Patrick Henry Essay -- essays research papers

Patrick Henry Patrick Henry was a great patriot. He never used his fists or guns to fight for his country, but he used a much more powerful weapon at which he held great skill: his words. Possibly the greatest orator of his time, his speeches such as "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" struck a cord in the American spirit of those who opposed oppression and tyranny. Henry was born on May 29th, 1736 in Studley, Virginia. His schooling was basic; elementary school, then trained in the classics by his father. His father, John Henry was an well-educated Scotsman who was a surveyor, colonel, and justice of the local county court. Still young, Patrick Henry first took up storekeeping in which he failed twice, and then farming which also proved unsuccessful. Despite his early struggles he then married Sara Shelton, and with the new responsibilities of marriage he took up the practice of law. He was naturally talented in the new job and soon found himself very successful. The first signs of his "oratorical genus" were shown in case in which he represented Virginia asking for a change of law that had been disallowed by King George III. After this case he was soon accepted as a member of the House of Burgesses. There he delivered another famous speech opposing the Stamp Act. After concluded this speech calls of "Treason! Treason!" rang though the hall, but Henry replied "If this be treason, make the most of it." Thus began the li...

Jazz music Essay

The origins of Jazz music can be traced back to Africa and the tribal and folk music of the local populace. The African style of performing music centered on the social interaction of tribe. Songs were created for specific occasions such as birth, marriages and deaths. Furthermore, everyone participated in the creation and performance of the music. The characteristics of the African music are reflected in jazz. Rhythm is central to the creation of African song; it involves clapping, using sticks or one’s feet to pound the ground and the general use of the body to create complex rhythms. The main instrument that was used while composing these pieces of music was the drum. A wide variety of percussion instruments made from animal skin and hollowed out gourds or wood were used to create the complex polyrhythms that would come to typify jazz music. The arrangement of the vocals in this tribal music form involved a lot of ‘call and response’ portions. The vocalist would sing a pattern or call and be followed by a chorus of voices; the response. This also found its way into jazz. Experimenting with vocal range and sounds is another characteristic of the African music form. Falsetto, note bending and different kinds of vocal manipulation were prevalent in their songs. Jazz singers displayed a similar quest for experimentation. Finally, most of this African music is composed around the pentatonic scale; a five note scale. This scale became the heart of jazz music. Jazz musicians combined the polyrhythms and the many variations of this simple five note scale to create the seemingly disorderly, yet technically challenging form of music.

Analysis Of Kurt Vonnegut s Harrison Bergeron And ...

In life, there is something called an establishment. It is what makes people do activities a specific way or perform a certain command from those who are deemed superior to them. There were two authors who provided great examples of that lifestyle. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. displayed this precisely with the limitations given to the characters in â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†. The Master Timekeeper from Repent, Harlequin! Cried the Tick-Tock Man by Harlan Ellison created the basis of having an order and leading people by the control he has over their time. Through both of these stories, they had a common struggle that wanted to change the examples they led people to mimic. They would have men who wanted to live their own lives, follow their rules, and†¦show more content†¦The Master Timekeeper wanted to use his establishment to keep the people under control with the time they use while the Harlequin wanted people to take their time doing tasks and not worry about being late, but instead, enjoy what is around them. In Harrison Bergeron, the rule of the story is that the law requires everyone to be equal. To ensure this, they gave handicaps, both physical and mental, to the citizens of the United States because they believe it will guarantee that no one would be stronger or smarter than anyone else. All of this was regulated by the United States Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers, but there was one man who seeked to rebel against these handicaps in his misson to gain control and power over everyone else. That man was none other than Harrison Bergeron, and he made it clear when he invaded the ballerina studio and exclaimed, I am the Emperor! cried Harrison. Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once! He stamped his foot and the studio shook. Even as I stand here he bellowed, crippled, hobbled, sickened - I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become! Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds. (Vonnegut) As stated, Harrison believed that he could become so much more powerful without the handicaps holding him back. It got to the point where he thought it