Key features of Spies in the opening chapter Essay Example for Free

Key features of Spies in the opening chapter Essay The key features of Spies are introduced and highlighted by the use of different narrative techniques which occur throughout the novel. One of the most important features in the novel is mystery; this is created largely due to the fact that Stephen is not a reliable narrator. His uncertainty means that we are not told the truth at times. This very aspect portrays Spies as a modern novel. By creating ambiguity there is no certainty or clarity in the plot, despite the narrator having lived through the story. This enables Frayn to comment on perception, an important theme in the novel. Childhood is also a vital aspect in this novel as it helps readers discover Stephens past and acknowledge the way in which he has grown up. It also assists readers in drawing differences between Stephen as a youth and an old man narrator; furthermore it helps Frayn to comment on identity which is another key feature. Relationships are also significant as they are either made or broken in Spies. Moreover the structure of the novel in itself is fundamental and acts as a key feature, largely because it creates suspense and helps introduce the key features. The opening chapter is written in two different tenses; the present in which we establish the effect the smell of a plant has on the narrator who is an old man, the past tense in which memories are introduced by the old man narrator and again the present tense as the old man narrator travels back in time and recounts some of those memories. Mystery is something which cannot be explained or understood, and often leaves the reader confused. This is instantly accomplished in the very first sentence of the opening chapter: The third week of June, and there it is again: the same almost embarrassingly familiar breath of sweetness We are introduced to the novel in the present tense which draws the reader in and acquaints them with the same knowledge as the narrator. June helps establish a time. Moreover it is an unknown factor which is introduced with the third person pronoun that helps create intrigue by giving it an importance. again: suggests that the narrator has formally been acquainted with this unknown factor but is withholding this information from the reader. The use of a colon in the quotation allows readers a moment to pause and so the pace gathers suspense. It also acts as a qualifier as after the colon the it is disclosed, almost embarrassingly familiar breath of sweetness We are left to question why a familiar breath of sweetness is embarrassing. Frayn reveals that a smell is the subject of the sentence, but in doing so he creates further intrigue. This however is subsequently revealed to be the smell of privet. The privet is a shrub and it is the smell of this shrub which conjures embarrassing memories. This is explored in Chapter Five of the novel when we come across Stephen and Keiths mother in the privet: Im too embarrassed to watch her You cant look at her face Theres nowhere left expect the bit in between and that part of a lady, as Ive known for at least a year now, is her bosom This creates humour; something which is consistent throughout Spies as Frayn describes Stephans naivety as a child. It also solves the root of Stephens embarrassment. Mysteries continue to be featured in the opening chapter as a key feature which is subsequently developed in the novel. for a moment Im a child again and everythings before me all the frightening, half-understood promise of life. In this quotation we witness a time shift from the present to the past in which the first person narrator is an adult reflecting upon his childhood. The key words used within this quotation are: frightening, half-understood, and promise of life. These words conjure a sense of negativity and leave the reader questioning why the smell is frightening and half understood. The word frightening introduces us to suspense, and leaves us to question the uncertainty of this intriguing smell. Furthermore, frightening, half-understood promise of life, illustrates that the narrators upbringing was distorted, as a childs future, the promise of life is a positive reference, but Stephens recollection of his has negative connotations. This is reflected in Chapter 9 where Stephen is faced by Mr Hayward. I follow him across the street to the Haywards house, holding the basket with both hands, sick with apprehension. This quotation reinforces the fear felt by Stephen as a child. Sick suggests that Stephen is distressed. In addition apprehension illustrates the fact that Stephen is in fear and extremely terrified of Mr Haywards actions. The second paragraph of the opening Chapter continues in the present tense to allow us as readers to learn more about the intriguing smell. It draws the readers awareness to