Abstract This paper deals with how music is used symbolically in JamesWeldonJohnson's "Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man", and the ways in which the narrator, consciously or unconsciously, involves music in his decision-making processes.
From the Paper "Probably one of the most integral elements to the story of James Weldon Johnson's Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man is music. At almost every point in the novel where there is emotional peak, music is involved in the decision-making process in some way. This is especially true in relation to the narrator's own emotions, which are seldom the focus of the story except when highlighted by talk of music. In fact, music could be argued to be the key to the narrator's personal fulfillment"a fulfillment which he is unable to realize by the end of the novel due to his own much glossed-over shortcomings.?
The paper discusses the book called "The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man" by JamesWeldonJohnson and examines the relationship between race and class in America during the early 1900s.
Abstract This paper discusses JamesWeldonJohnson's novel "The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man". The paper explains that the novel presents a story of a narrator, referred to as the "Ex-Colored Man" living as a white man. The paper further explains that this narrator was tossed between living as a black or white man since he is biracial from a black mother and a white father. However he attempts to live as a white person in order to escape the horrors of racism toward the black race. The paper considers what causes the narrator to live as a white man and whether, by doing so, he has totally abandoned his black culture.
From the Paper "The Ex-Colored man never achieves his childhood vision of greatness as a great black musician, but the Ex-Colored man does succeed in life as a white artist and becomes very wealthy. His idea to pass as a white man in society works. Even though he is embarrassed by the decision he makes, it still is not enough to change his mind to be a black man. He achieves great wealth and stardom, but I don't think he finds happiness because he still struggles with his identity. The Ex-Colored man still has questions he needs to answer. What is his classification? Is he white or is he black? Does the Ex-Colored man totally abandon his black culture?"
Discusses this narrative by JamesWeldonJohnson as it pertains to the message of social and moral dilemmas of the light-skinned, mulatto African-American.
Abstract "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man", by JamesWeldonJohnson, examines the relationship between race and class in America during the early 1900s. The narrator, a light-skinned man belonging to both the black and white races, finds conflict in his search for identity and meaning within the American consciousness. This paper shows that the narrator's tragic position as a mulatto in America is found in a literary class seen in the autobiographies of authors like Frederick Douglass and William Wells Brown.
From the Paper "In his description of the tendency for dark-skinned blacks to marry those fairer than themselves he argues that blacks select in favor of fairer complexions because of the imperatives of the society they inhabit, not because they themselves can observe the superiority of whiteness in American society. Certainly the two reasons need not exclude each other; by underscoring only the social cause of this phenomenon, he ignores the self-loathing implicit in, and politics of, such choices."
A comparison of approaches to escape racial degredation in "the Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison and "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," by JamesWeldonJohnson.
Abstract This paper discusses two opinions of ways to escape from racial degradation and the pain associated with it as an African-American male. It analyzes the views of Ralph Ellison and JamesWeldonJohnson in their works "The Invisible Man" and "Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," respectively. The paper compares their approaches to escape and how they are portrayed in their books.
From the Paper "Both Ralph Ellison and James Weldon Johnson chose a life of invisibility over the pain and suffering related to living in American society as a black man. Ellison's narrator chooses to ignore his individuality for the time being and instead to reside within the larger stereotype as a way to avoid the unwanted attention of a white audience. Despite his association with several African American groups aiming at social reform, the invisible man realizes that it is much easier to stay invisible then to try and force the white community to recognize you. James Weldon Johnson's narrator chooses a different form of invisibility but with the same motivations. Due to his mixed heritage, he has the choice to be seen as a white man. After seeing how horrible American racism can truly be, he decides to abandon his African heritage and all the degradation which accompanies it to live a middle class white life. He becomes invisible in that he "passes" as Caucasian in white society. This opens up new doors for him and ensures he will not have to deal with the prejudice many of his fellow black Americans must deal with on an everyday basis. Both characters show cowardice in their choice to become invisible to American racism, but can anyone really blame them for their choice?"
Abstract This paper discusses the basis of race and class through Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and Johnson's "Autobiography of an Ex-coloured Man". These literary works highlight the barriers that define the American Dream as a myth reserved for the greater white population to at least attain a middle class or, in the rare event of Jay Gatsby, a temporary reprieve as a brief member of the older ruling elites. It explains that Gatsby's death resoundingly defines the lack of care that the rich have for those outside of their social circles and reiterates the lack of reality in the American Dream.
