Empire of the Sun Compare and Contrast Life for Jim in Shanghai and the Camps and How These Settings Hurt or Helped Jim’s Survival. Essay Example

Empire of the Sun: Compare and Contrast Life for Jim in Shanghai and the Camps and How These Settings Hurt or Helped Jim’s Survival. Essay Empire of the Sun: ESSAY QUESTION: â€Å"Compare and contrast life for Jim in Shanghai and the camps and how these settings hurt or helped Jim’s survival. † Living and growing up as a foreigner in Shanghai, life for Jim was very easy and luxurious until he was captivated and taken hostage in a war camp. There, his lifestyle turned 180 degrees, which taught Jim many lessons, both good and bad. We can tell a lot about Jims former life in Shanghai from his surroundings and his relationship with them. The reason why Jim was keeping residence in Shanghai in the first place can say a lot about his background. It is not an unreasonable assumption to make that his parents were probably there for business purposes, perhaps setting up a company or on a contract. â€Å"Jim was delighted when his mother told him that they would leave the house in Amherst Avenue for a few days and instead would stay in the companys suite at Palace Hotel. † [P20] This suggests that they were quite wealthy people, especially in comparison to the poor living standards of the average Chinese. This would also mean that there was frequent contact with other people of importance, either of high Chinese social status or other diplomats. We will write a custom essay sample on Empire of the Sun: Compare and Contrast Life for Jim in Shanghai and the Camps and How These Settings Hurt or Helped Jim’s Survival. specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Empire of the Sun: Compare and Contrast Life for Jim in Shanghai and the Camps and How These Settings Hurt or Helped Jim’s Survival. specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Empire of the Sun: Compare and Contrast Life for Jim in Shanghai and the Camps and How These Settings Hurt or Helped Jim’s Survival. specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer For example, Mr. Maxted, the father of his best friend and the entrepreneur who had designed various nightclubs in Shanghai, was a figure that Jim admired and wanted to grow up to imitate. We can therefore also assume that many things were paid for in the Graham family, and that Jim was a very spoilt child. This was probably especially true due to the fact that he was an only child. In the very beginning of the book, we are introduced early on to one of countless fanciful festivities Jim innocently attends with his family; this one hosted by Mr. Lockwood, the vice-chairman of the British Residents Association. Here we see a perfect example of the kind of offhand immunity Jim has acquired towards the luxury of these events. Quickly bored of the soiree itself, Jim soon wanders off to explore the abandoned aerodrome. At another social gathering, being introduced to Madame Sun Yat-Sen not so much as lingered on Jim’s mind for a second. At Jims home we can pick up lots of clues about his wealth. Before Mr. Lockwoods party, Jim dons clothes of exquisite quality a silk embroidered shirt, blue velvet trousers and Persian slippers. Jim does not dress himself, either. Along with Yang the chauffeur, an amah and nine Chinese servants, Vera is his full-time governess, paid to do anything Jim pleases. â€Å"This bored young woman, little more than a child herself, usually followed Jim everywhere like a guard dog. †[P5] We also find that as expected of a rich, spoilt child, Jim does not naturally treat these people as equal individuals. â€Å"His mother had told him to be kind to Vera, and not to tease her as he had done the previous governess. † [P6]; â€Å"As he flung his cassock to the amah † [P5]; â€Å" ‘Amah, dont touch it! Ill kill you! ’ † [P7] Jim also has trouble imagining a lifestyle different from the one he lives, because he knows none other. The prospect of Veras parents living in a room smaller than his dressing room is to Jim completely absurd. â€Å" ‘One room! ’ To Jim this was inconceivable, far more bizarre that anything in the Superman and Batman comics. † [P6] All of this shows Jims weaknesses in independence and knowledge about survival. Showered with expensive things and constant help, there is no way that Jim would know how to deal with himself, by himself. However, there are certain factors about him that are of great help. For example, during the winter of 1941, Jims parents are very pre-occupied with the war and as a consequence have little time for Jim. â€Å"He decided to raise the matter with his mother and father, but as always they were too distracted by news of the war even to notice him. † [P6] Although he still has his numerous servants to do the practical chores for him, not only is Jim quick to explore and learn, but he is also determined to find solutions to problems that he realizes affects the people around him, no matter how big. How two people could survive in so small a space was as difficult to grasp