Monday, September 30, 2019
Mary Shelleyââ¬â¢s classic novel Essay
The second narrator we come to is Victor, who is also the central character in the novel. To begin with, Victor is adored by almost everyone: his parents; his siblings; the servants (Justine) and his teachers. For example, he makes this quote about his parents: ââ¬Å"I was their plaything, their idol, and something better-their childâ⬠¦ â⬠Even Walton describes him, as a ââ¬Å"Celestial Spiritâ⬠who has ââ¬Å"never-failing power of judgementâ⬠it is obvious that he is loved. The reader knows that this particular quote is only half true, as Victor has made some very poor judgements in the past. The reader can interpret this to achieve and open minded view of Victor and shows the imperfections and limitations of Walton. For example he must have very poor judgement to be able to describe Victor thus. The reader feels ambivalent to Victor. He is portrayed as a typical Byronic hero, a tragic, brooding hero whose personality traits make him great and powerful but also lead to his destruction. Walton describes his as â⬠a noble creature in his better days, being even now in wreck so attractive and amiableâ⬠. He has a ââ¬Å"thirst for knowledgeâ⬠with a childââ¬â¢s blindnessâ⬠-a dangerous combination. This is also a trait, which we see in Walton. Whilst he is buried in his work he neglects everything else, leading him to become isolated. Victor is partially aware of his faults or else unable to admit them. His ambition and passion for glory seem to be his own worst enemies. This idea is re-enforced by the quote ââ¬Å"when younger, I believed myself destined for some great enterpriseâ⬠¦ â⬠he then goes on to describe his passion whilst creating the monster and his ââ¬Å"senseless curiosity. â⬠However, he still blames others for his downfall. He like Walton sees himself as a victim, the implication being that he swears to ââ¬Å"pursue the demon, which caused this miseryâ⬠. This he says without realising it was him who caused the monster to act as such. He seems to feel that fate was inevitable but he hypocritically believes Walton can change his by warning him against ambition. Although he blames the monster for his downfall, Victor alternately blames himself for the deaths of William and Justine. He also seems to believe in destiny and divine judgement, yet has no guilt over grave robbing to create his monster and believes him destined for happiness even though he has sinned. This leads us to believe that Victor is full of self-contradiction. Our feelings alter towards Victor throughout the novel. From chapter five onwards we see him as a lonely spirit, plagued by sorrow and remorse. This creates pity and in keeping the monster a secret, tension. Yet, when we meet the monster, we realise that Victor has not faced up to his responsibilities and we dislike and feel critical of him. Towards the end of the novel we dislike and pity both of them. Victor is portrayed as a typical Byronic hero right until his death. His tragic demise is very Romantic, the quote ââ¬Å"I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeedâ⬠as he parts from the world implies that he has the Romantic hope that some may succeed in ambition where he has failed. He cannot abandon his noble character, even in the face of death. Towards the middle of the novel, the monster relates his story and becomes the third narrator. Constructed from parts of corpses, Victor achieves the impossible by bringing him to life. Victor describes his appearance as such: ââ¬Å"his yellow skin scarcely covered the muscles and arteries beneath; his lustrous black hair; teeth of pearly whiteness; watery eyes; shrivelled complexion; and straight black lips. â⬠This description of his gruesome appearance fills the reader with both disgust and pity. His physical strength is greatly enhanced, subsequently making him invulnerable to anything but a violent death. This is how he is able to survive the dreadful conditions of the North Pole. Fitting in with his monstrous appearance, Shelley uses satanic imagery to depict the creatureââ¬â¢s emotions, for instance, he says, ââ¬Å"I bore a hell within me. â⬠Victor also calls him ââ¬Å"demonâ⬠and ââ¬Å"devilâ⬠at various points in the novel. This emotive language describing the monster implies that he is an evil and demonic character who deserves to be hunted and feared. He seems to enjoy the murders of William and Justine, as if it justifies in some way, Victorââ¬â¢s neglect and hatred of him. He is only satisfied when he reduces Victor to complete despair, the same level as himself. Evidence of this is when Frankenstein has sworn to hunt the monster, he quotes ââ¬Å"I am satisfied: miserable wretch! You have determined to live and I am satisfied. â⬠His merciless killing of Clerval is the consequence of Victorââ¬â¢s destruction of his half finished female companion. He seeks to destroy Victor emotionally and mentally, rather than physically at first. This massacre of Frankensteinââ¬â¢s family and his fury are the result of the creatureââ¬â¢s loneliness and rejection. He begins life as an innocent creature; a theory held by many philosophers at the time the novel was written, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He influenced the young Mary Shelley in his novel Emile. His natural attraction to humans and child-like wonder at the world around him excites our attention and evokes sympathy as we realise he is just like an innocent child struggling through the world alone. This great appreciation of nature, society and literature is evidence that the Romantic Movement influenced Shelleyââ¬â¢s writing too. We see goodness in him when he collects wood for the DeLaceyââ¬â¢s and saves a girl from drowning. The DeLacy family call him the ââ¬Å"good spiritâ⬠, a total contrast from the imagery Shelley first describes him with. Our sympathy is again evoked with his desire for friendship and the prejudice he suffers from. The barrier between the monster and humans is ugliness, and the way in which Shelley writes reminds the reader of how cruel we ourselves are and makes us feel guilty. In being blind, DeLacy can accept him for who he is, but when this dream is shattered; Victor is his only hope at fulfilling his demand for a companion, subsequently providing justice, which Victor denies. The way he is mistreated turns him from an innocent creature into a vindictive, bloodthirsty monster. The three narrators are described by each other in great detail to help us understand more clearly their personalities and their characters. As the novel deals with some rather fantastical, disturbing ideas, it is understandably difficult to comprehend. However, the use of three narrators helps the reader to understand the complex ideas and breaks the novel down into sections which helps us to appreciate the complicated time and structure. It also shows us a more open-minded view of the characters. We see things from one perspective that we would not see from another, and therefore are able to independently have an opinion of the characters. Although I found the language and structure of the novel hard to comprehend, I did enjoy reading the novel and it has influenced the way in which I view the world, and brought awareness against ambition and isolation.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Business Structure and Design on Joe Coulombeââ¬â¢s Essay
Trader Joeââ¬â¢s is an upscale specialty supermarket chain by Joe Coulombe, the very first step they took is very difficult as it is something that he had not done before. But Joe Coulombe led this organization to overcome this by his smart policies and approach through organization design. He has access to both inside and outside the company by adding new items to the supermarket to increase choices for customers to shop at Trader Joeââ¬â¢s,the items that he brought were luxury items like California wines and gourmet foods. Besides luxury items, there are items for customerââ¬â¢s daily consumption, such as bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables are now available as well. The supermarket products have helped customers increase the chain in high-end supermarket. Moreover, Joe Coulombe also focuses on the internal change by the division of the company for employees in each store, itââ¬â¢s like a subsidiary of a group because it makes his supermarket much closer from sales staffs to management staffs. However, not being strictly control by a monitor for each sales staff, but instead Joe Coulombe has assigned the responsibility for their sales department and he wants them to make their own decisions and provide personal customer service towards their customers. Moreover, not only each store has its own monitoring system by their company, this will take a lot of time in the management and staff as each storeââ¬â¢s will be monitored. . The decentralization will enable companies to closely manage the work and customer service at each store and that would be the right policy in order to improve customer service as well as personal sales at the stores. Joe Coulombe also pays great attention to the responsibility of every employees, he changes it, and in stark contrast with how to manage employees at other companies that he have allowed employees in each store to make their own decisions for personal customer service without the consent of the managers, it helps their employees develop the full capacity of themselves and to see if they are capable to perform and it helps the employeeââ¬â¢s to improve relationship with the customers significantly. This is the reason that the customer would come back to the store again cause of their good customer service. Joe Coulombe is very good with finding the niche market and knowing his target audience well, thatââ¬â¢s how his company succeed and with knowing that, he had tried many ways to encourage his customers to visit his stores offering them gourmet products. Q2: Trader Joeââ¬â¢s Specific Decisions Organization structure and culture of each company are almost identical but for Trader Joeââ¬â¢s of Joe Coulombe is different. Joe goes with the a set of rules inherent when an organization begins operations, that is by having authority to change the sales departments. Most of the customer service must be gone through with a supervisor before making a service to customers but at Trader Joeââ¬â¢s, employees of the sales department is autonomy for their decisions and provide services customer before via the supervisor. This makes the service to their customers better by the ability of the sales department is fully released without incurring any obligation and something special when that Joe Coulombe do so with the department sales, he has made employees feel Trader Joeââ¬â¢s is a part of them so as to improve work efficiency compared to the norm. He attaches importance to developing relations between the individual and the customer in the form of patrons because they are the ones who often buys from the store and will get much better customer service, and it is also to influence other customers to make customers familiar with his store. Joe Coulombe focused on his employees and his shop was created with the different environment in which employees are treated as individuals and their supervisors are considered to be captains. Uniformed employees are suitable for each store environment of each other that makes sense for customers when they come to each supermarket store. Besides, Joe Coulombe also is interested in salary and bonus for each department from the sales staff to the supervisor, and most of the wages for each employee here are higher than the others at the other supermarkets. Moreover, not only with a high salary bonus, Trader Joe is also very generous and employees can be paid with a bonus of more than $ 100,000 a year. Joe Coulombe trained his employees very well, he influence by the way of controlling sales people. Training includes skills, communication, teamwork, leadership, and product knowledge. He set a rule that the highest performing sales person could rise to become store captains and beyond in the organization. And he knows that he needs to treat sales people fairly. The ability to influence, the commitment to team work and an elevated level of achievement orientation of sales people were reported. Crew members indicate that they felt empowered to made decisions and they collaborate their relationship with other crew members and customers. Q3: How Trader Joe is Performing Today & Problems that Trader Joe faces as it grows Trader Joeââ¬â¢s is a retailer brand that was founded in 1960ââ¬â¢s. In the early year of its business, it runs as a dime store. During the competition with the famous 7-11, it changed its business strategies and started to offer some up-market products, such as wine, beverage and delicacies like bread, cookie, fruits and vegetables. After its first step of transition, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s suddenly changed its identity and became a supermarket chain brand. At the same time, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s pay lots of concentration on upgrading its customer services in order to attract more customers to come to the supermarket and do some purchase. Today, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s has supermarkets over than 360 locations, grossed over than 80 billion dollars. Trader Joeââ¬â¢s has 4 obvious operational features: offering low fat products, up-market meals, advanced customer services and highly integrate with the community and contributing a lot to the community. First of all, as the raise of living standard, more and more customers start to pursue high quality products. Trader Joeââ¬â¢s supply foods focus on strong nutrition and balanced diet. They also print some health diet guide to teach their customer how to live healthier, shows the norm of mineral, vitamin etc. Secondly, up-market meals supply is also a service, which has been highlighted as Traderââ¬â¢s special offer. They offer two different kinds of meals-Whatââ¬â¢s Cooking and Top Recipes. For Whatââ¬â¢s Cooking, they separate it into 5 sorts: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert and Snack. Their reasonable flow of service system made customers choose what they want easily. However, on the contrary, Top Recipes lists the top products that customers like. What Trader Joeââ¬â¢s offer to their customers are not only slap-up diets, but also their high