Friday, May 22, 2020
The Member of the Wedding A Play By Carson McCullers
Frankie Addams is an exuberant and outspoken 12-year-old tomboy growing up in a small Southern town in 1945. Her closest relationships are with Berenice Sadie Brown - the Addamsââ¬â¢ family housekeeper/cook/nanny - and her younger cousin John Henry West. The three of them spend most of their days together talking and playing and arguing. Frankie is enchanted with her older brother, Jarvisââ¬â¢s, upcoming wedding. She even goes so far as to claim that she is in love with the wedding. Frankie is excluded from the main social group of girls that live in the same town and canââ¬â¢t seem to find her place among her peers or in her own family. She yearns to be part of a ââ¬Å"weâ⬠but refuses to truly connect with Berenice and John Henry in a way that would give her the ââ¬Å"weâ⬠that she needs. John Henry is too young and Berenice is African American. The social constructs and age differences are too much for Frankie to overcome. Frankie gets lost in a fantasy where she and her older brother and his new wife depart together after the wedding and travel the world. She wonââ¬â¢t hear anyone tell her differently. She is determined to leave her life behind and become part of their ââ¬Å"we.â⬠The Member of the Wedding by American playwright Carson McCullers also has two subplots woven into and out of Frankieââ¬â¢s narrative. John Henry West is a quiet and easily pushed away boy who never gets the attention he needs from Frankie, Berenice, or anyone in his own family. He tries to get noticed but is often set aside. This haunts Frankie and Bernice later when the boy dies of meningitis. The second subplot involves Berenice and her friends T.T. Williams and Honey Camden Brown. The audience learns all about Bereniceââ¬â¢s past marriages as she and T.T. tiptoe around a courtship. Honey Camden Brown gets into trouble with the police by drawing a razor on a store owner for not serving him. Through these characters and several smaller roles, the audience gets a big dose of what life was like for the African American community in the South in 1945. Production Details Setting: A small Southern town Time: August 1945 Cast size: This play can accommodate 13 actors. Male Characters: 6Female Characters: 7Characters that could be played by either males or females: 0 Content Issues:à Racism, talk of lynching Roles Berenice Sadie Brown is the faithful household servant to the Addams family. She cares deeply for Frankie and John Henry but does not try to be a mother to them. She has her own life outside of Frankieââ¬â¢s kitchen and puts that life and those concerns first. She does not care that Frankie and John Henry are young. She challenges their views and does not try to protect them from the rough and messy parts of life.Frankie Addams is struggling to find her place in the world. Her best friend moved to Florida last year leaving her alone with memories of belonging to a group and no idea of how to join another group. She is in love with her brotherââ¬â¢s wedding and yearns to leave with Jarvis and Janis when the wedding is over. There is no one around her who can or will provide Frankie with direction and emotional guidance during this turbulent time.John Henry West is willing to be the friend Frankie needs but his age interferes with their relationship. He is constantly searching fo r a loving motherly figure but canââ¬â¢t find her. His happiest time is when Berenice finally pulls him up onto her lap and hugs him.Jarvis is Frankieââ¬â¢s older brother. He is a handsome man who loves Frankie but is ready to leave his family and begin his own life.Janice is Jarvisââ¬â¢s fiancà ©. She adores Frankie and gives the young girl confidence.Mr. Addams and Frankie used to be close, but she is growing up now and he feels that there must be greater emotional distance between the two of them. He is a product of his time and feels that the color of your skin matters greatly.T.T. Williams is a pastor at the church Berenice attends. He is a good friend to her and could possibly be more if Berenice were interested in getting married a fifth time.Honey Camden Brown is discontent with the racism he has to live within the South. He often runs into trouble with white men and police. He makes his living playing the trumpet. Other Small Roles Sis LauraHelen FletcherDorisMrs. WestBarney MacKean Production Notes The Member of the Wedding is not a minimalist show; the set, costumes, lighting needs and props for the play are substantial components that move the plot along. Set. The set is a stationary set. It must show a partial area of the house with a kitchen area and a portion of the familyââ¬â¢s yard.Lighting. The play takes place over the course of several days, sometimes subtly changing from mid-day to evening in a single act. Lighting design needs to match the charactersââ¬â¢ comments about the daylight and weather.Costumes. Another large consideration in producing this play is costumes. The costumes must be period specific to 1945 with several changes of clothes and underclothes for the main actors. Frankie must have a custom wedding outfit designed and made to the specifications of the script: ââ¬Å"She [Frankie] enters the room dressed in an orange satin evening dress with silver shoes and stockings.â⬠Frankieââ¬â¢s Hair. It is also important to note that the actress cast as Frankie must have short hair, be willing to cut her hair, or have access to a quality wig. The characters talk constantly about Frankieââ¬â¢s short hair. Sometime before the play begins, the character Frankie cut her hair short in the style of a boyââ¬â¢s in 1945 and it has yet to grow back. Background The Member of the Wedding is a theatricalized version of the book The Member of the Wedding written by author and playwright Carson McCullers. The book has three main sections, each devoted to a different growth period in which Frankie refers to herself as Frankie, F. Jasmine, and then finally, Frances. Available online is an audio version of the book read aloud. The play version has three acts that follow the main events of the bookââ¬â¢s storyline and Frankieââ¬â¢s character arc, but in a less detailed fashion. The Member of Wedding was also made into a movie in 1952 starring Ethel Waters, Julie Harris, and Brandon De Wilde.à Resources Productions rights to The Member of the Wedding are held by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
James Joyces Araby - Character, Structure and Style in...
