Essay Sample on Vampirism in #8220;The Fall of the House of Usher#8221;

Essay Sample on Vampirism in #8220;The Fall of the House of Usher#8221; Free sample essay on Vampirism in The Fall of the House of Usher: Originally written in 1839, Edgar Allan Poes The Fall of the House of Usher has been the object of many literary questions and criticisms. One of the most interesting questions ever raised would undoubtedly pertain to the illness that Madeline Usher suffered. Many theories have been put forth about the disease of Lady Madeline [that] had long baffled the skill of her physicians. (Poe 786). The most obvious conclusion on this disease is that Madeline Usher suffered from vampirism. Although Poe never actually said outright that this is what affected Madeline, he did give enough evidence throughout the story for it to be a possibility and when paired with the society-of-the-time’s view of death and gothic literature, vampirism is the most logical answer. Most of the writing of Poe’s literary works occurred in the middle of the 1800s. â€Å"At the heart of nineteenth century romantic cult of the dead, lay a profound ambivalence towards the dead body† (Pike Par. 2). This enabled Poe to do many stories that dealt with the dying or deceased. It was a â€Å"hot† topic. â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher†, however, is slightly different. The â€Å"dead,† that America loved at the time, had a new side. Since, according to Kendall, â€Å"Both male and female vampires abounded in literature by the time [Poe] published his contributions to the genre in 1839† (Par. 2) the backbone, the popularity of vampirism, was already in place for the short story to be accepted in the society. In short, by afflicting Madeline with â€Å"living† death, Poe not only appealed to the audience of those infatuated with death in general, but he was also able to target those that were interested in the darker, more gothic side, as well. There are many characteristics to look for when deciding if one is a vampire or not. Roxana Stuart’s Stage Blood: Vampires of the 19th Century Stage explains the traits of vampirism. For example, â€Å"Vampires can be either victims of a contagious disease, similar to rabies, or they can be a separate species from man; they are not necessarily connected with Satan and the powers of hell† (Qtd. in Ashley 15). This is a possible solution of how the vampirism first got into the family. Poe makes it clear throughout the story that Madeline’s condition is not a new one to the family and the disease is something of a family condition. Roderick Usher, Madeline’s twin brother, states that the illness is â€Å"a constitutional and family evil, and one for which he despaired to find a remedy† (Poe 767). This allows the first connection between vampirism and the Ushers. Vampirism, as previously stated, can be a race entirely different f rom humans, which can be taken to mean that the condition is a family flaw. Obviously, through Roderick’s explanation, it is clear that Madeline is not the first of the Usher to suffer from this strange malady. Later in the story, Poe leads the reader to another possible solution on how the condition arrived into the family. This explanation is given cryptically through the recital of a favored poem of Roderick’s, which states: â€Å"But evil things, in robes of sorrow,/Assailed the monarch’s high estate;/(Ah, let us mourn, for never morrow/Shall dawn upon him, desolate!)/And, round about his home, the glory/That blushed and bloomed/Is but a dim-remembered story/Of the old time entomed† (Poe 770). Obviously, Poe is telling the reader that at some time during the history of the Ushers, vampires entered the house and attacked its inhabitants, thus leading to the disease that affected the later generations. Another trait of a vampire is that â€Å"They have superhuman strength, and are most powerful at night† (Ashley 15-16). As Poe’s short story neared the end, we find Madeline, who was encrypted several days earlier, breaking free from her burial chamber. Poe describes this vault as being â€Å"entirely without means of admission for light† and with a â€Å"door of massive iron† (Poe 772). He goes on to say that this door was difficult for even the men to close because of â€Å"It’s immense weight† (Poe 772). How could it be possible then for this woman to not only break free from her confinement of her coffin, but also open the huge and heavy weight of the door? Take into consideration as well, that her disease caused a â€Å"gradual wasting away† and that she had not eaten in several days (Poe 768). These facts make it abundantly clear that something much more was occurring within Madeline. One could say that the ability to open the do or came from the fear of being â€Å"buried† alive, but desperation can only add so much to one’s physical strength. Her being able to open the door obviously demonstrates that she had strength that was superhuman. Although it is unclear if Roderick was actually afflicted with the disease, or merely afflicted by Madeline, it is clear that Madeline exuded a strange and eerie presence. As the narrator talks to Roderick, he catches sight of Madeline passing through another room: â€Å"I regarded her with utter astonishment not unmingled with dread† (Poe 768). This type of reaction is actually quite common when a normal person is in the presence of a vampire. Although variations of the reaction can be found, vampires incense feelings of things askew, eeriness and spookiness, akin to what people would call the feeling of their grave being walked over, within the normal person, especially if the vampire is unaware of being watched, as in the case with the narrator and Madeline. Normally however, a vampire will wrap a psychic â€Å"shroud† around itself so that the normal person is unable to detect anything out of the ordinary. At one point in the story, Roderick states that the cause of his illness can be traced to his sister, saying â€Å"much of the peculiar gloom which thus afflicted him could be traced to a more natural and far more palpable origin- to the severe and long-continued illness- indeed to the evidently approaching dissolution- of a tenderly beloved sister† (Poe 767-768). While this can be taken sarcastically, it is much more likely that it should be taken for face value. What Roderick’s message reveals here is that the cause of his illness can be traced to his sister. Apparently, her appearance affects him just as it does the narrator and it is highly likely that Roderick is her sole food source. This contributes to the symptoms of Roderick’s illness, which included â€Å"cadaverousness of complexion† and â€Å"ghastly pallor of the skin† (Poe 766). However, this does not necessarily mean that she was literally feeding off his blood, which is the most comm on thought in association of vampire food. In the case of the Ushers, it is much more likely that Madeline was feeding off Roderick’s psyche. She was draining him of life through a â€Å"vampiric exchange of energy [that] occurred between the siblings† (The Vampire Book 527). However, this was draining was also starting to occur on the narrator as well, as shown later in the story. He began to develop some of the same mental symptoms as Roderick, saying at one point that he could almost feel the change in himself, wondering if it was not merely the atmosphere of the house that caused Roderick to carry such an illness. In conclusion, Poe’s vampire motif in â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† is not just hypothetical- it is provable. Of course, many would argue that since it does not follow all traditional means of vampirism, then it could not possibly be true. However, it can be reasoned that Poe was not looking to meet all the regular vampire requirements or even create a story that follows basic and traditional vampire lore. Instead, it can be safely understood that the vampirism in this story was used to reach a deeper level- a more advanced reader, if you will. One must take into consideration that during the nineteenth century, many literary works were being produced in this genre. After all, the population loved the dead. Poe, being who he was, wanted to not only â€Å"jump on the bandwagon†, but make it his own as well. In creating the characters found in â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher†, he did just that.

