Monday, December 30, 2019

life of pi story of keesh Essay - 894 Words

Yaritza Nunez February 2, 2015 808 Ms.Riley â€Å"The Story of Keesh and the Life of Pi† In a short story named â€Å"The Story of Keesh† and a novel excerpt named â€Å"The Life of Pi† both authors, Jack London and Yann Martel, develop certain qualities in characters who find the strength in themselves to want to survive when in extreme situations. Both Keesh and Pi obtain three traits that help them survive in these extreme environments such as bravery, intelligence and strategic plans. First, an example in which Keesh uses†¦show more content†¦Instead, Pi could’ve devoured it all in one moment but he chose not to. â€Å"The Story of Keesh† is similar because the quote, â€Å"Bok, my father, was a great hunter. I too, his son shall go hunt the meat that I eat† also shows how Keesh was intelligent enough to realize that he wasn’t going to let h is mother and him live off of the poor meat that to council gives them. Therefore, he will go out and hunt his own. This was intelligent to his survival because Keesh and Ikeega wouldn’t be able to survive off of the small portions of meat they were receiving. The last comparison which Pi from â€Å"The Story of Keesh† shows is that they are both strategic. In â€Å"The Life of Pi’ is stated, â€Å"don’t I have here a perfect circus ring, inescapably round, without a single corner for him to hide in? I looked down at the sea. Wasn’t this an ideal source of threats with which I condition him to obey? I noticed a whistle hanging from one of the life jackets. Wouldn’t this make a good whip to keep him in line?† This explains how Pi has a strategy in which he will use several utilities to tame Richard Parker, the tiger, in order to survive with him on the boat. He would use the whistle to control his actions, the boat was round therefore the tiger couldn’t hide, and the sharks in the ocean would be a great threat enough to scare Richard Parker. On the other hand, Keesh was strategic by using blubber

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Climate Change A Changing For A Brighter Future

Climate Change: A Changing For A Brighter Future About 4.543 billion years ago, planet earth was created. As the years went on, the earth was starting to support life. Anything from bacterias, insects, animals and humans were starting to prosper and this was becoming a problem for the earth. As the earth was starting to support new forms of live, many of it resources were being used up and as a result, problems were arising. Problems such as is there enough water, food and resources were questions of the past. Recently, the new question has revolved around climate change and its effect on mankind. The reason no one questions climate change and global warming is because not so many people saw a tremendous difference in the earth s temperature. However, as the temperature started to rise slowly each day, it became warmer in the long run and people realized that there was a problem. As of today, climate change is currently the biggest problem we as humans are facing. Climate change is a lready happening and is one of the greatest social, economic, and environmental threats facing the planet. However, climate change could be thwarted, by simply looking at the history, evidence, causes, effects and the solutions of climate change. To pick up the scientific trail of what climate change is today, we need to travel back into the year 1712. During the year of 1712, there were many historical events taking place, events such as the New York Slave Revolt to Jan van der HeydenShow MoreRelatedEssay on Dire Predictions: Global Warming1599 Words   |  7 PagesGlobal Warming issue. Chapter one gives essential information covering a wide range of things including: the natural and human impacts on climate, definition of a greenhouse gas and how it affects temperature, positive and negative feedback loops, threatening human byproducts that affect the ozone, ways scientists study ancient climates, and it gives possible future Earth outcomes due to global warming. It is a really l oaded chapter I know, but this information proves to be very valuable when learningRead More Tropical Deforestation and Its Effect on Global Climate Essay1397 Words   |  6 PagesTropical Deforestation and Its Effect on Global Climate Abstract Rainforests are the predominant natural vegetation throughout the wet tropics. The defining characteristics of a tropical rainforest are temperature and rainfall. Wherever temperature is high enough and rainfall heavy and regular enough, there is rainforest (Bagheera, 1996). Tropical rainforests of all kinds once covered approximately 14 percent of the Earth’s surface, more than eight million square miles (Conservation InternationalRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem September Cotton Flower By Jean Toomer1586 Words   |  7 Pagesdescribes (the conditions when slaves were under the Harlem Renaissance) the conditions in which slaves were under during the Harlem Renaissance where there seems to be no prospect for a brighter future for the slaves in the society. Throughout the poem, Toomer develops his theme of hope and desire for a brighter future by exhausting literary devices such as metaphors, structure, and imagery. â€Å"The November Cotton Flower† is a poem that not only depicts a late autumn setting where the cotton seasonRead MoreEssay on Global Warming1169 Words   |  5 Pagesis essential that people act out now and do what is necessary to establish a brighter future. By using appropriate procedures to conserve energy and save natural resources, people can counteract the process of global warming and its disastrous effects. When global warming is disregarded, serious consequences affect the lives of many organisms on earth. Change in weather conditions is one of the effects. Due to climate alterations, polar ice caps begin to melt which result in a rise in sea-levelRead MoreSolutions to Eliminate the Threats of Global Warming1595 Words   |  6 Pagesand scientists are universal in their conclusions: this problem is here, it is growing, and only new science can stop its expansion. The threat of global warming is an elusive one, because there has never been a precedent for humanity being able to change its own environment until the spark of the Industrial Revolution. The burning of fossil fuels, which are essential to most forms of human power, releases carbon atoms into the air. (Bird, 1) Carbon atoms are dangerous because of their tendency toRead MoreThe World Is Blue : How Our Fate And The Ocean1472 Words   |  6 Pageswoven with stories compiled from decades of work and exploration, and with facts and arguments concerning our changing ocean. Sylvia’s novel is about the relationship between humans and the ocean, whether it be through the extinction of species, climate change, or even exploration and aquaculture, we ultimately affect the ocean and it affects us. According to the author, one of the major changes we are seeing in the oceans are the loss of marine life. The loss of mammals, fish, and shellfish are highlightedRead MoreHealth Detriments Caused by Fast Food1808 Words   |  7 Pagesregards to attaining a successful future. When looking to the future, ideally, many of us desire to see things like great fitness in our population (with regards to reproduction and evolution), better health care, cures for cancers, ends to wars and political disputes and differences. Many of us are not giving enough thought and credit to the fact that to even get close to that type of a future, we need to start with the basics. We need to start to look at our food future. The food that we ingest andRead MorePolitical Issues On Climate Change Essay1760 Words   |  8 PagesPolitical Issues on Climate Change In today’s political climate, individuals are more polarized than ever over climate issues. We don’t see much agreement that for whatever the reason, climate change is affecting the Earth. The issues over climate change has hit the media and the environmentalist has done a lot to shined light on the issue as well but, a lot of the citizens still believe that global warming isn’t real. If we are not educated about the issues regarding a sustainable living andRead MoreAlternative Fuels For Fossil Fuels3425 Words   |  14 Pagesthey start to rule our lives rather than the usual other way around? This essay seeks to unravel the causes and processes associated with this dependency, and whether or not there are any alternatives to fossil fuels which can be used in the near future, and whether or not these sources would be more ‘greener’. The collective global use of fossil fuels eventually leads to carbon dioxide emissions being released into the a tmosphere, which then causes more environmental problems such as global warmingRead MoreThe Effect Of The Black Death Essay1115 Words   |  5 PagesThe Affect of the Black Death England in the year 1250-1350 BC was prosperous in the field of agriculture production. This prosperity was brought by good weather and favorable climate. This in turn brought the increase growth and harvesting of cash crops, such as wools. The population in England during this period also increased, which means that workers and peasant also increase. Due to the increase of workers the labor forces become excessive. In order to resolve those excess workers, they would

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Comparison Supervision and Leadership Free Essays

Compare and contrast supervision and leadership. How are they alike and/or different? Give examples that will help clarify the distinction. Leadership is the process of enlisting and guiding the talents and energies of teachers, pupils, and parents toward achieving common educational aims. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison: Supervision and Leadership or any similar topic only for you Order Now A leader is someone who others consistently want to follow for new trends and ideas. A leader has followers that believe in the leader’s overall vision and idea of a place. A leader manages a group and helps inspire them using their own strengths. The leader is responsible for the placing together the right people for the right Jobs. A person who oversees workers or the work done by others can be considered a supervisor. Supervisors are charged with managing others’ performance, including conducting performance evaluations. A supervisor is a step above the lead position in an entity. â€Å"Under the law, a supervisor is any person with authority over you, in other words, any person who can direct you (the worker) as to when and how to do a task’ (Ministry of Labor, 6). Sometimes the supervisor is the same person you call the boss. Their position is behind the scenes and they basically hold others responsible for the plans being implemented and developed. Ministry of Labor. (06, 2014 28). Employers and supervisors. Retrieved from http://www. Workstation’s. Gob. On. Ca/scripts/ mcategory=health Else- You mention the concept of supervisors being the observers and monitors-I think this is a very good explanation of the roles that they play In the education system. Because supervisors are not exactly hands-on, they do a lot of their observations with check lists and rubrics. They are responsible for ensuring that curriculum Is being taught effectively and the monies and the budget for a school are allocated properly. A leader, however Is a person (or group of people) manages others with guidance to make them better at the Job they are Implementing. A leader has followers that believe In their vision. I agree with your statement about leaders being the ones who make their strengths known while helping other Identify theirs! How to cite Comparison: Supervision and Leadership, Essays

