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The Novels Essay
The Novels Essay
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Literature is a reflection of many issues in society, and it also provides an avenue for people to learn different lessons. Toni Morrison’s novel ‘Home’ talks about a war veteran named Frank Money who left home in search of purpose, joined the war in Korea and was later left dejected and traumatized by his actions and experiences at the battlefield. Cormac McCarthy’s story in the book ‘All The Pretty Horses’ shares similar themes to those in ‘Home.’ McCarthy’s novel follows the life of a teenage boy named John Grady Cole who leaves his home in Texas after his family fell apart. He and two companions travel to Mexico in search of a cowboy adventure, but things do not work out as they expected. Cole returns to Texas a year later to find that he did not achieve any of his hopes on setting out for Mexico. The two stories are quite similar in several ways, such as their themes. Many readers can relate to Frank and Cole’s struggles and search for identity in life, and that is what makes the two stories quite interesting despite being from a different time in history. In analyzing ‘Home’ and ‘All The Pretty Horses’, the main points of focus are themes and relevance in current times.
The first themes common to both novels is the search for purpose and identity. Frank Money left his home as he felt his world was too small. He thought that going off to war in Korea would widen his world view. At that time, the army was newly desegregated, and he thought he would take advantage of this to go off to war. The novel tells of the trauma that Frank experienced growing up as a young black man in the South during an era of segregation, and his desire to escape his coldhearted grandmother and racial injustice (Montgomery 2012). In the same way, John Grady Cole leaves his home in Texas after the death of his grandfather. His mother and father get divorced, and he feels that he has no connection to either of them. John’s mother is set upon selling the ranch that has been his home, and there is nothing he can say to convince her otherwise (McCarthy 1993). He is sad to leave all the people he knew, but he hopes to find adventure and fulfilment in Mexico. Unfortunately for both of these characters, nothing works out the way they expected. Frank Money returns from Korea permanently scarred from the war, as he finds himself in a mental institution. John Grady Cole faces many hardships in Mexico such as imprisonment and separation from his lover, and eventually heads back home to Texas.
The theme or romanticism is evident in Morrison’s ‘Home’ as well as McCarthy’s ‘All the Pretty Horses.’ John Grady dreams of the cowboy life that was a major part of Southern Texas and Northern Mexico in the early nineties. The sale of his grandfather’s ranch destroyed Grady’s ideals, and he set off for Mexico with his friend Lacey Rawlins to find their adventure. John Grady’s romanticism also applies to his love for Alejandra, who comes from a wealthy family. Her family would never allow her to be with him, but Grady blindly and naively believes that love conquers all. Frank Money in the novel ‘Home’ holds some romantic ideas that leaving his difficult childhood behind and setting off to a foreign country would give his life meaning and purpose. However, he realizes that war was not all he expected it to be; he had merely traded one horrific reality for another. Both characters become disillusioned because of their unrealistic romanticism. Frank is traumatized by the violence and death he sees in Korea (Ibarrola 2014), while John Grady suffers through his time in Mexico. McCarthy writes about John Grady’s disillusionment on retraining to Texas, “He saw very clearly how all his life led only to this moment and all after led nowhere at all.” (McCarthy 1993)
Violence is another prominent theme in both novels. On their way to Mexico, John Grady’s companion named Blevins had his horse and gun stolen. He stole it back in Encantada, and that marked the beginning of problems from the young men. Blevins later went back for his gun and shot one of the townspeople. He was put in jail, and Grady and Rawlins were later arrested for being conspirators. In prions, the three were constantly beaten up. John Grady killed an assassin who tried to kill him while in prison, and Rawlins suffered a bad knife wound. Frank Money experienced violence of a greater scale during the war in Korea. He himself killed several people during the war, including a young Korean girl (Morrison 2012). Cee is another character in the novel ‘Home’ who experienced violence. She is Frank’s sister, whom he left behind when he went to war. She also ran away from home with a young man who abandoned her. She later took a job with a Confederate man, a doctor who used her a guinea pig in his experiments. In the end, her life was in danger when Frank showed up to save her.
