Saturday, January 18, 2020
The Da Vinci Code Chapter 68-72
CHAPTER 68 New York editor Jonas Faukman had just climbed into bed for the night when the telephone rang. A little late for callers, he grumbled, picking up the receiver. An operator's voice asked him,â⬠Will you accept charges for a collect call from Robert Langdon?â⬠Puzzled, Jonas turned on the light. ââ¬Å"Uhâ⬠¦ sure, okay.â⬠The line clicked. ââ¬Å"Jonas?â⬠ââ¬Å"Robert? You wake me up and you charge me for it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Jonas, forgive me,â⬠Langdon said. ââ¬Å"I'll keep this very short. I really need to know. The manuscript I gave you. Have you ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Robert, I'm sorry, I know I said I'd send the edits out to you this week, but I'm swamped. Next Monday. I promise.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not worried about the edits. I need to know if you sent any copies out for blurbs without telling me?â⬠Faukman hesitated. Langdon's newest manuscript ââ¬â an exploration of the history of goddess worship ââ¬â included several sections about Mary Magdalene that were going to raise some eyebrows. Although the material was well documented and had been covered by others, Faukman had no intention of printing Advance Reading Copies of Langdon's book without at least a few endorsements from serious historians and art luminaries. Jonas had chosen ten big names in the art world and sent them all sections of the manuscript along with a polite letter asking if they would be willing to write a short endorsement for the jacket. In Faukman's experience, most people jumped at the opportunity to see their name in print. ââ¬Å"Jonas?â⬠Langdon pressed. ââ¬Å"You sent out my manuscript, didn't you?â⬠Faukman frowned, sensing Langdon was not happy about it. ââ¬Å"The manuscript was clean, Robert, and I wanted to surprise you with some terrific blurbs.â⬠A pause. ââ¬Å"Did you send one to the curator of the Paris Louvre?â⬠ââ¬Å"What do you think? Your manuscript referenced his Louvre collection several times, his books are in your bibliography, and the guy has some serious clout for foreign sales. Sauniere was a no-brainer.â⬠The silence on the other end lasted a long time. ââ¬Å"When did you send it?â⬠ââ¬Å"About a month ago. I also mentioned you would be in Paris soon and suggested you two chat. Did he ever call you to meet?â⬠Faukman paused, rubbing his eyes. ââ¬Å"Hold on, aren't you supposed to bein Paris this week?â⬠ââ¬Å"I am in Paris.â⬠Faukman sat upright. ââ¬Å"You called me collect from Paris?â⬠ââ¬Å"Take it out of my royalties, Jonas. Did you ever hear back from Sauniere? Did he like the manuscript?â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't know. I haven't yet heard from him.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, don't hold your breath. I've got to run, but this explains a lot Thanks.â⬠ââ¬Å"Robert ââ¬â ââ¬Å"But Langdon was gone. Faukman hung up the phone, shaking his head in disbelief Authors, he thought. Even the sane ones are nuts. Inside the Range Rover, Leigh Teabing let out a guffaw. ââ¬Å"Robert, you're saying you wrote a manuscript that delves into a secret society, and your editor sent a copy to that secret society?â⬠Langdon slumped. ââ¬Å"Evidently.â⬠ââ¬Å"A cruel coincidence, my friend.â⬠Coincidence has nothing to do with it, Langdon knew. Asking Jacques Sauniere to endorse a manuscript on goddess worship was as obvious as asking Tiger Woods to endorse a book on golf. Moreover, it was virtually guaranteed that any book on goddess worship would have to mention the Priory of Sion. ââ¬Å"Here's the million-dollar question,â⬠Teabing said, still chuckling. ââ¬Å"Was your position on the Priory favorable or unfavorable?â⬠Langdon could hear Teabing's true meaning loud and clear. Many historians questioned why the Priory was still keeping the Sangreal documents hidden. Some felt the information should have been shared with the world long ago. ââ¬Å"I took no position on the Priory's actions.â⬠ââ¬Å"You mean lack thereof.â⬠Langdon shrugged. Teabing was apparently on the side of making the documents public. ââ¬Å"I simply provided history on the brotherhood and described them as a modern goddess worship society, keepers of the Grail, and guardians of ancient documents.â⬠Sophie looked at him. ââ¬Å"Did you mention the keystone?â⬠Langdon winced. He had. Numerous times. ââ¬Å"I talked about the supposed keystone as an example of the lengths to which the Priory would go to protect the Sangreal documents.â⬠Sophie looked amazed. ââ¬Å"I guess that explains P. S. Find Robert Langdon.â⬠Langdon sensed it was actually something else in the manuscript that had piqued Sauniere's interest, but that topic was something he would discuss with Sophie when they were alone. ââ¬Å"So,â⬠Sophie said, ââ¬Å"you lied to Captain Fache.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Langdon demanded. ââ¬Å"You told him you had never corresponded with my grandfather.â⬠ââ¬Å"I didn't! My editor sent him a manuscript.â⬠ââ¬Å"Think about it, Robert. If Captain Fache didn't find the envelope in which your editor sent the manuscript, he would have to conclude that you sent it.â⬠She paused. ââ¬Å"Or worse, that you hand- delivered it and lied about it.â⬠When the Range Rover arrived at Le Bourget Airfield, Remy drove to a small hangar at the far end of the airstrip. As they approached, a tousled man in wrinkled khakis hurried from the hangar, waved, and slid open the enormous corrugated metal door to reveal a sleek white jet within. Langdon stared at the glistening fuselage. ââ¬Å"That's Elizabeth?â⬠Teabing grinned. ââ¬Å"Beats the bloody Chunnel.â⬠The man in khakis hurried toward them, squinting into the headlights. ââ¬Å"Almost ready, sir,â⬠he called in a British accent. ââ¬Å"My apologies for the delay, but you took me by surprise and ââ¬â â⬠He stopped short as the group unloaded. He looked at Sophie and Langdon, and then Teabing. Teabing said, ââ¬Å"My associates and I have urgent business in London. We've no time to waste. Please prepare to depart immediately.â⬠As he spoke, Teabing took the pistol out of the vehicle and handed it to Langdon. The pilot's eyes bulged at the sight of the weapon. He walked over to Teabing and whispered,â⬠Sir, my humble apologies, but my diplomatic flight allowance provides only for you and your manservant. I cannot take your guests.â⬠ââ¬Å"Richard,â⬠Teabing said, smiling warmly,â⬠two thousand pounds sterling and that loaded gun say you can take my guests.â⬠He motioned to the Range Rover. ââ¬Å"And the unfortunate fellow in the back.â⬠CHAPTER 69 The Hawker 731's twin Garrett TFE-731 engines thundered, powering the plane skyward with gut- wrenching force. Outside the window, Le Bourget Airfield dropped away with startling speed. I'm fleeing the country, Sophie thought, her body forced back into the leather seat. Until this moment, she had believed her game of cat and mouse with Fache would be somehow justifiable to the Ministry of Defense. I was attempting to protect an innocent man.I was trying to fulfill my grandfather's dying wishes.That window of opportunity, Sophie knew, had just closed. She was leaving the country, without documentation, accompanying a wanted man, and transporting abound hostage. If aâ⬠line of reasonâ⬠had ever existed, she had just crossed it. At almost the speed of sound. Sophie was seated with Langdon and Teabing near the front of the cabin ââ¬â the Fan Jet ExecutiveElite Design, according to the gold medallion on the door. Their plush swivel chairs were bolted to tracks on the floor and could be repositioned and locked around a rectangular hardwood table. A mini-boardroom. The dignified surroundings, however, did little to camouflage the less than dignified state of affairs in the rear of the plane where, in a separate seating area near the rest room, Teabing's manservant Remy sat with the pistol in hand, begrudgingly carrying out Teabing's orders to stand guard over the bloody monk who lay trussed at his feet like a piece of luggage. ââ¬Å"Before we turn our attention to the keystone,â⬠Teabing said,â⬠I was wondering if you would permit me a few words.