as the conventions in contract bridge. Perhaps there was some simple key which would solve the problem. † [P6]; â€Å"He would try and cheer up his father and think of some way of stopping the Germans at the gates of Moscow. †[P8] Quite ironically, Jim is used to seeing the poor conditions and beating s of the Chinese by Japanese officers in the street while being untouched himself, and his reaction to being taken hostage by the very same soldiers is quite interesting. One must remember that he is a child and extremely adaptable to most situations. We can see this very clearly through his journey, and it is probably the key factor that helps him to survive. He still does, however, start out like a fish out of water. His attitude towards and understanding of war is very naive and limited. When Jim walks into the old battlefield (as mentioned earlier), he does so calmly and carelessly, seemingly unafraid and un-reactive to the appearance of the soldiers. Strangely, he does seem to understand the danger present in the situation, at least on his fathers part, as opposed to being completely oblivious to the tension between his father and the soldiers. But Jim felt vaguely guilty and annoyed with himself. He had lost his balsa plane and lured his father into a dangerous meeting with the Japanese. Solitary Europeans who strayed into the path of the Japanese were usually left dead on the roadside† [P20]; â€Å"Although the sergeant ignored him, Jim knew that he had decided what to do next with this small boy. † [P19] He al so seems to somehow want to test the boundaries of the situation, seeing how far he can push the envelope with both his father and with the soldiers. â€Å" ‘My plane’s down there. I could get it, I suppose. † [P19] All of this shows Jim’s enormous sensitivity to the mood and tension of any given setting, and this is exceptionally helpful for him to adapt quickly and take advantage of many different situations. Jim’s transition from spoilt, pampered rich boy to stranded, parent-less street beggar does not go all too smoothly. His first mistake is in assuming that his parents would be at home, waiting for him. Upon discovering that they are not, Jim continues to live on his own, draining the tap of its water and forgetting to shower, change his clothes or clean up after himself. Soon he has run out of provisions. This sense of desperation is shown clearly in his innocent and naive attempt at surrendering the war to a group of Japanese soldiers in the street. His stroke of luck comes with meeting Basie, who takes him under his care and teaches him little tips and tricks on how to be a survivor. But according to the cliche â€Å"Theres no such thing as a free lunch†: despite the fact that Jim quickly latches himself onto Basie, Basie needs Jim just as much in return. â€Å"Jim sat still as Basies white hands explored his pockets. † [P68] Basie is also the one to christen Jim with his new name: â€Å" ‘A new name for a new life. †[P68] This signifies Jims switch from regular life to life in war. Jim being the bright boy that he is quickly catches on to exactly what kind of relationship he shares with Basie. â€Å"It soon became clear to Jim that Basie was trying to sell him to the traders. † [P73] However, because he is exposed to the concept of wanting somethin g from other people early on, it helps him in the future by creating a routine trade with many of the Lunghua campmates, and especially with Basie. â€Å"[Sergeant Nagata] knew from Private Kimura that Jim was involved in every illicit activity in the camp, but had never been able to catch him. [P151] He realizes that in order to be able to sojourn for a longer period of time, he must create a good reason for his surrounding peers to want him to stay. â€Å" ‘If you can find a way of helping people you’ll live off the interest. ’ † [P86] However, he is not afraid to use Basie’s advice against him; when he senses that Basie is done with Jim and is about to leave him, he quickly tempts him with the prospect of Jim’s beautiful house on Amherst Avenue and manages to lure him right into the path of the Japanese. â€Å"Jim knew that they planned to leave him there†¦ ‘Could we go to my house? It’s even more luxuriant. ’ † [P77]; â€Å"Did he know that Jim had managed to trick him? † [P84] Because of this, his lifestyle back in Shanghai did help Jim to a certain extent. By trying to imitate his amah back at home, he can take care of and work for Basie by fetching him water and bringing his food. Other aspects of his previous life haunt him as well- Mr. Maxted has also arrived at the Lunghua camp, now weak, starved and extremely dependent on Jims help. While staying at the detention center, Jim seems to live solely to be re-united with his parents. â€Å"Jim was determined to have his share of rice. He knew that he was thinner than he had been before the war, and that his parents might fail to recognize him. † [P81] It is surprising that Jim’s desire for food stems from the importance of having his parents recognize him rather than having an energy input. However, once