Essay on Charles Dickens Picture Of Childhood in...

Charles Dickens Picture Of Childhood in Victorian Times Great Expectations is set in early Victorian England, a time when great social changes were sweeping the nation. The Industrial Revolution of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries had transformed the social landscape, enabling capitalists and manufacturers to amass huge fortunes. Although social class was no longer entirely dependent on the circumstances of ones birth, the divisions between rich and poor remained nearly as wide as ever. London, a teeming mass of humanity, lit by gas lamps at night and darkened by black clouds from smokestacks during the day, formed a sharp contrast with the nations sparsely populated rural†¦show more content†¦Another noticeable fact when we are told this is that there are no buildings and subsequently no people in this marsh, meaning that Pip must be out in this wilderness alone. Loneliness seems to be a major part of Pips life at this point in the book. We are then told that Pip is an orphan and that he his mum and dad are buried here, that is in his private cemetery. All of this information given to us in the first few pages already make us pity this poor little boy. We pity him because his childhood seems to be full of sadness, and indeed he does have a sad and hard childhood and so did many Victorian children as life was much harder and crueller in those days. Childhood was hard in those days because during the first five years of life you were at your weakest, and at this time medicine was not as developed as it is now. Only one in five children born lived to see past five years of age and the rate of death whilst giving birth was two thousand per cent higher than it is nowadays-meaning that many children were born motherless. Pip lost is mother and father early on in his life, as he only knows their names on the authority of the tombstone, which means that he did not and still does notShow MoreRelatedCharles Dickens: A Brief Biography Essay1315 Words   |  6 Pages Charles Dickens Ruth Glancy, a world-renowned Dickens scholar, believed that Charles Dickens blended the Romanticism era, the Industrial age, and the Victorian era into unforgettable novels that still had the whimsical, imaginative part of life. Ruth conceded, â€Å" Dickens increasingly saw the need for finding and nurturing the imaginative core of life that can prevail even in the middle of the modern industrial city (Glancy 17).† Charles used his own experiences and imagination to evoke storiesRead MoreThe Victorian Er A Important Part Of Our History1688 Words   |  7 PagesThe Victorian Era was a very important part of our history. That is why I want to familiarize you with it before we get directly to Mr. Dickens. This was a period in time when the times were changing in a vast number of ways. The Victorian era was a time of peace, refined sensibilities and prosperity for Britain. This era was the first where music, dramas and opera were performed openly and were attended by mass amou nts of people. Also to become in the Victorian era were â€Å"dining clubs† where gentlemenRead MoreOliver Twist: A Look At Social And Economic Classes. .1741 Words   |  7 Pages Oliver Twist: A Look at Social and Economic Classes Ricas Jones English IV Ms. McQuirk 22 March 2017 Oliver Twist: A Look at Social and Economic Classes Charles Dickens’ uses Oliver Twist as a means of informing the masses of his views on the differences in the treatment of social and economic classes, while focusing primarily on the unfavorable treatment of the poor. 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Oliver Twist began as a sketch; later on chapter by chapter it came on magazine and became a serial and eventually the whole novel was published. Charles Dickens childhood was terrible; he had to work in a factory for some months. The novel exposes a lot of Victorian attitudes which Dickens experienced as he was in poverty himself. Oliver Twist suffered for nine years in the baby farm treatedRead MoreI have always been a reader; even though I read books mainly written in my native language, I still1100 Words   |  5 Pagesbooks mainly written in my native language, I still enjoy wandering through novels that written in English. I love to discover new cultures, ideas, and believe. Also, I enjoy criticizing the author and understand his or her writing style. Most of the time, I try to find a different ends to the same story. When I was a child, books wer e every thing in my life , as of today books is the second most important thing to me, since my children and their education are always the first important thing toRead MoreNancy in Charles Dickens Oliver Twist Essay679 Words   |  3 PagesNancy in Charles Dickens Oliver Twist London in the 19th century was a heavily packed city where the rich and poor rubbed shoulders daily. Charles Dickens lived there most of his life, growing from a poor child to a publicly famous, but often privately troubled, writer. The city shaped his life it also patterns his work in complex and fascinating ways. The novels picture this great city vividly. It can also be seen to be used as a symbolic map through which human relationshipsRead MoreCreating Sympathy for Oliver Twist Essay1830 Words   |  8 PagesEnglish Coursework Oliver Twist- How does Charles Dickens create sympathy for Oliver Twist in the first four chapters? Charles Dickens the author of the much acclaimed book, Oliver Twist. Charles