Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Sky & Telescope Essays - Physical Cosmology, Astrophysics

Sky & Telescope Patrick Sullivan 2nd hour Astronomy Mr. Wessling Magazine Report Sky & Telescope The Future of the Universe The magazine Sky & Telescope is a very helpful magazine for beginning and amateur astronomers. The magazine contains information on new star clusters, constellations, galaxies, and even possible new planets. It gives a more in-depth look at what's going on outside our galaxy. This magazine is also helpful in showing astronomers new ways to look at stars. Certain articles can help with finding focal points, which elements of the spectrum to use to view certain stars, and how to get the best photo images as possible. Sky & Telescope also offers a wide range of different pictures for those who don't have telescopes. They always seem to find some of the best pictures to use in their magazine. Sky & Telescope has even reached the web, at www.skypub.com, where you can find the very latest in new galaxies and tools to help see these new constellations. It is also a good way to communicate with fellow astronomers and cosmologists. If you're having trouble finding out the latest missions in Space Exploration, you can go to Sky & Telescope to find out. There is a monthly article on the latest missions and findings, for those who are interested. The article I researched explained the possible Future of the Universe. At the beginning, it explains the different possible types of universe: flat, closed, and open. A closed universe, caused theoretically by the Big Bang Theory, will make the universe collapse on itself over a period of time. An open universe can keep expanding, because there are no barriers to make it collapse on itself like a closed universe. The flat universe may keep expanding, but it will be at such a slow rate that it will seem to approach a standstill. The article is explained more easily through a cosmic time line. The age of the universe starts with the Big Bang then moves to the Inflation era, through new galaxies and clusters to the end of inflation. When the universe started, it was full of high potent energy and heat, so it had to expand. This in turn created new universes. The next era, the radiation-dominated era, was caused by the high energy and inflation. Over time, the radiation decreased from the mass of the universe, and stars were created. This brought the Stelliferous era. This is when the Milky Way was formed along with many other galaxies. Next comes the Degenerate and Black Hole era. These are the eras where the planets are pulled out of their orbits, stars are turned into white dwarfs, and the black holes turn the universe inside out. Most galaxies will be crushed, and the only things left will be the black holes. After time passes, the black holes will evaporate, leaving nothing but empty space. Bibliography Bibliography Adams, Fred C., and Laughlin, Gregory. Sky & Telescope. August 1998, pages 32-39. Sky Publishing Corporation, 1998. Science Essays

Saturday, November 23, 2019

How to Manage and Identify the Boxelder Tree

How to Manage and Identify the Boxelder Tree Boxelder, also known as ash-leaved maple is one of the most common and adaptable urban trees in North America though  it also may be the trashiest from a visual perspective. Planting it next to your house is probably not a good idea. The best thing about the tree is that it is comfortable on poor sites where more desirable trees cannot maintain adequate health for long life. It is very commonly seen in the treeless plains and western United States as a street tree. You can use the tree for quick growth but plan to interplant with more desirable trees to provide for a lasting tree canopy. Boxelder can be a treasure on adverse tree sites. Boxelder Specifics The scientific name of boxelder is Acer negundo (AY-ser nuh-GUHN-doe). Common names include ashleaf maple, Manitoba maple, and poison ivy tree and the tree is a member of the plant family Aceraceae. Although considered by many a maple outcast, it is indeed in the maple family and the only native maple with more than one single blade or leaflet on a single leaf stalk. Boxelder grows in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8 and is native to North America. The tree is sometimes crafted into a bonsai specimen but often used as a screen/ windbreak and for land reclamation. It grows rapidly, can become very large and needs a lot of space. Boxelder is still a very common tree to see in a yard or park west of the Mississippi River.​ Boxelder Cultivars There are several attractive cultivars of boxelder including Aureo-Variegata, Flamingo and Auratum. The cultivar Acer negundo Aureo-Variegata is noted for its leaves bordered in gold. Acer negundo Flamingo has variegated leaves with pink margins and is somewhat available at local nurseries. Acer negundo Auratum has abundant gold leaves but is a little harder to find. You must remember that even though these cultivars are ornamental, they still share the original boxelder tree’s undesirable characteristics that include unattractive female fruit and breakage that increase the chances of the trees early removal due to quick growth. Problems With Boxelder Boxelder is a rather unattractive tree where limbs break with a vengeance   a landscape maintenance nightmare. The fruit droops in clusters which some describe as looking like dirty brown socks which adds to the overall trashy