Loyalty and belonging are evident themes in the two stories. Frank remained loyal to his sister even after all the time that had passed when he went to war. Immediately he heard that she was in danger; he did all he could to save her from Dr. Beauregard Scott. Through the novel, Frank and Cee struggled to find a sense of belonging. While many children find this at home with their parents in their early years, Cee and Frank grew up living with their coldhearted grandmother, surrounded by racial violence and discrimination. John Grady is similarly loyal to his childhood home, his grandfather’s ranch. When his mother decides to sell it, he decides that he cannot see it owned by someone else, and resolves to leave for Mexico. Throughout their travels, John Grady remains loyal to his companions, standing by them through their troubles in Mexico such as robbery, imprisonment and beatings (Gleeson-White, 2012).
Although the two novels ‘Home’ and ‘All The Pretty Horses’ are from the 1950s, their themes and ideas remain as relevant as ever in today’s society. John Grady’s restlessness mainly stems from his broken family, and this makes him go off to chase a dream at the age of sixteen. Today, divorce rates are higher than ever, and it has a lot of harmful effects on children. John Grady’s parents never took the time to explain the situation to him, and they did not consider his wellbeing. For example, his mother chose to sell the ranch, which had been their home all along, and this is what provoked John Grady to leave. His adventures in Mexico drove him to a tumultuous life in Mexico that no child should have to endure, and he came back to find that his father died. John Grady’s story should be a lesson to parents to always put their children’s welfare before their own, and listen to what their children have to say. John Grady’s adventures are also a lesson in loyalty and true friendship. The three companions supported each other even in the most difficult times.
Frank Money’s story is also relevant in many ways today. Racism and discrimination are still prevalent today, even if it is to a lesser extent compared to the 1950s. Many people of colour, especially young black men, face problems because of their race and ethnicity. Growing up in an unstable home such as Frank and Cee did also compound matters for such people. Frank and Cee wanted to escape from their grandmother and the evils in their society, and they ended up getting into even more challenging situations. The exploitation of the weak and the poor is another lesson to be learned from Toni Morrison’s ‘Home.’ Dr Beauregard Scott took advantage of Cee’s naiveté to conduct dangerous experiments on her, endangering her life and robbing her of any chances of becoming a mother. Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity no matter their situation in life. Frank’s loyalty to Cee is another valuable lesson. Despite his struggles with his own demons such as PTSD and alcohol abuse (Montgomery 2012), he set aside everything to be there for his sister and encourage her through her situation. Cee and Frank’s story is also one of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, Toni Morrison’s ‘Home’ and Cormac McCarthy’s ‘All The Pretty Horses’ teach readers some valuable life lessons on issues such as family, friendship, resilience, loyalty, romanticism, among others. The two books share themes such as loyalty and belonging, violence, search for purpose and identity, as well as romanticism. The two books may be from a different era, but the lesson within them are still very relevant for readers today. One of the primary purposes of literature is to teach readers lessons relevant to their daily lives, and the two novels accomplish that by telling relatable stories that everyone can relate to on some level.
References
Gleeson-White, S. (2007). Playing Cowboys: Genre, Myth, and Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses. Southwestern American Literature, 33(1), 23-39.
Ibarrola, A. (2014). The challenges of recovering from individual and cultural trauma in Toni Morrison’s” Home”. International Journal of English Studies, 14(1), 109-124.
McCarthy, C. (1993). All the pretty horses (No. 1). Vintage.
Montgomery, M. L. (2012). RE-MEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN WAR: MEMORY, HISTORY, AND THE BODY IN TONI MORRISON’S” HOME”. CLA Journal, 55(4), 320-334.
Morrison, T. (2012) Home. Alfred A. Knopf Inc.
The North West rebellion of 1885
The North West rebellion of 1885
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The North West rebellion of 1885
The focus of this paper is to provide an essay that compares and contrasts the different approaches used by three authors in their books. The books focus on the history of Canada in regard to the North West Rebellion. The books have different approaches which bring out alternative perspectives from readers. The paper thus looks at the various approaches and conclusions used in each book so as to determine their stance on the matter at hand.
