Western Civilization Essay Example for Free

Western Civilization Essay Between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, early modern European society began to fear the possibility that witches existed in their midst. The resultant panic led to massive persecution in the form of the trial and torture and subsequent execution of a 40,000 to 50,000 suspected witches, about 75% of which were women, over a period of 100,000 trials between 1450 and 1750. While estimates written in the mid-1970s place the figures at about 9 million women, this is an exaggerated estimate derived from extremist or polemical feminist accounts which seek to create a proto-feminist depiction of this period. Still, it is difficult to cite any other period in which women were persecuted and subject to atrocities of a similar or larger scale. In any case, it was rapid social, economic and religious transformation in Europe during this time that ‘helped’ set the stage for these witch hunts. Gibbons (1998) notes that the spread of Christianity led to a religious homogeneity that gave way to a declining tolerance towards pagan religions and witchcraft. Additionally, Europe in the early 14th century was crippled by rumors of a ‘malign conspiracy’ to bring down Christianized nations. In essence, the decline of religious diversity that comes with the hegemonic presence of Christianity as spiritual way of life of the common European meant that acceptance of other religions was rapidly diminished. The Black Death or bubonic plague which struck Europe during the mid 14th century intensified the rumors of the aforementioned conspiracy under the allegation that the plague was the creation of witches and other pagans who ostensibly sought to destabilize Christian rule. The implicit impact of the Reformation upon European Christendom also supports this view. During this period, the number of witch trials actually dropped, notes Gibbons (1998). As such, the conflict between the entrenched Catholicism and the emerging Protestant movement resulted in the collapse of Christian orthodoxy. Also, it is interesting to note that only the nations in which rapid development was occurring that the witch hunt panic was at its strongest. Spain, Italy and Portugal did not experience as much panic as the nations of Germany and Switzerland. In any case, the prevailing instability of Europe during this time exacerbated the witch panic. Because European civilization depended heavily on a homogenous grain-based agriculture – but without many of the industrial (albeit environmentally unsustainable) advances and insurances that it enjoys today – it was much more susceptible to the dangers of crop failure. Sociologists have noted that such crop failures are correlated with the occurrence of witch hunts, with the explanation being that there is a tendency within humans to blame inexplicable disaster on a much more ‘known’ variable (albeit one that is not well understood). Communities which experienced the crop failure would take their anxieties out on the community members who were considered deviant and therefore concluded to be responsible for such crop failures. Such a sociological explanation is not far removed from the same conditions which gave rise to the anti-Semitic sentiment that gave rise to Nazism, which blamed the Jewish people for economic problems. By the 18th century, the witch hunts began to subside. Perhaps the most significant macro explanation for this decline was the restoration of stability to Europe, which Hannam (2007) describes as creating an absence of the reasons that started them in the first place. For example, the height of the Salem witch trials occurred when theocratic authority was in question. Greater protections were given to impoverished women when England implemented the Poor Law. Also, radical new works in social thought led to greater acceptance of cultural and religious diversity and pluralism. REFERENCES Kagan, D. , Ozment, S. , Turner, F. (2007) The Western Heritage. 9th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Gibson, J. (1998) â€Å"Recent Developments In The Study of the Great European Witch Hunt. † Pomegranate, Issue 5 Hannam, J. (2007) â€Å"The Decline of Witch Trials in Europe. † Medieval Science and Philosophy. Retrieved May 23, 2008 from: http://jameshannam. com/witchtrial. htm

Fathers Attitude of Love Towards Sinners. Essay -- Religion Religious

Fathers Attitude of Love Towards Sinners The Parable of the Prodigal Son reveals both Gods love for those who are ready to accept it, which in this case is the prodigal son who returns to his father, and his rejection of the self-centered righteousness. Repentance and forgiveness are essential to everyday life. In the book of Luke, the parable of the prodigal son is told. The father in the parable represents God. The prodigal son is symbolic of one who is living in sin, repents, and returns to fellowship with God. The prodigal son decided he had enough under his father and wanted to be on his own. Not only did he want to leave, but he also wanted to take his share of the inheritance that he was not supposed to get until his fathers death. The father granted his sons request. Though he gives a portion of his money to his son, the father still is wealthy. The father was not really concerned about what he gave his son, but concerned with his sons personal safety and return to the family. God does not lose anything by our decis ion to live in rebellion. Humans are the only ones who lose everything. The son left for a far off country and threw away his inheritance with wild living. The sons careless behavior was simply a symptom of the deep desire to be his own master, to live independently, to do as he pleased. The spiritual meaning behind the parable shows mans rebellion against God. God does not oppose ones choice in choosing how to live. We as humans use all that God has granted us not for serving Him in obedience, but against His will. According to the teachings in the Bible, God allows humans the freedom to make decisions in life. Some choices or decisions will lead either to true peace and freedom or to destruction. Many peo... ...o matter how badly one screws up, God is always there waiting to forgive. We as humans need to make the decision to repent and ask for forgiveness with a meek spirit. We all at one point in our lives are the prodigal son. Works Cited 1. Kennedy, X.J., Gioia, Dana. The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Literature: An Introduction to fiction, poetry, and drama. New York: Longman, 2002. 232-33. 2. Kennedy, X.J., Gioia, Dana. Prodigal Son. Literature: An Introduction to fiction, poetry, and drama. New York: Longman, 2002. 1361-66. 3. Jeremias, Joachim. The parable of the Prodigal Son. The Parables of Jesus. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1963. 4. Hunter, Archibald. Prodigal Son. Interpreting the Parables. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960. 5. Buttrick, George. Luke 15:11-32. The Interpreters Bible. New York: Abingdon=Cokesbury Press, 1952.

