Inferno By Dante Essays - Divine Comedy, Afterlife, Italy, Virgil

Inferno By Dante Although it is hard to read Dantes triple rhyme, I am thrilled by the Infernos ambiguity and allegoric power. It is really a three-dimensional art. Just like Picasso in his paintings, Dante makes me think about the meaning of the situations and their implications. Moreover, it is as visual as masterpieces of Picasso. Dante makes us believe in his narration involving our senses. This narrative poem astonishes me by the power of the language and by its mysticism. In the first canto we see Dante in the dark wood of error. While he tries to climb up the Mount of Joy, Dante meets three wild beasts, which make him lost in the midway. Dante introduces allegoric symbols of betrayal, violence and hunger. Later in the poem, those major sins described by the author in the circles of hell. Betrayal, the most serious sin that the person can commit, is represented by one of the three beasts. Dante puts sinners of that kind in the last, most horrible circle of hell. A lion is a symbolic creature for this sin. Each beast, like everything else in the poem, displays precise meaning of each sin by its nature. The second by its significance is hunger, which is represented by a she-wolf. This beast is the symbol of all the cravings such as sex, food and money. However, the first beast that Dante sees is a leopard. His spots on the body are very meaningful; they have ability to change if we look at baby deer, for example. Therefore, the leopard is the symbol of trickery, betrayal. The Inferno by Dante as a pure piece of art intensifies our experience of life. For me, it is a chance to examine my own experiences, some outer source that fulfill my inner need of thoughts. Book Reports

Nature Essays

Nature Essays Nature Essay Nature Essay Name Tutor Course Date Nature Nature has always been a force to reckon with because of the power it has to either create or destroy. Despite humans being ecologically dominant in the world, their survival has always been connected to nature. This connection originates from the interaction that humans have with nature, which constantly surrounds them. For instance, humans need air, water and food for their survival. All these factors are part of nature, and it is because of this fact that it is crucial for man to attempt and understand his natural surroundings. The understanding of nature is beneficial because it enables one to gain an understanding of one’s self and the dynamics of human society. Nonetheless, a conflict usually arises among freethinkers when the power of nature over man is questioned. However, historical events often suggest that it is impossible for man to conquer nature. The book Into the Wild by John Krauker is a perfect example of the man vs. nature conflict. The book is based on the account of Chris McCandless life and death as he attempted to conquer nature. It highlights the story of a 24-year-old college graduate who after renouncing most of his possessions including his vehicle and life savings, decides to explore nature and the experiences it presents. He sets out from home leaving his family behind to accomplish his quest, which was inspired by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. This book attempts to analyze the relationship between man and nature by following the trail left behind by Chris McCandless during his adventure while putting emphasis on his tragic death. While this book is a good literal material, its analysis is relevant in revealing the power of nature and its relation to the survival of man. In the book Into the Wild by John Krauker, Chris McCandless has an interesting relationship with nature. His interpretation of nature conceives society as not part of nature. The separation of society from nature in his mind is evident when he decides to live in the wilderness because of his contempt towards the society, which had caused him too much pain and disgust. He believes that nature is a different entity as compared to society. It is because of this reason that he sees the decision to seclude himself from society as an action that will give him the self-awareness and social progress that is lacking in the confines of society. To him, nature is a retreat that has already been explored by denouncers of the society like Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. In addition, Chris McCandless is in constant conflict with himself on whether he can conquer nature. It is evident from the beginning of the book that Chris McCandless had the urge to prove to himself that he had power over nature. It is partly because of this unsettling urge that he decides to live in the wilderness. However, through out history nature has always bested man except for isolated cases where man chose to work according to the fundamental principles of nature. This is evident in the book when he changes his ideology and decides that nature is only a refuge for a short while and that true happiness can only be shared. This change of mindset by Chris McCandless shows how his relationship with nature had evolved since he first set foot into the wild. Apparently, he seems to agree with the fact that nature is a dominant force that has power over man. One dominant perception about nature in the book â€Å"Into the Wild† is that nature is neither