The Symbolism In The Novel The Things They Carried - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1201 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/04/11 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: The Things They Carried Essay Did you like this example? In life, it often seems as if opposing forces are interconnected. These dualities are often exemplified by the trauma war forces upon young soldiers. Set during the Vietnam War, Tim OBrien explores the duality of life and the idea that opposing forces create a balance in his novel, The Things They Carried. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Symbolism In The Novel The Things They Carried" essay for you Create order While war teaches young soldiers life lessons of discipline and strength, the trauma forcefully perverts their innocence, unwantedly manifesting into their everyday lives. A juxtaposition can be seen in the stories of Rat Kiley and Curt Lemon as well as the story of the Vietnamese monks. Throughout the novel The Things They Carried, OBrien uses juxtaposition and symbolism to emphasize the duality of war and how it ultimately perverts the innocence of its victims. Through a duality in tone, imagery of nature and symbols of innocence OBrien presents how war perverts innocence directly through the stories of Curt Lemon and Rat Kiley. In How to Tell a True War Story, OBrien tells the story of Curt Lemons death as if it were a fairytale: filled with positively connotated descriptions of the setting and providing a carefree description for the gruesome occurrence. OBrien recalls how he: glanced behind and watched Lemon step from the shade into the bright sunlight. A handsome kid really. Sharp gray eyes, lean and narrow-waisted, and when he died it was almost beautiful (OBrien 67). The initial diction makes it seem as if Lemon is still goofing around with Rat Kiley. The mention of his lean and narrow-waisted figure contributes to his characterization since it adds an easily visualized physical description associated with fragility and purity. This visual imagery is representative of his youth and innocence which contributes to OBriens fundamental cr iticism about the duality of war. The abrupt yet subtle mention of his death seems insignificant as OBrien continues to mention: the way the sunlight came around him and lifted him up and sucked him high into a tree full of moss and vines and white blossoms (OBrien 67) without hesitance or a change in tone. The lack of remorse or mourning for Lemon normalizes the death of the young soldiers and the killing of their innocence. Lemons innocence is emphasized once again through OBriens mention of the white blossoms. With the most common association of small, white flowers being purity and innocence, these characteristics are immediately connected with the young soldiers death. Lemons death is used by OBrien to criticize outcomes of war and its killing of helpless young soldiers and citizens. Ultimately, OBrien uses the idea of Lemons gruesome but positively described death as an example for wars perversion and tainting of innocence. Through symbolism and irony, Tim OBrien criticizes the grotesque outcomes of war, especially its perversion and tainting of innocence. Whether it be its millions of deaths, or substantial forest destruction, the Vietnam war infiltrates and negatively affects all aspects of society. OBrien emphasizes these outcomes in the story Church, where the soldiers arrive at an abandoned temple serving as a make-shift Church. Despite the obvious cultural barrier, the monks are overwhelmingly kind to all the soldiers, especially Dobbins: they cleaned and oiled the machine guns. Though they spoke almost no English, they seemed to have a great respect for the conversation (OBrien 115). The relationship between the soldiers and monks symbolizes a clashing of opposing worlds: the innocence and peace associated with religion and the inhumane results of war. The washing of machine guns and the washing hand gestures reinforce the irony proposed by OBrien. The monks wash and purify weapons of mass destru ction. Their obliviousness to the gun and the soldiers killing capabilities emphasize the duality of war proven and criticized by OBrien. It proves the wars infiltration into all aspects of the world and its negative effects. The monks obliviousness accentuates their innocence in regards to violence and continues to be emphasized by their hand washing gesture. The presentation of a motion symbolic to their religion creates a hypocritical mood through the whole chapter. The soldiers repeat the gesture as a sign of respect, purifying their killing hands. The irony continues when Dobbins declares all you can do is be nice. Treat them decent you know? (OBrien 117). Dobbins blatantly ignores previous killings and atrocities committed by him and his fellow soldiers claiming ?all you can do is be nice. The hypocrisy and irony presented in this chapter create an empathetic effect for the helpless victims of war. Whether it be civilians like the monks, or young soldiers forced into battle, t he tainting and perverting of innocence is evident. Through the empathetic mood that resonates in this chapter and many others in the book, OBrien aims to raise awareness and criticize the corruption of youth and innocence that occurs during wars. Furthermore, OBrien uses the symbolism of the sun and its association with death to subtly introduce the death of the monks, again emphasizing the unjust perversion of innocence created by war. After the continuous mention of the sun in the story of Rat Kiley and Curt Lemon, its presence is heavily associated with death. When the monks bowed and moved out of the pagoda into the bright morning sunlight (OBrien 117) after their encounter with the soldiers, it is assumed the monks died in an nondescript manner. Their subtle, nearly hidden death creates a solemn mood upon realization. OBrien does not explicitly or nonchalantly state the death of the monks as he does with many other but instead, buries it deep within symbolism, almost as if he were ashamed of the occurrence. His diction proves his lack of tolerance and justification for the monks death. The subtle explanation of their death is written almost like Curt Lemons: in a positive and carefree way which is carried throughout the chapter. The positive diction hides the monks perhaps undeserved death. Through the positive diction, OBrien creates a final happy ending for the kind monks. He neither dwells nor mourns over their deaths, but leaves them hidden within symbolism as a representation of the effects of war. OBrien uses symbolism and irony to emphasize the corruption of war and its tainting of the innocence of its helpless victims. Ultimately, throughout his novel The Things They Carried, Tim OBrien uses juxtaposition and symbolism to emphasize the duality of war. Through irony in the story Church and positive, story-like diction in How To Tell a True War Story, OBrien normalizes and criticizes wars corruption of youth. He uses the story of the monks to emphasize the unnecessary and malicious tainting of innocence as well as the corruption of youth through symbolism and imagery in Curt Lemons story. Whether it be the monks or a young soldier, the war infiltrates and negatively affects every aspect of reality. OBrien sets out to prove that no matter a persons physical appearance or religious beliefs, the war uncontrollably dominates all aspects of an individuals life. Through his novel, The Things They Carried, he sets out to prove the innate corruption of war, and its perversion of innocence. OBrien proves how war taints innocence present in youth and childhood, inhibiting the children and adolescents born into times of war from experiencing the innate joy and happiness that is characteristic of being young.

