Existentialism in Soldier’s Home by Ernest Hemingway Essay...

The saying â€Å"Existence precedes essence† is the slogan of existentialism. This element of existentialism is displayed throughout the short story â€Å"Soldier’s Home† by Ernest Hemingway. Of the different elements of existentialism, existence precedes essence is most evident in â€Å"Soldier’s Home†. Harold Krebs was a soldier in World War 1 who got back afew months later than the rest of the men from his town. He was forced to tell lies about his war experiences in order to get along and fit in with the people in his town. â€Å"His lies were quite unimportant lies and consisted in attributing to himself things other men had seen, done or heard of, and stating as facts certain apocryphal incidents familiar to all soldiers† (Hemingway 654). Even though†¦show more content†¦This all matters because if Krebs wanted to change the path in which his life was headed he had the ability to do so. â€Å"’Soldier’s Home’ is also a story about the main characters inability to make commitments for fear of the consequences those commitments might engender† (â€Å"Soldier’s Home†: Short Stories for Students). Harold Krebs was reluctant to partake in the activities that many young people his age were doing such as relationships. Krebs wa s not interested in following the norms of society. He did not feel obligated to be like everyone else which is exactly what he should have felt. Most people give into to what the society wants because they feel that it is the only logical path to take. If you are just like everyone else what impact on the world could you possibly have? As for Harold Krebs, he did not believe that it was his duty to be just like everyone else. Even when his family pushed him to be like everyone else he just did his thing. The war changed Krebs into someone that he nor his family recognized. Krebs came back to a town where nothing had changed. Krebs no longer fit in because the war had such a dramatic impact on his life and way of thinking. â€Å"Nothing had changed in the town except the young girls had grown up† (Hemingway). The people in the town did not understand what Krebs had truly gone through during the war. After such traumatic events occurred, Krebs would never be the same. Today, we know that Krebs probably suffered fromShow MoreRelated Nothingness in A Clean Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway1369 Words   |  6 PagesNothingness in A Clean Well-Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway Man is often plagued by the question of his own existence. Existentialism is a subjective philosophy that is centered upon the examination of man’s existence, emphasizing the liberation, responsibility, and usually the solitude of the individual. It focuses on individuals finding a reason for living within themselves. The philosophy forces man to make choices for himself, on the premise that nothing is preordained, there is no fate

