Revelations And Its Impact On Our Faith And Understanding...

Reflecting on humanity in focus of general and specific revelation is eye opening to a believer walking closely with Christ. Revelations are the way God communicates with his people, not receiving that communication frequently can quench a relationship of any makeup. Reflecting on the lecture last week, revelations are a key part of theology. Enrolling in Christian Theology at the graduate level, is stretching my belief system at the core. When allowing the mind to approach theology with no predetermined perception of the scripture. A believer can gain a full understanding of the scripture, and develop a thought process of retaining knowledge to form or reform a belief. Allowing the believer to understand, and articulate exactly what is believed. With that said, I want to spend time in this reflection paper talking about general and specific revelations. I believe revelations from God to be major in a person’s walk of faith. Understanding the two types of revelations, can hel p us grow in our faith and understanding of God. General revelations impart knowledge from records of history, creation, and experiences. One receiving a general revelation does so through the enlightenment of their experiences, and the history that is around them. In chapter one of the book of Romans we can see, and understand general revelation. The scripture exemplifies the divine power of God, allowing the power to be revealed and understood by the creation being presented. Helping the personShow MoreRelatedIs Theology A Science Of God?1749 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Theology is a science of God which looks to comprehend God s creation, especially man and his condition, and God s redemptive working in connection to humankind. On the off chance that theology is science, with a particular sort of reason routines for showing what science generates and improves in its access of faith. As Aristotle observed, each field of demand ought to apply a strategy appropriate to it, and it is the characteristic of an imbecile to attempt to use, for instance,Read MoreThe Christian View of Revelation Essays1170 Words   |  5 PagesThe Christian View of Revelation Revelation by definition is the disclosure of facts or theories through religious events that have previously remained hidden. For Christians revelation is mainly associated with the revelation of God to his people throughout the ages. God has made himself known to us but we have to consider that he has also presented himself to us, with the choice up to us whether we accept his love. God has not pressed Himself up us. His acts of loveRead MoreBiblical Themes Of The Bible1169 Words   |  5 PagesBiblical Themes The Bible has numerous themes that influence our lives greatly as believers. In this paper, I will be discussing the biblical themes of Creation, God, Humanity, Sin, The Good Life and Salvation. In order to have a Christian biblical worldview we need to understand what the bible teaches us about these themes. These themes have influenced my beliefs and they affect my everyday life and worldview. I have always believed that what the Bible says about these themes is the truth andRead MoreRevelation Is Sealed And Closed From Understanding Its Context Essay1505 Words   |  7 PagesMost people believe that the book of Revelation is sealed and closed from understanding its context. It is often called a mysterious book without meaning, and frequently brings confusion to others. Yet this book contains important, vital meanings that will correlate to what might happen in our lifetime, such as the coming of the Antichrist, multiple beasts, visions, plagues, wars, and much more. The book of Revelation is filled with truths and answers to the questions that relate to the end timesRead MoreTheologians Views on Revelations757 Words   |  3 PagesTheologians Views on Revelations When one thinks of revelations, most people think of the last book of the Bible. This is not what we are talking about in this precise study. We are talking about how God reveals himself to us. It is clear that God reveals himself through many means, all of which contribute to our knowledge of God God reveals himself to me through many different ways. My church, my fellow Christian friends and of course, the Holy Bible. The Bible is the second best thingRead MoreRelationship Between Science And Religion1481 Words   |  6 Pagesto the tradition of our faith it is imperative that we theologize in such a way as to bring to Christianity integrity and an intellectual uniqueness that integrates and gives sense to the varied and diverse dimensions of the modern experience. One can exercise critical thinking and still hold fast to fundamental persuasions and ties of faith. To practice one’s faith responsibly, a person requires an understanding of philosophical foundations and an understanding of the impact of those foundationsRead MoreTradition And Scripture Of The Church1303 Words   |  6 Pagescomplement. Tradition and scripture have been part of the church from its conception, honouring the memory of Jesus is in itself a tradition as we try to live in his image . Celebrating and reflecting on this in the church gatherings is how we define our beliefs and ourselves. There is tradition all through the scriptures and why they will always complement each other. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states â€Å"Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture, then are bound closely together, and communicateRead MoreRole Experience Has Played Over Past Centuries1611 Words   |  7 Pagesto the tradition of our faith it is imperative that we theologize in such a way as to bring to Christianity integrity and an intellectual uniqueness that integrates and gives sense to the varied and diverse dimensions of the modern experience. One can exercise critical thinking and still hold fast to fundamental persuasions and ties of faith. To practice one’s faith responsibly, a person requires an understanding of philosophical foundations and an understanding of the impact of those foundationsRead MoreChristian Foundations By: Kathleen Fischer Thomas Hart1731 Words   |  7 PagesMany people would agree that without faith, the world would be in chaos. The book Christian Foundation by Kathleen Fischer and Thomas Hart gives an interpretation on faith in our time. Many people would question the definition of faith. Faith is a gift, which is given by God to have trust in him and belief in him. This book is a great entry in anyones life that has speculation on his or her own faith. The book has many ways into understanding ones own religion. It discusses the Bible, Jesus, ChurchRead MoreGender, Or Race, And Many Christians Essay1074 Words   |  5 Pagesgender, or race, and many Christians did not believe in killing. The apologies demonstrated the fallacy of pagan religions and Christianity. The importance of Christian history provides an example of those who took their faith seriously in the early church. Apologetic writings also explained that Christianity was not new because Jesus was the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. Christian history give generations to come, a blueprint of the source that is traceable to the critical problems

Movie Analysis Oedipus The King - 1810 Words

While watching a cheesy romantic comedy or a sappy drama, it s likely that one will feel some sort of emotional connection to the characters, whether that be through happiness, grief, or empathy. As the characters in these movies fall in love, lose a loved one, or struggle through any of life s obstacles, one may cry or laugh out loud as they relate to what is happening on the screen. When it comes to Sophoclean tragedies, one of the main goals is to give the audience these intense emotions through catharsis, bringing them an emotional purging and lasting empathy for the characters being portrayed. The characters in these tragedies experience intense trauma and fatal downfalls, and the audience feels relief that they are not experiencing†¦show more content†¦By the beginning of the tragedy, the audience is already aware of the famine, the prophecy fulfilled by Oedipus, and the tragic outcome of the whole ordeal; in order to ensure an emotional experience, the Chorus goes int o great detail about the suffering the citizens of Thebes face. For instance, in the first Choral Ode, one Chorus member goes into dark detail about the overarching death due to the famine and plague in Thebes: Wasted thus by death on death All in our city perish. Corpses spread infection round; None to tend or mourn is found, There s wailing on the altar stair; Cries of mothers rend the air - Long drawn-moans and piercing shrieks Blend with prayers and litanies. (Sophocles 183-190) As the Chorus describes the infected corpses scattered about the city and the desperate cries of the people, the audience is inclined to create a graphic image of these events in their own minds, tailoring these horrific events to the capacities of their own experiences and understanding. Death is a natural, human experience, and it is likely that members of the audience may have experienced grief and suffering themselves. Sophocles adding details of the desperation the people of Thebes face, the wailing of those close to death, and the prayers they chant for a cure, is likely to make the audience relate to a time they experienced grief and suffering themselves, making audience members feel for the characters and seeShow MoreRelated Fate Versus Free Will Essay1746 Words   |  7 Pagesduring analysis. The play, Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, stars a young man, Oedipus, who appears to be the pawn of the gods. In Ode four (27-31), the chorus comments on Oedipus’ state: And now of all men ever known Most pitiful is this man’s story: His fortunes are most changed, his state Fallen to a low slave’s Ground under bitter fate. Every aspect of Oedipus’ life and everyone he loves eventually suffers from a horrible