Case Study 2 Essay examples - 1196 Words

BUSI 600 Dr. Michael Walker Case Assignment #2 Jaime Arze 9/15/14 3. Describe the sampling plan. Analyze its strengths and weaknesses. Just about every research sampling plan can be associated with a variety of strengths and weaknesses. These are challenges the decision maker in charge of the study must face when choosing the sampling plan for the specific research. Penton media devised a sampling plan that would require several steps, in order to isolate an ideal population of users to poll for their research. Their lengthy process included a multi-step system that began with a phone questionnaire; the second stage consisted of â€Å"pretest†, which was mailed to a smaller group of individuals pulled†¦show more content†¦This is the trait of an efficient sampling plan, and shows that the data collected by Penton Media about the reader service cards will prove highly efficient in their research. Among other strengths found in Pentons study was their ability to use an attribute-sampling plan and remain organized and focused througho ut their research. Pentons clarity, and organization with this study, paved the way towards accurate and efficient results. Throughout the study, the problem was clearly identified; the research efforts and resources were always focused on identifying the root of the cause. This allowed Penton to successfully conduct a research that would help understand the decline they were anticipating with their reader service cards. There is however, more than just praise towards Penton medias sampling plan. Weaknesses are a part of every sampling plan, and research approach and Pentons study is no exception. One of the bigger problems with the sampling plan is that only 710 responses were collected and studied, this comes after the information implies that there is a pool of 1.7 million subscribers in the Penton Database. 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Consumer rights Essay Example For Students

Consumer rights Essay Caveat Emptor#61553; Let the buyer beware#61553; Consumer should be responsible about what he wants to buy, prices and quality#61553; Upto the consumer to chose wiselyConsumer Protection#61553; Sometimes impossible to know whether the product is will work properly or not#61553; At point of sale consumer are protected by law concerning some aspects of their purchases despite principal of caveat emptorConsumer Rights#61553; United Nations Guidelines on Consumer Rights- 8 basic consumer rights that as consumers we are entitled to#61553; Rights are#61553; SAFETY products/services should not hidden safety hazards in natural use Fair Trading Act NSW has safety standards for particular types of products Unsafe products can be banned ( product faulty and can not be sold again) or recalled (all stock taken back repaired and then put on the shelves)#61553; INFORMATION information provided to customers must be accurate consumer must be able to make an informed choice labeling/advertising must not be misleading Information required by law: Prices Capability of the product Content and weight of packages Care and size labeling on clothing Country of origin of product Safety instructions of use of the use of dangerous products Fiber content of soft goods like soft toys Date stamping Additive labeling of foods and drinks i.e. colouring#61553; CHOICE chose from a section of products but or refuse to buy goods o services to chose the seller they want to but from to be free from unreasonable pressure to buy#61553; RIGHT TO BE HEARD if small shop is difficult to be heard because no superiors if large company you can: talk to manger make bad publicity if concerning the law talk to Department of Fair Trading If government co operation then talk to OMBUD (representative from the government) Australian Consumers Association group of consumers#61553; SATISFACTION OF BASIC NEEDS access to basic essential goods and services adequate food clothing shelter health care education and sanit ation#61553; TO REDRESS Receive a fair settlement of just claims including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services Can ask for refund, replacement, repair Faulty goods Goods that are not fit for the purpose Foods that are different to the example or description given Services not carried out with due care or skill#61553; CONSUMER EDUCATION inform themselves on specifications, requirements, capabilities of product or service part of consumers responsibility understand any terms condition contracts legal documents they sign Before consumer buys should Think Is product necessary (avoid impulse buying) Can you afford it Compare Prices shop around Read labels content quality Check for hidden costs Read consumer information magazines Credit card charges and facilities When buying Inspect goods carefully in store if possible Ask question Check warranty Read fine print before signing If paid keep receipt;#61553; TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT live and work in healthy environment non-threatening to the wellbeing of present and future generationsExercising Consumer Rights;#61553; Passive Consumer Let others sellers and other consumer to decide what they get and the standards of service they will get ;#61553; Assertive Consumer know their rights confident they are entitled to them not afraid to ask for their rights realize people who are prejudice to them are wrong;#61553; Aggressive Consumer try to force their wishes onto sellers and other customers without considering the other peoples rightsSeller Activities that reduce consumers power;#61553; Advertising aims to convince consumers to buy certain goods by stressing aspects which are important to individuals buy new