â⬠He sounded apprehensive, like a father about to give the birds-and-the-bees lecture to his children. ââ¬Å"My friends, I realize I am but a guest on this journey, and I am honored as such. And yet, as someone who has spent his life in search of the Grail, I feel it is my duty to warn you that you are about to step onto a path from which there is no return, regardless of the dangers involved.â⬠He turned to Sophie. ââ¬Å"Miss Neveu, your grandfather gave you this cryptex in hopes you would keep the secret of the Holy Grail alive.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠ââ¬Å"Understandably, you feel obliged to follow the trail wherever it leads.â⬠Sophie nodded, although she felt a second motivation still burning within her. The truth about my family.Despite Langdon's assurances that the keystone had nothing to do with her past, Sophie still sensed something deeply personal entwined within this mystery, as if this cryptex, forged by her grandfather's own hands, were trying to speak to her and offer some kind of resolution to the emptiness that had haunted her all these years. ââ¬Å"Your grandfather and three others died tonight,â⬠Teabing continued,â⬠and they did so to keep this keystone away from the Church. Opus Dei came within inches tonight of possessing it. You understand, I hope, that this puts you in a position of exceptional responsibility. You have been handed a torch. A two-thousand-year-old flame that cannot be allowed to go out. This torch cannot fall into the wrong hands.â⬠He paused, glancing at the rosewood box. ââ¬Å"I realize you have been given no choice in this matter, Miss Neveu, but considering what is at stake here, you must either fully embrace this responsibilityâ⬠¦ or you must pass that responsibility to someone else.â⬠ââ¬Å"My grandfather gave the cryptex to me. I'm sure he thought I could handle the responsibility.â⬠Teabing looked encouraged but unconvinced. ââ¬Å"Good. A strong will is necessary. And yet, I amcurious if you understand that successfully unlocking the keystone will bring with i t a far greatertrial.â⬠ââ¬Å"How so?â⬠ââ¬Å"My dear, imagine that you are suddenly holding a map that reveals the location of the Holy Grail. In that moment, you will be in possession of a truth capable of altering history forever. You will be the keeper of a truth that man has sought for centuries. You will be faced with the responsibility of revealing that truth to the world. The individual who does so will be revered by many and despised by many. The question is whether you will have the necessary strength to carry out that task.â⬠Sophie paused. ââ¬Å"I'm not sure that is my decision to make.â⬠Teabing's eyebrows arched. ââ¬Å"No? If not the possessor of the keystone, then who?â⬠ââ¬Å"The brotherhood who has successfully protected the secret for so long.â⬠ââ¬Å"The Priory?â⬠Teabing looked skeptical. ââ¬Å"But how? The brotherhood was shattered tonight. Decapitated, as you so aptly put it. Whether they were infiltrated by some kind of eavesdropping or by a spy within their ranks, we will never know, but the fact remains that someone got to them and uncovered the identities of their four top members. I would not trust anyone who stepped forward from the brotherhood at this point.â⬠ââ¬Å"So what do you suggest?â⬠Langdon asked. ââ¬Å"Robert, you know as well as I do that the Priory has not protected the truth all these years to have it gather dust until eternity. They have been waiting for the right moment in history to share their secret. A time when the world is ready to handle the truth.â⬠ââ¬Å"And you believe that moment has arrived?â⬠Langdon asked. ââ¬Å"Absolutely. It could not be more obvious. All the historical signs are in place, and if the Priory did not intend to make their secret known very soon, why has the Church now attacked?â⬠Sophie argued,â⬠The monk has not yet told us his purpose.â⬠ââ¬Å"The monk's purpose is the Church's purpose,â⬠Teabing replied,â⬠to destroy the documents that reveal the great deception. The Church came closer tonight than they have ever come, and the Priory has put its trust in you, Miss Neveu. The task of saving the Holy Grail clearly includes carrying out the Priory's final wishes of sharing the truth with the world.â⬠Langdon intervened. ââ¬Å"Leigh, asking Sophie to make that decision is quite a load to drop on someone who only an hour ago learned the Sangreal documents exist.â⬠Teabing sighed. ââ¬Å"I apologize if I am pressing, Miss Neveu. Clearly I have always believed these documents should be made public, but in the end the decision belongs to you. I simply feel it is important that you begin to think about what happens should we succeed in opening the keystone.â⬠ââ¬Å"Gentlemen,â⬠Sophie said, her voice firm. ââ¬Å"To quote your words, ââ¬ËYou do not find the Grail, the Grail finds you.' I am going to trust that the Grail has found me for a reason, and when the time comes, I will know what to do.â⬠Both of them looked startled. ââ¬Å"So then,â⬠she said, motioning to the rosewood box. ââ¬Å"Let's move on.â⬠CHAPTER 70 Standing in the drawing room of Chateau Villette, Lieutenant Collet watched the dying fire and felt despondent. Captain Fache had arrived moments earlier and was now in the next room, yelling into the phone, trying to coordinate the failed attempt to locate the missing Range Rover. It could be anywhere by now, Collet thought. Having disobeyed Fache's direct orders and lost Langdon for a second time, Collet was grateful that PTS had located a bullet hole in the floor, which at least corroborated Collet's claims that a shot had been fired. Still, Fache's mood was sour, and Collet sensed there would be dire repercussions when the dust settled. Unfortunately, the clues they were turning up here seemed to shed no light at all on what was going on or who was involved. The black Audi outside had been rented in a false name with false credit card numbers, and the prints in the car matched nothing in the Interpol database. Another agent hurried into the living room, his eyes urgent. ââ¬Å"Where's Captain Fache?â⬠Collet barely looked up from the burning embers. ââ¬Å"He's on the phone.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm off the phone,â⬠Fache snapped, stalking into the room. ââ¬Å"What have you got?â⬠The second agent said,â⬠Sir, Central just heard from Andre Vernet at the Depository Bank of Zurich. He wants to talk to you privately. He is changing his story.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh?â⬠Fache said. Now Collet looked up. ââ¬Å"Vernet is admitting that Langdon and Neveu spent time inside his bank tonight.â⬠ââ¬Å"We figured that out,â⬠Fache said. ââ¬Å"Why did Vernet lie about it?â⬠ââ¬Å"He said he'll talk only to you, but he's agreed to cooperate fully.â⬠ââ¬Å"In exchange for what?â⬠ââ¬Å"For our keeping his bank's name out of the news and also for helping him recover some stolen property. It sounds like Langdon and Neveu stole something from Sauniere's account.