quality, special, fresh service, matching the current trend of diet as well. Thirdly, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s emphasize the concept of the personalized service. Fresh things always attractive, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s set different theme inside the store, make sells interesting. Like the Hawaii style, assistances wearing the Hawaii traditional cloth, the manager been called captain at that period of time, even the store decoration using Hawaii beach style. Sales assistants help in offering the sample beverage and foods for foretaste and doing interaction with customers. This way, employer gave a strongly believe to employees and give them more space to communicate with customers in their own magic ways. Lastly, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s did a great support to the community. Retail industry is a business that provides products, services and building the selling stage. A good public face can strongly enhance its fame. In 2010, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s donated over 2500 pounds foods to those who needs help. It almost equals to 656 chucks food or 2000 over meals. Every Trader Joeââ¬â¢s store has a donation coordinator who takes charge of donating foods to the community where they are every day. Trader Joeââ¬â¢s faced some problem during its long development history. The most obvious one is when the administration board thought about how to spread Trader Joeââ¬â¢s store successfully into different areas. The research group is looking for a low price rent. A well place and a proper price would be concerned as two important factors. In addition, because Trader Joeââ¬â¢s run a high price high quality store, a fit customer base is also important. Nowadays, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s is pushing forward an international expansion. In United States, Trader Joeââ¬â¢s have had an unprecedented pressure. Tesco- a British 900-billion dollars chain store landed Los Angelaââ¬â¢s, San Diego, Las Vegas trying to bite the same cake with Trader Joeââ¬â¢s. It is a big threatens to Trader Joeââ¬â¢s. As result, it is quite urgent for Trader Joeââ¬â¢s to establish the overseas market. NUS Introduction The NUS Business School is a leading business school in the Asia-Pacific region. According to the 2012 QS Global 200 Business School Report, NUS Business school was listed as the third best school in the Asia- Pacific region. NUS Business School has also consistently been named by prominent press sources like The Financial Times, Economist Intelligence Unit, and QS Top MBA, in recognition of the quality of its programmes, faculty research and graduates. In 2013, NUS MBA was ranked 36th in the world by The Financial Times. Besides its prestigious branding, the school has been able to produce more than 27000 outstanding graduates since 1966. Today, NUS continues to attract talents into a diverse range of academic programmes including the BBA, MBA, Executive MBA, MSc and PhD programmes. Each year, thousands of applicants locally and foreign vie for the limited positions in the institution and the entry grade has consistently been high. The NUS Business School also has a varied and vibra nt Student Exchange Program. The partner universities include New York University, University of British Columbia, Copenhagen Business School, Manchester Business School, Peking University and University of Melbourne. Organization: As a leading global university, NUS strives to have world-class faculty in strategic academic areas, as well as special expertise in relation to China, India, and other parts of Asia. The faculty in NUS are drawn from Singapore and the best centres around the world. NUS Enterprise was established as a University-level cluster to provide an enterprise dimension to NUS teaching and research involving the Universityââ¬â¢s students, staff and alumni. The functions of the Enterprise Cluster complement the academic cluster of the University to nurture talents with an entrepreneurial and global mindset. NUS Enterprise, promotes the spirit of innovation and enterprise through Experiential Education, Industry Engagement and Partnerships and Entrepreneurship Support. NUS Enterprise (ETP) provides an entrepreneurial and innovative dimension to the Universityââ¬â¢s core research and educational activities. By igniting the entrepreneurial spirit, partnering for success and nurturing future entrepreneurial leaders, NUS Enterprise aims to make a positive impact on Singaporeââ¬â¢s economy and beyond. This is done through three key thrusts: Experiential Education, Industry Engagement & Partnerships, and Entrepreneurship Support. Structure Impact of technology The importance of technology in education cannot be stressed enough. The introduction of technology in the educational field has made the process of learning and knowledge sharing, a more interactive and pleasurable experience. Perhaps, the greatest impact of technology on education is the change in perspective. The paradigm shift in thinking from local to global can be attributed to technology. Indeed technology is one of Godââ¬â¢s greatest gifts to mankind. Technologyââ¬â¢s Impact on Education Easy access to information Greater interest in learning Increased retention of information Robust information storage Better presentation of information Teaching made interactive Knowledge sharing made easy Technology has revolutionized the field of education. The importance of technology in schools cannot be ignored. In fact, with the onset of computers in education, it has become easier for teachers to impart knowledge and for students to acquire it. Technology is a teaching aid Computers offer an interactive audio-visual medium. PowerPoint presentations and animation software can be used to present information in an interactive way. Owing to the audio-visual effects, this way of teaching invites greater interest from students. The method is equally helpful for teachers. Projectors and screens facilitate simultaneous viewing of information by a large number of students. Addressing systems using microphones and speakers make it possible for teachers to reach a larger number of students simultaneously. These teaching aids have led to improvements in student attendance and their attentiveness in class. Interactive media have proven to be useful in increasing studentsââ¬â¢ concentration levels. Research If a schoolââ¬â¢s library is outdated or lacking in a selection of titles, a student might find it difficult to compile the necessary research for an essay or research paper. As long as the school has a computer lab, students are able to use the Internet and digital encyclopedias to obtain the research they need. While students should be wary of the legitimacy of some of the content they read online, many schools use software like the Encyclopedia Britannica to help students do research. Information is easily accessible The Internet is a huge information base. It can be used an effective tool for acquiring knowledge. All a web user needs to do is to key in queries to search engines. Users are presented with thousands of search results. There are several websites and web directories that offer information on literally everything in the world. And all this is just a few clicks away. Technology has eliminated space and time constraints Online education and distance learning have given a new dimension to education and higher learning. Even if students are geographically far away from each other, they can be a part of one classroom. Though not physically but virtually, they can. Many educational institutes offer online courses, which eliminates time and space constraints in acquiring education. Universities offer online educational programs wherein students can interact with their teachers over the Internet, access reference material from the University website and earn degrees online. The Race Will Be On For A New Instructional Model. As lecture content is moved online, instructors will be able to re-think the classroom experience. A new model for peer-to-peer and peer-to-faculty interaction will need to be created, as this is one of the most fundamental components of classroom learning. There is a huge opportunity for instructors to create a more in-depth learning experience, whether by incorporating real-time discussions with industry experts or building small group experiences online, all of which may allow for more personalization of courses to studentsââ¬â¢ needs. The beauty of teaching analytics is that teachers will have real time information on how students learn and can augment future plans accordingly. While this is a budding area of exploration and one where schools will need to invest in discovery, once they ââ¬Ëcrack the codeââ¬â¢, it opens the door to a much more effective as well as potentially more scalable model. Mutual impact Today, computer education is a part of school and college curricula. Considering the wide range of applications of computer technology, it is necessary for each one of us to computer-friendly. Considering the advantages of Internet technology, it is important for each of us to gain basic knowledge of Internet access and web research. We live in a technology-age and hence, it is important for us to be abreast with the latest inventions in the field. With education, we acquire knowledge of the functioning and use of different pieces of technology. And with the application of technology, we can educate ourselves better. Web Seminars Not every school has the resources and budget to send its students on field trips related to the course of study. When this is the case, the studentsââ¬â¢ education can suffer. But thanks to technology, students can use the Internet to virtually attend Web seminars put on by museums and other educational institutions. NASA, for instance, offers a program that allows students to talk to astronauts in space. Recommendation NUS business school is a premier choice for business students looking for a grounded, well established institution to pursue their studies with. The school is well accredited and employers are no stranger to the household name. Prospective job seekers will be able to distinguish themselves with the good branding of NUS business school. In terms of the course structure, NUS business school provides a good collaboration with the 12 other faculties in NUS to provide a holistic education. Students are able to take electives ranging from chemistry, psychology and even theatre studies if they have a keen interest. The core subjects are taught by faulty alumni PHDs and experienced professors who have a wealth of knowledge to share. The subjects are well structured to equip students with skills that will benefit them a lifetime as well as invaluable knowledge that will prove useful on the business field. Furthermore, the ever growing NUS alumni serve as a good network for graduates to seek o ut good friendship, employment opportunities as well as support. Students will be able to interact with alumni members who may be invited back for guest talks and seminars. Conclusion NUS business school is a good choice for prospective students seeking out an education in business. The good accreditation, intricate and comprehensive course material as well as established lecturers providing the education are compelling reasons to make NUS business school the choice as an educator. Graduates from the course have been able to find employment in a wide variety of fields both locally and overseas, and this information has been consistent throughout the years from the employment surveys collated from graduates. As a provider of quality education and producer of all rounded graduates, the results and reputation speak for itself. References https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiUPAzoE-QmEDlzQaok4thdjuCd2TOGlLuOzcQ-LK23okKiT91PaVlCRJrWi9Ap3OcylNp_OKTtfrrmU_5QGLN2LsPUtDCCLiEbYPXL6bOryClmb4yiwt5dMfZuGJ2EUema6y7nFpTXQ/s1600/nus_logo.jpg ââ¬â NUS Logo http://www.traderjoes.com/index.asp Accessed on 10 June 2013 MARK MALLINGER, PHD and GERRY ROSSY, (2007, Volume 10 issue 2) http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/2010/08/the-trader-joes-experience/ Accessed on 10 June 2013 http://www.nus.edu.sg/uci/about/OrgStructure.htm ââ¬â The NUS organization structure http://www.buzzle.com/articles/impact-of-technology-on-education.html ââ¬â The impact of Technology on education http://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2012/12/11/5-ways-technology-will-impact-higher-ed-in-2013/ ââ¬â The impact of Technology on education
Saturday, September 28, 2019
How Does Globliztion Affect Women Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words
How Does Globliztion Affect Women - Essay Example This essay stresses that communicà °tion is là °unching à ° women's rà °dio stà °tion to educà °te women à °bout their legà °l rights à °nd similà °r mà °tters. In the à SIL rà °dio series on The Individuà °l à °nd Globà °lizà °tion, là °wyers helped creà °te à ° spà °ce in which women in the developing world told their stories to à ° broà °d à °udience. In Ecuà °dor, à ° là °wyer skilled in medià °tion enà °bles à °n indigenous group to à °void the expense of nà °tionà °l courts. Postmodern là °wyers cà °n even à °pproprià °te à °dvertising. Pierre Schlà °g describes à ° Mobil à °dvertisement, for exà °mple, in which the oil compà °ny exploits refugees to enhà °nce its corporà °te imà °ge. Whà °tever its objective, the à °dvertisement mà °y well contribute to Rorty's "sympà °thy"--unfocused, sentimentà °l, but sympà °thy nevertheless. This paper makes a conclusion that the postmodern à °ttorney represents her client in à ° new wà °y. Unlike the clà °ssic là °wyer, she does not seek to simply represent her client's interests before the à °pproprià °te tribunà °l. Rà °ther, she recognizes thà °t those interests mà °y not be cognizà °ble under the là °w. The economic rights of mà °rginà °lized women à °re rà °rely recognized in nà °tionà °l là °w à °nd only và °guely suggested in internà °tionà °l là °w. The postmodern à °ttorney must find other wà °ys to support her clients. à Cà °mpà °ign for Economic Justice, for exà °mple, wà °s orgà °nized by women who hà °d been on welfà °re themselves. They filled à ° bus à °nd trà °veled à °cross the country for two months, stopping for à ° series of cà °refully orchestrà °ted meetings, rà °llies, à °nd slide shows.
