August Wilsons Pittsburgh Cycle

After writing his third play, August Wilson realized he was developing something quite monumental. He had created three different plays set in three different decades, detailing the hopes and struggles of African-Americans. In the early 1980s, he decided that he wanted to create a cycle of ten plays, one play for each decade. Collectively, they would become known as the Pittsburgh Cycle — all but one take place in the citys Hills District. August Wilsons 10 play series is arguably one of the finest literary achievements in contemporary drama. Although they were not created in chronological order, here is a brief synopsis of each play, organized by the decade each one represents. Note: Each of the links connects to an informative New York Times review. Gem Of the Ocean Set in 1904, a young African-American named Citizen Barlow, like many others traveling north in the years after the Civil War arrives in Pittsburgh in search of purpose, prosperity, and redemption. A woman named Aunt Ester, who is rumored to be 285 years old and possess healing powers, decides to help the young man on his life’s journey. Joe Turner’s Come and Gone The title warrants a bit of historical context — Joe Turner was the name of a plantation owner who, in spite of the emancipation proclamation, forced African-Americans to work in his fields. In contrast, Seth and Bertha Holly’s boarding house offers room and nourishment to wayward souls who have been mistreated, abused, and sometimes even kidnapped by members of white society. The play takes place in the year 1911. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom As four African-American blues musicians wait for Ma Rainey, the famous lead singer of their band, they exchange off-the-cuff jokes and cutting-edge barbs. When the blues diva does arrive, the tensions continue to mount, pushing the group towards its breaking point. The tone is a combination of bitterness, laughter, and the blues, an ideal representation of the black experience during the late 1920s. The Piano Lesson A piano that has been handed down for generations becomes the source of conflict for members of the Charles family. Set in 1936, the storyline reflects the significance of objects in relationship to the past. This play garnered August Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize. Seven Guitars Touching upon the theme of music once again, this drama begins with the death of guitarist Floyd Barton in 1948. Then, the narrative shifts to the past, and the audience witnesses the protagonist in his younger days, ultimately leading up to his demise. Fences Perhaps Wilson’s most renowned work, Fences explores the life and relationships of Troy Maxson, an activist-minded trash collector, and former baseball hero. The protagonist represents the struggle for justice and fair treatment during the 1950s. This moving drama earned Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize. Two Trains Running This multiple award-winning drama is set in Pittsburgh 1969, in the height of the battle for civil rights. In spite of the political and social change that sweeps through the nation, many of the characters of this play are too cynical, too down-trodden to experience hope for the future or rage for the ongoing tragedies. Jitney Set in a cab driver’s station during the boisterous late 1970s, this character-driven play features sharp-witted, hustling co-workers who gossip, argue, and dream in between jobs. King Hedley II Often thought of as the bitterest and most tragic of Wilson’s cycle, the play focuses on the downfall of the prideful ex-con protagonist, King Hedley II (the son of one of the characters from Seven Guitars). The mid-1980s setting finds Wilson’s beloved Hills District in a dismal, poverty-stricken neighborhood. Radio Golf With this 1990s setting, the final play in the cycle tells the story of affluent Harmond Wilks, a successful politician and real estate developer — who considers tearing down a historic old house that once belonged to none other than Aunt Ester. It all comes full circle!

Practices Of Securitisation Of Islam And Muslims - 1196 Words

PART III: PRACTICES OF SECURITISATION OF ISLAM AND MUSLIMS IN THE ETHIOPIAN STATE 3.1 Introduction In the previous parts the discussions on the theoretical framework of the securitisation theory as it applies to Islam and Muslims, and the international perspectives of governmentality of Muslims as well regional categorizations as the illustrations of governmentality have presented. In the subsequent sections discussions turn to the securitisation of Islam, and governmentality of Muslims in the Ethiopian state by thoroughly examining the existing challenges for the attainment of Muslim rights despite the changes in the political and social structure, and the disquieting narratives of the ‘global war on terror’ by zooming its impacts to†¦show more content†¦To a great extent confined in the northern highlands, and bit by bit creating xenophobic states of mind toward the outside world, Ethiopia was a nation shrouded with legends, making ways ready for expanded interest among its European co-religionists—who made vivid accounts of the Prester John, a myste rious Christian kingdom in Africa (Beckingham Hamilton, 1996). Like Christianity, Islam made an unexpected arrival in Ethiopia in 615 with the first Islamic hijira sometime called Axumitehijra. Constituting a place of refuge for the persecuted early Muslim believers, the event was essential for building strong relations between Ethiopia and the rising Islamic religion. The Prophet s gratitude was communicated in the expression; leave the Abyssinians alone, as long as they do not take offensive, and Ethiopia was therefore perceived as a sovereign state, regarded and excluded from military campaigns (Carmichael, 1996). While Christians and Muslims in Ethiopia originally remained relatively standing apart from each other—with the Christian kingdom restricted toward the northern highlands and Islam venturing into the south-eastern parts of today s Ethiopia—contact expanded in the thirteenth century with a gradually conflictual patterns. The hostile relationship peaked in 1529 with the conquest of Imam Ahmed