Flanagan, Thomas. 2000. Riel and the rebellion: 1885 reconsidered. Toronto: University of Toronto Press
Thomas Flanagan is one of the monumental writers whose work has contributed considerably to the growth of the country. Most of the books he has written are dedicated to the history of Canada from the time of its inception. Riel and rebellion is one of the books that look into the North West rebellion and its outcome on the present dynamics of the present Canada. Riel and the rebellion is one of the recent interpretations of the historical event that took place in 1885. This factor alone differentiates the approach the writer takes on explaining the essential aspects of the North West Rebellion. Introduction of the book sees the writer present the events that took place during the rebellion. This is essential for the proper understanding of the book and the Canadian history in general. One of the essential factors that the writer relays is the controversy of the topic. The North West rebellion is one of the pivotal events that took place in the history of northern America. At the centre of the war was Louis Riel who acted as the leader of his community. This was a time that colonialists were still strategizing their locations in the land and thus undermined the presence of the native groups in the area. The title of the book alone displays the significance and contribution of Riel in the fight of the dignity and honor of his people. The writer provides the basic information of the commencement of the colonization of the local community. This introduction assists the writer to come up with the main thesis of the book. The thesis is ideal for the proper understanding of the contents of the book which bring out the thoughts of the writer. Flanagan approaches the book from a different point of view compared to his fellow writers. One of the significant approaches is seen in the way the writer provides his own opinion of the events that took place. He ensures that the introduction of the books forms considerable amount of controversy. This controversy is brought about by his opposing and proposing of the legitimacy of some of the events that occurred. This is done to make people think outside the box as opposed to using information. The residents in the area composed of the people of prairie, white settlers, the Métis and the native Indians. The white settlers were at the forefront of the leadership making the other communities work to enhance the superiority. This left some of the communities like the Indians at a disadvantage due to the amount of racism, oppression and displacement that they were accustomed to. Riel thus took it upon himself to rally his fellow clansmen so as to fight for their independence. This resulted to the formation of a series of rebellions that changed the dynamics of the country. The writer provides the factors that Riel faced before and after the events came into place. Flanagan suggests that the Riel had no choice but to resort to rebellion owing to the lack of concern by the government. This rebellion was a reflection of the division between the different groups in the country at the time. The fights between the English and the French, the native Indians, the French, English and the Métis were the main cause of the North West rebellion. The writer thus forms the conclusion that the rebellion was unavoidable. The book tackles all the situations that took place before and after the war. This gives an outline of the entire event which is essential for the proper understanding of the country’s history. The approach of the book influences the conclusion that the author makes. The main conclusion places emphasis on the mismanagement of the government as the principle cause of the war. This has generated an enormous controversy to date. It has also led to the debates amongst affected parties in the war who defined the dynamics of the present Canada.
Beal, Bob, and R. C. Macleod. Prairie Fire: The 1885 North-West Rebellion. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1994.
Prairie Fire is one of the books dedicated to the historic events that led to the North West Rebellion. The book is based on the different factors that led to the rebellions at the time. Written by Beal and Macleod, the book looks at the key figures that influenced the dynamics that changed the history of the world forever. The book is published in 1994 which varies fairly from Flanagan’s Riel and Rebellion. The writers have a more traditional approach in that the content is limited in controversy as opposed to the former. Prairie Fire documents the events in the city of Prairie that housed the communities that took part in the war. The book dedicates a significant amount of explanations on the history of Prairie before the unfolding of the war. The North American rebellion defined the effects of the colonization of the native communities in the country. At the forefront of the war were the native Indians and the Métis who were under the rule and authority of the white imperialists. The book is credited for the provision of one of the most accurate accounts of the North American Rebellion to date. One of the factors that set the book apart from the other history books is the approach it takes on the war. The writers used their careers as journalist and historians respectively to derive the information for the content of the book. The analysis is thus made from a professional point of view as opposed to that of personal. The main theme presents the features of the war in relation to the communities that were involves in the war. This acts as an adequate introduction to the events that transpire from the beginning of the war to the formation of treaties. Prairie fire is a rendition that places its main focus on being true to the reality that came with the war. This interpretation is thus received well by the general public who appreciate the point of view of the writers. As stated earlier, the book is less controversial compared to Flanagan’s, Riel and the Rebellion. This is owed to different forms of approach that seek to gauge a different form of reaction from their readers. One of the significant factors to note is the interpretation of the end result of the book. Beal and Macleod look at the war from the perspectives of the antagonist and the protagonist. This gives the readers a chance to develop an understanding of the situation of the different communities at the time. The location of the war is one of the main focuses of the book due to its centrality. The Prairie therefore acts as a focal point in terms of the reasons and the effects of the war. The conclusion of the book is thus geared towards finding out the way forward for the country.
