Analysis of Fable by Nina Cassian :: Cassian Fable Essays

Analysis of Fable by Nina Cassian Whereas the extent of my poetic appreciation lies in a decided distaste for Dante and a zest for limericks concerning Nantucket - it behooves me to discuss a poem that my limited capacities can grasp. Fable by Nina Cassian is just such a poem. I view this piece as Ms. Cassian's perspective on life (a "sentence" or an obligation), death, and sadly, the fact that most people do not appreciate the beautific nature of existence. I understand the first stanza as a depiction of man's earthly plane as a sort of testing ground for "angels" - a place where beings are concerned with the development of spirit, "to master imbalance." The second and third stanzas I interpret as the transformation of the ethereal spirit to a corporeal state. The "angel plummeted" and thus left spiritual beauty in a quest for purity. The angel,s descent is clearly painful: "...feathers carbonized, his sole wing impotent, dangling." Though the cost of corporeal existence is dear, I believe Ms. Cassian sees this as an obligation which must be met, a "sentence." The final sentence is the saddest. The nature of this newly formed being is mundanely categorized. The "people" fail to see its purpose and its intrinsic beauty; by extension, they have lost their own missions, their own true value. They have forgotten God. The second poem was written by an astonishingly brillant N.Y.U. student hoping to receive an "A" in an introductory literature course taught by a fascinating (and underpaid) professsor. 12/2/97 is the date that this author spent approximately six minutes dead. He had minored in theology and had developed a healthy scepticism concerning all religions. The author had laughed at so called "near-death experiences -" believing them either fantasy or resultant of a chemical secretion of the frontal lobe in times of catastrophic distress. This erstwhile pillager of the business world, this glorified "strett hustler" discovered upon his demise that as the "people" of Fable he had lost his way, his appreciation, his God.

Past and Present Chapter Essay

Opportunity and self-made men were the order of the day The founding fathers considered democracy to be direct rule of the people A concept they feared and rejected Jacksonians considered â€Å"the voice of the people† to be â€Å"the voice of God† Democracy and Society No one could expect social privilege because of family ties European visitors noted the lack of first class accommodations The word â€Å"servant† was disappearing; in its place was â€Å"help† Domestic workers were not considered a social subclass Members of different earning groups dressed similarly Democracy expressed itself in medicine, law and religion Unorthodox â€Å"healers† were given place alongside doctors Local bars allowed lower standards in some areas The clergy came under more control of the laity The popular press became increasingly important Written and read by common people Many small venues and a few influential papers with large readership Democratic Culture Democratic expression in literature and art Popular taste v. elite or traditional culture Romanticism was â€Å"adapted† to sentimentalism in popular literature Formulaic gothic novels sold well Possible because of increased literacy Also cheaper printing More novels written by women Universal white manhood suffrage was the rule by the 1820s Rise in elected v appointed officials Stump speaking and campaigning became the norm More festive and dramatic Martin Van Buren and others began to build statewide political organizations Idea of the â€Å"loyal opposition† developed Other political changes Two party system enhanced Electors more often chosen by popular vote Voting percentages increased dramatically 1824—27% 1828—55% 1840—78% Why more interest? Panic of 1819—concern about money issues Issues such as banks, tariffs, internal improvements Jacksonians were concerned about monied interests Opponents were concerned about rabble rousers Should the federal government become more active? Foster economic growth? Destroy corporate privilege and monopoly? Support the rights of the working man? Abolish inheritance, improve public education? New York Working Men’s Party thought so Also favored redistribution of assets Philadelphia was a center of labor activity General Trades’ Unions was formed Achieved a 10-hour workday Set an early precedent for mass action Abolitionists became more active Some also wanted equal rights for women These reformers saw little success.

