Reflective Essay: General Review and Critical Analysis of Canterbury Tales

Imagining that I was in the General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales I think would be an adventure and amusing pilgrimage. Discussing the General Prolouge and asking questions, the author is explaining that this will be a series of stories are told by different individuals and he will be keeping and writing each down. This is also where things become tricky on the author’s behalf because he is also making up each individual’s story. These series of stories are told and in the General Prologue, the author is telling the readers to judge the individuals based on their stories, occupation, social class, and the appearance of how they are being described. The General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales was written in the 14th century and during this time period, many were judged by peers based on those things. Going on a pilgrimage was common during this time, with different individuals that you will meet while on the journey. From reading the tales and discussing them in class, choosing a pilgrim I would most like to enjoy the travel with would be the Plowman, and the least favorite pilgrim I would least enjoy the travel with is the Miller.

Discussing Plowman’s tale, and he seems to be the most positive individual from the pilgrimage that I would enjoy the travel with. The Plowman was an individual that was poor and wore present clothing. He was described as being very muscular, which we as readers could infer by his occupation. Which is deemed to be hard manual labor. Also, the Plowman is described as being religious and despite his social status (poor, lower class) he still manages to pay his tithes. Also, despite the little that he gets paid for his labor. I can see myself enjoying the travel with the Plowman because we both are hard workers, respectful, and religious. Responding to the Plowman positively but having pity as well is what I believe Chaucer wanted the audience to feel for this character. He may have presented the Plowman as a peasant and described as one also, then add extra details to make the audience second guess their judgment of this character.

Reading over the Millers’ tale in The Canterbury Tales, he seems to be highly rude and disrespectful towards others. The Miller is one of many that is on a pilgrimage during The Canterbury Tales and he decides that he will interrupt the order of the tales, while drunk. Instead of waiting his turn, the miller decides to jump ahead of the Monk in the tale-telling, which causes conflict between the two. The Miller tells a tale that is to make fun of carpenters, which the reeve takes personally. Miller is described as a large brawn man that is known for his strength. With the miller’s occupation, he is also sectioned with the lower class, poor individuals. With this occupation comes hard labor and little pay, which is why in this time period the millers were known to stale and overcharge their customers. Responding negatively to the miller because of his rudeness during the tale-telling, from his dishonest, foul-mouth, and his sinful songs and poems. The miller is an individual that I would not like to associate myself with while on the pilgrim. Rather he is an individual I would keep away from because he is becoming his label which is a disgrace to society.

Looking over each tale The Canterbury Tales and analyzing each character telling a tale, I look at each as if they are someone, I would associate myself with in this day and time. Personally, I would describe myself as being in the lower middle working class. Which is one thing that I can relate to both pilgrims. Also, I am a very religious and hardworking induvial, that is in relation to the Plowman. But, one dislike that I have is drawing negative attention to myself or others around me. Looking at Miller, he drew negative attention by skipping his turn in the tale-telling and threatened to leave if he was denied telling his tale next. Setting each character in a position to what draws my attention to positivity to an individual and weighing the pro can con of each individual.

Reflective Essay on The Canterbury Tales

As time and weather change, language to changes. With that, as an English teacher, I have to continue updating and upgrading my knowledge of modern vocabulary. Vocabulary is embedded in literature. Literature could make me become knowledgeable and conscious of the events and situations, as well as the language used by people in the past. It helps me explain the origin and existence. Like The Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer, it informs and provides me with concepts and ideas that substantiate my understanding of how the English language evolves. The results of (language) evolution are primarily beneficial in pragmatics.

On May 15, 2021, we had a wonderful discussion on the life of Geoffrey Chaucer and one of his pieces The Canterbury Tales. I was enlightened in the discussion. I have learned new concepts and ideas that broadened my knowledge and understanding of pragmatics and the evolution of English. At the start, I thought that it was just a mere discussion about the life of Geoffrey Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales. However, I was enthralled when Dr. Espina started to dissect and extract terminologies from The Canterbury Tales and relate them to the English terms we use at present. I was thoroughly learning about it. I was able to see comparisons of obsolete and contemporary English words. The Canterbury Tales contains precise examples of English vocabulary before and now. The terms pardoners and friars, which presently refer to the priest, are examples of outdated English terms found in the Canterbury Tales. If pardoners and friars are used in a conversation, then it would somehow affect understanding and would reinforce misconceptions for those terms are not commonly used in today`s time. Not known in the current generation.

The Canterbury Tales is a good literary piece to use in studying language and its evolution and development. Consequently, it is a good material to examine differences between ancient and contemporary English words essential in pragmatics. I am grateful to Dr. Espina for including this topic as it takes a significant part in my chosen course. Geoffrey Chaucer deserves to be known as the father of English literature. He is a brilliant, notable, and admirable writer. The Canterbury Tales, considered one of the masterpieces in the entire world, justifies how brainy and brilliant he was in his time.

Furthermore, I absolutely had fun sharing the origin of my name and listening to the origin of my classmate`s name. This activity caused me to recognize that everything exists and possesses a unique history. Knowing the origin and history is the best way to develop appreciation and value of its existence. In language, it is beneficial to cognize the etymology of a certain word to be able to exert it correctly and properly either in oral or written communication.

It was a productive Saturday indeed. The literature we examined made me appreciate more the importance of studying the language. Certainly, literature and language are interrelated. They depend on each other. They are like the husband and wife who became one through the sacrament of marriage. Language and literature go together in a way that literature is used to analyze and examine language. On the other hand, language remains the medium of literature that conveys the message, and it develops literature.

Reflective Reader’s Essay on Voltaire’s Candide

Voltaire’s Candide

My research paper today will cover Voltaire Candide. Some may not know who Voltaire may be or anything about any of his stories. So today I will be informing you about Voltaire and some of the purposes behind writing his stories for his wonderful books. Followed by why I chose Candide and what I learned from reading the story as well, hopefully, it is something everyone would be interested in reading and learning a life lesson as well. So, after reading this Research paper I hope it informs everyone on Voltaire’s background and hopefully gives everyone a reason to read one of his stories and may learn something to help them in the future.

Voltaire was a philosopher of the 18th century. Like most parents who expected another career life for their child Voltaire’s father wanted him to become a lawyer in France where he is from. Not knowing the mark, he will leave in the future with his writing. but Voltaire continued pursuing his writing career. Which eventually lead him in jail several times.

Like most historic people to leave their mark, they had milestones come in their way, but it was up to them to continue or let it stop them. Mark Oliver’s article states that ‘in the name of bureaucracy, procedure, or just selfishness, some people get dragged through hell for trying to help or just expressing themselves’ (Mark Oliver). But like most people that is exactly what he did continued writing. The reason his stories landed him in jail several times was that he used his satirical writing to critique the government. In his eyes, it was his way of showing how he sees things. The writing was his way out and with people who may love to read it was a way of catching their attention it was his stepping stone to start, if some may ask.

But everyone feels a type of way about something in life. No matter if it is as small as washing dishes. But behind that problem everyone also has something they love doing to help express themselves behind it. To get their opinion looked at just to let it out. That is simply all he was doing in my eyes not knowing what would happen. And even after the consequences, he did not let that ever stop him.

But that was not all he wrote about. He was a talented writer, so his style was mixed. See most writers have a specific thing they only write about. But not Voltaire he wrote anything that can catch an audience’s eye and maintain their attention. He wrote not only philosophical works he wrote plays, poetry, and historical work as well.