Sprague, Douglas Neil, and Thomas Berger. Canada and the Métis, 1869-1885. Waterloo [Canada]: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, 1988.
The North West rebellion has generated a significant amount of attention by Canadian authors. Sprague and Berger are one of the authors who used their knowledge of the country’s history to educate their readers. The authors of Canada and the Métis look at the events of the North American war from the approach of the Métis community. The war affected the entire country in more ways than one. This is due to the involvement of all the communities who called the Prairie their home. It is essential to note that Métis belongs to a group that traced their roots from the aboriginals. This placed them in a different category from the ruling society which comprised of the British and the French. The Métis were also in close with the native Indians who had prior claim to the country. The writers explain the position of the Métis and their relationship with the rest of the communities. This forms the premise of the arguments made in the book in regard to the events that transpired during the war. The book has a different approach compared to the two alternative books. This is seen through the writers’ emphasis on the Métis as opposed to the native Indians or the location of the war which is the Prairie. The introduction of the book sees the explanation of the history of the community. The writers mention that the merits are a community that arose from the mixture of different societies. This explains their significance in their social arrangement in the country at the time. The Métis were promised a considerable amount of land and property by the colonial British government. These promises were not met making the community feel betrayed by those in authority. The group served as one of the communities who lost their lands at the hands of the Canadian government. This is also one of the key aspects that formed the creation of alliances against the white imperialists. According to Sprague and Berger, the war comprised of the involvement of the French, British, the Indian natives and the Métis. The book however tells the story from the side of the Métis. This gives the readers a different perspective form that of different books which take on different approaches. A look at Flanagan’s, Riel and the rebellion and Beal and Macleod’s Prairie fire showcase the different approaches and themes that are presented in regard to the war. Riel and the rebellion look at Louise Riel who was a major contributor to the events of the war. Riel represents the natives Indians who also faced the same situations as the Métis in that they were considered second to the Europeans. Flanagan thus forms his premise from the reaction of the Indians to their colonizers. The book thus gives the Indians more credit in terms of their role and significance to war and its outcome. Beal and Macleod’s Prairie fire on the other hand form their main argument from the perspective of all the communities in the Prairie. The Prairie is a location in the North West Canada that acts as home to different communities as a result of constant migration. All communities in this case had different grievances that sort to create divisions amongst themselves. These grievances were met depending on the position of the community in the country. The communities at the bottom of the pyramid faced an enormous amount of oppression from the communities in high ranking positions. This created a bridge between the countries threatening its unity. The rebellion is thus a reflection of the lack of regard for the demands of the oppressed communities such as the Indians and the Métis. The writers focus on the effects of the city which was faced colossal destruction as a result of the war. This forms the basis of the inspiration for the book whose conclusion is based on the effects of the war. Beal and Macleod’s Canada and the Métis differ from the two books in terms of the approach. The book looks at the significance of the Métis community as a major factor in the rebellion. This gives the reader an alternative point of view making the conclusion differ from the two books. The conclusion formed in Canada and the Métis is based on the approach of the writers. The book concludes that the Métis are one of the key communities in the cause of the rebellion. This gives them a special place in the change of dynamics of the country which had to embrace the rights and privileges of all the communities in present.
