Free Essays on Elizabeth Barrett Browing

Elizabeth Barrett Borrowing's personal life in her Poetry Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a great poet who has had a hard life. Barrett Browning was born in 1806 and was the oldest of twelve children. Her mother died, in 1828, when Barrett Browning was 16 years old, so that left her father to raise the children. Her father was over protective and did not want any of his children to marry. At the age of 15, Barrett Browning had a back injury and became very sick, and this kept her room bound for many years. During this time Barrett Browning started writing poems, and became the famous poet that we know today. One day, in 1844, she received a letter from another poet Robert Browning, about her poetry. At this time Barrett Browning was in her forty’s, and has been in her room for years, but she did respond. They continued writing back and forth, and eventually the letters lead into a meeting, and the two fell in love. And without Mr. Barrettes consent the two married. Sonnets for the Portuguese is a set of 44 famous love poems written by Barrett Browning about Robert. Many poems in this collection question the love he has for her, and the love that she has for him. They answer the questions of why or even how can one love the other. This love that she is experiencing is one that she has never felt before. Each poem shows how the relationship that these two lovers had developed. Each sonnet is fourteen lines and written in iambic pentameter. There are eight lines in each sonnet where Barrett Browning poses a question, and then the next six lines resolve her question. The rhyme scheme for these lines is abba, for the first eight, and then cde or cdc, for the next six. Sonnets XLIII is the first poem where she says I love you, and we see this in the first line â€Å"How do I love thee? Let me count the way... Free Essays on Elizabeth Barrett Browing Free Essays on Elizabeth Barrett Browing Elizabeth Barrett Borrowing's personal life in her Poetry Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a great poet who has had a hard life. Barrett Browning was born in 1806 and was the oldest of twelve children. Her mother died, in 1828, when Barrett Browning was 16 years old, so that left her father to raise the children. Her father was over protective and did not want any of his children to marry. At the age of 15, Barrett Browning had a back injury and became very sick, and this kept her room bound for many years. During this time Barrett Browning started writing poems, and became the famous poet that we know today. One day, in 1844, she received a letter from another poet Robert Browning, about her poetry. At this time Barrett Browning was in her forty’s, and has been in her room for years, but she did respond. They continued writing back and forth, and eventually the letters lead into a meeting, and the two fell in love. And without Mr. Barrettes consent the two married. Sonnets for the Portuguese is a set of 44 famous love poems written by Barrett Browning about Robert. Many poems in this collection question the love he has for her, and the love that she has for him. They answer the questions of why or even how can one love the other. This love that she is experiencing is one that she has never felt before. Each poem shows how the relationship that these two lovers had developed. Each sonnet is fourteen lines and written in iambic pentameter. There are eight lines in each sonnet where Barrett Browning poses a question, and then the next six lines resolve her question. The rhyme scheme for these lines is abba, for the first eight, and then cde or cdc, for the next six. Sonnets XLIII is the first poem where she says I love you, and we see this in the first line â€Å"How do I love thee? Let me count the way...

Chinese Funeral Traditions and Preparation

Chinese Funeral Traditions and Preparation While Chinese funeral traditions vary depending on where the deceased person and his or her family are from, some basic traditions still apply. Funeral Preparation The job of coordinating and preparing  Chinese funerals falls on the children or younger family members of the deceased person. It is part of the Confucian principle of filial piety and devotion to one’s parents. Family members must consult the Chinese Almanac to determine the best date to hold the Chinese funeral ceremony. Funeral homes and local temples help the family prepare the body and coordinate the funeral rites. Announcements of the funeral are sent in the form of invitations. For most Chinese funerals, the invitations are white. If the person was age 80 or older, then the invitations are pink. Living until 80 or beyond is considered a feat worth celebrating and mourners should celebrate the person’s longevity rather than mourn. The invitation includes information about the funeral’s date, time, and location, as well as a small obituary that includes information about the deceased that may include his or her birth date, date of death, age, family members that survived them and sometimes how the person died. The invitation may also include a family tree. A phone call or in-person invitation may precede the paper invitation. Either way, an RSVP is expected. If a guest cannot attend the funeral, the tradition is that he or she sends flowers and a white envelope with money. Chinese Funeral Attire Guests at a Chinese funeral wear somber colors like black. Bright and colorful clothing, especially red, must be avoided as these colors are associated with happiness. White is acceptable and, if the deceased was 80 or above, white with pink or red is acceptable as the event is cause for celebration. The deceased person wears a white robe. The Wake There is often a wake preceding the funeral that  may last several days. Family members are expected to keep an overnight vigil for at least one night in which the person’s picture, flowers, and candles are placed on the body and the family sits near by. During the wake, family and friends bring flowers, which are elaborate wreaths that include banners with couplets written on them, and white envelopes filled with cash. Traditional Chinese funeral flowers are white. The white envelopes are similar to red envelopes that are given at weddings. White is the color reserved for death in Chinese culture. The amount of money put in the envelope varies depending on the relationship to the deceased but must be in odd numbers. The money is meant to help the family pay for the funeral. If the deceased person was employed, his or her company is often expected to send a large flower wreath and a sizable monetary contribution. The Funeral At the funeral, the family will burn joss paper (or spirit paper) to ensure their loved one has a safe journey to the netherworld. Fake paper money and miniature items like cars, houses, and televisions are burned. These items are sometimes associated with the loved ones interests and are believed to follow them into the afterlife. This way they have everything they need when they enter the spirit world.   A eulogy may be given and, if the person was religious, prayers may also be said. The family will distribute to guests red envelopes with a coin inside  to ensure they return home safely. The family may also give guests a piece of candy that must be consumed that day and before going home. A handkerchief may also be given.  The envelope with coin, sweet, and handkerchief should not be taken home.   One final item, a piece of red thread, may be given. The red threads should be taken home and tied to the front doorknobs of the guests’ homes to keep evil spirits away. After the Funeral After the funeral ceremony, a funeral procession to the cemetery or crematorium is held. A hired band resembling a marching band typically leads the procession and  plays loud music to frighten spirits and ghosts. The family wears mourning clothes and  walks behind the band.  Following the family is the hearse or sedan containing the coffin. It is typically adorned with a large portrait of the deceased hanging on the windshield. Friends and associates complete the procession. The size of the procession depends on the wealth of the deceased and his or her family. The sons and daughters wear black and white mourning clothes and walk in the front row of the procession. Daughters-in-law come next and also wear black and white clothes. Grandsons and granddaughters wear blue mourning clothes. Professional mourners who are paid to wail and cry are often hired to fill up the procession. Depending on their personal preference, Chinese are either buried or cremated. At a minimum, families make an annual visit to the gravesite on the Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Festival. Mourners will wear a cloth band on their arms to show that they are in a period of mourning. If the deceased is a man, the band goes on the left sleeve. If the deceased is a woman, the band is pinned to the right sleeve. The mourning band is worn for the duration of the mourning period which can last 49 to 100 days. Mourners also wear somber clothes. Bright and colorful clothes are avoided during the mourning period.