Primary Sources and Indigenous California

Table of Contents Secondary sources Major Problems in California History â€Å"The Three Worlds of the Chumash† Discussion Works Cited Primary sources of information are pieces of study that were created during the time of study. They may be documents or physical objects that have stored information or informational value that explains events and phenomena of the time under study (Hamilton 20). Moe often than not, primary sources are present during a time period or during an experience. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Primary Sources and Indigenous California specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They offer critical inside view of events or experiences. Examples of primary sources include original documents like excerpts and translations. They may also include speeches, diary recordings, letters, manuscripts, films, footages and official records. Creative works like works of poetry and music can also make up primary sources of information. Additionally, artifacts and/or relics can be classified as primary sources of information (Hamilton 25). Real time examples of primary sources of information include the constitution of the US, weaving and pottery of ancient tribes and journal articles that have new and original research findings. Secondary sources When information in primary sources is analyzed and published it becomes a secondary source of information. They may have images quotes and other graphics stemming out of the evaluation (Hamilton 28). Secondary sources are primarily publications that include textbooks, magazines, and commentaries. Textbooks used in schools and colleges and magazines produced for entertainment and academic purposes are some examples of secondary sources (Klarer 5). Major Problems in California History The book is a compilation of documents and essays that seek to provide light on some of the most important events and controversies that characterize the h istory of California during the period dating back to the pre-contact period. The book uses documents that can be classified as primary sources of information. This is because they provide the original information about the period under study. Though some of the documents were not originally from that period, the fact that they covered the period and they were later used as the prime sources of information qualifies them to be primary sources of information. The documents have stored information that has made it easier for scholars to study the period covered in the history of California. There are artifacts also that comprise of primary sources of information.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The essays on the other hand are secondary sources of information. They were written through the help of the documents and other artifacts that were collected over time. They offer a description o f the history but they are just an account of compiled from already existing sources. From the map it is easy to conclude that California was inhabited by large groups of Native Americans mainly the Indians. According to the artifacts, the native Californians were hunters. This is evidenced by the arrows that they kept. â€Å"The Three Worlds of the Chumash† The three worlds of the Chumash is a belief by the Chumash where they believed the world was divided into three layers. They believed these layers existed in â€Å"space.† These three worlds represented to what geographically can be referred to as spheres namely, the land, sea and sky (Olin and Chan 33). The Chumash believed that the Great Eagle ruled the skies while the serpent ruled the land. The water world was inhabited by frogs that urinated and produced the water that characterizes it. More importantly, the Chumash believed in the Sun God who carried the torch that lights the world. The torch was carried in a tightly rolled bark. By whipping the sparks, the Sun God created the night sky through the sparks from the touch (Olin and Chan 35). The Chumash’s believed in a Supreme Being whom Christians refer to as God. They believed he was responsible for their existence and that he was responsible for all the events that took place especially in the sky world. Though there are parallel beliefs when the religious beliefs of the Chumash and Christians are compared, there are a few similarities that come to play. They believed in the Supreme Being the Sun God whom Christians refer to as God. The sun God was the spirit that created the three worlds. This is comparable to Christians’ belief that the universe was created by God, whose different elements create the holly spirit. The differences between these groups may come in on the origin and composition of the different world and how they came to be. They may also have differences on the position of the sun and the moon as well a s the cause of the night sky. Christians believe it is all the work of God whiles the Chumash some how don’t. Primary and secondary sources used in this study have their weaknesses and strengths. Primary sources offer authenticity of the phenomena that is being describes. On the other hand, secondary sources are subjected to peer reviews that make them more accurate and easy to understand.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Primary Sources and Indigenous California specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Discussion Before this reading, the picture that American Indians presented included that of tribal people living in huts and solely dependent on hunting and gathering. From a third grader point of view, Native Americans roamed the land in groups and their culture showed little civilization. They exhibited violent and primitive characteristics and sometimes they were deceptive. They were people speaking different languages and grouped together in tribal groups that were led by chiefs. They also represented a picture of people with no or little religious beliefs far from what Christians and other among religions believed. Additionally they appeared as people who lived in forested areas and wore nothing on their bodies. After the reading the American Indians strike one as people with concrete religious believes as evidenced by the Three Worlds Story. They also had an organized life where with hierarchical structure that defined roles for members of the community. They were civilized I their own ways running a self sufficient community. Works Cited Chan, Sucheng and Olin, Spencer. Major problems in California history documents