Mrs. Dalloways Transcendentalism - Literature Essay Samples

After Septimus suicide, we encounter Peter Walsh hearing the light, high bell of the ambulance, and deeming it, in his mind, one of the triumphs of civilization (151). He ponders the efficiency, organization, the communal spirit, of the city, thereby allowing the ambulance to pick up the necessary individual and maneuver through the streets as carriages and carts move out of the way. He describes the moment as one, in which things came together; this ambulance; and life and death (151). The moment however, ties more ends together for the purpose of the book than it does for Peter. Peters recollections of traveling with Clarissa on the omnibus that lead to the summation of Clarissas transcendental theory of interconnectivity serve both as an immediate example of the theory in action as demonstrated by his thought progression, and as a thesis for the entire novel and underlying structure. Before examining the passage from the beginning, I would like to introduce Clarissas transcendent al theory: since our apparitions, the part of us which appears, are so momentary compared with the other, the unseen part of us, which spreads wide, the unseen might survive, be recovered somehow attached to this person or that, or even haunting certain places after death (153). In other words, the influence of our unseen, or thoughts and attitudes, can live on through other beings and places. This especially is significant in the context of the novel as a whole due to Septimus relative removal from the rest of the characters, yet significant effect on Clarissa at the party later that day. I would also like to point out that this theory suggests a connection between apparition and the unseen part, both possibly affecting each other. Peter demonstrates an awareness of his unseen development as attached to his experience living in India throughout his thought development after hearing the ambulance. When talking about London, Peter thinks, That was civilization. It struck him coming back from the East (151). This suggests that Peters view on London has changed due to his experience in India, yet it chooses, at this outward (for Peter) moment, to make itself apparent. Peter once again references India, more directly, as he says that, it had been his undoing-this susceptibility-in Anglo-Indian society; not weeping at the right time, or laughing either (151-52). This suggests a reversal in Indias role. Here, his failure in India is more the apparition and his emotional susceptibility is the underlying and unseen part of him. This is a matter of finding the starting point in the chain of these events. To explain, the apparition only exists in the present moment and is shortly converted into the unseen after the moment passes. The apparition is then manifested in the form of a psychological effect on the person. Thus it is no longer an apparition, but rather an unseen consequence. Each time such a conversion occurs, another part of the persons experience hardens its elf into his or her psychological makeup. He repeats these thoughts almost exactly the same at the end of the same paragraph (It had been his undoing in Anglo-Indian society-this susceptibility (152)) establishing Peters consciousness of his emotional faults that led to his downfall in India. This emotional fault is described by Peter as susceptibility, specifically to his emotions, leaving him vulnerable. However, he does not realize that his susceptibility extends further than his inability to properly control his emotions in India. As the transcendental theory would have it, Peters emotional problems would not arise on their own and would be caused by previous experience. What then, was the cause of Peters susceptibility? Peters emotional susceptibility resulted from Clarissas unseen effects on him as he remembered them. When talking about his current emotional state thinking deeply about life, death and the ambulance siren, Peter thinks, that visit to Clarissa had exhausted hi m with its heat, its intensity and the drip, drip of one impression after another down into that cellar where they stood, deep, dark and no one would ever know (152). Peters perception of his meeting with Clarissa was of one that no one would find out about even though he felt as if he had been left bare (152). However, fitting in with the theory, Clarissas effects did stretch far and wide, as they dug up past memories, bringing subdued feelings to the surface of Peters consciousness. Clarissas stripping Peter of his emotional control stems deeper than just his meeting with her, as seen in his memory of Clarissa riding with him on the omnibus, including his recollection of her theory. Peter buys into it saying, Brief, broken, often painful as their actual meetings had beenthe effect of them on his life was immeasurable. There was a mystery about it (153). Clarissa is clearly the underlying influence for Peter. He connects his susceptibility in India to his experiences with Clarissa, as well as the comfort of the sirens and civilization with her. However, this comfort is misleading and thus has a negative affect on Peter. He thinks that it was bad in India and better in England, as apparent in his views on the ambulance and modernity. However, he fails to realize Clarissas damaging effects on him in favor of a slim chance for lover with her. He is blinded by Clarissas influence and trapped in a vicious chain of his present apparitions unearthing past experiences, translating into a damaged psyche. The present apparitions become past experiences in due time and in this manner, I refer to it as an everlasting chain. Septimus seems to be the only character completely removed from the rest with an influence that might suggest Clarissas theory directly, as he attaches himself in some way to Clarissas mindset. Why can this passage, with Peter Walsh at the helm of this portion of the narrative, become subject to interpretation through this same theory? I argue that Septimus is a large enough part of the story to influence Peter. Even though Peter is unaware of his connection to Septimus, the sound of the ambulance comes from that of the one that went to pick up Septimus after he committed suicide. His influence, small as it is in the apparition category, leads to a manifestation of previously unseen parts of Peters experiences and character through his thoughts.Even now, why should we accept this theory of unseen influence as a structure for the entire novel? I argue that the sentence structure most commonly used in the novel accounts for this theory. The sentences are transcendental in themselves, each statement between commas speaking to two categories: apparitions and the unseen self. For example, But she said, sitting on the bus going up Shaftesbury Avenue, she felt herself everywhere; not here, here, here; and she tapped the back of the seat; but everywhere (152). There are two parts to this sentence. First is the physical bus ride, goin g up the street, sitting in the bus, tapping on the seat. This is an apparition. The second part of the sentence is the metaphysical sense of Clarissa feeling herself everywhere and the explanation of that. This is just one example of an almost archetypal sentence structure used in Mrs. Dalloway. Apparitions and the unseen are weaved together throughout the narrative and even as deep as the sentence structure to show the layered nature and effect of both parts of the self on the individual and his or her experiences.

