philosophy 101 :: essays research papers

A professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous - - yes. The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - - your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions - - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full." "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else - - the small stuff." "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. Play another 18.

Discrimination and the Arts Essay

1. W.E.B Du Bois makes a strong and persuasive argument about â€Å"double consciousness† and racial struggle in America. ANSWER THIS QUESTION: Do you agree that â€Å"art†Ã¢â‚¬â€broadly defined—can be an antidote or a form of resistance against certain kinds of discrimination? 2. Take a position on this issue by first exploring at least three of our course texts, starting with Du Bois and leading through several of our other readings (Martin Luther King, Alice Walker, bell hooks, or any of the other writers we’ve read in this unit or the previous unit on disability). IN OTHER WORDS, you must use Du Bois and at least two other authors in Cultural Conversations. Is there, for example, an art to the practice of nonviolence such as King describes, or to the use of language discussed in Linton and Slackjaw? 3. Ultimately, your exploration of these connected ideas should lead to a clear position of your own, and you must demonstrate in this paper that you can synthesize a number of differing ideas in the pursuit of your own argument. We will discuss strategies to do so in class. 4. Provide an example from contemporary culture of people resisting (or not resisting) discrimination. Use this example to demonstrate your position on art as resistance. Consider questions such as: would art have helped the less empowered people fight back? Did art play a part in the arguments against discrimination? In what ways does art address discrimination in your example? You may use print or web sources for this example as long as you document these carefully. In addition, you must define what you mean by â€Å"art† in order to construct a strong argument. 5. Include in your paper an acknowledgement and rebuttal of an opposing or counter-argument. This section of your paper may be short, but it is a vital aspect of your paper, so don’t forget to include it. IN OTHER WORDS, give the other side of your answer to the top question about art as an effective form of resistance and then argue against it. If you answer â€Å"yes,† then say how people could argue â€Å"no† and argue against them. 6. You will need to use at least five sources for this paper: THREE from Cultural Conversations (Du Bois plus two others) and TWO related to your example (they can be nonscholarly). 7. GRADING BASED ON: forming a thesis, showing originality, constructing and organizing your argument, using textual evidence, showing you understand the main themes of the course/unit, meeting stylistic and grammatical standards, and finding and using sources. 8. Use MLA format and citation style. Also use 1 inch margins and Times New Roman or similar font. No cover page please. Number your pages and include a header with your name and my name on it. Staple your paper. Don’t forget a title. Proofread. W.E.B. Du Bois Marcus Garvey Booker T. Washington Langston Hughes Anna Julia Cooper Frances E.W. Harper Anonymous Reviewer Lifting the Veil of Ignorance, B.T. Washington Memorial at Tuskegee University From Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man (1952): â€Å"Then in my mind’s eye I see the bronze statue of the college Founder, the cold Father symbol, his hands outstretched in the breathtaking gesture of lifting a veil that flutters in hard, metallic folds above the face of a kneeling slave; and I am standing puzzled, unable to decide whether the veil is really being lifted, or lowered more firmly in place; whether I am witnessing a revelation or a more efficient blinding.† Bob Marley â€Å"Redemption Song† â€Å"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds.† Langston Hughes â€Å"I, Too, Sing America† Frances E.W. Harper â€Å"The Burdens of All† From W.E.B. Du Bois’ Criteria of Negro Art: PAGE 160: â€Å"The apostle of beauty thus becomes the apostle of truth and right not by choice but by inner and outer compulsion. Free he is but his freedom is ever bounded by truth and justice; and slavery only dogs him when he is denied the right to tell the truth or recognize an ideal of justice†¦ Thus, all art is propaganda and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists†¦ I do not care a damn for any art that is not used for propaganda. But I do care when propaganda is confined to one side while the other is stripped and silent.†

