Li Bo's Drinking Alone Under The Moon

The experience of darkness is both individual and universal. Within Emily Dickinson’s “We grow accustomed to the Dark” and Robert Frost’s “Acquainted with the Night,” the speakers engage in an understanding of darkness and night as much greater than themselves. Every individual has an experience of the isolation of the night, as chronicled in Frost’s poem, yet it is a global experience that everyone must face, on which Dickinson’s poem elaborates. Through the use of rhythm, point of view, imagery, and mood, each poet makes clear the fact that there is no single darkness that is too difficult to overcome.

The first reference to the moon in seen in Chapter 1. “‘We must strive to be like the moon’ an old man in Kabati repeated” (29). Beah often heard the old man say this phrase. However, he did not understand what the old man meant. When he presented the quote to his grandmother, she tried to explain it to young Beah. “I remember asking my grandmother what the old man meant. She explained that the adage served to remind people to always be on their best behavior and to be good to others… But, she said, no one grumbles when the moon shines. Everyone becomes happy and appreciates the moon in their own special way” (29). The moon symbolizes happiness. When the moon is shining, no one is sad. The moon brings happiness and joy it all those who witness it. It is a reminds that a person

Alcohol helps people remove their barriers; lose their inhibitions, and form friendships, relationships, and acts as a social lubricant. In Australia many business deals have been conducted over a drink or two.

The reader can easily view that the couple is merely just passing time. However, several references could lead the reader to believe that the alcohol consumption is a panacea for the couple. In the opening paragraph, the couple is getting off the train. They wanted to get something to drink. The couple could have had any beverage to drink but the man suggested they drink beer and then he emphasized "big" ones. This was an indication that the couple was dealing with something serious. In paragraph 87 when the girl did not want to talk anymore, she then asked if they could have another beer (Stanford 841). It is human nature to avoid problems, as this couple is doing. Why do people drink? People develop dependencies, to cope with troubles. In relation to Hemingway, he was among the many literary writers who were alcoholics. He even said, "That all good writers are drinking writers" (Benedictus). Looking at the circumstances when Hemingway wrote the story, he was very depressed. He became so emotionally depressed he vowed to kill himself by Christmas if his love affair had not settled (Baker 176). He faced guilt for divorcing Hadley. He also faced criticism and rejection from his parents. They did not grant approval to his literary works. Hemingway's mother had even referred to one of his works as, "One of the filthiest books of the

Quote 2: “Look above you, at the stars and moon. How do the stars keep their place in the sky, how does the moon rotate around the

Men who when stark sober could “let themselves go”, men who were in dread of convention, were utterly different beings when they drank. For alcohol made most men bold. Most timid men like the feeling of boldness (Anonymous 122). As depicted in both stories, alcohol can be used as a tool to help people break out of their shell and discover traits that they never knew existed.

It is a melancholy object to those who often frequent the bars in this great country to see those who do not currently share in their fortunate state of being. They are usually alone, observing those around them with great envy, holding the car keys, but worst of all, sober. It is the inopportune being who is unluckily chosen to be the designated driver for the evening. It is always

Alcohol became another common theme of Li Po's poetry. "Scholar Tan-ch'iu! Bring the wine and no delay! For you I'll sing a song- be pleased to bend your ears and hear; bells and drums, foods rare as jade- these aren't worth prizing; all I ask is to be drunk forever, never to sober up!" This excerpt from the poem "Bring the Wine", is only one of the many hundreds of poems that portrays Li Po's love of wine and its affects. "I take my wine jug out among the flowers to drink alone, without friends. I raise my cup to entice the moon. That, and my shadow, makes us three", is an excerpt from his "Drinking Alone" poem. It displays his love of wine and the enjoyment of the beauty of the moon.

Similar to Thoreau, McCandless does not associate being in solitude to being lonesome. Throughout his journey, McCandless avoids forming close bonds with others because it distracts him from his final goal of independence and transcendentalism. This lack of intimate relationships frees McCandless as seen through the journal entry he wrote before walking into the Alaskan Bush. He writes proudly that for two years he has roamed with no company and no comforts. He calls it, “Ultimate freedom” (Krakauer 163). The fact that he considers it more of a freedom than a loss to live in solidarity shows that like Thoreau, McCandless does not feel lonely when he is alone. According to his sister, Carine, even when he was younger, he was fine with being alone. She said that although he had friends, he could easily entertain himself and never seemed lonely when he was alone. Another instance in which McCandless’s dissociation of solitude and loneliness shows is in a letter he writes to Ron Franz, a man he met near Salton City. In this letter, he tells Franz to step outside his comfort zone and live a more adventurous life. Towards the end of the letter, he states, “You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships,” (Krakauer 57). This approach is how he is not lonely in solitude; he is capable of finding joy in things other than human contact.

In my whole life / I have never seen mead enjoyed more / in any hall on earth” (2014-2016). He continues to emphasis joy and bonding he finds in drinking again when describing Heorot. Beowulf states that “Inside Heorot / there was nothing but friendship” (1016-1017) after the men “fell to with relish; [and] round upon round / of mead was passed” (1013-1014). While it is possible that these friendships would exist without the use of alcohol “alcohol serves as a bonding agent…lubricating social interaction and creating commonality” (Black 131). The above-mentioned ritual and social drinking within the poem help cultivate a strong sense of community.

On first observing the moon, he is loaded with wonderment and gives him an impression of joy. Likewise, he was enchanted by the lovely tune of the birds.

However before the moon was described as bringing light into the child’s room. This contrast perhaps highlights the negative emotions that everyone must ‘carry’, despite the positive, good emotions, creating a balance. Also, by describing the moon as a traveller highlights the potentially infrequent ‘visits’ of the child’s mother, in contrast to most mothers who are a constant part of their child’s life.

Synopsis “The Girl Who Drank the Moon” by Kelly Regan Barnhill is an intriguing book about a young girl, named Luna, who becomes enmagicked at a young age. The story starts off in the Protectorate, a dismal and sorrowful town on the other side of the perilous forest. Every year, come The Day of Sacrifice, the people of the Protectorate were forced to sacrifice the youngest infant among them to the evil witch. Moreover, according to centennial stories, if they did not sacrifice a child, the evil witch would destroy them all with no mercy.

The Dark Side Of The Moon is a very thematically interesting album. The album not only follows the story of a child growing into adult hood but half way through it changes into this narrative on where a person should place their values in society. In the song “Speak To Me/Breathe” there is a quote that says: “Breathe, breathe in the air. Don 't be afraid to care. Leave but don 't leave me.” From the song it seems as though an older man is talking to a child telling him to cherish his youthfulness. The part of the quote in which it says “Breath, breathe in the air,” seems as though the child has just been born into the world and the man talking is possibly his father. Then when he says “Don’t be afraid to care. Leave but don’t leave me,” makes one

The alcohol plays an important role in enhancing the enjoyment and quality of life, for instance, they could create the human relations easily, can facilitate relaxation, can benefit your health if drink in moderation, and increase the pleasure of eating.