Symbolism in Things Fall Apart. Imagery Symbols [Essay]

The novel Things Fall Apart takes a central role in the changing system of contemporary literature in Africa. The author refutes a widespread stereotype claiming that before colonization, Africa did not have a culture. It represents political and social background in a detailed realistic method. The foundations of African oral tradition, which include proverbs, tales, and symbols are frequently used in this novel. The essay shall provide the analysis of symbolism in Things Fall Apart.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Symbolism in Things Fall Apart. Imagery Symbols [Essay] specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is an exhilarating novel that uses vast literature styles, such as symbolism and motifs, to illustrate the principles of African cultural erosion as a result of embracing western culture. By the use of symbols, the author shows how the African culture was shattered by the European style of life when Christiani ty was adopted in the African society. In this book, numerous symbols are used, as discussed below. Symbolism in Things Fall Apart: Analysis of the Main Themes Yams Yam is a crop that is commonly grown by men. Raising of this crop requires intensive labor, and the work ethics of a man can be measured by the portion of the field and harvest obtained. In the African setup, the sole objective of growing yams is to acquire wealth and feed the family. They symbolize a man’s ability to provide. In this novel, a man who had bulk yams was portrayed as not a failure like Unoka-he had a large barn full of yams (Chinua, 1958, p. 4). Nwakibie refuses to give the young men yams citing that they would dump them on earth rather than taking care of them as a man would do for his family to flourish. Yams are very precious and would only belong to hardworking individuals. The central positioning of the yam highlights the defining traits of the tribe. The symbolic meaning is illustrated by its use as a source of satisfaction. Due to the intensive efforts needed in cultivating it, bulk harvest represents yearly achievement gained from nature. A yam’s image is brought out as a necessity of the culture. Folktales According to Okonkwo, most of the folktales in the novel featuring small animals symbolize women’s behavior, for example, the Ekwefl’s tale that talks about the birds and the tortoise who were invited for a feast in the sky. This blocked out the tortoise since he had no wings to fly, and the birds were aware of his ungratefulness and cunning behavior, thus could not help him out. The tortoise was starving and had to sweet talk the birds to nurture his hunger. In their journey, the tortoise claims of a custom that demands them to take new names though the idea was to acquire the most respectable position. Since the women were all inferior, they gave in, and the cunning tortoise ended up feasting on the best food leaving leftovers for the birds. T hough the animal imagery in Things Fall Apart, the author   depicts the indecisive character of women and also provides useful morals in society.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fire Okonkwo is compared to fire by other characters and the narrator; he is branded â€Å"Roaming Flame in the town† (Chinua, 1958, p. 122). According to him, fire is a symbol of strength. While seated in his hut after a quarrel with his son Nwoye, Okonkwo stared on a log fire and felt a strong feeling to rise, take up a machete and clear the Christians who Nwoye was associating with. Whenever Okonkwo would gaze at flame, a wild feeling of strength would fill his body. Mother of the Spirits The Mother of the spirits can be viewed as personification by the clan of Umofia and the Mother of Egwugwu. At this juncture, the style of life of Umuofia is deeply disregarded, and the damage committe d is irreparable. The Mother of spirits mourns her son’s death loudly after the unmasking night. A comparison between the clan and Mother of spirits is drawn, â€Å"†¦it seemed as if the very soul of the clan wept for the great evil that was coming its own death† (Chinua, 1958, p. 145). It is imperative that the Mother of spirits does not revenge her son’s death but rather mourns and weeps. People of Umuofia would not avenge for crimes committed against them. Okonkwo When analyzing Things Fall Apart symbols, Okonkwo should be mentioned as well. He symbolizes masculinity, a character deeply opposed to the Christian belief of love. The spirit of African people is represented collectively by his personality. Just like the Igbos, he is a very independent and strong person. Weinstock and Ramadan (1978) pointed