look of the tree. The boxelder bug makes things even worse. Robert Schafer / Getty Images Boxelder bug or Leptocoris trivittatus loves the boxelder tree. This half-inch red-striped insect is a true pest during winter where the adult multiplies and invades homes near where boxelder trees grow. It is one of the most common household pests in the United States. The bug emits a foul odor, stains fabric and can cause asthmatic reactions. It does no harm to the tree. Boxelder Description A boxelder in the landscape grows to a height of 25 to 50 feet, depending on tree variety and site conditions. One of the tallest ever measured had a recorded height of 110 feet. The trees crown spread is 25 to 45 feet and the crown is typically broad and ragged or disheveled. The tree often has multiple furrowed trunks or very squat single trunks. Flowers are without petals, dioecious and yellowish-green and the female tassels are very conspicuous. The very maple-looking seeds, called samaras hang in long, profuse clusters and stay on the tree throughout winter. Nearly every seed is viable and will cover up a disturbed area with seedlings   a very prolific seeder is boxelder. Boxelder Leaf Botanics Leaf arrangement: opposite/suboppositeLeaf type: odd pinnately compoundLeaflet margin: lobed; serrateLeaflet shape: lanceolate; ovateLeaflet venation: pinnate; reticulateLeaf type and persistence: deciduousLeaflet blade length: 2 to 4 inchesLeaf color: greenFall color: orange; yellowFall characteristic: showy Pruning Boxelder You will have to prune this tree regularly.  Boxelder branches droop as the tree grows and will require pruning if you have consistent walking and vehicular traffic under the canopy. The tree form is not particularly showy and should be grown with one single trunk to maturity. The tree is susceptible to breakage and can occur either at the crotch due to poor collar formation, or where the wood itself is weak and tends to break. Superior Western Boxelders There are also good qualities of boxelders in western North America. It seems that the tree takes on positive characteristics in the west that is not seen in trees in the eastern half of North America. California interior boxelder takes on yellow and red colors in autumn that rival eastern maple. Its drought tolerance makes the tree a welcome plant in that dry country landscape and very easy on limited water resources.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Human Development Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Development - Coursework Example The article uses the example of Luke in demonstrating the unwillingness of boys to deal with their emotional sides. As the article envelops, it manifests that Luke has emotional issues that he needs to handle. This reveals in his opinions as he castigates every member of his family. He thinks that all his family members are absurd (Kindlon, Thompson, & Barker, 2009). It is arguable that Luke’s emotional issues could be centered on family’s limited attention towards him. This means he is feeling neglected. Unfortunately, Luke is growing up in a culture that men are not supposed to express their feelings. It is essential to highlight the importance of engaging culture in such a contentious debate. This is because, mostly, human beings’ behavior is not largely defined by complex psychological situations, but is mostly influenced by contemporary cultural attitudes. Such cultural attitudes, for instance, are responsible for factors such as sexism and racism. When wrong ideas and attitudes in life inculcate in a human being at a young age, one is highly likely to grow up with such flawed perceptions in life. This creates a society-wide disaster because everyone believes the same. Wrong societal attitudes thrive on creating hegemony. For instance, in depicting complimentary gender roles, boys are taught to be tough and objective. These ideals do not allow for emotional development of boys. The society creates such hegemony because boys are constructed as protectors of women. In addition, boys see themselves more as leaders and holding powerful positions in the society. This is unlike the female who attains a huge capacity to be emotional and weak. In the end, the female has the expectations of being a homebuilder and a nurturer. Limited emotional development, however, ignores the fact that every human being has emotional needs. A young boy, such as Luke, who suppresses his emotions may become

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Neil Simons influence on Jewish culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Neil Simons influence on Jewish culture - Essay Example So many of our traditions inherently contain aspects of culture. Look at the Passover Seder-it's essentially great theater. Jewish education and religiosity bereft of culture is not as interesting. It is also clear that Jews have, in one form of another, dominated much of the American theatre, musical theatre and film worlds for much of their existence. Neil Simon is hardly unique in dominating one aspect of the performing arts: he is part of an oligarchy that has been recognized for decades. Simon has brought an eclectic view of what it means to be Jewish to a wide audience for nearly six decades. Thus in The Eugene Trilogy of plays he gives a semi-autobiographical account of his own early life, career and struggles. Brighton Beach Memoirs, the first play of the trilogy, deals with a Jewish teenager who experiences