The Popular Poet William Cullen Bryant

The Popular Poet William Cullen Bryant William Cullen Bryant is one of the most popular poets of the nineteenth century. He has attended most of the public occasions with a kind of poetry that reached all levels of society. He is a poet whose consistencies have overcome his contradictions. Due to the poet hard efforts in the hardest period of his life he was able to publish more than thirty four poems. He used the best and most pure language. He also used a clear theme in his poetry. Even though his poetry may at sometimes appear complex, and controversial, the poet presented every piece of it in an interesting easily understood way. Bryants confidence was a major aspect that led him to his creativity. The poet accomplished his success in poetry through his heart and experience. To really understand any of Bryants poetry we need to use our sense of imagination, seek, select, and carefully examine every piece of it individually. His poetry should be real for its meaning, and beauty without those furtive glances. (Mclean 74 ). When discussing any of Bryants poetry in any school, we will notice his seriousness, morality, and simplicity in all of his poems. Two of the most popular poems of William Cullen Bryant are the Yellow Violet, and Thanatopsis. These two poems if compared will show the unique style and technique Bryant used throughout his poetry. There is a unique pattern of comparison between the poems that can be explained in several ways. Bryant has added a great amount of thought which gave his poem the Thanatopsis its complexity and depth. The poet himself admits that a work of this kind cant be repeated. As much as there are thoughts that constantly attempted to change the idea of the poem, they all failed due to the strengths in the phrases that are strictly aimed at one purpose and one direction. What makes the Thanatopsis style unique is that nature supports its beauty to the graves of humans. When you look closely at the poem, you will notice that the poem suggests death is lonely. The phrase The Two Graves, (Matthew 22) explains the important need and desirability of privacy in death. A piece of poetry like the Thanatopsis has a unique strong emotional power. In the Thanatopsis, Bryant is very sensitive and close to nature. He considered death to be a very important element of nature. What Bryant here realized and beautifully put in words has enlightened his viewers to the simple truth about life. Bryant in this poem is emphasizing that death is not a negative thing, but a comfort of fait. What I find interesting in this poem is that it comforts others on the death of your future. This poem simply offers a simple comforting view of death and comfort for the living. Another intersecting point in this poem is that humans live in nature although each part of them as individuals is gone. He is saying that dont be scared to be a part of nature because you are going to join others who already became a part of it long before you. In the Thanatopsis you will find comfort and inspiration; comfort in death and the reality of it; and inspiration to all his viewers to understand and appreciate the presence of nature. Another important point about the Thanatopsis is that its an easy transition piece between deism and romanticism. Its clear in this poem that Bryant depended heavily on the New England nature, and unstable environment which all give his poetry its rationality. The language and style in the poem gave it its simplicity and easiness. Its clear that the approach of this poem is the problem of death. The poet also makes it clear that not only there are many persons from the past to share the experience of death because death is the fate of men everywhere in the present and even future generations. The poet also says that humans dont accept the nature of death because they know that they are going to lose their dignity being under the ground. The nature clarifies for those men that the men before them are all of the kings, the wise, and the good. So no matter how much dignity you have, or beauty; all these nature forms lend this dignity and beauty to the grave. Its the intellectual content and strong clear language that gave the poem its strong meaning. He also emphasizes that you should live your life the way you want, and never get affected by others thoughts about how you should live. Too many times we are afraid to be different. For any human to live without regret, they have to live their lives to the fullest while they still can. Here he means to not be afraid to do anything that we always wanted to do. He is also saying that since we are going to become dirt again, no one has the right to tell us how to live our lives. The beautiful way that the poet describes death gives the living and the dying much comfort in the process. Bryant is also saying that no one will ever be alone; so its easier to let someone go in this case. Another beautiful aspect about Bryants poetry is that it provides comfort to all humans no matter what their religious beliefs are. Bryant also is saying that death is a living but in another way which is nature and how you become a part of it. One of the poets best works is the yellow violet. The yellow violet principles are moral sense, beauty, and truth, also taste. In this poem, the nature talks to the humans who she loves who are familiar with it. When those humans are satisfied, the nature speaks in a beautiful sound, with a big smile. The nature cheers its people up. The poet here is advising you that if you think of death and its scary images go outside and enjoy the blessings of nature. Bryant here is also telling his reader that after we die, we will not be able to see the sun or the ocean anymore because the earth will eventually take all humans in to their original form. The nature and its existence are