Transcendentalim and Walden Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Transcendentalim and Walden - Essay Example This section analyses Thoreau’s experience in the woods, his connection with nature and his journey to self-awareness. These themes and elements of transcendentalism are strengthened by the use of figures of speech, diction and tone. Thoreau alludes to various aspects of life, and philosophy to strengthen his case. This section restates the concept of transcendentalism, the elements that exemplify it, and the values that Thoreau seeks to teach his audience. The lessons to be learnt from Thoreau’s Walden are the concepts of free thought, individualism, self-reliance, and self-awareness and non-conformity in a bid to search for the true meaning of life. It should be highlighted, however, that people’s truths are different, and one should go on a personal journey of free spirited thought in order to find and live their own truth. People should speak their truths, as they live it. Walden is a book that Henry Thoreau uses to not only exemplify his beliefs, but those of transcendentalism. The book depicts transcendentalism as being a progressive movement towards individualism, self-reliance, education and people’s rights; one also concludes that transcendentalists are critical of social institutions, the government, religion, laws and creeping industrialization. One of the most important teachings that Henry Thoreau seeks to teach his audience, and that many people can pick up is that it is better for person to live frankly and openly as who they are, than to live as society or other external forces oblige one to live. People should learn to speak their truth, that which they have learnt for themselves and not that which they have been taught to accept as true; people should learn from the abundance of the universe and from the depths of their existence so as to be able to speak the truth as one lives it. An intelligent reader should be able to derive that

Overview of the Consequences of Cognitive Neuropsychology

Overview of the Consequences of Cognitive Neuropsychology The ability to study and understand the brain has evolved dramatically since people were first interested in the brains seemingly miraculous capacities. However, comprehending the input/output nature of the brain (and everything in between) has always been limited to behavioral tasks of healthy individuals. Unfortunately for science, a machine that cant be reverse engineered cannot be fully understood. To truly make sense of the diverse functions of each part of the brain, it is necessary to see the importance of studying individuals with brain damage. The field of cognitive neuropsychology occupies itself precisely with this concept. More or less, it offers the analogy of the brain as a sort of appliance, perhaps a television with lots of wires plugged into it. Assuming that none of the cables functions are labeled (as is obviously the case with the brain), the best way to discover which cable controls each part of the television is to unplug each cable one at a time and observe which parts of the television stop functioning. This analogy works well, given that a lesion in the brain is small enough to only effect a certain function. More diffuse brain damage is like more cables being removed at once; it becomes more difficult to declare, with precision, which cable controls which function. As non-invasive methods of imaging the brain have improved over the decades, it is no longer necessary to limit studies to healthy individuals, non-human animals, and less precise guessing as to the localization and diffusion of brain damage in patients. Techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow researchers to pinpoint where brain damage exists in patients, and, from further behavioral experiments, determine how the damage has affected the brain and, moreover, for which behavioral aspects the damaged part of the brain used to be responsible. Additionally, another technique, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), allows researchers to simulate a momentary lesion on superficial portions of the cortex. Clearly finding a patient with brain damage for every part single part of the brain is a scientific pipedream. Thus, by following the previous analogy, TMS offers the possibility to remove a cable and witness the effects without causing any permanent damage to the brain. This paper will show three cases of brain damage studies from the past, before such technology was available, and three from the present to contrast the difference in techniques and what the studies contributed to the field of neuroscience and demonstrated about brain function. No discussion of brain damage studies is complete without mentioning the case of Phineas Gage. Occurring in the 1840s, and arguably one of the most famous cases of all time, Gages face, skull, and brain were penetrated, through-and-through by a 3cm thick, 109cm long tamping iron. He was momentarily stunned but regained full consciousness immediately thereafter. He was able to talk and even walk with the help of his men (Harlow, 327). John M. Harlow, the doctor who looked after Gage after his accident, made observations about Gages behavior, such as [Gage has] succeeded in raising himself up, and took one step to his chair, and sat about five minutes. , and Intellectual faculties brightening. When I asked him how long since he was injured, he replied, four weeks this afternoon, at 4Â ½ oclock. Relates the manner in which it occurred, and how he came to the house. He keeps the day of the week and time of day, in his mind. Says he knows more than half of those who inquire after him. Do es not estimate size or money accurately, though he has memory as perfect as ever. (Passage of, 282) Assuming Gage had a normally developed brain, such observations essentially prove the concept of functional localization within the brain. Although it is easy to see this