...The novel Siddhartha by Herman Hesse examines the life of Siddhartha, the main character as he goes on a journey searching for Nirvana. Likewise, the poem “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman also depicts a man’s journey of personal discovery. Whitman begins his poem exclaiming to an unknown listener that is “large and contains multitudes” (Whitman 8). With these words, the poet is saying he is a complex person who is interested about the world. The poet sees the world as exciting and multifaceted. Similar to his vision of the world, the poet’s soul is convoluted and contradictory. Like Whiteman, Siddhartha has a restless soul. For example, “his intellect was not satisfied, his soul was not at peace, his heart was not still” (Hesse 5). Moreover,...
Words: 604 - Pages: 3
...In “Song of Myself,” by Walt Whitman, Whitman uses grass and a hawk as symbols to convey an underlying message of equality in America. During this time era, the 1800s, slavery was going on, meaning many racism was also going on. Whitman supports the idea of having equality for instance in the section, “A Child Said What Is The Grass?,” Whitman says, “Kanuck, Tuckahoe, Congressman, Cuff, I give them the same, I receive them the same” (Lines 11 - 12). This evidence reveals that Whitman did not care who you are, but that everyone would receive equal actions. Whitman says that all people should treat someone the same as you would want to be treated. If someone wants respect they should also treat others with respect. Whitman uses the slang terms for a French Canadian or African American showing that Whitman does not care if you are a different race....
Words: 520 - Pages: 3
...perfect circle - starting with birth and completing with death to start the cycle again. They express that the circle of life is the best model to completely understand how life works. In the poem, “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman, he describes his distinct interpretation of the classic symbol of the circle to represent the meaning of life that differs from most poets. Whitman believes that the circle of life can be found within the grass on the ground. Whitman sees grass as a vehicle for people to find comfort with death and learn how life works. Through the extended metaphor of grass, Whitman taught us not to be fearful of death and that all people are connected together. First of all, Whitman used the metaphor of grass to help explain to people how they should not be afraid of dying, rather to...
Words: 851 - Pages: 4
...David Deaton Mr. Huitt American Lit and Comp 24 January 2014 Dickinson versus Whitman Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson's works have numerous differences. Compared to Dickinson's short and seemingly simple poems, Whitman's are long and often complex. Yet both twentieth century writers share several similarities when scrutinized thoroughly. Though their approaches differ, they often deal with the same themes, and both pioneered their own unique style of writing. Using death as a theme is probably the strongest connection that Whitman and Dickinson share. Whitman's view on death is reflective of his belief in Transcendentalism. In "Song of Myself", Whitman uses the scientific principle of the conservation of energy to assert that there is life after death, because energy cannot be destroyed; only transformed. In stanza six, he writes "And what do you think has become of the women and children?/ They are alive and well somewhere,/ The smallest sprouts shows there is really no death" (Whitman 124-126). Whitman contends that life remains long after death, Dickinson's writings on death are more complex and contradictory. She personifies death, generally seeing as a lord or as a compelling lover. In one of her more popular poems, "Because I could not stop for Death", death is like a kindly courter. He picks her up in a "Carriage held but just for Ourselves-/ And Immortality" (Dickinson 3-4). Many of her other poems are about the moment of death, and what happens when the living...
Words: 566 - Pages: 3
...even though I have studied English in Vietnam. Initially everything was somewhat obscure, dark, and I struggled with English class. I was fearful of approaching others due to my language deficiencies. I thought if I could speak English, I would not seethe with anger whenever someone openly mocked me, responding with a bowed head or a fake smile. However, I didn't want my parents’ sacrifice to go in vain. Failure is not an option, so I tried harder to persevere over that challenges such as studying, speaking without fear, reading more books and learning more from failure. I never let the fact that I am new to this language stop me. I want to be able to show family that I can be the person they always believed me to be. I’m really proud of myself because I will be the first generation in my family to graduate from high school and go on to college. Thankfully, I did well and overcame the difficulties in school. I realized that I was forged from a sense of responsibility efficiency in my learning and work. The pursuit of education has opened many paths for me and I have to improvise, adapt to the best of my ability. My parents sacrificed most of their life just for my future, and now I believe it is my duty to make up for everything they have done. Knowing that I would be the first in my family to graduate from college is what keeps me...
