if i was an umbrella essay

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Essay on Autobiography of a Umbrella for Students of All Ages : 2 Examples

Here you can explore fascinating essays titled “Autobiography of an Umbrella.” These captivating autobiographies offer a distinct and intriguing perspective on the world through the eyes of a sentient umbrella that no other Online English Speaking Course has to offer.

Through the narrative of the umbrella, you will gain an understanding of its various roles and the experiences it undergoes throughout its life. The essays provides a unique perspective on the value of everyday objects and the critical role they play in our lives.

The essays offers a captivating insight into the emotions and feelings of the umbrella, providing a rare glimpse into the inner workings of an object that is often overlooked. You will be immersed in the joys, sorrows, fears, and aspirations of this everyday object, providing you with a new appreciation for its importance.

“Autobiography of an Umbrella” the 2 examples we have provided are beautifully written and thought-provoking autobiographies that will change the way you view everyday objects. Join us on this journey, and gain an appreciation for the unique perspective that the umbrella brings to our daily lives.

Autobiography of a Umbrella

Autobiography of an umbrella 1 –.

Once upon a time, I was just a simple idea in the mind of a designer. I was created to serve a single purpose: to protect people from the rain. But as I was crafted and brought to life, I soon realized that I was capable of so much more.

I was born in a factory, surrounded by the hum of machines and the hustle of workers. I was designed with care, my fabric carefully chosen, my metal frame polished and painted. And then, I was packaged and shipped to a shop, where I was eagerly awaited by those in need of shelter from the rain.

At first, I was just used for my intended purpose – to shield people from the rain. But as time passed, I discovered that I could also be used for protection from the sun, from the wind, and from the cold. People started using me for more than just the rain.

As I traveled from one hand to the next, I saw and experienced things I never could have imagined. I was used for picnics, outdoor concerts, and even for shade on the beach. People of all ages, sizes, and races took me with them, and I felt a sense of pride knowing that I was helping to make their lives a little bit easier.

But it wasn’t just people who appreciated my abilities. I also encountered animals along my journey, including birds who perched on my handle, squirrels who tried to nibble on my fabric, and even a few cats who saw me as a good place to take a nap.

As the years passed, I witnessed changes in the world around me. Technology advanced, fashion trends came and went, but my design remained classic and timeless. Through it all, I never forgot my purpose, and I remained proud to serve the people who used me.

In the end, I may be just an umbrella, but I am so much more. I am a symbol of protection, a source of comfort, and a reminder of the simple joys of life. And even though I may eventually wear out and need to be replaced, I will always be remembered for the memories and experiences I helped create.

Autobiography of an Umbrella 2 –

I am an Umbrella, a humble companion to many. I have lived a life of adventure, protecting my owners from rain, wind and snow. I was born in a small factory, crafted with love and care, and then shipped off to the world. I remember the day I was taken out of my packaging, I felt so fresh and new.

My first owner was a young girl named Lily. She was so excited to have me, she opened me up as soon as she got me. She twirled me around and laughed with joy. I was over the moon, I had finally found my purpose, to protect and make someone happy.

I have traveled to many places with Lily, from the lush green parks to the bustling city streets. I have been her constant companion, always by her side, shielding her from the raindrops and the sun’s scorching heat. We have shared so many memories together, and I will cherish them always.

Eventually, Lily grew up and moved away, I was passed down to her younger sister. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but she quickly became my new best friend. We went on so many exciting adventures, and I never let a single raindrop touch her. I was proud to be her trusty companion.

As the years went by, I was passed down to many other owners, each with their own story to tell. But no matter who I was with, I always kept my promise, to protect and make someone happy.

Today, I may not be as new and shiny as I once was, but I still have a lot of love to give. I am proud to have been a part of so many lives, and I look forward to many more adventures to come.

So, here I am, the Umbrella, a simple but essential part of life. I may be small, but I have a big heart, and I will always be ready to make a difference, one raindrop at a time.

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If I were an Umbrella Essay for Children (950 Words)

June 8, 2018 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

We all have used, known and seen umbrella in our life. It is used to protect us from rain and sun. It is usually a dome shaped piece with a long stick in the center which is called a handle. The dome part of umbrella can be of cloth, plastic paper and even skin.

If somehow I get an opportunity to become an umbrella, I would love to be a multicolored one. I will choose multicolored umbrella because it depicts my colorful personality.

Multicolored will be my facial look and my identification too. I will look charming in this facade as my new look compliments me fully. I got tired from my previously black face. The multicolored puts smiles on their faces which boosts my feelings too.

After a long time, I have come into fashion again. Now I taste different material, shapes and sizes too. Young smart girls carry me. Remember the umbrella in the `zoobie-doobie` song of 3 Idiots. Yeah, she is my best friend and she looks beautiful. I watched her getting ready for hours before the shoot.

Remember the legendary umbrella song ` pyar hua iqrar hua hai pyar se phir kyou darta hai dil` of Raj Kapoor and Nargis. That was my grandmother. I belong to a very rich legacy. It is totally a new world I am exploring.

Thanks to the humans who have kept my existence alive from ages. In today`s world when everything is digitalise and modernized people are still looking for me when they step out of the houses.

Cars are my biggest enemy on roads. If it was not for cars, I would have seen all my friends in other people`s hand. In convenience and shelter that a car provides them stops them from using me. I feel disheartened and ditched. But yeah, what about narrow lanes and streets.

I am the queen there. My reign of simplicity and joy spreads wide and far in all the narrow lanes and streets where cars are not feasible to use.

I am favourite of all because of my unique quality to provide protection from rain, snow and sunlight. I keep most of most away from you during rainy days. I am necessary for them who spend their time outside the home. I regulate body temperature by providing shade. I am cheaper as compared to cars and everyone can afford me.

The qualities of umbrella signify my strength and inner qualities also. I try to shelter my loved ones from all pains and agony that might even try to lay a finger on them.

That way, they are very versatile and accommodating. Even I am striving for those qualities which make an umbrella stand apart from others.

Greeks and Egyptians introduced the concept of umbrella to the world. They used it to protect themselves from the scorching heat of Sun. In some countries like India, China, Vietnam etc. they used it as a sign of respect for the kings. Even today Malaysians use it as a sign of royalty.

In the 17 th and 18 th century ordinary people started using umbrellas. It is used by children, young and old alike. Umbrella comes in all shapes and sizes too. They are small, cheap and can be easily carried anywhere.

The plastic umbrellas are very cheap and delicate. It is called parasol and it is used to get shade from sunlight. These types of big umbrellas are used at sea-side and beaches. Japanese people are very fond of umbrellas and it is called Kasa there.

We have seen canopies in monuments of Mughal era. We noticed that in parks also these canopies usually called Gazebos are umbrella shaped. These are popularly known as `chatris` which in English means `umbrella`. It is basically the fabric which decided the type of umbrella.

If it is made of cement and mortar in building it is known as canopy and when it is made up of plastic and used at sea side, it is called parasol. Some parasols are not water resistant because their basic motive is to provide shade.

The word umbrella comes from the Latin word Umbra which means shade. Umbrellas are manually-handled portable devices for personal use. But large umbrellas are also used in golf courses by the players for protecting themselves and their carts from rain and sunlight.

Umbrellas are of three types basically one fold, two fold and three folds. In one fold umbrella the canopy collapse but the pole remains taut. It is generally large in size but durable.

In two fold or three fold umbrellas the pole and the canopy both retract and fold the umbrella into a miniature model which can be easily carried in a bag or handbag. It is very popular among the people because of the convenience it provides.

Now-a-days, it not only protects against sun and rain but snow also. There are several references where the usage of umbrella is depicted in ancient art and culture also. Several modals use umbrellas as accessories along with their dresses on the ramp during fashion shows. Girls carry them in glamorous style with their dresses to show modernism. It is now a fashion symbol.

In conclusion, I would like to say that if we are able to inculcate an umbrella`s qualities into our nature, our life would be easy and lot better. Just yesterday I saw a girl hitting a guy with an umbrella who was trying to molest her. So you see, umbrella can also be used as a dangerous weapon.

The same way, I can turn dangerous when my bitchy side is provoked. But the need of an umbrella can never be replaced with any virtual thing. Times may come when human stops the usage of vehicles to travel. Technology in those times will provide him technology to transport wherever he wants.

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Essay On The Autobiography Of An Umbrella

Post category: Essay
Reading time: 6 mins read

I am an umbrella. My work is to guard you from rain and Sun. After long service, I have to say that today I am in a miserable and useless condition.

Few years back I was very strong and useful. I was manufactured in a huge factory with several other umbrellas. We all were made of different materials, colours , sizes and shapes. Silver strong steel spokes were fitted inside me. They helped me to hold my cloth tightly. When I was born, I looked beautiful as I was covered with durable purple cloth. My colour suggested that both men as well as women could use me.

From the manufacturing place, we were brought to a market where there were many umbrellas for sale. I heard someone saying that it was a wholesale market. Soon one of the storekeepers purchased forty of us and took us to his store. It was a big store. I was hanged on a hook at a height. Few days later, a beautiful woman came in the store and saw me hanging. She bought me in four hundred rupees. I stayed with her for a month. She took my great care. However, God has decided something else for me. One day she lost me at a cinema hall. I was left alone below her sit.

Soon a young boy picked me and took me to his home. His mother thought that he had stolen me. The boy explained how he had found me. I served him for three years. I protected him from Sun and rain. The boy was happy to use me. Although he had another black umbrella, he always used me.

Every journey has an end. Now it was the time for the end of my life’s journey. I still remember that rainy evening. My master had taken me to a market. All of a sudden, it started raining heavily. I had to give my best to protect him from the heavy rain. Suddenly, a strong wind blew and broke one of my spokes, tearing a small part of my cloth. Although I was in a great discomfort, I continued to do my work sincerely. With great efforts, we reached home. My master closed and kept me outside the home. He forgot about me. That night, a man quietly came and picked me. He was a thief.

The thief did not know that I was injured. When he opened me and saw my condition, he threw me at the side of the road. After a few minutes, a passerby saw me. He looked very needy. Next morning he took me for a repair. The repairer repaired me for thirty rupees. I knew that my youth had gone and my old age had started.

My new master took my good care. In return, I tried hard to give him protection from rain and hot Sun. However, there were many white ants where he stayed. After rains went, he kept me above his cupboard. I laid there for many months. The white ants chewed my cloth very badly. Hundreds of holes appeared on me. One day when my master saw me in this condition, he became angry and threw me out of the window. I landed on a garbage can. I wonder who will rescue me from here.

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Autobiography Of An Umbrella

Every object has a story to tell, and even the most ordinary of things can possess a remarkable journey. One such object that has witnessed countless moments, sheltered individuals from the elements, and accompanied them on various adventures is none other than an umbrella. From shielding people from raindrops to providing shade on a sunny day, an umbrella has silently observed the world around it.

Crafting an autobiography for an umbrella might seem like an unconventional endeavor, but it serves as a unique opportunity to explore the world through the eyes of an inanimate object. By delving into its experiences, memories, and the lives it has touched, we embark on a literary journey that intertwines the human experience with the humble existence of an umbrella.

In this guide, we will delve into the art of writing an autobiography for an umbrella. We will explore the key elements and considerations necessary to bring this extraordinary perspective to life on paper. By tapping into our creativity and empathy, we can breathe life into an everyday object and reveal the untold stories hidden within.