out the following regarding Okonkwo: Okonkwo is consistently associated with masculinity, and he virtually always mistrusts, opposes, and attacks anything feminine or linked with femininity. Christianity embodies and stresses the qualities Okonkwo considers to be womanish, such as love affection, and mercy, and he characteristically valuates the missionaries as a ‘lot of effeminate men clucking like old hens (p.128). The story’s summary evidences Okonkwo fighting courageously against ideologies opposing what he valued, and his downfall is the result of his opposition to colonization.Okonkwo’s death symbolizes the death of African culture. Achebe decided to illustrate the hands of Africans’ giving in to Christianity to take charge by the act of Okonkwo committing suicide rather than being killed and subsequently wiping out the culture of Africa. It is a conspiracy to have written a whole book about the negativity of colonization that the last statement in his piece of writing could belong to the Britain District commissioner. He remarks the suicide act by saying it was possible to dedicate Okonkwo a paragrap h in his book. This fact slightly contradicted the theme meant by Achebe since portraying Africans as primitive differed from what Achebe wanted to demonstrate. By using the symbol of Okonkwo’s death through suicide, Achebe points out that Africans should also be blamed for letting in foreign ideologies to develop in their land.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Symbolism in Things Fall Apart. Imagery Symbols [Essay] specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nwoye’s Personality Nwoye’s personality was a symbol of Christianity. His father always fought against feminine behavior. His conversion to Christianity was to strengthen the symbol created by Achebe. Okonkwo’s family was his joy and pride, while Nwoye’s conversion to Christianity was the last pain he would endure. Due to his son’s rejection of his lifestyle, the only option left was to cease living. Nweoye’s Adoption o f a New Name His decision to take up a new name, Isaac, with the importance it carried, confirms his loyalty to Christianity religion. Though the exact name that he picks implies significance beyond the immediate sense of personal salvation, it brings out memories of the Biblical story of Abraham, where an animal was substituted for his son, Isaac. The adoption of this name by Nwoye portrays the complete meaning of his conversion, which was the critical sign of liberation from the limitation of the family creation. Weather Weather takes up a crucial role in the lives of Nigerians, especially the Igbos. The availability of rain or its unavailability illustrates that the tribe was dependent on weather for survival. Weather limits the extent to which their crops grow and the flow of the rivers, which in turn influence their water and food supply. On sunny days, the sun is utilized by the plants and in warming up things. Nevertheless, excess rain or sun is likely to cause damage (Rand, 1966). Locust Invasion Invasion by locusts symbolizes a grand attack with devastating destruction. Two important events are considered to establish the locust link. In the text, â€Å"†¦At first, a fairly small swarm came†¦Ã¢â‚¬  implying that â€Å"†¦they were the harbingers sent to survey the land†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chinua, 1958, p. 43). He pointed out the first arrival of whites and others on the way. This link of events was done deliberately. The cognition gulf is linked up by the myth of locust through the establishment of the unknown and known. People were not aware of insects though it was the myth behind them and the danger of economic failure. The author illustrates the locusts that invaded the village using allegorical phrases that foreshadowed the coming of white men in African land. They intended to exploit all the resources of the Igbo tribe. Because Igbo consumed locust, it shows that they are not offensive. In the same way, individuals who were simulated to Christianity overlooked negative impacts; the white people’s culture would impact their lifestyle. The language used by Achebe in describing the locust invasion depicts their symbolic reputation. The use of repetitive style draws emphasis on the pervasive presence of locusts and a hint in the manner in which the white settlers would occupy Igbos’ land by surprise. It is noted that the insects were too heavy, and that was the reason they broke the branches of a tree. This was a symbol of how the traditions and culture of the Igbo would fracture on the attack by colonialism as well as white settlement (Oyekan, 1993).Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More What Does Okonkwo Death Symbolize? The death of Okonkwo is a heroic death that is analogous to a warrior who is attached to his people. This symbolizes the catastrophic demise that great people face. This is because committing suicide is regarded abomination contrary to the earth and thus should not be buried by clansmen. But in the right of African style, Okonokwo’s death could not be considered as a heroic death; rather, it can only be seen as a shameful death. Unable to deal with his failure, he acts in the way that leads to his death, and he is the one who should be blamed for this.The irritating final words Obierika cast to the District Commissioner hold certain ambiguity within Igbos point of view, in memory of heroism and shameful act of killing himself (Okonkwo). From the novel, he was portrayed as the greatest man in Umuofia and was forced to commit suicide and buried in a disrespectful manner (David, 1998). Conclusion Things Fall Apart symbolism essay shows that thi s is a thrilling novel that uses a symbolic literature style to demonstrate the credo of Africa’s cultural erosion by embracing the western culture. Most of the Africans were not ready to give in to the white man’s way of life, and as such, Okonkwo would rather cease living than adopt the white man’s way of life. Colonization plays a more prominent role in society, and the culture takes up a central role. Symbolic events and characters are used to help the reader have a deeper understanding of society. References Chinua, A. (1958). Things Fall Apart. New York: Heinemann Education Books. David, K. (1998). The African Novel and the Modernist Tradition. New York: Peter Lanng publishers. Oyekan, O. (1993). A History of Twentieth-century African Literatures. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska. Rand, B. (1966). Contributions in Afro- American studies. Greenwood: Greenwood press. Weinstock, D., Ramadan, C. (1978). Critical Perspectives on Chinua Achebe. Washington D. C: Three Continents Press. This essay on Symbolism in Things Fall Apart was written and submitted by user Jazlynn H. 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.

5 Cases of Extraneous Hyphenation with Numbers

5 Cases of Extraneous Hyphenation with Numbers 5 Cases of Extraneous Hyphenation with Numbers 5 Cases of Extraneous Hyphenation with Numbers By Mark Nichol The combination of numbers, spelled out or in numerical form, and hyphens is a volatile mixture that often confuses writers. Here are five sentences in which hyphens are erroneously inserted into constructions that do not require them, with explanations and corrections. 1. â€Å"Four-percent of adults may have ADHD.† There’s no reason to combine four and percent. The writer might have incorrectly extrapolated from the use of fractions in the same type of construction (â€Å"One-third of respondents agree with the statement†), but the sentence should read, â€Å"Four percent of adults may have ADHD.† 2. â€Å"Astronomers say an object five-times bigger than Jupiter is the first planet outside our solar system to be imaged.† The reference to the exoplanet’s magnitude of size in comparison to Jupiter requires no linking hyphen. The misunderstanding perhaps arises from the fact that â€Å"five times† modifies bigger, but bigger is an adjective, not a noun, and words combining to modify adjectives are not hyphenated. The correct form is â€Å"Astronomers say an object five times bigger than Jupiter is the first planet outside our solar system to be imaged.† 3. â€Å"This monk began his vow not to speak with a 2-1/2 year walk up the coast.† Writers often erroneously insert a hyphen between a whole number and a fraction in a mixed fraction. It’s not necessary, but it is required between the mixed fraction and the noun that follows when they combine to modify another noun, as in this example: â€Å"This monk began his vow not to speak by taking a 2 1/2-year walk up the coast.† (2 1/2 is considered a single element, so omit the intervening hyphen.) Note, too, the slight revision to eliminate the suggestion that the monk conversed with a 2 1/2-year walk up the coast. 4. â€Å"The electrified border, 10-feet-high, is to be completed across the border with India.† If this sentence used the phrase â€Å"10 feet high† as a modifier preceding â€Å"electrified fence† (â€Å"a 10-foot-high electrified fence†), the hyphens linking the elements as a unified description would be valid. But in a simple reference to physical dimensions, no hyphens are necessary: â€Å"The electrified fence, 10 feet high, is to be completed across the border with India.