The Great Gatsby Essay Thesis Example For Students

The Great Gatsby Essay Thesis Jay Gatsby, the central character of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby symbolizes the American dream. The American dream offers faith in the possibility of a better life. Its attendant illusion is the belief that material wealth alone can bring that dream to fruition. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald brings together both these ideas. Jay Gatsby thinks money is the answer to anything he encounters. He has the best of everything. The fanciest car, the largest house, and the finest clothes. Jay has everything except the object he most desires, Daisy. Gatsby believes he can win Daisy over with wealth, that he could achieve the ideal she stood for through his material possessions. We will write a custom essay on The Great Gatsby Thesis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now One look at Gatsbys past and it could be seen that he was destined to get ahead in life. Mr. Gatz told Nick, Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what hes got about improving his mind? He was always great for that. He told me I et like a hog once and I beat him for it; (182). Gatsbys determination to gain a large bankroll is a huge part of the American dream. He believes that once he achieved his financial goal it would lead to a better life. In America the car is one of the greatest status symbols. Gatsbys gorgeous machine is one of the most majestic cars created. Nicks comments on the vehicle describe its luster, and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hatboxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxesSitting down behind many layers of glass in a sort of leather conservatory we started towards town; (68). The use of the symbolic automobile can be seen as a demonstration of how an ideal based on materialism alone can be destructive. This was the fatal car which kills Myrtle Wilson and indirectly leads to Gatsbys death. Appearance is another important factor toward Gatsbys dream. In his quest to win Daisys heart Gatsby chooses to wear his best outfit. the front door opened nervously and Gatsby in a white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold colored tie hurried in; (89). Silver and gold are the colors of wealth, Gatsbys sartorial splendor is as lavish as any of the other items he owns. Gatsbys shirts are more then just garments towards Gatsby. They are some of the many fascinating objects he possesses that were created by money. These shirts contribute towards Gatsbys vision of the American dream, that his money and belongings will create happiness for him. Another major object of Gatsbys dream was his incredible house. Jay states to Nick and Daisy, My house looks well, doesnt it? See how the whole front of it catches the light; (95). Jay gave Nick and Daisy the grand tour of his house showing of all of his worldly possessions. Room after room, everything was shown and mentioned. At the sight of his piles and piles of shirts Daisy broke down. Theyre such beautiful shirts, it makes me sad because Ive never seen suchsuch beautiful shirts before; (98). Jay Gatsbys ideals were parallel to the typical American dream. He wants to claim his objective by the use of his assets. He thinks that his money will give him happiness in life through love and his personal belongings. Even the richest man in the world cant have everything. Material wealth could provide many things for Jay Gatsby but not the thing he most desired. Although his wealth drew Daisy closer to him, he never truly could have possessed her heart. He demanded Daisy to state that she had never loved Tom Buchanan. Oh, you want too much!; she cried to Gatsby, I love you nowisnt that enough? I cant help whats past. I did love him oncebut I loved you too.; (139-140). Jays true love still remained with her uncaring husband, Tom. Jay Gatsbys dream was smashed when he found out that even all of his assets werent enough to woo Daisy to him. .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 , .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .postImageUrl , .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 , .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:hover , .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:visited , .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:active { border:0!important; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:active , .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788 .