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠Collet blurted. ââ¬Å"How?â⬠Fache never flinched, his eyes riveted on the second agent. ââ¬Å"What did they steal?â⬠ââ¬Å"Vernet didn't elaborate, but he sounds like he's willing to do anything to get it back.â⬠Collet tried to imagine how this could happen. Maybe Langdon and Neveu had held a bank employee at gunpoint? Maybe they forced Vernet to open Sauniere's account and facilitate an escape in the armored truck. As feasible as it was, Collet was having trouble believing Sophie Neveu could be involved in anything like that. From the kitchen, another agent yelled to Fache. ââ¬Å"Captain? I'm going through Mr. Teabing's speed dial numbers, and I'm on the phone with Le Bourget Airfield. I've got some bad news.â⬠Thirty seconds later, Fache was packing up and preparing to leave Chateau Villette. He had just learned that Teabing kept a private jet nearby at Le Bourget Airfield and that the plane had taken off about a half hour ago. The Bourget representative on the phone had claimed not to know who was on the plane or where it was headed. The takeoff had been unscheduled, and no flight plan had been logged. Highly illegal, even for a small airfield. Fache was certain that by applying the right pressure, he could get the answers he was looking for. ââ¬Å"Lieutenant Collet,â⬠Fache barked, heading for the door. ââ¬Å"I have no choice but to leave you in charge of the PTS investigation here. Try to do something right for a change.â⬠CHAPTER 71 As the Hawker leveled off, with its nose aimed for England, Langdon carefully lifted the rosewood box from his lap, where he had been protecting it during takeoff. Now, as he set the box on the table, he could sense Sophie and Teabing leaning forward with anticipation. Unlatching the lid and opening the box, Langdon turned his attention not to the lettered dials of the cryptex, but rather to the tiny hole on the underside of the box lid. Using the tip of a pen, he carefully removed the inlaid Rose on top and revealed the text beneath it. Sub Rosa, he mused, hoping a fresh look at the text would bring clarity. Focusing all his energies, Langdon studied the strange text. The Da Vinci Code After several seconds, he began to feel the initial frustration resurfacing. ââ¬Å"Leigh, I just can't seem to place it.â⬠From where Sophie was seated across the table, she could not yet see the text, but Langdon's inability to immediately identify the language surprised her. My grandfather spoke a language so obscure that even a symbologist can't identify it? She quickly realized she should not find this surprising. This would not be the first secret Jacques Sauniere had kept from his granddaughter. Opposite Sophie, Leigh Teabing felt ready to burst. Eager for his chance to see the text, he quivered with excitement, leaning in, trying to see around Langdon, who was still hunched over the box. ââ¬Å"I don't know,â⬠Langdon whispered intently. ââ¬Å"My first guess is a Semitic, but now I'm not so sure. Most primary Semitics include nekkudot.This has none.â⬠ââ¬Å"Probably ancient,â⬠Teabing offered. ââ¬Å"Nekkudot?â⬠Sophie inquired. Teabing never took his eyes from the box. ââ¬Å"Most modern Semitic alphabets have no vowels and use nekkudot ââ¬â tiny dots and dashes written either below or within the consonants ââ¬â to indicate what vowel sound accompanies them. Historically speaking, nekkudot are a relatively modern addition to language.â⬠Langdon was still hovering over the script. ââ¬Å"A Sephardic transliteration, perhapsâ⬠¦ ?â⬠Teabing could bear it no longer. ââ¬Å"Perhaps if I justâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Reaching over, he edged the box away from Langdon and pulled it toward himself. No doubt Langdon had a solid familiarity with the standard ancients ââ¬â Greek, Latin, the Romances ââ¬â but from the fleeting glance Teabing had of this language, he thought it looked more specialized, possibly a Rashi script or a STA'M with crowns. Taking a deep breath, Teabing feasted his eyes upon the engraving. He said nothing for a very long time. With each passing second, Teabing felt his confidence deflating. ââ¬Å"I'm astonished,â⬠he said.â⬠This language looks like nothing I've ever seen!â⬠Langdon slumped.â⬠Might I see it?â⬠Sophie asked. Teabing pretended not to hear her. ââ¬Å"Robert, you said earlier that you thought you'd seen something like this before?â⬠Langdon looked vexed. ââ¬Å"I thought so. I'm not sure. The script looks familiar somehow.â⬠ââ¬Å"Leigh?â⬠Sophie repeated, clearly not appreciating being left out of the discussion. ââ¬Å"Might I have a look at the box my grandfather made?â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course, dear,â⬠Teabing said, pushing it over to her. He hadn't meant to sound belittling, and yet Sophie Neveu was light-years out of her league. If a British Royal Historian and a Harvard symbologist could not even identify the language ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Aah,â⬠Sophie said, seconds after examining the box. ââ¬Å"I should have guessed.â⬠Teabing and Langdon turned in unison, staring at her.â⬠Guessed what?â⬠Teabing demanded. Sophie shrugged. ââ¬Å"Guessed that this would be the language my grandfather would have used.â⬠ââ¬Å"You're saying you can read this text?â⬠Teabing exclaimed.â⬠Quite easily,â⬠Sophie chimed, obviously enjoying herself now. ââ¬Å"My grandfather taught me this language when I was only six years old. I'm fluent.â⬠She leaned across the table and fixed Teabing with an admonishing glare. ââ¬Å"And frankly, sir, considering your allegiance to the Crown, I'm a little surprised you didn't recognize it.â⬠In a flash, Langdon knew. No wonder the script looks so damned familiar! Several years ago, Langdon had attended an event at Harvard's Fogg Museum. Harvard dropout Bill Gates had returned to his alma mater to lend to the museum one of his priceless acquisitions ââ¬â eighteen sheets of paper he had recently purchased at auction from the Armand Hammar Estate. His winning bid ââ¬â a cool $30.8 million. The author of the pages ââ¬â Leonardo Da Vinci. The eighteen folios ââ¬â now known as Leonardo's Codex Leicester after their famous owner, the Earl of Leicester ââ¬â were all that remained of one of Leonardo's most fascinating notebooks: essays and drawings outlining Da Vinci's progressive theories on astronomy, geology, archaeology, and hydrology. Langdon would never forget his reaction after waiting in line and finally viewing the priceless parchment. Utter letdown. The pages were unintelligible. Despite being beautifully preserved and written in an impeccably neat penmanship ââ¬â crimson ink on cream paper ââ¬â the codex looked like gibberish. At first Langdon thought he could not read them because Da Vinci wrote his notebooks in an archaic Italian. But after studying them more closely, he realized he could not identify a single Italian word, or even one letter. ââ¬Å"Try this, sir,â⬠whispered the female docent at the display case. She motioned to a hand mirror affixed to the display on a chain. Langdon picked it up and examined the text in the mirror's surface. Instantly it was clear. Langdon had been so eager to peruse some of the great thinker's ideas that he had forgotten one of the man's numerous artistic talents was an ability to write in a mirrored script that was virtually illegible to anyone other than himself. Historians still debated whether Da Vinci wrote this way simply to amuse himself or to keep people from peering over his shoulder and stealing his ideas, but the point was moot. Da Vinci did as he pleased. Sophie smiled inwardly to see that Robert understood her meaning. ââ¬Å"I can read the first few words,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"It's English.