Reading Notes on Robert Frost’s Poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay”

Reading Notes on Robert Frost’s Poem â€Å"Nothing Gold Can Stay† Robert Frost wrote a number of long narrative poems like â€Å"The Death of the Hired Man,† and most of his best-known poems are medium-length, like his sonnets â€Å"Mowing† and â€Å"Acquainted with the Night,† or his two most famous poems, both written in four stanzas, â€Å"The Road Not Taken† and â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.† But some of his most beloved poems are famously brief lyrics- like â€Å"Nothing Gold Can Stay,† which is condensed into only eight lines of three beats each (iambic trimeter), four little rhyming couplets containing the whole cycle of life, an entire philosophy. Double Entendreâ€Å"Nothing Gold Can Stay† achieves its perfect brevity by making every word count, with a richness of meanings. At first, you think it’s a simple poem about the natural life cycle of a tree: â€Å"Nature’s first green is gold,Her hardest hue to hold.† But the very mention of â€Å"gold† expands beyond the forest to human commerce, to the symbolism of wealth and the philosophy of value. Then the second couplet seems to return to a more conventional poetic statement about the transience of life and beauty: â€Å"Her early leaf’s a flower;But only so an hour.† But immediately after that, we realize that Frost is playing with the multiple meanings of these simple, mostly single syllable words- else why would he repeat â€Å"leaf† like he’s ringing a bell? â€Å"Leaf† echoes with its many meanings- leaves of paper, leafing through a book, the color leaf green, leafing out as an action, as budding forth, time passing as the pages of the calendar turn... â€Å"Then leaf subsides to leaf.† From Naturalist to PhilosopherAs the Friends of Robert Frost at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum in Vermont point out, the description of colors in the first lines of this poem is a literal depiction of the spring budding of willow and maple trees, whose leaf buds appear very briefly as golden-colored before they mature to the green of actual leaves. Yet in the sixth line, Frost makes it explicit that his poem carries the double meaning of allegory: â€Å"So Eden sank to grief,So dawn goes down to day.† He is retelling the history of the world here, how the first sparkle of any new life, the first blush of the birth of mankind, the first golden light of any new day always fades, subsidies, sinks, goes down. â€Å"Nothing gold can stay.† Frost has been describing spring, but by speaking of Eden he brings fall, and the fall of man, to mind without even using the word. That’s why we chose to include this poem in our seasonal collection of poems for autumn rather than spring.

Overview of Animal Cruelty

Overview of Animal Cruelty The term animal cruelty gets thrown around a lot, but an animal activists definition of animal cruelty may be very different from that of a hunter, a vivisector or a farmer. There is also a legal definition of animal cruelty that varies by state in the U.S., to confuse things further. Essentially, though, animal cruelty boils down to inhumane acts against animals of all walks of life, including starving domesticated pets, torturing any creatures and excessive killing of animals for sport. Animal Cruelty Law in the United States In the United States, there is no federal animal cruelty law. While some federal laws, like the Animal Welfare Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the Endangered Species Act restrict when or how certain animals in certain situations may be harmed or killed, these federal laws do not cover the more typical case, such as the person who intentionally kills the neighbors dog. Every state has an animal cruelty statute, and some offer stronger protections than others. Hence, the legal definition of animal cruelty will vary according to which state you are in, and some places have very large exemptions. For example, most states have exemptions for wildlife, animals in laboratories, and common agricultural practices, such as debeaking or castration. Some states exempt rodeos, zoos, circuses and pest control. However, some states may also have separate laws banning practices like cockfighting, dog fighting or horse slaughter - activities observed as inhumane by the majority of Americans. Where the legal definition is lacking, at least for animal rights activists, is in protecting all creatures from unnecessary suffering at the hands of mankind.   In any case, if someone is found guilty of animal cruelty, penalties also vary by state. Most states provide for the seizure of the animal victims and reimbursement for expenses for the animals care, and while some allow counseling or community service as part of the sentencing, twenty-three states have felony penalties of over a year in prison for animal cruelty. For more information, the Animal Legal and Historic Center provides an excellent, detailed overview of animal cruelty statutes in the U.S. To find your states animal cruelty statute, go to the Centers site and choose your state from the drop-down menu on the left. The Common Understanding Animal cruelty cases make headlines around the country every day, whether its the person who kills the neighbors cat, the hoarder of sick and dying animals, or the family whose starving, freezing dog is tied up outside in the middle of winter. These acts would likely constitute animal cruelty under any states animal cruelty statute, and would also fit with the publics common understanding of the term. However, when it comes to animals other than cats and dogs, peoples concept of the term animal cruelty varies greatly. Most animal activists would say that traditional agricultural practices such as debeaking, tail docking, castration, and confinement on factory farms are animal cruelty. Although some people do agree, as evidenced by the passage of Prop 2 in California, factory farmers and most other states animal cruelty laws havent yet adopted these same values. While some might base their definition of animal cruelty on how much the animal suffers or feels pain during death, the amount of suffering is not relevant for animal rights activists because the animals are deprived of their right to live and exist free of human use and abuse. Some may also base their definition on which type of animal is involved or how intelligent they perceive that animal to be. The slaughter of dogs, horses or whales for meat may be the epitome of animal cruelty to some, while the killing of cows, pigs, and chickens are acceptable to those same individuals. Similarly, to some, the killing of animals for fur or cosmetics testing may constitute unacceptable animal cruelty while the killing of animals for food is acceptable. Among the general public, the more culturally beloved the animal is and the more unusual the harm is, the more likely they are to be outraged and label the harm to that animal as animal cruelty. To animal activists, a much wider range of harms is called animal cruelty. Animal rights activists would argue that cruelty is cruelty, regardless of how common or legal the harm is.

