Architecture and Anthropology in the House of Mirth

This fall I read The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton on the recommendation of a former professor. It is a tale of a young woman in New York's high society in the early 1900s and follows her social rise and ultimate demise. My professor suggested that I keep my eyes open for anthropology throughout the story. I was amazed by how many elements of anthropology I found on nearly every page; at how many of the social events and nuances I recognized from anthropology lectures. I began to wonder whether Wharton was a student of anthropology or such an astute observer of people and society that she was able to capture these subtle elements.Of huge importance in the novel was conforming to social norms. Lilly (the heroine/victim) of the novel was adopted and loved by her elite peers and warmly accepted into their exclusive group. She was touted as being the most beautiful among all of New York's young women, the desire of many suitable bachelors, and the holder of great social intelligence. Her access to this group gives Lilly the world, she is welcome to parties, pleasant summer stays in country homes, European vacations, and introduced to only the best in New York's society. Unfortunately for Lilly, she does not behave quite as they would like a young woman like her to, and she begins to have a falling out and is the victim of mistrust and suspicions. Eventually the problem becomes so great, particularly with a female rival, that she is completely ostracized from the group. It is not that as individuals they all dislike her, but she represents such instability to the group that the group must get rid of her to preserve itself.Further, there was a near constant description of the characters, either through thoughts, words, or actions, considering their status among their peers and how to preserve or elevate their current social status. There is a near constant game of weighing one's own attributes against a rival's. For example Wharton writes "It was not that Miss Bart was afraid of losing her newly acquired hold over Mr. Gryce. Mrs. Dorset might startle or dazzle him, but she had neither the skill nor patience to effect his capture." Lily was taking an objective look at the threat any given rival posed and was quick to discover any points of weakness she could use to her advantage. These and other examples of intrasexual competition abound throughout the novel, especially in the context of high society where status is everything.What is of further interest is that architecture is the backdrop for all of these events. The wealthiest country estates, most dignified sitting rooms, the most elaborate and elegant ballrooms, and most exclusive restaurants are where the events take place. In the beginning the reader is introduced to the manor at Bellomont where:"The hall was arcaded, with a gallery supported on columns of pale yellow marble...and the light from the great central lantern overhead shed a brightness on the women's hair and struck sparks from their jewels as they moved."The architecture and social occupants of the manor worked as one to advertise the wealth, social grace and status of the occupants. Later in the novel Lilly recalls her ambition to have"an apartment which should surpass the complicated luxury of her friends' surroundings by the whole extent of that artistic sensibility which made her feel herself their superior, in which every tint and line should combine to enhance her beauty and give distinction to her leisure."This reinforces the perhaps obvious but interesting notion that those with a higher social status should dwell in a place that reflects their status. It would be a strange sight to see a distinguished author, architect, politician or captain of industry living in tenement housing. Architecture and social standing are once again linked after Lilly has been ostracized from her group and left to fend for herself. She has taken residence in a boarding house and"she dreaded to return to her narrow room, with its blotched wall-paper and shabby paint, and she hated every step of the walk thither through the degradation of a New York street in the last stages of decline from fashion to commerce."In this instance, architecture and urbanism create a parallel tale to Lilly's own social decline. As she falls from the grace of high society and good fashion into a world where she must manage her own scant commerce, the architecture reflects her position.Throughout the novel it became more apparent that architecture served as a backdrop for social activities, and became intertwined with anthropological events. Architecture was tied to social class and people and their behavior was linked to their dwellings. dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Review - Zinn For Beginners