Friday, September 27, 2019
The Corrupt Practices of the Police and Correctional Systems Assignment
The Corrupt Practices of the Police and Correctional Systems - Assignment Example IV. Correctional Facility Violence. A. Causes of Correctional Facility Violence. B. Types of Correctional Facility Violence. V. Recommendations. A. Recommendations on Police Corruption & Violence. B. Recommendations on Correctional Facility Violence. VI. Conclusion. The Corrupt Practices of the Police and Correctional Systems Abstract Despite many reported improvements that have been made in the past few years the American Police and Correctional System remains steeped in serious problems including violence, corruption and an endemic culture of brutality that unfortunately continues to unfairly target and harm especially minorities. Since the highly publicized brazen police brutality captured on film being meted out on Rodney King in Los Angeles more than a decade ago in 1992, there still continue to be many reports of instances of law enforcement officials using undue force on civilians either while arresting them, after they have been arrested and while being interrogated. The cult ure of violence continues into the correctional institutions where prison officials regularly brutalize inmates. The police forces in many states also continue to be in the midst of corruption and highly stressful work conditions that to a great degree also contribute to this violence. Introduction Working as a policeman has long been considered not only a noble and sacrificial vocation but one that brings with it a strenuous, high octane and sometimes highly dangerous occupation. It calls for a dedication that goes far beyond many non-public minded citizens and can be a thankless, never-ending task for which many officers receive little or no recognition, despite the fact they are usually out there putting their life and limb literally on the line of fire day in day out. There is a large number of police officers and correctional facility minders who perform their duties with a high degree of integrity, honesty and dedication. Unfortunately, there are still a number of police offic ers of all ranks in the police forces throughout the country who have succumbed to the pressures of their jobs and the stress it inflicts on them to resort to corrupt and violent behavior that continues to be reported (Carter, 2012). Corruption & Violence According to a typical police officerââ¬â¢s code of ethics that members of the police force are required by law to abide by, one of the key requirements is that they must out their duties with a high degree of integrity, a great deal of fairness and in a totally impartial way. They are also expected to ensure that they do not exceed their authority or violate the constitutional rights of any person (Florida Department of Law Enforcement, n.d.). Yet one needs only look at the daily press to see the constant news of police officers breaking each of these basic rules. In April, 2013, a former New York detective retired and sued the NYPD, claiming that the departmentââ¬â¢s internal affairs department ââ¬â their own unit for p roviding over the workings of the department ââ¬â for discrimination against her because of her race and for being unable or unwilling to tackle the corruption in the department (Marzulli, 2013). In October another NYPD officer, on being sentenced for felony charges of civil rights violation said in open court that the NYPD was the most corrupt police department in the world (Signore, 2012). Many police departments are plagued by an endemic corruption that has long persisted in many police departments such as the NYPD and the Chicago Police Department (CPD). The
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Harlem Renaissance Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Harlem Renaissance - Article Example It has also opened for future blacks and has a big impact on succeeding consciousness and black literature worldwide. As it is not limited to the district of Harlem in New York, it attracted a huge attention of talent and intellect and acted as the pillar of this awakening of culture. This renaissance has lots of black culture sources, basically of the Caribbean and America and manifests itself even outside Harlem. Being a symbolic capital, it fuels high popular nightlife and experimentation destination. It enables blacks to get publication opportunities and visibilities as ever before due to its location. Being in a city with an extraordinary decentred and diverse social atmosphere with no one cultural authority, it has still proved to be a rich place for experiment in culture. Primitivism affected the movement since it was established on earlier cultures and traditions of blacks (Lewis et al, pp 129). The avant-garde artists in Europe have drawn motivation from African view since they departed from real styles of representations towards sculpture and painting abstraction. Therefore, such experimental pride made black intellectuals view the heritage of Africa in a new
Globalisation , the World Economy and MNEs Essay - 3
Globalisation , the World Economy and MNEs - Essay Example With increased competition, changing customers and ever changing technology, the fundamental part of RIMââ¬â¢s strategy was to expand the global reach of the Blackberry (Gillete et. al. 2013). RIM had the following options for expansion: RIM needed to further increase its core R&D activities. RIM already had a very successful local hiring strategy in place for this. Continuing with the same and increasing the magnitude would have fit with its existing approach and was also less risky. However, in order to be a global player, it had to look for talent worldwide. Having the same source supplier for new talent would have its limitations. One way was to expand Co-op programs at Waterloo to other universities and to hire more aggressively. The bond between Waterloo and RIM was loyal and reiterating the same loyalty with the other universities could yield desired results. Like other players in the industry RIM posted job openings online but with huge job applications mapping a right candidate to the right team was a tough job. Also, the competitors had a better hiring and on boarding process. RIM lacked a formal system of managing candidates. It needed to come up with an advanced system such as Global Scouting Platform of Microsoft to find the best talent worldwide. RIM had started expanding R&D and development centers at various locations and had the option to add more locations. However, the locations had to be strategic and the cost of resources had also to be taken into account. While expanding RIM had certain selection criteria while choosing new product and development sites such as having talented individuals, universities with strong technical programs and preferred base of software and hardware companies. However, the decentralization could lead to increased bureaucracy and add to management costs of the company. In past RIM had done some acquisitions which were
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Marketing plan Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1
Marketing plan - Coursework Example The service-profit chain is a concept introduced in the Harvard Business Review in 1994. A book describing the concept was published in 1997. According to the description, in the book, the service-profit chain serves to demonstrate the existing relationship between service excellence and a companyââ¬â¢s financial growth and performance. According to this concept, profitability and revenue growth come because of customer loyalty. Without customer satisfaction, loyalty does not result. Therefore, organizations strive to ensure that their services exhibit a high-perceived value to the customer in a bid to increase customer satisfaction. It is impossible to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction if the employees do not exhibit high levels of commitment and outstanding competencies (Yee et al., 2009). Therefore, organizations seek to hire individuals with remarkable competencies and empower them through training programs in order to increase their productivity. Empowered employee s are more likely to serve customers in an exemplary manner. The Starbucks Company has relied on the service-profit chain in order to register the evident financial performance. The company invests in human resource development through training programs that empower employee to deliver high-quality customer service. Over the years, the company has applied service innovation in order to ensure that employees serve as a valuable link between the organization and the customers. The company regards employees as partners, a factor that triggers employee satisfaction. The satisfied employees have worked for Starbucks for a long time registering high levels of productivity. Since employees are in a position to deliver service value to customers, the company prides itself with high levels of customer satisfaction (Gold, 2010). Due to the high levels of satisfaction that customers
Monday, September 23, 2019
Electron Microscopes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Electron Microscopes - Essay Example But, unlike the ordinary microscopes, the electron microscope uses a ray of electrons (Miller and Levine, 2003) which is shorter in wavelength, traveling through a vacuum, and focused by magnets to very thin objects whose sizes needs to be magnified. Also, the electron microscopes can only magnify specimens that have been properly killed, processed, and mounted for viewing (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007). There are two types of electron microscopes. These are the transmission electron microscope (Figure 1) and the scanning electron microscope (Figure 2). The transmission electron microscope allows the viewer to see the internal parts of a microorganism at 1 million times size magnification (Figure 3). On the other hand, the scanning electron microscope allows the viewer to see the external surface parts of a microorganism at approximately 20 nano meter resolution (Figure 4). These two types of electron microscopes have each a built-in camera that can take pictures of images under study. So, besides visibility reasons, specimens are usually stained for more accurate observations, but the micrographs or pictures are black and white (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007. The basic parts of... nsmission electron microscope are high voltage electrical supply line, electron gun, first condenser lens, condenser aperture, second condenser lens, specimen holder, with air-lock, objective lenses and aperture, and fluorescent screen with camera (Figure 5). On the other hand, the basic parts of scanning electron microscope are Control console, electron guns, thermo ionic electron gun, field ionic gun, thermal field emitters, Schottky emitter, and vacuum system: vacuum pumps, roughing pump/mechanical pump, diffusion pump, turbo pump, ion pump (CEMS) (Chemical Engineering and Material Science, 2003). Biologist use transmission microscope to emit a ray of electrons from side to side of a thin sample that has to be examined for its internal structure. In contrast, biologist use scanning electron microscope to emit a fiber-thin electron ray across the surface of the sample producing a clear picture of the surface structure (Miller and Levine, 2003). Conclusion Electron microscopes are biomedical laboratory instruments that enable biologist to accurately configure the internal and external structure of microorganism which were considered in the past as invisible organisms. Photo by: Ernst Ruska. 1980, Berlin Figure 1: Transmission electron microscope Source: Epner Technology Inc. ISO 9001. 2000,NADCAP Figure 2: Scanning electron microscope Title: General Cytology; Publisher: W.B. Saunders; Publication Date: 1960 Figure 3: The transmission electron microscope allows the viewer to see the internal parts of a microorganism at 1 million times size magnification Title: General Cytology; Publisher: W. B. Saunders; Publication Date: 1960 Figure 4: Scanning electron microscope allows the viewer to see the external surface parts of a
