The Scarlet Letter The Use Of Hester free essay sample

The Scarlet Letter: The Use Of Hester Essay, Research Paper In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne makes Hester Prynne the cardinal figure in the narrative much like Susanna Rowson does with Charlotte in Charlotte Temple. The secret plans of the books are centered on these adult females ; the plot lines on occasion move elsewhere to inform the reader of the occurrences of other characters, but ever returns to their several female supporter. The writers? usage of their prima ladies differs when supplying a subject, however.Susanna Rowson uses Charlotte Temple as an illustration for the reader. By taking the reader on a journey through Charlotte? s life of ageless wretchedness, Rowson? s storyteller is able to indicate out where Charlotte makes hapless determinations. With the reader now cognizant of the misdirected picks of Charlotte, the storyteller warns the reader that any immature miss could stop up in the same type of quandary. We will write a custom essay sample on The Scarlet Letter The Use Of Hester or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She so teaches the immature female reader how she should respond in a similar state of affairs and the? sober matron? reader how to forestall such a quandary from go oning to her girl. In drumhead, Charlotte Temple? s actions are used to straight learn the subject as Rowson wishes.Nathaniel Hawthorne uses his chief character in a wholly different manner. It is common for a reader of The Scarlet Letter to find that the subject of the narrative is that criminal conversation is bad, but that is non the instance. Hawthorne is non promoting criminal conversation ; that is true: As Darrel Abel provinces in his essay, ? Hawthorne? s Hester, ? ? Although we are expected to love and commiseration Hester, we are non invited to excuse her mistake or to interpret it as a virtuousness. ? 1 Hester Prynne and her lecherous wickedness are Hawthorne? s means of conveying a different message ; Hawthorne is more interested in bring outing the defects of puritan society and the lip service of their rea ctions to Hester. The character of Hester Prynne is created as to work these defects indirectly.The Puritan civilization is one that recognizes Protestantism, a religious order of Christianity. Though a basic of Christianity is forgiveness for one? s wickednesss, this has long been forgotten amongst the adult females of Boston: ? Morally, every bit good as materially, there was a coarser fiber in those married womans and maidens of old English birth and genteelness, than in their just decendants. ? 2 When Hester is foremost brought out of her prison cell, the dish the dirting goodwives recommend much harsher penalties, from a trade name on her brow to decease. Hester, who had done small incorrect prior to this wickedness of criminal conversation, is no longer seen as a human being, but simply as a symbol of evil and shame upon the town. The Puritans, one of the most devoted groups of bible bookmans, bury one of Jesus? most celebrated of quotation marks, ? He that is without wickedne ss among you, allow him foremost cast a rock at her. ? The adult females forget to look inside themselves before they cast their sentiments upon Hester. It is non these people? s right to find Hester? s penalty, non the adult females? s nor the magistrates? ; such a right is reserved merely for God.When the ordeal at the market-place eventually ends, Hawthorne reverses the functions as Hester is the lone individual in town without wickedness while the townsfolk are conceited and holier-than-thou. Hester continues her life, ostracized on the outskirts of town. She is evidently penitent, as she chooses to stay in Boston, even when she is free to travel elsewhere and get down her life anew. ? Here? had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly penalty ; and so, pe rchance, the torture of her daily shame would at length purge her soul, and work out another purity than that which she had lost; more saint-like because the result of martyrdom? (SL 57). She has become a modest woman, seeking ?not to acquire any thing beyond a subsistence, of the plainest and most ascetic description? (SL 58). Hester takes up the occupation of seamstress, a job that, as shown by the golden embroidery around the scarlet letter, suits her well. Her creations become the fashion of the town: ?Her needle-work was seen on the ruff of the Governor; military men wore it on their scarfs, and the minister on his band; it decked the baby?s little cap; it was shut up, to be mildewed and moulder away, in the coffins of the dead. But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever relentless vigor with which society frowned upon her sin? (SL 58 ). The preceding quotation is important to understanding Hawthorne?s opinion of Puritanism. These ?morally perfect? people are committing the sin of vanity without a second thought, and their hypocrisy shines through, as they have no problem wearing anything of Hester?s creation except for a wedding veil. With this in mind, Hester now appears to be the only wholly pious person in town. She spends her free-time making clothes for the poor as a form of penance, rejecting the joy she gains from her needlework as a sin, but even the needy who receive the gifts of Hester Prynne ?often reviled the hand that was stretched forth to succor them? (SL 59).Years later, this negative treatment of Hester no longer takes place. She is well respected