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dvdhh91

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Conflict Context Essays
« on: September 12, 2008, 06:40:44 pm »
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 ;D Here are some of my context pieces, im not sure about them but ill add a few more later on. Leave some constructive comments if you please.
This is copyrighted by The Hinh. so don't plagerise my hardcore work!!  :knuppel2: :knuppel2:


*    *   Possible ideas to place into essay
Prompt: The reasons for conflict are never simple (Incomplete)

# Conflict is a clash of contradictory impulses that often causes a great degree of discomfort, anger and or pain. Many of us realise this truth and therefore attempt to avoid conflict, so when we do engage in conflict there is a very strong reason.

   One of the great myths of conflict is that reasons for conflict are always simple. Whether it be encountered in the personal or political sphere, the reasons behind it are far less apparent and much more complex. In modern day society, where connections are so diverse, reasons for tension are more than meets the eye. Conflict like that of the Iraq war demonstrates that this is the case, as its war may not only have been to remove its tyrannical dictator but to secure oil supplies in the current destabilised environment. In reality conflict is a clash of contradictory impulses that often causes a great degree of discomfort, anger and or pain. Many of us realise this truth and therefore attempt to avoid conflict, so when we do engage in conflict there is a very strong reason behind it.

   Conflict is defined by contradictory views that often if left unresolved escalate beyond the original dispute, causing a great degree of pain. So if avoidable, we let it pass, however it is only when it is of significant importance that we are willing to go through the pain.


Expository Piece:
Prompt: Whilst conflict leads to tragic loss, it can also lead to unexpected gain.(Incomplete)

   One of the great myths of conflict is that it results in solely ‘tragic loss.’ Although this statement is slightly true, many of us fail to realise that we may unknowingly gain. Conflict let it be internal or external, involving individuals, institutions or communities, remains essentially a clash of opposing views. These disagreements often act as a catalyst for change in society and in ourselves as well as building a wealth of experience. Kate Grenville’s, ‘The Secret River’ investigates this idea through the conflict involved during settlement and occupation of a new country, while seeking some sort of resolution from the actions of her own white ancestors.

   Although many factors are involved, conflict is the main driving force behind change. It is therefore evident the importance of freedom of speech in a democratic society. In such worrying times, the media frequently heads headlines of disputes ranging from those of war to the more local issue of desalination plants in our backyard. These conflicts are often brought to light by protests, which voice the concerns of the public. As a result negotiations are brought forward, with both parties coming together to resolve their differences, allowing for a better action to be taken. Similarly, Kate Grenville presents this idea trough the cultural conflict between the emancipist farmers and the Indigenous Australians. The combination of misunderstanding, prejudice, fear, and a need to protect those ‘soft parcels of flesh: his wife and children’ leads to dire consequences for both parties. The initial conflict with the ‘black man’, ‘soon there will be nowhere left for you black buggers to go’ lead to a guilt, which eventually changes the perception of society towards the blacks. This change, although at a huge cost changed the treatment of the Aboriginal population for good.   

Persuasive:
Prompt: Conflict makes people change – for the better or worse

   Change is inevitable when we encounter conflict, be it for the better or worse. Quite simply conflict is defined by incompatible positions, which can involve friends, institutions or even whole communities. These clashes change aspects of individuals, which may include our perception, our personality and even the stae of our relationships. These changes are reminiscent in our daily lives, as well as Kate Grenville’s, The Secret River’, as she attempts to gain some sort of resolution from the actions of her ancestors. As in the words of the poet WB Yeats, “All is changed, changed utterly – a terrible beauty is born”.
 
   It is no myth that conflict inspires change in people, but what is suprising is that our perception is the first victim of these clashes. Consider how quickly we may have taken up a side, when an argument breaks out in our own friendship group. Our previous perception of who may have been right , is blinded by our reluctance to avoid being on middle ground: the most vunerable positon susceptible to attack from both sides.This immediate influence of disputes on our perception is no short of examples from our daily routine, but mirrored alike in the fictional works of literature. * Could mention how after 9/11, perception to Muslims changed and Americans very reluctant to support invasion into Iraq *. Kate Grenville’s protagonist, William Thornhill, is just one of countless examples, as his own attitude towards the Indigenous Australians is undermined by the the other emancipist farmers, with devastating consequences. Thornhill’s intial view that they were alike in so many ways, ‘( Blood ) It is like mine, he surprised himself thinking. Just the same colour as his own’ is altered as he falters to fear of ‘a spear in his own entrails’ and the loss of ‘Thornhill’s Point’, ‘I could not bear to lose that piece of land shaped like my thumb’ says Thornhill. This internal conflict changes Thornhill to the extent Sal thought she was looking into the eyes of a ‘stranger’. In addition to Thornhill, the other characters of ‘The Secret River’ bring to life a harsh reality of early day colinisation of Australia. Where the white settlers attempted to eradicate the ‘black man’ like pests, creating one of the saddest chapters in our history, from which we never repeat. Till this day this past conflict has led to a change in our own attitudes towards the Indigenous Australians, like the reconciliation speech in Parliament, to reduce a rift that has divided the inhabitants of this nation for centuries.