Dickens was born in 1812 at Portsmouth the eldest of eight children two of whom died in childhood. Growing up, he saw his father go to the Marshalsea Prison with his mom and five other siblings because he did not manage his money well. He was put into a workhouse since his family had to sellRead More The English Bildungsroman Essay1678 Words   |  7 Pages1719 (Kroll 23). Since then, the British novel has grown in popularity. It was especially popular in Victorian England. The type of novel that was particularly popular in Victorian England was the novel of youth. Many authors of the time were producing works focused on the journey from childhood to adulthood: Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre, George Eliot wrote The Mill on the Floss, and Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield and Great Expectations. All of these novels trace the growth of a child. InRead MoreCharles Dickens Hard Times1494 Words   |  6 PagesMr. Johnson Literature Dickens Calls for Desperate Measures in Hard Times â€Å"I want to change the world.† How many times is that line heard from small children, aspiring to be someone who achieves their maximum potential? If a child is asked how they might go about doing so they might respond with an answer that involves a superhero or princess who helps people for the greater good. As one grows and adapts to their surrounding society, the art of seeing the big picture including its flaws is often

The Regulatory Ethical Environment of Business Free Essays

string(230) " Its not the fact that Non-For-Profit organization cannot generate revenue, actually a lot of them do \(For example NCAA \(National College Athletic Association\)\), it is the fact that it cannot use revenues to invest in itself\." Incorporated In Wall or with a physical presence In Wall) to review in an original term paper. The student must cover at a minimum 3 of the following 7 topics: (2) What type of entity is this business (e. G. We will write a custom essay sample on The Regulatory Ethical Environment of Business or any similar topic only for you Order Now LLC, for-profit entity, nonprofit entity, etc. ) and why is that the best choice for this business? (1) How does the equines address ethical or moral issues? (5) What environmental issues does the business deal with? (3) If the business develops, sells or otherwise deals with consumer products, how does the business ensure product safety? (4) Does the business engage in advertising? If so, why? Further, how does it determine what type of advertising best suits Its purposes? (6) What employment Issues has the business faced? 7) What type of steps does the business undertake to Meltzer discrimination both within and outside the workplace? Papers will be graded on thoroughness and concepts covered in the textbooks. Students may conduct research of the business however they see fit, though it is strongly suggested that the student interview or otherwise correspond with a contact person or persons affiliated with the chosen business. Papers must be double spaced, typed in size 12 Times N ew Roman font with 1 inch margins. The paper must be a minimum of 10 pages and a maximum of 12 pages. MGM-6020-E, 6020?The Regulatory Ethical Environment of Business Term Paper : Hallelujah Solar (http://www. Holidaymakers. Mom/) length of existence in Hawaii and a description of Hawaii-based activities (particularly f you are covering a national â€Å"chain† business) Hallelujah Solar named after a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maim. The story of the company is not what one would expect. It did not start with a massive research or a group or pro environmental scientist. It all started back in the ass’s, Hallelujah Solar founder, Jim Whitlock,working as a plumber at a golf course, came home after a hard day of work, ready for a nice shower and realized he had no hot water. He called his landlord, and told him all the water he was getting was cold. Mr.. Toby, a long-time local, came over and pointed to a box on the roof and e xclaimed in his broken English, â€Å"No more sun, no more hot water†. Mr.. Toby went on to explain how the home-made device, copper tubes sandwiched between old window panes connected to a water tank sitting on a rotting wooden stand, used the sun to create hot water. Jim touched the tubes and pulled immediately back from the heat. The proverbial light bulb went off in his head. â€Å"Holy cow, this actually works†, he thought. And that was it. Jims solar energy Journey had begun. Keep in mind back then he was a long-haired hippie surfer, involved in environmental causes like Save Our Surf, a group dedicated to preserving reefs and pristine shorelines from unscrupulous developers. In a weird twist of fate, here he is years later, using inspiration he got from an amateur backyard inventor, still helping the environment and along with it, thousands of other lives as well. However, despite the free spirited image Jim was no slacker he was mechanically inclined and good with his hands. It took Jim 60 days to build a solar system prototype whilst working a day Job. This was no small feat considering this was before most people owned a computer let alone heard of the internet. He spent most of his extra time in the local library doing research and experimenting with different materials and products and eventually developed an efficient working solar hot water system. â€Å"The members of the corporation unlike the members of partnership or the proprietors of a business – are financially liable for the debts of the organization only up to the extent of their investments† (Pig 152 Shaw). 