by the townspeople for her philanthropic and virtuous ways: ?Her breast, with its badge of shame, was but the softer pillow for the head that needed one? (SL 110). People began to interpret her scarlet A as Able, rather than by its initial meaning. Hes ter refuses to embrace this new opinion of her, however; she performs these benevolent acts and then leaves, refusing to accept any form of gratitude.The conclusion of the townspeople?s arrogant attitudes towards her allows Hawthorne to put Hester to a new task. Her thematic job, as provided by Hawthorne, of revealing the hypocrisy of the Puritans is finished; her new role is that of a secondary character. She is used to aid in showing the allegorical significance of the actions of Pearl, Chillingsworth, and most importantly, Reverend Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne is never truly the theme?s center of attention like Charlotte Temple is; she simply helps to promote Hawthorne?s arguments about Puritanism and metaphorical ideas about the other characters. Therefore, it is never of great importance how Hester should turn out in the conclusion; it is merely for the benefit of the reader?s interest that she becomes a friendly ear to the women of Boston in the end. Hawthorne does use her to imp art his final words of wisdom though: ?at some brighter period, when the world should have grown ripe for it, in Heaven?s own time, a new truth would be revealed, in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness? (SL 177). Also, the narrator leaves a final unanswerable question amidst the words of Hester ? was she herself actually the destined prophetess, ?lofty, pure, and beautiful; and wise? (SL 177) that Hester had envisioned?

Free Essays on The Power Of Public Speaking

at the right time seems as though they were born with the talent. Some benefit by taking courses through their high schools and universities, while others may spend thousands on a few hours of lessons in order to develop their ability, according to Lucas (18). As a result most Americans rank their number one fear as being the fear of public speaking. Public speaking creates a feeling of empowerment, as one is able to communicate information to all audiences, along with the ability to influence people’s attitudes and behavior and to allow one to achieve a position of leadership. Public speaking is essential to success in nearly every walk of life. The fact of searching for a job will be less stressful if an applicant has good oral communication skills, listening ability, and enthusiasm. In the workforce it is vital to have speaking skills to deliver oral reports or presentations, responding to questions, or while training new employees. While public speaking is public centered many things needs to be taken into consideration when writing a speech for a crowd. Thus, a speech only has meaning if the people whom the speech is directed at listen and understand. With this, a speech breaks down into parts, such as, a speaker, a message, a channel, an audience, context, noise and audience feedback. Subject and language used to express the ideas in messages depends on the experience of the speaker. Every speech is individual and unique to the speaker. For instance, a traveler visiting Nigeria, viewing the effects and results of lack of food becomes motivated to carry a message about food donations and wastefulness. A speech, or message, when presented, will be interpreted by members of the audience. Transfor... Free Essays on The Power Of Public Speaking Free Essays on The Power Of Public Speaking â€Å"Talk is cheap,† according to an old English proverb, but proven wrong in every day life. To few, public speaking comes naturally. The ease to speak in front of large audiences and the ability to chose the right words at the right time seems as though they were born with the talent. Some benefit by taking courses through their high schools and universities, while others may spend thousands on a few hours of lessons in order to develop their ability, according to Lucas (18). As a result most Americans rank their number one fear as being the fear of public speaking. Public speaking creates a feeling of empowerment, as one is able to communicate information to all audiences, along with the ability to influence people’s attitudes and behavior and to allow one to achieve a position of leadership. Public speaking is essential to success in nearly every walk of life. The fact of searching for a job will be less stressful if an applicant has good oral communication skills, listening ability, and enthusiasm. In the workforce it is vital to have speaking skills to deliver oral reports or presentations, responding to questions, or while training new employees. While public speaking is public centered many things needs to be taken into consideration when writing a speech for a crowd. Thus, a speech only has meaning if the people whom the speech is directed at listen and understand. With this, a speech breaks down into parts, such as, a speaker, a message, a channel, an audience, context, noise and audience feedback. Subject and language used to express the ideas in messages depends on the experience of the speaker. Every speech is individual and unique to the speaker. For instance, a traveler visiting Nigeria, viewing the effects and results of lack of food becomes motivated to carry a message about food donations and wastefulness. A speech, or message, when presented, will be interpreted by members of the audience. Transfor...