Table of Contents

Autobiography Of An Umbrella Tips

Establish a unique voice: Since you are writing from the perspective of an umbrella, it’s important to establish a distinct voice for your umbrella narrator. Consider the tone, language, and personality that best suit the umbrella’s character. Is it wise and observant? Playful and whimsical? Reflective and nostalgic? Develop a voice that resonates with the umbrella’s experiences and the emotions it has witnessed.

Reflect on the umbrella’s purpose: Explore the umbrella’s primary function and how it has fulfilled its purpose over time. Reflect on the moments it has shielded individuals from the rain or provided shade on a scorching day. Dive into the umbrella’s relationship with its owners and how it has become an essential part of their lives.

Capture significant moments: Just like a human autobiography, an umbrella’s story will have significant moments and experiences worth highlighting. Consider the events, adventures, and encounters that have shaped the umbrella’s journey. These could include memorable storms, travels, or even mundane but meaningful interactions.

Explore symbolism: Umbrellas often carry symbolic meanings in literature, art, and culture. Reflect on the umbrella’s symbolism and how it relates to the umbrella’s own narrative. Explore the umbrella’s role as a protector, a source of comfort, or a representation of resilience in the face of adversity.

Emphasize emotions and observations: As an observer of the world, the umbrella has witnessed a range of emotions and experiences. Dive into the umbrella’s observations and reflections on the human condition. Explore the joy, love, sorrow, and resilience it has witnessed, and how these experiences have impacted its understanding of the world.

Utilize descriptive language: To bring the umbrella’s autobiography to life, use vivid and descriptive language. Paint a picture with your words, describing the umbrella’s physical appearance, the sounds of raindrops hitting its canopy, the feeling of wind rushing through its fabric, and the scents and textures it encounters.

Incorporate personal anecdotes: Just like a human autobiography, personal anecdotes add depth and authenticity to the umbrella’s story. Share moments when the umbrella has been lost, found, repaired, or even discarded. These anecdotes can highlight the umbrella’s resilience and its evolving relationship with its owners.

Consider the umbrella’s legacy: Reflect on the umbrella’s impact beyond its own narrative. How has it influenced the lives of others? Has it been passed down through generations? Has it been a source of inspiration for artists or writers? Explore the umbrella’s legacy and the mark it has left on the world.

Autobiography Of An Umbrella Example 1

Chapter 1: A Canopy of Beginnings

I came into existence in a small workshop, where skilled hands carefully crafted me, weaving together a sturdy frame and stretching a canopy of protective fabric over it. The moment I took shape, I knew my purpose was to shield the world from the capricious whims of the sky.

Chapter 2: The Raindrops of Life

My first encounter with rain was a baptism of sorts. As the droplets cascaded upon my canopy, I felt a sense of purpose awaken within me. I stood tall, embracing the water that sought to drench those seeking refuge beneath my shelter. The pitter-patter of rain became the symphony that accompanied my journey.

Chapter 3: Dancing with the Wind

In the gusts of the wind, I discovered a dance that was uniquely mine. I swayed and twirled, my fabric billowing with grace. From gentle zephyrs to tempestuous storms, I braved the elements, a steadfast companion to those who sought solace under my protective embrace.

Chapter 4: Seasons of Change

With the passing of seasons, I witnessed the ever-changing world around me. Spring brought the fragrance of blossoms, painting the world with vibrant colors. Summer sunrays kissed my canopy, and I provided respite from the scorching heat. Autumn adorned me with the golden hues of falling leaves, while winter draped me in a blanket of snow.

Chapter 5: Tales of Wanderlust

Beyond the confines of a single city, I embarked on journeys that expanded my horizons. I traveled through bustling streets, picturesque countrysides, and crowded marketplaces. Each new destination introduced me to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, enriching my understanding of the world.

Chapter 6: Touched by Humanity

In the hands of countless individuals, I experienced the tapestry of human emotions. I witnessed the joy on children’s faces as they stomped in puddles beneath my canopy. I provided solace to lovers caught in a sudden downpour, their laughter mingling with the sound of raindrops. I listened to the whispered prayers of those seeking shelter from life’s storms.

Chapter 7: Weathering Life’s Storms

Life is not always sunshine and rainbows. I endured storms both literal and metaphorical. I weathered the tempests of grief, loss, and despair alongside my companions. Through it all, I stood tall, a symbol of resilience and hope, reminding them that even the darkest clouds eventually give way to sunlight.

Chapter 8: The Legacy I Leave Behind

As the years passed, my presence became a cherished memory for those I touched. I was passed down through generations, bringing comfort and protection to new hands. Artists immortalized me on canvas, writers wove tales inspired by my form, and children held drawings of me in their tiny hands. My legacy lives on, a silent witness to the stories of countless souls.

Epilogue: The Unveiled Whispers

In the final pages of my autobiography, I reflect on the beauty of my existence. I am more than an inanimate object; I am a vessel of stories, a guardian against the elements, and a metaphor for the human spirit. Through rain and shine, I have stood tall, an umbrella on a remarkable journey—one that remains etched in the memories of those who sought shelter under my canopy.

As the final chapter closes, my whispers continue to echo, reminding the world that even the ordinary can possess extraordinary tales if we take the time to listen.

Autobiography Of An Umbrella Example 2

Chapter 1: The Birth of a Guardian

From the humble beginnings of a small factory, I emerged, a sturdy frame supporting a protective cover. Born to shield and shelter, I found purpose in the hands that held me, ready to face the world’s challenges.

Chapter 2: A Raindrop Symphony

With my first encounter with rain, I realized the power bestowed upon me. Each raindrop that met my canopy whispered secrets of the sky, and I became a conduit between heaven and earth, embracing the downpour with steadfast reliability.

Chapter 3: The Sunlit Adventures

Beyond the rain, I reveled in the warmth of sunny days. The golden rays painted patterns upon my surface, casting shadows that danced with the wind. I became a respite from the scorching heat, an oasis of shade for those seeking relief under my protective embrace.

Chapter 4: The Whispers of the Breeze

In the gentle caress of the breeze, I discovered a symphony of whispers. From the soft rustling of leaves to the distant melodies carried by the wind, I listened intently, gathering tales of distant lands and dreams yet to be fulfilled. The breeze became my companion, guiding me through hidden corners and uncharted territories.

Chapter 5: Seasons of Transformation

As the seasons changed, I transformed along with the world around me. Spring adorned me with delicate blooms, infusing the air with the scent of new beginnings. Summer saw me blossom with vibrant colors, mirroring the exuberance of life. Autumn draped me in a tapestry of russet hues, while winter enveloped me in a blanket of frost, a testament to endurance.

Chapter 6: Embracing Humanity

Throughout my journey, I encountered a multitude of souls, each bearing their own stories. I sheltered the dreams of dreamers, listened to the whispered confessions of lovers, and provided solace to the weary traveler. I became a silent confidant, witnessing the joys and sorrows of humanity, forever imprinted with their tender touch.

Life’s storms raged, both within and without. I stood tall amidst the tempests, offering refuge to those caught in the torrents of life. The storms tested my resilience, challenging me to weather the fiercest gales and the darkest nights. But with unwavering strength, I emerged, a symbol of protection and fortitude.

Chapter 8: Unveiling the Legacy

As time unfolded, I became more than an ordinary object. Passed from hand to hand, generation to generation, I carried the weight of memories and traditions. Artists immortalized me in their works, writers penned tales inspired by my form, and children held me aloft in their innocent play. My legacy resonated in the hearts of those I sheltered, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

Epilogue: A Life Unfurled

In the final pages of my autobiography, I reflect upon the journey I have traveled. From the rain-soaked streets to the sunlit meadows, I have been a constant companion, a guardian of those in need. I have witnessed the beauty and fragility of life, and through it all, I have remained steadfast, an umbrella with a story to tell.

As my autobiography concludes, I invite you, dear reader, to embrace the ordinary objects that surround you. Within their silent existence lies a treasure trove of tales waiting to be discovered. For beneath the canopy, a life is unfurled, and the humble umbrella becomes a conduit for the human spirit.

Autobiography Of An Umbrella Example 3

Chapter 1: The Making of Me

In a small workshop, amidst the hum of sewing machines and the scent of fresh fabric, I came to life. Skilled hands meticulously crafted my frame, linking each rib with precision. My canopy was carefully chosen, a vibrant burst of color ready to face the world.

Chapter 2: A Rainy Debut

The day arrived when raindrops kissed my surface for the first time. I unfurled, embracing the downpour with pride. As the rain fell, I witnessed the joy on faces seeking refuge beneath my protective shield. I knew then that my purpose was to offer comfort in the midst of storms.

Chapter 3: Traveling Companion

Life took me on adventures far and wide. From bustling city streets to tranquil countryside paths, I journeyed alongside my owners, witnessing their laughter, their tears, and everything in between. Each step we took together etched memories deep within my fabric.

Chapter 4: Dancing in the Wind

The wind became my partner, swaying me to its rhythm. With every gust, I pirouetted, my canopy billowing like a graceful dancer’s gown. Together, we waltzed through sunlit days and stormy nights, an elegant spectacle amidst the ever-changing sky.

Chapter 5: Tales of Protection

Under my canopy, stories unfolded. I shielded lovers on romantic strolls, their whispered promises mingling with the rain. I offered solace to the weary traveler, providing a moment’s respite on their arduous journeys. I became a symbol of safety, a trusted companion through life’s unpredictable moments.

Chapter 6: Weathering the Storms

Storms, both literal and metaphorical, tested my strength. Rain poured relentlessly, thunder crashed, and lightning illuminated the darkness. But I stood tall, unwavering in my commitment to shield those in need. I weathered storms alongside my owners, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

Chapter 7: Reflections on Humanity

In the tapestry of humanity, I observed the vast spectrum of emotions. From the unbridled laughter of children to the silent tears of the heartbroken, I absorbed their stories without judgment. I became a silent confidant, an umbrella that witnessed the raw essence of what it means to be human.

Chapter 8: A Legacy Unfurled

As time wore on, I aged gracefully, carrying the weight of countless memories. Passed down through generations, I became an heirloom, a symbol of continuity and connection. My legacy extended beyond my physical form, imprinted upon the hearts of those who sheltered beneath my protective canopy.

Epilogue: Farewell to the Rain

As the final drops of rain fell upon me, I reflected upon the journey I had embarked on. From the day of my creation to the present, I had fulfilled my purpose with unwavering devotion. Now, as I fold my canopy for the last time, I offer gratitude for the moments shared, the stories whispered, and the lives touched.

My memoirs, written through rain and shine, stand as a testament to the significance of the seemingly ordinary. For within the humble umbrella lies a world of experiences and connections, waiting to be uncovered by those willing to embrace the journey through the raindrops.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

[email protected]

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When an Umbrella is More Than Just an Umbrella

The potent symbolism of brollies, from mary poppins to harry potter.

One of the endearing features of Charles Dickens’s “umbrella work” is the number of uses to which he put his brollies.

