Category: Biography

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (Austen). In the society of Austen’s time, marriage was one of the most common ways to increase one’s social status. Social status was based on one’s family background, reputation and wealth. Marriage was very crucial for women, for this was the only way to increase their social status. Women were not given the chance to improve their status through hard work and achievement. Women were under the dominion of men, they were not allowed to speak up their ideas. Even if a woman was from a wealthy family, once they got married, their wealth will be given to the husband and they had to vow that they would obey their miser. Their sole purpose was to get married and reproduce. Jane Austen’s works were influenced by several authors, her family, and social classes during her time.

Jane Austen is an English novelist known for portraying lives of the middle class during the early nineteenth century in England. Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 at Steventon in Hampshire, England. She was the second daughter and seventh child of Reverend George, a rector, and Cassandra Austen who were in the middle class of society. Jane was first taught by her father then enhanced her knowledge by reading in his library.

To formally educate Jane and her sister, the Austen’s sent them to a boarding school in Oxford; but they returned soon due to the spread of typhus. They were sent to Reading Ladies Boarding School to continue their studies, but had to halt their studies again due to financial decline. Even though she didn’t receive much formal education, Jane learned through reading in her father’s library with the help of her father and brothers who taught her. When she started to show an interest in literature, her father provided her tools and paper to explore her creativity.

It was common in their household to make home-based productions of plays that already existed, or writing and acting out their own invented forms of literature. As she grew older, she started to gain interest in making her own works, she first started to write poems, stories, plays and verses which were parodies of literary pieces that she gained interest in. She wrote these in three notebooks that were soon compiled to and named Juvenilia. One of her first few works was Love and Friendship, which mocked novels about sensibility. It was also during this time that Jane decided whether to continue writing and start a career as a professional writer. She soon started writing a play, but she dropped it for another work, Susan, a story in the form of letters. She decided to pursue writing and continued writing her Juvenilia.

She first wrote Elinor and Marianne, which she read to her family for entertainment, it was soon published as Sense and Sensibility. She then met Tom Lefroy, the nephew of a friend, and fell in love with him. The family of Tom thought that it would not be good for Tom to have a relationship with Jane so they sent him far away. Jane continued with her writing and finished First Impressions which soon became Pride and Prejudice. To help Jane publish her work, Reverend Austen went to Thomas Cadell, a London publisher, to help publish Pride and Prejudice, but to no avail. She finalized Elinor and Marianne, then continued writing Susan which soon became Northanger Abbey.

Reverend Austen soon retired so they moved to Bath. Jane liked Steventon, so she felt depressed when they had to leave. She could not continue writing for a short while due to the sadness, but soon met Harris-Bigg Wither, her childhood friend, and he proposed to her. She accepted his proposal seeing that it was practical, he was well-off and it was good for her family if she married him; but the following day she took back her word because she did not want to marry a man whom she did not love.

Henry, Jane’s literary agent and brother, visited Benjamin Crosby to publish Susan, but Benjamin did not fulfill his request. Jane continued her writing and started to write The Watsons. At the same time, her father’s health started to decline, then he passed away soon after. Jane had to put a halt to her work as they were in a crisis. The brothers tried their best to help Mrs. Austen and their sisters to find a new home. They first moved in with Francis at Southampton, then moved in with Edward at Chawton Village. The surroundings helped her to get motivated to write again. She started by sending an angry letter to Benjamin Crosby, with a hold on the Susan copyright, but he only allowed to give it back if she paid him ten pounds. She could not pay for it due to financial problems so she continued to write more works. Henry soon approached Thomas Egerton, a London publisher, who published Sense and Sensibility, which gained favorable reviews. He also published Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park which were both successful. Jane soon moved to a well-known publisher, John Murray, who published her following works. Emma was very successful, but the second edition of Mansfield Park was not, so they lost a large sum of money. Jane became more determined and started to write The Elliots which soon became Persuasion. Henry also bought back Susan for ten pounds.

During 1816, Jane’s health started to deteriorate but she brushed it aside and continued to write her work. Jane’s health was in a really bad condition in 1817, but she was able to finish Persuasion and start a new work. She was soon confined and could not continue her writing. Cassandra and Henry brought her to Winchester to seek medical help, but there was no cure for the disease she had at the time. She passed away on July 18, 1817 at the age of forty-one. She was buried at Winchester Cathedral without the fact that she was an author. Henry published the last two finished works of Jane as a set, and also made public that Jane was the author.

During the eighteenth century, novels were very expensive. Since Jane was raised in a middle-class family, she had to rely on libraries to be able to read. The books at that time were commonly Gothic and Sentimental melodramas which Jane loved to read. Among the authors that Austen admired, Ann Radcliffe, a famous author at the time, was an inspiration to Austen. She loved to read her works and also mentioned Radcliffe’s novel in Northanger Abbey. Jane was also influenced by Frances Burney and Maria Edgeworth, Burney often wrote about politics of society. In the last paragraph of Cecilia, Burney’s novel, Burney wrote Pride and Prejudice three times, which influenced Austen in her work Pride and Prejudice. Edgeworth, one of the most influential authors during that time, was admired by Austen for her usage of humor and irony.

Austen not only admired famous authors but also admired obscure authors like Charlotte Lennox, her works The Female Quixote and The Adventures of Arabella were models for Austen’s Northanger Abbey. She also admired Samuel Richardson. She read his books over and over again and his works influenced her Juvenalia.

