Essay about Mother Courage and Her Children - 1589 Words

Mother Courage and her Children, by Bertolt Brecht, is a play which can be seen from varying perspectives. Some consider it to be a comment on the socio-economic aspects of war, others as a criticism of bourgeois capitalism intended to encourage change in modern society. The somewhat tragic events of the play enable critics to consider it a tragedy, but one which, to some extent, diverges from the Aristotelian definition. Aristotle believed that tragedy must revolve around a central character: the tragic hero, on whom the plot focuses and who exhibits certain characteristics, which leads to his, though in this particular case, her, downfall. The role of such a figure is pivotal to the presentation of a play as a tragedy; yet it†¦show more content†¦Alternatively, this contrast could be interpreted as an indication that Mother Courage is morally neither all good nor all bad, a quality which Aristotle states as necessary in a tragic hero. Her intention of and attempt at provid ing for and protecting her family by her existence as a hyena of the battlefield is essentially good, yet it is in fact this very existence which brings about the deaths of her children and her own downfall. According to Aristotle, the audience must witness the tragic hero undeservedly suffer great misfortune. Although the audience disapproves of Mother Courage and her attitudes, we are not presented with a feasible alternative. She is forced into living as a parasite of war by her socio-economic status: she is simply trying to provide for her family and the only crime she commits is the utilization of her gift of tradesmanship. Mother Courages misfortunes are presented as the deaths of her children, which are caused by each individuals sole virtue, so are, in effect, undeserved by Mother Courage. An element of tragedy is removed from the play as Mother Courage does not appear to experience suffering as a result of these losses. However, this does not prevent the evocation of pity from the audience, a key factor of tragedy, as we still perceive her as a consequential victim of the social and economicShow MoreRelatedThe Titular Character Of Mother Courage And Her Children1378 Words   |à ‚  6 PagesThe titular character in Mother Courage and Her Children illuminates an important idea when considering a character’s actions in a time of languishing prosperity. Yet, the characters pivotal actions catalyze the fatality of her three children and in turn represent how morals, in times of survival, waver; the results of tough choices are harsh judgements. Bertolt Brecht, the playwright, uses his innovative approach to theatre to force the audience to detach themselves from their common knowledge ofRead MoreMother Courage And Her Children1186 Words   |  5 PagesMother Courage and her Children is tragic play that highlights the current and after effects of the thirty year war as written by German playwright Bertolt Brecht in 1939. The initial hope with the play was show that mother courage was not the ultimate sympathetic character and that she lead her children to their own demise. A hope that was later cemented in later performances rather than allowing the audien ce to indulge in ideologies they wanted to believe in post war, like perseverance and motherhoodRead MoreAnalysis Of Mother Courage And Her Children 1236 Words   |  5 Pagesstandard, typical, usual, expected and unexceptional among others. In his book, the Steppenwolf, Hermann Hesse explores some of the issues relating to deviation from the norm like how an individual is affected. In addition, the play â€Å"Mother Courage and her Children† also presents various matters relating to the norm, its significance, and how the environment is altered in case of a deviation. Furthermore, Bertolt Brecht vividly examines how an individual has a difficult time to adapt to the changesRead More Mother Courage and her Children Essay example1551 Words   |  7 PagesMother Courage and her Children Mother Courage and her Children, by Bertolt Brecht, is a play which can be seen from varying perspectives. Some consider it to be a comment on the socio-economic aspects of war, others as a criticism of bourgeois capitalism intended to encourage change in modern society. The somewhat tragic events of the play enable critics to consider it a tragedy, but one which, to some extent, diverges from the Aristotelian definition. Aristotle believed that tragedy mustRead MoreAnalysis Of Mother Courage And Her Children By Bertolt Brecht804 Words   |  4 PagesThe play â€Å"Mother Courage and her Children† is written by Bertolt Brecht, adapted by Scott Stroot here at Western Kentucky University. This play is takes place in Europe around the spring of 1624 and spans at least 10 years. The play is about Mother Courage also known as Anna Fierling, and her three children Kattrin, Eilif, and Swiss Cheese. And over the course of the years she loses all three of her children during The Thir ty-Year War. Mother Courage and her children make their livings off of theirRead More Mother Courage Essay903 Words   |  4 Pages Mother Courage nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;It’s always important to be touched. Writers know and understand this idea. Whether the audience feels good or bad about whom or what you present is not as important as the fact that they feel something. Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children is a perfect example of a work that doesn’t leave us in very high spirits but touches us in such a way that it becomes even more powerful than if it had. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Throughout the playRead MoreMother Courage and her Children by Bertolt Brecht Essay1015 Words   |  5 PagesPractice WiT- Mother Courage and her Children Topic: Analysis of war as a business in the play mother courage and her children In Brecht’s play â€Å"Mother Courage and her Children† he makes it clear that he thinks that war is a â€Å"continuation of business by other means†. To him war is not an unnatural occurrence or even a mistake made by society however it is one of societies many preconditions and is an unavoidable occurrence. Given that this is Brecht’s opinion there are several dialogues all depictingRead More Gender in Mother Courage and Her Children and M. Butterfly Essay1804 Words   |  8 PagesComparing Gender in Mother Courage and Her Children and M. Butterfly    The term gender is commonly used to refer to the psychological, cultural, and social characteristics that distinguish the sexes (Cook 1). From the idea of gender such notions as gender bias and stereotyping have developed. Stereotypes have lead society to believe that a male or female should appear, act, or in more philosophical terms, be a certain way. What these gender stereotypes are and, whether or not they reallyRead MoreThe Family Ties in Frankenstein, Metamorphosis and Mother Courage and her Children1914 Words   |  8 Pagesfollow along with. There are many examples of this throughout this course, but this paper will focus on how three of them use the family dynamic to connect with the reader: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Kafka’s Metamorphosis, and Brecht’s Mother Courage and her Children. One does not have to read far into Frankenstein to get a feel for this idea. The beginning of the story is a series of letters between an explorer named Walton and his sister, Margaret. These content of these letters suggest that WaltonRead More Empathy in Brechts The Good Person of Szechwan and Mother Courage and Her Children2414 Words   |  10 PagesLittle Empathy in Brechts The Good Person of Szechwan and Mother Courage and Her Children Brecht is very successful in creating a form of drama where empathy plays little part. In The Good Person of Szechwan it would seem that every action and word is an attempt to alienate us and halt any identification one may chance to make. The indiscernible use of names for characters exaggerating the oriental sound of them is immediately noticeable i.e. Wang, Shin Sun, Shen Te, Shu Ta, etc.

Women s Rights Movement And Abolitionist Movements

2. There were multiple factors which linked the women’s rights movements and the abolitionist movements. Many women joined abolitionist movement as a way to enter public life and have the opportunity to talk about controversial topics. They faced criticism for addressing these controversial issues which prompted them to attempt gain freedom for women as well as those who were enslaved. They tried to use the abolitionist movement as a way to also gain equal rights for a women as there seemed to be a common idea shared between the two. Unfortunately many women antislavery advocates were denied a platform to speak on by male abolitionists which prompted them to start a campaign for women’s rights. Also, there was a â€Å"similarity† in the abuse a free and enslaved women received. Female abolitionists complained that gender roles caused the â€Å"domestic slavery of women† because women did not have any rights in marriage and no individuality which is what they compared to enslave women being assaulted on by their owners. The women used the same arguments regarding rights and equality in abolitionist movement into their own women s’ rights movements. Once women were able to gain their voice through the abolitionist movement they began to advocate more rights for themselves. All in all, we can see that similarities in the abolitionist movement and the women s’ rights movements, were the ideological factors in linking the women’s rights movements and the abolitionist movements. FreeShow MoreRelatedWomen s Rights And Abolitionist Movement Essay985 Words   |  4 PagesBeginning of Women’s Rights Abolitionist Movement Women’s Rights Abolitionists Back in the nineteenth century men and women were not treated equally as they are now. Women did not have as much freedom as the men did and that caused a national movement. Not only were the women segregated from the men, but the discrimination against the African American race was a huge ordeal as well. With both movements combined, it led to a controversial development at that time. Not only were women fighting forRead MoreWomen s Rights During The 19th Century1411 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Lloyd Garrison, an abolitionists and a reporter Association organized an association against slavery and encouraged the full participation of women. Garrison s idea is not supported by most of the abolitionists. Those abolitionists who did not want women to participate in established another abolitionist organization. Abolitionism, also known as abolition of slavery, is