Friday, December 6, 2019

Chopped. free essay sample

Chopped is the greatest show on the planet. There is nothing like watching frantic chefs, swollen with perspiration, rapidly cutting up pancreas to create delectable meals and win $10,000. The closest I’ve gotten to gourmet cooking is correctly heating up pop tarts, so it’s not the culinary aspect that attracts me to the show, but rather the inexhaustible, raw, competition. My love of competition is what compelled me to tryout for track sophomore year. Racing my younger sister to the mailbox or challenging my parents to Pictionary weren’t enough to quench my insatiable desire to compete. I guess that’s why I froze mid-stretch when Coach Rod jogged over to my 4400 relay team and announced, â€Å"Just take it easy today.† Noting our raised eyebrows he commented, â€Å"There’s really no race.† As the gunshot rang out and our leadoff started her leg at an obviously casual pace, I shuffled back and forth and considered the circumstances. We will write a custom essay sample on Chopped. or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was a dual meet against Ramapo, a team with stunted participation whom, acknowledging an inevitable loss due to sheer size inadequacies, decided to send their JV team rather than exhaust their varsity runners. Our relay was second in the league and even at our seasons’ worst time could keep this novice quartet at bay. I watched our second leg round her first 200, flirting with a twenty-meter l despite running four seconds slower than usual. I jogged to the start line, preparing to receive the baton. It made sense for me to treat this race as a practice; nothing demanded a physical exertion of any measure. My teammate sailed down the straightaway and leisurely offered me the baton. I eased into the first 100, accepting the gracious gap. As I headed down the first straightaway, conscious that my legs were moving at relaxed pace, I was reminded of competitor in Chopped, a feisty Russian lady with a thick accent. During the second round, she was dicing some okra when her knife slipped. I remember gasping as she revealed a deep gash in her hand. The hastily applied bandages cost her dexterity and precious time. It was unavoidable. She was going to lose. As I approached the 200 mark, I quickened my turnover, willing my legs to push themselves, a discernable strain, considering the comfortable pace I had shifted from. I sprinted down the last straightaway, ignoring the lactic acid build up begging me to take advantage of our lead. I handed the baton to our anchor, and staggered off the track to be greeted by my teammates. They rolled their eyes, laughing, â€Å"So much for taking it easy.† The Russian lady could’ve easily accepted her loss and dropped out of the competition. When the judges questioned her persistence, she said, â€Å"I always try my best.† I realized that regardless of the competition, predestined win or loss, preforming to the best of my abilities is more important than feeding my competitive spirit. Who knew such valuable life lessons could be learnt from the Food Network?

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Role of Merchandiser free essay sample

The merchandiser is responsible for particular lines of merchandise. For example, in a department store, there may be merchandisers for menswear, women’s wear, children’s wear etc. the basic duties of the merchandiser can be divided into four areas: planning, directing, co-coordinating and controlling. Planning: Though the merchandisers may not be directly involved in the actual purchase of merchandise, they formulate the policies for the areas in which they are responsible. Forecasting sales for the forthcoming budget period is required and this involves estimating consumer demand and the impact of changes in the retail environment. The sales forecasts are then translated into budgets to help the buyers work within the financial guidelines. Directing: Guiding and training buyers as and when the need arises is also function of the merchandiser. Many a times, the buyers have to be guided to take additional markdowns for products which may not be doing to well in the stores. We will write a custom essay sample on Role of Merchandiser or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Inspiring commitment and performance in the part of the buyers is necessary. Coordinating: Usually, merchandise managers supervise the work of more than one buyer, hence they need to coordinate the buying effort in terms of how well it fits in with the store image and with the other products being bought by other buyers. Controlling: Assessing not only the merchandise performance, but also the buyer’s performance is part of the merchandise manager’s job. Buying performance may be evaluated on the basis of net sales maintained mark up percentages, mark down percentages, gross margin percentages and stock turn. This is necessary to provide control and maintain high performance results. As a key aspect of merchandising involves selection of merchandise or products to be sold in the retail store, the job of the merchandiser also involves visits to suppliers or manufacturers of select goods. This is likely to involve working closely with retail buyers. They negotiate a price, order the goods, agree on a delivery date, complete all the necessary paperwork, and keep in ouch with suppliers to make sure that the goods arrive on time. Merchandisers work closely with the visual display staff and department managers to decide how goods should be displayed to best attract customers’ attention. This might involve planning and setting up sales promotions and advertising campaign. In some organizations, this is a separate role carried out by a visual merchandiser. Merchandiser may also travel to different stores to actually check the response to various items in the merchandise. To enjoy working as a merchandiser, it is essential that the individual has a mathematical ability to work out budgets and understand sales figures. He/she should be able to understand what the customer wants and translate that into specific products. The ability to work in a team is also essential, as the merchandiser would have a team of buyers reporting to him / her. Many retail organizations also have a Divisional Merchandise Manager (DMM) or similar position, wherein the person would be responsible for merchandising activities for particular liens of merchandise. For example, the children’s wear DMM supervises those buyers who purchase merchandise such as baby clothes, clothes for new born, clothes for boys, clothes for girls and accessories. Typically, the role of a divisional merchandise manager, immaterial of the size of the retail organization, would involve the following functions: 1) Forecasting sales for the forthcoming budget period: This involves estimating consumer demand and the impact of changes in the retail environment. 2) Translating the sales forecast into inventory levels in terms of rupees. To do this effectively, the DMM needs to understands and provide for the inventory levels that would be needed to achieve of sales 3) Inspiring commitment and performance on the part of the merchandisers and buyers: Typically, as divisional merchandise managers are senior within the organization, it is believed that they can guide the merchandisers in terms of vendor selection, merchandise lines that can be developed and future trends. 4) Assessing not only the merchandise performance but also the buyer’s performance in order to provide control and maintain high performance results.

Monday, November 25, 2019

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN essays

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN essays The Tuskegee Airmen, the only African - American pilots to fight in World War II. In 1941, The pressure was put on President Franklin D. Roosevelt to take positive actions in the utilization of Negroes in the armed services. On March 7, 1942 the first five Negro cadets were commissioned as pilots of the United State Air Force. While assigned with the 324th squadron, the 99th received its first aerial victory and many more victories were to follow. The squadron earned the name "The Red Tail Angels," because of their red painted tail wings and the reputation for staying with all the bombers they escorted, rather than leaving them to chalk up kills for their own personal glory. The Squadron lost its first airmen in a two-plane crash. Shooting down five German planes in one-day, lead to 332nd Fighter Group being awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for successfully escorting bombers and for outstanding and aggressive combat techniques. The Tuskegee airmen made history, a history that will forever and stand out in the annals of the United States. The famed Tuskegee Airmen are renowned for their valor and courageous actions over the skies of North Africa, Sicily and Western Europe during World War II. The African-American aviators had proved the nation wrong in learning to fly, and were exceptional in World War II. The flight of the Wright Brother in 1903 sparked enthusiasm for aviation, for many black youth all over America. But racial hatred and discrimination was so deeply embedded in America that many young blacks were excluded from the army's flight instruction program. They were turned down by the Army Air Force, because there were no established black unit, with any type of flight training, also officials used the excuse that blacks did not appear to be interested in flying, nor did they have the mentality, aptitude, or the reflexes to fly. Therefore, many black men enlisted into the armed services for menial and sub...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Retail business Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Retail business - Dissertation Example Secondary research involves using collecting information on a phenomenon under study from existing resources of databases. Secondary research is cheaper relative to primary research. In addition, it takes less time to collect and analyze data in secondary research compared to primary research. Secondary data analysis enables a research to analyze data from large samples. This kind of analyses would be difficult when conducting a primary research due to time and financial constraints (David & Sutton 2004, p.69; Hulley 2007, p. 207). Researchers sometimes utilize primary and secondary research methods in the same study. The information collected from secondary sources in some cases is sufficient to answer all the research questions in a study. This is particularly true for studies that many researchers have analyzed the research topic extensively and the researcher may not add any new insights into the field by conducting a primary research. In addition, sometimes secondary data is the only source of information on a research topic especially when a researcher is not able to conduct a primary research. Secondary data is useful in a research for providing a foundation or background information on the research problem. In this case, secondary data shapes the expectations of a researcher and provides the current level of knowledge on the topic under study (Wrenn, Stevens & Loudon 2006, p. 71; Webb 2002, p. 32). In the proposed study, the information from secondary sources will be sufficient to answer all the research questions. Extensive research has been conducted by independent researchers and those working under government agencies on UK’s retail sector. It is possible for the researcher to conduct a primary research on the UK’s retail sector. However, such a research would be tedious because the retail sector is large. For the researcher to obtain a sample that would be a true representation of the entire retail sector, different organizations in d ifferent industries would be involved in the study. A large sample would be required and this is costly in terms of time spent in collecting and analyzing data from a large sample as well as resource requirement. Researchers use secondary data as a source of exploratory information on their research topics. This exploratory information helps a research in designing research instruments for a primary research. For instance, a researcher may use the exploratory information as a guide to formulating questions in a questionnaire or for focus groups. The nature of existing secondary data on a research topic can help a researcher in making a decision on the most appropriate research design to use in his or her studies. For instance, secondary data may indicate past attempts by other researchers to conduct primary research on a topic and their success or failure. If past researchers have ruled out the possibility of conducting a primary research in a certain filed, secondary data will help a researcher to save time and resources by adopting a secondary research design (Wrenn, Stevens & Loudon 2006, p. 72). The existing literature on UK’s retail sector indicates the significance of the sector to the economy as well as its magnitude. The retail sector is large and consists of very many significant industries. Past researches and government publications indicate its trend over the years including its performance during the financial crisis. This