Planning And Assessment Of The Primary School For A Teacher

Planning, teaching and assessment are essential in the primary school for a teacher to ensure that successful learning and progression takes place. These three components link together however they should not be considered as a linear experience because assessment should not and does not always occur at the end of these processes (Earl, 2003). The process has a cyclic nature where each part contributes to the final outcome; you must plan to be able to teach a lesson, but to do so you must assess prior knowledge to allow for future progression. I will explore how this important cyclic process takes place and how different approaches, such as using story books, are used to do so in relation to the foundation subjects, particularly looking at Religious Education (RE), music and computing. Thorough planning in the primary school is important as it ensures teachers have a structure and context for each lesson and that they can have a positive impact on children’s learning and progress. Pugh and Pugh (1998, p. 115) recognise that without clear planning, teachers would not know what they’re trying to achieve, how to achieve it and when it is to be achieved. Despite the age of this literature, the concept around planning remains today; it is crucial to plan the curriculum and lessons in three stages; short, medium and long term. RE, although a statutory subject within the National Curriculum has no guidelines and is therefore delivered in accordance with a locally agreedShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Monitoring And Assessment For Students Learning Essay1506 Words   |  7 Pages Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning data and to use this data to inform teaching for improved student learning. Assessment is a crucial part of the teaching and learning process as it provides teachers with the evidence that is required to inform the direction and implementation of the curriculum. By upholding ongoing assessment and monitoring, students have the advantage of working in an environment that is tailored to their individual learning needs which in turn promotesRead MoreThe Job Of Early Years Foundation Stage Class Teacher1222 Words   |  5 Pagesinterest and enthusiasm I apply for the job of Early Years Foundation Stage Class Teacher. After extensive and varied experience of working throughout St Michaels Catholic Primary School and Cavendish Primary School, I would like to continue my career as a Foundation Stage, Class Teacher. My current position, working as a full time Reception Class Teacher requires excellent communication with children, other teachers, child-care professionals and parents who often come from diverse cultural backgroundsRead MoreMy Personal Statement On Teaching And Teaching Essay1601 Words   |  7 Pagesand the Assessment and Reporting Advice and the ability to implement curriculum programs consistent with their intent. My deep understanding of educational frameworks ensures that my students are provided with an equal opportunity to become successful 21st century, life-long learners. The major educational frameworks that I refer to, to inform and underpin my teaching practices are the Victorian Curriculum, the Principals of Learning and Teaching, the Blueprint of Education and the Assessment and ReportingRead MoreTeaching And School Leadership Standards847 Words   |  4 Pages Career Objective To obtain a position as a Primary School Teacher that will challenge and extend my professional knowledge, skills, practice and engagement. To promote and provide each child with an education that meets their individual needs and develops their potential in all aspects, underpinned by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Standards. To achieve my full potential as a teacher. Educational Qualifications 2012 – 2016 2001 – 2011 2001 - 1997 TheRead MoreThe No Child Left Behind Act Of 2001893 Words   |  4 PagesAssessment has drawn much attention, especially since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESES). It is not that assessment is new to education but that the stakes of assessment has risen to a new level. It is apparent that testing is now viewed in a much different way by the public, schools and all stakeholders of schools than in the past. Over time, testing has developed roles of providing a gradeRead More7.0School Assessment Process. School Assessment Process1451 Words   |  6 Pages7.0 School Assessment process School assessment process differ in each school. It is important for all schools to follow the Assessment Principles. According to the personal communications with Bindi (2017) at the beginning of each school year the assessment results from the previous year are used to place students into appropriate learning groups and plan what to teach. Bindi also noted that she tries not to assess to regularly as she finds it difficult to get accurate results within her classroomRead MorePlanning– -Primary teachers need to create engaging lessons which will hold students’ interest and900 Words   |  4 PagesPlanning– -Primary teachers need to create engaging lessons which will hold students’ interest and keep them connected to the learning target. This being said, there should always be an end goal in mind prior to designing a lesson (Backwards Design). Teachers should make sure they know the intended targets and expectations they want students to comprehend. Teachers must also determine student needs prior to planning a lesson, so that differentiated instruction can be given to those who need it –Read MorePersonal Statement For Becoming A Certified Elementary School Teacher1523 Words   |  7 PagesSignature Assignment: Professional Goals Gretchen M. Ellwood Pima Community College Post-Bach Teacher Certification Program EDU 250: An Introduction to Teaching Abstract This paper explores the information presented to me in EDU 250 and it’s application toward my future endeavors as an educator. The purpose of this paper is to represent the material I have learned throughout the introductory course. Matthew Lynch’s, The Call to Teach (2014), helps guide my discussion and description of learnedRead MoreQuestions On Lack Of Infrastructure1423 Words   |  6 PagesInfrastructure: To provide a quality of education there is need of quality of infrastructure if somebody knows how to play cricket but his potential cannot be utilized unless and until he has been provided with required infrastructure same is the case of every school and colleges where thousands of graduates are coming out without the knowledge of skills and abilities and end result in remaining unemployed. If resources are provided then we can convert them into quality of workforce which is the dire need of countryRead MoreThe Transition Process Is A Crucial Stage Of The Academic Life Of Students With Disabilities752 Words   |  4 Pagesa period in which student’s transit from the controlled environment of school to adult life and the possible hardships that accompanies it. As the students close this chapter of their life, certain services and supports that were provided in school continue to be necessary as they begin the new one. That is mainly why the effective transition of these stude nts to adult life is the primary concern for both parents and the school districts. Initially, the Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement

Should Standardized Testing Truly Measures The Academic...

There has recently been a debate regarding if standardized testing truly measures the academic capability of students or not. A standardized test is any form of an exam that requires all test takers to answer the same questions and that is scored in a consistent manner. Every student throughout his or her high school career will have to take at least one. A lot of the time people have the feeling that they are much smarter than what the test scores display, and many believe that the tests don’t represent any sort of academic ability. These academic tests are supposed to give everyone taking them a fair assessment of their intellect, and are not meant to obtain any bias or unfair advantages. Many of the tests given in high school are designed as indicators of college readiness and can present other factors, such as if a student should be allowed into a higher ability class or not. There are many reasons why these standardized test scores are not accurate models for exhibiting t he ability of a student academically. The end outcome of students’ grades on exams will ultimately reflect back on the educators of that course and how well they are teaching the material. For example, when students don’t score well on tests, it is often a bad reflection of how the teacher is doing his or her job. As many teachers are evaluated by how well their students do on these standardized tests, numerous teachers feel compelled to teach only what the test consists of rather than the actualShow MoreRelatedThe Culture of Testing Essays862 Words   |  4 Pagesstruggle for American students constantly throughout their academic career. Whether the test be the SAT or an annual state exam, students usually do not seem mentally prepared for the massive task at hand. A test like the SAT could possibly determine the immediate futures of these individuals. However, are these complex assessments successfully examining the academics of the student body? Students should no t be evaluated using standardized testing because they do not effectively measure a student’s completeRead MoreHarmful Effects of Standardized Testing939 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish 1301 July 5, 2012 Standardized Testing A Fault in School Systems Standardized testing had become a norm throughout the entire nation. From grade level students to high school students, college admittances tests and post-secondary exams, tests have all been standardized. While it may seem like the most logical way of evaluating students, the problem with these tests is the way that students are now being prepared for them and what the scores are being used to measure. For some schools, theyRead MoreLimitations Of Standardized Test Scores1644 Words   |  7 Pagestime a student has reached their senior year of high school, they have taken a standardized test a great number of times in order to get the score to attend their college of choice. A standardized test is any exam that is given and scored in a predetermined, standard manner. The SAT and ACT are known as standardized aptitude tests (Popham). SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test and ACT stands for American College Testing. The SAT was first given in 1926 and the ACT followed in 1959. S tudents spendRead MoreAssessments Hold Schools, States and Nations Accountable Essay1439 Words   |  6 PagesReading Association, n.d.). This connotation would seem to contradict the uselessness of focused teacher-testing in today’s classroom during the major assessment phase of the school year. However, according to Johnson and Johnson (2002) and Steward (2004), they believe that assessments are useful in holding schools, states and nations, accountable throughout the educational process for student learning (as cited in Richardson, Morgan, Fleener, 2009). As many of us educators in this district knowRead MoreThe Efficiency Of Standardized Testing1544 Words   |  7 PagesThe Efficiency of Standardized Testing Diane Ravitch once said, â€Å"Sometimes, the most brilliant and intelligent minds do not shine in standardized tests because they do not have standardized minds.† A standardized test is a test that is scored in a â€Å"standard† or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups of students. Standardized testing is a trend that has grown significantly over the last decade. These tests were intended toRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing1458 Words   |  6 PagesEach year high school students from around the country take the SAT or ACT. The ACT and SAT are both standardized test used by colleges to determine the knowledge of a student and predict what their performance will be in their first year of college. An immense amount of pressure is put on student to receive certain scores in order to obtain scholarships and admission into college. Even just one point on a student’s score can determine if they will be accepted into their dream college. However,Read MoreStandardized Testing Controls Much Of The Academic Career Of A Student Essay1810 Words   |  8 Pages Standardized testing controls much of the academic career of a student. Today, tests such as the ACT and SAT determine the probability of getting into college while state tests such as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) serve as an assessment of preparedness toward the upcoming grade of learning. There is still controversy over the workings of standardized tests. While it does check the proper essentials needed to progress from gradeRead MoreThe Power Of The Human Brain1278 Words   |  6 Pagesintelligence partly because of the rapid development of the education system and a higher dependence on academic proficiency. Throughout many years, the education system is rapidly advancing. While the education system is advancing, so are the expectations of student development. In the 1700’s, only young boys were allowed into the education system to prepare for Ivy League colleges. With fewer schools, students during this time did not receive a proper education. This issue caused society to not expect asRead MoreACT Scores Research Paper1812 Words   |  8 PagesWhy Colleges Should Not Rely at ACT Scores â€Å"Like the global economy, today’s students are driven by ideas and innovations. They should not be reduced down to, or defined by, a single test score† (Schuler). In the present time, the majority of colleges look at one’s ACT score as the key to admitting the student into their institute of higher learning. A 24 minimum composite score on the ACT is a requirement to be accepted to most universities in the United States. This prerequisite is not fair toRead MoreStandardized Testing Is Woven Into Public Schools1786 Words   |  8 PagesStandardized tests are a requirement for students to pass in order to graduate high school and attend college. The hope behind standardized tests is that they cover a number of rudimentary concepts and processes, and reflect what students have learned in their classes under a strict evaluation scale. However, in reality, standardized testing is offering very finite and ineffective learning skills, which don’t prepare st udents for college. The result: high dropout rates and high remedial enrollment

