ipl-logo

Everything Salvage And Everything Burned Analysis

1225 Words5 Pages

In the story “Everything Ravaged and Everything Burned” by Wells Tower we see a Viking named Harald living a life that we would expect from the legends and stories of our childhoods. Dragons fly off with sheep and tough Vikings go on voyages to destroy towns. But there is something different about Harald. Everything that his fellow Vikings do seems to upset him or contradict his own views. Throughout these events Harald develops a detachment to his fellow tribesmen as his thoughts describe those of disgust and annoyance. He is put in situations where his personality and desires do not reflect what he should be doing. However social pressure deems otherwise. In order to be part of the tribe, Harald must accept these tasks he loathes so much. …show more content…

But he noticed that the winds changed and dragons were showing up, something that does not look good for a peaceful time watching the sunsets. Harald begins to describe this man, Djarf, as “a fool for warfare” and having a terrific appetite for action (Tower 220). He then continues to describe in horrific details the deeds of which Djarf had committed. Coming from a Viking this seems very out of place and unfortunately for him it is. Harald describes the love that he and Pila share for one another, and when he left on these voyages, how that relationship would deteriorate. He alludes to the fact that he wants to build a family, something hard to do when you are constantly on the move rioting from village to village. But social dictations say otherwise for the Vikings. He said, “Sure, I could have told him thanks anyway, but once you back down from one job, you’re lucky if they even let you put in for a flat-fee trade escort”. (223) The environment in which he lives is not a place for peacemakers and family-men. One wrong move could cause pain for the rest of his life. Harald would be shunned by his neighbors, be refused services offered to others in the tribe, be subject to unfair trade,

Show More
Related

  • Similarities Between Hamilton And Beowulf

    588 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lin Manuel Miranda, American author, actor, playwright, and composer, is best known for his most recent Broadway musical, Hamilton: An American Musical, which follows the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton, one of the United States of America’s “Founding Fathers”. In this musical, Hamilton introduces himself by saying, “...There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait. Just you wait” (Miranda). And while this is true of Hamilton, it is also true of Beowulf, the Geat thane who became king after defeating the monsters that plagued the Land of the Danes.

    Read More

  • Laxardal Saga Character Analysis

    751 Words  | 4 Pages

    We’re first introduced to the complex nature of Icelandic culture with its relationship with Norway. Ketil Flat-Nose and his children plan to leave Norway to escape oppression of Harald Fairhair while explaining how they should “expect little friendship from that direction,” relating to the dominative Harald. Then, explained that they, as a country, have two choices: “to flee the country or to be killed off, one by one, referring to the current conversion state. After deciding to flee the country, Ketil, along with his two sons Bjorn and

    Read More

  • Viking Ship Burial Research Paper

    370 Words  | 2 Pages

    Also found was a whetstone from Norway, a bronze ring pin from Ireland, the tip of a bronze drinking horn and Viking pottery. The Viking was a male who had travelled often as shown by the wide origin of his possessions. He would have had a high status in his community, such as chieftain, as ship burials were only reserved for people of a high status.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Pride In Beowulf

    551 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Beowulf, an Anglo-Saxon poem, written about a hero named Beowulf who aids the King of Danes to battle monsters. With his powerful strength, he was able to slay Grendel and Grendel’s mother. However, in his last journey, fifty years later, to battle the dragon, he succeeds but dies in the process. Throughout the whole poem, it is apparent that one important theme present is the display of pride and strength of the people in that society at the time. One of the first displays of pride and strengths in Beowulf can be seen in the first battle with Grendel.

    Read More

  • Vikings Burial

    549 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the final analysis, the Vikings could be considered as destructive and violent due to the circumstances they caused. Having said that, their historical and geographical condition, lifestyle, culture, societal norms were different and the motive was definitely not their brutal or devastating nature but the requirement of their time and

    Read More

  • Comparing Beowulf And Unferth

    1021 Words  | 5 Pages

    “You’re Beowulf, are you – the same boastful fool who fought a swimming match with Brecca and lost” said Unferth within lines 239-24. Beowulf knew that he could handle the demon, but Unferth was furious because he felt as if the Danes people and himself, could fight their own battles. He felt as if it made his people look bad, because they needed help from an outside hero. I feel as if in that same way some people around our school look at someone and just think they aren’t what or who they say they are. During football season, some of the guys that I thought were my friends would talk about how I wasn’t any good or couldn’t save the team from a big play at any given moment.

