Life Before Her Eyes Critical Lens Essay

Annie Dillard’s “Seeing” discusses the two possible ways to properly see things and relates them to light versus darkness in nature, and upstream versus downstream of a river. The essay explains that there are two ways to see things in the world; to look for something specific, or to let go of that desire to see something. Both types of seeing are also combined with either brightness or darkness and with either upstream or downstream. Dillard has trouble seeing anything in the upstream of the river because that part of the river is always dark or cloudy. On the other hand, she can see the animals in the downstream of the river, where everything is bright and lively. The river is split in two different symbols which help show the best way that one should view nature. The downstream and the upstream of the river have unique characteristics, and Dillard also compares them to darkness and light. By using powerful imagery and diction, Dillard is able to compare the two types of seeing and explain why letting go of the desire to see is the best way to look at things.

The first technique that Graciela Iturbide learned from Manuel Bravo was the idea of waiting for a photograph. Manuel Bravo states in Eyes to Fly With, “Be patient, the best pictures come when you least expect it” (20). This is a distinguishing technique because many photographers take as many pictures as they can in a hurry. Graciela Iturbide states, “…and yet (the photographers) cannot get a photo as good as Manuel Álvarez Bravo…” (Eyes To Fly With 6). Manuel Bravo taught Iturbide the patience and joy of taking photographs. He always demonstrated patience when taking photographs. Graciela comments, “He took very few photographs, but even if he took only two shots he never got frustrated.” (Eyes To Fly With 8). Graciela also learned to

In “Lives of the Dead”, O’Brien’s own innocence is preserved through the memory of Linda, a memory that remains untarnished by the inevitable corruption that results from life. O’Brien’s writings “save Linda’s life. Not her body--her life” (236). Storytelling and memories preserve the value of Linda’s existence while simultaneously allowing O’Brien to process death and destruction in a way that maintains a degree of optimism regarding his own life and future. Juxtaposing the images of body and life emphasizes his desire to save the idea of Linda while accepting the loss of her physical presence. O’Brien rejects the idea of death as absolute and final; instead he suggests that “once you are alive, you can never be dead” (244). Linda’s death solidifies her importance in O’Brien’s own development; she teaches him about life and real love as much as in death as in life. O’Brien’s paradoxical statement defines the lasting impact of Linda on him; her presence in his stories keeps her alive through memory; memories that even her death

One may think it is unfair to try so hard to accomplish a goal, and in the end it seems that all their hard work and everything they lost paid off for nothing. David Mamet once said “…it is the human lot to try and fail...” I agree with this quotation because it cannot be truer in my own life, as well as the tragedy Antigone by Sophocles in which two tragic heroes Creon and Antigone have to endure the pain of trying and failing.  To the naked eye it may seem although Creon and Antigone are the complete opposite of one another, however Creon and Antigone are enduring the similar experiences throughout the play despite the despise they have for one another.

Change. Adaption. Strength. In Black Beauty: An Autobiography Of A Horse by Anna Sewell, Black Beauty is terribly treated and wants to be a wild horse. In The Georges And The Jewels By Jane Smiley, Abby had given up riding her new horse because her father had to sell the one horse she truly enjoyed. By examining Black Beauty and The Georges And The Jewels, it is evident that both texts use first person point of view to develop the characters.

I completely agree with you. As I was reading the essay, the first time, I found myself stopping frequently to ensure that I had a basic understanding of her words. However, the second time I read her essay, I found I had a better understanding of the meaning. Her curiosity and unique ability to see beyond the superficial experiences of life was intriguing and eye opening. It definitely motivates me to look beyond what is seen on “first

The events recounted in Anne Frank’s Diary took place during World War 11. By 1933, the strongest party in Germany had gained ultimate power with Hitler under their command. Hitler was Germany’s dictator who spread his gospel of racial hatred through politics. While poverty and unemployment were at an all time high he launched a campaign of anti-Semitism. Hitler’s main target was the Jews, claiming that they were “racially inferior.” He developed an idea of a Master Aryan Race, the need to rid Germany of “inferior people”, such as Jews and Gypsies, and the need to expand Germany’s borders. In doing this, he caused many Jews to abandoned their homes and go into total isolation. The Frank family

