Lifes Greatest Miracle Essay Sample

Lifes Greatest Miracle Essay Sample For centuries people have been trying to unravel a conundrum of life. We know how a person is born, what biological processes are involved in life and how life ends. However, there are so many mysteries in life that remain uncovered. Is there a universal law that governs our life just like gravity pulls us down, and the same way that the laws of thermodynamics, mechanics and other established fundamental laws? Some people believe that life is hard. Others find it joyful and exuberant. It can be pathetic and unproductive or extremely prolific for some people. I personally find life’s greatest miracle that it can be anything and, what is more, it becomes what you think it is, and that our future is projected by our today’s thoughts. The teachings of Buddhism say that people suffer in life because they get a wrong perspective of the world, other people in it and of themselves. They tend to get attached to material things, people and health which are all temporary. Loss of material welfare, the stress created by people themselves causes frustration, more stress and dissatisfaction with life. By learning to meditate a person acquires knowledge of how to see the undistorted reality. Buddhists claim that once a person’s mind is peaceful, a person learns what true happiness is, irrespective whether or not person owns something. This means that everyone who masters the practice of mediation and learns to appreciate the present moment will experience happiness in life. The modern western theory of quantum physics emphasizes the importance of the so called law of attraction. Scientists claim that our thoughts represent a stream of energy that attracts things with the same vibration. So if we think positively, we draw good things in life and the opposite. Gloomy thoughts, fears and insecurity cause bad events in life. A new science is appearing â€" it is a science of happiness. There are many motivational speakers, coaches, mentors and psychologists that are confident that they can teach people how to improve their standard of life by simply thinking positively. People are encouraged to concentrate on positive things and meditate. Another constituent of future happiness is identifying your purpose in life and setting specific goals that can be put down on special mind maps. I find it interesting that although different in nature, both the ancient Buddhist tradition and the modern tendency have one thing in common â€" they aim at control of a restless human mind. Once a person learns how to control their thoughts and attention, their quality of life is expected to improve. A lot of renowned authors write in their books about how their life has transformed after they changed their way of thinking. It is a comforting thought to tell myself that my destiny is in my hands. But because thinking precedes action, it is important to change the way we think first. It is of crucial importance to remember that no one is perfect. We all make wrong choices in life and consequently fall down to the ground. But as the result of that, one has a choice to become impaired or summon up the courage and live on happily. If one changes their angle of view, bad experiences can become useful lessons, disappointments â€" beginning of a new life stage and failures â€" a solid ground for new opportunities. And that’s what I find to be the greatest miracle of life.

The Importance of Freedom of Expression in America Essay

The Importance of Freedom of Expression in America Would life be the same without freedom of expression? Expressions of hate, sometimes called hate speech, are highly prevalent in todays society; one group using them is the KKK, in particular Charles Brandenburg. Government leaders may also want to repress free speech for the motive of keeping the citizenry in the dark so they dont learn about corruption in the hierarchy of our country. The aforementioned corruption is what freedom of expression was created for; to give the populace some control over the governments actions. The Vietnam War was one of the largest events where freedom of expression was used. From wearing black armbands to the massacre at Kent State University,†¦show more content†¦Ohio (1969)] If the government censors speech, people may not be exposed to the truth because it may be seen as harmful for the regime in power. The government could easily outlaw any speech that is damaging to its reputation. It could then become stronger from being devoid of opposition and possibly lead to corrupt leaders. Regulation of speech abolishes the peoples’ right to â€Å"check† the government, thereby making it difficult to prevent corruption. As stated in the United States Constitution, it is the responsibility of the citizenry to protest and change the government if it becomes corrupt, or is not doing its job. A remarkable example of America keeping the power of the government in check is in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s. During the Vietnam War, small groups around the country decided to exercise their First Amendment rights by protests against the war. Curious about the claims from the protesters, other Americans were influenced to start finding information about it on their own. Discussions about America’s motives to be in Vietnam, or lack thereof, prompted demonstrations in the streets and protests all over the country. The stronger the protests became, the more people started learning about the war and questioning the administration. It