every detail and makes us want to read on. It must come from the gardens. Which one? I can never trace it. Frayns use of a question and the short sentence reflects the old man narrators confusion. I can never trace it, confirms the uncertainty and mystery over the smell as well as reflecting the narrators state of mind of confusion and agitation. Frayn develops this theme of confusion and perception, throughout Spies. In Chapter Five Stephen does not know the meaning of x. What is the value of x, I struggle to calculate, over and over again through the long confusions of the night Here it is evident that Frayn is withholding information which intrigues the readers. The value of x is unclear this leaves it open to interpretation as x highlights mystery. To the readers x can emphasize numerous factors. This may include birthdays, anniversaries, bank associated dates and so forth. Returning to the second paragraph of the novel Frayn writes, Its not like the heartbreaking tender sweetness of the lime blossom The use of an oxymoron reinforces the old man narrators confusion as he tries to identify the source of the smell. This creates mystery and suspense. One critical evaluation of this is argued by Max Watman, in which he states, If we are not to benefit from the older mans perspective until the last dozen or so pages, why introduce him at the start? Max Watman, The New Criterion, (May 2002) I strongly disagree as without two narrative voices the difference between appearance and reality cannot be achieved. This creates mystery which ties in with the fact that Frayn often withholds information until the next paragraph or chapter to create anticipation. The old man narrator continues with, What is it, that terrible, disturbing presence in the summer air? The words, terrible and disturbing create an ominous tone. The narrator is giving it a physical representation by referring to it as a negative presence; this gives it a nightmarish quality; something which haunts the narrator and which will inevitably haunt us. This reinforces the sense of mystery. The smell continuous to be described with negative imagery, Theres nothing clean about the reek The word reek suggests an unpleasant, powerful smell and creates a negative tone. Insinuating itself so slyly, Suggests that the smell is somewhat sneaky and creeps upon him unexpectedly. Its evident that the smell is frustrating him; furthermore the word insinuating suggests that it is reminding the old man narrator of unpleasant memories. The smell acts as a catalyst and prompts Stephen to remember Keiths mother, Shes sitting in the dust in front of me, weeping seeping unnoticed into the deepest recesses of my memory, to stay with me for the rest of my life, is that sweet and luring reek. The use of assonance among, seeping, deepest, weeping portrays to us the lingering painful memories. The memory off the past is finished of negatively with the repetition of reek. The hard k sound at the end makes it sound harsh. Childhood plays another key feature in the novel seen in the opening chapter where Frayn uses another oxymoron to present the contradiction of a, Far-off nearby land. One interpretation of this is that the narrator is physically distant from his home but nevertheless, it is nearby in his memories again this reflects the narrators confusion and agitation concerning the smell, as it reminds him of his childhood. You cant go back, everyone knows that So Im never going then Im getting old. Frayn gradually reveals information concerning the narrators persona; here we can establish that the narrator is an old man who should have a better understanding of his past then appears to be the case. The use of ellipses: everyone knows that portrays that the narrator is hesitant about what he is going to do. Childish hesitation, in contrast, is to be expected as part of the process of growing up, Keith? I query, trying not to sound as frightened as I am. What are you doing? Where are you? I climb reluctantly back through the hole in the fence. Reluctantly shows that Stephen is unwilling and not keen to climb back through the fence. This proves his hesitation and dependency on Keith and the fact that he doesnt want to pursue anything without him because he doesnt have the confidence to do so. The fact that the old man narrator seems to be equally hesitant creates suspense as the reader wonders what terrible events must have occurred in his childhood. Then the laughters gone I dont know what to do or what to say. Here again we witness the dilemma faced by the narrator as a child and his inability to deal with the complications set before him. By introducing the key feature of childhood in the opening chapter, we are able to witness how Stephen grows up as portrayed in Chapter Eight: Do I feel alright? I have a sense of freedom, as if Im no longer bound by the rules and restrictions