5 Ways To Quit Panicking Before a Big Interview

5 Ways To Quit Panicking Before a Big Interview Interviews, especially for jobs we really want, can be incredibly nerve-wracking. Here are five ways to calm yourself down and walk in with the confidence you’ll need to land the job. Turn the voices offYour brain is probably playing a loop of what-ifs. Those have to stop. There are plenty of things you won’t be able to control, and there’s no use worrying about those. And there’s no sense worrying about the things you can control- try controlling them instead. Give yourself periodic reality checks and make sure you’re not spinning too far off into a fear spiral.Find your power placeYou’ll perform best when you feel at your best. That means being relaxed, confident, and tapped into what it is that makes you special. Figure out before the interview how to channel this feeling, and practice conjuring it up. That way, even when you’re in the hot seat, you’ll be able to access it and get into your groove.BreatheAs silly as it sounds , remind yourself to breathe. Nerves are a physiological response and your reaction to them can exacerbate the panic cycle. A few deep breaths can calm your autonomic nervous system enough for you to get back on track.Embrace rejectionFearing it won’t help you avoid it. Rejection is more common than not. The sooner you come to peace with getting a few â€Å"no’s for every ‘yes,† the better. Instead of feeling the shame, try embracing the positive: you tried, you may have failed, but you probably learned something worthwhile that will help you next time.See the personIt’s easy to view your interviewer as a robot or a super-villain holding the keys to your future and stingily not letting you in. But hiring managers are people too. They’d be delighted if you were the last person they ever had to interview. So connect on a human level, do your best, and remember: you’re just two people having a conversation.After enough interviews and buil ding this new calm and confidence, you might start to view them as a pleasant opportunity- something to look forward to!- rather than a thing to dread.

