To Each His Own Essay Example For Students

To Each His Own Essay One of my earliest memories is of me, eyes closed, kneeling by my bed, silently telling God everything that I was thankful for. I had seen an actor do it in a movie, and it convinced my easily influenced, very unfledged, young self to try it, hopefully resulting in the start of a long relationship with God. I tried praying a few more times over the years, and, each time, it felt like I had called Heaven, and was sent straight to voicemail. Eight days after my birth, I had my bris, or circumcision ceremony. From that day on, in accordance to my Jewish mother’s will, I practiced Judaism. We will write a custom essay on To Each His Own specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Every Sunday, I went to the only temple in San Antonio, and learned about Jewish beliefs, traditions, values, and practices. When class ended, I would get into the backseat of my recovering Catholic, born again Atheist father’s navy blue Forerunner, to be greeted by the question that has resulted in more bloodshed than any other question that has ever been asked: â€Å"Is there a God? † I went along with learning Hebrew, going to Sunday school, and all other things that were required by the temple, until there was more and more talk about my confirmation ceremony. In Judaism, getting confirmed means that one makes the vow to practice the religion for the remainder of their life. Because I had been a relatively devout follower for all of my pre-pubescent life, getting confirmed was thought of as something that was definite. But, in all fourteen years, I had never found any meaning in the texts, felt any bond with the Jewish community, or developed any sort of connection with God. I asked myself, â€Å"Just because my own flesh and blood, and millions of others, believe something, does that make it undoubtedly true? This question evoked many, many thoughts and started in an inner battle, the participants being two vastly different ways of thought. In the end, I decided that I did not believe in any type of God, spurring my decision to not get confirmed, which directly resulted in the parting of ways between Judaism and I. After hearing my resolution to not practice Judaism anymore, my father was almost indifferent, content with any choice I made on my own. My mother, on the other hand, didn’t take my decision very well. Going to services on Yom Kippur is the norm in Reform Judaism, and, ever since I admitted to my disbelief in God, she practically gave me excuses to not attend them. It seemed like she was in denial of my religious views, never wanting to confront them head on. To this day, we still haven’t had a discussion concerning our differing religious views, but a strong sense of ‘live and let live’ has become apparent in our family life. I was born into a very liberal family, that is accepting of an uncommonly wide range of opinions, so the price that I had to pay, which was a small conflict concerning the differing beliefs in my family, was impermanent, ending almost as soon as it started. The positives all added to my personal growth, helping me become the outspoken, opinionated, and accepting person that I am today. A few months ago, I stumbled upon on a Twain quote that perfectly embodies my thought process. He suggests â€Å"whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. His insight can be applied to any decision, big or small, that has, and will, ever been made. It perfectly explains why I challenged a belief that has been held in my family since before the American Gilded Age, which, coincidentally, was dubbed by Twain himself. My parents instilled in me the value of asking questions where there is doubt, to not accept everything that I am told, and expected, to believe. They raised me to be a free thinker, who follows only when following is pertinent. My grandmother died a few years after I first openly lacked a belief in God, so I was sure that when you die, you die. .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a , .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .postImageUrl , .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a , .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:hover , .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:visited , .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:active { border:0!important; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:active , .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ucac0f7c31ed977fdb10ca04554a0063a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: 10 different versions of the game EssayI was very close to her, and didn’t take the loss very well. When I was at her final resting place, my emotions were so strong, that they overpowered my logic, temporarily convincing me that I believed in God, in hope that she could finally see her husband, my grandpa, after fifteen years of not being by his side. Painting this picture in my head made me wonder if I would ever fall into line, and let ‘the word of God’ burrow itself into my being. As of now, I feel that religion will never find a place in my life, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely opposed to the idea of it.

Extended Metaphors Definition, Examples and more!