of childhood. This shows Stephen growing up and slowly moving away from depending on Keith. As part of growing up, comes the awakening sense of romance and sexuality: Its name breathes itself through the perfumed air as slowly and softly as a sigh: L a m o r n a The use of personification within this quotation of Chapter Eight helps portray the idea that L a m o r n a is alive by giving it a long vowel sound as though it is breathing; a type of human quality. This ultimately shows Stephens increased awareness of his senses which suggests his sexuality and him growing up. Identity in Spies is another key feature and ties in significantly with childhood. Firstly the identification of the smell is vitally significant. The fact that the narrators daughter identifies it as Liguster, which is the German name for the shrub, reveals more about the narrators identity: Liguster No. And yet, as another wave of that shameless summons drifts over us, everything inside me stirs and sifts. The personification within this quotation illustrates a persistent sense demanding Stephens attention. Liguster The use of ellipsis shows the control that the smell has over him; it stays with him and has settled on his conscience, Liguster And yet its whispering to me of some thing secret, of some dark and unsettling thing at the back of my mind, of something I dont quite like to think about This portrays the smell as devious. Liguster is a catalyst within Stephens memories; it is the Liguster that makes him remember his childhood. The words dark and unsettling, are both very negative. They suggest the unknown and ooze a lack of understanding where Frayn is deliberately trying to block out this secret. Furthermore it leaves readers to question why Liguster is dark and unsettling. We wonder what awful event or events must have occurred. In addition, the quotation: whispering to me is personification which reminds us of something surreptitious that is devious and cunning and suddenly creeps up on him. This can be linked to the key theme of perception, which is the difference between appearance and reality allowing insight on a matter. There was a German spy in the Close that summer. It wasnt his mother it was me. This quotation creates irony as throughout Spies, Stephen related German people to germs, as in Chapter Ten: Hes an old tramp, filthy and bearded. And hes a German! His Germanness lingers in the air This reinforces his childhood and the immaturity attached to it; whereas the quotation within Chapter Eleven reveals the real identity of the old man narrator: this old man is Stefan Weitzler.

Comparison essay amd vs intel -- Computer Science

Comparison essay amd vs intel English III Throughout personal computer history there has been a monopoly on processors that company is Intel but that is changing by the day. There is a processor called AMD (advanced micro devices) currently leading in the silicon race for the fastest processor at an affordable price. No longer shall Intel lead the market when AMD makes its name superior. A CPU is a microprocessor that is generally constructed with millions of tiny switches called transistors that are imbedded in silicon. The outer shell is ceramic with gold pins protruding out of the processor to make a connection with the motherboard. The function of the processor is to take the data from memory, (a storage device) or an outside controller like a keyboard, joystick, or scanner. This is determined in the program by sending messages to the processor in binary language. Binary language is sent to the processor commanding the transistors to flip on or off, (on equals one and off equals zero). The processor is placed on a motherboard with a bus speed of that to match the processor. This allows the processor to go as fast as the wires making up the bus can handle. This means the less resistance in the wire the faster your system can run. The bus is measured in megahertz (MHz) and is connected to the memory for the processor to store in memory. The faster the operation can occur the better the system operates. The CPU has a clock speed that tells you how many operations can happen in one second. A CPU's clock is found by multiplying the processor megahertz by 1,000,000. If you have a 500 MHz processor then the operations will equal 500,000,000 per second. The operation, is the individual commands sent by the program. The faster the processors bus and clock speed the faster FPU's (floating point units). This is the mathematical part of the processor. This allows the binary to work faster. Now that the processor has been explained. Why is AMD is better? In the beginning, AMD made CPU's (central processing units) in the second IBM compatible desktop systems ever developed. There are now three competitors in the processor race; AMD, Intel, and Transmeta Crusoe. The relevance of this is that Intel's