arriving at Lunghua Camp, Jim does not speak or think much of his parents and lives merely to stay alive. He hears occasional news about them, including the lies that Basie feeds him in order to keep him by his side, but this may also be another tactic that helps Jim to keep going. He may worry that they have changed as much as Mr. Maxted, and also knows that longing for them will only slow Jim down and distract him. He has the remarkable ability to maintain a boyish amount of energy for most of his time away from his family, always on the go and always learning new things. He has the drive and the will to keep living. â€Å"He felt sensitive about his ragged clothes and his determined efforts to stay alive. † Every piece of information given to him about how to survive that could be even remotely beneficial he takes with him and remembers: to eat the weevils, to only drink boiled water, to steal food– not only that but attempts to help others with it as well. ‘Right. But we should eat the weevils, Mrs. Vincent. ’ † [P138] He takes regular lessons with Dr. Ransome, in the assumption that he will live long enough to make it through the war and go back to school. He also picks up on little things that may help him on his own. â€Å"Masking the tic in his cheek, he smiled brightly at the Japanese sergeant, and tried to look strong and healthy. Only the healthier people tended to leave the detention centre. † [P82] Conversely, his camp roommates Mr. and Mrs. Vincent seem have given up on hope completely, and this makes Jim’s determination emphatic. Despite the opportunity to be taken care of by the adults at the camp in return for acting like a servant to them, Jim is the only one to refuse among the other children. â€Å"Jim alone had refused, and never fetched and carried for Mr. Vincent. † [P129] This is a surprising act of independence on Jims part, the decision perhaps made because he is older than the other children, or because he has found a fitting rhythm and routine with Basie. Despite the various bouts of illness that Jim experiences, Mrs. Vincent fails to lift a single finger in favor of Jim, yet this does not phase him in the least. â€Å"For some reason he still liked Mrs. Vincent†¦ although her nerves were always stretched and she had never made the slightest attempt to care for him. He knew that if he starved to death in his bunk she would find some polite reason for doing nothing to help him. † [P129] Throughout the novel Jim has always harbored a feeling of admiration for the Japanese soldiers, despite his English nationality and Chinese residence. This may be linked to his fascination with airplanes. For example, the air raid that occurs at Langhua Camp excites Jim like nothing had for several years. â€Å"His eyes feasted on every rivet in their fuselages, on the gun ports in their wings, on the huge ventral radiators that Jim was sure had been put there for reasons of style alone. † [P145] The Japanese’s frequent association with planes may be what attracts Jim. The Japanese have also always seemed strong and righteous to Jim, and this may be what caused him to have such great respect for them. Jim was glad to see the Japanese. † [P78]; â€Å"Despite his headaches, he tried unsuccessfully to make friends with the Japanese soldiers. † [P80] This may also be induced by Jim’s knowledge that being captured by the Japanese meant going to a camp, where there would be a roof over his head and regular ration of food rather than begging on the streets. In conclusion, we can see that although the diff erences between Jim’s life in Shanghai and life in the camps are great, almost opposites, certain aspects of Jim’s past helped him to survive. Considering his background, we would have expected Jim to perish within days of being separated from his parents, and yet with a mixture of Jim’s brains and sheer luck he managed to fight his way through. He took what he knew and put it to whatever use he could, forever fighting to stay alive. This initiative alone makes Jim a fantastic survivor. â€Å" ‘Survivor? ’ Basie chuckled at this. ‘That’s a useful word. Are you a survivor, Jim? ’ † [P165] Bibliography: Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard Published 1984

Critical Analysis of Letter from Birmingham Jail

Critical Analysis of Letter from Birmingham Jail Introduction The article is about the injustice meted out on the African Americans in the US before the passing of the Civil Rights law that initiated sweeping civil reforms in the US, guaranteeing equal rights for African American citizens. Written as a letter by Martin Luther King Jr., the text criticises the lack of progress in the elimination of oppressive segregation laws in the American South.