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy Speech or Presentation
Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy - Speech or Presentation Example Written by Kennedy himself, along with his speechwriter Ted Sorenson, the speech is considered to be one of the best given by Kennedy as well as one of the best given by any United States President. The primary audience of the speech was, indeed, the United States public, however, the speech also addressed the citizens and governments of the world at large, touching on universal themes of peace and justice. The speech opens with a very effective hook, by talking about the victory of his party, Kennedy draws the audience in by proclaiming the event to be a beginning of change as well as the start of renewing the rich traditions of United States. The memorable speech opening clearly established the basis for the main body of the speech. The speech was focused ââ¬â clearly and effectively touching on themes of a need for a new beginning in the face of the then present stale relations between the two Cold War opponents (the United States and the Soviet Union). Recalling images of the glorious past of the United States, and the ideals on which it was found, the speech employed metaphors, especially religious ones, as well as symbolism, and that too having religious undertones. Kennedy talked about the metaphorical torch that had been passed to his generation when he spoke of his presidency. It was, altogether, very easy to follow the speech as it flowed, and was organized, quite logically, with Kennedy ensuring that the conclusion of his speech was concise, memorable and a call to action. The now famous words ââ¬Å"Ask not what your country can do for you ââ¬â ask what you can do for your countryâ⬠(Kennedy) were part of his inaugural address. Kennedy relied on words alone to deliver his message. No visual aids were used in the speech, the only mental imagery was evoked in a bid to get the public excited and hopeful about the future in general, and the Kennedy administration in particular. Kennedy sounded a bit nervous, although his enthusiasm shows th rough in the choice of his words as well as his hopeful tone for the change he sought to bring about with regard to the United States itself and its relationship with the outside world. Kennedy accomplished this by maximizing the role of the audience in the change to come by using inclusive language as well as by addressing the audience directly (i.e. using you and we focused language). The audience cheered during the speech and clapped, however, other than that there was no audience interaction. The tone of the speech was somber and serious, there was no levity or humor worked into the speech. Moreover, Kennedy stayed on the podium during the whole speech and did not move around or use the stage to augment his words. Overall, Kennedy seemed very confident, although a little bit nervous. His posture showed his poise and assurance, though he did not use gestures to supplement or stress his words. Though Kennedy was reading the speech as he had not memorized it, yet he tried to keep a s much eye contact as possible with the audience. Since he did not have any distracting mannerisms, his lack of constant eye contact did not take away from the speech.Ã
Saturday, September 21, 2019
The Crucible by Arthur Miller Essay Example for Free
The Crucible by Arthur Miller Essay In the past, present, and undoubtedly in the future, deceptive individuals take advantage of the anxieties and fears of society. When a societys insecurities are exposed and raw, a disconcerted mood spreads throughout the people. This contagion can engulf an entire population and become like a living entity, causing people to act rashly and hypocritically. Whether or not the fear is justified, a convincing individual can exploit a certain mentality called mob psychology. Mob psychology involves manipulating the hysteria of a crowd to fulfill ones desires. In Arthur Millers The Crucible, Abigail Williams and other characters spread a fear of witches in the Puritan town of Salem. The fear that they spread ends up permeating their community and dominating the lives of everyone in the town. The psychological phenomenon known as mass hysteria has an important effect on the events in The Crucible. The Crucible contains many important events that precede the madness that ensues by the end of the play. Abigail Williams, for instance, has a love affair with John Proctor, and wants Proctor to leave his wife Elizabeth for her. Another character with a hidden agenda is Mr. Thomas Putnam, who hopes to take over some of his neighbors land. To amplify the situation, a group of girls are questioned by ministers for performing witch-like rituals in the forest. A Puritan belief of the 17th century is that the devil and other demons live in the forest, and that witchcraft is performed there as well. Dissembling citizens begin to accuse others of witchcraft, with a very selfish motive. As John Proctor describes theà hysteria that ensues,vengeance is walking Salem (1079). The vengeance that Proctor is talking about is the motive for all the accusers. The accusers are able to get away with injustices in the court because the townspeople are extremely afraid of witchcraft, and thus are eager to annihilate any signs of it. The mass hysteria also has an incredible effect later in the play, when the witchcraft trials take place. Many people are being convicted with veryà insubstantial testimony, and with no tangible evidence at all. This is because the people of the town have been surrounded by the witchcraft frenzy so much, that they ignore their conscience. They become infatuated with the existence of witches, and seek to eradicate them. Since the people of Salem are very vulnerable, It is not hard to see how many could have been led to believe that the time of confusion had been brought upon them by deep and darkling forces (1036). The Puritans believe that all evil and disorder is linked to the Devil. At the trial, even people as wise as Reverend Hale are confused as to what is the truth and what is false. This is an example of illusion vs. reality, because so many people are crying witch, that it becomes impossible to discern the people that have selfish intent from those that actually believe in witchcraft. The mass hysteria causes the citizens to assume the defendants are guilty before they are officially tried. Though the hysteria in the Salem witch trials takes place in 17th century Massachusetts, a more modern version of this psychological phenomenon takes place during the 1950s. The hearings of Senator Joe McCarthy also utilize mob psychology for the benefit of an individual. McCarthy uses the fear of an attack by the Communist Soviet Union to build up hype in order to develop his political career. This fear that, in America,à any man who is reactionary in his views is open to the charge of alliance with the Red hell (1052), is an example of the fears people have of Communist infiltration. The Red hellà mentioned by the narrator is the Communist Party, and during the 1950s, one would be tried for treason if he or she is accused of being affiliated with this unfavorable party. The reaction of the people to this hype is just as McCarthy expects. The people become frightened and the truth becomes hazy. As a mechanism of defense, people begin to scapegoat each other. When high officials are eventually accused, the entire idea is dropped, and the emotions return back to normal. This is a parallel to the part Rebecca Nurse has in The Crucible. She is a highly respected community figure, and when she is accused of witchcraft, people begin to reevaluate the validity of the claims. In other great literary works, the theme of mass hysteria is present to show the hypocritical side of society or in portraying effective ways of persuading a crowd. One such instance of persuasion is in William Shakespeares, Julius Caesar. The character Mark Antony speaks to the mourners at Caesars funeral, which are completely against him, and he turns the crowd entirely in his favor. Mark Antony uses verbal tools such as sarcasm and repetition to turn the crowd in his favor, so that he might have people help him retaliate against Caesars murderers. The phenomenon of mass hysteria strongly influences the events in literature, and parallels can be drawn between those events and modern events. The Crucible is a powerful example of mass hysteria invading a population like a rampant virus consuming its host.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Importance Of Tropical Rainforests Environmental Sciences Essay
Importance Of Tropical Rainforests Environmental Sciences Essay Recently the global climate changed anomalies, the temperature rise a lot in many countries in Europe, heat wave, hurricane caused many deaths in America, even Asia appear anomalous July snow weather and We all know that it is causing by climate change. For regulating climate, Rainforest play an important role, the destruction of tropical rainforest which is the most serious eco development problems encountered in recent decades. These tropical rainforest is not only for a variety of animals, plants, and insects, an important for living perches off environment and tropical rainforests are also closely associated with climate change. Human as short-sighted and completely selfishness , felling a large number of rainforests, not only will destroy the natural environment which makes a variety of biological extinction, and climate changed, the last human will peril. Location and distribution Tropical rainforests are located along the equator. Mostly between the Tropic of Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer, This distance is thus called the band of the tropics. Solar energy will be most intense in this area because the sun will shin directly onto this area without giving an angle to it. The sun will shine all year long, about 12 hours a day thus providing enough energy for plants to do photosynthesis. The rainforests are distributed in South and Central America, Africa, Oceania (the island around Australia), and Asia. Although widely distributed, tropical rainforests cover only 7% of the earths surface. Climate Tropical forests are usually warm year around with temperatures from 72-93F. This is with the exception of cloud forest, which is usually cooler because of its high elevation. The temperature of the tropical rainforests usually stays the same all years long only with a small fluctuation that is only about 0.5F throughout the year. There is a high amount of cloud covering the tropical rainforests, which will result in the high humidity. This huge amount of cloud will also prevent the plants from dying out during the time of the year when rainfall is not as much. Because it will make the air moist and wet for the plants. Tropical rainforests are high rainfall. It was the rainfall that they experience each year them into the unique characteristics. The usual rainfall day is about 130-250 days per year and the humidity will always stay about 80%. The variation of the temperature of tropical rainforests is also very small between day and night, usually about 10F. Due to the huge amount of rainfall, tropical rainforest will not experience hot or cold seasons throughout the year, but it will experience wet and dry seasons. The humidity of tropical rainforests is resulted by the rainfall, constant cloud over, and transpiration of the leaves. Some larger rainforests contribute to the formation of train clouds, and generates about 75% of their own rain. The Deforestation of tropical rainforest Rainforests, being the earths greatest biological treasure, are important to us. However, we human being are losing more than half of it now. Unfortunately, in order to have access to resources such as wood, in order to create can be used for other purposes of the tropical rainforest land, deciduous forest and subjected to rapid destruction of today. Now, in the aftermath of the history of the tropical rain forest is the largest and the fastest pace of Habitat change and species extinction. Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutions in the atmosphere. The environmental experts estimated that we are losing 138 plants, insect species and animals in every single day due to rainforest deforestation. The importance of tropical rainforest: Regulating climate features: Rainforest will absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, oxygen on Earth by 40% of the total, are transmitted through the tropical rainforest in the Amazon area. Tropical rainforest is only a small surface of the Earth, yet it is influence of the air that we breathe and climate in the world. For instance, plants and trees in the manufacture of food will absorb CO2 and release oxygen, but humans and other animals and plants that depend on this oxygen to breathe. Therefore, the tropical rainforest is playing a very important role to make a balance in the maintenance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But today the human multitude fossil fuels, a large number of harvested wood, resulting in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase in allows incoming solar radiation, the Earths surface is then reflected out of the cumulative heat is the average global temperature rise, causing serious greenhouse effect. Rainforest can regulation regional rainfall, it is like a giant sponge, during rain, trees absorbed most of the moisture, the moisture absorption by root to the leaf surface to allow water to water vapor forms released into the air. After the water vapor formed a cloud, then become rains, rain formation brings the life to the arid place. If the rainforest is felled, cloud formation and precipitation will also decrease; so many places there will be loss of drought and crop harvest. The impact of climate The destruction of tropical rainforest will cause global climate changes, as mentioned earlier, the forest will absorb carbon dioxide, and emit oxygen, when rainforest felled, earth will lose this functionality, and increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere make the greenhouse effect, which causing the lower atmosphere global average warming 1.5-3 Ã ° c, the Arctic region is warmer. In addition to regulating the climate, forests increased rainfall, loss of forests is also drought will happen. people should wake up, think about tropical rainforests is not just for themselves, but for other species and resources can make a sustainable living on earth, so we should make some action to protect our rainforest: for example, the government can establishment of a national park or national scenic area, protected flora and fauna, or act may be more stringent, control valve forest activities. And the most important is educate people, instill ecological knowledge, let us understand that the protection of tropical rainforests. For individual, people avoid the use the wood products as far as possible. Also, encouraged to use of recycled products and support for environmental protection. Conclusion: Tropical rainforests are important resources that could not be replaced. By destroying the tropical rainforests, we are destroying the ecosystem and environment, which in turn threaten the human species ourselves. Laws should be enforced to help in the preservation of tropical rainforests.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Essay -- Scripture Analysis
Introduction Jesus was a phenomenal communicator. In fact, Jesus was the greatest communicator to ever live. He used strategies and techniques that were previously unheard of to get his point across in any situation, regardless of the circumstances. What is interesting is that his most common form of speaking was in parables. He would use these analogies to provide a way of application for the gospel in people lives. The parable about the workers in the vineyard is one of many, but is one of the few that were only told in the book of Matthew. Although there a many assumptions as to the reasoning for this, nobody can be sure of the reason why this parable is nowhere to be found in the other gospels. It is especially confusing because in this parable Jesus talks about end times and entrance into heaven; which would have been, and still is, an important subject to any believer. Matthew 20:1-16 1 ââ¬Å"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 ââ¬Å"About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ââ¬ËYou also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.ââ¬â¢ 5 So they went. ââ¬Å"He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ââ¬ËWhy have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?ââ¬â¢ 7 ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËBecause no one has hired us,ââ¬â¢ they answered. ââ¬Å"He said to them, ââ¬ËYou also go and work in my vineyard.ââ¬â¢ 8 ââ¬Å"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ââ¬ËC... ...mazing, but sets an example of how believers today can use relevant and modern examples and stories to share the Gospel and continue growing the body of Christ. Works Cited Barker, Kenneth L., ed., NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. Print. Blomberg, Craig L. "Matthew." The New American Commentary. 22. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1992. Print. Davies, W. D., and Dale C. Allison. "Matthew 19-28." International Critical Commentary. New York, NY: T&T Clark International, 2004. Print. Hagner, Donald A. "Matthew 14-28." Word Biblical Commentary. 33B. Dallas, TX: Word Incorporated, 1995. Print. Keck, Leander E. "Matthew, Mark." The New Interpreter's Bible. 8. Nashville, TN: Abington Press, 1995. Print. Luz, Urich. "Mathew 8-20." Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001. Print.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Software Patents, Copyright, and Piracy Issues in India Essay -- Compu
Software Patents, Copyright, and Piracy Issues in India Introduction India has developed enormously in the field of science and technology. Information Technology has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the country and a major contributor to the economy. India's economy has boomed over the past decade due to Government's initiates. With it vast pool of educated population and its leading presence in the Software arena India is fast becoming a knowledge hub. This paper gives an overview of Patent, copyright and Cyber laws, software piracy issues, and analyses the economic benefits of reducing piracy and the ethical issues of piracy. Overview of Patent, Copyright and Cyber Laws The protection regarding Intellectual Property Rights differs from country to country. Beginning with GATT, WTO and TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) the economic focus of International trade and global policy has progressively moved from the tariff protection of goods to "Protection of Intellectual Property". The Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in India is a movement that is continuing to gain strength. There is a well established Statutory, administrative and Judicial Framework to safeguard Intellectual Property rights in India. India has enacted several legislation's and drafted amendments to several existing legislation's in order to fulfill the obligations imposed on it by TRIPS. Patent Laws: Patent rights give the owner the exclusive right to make the invention, use the invention, sell the invention and distribute the invention. These exclusive rights are obtained after the grant of the Patent by Registrar of Patents. In India the law governing Patents is the Patent Act, 1970("the Patents Act"). Th... ...ate people to buy legitimate software. Conclusion India has strict Intellectual property laws and Information Technology sector is one of the major contributors to the country's economic development. Therefore reducing software piracy will have a significant impact on the economic growth. Piracy can be curbed by a combination of raids, litigation, and educating users about the advantages of using legal software, the problems associated with copied software and legal penalties etc., Also global piracy cannot be won without addressing the draconian pricing policies of software proportionate to per capita by the software publishers. References [1] www.nasscom.org [2] Pavan Duggal, http://cyberlaws.net/cyberindia [3] Software Piracy: Understanding the larger picture - Express Computer , http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20030721/indtrend1.shtml
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Drugs And Crime :: essays research papers
Proposition 215 Medical Marijuana Initiative Section 1. Section 11362.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 11362.5. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. (b) (l) The people of the State of California hereby find and declare that the purposes of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 are as follows: (A) To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. (B) To ensure that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction. (C) To encourage the federal and state governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need of marijuana. (2) Nothing in this act shall be construed to supersede legislation prohibiting persons from engaging in conduct that endangers others, nor to condone the diversion of marijuana for nonmedical purposes. With standing any other provision of law, no physician in this state shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes. (d) Section 11357, relating to the possession of marijuana, and Section 11358, relating to the cultivation of marijuana, shall not apply to a patient, or to a patient's primary caregiver, who possesses or cultivates marijuana for the personal medical purposes of the patient upon the written or oral recommendation or approval of a physician. (e) For the purposes of this section, "primary caregiver" means the individual designated by the person exempted under this act who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person. Sec. 2. If any provision of this measure or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, that invalidity shall not a ffect other provisions or applications of the measure which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this en d the provisions of this measure are severable. On November 5th, Californians approved Prop.