benevolent nor nurturing. This is a fact that is in perfect agreement with reality with an exception of isolated cases. It is well known that nature’s principle of natural cause and effect can work against man or for man depending on the circumstances presented by a situation. A majority of people share the misconception that nature is kind and caring but only because they have no first hand experience of life in the wilderness. Life in the wilderness can be chaotic and threatening to human beings especially if the human being is isolated from the society. This is because nature is composed of uncontrollable and powerful forces that often create an environment that reduces the odds that favor human survival. These forces include weather, natural calamities and the environments natural inhabitants like disease causing microorganisms. In the book, certain instances clearly elaborate on the harshness of nature to man. When Chris McCandless first comes up with the idea of retreating to the wild, his views towards nature are of positive form. He sees the wilderness as an environment that is pure and free from the evils that are present in the modern society. However, as the tale unravels in the subsequent chapters, the true nature of the wilderness is revealed. In October 1990, Chris McCandless encounters a flash flood while driving across the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This force of nature forces McCandless to abandon his vehicle and part of his luggage, which were very crucial for his survival in the wilderness. Another extreme example that can be used to show the cruelty of nature is the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Chris McCandless. Apparently, McCandless suffers from food poisoning after eating poisonous potatoes because he was starving. His demise in the hands of nature acts as proof t hat nature is the least bit benevolent or nurturing. Moreover, the author of the book strives to portray nature as unpredictable. Given the technological advancements made in the field of science today, it is possible to predict certain elements of nature like weather and natural calamities like earthquakes. However, nature still has some sense of unpredictability. It is not possible to predict the specific conditions that nature will present at a certain specific time. For instance, earthquake-warning systems can only manage to provide warnings within a few seconds of a severe earthquake. Therefore, this shows that science has not adequately captured the dynamics by which nature functions. In the light of this fact, it is virtually impossible for an individual isolated from society to survive in the confines of nature if he does not understand nature itself. This lack of understanding amplifies the extent to which nature can present itself to an individual as harsh. In this book, the unpredictability of nature has been featured well by the author. In chapter one, Jim Gallien tries to convince McCandless to reconsider his plan to live in Denali National Park in Alaska. Gallien tries desperately to make McCandless understand that nature is unpredictable because in his mind he is certain that McCandles is not ready for the harsh conditions of life in Alaskan outdoors. McCandles even goes as far as declining Gallien’s offer to buy him decent gear and in the end, McCandles dies in the hands of nature because he thought he could easily predict and adapt to nature. Apparently, his body is discovered on the sixth of September in1992 at a broken down bus in Denali National park. The police department found the body of Chris McCandless, 5 rolls of exposed film, the SOS note that he had written and a diary with 113 entries. Later an autopsy revealed that McCandless starved to death with his corpse weighing only sixty-seven pounds. Even though nature may be unpredictable, the book also uses other examples to show that man can indeed triumph over nature. A good example is the story of John Waterman, which shows how he triumphed over nature against all odds. John Waterman successfully climbs Mt. Denali in Alaska with very little gear despite being diagnosed with a mental condition that forced him to spend time in a psychiatric hospital. The isolated case of John Waterman can only be explained by speculating that he was lucky or that he was in harmony with the principles of nature. Other examples include Jack London and John Muir who were popularly known denouncers of society. It is from these two people that Chris McCandles drew his inspiration. Nature can indeed be tamed through scientific methodologies. This enables man to improve his relationship with nature and creates further understanding of the phenomena that nature possesses. Like all species, humans have exercised their impulse to interact with nature. In doing so, man has been able to domesticate landscapes and ecosystems in ways that enhance food supplies while at the same time reducing exposure to predators and natural disasters. The net results of the domestication of nature have been mostly positive with man finally having the ability to harness nature’s full potential. Taming of nature is indeed beneficial to humans because they can eliminate the factors in nature that they do not prefer, therefore, shaping the universe to their own liking. Although nature can be tamed, it is usually wiser