Johnny Depp †A Philosopher Among Actors Essay

â€Å"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.† In simple terms, this quote is referring to those who do not conform to the standards placed on them by their culture or subculture. In Hollywood, the way one becomes an A-List actor is by conforming to the Hollywood system: take the roles that provide the largest paychecks. Ben Affleck did not become a superstar celebrity by following his passion; Reindeer Games and Gigli are perfect examples of that. However, there is one actor who has consistently chosen his own roles, much to the dismay of his agent, based solely on his interest in the character he will portray. This actor has never taken a role that he did not feel passionate about, regardless of the flack he received from critics or the general public, and he is now one of Hollywood’s finest. Johnny Depp stands out from the crowd because rather than conforming to the Hollywood standard he has become an A-List actor by following his own muse, or walking â€Å"to the beat of a different drummer.† A perfect example of Johnny Depp’s passion for his work is his starring role in the movie, â€Å"Ed Wood,† about Ed Wood, a filmmaker best known for making bad movies. It sounds ironic, but Johnny was insistent that this was a great movie. Despite, at the height of his career, being told that making this movie would ruin his professional image, he pursued the role. The movie was made, and it went on to win an Academy Award. Another example of Johnny Depp’s dedication is the movie â€Å"Once Upon A Time In Mexico† filmed in the heat of the summer of 2002. Because he wanted this role, Johnny agreed to film for seven consecutive days at 12-16 hours per day! A typical A-List actor will, under no circumstances, work for more than 8 hours per shooting day. Other movies that Depp was warned not to do, which went on to become successful were: â€Å"Edward Scissorhands,† â€Å"Dead Man,† â€Å"What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,† and â€Å"Pirates of the Caribbean,† for which he is nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards this year. Johnny Depp is renowned for his choice of movie roles. He does not simply work for the paycheck; he is truly pursuing his passion, and he has done it  quite successfully. Roger Ebert, a well-known film critic, has called Depp â€Å"a modern Thoreau – a philosopher among actors.† At the 76th Annual Academy Awards, Johnny Depp was recognized specifically for his success in taking part in only films that he truly wanted to be a part of. Considering the standards that the industry places on actors, the fact that Johnny Depp has not sold out and taken a role simply for the money, is an admirable quality. If everyone possessed such commitment in their work, and more so, such conviction, life would be much more enjoyable to live.