Living around educated people, Jane was taught and given materials that helped boost her creativity and imagination. Her father was a scholar and her brothers were educated in Oxford. Her family also influenced her to learn and think creatively. Her parents sent her to school even though it was uncommon for women to study at that time. When she finished her studies, she continued to read in her father’s library then soon shown interest in becoming a writer. Austen’s sister was familiar with her unfinished manuscripts and tried to persuade her to change the ending of Mansfield Park.

Jane Austen was within the gentry which were in the growing middle class. Jane’s mother, Cassandra Austen, was in a higher social status compared to her father so her status was degraded. Austen portrayed the life of women in her time and reflected the life and social classes during her time. In Pride and Prejudice, Mary Bennet was mocked for her intellectual pursuits. It portrays that women were discouraged to study because their mental abilities were said to be inferior compared to men. Women had to marry into a good family to increase their social status. Jane satirized people with social status, like in Persuasion, Sir Walter reads his favorite book, the Baronet, but he only reads the section of his family; he even has many mirrors to see his own reflection. Sir Walter and Lady Russell discouraged Anne Elliot from marrying Captain Wentworth due to his low social status. She wrote mostly about life in the middle class, where women were only taught a bit of education for the sole purpose of marrying a good husband.

Rank determines one’s social standing, the upper class during Austen’s time did not work. They were already provided with money and given a large sum of inheritance. The middle class were filled with well-respected people who did not do hard labor. While the lower class was the working class, they had to do hard labor and received weekly wages. Austen portrayed that ranking determines how a person lives his life.

An award-winning Canadian actress with a signature smile, Rachel Mcadams is widely known for her roles in high-school comedies such as Mean Girls and Mean Girls. She is also known for playing exceptionally in Spotlight and Game Night. While many stars had it easy with fame, Rachel’s journey to prominence was a long, winding one that started from her engagement in competitive skating and fascination for sports at a very young age. Her confidence which resulted from those areas soon strengthened her acting skills and she soon began performing in stage productions organized by her school. One of her performances during that time earned her an award at the Sears Ontario Drama Festival.

Today, she has translated incredibly well to the screen amassing numerous awards and a net worth estimated at $14 million. Learn more interesting facts about the cute actress below. Wiki, Bio (Age)Born on November 17, 1978, in St Thomas, Rachel was raised in a protestant family based in London with roots in Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and English. The actress who holds a United States Green card is the eldest daughter of Sandra and Lance McAdams. Her mother was a health care practitioner and worked as a nurse while her father diligently drove trucks for a living. She has a younger brother named Daniel, and a younger sister named Kayleen McAdams.

Despite coming from a poor home, Rachel’s parents ensured she had a good education. She attended Myrtle Street Public School and later enrolled at Central Elgin Collegiate Institute. Regardless, she was not academic and stayed out of school at the slightest excuse. She was only fascinated by sports activities and thus had an active student life engaging in varying sports such as football, volleyball, skating, and badminton. She was also on the student council and the Peter Helping Team. Inspired by her teachers who took her on English and drama lessons respectively, Rachel’s initial plan was to enroll at the University of Western Ontario to study cultural studies.

Nonetheless, her drama teacher advised her to consider acting professionally. After giving it a thought, Rachel began a four-year theatre program at York University and simultaneously worked with the Necessary Angel Theatre Company based in Toronto. Before she could finish her program at York University which earned her a Bachelor of Fine Arts honors degree in 2001, Rachel began acting. Her first professional gig at that time was in 2002, starring as Beth Swanson in an MTV movie titled Shotgun Love Dolls. She followed this up with Canadian television and film productions such as My Name Is TaninO (2002), Perfect Pie, and the comedy series Slings and Arrows. For her performance in the last two films, she was awarded a Genie Award nomination and a Gemini award respectively.

She got her professional start in Hollywood in 2002 with the comedy The Hot Chick. Having achieved small noticeability from the audience, she signed to star both in Notebook and Mean Girls. She then went on to work with Hollywood bigwigs such as Bradley Cooper and Owen Wilson on Wedding Crasher and Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Keaton on the Family Stone. She received rave reviews for these roles and also won a BAFTA award nomination for Best Rising Star. Similarly, the media also tagged Hollywood’s new ‘it girl’ which highlighted her interesting personality and sexiness. This earned her more screen time in many famous films like Sherlock Homes and The State Of Play. Nevertheless, her biggest breakthrough roles came in 2015 in the film Spotlight and the second season of HBO Crime True Detective. The former earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She also won numerous awards for that same role including the Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics’ Choice Movie award, among others.

Rachel Mcadam’s dating history is interesting as long as it is. She has been linked romantically to some of the hottest men in Hollywood including Josh Lucas, Ben Jackson, Michael Sheen, Kit Harington, and Taylor Kitsch, among others. One of her most lasting and publicized relationships was with Ryan Gosling, her ‘Notebook’ co-star. Their relationship began in 2004 and ended in 2007 as a result of their intensely busy schedule. After the relationship crumbled, she had a few flings with other celebrities which ended in nothing substantial. In 2016, she began dating screenwriter Jamie Linden and though the relationship has been flourishing, the actress remains unmarried. Even so, the actress who has always been fascinated by the thought of having her children is not letting singlehood rob her of the joy of motherhood. In 2018, she and her boyfriend, Jamie Laden welcomed their first baby together, a son. Jamie Linden is best known as the writer of the 2006 film We Are Marshall and the writer of the 2010 film Dear John. He is also known for writing and directing the 2010 independent movie 10 Years, starring Channing Tatum. What Is Rachel Mcadam’s Height? Rachel has a slim model-resembling body frame that weighs only 54kg. This doesn’t come as a surprise considering her love for sports. When it comes to height, the Canadian beauty can’t be described as a very tall woman as stands at a height of 5 ft4 inches – one inch shorter than the average American female height of 5 ft 5 inches.