beautiful. Its clear in this poem that humans the nature for their following generations. Its said that this poem is filled with pleasurable sadness. Its a way to worn a man from any pride. The yellow violet is best explained as a description of a man rambling through a sensory laden wood. The best way to really explain and clarify the poem is that to divide it into three different sections that would make it easier to understand. First the man goes into the wood, then sees the violet, and finally gets the simple beauty of the violet and then applies all that to him and all humanity. Bryant continues to braise the violet while comparing its down to earth soul and nature to other flowers. Bryant also uses a vital imagery language easily captures us. A certain narrow and overly simplistic view of human nature that excludes a more candid, introspective, ironic, and a self critical view of humanity. (24). another important aspect is that Bryant attempt to be someone better than he was, better than those people who walk through nature. The poem suggests that he better look do wn at the people beneath him because all humans are the same in the sense that they are going to become a part of the nature. When you read the poem for the first time, you will notice the beautiful use of imagination to color and erase the danger and discomfort of death. Bryant also explains that death is a great representation to the end of any humans individual status, and any other qualities that the human race created for themselves. In the yellow violet its also clear that Bryant was a good observer of nature. Bryant was a poet who was able to link the nature of life, and the nature of nature in a simple easy language. If you read his poetry and understand it, you will notice the explosion of beautiful deep meanings that are directly linked to reality. Bryant in his clever ways describes how humanity will always change, but nature will stay the same; and how humans are a major part of the nature. The poet also points out that its the poorest, less known, and invisible; people in your surroundings are the ones who cheer you up. They will never let you down. So those who become rich, and work very hard on doing so forget that at the end they are the same as those poor ones. The wonders of nature here always repeat themselves. Bryant in this poem makes very important points about life. He clearly demonstrates that while life styles and cultures change, and die away, nature will remain the same. In conclusion, for anyone to really understand the beauty and depth of Bryants work, they have to understand who he was and his origin as a human. If you hate the fact of death, you have no choice but to accept it. At one point if not know your life, you will understand the strength Bryant goes through when he wrote this piece of art.

History of Danish Cinema

The Danish â€Å"Golden Age† of cinema is owed almost wholly to Nordisk Films Compagni and the strategic decisions it made in the early 1910s to differentiate its films in order to ensure a strong exportation of its product. Likewise, the demise of Denmark’s film industry is owed in part to Nordisk and its inability to deviate from its profitable formula for successful film among an ever-evolving industry.This paper will examine Denmark’s quick rise to cinematic influence during its Golden Age, detail the changes Nordisk and other Danish filmmakers made and the subsequent impact on cinema internationally, as well as investigate possible reasons for the fall of both Nordisk and Denmark. Danish film had a relatively late start–its first production company, Nordisk Films Compagni, wasn’t established until 1906 (Engberg 63). Ole Olsen, the founder of Nordisk, was a businessman who owned a cinema and saw both the extreme demand for film and lack of suppl y internationally.He focused his efforts on exporting films and by the end of 1906 had a branch in Berlin and representatives in several countries across Europe. By 1910 Nordisk utilized vertical integration to become one of the largest film production companies in Europe and usher in the Golden Age of Danish cinema, from 1911-1914. At this time Nordisk was the second largest film firm in the world behind Pathe in France, producing several hundred films a year (Neergaard 218). 1910 was a landmark year where Nordisk sought to differentiate itself and increase exports.A new artistic director, August Blom, ushered in Denmark’s golden era along with a host of new, strict rules about what kinds of films to produce. Nordisk dramatically reduced its production of period pieces (â€Å"costume films†) and instead focused on realistic films about the middle-class set in the present. A new emphasis was placed on scriptwriters, who were instructed to create stories that were simpl e and easily understood internationally, meaning fewer intertitles and an increased importance on clarity in the film (Engberg 65).In addition to attention to clarity, Nordisk sought realistic settings, reserved acting in contrast to the theatrical performances of actors in south Europe, and directors who, constantly employed as a result of the sheer volume of films Nordisk produced, could hone their craft (Neergaard 218). Another important event in 1910 was propagated by a minor Danish production company, Fotorama, that took a risk and showed a film, The White Slave Traffic, which far exceeded the unofficial industry standard of 15 minutes.The 30-minute film was was a huge success in Denmark and forced Nordisk and other production companies globally to create longer, multi-reel films to meet audience demand. This transition to longer films was revolutionary in terms of artistic possibilities, storytelling, and evolution of the film medium (Engberg 65). The first actress to seize th e artistic possibilities of film’s longer running time was Asta Neilsen, whose performance in