â⬠Teabing was still sputtering. ââ¬Å"What's going on?â⬠ââ¬Å"Reverse text,â⬠Langdon said. ââ¬Å"We need a mirror.â⬠ââ¬Å"No we don't,â⬠Sophie said. ââ¬Å"I bet this veneer is thin enough.â⬠She lifted the rosewood box up to a canister light on the wall and began examining the underside of the lid. Her grandfather couldn't actually write in reverse, so he always cheated by writing normally and then flipping the paper over and tracing the reversed impression. Sophie's guess was that he had wood-burned normal text into a block of wood and then run the back of the block through a sander until the wood was paper thin and the wood-burning could be seen through the wood. Then he'd simply flipped the piece over, and laid it in. As Sophie moved the lid closer to the light, she saw she was right. The bright beam sifted through the thin layer of wood, and the script appeared in reverse on the underside of the lid. Instantly legible.â⬠English,â⬠Teabing croaked, hanging his head in shame. ââ¬Å"My native tongue.â⬠At the rear of the plane, Remy Legaludec strained to hear beyond the rumbling engines, but the conversation up front was inaudible. Remy did not like the way the night was progressing. Not at all. He looked down at the bound monk at his feet. The man lay perfectly still now, as if in a trance of acceptance, or perhaps, in silent prayer for deliverance. CHAPTER 72 Fifteen thousand feet in the air, Robert Langdon felt the physical world fade away as all of his thoughts converged on Sauniere's mirror-image poem, which was illuminated through the lid of the box. The Da Vinci Code Sophie quickly found some paper and copied it down longhand. When she was done, the three of them took turns reading the text. It was like some kind of archaeological crosswordâ⬠¦ a riddle that promised to reveal how to open the cryptex. Langdon read the verse slowly. An ancient word of wisdom frees this scrollâ⬠¦ and helps us keep her scatter'd family wholeâ⬠¦ a headstone praised by templars is the keyâ⬠¦ and at bash will reveal the truth to thee. Before Langdon could even ponder what ancient password the verse was trying to reveal, he felt something far more fundamental resonate within him ââ¬â the meter of the poem. Iambic pentameter. Langdon had come across this meter often over the years while researching secret societies across Europe, including just last year in the Vatican Secret Archives. For centuries, iambic pentameter had been a preferred poetic meter of outspoken literati across the globe, from the ancient Greek writer Archilochus to Shakespeare, Milton, Chaucer, and Voltaire ââ¬â bold souls who chose to write their social commentaries in a meter that many of the day believed had mystical properties. The roots of iambic pentameter were deeply pagan. Iambs. Two syllables with opposite emphasis. Stressed and unstressed. Yin yang. A balanced pair. Arranged in strings of five. Pentameter. Five for the pentacle of Venus and the sacred feminine. ââ¬Å"It's pentameter!â⬠Teabing blurted, turning to Langdon. ââ¬Å"And the verse is in English! La lingua pura!â⬠Langdon nodded. The Priory, like many European secret societies at odds with the Church, had considered English the only European pure language for centuries. Unlike French, Spanish, and Italian, which were rooted in Latin ââ¬â the tongue of the Vatican ââ¬â English was linguistically removed from Rome's propaganda machine, and therefore became a sacred, secret tongue for those brotherhoods educated enough to learn it. ââ¬Å"This poem,â⬠Teabing gushed,â⬠references not only the Grail, but the Knights Templar and the scattered family of Mary Magdalene! What more could we ask for?â⬠ââ¬Å"The password,â⬠Sophie said, looking again at the poem. ââ¬Å"It sounds like we need some kind of ancient word of wisdom?â⬠ââ¬Å"Abracadabra?â⬠Teabing ventured, his eyes twinkling. A word of five letters, Langdon thought, pondering the staggering number of ancient words that might be considered words of wisdom ââ¬â selections from mystic chants, astrological prophecies, secret society inductions, Wicca incantations, Egyptian magic spells, pagan mantras ââ¬â the list was endless. ââ¬Å"The password,â⬠Sophie said, ââ¬Å"appears to have something to do with the Templars.â⬠She read the text aloud. â⬠ââ¬ËA headstone praised by Templars is the key. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Å"Leigh,â⬠Langdon said, ââ¬Å"you're the Templar specialist. Any ideas?â⬠Teabing was silent for several seconds and then sighed. ââ¬Å"Well, a headstone is obviously a grave marker of some sort. It's possible the poem is referencing a gravestone the Templars praised at the tomb of Magdalene, but that doesn't help us much because we have no idea where her tomb is.â⬠ââ¬Å"The last line,â⬠Sophie said,â⬠says that Atbash will reveal the truth. I've heard that word. Atbash.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not surprised,â⬠Langdon replied. ââ¬Å"You probably heard it in Cryptology 101. The Atbash Cipher is one of the oldest codes known to man.â⬠Of course! Sophie thought. The famous Hebrew encoding system. The Atbash Cipher had indeed been part of Sophie's early cryptology training. The cipher dated back to 500 B. C. and was now used as a classroom example of a basic rotational substitution scheme. A common form of Jewish cryptogram, the Atbash Cipher was a simple substitution code based on the twenty-two-letter Hebrew alphabet. In Atbash, the first letter was substituted by the last letter, the second letter by the next to last letter, and so on. ââ¬Å"Atbash is sublimely appropriate,â⬠Teabing said. ââ¬Å"Text encrypted with Atbash is found throughout the Kabbala, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and even the Old Testament. Jewish scholars and mystics are stillfinding hidden meanings using Atbash. The Priory certainly would include the Atbash Cipher as part of their teachings.â⬠ââ¬Å"The only problem,â⬠Langdon said,â⬠is that we don't have anything on which to apply the cipher.â⬠Teabing sighed. ââ¬Å"There must be a code word on the headstone. We must find this headstone praised by Templars.â⬠Sophie sensed from the grim look on Langdon's face that finding the Templar headstone would be no small feat. Atbash is the key, Sophie thought. But we don't have a door. It was three minutes later that Teabing heaved a frustrated sigh and shook his head. ââ¬Å"My friends, I'm stymied. Let me ponder this while I get us some nibblies and check on Remy and our guest.â⬠He stood up and headed for the back of the plane. Sophie felt tired as she watched him go. Outside the window, the blackness of the predawn was absolute. Sophie felt as if she were being hurtled through space with no idea where she would land. Having grown up solving her grandfather's riddles, she had the uneasy sense right now that this poem before them contained information they still had not seen. There is more there, she told herself. Ingeniously hiddenâ⬠¦ but present nonetheless. Also plaguing her thoughts was a fear that what they eventually found inside this cryptex would not be as simple asâ⬠a map to the Holy Grail.â⬠Despite Teabing's and Langdon's confidence that the truth lay just within the marble cylinder, Sophie had solved enough of her grandfather's treasure hunts to know that Jacques Sauniere did not give up his secrets easily.
