Interpretation of Robert Brownings My Last Duchess :: essays research papers

I read a critical article on Robert Browning’s â€Å"My Last Duchess†. I confess it was harder to find something in the NCLC’s than I would’ve thought. There was a considerable accumulation of critiques on Browning’s work, but very little on â€Å"My Last Duchess†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The article I found concentrated mostly on the Duke in the poem, and our reactions to him, stating that â€Å"[t]he utter outrageousness of the Duke’s behavior makes condemnation the least interesting response†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The title of the article was â€Å"Sympathy versus Judgment†. Some of its points are that the Duke controls the entire poem, that it being a monologue was significant, and that he is almost easy to sympathize with and like. The article discusses Ferarra’s nature and his self-involvement which allows the goodness of the Duchess to â€Å"shine through the Duke’s utterance.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It goes on to speak about sympathy in general and how Browning â€Å"delighted in making a case for the apparently immoral position†, how he found dramatic monologues the best form to do so, and how he went about it.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It keeps going for a couple more pages on things which I will not go into because they have little relevance to any interpretation of â€Å"My Last Duchess†. The article as it pertained to my poem was fine; I wish I could have found one which went into more depth as opposed to just discussing immoral characters and our empathy for them. I didn’t particularly care for the lawyerly torrent of words that were used, either. I am not ignorant and appreciate the need for words of longer than two syllables when discussing literature (or anything more serious than an episode of â€Å"Friends†, in fact), but I found it more difficult than usual to get through this article. I found it unconscionably wordy and it felt at times as though he was just stringing fancy words together because they looked all important lined up. However, that’s just my opinion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I was gratified to see that this critic agreed with my interpretation of the Duchess’s demise, viz., the Duke had her murdered. The theory advanced by my brilliant and magnificent Professor had been that the Duke gave her so many orders and restrictions that she pined away. I had been looking at his famous line â€Å"And I choose/never to stoop.† He married her for her beauty but would never lower himself to tell her when she angered him.

Causes of World War One Essay

On Sunday 28th June, 1914 Franz Ferdinand, and his wife, were assassinated part of a Serbian Terrorist Group, called the Black Hand. This event and the tension between Europe was a trigger that set off declarations of war and resulted in the â€Å"Great War†. Tensions had been building up in Europe for decades through Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, and Alliances, and these tensions had reach such a point that an event was needed to break these tensions. This was the assassination of the Archduke. Therefore the assassination and alliances were causes of World War One. Australia was involved in the war because of the fact that it was part of the British Empire therefore having duties towards Britain, and also growing patriotic support for the mother country. This patriotism was a main factor in deciding Australia’s fate in World War One. In 1914, when Britain declared war, it also declared war on behalf of the British Empire. Being a part of the British Empire, it was Australia’s duty to assist Britain in the war, and to assist Britain’s Allies. Due to the large loyalty existing in Australia towards the mother country, the decision, by the current time Prime Minister Joseph Cook, to send Australia against war with Germany and Austria, was met with spontaneous outpouring of patriotism. Thousands of mean came to enlist in the army, men and boys were eager to fight in the war, and tackle the great adventure of war. Few communities were against Australia joining the war. It was an opportunity for Australia to could demonstrate its loyalty, believing Australia would turn into a nation, and prove its strength as a nation. It was also a chance to develop Australia’s rank in the world and to be a part of the high-power nations. The assassination was the trigger, for what were causes of tensions brooding in Europe. Once the trigger occurred; Imperialism, Nationalism, Militarism and Alliances all played there part in shaping one of the world most devastating Wars. The assassination triggered countries to go to war, and then allies to go to war, and then colonies to go to war, such as the British Empire sending Australia to war and then result in jealousies between countries through imperialism and nationalism, Germany feeling that Russia and Britain had colonized to many countries and that it had a upper ight hand, with people from various countries feeling that their country is the best and therefore should there power through such things as their military power, therefore bringing in militarism. As you can see all these notions are intertwined and they together form the cause of why such a war like World War One occurred and why it was so devastating, and also why Australia joined the War.