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

LIT 201 3-3 Ouline Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

LIT 201 3-3 Ouline - Thesis Example A comparison of the literal works of Oedipus Tyrannous and Don Quixote gives a depiction of irony depicted in two literally unique set ups. Literary works of both Oedipus Tyrannous and Don Quixote utilizes irony is a vital aspect of literary brilliance. Oedipus made an endeavor to challenge God yet his future was made clear to him by the Oracle of Delphi and the future too of his entourage. Despite this, he repelled and wanted to mend his own fate and destiny (Salomon, 2008). The characters own perceptions, ideologies and beliefs helped actualize his prophecy. This was purely ironically since fate took its course of action that Oedipus knew prior to drafting and following his strategy. Conversely, Sancho a loyalist of Quixote remarked that the black mole on the back of Quixote was a sign of a sturdy man. Quixote compared it to the Islamic forecaster Mohammed and an indication of the strength of a knight even though the audience knows the truth. Oedipus and Don Quixote have displayed vast through paths that proved to be tremendously ironic retrospection. A clear comparison of the irony in Oedipus and Don Quixote and similarities made to appreciate the literal works of the classic writers. It is a literature drive engine intended to spice the stories, enhance its impact and keep the audience fully involved. It is thus a vital part of

Monday, November 18, 2019

Community Career Interview Activity Research Paper

Community Career Interview Activity - Research Paper Example The interview takes place at the community center on 15th May 2012 at 5 pm. This paper describes the interview process; dealing with the new information gained that is useful in a professional setting, as well as the course. No difficulties were experienced in the conduct of the interview; this is with regard to finding the venue, locating the interviewee, as well as gaining answers. Immense new knowledge was acquired through the interview, which is applicable in the professional sense. However, the program is also instrumental in showing the effects of drug abuse; hence preventing persons from experimenting with drugs. The center manager highlighted some of the critical elements regarding the organization, its services and its overall importance to the community. The organization provides quality prevention, correctional, and intervention programs for persons suffering from drug addiction. The organization is a meeting point for drug addicts and addiction specialists. The organization centers on affording intervention and rehabilitation services to drug addicts within the community. It also serves as a link between drug addicts and government-based treatment centers that run inpatient programs through support groups for persons addicted to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs (Siegel, 2005). The drug rehabilitation program run by the community center helps the area residents in many ways. This information is quite important as it ensures others gain knowledge of the problem of addiction and how addicts can obtain assistance. Firstly, the program provides necessary treatment for drug addicts in the community, allowing for the rehabilitation of such persons (Siegel, 2005). Through joint efforts with the government, the program provides employment opportunities to rehabilitated drug addicts.

Friday, November 15, 2019

School Social Workers On Child Development Social Work Essay

School Social Workers On Child Development Social Work Essay There is a saying that there is nothing new under the sun as far as the calamities of the world go. This saying may very well be true, but because of an increasingly larger population, school-aged children of today are forced to face more problems much earlier than their predecessors did. Because todays children have so much to face, it is important for them to have a good support base at home as well as at school. Together with other school-based mental health professionals, school social workers are expected to support the needs of at-risk students attending public schools (Altshuler Webb, 2009). In order to provide children with the support they need for positive development, school systems need social workers that have been properly trained in choosing the correct intervention method and in proper service delivery. The National Association of Social Workers identifies four major areas of school social work practice: Early intervention to reduce or eliminate stress; within or between individuals or groups; problem-solving services to students, parents, school personnel, or community agencies; early identification of students at risk; and work with various groups in school to develop coping, social, and decision-making skills (). Social workers have been providing services to public schools for over a century, and there are many ways school social workers can utilize their knowledge, skills, and values to improve the lives of students. The services that workers provide have evolved over time but have maintained an overall purpose of addressing environmental barriers that negatively affect the ability of students to succeed academically (Altshuler Webb, 2009). There are several factors that determine the need for intervention by social workers. Family issues, attendance problems, and academic concerns are all prevalent factors presented for intervention (Kelly Stone, 2009). There are also issues of neighborhood violence, drug use, deviant peers, teen pregnancy, and poor impulse control. Early life experiences (while not the sole determinants of later life mental health and behavior disorders) may be important influences in childrens development and children living with substantial environmental stress early in life are at increased risk for aggressive and antisocial behavior in youth and adolescence (Hudley Novak, 2007). It is up to todays school social workers to find and implement more effective strategies for decreasing and eliminating these behaviors, especially now that behaving aggressively has become an essentially automatic response to stressors in some youths. Social workers can assist students in dealing with stress or emotional problems by working directly with the children and their families. By acting as institutional and cultural brokers between families and their childrens school, social workers are filling a very important void. This is especially significant for schools where often the least successful students come from families who are experiencing poverty-related barriers and constraints. Bridging the gap between school and families is important because when parents are involved effectively in their childrens schooling, student achievement typically improves (Alameda-Lawson, Lawson Lawson, 2010). Because school success is critical to future life tasks, interventions are worth our attention. School social workers broad skill sets, ranging from advanced clinical to highly skilled generalist approaches (with particular emphasis in school mission, functioning, and processes), are essential to the assessment process and design of effective interventions. All students, their families, and school personnel benefit from access to the expertise of school social workers in implementing system level universal (school or district), evidencebased programs, as well as early-targeted interventions. This expertise is particularly critical in working with students struggling with behavioral, emotional, family system, and ecological challenges to ensure a truly systemic, comprehensive assessment. Workers can also address problems such as misbehavior, truancy, teenage pregnancy, and drug and alcohol problems and advise teachers on how to cope with difficult students. Some of the methods that school social workers use are individual, group, and family/community therapy. Some workers teach workshops to entire classes on topics like conflict resolution. School social workers extend opportunities for students to volunteer, serve others, or contribute to their communities by referring students to existing service opportunities; facilitating service projects and clubs; or creating an array of individualized opportunities for students to help peers, younger students, adults, or the community. By encouraging students to participate in service, social workers are helping students to develop more protective and promotive factors such as self-esteem, friendships, and confidence, as well as ensuring that the students gain familiarity with the social worker and feel more comfortable going to him or her for help with crises. Integrating youth development principles into school social work practice is a powerful application of the strengths perspective and an important way to build resiliency. Youth development activities such as service can also be conceptualized as tiered interventions within a response to intervention and positive behavioral interventions and supports system (Leyba, 2010). While it is vitally important for the social worker to forge a positive and trusting relationship with students and their families, it is just as important that the worker remember to be empathetic without being sympathetic. Delivery of needed services is tantamount, but there are policies, ethics, and rules of practice to be considered at all times. The National Association of Social Workers and School Social Work Association of America have recommended specific requirements for professional preparation and competency of the school social worker. Social workers shall function in accordance with the values, ethics, and standards of the profession, recognizing how personal and professional values may conflict with or accommodate the needs of diverse clients. To work in a school setting, a social worker must have an MSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education approved program. The worker must have completed a school-based internship and have taken In conclusion, social workers provide an invaluable service to the school system. Today, school social workers are represented across the 50 states, performing duties in a wide variety of roles, all of which are ultimately focused on facilitating systemic change to support the academic success of students (Altshuler Webb, 2009).

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Interpretation of A Feminist View on Pornography Essay -- Critique Reb

Interpretation of A Feminist View on Pornography The article that I will be breaking down in the following paper is â€Å"Pornography, Civil Rights, and Speech† by Catherine A. MacKinnon. I believe the best area to start is to briefly describe MacKinnon and her article. MacKinnon is a professor of law at the University of Michigan. The article deals with the affects of pornography on society. MacKinnon feels that some pornography should be illegal. Her reason for this view is not that she finds it offensive, but rather that she considers it as a form of sexual discrimination. There are many different views on pornography ranging from the belief that it is harmless fantasy all the way to it being a prime factor of the deterioration for society. MacKinnon says that pornography subordinates women and institutionalizes male supremacy. She even goes so far as to say that it is a political practice. Advocates of pornography claim its ultimate end to be pleasure, but MacKinnon says that the actual end is power. The article will att empt to prove a correlation between pornography and the violence taken against women, as well as their social and economic inequality. I feel that the article itself is poorly written, but will attempt to make her points a little easier to understand. I feel the necessity to state that the feelings of the paper are that of my views on MacKinnon’s article. They are not my views and may in fact be, misinterpretations of her views. To spare us the confusion, I will rebut it with my views that pornography is harmless, at the end of the paper. The article starts with a brief passage on sexual equality in society. Her presentation of the argument is to explain it as if she agreed with it, only to refute it by say... ...hy. It is a genre in which men are completely subordinate, and women have all the power. Her article is so weak because it does not take that into account. I know that is only one case, but we have stated time and again that philosophy must be consistent. If she cannot/does not take dominatrix into account, then her philosophy is inconsistent. To fully explain this article and pornography would require a lengthy paper that exceeds the requirements and purpose of this prà ©cis. I will end my paper by saying that I believe everyone has a right to free speech and equality, and I appreciate the article for what it was worth, but I do not feel it is justifiable or relevant to society. She bases her entire argument on an improvable correlation of pornography and sexual discrimination. Not to mention the fact that women also buy pornography. But that is a whole other prà ©cis.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Debut