The Abyss (produced by Kosmorama in 1910) was slow and subdued, in contrast with most actors’ more rushed, frenetic performances encouraged by the need to convey the story quickly.Audiences were captivated by Neilsen’s performance, as was Nordisk, which incorporated this form of acting into its new direction. The Abyss was a hit in Denmark and abroad, ushering in a new era of artistry in acting and making Neilsen Europe’s first film star (Engberg 65). Nordisk understood the importance of exportation and catering to the markets they exported to. As Nordisk grew they catered to audiences in different markets: for example, before 1917 Nordisk exported many films to Russia.Russian audiences loved dramatic, sad endings, so Nordisk would create endings specifically for the Russian market with these elements (Engberg 67). Nordisk continued to export all over Europe and the United States, where it held a branch, The Great Northern Film Company, ensuring that film-hungry audiences in American were exposed to Denmark’s films through renting and then direct sales (Mottram 80). While Danish cinema enjoyed great success before World War I, the country’s Golden Age began to dim around the same time the war ended.The impact of WWI on Danish cinema was mixed, as exports to surrounding countries like Germany and Russia were helped by Denmark’s central geographic location. However, as countries began banning imports to stimulate their own film industry, Denmark suffered (Bordwell 64). Furthermore, Nordisk’s films began to wear on audiences who did get to see them. The adherence to a formula that had previously worked well for Denmark but had been built upon and improved in other countries like Switzerland signaled the beginning of the end. Ebbe Neergaard, a pioneering Danish film critic, wrote in 1958 that dditional rules Nordisk implemented in 1915 began the downfall of Danish cinema. â€Å"In Denmark there was no room for experiments, for seriousness, or for individuality in a director, as there was, for instance, in Germany. Yet the only way the film industry of a small country can compete with the products of the bigger industries is to make strikingly individualistic or strikingly documentary feature films. † (222). Though Nordisk and other Danish films pioneered artistic advances in the form before the war, they could not evolve from this and were surpassed after World War I.Between 1918 and 1939 Denmark’s output diminished as Nordisk’s films became less successful. Neergaard attributes this to the â€Å"naivete of her producers† (221), who upheld their â€Å"snobbish standards† and failed to evolve with the medium as â€Å"elsewhere film art grew up to feel an independent responsibility. † (221). Nordisk did try and revitalize itself in the early twenties by e mploying Carl Dreyer, now considered one of the best film directors of all time. He made two films for Nordisk beginning in 1920: one inspired by D. W.Griffith’s Intolerance titled Pages Out of the Book of Satan, that utilized exceptional acting and editing. However, Dreyer soon moved around Europe to produce more experimental films without the constraints of Nordisk, a move echoed by many of the talent in Denmark, furthering Nordisk’s and Denmark’s fall (Neergaard 221). Perhaps Denmark’s cinematic output wouldn’t have diminished during this time had Nordisk not been so dominant, but the vertically integrated company was the film industry in Denmark, and its failure was Denmark’s failure.As far as industry is concerned, Denmark’s Nordisk was very similar to France’s Pathe. Both companies dominated not only their respective countries but also international cinema in the early 1910s (Bordwell 62). Like Nordisk, Pathe made several missteps that caused it to lose dominance before WWI. Pathe, like Nordisk, became too focused on profits and cut costs on production harming the quality (Bordwell 62). Nordisk’s inability to deviate from its proven (and profitable) film rules was part of its demise as well.However, unlike Denmark, France’s film industry was comprised of many smaller film production companies as well as another dominant firm, Gaumont, so when Pathe faltered or as Hollywood films took hold, the industry was able to continue. With just one dominant company in Denmark, the national cinema failed with the company. Denmark’s primary cinematic period (its Golden Age) was the only portion of early Danish cinematic history devoted to any significant research or commentary. I primarily used essays from film critics and scholars from Denmark written from more modern times.I couldn’t find any primary or secondary documents detailing the specificities of distribution and exhibition; it seemed that this topic was so obviously dominated by Nordisk that little discussion needed to be devoted to it. Similarly, details to what Denmark imported film-wise were scarce: I can only presume the industry to be similar to that of the rest of Europe, meaning imported films from the rest of the continent and America. Works Cited Bordwell, David, and Kirstin Thompson. Film History: An Introduction. New York:     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McGraw Hill, 2003.Print. Engberg, Margeurite. â€Å"The Erotic Melodrama in Danish Silent Films 1910-1918. †Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Film History  5. 1 (1993): 63-67. JSTORE. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. . Mottram, Ron. â€Å"The Great Northern Film Company: Nordisk Film in the American     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Motion Picture Market. †Ã‚  Film History  2. 1 (1988): 71-86. JSTOR. Web. 24     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sept. 2011. . Neergaard, Ebbe. â€Å"The Rise, the Fall, and the Rise of Danish Film. †Ã‚  Hollywood     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Q uarterly  4. 3 (1950): 217-232. Print.

