Jurgis Rudkus as a Dynamic Character in Upton Sinclairs...

The Jungle (1906), by Upton Sinclair, is a story mainly about the life and turmoil of a man who came to American in hopes that he will become a free, rich man with a beautiful wife, Ona, and happy family; this man is the young Jurgis Rudkus, a strong, energetic Lithuanian whose personality and life are all changed several times over the coarse of the story. MajorÂâ€" usually tragicÂâ€" events that occur in the story serve as catalysts for Jurgiss dramatic, almost upsetting, transformations. There were four major turning points in Jurgiss life: after he loses his job and is forced to work at a fertilizer mill; when he loses his wife and children; when he is incorporated into the criminal and political underworlds; and when he picks his life†¦show more content†¦[The] joy of the unbound life (215), appealed to Jurgis greatly, but his conscience was not the ‘yelling-at-you type, and so when Jurgis was wasting a large sum of money, that he had earned from two weeks of wo rk, on drinks and women, his conscience just sat in the sidelines helpless until the party was over, and it could do its job. His recent actions would have appalled the Jurgis that first came to America, with his idealistic virtues, seemingly flawless personality, and strong happy familyÂâ€" but this Jurgis was lost. In his situation, most would have lost all hope, possibly committing suicide, and would have not seen that most everyone gets a second chance, and he had to be sent to jail again to receive it. After leaving jail, Jurgis had the opportunity to become incorporated into a life of thievery, with a man he met the first time he was in jail, Jack Duane, and together the two partners robbed people of money and jewelry, and soon it bothered Jurgis not to see a man harmed after he was mugged by the pair. A month ago Jurgis had all but perished ofShow MoreRelated Upton Sinclairs Purpose in Writing The Jungle Essay1141 Words   |  5 PagesUpton Sinclairs Purpose in Writing The Jungle Upton Sinclair wrote this book for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, he tries to awaken the reader to the terrible living conditions of immigrants in the cities around the turn of the century. Chicago has the most potent examples of these conditions. Secondly, he attempts to show the advantages of socialism in helping to remedy the problems of a society such as the one that exists in Chicago at this time. Sinclair accomplishes

Essay about The Dust Bowl in John Steinbeck´s The Grapes...

John Steinbeck’s acclaimed novel, The Grapes of Wrath, embodies his generation’s horrific tragedy. John Steinbeck’s writing gives insight on the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl on thousands of families and those who helped them. While Steinbecks novel focuses on the Joads family journey, he also includes writing of the general struggle of many families at the time. In John Steinbecks novel, The Grapes of Wrath, the usage of the term â€Å"Okies† degrades the workers, while the personification of the cars help depict the struggle of the journey, to exemplify the adaptation the migrant workers had to make to survive the new life. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck separates the demographic of people with steady jobs and income from the†¦show more content†¦Along with this, the lack of jobs and the despair the families face alter their behavior, showing the raw survival instinct within. For the first time, the men who hired the Okies â€Å"saw the eyes of the hungry... [and] the flare of want in the eyes of the migrants† (Steinbeck 282). As the time progresses, the families left their old ways behind, stripping them of their morals and their identity. The unity among friends and family were lost. Instead, families became a pack of hungry wolves, hunting for jobs. Objectifying a whole group of people dehumanizes them, making the migrant workers seem like animals risking everything to stay alive. It strips the people of their past, their morals, and the importance of a human being. While the families become dehumanized, Steinbeck personifies the cars to mirror the change of the community. The usage of personification to describe the cars deepens the exhaustion and fear of the people who cross the country to California. As the families travel on the Highway 66, the caravan of cars â€Å"[limp] along 66 like wounded things, panting and struggling† with the weight of the Okies’ complications (Steinbeck 122). The cars sympathize with the migrant workers weariness during the long journey. Like many of the workers, the cars struggle to overcome obstacles, both figuratively and literally. Each time it faces an overwhelmingShow MoreRelatedWhat Influenced John Steinbeck?. What Exactly Influenced884 Words   |  4 PagesWhat influenced John Steinbeck? What exactly influenced Steinbeck’s writings? Was it his background, his past, or was it the way he grew up and learned. There are many factors that come into play when trying to depict what exactly influenced an author. A lot of people believe that he was heavily influenced by California, where he lived. As many as nine of his works were proven to be based off of some part of california life in his time. But not all of his inspiration could simply come from CaliforniaRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1190 Words   |  5 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath April 14th, 1939, John Steinbeck published the novel, The Grapes of Wrath. The novel became an immediate best seller, with selling over 428,900 copies. Steinbeck, who lived through both the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, sought to bring attention to how families of Oklahoma outdid these disasters. Steinbeck focuses on families of Oklahoma, including the Joads family, who