Those things are what had me feeling like his stories might not be that bad. Cause if a writer is multi-talented their stories may not be so boring to me. I can not read a book by just anyone especially if it had no excitement or purpose that will relate to me. That is when I lose focus and stop reading most of the time.

So once the reading assignment Candide was giving as I started reading, it was different. It did not start off boring it started with a purpose. Candide was an illegitimate nephew of a German baron. He grows up in the barons under a scholar name Pangloss.

Candide was in love with the baron’s young daughter. The baron catches the two making love one day and expels Candide from his home. For those who may not know mainly all of Voltaire’s stories will involve love. That was smart of him in my opinion because love is not a sited thing or experience, everyone interacts with love in their life. So of course, people would love reading about it.

What made that part so interesting was that I could relate because I have gotten caught kissing someone I loved before and her parents made sure when I was young, we stayed away from each other. But Candide’s love in the story was way stronger than the love I had he was determined to get back to her by any means.

Because after he was expelled from the baron’s home he was conscripted into the army. But being smart he waited for war and doing the war he escaped. Now, in reality, we all know that would be like beating the impossible because the hardest thing is to escape the army. I love my country, but I do not plan on going if I did, I will try to pull a Candide and escape knowing I would not get far.

So, as I am reading the story, I am very interested in it because I see a man beating the odds to do what he has to do no matter the consequences. He is doing all actions out of love with no second thought.

Along his journey for finding his love and starting their life, he traveled to Holland. Where he meets an Anabaptist by the name of Jacques. He charitably takes Candide under his care. Because he sees that he is a lost traveler. That is when Candide found his tutor Pangloss. But Pangloss was not the same he almost did not recognize him because at the time he was a beggar on the side of the street and Candide gave him some coins.

Candide receives terrible news from him that was Cunegonde was raped and killed. Candide was in such diss belief. His new tutor Jacques was later thrown overboard trying to help a sailor and in Auto-de-Fe Candide was flogged and his old tutor Pangloss was hung. Now as I was reading the thought came to me and all I could say was he is always finding himself in trouble. But never suffer the fatal consequences. Some may call that luck, but I call those blessings.

A man by name of Reinhold Niebuhr stated, “All human sin seems so much worse in its consequences than in its intention” (Reinhold Niebuhr). That meant a lot to me knowing that and related to Candide even more because the consequences of his action should have not been that deep concerning his situation.

But after Candide was flogged old lady nurses his wounds and finally escorted him to see the love he traveled so far for. So that became the plot in my mind because that’s when I realized after steady reading, she survived Pangloss’s information was false. So as Candide was talking to her catching up, she noted that she was forced to watch him suffer and Pangloss hanging. Candide is very vulnerable at the time because he lost two tutors and hearing the situation of his love being raped and enslaved has him at a breaking point.

An article I read stated that when losing a loved one the body sometimes responds is to perceive danger is the secretion of corticosteroids, or stress hormones (Susan Blankenship and Rebecca porter). So once Don Issachar the Jewish merchant seen Candide and Ms. Cunegonde on the sofa, he drew his dagger that is when Candide put a sword through him and the Grand inquisitor. So, to me, all I could think of was he was reacting off self-defense but with no hesitation because he already felt as if he lost it all because of what he has been through.

They escaped and made it far even after her diamonds and jewels were stolen. That showed real love for each other was deeper than you can think. That is a point that Voltaire tries to make in all his story is strong love. It did eventually hit a point in Candide where she left him to be with the governor Don Fernando for his wealth.

Candide was forced to leave but even after that, he promises to come back to her. I would have personally left her alone after that. That is when I wondered was, he only doing this out of the history together or if that is just how much he loved her. A man by the name of Michael Yarbrough says, ‘people use mirroring as a kind of universal signal. To survive and evolve humankind had to learn and invent many things including socially accepted behavior’ (Michael Yarbrough). So that could be why his love for her becomes stronger and stronger because she is all he has left.

But with the help of his friends and her brother he eventually got her back. In doing so after gaining knowledge from a farmer couple he realizes. No need of trying to do what everyone else is doing in life to become happy or how they tend to their garden that makes it so beautiful.

That is when he quoted something that stuck with me and can help everyone in life and that was, “only way rendering life bearable we must cultivate our garden.” Meaning in life don’t go off other aspects do what you can in life and everything else will fall into place. That concludes my paper on Voltaire’s Candide informing everyone about him and his story Candide as well as how it affected me. Hope everyone enjoyed and learn and soon pick up a book by him as well and read a wonderful story.

Citation page

  1. · Niebuhr, Reinhold. “Everything we do has consequences.” April 22, 2012. www.psychology today.com
  2. · Blankenship, Susan, and Porter, Rebecca. “ Physical reaction to loss and grief.’ March 21, 2010. Https://www.taps.org/articles/16-1/physicalreactionstoloss.com
  3. · Yarbrough, Michael. ‘The surprising truth about why we tend to imitate others.’ August 30, 2017. http://medium.com/the-mission/tthe-surprising-truth-about-why-we-tend-to-imitate-others-b15831070cd9.com
  4. · Oliver, Marker. ‘Good people who were punished for helping others.’ August 27, 2017. http://listverse.com/2017/08/27/10-good-people-who-were-punished-for-helping-others/

Reflective Essay on The Perks of Being a Wallflower

We as humans are creatures of the culture that we create; as a 19-year-old girl living in the stereotypical ‘I’m lost in life and nobody can understand me’ point of my life, I’ve become fairly acquainted with the side effects of today’s complex culture. Whether it be books or movies, it is very common to see portrayals of different people wanting to be represented more accurately. Though more times than not, Hollywood gets everything wrong. The romanticization of mental illness happens daily. It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly the romanticizing of mental illness first began to bud, blossom, and flourish. It’s easy to blame the media. Movies such as Silver Linings Playbook, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Way Way Back all create an aesthetic out of mental illnesses. They make it seem poetic and sensual by making the characters exceptionally attractive and their issues played out like thought-provoking play write. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a movie known for its depiction of the main character living with several mental disorders, but it does not accurately represent the reality of someone struggling with a mental illness. The “mental disorders” displayed onscreen are merely struggles of a normal teenager going through hormonal changes. So the question remains; does the movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower accurately depict mental illness? There are many ways to define this since mental illness and its representation have such a broad spectrum, it is important to analyze the protagonist and how genuine his performance is, as well as the way the plot portrays the struggles of facing a constant internal battle.

