Lyrical Essays

Barry Fell was an American scholar who became well-known for his controversial theories about ancient contact between Old World civilizations and the Americas. Although he began his career as a biologist, Fell’s interest shifted to ancient inscriptions when he noticed unusual markings in North America. These markings, he believed, were evidence that people from Europe, Africa, and the Near East had visited the Americas long before Christopher Columbus.

Fell’s most famous work, America B.C., published in 1976, presented his argument that ancient travelers, such as the Phoenicians, Celts, and other Old World groups, had crossed the Atlantic and left behind written records. He pointed to inscriptions found in areas like New England, Ohio, and Missouri, suggesting that these were proof of ancient visits. One of the inscriptions he focused on was found in a West Virginia cave, which he believed was written in an ancient form of Celtic script. He also studied other symbols and writings that seemed to him to match scripts from ancient Europe and Africa.

While Fell’s ideas excited many people, they also sparked a great deal of criticism. Mainstream historians and archaeologists strongly disagreed with him, arguing that the inscriptions he found were either natural rock formations, modern forgeries, or misinterpretations. They felt that Fell had not provided enough evidence to back up his claims. Despite the backlash, Fell continued to defend his theories and even expanded on them in other books and lectures.

Barry Fell’s work raised interesting questions about the early history of the Americas. His ideas challenged the traditional view that Native American cultures developed independently, without contact from other parts of the world. Though many of his claims remain disputed, his work made people think differently about ancient history and the possibility of cross-ocean travel in ancient times.

In conclusion, Barry Fell’s saga is one of both controversy and curiosity. His theories about ancient transoceanic contact opened new avenues of thought and sparked debate about the history of the Americas. While his ideas were not widely accepted in the academic world, they still hold a place in the ongoing discussion about the early interactions between different cultures and civilizations. Regardless of whether or not his theories are proven true, Fell’s work has left a lasting impact on how we think about the past.

One of the most memorable parts of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s “The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca” (1542) is his harrowing journey through the interior of North America after he was shipwrecked on the coast of what is now Florida in 1528. The narrative, known for its vivid and often dramatic story of survival, offers a firsthand account of the trials Cabeza de Vaca and his companions faced as they traversed an unfamiliar and hostile landscape. One of the most striking and memorable parts of his story occurs during his time as a captive among various Native American tribes, particularly his experience with the indigenous people of the Gulf Coast and his evolving relationship with them.

As the expedition members were separated following the shipwreck, Cabeza de Vaca and a small group of survivors found themselves wandering through an unknown wilderness. Initially, their interactions with the Native people were misunderstandments, and violence. However, over time, Cabeza de Vaca’s perspective began to change, and he came to see the Native American tribes in a more complex light, moving beyond the simplistic European views of indigenous people as “savages.”

One of the most profound moments in Cabeza de Vaca’s journey occurs when he is captured by the native peoples, who initially treat him with suspicion. However, after he and his companions are subjected to hardship and ritual humiliation, Cabeza de Vaca is eventually able to gain the trust of the indigenous people. He begins to learn their languages and customs, and through his experiences, he comes to understand their worldview in a way that is rare for Europeans of his time. This interaction is not only central to his survival but also represents one of the earliest examples of cultural exchange between European explorers and Native American tribes.

Cabeza de Vaca’s account of his captivity is notable because it emphasizes empathy and the importance of cooperation in overcoming the obstacles they faced. Unlike many European accounts of exploration that viewed indigenous people as obstacles to colonization or as objects to be conquered, Cabeza de Vaca’s narrative reveals a deep respect for the native populations, even as he still retained a European mindset shaped by his Christian faith. For instance, he recounts how he and his companions were able to help the Native Americans in times of sickness or famine, and in return, the natives offered food and shelter. This mutual dependency was essential to the survivors’ ability to endure their years of wandering.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Cabeza de Vaca’s story is his transformation from a European adventurer and would-be conqueror to a more humble and reflective individual, deeply connected to the indigenous people he encountered. His narrative reflects a profound shift in perspective—from a traditional view of European superiority to a more nuanced understanding of indigenous peoples as complex and dignified cultures with their own rich traditions and systems of survival.

Cabeza de Vaca’s account is not just a story of physical survival, but also a meditation on cultural survival, human endurance, and the complex nature of cross-cultural encounters. The experiences he narrates remain memorable because they challenge the typical Eurocentric view of the “New World” during the Age of Exploration, offering a rare glimpse of mutual respect between indigenous peoples and European explorers in the midst of a violent and uncertain era. This intersection of cultures and perspectives makes Cabeza de Vaca’s journey through the “unknown interior” of America one of the most memorable and important parts of his narrative.

