English society of Chaucer's time

Most people in the English society of Chaucer's time, about 600 years ago, viewed the world in a similar way and accepted the same beliefs. People then believed that behind the chaos and frustration of the day-to-day world there was a divine providence that gave a reason to everything, even though that reason wasn't always obvious. When you've got faith in an overall system like that, it's easier to accept and understand the world around you. People in Chaucer's society could feel, at least much of the time, a sense of security about the world, knowing that it was following a divine plan. They trusted the system they believed in; it was true, and they felt no need to question it. So behind all of Chaucer's satire and social put-downs in the Canterbury Tales is an unshaken belief in a divine order. It's easier to make fun of something when, underneath, you know you take it seriously. Also, as Chaucer knew, it's easier to write for a group of people who at least roughly share the same set of values, whether they be a cook, a parson, or an upper-class prioress. Those values were represented in the medieval world by two structures: the class system and the church. People believed both setups were established by God, and each went unchallenged. A peasant, like Chaucer's Plowman, wasn't "upwardly mobile" as in our society, and didn't aspire to become a knight. He may want to buy

  • Word count: 32067
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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In the wars, Robert Rose is a very significant character.

The Wars In the wars, Robert Rose is a very significant character. He is determinate, brave and intelligent. He is a person who has a clear mind during the wartime. He understands life and meaning of life better than other soldiers in the war. As a man, he is always fighting for what he believes is true. He is that kind of person who does whatever he likes. He loves running. In fact, he loves everything that is challenging. He prefers to fight with some one powerful. However, he is selfish and arrogant. He could not ever stand others discriminations and criticizes. He has a great sense of leadership, but he could hardly accept others¡¯ opinion. He is very determinate and sensitive. Both of these personalities are his strength and weakness. His determination helps him to survive in the battlefield, but pushes him to keep going when he should stop. His sensitivity makes him a good leader and a pleasure comrade, but also pushes him into the deepest position ever in his life. He could chase behind an animal for such a long time without any strange feelings. Just like Taffler, he gets into violent homosexual behavior as well. Timothy Findley pieced The Wars together much like a puzzle. When piecing together a puzzle it is crucial to first find the corner pieces. As when trying to understand the novel it is necessary to realize what the most important aspects are. Each separate

  • Word count: 10729
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Ode To A Nightingale/ Ode On A Grecian Urn - comparison

Ode To A Nightingale/ Ode On A Grecian Urn John Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale" is intricate in detail whilst maintaining its ability to allow many different readings from its readers even whilst its own statements are quite precise. One very common reading of the ode is to see the nightingale as a symbol of poetic inspiration and fulfillment. This is displayed by Keats's descriptions of the nightingale and his use of imagery that links closely with that of inspiration. Thus, the poem is interpreted to be Keats's quest to find inspiration and go beyond human boundaries. Another reading of the same poem, which suppresses the symbolic role of the nightingale and focuses more on the strong paradoxes evident throughout the poem, is that of Keats's desire to lose himself completely in an experience of happiness by the effort of his imagination, however, this renders reality more painful by contrast and this experience can be only maintained momentarily before reality sets in again Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale" can fittingly be interpreted as a metaphorical text on the nature of poetic inspiration and the poet's quest to become one with inspiration as historically, birds have always been ideal as symbols of inspiration. The way Keats describes the nightingale plays a central part to this reading of the poem. In the first stanza, Keats describes the bird as a "light-winged Dryad of

  • Word count: 8475
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Did the Soldiers Themselves, Give a more Accurate Picture of Trench Life than Official Accounts?