Letter from and Unknown Woman Essay - 1287 Words

Letter from an Unknown Woman (Max Ophà ¼ls; 1948 United States) is a melodrama film that revolves around a woman’s love for a man who does not acknowledge her existence. Like the other films Max Ophà ¼ls directed in America, Letter from an Unknown Woman focuses on â€Å"impossible love† (Danks, n.d. p. 98). 1. The Shot The particular shot chosen from the film to analyse is the shot after Lisa Berndle (Joan Fontaine) rejected Lieutenant Leopold von Kaltnegger’s (John Good) proposal, and they walk towards Frau Berndle (Mady Christians), Herr Kastner (Howard Freeman) and Lieutenant Leopold’s uncle to break the news. That shot starts with a band commencing their next song, and Lisa and Lieutenant Leopold enters the frame, where the camera starts†¦show more content†¦2.2 The Long Take Ophà ¼ls is also known for his use of long takes (Bacher, 1978). Due to the emergence of continuity editing, the duration of shots are reduced. By the early 1920s, an average shot length was about 5 seconds (Bordwell and Thompson, 2008, p. 213). Although Letter from an Unknown Woman was made in 1948, long after the use of continuity editing arose, the film consists of quite a number of long takes. This shot is about 46 seconds long. Although not as long as Jean Renoir’s or Kenki Mizoguchi’s films, whose shots may go on for several minutes (Bordwell and Thompson, 2008, p. 213), it is still considered longer than the average shot at that time. Long takes and camera movements usually rely on each other. Frame mobility helps to break the long shot into significant smaller units (Bordwell and Thompson, 2008, p. 215). With the use of camera movement, this shot can be broken down into three parts – Lisa and Lieutenant Leopold walking towards their family members, where the camera tracks them, Lieutenant Leopold breaking the news to his uncle, where the camera stays static, and Lisa’s parents questioning Lisa about her refusal, where the camera tracks in from a long shot to a mid-close up shot. Due to this long take, the audience do not get to immediately see the family’s reaction of the bad news. Together with the band in the foreground, the audienceShow MoreRelatedThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne1510 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough Hawthorne goes back two hundred years to create a romantic setting for his famous novel The Scarlet Letter, he also envisions a hopeful future for women in which â€Å"sacred love should make [them] happy† (166). However, our present setting tells us a different story. We are presented with the problem of â€Å"slut shaming†: a subtle, yet deadly transfiguration of a woman’s passion and â€Å"sacred love† into moral frailty and opprobrium. As a male, I do not have the same authority to speak on this topicRead MoreSimilarities And Differences Between The Crucible And The Scarlet Letter864 Words   |  4 Pageshis play, The Crucible, in January of 1953. Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, and his book, The Scarlet Letter, came out to print in March of 1850. These two types of literature were published roughly 100 years apart, so there are minute changes in the way they were written. Both are set in early 1700’s Massachusetts, but The Crucible is in Salem, and The Scarlet Letter is set in Boston. 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The original manuscript for the poem was discovered in 1911 in Nottingham, translated, edited in 1960, and finally published in 1972 to be read by the public. This version of Silence is a facing page translation containing both the French and the English by Sarah Roche-Mahdi. The intended audience for this poem in unknown becauseRead MoreThe Importance Of Mistress Hester Prynne In The Scarlet Letter725 Words   |  3 Pagestownspe ople of Boston, Massachusetts, punish a woman for committing an ignominious act with an unexpected man. Hester stands alone on the scaffold as townspeople scowl and judge, wondering who her lover is. The innocent town seamstress is a sinner in the eyes of the pure citizens. As Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter continues, the residents notice Hester’s abilities when caring for her daughter. She also regains respect as the bearer of the scarlet letter, the emblem she wears that â€Å"takes her outRead More Hester Prynne as Puritan Victim in Nathaniel Hawthornes Scarlet Letter511 Words   |  3 PagesThe Scarlet Letter - Hester Prynne as Puritan Victim    In the first several chapters of The Scarlet Letter we can understand Hester Prynne to be a good but misunderstood soul. Labeled as an adulteress, she is the victim of the Puritan lifestyle. A person with many positive traits, she is treated as a terrible person for one unholy act. Far from the evil woman that some of her neighbors see, Hester is a strong, proud and loyal person who resists the worst influences of her community. Read More The Zodiac Killer Essay examples1229 Words   |  5 Pages Much is unknown about the Zodiac killer, but given what is known about serial killers in general, this man was probably born between 1938 and 1943. That would make his age between 25 and 30 years old at the time of his first murder in Vallejo, California, in 1968. Also, that age estimate works with witness statements and its supported by Zodiacs references to his victims in younger terms in his letters of 1969. Zodiac wasnt an attractive character from what we know. He may have had to wear glassesRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Hester from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne977 Words   |  4 PagesHester from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne With nothing now to lose in the sight of mankind, and with no hope, and seemingly no wish, of gaining anything, it could only be a genuine regard for virtue that had brought back the poor wanderer to its paths. (153) With his precise diction Nathaniel Hawthorne displays an interesting conflict based on a disagreement between the protagonist, Hester Prynne, and the strict Puritan society around her in his novel The Scarlet Letter. ThisRead MoreInfluence Of The Industrial Revolution1207 Words   |  5 Pagesconstructed characteristics assigned to each gender, the typical stereotypes and generalizations that differentiate a male from a female seem to linger. Female writers have begun to enlighten others on the significance of the struggle through having to be a re-played stereotype. In pieces such as Barbara Welter’s â€Å"The Cult of True Womanhood†, Gertrude Steins â€Å"The Gentle Lena†, and a love letter titled â€Å"Master† by Emily Dickinson, the labels placed upon these female characters seem to all correlate by havingRead MoreHow Is Hester Prynne A Feminist Novel989 Words   |  4 Pagesstarted by the novel, The Scarlet Letter. Nathaniel Hawthorne took a path with the character Hester Prynne that took many by surprise. Hester Prynne from the acclaimed novel, The Scarlet Letter, is one of American Literature’s first and influential feminist characters that shows superiority while being fearless and having an influence on modern literature and culture. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is accused of adultery and is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest. While Hester