sexual awakening and a search for identity against the backdrop of a complex Jewish family. While not necessarily "about" being Jewish, Simon brings a shrewd sensibility to the idea of the difficulties of growing up and being Jewish (Simon, 1995). Within all of Simon's drama, even the more "serious" tupe as can be seen within the Eugene Trilogy, there is an element of humor. He has brought an ability to view even the most serious matters humorously to a mass audience. In some ways it is easy to see the influence of Neil Simon on icons of Jewish culture such as Woody Allen. The ability to write about a uniquely Jewish experience and yet at the same time to make that experience accessible and even enjoyable to a much wider, often non-Jewish audience has been an inspiration to many different other artists. At times Neil Simon has taken iconic Jewish figures, such as the character of Job from the Bible, and made them accessible to modern audiences. Thus in God's Favorite he transfers the Book of Job to a Long Island Mansion, and manages to make the play both funny and thought-provoking. This play may be seen as part of a recurrent theme that runs throughout many of what at least superficially appear to be light-hearted and comic plays (Konas, 1997). Konas also argues that Neil Simon's comedy is rooted in "people's neuroses" (1997), and one of them that many of Simon's character possess is the fact that they are Jewish. There is a deceptive seriousness to these analyses of Jewish life in America, a deception that allows Simon to introduce the audience to some of their own prejudices and doubts. Thus in Jake's Women the leading character is haunted by the fact that some of his previous relationships have been defined, more or less, with the fact that he was Jewish and the supposed sensibility that goes along with that. Neil Simon's contribution to Jewish culture has been profound. He has brought a decidedly Jewish outlook to stage and film for nearly sixty years, with more than forty plays and thirty screenplays to his credit. He paved the way for other popular artists such as Woody Allen and Mel Brooks to consider Jewishness in perhaps more challenging ways (or at least more controversial ways) than Simon has himself. Such is the role of a catalyst and role-model for others. The

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Cruciable by Arthur Miller Essay Example for Free

The Cruciable by Arthur Miller Essay The crucible is a play set in the town of Salem in 1692, in was written by Arthur Miller who saw similarities between the Salem witch hunts and the McCarthyism which gripped America in the 1950s. Both showed how hysteria, paranoia and malice could be the driving force for evil persecution and also the true power of false accusation. Arthur Miller throughout the play tries to create many themes and messages. I believe that this was done to make people think about what was happening in America at the time. The first theme is the idea of self interest and reputation. These two themes feature heavily throughout the play. Salem is a Christian society where not going to church is looked down upon and where all the villagers believe the Good News and that you should love thy neighbour. Yet underneath their niceties they seek to attack each other. Giles Corey did state several times that he has been to court over allegations of missing cows and other such accusations. Giles himself talks to Danforth about a case Danforth father tried Ysee, I had a white mare that time, and this fellow come to borrow the mare. The case that Corey talks about happened thirty-five years ago which shows that there had been a hatred brewing in the town for some time. Giles also continues to go on about how Thomas Putnam constantly goes after his neighbours land. Proctor and Putnam have a small debate over whether Proctor timber belongs to him. Putnam: What lumber is that youre draggin, if I may ask you? Proctor: My lumber. From out by my forest, by the riverside. Putnam: Why, we are surely gone wild this year. What anarchy is this? That tract is in my bounds, its in my bounds, Mr Proctor. This quote clearly shows that Putnam is in constant confrontation with his neighbours overland. Giles believes Putnam tells his daughter to cry witchery on George Jacobs (an elderly Jewish man) so that he could buy the land that by law George Jacobs had to forfeit. These undercurrents through the Salem community raise question with the audience. Such as will Putnam get away with? Who may be accused next? They build up tension leading to the court room scene (act three) it in these events that creates drama and tension by making the audience ask question about the climax and ending. At the end of act two there is an argument, this argument is the catalyst for the events of act three. It starts when Elizabeth Proctor (Johns wife) is taken away due to allegations made by Abigail Williams. John then says to his maid Mary Warren that he will not let his wife die for him. She replies, I cannot, and theyll turn on me. John Proctor replies exclaiming All our pretences are ripped away we are only what we always were, but naked now. This is a powerful statement and leads back to what I was mentioned earlier. John is simply saying that hidden underneath their Christian guise they were all out to get each other, everyone was trying to get land and destroy families. Earlier in the act John asserts that We are what we always were in Salem. The