Did the Soldiers Themselves, Give a more Accurate Picture of Trench Life than Official Accounts? Trench warfare was a viscous and violent way to fight a war. In World War 1 there were over 600 kilometres of trenches that separated East and West Europe between Belgium and France. They were started by the Germans who dug them for protection after their defeat at Marne by Britain and France. Both sides kept on digging and digging their trenches to stop the other side form outflanking them. The trenches grew and the western front was formed. This place is where the most horrific battles occurred in the First World War. The trenches became soldier's homes as well as their protection. This essay is going to look at many sources form many different places and will try to answer the question "Did the Soldiers Themselves, Give a more Accurate Picture of Trench Life than Official Accounts?" It is my hope that by the end of the essay I will be able to come to an accurate answer to this question by using sources I have studied. In section A the sources are mainly from history textbooks of the 20th Century. I will first look at these sources because they should be accurate and reliable, they should be able to provide reliable information for me to base the other sources on. I will compare and contrast the sources form section A to other sources to help me get a more balanced, accurate

  • Word count: 7891
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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"Poems and stories; official accounts. Which of these give a more accurate picture of soldiers' experiences on the Western Front?"

Poems and stories; official accounts. Which of these give a more accurate picture of soldiers' experiences on the Western Front? Andrew Denty Pa11 Mr. Burton History Coursework- "Poems and stories; official accounts. Which of these give a more accurate picture of soldiers' experiences on the Western Front?" World War 1 broke out in August 1914. There were numerous causes for war, the spirit of intense nationalism that existed in Europe throughout the 19th and into the 20th century, the political and economic rivalry among the largest nations such as France and Germany. Europe was split into two alliances; the Triple Entente, including Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States, and the Triple Alliance; including Germany, Turkey, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. The immediate trigger of the war was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand on June 28th, 1914, in Austria-Hungary. This question asks me to evaluate sources, and so it is important to define its key terms. The Western front was a line of trenches stretching from the Belgium coast in the north to Switzerland in the south. This is where the majority of conflict took place. Victories on the battlefield were soon being measured in yards and stalemate set in. Conditions in the trenches were very poor; they were muddy and full of rats. The German trenches were much better dug-in than the

  • Word count: 7876
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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I need to produce a marketing strategy for a new or existing product. I have chosen Centrica/British Gas PLC and I will produce a marketing strategy for its main products: gas and electricity.

INTRODUCTION I need to produce a marketing strategy for a new or existing product. I have chosen Centrica/British Gas PLC and I will produce a marketing strategy for its main products: gas and electricity. The marketing strategy will include evidence and information about: . How the strategy is based on the principles of marketing. 2. How I used sources of primary and secondary marketing information. 3. How I analysed the impact of the external environment on my marketing decision. 4. How I analysed the marketing context and decided on an appropriate strategy. 5. How I developed a coherent mix of strategies to meet consumer needs. 6. An evaluation of the reliability of the differing marketing models used. "Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives". This definition stresses the importance of beneficial exchanges that satisfy objectives of both those who buy and those who sell goods and services. The purpose and objective of marketing are; marketing seeks (1) to assess the needs and wants of prospective customer and (2) to satisfy them. The key to achieving the two objectives is the idea of exchange or the trading of things of value between buyer and seller. Their Brand

  • Word count: 7323
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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History - World War One

World War One - GCSE History Coursework All Questions: Question 1: Why Did British Men Enlist in the British Army in 1914? On the outbreak of war in August 1914, it was clear that more soldiers were needed. On 7th August, Lord Kitchener began a recruiting campaign calling for volunteers aged 19-30 to join up. At first this was very successful with an average of 33,000 joining every day. Three weeks later Kitchener raised the recruiting age to 35 and by the middle of September over 500,000 had volunteered. Men signed, for a number of reasons. This included patriotism, guilt, money and even adventure. Many had never been abroad, and used the war as an excuse to travel and have some fun. One reason why the men signed up was because many thought it would be an easy ride, and joined to see the world, and have an adventure. They used mothers and girlfriends to persuade the men to join, by using the White Feather modus operandi and the Mothers Union, even issuing posters stating ''Is your best boy wearing khaki'', the poster stated that if he was not wearing it, he does not want to protect the country or you, that suggested they weren't would not be worthy of their girlfriends, encouraging girlfriends to force their 'best boys' to join the army. This made the men feel guilty, and as a result they signed up to fight. The

