August Wilsons Pittsburgh Cycle

August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle After writing his third play, August Wilson realized he was developing something quite monumental. He had created three different plays set in three different decades, detailing the hopes and struggles of African-Americans. In the early 1980s, he decided that he wanted to create a cycle of ten plays, one play for each decade. Collectively, they would become known as the Pittsburgh Cycle - all but one take place in the citys Hills District. August Wilsons 10 play series is arguably one of the finest literary achievements in contemporary drama. Although they were not created in chronological order, here is a brief synopsis of each play, organized by the decade each one represents. Note: Each of the links connects to an informative New York Times review. Gem Of the Ocean Set in 1904, a young African-American named Citizen Barlow, like many others traveling north in the years after the Civil War arrives in Pittsburgh in search of purpose, prosperity, and redemption. A woman named Aunt Ester, who is rumored to be 285 years old and possess healing powers, decides to help the young man on his life’s journey. Joe Turner’s Come and Gone The title warrants a bit of historical context - Joe Turner was the name of a plantation owner who, in spite of the emancipation proclamation, forced African-Americans to work in his fields. In contrast, Seth and Bertha Holly’s boarding house offers room and nourishment to wayward souls who have been mistreated, abused, and sometimes even kidnapped by members of white society. The play takes place in the year 1911. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom As four African-American blues musicians wait for Ma Rainey, the famous lead singer of their band, they exchange off-the-cuff jokes and cutting-edge barbs. When the blues diva does arrive, the tensions continue to mount, pushing the group towards its breaking point. The tone is a combination of bitterness, laughter, and the blues, an ideal representation of the black experience during the late 1920s. The Piano Lesson A piano that has been handed down for generations becomes the source of conflict for members of the Charles family. Set in 1936, the storyline reflects the significance of objects in relationship to the past. This play garnered August Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize. Seven Guitars Touching upon the theme of music once again, this drama begins with the death of guitarist Floyd Barton in 1948. Then, the narrative shifts to the past, and the audience witnesses the protagonist in his younger days, ultimately leading up to his demise. Fences Perhaps Wilson’s most renowned work, Fences explores the life and relationships of Troy Maxson, an activist-minded trash collector, and former baseball hero. The protagonist represents the struggle for justice and fair treatment during the 1950s. This moving drama earned Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize. Two Trains Running This multiple award-winning drama is set in Pittsburgh 1969, in the height of the battle for civil rights. In spite of the political and social change that sweeps through the nation, many of the characters of this play are too cynical, too down-trodden to experience hope for the future or rage for the ongoing tragedies. Jitney Set in a cab driver’s station during the boisterous late 1970s, this character-driven play features sharp-witted, hustling co-workers who gossip, argue, and dream in between jobs. King Hedley II Often thought of as the bitterest and most tragic of Wilson’s cycle, the play focuses on the downfall of the prideful ex-con protagonist, King Hedley II (the son of one of the characters from Seven Guitars). The mid-1980s setting finds Wilson’s beloved Hills District in a dismal, poverty-stricken neighborhood. Radio Golf With this 1990s setting, the final play in the cycle tells the story of affluent Harmond Wilks, a successful politician and real estate developer - who considers tearing down a historic old house that once belonged to none other than Aunt Ester. It all comes full circle!

How to be successful in life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

How to be successful in life - Essay Example However, there are certain principles towards attainment of a successful living that are leading a healthy life, keeping ambitions and struggling towards attainment of these ambitions and planning, all these should be adopted by everyone in order to live a life that is accomplishing. Firstly, one must be healthy, secondly proper actions should be taken towards accomplishment of set goals and thirdly, planning should be there to be successful in life. All these lead to be successful in life. To lead a successful life requires one to be healthy first of all. In my consideration, healthy living is a successful living, which is the first principle to be successful in life. One should have healthy habits if he wants to be successful in life. From our childhood, we have listened to a quote by Benjamin Franklin narrated by our parents that is â€Å"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.† Being healthy requires one to take proper sleep, take meals on proper time, have a balanced diet, do exercises and adopt everything that is healthy in life. Such a person will have good health and will not be troubled with health issues and will have a healthy mind to think over issues of life. Such a person will make good decisions and will have ample time to think over problems. Time is more precious than anything else and healthy living allows us to utilize all the available time without wasting it (Babson 78). The other principle to get closer to successful living is to do something towards fulfillment of ambitions. It means that we have to act in order to get (Watson 2004). Ben Franklin gives a quote, â€Å"God helps those who help themselves†. To be successful requires one to be sincere with himself. When a person is sincere with himself, he will keep aspirations and will work towards fulfillment of his set aspirations. Our actions speak about our set ambitions and our actions are informative as what we

