-year maintenance period. Brick veneer timber requires 92,565 MJ for construction and 0 MJ for maintenance. Double-brick needs 141,900 MJ for construction and O MJ for maintenance. Aerated concrete consumes 76,560 MJ for construction and 24, 750 MJ of energy for maintenance. Finally, steel takes up 75,900 MJ in production and 24,750 for a forty-year maintenance period (University of Tasmania 2013). In comparison to the other materials, veneer timber is the most favourable because it has low energy needs. Steel may require much less energy than timber but it is not practical for floors. In the manufacture of building products, timber has promising results with regard to green house gas emission. Steel releases about 5,320 kg/m3 of carbon into the atmosphere and retains no carbon. Aluminium has one of the most unfavourable figures for carbon emission. About 22,000 kg/m3 of the element will enter the atmosphere during manufacture of the product/ concrete releases a relatively small amount – 120 kg/m3 will enter the atmosphere during the creation of this material but no carbon will be retained.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Building Material – Timber specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conversel y, sawn timber only releases a modest 15kg/m3 of carbon. It is the only material among typical construction materials that stores carbon. Construction allows timber to retain 250 kg/m3 of the element (Hardy 2008). The product requires minimal intervention during construction thus explaining why it produces very impressive results. Timber causes negligible site disturbance as professionals can manipulate the material to accommodate environmental goals. First, the material allows for planning flexibility. For instance, one can think about the number of trees that one intends on using and then work around it. Most timber floors are raised from the ground. This means that one can follow the topography of a site without having to dig, fill in, or change drainages for the material. In comparison, concrete floors would require disruption of the natural landscape of an area. If several buildings are constructed with such materials, then their topography will be altered (Tam Tam 2006). Duri ng the construction of timber floors, one will require relatively fewer materials and workers than other conventional materials. Timber is easier to lift than products like concrete, so one would not need to invest in as many personnel or equipment as these conventional products.Advertising Looking for report on architecture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Even the time one takes to create the building would be dramatically reduced if one switched from the latter products to timber. Wooden components are standardized and easy to use. Therefore, employees would need to spend a short time in preparing the material for assembly (Hugo 2012). When one builds a house floor with timber, one would need to consider the environmental impact of the item after construction. In this aspect, concerns about biological damage must be addressed. Fungi, termites or other insects can attack a natural building material like timber unless precautionary measures are taken. This means that the durability of the house may be put into question. One may need to repair or construct a new house in the place of the damaged ones (Bjornfot 2006). During the use of the house, timber floors have a certain advantage that other building materials may not offer. Lightweight timber accords users sufficient comfort in hot climates. Timber cools rapidly at night thus provi ding relatively cool rooms. This would eliminate the need for an air conditioner and would thus save energy for occupants. Australians spend a relatively high percent of their energy bill on thermal comfort. These refer to fans or air conditioners when temperatures increase. Therefore, a building material that eliminates the need to use these processes would be quite welcome (Leicester 2001). On the other hand, if a house has reached its life limit, timber is more eco friendly than other building materials. This material is easily recyclable as the timber elements may be used for other purposes. For instance, it could be used to make paper, as a fuel source, and as composite when it biodegrades. Therefore, wastage is limited for the product since building materials often last longer than the building itself. Inorganic products like concrete have very little recycling application (University of Tasmania 2013). Conclusion Timber is a flexible and eco-friendly material for floor constr uction. It has impressive energy consumption rates in manufacture and its carbon emissions are also satisfactory. In addition, the product does not cause site interference and easily adopts to landscapes. Timber house construction is not costly as the material is easy to move. It accords thermal comfort and eliminates the need to use external sources of energy. It is recyclable as the construction material has numerous applications. On the other hand, issues of termite