Words: 575 - Pages: 3
...come over here, I need you”. That was when everything changed. When I first came to California in 2002, I didn’t really have any thoughts of what American life would be like. As a five year old the only thing in my head was how huge the plane was, and how small our house was compared to the one we had back home. The first day in school was a shock. I hadn’t seen so much diversity in one area before. Then came the comments and misinterpreted information that came from the students, which hit me off balance. This was a shock to me hearing all these rumors and stereotypes about where I had come from. “Do you live in a hut? How do you hunt lions? Or can you catch a cheetah?” I had no idea how to take this in. I was confused. I questioned myself with the same questions. Do I really hunt lions? I came home and I told my mom what had happened at school and all of the comments the kids made. I was surprised at her reaction. She laughed and smiled at me, repeating the same questions in a humorous matter. She then kissed me on the head and told me it would be okay and that they’re just curious. Years passed and I was middle school. The comments and stereotypes intensified. At this point I had to go with the flow and entertain the people and agree with the fact that I hunt lions and run down cheetahs, with the intent to shut them up. It backfired, they took my sarcasm as the truth and that was a negative influence in my life. I had a passive nature and the lack of confidence in middle...
Words: 752 - Pages: 4
...My name is Pamela and I am 18 years old, I just recently graduated from my hometown high school in May of 2011. I chose to get my degree online because I work 2 jobs to support myself since I have neither of my parents and I’ve had to raise myself. The reason that I’m trying to get my degree is for my older brother to be proud of me he is the one person that has showed me that it can be done being a sergeant in the army and recent grad from college with his new profession of a police officer showed me that it can be done, and as he said himself it can be done. I also chose it so I can be a role model to my 14 year old brother and we can lead him to the right path. I currently work at a pharmacy and in the day I take care of my nieces but I will be starting to work at a hospital as a patient access representative. I feel like everything happens for a reason and well I wasn’t entirely sure of doing an online program at the beginning. So one day when I was out job hunting a advertising for the University of Phoenix came up and that’s when I decided to give them a call. That’s when I met my advisor Kim and we instantly clicked, and that’s how started school at the University of Phoenix. I chose the medical field profession because it has always been a passion of mine and I really feel that I can help people everything about the medical field profession fascinates me and keeps more motivated to keep going. Well that’s my...
Words: 298 - Pages: 2
...Tien Doan UFDN 3001 Laura Holmes April 4, 2016 Paper 1 My name is Tien and I’m from Vietnam. At this moment, there are two biggest religions dominate my country: Buddhism and Christian. Although these two religions are different, the people from both of them are friendly to each other. Buddhism is from Asia long time ago and is one of the main religion in South East Asia. I don’t know much about Buddhism so I’m going to stop there. On the other hand, Christian is not from any countries in Asia. Vietnam has been influenced Christian’ beliefs from the western countries, especially from France and America. I am Christian and so is my family. Although I am Christian, I’m not currently on the spiritual journey. In the past, I used to go to the church every Sunday and do the cross sign before every meal. However, as I grow up, I don’t really see the world at this way anymore. It doesn’t mean that I am quitting my religion. I just don’t do any of those things anymore as I think it’s not necessary. I guess the main reason what I am believing in today is because of knowledge and science. Right now, I just try to be a good man. Since I was a kid, my family has been taking me to the church every Sunday and praying to God at night before bed time. So they were the most religious people that I’ve been influenced in my life. I remember there was one Sunday that my Dad took me to the church near our house. I think...
