Free Grapes of Wrath Essays: Steinbecks Theme of Suffering :: Grapes Wrath essays

The Theme of Suffering in Grapes Of Wrath A constant theme in The Grapes of Wrath is the suffering of humans. As F.W. Watt says, (The primary impact of The Grapes of Wrath...is not to make us act, but to make us understand and share a human experience of suffering and resistance.) Steinbeck shows us that his characters, as well as all people must endure suffering as human beings. Humans suffer due to many factors. Religious suffering is one factor which is self imposed. (When we first see Casy he is explaining to Tom Joad how he left preaching, not merely because of the lusts that plagued him, but because religious faith as he knew it seemed to set up codes of behavior which denied human nature its proper and full expression) Religious suffering is perhaps epitomized in Jesus Christ, and Joseph Fontenrose believes the tragic character of Casey is believed to be the symbolic representation of Jesus Christ himself. (Jim Casy's initials are JC, and he retired to the wilderness to find spiritual truth and came forth to teach a new doctrine of love and good works...Casy sacrificed himself for others when he surrendered himself as the man who had struck a deputy Sinrod 3 at Hooverville...Tom told his mother, "I'm talking like Casy," after saying that he would be present everywhere, though unseen...) However the character of Jim Casy goes beyond Christ. While pondering sin and virtue, Casy comes to the enlightening conclusion that people cannot be judged "good" or "bad". ("Maybe it's just the way folks is...There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing. And some things folks do is nice, and some ain't nice, but that's as far as any man got a right to say.") Viewing the morality of individuals as dynamic, as opposed to static, provides tremendous freedom for characters such as Tom Jode. He is capable of many different actions throughout the story, including intimidation, guile, support, love, and even murder. Steinbeck wants to show that even a murderer still loves his mother. The mother after all, is holding his family together. (In all the families in crisis, the children look to the women for answers to their immediate survival: "What are we gonna do, Ma? Where are we going to go? Free Grapes of Wrath Essays: Steinbeck's Theme of Suffering :: Grapes Wrath essays The Theme of Suffering in Grapes Of Wrath A constant theme in The Grapes of Wrath is the suffering of humans. As F.W. Watt says, (The primary impact of The Grapes of Wrath...is not to make us act, but to make us understand and share a human experience of suffering and resistance.) Steinbeck shows us that his characters, as well as all people must endure suffering as human beings. Humans suffer due to many factors. Religious suffering is one factor which is self imposed. (When we first see Casy he is explaining to Tom Joad how he left preaching, not merely because of the lusts that plagued him, but because religious faith as he knew it seemed to set up codes of behavior which denied human nature its proper and full expression) Religious suffering is perhaps epitomized in Jesus Christ, and Joseph Fontenrose believes the tragic character of Casey is believed to be the symbolic representation of Jesus Christ himself. (Jim Casy's initials are JC, and he retired to the wilderness to find spiritual truth and came forth to teach a new doctrine of love and good works...Casy sacrificed himself for others when he surrendered himself as the man who had struck a deputy Sinrod 3 at Hooverville...Tom told his mother, "I'm talking like Casy," after saying that he would be present everywhere, though unseen...) However the character of Jim Casy goes beyond Christ. While pondering sin and virtue, Casy comes to the enlightening conclusion that people cannot be judged "good" or "bad". ("Maybe it's just the way folks is...There ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing. And some things folks do is nice, and some ain't nice, but that's as far as any man got a right to say.") Viewing the morality of individuals as dynamic, as opposed to static, provides tremendous freedom for characters such as Tom Jode. He is capable of many different actions throughout the story, including intimidation, guile, support, love, and even murder. Steinbeck wants to show that even a murderer still loves his mother. The mother after all, is holding his family together. (In all the families in crisis, the children look to the women for answers to their immediate survival: "What are we gonna do, Ma? Where are we going to go?

