The Influence of Coalhouse Walker Essay Example for Free

The Influence of Coalhouse Walker Essay In literature, one character can impact the entire story and all of its characters. Such is the case with Coalhouse Walker Jr. in E.L. Doctrows Ragtime. His characterization provides insight into race relations in turn-of-the-century America. Many characters react strongly to his mannerisms, as they believe his social standing does not allow for such behavior. Because Coalhouse conducts himself with a sense of pride unusual of African Americans at this point in history, his view of how he should be treated repeatedly come into direct contradiction with others. He, then, represents all African Americans who oppose the expectations many whites have of them. Coalhouse Walker is the most essential character in Ragtime, because he deeply affects the plot and all other characters. Coalhouse most deeply influences Mothers Younger Brother, a young fundamentalist with little objective in life. However, when he joins Coalhouses group of revolutionaries, he feels as if his life contains purpose. This concept creates a dramatic, exalted self-awareness. Younger Brother was, at last, part of a community. However, Mothers Younger Brother ultimately meets his death while pledged in such an idealistic battle. He begins a new way of life, based on Coalhouses ideals, and encounters a rebirth of his soul. However, this new way of life conflicts with that of his parents; thus, he finds it necessary to depart from them and live his life independently. This is all under Coalhouses influence and guidance. Coalhouse Walker has a grave impact on Father and Mother. Initially, Mother is shocked that he does not act like other African-Americans, but more like a Caucasian gentleman. Father, stumped by Coalhouses proud behavior, concludes that he is not conscious of his racial inferiority. Mothers feelings towards her husband begin to deteriorate after this conversation. At a later point, when Coalhouse takes over the firehouse, Father, as usual putting business before family, rushes off to New York City, thus, leaving Mother to fall in love with Tateh. In Ragtime, by E.L. Doctrow, Coalhouse Walker Jr. is the most important character, as he ties together the treads of the novel. It is through Coalhouse that the three different societal groups, the immigrants, the  African-Americans, and the WASPs mingle and interact. Coalhouse also undergoes a rebirth, like Younger Brother, although his is much more dramatic and swift than Tatehs. Coalhouse goes from being a fine upstanding gentleman to a quintessential angry black male as he resorts to violence to resolve his feelings toward society.

Pain :: social issues

Pain He looks through the scope of his rifle, concentrating, looking. He feels pain, sorrow. A tear streams down his face and thinks to himself that this has to happen. He feels rage rush through him, that feeling that he gets when he forgets to take his medication. Josh is only fifteen. His father bought him this hunting rifle when he was twelve. He would remember those times when his father was drunk and would beat him mercilessly for hours on end. Such rage streams through in a steady flow. He doesn’t know why he is doing this, he can’t think, all he knows is the feeling in his head. The pain is so intense. He needs to relieve it, to allow his mind to feel the normal serenity again. He aims at the school yard, such small kids so innocent. They play together; the smiles and laughter are filling the air. One of them won’t go home tonight; the parents will feel the pain that once existed in him. Anger. He feels the tears start to come in a torrent. He holds the trigger tight. At this climax of pain, as the feeling comes to the point where he can’t live anymore, he squeezes the trigger. He feels the pain go through his finger into the rifle. The bullet soars with the pain. The relief is instant. The young child of only seven years old falls to the ground. Screams, pain, suffering, enters the lives of the people in the school yard. People duck and cry. As his anger subsides, he slowly lowers the rifle. The calm serenity enters his mind. He is his normal self again. In his room he places his rifle in his closet. He feels that he can eat and sleep now, and he slowly drifts into sleep. He dreams heavily. He knows they are around him, and that he will soon be caught. The police are having their suspicions. He wakes up, sweat engulfs his body, and the wave of fear slowly subsides. His father falls into the small room in their trailer. Drunk again and looking to hit someone. He knows what’s coming and feels that new wave of frustration. So many feelings, so many feelings. His father asks where he was that day, and he refuses to respond, which is followed by the usual beatings. No one is there to protect him, or to alleviate his pain. Pain :: social issues Pain He looks through the scope of his rifle, concentrating, looking. He feels pain, sorrow. A tear streams down his face and thinks to himself that this has to happen. He feels rage rush through him, that feeling that he gets when he forgets to take his medication. Josh is only fifteen. His father bought him this hunting rifle when he was twelve. He would remember those times when his father was drunk and would beat him mercilessly for hours on end. Such rage streams through in a steady flow. He doesn’t know why he is doing this, he can’t think, all he knows is the feeling in his head. The pain is so intense. He needs to relieve it, to allow his mind to feel the normal serenity again. He aims at the school yard, such small kids so innocent. They play together; the smiles and laughter are filling the air. One of them won’t go home tonight; the parents will feel the pain that once existed in him. Anger. He feels the tears start to come in a torrent. He holds the trigger tight. At this climax of pain, as the feeling comes to the point where he can’t live anymore, he squeezes the trigger. He feels the pain go through his finger into the rifle. The bullet soars with the pain. The relief is instant. The young child of only seven years old falls to the ground. Screams, pain, suffering, enters the lives of the people in the school yard. People duck and cry. As his anger subsides, he slowly lowers the rifle. The calm serenity enters his mind. He is his normal self again. In his room he places his rifle in his closet. He feels that he can eat and sleep now, and he slowly drifts into sleep. He dreams heavily. He knows they are around him, and that he will soon be caught. The police are having their suspicions. He wakes up, sweat engulfs his body, and the wave of fear slowly subsides. His father falls into the small room in their trailer. Drunk again and looking to hit someone. He knows what’s coming and feels that new wave of frustration. So many feelings, so many feelings. His father asks where he was that day, and he refuses to respond, which is followed by the usual beatings. No one is there to protect him, or to alleviate his pain.