   Not only can conflict change our perception, but it can create the person we become, like the guiding hands on a child just beginning to learn how to walk. This natural tendency of humans to learn or possibly adopt ideals, and beliefs as our own from the lessons we encounter, creates a unique personality in each and every one of us. For example how could a child possibly be able to differentiate between right and wrong if they do not experience situations involving these concepts first hand. History itself is no short of examples, with it not only demonstrating how individuals but whole societies can learn from their past actions. Such was the atomic bomb, dropped in Hiroshima’s ability to flatten a city to rubble, and leaving a path of death, that has led to attempts to curtail nuclear weapons, like the nuclear proliferation treaty. In a similar manner, Thornhill displays this trait when we explore the reasons he became who he became. This idea is demonstrated in a number of instances, by his determination and resilient characteristics. Born into poverty possessing the very common name of  ‘William Thornhill’, he proclaims, ‘William Thornhills will fill up the world one day’ determined to fight society so that he too won’t be buried in the ‘common hole’. Thornhill’s conflict with the class system, evidenced by him seeing stealing as a possible resolution from starvation, provides the building blocks to his personality and the person he ultimately becomes. Hence providing some sort of justification for his later actions to protect his own land. This idea of conflict as illustrated by the past and more so literature reveals to us a truth, whereby encountering conflict moulds us into the person we become through changing aspects of our character and personality.

   In addition to changing our perceptions and personality, conflict also has the ability to cause changes in our relationships with others. These changes may vary from arguments to even avoidance depending on those involved. This notion is demonstrated by Thornhill’s relationship with Sal and Dick. (could mention Blackwood about friendship) The main conflict between Thornhill and Sal lies in their different perception of home, which ultimately leads to ‘an eerie silence’ between them that causes a great degree of separation. This state of their relationship is a far cry from the happy and lively couple that could not be separated by poverty or isolation. Likewise Thornhill’s relationship with his son Dick is damaged by cultural misunderstanding, where Thornhill is too ignorant and selfish to realise that the Aborigines have a purpose for ‘stealing’: a fact which only Dick and possibly Sal realised. Thornhill’s attempts to turn these relationships around by eradicating the Aborigines only leads to a permanent ‘space of silence between husband and wife’ and father and son whose eyes could never meet again. It is ironic to suggest that conflict will not change our relationships as Thornhill thought, but the changes we need to realise are all different. Even silence can be a destroyer of our relationships.     


Prompt:Who we really are is revealled by how we encounter conflict?

Conflict is essentially a clash of opposing ideology that may lead to physical violence like that of war, division with in us, or separation from others. When faced with conflict our natural tendency to avoid the pain associated with it unknowingly changes us, revealing our true character for who we are really are. Often in the midst of these conflicts our true personality consisting of greed, determination, and courage is revealed to those around us. This phenomenon is not unique to the fictional characters of Kate Grenville’s, ‘The Secret River’ but in our day to day lives, as in the words of WB Yeats, ‘All is changed, changed utterly – a terrible beauty is born.’

   Ever since man had begun to walk, greed itself has been the prime driver behind change in our own society, hence the demand and supply economics which is governed by the human pursuit of wealth and consumption. We all possess greed to a certain degree, be it an instigator of stealing, or a lust for things titled ‘free’. For most of us it is suppressed, only to reveal it when overcome by situations of immense pressure like conflict. Grenville’s protagonist William Thornhill is one such victim, whose thirst for materialistic wealth and also love shown through his unrelenting efforts to hold on to ‘Thornhill’s Point’, and keep his family on it. Thornhill’s true character, one of immense greed is only revealed when he settles along a piece of land ‘a hundred acres long’ by the Hawkesbury River catapulting him into conflict with the Indigenous population. The racial tensions in the area eventually boil over, convincing Sal to leave the area of instability. So when the fruits of Eden are presented before Thornhill, he sees the massacre as a possible resolution to both conflicts. It is here the audience gain a valuable insight into Thornhill, where the greed to hold on to both his family, wealth and livelihood is so strong that he has become a character who could murder women and children in their sleep. This characteristic, although not as brutal may be related to each and every one of us, whether it be a fight with a housemate over the dishes or lying to a partner in the belief we are protecting them. It is our selfishness or greed which is highlighted in conflicts.

