The Life of Ethan and Zeena Today

The Life of Ethan and Zeena Today If Ethan and Zeena lived in todays modern world their lives would be different because gender roles, social customs, and divorce customs are different from the nineteenth century. Reasons for Isolation during the nineteenth century Environmental factors Technology Life in the nineteenth century Womens roles Marriage responsibilities Education Work Mens roles Marriage responsibilities Education Work Divorce Social customs rates Life in Todays World Womens Roles Mens Roles Divorce Social customs Zeenas nineteenth century life vs. her modern life Married life Financial situation Education Social life Ethans nineteenth century life vs. his modern life Married life Financial situation Education Social life Zeenas and Ethans Lives compared to Todays Modern Age In Edith Whartons Ethan Frome, Ethan and Zeena suffer because of the social expectancy during the nineteenth century. People who lived in rural areas during the nineteenth century were very isolated and had little interaction with neighbors. Life during the nineteenth century was based on social status and customs. Marriage was believed to be a womens main purpose in life. Women had no choice, but to seek marriage because women had little opportunities to work and were expected to live from a husbands income. If Ethan and Zeena lived in todays modern world their lives would be different because gender roles, social customs, and divorce customs are different from the nineteenth century. Isolation played a major factor in the characters lives during the nineteenth century. Isolation was very frequent in rural areas. People who lived in rural areas had little knowledge of social interaction. One reason for isolation in rural communities was population decline (Frome 126). Population had decreased because people moved to larger cities were more jobs and better technology was offered. Farmers who decided to stay in their farms with their families, lived in smaller, emptier communities (Frome 126). People ended up very isolated because the environment was lonely with very few residents. People were not able to interact because the isolation in the environment was very depressing. Married couples spent most of the time with each other in isolated farms. Life was very depressing for people who lived in rural communities. Secondly, technology was one of the causes for isolation in rural New England. Ethan Frome states: Both the telephone and automobile would greatly reduce feelings of isolation once they came to rural areas; people would be able to converse with neighbors much more easily and travel to nearby towns. However, it took a long time for these inventions to reach even middle-class homes in isolated areas such as the one in Ethan Frome. In fact, phone and automobiles would not come to many farm families until the mid-1910s, after the time of the novel.(128) People were very isolated in rural New England because they did not have many luxuries we have today like the telephone, cars, and computers. Life during the nineteenth century was very oppressing for men and women. Gender roles were very precise during that era. According to Elizabeth Ammons, women were not allowed to vote during the Ethan Frome era (n.pag.). Women faced discrimination during the nineteenth century because men were considered the authority of the household. Women depended on men for income, food, and shelter (Frome126).Women roles during the nineteenth century were very different from todays modern world. Women had to deal with many hard situations. For example, A wifes responsibilities included a comfortable home, performing household chores, and bearing and caring for children. She was expected to remain chaste, modest and frugal in household expenses and to abstain from conduct that reflected badly on her home or her husbands good name (Frome 126). Women were treated like animals because they were not allowed to have a decent human life. Women did not have the opportunity in making decisions. Life for women was very sad because women had no rights on their persona. Women had a very hard role in life because they were expected to follow the gender roles that society imposed. Education is another factor that affected womens lives during the nineteenth century. Women rarely had an education and if they did they were not allowed to work (Frome126). If women did not have an education there was no way they could make a living without a man. Women felt obligated to their husbands because they had no way of earning an income. Womens only education included housewife duties, which were the only things they knew how to do. Mens roles were very significant in rural New England. Men had big responsibilities because It was the duty of husbands like Ethan Frome to provide their families with the necessities of life, to treat their wives with courtesy, and to behave responsibly in financial affairs (Frome126). The mans main purpose was to take care of his wife economically. Men knew that a woman could not live by herself during that era; there was no way she could survive by herself. Men felt obligated to his wife because society imposed it. Many men feared of violating social norms because they treated social norms as laws. Men thought if they violated societal rules they were breaking the law. It is known that men were the ones who usually had an education and if they did not, they usually worked outside of the home like in Ethans case. Men had more opportunities of receiving an education than women. Many critics say that during the Ethan Frome era, divorce was rare and socially criticized. Many couples who did not love each other felt forced to live with one another because of societal rules. Many couples during the Ethan Frome era did not divorce because divorces became permissible after that era. Life in todays world is very different from the nineteenth century. Today womens roles are not like back then. In todays world women have the same rights as men. There are many women that