a political movement in order to abolishing the slave trade and slavery system. This movement began in the Age of Enl ightenmentRead MoreFeminists, Abolitionists, and Democracy Essay736 Words   |  3 PagesFeminists, Abolitionists, and Democracy The framework of America’s government was forged in the spirit of democracy. The founding fathers envisioned a nation of free and equal persons and a country where everyone had a voice in the decision-making process. However, it soon became evident that not all people had a voice or even equal rights. Two groups excluded from government were women and African-Americans. These groups rose up to declare their rights to equality and freedom under the law. TheRead MoreThe Antebellum Era: Major Social Reform Movements Essay1104 Words   |  5 PagesThe antebellum period was full of social reform movements based on the urge to eradicate evil and improve human conditions in society. Despite the attempt to deal with a wide variety of reforms to provide positive changes to society these reform movements were met with varying degrees of success. This essay will focus on five of the major social reform movements of that era discussing their accomplishments, failures and impacts on Am erica as a whole. They are the reforms of abolition, women’sRead MoreThe Abolitionist Movement and The Civil Rights Movement Essay615 Words   |  3 Pages Throughout the history of the United States there have been many reform movements that have molded the culture we live in today. The rights that we as Americans enjoy today can be credited to the people who fought for more rights and a better way of life. Two reform movements that have changed America for the better are the Abolitionist Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. Around the 1820’s the feeling of legal slavery was changing in the United States. The southRead MoreSummary Of Hobomok : A Tale Of Early Times1136 Words   |  5 PagesConvers, a Unitarian minister, helped to mentor and teach Lydia. Convers was extremely successful, teaching theology at Harvard and participating in the American Transcendentalist movement. In 1821, Lydia wrote the first chapter of her novel, Hobomok: A Tale of Early Times. Her first novel was set in Salem in the 1620’s but the taste of writing quickly caused Lydia to write The Juvenile Miscellany, which was a children’s periodical. Her first novel was received very well as well as her second novelRead MoreThe Fight For Women s Suffrage Movement1328 Words   |  6 PagesThe Fight For Women’s Suffrage The Women’s Suffrage Movement of the 1920’s worked to grant women the right to vote nationally, thereby allowing women more political equality. Due to many industrial and social changes during the early 19th century, many women were involved in social advocacy efforts, which eventually led them to advocate for their own right to vote and take part in government agencies. Women have been an integral part of society, working to help those in need, which then fueled aRead MoreReform Movements853 Words   |  4 PagesReform Movements During the 19th Century there were many reform movements that took place. Reform movements were movements that were organized to reform or change the certain way of things. Reform movements did not always work but the ones that did greatly changed the way our nation operates today. There were three major reform movements that have altered the nation; the abolitionist movement, the temperance movement and the women s suffrage movement. Without these movements, and the great leadersRead MoreThe American Abolitionists Book Review Essay1214 Words   |  5 PagesHarrold Stanley, American Abolitionists is a book that scrutinizes the movement of abolishing slavery in the United States. It examines the movement from its origin in the 18century in the course of the Civil War and the elimination of slavery in 1856. American Abolitionists book focuses on the American Abolitionists who struggled to end slavery and advocated for equal rights for all African Americans in the United States. Harr old mainly focuses his book on the abolitionist movement and the effect of slavesRead MoreWomen s Rights By Margaret Brent1213 Words   |  5 PagesWomen’s rights did not officially begin to be a problem until 1848. Many believe that it’s been a problem from at most the 1600’s. Colonial women didn’t give a thought about their rights, but there were some female political leaders. Margaret Brent, a woman who had been given power-of-attorney from Lord Baltimore. Judith Sargent Stevens Murray, the writer of the United States’ first feminist theory. â€Å"Will it be said that the judgment of a male of two years old is more sage than that of a female the

Essay on The Role of Nature vs Nurture - 632 Words