reside on a farm. The Joad family is tested with hardship when life for them on their farm takesRead More The Pain of the Okies Exposed in The Grapes of Wrath Essay1485 Words   |  6 PagesThe Pain of the Okies Exposed in The Grapes of Wrath      Ã‚  Ã‚   The Dust bowl was an ecological and human disaster in the Southwestern Great Plains regions of the United States in the 1930s. The areas affected were Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The poor handling of the land and years of drought caused this great disaster (Jones History). During this time the Okies--a name given to the migrants that traveled from Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, or anywhere in the Southwest or the northernRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck Essay1622 Words   |  7 Pages The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck, widely viewed as one of the most finest and powerful American writer, born to a middle-class family in 1902 in the Salinas Valley of California. Steinbeck is a writer who often spoke for the people. The Grapes of Wrath is a great movie, published in 1939, filled with many universal truths and views on human nature and society, especially where class is concerned. In the article, John Steinbeck The Grapes a wrath: A Call to Action says, â€Å"Steinbeck’s novel showcasedRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath : The Great Depression1748 Words   |  7 PagesJamie LoConte Mrs. Viscosi AP Lang. Per. 4 5 April 2017 The Grapes of Wrath: The Great Depression â€Å"Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, and emerges ahead of his accomplishments† (Steinbeck). The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a classic book read by millions in high school due to its simple prose, clear symbolism, and its heartwarming story of perseverance against the odds. However, this novel is far moreRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1075 Words   |  5 PagesKirsten Lloyd Mr. Eldridge AP Junior English 21 August 2014 Grapes of Wrath â€Å"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.† (Seneca), In the 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the reader accompanies the Joad family as they struggle to escape the crippling Dust Bowl of the mid- 1930’s. In hopes of establishing a new life for themselves after being forced off their land the family embark on a journey from Oklahoma to California in search of fruitful crops and steady work alongRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1729 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Steinbeck the author of The Grapes of Wrath has a very unique styling of writing. With his style of writing the historical and creative embellishments of the Great Depression are expressed vividly. The way John Steinbeck brings out the nonfiction and the fiction points of view in his writing bring a special twist to writing in general. The way that his writing can bring out the historical and creative writing makes this one of the most intriguing reads a person could ever read. TheRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1292 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of Tom Joad, a man who leaves his home state of Oklahoma and journeys with his family to California for work during the Great Depression (Steinbeck). However, although fictional, the story hit too close to home for many Americans at the time. Some argued that the book was propaganda and exaggerated the conditions of the working class, and copies were burned in protest (â€Å"Banned Book Awareness†). In reality, Steinbeck s description of theRead MoreAnalysis Of John Steinbeck s The Grapes Of Wrath And Of Mice And Men 1433 Words   |  6 Pagesimportant things in life are love and beauty, which bring joy to the process of living. These answers are the philosophy of John Steinbeck † (Benson 555). John Steinbeck was a major American writer who has written many books, which have come to be known as classic America n stories. Examples of these classic stories are The Grapes of Wrath, The Red Pony, and Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck is worthy of the praise he has received for his contributions to American literature because he added a new genre asRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1806 Words   |  8 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck depicts the story of the fictional Joad family on their journey from Dust Bowl-plagued Oklahoma to California in search of work as well as the struggles they encounter along the way. The Dust Bowl in Oklahoma displaced many families, and these so called â€Å"Okies†faced discrimination and, in some cases, illegal mistreatment by landowners and even by government agencies such as the police. Due to the failure of federal, state, and local governments to adequately

Marijuana Subculture Free Essays

Subculture: Marijuana in the United States Fatima Alikhan ENG 122 Professor Kenneth Newton Monday May 23, 2010 The United States has an approved list of drugs that are considered legal and illegal that create adverse side effects and hold diverse political views. Marijuana is a substance that popular media holds in a negative undertone while other drugs such as valium and alcohol are supported, if not glorified. Popular media is a powerful tool that gathers a mass of people and provides all types of information. We will write a custom essay sample on Marijuana Subculture or any similar topic only for you Order Now Some types of information are historical facts, statistics, entertainment, opinions, and biases which alter the state and views of those who access it. Marijuana has had an extremely controversial political view throughout history and is considered a â€Å"gateway drug,† enabling users to pursue stronger and dangerous substances. Although marijuana