They are rarely merely umbrellas but the signifiers of something else, whether through similarity, metaphor or context. In addition to a vast array of sexual clues and cues, John Bowen has found Dickensian brollies masquerading as “weapons and shields . . . birds, cabbages and leaves.” And whether they’re in the right place or the wrong place (like the umbrella in Quilp’s eulogy), there is some intangible but undeniable facet of umbrellaness that has captured the human imagination for centuries. Perhaps it is the awkward elegance of them—these beautiful objects that are useful for so little else, that break so pathetically, that are cumbersome and accident-prone whether discarded, spread or folded. Perhaps it is their potential to arrest us, visually. Even in 1855, when the colors available for umbrella canopies were fewer and less varied than ours today, William Sangster wrote joyfully of the wide, uncovered market-place of some quaint old German town during a heavy shower, when every industrial covers himself or herself with the aegis of a portable tent, and a bright array of brass ferrules and canopies of all conceivable hues . . . flash on the spectator’s vision.

In 100 Essays I Don’t Have Time to Write (2014), American playwright Sarah Ruhl explores the use of umbrellas on stage and the visual satisfaction they afford the audience. She believes it is the umbrella’s metaphorical power that gives it a unique ability to bestow verisimilitude on the fictive universe of the set:

The illusion of being outside and being under the eternal sky is created by the real object. A metaphor of limitlessness is created by the very real limit of an actual umbrella indoors . . . The umbrella is real on stage, and the rain is a fiction . . . A real thing . . . creates a world of illusory things.

As with theatre, so too with cinema. Movies are riddled with umbrella shots crafted by cinematographers unable to resist their appeal. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) opens with an extended bird’s-eye view of rain spattering a pavement, umbrellas passing to and fro. An iconic shot from Singin’ in the Rain (1952) shows Gene Kelly swinging from a lamppost, the folded brolly in his hand joyfully disregarded. Audrey Hepburn holds a gorgeous parasol aloft at the races in My Fair Lady (1964). And so on. Even just limiting myself to the films I watched the week I drafted this, two brollies leap to mind: a stunning moment in Takeshi Kitano’s film Zatoichi (2003) where an overhead shot of a rain-splattered roof edge gives way to the flowering of a battered red rice paper umbrella from below; or in Alfonso Cuarón’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), where, before a particularly stormy quidditch match, an umbrella tumbles high through the air like a clumsy leaf.

Maybe it is the sheer irreplaceability of the umbrella that appeals. For all our leaps in technological development over the past few decades, for all our smart fridges and driverless cars and washing machines that reorder detergent online for us before we run out, there is no virtual substitute for the brolly. As Charlie Connelly says, “You can’t download an app to replace the umbrella.” Just as the new-fangled brollies of the industrial age were an anachronism in Sangster’s “quaint old German town,” so too are today’s umbrellas, for the opposite reason: for all the fabrics and technologies available to us now, the basic appearance, function and design of the umbrella has changed very little in the past 150 years. And until their design is revolutionized, or some manner of keeping the rain off us without a portable roof is conceived of and mass-marketed, that doesn’t look likely to change any time soon.

Whatever the reason for their enduring appeal, the imaginative possibilities of the brolly are not limited to art, theatre and the cinema: writers, too, have made full use of its shape and form throughout history. This chapter will be devoted to those instances of umbrellaness that transcend the umbrella’s everyday form and function: from boats to flying machines; from clubs to swords; from umbrellas that become human (almost) to humans who (almost) become umbrella.

In his essay “Umbrellas,” Dickens asks,

Would M. Garnerin have astonished the denizens of St. Pancras, by alighting among them in a parachute liberated from a balloon, half a century ago?—would he have had many imitators, successful and unsuccessful, at all sorts of Eagles and Rosemary Branches and Hippodromes?— and, lastly, would Madame Poitevin, the only real, genuine Europa of modern times, have dropped down from the clouds on an evening visit to Clapham Common?—would all these events have occurred if umbrellas had never been invented?

The answer is, very likely, no. Today’s parachutes are almost unrecognizable as umbrella-children, but in fact it was the sheer unmanageability of the umbrella in windy conditions that caught the imaginations of late-eighteenth-century aeronauts, and the object played a vital role in the development of the parachute. When William Sangster was writing Umbrellas and Their History , the design of the parachute commonly in use at the time was “nothing more or less than a huge Umbrella.”

That’s not to say that European brolly aficionados were the first to think of it; just as the Continent lagged sorely behind the rest of the world on umbrella uptake, so they did on the parachute. The Chinese Shih Chi , completed in 90 B.C.E., tells the story of Ku-Sou, who is trying to kill his son, Emperor Shun. Ku-Sou lures his son to a tower, then sets it alight; Shun escapes by tying several conical umbrella-hats together and leaping to safety. A late-17th-century Siamese monk amused the royal court by jumping from great heights with two umbrellas fixed to his belt. Word of this reached Joseph-Michel Montgolfier, who in 1779 pushed a sheep in a basket from a high tower. The sheep floated to the ground unharmed with the aid of a seven and a half foot parasol Montgolfier had fastened to the basket. In 1838 John Hampton went even further and constructed a parachute shaped like an umbrella 15 feet in diameter. He took it up to 9,000 feet and cut it—along with himself—loose. He landed safely after a 13-minute descent.

A more complete—and occasionally gruesome—record of parachute developments to 1855 may be found in William Sangster’s book, of which an entire chapter is devoted to the aeronautic advances inspired by umbrellas. I, however, will move on, pausing only to note the sweet serendipity of the relationship between the two— for, as Cynthia Barnett reminds us, that which umbrellas protect us from also takes parachute form:

We imagine that a raindrop falls in the same shape as a drop of water hanging from the faucet, with a pointed top and a fat, rounded bottom. That picture is upside down. In fact, raindrops fall from the clouds in the shape of tiny parachutes, their tops rounded because of air pressure from below.

It is a logical imaginative step from umbrellas-as-parachutes to umbrellas-as-flying-machines—a step most famously made by P. L. Travers in Mary Poppins . The 1964 movie may have featured Julie Andrews drifting down Cherry Tree Lane in its opening scenes, but the Banks children must wait until the very end of the first book before they witness the hidden powers of Poppins’s parrot-headed brolly—and a sad scene it is:

Down below, just outside the front door, stood Mary Poppins, dressed in her coat and hat, with her carpet bag in one hand and her umbrella in the other . . . She paused for a moment on the step and glanced back towards the front door. Then with a quick movement she opened the umbrella, though it was not raining, and thrust it over her head.

The wind, with a wild cry, slipped under the umbrella, pressing it upwards as though trying to force it out of Mary Poppins’ hand. But she held on tightly, and that, apparently, was what the wind wanted her to do, for presently it lifted the umbrella higher into the air and Mary Poppins from the ground. It carried her lightly so that her toes just grazed along the garden path. Then it lifted her over the front gate and swept her upwards towards the branches of the cherry trees in the Lane.

“She’s going, Jane, she’s going!” cried Michael, weeping . . .

Mary Poppins was in the upper air now, floating away over the cherry trees and the roofs of the houses, holding tightly to the umbrella with one hand and to the carpet bag with the other . . .

With their free hands Jane and Michael opened the window and made one last effort to stay Mary Poppins’ flight.

“Mary Poppins!” they cried. “Mary Poppins, come back!”

But she either did not hear or deliberately took no notice. For she went sailing on and on, up into the cloudy, whistling air, till at last she was wafted away over the hill and the children could see nothing but the trees bending and moaning under the wild west wind.

While umbrellas were suggesting parachutes to aeronauts, they were suggesting sails to mariners. An umbrella was incorporated into the prototype for the inflatable rubber life raft in 1844—along with a paddle, it was intended for propulsion and steering. In 1896 the “umbrella rig” was developed for use on sailing boats:

[T]he sail when spread had precisely the appearance of a large open umbrella, the mast of the boat forming the stick. Twice as much canvas could thus be carried as by any other form of rig, and the sail had no tendency to heel the boat over.

Evidently sail-making technology superseded the umbrella-form, for the umbrella rig has quietly disappeared into the annals of sailing history—although it is tempting to wonder if it wasn’t a predecessor to the modern-day spinnaker.

On the subject of mariners, it takes only the smallest step of the imagination to flip the brolly upside down and turn its surface area and water-resistant qualities to advantage in repelling water from below, rather than above. A small step for man, perhaps—but a giant leap for a Bear of Very Little Brain. In the story “In which Piglet is Entirely Surrounded by Water,” Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin receive a message in a bottle from Piglet, who is trapped in his house by rising floodwaters. They need a boat to rescue him, but Christopher Robin does not own a boat:

And then this Bear, Pooh Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, F.O.P. (Friend of Piglet’s), R.C. (Rabbit’s Companion), P.D. (Pole Discoverer), E.C. and T.F. (Eeyore’s Comforter and Tail-finder) —in fact, Pooh himself—said something so clever that Christopher Robin could only look at him with mouth open and eyes staring, wondering if this was really the Bear of Very Little Brain whom he had known and loved so long.

“We might go in your umbrella,” said Pooh.

“We might go in your umbrella,” said Pooh. “??”

For suddenly Christopher Robin saw that they might. He opened his umbrella and put it point downwards in the water. It floated but wobbled. Pooh got in . . . “I shall call this boat The Brain of Pooh,” said Christopher Robin, and The Brain of Pooh set sail forthwith in a south-westerly direction, revolving gracefully.

These curious craft are not limited to children’s storybooks: In The Sunshade, the Glove, the Muff (1883), Octave Uzanne comments on sketches that may be found in albums of Japanese art, depicting some human being excited to a singular degree, with hair tossed by the wind, and haggard eye, floating at the will of the tumultuous waves on a Parasol turned upside down, to the handle of which he clings with the energy of despair.

Umbrellas also have a long (and violent) history of being used as weapons. One early adaptation was the umbrella sword stick—a brolly with a slim sword concealed in its post. Although illegal today, they were once enough in demand to appear on James Smith & Sons’s stained-glass windows—where they remain to this day.

Perhaps the most famous umbrella-related murder occurred, appropriately enough, in London. In 1978, Georgi Markov, a dissident writer from Bulgaria, was waiting for a bus by Waterloo Bridge when he felt a sharp pain in his leg. He looked behind him to see a man with an umbrella get into a car and drive away.

Within days Markov was dead, killed by a minute pellet of ricin injected into his leg by—detectives surmised—the tip of a modified umbrella. Although no arrests were made over his murder, it was thought to have been committed in connection with the Bulgarian secret police. Charlie Connelly notes that when the Bulgarian government fell in 1989, “a stock of umbrellas modified to fire tiny darts and pellets was found in the interior ministry building.”

Anyone more than passingly acquainted with DC’s Batman comics will be familiar with The Penguin, or Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, one of Batman’s long-term nemeses and wielder of an extravagant array of weaponized umbrellas—amongst them, the Bulgarian design used to murder Markov. The Penguin’s umbrellas include a vast range of modifications, limited only by the writer’s imagination: knives, swords, guns and poison gas all make regular appearances.

One completely novel approach to umbrellas as weapons is that taken by Rubeus Hagrid, whose umbrella is far more than it initially seems. Let’s return to that memorable scene on Mr Potter’s 11th birthday, when Hagrid tells Harry he’s a wizard and has been invited to study magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Uncle Vernon roundly insults not just Harry and his parents, but the headmaster of Hogwarts as well—an insult Hagrid does not take lightly:

He brought the umbrella swishing down through the air to point at Dudley—there was a flash of violet light, a sound like a firecracker, a sharp squeal and next second, Dudley was dancing on the spot with his hands clasped over his fat bottom, howling in pain. When he turned his back on them, Harry saw a curly pig’s tail poking through a hole in his trousers . . .