The Police Brutality Using of Force in Law Enforcement - 825 Words

The Police Brutality: Using of Force in Law Enforcement (Coursework Sample) Content: (Name)(Instructorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ name)(Course)(Date)Police BrutalityPolice brutality can be defined as the use of any excessive force by law enforcement officers to achieve a particular purpose. In the United States, many people have suffered as a result of the police using excessive force. Innocent people have been injured while others died at the hands of police officers, many of them were unarmed persons. Drastic amendments are required regarding public safety to stop this menace. Therefore, it is important to examine the extent of police brutality and its effects. It is unfortunate that many cases of police brutality involve ethnic minority populations such as African Americans and has resulted in various demonstrations by the public (Black America in Uproar over Police Brutality, 1).Several interviews conducted as part of the primary research revealed various opinions and views on police brutality. Gregory Andrews was my first interviewee; he was among the many vict ims of police brutality. In 2010, Gregory was assaulted by the Chicago Police in an unprovoked attack. Though he survived the incident, he says that the events of that day left him scarred for life. He filed a lawsuit against the city and police that took three years in the Chicago law courts. The police department did not want to take responsibility for their officersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ actions though they eventually agreed to a settlement agreement.Joe Cruz was also attacked by an off-duty police officer in a bar after a minor misunderstanding. Although Joe tried to calm the situation, the officer was not ready to listen and brutally assaulted him in front of certain witnesses. He charged for assaulting a police officer but later on released as a result of a public outcry for justice. Nevertheless, he said that the experience was both upsetting and humiliating. The officer was never reprimanded for his actions.Jack Davidson an entertainer by profession also had a lot to say regarding poli ce brutality. Davidson has never experienced any form of police brutality while leaving in New York. However, he acknowledges the existence of police brutality, especially on ethnic minorities. In his opinion, police officers are more likely to harass an African American, who has committed a minor traffic infraction than they are to antagonize him.Christine Johnson is a sibling to a victim of police brutality. Her unarmed brother was shot to death by police officers in 2002. The police report stated that her brother was reaching for a weapon though no evidence was found to support this statement. The case was filed in court and settled five years later after a prolonged court dispute. In her opinion, the justice system is partly to blame for the ongoing police brutality that exists.Kim Sharpton, a son of a police officer, believes that the U.S has a police brutality problem. He said that social media and smartphones have enabled people to catch them in the act. Sharpton stated that the shooting of an unarmed African-American by a police officer in North Charleston was an example of the power of technology. Consequently, the officer was charged with murder. He stated that police brutality was often as a result of racial profiling and that through the use of technology such officers are easily charged than they were a few years back.However, Sheriff Adam Richards explained that police brutality is more about perception than reality. He went on to say that public opinion is often influenced by the media. As a result of the mediaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬s coverage on police brutality, people begin to believe that there exists a problem in law enforcement. The Sheriff emphasized that the public thus viewed the issue as a bigger problem than it is.Officers involved in cases regarding the use of excessive force often get away with it as seen over the years in many cases. Though favorable settlements are made to the victims, the perpetrators are not reprimanded nor are they questio ned. Unfortunately, such officers are often promoted or transferred to a more influential post (Curry). Such cases will only increase in number if officers are not held accountable for their actions.Police brutality is mostly experienced by ethnic and social minority classes such as Gays (Credle 2). Such classe...