Processor will still be the most expensive CPU with no extras. Intel has had problems in the past as Kam, from the UK says, "It... ...an AMD Athlon. Networking is a complicated job with older slower computers; the Athlon is the key to the networking stability. This makes a network with minimal problems and high-end data pass through possible. There is a bottleneck theory that is related to memory and networking. In memory it is caused by having to slow of memory on to fast of a bus. This will not happen if the AMD Athlon System has PC133 memory. Intel had programs made by the monopolization of Microsoft Windows 3.1x, 95x, 98x this made it hard for AMD to compete in the past. Microsoft Windows 2000 will now incorporate programming made to run windows faster more reliable and be compiled to run better on the Athlon systems. With Intel out of the way, on top end networking AMD can pull into the lead in one more area. Listen to what AMD has to say about this project. "Microsoft and AMD worked together throughout the design process to help ensure the combination of floating-point performance of the AMD Athlon processor and Microsoft's Windows 2000 Professional will provide a reliable and high-performance business platform that meets the needs of business customers today and well into the future." Comparison essay amd vs intel -- Computer Science Comparison essay amd vs intel English III Throughout personal computer history there has been a monopoly on processors that company is Intel but that is changing by the day. There is a processor called AMD (advanced micro devices) currently leading in the silicon race for the fastest processor at an affordable price. No longer shall Intel lead the market when AMD makes its name superior. A CPU is a microprocessor that is generally constructed with millions of tiny switches called transistors that are imbedded in silicon. The outer shell is ceramic with gold pins protruding out of the processor to make a connection with the motherboard. The function of the processor is to take the data from memory, (a storage device) or an outside controller like a keyboard, joystick, or scanner. This is determined in the program by sending messages to the processor in binary language. Binary language is sent to the processor commanding the transistors to flip on or off, (on equals one and off equals zero). The processor is placed on a motherboard with a bus speed of that to match the processor. This allows the processor to go as fast as the wires making up the bus can handle. This means the less resistance in the wire the faster your system can run. The bus is measured in megahertz (MHz) and is connected to the memory for the processor to store in memory. The faster the operation can occur the better the system operates. The CPU has a clock speed that tells you how many operations can happen in one second. A CPU's clock is found by multiplying the processor megahertz by 1,000,000. If you have a 500 MHz processor then the operations will equal 500,000,000 per second. The operation, is the individual commands sent by the program. The faster the processors bus and clock speed the faster FPU's (floating point units). This is the mathematical part of the processor. This allows the binary to work faster. Now that the processor has been explained. Why is AMD is better? In the beginning, AMD made CPU's (central processing units) in the second IBM compatible desktop systems ever developed. There are now three competitors in the processor race; AMD, Intel, and Transmeta Crusoe. The relevance of this is that Intel's Processor will still be the most expensive CPU with no extras. Intel has had problems in the past as Kam, from the UK says, "It... ...an AMD Athlon. Networking is a complicated job with older slower computers; the Athlon is the key to the networking stability. This makes a network with minimal problems and high-end data pass through possible. There is a bottleneck theory that is related to memory and networking. In memory it is caused by having to slow of memory on to fast of a bus. This will not happen if the AMD Athlon System has PC133 memory. Intel had programs made by the monopolization of Microsoft Windows 3.1x, 95x, 98x this made it hard for AMD to compete in the past. Microsoft Windows 2000 will now incorporate programming made to run windows faster more reliable and be compiled to run better on the Athlon systems. With Intel out of the way, on top end networking AMD can pull into the lead in one more area. Listen to what AMD has to say about this project. "Microsoft and AMD worked together throughout the design process to help ensure the combination of floating-point performance of the AMD Athlon processor and Microsoft's Windows 2000 Professional will provide a reliable and high-performance business platform that meets the needs of business customers today and well into the future."

