Comprehending The Calamity Analysis

Throughout all of its history, San Francisco has been one the most emblematic cities recognized around the world, as well as one that has seen many tragic events such as the earthquake of 1906, whose devastating aftermath ultimately destroyed the “Golden City” and menaced its citizenry. However, in “Story of an Eyewitness,” Jack London offers the audience a particular account of the event through the use of rhetorical devices and an extended metaphor of San Francisco’s seemingly “doomed fate,” painting a vivid and dramatic image of the tragedy that transcends the geographical and material destruction of the city in order to reveal the innermost loss and significance of San Francisco: its populace’s hope and virtue.

Emma Burke’s point of view of the earthquake in “Comprehending the Calamity” was that it was violent, and hard to understand. She states that “No one can comprehend the calamity to San Francisco in its entirety…” (Burke, 1). This explains to us that the damage caused by the earthquake must have been devastating.. She also describes the extreme force of the earthquake, saying “The shock came, and hurled my bed against an opposite wall… It grew constantly worse, the noise deafening; the crash of dishes… the groaning and straining of the building itself” (1). By describing the enormous event in detail, we can get a sense of just how bad every building was shaking and crumbling.

The San Francisco earthquake on April 18, 1906 was one of the most devastating earthquakes felt by a lot of states. At 5:15 am, this earthquake which registered at 8.25 on the Richter Scale shook San Francisco, California. The earthquake lasted less than a minute and it did a lot of destruction in that period of time. The most destructive part during the San Francisco earthquake was the fires which began after, as a result of the earthquake. The fires killed about 3,000 people and left 400,000 homeless (San Francisco Earthquake). The San Francisco earthquake epicenter was located near San Andreas fault and as a result, the damages caused by the earthquake was felt many miles along the San Andreas fault line. The city of San Francisco was known for its culture and economy, and because of the impact of the earthquake and fire, the city was in total disaster. Because of the magnitude of the earthquake and the amount of damage it did to the city of San Francisco, a lot of data and digital images have been collected so that it can be used for references and be displayed at its anniversary.

On August 24, 2014 a magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred in and around the city of Napa, CA. The earthquake killed one person and injured over 150 people. And these people were treated at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa [1]. More and more earthquakes occurred on this earth. So this grasps people’s attention.

George Heinrich Crist, a resident of Kentucky, was settled with his family in a well-built house when the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811 came across their path, unlike a storm this “thing” had no warnings. He chose to share his account of this quake, or quakes. This was part of his life and also a part of history in the making so that is why I believe he shared his personal essay. It’s not an argumentative account but rather short entries from 5 months from his life. Kentucky wasn’t the only state that was hurt, 6 other states were involved. The term “New Madrid Earthquake” refers to portions of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. This was the biggest earthquake (series of earthquakes) as it changed the course of the Mississippi river.

On April 18, 1906, an earthquake occurred in San Francisco with a magnitude of 7.9. The earthquake was caused by the San Andreas Fault since the San Andreas Fault slip over a segment. The earthquake could be felt from Oregon to southern California. Buildings in San Francisco was destroyed by earthquake and fires. Fires started after the earthquake occurred and firefighters were not able to stop the fire because the water mains were broken and because of this, firestorms started to develop around San Francisco. Then, the San Francisco Mayor E.E. Schmitz called the U.S. Army troops to shoot anyone that is found looting. While the army was doing that, firefighters and U.S. troops tried to fight the fire by dynamiting the city to create firewalls.

A well-known Gilded Age author of satirical pieces, Mark Twain, in his text “Dreams Dissipated”, argues the elite and other influential groups he despises, should not be idolized by the public. Twain’s purpose is to reveal the true intentions and behavior of these groups at the face of tragedy in order to stop the public from aspiring to be like them or seek guidance from them. He adopts a connotative tone for his audience who may be unaware of the immoral behavior the elite display during the “great” earthquake in San Francisco. Twain supports this claim by first referring to a tragic event using connotative diction to hint at the animal-like behavior of these groups, then he illustrates a chaotic scene and the ill-fitted reactions of the

Also, in “horrific wreck of the city” states“No story will ever be written that will tell the awfulness of the thirty-hours following the terrible earthquake.” pg.1 par.1 “The individual experience can probably give the general public the clearest idea.” pg.1 par.1 This evidence shows how the authors are explaining the San Francisco and how it was

This essay is about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and how An American woman's point of view is different from an 12 year old Chinese boy. The 1906 earthquake is about the destruction of the city and how it affected some people. But this essay is about what Emma Burke's point of view is and. What Moonshadow point of view is about the earthquake. Because they had different purposes for writing Emma Burke’s point of view of the 1906 earthquake was to inform, while Moon Shadow’s point of view was to entertain.

The 1906 earthquake is remembered

Have you ever experienced horrific hurricanes like the one in 1906 in san francisco not only did it have a earthquake it also had a fire. Although we know tt earthquakes and fires are very dangerous. THese two short stories have two different point of views such as “ Comprehending the Calamity” By Emma Burke she thinks that the earthquake brings out the best in people whereas article“ The Horrific Wreck in the City by Fred hewitt” he thinks the earthquake brings out the worst in people. In 1906 when the horrific hurricane and fire hit san francisco it was 5:12 in the morning nowon had any idea on what was happening the hurricane was at a magnitude of 7.8 magnitude about 700 people died.

Reactions to Natural Disasters How would you feel if a natural disaster hit your city, and everything in it was destroyed? For people in the Philippines, this is exactly what is happening. A deadly magnitude of a 7.1 earthquake struck the Central Philippines on a National Holiday and was the strongest to strike in the last 23 years (Background Essay ). 43,000 people experienced this severe shaking and everything was destroyed (Background Essay). A few years before in 1990 a magnitude of 6 occurred on the Fault line and $154 million in damage and injured about 300 people in result.

This was just the first day; the following day there was another earthquake with a magnitude of 8.5. They were able to record the quake on a Momentum Magnitude scale. (Paul Fairclough, TheGuardian)

“Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said ‘Thank God, I’m still alive.’ But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again.” This quote shows how harshly this earthquake affected the residents of San Francisco. In Jack London’s essay “The Story of an Eyewitness,” London uses imagery, metaphors, and personification to make the reader feel as though they are actually there. London uses imagery in his essays to make the reader feel as though they are experiencing the 1906 earthquake themselves.

A natural disaster has hit the San Francisco area. A category 5 earthquake has destroyed what a lot of you know as home. My self and the first lady extend our deepest sympathy to all of you that’s been affected by this tragedy.