The plot of The Perks of Being a Wallflower does have beautiful moments, but also many inaccurate scenes that take away from the movie’s attempt to be genuine. The main character, Charlie, falls in the classic “sad protagonist ” category. The plot revolves around Charlie’s battle with depression and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic describes depression as “a mood disorder that causes someone to consistently feel sad and have a loss of interest,’ and describes anxiety as “an emotion that is characterized by feelings of worry, tension, and physical changes.” The movie opens up with Charlie writing a letter to his friend, and discussing how he spent time in the hospital over the summer since he attempted suicide and how he doesn’t want to be the weird sad kid in high school; immediately introduces the subject of mental health to the plot. He then meets two people; Sam (his love interest) and Patrick, who were Charlie’s first friends. Charlie continues to write to his friend throughout the movie, and through these letters, viewers can see the improvement Charlie’s wellbeing has made, as well as his feelings for Sam increasing. While there are poetic exchanges between the characters and moments that make your heart flutter such as Sam gifting Charlie a typewriter because he wants to be an author; the main critic for the plot is that it has all been done before. Take a look at a plot from any movie that groups together teens and depression and there will be a common theme. The character is introduced with said mental disorders; the character struggles to adapt to new circumstances; then finds someone who loves them unconditionally and wallah! Miraculously, the character feels perfect and free. One scene, in particular, is when Charlie decides to go to the homecoming dance alone and dances until hes accompanied by his friends. This is far from accurate with actual depression and anxiety. In many cases, people who suffer with depression and anxiety want to just lie in the dark away from civilization. They do not want to go to a huge event with people from the school they dread going to, and especially not alone. Even when they do get up and try and be optimistic, they still appear sad and lost. Because they are. It is not something that is cured by finding the supposed love of your life, or realizing you are satisfied with yourself as The Perks of Being a Wallflower portrays; that is called being a normal teenager.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower does not correctly show its audience about being young and mentally unstable; Charlie is a great character that will steal your heart, but he does not completely portray someone with a problem. To begin, Charlie, throughout the movie, narrates what is going through his head. His main priority is Sam, and his pureness and innocence contribute to his attempts at love, which was really the highlight of the movie. In one scene, there is a timelapse of the two studying for the ACT throughout the summer, fall, and winter seasons. And another where Sam wants to be Charlie’s first kiss so “it’ll be someone who loves him,” Sam claims. It was heartwarming seeing Charlie want to get better in order to love someone, but it also is the pinnacle of romanticizing mental illness. Another thing about Charlie is his aunt Helen- who is later revealed to have molested him as a child- is mentioned very frequently; it is obvious that Charlie has PTSD from the events involving his Aunt, but it is never made clear that that is the root of his depression and anxiety. It seems as though Charlie is not too sure why he is the way he is, but he reveals he takes medication and was receiving professional help, so it is a bit contradictory to say he had no idea what was going on. Also, whenever Charlie was around his friends Sam and Patrick he was completely content and constantly said that he “finally felt okay with himself.” While there is some accuracy in this, in that when you are depressed or anxious and finally find someone you’re comfortable with being your true self around, it can make a world of a difference. However, Charlie went overboard and always appeared as if he was cured and was never going to deal with his issues again. This isn’t accurate because when someone is dealing with an actual mental disorder they tend to lose interest in maintaining relationships and participating in activities or being social. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, it is definitely having recurring thoughts or concerns that disrupt your everyday life. It is not throwing a fit towards your dad and mom, or crying while slamming the door and feeling enraged. When someone is diagnosed with a mental disorder, it is not just one day out of the week; there is a consistent struggle,. Every day someone struggles with going about their normal life because their inner fear and worry are too strong. The fear of constantly letting loved ones down or that something bad will happen at any given moment is a harsh reality; worrying constantly about not being good enough to complete even the simplest tasks. It is constantly being scared of possibly losing control, fear of the future, falling sick or even the weather. Mental Disorders are strong enough to lead a person into a hole because he or she is too scared to talk to people, or even be around people, or even exist.

Oftentimes, depression and anxiety are portrayed as something cliche, something that all teenagers will face, and something that a person should want. This is not the case. Yes, at some point in life, everyone will have little fits of depression and feel a little bit anxious, but that is not having depression or having an anxiety disorder. Yes, teenagers more often fall into depression; however, it is more serious than it is portrayed. As someone who struggles with a few mental disorders of my own, it is difficult to sit through a movie in which a teenage character suffers from “mental disorders” for a very short period of time and then is cured forever. Any mental illness takes months to years for proper treatment, but even then, there will still be days depression quietly lurks in the shadows. Anxiety is a lot more than just worrying what the future will hold; it is worrying, in general. Worrying about anything and everything, no matter how miniscule it may seem to outsiders. These mental disorders are not something that is instantly cured by getting everything you want, or something that a person wants to have, which is how The Perks of Being a Wallflower portrays it.

Reflective Essay on Who Moved My Cheese

I am currently studying Bachelor’s degree program at Shanghai Second Polytechnic University in China. I have decided to apply for this think-tank platform because I am sure it would strongly enrich my future studies and help me in my prospective career. A few weeks ago, I read a book named ‘Who moved my cheese?’. That book illustrates how people encounter change and go through it in different ways. Some people don’t like the change, they tend to stay in their comfort zone and just stuck it in the middle of their fear that they might do something wrong. But, ‘What if we weren’t afraid of? What can we do if we weren’t afraid of the change?’. This question, only changed my mindset 360 degrees. I realized people are allowed to make mistakes. We’re not perfect but we are imperfectly perfect. Change is the law of life. If we only see the past and present, we could be miss the future. There is a word in Mongolia: ‘A fool who went is better than a wise who settle’. According to this word, I would like to go to Austria for a change of my life. I believe that I would obtain enough knowledge, and information and find a way and solution which could recover suffers of all Mongolians. Moreover, I consider this forum as a great opportunity to get in touch with European culture and the educational system. Last but not least, I am very curious about different approaches to get knowledge and experience.

I want to share a wonderful story to you. Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. As of this moment, I am that second mouse. The last project I worked on at my previous school was the creation of a social activity club that aimed to contribute the rapid reduction and recycling of the waste in Mongolia. It started out as my simple idea and evolved into a team. We did some research and met the people who are charged in ‘The national recycling association in Mongolia’. After a few weeks, we started to sort the waste, with the biggest service companies, schools, kindergartens, and even some apartments. I helped our team meet and exceed every deadline and goal, and I believed that we all can do the biggest wave to change the social mind to create a new nonwasteful environment.

I was always a good and obedient girl, always do the things that my parents want and following their wish. But on the other hand, I didn’t feel happy, I just felt like I was living someone else’s life. It was like being lost in a dark cave, and I couldn’t find a way out. They always wanted me to go to Japan to study on a scholarship because I learned Japanese so well in high school. I prepared the test without thinking another possibility. I just focused on that test. I was confident. I was brave. But something tragic happened. I didn’t feel good on the test day, so I failed. After I failed the test, I barely see my parent’s face. I feel so devastated.

Reflective Statement on The Stranger

In the course of the interactive oral presentation, many aspects of the stranger by Albert Camus were discussed and explained by my mates. I learned a lot about the characters both the minor and the major ones. More importantly, I got a clearer view of Raymond’s character throughout the play and the role he plays in Meursault’s downfall. So in the course of reading the novel or text, Raymond is introduced at nearly the end of part one of the novel and he is said to be Meursault’s neighbor and he is said to be disliked in his neighborhood, with more precisions, we see him as a pimp masquerading as a warehouse worker. As we go further in the text, we discover he has so much to do with the major character and the way they act because he acts as a catalyst to the scenes going on in the novel and leads to Meursault’s downfall.