Zinn for Beginners, David Cogswell, 2009, ISBN 9781934389409This is a short and very readable biography of Howard Zinn, historian and author of the classic A People's History of the United States.He was born in 1922 in the Lower East Side of New York. His father, Eddie, worked a number of jobs, but could never escape poverty. From an early age, Zinn realized that the assertion that anyone could become successful with hard work, and that poor people were lazy, was nonsense. Zinn was a voracious reader, devouring writers like Charles Dickens, Jack London and Upton Sinclair.In early 1940, he experienced his moment of radicalization. After seeing what predatory capitalism had done to America, causing a depression which made millions homeless, many people thought that communism was a humane alternative. Zinn was never a member of the Communist Party, but he marched in a peaceful demonstration that was suddenly, and violently, broken up by the police. Zinn was knocked unconscious by a policeman's baton. When he woke up, he realized that the police serve those in power, not protect the public. All that stuff about freedom of speech, and the right to peacefully assemble, could be ignored by the powerful at any time.As a bombardier in World War II, he participated in a bombing raid on a French town called Royan, just before the end of the war. It was on the French coast, when the war was inside Germany, so it was of no military value. Several thousand German troops were there, waiting for the end of the war. Over one thousand planes dropped tons and tons of napalm on the town, and for what?After the war, he got his education through the GI Bill, and his first full-time teaching job was at Spelman College, an all-black women's college in Atlanta. This was right in the middle of the early segregation struggle. For several years, Zinn was involved in the push for civil rights, until he was fired by Spelman College, even though he had tenure. He eventually landed at Boston University, where he became one of the school's most popular teachers. He continued to write, and get involved in opposition to the Vietnam War. Through out his teaching career, Zinn was not impressed with the quality of history textbooks. None gave the story of the common people, so, in 1980, A People's History of the United States came into existence. It has sold over 2 million copies, and is still in print.This book contains a 60-page summary of some of the "highlights" of A People's History, for those who might be intimidated by its several hundred page length. This book is easy to read, it's an eye-opener, and it's a first-class piece of writing. dr seuss cat in hat history

The Millennium - God's Glorious Appearing

Right up there with the rapture of the church is the teaching of the Millennium or the 1000 year reign of Christ, which is called the "golden age". The Millennium is said to commence at the end of the great tribulation period, when Christ will return to earth to establish His earthly kingdom. He will come on a white horse with his great army behind him. On His side it will say "King on Kings" "and Lord of Lords". His eyes are like flames of fire and out of his mouth is a double-edged sword, which is the Word of God. When He comes He comes to gather His own to Himself. He comes to destroy the wicked, both men and demons. And He comes to set up His Kingdom and ultimately to bring in eternal righteousness. While this is happening, an angel with a chain and the key to the abyss will throw Satan in the pit for 1000 years. He will not be able to temp or deceive anyone until the 1000 reign of our Lord is over.All God's saints will come with Him too. The tribulation saints will rule and reign with the Lord for not taking the mark of the beast and they will have authority over many things. The tribulation saints won't have their glorified bodies yet so they will be able to have children and these children will be taught all the blessings of our Lord and the story of our great salvation at Calvary. However, some will turn against the Lord and deny His deity but others will turn to Him and claim Him as their Lord. I can't imagine people denying the Lord when He is right in front of them. They can see Him and feel Him yet they still deny Him. This is a mystery to me.Remember that Satan will be released after the 1000 year reign and all those who deny God will stand against Him and Satan will gather them together for battle at Gog and Magog. Their numbers are like the sand on the seashore but the Lord brings fire down from heaven, and this devours them. Then the beast and false prophet will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur where they will be tormented forever and ever.Then the dead will be judged. God will open the book, which is the book of life and those not in it will be judged for their unbelief and thrown into the lake of fire. Those whose names are in the book of life will live and reign with Christ forever. These people I assume will be the tribulation saints and all born thereafter because the saints that came down from heaven with Christ already had their glorified bodies and were rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment seat of Christ is not to judge the believers sin because his sins have been forgiven but we all must all give an account for our lives before Christ as to what we have done in the body.Then a new heaven and a new earth came as the old heaven and the old earth had passed away. The new Jerusalem came down from heaven like a bride dressed for her husband. And now the dwelling of God is with men and He will be their God and they will be His people. We all know that the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our hope in that great glorious event becomes the greatest motivator for our joy, the greatest motivator for our service, and the greatest motivator for our holiness. We live in anticipation of the coming of Jesus Christ. It is the goal and the purpose and culmination of the Christian faith. (All these events take place in Revelation 19-21) dr seuss cat in hat book