decide living in singlehood. Many women live better lives in singlehood because some women are not wife like. Women do not depend on men for a living. Womens roles in todays era do include housewife duties but not all women work as housewives. Many women today are the ones who provide the family financially and some men do the duty of a housewife. There are also women who are single mothers that provide for their children by themselves. Many women in todays world decide to receive an education and end up receiving high salaried jobs. Today, there are laws that prohibit job discrimination because of gender, race, or color. Many women today have better work positions than males. In todays modern world women are admired for working outside of home because they also perform the duty of a housewife. Mens roles are similar and different from the early nineteenth century. Some still feel obligated to provide for their families financially, and others do not. In todays modern world men do not feel obligated to stay with a person they do not love. Men do not have the same responsibilities like in Ethans case. Men know that a woman can sustain herself without him. Mens marriage responsibilities include working and providing family with love and necessities. Education for men is still viewed the same like in the nineteenth century. Many men attend school to pursuit a degree. Men in todays world are offered different types of jobs. People without an education can also have a decent living. Divorce is not seen rare in todays world. Divorces occur almost every day. Women do not feel obligated to stay married because they do not depend on a mans income for a living. Many couples divorce after a couple of months or even days. Divorce is not socially criticized like in the early nineteenth century. People think of divorce as something natural that occurs every day. Divorce rates keep on rising because some people marry too early, without having nurtured their relationship. Some people today do not take a marriage as something serious that lasts for life. Zeenas life would be different if she lived in todays modern world. Zeenas life would be different because she seems to be the type of woman that lives in singlehood. Zeena does not seem to be a good marriage partner. Zeena did not comply with a womens responsibility during the nineteenth century. According to Helen Killoran, Zeena only causes Ethan problems by complaining about her health and spending money on medicines (n.pag.). A woman was not supposed to cause her husband any financial problems like Zeena did to Ethan. Zeena believes she does not have to do house hold chores because it is Ethans duty to pay her back for all the caring she did for his parents (Travis n. pag.). Zeena would be better off alone in todays world because she only ruins her partners life by having a negative attitude. Kathy A. Fedorko describes Zeena as an adult incapable of showing or receiving love (57). In todays modern world divorced women can survive without a male partner, Zeena does not need to be stuck with Ethan. Most likely Zeena would be in better health and financially stable. Zeena has good nursing skills which would give her good income in todays world. Zeena would not have economic, social, or matriarchal problems. People today interact with one another all the time. Zeenas social isolation would not be a problem because technology in todays world has been modernized. Ethans life during the nineteenth century is very terrifying. R.B. Hovey states that, Sex among the Ethan Frome people was hardly casual; divorce if not unthinkable, was most unlikely proceeding (n. pag.). It is evident that Ethan did not have sex with his wife because she was always in bed complaining about her health. Ethan suffered in his marriage because Zeena gave him no love or intimacy. Ethan has many matriarchal responsibilities that prevent him from finding happiness with the woman he loves. Ethan feels financially obligated to Zeena because of gender differences and social norms. Ethan knows Zeena depends on him financially, therefore he cannot abandon her. Another obstacle for Ethan is his inability to break social customs. Ethan would not care of breaking social customs in todays world. Lionel Trilling believes Ethan is trapped when he must choose between his habituated duty to his wife and his duty and inclination to the girl he loves (45). Ethans life would have more me aning if he lived in todays modern world. Ethan would not feel forced to live with a woman he does not love. Ethan would have the opportunity of meeting someone who gives him passion and tranquility. Ethan never has tranquility with Zeena because she always finds a way to make his life miserable. Ethan feels socially obligated toward Zeena. Another reason for Ethans miserable marriage is his silence. Ethan is always silent and never expresses his feeling to Zeena. Ethans financial status would also be different in todays world because Ethan would have a degree in engineering, which was one of his dreams. Ethans social life would be better because, life is not isolated like in the nineteenth century. It seems clear that the cause of Ethans isolation is the environment. Ethans house is described as being one of those lonely New England farmhouses that make the landscape seem even lonelier (Wharton 8). The houses in rural New England describe the lives of the citizens. People today interact with one another every day. Ethan always dreamed of living in a big city with big libraries, he could have fulfilled his dreams in todays world. Life during the nineteenth century was very hard because of isolation, gender roles, and responsibilities. Ethan and Zeena would be stable financially and socially because life today is extremely different from the nineteenth century. Ethan and Zeenas marriage was deteriorated because of the environment and social customs during their lifetime. People today must feel lucky to have all the luxuries such as cars and telephones that did not exist during Ethans life.