to preserve with exception to adventurous exploration. The use of science to tame or domesticate nature often presents challenges. There are usually significant and unforeseen changes in the ecosystem’s attributes, which can lead to natural disasters. Natural disasters like earthquakes and landslides are in most cases a result of unsuccessful attempts by humans to domesticate nature. For instance, scientists often make unwise decisions while quantifying the tradeoffs among ecosystems, which cause the imbalance of nature. It is because of this reason that nature should be preserved for the purposes of distant or close exploration. It is only through close exploration that nature can be properly tamed for the benefit of man. In this book, the author uses the attempts by McCandles and others like him to explore nature as illustration that the idea is always unwise. A good example is the story of Gene Rosellini who was commonly known as the Mayor of Hippie Cove by Alaskan locals. Rosellini tried to explore the wild while independent of modern technology. She later concluded that his attempt to live off the land was a failure after thirty years and then committed suicide. McCandles is also a good example because his story resonates perfectly well with that of Gene Rosellini. McCandles who had been driven to the wilderness by his contempt towards the society tried to explore the wild to no avail. His entire life in the wild was marked with tragic incidences like the flash flood incident, which robbed him of his car and personal belongings. He later succumbed to death when he tried to prove that he could triumph over nature by trying to explore the harsh conditions that existed in Alaska with very little gear . In conclusion, nature remains a mystery that is beginning to unravel due to the influence of technological developments in the field of science. However, its strong forces continue to dominate man due to their ambiguity and unpredictability. The book â€Å"Into the Wild† by John Krauker has perfectly captured this fact by broadly addressing the man vs. nature conflict through real life accounts of people who had first hand experience with nature. Through the illustrations in this book, one can be able to analyze whether nature is a phenomenon that can be tamed by man. One can also be able to determine if the preservation of nature for adventure or observation has any advantages to man. Despite the answers to those questions, it is clear that the human vs. nature conflict is not over, at least not yet.

Economy and Infrastructure in South Africa Term Paper

Economy and Infrastructure in South Africa - Term Paper Example Similarly, the country’s GDP is continually increasing. In 2007, the country’s GDP rose by 5.1%. Analyzing the average income of the country reveals South Africa to be a moderately rich country with per capita GNP of US $5685 as per World Bank statement of fiscal year 2008. Thus, the country may be ranked as an upper-middle-income country. The South African economy is very much based on trade. More than 50% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is generated from trade. By adopting modern technologies for production purposes, the country’s products have become very competitive in the international market. The country’s exports mainly include minerals, agricultural produce, machinery, vehicles, electric appliances and chemical products. Gold is one of the most important exports of the country. However, the exports of other goods and services consist of one-fourth of the country’s total GDP generating from trade sector. Other minerals and chemicals contribute more than 30% towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) generating from this sector and the rest is contributed by other products such as tobacco, food, drinks as well as textiles. Imports consist of machines, chemicals and plastic products. The industry of South Africa is making up 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. The industry sector includes quarrying and mining. The mining sector still plays an important part in the country’s economic progress. However, the country has lessened its economic reliance on mining and raw materials export, especially that of gold, over the few preceding years. The agriculture sector of the country, including forestry and fisheries, makes a very small contribution towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country which is only 5%. However, it should be noticed that mining and agriculture is relatively more important for the economy of South Africa than the GDP figures shows. The reason behind it is that the

Negative Factors Involving Surrogate Parenting Research Paper