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4ffdaf0c08988f3776aec013a17ed788:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Animal Farm Essay PropagandaJay Gatsbys belief in the American dream keep him from realizing reality. He believes that if he worked hard enough and made enough money that he could have anything. He wants to perceive the world as a place where sufficient wealth would enable him to recapture and recreate the past he desired with Daisy. Gatsby began planning for his dream when he was young. This can be seen from his journal he wrote as a young man which was discovered by Mr. Gatz. His attempt to accomplish his dream with cars and shirts could not have been successful. The American dream cannot be accomplished, money is just one factor towards happiness in this world. The Great Gatsby Essay Thesis Example For Students The Great Gatsby Essay Thesis The Great Gatsby paints the picture of the way life was in the twenties. Thissociety has the characteristics of an egotist and one who pays no attention thecharacter of themselves. Fitzgeralds style influences the reader to portraythis era as a carefree do what feels good society. However,Fitzgerald introduces the countless number of tragedies that take place. Throughdiction, imagery, and details Fitzgerald creates a morose tone. The writerevokes the readers feelings through particular words and their meanings. In thephrase, . . . I began to look involuntarily out the window for othercars, the word involuntarily grabs the reader. This phrase makes thereader feel melancholy for Gatsby because it its depressing for no one to cometo the funeral. It reveals how Nick and Mr. Gatz experience anticipation. Bothof them know devoutly that no one will come pay their respects to Jay Gatsby. We will write a custom essay on The Great Gatsby Thesis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Mainly because they wait half an hour for people to show up. Also, in the phrase. . . his eyes began to blink anxiously the word anxiously showsNicks dolefulness for the lack of sympathy that Gatsby fails to receive. Theword procession reflects the despair and lack of friendship that Gatsbywitnesses in his life. The lack of companionship that Gatsby has cogitates howlonely and despondent he is. Through the uses of certain words the author helpsexpress feelings and emotions of the morose tone. Through imagery Fitzgerald canmake the reader feel like they are in the story. Water, specifically evokes thesenses. It describes how the procession of cars stopped in a thick drizzle. Thisdepicts how gloomy it appears outside. The reader can hardly see the three carsbecause of continuous soaking. They describe a motor hearse as . .. horribly black and wet. A hearse normally portrays a solemn feeling, butthe words horribly, black, and wet allow the reader to feel the misery andmournfulness of death. The ground is soggy as someone splashes through it. Youcan smell the wet turf and feel the saturation beneath the feet. The use ofwater in the story aids the reader in understanding the morose setting. Fitzgerald uses certain detailed sequences to help explain the somberness of JayGatsby. In the first significant sequence Nick and Mr. Gatz wait for people toshow up at the funeral. This shows the lack of friends and well-wishers that arein Gatsbys life. The reader feels cheerless for Gatsby due to the lack offulfillment he has in his life. Next, after a half hour the procession of threecars finally reaches the cemetery. This pathetic scene shows the products ofGatsbys arrogant and cocky lifestyle. Because of his personality, very few cometo pay their respects. This is a very lugubrious situation. Finally, the scenein which the unidentified man comes to pay his respects helps the reader viewGatsby through a different perspective. Though Gatsby was not well liked, thislone stranger looked past the arrogant ways and saw an intellectual man. However, it its still poignant how no one comes to the funeral. Thesesignificant sequences give the reader better understanding of the morose toneand the emotional state of Jay Gatsby. Due to the way Fitzgerald portrays thepassage in slow motion to make the reader feel each emotion and see each imagein such vivid detail, its as if the reader is seeing it take place. Throughdiction, imagery, and details Fitzgerald produces a morose tone. The Great Gatsby Essay Thesis Example For Students The Great Gatsby Essay Thesis Man dreams of living the life of the elite social class and of the power and admiration inherent within. F. Scott Fitzgerald comes to terms with this American dream in The Great Gatsby, a novel about social life in the 1920s. The social hierarchy of the times plays a very important role in this novel. Here Fitzgerald illustrates three specific social classes: old money, new money, and lower class, with old money and new money taking center stage. Gatsby himself personifies new money; he made himself into a rich man through shady dealings. Tom Buchanan, on the other hand, represents old money. He received everything he has on a silver platter. He earned nothing but his inheritance. At the time, it was extremely desirable to be old money, because people looked at new money as vulgar and uncivilized. By illustrating social-economic class differences, Fitzgerald depicts the illusion of the corrupted American dream. We will write a custom essay on The Great Gatsby Thesis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Old money, living in the guise of the American dream, denies the entrance of new money and the lower class into their social hierarchy. In the novel, Tom has a mistress who lives in the valley of ashes, where most of the lower class citizens reside. Tom has been seeing her for years even though he married Daisy. No one objects to this because of his old money status. On page 19, Jordan Baker informs Nick of this scandal, Why- Toms got some woman in New York. Jordan also informs Nick of the commonality and wide