Guests arrive Introduction EMCEE: Good evening to all of us. Welcome to Mapayapa Village,Clubhouse. Welcome to the party of our charming debutant who is now turning into a fine lady. This is quiet a very important event in her life and she is very much honor for your presence. She is now a real lady as she stepped onto the much higher level of what we call LIFE. Ladies and gentlemen, sit back as we groove, jive and enjoy her party for tonight†¦ EMCEE: But before we go on, it is my great honor to introduce all her special guests for tonight. Dad- Mr. Eduardo Benitez Mom- Mrs. Marilyn Benitez Sister- Maybelle Benitez Brother- Joemark BenitezWithout them, her life would be empty and unhappy. Let us all give a big round of applause to honor all the people whom she truly loved. Sabi nga, marami tayong mahahanap na kapuso, pero iisa lang ang ating kapamilya. GRAND ENTRANCE of debutante EMCEE: And now†¦. guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen, let us all stand as we welcome the deb utant as a woman of grandeur. Let’s give a big round of applause Ms. Mary Jane Benitez. TOAST IN HONOR OF THE DEBUTANTE INVOCATION OR PRAYER EMCEE: To spiritually open the program, may I ask everybody to please stand for the Lord’s Moment for our guidance and blessings to be led by DININGEMCEE: Now,I would like to announce that we will have our dinner this time. After the dinner, the family would like to request everybody to please remain for a while for the continuation of our program. Thank you. (after dinner) EMCEE: Once again, a sumptuous evening to one and all! It is my delight that you remain and let us rejoice for that. 18 Candles And to represent Jane’s Circle of Important People of her Life, let us welcome the following persons who will share their wishes and offer Ring ofEnlightenment which symbolizes friendship which binds two persons together, and the different colors of light from the ring represents all aspects of hardship and joy to make them clos er together. Of course these people will be the ones who will give her advices and kind words along the way on how to become a perfect woman. * Leah Mae Benitez * Dawn Garvida * Cristine Garvida * Francee Cutamora * Maybelle Benitez * Angelica Benitez * Nerili Garcia * Reyeen Vergara * Regina Mitra * Angielly Decoy * Grace Villena * Precious Feliciano * Jinky Aquino * Cha Sumacot * Donna Inguito * Christine Encomienda Jam Ballos 18 Treasures EMCEE:  Gifts symbolize ever flowing love, caring and admiration. * Mrs. Kristina Benitez * Mrs. Erlyn Villaruel * Mrs. Menchie Diaz * Mrs. Janeth Garvida * Mrs. Alma Illazar * Ms. Ruby Nacario * Mrs. Rosa Castillo * Mrs. Belen Navarro * Mrs. Fe Bulangis * Amy * Nanay Sally * Lita Cutamora * Tita Lon EMCEE: After the offering of the gifts, let us now proceed to the most important part of this should we call it rituals of turning 18? Let us now acknowledge one of the most loved and important persons in Jane’s life. This time to dance wit h her, let’s welcome her father†¦..Mr. Eduardo Benitez (after the dance) EMCEE: Mr. Benitez,Jane’s loving father will be followed by Jane’s Circle of 18 gentle bachelors who will offer to her roses that symbolize love. Love which Jane has for her family and all the people in her life. Each bachelor after giving Jane a rose will dance with her for about 1 or two minutes with the background music dedicated by each guy to the debutante†¦ let us start with†¦ (Modern Dance) SPECIAL NUMBER OF THE CELEBRANT EMCEE: Sharing is one of the virtues Jane possesses because it is what her parents taught her.To share to us one of her talents, let us hold our breath and fix our attention to what she will be given to us, ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome Ms. Mary Jane Benitez! TOAST FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE EMCEE: Are you amazed with what she has performed to us? Jane is really such a talented woman, full of art and wonderful ideas for herself and of course f or all the people whom she truly loved. The wine symbolizes commitment and triumph. Jane is considered victorious because she is able to reach the debutant age and it is a great time for this kind of celebration.To toast with her the wine for a long lasting victory of her life, let us all call in the following special persons who are in one way or another became a part of her life through thick and thin, ups and downs, right and wrong and sometimes good and bad times of life. Once again Jane’s Family to be with here for the wine toast. DEBUTANTE’S SPEECH EMCEE: To officially confirm the heat and legality of this party, at para na rin ipaliwanag ang lahat ng kaganapang ito†¦ let us now hear the speech to be given of course by our gorgeous debutante†¦ no other than†¦ Ms. Mary Jane Benitez! PARTY TIME!!!

Friday, November 8, 2019

Photography and Fact essays

Photography and Fact essays For many years photography has been used to document the most significant of events, whether they affect an entire society, like a war, or a specific persons' life, such as a wedding. The reason that photography is used for such occasions instead of painting, drawing or sculpting is quite simple. It is because photography is the most remarkable of the fine arts. Other forms of art, are aesthetically pleasing and important in their own rite, but photography is so monumental because of the power that only it possesses. This is the power to depict fact. One aspect that makes photography so creditable is that it can show feeling and emotion so much more vividly and doubtlessly than a drawing can. For instance, during the Great Depression "the harsh realities were recorded thanks to the initiative of the Farm Security Administration (Daval, 186)." At this time, Dorothea Lange "documented the bitter poverty of migrant workers and their families (20th Century Photography, 1). These images, such as Migrant Mother and Cotton Picker near Firebrough, show, so clearly and almost effortlessly, the pain and despair that was occurring too frequently at this time. There is a loss of hope that is so clear and evident in these photographs from the longing in the eyes of the images shown. Such raw emotion is hard to come by in any other art form. Another reason photography is more trustworthy than other forms of art, is because the image that appears in a photograph, whether it is of a person or an event, has at one point existed or happened. This statement does not always hold true for paintings, sculptures, and drawings. It is simple and usual for an artist to conjure up an image of a person that has never existed and turn them into a work of art. For example, there has been a great deal of speculation about whether or not Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa is a portrait of a real person. Before the relatively r ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Definition and Examples of Prepositional Phrases

Definition and Examples of Prepositional Phrases In English grammar, a  prepositional phrase is a group of words made up of a preposition (such as to, with, or across), its object (a noun or pronoun), and any of the objects modifiers (an article and/or an adjective). It is only a portion of a sentence and cannot stand on its own as a complete thought. Prepositional phrases often tell where something happened, when it happened, or specify which one. Because of these functions, theyre often essential to understanding a sentence. Key Takeaways: Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases are groups of words starting with a preposition.Prepositional phrases often function as modifiers, describing nouns and verbs.Phrases cant stand alone. A prepositional phrase wont contain the subject of a sentence. Types of Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases can modify nouns, verbs, phrases, and complete clauses. Prepositional phrases can also be embedded inside other prepositional phrases. Modifying Nouns: Adjectival Phrases When something modifies a noun or pronoun, its an adjective, so when a phrase does it, its an adjectival phrase. These types of phrases often specify which person or thing (what kind, whose). In context, they make clear a distinction between several possibilities. Sheila is the runner with the fastest time. Its likely there are other runners who are slower, as the sentence is specifying who is the fastest. The phrase is modifying (describing) the noun runner. Adjectival phrases come directly after the noun they modify. The boy with her is her son. The phrase with her is specifying a certain boy; its an adjectival phrase. There could be other boys, but the one with her is the one thats being described. The boy is a noun phrase, so the prepositional phrase is an adjective. If we want to make the boy even more specific, wed further qualify it with an embedded phrase. The boy with her on the tricycle is her son. Presumably, theres a boy with her thats not her son, so the sentence is specifying which boy with her is her son. Modifying Verbs: Adverbial Phrases Adverbs modify verbs, and sometimes the adverb is an entire adverbial phrase. These phrases often describe when, where, why, or how something happened or to what extent. This course is the most difficult in the state. The prepositional phrase specifies where. There might be other courses that are more difficult in other states, but this one is the most difficult here. Lets say its just one difficult course of several in the state, i.e., This course is among the most difficult in the state. The among phrase is an adjectival phrase modifying (describing) the course, and the final phrase remains adverbial, still telling where. She ran the marathon with pride on Saturday. The first prepositional phrase specifies how she ran (a verb), and the second specifies when. Both are adverbial phrases. List of Prepositions Here are some of the most commonly used prepositions in English. Be aware that just because a word in a sentence is on this list doesnt mean that its being used as a preposition in any particular context. Many of these words can also be other parts of speech, such as adverbs or subordinating conjunctions.   aboutbehindexceptoutsideabovebelowforoveracrossbeneathfrompastafterbesideinthroughagainstbetweeninsidetoalongbeyondintounderamongbynearuntilarounddespiteofupatdownoffwithbeforeduringonwithout   Preposition, Conjunction, or Adverb? To tell if a word is a preposition, look to see if it has an object. If theres a clause following it, youre likely dealing with a conjunction. If its at the end of a clause instead of the beginning (or the end of a sentence), its likely an adverb. After In this example, there is no object following after, and the word introduces a clause, so its clear that after is a conjunction: After we ate, we went to the theater.In this example, there is an object following after, which means it is used as a preposition: After lunch, we went to the game. Before In this example, there is an object following before, which means it is used as a preposition: Youve put the cart before the horse.In this example, there is no object following before; it is being used as an adverb: Ive heard that somewhere before.In this example, there is no object following before and the word introduces a clause, so its clear that before is a conjunction: Come over before you leave. Out In this example, there is an object following out, which means it is used as a preposition:  The cat followed the child out the door.In this example, there is no object following out; it is being used as an adverb:  Would you like to go out for lunch? When these words are part of a verb phrase, theyre adverbs. You check out, look up, and call off something, so these words might appear to be prepositions with objects. But they cant be split off from their verbs. He checked out the book. Out the book is not a prepositional phrase, as you dont go out a book. Examining Your Writing If your writing often contains really long sentences, look at prepositional phrases as a place to cut the chaff or reorganize when revising. Too many of them in a sentence can make it difficult to understand if the sentence gets over 25–30 words or so, depending on how far apart the subject is from its verb. This issue can often be fixed by splitting a long sentence into two or three shorter sentences or moving the verb closer to its subject.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Whole Foods & Wild Oats Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Whole Foods & Wild Oats - Research Paper Example Thus, it is clear that his comments had the motivation from his self-interest (Debra, 2010). Instrumental and terminal values are vital in the explanation of Mackey’s blog posting behavior, relative to the Wild Oats acquisition. There is a distinction between the two values as elaborated by Rokeach. Instrumental values reflect the means to achieving goals, meaning they represent the most acceptable behaviors to be used in achieving an end state. Terminal values, on the other hand, represent the goals to be achieved or the end states. First, it is remarkably clear that he lacks Honesty Ambition Responsibility where he is not truthful in his hard work to do his duties as CEO, whereby he posts the blogs using his wife’s name to conceal his identity. He has the value of forgiveness, open-mindedness, and courage whereby he has the courage to face the public eye. He does this with a clear perspective that they will forgive him for his mistakes. As see him, he does not deny putting up those posts. He has the value of Helpfulness Cleanliness Competence as his other go al. This is whereby he accepts he has been posting the negative blogs to criticize the Wild Oats Company. He is ready to be helped to free from being guilty of these critics. On the other hand, he has none of these instrumental values: Self-control Affection / Love Cheerfulness, Independence Politeness Intelligence, and Obedience Rationality Imagination. We see John lacking control of his hate of the Wild Oats Company establishing itself as his competitor. He also lacks knowledge of how to show courtesy to other people who may be in competition or poses some danger to his co-existence. He is not submissive to reasoning, according to the perception of most people in the public figure. In his comment that no one would buy products of Oats Company, he does not put himself in the shoes of those benefiting from this new company. In relation to the terminal