includes negative side effects, statistics prove it may be far less dangerous to people and those around them compared to legalized substances with higher danger percentages. The comparison and political attitudes of marijuana throughout history of the United States is what is examined in this paper to draw awareness to readers on the bias of intolerance towards marijuana. I plan on limiting my topic selection by choosing a limit of 3 substances to compare the statistics against and only recording major milestones that changed the way people viewed marijuana throughout American history. The underlying argument in this paper would be in the form of an ultimatum: legalize marijuana or criminalize alcohol and prescription pain medicine. The American people may not know why exactly marijuana is considered illegal when neither side effects or symptoms cause fatalities or crime when contrasted against prescription pain pills that target teenagers to adults. Alcohol related accidents are also significantly higher than marijuana related stresses however it has been considered wrong, immoral, and illegal for close to a century in United States history. The media’s portrayal of marijuana in movies and television shows has always been a carefree and adventurous approach. Movies such as Half Baked, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, and Pineapple Express depict the substance as a recreational tool that can enhance the quality of life and entertainment. Television shows such as That 70’s Show demonstrate an accurate depiction of marijuana use in the 1970’s which show a group of teenagers sitting around a circle smoking marijuana, giggling, and eating. Although the 1970’s was known for heavy drug use such as cocaine, LSD, and heroin, and the government’s epic battle on the war on drugs, marijuana was considered to be a gateway drug which led to endless possibilites and dangers. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, marijuana was portrayed in negative connotations after President Nixon had declared a war on all drugs which was intended for the crack and heroin epidemic however extended itself onto marijuana as well. After the new century, the media began anti-marijuana campaign commercials that would be targeted directly towards teenagers. â€Å"Tests of sensation seeking targeting evaluated the effectiveness of targeted televised public service announcement campaigns in reducing marijuana use among high sensation-seeking adolescents,† (Palmgreen, Donohew, Lorch, Hoyle, Stephenson, 2001). This study used a controlled interrupted time-series design method to match 2 communities where one county and campaign was compared to another county and campaign. Personal interviews were conducted with 100 teenagers in a period of 32 months. The result proved the effectiveness of media towards adolescents. All 3 campaigns had reversed the trend of marijuana use. Televised campaigns that target a large group of people have an effective strategy in conveying a direct message and achieving its purpose. The message that is being portrayed however is based off of false assumptions and lack of scientific data. It is simply opinion however the message and the powerful tool of the media conveys a strong image to impose a crime on the substance. The portrayal of other legal drugs in the media such as alcohol and prescription pills is far more appealing to the human eye than marijuana. Alcohol is branded with trademarks and celebrity endorsements that promote an urban lifestyle. It conveys the message that it is chic and savvy to drink or that it can bring excitement to a social setting. Celebrities, fancy cars, sports athletes, musicians, and scantily clad women submit a message through media that drinking â€Å"their† alcohol will allow a person’s environment or self-image to be enhanced. Prescription pills on the other hand are not mentioned much in the media at all. The amount of danger and the percentage of addiction is at such a great risk for Americans however there are no repercussions taken by government or doctors. With the number of soccer moms, teenagers, and role models (athletes, etc. ) that are getting addicted to these substances, it is abnormal that the federal government hasn’t taken action towards monitoring or screening these substances as they do with marijuana. Marijuana charges for possession and distribution cost tax payers unnecessary dollars to keep law enforcement active, house non criminal inmates, and fund anti-marijuana regulations. In contrast, the percentage of income the government and private corporations receive from alcohol and prescription pills keeps skyrocketing yearly even though the damage done to people and those around them from these substances is rather substantial. The dangers and problems of both alcohol and prescriptions pills in comparison to marijuana have alarming statistics and percentages that make readers astonished as to why marijuana is illegal or why other substances are legal. Alcohol has a long history of being portrayed in media as a â€Å"relaxing† elixir after a long day at work or a method of unwinding. The role of alcohol in movies and television are false impressions of what would happen in a social setting if you were to be drinking a certain alcohol or the how much better your time would be spent if you were drinking. Commercials and advertisements use models, cars, celebrities, sports, clubs, and entertainment to promote an image or brand that alcohol brings life, love, and lust to any party however the cold hard truth is that it is far from the perception it sells. This multi-million dollar industry prides itself on a fast growing industry that has the highest percentage of users of a social drug in the United States. â€Å"We do not need the brewers’ reminder that the absolute quantity of