Before The Law :: Short Story Stories Essays

Before The Law BEFORE THE LAW stands a doorkeeper. To this doorkeeper there comes a man from the country and prays for admittance to the Law. But the doorkeeper says that he cannot grant admittance at the moment. The man thinks it over and then asks if he will be allowed in later. "It is possible," says the doorkeeper, "but not at the moment." Since the gate stands open, as usual, and the doorkeeper steps to one side, the man stoops to peer through the gateway into the interior. Observing that, the doorkeeper laughs and says: "If you are so drawn to it, 'just try to go in despite my veto. But take note: I am powerful. And I am only the least of the doorkeepers. From hall to hall there is one doorkeeper after another, each more powerful than the last. The third doorkeeper is already so terrible that even I cannot bear to look at him." These are difficulties the man from the country has not expected; the Law, he thinks, should surely be accessible at all times and to everyone, but as he now takes a c loser look at the doorkeeper in his fur coat, with his big sharp nose and long, thin, black Tartar beard, he decides that it is better to wait until he gets permission to enter. The doorkeeper gives him a stool and lets him sit down at one side of the door. There he sits for days and years. He makes many attempts to be admitted, and wearies the doorkeeper by his importunity. The doorkeeper frequently has little interviews with him, asking him questions about his home and many other things, but the questions are put indifferently, as great lords put them, and always finish with the statement that he cannot be let in yet. The man, who has furnished himself with many things for his journey, sacrifices all he has, however valuable, to bribe the doorkeeper. The doorkeeper accepts everything, but always with the remark: "I am only taking it to keep you from thinking you have omitted anything." During these many years the man fixes his attention almost continuously on the doorkeeper. He forgets the other doorkeepers, and this first one seems to him the sole obstacle preventing access to the Law. He curses his bad luck, in his early years boldly and loudly; later, as he grows old, he only grumbles to himself.

Diary and Character Essay

Over the course of this 3 week unit, you will have the opportunity to explore the nuances of Macbeth by putting yourself into the mindset of a character you have selected. You will write a series of diary entries as if you were this character, that means from his or her point of view and create an appropriate and creative cover. Requirements: 1. You will be assigned 6 entries, with the option of skipping one entry at any time. If you choose, you may do all 6 entries and receive up to 10 points extra credit. 2. All entries must be at least a page long, double-spaced. Know that some of the topics that you write about will require more length in order to give a full and reflective response, though. 3. Entries must be original and of your own work. Plagiarism of any type will result in an F for this assignment. If you have any doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, please ask me. 4. Entries must be relatively free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. 5. Design a cover/title page for you diary. It must reflect some aspect of the character and should Include illustrations or graphics. 7. For each of the entries, you will pick from the following list of topics. Although you must stay within the limits of what the text says about the character, you are free to use your imagination to fill in the gaps. If you wish, you may also illustrate your entries. You may not repeat any topic. Specific Diary Topics: (Choose at least 5) 1. Pick a specific scene. How does your character feel that he/she contributes to this scene? What are his or her actions and why? Also, explain how your character is relating to other characters on stage at this time. 2. What is something surprising about your character? Discuss this from his/her point of view. 3. What happened today in the life of your character? 4. Have your character write a letter to another character. 5. Write down a quote from your character and have your character write in response to what he or she said. 6. What is your character feeling as a result of his/her actions? 7. What music or television shows might your character enjoy listening to or watching? Why? 8. Have your character talk about how he or she has changed throughout the play. 9. Choose from the following conflicting aspects that Shakespeare uses throughout the play and discuss how your character demonstrates both sides: ambition/duty, bravery/fear, stre ngth/uncertainty, good/evil, and fair/foul. Make sure your character journal matches what the teacher is grading you on in the rubric.