Introduction

Nelson Mandela, a name synonymous with the relentless struggle for justice, equality, and freedom, stands as an emblem of hope in modern history. Born on July 18, 1918, in the tiny village of Qunu in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, Mandela’s life was a beacon that guided not just South Africa but the entire world toward a future free from racial segregation and oppression.

His leadership in the African National Congress (ANC) and the efforts to dismantle the institutionalized racial segregation of Apartheid placed him at the forefront of a movement that transcended national boundaries. Arrested in 1962, Mandela’s imprisonment for 27 years became a symbol of resistance against a system that sought to subjugate the black majority.

Mandela’s wisdom, courage, and unwavering commitment to reconciliation not only ended apartheid but also laid the foundation for a democratic South Africa. His life offers a compelling insight into the power of conviction, humility, and the human ability to forgive and build bridges.

The following essay delves into the life, struggles, and contributions of Nelson Mandela, examining how his actions not only reshaped South Africa but left an indelible mark on global politics and human rights activism. His story continues to inspire and challenge us to seek justice and equality.

Nelson Mandela Essay 150 Words

Nelson Mandela, a towering figure in the global struggle for human rights and equality, dedicated his life to combating racial oppression in South Africa. Born into a tribal royal family, Mandela’s upbringing instilled a sense of justice that drove him to join the African National Congress (ANC).

Arrested and imprisoned for 27 years, his enduring resilience against apartheid became a universal symbol of resistance. Upon his release, Mandela’s leadership was instrumental in dismantling the racial segregation system and establishing multi-racial elections in South Africa.

In 1994, he became the country’s first Black president. Mandela’s leadership transcended politics, emphasizing reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity. His focus on dialogue and peaceful transition earned him the Nobel Peace Prize 1993.

Mandela’s legacy lives on in South Africa and worldwide, inspiring generations to stand up against injustice, inequality, and discrimination. His unwavering commitment to human dignity and freedom stands as an eternal beacon, reminding us that one individual’s courage can change the world.

Nelson Mandela Essay 250 Words

Nelson Mandela, an icon of justice and reconciliation, played an instrumental role in dismantling the racial discrimination system known as apartheid in South Africa. Born on July 18, 1918, in Qunu, he grew up with a strong sense of fairness and morality. He pursued law and became actively involved with the African National Congress, campaigning against the oppressive regime.

In 1962, Mandela’s commitment to equality led to his arrest and subsequent 27-year imprisonment. Despite the harsh conditions and personal hardships, he remained steadfast in his beliefs. His imprisonment became a rallying cry for anti-apartheid activists worldwide.

Upon his release in 1990, Mandela continued to fight for equality and played a crucial role in the peaceful transition to a democratic South Africa. His magnanimity and willingness to forgive those who had oppressed him was nothing short of extraordinary. In 1994, Mandela was elected South Africa’s first Black president, a testament to his leadership and the love and respect he commanded from his fellow countrymen.

Mandela’s presidency focused on healing and rebuilding a divided nation. His efforts were recognized globally, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize 1993. After serving a single term as president, he advocated for peace, human rights, and social justice until his death on December 5, 2013.

His life story is a testament to the power of determination, forgiveness, and love in the face of adversity. His work motivates individuals and communities to strive for a more just and compassionate world, honoring his enduring vision of harmony and human dignity.

Nelson Mandela Essay 350 Words

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s most beloved leader and a global symbol of resistance against oppression, devoted his life to the cause of racial equality and justice. His lifelong struggle against a system that enforced racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa transformed his country and set a global example for fighting against injustice.

Born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Qunu, Mandela’s early life was shaped by the customs and traditions of his Thembu royal lineage. Educated as a lawyer, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943. Mandela’s activism against racial discrimination led to his arrest in 1962, followed by a 27-year imprisonment.

During his time in prison, he became a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. His resilience and refusal to bow to his oppressors inspired millions worldwide. He declined despite being offered release numerous times, believing that accepting such offers would compromise his principles.

Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 marked a turning point in South Africa’s history. His commitment to reconciliation and unity was vital in the peaceful transition to democracy. In collaboration with then-President F.W. de Klerk, Mandela helped dismantle the legal framework of apartheid, leading to South Africa’s first multiracial elections in 1994. His election as president marked the end of an era of racial division.

As president, Mandela’s leadership was marked by an extraordinary ability to forgive and an unwavering commitment to reconciliation. He established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which sought to heal the wounds of apartheid by uncovering the truth about human rights abuses.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, Mandela’s global impact cannot be understated. His values of dignity, integrity, and compassion have left an indelible mark on leaders and activists worldwide.

After leaving the presidency in 1999, Mandela continued his activism, focusing on issues like HIV/AIDS awareness and global peace. He passed away on December 5, 2013, but his legacy endures.

Nelson Mandela’s life is a compelling testament to the power of perseverance, love, and forgiveness. His ideals continue to guide and inspire those fighting for equality and fairness, making his legacy eternal in pursuing a more just and humane world.