Kouros Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Kouros - Essay Example This is because of the fact that Kouros statues usually exhibit a supreme form of geometric symmetry, reminding us of the realism and naturalism of the ever famous artworks of the Renaissance Era later in the history of Europe, from which the artworks from this period of Greece became an inspiration. From the measures of the eyes and the face, to the muscles of the body, it can be seen that almost all of the components are very proportionate and exact with regards to the symmetries of the body of a real male youth. In addition to this, most of the Kouros statues usually pose in a certain form: a standing pose with â€Å"their left leg moved forward, their arms close to their bodies touching the side of their thighs...† all depicted â€Å"as simple geometric forms† (Ancient-Greece.org n. p.). One of the main references for the artists to gain symmetry in creating Kouros without utilizing a rigid measurement system was through appropriating proportions in the Kouros using â€Å"heads:† in fact, â€Å"several Kouros exhibit the 1:7 head:body proportions† (Ancient-Greece.org n. p.). Works Cited Ancient-Greece.org. â€Å"Kouros.† Ancient-Greece.org. Ancient-Greece, n. d. Web. 7 May 2011.

Research database -fall incident Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research database -fall incident - Essay Example The falls also arise from the excessive use of psychoactive drug use and dementia. The abnormalities have resulted in the fall risks for a long time. However, the nursing role has helped in the cushioning of the vulnerable population against the fall incidences. The source is relevant to the subject of concern because it highlights the nursing care ensures that the impact of the fall is not severe and is attended to, in good time. The research studies on the proximate cause of the majority of the fall incidents reveals that the near the bed transfers account for most of the fall cases. According to Houser (2012), the nurses are advised to be careful during the transferring and mobilizing of the patients especially around the risky areas like the bed unit. A balance approach entails the creation of awareness of every person involved in the handling of the patients. The patient and family education immensely contributes to the reduction in the fall incidences. Post-fall management of the nursing department is also crucial because it helps in the recuperation process of the victims of the fall occurrences. Consequently, there is reduction j the injury cases with regard to the falls. According to Iyer and Aiken (2009), immediate response to the falls is important given that it saves lives. When a fall incident has occurred, the evaluation and monitoring of the victim is crucial. The evaluation includes the evaluation of the entire victim’s systems. Additionally, there should be a comprehensive description of the injuries. After the evaluation exercise is over, treatment of the victim follows. The process ensures that the real cause of the fall is established in order to take precautions in later undertakings. Additionally, there is a need for the nurse to carry out a complete falls assessment. The strategy helps in the overall analysis of the fall risks in the area. According to Haag-Heitman and George (2011), fall

A Soldier’s Embrace by Nadine Gordimer :: Nadine Gordimer A Soldier’s Embrace

A Soldier’s Embrace by Nadine Gordimer Nadine Gordimer is a white author who lives in the country of South Africa. She is known for her excellent characters and the vivid details of her books. Her stories are written in the context of her South African experiences. She also writes about the previous challenges of South Africa under apartheid, at a time when society was split by race.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  South Africa’s racial problems began when the white people came and discovered South Africa with its black population. The white people wanted power because there were many fewer whites than blacks. The only way to achieve that was to change the government around so that only white people had political power. The three terms that were used to describe racial groups under the system of apartheid were European, Native and Coloured.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gordimer explains the many aspects of this problem in South Africa with her stories in A Soldier’s Embrace. In her last short story, simply titled, â€Å"Oral History†, she writes about the Europeans finding out that there were Native rebels in a village. The chief of the town wanted to get rid of them, so he asked the white army to do it. The white army bombed the village and killed everyone who was in it, too. When the chief came back and found out what had happened, he hanged himself from a tree.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gordimer’s message in this story is that the people who split themselves by race (or by anything else for that matter) will eventually destroy everything for different reasons. One cannot label someone by their race because it can be hard to draw the line in some situations. It is also impossible to make laws about love. In one of Gordimer’s short stories, â€Å"Town and County Lovers†, she wrote about a white man and a black woman in love and the consequences of that relationship for them. European South Africans were selfish, and made the people of other cultures separate from them. The Europeans were also the ones who made the Coloureds and Natives do menial work.

