In the past the peasantry, the farmers, were seen as the backbone of China, but in this new age of industry that would change. In the cotton mills of Shanghai the “machines were kept running twenty-four hours a day, twelve months a year.” (Honig 3). The working class would support upper class and the general public by creating manufactured goods and textiles to be sold on the markets. As a result those who made up the working class in China were able to mass produce products which would allow for an economic boost to the urban areas of China. However, not all of the workers were originally from urban regions. Often time laborers coming from rural areas would come to the cities in search of labor as the need for agrarian labor declined. Also, because rural families were poor a child to the city to relieve the financial burden at home and send money home to further support their family who remained outside of the cities. Most workers operating machinery came from China’s lower classes who sought positions that did not require skilled labor, though this was not always the case. Typically, positions of unskilled labor were awarded to children, especially during the 1920’s, until it proved to be unprofitable and unnecessary (Hershatter 53). In the cotton mills of Shanghai there was great diversity in the age of workers. There were many young children as young as seven, young women (who would bring their newborn children to the mills), working alongside men and women many years their senior (Honig 54).
Laborers were not only divided by age, but also by gender and geographic location. In Shanghai most workers hired at the cotton mills were female, while in Tianjin male workers were predominant in factories until World War II. Approxima...
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She is seen standing up to man and showcasing her authority when she speaks out to her father, Zeus. And although she is chastised, she does not back down because later in the text we again see her have her say when she questioned her father’s actions. Athena has respect for the cosmic order of the universe but still challenges the set perimeters in terms of divine intervention. Fond of Odysseus, Athena indirectly, directly intervened in the lives of him and his family but instead of appearing as herself, she appears as an old friend of Odysseus and “a shepherd, like a king’s son, all delicately made” (Homer 13. 281-282). A sharp contrast to the discernible interference the other goddesses are involved in, this quotation illustrates how she intervenes in Odysseus’s life in different forms which allow him to get help without outright knowing it is Athena, until when she feels it
As a resident on Mount Olympus, Athena rightfully represents both intelligence and strategy (Grant, Hazel 83). Symbols that identify with the goddess include the owl for wisdom and the olive branch for peace (Athena or Minerva… 1). Athena was a goddess of war who preferred peace to fighting (Lies 47). The deity was depicted in full wartime armor, including a helmet and spear. However, despite her rough accessories, Athena also showed off extreme femininity in her clothing as well as features (Buxton 79). Athena was Zeus’s favorite daughter. Zeus, the king of the gods, allowed her to dress in his Aegis (Lies 47). The Aegis was a breastplate made of goatskin that bore the image of a gorgon to instill panic in foes (Buxton 79). She was born fully-grown and already dressed in her full outfit, ready for war. Furthermore, Athena was the only Olympian not born of a mother. She sprang directly from her father, Zeus’s, head (Lies 47). She was different from the others of her kind, which may be why she was so honored so highly in early Greece.
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In other words, Athena is telling Odysseus to trust her to help him kill all of the suitors because she is a great goddess and they are only mere humans. Odysseus no longer has to come up with tactics and strategies to help him defeat an enemy that has greater strength than he because he will have the greater strength with Athena fighting by his side. Athena takes away the possibility that Odysseus will come up with a strategy like the Trojan horse or tactics similar to the ones he used to defeat the Cyclopes.
Athena the daughter of Zeus, the goddess of wisdom and strategy and it comes out more clearly throughout the books. And in the book The Odyssey she has a huge role of bringing Odysseus’ back home, and she has a great desire to help him. Throughout Odysseus journey to return home to Troy she has an important role to help to guide him in the right directions. It seems like she is looking after him and trying to protect Odysseus and his son Telemachus. Throughout the books we see how Athena is using the power of disguise. Athena appears as different characters that will help and guide both Odysseus and Telemachus to make the right choices. Athena is one of the strongest women in the Odyssey and the force behind the arrangement for Odysseus to return home after Calypso releases him. In the epic Athena is know for being a great warrior, she is confident and a master of disguises, and has a desire to help Odysseus and uses her power to do so. Throughout the epic Athena was the most helpful to bring Odysseus back home.
As you can see Athena was a very important figure in Greek mythology. She was very close to the same person in some cultures and completely different person in others. Her influence on the people varies widely depending on which stories you read and from what culture they are
Athena was gifted with wisdom and beauty from her father, Zeus. She had a drastic impact on Odysseus’ journey home. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a very strong mind and lots of confidence, though he still requires assistance in accomplishing his long-term goal of returning home. His is destined to return to Ithaka and reunite with his long-lost son, Telemakhos. He acquires aid from the goddess of Wisdom and War Strategy, Athena. She is Odysseus’ “guardian goddess” and has always stood by his side to protect him. In Homer’s The Odyssey Athena helps him by communicating with other individuals, by steering Telemakhos towards Odysseus, and using her special ability to disguise herself and others in order to give Odysseus a helping hand throughout his journey back to his homeland.
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Athena is the daughter of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. She is one of the 12 Olympians that live on top of Mount Olympus. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, strategy, skill, and justice, and the owl is her sacred bird. In Mandelbaum verse translation of the epic poem the Odyssey of Homer, Athena helped Odysseus by providing guidance, physical, and internal help. Without this help, Odysseus would have to forge the path home by himself and face the challenges that are to come alone. He would be left to face the wrath of both Zeus and Poseidon without another major god’s help. Athena aided Odysseus in the trials he was to face, which gave him the guidance and help he needed to return to his home, Ithaca.
Athena, the Greek goddess of both wisdom and war, is often considered the craftiest of all Olympian gods. She was born of a headache, and erupted from Zeus’ head fully armed and ready for battle. However, beside all this pomp, she is a rather caring, if war-loving, immortal. Throughout the entirety of The Odyssey she conveys an entirely platonic, almost motherly love for Odysseus. It is this that makes her significant character in Homer’s work. In The Odyssey, Athena is portrayed as a, if not the, major female figure throughout the entire epic poem. With her affection for Odysseus and her frequent appearances she plays a major role throughout the entire poem. Evidence of this integral role will be presented as proof of her importance to the story.
Her distinguishing features are striking gray eyes, dark hair, and casual yet fashionable clothes (Meet the Greek Gods). Athena is extremely cautious and relentless, which makes her a formidable enemy. Percy once said that Athena would make a “terrible enemy” and that “if she made a plan to destroy you, it would not fail” (The Titans Curse 299). On the other hand, Athena also has a big temper and is exceptionally prideful (Meet the Greek Gods). Athena’s pride is also a trait that can be seen through her daughter Annabeth, whose fatal flaw is hubris (The Sea of Monsters 199). Athena is described as cold and calculating when devising plans, saying what she believes is the best course of action even if it may cause controversy, such as when she said that Percy and Thalia posed a “security risk” (The Titans Curse 289). Hermes also refers to Athena as Zeus’ “number one strategist” (The Last Olympian
Athena is the goddess everyone wants to have as guardian for his life. She went against her uncle Poseidon to fight for her Odysseus. At one point, we can even think that Athena is also in love to Odysseus because she has never him down. But the real truth is Athena is an amazing goddess who protect Odysseus no matter what because this is the Love she has for him
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