Poetry Analysis Essay

Introduction Name of poem Home Burial Name of poet Robert Frost Date of publication 1915 Other relevant background info This poem talks about Living, Death, sorrow and grieving, Relationships and Familly And ancestors. It is full of sadness and grief. During it’s publication it is presented as a whole new genre of poetry. Two deaths were depicted in the poem, that of a child and an end up of marriage. The poem deals with essential loneliness. This poem is brought up by his experience of losing his two children at a very young age. One of his son, committed suicide. Form of poem It is a free verse; Dramatic Lyric Structure of poem The Poem has no rhyme scheme yet it have noticeable number of stresses per lines. Lines spoken by people are enclosed in quotation marks and thus recognized as such. It also used emotional or tense form of words Rhyme scheme No rhyme scheme Meaning Overall Meaning Each of us has its own destiny. Decision making takes a big role in human life as such it will dictate the future of a person. Though we may not have the privilege or the ability to see our future, we can rely that in every action there is a reaction. It is said that Frost took the road less taken but in reality all of us travel in this very road and that is life, the run of life. All fo us run the same cycle. How the poem relates to life in general, and/or my life In decision making, we should take into consideration the effects it will burst forth and that what ever the result, I must be ready to embrace the consequence whether good or bad. Alliteration ‘I shall laugh the worst laugh I ever laughed To give of the best. To perform as if it will be the last. To smile at least there’s no tomorrow.