and essays. New York: Houghton Miffin, 1997. Print. Hamilton, John. Primary and Secondary Sources. Minnesota: ABDO Publishing Group, 2005.Print Klarer, Mario. An introduction to literary studies. New York: Routledge, 1998. Print. This essay on Primary Sources and Indigenous California was written and submitted by user Cassius Martinez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin Picasso at the Lapin Agile is written by the iconic comedian/actor/screenwriter/banjo aficionado Steve Martin. Set in a Parisian bar at the beginning of the 20th century (1904 to be more precise), the play imagines a comical encounter between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein, both of whom are in their early twenties and fully aware of their amazing potential. In addition to the two historical figures, the play is also populated with an amusingly incontinent barfly (Gaston), a gullible yet lovable bartender (Freddy), a wise waitress (Germaine), along with a few surprises that trounce in and out of the Lapin Agile. The play takes place in one non-stop scene, lasting approximately 80 to 90 minutes. There isnt much plot or conflict; however, there is a satisfying combination of whimsical nonsense and philosophic conversation. The Meeting of the Minds: How to spark the interest of the audience: Bring two (or more) historical figures together for the first time. Plays such as Picasso at the Lapin Agile belong to a genre all their own. In some cases, the fictionalized dialogue is rooted in an actual event, such as (four music legends for the price of one Broadway show). More imaginative revisions of history include plays such as The Meeting, a fabricated yet fascinating discussion between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. One could also compare Martins play to more serious fare, such as Michael Frayns Copenhagen (which focuses on science and morality) and John Logans Red (which focuses on art and identity). However, Martins play rarely takes itself as seriously as the aforementioned dramas. Audience members who dont want to be bogged down with overly-academic monologs and excruciating historical accuracy will be charmed when they discover that Steve Martins work just skims the surface of much deeper intellectual waters. (If you want more depth in your theater, visit Tom Stoppard.) Low Comedy Vs. High Comedy Steve Martins comic stylings cover a broad range. He isnt above a fart joke, as indicated by his performance in the adolescent-pandering remake of The Pink Panther. However, as a writer, he is also capable of lofty, high-brow material. For example, his 1980s film Roxanne, screenplay by Martin, wonderfully adapted Cyrano de Bergerac setting the love story in a small Colorado town, circa 1980s. The protagonist, a long-nosed firefighter, delivers a remarkable monolog, an extensive list of self-insults about his own nose. The speech is hysterical to contemporary audiences, yet it also harkens back to the source material in clever ways. Martins versatility is exemplified when one compares his classic comedy The Jerk to his novel, a very subtle blend of humor and angst. The opening moments of Picasso at the Lapin Agile inform the audience that this play will be making several detours into the land of silliness. Albert Einstein walks into the bar, and when he identifies himself, the fourth wall is broken: Einstein: My name is Albert Einstein.Freddy: You cant be. You just cant be.Einstein: Sorry, Im not myself today. (He fluffs his hair, making himself look like Einstein.) Better?Freddy: No, no, thats not what I mean. In order of appearance.Einstein: Come again?Freddy: In order of appearance. youre not third. (Taking playbill from audience member.) Youre fourth. It says so right here: Cast in order of appearance. So, from the beginning, the audience is asked not to take this play too seriously. Presumably, this is when snobby historians walk out of the theater in a huff, leaving the rest of us to enjoy the story. Meet Einstein: Einstein stops in for a drink while waiting to meet his date (who will be meeting him at a different bar). To pass the time, happily listens to the locals converse, occasionally weighing in his perspective. When a young woman enters the bar and asks if Picasso has arrived yet, Einstein becomes curious about the artist. When he looks at a small piece of paper with a doodle by Picasso he says, I never thought the twentieth century would be handed to me so casually. However, it is up to the reader (or the actor) to decide how sincere or sarcastic Einstein is about the importance of Picassos work. For the most part, Einstein exhibits amusement. While the supporting characters bicker about the beauty of painting, Einstein knows that his scientific equations have a beauty of their own, one that will change humanitys perception of its place in the universe. Yet, he is not too boastful or arrogant, merely playful and enthusiastic about the 20th century. Meet Picasso: Did someone say arrogant? Martins portrayal of the egotistical Spanish artist isnt too far removed from other depictions, Anthony Hopkins, in the film Surviving Picasso, fills his characterization with machismo, passion, and blatant selfishness. So too is Martins, Picasso. However, this younger portrayal is feisty and funny, and more than a bit insecure when his rival Matisse enters the conversation. Picasso is a ladys, man. He is blatant about his obsession with the opposite sex, and he is also unrepentant about casting women aside once he has used them physically and emotionally. One of the most insightful monologs is delivered by the waitress, Germaine. She chastises him thoroughly for his misogynist ways, but it seems that Picasso is happy to listen to the criticism. As long as the conversation is about m, he is happy! Dueling with Pencils: Each characters high level of self-confidence draws him to one another, and the most engaging scene of the play takes place when Picasso and Einstein challenge each other to an artistic duel. They both dramatically raise a pencil. Picasso begins to draw. Einstein writes a formula. Both creative products, they claim, are beautiful. Overall, the play is light-hearted with a few dashes of intellectual moments for the audience to contemplate afterward. As one would hope from a play by Steve Martin there are more than a few quirky surprises, one of the zaniest being an oddball character named Schmendiman who purports to be as great as Einstein and Picasso, but who instead is simply a wild and crazy guy.