A magic umbrella? Not quite. The true state of affairs is revealed the next day when Hagrid takes Harry shopping for a wand at Ollivander’s:

“But I suppose they snapped [your wand] in half when you got expelled?” said Mr Ollivander, suddenly stern.

“Er—yes, they did, yes,” said Hagrid, shuffling his feet. “I’ve still got the pieces, though,” he added brightly.

“But you don’t use them?” said Mr Ollivander sharply.

“Oh, no, sir,” said Hagrid quickly. Harry noticed he gripped his pink umbrella very tightly as he spoke.

However, umbrellas can inflict quite enough damage without the aid of concealed swords, poison-pellet mechanisms or magic wands. A somewhat less infamous umbrella murder occurred in 1814, in what came to be known as the “Battle of the Umbrellas” in Milan. As Nigel Rogers reports in The Umbrella Unfurled (2013), following the collapse of Napoleon’s empire, Giuseppe Prina, a finance minister who had imposed severe taxes on the populace to meet the emperor’s demands, was dragged out of the Senate by an angry mob and clubbed to death with umbrellas.

Unfortunately for Prina it was probably not the swiftest of deaths, and it was undoubtedly painful—but still not as grotesque as this Yiddish curse of uncertain provenance, which contains the most visceral umbrella violence you’re ever likely to encounter: “May a strange death take him! May he swallow an umbrella and it should open in his belly!”

As a weapon of modern warfare this implement has not been given a fair place. It has, indeed, too often been spoken of with contempt and disdain, but there is no doubt that, even in the hands of a strong and angry old woman, a gamp of solid proportions may be the cause of much damage to the adversary.

The authors advise deploying the umbrella in two ways—as a fencing foil (light, parrying stabs with one hand), and a bayonet (firmly grasped and thrusted with two hands).

The mad woman in Elizabeth Is Missing seems rather to have gone for the “club” approach in this scene, when she chases a young Maud down the street:

. . . was holding the groceries against my chest, waiting for a tram to pass, when suddenly there was a great bang! on my shoulder. My heart jumped and my breath whistled in my throat. The end of the tram was trundling away at last, when bang! she hit me again. I leapt across the road. She followed. I ran up my street, dropping the tin of peaches in panic, and she chased me, shouting something I couldn’t catch . . . There was a bruise on my shoulder for weeks after that, dark against my pale skin. It was the same colour as the mad woman’s umbrella, as if it had left a piece of itself on me, a feather from a broken wing.

Just as Derrida has described the umbrella as both feminine and phallic, so too does it function as both weapon and defense. An open umbrella can act as a shield against not only rain and sun, but also bullets and other projectiles. At least two notable leaders have employed fortified umbrellas in their defense: Queen Victoria, who had a number of parasols lined with chain mail following an assassination attempt, and French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who in 2011 had a £10,000 Kevlar-coated umbrella made for his bodyguards in case of their needing to shield him. Apparently this umbrella was so strong that his bodyguards were able to smash tables with it.

Rather more outlandish is this anecdote from colonial India, related by William Sangster, in which an umbrella is put to an entirely novel defensive use:

The members of a comfortable picnic party were cosily assembled in some part of India, when an unbidden and most unwelcome guest made his appearance, in the shape of a huge Bengal tiger. Most persons would, naturally, have sought safety in flight, and not stayed to hob- and-nob with this denizen of the jungle; not so, however, thought a lady of the party, who, inspired by her innate courage, or the fear of losing her dinner—perhaps by both combined seized her Umbrella, and opened it suddenly in the face of the tiger as he stood wistfully gazing upon brown curry and foaming Allsop. The astonished brute turned tail and fled, and the lady saved her dinner.

And her life, presumably.

One umbrella, deployed in the fateful seconds before U.S. president John F. Kennedy was fatally shot on November 22, 1963, continues to intrigue conspiracy theorists to this day. Louie Steven Witt, dubbed the “Umbrella Man,” was captured on film holding an umbrella aloft moments before shots were fired at the president’s car. Josiah “Tink” Thompson—one of the first to spot the Umbrella Man in footage—included Witt and his umbrella in his 1967 book Six Seconds in Dallas: A Micro-Study of the Kennedy Assassination . Given that the shooting occurred on a bright, sunny day, and no one but Witt was carrying rain gear of any kind, sinister theories proliferated. One suggested that the umbrella was itself a weapon used to fire a disabling dart into Kennedy’s throat. Another held that the raising and lowering of Witt’s umbrella functioned as a signal to the shooter(s).

John Updike, reflecting on Thompson’s book in a December 1967 issue of The New Yorker , wrote:

[The Umbrella Man] dangles around history’s neck like a fetish . . . We wonder whether a genuine mystery is being concealed here or whether any similar scrutiny of a minute section of time and space would yield similar strangenesses—gaps, inconsistencies, warps, and bubbles in the surface of circumstance.

Despite the microanalytic nature of his own book, Thompson himself appears to agree with Updike: in Errol Morris’s 2011 short film Who Was the Umbrella Man? Thompson states that he accepts Witt’s own explanation, which he gave before the House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978. Witt claimed that his black umbrella was raised as a protest, not at John F. Kennedy himself but his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, who in his role as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom had supported Neville Chamberlain in his much-hated policies of appeasement towards Nazi Germany. Thompson says, “I read that and I thought, ‘This is just whacky enough it has to be true!’”

The iconicity of Chamberlain’s umbrella had no doubt faded somewhat by 1963—but from a purely brolliological perspective Witt’s explanation certainly checks out. However, hundreds of commenters on the video’s YouTube page beg to differ, and over 50 years later, Witt’s umbrella remains an object of speculation and intrigue.

On a lighter note, umbrellas also make rather handy hiding places—and not just for one’s own self. In Hergé’s Tintin book The Calculus Affair (1960), the absentminded professor Cuthbert Calculus develops a glass-shattering sonic invention that he fears could be turned into a weapon. Seeking advice, he heads for Switzerland to consult with a colleague but is abducted on the way. Tintin and Captain Haddock begin pursuit. On their hunt, they come across the professor’s signature umbrella, which Tintin’s dog, Snowy, takes responsibility for, carrying it around in his mouth. When they finally intercept Calculus the first thing he asks after is “My umbrella! My umbrella!”—before he is re-abducted and whisked away.

They lose his umbrella before rescuing him a final time, and there is a high-speed pursuit involving tanks and gunfire. Totally oblivious to Death flying about their ears, Calculus asks, “My umbrella! Have you got my umbrella?”—To which Captain Haddock expostulates, “Blistering barnacles, your umbrella! This is a fine time to worry about an umbrella!” However, the object is eventually recovered, prompting what is perhaps the most blissful human-umbrella reunion scene in literary history; Calculus clasps the object to his chest, crying, “My umbrella! My own little umbrella! At last I’ve found you!” All is explained when Calculus reveals that he had hidden the plans for his inventions inside the hollow handle of his brolly.

Hagrid’s wand and The Penguin (and possibly the Umbrella Man) aside, these are all fairly quotidian examples of brollies transcending their usual designated functions. Far more boundary-crossing are the imaginative uses to which they have been put by writers—or hallucinogens. In The Prime of Life (1960), the second volume of her memoirs, Simone de Beauvoir relates Jean-Paul Sartre’s first experiment with mescaline—an experience that, oddly enough, includes an umbrella or two:

Late that afternoon, as we had arranged, I telephoned Sainte-Anne’s, to hear Sartre telling me, in a thick, blurred voice, that my phone call had rescued him from a battle with several devil-fish, which he would almost certainly have lost . . . He had not exactly had hallucinations, but the objects he looked at changed their appearance in the most horrifying manner: umbrellas had become vultures, shoes turned into skeletons, and faces acquired monstrous characteristics, while behind him, just past the corner of his eye, swarmed crabs and polyps and grimacing Things.

Other monstrous associations crop up in Sarah Perry’s The Essex Serpent : firstly, when a young girl has a vision of the titular serpent as “a coiled snake unfolding wings like umbrellas,” and later when a very large and very dead sea creature washes up on the shore:

All along the spine the remnants of a single fin remained: protrusions rather like the spokes of an umbrella between which fragments of membrane, drying out in the easterly breeze, broke and scattered.

One extraordinarily transformative brolly may be found in G. H. Rodwell’s Memoirs of an Umbrella . As mentioned earlier, this umbrella so transcends its object status that it has become sentient and narrates a storyline of typically Victorian complexity from its (or rather, his: the umbrella is unambiguously gendered) vantage point as he is lost, loaned and forgotten, passed from character to character, “taken up here, or put down there, or dropped from a coach-box, or hung upon a peg.” As the umbrella himself points out, what better perspective could be gained but that of an umbrella?

Whether it be spread out cold, wet and weeping in the servants’ hall, or, dry and snug in the butler’s room; whether it be enviously watching over the heads of two happy lovers; or stuck almost upright, beneath the arm of the Honourable E. B—: still they are all situations for observing human nature.

It is a perspective that does not come cheap, according to this umbrella:

Talk of slavery! what can be more perfect than that of an Umbrella! At one moment our tyrant masters will raise us up to the skies; at the next, lower, nay, thrust us into the very mire! It is true we have . . . our moments of sunshine, but they are “few, and far-between”: perhaps, the fewer the better for our well-being, for bad weather suits us best. And that, which generally makes others low, causes the umbrella to be elevated.

We learn that, while entirely dependent on humans for carriage from place to place, this umbrella has emotions and hopes and desires of his own. He is frequently irritated by being removed from all the action—“I have generally been annoyed by being carried away exactly at the very moment I had wished to stay”—and at one point he wonders, “If a poor umbrella could feel this, what ought not real flesh and blood to have felt?” Although he cannot physically move, his emotional peaks come tantalizingly close, with descriptions like, “my very silk began to tremble” and, “the name vibrated through my whalebones.” Above all—for all the talk of slavery—he delights in being useful:

We had scarcely reached the New Road when it began to rain, not much, certainly, but enough to raise me considerably in my own estimation . . . The rain ceasing as suddenly as it had commenced, I was lowered, and felt myself no longer of any consequence.

The central conceit of Memoirs of an Umbrella is ridiculous by most standards, and it is a tribute to the author that the final work is sufficiently compelling to draw a reader—well, this reader, at any rate—through to the final pages. That said, sentience in brollies is not limited to out-of-print 19th-century fiction, or kasaobake. The Japanese poet Yosa Buson penned a haiku in which the sentience of two inanimate objects forms the final, delightful twist:

The spring rain— telling stories to each other they pass by: raincoat and umbrella.

English Poet Denise Riley, in her poem “Krasnoye Selo,” refers to umbrellas and their “carriers” going about their daily duties—a breathtaking reversal in which it is the umbrella that takes centre stage, the umbrella that possesses volition. The individuals beneath them factor in only as brolly-bearers, as enablers—not unlike the Greek and Egyptian slaves charged with holding umbrellas over the heads of their rulers.