Words: 1085 - Pages: 5
...XXXX Ms. Dan English II January 27th, 2015 MYSELF My name is xxxx most people just call me xxx. I am 18 years old, soon going to turn 19 in April. I am the middle child; I have an older brother and a younger sitter. I am very close to my brother even though we fight almost every day I enjoy his companionship. The first half of my life I was living in Belize City. Then we moved to Benque, my home town, which was a very hard transition but I’m use to it already. I come from a huge family which are scattered all over Belize and some parts of the U.S and that’s just my mom’s part of the family. My dad’s family is even bigger but I don’t have a close relationship with them and I don’t know some of them since his side of the family is so large. I am a person who adores dogs especially when they’re puppies. My hobbies include watching horror films and comedy. I enjoy listening to music because it makes me focus whether I’m cleaning or doing assignments. I like to travel and doing new things and going through new experiences. Recently I tried something I never taught I would do; it was about one week after my graduation. I along with my friends planned a trip to Bocawina. There I would scratch one thing of my bucket list which is zip lining. I was so nervous and when I arrived at the platform where they were going to hook me to the line I felt my heart would fly out of my chest any moment. Finally they pushed me off and I screamed my guts out but half way through it wasn’t so...
Words: 1032 - Pages: 5
...XXXX Ms. Dan English II January 27th, 2015 MYSELF My name is xxxx most people just call me xxx. I am 18 years old, soon going to turn 19 in April. I am the middle child; I have an older brother and a younger sitter. I am very close to my brother even though we fight almost every day I enjoy his companionship. The first half of my life I was living in Belize City. Then we moved to Benque, my home town, which was a very hard transition but I’m use to it already. I come from a huge family which are scattered all over Belize and some parts of the U.S and that’s just my mom’s part of the family. My dad’s family is even bigger but I don’t have a close relationship with them and I don’t know some of them since his side of the family is so large. I am a person who adores dogs especially when they’re puppies. My hobbies include watching horror films and comedy. I enjoy listening to music because it makes me focus whether I’m cleaning or doing assignments. I like to travel and doing new things and going through new experiences. Recently I tried something I never taught I would do; it was about one week after my graduation. I along with my friends planned a trip to Bocawina. There I would scratch one thing of my bucket list which is zip lining. I was so nervous and when I arrived at the platform where they were going to hook me to the line I felt my heart would fly out of my chest any moment. Finally they pushed me off and I screamed my guts out but half way through it wasn’t so...
Words: 1032 - Pages: 5
...Competition is extremely stressful, but amazing at the same time. It is a lot of hard work, but if you try your hardest, make all the practices and have a passion for cheerleading its worth it. Having practice five times a week allows us to work on our jumps, cheers, dances, tumbling, and the most difficult, stunting. The counts and lifting people in the air is traumatic enough, but repeating it over and over again it gets strenuous. At last we had brought all our practicing skills into work at the final stages. After working hard for three solid months it all paid off, the competing mat was beneath our feet. It was hard leaving my team and going to a new school. In life, there are some trials that make me stronger. I never thought much about it myself, until I was faced with the shock, and undeniable truth of my cousin's death. I don't think anyone really thinks about tragedy until they are actually faced with shocking news. In evening, my mom was interrupted by a phone call from my auntie. The conversation was very serious and my mom started crying. She tearfully asked, "Is he ok? Was he alone?" I was thinking my cousin went riding and fell off from a motorbike or that something had happened to my auntie. My mom kept on...
Words: 537 - Pages: 3
...Walt Whitman once wrote, “The proof of the poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he absorbed it” (Koelsch, Nelson, and Berliner 396). Whitman lived in the mid-1800s while America was growing as a country and in the midst of the Civil War. A patriot and whole-hearted Union supporter, he treasured freedom and democracy (Koelsch, Nelson, and Berliner 397). Influenced by the Transcendentalist movement, he also believed the human spirit was reflected in nature (Koelsch, Nelson, and Berliner 407). Whitman certainly left his mark on America. As written in The Continuity of American Poetry, “the history of American poetry could be written as the continuing discovery and rediscovery of Whitman, an on-going affirmation of his critical relevance to the mission of the American poet” (“Walt Whitman”, 2002). Whitman published the poem “Beat! Beat! Drums!” in 1871 and “A Noiseless Patient Spider” in 1863, conveying his belief in freedom and individuality by writing in free verse, revealing his support of the Union during the Civil War, and illustrating the introspection of his soul in later years. Relatively little is known about Whitman’s early life. He was born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York, to semi-literate parents. Whitman, the second of nine children, was named after his father, a farmer, laborer, builder, and carpenter. He was close with his Quaker mother, and her influence led Whitman to use words such as “Thee” and “Thou” in his future writings. While...