In some novels, women are often depicted as weak or lesser to the men that are presented with them in stories. Women are seen as depending on the man to come save her from a terrible event or a horrible situation, yet is this really what we want young girls to think of themselves? Instead of writing literature seeking to empower women, it seems like the authors of today and of the past have perpetuated the many stereotypes about women that we see today. One of these novels that can be seen as encouraging these stereotypes is When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park. While this novel is historical fiction and has the feature of telling the story through two narrator – Sun-hee

Imagine a wife and husband being married for 44 years and having one of them not remember who the other is, or their past life together. The film Away From Her (Egoyan, et al., 2006) shows viewers how the disease can greatly impact your life, and how quickly it can form. The film was based off of a short story “The Bear Came over the Mountain” by Alice Munro (Munro, 2013). In both works, the author and the director portray a significant struggle between a husband and wife dealing with Alzheimer’s.

"‘Good morning, dear Miss Tesman. What an early hour to call. So kind of you." Says Hedda./ ‘No, really not, thank you. I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need. I must see about getting back home. My poor dear sister will be waiting for me,' says Miss Tesman to Hedda./ Be sure to give her my love, won't you? Tell her I'll run over to see her later today, says Tesman to Miss Tesman'"

The project suggests a new typology of the hotel that addresses an alternative for the social situation in Doha. In general, typical hotels tend to conceal the service programs; the service programs and staffs are hidden in the basement, being removed out of the public vision and called “back of the house,” while the hotels are inclined to expose the rooms by deploying them on the front side of the facade. It is undeniable fact that the conventional typology has been working well all the while, however Doha has somewhat atypical context, consequently it calls for an exceptional architectural approach; Doha has been undergoing rapid growth in the hotel industry where numerous local residents are being engaged in the industry as hotel staffs. Moreover, Doha has extremely hot and humid weather. Therefore, the project proposes to reverse the tradition, drawing a question about the essence of the hotel (figure 1). To be specific, spaces and infrastructure for service are disposed in the perimeter to reveal the fundamental aspect of the hotel as such the inner organs become skin, conducting the whole metabolism of the body (figure 2). By doing so, the back stage becomes the main stage that shows the system of the hotel which is the heart and soul of the hotel. This logic is materialized in three points: programs, structure and tectonics, and the material properties.

Hi my, name is Sheila I’m 26 now and I’m writing a letter to Torey, and how she helped me through the tough times and changed me. When I first got into Torey's class I was scared, and shy. Torey welcomed me into the class, even after my past she held me when all the other kids made fun of my smell. Torey would take me into the bathroom and wash me and clean my clothes so that the kids wouldn't make fun of me anymore. I didn't want Torey to leave me like my mama did with Jimmie.

John Lee Hancock’s film, The Blind Side, is an absolutely must see. The Blind Side, is a semi biographical movie that is based on the life of a football player named Michael Oher. The film was produced in 2009 by the Warner Bros. Production Company. The movie exemplifies the works of talented actors and actresses, some of whom are familiar and others that are new to the acting world. The names of the Main characters are as follows: Sandra Bullock, who plays the role of Mrs.Tuohy, Tim McGraw, who portrays Mr.Tuohy, and new comer Quinton Aaron, who plays the lead as Michael Oher. Even though, the film seems to be over exaggerated cliché, it excels tremendously in acting, setting, and encouraging and inspirational relationships. For these

The artwork displayed at LACMA has been significantly influencing and very touching, the different photograph has very different themes and symbolism. It so amazing how full people’s minds can be in inventing and interpreting such pieces of artwork. Pictures I have viewed have been impacting and touching at some point; I could relate to some of the ideas when it comes to the meaning of a photograph. It’s truly unbelievable how a photograph can be viewed very differently by different individuals, and the relationship that can be established when relating to these images. I picked the most shots that I felt can be touching especially that they had an impact on how I viewed some ideologies myself.

Lilly Looking Through introduces us to Lilly, a charming young girl with a bit of a predicament. Her brother, Row, managed to get himself entangled in what appears to be a magical red scarf which whisked him away to parts unknown. Lilly immediately sets out to rescue her sibling and while there are numerous obstacles in her way she does have a rather special set of goggles to help her out.