Character, Structure and Style in Araby According to Hazel Edwards, ââ¬Å"A good story writer needs to be a craftsman, for the construction is tighter than that required for most novels. Usually a short story concentrates on a few characters- rarely more than three major ones. The story revolves around a single, dramatic incident which typifies the charactersââ¬â¢ reactions. Length varies from 1,000 to about 5,000 words.â⬠With these characteristics in mind, then we are going to examine James Joyceââ¬â¢s short story Araby in terms of depiction of character, the story structure and the style. Araby was one of the short stories from James Joyceââ¬â¢s short story collection called Dubliners first published in 1907. As James Joyce wasâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦This realistic setting of time and place enables the reader to identify with the characters of the story . Moreover the point of view used by James Joyce also enhances this authenticity. Araby was written from the ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ point of view or what we call first person viewpoint . This enables the reader to identify more readily with the feelings of the major character. The ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ in the story is not James Joyce himself but it is the ââ¬Å"personaââ¬â¢ he assumed for telling the story . In this case he did not use the viewpoint of his own as an adult but the personaââ¬â¢ s view point as a child. For this story, the ââ¬Å"I ââ¬Å" viewpoint is deliberately chosen as this story is about a boy who secretly admired a girl living nearby. Without the omniscient viewpoint, reader can have no understanding of the girlââ¬â¢s impression or feelings about the boy. Readers only know what the boy thinks of the girl but not vice versa. In this way, the readers may find it more interesting as they can identify themselves more with the boy and it may help them to recall their own experience of admiring somebody secretly. James Joyce depicted the protagonist- the boy mainly through what he does, what he says,as well as, what he doesnââ¬â¢t do and say. The timid character of the boy which is shared by most secret admirers,Show MoreRelatedEssay on James Joyce1722 Words à |à 7 Pages James Joyce nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;James Joyce, an Irish novelist and poet, grew up near Dublin. James Joyce is one of the most influential novelists of the 20th century. In each of his prose works he used symbols to experience what he called an quot;epiphanyquot;, the revelation of certain revealing qualities about himself. His early writings reveal individual moods and characters and the plight of Ireland and the Irish artist in the 1900s. Later works, reveal a man in all hisRead More James Joyces Ulysses - Balancing Information in Ithaca Essay3248 Words à |à 13 PagesJames Joyces Ulysses - Balancing Information in Ithaca I hold this book [Ulysses] to be the most important expression which the present age has found; it is a book to which we are all indebted, and from which none of us can escape. T.S. Elliot In the midst of Ithaca, the climactic second to last episode of Ulysses, James Joyce provides the necessary information for calculating how much excrement, in pounds, is produced annually by the entire population of Ireland (p. 718). The typeRead MoreEssay on James Joyces Dubliners: Two Gallants2403 Words à |à 10 Pagessixth short story in the Dubliners collection, James Joyce is especially careful and crafty in his opening paragraph. Even the most cursory of readings exposes repetition, alliteration, and a clear structure within just these nine lines. The question remains, though, as to what the beginning of Two Gallants contributes to the meaning and impact of Joyces work, both for the isolated story itself and for Dubliners as a whole. The construction, style, and word choice of this opening, in the contextRead MoreANALIZ TEXT INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS28843 Words à |à 116 Pagessequence of interrelated events that constitute the basic narrative structure of a novel or a s hort story. Events of any kind, of course, inevitably involve people, and for this reason it is virtually impossible to discuss plot in isolation from character. Character and plot are, in fact, intimately and reciprocally related, especially in modern fiction. A major function of plot can be said to be the representation of characters in action, though as we will see the action involved can be internal
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Stefanââ¬â¢s Diaries Bloodlust Chapter 22 Free Essays
