Do you agree that Martin Luther King was the most important factor in helping blacks gain more civil rights in the 1960s?
Do you agree that Martin Luther King was the most important factor in helping blacks gain more civil rights in the 1960s? In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed by Lyndon B Johnson, giving black people civil rights for the first time. This was followed by the Voting Bill in 1965, an act which scrapped the literacy tests given to blacks, and gave all black people the right to vote. Many things led up to these acts, such as the work of Martin Luther King, various protest groups and the experiences of many black Americans during the Second World War. Martin Luther King was born on 15th January 1929, the son of a preacher man and a teacher, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a passionate, charismatic man, and was no doubt influenced by the Baptist Church that he grew up with. Whilst a college, Martin Luther King was introduced to the work and ideas of Mahatma Ghandi, another influence on his ideas for peaceful protest. Throughout much of the world outside America, Martin Luther King was seen as a hero and a figurehead for change, however in the eyes of many racist Americans from the southern states, he was nothing more than a trouble maker and someone to be put down. One of the first civil rights groups Martin Luther King was involved with was the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). By the time he became involved, he was a preacher, and was named president of the
The Slave's dream
'The Slave's dream', written in 1842 by the white man H. W. Longfellow, tells of the final dream of a black slave before his death. It is set on a plantation in America where the slave has stopped in the middle of a day's work, giving up hope of freedom in life, believing only in freedom by death. 'I, too' was written later than 'The Slave's Dream by Langston Hughes. It is about the hope for equality of a black servant after the abolishment of slavery in America. Written during the abolitionism movement, 'The Slave's Dream' helps to raise awareness of the immoral injustices black people had to face. This reflects the mood of the era as people at this time were trying to change the public's opinion of slavery and get it abolished. As the most important people at this time were whites, Longfellow must have used the colour of his skin to get people to listen to his point of view through his poems. H. W. Longfellow uses this poem to show that black people had lives before slavery, but that the white race had taken them away. The type of life that followed the taking of black people's freedom is reflected in the poem's rhyme scheme and stanza patterns. The poem has a very rigid structure. The rhyme scheme is regular and the lengths of lines have a repetitive pattern. The poet has conformed to such a rigid way of writing poetry, as a slave in America would have to conform to their
Write an essay on the following passage (3.1.80-135) from A Midsummer Night's Dream.
TMA 01 - AA306 Write an essay on the following passage (3.1.80-135) from A Midsummer Night's Dream. You should give consideration to such matters as: (a) how the episode relates to the rest of the play (be careful not just to tell the story); (b) the distinctive features of the language; and (c) the performance aspects of the extract. The focus of this discussion will be upon the language and performance possibilities of this extract from the Dream1, following brief consideration of the manner in which the extract relates to the rest of the play in terms of plot development and the reflection of certain of the play's themes. Performance aspects are considered alongside the distinctive features of the language, as it is suggested that the nature of the language employed governs performance. Broadly speaking, it is argued that while the language of the extract lends itself to a humorous performance on more than one level, in certain respects the humour seeks to convey a serious message and the extract's comedy should not mask unexpected instances of sincerity. As suggested above, this extract relates to the Dream as a whole through simple plot development and the illustration of some of the play's recurring themes. The extract progresses two of the play's four principal plot lines. As it structurally occupies a central point in the play, it also represents a mid-point
Death of the American Dream
Death of the American Dream In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, all the characters are, in one way or another, attempting to achieve a state of happiness in their lives. The main characters are divided into two groups: the rich upper class and the poorer lower class, which struggles to attain a higher position. Though the major players seek only to change their lives for the better, the idealism and spiritualism of the American Dream is eventually crushed beneath the harsh reality of life, leaving their lives without any meaning or purpose. Tom and Daisy Buchanan, the rich socialite couple, seem to have everything they could possibly desire; however, though their lives are full of material possessions, they are unsatisfied and seek to change their circumstances. Tom, the arrogant ex-football player, drifts on "forever seeking a little wistfully for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game"(Fitzgerald pg. 10) and reads "deep books with long words in them"(pg. 17) in order to have something to talk about. Though he appears happily married to Daisy, Tom has an affair with Myrtle Wilson and keeps an apartment with her in New York. Tom's basic nature of unrest prevents him from being satisfied with the life he
Consider the role of the Fool in King Lear. How important is he to the play as a whole?
King Lear Essay Question Consider the role of the Fool in King Lear. How important is he to the play as a whole? How has the role been treated by different critics and in different performances? How might the role reflect the culture of Shakespeare's time? How would you prefer the role of the Fool to be performed? The Fool is considered an important character in the play even though he is not a major participant in events witnessed. His comments, full of ironic insight, provide wisdom and reasoning for Lear at times of need. He generally plays three major roles; Lear's inner - conscience, represents Lear's alter ego and plays a dramatic chorus. The way the character is portrayed also provides us with a social commentator and vehicle for pathos. Although the Fool may seem strange to us, an Elizabethan audience would have greeted the Fool with great familiarity. The position was a historic one in Shakespeare's time, with the monarch appointing an official court jester (Fool). In conventional drama of the day he was a hold over from morality plays, with his role-becoming classic. His role had established characteristics and responsibilities. Among them the Fool had license to roam the stage and interact with the audience often joking and talking directly to them. He had great popularity with the audience of the time, with his role a bridge between the action on stage and
Representation is governed by perspective. For this reason composers will attempt to manipulate their construction of events and characters, to bring to the fore of public discussion, their own esteemed perspective. This becomes evident in texts of, T
Conflicting perspectives essay Representation is governed by perspective. For this reason composers will attempt to manipulate their construction of events and characters, to bring to the fore of public discussion, their own esteemed perspective. This becomes evident in texts of, "The Justice Game," by Geoffrey Robertson, Bill Maher's, "Real Time," and Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech. It is the ability of these esteemed composers to represent texts which are palpable to the forms and features of their craft that allows them to influence their audience response on their perspective. In his "Michael X, on death Row," chapter, Robertson uses techniques which give the appearance of objectivity, but actually uses them to persuade the audience of his own opinion on the inhumanity of the death penalty. This is demonstrated through Robertson's portrayal of the conflict between 'Michael X' and the Trinidad State, to mirror the larger issue of the conflict between human rights and corrupt government power. Robertson attempts to persuade his audience on the need to abolish the death penalty through positioning his defendant "Michael X," as the victim. Robertson demonstrates this with positive imagery writing "Michael smiled at me for the first time in the trial and said 'you see for them you represent hope'". The powerful and emotive tone used by Robertson to convey
Consider the presentation of the supernatural in "A Midsummer Night's Dream". In what way does it reveal Shakespeare's moral and philosophical concerns?
