Modernist Literature Essay -- Modernist Literature Essays

Modernism emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century, following World War I and flowing through the â€Å"roaring twenties.† Materialism, crime, depression, and change filled this era. Reflecting the revolutionary time period, modernism itself was a revolution of style. Musicians, artists, and writers broke away from traditional, conventional techniques to create new, rebellious art. Modernism, in other words, was a change in how artists represented the world in their works. Passionate, sporadic jazz music—referred to as â€Å"jungle music†Ã¢â‚¬â€danced through the music scene. Painters such as Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky stroked over the paintings of impressionist, representationalist artists, such as Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas. Poets like T.S. Eliot, e.e. cummings, Wallace Stevens, and William Carlos Williams broke the rules of conventional poetry. Lastly, Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald replaced the plot-driven novels of the n ineteenth century with their works: The Sun Also Rises and The Great Gatsby. New was in, and new meant new ways of looking at and experiencing literature, poetry, and other forms of art. Modernists realized that there was more than just understanding a work, declaring that one could also enjoy art. Therefore, pleasure became extremely important. Pleasure filled the streets, with people unlawfully drinking alcohol, engaging in sexual relationships, and benefiting from the current prosperity; pleasure filled the arts. With pleasure came a preoccupation with perspective as well. A person’s perspective determines whether or not he or she enjoys art and really life itself. For the first time, therefore, pleasure and perspective were the main focus and interest of artists, thus formi... ...this new art. However, the mind did not suffer from its new flesh. The style of modernist writers is actually deceivingly simple. Although the sentences and words of modernist works seem uncomplicated and plain, the emotion and underlying problems are still very complex. Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, for instance, is about more than drunk people. However, realizing that the reader may struggle to comprehend his difficult ideas, Hemingway, as well as the other modernist writers, added these revolutionary components—such as symbolism and leaner sentences—to allow the reader to enjoy the art. One can communicate with and take pleasure in another being without fully understanding or delving into his complicated mind. One can enjoy art’s flesh without completely grasping its mind. Art as this full being was a new, modern idea that caused a revolution of style.

McClellan

The first campaign of the Civil War was the first win for the Union and was under the command of George B. McClellan.   It was a minor battle but with this battle, under McClellan’s leadership successfully drove confederate troops out of the Kanawha Valley of western Virginia in May and June of 1861.   This was described in James McPherson’s book â€Å"Ordeal by Fire† (159).   McClellan’s victory gave the region a firm grip for the Union side and kept it from becoming in control of the confederates and eventually became West Virginia.   But the first major battle was a totally different story.This was the battle of Bull Run Creek and it was a disaster.   McClellan though helped this battle and became the savior, if even for the moment.   Because McClellan replaced McDowell who was the general at the time and this became the boost he needed to later become general in chief (Rowland, 1998 p. 86).   McClellan spent the fall and winter drilling h is troops and whipping them into shape.   He was known for his slow way of doing things and this made Lincoln very agitated.This was probably why the rumors began to fly about McClellan’s inability to be a general began and it was no secret that McClellan had such contempt for Lincoln.   On more than one occasion President Lincoln it was said that he couldn’t understand why McClellan was taking so long and insisted he go into the battle field.   Lincoln insisting he was being too slow ordered the army into action, McClellan’s slowness was mentioned several times in both required readings and was said to be cautious or meticulous.Both books I read, â€Å"Ordeal by Fire† and â€Å"George B. McClellan and Civil War History† were written on the Civil War.   But Thomas Rowland’s book core subject was on George B. McClellan.   James McPherson’s book was more of a broader book covering the war with the central theme on the Civil Wa r and only discussed McClellan’s generalship in a small section of the book.The other book dealt more exclusively on the man and his abilities.   In Rowland’s book he looked at the mental abilities of McClellan’s and coined him deranged and paranoiac.   This too was mentioned in McPherson’s book but only that he had possible mental problems and possibly other problems that affected his abilities of being a general.Some of the problems with McClellan that both books do address are his slowness and problems of exaggeration.   This exaggeration usually involved how many were in the opposing troops or in his troop’s inabilities to win a battle because of training time or supplies.   