Transportation, Globalization And International Trade

Home Contents Chapter 5 Concept 2 Transportation, Globalization and International Trade Author: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue 1. The Flows of Globalization In a global economy, no nation is self-sufficient. Each is involved at different levels in trade to sell what it produces, to acquire what it lacks and also to produce more efficiently in some economic sectors than its trade partners. International Trade. An exchange of goods or services across national jurisdictions. Inbound trade is defined as imports and outbound trade is defined as exports. Subject to the regulatory oversight and taxation of the involved nations, namely through customs. As supported by conventional economic theory, trade promotes economic efficiency by providing a wider variety of goods, often at lower costs, notably because of specialization, economies of scale and the related comparative advantages. The main theoretical foundations of international trade include: †¢ Mercantilism. A trade system where a nation tried to impose a positive trade balance (more exports than imports, particularly value-wise) on other nations to favor the accumulation of wealth. This system was prevalent during the colonial era and often undertaken by charter companies receiving a monopoly on trade. Mercantilism represents the antithesis of free trade since trade relations are controlled and aligned to benefit one partner at the expense of the other. Still, mercantilism established the foundations of a global tradingShow MoreRelatedEconomic Globalization And The Global Economy972 Words   |  4 Pagescommunication sharing technology, the push for free trade agreements, and the sustaining of a prolonged period of international peace, globalization has rapidly taken over political discourse and dealings. The emphasis, in recent decades, has been towards economic globalization with the push for international stock exchanges, and the development of the Internationa l Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Economic globalization is the development of an interdependent andRead MoreAn Analysis Of The International Logistics Systems1481 Words   |  6 Pagesefficient and reliable transportation mechanisms for their supply chains (Coyle et al. 2015). In addition, the various firms or companies have to contend with the fact that the increased distances of transportation come with its fair share of risks. The firms need to carry out risk assessment to deal with the unexpected processes. From another point of view, the firms need to make several compromises as they enter into various agreements that will ensure that the transportation processes are well integratedRead MoreCompare and Contrast the Current Era of Globalization with the First Age of Globalization (1850s-1920s). What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Globalization in Its Current Context?1720 Words   |  7 Pagescurrent era of globalization with the first age of globalization (1850s-1920s). What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization in its current context? Word count: 1530   Unit Coordinator: Dr Tony Ramsay I am going to contrast the current era of globalization with the first age of globalization in many different aspects, in the mean time analysis the merits and demerits of　globalization in its current context. John and Kenneth (2012, p. 28) find that the concept of globalization means theRead MoreThe Seven Interrelated Variables that have Helped Globalization862 Words   |  4 PagesInternational Business behaviour business transactions everywhere throughout the world. These transactions incorporate the goods, services, technology, managerial knowledge, and capital to other countries. International Business includes export and imports. Global Business is moreover alluded to, called or escaped as a Global Business or an International Marketing. According to dictionary.com (n.d), International trade is the trade of exchange of goods or services along international borders. ThisRead MoreImpact Of Globalization On The United States1454 Words   |  6 PagesGlobalization is an extremely relevant concept in regards to the current shape of the world. Through globalization, ideas are shared across cultures leading to innovations in several departments. I would like to give an overall view and perspective of the impact of globalization on the United States from a macro look at how globalization is now shaping America. Likewise, I will discuss in more detail how globalization has impacted the United States as it relates to technology, trade, transportationRead MoreGlobalization Of The Cross Border Trade And Investment Opportunities1373 Words   |  6 Pagesthe perceived distance between the cross-border trade and investment opportunities are shrinking due to advances in transportation and telecommunications technology is known as globalization. Globalization not only affects the consumers but also organizations. Barriers to globalization include distance, time zones, languages, not to mention the national differences in government regulations, culture, and business systems. The bus known as globalization is driven by an organizations need to expand,Read More The Elimination of the Middle Class1256 Words   |  6 Pages Globalization is the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a global network by transportation, communication, and trade. Through a global lens the process of globalization seems to be vital to the development of the modern world. As a result of globalization there has been a dramatic transition in every aspect of life around the world, more specifically in areas such as trade, immigration, and human development. International trade bolsters salesRead MoreGlobal Market Liberalisation : Globalization1117 Words   |  5 Pages The word globalization can be defined in many ways. It involves a change in economic status, political status, economy, and international intervening, including trade. Global trade has been on the increase and has expanded over time. Trade helps in decreasing poverty levels and providing others with what they need. The growth of world trade has averaged 6 percent per year, over the past 20 years. That is twice as fast as the output in the world. The definition of globalization includes the processRead MoreNeoliberal Globalization:Transformation and Development1021 Words   |  5 PagesIn the era of neoliberal globalization, states have more interconnectedness and interdependence with each other for the global economy to prosper. Meanwhile, Significant changes have occurred in the nature of international trade and commodity production for the past decades. These changes also lead to new geographic, social, and political divisions of labor worldwide. Moreover, social and political consequences of these transformations have begun to take effects on a global scale. In this essay IRead MoreGlobalization of Supply Chain Management1422 Words   |  6 PagesConclusions The globalization of supply chain management is the natural outcome of today’s expanding consumer markets as companies struggle to meet the dynamic needs of growing markets and new customer segments. It has led to a high degree of specialization under an ever-expanding world market. People with special skills can work with little overheads and market globally. Small companies can flourish. Introduction The pace of globalization on the supply chain continues to foster opportunities