Nelson Mandela Essay 500 Words

Nelson Mandela, a name forever etched in the annals of human rights and freedom, played a pivotal role in the liberation of South Africa from the clutches of apartheid. His lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and reconciliation transformed the country and inspired the world. Mandela’s journey from a small village boy to the first Black president of South Africa is a testament to the power of resilience, forgiveness, and human dignity.

Early Life

Mandela grew up in the Thembu royal family after being born on July 18, 1918, in Qunu, South Africa. He developed a sense of justice and morality due to his early education and tribal traditions. After receiving legal training, Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943, where he started his lifelong fight against the apartheid government.

Imprisonment

Mandela’s activism led to his arrest in 1962, resulting in a 27-year imprisonment. During this time, he became the face of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and internationally. Despite the harsh conditions and isolation, Mandela’s spirit remained unbroken. His imprisonment drew global attention to the injustices of apartheid, galvanizing support for his release and the abolition of the oppressive system.

Release and Road to Presidency

Released in 1990, Mandela’s freedom began a new era. He engaged in negotiations with then-President F.W. de Klerk, leading to the dismantling of apartheid laws. The peaceful transition, steered by Mandela’s wisdom and magnanimity, culminated in South Africa’s first multiracial elections in 1994. His presidential election was a triumph for humanity’s collective quest for equality.

Presidency and Reconciliation

Mandela’s presidency was marked by efforts to heal a deeply divided nation. He established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights abuses, promoting forgiveness and healing. His administration prioritized social welfare, focusing on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for the disadvantaged majority.

His leadership style, characterized by empathy and inclusiveness, transcended political boundaries. Mandela’s insistence on reconciliation rather than retribution set a remarkable precedent for other nations grappling with a legacy of oppression and division.

Global Impact and Legacy

Mandela’s influence reached far beyond South Africa’s borders. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, his integrity, compassion, and reconciliation principles resonated globally. After leaving office, he advocated for peace, human rights, and social justice.

His activism, especially concerning HIV/AIDS awareness, kept him at the forefront of global humanitarian efforts. Mandela’s legacy inspires leaders and activists worldwide, symbolizing the eternal struggle for human dignity and freedom.

Conclusion

Nelson Mandela’s life story is an inspiring tale of perseverance, courage, and love in the face of adversity. His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and reconciliation transformed a nation and left an indelible mark on the world.

Mandela’s example shows that change is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds. His ability to forgive, wisdom in leading, and endless compassion make him a universal symbol of hope. His legacy continues to guide those fighting for a fairer and more compassionate world, and his life serves as a timeless reminder that one person’s convictions and courage can change the world.

When researching books for my reading list, I always like to link my choices to past events or current situations. Stumbling upon this book, I remembered a conversation I had a few years ago.

During my middle school days, I was a member of the ‘Anti-Violence Committee’, dealing with bullies on a daily basis. I remember as if it happened yesterday. One older pupil got in trouble for beating up a much younger boy. The reason behind his actions came as a surprise to all the committee members. When questioned about the event, his first answer was: “I punched him because I am older and I can do whatever I want”. This struck me and infuriated me more than I expected. It was not fair, from any perspective. So, I confronted him aggressively, which was against the foundations of the committee. The school principal handled the situation in a very professional, mature way, after which she turned to me and said “I understand your anger. Your anger is well justified. I see you fight for righteousness every day, what you need to understand is that you should not confront anger with anger, but with understanding and forgiveness”. She then proceeded on telling me about Nelson Mandela, how he fought for freedom and equality and how he won the Nobel Prize for peace. Back then, I was too young to fully comprehend the principal’s advice, as well as Mandela’s so-long fight for good.

Over the years, I avoided diving more into this subject, from various reasons. I felt ready to read about him at this age, expecting to finally gain a deeper understanding of his work and morals. But I was not prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions that came along with this reading.

The autobiography takes us through his very detailed life experiences. From a young age, he was considered a rebel, constantly challenging the general rules. By attending tribe meetings with his father, he early understood the social injustice Africans were experiencing, rooted in racism by the white dominant parties. The urge for freedom and righteousness grew stronger and stronger. From that moment on, he kept challenging the authority, asking for equal rights.

He first fought for his own freedom, by rioting against the school’s administration for the lack of equality between white and black students, which led to him being expelled, in spite of his brilliant mind. He then chose to ran away, when forced to marry a woman he did not love. He then understood that he must fight for the freedom of his people. This led to his involvement with the African National Congress, which brought him charges of high treason by the Government, who was afraid of the fact that he gradually started to wake up the nation with his manifests. This sentence was seen as unfair by the entire population, who supported his cause and understood his words.

He spent 28 years in prison, journey which was nothing less than fascinating to me. He became the first black president a few years after his release, bringing recognition of rights and freedom of all people, regardless of their color or nationality.

He finishes the book by mentioning that his fight is not over, encouraging every reader to carry on kindness and equality, love and understanding. He opened many eyes and minds regarding racism and hatred, leaving behind a legacy valued forever.

I was deeply impressed with his view on education. He understood the importance of knowledge and open-mindedness, vowing to forever learn and grow. Starting from a young age, he attended the best schools an African child could at that time, constantly reading and broadening his perspective, which all built up to his wisdom and general understanding of human kind. He chose to dive deeper into legislation, in order to help his people. Even in prison, under terrible conditions and treatment, he chose to read and motivate others to learn, becoming a role model and proving his leadership. Over time, he managed to get his hands on multiple books and magazines, and convinced the guards to join his movement within the prison, leading to improvements for everyone.