Behaviorism after the founding

Behaviorism as the third force in psychology have started out as a theoretical proposition of John B. Watson when he came out with â€Å"Psychology as The Behaviorist Views It† and have been known as the behaviorist manifesto (Benjamin, 1997). Watson proposed that psychology is the study of behavior and have put forth four major assumptions that form the tenets of behaviorism as a school of thought. The first assumption is that of evolutionary continuity which means that the laws of behavior are applicable to all living organisms. This assumption has substantiated the behaviorist’s use of animals in the study of human behavior.The second assumption is that of reductionism, this refers to the behaviorist’s belief that all behaviors have a physiological basis and that behavior is the body’s reaction to a stimulus. The third assumption is determinism, behaviorists support the idea that animals respond to external stimuli in specific ways and are inherently pr ogrammed into one’s brain from birth. The last assumption is empiricism which is one of the cornerstones of behaviorism and that it is the contention that only overt actions or behavior are measurable and observable and lend itself to the scientific method.Thus, to the behaviorist, psychology should be the study of overt behavior. B. F. Skinner was a self-confessed convert to behaviorism after reading Watson’s monograph; he was also influenced by the experimental studies of Ivan Pavlov (Bjork, 1997). Skinner developed a theory that was based on the classical conditioning paradigm of Pavlov and integrated it with his own definition of behaviorism. Skinner’s major work is his theory of operant conditioning, wherein he said that behavior can be conditioned through reinforcement and behavior diminishes when it is not reinforced.He borrowed from Pavlov the basic idea of conditioning, but instead of limiting it to a stimulus-response paradigm, he incorporated the impo rtance of rewards and punishment, which means that behavior is not only exhibited as a response to a stimulus but also as a form of association between the reinforcement given after the behavior. Skinner’s theoretical position made it obvious that he deviated from Watson’s radical behaviorism, because conditioning a she defined it involves cognition which Watson has strongly eradicated from his propositions.Moreover, the emphasis given to reinforcements and punishments hint at the need to acknowledge mental processes in the study of behavior. Skinner’s work was well received by the academic community much even that Watson’s initial paper was and this have spurned the interest of like minded psychologists who did support the methodological implications of behaviorism but was not receptive of the radical arguments of Watson. Skinner’s ideas made more sense because it did not advocated the idea that men are not thinking beings and were more able to ca pture how man behaves.Skinner’s kind of behaviorism somehow married the opposing views of mind and behavior and also gave importance to how environmental experiences and influences shape human behavior. Moreover, operant conditioning was applicable in a number of areas most notably education, child rearing and animal training (Skinner, 1966). Skinner’s behaviorism has also influenced other psychologists to study and conceptualize psychological phenomena using the principles of operant conditioning and indeed was the kind of behaviorism that has flourished for the last century or so in the field of psychology.Contemporary behaviorism have been identified as the study of social learning, wherein a behavior is learned through socialization and socialization is the process by which behavior is rewarded or punished by society (Smith & Woodward, 1996). The evolution of behaviorism from Watson to Skinner and to the present has been made possible by the vast research and theor etical models developed by psychologists who adhere to contemporary behaviorism. One of the hallmarks of behaviorism is the use of animals to study human behavior.Animal research has proven to be useful in understanding how man learns or can be trained to exhibit a certain type of behavior (Benjamin, 1997). Although animal behavior is limited, it nonetheless becomes necessary for behavioral scientists because ethical considerations in using a human subject in risky experiments are not permitted. For example, doing a research on the effect of light illumination to sleep deprivation is probably unethical to do on humans.Although animals are not exactly anatomically similar to humans, animal physiology and anatomy have been well studied and documented that tracing the reactions of mice to light will be easier and scientifically sound. The generalizations made based on this study is however limited but is an acceptable margin of error. Moreover, animals can be easily