   In addition to our lust for ownership over wealth of others, our ambitious nature is stripped of all illusions when we encounter conflict. Our desire to achieve our goals is only strengthened when faced with conflict, as we sideline all other considerations in the pursuit of the belief that we have succeeded. Consider the rogue trader who nearly brought down a major Swiss bank, with a history dating back centuries. His ambition: the pursuit of wealth, drove him to evade the safeguards in place, itself a crime, to punt for a larger pay check. This notion is again highlighted by Thornhill whose ambitious character is shown way back in England when he proclaims ‘One day William Thornhill’s will fill up the world,’ despite the odds of it occurring at that point in time. This nature is also revealed when Thornhill engages in conflict with Sal over their differing goals, and attempts to convince her that ‘there is nothing else to go back for.’ Instead he tries to fulfil his own ambition ‘of a future that was not like the past,’ disregarding what is best for the family and the feelings about it. This ambition leads to great separation amongst the couple, ‘The unspoken between them was the she was a prisoner here.’ This is just one of many examples of ambition leading to the sacrifice of others, for Thornhill, Sal’s prison sentence. It is often that our desire to achieve our goals is so strong, that it is revealed in our conflicts. At times it may even mean the sacrifice of others.

   Although the traits of greed and ambition often reveal a sinister side in individuals, conflict may also unleash the angel in others. For example when faced with conflict, it is often the intervention of others that it is prevented from escalating. This idea is rarely highlighted in ‘The Secret River’ but is strongly emphasised in Arthur Miller’s recount of the Salem witch trials in ‘The Crucible’, which draws strong parallels with the 1950s McCarthyism movement in Australia. Miller’s protagonist, John Proctor, is a character of many sins, however his encounters with conflict primarily concerning the common beliefs reveals a courageous man willing to stand by his beliefs even in the face of death. As the title ‘The Crucible’ implies, Proctor leaves the crucible a cleansed individual, the most precious metal of all. In this manner the conflict can reveal favourable characteristics of each and every one of us.

   When we encounter conflict, we are stripped of our acting masks to reveal our true colours. Often it is our a character of many flaws that is revealed, such as one governed purely by greed and ambition. However conflict can also strip away our flaws to reveal a good character underneath.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2008, 06:54:53 pm by dvdhh91 »
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Damo17

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Re: Conflict Context Essays
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2008, 08:04:49 pm »
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Prompt: The reasons for conflict are never simple (Incomplete)

# Conflict is a clash of contradictory impulses that often causes a great degree of discomfort, anger and or pain. Many of us realise this truth and therefore attempt to avoid conflict, so when we do engage in conflict there is a very strong reason.

   One of the great myths of conflict is that reasons for conflict are always simple. Whether it be encountered in the personal or political sphere, the reasons behind it are far less apparent and much more complex. In modern day society, where connections are so diverse, reasons for tension are more than meets the eye. Conflict like that of the Iraq war demonstrates that this is the case, as its war may not only have been to remove its tyrannical dictator but to secure oil supplies in the current destabilised environment. In reality conflict is a clash of contradictory impulses that often causes a great degree of discomfort, anger and or pain. Many of us realise this truth and therefore attempt to avoid conflict, so when we do engage in conflict there is a very strong reason behind it.

   Conflict is defined by contradictory views that often if left unresolved escalate beyond the original dispute, causing a great degree of pain. So if avoidable, we let it pass, however it is only when it is of significant importance that we are willing to go through the pain.


Prompt:Who we really are is revealled by how we encounter conflict?

Conflict is essentially a clash of opposing ideology that may lead to physical violence like that of war, division with in us, or separation from others. When faced with conflict our natural tendency to avoid the pain associated with it unknowingly changes us, revealing our true character for who we are really are. Often in the midst of these conflicts our true personality consisting of greed, determination, and courage is revealed to those around us. This phenomenon is not unique to the fictional characters of Kate Grenville’s, ‘The Secret River’ but in our day to day lives, as in the words of WB Yeats, ‘All is changed, changed utterly – a terrible beauty is born.’