string(50) " want to say no to the Picards, whoever they are\." I straightened the cuffs on my neatly pressed white shirt and buttoned my overcoat. The shiny brass buttons glinted in the lamplight as I turned the corner onto Laurel Street. I wiped my face, to make sure no blood lingered on my lips. We will write a custom essay sample on Stefanââ¬â¢s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 22 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Id visited my barmaid from Miladies, sating my hunger before my evening out on the town with Callie. The barmaids blood had tasted sweet, like lilies dipped in honey. The second the warmth had hit my tongue, my senses had become honed and the world had sharpened around the edges. Now the cicadas shrieked in my ears and the smell of roses assaulted my nose, but my stomach was calm and my veins were sated. I was ready for my date. The park at the end of the street was filled with magnolias and ancient elm trees, and in the center, a marble fountain was topped with a sculpture of a naked woman. Through the burble of the fountain, I could hear the beating of a human heart. ââ¬Å"Hello?â⬠I called. ââ¬Å"Stefan!â⬠Callie stepped out from behind a stone cherub into the weak light of a gas lamp. Her red hair, a flame in the flickering light, hung loose and curly around her shoulders. She wore a simple, cream-colored dress, with a lace bodice and a flouncy skirt that draped over her tiny hips. Blood raced through my body. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Callie said, reddening as she noticed my stare. ââ¬Å"You look, uh, like a girl,â⬠I said. She looked beautiful. ââ¬Å"Gee, thanks.â⬠Callie rolled her eyes and softly slugged my shoulder. ââ¬Å"Youre just used to seeing me in work clothes.â⬠She gazed at me. ââ¬Å"You look quite handsome.â⬠I cleared my throat and tugged on my collar. Suddenly my clothes felt uncomfortable and constricting, and the night air stuffy. I wondered briefly if the barmaid had something in her blood that hadnt agreed with me. ââ¬Å"Thank you,â⬠I said formally. ââ¬Å"Stefan?â⬠Callie lifted her arm expectantly. ââ¬Å"Oh, of course.â⬠I took her arm in mine. Her freckled hand grazed my palm. I flinched and readjusted so that her hand was resting on the soft fabric of my jacket. ââ¬Å"Where to, Miss Gallagher?â⬠She looked up at me, a smile on her face. ââ¬Å"Bourbon Street, of course.â⬠Callie guided me through cobblestone side streets, where gardenias dripped from balconies. On a whim, I grabbed one and tucked it behind her ear. Back home in Mystic Falls, it was customary to bring flowers or a small token when visiting with a lady. ââ¬Å"Want to know a secret?â⬠Callie whispered. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠I asked, curious. I was already the bearer of too many secrets. But perhaps Callies could lead me to Damon She got up on tiptoe and cupped my ear with her hand. The sound of her blood pumping beneath her skin magnified tenfold. I gritted my teeth, forcing my fangs back down. ââ¬Å"Your shirt has come untucked,â⬠she whispered. ââ¬Å"Oh,â⬠I said, as I self-consciously smoothed down my shirt. ââ¬Å"Thanks.â⬠Callie let out a gleeful laugh. ââ¬Å"You know what I really want to see?â⬠she asked, grabbing my arm. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠I asked, trying to devote all my energy to not listening to the steady thrum of her blood. ââ¬Å"A burlesque show. Madame X has a showeveryoneââ¬â¢sbeen talking about,â⬠she said. We walked together through the town, past bustling crowds and wavering street carts, ending up in a well-kept neighborhood in front of a pristine, stately house. A simple placard next to the door readMADAME Xin black script. Soft lamplight shone from all the windows, and carriages pulled up, one after another, to the front gate, releasing their well-dressed passengers into the depths of the club. I momentarily panicked. I didnt have any money. And I was wearing a schoolboys clothes that hadnt been in style since the turn of the century. ââ¬Å"Callie, I think â⬠I began, trying to come up with an alternate idea for our evening when the front door swung open to greet us. ââ¬Å"Good evening. Are you guests of the house?â⬠The mans eyes flicked down my old clothes. I was wildly underdressed for this venue, and I knew it. Callie, however, looked radiant. ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠Callie jumped in, straightening her shoulders. ââ¬Å"And your names?â⬠From the way Callies lips flattened, I could tell she hadnt realized there was a guest list. I stepped in front of her, suddenly inspired. ââ¬Å"Were the Picards. Remy and his wife, Calliope.â⬠ââ¬Å"One moment, sir.â⬠The man waddled in his slippers over to a podium holding a list that almost certainly did not include Mr. Remy Picards name. He turned a page, then turned it back. ââ¬Å"What are you doing, Stefan?â⬠Callie whispered. ââ¬Å"I have it under control,â⬠I said quietly. ââ¬Å"Just smile and look pretty.â⬠The man returned, looking genuinely distressed. ââ¬Å"Im terribly sorry, sir, but your name is not on our list for tonight.â⬠He glanced around, as if ready to beckon a security guard if we made trouble. I want you to let us in without asking us any more questions, I thought, channeling all my energy. ââ¬Å"Wed really like to come in,â⬠I said aloud, concentrating on looking deep into his eyes, ignoring Callies curious gaze boring into my back. ââ¬Å"Are you sure you didnt see our names on the list?â⬠The mans eyes flickered. Let us in without looking at the list. ââ¬Å"You know, I believe Imighthave seen your names. In fact, Im sure I did. The Picards! Im sorry. It was my confusion. Right this way,â⬠he said, a slightly vacant expression on his face. He led us through large double doors and into a sumptuous parlor. Low crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the air smelled of jasmine, magnolia, and freesia. ââ¬Å"Enjoy your stay at Madame Xs. And if I can be of any assistance to either of you, dont hesitate to come fetch me,â⬠the man said, turning on his heel. ââ¬Å"Thank you,â⬠I said. Callie simply stood there, looking slack-jawed at me. ââ¬Å"How did you do that?