What I shall be in 30 years’ time Free Essays

In my moments of solitude, I haven often mused about this. What will I be in 30 years? That seems a long way ahead but then time does pass by and in a blink of an eye, the years will roll past and I shall be 48. Have I earned a niche in my life? Am I successful in my career? Am I happy in my marriage? How many kids will I have? Sometimes, an image of a hen-pecked husband having to put up with a wife who nags constantly and spends extravagantly imposes itself in my mind or I would be successful in the corporate world? Well, if I really made it in my life, then that signals the star of a pleasurable life. We will write a custom essay sample on What I shall be in 30 years’ time or any similar topic only for you Order Now The saying ‘Life begins at 40’ is true. I shall sit back and enjoy my life to the fullest. Perhaps I could own a profitable company and called it L. O. Sdn. Bhd. It coud be even listed on the KL Exchanges Main Board. I may even jet set round the world in my own private jet whether it is solely for business or pleasure e. g one evening in Paris and the next in London. If time permits, I shall go globe trotting, visit some of the Seven Wonders of the world like The Great Wall of China in Beijing, The Pyramid of Egypt, Taj Mahal in India, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Leaning Tower of Paris, Grand Canyon in Arizona and The Colosseum in Rome where I can re-live the days of the gladiators. On the other hand, I could just be an average income earner, married with a simple, humble and attractive woman and have 3 children. I shall enjoy the company of a closely-knit, harmonious family. Hopefully my children will be well-behaved, disciplined and intelligent. If that is the case, what more can I ask from God? Life would certainly be fulfilling and rewarding. I do not know exactly what my fate in world in life will be. Perhaps I might remain single, end up as a confirm bachelor. That is possible if I do not meet my watch, Miss Right. I do not think I will feel lonely or disappointed. I would rather remain single than marry and later find myself on the verge of a divorce. During my free time I shall be actively involved in charity of socials, volunteer myself in helping the needy, go for activities like fishing, jet skiing, parachuting or some other sports. I could even adopt orphans. As long as I am financially independent and contented with my life, I see no necessity in tying the knot and regretting later. All the images above are but a fragment of the imagination where hopes, dreams and reality are mixed. Hopes are the start of a bright and glorious future. Hence, I would cling to them. How can dreams and hopes come true for a person if he does not dream? How to cite What I shall be in 30 years’ time, Papers

The Old Mans Speech In Version Essay free essay sample

, Research Paper The Old Mans address in version A of The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe seems to be coming from a kinder, more compassionate Old Man than in version B. In version A, it seems to be coming from person who deeply attentions about Dr. Faustus, and is speaking from a friend s point of view. In version B the Old Man seems to be speaking from more of an important place. One in which the Old Man is non a friend but person assigned to censure Dr. Faustus for his errors. In version A the Old Man talks quietly and calmly of Dr. Faustus heinous offenses of flagitious wickednesss and speaks of the heavenly remainder found in Eden, a topographic point in which he can still atone and be admitted to. He speaks largely of non what he has done incorrect, but of what he needs to make in order to be saved by the savior Sweet. We will write a custom essay sample on The Old Mans Speech In Version Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To drop blood and mix it with cryings, sorry cryings of Dr. Faustus heavy caput filled with vile and nauseating foulness, cryings inquiring for forgiveness. It about seems as if in this version there is a good opportunity Dr. Faustus will atone and travel against the fait of him, foreshadowed earlier in the drama. Version B trades minute stly with the Old Man stating Dr. Faustus what non to make, if he does non desire to travel to hell. He tells Dr. Faustus to go forth this blasted art and repent before it is excessively late, and he is banished from the sight of Eden. The Old Man speaks instead bluffly and honestly about what snake pit is all about alternatively of crushing around the shrub like it seems he does in version A. The Old Man after being so blunt so goes on to state that he is non talking out of choler towards him, but out of stamp love. The Old Man besides says that this is merely a friendly reprimanding, non so much a menace. Whether or non the Old Man is being true with this is up to the reader to make up ones mind. Even through these differences the two transitions convey the same basic message, repent before it is excessively late. Therefore, my reading of the drama at this point is non effected. The fait of Dr. Faustus is told to us early in the drama through the mention to fabulous Grecian character Icarus, so there is non excessively much room for alteration in sentiment while reading the drama. This drama besides being a drama of a tragic hero exposing a common trait of these heroes, hubris, you know this trait will be his ruin and lead to his death.

