Classic Tales Of Tom Sawyer :: essays research papers

Classic Tales of Tom Sawyer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Grudgingly going through the motions of reading page after page of a book while pretending to be interested is not a pleasurable way to spend time. Reading a book with a weak plot, dull setting, and lifeless characters requires much effort. Unfortunately, many books are like this. Some books are not as difficult to read and enjoy, but only a tiny percentage of books deserve enough to wear the classification of â€Å"classic,† like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finding out what makes a piece of literary work a â€Å"classic† is essential to fully understanding the significance of the books. In The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Twain successfully brings the story alive and makes it a pleasure to read. This book has gained the respect of people all over the world and earned itself this special distinction, because it contains the necessary substance. These integral ingredients of a classic are the vivid descriptions of the physical aspects of the story – the characters and setting, an entertaining and eventful plot, and the lasting truths the story's themes express.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most vivid memories of this story come from the striking descriptions of the physical aspects of the story. Mark Twain immediately brings the story to life with his introduction of the characters and their surroundings. From here, the familiarity of the characters and setting continues to grow. The depictions of the characters, both in mannerisms and dialogue, are so picturesque that Tom's superstitions and fantasies soon cause no great surprises, Aunt Polly's religious sayings and hidden affection for her â€Å" mischeevous† Tom come to be expected, and Sid's sly attacks on Tom appear deserving of Tom's revenge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The unique setting of St. Petersburg on the Mississippi River provides a suitable background for all of the characters' adventures. With McDougal's Cave's â€Å"vast labyrinth of crooked aisles† nearby, the pirates' hideaway island along with the old haunted house, Tom is situated in a setting worthy of his activities.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second needed portion of a classic is a captivating plot that appeals to people of all ages. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has no lack of this enchantment. Tom's â€Å"giddy and harum-scarum† devilment, his romance with Becky Thatcher, and Aunt Polly's masked feelings for Tom all provide for an especially entertaining and humorous sample of life on the Mississippi River in the 1800s. As the story progresses, despite the many changes of scenery, the reader relates comfortably with the characters, their personalities and the surroundings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Disguised in the events of the plot are the themes the author wishes to express. These themes in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are not explicitly stated,

Is Christian Morality Today Too Lenient

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Morality is a personal or social set of standards for good or bad behavior and character, or the quality of being right, honest or acceptable. It is characteristically the way you make decisions based on what you think is right or wrong. It is this same principle that today is affecting the Christian Population. Christians are being tormented with daunting questions such as: Am I doing the right thing? Should I do the right thing even though it may end up affecting me? How come nonbelievers get to have fun and I can’t? Just because I attend church and I am a Christian, does it mean that I have to do what the church says? on a daily basis. Christian morality hasn’t changed and should not ever change. It is a constant. The New Testament reminds us that Christian Morality is a contract with God and mankind. In fact, Leviticus 19 says that we should follow his commandments and be moral; not to steal, not to lie, not to commit adultery etc. if we plan to get to heaven. However, this warning seems to be considered a fraud due the amount of people who subscribe to these laws seem to diminish every day. This, therefore, gives reason to my opinion that Christian morality is having a tough time surviving due to its leniency. As compared to years past, the principle of Christian morality has been taken advantage of. People tend to make decisions now based on social pressures and what they feel will be accepted. They believe that because the entire world is doing something, they should too or else they would be considered an outcast. Therefore, they end up making their decisions in vacuums, without a solid base. In the past, the church, the society, parents and elders had an input in guiding and helping in the decision making process of its young people. In fact, Christian Morality can be considered too tolerant as compared to the adjective lenient. For example, many people watch things in movies and television that they shouldn't, sometimes hangout with the wrong people and think nothing of a hearing a dirty joke or something similar. They put worldly things before God- sports, entertainment, people, and their needs. A very common example in Belize is the willingness among teenagers to engage in sexual activity in spite of heir Christian moral values. Even though the Christian church has certain rules that its followers should follow, teenagers ignore them and turn on their good Christian morals. The same with the music; Christian music has meaning but because of wanting to attract youths, they use the rhythm of secular music. This cheap tactic works; however, youths are attracted to the sound of the music rather than the message. We live in a society of carnality, brutality and mortality since our motivation stems from our longing for â€Å"comfort†, â€Å"convenience† and â€Å"pleasure†. In order to achieve this, people who practice to be moral are attacked and made irrelevant. Those who defend past principles and try to practice their traditional Christian values are being put down and becoming an insignificant minority. Liberal institutions condemn the church for its Christian moral values and try to instill in our youths immorality and unethical values. I believe that the Christian Church need not change their morals but try to become stricter while still keeping their traditional values and hopefully a spark of hope will be lit.

