Mind-Body Dualism in Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” - Literature Essay Samples

The mind-body divide, or mind-body dualism, was a philosophical theory that gained popularity in the seventeenth century and flourished thereafter. In this theory, the mind and body are separate entities, and in literature, this meant that men were normally representative of the mind and women were normally representative of the body. One example of this can be seen in Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic short story â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher.† Through analyzing Descartes’ idea of substance mind-body dualism and the subsequent idea of interactionism, it becomes apparent that the characters of Roderick and Madeline Usher are representative of the mind and body respectively and influence one anther accordingly. Classically, the idea of mind-body dualism originated with the ideas of Plato and Aristotle; however, the more modern versions of dualism, known as substance dualism, are more firmly grounded in Renà © Descartes’ Meditations. In this work, he argues that there are â€Å"two kinds of substance: matter, of which the essential property is that it is spatially extended; and mind, of which the essential property is that it thinks† (Robinson). In simpler terms, Descartes believed that humans possess a physical, material body and a contemplative mind, both of which are separated form one another. Similarly, because matter and mind are two separate forms of substance, they can function independently of one another. Descartes believed, â€Å"Bodies are machines that work according to their own laws. Except where there are minds interfering with it, matter proceeds deterministically, in its own right† (Robison). Basically, Descartes argued that the body and the mind can f unction independently: the mind can think without the help of the body, and the body can operate without thought. Descartes’ theory of substance dualism eventually morphed into the theory of interactionism. Interactionism has the same general principles of substance dualism but additionally posits, â€Å"mind and body—or mental events and physical events—causally influence each other† (Robinson). With interactionism, the mind and body are separate entities; however, they can also interfere, and therefore influence, one another when need be. If, as Descartes argues, the mind and body are two separate substances, the characters of Roderick and Madeline Usher represent these two features respectively. In Roderick’s letter to the narrator, he states that he has a â€Å"mental disorder which oppressed him† (Poe 104). On arriving at the house, the narrator learns that, Roderick has â€Å"a mere nervous affliction† and that â€Å"He suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses,† meaning that all of his senses are heightened, causing him to have adverse reactions to particular scents, sights, sounds, textures, and tastes (Poe 107). One’s senses are registered in the brain and made sense of by the mind. If all of Roderick’s senses are heightened, there is cause to believe this is a mental, or at least a neurological, issue. Additionally, Roderick is not only plagued with a vulnerability of the senses but also an ever-growing terror. He explains to the narrator, â€Å"I dread the events of the future, not in themselves, but in their results. I shudder at the thought of any, even the most trivial, incident, which may operate upon this intolerable agitation of the soul†¦I feel that the period will sooner or later arrive when I must abandon all life and reason together, in some struggle with the grim phantasm, FEAR† (Poe 107). Roderick is increasingly paranoid and is fully aware that he may soon lose his mind. This paranoia stems from mental distress and culminates in fear, only causing Roderick more distress. Both his paranoia and his â€Å"acuteness of senses,† are unable to be seen or experienced by anyone other than himself, implying that his illness is entirely mental. Because his disease inhabits his mind as opposed to his body, Roderick is able to become the physical representation of the mind. Alternately, Madeline’s illness is entirely physical. The narrator states, â€Å"The disease of the lady Madeline had long baffled the skill of her physician. A settled apathy, a gradual wasting away of the person, and frequent although transient affections of a partially cataleptical character, were the unusual diagnosis,† (Poe 108) and that Madeline has a â€Å"malady of a strictly cataleptical character† (Poe 112). In order to determine the exact nature of her illness, one must look further into the term â€Å"cataleptical.