Moral Dilemas: Antigone Essay

One of the most difficult trials I face in my life are ethical and moral dilemmas. I believe one purpose for this life is to learn to act for ourselves and learn to see a situation correctly and act righteously. Everyday I’m faced with decisions of right and wrong, most of which are easily and correctly dealt with. Sometimes however, decisions need to be made that are not easy or perfectly clear. In this paper I wish to discuss a presented moral dilemma and explain what I would do in the same situation. One of the biggest conflicts in the play â€Å"Antigone† by Sophocles is the value of human law vs. divine law. In this tragic play a newly appointed king Creon declares to his people that treason was committed during battle, and one of the two brothers (Polyneices) killed shall not be buried. This dilemma is felt by many, especially Antigone (sister of Polyneices). The struggle between human law and divine law is a moral dilemma Antigone feels as she decides to go against the laws of the king. The moral dilemma being presented is from the perspective of a pharmacist. The pharmacist has a young sick niece who has a terrible ear infection and cannot get an appointment with the doctor until the next day. The pharmacist knows that she doesn’t have a prescription, but knows what type of antibiotic she probably needs. Does the pharmacist give the medicine to the niece? If I were in the position of the pharmacist, I would refuse to give the medicine to my niece. I wouldn’t give the medicine to my niece because of the consequences that I would be dealt if I were too. My position on the dilemma is similar to Ismine’s (Antigone’s sister) when trying to convince Antigone not to bury her brother. If the pharmacist helps then he/she will get fired, go to jail, and probably never work as a pharmacist again. This turns a short term problem into a long term problem which will influence the rest of your life. Is an ear infection worth going to jail and possibly ruining your life?

Essay about Impact of the Radio in the 20th Century

Images like this one are quintessential American, the view of a family or even an individual huddled around a radio listening to anything and everything. It could be a baseball game, a radio drama, a commercial or even the president of the United States for that matter. The fact is the radio has serious impact on the lives of American’s as well as other people’s lives all around the globe. The radio in its current version as with many other technologies like it, evolved into the profile it now holds. Born out of the development of the telegraph, the radio was a kind of wireless telegraph. Its root date back to the mid-1800, when Rudolph Hertz demonstrated varying electricity can generate radio waves, around the end of the 1800’s. Besides†¦show more content†¦I and many Americans still listen to radio broadcasts on a daily basis; personally I mostly listen to AM programming. The Radio, even if America can’t take ownership for its development alone, definitely had a large role on America’s storied past. Since its inception Americans gravitated to this new form of communication that helped write the history of this important technology. One of the first iteration of the radio was in the world wars that plagued the early 20th century. They were used as two way communication for the soldier at war (Boot 2006). Additional to the feature of being an asset at war, the radio also served as a morale booster for troops in the field; the Armed forces radio or AFRS was a pivotal part of a soldier’s life. The programing that the U.S. soldier would listen to on the radio motivated them and made them think of America; ultimately the radio made for a tangible as well as an intangible asset to the U.S. war efforts (J. R. Pieslak 2009, 47). These benefits would prove to be not only in the battle field but also back home. Politically the radio was a tool for many politicians in their campaigns, the radio helped broadcast proponents message across a larger area than was previously available (Political Spellbinding by Radio 1924). But the importance of such an audience would not be more impactful than with Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Fire Side Chats was talked about has being more important than gold (History Matters n.d.). ThisShow MoreRelatedThe Movements of the 20th Century Culture Essay1170 Words   |  5 Pagesthe most important events that occurred in the 20th century? A century that was full of many innovations; most importantly, these events made a tremendous impact in our lives as of today. The 20th century contributed an abundance of improvements to our culture. In addition, the progressions of the advancement helped society lives to better, such as the industrialization, the remarkable inventions that made our lives easier. 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