Friday, January 10, 2020
Elements Of Irony In Native Son Essay
Elements of Irony in Native Son Native Son paints a disturbing, harsh picture of life within the ââ¬Å"Black Beltâ⬠of Chicago in the 1940s. Wright uses irony; sometimes subtly and at other times obviously to shape the view of the reader and as a foreshadowing mechanism. From our initial scene to Biggerââ¬â¢s death, the technique of irony employed by Wright is effective, and devastating. Our initial symbol which foreshadows the fate of our protagonist is the ââ¬Å"huge black ratâ⬠(5). The rat represents the feelings which Wright explores within Bigger. The rat is killed right away, before it really has a chance, yet it is able to attack Bigger before it is destroyed. By attacking instead of fleeing, the rat is caught and destroyed, much like Bigger as the novel progresses. Much like the rat, Bigger teeters between the predatory (the initial response to the rat) and the hunted (the rat as killed by Bigger). The fact that the rat is destroyed by Bigger makes this scene even more ironic. The idea of blindness permeates the novel in several ways. We can see the psychological and emotional blindness of Bigger, the blindness to reality by the hyper-religious Ma, and the blindness to the real role and ideals of the Communist party by both Jan and Mary. Perhaps the best use of irony is the physical blindness of Mrs. Dalton. Mrs. Dalton is the epitome of blind; she has very sensitive senses (she notices the smell of alcohol in Maryââ¬â¢s room, saying: ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re dead drunk! You stink with whiskey! â⬠(86)) but she is unable to see Bigger killing her daughter. Her extra sensitive hearing and lack of sight give Bigger the reason and opportunity to smother Mary. Yet, the true irony falls into the situation surrounding Mr. and Mrs. Daltonââ¬â¢s participation with groups such as the NAACP. While they believe that contributions of ping pong tables to inner city youth will help, their insulting charity to Bigger, coupled with Mr. Daltonââ¬â¢s excessive rent charges, ultimately causes the death of their daughter. Bigger is the most ironic element of the entire novel. From his name, we expect this character to make something out of himself, to escape from the ghettoes of Chicago and end up rich, successful and important. Wright does not allow this. The idea that Bigger will be destroyed is planted into his own head and into the readers right away. The naming of this character is a clever device utilized by Wright, though itââ¬â¢s irony is bitter. Bigger is not ironic simply due to his name. His actions also represent a sort of sick irony. Perhaps the saddest, sickest display of this is the rape of Bessie. While we are uncertain, and it would be impossible to prove that Bigger raped Mary prior to killing and decapitating her, by raping and murdering Bessie, a portrait of Bigger as the violent monster is created. This is important because it not only shapes the view of the public within the novel, but also that of the reader. Wright changes the tone stating: ââ¬Å"He had done this. He had brought all this aboutâ⬠(239). Wright seems to do this for a reason, to illustrate how easy it is for the opinion of Bigger to shift, but also to show what a man is capable of when it is expected of him. The irony is that Bigger has, in effect, done himself in by murdering and raping Bessie. He believes that by killing her and tossing her body down the air shaft he shall escape, though just the opposite occurs. Ma represents a religious and foreshadowing irony that follows her character throughout Native Son. When she warns Bigger that ââ¬Å"the gallows is at the end of the road [he] is travelingâ⬠, she is foreshadowing the fate of her son by the end of the novel (9). She tells Bigger to acknowledge his manhood by killing (the rat), which manifests into his killing Bessie. Through religion, however, we see the most obvious and devastating irony represented by Ma. She attempts to pray for the soul of her son, and gives him a wooden cross to wear around his neck. This cross, particularly due to its construction, appears identical to the burning cross of the Klu Klux Klan which Bigger sees out his jail cell window. Ma has effectively turned Bigger away from Christianity forever, in spite of her desire to do nothing other than save her sonââ¬â¢s soul. Bigger ends up feeling that he ââ¬Å"can die without a cross.. . [that he] ainââ¬â¢t got no soul! â⬠(338) Irony follows Bigger throughout his life, and ultimately in his death. The introduction of Boris A. Max in Native Son represents a change; this is the first time Bigger has been able to explore some of his feelings, and with a white Jewish man! It is important to look at Max as a Communist and a Jew, because this makes him suspect in the eyes of popular opinion. Max is able to ask Bigger questions which are uncomfortable, but which make him think, which finally make him a man. Max states: ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re human, Biggerâ⬠(424). This is the only time that anyone really says anything of this sort to Bigger. Bigger recognizes this and makes point of it, ironically, as he is about to be put to death. It is a difficult and important change which Wright employs at this point. Bigger Thomas was doomed from the beginning of the novel. We could see this foreshadowed by the rat, we could quickly sense the irony in his name and his very being. The world in which Bigger Thomas lived was cruel, unyielding in its destruction. We learn early that Bigger could not beat his fate, and we can see this in David Buckley. The district attorney is able to defeat Bigger and gain public acceptance by putting him to death. There is an ironic twist, if we look back to the beginning of the novel. We can see Bigger reading a sign with Buckleyââ¬â¢s picture and the slogan, ââ¬Å"YOU CANââ¬â¢T WIN! â⬠(13). Sadly, we find this to be true, with Bigger Thomasââ¬â¢s death by the novelââ¬â¢s end. Work Cited Wright, Richard. Native Son.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Immigration Of The United States - 1299 Words
In order for the United States to meet the needs of the economy, the government should issue more visas to immigrants. It can lead to a positive impact on the economy. Many immigrants face difficulties in their home country due to corruption, poverty, financial circumstances and lack necessities such as jobs and money. As a result, immigrants move to America in search of a prosperous life where they can provide for themselves and also for family if needed. Today, immigration remains a major concern for the U.S. and several perspectives have been developed over the situation. Issuing more visas can help contribute to the growth of the economy. America is also the ââ¬Å"land of opportunitiesâ⬠so it is the country s duty to provide for those inâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦For California, the estimated impact is $904 million; Illinois, $347 million; and New York, $184 million.â⬠If immigrants are granted their visas and are able to work, they are likely to receive Graham 2 health care through their employer which mean they would not need to rely on health services. Few believe that immigrants can put a drain on government programs but the fact that states would not need to spend much money while immigrants work defeats that argument. Since the late 1800s to the 1920s, immigrants have been coming into America searching for better lives. America was always a symbol of freedom and great opportunities. The Statue of Liberty lays out the duties of America to all the people in the world. Engraved on the statue it states ââ¬Å"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.This verse symbolizes the openness of America to all kinds of people and their willingness to create a new life for them. ââ¬Å"Because of the open-minded immigration movement upon which this country was built, the immigration laws of the past proved more inviting and simplistic than the vast panoply of current regulations and procedures.â⬠according to Trent R. Hightower, author of ââ¬Å"An Analysis of the Current State of United States Immigration Law, and Possible Changes on the Horizonâ⬠. Prior to new immigration laws, individuals were able to enter the U.S without any restrictions. By the nineteenth century the US turned away many
