The Meaning of American Pie Essay Example for Free

The Meaning of American Pie Essay In the autumn of 1971 Don McLeans elegiac American Pie entered the collective consciousness, and over thirty years later remains one of the most discussed, dissected and debated songs that popular music has ever produced. A cultural event at the peak of its popularity in 1972, it reached the top of the Billboard 100 charts in a matter of weeks, selling more than 3 million copies. By identifying this great success it illustrates that it was no ordinary song. With its boldness, originality and it being thematically ambitious created uncertainty. Presenting the idea that we weren’t entirely sure what the song was about, provoking endless debates over its epic cast of characters. But however open to interpretation the lyrics may have been, the songs emotional resonance was unmistakable: McLean was clearly relating a defining moment in the American experience—something had been lost. Opening with the death of singer Buddy Holly and ending near the tragic concert at Altamont Motor Speedway, we are able to frame the span of years the song is covering—1959 to 1970—as the 10 years weve been on our own of the third verse. It is across this decade that the American cultural landscape changed radically, passing from the relative optimism and conformity of the 1950s and early 1960s to the rejection of these values by the various political and social movements of the mid and late 1960s. American Pie appears to chronicle the course of rock n roll, it is not, as is sometimes suggested, a mere catalogue of musical events. In using the cast of rock n roll players from the 1960s and setting them against the backdrop of Buddy Hollys death, they become polarized—metaphors for the clash of values occurring in America at this time: Holly as the symbol of the happier innocence of the fifties, the rest as symbolic of the sixties growing unrest and fragmentation. And as each verse sums up chronological periods in time—the late 1950s, 1963-66, 1966-68, 1969, 1970—another blow against the happier innocence of another era is registered: another day the music dies. Verse 1 of American Pie looks back from the early seventies and introduces the catalyst for the story about to unfold. â€Å"A long long time ago I can still remember how the music used to make me smile†. The narrator here is nostalgic for a simpler and more optimistic kind of music—a music that can make people smile, and that could help them forget their troubles—and a music that very much represents the happier optimism of the 1950s in America. â€Å"But February made me shiver†, he also identifies Buddy Holly by the month in which he dies. Hollys passing had a profound effect on him, which is displayed throughout the song. The day the music died† this reflects and supports the idea that the day the music died becomes the day the innocence and optimism within America died The chorus is the primary key in understanding American Pie as the theme of America’s lost innocence is clearly stated. â€Å"So bye bye Miss American pie† Miss Amer ican Pie* is as American as apple pie, so the saying goes; she could also be a synthesis of this symbol and the beauty queen Miss America. Either way, her name evokes a simpler time in American life when these icons held more meaning. She is the America of a passing era, and he is bidding her farewell. Drove my Chevy to the levee alludes to a drive along a levee mentioned in a series of popular 1950s Chevrolet television commercials sung by Dinah Shore and which serves as a signpost to that era—just as the Chevrolet itself is a familiar icon of 1950s America. Also, given that a drive to a levee carries the suggestion of romance in a car, we can almost see him on a date here. But the date is over, the levee is dry—someone he once loved has betrayed him; something that once gave him sustenance has evaporated. This’ll be the day that I die† is a rewording of the line â€Å"cause that’ll be the day when I die† from the chorus of Holly’s hit that’ll be the day. This signifies McLean’s way of both mourning the death of that music and way of life, and pointing to Holly as his symbol of it. Verse 2 erupts with the idea that the narrator reaches little further back in time to the days of his youth, the late 1950s—a time of sock hops, pickup trucks and pink carnations—as he courts a woman who ultimately spurns him. This is a fickle lady here, and the narrator questions her loyalties. And can you teach me how to dance real slow? † This is a romantic dance. He is courting her. The slow dance itself is yet another reference to the fifties and the kind of dancing that went out of fashion in the following decade; it also alludes to the slower pace of life in America at this time. This verse helps us to further identity Miss American Pie, whose brief introduction in the chorus needed this additional exposition; and which, along with verse 1 and the chorus, also serves to establish the 1950s as the reference point for the res t of the song. In so doing, McLean characterizes the period primarily through its musical symbol (Holly), using him and the music (those rhythm and blues) as a metaphor for the innocence of the times, and a sacred thing. The day the music died now takes on the significance of a lost faith in the values of a passing era and the sorrow the narrator feels at their passing: blow number two. Having personified America as a woman, Bye bye Miss American Pie now more clearly becomes a farewell to the America he once knew.