† 5. â€Å"You must have a keen sense of how to capture the attention of the 18-34 year-old news junkie.† This sentence tries to observe the basic rule about connecting the numbers in a range (preferably with an en dash rather than a hyphen) but errs in its failure to recognize the special case of suspensive hyphenation that overrules that usage. The sentence refers to a demographic cohort consisting of 18-year-old news junkies and 34-year-old news junkies and all news junkies in between. When using a range involving a number compound, elide most of the first element, retaining only the number (spelled out or in numeral form) and a hyphen, followed by a letter space: â€Å"You must have a keen sense of how to capture the attention of the 18- to 34-year-old news junkie.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:85 Synonyms for â€Å"Help†Capitalization Rules for Names of Historical Periods and Movements20 Names of Body Parts and Elements and Their Figurative Meanings

The Younger Years of Grace Murray Hopper

The Younger Years of Grace Murray Hopper Computer programming pioneer Grace Murray Hopper was born on December 9, 1906, in New York City. Her childhood and early years contributed to her brilliant career but also showed how she was a typical kid in many ways. She was the oldest of three children. Her sister Mary was three years younger and her brother Roger was five years younger than Grace. She fondly recalled the happy summers playing typical childhood games together at a cottage on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Still, she thought that she took the blame too often for mischief the children and their cousins got into on vacation. Once, she lost her swimming privileges for a week for instigating them to climb a tree. Besides playing outdoors, she also learned crafts such as needlepoint and cross-stitch. She enjoyed reading and learned to play the piano. Hopper liked to tinker with gadgets and find out how they worked. At age seven she was curious about how her alarm clocked worked. But when she took it apart, she was unable to put it back together. She continued taking apart seven alarm clocks, to the displeasure of her mother, who limited her to taking apart just one. Math Talent Runs in the Family Her father, Walter Fletcher Murray, and paternal grandfather were insurance brokers, a profession which makes use of statistics. Graces mother, Mary Campbell Van Horne Murray, loved math and went along on surveying trips with her father, John Van Horne, who was a senior civil engineer for the city of New York. While it wasnt proper at that time for a young lady to take an interest in math, she was allowed to study geometry but not algebra or trigonometry. It was acceptable to use math to keep household finances in order, but that was all. Mary learned to understand the familys finances because feared her husband would die from his health problems. He lived to be 75. Father Encourages Education Hopper credited her father for encouraging her to step beyond the usual feminine role, have ambition and get a good education. He wanted his girls to have the same opportunities as his boy. He wanted them to be self-sufficient since he wouldnt be able to leave them much of an inheritance. Grace Murray Hopper attended  private schools in New York City where the curriculum focused on teaching girls to be ladies. However, she was still able to play sports at school, including basketball, field hockey, and water polo. She wanted to enter Vassar College at age 16 but failed the Latin exam, She had to be a boarding student for a year until she was able to enter Vassar at age 17 in 1923. Entering the Navy Hopper was considered too old, at age 34, to join the military after the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the United States into World War II. But as a mathematics professor, her skills were a critical need for the military. While Navy officials said she should serve as a civilian, she was determined to enlist. She took a leave of absence from her teaching position at Vassar and had to get a waiver because she was underweight for her height. With her determination, she was sworn into the U.S. Navy Reserve in December 1943. She would serve for 43 years. Her younger years shaped her path to the computer programming legacy for which she is famous. Later in life, after her time in the Navy, she invented the Mark I Computer with Howard Aiken. Her early math talent, her education, and her Navy experience all played a role in her eventual career. Source and Further Reading Elizabeth Dickason, Remembering Grace Murray Hopper: A Legend in Her Own Time, The Department of the Navy Information Technology Magazine, 27 June 2011.