manipulated and sub jected to experiments than humans because they operate on an instinctual level and do not have to process the information given to them.The knowledge gained in studying animals is numerous but especially have been concentrated on learning and behavior and to some extent how drugs affect the brain or the body. Animal research can help us understand human behavior better because to some degree we share with them basic drives that are necessary for our existence and hence, learning how animals react to stress or hunger can give us the information needed to adequately explain behavior. Animals exhibit simple behaviors which humans share and have grown in complexity over the years but if analyzed is based still on simple behaviors.References Benjamin, L. (1997) A History of Psychology: Original Sources and Contemporary Research 2nd ed. New York: McGraw –Hill. Bjork, D. (1997) B. F. Skinner: A Life. Washington: American Psychological Association. Skinner, B. F. (1966). The Behavior of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis. 7th printing. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Smith, L. & Woodward, W. (1996). B. F Skinner and Behaviorism in American Culture. London: Lehigh University Press

Ambrose Bierces’ An Occurence At Owl Creek Bridge Essay

Ambrose Bierces’ Story â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† Ambrose Bierces’ story â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† tells the story of a confederate secessionist, who is being hanged by Union troops. At the time of the hanging, the soldiers drop him from the bridge. Luckily, just as he falls the rope snaps and the man dives into the â€Å"sluggish stream†. He miraculously takes off his ropes and swims away. When he reaches the bank of the creek, he runs for what seems like forever. He finally reaches home, where his family is waiting so anxiously for him. However, Bierce chooses to surround this intriguing tell with elements that carry visual, concrete, and intangible symbolism. The symbolic elements of â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek†¦show more content†¦Bierce chooses to beginning this captivating tell at a bridge. He writes, â€Å"A man stood upon a railroad bridge in Northern Alabama, looking down into the swift water†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He then choose to conclude this tell at the same bridge. He writes, â€Å"Peyton Fahrquar was dead; his body, with a broken neck, swung gently from side to side beneath the timbers of the Owl Creek Bridge.† With so much focus on this element, the bridge, the reader must realize that it offers more than just a setting. It is the symbolic connection between reality and illusion, life and death. First, it is the symbolic connection between reality and illusion. Throughout the course of the story, Peyton Fahrquars’ perception of reality is completely warped. He believes that he miraculously loosed his ropes, eluded the Union troop, and escaped home. This in reality is absolutely impossible. The bridge (a solid structure, with no escape route available) allows the reader to maintain a sense of reality while still being able to grasp Fahrquars’ illusion. Secondly, the bridge is the symbolic connection between life and death. Most people view death as a crossing over and beyond death is a â€Å"better life†. Now taking that ideology in context with the story, Peyton Fahrquar wanted to burn down the bridge to stop the Union Army from advancing and gaining access to the Confederate lands. The Union Army, who symbolically represents death, and the Confederate Army, who symbolically represents life,Show MoreRelatedAmbrose Bierce’s Experience During t he Civil War and Its Influence on His Writing934 Words   |  4 PagesAbolistionist view point. Heeding to the call to arms to help defend the North.,Bierce joined the Army The next four years were spent traveling the states fighting in some of the most well known battles of the Civil War . Ambrose Bierce’s experience during the Civil War where he faced the dangers of nature and man influenced his writing. After being struck in the head by a bullet during a battle, the recouperating time gave Bierce time to write calling on his actual war time memories and experiencesRead MoreAn Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce Essay1061 Words   |  5 PagesReading and understanding literature is not as easy as it sounds. Being able to dissect each piece of information and connect it to the overall theme of the story takes lots of rereading and critical thinking. Reading the story â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† takes lots of critical thinking and understanding the literature in a different point of view than the average reader would. The theme of this particular story quickly came to mind after initially concluding the reading, the author is trying