The Growth Of Technology And Consumerism - 1528 Words

Our world today consists of controversies, tensions, hatred, stress, pain, and suffering that individual’s face around the world. Political leaders are encouraging competitive tactics, racism, even violence. Increased turmoil between nations encourages violence, discrimination, and separating of ethnicities. The growth of technology and consumerism creates an extremely materialistic society, where people feel they must ‘keep up with the Jones’. This leads to criminal activity such as muggings, theft, and breaking and entering all to obtain material items. According the Won-Buddhism website â€Å"in contemporary society, where material civilization is rapidly advancing and dominates people s minds, materialism and consumerism make people driven, competitive and nervous.† Through background research and my experience of Won-Buddhism, I have found that Won-Buddhism helps participants cope with this contemporary world. The Fourfold Grace reminds individuals of their indebtedness to their parents, fellow beings, Heaven and Earth, and Laws. In the world today, individuals feel alone and burdened by all their worries, anxieties, and obstacles in everyday life. Giving grace to several groups reminds individuals they are not alone and do not have to face their anxieties alone. It also is a way of giving thanks to various elements in one’s life that helped them achieve their goals and reach their status in life. The main example in the Fourfold Grace that portrays the point is theShow MoreRelatedConsumerism Of The Healthcare Industry Essay1204 Words   |  5 PagesPart A: There has been an indisputable growing trend in consumerism in the healthcare industry. The shift of patient to consumer has begun to take effect. The relationship between patient and consumer are closely related and complicated, â€Å"A patient is also a healthcare consumer, but a consumer is not necessarily a patient† ( Jayanthi, 2015, para. 2). The definition of patient is arguable, Medicinenet.com varyingly defines a patient as a person requiring medical care, receiving treatment, under a physician’sRead MoreTaking an Inside Look at Collaborative Consumerism Essay1045 Words   |  5 Pagespurchase. The innovation of technology made these ideas easy and fast by connecting consumers and created rating systems with the help of social networks and mobile technologies. Corporate America that contributed to over-consumption has raised global environmental and financial concerns. On the other hand, the rising trend of collaborative consumerism encourages eco-conscious ways to de-clutter over-consumption; it may have a negative impact on traditional corporate consumerism, but encourages ecofriendlyRead MoreDisadvantages Of Consumerism1154 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"The study of consumerism in world history does not provide a definitive balance sheet on whether the long-term results are favorable or unfavorable. But it does provide perspective, allowing [a] greater understanding of what consumerism involves, and perspective...offers a greater capacity to choose...rather than being swept away by the latest enthusiasm† (Stearns, 159). Peter Stearns’ book â€Å"Consumerism In World History: The Global Transformation of Desire† offers an extensive perspective on theRead MoreAmerica in the 1920s729 Words   |  3 Pagesalso known as the Roaring 20s or New Era, was a time of great changes and huge growth. America was being a more modern nation, and a return to normalcy was being seen after the Progressive Movement and First World War. Politically, the American government was seemingly conservative, but experimented with different approaches to public policy and foreign diplomatic policy. Economically, it was a time of treme ndous growth and new forms of organization. Socially, the American popular culture reshapedRead MoreThe History of Consumerism in America827 Words   |  3 PagesConsumerism is both a social and an economic system that is based solely on the creation and dissemination of the purchasing of goods at an ever increasing rate. After the founding of the United States, and particularly after the Civil War, America was growing by leaps and bounds. Railroads opened the West, factories increased in urban areas producing steel, building was rampant, and all of these activities took a larger labor force. Because these vast numbers of workers were unable to produce theirRead MoreInternational Aviation Fuel Is Not Taxed971 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica at its forefront. Consumerism has been prevalent for many reasons; one being that â€Å"often a product [is] cheaper to replace than fix† and often consumers are â€Å"paying artificially lower prices because of†¦ government policyâ⠂¬  that make raw materials cheaper than the cost of production CITATION Wag95 l 1033 (Wagner, 1995). Many people in the first world take up a disproportionate amount of resources. Another