In conclusion, Cabeza de Vaca’s journey through the interior of North America stands as a testament to human resilience and the transformative power of cross-cultural exchange. His story is not just one of survival, but of learning and adapting in the face of overwhelming situation. By recounting his experiences with indigenous peoples, Cabeza de Vaca offers a unique perspective that challenges conventional narratives of exploration, showing the potential for mutual respect and cooperation in a time when such ideas were rare. His narrative remains an essential part of early American history, reminding us of the complexities of cultural interaction and the enduring human spirit.

In the 95 Theses, Luther states in the name of the Pope, that the Pope will be rescued in his reverence and to save him from slander. Luther claims to the people he is innocent after all.

Generally, this can be proof that Luther believed that the Pope genuinely did not know what the indulgence salesmen were saying, but, I believe that Luther was only benefiting the side of the Pope to protect himself. I mean, think about it. Luther was already on thin ice when he exposed the indulgences and corruption of the Church. I couldn’t even imagine Luther getting away with exposing the Pope. Especially in the year of 1517.

In the 95 theses, Luther clearly states that the Pope has all the riches and instead of helping the poor or benefiting the citizens he keeps it all to himself, leaving the poor to pay for the reconstruction of St. Peter’s Basilica on their own. Luther had a series of questions that clearly embarrassed the Pope and called him out. So why all of a sudden does Luther have a change of heart? I think not. I believe Luther might have been threatened with his life and his right of expression. And the expression is clearly something Luther cared about. So inevitably Luther decided to make a sacrifice by excusing the Pope’s gaffe.

In the 95 Theses Luther isn’t trying to keep the Pope from embarrassment and slander. In fact, Luther is the one slandering the Pope. It appears through the 95 theses that Luther believed the Church to be corrupt and the Pope as well. Luther was a smart cookie and he was able to fish out the corruption of the Pope. But because the Pope has such esteemed power – obviously, he’s the Pope for Christ’s sake- Luther was left to later confess that the Pope was innocent. I mean, anyone in their right mind would be very skeptical about this endeavor.

In conclusion – No, I do not think that Luther genuinely believed the Pope to be completely oblivious about this oversight. In fact, I believe Luther was very much aware of all the corruption that took place within the Church and the Pope. Luther later claimed righteous things about the Pope. This leads me to believe that Luther was intensely pressured and forced to do so.

The Protestant Reformation was one of the most important moments in western history, and probably by far the most changing moments in the history of Christianity. But what can we say about the condition of the Catholic Church right before or on the eve of the Protestant Reformation.There is not a whole lot to say about the condition or the Catholic Church on the eve of the protestant reformation; things were definitely not looking great. The church was morally in a bad state, with scandalous popes who definitely did not behave as a pope should. Also there was a decline in the attendance of the Mass and in general religious practice. Also superstitious practices were becoming more common for example, astrology. The clergy was a mess, and only wanted money. Also some bishops who were elected would leave the area they were assigned and not fulfill their duties as a bishop. This is known as Absenteeism. Also to add to this mess some priests were even told to hold Mass only four times a year which is definitely wrong. Overall the situation looked terrible in the moral and Catholic standpoint. The Catholic church was in much need for reform, and many Catholics at the time also believed this. People at the time were rather sick and tired with what was going on, so they gladly welcomed the Protestant Reformation.

In this week’s personal finance essay, I am writing about five mistakes young married couples make. By no means am I an expert on this?  I am not married or getting married anytime soon, so this essay is based on what I have noticed about young married couples.

Mistake 1#

The first mistake I will be writing about is having an expensive wedding. The reason why this is a mistake is because most young, going-to-be-married couples don’t have a lot of money. So having a big wedding is usually very draining to a young couple’s finances, also because a big wedding is going to be more costly, it is more stressful to host. Early on stress is not exactly healthy or good for a marriage.

Mistake 2#

The second mistake is buying an expensive wedding or engagement ring. As I mentioned above, young couples usually don’t have a lot of money, so buying an expensive and extra-fancy ring, is not exactly great for your finances, especially if you don’t have a lot of money, or have just entered the workforce.