fate predicted by the gods. However, did Oedipus haveRead MoreComparison of Oedipus Rex and a Raisin in the Sun Essay1874 Words   |  8 Pagesto Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Greek and Roman plays, and even Indeed ancient Indian plays (a common Indo-European Tradition), usually had a pivotal character that â€Å"held the play together†. Also there would be a Chorus that would come into play when the tragedy would begin unfolding. The Greco-Roman variants were almost always tragedies. Be it Homer’s Iliad or Odessey. The hero after long travails always seemed to return to nothing and would come to grief. Achilles, Priam, Agamemnon, Oedipus, allRead MoreThe Tragic Heroes Of Hamlet And Oedipus1801 Words   |  8 PagesThe Tragic Heroes Hamlet and Oedipus A hero in a drama is the focus point throughout the story, someone who technically saves life’s and carries pride within them. In Hamlet by Shakespeare and Oedipus Rex by Sophocles they simply create a tragic hero due to their stories having a twist in what a hero turns out to be at the end of the dramatic stories. They have similar issues as well as they have their differences in their stories. Shakespeare and Sophocles create a similar touch to their dramaticRead MoreEssay on Sophocles Oedipus Tyrannus1914 Words   |  8 Pages Oedipus Tyrannus† is â€Å"basically is a story of a man’s discovery through persistent inquiry that he is guilty of unwitting parricide and incest, and his horrified reaction to that discovery. In â€Å"Oedipus the King†, Oedipus king of Thebes unknownly killed his biological father and married his mother. On this Ancient myth, the playwright Sophocles weaves a complex story that can be interpreted on many different levels of in tellectual thinking. This play, since the time it was staged has been subjectedRead MoreFate and Ignorance in Oedipus Rex Essay2564 Words   |  11 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Oedipus Rex is a story that can be interpreted on many different levels of thinking. The ancient tale has existed for centuries and has been subjected to countless forms of analysis. What is it that makes Oedipus the King such a fascinating story? Is it the suspense of a developing mystery that captivates the audience? Or perhaps the wonderful feeling the readers get after vicariously experiencing the horror Oedipus feels? And if not that, could it be that the reader is intrigued at SophoclesRead MoreThe Child That Lives From Within1611 Words   |  7 Pagesquestion if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of social environment. The answer seems difficult to discern because it is not split down into equal parts of nurture and nature, but rather rely on one another for a better understanding. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to the mental state of developing child. Contrary to n ature focused beliefs, not all human behaviour comes from an individual’s genetic makeup, but ratherRead MoreThe Child That Lives From Within1681 Words   |  7 Pagessocial sciences often question if psychopathic behaviour is innate or a product of a social environment. Recently, nurture-based theories has gained credibility in understanding how a child’s upbringings can trigger psychopathic behaviour. In the movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, Norman Bates’ downfall proposes how crucial a healthy childhood is to mental health rather than biological vulnerability. Contrary to nature-focused beliefs, not all human behaviour comes from an individual’s genetic makeupRead MoreFight Club Essay2019 Words   |  9 Pagesseeking to rebel against it. In this Film I would be focusing on the two main characters for the following analysis. It is Jack played by Edward Norton and Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt. What is later found out is that these two characters end up being the same person and Tyler’s real names ends up being Jack which is a sick twist to the film. Tyler actions and role played in the movie is everything Jack is not. The story narration is provided through the protagonist of jack. Who only refersRead MoreHamlet What Is the Appeal to the 21 Century Audience2236 Words   |  9 Pagesthroughout the text. It is easy to derive from Hamlet’s demeanour and words in Act I Scene II (â€Å"A little more than kin, and less than kind†) that he is resentful and, therefore, vengeful towards his uncle, the King. This is further corroborated in Hamlet’s soliloquy, in which he contrasts the King with his father (â€Å"My father’s brother: but no more like my father, Than I to Hercules†) and describes how the King’s marriage to his mother breaks his heart. However, as close attention is paid to the circumstancesRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s The Tempest 2603 Words   |  11 PagesRowe, one of Shakespeare?s earliest editors states that Shakespeare was a genious.28 The characters each have their own sense of superiority. The Boatswain in Act I, creates ?vivid lines and dominates the scene.? This is comparable is Gonzalo in King Lear, ready to meet his fate with detachment and humor. Each character has a situation and a solution. The confinement of the island also bring the reminders of sin and ways of repentance .29 In order to fully analyze Shakespeare?s mind, Orgel