Perhaps the most fascinating transcendence of all is that between human and brolly—one of which Will Self is a master. It is Audrey—symbolic throughout this book of the anxieties connected with the mechanical age—who undergoes this extraordinary transformation, not once but twice. The first time occurs just before her encephalitis permanently relapses, when, caught in a sudden gust of wind, Audrey’s arms:

fly up and away, struts jerkily unfolding from ribs, then bending back on themselves, so that the riveted pivots bend and pop . . . her stockings are half unrolled on her stiff posts, her handles in their worn leather boots rattle across a cellar grating . . .

Her temporary identification with the umbrella is prophetic, for Audrey will soon, like a broken brolly, be abandoned and all but forgotten as she succumbs to an illness no one can understand or treat, and is shut up in a psychiatric hospital for the rest of her life.

Will Self does not quite have a monopoly on human-umbrella confusions, however: the character of Miss Hare, in Patrick White’s 1961 novel Riders in the Chariot , undergoes a comparable, although much subtler, transformation of her own. Miss Hare, one of the four “visionaries” of the novel, is herself a creature of margins and transient boundaries: this passing comparison—introduced very early in the novel—is a most fitting introduction to the transcendent nature of her character:

Miss Hare continued to walk away from the post office, through a smell of moist nettles, under the pale disc of the sun. An early pearliness of light, a lambs’-wool of morning promised the millennium, yet, between the road and the shed in which the Godbolds lived, the burnt-out blackberry bushes, lolling and waiting in rusty coils, suggested that the enemy might not have withdrawn. As Miss Hare passed, several barbs of several strands attached themselves to the folds of her skirt, pulling on it, tight, tight, tighter, until she was all spread out behind, part woman, part umbrella.

__________________________________

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Autobiography of Umbrella Essay in English for Students

January 5, 2024 by Sandeep

Autobiography of an Umbrella: One of the most useful and innovative inventions of mankind is the umbrella. Umbrellas are manufactured in different colours apart from the standard black colour. They are highly flexible and can be folded to fit into small handbags. They are generally structured with steel and covered with a smooth surface cloth. Umbrellas are water resistant to a certain extent and a saviour most of the times.

Essay on Autobiography of an Umbrella

Below we have provided an autobiography of umbrella for class 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 students, written in easy and simple words.

“The mind is like an umbrella. It is most useful when open.” ~ Walter Gropius

I come in plain dark shades and also in bright colours. I can be so large in size so as to cover a whole lunch table or so small so as to fit in the palm of your hand. I can protect you not only from the rain but also from the sunlight. I am an umbrella.

I am made of wood, metal, plastic and cloth. My name umbrella originated from a Latin word known as Umbra. In ancient times I was made up of feathers, leaves, flags and cloth. My ancestors were used by royal people and people of great importance like the Generals of Armies.

But I am glad that umbrellas now are used not only by the rich but even by the middle class and the poor. We umbrellas love helping and shielding as many people as we can. Let me now tell you about my journey.

I was born in a factory and was supplied to a shop owner. I was displayed in a shop next to a kid’s toy store. I had a yellow background and red polka dots on me.

I was sure that I would be picked up by a child. And that was indeed true. I still remember the first day I met Riya. Her hair was tied into two ponytails, and she had beautiful slight freckles on her face.

She was in the kid’s store looking at the latest models of Barbie when she spotted me through the glass window. I could literally see her eyes light up. She quickly grabbed her father’s hand and came to me.

She told him that she wanted to take me home because I was the prettiest thing that she had ever seen. I was happy to do anything for Riya. I was pleased to let the sun’s punishing rays fall on me and save my little Riya from getting any sunburns.

I was happy to protect my little angel from freezing rain droplets. I was delighted to be hung behind the hook of her bedroom door. Riya carried me around like I was some sort of a trophy or a medal.

Her friends also loved me and told her that they were attracted very much by my bright polka dates. They used to say to her that they wished they had an umbrella just like me.

Then one day, Riya was swinging me in the air while walking playfully in the park when all of a sudden, I hit the ground very hard, and she tripped and fell on me.

I was bent and even broken in some places. But I didn’t feel hurt for myself. I was sad that Riya also got hurt and that she cried. Her knee even bled a little. Her mother saw it and immediately came to her aid.

She gave me to a person to be mended in his umbrella shop. He tried very hard to fix me for a week. But I guess I was broken beyond any repair.

Riya’s mom then brought her a new umbrella which looked a lot like me. I hope that the umbrella keeps her happy and protects her. I also hope that Riya does not forget about me and keeps me cherished in her thoughts.

Essay on Umbrella

Students are often asked to write an essay on Umbrella in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Umbrella

Introduction.

An umbrella is a handy tool that provides protection from the weather. It is primarily used to shield us from rain and sun.

Design and Use

Umbrellas have a central rod, a handle at the bottom, and a canopy made of fabric. When opened, they cover a large area.

Significance

Umbrellas are significant in our daily lives. They protect us from getting wet in the rain or from harmful sun rays.

In conclusion, umbrellas are simple yet essential tools. They offer us comfort and protection, making them indispensable in our lives.

Also check:

10 Lines on Umbrella

250 Words Essay on Umbrella

An umbrella, an everyday object, has a profound significance that often goes unnoticed. It is a symbol of shelter, protection, and even solidarity in various cultures.

Historical Overview

The umbrella’s origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, and Greece. It was not merely a tool for protection against weather elements but also a status symbol, with its design and materials reflecting the user’s social standing.

Umbrella: A Technological Perspective

The umbrella has evolved over centuries, adapting to societal needs and technological advancements. From the basic stick-and-leaf design to modern automatic, wind-resistant versions, the umbrella exemplifies human ingenuity. The incorporation of materials like nylon, fiberglass, and even UV-protective fabrics shows how the umbrella has transformed to meet contemporary demands.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

In a broader cultural context, the umbrella symbolizes protection and care. In protests, it has emerged as a symbol of resistance, as seen in the 2014 Hong Kong Umbrella Movement. It has also been immortalized in art and literature, representing both solitude and companionship.

Environmental Impact

The environmental footprint of umbrellas, particularly disposable ones, is a growing concern. The challenge lies in developing sustainable, durable designs that minimize waste and environmental impact.

The umbrella, in its simplicity, embodies the fusion of culture, technology, and symbolism. It is a testament to human creativity and adaptability, reminding us of our journey from mere survival to sophisticated living. As we move forward, the umbrella’s evolution will continue to reflect our changing needs and values.

500 Words Essay on Umbrella

The umbrella, a common yet remarkable tool, is a symbol of protection and comfort against the natural elements. Its basic design, a canopy mounted on a central rod, has been optimized over centuries to provide shelter from rain, sun, and even wind. This essay will delve into the history, design, symbolism, and technological advancements of the umbrella.

The umbrella’s origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and China, where it was used primarily as a sunshade. In the Middle Ages, the umbrella’s use shifted towards protection against rain, especially in Northern Europe. Its transformation from a practical tool to a fashion accessory occurred during the 18th century, reflecting societal changes and the rise of consumer culture.

Design and Functionality

The umbrella’s design is a testament to the power of simplicity. Its canopy, usually made of waterproof material, is spread out by a series of ribs and stretchers attached to a central rod. The user can open or close the umbrella with a simple mechanism, making it a highly portable and convenient tool. The design has been refined over time, with the advent of compact, lightweight, and wind-resistant models.

Beyond its practical use, the umbrella has been imbued with symbolic meanings. In many cultures, it represents protection and authority. In Buddhism, it symbolizes the protective power of the dharma, while in Western cultures, it’s often associated with solidarity and support, as seen in the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong.

Technological Advancements

In the age of technology, the umbrella has not been left behind. Innovations include smart umbrellas equipped with weather sensors that alert the user when rain is imminent. Some models are designed with solar panels to charge electronic devices, while others have built-in GPS to prevent loss. These advancements reflect our changing needs and the potential for everyday objects to become smart and connected.

The umbrella, while seemingly mundane, is a fascinating object of study. Its history mirrors societal changes, its design exemplifies functional simplicity, and its symbolism reflects cultural values. As technology continues to evolve, the umbrella will likely adapt, serving not only as a shield against the elements but also as an intelligent companion in our daily lives. The umbrella, therefore, is more than a mere tool; it is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Twitter
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Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

The White Umbrella Analysis

Categories: Perception

About this sample

Words: 730 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 730 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Introduction:, cultural context:, societal norms:, struggles of individual identity:, conclusion:.

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Developing a Thesis: Finding the Umbrella Idea

Developing a good thesis is often the result of finding the "umbrella idea." Finding this idea requires that students move back and forth between a text's particularities and its big ideas in order to find a suitable "fit" between the two that the students can write about. This fit is then summed up in the "umbrella idea," or the big idea that all of their observations can stand under.

For instance, in an exploration of the Gospels as rhetoric, a student makes the specific observation that, in three of the four gospels, Jesus is reported as saying dramatically different things during his crucifixion. This observation by itself won't produce a paper - it's simply a statement of fact, with which no one will disagree. Nevertheless, this observation provokes a broader question: do these differences constitute a contradiction in the text? And if so, how do we understand this contradiction? What are the conditions of religious truth? Is there room for a contradiction as important as this?

Of course, these questions are too big to be addressed in an academic paper. And so the student returns to the text, still with these too-big questions haunting him. Reviewing the specific contradictions of the text, he crafts another set of questions: How should we understand the differences we see across the four gospels? What might have inspired these writers to craft this important crucifixion scene differently - particularly when, as is true of the authors of Matthew and Luke, they were using the same sources? The student posits that these differences arise from a difference in audience, historical moment, and rhetorical purpose. He turns to scholarship and finds his interpretation confirmed.

But the bigger questions persist. If the gospels are constructed to serve the earthly purposes of converting or supporting the beliefs of specific audiences, how can they also be considered as true? After doing a great deal of sketching, the student posits that perhaps the differences and contradictions are precisely what communicates the texts' truth to its audience of believers. After all, if the truth of a supreme being is beyond human grasp, then perhaps it requires a many-voiced or polyglossic narrative. With this idea in mind, the student produces a paper that not only details the variances across the texts, but offers a claim about why an audience of believers are not deterred by the differences. It is this claim that serves as the umbrella idea, synthesizing the student writer's various observations and ideas.

To sum up, successful employment of the umbrella method depends on four steps:

Students must move fluidly back and forth between the text and their abstractions/generalizations, ready to adjust their ideas to the new evidence and new abstractions that they encounter.
Students must sketch their ideas. Drawing their ideas helps students pull their thinking out of linear, two-dimensional modes, enabling them to see multiple possibilities for their essays.
Students must seek an umbrella idea, under which their ideas can stand. To get to this umbrella idea, they need not only to analyze but to synthesize: they need to bring disparate ideas together, to see if they fit.
They further need to create this synthesis by playing with language, creating an umbrella sentence that can embrace their ideas. This requires that students write and revise their thesis sentence several times as they write their paper. It also requires that students have a basic understanding of the principles of style, so that they can understand how to place their ideas in appropriate clauses, create the proper emphasis, and so on.

About the Author :

Karen Gocsik is the Director of the Analytical Writing Program at the University of California, San Diego.

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How my (many) wedding superstitions saved my marriage

Following every good-luck rule was just one way of managing my fears around making it to forever.