models of goods which have already been targeted at certain groups of people e.g. age groups;#61553; Excessive Packaging harder to examine them harder to find exact quantity wanted adds unnecessary cost to item makes it eye catching improves presentation;#61553; Planned obsolescence made so they become quickly out of date no spare parts made so have to buy a new one need to be replaced in a short time;#61553; Technical Jargon try s to confuse you makes you but things with more things than you want or need take informed friend/ get as well informed as possibleIllegal and Unfair Practices;#61553; Pyramid Sales does not sell products but instead keeps on recruiting new sales people who have to pay to get recruited;#61553; Referral selling customer has to provide names of other potential customers to company so that they can receive a discount on their own purchases;#61553; Unordered goods company sends unordered good to your home and demands payment can notify trader and after 1 month becomes your property dont notify trader and after 3 moths becomes your property#61553; No refund notices No refunds or exchanges notice misleading If product is faulty at time of purchase then customer can repair, replace or refund#61553; Uncollected goods when goods are not collected, seller must wait for 6 months from when the purchase was ready so that they can sell it#61553; False and misleading Advertising Advertising regulated by Department of Fair Trading in NSW and the ACCC (Australian Completion and consumer commission) Advertising must be correct#61553; Baited and switched advertising Attractive price advertised so that consumer comes to shop and then find out that the product is unavailable and is tried to be made to buy something more expensive. .u1749a378a99c204713a5bb06b869bc1d , .u1749a378a99c204713a5bb06b869bc1d .postImageUrl , .u1749a378a99c204713a5bb06b869bc1d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; 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vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1749a378a99c204713a5bb06b869bc1d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Bioethics Essay What Dissatisfied Customer can do1. Decide exactly what dissatisfied with and what you want done about it2. Go back to point of sale as quickly as possible. Take any paperwork which will help prove case dare of purchase, advertising, docket, price, name of salesperson. Date problem arose, any promises made by sales person. Try to speak to someone who sold item or someone in higher authority and tell them what you want done. 3. If you cannot negotiate put complaint in writing and write to someone in higher authority in the store4. If you still do not get the results you want talk to the following people:#61553; FEDERAL BUREAU OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS Federal government powers to regulate the activities of companies government tried to protect consumers against unfair practices through the Trade Practices Act 1974 Carries out duties through federal bureau of consumer affairs Secured money from government funding for financial counseling and consumer education programs aiming these programs that are especially vulnerable to deceptive practices#61553; THE DEPARTMENT OF FAIR TRADING acts on behalf of consumers and businesses -promote fair trading and protect consumer rights helps consumers with problems with traders last resort is to send you to tribunal cheap and quick publishes pamphlets and gives advice on product safety and standards, weights and measures, rental bonds, building disputes, motor dealer war ranties and repairs, credit protection#61553; THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION (ACA) private organisation that buys and tests many brands of many products publishes findings in Choice magazine sent to members and is available at most libraries helpful when choosing between many brands of goods#61553; STANDARDS AUSTRALIA formerly known as Australian Standards Association sets national benchmarks which Australian industries must reach to be able to carry out the Australian standards mark based on safety acceptable quality levels parts that are interchangeable reduction in unnecessary or uneconomical variety Standardsmark proves that goods have met certain specified quality Standards only wet when an authoritative source asks for it Helps Australian firms intending to export their goods Gives information of standards required for goods and services in countries they are interested in#61553; THE MEDIA Newspapers columns giving advice to consumers on new products available and ways to get refunds or replacements on faulty products Radio stations consumer advice programs Television demonstrate new products Bad publicity causes firm to fix problem#61553; INDUSTRY OMBUDSMAN new type of dispute settlement scheme between consumers and businesses help settle problems ion industries help can be in insurance, finance and telecommunicationTribunals#61553; Independent bodies set up by government departments to settle disputes quickly and cheaply#61553; Consumer claims tribunal helps consumer and trader reach settlement that is acceptable to both if they can not reach an agreement then a referee (person from the tribunal who listens to both sides and makes a decision that seems fair to them both) Referees orders are final and must be obeyed Consumer Claims tribunal can not make claims for more than $25000. 3 main benefits are relatively inexpensive quick informalGreen Consumer#61553; Green Consumer (describes us and our actions)#61553; Protects environment by recyc le waste reduce consumption reuse products#61553; Main issues Transport Household Energy use Food and Clothing Recycling Products Water use