Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan - Essay Example He was young for his age, full of vitality and possibilities, and when I left school two years before, I soon noticed that he lived with a woman. It took me rather longer to realise that it was a different one every six months. But gradually his charm, my new easy life, and my own disposition led me to accept it.....It was easy to love him, for he was kind, generous, gay, and full of affection for me.' Sagan (p9) Cecile repeats his assertion that fidelity and commitment are 'arbitrary and sterile' Sagan (p13). That he is shallow and superficial, and will behave so, is expressed in her statement: 'Although I did not share my father's aversion to ugliness, which often led us to associate with stupid people, I felt vaguely uncomfortable with anyone devoid of physical charms.' Sagan (p11) In fact, she is more like him than she thinks, for having met Cyril, she is very taken with his looks, though touches on his character as an afterthought. Here too are the signs of an awakening sexuality. 'He looked typically Latin, was very dark and sunburnt. There was something reliable and protective about him which I liked at once.....He was tall and sometimes beautiful, with the sort of good looks that immediately inspired one with confidence.' Sagan (p11) Such values inherent in both Cecile and Raymond suggest that how they behave will be driven 3 by these. This, despite her slight criticism of Raymond as follows: 'His only fault was to imbue me with a cynical attitude towards love which, considering my age and experience, should have meant happiness and not only a transitory sensation.' Sagan (p21) The suggestion is that Cecile is already corrupted and that the later behaviours she displays are evidence of that corruption.... That Cecile is the narrator helps to give immediate insight into the themes and characters of the people, describing what they are and how their behaviours make things happen in line with any particular theme at the time. The opening lines are brilliantly expressive of a rather selfish young girl whose thoughts are ambivalent. The reader is made aware that for Cecile, the love from and for her father, together with the life they lead, is her greatest happiness. With the explanation of how they live, Raymond's immorality and character are exposed: In fact, she is more like him than she thinks, for having met Cyril, she is very taken with his looks, though touches on his character as an afterthought. Here too are the signs of an awakening sexuality. The suggestion is that Cecile is already corrupted and that the later behaviours she displays are evidence of that corruption. That he and she will selfishly seek sexual gratification, with little concern for fidelity is only a short time away. The catalyst is Anne's arrival, a woman who, unable to hide her feelings and character, puts in motion the jealousy and self-protection which overwhelm Cecile. motivated by love and perhaps self-importance, Raymond's by lust and love, they cause the manipulative, distressed and confused teenager to em

Violence in Hurston’s Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Were Watchin

Violence in Hurston’s Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Were Watching God Several scenes from Seraph on the Suwanee parallel scenes from Their Eyes Were Watching God. The scene beginning â€Å"The gun came up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  on page 183 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and ending â€Å"†¦pried the dead Tea Cake’s teeth from her arm† on page 184 echoes the scene in Seraph on the Suwanee beginning â€Å"She flung her hands up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  on page 145 and ending â€Å" ‘†¦just as fast as you can’† on page 146. The premise for each scene is identical. The prime female character is forced to defend herself from a close male family member who has gone mad and is threatening her life. Even in the face of death, she is primarily concerned with his well-being and becomes the only person to set him free. The beginnings of both scenes are strikingly similar. In Their Eyes†¦, â€Å"The gun came up unsteadily but quickly and leveled at Janie’s breast.† In Seraph†¦, upon becoming aware of the axe in Earl’s hand, Arvay â€Å"flung her hands up to her breast.† Right away, the focus of violence is drawn to the female form, symbolized by the breast. However, the first thought to cross Janie’s mind with a gun to her chest is â€Å"even in [Tea Cake’s] delirium he took good aim.† She finds praise for him no matter what he does. Even while he is threatening her life, she automatically compliments him, then excuses his actions—â€Å"Maybe he would point to scare her, that was all.† It is obvious that the women are in positions where they must escape in order to survive. The phrase â€Å"for dear life† appears in Seraph as â€Å"fear for her life† appears in Their Eyes. Arvay must turn the lights off â€Å"so that she could not be so easily seen and make her escape† while â€Å"instinctively Janie’s hand flew behind her on the ri... ...ive if Tea Cake were to kill Janie and it is the same with Earl and Arvay. Both men must be stopped, and death, not the women’s adoration or forgiveness, becomes the only way. Hurston’s view of a very male-centered, almost male-worshipping society, is highly reflected in Janie’s and Arvay’s relationships with and attitudes towards Tea Cake and Earl. Everything the women do seems to be for the men and they push their own needs completely aside. The men’s utter disregard and total evil and violence towards the women starkly contrast the women’s undying devotion and love for the men. Up to the point of being killed by the men, the women stand strong by them, in support of them, and in order to help them, when it is exactly the opposite of what the men are doing for the women. The repetition of the violence scene in Their Eyes and Seraph reinforces Hurston’s view. Violence in Hurston’s Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Were Watchin Violence in Hurston’s Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Were Watching God Several scenes from Seraph on the Suwanee parallel scenes from Their Eyes Were Watching God. The scene beginning â€Å"The gun came up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  on page 183 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and ending â€Å"†¦pried the dead Tea Cake’s teeth from her arm† on page 184 echoes the scene in Seraph on the Suwanee beginning â€Å"She flung her hands up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  on page 145 and ending â€Å" ‘†¦just as fast as you can’† on page 146. The premise for each scene is identical. The prime female character is forced to defend herself from a close male family member who has gone mad and is threatening her life. Even in the face of death, she is primarily concerned with his well-being and becomes the only person to set him free. The beginnings of both scenes are strikingly similar. In Their Eyes†¦, â€Å"The gun came up unsteadily but quickly and leveled at Janie’s breast.† In Seraph†¦, upon becoming aware of the axe in Earl’s hand, Arvay â€Å"flung her hands up to her breast.† Right away, the focus of violence is drawn to the female form, symbolized by the breast. However, the first thought to cross Janie’s mind with a gun to her chest is â€Å"even in [Tea Cake’s] delirium he took good aim.† She finds praise for him no matter what he does. Even while he is threatening her life, she automatically compliments him, then excuses his actions—â€Å"Maybe he would point to scare her, that was all.† It is obvious that the women are in positions where they must escape in order to survive. The phrase â€Å"for dear life† appears in Seraph as â€Å"fear for her life† appears in Their Eyes. Arvay must turn the lights off â€Å"so that she could not be so easily seen and make her escape† while â€Å"instinctively Janie’s hand flew behind her on the ri... ...ive if Tea Cake were to kill Janie and it is the same with Earl and Arvay. Both men must be stopped, and death, not the women’s adoration or forgiveness, becomes the only way. Hurston’s view of a very male-centered, almost male-worshipping society, is highly reflected in Janie’s and Arvay’s relationships with and attitudes towards Tea Cake and Earl. Everything the women do seems to be for the men and they push their own needs completely aside. The men’s utter disregard and total evil and violence towards the women starkly contrast the women’s undying devotion and love for the men. Up to the point of being killed by the men, the women stand strong by them, in support of them, and in order to help them, when it is exactly the opposite of what the men are doing for the women. The repetition of the violence scene in Their Eyes and Seraph reinforces Hurston’s view.