There are not enough words to say how impressed I was about this. I also value education, I believe that the lack of information and a narrow perspective are what holds humanity back from growth. I have multiple situations from my life, with close people, that have proved my point. Learning is, indeed, the key to better.

My biggest key learning, as well as the general idea of the book, is to fight for my dream. Nelson Mandela fought tirelessly for what he believed in. Even if it meant sacrificing aspects of his life. His desire for freedom of any kind was the main driver of his daily actions. He was a born leader, inspiring other to believe in his dream, transparently and optimistically. He convinced other students to participate along his side during the school riot, he inspired people to join his movement with the African National Congress, he led the prisoners to riot for better conditions and equality. His entire life was nothing but a constant road to his end goal. He got sentenced for three decades because of his beliefs, which never stopped him from moving forward with impressive strength.

He even gave up his time with family, which is also his biggest regret. By the time he charged with life sentence, he had already been in hiding, underground or locked up, sacrificing his family and making them go through pain. This is one piece of information that troubled me. I am a firm believer in family, and I care deeply about this personal value. If sacrificing the idea of family is what it takes to fulfil my end goal, I will question my decision and the root of this dream.

Other inspiring idea was his view on failure. He proudly admits his mistakes, linking them to his success. Being in this entrepreneurial environment for almost three years, I understood the failure comes with learning and growing. Nevertheless, I still have a hard time truly comprehending and accepting this as a personal mantra. Seeing that Mandela himself was such an honest, down to earth human being, who taught people about failure, was again a reminder that I should ease myself and understand that I am human. Mistakes are acceptable, as long as I learn from them and grow.

Nelson Mandela was the definition of dignity and integrity. He could have easily accepted the money that came with surrendering his position in front of the Government, when approached by the white parties. Instead, he chose to keep fighting for what is right. He made a vow to himself, to his people, and never derailed from it. I have found myself in numerous situations where I could have lost sight of my core values, and in some I shamefully did. Being true to one’s self is very important, as Mandela proved along the pages.

The last chapter came as the final evidence for my story at the beginning of the essay. “A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity”. Mandela’s work was not only about giving freedom to the black people, but to all people who were affected, directly or indirectly, by racism and injustice, regardless of what side are you on. His wisdom helped him understand people beyond first impressions, religion, nationality, beliefs. He taught people to respond to anger with understanding.

This is the first time I read about something this socially impactful. Unfortunately, I have nothing to compare it with. I can only promise myself that I will carry on his learnings and read more about such people, such world-changing leaders. Mandela taught me that ‘change starts with one person’.

This book was not only an inspirational reading, but a full disclosure of slavery and racism in the deepest manner. It triggered a rollercoaster of multiple emotions: happiness, anger, revenge, understanding. Although it is a difficult book, the lessons are beyond valuable. This work of art should be read two times, for a deeper comprehension.

I believe that Thomas Jefferson is a hypocrite in the sense of creating the constitution and going against his own rules and here is why.

First of all, Jefferson could not stress enough that all men are created equal when in reality he owns over 200 slaves for himself. He does not have respect for all men, only white men; he has openly made rude remarks to African Americans and has not mentioned any reasonable rights that apply to them in the declaration. Jefferson has also denied them life liberty and the pursuit of happiness and he believes that the king has done many things wrong, which is true but it is also true that Jefferson only cares about the inconveniences that have occurred to the whites and not the Africans even though the Africans receive much worse treatment than whites. These facts perfectly debunk any belief or hope that Jefferson thinks all men were created equally. In Jefferson’s letter to William Burwell, he states “I have long since given up the expectation of any early provision for the extinguishment of slavery among us.” This just shows that little to no effort was put forth in the process of freeing slaves before Jefferson gave up this shows that this cause is unimportant to him. And finally, all together Jefferson has stated ‘The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in those colonies where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state.” yet he has willfully betrayed the ideals he has presented. He has proved plenty of times how he is a hypocrite.

Now with all the facts stated one can still admit that Jefferson’s life revolves around him being a hypocrite, for example, he has proposed a plan to end slavery by purchasing slave children and training them to do the work that a free man would have the opportunity to do, and after doing so he sent them to Santo demonic and in his will has freed 3 other men. As I can not say that he has not done some good things these good deeds will always be covered by the fact that the majority of what he did was hypocritical and selfish or more for the white race in which he is a part. Jefferson knowingly violated the U.S Constitution for his benefit, he is reckless with his money and as he has done some good things for this country like abolishing the slave trade he still kept slaves to himself self which again makes him a hypocrite but also makes him selfish.

In conclusion, if Thomas Jefferson wanted to make rules and morals for his own country to go by he should have been faithful to those. He has done good deeds but gone back on them and he has made some things better for slaves but in the long run, did not do much for them and that is proof that Jefferson does not see all men as created equal.

His neighbors called Thomas Jefferson the worst farmer in Virginia, and yet Jefferson dedicated himself to agrarian exploration with a devotion akin to worship. Which meant many, many failures.

Jefferson, you see, was on a mission to bring upland rice to the American south. Grown in dry soil, it could supplant, he hoped, the lowland rice that Georgia and the Carolinas depended on – “a plant,” he wrote, “which sows life and death with almost equal hand,” because the crop’s wetland habitat also bred ravaging pestilence (likely, malaria).