Film ââ¬ÅRun Lola Runââ¬Â Essay
ââ¬Å"Cinema that interests me is cinema about opening, unresolved questions and experiments.â⬠- Tom Tykwer. The film Run Lola Run by Tom Tykwer uses distinctively visual features to create a positive effect on an audienceââ¬â¢s appreciation of the text. He uses these visual elements to explore three major themes: chance, love and gameplay. Re-occurring motifs, split screen and tripartite structure are all examples of techniques Tykwer has used to create distinctively visual features in his film. Similar to Tykwerââ¬â¢s film Run Lola Run, Wilfred Owen in his poem Dulce et Decorum Est too uses distinctively visual techniques to have a positive effect on an audiences appreciation of his text. Unlike Tykwer, Owen expresses the theme horrors of war through multiple poetic techniques to create images in his readerââ¬â¢s minds. Chance lies at the core of the film where nothing is definitive. In the film Run Lola Run Tykwer expresses the theme chance through multiple techniques such as re-occurring motifs, symbolism and rapid-fire snapshots. Throughout the entire movie, Tykwer has used the motif of spirals to represent chaos and randomness within the text. They are seen at the start of the film when the animated Lola is running; the camera is shown spiraling around Lola as she thinks about whom to ask for the money, the stairway in the introduction and the roulette wheel in the final sequence. This motif pops up to symbolize the films central message that life spirals around continuously and out of control. Endings are new beginnings and beginnings mark the end of that which came prior. Throughout the films three versions of events, rapid-fire snapshots of minor characters are used to pose deeper existential philosophical questions that challenge our perceptions of happenstances, causality and fate. On simple step to the left on Lolaââ¬â¢s adventure could differ the lives of a minor character majorly. For example the lady at the start of Lolaââ¬â¢s run could quite possibly win the lottery, become a kidnapper or even a Jehovahââ¬â¢s Witness. Tykwer never lets the audience forget that the film is a race against time, clocks are used throughout the film to symbolize time and its impact on life. Lola is constantly looking at the clocks, checking the time making sure she gets the 100 000 marks to Manni in 20 minutes. Lolaââ¬â¢s lack of time creates a developed understanding and briefness of life. Tykwer displays distinctively visual features throughout the theme chance to give a positive appreciation of the text. The love story between Lola and Manni is what drives the film. Tyker uses red-hued scenes, split screens and extreme close-ups to clearly portray love throughout this film. The red-hued scenes in between Lolaââ¬â¢s runs clearly demonstrate the importance of their love and insecurities as they ask each other ââ¬Å"What would you do if I diedâ⬠and responding with ââ¬Å"I wouldnââ¬â¢t let you dieâ⬠. The intimate red tint reinforces the love they share and how love can conquer anything. With the use of a split screen we as a viewer see how they almost read each otherââ¬â¢s minds when Lola is running to stop Manni from robbing the store. This portrays a special bond they share even when they are apart. The first two alternate endings end with Lola and Manni dying, we as an audience see a close up of when they are dying showing the reflection of each others face in their dying eyes conveying the refusal to allow each other to die. Tykwer clearly portrays distinctively visual features throughout the theme love to give a positive appreciation of the text. The last important theme throughout the film Run Lola Run is gameplay. Tykwer uses film techniques such as tracking shots, animated sequence and tripartite structure to portray distinctively visual features throughout this theme. The tracking shot of Lola running with her flame red hair streaming behind her is used to visually represent that she is the main player throughout this game and has power and purpose over other characters. Tykwer uses an animated sequence at the beginning of each run to convey game like elements of her life and how out lives too can be played like a game. Tykwer then uses a tripartite structure that offers Lola chances to win. The thesis is the first run where the journey is set up, the antithesis is the second run and is the opposite to the thesis, finally the synthesis is the third run and it is what Lola learns from run one and two that assist her in winning the game. Tykwer uses this technique to express to his audience that there are chances in life to achieve your set goals. From the three majorà themes, chance love and gameplay it is evident that Tykwer has effectively used distinctively visual features to create a positive appreciation of his text. The poem Dulce et decorum est starts off in the middle of action, a battle that is not quite finished. Owen begins to describe the conditions these soldiers were in, ââ¬Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks.â⬠Owen uses a simile to express to his audience the horrible conditions these soldiers were put through. Soldiers at war are usually strong and healthy but Owen erases this image and replaces it with a ââ¬Å"beggarâ⬠This conveys that war can cause terrible damage to ones appearance changing it dramatically. In the quote ââ¬Å"Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hootsâ⬠Owen uses a metaphor but also hyperbole in this stanza to convey just how tired they were and werenââ¬â¢t taking any notice of the shells dropping behind them. This reinforces the effects of war has on soldiers and how they feel whilst fighting for your country. In the quote â⬠he plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowningâ⬠Owen illustrates the fact that he is stating clearly, through use of onomatopoeia such as: ââ¬Å"gutteringâ⬠, ââ¬Å"chokingâ⬠, and ââ¬Å"drowningâ⬠not only show how the man is suffering, but that he is in terrible pain, pain no human being should endure. Owen uses onomatopoeia to visually depict the effect of a gas attack on the human body and how it can cause extreme amounts of pain. This strengthens the idea that war is a horrible thing for the soldiers fighting. This poem is extremely effective as an anti-war poem, making war seem absolutely horrid and revolting, just as the author wanted it to. Similar to Tykwer, Owen too uses distinctively visual techniques to demonstrate particular themes throughout their texts to provide the audience with a positive appreciation of the text. Ultimately, the composers of Run Lola Run and Dulce et Decorum Est use distinctively visual techniques to convey different themes throughout their texts. Tykwer effectively expresses the themes, chance, love and gameplay while Owen conveys the horrors of war through his text. Tykwer communicates his themes through film techniques such as reoccurring motifs, split screen and tripartite structure however Owen articulates his theme through the useà of poetic techniques such as metaphors similes and personification. As both texts deal with chaos in their own way, it might be suggested that the visual techniques can allow us to enter a new realm of reality created by the composer.
Monday, September 16, 2019
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Four
By the time Elena reached her locker, the numbness was wearing off and the lump in her throat was trying to dissolve into tears. But she wouldn't cry at school, she told herself, shewouldn't . After closing her locker, she made for the main exit. For the second day in a row, she was coming home from school right after the last bell, and alone. Aunt Judith wouldn't be able to cope. But when Elena reached her house, Aunt Judith's car was not in the driveway; she and Margaret must have gone out to the market. The house was still and peaceful as Elena let herself in. She was glad for that stillness; she wanted to be alone right now. But, on the other hand, she didn't exactly know what to do with herself. Now that she finallycould cry, she found that tears wouldn't come. She let her backpack sag to the floor in the front hall and walked slowly into the living room. It was a handsome, impressive room, the only part of the house besides Elena's bedroom that belonged to the original structure. That first house had been built before 1861, and had been almost completely burned in the Civil War. All that could be saved was this room, with its elaborate fireplace framed by scrolled molding, and the big bedroom above. Elena's father's greatgrandfather had built a new house, and Gilberts had lived in it ever since. Elena turned to look out of one of the ceiling-to-floor windows. The glass was so old that it was thick and wavery, and everything outside was distorted, looking slightly tipsy. She remembered the first time her father had showed her that wavery old glass, when she had been younger than Margaret was now. The fullness in her throat was back, but still no tears would come. Everything inside her was contradictory. She didn't want company, and yet she was achingly lonely. Shedid want to think, but now that she was trying to, her thoughts eluded her like mice running from a white owl. White owlâ⬠¦ hunting birdâ⬠¦ flesh eaterâ⬠¦ crow, she thought. ââ¬Å"Biggest crow I've ever seen,â⬠Matt had said. Her eyes stung again. Poor Matt. She'd hurt him, but he'd been so nice about it. He'd even been nice to Stefan. Stefan . Her heart thudded once, hard, squeezing two hot tears out of her eyes. There, she was crying at last. She was crying with anger and humiliation and frustration-and what else? What had she really lost today? What did she really feel for this stranger, this Stefan Salvatore? He was a challenge, yes, and that made him different, interesting. Stefan was exoticâ⬠¦ exciting. Funny, that was what guys had sometimes told Elena she was. And later she heard from them, or from their friends or sisters, how nervous they were before going out with her, how their palms got sweaty and their stomachs were full of butterflies. Elena had always found such stories amusing. No boy she'd ever met in her life had made her nervous. But when she'd spoken to Stefan today, her pulse had been racing, her knees weak. Her palms had been wet. And there hadn't been butterflies in her stomach-there had been bats. She was interested in the guy because he made her feel nervous? Not a very good reason, Elena, she told herself. In fact, a very bad reason. But there was also that mouth. That sculpted mouth that made her knees weak with something entirely different than nervousness. And that night-dark hair-her fingers itched to weave themselves into its softness. That lithe, flat-muscled body, those long legsâ⬠¦ and thatvoice . It was his voice that had decided her yesterday, making her absolutely determined to have him. His voice had been cool and disdainful when talking to Mr. Tanner, but strangely compelling for all that. She wondered if it could turn night-dark as well, and how it would sound saying her name, whispering her nameâ⬠¦ ââ¬Å"Elena!â⬠Elena jumped, her reverie shattered. But it wasn't Stefan Salvatore calling her, it was Aunt Judith rattling the front door open. ââ¬Å"Elena? Elena!â⬠And that was Margaret, her voice shrill and piping. ââ¬Å"Are you home?