Bridge On The River Kwai Theme Of free essay sample

Bridge On The River Kwai: Subject Of Madness Essay, Research Paper The Theme of Madness in? The Bridge On The River Kwai? The Bridge On The River Kwai ( 1957 ) was the most successful war movie of the 1950 # 8217 ; s. The movie focuses on several conflicts, both an internal and external. It examines the inquiry of where does responsibility and courage terminal and lunacy Begin? The character of the British Colonel Nicholson, played by Alec Guiness, is, from the really start of the film, in a conflict of moralss with Colonel Saito, played by Sessue Hayakawa, the commanding officer of the Nipponese prison cantonment where Nicholson and his work forces are being held captives. Colonel Satio has to take between his ain decease and his honor. The conflict Shears, played by William Holden, faces is an internal 1. He inquiries his beliefs and ethical motives, an in the terminal makes an of import pick as to his worth and responsibility. We will write a custom essay sample on Bridge On The River Kwai Theme Of or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The work that is to be done is to construct a span across the Kwai River for the railway linking Bangkok to Rangoon. The Nipponese authorities had ordered Saito to construct this span utilizing the captives in his cantonment. When building becomes less and less productive, Nicholson asks permission to take over supervising of the span, to do it a testimonial to British resourcefulness and efficiency. With an resulting deadline, Saito gives in and even allows Nicholson to hold Nipponese military work forces work on the span. Nicholson becomes so haunted with constructing the span and the constitution of order and military bid that he fails to recognize that by doing such a good span and by working his work forces every bit hard as he does that he is join forcesing with the enemy. ? The fact is, what we # 8217 ; re making could be construed as, forgive me sir, coaction with the enemy. Possibly even as faithless activity # 8230 ; Must we work so good. Must we build them a better span than they could hold built for themselves? ? Nicholson, on the other manus, # 8220 ; knew # 8221 ; that it was his responsibility to maintain his work forces as a unit and non allow them go separate persons. He made them construct the really best span they could, maintaining them British soldiers and non Nipponese captives. However, He had subterranean motivations. ? And you wonder, you ask yourself, what the sum sum of your life represents. What difference your being at that place at any clip made to anything. ? ? One twenty-four hours the war will be over. And I hope that the people that use this span in old ages to come will retrieve how it was built and who built it. Not a pack of slaves, but soldiers, British soldiers, Clipton, even in imprisonment. ? His resolved devotedness to duty drove him huffy. The span was Nicholson # 8217 ; s trophy, non a tool to maintain the ground forces together. His attachment to his sensed responsibility was his ruin. Had he non been so captive on constructing a good span, he would non hold reacted the manner he did when the find of the explosive alterations was made. It is merely at the terminal, when he sees the speculator detonating device, that he realizes his error, and even though shooting, he falls on the speculator, blowing up the span Another conflict is that within Colonel Saito. His orders purely say that he is to construct the span by a specific day of the month. He knows that if it is non completed, serious effects will ensue. Saito: Do you cognize what will go on to me if the span is non built on clip? Nicholson: I haven # 8217 ; t the foggiest. Saito: I # 8217 ; ll have to kill mys hob. What would you make if you were me? In order for the span to be finished, Saito realizes that he must give control of it # 8217 ; s building to Colonel Nicholson because the British will non listen to him. Finally, when the span is built, disgraced by the fact that it is non his making, Saito prepares to kill himself, but is non given the opportunity because of the ranger onslaught. He sacrificed his honor for his life, and subsequently realised that his life was non deserving populating without honor. Another conflict takes topographic point within the head of Shears. At the start of the film, he introduces himself as a Captain in the United States Army. When he escapes and after a anguished journey through the jungle, the British Army finds him. Shears is asked to take a mission back into the jungle to destruct the span, which Nicholson # 8217 ; s work forces had constructed. Upon hearing this and desperate non to return anyplace near the cantonment, Shears admits that he lied about being a Captain and that he was merely a private. Rather than confront a tribunal Martial from the US Army and a long prison term for portraying an officer, he reluctantly joins the British Army ranger squad on the mission to the Kwai River. ? In one sense, you # 8217 ; re a blame hero for doing an flight through the jungle. But at the same clip, they can # 8217 ; t really good convey you place and give you the Navy Cross for portraying an officer, can they? I suppose that # 8217 ; s why they were so happy to manus you over to us. You see? ? Though he does non desire to travel, he follows his responsibility and returns to the river. When the British officer taking the mission, Major Warden, played by Jack Hawkins, is changeable, instead than give up, Shears literally carries him the remainder of the manner to finish their aim. ? And with you, it # 8217 ; s merely one thing or the other: # 8216 ; Destroy a span or destruct yourself. # 8217 ; This is merely a game, this war. You and that Colonel Nicholson, you # 8217 ; re two of a sort, loony with bravery. For what? How to decease like a gentleman. How to decease by the regulations when the merely of import thing is how to populate like a human being. I # 8217 ; m non traveling to go forth you here to decease, Warden, because I don # 8217 ; t care about your span and I don # 8217 ; t care about your regulations. If we go on, we go on together. ? In the climax scene, when Shears has the chance to turn away from the mission, he stays to complete