Furthermore, Meursault is seen to be somewhat manipulated directly and indirectly by all what his friend Raymond says and this can be seen through the multiple ways in which he reacts to what is said to him. Even though they both share the same traits, the probability that one of them always abuse the other is very high and in this case we see that’s what Raymond always does which leads us to the conclusion that Raymond really has a high influence on Meursault’s life and in his decision making. In the novel, we see there exists a number of instances where Raymond uses Meursault as his follower or for his sheep. Three of these instances are when Raymond arranges a meeting with a woman meanwhile Meursault is married, creating conflict scene between this couple. Again we have Raymond implicating Meursault in his conflict with the Arabs which finally leads to his downfall. Even though in the course of the reading we see many characters coming in and out of Meursault’s life, such as his mother, old sola mano, Mary, the chaplain and many others but Raymond is the only one who shapes Meursault’s journey negatively. Comment by NERISTAR: Conflict passes the message across better Camus supports the basis of his novel by telling the story of a young man that expresses his lack of feeling as he goes through a number of events. The aim of the author is to explain the concept of existentialism and existence so that the reader can better understand the basis of existentialism. The Stranger, published by Albert Camus in the early 1940s, is a fictional novel set in Algiers. The first-person narrator, Mr. Meursault, describes his life in a memoir-like fashion beginning from the day after his mother’ death. Meursault is mentally disconnected from its surrounding world. Meursault is likewise honest, this means that he does now not think of hiding his loss of feeling by dropping fake tears over his mother’s death. In displaying his indifference Meursault does not grieve, and hence society sees him as an outsider, a threat, even a monster. At his trial, the fact that he had no reaction to his mother’s demise damages his reputation some distance greater than his taking of any other person’s life. Comment by NERISTAR: Is this an opinion or someone’s words, if so reference

Do pals exist? A feasible answer can be yes however the fact is that true pal are uncommon to be seen. There are human beings accessible who grow to be so near to each different that their lives and desires are intertwined, and they live close to each other forever. But fake friends are like shadows, they observe you in the sun and depart you inside the dark and yet the majority of friends are ultimate only some years, and some are people who use others for his or her benefit. For example via the character of Raymond, Albert Camus presents the negative influence “pals” play on one’s movements and future. Raymond is said to be Meursault’s neighbor who adopts Meursault as a friend by means of enlisting him to assist sort out a struggle along with his mistress. Though exposed in the court as a pimp, he tends to speak round with truth or lie which will present himself in an excellent light, showing a situation for public opinion.

Because Raymond’s person traits assess significantly with Meursault’s, he also features as a foil for Meursault. Whereas Meursault person is truly amoral we see Raymond is instead immoral. Additionally, in the period in-between Meursault passively reacts to the events around him, while Raymond initiates action. He invitations Meursault to dinner and to the beach, and he seeks out the Arabs after his first fight with them, which in end can display Raymond as an evil man or woman. Raymond plays a large role inside the conviction of Meursault all through the trial, as he influences lots of the choices made in advance in Meursault’s existence. Meursault is stimulated negatively by means of Raymond fundamental to his loss of life sentence. This is demonstrated by the pressure exerted on Meursault to testify against the mistress of Raymond, Meursault’s violent role in the use of aggression against the Arab, and while, Raymond describes Meursault as “a pal”, which leads to the loss of life Meursault is sentenced to. (THE stranger book1 analysis, 2020)

Raymond serves as a catalyst for plotting The Stranger. He gets into conflict with her uncle, an Arab, after Raymond beats and abuses his mistress. Raymond draws Meursault into war with “the Arab,” and in the long run Meursault kills the Arab in cold blood. By drawing Meursault into the battle that finally affects in Meursault’s death sentence, Raymond, in a sense, reasons Meursault’s downfall. This responsibility on Raymond’s aspect is symbolized through the reality that he gives Meursault the gun that Meursault later makes use of to kill the Arab. However, due to the fact the murder and next trial bring about Meursault’s realization of the indifference of the universe, Raymond also may be seen as a catalyst of Meursault’s “enlightenment.”

The creation of Raymond in the novel results in the climax or the rising action inside the novel because he effects convince Meursault to help him in his schemes to punish his mistress, and to testify on his behalf on the police station. On the alternative hand, Raymond appears to feel some loyalty toward Meursault. He asserts Meursault’s innocence on the murder trial, attributing the events leading as a good deal because the killing to “chance.” With thorough conviction and compliments, Raymond manipulates Meursault into agreeing with the whole thing he has to say.

Also, Raymond, Meursault’s neighbor, invites Meursault to dinner. Raymond is broadly believed to be a pimp, but when each person asks approximately his occupation he replies that he’s a “warehouse guard.” Over dinner, Raymond requests Meursault’s advice about something, and then asks Meursault whether or not he would like to be “friends.” Meursault offers no objection, so Raymond launches into his story. Raymond tells Meursault that when he suspected that his mistress become cheating on him, he beat her, and she left him. This altercation led Raymond into a fight together with his mistress’s brother, an Arab. Raymond remains attracted to his mistress but desires to punish her for her infidelity. His plan is to write a letter expressing her remorse and bringing her back to him. He wants to sleep with her, and spit in her ear, ‘right on the last minute.’ . Raymond then asks Meursault to write down the letter, and Meursault responds that he could not thoughts doing it. Raymond is thrilled with Meursault’s effort, so he tells Meursault that they are now “buddies.” In his narrative, Meursault reflects that he “didn’t thoughts” of being buddies with Raymond. Salamano’s dog is crying quietly, as Meursault returns to his bed. . (Meursault’s Dinner with Raymond: A Christian Theme in Albert Camus’s ‘L’Étranger’)

A bargain of ambiguity exists in Raymond’s relationship with Meursault. On one hand, Raymond uses Meursault. He without issues convinces Meursault to assist him in his schemes to punish his mistress, and to testify on his behalf on the police station. On the other hand, Raymond seems to revel in some loyalty toward Meursault. ‘He argues Meursault’s innocence in the murder case, attributing to’ risk ‘the events leading up to the killing. Raymond’s association with Meursault’s motive is feasible.’, best to apply him, and then, like Marie, turns into interested in Meursault’s peculiarities.

Although Raymond causes Meursault to be put in prison, he can be seen as earlier said as the catalyst to Meursault’s “enlightenment” as well as his downfall. This is because Meursault’s epic epiphany of universe ignorance, and his life itself, is brought about by the murder and trial. Their friendship has a good quantity of ambiguity as the two guys are polar opposites, and Raymond enforces movements that Meursault would have by no means taken by way of himself. Raymond first of all desired to be friends with Meursault because he changed into wise and useful to Raymond, but as the unconventional continued, Raymond became interested in his peculiarities and he developed a devoted friendship to Meursault. This is shown while he attempts to shield Meursault on the trial and declare his innocence, attributing the events main up to the crime as a “threat”, what’s even risk? Can we define it as the possibility of something happening? And if it’s the case, why is this case so ironic? Ultimately, Meursault and Raymond’s friendship turned into a toxic one, however, he gave Meursault the risk to specific his emotion and come to an awareness approximately his life that nothing certainly matters. Raymond unknowingly evoked the best emotion we see from Meursault, and is the catalyst to, essentially, the entire plot. Raymond is the most essential minor man or woman in Camus’ novel, The Stranger, and performs a critical role in the improvement of Meursault’s individual.

To conclude, the influence of Raymond is negative towards Meursault and leads to Meursault’s death sentence. The peer pressure put on Meursault to testify towards Raymond’s mistress sets Meursault up and became the first of many instances wherein Meursault becomes manipulated into doing something. The aggression of Meursault to apply violence against the Arab is a compelled demand that Meursault is to combat for Raymond in times of hardships as if Raymond owns Meursault. Finally, the assertion of Meursault as “a pal” impacts the jury heavily because Raymond runs a whorehouse and the people one hangs out with have robust effects. Together, these 3 things cause Meursault’s downfall and the demise sentence out of which Raymond is the one to blame.