â⬠Misery welled up in Elena again, and she glanced around the kitchen. She couldn't face her aunt's worried questions or Margaret's innocent cheerfulness right now. Not with her eyelashes wet and new tears threatening any minute. She made a lightning decision and quietly slipped out the back door as the front door banged shut. Once off the back porch and into the yard, she hesitated. She didn't want to run into anyone she knew. But where could she go to be alone? The answer came almost instantly. Of course. She'd go see Mom and Dad. It was a fairly long walk, almost to the edge of town, but over the last three years it had become familiar to Elena. She crossed over Wickery Bridge and climbed up the hill, past the ruined church, then down into the little valley below. This part of the cemetery was well-kept; it was the old section that was allowed to run slightly wild. Here, the grass was neatly trimmed, and bouquets of flowers made splashes of bright color. Elena sat down by the big marble headstone with ââ¬Å"Gilbertâ⬠carved into the front. ââ¬Å"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,â⬠she whispered. She leaned over to place a purple impatiens blossom she'd picked along the way in front of the marker. Then she curled her legs under her and just sat. She'd come here often after the accident. Margaret had been only one at the time of the car crash; she didn't really remember them. But Elena did. Now she let her mind leaf back through memories, and the lump in her throat swelled, and the tears came easier. She missed them so much, still. Mother, so young and beautiful, and Father, with a smile that crinkled up his eyes. She was lucky to have Aunt Judith, of course. It wasn't every aunt who would quit her job and move back into a little town to take care of two orphaned nieces. And Robert, Aunt Judith's fiancà ¦, was more like a stepfather to Margaret than an uncle-to-be by marriage. But Elena remembered her parents. Sometimes, right after the funeral, she had come out here to rage at them, angry with them for being so stupid as to get themselves killed. That was when she hadn't known Aunt Judith very well, and had felt there was nowhere on earth she belonged anymore. Where did she belong now? she wondered. The easy answer was, here, in Fell's Church, where she'd lived all her life. But lately the easy answer seemed wrong. Lately she felt there must be something else out there for her, some place she would recognize at once and call home. A shadow fell over her, and she looked up, startled. For an instant, the two figures standing over her were alien, unfamiliar, vaguely menacing. She stared, frozen. ââ¬Å"Elena,â⬠said the smaller figure fussily, hands on hips, ââ¬Å"sometimes I worry about you, I really do.â⬠Elena blinked and then laughed shortly. It was Bonnie and Meredith. ââ¬Å"What does a person have to do to get a little privacy around here?â⬠she said as they sat down. ââ¬Å"Tell us to go away,â⬠suggested Meredith, but Elena just shrugged. Meredith and Bonnie had often come out here to find her in the months after the accident. Suddenly, she felt glad about that, and grateful to them both. If nowhere else, she belonged with the friends who cared about her. She didn't mind if they knew she had been crying, and she accepted the crumpled tissue Bonnie offered her and wiped her eyes. The three of them sat together in silence for a little while, watching the wind ruffle the stand of oak trees at the edge of the cemetery. ââ¬Å"I'm sorry about what happened,â⬠Bonnie said at last, in a soft voice. ââ¬Å"That was really terrible.â⬠ââ¬Å"And your middle name is ââ¬ËTact,' â⬠said Meredith. ââ¬Å"It couldn't have been that bad, Elena.â⬠ââ¬Å"You weren't there.â⬠Elena felt herself go hot all over again at the memory. ââ¬Å"Itwas terrible. But I don't care anymore,â⬠she added flatly, defiantly. ââ¬Å"I'm finished with him. I don't want him anyway.â⬠ââ¬Å"Elena!â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't, Bonnie. He obviously thinks he's too good for-for Americans. So he can just take those designer sunglasses andâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ There were snorts of laughter from the other girls. Elena wiped her nose and shook her head. ââ¬Å"So,â⬠she said to Bonnie, determinedly changing the subject, ââ¬Å"at least Tanner seemed in a better mood today.â⬠Bonnie looked martyred. ââ¬Å"Do you know that he made me sign up to be the very first one to give my oral report? I don't care, though; I'm going to do mine on the druids, and-â⬠ââ¬Å"On the what?â⬠ââ¬Å"Droo-ids. The weird old guys who built Stonehenge and did magic and stuff in ancient England. I'm descended from them, and that's why I'm psychic.â⬠Meredith snorted, but Elena frowned at the blade of grass she was twirling between her fingers. ââ¬Å"Bonnie, did you really see something yesterday in my palm?â⬠she asked abruptly. Bonnie hesitated. ââ¬Å"I don't know,â⬠she said at last. ââ¬Å"I-Ithought I did then. But sometimes my imagination runs away with me.â⬠ââ¬Å"She knew you were here,â⬠said Meredith unexpectedly. ââ¬Å"I thought of looking at the coffee shop, but Bonnie said, ââ¬ËShe's at the cemetery.' â⬠ââ¬Å"Did I?â⬠Bonnie looked faintly surprised but impressed. ââ¬Å"Well, there you see. My grandmother in Edinburgh has the second sight and so do I. It always skips a generation.â⬠ââ¬Å"And you're descended from the druids,â⬠Meredith said solemnly. ââ¬Å"Well, it's true! In Scotland they keep up the old traditions. You wouldn't believe some of the things my grandmother does. She has a way to find out who you're going to marry and when you're going to die. She told me I'm going to die early.â⬠ââ¬Å"Bonnie!â⬠ââ¬Å"She did. I'm going to be young and beautiful in my coffin. Don't you think that's romantic?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, I don't. I think it's disgusting,â⬠said Elena. The shadows were getting longer, and the wind had a chill to it now. ââ¬Å"So who are you going to marry, Bonnie?â⬠Meredith put in deftly. ââ¬Å"I don't know. My grandmother told me the ritual for finding out, but I never tried it. Of courseâ⬠-Bonnie struck a sophisticated pose-ââ¬Å"he has to be outrageously rich and totally gorgeous. Like our mysterious dark stranger, for example. Particularly if nobody else wants him.â⬠She cast a wicked glance at Elena. Elena refused the bait. ââ¬Å"What about Tyler Smallwood?â⬠she murmured innocently. ââ¬Å"His father's certainly rich enough.â⬠ââ¬Å"And he's not bad-looking,â⬠agreed Meredith solemnly. ââ¬Å"That is, of course, if you're an animal lover. All those big white teeth.â⬠The girls looked at each other and then simultaneously burst into laughter. Bonnie threw a handful of grass at Meredith, who brushed it off and threw a dandelion back at her. Somewhere in the middle of it, Elena realized that she was going to be all right. She was herself again, not lost, not a stranger, but Elena Gilbert, the queen of Robert E. Lee. She pulled the apricot ribbon out of her hair and shook the hair free about her face. ââ¬Å"I've decided what to domy oral report on,â⬠she said, watching with narrow eyes as Bonnie finger-combed grass out of her curls. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠said Meredith. Elena tilted her chin up to gaze at the red and purple sky above the hill. She took a thoughtful breath and let the suspense build for a moment. Then she said coolly, ââ¬Å"The Italian Renaissance.â⬠Bonnie and Meredith stared at her, then looked at each other and burst into whoops of laughter again. ââ¬Å"Aha,â⬠said Meredith when they recovered. ââ¬Å"So the tiger returneth.â⬠Elena gave her a feral grin. Her shaken confidence had returned to her. And though she didn't understand it herself, she knew one thing: she wasn't going to let Stefan Salvatore get away alive. ââ¬Å"All right,â⬠she said briskly. ââ¬Å"Now, listen, you two. Nobody else can know about this, or I'll be the laughingstock of the school. And Caroline would just love any excuse to make me look ridiculous. But I do still want him, and I'm going to have him. I don't know how yet, but I am. Until I come up with a plan, though, we're going to give him the cold shoulder.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh,we are?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes,we are. You can't have him, Bonnie; he's mine. And I have to be able to trust you completely.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wait a minute,â⬠said Meredith, a glint in her eye. She unclasped the cloisonne pin from her blouse, then, holding up her thumb, made a quick jab. ââ¬Å"Bonnie, give me your hand.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why?â⬠said Bonnie, eyeing the pin suspiciously. ââ¬Å"Because I want to marry you. Why do you think, idiot?â⬠ââ¬Å"But-but-Oh, all right. Ow!â⬠ââ¬Å"Now you, Elena.â⬠Meredith pricked Elena's thumb efficiently, and then squeezed it to get a drop of blood. ââ¬Å"Now,â⬠she continued, looking at the other two with sparkling dark eyes, ââ¬Å"we all press our thumbs together and swear. Especially you, Bonnie. Swear to keep this secret and to do whatever Elena asks in relation to Stefan.â⬠ââ¬Å"Look, swearing with blood is dangerous,â⬠Bonnie protested seriously. ââ¬Å"It means you have to stick to your oath no matter what happens, no matterwhat , Meredith.â⬠ââ¬Å"I know,â⬠said Meredith grimly. ââ¬Å"That's why I'm telling you to do it. I remember what happened with Michael Martin.â⬠Bonnie made a face. ââ¬Å"That was years ago, and we broke up right away anyway and-Oh, all right. I'll swear.â⬠Closing her eyes, she said, ââ¬Å"I swear to keep this a secret and to do anything Elena asks about Stefan.â⬠Meredith repeated the oath. And Elena, staring at the pale shadows of their thumbs joined together in the gathering dusk, took a long breath and said softly, ââ¬Å"And I swear not to rest until he belongs to me.â⬠A gust of cold wind blew through the cemetery, fanning the girls' hair out and sending dry leaves fluttering on the ground. Bonnie gasped and pulled back, and they all looked around, then giggled nervously. ââ¬Å"It's dark,â⬠said Elena, surprised. ââ¬Å"We'd better get started home,â⬠Meredith said, refastening her pin as she stood up. Bonnie stood, too, putting the tip of her thumb into her mouth. ââ¬Å"Good-bye,â⬠said Elena softly, facing the headstone. The purple blossom was a blur on the ground. She picked up the apricot ribbon that lay next to it, turned, and nodded to Bonnie and Meredith. ââ¬Å"Let's go.â⬠Silently, they headed up the hill toward the ruined church. The oath sworn in blood had given them all a solemn feeling, and as they passed the ruined church Bonnie shivered. With the sun down, the temperature had dropped abruptly, and the wind was rising. Each gust sent whispers through the grass and made the ancient oak trees rattle their dangling leaves. ââ¬Å"I'm freezing,â⬠Elena said, pausing for a moment by the black hole that had once been the church door and looking down at the landscape below. The moon had not yet risen, and she could just make out the old graveyard and Wickery Bridge beyond it. The old graveyard dated from Civil War days, and many of the headstones bore the names of soldiers. It had a wild look to it; brambles and tall weeds grew on the graves, and ivy vines swarmed over crumbling granite. Elena had never liked it. ââ¬Å"It looks different, doesn't it? In the dark, I mean,â⬠she said unsteadily. She didn't know how to say what she really meant, that it was not a place for the living. ââ¬Å"We could go the long way,â⬠said Meredith. ââ¬Å"But that would mean another twenty minutes of walking.â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't mind going this way,â⬠said Bonnie, swallowing hard. ââ¬Å"I always said I wanted to be buried down there in the old one.â⬠ââ¬Å"Will you stop talking about being buried!â⬠Elena snapped, and she started down the hill. But the farther down the narrow path she got, the more uncomfortable she felt. She slowed until Bonnie and Meredith caught up with her. As they neared the first headstone, her heart began beating fast. She tried to ignore it, but her whole skin was tingling with awareness and the fine hairs on her arms were standing up. Between the gusts of wind, every sound seemed horribly magnified; the crunching of their feet on the leaf-strewn path was deafening. The ruined church was a black silhouette behind them now. The narrow path led between the lichen-encrusted headstones, many of which stood taller than Meredith. Big enough for something to hide behind, thought Elena uneasily. Some of the tombstones themselves were unnerving, like the one with the cherub that looked like a real baby, except that its head had fallen off and had been carefully placed by its body. The wide granite eyes of the head were blank. Elena couldn't look away from it, and her heart began to pound. ââ¬Å"Why are we stopping?