â⬠I shrugged. ââ¬Å"I just made him doubt himself. He wouldnt want to say no to the Picards, whoever they are. You read "Stefanââ¬â¢s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 22" in category "Essay examples" Besides, what if our nameswereon the list, and he said no to us, then we complained to the owner?â⬠Secretly, I was thrilled. My Power was strengthening. ââ¬Å"So I take it that this isnt your first time sneaking in where you dont belong?â⬠I glanced at her slyly. ââ¬Å"You of all people should know that to be true.â⬠She laughed, and I gave her an impromptu twirl. People stared at us. Even though a pianist was playing a jaunty tune in the corner, this wasnt a room where people danced. Instead, guests drifted from one conversation to the next as they sucked on cigars and gulped down champagne. ââ¬Å"Do you know anyone here?â⬠I asked as we brushed past couple after couple, all clad in finery. Callie shrugged, the shadow of a frown crossing her face. She glanced around the room. ââ¬Å"They all hate Father. They say hes a Unionist whos taking advantage of New Orleans with his business. And perhaps he is, but at least his show doesnt pretend to be something its not,â⬠she said, jutting her chin. I shifted in my seat. Wasnt that exactly what I was doing? Pretending to be someone I wasnt? I couldnt look at her, in case she could see the depths of my lies in my eyes. A server came by with a tray laden with champagne. I grabbed two glasses. ââ¬Å"Cheers,â⬠I said, handing one to Callie. As we sipped the bubbling liquid, conversations swirled around us, growing louder and more boisterous with every tray of drinks the waiters brought out to serve. Mens movements grew more languid, women laughed more readily. ââ¬Å"Is your father ready for the next show?â⬠I asked, forcing a conversational note to my voice. ââ¬Å"I suppose so.â⬠ââ¬Å"Who will the vampire be fighting?â⬠ââ¬Å"I dont know,â⬠Callie said. ââ¬Å"A crocodile, or maybe a tiger. It depends on what Father can get on such short notice. Why?â⬠I shrugged noncommittally. ââ¬Å"I want to place a bet.â⬠ââ¬Å"Father wants something cheap. Hes worried people wont pony up as much money for another animal fight. It seems the monsters much stronger than a beast.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh,â⬠I said, trying to process the information. ââ¬Å"But lets not talk about work. Tonight is supposed to be fun! Lord knows we dont have enough of it in our real lives.â⬠Callies voice grew melancholy. ââ¬Å"Speaking of fun,â⬠she said, pointing to a small crowd moving through a set of double doors at the back of the club, ââ¬Å"I think the burlesque show is back there.â⬠ââ¬Å"Shall we?â⬠I asked, offering my arm. The back room, much smaller than the first one, had numerous wooden tables crammed onto the floor. A stage was set up at the front of the room, and the space was dimly lit by candles. Instead of joining the crush toward the front, Callie and I sat back on a low-slung, red velvet bench beneath a large mirror in the back of the room. As soon as everyone settled into seats, a master of ceremonies took to the stage. I was surprised to see that he was a man wearing a dinner suit and cape. Id imagined a burlesque show to be louder, larger than this, with plenty of music and scantily clad women. ââ¬Å"Good evening! As weve all heard, we have a vampire in our midst,â⬠he said dramatically. Audience members tittered nervously. I glanced at Callie out of the corner of my eye. Was this some sort of trap? Did she know what I was? But Callie was leaning forward, as if mesmerized by the mans words. The master of ceremonies smiled, drinking in the suspense. ââ¬Å"Yes, a vampire. Down at that two-bit circus by the lake.â⬠Jeers filled the room. Callie hadnt been exaggerating when shed said her father was infamous in this town. I turned to look at her. Although her cheeks were as red as her hair, she gazed straight ahead, her elbows on her knees. ââ¬Å"And eyewitnesses say Gallagher had to chain his up so it wont run away. But, here at Madame Xs, our vampire has come to visit all on his own.â⬠ââ¬Å"We can go if you want,â⬠I whispered. But Callie shook her head and clasped my hand. It felt warm against my cool skin, but this time I didnt push her away. ââ¬Å"No, I want to stay.â⬠A thin man walked onstage, clad in a black cape. His face was powdered, and thin lines of fake blood were drawn from the corners of his lips. He smiled at the crowd, revealing fake fangs. I shifted in my seat. ââ¬Å"I am a vampire, and you all are my prey! Come to me, my pretties!â⬠he cackled, in an exaggerated voice that made me squirm. The ââ¬Å"vampireâ⬠stalked around the stage, his teeth bared and his eyes scanning the audience. A woman in a pearl-embroidered gown stood up from a table in the front and walked toward the stage as if in a trance, emitting a low moan with each step. ââ¬Å"The vampire has special eyes that can see through clothing. And this vampire, ladies and gentlemen, likes what he sees!â⬠The master of ceremonies leered at the audience. At this, the audience applauded enthusiastically. I glanced at Callie again. Had she known this was a show about vampires? ââ¬Å"But, now, the vampire has his hunger awakened. And what hell do to feed the hunger, you wont believe,â⬠the master of ceremonies said as the vampire onstage waved his hands toward the woman, as if conducting an orchestra. As he did that, a trumpet player began playing a slow, mournful tune. The woman began to move her hips, slowly at first, and then more and more quickly until she looked as though she would topple over. ââ¬Å"Maybe Father should give our vampire dance lessons,â⬠Callie whispered, her breath hot on my cheek. Then, suddenly, the vampire stopped waving his arms. The music stopped, and so did the woman. The vampire lurched toward her, took hold of the sleeve of her dress, and tore it off, exposing her milky-white arm. ââ¬Å"Do you feel wicked tonight?