The Wind in Willows Book Review

The Wind in the Willows is a childrens story that lives in the hearts and minds of its readers well into adulthood. With its subtle blend of anthropomorphism and very-British humor, the book is a classic tale of river life and friendship. The Wind in the Willows is surprisingly dark and thrilling in places--particularly in the later chapters and the battle of Toad Hall. The book provides something that few novels of its time can claim: all-round entertainment for all ages. The story confirms the power of close friends and courage to make a difference in the lives of others. Overview: The Wind in the Willows The novel begins with Mole, a peace-loving little animal, doing some spring cleaning. He soon meets another of the people who live by the river, Ratty, who enjoys nothing more than messing about in boats. After a number of pleasant afternoons having picnics and spending time on the river, Mole and Ratty decide to visit one of Rattys friends, Toad who--when they arrive--explains to them his latest obsession, a horse, and cart. They go for a ride with Toad, but whilst on the road, they are tipped over by a speeding motorcar (which completely breaks Toads little cart). Far from being upset by the loss of his favorite toy, Toads first thought is that he, too, wants one of those incredible automobiles. This obsession leads him to trouble, however. Much to Mole, Ratty and their old and wise friend Badgers sadness, Toad is soon arrested and sent to prison for stealing a motor car. However, within the gaol, one of the guards daughters soon feels sorry for the poor Toad (who certainly wasnt made for prison life), and gives him some old washerwoman’s clothes and helps him to escape. Toad returns to the river and is welcomed by his friends, who tell him that his home, Toad Hall--once his pride and joy--has been overtaken by the cruel woodlanders: the stoats and the weasels. Some hope does seem to be in sight. Badger tells Toad that there is a secret tunnel leading back into the very heart of Toad Hall and the four friends follow it, leading them right into the lair of their enemies. An enormous battle ensues and Badger, Mole, Ratty and Toad manage to rid the hall of stoats and weasels, placing Toad back where he belongs. The rest of the book suggests that the four friends will continue in their easy-going lifestyle, occasionally taking trips on the river and eating picnics. Toad manages to curb his obsessive behavior, somewhat, but cannot completely cure himself. Englishness in The Wind in the Willows The true joy of The Wind in the Willows is the image of English life: a very Georgian, upper-middle-class take on the world in which the countryside is covered by an incessant summer time and which days can be spent idling by the riverside and watching the world go by. Because of the success of The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame was able to leave his unhappy job in a bank and live very much the life he represented in the pages of the book--a life full of cake at tea time, and the soothing sound of the river running past. The novel is also very much loved for its characters: the slightly pompous and ridiculous toad (who is completely carried away by his latest obsession), and the wise old badger (who is crotchety, but who has very high regard for his friends). They are characters who embody the English values of fortitude and good humor. But, these creatures are also incredibly honorable and willing to fight (even to the death) for their little piece of England. There is something ineffably comforting about Grahames little story--familiar and also very powerful. The animal characters are completely humanized, but their personalities and characteristics are still linked to their animals characters. The Wind in the Willows is wryly humorous and tremendously fun. This book is one of the greatest childrens books of all time.

Compare Beccaria and Lombroso Essay - 2327 Words

Compare 2 Key Thinkers and Their Competing Ideologies. Criminology is a study of crime, criminals and criminal justice. Ideas about criminal justice and crime arose in the 18th century during the enlightenment, but criminology as we know it today developed in the late 19th century. Criminology has been shaped by many different academic disciplines and has many different approaches. It explores the implications of criminal laws; how they emerge and work, then how they are violated and what happens to those violators. Laws are relative and historically shaped; they vary from time to time and from place to place (Carrabine et al, 2009). This essay will be comparing the competing ideologies of two key thinkers in criminology; Cesare†¦show more content†¦It is better to try and prevent crimes than it is to punish them, this is achieved by good legislation which guides men to their greatest, or least unhappiness possible (Beccaria, 1767). As mentioned previously, Beccaria’s utilitarian ideology has shaped the justice system in western societies for many decades. Therefore, Beccaria can be described as a very influential thinker. Without his contribution we could still have a system of capital punishment, and that is a worrying thought. However, we now seem fixed with utilitarian justice. It may be argued that it is now time to move towards restorative justice. There are also those such as Tullock (1974), who argue for a return to harsher sentencing. Some states in the US still consider the death penalty to be a legitimate punishment. So it can be said that Beccaria is undoubtedly a key thinker in criminology, but as with all key thinkers he is not without his critics. Cesare Lombroso was also Italian but came from a Jewish family and is very different to Beccaria. He trained as a medical doctor and graduated in 1858. He was a leading contributor in the development of a positivist criminology which collected and looked into scientific measurements for the explanation of criminal behaviour and crime (Hayward et al, 2010). Nearly all biological theories stem from Lombroso and his book ‘The Criminal man’ published in 1876, although Lombroso enlarged upon and updated this original publication through five editionsShow MoreRelatedCompare and Contrast the Classical and Positivist School of Criminology872 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and contrast the ideas of Classical criminologist (e.g. Beccaria and Bentham) with those of the early Positivist (e.g. Lombroso, Ferri Garofolo). 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The origins of the criminology society today understands, stems from two approaches that heavilyRead MoreCRM 1301 Midterm uOttawa Carolyn Gordon Essay10218 Words   |  41 Pageshad to pay for everything regardless of their guilt Industry $$ Breeding grounds Physically (diseases) Offence (everyone was in regardless the nature and seriousness) Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794) Italian Aristocrat Was part of a group called Academy of Fist One of his brothers who worked in a prison allowed Beccaria to view the prison life 1764: anonymously published his book which criticized the Justice System Essay of Crime Punishment 1764 (was on the prohibited book list) Critique ofRead MoreEssay about Study Guide for Socio 120 Final Exam6246 Words   |  25 Pages Change that does involve changes in monetary rewards. * Intergenerational mobility Inter: in between, generation: 30 years Refers to changes that have occurred between generations. This is when you compare yourself to your parents. * Intra-generational mobility Intra: within Refers to changes that have occurred within one generation, or within ones lifetime. * An exchange mobility This occursRead MoreDeterminants of Violence in the Greek Football League a Case Study of Paok Fc Supporters13608 Words   |  55 Pagesof this category are those of Lombroso (1925) and Kretschmer (1921). Lombroso started by observing the behaviour of animals, ancient nations and savage tribes and concluded that the existence of violent behaviour in contemporary days is related to atavism; that is return of a person in an unsocial and savage condition. (Lomproso 1925). By using anthropometric methods on prisoners and by taking into consideration perceptions of the early 1920s Lombroso argued that it is possible to