A Veteran Banned From Military Housing - 974 Words

Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherd dogs mark 100 years with the AKC. Both German Shepherds and Dobermans were the Devil Dogs in WWII (Mahood). Both dog breeds have given years of service to the military. Both dogs have been faithful loyal companions and incredibly intelligent. Both dogs are ranked in the top five for obedience and working intelligence (â€Å"Dog intelligence rankings†). Yet, the German Shepherd is currently the military police’s working dog and its veteran companion, the Doberman Pinscher, is currently banned from living in military bases. How is breed banning fair or even effective? In January 5th 2009, the Department of the Army released a memorandum announcing a new pet policy for families living on military base†¦show more content†¦U.S. Army Veterinary Command (VETCOM) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as well as many other organizations, believe that breed bans are not the answer and is an inadequate solution to reducing dog bite fatalities on military installations. They believe that â€Å"a comprehensive approach versus breed bans is a more realistic method of controlling dog bites within a community† (Rolfe). Banning breeds is a knee-jerk response that is inappropriate and ineffective. Any breed can be dangerous; there was a case where a Dachshund was involved in killing an 87-year-old woman (â€Å"2005 dog bite fatalitiesâ€Å"). This policy assumes that all dogs of a certain breed is considered dangerous and will bite, instead of acknowledging that most dogs will not. Another issue is breed identification. According to the memorandum, the dog will be not be allowed if officials think it looks like one of the banned breeds. That makes the policy unfair even to dogs that are not from the so called â€Å"dangerous† breeds. For example, a Labrador-Boxer mix, the result looks a lot like a Pit Bull, but are in no way related. Or certain black and tan Labradors that look like Rottweilers. The deciding factor is not breed, it is ownership. Irresponsible ownership in the form of poor care, neglect, etc. results in a potentially dangerous dog. Irresponsible owners will just get a dog that is not bannedShow MoreRelatedA Dog Is A Man s Best Friend1501 Words   |  7 PagesOver the years it has been said that a dog is a man s best friend. A friend that has been domesticated ever since the beginning of time, bringing about many different breeds throughout the world from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. The connections received from these loyal animals have proven to be a huge benefit physically, emotionally, and socially. It is no surprise that we have trained dogs to perform complex tricks to entertain the public or train them to save lives. Dogs that are trainedRead MoreThe War Of A National Highway System1463 Words   |  6 PagesFrontier, unemployment benefits were expanded, aid was provided to cities to improve housing and transportation, funds were allocated to continue the construction of a national highway system started under Eisenhower, a water pollution control act was passed to protect the country’s rivers and streams, and an agricultural act to raise farmers’ incomes was made law. The bay of pigs invasion was a failed military invasion of Cuba. Brigade 2506, the group that attempted to invade cuba, was made upRead MoreThe Events Of The World War II986 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican participation in World War II? (Chapter 22) After World War I legacy the Great Depression brought isolationism. The best work produced by President Roosevelt was the Four Freedoms; freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. President Roosevelt was the leader of the Allies, he used this statement as part of his Allies aim. The Soviet Union joined the Allies after being invaded by Germany. Millions of art were sold and reprinted as it publicizes the FourRead MoreHarry Truman Essay477 