Bob Dylan Essay -- essays research papers

Regarding significant musical movements in history, more specifically the twenty first century, few were more important than the folk revolution that took shape in the mid-nineteen hundreds. One of the leaders of this revolution was Robert Allen Zimmerman, known by his popular assumed name, Bob Dylan. Born in 1941 in Minnesota, Dylan grew up the grandchild of Jewish-Russian immigrants and had a surprisingly unexceptional childhood. His interest in music became evident in his high school years when he taught himself basic piano and guitar. From these rudimentary skills Dylan would build his knowledge and experience in music to his present status as a forefather of folk music in the rock era. Accordingly, a song from the pinnacle of his career embodies his style and poetic capabilities, acting as a reference point of the music it followed and the music that was to come. Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowland is an unmistakably remarkable example of the work of Bob Dylan in his finest hour. To fully understand the influence of Bob Dylan on the American folk revolution and his importance in the pop culture of today’s youth, one must first understand his background and development musically. First of all Bob Dylan was born in Minnesota, not a particular hub of musical activity. Author Bob Spitz makes a good point concerning Dylan’s birthplace. History has taught us that no matter how we change the environment it is impossible to change the man...After all, anybody is as their land and air is....If that is so, it is no wonder that Bob Dylan became such a luminous amalgam of showmanship and aloofness, spirituality and desolation, eloquence and exaggeration, individuality and schizophrenia. These seesawing extremes, among others, are indigenous to the historical landscape of northern Minnesota. (Spitz 9) For others this might have been a setback but for Dylan it was the perfect environment to nurture his interests, in music specifically. At the age of ten he was writing poems and by thirteen was setting them to music with self-taught piano and guitar skills. Dylan’s interest in music continued to climb as he entered Hibbing High School. During his high school years Dylan would become involved in musical productions and attempt forming many bands with such names as the Golden Chords and Elston Gunn and His Rock Bop... ...calls streetcar visions, a direct reference to Tennessee Williams play â€Å"A Street Car Called Desire.† The symbolism continues throughout the song and is accompanied with music that, while not the best of his career, still defined the American folk sound. The music is acoustic once again after he made a brief stint recording with bands and electric guitars. The melody is simple and flows throughout the piece’s seven minute length. There is minimal background accompaniment but what does exist advances the rhythm of the song. Truly it is Dylan’s voice that is the essence of the song. His raspy, nasal sound gives the song character that it definitely would not have minus his vocals. The best information I can provide someone who is interested in the work of Dylan is to get any of his early albums and listen to what today’s music started as. The folk movement of the late nineteen fifties and early sixties was led by a man who overcame a humble upbringing and, through hard work, created for himself the life he desired to live. His music is revered as classic and at the same time historical. His song, â€Å"Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands†, is a testament to that.

Assisted Suicide

Matthew Donnelly was a man who had loved life, but Matthew Donnelly became a man that wanted to die. For the past thirty years, Matthew had conducted research on the use of X-rays. Now, skin cancer was consuming his tortured body. He had lost his nose, his left hand, two fingers on his right hand, and part of his jaw. He was left blind and was slowly deteriorating. The pain was unrelenting. Doctors estimated that he had a year to live. Lying in bed with teeth clenched from the excruciating pain, he pleaded to be put out of his misery. His pleas, however, went unanswered because of existing law in the state of Texas. One day, Matthew's brother Harold, who could no longer ignore Matthew's repeated cry for mercy, removed a . 30 caliber pistol from his dresser drawer, walked into the hospital and shot and killed his brother. Harold was tried for murder. (Santa Clara University article) Had assisted suicide been legal in Texas, as it is in Oregon, Harold would not be in the position he is in today. Oregon was the first State to pass the law. In 1997 the Death with Dignity Act was implemented. This piece of legislation enables a competent adult who desires to end their life access to a lethal dose of medication which they administer themselves. In order for a person to qualify for assisted suicide in Oregon, they must be a legal adult and be capable of understanding the consequences of their decision. They must also have a prognosis of six months or less to live due to a terminal illness and have the backing of a registered physician (Volker, 2007). We have a moral obligation to relieve the suffering of our fellow human beings and to respect their right to die with dignity. Throughout most of our country today, terminally ill patients lie with incurable diseases and without the means to end their own suffering because the government tells them they can’t. These patients can only look forward to lives filled with yet more suffering and degradation. When such people beg for a merciful end to their pain and indignity, it is cruel and inhumane to refuse their will. Compassion demands that we give these people the choice they currently don’t have. Despite the clear need for a national death with dignity law, assisted suicide remains a controversial topic in today’s society. Opponents of the right to die act have many arguments against euthanasia as the right of all citizens. Some argue that only God is the true owner of when a person should come to their natural end. Others make the case that someone in seat of a terminally ill patient would not have the capacity to make a rational decision and could be negatively influenced by an immoral or poor physician. In response to the critics, I say this. We live in the land of the free and nobody should be able to violate an individual’s freedom by forcing their personal beliefs or spiritual beliefs on others (just as it is written in the Constitution! . Furthermore, as a proponent for assisted suicide I would argue that it is well within an individual’s rights to decide when and how they want to die. Why I understand the concern for patients being taken advantage of, I consider this a problem to be solved as opposed to an impassable wall. Let us come together to create a system, like Oregon, that protects terminally ill patients from being taken advantage of when they are most vulnerable while preserving the rights of those same citizens to choose in what manner they will meet their end. Harold’s story has proved that making it illegal to die when you choose to can lead to desperate acts by either the patient themselves or in this instance, a close family member. We should have the freedom to choose how we live our lives. Whether or not we want to end our lives early or let an illness take its course and let us die naturally are highly personal decisions and an instance where individual opinions are not welcome as law. People deserve to leave this earth with their dignity intact. How that is accomplished should be a personal choice, not subject to public opinion.

Eleanor Roosevelt Long Range Goal - 1005 Words

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Isra El-khateeb Long-Range Goal: To inform listeners about the legacy and inspirational status Eleanor Roosevelt left behind. Immediate Purpose: To entertain and inspire my audience by honoring the roles Eleanor Roosevelt played and describing the impact she has on our daily life. INTRODUCTION I. Arouse Audience Interest in the Topic A. It is difficult in a sense to capture the greatness of Eleanor’s life in simple terms through her background, but we will surely uncover her legacy and her greatest truths. 1. Eleanor Roosevelt served as the longest first lady during her husband’s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s time in office. 2. She was born in a family of great wealth and lack of personal problems. 3. However, according to her autobiography, Eleanor was considered an introvert and she portrayed her family home as one that discouraged outspoken words and confidence. B. Although she was a shy, awkward woman, the moment she found a political and social call awaiting her, she came to realize that staying quiet was definitely not an option. II. State Purpose of the Speech A. My purpose is to show you the unique achievements that allowed Eleanor Roosevelt the ability to change the concept of first lady through her ongoing activism and participation in American political affairs. III. Establish Qualifications A. I have done extensive research about Roosevelt’s accomplishments and her political life. B. My information comes fromShow MoreRelatedThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1060 Words   |  5 Pagesmigrant workers that suffered throughout the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. His novel was criticized for its portrayal of both migrant families and Californian farmers, but the condemnation and denunciation of it was excused as his goal was attained; Eleanor Roosevelt made strides toward the first reforms. 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