977, Jim officially started his solar company, Hallelujah Resources Inc. During the ass’s, due to the oil embargo in the Middle East, crude prices rose dramatically. Environmental awareness also emerged at this time and the ambition of the two triggered tremendous interest in alternative ways to create energy. Solar was a major recipient of this newfound interest and the whole industry took off. Due to the professionalism and integrity of Jim and his services, the now- named Hallelujah Solar quickly became the largest solar company in Maim, eventually other islands and soon they were installing systems all over the state. In the mid ass’s, Jim started experimenting with solar cells, creating electricity. With fuel costs constantly rising, and photovoltaic technology prices dropping, he envisioned a true in which â€Å"people would set up their own small electric companies†. In observing the incredible growth of solar electric today, we can conclude he was right. Hallelujah Solar has been in business for over 35 years and has installed over ten thousand solar energy systems with satisfied customers all over the state of Hawaii. They believe servicing systems is Just as important as installing them. They are a one- stop shop and service anything solar energy related. Hallelujah Solar truly stands behind their work, and are one of the few solar companies in the state to have been round long enough to actually back up a 25 year warranty. What type of entity is this business (e. G. LLC, for-profit entity, nonprofit entity, etc. ) and why is that the best choice for this business? â€Å"When we think of corporation we naturally think of giants such as General Motors, Exxon Mobil, Microsoft or Walter, which exert enormous influence over our economy and society. But the local independently owned convenience store may be a corporation. † (pig 1 52 Shaw). Jim Whitlock knew that if he to have any kind of success he needed to create a corporation. Corporation has many advantages that suited this reticular situation. First of all the expansion factor a non-for-profit entity has harder time Justifying expansion since its goal is not revenue generation but rather its mission. Its not the fact that Non-For-Profit organization cannot generate revenue, actually a lot of them do (For example NCAA (National College Athletic Association)), it is the fact that it cannot use revenues to invest in itself. Revenues of non-for-profit organization usually distributed to shareholders as dividends or invested in projects. Non-for-profit cannot retain profits for self investment. Jim Whitlock had the sights et on expansion and needed the profits and revenues to be invested back into the corporation. So that he can weather downturns in business and have enough financial leverage to expand. Non-for-profit usually relies on donations as the main contribution, Corporations are relied on investors as the main source of contribution. Being an investor is more lucrative than being a donor. With corporation it is easier to get findings not only from people who want to succeed with you but also from financial institutions. If a corporation is generating revenue financial institutions are more inclined to give loan or become an investor. The idea of making money appeals more to the banks rather donations†¦ Go figure. Last but not least the Non-for-profit tax requirement for compliance are tedious and time consuming not to mention strict regulations code Jim Whitlock needed to focus on the company’s development and its growth instead of trying to comply with government requirements. These are the biggest reasons why Corporation was the right path for Hallelujah corporation rather than the path of non for profit. One of the most important legal benefits is the proprietors and general partners in a partnership are personally and Jointly expansible for all the liabilities of a business such as loans, accounts payable, and legal Judgments. In a corporation, however, stockholders, directors and officers typically are not liable for the company’s debts and obligations. There is this quote in the book â€Å"The problem, of course, is that they are not human beings. Or to quote Lord Thrown an eighteenth-century lawyer, how can you â€Å"expect a corporation to have a conscience, when it has no soul to be damned and no body to be kicked(pig 154 Shaw). The fact is that these types of corporations do have souls because it starts tit one man’s idea and that man wants to see his idea come to fruition, to grow and to materialize. To start something from basically zero with Just an idea a person needs to invest time, a person needs to invest resources and most importantly his soul. The corporation is a shield for personal assets to minimize the already enormous risk a person is taking. Such shield allows the company to grow and maintain the work force knowing that the corporation Just like a person can be braised or blamed, even punished for the decisions management makes and the policies management undertakes. 