† According to Peter Wolf, â€Å"Epilepsy and catalepsy were not clearly separated in the minds of people in the early 19th century, and catalepsy may have been used as a diagnostic euphemism for epilepsy† (288). From this definition of the term, one can infer that Madeline was suffering from frequent seizures. The most notable element of seizures is convulsions, which cause the sufferer to shake or jerk uncontrollably. These c onvulsions are undoubtedly a bodily symptom, as they can be seen and experienced by others. Both Madeline’s â€Å"gradual wasting away of the person† and tendencies toward seizures lend themselves to the idea that Madeline’s illness is entirely in the body, allowing her to represent the body as Roderick represents the mind. Roderick and Madeline represent the mind and the body respectively, asserting themselves as an example of substance dualism; however, Roderick’s state after Madeline is entombed introduces the idea of interactionism. Almost immediately after Madeline is laid to rest, Roderick begins to change drastically: And now, some days of bitter grief having elapsed, an observable change came over the features of the mental disorder of my friend. His ordinary manner had vanished. His ordinary occupations were neglected or forgotten. He roamed from chamber to chamber with hurried, unequal, and objectless step. The pallor of his countenance had assumed, if possible, a more ghastly hue but the luminousity of his eye had utterly gone out. The once occasional huskiness of his tone was heard no more; and a tremulous quaver, as if of extreme terror, habitually characterized his utterance. (Poe 112) Whether it is because he does not know how to function without his twin or he possibly suspects s he is not dead, Roderick begins to literally go mad. With the body trapped and decaying in a tomb, the mind is influenced to act accordingly. His â€Å"nervous affliction† continues to grow worse and is reflected in both his actions and his appearance. As time goes on, Roderick’s mental state begins to decline even more so. In the final pages of the story, both the narrator and Roderick begin to hear screaming, grating noises, and the narrator states, â€Å"I saw that his lips trembled as if he were murmuring inaudibly. His head had dropped upon his breast – yet I knew that he was not asleep, from the wide and rigid opening of the eye as I caught a glance of it in profile. The motion of his body, too, was at variance with this idea – for he rocked from side to side with a gentle yet constant and uniform sway† (Poe 115). At this point, the narrator and the reader can infer that Roderick has completely lost sight of reality. Both the body and mind ar e slowly dying, and each one is influencing the other. Roderick’s paranoid state caused him to entomb Madeline in the first place, an example of the mind influencing the body, and, because of this, Madeline is fighting in her grave causing Roderick to go mad, an example of the body influencing the mind. With the theories of substance dualism and interactionism in mind, one can draw parallels between the characters of Roderick and Madeline Usher and the mind and body respectively and more easily determine how they influence one another. The mind and body are independent of one another, but, when they deem it necessary, they interact and influence each other. This is the case with Roderick and Madeline and their chilling final moments. In the end, both the mind and the body are destroyed due to this power-struggle, ultimately causing the fall of the house and the Usher name.

The End Of Chattel Slavery Essay - 1648 Words

Looking back in history, you will find that slavery was always present. There are accounts of slavery in Babylon, Greece, and Rome, all occurring before the Common Era; but there was a major change during the year 1619 in the way slavery was implemented. This form of slavery was known as chattel slavery. Defined as â€Å"A civil relationship in which one person has absolute power over the life, fortune, and liberty of another† (Legal-dictionary.com), chattel slavery targeted African slaves that were brought over from Africa to the Americas to support the production of crops such as tobacco and cotton. Previous to the year 1619, slavery was used as a way to pay off debt or as seen in Rome it existed to provide everyone with an equal opportunity. In examining the start of chattel slavery I pose three questions: What was the true purpose of chattel slavery, why was chattel slavery only in America and found nowhere else in any point of history, and are there forms of chattel slave ry that exist today? Answering these questions will be pivotal in explaining why chattel slavery was constructed. A common misconception that most people have about the word â€Å"slavery† is that it is bad or people tend to think about African slaves walking in chains and being beaten. History has shown and proven numerous account of slavery so how come when we think of slavery we seem to think of the stereotypical slavery (chattel slavery)? In fact, Classical Greece was the first society seen that had slaveShow MoreRelatedChattel Slavery1359 Words   |  6 PagesChattel slavery, so named because people are treated as the personal property, chattels, of an owner and are bought and sold as commodities, is the original form of slavery. When taking these chattels across national borders it is referred to as Human Trafficking especially when these slaves provide sexual services. Indentureship Indentured laborers were assigned contracts in which they were paid wages to work for a specified period of time. After the contracts expired they were given the optionRead MoreEssay about Slavery by Another Name1282 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the book, The Origins of Slavery, the author, Betty Woods, depicts how religion and race along with social, economic, and political factors