â⬠the vampire called to the audience, waggling the fabric toward the crowd. Then he tore off the other sleeve. My stomach turned. ââ¬Å"I ask you, do you feel wicked tonight?â⬠he called again, tossing the fabric into the audience. The crowd cheered as the dancer continued her gyrations, rubbing her back against the ââ¬Å"vampire.â⬠Slowly, she peeled away her clothing, item by item, sending a silk stocking or a slip into the audience until most of her body was on display. As the music picked up speed, she got closer to becoming entirely nude. At last, she sat in a chair on the stage as the master of ceremonies pulled off the last bit of her top, forcing her to cover herself with her hands. ââ¬Å"As he is a beast from hell, the only way to stop a vampire is with a stake to the heart. But they can also be kept away with a crucifix ââ¬Å" At this, the dancer pantomimed a futile search for pockets that might contain a stake or crucifix. I slumped in my chair, thinking of my own attacks. Of Alice, of Lavinia, of the nurse whose name Id never known. There was nothing beautiful or romantic about those attacks. They were quick, bloody, deadly. Id ended their lives without a second thought, with swift violence and a thirst for more. ââ¬Å"Are you okay?â⬠Callie asked. For the first time, I realized how tightly Id been clutching her hand. I loosened my grip, and instantly she snuggled closer to me in my seat. Her blood pumped like sweet music through her body, and the warmth of her body soothed my anger. I relaxed into her, taking in the softness of her voice as she laughed at the play. Callie was warm and soft and so veryalive. I wanted this moment to freeze, to last into eternity, with nothing but me and Callie and her beating heart. There was nothing else I needed in that moment, not blood, not power, not Dââ¬â My body tensed and I sat straight up. What was I doing? Had I forgotten my brother, what I had done to him, so quickly? I stood up. ââ¬Å"Down in front!â⬠a voice barked a few rows behind me. ââ¬Å"I-Im sorry. I have to go,â⬠I said, stumbling toward the door. ââ¬Å"Stefan, wait!â⬠she called. But I kept going until I was on the street, running from the late-night bustle all the way to the riverbank. As I stared down at my reflection in the swirling water, Percys words echoed in my head: ââ¬Å"Youll either want to kill her or kiss her, and neither scenario will end well for you.â⬠He was right. Because while I truly didnt know whether I wanted to kiss or bite Callie, I knew I wantedher. How to cite Stefanââ¬â¢s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 22, Essay examples
Monday, April 27, 2020
It was after my sophomore football season that I r Essays
It was after my sophomore football season that I realized that I wanted to play college football. I immediately got really excited after receiving a recruiting questionnaire from Benedictine, even though I didn't know anything about them. The summer of my junior year I thought that it would be a good idea to attend some college football camps to get better and to try and put myself out there and get noticed. I went to Emporia State's showcase camp and Butler's camp. I thought that I may have stood out and caught the coaches eye, when I was at the Butler camp. I then had a pretty good junior football season and was hoping that some colleges would be after me. I filled out Butler's online football questionnaire and later heard back from them, as they sent me a bunch of letters in the mail and one of the coaches texted me a few times. Butler was really the only school that I had a desire to go to because I felt as if I knew so much about them. My mother works there and my brother played basketball there. Also, I had really enjoyed going to their camps the past two years and I loved what they taught. Growing up, my mother would take me to Butler football games and then about midseaso my senior year I was invited to a game, where I got to go on the sideline as a recruit and talk to the coaches. I thought that this was a big deal and that they were for sure looking at me and recruiting me, but unfortunately, I don't think they were interested in me and I don't even think the coaches knew who I was. Towards the end of my senior football season, a new rule was passed in the Kansas Jayhawk Conference, that stated that there would no longer be an out of state limit for football scholarships. I didn't think much of it until I realized that none of the Kansas JUCOs were interested in me, despite me e-mailing every single one of them and filling out their questionnaires. I wasn't sure what to do after this, I had received some interest from some smaller NAIA schools like Ta bor, Sterling, Ottawa, MNU, and Benedictine, but I just couldn't see myself going to any of those schools and I knew that I wouldn't be satisfied with going to an NAIA. Also, going to an NAIA is very expensive and I wasn't sure if I had the funds to go there. I then saw that Hutchinson Community College was