Essay about Homosexuality and Misogyny in Frankenstein

Homosexuality and Misogyny in Frankenstein In Mary Shelleys novel, Victor Frankenstein suffers an extreme psychological crisis following his violation of what is considered a fundamental biological principle. His creation of life undermines the role of women in his life and the role of sexuality, and allows existing misogynist and homosexual tendencies to surface. Victor represses what he has uncovered about himself, and it merges into a cohesive whole in his psyche that becomes projected on the instrument of revelation, the monster. Victors creation allows him to split his sexuality into independent components. There are three fundamental purposes to sexuality presented in Mary Shelleys narrative: the†¦show more content†¦When Victors mother dies, she says to Elizabeth, in Victors presence, Elizabeth, my love, you must supply my place to your younger cousins. (828) Victor will now marry his mother, rather than his sister. She begins with a gender-neutral title as his cousin, and then takes a gender specific, non-sexual role as his sister. She then replaces his mother, implying an indirect sexual relationship with Victor, since he is product of his mothers sexuality. Finally, she enters a sexual relationship with Victor as his future wife. Her murder then interrupts the progression by preventing the consummation of that relationship. In the 1831 version this progression of intimacy is strengthened. Elizabeth, while a small child, is presented to Victor by his mother as a gift. He takes responsibility for her, and takes pride in her achievements, like a father to a daughter. The father/daughter relationship is tied to sexual reproduction in the same way as the mother/son relationship. The progression from daughter to mother implies Victors exit from her vagina as an infant, and then the next change from mother to wife implies a desire to re-enter her body as part of a sexual relationship. Mary Shelley presents Victor engaging with Elizabeth in all social female roles: wife, mother, and sister. He is also presented as engaging with her body in all possible variations, creating her body through

Palestine Dispute Essay - 1560 Words

nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, the control of Palestine shifted from Muslim to Western powers. Britain promised Jews and Zionists the land in Palestine in the form of the Balfour Declaration. However, at the same time, there were already Palestinians living in that land. Even today, there is no correct answer as to who should have rightfully acquired the land; however, the Palestinian Arabs should have cooperated when the Jews immigrated to the Palestine. There are plenty of facts which support both sides. The solution can only be determined through one’s opinion. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;According to Biblical sources, Arabs and Israelites first met in Palestine about 1500 to 500†¦show more content†¦The Jews always had a lot of faith which kept them active for centuries. Theodore Herzl, a renowned journalist and writer, was the father of the Zionist movement. The anti-Semitism that extended throughout France and Austria influenced Herzl to do something. He realized that the only way to stop the anti-Semitism was to establish a Jewish state. World War I transformed the Zionists’ viewpoints. When Turkey joined Germany and Austria against Britain, France and Russia, its defeat brought about the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and an end to the Turkish control of Palestine. However, before this, Zionists put pressure on the British who, at the time, were bearing the burden of the fighting in the Middle East and who expressed sympathy for the idea of a Jewish homeland. In 1917, thanks to the efforts of Chaim Weizmann, a passionate Zionist, the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Balfour, issued a proclamation that was to going to make Theodore Herzl’s dream of a Jewish homeland come true. The Zionists’ goal seemed within reach for Great Britain issued the famous Balfour Declaration. This document, issued on November 2, 1917, was a statement to the effect that Britain would support the creation in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. It was probably the most wonderful thing that happened to the Jews in eighteen hundred years. (Barker 9) nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The document read: nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;â€Å"His MajestysShow MoreRelatedThe Conflict Between Jewish And Arab State1549 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough Palestine declared independence as an Arab state, it still face obstacles in achieving its sovereignty. Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat planned to officially announce the statehood of Palestine in 1996 (Quigley). This action received a strong response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu said recognition of Palestinian statehood would nullify the Israeli-Palestinian agreement. From this notion, Netanyahu threatened to invade Palestinian territories like the WestRead MoreZionism and the Impact of World War One on the Middle East1534 Words   |  6 PagesOrganized political Zionism grew from tsarist Russia, where pogroms carried out against the Russian and Polish Jews in the 1880’s killed thousands. Originating in Russia in 1884, an agency named the Lovers of Zion assisted the emigration of Jews to Palestine, wher e they organized small farms. During this time Leon Pinsker wrote â€Å"Auto-Emancipation†, a Zionist pamphlet in which he posits an answer to the â€Å"Jewish Question†. He argues that Jews are despised all over the world, and are viewed as aliens thatRead MoreEssay Speech Com767 Words   |  4 Pages Attention getter: Have you watched the news lately? Even if you haven’t, you still probably have heard something about the disputes in and around Jerusalem. These disputes have been going on for centuries. Many different groups of people have fought to control Jerusalem over the years but we are going to focus on the current majority parties from today. From the information I found on CNN.com and the Jerusalem Post, I concluded that the Israelis and the Palestinians are currently fighting over whoRead MoreThe Israeli and Palestinian Conflict682 Words   |  3 Pagesconflict has been an unwavering conflict that has plagued the world for longer than any can remem ber. I, myself am hopelessly torn on whether I am Pro-Palestine, or Pro-Israel. I find it difficult to make an informed and unbiased decision on the conflict with the two conflicting stories being relayed by the pro-Israel documentary as well as by the Pro-Palestine documentary. I feel as though it would be impossible for me to make a decision on the issue unless I was able to see for myself. I see both sidesRead MoreCBA: Israel-Palestine Conflict 688 Words   |  3 Pagesreasons behind the Israel-Palestine conflict were geocultural factors. These factors contributed greatly to the contentious argument between both groups because with the geocultural perspective, the religious tensions between Muslims and Jews have resulted in the problematic issue over the holy structures in Jerusalem. The second most contributing factors in the Israel-Palestine conflict were psychological factors. These were the second greatest factors that started the dispute because with the psychologicalRead M oreThe Middle East Essay1860 Words   |  8 PagesJewish civilizations have made deep historical roots in Palestine along with many emotional attachments. At the end of the 19th century Arab nationalism and political Zionism were starting to steak claims to the same land. These two groups would start the fire for what will become civil wars, bitter disputes, and lasting relations though the 20th century. The British wanting to break the chocolate and also pick their piece would try to settle disputes in the Middle East so that they could lay claims toRead MoreThe Conflict Of The Arab Israeli Conflict1420 Words   |  6 Pagesis, as quoted by Israeli historian Illan Pappe, â€Å"the simple but horrific story of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine† (qtd. In â€Å"The Catastrophe†). As such, thorough review of the causes behind this ethnocentric conflict is vital in understanding the tumultuous power struggle in Israel and the violent instability of the region as a whole. While many believe the conflict is of a religious dispute, in actuality it is not. The fundamental basis behind this conflict is territory and its allocation betweenRead MoreA Creation For A Home For The Jewish People1488 Words   |  6 Pagespeople in Palestine to be secured by public law.’ Through the lens of refugee studies post World War II, following the wave of Jewish migration to Palestine, this essay focuses on the process of establishing a national homeland for Jews after the United Nations Partition of Palestine, elimination of the British Mandate and Israeli Declaration of Independence. My argument in this paper is the qualitative consequences of Palestinian displacement by Resolution 181 facilitated the Palestine civil warRead MoreIn 1948, the Zionist movement realized its goal of creating a national home for the Jewish people1700 Words   |  7 Pagesprotection and isolation from Russia. These negotiations, however, came to a halt when Herzl died in 1904. Mon ths later, however, the cause did find potential in the area of Palestine. Palestine was remote enough that Jews had geographical protection and had suitable weather for agricultural purposes. Similarly, Palestine was religiously significant because it contained the holy land of Jerusalem. As a result, in a span of twelve years (1902-1914), the Zionists move around 70,000 Jews within twoRead MoreCauses of the Six Day War4151 Words   |  17 PagesWhat were the causes of Israel-Palestine war? TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT AANALYSIS THE CAUSES OF ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT: THE FIRST INTIFADA 1987-93 DIVIDING THE MAP THE 1948 WAR ZIONISM 1967/OCCUPATION THE ARABS, TERRORISM amp; SECURITY: â€Å"NO SOLUTION† THE WALL/FENCE/BARRIER DELEGITIMIZING THE STATEHOOD DECLARATION BY PALESTINE THE IMPACT OF SCARCE WATER RESOURCES ON THE ARAB-ISRAEL CONFLICT CAMP DAVID FAILURE THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT IS CENTRAL TO THE MILITANTS’ CAUSE Abstract

Drugs impacts on Music free essay sample

Tate Wade Music Appreciation Saint Paula School May 6th, 2013 Jazz Is considered by numerous the best contribution the united States has made to the art of music_ In the sass. Jazz evolved from a New Orleans styled music, now called Dixieland, to a more successful music labeled Swing. Instead of mimicking traditional music, jazz is an improvisational music style. As a result, jazz became the most dominant form of dance music in the United States during the sass and sass made it an easy target for hate. Jazz created its own rules which were viewed from a critics viewpoint as corrupting musical values.In addition, black musicians were not allowed In many buildings, so they were forced to play In brothels and speakeasies. Society In the sass saw Jazz as young people drinking, doing drugs, and dancing to the Devils music, an unholy trinity that had to be stopped. (Radio Stars Magazine). This caused society to view jazz to be associated with a wild and morally wrong lifestyle. For example, Jazz was associated with interracial sex and with illegal drugs, in the early days, marijuana, and