How atmosphere is created in Victorian ghost stories Essay Example for Free

How atmosphere is created in Victorian ghost stories Essay Discuss and compare how atmosphere is created in three Victorian ghost stories Atmosphere is created in Victorian ghost stories by using a few main factors- -Characters -figurative language -setting -themes -Era (period of time) The majority of Victorian ghost authors use these factors because they are best to create atmosphere in any story, i.e. for a theme you can use fear, and for a setting you can use an old abandoned mansion, a story can easily be set around this because the two factors fit together as the same genre. The first author that will be used as an example will be using as an example will be Charles Dickens, he was born in 1812, He had a marvellous photographic memory which helped him base some of his characters on people he had met earlier on in his life. The story I will be focusing on by dickens will be THE SIGNALMAN, this story is a good choice because its atmosphere is built up as soon as you read the story, THE SIGNALMAN is being narrated by the gentleman in the story, he is a means for creating atmosphere because he puts in a first person perspective, he gives opinion and tells you what the scenery looks like, characters are almost a part of the setting, they create a mood, for example the protagonist in the story spends most of his time learning from the signalman- how I ought to act, having become the recipient of this disclosure? I had proved the man to be intelligent, vigilant, painstaking, and exact, at first the protagonist sees the signalman to be a solitary, ghost of a man, but getting to know him, he sees him as a man waiting for something to come (this is now figurative language), what the author is trying to tell you is that he is not waiting to change the train track, but is waiting for the warning (or signal) towards his death. One of the themes is either death or hell, for example, in the start the signalman was shocked when the narrator yells at him halloa, below there, the signalman thinks that the protagonist is a ghost (the signal man is waiting for death). A quote that can support the theme of hell is: just then there came a vague vibration of the earth and air, quickly changed into a violent pulsation and an oncoming rush that caused me to start back, this shows that this character is not use to trains (most likely because of the era (period of time) , in which trains are relatively new and many people are scared of them), he may find them monstrous, figuratively, the ground quivering and the protagonist going down into the trench may possibly mean the earth is opening, and he is descending into hell. The era (period of time) also helps with the building of the atmosphere for the reason that the story is set around trains, and in Victorian times the general public were scared of trains which would add to the eeriness of the account being told. The author will use characters as a tool to build atmosphere by explaining what he or she looks like, how they act and what they do, for example, And drawing nearer to him, saw that he was a dark sallow man with a dark beard and rather heavy eyebrows, the narrator is describing the signalman as a person who does not interact with others and as if he is already dead because of his pale skin, deep voice, and in another part of the story he is described as having an infection of the mind, adding to the theme of death. The setting in the signalman is dim and creepy, this is explained by the protagonist, down in the deep trench, and mine was so high above him, so steeped in the angry sunset, the trench described in this quote is intended to represent the protagonist on earth, looking down into his grave, it could be that the point of the story is to represent the protagonist death. The next Victorian ghost author that will be used is Abraham stoker (Bram stoker); he is best known as the creator of the fictional character Count Dracula. The story which will be used is THE JUDGES HOUSE. One of the themes in this story is fear, this is mainly created by using setting and characters, for example, the protagonist, Malcolm Malcolmson needs a place of solitude to do his scientific research and so he finds an old shambling, heavy built house of Jacobean style , with heavy gables and windows, set higher than normal, customary houses he finds the perfect house for his research, this is also the perfect house to build suspense, horror and the theme, fear. This particular story brings different eras(periods of time) to it because the house that malcolmson takes residency in has a history, as malcolmson asks to stay in the house to the landlady, she replies not in the judges house!, she said, and grew pale as she spoke the abode of the judge who was held in great terror because of the harsh sentences and his hostility towards the prisoners at assizes, this makes the plot, and in turn it creates a negative atmosphere towards the house. This quote can also explain how the characters create atmosphere by use of their language , another example of this would be mercy on us, said Ms. Witham an old devil, and sitting on a chair by the fireside , take care sir, take care, Ms. Witham the woman speaking, sounds as if she is nervous just talking about the judge. In this story a setting can also represent a character i.e. the rats are meant to represent the judge, because it keeps catching the attention of malcolmson, he raised a book in his right hand and taking careful aim, flung it at the rat, it sprang aside like a missile, he took another book and repeated his action, and a third, until he had only one book left, the rat squeaked and seemed afraid, malcolmson more eager to strike, the book flew with a resounding blow. The book that hit the rat was the bible, usually in any Victorian ghost story the protagonist will have to use a religious object to get rid of the villain, i.e. in Bram stokers Dracula the protagonist (van Helsing) uses a cross to fend Dracula. So the rat (the judge) will have to be scared of the bible. The rats are also meant to representing the judges evil spreading like a plague, and ruining everybodys lives around it. The last author that will be used to answer the question is Herbert George wells (h.g wells) he was a Victorian sci-fi writer most famous for his novel war of the worlds. The story he wrote that will be used is the THE RED ROOM. This will give good examples of how atmosphere is created by using characters; in the beginning of the story there is a conversation between the protagonist and the pensioners, the pensioners help create atmosphere because they are all somehow crippled, for example, its your own choosing, said the man with the withered arm once more a second old man entered, more bent, more wrinkled, more aged than the first. The reason these characters are like this is because they keep having to lecture the protagonist about not going to the red room, he wont listen because no one would like to believe two senile old pensioners over their own opinion. The setting of the red room is a slightly different to other ghost stories because it is less secluded (there are more characters in the key building). It seems bizarre that the antagonist would only appear when a character is alone, as if it is shy: as I stood undecided, an invisible hand seemed to sweep out the two candles on the table, with a cry of terror I dashed to the alcove. The example of era (period in time) that happens in the story is more of a thought than it being existent: an older age when things spiritual were indeed to be feared, when common sense was uncommon, an age, when omens and witches were credible, and ghost beyond denying. This creates an Atmosphere of wickedness because it reminds you of the period in which everything was religious (religion can get rid of evil) and the church led the public to be against witches, demons and the devil. In all three of the stories there will be a person(s) who has experienced or witnessed the horrors that have happened before, they create atmosphere by giving the story a history.` Conclusion: Atmosphere is created in Victorian ghost stories by using some of the factors said before -Era (period of time) -Theme -Characters -Setting These factors are HOW atmosphere is created in these three Victorian ghost stories because they are best to put what is needed for a ghost story in the plot: suspense, history, death and a mystery to be solved.

