The Marginal World by: Rachel Carson Response

The Marginal World by: Rachel Carson is an essay about the world between land and sea. Carson describes her experience with land creatures and with sea creatures and how this different type of environment is created at the shore line where water and land meet. Her credibility is displayed through her personal retelling of an encounter she had. She describes from her own personal view what this in-between world is like. How it is almost magical because although it is land it is often washed over by water and yet their are life forms that survive their in both conditions.
The essay is written in a very mystical way where it is more like reading a fairytale than an essay. The other uses figurative language to set the tone and the scene. By describing the scene while still proving a point the authors motive is stronger. She uses pathos through her soft, descriptive words to capture the reader. But her overall point in writing this essay is that in the world we live in it is important to take a step back sometimes and really appreciate all that is around us. In her essay Carson makes the world appear magical and seem so surreal and while sometimes it can be, it can also be a place of cruelty and disgust. But she tries to make the point that despite all of the bad that people may get wrapped up in, there are still parts of this world that are beautiful and it is important for us to find them. She happened to come across this small, beautiful cove on a beach in Georgia. Such a small occurrence really changed her perspective on the world and this is conveyed through her words and her mood while writing. I believe she writes to those who are really tied up with negativity and who need a little refresher that this world can be a beautiful place if you let it. I agree with what she says and she really captured my attention through her use of imagery and descriptive language. She convinced me that the world is truly astonishing in its simple wonders and that it is important to remember that in times of tragedy.

Small Open Cove

This is image really encapsulates the purpose of this essay to me because it gives physical imagery to the setting presented but it also represents the message. This picture is taken from the inside of a cave looking out. It shows that even in a dark world of chaos we must look out into the beauty of the world.

http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/comuni/tp/favignana/turismo/turismo_marettimo.html

The Devil Baby at Hull House by Jane Addams Response

The Devil Baby at Hull House written by Jane Addams is an essay that connects the old tale of a mother giving birth to a devil and the tragedies of humankind. The essay first explains the different variations of the devil baby story and how in summary the husband does something wrong or spiteful that results in the woman giving birth to a devil. This devil baby was said to be kept in Hull House and thus the house receives many visitors who want to see the supernatural being. Of course no such creature exists but visitors continuously visit and usually come baring tales of woe.
The author establishes credibility by giving her first hand account of seeing such people come to Hull House in hoes of seeing the baby. She explains how she had conversed with many of them and heard of the tragedies they have faced in their lives and why it is that they desire to see the devil baby. The relation is that most of these people are women who have had some misfortune with their children or husband who have heard what their wives say of this supernatural being and just want to see it for themselves. Though the majority of the essay includes personal tales that women visitors have told the author. These tales often include tragedies of motherhood and how these women just need something to believe in or some sort of hope that not all is lost for them. Therefore I believe that the authors purpose in writing this piece was to relate a rather ironic tale to the tragedies of ordinary people. Everyone experiences misfortunes in their life but is how they go about it which determines how they sustain their lives from that point forward. The author uses pathos to convey this point through her use of personal stories from those who have visited the devil baby in hopes of finding something real. The author writes to those who have faced tragedy and need something to believe in to get them through it. I believe that she does an excellent job at conveying her purpose. The essay is long but it is necessary because Addams breaks down the type of people who all crave solace. The stories and quotes she includes from visitors of the Hull house makes the whole thing real and believable.

Light At The End of the Tunnel

The whole essay can be summed up with the message of trying to find something to believe in to come out of dark times. The saying "light at the end of the tunnel" is a way of saying there is hope and not all is lost which is the reason most of the people came to seek out the devil baby in this essay.

http://www.doodlelounge.com/2012/01/light-at-the-end-ot-the-tunnel/