Technology For Specialty Education Essays - Special Education

Technology For Specialty Education Technology and Special Education We live in an era where computers are used in most people's everyday life. Technology has achieved remarkable progress and with this knowledge it's time that important issues are addressed. Homelessness, abortion, taxes, and welfare reform are a few examples of the humanitarian issues I'm talking about. But, the most important issue is education. Because everything we do begins with learning. We learn from our parents and siblings but, more importantly, the education we receive in school is where the learning really begins. We must place emphasis on programs in our Exceptional Student Education programs (more commonly referred to as Special Education) in our country. These programs are imperative for the enhancement and achievements of students in special education. Exceptional Student Education or Special Education is instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of children who have disabilities. This is done at no cost to the parents. Special education can include special instruction in the classroom, at home, in hospitals, or other institutions. Over 5 million children ages 6 through 21 receive special education and related services each year in the United States. Each of these children receives instruction that is specially designed: to meet the child's unique needs (that result from having a disability); and to help the child learn the information and skills that other children are learning (?Questions often asked by Parents about Special Education Services,? 1999). It's time that more consideration is given to exceptional students who have disabilities and/or medical conditions that prevent them from performing to society's standards. We must educate every one of these individuals and use any and all resources that are available to help them to grow to be an independent individual. We need to educate our exceptional students by today's standards as well as educate for tomorrow's living. The answer is computer technology. One of the most difficult challenges faced by teachers today is educating students who have physical, language, or learning disabilities to achieve outcomes, or standards, expected of all students. Nationally, there is a strong push for higher standards of learning. As states and schools implement these standards, they face the challenge of ensuring that they include all students, particularly students with disabilities who are often excluded from these types of educational initiatives. Language arts or learning to communicate effectively in written format is one of the most critical prerequisites for school success. It is also one of the most demanding tasks that students, with or without disabilities, are asked to undertake. As a consequence, many children with developmental disabilities experience significant difficulties learning to read and write. For those same students, obtaining an equal education in mathematics is hampered by the lack of adapted math curricula (Metheny, Rick , 1997). The most important factor in deciding a child's educational needs are his/her parents. After all, parents know what his/her child's needs are and they are the best source for the teachers in order to develop an effective Individualized Education Program (IEP). Effective special education programs plan for student transition. Transition should not be a concept reserved only for older students. Transition is a process and includes moving from one program to another, such as: early childhood to elementary school; elementary to middle; high school to postsecondary; or special class to less restrictive setting. What is taught and how it is taught is the crux of effective education. Effective special education includes making decisions about instructional content that reflect the longer-term goals for the student and promote his/or maximum achievement and integration (McLaughlin, Margaret, 1993). Parents need to know and must seek advice from sources to find out what individual education program is appropriate to their own particular instance. This is where parents and the education process need more structuring. If you're a parent, as I am, of a disabled child you may already realize that an IEP is mainly decided by the parent, the child's special education teacher, and others who are directly involved. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and IEP are programs that work together. This law was enacted to ensure that all children with disabilities would have a free, appropriate public education available to them that would meet their unique