retrospectively because of what modern science has shown, Harlow didnt have the luxury of MRI or other techniques, apart from simple observation. By recognizing that Gages memory, speech, movement, and ability to learn were spared, but [h]is respect for the social conventions by which he once abided had vanished [(His abundant profanity offended those around him)] (Harlow, 327), Harlow was later able to connect Gages changed behavior to the frontal regions of the brain, which paved the way for further studies in seeking out the neural basis of various human capacities (ibid.). Understanding that each part of the brain does, in fact, have its own specific function was a crucial discovery in neuroscience and would have likely been impossible without patients such as Phineas Gage. Another patient similar to that of Gage, in terms of fame and selective damage, is Tan (named for the monosyllabic sound the he produced when trying to speak), the aphasic patient of the French surgeon Paul Broca. In 1861, Broca observed that Tan differed from a sane man only in the loss of articulated speech (Broca, 343). Given Tans symptoms, (for later in life he also presented with insensitivity on the right side, paralysis of both right limbs, weakened vision in his left eye ,and incomplete paralysis of the left cheek, in addition to the lack of speech) (347), Broca claimed that the principle cerebral lesion had to occupy the left hemisphere (ibid.). Only years later during the autopsy could Broca precisely observe the extent of the brain damage. In terms of Tans general behavior, however, Broca noted that [it was] certain that Tan understood almost everything that was said to him (345), that [n]umerical responses were those that he could make the best, by opening or closing his fingers (346), and that [t]he tongue was perfectly freethe patient could move it in all directionsThe muscles of the larynx seemed in no way altered, the quality of the voice was natural, and the sounds that the patient made in pronouncing his monosyllable were perfectly clear (345). These observations clearly indicate that Tan was still capable of expressing concepts, even if he was unable to express them strictly verbally, and that there existed a distinction between general vocal tract usage and speech production. These observations coupled with the results of the autopsy led Broca to realize that there existed of faculty of articulated language (as translated from French), lateralized to the left-hemisphere, distinct from comprehended language (35 6). However, the drawback to Tans case is that given the extent of his brain damage, Broca was still left pondering whether the faculty of articulated language depends on the anterior lobe considered as a whole, or especially on one of the convolutions of this lobe (357). Advances in technology in the next century would greatly strengthen his findings. Though in any case, Tans deficits led to the discovery of language in the left hemisphere and the notion that speaking meaningful words is distinct from general expression of concepts or of comprehending concepts as a whole. The case studied by Carl Wernicke greatly added to Brocas findings and strengthened the model of how language was processed in the brain by presenting a double dissociation between speech production and speech comprehension. Basically, Wernicke found a stroke patient in 1873 whose speech and hearing were unimpaired, but he couldnt make sense of what he read or what was said to him (Alic, 666). As it turned out, this condition, which essentially contrasted that of Brocas patient, Tan, was indeed localized to a different part of the brain. Upon autopsy, Wernicke found a lesion in the rear parietal/temporal region of the patients left brain hemisphere (ibid.). However, Wernicke regarded this facet of speech production and posited a connectionist-style theory of language production, thus he postulated that Brocas area and [his] area were connected, anddamage to this connection would cause conduction aphasia, a syndrome wherein a patient could both speak and understand language, but would misuse words (ibid.). From this connectionist notion, Wernicke theorized more deeply about general associations of a concept with language. In 1886, he made the claim that, in order to understand the word bell, the telegram arriving in [the speech comprehension center] must arouse in us the concept of the bell, i.e. the different memory images of the bell deposited in the cortex and localized in accordance with the sensory organs involved in their development. These areacousticoptictactileand finallymotor imagesthe arousal of each one separately is communicated to the others and they constitute a functional unit (Code, 15-16). Unaided by modern neuroimaging technology, Wernicke made a big step forward in connectionist-model theories on semantic associations and language production/comprehension. Together, Broca and Wernicke set the stage for studying language in the brain by having observed patients with specific brain damages and consequently conjecturing about the nature of the healthy human brain. Modern cognitive neuropsychology certainly follows the same principles in terms of assessing brain damage and theorizing about models of information streams. However, contemporary neuropsychologists have the benefit of computers, brain scanners, TMS, and, as seen in the next case, also infrared emitting diodes (IREDs). This next case is another classic, albeit much more recent: the study of patient DF by Goodale and Milner. DF was a middle-aged woman who was plagued by brain damage after carbon monoxide poisoning (Goodale, 154). The researchers could localize the damage without needing an autopsy thanks to MRI, which allowed further testing and studying to occur with knowledge of which structures were afflicted: the ventral and lateral occipital region, and in the parasagittal occipitoparietal region. After beginning neuropsychological testing, the