Down with Mosquitoes and Malaria Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Down with Mosquitoes and Malaria - Essay Example However, these areas mainly act as mosquitos’ breeding site and therefore people living in around such areas have been found to be the most affected by malaria cases. Several methods such as use of spraying insecticides and depositing pesticide chemicals in water bodies have been used in the past. However, since these methods are not environmental friendly the need to develop other methods of fighting malaria is imminent. In the modern day there has been some advancements such as use of surfactants among other chemical methods. Surfactants are mainly used in water catchment areas to prevent mosquito breeding. Surfactants comprise of elements that are both soluble and insoluble in water hence the ability to diffuse in water. Furthermore, surfactants adsorb between air and water molecules or molecules of two mixed liquids such as water and oil. This aspect of adsorption forms the basis of using surfactants to prevent mosquito breeding due to the ability to form emulsifications. Surfactants reduce the surface tension of between liquids and or between a liquid and a solid. As a result they can be used in mosquito breeding areas since reduced surface tension makes the mosquitos to drown. Additionally surfactants are organic therefore they do not cause environmental pollution and can hence be considered an efficient method of preventing mosquito breeding. However, use of surfactants in large quantities may have negative environmental effects hence their use is relatively restricted. Some common examples of surfa ctants are detergents and medicinal lotions. In addition, researchers have come up with a way of suing heparin to fight malaria. This process involves reducing activity of PfEMP1,which facilitates binding of uninfected RBCs by infected RBCs, by using heparin since it engulfs the infected cells hence preventing the binding.. When red blood cells (RBCs) are infected by malaria parasites they cling to the walls of blood vessels allowing these parasites to

Garnier Report Essay Example for Free

Garnier Report Essay †¢The first Garnier product was made by Alfred Garnier in 1904, a hair tonic. The full company name, Laboratories Garnier, originated in the 1920s as a producer of haircare products made with organic ingredients. Garnier continues that mission today, as all of its products are made with natural ingredients. The LOreal Group has owned Garnier since 1965. LOreal †¢LOreal, based in France and the United States, has been in operation since 1909. It now owns five divisions including Garnier. LOreal has a focus on research, especially studies in sustainable development, with research centers on three continents. Products †¢Garnier currently has three product lines: Fructis, Nutrisse and Nutritionist. Fructis, started in 1996, is the Garner line of haircare and styling products. Nutrisse, Garniers hair color line released in 2002, was originally called Natea when it debuted in 1998. Natea wasnt as successful in the United States as in Europe, hence the name change. Garnier started selling Nutritionist, its skincare product line, in 2005. Innovation †¢Besides introducing Alfred Garniers hair tonic in 1904, when people still used soap on their hair, Garnier has been the first to produce sun-care items (in 1936) and the first to make a permanent home hair color (in 1960). Today Garnier is the number-one brand in Europe using natural ingredients. Research †¢Garnier exemplifies LOreals emphasis on scientific study. Research for Garnier goes through four stages at one of LOreals sixteen research centers. Then Garnier conducts clinical studies and consumer studies before releasing the product, as well as surveys afterward Garnier uses scientifically proven, natural ingredients to promote optimum hair health and let inner beauty shine through. The Garnier Fructis hair care line and Garnier Fructis Style products, allow women of all hair types to get the gorgeous locks they want. Garnier products have garnered prestigious beauty awards from top magazines like Allure, Health Magazine, More Magazine, CosmoGirl!, and Cosmopolitan. The brand is also a sponsor of Project Runway and models of this popular reality show strut the catwalk with styles powered by Garnier products.

Deism and Changes in Religious Tolerance in America Essay -- Deism Rel

Deism and Changes in Religious Tolerance in America      Ã‚  Ã‚   Religious conscience in America has evolved considerably since the first settlers emigrated here from Europe. Primary settlements were established by Puritans and Pilgrims who believed "their errand into the wilderness [America] was above all else a religious errand, and all institutions - town meeting, school, church, family, law-must faithfully reflect that fact" (Gaustad 61). However, as colonies grew, dissenters emerged to challenge Puritan authority; indeed, many of them left the church to join untraditional religious sects such as "the Ranters, the Seekers, the Quakers, the Antinomians, and the Familists" (Westbrook 26). Debates over softening the stance on tolerance in the church engendered hostility in many religious leaders, priming some officials to take action. Whether it was in direct response to "the liberalizing tendencies beginning to take hold in some [. . .] New England churches" (Westbrook 65), or a "reaction against the attempt in the Age of Reason to reduce Christian doctrine to rationalistic explanation" ("Great Awakening"), the Great Awakening impressed upon the issues of religious conscience. Moreover, what spawns from this controversy is a query over the juxtaposition of morality and spirituality: the question of whether these conditions are actually related. The gradual escalation of unconventional thinking in religious affairs facilitated new ideas on what defined spirituality; one religious theory, boosted by Thomas Paine and his book, The Age of Reason, denounced both Christianity and Atheism, proposing instead, a new concept: the middle path of Deism.    As a progressive religious view rising in popularity during the middle of the e... ...ns, it is quite possible that American's would not have religious freedom today.       Works Cited    Gaustad, Edwin S., ed. A Documentary History of Religion in America to the Civil War. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1982. "Great Awakening." Colliers Encyclopedia. 1996 ed. Paine, Thomas. The Age of Reason. Ed. Moncure Daniel Conway. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1930. Richmond, B.A. "Deism: It's History, Beliefs, & Practices." Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. 25 July 2000. http://www.religioustolerance.org/deism.htm. Walters, Kerry S. The American Deists: Voices of Reason and Dissent in the Early Republic. Lawrence: UP of Kansas, 1992. ---. Benjamin Franklin and His Gods. Chicago: University of Illinois, 1999. Westbrook, Perry D. A Literary History of New England. Cranbury: Associated University, 1988.