Fahrenheit 451 Literary Analysis - 822 Words

â€Å"There must be something in books, something we can imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing.†(Pg. 51) Main character Guy Montag is a servant to a society that is controlled by censorship and the fear of knowledge; Montag has spent his life burning books, to prevent the spread knowledge. But a series of events cause Montags mind to change, and result in him breaking free from his society. The internal struggle of dynamic character Guy Montag, as to whether he should go on believing the lies his society has told him, or risk his life for something as simple as words on a page, brings readers into the corrupt society of Fahrenheit 451. In the novel Fahrenheit 451 author Ray†¦show more content†¦Montag begins to question every aspect of his life, â€Å"I don’t know. We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing. I looked around. The onl y thing I knew was gone was the books I’d burned in 10 or 12 years. So I thought books might help.† (Pg.82) Censorship puts Montag in the dark; a place he no longer wants to be. Montag wants to be passionate about something worth fighting for. That passion leads him on a hunt for knowledge, guides him to books, and sets him free. Throughout the book, the reader is challenged to decide what happiness consists of: ignorance or knowledge. As Montag grows throughout the book, he finds that knowledge is the only thing that will set him free and grant him happiness. Montag has lived most of his life unhappy, and the only thing he knows is missing is the knowledge books contain, â€Å"Nobody listens to me anymore. I can’t talk to the walls because they’re yelling at me. I can’t talk to my wife; she listens to the walls. I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if I talk long enough it’ll make sense.† (Pg.82) Nobody listens to Montag because they recognize he wants to learn. Everyone in this society had been taught that knowing is bad. Montag frightens those around him into leaving him; this ultimately makes him realize that his quest for knowledge may feel lonely at times, but will end in him finding happiness. Once Montag meets the rebels he is taught about how the world used toShow MoreRelatedFahrenheit 451 Literary Analysis1106 Words   |  5 PagesInformation and knowledge, invaluable in society, are concealed and destroyed due to the government’s greed for power. The novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury follows the life of Guy Montag, a fireman, as he attempts to understand the dystopian society around him and his life. Montag rebels against the government and society itself in an attempt to understand his purpose. In the futuristic novel, books are illegal and burned in fires when found in homes. When Montag reveals his own collection ofRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Fahrenheit 451, By Ray Bradbury792 Words   |  4 PagesLiterary Analysis of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury â€Å"We never burned right†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bradbury 113) stated Guy Montag, the main character of Fahrenheit 451. This book is about a society that is oppressive and dictatorial. They depend on firemen to burn books at an attempt at censorship and to block free thinking. They obstruct books and literature as a way to restrict knowledge and understanding. One of the major theme of Fahrenheit 451, written by Ray Bradbury, is as society gains more knowledge and wisdomRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 4511118 Words   |  5 PagesIn the book Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury explains how there is a war going on. That brings sadness because people are dying while they are doing nothing. There is also a sense of adventure, curiosity, and wonder going through the book. He explains that all of this story is taking place in a city in America. He also gives a hint that is placed in the year 2053. One of the characters that is in the book is Guy Montag. He is 30 year old fireman who burns books. Montag is a little laid back at the beginningRead MoreAnimal