later on, with heroin and opium.Jazz was a cultural revolution, it influenced the way people dressed, their language, and political beliefs. Jazz was also a model for both rock and roll and hip hop because it was hated by the bourgeoisie. Harry Anglings, former Assistant Prohibition Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, was simplemindedly responsible for the outlaw of hemp and marijuana. He used tactics such as fear, ignorance, and race to his advantage. Many Americans, including Congress, hadnt even heard of marijuana.Anglings, using this to his advantage, said Reefer makes blacks think theyre better than white men. In addition, Anglings incited fear by saying, marijuana causes white women to have sex with Negroes, entertainers, and many others. Although, some disputed his evidence the damage was done; the law passed without even tallying the vote. Throughout the 1 9505, heroin was the hot new drug. Heroin had a profound effect on three major Jazz musicians, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. Each of these had a long history of heroin addiction.Billie Holiday had a very bad addiction to heroin, she was a frequent user Of heroin for over a decade which not only caused her to die prematurely, but she lost her cabaret card which allowed you to perform in New York nightclubs and her ice as a singer deteriorated. In Charlie Parsers case he also lost his cabaret card and often showed up late to performances or was to messed up to play. Miles Davis addiction was only a blip in his amazing career. It only lasted about 4-5 years and had no negative impact on his musical ability.Drugs and music have always had a strong connection, with genre shifts occurring with the rise of a new drug. In the early sass, marijuana use was starting to escalate; the primary consumers were mostly African Americans and Latino. In addition, Jazz was spreading throughout the entire United States during this time. Jazz musicians were mostly African Americans, who used their music and marijuana to free themselves from their problems. However, the life of a jazz musician has been surrounded by substance abuse. Many jazz musicians were dealing with racial and financial difficulties throughout their careers.Consequently, alcohol became a common addiction among jazz musicians, and later, cannabis and heroin became the common drugs in the jazz community. Many of jazzs greatest players died at a premature age from the deadly complications of cirrhosis and hypothetically carcinoma, such as John Chlorate. Some musicians turned to marijuana and heroin in an attempt to stimulate creativity and others used it to gain camaraderie amongst their friends. The end result of years of alcohol and drug abuse was a great occurrence of cirrhosis between jazz musicians.The solution to these problems include better healthcare of musicians, but should also include a system to allow talented, yet deprived musicians to escape the ravages of poverty. Music is consistently being influenced by the trends of the times; representing politics, economics, and clamoring lifestyles. During the sass, music had a huge impact on everyones life. Music was used at demonstrations, organizations, speeches, and protest. Music and the people, who created it, had one of the most influential variables, drugs.In the early sass, a new wave started to flow which changed the way many people looked at music. This became known as the Psychedelic Era. It introduced drugs to be the vital ingredient involved in the creation of music, and was also used to enhance the listeners experience. Many bands experimented with drugs such as LSI and marijuana. Musicians use of hallucinogens and other drugs induced changes in both the sound and lyrical content of their music, adding to the creation of the psychedelic rock of the 1 9605, which subsequently influenced the shape of all rock music to come.There were a number of influences that combined to produce this music including increased government control, peoples livelihood worsened, fear of the Cold War, and racial tensions. The principles of the previous decade left little room for creativity. The youth of the sixties used drugs as a form of rebellion and a Way for them to assert their defiance of the norm. Music and drugs Were the response from the rebellious Baby Boomer age. Music was the driving force Enid the sixties peace and love culture that emerged.The growth of the sixties music scene was connected to the increased use of marijuana and hallucinogens by the youth culture. Many of the iconic musicians had dabbled in drugs, or fully immersed themselves into it, and through this achieved an escape from reality, and freedom which was not possible during the sass. The influences of marijuana and LSI on music and culture through the mid and late-ass are both profound and obvious. The drugs perception-bending psychological effects were an obvious influence on psychedelic music.Also, he feelings of brotherhood and community that marijuana and LSI created in users meshed well with the youth politics and ethics of the day. As the communal drugs like marijuana and LSI yielded to detaching, narcissistic drugs such as cocaine, the change in music was also reflected. Politically conscious folk rock and perception altering rock were replaced by stadium rock and glam rock; genres characterized by excess and hedonism. Bands like The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Flooded Mac, and David Bowie lived the rock star fantasy of teenage dreams, fueled by the belief in ones own great ness that only cocaine can induce. Disco, with its accelerated beats-per-minute, mindless lyrics, obnoxious clothes, and club culture was essentially cocaine embodied. The rise of punk in London and New York in the late