was found that there were no answers for why so many were dying. These protestsShow MoreRelatedImportance Of American Identity1547 Words   |  7 Pagesbest be described using the words freedom, pride, and importance. When America formed, people immigrated to this country in search of freedom. America is built on the basic principle of freedom. One of the main reasons people immigrate to America from their home country is because of all the freedoms we have. America is thought of as the land of free. There is freedom of education, religion, expression, speech, and belief. Though we are built on the principle of freedom, that doesn’t mean it is all thatRead MoreEssay on The First Amendment556 Words   |  3 PagesAmendment America was built on freedom. Freedom to speak, freedom to choose, freedom to worship, and freedom to do just about anything you want within the law. America’s law was designed to protect and preserve these freedoms. The reason the United States of America came to exist was because the colonists fled Great Britain to get back the freedoms that were taken away from them by the Monarchy. In countries where Monarchies and Dictatorships rule, there is little if any freedom to speak of.Read MoreBogen (1983) States That The Main Specify Of The Right1532 Words   |  7 PagesBogen (1983) states that the main specify of the right to freedom of speech in the essential sanction of any province before the American Revolution alluded to the privileges of administrators amid sessions of the lawmaking body. The significance given the term in this restricted setting affected its importance when connected to the entire society. 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The reciting of the Pledge represents patriotism to America. In America citizens are tremendously protective of their rights. The First Amendment of the Constitution establishes religious freedom. The phrase â€Å"Under God† was not a part of the original Pledge but added in the early 1950’s. In the article, â€Å"One NationRead More First Amendment And Music Censorship Essay1284 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstood the importance of free expression. The First Amendment states Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . . (Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 17). One of the ways the American people use this fr eedom of speech and expression is through the creation of the art form known as music. Musics verbal expression bonds our society through our emotions and experiences. This fundamental right of freedom of expression is beingRead MoreThe United Arab Emirates1279 Words   |  6 PagesThe United Arab Emirates is currently adjusting to the balance of modernization and tradition. The United States of America has an important participation in this endeavor.Different beliefs, opinions, and views from people inside and outside the United Arab Emiratesabound regarding the matter involving free speech, media, and trademark laws in the country. The foundation and goal that was set by the UAE government in creating these laws resulted in the similarities and differences of the perspectivesRead MoreRomanticism s Impact On America Essay1374 Words   |  6 PagesRomanticism’s Impact on America The period of Romanticism, occurring between the years 1800 and 1860, left a significant impact on not only the literature of that time, but the literature of today as well. Prior to romantic writings, the world focused on society and logic. Romanticism allowed people to start valuing individualism and to appeal to emotional responses. This new way of thinking brought new literary styles, themes, and genres that were never explored before and are still found todayRead MoreRomanticism s Impact On America Essay1376 Words   |  6 Pages Romanticism’s Impact on America The period of Romanticism, occurring between the years 1800 and 1860, left a significant impact on not only the literature of that time, but the literature of today as well. Prior to romantic writings, the world focused on society and logic. Romanticism allowed people to start valuing individualism and to appeal to emotional responses. This new way of thinking brought new literary styles, themes, and genres that were never explored before and are still found todayRead MoreThe United States Of America851 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States of America is a state full of mixtures of beliefs on politics and much more. As a state, we started out with very traditional values in our culture. Our culture is focused on many things such as freedom but we are preoccupied with our rights due to the freedoms which puts limits on what we do as a state. Being a traditional state, we started out as a materialistic mind set rather than post-materialistic. As the United States has aged, the people and culture have changed to a more

How Student s View On University s Police Department Essay