Car history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Car history - Essay Example Steam cars had been built in America since before the Civil War. In 1871, Dr. J. W. Carhart, professor of physics at Wisconsin State University, and the J. I. Case Company built a working steam car. That was enough to encourage the State of Wisconsin to offer a $10,000 prize to the winner of a 200 mile race in 1878. In 1873, Karl Benz developed a successful gas-powered two-stroke piston engine. After this he focused on developing a motorized vehicle. His Patent Motorwagen, introduced in 1886, is widely regarded as the first purpose-built automobile that is a vehicle designed from the ground up to be motorized. Benz unveiled it officially on July 3, 1886 on the Ringstrase in Mannheim, Germany. Henry Ford had an engine running by 1893 but it was 1896 before he built his first car. By the end of the year Ford had sold his first car, which he called a Quadracycle, for $200 and used the money to build another one. With the financial backing of the Mayor of Detroit, William C. Maybury and other wealthy Detroiters, Ford formed the Detroit Automobile Company in 1899. A few prototypes were built but no production cars were ever made by this company. It was dissolved in January 1901. Ford would not offer a car for sale until 1903. Today it has been 100 years of the advent of electric cars. It has an interesting history of development and its still carry on. It was first developed in France and England during the last quarter of 19th century. During late 1890s and early years of 20th century, a lot of innovations were made in motor vehicles industry. Till 1895, Americans didn't begin to devote attention to electric vehicles. It was the first commercial application in America which established as a fleet of New York City taxis in 1897. The early electric vehicles were little more than electrified horseless carriages and surreys. For example, in 1902 Wood's Phaeton which had top speed of 14 mph, a range of 18 miles and cost $2,000. The years 1899 and 1900 were the sky-scraping point of electric vehicles in America, as they outsold all other types of cars. With the passage of time, the car industry got prosperity and the motor vehicle used to be turned into steam, electric, or gasoline versions. Most early electric cars were ornate with massive carriages and designed for the upper class with cost under $1,000. However, by 1910, they had fancy interiors, with expensive materials, and averaged $3,000. Electric vehicles enjoyed success into the 1920s with production peaking in 1912. At the start of its advent in 20th century, electric cars got popularity as it had many advantages over their competitors. They did not have the noise, smell and vibrations associated with gasoline cars. Unlike gasoline cars, electric vehicles did not require gear changes. Also, steam-powered cars suffered from long start-up times of up to 45 minutes on cold mornings. The steam cars had less range before needing water than the range of an electric car on a single charge As compared to steam-powered and gasoline cars, the electric cars was the preferred choice of many because it did not require the manual effort to start. With other cars there was a

Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Media - Essay Example Unfortunately the same mishap has been integrated to the contemporary media. Media as a social art has its aim to inform a vast range of subject. Globalization had undeniably helped it attain that goal. That is when global mass media ties the world together. Global industrialization had lead to innovations that had aid the media with their venture. Most notably, globalization had made it possible for the media to let the far smaller nations to have a glimpse on what was happening to the titans. Having been improperly handled, that thought benefit had nonetheless lead to overwhelming effect of western culture to outside countries which further lead to cultural degradation and national conflicts. This same effect had managed to inflict the contemporary media. Although the increasing concentration of mass media ownership within and across the nation borders may be considered as the most significant development in international communication, this had rather cause deregulation and privatization. Globalization had secured the presence of giant mass media firms in all the national aspect of every region worldwide. This had allowed them to syndicate with dozens of national media firms worldwide to produce and disseminate news and entertainment to localities. This had made them in control of everything that would be aired and implied to the international market. The media that were supposed to be objective, having neutral observation and letting the fact speak for themselves, have been made into a model of little analysis, that was inefficiently statistical and a one way communication. As a result, the important world facts had been replaced with political scandals, celebrity divo rces, natural disasters and anything that will ward off the public’s eye towards the true significant matters. The mass media that was supposed to ask deeper questions about the exercise of power, the