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The author further criticizes white Christian leaders in the American South, accusing them of not being vocal enough in condemning the evil inherent in segregation laws. The author accuses these leaders of supporting the status quo by refusing to support the cause of the Americans in their attempt to have these laws changed or repealed. The letter is addressed specifically to the Southern Christi an and Jewish leaders, who had asked the author to stop his non-violent campaigns in Birmingham, for the sake of overall peace in the city. The author, in response, wrote this letter to explain why his campaigns were necessary, and garner their support for similar future campaigns in an attempt to rid the American South of the repressive segregation laws. Author’s Two Main Concerns The author addresses two overriding issues in his attempt to convince these Southern religious leaders (and other concerned readers) why the segregation laws were unjust, and why inaction would never result in a change. The author states that, segregation laws were unjust because they deprived African Americans a sense of self; moreover, African Americans had an obligation to fight these unjust laws. According to the author, the segregation laws made African Americans acquire a sense of inferiority. The author lists the evils that are visited on African Americans because of these laws. African Amer icans were routinely lynched by mobs, killed by police, referred to in derogatory terms such as â€Å"boy†, and denied entry to various social places due to their race (Par. 15). Such events weighed heavily on the consciences of African Americans, leading them to have a belief that they were inherently inferior to their white counterparts. The second issue that the author addresses is the belief that the fight for change and the repeal of these unjust laws cannot be postponed or delayed. Since the Southern religious leaders had requested the author to exercise patience in his demand for reforms, the author is adamant that his non-violent push for equal rights for African Americans could not wait for an ideal or opportune time to proceed – justice delayed too him was justice denied (Par. 14).Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Critical Response and Analys is These two concerns by the author are justified. The argument that the segregation laws were inherently unjust, contributed to high poverty rates amongst African Americans, and made African Americans to feel inferior to their white counterparts is plausible. Segregation laws were ratified by most constitutions in Southern States; therefore, such laws, however unjust, acquired a sense of legitimacy amongst the citizens of these states. Subsequently, most educational, religious, public and private institutions would, out of obedience to state constitutions, pursue policies that entrenched segregation. Due to this almost omniscient presence of segregation laws and policies, the average African American would, in his daily practice, encounter some form of discrimination. African American children would also easily encounter and perceive discriminative acts against them. Therefore, due to the high prevalence of such discriminative laws, African Americans easily and inevitably acquired a belief that they belonged to an inferior race. Secondly, the author is justified in being impatient with the pace of reform in the country. The author informs the Southern religious leaders, who had urged him to be patient in his demand for reforms, that had they been the ones to experience the effects of the unjust segregation laws, they would not urge for caution and patience. According to the author, â€Å"freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed† (Luther, 1963, Par. 14). African Americans were right in being impatient with the slow and almost nonexistent pace of reforms in the country, and in the Southern States in particular. The emancipation proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln, which effectively ended slavery in the US, was signed in 1864. This proclamation was supposed to grant African Americans equal citizenship rights, and was intended to free them from all forms of discrimination previously directed at them. T he author writes his text/letter almost 100 years later and yet African Americans are still in some form of bondage wrought by segregation laws. Clearly, the African American benefited little from leaving the struggle for equality in the hands of his oppressor. African Americans were thus right in engaging in non-violent protest and other forms of civil action to push the concerned leaders to repeal these discriminative laws.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Textual Analysis The author uses many relevant analogies, quotes, observations and examples to state his purpose and give credence to his argument. The author states his most graphic example of the discriminative, vile and heinous acts experienced by African Americans in paragraph 15. The author describes the atrocities committed by white mobs and the police on African Americans. He chronicles the acts, beginning with African American mothers and fathers being lynched, African American youth being cursed, kicked and killed by the police, and proceeds to list other such crimes, ending the list with instances of African Americans being referred derogatively as â€Å"boy† regardless of age, and African American women not being properly addressed as â€Å"Mrs.