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Enviornmental Hazard Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Enviornmental Hazard - Term Paper Example Oloruntoba(2005) points out that tsunami often moves in all directions and when the huge waves surge into the land, it takes place in different countries and different populations at the same time. Evidently, each culture has different needs as they differ greatly in socio-economic and cultural conditions. So, it becomes necessary for the various relief and donor agencies to adapt themselves according to the environment. As a result, it takes a comparatively longer time for them to get a complete picture of the disaster and the needs. It is pointed out by Oloruntoba that as the destruction is usually large scale, there arise issues in logistics and coordination. To support the claim, the scholar points out that in the 26 December 2004 tsunami, a landing plane hit a cow on the runway causing a blocked runway for many hours in Banda Aceh. According to Oloruntoba (2005) where there is such large scale destruction, the coordination of the relief response in a large geographical area by v arious international and national agencies becomes a difficult task. Two immediate needs when such a disaster occurs are to evacuate the people to safer places and to repair the roads and infrastructure to reach the place of disaster. In addition, there should be measures to prevent spread of diseases and to ensure food and water. However, when the relief operations are not focused on these tasks, there arises a difference between the needed relief and the provided relief. Oloruntoba (2005) points out a factor that no other scholar in this review seemed to have pointed out. That is, often, the promised donations and funds are not delivered by the donors. As Oloruntoba (2005) pointed out, in Darfur, Western Sudan, only one third of the promised financial aids were received after Hurricane Mitch. Here, it seems that Oloruntoba does not look into the fact that NGOs too can lack in communication and coordination abilities. For example, Nisha Sahai Achuthan, on the third anniversary of D ecember 24 tsunami, looked into the way NGOs work in the State of Tamil Nadu in India where there was a lot of destruction. Achuthan (2009) points out that when the scholar contacted one NGO named n-Logue, it was found that despite their claims of having 1500 internet and voice service kiosks in the tsunami hit areas, they could not provide any information about the locations of these kiosks. Admittedly, the work by Nigel Martin (2007) provides a better insight into as to what goes wrong in nations like Indonesia and India in the case of disaster management. It is pointed out that the very first reason for failure is government information systems and management failure. Though the Indian Air Force was informed about the earthquake and tsunami in 2004 at about 7.30 am that day, the crisis management group of Indian government held its meeting at 1.00 pm, exactly five and a half hours after the initial alert. Similar was the situation of Indonesia too. In the view of Martin (2007), t hough Indonesia was alerted by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the country seemed to have taken no steps at all. Admittedly, all the scholars point out the fact that the existing political situation in the affected area will have a serious impact on the quality of service provided. When there is discrimination in the existing social system, it becomes a difficult task for the international organizations to offer unbiased attention. The last two

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Nucor Corporation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Nucor Corporation - Case Study Example Generically, a value strategy is the pattern of decisions and actions that constitute the firm's overall approach toward providing realizable net value to customers. A value strategy inherently involves all parts of a firm's functional and organizational strategies that provide value realized by customers or require sacrifices by customers (see Appendix Table 1) Nucor follows a four-part growth strategy to increase its production capacities and quality that improve product quality. This strategy: "involves new acquisitions, new plant construction, continued plant upgrades and cost reduction efforts, and joint ventures" (Thompson et al 2008 p. C 115). Despite the use of strategic management process and content models, many managers fail to maintain or improve their firm's competitive position. The new globally competitive context requires that top management alter its current predispositions toward certain stakeholders and financial performance measures and refocus on continuously improving net customer value. "By 1985, Nucor had become the seventh largest steel company in Alnerica, with revenues of $758 million. With 18 plants having the capacity to produce 25 million tons of steel annually, 2006 revenues of$14.8 billion, and net profits of$I.8 billion" Thompson et al 2008 p. C-113). These changes suggest new strategic management processes and new strategy content paralleling those in current models. All firms have a value strategy, but few have completely conceptualized and clearly articulated value as the basis for competing. In fact, many firms are more competitor-oriented than customer-oriented. As a result, many managers are more familiar with their firm's competitive strategy than its strategy for improving customer value. Some inadvertently compromise net customer value either by producing products/services perceived to be of low quality or by requiring excessively high sacrifices of customers. Ironically, the most competitive firms are the customer-oriented, not the competitor-oriented firms. In financial terms, "new plant construction and boosting tons sold from 11.2 million in 2000 to 22.1 million in 2006" (Thompson 2008, p. C114). The uniqueness of Nucor is the synergistic combination of low cost and differentiation that may come with a value-based strategy is a direct result of managing critical systems that contribute to value. For Nucor, the acquisition process is limited to broadening the product line is erroneous (Nucor Corporation 2008). Many other business goals can be fulfilled by acquisition. These include strengthening the company's financial position, procuring the services of one or more key personnel or new executive talent, obtaining land, buildings, and equipment for expansion, stabilizing cyclical or seasonal types of business, avoiding concentration in a government-regulated area of industry, acquiring the technical skills of highly trained scientists, and many other critical elements in business which determine growth and success. The process of acquisition, then, is one that ought to be considered by the management of any enterprise as its plans for growth are executed (see Appendix Table 3, 4). Acquisition is one way to be considered in achieving the complete set of defined objectives. And many companies have found it a very satisfactory way. Annual report shows that acquisition strategy allows the company to achieve a steady growth and increase its

Monday, October 28, 2019

Pros and Cons Essay Example for Free

Pros and Cons Essay 1) Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of green house gases and therefore the contribution of nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore relatively little. Between mining the uranium, refining and enriching fuel, and finally to building and operating the plant, a big 1,250 250-megawatt nuclear facility produces an estimated 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. In contrast, coal-fired plants produce close to 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year in the U. S. alone while also emitting lots of other pollution: soot that causes lung diseases; sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that cause smog and acid rain; and mercury that contaminates fish. In fact, coal kills 4000 times as many people as nuclear power, according to one analysis. 2) It is possible to generate a high amount of electrical energy in one single plant. 3) This technology is readily available. Disadvantages 1) Uranium Waste- The chief danger lies with the mining waste; it contains radium, which is highly radioactive. Radon gas (one of the products that occur after radium undergoes radioactive decay) can expose workers and nearby and nearby communities to an array of health risks like lung cancer, bone cancer and lymphoma. 2) The energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium, which is a scarce resource. It’s supply is estimated to last only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand. 3) Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be preferred targets for terrorist attacks. 4) Risk of Catastrophe- Fukushima has joined Three Mile Island and Chernobyl in the vocabulary of dangerous nuclear mishaps. The explosion at Chernobyl’s nuclear plant in the Ukraine showed how nuclear energy could just as easily destroy us as it nurtures our everyday needs.  While nuclear power would allow Singapore to achieve energy self sufficiency, the risks and

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Microbiology for Environmental Engineering

