Change In Heart Of Darkness :: essays research papers

Joseph Conrad once wrote, “the individual consciousness was destined to be in total contradiction to its physical and moral environment'; (Watt 78); the validity of his statement is reflected in the physiological and psychological changes that the characters in both his Heart of Darkness and Coppola’s Apocalypse Now undergo as they travel up their respective rivers, the Congo and the Nung. Each journey up the tropical river is symbolic of a voyage of discovery into the dark heart of man, and an encounter with his capacity for evil. In such a voyage the characters regress to their basic instincts as they assimilate themselves into an alien world with its primeval dangers. In Heart of Darkness, going up the river is described to be like: “travelling back to the earliest beginnings of the world, when vegetation rioted on the earth and the big trees were kings. An empty stream, a great silence, and impenetrable forest … '; (Conrad ?). The river, one which “resemble[s] an immense snake uncoiled … with its tail lost in the depths of the land'; (Conrad ?), is “dangerous, dark, mysterious, treacherous, [and] concealed'; (Karl 32). When the characters are unable to withstand the various temptations along this passage they helplessly sell their souls to corruption. In both the book and the movie, the various events along each individual journey help illustrate not only the physical deterioration of the environment and the characters’ health but also the psychological degradation of the characters’ conscience and consciousness. In both Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now, the various dramatic shifts in the environment from the onset of the river journeys delineate an increasing barbarity and savagery as the characters penetrate deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. The direction of both journeys are formally established as a movement from “open and boundless to narrow and restricted spaces'; (Adelman 66), from the light of the sun into the darkness. Projected towards the wilderness, each journey reflects a voyage into the “gloom of over-shadowed distances'; (Conrad ?). In Heart of Darkness, the rivers begin to narrow as the ships approach Kurtz’s compound, and Conrad describes this last section of the river as “narrow, straight, with high sides like a railway cutting'; (?). In Apocalypse Now, the river towards the end of the journey is located between steep cliffs on both sides; these men are symbolically trapped within this valley, with no chance of escaping from the many h orrors they face.

Spring Festival

Spring festival In China, New Year's Day is a solemn occasion. Every family performs religious rites at the family altar. In order to rejoice at the New Year, people wished others a happy new year and blessed heartily. Some stick calligraphies full of joy on doors, most of them were antithetical couplet, phrase, individual character, such as: blessing, longevity, luckiness, propitious New Year and so on.Whereas, some people pasted paper-cuts for window decorations to do away with the old and set up the new, the patterns of paper-cuts mainly consisted of figure, flower, character, any of the twelve animals representing the twelve Earthly Branches, and other animals. On New Year's Eve, all the members of families come together to feast. Jiaozi is popular in the north, while southerners favor a sticky sweet glutinous rice pudding called Nian Gao. Before the eve of the New Year, everyone tries to come back home from every corner of the country to join the entire family, just like America ns' practice for Christmas, to greet the New Year.A New Year big dinner is served. After the meal, the table is cleared, dishes washed and put away. Then it is time to undertake final preparations to meet the New Year. In the morning, people put on their new clothes and shoes. Men, with their wives, call on relatives and friends to wish them a â€Å"Happy and Prosperous New Year â€Å". The caller is served tea with sweet-meats; melon seeds, both red and black; and fruits and delicacies such as puffed rice cakes, dump-lings and deep-fried round doughnuts. In addition, liquor and tobacco are offered.Before leaving, the well-wisher present gifts of money wrapped in red paper to all the unmarried children of the family. Starting from the New Year's Day, people began going out to visit friends and relatives, taking with them gifts such as fruits, wines, flowers, etc. This period was a time for visiting and amusement. Common expressions heard at this time are: Happy New Year. People al so enjoy all sorts of entertainment, going to the temple fairs, treating themselves to the local delicacies, and watching performances of fold art forms, which usually include ballads singing, story telling, comic dialogues, clapper talk and cross talk.During this period, quarrels are to be avoided. Words with bad connotations such as defeat, illness, surgical operations, a coffin or death are not to be used. Dishes are handled carefully, for breaking a dish on New Year's Day indicate bad luck for the coming year. An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing dumpling or boiled dumplings. According to Chinese Culture, it is common to hide a coin or Chinese date in some of the dumplings. Whoever gets these dumplings will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.Give out money packets – On New Year's day, children receive red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with â€Å"lucky money†. Serve fes tive foods – Throughout the New Years season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. Besides preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck. Prepare a Tray of Togetherness – This is a circular tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds which provides a sweet beginning to the New Year. Spring Festival Spring festival In China, New Year's Day is a solemn occasion. Every family performs religious rites at the family altar. In order to rejoice at the New Year, people wished others a happy new year and blessed heartily. Some stick calligraphies full of joy on doors, most of them were antithetical couplet, phrase, individual character, such as: blessing, longevity, luckiness, propitious New Year and so on.Whereas, some people pasted paper-cuts for window decorations to do away with the old and set up the new, the patterns of paper-cuts mainly consisted of figure, flower, character, any of the twelve animals representing the twelve Earthly Branches, and other animals. On New Year's Eve, all the members of families come together to feast. Jiaozi is popular in the north, while southerners favor a sticky sweet glutinous rice pudding called Nian Gao. Before the eve of the New Year, everyone tries to come back home from every corner of the country to join the entire family, just like America ns' practice for Christmas, to greet the New Year.A New Year big dinner is served. After the meal, the table is cleared, dishes washed and put away. Then it is time to undertake final preparations to meet the New Year. In the morning, people put on their new clothes and shoes. Men, with their wives, call on relatives and friends to wish them a â€Å"Happy and Prosperous New Year â€Å". The caller is served tea with sweet-meats; melon seeds, both red and black; and fruits and delicacies such as puffed rice cakes, dump-lings and deep-fried round doughnuts. In addition, liquor and tobacco are offered.Before leaving, the well-wisher present gifts of money wrapped in red paper to all the unmarried children of the family. Starting from the New Year's Day, people began going out to visit friends and relatives, taking with them gifts such as fruits, wines, flowers, etc. This period was a time for visiting and amusement. Common expressions heard at this time are: Happy New Year. People al so enjoy all sorts of entertainment, going to the temple fairs, treating themselves to the local delicacies, and watching performances of fold art forms, which usually include ballads singing, story telling, comic dialogues, clapper talk and cross talk.During this period, quarrels are to be avoided. Words with bad connotations such as defeat, illness, surgical operations, a coffin or death are not to be used. Dishes are handled carefully, for breaking a dish on New Year's Day indicate bad luck for the coming year. An important tradition on New Year's Eve is for families to gather together and spend the evening preparing dumpling or boiled dumplings. According to Chinese Culture, it is common to hide a coin or Chinese date in some of the dumplings. Whoever gets these dumplings will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.Give out money packets – On New Year's day, children receive red packets decorated with gold symbols and filled with â€Å"lucky money†. Serve fes tive foods – Throughout the New Years season, certain foods are served because they symbolize abundance and good fortune. Besides preparing special dishes, tangerines and oranges are often passed out to children and guests, as they symbolize wealth and good luck. Prepare a Tray of Togetherness – This is a circular tray with eight compartments, each containing symbolic foods such as lotus seeds which provides a sweet beginning to the New Year.

