Abstract This paper examines the development and impact of technology in the ancient and medieval world. It concentrates on three technologies from three different eras: the war chariot of the Bronze Age, the Roman aqueducts and the development of the full-rigged ship in the 15th century.
From the Paper "Technology as an idea is strongly associated with the modern era. Today the word makes us think of computers a generation ago it probably evoked supersonic aircraft and spacecraft ..."
Abstract This paper discusses songs sung by African-Americans during the time of slavery. It interprets the meanings behind the songs "Follow the Drinking Gourd", "Wade in the Water"," Hoe Emma Hoe", "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Roll, Jordan, Roll". The paper concludes that some songs were used to communicate during the time of the underground railroad, while others were coded and allowed the slaves to talk to one another and voice their opinions about the way that they were being treated without being punished.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
"Follow the Drinking Gourd"
"Wade in the Water"
"Hoe Emma Hoe"
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
"Roll, Jordan, Roll"
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Greenway this particular song is actually a map for the local branch of the Underground Railroad which led slaves from Alabama and Mississippi into freedom in the North. According to the official website for the history of the Underground Railroad, the first line of the song, "When the sun comes back and the first quail calls" refers to winter and the southern migration of quail. The article explains that because most of the slaves coming from the south had to cross the Ohio River which was difficult to do most of the year, the leaders of the Underground Railroad found that it was easier to cross in winter. The winter crossing was easier because the river was frozen and people could walk across as opposed to having to swim."
Abstract This paper discusses the iconography of the images depicted on the three Wu Family Shrines in Jiaxiang that date from the Han Dynasty. The author explains that the most important function of these images is to portray how an offering ceremony should be carried out in accordance with Confucian ethics, and discusses their symbolic meanings. The author considers the reasons for believing that the archer figure represents the mythological archer Yi, and explains that the myth of Yi is out of context with the other symbols, which all have something to with maintaining proper Confucian relationships or how to act in an virtuous manner. An alternative explanation within the context of the offering shrine is the ritual of the palace overseer discharging arrows at birds of ill omen. If the archers in the Wu Family Shrines are doing this, then they are portraying people acting in a virtuous manner by fulfilling their duties, which is much more in tune with the filial sons displaying reverence for their father and the officials paying respect to their fallen colleague, as well as the fenghuang representing good government. This paper contains figures.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of Shrine
The Central Homage Scene
Procession of Chariots The Unused Chariot Fenghuang
The Tree
The Archer Yi Explanation
Appendix
From the Paper "Two Fenghuang, or phoenixes, appear on the roofs of each of the homage scenes, and can be identified by their extravagant tales. The symbolism of the fenghuang is remarked on in the Bo Hu Tong, a prominent text from the Han era, which states "The feng huang is the chief among the birds. When above there is an enlightened King, and general peach, then it appears." From this, it would appear that these birds symbolize the existence of good government and peace. If one remembers to bring Confucian ethics into consideration, then this symbol can just as easily be applied to a household as it can be applied to China as a whole. This would entirely appropriate for a tomb or shrine which wishes to portray the virtuosity of the deceased."
Abstract This paper examines the lessons that can be learned from many of the stories in Ovid's "Metamorphosis". The paper explains how these stories, based on myths and mythical characters, can still provide insight into the human psyche and, if we learn from the examples of some of these characters, we can avoid some of the tragedies that they experienced.
From the Paper "Another story that operates on two levels is ?The Story of Echo and Narcissus.? In this story, Echo is punished for helping Jove meet with the nymphs on the mountains. Narcissus is punished for not only spurning Echo, but other that he "had visited frustration" (69). Echo's lesson for us story is to always tell the truth. Narcissus? lesson for us is to avoid self-love, for Narcissus "wanted himself" (70) and, as result, died trying to kiss his image in the water."
Abstract This paper focuses on the life of Moses, the circumstances surrounding his birth and his upbringing. The paper also focuses on how Moses guided the children of Israel and discusses the correlation between Moses and New Testament Faith.
From the Paper "In any case, when the new king of Egypt came to power, he saw that the people of Israel were great and mightier than his own people. Therefore the king believed that he must "deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that , when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us and so get them up out of land." The Old Testament reports that with this declaration, the king of Egypt forced the people of Israel to take on the burdens of building for the Pharoah the treasure cities of Pithom and Raamses. However, the people of Israel continued to multiply and the Egyptians were angered by this. Eventually the people of Israel were enslaved by the Egyptians and their lives were made difficult. Finally, the King of Egypt ordered the midwives to kill the sons of Hebrew women. However, the midwives feared God and refused to kill the sons of Israel. The Pharoah odered "all his people, saying, every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and ecery daughter ye shall save alive." "
This in-depth paper examines the British film industry during the 1980s while also focusing on the political climate in England during this same period in which the country was led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Abstract This well-researched paper delves into the history of Britain's film industry which, according to the writer of this paper, was considered second rate in comparison to other countries including Germany, France and the U.S. This paper discusses the film industry's apparent lack of focus primarily during the 1980s, which was a direct result due to the political climate during this particular era. The writer reviews and analyzes British author John Hill's book "British Cinema in the 1980s" which provides in-depth insight to this specific topic. The writer contends and explains why British filmmakers were essentially apathetic and uncaring about Thatcherism and went on to challenge many of the country's values. This paper examines the impact of various films made in England during the 1980s including "Gandhi," "Room With a View" and "Chariots of Fire." This paper also focuses on the cultural conflicts between the older and younger generations in England which greatly impacted the types of films that were produced during at that time. The writer stresses that during the 1980s the older generation stuck by the traditional and old fashioned Victorian morality system which still exists today while the younger generation chose to adhere to a more free-flowing Edwardian type value system.
From the Paper "There were several opportunistic policies that had been passed, and there was also a growing lack of satisfaction in manual labor. Therefore, it was very evident that in Britain, even at the end of the 1960's and the beginning of the 1970's, there was indeed a large amount of class differences in English society, and society in general was divided into there major classes, which were the upper classes, the middle classes, and the working classes. The divisions were in fact brought about by the differences in wealth, power, and the types of work, the ideologies, the status, and the opportunities that were available. At the same time, this period saw a vast change in the people's attitudes towards traditions, old values, taboos, customs, and the all-pervasive parochialism, and this was the very attitude that was reflected in all the New Age films that were made during that time."
Abstract This paper discusses and compares Lew Wallace's novel "Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ," and the movie "Ben-Hur," directed by William Wyler, which was based on the novel. The writer describes in detail how the book and the movie, being different entertainment mediums, depict Judah Ben Hur's journey differently, but the effect of his life-changing experience is the same on both reader and viewer. The writer explains how Ben-Hur is transformed and how the symbolism of the visuals in the movie affects the viewer. The paper concludes that the moral of the story of Ben Hur resonates in the minds of every reader and moviegoer that has experienced it.
From the Paper "The relationship between Messala and Judah may be the most important in the development of the story. The audience notices an obvious dissimilarity between the book and movie in the portrayal of Judah and Messala with the two different backgrounds and the two being friends from their youth. In the novel the boys are teens, while in the movie the two are adults. Therefore we expect the two to make different choices due to their age and maturity level. The choices made by Messala in the movie makes his betrayal that much more painful because it also shows that the two have really been friends for most of their lives, where as in the book, they are just teenagers and can have their friendship labeled as young."