But his Italian rice didn’t take. So Jefferson tried rice from Timor, by way of the disgraced Captain William Bligh (who brought it back from his infamously mutinous voyage on the Bounty). Still unsuccessful, Jefferson tried African red rice. But it, too, never thrived, and after just a few harvests at his own Virginia estate, Monticello, he soon abandoned his efforts.

His neighbors called him the worst farmer in Virginia. And yet Jefferson dedicated himself to agrarian exploration with a devotion akin to worship.

When it comes to agriculture, few have persevered more in their failures than Thomas Jefferson. And perhaps no other farmer has conceded as many failures as he. America’s third president grew 330 varieties of 89 species of vegetables and herbs in his terraced garden on Monticello’s mountainside – not to mention 170 varieties of fruit in his orchards and vineyards. He meticulously recorded their cultivation in his Garden Book, from 1766 to 1824, and the crop ledger is littered with the words “failed,” “failed nearly” and “killed by bug.”

According to Gabriele Rausse, Director of Gardens and Grounds at Monticello, his neighbors called him the worst farmer in Virginia. And yet Jefferson dedicated himself to agrarian exploration with a devotion akin to worship.

These were the heady days of experimentation, when no one knew if or how Italian olives, French grapes or African sesame could grow in the New World. Jefferson struggled with them all: the olive trees languished in the southern humidity; the European grapevines withered at the root; and he only managed to press a gallon of sesame oil after three years of trying.

Risk is inherent in farming, of course, but in the 18th century crop failure was intimately tied to starvation. Jefferson “found a way to survive by experimenting,” observes Rause at Monticello. “To admit your failures, to write them down – to me, it means it is about education.”

Jefferson is an even more shockingly modern agriculturist when you consider his holistic – we might say “organic” – approach. When his daughter, Martha, sent a distressed letter to Philadelphia that the vegetable garden at Monticello was laid siege by bugs, Jefferson calmly advised her to let it go:

Reflecting on his public service Jefferson said, ‘The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.’

“We will try this winter to cover our garden with a heavy coat of manure. When earth is rich it bids defiance to droughts, yields in abundance and of the best quality. I suspect that the insects which have harassed you have been encouraged by the feebleness of your plants, and that has been produced by the lean state of the soil. We will attack them another year with joint efforts.”

For Jefferson, farming was perhaps the foremost means for social change.

Reflecting on his greatest public services, he included the introduction of upland rice and olives alongside penning the Declaration of Independence. “The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.”

The rice and the olives were not proving too promising when Jefferson wrote that — but then he was a farmer of indefatigable resolve.

Ruby Bridges, born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, is an iconic figure in the fight for civil rights and equality. As the first African-American student to integrate an all-white school in the South, Ruby’s story of courage, resilience, and determination has become an inspiration for generations. This biography essay will delve into the life of Ruby Bridges, tracing her remarkable journey from a young girl facing immense adversity to becoming a symbol of hope and progress in the struggle for racial equality.

Growing up in a racially segregated society, Ruby experienced firsthand the injustice and discrimination that permeated the South during the 1950s. In 1960, at the age of six, Ruby became the center of national attention when she was chosen to be one of the first African-American students to attend William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. This historic moment marked the beginning of Ruby’s extraordinary journey.

Ruby’s journey towards integration was met with resistance and hostility. As she walked through the school’s doors each day, she faced a hostile mob of protestors who spewed hateful words and threats. However, guided by her parents’ unwavering support and the determination instilled in her, Ruby remained steadfast in her pursuit of an education. Her brave steps through the doors of William Frantz Elementary School not only challenged the systemic racism of the time but also became a beacon of hope for those fighting for equality.

Despite the hostile environment, Ruby displayed remarkable resilience and strength. She endured daily acts of racism, from being isolated in a classroom by herself to encountering teachers who refused to teach her. Despite these challenges, Ruby’s thirst for knowledge never wavered. She exemplified the power of education as a means of empowerment, transcending the barriers that society had placed upon her. Ruby’s unwavering commitment to her education not only transformed her own life but also served as an inspiration for countless others.

Ruby’s bravery and perseverance did not go unnoticed. Her story caught the attention of the media, bringing national and international awareness to the struggles of African-American students during the civil rights movement. The iconic Norman Rockwell painting, “The Problem We All Live With,” depicted Ruby walking to school surrounded by U.S. marshals, highlighting the courage and resilience she displayed in the face of adversity. Ruby’s story served as a catalyst for change, sparking conversations and efforts to dismantle segregation in schools across the nation.

As Ruby Bridges grew older, she recognized the significance of her role in the civil rights movement and embraced it wholeheartedly. She became an advocate for education and equality, working tirelessly to ensure that every child has access to quality education regardless of their race or background. In 1999, she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which aims to promote tolerance, respect, and social harmony among children. Through her foundation, Ruby continues to inspire young people to stand up against injustice and to advocate for equality and inclusion.

Ruby Bridges’ legacy is a testament to the power of one individual to effect change. Her remarkable journey from a young girl facing hostility and racism to becoming an influential advocate and symbol of hope is a testament to her strength and character. Ruby’s story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, resilience, determination, and courage can triumph. She serves as an inspiration to all, urging us to continue the fight for equality and justice.