Colonialism And Slavery During The Times Of Slavery

During the times of slavery and post- slavery many blacks experienced self-hatred and were sexually repressed due to colonization. In the Kincaid story â€Å"Girl† the mother has self-hatred due to colonialism and she wants to past the sexual repression of those who are colonized down to her daughter. Colonialism is a main reason for sexual repression and self-hatred, the sexual repression of the colonized is being passed down through generations, and also the humiliation from others that is experienced leads to self-hatred of those not yet colonized; which eventually leads to them becoming colonized. Colonialism is the reason for sexual repression and self-hatred. A colonization consist of Whites who constantly objectified and exploited those of color. A prime example of this would be slavery, where blacks were treated as property and not human beings. Due to harsh treatments and being called derogative names, many black began self-hating themselves and believed that the way they were being treated and what they were taught was right. Many whites used avenues that they knew would help them be able to control the slaves, such as Religion. â€Å"Religion was and is a powerful tool for controlling slaves and slave wage workers† (Waller, Lecture Two). Many slaves were very religious and followed the practices of Christianity, which is what lead to many becoming sexually repressed. â€Å"Christianity taught women to repress themselves, conform to the culture, and to severely disciplineShow MoreRelatedtools of exploitation analysis Essay examples938 Words   |  4 PagesTools of Exploitation Analysis The film/documentary, titled Tools of Exploitation, chronicles, analyzes and explains Western civilizations influence on African culture/livelihood throughout the period of colonialism (the film covers the slave trade for a brief moment as well) leading to the modern day. Narrated by scholar/author Ali Mazrui, the film focuses on the usurping of Africa’s future potential due to European powers stymying Africa’s growth for their (Western) own gain (hence the nameRead MoreThe Foundations Of Racial Capitalism, Imperialism And Colonialism Essay1468 Words   |  6 PagesThe foundations of racial capitalism, imperialism and colonialism have significantly shaped the existence of African people, and those of the diaspora. As a result of these institutions, the history and implementation of slavery and colonialism have had lasting effects that are essential to the current position of Black folk in Africa and the diaspora; altering the way we view ourselves, our country and t he world. Throughout different moments in history, Black folk have equated freedom and liberationRead MoreThe Explicit Oppression, And Societal Disadvantages Experienced1437 Words   |  6 Pagespractices based on prejudice towards the collective minority groups. Although many of the explicit discriminatory practices based on race are frowned upon in the U.S. today, that does not suggest that they do not still exist. The racism of contemporary times has only shifted form and is used against minorities in the form of institutionalized and societal racist practices. The maintenance as well as protection of the white supremacy is the key driver behind past and contemporary forms of racism and discriminationRead MoreCapitalism And Colonialism’S Links As Pillars Of White1582 Words   |  7 Pagesracial groups, such as Native Americans and Black people. This can be seen through the timeline of North American history, but also farther back in the history of European settler coloni alism throughout Europe and into other nearby continents. The methods of decolonization employed by various racial groups affected by colonialism interact with one another in various ways, as each group was affected differently, yet they were affected by the same instigating group of white settlers. It is important whenRead MoreThe Polished Hoe Analysis945 Words   |  4 Pagesless than the products they produce; therefore rape, racism, and indirect slavery are routinely overlooked, as long as money is being generated. Throughout The Polished Hoe, Clarke uses gender, race and freedom as themes to show how colonialism has shaped social constructions in the Caribbean. The Polished Hoe, uses gender roles in Bimshire, to reflect the status that women carry throughout the Caribbean during post colonial times. Women were considered second-class citizens, and at best became a submissiveRead MoreThe Geographic, Political, and Ethnic Impact European Colonialism Has Played on the Present History of Africa 1486 Words   |  6 Pagesdebate on how the current political and economic failures in Africa can be traced back to the advent of colonialism. There is a great deal of evidence that illustrates the impact that colonialism and foreign intervention has had a negative effect on the development of present history of Africa. This essay will attempt to examine the geographic, political and ethnic impact European colonialism has played on the development of the African, and how these contributions have put Africa on its currentRead MoreGender Roles And The Structure And Function Of Civilizations1689 Words   |  7 Pageshas played a defining role in the stru cture and function of civilizations all over the world. Women were usually deemed as inferior to men in most nations thus leading to a plethora of unfair treatment and social unrest. There were, however, various times in history when women actually stood up for their rights as human beings and spoke out against these atrocities. An example of this is the story of Abina, a young African woman who was unlawfully enslaved in 1876. She made the courageous decisionRead MoreLibrary Information / Literacy Project : Human Trafficking And Slavery1117 Words   |  5 PagesLibrary information/Literacy project: Human Trafficking and Slavery Introduction: Human trafficking is a global epidemic that affect millions of victims that has being trafficked for prostitution and some forms of child labor across international borders. This human illicit trade and inhuman crime produces around $32 billion in profits each year. A five-year-old chained to a rug loom in India, a domestic servant enslaved and beaten in the Middle East and sex slave trafficked within theRead MoreWhy Was The Revolutionary War So Important?902 Words   |  4 Pagesthe abolition of slavery but to free a nation from foreign occupation and a system of colonialism? â€Å"Since the black Americans fought in both sides of the enemies, their informal partnership they formed with British infuriated while colonies pushing many towards the drastic step of declaring independence.† â€Å"Woody Holton†. So these tells that, black Americans were instrumental in the American revolutionary war. Even though not all the slaves attained freedom and liberty during the aftermath ofRead MoreAdrienne Richs Essay Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence2485 Words   |  10 PagesWoolf’s time, â€Å"the one profession that was open to her [was] marriage,† and though females entered the public sphere as the 20th century progressed, â€Å"single women†¦are still viewed as deviant† and somewhat ostracized (Woolf 25 and Rich 30). Compulsory heterosexuality, Rich argues, is one of many institutions that historically and currently have allowed men to maintain a dominant societal position, and this institution, although seemingly unrelated, is fundamentally parallel to American slavery, which