Words   |  2 PagesCommunists from taking over South Korea, and sent troops to fight in the war. The Korean War asked the whole nation to become involved in production and mobilizing troops, and the US involvement in the war proved to affect many people. Truman also made many decisions affecting the American people domestically. After World War II, he passed the GI Bill, which provided the returning war veterans with cash, education, housing, and unemployment benefits. After the war, the nation switched from war productionRead MoreThe Legalization Of Same Sex Marriage1294 Words   |  6 Pagesprincipality of equality. The United States believes that it is a place of freedoms and liberties, but if that is so, why are we one of the last Western countries to legalize it? The Legalization Protected by the Constitution Less than a third of states had banned same-sex marriage before the Supreme Court overruled those bans, and in over half of the states where it was legalized it was because of court cases that ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny marriage to same-sex couples (ProCon.org, 2015). TheRead MoreAnimal Experimentation Should Be Used For Research1600 Words   |  7 Pagesessential part of a scientist’s job to prevent diseases from spreading. In addition, animals are biologically similar to humans. Human beings have similar organ systems and body processes which is easier for scientist to determine which medicine is more effective and what they need to work on. Animals and humans carry many similar diseases and illness. For example cats suffer from some of the same visual impairments as humans and dogs suffer from cancer, diabetes, cataracts and ulcers which makes themRead MoreThe Berlin Wall Of World War II1626 Words   |  7 PagesThe Berlin Wall symbolized many things for different people. For the Germans it served as their punishment from World War II, this punishment divided up their country and separated many people from their families who might have lived in different parts of Germany. Everyday things that were accessible to them like going to the grocery store or visiting family members were now made harder since in order to cross to the other side of the wall people would have to go through security checks. The WallRead MoreEmerging From The Restrictive Culture Of The 1950 S Essay1765 Words   |  8 PagesEmerging from the restrictive culture of the 1950’s, the counterculture of the 1960s challenged the prescribed norms, roles and expectations of the previous generations that outcasted youth found restrictive and alienating. Baby Boomers retained the abstract goals of mainstream society; they sought individual freedom and opportunities for self-determination. But their vision of the American dream widened the traditional definitions of freedom to include bodily, psychological, and political freedomsRead MoreThe s Favorite Flea Markets2772 Words   |  12 Pagesa roof over their head, means to keep from going hungry and sick, the more likely they are to be able to work. Instead of peoples’ well-beings having ownership of funding toward departments that actually matter (Dept. of Education, Housing Urban Development, Health Human Services) departments such as Department of Homeland Security, which robs us of some of our civil liberties of privacy and contributes to discrimination, are receiving no complaints from its champions. Though, in an ideal governmentRead MoreThe s Favorite Flea Markets2772 Words   |  12 Pagesa roof over their head, means to keep from going hungry and sick, the more likely they are to be able to work. Instead of peoples’ well-beings having ownership of funding toward departments that actually matter (Dept. of Education, Housing Urban Development, Health Human Services) departments such as Department of Homeland Security, which robs us of some of our civil liberties of privacy and contributes to discrimination, are receiving no complaints from its champions. Though, in an ideal government

