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Comparing A Mercy And Steinbeck's Travels With Charley

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Although Morisson’s A Mercy and Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley are very different books, they both tell the reader about American identity and what it means to be American. One of the arguments that Steinbeck makes about what it means to be an American is being politically active/informed. The United States is known for its democracy and the right to vote is something that Americans take for granted, but it is a big part of who we are as a nation. Steinbeck (as a Democrat) wrote about the fights that he would have with his Republican sisters and he observed, “…I don’t think we were the only ones. I believe this was going on all over the country in private” (Steinbeck 152). Being able to debate and use the freedom of speech is essential to …show more content…

After speaking to people who lived in a mobile home he concluded, “Could it be that Americans are a restless people, a mobile people, never satisfied with where they are as a matter of selection?” (Steinbeck 80). Steinbeck believed that as a result of being a country of immigrants, never wanting to settle down permanently is in our blood. Another interesting thing that Travels with Charley says about being American is kindness. Nearly everywhere Steinbeck traveled to he met strangers who were willing to help him to the best of their abilities. There are countless examples of this, from the vet who cured Charley to the cop in New York City who helped him find his way home. When a man went above and beyond to get Rocinante fixed quickly Steinbeck wrote, “And if ever my faith in the essential saintliness of humans becomes tattered, I shall think of that evil-looking man” (Steinbeck 142). Along his trip, Steinbeck met many kind and helpful people who showed him how generous Americans are. These are just three of the many traits that Steinbeck found consistent in all of the Americans that he

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Throughout history, authors utilize the written word to either expose grievous faults within society or celebrate the feats of society. John Steinbeck is certainly no exception as he has constructed many pieces which serve to enlighten the audience on the accomplishments and faults of society. The novel, The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck attempts to expose faults within society which include prejudice and the overwhelming desire for greed. He does so through his use of allusions, diction, and characterization. John Steinbeck in the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, attempts to expose one of society’s most detrimental flaws--prejudice through the use of repetition and characterization.

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Community, so close to Steinbeck’s heart, is exaggerated in every possible way in this novel. In an eloquent way, he molds the reader’s hearts to believe that a communal soul (or oversoul) is best for the people as well. Truly, the language and rhetoric applied in order to encourage this philosophy is unlike any other writing by Steinbeck, or any other socialist writer for that

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Lord have Mercy on Your Soul “Nonetheless, many [people] still live in fear that they'll have no control over pain and suffering in the face of death” (Lynch). This exemplified John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Lennie, who has a mental disability, is mercy killed by his partner and friend, George. George took it upon himself to take Lennie’s life, and he did it out of a sense of companionship and friendship to spare him from what Curley might have forced upon Lennie. George decided to end his best friend’s life in order to prevent him from being tortured, and this is because he killed Curley’s wife.

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The freedom of speech is important because it gives us the ability to express our thoughts and opinions. (Cite) Magazine editor, Rachael Jolley said, “ Free speech has always been important throughout history because it had been used to fight for change. When we talk about rights today they would not have been achieved without free speech. Think about a time from the past-women not being able to vote, or the terrible working conditions in the mines- free speech is important as it has helped change these things.” Most people take the freedom of speech for granted because they do not realize how privileged we are to have

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For example, both writers express ardent support for a simple, limited kind of government based only on individuals’ needs. Steinbeck describes how the families develop a “world” built with “their hearts and their brains,” meaning that the camp’s government depends on the will of each member (Steinbeck 267). In other words, their government is formed by the migrants and for the migrants, such that the makeshift state exists only to serve its people. This parallels Thoreau’s belief that a government’s power derives solely from the community that it governs. For it to be honorable and just, it should have “no pure right over [any] person or property but what [he or she] concede[s] to it” (Thoreau 14).

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He claims to, “Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it” (Thoreau). He also states, “This American government...has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will” (Thoreau). Through these quotes, Thoreau expresses how he believes that men should be vocal enough to demand the type of government that would best support them. He also stresses how powerful the people and their influence are in regards to altering the government, whereas Steinbeck explained a circumstance where the people had to conform and change themselves in order to

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Steinbeck illustrates the hopefulness found in a harsh reality and

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Steinbeck aims to demonstrate the advantages of

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John Steinbeck describes a world where the American Dream is simple, but hard to achieve. John gives us a character name Lennie, who is portrayed as a villain. Steinbeck painted a spine chilling portrait of American in the 1930s. Steinbeck divulges that sometimes we can't control oneself. We aren't doing these things out of malice.

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I feel like without this freedom, there would be much anger among the people. This would cause more trouble in the country also. Second, freedom of speech is important because we can express our individuality. With our opinions, we can give others ideas, and maybe change their opinions.

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Perhaps his memories of home have been romanticized in his memories which makes it increasingly difficult for him to accept that the city is continually changing. In this chapter Steinbeck uses historical and biblical allusions as well as diction to appeal to the audience's emotions or pathos and to convey his feelings towards an unyielding acceptance of

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A large number of gene-related diseases have been treated and even cured due to the advances in gene therapy. Within a short period of time, gene therapy has transferred from the conceptual stage of development to clinical trials that actually test patients of deadly diseases. Severe Combined Immune Deficiency is one deadly disease that scientist have began treating with gene therapy. Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, also known as ACA-SCID, is where affected individuals are born without an effective immune system. Investigators in Italy first found a cure or a long-term correction of the deadly genetic disorder.

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In John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley, he used a tone that drew people in as a reader. Steinbeck is a humorous person portraying his sense of humor with, at most times, a sense of seriousness. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck used his humor to create a comical and entertaining tone. Steinbeck shows his comical side in many ways, especially when he is talking about his poodle, Charley. He somewhat makes Charley seem human when he says, "A wealth of combed and clipped mustache gave him the appearance and attitude of a French rake of the nineteenth century"(Steinbeck 124).

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The fact that one has the right to say and believe is the foundation for democracy to function. If no one dared to say their opinions, then it had become a dictatorship where only one opinion on how society and the country should work had been the “right”. If people dared to express their opinions, they will help improving the society one lives. Freedom of speech gives one the responsibility to consider what fits into different contexts, and it will make us better persons and people. Simply, people will feel safe in the society they live in.

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As human beings, we are all born with an entitlement of freedom of speech or synonymously known as freedom of expression as it is a basic human right. It is stated in the Federal Constitution and it is important for us human beings to protect our rights to freedom of speech and expression as it is the backbone for a democratic society. Having the right to express oneself freely without any restrictions is an essential part of what it means to be a free human being. Article 10 in the Federal Constitution states that; (a) every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression; (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; (c) all citizens have the right to form associations.

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