Consider the presentation of the supernatural in "A Midsummer Night's bream". In what way does it reveal Shakespeare's moral and philosophical concerns? How does Shakespeare's stagecraft (setting, Characterisation, language, verse form etc) facilitate the consideration of his concerns? and how do we as a modern audience respond to the play as a piece of theatre? The main themes of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" are the supernatural, dreams, nature and the difficulty of love. Shakespeare's ideas are represented by his use of symbolism. If you look at the play in general at a glance it comes across as being benevolent. But if you look closely then you can see that Shakespeare engages the audience in thought about the world they live in. The audience is left to think about the difficulty of love, the magic or supernatural power of love, and what is illusion or dream. In "A Midsummer Nights Dream" love is a constant theme, there is a clear difference between genuine love and the illusion made by love, that has no meaning. Shakespeare suggests that love is an emotion that has to be balanced by reason. Nothing can stand in the way of true love. Hermia and Lysander are prepared to leave their friends, family, and home in order to get married, and Pyramus and Thisbe die for the love of each other. Titania shows the blindness of love when she falls in love with Bottom she is the highest
The 'Great Gatsby' can be regarded as a social satire and an observation of The American Dream - Discuss
The 'Great Gatsby' can be regarded as a social satire and an observation of The American Dream Navina Kurup IBS-1 English November 11,2004 The Great Gatsby is observed as a social satire of the United States in the roaring twenties, where Fitzgerald exposes the American Dream as a flawed fantasy merely generated by over-indulgence. America was established in the conception of equality, where any individual could have equal opportunities and success on the substratum of their abilities and effort, which can be described as the American Dream. The former president Abraham Lincoln confirmed this surmise, as he himself was an impoverished, disadvantaged little boy who became president through his efforts. The Great Gatsby is set in the twenties, which was a period of contradictions and inquietude. The ghastly shock of the war was just ended, and it was now time for people to forget their wretchedness and have fun. This created a society obsessed with materialism and prodigality which eliminated moral values and traditional beliefs, and became engaged in a life of pointless extravagance and indulgence. The 'Great Gatsby' can be regarded as a social satire and remarks on the downfall of moral values and excessive indulgence of society. When different characters in the novel are viewed, it is obvious that not all have the same social standings in society. Nick's father comments
Assess the significance of the role of individuals in reducing racial discrimination in the USA throughout the period 1877-1981.
History Coursework: Part B Assess the significance of the role of individuals in reducing racial discrimination in the USA throughout the period 1877-1981 Between the periods of 1877-1981 there were many significant figures who contributed towards reducing racial discrimination in the USA. Although without events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, WWII or the actions of the NACCP to change attitudes towards African Americans, these individuals would have had little effect. The likes of Booker T Washington and Du Bois set the foundation for civil rights along with the Second World War; however other individuals such as Martin Luther King help to actively progress the movement. Along with this the government and various presidents more so in the latter of the period of 1877-1981 helped to change attitudes and enforce legislation which was vital in reducing racial discrimination in the USA. Booker T Washington began to provide the foundations to the civil rights movement in his actions. Although I believe that during this early period of the movement little was achieved, Washington was still able to provide education, and show African Americans that they had a future and it was at their own mercy. This helped to relieve some who were less fortunate. On the other hand Du Bois took a route which directly campaigned for civil rights for African Americans; alike to Washington he
How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to kill the King?
Fiona Harris How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to kill the King? Lady Macbeth is very determined to become Queen after she reads the letter from Macbeth about the meeting with the witches. She thinks that it is meant to be that he will become King "shalt be what thou art promised". He knows that if he wants to become great and become King of Scotland he will have to kill the current King Duncan. Lady Macbeth knows her husband too well and knows that he will not kill the king. He's "too full o' the milk of human kindness". This metaphor means he's too kind to kill the king just so he can become king himself however much he wants the throne himself. When the messenger arrives and tells her that Duncan is coming to stay the night she says " thou'rt mad to say it" meaning this is all too good to be true and all she has to do is get Macbeth to kill the Duncan and he will be King. All Lady Macbeth has to do is come up with the plan and get Macbeth to carry it out. Lady Macbeth talks to Macbeth when he arrives at the castle and tells him of the plan to kill the King. She says "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under 't. This metaphor creates an image that means welcome Duncan into the castle and be all welcoming on the outside but underneath be evil, think you are going to kill him. Macbeth is not sure about this and say's "we will speak further". Lady
