Gordon Wood American Revolution free essay sample

The American Revolution was as radical as any revolution in modern history, for it replaced monarchical authority with representative government and created a society that was far more democratic than even the founding fathers had anticipated. These new ways of thinking are why Gordon Wood strongly believes that the American Revolution was the most radical and far-reaching event in American history. Before the revolution even began radical thoughts and ideas about things swept through the colonies. Through the Enlightenment and Great Awakening new ways of thinking based on reason emerged and took tolls on the peoples beliefs. Thinkers such as Ben Franklin noted that the government was more of Like a business and man-made sort of structure. This was a very a radical idea which went against the prevailing way of running countries through a monarchy. Once people conceived of a government as an artificial, then it became much less sacred and much more susceptible to criticism and even overthrow. We will write a custom essay sample on Gordon Wood American Revolution or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Revolution also brought change within social standards and hierarchy.The colonists had long thought themselves loyal subjects of the British monarchy, and significantly, there was no well- established aristocracy In place on American soil. In short, the colonies developed a more egalitarian society than Europe. Gordon Wood has said, Although eighteenth century society was much tighter and less permeable than American mythology would have It, the topmost ranks of the social hierarchy certainly remained more permeable and open to entry from below than In the mother country. The rank of gentleman in America was 118).America was the place where someone born into a low-class or in poverty could still work his way up the social adder and make a name for him or herself. Leaders of the American Revolution can be best labeled and defined as conservatives because of the traditional way they lead their country and people. However during this time of a struggle for freedom and independence there were obvious disagreements over such ways to run the people or to collaborate. However, during the Revolution the most influential and important leaders did not lead by violent protests but rallied the colonists through patriotic speeches.Leaders and decision-makers collaborated and met to discuss the Issues h at colonial America must face. The result of these gatherings and formulation of new Ideas such as liberty, Independence, and freedom lead to the whole radical movement to what we know as the Revolution. These leaders helped to Implement a constitution of the colonists desires in America, which ultimately resulted in The Revolution brought together America and its people. People with completely different views came together to reach the common goal everyone shared which was to gain independence from Britain.The movement itself went completely against all forms that had been in place for so many years. The people realized that they had had enough with British Rule and thus devised a declaration of their own independence as a Constitution that would lay out Americans rights and liberties. Because the British were unwilling to give these rights, the Revolution became extremely radical. However, the most radical moment was actually after the Revolution was completed and the British had lost. At that moment, the safest thing to do would have been to make their own monarchy.

Tragic flaw Essays

Tragic flaw Essays Tragic flaw Paper Tragic flaw Paper To what extent is the Summer Song sequence, sung by the narrator, a watershed in the play Blood Brothers? The three main themes of Willy Russells Blood Brothers are superstition, fate and class divides. These themes are overtly represented throughout the play. Because the play opens with a scene of the two dead boys there is a constant dramatic irony to all actions in the play; this inevitable tragedy undermines all the happiness in an ironic way. Near the start of the play, the deaths are only suggestions in the boys futures, but as the play develops the themes become more evident, eventually Summer Song is the turning point, the point of no return, the point where everything is as good as it gets. Russell gives the play a very clear and simple structure. The audience knows they are to sympathise with Mrs Johnstone. Not only is she a single mother, she is poor and working class too. Her character is the most developed and given more stage time and songs. Foreshadowing is a very important component of the plays structure. During the childrens game with toy guns, Mickey says, I dont want to die. He is subconsciously appealing to the devil to change his fate. We begin to pity Mickey because he is so defenceless and weak. The narrator creates tension and a feeling of inevitability by using phrases such as hes gonna find y' He is often depicted as Fate, appearing before and after important events, sometimes during, as if to pinpoint the moment, such as when Mrs Johnstone must swear on the bible that she will give away her baby. His snide and often ironic comments about the mothers are generally ambiguous and could apply to either mother (An did y never hear of the mother so cruel. ) The audience is told to come to their own decisions about the mothers (come judge for yourselves. ) The narrator creates tension, always hovering in the background, almost omnipresent, even wearing funeral clothes. He is like a vulture circling above the twins, waiting for their inevitable deaths. His constant presence on stage and in the script keeps the ominous tones going. As they get older, he appears more often, worrying and reminding you that the twins death is coming closer. The Summer Song is when the boys pass the middle of their lives, the peak of the mountain, and begin to accelerate downwards with an unstoppable chain of events leading to their certain deaths. The boys envy each other, I wish I was a bit like That guy, and events occurring to either of them are usually echoed or mirrored by the other. As children, Mickey is seen as the lucky one in the game of life, while Edward seems destined to watch from the sidelines. However, after the Summer Song, once the boys are adults, there is no time for laughter, the game has ended, and Mickey can no longer play and must now work. Edwards lifestyle becomes the ideal, which angers Mickey. Blood Brothers is structured like a Greek tragedy, using death as a spectacle, one main plot and a sad ending. It has a clear time frame, songs and music and, most importantly, a tragic hero (Mickey), someone who falls from grace due to their tragic flaw. Most events are mirrored, for example the childrens game with toy guns(I shot y), to Sammys air rifle(he produces an air rifle), to the gun at the fair, to the gun Sammy uses to shoot someone(an explosion from the gun), to the gun Mickey kills Edward with (the gun explodes and blows Edward apart). Before the Summer Song the guns are either imaginary or toys, safe and harmless. However, afterwards, they are still used as freely as the pretend guns, but take real lives. References to Marilyn Monroe are constant. Like bright young things, like Marilyn Monroe. Dreams all night of girls that look like Marilyn Monroe. In the first song (Marilyn Monroe) Marilyn Monroe is a symbol of youth and beauty, but throughout she changes into one of tragedy, referring to her drug taking and consequential death, which coincides with Mickeys addiction to his anti-depressants. Sexier than Marilyn Monroe to off the rails, treats his ills with daily pills, he was dead, Like Marilyn Monroe The childrens game is echoed after the Summer Song. In the first half I got y, I shot y, An y bloody know I did, And in the second, You shot him, you shot him. I know I bloody did. This is a conversation between Mickey and Sammy, his older brother.