and fungi attack as well as forest destruction must be addressed before selecting the material. References Bjornfot, A 2006, An exploration of lean thinking for multi-storey timber housing construction. Web. Hanson, W 2000, Roman military timber buildings: Construction and reconstruction, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Hardy, A 2008, ‘Timber frame construction’, Batiment International Building Research and Practice, vol. 13 no. 5, pp. 306-309. Hugo, S 2012, Timber framed construction, Wilhelm Ernst and Sohn, Verlag. Leicester, R 2001, ‘Engineered durability for timber construction’, Progress in Structural Engineering and Materials, vol. 3 no. 3, pp.216-227. National Timber and Development Council Australia 2001, Environmentally friendly housing using timber –principles, Forest and Wood Products, Queensland. Tam, V Tam, C 2006, ‘A review on the viable technology for construction waste recycling’, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 47 no. 3, pp. 209-221. University of Tasmania 2013, Timber building in Australia. Web. This report on Building Material – Timber was written and submitted by user Dorothy R. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Slavery and Racism Essays

Slavery and Racism Essays Slavery and Racism Essay Slavery and Racism Essay Jack O’Donnell Development of Western Civilization Dr. Carlson November 17, 2011 Slavery and Racism: Are They One in the Same? Aphra Behn was an extremely significant and influential English writer in the 1600s. One of her more famous works, Oroonoko, discusses the issues of slavery and racism in the Americas. Many people believe that slavery and racism go hand in hand. In fact, these two ideologies are awfully different. Slavery is the act of forcing humans to be treated property whereas racism is the belief that discrimination based on inherently different traits is justifiable. Behn, in Oroonoko, makes the fundamental differences between slavery and racism apparent. With the philosophical views of Rousseau and Trouillot’s analysis on the Haitian revolution, slavery and racism in Oroonoko can easily be separated and distinguished to show their dissimilarities. In the novel, Oroonoko is an African prince and war hero who enslaves many men from the various tribes he conquers in battle. Oroonoko believes this form of slavery is just and should be acceptable. Later in the story, Oroonoko is tricked and sold into slavery. He eventually works with many of the slaves he had sold to the Europeans back in Africa. Oroonoko considers this form of slavery to be incredibly unjust. The plantation owners did not â€Å"win† their slaves over in battle like Oroonoko, rather they barter or trade for them (Boeninger 9/26). The white males also treat Oroonoko as a lesser human being even though he is royalty. They constantly deceive Oroonoko into believing that his freedom is coming when in reality it is nowhere in sight. Because there was such an economic gap between the black slaves and the white slave owners, racism naturally became common custom (Behn). Racism in this case was derived from slavery; they were not the same idea. Behn depicts slavery and racism in this manner to show how different the two ideas are. In Africa, the slaves and the slave owners were of the same race. The color of their skin was not a factor in how they were treated. The fact that they lost in battle was the only reason they were slaves (Behn). In the Americas however, race had a much bigger role in the treatment of slaves. The large plantation owners were white and the slaves were black. Because of the racial divide in the owners and slaves, many forms of racism were justified (Boeninger 9/27). This also led to the discrimination of the free black men in the society. Behn purposely shows slavery in Africa and slavery in Surinam to point out the extreme differences between racism and slavery. Behn’s description of Oroonoko and Imoinda also show the inherent difference between racism and slavery. Behn describes Oroonoko as a beautiful person by stating, â€Å"His nose was rising and Roman instead of African and flat; his mouth the finest shape that could be seen, [†¦]. The whole proportion and air of his face was so noble and exactly formed that, bating his color there could be nothing in nature more beautiful, agreeable, and handsome (Behn 13). † The fantastic image Behn provides shows the reader that slavery and racism have different foundations. If they were the same idea, Behn would have never given such praise to a slave. She compares Oroonoko’s looks to those of a white man which would not have happened if racism and slavery were the same. The description of his beauty relays to the reader that slavery and racism can be two very separate entities. Even though Behn makes a clear distinction between slavery and racism in the novel, many people would disagree in how she got that message across. In Oroonoko, Behn’s message seems anti-racist but it appears that she does not have a problem with slavery. Her problem arises from how the slaves are treated, but