Microbiology for Environmental Engineering By Georgios Tzelepis Microorganisms play a major role in controlling water and waste quality and every biological process is based on the action of microorganisms. Bacteria constitute an important group of microorganisms which are directly related to Environmental Engineering because of their crucial role in wastewater treatment. They are single celled prokaryotic organisms with a structurally and functionally simple form and various shapes, such as spherical, rod-shaped or spiral. One main characteristic of the bacterial cell is the lack of unit membrane system with exception the cytoplasmic membrane. The identification of bacteria is based on a number of different criteria including their morphological (shape, size), physiological and genetic characteristics. Their reproduction is based on the binary split with formation time of about 20 minutes. Bacteria are sensitive to pH changes and they survive under neutral conditions, although some of them can survive in a highly acidic environment. Regarding th eir survival temperature, they are divided into psychrophilic, mesophilic and thermophilic. Bacteria are very sensitive to temperature changes and they have an optimum growth temperature. (Darakas, 2016) Bacteria have the capacity to degrade the organic substances (pollutants) and this is the reason why they are the most important group of organisms in terms of the public health engineering, since biological waste water treatment processes are based on their activities. The assimilation of pollutants is mainly achieved by the biological self-cleaning of the water thanks to microorganisms and specifically bacteria. The main three points of interest in the wastewater treatment is the microorganisms (bacteria), the included organic matter which constitutes food for microorganisms and the oxygen which is necessary for the energy and survival of microorganisms.    Generally, the metabolic diversity of organisms, and more specifically of bacteria, firstly depends on the energy source. Energy is important for the chemical reactions and is obtained from environmental sources. When the sources are chemicals, the species are called chemotrophs, while when the energy is derived from the light they are called phototrophic species. However, some bacteria have the ability to use both energy sources based on conditions. Second classification is based on the carbon source. When they are organic compounds they are called chemoheterotrophs or photoheterotrophs respectively. Otherwise when inorganic compounds are used, bacteria are called chemoautotrophs or photoautotrophs. Finally, chemotroph bacteria which metabolise organic chemicals for energy are called chemoorganotrophs. Contrariwise, those that use inorganic chemicals are called chemolithotrophs. There are two basic types of metabolism for chemoorganotrophs; fermentation, in which the metabolism of the substrate is without external oxidizing agent, and respiration, in which there is an external oxidizing agent. Both types of metabolism can convert a primary source of energy to one which can be used by the cells. 2.1.1 Carbon source Bacteria that use carbon dioxide for the majority (or all) of their carbon requirements are called autotrophs. The obligate autotrophs that are able to use only CO2 as a source of carbon use simple energy substrates and they are either chemolithotrophs or photolithotrophs. (Singleton, 2005) In autotroph bacteria carbon dioxide from the environment is used to form complex compounds, but also there is the situation that carbon dioxide is incorporated in these compounds and called fixed. There are two common pathways for this fixation, the Calvin cycle and the reductive TCA cycle. Autotrophs are able to thrive in very harsh environments, such as deep sea vents, due to their lack of dependence on outside sources of carbon other than carbon dioxide. (Yates et al., 2016) On the other hand, most of the known species of bacteria are heterotrophic, both aerobic and anaerobic. They use as a main source of carbon complex carbon compounds derived from other organisms, with the most significant the glucose, alcohol, and organic acids. However, there are specialised heterotrophic bacteria capable also of decomposing cellulose (actinomycetes), keratin, hydrocarbons, and other substances. Heterotrophs are only able to thrive in environments that are capable of sustaining other forms of life due to their dependence on these organisms for carbon sources. (Lester Birkett, 1999) 2.2 Energy source Microorganisms, and more specifically bacteria, require food to obtain energy. Phototrophic bacteria are mostly aquatic organisms and obtain energy using radiant energy (light), usually via photosynthesis. This happens through specialized pigments that they contain in order to form energy molecules. Generally, photosynthetic bacteria can be divided in two categories, these who accomplish the photosynthesis with production of oxygen (aerobically) and those without (unaerobically). (Singleton, 2005) Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain their energy by metabolisng chemicals from the environment, through the oxidation of inorganic molecules, such as iron and magnesium. They are divided in two different categories, chemoautotrophs and chemoheterotrophs, with their difference already been described. (Boundless, 2016) Carbon source of heterotrophic bacteria can be either soluble and colloidal organics of untreated waste (BOD) or endogenous carbon microorganisms, i.e. the carbon putrescent dead cells or methanol (CH3OH), which is the best organic substrate to the denitrification. (Darakas, 2016) 2.3 Electron acceptor As mentioned, all the bacterial cells have to convert a primary source of energy into forms that can be used. Some cells can convert a primary energy source to an electrochemical form which consists of a gradient of ions between the two surfaces of cytoplasmic membrane. Chemotroph and phototroph bacteria form high-energy compounds from a primary energy source using different techniques. (Singleton, 2005) Respiration is a type of metabolism in which a substrate is metabolized with the help of an external oxidizing agent. Oxygen can work as the exogenous oxidizing agent having aerobic respiration, or organic oxidizing agents can be used instead in an anaerobic respiration. Despite the fact that the oxidizing agent can be inorganic or organic, in chemoorganotrophs, the substrate is always an organic compound. (Singleton, 2005) Oxygen is the final electron acceptor for the aerobic respiration. The sugar is completely broken down to carbon dioxide and water, yielding a maximum of 38 molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose. Electrons are transferred to oxygen using the electron transport chain (ETC), a system of enzymes and cofactors located in the cytoplasmic membrane and arranged so that the passage of electrons down the chain is coupled with the movement of protons (hydrogen ions) across the membrane and out of the cell. ETC induces the movement of positively charged hydrogen ions to the outside of the cell and negatively charged ions to its interior. This ion gradient results in the acidification of the external medium and an energized plasma membrane with an electrical charge of 150 to 200 millivolts. The generation of ion gradients is a common aspect of energy generation and storage in all living organisms. The gradient of protons is used directly by the cell for many processes, including the active tr ansport of nutrients and the rotation of flagella. The protons also can move from the exterior of the cell into the cytoplasm by passing through a membrane enzyme called the F1F0-proton-translocating ATPase, which couples this proton movement to ATP synthesis. (Kadner Rogers, 2015) Bacteria that are able to use respiration produce far more energy per sugar molecule than do fermentative cells, because the complete oxidation of the energy source allows complete extraction of all of the energy available. (Kadner Rogers, 2015) Respiration can also occur under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic respiration uses external oxidizing agents such as nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), sulfate (SO42), or fumarate in place of oxygen. Depending on the different types or conditions, the electron donor (substrate) used by chemoorganotrophs in anaerobic respiration is of various organic compounds. The energy yields available to the cell using these acceptors are lower than in respiration with oxygen, but they are still substantially higher than the energy yields available from fermentation. The utilization of CO2as a terminal electron acceptor is limited to a group of bacteria called methanogens and this process requires a strongly reduced environment. This procedure produces methane (CH4) which can be a problem in some instances like landfill sites. (Maier, 1999) All the bacteria have an optimum growth temperature where their growth is faster, while they also have a specific range of temperature into which they can only grow. Most of the bacteria are mesophilic and they grow in temperatures between 15 and 45 degrees of Celsius. Thermophilic are bacteria with growth temperature over 45 degrees of Celsius, while psychrophilic are the bacteria with growth temperature under 15 degrees. 3.1 Low temperature It is well known that bacteria as well as various other forms of life survive and thrive optimally in moderate conditions of temperature, pressure, pH and other environmental parameters. However, there is also evidence of bacteria life in extreme environments. For example bacteria were found to exist in the very acidic river Rio Tino while also bacteria were detected in subzero environments like in Lake Vostok even in depth of 3600 meters, below the surface ice. (Chattopadhyay Sengupta, 2013) At low temperature, bacteria are challenged with a number of difficulties due to decrease in the rate of biochemical reactions that sustain the life. Bacteria taken from low temperature environments were found with increased branched chain, short chain, anteiso and unsaturated fatty acids. They were also found to synthesize more cis fatty acids in preference to trans fatty acids. All these factors are contributing in the increase of membrane fluidity. Moreover, in order to adjust with the low enthalpy and the reduced atomic and molecular motions at low temperature, they achieve flexibility through reduction in strength and number of non-covalent interactions. Finally a high level of post-transcriptional modification of t-RNA by dihydrouridine also has a major role in psychrophiles. Dihydrouridine unsettles the stacking that stabilizes the RNA. (Chattopadhyay Sengupta, 2013) 3.2 High temperature Thermophilic bacteria are common in soil and volcanic habitats and have a limited species configuration. Examination of metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms in thermophiles proves that thermophilic bacteria have almost the same properties commonly found in mesophilic bacteria, with the main difference being specific molecular mechanisms, important in high temperature biological stability and activity. As a consequence of growth at high temperature and unique macromolecular properties, thermophilic bacteria can possess high metabolic rates, physically and chemically stable enzymes than similar mesophilic species. Thermophilic processes appear more stable, rapid and facilitate reactant activity and product recovery. Analysis of important biomolecules in thermophilic bacteria has revealed subtle structural differences in proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Some of these differences have not been observed in mesophilic bacteria. For instance the membrane lipids of extreme thermop hiles contain more saturated and straight chain fatty acids than mesophiles. This allows thermophilic bacteria to grow at higher temperatures by providing the correct degree of fluidity required for membrane function. Finally the explanation for high temperature stability of tRNA in Thermus species is that Thermus transfer RNA contains more guanine plus cytosine bases in the specific base-paired region, which provides greater hydrogen bonding and increased thermal stability. Also, the base-paired region in tRNAs from Thermus contains more thiolated thymidine which provides a stronger stacking force inside the molecule. (Zeikus, 1979) The restoration, maintenance and protection of the environment with the help of biological agents in general and bacteria more specifically are significantly important in terms of sustainability in the environment. Hence, in many cases, bacteria and environmental engineering go hand in hand and both are interdependent on each other. Their main connection is the removal and treatment of the wastes, solid or liquid, from various sources like the industrial, domestic and other. There are many examples of the use of bacteria especially in waste and wastewater treatment, where some useful characteristics of bacteria are used.   Ã‚   4.1 Wastewater treatment Biological treatment is one of the most widely used removal methods as well as for partial or complete stabilization of biologically degradable substances in wastewaters. General characteristics of wastewaters are measured in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS). Bacteria provide the largest component of the microbial community in all biological wastewater treatment processes, and numbers in excess of 106 bacteria/ml of wastewater are frequently encountered. 4.1.1 Activation Sludge Activated sludge is a process that has been adopted worldwide as a secondary biological treatment for domestic wastewaters. In the activated sludge process the incoming wastewater is mixed and aerated with existing biological sludge (microorganisms). Organics in the wastewater come into contact with the microorganisms and are utilized as food and oxidized to CO2, and H2O. The microorganisms using the organics as food they reproduce, grow, and die. While the microorganisms grow, are mixed together by the movement of air so individual organisms join an active mass of microbes called activated sludge. The wastewater flows continuously into an aeration tank where air is injected to mix the activated sludge with the wastewater and to supply oxygen needed for microbes to breakdown the organic materials. This mixture of activated sludge and wastewater in the aeration tank is called mixed liquor suspended solids and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids. The mixed liquor is sent to the slud ge handling disposal (second part of activation sludge method). A part of this mass precipitates while the rest flows back to the aeration tank in order to maintain sufficient microbial population levels. This is the called activated sludge. The microorganisms in activated sludge generally are composed of 70 to 90% organic and 10 to 30% inorganic matter. The microorganisms generally found in activated sludge consist of bacteria (mostly), fungi and protozoa. 4.1.2 Nitrogen and Phosphorus removal Nitrogen and phosphorus are two essential elements in terms of the waste treatment. The nitrogen compounds and the phosphates existing in wastewaters are very important for the survival of the bacteria although they should be removed in order to avoid problems of deoxygenation and eutrophication in the final recipient. (Bitton, 2010) Nitrification The principal organisms involved in nitrification processes belong into two categories, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. These bacteria are considered to be strictly autotrophs since they derive energy for growth and synthesis from the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen and carbon (CO2) compounds. Nitrosomonas catalyse oxidation of ammonia to nitrite using molecular oxygen, while Nictobacter further oxidize nitrite to nitrate using oxygen derived from the water molecule. It should be mentioned that some some soluble forms of c-BOD can inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacteria since they are able to enter the cells of nitrifying bacteria and inactivate their enzyme systems. (Horan, 1989) Denitrification Denitrification is a process by which certain species of bacteria under anoxic conditions reduce nitrate nitrogen to the gaseous end-products of N2, NO, or N2O which can then escape from solution to the atmosphere. Unlike other nitrogen compounds, the gaseous forms of nitrogen have no significant effect on environmental quality. The presence of oxidized nitrogen and organic carbon are essential properties for denitrification to proceed. Denitrifying bacteria are composed of heterotrophic organisms. The most common denitrifying bacteria are Bacillus denitrijicans, Micrococcus denitrijicans and more. (Horan, 1989) Phosphorus removal The anaerobic-oxic process (most commonly used), consists of a modified activated sludge system that includes an anaerobic upstream of the conventional aeration tank. During the anaerobic phase, inorganic phosphorus is released from the cells as a result of polyphosphate hydrolysis. The energy liberated is used for the uptake of BOD from wastewater. (Bitton, 2010)Removal efficiency is high when the BOD/phosphorus ratio exceeds 10. During the aerobic phase, soluble phosphorus is taken up by bacteria that synthesize polyphosphates using the energy released from BOD oxidation. The anaerobic-oxic process results in BOD removal and produces sludge which is rich in phosphorus. The key features of this process are the relatively low solid retention time and high organic loading rates. (Cheremisinoff, 1997) 4.1.3 Anaerobic Digestion Major applications of anaerobic digestion are the stabilization of concentrated sludges produced from the treatment of especially industrial wastes. The digestion is a complex biochemical process in which several groups of anaerobic and facultative organisms again simultaneously absorb and break down organic matter and can be described as a two-phase process. In the first phase, acid-forming organisms convert the complex organic substrate to simple organic acids. Little change occurs in the total amount of organic material in the system, with decrease in ph . Second phase involves conversion of the organic acids to principally methane and carbon dioxide. The anaerobic process is essentially controlled by the methane producing bacteria. Methane formers are very sensitive to pH, substrate composition, and temperature. If the pH drops below 6,methane formation stops, and there is no decrease in organic content of the sludge. One characteristic of the methane bacteria is that they are hi ghly active in the mesophilic and thermophilic ranges. (Cheremisinoff, 1997) 4.2 Solid Waste Treatment 4.2.1 Composting Composting is the biological decomposition and stabilization of organic substrates. Each gram of decaying compost contains millions of beneficial microorganisms that work to break down organic matter. Of the microorganisms present, 80 to 90 percent are bacteria, including actinomycetes and aerobic bacteria. Aerobic are separated in three different varieties, each of which is active at different phases of the decomposition process. Psychrophilic bacteria (during winter) work on the initial organic matter, at temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius. These bacteria raise the temperature to 20 C, at which time, the mesophilic bacteria take over. These bacteria work at moderate to warm temperatures between 20 and 38 C. At 38 C, the thermophilic bacteria take over, raising the temperature to 70 C. Once this happens, the process starts over again with the addition of new materials. Actinomycete bacteria appear during the late stages of composting to clean up remaining materials that are diff icult for aerobic bacteria to break down. They are responsible for breaking down cellulose, proteins, lignin and starches. References Bitton G., (2010), Activated Sludge Process, in Wastewater Microbiology, 4th Edition, Hoboken, NJ, USA, John Wiley Sons, Inc. Boundless, (2016), Chemoautotrophs and Chemoheterotrophs, Boundless Microbiology, Available from: https://www.boundless.com/microbiology/textbooks/boundless-microbiology-textbook/microbial-metabolism-5/types-of-metabolism-41/chemoautotrophs-and-chemoheterotrophs-285-6153/, [Accessed: 13 January 2017] Chattopadhyay M. and Sengupta D., (2013), Metabolism in bacteria at low temperature: A recent study report., Biosciences, 31, 2, 157-165. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236674848_Metabolism_in_bacteria_at_low_temperature_A_recent_report , [Accessed: 10 January 2017] Cheremisinoff N. P., (1997), Biotechnology for Industrial and municipal wastes, in Biotechnology for Waste and Wastewater Treatment, 1-36 Darakas E., (2016), Environmental Engineering: Process of water and wastewater treatment, Thessaloniki, Sofia Publisher. Horan N., (1989), Biological Wastewater Treatment Systems: Theory and Operation., Chichester, England, Wiley Blackwell. Hurst, C.J. et al., (2002), Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 2nd Edition, Washington, ASM Press. Kadner R. J. and Rogers K., (2015), Bacteria. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/science/bacteria/Salt-and-water. [Accessed: 23 December 2017] Lester, J.N. Birkett, J.W., (1999), Microbiology and Chemistry for Environmental Engineers, London, E. F.N. Spon. Maier, E.M. et al, (1999), Environnemental Microbiology, Academic Press Singleton P., (2005), Bacteria in Biology, Biotechnology and Medicine, 6th Edition, Wiley Smith S. R., (2016), Bacteria, Lecture Slides for the course of Microbiology for Environmental Engineering; MSc of Environmental Engineering, London, Imperial College London. Traumann N. and Olynciw E., (1996), Compost Microorganisms, Cornell Waste Management Institue, New York, Available from: http://compost.css.cornell.edu/microorg.html, [Accessed: 10 January 2017]. Yates V. M., Nakatsu C. H., Miller R. V., Pillai S. D., (2016), Manual of Environmental Microbiology, 4th Edition, ASM Press Zeikus, J.G., (1979), Thermophilic bacteria: ecology, physiology and technology., Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 1, 4, 243-252. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0141022979900437?via%3Dihub, [Accessed: 27 December 2016]