holding an open combine tryout in late April. I knew that last year that held one of those tryouts and that they got like five or six guys, who performed well on their team because of it. So I decided to take my chances and sign up for it. After I signed up for the tryout, I had the day of the tryout in my mind, every single day, as motivation. I knew that I would have to train very hard in order to stand out and put up good combine numbers. I wanted to make sure that I would perform well and earn myself a scholarship so I decided to try and find some help in order to train for the combine tryout. I searched the internet and stumbled across this place called the Wichita Parisi. T hey had a combine prep special for $300. I decided to take the risk and try and get signed up for it. I went down to there place, which is about a 20-30 minute drive, depending on the traffic, to get signed up and evaluated. I ended up talking to the owner there for about 30 minutes. I ended up signing up for a 3 month membership, which I paid $507 of my own money. I did this because the owner told me that even if I did make the team at Hutch, I would still need to put in work to become a better athlete, and if I didn't make the team at Hutch, he said that he could help me out and find me a place to play.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
This property is condemned
This property is condemned Introduction The film This property is condemnedâ⬠(1966) is a movie that was filmed in Mississippi, America. The movie represents a thirteen-year-old girl called Willie Starr who has been deserted by her parents. Willie recounts for a lad named Tom the sad story of her sister, Star, who took care of her until Alvaââ¬â¢s untimely death from lung cancer. From her story, it comes out clear that Willie idolizes Alva and wants to imitate her.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on This property is condemned specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Unfortunately, since Alva was a prostitute in her motherââ¬â¢s brothel for railway men, Willie naively but firmly believes that the kind of life Alva led is the only true glamorous existence for any lady. Consequently, there is little doubt at the movieââ¬â¢s end that Willie is condemned to assume her sisterââ¬â¢s sordid way of life. Lessons to be learned There is more than o ne lesson that can be derived from this film, the first one being that a child emulates the behavior, whether positive or negative, of the older individual around him or her. This can be shown by Willie, who watches Alvaââ¬â¢a flirting behaviors and ends up following the same path as Alva is revealed in her conversation with Tom, in which Willie admits to stripping for one Frank Waters and dating five men with responsible jobs (Erskine, Welsh and Tibbetts 353). The endorsement of Alvaââ¬â¢s behavior by her mother seems to have also played a big role in Willieââ¬â¢s adoption of the same behaviors. This can be explained when Willieââ¬â¢s mother encourages her daughter Alva to go out with an older man with the aim of fully satisfying their customers. Being a family business, perhaps Willie also picked up the same behaviors believing that they were good for their business. The other lesson is the importance of a complete family in relation to the bringing up of a stable fam ily. Alvaââ¬â¢s father had run away when she was a child leaving her mother with the responsibility of looking after the family. Growing up without a father figure could have also greatly contributed to her irresponsible character traits. For as little as a few chocolates and jewels, Alva allows herself to be an object of entertainment for the railway workers. Also, following Alvaââ¬â¢s death, Willie becomes a street urchin in her own home as she rummages through garbage for food. The absence of the guidance and love of a father and mother in Alvaââ¬â¢s and Willieââ¬â¢s seems to have resulted in the two leaving such irresponsible lives. In any case, the mother is depicted as being unfit to raise her children when she encourages her daughter to sleep with men just to keep them coming back to their bar. Alvaââ¬â¢s character traits On examination of Alvaââ¬â¢s character, several character traits can be observed. One trait that is clearly displayed is that Alva is a s ly character. This can be seen in the examination of her relationships with those around her. Her manipulative mother is portrayed as encouraging her to marry the wealthy Mr. Johnson but she does not seem to like this arrangement and ends marrying her motherââ¬â¢s lover, JJ, out of spite. Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The story gets interesting when she steals JJââ¬â¢s valuables and their marriage certificate on the following morning and escapes to New Orleans where her boyfriend Owen lives. Alvaââ¬â¢s mother feels betrayed by her marriage to JJ and the day when both Alva and Owen come home provides her with the opportunity to expose the marriage to Owen. Feeling that it she has no way of getting out of the sticky situation, she runs out of the house into the rain and cries out of despair. The other trait that can be associated with Alva is that of mat erialism. Alva is materialistic in that she is ready to engage in any act for small material things such as chocolates and jewels. Point of view The storyline is from Willieââ¬â¢s perspective as she narrates about her family