alcohol consumed has been steadily increasing at a rate of at least 7% per annum to be aware that it remains far and away the most widely-accepted social drug in this country,† (Aud, 1981, p. 48). Prescription pills have not been much of a harmful substance until this decade. The recent increase in those prescribed with pain and given very high doses of pain medication has been astonishing. Although these substances are intended to target the pain, most pain killers given through a prescription are misused and soon become addictive. A minor toothache or certain back pain that may not require such high doses of medicine are being prescribed by doctors which is leading to numerous amounts of dangers. A local mother who is prescribed pain killers can also be accidentally distributing to her teenagers who may not need the medicine or know how to properly ingest it. The effect of alcohol and prescription pills are a deadly combination but are extremely popular among youth. The combination of both legal substances enhance the altered state of mind one would naturally get from consuming just one substance. Prescription pain killers have been the major focus study among teenagers in the past 5 years due to the availability of them compared to the frequency of its distribution now. The assumptions on health effects caused by marijuana have different results after several tests. Many may presume that marijuana causes an array of mental disorders and lack of control of the mind however, Mitch Earleywine’s research proves no such case. â€Å"In general, the drug is incapable of creating an overdose. It can exacerbate the symptoms of some mental disorders but does not appear to cause them. Data fail to show any marijuana-induced changes in brain structure, but long-term exposure to the drug alters the way the brain functions during complex tasks,† (Earleywine, 2002, p. 143). Issues such as mental illness, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, antisocial behavior are linked to the symptoms of marijuana and although it does not cause any exact disorder, it may enhance those symptoms. Marijuana is now medicinally researched to cure disorders such as insomnia, anorexia, and minor pain. Cancer patients also rely on marijuana to increase their appetite, decrease nerve pain, and combat minor pain (Goodwin, 2010). Marijuana is a substance that comes with many pretenses and opinions that may be based on scientific fact or public opinion portrayed through the media. The tests, evaluations, and studies examined in this paper provide adequate information to the reader in establishing a proper factual idea on what marijuana is, the portrayal of the substance in the media, what its effects and dangers are, and its comparison to other legalized substances that are much more harmful. Although the United States has slowly shown progress in decriminalizing marijuana and accepting the medicinal uses for it in states such as California, there is an underlying common misperception that marijuana is a substance of great danger, civil disobedience, and rebellion. References: Aud, J. (1981). Marijuana Use and Social Control. University of Illinois at Chicago. New York: Academic Press Inc. Baggins, David Sadofsky. (1998). Drug Hate and The Corruption of American Justice. University of Illinois at Chicago. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. Earleywine, Mitch. (2002). Understanding Marijuana: A new look at the scientific evidence. University of Illinois at Chicago. New York: Oxford University Press. Novak, William. (1980). High Culture: Marijuana in the Lives of Americans. University of Illinois at Chicago. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Philip Palmgreen,  Lewis Donohew,  Elizabeth Pugzles Lorch,  Rick H Hoyle,  Ã‚  Michael T Stephenson. (2001). Television campaigns and adolescent marijuana use: Tests of sensation seeking targeting. American Journal of Public Health,  91(2),  292-6. Retrieved June 12, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID:  67849612). Goodwin,  J.. (2010,  August). Smoked Marijuana May Ease Chronic Nerve Pain. U. S. News World Report,1. Retrieved June 12, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID:  2170726371). How to cite Marijuana Subculture, Essay examples

Candide Voltaires Writing Style Essay Example For Students

Candide Voltaires Writing Style Essay In Candide, Voltaire uses many writing techniques which can also be found in the works of Cervantes, Alighieri, Rabelais and Moliere. The use of the various styles and conventions shows that, despite the passage of centuries and the language differences, certain writing techniques will always be effective. One common literary technique is the authors use of one or more of his characters as his voice to speak out the authors views on a certain subject. For instance, in Molieres Tartuffe, the author uses the character of Cleante to speak out against religious hypocrites page 1419, lines 99-102: Nothing that I more cherish and admire Than honest zeal and true religious fire. So there is nothing that I find more base Than specious pietys dishonest face. In Candide, Voltaire makes use of several characters to voice his opinion mocking philosophical optimism. On page 1594, Candide is asking a gentleman about whether everything is for the best in the physical world as well as the moral universe. The man replies: I believe nothing of the sort. I find that everything goes wrong in our world; that nobody knows his place in society or his duty, what hes doing or what he ought to be doing, and that outside of mealtimes the rest of the day is spent in useless quarrels -its one unending warfare. By having this character take on such a pessimistic tone, he directly contradicts the obviously over-optimistic tone of Candide. In the conclusion page 1617 an