In conclusion, Ruby Bridges’ life and accomplishments have left an indelible mark on the history of the civil rights movement. Her courage, resilience, and determination in the face of overwhelming adversity have made her an icon of hope and progress. Ruby’s journey as the first African-American student to integrate an all-white school serves as a reminder that one individual can ignite change and inspire others to fight for equality. Ruby Bridges continues to be a beacon of courage and a symbol of hope, reminding us of the importance of standing up for what is right and just in our society.

Frida Kahlo is a female Mexican artist. You might have even seen her in an animated movie. Coco is just one example of an animated movie that was touched by Frida Kahlo’s artistry beside her Hispanic heritage. Despite making a minimal appearance in the film, it conveyed how much of an effect Kahlo’s artistic abilities had on her country even until today. Kahlo’s legacy began in Mexico City, Mexico. She was born on the sixth of July in the nineteen hundredth year of ’07. She comes from a family of mixed descent, with a German father and a mother who is half Amerindian and Spanish.

The artist’s early childhood was pretty rough, growing up during the revolution. From a young age, she was already experiencing life’s harsh tribulations, to which she was diagnosed with polio at the age of 6. Polio is a contagious disease that can cause the nerve endings to become paralyzed, introduce shortness of breathing and sometimes death can occur as a result of this disease. Kahlo suffered from the sickness for nine months, to which it affected her right leg, resulting in her having a much thinner right leg than her left leg. After she had recovered from polio, her father encouraged her to do a vast amount of sports to help her with her insecurity. She participated in soccer, swimming and wrestling so that she could recover faster and become stronger. In regards to the time period, it is also best to keep in mind that it was strange for a girl to play sports. Father’s typically did not encourage females during that generation to be heavily involved in sports that portrayed masculinity neither, but this is only what added onto the strong relationship that she had with her father.

When Kahlo attended the National Preparatory School in 1922, her first inspiration for art was from Diego Rivera, who too was a fellow artist. She created an oil painting of the two (herself and Mr. Rivera) standing side by side. It is widely believed to have been a wedding portrait by Kahlo simply because it was created two years after her and Rivera’s marriage. The painting was basic and quite straightforward, and was the one to essentially start off her career in 1931. However, she became famous for her outspokenness and bravery throughout the school prior to her popularity within the art community. In that same year, Kahlo also joined a gang with students who shared similar political and intellectual views. Kahlo’s paintings concerned issues that were either personal to her, or society itself. Issues such as gender, the class system, identity and so forth within and outside the realms of Mexico were subjects that she would talk about, regardless of how taboo it may have been considering that this was all occurring in the early nineteen hundred. Her radical pursuance and stance on political topics were always cookie cutter, never vague, as seen in a plenitude of her artwork.

One artwork that really struck society and went against its norms was the one that talked about her scandalous affair. It is already known that Frida Kahlo was a bold woman who would say anything that comes to her mind. Her actions coincide with such behavior when she had a ten year long relationship with American photographer, Nickolas Muray, well before her marriage to Rivera, up until her divorce with Rivera. She ended her affair with Muray the same year as her parting with former husband Rivera. During that time frame, Muray took a multitude of pictures regarding Kahol, and even bought the oil painting she created concerning her relationship with the two men. The painting was a self-portrait of Frida in front of greenery, displaying thorns wrapped around her neck and piercing her skin. A panther was prowling on the left of her shoulder and a monkey on the right. Attached to the thorns was a hummingbird hanging lifelessly. With a solemn expression, there are a few interpretations of what exactly the painting may be. It could be her endless suffering since enduring a bus accident, or it could be about the relationship she had with two men and the pain it might have caused her or to the recipients of her love. The answers are endless, but one thing that is for certain is the freedom she wished she had but could never truly obtain until death.

As an outspoken individual, Kahlo was not afraid to portray her inner dealings with her emotions. Previously stated, she grew up with hardships that physically challenged her, and would leave her mentally conflicted. With her diagnosis of polio at the age of six, paralysis and muscle atrophy on the right leg, getting into an accident at almost 18, Kahlo is not really considered to be one of the luckiest women. When the freak accident occurred, Frida broke, as well as shattered, an incredible amount of bones that led to many believing she would not make it through. A rail had entered her body, shoulders were left dislocated, ankles and so much more were either fractured, broken, or completely damaged to the point of no return. Further down the road of her life, she began to experience the symptoms of post-polio (which did hit later than it would normally) and depressive episodes. Not able to bear a child and having experienced a miscarriage, Kahlo found herself getting addicted to depressants to combat her desires with the rather untimely and cruel circumstances of life. One painting heavily displayed her discontent with life and the chronic pain she endured on the daily. “Thinking about Death,” conveyed the numerous complications of her terrible health condition, yet the faith she still invested into her beliefs that she would be reborn even after death. Within the painting is skull and crossbones on Kahlo’s forehead, symbolizing death. Behind her is the usual greenery. However, in Mexico it is symbolic for rebirth, and how life will still continue to carry on. Through it all, her face still remains serene and indifferent to the difficulties and tragedies that keep laying ahead of her.

Conclusion

To conclude, Frida Kahlo is a well-known Mexican artist who was not shy of controversial topics and the tribulations that she faced up until her adult years. She experienced an uncommon father-daughter relationship that remained strong until the very end, trials she did overcome or attempted. With oil painting and self-portraits being her main style to invoke deep thoughts, be it politically, emotionally, mentally or physically, she left her audience astounded. Every line or curvature of each painting was resounding and truly conveyed her inner thoughts, with a dash of wonder left behind. Frida Kahlo, an artist growing up during the Mexican Revolution.