issue facing developed countries is the fact that income growth is directly correlated toRead MoreThe Trends Of What Consumers Value And Want From Healthcare Today999 Words   |  4 Pagesvalue and want from healthcare today. The authors (Coughlin, Wordham Johash, 2015) use the term â€Å"consumerism† to describe how the market is shifting to expand consumers risk and involvement in paying for and making decisions about health care. Health consumerism encompasses a shift from a physician directed approach to a partnership model where patients make informed decisions (Health consumerism, 2012). Strategies that healthcare related industries should use to innovate and succeed in this changingRead MoreNot Just A Love Story1405 Words   |  6 Pagesactually going on. In the movie, the ecol ogical parable is the story showing the link among the organisms and the environment. The Pixar movie Wall-e is deserving of the definition of an earnest ecological parable, through generational entitlement, consumerism, and lack of sustainability. With the world changing, and generations growing and trying to learn from the past, Generation Y has proven to have an entitled attitude towards life and the earth. In a study done by Christopher Alexander and JamesRead MoreGlobalization : Globalization And Sustainable Prosperity1032 Words   |  5 Pageswill be explored through looking at globalization’s systems and forces, specifically consumerism, the media and transnational corporations. Consumerism is a key aspect of globalization a world market has developed and this trend continues to grow. For example, the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows produce from Mexico and Florida to show up on the grocery shelves in Fort Saskatchewan. Consumerism blurs the line between wants and needs through advertisements which create demand asRead MoreEnvironmental Changes to Marketing Mix1615 Words   |  7 PagesPROMOTION: The Company s traditional promotion of its products and services was via the usage of media, ie: television and radio, as these were the pre-dominantly significant mode of advertising for the past 5-10 years. With the advent of the internet technology, the Company has changed its promotion modes using websites which has a global reach and relatively costing lesser. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: The demographic changes from the late 90 s evidences the increase in middle class population. This middle

Comparative Method in Sociological Research - 2331 Words

The Phrase â€Å"comparative method† refers to the method of comparing different societies or groups within the same society to show whether and why they are similar or different in certain respects. Both Montesquieu and Auguste Comte, often regarded as the founders of sociology, used or recommended ‘comparison’ to establish and explain both differences and similarities between societies. The comparative method was for long considered the method par excellence of sociology. According to Andre Beteille, comparative method is used distinctly by two sets of scholars. Firstly, the ‘enthusiasts’ those who make cross board analysis. These include Edward Tylor, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim and Radcliff Brown . Secondly the ‘skeptics’- those who†¦show more content†¦His study gas been called â€Å"diachronic† but in complete, there should be a combination of diachronic and synchronic study Bronislaw Malinowski believed in the fundamental sameness of human beings. He looked into every detail of society and culture among The Trobriand Islanders, and brought their complex interrelations to light. Amongst the islanders lagoon fishing is done with the help of skill and rationality, since there are no dangers attached to it. However in the case of deep sea fishing, which is dangerous there are rituals which he interprets as magic performed before the event. Therefore he compares two activities among The Trobrianders. Max Weber used the comparative method in almost all his writings, especially those analyzing the distinctiveness of western society and culture, as compared to those of other civilizations. He produced extensive studies of the traditional Chinese Empire. India and the Near East, and in the course of these researches make major contributions to the Sociology of Religion. Through these comparisons he throws light on the relationship between Protestantism and Capitalism. According to him, oneShow MoreRelatedGraduation Speech : Senior Honors Program1321 Words   |  6 Pagestransferring to UC Berkeley in the Fall of 2015, many of the courses I have taken have focused on research and its importance to the field of sociology. The continued exposure to the diverse topics of sociological research, as well as the varied methods researchers use to collect their data, has shown me that many of questions I ask about the social world on a daily basis are potential sociological research projects. I find this fact to be inspiring as opposed