1) How does the business address ethical or moral issues? The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OPEC (consisting of the Arab members of OPEC, plus Egypt, Syria and Tunisia) proclaimed an oil embargo. By the end of the embargo in March 1974, the price of oil had risen from US $3 per barrel to nearly $12. This was the wake up call to search for alternative energy source. A lot of articles was posted on the power of solar technology. Jim Whitlock recognized the niche need for solar powered heaters and decided to turn an idea into reality and in turn o profit. â€Å"Pollution and the depletion of natural resources are two aspects of the same problem: Both involve using up natural resources that are limited. Pollution uses up clean air and water, Just as extraction uses up the minerals or oil in the ground† (pig 244 Shaw). However, here we have something that is free and taken for granted – Sunlight. Hallelujah Corporation uses sunlight as its primary resource and converts it to heat and electricity the added bonus is no pollution created. In fact studies have confirmed that in the long run installing solar powered equipment reduces cost to he consumer in the long run. Those costs are not only monetary but also environmental since no additional pollution generated there is no additional cost to improve the environment. The cost of cleaning up pollution â€Å"Cost can include time, effort, discomfort, and lost opportunities† (pig 248 Shaw). Since solar industry does not generate extra pollution it saves everyone a lot of time, effort, discomfort and lost opportunities. The longer the solar technology is used the more indirect benefit it generates. Something that deserves to be mentioned a lot of government findings are spent falls into this category. The incentive for solar industry actually comes from two levels the State and The federal both offer tax credits if consumer or a company decides to take a â€Å"greener† route. Both the state of Hawaii and the US federal government offer generous tax credits for new solar photovoltaic system installations. The state of Hawaii also gives tax credits for solar hot water systems. These incentives dramatically lower the cost of purchasing and installing a solar system and have fueled the huge wave of interest in the last several years for solar energy in Hawaii. We thought we would explain how these tax credits work in order for you to start to understand how you can take advantage of them. Now lets get into the specifics the federal government gives a 30% tax credit on the cost of equipment and installation of a solar photovoltaic system and applies to all systems placed into service before December 31, 2016. The Hawaii Energy Tax Credit allows solar customers to claim an income tax credit of 35% of the cost of equipment and installation of a solar hot water system. So here we have a savings of 30% from federal and 35% from state on top of this we have a long term savings on the cost of electricity and indirect benefit of no pollution being generated. Utilitarianism is the moral doctrine that we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions† (pig 48 Shaw). With so many reason for the use of solar technology there is no moral or ethical counter argument against it. So what is holding back ?. It is hard to get over the initial investment. Even with all the tax credits solar investment still has a hefty price tag. It is a big investment for a middle class person to shell out for a system that has tendency to be unreliable. That brings us to the next hurdle – unreliability. Even though in this day an age this is almost a non issue because of storage batteries and much more efficient ways to store energy which is being unused. Solar energy does heavily rely on the sun and some parts of the world (other than Hawaii) sun is seasonal and inconsistent so even with all the incentives it is unpractical in some parts of the world. Last but not least, solar technology does require maintenance once in a while, the solar panels do get dusty and dirty and they need to be hosed off. Not everyone has the physical agility to climb the roof so additional expense is squired to maintain it. What environmental issues does the business deal with? The Hallelujah solar Inc is the futures answer to the present day pollution. We live in a time when its apparent that the use of energy that comes from the combustion of fossil fuels is something that needs to be left in the past, because these sources of energy are not endless and they have quite a negative impact on our Earth’s delicate CEO-system. â€Å"William T. Blackstone, have gone further to argue that each of us has a right to a livable environment. In Blackstone view, this is a human right. Each person has the right qua being human and because a livable environment is essential for one to fulfill his human capacities† This right has emerged as a result of well as the possibility of realizing other human rights† (page 245 Shaw). Solar power is an efficient, CEO-friendly, and endless source of energy that does not have the negative effects on our environment. Yet despite the availability of alternative sources most of the power used in the United States is made from dirty fossil fuels including coal, gas, and oil. Once fossil fuels are burned to generate energy, they Anton be reused and we have to find more to create more energy. The search for more fossil fuels is only going to become more dangerous and expensive. â€Å"Ecosystem which refers to a total ecological community, both living and nonliving. Webs of interdependence structure ecosystems. Predators and prey, producers and consumers, hosts and parasites are linked, creating interlocking mechanisms – checks and balances – that stabilize the system. â€Å"(page 243 