The impact of competitive strategy on culture and organizational Essay

The impact of competitive strategy on culture and organizational behavior - Essay Example Organizations have to be conscious of their effect on their workers’ behavior both within as well as in their personal lives outside the company. This is especially true where multinational corporations such as ‘Xerox’ which have foreign subsidiaries are concerned. Xerox, a $22 billion firm which was founded in 1906, is a multinational corporation which operates in 160 nations, and has 160, 000 employees. Companies of such magnitude naturally have to tackle different issues concerning organizational behavior so as to inspire members of staff from different cultural backgrounds and remain relevant in the competitive business industry. The success of Xerox is actually dependent on the productivity of its workers. Levels of the Analysis of Organizational Behavior The main objective of seeking to comprehend principles concerning organizational behavior is to acquire a better understanding of concepts that affect group as well as individual dynamics in the workplace. S tudying organizational behavior consists of conducting three levels of evaluation on corporate resources. In the first level of analysis, which considers the individual, the study of organizational behavior will take into account factors such as the learning patterns of the individual, the individual’s creativity, turnover, motivation, cooperative behavior, cognition, and ethics. The psychology of the individual, and how it affects his or her decisions in the workplace, is considered (Schermerhorn, Hung, and Osborn, 2005). Individual personality plays a big role in determining if organizational behavior will be based on being cooperative or portraying deviant behavior. Workers are suited to different types of organizations because of their personalities (Schermerhorn, Hung, and Osborn, 2005). For example, individualistic workers tend to be openness to new experience, self-monitoring, and possess other proactive qualities. Workers who are more individualistic in nature will re adily take risks, generate different forms of communication, and engage in proactive socialization. In the second level of analysis, which takes into account the significance of groups in organizations, the subjects that are evaluated have to do with dynamics such as cohesion, intra- and intergroup conflict, power, leadership, networks, interpersonal communication, and roles (La pierre and Hackett, 2007). What is emphasized in this stage is the function of sociological processes within the workforce in an organization. In the third level of analysis, what is emphasized on is the dynamics concerning the organization. These could include organizational structure, corporate culture, inter-organizational cooperation, cultural diversity, and external environmental forces. In organizational analysis, the investigation of corporate behavior is based on office politics and anthropology. The Role of Workers in determining organizational Behavior In order for a company to assess the success o f organizational behavior within its workforce, it has to conduct a number of internal examinations. According to Luthans and Youssef (2004) ten percent of workforce behaviors in nearly all organizations are responsible for 80% of organizational performance. It is therefore important for an organization to ensure that it identifies these critical behaviors. People who work

Decline in 4th and 5th Century Art and Literature

