Town criers

A tragedy is defined by the downfall of the antagonist. The development of a character trait whose expression leads to dire consequences, known as a tragic flaw, is the technique used in drama to instigate the aforementioned downfall. Because the main plot of Shakespeare's Hamlet revolves around the killing of King Claudius some may consider that Prince Hamlet's tragic flaw is a bloodlust, "I should have fatted all the region kites / With this slave’s offal" (II.II.509-10). Though, it must be…

What is a hero? Is a hero someone most people adore and love? What makes one person better than anyone else? Is it their characteristics or morals? Or is it their story from rags to riches, or from a bad king to a good one? Is it admirable that one person could change from a vastly evil to an immensely good person? A hero is someone who is idealized and recognized for courage, outstanding achievements, and noble qualities. Even in ancient texts, society picks special people to lift up and…

Things Fall Apart is a post-colonial novel written by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe in 1958. The fictional novel of Things Fall Apart refers to the protagonist Okonkwo and how the Igbo culture collapsed. The novel paints a poignant portrait of a wellfunctioning African society that undergoes tremendous change (Hartman) Okonkwo is a respected and motivational leader within the Igbo community of Umuofia located in Eastern Nigeria. He earns fame, power, and respect when he defeats Amalinze the Cat…

Symbols 1. Yams Yams are known as the men’s crop, and having an abundance of yams allows for health, security, and status. Yams are used by men to feed one’s family or sell for financial needs. Yams represent manliness, masculinity, and stability. 2. Kola Nuts The breaking of the kola nut before drinking or gathering represents the traditions and respect of the clan. By including the breaking of the kola nut in the novel, readers are able to understand how important traditions and culture are…

ago something happened to me that will never be forgotten. Beginning of basketball season it was and my dad was complaining and complaining about how much pain he was in, this was uncharacteristic for my father. My dad raised me not be a complainer, crier, or anything of that sort, so when he complained we knew something was wrong. It was either…

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440 was revolutionary. For the first time messages could travel further than word of mouth. If a message was to get around previously it could be written out or the town crier would tell those who were present, but it usually didn’t go far. But by the time Luther started to have his own ideas about Christianity a printing press could be used to print a few thousand sheets a day, and it was. Meaning it took merely weeks…

truths can be tainted, their lies can become facts, and their reality can be anything that fits into one’s rendering of whatever that is. My dad gave me that little nugget of good sense long ago. And after I read an article in The Cloak-and-Dagger Town Crier, I finally grasped the value of his wisdom. I read it again to Twist: A distant relative of the fabled Captain MacBride discovered a secret room yesterday afternoon in a Whodunit Hill mansion. Mr. David Shaw says, “I broke down one of the…

gather there to pray. The land to build on has been purchased, and enough money has been saved to start building; however, due to protests, they are waiting for more community support. The imam stated that he did not want to open a new mosque in a town where they are still not wanted. Currently, the imam and fellow members of the mosque are trying to reach out to other faiths in the…

There, up on the shelf, sits my shiny red hockey stick. The white tape is worn from my last time on the ice. Black puck marks on the white tape stand out and haunt me back to my last competitive hockey game that resulted in a devastating loss. No, it is not just any hockey stick. The stick that now sits and collects dust followed me on a long journey to places including New York City, Minneapolis, and Pittsburg. At times, it would feel me tremendously shaking with nerves and other times holding…

straightforward time When the oven smells were not Betty Crocker’s Or Stouffer’s. Where microwaves worked
Only in newspapers. No grease from mechanics soil
These hands—the only oil they have felt Comes from fried foods bought
On the occasional sojourn into town. Look, look at those bones sitting Like five rocks of Gibraltar that form Whenever he makes that clenched…