Friday, January 31, 2020

Poured Fire Analysis Essay Example for Free

Poured Fire Analysis Essay In the novel They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, and Benjamin Ajak; Benson communicates a strong will to survive by using the device description. In the middle of the chapter â€Å"The Skulls Tree†, Benson describes the difficult experience he faced in the desert of Ajakageer. On his journey to Ethiopia, traveling through the desert of Ajakageer was the most dangerous part of his journey. Many of the thousands traveling to the camp in Ethiopia were ill and needed help. There was nothing they could, the only option they had was keep moving forward. Benson states, â€Å"At night, I was desperate for to have a good sleep and gain strength for the walking but I couldn’t because it was cold in the desert.† (78) This helps the reader understand the pain and misery of a Sudanese child that experienced this crucial journey. In the beginning of the chapter â€Å"The Gilo†, Benson describes what they had to do when the EPLA took over the camp. In the summer of 1991 the Ethiopian government was overthrown by some guerrilla fighters. The war once again reached them. They had to face the same problems they had. To survive, they must leave. Benson states, â€Å"The Sudan war had grown worse and spread farther. I longed to go home, but not like this-not running again, not back into battles. My beautiful homeland wasn’t a home in wartime. But to avoid conflict we agreed to leave their land and our lovely crops behind us.† This demonstrates that they were in serious danger. No matter where they went more problems caught up to them. They were lucky to get help. In order for them to survive they had to get rid and abandon there hope.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Anime Essay -- essays papers

Anime Anime is the Japanese take on the word "animation". It represents the Japanese style of animating cartoons. However, not all anime is for children. Majority imported to America is aimed at an adult audience- containing deep storylines, graphic violence, gore, as well as nudity and adult situations. This cinematic genre is a fast growing trend in the west and can now possibly be considered the most popular phenomenon among children, considering the success of the much-in-demand anime series "Pokà ©mon". Anime art is known for it's characters' big round eyes, abnormal shaped hair, and it's unique exaggeration of physical reality. Since anime is basically movies translated into animation, it contains as many subgenres as there are actual genres. However, the majority of anime contains some type of action or martial arts, so I chose to discuss the action/horror subgenre and will be using Yoshiaki Kawajiri's Ninja Scroll to aid in describing its basic elements. Action anime contains titles such as: Street Fighter II, Tekken, and Battle Royal High School. Some titles I've come across that would fit horror anime are: Shutendoji- the Star Hand Kid, Devilman, Biohunter and Vampire Hunter D. I chose Ninja Scroll as my model not only because its animation is "top-notch" and its storyline, in my opinion, is excellent, but it fits both the action and horror subgenre. Action/horror anime has three main character types: "the hero", the "damsel-indistress", and "the enemy". The protagonist of the story, usually male, is nothing short of a "superhero". He's smart, strong, brave, and extraordinary, usually having some type of supernatural or uncanny power or is extremely mastered in some type of martial art. He's a mysterious, isolated character, a lot of the time a wanderer, and is different from all other characters in the story. We start off knowing little or nothing about him, and as the story progresses, we learn more about his history and powe rs. In Ninja Scroll, the hero of the story is Jubei, a mercenary ninja hired for money. He proves in many confrontations to be extremely skilled in using a sword, and through combining skills, brains, and the help from his trusty blade usually comes out on top, no matter the number or strength of his adversaries. The characters of the story are familiar with his skills and he is known as a master sw... ...e capture Kagero several times, and in the end, Gemma takes her life. The hero then must find and rescue the damsel. Jubei saves Kagero every time she's captured. After, the hero journeys to confront the main antagonist. On the way, he defeats the last of the henchmen and lower division enemies. When it comes time for the climax, the hero usually has a score to settle with the enemy. Here, Jubei not only tries to stop Gemma's reign of evil, but also seeks vengeance for the death of Kagero. There's a long and brutal confrontation, favoring the almost invincible enemy. Jubei is beaten close to death, but in the very end manages to find a weakness and kill Gemma. This scenario is similar in most action/horror anime. Finally, the resolution shows the direction each character is headed- Jubei continues wandering the earth with his memory of Kagero and his experiences with Gemma and the Eight Devils of Kimon.Although there is an extremely large selection of anime, even within the action/horror subgenre, they share similar qualities and patterns in the plot and characters. The genre keeps its diversity through differences in its animation and storyline of each individual movie.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Why Music?