It is commonly accepted though that McClellan was considered a failure as a general, but Rowland still defends his generalship to the bitter end.There were several bad decisions made by McClellan during his service in the Civil War.   Union forces in the West had won some very important victories before McClellan could make a move to aid the fighting troops and this was a dark cloud over his leadership.   The successes around the edge of the confederacy did not help to relieve the frustration many were feeling at the inactivity or failure of the Union forces on the eastern front and this helped to reinforce the general attitude towards McClellan’s generalship.Lincoln, because of this frustration, relieved McClellan of his command and ordered him to take the offensive command at the head of the Army of the Potomac and forced McClellan to begin campaigning (McPherson, 1982 p. 211).   The overland route to Richmond was difficult so instead he moved his forces by water to the peninsula southeast of the confederate capital.   After landing at Fort Monroe, a Union post, McClellan began moving up the peninsula and in early April of 1862.   For months he remained at Yorktown choosing to besiege the enemy instead of attacking.This was another sign of his slowness and stagnation (Rowland, 1998 p. 107).   Then after the fall of Yorktown he pushed ahead to a point twenty miles from Richmond and waited for troops he had expected Lincoln would send, but that didn’t happen because Lincoln believed that the troops should instead be sent to defend Washington instead.   This infuriated McClellan.Many believe that if McClellan had moved more swiftly and decisively he probably would have captured Richmond with the forces he had available.   But with a combination of faulty intelligence reports and his own natural caution he failed.   He believed that he was outnumbered by the opposing troops and this was wrong (McPherson, 1982 p. 234).   It was by the end of May that the Confederates learned that McClellan’s army was divided on each side of the Chickahominy River and decided to attack.This battle named Seven Pines was where McClellan was barely able to hold his ground.   Finally Corps from the othe r side of the river crossed and saved his butt.   It was during this battle that General Lee took command of the confederate army.   General Lee at the end of June decided to put an all out effort to expel McClellan from his position on the outskirts of Richmond.   In a series of battles that lasted seven days McClellan warded off Lee’s final assaults at Malvera hill and decided to retreat down the peninsula to a more secure point.   In doing this it convinced Lincoln that the peninsula campaign was a wasted battle (Rowland, 1998 p. 66-67).It was on July 11th, 1862 that Lincoln appointed General Henry W. Halleck who had been in command in the western theater, to be the new general in chief.   Halleck was ordered by Lincoln to command McClellan to withdrawal his army from the peninsula and join forces under General Pope that was preparing to move on Richmond by the overland route.   Again McClellan was slow in responding and the confederates got to Pope before he d id.   Pope was badly beaten before McClellan could arrive.   This pissed Lincoln off and McClellan was ordered back to Washington where he was stripped of his command, but later out of desperation he was reappointed to the head of the army of the Potomac (McPherson, 1982 p. 255-260).Meanwhile Lee and his troops went on to invade Maryland in hopes of isolating Washington from the rest of the North.   Soon McClellan caught up with him near Sharpsburg and this became the bloodiest one day battle of the Civil War.   At Antietam on September 17th almost five thousand solders were killed on both sides and another eighteen thousand were wounded.The battle ended in a draw forcing Lee to withdraw south of the Potomac River to protect his low supplies.   McClellan again was slow in his pursuit of the general and Lincoln blamed him for letting the enemy escape (Rowland, 1998 p.176).   This lead to Lincoln believing he needed a stronger general because McClellan was so slow that he appointed Ambrose B. Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac.   A mistake on Lincolns part because Rowland believed he was â€Å"replacing someone slow with someone that was considered dense† (Rowland, 1998 p. 223).In Rowland’s book he argues the war was divided with each having demands on the commanders that fought the battles.   In Rowland’s book it depicts McClellan as overly cautious, proud, psychologically impaired, yet having an aristocratic air about him.   This aristocratic officer was very apt at fighting very formidable commanders such as Lee and Jackson.   With the battle of Seven Pines and Antietam campaign he had to face what Rowland says were very tough troops that gave McClellan every reason for caution.   Other reasons for McClellan’s failures were the troops he was given.   Thrown together hastily and unprepared.   He said the nation was expecting quick wins and fast victories that just didn’t happen.   Thi s too is why McClellan’s slowness was brought up so many times in each book.Sources used to write the books included historical documents, letters and diaries, but one thing that Rowland differs from McPherson is that he gives more weight to writings by other professionals that are considered quite controversial on the subject.   