Monuments To Our Better Nature Analysis
Analysis of “Monuments to Our Better Nature” In “Monuments to Our Better Nature,” Michael Byers gives us a tour through his description and layout of national mall in Washington DC. Byers reminisces about his time as a boy growing up with the National Mall of Washington DC at his fingertips. He grows up with these massive figures and monuments and feels a sense of pride and truth to everything that surrounds him. Byers explains each monument in detail ranging from the Lincoln Memorial to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Each statue and structure means something to him and he shares his opinion of each one. In his examination of these structural tributes, he begins to discover the meaning of what it is to be part of the American society. He sees …show more content…
While the Lincoln Memorial speaks of hope the Vietnam speaks of sorrow. Byers describes his experience at the Memorial as such, “the ambivalent descent, deeper and deeper, along a sinister black wall, exactly mimics the national experience of the war (76).” Here he realizes the horror of war with every name engraved in the black stone. Here he realizes that these people on the wall are part of us. They were part of the nation and defended us. They are family to us in a nation’s sense and each name has meaning to citizens of America. Byer says, “We are silent, knowing that some of the visitors here will have lost a brother, son, father, friend (76).” This reasoning for being silent is to honor those who have fallen. As mentioned before everyone was affected by this war and everyone either knows or knows of someone that was in this war. It affected all of America and this monument pays tribute to them. The Vietnam Memorial, much like the Lincoln Memorial demonstrates the nation coming together for the greater good of the nation. Times had changed and events had changed which called for action which is one of the biggest characteristics of being an American
Facing It By Yusef Komunyakaa Summary
1241 Words | 5 PagesVietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most controversial architecture work of all times and also one of the most visited memorial in Washington D.C. There was always the expectation that since the war had been controversial, the memorial might or must be also. The memorial is constructed in three remarkable parts: the black wall cutting into the earth, the names inscribed upon the wall, and the statue of the soldiers. This symbol of the memoirs of some of our heroes not only get flooded with excitement but also been courted with several controversies.
Summary Of Facing It By Yusef Komunyakaa
495 Words | 2 PagesIt seemed to me that the speaker believes the memorial is more than large pieces of dark, cold granite rising above the ground, but rather something with a deeper meaning. These names aren't just etchings of individuals in American history put on a rock, but rather heroes boldly standing firm in granite that allow these names to never be forgotten. This is the type of emotion I would express if I would see “Carl Taylor” etched in that stone. War is so unfair when some individuals are lucky enough to see another day, when others are not so lucky. I take pride in my country knowing no matter how unfair life may be there are individuals that will risk there life to better the cause of liberty.
Acropolis And Lincoln Memorial Similarities
489 Words | 2 PagesThe Athenian Acropolis represents the pinnacle of ancient Greek culture and civilization, a center of religious and civic life that reflected the glory and power of Athens. Similarly, the Lincoln Memorial stands as a testament to American ideals of freedom, equality, and democracy, embodied by President Lincoln's legacy. The structure is a tribute to the Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War and their sacrifice to preserve the Union and end slavery. Both the Athenian Acropolis and the Lincoln Memorial are symbols of national pride and identity. The Athenian Acropolis acts as a living piece of history, whereas the Lincoln Memorial is a celebration of a nation’s historical
The Statue Of Robert E Lee And George Floyd
985 Words | 4 PagesFor a long time and now America is still divided and not United. There is an emotional appeal or pathos this image sparks. George Floyd is pictured on the statue. George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota which kick-started the Black Lives Matter movement and also all the protests happening around the country. Robert E Lee in this photo also makes Americans think of their past history of slavery, injustice, and oppression.
Ronald Reagan Address At The Memorial In Normandy
1049 Words | 5 PagesIn the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, the fate of the free world rested in the hands of our brave young men in uniform. According to White House Archives, at 5:30 in the morning more than 160,000 Allied troops landed at Normandy, France to fight the German forces and free France from their occupation. The Allied forces consisted of 73,000 Americans and 83,115 British and Canadian forces. In that one day, over 10,000 young men were slaughtered on that beach and in the following six weeks, another 216,000 Allied troops were either wounded or killed in the war to eradicate tyranny from Europe. On the 40th anniversary of D-day, President Ronald Reagan gives a heart-warming speech at the memorial in Normandy, France.
Private Elmer Babcock: A Short Story
990 Words | 4 PagesThat moment stuck with me, standing there next to a single monument which collectively made up an entire collection of human travesty. I eventually walked back and continued my exploration but I resounding sadness stayed with me. I began to see the desolate desperation of it all. I began to understand the scope of this place.