researchers discovered that DF had a visual form agnosia (ibid.). Overall she showed poor perception of shapeorientationcolourintensitystereopsismotionproximitycontinuity, or similarity (Goodale, 154-155). Goodale and Milner ran several tests to discern how profoundly the visual form agnosia affected DF, and they came to realize a striking dissociation between [her] ability to perceive object orientation and her ability to direct accurate reaching movements toward objects (155). In one experiment DF had to indicate the orientation of a slot using a card by orienting the card similarly to the slot. Goodale notes that results here were grossly impaired (ibid), but when [she] was asked to reach out and post thecard through the slother performance was excellent (ibid.). The researchers ran a similar test to measure grip aperture between her index finger and thumb when she would pick up a small plaque. Here they employed the IREDs to measure the distance between the fingers and have numerical data to work with. Such a simple task is rendered quantitative (and thus scientifically measurable) merely by the technology available at the time. This second experiment had results similar to those of the first. Goodale notes that DFs estimates [of her grip aperture] did not change as a function of the width of the plaques (ibid.). However, when DF had to reach for the plaques and grab them, the aperturewas systematically related to the width of the object (ibid.). This profound dissociation arising from DFs brain damage led Goodale and Milner to suggest that at some level in the normal brains the visual processing underlying conscious perceptual judgments must operate separately from that underlying the automatic visuomotor guidance of skilled actions. (ibid). Such a claim of the brain having information that lies at a subconscious level could not have been postulated at the time without the (un)fortunate brain damage that afflicted DF. Building off of this notion of subconscious visual processing, the development of TMS has allowed researchers to test visual awareness (among other things) by momentarily disrupting parts of the brain via a magnetic pulse, effectively creating fake brain damage that is reversible: the immediate benefit being a neuropsychological approach to a question without needing to wait for a patient with precisely the right brain damage to appear. Ro discusses TMS experiments whose behavioral results are similar to those found by Goodale and Milner when testing DF. In the experiments, TMS suppressed primary visual cortex and despite unawareness of the orientation of a line in one experiment and unawareness of the colour of a dot in another experiment, subjects were nonetheless able to guess the orientation and colour of these stimuli presented within their TMS-induced scotomas at well-above chance levels (111). From this, he concludes that the results suggest a geniculoextrastriate pathway that bypasses V1 and projects directly from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) into extrastriate cortex, likely area V4. [Such] a direct anatomical pathway from LGN to V4 has been demonstrated in lower primates (112). However, Ro further postulates that information relayed through [the aforementioned] pathway is unconscious, at least without a functioning V1 (ibid.), a profound step toward the comprehension of human consciousness and what actually gives rise to the experience of awareness. The final case discussed in this paper is that of Etcoffs 1991 study of LH, a minister who suffered a severe closed head injury in an automobile accident at the age of 18. The accident and the surgical procedures it necessitated[resulted in] bilateral lesions affecting visual association corticesthe right temporal lobe, the left subcortical occipitotemporal white matter, and bilateral perietooccipital regions (Etcoff, 27). Etcoff remarked that predominant resulting behavior change was that LH can recognize most pictures of objects and most objects encountered in daily life, [but] he is unable to recognize the faces of his wife, children, friends, or members of his family of origin (28). Etcoff noted that in various tasks, LH found other strategies to guess the identity of the person. During a famous faces task, he recognize hairstyles, insignias, and uniforms to correctly guess whose face was presented to him, even though he couldnt recognize the face itself (28-29). This indicates that LH still has a semantic connection between, for example Einsteins hair and his identity, but the facial recognition portion of this association network was knocked out. More interestingly, LH was given the task of recognizing impossible faces from normal ones, i.e. duplicate facial features, strangely oriented features, etc., and consequently Etcoff commented that LH was able to distinguish a true from an impossible face with 97% accuracy[he] can truly recognize faces as faces, and is sensitive not just to gross information such as number of features and relative placement, but to subtler relational information about feature orientation (29). This shows a clear distinction between recognizing a face as an object and recognizing the semantic information that each individual face carries with it, thus the human brain must process faces specially, a process that is still studied extensively today. Etcoff even shared that LH likens the experience of looking at a face to attempting to read illegible handwriting: you know that it is handwriting, you know where the words and letters stop and start, but you have no clue as to what they signify (29). These six cases have demonstrated important discoveries about how the brain works through the lens of neuropsychology. From functional specialization and a man surviving a tamping iron blasting through his prefrontal cortex disrupting his personality, to distinct linguistic systems for producing and comprehending speech, to visual information existing in the brain without conscious