Words: 978 - Pages: 4
...Recently I found myself at a crossroad in life. I needed to evaluate what I really wanted to accomplish and why. Should I continue on the same path I was on or take a side trip leading to new opportunities? After giving it much thought, I determined the latter choice coincided with my personal goal of attaining my bachelor degree. This paper will discuss my personal goals as they apply to my educational career, finaical goals, carrerr, goals Returning to college, as a working adult, is a challenge for anyone. Up to this point, I had been successful obtaining positions that would normally require a bachelor degree. I was able to prove I was suitable for management positions in various capacities simply with hard work and perseverance. My last position exposed me to new areas of interest in technology and project management that I desiderated pursuing. After I became unemployed last year I found myself back in the job market. It had become much more competitive than I ever had known. However, this presented me with the opportunity to pursue my newfound interests. This is the primary objective that I hope to meet by attending the University of Phoenix. Identifying strengths and weaknesses that will affect my success as a student requires more examination. I possess many attributes of strength that will help me achieve my goals, primarily my high work ethic and relentless quest for knowledge. I take pride in my accomplishments and ability to recognize opportunities. I believe...
Words: 285 - Pages: 2
...My name is Maisara but I'd like to be called as Sara. I'm 29 years old and a married woman. I'm the second child and the only girl among my 3 brothers in my nuclear family. I'm very closed with my parents and all of my siblings especially with my youngest brother since he lived with me and my husband. I think my family tree is unique because I have a cross-cultural extended family. I have uncles and aunts (from my father side) with a different religious beliefs and cultures which are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Pagan. Therefore, we always had a great time gathering together especially when it comes to a festival and celebration days like on Eid Al-Fitr, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Diwali and wedding ceremonies as well. In fact, this is a common situation in my country especially in my home town. Malaysia actually has two regions which are Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (also known as East Malaysia) and they're separated by South China Sea. I live in Sabah which is situated in Borneo. In my country, Sabah is also known as ‘A Land below the Wind'. We have several of mountains along with a green mountain ranges and natural lifes. We also have lots of beautiful island and white sandy beaches along our coast. It's a right destination for people who love snorkeling or scuba diving. I also love to watch film, listen to music or visiting to my sibling's house in my spare time. Other than that, I love to travel as well. My husband and I always spend our holidays...
Words: 435 - Pages: 2
...Ian Thomas Treichler My mother Shelley Lynn Outwater gave birth to me June ninth nineteen eighty at Mount St. Mary's hospital in Niagara Falls New York I am her second son and last child I have an older half brother Shawn Christopher Eager who currently resides in Toronto Canada. My mother and father Charles Llyod Treichler were only married for a few years before divorcing when I was about two years old she currently lives in Hudson Florida with my step father Captain Anthony Herbert Cole. I was raised in western New York until I was seven and my mother married my step father Tony who is from Canada and me and my mother and brother relocated to Mississauga Ontario. Growing up in a country where a lot of people disliked American's was not easy I did not fit in very well and go into a lot of fights with other kids especially some Vietnamese kids I went to school with after making the mistake of telling someone my father was a veteran or the Vietnam war. I was an average student and disliked school in Canada. I felt the schools there laked a sense of spirit compared to schools in the united states there were never any clubs or groups no prep rallies or home coming dances or things of that nature it was more like an institution. I never felt like I fit in living in Canada I was the only Treichler in the entire country and I had no sense of real family or knowing where I came from. I spent most of my summers with my father and grandparents in what I consider my home town Sanborn...
Words: 1146 - Pages: 5