Rowland used those sources for the basis of his thesis, which I believe gives a little less credibility to his work.   McPherson on the other hand used a large amount of historically accurate documents, letters and diaries.   His use of reference and his bibliography was quite impressive.   In Rowland’s book he wrote more of feelings than on giving facts.I know Civil War history relies heavily on personal letters and notes, but I think taking these documents for face value is what McPherson did instead of adding his own personal beliefs.   Letters between McClellan and his wife were used a lot in Rowland’s book and this is fin e but letters like these, to a wife during war, really aren’t the best use for facts.   I think that at times of war many of the letters to family and friends leave much details out so they would not be worried about their family members so much of the writings need to be taken with a grain of salt.If asked which book I would put more stock into it would be McPherson’s book.   It dealt more with black and white facts and was more of a historically timetabled book.   After seeing all the research he had put into his book he won hands down.   He did an excellent job of sifting through the tons of papers and historical documents to write a very clear and interesting book on the Civil War.Both authors agree that McClellan wasn’t the best general nor do they believe he was the worst.   McPherson mentioned others that were just as bad or worst.   McPherson did mention something that Rowland failed to mention and that was McClellan’s problem with chr onic exaggeration (McPherson, 1982 p. 212).   This was quite a problem that he had affecting his abilities and image as a general.   I agree with Roland that he wanted to give a more balanced look at the man General George B. McClellan and I think he did an excellent job in giving him overdue recognition for some of his achievements.He gave excellent reasons as to why he thought McClellan did what he did and thought he did a good job.   â€Å"McClellan’s strategy, though reflective of the unrealistic war aims of the years 1861-1862 was cogent, reasoned, and consistent with conventional military wisdom and his personal views of the nature of the conflict.   It was not hallucinatory or deranged; it mirrored the views of the administration and of a sizeable, if not shrinking, majority† (Rowland, 1998 p. 237).   Rowland goes on to say that because McClellan didn’t have great or a large amount of wins is the only reason he was given a bad reputation and was n’t credited with any of his accomplishments.Reference:McPherson, J.M. (1982).   Ordeal by fire: The Civil War and reconstruction. New York: Knopf.Rowland, T.J. (1998).   George B. McClellan and Civil War history: In the shadow of Grant and Sherman.   Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press.

Stem Cell Research - 1022 Words

Persuasive Essay Many controversial and moral stricken issues have been put into question in todays modern society. Some of which include gay marriage, and abortion. Yet one of the most controversial has to be stem cell research. A Stem Cell is a generic cell that can make exact copies of itself indefinitely. It also has the ability to make specialized cells for various tissues in the body such as the heart muscle, brain and liver. But why exactly is stem cell research so controversial? Well mostly those who oppose embryonic stem cell research do so on the grounds that the cells die in the process. But what those people might not know is that an embryo is no bigger than a pinhead. And therefore there is no human suffering. Stem cell†¦show more content†¦California was one of the only states that approved a $3 billion bond to fund embryonic stem cell research, thus advancing our knowledge to this new breakthrough. With California approving this new research, it may encourage other states to e ngage in stem cell research. As a result of California funding stem cell research programs, might give other states an initiative to start embryonic stem cell research as well. We can now see the incredible amount of good that stem cell research will have on mankind if ever accepted in our society. But let us just analyze and compare the benefits stem cell research will have, as opposed to the war that is now taking place in Iraq. Is the suffering of so many young soldiers in Iraq worth the efforts that our government has put on this war? Why have they made it such a priority? Instead of focusing on something that will have a positive outcome in the future, they have chosen to go with a war, which in many peoples point of view has no purpose. Is the life of America, British, and Iraqi people worth it? Not to mention the effect it is having on the rest of the world. Is killing an embryonic cell really so morally wrong? Think about when a person kills a lobster for dinner. The lobster has a nervous system, which in turn feels pain; on the other hand an embryonic cell feels no pain at all. Stem Cell Research has become one of the most controversial subjects in theShow MoreRelatedStem Cell Research : Stem Cells1338 Words   |  6 Pages Stem Cells Stem cells are cells that are found throughout the human body. They reproduce over a long period of time without changing. Stem cells can produce specialized cells, such as brain, muscle or lung cells. Stem cells in the last few years have recently made a big debut because medical professionals have discovered so many unique qualities to stem cells. They are on the cutting edge of medicine because of all their uses and the qualities that make them so unique from any other cell in theRead MoreStem Cell Research : Stem Cells1416 Words   |  6 PagesSTEM CELLS In this report, I mainly focused on Stem-Cells. You will read about Stem-Cells and its history from the moment this term was known. Also, you will know the Sources, properties, and the types of Stem-Cells. In addition, you will know some of the pros and cons researches about Stem-Cells. Stem-Cells are cells that have the ability to divide and multiply and renew itself. †¢ Sources of Stem-Cells: 1- The first source is Bone Marrow. 