Negative Factors Involving Surrogate Parenting - Research Paper Example There has been ongoing debate on the legality of surrogacy, whether it should be allowed, or not (Hatzis, 2009). This essay seeks to delineate the negative factors involving surrogate parenting and hence advocating for its prohibition. To begin with, a majority of the developed countries have denounced the practice of surrogate parenting. They include countries like Germany, France, Denmark, Great Britain, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, and Australia. Germany and the United Kingdom are countries in which impose incarcerations on anyone found practicing surrogate parenting. Other countries have also developed commissions that inquire on surrogate parenting as a social menace. However, the United States unlike other developed countries has no sanctions as pertains to surrogate parenting. Many researchers have attributed this to adulation of personage rights and the protective approach to families (Markens, 2007). Surrogate parenting is an act against humanity. This was evident in a TV talk show where the issue on unwanted babies arose. These babies were referred to as unwanted when they were born physically challenged. Neither the surrogate mothers nor the donor parents accepted the child as their own. This was not until DNA was carried out and determined the genetic makeup of the child was similar to that of the husband of the surrogate mother. This is an act against humanity since a child born physically challenged should be given the love that is accorded to a normal child. Surrogate parenting incorporate segregation of disabled children an act that is not morally right (Stephenson, 2009). Additionally, surrogate parenting is a health risk to the surrogate parents. This is because the surrogate mother increases her chances of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease from the donor in the process of insemination. This occurs in situations where the surrogate mother is inseminated with

Letters to a young Catholic Essay Example for Free

Letters to a young Catholic Essay The book â€Å"Letters to a Young Catholic† is an inquisition on the foundations of Catholic faith. It is a comprehensive introduction to Catholic theology as a different way of looking at things. Through these letters, George Weigel tackles the issue on what it really means to be a Catholic through insights about the religions roots and traditions, also touching on such areas as literature and music. Weigel gives a tour on some famous Catholic landmarks, taking into account people who have made significant contributions in shaping the authors beliefs. It is a testament to the belief in the doctrine of the Catholic Church that the author deems all-encompassing and universal. As the title implies, it was written for young Catholics; and whether they are want to reinforce their beliefs or are doubters who are looking for answers, this book is a relevant guide that teaches Catholicisms core beliefs, as well as the Catholic world view, in a refreshing manner. The discussion of Catholic world view is especially important as it gives an insight on how that world view differs from all other religious or secular perspectives (even that of Christianity). This odyssey consists of fourteen letters that the Weigel considers as integral to a young Catholics indoctrination and understanding of the Catholic perspective. It weaves all real and convincing Catholic teachings such as sacraments, discipleship, and the life of Christ in an interesting narrative. It starts off with the authors own childhood experiences in Baltimore, a predominantly Catholic community where he had come to acquire a understanding of the Catholic sacraments, doctrines, and parish life. He introduces the concept of Catholicism as a an essential aspect of living and viewing the world. He uses different settings to enlighten the reader about the the beliefs that form the cornerstone of the Catholic faith. The first of which is a depiction of the Scavi in St. Peters Basilica which houses the bones of St. Peter. Here, Weigel lays down the idea of the reality of the foundation of the Catholic Church. He tells the readers that the Bible is not merely a story, but a historical account about real places and people. The next chapter deals with a story about the early experiences of Pope John Paul II during the Nazi occupation. It show shows how the young Pope had undergone his ministry training living in secret in underground catacomb. The Popes vocational plight was also featured in the letter on â€Å"How Vocations Can Change History. † In the letter about â€Å"Mary and Discipleship†, the author tackles commitment issues among the young in the light of Marys own struggles. He also cited The Olde Cheshire Cheese, a pub where Christian thinkers such as G. K. Chester, and the Christian politician Hilaire Belloc frequented. The chapter also discussed how those people lived in a world full of anti-Catholic sentiments. In another letter that highlights St. Marys Catholic Church in Greenville, Weigel delves into the story of Father Jay Scott Newman. It teaches how and why prayer is important to the development of a community. In chapter twelve, his depiction of Chartres Cathedral in France evokes thought about the role of the human beauty for beauty in its magnificent construction. In other chapters, he presents new ways of understanding the Catholic world view with a journey through the Catholic landmarks such as the Oratory in Birmingham, Castle Howard in Yorkshire, the Sistine Chapel and North American College Mausoleum in Rome, the Old Cathedral in Baltimore, and the Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Krakow. Weigel also talks about the stories of other important Christian figures such as Jerzy Popieuszko, Edith Stein, Mother Teresa, Cardinal John Henry Newman, Flannery O Connor, Fra Angelico, and even Michaelangelo, who have been exemplary in living according to Jesuss path.