From the Paper "In this literary study, the basis of race and class status between African Americans and the nouveau rich will be examined in relation to two literary works: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Autobiography of an Ex-coloured Man by James Weldon Johnson. By understanding Jay Gatsby's rise to fame and fortune by being a smuggler during the Great Depression, one can realize that he would be driven to achieve any kind of wealth in pursuing the American dream of wealth and prosperity in rising to a higher class status. In relation to this, but not necessarily on the same level, James Weldon Johnson's own experiences as an African American intellectual is also presented, which reveals how he also partook in the American Dream in raising ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the leadership style of William C. Weldon as presented in an address to the Kellogg MBA graduates. The author points out the way his style has influenced the organization.
From the Paper "According to an article published in the "Kellogg World Alumni Magazine", when William C Weldon, CEO of Johnson and Johnson, addressed the graduating class at the Kellogg School of Business MBA program, he offered a number of comments about leadership in American business. His key message was that American corporations need more leaders with the skills to meet today's challenges. According to Weldon, the best leaders place great importance on customers and market dynamics but also value innovation, personnel development and collaboration within their organizations. Mr. Weldon told graduates not ..."
Tags: William Weldon, Johnson and Johnson, leadership, management, growth, challenges, autonomy, accountability
An analysis of the characters' attempts to transform themselves in Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and JamesWeldonJohnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man".
Abstract The paper discusses the central characters in Johnson's "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man" and Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" who both create or forge false identities for themselves. The paper focuses on the characters' attempt to 'pass' as someone else and construct a false identity that leads to the acquisition of a new racial or social status. The paper highlights how these attempts are accompanied by inevitable problems and difficulties that result in frustration and eventually disillusionment.
From the Paper "The publication of the two narratives, Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and James Weldon Johnson's An Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, coincides with a period in the American cultural life in which the search for the 'American Dream' was a very prominent theme. Also, the nineteen twenties constituted the decade in which the Harlem Renaissance or the 'New Negro Renaissance' sprang as a cultural movement in America. As it is well known, the Harlem Renaissance was an attempt at 'uplifting the black race' through a redefinition of African American identity and a celebration of the values specific to black culture. These two themes form the core of the novels under investigation- the fulfillment of the 'American Dream' in The Great Gatsby and the uplifting of the black race in The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man."
Tags: disillusionment, frustration, race, social, status
This paper reviews James Turner Johnson and George Weigel's "Just War and Gulf War" justifying the Gulf War against Iraq on moral and practical grounds.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 1 source, 1995, $ 47.95
From the Paper "James Turner Johnson and George Weigel, in Just War and the Gulf War, present a reasonable argument that the Gulf War, from the point of view of those prosecuting the war against Iraq, was indeed a just war, according to the moral criteria of that tradition. At the same time, the authors are not naive about the victory and its results. They point out that "the only peace that can be achieved in this region is one limited to that defined by international law, not a 'new order' that will be extraordinarily difficult to bring into being" (40). This is important to note because it emphasizes that the just war doctrine should be applied to each war individually. The authors are not saying, in other words, that any threat to peace in the Middle East, for example, should be answered by the kind of international effort posed in the war against Iraq. "
Abstract This paper takes a close look at the tragic and confusing period which occurred directly following the United States Civil War. First, the actual plan for Reconstructing the South, as it was implemented starting in 1867, is defined and discussed. Then, Andrew Johnson's plan is discusses. Finally, the argument is made that the actual Reconstruction, though a failure, was more successful than Johnson's would have been.
From the Paper "At the end of the Civil War, the United States was a nation set for great change. Its two halves had just completed a bloody and costly conflict, one that had seen the North and the South divided not only along the lines of slavery and its abolition, but of states' rights and the direction in which the country should be taken. The eleven Confederate states had not only lost the war, but were left with nothing. The slavery-fueled concept of plantation-farming was gone, thanks to Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. The southern economy and government was in tatters. There was nothing to take the place of these vanished traditions and standards. "
Abstract In this research paper on LBJ, the author tries to show how LBJ's early life in public office would eventually affect his decisions as Senate Majority leader, Vice President, and President. The author shows that many of the policies set in place by Johnson proved to be groundbreaking legislation, but that his involvement in Vietnam would, in the end, be his downfall.