Relation between jew of malta and merchant of venice Essay

The two novels, Christopher Marlowe’s ‘The Jew of Malta’ and William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’, the main characters are Jews, a characteristic that makes the comparison of the books easier. However, the way the characters are presented has made the two stories have deep and active anti-Semitic notions and messages. Right from the beginning of the play, we can see some clear negative stereotypes towards Jews. Barabbas is undoubtedly portrayed as a man who loves money to an extent that he seems addicted to them. In the opening, we see a merchant, counting his money with passion, and later on complaining about not having made enough by his recent business activities. Marlowe straightly defines his whole character and attitude by this portrayal, showing us that Barabbas is nothing more than a greedy Jew. As the story progresses and the plot unfolds, the character of Barabbas also unfolds, showing us how he doesn’t even hesitate doing unethical and heartless things just so that he can protect himself from losing money. When his wealth is taken away, after he refuses to give half of it like the other Jews did, he unleashes his ruthless effort to regain his wealth. He doesn’t hesitate using his daughter to retrieve the gold and jewels he has hidden in his house, and it is meaningful to see how he reacts after Abigail throws him the bags of gold out of the window and he embraces them while ignoring his own daughter. Although this is not the only example of how he puts money over more important things, the fact that he seems to place money above Abigail, his own daughter, shows his general attitude. But of course it doesn’t stop there, as apart from his avaricious self, he has to quench his thirst for revenge and execute his plan for retaliation. His plan consists mainly of taking revenge from the man who took away the most precious thing he has, his wealth. That man of course is Ferneze, the governor of Malta. So, Barabbas decides to kill Ferneze’s son, Lodowick, that way taking the revenge he so passionately seeks. Once again he uses his own daughter as decoy, to execute his plan, showing that she has mainly a functional purpose for him. After he completes his plan and kills not only Lodowick but also Mathias, the man that his daughter loves, he feels betrayed by his daughter, as she converts to Christianity. I believe that this is where the insanity and sickness of Barabbas reaches a peak. He is determined to kill his own daughter, because he feels that she disrespects her family’s name. The epilogue to this madness comes when finally Barabbas gets killed by his own evil plots. In the end of the story we can easily identify the negative characteristics that Barabbas has, which are also strongly connected to the fact that he is Jewish. His elitist nature, his illogical actions that are all driven by his avarice, and his lack of sentiments towards other people, make him fit ideally the stereotypes of Jews that existed at the time. So, every single part of his hateful and insane being, is justified by the fact that he is Jewish, and thus it is natural that he is unstable and inferior to Christians. The next example of anti-Semitic portrayals comes from ‘The Merchant of Venice’. The main character, Shylock is portrayed as a greedy Jewish moneylender that is just like Barabbas, when it comes to hate towards Christians and other people in general. He is also a heartless man, not feeling pity for anyone, showing a rather sadistic nature. The hate he feels for Antonio is so immense that makes us question to what extent he is actually rational at all. Throughout the development of the plot he seems to hold so many negative values that it is impossible not to make a connection between his character and the fact that he is a Jew. Just like Marlowe, Shakespeare makes the fact that he is Jewish the root of all evil, as from that very fact all the other negative traits arise. As Bloom mentions in his essay, Shylock is a walking nightmare, and that should be the only way that anyone portrays him. As we can see from his speeches, he clearly has a great love for his wealth and he is not jeopardizing his financial position for any reason. It is not a coincidence that when Jessica runs away with his money, he mostly worries about his wealth and not so much about his daughter. Also, the fact that Jessica had to run away shows that Shylock is far from an ideal father. His speeches also show that he has an extremely negative attitude towards Christians that he justifies as the retaliation for all the anti-Semitism he has faced. He seems very resentful towards the people that have acted in a bad way towards him and as I mentioned earlier, especially Antonio. So, his actions are mainly driven by his rage and what he thinks as retribution. By the portrayal of Barabbas and Shylock, a logical question approaches. Are the two writers inspired and influenced by racism and the anti-Semitic ideas of their time? In ‘The Jew of Malta’ it is hard not to recognize all the negative Jewish stereotypes presented in the form of a very unappealing character, Barabbas. Barabbas is not just an unethical and evil man, he is the typical money-loving Jew, with all the disgusting characteristics that the racist society of the two writers has attributed to Jews. Such a racist society had created all these negative stereotyping for Jews, making them seem like greedy monsters. So I find it impossible that Marlowe as an author hasn’t been affected and influenced by the stereotypes of his time. That is mainly because in societies that racism towards a specific religion is so acceptable, there is very high tolerance for reproduction of such ideas and thus such a portrayal would not arise any questions or