Focal Dystonia of the Hand, And What the Brain Has To Do With It :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Focal Dystonia of the Hand, And What the Brain Has To Do With It The body is complicated, and often the origins of a condition are all but obvious. Focal dystonia of the hand is one disorder whose underlying cause has been found in the more recent past. Although it can be genetic (1), the form of focal dystonia of the hand I look at here is caused by environmental factors (2). Focal dystonia of the hand is a condition characterized by a loss in motor control of one or more fingers. A single muscle or group of muscles is involved: muscles in the hand and forearm tense and tighten, with the result of making the hand (or part of it) curl (2). Musicians who have intensively practiced their instruments over a number of years are a group most affected by this condition. The reason is that focal dystonia can be caused by the repetitive movement of the fingers over a significant period of time. The condition was long known as "occupational hand cramp." (3). It can easily be misdiagnosed as simple overuse or stress of the hand (1). Although it may not be obvious at first sight of the symptoms, the level at which the problem is caused is not the hand, but the brain. Researchers at the University of Konstanz report "overlap or smearing of the homuncular organization of the representation of the digits in the primary somatosensory cortex" (3). Given that functions such as motor control cross over from the right side of the body to be represented in the left hemisphere, they found that the distance between the representations of individual fingers was smaller in the somatosensory cortex side corresponding to the hand that had undergone continued repetitious training (the left hand in case of violin players for example). What does all this mean in terms of the brain? Looking at the central nervous system as an input-output system, in very simple terms we can observe that a specific input is presented over and over again - in this case the stimulation of the fingers that play the violin - and as a result the organization within the box changes. More specifically, there is a one-to-one correspondence between input and internal representations of this input: all fingers are individually represented on the somatosensory cortex. But somehow, as these regions of representation begin to smear or overlap, the one-to-one correspondence is blurred.

Mystery stories Essay

I studied three short stories, â€Å"the Red Room, â€Å"the Signalman† and â€Å"the Speckled Band†. The stories are all linked together as they all have a sense of mystery, however they all have a different emphasis. â€Å"The Speckled Band† is a detective, murder mystery story yet the other two are ghost stories. All of the stories were written before 1914. It was around this time that people had gained a fascination with the criminal mind; they liked the idea of the clumsy criminal being outsmarted and captured by the genius detective. The Victorians also had a liking for the workings of the mind/psychoanalysis â€Å"set against the interest in the spirit world and the supernatural†. When they were first used, the railways represented glamour and mystique, and were the most advanced mode of transport. At the time of the Victorians they had an interest in scientific advances, so you had the conflict between this interest and the interest in the spiritual world, for example, in â€Å"the Red Room† – the old people believed in ghosts, however the man did not, the author did this in a way to provide conflict, as arguments could be brought up from both sides. In general, all mystery stories have a feeling of â€Å"safe fear†, meaning we can relate to the characters and the feeling of tension, this is created as the author involves the reader in the story by including questions or puzzles for them to solve, making them feel as though they are involved in the story. However, the readers feel safe in the knowledge that this is just a story, if they at any time feel threatened they can put the book down and return to reality. â€Å"The Speckled Band† is a story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and was first published (along with the other eleven books out of the first collection) in 1892. It is a murder mystery story and the plot line, to me, is simple – someone dies, Holmes is called in, he notices clues that the reader reads but doesn’t notice the significance until the end of the story (when all is explained), eventually Holmes reveals who the criminal is and how exactly he solved the mystery before the police (Scotland yard) solved it and therefore once again made himself to look like a genius detective. The theme of mystery starts at the beginning of the story, when a miss Helen Stoner reveals her problem and how she believed it happened. Holmes makes sure the reader knows