Essay on Who If Any One Won the Cold War - 691 Words

The time period between 1945 and 1991 is considered to be the era of the Cold War. The Cold War, known as the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, each known during this time as the super powers. This conflict consisted of the differing attitudes on the ideological, political, and military interests of these two states and their allies, exte nded around the globe. A common political debate covers the issue of who, if anyone won the Cold War. Many believe the United States won the Cold War since (it) had resulted in the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union. While others are to believe the United States had not won it as much as the Soviet Union had lost it since they feel Reagan did not end the Cold War, but that†¦show more content†¦The Soviet Union was none the less held together by Â…powerful central institutions, pressure for ideological conformity, and the threat of force. (Baylis Smith, 2001.) Therefore, these new reforms could not overpower the previous ‘seventy years of soviet rule. The many long-term internal causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union centralized around weaknesses in their economy. They had an inflexible central planning system, the inability to modernize, and the inefficiency in their agriculture production. Sometime around the 1970s the computer and automation revolution had emerged. This revolution took over the West, but practically missed the Soviet Union, except in the military sector (Baylis Smith, 2001.) Gorbachevs goal in economic restructuring was to create a separation between the economic and the political. The major changes began with the legalization of private farming and business co-operatives, and the allowing of foreign company ownership over Soviet enterprises (Baylis Smith, 2001) All of Gorbachevs ideas on economic restructuring backfired on him since the price levels were inconsistent, and a sense of social confusion about the future of their state was created. The S oviet Union had realized their weaknesses, and their need forShow MoreRelatedRonald Reagan Essay1145 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Dutch,† never knew that he would grow up to be famous. He served two terms as governor of California, but before that he starred in Hollywood films. Originally a liberal Democrat, Reagan ran for the U.S. presidency as a conservative Republican and won, his term beginning in 1980. Ronald Reagan became the oldest President elected when he took office as the 40th President of the United States. He was also the first U.S. president after Dwight D. Eisenhower to get re-elected and finish two completeRead MoreThe Origns of the Cold War 934 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cold War originated after World War II. The divergences started amongst the year of 1947 throughout 1951. The Cold War mandated the world to select sides generating an apprehensive atmosphere. The world divided into two enormous establishments NATO and the Warsaw pact. The Cold War was not an ordinary war. The U.S. and Soviet Union arose from WWII as universal influences, activating conflicts about philosophies and nationwide safety. The rigidness between the capitalist group and the communistRead More`` Questing For Monsters `` By John Mueller, An American Political Scientist Essay1592 Words   |  7 Pageswhich resulted in the U.S. spending money and troops to fight wars they should have never been involved in. In the Communist invasion of Korea in the summer of 1950, Stalin believed North Korean leader, Kim Il Sung when he said he was â€Å"absolutely certain of success.† However, Stalin made it clear the USSR would not be footing the bill for a war in Korea if Sung was wrong, and he was. Once the United States sided with the South Koreans, the war became a fiasco instead of the quick, easy, and cheap spreadRead MoreWhy The Cold War?. By:Nabil.O. Mrs. Stark. English. March826 Words   |  4 PagesWhy the Cold War? By:Nabil.O Mrs. Stark English March 17th 2017 People think the Cold War was like every war where they fought and fought until someone won, but no the Cold War was unique, because a lot of lives would be gone if it was an ordinary war. The Cold War was a result of the U.S/USSR involvement, the different economical ideas, and the authoritative powers of the nations involved. The Cold War started around 1947 after World War II andRead MoreOlympics And The Cold War1657 Words   |  7 PagesJulia Zucker Mr. Pai US History 13 May 2015 1980 Olympics and the Cold War The 1980 Olympics became a predominant point of contention in the on-going Cold War between the two superpowers; the United States and the Soviet Union. Jimmy Carter, the President of the United States, and Leonid Brezhev, head of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union were at odds and combative towards each other’s political demands. Both leaders were relentless in their pursuit of internal strategic bureaucraticRead MoreThe War Of World War II1638 Words   |  7 PagesWorld War II was the most widespread war in history and it directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. This war lasted from 1939 to 1945. The war pinned the Axis nations which were Germany, Italy, Japan versus the Allied nations which were led by Britain and its Commonwealth nation, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States. The Allies were victorious in the War. It was one of the most significant periods of time in the 20th century. The war resultedRead More The Cold War and the War on Terror987 Words   |  4 Pagesseems that during the Cold War and the War on Terror, many of the feelings that citizens felt were the same, but what America called the enemy was different. Following the September 11th attacks, there was a feeling of paranoia felt throughout America similar to the paranoia felt during the Cold War. Americans did not feel safe, and an attack could come at any time. The fight on the home front looked different during the Cold War and the War on Terrorism. During the Cold War there was more of aRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1073 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the 1970s, the Cold War had quieted down for a bit and there were even negotiations of peace talks. That all changed when the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan in favor of the communist side while the USA were aiding the anti-communist side. Eventually America pulled out of Afghanistan and went home, but the tension that was there continued through the 198 0 Olympic Games. The Soviet Union dominated in the sport of hockey for several years and won gold medals multiple times, but what satisfiedRead More America Needs a Strong Military Industrial Complex Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica Needs a Strong Military Industrial Complex By mid-1942, World War II was looking bleak for the Allied powers. The German Wehrmacht was blitzing through Soviet Russia, the Luftwaffe had laid waste to much of London, Rommel was about to take Africa, and the Japanese nearly had control of the Pacific. Fortunately, as the Axis started running low on materiel, America was increasing the Allied supply dramatically. This enormous production capacity displayed by the U.S. was the productRead MoreCulture Behind the Curtain1317 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union were allies, and Premier Joseph Stalin unlocked Soviet borders to an influx of American film, music, print resources, and tourists. This American culture, especially the scores of Jazz records and recordings, grew incredibly popular. Jazz orchestras sprung up across Moscow and the Soviet bloc, and these groups longed for the opportunity to play American scores in their own styles. Music became a common vehicle conveying the culture