Shaw). Pollution is a cancer that is slowly eating away at the entire ecosystem. Slowly corroding the interlocking mechanism and destroying the checks and balances. Air pollution causes damage to crops, animals, forests, and bodies of water. It also contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from the sun’s UP rays. Another negative effect of air pollution is the formation of acid rain, which harms trees, soils, rivers, and wildlife. Some of the other environmental effects of air pollution are haze, transportation, and global climate change. Pollution also has a direct effect on human that becomes apparent and burdensome during our lifetime. Air pollution can cause long-term and short-term health effects. It’s found that the elderly and nouns children are more affected by air pollution. Short-term health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, allergic reactions, and upper respiratory infections. Some long-term health effects are lung cancer, brain damage, liver damage, kidney damage, heart disease, and respiratory disease. The sun is a huge source of free, natural and renewable power. Using solar power can help offset energy generated from fossil fuels. About half the electricity in the U. S. Comes from burning coal, which releases toxic emissions, such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and heavy metals like mercury. Using solar electricity reduces our dependence on coal, thus decreasing greenhouse gases and pollution. Energy produced from green sources, like solar, will help reduce our dependence on imported energy. Solar power can be generated cleanly and safely in the United States, where Jobs can be created in sales, installation, and engineering. In addition, home solar provides freedom from electricity rate increases and power outages. Here in Hawaii, this is even more critical as all of our oil is imported leaving us vulnerable to unstable worldwide fluctuations in the prices of crude oil. By going solar, you can edge the risk of fluctuating oil prices. Hallelujah Solar helps fight against the ongoing pollution by offering a substitute energy source. Aside from the obvious benefit to the environment Solar company does offer something immediate to an individual such as tax credit. The government sees the benefit to not only get rid of dependence on foreign resources but also the need to take care of the environment. A lot of incentives were offered to the make money destroying the environment can there be a profitable business that benefits the environment. Apparently it can Solar industry has been gaining a lot of round people are looking to save money and governments are looking to reduce the cost of pollution and to reduce the indirect cost of foreign resource dependency. Social responsibility and environmental sustainability are core business competencies not a fringe activities† (page 245 Shaw) Conclusion and final thoughts, which may include a global view of what you’ve discovered about the business, what the futur e likely holds for the business, etc A solar industry is finally getting its time in the sun. When I began the research I was curious in the industry and what it had to offer. With today’s rising prices in oil and gas you are forced to look for alternatives. This year on may 9th president Obama stressed the need for US to find alternative energy source and pledged 2 billion dollars to solar industry. Executive actions that will drive investments in solar energy upgrades for government and private sector buildings, improve appliance efficiency standards, strengthen commercial building codes, encourage innovative financing, and create Jobs by developing a skilled solar workforce. † (Washington Post, may 9th). A lot of big corporations such as Apple and Kea are taking a chance on alarm energy and installing it at their locations. First of all there are incentives such as tax credits which save money for corporations in the short run. Second of all, there are saving incenti ves in the long run since the companies don’t have to pay so much for traditional forms of energy. Third of all, it is a really great publicity stunt which can go a long way with investors. So the government is curious about the future of solar technology, the corporations are curious about yet the public remains blind. How to cite The Regulatory Ethical Environment of Business, Papers

Robert Johnson Essay Example For Students

Robert Johnson Essay King of the Delta Blues Singers: Robert Johnson The life of Robert Johnson, one of the most influential early blues artists, in shrouded by vague details and encompassed in mystery. His emotion filled playing and singing blends to form some of the most moving, original blues music ever produced. Ironically, despite being one of the top influences to blues music, little is known about the shy, mild mannered bluesman. Almost nothing, is known about his life he is only a name on a few recordings. Where did he come from? Who was Johnsons family. Who inspired Robert to play the blues and who influenced his music? Who exactly was Robert Johnson? Only the vague recollections of his friends and family link us to the mysterious life of Robert Johnson. From these accounts the story of Robert Johnson is brought to life, and the events which fueled his powerful music are pieced together. Robert Johnson was born on May eighth, 1911, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Robert was the eleventh c hild born to Mrs. Julia Dodds. Roberts