Their Eyes Were Watching God - 1273 Words

It is a commonly held belief that our childhoods have at least some effect on our adult life. For Zora Neale Hurston, she presents that view in her novel, Their Eyes were Watching God. While Hurston does not give too much insight into Janie’s childhood, one can perceive how her adult life has been affected by what Hurston gives. Janie was raised by her Nanny, used to enduring things that were out of her control in her childhood (specifically started when she was young and married off.) It seems as if Janie is never in full control, despite making decisions that should alter her life. Janie also possesses a sort of innocence, especially when it comes to love, as she grows older. Comparing that to Ernest Hemingway’s The Nick Adams Stories, Nick shows a different aspect of how a childhood can impact adulthood. He is a character that grows up learning to be independent and having an ability to take care of himself. And that stems from the experiences he has a child. In Thei r Eyes were Watching God, the only heritage we learn about is Janie’s mother and grandmother. Nanny came from slavery and tells Janie, â€Å"it wasn’t for me to fulfill my dreams of whut a woman oughta be and to do.† Janie’s mother came from the alluded to raping inflicted on Nanny: the slave owner’s wife questions why Leafy has â€Å"gray eyes and yaller hair† (Hurston 16-17). Janie herself was the product of a rape as well when Leafy was held â€Å"in de woods all night long† by her teacher. (Hurston 19) Both ofShow MoreRelatedTheir Eyes Were Watching God1064 Words   |  5 Pagessignificant than death. In Zora Neale Hurston’s famous novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the main character Janie Crawford is plagued by the deaths of loved ones. Janie moves from caregiver to caregiver searching for true love and happiness, only to have it stripped away from her once she finds it in her third husband Tea Cake. At the end of the novel, having realized true love and loss, Janie is a whole woman. Their Eyes Were Watching God portrays the growth of the human spirit through both the emotionalRead MoreTheir Eyes Were Watching God1780 Words   |  8 Pagesshort story â€Å"Sweat† and novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, the focus is on women who want better lives but face difficult struggles before gaining them. The difficulties involving men which Janie and Delia incur result from or are exacerbated by the intersection of their class, race, and gender, which restrict each woman for a large part of her life from gaining her independence. Throughout a fair part of Zora Neal Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie’s low class create problemsRead MoreTheir Eyes Were Watching God932 Words   |  4 PagesJanie Crawford: The Woman Whose Clothing Conveys Her Relationships In Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, the protagonist, Janie, endures two marriages before finding true love. In each of Janie’s marriages, a particular article of clothing is used to symbolically reflect, not only her attitude at different phases in her life, but how she is treated in each relationship. In Janie’s first marriage with Logan Killicks, an apron is used to symbolize the obligation in her marriage. â€Å"Read More Eyes Were Watching God Essay711 Words   |  3 Pages Their Eyes Were Watching God provides an enlightening look at the journey of a quot;complete, complex, undiminished human beingquot;, Janie Crawford. Her story, based on self-exploration, self-empowerment, and self-liberation, details her loss and attainment of her innocence and freedom as she constantly learns and grows from her experiences with gender issues, racism, and life. The story centers around an important theme; that personal discoveries and life experiences help a person findRead MoreAnalysis Of Their Eyes Were Watching God 1061 Words   |  5 PagesDivision: Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God Their Eyes Were Watching God was written in 1937 by Zora Neale Hurston. This story follows a young girl by the name of Janie Crawford. Janie Crawford lived with her grandmother in Eatonville, Florida. Janie was 16 Years old when her grandmother caught her kissing a boy out in the yard. After seeing this her grandmother told her she was old enough to get married, and tells her she has found her a husband by the name of Logan. Logan was a muchRead More Their Eyes Were Watching God Essay1757 Words   |  8 Pages Their Eyes Were Watching God Book Report 1. Title: Their Eyes Were Watching God 2. Author/Date Written: Zora Neale Hurston/1937 3. Country of Author: 4. Characters Janie Mae Crawford- The book’s main character. She is a very strong willed, independent person. She is able to defy a low class, unhappy life because of these factors, even though the environment that she grew up and lived in was never on her side. Pheoby Watson – Janie’s best friend in Eatonville. Pheoby is the only towns person whoRead MoreWhose eyes were watching God?1400 Words   |  6 PagesWhose eyes were watching God? In the movie Their Eyes Were Watching God, Oprah Winfrey manipulates events that happened in the book by Zora Neale Hurston. Oprah morphs many relationships in the movie Their Eyes Were Watching God. She changes the role of gender, and also makes changes in Janie’s character strength. Oprah also changes the symbolism in the movie to where some important symbols in the book change to less important roles. Oprah changes many important events in the book Their Eyes WereRead MoreTheir Eyes Were Watching God Essay724 Words   |  3 PagesTHEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD ESSAY  ¬Ã‚ ¬ Janie Crawford is surrounded by outward influences that contradict her independence and personal development. These outward influences from society, her grandma, and even significant others contribute to her curiosity. Tension builds between outward conformity and inward questioning, allowing Zora Neal Hurston to illustrate the challenge of choice and accountability that Janie faces throughout the novel. Janie’s Grandma plays an important outward influenceRead MoreEssay on Their Eyes Were Watching God921 Words   |  4 PagesTheir Eyes Were Watching God An Analysis So many people in modern society have lost their voices. Laryngitis is not the cause of this sad situation-- they silence themselves, and have been doing so for decades. For many, not having a voice is acceptable socially and internally, because it frees them from the responsibility of having to maintain opinions. For Janie Crawford, it was not: she finds her voice among those lost within the pages of Zora Neale Hurston’s famed novel, Their Eyes Were WatchingRead MoreTheir Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Hurston Essay1233 Words   |  5 PagesHurston In the novel â€Å"Their Eyes Were Watching God† by Zora Neal Hurston is about a young woman named Janie Crawford who goes on a journey of self discovery to find her independence. The book touches on many themes like gender roles, relations, independence and racism however racism isn’t mainly focused upon in the book which some writers felt should have been. Some felt that the representation of black characters should have been better role models. Zora Hurston’s novel wasn’t like other black literature