â⬠said Meredith. ââ¬Å"I justâ⬠¦ I'm sorry,â⬠Elena murmured, but when she forced herself to turn she immediately stiffened. ââ¬Å"Bonnie?â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Bonnie, what's wrong?â⬠Bonnie was staring straight out into the graveyard, her lips parted, her eyes as wide and blank as the stone cherub's. Fear washed through Elena's stomach. ââ¬Å"Bonnie, stop it. Stop it! It's not funny.â⬠Bonnie made no reply. ââ¬Å"Bonnie!â⬠said Meredith. She and Elena looked at each other, and suddenly Elena knew she had to get away. She whirled to start down the path, but a strange voice spoke behind her, and she jerked around. ââ¬Å"Elena,â⬠the voice said. It wasn't Bonnie's voice, but it came from Bonnie's mouth. Pale in the darkness, Bonnie was still staring out into the graveyard. There was no expression on her face at all. ââ¬Å"Elena,â⬠the voice said again, and added, as Bonnie's head turned toward her, ââ¬Å"there's someone waiting out there for you.â⬠Elena never quite knew what happened in the next few minutes. Something seemed to move out among the dark humped shapes of the headstones, shifting and rising between them. Elena screamed and Meredith cried out, and then they were both running, and Bonnie was running with them, screaming, too. Elena pounded down the narrow path, stumbling on rocks and clumps of grass root. Bonnie was sobbing for breath behind her, and Meredith, calm and cynical Meredith, was panting wildly. There was a sudden thrashing and a shriek in an oak tree above them, and Elena found that she could run faster. ââ¬Å"There's something behind us,â⬠cried Bonnie shrilly. ââ¬Å"Oh, God, what's happening?â⬠ââ¬Å"Get to the bridge,â⬠gasped Elena through the fire in her lungs. She didn't know why, but she felt they had to make it there. ââ¬Å"Don't stop, Bonnie! Don't look behind you!â⬠She grabbed the other girl's sleeve and pulled her around. ââ¬Å"I can't make it,â⬠Bonnie sobbed, clutching her side, her pace faltering. ââ¬Å"Yes, you can,â⬠snarled Elena, grabbing Bonnie's sleeve again and forcing her to keep moving. ââ¬Å"Come on.Come on!â⬠She saw the silver gleam of water before them. And there was the clearing between the oak trees, and the bridge just beyond. Elena's legs were wobbling and her breath was whistling in her throat, but she wouldn't let herself lag behind. Now she could see the wooden planks of the footbridge. The bridge was twenty feet away from them, ten feet away, five. ââ¬Å"We made it,â⬠panted Meredith, feet thundering on the wood. ââ¬Å"Don't stop! Get to the other side!â⬠The bridge creaked as they ran staggering across it, their steps echoing across the water. When she jumped onto packed dirt on the far shore, Elena let go of Bonnie's sleeve at last, and allowed her legs to stumble to a halt. Meredith was bent over, hands on thighs, deep-breathing. Bonnie was crying. ââ¬Å"What was it? Oh, what was it?â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Is it still coming?â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought you were the expert,â⬠Meredith said unsteadily. ââ¬Å"For God's sake, Elena, let's get out of here.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, it's all right now,â⬠Elena whispered. There were tears in her own eyes and she was shaking all over, but the hot breath at the back of her neck had gone. The river stretched between her and it, the waters a dark tumult. ââ¬Å"It can't follow us here,â⬠she said. Meredith stared at her, then at the other shore with its clustered oak trees, then at Bonnie. She wet her lips and laughed shortly. ââ¬Å"Sure. It can't follow us. But let's go home anyway, all right? Unless you feel like spending the night out here.â⬠Some unnameable feeling shuddered through Elena. ââ¬Å"Not tonight, thanks,â⬠she said. She put an arm around Bonnie, who was still sniffling. ââ¬Å"It's okay, Bonnie. We're safe now. Come on.â⬠Meredith was looking across the river again. ââ¬Å"You know, I don't see a thing back there,â⬠she said, her voice calmer. ââ¬Å"Maybe there wasn't anything behind us at all; maybe we just panicked and scared ourselves. With a little help from the druid priestess here.â⬠Elena said nothing as they started walking, keeping very close together on the dirt path. But she wondered. She wondered very much.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Compare Chinese and Indian Creation Stories Essay
Creation stories or creation myths are narratives that explain how things began; they are usually passed down generations after generations. In almost every culture throughout the whole world there are a variety of versions of creation stories since the desire to know the origin of things around us is a common human instinct. Despite the differences between the cultures and countries, many common themes and elements can be found in their creation stories. In Both Chinese and Indian creation stories the creators of the earth are both a male human-being like figure with a nonspecific background. A long time ago the whole universe was coalesced into a cosmic egg, inside the egg there was nothing but darkness. Among these ââ¬Å"Hundun( )â⬠(a term was used to describe a nebulous state in Chinese) there was Pangu( ) who was resting for about 18,000 years, finally he woke up and feeling suffocated, so he decided to standup. However; he was wrapped tightly by this egg shell and he couldnââ¬â¢t even stretch his arms and legs. He pulled off one of his teeth and turned it into a huge axe and broke the egg shell into two parts with a powerful swing, the light part of the egg kept flying and became the sky (Yang) and the heavy part kept sinking and became the earth (Yin). Pangu was worried that the sky and earth would come back and close again. He decided to stand between them with his head supporting the sky and his feet on the earth, as time went by he grew taller and the sky and earth also got thicker each day. Another 18,000 years passed. Pangu used up all his strength and was convinced that the sky and the earth could stay separated forever. Finally he lay down and suddenly his left eye became the sun, his right eye became the moon; his breath became the wind and voice the thunder; his hair and beard became the shining stars and his arms formed the ground and the mountains; his blood formed the rivers and muscles the soil; his skin became the trees and flowers, teeth and bones turned into gold and mineralsâ⬠¦ Similar to the Chinese Pangu creation story the Indian Pimaââ¬â¢s creation story also started with a human-being like character whose name was Juh-wert-a Mah-Kai (ââ¬Å"The Doctor of the Earthâ⬠). He was floating in the empty darkness and eventually decided to create the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars and eventually the world that he was satisfied with. As we can see there are essential elements or parallels between the two creation stories. They both agreed that the world was crafted by an otherworldly being that had the supernatural powers and the creation of the earth both happened upon waking them up. They both invested in the essential elements that existed on earth from themselves, such as the sun, the moon and the stars. In addition, it is easy to notice that the gender of the creators was male which indicated that in both culture male was the symbol of strength and power. In ancient China this idea was greatly reflected since the male heritage was extremely important as they were the dominated ones in the society. Female characters also played an important role in both Chinese and Indian creation stories. After Pangu separated the sky and the earth, there was a woman Nuwa( ) who was the only human-being existing on earth. She was wondering around and trying to find someone to talk to. However, the fishes and the birds could not understand her. She felt so lonely and as she stopped by a pond where she saw her shadow reflected in the water, suddenly she realized that she needed someone like her on this earth, so she decided to create more human-beings like herself using the yellow clay and mud near the pond. She also made animals out of them such as chicken, dogs, cattle and horses. This kind of mother figure can also be found in the Indian Iroquois creation story where in the upper sky world there was a pregnant woman who gave birth to two twin boys. Both Nuwa and the Indian sky woman were female creators that created human-beings without another male figure involved since the creation stories were told long before people understand the reproductive process and the humans in these stories were undefined creatures that usually possessed unusual power. More importantly they both emphasized the primary responsibility of women in human society as involved in biological reproduction. It is not hard to notice that there are also some common events which happened in both creation stories, such as floods. After human-beings were created by Nuwa, they started to reproduce offspring. Among them there were two characters-fire and water. There was a time that fire and water had a war. The four pillars supporting between the sky and the earth collapsed which led to the rising of the oceans and there was fire and floods everywhere. While Nuwa felt helpless that a giant turtle came to her and offered its legs, Nuwa was able to use them to replace the four pillars and put them between the sky and the earth again and everything went back to normal. However there still were some damages, the sky was slightly ilted towards the northwest side which was the reason why the sun and the moon went back to the west in the end of the day. Also the earth was slightly sunk towards the southeast which explained that all the water and rivers were running and gathering in that direction. In the Indian Pumaââ¬â¢s flood story two snakes were made to try to stop the flood and the snakes were lying between the south and west, and after the flood people who were created in the story were settled down in different areas in same region where the Indians were found later on. The flood stories represented the recreation of the original earth that was created and explained the establishment of the orders of nature and societies. Turtle is also a common creature in both creating stories as we found in the Nuwaââ¬â¢s story and in the Indian Iroquois creation story a large turtle saved the sky woman and the back part of the turtle grew into an island of earth. In Chinese culture turtle is often treated as a magical animal, and it is one of the four guardians of the Chinese compass. It is commonly used to represent longevity and endurance in many other mythologies from different cultures since it has a long lifespan and the sturdiness of its back which was used as the implication for the origin of the earth. In conclusion, the Chinese and Indian creation stories are very similar in many aspects. They explained how the sky and earth were created from a state of darkness or ââ¬Å"Hundunâ⬠, and how was everything established and reestablished on earth, and they also tried to explain nature phenomena with a logical sense before any scientific explanations were established. They served as the foundations of the social structure for each culture and reflected the religions and beliefs in different cultures. They are also used as great sources today for studying the origins of the cultures. Some people today may look at these stories and find them amusing because it contradicts with scientific facts and evidence. In addition, some of these stories have been used for other purposes such as cartoons, novels, and convey the philosophy of life in an acceptable way that plays a vital role in society.
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