The Role of Nature vs Nurture We used to think our fate was in our stars. Now, we know, in large part, that our fate is in our genes. ---James Watson While social research has been steady and ongoing, our biological knowledge has advanced disproportionately in recent times. As we discover more about the role of genes in pre-determining who we are, the nature versus nurture debate seems headed for a tilt of the biological over the environmental. Nature, or our biological aspect, does matter a lot. From the point of fertilization, genes guide the growth of cells, the embryo and eventually the fetus. The physical configuration of the newborn, from the positioning of the limbs right down to dimples, is almost entirely charted by†¦show more content†¦Nowhere do genes exhibit their vital role more dramatically than in the case of genetic disorders. Genetic scientists have uncovered an increasing number of genes that code for diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, Turner syndrome, and many others. It has further been shown how the slightest alteration of the human genome leads to exaggerated, often disastrous results. The role of nurture, on the other hand, is sometimes neglected behind the bustle of scientific discoveries. Though human growth in the womb is guided by strict genetic instructions, external factors are equally capable of influencing growth. Expectant mothers who smoke give birth to infants with lower birth-weight, while drugs and other teratogens are known to affect infant physical and cerebral development. Cases of children abandoned in the wilderness have shown that without social interaction and practice, language does not develop on its own, despite the universal signs of linguistic pre-wiring. In the Rhesus monkey study, the researcher discovered that although some monkeys are by nature more temperamental, leaving them in the care of patient and devoted mother monkeys ameliorates their fiery temper. Likewise, for humans, Urie Bronfenbrenners ecological model of human development argues that human development is influenced by a spectrum of external factors from the closest - the family, up to culture and social milieu. For example, research has shown that children brought up in anShow MoreRelatedNature vs. Nurture1117 Words   |  5 PagesThe nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in sociology (Davidson, 1991, n.p.). The debate centers on the relative contributions of genetics and environmental factors to human behavior (Davidson, 1991, n.p.). Today, the majority of experts believe that behavior and development are influenced by both nature and nurture (Macionis, 2009, p. 73). The biggest question now is which one affects human development more: nature or nurture? According to Macionis (2009, p. 72), in the pastRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture : Addiction1102 Words   |  5 Pages Nature vs. Nurture: Addiction Introduction Psychology is a developing science which studies the mental functions, processes, and behaviors of an individual. In the science of psychology, many debates arise; nature vs. nurture is one of the most popular ones. These psychological debates are followed by research, backing up either nature or nurture or both. Nature suggest heredity impacts human psychological development; nurture suggests the environment impacts our psychologicalRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture in Mary Shelley ´s Frankenstein1008 Words   |  4 PagesNature vs. Nurture Francis Galton, the English Victorian polymath first coined the term, Nature vs. Nurture in 1871, when he considered how much influence our upbringing had on our fate, and whether or not our destiny was preset. Long before the term Nature vs. Nurture was coined, Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein, explored the idea of nature vs. nurture in the context of creation. The greatest exemplification of Nature vs. Nurture in Frankenstein is explored in the fate of the Creature, whoRead MoreNature Vs Nurture Essay882 Words   |  4 PagesNature vs Nurture The discussion about nature and nurture can be considered one of the oldest problems in psychology, the main question of which is: Are human traits present at birth or are they developing through experience? (Meyers, 2013). The natural side of the discussion asserts that the facial features and the way of their development strictly through DNA and genetics are transmitted by parents and grandparents. The nurture side of the debate argues that we are born with a clean list andRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay1300 Words   |  6 PagesNature versus nurture has emerged as one of the most heated debates in the 21st century. It is more aligned towards the internal and external factors that comprise human beings behavior. The internal factors are innate and perceived to be genetically revolved as opposed to the external factors that are influenced by the environment and individuals’ experiences. However, scholars in different fields have researc hed on the relationship between nature and nurture without due success and this has createdRead More Nature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment Essay1490 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction A debate between psychologist, scientists and philosopher thinkers on the spectrum of ‘nature vs. nurture’ arose concerning human development. In the nature versus nurture debate, the term nature refers to the genes we inherit while the term nurture refers to our outside environment (Nature vs. Nurture: Twin and Adoption Studies). This debate of ‘nature vs. nurture’ has existed for centuries and up to now it is still a topic of major discussion although at present time. Human developmentRead MoreNature vs. Nurture: Parents or Environment Essay example571 Words   |  3 Pageshave multiple influences, but the genes passed down by parents play a huge role in developing how