mother described little Robert as a playful little boy, who Always used to be listenin, listenin to the wind or the chickens cluckin in the backyard or me, when Id be singin round the house. And he just love church Little Robert set on my lap and try to keep time, look like, or hold on to my skirt and sort of jig up and down and laugh and laugh. (Lomax, 14) Thus, Robert was first introduced by his church into the world of music and was forever captured by its beauty. Mrs. Johnson didnt have much trouble with Robert as a child but as he grew older, he became more and more intrigued about the extravagant life of the bluesmen, and taken by the spiritual music. He started following the musicians around, staying out all night, intrigued by the bluesmans free lifestyle. Anyone that had a guitar, little Robert would follow off according to his mother. Sometimes he wouldnt come home, Roberts mother recalls, and a whippin never did him no good. Mrs. Joh nson feared the worst for Robert, she believed the guitar was the instrument of the devil and that the music he listened to was full of sin. Robert would ease her worries by playing church songs to her, yet this never erased the fear she held inside for her son. Robert was captured by the mystery surrounding the life of the bluesmen. The women, gambling, seemingly unlimited freedom, and the amazing way they turned oppression into beautiful song, intrigued Robert. As a young boy, Robert was faced by terrible oppression of all sorts. The white community utilized terror as a means to subdue the African American families of the time. Racism held sway over the land. Like a plague destroyed the hopes, and beliefs of the black community. (Finn, 211) As a young boy living on cotton plantations, Robert witnessed the harsh treatment of fellow black African Americans. The cruel treatment of the plantation owners continued into daily life where Johnson was received as inferior by the white gene ral public. He received unjust segregated treatment as a result of his black skin. As a small child he watched in amazement to the powerful music of the bluesmen. In beautiful song they captured the pain of injustice which Robert, as well as most other African Americans of the time, had been forced to endure all their lives. Young Robert was intrigued by these men, and dreamed of one day singing the blues himself. His half brother Charles taught him the basics on guitar yet Johnsons most influential teacher was the famous bluesman, Son House. Son House was a student of Charlie Patton, one of the first well known Delta Blues musicians. Son also had also learned quite a bit from a gentlemen referred to as Lemon, a name given to him for the fact that he had learned every Blind Lemon piece directly from the phonograph (Blind Lemon is was one of the first Mississippi Delta bluesmen). Sons playing largely resembled that of Lemons, The high pitch delivery, the brilliant counter melodies be tween phrases. (Lomax, 13) And thus, Robert Johnson unknowingly inherited the powerful influence of a long line of famous Delta bluesmen. Son House recalls how, Wed all play for the Saturday Night Balls and thered be this little boy standing around. That was Robert Johnson. He was just a little boy then. He blew a harmonica and he was pretty good with that but he wanted to play guitar. (Guralnick, 15) Son House recalls how Robert would sit in the corner and listen, sing, and dance along to the rhythm of the guitars. And then wed get a break and want to rest some. Robert would watch and see which way wed gone, and he would pick one of them up. And such another racket you never heard!. (Guralnick, 15) Son would scold Robert for playing the guitar and causing such racket yet. In latter years, House laughs at the thought, admitting flat out that Johnson had become a far more accomplished musician than he had ever dreamed. Roberts wife died at the age of sixteen during childbirth, and it is unknown exactly how this effected Robert. It is suspected that he underwent some type of emotional breakdown and as a result, Robert underwent a creative outburst. He temporarily moved back in with his mother and step but moved out again and traveled deep into the Delta. Robert struggled to Piece together into some kind of coherency, the evil contradictions of life. (Finn, 211) And so he turned to music. Previously captured by the seemingly magical music of blues, Johnson turned to the world of magic for an answer. He traveled deep into the bayous for nearly two years, supposedly to seek the assistance of a root doctor. An uninhabited, muddy jungle is a description fit to describe the bayous of Mississippi. A dark, forbidding place, the bayous of the Delta were regarded with awe by outsiders. It was a common belief held by many that supernatural forces were present. Little is known of what occurred during this time. All that is certain, is that upon his return, Johnson had becom e one of the most skilled musicians to have ever played. Several speculations are made by fellow musicians to account for the reason of this sudden, drastic improvement, yet the most commonly held belief is that Johnson made a pact with the devil. It was not unheard of for some blues artists to return from a long leave with remarkable talent, claiming that they had sold themselves to the devil in exchange for the ability to play the guitar. LeDell Johnson, brother of Tommy Johnson, another greatly influential early Delta blues artists, recalls his brothers