Prostitution in the Philippines Free Essays

Prostitution and Venereal disease Prostitution: ?Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. Venereal disease: ? A disease that is contracted and transmitted by sexual contact, caused by microorganisms that survive on the skin or mucus membranes, or that are transmitted via semen, vaginal secretions, or blood during intercourse. Because the genital areas provide a moist, warm environment that is especially conducive to the proliferation of bacteria, viruses, and yeasts, a great many diseases can be transmitted this way. We will write a custom essay sample on Prostitution in the Philippines or any similar topic only for you Order Now Type of STD Chlamydia: ?is a bacterial infection caused by pathogen (germ) Chlamydia trachomatis that usually infects the genitals of both men and women, but can also infect the throat, rectum and eyes. CHANCROID (SHANG-kroid); ? A bacterial infection that results in sores on the mouth, throat, lips, anus, tongue, vagina, or penis. CRABS (Pubic Lice): ?Tiny insects that live off human blood. Although they’re often found around the genitals, they can live in any part of the body with hair. Gonorrhea: ?is a highly contagious sexually transmitted STD bacterial infection, sometimes referred to as the clap. The nickname of the clap refers to a treatment that used to clear the blockage in the urethra from gonorrhea pus, where the penis would be ‘clapped’ on both sides simultaneously. HEPATITIS: ?There are five types of hepatitis — A through E — all of which cause inflammation of the liver. Type D affects only those who also have hepatitis B, and hepatitis E is extremely rare in the United States. HERPES (Herpes Simplex) ?Two types of a viral infection characterized by periodic outbreaks of painful sores. Stress, sunburn, and certain foods are the primary causes of a herpes outbreak. AIDS: ?is the acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, leading to full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is devastating because it leaves the body susceptible to life-threatening infections and certain kinds of cancers. HPV / Genital Warts: ? Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) – a group of more than 70 viruses, some of which can lead to cervical cancer. Several strains of HPV cause external genital warts. SCABIES (SKAY-beez): ? A mite that burrows under the skin and lays eggs. SYPHILIS (SIFF-i-lis): ? A bacterial infection caused by an organism called a spirochete. Trichomoniasis: ?is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both men and women. Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalisand is a cause of vaginal infections in women and urethral infections in men. Trichomoniasis is an STD that affects approximately 5 million people in the US every year. Trichomoniasis is one of the most common, curable causes of vaginal infections in women. By: Bobby P. Galleros How to cite Prostitution in the Philippines, Papers

Auguste Rodin Essay Example For Students

Auguste Rodin Essay Like some artists, Rodin was not an overnight success. Even though he was rejected numerous times from art schools because of his art style, he prevailed in the end. Rodin, like many artists, got their inspiration from other great and famous artists. In Rodins case, his inspiration came from Michelangelo. In Rodins more famous works, one can see the similarities between the two artists artwork. Rodins parents were not wealthy, therefore, he was not able to attend an art school of his choice. His father, however, did send him to Petite cole, a training ground for commercial draftsman and practicienscutters and finishers of work in stone (Hale 38). At theage of seventeen, Rodin won his first prize for a clay model and he came in second place for one of his drawings. His teachers at Petite cole encouraged him to try for the Grande cole des Beaux-Arts (Hale 39). He applied, but was not accepted. Not giving up hope, Rodin appliedtwo more times, but was rejected. Determined to make a living, he worked for a large commercial designer. It was there, that he created numerous objects with his hands; anything from masks of gods to cupids. This is where he began to see that he had a future in what he loved the most, art. Even though Rodin was an artist, his career did not take off so soon. When he was 22, his sister Maria died. He anguished so much over her death that he decided to leave his art. He quit everything and decided to enter the Order of the Fathers of the Very Holy Sacrament. While living in the monastery, Rodin confided in Father Eymard, and he was the one that told Rodin to continue sculpting and not to give up. Rodin eventually realized that religion was not his calling and once he had enough money saved up, he moved into his first studio. From that point on, he was fully committed to his artwork. Rodin said that it was so cold in his studio, (he could not afford to have heat) that he would wake up and see parts of his sculptures on the floor. Since I didnt have the money to have them cast, each day I lost precious time coveringmy clay with wet cloths. Despite that, at every turn I had accidents from the effects of the cold and heat. Entire sections detached themselvesheads, arms, kne es, chunks of torso fell off; I found them in pieces on the tiles that covered the floor You could not believe what I lost in that way (Hale 42). In 1864, Rodin created a masterpiece, something that would change his life forever. He created The Man with the Broken Nose, and with the new creation he said, It determined all my future work (Hale 43). The new sculpture was not found to be worth anything after Rodin tried to enter it in the Salon. So, he took it back home and placed it in a corner for numerous years. One day, one of Rodins students saw the lonely bust and asked if he could borrow it to make copy. Rodin did not refuse and when the student, Jules Desbois took it to his classmates at the Grande cole, they were astounded. All of Desboiss classmates stood around with amazement, all asking who created such an antique (meaning that is was old, in a sense of not being used or displayed) masterpiece. Desbois said, The man who made it, whose name is Rodin, failed three times to enter the school, and the work you take to be antique was refused by the Salon' (Hale 45). In 1866, Rose, his girlfriend, gave birth to a baby boy. H e soon had a job with one of the best employers around, Carrier-Belleuse. There, he was a draftsman, molder, finisher and a caster. He eventually left because he had all the money that he claimed he needed. In 1870, he was called to serve in the National Guard, but was released because of his poor vision. By this time, there was no money and Rodin tried to call previous clients that could possibly want some decorating done. All ties were broken after he left the