knowledge of it, to the idea of primary visual cortex leading an essential role in consciousness, to faces being specially processed entities in the human brain, studying damaged brains has arguably led to understanding certain facets of the brain that otherwise might have been unimaginable. Furthermore, these six cases were only a handful of discoveries that have arisen from observing the behavioral results of brain damaged patients, used to illustrate the benefits of taking a neuropsychological approach to unraveling the mysteries of brain. However, every methodology has some amount of drawbacks, and neuropsychology is not excluded. For example, given a lesion in some area of the brain, the resulting change in behavior must be a function of how the damaged area was affected. But what is this function exactly? Why should brain damage cause the output that it does instead of some very similar but sightly different behavioral change? If it is a question of reductionism, then its only a matter of time before the gap between behavior and structure is solved, but at present, neuropsychology doesnt answer this. Secondly, brain damage tends to be accidental, and accidents can be messy (e.g. car crash). Lesions dont tend to be as simple as unplugging a single cable from the television, where only one aspect of the TV is clearly affected. Thus, finding clean, precise lesions that alter only one part of the brain is far less likely then finding diffuse brain damage. Even if a patient tends to have only one predominant behavioral change, it cannot be said with full certainty that other parts of his brain werent affected or arent contributing, to some degree, to the new behavioral output, thus possibly confounding data despite very careful experimental designs. Additionally, there is the question of neural plasticity, which Ro brings to attention in his study by mentioning that reorganisation of brain functionalso complicate[s] examinations of sensory processing and visual awareness (110), which is where the advent of TMS has been very helpful in that, apart from its aforementioned advantages, it drastically reduces or eliminates any opportunities for neural plasticity (ibid.). The issue here is that plasticity in brain damaged patients might result in a level of rewiring that is abnormal or unexpected, thus rendering the way in which parts of their brain function unique only to them. All in all, however, every methodology has its pros and cons, and neuropsychology has provided science with a myriad of profound insights into the brain and its functions. The disadvantages it carries with it serve as a reminder as to how careful one must be when interpreting data about an entity as enigmatic and elusive as the brain.

Apollo 13 (as-508): Houston, We Have A Problem. :: essays research papers

Apollo 13 (AS-508): Houston, we have a problem. The Apollo 13 mission was launched at 2:13 p.m. EST, April 11, 1970 from launch complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The space vehicle crew consisted of James A. Lovell, Jr. commander, John L. Swigert, Jr., command module pilot and Fred W. Haise, Jr. lunar module pilot. The Apollo 13 Mission was planned as a lunar landing mission but was aborted en route to the moon after about 56 hours of flight due to loss of service module cryogenic oxygen and consequent loss of capability to generate electrical power, to provide oxygen and to produce water. Spacecraft systems performance was nominal until the fans in cryogenic oxygen tank 2 were turned on at 55:53:18 ground elapsed time (GET). About 2 seconds after energizing the fan circuit, a short was indicated in the current from fuel cell 3, which was supplying power to cryogenic oxygen tank 2 fans. Within several additional seconds, two other shorted conditions occurred. Electrical shorts in the fan circuit ignited the wire insulation, causing temperature and pressure to increase within cryogenic oxygen tank 2. When pressure reached the cryogenic oxygen tank 2 relief valve full-flow conditions of 1008 psi, the pressure began decreasing for about 9 seconds, at which time the relief valve probably reseated, causing the pressure to rise again momentarily. About a quarter of a second later, a vibration disturbance was noted on the command module accelerometers. The next series of events occurred within a fraction of a second between the accelerometer disturbances and the data loss. A tank line burst, because of heat, in the vacuum jacket pressurizing the annulus and, in turn, causing the blow-out plug on the vacuum jacket to rupture. Some mechanism in bay 4 combined with the oxygen buildup in that bay to cause a rapid pressure rise which resulted in separation of the outer panel. The panel struck one of the dishes of the high-gain antenna. The panel separation shock closed the fuel cell 1 and 3 oxygen reactant shut-off valves and several propellant and helium isolation valves in the reaction control system. Data were lost for about 1.8 seconds as the high-gain antenna switched from narrow beam to wide beam, because of the antenna being hit and damaged. As a result of these occurrences, the CM was powered down and the LM was configured to supply the necessary power and other consumables. The CSM was powered down at approximately 58:40 GET. The surge tank and repressurization package were isolated with approximately 860 psi residual pressure (approx. 6.5 lbs of oxygen total). The primary water glycol system was

Indian Health Service: Creating a Climate for Change Essay