people are still the same, their evil thoughts and misdoings have always gone on but they were concealed to protect something of value; their reputation. John may also be talking about himself and his affair with Abigail, he knows what he did was wrong, but concealed it for the sake of his reputation. The people of Salem did not change overnight; they are now just seen through a different light. The third act takes place in the vestry room of the Salem meeting house, which is now being used as the anteroom of the General court. A new character is introduced, Judge Danforth; a proud man who is to the point. At the opening of act three Giles Corey challenges Putnams motives for accusing his neighbours of witchcraft. The audience will remember that Giles Corey spoke to Hale (a witch doctor form Beverly) about his wifes preoccupation with reading. He said I tried and tried and could not say my prayers. And then she closes her book and walks out the house, and suddenly mark this I could pray again! Martha Corey (Giles wife) is now being charged due to allegations made by the group of girls of which Putnams daughter is one of. Giles believes that Putnam is telling his daughter to cry witchery on the people of Salem so that Putnam can buy their land once it is forfeited. These attacks at each other within the Salem community show a different side to the Puritan community. Puritans believe in the purity of worship and doctrine. This doctrine includes all of the Ten Commandments. Two of the commandments from the audiences point of view have clearly been broken. 8) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. 10) You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour. Clearly Putnam by telling his daughter to cry witchery for his personal gain is breaking his own beliefs. When confronting Putnam, Giles said he had heard it from an honest man. The day his daughter cried out on Jacobs, he said shed (Putnams daughter) given him a fair gift of land. Giles predicament comes when Judge Danforth asks Giles for the name of his man. Giles is then struck that the Judge should ask for the name, but Danforth persists. Giles doesnt want to give the name because the last time he gave it was his wifes and she may hang. The writer here tries to get the audience to attach themselves to Giles as he is a man of eighty just trying to get his wife back. Giles even though he states that he has been thirty-three times in court in his life seems lost and confused under the authority of Danforth. The audience will feel sorry for him and give their sympathy. It is a clever technique to draw the audience in and engaging them. The viewer will want to know what happens to Giles and most especially Putnam who by now will have gained the audiences mistrust. The other two men who accompany Giles to the court are John Proctor the main antagonist of the story and Francis Nurse. Both of these men have also had their wives detained due to allegations from the court and the girls. Francis Nurses wife was accused of being a witch due to the prompting by the Putnams. She is a highly respected Salem woman. Her helpful nature and willingness to make any sacrifice in the cause of truth makes her almost saintly in the eyes of the community. The audience will be surprised to see that she has been accused of witchcraft and will want to know her fate as well as the other womens. Francis in order to save his wife tells Judge Danforth the girls, sir, the girls are frauds. Danforth studies Francis and the audience will be hanging on the next word he says as it is his decision as to whether the girls will, in the end, get away with it. Danforth replies to Francis Do you know who I am, Mr Nurse? This question is important as it shows how important pride is to Danforth. If it becomes known that he was deceived by a group of young girls his judgement may in the future be questioned. Arthur Miller then raises the tension is the scene may bringing in the character of Mary Warren, who is described as near collapsing to the ground, head bent and eyes to the floor. The viewer will be asking themselves what has she got to say and how will it affect the proceedings. Hale says to Danforth I think you must hear the girl, sir, she- but he gets cut off by Danforth and Danforth begins to question Mary. In the beginning she wont speak, not helped by the frustration of John Proctor. The tension builds, but Mary keeps her mouth shut and so John answer for her that she never saw any spirits. The sentence ends with an exclamation mark. This is there for the actor to realise that he has to really emphasise this sentence as it is a pivotal point in the play. It is where people start to fight back, but nobody knows who will win. Danforth tries to calculate his choices and eventually agrees to hear the girl out. She tells Danforth that it was all pretence, but Parris the parish priest wont stand for it and so turns to Danforth and in a sweat spits Excellency, you surely cannot think to spread so vile a lie in open court. The audience will question why Parris know so for the hanging of the witches yet before he was adamant that there were no witches in Salem. Danforth then leaves Mary alone and begins to question Proctor, Have you ever seen the Devil? this interrogation is important as the audience knows that Proctor is a lecher but they also know Danforth doesnt know this and so they will be eager to find out if this information comes to light. During the interview Danforth