Record Your Thoughts About the Twilight Saga With Twilight Journals

Last year I finally broke down and read the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. I say broke down because I had heard of them several years ago and had avoided reading the books. Not because they didn't interest me but because everyone was doing it! I know it is silly but that is me! When I did finally read them I decided to record my thoughts reading the series for the first time in Twilight journals.If you have ever read these books you will know that you get emotionally involved and very attached to the characters. I have found that I relate to certain characters. It has been a while since I was in high school but it is still fresh in my mind. I remember what it was like to have my first love and the feelings that came from that experience. No my first love didn't have special circumstances like Bella and Edward but I could still relate.I am so glad I recorded my thoughts and feelings in my Twilight journals. It is now fun to look back on the questions and thought I had when I read about Edward being so distant from Bella. Also when Bella wanted so badly just to reach out and touch Edward but was afraid to. I remember feeling that when I liked a guy!When I decided to finally read the Twilight saga I talked to family members about whether they liked it or not. Some didn't but most did. I always followed up with a question "Why?". There were many answers but two stood out to me. I have a sister-in-law that liked them but she said she wouldn't read them again. The reason why is because she didn't want to get so involved again, emotionally. The other answer that almost changed my mind about reading the books was my niece (she is nineteen). She said she liked them but she really didn't think that teen aged girls should have the example of Bella being so obsessed with Edward.These responses made me think I need to have an outlet for reading the books. This is when I made my decision to keep Twilight journals. I get very invested in books and have been known to obsess over guys. These journals became an outlet for me while I read. I got mad, anxious, overwhelmed, scared and even experienced longing. When I felt these things I wrote!You may have read the Twilight Sage before but I would encourage you to write in a journal as your read the books again. It made my experience reading very enjoyable. Now if you haven't read the Twilight series and intend to keep a journal. You may even learn something about yourself while your write! dr seuss book collection

Law of Attraction Not Working For You? Could This Book Be the Answer?

Brandon Bays and Kevin Billett make it clear that the world needs a massive shift in consciousness - now. And that shift has to come from each of us personally taking responsibility for clearing out our blocks and opening up to consciousness and Grace (God / The Universe / Collective Consciousness), to lead lives that spread love, not fear; becoming who we really are.(If those words turn you off, then this might not be the book for you!)It is not an easy option.It requires you to choose to be ready to let go of excuses and beliefs that have been holding you back for years. Yet the process to release them is deeply effective and healing.In this book, which follows on from Brandon's best-selling books "The Journey" and "Freedom is...", Brandon teams up with her partner Kevin, and they help you go a level deeper.
Most of us try to make changes using will power or positive affirmations - or other positive thinking techniques. Yet these often don't produce the results we wanted.Why?Because they set up a conflict between the conscious, thinking mind and the unconscious mind (which actually runs the show).For example, the conscious mind's positive affirmation says "I'm going to get that great job", whilst the unconscious mind firmly believes that "I'm too stupid / I don't deserve it / I'm not attractive enough."This is why so many of us create what we want but, at some point, sabotage it. Brandon and Kevin help the reader identify these unconscious blocks and show you, step by step, how to release them. (Aside: Bruce Lipton explains the science behind this conscious / unconscious conflict really well in The "Biology of Belief").In "Consciousness - The New Currency" Brandon and Kevin bring us, for the first time, the processes used in their hugely powerful Manifest Abundance retreats. It is transformational and only for those who are ready to undergo healing at a deep level, in order to liberate themselves from every limiting pattern / unconscious block that has held them back.Throughout this book, Brandon and Kevin share their personal stories - warts and all - to help the reader understand what is really on offer to those who break free of their limitations. Between them, they share experiences that cover pretty much every block and emotion you could imagine. This incredibly human book and is written with love and compassion.If you've not yet come across Brandon and Kevin, though, it may challenge many of your assumptions about life. For them, concepts such as handing your life over to Grace (God / The Universe / Higher Spirit) and only living your Truth are at the core of their Being. This may be challenging for some.Also, there is an assumption that the reader is at least vaguely familiar with the Law Of Attraction / Manifesting. If a reader is still at a point where they feel that life "happens to them" and other people can "make them angry", then they may find this book brings up some resistance!Is this book for you?