superior guitar playing, Now if Tom was living, hed tell you. He said the reason he knowed so much, said he sold hisself to the devil Thats the way I learned to play anything I want. (Guralnick, 18) Son House thoroughly believed Robert Johnson had done the same. So then he went off one day, say he goin to Arkansas and, when he come back, he was struttin, Son House recalls Roberts return. Guitar slung round his shoulders and four or five harmonicas stuck in a grate big broad belt round his waist. Son and his musical companion Willie Brown laughed at first, and mockingly offered Johnson the floor. Son House and Willie Brown were taken aback by the marvelous skill that rang forth from the guitar. And play, that boy could play more blues than air one of us. (Lomax, 16). This was the beginning of Roberts wild, mystical life as a bluesman. And thus, Roberts travels began. He stayed for about a week in Robinsonville and then set out on the road, visiting such places as St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, and New York (all the while using Memphis, Greenwood, and Robinsonville as his base). Everywhere he went he was hailed and remembered- in Arkansas and Mississippi, hill country and Delta, city and town (Guralnick, 20). Johnny Shines, influential blues artist and Roberts occasional musical companion during these trips, recalls how they would travel on buses, trains, hitch rides from pickup trucks, even walk down the highw ays in order to reach the next town. They would set up on a street corner in front of a barber shop, or in front of a local restaurant and play for any willing listeners. Robert made an instant connection with his audience, both on personal, and musical levels. Well Robert was one of those fellows who was warm in every aspect, every aspect, Johnny Shines recollects. Robert was well liked by both men and women. It is true, that men very much resented him for his remarkable talent and influence over women, yet they still couldnt help but like him. For Robert just had that power to draw, reminisces Shines (Finn 214). Stories of about his phenomenal technique became legendary. Robert grabbed the inner feelings of despair, grief, and anxiety, feelings borne from a life of oppression and hardship, to fuel some of the most moving, emotion filled music ever heard. His guitar seemed to talk- repeat and say words like no one else in the world could, recalls one of Roberts former friends. This sound affected most women in a way I could never understand. One time in St. Louis me and Johnson were playing a party. When we had quit, I noticed no one was saying anything. Then I realized they were crying both women and men (Finn 208) Robert Johnson could touch a crowd like none other, disciple like men began to follow him around, amazed at his guitar skills. Robert secured several places along his travels (homes of various girlfriends) in which he would live with briefly at different times. He would stay at these womens homes until it was time to move on to the next town or if he was simply chased out by a husband returning home. According to his traveling partner Shines, many of these women were of older age than Robert. Robert preferred the older women because they would gladly pay for the expenses of traveling. Accounts from these women describe Robert as shy, polite, yet direct. He would talk to them in quite, simple statements such as May I come home with you, or May I b e with you. (Guralnick 25) It is within these remote homes where Johnson would awake in the middle of the night to practice and perfect his music. A former girlfriend recalls how she snuck through the hallway to catch a glimpse of Robert silently fingering and strumming the guitar. He never let anyone see him practice, as if hiding some kind of secret only to be enjoyed by himself. Much of the reason little is known about the life of Robert Johnson is due to his nomadic lifestyle, traveling from home to home and never quite settling down. Robert never quite formed any solid relationships with people, always keeping a shadowy distance. The world of which Robert was part of was based almost solely around verbal communication, with very little documentation, thus adding to the mystery surrounding Robert. Yet, one very permanent part of Johnson has survived and is still with us today, his recordings. His voice still rings out over the scratchy records of the twenties like a rooster crow ing before day, and his guitar, tuned in the Neo-African styles of his tunes, is as subtle as moonlight on the Mississippi (Lomax 13). Robert Johnson began his recording career in the roaring days of the race record business (Lomax 13). This period, which took place during the twenties and thirties, was a period when millions of blues records were sold. Robert Johnson records rest upon the record selves with the likes of several other famous blues artist of the time, Charlie Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James, Muddy Waters, Lonnie Johnson, Tommy Johnson, and Blind Willie McTell, among several others. Due to the number of prominent artists of the period, Roberts music did not initially stand out. Yet as the years went on, and collectors began to gather the early blues of the twenties and thirties, Johnsons music entered a new realm of respect. H. C. Speir, the white owner of a music shop in Jackson, scouted blues acts from the location of his store. Several of the greatest art ists from this period began their exciting