and Proctor start to argue with each other about the innocence of those condemned to hang. Danforth and Proctor are both strong minded individuals and this battle is a battle of wills Proctor wont back down for the sake of getting back at Abigail (the girls he had an affair with). Danforth then tells Proctor that his wife sent a claim to him that morning that she was pregnant. Proctor says that Elizabeth his wife will never lie, so she must be pregnant. Danforth then gives him a choice as his wife will be safe for a year due to her condition. Proctor carries on regardless trying to save the wives of his friends. Hale then begins to plead with Danforth to hear this from a proper lawyer and that the claim was a weighty one and should be discussed properly. He states that he has signed away the lives of several people and that he wants to get to the heart of the matter. Hale disobedience raises question as to how the scene will go on and where Hale loyalties now lie. He is an honest man and does not want the blood of several people on his hands. Danforth then brings in Abigail and the other girls. He questions Abigail as to the truth of the allegations, but she denies. The attention then turns back to Mary who is asked if she were pretending before could she please do it again. Mary tries and tries but is unable to faint. This is because in the courtroom the girls acted together and through hysteria fainted. But now Mary is on her own and is all flustered. Danforth says it is because there are no afflicting spirits loose. But Mary still denies it. Danforth then asks Abigail to search her heart and be honest but she lies without thinking. The audience will now be hooked due to the tension building between Mary, Danforth and Abigail. They want to know if he honestly believes her lies or not. Abigail pretends to be freezing cold as soon as she is questioned to draw the attention away from the accusations put against her. She then calls to God to make it stop, Oh, Heavenly Father, take away this shadow! The exclamation at this point shows how much emphasise she is putting in to the performance, after all she is acting for her life. When she calls heaven Proctor decides that he has had enough and calls her a whore Danforth demands to know why he calls her this and Proctor admits that he has known her, sir. I have known her. Danforth shocked by this confession address Abigail with the evidence You deny every scrap and tittle of this? The language that Danforth uses shows his utter horror. He asks Abigail if she denies it all every last bit. It is like him giving her, her last chance to confess or else. More than anything it is a threat. Danforth then calls for Goodwife Proctor, and reaffirms his belief with John that Elizabeth had never told a lie. Danforth tells both Abigail and John to turn away from Elizabeth and to not signal to her or say anything. He then tells Goody Proctor to enter. He begins to question her on the release of Abigail as there servant. He asks her For what cause did you dismiss her? and In what way dissatisfied you? He is trying to lure Elizabeth in to a trap. Until eventually he asks her straight out Is your husband a lecher! the language used here is very specific and important as if she says yes she is condemning her husband but if she says no then she is letting Abigail get away with it. The audience will be anticipating her answer as they know that John has already confessed, but realise that she doesnt know that. This is made even worse by the irony that earlier John said his wife would never lie and so to save her husband she must do the thing that she never does. The tension is high as this is the climax of the story will she or wont she? Elizabeth lies and states that Proctor is not a lecher. The audience will be in shock and will want to know what is going to happen to the characters now. Hale states to Danforth that is a natural lie and starts to attack Abigail with accusations, but she starts to pretend again. Saying she sees a bird that is Marys spirit sent to hurt them. The tension builds as Danforth continues to buy into their performance. Mary who is know so scared of the gallows due to Abigail and the other girl acting as if Mary were attacking them; starts to break down and declares that she loves God and that Proctor is the Devils man! The children who are all now hysterical after their sudden performance welcome Mary back in to their group, while the adults turn their attention to Proctor. Danforth now feeling the full extent of his power again asks John What are you? John is beyond speech in his anger You are combined with anti-Christ, are you not? I have seen your power; you will not deny it! What say you, Mister? The audience will anticipate Proctors frustration. John soon replies, breathlessly I say I say God is dead! At this point the audience will know that Proctor has sealed his faint and that he has also committed blasphemy. The clever use of the exclamation mark shows to the extent at which Proctor is angry with the court. He has lost everything and is now utterly selfless. Hale ends the scene with I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court! Hale quitting the court show to the extent at which he is embittered by the court. Danforth shouts after Mr Hale! Mr Hale! his wisdom now seems useless and this victory to Danforth now seems like a defeat. The audience will now be expectantly waiting for the consequences of the actions in scene three.