hate. Such situation reminds me of what happens with many fictional evil characters like the devil. I doubt that even a single reader would object if a writer attributed evil characteristics to the devil! Although it may seem like an oversimplified example, I believe it captures the very essence of the attitude of people at the time. That is, because the society had condemned Jews of being the cause of everything bad. Such portrayals are very similar to what Carl Marx has written hundreds of years later, describing Jews as mere worshipers of money. Although in our days the Jew of Malta can be viewed as a cynical work, I seriously doubt that Marlowe has such an intention, as he characterized it atragedy. Â  It is clear to me that no matter how anti-Semitism is viewed today after many important events like the Holocaust, the play was influenced by a lot of religious racism and prejudice, and Barabbas’ characteristics were nothing but the actual portrayal of ‘evil Jews’ as the English at the time viewed them. Consequently, Barabbas seems like the epitome of a real ‘Jew’, the epitome of evil, greed and lack of conscience. The case is similar in ‘The Merchant of Venice’, as Shylock is also portrayed like a perfect example of a Jew, as stereotyped in the Elizabethan times. I personally feel that Shakespeare was also influenced by the general anti-Semitic environment he lived in. Although a verdict of whether he was actually racist in his story is hard to be reached, I find it impossible that a play meant for Christians would not follow the trends of the time. The examples in the story are numerous and clear, straightforwardly proving the position of the Jews. From the fact that the Jews are presented the way they are, up to the point that they are forced to convert to Christianity or give up a part of their wealth, it is evident how negative the Jewish religion was as a characteristic. The fact that it was the same thing for the government to gain wealth and convert a Jew, show the deep-rooted hatred against this religious group, and the fact that Christians simply wanted to get rid of them as they viewed them like parasites. Such sort of treatment reminds us, newer generations, of the Nazis and their monstrous acts but at the time of the original play, as aforementioned, racism was perfectly fine! Nevertheless, Shakespeare does act in a racist way, if we assume that a writer is judged by what he actually writes. I would strongly doubt that Shakespeare intended to make his play anything similar to a parody or a criticism of stereotypes, and I believe that he expresses what he purely thinks. As we have seen from the two plays, the Jewish protagonists, Barabbas and Shylock have a very negative and unethical personality. Their vile and evil acts, paired with their appalling characters, seem to be the actual description of a negative stereotype towards the Jews. Although it may seem ambiguous whether these portrayals are actual and literal or simply ironic, it is clear to me that the answer is simple. The two authors have no intention at all of criticizing racism and simply portray Jews just as a normal Elizabethan would. So, the two stories, although politically incorrect and really prejudiced, are the result of truthful portrayals and honest approaches of the description of characters with a Jewish religion. No matter how wrong and inaccurate, these descriptions were made with complete seriousness by writers living in an environment were such sort of prejudice was rooted from many years ago and continued to bloom.

Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz Essay - 1631 Words

Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz (1807-1873) Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz was born in Motier, Switzerland on May 28, 1807. Born the son of a Protestant pastor, Louis Agassiz was raised in a religious environment but clearly possessed a deep interest in natural history and science. â€Å"I spent most of the time I could spare†¦in hunting the neighboring woods and meadows for birds, insects, and land and fresh water shells† (Lurie 9). Throughout his childhood and adolescence, his curiosities about nature and its origins drove him to become a prominent figure in natural history, zoology, and ichthyology. Louis Agassiz commenced his education in natural history at the universities of Zurich, Heidelberg, and Munich (Lurie x). After†¦show more content†¦In 1857, Contributions to the Natural History of the United States was published, of which the greater portion of volume one became Essay on Classification (Lurie introduction). In this text, Agassiz made comparisons between animals and their specific environments, theorized the relations between them, and proposed systems of zoological order. This work came at a time of significant discoveries as well as changes in biology. During these years other noteworthy biologists and comparative anatomists such as Huxley, Joseph Dalton Hooker, and Darwin were beginning to also assemble a framework for natural history (Lurie xxiii). Throughout Essay, Agassiz depicted clearly his standpoint as a supporter of special creationism. Chapter one of Essay on Classification examined the relations of animals to each other and their environments. The basis behind this work established the groundwork for his belief in evidence of a creator through the obvious design of creation in nature. Frequently exploring the immutability of species, Agassiz depicted the overall plan and structure of an organism to be more important than any variation that may occur in a species (Agassiz 19-20). In addition, he also addressed the question of how and when species appeared on earth. With his extensive background with the fossil record, he theorized, as seen in chapter 1, section VII, that every great type of