Conclusion
The North West rebellion is one of the pivotal events in the history of the country. There are several reasons for the cause and effects of the war. These reasons have varying levels of significance depending on the approach of the writer. A number of books have been dedicated to the North West rebellion due to the essentiality it relays. The war continues to generate a considerable amount of response from the Canadian nationals. The events of the rebellion are responsible for the present Canada. This goes to show that the loss of lives of the people affected by the war were not in vein. The focus on the topic by different authors displays the vital nature of rebellions. This in turn continues to educate the current community on the history of the country from the time of its formation. The analysis of the rebellion is thus ideal in that it seeks to educate readers on the history that shaped the dynamics of the new world.
Bibliography
Reid J. Long et al., Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern Canada: Mythic Discourse and the Postcolonial State (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2008), 256.
Barkwell Lawrence, “Batoche 1885: The Militia of the Metis Liberation Movement” (Winnipeg: Manitoba Metis Federation, 2002).
Flanagan Thomas, Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidered (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2000), 46.
Davidson Keith., “Everyone Chuckled – A Rebellion Story Taking From Keith Davidson’s “Looking Back Series””. Saskatchewan Indian First Nations Periodical Index Search Winter 2002 v31 n01 p15. http://www.sicc.sk.ca/saskindian/a02win15.htm. (Accessed February 10, 2012).
Ray Arthur. J., I Have Lived Here Since The World Began: An Illustrated History of Canada’s Native People (Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2005), 221.
Payette, Pete and Phil Payette “Saskatchewan Forts: Northwest Rebellion”. 2006 American Forts Network. http://www.northamericanforts.com/Canada/sk.html. Retrieved
McLennan, David “Duck Lake – The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan”. Canadian Plains Research Center University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/duck_lake.html (Accessed February 10, 2012).
Stonechild Blair and Waiser Bill, Loyal Till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion, Calgary: Fifth House, 1997)
Morton, Desmond, The last war drum: the North West campaign of 1885 (Toronto: Hakkert, 1972), 112.
Chaput, John “Frog Lake Massacre”. Canadian Plains Research Center University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/frog_lake_massacre.html (Accessed February 10, 2012).
Beal, Bob, and R. C. Macleod. Prairie Fire: The 1885 North-West Rebellion. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1994)
Sprague, Douglas Neil, and Thomas Berger. Canada and the Métis, 1869-1885. Waterloo [Canada]: Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press, 1988.
George R. Goulet, The Trial of Louis Riel, Justice and Mercy Denied. FabJob, Calgary, 2005), 14-24.
Thomas, Lewis H. “Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online RIEL, LOUIS,”. Library and Archives Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto, 2005), 98.
Bushong, Mary Lynn “The Northwest Rebellion”. edHelper, http://edhelper.com/ReadingComprehension_54_413.html (Accessed February 10, 2012).
Basson, Lauren L, White enough to be American (University of North Carolina Press, 2008), 66. Stewart Wallace, The Encyclopedia of Canada (Toronto, University Associates of Canada, 1948), 19-22.
Préfontaine, Darren R. (2006). “Riel, Louis “David” (1844–85)”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina. http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/riel_louis_david_1844-85.htmlSiggins Maggie, Riel: a life of revolution (HarperCollins, Toronto, 1994), 67.
Howard Josephine. Kinsey, Strange Empire: A Narrative of the Northwest (Louis Riel and the Metis People) (William Morrow & Co, New York, 1952), 12.
Determination of effect of programmed mathematics material on the level of mathematics achievement.
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Determination of effect of programmed mathematics material on the level of mathematics achievement.
Introduction
The effects of programmed mathematics material on the level of mathematics achievement can be determined by various methods and steps. In effective determination of the mathematical achievement the following steps can be used. It entails a series of sequences that involves the computation, the protest of a program, materials for both the educators and the learners to monitor the progress of mathematics and rigid procedures for learning/educating, it also involves the setting of the instrumental priorities and monitoring the advancement of the program along the syllabus. A given programmed mathematics material is to be chosen. The effects are to b determined at the initial levels to maintain its history. The effects are to be followed and this will aids in the monitoring of its maturity and the external effects tat are imposed on the programmed mathematics material.