The Abolition Of Slavery And The Civil War - 1349 Words

Throughout American history there have been numerous civil rights movements and shifts of thoughts and beliefs. One of the largest and arguably the most impactful movement was the movement to end slavery. America has always been divided on the issue, and even to this day there are harsh sentiments between different ethnicities. America made an official decision on the matter following a brutal and violent civil war. The Thirteenth Amendment was passed on January 31st, 1865 and read: â€Å"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.† This amendment followed Abraham Lincoln’s†¦show more content†¦The Senate actually passed the amendment in 1864, yet the House of Representatives did not. Through Abraham Lincoln’s efforts with the Republican party, the House eventually decided to pass the amendmen t with a vote of 119 to 56 in January, 1865. This established the Thirteenth Amendment as part of the U.S. Constitution, only needing ratification by three-fourths of the states. It was officially adopted on December 6, 1865 and was a Constitutional amendment. Of the remaining states, all but three had ratified it by 1870. Delaware ratified it in 1901, while Kentucky and Mississippi did not ratify it until the second half of the 20th century. Kentucky ratified the Thirteenth Amendment in 1976 and Mississippi did not ratify it until 1995 (History Net, n.d.). The inclusion of the Thirteenth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution meant that this particular issue was widespread and was also very controversial. It put an end to one of the bloodiest American conflicts and also established boundaries that America was to be a free country where everyone is meant to be equal. The abolition of slavery was necessary to patch a divided country and to free those who had been forced to spend their li ves working for the gain of others, simply because of their skin color. Its inclusion in the