Mistake 3#

The third mistake is rushing for marriage. A lot of young couples just want to get married right away, even though they have been dating for less than a year. This is a terrible idea because if you want a successful and happy marriage, you and your partner have to get to know each other, to determine if you both want to live with each other for the rest of your lives. Also being hasty for marriage isn’t great for your finances, and financial problems within a couple are not exactly healthy for a marriage. My parents were dating for seven years before they got married, and they have a pretty happy marriage.

Mistake 4#

The fourth mistake is having an expensive honeymoon. Often a newlywed couple spends way too much money on their honeymoon, which is a mistake for a few reasons. The first is the fact that a newlywed couple most likely spent a lot of money on their wedding, which already leaves them financially tight, and having an expensive honeymoon makes that worse. 

Mistake 5#

The fifth and final mistake I will be writing about is getting a divorce. Getting a divorce is a last resort, and can be prevented. A divorce is a huge financial strain, and it is also very damaging especially if you have children(children can be affected very negatively if their parents split). 

There are probably more mistakes that a young married couple can make, but I felt that these five were the most important.

This week of English I had to explain the element of hierarchy in Genesis 1-3. I had to keep in mind Adam’s relation to God, Eve’s relation to Adam and God, and the Serpent’s relation to Adam, Eve, and God. Before diving in, hierarchy means in short: the system in which peoples or groups are ranked one above the other which is determined by status or authority.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. After He created all the animals of the world; and on the sixth day of creation, He created man, from His image. This all occurred in seven days. Clearly, this shows that God is the highest power in the universe; He is above all of His creation. He is on top of the hierarchy.

Adam, as I stated above, was created in God’s image, on the sixth day of creation. God put Adam above all the animals. Later on, God stated that it was not good for Adam to be alone, thus he created a woman, who was called Eve, to be Adam’s companion. Adam and Eve were allowed to eat the fruit of every tree, except for a single certain tree. This particular tree had the power to give the knowledge of good and evil.

The Serpent in Genesis 1-3, was the most scheming and crafty of the animals of God’s creation. In short, the Serpent tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. After Eve consumed the fruit she persuaded Adam to do the same. This brought forth the beginning of original sin. God punished Adam and Eve and cursed the Serpent after all had been done.

Thus the hierarchy remained similar after Adam and Eve’s disobedience, yet it was different. God was above everything and everyone, man was above all the animals. But instead of men and women being placed as equals, instead, women were placed below men. Hence this was the element of hierarchy in Genesis 1-3.

Reagan was the 40th president of the United States from 1981-1989; he was an important and influential conservative voice and is remembered as one of America’s greatest presidents. In this essay, I will be writing about his life, his assassination attempt, and his death.

Early Life

Ronald Reagan was born on February 6th, 1911, in Tampico Illinois, to Nell Clyde and John Edward Reagan. Reagan’s family was rather poor, yet he was optimistic and had quite a bit of faith. He also saw the good in people. Reagan was very supportive and kind to African Americans; he even invited some African Americans to his home to stay for the night because he had noticed that they were not accepted at a local Inn.

For high school, he attended Dixon High School. This was where he found an interest in acting(which he participated in), sports, and storytelling. During summer vacations he worked as a lifeguard. After graduating from high school he began attending Eureka College in Illinois, where he studied economics and sociology. He also was a cheerleader, a member of the football team, and the captain of the swim team.

After graduating in 1932 he moved to Iowa and got a job as a radio announcer, there he became the announcer for the Chicago Cubs baseball team. While traveling with the Cubs, in 1937, he took a screen test, which ended up with a contract with Warner Brothers for seven years, which was the start of his acting career, and his life in California.

Acting and Military Career

Reagan became a somewhat successful actor but missed his chance of becoming a star when he got drafted to active duty in the US Army. After military training, Reagan joined the Army Enlisted Reserve, but thanks to his poor eyesight he was classified for limited military service. Eventually, he requested and received a  transfer to the First Motion Picture Unit.

After the war Reagan returned to California where he resumed acting, he also became a part-time informant to the FBI on potential communists. Around this time he and his first wife(Jane Whyman) got divorced in 1948. Not so long after in 1952, he remarried to a woman named Nancy Davis.

Early Political and Political Career

Reagan was a Democrat for much of his younger years until the 50s when he began shifting to more conservative political beliefs. He began recording early warnings of the Medicare system leading to socialism and the end of freedom in America. He joined the National Rifle Association, where he became a lifetime member.