Writing of James Baldwin Essay -- Notes of a Native Son

The Writing Wisdom of James Baldwin James Baldwin is not known by much of America’s youth today, and his writings are not taught in many schools. His style of writing, however, is ultimately unique. Baldwin’s African-American viewpoint is very rare, creating a fresh way to look upon American culture and ethnicity. There also may be no other author like Baldwin that blends narrative and analysis seamlessly, while still keeping the reader interested in the story at hand. In â€Å"Notes of a Native Son,† Baldwin uses this weaving of narration and analysis to show his inability to see how his father’s personality had impacted and molded his own personality. In â€Å"Notes of a Native Son,† Baldwin’s mastery of weaving narrative and analysis is blatantly obvious. The premise behind the essay is the relationship between Baldwin and his father. The essay takes the reader through trials and tribulations in Baldwin’s life, including the spats between him and his father. Their relationship was, safe to say, slightly aloof. Baldwin describes throughout the essay the fact that he and his father would rarely speak, and that when they did, it usually ended in an argument. The essay also paints a picture of Harlem in the 1940’s, specifically during the massive riots of 1943. Baldwin describes other riots and social situations that were occurring around the rest of the country at the same time as the Harlem riots. The essay also describes the death of Baldwin’s father, and the emotions incurred by James and his family. Baldwin also does some reflection in this essay, describing his feelings towa rds his father and how they have changed over more than a decade since his death. Baldwin often uses his feelings towards ... ... The style at which Baldwin mixes true story with gut-wrenching emotion in â€Å"Notes of a Native Son† is absolutely astounding. He draws the reader into the story, and then lets them in to his heart and soul. His ability to incorporate his feelings with those of the African-American race is what makes this essay unique. He does not simply write the first half of the paper as a narrative, and then spend the final half analyzing himself. He analyzes himself at every opportunity that he sees fit, after every major occurrence in he and his father’s life. Baldwin’s blunt, perhaps even crude analysis of himself, his father, and both the white and black races shows that he is not afraid of what others think. Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Notes of a Native Son.† 1955. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York: Library of America, 1998. 63-84.

History of Civil Engineering Essay

Civil engineering involves the design, construction, and maintenance of works such as roads, bridges, and buildings. It’s a science that includes a variety of disciplines including soils, structures, geology, and other fields. Thus the history of civil engineering is closely associated with the history of advancement in these sciences. In ancient history, most of the construction was carried out by artisans, and technical expertise was limited. Tasks were accomplished by the utilization of manual labor only, without the use of sophisticated machinery, since it did not exist. Therefore, civil engineering works could only be realized with the utilization of a large number of skilled workers over an extended period of time. * Prehistoric and Ancient Civil Engineering Structures It might be appropriate to assume that the science of civil engineering truly commenced between 4000 and 2000 BC in Egypt when transportation gained such importance that it led to the development of the wheel. According to the historians, the Pyramids were constructed in Egypt during 2800-2400 BC and may be considered as the first large structure construction ever. The Great Wall of China that was constructed around 200 BC is considered another achievement of ancient civil engineering. The Romans developed extensive structures in their empire, including aqueducts, bridges, and dams. A scientific approach to the physical sciences concerning civil engineering was implemented by Archimedes in the third century BC, by utilizing the Archimedes Principle concerning buoyancy and the Archimedes screw for raising water. ASCE Online Library www.ascelibrary.org Free search 800,000 pages All areas of civil engineering Software Engineer Degree EducationDegreeSource.com/Free_Info 100%Online Master Degree – Software Engineering for Busy Programmers! Seismic Design Group www.SeismicDesignGroup.com Seismic Bracing & Engineering Commercial Non-Structural Trades Ads by Google * The Roles of Civil And Military Engineer in Ancient Times As stated above, civil engineering is considered to be the first main discipline of engineering, and the engineers were in fact military engineers with expertise in military and civil works. During the era of battles or operations, the engineers were engaged to assist the soldiers fighting in the battlefield by making catapults, towers, and other instruments used for fighting the enemy. However, during peace time, they were concerned mainly with the civil activities such as building fortifications for defense, making bridges, canals, etc. * Civil Engineering in the 18th – 20th Century Until the recent era, there was no major difference between the terms civil engineering and architecture, and they were often used interchangeably. It was in the 18th century that the term civil engineering was firstly used independently from the term military engineering. The first private college in the United States that included Civil Engineering as a separate discipline was Norwich University established in the year 1819. Civil engineering societies were formed in United States and European countries during the 19th century, and similar institutions were established in other countries of the world during the 20th century. The American Society of Civil Engineers is the first national engineering society in the United States. In was founded in 1852 with members related to the civil engineering profession located globally. The number of universities in the world that include civil engineering as a discipline have increased tremendously during the 19th and the 20th centuries, indica ting the importance of this technology. * Modern Concepts In Civil Engineering Numerous technologies have assisted in the advancement of civil engineering in the modern world, including high-tech machinery, selection of materials, test equipment, and other sciences. However, the most prominent contributor in this field is considered to be computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM). Civil engineers use this technology to achieve an efficient system of construction, including manufacture, fabrication, and erection. Three-dimensional design software is an essential tool for the civil engineer that facilitates him in the efficient designing of bridges, tall buildings, and other huge complicated structures. * http://www.thecivilengg.com/History.php CIVIL ENGINEERING (CE) Overall Focus: â€Å"Public works†/infrastructure and buildings/structures. Note: Given the number of potential applications, Civil Engineering is a very broad discipline. Primary Areas of Specialization: 1. Construction Management (combining engineering and management skills to complete construction projects designed by other engineers and architects).   2. Environmental Engineering (see separate entry) 3. Geotechnical Engineering (analysis of soils and rock in support of engineering projects/applications – building foundations, earthen structures, underground facilities, dams, tunnels, roads, etc) 4. Structural Engineering (design of all types of stationary structures – buildings, bridges, dams, etc.) 5. Surveying (measure/map the earth’s surface in support of engineering design and construction projects and for legal purposes – locating property lines, etc.) 6. Transportation Engineering (design of all types of transportation facilities/systems – streets/highways, airports, railroads, other mass transit, harbors/ports, etc.). 7. Water Resources Engineering (control and use of water, focusing on flood control, irrigation, raw water supply, and hydroelectric power applications) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AR001_ARCHCRUZ/files/3.%20LETTERING/