Decline in 4th and 5th Century Art and Literature Does the notion of ‘decline’ have any relevance for our understanding of the art and literature of the fourth and fifth centuries? Since the Renaissance it has been common for critics to judge the fourth and fifth centuries as a period of cultural and artistic decline. It has been argued that the Late Roman Empire produced an era of â€Å"artistic and cultural stagnation†[1] and it is crucial to explore whether this notion of ‘decline’ is really relevant in terms of creating a balanced understanding of fourth and fifth century art and literature. Furthermore, it is necessary to address the difficulties produced by dealing with the nature of change within a traditional society[2]; particularly, the judgement of whether that change is for the better or worse, and the impact of modern prejudices on our appreciation of Late Antique art and literature. The notion of ‘decline’ can be interpreted as significant to our understanding of art in this period; especially in terms of the major changes in style which were characteristic of the fourth and fifth centuries. The most fundamental of these changes was the general movement away from the ‘naturalistic’ conventions of classical art[3] towards a more abstract and symbolic style. It is this movement, or decline, away from the esteemed classical apex which has been marked as a negative development[4]. Decline is also apparently seen through the deterioration in the overall quality of Late Antique art. Not only has the workmanship of the period been described by critics as ‘cruder’[5], but the originality of pieces has also been questioned. One such example is the Adlocutio relief on the Arch of Constantine; the juxtaposition of opposing art styles, ‘naturalistic’ and ‘abstract’, has not only been described as of less high quality than earlier art, but it has also formed the basis of the Renaissance critics’ perception of ‘artistic decline’[6]. The quantity of large scale sculpture, an intrinsic part of public display for Emperors and the Roman elite, decreased during the fourth and fifth centuries[7]. This could be interpreted as a change in taste and a new focus on different media for public display, or it could provide further evidence for the ‘decline’ of art. The literature of the fourth and fifth centuries has faced similar criticisms, which also mainly focuses on its movement away from classical conventions. One view is that â€Å"the literature of the period is mostly, as literature, second-rate and unoriginal†[8]. The concept of ‘unoriginality’ is significant to texts from Late Antiquity as many writers had a much greater engagement with earlier literature than their predecessors[9], this could be interpreted as imitation and even more importantly as a decline in creativity or originality. Perhaps more significant however, is the momentous change in style away from that of the classical period. This deviation from the classical ideal has been seen as a debasement and a devolution[10], which may have provided a foundation for the notion of ‘decline’ during the fourth and fifth centuries. The highlighted issues have been based on the lack of eloquence, rhetorical skills or poetic poise in comparison to writers such as Cicero, Ovid and Virgil. Contemporaries such as Jerome and Augustine comment on the changes in style in their works. Jerome describes the style of the religious works as â€Å"rude and repellent†[11] and Augustine declares that such works are â€Å"unworthy to be compared to the stateliness of Ciceronian eloquence†[12]. The influence of Christianity on writers of this period could provide an explanation for the apparent decline in quality of literature. An example where this has affected literature is the subsidiary role of poetry within a society which is completely dominated by the Church and its religious texts[13]. There is a much greater focus on less creative works such as theological literature, which consisted of a high proportion of commentaries on the scriptures[14]. Furthermore, the focus of cultural authority had shifted away from expressive and non-religious literature, and so such works lost their ability to be either intellectually or culturally relevant to contemporary readers[15]. It may be possible to suggest that the notion of decline does have relevance for our understanding of art and literature of the fourth centuries, and perhaps any decline or deterioration is caused by the influences of the strong religious inclinations of this period[16]. However, on the other hand, it is important to recognise that the judgement of decline in relation to this period may have been affected by modern prejudices and the perceived criteria of what constitutes good art and literature. In terms of the artistic ‘decline’, perhaps it would be more beneficial to view this period more neutrally and to recognise that it represents a different concept of art and its stylist mannerisms[17]. More relevant than the notion of decline has to be the notion of change, especially considering that the fourth and fifth century art movement marks the first time since the fifth century BC, that the naturalistic classical conventions shifted towards the abstract[18] and towards the new age of symbolic Middle Age portrayals. A significant area of change and development