Hong Kong Identity

Identity Politic: July 1st, 2003 Protest Agenda 1. Introduction †¢ 1. 1. What is identity politic †¢ 1. 2. Political events that have affected HK Identity 2. July1st, 2003 protest 3. Conclusion 1. 1. What is Identity Politic †¢ Identity politics: Identity as a politic †¢ Development of identity politic †¢ Past v. s Present Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion 1. 2. Political events that affected HK Identity Tiananmen Square After WWI: Refugee Identity Mistrust of Chinese Government Article 23 After 1960: Local HK Identity 1997 Handover 2013Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion 2. July1st, 2003 protest †¢ Annual protest led by Civil Human Rights Front †¢ Article 23 †¢ The Hong Kong SAR shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government, or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodiesIntroduction July 1st Protest Conclusion Concerns Pros †¢ British government also had repressive acts †¢ e. g Society Ordinance and the Public Order Ordinance Cons †¢ Police is allowed to enter houses and arrest people without warrant/evidence †¢ No freedom of speech †¢ Violation of Article 23 can result in a life term in a prison †¢ Any organization can be banned by PRC Conclusion Introduction July 1st Protest HK people identityIdentity of general HK people †¢ Pragmatism †¢ Individualism †¢ Narrowing gap between HK people/ mainlanders: ambitious, adaptable, practical and clever †¢ Widening gap between HK people/ mainlanders : valuing free speech, press freedom, privacy and equality Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion HK people identity Parties that affect HK people identity HK people iden tity British colonial period rule of law, democracy, freedom of speech Chinese Government formal education, flag-raising ceremonies visits to the mainland IntroductionJuly 1st Protest Conclusion Identity illustrated by July 1st, 2003 †¢ Widening gap †¢ Antagonism vs. Pragmatic Nationalism and Liberalized Nationalism †¢ Cosmopolitan identity: HK’s dream, opportunities in society, has affected to local’s commitment to democracy Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion 3. Conclusion †¢ Evident that Article 23 politic widened the gap of â€Å"issue in rights of HK people† ex. Free speech, press freedom, valuing privacy, valuing equality †¢ But still the trend is that people feel less gap with mainlanders †¢ ainland’s characteristic change †¢ HK people affected by mainland government’s media, education, and ceremonies. †¢ No identity is perfectly coherent; there is inconsistencies Introduction July 1st Protest Con clusion Questions to discuss †¢ What are the evolving features of the local political identity, culture and participation †¢ What is the essence of the conflicts between the local and national identities of HK people? †¢ What are the reasons for the rise of new activism, and what is its impact? Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion

How to Sex Pet Millipedes

Because millipedes breed easily in captivity, its a good idea to know the gender of any millipedes you keep together in one terrarium. If you dont want a large number of millipedes to care for, choose millipedes of just one gender, or dont mix males and females together. Its fairly easy to tell the difference, if you know how to sex pet millipedes. Male millipedes have gonopods in place of their legs, usually on their 7th body segment from the head. The gonopods are modified legs used for transferring the spermatophore to the female. In some millipede species, the gonopods are visible, while in others they are hidden. In either case, you should be able to identify a millipede as male by examining the underside of the 7th segment. For species in which the male gonopods are visible, you will see two small stumps in place of a pair of legs. If the gonopods are hidden, you should notice a gap where the legs would be, as compared to any other segment on the body. In females, the 7th segment will look just like all the others, with two pairs of legs. For more on keeping millipedes as pets, read my Guide to Caring for Pet Millipedes.