   Ever since man had begun to walk, greed itself has been the prime driver behind change in our own society, hence the demand and supply economics which is governed by the human pursuit of wealth and consumption. We all possess greed to a certain degree, be it an instigator of stealing, or a lust for things titled ‘free’. For most of us it is suppressed, only to reveal it when overcome by situations of immense pressure like conflict. Grenville’s protagonist William Thornhill is one such victim, whose thirst for materialistic wealth and also love shown through his unrelenting efforts to hold on to ‘Thornhill’s Point’, and keep his family on it. Thornhill’s true character, one of immense greed is only revealed when he settles along a piece of land ‘a hundred acres long’ by the Hawkesbury River catapulting him into conflict with the Indigenous population. The racial tensions in the area eventually boil over, convincing Sal to leave the area of instability. So when the fruits of Eden are presented before Thornhill, he sees the massacre as a possible resolution to both conflicts. It is here the audience gain a valuable insight into Thornhill, where the greed to hold on to both his family, wealth and livelihood is so strong that he has become a character who could murder women and children in their sleep. This characteristic, although not as brutal may be related to each and every one of us, whether it be a fight with a housemate over the dishes or lying to a partner in the belief we are protecting them. It is our selfishness or greed which is highlighted in conflicts.

   In addition to our lust for ownership over wealth of others, our ambitious nature is stripped of all illusions when we encounter conflict. Our desire to achieve our goals is only strengthened when faced with conflict, as we sideline all other considerations in the pursuit of the belief that we have succeeded. Consider the rogue trader who nearly brought down a major Swiss bank, with a history dating back centuries. His ambition: the pursuit of wealth, drove him to evade the safeguards in place, itself a crime, to punt for a larger pay check. This notion is again highlighted by Thornhill whose ambitious character is shown way back in England when he proclaims ‘One day William Thornhill’s will fill up the world,’ despite the odds of it occurring at that point in time. This nature is also revealed when Thornhill engages in conflict with Sal over their differing goals, and attempts to convince her that ‘there is nothing else to go back for.’ Instead he tries to fulfil his own ambition ‘of a future that was not like the past,’ disregarding what is best for the family and the feelings about it. This ambition leads to great separation amongst the couple, ‘The unspoken between them was the she was a prisoner here.’ This is just one of many examples of ambition leading to the sacrifice of others, for Thornhill, Sal’s prison sentence. It is often that our desire to achieve our goals is so strong, that it is revealed in our conflicts. At times it may even mean the sacrifice of others.

   Although the traits of greed and ambition often reveal a sinister side in individuals, conflict may also unleash the angel in others. For example when faced with conflict, it is often the intervention of others that it is prevented from escalating. This idea is rarely highlighted in ‘The Secret River’ but is strongly emphasised in Arthur Miller’s recount of the Salem witch trials in ‘The Crucible’, which draws strong parallels with the 1950s McCarthyism movement in Australia. Miller’s protagonist, John Proctor, is a character of many sins, however his encounters with conflict primarily concerning the common beliefs reveals a courageous man willing to stand by his beliefs even in the face of death. As the title ‘The Crucible’ implies, Proctor leaves the crucible a cleansed individual, the most precious metal of all. In this manner the conflict can reveal favourable characteristics of each and every one of us.

   When we encounter conflict, we are stripped of our acting masks to reveal our true colours. Often it is our a character of many flaws that is revealed, such as one governed purely by greed and ambition. However conflict can also strip away our flaws to reveal a good character underneath.



Good stuff, but the first one was a bit to repetitive.
1950's McCarthyism was in America, just thought i'd tell you before you lost marks on knowledge of text.
These are context pieces, this is only my opinion but you seem to be referring way too much to your texts and not enough on 'conflict' itself. The text should only be used as supporting examples and not be used a heavily as you have used.

Also in context essays, refrain from talking about any of your texts or any examples of what you are going to talk about in your intro.  The way I do it is solely talk about the 'context' itself.


I can give you some of what I have conjured up on conflict if you would like to broaden your horizon.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2008, 08:06:31 pm by Damo17 »
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garrc90

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Re: Conflict Context Essays
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2008, 06:31:43 pm »
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Yeah this is good..
Im wondering if someone can help with my essay..
"How an individual responds to and recovers from conflict helps
us better understand the human condition." Discuss
We must use examples from our text "The Line" and use quotes.
Also give some modern examples of conflict to support our answers

bcc_piano_kid

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Re: Conflict Context Essays
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2009, 05:01:05 pm »
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lol... my teacher Franky Flanagan teaches at my school this book.... ha ha ha suckers (her father wrote the line for those of you who are intellectualy daft)