Imaginary Story Essay - 2914 Words

Imaginary Story Inspector Dixon could recognize slight scratch on the victim’s bracelet. Now he discovered the murderer of Mrs Watson. The only person who could make this scratch was... ‘NICKY!’ My name is Nicky, a seventeen years old college girl, who wants to be a detective in the future. It was a sunny and cloudless day. The library was very quiet. There were about sixteen people in library and two of them were looking for some books on the shelf beside me. My schoolmate, Sally Looney was looking at me in a dull and bored look. Her eyes were half closed and her ginger hairs were stuck to the end. No one might imagine she was a clever girl, who has achieved 12 A* grades in her GCSEs and 5†¦show more content†¦Can you do it?’ Sally was grinning at me and I could not bear any longer. ‘SALLY! I HAVEN’T FINISHED MY BOOK! HOW DARE YOU TAKE MY INSPECTOR DIXON AWAY FROM ME? HOW OLD ARE YOU? CAN’T YOU BE SERIOUS? SALLY!’ My face became red, half due to anger and half due to shame. Everyone in library was looking at us and the glasses of librarian were flashing. ‘But†¦I can spin three books at one go.â⠂¬â„¢ Sally replied in a cheery voice. Now the eyebrow of librarian was twitching. The librarian walked towards us and pointed at a sign, which was saying ‘Keep Silence’. ‘I expect you can read what it is saying, ladies?’ The librarian said in a trembling voice and I could see her long and sharp polished nail. However, Sally still did not realise the seriousness of the situation and carried on spinning the book. ‘Out! Right now!’ The librarian lost her nerve and shouted in an even louder voice than us. Finally Sally dropped her book and we had to run away, as quiet as possible. The librarian was still shouting in the librarian and Sally began to speak to me when she left the library. ‘She is an awful woman, isn’t she? Look! She is even noisy than us. She is disturbing more people than us, isn’t she?’ I did not reply. Oh, Inspector Dixon, who is the murderer? ‘I’ll make you Sally’s Special Pasta, le t’s go to my home.’ Sally looked cheerful and seemed very glad to leave the library. Oh, InspectorShow MoreRelatedCharles Taylor Doesn t Think So And His Almost 900 Page Essay1998 Words   |  8 Pagesthe inadequacy of Mainstream Secularization Theory and the spiritual complexity of our â€Å"cross-pressured† society. The culmination of this story lends voice to a hemisphere’s subconscious, diving beneath the â€Å"taken-for-granted† assumptions of the Western mind to hear the truth. That underlying level of assumption is what Charles Taylor calls a social imaginary: What I’m trying to get at with this term is something much broader and deeper than intellectual schemes people may entertain when they thinkRead MoreAnalysis Of Alfonso Cuaron s Children Of Men2060 Words   |  9 PagesMoore), to get Kee a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea. 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