slavery in general is acceptable for Behn. One philosopher in particular would have a problem with Behn’s message. Jean- Jacques Rousseau, if he were to read Oroonoko, would have some concerns. In Rousseau’s â€Å"A Discourse†, he discusses slavery and the rights of man. Rousseau believes that all men are born free and are equal according to nature. He would criticize Behn on her opinion of slavery saying that all men are born and should remain equal (Rousseau). Behn is very passive about her views on slavery where Rousseau is active in his writings. Even though he disagrees with Behn’s view on slavery he still believes slavery and racism are different. Rousseau would not dispute Behn over her view of racism. According to Rousseau, racism contrasts with his view on the rights of man. He believes all men are created equal; race should not be a reason to discriminate. He would also affirm what Behn has to say about the horrible treatment of Oroonoko by the white males throughout the story. They kept deceiving and leading Oroonoko on when they knew he would never be freed. Rousseau would say he should have received better treatment. The color of his skin should not matter in his given situation. Rousseau’s belief on the equality of mankind can be used to critique the works of Behn (Carlson 11/10). Even though there are disagreements between the views Behn and Rousseau, both see that racism and slavery are two different ideas and should be treated separately. The Haitian revolution also witnessed severe racism and slavery. In Haiti, slaves occupied about 85% of the population while the free men only occupied about 15% (Breen 10/31). The sugar plantations needed these slaves to run the production which was a gruesome process. Through this horrible procedure, many people made their fortunes. The rich white men would have children with their black slaves and eventually their heirs were of mixed race. When the white females came to Haiti to look for a partner, they noticed the white males were only attracted to the mixed race females. The hatred led to severe racism of the black community in Haiti (Breen 10/31). The stories of the beginning stages of Haitian revolution can easily be compared to the novel Oroonoko. In the Haitian revolution, many of the slave owners were of African descent. They resemble Oroonoko in Africa when he owned slaves of his same race. Racism was not a factor in either of these situations but slavery was. Because all parties were of the same race, slavery and racism did not go hand in hand. The problem in both cases was when the Europeans intervene. The racism was very prevalent in Oroonoko when all the white males were lying to him. They clearly did not respect the fact that he was royalty because of his descent. During the Haitian revolution, the European women’s jealousy caused racism to become prevalent on the island (Breen 10/31). The European jealousy also led to racism back in France. The European intermediates were one of the sources of racism in the early stages of the Haitian Revolution and in Oroonoko. The Haitian revolution was a power struggle amongst the white French and the black Haitians. Within this battle, many sects of Haitian rebel groups began fighting among each other. In Trouillot’s Silencing the Past, he discusses these fights among each other in the form of King Henry and Sans Souci (Trouillot). In his book, Trouillot talks about the race dilemma with the French and the Haitians. If Trouillot were to read Behn’s work, he would see similarities between the racism in Surinam and the racism in Haiti. In Oroonoko, the blacks are treated so horribly that they eventually revolted. That is very similar to what happened in Haiti. The Haitians eventually could not take the abuse and decided to revolt. In both cases they revolted for the racism and the slavery (Carlson 10/3). In Silencing the Past and Oroonoko during the revolts, it seems that slavery and racism are the same. In actuality the slavery and racist views stem about from different ideas. Even though at times it seems that slavery and racism are related, there are always underlying views that separate the two thoughts. Through Aphra Behn’s novel, the public can get a solid grasp of the differences between racism and slavery. With the help of Rousseau and Trouillot, the differences between slavery and racism only become greater and more distinct. Hopefully, people will come to realize how different these two ideologies actually are so they can get a better grasp of the past. Bibliography Behn, Aphra. Oroonoko. London: Penguin, 2003. Print. Boeninger. Notes. 9/26/2011-9/27/2011 Breen. Notes. 10/31/2011 Carlson. Notes. 10/3/2011, 11/10/2011 Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Rousseau: On the Origin of Inequality: Second Part.   Index. G. D. H Cole, 19 Oct. 2007. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. constitution. org/jjr/ineq_04. htm. Trouillot, Michel-Rolph. The Three Faces of Sans Souci.   Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History. Boston, MA: Beacon, 1995. Print.