Comparing Tension and Conflict in Things Fall Apart and Clear Light of

Tension and Conflict in Things Fall Apart and Clear Light of Day      Ã‚  Ã‚   How does the tension between traditional and modern views of the world play itself out in Achebe's "Things Fall Apart", and Desai's "Clear Light of Day"?      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     In both Achebe's and Desai's novels, tension and conflict between the new and the old, traditional and modern are the strong undercurrents that move the story and the reader into an unconscious emotional uneasiness.    In both novels, the backdrop and the story are engrossed in a struggle between two worlds, the new and the old fighting out its battles in the characters portrayed within.  Ã‚   Achebe makes his stand in eastern Nigeria while Desai illustrates her point in Old Delhi.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the first part of "Things Fall Apart", Achebe, portrays a traditional African culture, but one on the verge of change.  Ã‚   Early in the novel you can see change is already taking place.   "...in the past a man who broke the peace was dragged on the ground throughout the village until he died.   But after a while this custom was stopped because it spoiled the peace which it was meant to preserve."  Ã‚  Ã‚   But traditions continued on, including ritual killing and banishment of one of the village leaders.   But then things begin to change more rapidly with the coming of the missionaries.   When they gave them the "evil forest" to build their churches on there was no turning back.   Many of the abused and outcast were converted when they saw that these new people prospered in the evil lands. The people started to revolt against their traditional gods.   "Three converts had gone into the village and boasted openly that... ...k after...  Ã‚   But even this simple act has its overtones, "...she has always liked to rule others..."      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In both of these novels the main characters have to be strong to deal with the tides between tradition and modern culture.   Their lives are not easy, but while reading about them, maybe we can make it easier for others to live in our world and understand those who do not wish to make the journey of "progress".   Failing that, maybe we can at least understand our own journey through this jumble we call life.    Works Cited and Consulted    Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 1986.    Desai, Anita. The Clear Light of Day London: Penguin, 1990    Taiwo, Oladele. Culture and the Nigerian Novel. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1976.

Dialogue About the Problem of Overpopulation Essay

Marija: So, Martin, what do you think about the problem with overpopulation in the world? You think it is a serious problem? Martin: Well, Marija, yes, basically I do think overpopulation is a serious problem, maybe not in Macedonia, but in some other countries in the world, like China, it is one of the major state issues. I’ve read that there are laws which limit the number of kids for one family to have. And what is your opinion? Marija: I disagree. I don’t think overpopulation is such a serious issue, as long as there is a solution for it. And I don’t think that kind of laws should be allowed, one reason is that they are not humane. Maybe they should have come up with some other idea how to get over it. Martin: You’re right about this. I’m thinking about a world without borders, so anyone can live where he wants, and then, the issue of overpopulation will be dealed with. There won’t be limitations where people can live, so I believe there won’t be overcrowded cities, or†¦ Marija: I believe it will be†¦ That’s the real reason why there is overpopulation. Everyone wants to live in the big cities, so they would definitely become overcrowded. Maybe, the government should promote the rural communities, with giving benefits, such as low-price houses, available jobs with good salary.. Martin: Well that is a good idea. That way many people will take the chance, and move to the countryside, and with that lower the overpopulation in the industrial cities. Plus, they can enjoy the unpolutioned air and earth. Marija: Finally, we came to mutual understanding how to get rid of this problem. Now we just have to recommend this option to the authorities.

