Comparison of Death of a Salesman and The Glass Menagerie Essay

Example: I asked Gina to accept my hand in marriage. She then smiled and as I awaited her response, her face appeared to diffuse just as leisurely as a dinner candle that is dripping its’ melting wax onto the fibers of an Egyptian, cotton tablecloth. The sentence example preceding this paragraph can be perplexing to any reader when any additional details are not given that describe the context in which this sentence has been written. Devoid of any transition in the opening sentence of this paper, the audience may not be able to discern whether the actions in the sentence are real or part of a dream or some alternate reality. As any author or playwright attempts to transition his story from one reality to an alternate reality, it is his responsibility to noticeably or inconspicuously guide his audience into the next scene or alternate reality of the story. Not doing so can lead the audience into confusion and misperception of the intentions of the author. Playwrights Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller have both similar and contrasting ways in which they apply their non-realistic techniques, with the purpose of elucidating any transitions from the stage or script to the intended audience. Subsequently I will explain my examination, both comparatively and contrastively, of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman along with Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie and each playwright’s application of non- realistic technique. The first major transition in Death of a Salesman transpires as the main character, Willy Loman, is imagining that his teenage sons, though now both in their 30’s are washing his fairly new Chevy automobile. The audience... ...Miller’s non-realistic approach was abstract and metaphoric, while Williams’ non-realistic approach was conveyed as a memory of certain times and places with events and actions that did happen. I have a personal affection and admiration for the abstruse but I’d perhaps better receive the message in Death of a Salesman by witnessing the story on stage or on film. I admire the straightforward approach that Tennessee Williams took in writing The Glass Menagerie. Williams’ approach allowed for easier reading on paper. My eyes and mind now instinctively move toward the future. Works Cited Miller, Arthur. "Death of a Salesman." 1949. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. E. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2012. Print. Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie. New York: New Directions Publishing, 1945.

Rain Dance Essay

A rain dance is a dancing ceremony performed by some Native American Indian tribes, asking their spirits or gods to send rain. It is more common among Southwest Native Americans, who live in drier regions. Time Frame * The rain dance normally takes place during the spring planting season and the summer months before crops are harvested. The dance asks the gods or spirits to send the appropriate amount of rain at the correct time to assure a plentiful crop. Geography * Some Native American Indians of the Southwest include the rain dance as part of their religious ritual. Rain dances can be found in other cultures in different parts of the world, such as in ancient Egypt, 20th century Romania and in Slavic countries. History * Stories of the origins of ceremonial dances have been passed from generation to generation orally. When the Native Americans were relocated in the 19th century, the United States government banned certain tribal ceremonial dances. In some regions tribal members would tell federal representatives that they were performing a â€Å"rain dance† rather than disclosing the fact they were actually performing one of the banned ceremonies. Features. * One thing that makes rain dances unique from some other ceremonial dances is that both men and women participate in the ceremony. Rain dances vary from tribe to tribe, each with their unique rituals and ceremony. Large headdresses are often worn, along with specific ritual dress and accessories. Dance steps usually involve moving in a zigzag pattern as opposed to other ceremonial dances that involve standing in a circle. Identification * Native Americans have many different types of ceremonial dances, which may vary from tribe to tribe, depending on their particular religious and spiritual beliefs and needs. The rain dance is perhaps one the most stereotypical Native American ceremonial dance depicted by Hollywood. Many Native American people continue to honor their ceremonial dances. Some Native Americans on reservations perform this ritual daily. Each year on August 19th, the Pueblo Zuni people in New Mexico hold their rain dance ceremony. Both the men and women take part in the ceremony, each wearing masks. The men perform the ceremony with a nude torso, adorned with paint and a necklace of beads. A fox skin is attached to the back of the waistline of the embroidered apron they wear. Leather or silver bracelets are worn. Their legs are bare and they wear moccasins. Women performing the dance are fully covered, with only bare feet. Shawls cover their dress and hands. * Form two lines parallel to each other and about four feet apart. Men stand in one line; women in the other. * Step forward with your left foot. * Raise your right foot while moving forward and bring that foot to the floor. The men can stomp more vigorously than the women. * Continue to step forward in this way–left foot, right foot higher, stomp to floor. Unlike other Native American dances performed in a circle, rain dancers move in a square pattern around the sides of the room or area in which they’re dancing. * During one measure of the song, and while moving forward, face to the right. During the next measure, face to the left. A zigzagging pattern is formed as you continue on in this manner * Between measures, dancers can stop and twirl in imitation of the wind, which is showing the promise of rain. The women may chant or sing the song that’s playing, and the men can yelp with the beat.

How Far Do You Agree That Trotsky’s Leadership of the Red...

How far do you agree that Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army was responsible for the survival of the Bolshevik government? (30 marks) There were many factors that contributed to the survival of the Bolshevik Government, ranging from Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army to the failings of the Bolsheviks’ rivals for power. This essay shows that the main reason for the Bolsheviks’ continued survival through the period was not Trotsky’s great leadership of the Red Army, but the opposition’s mistakes and failings. This will be demonstrated by analysing the key factors leading to the survival of the Bolshevik Government: Trotsky’s leadership; Lenin’s leadership; The Bolsheviks’ geographical advantage; and finally the Bolsheviks’ enemies’†¦show more content†¦Much of the strategy employed by Trotsky and his generals was designed to weaken the enemies transport system so that they could not effectively organise and coordinate troop movements. Therefore many battles took place near sections of train track and stations, which crippled many enemy a ttacks and allowed the Bolsheviks to crush each attack and then move on, rather than fighting on several fronts. This great strategy employed by Trotsky helped the Bolshevik Government survive, and without Trotsky and his control of the Red Army, the Bolshevik Government would most likely not have survived. A further factor that contributed to the survival of the Bolshevik Government was Lenin’s great leadership of the whole Bolshevik party. At first glance, it appears as though Lenin played only a small role during the Civil War because he remained in Moscow throughout, however, when looked at more closely it can be seen that Lenin was a key decision maker. Lenin forced through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk when many opposed it; he did this because he had promised peace to the public and he needed their support to have any chance of winning the Civil War, and therefore helping the Bolshevik Government survive. Lenin also instigated the policy of War Communism, in which industry was