    Read More

  • Revenge And Blood Justice In Beowulf

    331 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Anglo-Saxon community must be defined by revenge and blood justice. In Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, every character in the poem bears vengeful actions. The Finnsburg episode clearly illustrates how blood justice can be complicated and confusing. Hildeburh, a Dane, mother and the widow of Frisians, is confused as to which side to be loyal to after losing brother, son, and husband in war. Later, Hildeburh is carried back to Denmark because she is unable to make a decision, but has to return to her home.

    Read More

  • Olaf's Fighting Tactics: The Adventures Of Olaf

    179 Words  | 1 Pages

    Olaf’s own fighting tactics demonstrates how he refuses to accept tradition. Each of his techniques is almost a slap in the face to the old guard. Near the conclusion, it’s evident that neither the old style nor Olaf’s innovative style is sufficient by themselves to defeat the Vikings’ enemies, who are constantly

    Read More

  • Masculine Ideals In Beowulf

    650 Words  | 3 Pages

    The legend begins with an intricate history of the Danes’ leadership, showing the high regard the Anglo-Saxons had for their rulers. One of the kings, Shield Sheafson was a “scourge of many tribes” and “a wrecker of

    Read More

  • Leonard Clough: A Short Story

    937 Words  | 4 Pages

    Those whom he expected to the most welcoming were not. He had reached an all time low. He dreamed of a life in which he was wanted and perhaps even

    Read More

  • Short And Long Term Impact Of Viking Expansion Essay

    551 Words  | 3 Pages

    Viking expansion in the early 8th to the late 11th century caused significant short and long-term impacts on Europe. One short-term impact of Viking expansion was the bloody raids that took place, allowing trade routes to be set up which distributed money through Europe,, the long-term impact of Norse words and their integration into modern-day languages, and the shipping technology that grant insight into aqua dynamics and allowed the evolution of the boat and for Vikings to travel quickly around vast bodies of water. Through our knowledge of Viking expansion, it is clear that they have had both short and long term impacts on Europe. A major short-term impact of Viking expansion was an increase in raiding and trading within Europe.

    Read More

  • Essay On Grendel As A Monster In Beowulf

    637 Words  | 3 Pages

    To heighten the conflict between Grendel and religion, Grendel is described as “forever opposing the Lord’s will” (Heaney 28-29). In Anglo Saxon Culture, every aspect of society is focused around God. To be anti-religious is to go against all aspects of their society. Grendel is almost a physical manifestation of the devil, and nothing is able to “quench his lust for evil” (Heaney 52-53). The parallel between Grendel and one of the seven deadly sins strengthens his connection to sins against God, and thus more monstrous toward the Danes.

    Read More

  • Leif Erikson's Guilty Of Second Degree Murder

    249 Words  | 1 Pages

    So, this is the beginning of his life now let’s get into his later life. Leif Erikson is guilty of Second Degree Murder by the evidence that is going to be shared with you guys. So, Leif Erikson was kicked out of Iceland. Leif Erikson also starved his crew on the voyage when he found the new land. When he got to his new land he chopped down the trees to get the wood to build build a house and a fire but the natives thought it was their

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Odysseus

    1234 Words  | 5 Pages

    Beowulf is part of another tribe and is willingly offering to help the Danes. This shows that providing protection and safety to the people, even those of another

    Read More

  • Roles Of Men And Women In Viking Society

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    Viking society, like many other ancient societies, had a very complex set of roles for males and females. Males were sought after for their skills, while females were objects of desire for the males. Both men and women had their roles in society; however, these roles usually positively favored the militaristic man instead of the “weak” woman. When one thinks of roles in Viking society they automatically think of the roles men played, but women also played many important roles.

    Read More

More about Everything Salvage And Everything Burned Analysis

Open Document