Past Essays

The past is something that can never truly be forgotten. A person’s past can shape who they are in the present and can be a large influence on how they behave and interact with others. Whether it’s a past of happiness or a past of hardships, there is no denying that the past cannot merely be left behind. In Beloved, Sethe’s past as a slave affects her relationships with others and influences her actions throughout the story, showing how she struggles to confront her past, and how she must accept

The idea of being trapped in the past in The Great Gatsby Thinking about the past is something that many people do at some time in their life, but some people are more given to it than others. Time works differently for Gatsby in the novel "The Great Gatsby ", written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. An example of being imprisoned in the past can be found in the character Jay Gatsby. He doesn't have deep thoughts about his past occurrences but instead has a strong desire to return to them. The majority

browser. However, even though we have all the information we can get from the past, why is that we still make the mistakes that were previously made years ago. In the book, The Giver, by Lois Lowry, the “past” plays a crucial role in the book, but how does our “past” play a role in our society. That is the question to be answered.

future if they run from their past. In two different books this is the outcome of running. Although some might disagree, running from one's past can change one’s future. Some say that running from the past will never change the future. They say their past will always follow them. In John Steinbeck’s book, Of Mice and Men, he tells a story about two guys named George and Lennie. In the book Lennie and George try to run to get away from what Lennie did in the past but his habits still follow

Recapturing the past is a universal desire that has captivated humans for centuries. Whether it’s reminiscing one’s childhood, immersing oneself in history, or wishing for a redo, people have always been drawn to the idea of recapturing the past. Perhaps this is because the past represents a simpler time, a time when life seemed more manageable and less chaotic? F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel, The Great Gatsby, discloses the consequences of being enthralled by the past as many are falsely led

and now” or the “past and the present”. A popular one, said by George Orwell, is “he who controls the past controls the future” (Orwell). Through this quote, it is being said that timeless messages from the past will impact the future. Similarly, this saying relates to the powerful idea that recollections from the past and modern allusions to these ideas come together as one through shared central ideas, in literature. It is also important that literary works from the past send timeless messages

Jones Ms. Gourd Pre-AP 10th ELA March 30, 2018 A Clutching Past Imagine having a secret that is confidential, so confidential that just 15 years prior, this secret would have resulted in death if surfaced. The book Margot by Jillian Cantor depicts this scenario. Once Margot Frank in a past life, Margie Franklin has accumulated a seemingly simple American life in Philadelphia during post World War II. Now a “Christian”, Margie hides her past through her lies. Flashbacks of the Holocaust haunt her,

The past can have a high impact on someone’s life whether it’s positive or negative. In The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, the character Berniece has an unhealthy relationship with her family’s past and the legacy of slavery. Due to her ignoring it, the past haunts her. In the end, she learns that you must accept and honor the past to find peace with it. Bernience owns a piano which holds intense value to her family and their past. Berniece's brother, Boy Willie, wants to profit off of the piano

that "A man cannot free himself from the past more easily than he can from his own body." Our lives are governed by our past. What we once did, what we once accomplished, and what we once could call our own. As we look back at these past memories we realize the impact these events hold in our present lives. The future relationships we’ll build, the life we live in the future, and our happiness are all impacted by the events in the past. These effects of the past on our future are descried in the play

good future, It is best to look at the past, because the past shows what went wrong, as well as what went right. In a story written by an iconic writer, William Shakespeare, in his most renowned play, Romeo and Juliet; This theme of the future shows up quite a bit going up against the past; This theme is shown throughout the play, through emotions, the bonds of characters, and most importantly in the conflicts. Meaning that with all of the times future versus past is brought up, it can definitely be

the uncertainty of the past can be quite different. While some people strive to let go of the past and move on, others obsess over it and attempt to recreate it in the present. While some people choose to confront their past and try to learn from it, others choose to avoid it entirely. People dealing with their previous issues is a highly personal and intricate process that can have a huge impact on their present and future. F. Scott Fitzgerald examines the theme of the past and its influence on the

When it comes to the representation of the past, historians are faced with a clear absence of a proper methodology. How must one analyse the past, medieval or otherwise in a videogame? The main issue for historians lies between the diverse criteria used by a historian and a game designer. The historian’s task is the construction of the past using historical sources, from which he produces a factual historical narratives for his intended audience, while conforms to strict academic standards. For the

who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Studying history is necessary for people to avoid making the same mistakes. Whether it is about a country’s glory or personal misfortune. Analyzing the past provides valuable lessons for people. They can draw wisdom and adjust their present behaviors. In the memoir, The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother, James McBride illustrates this concept when he questions his mother Ruth about her past. At the beginning of The

future better than the history of the past.” This quote can be taken much deeper, with the understanding that the past is just that, history. Of course history still affects the future today, but people focus more on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. In Sandra Cisneros’ “The House on Mango Street” the author illustrates the idea, using her family members’ past, other residents of Mango Street, and Esperanza discovering who she is, that while the past can make up parts of a person, it does

The past is a time that is no longer happening and one can never go back to it. Maybe one can remember the past, but it can never be relived. Trying to relive the past can really mess with one’s head; as one starts reminiscing and if it gets to the extremes, one can become quite obsessive. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the theme of hope and seeking an unattainable dream is constantly recognized throughout the novel, the leading character Jay Gatsby is trying to recreate the

Some may say the past is in the past, and to cherish the memories you once created. Others may say it is impossible to relive the past. However, I, Jay Gatsby, believe that it is possible to recreate the past. Things and people can get lost in the past, and the only way to retrieve them is by recreating what once was. I refuse to let the people and things I love get lost in the past, which is why an active goal of mine is to successfully recreate the past, to fulfill my ultimate goal of being with

A person’s past shapes their identity and affects every part of them, including their name. Our previous experiences define us and make us who we are today. Toni Morrison demonstrates this point in her book Beloved. Throughout the book, we are told the stories of characters who are defined by their deplorable past. Sethe, Denver, and Baby Suggs are exemplifications of how their pasts have changed who they are. Their names are not only their identification, but a symbol of their past. Through this

In the article Half-Measures Won’t Erase the Painful Past of Our Monuments, by Holland Cotter, cotter describes the connotations of historical monuments from the past and how it impacts the present by using rhetorical choices such as ethos, pathos, and a neutral tone, to relate to those who have been impacted by the history and to spread more awareness about their history. The government’s actions on whether the monuments convey a positive or negative messages, is not satisfying, which is related

24 March 2023 Haunted by the Past or Hopeful for the Future Oxford dictionaries definition of nostalgia is a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations. Every time you recall a memory having a feeling of nostalgia, the more distorted it becomes. When someone is nostalgic and constantly remembering events that occurred in their lives, they are virtually creating a fabricated, fairytale past. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel

Life is not solely about being in the moment, it is about accepting your past, moving on and looking towards the future when the world is turning the wrong way for your life. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, represents moving on away from the past without entirely blocking it out, but instead living it up. What are the consequences of dwelling in the past? Is it a difficultly reaching the future? Or is it merely just being held back from living your life to the fullest? Could it possibly