The War On Drugs A Cause And Effect Story. Imagine For

The War on Drugs: A Cause and Effect Story Imagine for a moment what it’s like to be scared, cold, and all the while fighting an urge that is so uncontrollable it can make you do things you never thought possible. Imagine being stuck in an unsafe situation surrounded by the fresh aroma of cigarettes and something else that feeds this uncontrollable urge inside of you. Thinking is out of the question at this point because chaos is all you hear therefore suffocating your logical thought process; the worst part of this, though is not knowing how to stop the madness. The above scenario is the reality of a significant challenge the world faces today. A challenge that poses irreversible repercussions to the victims it takes on its path of†¦show more content†¦For example, the euphoric feeling an addict experiences when they get â€Å"high† damages their ability to experience this feeling in the future. As the fundamental cause for drug addiction, there is not yet a cure for this disease, but there are ways one can manage it. A popular resource is the Narcotics Anonymous program which was developed to help manage addiction by introducing a repetitive plan of action for the addict to follow. One of the first steps in this plan is for the addict to admit their wrong doings, and accept that they are powerless over their addiction. By acknowledging the reality of this disease it does not give an addict an excuse for their behavior, but a way to stop their drug abuse; in return becoming a productive member of society. Before this can happen, however, the addict will feel the effects of their actions. Perhaps the most apparent effect is the heartbreak substance abuse brings to its victims. Victims of drug abuse include the addict themselves, their families, and anyone else that is affected negatively from it. To start with the addict, one must understand what their addiction does to the person they are aside from their disease. When an addict is feeding their addiction, they are suffocating their morals, respect for others and themselves, compassion, responsibilities, and anything else that opposes them getting high. To watch a person get taken by this disease, is to watch a person become someone they aren’t norShow MoreRelatedDrugs: Drug Addiction and Domino Effect1419 Words   |  6 PagesOne Nation Under Drugs This problem has been going on for decades and still going on till this day. Should the U.S legalize every drug, would that be the answer? Do we continue with this twenty-five year plus war with drugs. The use of illicit drugs is illegal because of their intoxicating effects on the brain, damaging impact on the body, adverse impact on behavior, and potential for abuse.  Their use threatens the health, welfare, and safety of all people, of users and non-users alike. I am againstRead MoreTheme Of Red Convertible1581 Words   |  7 PagesConvertible In the â€Å"Red Convertible† by Louise Erdrich the theme is evident. Throughout the story he shows that situations in can have life altering effects. Erdrich takes the reader on a journey of two brothers whose names were Lyman and Henry. He covers us from the time they buy their first car, to the time of the death of Henry, the older brother. He uses a myriad of literary devices to bring the story across. Erdrich used the reservation as the setting because it foreshadows the loneliness thatRead MorePost Traumatic Stress Disorder: Will Help Finally Come? Essay example1206 Words   |  5 Pagessexual assault, a traumatic accident or injury, being a prisoner of war, or participated in combat. Sadly, ever since the Iraq war, PTSD has been becoming even more widespread. Soldiers have been diagnosed with chronic PTSD and the medication has not been helping. PTSD causes a variety types of symptoms including: flashbacks, nightmares, recurring visual images of the traumatic experien ce, negative mood, avoiding situations that can cause a flashback, feeling disconnected from other people, being easilyRead MoreMarijuana: Legalization Essay1446 Words   |  6 PagesB.C. until after the American Civil War, the marijuana plant was the worlds largest cash crop. Fabric, rope, lighting oil, paper, medicine, food oil, and a source of protein, were just a few of its uses (Overbeck, Billion). Its hard to imagine a plant this great had been outlawed. There have been many misnomers and lies that have been spread about the usage of marijuana. In Bruce Goldsteins book, Psychology, three major studies were conducted on the effects of long-time marijuana usage. TheseRead MoreTexas Anti Marijuana Laws Should Be Banned966 Words   |  4 Pagesmarijuana? Why does Texas keep throwing money on fighting a war on marijuana? 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Ending up in Syria or Iraq, every jihadist has his own and particular story, as of Daniela Greene, a former FBI agent. Thanks to her G erman language skills, she worked as a translator for the FBI. In January 2014, while married to an American soldier, she was assigned to the FBIs Detroit office. There, her task was tracking

Book Review on Chinese Cinderella the Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter Free Essays