to a boy named Tom, who she had met at the railway tracks (Heintzelman and Howard 304). As she narrates the, it appears that the main focus of her story is on her sister Alva, who by then is deceased. The narration of the story makes some difference in the way the viewers perceive the whole story as it makes them observe the movie from Willieââ¬â¢s perspective. Viewing and listening to the story from one of the characterââ¬â¢s point of view makes the audience connect more with the story that if it were to be told by an individual who is not part of the characters. Conclusion This property is condemnedâ⬠is Willieââ¬â¢s way of explaining her life to the world. In the story, she explains how much she adores her deceased sister from who she has le arned a lot and wants to emulate. However, as she narrates the story Willie seems to notice the problems this lifestyle has put her through and this is well shown at the movieââ¬â¢s end when she admits to Tom that she indeed lives in a condemned house. Erskine, Thomas, Welsh, James and Tibbetts, John. Video versions: film adaptations of plays on video. West Port, CT: Greenwood publishing Group, 2000. Heintzelman, Greta and Howard, Alycia Smith. Critical companion to Tennessee Williams. New York: Inforbase Publishing, 2005.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on This property is condemned specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
5 MORE safety tips when searching for jobs online
5 MORE safety tips when searching for jobs online Work opportunities available to skilled and hardworking professionals have evolved substantially in recent years. Current job opportunities are commonly found through search engines, social networking platforms, and job sites. However, while there are many legitimate opportunities available online, there are also plenty of scams that can result in considerable stress and financial loss for unsuspecting individuals. There are multiple steps that you can take if you are preparing to look for a job online. For example, you can and should stay current about the latest scams so that you know what to watch for. You also should ensure that any websites that you use to look for jobs are trusted. Weââ¬â¢ve covered some of the basics before. Here are 5 more safety tips you should use for your job search.Update your device protectionYour electronic devices understandably may already have anti-virus software protection, but this technology is updated regularly to combat the latest malware, sp yware and more. Spend a few minutes ensuring that the most updated version of this type of program is installed onto yourà device before you begin your search. Specifically, it should include protection against phishing, malware, viruses, and spyware.You should be aware of other ways that criminals attempt to enter a vulnerable space. For example, some of the social media and hiring apps that legitimate recruiters use could actually contain a virus or other dangers. So before downloading that app, do your research; check reviews, or ask a friend. It only takes a few minutes to ensure your privacy is safe.You also beà wary of how you connect to the Internet. A public Wi-Fi connection makes it much easier for others to monitor your activities, and they can even intercept documents and vital information that you are sharing with a recruiter.Avoid passing along private information onlineYou may be aware that legitimate websites, such as your preferred bank, ask you for sensitive inf ormation. This includes your motherââ¬â¢s maiden name, your Social Security number, your credit card or bank account numbers and more. Be aware that a legitimate employer will not require you to submit this sensitive information digitally. These are vital pieces of information that criminals can use to hack into all of your other accounts.You should always be observant about the information that you share and who you share it with. Some information, such as your Social Security number, may legitimately be required after you are hired, but it should not be requested before this point.If it sounds too good to be trueâ⬠¦it probably isOnline scams are becoming increasingly difficult to spot, but many job descriptions may set off an internal alarm. The reality is that better-paying jobs require you to bring skills or experience to the table. If you are being offered a high-paying job with no skills or experience required, this is likely a scam. Understand what some of the more not able scams are, such as being offered a very large sum of money to complete a menial task like stuffing envelopes.Other scams require you to purchase items out-of-pocket. This could even be something seemingly acceptable, such as a software program that the employer says is needed for the job. No employer will ask you to pay for software in order to apply for the job. Some scammers go so far as to require you to deposit large checks on their behalf. These are signs of a scam, and you should walk away from these perceived opportunities.Watch out for unsolicited offers of employmentYou may be filled with a momentary sense of pride and accomplishment when you receive an email with a job offer out of the blue. However, there is a solid chance that you were not the only one who received this offer. Many scammers send out huge email campaigns with an amazing job offer that appears to be specifically designed for you. These emails