Extended Metaphors Definition, Examples and more! Extended Metaphors: Definition, Examples and more! Of all the literary devices that writers use to bring their stories to life, a metaphor remains one of the most popular. The act of comparing one thing to another may sound simple, but it's proved popular over the centuries, as authors, poets, songwriters and everyday people wield it to explain something in non-literal terms.But what happens when a metaphor expands and becomes more than just a passing reference? Well, that’s exactly what this post is all about: the extended metaphor. What's the definition of an "extended" metaphor? What is an extended metaphor?An extended metaphor is a rhetorical technique that explains a concept by directly mentioning another concept and drawing multiple parallels between them. It is often used to explain a complex idea - allowing readers or listeners to visualize it in terms that they already understand.In a sense, it’s exactly what it says on the tin: a metaphor that takes the comparison a few steps further. As an example, if you wanted to explain how a traditional publishing house works with an author, you might compare it to a football team like so:The author is the quarterback, making the plays and taking the glory;The acquiring editor is the coach, calling the shots and giving the QB a team that compliments his skill set; andThe proofreader is the offensive tackle, protecting the ball-carrier from outside attacks. Preparing for a blitz from the Barnes Noble merchandising dept. (Photo by Alora Griffiths)Of course, every extended metaphor has its limits. You very rarely find perfect analogies that seamlessly map one idea onto another - so this is where someone might say that a metaphor is â€Å"falling apart†:The publicist is the, er, punter†¦ helping the team get better field position after a few setbacks?What is the effect of using extended metaphors?You may already have picked up on a few key reasons why writers use extended metaphors.They can help explain a complex idea in simple terms. The example of the football team is an attempt to communicate the interpersonal dynamics of an author-publisher relationshipSome authors use them for humor - purposefully mining the absurdity of a torturously drawn-out metaphor for comedic effect. After a while, comparing a government cabinet to V8 engine just gets silly: â€Å"The Secretary of Agriculture is the carburetor - supplying the pi stons (the population) with fuel (grain) and air (dairy).†Perhaps most importantly, writers use extended metaphors to evoke emotions and imagery when they’re writing about something that’s abstract. One of the most commonly cited metaphors comes from Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Jaque, a cynical nobleman, ruminates on the idea of free will and the significance of the individual through the metaphor of a play.All the world’s a stage,And all the men and women merely players;They have their exits and their entrances;And one man in his time plays many parts,His acts being seven ages.Instead of waxing on about predeterminism, Shakespeare asks you to think of an actor following the stage directions and reading his lines. He deals with an intellectual idea by imbuing it with an emotional and visual hook. Audiences might struggle to â€Å"see† existential dread - but they can easily imagine metaphorical actors going through the motions night after night (and twice on Wednesdays).Learn more about how Reedsy can help you craft a beautiful book.9 examples of extended metaphorsIn the proud tradition of â€Å"show don’t tell,† let’s dig into some extended metaphor examples that we’ve taken from literature, poetry, film, and music. We’ll also decipher what they mean - just so we’re not left in the dark (metaphor!). 9 extended metaphors from Sylvia Plath to Hall Oates. Example #1: Romeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareBut soft! What light through yonder window breaks?It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Who is already sick and pale with grief.Decoded: In this soliloquy, Romeo compares the object of his affection to the sun: a radiant, untouchable figure. Extending the analogy, he wishes that she would rise quicker and chase away the moon, which pales in comparison to the beauty of Juliet.Example #2: â€Å"Stillborn† by Sylvia PlathThese poems do not live: it's a sad diagnosis.They grew their toes and fingers well enough,Their little foreheads bulged with concentration.If they missed out on walking about like peopleIt wasn't for any lack of mother-love.Decoded: In a particularly morbid example of her work, Plath describes the pain of her craft - comparing the labor of writing a disappointing poem with the trauma of losing a child at birth. One can imagine that the fingers and toes are meant to rep resent the meter of her verse and the concepts behind a poem: conceptually perfect, yet somehow tragically lacking.Example #3: â€Å"Hope Is the Thing With Feathers† by Emily Dickinson Hope! (Photo by Boris Smokrovic)Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul,And sings the tune - without the words,And never stops at all,And sore must be the stormThat could abash the little birdThat kept so many warm.Decoded: In a similar vein, Alexander Pope once wrote that â€Å"Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never Is, but always To be blest.† One could argue that Dickinson brings the same idea to life #4: Us by Jordan Peele**Spoilers ahead**In the 2019 domestic horror film, an affluent African-American family is terrorized by a family of twisted doppelgangers. As the story unfolds, we learn that there is an entire nation of ‘tethered’ twins who live underground - and now they’re looking to separate themselves from their above-ground counterparts.Decoded: Peele’s writing is careful not to make the doppelgangers a metaphor for any single thing. However, many interpret them to represent America’s underclass - such as largely ignored immigrant communities who toil so that the upper-classes may live in comfort.Just as in poetry, some of the best songs often revolve around a central metaphor. After all, there are only so many ways you can write a lit eral song about falling in love.Example #5: â€Å"Hound Dog,† Elvis PresleyYou ain't nothin' but a hound dogCryin' all the timeYou ain't nothin' but a hound dogCryin' all the timeWell, you ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine Decoded: Presley disparages the subject of the song, calling them a dog. He then extends the analogy by saying that they have also failed to catch a rabbit - telling them that they are worthless and classless. The King could be a cold, cold man.Example #6: â€Å"Life is a Highway,† Rascal FlattsLife's like a road that you travel onWhen there's one day here and the next day goneSometimes you bend and sometimes you standSometimes you turn your back to the windDecoded: The title sorts of decodes it all for you. Life is transient: it turns unexpectedly and often it grinds to a halt. That being said, turning one’s back to the wind is more of a nautical concept, which is where the metaphor breaks down.Example #7: â€Å"Fish†, Aaron WatsonThen you throw out a line, reel it back inIf you catch a boot, you gotta cast it out againYou know you’ll never catch a keeperIf you sit around and crySo get back in that boat and fishDecoded: Playing on the old saying of †Å"plenty more fish in the sea,† Watson’s song plays up the angling angle by throwing in more fishing references. The boot presumably refers to an unsuitable partner.Example #8: â€Å"One on One,† Daryl Hall John OatesI'm tired of playing on the teamIt seems I don't get time out anymoreWhat a change if we set the pace face to faceNo one even trying to score, ohDecoded: Few people get that the literal reading of this song is about basketball - even the title is a direct hoops reference. However, within the context of the music, we can infer that Daryl Hall is tired of treating romance as a â€Å"team game† (rock and roll!) and is ready to settle down for some one-on-one.Example #9: â€Å"The Gambler,† Kenny RogersYou've got to know when to hold 'emKnow when to fold 'emKnow when to walk awayAnd know when to runYou never count your moneyWhen you're sittin' at the tableThere'll be time enough for countin'When the dealin's doneDecoded: The protagonist o f the song meets a gambler on the train. Having won all of the singer’s money, the card sharp offers gambling tips - but in this context, poker is a metaphor for life!And there you have it - a cornucopia of extended metaphors, filled to the brim with delicious analogies. The next time you’re writing something, why not try one out for yourself? You might decide it’s not your style or you may find that they’re just your cup of tea (okay, last metaphor).What examples have we missed out on? Let us know in the comments below.

