Abstract This paper analyzes William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways", which is an account of his journey along the back roads of the United States. The papers relates that Heat Moon's writing style is so compelling that the reviewer feels as if he is riding along in the passenger seat. A central theme of the story is that, even in Heat Moon's search for his ancestralroots, the only thing that is constant is change.
Table of Contents:
The Adventure
Change: A Constant Theme Throughout
From Beginning to End and Past to Present
From the Paper "It seems that the looming issues in Heat Moon's life were a major influence on his decision to set out on this journey. After losing his wife to another man and losing his job, he decided to head out on a search for forgotten parts of America and the American experience by traveling the old back roads through old towns. This is an attempt to see passed the superficial nature of modern American culture by connecting with himself and nature by admiring idyllic, and not so idyllic, landscapes."
Abstract This paper examines Alex Haley's "Roots" with the focus on the setting, summary, moral and main character of the story. Its relation to current events is also discussed.
From the Paper "Through his novel Roots The Saga of an American Family, Alex Haley shattered the stereotypical images of slavery and slaves as happy childlike individuals with no sense of their African heritage. In depicting the experiences of seven generations of his family .."
Tags: Alex Haley, Roots, African Americans, slaves, slavery
Abstract This paper gives an overview of the original paper ?Human Root Caries: Microbiota of a Limited Number of Root Caries Lesions,? by doctors P. Schupbach, V. Osterwalder, and B. Guggenheim, which researched the microbiota of root caries lesion of different grades of severity. This paper includes a review of the methods used in that study, a discussion of the results, and a comparison of the study with other papers that were read and abstracted on this subject.
Abstract This paper discusses how in the poem "Root Cellar", author Theodore Roethke uses immensely visual and concrete imagery. It looks at how the reader not only experiences going down into the root cellar through the intense description, but also experiences the imagery, along with a few powerful metaphors, which gives life to the root cellar's contents and creates a sense of awareness and defiance to the reader. It analyzes how the poem creates an outstanding image of a desolate and surreal environment usually overlooked, but deserving of attention and careful consideration. It also demonstrates how the descriptive diction and musical alliterative qualities add to the affective power of the piece not only as an image but also as a thought-provoking meditation.
From the Paper "In line six, the focus shifts from the visual to the olfactory, focusing the readers? attention on the "congress of stinks" (6) emanating from the room. The smell is not one of the death, but life that festers, or it perhaps only half-dead, like "old bait" (7). The half-rotten stems are already "pulpy" (8)-shadows of their former robust and erect selves. Their perfume is "silo-rich" (8), like that of grain left too long after harvest. The "Leaf-mold, manure" and "lime" (9) provide contrasting images against one another-the manure is used to foster growth, but not in this environment. The leaf mold continues to spread, despite the presence of the lime, long used to quicken decay of dead bodies to hasten their passing from the memories of the living. But despite the dark and damp, and the utterly desolate conditions, "Nothing would give up life" (10). So strong is the persistence of the contents of the root cellar that "Even the dirt kept breathing a small breath" (11)."
Abstract The paper presents Alex Haley's "Roots" as a brilliant piece of anthropological detective work. Haley traces the roots of his ancestors back eight generations to his great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather Kunta Kinte. The paper shows that, in creating "Roots", he traces his ancestors back to the original town that Kunta Kinte was abducted from in Africa. The paper concludes that Haley's characters are rich and full of life and that he does an excellent job of re-enacting the past to give us a true feeling of the African-American experience from abduction, to slavery, to freedom, and redemption.
From the Paper "While pregnant, Bell dreams that "at a white folks' party game, they had announced that the first prize would be the next black baby boy to be born on that massa's plantation" (P. 337). Kunta calmed Bell down by assuring her massa would never do anything like that, but he was scared because "he had heard of such things being done--of unborn black babies being given as presents, wagered as gambling bets at card tables and cockfights" (P. 338). They name the child Kizzy, and Kunta proceeds to teach her several of the words from the language of his tribe, the Mandinka."
Abstract This paper addresses the themes of need and obligation in Simone Weil's classic work, "The Need for Roots". Weil's "Need for Roots" is a philosophical study of how humanity is "rootless", or without a strong foundation for future behaviors. Through addressing these concepts, Weil believed that humanity could once more discover its obligations and thereafter achieve true freedom and justice.
Abstract The paper describes how Russell Kirk's "The Roots of American Order" takes readers back to Jerusalem, Athens, Rome and London to explain what makes up the country of America. The paper discusses Kirk's concern that America in his day was "straying from its roots". The paper believes that the book should be mandatory reading for every American, as it so beautifully tells the story of from where America's laws, customs, beliefs and freedoms originated.
From the Paper "Russell Kirk's 1974 "The Roots of American Order" has been touted as "unsurpassable," "exactly what people need to read," "destined for distinctive status," and "an impressive affirmation of faith." Kirk takes readers back to Jerusalem and then works his way forward through Athens, Rome and London to get to Philadelphia explaining essentially what makes up this great country. He does this in a patient, methodical way explaining where America's laws, customs, beliefs and freedoms originated from."
Abstract This paper examines the television series "Roots." It examines how this program served as a good example of the difficulty that Black Americans faced in defining themselves. This is directly connected to the reality that white capitalist organizations produced the series. African Americans were attempting to write and see their history through the values of the dominant white culture.
Abstract This paper discusses how few lessons on slavery can compete with the impact that "Roots" by Alex Haley has had on American society. It looks at how the story, said to be written from true stories with fictional twists, provides a graphic and accurate portrayal of life for a slave in America at that time. It shows how the author puts together a time-line that spans several generations and begins in the African homeland in a journey that few can imagine with text books and other school lessons. It also analyzes how the author's work has impacted American society for the past three decades because of the story he brought to the public eye.