is the use of churches as an art form[19]. Although public buildings had been a common form of artistic experimentation throughout the history of the Romans, the fourth century brings a new dimension with the influence of Christianity. An example of this is the Church of Magia Sophia in Constantinople, whose architecture demonstrates the artist skill and creativity of the period. The church is described in great detail by Procopius of Caesarea who compares the experiences of viewing it with coming â€Å"upon a meadow with its flowers in full bloom†[20]. The exploration of domes, vaults and space is clearly just as prominent as it was before Late Antiquity[21]; it is just done through the building of Christian churches rather than traditional construction programmes. The Late Antique period features an increase in art works of silver and ivory[22] and also includes the use of elaborate carving techniques in Christian Sarcophagi. Some examples include one from the Mausoleum of Helena, which shows battle scenes between Romans and barbarians, and one from the Mausoleum of Constantina, which is decorated with acanthus scrollwork and cherubs[23]. The increase of the use of high quality carving is a clear demonstration of why the notion of decline should not be applied to the art of the fourth and fifth centuries. Furthermore, the art of this period is not only believed to be of high quality but it also shows a considerable amount of innovation. This included the expanded use of opus sectile panels of inlaid coloured marbles, for example the panels used in the secular Basilica of Junius Bassus from the Esquiline in Rome[24]. Figurative mosaics were also used in more innovative ways, and were introduced into the walls and vaults of buildings rather than just into floors, for example at the Mausoleum of S. Contanza in Rome[25]. An element of continuation can also be seen throughout fourth and fifth century art and shows the merging of new Christian iconography with traditional motifs and styles. Mosaics, for example, continue to be as intricate and stylized in villas[26] and are of the same high quality in public buildings. Some of the more elaborate mosaics seen from this period include the mosaics of St Lawrence at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia[27] in Ravenna, and the mosaics of saints at the Hagios Georgios in Salonika[28]. Imperial art also continues to be prominent well into the fifth century, including bronze and marble statues, reliefs and dedications, and columns and triumphal arches[29]. Some examples of this are the bronze of Constantius II and the marble Theodosain portraits[30]. Many of the traditional motifs survive until after the fifth century[31] and demonstrate that a complete decline cannot have been possible as artists were still able to continue creating works as they had done before. An example of the persistence of classical iconography can be clearly seen in the calendar of the year 354[32]. The notion of decline does not necessarily take into consideration the stages necessary in any stylistic progression and that the â€Å"continuous dialogue† between classical and abstract methods of representation in art[33], is something to be celebrated as development rather than criticised as decline. The relevance of decline in literature is perhaps similarly misjudged and the literature of the fourth and fifth centuries may be under-rated by critics because of the overall conception of a cultural deterioration[34]. The scholars, who suggest that this is a period of â€Å"cultural stagnation†, may have dismissed much of the rich material which was developed alongside the rise of Christianity.[35] The literature of this period needs to be assessed on its own terms and its own context[36], rather than under the constraints of modern fashions and preferences. Rather than being in decline, this period is arguably the ‘Golden Age’ of Christian literature[37] and its sheer volume of surviving works means that it is one of the richest periods for literature in antiquity. Important literary figures, who have all made huge contributions to the Christian literature of the age, include Athanasius, Ambrose, Jerome and Augustine. Augustine has been described as a â€Å"marvellous genius† and his work the â€Å"City of God† has been described as one of the first great philosophies of history. [38] Similarly popular Jerome, who was responsible for the translation of the bible, managed to raise â€Å"scriptural studies to a level not surpassed for many centuries†[39]. Aside from just religious texts, the literary sources for Late Antiquity include panegyrics, legal codices, biographies, histories and geographies[40]. The influence of Christianity led to an increase in popularity of biography, as it supported the role of the individual[41]. One of the best examples is Athanasius’ ‘The Life of Antony’, which helped to spread the concept of monasticism. The increase in biographies of entire communities rather than just an individual are also seen, mainly monastically based, for instance Palladius’ Historia Lausiaca.