ComparisonContrast Montresor and Fortunato Essay

ComparisonContrast Montresor and Fortunato - Essay Example The obsession may derive because the men are equals in background, thus making Fortunato's insults that much more infuriating to Fortunato. Additionally, it seems from their elegant language to each other, they have the same level of education and social circles. Additionally, both men seem to have many of the same interests. While the plot takes advantage of the love of fine wines, it appears that they may have other things in common. Both men are at carnival which indicates a love of parties. Both love wine and pride themselves on their knowledge. Poe says," in the matter of old wines he,' meaning Fortunato.' Was sincere. In this respect I,' meaning Montresor,' did not differ from him materially" (748). Both men seem to have a ludicrous view of self import. Both it seems, may be masons. In the story, Fortunato is certainly a mason, but it is unclear whether Montresor is a mason because while he had the trowel, he did not know the hand gesture. Nevertheless, they both had an interes t in this secret society and felt that it was sign of prestige. Additionally, it can be inferred that both men possessed a dark sense of humor. Perhaps both have had their share of pulling off dark pranks and being the object of dark humor. This premise is evident by the fact that even until the last moment, as the alcohol wore off, Fortunato thought that Montresor may be joking. Finally, both men are arrogant. Fortunato truly believes that he is the one and only expert in fine wines and it is this arrogance that seals his fate. Throughout the journey into the cask, as Fortunato's cough worsens, Montresor taunts him by offering to take him home knowing full well that Fortunato cannot possibly resist the opportunity to taste. Indeed, Montresor depends on Fortunato's arrogance in order to kill him. Montresor, likewise, is arrogant in his perception of the slights suffered by him and served by Fortunato. Even fifty years later, Montresor sits reminiscing about the murder he committed and still justifies it. The main difference between the two men was that Montresor was suspicious and ever alert, but Fortunato was foolish and easily led. Fortunato, as his name implies is favored by fortune. He is admired and adored in society and enjoys popularity. Fortunato has wealth and seems to be well respected by his family. It is perhaps his popularity which allows him to be misled by Montresor. Almost from the beginning of his story, Montresor takes advantage of Fortunato's cockiness and pride. The first manipulation is "As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If any one has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me" (748). Montresor diabolically makes this statement because he knows that Fortunato will want to go with him to taste the Amontillado. It works beautifully because Fortunato insists that " Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry" (748). Contrary to Fortunato, Montresor does not appear to be loved, respected, or one who enjoys a spot in society. Montresor it seems at one point in time seemed to be an equal of Fortunato but that time has faded. Montresor has a large family it seems and just as many friends but it seems is if that respect dwindled with all of the injuries he suffered. "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as best I could, but when he ventured insult I vowed revenge" (747). It may be that the injuries delivered

Present the case against the anthropogenic causes of global warming Essay

Present the case against the anthropogenic causes of global warming - Essay Example This phenomenon is termed as global warming. There can be many negative consequences of global warming including growing risk of human survival on this planet (Maslin, 2007, p.9). One impact of global warming is melting of ice in the north and south poles which includes glaciers and ice sheets over West Antarctica and Greenland. There is also the risk of rising of the sea level that will result in inundation of the low-lying areas. Many species of the earth like penguins and polar bears are rapidly decreasing in number due to the melting of ice caps. Due to increased precipitation, there has also been an increase in rain and snowfall around the world. There is also damage of coral reefs because of warming of sea water; almost one third of coral reefs have already been severely damaged (Effects of global warming, n.d.). The concept of man’s impact on global warming has currently become a controversial issue because of the various difficulties faced by scientists while studying climate change. This paper argues against the anthropogenic factors of global warming and presents the natural and scientific factors responsible for this phenomenon. Greenhouse effect Greenhouse effect is the phenomenon of increased temperature of the earth’s surface and lower level of atmosphere due to emissions of various gases. Similar to a glass house where heat enters but some of it is retained and is prevented from going out, the earth’s surface too absorbs two-thirds of the sun’s radiation and expels one-third of the heat. In order to maintain balance of the solar heat the earth has to give back equal amount of heat to the atmosphere. Since the earth is colder than the sun, it reflects back heat in longer wavelengths than the sun’s radiation. A large part of this thermal energy emitted by land and water bodies is absorbed by the atmosphere and also by clouds that result in rainfall and cooling of the earth’s surface. This entire phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect (What is the greenhouse effect? 2007, p.1). The most important greenhouse gas is water vapour followed by carbon dioxide which is the second most important greenhouse gas. Some of the other greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere are methane, ozone and nitrous oxide (Montzka, et al, 2011, p.43). If there would been no greenhouse effect then the surface of the earth would have been colder than the present temperature. The estimation is that without greenhouse effect the temperature of the earth’s surface would have been 330 C, and the earth would not have been appropriate for living beings to survive. The concern among scientists is that human activities may increase greenhouse gases to a high level which will lead to increase in temperature by 50 C within the middle of this century. However, the extent to which human life will be affected is still under controversy as it is still a matter of speculation how much the temperature change will affect the normal patterns of rainfall, drought, seasons and sea level (Schneider, 1990[1], p.13). The amount of thermal energy reflected back to space by the earth’s surface depends upon the temperature of the surface. A hot surface will radiate more thermal energy than a cold surface. The amount of radiation is also