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Painting The Battle Of Anghiari - 1765 Words
This essay will attempt to establish a sufficient visual analysis of a painting. It will use the painting The Battle of Anghiari to identify an underlying feeling associated with the painting. The paper will also try to determine the emotions and message that may be associated with this piece of art. Also, use sources to show what Leonardo Da Vinci intended to show in this marvelous masterpiece. Additionally, incorporating the history and background of the time and place, establishing the purpose of this painting being created, and overall meaning. Furthermore, this essay will also give a description of the artistic style and technique to add to the many things the paper uses as support to back up the thesis. With all of these ideas andâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦For clarification purposes, yes, The Battle of Anghiari was originally painted as a mural in the Hall of the Five Hundred. At first, the project was originally a conglomerate project with his rival Michelangelo, however, he would soon abandon the mural, leaving it all up to Leonardo. The painting was supposed to display an image during the Battle of Anghiari, with a group of soldiers and their horses, who were surprise-attacked by the enemy. The painting included the duke Filippo Maria Visconti and his servicemen of Milan, as they engaged in a furious clash against the Tuscany region. Da Vinci drew the scene as a violent clash of horses and men fighting to the death for the flag of Anghiari. It was said that this mural/painting would be one of Leonardoââ¬â¢s biggest and most substantial works, which would go to be very unfortunate as one can learn later. However, Leonardo would go to take extreme precautions with this painting, being that he used the same format of that with The Last Supper; Leonardo made sure that they he would not make the same mistakes he made with that painting. Therefore, Da Vinci was trying to ensure he would really make this one count, but one might ponder if this really w ould happen. Since the history and information behind why this painting was actually commissioned in the first place, what does the actual image of the painting display artistically?Show MoreRelated Leonardo da Vinci Essay1320 Words à |à 6 Pagescompleting his apprenticeship, Leonardo stayed with Verrocchio (Leonardo world à ¶ 2). Often Leonardo would assist in Verrocchioââ¬â¢s paintings, drawing one of the inconspicuous figures in the painting (à ¶ 2). A collaboration of their work is The Baptism of Christ (à ¶ 2). It was even rumored that Verrocchio, after seeing Leonardo draw a beautiful angel in one of his works, gave up painting and simply used sculpting. Leaving Florence, Leonardo arrived in Milan in 1482 (Leonardo world à ¶ 7-8). He became a courtRead More High Rennaisance Art Essay599 Words à |à 3 Pageswhere depth was not used. His paintings were very realistic and life like, unlike the previous centuries art. Giottos work inspired artists by the likes of Leonardo de Vinci, and Michelangelo. Leonardo Da Vinci came to Rome in 1513, he was sixty-one.(2) Leonardo was a skilled artist, that painted many wonderful pictures that are known today.(3) Some of his most famous pictures that he painted is the, ââ¬Å"Last Supperâ⬠, and the ââ¬Å"Mona Lisaâ⬠. The ââ¬Å"Mona Lisaâ⬠was a painting that Leonardo Da Vinci had paintedRead MoreDa Vinci - Battles And Brushstrokes2042 Words à |à 9 PagesDa Vinci - Battles and Brushstrokes, The Story Of His Lost Masterpiece Leonardo Da Vinci, the famed Florentine polymath is revered around the world for his ingenuity, creativity, and adaptability, but even with a huge body of renowned and legacy inducing work, this Renaissance man still has hidden depths that ought be shared with a wider audience. Da Vinci was a man immersed in several battles of varying complexity, both internal and externally in his Italian home. Many of Leonardos creations wereRead MoreLeonardo Da Vinci : The Renaissance Man963 Words à |à 4 Pagesleather arts, carpentry, drawing, painting and sculpting. Following da Vinci s depart from Verrocchio s studio; he received his first independent job. In 1478, he was asked to do an altarpiece to reside in a chapel inside Florence s Palazzo Vecchio. An altarpiece is a work of art set above and behind an altar. 3 years later monks of a man in Florence by the name of San Donato a Scopeto asked him to paint Adoration of the Magi, which is a biblical painting. To everyone s surprise, da VinciRead MoreLeonardo Da Vinci Research Paper1632 Words à |à 7 PagesFeast of Santa Maria della Neve which showcased Florences natural beauty and landscapes. It was considered the first true landscape in art. In 1476, Verrocchio and his assistant completed the Baptism of Christ. Leonardo contributed many to this painting. He drew the landscape and a kneeling angel. In 1478, Leonardo completed the Annunciation, which indicates the delicate and light atmosphere when Gabrielle, the archangel, informs me that she shall bear a son named Jesus. On January 1st, 14 78 LeonardoRead MoreLeonardo The Artist, By Maria Vittoria Brugnoli And The Last Section897 Words à |à 4 Pageswithout going through mathematical testsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ (page 16) This basically refers to the scientific method. In sketch after sketch, his notebooks cite his preoccupation with architecture both as an artistic expression and as a technical problem. In his painting of the town plan of Imola, he shows his concern with fundamental structural elements such as the stability of the arch and the dome. In his sketches he slit the arch into individual shaped stones. In his calculations it shows Da Vinci was close toRead MoreLeonardo Da Vinci, Painting And Modeling1407 Words à |à 6 Pagesday, Andrea di Crone, who is also known as Verrocchio. He learn many skills from this opportunity, such as drafting, chemistry, metal working, mechanics, carpentry, and much more. He would have also learned the artist skills of drawing, sculpting, painting and modeling. Leonardo may have gotten a special opportunity to be a model for two of Verrocchioââ¬â¢s pieces. He modeled as the bronze statue of David in The Bargello, and he also modeled as the Archangel Michael in Tobias and the Angel. About six yearsRead Mo reLeonardo di ser Piero da Vinci Essay1146 Words à |à 5 Pagesany figure in the painting. According to my first biographer, ââ¬Å"Everyone acknowledged that this was true of Leonardo da Vinci, an artist of outstanding physical beauty who displayed infinite grace in everything he did and who cultivated his genius so brilliantly that all problems he studied were solved with ease. He possessed great strength and dexterity; he was a man of regal spirit and tremendous breadth of mind...(Vasari). Unfortunately, my master grew ashamed of his own paintings because of howRead MoreLeonardo Da Vinci : A Genius Before His Time1151 Words à |à 5 PagesGenius Before His Timeâ⬠). After Leonardo moved to Milan, his career took off. He was hired to create military concepts, paintings, and sculptures for the Duke of Milan. The Duke of Milan was a man who was named Ludovico Sforza. During Leonardoââ¬â¢s time in Milan, he created several important pieces of art. He created The Virgin of the Rocks, The Last Supper, The Battle of Anghiari, The Mona Lisa, etc.. Leonardo lived in Milan for 17 years, until Duke Ludovico lost power (Heydenreich). After living inRead MoreLeonardo Da Vinci : The Epitome Of A Renaissance Man Essay2118 Words à |à 9 Pagesevident from an early age. Around the age of 14, da Vinci began a lengthy apprenticeship with the noted artist Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. He learned a wide breadth of technical skills including metalworking, leather arts, carpentry, drawing, painting and sculpting. His earliest known dated workââ¬âa pen-and-ink drawing of a landscape in the Arno valleyââ¬âwas sketched in 1473. At the age of 20, da Vinci qualified for membership as a master artist in Florenceââ¬â¢s Guild of Saint Luke and established his