If you've read "The Secret" or similar books and want to understand why the techniques they teach can produce hit and miss results, then this book could clear things up for you. It explains why positive thinking isn't enough and helps you go deeper into setting yourself free from every limitation you've ever picked up.
If you're already a fan of Brandon Bays, then you'll enjoy this. She really builds on her previous work and it's lovely to have Kevin's input into this book, too.
If you're really new to all this, you might prefer to read "The Journey" first, although "Consciousness" is still a great place to start.
If you do choose to read "Consciousness - The New Currency", then I hope you find it inspiring and that it helps you liberate your true potential, transforming your life.Welcome to the ride! dr seuss cat in hat quotes

Rousseau - Genre and Writing

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778), besides being a genius was a musician, vagabond, philosopher, prose stylist, novelist, educator, and acknowledged father of the French Revolution and Romanticism. Today he remains a colorful character --both derided and revered; yet unacknowledged as an original thinker.In this article I will focus on his Confessions to explore his contribution not only to the genre, but also to writing. While Rousseau was a serious writer, deep as an ocean in his philosophy, yet shallow as a brook in his Confessions.Rousseau labors in Augustine's shadow: Thus begins Rousseau's Confessions: "I am commencing an undertaking, hitherto without precedent, and which will never find an imitator." Only a fool or a genius could dare open a book with a statement that will prove to be wrong in its two assertions.Asserting that the undertaking is not "without precedent" is wrong because Augustine's Confessions is a definite precedent; and furthermore, we know Rousseau was familiar with Augustine's book, as he cites and mentions Augustine 's book in his own Confessions. Today, Rousseau's Confessions have a constellation of imitators.Let's be fair and say that Augustine's Confessions followed the traditional catholic confessions in which the offender would seek to expiate his sins by means of a voiced acknowledgment of his transgressions. With Rousseau confessions become more of a psychological and fictional narrative, initiating in this sense a 'modern' way of autobiographical confessions.Faced with severe criticism from his enemies, Rousseau decides to write a book that would show him as "a man in all the truth of nature." In the process he assures us that every bit of detail that he tells us nothing but pure fact: "This is what I have done, what I have thought, what I was. I have told the good and the bad with equal frankness. I have neither omitted anything bad, nor interpolated anything good."Yet, Voltaire wrote that Rousseau placed his five sons in orphanages. Who shall we trust? Is Rousseau a hypocrite attempting to cleanse his personal record with a sanitized 'confession?'Rousseau on psychology and language:While Augustine pondered the mansion and the many chambers of memory, Rousseau theorized on 'the self,' the complexity of identity, and language. In his "Essay on the Origin of Languages" (Essai sur l'origine des langues) he speculates on the possible sources of speech. But it is in the Confessions that he puts into practice those sources of speech: the signs and supplements --chain of substitutions-- of the original objects and presences.Rousseau writes:I would never finish if I were to describe in detail all the follies that the recollection of my dear maman made me commit when I was no longer in her presence. How often I kissed my bed, recalling that she had slept in it, my curtain, and all the furniture in the room, since they belonged to her and her beautiful hand had touched them, even the floor, on which I prostrated myself, thinking that she had walked upon it.As Derrida has made clear, Rousseau is using signs --written words-- to bring about a presence ('maman') that is absent. And though such absence will never materialize, it has the power to move him as if it were the real "thing-in-itself." Therefore, the bed, the curtains, the furniture, the room itself, are all signs of objects that enable him seize 'the recollection' and thus by means of mental impressions and signifiers shape the signified.In his own informal way Rousseau anticipated not only Freudian psychology, but also the work of Ferdinand de Saussure, Structuralism, Deconstruction, the linguistic turn, and other theorists.One has to wonder if the much admired work of many writers of the 19th and 20th centuries would have gotten so far, had not Rousseau laid the foundations? In spite of the fact that many intellectuals have little respect for his personal adventures, lies, and the grotesques acts of a rascal, his work is serious and original. dr seuss cat in hat history