Ann Rinaldi's An Acquaintance With Darkness
854 Words | 4 PagesAnn Rinaldi, the author of the historical fiction novel, An Acquaintance with Darkness, recounts multiple historical moments, figures and monuments in order to depict her story. Many authors such as Rinaldi herself, modify the truthfulness of the information they’ve portrayed in order to fit their story. When writing a historical fiction novel, one must contemplate whether it is justified to crumble the factual basis of any historical accounts. Arlington National Cemetery is a particular monument that Rinaldi depicts in order to illustrate the grim times of the Civil War. Proof of Ann Rinaldi’s faithfulness to historical accuracy, for the most part, was this depiction of one of the most respected cemeteries in the United States.
The Follower Problem Analysis
184 Words | 1 PagesThe 8th grade class took a 4 day trip to Washington. We did many things to explore Washington D.C. including visiting monuments. Some people think differently of how a monument should be made. Good monuments to some people could be to make people remember about the person or thing being remembered or to just reflect the person’s life or importance. In “The Follower Problem” by David Brooks, David thinks a good monument should show power and authority.
Pros And Cons Of Washington Memorial
598 Words | 3 PagesIf you go to Washington D.C. you can see all these different memorials that all stand for something different. You have the Lincoln memorial, Washington memorial, and so on. Then if you head to the west some you will find Mount Rushmore, which have the heads, of what people believed, the best presidents carved into the mountainside. When you look at all these great memorials that we have built to honor the people of the past you can’t help but feel some sense of awe. The thought that these great people once lived in the same country as you and that the past really did happen.
Veterans Day Speech
419 Words | 2 PagesWith a saunter around the National Mall, revere the neoclassical Lincoln Memorial, with a staggering (175 ton pound) statue of Abraham Lincoln swirled by his words of the Gettysburg Speech, the marvelous marble, granite and blue stone Washington Memorial, the Rome-esque memorial of Thomas Jefferson, and more… 2.) Arlington, VA’s cemetery Witness an official ceremony of Veteran’s Day at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington, VA’s cemetery, where John F. Kennedy spoke eleven days before his assassination, and his body later returned to. Savor a moment reflecting on the tomb of the “Unknown Soldier” from World War I, and admire a sophisticated switching of the guard on the dot of every hour. 3.)
The Role Of National Monuments In Alfred Hitchcock's Films
185 Words | 1 PagesNational monuments often figure prominently in Hitchcock’s films, they usually have an obvious connection to the plot. In the gripping climax scene of North by Northwest, for example, the American agent Eve Kandall dangles perilously from Mount Rushmore and her suspension from the monument translates into visual terms the cold-war conflict at the heart of the film. Mount Rushmore stands for the democratic principles at stake in the recovery of the microfilm stolen by the Communist spies. Set in Washington, D.C, Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train abounds with images of the federal government. The repeated shots show the dome of the Capitol building appearing in the background brilliantly lit up, and the Jefferson Memorial provides the setting
Monument Synthesis Essay
750 Words | 3 PagesKirk Savage suggests in Source A (Savage), “The public monument speaks to a deep need for attachment that can be met only in a real place, where
Argumentative Essay On Confederate Monuments
792 Words | 4 PagesIn the news today, a continual debate can be found about the significance of Confederate monuments and if they should remain or be removed. Confederate monuments that have been erected throughout the U.S. should be kept because of the preservation of America’s history. For instance, in the article, The Unbearable Lightness of Confederate-Statue Removal, the author lists how slaveholder monuments aren’t the only statues being vandalized, but the Lincoln Memorial and Mount Rushmore are other symbols of U.S. history that some believe need to “blow up” (Murdock). Every historical symbol can have both people who appreciate it and who oppose it. That doesn’t mean that we should tear down all symbols, but
Rhetorical Analysis: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
720 Words | 3 PagesShe also describes how wishes the Wall to assuage people. She says that her monument will console not by denying the horrible truth of the war, but by acknowledging it through peace and serenity. Moreover, when viewed from the sky the wall resembles a closing wound. It has sometimes been referred to as “The Black Gash of Shame” by Critics. This symbolizes how as a country this memorial has helped us close our wounds that were opened by the Vietnam War.
William Henry Walls Accomplishments
1204 Words | 5 Pages“We have as a nation been duped by those who use our guilt about how we treated the innocent pawns in the Vietnam War game-the soldiers-into missing the point once again about the utter senselessness that is war” (“Brainy Quotes- Steven Weber”) Private William Henry Walls was part of the 3rd marine regiment. He was born in 1946 in Horsham Pennsylvania (“Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds”). When William turned 19 he enlisted into the marine corps. William’s life was cut short.
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