I was raised in a family of wildly superstitious Italians. Black cats and broken mirrors were our warm-up act. My relatives would not exit from a different door of the house than they entered, pass a baby over literally any surface, come within a hundred yards of an owl, or buy, rent or honestly even visit any property in any way associated with the number thirteen. But the rules that scared me most as a child were the superstitions about marriage. Omens about the groom seeing the wedding gown (or God forbid the bride!). Predictions about what happens if it rains on the day (nothing good in my family’s personal system of belief — yes, I know that’s opposite what the rest of the world believes). Grave guidelines for that cute old-new-borrowed-blue rhyme (my aunt bought hundreds of sixpence in the ’80s so not one family shoe would be in jeopardy). And the grandmother of them all: Never accept a vintage engagement ring. To enter marriage wearing the karma from someone else’s relationship?! Mamma mia !

Somewhere around high school I became the gray sheep of my family in many categories (full black sheep was a step too far from the family lasagna). One among them was my unwillingness to stay in line with that long list of superstitions. I started brazenly walking through front doors then dancing out the back, and I once opened an umbrella indoors — on Christmas. Naturally I thought I would also be the first rebel bride. What modern, free-thinking woman would let ancient practices rule her love life?

Cut to me seconds after my boyfriend of three years finally asked, “Anything I should know about your taste in rings?”

I did not breathe before yelling, “It has to be brand-new!”

Thankfully he got the (very clear) memo, but my 180 on how to guarantee a “happily ever after” only worsened in the months leading up to my wedding. I downloaded six different weather apps, hid my gown in my parents’ basement and had three backups for each old/new/borrowed/blue item (so a dozen individual items). Somewhere around considering an entire rain date wedding, I started to wonder if there was something deeper at play. Why was I suddenly so committed to following every single rule? To be clear, I think it’s lovely to honor family traditions on your big day, but for me this ran much deeper than decorating with the same lucky peonies my ancestors chose to bring prosperity.

It hit me when I tossed a straw hat onto my bed, breaking a non-wedding rule without a second thought: This wasn’t about my relationship with superstition, it was about my relationship with marriage . Following every good-luck rule was just one way of managing my fears around making it to forever .

I started to see each superstition as this sort of emotional litmus test for my feelings about the future — my brain’s way of dealing with the huge life decision I was making. The real question wasn’t, “Will a rainy day, missed item or heirloom ring mean a bad marriage?” It was, “Can anything actually guarantee that I won’t end up divorced?” Not, “What if the sixpence falls off my shoe?” but “What if I fall out of love with this man?” I decided to focus my attention on trying to answer those questions before I walked down the aisle (instead of looking for a fourth something blue). What was I afraid might happen to my marriage, and why?

Once I let my fears do some talking, I realized some anxieties were based on things still unsaid in my relationship . My fiancé and I had talked about many versions of our future but never had a firm conversation about parenthood. I also realized I needed to hear all his truest feelings about being tied to a writer who might never have truly stable income. And how exactly would he react if I said, “Sorry, no cats … ever . ”? Quickly the idea of not having these very foundational talks became scarier than sitting down to hash it all out. I felt a hidden-wedding-gown-sized weight off my shoulders after we finally did. I was also more convinced than ever that I’d picked the right partner.

And yet there was still no way in hell you could have convinced me to let him see my wedding dress before the day.

Jessie Rosen sitting with her husband after wedding ceremony

The more air time I gave my worry the more I realized that underneath it all was a deep distrust in the entire concept of marriage . The couples in my immediate family are together, but I’m a child of the ’90s. Growing up, more than half my friends split their time between Mom’s house and Dad’s house. But I was also able to see how much I craved certainty and control over my life, and how much angst I felt around the idea of the opposite. I started seeing a therapist for help working through those feelings, which were spilling over into much more than my wedding planning. At first I felt so much shame around all my uncertainty. A bride with cold feet? Mamma mia! But the closer I got to my wedding date the more pride I felt in my decision to battle the fears versus ignore them, and the more comfort I felt with all the new tools I was developing to know whether or not forever was for me.

Any relationship is a leap of faith. Marriage takes that hope in lasting love and makes it legally binding. The truth is you can follow every single rule in the Italian superstition book (yes, there absolutely is one in print), and still not know for certain whether you’ll make it to “‘til death do us part.” To me that’s what makes the decision to enter into a lifelong commitment so incredibly romantic. You’re saying, “I know how big this is, and I’m doing it anyway.” Or as I came to decide, that’s why I’m doing it. Marriage is the biggest way that I have to say that I believe we should be together for life.

In the end, it rained on our wedding day, and despite all the options my “something borrowed” was the same thing as my “something blue” which was — irony of all ironies — an heirloom butterfly brooch from my Italian grandmother. But on May 10, my husband and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary, and I firmly believe we’ve made it this far because of those wedding superstitions I became obsessed with over a decade ago. Walking through that process showed me that my sudden rule-following was a sign that it was time for me to examine my motivation. And I say bravo to any bride that faces those fears head-on before saying “I do.” To get married without exploring your deepest feelings about the decision?! Mamma mia !

Jessie Rosen got her start with the award-winning blog 20-Nothings and has sold original television projects to ABC, CBS, Warner Bros. and Netflix. Her debut novel, “ The Heirloom ,” is out now from Putnam Books.

Umbrella History, Design and Usage Essay

Introduction, works cited.

An umbrella refers to a lightweight handheld collapsible covering that serves as a roof to shelter an area or someone from the weather. People use umbrellas to for various purposes and are designed for different users. There are umbrellas for children and adults, depending on their size and usability. Umbrellas are a common phenomenon everywhere across the world, especially during rainy and sunny weather conditions.

They mainly come from China, Taiwan, and western countries (Mc Alinney par. 3). Over the years, umbrella designs have evolved to modern ones that are fixed multiple user tools such as tables to provide shade for several people (Sangster 20). Such umbrellas are common in the hospitality industry. Their predominant round shape has also evolved to include other designs depending on different wind patterns across the world (Mc Alinney par. 6). People love to use umbrellas because they are convenient, especially during outdoor activities.

Umbrellas are quite common, as evidenced by the national umbrella day celebrated across the world on 10 th February each year (Sangster 31). Weather experts argue that over the years, umbrellas have become one of the consumer products that attract high demand across the world. Practically, everyone finds the need to use an umbrella at least once a year. People use umbrellas for other purposes, apart from protection from sunlight and rainfall (Hogan par. 1).

Some people use them as a fashion accessory that helps to complete their image. During rainy or sunny days when someone has to use an umbrella, it is important to choose one that complements the clothes that someone wears. According to fashion experts, there are numerous types of umbrellas for everyday activities such as going to the garden, a wedding, a sporting event, or a picnic (Hogan par. 6). Umbrellas are also used in weather forecasting as a graphic symbol that denotes whether there will be rainfall or sunshine. Photographers also use umbrellas variedly.

Another interesting aspect of umbrellas is the numerous assumptions that people create with regard to their use. Umbrellas have created a huge debate, especially among its adherents and opponents. First, some people assume that people who carry umbrellas during normal weather conditions are very sensitive to the sun, highly fashionable, or attention seekers (Hogan par. 2). Secondly, some people tend to assume that umbrellas are not always necessary because some people choose to protect themselves using hats or raincoats (Hogan par. 2).

Third, some people tend to assume that the use of umbrellas as fashion accessories is just a fantasy because it is cumbersome to carry an umbrella around, especially during normal weather conditions. People use umbrellas for varied reasons (Hogan par. 3). Studies have established that most people use them as a protection tool, while a few use them as fashion accessories. Stylish umbrellas can be used at any time, depending on user preference. Some people think that umbrellas cause social menace because they affect the ability of people to walk comfortably (Hogan par. 7).

An umbrella is a good tool to research because of its popularity and importance in people’s lives. People use umbrellas all the time for various reasons. It is very easy to observe and understand the way people use umbrellas. Although there are a few opponents of umbrellas, their popularity and high demand across the world is a clear indication of their importance in people’s daily activities.

Hogan, Michael. Why Real Men Don’t Use Umbrellas . 2014. Web.

Mc Alinney, Roberta. Are Umbrellas becoming the Latest Must have Fashion Accessory? Web.

Sangster, William. Umbrellas and their History . New York: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.

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English Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “The Umbrella” for Kids, Students of Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 CBSE, ICSE Board Examination

The Umbrella

The word “umbrella” literally means, “Little shade”, and so the name explains what the thing is for. We use umbrellas to give us shade from the sun, or shelter from the rain.

The umbrella is a frame made of steel, fixed on a stick with a handle, and covered with cotton or silk cloth. It is so made that it can be opened and carried over the head when we want shelter from rain or sun, and closed and rolled up when not needed so that it can be carried in the hand like a stick. It is a very handy and useful thing: and most people have one. In Calcutta, almost every Bengali walks the streets with his white or black cotton umbrella to shade him from the sun; and in rainy England, most people carry umbrellas lest they should be caught in a shower.

Nowadays people keep umbrellas for use. But in old days the umbrella was a sign of rank, and so it is even now in some eastern countries. In Burma, only the king and the sacred white elephant were allowed to carry white umbrellas, while officials and lords had yellow, golden, red, green, and brown umbrellas, according to their rank. In India, the Maratha Rajas were called “lords of the umbrella”. In China, every mandarin, or government official, had the right of having a fine umbrella held over him as a sign of his rank. In Italy, the Doge, or duke, of Venice had a splendid state umbrella, which was carried over him when he went in processions. And even in ancient Assyria, thousands of years ago, the king sat on his throne under a grand umbrella with coloured tassels, held by an officer of the court. This shows that the umbrella is not a new thing, but a very old invention.

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CGRS Winners for the 2024 Travel Writing Contest

The 2024 CGRS Travel Writing Contest results are in and the winners of this year’s contest are:

1st Place: “Ti’n Siarad Cymraeg?” by Lydia Montgomery

2nd place: “my cat, cloyd” by anna frankel .

3rd Place: “Agnès” by Sarah Raman
Honorable Mention: “Home” by Narjis Nusaibah

Congratulations to the winners and to all those who participated in the writing contest this year!

A special thank you and shoutout goes to the CGRS Travel Writing Contest sponsors: Cross-Cultural Studies, Dean of Students, Off-Campus Studies, The Center for Global and Regional Studies, and The Writing Center!

Additionally, we want to extend a warm thank you to this year’s internal and external judges, as well as those who played important roles in putting the contest together, including our student workers, Monica Law and Alex Mazur. The external judge for this year, Heather Maher, has spent more than 20 years as a senior journalist at national and international media outlets – reporting, editing, and writing news and features for ABCNews.com, The Atlantic, Radio Free Europe, MSNBC, CNN, The Rotarian, and The Prague Post, among others. While based in Prague, Heather was a visiting journalism instructor in Bosnia for young aspiring reporters from across Eastern Europe, convened the first training conference in CEE for reporters covering trials at the international Criminal Court, and led a writing internship program for students identifying as Romani at the Soros-funded Transitions Online. She also co-authored several city guides to Prague, contributed to a National Geographic Czech Republic travel guide, and wrote for Sawday’s Best Small Places to Stay. As a professional writer and editor, Heather has authored published opinion pieces for an ambassador to the U.S. and head of state, and edited reports for UNESCO. She is currently a senior writer/editor for the Humane Society of the United States-Humane Society International. With all Heather’s experience and accomplishments, we are incredibly grateful and appreciative of her time spent as this year’s external judge. Thank you again, Heather!