From the Paper "The reader is treated to examples of both pushes and pulls from sociological standpoint while the story unfolds. The examples of such occurrences are interspersed through out the story while clearly illustrating the influence the story had on not only the immediate society of Kunte's family but also the societal attitudes and changes that rippled from the path his family endured, and also chose throughout the story. One example is the ship trip to the states when Kunte is first captured. He is pulled into the situation and the society around him at the time is also being pulled because there were no choices."
Abstract This paper examines the book "Roots" about the journey from freedom to slavery to freedom of a man called Kunta Kinte. It discusses how Kinte represents the unlimited potential of every black man and truly, of all men in their free will and freedom.
From the Paper "'Roots' is the story of Alex Haley's lineage. There have been two lawsuits filed against this book claiming falsities of various types. One was settled for six hundred fifty thousand dollars and one was beaten in court. In all, it does not matter whether or not Mr. Haley's story is exactly true to life because it is an example of the oral tradition which uses truth relatively to make it's points and transfer its ideals to the reader or actually, listener."
Abstract The paper offers a review of the Leach's book which gives an historical look at the very roots of the American Revolutionary War. It discusses the thesis of the paper which explains that the Anglo-American friction caused by the presence of British regular forces prior to 1763 was indeed an important contributing factor in the coming of the American Revolution, especially in the form of intergroup attitudes and perceptions hardening into stereotypes and traditions. In conclusion, the author offers a crit and a personal opinion on the book.
From the Paper "Critically, this book is obviously very well researched and written. The author notes that while he did use some previous studies of pre-revolutionary British forces, he relied primarily on his own personal research and discovery to write the book. 4 In addition, throughout the chapters he states his conclusions and arguments clearly and effectively, so the reader understands his points and his evidence. The strengths of the book are quite clear from the beginning. The author has a clear and detailed understanding of his topic, has studied and researched it thoroughly for the arguments and evidence he needs to back it up, and his presented it to his readers in a way that helps them understand and agree with his conclusions. In addition, the book is not so long that it drags on, citing detail after detail that the average reader might find boring or even unnecessary. Leach's book is succinct and to the point, leaving the reader little doubt that his research was meticulous and he truly believes his thesis entirely, and proves it well."
Tags: literature, history, Anglo, American, revolution, war
Abstract This paper examines the available literature to determine what root cause, if any, is the one legislators and the international community should tackle above all others in their efforts to end terrorism. Suffice it to say, as with domestic crime, finding out how to remedy certain problems before they become bigger problems lies at the heart of successful crime prevention. Moreover with global resources entrusted with fighting international terror stretched to the breaking point as it is, any effort to undercut the precipitating factors giving rise to this global scourge will be well looked upon.
Abstract The paper discusses how plants not only provide pleasing scenery but are essential sources of food and oxygen too. The paper describes how the seed develops from an ovule after a fertilization process has taken place. The paper discusses the plant's two organ system; the shoot and the root system. The paper relates that leaves contain the chlorophyll and are the most important part of the plant when it comes to photosynthesis. The paper points out that flowers are not part of every plant, but when they are present they have reproductive organs.
Outline:
Introduction
Structure
Conclusion
From the Paper "The plant gets its beginnings from a seed. The seed develops from an ovule after a fertilization process has taken place. Plant life begins much in the same way that human life begins. Each seed includes an embryo, a food source and a protective outer coating. It can lay dormant for a period of time before germination occurs (Plant structure
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/plants/plantstructures/summary.html). The structure of the plant system is very similar to the human system when it comes to the necessary elements for pollination and reproduction."
Abstract This paper explores "Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence," by Robin Karr-Morse and Meredith S. Wiley, which applies modern brain research to the role that early developmental processes play in later social and emotional development and actions. The author of the paper discusses how the disconnect between lower and upper brain functioning that Karr-Morse and Wiley's work outlines as the basis for impulsive disorders, explains tendencies such as rage expression, blackout, and self-harm in some impulsive individuals. The paper concludes that an education system that better responds to the pre-nursery school stages of development would seem logical, in order to better understand and correct juvenile delinquency.
From the Paper "Additionally the overview offered by this article leads the reader to conclude that the major emphasis in psychological treatment of behavior disorders focusing on cognitive treatment may be a futile experiment and that the lower levels of brain function need to be the focus. (p. 45) The emphasis of this work is that lower brain levels are at work when imbalances in brain chemicals, under or over stimulation of the brain result in impulsive disabilities and without treatment of these areas, likely chemically and a greater understanding of the defects, these people will grow to become future impulsive individuals, with an inability to connect the upper thoughts with base responses to stressors."
Abstract This paper explains that the Shinnecock Indians, stricken by poverty and cultural predation that stripped them of their ancestral lands and any economic hope for the future, have no hope for the future unless they establish a casino. The author points out that the Shinnecocks are controlled, and to some degree marginalized, by the local law and state government because they are not recognized fully as a tribe by the federal government and, therefore, do not have the same rights and privileges of self-determination that many federally recognized tribes enjoy. The paper relates that the opponents to this casino are the wealthy Hampton residents who seem to worry about property values and community morals, but are not concerned about denying self-reliance and determination to the tribal people.
From the Paper "The Shinnecock have a proud and noble heritage, which predates their current impoverished state. However, historically the tribe has been taken advantage of by white Europeans and the new American government and settlers. They have consistently lost control of their native lands, in a series of unequal land swaps and hostile takeovers initiated by the white men and their government, which have also caused them to lose control of their economy. As one tribes spokesman says of the land swaps: ?They built on our ancestors bones and we never really did anything to stop it.? "