Friday, November 15, 2019

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America | Book Review

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America | Book Review A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, a novel by Bill Bryson takes you through the journey of a man looking to connect with more then just his local environment, but explore nature and go where many do not dare to go. Although Bryson does not touch every single mile he wishes to, at the end of his journey he fulfills more then ever imagined. Bryson creates a sense of place in a variety of different ways. Brysons feelings towards his preparations for the Appalachian Trail give us a better understanding of the sense of place. Are you saying, Dave, that I pay $250 for a pack and it doesnt have straps and it isnt water proof? Does it have a bottom in it? (Bryce, 10). Bryce heads to his local sporting goods store to talk with an expert on the trail. Dave Mengle tells Bryce he must purchase sleeping bags, boots, tents, thermal clothing, cook sets, and packs. We can infer that the trail is not simple and requires previous preparation in order to assure ones safety. Bryce begins to realize that this task may not be as easy as he thought and must prepare for any dangerous encounters he may face with nature. We get a more clear view of the sense of place and began to see the surroundings that Bryce encounters when they enter what seems to be his favorite part of the trip so far, the Shenandoah National Park. He enjoys the lively scenery which includes grouse, deer, owls, and turkeys. Not to mention the easier terrain, this being their favorite part. However, not every animal encounter is pleasant. Bryson remarks, I think I have a right to be a trifle alarmed, pardon me. Im in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, staring at a bear, with a guy who has nothing to defend himself with but a pair of nail clippers. (Bryson, 142). Bryson becomes fearful when he hears an animal in their cam, but this quickly fades when he realizes that the bear only wishes to drink from a nearby stream. As Bryson says, It was a miracle, I swear to God. Just when I was about to lie down and give myself to the wolves and bobcats, I look up and theres a white blaze on a tree and I look down and Im standing on the AT. (Bryson, p. 266) We can conclude that towards the end of the novel a final connection was made between Bryson and Mother Nature. Although Bryson didnt complete every step of the 2,200-mile trail he realized that this is not necessary in order to get the fulfillment he desired before seen starting his journey through the Appalachian Trail. First, Bryson demonstrates human-environment interaction when he must quickly learn to adapt to his environment and knows that this is necessary in order for him to begin his hike down the Appalachian Trail. One of the more clear themes is location of the story which takes place on the Appalachian Trail. The AT is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Brysons new location to Hanover, New Hampshire gives him the urge to begin traveling the trail after coming across part of the trail. There were many landmarks throughout Brysons journey to demonstrate place. Springer Mountain is the southern trailhead of the AT. Amicalola Falls Lodge is seven miles from their starting point at Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. While they are still in northern Georgia, the trail takes Bryson and Katz over a narrow ledge along Big Butt Mountain. Finally, Bishop Boarding House welcomes Bryson and Katz as they em erge from the Maine woods. Mrs. Bishop assures them that the woods will still be there if they decide to try again.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Compare the ways in which Poe creates suspense Essay

Poe creates effective suspense in his stories, and two examples of which Poe creates suspense are â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†. Poe creates suspense in his stories in various different ways, some are similar in each story, but some are different. Poe’s stories are filled with drama terror and fear, due to the suspense he creates. A lot of his stories are gothic and contain some sort of death or suffering. In the Tell-Tale Heart in the narrator persistently insists that he is not mad although throughout the story we learn more and more that he is in fact mad. He tries to prove his sanity by telling us how carefully he had planned the murder and all the precautions he had taken, but this just further proves his insanity. Also the narrator from the Tell-Tale Heart often talks the reader. Three examples of where the narrator directly speaks to the reader are, â€Å"but why will you say that I am mad?