acceptance of this fact. Toms mistress, Myrtle, despite her status as a lower class citizen, tries to pressure him into leaving Daisy. Tom refuses because marrying into a lower social class would develop into even more of a scandal than having a mistress. This corrupted American dream prevents Tom from openly allowing Myrtle into his life. Old moneys highly discriminating nature allows its members to attain superiority, while this self-serving superiority further enhances their American dream. The attempts of new money to imitate old money remain futile. For example, although Daisy truly loves Gatsby, he represents new money. Despite his attempts to become old money, the old rich have never embraced him. Daisy cannot be with him because he is not and never will be of her class. Gatsby even offers to take the blame for a murder she committed, yet she will nott even leave her husband for him. Was Daisy driving? Yes, he said after a moment. but of course Ill say I was. (p. 151). Daisy allows Gatsby to take the blame for her without showing either remorse or gratitude. In this way, Fitzgerald shows that although old money people count themselves rich monetarily, they show a lack of morality and accountability. Daisys carelessness and irresponsibility cause her to need others to clean up after her without caring who takes the fall. Old moneys arrogance and haughtiness make their misguided American dream more of an American nightmare. The elite created the American dream in order to make themselves and others think they are superior. They are not, in fact, above all others, but have created the illusion of this corrupted dream. To be of old money opens all doors, allowing you to do anything you want to anyone you want, to act without conscience, and to let others take responsibility for your actions. This portrays their perverted picture of the way life should be. This illusion of the American dream can only harm its believers and all those who aspire to attain it. Bibliography:The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Slam Dunk and Hook Essay Example

Slam Dunk and Hook Essay Example Slam Dunk and Hook Paper Slam Dunk and Hook Paper Small traumas and small breaks – this is how we played. Our shoes were dirty, but we didnt stop playing. Dirt on our shoes didnt mean anything to us, when we were playing. We were running so fast, that our yard seemed like the labyrinth of the houses, in which we actually lived. The whole picture looked like we ourselves created this picture. I now think that we could play this way forever. We might have been viewed by others as the crowd of running bodies with no exact lines – a mixture of movements†¦ and then a loud sound†¦ and the ball simply falls off the rim. The noise of balls being beaten against the ground was never unpleasant. Our bodies were tall and lanky; in this constant running our bodies comprised nothing else but feet, hands and eyes. These were enough to play good, and the sound of our game created a nice rhythm. The girls were always watching our games, and when we turned our heads towards them, we felt so delightful, that it seemed we could fly.The girls smiled, and it was the best expression of their approval – they liked how we were playing. We fell, and each muscle of our bodies could be seen. Our playground was too simple – just a metal hoop on the oak, but it was enough for us to experience the best emotions. The game was a revelation for us; it was a refuge, in which we were hiding in grief and sorrow. Sonny Boy was my friend, and when his mother died, he could find his consolation only in playing – he was playing all day long, trying to forget his tragedy. We didnt stop playing. Our bodies sweated, but the ball was still in our hands. We had a trouble when we hit the ball with an open palm, but we ran further, and almost glided along the open space. We did have traumas, we didnt have much free time to rest, but the game was so fascinating, that we didnt even realize what we could physically perform. Our bodies seemed to have no bones. We knew that playing was joy for us, and we knew it made us beautiful and brave, sometimes even dangerous.;

Essay .... Pay As You Go Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

.... Pay As You Go - Essay Example He supports the government legislation that credit card amounts given to college students should be limited. I think Estrada is right. Students at their tender age have a tendency to be impulsive buyers, therefore their credit card usage and access should be limited. However, in my opinion, credit card companies should not be the only ones that are to be blamed upon for causing these problems. However, as a whole, the students themselves, their parents and the legislators should also be held responsible for the same. As the disadvantages of using credit cards weigh more than its advantages, it should be used wisely without abuse. (Can you give some more details? Not required to expand the catchy introduction) Is it clearly state the thesis statement?) And did you clearly state these points in the body paragraph?) (Is the topic sentence here, connect to the body paragraph, and also clearly show in the Introduction-Yes up to a great extent) The ease and comfort of using