it. Alternatively of concealment, the safe program, he runs out, in full position of the enemy, and is shot in an effort to explode the bombs under the span. He followed his responsibility to his acrimonious terminal. This film did non hold a character that could truly be considered the good cat or the bad cat. One could reason that Colonel Saito was the bad cat, but was he? He was following his orders. Was Shears the hero? He lied, he ran off, and he tried to acquire out of his work. There is no good cat or bad cat, merely like in existent life. It # 8217 ; s all in the position of the spectator. Madness, as Clipton, played by James Donald says in the terminal is precisely what it comes down to. With every character being to ravish up in there orders, responsibility and pandemonium of it all, they loss sight of what is truly of import, and affairs to them. The? right thing? or the baronial, sane thing to make, is clouded by the characters emotions, wants, and orders. This is arrant lunacy, and this is what I feel Clipton meant by this statement. That the characters allow it all go to the point of no return. ? Madness! # 8230 ; Madness! Lunacy! ?

Combating Female Genital Mutation In Sudan Essays - Feminism

Combating Female Genital Mutation In Sudan Essays - Feminism Combating Female Genital Mutation In Sudan Combating Genital Mutilation in Sudan In the country of Sudan, in Northern Africa, there is a procedure that is tradition and is performed on most women called female genital mutilation, or FGM, which used to be known as female circumcision. It has been a normal practice for generations, but is now the subject for international controversy on the morality and safety of this procedure. It is now known that 82 percent of Sudanese woman have an extreme form of genital mutilation done on them, normally at a young age. This form of mutilation is called the Pharaonic form and includes the total removal of the clitoris and labia, and stitching together of the vulva, leaving only a small hole for urination and menstrual cycle. This is normally done without any type of anaesthetic or professional medical care. There is also a more moderate form of mutilation, called Sunni, where only the covering of the clitoris is removed. This practice started and became tradition in foreign countries in or der to ensure that women practice chaste behavior, and to suppress female sexuality. It has also been attributed to religious beliefs of monogamy although most religions do not support this type of practice. In today's society it has become more of a traditional and social norm, and has less to do with religious beliefs. This problem is not only in Sudan; it is practiced in the majority of the continent of Africa as well as other countries. In other cultures, such as Australian aborigines, genital mutilation is a part of the rite of passage into maturation, and is done on both men and women (Bodley, p. 58). FGM has often been referred to as female circumcision and compared to male circumcision. However, such comparison is often misleading. Both practices include the removal of wells similar to this are found in other cultures, such as the Maasai, an African cattle peoples tribe. A clitoridectomy is performed on adolescent girls in this tribe as part of their rite of passage, and sig nifies that they are ready for marriage. This practice is openly accepted by these women as another ritual and a normal precondition of marriage (Bodley, p. 121). The efforts to stop procedures of this kind are mounting though, especially with the help of women ages 16 to 30 who realize the dangers of this practice. These women can help to save their daughters and many other

Gender Inequality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gender Inequality - Essay Example According to my analysis, Women are more affected by the Gender Inequality in work places, Families, Politics, National and International affairs. While in some Institutions religion and tradition are the main factors leading to discrimination against Women to a lower status. My analysis has shows that in some society's women begin to experience discrimination right from Homes, sometimes from childhood up to the maturity stage. However, history has noted that Gender Inequality has its roots dated back to over one thousand year within Arabian Peninsula. During that period, the Arab's were in the habit of burying their female children alive, soon after they were born. They had a tradition that portrayed females as unwanted creatures. But with the advent of Islam the dirty tradition was wiped away. What I also learnt explains how in some societies women are not allowed to attain any position like men. Unfortunately, women are denied the right for Education because of Gender Inequality. Though they are allowed to attend schools, their chances of attaining the highest level usually restricted by the norms of religion and tradition. In such societies, only men get the privilege of reaching the highest level of education. I observed that Gender Inequality is on the increase in many parts of the world, especially in the African Continent. In northern part of Nigeria for example, Gender Inequality is on the highest rates, reaching to about 55%. Females are denied the right for education, especially in the rural areas. They have a traditional belief which says: "Females are born to grow and produce children's, cook foods for their husbands, and children's. According to another analysis that I made, I found that in some Institutions if a certain family allows women to attend the highest level of education, such family will be discriminated from others with a negative perception. They will be regarded as the "devils that betrays the tradition of their forefathers. In some societies, despite awareness and education, Gender Inequality is practicing by discriminating against women in work places. Some employers do not offer jobs to female, preparing to offer the vacancies to their counterpart. Even in places where the employers agreed to employ females, they offer them lower salaries, because in such places women are regarded as unproductive element. In chapter 10, from a book Introduction of Sociology written by three authors, under a subject "Gender Inequality" I came across an analysis made, on hoe women hold occupation of the lower rank. The authors have this to say: "The increase of women in the work places in the twentieth Century has influenced many aspects of social life. Though high proportions of women are in labor force around the world, they are concentrated in low paying routine occupation" In another paragraph, they also have this to say: "Despite more women moving into higher ranking position, pay between the sexes remains unequal". (Introduction to Sociology)". I have learnt that the Gender Inequality does not exist only in African continent, but it is a Global problem that affected the entire races. It is a natural phenomenon that causes greatest challenges