their offspring will turn out to be. Being unable to properly test whether certain characteristics of a person come from genetics or the influences of the environment makes this theory very difficult to understand, thus making the topic of nature vs. nurture extremely controversial. The deb ates always show that nature and nurture contrast but then there may be evidence that suggest that the two are linkedRead MoreAdoption and Nature vs Nurture1028 Words   |  5 Pagesall adopted. Adoption plays a large role in the development of an individual. Adoption plays a role in the long time psychological debate of â€Å"nature vs. nurture†. This paper will address the nature vs. nurture debate, how adoptions plays a role in the debate, give a history of adoption, and tell the story of a personal friend who was adopted and overcame the tragedy of his nature and was able to triumph through his solid nurturing. The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the longest in the fieldRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay936 Words   |  4 Pagesbeen an on-going debate between nature and nurture. T.H. White, author of The Once and Future King, explores the debate through many of the book’s characters. The issue clearly appears in the relationship of Queen Morgause and her sons, the Orkney brothers. The debate caused people to pick a side, to pick nature over nurture, or nurture over nature. However, it does not have to be one or the other. Nature and nurture work together to determine who we are. Nature does not simply determine our physicalRead MoreThe Theory Of Nature Vs. Nurture1680 Words   |  7 PagesThe theory of nature vs. nurture, or inherited vs. acquired, is a complex psychological theory that questions how people develop, as a person, in life and how they act. Their impact determines your personality traits, values, morals, and behavior in life. The idea of nature is the belief that people develop into who they are based on genetic traits given to them at birth. For example, some children inherit a musical talent from their parents along with eye color, hair color, and race. These traits

Analysis of Elizabeth Bishops poem The Fish free essay sample

The Theme of True Beauty or Inner Beauty: The Neither her battered boat nor the venerable old fish is beautiful in conventional terms. Their beauty lies in having survived, when the speaker realizes this, victory filled up / the little rented boat she understands that everything / was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! That is when she lets the fish return to his home in the water. The fish helps Bishop to notice true beauty: The fish is only ugly or grotesque to the entrained or empathic eye (McCabe).The notion causes her to see other objects around her differently. Everything is a rainbow when she looks around. This feeling allows her to release the fish. The release, significant In its own sense, acknowledges Bishops respect for the fish. The poet, struck by the otherworldly beauty w/ which ordinary objects sometimes appear, as if cast in a color not their own, releases her concentrated gaze, gives up both the poem the fish. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of Elizabeth Bishops poem The Fish or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The composite image of the shihs essential beautyhis being aliveis developed further in the description of the 5 fishhooks that the captive, living fish carries In his lip. * The Theme of Respect Admiration: The admiration for the fish Is Ironic since he was detested when 1st caught. The relationship teen the fish Bishop becomes even closer when she notices his lip. These broken fishing lines are the turning point teen her the fish. Now, Bishop considers the catch an accomplishment. She sees evidence that 5 others have tried unsuccessfully to bring In this fish.The fish evolves Into a majestic character She Is able to use the description of the fishs lip to evoke the Idea of respect. The fishs beard personifies him, characterizing him as Intelligent. She values the fish because she realizes he has eluded other anglers. The ultimate respect Is expressed w/ the fishs release. Bishop knows the fish .. . Cant be kept, but must be let go (McCabe). Bishop recognizes that she will be able to hold the moment closer as a Emory than by keeping the fish as a trophy.The real theme of Bishops poem Is that of humanitarianism respect for a fishs lifelong will to survive. Analysis of Elizabeth Bishops poem Fish By externally * The Theme of True Beauty or Inner Beauty: allows her to release the fish. The release, significant in its own sense, acknowledges 5 fishhooks that the captive, living fish carries in his lip. The admiration for the fish is ironic since he was detested when 1st caught. The unsuccessfully to bring in this fish.The fish evolves into a majestic character She is able to use the description of the fishs lip to evoke the idea of respect. The fishs beard personifies him, characterizing him as intelligent. She values the fish because she realizes he has eluded other anglers. The ultimate respect is expressed w/ the fishs release. Bishop knows the fish .. . Cant be kept, but must be let memory than by keeping the fish as a trophy. The real theme of Bishops poem is that of humanitarianism respect for a fishs lifelong will to survive.