credit cards is what lures the young and financially inexperienced students into debt. According to Estrada in his article, â€Å"Pay as You Go†, it is so easy for people to go into debt and that young people, particularly the students for example, can take out a loan of $3,000.00 to spend on a top-of-the-line laptop. Although they may need the computer, this is too much waste of money. Estrada further states that young people under the age of 21 are not responsible enough to borrow money, wisely. They do not realize that they have to pay this back at a certain time and if they are not able to do so, they will only end up one day with bad credit. They are too inexperienced to understand the long term financial consequences. This becomes a burden on them which I think, is true because, I can relate to this situation and m ay be for other students too. I remember that when I graduated from high school, I did not know anything about credit cards. When I received my first credit card, I bought

Elements of Genre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Elements of Genre - Essay Example Thrillers are meant to instill a high sense of excitement in the movie-goer, as well as a good amount of anxiety, high-heart rates, and nervous tension as the characters struggle for survival against both internal and external survival threats. Directors use these elements of tension masterfully on their audiences, and can easily manipulate an audience’s level of anxiety or suspense with clever usage of music, action sequence, and dialogue. Movie-goers willfully oblige the director, eager to suspend belief and throw their emotions into the director’s crafty hands which increase or decrease the related tension and anxiety throughout the film as they bring the audience along for the ride. In three â€Å"thriller/suspense† genre films, â€Å"The Black Lagoon,† â€Å"The Planet of the Apes,† and â€Å"The Shining,† the directors masterfully utilize these elements to build tension and anxiety in the movie-goer. In all three movie clips, there is a noted lack of dialogue and a reliance on music and mood to increase the tension in the scene. The directors use music to build tension and signal to the movie goer that action is about to take place, create a crescendo of tension, and also bring the viewer down from the thrills he or she just experienced.

Doing Business in the U.K. Essay Example for Free

Doing Business in the U.K. Essay Business Etiquette UKThe United Kingdom (UK) is comprised of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is important not only to be aware of these geographical distinctions but also the strong sense of identity and nationalism felt by the populations of these four countries. The terms English and British are not interchangeable. British denotes someone who is from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. English refers to people from England. People from Scotland are referred to as Scots. People from England are not likely to take offence at being called â€Å"English†, whereas a Welsh, Scots, or Northern Irish person will. Cultural Diversity Formerly a very homogenous society, since World War II, Britain has become increasingly diverse as it has accommodated large immigrant populations. The mixture of ethnic groups and cultures make it difficult to define British as looking or acting in one particular manner. People may sound British and retain the cultural heritage of their forefathers while others may become more British than someone who can trace his/her lineage to the 5th century. The fact that the nation’s favourite dish is now a curry sums up the cultural mish-mash that is modern day Britain. Doing business in the UK The British are rather formal. Many from the older generation still prefer to work with people and companies they know or who are known to their associates. Younger businesspeople do not need long-standing personal relationships before they do business with people and do not require an intermediary to make business introductions. Nonetheless, networking and relationship building are often key to long-term business success. Rank is respected and businesspeople prefer to deal with people at their level. If at all possible, include an elder statesman on your team as he/she will present the aura of authority that is necessary to good business relationships in many companies. British communication styles The British have an interesting mix of communication styles encompassing both understatement and direct communication. Many older businesspeople or those from the upper class rely heavily upon formal use of established protocol. Most British are masters of understatement and do not use effusive language. If anything, they have a marked tendency to qualify their statements with such as perhaps or it could be. When communicating with people they see as equal to themselves in rank or class, the British are direct, but modest. If communicating with someone they know well, their style may be more informal, although they will still be reserved. Business meetings Punctuality is a very British trait. It is especially important in business situations. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time. Always call if you will be even 5 minutes later than agreed. If you are kept waiting a few minutes, do not make an issue of it. How meetings are conducted is often determined by the composition of people attending. If everyone is at the same level, there is generally a free flow of ideas and opinions. If there is a senior ranking person in the room, that person will do most of the speaking. In general, meetings will be rather formal and always have a clearly defined purpose, which may include an agenda. There will be a brief amount of small talk before getting down to the business at hand. If you make a presentation, avoid making exaggerated claims. Make certain your presentation and any materials provided appear professional and well thought out. Be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures. The British rely on facts, rather than emotions, to make decisions. Maintain eye contact and a few feet of personal space. After a meeting, send a letter summarising what was decided and the next steps to be taken. Basic British Etiquette Tips: Business Dress * Business attire is conservative. * Men should wear a dark coloured, conservative business suit. * Women should wear either a business suit or a conservative dress. Greetings * Shake hands with everyone at a meeting upon arrival. * Maintain eye contact during the greeting. Titles * Only medical doctors and the clergy use their professional or academic titles in business. * Most people use the courtesy titles or Mr, Mrs or Miss and their surname. (Mr and Mrs are words in the United Kingdom and do not require a period after them as they are not abbreviations.) * If someone has been knighted, they are called Sir followed by their first and surnames or Sir followed simply by their first name. * Wait until invited before moving to a first-name basis. People under the age of 35 may make this move more rapidly than older British. Business Cards * Business cards are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual. * The business card may be put away with only a cursory glance. Business Gifts * Business gift giving is not part of the business culture. * If you choose to give a gift, make certain it is small and tasteful. * Good gifts include desk accessories, a paperweight with your company logo, or a book about your home country. * Inviting someone out for a meal can be viewed as a gift. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-uk.html http://books.google.com.my/books?id=1ccPcVjaRGMCpg=PA30lpg=PA30dq=how+to+bargain+with+britainsource=blots=FB64L7Wk6Fsig=6QVjUrzk4AcQ2OuUezZuyL64Mlwhl=ensa=Xei=2kALUeu0BcKPrgfjooH4Cwved=0CHAQ6AEwCA#v=onepageq=britishf=false

Cloning :: essays research papers

The Issue of Cloning & Bioengineering   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There have been many breakthroughs in bioengineering lately. In 1998, scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, cloned the first ever mammal, a sheep named Dolly. Scientists can now isolate a gene, and put it into an animal of a completely different species. This opens up new windows in many of the world's industries, such as medicine and agriculture. In the paragraphs ahead, the processes, possible applications, and the consequences of the biotechnology industry will be covered.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First off, I'll get into cloning. The definition of a clone is an organism that is derived from another organism by an asexual reproductive process. The result is an exact copy, basically a genetic twin, of the organism being cloned. Cloning is still very faulty. The success rate of the process is extremely low. I've broken down the whole process to better explain it:  · Take an unfertilized egg from a female, and take the nucleus out.  · The cell from the specimen to be cloned is put in a petri dish and cultured for 7 days.  · Starve the cultured cells to put them into a dormant state.  · The egg and the cell are put next to each other in a dish.  · Then an electric current is passed through them to fuse them together.  · The reconstructed embryo is cultured and grown for 7 days.  · The embryo is put into the female that is at the same stage of the estrous cycle. She then becomes pregnant. There is a lot more to making a clone than what I described, but this brief summary of the process gives a basic idea as to what happens.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many uses and benefits have been speculated as a result of these new innovations. For example, organs for transplants are in great shortages. In the past, animal-to-human organ transplants have been a big failure. The average amount of time a person would live after receiving an animal organ was about 2 weeks to a month, simply because the body would reject them. It is now possible to alter animals in such a way that the tissues of the organs will register as human organs when they are put into the body. Research is still in the early stages, but it is a definite possibility in the future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Human therapeutic proteins can also be produced through bioengineering. These proteins are used to treat a variety of human diseases, but they are hard to produce and run the risk of contamination and disease through traditional methods.