Kenyan-American Woman Goes From Slums to Soaring on Eagle's Wings

Emily Soroko has written one of the most spiritually uplifting and inspirational books in years with "Rising Above Adversity." The book's cover of an eagle flying across a sunlit sky was inspired not only by the beauty of her native Kenya but the depiction of the eagle in the Bible; this magnificent bird serves as an analogy for how adversity makes people stronger and leads them on to the next great adventure in their lives.Growing up in Kibera, the slum section of Nairobi, Kenya, Emily Soroko learned early in life what she did not want and she was determined to beat it. While Kibera was more like a rural village during her early childhood, as she watched her home develop into a slum, she became determined instead to travel to distant lands and live a rich, fulfilling life like the visitors to Kenya she saw flying there in their planes. With the help of a strong lioness-like grandmother who constantly set a powerful example for her, and with a strong belief in God, Emily managed to live in several different countries and have numerous adventures, from designing African jewelry to arranging fashion shows to becoming an American citizen and working in the Department of State in Washington D.C.Soroko's personal story of life in Kenya and how she overcame her own adversities is a rich reading experience, but in addition, Soroko tells the stories of famous people who beat all odds to succeed; she ties in biblical stories of heroic men and women whose faith carried them through difficult times, and she honors friends and family members who played a significant role in her life, helping her become courageous and faithful in the Lord."Rising Above Adversity" is a testament to the Christian faith like few I have seen before. Whether or not someone shares Soroko's spiritual beliefs, her faith and her enthusiasm are contagious and will resonate with any reader who wants to believe a better life is possible or who is seeking a way to work through the obstacles in his or her path. While the biblical stories in the book are well known, their power never fades and they come alive again here. As an added bonus, Soroko takes the reader on a tour of the Holy Land as she describes her recent visit there and what it meant to her to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and other great men and women of faith. Overall, "Rising Above Adversity" is a positive book, one that brings people together rather than dividing them over religious differences. As Soroko testifies in her book, her life has been a gradual journey in understanding of God and in the increasing of her faith:As little kids going to the Greek Orthodox church, at one time I thought God lived in the church, so if I wanted to talk to Him, I had to go to church. If I had been mischievous, I would be afraid to go to church because He might see me and know what I had done, and punish me. I did not understand much about this Heavenly Father. All I knew was I could talk to Him through prayer anytime, even though He was not visible.As I grew up, my spiritual knowledge and understanding of the Father also grew. Despite all my apprehension deep inside, I knew He was all I got, so I stuck with Him. I thought about Him, I prayed to Him, and I wondered about Him. And just like any other relationship, I had to spend time with the Father to get a glimpse of who He is. Unlike in my earlier years, I now know that He is full of love and mercy, and He forgives our sins. He is not against me. He is for me."Rising Above Adversity" is bound to become a modern Christian classic. It's a book worthy to sit on the shelf beside "The Purpose-Driven Life," "The Shack," and "The Hiding Place." Emily Soroko's story and her wonderful analogies of the Christian life are sure to remain in readers' minds and hearts long after the last page is turned. Even non-believers who read this book will feel motivated and inspired to face adversity, overcome their fears, and lead purposeful, enriching lives. dr seuss cat in hat book