And lastly, congratulations again to our winners; your entries were a joy to read, thank you for sharing your adventures and travel with us! Read our external judge’s comments below!

Exhilarating. I disappeared into Wales as I read, but not just Wales: I went to a festival, stood in a gravel parking lot at dusk, rode a nearly empty bus over a hilly peninsula, and wandered a night garden of fruit trees. I also rode an emotional rollercoaster: exhaustion and despair, frustration, hope, resignation, and relief, and was 100% invested in the author reaching their destination safely.

As a piece of travel writing, this succeeds. The semi-desperate situation of trying to find the right transportation and arrange emergency lodging will be familiar to anyone who has roamed solo in a remote part of the world seeking adventure and enlightenment, only to be defeated by logistics and loneliness. I loved the honesty of the author’s account and appreciated the lack of hyperbole and self-pity. The interweaving of destination-specific details was also done well; illuminating facts about the geography of Wales, the Welsh language, and Celtic history gave context and a sense of place.

There’s a small joy in coming across one’s own experience in another’s text—maybe it’s getting a glimpse of our shared human condition. What solo traveler hasn’t felt frustration trying to converse with kind strangers in another language, fear watching a phone battery drain, or hollowness when you realize you’ve stayed too long in a place that once appealed but suddenly seems strange and awful?

More importantly, if a reader hasn’t experienced such things, the author writes in such a warm and inviting way that it’s effortless to stand in their shoes. That’s good travel writing.

❤️ FAVORITE SENTENCE ❤️

“I have been at turns fascinated, overjoyed, deeply lonely, and awed. And now, I really needed to leave.”

I liked the pacing and structure of this essay; it pulled me in and kept my interest throughout. Right at the outset, the vivid description of the interior of the house produced an accompanying image in my mind, answering in the affirmative the inevitable question that hangs over every new piece of writing for me: do you trust the author’s voice? I was transported to a new place, a crucial element of travel writing.

I loved the small observations about Marcella: her fuzzy slippers and Mickey Mouse blanket, how she shared her Oreos, talked to the cat when she thought no one was listening, fed strays, worried about chewed-up hair ties. These are well-chosen, endearing details that reveal Marcella’s deeper nature: she cares about the people and animals who come into her life. It was notable to me that while the author is at the center of the essay—writing from the POV of a student on a homestay abroad—they don’t center the essay on themselves. There are keenly observed descriptions of behavior and scenes of domestic contentment that don’t read as filtered through a personal lens. I was as curious about Marcella and José—not to mention Cloyd!—as I was about the writer.

That’s why I wished this essay had revealed more than it did about the author’s personal experience and where they were for three months. We only get a hint of the former at the end, when we learn they are “trying to forget about the suitcase and duffel bag that sat packed and ready by the front door,” and become teary-eyed knowing the stay is over. I wondered why they were sad to leave instead of eager to get home. And whether, as with Cloyd, the author had struggled with feeling accepted in other situations during their time in Chile, and if so, why, and if not, also why? Either example would have widened the essay out and provided an interesting contrast or relevant parallel to the central focus of the essay: the evolution of their relationship with Cloyd, which by the end, felt a bit anticlimactic.

Beyond that, I wanted more detail about where they were in Chile. Even mundane experiences like shopping for groceries or interacting with locals become interesting in a new and foreign place because they challenge us and test skill sets we mastered long ago. Writing about how you overcame (or were stymied by) those challenges, and maybe more interestingly, how they made you feel , is a natural jumping off point for writing about where you are: the people, the place, the language, the traditions, the food, anything. Even the weather. So, ultimately for me, though I enjoyed reading it, this piece lacked something essential for it to be placed firmly within the travel writing oeuvre.

“But I occasionally peered over to find Cloyd perched on Marcela’s lap, the two of them looking oddly similar with their black hair, straight backs, and wide eyes fixed on the TV screen.”

3rd Place: “Agnès” by Sarah Raman

I first want to acknowledge that this essay concerns what seems to have been a difficult life experience for the author. I appreciate the work and emotional effort it must have taken to write about it.

This read to me more like a short story than personal travel essay because it focuses almost exclusively on a strained friendship and the location—Paris, one of the world’s most fascinating cities—is so lightly evoked. There are some missed opportunities to bring the reader to France: a quick tutorial on French political controversies when Agnès refers to the yellow vest movement, some insight into traditional French meal planning in the (well-written) scene that peeks into shoppers’ baskets in the bio co-op.

The essay strays further from form with its use of word-for-word dialogue. One or two quotes or memorable exchanges sprinkled in an experience-based essay can really make a section sing or resonate with a reader, but multiple exact quotes almost inevitably begs the question: how did the author remember whole conversations verbatim? Paraphrasing things said to you, that you heard, or that you yourself said, almost always reads as more authentic. As I passed the front desk, the owner asked me if I had an umbrella, saying the forecast had turned. No, no, I told her, I loved walking in the rain. She looked at me skeptically.“Do you, now?” she asked, in a lilting brogue. I knew to expect rainy weather when I decided to hike in the Highlands in October, I said, pointing to my sturdy waterproof boots. She just nodded. I had no idea what I was in for, but she did.

The author makes it clear at the start of the essay that their trip to Paris curdled the instant their old friend expressed some unexpected political and social views. That unbridled disappointment sets a heavy tone for the rest of the piece, one that ultimately ends up weighing it down; there’s nowhere for it to go because there’s no hope for redemption. That’s a bit of a risk if you want readers to keep reading.

There’s also a risk in portraying a woman who has lost her marriage and her home, shares a bed with her daughter in a tiny flat and works at a grocery store, as a sort of caricature. Many heavy-handed passages cast Agnès in a negative light: she refers to her daughter as “a real bitch” and snaps and frowns at her, is “disappointed” no one wants to drink wine with her at lunch, sneaks cigarettes at work, and suggests things with “such finality” the author feels she’s lost her free will. At one point, I felt my sympathies shift to Agnès, which is surely not what the author intended.

I thought the scene on the bus that ends, “I turned my eyes to the window and wondered what she saw” was excellent and wanted more. I wanted the author to go on—why did they feel so tense (e.g., I was appalled by her views and knew I couldn’t separate them from our friendship)? What did Agnès’ spartan flat and bitterness toward their ex teach them about the toll life can take on a person? Or what they learned about why French workers protest the government’s policies, based on their friend’s lived experience? I was sure the author would have interesting things to say—their’s is a sharp and observant voice.

“ I nodded and set to work, reveling in the novelty of the task. Me, at a French grocery store, on a Sunday morning, hard at work! I fixated hard on the brussels sprouts, tuning out the small talk happening around the store. For the first time in twenty-four hours, I found a sense of calm.”

Honorable Mention: “Home” by Narjis Nusaibah

10 Lines on Umbrella in English for Kids

Umbrella is made to protect a people from rain.
Umbrella is also made to protect a people from sunrays.
Umbrella is made up of a stick of metal or wood and a peace of fabric.
Umbrella is a portable device.
Umbrella is a self held device.
Modern umbrella are so small that they can even fit in handbag.
We can share Umbrella with our friend also.
We can carry Umbrella anywhere.
Umbrella can protect us from snowfall.
When the Umbrella is wet, we can easily dry it.

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Module 2 Starting Off Right with Planning

Click on the links below to go to that section of the module.

Introduction
Learning Objectives
The Writer’s Purpose
Anticipating the Needs of Your Readers
The Main Message
Examples of Main Messages
Writing a Main Message

Umbrella and Thesis Statements

Identify Umbrella and Thesis Statements
Determine the Main Message: Step 1
Determine the Main Message: Step 2
Analyzing Reader Dialogues
Assignment 2: Dialogue With the Reader Worksheet
Resources and Documents

Depending on the type of report you are writing or on your reader’s needs, your main message can take different forms. For the most part, however, your main message should show that you have taken a position on the subject about which you are writing. When a sentence reveals the writer’s position, it is called a thesis statement . On the other hand, sometimes your main message will be more neutral in tone, especially in cases where you are presenting new information that has yet to be analyzed more thoroughly. These types of statements are called umbrella statements and they more closely resemble statements of fact.

Take a look at the following three statements on the subject of crop outputs. Each statement represents a different level of the writer's position. Read through each one and see how they differ.

Supported by

Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive?

Soaring premiums have become a prominent driver of inflation, and insurers say that more increases could be on the way. How did it get like this?

Share full article

A steady stream of cars drive on a two-way highway that has three lanes on each side.

By Emily Flitter

If your car broke down two years ago, it probably became a bigger problem than you bargained for.

A confluence of forces were to blame: The Covid pandemic disrupted supply chains, pushing used car prices to record highs and making spare parts hard to get; out-of-practice drivers emerging from lockdowns caused more severe wrecks; and technological advancements like motion sensors made even the simplest parts, like a fender or a rim, expensive to replace .

Things have since improved for car owners — except when it comes to insurance bills. Car insurers are still raising prices steeply: The price of motor vehicle insurance rose more than 22 percent in the year through April, the fastest pace since the 1970s, according to a report the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday. According to calculations by the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group, the average 12-month premium for car insurance was $1,280 in 2023, the industry’s most recent figures.

That has made car insurance a prominent factor preventing overall inflation from cooling more quickly, which could force the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher for longer even as the prices for many other essential goods and services have slowed.

Geico recently reported a big jump in quarterly profit on higher premiums and lower customer claims. The share prices of other big auto insurers, like Allstate and Progressive, have beaten the rise in the overall market this year.

That has attracted scrutiny from economists . A key reason car insurance costs are rising so fast right now has to do with how the industry is regulated.

How does insurance regulation work?

Insurers are regulated by the states, not the federal government. In all 50 states, insurance companies must follow specific rules about how and when they can raise the price on their policies.

Each state’s laws are broadly similar, and require insurers to ask regulators for permission to raise prices. Insurers have to make a case — with data to back it up — that the increase is necessary and that they will not make too large a profit on the re-priced policies. This application, known in the business as a “rate filing,” involves complicated paperwork that may take weeks or months to resolve.

The data has to include an analysis of loss trends from the past couple of years, as well as projections for replacement costs and profits. If insurers are deemed to profit too heavily, regulators can make them return money to customers.

The threat of returning money is not an idle one. At the height of pandemic lockdowns in 2020, when many cars sat idle, insurers returned almost $13 billion to customers through dividends, refund checks and premium reductions for policy renewals, according to the insurance ratings agency AM Best.

California was one of the most active states: Insurers there returned $3.2 billion to customers in 2020.

Ricardo Lara, the state’s insurance commissioner, “directed the department to do a very close analysis to make sure that drivers weren’t overcharged,” said Michael Soller, a spokesman for the California Department of Insurance. But starting in late 2021, the state became the poster child for a new problem: an epic backlog of insurers’ requests to raise prices.

How a massive paperwork jam explains rising prices.

When the pandemic shut down most economic activity, it messed up insurers’ ability to use the past to predict the future. For months, they were frozen. They did not submit new rate filings to regulators for a spell — until they did, all at once, in the second half of 2021.

The prices of cars and parts were jumping and drivers were back on the roads and crashing left and right after a hiatus behind the wheel.

