Joking Apart Essay Example for Free

Joking Apart Essay Joking Apart is a BBC television sitcom written by Steven Moffat about the rise and fall of a relationship. It juxtaposes a couple, Mark (Robert Bathurst) and Becky (Fiona Gillies), who meet and fall in love before getting separated and finally divorced. The twelve episodes, broadcast between 1993 and 1995, were directed by Bob Spiers and produced by Andre Ptaszynski for independent production company Pola Jones. The show is semi-autobiographical; it was inspired by the then-recent separation of Moffat and his first wife. Some of the episodes in the first series followed a non-linear parallel structure, contrasting the rise of the relationship with the fall. Other episodes were ensemble farces, predominantly including the couples friends Robert (Paul Raffield) and Tracy (Tracie Bennett). Paul-Mark Elliott also appeared as Trevor, Beckys lover. Scheduling problems meant that the show attracted low viewing figures. However, it scored highly on the Appreciation Index and accrued a loyal fanbase. One fan acquired the home video rights from the BBC and released both series on his own DVD label. (more) Recently featured: Stonewall riots – Hippopotamus – Ten Commandments in Roman Catholicism

Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun Essay -- Hansberry Raisin Su

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun In the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, one of the most important themes is the American Dream. Many of the characters in this play have hopes and aspirations; they all strive towards their goals throughout the play. However, many of the characters in the play have different dreams that clash with each other. Problems seem to arise when different people’s dreams conflict with one another; such as Walter’s versus Bennie’s, George’s versus Asagai’s, and the Clybourne Park versus the Younger’s.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Walter and Bennie both have very different mindsets and they constantly are fighting, therefor they both have very different dreams that are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Walter's dream is to be his own boss in a liquor store. All he dreams about is the liquor business that he will have, it is his life. When he finds he lost the money later in the novel, he says "...Man, I put my life in your hands..." ( ) All he ever dreamed of was the liquor business, when he lets out this statement of desperation, the reader really realizes how much all of it meant to him. Bennie's dreams are very different, she wants to be a female doctor. This dream was very unusual for a "colored" girl in the 50's. Her dream requires money from Mama, but so does Walter’s; it is ironic when both of them lose their dreams when the money is gone. When the money is lost, the reader also realizes how large of a role it played in Bennie’s dreams ...

American Ethnic Literature Essay

American Literature has been an important part of American people for centuries. What makes this type of literature great is that the authors vision is objective and not one sided. Several of the American authors are still considered to be great writers. The books that were written by these authors are still read by people of all ages around the United States. These books are now considered classic literature. American literature is considered American because it was written by American people. Overall, â€Å"editors appear to use an inconsistent combination of citizenship, geographical location, language, and subject matter (that is, the subject of America and the United States) (Hames- Garcia, p. 1, 2003). Most of the American literature was written by white men. In order to be considered American literature it has to be about the United States. There have been many great authors that write about science fiction, but because it is unreal their literature is not considered American literature. Politics also played an important role in literature. It was of great importance to portray the American character as an â€Å"exceptional entity† (Hames-Garcia, p. 1, 2003). In the early twentieth century, writers who were not American white men were not allowed to publish their works. Women writers as well as Black, Latino, American Indian, and immigrant writers were left out altogether. This happened because other ethnic groups were considered to be inferior. It was until the 1970s that feminist began to speak out and rebel against the oppression they were faced with. It is thanks to this reform that the American literature holds diversity. It allows for men and women to have the same opportunity to express their feelings without having to worry about their race or sex. Another type of literature is ethnic literature. This type of literature is often read as an autobiography, even when making no such claims. This is written on a first person point of view. The author’s point of view is specific to their personal beliefs and life stories. It is difficult for this type of author to provide an objectionable story. They are blinded by anger because of what they had to live. The topics these authors write about covers racism and suppression. The definitions and topics will vary depending on the life experiences that each author or their families experienced. The storyline will also vary because each author lived different time periods, and of course things change over time. Ethnic Literature is great because it now holds different point of views. Every person has a different perspective on what happens around them. What allows for this to be great is that each person is entitled not only to have their own belief, but they are able to express their feelings with freedom. No person is afraid of what repercussion might come because they decided to write from their heart. The truth allows readers to realize that life has been harder for some people more than others. It is easy to forget what our ancestors had to experience in order for each individual to encounter freedom. It is now easy for men and women of all races to walk freely around their city. This however came at a price, and this type of literature allows human beings to read and experience in some small way what it was like to live in a world were the color of your skin as well as your sex had a lot to do with the quality of life you lived. American Literature will continue to play an important role in American people. The only way to enjoy this type of literature is to introduce our younger generations to it. This is the perfect material needed to give to young readers so that they can value the lifestyle they are allowed to live today. It is up to us to keep this tradition alive so that our future generation can enjoy it as well. Reference Michael Hames-Garcia. (2003). Which America is ours? Marti’s â€Å"Truth† and the foundations of â€Å"American literature†. Modern Fiction Studies, 49(1), 19-53. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 328665241). Yonjae Jung. (2004). The New Americanist Intervention into the Canon. American Studies International, 42(2/3), 213-225. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 676208971).

Racism During The 19th Century - 1461 Words

During the 19th century, racism was an established and widely accepted ideology throughout the Antebellum South. Both Frederick Law Olmsted and John C. Calhoun portray typical racist ideology during the 19th century in Antebellum South. In his travelogue of the South, â€Å"A Journey in the Seaboard Slave States; With Remarks on Their Economy†, Olmsted advocated for the free soil movement. On the other hand, Calhoun advocated for slavery in his 1837 speech, â€Å"The ‘Positive Good’ of Slavery† before the United States Senate. The free soil movement was an anti-slavery movement that in fact did not advocate for equal rights among blacks and whites, but advocated that free men on free soil was a superior system to traditional slavery. Surprisingly, anti-slavery was much different to abolitionism. The goal of abolitionism was the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the establishment of equal rights among blacks and whites. The goal of anti-slavery was th e eventual emancipation of all slaves with the understanding that blacks were inferior to whites. Although both advocated for two distinct social standards for the African American people, both had incorporated within their ideology the racist concept that African Americans and their ancestors were inferior to white Americans. Calhoun, during his speech before the Senate, argued the â€Å"Positive Good† of slavery. Calhoun attempted to sway his audience into believing that slavery was not the evil or immoral act as portrayed hisShow MoreRelatedRacism And Slavery During The 19th Century2451 Words   |  10 PagesRacism is not just restricted to slavery and blacks, racism can be applied to anyone, and in 19th century England this was a huge problem. 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The Native American Indians were driven out, slaughtered and later confined to a territory similar to how the Chinese workers and immigrants were during the end of 19th century. The 100,000 Chinese living in the U.S. who sailed over to accumulate some wealth and go back to China, were subject to discriminatory treatment which was mainly due t o racial difference. They had to sufferRead MoreEssay On How Have We Fail1123 Words   |  5 Pagesto make that vision a reality since these values are the very foundation of America. But throughout history, America has suffered from racism, injustice, exploitation of labor and gender inequality, and is still suffering from such issues to some extent. Events like the establishment of Jim Crow system, thousands of labor strikes throughout the 19th and 20th century and the long struggle of women to earn equal rights only remind us of our failure. The belief that â€Å"all men are created equal† may have