The essay will be four (4) paragraphs and (600) words long do not go over the word count. Make sure your essay does not go over 15% match in copyleaks Research & Documentation: You will document only the image. Citation should be MLA format (9th edition). All of the words in the essay should be your own original thoughts and observations. No external research is allowed. Formatting the Essay: Use MLA style, which is normally used for the humanities, such as literature, religion, art, and music. -Essay is double-spaced and the first line of each paragraph is indented. Works Cited page and header. Works Cited page is always on the next blank page. One-inch margins all the way around, which is standard for Microsoft Word Headers with your last name and page number in the top right corner of each page Feature on the first page: your name, the professor’s name, the course number, and the date (15 July 2017) in the top left corner. Write in 3rd person narrative. (no use of I, you, your, we, our, us) Place image once in the second paragraph Do not highlight or bold your text- I did it in the example to put emphasis on key concepts. Mechanics: Correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, word choice No passive voice – no long sentences- write to your point Essay is double-spaced and contains a title and the first line of each paragraph is indented. Use academic, formal prose containing no slang, contractions, jargon, or gender-biased language. The essay follows the guidelines of the assignment use commas and semicolons correctly: Use of Commas Links to an external site. Scoring the Essay: Read it carefully. Your grade depends on it. the image is Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

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<h1>Analyzing Power and Nature in Hokusai’s The Great Wave</h1>

<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>This essay examines Katsushika Hokusai's iconic woodblock print, "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa," as a profound representation of nature’s dominance over human endeavor. Created during Japan’s Edo period, the artwork captures a critical tension between the natural world and human fragility. The analysis focuses on the composition’s visual elements, its cultural context, and the broader implications of nature as an unyielding force. Through this exploration, the essay aims to uncover how Hokusai conveys a timeless message about humanity’s place within the environment, a theme resonant even in contemporary discussions of ecological power.</p>

<h2>Visual Composition and Symbolism</h2>
<p>The striking visual design of Hokusai’s work immediately draws attention to the overwhelming presence of the wave, which dominates the foreground with its curling, claw-like crest. This immense structure dwarves the tiny boats and their occupants, emphasizing human vulnerability against nature’s might. Mount Fuji, often a symbol of stability in Japanese culture, appears diminutive in the background, further reinforcing the wave’s supremacy over both land and people. The interplay of colors, with deep blues and frothy whites, evokes movement and chaos, contrasting sharply with the serene, distant peak. Below is the image for reference, encapsulating this dynamic tension.<br>
<img src="placeholder-for-image.jpg" alt="Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai" width="500"></p>

<h2>Cultural Context and Human Struggle</h2>
<p>Within the historical framework of the Edo period, Hokusai’s print reflects a society deeply connected to nature yet constantly at its mercy. Fishermen, as depicted in the boats, symbolize the everyday struggle of individuals who rely on the sea for survival while facing its unpredictable wrath. This duality highlights a cultural reverence for the environment alongside an acute awareness of its dangers. The artwork suggests a fatalistic acceptance; the figures do not resist but appear resigned to their fate beneath the towering wave. Such imagery invites reflection on how societies, then and now, grapple with balancing dependence on natural resources against the inherent risks posed by environmental forces.</p>

<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>In conclusion, Hokusai’s "The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa" stands as a compelling exploration of nature’s overwhelming power and humanity’s fragile existence within it. The composition’s visual dominance of the wave, coupled with the cultural context of Edo-period Japan, underscores a profound respect for the environment’s dual role as provider and destroyer. This analysis reveals the timeless relevance of the artwork, prompting consideration of modern environmental challenges and humanity’s ongoing negotiation with natural forces. Ultimately, Hokusai’s print serves as a reminder of the enduring tension between human ambition and the unstoppable might of the natural world.</p>

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<h2>Works Cited</h2>
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    <li>Hokusai, Katsushika. <i>Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave Off the Coast of Kanagawa</i>. c. 1831, woodblock print.</li>
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