American History essays

Automotive/American History essays How the Automobile Both Paralleled History As Well As Shaped Society As American Culture has evolved, inventions have paralleled its alterations. From the automobiles humble beginnings as a horseless carriage in the late 1800s, Henry Ford made the coach for the everyday man (Tshimanga). Because of this invention, the generations in the 20th century were put into motion, literally. Through the years, the automobile has evolved to become what we know today. From designing the Model T, to the Thunderbird and the Tiburon, the automobile industry has responded to meet cultural trends as well as to meet cutting edge technologies. Some examples of the trends that the industry paralleled are: the Art Deco movement during the American Great Depression, Americas space program in the 1960s, the gas crisis in the 1970s, and the growing computer world in the present day. The car also has shaped society through associations such as NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing), NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) drag racing, and the loyal following of car collectors and enthusiasts. For the more popular music has used cars as a symbol, and marketers have fueled the influence cars have on pop culture. Cars define the character of an American more than that of any other country in the world. From the massive tail-wings of the Cadillacs, borrowed from the space program, to the massive size and intimidation of the SUVs of today, cars also lend in the development of Americans personalities. A person who wants to display power or to intimidate may drive a Ford Excursion or a Suburban because of its grandeur. The automobile reflects fame, fortune, power, and who we are. The automobile plays a prominent role in American media; the automobile is on TV in races, in movies, in advertisements, and in general programming. Many celebrities are defined or recognized by the cars they d...

Odyssey essays

Odyssey essays The epic The Odyssey has a collaboration of claims in reference with family and relationships. Not only is the story about an immortal man pampered by the wishes and desires of the Greek gods to travel home after twenty years away from home as a punishment, but as a breakdown of a man and wifes relationship over a struggle of time apart. The marriage bond between Odysseus and Penelope in this book is somewhat distorted. There are situations that may be looked upon by others in our time period as being immoral and sinful. It is these situations that breakdown an argument between what is justified right and wrong in a marriage. Odysseus has been away from his kingdom in Ithaca for the past 20 years. Not only has he been away from his kingdom and people, but his wife Penelope and his only son, the prince, Telemachus. Over these profuse years apart from one each other Penelope has stayed desolate, not marrying another to take place of the man she has wept for in thought of his return almost every night. By todays standards it is sometimes quite uncommon to hear of a widow or widower staying single and carrying on a relationship with anybody else than the one that they lost. At times money, property and materialistic objects can blind a relationship into wrong thoughts and perceptions that are spite and ill willed. While in The Odyssey it seems to be a case of a man sacrificing everything and doing whatever it takes to get home to his wife and child. There is no obstacle he cannot over come, no wall that is too high, and no ocean large enough that he can and would not conquer to see these two represent ations of his life. With these we learn that Odysseus falls into traps of deception, as well as lust and has to give up being true to Penelope in order to stay alive and continue his journey. Many do not agree with the idea of Odysseus, the man, engaging in extra marital affairs. I mean hes only doing it to con...