Life has rhythm and melody to it. People may state that they don't listen to music. Is that true? Sound, it's all around, whether we like it or not. If we live and hear, then avoiding music is impossible. It surrounds us entirely, but why? Why are people drawn to music? Why does music even exist? â€Å"The more mellifluous the singer, the more dexterous the harpist, the more mates he attracts. † According to the article ‘Why Music? ‘ a reason for why people choose to listen and perform music is because of sex and love. There is some truth in that hypothesis: the better the musician is, the more attractive they will be to potential mates. Many famous singers and band members that are widely known around the world can thank both their talent and physical appearance for their success. Fans might enjoy their music purely because they are attracted to that certain artist instead of to the music itself. This argument states that music exists just to allow people to attract and fall in love, but that may not be entirely true. The author states, † A man does not have to be gay to enjoy the music of an all-male orchestra. † This makes sense, and just proves that the argument of sex being the reason for music wrong. % of the world's population has amusia, where they can't understand and distinguish differences in music; so would that mean they aren't capable to fall in love? There are also many songs that are being recorded, performed and enjoyed where their lyrics have nothing to do with love, sex or relationships, for example traditional, children and purely instrumental songs. They are considered music, but aren't connected to mating. So therefore, this argument, no matter how reasonable can't be entirely true. There has to be a reason that is fully accurate though. So, if it's not sex, what else could it be? Social bonding? Music may exist for us because it helps bind us together just like it did for our past ancestors; the early humans. Before music's emergence, an important social activity was grooming. Grooming was a vital way to allow primates and animals not only to clean their pelts but also to socialize. As groups expanded over time, social grooming became harder and â€Å"the gap was bridged by music, which may thus be seen as a precursor to language,† as Dr. Dunbar believes. Nowadays we still listen to music in groups, and it still is a way to socialize. Concerts, clubs, parties, all are places and events where people who enjoy and share the same interests in music gather together. People may not only get together because of similar taste in music, but they might also have other interests that are the same. But, like the first hypothesis, it can't be entirely true. Isn't it possible for people to listen to music when they are by themselves? Of course, it might not be as enjoyable and the whole atmosphere of it may not be as vivid, but it still is possible. People are constantly listening to their personal music players. By themselves. There are also times when people want to listen to music on their own, to allow them to forget everything else†¦ have some time just to listen and think without other people around them. Adding to this, just pretend that every single person, from all the countries, on this Earth decided to get together in groups according to interests in music. Two problems: the groups would be way too large and too hectic; also, people might find different types of music appealing to them, so for that reason choosing only one group to belong and stay in would be too hard, confusing and just a waste of time. This theory is hard to agree with, and may be even less believable than the first one. An accident? Or an invention? Maybe both, maybe none. Most of us are born with the special ability to hear and either to enjoy or hate the sounds that we notice in this world, and there skills have allowed us to start inventing the music we know today. At least, according to Dr. Pinker; he further believes that music is an â€Å"auditory cheesecake† he also suggested that if either music or cheesecake â€Å"vanished from the species little else would change. † No. This argument has very little value to it, and isn't very convincing. First of all, we aren't the inventors of music, humankind merely classified certain noise that according to the sound like what music should be. Secondly, music doesn't have to be the work of famous classical composers; the catchy pop songs heard on the radio; the unique flavor of each country's traditional music, it can be anything. It is arguable that music can be the sound of a dog panting after a long run; water pouring down great and majestic waterfalls; the loud traffic at busy intersections during rush hour; or pretty much anything we hear. For instance, the composer John Cage was one of the first people to breakdown the barriers and rules that music from the past had. He is most famous for his piece 4'33† where for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, not one single note is played by the performer on stage, in its place, the whole piece is coming from the noises that the audience and the atmosphere of the place makes, therefore that being the music. Likewise, it is possible to disagree with the statement that little would change if music was to disappear. Many, many people wouldn't have jobs such as the numerous musicians everywhere. Visualize a world without any music. None. Movies need music to create a mood, just picture a whole film without music. What about radios? What could we all dance to? Sing our hearts out to? Nothing†¦ without music. Countless things around us are based on music, and our lives wouldn't be complete without it. The more this hypothesis is thought about, the more mistakes it contains, and the less believable it becomes. In conclusion, although there are some that seem more accurate than other, none of the three hypotheses are one hundred percent correct for why music exists and why we listen to it. However, there has to be a reason why. Maybe a combination of the first and second hypothesis, with none or very little contribution from the third hypothesis. It is possible that reasons why are because music changes moods, creates atmospheres, and is an escape for all of us. People all listen to music, and too many people take it for granted, without paying attention to it, really thinking and wondering why we all listen to music.

Monday, January 6, 2020

What I Have Been A Nomad Since Birth - 934 Words

have been a nomad since birth. My family and I have moved from one place to another to escape poverty and war in our home countries. We had recently lost my father to the civil war and my mother escaped Ethiopia in fear for the lives of the rest of the family. With the war progressing, we moved to the slums of Nairobi, Kenya in an effort to seek asylum. We dreamed of life away from war and famine, seeking aid in neighboring countries in pursuit of eventually arriving in America. We stayed in Kenya for another 8 years and eventually migrated to America. Transitioning to America, I had culture shock. I struggled with understanding where I fit. The move to America made me feel isolated, I was completely away from a place I once called home. Assimilating was the hardest thing because I felt as though it stripped me of my culture and with it my identity. Having the last name Hussein and identifying as a Muslim didn t make my transition any easier. When I lived in Kenya, there were many others who shared that same last name. It was quite different in America. The first day of my seventh grade year of middle school made me conscious of where I stood on the American spectrum.. Up until that point, I felt partly American. At the time I was very much assimilating, even wearing Jordan sneakers like the rest of my classmates. On that same first day, I was called â€Å"Saddam Hussein’s brother† This insensitivity towards my last name continued up until high school. During Obama’sShow MoreRelatedThe Out of Africa Theory2004 Words   |  8 PagesHumankind has come a long way since the beginning of time and the beginning started in Africa. Anthropologists guess that we, Homo sapiens, come from other animals such as chimpanzees since they are our neighboring relative. Many other species arose in Africa as well and we all shared one thing and that was the ability to walk up on two legs. 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