Thursday, October 24, 2019

No Utopia Found in Wendell Berry’s What Are People For? :: What Are People For

No Utopia Found in Wendell Berry’s What Are People For? The preface to Wendell Berry’s What Are People For? is in the form of a two-part poem, titled â€Å"Damage† and â€Å"Healing.† By carefully digging through its cryptic obscurities (â€Å"It is despair that sees the work failing in one’s own failure†), we find the main message: The more diminutive, local, and settled a culture, the healthier it is and the less â€Å"damage† it inflicts upon its people and the land. Berry can be called a utopian but not in the traditional sense. He pines not for the future but for the past. Basing his lifestyle upon his boyhood memories of fifty years ago as well as America’s pioneer days, Berry is confident he has found the answer to the perfect existence. In this case, book and individual are difficult to separate. What Are People For? is Wendell Berry, so to criticize one is to criticize the other. His book is a compilation of contemplative essays on subjects ranging from literature to technology from the perspective of a Kentucky farmer. Having been in the same profession and location most of his young life, Berry in 1958 (at age twenty-four) accepted a Stanford University Stegner Fellowship. Intrigued, he decided to read Stegner’s books and take this professor’s writing seminar. Berry is reverent and testifies that Stegner filled the Jones Room of the Stanford Library with an aura of literary authority. It is here that Berry learns â€Å"responsible writing.† This is writing that contains the values one has â€Å"proven† by living exclusively in one country place and by perfecting one’s knowledge of the place so as to bring sustainable benefit to it. Responsible writing actively promotes â€Å"good agriculture and forestry† unlike writing â€Å"by self-styled smart people in the offices and laboratories of a centralized economy and then sold at the highest possible profit to the supposedly dumb country people.† What Berry says about his seminar experience is that it started him on his development toward working at home, and away from his assumption â€Å"that I was going to follow a literary career that would lead me far from [Henry County] to teach at a university in a large city.† In important ways Berry has some very good ideas. Concerned that radio and television have done too much to homogenize society, he uses â€Å"Nate Shaw† (a pseudonym) to provide an illustration of a man who lived without euphemistic clichà ©s.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Mr and Mrs Ramsay †Characterization Essay