[42] Historical works were common throughout the period and demonstrated a continuation in traditional literary form; however, they took on a much stronger religious focus, and many took polemical positions either defending or condemning Christianity[43]. Arguably one of the most important of the historical works was the History of Rome by Ammianus Marcellinus. He not only wrote in a style reminiscent of early historians[44], such as Livy or Tacitus, but he also showed a remarkable lack of bias which is often evidenced in the writings of contemporaries[45]. There are also enough surviving letters to make the fourth and fifth centuries one of the major periods for ancient epistolography. Just one example are the letters from Q. Aurelius Symmachus of which we have nine hundred surviving letters, covering the entire period from the 360’s to AD 402[46]. A particularly highly criticised area of literature, in terms of decline, is poetry as many critics thought that they were few writers of that age who could actually rank as true poets in terms of style.[47] However, there is a scholarly split in this matter as many see the fourth century as the time when poetry re-emerged in both popularity and strength[48]. Poets like Porfyrius Optatianus had a huge impact through their poetic achievements and the poetry of the age had a distinctive character that set it apart from its predecessors[49]. Innovation in poetry can be seen through the development of multiple pattern poems, which pushed the boundaries of conventional poetry. One of the key figures in the movement is Porfyrius who had a â€Å"singular ability to manipulate verbal surfaces in varied ways†[50]. The criticism that late antique poetry suffers from an increasing level of imitation and unoriginality should be readdressed as authors may have taken up traditional forms bu t they endowed them with new and exciting qualities[51], which thus created a unique and original work. What appears to be actually prominent in fourth and fifth century poetry is diversity[52] rather than decline. Further literary diversity is brought to the fourth and fifth centuries by the influences from the East and their developments in literary languages. Syriac was already developed as literary language before the fourth century, but it was during this later period that its influence began to be truly felt. The most important surviving works are from Aphrahat and Ephrem and both their texts demonstrate the sophistication of the Syriac culture[53].The importance of Syriac literature can be seen in the fact that Jerome, writing in 392, had already read in Greek translation a work by Ephrem on the Holy Spirit[54]. Their works showed an awareness of Greek rhetorical models[55] and further suggest that this was a period of development and not decline. Less extensive, although still important, is the emergence of the Coptic literature of the Egyptians. Coptic literature was mainly functional and used in a religious context but it did include a translation of the bible. In conclusion, it is possible to understand the reasoning behind the judgement of fourth and fifth century art and literature as part of an overall notion of decline, but much of this is based on modern values and not those of the contemporaries to such art forms. In terms of understanding the literature and art of the period in a non biased and non prejudiced way, it would appear far more beneficial to dismiss the notion of ‘decline’ and adopt a more neutral notion of ‘development’ or ‘change’. A fundamental part of understanding this art and literature is the appreciating of some of its unique features, it particular the conflict and compromise[56] between several religious philosophies and two opposing art styles. Whether viewed in a negative or positive light, it seems wrong to dismiss the art and literature of the period under the demise of decline, when it is in fact diverse, vigorous, and of a high quality. Furthermore, I conclude that th e notion of decline should not have any relevance on our understanding of the art and literature of the fourth and fifth centuries. (Word Count- 2,443) Bibliography Primary Sources Augustine, Confessions, trans. A.C. Outler [Library of Christian Classics], 7 (Philadelphia, 1955) Jerome, Ciceronian or Christian?, in J.Stevenson. 