Loss of Innocence - 757 Words

It has been said that innocence can be defined as the state or quality of being morally free from guilt or sin, through lack of knowledge of evil. I will examine pieces of literature that convey the loss of innocence to either a particular person, or a group of people. The first piece of writing I have chosen is, The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. In the middle of a war, a plane carrying a group of schoolboys crashed onto an island. The pilot had been killed, so that left the boys to fend for themselves. The boys were brought up properly, so naturally, they were very well behaved and orderly at the beginning of the novel. Most of all, they longed to be rescued. As time goes on, hunting becomes a priority for some of the boys, and†¦show more content†¦Regardless of how evil is obtained or innocence is lost, the outcome is the same. Once the knowledge of evil is acquired, there is no way of returning to the initial state of innocence. Ernest Hemmingway once wrote: â€Å"All things truly wicked start from innocence.† Loss of Innocence Grade 11 English Culminating Prepared for: Mr. Cody Prepared by: Jessica Gillis Date: June 8th,Show MoreRelatedLoss of Innocence1478 Words   |  6 PagesInnocence is usually associated with youth and ignorance. The loss of ones innocence is associated with the evils of the world. However, the term innocence can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Similarly, the loss of ones innocence can be interpreted in more than one way, and, depending on the interpretation, it may happen numerous times. The loss of innocence is culture specific and involves something that society holds sacrosanct. It is also bounded by different religious beliefs. Read MoreLoss of Innocence1554 Words   |  7 PagesMany people experience the loss of innocence every day because it’s just a natural thing. One way that people loss their innocence is through the violence of war. Most people in a war will come unto the fact that it’s a kill or be killed kind of thing. Everyone would naturally choose to kill another man and that’s how many people in a war end up losin g their innocence. Another way that people lose their innocence is when they witness the death of someone else. In the book â€Å"Fallen Angels,† LieutenantRead MoreLoss of Innocence550 Words   |  2 PagesInnocence is used to show how a person can show self-control and restriction. However, when it comes to loss of innocence, the body gives in to anything, temptation, sin, and many others. In the poem, â€Å"Loss of Innocence† (Stewart), innocence becomes useless as other problems take over, in place of innocence. It is almost as if â€Å"Innocence swept away† (Stewart) and as a replacement, â€Å"Sinful satisfaction sweeps over†(Stewart). The loss of innocence requires time, like in the book Tuesdays with MorrieRead MoreRacism And Loss Of Innocence1428 Words   |  6 PagesLee presents to society touches many universal themes of society mechanics from the past and still connects to the present. Throughout the novel there are various forms of prejudic e that evoke in the presence of social inequality, racism and loss of innocence. In any form of environment, social inequality and status always comes through as human nature. Throughout the novel, Scout’s prejudice against Walter Cunningham changes. In the beginning she judges and disrespects Walter, by the way he eatsRead MoreLoss of Innocence in Frankenstein1168 Words   |  5 PagesLoss of Innocence in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Innocence, throughout time it is lost, varying from who and how much. Throughout the novel Frankenstein there is a central theme of loss of innocence, cleverly instilled by the author, Mary Shelley. This theme is evident in Frankensteins monster, Victor Frankenstein himself, and three other minor characters that lose their innocence consequently from the two major characters loss. Frankensteins monster is destined to lose all innocence asRead MoreEssay on Loss of Innocence 1352 Words   |  6 PagesKnowles carries the theme of the inevitable loss of innocence throughout the entire novel. Several characters in the novel sustain both positive and negative changes, resulting from the change of the peaceful summer sessions at Devon to the reality of World War II. While some characters embrace their development through their loss of innocence, others are at war with themselves trying to preserve that innocence. Knowles foreshadows the boys’ loss of innocence through the war, and their constant jumpsRead MoreA Loss of Innocence Essay1010 Words   |  5 Pagesbelieving that money and luck indicate one’s level of happiness. William Golding’s novel tries to show that all children are evil and have savage impulses. A common theme in both of these works is that children create their own downfall and loss of innocence. In D.H. Lawrence’s The Rocking Horse Winner, Paul is searching for an identity and love. Paul’s mother was incapable of love; â€Å"when her children were present, she always felt the centre of her heart go hard.† Paul’s mother desires materialisticRead MoreThe Loss Of Innocence As A Child1951 Words   |  8 Pages2013 Saving Innocence Mornings filled with coloring, recess, and naps; afternoons spent with mom playing superheroes and baking cookies; evenings spent with dad telling him about the cool new friend you met playing Red Rover at school.The life of a child is relatively simple and pain-at least in the sense we often relate it to as adults-is often non-existent and if present usually doesn’t go past not getting to be the line leader at school. So what exactly leads to the loss of innocence as a childRead MoreThe Loss Of Innocence And Self Essay2093 Words   |  9 PagesDoes such a thing as â€Å"growing up,† really happen, does the idea of the loss of innocence and self -discovery exist outside literature I used to think Yes, then No. Now I think it’s a little bit of both. I think that the past events that happened to me these last 5 years are the reason why. Esta à © a histà ³ria da vida. Minha vida que meio acontece. A vida acontece. My name is Carla-Cristina and I am 18 years old and I had never seen a monkey nor the ocean til I was the was 12, even though I grewRead MoreLoss Of Innocence In Catcher In The Rye1429 Words   |  6 PagesJustin Hwang Ms. Lydia Wells English 9 10/24/17 Loneliness and Phoniness: Loss of Innocence in Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye Loss of innocence is one of the major elements of The Catcher in the Rye that make the novel so renowned. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is about an adolescent named Holden who wanders around New York City after being kicked out of a prestigious boarding school in eastern Pennsylvania. While learning more about himself and the adult world, he experiences alcohol,