Niccolò Machiavelli Essay Example

Niccolà ² Machiavelli Essay Example Niccolà ² Machiavelli Paper Niccolà ² Machiavelli Paper The Prince, the philosopher Machiavellis most famous work, was a book dedicated to the leader Lorenzo de Medici, written on the topic of how to be an effective ruler. The basis of Machiavellis theory was that conditions of a society rise and fall perpetually as time continues, and a successful leader must learn to cope with these fluctuations. Of all the philosophers so far, Machiavellis take on the obligations of leaders and on government itself has been the most agreeable. In order to contend with constant change, leaders must understand and consider 5 key ideas: fortuna, virtu, necessita, occasione, and ordini. The factual existence and proof of these ideas are demonstrated today. Fortuna is the idea that everything that occurs, occurs by chance. Combined with virtu, the ability to think and act intelligently to overcome fortuna, and necessita, the obligation to face things necessary for human purposes, this states that a good leader must be prepared to help his people cope with sudden changes. For example, President Bush has given regular speeches about the September 11th attacks to keep the country in a state of ordini, which is the constant goal of order in a government. The United States Government is now using its virtu and necessita to determine the next step whether it be war or peace and is trying to find the occasione the time to act upon its decisions. Machiavelli was greatly disliked for his opinions expressed in The Prince. He thought that politics was a science; by studying the lives of great politicians of the past, the world today could supposedly do the same and gain the same results. In addition, he appropriately believed religion and morals should be eliminated from politics altogether, leaving politics amoral (with no knowledge of morals). This stated that leaders, therefore, could do bad or evil things in order to gain a greater good, such as in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki though many lives were lost, more would have been inevitably taken if the war had dragged on. Sometimes, however, leaders misjudge what the greater good actually is, and ends up doing immoral or at least incorrect things without any more-positive results; in these instances, according to Machiavelli, the leader is in fact in the wrong. For example, the USs interference in the Vietnam War simply cost us thousands of American lives. In order to be an effective leader, one must understand that people are not always agreeable, and peace is not a given. As a result of this, Machiavelli developed a 7th idea of an economy of violence if people do not listen to the government, then they must be punished. A truly competent leader would be able to minimize the amount of punishment and violence, and maximize prosperity. The US is once again a good example of this the government has created laws, which, if the people abide by them, allow benefits for the abiding individuals; however, those who break the laws are punished. Machiavellis views are accurate in stating, The end justifies the means. Though sometimes certain situations are too extreme to be applied to this theory, the idea in itself is appropriate, for if there is a greater good to be had, then sometimes evil acts are necessary. Society is in constant change, and leaders who have been accepted and beneficial have been able to cope with these changes.