Islam, Quran, Sunnah Essay

The paper talks about the importance of the Quran and the Sunnah as the primary sources of Islamic beliefs, practices, and law, and their influence in Muslims daily life Islam. Islam is a religion that was originated when Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) began to spread the teachings of Allah (God of the followers of Islam) in the 7th century. God choose Prophet Mohammad as his last messenger and ordered the Prophet to spread his teachings and to ask everyone to believe in the oneness of Allah and the people who follow Islam are called the Muslims. Quran is the book of God that was revealed to Prophet Mohammad through Angel Jibrael and the Muslims consider the book to be a very Holy Book of God that covers each and every aspect of life and the word Quran stands for recitation. It talks about everything a human being needs to seek guidance for and it tells the right way of how to live your life. When the Quran was revealed, the language it was written in was Arabic, however, now the book is available in all translations so that people can read and understand the true context of the book well and can follow its teachings. The teachings in the Quran differentiate the right from wrong and also tell the benefits of selecting the right path and the consequences of selecting the wrong path. The Muslims who select the right path would always benefit in the world and also in the hereafter i. e. life after death. Quran does not force anyone to adopt the right or the wrong path but it does portray the negative and the positive aspects of the path the Muslims select. As mentioned above, Quran is a complete book of guidance for the Muslims and it covers every aspect of life. To further explain this, I would give some examples of what Quran speaks of. Some of the very basics that Islam as well as other religions also ask the human community to do is to always select the right path that means they should not cheat anyone, they should not lie, they should not betray anyone or should not take the sue share of another person. As said by the Quran and the Prophet Mohammad, the Muslims who will follow the teachings of Islam and implement the etchings of the Quran will always be successful in every way and the most important thing is that Allah (God) will also love such people and this would then result in the worldly reward or the reward of going to Heaven after death. When the Quran was revealed, the companions of Prophet Mohammad used to write down each and every verse of Allah and the Book was later complied and the text is still the same as it was when it was revealed. The Muslims also believe that each and every word is the Book is the word of Allah. Quran is thus very important in shaping up the life of a Muslim and is one of the primary sources of Islamic beliefs. Other than the Quran, the Sunnah is also considered to be one of the primary sources of the Islamic believes. The word Sunnah basically refers to the path that Prophet Mohammad choose to live his life and it includes the traditions he followed, his actions and words, what he practiced. Overall, it basically the way he had chosen to live his life. The Muslims follow the example of the Prophet Mohammad mainly through the Hadiths. Prophet Mohammad did each and everything God asked him to do and led his whole life always by choosing the right path. For instance, Prophet Mohammad taught the Muslims to offer prayers both individually as well as in congregation especially for the men and that is what the Muslims follow today especially on every Friday when all Muslim men go to the mosque to offer the Friday prayers. Since the time of Prophet Mohammad, people have learned how to live in a practical manner and this has been transmitted to their future generations. The Muslims also adopt the living style of the Prophet that includes his habits and style and the way he dealt with the other people. He was always considerate and caring, he always used to forgive others and he always used to be polite with others and this is what the Muslims must inculcate in themselves as well. The Quran also talks about Prophet Mohammad and has commanded the Muslims to follow what the Prophet has taught and to obey the teachings of the Prophet at all times. The significance of Sunnah is moreover also to please God by doing what His most loved Prophet did and to embrace his way of living. Both the Quran and the Sunnah therefore, play a very vital role in shaping up the life of a Muslim and so these have a great influence on the lives of the Muslim community. Work Cited Neusner, Jacob. World Relgions in America: An Introduction. 3rd Edn. Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. Swarup, Ram. Understanding the Hadith: The Sacred Traditions of Islam. 1st Edn. Prometheus Books, 2002. Voorst, Robert. E. V. Anthology of World Scriptures. 6th Edn. Wadsworth Publishing, 2007. Waqner, Walter H. Opening the Qur’an: Introducing Islam’s Holy Book. 1st Edn. University of Notre Dame Press, 2008.