†, â€Å"You fancy me mad†, and, â€Å"if still you think me mad†. Another way that Poe creates suspense is by making the narrator obsessed with something, in the Tell-Tale Heart the narrator is obsessed with the old man’s eye, in the Cask of Amontillado the narrator is obsessed with revenge and in the Pit and the Pendulum the narrator is obsessed with survival, this means we cannot entirely trust the reader says, or what actions he may or may not have done, also the narrator in the Pit and the Pendulum is drugged and tired, although this is not his fault we can trust him the least. â€Å"It must have been drugged, for scarcely had I drunk before I became irresistibly drowsy. A deep sleep fell upon me — a sleep like that of death† Time is shown moving slowly when the sentences are longer and they include more commas, It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening†, â€Å"A watch’s minute hand moves more quickly than did mine†, and, â€Å"For a whole hour, I did not move a muscle† however, when the pace of the story increases and time appears to move faster, the sentences are much shorter, normally including two or three words. â€Å"I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room†, and, â€Å"They heard. They suspected. They knew†. Watches are referenced a few times during the Tell-Tale Heart, to give us a sense of how much time has passed, although it can also mean, as each tick of the watch symbolises a closer movement to the death of all humans, although in this case, the old man’s death. A quote to support this would be, â€Å"A watch’s minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. The narrator compares himself to a watch, suggesting it is he himself who is counting down until the old man’s death, as he is the one in control. Poe uses repetition many times in the story, and the technique is used as each use of repetition helps contribute to adding more atmosphere to the story, adding to the suspense and fear that we already feel. When they are used, the story slows down slightly, which makes our anticipation for finding out what happens next grow, and this pulls us further into the story, making us read on. In the Tell-Tale Heart, as the story is a 1st person account of the event, thinking solely about its use in the plot, it helps underline how detailed the narrator is in his details and how much he obsessed over the murder. â€Å"With what caution — With what foresight — With what dissimulation†, â€Å"How stealthily, stealthily†, and, â€Å"Louder! Louder! Louder! Louder!† In the Cask of Amontillado and the Tell-Tale Heart the protagonist likes to toy with the victim, which they are about to kill. For example in the Cask of Amontillado the protagonist, Montressor, gets out a trowel, which later on that would be the murder weapon, It is this,† I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire. he also gives the victim multiple opportunities the escape and leave the cellar, he also told the victim that he would not die of a cough implying that he would die at the hands of Montressor. â€Å"Enough,† he said; â€Å"the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.† And â€Å"True — true,† I replied; â€Å"and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily — but you should use all proper caution. A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps.† Also in the Tell-Tale heart, the narrator is extra kind to the old man, and on the eighth night just before he killed the old man, he knew that the old man knew, that he was in the room, but he didn’t give up and carried on with the murder One of the many ways which Poe creates suspense is that the story is in the first person. This is present in all the stories I have studied, In the Tell-Tale Heart and the Cask of Amontillado the antagonist is the narrator, but in the Pit and the Pendulum the victim was the narrator. This is effective because we can only see what the narrator is seeing and what is going on his head. Sometimes knowing what goes on in the narrator’s head can make us feel sympathy for the victim. For example, we feel sympathy for the old man in the Tell-Tell Heart, as we learn that the old man, had done nothing wrong, and was kind to the narrator. Also this is effective because this makes us more involved with the story. The differences between the stories are that the narrator in â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† gets caught by the police, because of his guilty conscience that manifests itself through the beating heart. Montresor, on the other hand, does not get caught, and lives with no one knowing. Montresor is not burdened by accusations of madness like the other narrator is; in â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart,† it seems like the entire purpose for telling the tale is to prove that he isn’t insane. Montresor, on the other hand, just seems to want to tell the tale for the tale’s sake, not to prove that he is sane. In Montresor’s case there is hallucination of the beating heart to force him into confession; very little evidence of a guilty conscience is seen in Montresor. Poe created suspense in various effective ways, some are obvious to spot, and some are not. The Cask of Amontillado and the Tell-Tale Heart are two of his best stories in my opinion, they both create suspense in mostly different, although are very similar or the same. Poe’s stories are still popular today one reason for this could be because of the suspense that is present in his stories. I think one of the main reasons that Poe creates suspense is so that it drags the reader he so the reader would carry on reading.