Video Games And Virtual Reality - 2170 Words

Imagine if there was a way to immerse someone to another world that was once thought it was impossible to do due to limitations. A world where can play extracurricular activities such as tennis indoors without having the need to go outside and enjoy it. That is how virtual reality came to be. It is a computer-generated simulator that would show three-dimensional images or environments that can be interacted or be felt in some way for the individual. Back around the days during the time where video games were starting to become a dominant presence in the societal aspects of the world. It has brought a new age of entertainment that was never thought of and improvements have been done over time in how to get children more immersed in these games. This is where the idea of using virtual reality came to be as a way of using this for video games. The video games company Nintendo, then decided to make a new console that would bring in something that has never been combined before. Video gam es and virtual reality were starting to be brought into something that will bring children into a new experience. Nintendo created their first product that would bring virtual reality as a means of entertainment. This would be called the Virtual Boy. Little did Nintendo know that it would end up unquestionable be their â€Å"dirty little secret†. The Virtual Boy was released on July 21, 1995 in Japan and August 16, 1995 in North America. There was a commercial that included what the Virtual Boy couldShow MoreRelatedViolent Games And Violent Video Games1122 Words   |  5 PagesAs video game images become increasingly more realistic and graphic. Therefore, is there any link between the violence depicted in those games and violence in real life? Students are the main group people who played violent video games very often. Also, losing a game causes many people to have a negative impact. Last, the attitudes on violent game and antisocial. Games are everywhere around us, such as cellphones, televisions, or computers, but violent games are the most popular type of game. TheRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On The Video Game Industry791 Words   |  4 Pagesis the future of the video game industry. Imagine looking through the eyes of your favorite video game character but in reality, you are actual sitting on the couch. Look to the left and you see R2-D2 trying to communicate to you. To the right, you have rebel fighters shooting at storm troopers that are attacking your home planet. Virtual reality lets you do all of this from the comfort of your home. However, Augmented reality lets you do this as well, but it is less virtual and more technologicalRead MoreVirtual Reality Is Defined As The World Wide Web1625 Words   |  7 PagesVirtual reality is defined as the electronic simulations of environments experienced through head mounted goggles and wired clothing to enable the user to interact in realistic three-dimensional situations (Biocca). It has rece ntly gained attention throughout the gaming subculture in the form of the Oculus Rift, a new console that allows users to interact with a constructed 3D environment. However, its potential does not end there. It is already being applied to provide hands on training for surguriesRead MoreVirtual Reality : History, Applications, Technology And Future1634 Words   |  7 Pages Effects of Virtual Reality Virtual reality has become easily accessible and goes beyond our wildest imagination, but it has older origins than one may think. Virtual reality programs, or devices, allow anyone to see an interactive world in a different dimension and experience events that may not be accessible in real life. One of the earliest attempts at virtual reality was a 360-degree mural like the one in The Sistine Chapel. â€Å"These paintings were intended to fill the viewer’s entire field ofRead MoreNegatives of Television and Video Games728 Words   |  3 PagesWith television and video games entering a whole new level of popularity in the 2000s, serious and necessary questions need to be answered regarding the negative aspects of these new technologies. The technologies have perhaps caught people in such bewilderment and dazzle that the negatives have been given a blind-eye. The positives no doubt are countless, however whether they outweigh the negatives or not is another question. Nowadays, with TV programs becoming many and TV channels and digitalRead MoreInformative Speech Evolution of Video Games Essay945 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿INTRODUCTION Do you wish you could escape the world sometimes? Free your mind of all thoughts on reality and just get away. Well lucky for you, there is one way you can do this. It’s been around since the 1970s and it’s the wonderful world of video games. Ever since then technology has grown incredibly now making a fun hobby out of it that people can really enjoy. I myself have made it a hobby and try to keep up with all the latest devolvement’s in the gaming world. Some of my fondest memoriesRead MoreFor Ages, People Have Been Misunderstanding The Meaning1466 Words   |  6 Pageswell-built character and a wide-range of knowledge. The tool with the utmost potential to help people reach their dreams nowadays is video gaming, thanks to its unmatched popularity and the immense power of its virtuality that can not only entertain people but also build their personalities, reinforce their knowledge, and influence the reality they live in. The video gaming industry has already proved itself to be one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries in the world. From about 10 billionRead MoreEssay On Video Game Violence1377 Words   |  6 Pages Have you ever had the urge to harm or kill someone after playing a game of football? People of all ages love to play this sport whether it be for fun or bragging rights. We watch two people almost tear each other apart in boxing or Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Chances are you probably just looked at these events and went on with your day afterwards. We have faced dangerous events such as wars, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. What these events have in common is that they are actuallyRead MorePersuasive Essay On Virtual Reality1114 Words   |  5 PagesVirtual reality is slowly creeping its way into the lives of every day Americans. Whether it be training a new employee for a job, teaching students, or assisting in military applications, virtual reality is all around us now. Virtual reality is not only putting a pair of fancy goggles on and going on a beachfront vacation. Video games and social media are both forms of virtual reality. Video games allow you to enter a different world. Social media allows people to be totally different charactersRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Children1519 Words   |  7 PagesVideo games in the 21st century have transformed from friendly competing into guns, explosions, and major violence. Video games are getting away with more violence every year and the games are becoming more extreme. The consistence and severity of violence is at an all-time high leading the most popular games in the gaming community to have a ‘mature’ rating due to the considerable amount of violence involved. For example, one of the highest selling video games of all time grossing one billion its