Compare and Contrast: the Story of an Hour and a Rose for Emily

Deriso 1 Daniel Deriso Professor Robert Eastman English 101 4 September 2012 Compare and Contrast: â€Å"The Story of an Hour† vs. â€Å"A Rose for Emily† The two short stories discussed are about two drastically different women both with oppressive men in their lives. In â€Å"The Story of an Hour†, Louise realizes she wished to be free from her marriage. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, Emily is yearning to be married. One woman is looking to be loved, and the other is so full of disdain that it kills her. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, Emily is being controlled by her draconian father.He will not allow Emily to have contact with other men. When Emily’s father passes away she requests to keep the body, because she is fearful of being so desolate. Emily later kills her boyfriend Homer Barron for trying to leave her, and his body is not discovered until after her death. Whereas, â€Å"The Story of an Hour† is about a woman who wishes the man i n her life is not in her life. The reader can tell from Louise’s thoughts that her spouse is a very stern man. The news of his passing brings her a feeling of overwhelming freedom.Emily never married because her father would not allow it. This fact drives her insane. Her life dream is to be married, but she will end up alone. However, Louise Mallard, who is married, yearns for those bonds to be severed. Her marriage is what inevitably kills her. The stories both end tragically. In both stories the protagonist dies, yet for very different reasoning. Emily kills Homer for trying to leave her. Then she keeps his body with her until she is discovered dead of old age.Louise Mallard believes her husband to be dead, which leaves her bonds of marriage broken. His return causes her so much anguish that she dies of a heart attack. In the end, both women die of their individual ideas of love. Emily has every man she ever loved Deriso 2 die throughout her life. Louise Mallard faces her m ortality when she realizes that her husband is still alive. The stories are both extremely grim. They deal with the themes of love, hate, and loss. Three of the most powerful themes in all of literature.