Essay On Mental Illness In Macbeth - 1182 Words

Ladies and Gentlemen, in the trial of The People of Scotland vs. Macbeth, the prosecution will claim a tale of a power-hungry man who let ambition get the best of him. They will present physical evidence of him with the dagger, him conspiring with his wife, and him hiring men to kill. However, the evidence presented today by the defense will tell the true story: a man overtaken by mental illness. Macbeth displays the classic signs of narcissistic personality disorder: elevated sense of entitlement and delusions about power. While Macbeth did commit the murders, he was insane, and therefor did not commit the murders with criminal intent. The extent of his mental disorder has manifested in hallucinations and the gradual unraveling of his†¦show more content†¦Macbeth may talk of big plans to assassinate Duncan, but at the root he is still a good person. His description predicts the eventual effect of his actions: total and complete loss of rational self, and slippage into full- blown psychosis. Following this point, Macbeth should not be held accountable for his crimes, as he goes completely insane. A characteristic of narcissistic personality disorder is heavy hallucinations, caused by a fantasy the person has imagined for themselves. Even before he murders Duncan, Macbeth’s delusion of him becoming king manifests through hallucinations involving murder imagery. As he walks towards Duncan’s room, a floating dagger, only visible by him, leads him there. The mirage he has placed himself in, where he is king of Scotland, has caused his subconscious to produce delusions, â€Å"Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not and yet I see thee still† (2.1.44-45). Macbeth acknowledges that the dagger is not real, and yet he still attempts to clutch it, fully invested in his fantasy. He describes later as â€Å"A dagger of the mind†, as if the very delusions he is undergoing are ripping his mind apart (2.1.50). However, through the phrases ‘of the mind’ and ‘I have thee not†™ connote that he knows the visionsShow MoreRelatedMacbeth Mental Illness Essay746 Words   |  3 Pages In the beginning of the play, Macbeth was in a great state of mind, he won the war for the people of Scotland, and was seen as a hero. On the way home from war, Macbeth meets three witches who prophesied that he will become The King of Scotland, which led to the ultimate downfall of his mental health. Throughout the rest of the play, you start to see him struggle with insomnia, hyperarousal, hallucinations, paranormal schizophrenia, and anxiety which we see throughout the play, that graduallyRead MoreSexual Frustration as the Root of Evil Essay1222 Words   |  5 Pagespeople develop neuroses as a result of frustration. Freud’s essays on this topic postulate that sexual repression may result in aggressive behavior. These two elements emerge in the characters in Macbeth. In Freud’s book, Civilization and its discontents, he takes the premise even farther by correlating severe sexual frustration with the onset of psychoses. In regard to Macbeth, I believe that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth portray this spiral into psychosis as a result of theirRead MoreMacbeth Essay819 Words   |  4 PagesMacbeth Essay In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth undergoes many psychological tribulations. There is no doubt that he is insane, but the specifics of his conditions help explain the peculiarities of the play. Macbeth’s character was perhaps the culmination of all the psychological disorders known at Shakespeare’s day. He experienced disorders such as split personality, schizophrenia, and post traumatic stress. These disorders could be caused by stress on the battlefield and a poor spousalRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Macbeth By William Shakespeare1582 Words   |  7 Pagesto you and told you would be king would you trust them? Macbeth did and ultimately it led to his tragic demise. The tragedy of Macbeth was written by famous poet William Shakespeare in the earl sixteen hundredth. The play dramatizes the destructive physical and mental effects of radical ambition for people who seek authority for the benefit of an individual. Macbeth’s theme of ambition, lust for powe r, faith, and gullibility makes Macbeth his own antagonist, which is directly correlated to his deathRead MoreShakespeares Novel Macbeth1577 Words   |  7 Pagesif no one felt guilt? If no one ever caught caught for their crimes? In Shakespeares novel, Macbeth, the main characters commit crimes driven by their ambition. After committing the first crime Macbeth, the main antagonist is overwhelmed with guilt. His wife, Lady Macbeth plotted the first crime and was the main force pushing Macbeth to kill. In the end Macbeth is charged with the truth and Lady Macbeth kills herself both brought down equally from guilt. Guilt and fear of being found out causesRead MoreLady Macbeth1937 Words   |  8 PagesLady Macbeth Essay I am going to do an essay on a play called Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare. The play is a tragedy, believed to have been written in 1611-12. The play is about a man named Macbeth whom, at first is a kind, tender man who later gets tempted by three foul witches to commit a murder in order to become king. