Appeal to Aesthetics in Death in Venice Essay -- Literary Analysis

The first and most obvious instance of aestheticism and decadence as correlating themes in this story is the title, Death in Venice. By fore-grounding the name of the city in the title, Mann is highlighting the city's key role in the unfolding narrative. Mann aligns the word 'Venice' with the word 'death' in the title. This creates a relationship between these two words - the word 'death' strongly infuses the word 'Venice' with all its connotations. Death and decay are important ideas within the context of decadence. By shear nature the title relates the concepts of death and dying to the city of Venice, which implies that the location is where a death will occur. However, this is paralleled by the opening of the story when Mann drearily tells of Aschenbach’s stroll through Munich. In the reading of this passage it nternally decadent through his indulgence in Tadzio’s appearance. He then changes his appearance to please his idol which in turn corrupts himself by tur ning him into the type of decadent man he once despised. These themes of aestheticism and decadence, not in juxtaposition but in duality, are used frequently by Mann throughout the novella. Works Cited Mann, Thomas, and Clayton Koelb. Death in Venice: a new translation, backgrounds and contexts, criticism. New York: W.W. Norton, 1994. Print. Ritters, Naoimi, and .Jeffrey B. Berlin. "the Tradition of European Decadence." Approaches to teaching Mann's Death in Venice and other short fiction. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1992. 86-92. Print. Shookman, Ellis, and Rene-Pierre Collins. Thomas Mann's Death in Venice: a novella and its critics. Rochester, NY: Camden House, 2003. Print.

Educational Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Educational Philosophy - Essay Example Establishing an optimal learning environment is one of the most important components of my educational philosophy. I can show up with incredible content knowledge and lesson design ability, but it will be for nothing unless students understand two things: that they are safe and accepted in my classroom, and that the work they are doing is meaningful and relevant to their lives and their future (Marzano, et al, 1992). Maintaining a safe classroom means addressing inappropriate behavior, monitoring bullying and threats, investigating parent and student safety concerns, and consistent monitoring of the students. This is essential in elementary schools where parents are leaving their young children in the care of adults who are strangers to them. The burden of care in the elementary school is great because students are less capable of caring for themselves. In middle and high schools, students are bigger and stronger. They sometimes have access to weapons or are more willing to fight. Keeping a safe classroom is essential in the secondary setting. Providing meaningful and relevant work also contributes to a positive learning environment. ... Students who feel burdened by "busy work" know that their teachers have not worked hard to provide worthwhile lessons, and they are much less likely to work hard for or support such a teacher (Marzano, et al.). Our school populations are becoming increasingly diverse. It is also essential to demonstrate one's acceptance of all the students in the classroom, regardless of gender, race, national origin, ability level, or anything else. Teachers who work hard at this are what Wong calls "intentionally inviting" (1991). My educational philosophy also involves using a classical instructional approach. Certainly, teachers need to be flexible and consider different students' unique needs; but most students benefit when the instruction follows a logical progression: activating prior knowledge, providing direct instruction, offering guided practice, then independent practice, followed by assessment. While these steps serve as a strong framework for lessons, maintaining flexibility so that plans can change as they are implemented is crucial (Tanner, 1997). My philosophy calls for a careful balance between best-known educational practices and developing an ability to view each student and lesson on a case-by-case basis, to make necessary adjustments while teaching. Differentiated instruction forms another part of philosophy. It has been shown to help students at all levels achieve more (Benjamin, 2006). It can mean supplying a solid variety of learning activities to all students; it can also apply to grouping students in class according to their skill levels and needs, and modifying instruction for each group. A good teacher can take the same basic lesson, add some elements that make it more

Geography Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Geography - Research Paper Example On an average the city receives sunlight for most part of the year and summers are quite sunny and dry. During the winter months, the city experiences precipitation when the temperature drops excessively. The geological issue I chose to write about is about the threat of Tsunami’s in the Los Angeles region. Los Angeles has an approximate area of about 2000 sq. miles and is about 340 ft. above sea level. Besides many issues, Los Angeles faces the problem of unusual weather phenomena. Escalating the problem still further is the pollution of the air and the formation of smog. In addition to this, they have the Santa Ana winds that blow extensively at 50 miles per hour and brings with it hot and dusty air. In the canyon areas, they experience occasional flash floods that cause dangerous mudslides. Los Angeles lies on the sea coast near a geologic feature called a strike slip fault which is usually active. A strike slip fault is where two tectonic plates slide over each other and displaces a portion of that area that could trigger a Tsunami. Matt Hornbach, research associate from the University of Texas at Austin and his team carried out their research through Geological field surveys in the Los Angeles region to gauge the amount of risk involved due to Tsunami’s in that region. Their research vessel of 165ft. was called ‘Endeavor’ which the researchers used to collect important data on the faults on the sea floor. The also conducted an underwater topography to make a study of the land movement and the waves of the Tsunami. Haiti experienced an earthquake on January 12th and a team of Geologists were commissioned to make a study of the earthquake and the Tsunami’s that followed. The general belief by geologists was that there was a high risk of Tsuna mis when faults give up or rupture displacing part of the sea floor. However, latest research in the area has proved that even a moderate