Biography of Pancho Villa -- The Centaur of the North

Biography of Pancho Villa The Centaur of the North Pancho Villa (1878-1923) was a Mexican bandit, warlord and revolutionary. One of the most important figures of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), he was a fearless fighter, clever military commander and important power broker during the years of conflict. His vaunted Division of the North was, at one time, the strongest army in Mexico and he was instrumental in the downfall of both Porfirio Dà ­az and Victoriano Huerta. When the alliance of Venustiano Carranza and Alvaro Obregà ³n finally defeated him, he responded by waging a guerrilla war which included an attack on Columbus, New Mexico. He was assassinated in 1923. Early Years Pancho Villa was born Doroteo Arango to a family of impoverished sharecroppers who worked land belonging to the wealthy and powerful Là ³pez Negrete family in the state of Durango. According to legend, when young Doroteo caught one of the Là ³pez Negrete clan trying to rape his sister Martina, he shot him in the foot and fled to the mountains. There he joined a band of outlaws and soon rose to a position of leadership through his bravery and ruthlessness. He earned good money as a bandit and gave some if it back to the poor, which earned him a reputation as a sort of Robin Hood. Revolution Breaks Out The Mexican Revolution broke out in 1910 when Francisco I. Madero, who had lost a crooked election to dictator Porfirio Dà ­az, declared himself president and called for the people of Mexico to take up arms. Arango, who had changed his name to Pancho Villa (after his grandfather) by then, was one who answered the call. He brought his bandit force with him and soon became one of the most powerful men in the north as his army swelled. When Madero returned to Mexico from exile in the United States in 1911, Villa was the one who welcomed him. Villa knew he was no politician but he saw promise in Madero and vowed to take him to Mexico City. The Campaign Against Dà ­az The corrupt regime of Porfirio Dà ­az was still entrenched in power, however. Villa soon gathered an army around him, including an elite cavalry unit. Around this time he earned the nickname â€Å"the Centaur of the North† because of his riding skill. Along with fellow warlord Pascual Orozco, Villa controlled the north of Mexico, defeating federal garrisons and capturing towns. Dà ­az might have been able to handle Villa and Orozco, but he also had to worry about the guerrilla forces of Emiliano Zapata in the south, and before too long it was evident that Dà ­az could not defeat the enemies arrayed against him. He left the country in April of 1911, and Madero entered the capital in June, triumphant. In Defense of Madero Once in office, Madero quickly got into trouble. Remnants of the Dà ­az regime despised him, and he alienated his allies by not honoring his promises to them. Two key allies he turned against him were Zapata, who was disappointed to see that Madero had little interest in land reform, and Orozco, who had hoped in vain that Madero would give him a lucrative post, such as state governor. When these two men once again took up arms, Madero called on Villa, his only remaining ally. Along with General Victoriano Huerta, Villa fought and defeated Orozco, who was forced into exile in the United States. Madero could not see those enemies closest to him, however, and Huerta, once back in Mexico City, betrayed Madero, arrested him and ordered him executed before setting himself up as president. Campaign Against Huerta Villa had believed in Madero and was devastated by his death. He quickly joined an alliance of Zapata and revolution newcomers Venustiano Carranza and Alvaro Obregà ³n dedicated to removing Huerta. By then, Villas Division of the North was the most powerful and feared military unit in the nation and his soldiers numbered in the tens of thousands. Huerta was surrounded and outnumbered, even though Orozco had returned and joined him, bringing his army with him. Villa led the fight against Huerta, defeating federal forces in cities all over northern Mexico. Carranza, a former governor, named himself Chief of the Revolution, which irritated Villa although he accepted it. Villa did not want to be president, but he did not like Carranza. Villa saw him as another Porfirio Dà ­az and wanted someone else to lead Mexico once Huerta was out of the picture. In May of 1914, the way was clear for an attack on the strategic town of Zacatecas, where there was a major railway junction that could carry the revolutionaries right into Mexico City. Villa attacked Zacatecas on June 23. The Battle of Zacatecas was a huge military victory for Villa: barely a few hundred out of 12,000 federal soldiers survived. After the loss at Zacatecas, Huerta knew his cause was lost and tried to surrender to gain some concessions, but the allies would not let him off the hook so easily. Huerta was forced to flee, naming an interim president to rule until Villa, Obregà ³n, and Carranza reached Mexico City. Villa Versus Carranza With Huerta gone, hostilities between Villa and Carranza broke out almost immediately. A number of delegates from the leading figures of the revolution got together at the Convention of Aguascalientes in October of 1914, but the interim government put together at the convention did not last and the country was once again embroiled  in a civil war. Zapata remained holed up in Morelos, only fighting those who ventured onto his turf, and Obregà ³n decided to support Carranza, mostly because he felt Villa was a loose cannon and Carranza was the lesser of two evils. Carranza set himself up as  President of Mexico  until elections could take place and sent Obregà ³n and his army after the rebellious Villa. At first, Villa and his generals, such as  Felipe Angeles, scored decisive victories against Carranza. But in April, Obregà ³n brought his army north and lured Villa into a fight.  