Ancient China - Periods and Dynasties

Chinese recorded history goes back more than 3000 years and if you add archaeological evidence (including Chinese pottery), another millennium and a half, to roughly 2500 B.C. The center of Chinese government moved repeatedly throughout this period, as China absorbed more of eastern Asia. This article looks at the conventional divisions of the history of China into eras and dynasties, starting with the earliest about which we have any information and continuing through to Communist China. Events of the past, if not forgotten, are teachings about the future. - Sima Qian, Chinese historian of the late second century B.C. The focus here is on the period of ancient Chinese history that begins with the advent of writing (as also for the Ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, and the Indus Valley) and ends with the period that corresponds best with a conventional date for the end of antiquity. Unfortunately, this date makes sense only in Europe: A.D. 476. That year is in the middle of the relevant Chinese period, the Southern Song and Northern Wei Dynasties, and is of no special significance for Chinese history. Neolithic First, according to historian Sima Qian, who chose to begin his Shiji (Records of the Historian) with the Yellow Emperor tale, Huang Di unified tribes along the Yellow River valley nearly 5,000 years ago. For these achievements, he is considered the founder of the Chinese nation and culture. Ever since 200BC, Chinese rulers, imperial and otherwise, have considered it politically convenient to sponsor an annual memorial ceremony in his honor. [URL www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/05/04/2003306109] Taipei Times - Dumping the Yellow Emperor Myth The Neolithic (neonew lithicstone) Period of Ancient China lasted from about 12,000 until about 2000 B.C. Hunting, gathering, and agriculture were practiced during this period. Silk was also produced from mulberry leaf-fed silkworms. The pottery forms of the Neolithic period were painted and black, representing the two cultural groups, Yangshao (in the mountains of the north and west of China) and Lungshan (in the plains in eastern China), as well as utilitarian forms for daily use. Xia It had been thought that the Xia were a myth, but radiocarbon evidence for this Bronze Age people suggests that the period ran from 2100 to 1800 B.C. Bronze vessels found at Erlitou along the Yellow River, in northern central China, also attest to the reality of the Xia. The agrarian Xia were ancestors of the Shang. More on the Xia Reference: [URL www.nga.gov/exhibitions/chbro_bron.shtm] The Golden Age of Classical Archaeology Beginning of the Historical Era: Shang The truth about the Shang (c. 1700-1027 B.C.), who, like the Xia, had been considered mythical, came as a result of the discovery of the writing on oracle bones. It is traditionally believed that there were 30 kings and 7 capitals of the Shang. The ruler lived at the center of his capital. The Shang had bronze weapons and vessels, as well as earthenware. The Shang are credited with inventing Chinese writing because there are written records, notably the oracle bones. More on the Shang Dynasty Zhou The Zhou were originally semi-nomadic and had co-existed with the Shang. The dynasty began with Kings Wen (Ji Chang) and Zhou Wuwang (Ji Fa) who were considered ideal rulers, patrons of the arts, and descendants of the Yellow Emperor. The great philosophers flourished in the Zhou period. They banned human sacrifice. The Zhou developed a feudal-like system of allegiance and government that lasted as long as any other dynasty in the world, from about 1040-221 B.C. It was adaptable enough that it survived when barbarian invaders forced the Zhou to move their capital to the East. The Zhou period is sub-divided into: Western Zhou 1027-771 B.C.Eastern Zhou 770-221 B.C.770-476 B.C. -- Spring and Autumn period475-221 B.C. -- Warring States period During this period, iron tools were developed and population exploded. During the Warring States Period, only the Qin defeated their enemies. More on the Zhou Dynasty Qin The Qin Dynasty, which lasted from 221-206 B.C., was begun by the architect of the Great Wall of China, the first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi (aka Shi Huangdi or Shih Huang-ti) (r. 246/221 [start of the empire] -210 B.C.). The wall was built to repel nomadic invaders, the Xiongnu. Highways were also built. When he died, the emperor was buried in an enormous tomb with a terra cotta army for protection (alternatively, servants). During this period the feudal system was replaced by a strong central bureaucracy. The second emperor of the Qin was Qin Ershi Huangdi (Ying Huhai) who ruled from 209-207 B.C. The third emperor was the King of Qin (Ying Ziying) who ruled in 207 B.C. More on the Qin Dynasty Han The Han Dynasty, which was founded by Liu Bang (Han Gaozu), lasted for four centuries (206 B.C.