† The crux of the author’s argument on why his followers could not afford to be patient in their demand for reform rests on the examples of heinous acts meted on African Americans stated here. The order of these crimes on African Americans as placed by the author almost obscures the deadly crimes such as lynching and extra-judicial deaths. By ending his numerous examples with comparatively minor acts of African Americans being referred to as â€Å"boy†, or the women not being given the title â€Å"Mrs.†, the author makes the serious crimes of lynching and extra -judicial killings appear less so. The progression should have started with these minor acts and ended with the unforgivable, wicked and heinous crimes of lynching, extra-judicial killings and beatings, to make them more prominent, as they would be if they were to appear at the end of the list. Such an arrangement would foreground these serious crimes, and subsequently stir indignation in any reader. It would also explain why waiting for reforms to take place at a slow pace advocated by the Southern religious leaders was not an option – lives were at stake. Conclusion The author has convincingly stated his purpose; that of highlighting the unjustness of the segregation law, and the need for a pro-active approach bring about the repeal of these laws. His example on crimes against committed against African Americans, served to highlight the less serious crimes at the expense of crimes such as lynching and murder. Reference Luther, M. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. The Mar tin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

The African National Congress and the South African Communist Party Essay

The African National Congress and the South African Communist Party - Essay Example The relationship between the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party was not always close, especially in the periods starting 1940 to 1950, when the ANC started considering the SACP as a party advancing foreign ideology (SAHO, n.d. web.) . This feeling strongly emanated after Nelson Mandela made a tour throughout Africa, meeting various leaders from different countries in the African continent, whose countries had achieved independence by then (Mandela, 2008 p49). The African leaders perceived the communist ideology, as advocated for by the SACP as anti-African, and more of a foreign ideology, which was perceived to be incongruent with the African ideology of democracy and total independence from the colonialists. Therefore, most of the African leaders were confused by the association of the ANC with the SACP, which they considered unusual, since the SACP was constituted by most foreigners, and its ideologies were not perceived as purely African (Mandela, 2008 p102). Another issue that strained relationship between the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party is its perceived relations with the USSR. Most of the members of the ANC were highly skeptical about working with the SACP, due to the fact that it was not regarded as based on the African ideology, thus raising concerns among the members of the ANC regarding how the other African countries would perceive the working relationship between the ANC and the SACP.... Another issue that strained relationship between the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party is its perceived relations with the USSR. Most of the members of the ANC were highly skeptical about working with the SACP, due to the fact that it was not regarded as based on the African ideology, thus raising concerns among the members of the ANC regarding how the other African countries would perceive the working relationship between the ANC and the SACP. Secondly, there was the issue of concern regarding how the western countries would relate with South Africa, through the consideration of the working relationship between the ANC and the SACP, which was perceived to be USSR oriented, thus creating suspicion that the western countries would not want to work with such a party. Such members of the ANC suspected that the western countries would withdraw their support for South Africa, due to its association with communism (Mandela, 2008 p87)2. Thus, some members of th e ANC would cause conflict, to ensure that the two parties did not work together. Therefore, there has been a long deal of strained relationship between the ANC and the SACP, which ranges from the liberation struggle period, to the post-independence and modern day relationship. Nevertheless, the relationship between the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party has not always been strained and suspicious. There are times when the two parties have had long periods of cordial working relationships, both in the liberation struggle period, and the post-independence period. The cordial and strong positive relationship between the African National Congress and the South African Communist