The Battle of Celaya took place from April 6-15, 1915 and was a huge victory for Obregà ³n. Villa limped away but Obregà ³n chased him and the two fought at the Battle of Trinidad (April 29-June 5, 1915). Trinidad was another huge loss for Villa and the once-mighty Division of the North was in tatters. In October, Villa crossed the mountains into Sonora, where he hoped to defeat Carranzas forces and regroup. During the crossing, Villa lost Rodolfo Fierro, his most loyal  officer, and cruel hatchet man. Carranza had reinforced Sonora, however, and Villa was defeated. He was forced to cross back into Chihuahua with what was left of his army. By December, it was evident to Villas officers that Obregà ³n and Carranza had won: most of the Division of the North accepted an offer of amnesty and switched sides. Villa himself headed into the mountains with 200 men, determined to keep fighting. The Guerrilla Campaign and the Attack on Columbus Villa had officially gone rogue. His army down to a couple of hundred men, he resorted to banditry to keep his men supplied with food and ammunition. Villa became increasingly  erratic and blamed the Americans for his losses in Sonora. He detested  Woodrow Wilson  for recognizing the Carranza government and began harassing any and all Americans that crossed his path. On the morning of March 9, 1916, Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, with 400 men. The plan was to defeat the small garrison and make off with weapons and ammunition as well as to rob the bank and get revenge on one Sam Ravel, an American arms dealer who had once double-crossed Villa and a Columbus resident. The attack failed on every level: the American garrison was much stronger than Villa had suspected, the bank went unrobbed, and Sam Ravel had gone to El Paso. Still, the fame Villa gained by having the guts to attack a town in the United States gave him a new lease on life. Recruits once again joined his army and word of his deeds  was  spread far and wide, often romanticized in song. The Americans sent  General Jack Pershing  into Mexico after Villa. On March 15, he took 5,000 American soldiers across the border. This action became known as the â€Å"Punitive Expedition† and it was a fiasco. Finding the elusive Villa proved next to impossible and logistics were a nightmare. Villa was wounded in a skirmish in late March and spent two months recovering alone in a hidden cave: he dispersed his men into small squads and told them to fight on while he healed. When he came out, many of his men had been killed, including some of his best officers. Undaunted, he took again to the hills, fighting both the Americans and Carranzas forces. In June, there was a confrontation between Carranzas forces and the Americans just south of Ciudad Jurez. Cool heads prevented another war between Mexico and the United States, but it was clear that it was time for Pershing to leave. By early 1917 all American forces had left Mexico, and Villa was still at large. After Carranza Villa remained in the hills and mountains of northern Mexico, attacking small federal garrisons and eluding capture until  1920 when the political situation changed. In 1920, Carranza backed off a promise to support Obregà ³n for president. This was a fatal mistake, as Obregà ³n still had much support in many sectors of society, including the army. Carranza, fleeing Mexico City, was assassinated on May 21, 1920. The death of Carranza was an opportunity for  Pancho Villa. He began negotiations with the government to disarm and stop fighting. Although Obregà ³n was against it, Provisional President Adolfo de la Huerta saw it as an opportunity and brokered a deal with Villa in July. Villa was granted a large hacienda, where many of his men joined him, and his veterans were all given mustering-out pay and an amnesty was declared for Villa, his  officers, and men.  Eventually, even Obregà ³n saw the wisdom of peace with Villa and honored the deal. Death of Villa Obregà ³n was elected President of Mexico in September of 1920, and he began the work of rebuilding the nation.  Villa,  retired to his hacienda in Canutillo, began farming and ranching. Neither man forgot about one another, and the people never forgot Pancho Villa: how could they, when the songs about his daring and cleverness were still sung up and down Mexico? Villa kept a low profile and was seemingly friendly with Obregà ³n, but soon the new president decided the time had come to get rid of Villa once and for all. On July 20, 1923, Villa was  gunned down as he drove a car  in the town of Parral. Although he was never directly implicated in the killing, it is clear that Obregà ³n gave the order, perhaps because he feared Villas interference (or possible candidacy) in the 1924 elections. Pancho Villas Legacy The people of Mexico were devastated to hear of Villas death: he was still a folk hero for his defiance of the Americans, and he was seen as a possible savior from the harshness of the Obregà ³n administration. The ballads continued to be sung and even those who had hated him in life mourned his death. Over the years, Villa has continued to evolve into a mythological figure. Mexicans have forgotten his role in the bloody Revolution, forgotten his massacres and executions and robberies. All that is left is his daring, cleverness and defiance, which continue to be celebrated by many Mexicans in art,  literature, and film. Perhaps it is better this way: Villa himself certainly would have approved. Source: McLynn, Frank.  Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2000.