Farm And Fahrenheit 451 Literary Analysis811 Words   |  4 Pagesagainst. Again this theme of â€Å"the struggle for freedom† is shown in the book Animal Farm by George Orwell, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In both of these novels the characters struggle to gain their freedom from the restrictions society placed on them. Freedom is only attained when it is fought for as shown in â€Å"I Have a Dream†, Fahrenheit 451, and Animal Farm. In the novel, Fahrenheit 451, Montag struggles for freedom despite societys restrictions. This is demonstrated when Montag is talking toRead MoreAnalysis Of Ray Bradbury s Fahrenheit 451 1396 Words   |  6 PagesAn Analysis of Freedom of Information in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury This study examines the issue of freedom of information in the story of literary oppression found in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury presents the oppression of an authoritarian state that does not allow its citizens to reads books. Guy Montag is initially a servant of the state that requires him to locate and persecute members of the community that still collect books. In various cases, Bradbury defines the rightsRead MoreDover Beach and Farenheit 4511461 Words   |  6 Pages English 2342 20 April 2011 Dover Beach and Fahrenheit 451 The classic poem, Dover Beach, written by Matthew Arnold, is a statement about losing faith as a result of enlightenment. In an emotionally charged scene in Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451, fireman Guy Montag reads the poem aloud to his wife and her friends. Bradbury could have chosen any piece of literature for Montag to read as a means of unveiling his collection of hoarded books and his newfound interest in reading them. BradburyRead MoreFahrenheit 451 Comparison Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pagesfighting for transgender rights as can be seen in the 21st century, or fighting to be considered a free man as can be seen in the 19th century. This fight can be seen throughout history books and literary classics such as Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. In Fahrenheit 451, the main character, Guy Montag is fighting against the technological revolution taking place in the 23rd century. He battles with a society full of censorship, where ever yone is too caught upRead MoreAnnotated Bibliography : Ray Bradbury1077 Words   |  5 PagesFahrenheit 451: Ray Bradbury An Annotated Bibliography Johnston, Amy E. Boyle. â€Å"Ray Bradbury: Fahrenheit 451 Misinterpreted.† L.A. Weekly, 4 Apr. 2016, Http://Www.laweekly.com/News/Ray-Bradbury-Fahrenheit-451-Misinterpreted-2149125. This article is about the author having an interview with Ray Bradbury about how people are mistreated because they was been kept uninformed and ignorant about censorship when its really about technology destroying the use ofRead MoreEssay on Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury972 Words   |  4 PagesIn Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, irony is used to convey information and it contributes to the overall theme of the novel. Written during the era of McCarthyism, Fahrenheit 451 is about a society where books are illegal. This society believes that being intellectual is bad and that a lot of things that are easily accessible today should be censored. The overall message of the book is that censorship is not beneficial to society, and that it could cause great harm to one’s intelligence and socialRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Fahrenheit 4511266 Words   |  6 PagesTo begin, in Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury incorporated: a censorship aspect intended for the book, social commentary , and the social critical analysis which relates to conflicts in our world today. To continue, censorship can be considered a â€Å"threat† to society, for example, Bradbury uses the concept of the overuse of media and how it can affect the world and the people around you. Furthermore, Bradbury’s key focus was to satirize the excessive use of television and the media as a news and entertainment