Scots Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Scots Law - Essay Example When the company delegated a duty to Fergus, which was an expansion program, it did not examine that Fergus would have undergone various challenges. In addition, the company did not consider the potential benefits that would have come out of each customer. According to the tenements act 2004, the company should always have the capacity to cater for relevant costs (Scotland 2004, p.9). These are costs that result out of reasonable transactions or dealings between the company and a second party. This is irrespective of whether the costs were catered for in the initial budget. The first argument is that, as a sales person, Fergus might have been marketing Ikant. This exists in the view that the company bears social responsibility over his customers and the general society. Marketing and advertisement are factors that have been proven to impact immensely over a company’s revenues and expansion. This, thus, makes the extra costs that Fergus incurred probable in the company’s rational planning. Another reason for the extra costs might have been a possible unwillingness by customers to engage in a meaningful interaction with Fergus. This would have necessitated that he uses the meals as a basis for the interaction. In concluding this, if the company incurred expenses, in the period stipulated, then it is bound to pay for the costs. In addition, the company would be held liable for payment if the court regards the nature of relationship between the company and Fergus. Fergus is a supervisor in Ikant and has been appointed temporarily to aid the company in enlarging its business. In this capacity, he performs the functions on behalf of the directors. This is called the law of agency. He is engaged in an employment bond with the company. He is, thus, said to have acted in good intentions for the company. Even, if he had wrong intentions, it would be difficult to prove that he had wrong intent. Furthermore, the work given by the company to Fergus does not am ount to delegation. It is appropriately described as an assignment. The directors did not, therefore, describe Fergus’s role aptly. According to the quantum meruit rule, the company is entitled to pay on the basis that the restaurant has already performed its role (Scottish law commission 2000). Advising Ikant on problem B In our second problem, a complexity arises between the directors and Fergus concerning the Scottish contract law. It is noted that Fergus normally travels to promote Ikant’s products and receive orders. The court can, therefore, easily establish that Fergus has been consistently undertaking this duty for some time. Fergus, consequently, engages the company in a form of contract. Fergus, in this capacity, is deemed able to represent the company in a valid contract. According to the Contract Act of third Parties of 1999, this is recognizable legally (Ashton 2003, p.29). The company law recognizes that companies should still have physical representation despite the arbitrary nature of the board of directors. If the court establishes that Fergus acted in good faith, then the company is bound to the contract. However, according the delegation rule, the directors shall still be responsible for a breach of contract since Fergus is conducting a role that they ought to perform. In addition, company will gain rescission, if only it was stated in the contract. The contract, in this case, must comply with

Reading and answer questions 5 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reading and answer questions 5 - Assignment Example Following the submission, the court held the VII workplace act that protects employees from workplace discriminations. I agree with the case since human dignity hold at all costs. Moreover, persons of the same sex must not harass each other since such actions reduces the dignity of the harassed and they are against work ethics. Question 2 of 4: IN MEDINA RENE V. MGM GRAND, please paraphrase in your own words the following: (1) the facts of the case (2) the issue/question presented; (3) the holding/conclusion; (4) the reasoning; and (5) if you agree or not with the case, why or why not? RENE V. MGM GRAND presented the question whether the accused should be charged under the under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.  §Ã‚ §Ã¢â‚¬â€š2000e et seq (Meiners, Ringleb, and Frances 182). The case before that court was that plaintiff’s coworkers harassed him based on his sexual orientation. The Supreme Court determined that the plaintiff was sexually harassed. This judgment was substantial in upholding the humanity at workplace and strengthening ethical conducts at workplace. Question 3 of 4: IN PROWEL V WISE, please paraphrase in your own words the following: (1) the facts of the case (2) the issue/question presented; (3) the holding/conclusion; (4) the reasoning; and (5) if you agree or not with the case, why or why not? This case was also a sexual harassment at workplace. It was a harassment was based subjected to a gay worker. The case was judged under Title VII; however, the standing attorney related it to sexual stereotyping. His workers called him princess while the church called him sinner. Despite the sexual harassments, the court dismissed Prowel’s case (Anzalone 142). This judgment was not appropriate since it was a means of encouraging stereotyping of homosexuality in the society. Schultz’s work dwells on the sexual harassment at work place and the environments that may facilitate such harassments (Gould 166).