Helmuth Hubener is very brave person who you have probably never heard of before. Helmuth Hubener was only 16 when he was sentenced to death by Hitler. He was a very brave person and someone we can look up to. At the age of 16 he dared to defy the nazi’s and did defy them.

Helmuth was born in Hamburg Germany on January 8th of 1925. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a very normal childhood until he turned 16. When he was 16, he decided to listen to the forbidden radio station which was the BBC. The station was the other side of the war and it was talking about how America was attacked. On the other side the German radio was about how they had victory, and etc. Helmuth was starting to question the nazi’s and if they were actually good.

Helmuth believed that the Nazis were lying and that the English were the ones that were right. Later he decided he was going to speak up about what he heard on the forbidden radio station to others, who did not dare to listen to the radio. Later, he wrote pamphlets about how Germany was not always winning. This continued for months, but the Nazis lies won, but he kept trying. In February 1942, someone saw him writing the pamphlets and turned him in. He and his friends were imprisoned together. After ten weeks of torture and intimidation, he was tried for high treason and charged as an adult.

He was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when his leader found out. He went down a true hero. When he was questioned, he would stick with what he knew was right. Because he was charged for high treason, it justified the Nazis to torture Helmuth well he was imprisoned. He was sentenced to death by beheading. According to history.com, he said: “I have to die now for no crime at all”. Then he said: “It is your turn next”. His friends believed that he was baiting them so the others would not be charged as bad.

Helmuth’s story is one of bravery and standing for what is right. Many have heard about him through books like ‘The Boy Who Dared’ or a movie called ‘The Resistance Movement’. The movie is made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Others, like Susan Campbell, wrote books. There is more information about him than you would think. He was quite a brave kid to do what he did. He went down with his belief that the nazi’s were bad and sticked with it, Now, that is a true hero, a World War II hero.

Two centuries ago, on February 13, 1819, James Tallmadge, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party formed by Thomas Jefferson, offered an amendment to a bill regarding the admission of the Territory of Missouri into the United States. The so-called Tallmadge Amendment proposed banning further imports of slaves into the future state, as well as the gradual emancipation of those already in the territory. What should have been a simple decision on the future of Missouri, however, soon became a debate on the future of slavery in all of the territories west of the Mississippi River. The lands in question had been purchased by Thomas Jefferson in 1803, and the Sage of Monticello soon found himself in the thick of the action as the discussions over the so-called Missouri Question heated up.

On the face of it, Jefferson appeared to be a person who would support the Tallmadge Amendment. As Jefferson historian John Chester Miller writes: “In 1784 he had tried to exclude slavery from all the territories of the United States and he had unqualifiedly endorsed the antislavery provision of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.” Jefferson had been dead-set against the westward expansion of slavery in his early career, believing that such exclusions would kill off American slavery once and for all. However, thirty-odd years and a presidential term had changed his views. By 1819, Jefferson, still claiming the goal of abolition, now favored a concept called diffusion that involved spreading slaves “over a greater surface” ensuring their “emancipation; by dividing the burthen” between white communities. As a result, by the time of the Missouri Crisis, Jefferson argued loudly for the expansion of slavery into the Louisiana Purchase lands. With his prominent position and political connections, the ex-president became a vocal advocate against the Tallmadge Amendment by late 1819.

Aside from his views on slavery, there were other reasons why Jefferson chose to briefly leave retirement and engage publicly in the Missouri debate. One reason was to try and reunite the Democratic-Republican Party, which found itself dangerously divided by the crisis. Jefferson was also concerned about how sectional the debate over slavery had become. Before the schism opened by Tallmadge there was no clear north-south divide over the peculiar institution, but the Missouri Crisis began to show clear cracks between northerners and southerners, even though nearly all of the politicians involved belonged to the same political party. Particularly concerning to Jefferson and his fellow southerners was the possibility that stopping slavery spreading westward would create more free states, giving these regions the same political majority in the senate that they already enjoyed in the House of Representatives.

In order to bring the divided Democratic-Republicans back together again, Jefferson needed to create a national enemy that his whole party could unite against. For this role, he chose his old foe: the Federalist Party. Although the party of Washington, Adams, and Hamilton had almost ceased to exist (and although Tallmadge and others in his camp were Democratic-Republicans themselves), Jefferson began complaining of a Federalist conspiracy in his many writings during the Missouri Crisis. “the Missouri question is a meer party trick. the leaders of federalism defeated in their schemes of obtaining power…have changed their tack, and thrown out another barrel,” Jefferson ranted to Charles Pinckney, the South Carolina Republican. In a letter to Albert Gallatin, Jefferson insisted that the antislavery rhetoric of those that argued against the institution’s expansion into Missouri, “served to throw dust into the eyes of the people and to fanaticise them.” Jefferson thus argued that this group were simply using moral arguments about slavery to hide their true intentions: to destroy his Party, and the south in general, politically.

Conclusion

While Jefferson was arguing about larger national ideas, however, it was issues at home at Monticello that helped cement his concerns about Missouri and slavery’s expansion. In a famous letter to Maine politician John Holmes, Jefferson described how “we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go.” As the Missouri Crisis continued into 1820, Jefferson struggled both with this concept and a compromise that he considered to ring a “firebell in the night.” A firebell, he feared, that warned of his nation’s impending collapse.