The modernist way of thinking in literature brought about new ways of understanding and writing about people. Unlike the 19th century, where neo-classical influences still prevailed at times, writers of the 20th century focus on an individual’s personal experience, feelings, what he is going through and how this affects him. The new way of looking at people (prompted by the advancements in psychoanalysis among others) makes the modern man a complete man – all the things, however small, that define him are taken into consideration – and an important stress in laid on subjectivity as unique and only way of perceiving the world and appropriating it to himself. In her 1924 essay Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown, Virginia Woolf wrote that On or about December 1910, human character changed. I am not saying that one went out, as one might into a garden, and there saw that a rose had flowered, or that a hen had laid an egg. The change was not sudden and definite like that. But a change there was, nevertheless; and, since one must be arbitrary, let us date it about the year 1910. However, perhaps it was only the humans’ change, but also, the way that was written about humans and their life, be it ordinary, outside, and more importantly, their inner life. Such is the case with Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, the two main characters of Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse. The two are a couple in their fifties, married, and have eight children. They form a beautiful, and to some extent typical family. However, there is a lot that contributes to their division. Mrs. Ramsay is a beautiful woman, aged fifty, who has made an art out of being a woman, more specifically a mother. She is arguably the true protagonist of the book, as her being permeates the existence of the ones around her. She is the one who sets everything into motion – be it dinner parties, marriages, helping the ones around her, she is the one who never disappoints, and never seems to fail. She defines her existence through her being a mother and a wife: Oh, but she never wanted James to grow a day older! r Cam either. These two she would have liked to keep for ever just as they were, demons of wickedness, angels of delight, never to see them grow up into long-legged monsters. Nothing made up for the loss. She loves her children, and would do anything to protect them and their childhood. This is the reason why she tells James, her youngest, that they will be able to go to the Lighthouse the following day, and why she resents her husband so much for stating the contrary obvious and crushing little James’ hopes. Although she is no longer a young woman, Mrs. Ramsay is full of vitality and energy. She is the central figure, around which the action revolves and who, at the same time, sets the action in motion. Her intentions are good: knitting socks for the Lighthouse keeper’s tuberculosis-ridden son, tries to be nice to Charles Tansley, Mr. Ramsay’s student with working class origins whom her children mock, to Augustus Carmichael whose old age and opium addiction are sources of others’ looking down on him. Constantly being surrounded by people has led her to become the gracious hostess and caring mother she is, but also to defining (and also seeing herself) in that position for ever. Having been a mother to small children a big part of her life (the Ramsays have eight children), and still being one, she wishes to keep her children at this age forever, supposedly for their well-being, but perhaps this comes due to a need to protect and go on the same routine she has known, as it is hard for her to think about herself outside these terms. One of the instances in which this is evident is the moment when she can follow her regular string of thoughts for as long as she hears some kind of familiar noises in the background. She is not used to being by herself, and not surrounded by people. However, in some truly honest moments, she does not hide behind different masks (seen as roles she takes, mother, wife, host, friend), and acknowledges her own existence as something deeply personal and private: She took a look at life, for she had a clear sense of it there, something real, something private, which she shared neither with her children nor with her husband. What one can also recognize are remnants of Victorian morals and models, in both her and her husband. She is the central, matriarchal figure, who takes care of her family, a dutiful wife while managing the household (one of her recurring thoughts is that the bill for the greenhouse will be fifty pound, and tries to be a matchmaker for Minta and Paul, but also for Lily Briscoe and Mr.  Bankes, while being beautiful and admired, as Victorian women were expected to be. She has always maintained and upheld a steadfast belief in traditional gender roles – men being strong and hiding weaknesses (for their chivalry and valour, for the fact that they negotiated treaties, ruled India, controlled finance), and women being the ones bringing the family together, and this makes her resent Mr. Ramsay for his confession to her that he feels like a failure. She cannot bear the thought of her husband being a lesser man than who she thinks and wants him to be, a man better than her: She did not like, even for a second, to feel finer than her husband; and further, could not bear not being entirely sure, when she spoke to him, of the truth of what she said (†¦) but it was their relation, and his coming to her like that, openly, so that any one could see, that discomposed her; for then people said he depended on her, when they must know that of the two he was infinitely the more important, and what she gave the world, in comparison with what he gave, negligible. It is interesting to see the way she influences and sometimes dominates the lives of those around her; her husband is restless after her death and while they are still a couple feels he is a disappointment to her and himself. Prue, her daughter, admires her greatly: what a chance it was for Minta and Paul and Lily to see her, and feeling what an extraordinary stroke of fortune it was for her, to have her. Mrs. Ramsay admires Lily Briscoe for her independence (she was an independent little creature, and Mrs.  Ramsay liked her for it), her peculiar charm and her flare of something, that reminds her of herself. In turn, the young painter feels compelled by Mrs. Ramsay’s beauty and personality, that attracts and fascinates Lily, and which she finds impossible to transpose in the painting she is working on. It is only through Mrs. Ramsay, even after her death, that Lily finds her clarity and her vision. Mr. Ramsay is Mrs. Ramsay’s husband and one of the protagonists of the novel. He is a man in his fifties, a father and a metaphysics philosophy teacher. He defines himself through his work and, like an artist, is concerned with whether his work will be remembered, worth remembering, and how long it will survive after he is gone. This is one of the things that constantly drive him. Just like his wife, being raised in the spirit of traditional values and gender stereotypes, in relationships with his children he is tough, insensitive and has the mentality that he must always be authoritarian and must always do things the right way. He is a rationalist, and feels he must stick to sound principles even when it comes to letting his six-year old son James hope that the weather will be fine so as to go to the Lighthouse the following day: But it won’t be fine. While Mrs. Ramsay tries to smooth out what had been harsh before, he has no problem with being harsh as long as it means sticking to the cold truth: What he said was true. It was always true. He was incapable of untruth; never tampered with a fact; never altered a disagreeable word to suit the pleasure or convenience of any mortal being, least of all of his own children. †¦). His duty, his fatherly duty is to make sure his children are prepared for their grown-up life from the beginning, although he is unaware of the fact that his presence stifles them: his own children, who, sprung from his loins, should be aware from childhood that life is difficult. Through the eyes of Lily Briscoe, he is not good enough for Mrs. Ramsay, while through the eyes of his son James, who wants to take his place in a typical Oedipus’ complex, he is too harsh and cold, but he is also admired for his intelligence. Had there been an axe handy, a poker, or any weapon that would have gashed a hole in his father’s breast and killed him, there and then, James would have seized it. Such were the extremes of emotion that Mr. Ramsay excited in his children’s breasts by his mere presence. These do not mean that he and Mrs. Ramsay do not complement and complete each other. As it is observed in the first chapter of the novel, He found talking much easier than she did, but she felt herself very beautiful. He is the talkative one, the intellectual one, but it is her presence that attracts people. Moreover, both of them are dutiful persons. If Mrs. Ramsay thinks her duty is with her family and trying to keep everyone happy and being a gracious host, Mr. Ramsay sees his duty in his work, his duty is to leave something valuable behind. The Ramsays are polar opposites, and can embody the Jungian archetypes of animus and anima. Among others, he has a constant need for approval and for people to tell him that his work is important and valuable. These (new to the time) ideas are what torment him so much as to make him confess to his wife that he feels like a failure, in hope of reassurance and sought-for comforting. However, this situation is new to what both of them have known about the way each other is supposed to be or feel, or the way they should handle it. This explains the distance that is created between them upon hearing each other’s take on the situation. Their inability to show true empathy can be a result of their Victorian ideas about their spouse and marriage and their own role there being put to the test. Victorian society would not have permitted for men to show weakness, not to mention confessing it to their own wives, their obvious inferior, and for women to think that they can even for a moment be better than their husbands. At the turn of a century and an age, they as individuals are confronted with new ideas, new sides of themselves they do not know how to reconcile with the other, traditional ideas everyone including themselves had taken as unmovable. This difficulty is seen in the stream of thoughts of both of them, but also has, as visible result, a cut/breach in communication between them, which leads to a possible estrangement/alienation from the other. What they fail to see is that the 20th century society and way of life gave way to a better way of communicating, they way one felt was important, and no one was supposed to play a previously defined part, and that this is the way things should be. This is seen in how they react to Mr. Ramsay’s moment of complete honesty – Mrs. Ramsay cannot bear the thought of him telling her this and of actually having to be the better one, while Mr. Ramsay cannot get the comfort and reassurance he needs. Indeed, as Virginia Woolf wrote in her essay, human character did change at the beginning of the 20th century. People, both women and men, became more aware of themselves, and most importantly, became aware of their inner life and the attention it deserved. But this could not have been possible without the insight modernist writers offered through their books. What they tried to do, using the stream of consciousness technique, is depict the way human minds work, the messy, not completely coherent ways that this happens, the way in which we perceive a moment and how intense we live it and how much happens within us during that moment as opposed to the measured moment (the irst pages of the first chapter, when the same moment is presented through the eyes and inner thoughts of three characters). What they achieved, however, was to show that human beings are different (as Lily Briscoe says, fifty eyes are not enough to get round one person), and that everyone tries to find meaning in fleeting moments, albeit differently, and that society was wrong in fitting them into stereotypes. And this too helped change the remnants of the Victorian society and turn people of the age into modern souls.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The Scarlet Letter5 essays

The Scarlet Letter5 essays Hawthorne says that he writes to the whole world hoping that someone will understand what he is talking about. He goes on to speak about Salem, where his relatives have lived and died since its existence. Over time Salem has become more of an instinct to his family, and has tried to escape, but always come back. His children were not born in Salem because he wanted to break free of the tradition. He compares people to plants in that if you do not transplant, future crops will be ruined. He descries his forefathers as Puritans. They would not approve of his lifestyle as a writer because it is to unproductive. He then describes his return to Salem and his new job at the Custom House. His employees are elderly veterans that both amused and pained the author. After the men found out he meant no harm they relax and spend their time telling stories. Custom House Inspector- head leader of all custom houses, great physical condition despite of old age, but had no brains. His father put him into his position. He has no memories of experiences, only food. Collector- very old, strong spirit, his age has physically affected him, in war he was brutal, but now he wouldnt hurt a fly. Surveyor- more in contact with his thoughts than with the real world, motto: Ill try, sir!, described as a rusty sword Authors title: Surveyor of Revenue One rainy day he looks through old barrels of articles and finds a scarlet letter A and a document describing the life of Hester Prynne. He claims that these serve as documents of proof for his novel. (These were never found and were probably made up to give the novel a historical sense.) He decides to write a book based on this. He does his writing under moonlight or firelight. As he writes he realizes he must leave the Custom House. Its way of producing a stable life is addicting. It doesnt allow you to support you...