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth is thrilled by the prophecies given by the witches and is eager for Macbeth to commit the murder. Macbeth disagrees with his wife greatlyRead MoreWas Lady Macbeth Evil? Essay2956 Words   |  12 PagesLady Macbeth is the penultimate person in the play, especially at the beginning, next to Macbeth himself. And though she does not survive to the end, her influence on Macbeth lasts throughout. She is most influential person in Macbeth ´s downfall, next to the witches. However, her relationship with him goes far deeper then that of the witches. It is my belief that the witches act only as a trigger to start the events in the play, and that Lady Macbeth herself was the driving force behindRead MoreMacbeth Dreams Visions and Hallucinations Rereading2477 Words   |  10 PagesThe influence of Dreams, Visions and Hallucinations in Macbeth and other Literary Texts â€Å"The realities of the world affected me as visions, and as visions only, while the wild ideas of the land of dreams became, in turn,—not the material of my every-day existence--but in very deed that existence utterly and solely in itself.† ---- Edgar Allan Poe Uncanny encounters with visions and hallucinations blur the presumed constraints of time and space. The ‘phantasms’ or sensory impressionsRead MoreTragic Drama According to AC Bradleys Theory of Shakespeare and a Comparison of Arthur Miller and August Wilsons Concept of Tragedy2899 Words   |  12 Pageswe become fascinated. Bradley emphasizes on viewing the literary techniques used not as the basic constituents but as the expression of tragedy. Some of the major characters in Shakespeares renowned tragedies are Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth. Most of these characters are individual sufferers as in reality; a single man faces the paradoxes of life. In every work of Shakespeare, irrespective of the individually unique traits, we find a shattered hope or a failed ambition as a reason forRead Moreshakespeare influences16068 Words   |  65 PagesQUESTION 5. SIGNIFICANCE AND RATIONALE 6. ANALYSIS 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. ABSTRACT This thesis analysis the textual and symbolic similarities between Shakespeare s tragedies Macbeth and Hamlet and William Faulkner s the sound and the furry and Absalom, Absalom!. Faulkner absorbed essential characteristics of Shakespearean tragedies and utilized them consciously and unconsciously in the creation of his own tragic figures. Comparison

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Essay Example For Students

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Essay The primary device that Doyle uses is a combination of melodrama and academic writing. The latter is used in abundance with touches of the former to ensure that the reader is not put off at any point. Furthermore, it ensures a sense of realism which makes the mystery much more intense. Doyles academic style can be seen from the very first sentence of the story when he states: Of all the problems, which have been to my friend Mr Sherlock Holmes for solutionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Coupled with academic writing is understatement when he writes, At the time the circumstances made a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly served to weaken the effect. Melodrama can be observed from the statement, was so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its detailsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Throughout the beginning of the story the credibility of the narrator, Dr Watson, is built up to ensure a relationship of trust between him and the reader. This means that everything he says is instantly believable and this amplifies the mystery and suspense. An example of this is: My practice had steadily increased, and as I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. Here you can see that Doyle is emphasising Watsons profession. The reader is given the impression that because Watson is a doctor he can be trusted. Furthermore, the reader knows that hes not going to dramatise the events. To ensure that the mystery itself is properly described, no detail is left out and this creates vivid images. The horrific details that Doyle puts across are not dampened in any way and this makes the story seem more believable. He goes to great lengths to describe everything so that a full picture can be constructed without leaving anything to