How student’s view their university’s police department is important to maintain positive interactions between the two parties. I have worked with UPD officers quite a bit and I have a positive view of UPD, but I know that many other students do not see them the same way I do. If there were more information on how college students view UPD officers there could be some specific actions taken by UPD to increase their appeal. To figure out how college students view UPD officers, my research question was: How do different subgroups of USD college students see UPD officers? Literature Review Knowledge is power and a college campus is the gathering place for those who understand this rule. Properly collecting large amounts of data in the form of opinions and thoughts of those who go to a college is important to evoke conversations and provide answers to various topics. The following literature review will take a look at four surveys that were taken place on college campuses to see how proper survey creation and distribution is needed to collect quality data. Thinking up of questions for a large-scale survey is a multi-step process, and this will become clear with the explaining of the layout of a few surveys. In spring of 2009 between April and May, The Project Information Literary team decided to put out a survey to further understand the usage of Wikipedia among college students. First they had to create the question on the survey. They did this by creating an 11 student focusShow MoreRelatedThe Violence Of Gustavo Diaz Ordaz1549 Words   |  7 PagesMassacre† (â€Å"Mexico s 1968 Massacre†). It was supposed to be an unarmed peacefull protest, but at sunset the police and military forces equipped with armored cars and tanks surrounded the plaza and began firing into the open crowd. 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Part Four Chapter VI Free Essays

VI The next Parish Council meeting, the first since Barry had died, would be crucial in the ongoing battle over the Fields. Howard had refused to postpone the votes on the future of Bellchapel Addiction Clinic, or the town’s wish to transfer jurisdiction of the estate to Yarvil. Parminder therefore suggested that she, Colin and Kay ought to meet up the evening before the meeting to discuss strategy. We will write a custom essay sample on Part Four Chapter VI or any similar topic only for you Order Now ‘Pagford can’t unilaterally decide to alter the parish boundary, can it?’ asked Kay. ‘No,’ said Parminder patiently (Kay could not help being a newcomer), ‘but the District Council has asked for Pagford’s opinion, and Howard’s determined to make sure it’s his opinion that gets passed on.’ They were holding their meeting in the Walls’ sitting room, because Tessa had put subtle pressure on Colin to invite the other two where she could listen in. Tessa handed around glasses of wine, put a large bowl of crisps on the coffee table, then sat back in silence, while the other three talked. She was exhausted and angry. The anonymous post about Colin had brought on one of his most debilitating attacks of acute anxiety, so severe that he had been unable to go to school. Parminder knew how ill he was – she had signed him off work – yet she invited him to participate in this pre-meeting, not caring, it seemed, what fresh effusions of paranoia and distress Tessa would have to deal with tonight. ‘There’s definitely resentment out there about the way the Mollisons are handling things,’ Colin was saying, in the lofty, knowledgeable tone he sometimes adopted when pretending to be a stranger to fear and paranoia. ‘I think it’s starting to get up people’s noses, the way they think that they can speak for the town. I’ve got that impression, you know, while I’ve been canvassing.’ It would have been nice, thought Tessa bitterly, if Colin could have summoned these powers of dissimulation for her benefit occasionally. Once, long ago, she had liked being Colin’s sole confidante, the only repository of his terrors and the font of all reassurance, but she no longer found it flattering. He had kept her awake from two o’clock until half-past three that morning, rocking backwards and forwards on the edge of the bed, moaning and crying, saying that he wished he were dead, that he could not take it, that he wished he had never stood for the seat, that he was ruined †¦ Tessa heard Fats on the stairs, and tensed, but her son passed the open door on his way to the kitchen with nothing worse than a scathing glance at Colin, who was perched in front of the fire on a leather pouffe, his knees level with his chest. ‘Maybe Miles’ standing for the empty seat will really antagonize people – even the Mollisons’ natural supporters?’ said Kay hopefully. ‘I think it might,’ said Colin, nodding. Kay turned to Parminder. ‘D’you think the council will really vote to force Bellchapel out of their building? I know people get uptight about discarded needles, and addicts hanging around the neighbourhood, but the clinic’s miles away †¦ why does Pagford care?’ ‘Howard and Aubrey are scratching each other’s backs,’ explained Parminder, whose face was taut, with dark brown patches under her eyes. (It was she who would have to attend the council meeting the next day, and fight Howard Mollison and his cronies without Barry by her side.) ‘They need to make cuts in spending at District level. If Howard turfs the clinic out of its cheap building, it’ll be much more expensive to run and Fawley can say the costs have increased, and justify cutting council funding. Then Fawley will do his best to make sure that the Fields get reassigned to Yarvil.’ Tired of explaining, Parminder pretended to examine the new stack of papers about Bellchapel that Kay had brought with her, easing herself out of the conversation. Why am I doing this? she asked herself. She could have been sitting at home with Vikram, who had been watching comedy on television with Jaswant and Rajpal as she left. The sound of their laughter had jarred on her; when had she last laughed? Why was she here, drinking nasty warm wine, fighting for a clinic that she would never need and a housing development inhabited by people she would probably dislike if she met them? She was not Bhai Kanhaiya, who could not see a difference between the souls of allies and enemies; she saw no light of God shining from Howard Mollison. She derived more pleasure from the thought of Howard losing, than from the thought of Fields children continuing to attend St Thomas’s, or from Fields people being able to break their addictions at Bellchapel, although, in a distant and dispassionate way, she thought that these were good things †¦ (But she knew why she was doing it, really. She wanted to win for Barry. He had told her all about coming to St Thomas’s. His classmates had invited him home to play; he, who had been living in a caravan with his mother and two brothers, had relished the neat and comfortable houses of Hope Street, and been awed by the big Victorian houses on Church Row. He had even attended a birthday party in that very cow-faced house that he had subsequently bought, and where he had raised his four children. He had fallen in love with Pagford, with the river and the fields and the solid-walled houses. He had fantasized about having a garden to play in, a tree from which to hang a swing, space and greenness everywhere. He had collected conkers and taken them back to the Fields. After shining at St Thomas’s, top of his class, Barry had gone on to be the first in his family to go to university. Love and hate, Parminder thought, a little frightened by her own honesty. Love and hate, that’s why I’m here †¦ ) She turned over a page of Kay’s documents, feigning concentration. Kay was pleased that the doctor was scrutinizing her papers so carefully, because she had put a lot of time and thought into them. She could not believe that anybody reading her material would not be convinced that the Bellchapel clinic ought to remain in situ. But through all the statistics, the anonymous case studies and first-person testimonies, Kay really thought of the clinic in terms of only one patient: Terri Weedon. There had been a change in Terri, Kay could feel it, and it made her both proud and frightened. Terri was showing faint glimmerings of an awakened sense of control over her life. Twice lately, Terri had said to Kay, ‘They ain’ takin’ Robbie, I won’ lerrem,’ and these had not been impotent railings against fate, but statements of intent. ‘I took ‘im ter nursery yest’day,’ she told Kay, who had made the mistake of looking astonished. ‘Why’s tha’ so fuckin’ shockin’? Aren’ I good enough ter go ter the fuckin’ nurs’ry?’ If Bellchapel’s door was slammed shut against Terri, Kay was sure it would blow to pieces that delicate structure they were trying to build out of the wreckage of a life. Terri seemed to have a visceral fear of Pagford that Kay did not understand. ‘I ‘ate that fuckin’ place,’ she had said, when Kay had mentioned it in passing. Beyond the fact that her dead grandmother had lived there, Kay knew nothing of Terri’s history with the town, but she was afraid that if Terri was asked to travel there weekly for her methadone her self-control would crumble, and with it the family’s fragile new safety. Colin had taken over from Parminder, explaining the history of the Fields; Kay nodded, bored, and said ‘mm’, but her thoughts were a long way away. Colin was deeply flattered by the way this attractive young woman was hanging on his every word. He felt calmer tonight than at any point since he had read that awful post, which was gone from the website. None of the cataclysms that Colin had imagined in the small hours had come to pass. He was not sacked. There was no angry mob outside his front door. Nobody on the Pagford Council website, or indeed anywhere else on the internet (he had performed several Google searches), was demanding his arrest or incarceration. Fats walked back past the open door, spooning yoghurt into his mouth as he went. He glanced into the room, and for a fleeting moment met Colin’s gaze. Colin immediately lost the thread of what he had been saying. ‘†¦ and †¦ yes, well, that’s it in a nutshell,’ he finished lamely. He glanced towards Tessa for reassurance, but his wife was staring stonily into space. Colin was a little hurt; he would have thought that Tessa would be glad to see him feeling so much better, so much more in control, after their wretched, sleepless night. Dreadful swooping sensations of dread were agitating his stomach, but he drew much comfort from the proximity of his fellow underdog and scapegoat Parminder, and from the sympathetic attention of the attractive social worker. Unlike Kay, Tessa had listened to every word that Colin had just said about the Fields’ right to remain joined to Pagford. There was, in her opinion, no conviction behind his words. He wanted to believe what Barry had believed, and he wanted to defeat the Mollisons, because that was what Barry had wanted. Colin did not like Krystal Weedon, but Barry had liked her, so he assumed that there was more worth in her than he could see. Tessa knew her husband to be a strange mixture of arrogance and humility, of unshakeable conviction and insecurity. They’re completely deluded, Tessa thought, looking at the other three, who were poring over some graph that Parminder had extracted from Kay’s notes. They think they’ll reverse sixty years of anger and resentment with a few sheets of statistics. None of them was Barry. He had been a living example of what they proposed in theory: the advancement, through education from poverty to affluence, from powerlessness and dependency to valuable contributor to society. Did they not see what hopeless advocates they were, compared to the man who had died? ‘People are definitely getting irritable with the Mollisons trying to run everything,’ Colin was saying. ‘I do think,’ said Kay, ‘that they’ll be hard-pushed, if they read this stuff, to pretend that the clinic isn’t doing crucial work.’ ‘Not everybody’s forgotten Barry, on the council,’ said Parminder, in a slightly shaky voice. Tessa realized that her greasy fingers were groping vainly in space. While the others had talked, she had single-handedly finished the entire bowl of crisps. How to cite Part Four Chapter VI, Essay examples