sass saw the return of amphetamines. Punk music was typified by short, simple songs, but sped up and with a more nihilistic bent. Cheap, accessible, and often homemade drugs like amphetamine sulfate (also known as speed) and amyl nitrates (also known as poppers) were commonplace in punk clubs.They provided the energy rush needed both to play and dance to the fast, aggressive music. Technological developments in sass, plus a greater affordability and accessibility of synthesizers and electronics, spurred the rise of various electronic music scenes. New wave, acid house, and techno all became significant genres and scenes around North American and Europe. With this, ecstasy and its purer cousin MADAM tore through Englands working class cities and neighborhoods in the late-ass sparking another short-lived but generation-defining music scene in Manchester.A unique combination of guitar rock and acid house sounds typified by band like Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, and Inspires Carpets was at the center of the Matches event. To get an insight into the link between communal, euphoric effects of ecstasy and Matches music, watch the film 24 Hour Party People named after a term coined by Happy Mondays singer Shawn Ryder. New Order even snuck a sly ecstasy reference, E is for England, into their 1990 FIFE World Cup song.As usual, the high was followed by a comedown of busts, overdoses, failed tours, and lousy albums. To this point, musicians and fans could claim ignorance. The jazz crowds werent educated on the effects of heroin the same way that moods didnt know the effects of speed and Matches bands didnt know the effects of ecstasy. But starting in the ass, drug awareness campaigns illustrated by Nancy Reggaes Just Say No slogan became common. Such campaigns usually register better with young kids, who internalize the message take it into adulthood.Teens and 20- something are generally less receptive to rich, old politician-wives telling them how to live. T hats possibly why the link between music and drugs stayed strong into the ass, most obviously with grunge (heroin, again) and Britton (cocaine, again). Heroin matched the self-loathing and pessimism of range while cocaine matched the grandiose, world conquering ethic of Britton. Though drug-addled bands like Nirvana and Oasis became popular in the age of Just Say No, they grew up in the willfully ignorant late-ass and early-ass.But what happened in the sass when the new generation Of bands who couldnt claim chemical ignorance took over? We saw, for the first time in 50-plus years, a weakening link between drugs and music. Yes, bands took drugs. There are even bands inextricably linked to drugs (Pete Doherty/ The Libertines and MGM to varying degrees) but there appeared to be no ajar music scenes driven by particular drugs. In a 2008 column in The Guardian newspaper, writer Kevin Sampson wondered if the link between music and drugs had been broken.Dazed and Confused magazine editor Rod Stately was quoted saying, No one has really invented or discovered a new drug for a while. Every time one has been found over the decades, young people swiftly work out the best music experience to go with it. He added. If a new drug were discovered today, a new music scene would spring up overnight. While the link is less obvious than it once was, Sampson didnt ask deep enough. In some areas, music and drugs have maintained a link, but the effects of neither have become widespread.

Wyrd Sisters Essay Example For Students

Wyrd Sisters Essay This essay will discuss the novel wryd. It will explore some of the concepts that are found in the novel and attempt to extend the issues to a point at which they become more clear, and prove the assertion that, just as Wyrd is a fast moving narrative that spans continents and ages, it is a novel of ideas. Wyrd was, in length, a short to medium novel that was written by Sue Gough. Briefly, it was the story of Berengaria, Saladin’s daughter and wife of King Richard. After her husbands death, she was moved to a French nunnery with her handmaiden and son, the prince (incognito). We will write a custom essay on Wyrd Sisters specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now There she kept an explicit and wise diary, recording the events in her life. She founded a healing order, and invented a cordial that was surprisingly popular among the village folk. She continued to practice Viking religion in subtle ways, and encouraged spiritual openness, as opposed to the dogmatic teachings of the time, vesting confidence and a sense of worth in her fellow devotees. However, she was plagued by her evil anti-thesis, the Abbe De Ville, who encouraged her son to join in a ‘children’s crusade’ — and unwise and dangerous religious march. Pat, her son, was eventually sold as a slave in he middle east, but the Abbe did not know this and told Berengaria the ‘news’ of his demise. Unable to cope with such a revelation, she died and was entombed, as a mummy, with her book beneath the priory. Found by two archaeologists in modern times, her book was recovered and her tomb destroyed. Sent to a group of Australian women (in order to keep it out of the claws of the modern De Ville, Professor Horniman), the book found it’s way into the hands and heart of Trace, a street kid from Sydney, come north as part of a modern children’s crusade. Unwilling to return to the slums of Kings Cross, Trace had found her way to the women’s homes and beguiled herse- lf of them. To conclude the story, Professor Horniman attempted to steal the book, and it was destroyed. All of this was spoken by one Dr Renouf (a possible future Trace and modern day Berengaria), in an attempt to draw together the warring factions of the middle east. One of the most