the imagination. Whilst this is a fairly aggressive way of treating the reader, it ensures that he or she sees the story in exactly the right way. It also emphasises the feeling of trust for the narrator since hes sharing so many details. Since the details are so unbelievable in themselves, Doyle ensures that the storyteller, the engineer, tells his story rationally, which ensures its believability. An example of this is the following, rather modest, paragraph spoken by the engineer: Oh, no; not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up. And, even if they believe me, the  clues which I can give them are so vague that it is a question whether justice will be done.' In order to further amplify this image created by Doyle, conversation is short, sharp and factual to make sure that only facts are conveyed to the reader so that he or she can make up his or her own mind about whats happening. Doyle doesnt force his opinions on them and this makes it more realistic. An example of this type of conversation is this exchange between Holmes and the engineer: One horse? interjected Holmes. Yes, only one. Did you observe the colour? Yes, I saw it by the sidelights when I was stepping into the carriage. It was chestnut. Tired-looking or fresh? Oh, fresh and glossy. Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue your most interesting statement.' This is another example of the factual nature that the conversations take. The engineer seems to be telling everything he knows and this makes him much more believable. .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 , .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .postImageUrl , .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 , .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:hover , .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:visited , .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:active { border:0!important; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 { 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; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:active , .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .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; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600 .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u44c6323fd0de69560b539c07fda9f600:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Time Machine by HG Well EssayThe very detailed description of the events has another effect. It very gradually builds up the suspense and the reader is allowed to wonder what the mystery could be and what could be so unusual. The engineers statement is greatly lengthened as much as possible to ensure that this happens effectively. The intrigue of this story is supplemented by the odd contrasts between the characters. On the side of the engineer, there is a very respectable professional man, Dr. Watson, who is a stark contrast to the quirky and abnormal private detective, Sherlock Holmes. This quirkiness, that is so unique to Holmes character, adds a further level of realism to the story because its a twist that ensures the story is not two-dimensional. A flat story, that has no abnormalities or odd occurrences and characters, is a boring story. Holmes character ensures that that is not the fate of this story and it gives softens the reader for what oddities are to come towards to end of the book. As was mentioned previously, the engineers statement is lengthened as much as long as possible. It is also riddled with dramatic pauses to build up the suspense even more. A good example of this is the quoted exchange above. It breaks up an otherwise lengthy explanation and increases the suspense by making the reader want to return to the explanation. Lastly, the character of the Colonel Lysander Stark must be discussed. The name in itself gives a sense of intrigue. The reader is at once put on edge about his demeanour. One is at once reminded of a stereotypical colonel, a cruel harsh person with militaristic cruelty at heart. He is depicted as a model villain. He has a German accent, which was and still is a very common nationality for stereotypical villains of stories such as this. From the very beginning, he is described as  emaciated, paranormal and above all inhuman the image of death. These qualities can be seen from Doyles description of Stark: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a man rather over the middle size but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured. In conclusion, I will say that using all these devices, Doyle successfully builds up curiosity and hence mystery and intrigue. Using little but heavy description, he is able to build up a powerful image that has the ability to shock the reader into submission. It is, for the most part, instantly believable and this serves the purpose of lulling the reader into a false sense of security. When the whole truth is finally revealed it is ever more vivid and much more successful in entertaining the reader.