to overwhelming, and I believe that theRead MoreThemes Of Immigration Issues937 Words   |  4 Pagesmy own life. The empirical method analzyes any issues in a structured and unbiased way. The phenomenon in this case is immigration. Should we welcome more people or should we kick them out? What issues does immigration cause and or solve? Who should be denied entrance and who should be permitted? Who makes that choice? All these factors are examined closely to explain the cause of the issue and its effects on the population. Putting all together the Empirical method lets us understand the situationRead MoreEssay about The Sociological Framework of Harriet Martineau1007 Words   |  5 PagesThe Sociological Framework of Harriet Martineau Over the past twenty years, sociology has gone through a process of self-evaluation, as field researchers and observers express a wariness about the empty universalism of speculative systems and look for ways in which to secure empirical foundations that give way to meaningful application in a pluralistic, postmodern world. 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This split is broadly characterised by its relationship to other actors in the political decision making sphere, most notably ‘the state’. This paper aims to initially define institutions, demonstrating its vast characterisations, before assessing their real value in comparative research. It will then compare this value with tha t of traditional theoriesRead More Comparing Webers and Durkheims Methodological Contributions to Sociology1727 Words   |  7 Pageswhat Positivists are and how their methodologies influence and affect their research. It will also consider what interpretative sociology is, and why their type of methodology is used when carrying out research. It will analyse both Durkheims study of Suicide and also Webers study of The Protestant work ethic, and hopefully establish how each methodology was used for each particular piece of research, and why. Emile Durkhiem, in sociology terminology is considered toRead MoreThe Effects Of Mass Communication On A Critical Branch Of Sociological Thought From 20th Century Social Thought1262 Words   |  6 Pagesof the intellectual inheritance of cognitive behaviourism from 20th century social thought, I now want to turn my attention to a critical branch of sociological thought from the same period to assist in analysing this set of ideas. C. Wright Mills worked in the immediate post war period as a research assistant to Elihu Katz and Paul Lazarsfeld’s research on the media effects of mass communication. The majority of their work sought to understand the persuasive influence of mediated messages in printRead MoreA Study Of Latin American History1308 Words   |  6 PagesIV. Methodologies and trends Caribbean Many often consider the study of Latin American history or subjects like race to show that Much of Latin American historical studies are comparative. Many of the Latin American countries have their own history but share similar cultural conductions concerning race. The history of race relations in Latin America has become a central theme in a fair amount of scholarly activities. This in turn has made the historiography of Latin America to become much more relevantRead MoreThe Sociological Perspective Of Dramaturgy Is Associated With Irving Goffman1041 Words   |  5 Pages The sociological perspective of dramaturgy is associated with Irving Goffman (1922 – 1982) who developed the concept in his book The Presentation Of The Self In Everyday Life (1959). Using theatre as an extended metaphor, dramaturgy explains the everyday interactions that uphold social reality. Life is like a play, and like actors in a play, people perform roles, working in teams to create the social world, like scenes in a play. 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Thirteen Ways of Self-Questioning Free Essays

Thirteen Ways of Self-Questioning The poem â€Å"Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird† is written by Wallace Stevens. It contains thirteen sections; each section provides us a picture that is centered by the element of blackbird. Blackbird in the poem signifies people’s consciousness. We will write a custom essay sample on Thirteen Ways of Self-Questioning or any similar topic only for you Order Now So this poem wants to tell us that every person has a perspective to look at the world. It questions our process of thought to understand the world, and reminds us realize the problem of it. In â€Å"The Language of Paradox† by Cleanth Brooks, he introduces the notion of paradox and its application in poetry. In Stevens’ poem we can also find how he uses the device of paradox to raise the question for many times, and also the use of paradox leads us to reconsider our thought. Stevens displays several common understanding in human being. According to Brooks’ viewpoint, â€Å"Our prejudices force us to regard paradox as intellectual rather than emotional, clever