References

  1. Meursault’s Dinner with Raymond: A Christian Theme in Albert Camus’s ‘L’Étranger’. (2020, February 10). Retrieved from google: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44314019?seq=1
  2. THE stranger book1 analysis. (2020, February 10). Retrieved from litchart: https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-stranger/book-1-chapter-6

Analytical Essay on Dave Eggers’ Dystopian Novel ‘The Circle’ and the Cult Theme

When you think of a cult, what is the first thing you think of? KKK, Manson Family, or Heaven’s Gate? Would you consider the Internet to be a cult? “A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object” is the definition according to the dictionary. Throughout history, there have been many real-life and fictional interpretations of what a cult really is. In Dave Eggers’ novel ‘The Circle’, he portrays a highly innovative technology company that portrays a few aspects of what someone might call a ‘cult’. Upon reading the book, there are a few instances that reveal a bit of a religious undertone within the story. For instance, the first sentence alone is an allusion to religion, “My God, Mae thought. It’s heaven”. We also encounter a drunk seminarian, and Bailey mentions he comes from a church background. Throughout the book, we continue to see similarities in The Circle’s morals to that of a religion or a cult.

The Circle is constantly active in social gatherings and presentations like a religion might have with a church (Sunday services, schools, gatherings for Easter). The Circle also interferes with Mae’s personal life and her morals quite a bit (ban on certain drinks or food with some religions). An aspect that any religion or cult might have on somebody. For example, after the kayaking incident, when they claim to have footage of Mae stealing a kayak she is condemned for her actions when in reality is a completely normal activity. However, the best example of the Circle’s cult-like behavior is the actual choosing of Mae Holland, who is depicted as a vulnerable individual. A cult would clearly be interested in a person like this transforming into the ideal being to transform. And there are many examples of her transformation. One clear one is her relationship with her old college roommate, Annie Allerton, who even got her the job in the first place. At the beginning of the novel, we read of Mae and Annie’s close bond, “they’d roomed together for three semesters in college, in an ugly building made habitable through their extraordinary bond, something like friends, something like sisters or cousins who wished they were siblings and would have reason never to be apart”. However, at the very end of the book, when Annie is unconscious, Mae is struck with envy because she cannot know what Annie is thinking at that moment. “Mae felt a twinge of envy. She wondered what Annie was thinking”. A clear transformation in morals has taken place. To a certain degree. ‘The Circle’ can be seen as Mae’s battle of her soul. She clearly does not have true morals, to begin with. This is evident in the way she readily hands over her free will for acknowledgment and acceptance into The Circle. We see this clearly by the end of the book in which Mae reports Kalden after he warns her about The Circle’s true intentions. A person she even built an intimate relationship with, was betrayed just because of how much The Circle’s intentions were now ingrained in her. A real-world example of a cult similar would be ‘The Family International’, which has radical and extremist views on Christianity, yet remain respectful to legal and civil authorities, while some have said the cult is ruining lives, there continues to be a following.

These aspects all clearly point to the Circle being a cult, and while it very well might be, I don’t think that is what Eggars intended. I believe Eggars intended to present a theme of how this constant use of technology shapes our ideals and morals. And while that might be true to an extent a lot has occurred with technology since 2013, Perhaps Eggars was trying to say we are all a part of a cult ourselves, the Internet. While the Internet might not be a religion that others might think is sinister, or there is one leader who is mysterious, it is purely for the sake of the theme of the book. And with the rising popularity of websites like YouTube and Instagram more and more individuals are getting trapped, and with the rise in new websites, also comes new technology, like the iPhone, which lets us easier access these features. While Eggars might be using this cult-like group to access the problem with modern technology, I would disagree. With the Internet, we can get access to information right at our fingertips and communicate with somebody anytime we desire. It is now easy to contact family internationally or track a child who may be lost, or contact an old friend. Many love to post about either important or unimportant stages in their lives that don’t really affect others in the end, yet it gives them happy just to see who liked it or commented on it. It’s not just personal aspects of technology that are positive, there is now a rise in carriers due to the Internet, and people can now have eBay and Amazon as a source of income instead of a traditional job. While Eggers’ goal might be to use satire and hyperbole to draw attention to the serious problems that social networking is creating, this is not the reality of the situation as we can clearly see how the internet and social networking have created new relationships and is a good outlet for people to share their thoughts.

So, while The Circle might not be outright labeled a cult it is clear there are certain aspects of it that can possibly help validate the idea, and while Eggers might be using his novel as an outlet to share his thoughts on the negativity of the rise in technology, many, including myself, would disagree otherwise.

Reference

  1. Eggers, Dave. The Circle. New York. Random House LLC, 2013. Print.

Literary Analysis of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’: Critical Essay

A few stories can influence individuals inwardly, yet every so often a story can call an individual to run away from it. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a captivating story with mind-blowing utilization of setting and shocking characters that draws in perusers and can move them to encounter life more profoundly. As a youngster, J.R.R. Tolkien lived in Africa until his dad died. At that point, his mom moved them to England. Mrs. Tolkien verified that her kids learned writing and dialects. It was likely due to some degree of his mom’s impact that Tolkien became what his identity was: a creator and a language specialist.

Tolkien had an extraordinary enthusiasm for ‘cloud’ dialects, even to the point of making his own. He called it High-Elven and regularly in his accounts he utilized the language. Tolkien additionally concocted a whole world called Middle-earth, where ‘The Lord of the Rings’ happens. Since he had created this world, it needed to bow to his will and rules. He was a practiced language specialist, and this significantly helped his capacity to distinctively depict and make in the peruser’s mind Middle-earth, a spot that no individual has ever been.

Sanctions characterizes the setting as ‘the place and time of the story’. Also, as per Charters, “When the author finds the account in a physical setting, the peruser is moved along bit by bit toward acknowledgment of the fiction” (Charters, 1008).

Tolkien’s setting gives the peruser a feeling of goodness or perniciousness. Not at all like a situation that is expelled from the work, Tolkien’s setting at times is the story. Potentially, the setting could even recount the story if there were no characters. For instance, in the place of Elrond of the mythical beings, Frodo’s experience is characterized by the setting: “He [Frodo] discovered his companions sitting in a yard on the house looking east. Shadows had fallen in the valley beneath, yet there was as yet light on the essences of the mountains far above. The air was warm. The sound of running and falling water was uproarious, and the night was loaded up with a black-out fragrance of trees and blooms, as though summer still waited in Elrond’s nurseries” (220). This depicts a tranquil spot that isn’t exactly reality. The remainder of the world is moving into winter, yet Elrond’s nurseries haven’t understood that yet.

Next, is another case of how Tolkien utilizes setting to make an image that couldn’t be acquired by simply clarifying the view. Tolkien can breathe life into a spot with words. We can see this when the Fellowship ends up experiencing the Mines of Moria: “The company went through that night in the extraordinary huge lobby, crouched near one another in a corner to get away from the draft: there appeared to be a consistent inflow of chill air through the eastern opening. About them, as they lay hung the dimness, empty and colossal, and they were abused by the depression and inconceivability of the dolven lobbies and interminably fanning stairs and sections. The most out-of-control imaginings that dull talk had ever proposed to the hobbits missed the mark concerning the real fear and marvel of Moria” (307). This portrayal is one of fear and dread, however like the involvement with Elrond’s home, it is loaded up with word pictures. It tells the peruser that this spot is horrendous and that some malevolent is in the air.