Radcliffe, Ann The Italian Essays - Romanticism, The Italian

Radcliffe, Ann: "The Italian" Monika Mezyk In Ann Radcliffe's "The Italian", the very first thing that we see described is a veiled woman: "It was in the church of San Lorenzo at Naples, in the year 1758, that Vincentio di Vivaldi first saw Ellena di Rosalba. The sweetness and fine expression of her voice attracted his attention to her figure, which had a distinguished air of delicacy and grace; but her face was concealed in her veil. So much was he fascinated by the voice, that a most painful curiosity was excited as to her countenance, which he fancied must express all the sensibility of character that the modulation of her tones indicated" (5). Even without knowing anything about Gothic elements, this indicates very clearly what the quality and tone of the book are going to be like. Vivaldi's pursuit of the veiled woman is a signal that his is the pursuit of the mysterious, with the certainty that it will be beautiful. This certainly does seem to be a great fascination in the novel; it is a component and often a catalyst for that anxiety which runs throughout. It is this anxiety which causes the heightening of our emotions; our emotions are heightened as we watch the characters' pursuit of the mysterious; and our curiosity is excited more and more until we are nearly begging for its gratification. But Radcliffe heightens our emotions without satisfying our curiosity, or at least not enough. For example, the very first chapter establishes a sense of mystery about the assassin in the Church. The Englishman inquires as much for himself as for us about the assassin. His concern and state of shock invoke our own inquiry into this odd circumstance and then his Italian friend tells him a mystery without actually telling him anything: "'He [the assassin] sought sanctuary here', replied the friar; 'within these walls he may not be hurt'"(2). He makes it clear that there is a story here but that it is long and suspenseful, maybe shocking: "'It is much too long to be related now; that would occupy a week; I have it in writing, and will send you the volume'" (3). What it is exactly, or what the tale is going to be is only hinted at in a very curiosity invoking way: as if it is a secret. Instead of the Englishman and his Italian friend going down to the street caf? and relating the story, the Italian friend says that he will send him something written the following day and then the passage stops. We are tempted, as is the Englishman, by these curious circumstances and yet nothing is revealed to us other that the implication that soon all will be revealed (after a couple hundred pages). What Radcliffe does is that she creates our sensation of terror; she suspends our disbelief that much longer, building our curiosity and our need to know to a brilliant height and then-nothing: the story takes a different turn and gratification is postponed while our expectation and anticipation is increased. This happens in the very beginning passage in which Radcliffe starts "The Italian" by providing just enough information to suck us into her tale and, then, just as we expect pay off, she postpones it a little further while providing just enough information to keep us intrigued. And, before we know it, we, the reader, are entangled in her Gothic quicksand and greedily reading in search of the secrets she buries before our eyes. When Vivaldi rushes into the Villa after the mysterious cloaked figure that has escaped him, he emerges pale: we know something has happened and await his tale but he tells us nothing, he refuses to say anything and, thus, we are left suspended in the wake of mystery. Another example when we are suspended in the wake of mystery occurs when Vivaldi and Paolo are in the dungeon imagining the garments lying on the floor to be moving. We do not find out whether or not these garments belong to someone murdered until the end of the novel; so this incident leaves us in a state of suspense: 'It moves!' exclaimed Paolo; 'I see it move!' as he said which, he started to the opposite

Quotes by Simone de Beauvoir, Feminist, Existentialist