The partisan battle in policymaking within the U.S Congress Essay

The partisan battle in policymaking within the U.S Congress - Essay Example The US Congress consist of the House of Representatives and the Senate both of whom are required to agree for the passage of laws in the US. (Schiller, 2000) The general powers of Congress are contained in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution, although several amendments have added to Congressional powers. (US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8) These powers include but are not limited to the power to regulate commerce, impose taxes, make laws, levy punishments in respect of unlawful conduct, declare wars, establish post offices, regulate the value of currencies, regulate laws for the acquisition of water and land, support and maintain the military, to declare a state of emergency and to discipline the military. (US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8) The US Constitution requires that in order for either the House of Representatives or the Senate to conduct business a quorum is present. (US Constitution) A majority vote is required to indorse a cause of action and since Congress is typically comprised of two parties, the Democrats and the Republicans the vote is usually controlled by the controlling party with the result that partisanship determines policymaking rather than ideology. Roger Scully and Samuel Patterson argue that during the 80’s and 90’s American politics developed into more â€Å"deeply entrenched partisan divisions†. (Scully and Patterson, 2001, 131-155) With the two party politics that characterizes American governance it is hardly surprising that policymaking is often split along partisan lines. (Soss and Canon, 1995, 253-174) Author Ronald Brownstein refers to recent developments in Washington as â€Å"hyperpartisanship† (Brownstein, 2007, 8) According to Brownstein partisanship functions to divide the parties and only heightens disagreements not only among Congress but in â€Å"American life.† (Brownstein, 2007, 9) Put another way, parties

Buissness speech interviewing speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Buissness speech interviewing speech - Essay Example My management background would me make fit to this job since I am trained to oversee all aspects of operations . A business is a system where everything is related , therefore my post graduate degree in Management has equipped with me with the needed skills, knowledge and attitude for this job. There was a time when the materials we needed would be delayed that it would cost so much for us and the companies we deal with. I had to find ways and means to transport our orders the soonest time possible but that meant extra 10% cost to be charged to the company. decided to take the risk of outsourcing the delivery from another trader who can deliver on time. I believe that was a great risk but it was very effective since the customer was happy and satisfied with our service. The effect is that the client remained loyal to the company. The upper management lauded me for the effort since the cost was nothing compared to the customer satisfaction . As a manager, w e are continually faced with problem situations and it is important that we have the maturity to make sound decisions at the right time. I am a married man with three children and I need to support my family through a good career. Also, I value integrity, hard work and commitment as a person. When I promise that I can deliver the results, I make sure that I perform well. Even to my family, I keep my promise on my personal commitments. If work gets in the way of fulfilling such promise, then I reschedule a time for them which fulfills the obligation. In business, I have the same attitude. There are many competitors out there willing to make everything possible for a new client. However, very few would be consistent with the promise that they made. The most important thing in this life is relationships. I work for family yet I do not want my relationship with them affected by my problems. I try to be a

Economist Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Economist Report - Essay Example Ricardo was elected to the British parliament in 1819 as an independent representative of a borough in Ireland, Portarlington, which he served till his death in 1823. David Ricardo, lived in the times just at the beginning of the Industrial revolution and this is what perhaps influences his thinking on 'Machinery' (discussed below). Ricardo took a keen interest in the study of economics and formulated the 'Classical' system of political economy. His interest in economics was sparked by a chance reading of Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' while on vacation in 1799, in which Adam Smith focuses most of his attention on the problem of economic growth and his belief that an evolving capitalist system could benefit society as a whole. According to Smith's analysis the economy possesses unlimited upward potential. Ricardo's first written comments on economics appear to be two essays written in 1810 and 1811 (The High Price of Bullion, a Proof of the Depreciation of Bank Notes) articulating his position in favour of the 'Bullionist' position. He argued in favour of a metallic currency, giving a fresh stimulus to the controversy about the policy of the Bank of England. This has since become known as the classical approach to the theory of money, which argued for the resumption of the convertibility of paper money into gold. The Bullion Committee appointed by the House of Commons in 1819 confirmed Ricardo's views and recommended the repeal of the Bank Restriction Act. Ricardo was a firm believer in Say's Law that states that there can be no demand without supply and that recession does not occur because of failure in demand or lack of money. In these tracts Ricardo also suggested the impossibility of a 'general glut', or an excess supply of all goods in an economy as proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus. This provoked a debate with Malthus that culminated in Ricardo writing a series of notes on Mathus's 1820 'principles'. These notes were published posthumously as Notes on Malthus. In 1815 he published his first complete work 'Essay on the Influence of a Low Price of Corn on the Profits of Stock' where he introduced the differential theory of rent and the "law of diminishing returns" to land cultivation. He argued that raising the duties on imported grain had the effect of increasing the price of corn and hence increasing the incomes of landowners and the aristocracy at the expense of the working classes and the rising industrial class. In Essay Ricardo formulated his theory of distribution in a one-commodity ("corn") economy. With wages at their "natural" level, Ricardo argued that rate of profit and rents were determined residually in the agricultural sector. He then used the concept of arbitrage to claim that the agricultural profit and wage rates would be equal to the counterparts in industrial sectors. With this theory, he could show that a rise in wages did not lead to higher prices, but merely lowered profits. Ricardo took economics to an unprecedented degree of theoretical sophistication by formalising the 'Classical' system more clearly and consistently than anyone before had done and what became known as the "Classical" or"Ricardian" School (of thought). In