Belief Systems Essay

Belief systems and philosophies have greatly affected the people and societies where they are practiced. They give guidelines on how to live their lives and affect every aspect of their cultures. Two such belief systems and philosophies are Hinduism and Confucianism. Hinduism is a religion with no founder. The people who practice this religion believe in moksha and reincarnation. Moksha is the freedom from earthly desires and a complete understanding of the world. Reincarnation is the belief that people are reborn over and over again until achieving moksha. Whether or not they are born into a good life depends on their previous life’s karma (good or bad deeds). In Hinduism, they also have a caste system. It divides people into four social classes and hardly gives any social mobility at all. People are decided which class they belong to at birth. For example, if a child is born into a family of slaves, that child will be a slave for the rest of his life. Confucianism is a philosophy started by Confucius in China. In Confucianism, the people valued education and believed in filial piety, the respect for elders. They also believed in the spirits of ancestors and created the famous quote, â€Å"do not do unto others, what you would not want them to do unto you.† Hinduism and Confucianism greatly affected the people and societies they were practiced in. In Hinduism, because of the belief in reincarnation and karma, people avoided doing bad deeds. Those who achieved moksha gained a complete understanding of the world and got rid of their desires. However, the caste systems also introduced discrimination. People of different classes were treated differently. In Confucianism, it brought a sophisticated education system and people respected their elders. It also affected the roles of family members. For example, the oldest males were always considered the head the family. Therefore, it is evident that these belief systems had a tremendous impact upon the social standing and family relationships of the societies that practiced them. There are many diverse religions and philosophies that exist around the world. Many of these belief systems have deeply affected both the people and societies where they’re practiced. Two examples of these religions are Buddhism and Hinduism. Hinduism is believed to have been the oldest religion that still exists to this day. There is currently no known founder. It’s a polytheistic religion that has many major beliefs, such as reincarnation and karma. According to Hindi beliefs, what a person does in a lifetime affects what place in society that person will be in his or her next life. The many gods that Hindus believe in are all the faces and personalities of one god. Moksha is a worldly understanding that Hindus strive to attain. However, it’s believed to occur over many lifetimes, and is achieved through reincarnation, or rebirth. Buddhism is a polytheistic religion that is quite similar to Hinduism. It was founded by a man named Siddhartha Gautama, or the Buddha, the Enlightened one. Like Hindus, Buddhists believe in reincarnation and nirvana, a concept similar to moksha. They both deal with the concept of the understanding of life and the end of the cycle of reincarnation. While reaching Enlightenment, or wisdom, the Buddha founded the Four Noble Truths that state in order to achieve happiness and stop all suffering, one must give up all worldly attachments and desires by living a life of poverty. Unlike Hinduism, however, Buddhists reject the idea of the caste system, a division of social classes. Thus, the first followers of Buddhism were essentially people who were low socially, such as laborers and commoners. As Buddhism and Hinduism became harder and harder to follow, there were many changes made. Most Buddhists found it hard to give up all of their wants and desires. Two groups, the Theravada and Mahayana sects, were formed. The latter had provided salvation to all who followed it, and thus it became much more popular. The Theravada sect contained the people who followed the original teachings of the Buddha. In response to the rising popularity of Buddhism, Indian art was majorly affected. Sculptures of Buddha were common to see among merchants. As for Hinduism, despite the laws that forbid the isolation of people of lower class, the caste system still thrives in Indian society. In addition, a trend towards monotheism is currently occurring. In conclusion, the major religions of Buddhism and Hinduism have greatly affected the people and societies of the areas where they’re practiced. Belief systems and philosophies have deeply affected the world people and societies where they are practiced. Two such religions are Buddhism which started in India and Christianity which started in Rome. Buddhism was started by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha or the â€Å"enlightened one†. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, or re-birth after death. They thought that this was true for all living things; including animals. Buddhists also believe in giving up all self desires to help reach nirvana. This means that one cannot want anything and will then reach a state of perfect understanding and will become enlightened. The Buddhists followed the eight-fold path, or middle-way and the four noble truths. They believed that if you follow the four noble truths and the eight-fold path, you will be born again (reincarnation) and will reach nirvana. Lastly, they also believed in no social classes, so everyone was equal. This religion affected many people in many ways. It caused Buddhists to â€Å"be good† and follow the cold of law. The thought of no social classes also caused many people to convert to Buddhism causing the religion to spread as well as their ideas and practices. Another religion that greatly affected society is Christianity. All Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the only son of God and was born of the Virgin Mary. Also, he was sent to earth to spread the word of God and Christianity. Christians follow their code of law known as the 10 commandments. The 10 commandments tell one how to be a good Christian. Christians also their book the Bible and go to church every Sunday. Lastly, Christianity does not believe in any social classes. They believe that all people are created equal. Christianity provided a way of life, a close, loving, personal relationship with God, and eternal life after death (one goes to heaven; another belief). These three statements caused Christianity to spread and affect almost everyone in the world. Christianity is now the largest religion in the world. Christianity affected the world by spreading its ideas and influencing other religions. Many religions affected or still affect our world today. They may have affected people in their ideas, beliefs, practices, or even how they spread. If it wasn’t for all the different religions, our entire world would be different. Belief systems and philosophies have deeply affected the people and societies where they are practiced. Two such religions are Buddhism and Christianity. Beliefs Religious beliefs and practices have been around for a very long time, affecting societies and ways of life in positive ways. Two religions, that ironically both of their founders were raised to believe in other religions, that display this are Buddhism and Christianity. Starting with Buddhism, it was founded by Siddartha Gautama in India who was actually born Hindu. This is why Hinduism and Buddhism share a few common beliefs. One belief from Buddhism is the eightfold path. This is a guideline of how to live and act in daily life in order to achieve another belief, Nirvana. Nirvana is reached when you are released of all selfishness and worldly possessions. It is a state of understanding and happiness. They also, like Hinduism, believe in Karma which is what goes around comes around. Basically if you are bad it will come back at you. People who practice Buddhism are very peaceful and sometimes meditate. They live with harmony in hopes of achieving Nirvana and being reincarnated into a good next life. Like Buddhism, Christianity’s founder was not born Christian. The founder, Jesus Christ, was born Jewish in Israel. He is believed by all Christians to be the son of God. Christians are monotheistic, they believe in their one god, who is coincidentally named â€Å"God.† They believe in the 10 commandments, which, like the eightfold path, is a guideline for Christians to follow so the will go to the Golden Gate of Heaven. In Christianity, you must confess your sins so that you can be forgiven by God, because he forgives all. Christians live their lives doing good deeds, studying the Bible, and trying their best to follow the commandments. Christianity and Buddhism are actually similar; all religions are. Whether by guideline, language, place of origin, or beliefs they share in common goals. However, every single religion is alike in one way: they believe. Whether in one god or a hundred, they do believe and have faith that there is more than just this one life. Test Essay- Belief Systems Religions were and still are a major issue. Religion allows people to live better lives. It always affects the people or society in one way or another. Two of these major religions are Buddhism and Islam. Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Guatama (Buddha) has many beliefs. One of them is the Four Noble Truths, which states that the reasons for pain and suffering in the world are people’s selfish desires. One must give up all desires, through the assistance of the Eightfold Path. By following the Eightfold Path, one can achieve nirvana, wisdom and union with the Creator. Some of the aspects are right conduct, views, and concentration. Buddhism rejects the caste system. They believe in reincarnation, life after death. Buddhism definitely affected people. It allows people to be happy, non-violent, and tolerant. Buddhism also created monks and nuns. These people must learn to beg so that they could learn humility. They must live a life of poverty, and can’t marry. Islam was founded by Muhammad. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last prophet. Their major god and only god is Allah. They also believe in the Five Pillars. This includes complete faith and trust in Allah, fasting, praying five times a day, almsgiving, and pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. The Five Pillars can be compared to the Eightfold Path in the way it provides guidelines to achieve union with the Creator. Their holy book is the Quran, which gives them rules and regulations for moral conduct and behavior. Islam affects the people. Muslims must follow all Five Pillars to live right and go to heaven. They must follow the guidelines of the Quran. They must also celebrate Ramadan and fast. Religion is a major part of people’s lives. There are many different religions in the world today. Our religion basically makes us who we are. Belief systems and philosophies have deeply affected the people and societies where they are practiced. Buddhism and Judaism are only two of such belief systems that have made impacts on people. These religions not only affected the people in the religion, but their entire society. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama- the Buddha. It is said that he had enlightenment and found out the cause of all suffering. This answer is called the Four Noble Truths. Essentially, Buddha said that the way to end all suffering is to detach from all selfish desires. The way to do this is to follow the Eight-Fold Path and the Middle Way – mid-way between self- denial and selfishness. This way, followers reach nirvana- a state of total understanding. People who follow Buddhism don’t recognize a caste system- so everyone is equal, unlike Hinduism- where Buddhism is derived from – which had people called â€Å"untouchables† who were considered unclean. Buddhism influenced the arts on the Silk Road Trade Routes. Statues of Buddha were placed along the roads and a lot of people learned about Buddhism while on these trade routes. Judaism was founded by Abraham- the father of the Hebrews. They are monotheistic and believe in God- Yahweh. It is written in the Torah- the Jews sacred scripture- that Yahweh directly spoke to Moses and gave a set of laws called the Ten Commandments, which are to guide the Jews to live a good life. Yahweh also established a covenant with his people, He would love and protect them and in return, they will follow his laws. Jews celebrated Passover to commemorate their freedom from slavery in Egypt and when God preserved their first born child. Jews, as a part of their laws, have to eat kosher foods. They can’t eat certain meats or mix certain foods together. Judaism was the first monotheistic religion to be established and laid the foundations for later monotheistic religions like Christianity and Islam. Judaism and Buddhism both had impacts on people and society in different ways. Either by laying foundations for future religions or being a place of relief for outcasts, they made a big impact. Belief Systems Throughout history, there have been many belief systems and philosophies. Some have died out, or become unpopular, such as many Greek polytheistic religions in the past. Others, such as Confucianism and Judaism, have lived on and affected the lives of many. Confucianism is a philosophy started by a wise teacher, Confucius, in China. By teaching his theories and ways, this philosophy came to conquer many people’s beliefs. Confucians believe greatly in familial respect, or the respect in families, especially for elders. Education was also greatly valued. They believed education and respect could greatly influence social order. With the social order gained, a strong government can be developed. Judaism, on the other hand, was a religion. It was said to be Abraham who started this religion. Jews believe in the concept of monotheism, or the belief in one God. In this case, their God is a loving god. Through their God, the Ten Commandments were given to them to follow. They based their ways of life on the Torah, in which concepts such as the Sabbath, and kosher foods, were also based on. These two belief systems had a strong worldwide hold on people. Confucianism became a major philosophy among many Asian countries, such as Taiwan and China. Great respect and education is still extremely important in daily life. There is even a Teacher’s Day to honor Confucius. Judaism also had a preserved effect on people. Judaism laid the first foundations for other religions, such as Christianity and Islam. They, too, believe in only one God. Unlike Confucianism, however, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, are spread all throughout the world. Now, history has moved on. Many ideas, cultures, and religions have risen and fallen. The concepts of Confucianism and Judaism, on the other hand, are still spreading and affecting the lives of many.