Obviously, Tolkien got analysis as all essayists do. For example, Burton Raffel takes the conclusion that Tolkien’s portrayals regularly neglect to make ‘sense impressions’ that are expected to make language all the more profoundly felt and all the more profoundly worked. Raffel likewise asserted that Tolkien’s temperament depictions are as often as possible fairly overwrought.

All things considered, I keep up that Tolkien’s remarkable capacity to paint an image with words brings the peruser into a spot they’ve never been, and still figures out how to keep them following the story. The characters that Tolkien shrewdly made complement the setting and breathe life into them further. This is an ascribe to an incredible setting. Sanctions clarifies that “setting must likewise have an emotional use. It must appear, or if nothing else felt, to influence character or plot” (Charters, 1008). All through ‘The Lord of the Rings’, the setting is forcing emotions onto the characters (for example, dread, fear, and quietness).

Sanctions portrays characters in writing as “the individuals who get something going or produce an impact”, and clarifies that the “characters must wake up” (Charters, 1006-1007). Tolkien got an analysis of his characters from Raffel too. Raffel feels that there is too minimal significant truth about human reality and our own presence in Tolkien’s characters. Kathryn Crabbe appears to differ with this announcement. In her endeavors to depict the characters as chivalrous, she likewise gives us they have some extremely present-day human attributes. Crabbe says that Frodo is neither more grounded than most men, nor bolder than most. He is caring in his affection for his friends. If there isn’t sufficient ‘important truth about human reality’ in Tolkien’s composition, at that point possibly it is on the grounds that he depicts an image of conventional individuals at their best. The saints in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ don’t capitulate to abhorrence. They don’t coincidentally get found doing great. They are sacrificial. Isn’t this precisely mankind at its best?

Center Earth is where the otherworldliness of an individual is firmly associated with the truth of the individual. Tolkien’s characters are not insignificant individuals. Everyone has a position and employment known to man also, something to make them chivalrous and overwhelming directly down to Sam, whose reason it would appear is to watch and ensure his ‘lord’. This is apparent all through the books, yet particularly toward the finish of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, when Sam, presently seeing exactly what may lie ahead, demands going with Frodo (397). The characters show that not simply anybody can finish this journey. It requires a particular individual for each activity. For instance, there is an explanation that Tom Bombadil can’t take the Ring even though he is impenetrable to its capacity. Destiny has picked Frodo. In this manner, Tolkien makes a story that even the normal individual can identify with. It drives individuals to see the conceivable outcomes of enormity among ordinary people and reestablishes our expectations in the incredible ones. Nearly anybody can discover at any rate one saint among the cooperation.

Something that makes ‘The Lord of the Rings’ so convincing is how the setting and characters cooperate to deliver a definitive effect. The characters make the setting progressively strong. As the outer setting impacts each character, the peruser perceives how the battle gets inward. We are persuaded that the characters are firmly associated with the earth. The decent variety of the setting and characters essentially drives us to see the uniqueness of each spot. Where a gathering of caverns may give us one idea, hearing Gimli talk about the loftiness of his cavern experience encourages us to welcome the assorted variety of the gathering and to see it through a cavern’s inhabitants’ eyes. “‘These are not openings’, said Gimli. ‘This is the incredible domain and city of the Dwarrowdelf. Furthermore, of old, it was not darksome, yet loaded with light and magnificence, as is still recollected in our songs’” (307).

‘The Lord of the Rings’ is basically a tale about the battle between good sections malicious. The setting enables the story to exemplify the challenges the characters face. The characters experience the preliminaries and offer their sentiments of dread and triumph with us. The two work together to make a magnificent depiction of outer and interior battles that yield a generally inconceivable impact.

Summary and Critical Analysis of Crimes and Punishments: Critical Analysis

Introduction

This essay will critically assess Cesare Beccaria’s On Crime and Punishment, displaying how his ideas influenced the way in which crime is viewed and punished in current society. Beccaria was born in Italy in 1738, where globally, crime was viewed as the work of the devil. Punishments were harsh and barbaric with the use of capital punishment which was in place to eliminate those who seemed as devious. Beccaria’s ‘On Crime and Punishment’ was published although it was in conflict with the views of the mass of its era. He believed that law and punishment should be standard for all people regardless of influences such as wealth and status.

Summary and Critical Analysis of Crimes and Punishments:

Key principles presented in Beccaria’s ‘On Crimes and Punishment’ are rationality, free will, hedonism, certainty and proportionality. He concluded that all citizens were a part of a social contract that binds them to laws that once broken are punishable (Beccaria, 1764, p.17). Persons of society who violated this social contract were said to have done so making rational choices, and utilizing their free will. Through using hedonism, an individual considers whether the pleasure and benefits of the offense outweigh the punishment determining whether they commit the crime or not. The limitation of Beccaria’s idea of hedonism is that he fails to acknowledge that not all people of society are able to make rational decisions due to diminished responsibility. Diminished responsibility may be given to a person who has a medical condition such as mental instability. According to the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2017, 31,328 UK prisoners were reported to have mental health/well-being issues which is 37 percent of the monthly average prison population. This shows that a large number of criminals lack the ability to be rational due to circumstances beyond their control. Beccaria also makes the assumption of people being able to exercise their own free will, making calculated decisions whilst committing crimes. This may not be a fact as globally, the more unequal the country, the higher the prison population due to poverty being the driving source of crime (Wilkinson & Pickett, 2011).

Beccaria proposed that of punishment was essential if attempting to deter society from offending in the first place through his statement ‘’ I have said that the promptness of punishments is more useful because when the length of time that passes between the punishment and the misdeed is less, so much the stronger and more lasting in the human mind is the association of these two ideas, ‘crime and punishment’ having an inevitable effect (Beccaria, 1764, p.19). This can be proven in society because rape culture has stayed the same for the majority of the world. People in communities that are aware that sexual abuse rarely results in a conviction lead to the rate of rape in their society being greater than those who see more convictions. The statistics from the BBC report show that sexual offenses have the least amount of offenses leading to arrests. This allows for society to continue to take advantage of others as crime and punishment are not closely associated in a person’s mind.

Beccaria had ideas that he believed would prevent crimes. He stated that ‘to enlarge the sphere of crime is to increase the probability of there being a crime committed’ (Beccaria, 1764, p.23). Society should not have laws that crush the people however the USA ignoring this ‘method of prevention’ has resulted in the homes of minorities being impaired. According to the marijuana timeline of the PBS, the enactment of federal laws (Boggs Act, 1952; Narcotics Control Act, 1956) set mandatory sentences for drug-related offenses, including marijuana. A first-offense marijuana possession held a minimum sentence of 2-10 years including a fine of up to $20,000. This had a direct effect to the prison population as in the 1950s, approximately 23,000 people were in the custody of the federal prison and 186,000 in the state (Ori, 2011). Americans at this time became concerned over the swift growth in the prison population, proving the theory of enlarging the sphere of crime increases the probability of crime to be true (Beccaria, 1764).