Essay --

Has anyone ever told your child "This is what you need to be focusing on," or "This is more important than what is outside that window"? If yes is your answer to this question, your child might have with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children who have ADD or ADHD are often more imaginative and outgoing without their prescribed medication. However, the medication does allow them to focus and decreases their tendency to be troublesome. Naturally, a permanent cure without having to take medication is what most sufferers of ADD would prefer. These children are smart, but they can be a gigantic distraction to other children. This disease has effected over seven million Americans alone and while doctors find it in few girls because the diseases mainly affect boys. Some of the children think they are immune to ADHD, but truthfully we need to obtain a cure for them. There are multiple reasons that might be the reason that people get ADHD, such as, parents having ADHD, or the possibility of brain injuries when they were a young child. Three other likely causes are exposure to a toxic substance as a child, too much lead in their blood when they were born or pre-birth are. There will, more than likely, have to be multiple cures for ADHD because there are numerous ways to get the disease. However, I am sure that American doctors are fully capable of inventing a cure that will finally stop the disease in no time. But for right now, with the current medications and treatments, we can merely temporarily stop the symptoms. There are rumors of a neurological cure which could be an everlasting cure for most cases of ADD and ADHD. This means that children with ADHD are failing and being disrup... ...de-effects that come with the disease include difficulty focusing, especially an adult who has ADD to organize tasks, finish work within a time limit, and remember information and that makes it perplexing to find a job. Ultimately ADD and ADHD are both diseases that will make focusing harder for anybody who has either of them. ADHD could, although not likely, ruin the USA and possibly the world. People need to figure out a cure for ADD and ADHD, and soon, because it affects myriad people across America, and is causing a ton of problems. Children are having an exhausting time focusing in classrooms and adults who have ADD straining themselvs to driving. Who knows, maybe the future cure will help them pay attention and allow them to keep their creativity. So in conclusion we talked about how children get ADD or ADHD, how it affects children, and how it affects adults.

