The Native American Culture In The Red Convertible Essays

The Native American Culture In The Red Convertible The Native American Culture in The Red Convertible In the short story The Red Convertible, by Louise Erdrich, the author, contrasts the old way of life versus the new. Erdrich does this through metaphorical symbols: the color red, convertible, summer trip, and the fancy dance Henry performs before his death (Erdrich p. 468). In the story, the color red symbolizes many things. The convertible is red. Lyman also said his brother, had a nose big and sharp as a hatchet, like the nose on Red Tomahawk (Erdrich p. 467). Also when the brothers took their final journey Lyman says, We started off east, toward Pembina and the Red River (Erdrich p. 467). The color red, in this story, represents Henry's will to be free. The convertible appears in a bright red because, while driving the car, Henry feels trapped by the white man's war (Erdrich p. 467). By returning to the Red River Henry regains his spiritual freedom. According to The American Heritage book of Indians, the Red Sticks were and anti-American faction that fought to keep the white man out, and their heritage strong (p. 221). With this information, the Red Sticks, and the color red, represented in the story can be linked in their feelings with anti-Americanism (The American Heritage book of Indians p. 221). Lyman says, He said he wanted to give the car to me for good now, it was no use (Erdrich p. 468). By Henry giving Lyman the red convertible, he is foreshadowing his death. In the Chippawa culture gifts are given to the family of the deceased (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 16). A remnant of the deceased was kept, wrapped in birch bark, this spirit bundle was then kept for a year and later given to the family (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 16). Lyman knows that Henry is preparing him for Henry's death by giving him the car. Lyman states, No way. I don't want it, referring to the car (Erdrich p. 468). Lyman refuses this gift because he does not want Henry to die. The red convertible also represents a curative charm (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 19). In the Chippawa culture, a charm was given to the injured or diseased. This charm was used in many ways to: stimulate love, attract wealth, insure a successful journey, and to counteract evil (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 1 9). The charm consisted of an artifact that represented the individual or a figurine (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 19). The car was Henry's charm form Lyman. Lyman states, I thought the car might bring the old Henry back somehow (Erdrich p. 466). Lyman could see Henry was sick, so by reconnection Henry with the car, he thought the Henry would get better. To understand why the brothers took tow trips, one to Alaska, and the other at the end of the story, the Nomadic lifestyle of the Chippawas must be examined. The Chippawas led a seminomadic life, dependent upon the seasons (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 10). At the beginning of the story, Henry and Lyman venture off for the summer. The brothers end up in Alaska, which symbolizes their search for new hunting ground (The Chippawas of Lake Superior p. 11). The final journey, that the boys embark on, represents Henry's return to nature. Lyman identifies Henry's feeling by stating, When everything starts changing, drying up, clearing off, you feel like your whole life is starting. Henry felt it too (Erdrich p. 467). When Henry and Lyman reach their final destination, something comes over Henry. Lyman identifies this change when he states, I think it's the old Henry (Erdrich p. 468). However, Lyman doesn't understand Henry's next move when he says, He throws off his jacket and starts springing his legs up form the knees like a fancy dancer...He's wild (Erdrich p. 468). To understand Henry's fancy dancing, the reader must be aware of the cultural ties the Chippawa have to dancing. The origin of the Chippawa dancing drum is told through an old legend (The Ojibwa Dance Drum p. 44). The legend begins with an old Indian woman, who lost her four sons

Successful Painting Arcrylics essays

Successful Painting Arcrylics essays Ching Hao once said, "There are six essentials in painting. The first is called spirit; the second , rhythm; the third, thought; the fourth, scenery; the fifth, the brush; and the last is the ink." This brings us to the three main steps to a successful acrylic painting: planning, preparing, and painting, to include all six of the essential elements. The first step to painting with acrylics is planning. Deciding what to paint is the first step of planning for most. Sometimes inspiration comes from just wanting to paint and then deciding what to paint or seeing something first and then deciding to paint it. A small minority of artists simply pick up a brush and start painting without any plan of action. Sometimes this method leads to disastrous results, but the artist usually develops a plan as they go along, eventually acquiring a subject for their piece. For the beginner though, picking a subject or scene is usually the best idea. Once an idea or subject is acquired, sketching it is the next step so that a clearer view can be attained as well as working out any problems with proportion or details. After a sketch is drawn and possible problems worked out, a workplace needs to be found. It needs to be quiet with minimal distractions and a place where there is no danger of your easel being knocked over. It is also a go od idea if it is a place that is easy to clean or doesn't matter if paint gets on the surrounding surfaces. The next main step is preparation. For this step the workplace need to be prepared, for example, plastic laid on the floor or surrounding objects that shouldn't get paint on them. The canvas size you wish to use also needs to be brought to the workplace, as well as brushes and paint. Paper towels, a water bowl and water are also necessary to have for cleaning and using different colors for the same brush. The next step is preparing the canvas. For acrylics there r ...

Schedule I & schedule II Drugs Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Schedule I & schedule II Drugs - Term Paper Example Even though heroin has been categorized as a form of painkiller, it is very dangerous especially due to its highly addictive latent. On the other hand, marijuana is derived from cannabis plant and even though it does not possess high addiction latency, it nonetheless has the highest potential of abuse. Marijuana comprises a combination of the cannabis flowers, the stems, its cannabis seeds, and the cannabis leaves. MDMA or Ecstasy is also an artificial and psychoactive stimulant drug which comes in a variety of tablets. Hence, addiction to MDMA results in over-activity of the individual body system. The three types of drugs are very precarious and can be extremely fatal (Riviello 41). Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences between Heroin, marijuana, and MMDA (ecstasy). Accordingly, with the perception of the similarities and differences, the paper will then emphasize on a single drug with a focus on why it should be changed to a Schedule II drug. In terms of classification, the three drugs are categorized as schedule I drug types based on U.S Drug Enforcement Administration and Drug Scheduling regulations (3). Hence, by branding the drugs as schedule 1, implies that they belong to the most dangerous category of drugs, which not only an elevated potential for abuse, but also presents the threat of high physical dependence and relentless psychological reliance. They are therefore not permitted for medical utilization due to their highest prospect of abuse. They have no currently authorized medical use and they are mostly used for recreational intentions and therapeutic reasons. Thus, the level of physical plus psychological abuse nationwide remains generally elevated in comparison to other prevalent drugs. In terms of legality of use, the Drug Enforcement Administration notes that marijuana, ecstasy and heroin have no legitimate medical use. In reality they cannot be prescribed by physicians or