1 Book review on Chinese Cinderella: The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter By Caren Shin In wealthy families, babies are born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Not quite for Adeline. In fact, the recount of Adeline Yen Mah’s childhood is a relatively sad one even though her father was a millionaire. We will write a custom essay sample on Book Review on Chinese Cinderella: the Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter or any similar topic only for you Order Now She was seen as bad luck to the family as her mother died after giving birth to her. She is always frowned upon by her older and younger siblings, neglected by her father and scolded by her stepmother. She has to learn to depend on herself as there was often no one to help her. The story reveals the two sides of her family: on the surface it is friendly and caring, while inside one can realize how the children are really treated by their stepmother Niang. As the youngest of five children from her father’s first marriage, Adeline has to suffer many blows because every one looks down on her especially when she receives her father’s praise. Adeline’s main reason for her love of school was to be away from her stepmother so that she could become a different person that was admired by her peers as she topped her class regularly. Her whole personality changed when she was away from her Niang and with someone that knew her from the heart; her friend Wu Chung-Mei, her Ye Ye and Aunt Baba. At age eight, Adeline was given a duckling, the only one left after all her siblings had picked their choice. Although it was not the best duckling, she still loved it dearly and treasured every opportunity that she could get with it. She named it Precious Little Duckling (PLT). I think this illustrates her love for her pet and that she was pleased that her siblings had left her one. It also gives a comparison of how each sibling is treated by their parents. Since she was the youngest and the least likely to make a fuss, her big brother took her duckling when her father ordered him to test the obedience training of his dog Jackie. Adeline immediately sensed her duckling’s fate; she knew that PLT was going to die. When Jackie’s demonstration of obedience was over, PLT was bleeding and passed away next morning. Adeline and her third brother buried PLT under a magnolia tree. Adeline was saddened by the above incidence and recalled every time when she sensed the presence of a magnolia, she would remember PLT. I feel this demonstrates the love she felt for PLT and how heartbreaking the experience as. Throughout this passage of the story, I envision there are many emotions often shown as colours that were being pressed into Adeline’s mind: white, yellow, black and brown. I have chosen these colours because white represents the magnolias, yellow symbolizes the feathers of PLT, black for the grim horror that happened, and br own for the eyes of PLT and the earth on top of PLT’s grave. When Adeline became a sixth former at Sheng Xin (Sacred Heart) Primary School, a democratic election was held in their class to see who would be their class president and head girl of the whole school. She teamed up with her friend Wu Chun-Mei who won the election for her. On her triumphant day, many of her supporters went to her house to give her presents. Her father and Niang were very upset and annoyed at the fact that Adeline’s friends were at their house, disturbing them. When she was called to her father’s room for the cause for all her friends to be there, Adeline did not know. Niang did not believe her and slapped her making her nose bleed. In front of all her friends (with blood still dripping down her face) she told them to go away because her father was sleeping. Then she was told to open all her presents in front of her parents and throw them all in the rubbish bin. I experience the sadness she has felt when she was 2 humiliated by her stepmother. Adeline must have had a determination not to show her weakness by crying. After this incident, Niang ordered her to pack all her things as Adeline, Niang and her father were going to Tianjin on an airplane. As she was on the plane, they had to fill out landing cards. Adeline’s father forgot Adeline’s Chinese name and her date of birth. Since her father had forgotten her Chinese name, Adeline felt deeply hurt as her father confused her name with her little sister’s. This meant that her father had forgotten all about her and had only remembered her little sister, even though she was his real daughter. I feel dreadful at the thought that her father could forget her name. Her date of birth became her father’s; November 30 because her date of birth was unknown. In this story of Adeline Yen Mah’s childhood life, I felt many ups and downs and how she might have felt. It was surprising to see a girl like Adeline being humiliated in front of her friends who wanted to support her. If I were in her shoes, I would feel scared and frightened because the supporters might not support me anymore because they had known of the family ugliness. I think that this family ugliness was hidden from other people seeing it by Niang and Adeline’s father. To prove this point, when Niang met other people, she wanted them to know that the family only had her two children. She kept the five children from her husband’s first marriage in the dark, thus swerving Adeline’s father into forgetting his former wife’s younger children including Adeline. Her father and Niang went with Adeline to Tianjin and left her as a border in St Joseph’s School. At first, there were many people attending the school but soon Adeline was the only student left in the whole school. All of them fled from the communist army. I feel how she must have felt in these circumstances as no one was bothered to look after her while she was the only student. She would feel bewildered and frightened at the same time as she was being punished from negligence by her father and stepmother. During this story I feel Adeline’s sadness, despair and happy moments. I feel very grateful that I am in a different family and that I did not have to go through what Adeline had to undergo. The story of her childhood is a very sad one, but I hope that other children do not have to suffer the same case as she did. Her life had many hopeful and downhearted moments she had and only determination helped her live through this dark period. Encouragement from her Aunt Baba and her Ye Ye was the only source to give her the strength to be a good scholar and prove her Niang wrong. In this story, Adeline has a message to neglected and unloved children of the world – within every one there is something precious and unique. Her childhood experience brings out the importance of perseverance in life. One must persist to do one’s best when one is hopeless, to have the faith when one’s spirit is down, and to change fears into courage and strength. Everyone of us can be Cinderella and successful as Adeline if we hold her belief that â€Å"one single positive dream is more important than a thousand negative realities. † END How to cite Book Review on Chinese Cinderella: the Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter, Papers