he is a genius detective by pointing out little insignificant things that nobody else would look for. Such as, how Miss Helen Stoner arrived to his office that day (he noticed the return train ticket in the left hand palm of her glove, and noticed that the left arm of her jacket was â€Å"splattered in no less than seven places with mud† and there was â€Å"no vehicle, save the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way†). From this, the reader puts their faith in Holmes and recognise the skill he has, from this they’ll just know he’s the one who will figure out the mystery behind the complex problem he ids faced with. This could ruin the story, depending on your view of what a good mystery story is, as there’s no open ending. Once you have read the story once you will never be able to read it in the same way again, the mystery disappears. However, it is for this reason that people also like reading these stories. They can admire Holmes’ brilliance and enjoy having the story explained to them. Tension is built up in the story as Helen Stoner explains her suspicions that her stepfather â€Å"who is known to have a violent streak† is the killer and his motive for the attack means that she herself could be in danger. The reader can distinguish this and fear for her safety. The narrator in the story is Watson, Holmes’ sidekick. When the reader compares him to Holmes he seems â€Å"dull-witted†, he makes Holmes look good, and is often in the same mental state of confusion as the reader when the clues are there in front of us, waiting to be pieced together like a jigsaw. It is for this reason the reader feels that they can relate to Watson and â€Å"accept Holmes’ superiority†. The reader can see the two (Holmes and Watson) have a close relationship as Holmes felt the need to â€Å"knock Watson up† especially to see the new client (miss Helen Stoner), he knew Watson wouldn’t want to miss out on this opportunity â€Å"should it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to follow it from the outset†. The setting for this particular story is very detailed, as I would have to be to describe the significant clues, for example, the ventilator, the (dummy) bell rope, the whistle, the saucer of milk, and the metallic â€Å"clanging† of the safe. Despite all the clues there were only two main settings, the Manor house in which Miss Helen Stoner lived and the crime took place, and Holmes’ house, which is famously known as 221B Baker Street. â€Å"The Signalman† is a ghost story. Its author is Charles Dickens and the date it was written is unknown to me. There’s no one technique, which Dickens uses to create tension. It is created from the beginning with the mere settings of the story producing a feeling of unease. The signalman lives in isolation at the tunnel entrance to a railway cutting. The was in which the narrator (who is nameless) has to call â€Å"Is there any path by which I can come down to you? † shows the reader just how isolated he is, as there is no obvious way of getting down, so there mustn’t be any necessity to make a path way. His surprise at receiving this visitor is one of suspicion and generates more tension, â€Å"his attitude was one of such expectation and watchfulness† that explains to the reader he is ready for something to happen, he is ready to run away, and this is causing the reader to think that something is going to happen and the build up to that causes anxiety. The way in which the signalman â€Å"directs a cautious look to the light† forms apprehension as the reader is still expecting something to happen. This is completely the opposite to the Sherlock Holmes story (â€Å"the Speckled Band†) as in that the author wanted to be relaxed and comfortable with the story so far before he described the mystery through Miss Helen Stoner. He produced this feeling of comfort by having a nice room with comfortable chairs, food and a nice warm fire. Also Holmes and Watson didn’t give the impression that they were scared of their visitor, which is what is happening in â€Å"the Signalman†. As the storyline deepens the reader is still told little about the signalman’s background to the reader, this helped form a more satisfactory atmosphere, as they all knew about her). The story does have its similarities to â€Å"the Speckled Band† however, as they give their explanations for what happened using a more scientific mind than a spiritual one. The narrator in â€Å"the Signalman† tries to show the signalman that the â€Å"someone else†, who he has seen before him, was nothing but a figment of his imagination – he looks for rational explanations as he is sceptical about the idea of ghosts, and the reader can identify with this, just as the reader could identify with the narrator in the Sherlock Holmes stories (Watson). The difference in â€Å"the Signalman† being that the reader is unsure of this narrator, they don’t know why he’s there or why he’s