were the key factors in determining the exact timing that the colonist’s labor bases of indentured Europeans would change to involuntary West African servitude. These religion and racial differences along with the economic demand for more labor played the key roles in the formation of slavery in the English colonies. When the Europeans first arrivedRead MoreThe Slavery Of The Slave Trade1310 Words   |  6 Pagesis well-defined as an individual detained in servitude as the chattel of another, or one that is wholly impassive to a ruling power (American Heritage dictionary of the English language, 2011). The most renowned circumstances of slavery materialized throughout the settling of the United States of America. From 1619 until July 1st 1928 slavery was acceptable within United States of America the Slavery protestors endeavoured to end slavery, which at some point; they were effective at doing so. This essayRead MoreSocial Studies Coursework868 Words   |  4 PagesQuestion 1 What is slavery? Africans became slaves in several ways. Describe three (3) ways in which Africans became slaves. [10 marks] Answer Slavery is the state of being under the control of another person and is a form of forced labor in which people are considered to be, or treated as the property of others. 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Slavery doesn’t have to involve two or more subjects. It can involve one person, thanks to their complex human brain. One person can force themselves to keep doing something even though they may not want to. Slavery, then, isRead MoreRelationship Between Slavery And Capitalism Essay1281 Words   |  6 Pagesrelationship between Slavery and Capitalism, and the extent to how dependent Capitalism was on slavery. Chattel slavery first arrived to America in 1619 and from there the business just kept on growing. It leads to the invention of the cotton gin and helped push forward the young country into the developed powerful nation it is now. This can be gained from the readings from Bailyn, Beverly, the Declaration of Independence, and other works that show not only how profitable slavery was, but also how importantRead MoreCelia, A Slave By Melton Mclaurin1433 Words   |  6 Pagesof non-stop events, Celia’s story became emblematic of the centrifugal conditions that ripped the antebellum America apart because her life helps us understand women’s rights in the slavery society and a conflict between proslavery and antislavery activities. First of all, women don’t have important rights in slavery society. Patriarchal system is operated under the absolute dominance of men, and women have responsibility to fully obey husbands. Women have to serve men and accept their inferiorityRead MoreDehumanization Of Slavery In Frederick Douglasss Narrative Of Life1354 Words   |  6 Pagesexistence of chattel slavery. The issue of slavery in America was not as easily thought as black and white. Mostly, people in the North were opposed to slavery, while the South promoted it. However, many people were indifferent. People in the North could see slavery as neither good nor bad, instead a way of Southern life. Frederick Douglass, knowing the North was home to lots of abolitionists, wrote his narrative â€Å"Narrative of Life† in order to show indifferent people in the north to see slavery as theRead MoreThe Differences Between The French And British And The American Colonies During The 19th Century1509 Words   |  7 P agesworld, slavery was viewed as a form of punishment and an alternative to execution or imprisonment. People who were captured through war were also enslaved. Some people became slaves due to unpaid debt, but this was only a temporary situation. With the growing demand for labor on the plantations, slavery took on a different take to meet the needs. Slavery changed in two major ways with chattel slavery becoming more common and people beginning to be enslaved due to their racial origin. Chattel slavery

The Elections Process And The American Election Process

For a citizen that follows and contributes to the American election process, one of the most important things to them is that they are being represented properly. The whole reason a person votes in the first place is so that they can be represented in decisions being made within the government. If it were not the job of elected officials to represent the people’s word then voting would never happen. This is a hot topic because everyone wants to make sure they are being represented fairly. There have been issues with how minorities, women, and even people of certain beliefs have been represented. This paper is going to focus on the election process and how minorities are being represented in both negative and positive ways. One way that representation can be diminished is through what is called â€Å"Minority Vote Dilution†. Meaning, â€Å"it was harder for minorities to gain representation† (Bowler Segura. 2012.). A way to cause this is through the movement of d istrict boundaries to make the votes unequal from district to district. One way that this happens is through â€Å"Cracking† which is when particular voters are â€Å"spread among a series of districts in order to keep them as small vote blocs within each seat† (Bowler Segura. 