2- The second source isRead MoreStem Cell Research : Stem Cells941 Words   |  4 PagesStem cells have the extraordinary power to develop into several body cell types during early growth and development. (Stem Cell Basics). Stem cells are either embryonic: from a human fetus, or somatic: from an adult (Stem Cell Basics).These cells can be used to rebuild body tissue, treat diseases, and even cure others. They can be more effective in treatment of illness than the common treatment, such as therapy or medication. Stem cells are potentially more medically effective than traditional treatmentsRead MoreStem Cells And Stem Cell Research1310 Words   |  6 Pagesnonspecialized cells which have the potential to create other types of specific cells in order to survive? Those cells are called Stem Cells and they are very crucial to develop organisms. Stem cell research is a subject that most people in the world have a different viewpoint on. Some view the issue of stem cell research and ste m cell therapy as morally wrong and a crime against humanity, others view the study of stem cells as the next step in modern science (Reeve.) I think in some twisted way, stem cellRead MoreStem Cell Research : Stem Cells1261 Words   |  6 Pagescure diseases. Now we have stem cell therapy. Stem cells promise future cures for many currently considered to be â€Å"incurable† diseases, but with more research, we can overcome the controversy surrounding this this topic and help people live longer, improve their quality of life, and save many many lives. To understand the big hype about stem cells, one must know what a stem cell is. Stem cells have specialized functions that have the potential to become any type of cell in the body. According toRead MoreStem Cell Research : Stem Cells999 Words   |  4 PagesSTEM CELLS WORKING TO SPECIALIZE INTO CARDIAC CELLS Once the stem cells are delivered near the damaged areas of the heart, the regeneration of cardiac (heart) cells is possible. There is a lack of understanding on how or why specifically the stem cells turn into heart cells. â€Å"Recent studies indicated that the benefits associated with adult stem cell injection might come from paracrine effects, the effect of a nearby cell sending chemical and electrical signals to the stem cell, and not from myocardialRead MoreStem Cell Research : Stem Cells1416 Words   |  6 PagesDana Moua English IV 25 April 2016 Stem Cell Research What are stem cells? Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are found in multicellular organisms. The reason for scientist’s interest in stem cells is because of the possible applications of using them. These stem cells can be used to regrow organs/tissues. By using stem cells, scientists may be able to find cures for different cancers, certain genetic diseases, and different physical trauma damages. They can be used to treat a varietyRead MoreStem Research On Stem Cell Research1747 Words   |  7 PagesEnglish 111-36 25 November 2014 Stem Cell Research Stem cell research has cultivated a new, miraculous study in the health field. The study has led to an increase in curing diseases over the past couple of decades. Before stem cell research, diseases were destroying and devastating lives continuously on end. With the use of stem cells in modern time, diseases are no longer taking control of lives. The innovation in biomedical technology, such as stem cell research, has greatly impacted the understandingRead MoreStem Cell Research : Stem Cells1999 Words   |  8 Pagesregenerative medicine, commonly known as stem cell research. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells within the body that have the capability to specialize into any tissue. They are most commonly found in cord blood, bone marrow, organ donations, placenta, and embryos . Stem cells are seen by some as a new miracle treatment, encouraging many countries to invest in their research. The transfer of information, often shared through scientific reports and research, puts this topic in a highly internationalRead MoreStem Research On Stem Cell Research1271 Words   |  6 Pages! ! ! Stem Cells Research ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Jabaree Shipp English III NCVPS Mrs.Gallos 8, December 2014 ! ! ! ! ! ! Throughout most of our lifetime on Earth many have pondered the thought of how they and the things around them have been created. They wondered what makes grass grow to what makes themselves grow mentally and physically. Through extensive research and major advancements in technology over these years, decades, and centuries we still have no answer to our own questions. But, we do however