Queen Elizabeths Royal Visits to Canada

Queen Elizabeth, Canadas head of state, always draws crowds when she visits Canada. Since her accession to the Throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth has made 22 official Royal visits to Canada, usually accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and sometimes by her children Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Queen Elizabeth has visited every province and territory in Canada. 2010 Royal Visit Date: June 28 to July 6, 2010Accompanied by Prince PhilipThe 2010 Royal Visit included celebrations in Halifax, Nova Scotia to mark the centennial of the founding of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and a dedication of the cornerstone for the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 2005 Royal Visit Date: May 17 to 25, 2005Accompanied by Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended events in Saskatchewan and Alberta to celebrate the centennial of the entry of Saskatchewan and Alberta into Confederation. 2002 Royal Visit Date: October 4 to 15, 2002Accompanied by Prince PhilipThe 2002 Royal Visit to Canada was in celebration of the Queens Golden Jubilee. The Royal couple visited Iqaluit, Nunavut; Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Toronto, Oakville, Hamilton and Ottawa, Ontario; Fredericton, Sussex, and Moncton, New Brunswick. 1997 Royal Visit Date: June 23 to July 2, 1997Accompanied by Prince PhilipThe 1997 Royal Visit marked the 500th anniversary of John Cabots arrival in what is now Canada. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited St. Johns and Bonavista, Newfoundland; NorthWest River, Shetshatshiu, Happy Valley and Goose Bay, Labrador, They also visited London, Ontario and viewed the floods in Manitoba. 1994 Royal Visit Date: August 13 to 22, 1994Accompanied by Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip toured Halifax, Sydney, the Fortress of Louisbourg, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; attended the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia; and visited Yellowknife, Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit (then part of the Northwest Territories). 1992 Royal Visit Date: June 30 to July 2, 1992Queen Elizabeth visited Ottawa, Canadas capital, marking the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and the 40th anniversary of her accession to the Throne. 1990 Royal Visit Date: June 27 to July 1, 1990Queen Elizabeth visited Calgary and Red Deer, Alberta, and then joined the celebrations for Canada Day in Ottawa, Canadas capital. 1987 Royal Visit Date: October 9 to 24, 1987Accompanied by Prince PhilipOn the 1987 Royal Visit, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip toured Vancouver, Victoria and Esquimalt, British Columbia; Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Canora, Veregin, Kamsack and Kindersley, Saskatchewan; and Sillery, Cap Tourmente, Rivià ¨re-du-Loup and La Pocatià ¨re, Quebec. 1984 Royal Visit Date: September 24 to October 7, 1984Accompanied by Prince Philip for all parts of the visit except ManitobaQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip toured New Brunswick and Ontario to participate in events marking the bicentennials of those two provinces. Queen Elizabeth also visited Manitoba. 1983 Royal Visit Date: March 8 to 11, 1983Accompanied by Prince PhilipAt the end of a tour of the U.S. West Coast, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Vernon, Kamloops and New Westminster, British Columbia. 1982 Royal Visit Date: April 15 to 19, 1982Accompanied by Prince PhilipThis Royal Visit was to Ottawa, Canadas capital, for the Proclamation of the Constitution Act, 1982. 1978 Royal Visit Date: July 26 to August 6, 1978Accompanied by Prince Philip, Prince Andrew, and Prince EdwardToured Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and Alberta, attending the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta. 1977 Royal Visit Date: October 14 to 19, 1977Accompanied by Prince PhilipThis Royal Visit was to Ottawa, Canadas capital, in celebration of the Queens Silver Jubilee Year. 1976 Royal Visit Date: June 28 to July 6, 1976Accompanied by Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew and Prince EdwardThe Royal family visited Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and then Montreal, Quebec for the 1976 Olympics. Princess Anne was a member of the British equestrian team competing in the Olympics in Montreal. 1973 Royal Visit (2) Date: July 31 to August 4, 1973Accompanied by Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeth was in Ottawa, Canadas capital, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Prince Philip had his own program of events. 1973 Royal Visit (1) Date: June 25 to July 5, 1973Accompanied by Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeths first visit to Canada in 1973 included an extended tour of Ontario, including events to mark the 300th anniversary of Kingston. The Royal couple spent time in Prince Edward Island marking the centennial of PEIs entry into Canadian Confederation, and they went on to Regina, Saskatchewan, and Calgary, Alberta to participate in events marking the RCMP centennial. 1971 Royal Visit Date: May 3 to May 12, 1971Accompanied by Princess AnneQueen Elizabeth and Princess Anne marked the centennial of British Columbias entry into Canadian Confederation by visiting Victoria, Vancouver, Tofino, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, William Lake and Comox, B.C. 1970 Royal Visit Date: July 5 to 15, 1970Accompanied by Prince Charles and Princess AnneThe 1970 Royal Visit to Canada included a tour of Manitoba to celebrate the centennial of Manitobas entry into Canadian Confederation. The Royal Family also visited the Northwest Territories to mark its centennial. 1967 Royal Visit Date: June 29 to July 5, 1967Accompanied by Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in Ottawa, Canadas capital, to celebrate Canadas centennial. They also went to Montreal, Quebec to attend Expo 67. 1964 Royal Visit Date: October 5 to 13, 1964Accompanied by Prince PhilipQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Visited Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Quebec City, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario to attend the commemoration of the three major conferences that led up to Canadian Confederation in 1867. 1959 Royal Visit Date: June 18 to August 1, 1959Accompanied by Prince PhilipThis was Queen Elizabeths first major tour of Canada. She officially opened the St. Lawrence Seaway and visited all Canadian provinces and territories over the span of six weeks. 1957 Royal Visit Date: October 12 to 16, 1957Accompanied by Prince PhilipOn her first official visit to Canada as Queen, Queen Elizabeth spent four days in Ottawa, Canadas capital, and officially opened the first session of the 23rd Parliament of Canada.