primary themes in the book, apparent even in the summary, is the repetition of events: recurrence and echoing of past events and people. The binding threads of time, so to speak, are constant and absolute: even in different times, the same forces are still at work throughout the novel. The c change of setting is incidental, and the characters are a constant equalling force. The children’s crusade, the concepts of war and peace, good and evil are all tied together in the plot, past mirroring future. However, another theme that is important is the power of the undecided (* – wyrd, the blank Viking rune, is the rune of ‘maybe’), and the outcomes are different — Professor Horniman was defeated, De Ville was not. Although this only lead to Horniman’s defeat, it was substantial, and the cosmic superbeing could have turned to favour the powers of ‘good’ (Berengaria, Trace, the wyrd isters/the three women) or ‘evil’ (De Ville/Horniman, war, etc). The future is merely a continuation of the past, but events may be replayed. Change only occurred with respect for the future, the past remained stained, but was a valuable lesson. The repetition of events occurred mainly because lessons of the past were unheeded, and present changes are the force behind the it’s cessation. The blank rune, the undecided future, the last, blank page in the old Queen’s diary, are all a means by which these events can occur: change and exploration of possibilities is vital to allow continuation. Who controls the past controls the future only in that the past is part of the present and the present is what controls future events. Another theme, discussed mainly in the book’s feminist undertones, is one that is heavily discursive of the rules of society. .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 , .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .postImageUrl , .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 , .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:hover , .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:visited , .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:active { border:0!important; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:active , .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767 .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u39e6e3dab1b202616c6ec54e4c6ee767:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Building Tension and Suspense EssayReligious dogma, meaningl ess legal writings, unwritten rules placing different people in situations beyond their control, and the concept of elitism — our class system, are all discussed, if briefly, in the texts. Non conformity was all but preached: it clearly stated that the rules of society, the laws we make for ourselves, re not compatible with the needs of the people. Religious laws were obeyed to the letter in the main time frame and our own, to a lesser extent because times have changed: Berengaria was a nun, and De Ville was an Abbe. The laws that govern Christianity are mostly good, but intervention on the part of the church, often with the best of intentions, can lead an uneducated and oppressed society (like that of, say, medieval England or France) into ruins. In the novel, Berengaria was seen to actively opposed rules she thought were ‘wrong’, and refused to submit to the system: a self perpetuating autocracy, n which the supreme power lies in the ability to bluff and blunder through situations, and keep a crowd entertained. Her major disadvantage, at least at that time, was the fact that she was a woman: strong, intelligent and a leader, yes, but existing in a time and reality that did not judge a person by such qualities. Power in our society is driven by corruption, in many cases, and hope for the future lies in the powers that be. The same was true, to extremes, in Berengaria’s time, but her knowledge and charisma were not about to be bound by half-truths and lies (the lies seeded by her time’s power system). In any time and any system there are the high, the middle and the low. The aim of the high is to stay there, the middle want to get there, and the low want to survive. With a few exceptions, a system that acknowledges and works with this social and economic hierarchy is one that allows for very little personal growth: true now and then. Her system and ours are clearly corrupted by this and the novel clearly demands that we do something about it. The unwritten, unknowable future is a powerful force here: the future is the right place to escape to. Another powerful and recurring issue is that of knowledge: it’s power, mportance, and ultimate truths. Learning and self healing are important factors discussed by Berengaria in her life and writings, factors that affected people in many different ways. She understood the importance of understanding and wisdom and shared it with others, who gained those qualities and shared it with others†¦.. etc. Learning is a mighty influence that can heal wounds and spread enlightenment. In many ways it is the only force by which to fight corruption, but seeds must be planted. The complete amalgam of knowledge discussed in the novel is contained almost wholly in Berengaria’s book, which planted it’s seeds in many ways. It shared it’s message of healing and medicinal lore with nurses and other assorted healers; it shared it’s knowledge of love and spirituality with the emotionally recluse, encouraging growth and healing; it shared it’s artistic beauty and knowledge of the assorted wonders of our planet with the artistically inclined, enhancing their lives and through them: ours. The concept of the search for the self is another constant in this novel: people with no identity grow and learn to become their own person, unique and independent: through knowledge.