2012.). What it really does is cause a certain minority group to seem smaller than they actually are in the population make up. Another way to diminish a groups voting ability is by â€Å"packing† a certain unit of people. According to Bowler Segura this is aShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Election Process in American Politics1875 Words   |  8 PagesThe election process is a long, drawn out one that incorporates numerous stages from the initial steps taken in trying to find a viable candidate for office to the end result that comes out of the Electoral College. The American system is one that is complex and very controversial as the readings have shown. Some have even suggested getting rid of the old institutions which have uniquely defined the American political process. Others have tried to argue that it is our duty to revert back to oldRead MoreThe American Election Process Is Good For The Country1807 Words   |  8 PagesThe American Election Process Ever since the early beginning of America standing as its own individual free country, we annually elect a new leader to run our country for a 4-year term. Every new time to elect a new president, Americans are pressured to go out and vote for their leader that they want to run the country. Somewhere through the many years and elections, people have begun to outcry that the elections are not fair or biased and has raised the question if the way elections are run, isRead MoreCitizens United for Arguments1260 Words   |  6 PagesCourt decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is undemocratic. We affirm. To better the round, we clarify the following: First, the definition of â€Å"election process† ELECTIONS are based on three organizing concepts: equal respect, free choice, and popular sovereignty are the building blocks of fair and just elections. The democratic process should treat all citizens as free and equal persons. As applied to the electoral process this requires that each citizen equal opportunityRead MorePolitical Culture Of The United States1513 Words   |  7 Pagespolitical parties. Finally, they serve as a kind of repository of accumulated cultural traditions. Sometimes constitutions involve the settlement of specific public policy issues. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has a priority to protect all American citizens from offensive speech crime.   All have the right to free speech as stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting†¦or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.  (Lovett, 2013 )† It is on thisRead MoreWhy Is Voter Turnout Low in Us1087 Words   |  5 PagesStates Voter Turn-out so Low Question 4)   What are some explanations for why voter turnout is so low in the U.S. compared to other wealthy, literate and democratic countries? INTRODUCTION Voter turnout is the rate by which people vote in elections. The simplest way to calculate a given elections turnout rate is to compare the actual number of voters with the voting-age population. â€Å"Voter turnout in the United States is among the worlds’ lowest.† (E.S. 371) The graph below taken from an articleRead MoreIs America s Voting Equipment s Major Problem?1362 Words   |  6 PagesJessie Sisavat Professor Smith Pols 116 October 31, 2016 Is America’s Voting Equipment’s Major Problem? For several decades, the American people are skeptical if their votes count due to various voting method. The election process is divided with dissatisfaction and inaccuracy in governmental elections. Set from the voters addressing how they vote, it still means a lot to them because it is what gets the people voice heard. There are voters that are uncertain of trusting the candidates that willRead MorePresidential Elections As Part Of A Democratic Process928 Words   |  4 PagesPresidential Election Scholars define democracy in various ways. However, they all agree that democracy is the participation of citizens in a political process without limitations. A democratic political process primarily includes free and fair elections. The essay will examine presidential elections as part of a democratic process. Britain colonized the US, but later they gained their independence, the founders of the democratic United States came up with a system where citizens had power and obligationRead MoreThe Election Process Is Fair1226 Words   |  5 Pagesfor president? The United States election process was created in 1787 and went into action in 1789 by the founding fathers (â€Å"Presidential Elections†). In the first election, two candidates that ran for office included George Washington and John Adams. Through the original election process, George Washington ended up taking office (â€Å"Electoral College†). The election process has changed many times since 1789 to become the current election process. 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The Electoral College refers to the process in which the President and Vice-President are elected and it assigns â€Å"electors† to each state basedRead MorePresidential Election Of United States1497 Words   |  6 Pages Name Due date Word count: 1596 Presidential Elections Introduction The presidential elections of United States of America take an indirect form where citizens of the U.S who are registered as voters in one of the states in U.S which are usually 50 states, or the District of Columbia, cast ballots for Electoral College members, referred to as electors. These electors then in turn cast direct votes known as electoral votes in their respective state capitals for president and vice president positions