careers by taking a trip to the music store and auditioning for Speir, who obviously had quite an ear for blues music. All the best performers from miles around would gather together by notices in the paper and word of mouth, describes skip James, a prominent blues artist of the time (Guralnick 33). Robert entered into the store himself in 1936 at the age of twenty five. Speir, working for the ARC label group, immediately passed the name of the young man onto Ernie Ortle, another talent scout for the label. Ortle was instantly impressed by the technique and style of Johnson and offered him a recording session in November in San Antonio, Texas. Suffering from a bad case of stage fright, Robert recorded the session facing toward the wall. This coincides with accounts from Roberts friends Johnny Shines and Robert Lockwood, both of whom describe Johnson as being severely jealous over his technique, never quite willing to face an audience and al low them to view the magic of his fingers producing the music. It was almost as if Johnson had some dark secret to hide (which would coincide with the Devil theory). Robert recorded 16 tracks during the three day session. His first records sold about ten to twelve thousand copies that year yet all that Robert received was seventy-five to a hundred dollars. Roberts I Believe Ill Dust My Broom, and Sweet Home Chicago, became postwar standards, known to virtually every bluesman. Some of the things that he did with that guitar effected the way everybody played (Guralnick 37). Johnson familiarized a whole generation with his walking bass (not entirely original, Robert adapted his style from that of the great Charlie Patton) which is widely used by guitarists of several genres of music including Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Eric Clapton among others. He also introduced the boogie woogie style of guitar playing, adapted from the piano played during the time period, which was later used and adapt ed by several bluesmen including Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf. Thus people began to add their own bass parts to their guitar pieces, complementing their own music by mixing both lead and bass into their pieces (Jimi Hendirx is a prime example). Terraplane Blues, which sold somewhere from four to five thousand copies, is probably the piece for which Johnson is remembered most. Robert again met with the recording company in Dallas, Texas to cut his final 14 tracks. The men met in the mezzanine floor of the Gunter Hotel inside a closed, hot room. The drapes were closed to keep out the sounds of the busy Dallas public, and the room grew to immense temperatures. Robert concluded the session shirtless performing , Me and the Devil Blues. Robert Johnson left the recording studio on Sunday, June 20, 1937. He hooked up briefly with Shines and they traveled together for a short while, performing throughout Texas. Then, while traveling through Arkansas, Shines stayed in Little Rock with his m other while Robert continued on. He met up again with Robert shortly after and once again began traveling. Fourteen months after Johnsons final recordings in Dallas, he was murdered. There are many speculations as to how Roberts death came about. The most coherent story is that he was playing in for a house party when he was poisoned by a jealous husband. Johnsons mother heard word of the incident and came to the bed in which Robert lay and recalls hearing him say, I yo child now, mama, and the Lords. Yes- the Lords child and dont belong to no devil no more. Roberts mother goes mom goes on to say how he offered her his guitar, claiming it was the source of his death. Its the Devils instrument, just like you said. And I dont want it no more. Robert Johnson, one of the greatest blues artists to ever live, died in November of 1938, while his mother hung his guitar upon the wall. (Lomax 15) Robert Johnson contributed much to the world of blues and rock n roll. Several of his songs were redone by various artists, including the Rolling Stones (Love in Vain), and Eric Clapton (Crossroads, From Four Till Late) among others. His walking Bass notes and poignant slide phrasing epitomize the Delta Bottleneck style, and has influenced several black men of the south to sing the blues. In 1990 a collection of Robert Johnsons songs were put together in a two disk collection of his work. This CD set won a Grammy and sold over half a million copies. Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice, first in 1980 and again a second time as an early influence in 1986. Johnsons mysterious, shadowy life and beautiful, emotion packed songs will continue to intrigue the minds of many for years to come. Bibliography Booth, Stanley. Rhythm Oil. New York; Pantheon Books, 1991. Finn, Julio. The Bluesman. Brooklyn; Interlink Books, 1992. Guralnick, Peter. Searching For Robert Johnson. New York; Obelisk Books, 1989. Johnson, Robert. CD-ROM. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia 1996. Feb. 4. Joh nson, Robert. Encarta Online. Jan., 1999. Jan 23, 1999.. Lomax, Alan. The Land Where the Blues Began. New York; Pantheon Books, 1993. Robert Johnson. Johnson, Robert. Dec., 1999. Jan. 23., 1999. . Robert Johnson. Robert Johnson. May, 1999. Jan. 23.,1999. Shirley, David. Every Day I sing The Blues: The Story of B.B. King. Danbury; Grolier Publishing, 1995. Welcome to the Crossroads Robert Johnson. Jun., 1998. Jan., 1999.. CUBA?S ACHIEVEMENTS IN PROVIDING HEALTH CARE AND E Essay