Philippines Annexation Essay

Although controversial to some, the Americans made the right decision to annex the Philippines after successfully freeing them from Spanish tyranny and rule. Without American rule and support, the Philippines would have been an easy target to be taken over by Germany, England or Japan who all would have savaged the land and further suppressed the people. The Filipinos were weak, inexperienced and not ready to establish their own government and self rule themselves. During the time of the annexation, the Americans needed a strategic place in that part of the world to protect their interests, expand their trading partners and show the world they were a power to be reckoned with in spreading democracy. So even though the annexation of the Philippines was views by some as doing the same things as some of the other major countries, the Americans always viewed it as a short term solution to educate the people, help them establish themselves to self rule and to allow them time to prepare to protect themselves from other enemies. At the time the decision to annex the Philippines was made, there were other countries waiting and ready to attack and takeover the control that Spain had lost to the Americans. American rule allowed human rights, freedoms and quality of life that would not have been possible had America walked away and allowed the fledgling country try and rule itself. Germany, England, Japan and even Spain would have jumped at the opportunity to take over control of the Philippines and its many resources. Many important and profitable trade routes utilized the Philippines as a gateway to trade their goods and wares. Although it was profitable for the Americans to control this area and have access to the trade routes and resources, they were helping prepare the Filipinos to one day self rule and govern themselves as a free and independent country. Definitely not an opportunity they would have gained under rule of one of the other dominant and brutal governments. As Albert Beveridge so eloquently stated in â€Å"The March of the Flag† speech, â€Å"We can not retreat from any soil where Providence has unfurled our banner, it is ours to save†¦ for liberty and civilization. Having been brutalized  and controlled for so many years under the tyranny control of Spain and its leaders, the Filipinos were ill prepared and ready to set up their own government and rule for themselves. There would not have been any experienced and supported leader that would have gained the support of most Filipinos. This would have led to fractions fighting, internal battles and weakness within the country. These conditions would have made the Philippines an easy target to be retaken and lose their path to independence they had by being annexed by the Americans. The Americans trained their leaders, helped establish an internal military as well as set up a military base that helped to protect their people from outside attacks and takeovers from other coun tries. Even though others like Abraham Lincoln stated â€Å"that no man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent,† leaving the Philippines to be savaged by others would have been much worse for the Filipinos than the temporary annexation by the Americans. During the time the Americans defeated the Spaniards and gained control over Cuba and the Philippines, the world was in constant battle. Many of the powerful countries were trying to expand, conquer and takeover weaker countries and lands. The Americans who believe in democracy and freedom for people knew that they had to show their strength and protect others in the process. The part of the world where the Philippines lies was one of the most volatile and dangerous in the world. That being said, it also had some of the most profitable trade routes, richest resources and was a vital part of the world to have a stronghold. By following through with the annexation of the Philippines, the Americans were able to gain a stronghold on the other side of the world, enrich themselves by gaining access to the valuable resources that were so plentiful and to take the time to help spread freedom and democracy. William McKinley clearly believed and stated that â€Å" we could not turn them over to France and Germany – our commercial rivals in the Orient – that would be bad business and discreditable.† There were many arguments as to the merits of annexing the Philippines or to walk away and grant them their immediate freedom. The Filipinos had been tormented, had their land savaged and destroyed by Spain for so long, there was truly only one humane and correct decision and that was to annex the Philippines. The Americans although financially gained from the decision, never waivered from their long-term commitment to help to train, educate and prepare the Filipinos to  self-rule and govern. Establishing a stronghold in that part of the world helped the Americans establish themselves as a world power and leader in personal freedoms and spreading of democratic governments. With America and its military located on the Philippines they were able to protect the Filipinos from attacks from others with bad intentions such as Germany, England, Japan and Spain. During the time of American annexation, the Filipinos united together, learned the skills necessary to survive and protect themselves from others and over time gained the long-term independence and freedom they never would have secured if not for the annexation of the Americans.