Quotes by Simone de Beauvoir, Feminist, Existentialist Simone de Beauvoir was a writer on feminism and existentialism. She also wrote novels. Her book The Second Sex is a feminist classic. It is based on the idea that, while men and women may have different tendencies, each person is unique, and it is culture which has enforced a uniform set of expectations of what is feminine, as contrasted to what is human which is equated with what is male. Beauvoir argued that women can free themselves, through individual decisions and collective action. Best Quotes One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman. To emancipate woman is to refuse to confine her to the relations she bears to man, not to deny them to her; let her have her independent existence and she will continue none the less to exist to him also; mutually recognizing each other as subject, each will yet remain for the other another. Man is defined as a human being and a woman as a female- whenever she behaves as a human being she is said to imitate the male. This has always been a mans world, and none of the reasons that have been offered in explanation have seemed adequate. Representation of the world, like the world itself, is the work of men; they describe it from their own point of view, which they confuse with the absolute truth. The most sympathetic of men never fully comprehend womans concreted situation. Society, being codified by man, decrees that woman is inferior; she can do away with this inferiority only by destroying the males superiority. When we abolish the slavery of half of humanity, together with the whole system of hypocrisy it implies, then the division of humanity will reveal its genuine significance and the human couple will find its true form. If her functioning as a female is not enough to define woman, if we decline also to explain her through the eternal feminine, and if nevertheless we admit, provisionally, that women do exist, then we must face the question: what is a woman? To catch a husband is an art; to hold him is a job. Few tasks are more like the torture of Sisyphus than housework, with its endless repetition: the clean becomes soiled, the soiled is made clean, over and over, day after day. Defending the truth is not something one does out of a sense of duty or to allay guilt complexes, but is a reward in itself. I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for the truth; and truth rewarded me. Thats what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing. I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom. Ones life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion. The word love has by no means the same sense for both sexes, and this is one cause of the serious misunderstandings that divide them. The writer of originality, unless dead, is always shocking, scandalous; novelty disturbs and repels. However gifted an individual is at the outset, if his or her talents cannot be developed because of his or her social condition, because of the surrounding circumstances, these talents will be still-born. To show your true ability is always, in a sense, to surpass the limits of your ability, to go a little beyond them: to dare, to seek, to invent; it is at such a moment that new talents are revealed, discovered, and realized. Since I was 21, I have never been lonely. The opportunities granted to me at the beginning helped me not only to lead a happy life but to be happy in the life I led. I have been aware of my shortcomings and my limits, but I have made the best of them. When I was tormented by what was happening in the world, it was the world I wanted to change, not my place in it. From the hour youre born you begin to die. But between birth and death theres life. Change your life today. Dont gamble on the future, act now, without delay. There is no justification for present existence other than its expansion into an indefinitely open future. If you live long enough, youll see that every victory turns into a defeat. Since it is the Other within us who is old, it is natural that the revelation of our age should come to us from outside- from others. We do not accept it willingly. Retirement may be looked upon either as a prolonged holiday or as a rejection, a being thrown on to the scrap-heap. Life is occupied in both perpetuating itself and in surpassing itself; if all it does is maintain itself, then living is only not dying. It is not in giving life but in risking life that man is raised above the animal; that is why superiority has been accorded in humanity not to the sex that brings forth but to that which kills. Its frightening to think that you mark your children merely by being yourself. It seems unfair. You cant assume the responsibility for everything you do- or dont do. The ideal of happiness has always taken material form in the house, whether cottage or castle. It stands for permanence and separation from the world. Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable. In the face of an obstacle which it is impossible to overcome, stubbornness is stupid. One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius. I am incapable of conceiving infinity, and yet I do not accept finity. In itself, homosexuality is as limiting as heterosexuality: the ideal should be to be capable of loving a woman or a man; either, a human being, without feeling fear, restraint, or obligation. All oppression creates a state of war. In order for the artist to have a world to express he must first be situated in this world, oppressed or oppressing, resigned or rebellious, a man among men. Art is an attempt to integrate evil. No matter what happened afterward, nothing would take those moments away from me; nothing has taken them away; they shine in my past with a brilliance that has never been tarnished. [About Liberation Day] Quotes About Simone de Beauvoir She had opened a door for us. – Kate Millett I had learned my own existentialism from her. It was  The Second Sex  that introduced me to that approach to reality and political responsibility... [and] led me to whatever original analysis of womens existence I have been able to contribute. – Betty Friedan I wish her well. She started me out on a road on which Ill keep moving... We need and can trust no other authority than our own personal truth. – Betty Friedan More than any other single human being, shes responsible for the current international womens movement. – Gloria Steinem

