Sonny Blue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sonny Blue - Research Paper Example Because it is not limited by fact, proof or dimension, fiction can focus on fundamental truths to a much greater degree as only those elements that speak to that truth need be used. The reader is then guided through a targeted message, where numerous elements combine to suggest the underlying nature of human existence. This capacity to reveal human nature within fiction is especially helpful when attempting to depict various ways of life, or aspects of social culture. Quality fiction, regardless of when it was written or the length of the written text, can reveal significant aspects of human nature and thus reveal us to ourselves as we identify various elements of the story with our everyday lives. Literature such as James Baldwin’s short story â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† illuminates the way in which the unique sounds of the black neighborhood serves as a sort of life-raft to the multi-faceted melody of the soul, symbolizing how individuals are different and communicati ng the extreme importance and value of listening. James Baldwin spent most of his adult life living in France, but is widely recognized as an essentially American writer. Having been born and raised in New York’s Harlem district, he was intimately familiar with the sights and sounds that appeared in his stories even though he’d put an entire ocean between them. Born in 1924 to an unmarried woman placed a stigma on his head that would continue to haunt him and cause friction between himself and his adoptive father, David Baldwin (Leeming, 1994). Although seen to attempt following the straight and narrow course outlined for him by his father in becoming a Pentecostal preacher at age 14, by the time he was 17 Baldwin had moved to the artist’s neighborhood of Greenwich Village and was beginning his writing career (Leeming, 1994). Inequality and hatred for his race and sexuality drove Baldwin to seek a more forgiving community and he moved to France, a move that would

Three Parables from according to Luke Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Three Parables from according to Luke - Essay Example The pastor, who was actually the teacher of laws of Moses, broke the same laws by failing to express love and compassion to the injured person. Instead, a man of Samaritan considered being naive about the laws of Moses expresses love and compassion and takes responsibilities of caring for the injured man. Spiritually regarding the parable of the Good Samaritan, a number of lessons build up. The first this parable reminds us that not all who call or preach the word of God depict true salvation. This is evident where the pastor who preaches the word of God passes by the side of the injured man who is actually enduring a lot of pain. Spiritually, the pastor should be the very first person to help any individual undergoing particular problem without regard to any form diversity. The lost sheep While using this parable, Jesus intended to define the qualities of a true church leader. Jesus defines a good leader as one who knows and values all the subjects in equal measures. It is therefore the responsibility of a leader to look and bring back any lost subject without just focusing on the many. Jesus also intended to encourage church leaders to extend their ministries outside the church and identify, preach and covert other individuals grappling in sin (Luke 15.1-7). The spiritual significance of this parable is that it reminds human nature of the great compassion and care Jesus has over our souls. This parable further assures us that Jesus considers every single soul as of great importance and significance to the Heavenly Kingdom. Being a shepherd, he moved from heaven to earth to search and restore every lost soul back to heavenly paradise of the Lord. The act of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to look for the one lost sheep is a reminder for devoted Christians to maintain unity and help each other on their way to heaven. This unity is fundamental in enhancing cohesion among Christians despite the absence of church leaders and pastors. The prodigal son Th e general teachings of Jesus from the parable of the prodigal son revolve around forgiveness, reconciliation, and disadvantages of being wealth centered. Nothing should hinder us or act as impedance to our wish of forgiving and reconciling with our adversaries. The parable also teaches us not to celebrate about the failure and fall of others. Logically, the father of the two sons was not happy when the younger son demanded for inheritance particularly money, and his departure to the far country. Being that the father had a lot of wealth including land and servants, the departure of the younger son with his monetary inheritance only must have been pleasure to the older son for he would inherit other remaining wealth. However sad about the departure of the son with a lot of wealth and then returning with nothing, the father still forgave and welcomed back his younger son with a lot of joy and celebrations (Luke 15:17-20). The older son, who might have considered the departure of his y ounger brother as the basis of his success and prosperity considering the immense wealth remaining, ended up tormented over the return of the brother. The younger son who viewed wealth as more precious than relations did regretted for his mistakes when he finished all the money with returning back home being the only option. Spiritually, the parable could be teaching us to ignore and perhaps not toil in concentrating