Got Milk Essay

In the fast paced world of today, advertisers have to keep up with the times. One of the best ways they do this is through the â€Å"Got Milk† advertisements. Milk is a part of everyday life. The â€Å"Got Milk† campaign is seen in all types of magazines from sports to beauty, featuring many different kinds of celebrities selling their product. By putting familiar faces on magazine advertisements and using interesting television commercials, the company sell their products. It also gets people to drink more milk and it is a very effective campaign. They are trying to reinforce that the calcium in milk keeps bones strong and helps prevent osteoporosis but is that the way everyone views the ads and commercial advertisements? The first Got Milk advertisement ran on October 29, 1993, and featured an extreme history buff receiving a call to answer a radio station’s $10,000 trivia question , â€Å"Who shot Alexander Hamilton in that famous duel? † The man’s apartment is shown to be a sort of museum to the duel, packed with artefacts. He answers the question correctly, but because his mouth is full of peanut butter and he has no milk to wash it down, the radio station couldn’t make out his answer and he ran out of time. For most, this commercial would have been just funny and comical but others weren’t so amused. Some history buffs said this was a disgrace to the Alexander Hamilton and said that it was mocking him. This just goes to show we all see things differently. Irony is the secret weapon to get the point across for this advertisement. There is a green eyed blonde with a low cut â€Å"little black dress† caressing her flawless body with her arm around a martini glass filled with milk. She is seductively leaning against a glass covered wooden bar with a luring gleam in her eyes. Her and the milk are the main focus of this advertisement. In the background is faded liquor and wine bottles. While looking at her you cannot take your eyes off of her milk mustache and the milk martini glass that got to touch her full pink lips. The irony of this advertisement is that out of all the handsome tall liquor bottles, she chose the thin lean martini with milk in it. Now maybe next time the viewer of this advertisement is consuming alcohol they will think about having a nice cold refreshing glass of milk when they get home. Even though that’s what the message of this cosmopolitan magazine was, some mothers made complaints saying that their daughters read their magazines and that it was promoting drinking alcoholic beverages with the martini and wine glasses all over the advertisement. Surely not all people have the same views and opinion. Another â€Å"Got Milk advertisement I would like to examine is the Superman advertisement. When you think of superman what comes to mind? Do you think of his ability to fly? Maybe, you think of his attractive face? Or possibly, you think of his rocking physique? Superman is a heroic icon known by people of all different types. They see him as a credible character that devotes his life to saving the damsels in distress. At one moment or another in most people’s lifetime, they dream to be the hero in some situation. They hope to be recognized for their good deeds and give credit to those that they look up to. Whether they are young or old, people do their best to imitate the actions of their icon, superman, every day. In this advertisement, the author is trying to get people to drink more milk by making them believe that in order to be like superman they have to drink milk. The advertisement depicts superman floating high in the crystal blue sky surrounded by fluffy white clouds. Superman is made to be the center of this picture because he is enlarged compared to the background. Although his tights and the sky are a similar shade of blue, the bold red makes him stand out. Superman also makes a statement because of the body language he displays. In the midst of this calm and serene background superman stands with his arms crossed, looking powerful and bold with a milk mustache. Although he looks a little silly with the milk mustache he has a very serious look on his face. The underlying message is that if you want to be as powerful and strong as superman you have to get down to business and drink your milk. In the depicted advertisement the author is trying to persuade everyday people by making it seem as though the only reason superman has strong bones is because he drinks milk. The point of the advertisement is to make people think that if they drink milk they will feel great and have super strong bones like superman. This is exactly why comic book fanatics were furious over this ad. They said his strong bones and super powers came from his home planet â€Å"Krypton† and not from drinking milk. We see this as silly but when someone is passionate about something they stick to it and don’t let it go. Even something so fictional can have an effect on how a person takes an ad. In conclusion the â€Å"got milk† campaign is a very well organized and structured campaign that makes others want to drink milk from seeing their role models with their milk mustaches. Eighteen years ago this campaign started and it is still grasping the attention of viewers. The population is getting healthier from drinking more milk therefore these got milk advertisements must be working. The â€Å"Got Milk† campaign and there white mustaches will be around for a very long time encouraging people to drink more milk but if people see the innocent â€Å"Got Milk† campaign as offensive then there will always be people that don’t like what their lo.

Conference Carolinas the 12 Schools in This NCAA Division II Conference