may come from popular domains, such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotm ail.In many cases, the email instructs you to click a link for more information. Understand that this is a huge red flag. Any time you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, follow your intuition by deleting the email and forgetting about the ââ¬Å"offerâ⬠. Youââ¬â¢ll get plenty of legitimate opportunities!Ask yourself if it makes senseAt first glance, you may be excited about an amazing job offer that you have stumbled upon or that has been directed specifically to your email address. If you do decide to proceed with looking into the offer more closely, proceed cautiously. Rather than clicking a link, you can research the company independently and see what pops up. Itââ¬â¢s not enough that they have a website, since registering a domain is relatively easy, make sure the content of the site has some substance. Youââ¬â¢ll find that scam websites are often devoid of anything meaningful.If youââ¬â¢re still unsure call the company directly, if the contact information is not listed on the website then you have your answer. Just avoid providing any personal information or clicking links.Finding jobs online is the new normal, so taking the extra steps for safety should become second nature. When you follow these tips, you can guarantee your information will be safe and youââ¬â¢ll have greater access to finding an opportunity fit for you.About the Author:Joe Peters is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and an ultimate tech enthusiast. When he is not working his magic as a marketing consultant, this incurable tech junkie enjoys reading about latest apps and gadgets and binge-watching his favorite TV shows. You can reach him @bmorepeters
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Theodore McKenzie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Theodore McKenzie - Essay Example His shirt, damp from the humidity, outlining his lean built and his broad shoulders, bonded tightly onto his skin. Like tiny crown jewels, droplets of sweat constellated on top of his straight yellow hair - comparable to the colour of the corn kernels. In fact, Theodore remembered other boys referred to him as a corn child, not to mock him or anything - except that he stood out among the rest of the children whose skins were less pallid and whose hair was as dark as burnt wood. Theodore, when he was a child, on his way home from school, used to pass along the tiny path in the middle of the cornfields. Cornfield farmers usually allotted space in between rows of corn so that it would be easy for them to cut grass and weeds that 'affect growth of maize' at least that was how Simeon, an ageing lanky tenant who lives in a shack near the foot of the mountains, explained it. Simeon's wife used to beat him up with corn stem every time he comes home drunk after swigging a jar of coconut wine concocted by the residents in the valley. Theodore remembered the paths to be always free of weeds and he thanked Simeon and the farm workers for that. The brownish soil formed mounds and crests just like those of waves, and when it rained - as it always rained - water cruised along the paths, and the soil glued firmly on his shoes, like sticky rice cake fixed on one's tooth - elevating his black leather boots a few centimeters more. Theodore could not bear walking like that an d he would often take his boots off and walk barefoot towards home. Although sometimes, the blades of corn leaves protruding towards the path and towards him, would cut gently through his skin as a knife with a jagged edge would cut a pinnate leaf, leaving linear marks on his arms. When he was a boy, Theodore recalled going home one day after school, passing through the fields, towards the end of the vast plantation where a lone Baroque-inspired mansion formidably stood. His house was the only structure that could be seen from afar - even if it was viewed from the hills or from the mountains or tens of kilometers away. Its red brick roof looked like a red piece of cloth on a yellow floor during that time of the year, as the plants were almost ready for harvest. The corn's golden kernels still sparkled under the setting sun casting a red glittery reflection on each bead. Almost everyday on his way home, as he approached his house, Theodore would always hear his mother playing music, humming a tune or fingering Wagner on the piano. He didn't know Wagner nor liked his music but his mother manipulated her favorite musical instrument with passion, a kind of ardor, which Theodore had never seen in someone else's fingers or behavior. Today was a strange day though. On his way towards the door, Theodore didn't hear the piano nor hear his mother humming a tune. Instead he heard his father's voice. It was shaky but apparently angry. "What do you mean you don't know where she went" his father was interrogating Teresa, one of the housekeepers. " She is gone Senor Leopold. I looked everywhere. She was not in her room either." "Are you sure you looked in the neighborhood for her" From the doorway, Theodore saw his father's anxious face, his brows creased and his lips parted and shaking like a leaf hanging onto a stem. "We have looked everywhere and we saw one of the suitcases" His father swiftly interrupted the young maid. " She wouldn't do that!
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