An Analysis of Religious Influences in the Poetry Essay

During an era in literature when propriety and sensitivities were valuable elements considered both by writer and audience, and spirituality was defined by a specific, almost stringent, set of rules, the arrival of young poet Algernon Charles Swinburne produced a reaction most were ill-prepared to give. For compared to his illustrious contemporaries, Swinburne subscribed to a style and ideology meant to negate all aspects of convention and expand, albeit unwillingly, tolerance for taboo concepts and words. Defiance and aggression, as well as liberty, sexuality, and immorality, were the main themes behind the astonishing lyricism and poetic prowess of Swinburne. This also echoed in the technical form of his work, with his unapologetic and irreverent use of his own brand of alliteration and rhythm. The poet was unabashedly pagan in his sensibilities, and fervently explored areas deemed unsuitable for exposition in polite Victorian society. Blasphemy was a typical description of Swinburne’s literary efforts, yet the uncompromising wit and satire present in them made for unavoidable reading, almost enjoyable in a morbid sense—which was literally one of the most prevalent tones in Swinburne’s works. Therefore, the attempt to find the influence of religion or spirituality in the poetry of such an iconoclast may seem futile; however, the fact that Swinburne consciously marked his territory along these sacrilegious lines may be tantamount to his actual recognition of the concepts he purposely tried to negate. There are no references or appeal to obedience and faith in his literature—common virtues required of any religious discussion—but his lifetime work’s concentration on the opposite end may have marked him as an excellent study of spiritual affirmation. II. The Life and Work of Algernon Charles Swinburne The controversial poet and critic was born in Grosvenor Place, London, on April 5, 1837, to Admiral John Swinburne, making him one of the small number of poets to boast of an aristocratic background. While a student at Eton and Oxford, Swinburne began establishing his literary philosophy through his studies of the poetry of Shelley, and alternately engrossed himself in standard ideologies of academic scholars, including political radicalism and atheism. His time at Oxford afforded him various introductions that would eventually figure prominently in his life and career—names such as Burne-Jones, Morris, and Rossetti. Often at the verge of being expelled from the storied institution, Swinburne’s penchant for atheism and capacity for biting sarcasm still received the attention sought, both from admirers and detractors. Consistent with his affinity for the concepts of physical pleasure and pain, morbidity, and excess, Swinburne lived a life of almost total addiction to alcohol that resulted in never-ending bouts of collapse and seizures. As his health deteriorated, his lawyer Theodore Watts-Dunton found it necessary to persuade Swinburne to make a complete lifestyle change, to which the poet agreed by taking up residence in Watts-Dunton’s estate. Perhaps due to his irreverent and unhealthy way of life, Swinburne finally succumbed to influenza in 1909.