Movie Analysis Groundhog Day Essay Example For Students

Movie Analysis Groundhog Day Essay Phil: â€Å"Do you think I’m acting like this because I’m egocentric? † Rita: â€Å"I know you’re egocentric. It’s your defining characteristic. † This dialog, taken from a scene in the 1993 release of Groundhog Day, effectively shows the general sentiment that is shared by just about everyone who knows Phil. Bill Murray plays the not-so-lovable Phil Connors, a local weatherman for Pittsburgh’s channel 9 action news, in this film which was directed and co-written by Harold Ramis. The weatherman seems nice enough in the beginning, but almost instantly transforms into an egomaniac who gives the sense that his job, his on-location assignment, and his coworkers are beneath him. Things get interesting once Phil and his news crew make their way to the quiet little town of Punxsutawney to report live from the Groundhog Day festivities. The already grumpy Phil is made even grumpier after realizing he will be stuck in the town for an extra night due to a blizzard. By some strange twist of fate, Phil wakes to find he is reliving Groundhog Day over again. This pattern repeats for what might actually be weeks, months, or maybe even years. Through his journey of reliving Groundhog Day repeatedly, Phil slowly and reluctantly transforms into a much more likable person. The arrogant, self-centered, unfriendly, rude, and sarcastic weatherman, who is introduced at the beginning of the film, discovers that he can become a better person, be a hero in other people’s lives, and still achieve his own happiness. In the opening scene, Phil seems to be a likable, funny, and entertaining guy as he goes through his daily weather report for viewers. This impression quickly disappears when Phil’s true personality turns on after the news studio cameras turn off. It soon becomes apparent that Phil’s off-air personality makes him an unpleasant individual to deal with. He hands out his first insult to his co-anchor, Nan, when he says to her, â€Å"For your information ‘hairdo,’ there is a major network interested in me. † This statement shows his attempt to insult and put her down by calling her a name while building himself up to look more important. He is also trying to point out that he is somehow better than she is, because a big network supposedly wants to lure him away from his local news job. Phil’s arrogance and rudeness are then directed toward his assistant, Kenny, regarding the 10:00 newscast. He asks Kenny, â€Å"Look, can you handle the 10 or not? † This gives the impression that Phil thinks the job will not be done correctly or as well as if he were there doing it himself. Phil’s ugly personality shows itself again when they arrive in Punxsutawney. He flies into a rant about how he cannot stay at the same hotel where the rest of the crew will be staying: â€Å"Rita I can’t stay here. † â€Å"I hate this place. † â€Å"I stayed here two years ago. † â€Å"I was miserable. † â€Å"It’s a fleabag. † â€Å"I’m not staying here. † He is a little more satisfied when Rita informs him that she actually booked him at a bed-and-breakfast somewhere else in town. To this news, he responds by telling her that keeping â€Å"the talent† happy is a good trait in a producer. He, of course, is referring to himself as â€Å"the talent,† and once again shows the extent of his arrogance. Phil does not limit his bad attitude to only the people he knows personally. He refers to the people in Punxsutawney as â€Å"hicks,† because they are enthusiastic about the festivities of Groundhog Day. He even calls Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, a rat. It seems that Phil’s overblown ego has no end, but fate has plans for him. His slow and sometimes painful journey to becoming a better person will soon begin. Phil’s selfish nature takes over after he comes to the realization that he is the only one who can affect change in the day, and there are never any long-term consequences for his actions. .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 , .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .postImageUrl , .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 , .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:hover , .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:visited , .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:active { border:0!important; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 { 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; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:active , .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .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; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1 .