Response paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

Response paper - Essay Example I personally agree with Ray Bradbury in virtually all the issues he raised. Bradbury says quantity brings about quality in work. The more one works and gain more experience the more quality his or her work becomes (McKenzie 40). After work, relaxation of the body is vital and I don`t think there is something that results in more relaxation and in turn more creativity like writing. In the circumstance where writers don’t think, they end up copying other writers work and compromising quality of their work. Just as an artist may think of the money he or she will earn after the work instead of focusing on the truth and the internal feeling that his or her work entails and bring out the beauty of the art work, most commercial writers do slanted stories, focusing on the money they will cash from their banks while ignoring the originality and creativity they could possibly have in their work. Most upcoming writers engage their working time only to give out unoriginal story lacking creativity simply because the commercial market has taken over them and dictate what they write. The body should be left alone to think and act for itself and let the writings flow from inside you not from external forces (McKenzie 44). While new writers are at liberty to imitate and emulate other prominent writers in history, it is only allowed up to some extent and should not eliminate the ability of a man to become truly creative in his work. The writer should select a field where he or she thinks his ideas will develop more comfortably. One needs to remember that selecting a field to write on is absolutely different from slanting within that field (McKenzie 46). In conclusion, what you think of the world should characterize what you think. Consider yourself as a prism and measure the light of the world. Give the light back to the world in a totally different perspective. Let your feeling and thinking about the world dictate your writing. Bring out your ideas