rather than profound, rational rather than divinely irrational† (Brooks 58). The first section is an introduction of the whole poem: â€Å"Among twenty snowy mountains, / The only moving thing / Was the eye of the blackbird† (I). This is to tell us the nature is huge, but with it the only existence that is conscious about it is human consciousness. Twenty snowy mountains stand for the broad natural environment, but they are still and seem lifeless. Then he transferred the focus to the eye of the blackbird which is the only moving thing. Stevens uses â€Å"the† instead of â€Å"a† when he refers to blackbird because he wants to make it very clear that he refers it particular to human’s consciousness. In section twelve, he says â€Å"The river is moving. / The blackbird must be flying† (XII). This section responds to section one, because he uses the modifiers â€Å"moving† and â€Å"flying† in two sections respectively to express the same notion that our consciousness is changing over time. Cleanth Brooks describes paradox this way: â€Å"Paradox is the language of sophistry, hard bright, witty† (Brooks 58). In Stevens’ poem, in order to make readers realize the problem in the process of our thought. He narrates: â€Å"It was evening all afternoon. / It was snowing / And it was going to snow / The blackbird sat / In the cedar-limbs† (XIII). Afternoon is before evening, but he says â€Å"it was evening all afternoon†. This should signify a passive attitude to life. Evening is the time that near to death in people’s lives, and he tells us even during the afternoon which is their declining period someone already live in the status of evening. It’s a typical instance of paradox in the last section of the poem. The language seems contradictory and not logical, but actually it is to draw our attention to the awareness of our thought. â€Å"It was snowing / And it was going to snow† shows us people’s foresight through their experience and observation of nature. So Stevens put the result before the foresight. After that he refers to the blackbird sat still in the cedar-limbs to indicate that in people’s old age the consciousness is not as active as its youth time. However, the experience we get in the whole life becomes precious possession and provides us the insight. The last section has a relation with section two: â€Å"I was of three minds, / Like a tree / In which there are three blackbirds† (II). The blackbirds in the tree always refer to our minds. So I am a tree, and I have three minds which are represented by three birds. In this section, Stevens probably suggest the three levels of people’s mind according to Freud’s â€Å"Id, ego and super-ego† theory. In section four, Stevens says: â€Å"A man and a woman / Are one. / A man and a woman and a blackbird / Are one† (IV). This is another application of paradox. In â€Å"The Language of Paradox†, when Brooks analysis Wordsworth’s poem he says â€Å"It is not my intention to exaggerate Wordsworth’s own consciousness of the paradox involved† (Brooks 60). Here we really can dig out how the narrator maybe unconsciously applies the paradox. When we say two or more than two distinct existents are one, it obviously sounds not acceptable and will bring a consideration of this idea especially when we partly repeat the narrative but add another subject at the second time. Section four might try to discuss some religious thought in this world. He suggests every human being, no matter man or woman, is from one source. As objective existence, we and our consciousness are all developed from one. In this poem, Stevens applies paradox through both audible and visible experiences. Brooks suggests: â€Å"But I am not here interested in enumerating the possible variations; I am interested rather in our seeing that the paradoxes spring from the very nature of the poet’s language: it is a language in which the connotations play as great a part as the denotations† (Brooks 61). From a broader vision, we may find the mastery of paradox language by Stevens via analysis of his work. In section five, he narrates: â€Å"I do not know which to prefer, / The beauty of inflections / Or the beauty of innuendoes, / The blackbird whistling / Or just after† (V). When the blackbird is whistling, there is a beauty of inflections along with it, but just after that we will see the beauty of innuendoes. Here the blackbird signifies the poem. While we are reading or reciting the poem, the pronunciation is similar to inflections of bird because of the rhythms and structure. Nevertheless, after reading it we can realize the innuendoes implied from it. A good poem is not only to let readers enjoy its inflections, but also cause us to rethink in our mind. Moreover, this section has a interesting connection with section eight. Similarly, the narrator refers to accents and rhythms to suggest the composition and recitation of the poem which creates the audible enjoyment for readers. Then he tells us his thought is also inescapable