International Business E-Commerce free essay sample

Before that, for your information, Im Information System Manager of SecretNetwork, pleased to be here to represent the SecretNetwork that trans- ational computer suppliers company that supplies products to an international market. Today, I will focus on the issues of international business environment and the implication of e-commerce for international business. In this issue, I will share with you about globalization, trans-national Corporation and the national economic environment. Then, I will discuss about how e-commerce has affected trade in the trading nation and developing nation. I also will touch about how e-commerce can influence local, national and global economies. Before I go through, let me asked you; ladies and gentlemen, one simple question; hat is a business for you? Alright, I know, all of you have own definition of business because youre businessman or businesswoman but for me, honestly, I describe business into two simple word that is customer and profit. We will write a custom essay sample on International Business E-Commerce or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Why I believed like that? Because I seeking a business is an activity of providing goods or services to fulfil customer need and want to generate profit and sustainable revenue. This can refer to SecretNetwork; because we fulfil customer need and want in IT or ICT by provide a variety of computer supplies such as hardware and software program to gain more profitability. Ladies and Gentlemen, The history of my company; SecretNetwork is one of dramatic invention, adaptation and expansion. But this is not sadness story, so you can throw away your tissue Oust kidding). Alright, audience, I will bring you back in 1987, a year that our company founder, Ahmed Rosly Ali found the SecretNetwork. Maybe some of you might be surprise because in 1987, how come Ahmed Rosly Ali can create business based on computer and network while in Malaysia phenomenon of information technology and network starting famous after 1990s, right ?. So, the answers is; Ahmed Rosly Ali who is graduated in Business in 1986 from Iowa State University, that the first University built electronic computer in 1930s and by the late 1980s, computer network were expanding to embrace the general public and the internet was born (Swee Heng, Ain Nadziman, Helen Tan, 2 When Ahmed Rosly Ali back to Malaysia in 1987, with knowledge and experience in university and predict that have big opportunity with computer business, he determined to run business that supplies personal computer, printer and some hardware. With own savings, he start small business and become as sole proprietorship, that control the business by wn because sole proprietorship is one owner has complete control their business and profits or losses flow directly to him and paid taxed at individual rates (Bovee, Thill, Schatzman, 2004). Until early 1990s, IT in Malaysia is still new, so it complicated to Ahmed Rosly Ali run his business because demand of his product is low and any legal damages or debts incurred by the business are his responsibility. As sole proprietorship, Ahmed Rosly Ali managed and make the decision for his business by own. So, he decided to ending private ownership or sole proprietorship to become partnership by hired his ousin, Ahmed Azman, a computer analysis to become his partners. As we know, to starting partnership business it needs two or more owners, right? So, by the partners saving and bank loan, around RM 40 000, they expand their business by provide some software program others personal computers, printer and hardware to influence customer to purchase their product. By partnerships agreement, they entitled to equal control their business and share income and loses equally (Bovee, Thill, Schatzman, 2004). With efficiency management and planning of partnership, their business become growth wealth and they open 10 branches around Malaysia nd involve in exporting their product. Ladies and gentlemen, As we know, life sometime bad of rose, in 1998, Malaysia face critical economic recession and this recession give big impact to the SecretNetwork because they face finance crisis. To make sure that their company still running, Ahmed Rosly Ali and his partner, decided to become corporation by sell 40% from their share in SecretNetwork to the public include their employees.