old turk instructs Candide in the futility of needless philosophizing by saying that he work keeps us from three great evils, boredom, vice, and poverty. In each of these examples, the character chosen by the author comes across as a reasonable and respectable person, making the authors point of view seem just as reasonable and respectable. Another technique Voltaire uses in Candide is that of taking actual people and events and weaving into his work of fiction. He often does this to mock or ridicule his political and literary adversaries, as shown in the conversation between the abbe and the Parisian supper guests page 1593. The abbe mentions two critics who in Voltaires time have criticized his work. The critics are referred to as boring and impudent by the supper guests. In much the same manner Alighieri, in The Divine Comedy, has placed many of his enemies in various circles of Hell. In one instance page 797, Dante himself pushes one of his political enemies back down into the swampy waters of the river Styx. In Gargantua and Pantagruel, Rabelais mentions a series of text books which are a part of the sort of educational curriculum that he is satirizing. He ridicules their use in that it takes Gargantua so long to learn simple tasks such as memorizing the alphabet. In each of these cases, the authors are able to speak out against people or practices in a way less confrontational than public speaking, as well as state their opinion in a form where they 1 cannot be immediately contradicted. Voltarie has occasion to use the comedic style of exaggeration in Candide, such as the Barons sister refusing to marry Candides father because he can only prove seventy-one quarterings of his family tree. Later, Candide is sentenced to receive a flogging for having deserted the Bulgar army. He must make thirty-six passes through the gauntlet of two thousand troops. More outlandish examples of exaggeration can be found in Gargantua and Pantagruel, such as the size of Gargantuas mare as big as six elephants or the weight of his dumbbells each one is eight hundred and five tons. Beside being entertaining to read, these exaggerations serve to point out the ridiculousness of an ideal by showing it in a preposterous light. The format in which Candide is written closely resembles that of Cervantes Don Quixote. .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b , .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .postImageUrl , .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b , .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:hover , .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:visited , .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:active { border:0!important; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:active , .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue2d595ddc84627fc6b833ec33808e39b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Sup Natl in macbeth1 EssayIn both books, the authors have chosen to name each chapter in a descriptive style; the name of the chapter tends to be a brief description of the action that is to take place within it. Compare chapter three of Don Quixote, Of the amusing manner in which Don Quixote had himself dubbed a knight. with chapter three of Candide, How Candide Escaped from the Bulgars, and What Became of Him. Alighieri uses this method in The Divine Comedy as well, although on a much less descriptive level. Each of the cantos in his Divine Comedy has short three or four word descriptions of what happens in the canto. Many chapters in Candide end with some sort of lead-in to the next chapter, giving the book a certain feel similar to todays television serials. This method is used in Don Quixote chapter 8, but in a much more dramatic fashion. Just as Don Quixote is about to go into battle with the Biscayan, the action is abruptly halted by the narrator who describes how the original author had not finished the story, but that a second author had picked up where the first left off and the action continues in the next chapter. While Cervantes may have been poking fun at this method by useing it in such an exaggerated manner, both he and Voltaire use it effectively to keep the readers attention and make him want to read on to find out what happens next. In Candide, the story is written such that the main character and usually one or more companions have set out on a great journey filled with adventures. It is in this journey that Candides outlook on life is challenged; he is forced to become less optimistic about this world being the best of all possible worlds. Similarly, in The Divine Comedy, Dante goes on a journey as well; through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven with his guide Virgil. Through his travels he is shown the error of other mens ways, serving to remind him of his own sins and to put him back on the right path in life. In Don Quixote, the would-be knight-errant sets out with his sidekick Sancho Panza on an adventure too; determined to right wrongs and save damsels in distress. Through the harsh realities of life he eventually comes out of his insanity and sees that his way of life in his modern world is outdated and obsolete. In placing their characters in these adventures the authors demonstrate that, through experience with real-world situations, these men trying to live by some outdated or far-fetched ideal soon learn the error in their reasoning and adapt themselves to the authors way of thinking. From these examples it can be seen how Voltaire, a writer from the Enlightenment period, uses methods from writers centuries before him to effectively communicate his point to his contemporary readers. The times and issues may be quite different, but the writing style works just as well for him as it did all the way back to the twelfth century.