Analysis of The Meeting of Bodhisattvas Essay - 638 Words

Tianna Ferroni! Art 102! Amiko Matsuo! Museum Paper! Meeting of the Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra! ! Bodhisattvas in Buddhist culture are deemed enlightened and are worshiped as deities. Therefore it is logical for one of the biggest Buddhist cultures to have constructed a sculpture in their honor. Created during the Tang Dynasty in 742 by an unknown artist in China, the sculpture â€Å"Meeting of the Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra† pays homage to the bodhisattvas Wenshu and Puxian. This sculpture made of limestone is roughly a foot and a half tall, nearly two feet long, and ten inches in depth. Used for spiritual practice, this piece was meant to offer viewers a means of being closer to their bodhisattvas. ! ! This piece†¦show more content†¦The elephant can also correspond to earthiness by the human figures that stand by them, allowing an earth dweller to be so close to a deity. The human to the left is looking up to Wenshu, with an admiring look upon their face. On the back of the elephant to the right is what appears to be a lion. In Chinese culture, lions are a symbol of strength and power and are known guardians to the elite. ! ! At the head of each deity is a very prominent halo. These halos show how each is an enlightened being, elevating their divinity. This can reinforce the idea that viewers would pray to this sculpture to feel more connected to their enlightened bodhisattvas. Between Wenshu and Puxian are seven small figures. They are set in three rows, with two rows of three and a solitary figure atop. Each figure is sitting cross-legged with their arms folded in their laps. The top, individual figure is slightly larger than it’s counterparts. The face has been eroded but viewers can still make out the general shape. It is possible that these seven figures stand for the seven factors of enlightenment. ! ! This image of Wenshu and Puxian sitting in a fearless manner, upon ! elephants is one not likely to be forgotten. Boddisattvas were revered during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as Buddhism was now dominant and prosperous. This dedicated sculpture does more than just depict Wenshu and Puxian meeting, it allows religious followers to feel moreShow MoreRelatedEnlightening Kibyoshi, Not Just for Children2388 Words   |  10 Pagesmany of the sects differed in some practices and beliefs, the core principles of Buddhism often remained prominent. One core principle from Mahayana Buddhism, one of the main two branches of Buddhism, was the pursuit of becoming a bodhisattva (Andreasen, 4). Bodhisattva was literally a â€Å"Being of Wisdom†, which meant one who is close to achieving enlightenment, or Nirvana, but delays enlightenment in order to help others achieve enlightenment (Wangu, 52). Another core principle of Buddhism was theRead MoreConfucianism in Journey to the West31834 Words   |  128 PagesUniversity of Leiden 14 June 2012 Department: Language and Culture of China Course: Visual Political Communication (BA3) Semester: Summer Semester 2011/2012 Lecturer: Florian Schneider Journey to the West A Textual-Visual Discourse Analysis Name: Stefan Ruijsch (Student No. 0620203) Major: Chinese Studies, BA 3 E-mail: s.ruijsch@umail.leidenuniv.nl Phone: 06-48369645 Address: Vrijheidslaan 256, 2321 DP Leiden Word Count: 9,387 Table of Contents pageRead More The Carnal Prayer Mat by Yu Li3331 Words   |  14 Pageslifestyles that they must reject in order attain enlightenment. While The Carnal Prayer Mat is laced with Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist doctrine, this paper aims to understand Buddhist concepts of destiny, karma, and enlightenment through an analysis of representations of masculine ideal beauty in late Imperial China. Vesperus’ and Siddhartha’s parallel life journeys, particularly with respect to experiences in the sexually lascivious, inner feminine spheres, are important in distinguishing theRead MoreAnalysis Of The Film My Neighbor Totoro 2176 Words   |  9 Pagesselected scene of the girls meeting Susuwatari, a black creature in the old empty house, I want to illustrate that Miyazaki’s use of a familiar fear from many people’s childhood introduces the audience to a magical and unknown world, but also makes the audience feel the world is familiar and acceptable. The sacredness of nature is presented through a comparison between Japanese religions and ritual practices and the symbols in the film. This section fo cuses first on the analysis of selected scenes thatRead MoreCountry Notebook for South Korea7606 Words   |  31 PagesCountry Notebook for South Korea James Jones Dallas Baptist University Table of Contents Executive Summary 5 Culture Analysis 7 Introduction 7 Brief discussion of the country’s relevant history 7 Geography setting 8 Area Comparative: 9 Land boundaries: 9 Coastline: 9 Climate: 9 Elevation Extremes: 9 Natural Resources: 9 Natural Hazards: 9 Social Institutions 9 Family: 9 Education 10 Literacy Rates 11 Political System 11 Legal System 12 Six Basic Codes