Course Syllabus Financial Management Free Essays

If you miss class some interesting things may also slip away. Students also have to read and research for their homework or assignments. Plan yourself and time carefully from the very beginning of the course before you countering read shocks or frightening. We will write a custom essay sample on Course Syllabus Financial Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now Grading Policy Your course grade will be based on a total of 1 00 possible points: Classroom participation and attendance (10%) Assignment (20%) Quizzes Midterm Examination Final Examination (40%) Total (100%) Your final grade will be based on your performance in homework/ assignments, quizzes, class participation and exams. Please note the dates of the exams listed on the course outline. There will be no makeup exams. An unexcused absence from an exam will be counted as a failure for that exam. Two unexcused absences from exams will be counted as a failure for the course. There will be no extra credit assignments. The final exam takes the form of two-hour and closed book exam, unless otherwise specified by the instructor, in which will be held in week 18th. However the specific date for this exam will be notified later. The midterm exam will be held in one hour basis and in your regular class during the week 8. There will be periodic quizzes, which are in very two weeks. Quizzes will be announced one week in advance. The quizzes will be given at the end of the class and each quiz will take no more than 15 minutes. The quizzes will generally consist on multiple-choice questions. The lowest grade will not be considered for the computation of your final grade. Performance on these quizzes, as well as your contributions to daily dialogue in class, will be factored into your class participation grade. They will also be used to check class attendance. How to cite Course Syllabus Financial Management, Essays

Perseverance Despite Persecutions Essay Example For Students

Perseverance Despite Persecutions Essay The founding fathers constructed the Constitution with the notion that â€Å"all men were created equal.† However, many minorities still struggle for the same rights and opportunities as others. â€Å"Mother to Son† and â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† are poems written by Langston Hughes that use symbolism to exemplify the struggles of African Americans as they attempt to persevere through adversity. Hughes utilizes the stairs in â€Å"Mother to Son† and the rivers in â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† as his main mode of symbolism. Symbolism in the two works develop the overall themes of the poems, perseverance. In â€Å"Mother to Son,† Hughes uses a worn staircase as an extended metaphor to parallel its flaws to the struggles of African Americans. She urges her son not to give in to the pressures of society, because she has not. By stating â€Å"Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair, (Mother to Son â€Å"MS† line 2) Mother is able to portray that her life is far from perfect. In fact, she describes her life as having â€Å"tacks and splinters†¦with boards torn up† (MS lines 3-5). These defects symbolize the problems in her life that were caused by her race, her gender, or both. In addition, Hans J. Massaquoi’s article â€Å"The Black Family Nobody Knows,† exemplifies that the African American race is a strong and versatile race. He argues that many people tend to depict Blacks through negative stereotypes, such as â€Å"drug abuse,† â€Å"teenage pregnancy,† and â€Å"gang affiliation† (Massaquoi 28). Massaquoi’s article, much like â€Å"Mother to. . Hughes uses â€Å"geographical landscapes† (Hogan 20), such as the river, as a common passage and a common place for African Americans. Hogan, much like me sees the rivers in â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† as â€Å"a symbol of both rooted connectedness and fluid mobility† and of â€Å"cultural flow across both space and time. † Through the exemplary use of symbolism, Langston Hughes produced two poems that spoke to a singular idea: Black people have prevailed through trials and tribulations to carry on their legacy as a persevering people. From rivers to stairs, Hughes use of extended metaphor emphasizes the feeling of motion which epitomizes the determination of the people. Overall, the driving feeling of the poems coupled with their strong imagery produce two different works that solidify and validate one main idea.