Baseball Free Essays

Imagine you saw a professional hitting a home run. Then you wonder how the ball got that far. You ask yourself â€Å"should I go ask the coach how the player hit the home run?† Do you know who Dave Winfield is? Do you want to know more about baseball for young and old? What a Baseball Made of? A baseball is made up of 4 main layers. We will write a custom essay sample on Baseball or any similar topic only for you Order Now At the center of the ball is a rubber core. Around the core is a layer of cork. Then twine is wrapped around the core. Over the twine is stitched a layer of leather that makes up the cover of the ball. They stitch the ball because that way the twine part of the ball does not come out like stuffing from a pillow. The ball is made the same for both of the leagues except for the tee-ball league. The middle of the tee-ball is made up of this soft component so it will not hurt as much when you get hit by it because you are just beginning of your baseball career if you want that to be your career. The Rubber Core The rubber core is at the center of the baseball and is the first material needed to make a baseball. This is so because without it you will not have a sturdy baseball. I know this because on one of my baseballs I took out the core and remade the baseball. When I was finished I threw the ball to my friend and it fell in mid flight to where my friend could not catch it. I never did that again because it was a waste of the materials because we could not find a way to use it. The Cork Layer The cork is a hard material. The cork is after the rubber core layer at the middle. It is a hard material because that way it will turn into a sphere so it will be easier to catch when you are playing the game. Another reason you need the cork layer is because it helps with the weight to be even to where it go through the air correctly. The Twine Layer The twine layer is after the cork layer. The twine layer is next because that way you will not feel the cork since it is a hard substance and the twine is a little softer than the cork. [pic] You do not want to touch the twine a lot because it is sharp enough to cut the skin when you push it hard against your skin. The Leather The leather layer is the layer after the twine layer. There is a leather layer because that way the twine will not cut into your hand. The twine is sharp enough to cut your skin a little and not a lot. The leather is also a kind of soft layer. It also helps you get a better grip on the ball to throw it to another friend or player. Baseball Facts One baseball fact is that Jackie Robinson led the Dodgers to six World Series and one World Series Championship in a 10-year span. Another baseball piece of information is that people think Abner Doubleday invented baseball. A myth is that Dave Winfield threw a baseball that killed a sea gull in midflight. How to cite Baseball, Essay examples

Activity essay free essay sample

On July 20th, 2008, Chengdu airport, a gray rainy day, the scenes along the road shocked me. The buildings and trees were razed to the ground. Miserable and despondent people wandered along the road. A subtle dirge can be heard in the quiet street. There was a smell of death in the air; the atmosphere was depressing. On May 12th, 2008, a disastrous earthquake erupted in China, which caused 69,197 people to die and wounded another 374,176 people. When I heard this shocking news, I could not help worrying about Sichuan. I once travelled to Sichuan. I memorized the cloudless sky. I memorized the clear Min River. I memorized the happy sounds of talking people. Now everything was broken. The donation of money could not satisfy me – I wanted to provide my help directly and assume my social responsibility. To my surprise, the camp was not as bad or as rough as I thought: many families lived in houses built with special plastic boards. We will write a custom essay sample on Activity essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I started my volunteer work with registering the information of the victims. When I was typing the information, I was shocked – almost every family lost some members. I felt depressed for the victims, especially for the children. How can they grow up happily? It made me want to help more for the victims. So I decided to work with the students of East China Normal University because one volunteer’s power was negligible, but with thousands of people we can do great service for the victims. I easily melded into the team and became friends with the students; we had the same goal and willingness to help. We rented one of the board houses and decorated the room into a kindergarten. We were designated to a certain child – mine was Xinyue Hu – and tried to make them forget about their depression by telling stories, playing games and teaching English. After several days, when I was telling the Snow White story to Xinyue Hu, she interrupted me at the end and invit ed me to her house. I suddenly felt depressed and sympathetic toward her because nearly all the buildings in the city had been damaged. She didn’t notice the strangeness in my face; instead, she just kept talking, â€Å"I had two houses. One is here. The other is in the process of rebuilding. My family will move back soon.† When I heard this, I began to feel hope and confidence. The houses and buildings could be destroyed, but we would rebuild them even better. Although one Chinese cliche states that, â€Å"Each one sweeps the snow from his own doorstep and doesnt bother about the frost on their neighbor’s roof,† we held together and made a donation of nearly 76.7 billion RMB when we were challenged by the natural disaster. Many volunteers from different provinces and jobs flocked into Sichuan for help. Some people even moved their entire families to Sichuan. The experience gave me a chance to assume social responsibility but also to contribute to the re building of Sichuan, also a mental inspiration. By telling stories, playing games and teaching English to the children, I gained a true happiness. We were like a big family and treated the children as our brothers and sisters. I miss them all and would definitely return. It also made me believe the individual’s power is little when faced with huge disasters and problems; only through cooperation and teamwork can we change the situation and succeed. By the way, the camp’s name was Happy Family.