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u50e693e9743008efc04d4c53d331c2f1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino EssayInstead of using this knowledge to do some good or try to make positive change, he decides it would be fun to lead the cops on a wild car chase. Without regard for anyone’s safety or personal property, he goes on a reckless drive through town, leaving a path of destruction in his wake. He easily manipulates the day to achieve his own selfish desires by using the knowledge he gains of the people and events in the town. He is able to convince a young woman, Nancy, that they are long lost acquaintances from high school. This allows him to manipulate and take advantage of her back in his room later that night. He decides he would like to have a nice, expensive night out on the town, so he uses his knowledge of the day’s events to rob an armored truck. After conquering so much, Phil then turns his attention to Rita and attempts to take advantage of her in the same way he had with Nancy earlier in the film. Being stuck in the same day, with no consequences for anything, anyone would likely take time out to have a little selfish fun. Phil soon realizes that the ride is becoming monotonous and he wants to get off this merry-go-round. A major turning point in Phil’s journey comes only after becoming conscious of the fact that he is falling in love with Rita, and he wants to finally be able to move on from this day. After many days of repeating Groundhog Day, Phil hits a low point. He confesses to Rita what has been happening to him and is actually able to convince her that he is telling the truth. She feels badly for him and offers to spend the rest of the day with him â€Å"as an objective witness just to see what happens. He lets his defenses come down and wins her over through the course of the day. In a private moment with Rita, Phil completely breaks away from the superior, ill-mannered character he is at the beginning of the film. While she is drifting off to sleep, he admits to her, and himself, how he feels about her. He confesses all the things he has come to love about her and how he does not thin k he deserves someone like her. Another major selfless act comes when Phil decides to befriend the elderly homeless man on the street. He makes it a personal mission to show kindness to the stranger and even tries to save the man’s life. No matter what he does though, the old man always ends up dying. The previously uncaring weatherman is so strongly affected by this event that it ultimately becomes the final turning point in bringing Phil to the end of his journey. By the end of the film, and the final Groundhog Day, Phil is friendly, kind, humble, unselfish, heroic, and polite. He uses the knowledge gathered from reliving the same day so many times to make a difference in others’ lives. By showing up in the right places at the right times, he saves a boy from being injured when he falls from a tree, helps three elderly ladies with their flat tire, and saves the life of a man who is choking on a piece of steak. Instead of complaining, he makes the most of being stuck in Punxsutawney and even takes part in the festivities. At the party that night, he plays the piano while the crowd dances. Being the life of the party, and receiving so much attention from the townspeople he helped throughout the day, makes Rita take notice of him as well. He has at last achieved his perfect self, a perfect day, and the rest of his life can finally begin. Phil is an excellent example of a character on a hero’s transformation. He is shown first as a horrible person who is only concerned for himself. Through the trials and tribulations of repeating the same day in a seemingly endless loop, he is forced to look within himself as the only person able to make any sort of change. He hits a few bumps along the way and goes through highs and lows, but eventually gets things right. .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 , .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .postImageUrl , .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 , .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:hover , .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:visited , .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:active { border:0!important; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 { 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; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:active , .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .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; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599 .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3978559c40b6ec072332181a8481c599:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Society the Film Portrays EssayHe finds there is more to living than just what is good for him. It becomes clear to him that maybe he is not such a great person and there is perhaps room to change and grow. He becomes increasingly aware that his actions can have a direct, significant, and positive impact on the lives of other people. While all this is going on, he manages to find the happiness he did not even know he was looking for. In the end, Phil is a better person who gets the girl and is well liked by everyone in town. Bibliography: Groundhog Day. Dir. Harold Ramis. Perf. Bill Murray. Columbia Pictures. Columbia TriStar Home Video, 1993. DVD.