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Rule of law - 1448 Words
1.0 Introduction The rule of law is fundamental in any society where human rights are to be protected. The word rule comes from ââ¬Å"rà ¨gleâ⬠and law from ââ¬Å"laguâ⬠roughly translating to ââ¬Å"supremacy of lawâ⬠.1It is a mechanism for safeguarding human rights by guaranteeing them legally and at the same time providing a means for redressal where violations occur. The most important application of the rule of law is the principle that government authority is legitimately exercised in accordance with established procedural steps that are referred as to due process. The principle is intended to be a safeguard against arbitrary governance, whether by a totalitarian leader. Thus, the rule of law is hostile both to dictatorship and to anarchy.â⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦In a democracy like Mauritius, fundamental rights and freedoms are entrenched in chapter two, sub-sections 3-16 of the constitution. The provisions guaranteeing fundamental rights and freedoms are modeled on the European Convention of Human Rights. The case of DPP V Mootoocarpen ors shows the influence of the European Convention on the Constitutional Law of Mauritius. Great importance has been placed on international conventions and their implementation in order to ensure obedience to a universal standard of acceptability (National Human Rights Commission- NHRC). Another reason for its importance is that the rule of law promotes the expression of a collective will. Law is a means by which the collective will of the people is expressed. Our Constitution enshrines the basic human rights and civil rights that people want protected Another reason for its importance is that the rule of law promotes the expression of a collective will. Law is a means by which the collective will of the people is expressed. Our Constitution enshrines the basic human rights and civil rights that people want protected. The principle of the rule of law is also said to be important as it upholds a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. Democracy depends on an effective state. The Constitution and statutes give the state the monopoly on the use of force. In addition, the adoption of theShow MoreRelatedRule of Law1413 Words à |à 6 PagesBasmah Elahi Rule of Law London International Programs, UG Law, Public Law Essay 2. The Rule of Law, enforced by the courts, is the ultimate controlling factor on which our constitution is based. Discuss. The rule of law is one of the fundamental principles of UKââ¬â¢s unwritten or uncodified constitution .The key idea of the rule of law is that the law should apply equally to all, rulers and ruled alike. This in the words of the 19-century constitution expertRead MoreThe Rule of Law990 Words à |à 4 PagesThe idea of the rule of law can be traced back to at least the time of Aristotle who observed that given the choice between a king who ruled by discretion and a king who ruled by law, the later was clearly superior to the former. In more recent times, it is Albert V. Dicey who is credited with providing the logical foundation upon which the modern notion of the rule of law is based. The term ââ¬Ërule of law,ââ¬â¢ since reformulated by A.V. Dicey in the 19thà century, has traditionally meant to include suchRead MoreExclusionary Rule And The Rule Of Law1385 Words à |à 6 PagesExclusionary Rule Many constitutions all over the world provide basis for innocence until proven guilty. As such, the courts of law must always factor in the provisions of criminal procedure and natural justice when cross-examining offenders. In light of this, the exclusionary rule allows a defendant to argue his case if his privacy rights were violated before arraigned in court. In essence, the provisions of the exclusionary rule prevent the government authorities and machinery such as FBI and CIARead MoreThe Rule Of Law And The Law Of The Land1693 Words à |à 7 Pagesresearch. I had a rough time determining if I should define the RULE of LAW or look at its history and how it was developed through our constitution to the laws that govern us today. After all the supremacy clause in our Constitution says ââ¬Å"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.â⬠After going to many websites researching a definitionRead MoreApplication Of Rule Of Law Essay1571 Words à |à 7 PagesTHEORETICAL APPLICATION OF RULE OF LAW IN INDIA The common law system of justice delivery has been adopted by India which owes its origins to British jurisprudence, the basis of which is the rule of law. According to Dicey, the Englishman does not need any form of written or administrative law to keep cheeks on the governmentbut that the natural law and Rule of Law would be enough to ensure absence of excutive arbitrariness. While India also follows and accepts the concept of natural law, there are writtenRead MoreRule of Law in the Constitution1448 Words à |à 6 Pagesof a legal framework supporting the rule of law, which is ultimately, an ideology. Analogically, the circumstances in which the application of the rule of law has either created a free society or undermined it will be explored and its purposes thus inferred to construct a definition of the ââ¬Ërule of lawââ¬â¢ reflecting contemporary standards. However, Diceyââ¬â¢s classical definition will be used as a guide to understanding the current position of the rule of law. Briefly, Diceyââ¬â¢s definition comprisesRead MoreApplication Of Rule Of Law Essay1583 Words à |à 7 Pages APPLICATION OF RULE OF LAW IN INDIA The common law system of justice delivery has been adopted by India which owes its origins to British jurisprudence, the basis of which is the rule of law. According to Dicey, the Englishman does not need any form of written or administrative law to keep cheeks on the government but that the natural law and Rule of Law would be enough to ensure absence of excutive arbitrariness. While India also follows and accepts the concept of natural law, there are writtenRead MoreEffects Of The Rule Of Law771 Words à |à 4 PagesPublic Law Essay: 1422047 Introduction In the Following I will be explaining the effects on The Rule of Law in the UK if they are to withdraw from the EU Convention on human rights and repeals the human rights act 1998 and replaces both with the UK Bill of rights. I am going to give a brief overlook on what the impact on the rule of law in the UK will be. I am also going into depth as to whether or not sovereignty effective in the UK is effective and whether society should still be entitles to theRead MoreIs Law A System Of Rules?1500 Words à |à 6 Pages R.M. Dworkin wrote an essay titled ââ¬Å"Is Law a System of Rules?â⬠In this essay he proposes an argument against the Legal Positivism, more specifically the version of Legal Positivism that H.L.A Hart was a proponent of. In his essay Dworkin puts forth the ideas of rules and more importantly legal binding principles behind rules. Dworkin says that these principles can be legally binding and the legal positivist position has issues with validating them as a legally binding construct due to issues withRead MoreThe Rule Of Law And Its History858 Words à |à 4 Pagesher idea that the rule of law exists ââ¬Å"through the cognitive process of the human mind, the language of the rule of law has not only represented reality, but has also played a leading role in the creation and transformation of reality; accordingly, it has contributed to the modelling of the shared consciousness of society, including that of international societyâ⬠(Beaulac, 2009, p.1). The notion of the ru le of law and its history stems from many traditions and continents and is intertwined with the