Bill Henson - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 1012 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/09/19 Category People Essay Type Argumentative essay Did you like this example? Bill Henson Essay by Chloe Byrne. Bill Henson is a very well known Australian photographer. His work has featured in many shows around the world and in Australia. His interesting technique of strong contrasts, subject matter and use of dark tones are common and readily associated with his work. Bill Henson’s work has created great controversy and has a massive impact on society. Bill Henson was born in 1955 in Melbourne, Victoria. This contemporary photographer has exhibited his work in many different locations from the National Gallery of Victoria to the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. Henson’s work has a number of significant attributes that are reflected in most of his pieces. His reflection and interest in ambiguity and transitions into his work. Dark tones and strong contrasting of light and dark are common in his work. Henson’s subject matter is mainly relationships, relationships between male and female, youth and adulthood, day and night, ligh t and dark and natural and civilisation. The flattened perspective that occurs in his work gives it a sense and feel of abstraction. Henson has had a wide range of major exhibitions. In 1975 he had an exhibition at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria), in 1981 in the Photographers Gallery in London, in 1989 his work featured in the Museum Moderner Kust Palais Liechtenstein, in 1990 Bibliotheque Nationale Paris, in 1993 Tel Aviv Museum of Art and in 2006 the Institute of modern art in Brisbane. Henson has had a successful career as a photographer and contemporary artist and his work is well known and respected. Bill Henson works in the medium of photography. Figures, people and landscapes are a major aspect in Henson’s work. Henson works with dark tones and strong light sources. In Henson’s untitled exhibition he does not try to capture time and space. This ambiguity of not allowing us any assurance of its place in time or space is a product of Henson’s t echnique in the dark room. Henson uses a method of hand agitation during print development that creates an uneven tone throughout the print. Henson’s use of light creates an eerie un-natural feeling to his work using heavy shadow contrasting with a strong light source. Henson’s early work (1974) echo’s great renaissance artists such as Vemer with the aspects and qualities of an oil painting. Henson’s latest work is working with the technique of ‘cut-screen’ where Henson cuts and then reforms the picture in a colarg type technique. Unlike Henson’s earlier works of black and white, Henson uses colour. On the 22nd of May 2008, one day before the opening at the Rosley Oxley Gallery, of the twenty photographs in Bill Henson’s untitled exhibition twenty four were confiscated by police. This happened because of a series of events following the invitations to his opening night being sent out. The invitations featured one of his ph otographs showing a naked twelve year old girl. After the initiations were sent out an article was written in the Sydney Morning Herald discriminating the photographs before the exhibition had even opened. The photographs were confiscated because Hetty Johnson, the Executive Director and Founder of Brave Hearts Inc. ) Reported the photographs to the police. These photographs created a lot of controversy in the art world and in society. Many people were offended by Henson’s photography claiming it was child pornography and child abuse as the girl was 12 and not of consensual age. Kevin Rudd said on the 23rd of May that the photographs were ‘revolting’ because the girl was not over 18. Henson’s work had a great effect on society. His work questions the issue of censorship, society’s view and values affecting an artist, freedom of creativity an ability to make artistic statements. It also raises the questions ‘what is art? ’ and â₠¬Ëœwho defines it? ’ Henson’s work provoked outrage and controversy. The public was divided by his work, some saying that Henson’s work is art and clearly not pornography. This statement can be backed up by looking at Henson’s previous work. A lot of Henson’s subject matter is of young adults undraped, showing that Henson works with the subject and form of the undraped figure. There is a great contradiction in saying that the use of an undraped child is so outrageous. If you look back to the renaissance many great artists used naked children in their artwork, for example Caravaggio’s ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’ features a young boy fully nude. But because this was alone in the medium of oil paint it is not considered pornography. The use of photography makes the subject of a nude child more real and therefore it makes it more offensive. Another contradiction is that it is said that the twelve year old girl was not of the age of conse nt but almost every night you will see a naked baby on television on a nappy add or in a television show. The statement Bill Henson’s work is trying to get across ( in the use of the undraped girl) is that of vulnerability and innocents. When a person is naked they are at their most vulnerable , they have nothing to hide behind. They cannot be associated with any stereotype, they are stripped of their material positions and are portrayed solely as a naked person. Henson was trying to show the vulnerability and innocents of a child in a beautiful and artistic way. Bill Henson’s work is, from my perspective, beautiful and it is quite obvious that he is not trying to create ’kiddie porn’. He is creating controversy, creating a statement and after all is that not what art is about? The freedom and ability to make a statement, express yourself and create a reaction from the public. In my opinion Bill Henson’s Untitled 2007-2008 was a risky but sma rt move. Because of the controversy surrounding the photography’s Henson gained a massive amount of publicity and exposure. He got the public arguing, thinking, questioning and reacting and that is what most artists are trying to achieve in their career. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Bill Henson" essay for you Create order