Masks Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Masks - Term Paper Example I imagined meeting new friends and acquiring all the freedom in the world. I believe this is what many people still imagine before joining high school. Ask anybody if you ever get the chance and you will most probably prove me right. The long awaited day soon came and I was accompanied to my new school by my father. I always believed that I was his favorite child because I more often than not accompanied him to all places, and unlike my sisters and my other brother, he accompanied me to my new school singly. He must have been the tallest man in the Yorkshire area because I never saw anyone greet him without having to bend low, nor did I ever see him enter any house without bending his head, however slightly. The principal of my new school was a short bald-headed man. He looked so mean and I hated him at once. He was seated at the middle of a large room, a laptop on the table in front of him, and several forms on his right hand side. He had a large belly that touched the hedge of the table. After a thirty-minute talk and other formalities, I was officially admitted to the school and my father left. I felt my body shrivel and a fear ran down my spine. I controlled tears from running down my face. A week later, I was accustomed to the life of the place. Though it was not as I expected, I learned to love it altogether. Little did I know that I was to be chosen as the school’s spy. Whatever, criteria was used to have me chosen has been beyond my knowledge to date. As a spy, I would be an obvious target and would be baited if the other students came to learn of it. I, therefore, tried all I could to ensure that no one, even my closest friends, came to learn of it. However, to my disappointment, some students knew about it and spread the news to the rest of the students. This was so upsetting and perplexing. I would have wished to quit, but there were several privileges that I enjoyed that held me firmly to the task. Secretly, and theoretically of course, I wou ld inform the head teacher of any evil plans within the school, or even of any crimes already committed or due. I hated, and shall forever hate the role I played more than any words can explain. I was hated by almost all students within the school. Most students sneered at me whenever I passed and made mocking sounds towards me. I was stuck in the midst of the office I served, and my anger against the students who tried to make my role impossible. As much as I was hated by most students, I still had faithful and close friends I would rely on. However, it was difficult for me to trust them wholly because they could well have evil plans. Nevertheless, I tried the much I could to save them whenever there was trouble. This, I felt compelled to do to secure a place in their friendship. I knew it was not right, but I had to do it anyway. One day, something I least expected happened. It was an incident that gave me a better understanding of the real scenery of hatred. It was late at night when all students were expected to be in their beds. I had come to learn that most of the evil plans within the school were planned and carried out at this time of the night. There had been peace and everything had been smooth for the past few weeks. I therefore, did not expect any trouble that night or the rest of the week. I therefore, retired to my bed. Before I could fall asleep, my cell phone (one of the privileges I enjoyed) rang. â€Å"

Comparing Plans and Programs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Comparing Plans and Programs - Essay Example For benefits, one must be registered in their reporting system. It offers various health plan choices to convene beneficiary needs and offers two dental plans and other special programs. Both have similarities in their customer base. They use the same federal strategies and have similar rules.For Tricare eligibility one must be retired military and enrolled in DEERS. For CHAMPVA one cannot be retired military, and there is no DEERS enrollment (Moisoi 2010). TRICARE has no disability criteria for eligibility while CHAMPVA veterans must be fully disabled, or died while on duty. Tricare members do not receive medical services by veteran affairs doctors while CHAMPVA veterans and dependents can receive medical care through veteran affairs medical facilities. Managed care models provide quality medical services within a budget to an enrolled population. An example is the Staff Model, where physicians are salaried employees of a Health Maintenance Organization. Medical services are only open to HMO members.The physicians adopt the principles of managed care and the system tries to reinforce high quality and