1973. Creeds, Councils and Controversies. London Procopius, Buildings, trans H.B. Dewing [Leob Classical Library], 7 (Harvard, 1940) Secondary Sources Brock, S. 1997. Syriac Culture, in A. Cameron P. Garnsey (eds.), The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 13: The Late Empire, AD 337-425. Cambridge. 708- 719. Brown, P. L. 1980. Art and Society in Late Antiquity, in K. Weitzmann (ed.), Age of Spirituality: A Symposium. New York. 17-28. Cameron, A. 1993. The Later Roman Empire: AD 284-430. London. Cameron, A. 1997. Education and Literary Culture, in A. Cameron P. Garnsey (eds.), The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 13: The Late Empire, AD 337-425. Cambridge. 665-707. Dihle, A. 1994. Greek and Latin Literature of the Roman Empire: From Augustus to Justinian. London. Elsner, J. 1997. Art and Architecture, in A. Cameron P. Garnsey (eds.), The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 13: The Late Empire, AD 337-425. Cambridge. 736-761. Elsner, J. 1998. Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph: The Art of the Roman Empire, AD 100-450. Oxford. Ermatinger, J. W. 2004. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Connecticut. Gibbon, E. (ed.) Bury, J.B. 1966. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roma Empire: Volume 3. London. Grant, M. 1998. From Rome to Byzantium: The Fifth Century AD. London. Jones, A. H. M. 1964. The Later Roman Empire 284-602: A Social, Economic and Administrative Survey Volume II. Oxford. Mastrangelo, M. 2009. International Journal of the Classical Tradition. The Decline of Poetry in the Fourth Century West. Vol 16. 311-329. Mcgill, S. 2012. Latin Poetry, in S. F. Johnson (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Late Antiquity. Oxford. 335-360. Roberts, M. 1989. The Jewelled Sky: Poetry and Poetics in Late Antiquity. New York. Salzman, M. R. 1990. On Roman Time: The Codex-Calendar of 354 and the Rhythms of Urban Life in Late Antiquity. Berkeley. Smith, M. 1997. Coptic Literature, in A. Cameron P. Garnsey (eds.), The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 13: The Late Empire, AD 337-425. Cambridge. 720-735. Strong, D. E. 1976. Roman Art. 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Australia :: essays research papers

Australia Australia is an island continent and is located southeast of Asia . Australia is the smallest continent in the world . Australia is made up of six states . The climate in Australia varies greatly : a hot season , wet season with rains falling mainly in February and March. During which north western has warm and dry season. Australians mineral resources are notably bauxite, coal , gold, iron , ore, and petroleum. The most popular and native mammals in Australia are marsupials . The best known marsupials in Australia is a kangaroo which include fifty species. In Australia forty-three percent of surface consists of desert and sandy plains. Most of the population of Australia is of European descent. Before the world war II the population was entirely of British origin, but since then more than two million Europeans from the continent have migrated to Australia . English is the official language of Australia. The total population of Australia is 17, 827, 204. The capital of Australia is S idney . The Religion of Australia is largergerly Protestants , 26 percent of Australians are Catholics , and there are smaller like East Orthodox, Muslim , Buddhist , and Jewish population . The education begins at the age of six and the upper limit is to sixteen . Australia has more than ten thousand primary and secondary schools. In the early 1990s Australian had thirty-nine universities . The way of life in Australia reflects the heritage of British settlers . Australia has many interesting sites like beaches, mountains, deserts , museums, art , music , Film and many other sites . The oldest music of Australia is Aborigines. That music plays accentual role in both social and sacred life. During social gatherings called corroborees , singing and dancing provide the major form of entertainment. Australia is an outstanding producer of primary products . The major exporter are wheat ,meat , dairy products and wool . Australia usually produces twenty-five percent of world's yearly woo l. Mining became the leading factor of mining in Australia . The county continues to be dependent on livestock raising and crop farming. Manufacturing began after world war II . Most manufacturing facilities are at Sidney. The production is mostly iron, steel ,aircraft's, construction equipment ,synthetic fibers , electronic equipment , power cables , and petroleum .Sydney was founded by CaptainArthur Philip in 1787.