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Machine Roles In Future Essay Example For Students
Machine Roles In Future Essay Whether we like it or not, machines will play an important part in the future. They already play such a large role in our life, its almost inevitable. Overthe past 20 years, the use of computers has skyrocketed. Now there is almost onein every home. Children of this generation are being taught to use computers ata very young age. Computers are used in most every office, also. Jobs that usedto be done by men can now be done by machines. Technology is growing each day. Jobs are being replaced by machines, and there is more need for people familiarwith computers or technology. In a lot of cases as far as jobs etc go, itssomething you need to know or something that helps considerably. Technology isbecoming more advanced. As the technology changes, so do our lives in a smallway and it shall continue into the future. Technology has changed our lives forboth better and worse. It has made life so much easier. Now instead of balingthe hay themselves, farmers can put the hay into a machine that makes bales. Itis not only more efficient, but the outcome is much more desirable. Laboriousjobs have been reduced or eliminated. Though it has made life easier, it alsohas promoted laziness. Instead of using our physical ability to accomplish ajob, so many can now be done by machine. Rather than walking to the store topick up margarine most would drive to the store. Little things that are soeasily accomplished by hand can now be done mechanically. Wed rather have a machine do the job, than exert the extra energy. This laziness has caused adecrease in the over-all health of human kind. There are more cases of obesity. The medical world has advanced, finding cures to many diseases, yet there aremore diseases each year. In some cases we dont really know what weredoing, which can be extremely dangerous. Good and bad have both resulted fromtechnology. Ive been working on computers for about 10 years, and I lovethem! I look forward to the advancements in computers. I was too young toexperience the beginning of computers, but I truly would have liked to see themgrow. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for us. Itcould very possibly be complete disaster. There is more work being done withartificial intelligence and there is always the worry that a type of thinkingrobot could be created which will wipe out humankind. The robots may start tothink of us as inferior and take over. We could also be the destruction ofourselves. With technology, war is made so much easier. There would be moredeath and destruction than ever if World War III broke out. With one push of abutton, the whole wo rld could be annihilated! Now thats scary stuff. The fateof the world is in someones hand. Technology is both enlightening andfrightening at the same time. Its hard to tell where exactly it will go, butit will most definitely be a part of our future. Technology
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Revolutionary Art
Revolutionary art if a form of modern art through which artists express their personal convictions about certain issues in the society. The pieces of art might also depict political themes (Douglas, 1970). A true revolutionary artist does not care whether the needs of speculative dealers are met or not.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Revolutionary Art specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Revolutionary art should not be characterized by sycophancy that is aimed at making collectors like an artistââ¬â¢s work. When an artists is entirely motivated to meet the needs of dealers in their work then the revolutionary attributes in them ceases to exist (Party, 1969). Revolutionary art addresses the living issues of the society without any fear of contradiction. This paper will highlight the purpose of revolutionary art in the society and at the same time discuss how revolutionary art has affected art and artists in Americ a. Many people in the modern society are very reluctant to think about change and therefore revolutionary artsist and other types of revolutionists have a great assignment of ensuring that peopleââ¬â¢s minds are provoked to start thinking about change (Party, 1969). The society is always faced with inequalities and revolutionary art often seeks to change the status quo (Douglas, 1970). The true purpose of revolution is to fight any kind of injustice in the society through inspiring other people to fight against all evils and forms of injustice in the society. Revolutionary artists use specific themes in their works that actually reflect revolution or the works can help to bring out a new conscience among the people. Revolution art aims to eliminate political struggles and in the process generate political passions. Revolution art has actually changed life and brought liberation in many countries across the world with America being a perfect example. This form of art has completel y changed American art artists in a great way (Porter, 1986). Artists like John Trumbul were very instrumental in American Revolution by making portrait paintings that helped a great deal in helping America gain its independence fro Great Britain. This inspired other artists to explore revolutionary art by focusing on landscape and personal scenes. After the revolutionary war in the late 18th century, American artists stopped using British styles and invented their own unique American styles. All the colonial art styles and architecture were completely phased out in America to indicate revolution (Porter, 1986). These pieces of art helped spread the wave of change even to the most conservative of minds in the wake of independence. This new style of art that emerged after the American revolution helped in bringing a sense of national identity to American citizens and at the same time inspired a new American consciousness.Advertising Looking for essay on art? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In conclusion, revolutionary art has become very popular across the world because of the desire for total liberation. Since revolutionary art was invented, peopleââ¬â¢s perspective about art has completely changed. A piece of revolutionary art should reflect the true revolutionary conviction of the artist without bearing in mind the needs of dealers. Revolutionary art played a key role in bringing change and liberation in countries such as America and in the process becoming very popular. The fundamental role of revolutionary art is to inspire people to fight all forms of evil and injustice in the society. References Douglas, E. (1970). Revolutionary art: A tool for liberation. New York, NY: John Brown Party. Party, B. (1969). Revolutionary art: A tool for liberation. New York, NY: Black Panther Party. Porter, R. (1986). Revolution in history. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This essay on Revolutionary Art was written and submitted by user D00msdayMan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.
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