Beccaria understood education to be a way of preventing crime, expressing that ‘the surest but most difficult way to prevent crimes is by perfecting education’ (Beccaria, 1764, p.24). This can be confirmed by statistics given by The Spirit Level. It indicates that there is a ‘strong social gradient in imprisonment, with people of the lower class, income and education much more likely to be sent to prison than people higher up the social scale’ (Wilkinson & Pickett, 2009, p.149). If the management of education and equality were to be handled adequately in society, the prevention of imprisonment would be better off as people would have sophisticated means to prevent or come out of poverty in the first instance.

Beccaria emphasizes on there always being a meaning behind the action of an individual. He fails to acknowledge that in some instances, science and nature have a role in criminal acts. The positivist theory heavily contradicts Beccaria’s work criticizing his point that ‘whoever commits murder or theft, is alone the absolute arbiter to decide whether he wants to commit the crime or not’, denying the possibility of the crime being performed due to genetics. The positivist acts highlight that actually, some actions or lack of actions can disrupt the peace in society such as the scenario of the railway accident that lead to the death of civilians, but was completely accidental due to fatigue. Beccaria fails to acknowledge any accidental instances of crime which means his theory although useful to an extent, is not 100% solid to take on as a fact. Enrico Ferri, the Italian criminologist created five classifications of criminals which are born criminals, occasional criminals, passionate criminals, insane criminals and habitual criminals all of which can be proven to an extent. Beccaria’s work again goes completely against Enrico Ferri’s classification of born criminals as he believes crime is due to free will. The twin study of the Jim twins reveals that in certain cases, nature is to blame for many human behaviors as these twins lead nearly identical lives, marrying women with the same name and having the same occupation. (Miller, 2012)

Conclusion

In conclusion, Beccaria’s On the Crime and Punishment has been paramount in the reformation of punishing crime. We now live in a society where the punishment of crime at least makes an attempt to be proportionate to the crime hence why we do not have life sentences for petty offenses. In the UK, by taking on Beccaria’s idea of not using further violence as a crime deterrent, our crime rates are lower than the countries that do, proving violence does not work as a deterrent (Wilkinson & Pickett, 2009). However, his point of all people being equal before the judge fails because of the barriers that come with poverty. Undoubtedly the more money a person has, the greater the chance of them being disregarded for a crime they are guilty of because their money is able to purchase them quality lawyers with the suitable skills for a specific case. Another limitation of Beccaria’s work which expresses itself in today’s society is the treatment of offenders with mental instabilities. They are treated the same as those with capacity but really should be helped and given tools in order to deal with the issues they face. This would be efficient in the prevention of crime because potential criminals would then be able to interpret and counsel their urges more practically.

Summary and Critical Analysis of Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is an 18-year-old German who lives in England- Hull. Crusoe dreams of going on cruises, despite his father’s opposition to his dream because his two older brothers are gone because of the adventures. When his parents refuse to go to any cruise even if one, he escapes with a friend and plans to pass to London in a safe way. But the disaster begins immediately, the weather was rough, then the ship was forced to land in Yarmouth. When Crusoe’s friend knows that he left his family without their permission, he gets angry, and telling him that he should never come to the sea. Crusoe made his way to London by land, sometimes he thinks returning to home, but cannot endure to live in humiliation. He found a voyage to Guyana, when he arrived, wanted to start the trade but was attacked by Turkish pirates and brought all the passengers to a Moroccan port. They took Robinson as their slave, and he planned to escape for two years. He gets a chance to fish with two young Moroccans, then expel one of them and tell the other (Xury) that he can stay and be faithful with him. They settle in an unknown land, and then see that black people live there. These natives were very kindly with Crusoe and Xury. Somewhere close to them, they see a Portuguese ship. They can row until they get there, and the captain sees them and helps them, where he will take them out for free and bring them to Brazil.

Robinson goes to Brazil and Xury remains with the captain. The captain and widow in England are the financial custodians of Crusoe. In Brazil, Crusoe sees that farms make a lot of money, so he buys one. After years, he has partners, and everyone works well financially. Crusoe has a suggestion to start a new business, these men want slave trade, and choose Robinson to be the master of this trade post. Then, Crusoe decides to make a voyage, but during the voyage the ship is shattered by a strong storm, Robinson Crusoe is the only survivor, and then he can reach an island. Robinson stayed on the island for 27 years. During these years he reconfigured his life as the English did, built a house, learned cooking, planted crops and raised goats.

At first, he was so desperate, but he used religion as a reason to calm him down, he convinced himself that living here was better than Europe because he became simple and less evil. One day, he tried to explore the rest of the island, but he is almost swept away and he did not try again. He has pets cares about. He has not seen a man for almost 15 years on the island. However, one day he sees a footprint, and later discovers that cannibalistic savages eating prisoners. They do not live on the island, so Crusoe gets angry, and decides to save the prisoners when the savages appear again. Several years later, they returned. He used his guns to scare them, and Crusoe can save a young man, whom he named ‘Friday’.

Friday was grateful to Crusoe, and became his servant. Crusoe taught him English and Christianity. They lived together happily for a long time. Another ship of savages came with three prisoners. Crusoe and Friday rescued two of them, one Spanish and the other Friday’s father. They were very happy with the reunion. A few months later, he rescued the Spanish’s men. Robinson rejoiced at the presence of people on his island. Before the Spaniard and Friday’s father can return, a boat of European men comes ashore. There are three prisoners. While most of the men are exploring the island, Crusoe learns from one that he is the captain of a ship whose crew mutinied. Robinson agrees to help them but if they leave the authority of the island for him and they promise him to take Friday and himself to England for free. The agreement is done, Crusoe helped them, the captain regained his ship and Robinson and Friday returned to England. Despite he went for 35 years ago, but his farms have made enormous wealth. He gives money to the Portuguese leader and the widow who treated him kindly, returns to the English countryside, settles there, marries and becomes has three children. When his wife dies, he goes back to the sea.

The features, motives, objectives and literary/ theoretical perspectives of travel literature:

One of features in travel narratives is it often employed the first hand narrator/traveler as the focus of attention. The first hand narrator or the ‘I’ of the narrative is the center of the consciousness surrounding which the travel narrative works (Stevenson, 2005). An example of that, in Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, in the novel Robinson use the pronoun ‘I’ when he speaks about himself which is reflect the first-person narrator.

Also, the traveler often has a feeling of alienation in the new/foreign environment, creating notable changes in his/her subject matter. This feeling of alienation applied in travel literature, because the writer shows how the traveler will encounter a new culture and adopted his ideas according to the various experiences that he/she had (Stevenson, 2005). For example, Robinson Crusoe cast away on an isolated island, it is a real alienation with no body on the island. But Robinson encounter this new life by attempts to create another life for himself. He adapts with his situation through self-sufficiency and hard work.

There are some motives that encourage writers to write in travel literature:

There came a time when people were very much curious about explorations and voyages to unknown destinations (Nienke, 2013). This curiosity and the love of marine or land adventures are the main motive for travel at the time, and of course it is essential in travel to write literary works that tell the stories of these adventures and the cultures of the countries. It is clearly shown in Robinson Crusoe that the initial reason for his travelling is that he is compelled to see the world. Although this means rebellion against his father and God’s providential designs, which have combined to provide him with a comfortable middle-class life in law, Crusoe is intent on travel.