What Type of learner Are You

People learn English for many reasons. Unfortunately, learners often think that there is only one way to learn English and that the same things are important for everyone. Students who are aware of why they are learning English can also be persuaded that different things are important for different learners. This lesson uses a quiz first placed online and helps identify learners as: English for Career Purposes LearnerGlobal English LearnerLearner Who Wants to Live (or already lives) in an English Speaking CultureEnglish for Fun and Pleasure Learner Aim: Raise students awareness of what kind of English learner they areActivity: English learning quizLevel: Intermediate and above Outline Begin the lesson by asking students to discuss the various reasons that people have for learning English.Have students take the quiz.Score the quiz using the following chart:English for Career Purposes Learner - Type 1 learnerGlobal English Learner - Type 2 learnerLearner Who Wants to Live (or already lives) in an English Speaking Culture - Type 3 learnerEnglish for Fun and Pleasure Learner - Type 4 learnerAnswers 6 questions or more as type 1 learner English for Career Purposes LearnerAnswers 6 questions or more as type 2 learner Global English LearnerAnswers 6 questions or more as type 3 learner Learner Who Wants to Live (or already lives) in an English Speaking CultureAnswers 6 questions or more as type 4 learner English for Fun and Pleasure LearnerBased on their score, give the students a copy of the learner type description included on the second page of this lesson plan.Obviously, these learner types are approximating. However, by doing the quiz, students are made aware of why learning English is important to them and the learner type profile helps them to better judge which activities are most important to them - and when to give themselves a break!Finish the lesson with a follow-up discussion of the implications of these various learner types. ​What Type of English Learner Are You? When do you use your English outside of class?Speaking with other non-native English speakers (i.e., not American, British, Australia, etc. but with people who have learned English as a second or foreign language).Speaking with native English speakers.When I travel on holiday.With colleagues on the telephone or by email.A few hours every dayOnce or twice a weekA little bit every dayAt weekendsWhy are you learning English?To live in an English speaking country.To use English to get a better job - Improve English for my current job.To speak English on holidays.To use English to stay informed by reading newspapers, magazines, the Internet.Which statement best expresse s your opinion about English?Its important to speak English for my job.Its important to speak American English or British English.The most important thing is communicating. It doesnt matter whether you make a few mistakes.I need to ask directions and order breakfast when I go on holiday.Which is the most important English task for you?Understanding native English speakers.Writing excellent communication through email, or in letters.Exchanging ideas with other people in English (both native and non-native speakers).Asking for and understanding basic things in English.How often do you use your English?Quite often at work.Every day at work, shopping and speaking to people.Not very often, only when I travel or meet foreigners in my country.On a regular basis when reading, speaking to friends via the internet, watching TV in English, etc.How do you use English on the Internet?Only to learn English. Otherwise, I visit sites in my language.I like looking at pages in English from all around the world.Doing research for my job.I like visiting American or British sites to learn the slang and lifestyle.Which statement is true for you?Basic pronunciation is important, excellent pronunciation is impossible.Pronunciation should be clear, it doesnt matter if it is British or American, etc.Pronunciation is not so important, I need to understand and write English well.Pronunciation and the correct accent is very important for me. I want native speakers (Americans, British, Australian, Canadian, etc.) to understand me.Do you think that...English learning is stressful but important for work.English learning is essential to improve my life where I live.English learning is fun and one of my hobbies.English learning is one of my favorite hobbies.Do you dream in English?NeverSometimesOftenRarely