Various forms of the instruction like the use of objectives, effects that the practice has ion the students and feedback effects have to be studied. The variables are to be chosen.
Then the population to be examined should be of different ages and abilities. They should be different classes. It can b summarized in three various stages; a) introduction of variable b) tabulation c) data analysis d) data presentation.
Steps 1
It involves introduction of variables. Programmed mathematics material is to be established. Deferent groups and level of students are to be sampled. They are to be subjected to similar conditions of programmed mathematics material. The levels should comprise both the higher achievers and the low performers. This aids in the comparison of the effect on both the slow learners and the first learners. The learners can as well be in different learning and environmental conditions (variables). The variables to be considered are, time, environment, teaching method (this can be in the lecture method or other). The first group, second and third is to be subdivided and further subjected to various conditions.
Step two
Tabulation of results
After the impact and subjection this condition, the students are to be given different exams at the end of the exercise. The third grade or higher who are able to perform better are to be given exam that is below the placement of their grades as per Cohn’s 2004. Fourth and the proceeding (firth) are to be tested that is beyond their grade placement by three grades. The exams are to be given based on the procedures that are standardized. Then the three tables are to be filled and the result analyzed. The test is to be given over several times to examine the effect when the duration of the programmed mathematics material is changed.
First group (level)
n mean s.d t
Pairs df 2-tail prob. Size of effect
concepts computations Second group (level)
n mean s.d t
Pairs df 2-tail prob. Size of effect
concepts computations Third group (level)
n mean s.d t
Pairs df 2-tail prob. Size of effect
concepts computations Step three
Analyses of scores
The scores by the students are then to be assigned as percentiles. The percentiles are to be changed to z-scores. The conversion should be based on the normal distribution table. After this the t-scores are to be compared against the z-scores. This is the most important and the data can be analyses using the SPSS or other methods that bring good results. The following table illustrates the conversion and the comparison. The subsections of the student as in the first part are ranged differently i.e their marks are analyzed different. The overall mean of each subgroup is then calculated. Then result is then tabled as shown in the example below.
n average s.d t
Pairs df 2-tail prob. Size of effect
concepts 83 0.624 0.
756 12.36 81 0.001 1.05
computations 83 -0.159 0.29729 The effects are to be calculated as a function of contribution against non-contribution in the systems-based influential approaches, recency of contribution in the organization approaches, effects of the approaches that are persistent, and the increasing effects given out as a result comprehensive exposure to the measures that are based on the system.
Step four
Analysis of the outcome
The outcome will relate the relation that exists between performance in mathematics and system-based instrumental methods. The highest performance in mathematics is to be achieved by the students who receive bigger portions of system-based instruction. The data is to be presented and then analyzed as pr the conditions that they were based on. This helps to determine the correlation that the two given conditions have and effect of programmed mathematics material on the level of mathematics achievement. After the analysis then the effects can be seen clearly. When the factor under examination and mathematics achievement are negatively related, then the facto has negative impact on the improvement of mathematics. Different graphs can be drawn in this elastration. Since the test is to be given continually, various data should be tabled and graphed. Over a long time after the duration has been existed, the overall effect can be determined. This is in other words to determine the effect that the factor under investigation has on the mathematics achievement and its improvements.
The following precautions have to be taken into consideration;
Students’ improvement and good performance is a positive improvement when compared to the previous performance.
Students should be grouped as per their academic standards but not as per their ages.
It is necessary to analyze at every stage and not two or ore stages at once. When a factor is under investigation it should be cleared with and then the other in sequence. Conclusions
Effective programs should be put in place to enhance performance and other factors that might undermine these improvements should be taken into account and necessary steps taken at various stages. The implementation of the new programs should be thoroughly looked into before they are put in place. The implementation of bad strategies will bring a bad outcome in mathematics results and this tends to discourage the learners.