15 Must-Have Items for Great Gatsby Fans

15 Must-Have Items for Great Gatsby Fans SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips We all have a friend who’s a huge fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Honestly, calling them a â€Å"huge fan† might be an understatement, since you know your friend would go back into a burning house to save their Gatsby book collection! (We might be â€Å"that friend,† honestly.) So what could be better than surprising the Gatsby fan in your life with some special Great Gatsby swag? Nothing, of course! After all, as Fitzgerald writes in the book, â€Å"Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.† And listen: we totally advocate treating yourself to a little something while you’re at it, too. So without further ado, here are the best gifts you can buy for any Gatsby superfan! #1: A Beautiful Copy of The Great Gatsby with an Art Deco Cover This edition of The Great Gatsby from Paper Mill Press is a must-have for any Gatsby fan. Its gorgeous cover captures the decadence of 1920s art deco decor while also suggesting the darkness hidden in the pages within. And who wouldn’t want more Jazz Age flair on their bookshelf? Any Gatsby fan would be proud to add this edition to their collection! Click here to buy. #2: The Luscious, Decadent Movie Adaptation by Baz Luhrmann Okay, okay: everyone has their favorite movie version of The Great Gatsby. We’ve gotta admit, though: Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 adaptation is our favorite. Not only does it have an amazing cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire, Luhrmann captures the decadence of the Jazz Age perfectly. The only problem with getting a Gatsby fan this movie is that they may never want to watch anything else. Click here to buy. #3: The Amazing, Jazzy Movie Soundtrack If you’re going to buy The Great Gatsby movie, you absolutely have to buy the soundtrack, too! Anton Monsted, the music supervisor for the film, said that he wanted the soundtrack to be a â€Å"blend† of â€Å"music that is very true to the period of the movie’s setting in 1922 and the music of today.† As a result, the movie soundtrack combines a blend of contemporary beats, jazzy melodies, and powerhouse vocals from Beyoncà ©, Jay-Z, and Sia. All you have to do is queue this album up and pop on some headphones, and you’re transported straight to one of Gatsby’s garden parties. It’s honestly the next best thing to actually being in East Egg. Click here to buy. #4: A Beautiful Poster Featuring The Great Gatsby’s Most Famous Line Wall art is a great way to add a little bit of Gatsby-inspired class to any room. That’s why we love this poster from Poster Foundry that lays out The Great Gatsby’s last line in beautiful typography. If you put it in a classy, eye-catching silver frame, it’s sure to become the focal piece of your decor. Click here to buy. #5: A Gatsby Inspired Candle That Smells Like Rain Can you ever have too many candles? (Answer: nope!) This handmade candle is the perfect way to bring feeling of a rainy day in Long Island right into your living room. For best results, we recommend lighting this candle, queueing up some rainy day sounds on your phone, and curling up under a warm blanket with your favorite copy of The Great Gatsby. We can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon! Click here to buy. #6: A Sleek Three-Piece Suit that Would Make Gatsby Jealous As any Gatsby fan knows, the world of the book is all about appearances. That’s why a sharp, 1920s-inspired suit is the perfect gift! The one we’ve chosen is an affordable option that incorporates the Jazz Age’s signature three-piece style with a more modern silhouette. Couple this look with a snazzy wingtip oxford, and you’ll give Jay Gatsby himself a run for his money. If you prefer women’s wear, don’t worry: we’ve got you covered, too. Click here to buy. #7: A Perfect Dress for Any of Gatsby’s Parties We’re not going to beat around the bush: 1920s dresses are beyond major. So what could be better than buying an art deco dress for the glam Gatsby fan in your life? And boy, did we find the best. Dress. Ever. This Metme Flapper Dress flapper dress says it’s for prom, but we think you could wear it anywhere. (We would wear it everywhere, since we’d never want to take it off. Ever.) It’s got everything you could want: sparkles! Color options! Fringe! And it even has a 4.5 star rating from almost 500 reviews on Amazon. Couple it with this replica of Carey Mulligan’s headband from the movie, and you’ll look like you just stepped out of a speakeasy. Can you tell we’re in love? The glamorous Gatsby fan in your life will be, too! Click here to buy. #8: A Set of Art Deco Earrings for Everyday Cosplay Maybe you’re a bit more subtle in your fashion and would rather give a nod to your Gatsby love rather than going all-out. That’s what jewelry is for! You can add a little Jazz Age pop to your existing wardrobe by sporting a pair of very excellent art deco earrings. Couple it with the matching necklace for a bold statement look that says you don’t need no Gatsby in your life to have gorgeous things. (Shade intended, Daisy. Shade intended.) Click here to buy. #9: A Cool Sweatshirt Featuring The Great Gatsby’s Original Cover Maybe you’re into a more â€Å"vintage casual† look. Well, we have the perfect thing for you: a cozy Gatsby sweatshirt from Out of Print. It’s perfect for wearing while you’re snuggled up with a good