First Century Jewish Concepts of the Messiah - 3386 Words

WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY 1st CENTURY JEWISH CONCEPTS OF THE MESSIAH 1st CENTURY JEWISH CONCEPTS OF THE MESSIAH Religion as seen by many is a set of principles which gives you a purpose to live and lead your life. For others it is a force and a law which restricts their freedom and their choice of living their life. Despite how it appears to be and how it may be defined, there are several religions in the world such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and more. Each one of them may differ in the set of beliefs and the principles which they lay but all of these world religions preach some universal truths; spreading the message of love, abstaining from crime and doing no harm to the others. Since every religion has a whole new concept of dimensions worth studying, this paper focuses the religion followed by the Jews; Judaism. It might not be new if it is stated that religion was one of the major reasons behind the establishment of the state of Israel. In other words, the land of Israel was created to recognize Jews and give them a place to live a nd settle. However, apart from providing them shelter and safeguarding their rights, Judaism is a very old religion with a number of beliefs. Amongst the several principles of faith, Judaism is a monotheistic religion as they belief in the existence of One and Eternal God. Jews have a faith in the dead being resurrected and their holy book is the Torah. Moreover, their greatest prophet is Moses and they belief that thereShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Messianic Idea in Judaism1116 Words   |  5 Pagesof Faith, the minimum requirements of Jewish belief. In the Shemoneh Esrei prayer, recited three times daily, we pray for all of the elements of the coming of the moshiach: ingathering of the exiles; restoration of the religious courts of justice; an end of wickedness, sin and heresy; reward to the righteous; rebuilding of Jerusalem; restoration of the line of King David; and restoration of Temple service. Modern scholars suggest that the messianic concept was introduced later in the history ofRead MoreThe Concept of the Messiah within Judasim and the Development of the Messanic Tradition Within Christianity2508 Words   |  11 PagesThis paper will compare the concept of the Messiah within Judaism and the development of the messianic tradition within Christianity. Consideration will be given to Judaic thought on how this religion understands the concept of the Messiah. Defining how throughout history it shaped the foundation of this religion to distinguish its own individual identity. Analysis will focus on the abstraction of the Messiah and how Jewish believers interpret the coming of the Mashiach in connection with the prophecyRead MoreIs God A Christ?997 Words   |  4 Pagesseen in the various ways Romans 9:4-5 has been treated over the centuries. The different degrees of emphasis placed on Christ’s divinity can be seen when comparing the word order and punctuation used in the New Revised Standard Version, the Geneva Bible, and the New Living Translation. The New Revised Standard Version (1989) places Christ at the pinnacle of creation as it translates Paul’s discussion of the importance of the Jewish people and their relationship with God: â€Å"They are Israelites, andRead MoreEssay on The Kingdom of God1134 Words   |  5 Pagesreligious philosophy and political philosophy of each sects, it will also describe how the Messianic expectation differ from the Messianic role that Jesus presented, and include an exegesis of the temptation of Jesus and how other sects defined the Messiah. The Kingdom of God defined by the Israelites as a physical place here on earth. The Kingdom of God is also called the â€Å"Kingdom of Heaven.† It means God’s rule in the lives of His chosen people and His Creation. In the Old Testament, the peopleRead MoreMount Of Olives : A True Believer1737 Words   |  7 Pagesand your place in this universe. The memory of the visit and affect it has on people is never forgotten. Mount of Olives (Har HaZeitim in Hebrew) is mentioned in the Bible multiple times as the place where the legendary events took place. The very first of those events was the rebellion of Absalom against his father king David described in 2 Samuel 15:30. After hearing about his son s treachery, the distressed king went up the ascent of Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up and his head was coveredRead MoreThe Historical Figure Of Jesus3309 Words   |  14 PagesOver the centuries, there have been many conflicts, in both the historical and theological fields because there is little documented historical information regarding the life and times of Jesus. Many have attempted using the tools of emerging biblical criticism, modern historiography, plus their considerable knowledge of ancient Judaism, in order to paint a portrait of a Jesus by detaching Him from Christian faith; refusing to study Jesus as a divine figure, but as a Jewish man, who was born as aRead MoreEssay on Comparison o f Islam to Christianity and Judaism862 Words   |  4 Pagesvery little in common with the true Islamic faith. They use the term Islam to generate support for their causes, but in so doing they often destroy the public’s view of the main Islamic faith. The People of the Book is an honorary title given to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. All three religions believe in one God and in his word, delivered through the prophets: Moses received the word of God in the Torah, Jesus and the Gospels and Muhammad and the Quran. The three religions also share a similarRead MoreThe Fullness of Time1279 Words   |  6 Pagesfullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.† The religious preparations for the advent of the Messiah and the subsequent rapid emergence of Christianity were brought about politically by the Romans and intellectually by the Greeks, while the religious contribution of the Jews was more intimate because of heredity. â€Å"In the period of Christian ity’s birth and during the first three centuries of its existence, conditions were more favorable for its spread through the Mediterranean world than atRead MoreComparing Christianity, Judaism, and Islam Essay1364 Words   |  6 Pagessystem of Jewish law, custom, and practice encompassing the totality of individual and communal existence. It is a system of sanctification in which all is to be subsumed under Gods rule. Judaism originated in the Middle East, but Jewish communities have existed at one time or another in almost all parts of the world, a result of both voluntary migrations and forced exile or expulsions. Origin The central element of Christianity is the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish rabbiRead MoreChristianity and Hinduism1601 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent ideologies. In the following essay, I will compare my own religion- Hinduism- with Christianity; a religion that has fascinated me for a very long time. Christianity is the world’s largest religion, originating in the Middle East in the first century. It has more than 2 billion followers, from all over the world. Christianity is a monotheistic religion, having originated from Judaism, also a monotheistic religion. This means that those who participate in a monotheistic religion believe there