cost effective care with administrative supports. Procedures for implementing insurance plans include: Supervisor training that increases awareness of behavior problems and open channels of communication between staff and managers and Employee orientation that educates employees to understand their benefits and assists them in taking the first step toward benefit utilization. Utilization Review is the process of appraising the medical requirement and employment of resources for care. The principles enhance good ethical conduct, confidentiality of information and data. They ensure that members maintain a level of competency through continuing education. In the managed care referral process medical groups provide training for clinical area staff for new contracts or major changes in

Small and Medium Enterprises Essay example -- Business, Environment, P

Introduction Environmental practices among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are increasing being supported as the vital approaches that are needed to shapes and sustains the environment (Schaper 2002; Hillary 2004; Redmond, Walker et al. 2008; Rasi, Abdekhodaee et al. 2010; Revell, Stokes et al. 2010). Many large organizations have taken considerable steps to reduce or eliminate pollution that might occur from their operations. Small and Mediums Enterprises (SMEs), however, continue to be overlooked on it consequences on environmental management issues (Melton 1999). While, some SMEs are generally aware of the substantial impact of their operations on the environment (Williamson and Lynch-Wood 2001), most SME believe environmental initiatives as peripheral issues and may not be important to the organizational survival (Redmond, Walker et al. 2008) Ensuring SMEs to realize and accomplish its environmental objectives are crucial. The notions that SMEs are not yet engaged in the environmental practices are intimidating since the facts that most environmental pollution is originates from SMEs. An earlier study by Smith and Kemp (1998) identifies that 70 percent of manufacturing pollution are created by SMEs. The Marshall Report (1998) estimates that SMEs generates 60 percent of carbon emissions. More recently, a report for The European Commission, Directorate General Environment, indicates that more than 50 percent of commercial and industrial waste are produced by SMEs (Berends, Morà ¨re et al. 2000), whilst the UK Environment Agency estimates that UK SMEs are responsible for 60 percent of commercial waste and 80 percent of pollution accidents (Netreg 2003). Again, work by the Wales Environment Centre in rural Wales, indicat... ...tivities. The strategy requires a structural investment in operations that involves process or product based changes in effort to gain a competitive advantage (Klassen and Whybark 1999). Compared to former strategies, proactive strategies imply creative problem solving and collaborative exchanges with stakeholders (Sharma and Vredenburg 1998). For example, organizations implementing proactive approaches can improve various managerial aspects by continuously monitoring their activities and learning to optimize and utilize their green technological investment (Biondi, Frey et al. 1998). In addition, strategic collaboration with stakeholders enables SMEs to share tacit knowledge that are useful to make a successful transition to new environmental technologies. Table 1 depicts the differences between a reactive approach and a proactive approach as discussed above.

Note Tasting Wine and Beer

note teasti1/ Morgan’s Bay Chardonnay _ Largely unoaked, this is intentionally crafted in an ‘approachable style' which translates into something light and easy going – in theory at least. In reality it's just a bit cheap tasting. 2/ Morgans Bay Shiraz Cabernet, S. E. Australia _ Classic Australian style, fruit forward easy drinking red 3/ Richmond grove bay of Stone, NV brut _ Freshness of fruit flavors and yeast complexity, are achieved by the inclusion of more than one vintage during assemblage (blending). Gentle pressing produced fresh clean juice with delicate fruit flavors.Harmonious aromas of fresh lemon citrus and red fruits. Intense lemon citrus flavors are balanced with rich creamy yeast characters that lead to a soft, clean finish. 4/ Long Gully Estate Brut Cuvee _Flavours from the classic varieties using a range of winemaking and oak management techniques, creating distinctive cool climate wine styles, marked by their complexity and aging ability. A po rtion of reserve base wine adds a touch of creamy complexity to what is essentially a zesty easy drinking Sparkling. 