- A.D. 8, 25-220). During this period, Confucianism became state doctrine. China had contact with the west via the Silk Road during this period. Under Emperor Han Wudi, the empire expanded into Asia. The dynasty is to divided into a Western Han and an Eastern Han because there was a split following the unsuccessful attempt by Wang Mang to reform the government. At the end of the Eastern Han, the empire was divided into three kingdoms by powerful warlords. More on the Han Dynasty Political disunity followed the collapse of the Han Dynasty. This was when the Chinese developed gunpowder -- for fireworks. Next: Three Kingdoms and Chin (Jin) Dynasty Source of Quote Archaeology and Chinese Historiography, by K. C. Chang. World Archaeology, Vol. 13, No. 2, Regional Traditions of Archaeological Research I (Oct., 1981), pp. 156-169. Ancient Chinese Pages From Kris Hirst: Archaeology at About.com Longshan CultureA Neolithic culture of the Yellow River Valley.Beixin CultureAnother Neolithic Chinese culture.DawenkouLate Neolithic period of Shandong Province.Shandong Excavations Six Dynasties Three Kingdoms After the Han Dynasty of ancient China there was a period of constant civil war. The period from 220 to 589 is often called the period of 6 dynasties, which covers the Three Kingdoms, Chin Dynasty, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. At the start, the three leading economic centers of the Han Dynasty (the Three  kingdoms) tried to unify the land: The Cao-Wei Empire (220-265) from northern ChinaThe Shu-Han Empire (221-263) from the west, andThe Wu Empire (222-280) from the east, the most powerful of the three, based on a system of confederation of powerful families, which conquered the Shu in A.D. 263. During the period of the three kingdoms, tea was discovered, Buddhism spread, Buddhist pagodas were built, and porcelain was created. Chin Dynasty Also known as the  Jin Dynasty  (A.D. 265-420), the dynasty was started by Ssu-ma Yen (Sima Yan), who ruled as Emperor Wu Ti from A.D. 265-289. He reunified China in 280 by conquering the Wu kingdom. After reuniting, he ordered the disbanding of the armies, but this order was not uniformly obeyed. The Huns eventually defeated the  Chin,  but were never very strong. The Chin fled their capital, in Luoyang, ruling from 317-420, in  Jiankan  (modern Nanking), as the Eastern Chin (Dongjin). The earlier Chin period (265-316) is known as the Western Chin (Xijin). The culture of the Eastern Chin, remote from the Yellow River plains, developed a different culture from that of northern China. The Eastern Chin  were  the first of the Southern dynasties. Northern and Southern Dynasties Another period of disunity, the period of the Northern and Southern dynasties lasted from 317-589. The Northern Dynasties were The Northern Wei (386-533)The Eastern Wei (534-540)The Western Wei (535-557)The Northern Qi (550-577)The Northern Zhou (557-588) The Southern Dynasties were The Song (420-478)The Qi (479-501)The Liang (502-556)The Chen (557-588) The remaining dynasties are clearly medieval or modern and so are beyond the scope of this site: Classical Imperial ChinaSui 580-618 A.D. This short dynasty had two emperors Yang Chien (Emperor Wen Ti), an official of the northern Zhou, and his son Emperor Yang. They built canals and fortified the Great Wall on the northern frontier and began expensive military campaigns.Tang 618-907 A.D. The Tang composed a penal code and started a land distribution project to help the peasants, and expanded the empire into Iran, Manchuria, and Korea. White, true porcelain was developed.Five Dynasties 907-960 A.D.907-923 -- Later Liang923-936 -- Later Tang936-946 -- Later Jin947-950 -- Later Han951-960 -- Later ZhouTen Kingdoms A.D. 907-979Song A.D. 960-1279 Gunpowder was used in siege warfare. Foreign trade expanded. Neo-Confucianism developed.960-1125 -- Northern Song1127-1279 -- Southern SongLiao A.D. 916-1125Western Xia A.D. 1038-1227Jin A.D. 1115-1234Later Imperial ChinaYuan A.D. 1279-1368 China was ruled by MongolsMing A.D. 1368-1644 A peasant, Hongwu, led the revolt against the Mongolian s to form this dynasty, which improved conditions for peasants. Most of the  Great Wall  known today was built or repaired during the Ming Dynasty.Qing A.D. 1644-1911 The Manchu (from Manchuria) ruled China. They instituted dress and hair policies for Chinese men. They unsuccessfully outlawed footbinding.