taking such an interest in the signalman himself. He’s therefore a mystery figure himself. As the plot thickens the reader is told the signalman has seen the â€Å"spectre† twice before, and each time there was a disaster that followed it. Therefore the â€Å"pattern of three† suggests that the third time the ghost appears there will be a disaster. It is this that keeps the reader interested; it makes the reader want to keep reading on the find out why the â€Å"spectre† appears. Dicken’s deliberately leaves unanswered questions until the end to maintain the readers curiosity. However the story has a twist at the end of it, the ghost is warning the signalman of his own death. The two stories are also similar in the way that they both have all questions answered fully at the end, so again, as with â€Å"the Speckled Band† the readers of â€Å"the Signalman† will not be able to read the story in the same way again, they know the outcome, there’s no mystery. â€Å"The Red Room† was written by H. G Wells and the date it was written, like â€Å"the Signalman†, is unknown to me. The story is like â€Å"the Signalman† meaning, it is another ghost story, and it is similar to â€Å"the Speckled Band† as it has a simple plot – a man (narrator) sets out to prove there is nothing superstitious about a â€Å"forbidden† room, in which a young Duke died, whilst in the room he suffers from several superstitious events and ends up being knocked out, he still refuses to believe in ghosts though. It is set in a castle, a very stereotypical setting to host a ghost story. Fear and suspicion about the room is created by descriptions (which are very important in mystery stories) of the surrounding and the other characters. In this case it’s the three old people who believe in a ghost occupies the â€Å"red room†, claiming, â€Å"There’s many a thing to see, and sorrow for†. The oddity of these old people itself causes some sense of abnormality, with such descriptions as â€Å"the man with the withered arm†, â€Å"the old woman sat staring into the fire, her pale eyes wide open† and â€Å"the man with the eye-shade (who couldn’t cease to cough and splutter)†. To have these three characters in a castle with descriptions including â€Å"oak-panelling† (old, dark, heavy), â€Å"alcoves†, â€Å"candles† (dim lighting, shadows), and â€Å"statues and heavy furniture† (in stereotypical ghost stories the statues come â€Å"alive† and join in the chase for the victim). â€Å"The Red Room† is now similar to â€Å"the Speckled Band† in the sense that the surroundings of suspicious events are in an enclosed space, as it’s inside, there’s less likely chance of escape if being chased, if this happens the reader will feel more on edge. The reader shares their views with the narrator in the beginning. The narrator is down-to-earth and doesn’t believe in a supernatural force occupying the room; he argues â€Å"eight-and-twenty years I have lived, and never a ghost I have seen, as yet† this story is similar to â€Å"the Signalman† as the story focuses on the narrator trying to show the other characters that ghosts aren’t real, and then in the end, in both stories, the narrator is proven wrong. â€Å"The Red Room† is the complete opposite to â€Å"the Speckled Band† and â€Å"the Signalman† in the way that it doesn’t answer all the questions at the end of the story, the narrator from â€Å"the Red Room† doesn’t want to accept that he did infact fall victim to supernatural forces, he claimed he â€Å"witnessed something worse than a ghost – experienced the worst of all things to haunt poor mortal man†¦ fear†. All of these stories have similarities and differences; they also fit the pattern of mystery stories. All the stories â€Å"plunge into action† very early on into the story, and are focused, mainly, on one or two of the key points with very few characters over a relatively short space of time. The description is vital on building tension in the story; all of the stories I studied described the surroundings well enough to form this feeling. I like â€Å"The Red Room† out of the three I chose to read, I liked it primarily due to the fact that it wasn’t answered fully, the story was left open for my mind to come up with possible solutions. I would be able to read it again, and not have the main essence of a mystery story, mystery, taken out of it, like I believe happened in â€Å"The Speckled Band† and â€Å"The Signalman† and â€Å"The Red Room† you are unknown†¦ anonymous. You can find it easier to put the story down and walk away, but in â€Å"The Speckled Band† Watson (the narrator) is needed, you feel the need to continue reading because Sherlock Homes himself asked you to be with him on the investigation (â€Å"your presence might be invaluable†) you feel as though you have betrayed him if you walk away from the story. And though I don’t like detective stories, I found this one the most fascinating out of the ones I studied for that reason.