5/ Pettavel Evening Star Chardonnay 2008 (Geelong, VIC) Warm summer days and cool nights allow our Chardonnay grapes to retain vibrant and complex fruit flavours. After gentle pressing 35 percent of the juice was transferred to second fill French oak barrels for fermentation, the remaining juice was tank fermented to retain crisp youthful aromas and flavours. Upfront melon and peach flavours are enhanced with subtle oak characters and lingering tropical fruit with a citrus acid finish that ensures the wine will reward both immediate consumption or medium term cellaring. 6/ Heart of Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Marlborough, NZ) This is a punchy style of savvy with deliciously intense tropical fruit, capsicum and citrus flavours. It’s a weighty and juicy wine to taste – mango, passion fruit, red bell pepper and grapefruit with refreshing acidity and strong personality. 7/ Second Nature Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (Adelaide Hills, South Australia) _ Very pale, almost water white. A very fragrant bouquet of passionfruit, lemon peel and gooseberry. The palate follows through with more gooseberry, passionfruit and lemon peel before a lingering, zesty, mouth filling finish. Excellent crisp acidity made for drinking young and fresh alongside seafood, goat's cheese and sushi. Like you're really there. Bouquets of meadow, lemons and lime, grasses, racy and vital, so crisp that it goes crunch, crunch all the way down. Finishing dry and clean, chargrilled fishes are the perfect match! † -Wineweekly. com. au, â€Å"Blond and beautiful, bang for your buck, a whoosh of south seas fruit and green pastures awaken the senses for shrimp, shucked oysters and crustacea! † -Vinicraft. com 8/ Riesling Tahbilk Riesling 2009 (Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria) _ Tahbilk’s style is more traditional but quite exotic, with aromas of cinnamon and ot her sweet spices, citrus and white peach.Concentrated, smooth and dry, it’s not as piercing as many young Rieslings but very satisfying. 9/ Neagles Rock Riesling 2010 (Clare Valley, South Australia) _ Expressive, lime-tinged, tangy Riesling whose zesty style is protected by screw-cap closure. 10/ Koonara Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Coonawarra, South Australia) _ 18 months in French & American barrels have developed a rich, chocolaty Cabernet full of deep mulberries & blackberries finishing with a long blackcurrants & cream palate. 1/ Angoves Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Varies Vineyards, South Australia) _ This wine is deep red in colour, with some purple hues. Complex aromas of red berry integrate with more savoury and red pepper notes and a gentle touch of oak. The palate is rich and mouth filling with flavours following through from the initial impression of berries and more complex capsicum family characters. 12/ Sedona Estate Shiraz 2008 (Yea Valley, Victoria) _ This Shiraz was matured for 20 months in a combination of French and American oak. Opaque dark red colour with deep dark brick red hue.The nose displays aromas of plum, dark chocolate and liquorice allsorts which are followed by some confectionary end notes, showing excellent intensity. Medium to full bodied with generous flavours of dark chocolate, mocha and confectionary with some spice on the back palate. Fleshy texture with fine grained soft tannins. Aftertaste of dark chocolate, confectionary and spice. 13/Water Wheel Shiraz 2008 (Bendigo, Victoria) _ A rustic red in the glass and with a delicious rhubarb and berry nose, the Shiraz exquisitely blends spice, plums and red berries with a regional touch of cinnamon.Fine tannins see the wine out without overstaying their welcome. A gorgeously well crafted wine from a vintage renowned for its big fruit flavours 14/ Oyster Bay Merlot 2009 (Hawkes Bay 2008, New Zealand) _ Ripe plum and currant, embraced by blackberry and subtle spice with lingering fine grained tannins. The philosophy of Oyster Bay is to produce fine, distinctly regional wines that are elegant and assertive with glorious fruit flavours. 15/ Gibbston Valley Gold River Pinot Noir 2008 (Central Otago, New Zealand) _ Svelte and sensous – a wine of true pleasure.This is a joyful, young, vibrant Pinot that delivers strong varietal flavours. Semi translucent mauve purple colour with mauve purple hue. Lifted nose, freshly macerated strawberry, spice and cherry showing very good varietal lift. Youthful palate flavours of spice and ripe strawberry over ripe joosy dark cherries. Soft and velvet smooth. Youthful and a delight for the short term. 16/ Sedona Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2008 (Yea Valley, Victoria) _The wine has a dense deep red hue with cedar and bramble aromas making up the bouquet. The palate is filled with flavours of plums, blackcurrant and persistent fine tannins.