Another motive is that many writers see travel literature also otherwise considered to be mediators between the reader and text. Many times, travelogue is the prism through which the reader is introduced to the cultures and traditions of a foreign country (Basumatary, 2018). For example, postcolonialism in Robinson Crusoe has an impact on cultures and societies because in the first chapter of the novel Robinson Crusoe said that England was his native country although his real native country in Berman. England was the strongest as well, there was a culture that England’s people of pure white race were better than other nations.

Literary/ theoretical perspectives of travel literature:

Daniel (2017) states that scholarly investigation of travel practices and travel writing from the early modern period through to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries has proved a buoyant field of inquiry in the last twenty years. They have different literary and theoretical perspectives on travel literature in relation to English and British travel, adding new contexts and perspectives on questions of national identity; the role of religion in shaping the discussion of foreign cultures; and the physical and embodied condition of “exotic” travel.

For example, Literary/ theoretical perspectives of travel literature on questions of national identity is shown in Robinson Crusoe novel. Crusoe’s nation identity is affected by colonialism, he became an embodiment of the spirit of Englishness although he is German. His island becomes a microcosm of the British colonies, his methods of subjugating it then reflects the complex ways in which British imperialism functioned.

Wilson (2004) stresses that Robinson Crusoe “is a singular seminal text for an understanding of how Protestant evangelism informs English identity that is also equally shaped by imperialism and empire in eighteenth-century England.”

Literary/ theoretical perspectives of travel literature on questions of religion in shaping the discussion of foreign cultures. Religion contributed in forming the culture, it was known that anyone who violates religion exposes himself to divine punishment, and any disadvantages occur to him are the punishment of God. When Robinson violated his father’s orders, it is considered God’s disobedience, then the ship sank and he saw punishment from God. Thus, Defoe is clearly affected in the novel by religious ideas.

Also, according to the role of religion in foreign culture, and its role in travel literature, Robinson Crusoe is first rebellious, then atones for his sins, and then converts himself and others to Christianity. Religious changes in Robinsons character were shaped by the culture.

Literary/ theoretical perspectives of travel literature on questions of the physical and embodied condition of “exotic” travel. Further, the confrontation between man and nature, and nature and civilization. These are mostly physical conditions in travel. After the shipwreck, the protagonist founds himself on the uninhabited island, so he is alone with the wild environment in its original form. Such as a biological organism is at stake. Storm, hurricane, scorching sun, hunger, wild flora and fauna exist on their unique rules. Therefore, the hero has to accept the conditions of the game to survive, not being able to change them.

Robinson encountered all the physical conditions by adapting with them and even overcome the exotic feeling in travel.

Setting (of travel writings) as a literary device in 18th -19th century novels / short story; how setting has helped in narration:

Travel narratives are often recording of the setting (the places, people, and occurrences of a particular region that a traveler visits) (Stevenson, 2005). Settings of travel literature in the 18th and 17th century novels use real places and real time to make it seems to be real. In Robinson Crusoe, the writer focused scientifically on setting to make the novel more realistic, Crusoe begins his journey in September 1659 and travels to Africa, Brazil, and a lost island in the Atlantic. He moves primarily through and around the Atlantic Ocean. In this sense, the setting of the novel is a transatlantic one. The significance of this setting is that it is also the primary location of eighteenth-century trade routes – including the slave trade.

Setting of Robinson Crusoe make it regarded as one of the first novels of literary realism, in which narrative credibility was established through actual historical references and settings.

How motives (social-cultural) helped the novelist to describe plot/ events:

Social motives:

Colonialism is the biggest motive that affecting people’s ideas in society, the dominance of England formed new ideas among people, including writers, even their writings not devoid of colonial ideas, one of them is Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.

In this period England was for a long while, the most powerful and widely spread colonial empire in the world. In Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, the impact of colonialism is clearly apparent. To put the literary work into its proper context, it should be noted that the story was published in 1719.

Based upon the time in which the novel was written, Colonialism ideas are seen in the story after Crusoe leaves the island—for while he is there, he realizes that the things he valued in England, Brazil and on his travels revolved around money. He has no need of money on the island, but he does value materials that will aid in his survival—such as gunpowder and fresh water. Returning to civilization, his desire for money emerges again.

Thus, according to the events of the story, Daniel Defoe used money as one of the social motives that arose after colonialism, which helped him to tell the story and form Robinson’s character as a colonialist.

Cultural motive:

Colonialism did not affect society only in economic, depression, etc., it influenced the culture of society, which dominated even the thinking of its people, for example, addressed the idea of white British race.

Daniel Defoe wrote the story according to the post-colonial culture, and this idea is clearly shown on how Crusoe treats Friday once they leave the island. Crusoe’s answer to prayer, one who he looked to like a son, he ‘civilizes’ so that he can become a part of the great land of England, but not as a brother or friend—only as a servant. (‘My man Friday’ indicates a sense of servility on Friday’s part, and ‘ownership’ on Crusoe’s…even though he was technically not a slave. This reflects the English’s attitude towards natives of countries which they assimilated.

Finally, we see a clear representation of colonization with regard to Crusoe’s island. He has discovered and claimed it—in the same spirit as England’s explorers and military leaders had claimed England’s own colonies. When he is rescued, the ship’s captain tells the mutineers that Crusoe is employed by ‘the governor.’ Crusoe ‘owns’ the island and instructs those living there just as if he were the ‘governor’ or political leader—just as any British colony would be governed.

Consequently, Daniel Defoe used the glorification of white race and Christianity and inferiority with all other religions and races is the cultural motivation that influenced the culture of most members of society after colonization, it helps Danial to write the character of Robinson and the way he deals with others.

Characters, language, imagery that helped the novelist to describe images and characters:

Descriptive language is of course vital in order to build up character, setting and tone. In Robinson Crusoe, the characters and its imagery help the narrative to describe their roles in novel more clearly, Although the characters are fictional, but they helped the writer to clarify their roles. first, the character of Robinson Crusoe appeared as Rebellious, Adventurous, Hardworking, Courageous and Commanding. The novelist used these traits to write about his journey, when he ran away from home because he wants to become a sailor against his parents’ wishes, works hard to become a good sailor, salvages useful items from the shipwreck, builds homes and plants crops. Also, Friday character, he is faithful, Brave and Curious. The writer proves these traits when Stayed with Crusoe and followed his orders until the end and when he fought the cannibals with him.

Therefore, the writer’s use of descriptive language and the emphasis on character traits to reflect the reality for readers. This language greatly helped the novelist in the narrative and the preparation of the plot in Robinson Crusoe to reflect their qualities on their roles.

Imagery is the literary term used for language and description that appeals to our five senses. Often, imagery is built on other literary devices, such as simile or metaphor, as the author uses comparisons to appeal to our senses.

The writer used imagery in Robinson Crusoe to provide a close description for images in the novel. The ever-changing sea serves as a useful metaphor for Crusoe’s fickle relationship with God because whenever a storm hits the ocean, Crusoe is immediately penitent and asks God for help and when the skies are clear and the waves are calm, Crusoe seems to forget all about that religious stuff. Also, the book is a symbol of Crusoe’s connection to God and later becomes a tool with which to teach Friday the basics of Christianity.

The second way is his way of using very vivid imagery that pop to show a significant plot change. An example of such a use of imagery is when Robinson’s ship is attacked and he is enslaved by Moors. Going from a fairly wealthy trader to a slave is a fairly large life style change, so Defoe really slams the imagery in your face as if to scream out that there’s something big going down.