book, but it’s cool enough to throw on before you head out the door, too. And just like The Great Gatsby itself, a good sweatshirt never goes out of style.We especially love that it features the book’s original cover, which tells the world that you’ve been a Gatsbyfan for a long time. Click here to buy. #10: A Saucy Gatsby-Inspired T-Shirt That Would Make Daisy Proud When you love somethinglike, really love somethingyou’re always on the lookout for other superfans like yourself. The best way to find those kindred spirits is to wear a shirt that only real enthusiasts will get. This Gatsby-inspired t-shirt is just the trick, since you’ll only get the joke if you’ve read the book. This shirt made us laugh...that is, until we started sobbing. Click here to buy. #: A Book About Why the Great Gatsby Still Rocks Gatsby fans have probably read the book tons of times, and since Fitzgerald is long gone, there’s no hope for a sequel. So what’s a fan to do?! Read book about the book, obviously. Enter: So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures by Maureen Corrigan. This is a perfect gift for anyone who’s sad they won’t get more stories about Nick, Gatsby, and Daisy, and wants to learn more about the impact of their favorite book on the world at large. Corrigan also talks about her own love for Gatsby, which is sure to resonate with any Gatsby lover. Click here to buy. #12: Art Deco Pillows That Will Make Your House Feel Like a Speakeasy As you know, The Great Gatsby is all about ambiance. Bring a little bit of that decadence into your room with these awesome gilded throw pillows. The black and white, art deco design give them a Roaring 20s feel. If you really want to capture that speakeasy vibe, add a few Edison bulb lamps and a luxurious rug, too. But fair warning: once your place looks this good, you might never leave the house again! Click here to buy. #13: A Retro Pocket Watch Like Nick’s to Signal Your Social Aspirations One of the things that jumped out to us about Nick’s wardrobe in the Baz Luhrmann movie is the amazing pocket watch that he has clipped to his vest. (It’s a fabulous detail that only a true Gatsby fan would notice.) So we scoured the internet to find a vintage-inspired pocket watch sure to impress even the most persnickety Gatsby lover. This retro watch combines an antique finish with Jazz Age-inspired design to create the perfect statement piece for any snazzy wardrobe. Featuring a glass and alloy construction, you’ll feel just like Nick when you whip this out of your pocket to check the time. Click here to buy. #14: A Modern, Gender-Swapped Retelling of The Great Gatsby That Will Leave You Wanting More When we stumbled acrossthis YA, gender-bent, LGBTQ retelling of The Great Gatsby written by Sara Benincasa, we knew we had to add it to our list. Benincasa is amazing: she’s a stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and Gatsby superfan. Her book, Great, tells the story of Naomi Rye, a teenage girl who’s spending the summer in the Hamptons with her socialite mother. Naomi expects to be bored out of her mind, but she soon finds herself fascinated by her neighbor, Jacinta, a popular girl known for her lavish parties. Before she knows it, Naomi is drawn into Jacinta’s circle and finds that Jacinta has some dark secrets of her own. This book will give any Gatsby fan a fresh perspective on the original story, and Benincasa includes so many nods to Fitzgerald’s original book that reading Great is like being on a literary treasure hunt. That’s why we think Great is the perfect gift for anyone looking for a modern, inclusive version of The Great Gatsby to sink their teeth into. Click here to buy. #15: A Lipstick in An Authentic Jazz Age Color to Make It Clear What You’re About Our last choice for this list might just be our favorite one. Besamà © Cosmetics is a makeup brand focused on honoring â€Å"the style, spirit, and sensibility of female beauty. â€Å" They specialize in recreating vintage makeup using modern, cruelty-free ingredients. They’re also fanatical about getting the colors and formulations right in all their products, including their 1922 blood red lipstick. This color is historically accurate, packs a visual punch, and is flattering for all skin tones! Even better, reviewers say that the lipstick stays in place and has mega staying power. It’s the perfect way for a Gatsby fan to experience an authentic piece of the Jazz Age while keeping their makeup game on point, too! Click here to buy. Now What? One of the best things about The Great Gatsby is how it captures the decadence of the Jazz Age. If you wish you could live in the 1920s, this post will teach you everything you need to know about the period. Movie adaptations are a hot topic for book nerds, and The Great Gatsby has been adapted for film three different times. (We included one adaptation in our list above!) Here’s a comparison of all three movies...and feel free to chime in with your opinion in the comments. The last line of The Great Gatsby is one of the most famous in all of literature. It reads: â€Å"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.† But what does that mean, exactly? Click here to learn more about the last line and how it helps us understand the meaning of the book These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Ashley Robinson About the Author Ashley Sufflà © Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Get FREE EXCLUSIVE insider tips on how to ACE THE SAT/ACT. 100% Privacy. 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