In 1964 Reagan gained national attention thanks to his support of conservative Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign. Reagan also began promoting his belief in a smaller government through several speeches. One of his big breakthroughs politically before becoming president was when he won the election for governor of California in 1966. He was governor until 1975.

In 1968 Reagan first ran for president, but finished third in the race for the Republican Nomination. To ensure that he would not be forgotten he began to hold a Radio Commentary series and organized the Citizens for the Republic action committee.

During the 1980 presidential campaign, Reagan gained the spotlight and won the Republican nomination and the presidency. One of his main statements during his campaign was: “I believe in state rights.” For his vice president, he chose one of his opponents, George H.W. Bush.

Presidency and Assassination Attempt

Reagan was a very active president, even though he was almost seventy when he was elected. He campaigned to restore prayer to schools through a moment of silence. But unfortunately, early on in his presidency he became a target for an assassination, and on March 30th, 1981 he was shot. Thankfully he was only wounded. He recovered quite quickly though and in a matter of several weeks was back on his feet again.

Inflation in the US when Reagan was first elected was at 12.5%, but to help the US recover from stagflation Reagan helped reduce the inflation rate to the point that when he left office inflation was at 4.4%. 

During his re-election campaign, Reagan won 49 out of 50 states, winning him a second term. During his second term, he focused on a war against drugs. He also helped bring an end to the Cold War, condemning the Soviets but encouraging foreign relations.

Later Life and Death

After moving out of the White House in 1989, Reagan and his wife moved back to California, where he lived until his death. In 1994 Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which he suffered from until 2004, when he passed away at 94, leaving the legacy of being one of the best US presidents.

How does your body know when you are hungry? As humans, our bodies are capable of informing us of things such as we’re hungry, not feeling well, feeling well, etc. The cells and organs play an important role in letting us know of our body’s signals. Something that your body probably tells you a lot is if you are hungry or not hungry. But how does your body let you “know,” when you are feeling hungry or not hungry?

Sugar is vital to our cells, and when we have an empty stomach a hormone known as ghrelin is released which is thus why we feel hunger. Responding to this hunger we will most likely eat something, and this food goes down our digestion system. This food is processed, broken down, and our bodies receive the nutrients. Once our stomach is full the ghrelin hormone is suppressed, which is why you feel full after a meal. If your bloodstream has an excess of sugar your pancreas may release some insulin which suppresses your appetite, or to make you feel not hungry. Thus this is how your body “knows,” when you are hungry/not hungry.

The 1960s and 1970s were a unique time, with a cultural shift occurring. This shift was especially in the United States. It was a time of new ideas, and people were exploring new ways of life never like before. There was also the Cold War, a complex and tense situation with Russia, which left a heavy influence on this period. Concerning this topic, I would say that the world in general in the West was a dangerous place in the 60s and 70s. If so in what sense was it dangerous?

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Cold War was in fledge. America and Russia had a pretty tense relationship. Though neither country was harmed in the physical military sense there still were a lot of issues with spies from either side, threats such as threats of attack from both sides, etc. The Cold War in many ways also influenced the Vietnam War which was a war against communists who were funded by the Soviets, and the non-communists who were eventually supported by the United States. The Vietnam War is one that many believe America should not have been involved in, and many Americans at the time were against the war. There were many mass anti-war protests during the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War.

A very important key event was the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, which caused a very large disruption in America. The vice president who became president, President Johnson, implemented what is called The Welfare State. Though the Welfare State seemed to be a sound thing that would help the poor it in the long run had many negative long-lasting effects, such as the loss of the work ethic. Though the Cold War, Kennedy’s assassination, the implementation of the welfare state, and the overall cultural change during this time caused much mental strain and stress to the people of the West,  it was not a terrible time. Compared to the 40s during World War II the 60s and 70s were not a dangerous time in history from a physical standpoint, though it could be said otherwise from a mental view.

In conclusion, though the 60s and 70s was very tense and serious time in history overall for the average American was not a dangerous time. It was a very unique time in history when people began to lose their trust in the government and other authority figures which had previously been fully trusted.

These days people are discovering and creating remarkable things from things that one would not at all imagine as a possible component than ever before. Something that has come into some debate on its uses is venom. Do I personally believe that venom can provide some possible benefits or uses for humans?

One of the uses of venom today is anti-venom, which is used to counteract the effects of venom. But there are other uses, and I see in the future that there will be most likely more studies and discoveries on venom and the uses it will have. This is why I believe that venom can provide possible benefits or uses for humans.