Friday, January 24, 2020

THE ELEMENT OF SATIRE WITH RESPECT TO CHAUCER?S ?CANTERBURY TALES? :: essays research papers fc

THESIS: THE ELEMENT OF SATIRE WITH RESPECT TO CHAUCER’S â€Å"CANTERBURY TALES† It is human nature to laugh when an event goes wrong or to make a mockery of an all too serious person. But what if authors had the power to use this instinct within humans to drive a point across? In fact they do and they call this literary tool†¦satire. Many authors have used this tool as a backbone in their writings; others have only managed to throw in elements of satire here and there. However, there was one author who had mastered this literary tool, and who could use it to the extremes. He had the ability to use it as playfully and lightheartedly as if to just tease. But, in an instant, he could use it to denigrate a person and ruin all that was left of their self-dignity. His name was Geoffrey Chaucer and his weapon of choice, satire. Satire is one of the most effective ways of writing. It allows the writer to use his imagination to the fullest and be as malicious as he deems necessary, yet not cause the reader to leave in disgust (Highet 242). Satire is a form of literature that readers expect to find some form of profound ideas. However, with satire comes a variation of the truth. While satire is grounded in truth, it is a tainted form. Distorted by the writer as a way of expressing an idea (Highet 234). It is not quite certain where the origins of satire started, but most believe that it was the Romans to first coin the term satire (Highet 24). Satura, meaning dish of mixed ingredients (HTTP://WWW.GALENET.COM/SERVLET/DC). Two men that could be credited with the title of â€Å"The Grandfathers of Satire† are the Roman poets Horace and Lucilius who wrote volumes of poetry, which included their own views on world politics, social fads, and the characters of their friends (Highet 24). Now, one must ask oneself why would an author choose to write in satire? Possibly it was personal grudges (Highet 238). Or another reason may be to state an ideal. In this case, the satire is not just to belittle a particular idea, but also to send a warning as an example (Highet 243). Other reasons for a satirist include, their personal feeling of inferiority or the desire to better society (Highet 240-241). Chaucer was as straightforward as a man can get (Wagenknecht 72). He saw the world as a down to earth fellow who was regarded as â€Å"sweet† (Wagenknecht 141).

Thursday, January 16, 2020

The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber

Francis Macomber notes on analysis The narrative voice The story is told through an omniscient narrator in third person, who is passively observing. Nothing is hidden to the reader, revealing this unpleasant atmosphere. Ex. from p. 9: Macomber stepped out of the curved opening at the side of the front seat, onto the step and down onto the ground. The lion still stood looking majestically and coolly toward this object that his eyes only showed in silhouette, bulking like some super-rhino. There was no man smell carried toward him and he watched the object, moving his great head a little from side to side.Then watching the object, not afraid, but hesitating before going down the bank to drink with such a thing opposite him, he saw a man figure detach itself from it and he turned his heavy head and swung away toward the cover of the trees as he heard a cracking crash and felt the slam of a. 30-06 220-grain solid bullet that bit his flank and ripped in sudden hot scalding nausea through his stomach. He trotted, heavy, big-footed, swinging wounded full-bellied, through the trees toward the tall grass and cover, and the crash came again to go past him ripping the air apart.Then it crashed again and he felt the blow as it hit his lower ribs and ripped on through, blood sudden hot and frothy in his mouth, and he galloped toward the high grass where he could crouch and not be seen and make them bring the crashing thing close enough so he could make a rush and get the man that held it. This example from the text shows how much you should the omniscient teller extends – this is the lion's point of view; the part where it gets shot. By going into the minds of the animals he creates a parallel between the people and animals. Characters Robert Wilson Quote, p. 20: By my troth, I care not; a man can die but once; we owe God a death and let it go which way it will, he that dies this year is quit for the next [.. ]† †You grow up when you kill an animal, not w hen you fucking turn fucking 21†. Wilson is sort of this product of Africa. Neglects this more sensitive side to himself because it reveals to much about him. He wants to be this machine, this MAN, which the idea of being a Sensitivo does not fit with. Wilson's thoughts on Americans: From p. 20: It’s that some of them stay little boys so long, Wilson thought. Sometimes all their lives. Their figures stay boyish when they’re fifty.The great American boy-men. Damned strange people. But he liked this Macomber now. Wilson's thoughts on women: Can't live with them – can't live without them. Sees them as a complete strange specie. * He blames Francis for Margot sleeping with him. From p. 4: â€Å"Oh, anything,† said Wilson. â€Å"Simply anything. † They are, he thought, the hardest in the world; the hardest, the cruelest, the most predatory and the most attractive and their men have softened or gone to pieces nervously as they have hardened. Or is it that they pick men they can handle? They can’t know that much at the age they marry, he thought.He was grateful that he had gone through his education on American women before now because this was a very attractive one. Margaret Macomber (Margot) Francis' wife (not married out of love. Stays together because he's rich and she's pretty (and witty and gaaaaaay) She is dishonest Controls Francis, has the upper hand in the relationship, †You don't have to wait long when you have an advantage. Is the prettiest woman (in Africa). The reason she doesn't leave him at home in America is that there she isn't the prettiest one. She and Francis need each other, but through the story the balance shifts and it has consequences. The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber While reading â€Å"The Short & Happy Life of Francis Macomber,† I focused on the question, what made his life short and happy. At first I took the interpretation of short and happy literally, translating too, living a short life (age) and happy meaning (wealth). After some thought though I realize that Hemingway meant something entirely different. Francis Macomber in the beginning of the short story is a â€Å"coward† causing his wife to loath him, and even the staff to judge and question his manhood. Finally Francis overcomes his cowardly behavior and finally â€Å"lives. â€Å"You know I don’t think I’d ever be afraid of anything again†¦Something happened in me after we first saw the buff and started after him. Like a dam bursting. It was pure excitement. † It is at this moment that I think Francis begins to live life, while simultaneously become happy as he has just overcome his cowardliness. Moments later his wife (accidently? ) shoots hi m†¦ Whether or not it was an accident is up for discussion, but that is what I think Hemingway meant when he titled his short story, â€Å"The Short & Happy Life of Francis Macomber. †Now†¦ Did his wife kill him on purpose or was it actually an accident. This kind of confused me because I feel like I can argue both sides, however, I feel like the stronger argument is her intentionally killing her husband for the reasons below†¦ She could of intentionally done it because of her attitude and actions prior to killing him. First off she was giving him crap about being a coward, and on top of that, I think she also slept with Wilson since unlike her husband he is not a coward. This was never actually stated but that’s how I inferred it.Also, moments before the gunshot, Macomber at one point looks back at her and waves, she, with the rifle besides her does not wave back. Even though love is a missing component in their relationship, she would of waved back if she was feeling in control of the situation but now that Macomber is fearless he has control. I think she feels bitter and needs to retaliate because of this, thus why she pulls the trigger and â€Å"accidently† shoots him. Wilson in the end also says, â€Å"He would of left you too,† so maybe she also did it, because she, like Wilson also knew that.