What adjustments to prices could Moscows Kofe Haus Essay

What adjustments to prices could Moscows Kofe Haus (КÐ ¾Ã'„Ð µ Ð ¥Ã °Ã'Æ'Ð ·) restaurant formulate in order to draw more customers during the recession - Essay Example Many assumptions will have to be made due to a lack of good market data, typical of the non-transparent Russian business operating environment. An anecdotal SWOT analysis and literature review was conducted to find solutions to the difficult economic conditions confronting COFFEE HOUSE in the global recession. Marketing strategies and business models from North America were examined. Local competition was surveyed and the target market consumer was profiled. Although the North American market leaders have a dominant world position, they have also suffered during the recession. Not all the strategies and tactics are applicable in the Russian market; but some techniques were adapted with some reservation. COFFEE HOUSEs strength lies in its long history adapting to local market conditions, close contact and development of loyal customers. An evolving strategy must respond to deteriorating purchasing power of consumers and possible loss of market share to new competitors. A shift away from food-based price discounts towards value-based espresso drinks is recommended. The retail hospitality industry is generally vulnerable to downward swings in the economy. Coffee retailers in specific exist in an extremely competive environment and need a strong strategy to survive. The retail coffee market is generally susceptible to fickle consumer tastes and highly price sensitive. Russian coffee and tea franchises are relatively young and it is assumed that much can be learned from experiences in the international arena where a longer track record is evident. Additionally, the hotter competitive scene in mature markets may provide excellent examples for where the Russian market can expect to evolve. Coffee establishments in North America, Europe and Australia have already weathered economic downturns and have applied creative tactics to maintain profitability. These examples, if carefully selected fit unique Russian consumer demands, may provide a attractive pathways

Integrated Marketing Communications Management of Red Bull Essay

Integrated Marketing Communications Management of Red Bull - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that private label market is steadily expanding the world over. In the USA, the private labels have also been growing at a significant rate. Although the growth is relatively slower in gaining the market foothold in comparison to the European nations such as in Britain and Portugal. Since 2003 the private label in the United States has increased by about 60%, compared to 23% growth rate for the overall US retail drinks and food industry. As a result, the percentage of the market value that the private labels account for is19% up from about 15% in 2003. Red Bull Canadian market share is approximately 50% and the sales are about $ 22 million. The annual retail revenue is $ 44 million. Red bull manufacture distributes and markets its products in over 120 countries worldwide with a global profit sales amounting to $2 billion per year. The US market share is estimated 46% with a retail sales turnover of $US248 million. In the beverage market, Re d Bull has a tremendous success that earns it to be a brand leader in the industry. The company sees itself as an â€Å"anti-brand† company receiving unrelenting praise from its loyal customers. In addition, Red Bull sponsors numerous sports events, teams, and sportsmen such as the current sponsorship of World Car, Rally Championships, and world motorsport competitions. In these competitions, Red Bull sponsors three teams namely Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro and Rosso Racing all of which Red Bull is the highest owner.