From the Paper "Lyndon Baines Johnson was the embodiment of American ideals. He served his country as a representative, a senator, a vice-president, and then, finally, as President of the United States. President Johnson was able to accomplish great things during his years in Washington, and as one expert stated, ?the American political system, under the leadership of a man who knew what made it tick, was able to work efficiently and productively to an extent not seen since and not often before.?1 Through all of his years as a public servant, LBJ never lost sight of the American people and their problems. He sought to make life better for the working class citizen through each bill he signed and each program that he founded. "
Abstract This paper describes Dubin-Johnson syndrome, the autosomally recessive inherited disease which does not usually manifest until adolescence. It discusses its cause by a mutation in the MRP2 protein, which leads to mildly elevated levels of conjugated hypelipidemia.
From the Paper " Dubin-Johnson syndrome DJS is a benign disorder of the liver which is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and causes mild hyperbilirubinemia. "
Abstract This paper examines the themes and issues presented in Robert Johnson's book "British Imperialism: Histories and Controversies". The paper also analyzes the historiography of British imperialism and discusses the consequences of colonization.
From the Paper "Johnson's purpose in this book is to explain some of the histories and controversies surrounding British imperialism, a concept he believes that was continuously evolving, was somewhat incoherent and even contradictory. Johnson considers his book an introduction to British imperialism, not a history of the British Empire. As such some of the content is presented in outline form rather than in depth. However presented, the content supports his aim of explaining how some of the historiography..."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, an extreme allergic reaction in the skin and mucous membranes to medication, disorders, or other chemical substances. The writer looks at the causes, the diagnosis, and the treatment methods associated with this potentially fatal reaction.
From the Paper "Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a hypersensitivity complex that is caused by a severe reaction to, often, medication, but can also be caused by viral infections. Most often occurring in the skin and mucous membranes, SJS causes inflammation, lesions, upper respiratory tract infection, and a host of other symptoms. While mortality is relatively low (3-15% of the most severe cases), it is significant. Those affected by SJS are generally below 40, have a history of malignancies, male and Caucasian. The lesions can become so significant that they can act like massive burns, causing severe fluid loss. Treatment includes the cessation of offending drugs, the use of steroids (in some cases), anesthetics and mouthwashes, and, in severe cases, isolation in a clean environment depending upon the extent of skin damage. Classified as an immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity complex that is a severe expression of erythema multiforme."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the tendencies of Henry James in his writings. "The Beast in The Jungle", "The Jolly Corner", and "The Portrait of a Lady" are three of James' works that are examined in detail. In particular, this paper focuses on the protagonists of each of the writings respectively. A strong comparison is made between the three protagonists of these writings, and their miserable lives. On the other hand, the protagonist of James' story "The Tragic Muse" is shown to lead a life of happiness and success. The paper notes the clear differences between this story and the others, therefore explaining what leads the character on a different path.
From the Paper "In contrast, Portrait of a Lady presents Ralph as an invalid who lives vicariously through a woman named Isabel Archer whom he leads to doom. He bestows upon her a large sum of money, despite his father's warning that fortune hunters will target her for it. Ralph replies, "That's a risk, and it has entered into my calculation...I'm prepared to take it" (p. 161). Ralph is financially generous to Isabel not out of love but out of a morbid fascination. He wants to see what she will do with it. When Isabel marries a gold-digger, she fulfills the victim role that Ralph's father had feared. Ralph's fascination with Isabel's life overcomes any concern he might have had for her welfare."
Abstract This paper argues that Shakespeare wrote "Measure for Measure" as a complimentary tutorial for King James. In doing so, he portrays the current state of affairs in England and attempts to provide James with advice concerning the problems facing his kingdom.
From the Paper "Shakespeare's England at the time that Measure for Measure was written was in a state of internal conflict and discord. King James I came to power in 1603 and inherited a kingdom rife with a myriad of social and cultural problems, including corruption in the justice system, religious disputes and crises, and rampant sexual immorality. Shakespeare, the ?King's Playwright,? as Alvin Kernan dubs him, wrote Measure for Measure as a complimentary tutorial for King James. In doing so, he portrays the current state of affairs in England and attempts to provide James, as a ruler with Divine Right and responsibility to his country, with advice concerning the problems facing his kingdom."
