The maypole Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The maypole - Essay Example To prove this statement I need do analyze The Maypole of Mary Mount by comparing contrary sides - early Americans of Marry Mount and the Puritans. Also, I have to mention, it is very important to pay attention to the author’s attitude to the â€Å"contenders† and to his feeling of close tragic during the story. Before I start the comparison, I have to tell briefly what this story is about. The main topic of the story is the confrontation between early Americans and newly coming Puritans, old and new values, old and new colonists. Nathaniel Hawthorne mentioned in the beginning very important statement that â€Å"jollity and gloom were contending for an empire [883]†. It was quarrel that has determined the â€Å"future complexion of New England [888]†. And the rate was high: â€Å"should the grizzly saints establish their jurisdiction over the gay sinners, then would their spirits darken all the clime†¦But should the banner staff of Merry Mount be fort unate, sunshine would break upon the hills, and flowers would beautify the forest [888]†. It is very interesting that author avoided describing the process of seizure power by Puritans. It is not interesting for him. In contrary, the place, time, circumstances, emotions, atmosphere of these shifts - do matter. There are two main heroes in this story: â€Å"Puritan of the Puritans† John Endicott and Edgar with Edith - the newly married couple. These heroes present the contend sides: Puritans and early Americans. To emphasize the significance of the Puritan coming author created the atmosphere that something important was just about to happen. The tragedy of situation was underlined in the beginning of the story: â€Å"midsummer eve had come, bringing deep verdure to the forest, and roses in her lap, of a more vivid hue than the tender buds of Spring†¦never had the Maypole been so gayly decked as at sunset on midsummer eve† [883]. In other part of the story th ere is very intriguing moment: â€Å"with the setting sun, the last day of mirth had passed from Merry Mount [888]†. Also I can remember the dialogue between Edith and Edgar, when Edgar was disturbed by the sadness of Edith during their wedding day: ``Edith, sweet Lady of the May, is yon wreath of roses a garland to hang above our graves, that you look so sad? O, Edith, this is our golden time! [885]†. In other words, if you want to say that something really bad had happen you have to say how good it was before. And such literature trick indeed created the feeling that the big changes yet to come, the end is near. Indeed, early American days at Merry Mount in May were bright and the people of Merry Mount â€Å"who reared it, should their banner be triumphant, were to pour sunshine over New England's rugged hills, and scatter flower seeds throughout the soil [883]†. Author called them â€Å"the crew of Comus† because of their life style. Comus was the Ancie nt Greek  god  of festivity and revels. Jollity was the main characteristic of early Americans from Merry Mount. Although, it is important to understand, Nathaniel Hawthorne didn’t idealize them. Instead, he made some contempt jokes of them. In description of the Merry Mount people he argued that â€Å"here might be seen the Savage Man, well known in heraldry, hairy as a baboon, and girdled with green leaves†¦ Some youths and maidens were of soberer garb, yet well maintained their places in the irregular throng by the expression of wild revelry upon their features. Such were the colonists

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Philosophy - Essay Example Sources of Knowledge Rationalism as a source of knowledge includes non-experimental sources such as logic, beliefs and mathematics. A person cannot experience any of these sources of knowledge, but can derive a sense of reality and purpose from them. Empiricism source of knowledge in the world today include acquiring information through experience such as seeing, feeling and hearing (Lemos, 2007). Non-experimental knowledge about the modern world comes from reasoning and beliefs. The knowledge in mathematics of adding two numbers such as 1+1 equals 2 is true because of the rational insight of the world around us. Non-experimental knowledge such as mathematics enables people to add money, fruits, clothes and numbers among others. Logic is using reasoning and mental capacity to find the truth about information. An example where logic applies in the modern world is trying to explain to people that men and women are mortal beings. This statement is true because everyone will die. However , the person saying or hearing this statement has not experienced the death to know that men and women are mortal beings. The last non-experimental knowledge of the world today is religious and cultural beliefs. This is the knowledge about God, the devil and ancestors spirits. People have not experienced the presence of God, the devil, heaven and hell because these are beliefs that are considered true from the Holy texts in religious books. Knowledge from experience includes experimental, introspection, memory and testimony (Lemos, 2007). Experimental knowledge thrives on perception such as seeing, feeling, tasting and touching and smelling. Scientific research and other common experiences of acquiring and assessing knowledge in the modern world involve the use of the five common... This paper approves that the major religions in the modern world include Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism, among others. Religion teaches that there is a powerful Supreme Being who is omnipresent and located in the heavens. The Supreme Being created man in his own likeness, the world and values to be followed and obeyed. In the contemporary society, religion is still popular because people are shopping for values, beliefs and guarantees that meet their individual needs. The most commons reasons why religious beliefs are still popular in the 21st century include marriage, diseases, life challenges and uncertainties among others. Memory is an important source of knowledge in the modern world because the mind records events and experiences that are used in future. People remember their childhood memories with their friends and project these memories to their children’s future happiness. Patients remember previous appointments to the doctor and the description of their ailments. This essay makes a conclusion that assessing knowledge in the modern society is through rationalism and empiricism, which deal with experiences and faith, respectively. Religious and scientific theories differ in their definition of reality, but they have similarities in dealing with invisible things, end of the world and seeking wisdom through extensive studies. Religion in the modern society is still popular because of the promise of heaven, virtues, cohesion, globalization and perseverance.