  • Word count: 7224
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The impact of bombing during WWII

"Of course, the air raids caused much suffering and hardship. In the long term, however, the raids strengthened national unity and reduced the differences between people. The people believed that by showing that they 'could take it'; they were on the way to winning the war. (A.J.P Taylor English History 1914-1945 1965) In your opinion, are the views expressed by A.J.P Taylor about the impact of bombing justified? To come to a suitable opinion on the accuracy of A.J.P's statement I will have to pick out the main points he makes about suffering and hardship, national unity, they can take it and the reduced differences between people, and compare his comments to other sources that both agree and disagree with him. During World War 2 cities particularly industrial centres including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Coventry, Liverpool, Swansea and many others were bombed from the air by the German special air force the Luftwaffe in air raids known as the Blitz. The bombing in 1940 was most intense in a period called the battle of Britain where the Germans decided to concentrate all their efforts in destroying British morale and our industry and military bases. Hitler intended to dissolve the positive outlook many Britons had stubbornly sustained and crumble the unity of the country in 'total war' by bringing the devastation and suffering of war to their doorsteps,

  • Word count: 6982
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Compare and contrast 2 or more anthologies. Consider the principles and preferences which seem to underlie the compilers selections, and the purposes which the book might serve for specific readers.

Compare and contrast 2 or more anthologies. Consider the principles and preferences which seem to underlie the compilers selections, and the purposes which the book might serve for specific readers. Poetry is very powerful and can create a range of emotions and enrich our lives. Poems can be there to help us through difficult times, to make us laugh, cry, reminisce or just entertain us. The value of poetry is endless. I am going to discuss 2 anthologies- Wendy Copes 'heaven on earth, 101 happy poems' and Andrew Motions 'Here To Eternity'. Both are highlighting the impact that poetry can have on our lives. I will look at the selection of poems, and will discuss a few in detail. Since becoming Poet Laureate in 1999, Andrew Motion has been tireless in his efforts to raise the profile of poetry. In his anthology he has brought together a wide range of poems, exemplifying his belief that, if we let it poetry has a unique power to enrich our lives as it diversifies them. The poems have been arranged in ten sections: Self, home, town, work, land, love, travel, war, belief and space. Although the poems are about these subjects they are about much more and can reflect many of the other topics in the sections as well as deepening the readers understanding of life and the world. This is reinforced by the title - 'here to eternity' it suggests that the world is much bigger than

  • Word count: 6877
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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From the pre-1914 selection, choose two poems that show different attitudes towards war and soldiers - Give an account of each poem showing the contrasting ideas of the poets - Show how language is used to effect.

Poetry Assignment From the pre-1914 selection, choose two poems that show different attitudes towards war and soldiers. Give an account of each poem showing the contrasting ideas of the poets. Show how language is used to effect. I have chosen to base my assignment on two poems, called 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' and 'The Hyaenas.' I have chosen to study these two poems because they have completely different opinions on war and soldiers. One focuses on the negative side of war and the other on the positive side. I think that this will make it more interesting to study and also fits in perfectly with what has been assigned for me to do. The Charge of the Light Brigade The Crimean War took place in 1854 when Nicholas I was the emperor of Russia. The War came about because Nicholas claimed that he had the right to protect all the Christians in the lands ruled by Turkey. The Sultan of Turkey was encouraged by the British Ambassador to refuse any interference with his empire, resulting in a War. The War was not very well managed at all. The armies, who were sent to attack Russia, went without enough food supplies or clothing to protect them from the winter cold. There were also no proper arrangements made to care for the sick and wounded. The situation continued to decline and the Allies' transport system broke down. Urgently needed stores were left rotting on the shore.

  • Word count: 6821
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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