involved into the poem. Those two sections provide us how Stevens applies paradox with our sensory from hearing. Moreover, he creates the metaphor from visual aspect. Brooks states that â€Å"I have said that even the apparently simple and straightforward poet is forced into paradoxes by the nature of his instrument† (Brooks 62). We can see this situation in section eleven where the narrator describes a picture which jumps into our imagination: â€Å"He rode over Connecticut / In a glass coach. Once, a fear pierced him, / In that he mistook / The shadow of his equipage / For blackbirds† (XI). The phrase â€Å"In a glass coach† tells us he is in a fragile status, and more than that glass is transparent. An illusion of blackbirds reflects his fearful emotion. Section three is another example of usage in this sensory respect. The narrator says â€Å"The blackbird whirled in the autumn winds. / It was a small part of the pantomime† (III). It begins with the only image of the blackbird that is overwhelmed by autumn winds. He sketches a close-up of the blackbird, and then tells us it is a small part of the pantomime. This enlarges our vision from close-up to the panorama, and indicates us that the blackbird is just a symbol of our life which is always out of control and encounters uncertainty. Brooks suggests that â€Å"there is a sense in which paradox is the language appropriate and inevitable to poetry. It is the scientist whose truth requires a language purged of every trace of paradox; apparently the truth which the poet utters can be approached only in terms of paradox† (Brooks 58). In Wallace Stevens’ â€Å"Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird†, he actually displays thirteen types of interpretation from which people develop their understanding of consciousness. The application of paradox provides the poem a further explanation of the theme. Through the usage of the symbolic technique and various aspects of sensory, the narrator discusses different levels of social and cultural thought. The most important function of paradox in this poem is to arouse people’s awareness of our consciousness and the ability to question our inherent understanding of our thought. How to cite Thirteen Ways of Self-Questioning, Essay examples

Grapes Of Wrath By Steinbeck (1133 words) Essay Example For Students

Grapes Of Wrath By Steinbeck (1133 words) Essay Grapes Of Wrath By SteinbeckThe Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that exposes the desperateconditions under which the migratory farm families of America during the 1930slive under. The novel tells of one families migration west to California throughthe great economic depression of the 1930s. The Joad family had to abandontheir home and their livelihoods. They had to uproot and set adrift becausetractors were rapidly industrializing their farms. The bank took possession oftheir land because the owners could not pay off their loan. The novel shows howthe Joad family deals with moving to California. How they survive the cruelty ofthe land owners that take advantage of them, their poverty and willingness towork. The Grapes of Wrath combines Steinbeck adoration of the land, his simplehatred of corruption resulting from materialism (money) and his abiding faith inthe common people to overcome the hostile environment. The novel opens with aretaining picture of nature on rampage. The novel shows the men and women thatare unbroken by nature. The theme is one of man verses a hostile environment. His body destroyed but his spirit is not broken. The method used to develop thetheme of the novel is through the use of symbolism. There are several uses ofsymbols in the novel from the turtle at the beginning to the rain at the end. Aseach symbol is presented through the novel they show examples of the good andthe bad things that exist within the novel. The opening chapter paints a vividpicture of the situation facing the drought-stricken farmers of Oklahoma. Dustis described a covering everything, smothering the life out of anything thatwants to grow. The dust is symbolic of the erosion of the lives of the people. The dust is synonymous with deadness. The land is ruined ^way oflife (farming) gone, people ^uprooted and forced to leave. Secondly, the duststands for ^profiteering banks in the background that squeeze the life out theland by forcing the people off the land. The soil, the people (farmers) havebeen drained of life and are exploited: The last rain fell on the red and graycountry of Oklahoma in early May. The weeds became a dark green to protectthemselves from the suns unyielding rays.The wind grew stronger, uprootingthe weakened corn, and the air became so filled with dust that the stars werenot visible at night. (Chp 1) As the chapter continues a turtle, which appearsand reappears several times early in the novel, can be seen to stand forsurvival, a driving life force in all of mankind that cannot be beaten by natureor man. The turtle represents a hope that