The Conditions Under Deviant Behavior Problems Criminology Essay

The Conditions Under Deviant Behavior Problems Criminology Essay The conditions under which deviant behavior exists have presented an enduring question for researchers. Within the literature the majority of definitions of deviance share one commonality: that social norms and values subjectively label behaviors as deviant. Similar to the number of theories of deviance there exist a number of motivations why individuals choose to engage in deviant behavior. Existing theories-general strain, anomie, labeling, control, and learning-examine these factors and attempt to clarify the hows and whys of deviant behavior. The most common factors which facilitate individual deviance include personal strain, social disorganization, a lack of self-control, and the perception that the benefits for engaging in deviance outweighing the potential costs. Because of these variations there is currently no universally-accepted theory of deviance. Introduction An urgent question in contemporary social sciences is how and why certain behaviors, attributes, or classes of individuals come to be defined as deviant.  [1]  Since social groups make the rules, deviant behavior results from individuals who fail to adhere to said rules. When behaviors are defined as deviant it is assumed that they will either promote or inhibit individual motivation to engage in such acts and will evoke certain social responses which serve to influence subsequent behavior by those within said society.  [2]  A number of theorists attempt to identify a commonality to the different types of deviant behavior. The underlying theme is that this type of behavior offends societys normative order and deviance becomes a theoretical construct of this consensus. There exist a number of theories which seek to define how individuals and their behavior are identified as deviant. Definitions of and Motivations for Deviant Behavior Despite a wide variety of definitions of deviance there is consensus that deviance refers to behaviors or attributes manifested by specified kinds of people in specified circumstances that are judged to violate the normative expectations of a specified group.  [3]  This consensus perspective serves to promote collective agreement as to what core values, norms, and goals should be. Behavior that falls outside of the specified parameters are deemed deviant. The degree of deviance is directly correlated to the perceived serious of the punitive response it elicits. Many questions abound as to individual motivations to engage in deviant behavior. Fundamentally, if one anticipates that satisfaction will ensue from engaging in the behavior then he will do so. Hirschi (1969) asserts that the motivation for deviance is always present and that research should examine the circumstances which permit individuals to act on these motivations.  [4]  In another view, Merton (1938) argues that societal strain increases motivation for deviance in order to achieve certain unattainable culturally-sanctioned goals.  [5]  Where the majority of individuals will embrace conformity as a response to strain others resort to deviance. Similarly, Tittles (1995) control balance theory assumes that individuals have a strong need to exercise control over themselves and to escape having control exerted over them by others while Katz (1988) argues that the motivation to deviance occurs to protect ones self esteem, encourage a desired reputation, establish autonomy, [ or] demonstrate competence, for example.  [6]   These theories all share the presumption that deviance is motivated by the need to adapt to psychological distress which results from the failure to achieve desired goals through conventional means. Accordingly, when pushes, or psychological impulses which compel an individual to engage in deviant behavior, and pulls, or the attraction of deviant opportunities, interact then motivation for deviance increases.  [7]  Deviance results from individuals motive to engage in deviant behavior being stronger than the motive not to amidst the existence of the opportunity to do so. Theoretical Foundations There are two primary types of theories to explain deviance: structural and processual. Structural theories are labeled sociological theories while processual ones are termed social psychological theories due to the differences in goals and scope.  [8]  Structural theories emphasize the relationship of deviant behavior to particular structural conditions within society and attempt to explain why deviance is higher in certain areas, such as those with lower socioeconomic status.  [9]  On the other hand, processual theories seek to describe the processes by which people engage in deviant behavior by attempting to explain the conditions which lead to the commission of deviant acts.  [10]  With respect to scope, structural theories address the epidemiology, or distribution in time and space of deviance and processual theories focus upon the etiology, or specific causes, of deviance.  [11]   Specific Theories of Deviance General Strain Theory (GST) GST addresses the interrelatedness of strain and its emotional response, individual coping mechanisms, and deviance.  [12]  As a theory it focuses not upon strain itself but upon individual responses to strain and seeks to identify those characteristics which enable non-deviant responses amid strain. Sharp, Brewster Love (2005) argue that certain types of strain create certain actions which influence delinquent behaviors. Anger, for example is an emotional response which has a high likelihood of encouraging deviant behavior. Therefore, where there is a strain-particularly one perceived as unfair-low social control creates pressure which, in turn, causes deviant behavior.  [13]  Research indicates that gender is a strong predictor of strain-induced deviance with males more overt in their responses than females who tend to internalize strain. GST has been used considerably in the study of juvenile deviance. Repeated exposure to stressful life experiences has been found to both escalate and accelerate juvenile delinquency and depending upon when during ones life-course trajectory the strain occurs different implications ensue. The literature suggests that involvement in delinquency begins to increase during early adolescence, peaking around age 16 and 17, and followed by a decline in such behavior.  [14]  Agnew (1997, 2006) claims that this life-course trajectory highlights that adolescence is a period of high transitions, that adolescents perceive their environment as negative more so than adults, and that there is an increased propensity for juveniles to react to adversity through deviant behavior.  [15]  The lack of useful coping mechanisms in juveniles makes it difficult to react to strain more effectively. Anomie Theory According to anomie theory-much like GST-deviance results from social disorganization in that elements in society promote deviant behavior by making such behavior a feasible adjustment to society. Where the earliest form of this theory hypothesized that anomie results from a failure to achieve positively-valued goals Agnew (2001) expanded upon this theory by including that anomie can also result when positive stimuli are removed and when negative stimuli are applied.  [16]  One criticism of anomie theory is that it assumes universality in what should be defined as deviant and how most individuals should behave; however, in reality, deviance is a relative concept so this universality is erroneous.  [17]   Labeling Theory Labeling theory presents an interactionist perspective to the study of deviant behavior by stressing the importance of the processes through which society labels a particular act as deviant and the subsequent negative social sanctions which influence the individual to engage in further deviance.  [18]  Becker (1973) claims that deviance is a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender.  [19]  Therefore, while the act or the person may not be inherently deviant, existing social controls create deviance by defining acts that the majority believes to be so and, consequently, labeling individuals who engage in such acts as deviant. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy by amplifying the very phenomenon that it is intended to suppress.  [20]  Of primary importance is that subsequent events serve to reinforce the deviance because an individual internalizes the label attached to him by societys stigmatizing and creates secondary, or tertiary, deviance. The labeling itself serves to ensure that every society has a percentage of deviants which is critical to maintain the majority consensus.  [21]   Control Theory Control theory is similar to anomie and social disorganization theories to the degree that deviance results from the lack of social controls on individual restraint to engage in deviant behavior.  [22]  Durkheim (1933) asked why people conform to social norms instead of why they engage in deviant behavior. Under this theory it is assumed that everyone would engage in deviant behavior if given the chance, that a small amount of social controls will increase deviance, and that there exists a central value system which defines deviance in society.  [23]  There are four components of an individuals societal bond which serve to prevent deviance: attachment to specific groups through affection, respect, and socialization; commitment to accepting conforming behavior; involvement in non-delinquent behavior; and a belief in the dominant value system of any particular group.  [24]  When social bonds are reestablished or strengthened then the deviant behavior ceases. Accordingly, individuals who engage in deviant behavior do so due to low self-control. Under this theory low self-control is comprised of six personality traits: anger, impulsivity, preference for simple tasks, risk-seeking, being more physical than mental, and being self-centered.  [25]  Gottfredson Hirschis (1990) self-control theory asserts that inadequate child-rearing results in lowered self-control which facilitates a predisposition to engage in deviant behavior.  [26]  They also claim that individuals who engage in one type of deviant act will commit other deviant acts. Learning or Socialization Theory These theories suggest that deviance is a learned behavior similar to how non-deviant individuals learn conforming behavior. By attempting to distinguish variations in behaviors theorists assume that differences in rates of deviance among various groups can be determined. One of the most widely-cited learning theories is Sutherlands (1947) differential association theory which postulates that deviant behavior results from normative conflicts in neighborhood structures, peer group relationships, and the organization of family in society.  [27]  The fundamental tenets of Sutherlands theory are that criminal behavior is learned, that learning is a result of personal interaction, that primary learning occurs in intimate group settings, that people learn that socially-normative attitudes are either favorable or not, that deviant behavior results when conditions favorable to deviance exceed those unfavorable to violating the law, and that deviant behavior cannot be explained by general needs and values.  [28]  Accordingly, an individual learns various motives which are favorable to engaging in deviant behaviors as well as rationalizations and techniques for achieving them. While the behavior may be defined as deviant to the rest of society, within a particular individuals in-group the behavior may adhere to the groups norms. Akers (1985, 1989) expanded upon Sutherlands work by adding that deviance results when a person learns definitions that portray some conduct as a desirable, even though deviant, action.  [29]  If an individual is rewarded for a deviant act by his in-group then he becomes socialized to continue the behavior under the expectation of similar positive experiences for subsequent acts. Other Theories Deterrence theory asks whether the expectation of certain, severe, and swift punishment for engaging in deviant behavior would deter such behavior.  [30]  Rational choice theory addresses an individuals anticipated cost-benefit ratio of acting on deviant impulses. A greater expected or perceived benefit increases the likelihood that the individual will commit the act. Finally, conflict theory asserts that the development of formal social controls and laws are legitimized by the more powerful societal groups.  [31]   Conclusion The wide variation of social psychological theories of deviant behavior seeks to answer why individuals become motivated to engage in deviant behavior, how behaviors and attitudes are defined as deviant, what factors facilitate deviant behavior, why some deviant behavior is escalated, and what consequences exist.  [32]  Despite the number and variety of theories of deviance the commonality is that this concept is a socially-defined construct utilized to maintain a societys normative values. The disparities in definitions of deviance among societies make it difficult to establish an all-encompassing theory to explain the existence of deviant behavior in contemporary society.

Role of Nature in Mary Shelley’s Mathilda Essays -- Mathilda

Role of Nature in Mary Shelley’s Mathilda The naturalistic imagery that pervades Mary Shelley’s Mathilda acts as an underlying theme for the incestuous affair between Mathilda and her father and its unruly consequences. Their relationship is a crime against the laws of Nature and causes Mathilda to become ostracized from the very world that she loved as a child. Shelley’s implementation of naturalistic imagery accentuates the unlawful and subsequent ramifications of the relationship between Mathilda and her father and contrasts the ideals and boundaries of the natural and spiritual worlds. Naturalistic imagery encompasses Mathilda’s childhood as she is prompted to take solace in Nature due to the lack of affection she receives from her stern aunt, whom she describes as being a "plant beneath a thick covering of ice" (1343). Mathilda besets a dreary childhood lacking in affection and companionship by becoming lost in the dynamics of Nature: "I loved everything, even the inanimate objects that surrounded me. I believe that I bore an individual attachment to every tree in our park; every animal that inhabited it knew me and I loved them†¦But my pleasure arose from the contemplates of nature alone, I had no companion: my warm affections finding no return from any other human heart were forced to run waste on inanimate objects" (1343-44). The lack of human affection that she experiences incites her to long for the father that abandoned her as an infant. Mathilda likens herself to being a solitary being that "brought Rosalind and Miranda and the lady of Comus to life to be my companions, or on my isle acted over their parts imagining myself to be in their situations" (1344). The reference to Rosalind from Shakespeare’s As You Like ... ...I should raise my eyes fearlessly to meet his, which ever beamed with the soft lustre of innocent love" (1373). It is fitting that it is Nature that commences the end of Mathilda’s life. She grows mortally ill after becoming lost in the forest after Woodville leaves, and then during her last days, she chooses to die surrounded by Nature: "I caused myself to be led once more to behold the face of nature" (1376). Death represents rebirth to Mathilda, in which she can exist in a world that won’t judge her feelings as unfit. In her farewell to Woodville, Mathilda illustrates her feelings of alienation from the natural world and how death will allow for her to escape such feelings: "Farewell, Woodville, the turf will soon be green on my grave; and the violets will bloom on it. There is my hope and my expectation; your’s are in this world; may they be fulfilled" (1376).