Argumentative Essay About Rap Music Today Vs Past Example For Students

Argumentative Essay About Rap Music Today Vs Past Music to some may seem a waste of time, but it is exactly the opposite. Music has become a very influential part in todays society. There are many different types of music. There is country, rock, alternative rock, rap, hip-hop, rhythm, blues, Jazz, classical, R, swing, and pop. Now these are only a few main types of music. Each main type has multiple sub-types of music. Sub-types are basically the main type of music but as it is influenced by different cultures, over time it changes and can be called its own unique type. There are many types of music but they all came from the same origin. That origin is Rap. Rap is a very popular music. It has been popular since it originated in Africa. Rap is known commonly as rhyming or spitting. Rapping is a primary ingredient in hip hop and reggae music, as it is for many other types of music like alternative rock. Rapping originated centuries before hip hop culture was even thought of. Rapping is also found in Kuwait music and its roots. Kuwait originated in Johannesburg, South Africa. Rapping can be delivered over a beat or without accompaniment. Rap is so road of a concept that it crosses the spectrum of speech, spoken word, poetry and song. Rap was gradually extended from hit, strike, to parley, and finally, speak lyrics to a beat measure. The beat measure does not have to be present physically but mentally can be traced. Rapping can be traced as far back as its African roots. Rap originated with the grits of West Africa delivering stories rhythmically, over drums and environmental instrumentation. The tradition of storytelling was passed on for generations and grew very popular among its people. As popularity grew so did the music itself. As different people were exposed to the tradition, it grew as a whole and new styles, beats, instrumentation were all improved. As a result, the tradition turned into a popular hobby amongst many and new eras and chapters of the musics history were written. New eras such as Old school rap, New school rap, The Golden Age and Flow all came to be. Old school rap lasted from 1979 1984. Old school rap can be easily identified because of its simple raps and the fact that for artist of that time it was not about the lyrical power but Just about their good times. One of the most noticed artist of the time is Melee Mel and he was known for his incredible word play as a lyricist. He also opened many doors and paths for all future rappers. The Golden Age, from the late asss to early asss was when rap music went through its most drastic transformation. It underwent the invention of the complex wordplay and lyrical power of later hip-hop music. Flow is defined as the rhythms and rhymes of a hip- hop songs lyrics and how they interact as a whole to produce the desired musical tension. By gee_Rodriguez 2 Some of todays rap is dehumidifying and embarrassing. Modern rap artist include Ill Wayne , 2 chains, Drake, Knick Mina], Ill Twist, Mine, Jay-Z, Wiz Kalmia, Busts Rhymes, etc. Now a days rappers of society are dehumidifying woman as Hoes, Sluts, Pitches and many more disrespectful words and phrases being aimed at the females of todays society. This defacing and disrespect towards our women cannot be tolerated as it has become very excessive. Many will say that the motto for todays rappers simple; DRUGS, SEX, MONEY and POWER. Since rap music is so popular among young teens, the heads of our teens are Ewing filled with useless, disrespectful, and defacing content. .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 , .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .postImageUrl , .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 , .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:hover , .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:visited , .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:active { border:0!important; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 { 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; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:active , .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .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; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305 .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uee5b062f6839eb5418c746024b642305:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Luke Bryan - Music and Physchological Expression EssayMuch of what teens are being exposed to today is definitely not the same as for many twenty years ago. Music is such a influential factor in society that music can change the political and personal perspective of many people Just simply by the lyrics artist use in their music. Artist of today are seen as role models to many young people, but sadly the criteria for fame as of now is very negative. The music portrayed to the future of this country is very negative and is causing negative influences in todays society as a whole.