the trip to the west is survivable bythe farmer migrants (Joad family). The turtle further represents the migrantsstruggles agai nst nature/man by overcoming every obstacle he encounters: the redant in his path, the truck driver who tries to run over him, being captured inTom Joads jacket: And now a light truck approached, and as it came near, thedriver saw the turtle and swerved to hit it. The driver of the truck works for alarge company, who try to stop the migrants from going west, when the driverattempts to hit the turtle it is another example of the big powerful guy tryingto flatten or kill the little guy. Everything the turtle encounters trys itsbest to stop the turtle from making its westerly journey. Steadily the turtleadvances on, ironically to the southwest, the direction of the mirgration ofpeople. The turtle is described as being lasting, ancient, old and wise: hornyhead, yellowed toenails, indestructible high dome of a shell, humorous old eyes. .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e , .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .postImageUrl , .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e , .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:hover , .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:visited , .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:active { border:0!important; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e { 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; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:active , .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .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; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf77938e509bb18ce657dec206b7cf02e:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Accountability Of Our Government Essay(Chp 1) The driver of the truck, red ant and Tom Joads jacket are all symbolicof nature and man the try to stop the turtle from continuing his journeywestward to the promise land. The turtle helps to develop the theme by showingits struggle against life/ comparing it with the Joad struggle against man. Thegrapes seem to symbolize both bitterness and copiousness. Grandpa the oldestmember of the Joad family talks of the grapes as symbols of plenty; all hisdescriptions of what he is going to do with the grapes in California suggestcontentment, freedom, the goal for which the Joad family strive for: Im gonnalet the juice run down ma face, bath in the dammed grapes (Chp 4) The grapesthat are talked about by Grandpa help to elaborate the theme by showing that nomatter how nice everything seems in California the truth is that their beauty isonly skin deep, in their souls they are rotten. The rotten core verses thebeautiful appearance. The willow tree that is located on the Joads farmrepresents the Joad family. The willow is described as being unmovable and neverbending to the wind or dust. The Joad family does not want to move, they preferto stay on the land they grew up on, much the same as the willow does. Thewillow contributes to the theme by showing the unwillingness of the people to beremoved from their land by the banks. The latter represents the force makingthem leave their homes. Both of these symbols help contribute to the theme byshowing a struggle between each other. The tree struggles against nature in muchthe same way that the Joad family struggles against the Bank and largecompanies. The rains that comes a t the end of the novel symbolize severalthings. Rain in which is excessive, in a certain way fulfills a cycle of thedust which is also excessive. In a way nature has restored a balance and hasinitiated a new growth cycle. This ties in with other examples of the rebirthidea in the ending, much in the way the Joad family will grow again. The raincontributes to the theme by showing the cycle of nature that give a conclusionto the novel by showing that life is a pattern of birth and death. The rain isanother example of nature against man, the rain comes and floods the livingquarters of the Joads. The Joads try to stop the flood of their home by yetagain are forced back when nature drops a tree causing a flood of water to ruintheir home forcing them to move. In opposite way rain can helpful to give lifeto plants that need it to live. Depending on which extreme the rain is in, itcan be harmful or helpful. This is true for man, man can become both extremesbad or good depending on his choos ing. Throughout the novel there are severalsymbols used to develop the theme man verses a hostile environment. Each symbolused in the novel show examples of both extremes. Some represent man, thatstruggles against the environment, others paint a clear picture of the feelingsof the migrants. As each symbol is presented chronologically through the novel,they come together at the end to paint a clear picture of the conditions,treatment and feelings the people (migrants) as they make there journey throughthe novel to the West.