“You went from this period of incredible profitability to incredible losses in the blink of an eye,” said Tim Zawacki, an analyst who focuses on insurance at S&P Global Market Intelligence. No companies were willing to stick their necks out by offering lower premiums in the hope of winning new business, he said.

“Everyone was together in significantly pushing for rate increases.”

In California, the most populous U.S. state, insurers were getting creamed by expensive claims.

But the state’s regulator did not start approving insurers’ requests to raise rates until near the end of 2022. The backlog grew so large that the average wait time for approvals was longer — by several months — than the six-month policies that insurers wanted to sell.

“When state regulators delay or prevent companies from accurately pricing insurance, insurers may not be able to absorb the costs,” said Neil Alldredge, the president of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, a trade group that represents many home and auto insurers. The squeeze can lead insurers to leave some states or stop some business lines, he added. “Inefficient regulatory environments in states like California, New Jersey and New York, combined with inflation and increased catastrophic losses, have left consumers with fewer choices of insurers and higher costs,” he said.

California is still the slowest state in the continental United States for auto insurance rate filings, taking an average of 219 days to approve a price proposal for a personal auto policy, according to S&P data provided by Mr. Zawacki.

“We fight for consumers by analyzing all of the data, not just what insurance companies spoon-feed us,” Mr. Soller, the California Department of Insurance spokesman, said.

The S&P analysis showed that New Jersey, the 11th-most populous state, had the sixth-longest wait time, while New York, with the fourth-largest population, had the 7th-longest wait times.

“The department performs a comprehensive review of requests to amend rates or rating systems to ensure compliance with New Jersey law,” said Dawn Thomas, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.

Ms. Thomas said the regulator needed to ensure that each proposed premium increase was “reasonable, adequate, and not unfairly discriminatory,” and that sometimes the insurers’ requests needed to be challenged or denied.

A spokeswoman for New York’s regulator declined to comment.

When will the jam clear?

Shortly before the pandemic, the umbrella organization for state insurance regulators, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, formed a team of data scientists to help regulators deal with their rate filings, which has gotten more complicated in recent years.

The data team became fully operational in 2021 and its mission is now to help speed up the review process: 37 states have signed up to use it.

This month, during a call with analysts to discuss Allstate’s earnings, company representatives said they had recently reopened their California auto insurance business after getting permission to charge higher rates. The company still wanted to raise prices in other states.

In New York and New Jersey, for example, “even with the rate approvals that we got late last year, we still don’t feel like we’re at the appropriate rate level to want to grow in those two states,” said Mario Rizzo, the president of Allstate’s property-casualty business.

How much higher will premiums go?

In 2021, insurers’ personal auto businesses started recording losses. According to David Blades, an analyst for AM Best, the industry lost $4 billion in 2021, $33 billion in 2022 and roughly $17 billion last year.

According to Dale Porfilio, the chief insurance officer at the Insurance Information Institute, the trade group, many companies still need to raise prices to make up for those bad years.

Last year, insurers raised auto premiums by 14 percent, the biggest increase in over 15 years. Mr. Porfilio’s best guess is that premiums this year will rise another 13 percent.

“It’s going to take time for every company to get their rates to where they want to be,” he said.

Emily Flitter writes about finance and how it impacts society. More about Emily Flitter

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Essay on Autobiography of an Umbrella for Students of All Ages
Autobiography of an Umbrella 1 -. Once upon a time, I was just a simple idea in the mind of a designer. I was created to serve a single purpose: to protect people from the rain. But as I was crafted and brought to life, I soon realized that I was capable of so much more. I was born in a factory, surrounded by the hum of machines and the ...
If I were an Umbrella Essay for Children (950 Words)
It is used to protect us from rain and sun. It is usually a dome shaped piece with a long stick in the center which is called a handle. The dome part of umbrella can be of cloth, plastic paper and even skin. If somehow I get an opportunity to become an umbrella, I would love to be a multicolored one. I will choose multicolored umbrella because ...
When I Was Caught In The Rain Without An Umbrella Essay
Short Essay on When I Was Caught In The Rain Without An Umbrella 300 Words for Kids and Students in English. It was the month of May. The school had reopened after the annual results. I was promoted to a higher class and was very excited about it. My bag was full of new books. My uniform was brand new. I was walking briskly towards the school.
Essay On The Autobiography Of An Umbrella
Essay On The Autobiography Of An Umbrella. I am an umbrella. My work is to guard you from rain and Sun. After long service, I have to say that today I am in a miserable and useless condition. Few years back I was very strong and useful. I was manufactured in a huge factory with several other umbrellas.
Autobiography Of An Umbrella
Autobiography Of An Umbrella Example 2. Chapter 1: The Birth of a Guardian. From the humble beginnings of a small factory, I emerged, a sturdy frame supporting a protective cover. Born to shield and shelter, I found purpose in the hands that held me, ready to face the world's challenges. Chapter 2: A Raindrop Symphony.
When an Umbrella is More Than Just an Umbrella ‹ Literary Hub
Perhaps the most famous umbrella-related murder occurred, appropriately enough, in London. In 1978, Georgi Markov, a dissident writer from Bulgaria, was waiting for a bus by Waterloo Bridge when he felt a sharp pain in his leg. He looked behind him to see a man with an umbrella get into a car and drive away.
Essay on "Autobiography of An Umbrella" for Students
Autobiography of Umbrella Essay in English for Students. January 5, 2024 by Sandeep. Autobiography of an Umbrella: One of the most useful and innovative inventions of mankind is the umbrella. Umbrellas are manufactured in different colours apart from the standard black colour. They are highly flexible and can be folded to fit into small handbags.
English Essay on "Autobiography of An Umbrella" English Essay-Paragraph
Hridhaan on Essay on "Dignity of Labour" for School, College Students, Long and Short English Essay, Speech for Class 10, Class 12, College and Competitive Exams. Shrijit on Ek aur Ek Gyarah Hote Hai "एक और एक ग्यारह होते हैं" Essay in Hindi, Best Essay, Paragraph, Nibandh for Class 8, 9, 10, 12 ...
100 Words Essay on Umbrella
The umbrella, a common yet remarkable tool, is a symbol of protection and comfort against the natural elements. Its basic design, a canopy mounted on a central rod, has been optimized over centuries to provide shelter from rain, sun, and even wind. This essay will delve into the history, design, symbolism, and technological advancements of the ...
Autobiography of an Umbrella
I am made from an umbrella factory across the world and I and my colleagues come in different sizes, modes, colours and patterns. I was made of wooden, plastic, iron and clothing materials. My handle is mostly made of wood or plastic materials and my stem is made of painted iron; mostly black. I have a network of iron rib cage which is one of ...
The White Umbrella Analysis: [Essay Example], 730 words
The white umbrella, once a symbol of cultural conflict, now becomes a symbol of empowerment and self-acceptance. This transformation signifies the journey towards a more authentic perception of oneself, free from the constraints of societal expectations. This is only a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.
Developing a Thesis: Finding the Umbrella Idea
Developing a good thesis is often the result of finding the "umbrella idea." Finding this idea requires that students move back and forth between a text's particularities and its big ideas in order to find a suitable "fit" between the two that the students can write about. This fit is then summed up in the "umbrella idea," or the big idea that ...
On Umbrella Morals Summary
August 30, 2023 by Raju. " On Umbrella Morals " is an essay by A.G. Gardiner that satirically explores the concept of people's tendency to pick up items belonging to others and then losing them to others in a continuous cycle. The author coins the term "umbrella conscience" to describe this behavior, where individuals seem honest but ...
Essay on I Am An Umbrella
Essay on I Am An Umbrella | 15 lines essay on I Am An Umbrella | Autobiography of an Umbrella |Hii I am Suman Sahni welcome to our Youtube channel Suman's ...
Laurel Fantauzzo: Caught in between
As she described in her Palanca-winning essay "Under My Invisible Umbrella," her attempts at becoming a local are continually impeded by her skin color. "He was holding the umbrella above my whiteness," she writes, telling a story of a guard who chose to shelter her—but not her brown-skinned Filipino-American classmates—from the rain.
I Was Obsessed With Wedding Superstitions. It Saved My Marriage
I started brazenly walking through front doors then dancing out the back, and I once opened an umbrella indoors — on Christmas. Naturally I thought I would also be the first rebel bride.
Umbrella History, Design and Usage
First, some people assume that people who carry umbrellas during normal weather conditions are very sensitive to the sun, highly fashionable, or attention seekers (Hogan par. 2). Secondly, some people tend to assume that umbrellas are not always necessary because some people choose to protect themselves using hats or raincoats (Hogan par. 2 ...
The White Umbrella Essay
The White Umbrella. "The White Umbrella" by Gish Jen tells a story of a young Chinese girl who so stubbornly tries to mask the truth because her mother works and it is against her tradition. The theme of the story is that to some people, tradition is more important than extra things like a second income. The author displays this through the ...
English Essay, Paragraph, Speech on "The Umbrella" for Kids, Students
The Umbrella. The word "umbrella" literally means, "Little shade", and so the name explains what the thing is for. We use umbrellas to give us shade from the sun, or shelter from the rain. The umbrella is a frame made of steel, fixed on a stick with a handle, and covered with cotton or silk cloth.
Essay on When I Was Caught In The Rain Without An Umbrella in 300 words
When I Was Caught In The Rain Without An Umbrella : Since then, I never forget to take my umbrella. It was the month of May. The school had reopened after the annual results. I was promoted to a higher class and was very excited about it. My bag was full of new books. My uniform was brand new. I was walking briskly towards the school.
CGRS Winners for the 2024 Travel Writing Contest
2nd Place: "My Cat, Cloyd" by Anna Frankel I liked the pacing and structure of this essay; it pulled me in and kept my interest throughout. Right at the outset, the vivid description of the interior of the house produced an accompanying image in my mind, answering in the affirmative the inevitable question that hangs over every new piece of writing for me: do you trust the author's voice?
10 Lines on Umbrella in English for Kids
Umbrella is a portable device. Umbrella is a self held device. Modern umbrella are so small that they can even fit in handbag. We can share Umbrella with our friend also. We can carry Umbrella anywhere. Umbrella can protect us from snowfall. When the Umbrella is wet, we can easily dry it. Short 10 Sentences Essay on Umbrella.
Who Was The Umbrella Man Essay
For example, in the case of the Umbrella Man, Josiah Thompson believed that the Umbrella Man was sinister because he had an umbrella open while there were clear skies and he was in the area of where the bullets started going into the president's car. In the end, we find out that the Umbrella Man was just protesting silently and had no sinister.
Umbrella and Thesis Statements
Umbrella statement. Crop outputs in the Kano area have increased by slightly less than 5 percent overall in the past three years, as compared with targeted increases of 10 percent per year. Thesis statement. The Kano project has achieved only a small fraction of the increase in crop output anticipated at the outset, and there is some doubt as ...
What's an umbrella term for academic articles, theses, reports, etc.?
My yearly evaluation form (as faculty at a US University) often uses the term "products" to refer to articles, letters, books, and the like. It may also include patents. For instance, this US National Institutes of Health page describes how to include "research products" in your biographical sketch.. On the other hand, instructions for biographical sketches submitted to the US National Science ...
Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive?
Shortly before the pandemic, the umbrella organization for state insurance regulators, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, formed a team of data scientists to help regulators deal ...