IHS is a very complex organization that serves the American Indian and Alaskan Native population. Effective health services for American Indians and Alaskan Natives had to integrate the philosophies of the tribes with those of the medical community. Because not all tribes signed treaties with the United States some people with Indian heritage were not eligible to participate with the federal government programs. Eligible people with Indian heritage were provided various services throughout the IHS programs; however, some IHS locations did not have the necessary equipment or facilities to provide comprehensive services. With the changing external environment and new demands, increasing need for services and shifting political picture, IHS must change internally to increase efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. IHS is very dedicated to respecting the local traditions and beliefs of tribes. IHS has not developed an adequate third-party payor system, has difficulty recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals and the population IHS serves has health status below the rest of the US. IHS must focus on implementing the Indian self-determination in order to increase the health status of the population to gain continued congressional funding and support. IHS wants to put healthcare back into the hands of the tribes. This is difficult because each tribe has different concepts of health and it is difficult to accommodate such a wide variety. Because of the scarce resources it will be difficult to determine which decisions and services should be centralized rather than decentralized. In order to implement the change, IHS should provide honest and open communication about the changes and how they will affect each tribe individually. IHS should also be responsive to criticisms and the individual traditions of each tribe. IHS should evaluate tribal satisfaction and health status outcomes to monitor the progress of the change. Key Issues 1. Why is the balancing of centralization and decentralization a major challenge faced by Dr. Trujillo? 2. What factors could impede changes to the Indian Health System? 3. How can Dr. Trujillo overcome some of the resistance to change? Situational Analysis Strengths Improved health status and decreased mortality in tribes 62% of healthcare workers were of American Indian or Alaska Native heritage Expansion of services provided to tribes Established scholarship and loan payback programs to increase the number of Indian healthcare professionals Weaknesses No third party payor billing system Recruitment and retention of professional staff Population’s health status is below the rest of the US Complicated organizational structure Limited equipment or facilities in certain areas Not collecting co-payments or deductibles Opportunities Increase the health status of the IHS population to gain continued congressional funding Indian self-determination Integrating the philosophies of the tribes with those of the medical community Federal recognition of tribes Strategic business plan to focus of revenue, cost control internal business improvements Threats No after-inflation increase in budget allocation Providing additional health services with little resources Tribes asking for more control over healthcare services Increasing funding for tribal contracts and compacts Stakeholders calling for major changes Organizational Strategy/Implementation Strategy 1. Why is the balancing of centralization and decentralization a major challenge faced by Dr. Trujillo? Stakeholders in IHS are calling for major changes while there is an evident need for new and innovative ways for funding. Balancing the centralization and decentralization will be a major challenge for Dr. Trujillo. A major challenge will be to determine how to shift the responsibility and accountability to the tribes. Dr. Trujillo will have to determine who will be responsible for supervision of these responsibilities and if adequate resources are available for the shift. It  is Dr. Trujillo’s hopes that this will increase tribal participation in IHS programs. It is often difficult to monitor and gather information in decentralized healthcare. It is also difficult to compare centralized and decentralized data. With the very different interpretations of healthcare in each tribe, it will also be a challenge to determine which services to centralize and decentralize. Financi al resources will have to be considered in the evaluation of centralized and decentralized services. It is important that tribes be able to fund their specific health programs but must also be able to stay within the allotted budget determined by IHS. This will also place an administrative burden on the tribes. It is important that the IHS determine the decisions and services most beneficial to the tribe to be decentralized in order to be efficient and effective in those communities. 2. What factors could impede changes to the Indian Health System? Lack of resources in certain areas and different tribal concepts of health could impede changes to the IHS. Without the resources necessary to transfer responsibility of health services over to tribes, the acceptance of tribal healthcare will be difficult. If resources are not available, tribes will not be responsive to the services offered. Determining the differing concepts in tribes could become conflicting with resources at times. The IHS has already tremendously improved the health status of its current population therefore, if tribal concept of health could be individually identified, IHS could reallocate resources and continue to provide primary care and education programs to those areas that would be most responsive. No increase in funding is another factor that could impede changes to the IHS. As tribes are continuing to sign treaties to be recognized by the federal government the service population is increas ing. Without sufficient funding it will be difficult to transfer the responsibility of services into the tribes. The shift in disease patterns and increase in elderly populations will only contribute to the increasing financial costs. Funding of IHS services also makes it difficult to recruit healthcare personnel. IHS could generate more revenue if the concerns about billing and collections were addressed properly. Proper training and controls would have to be implemented to adequately establish these services. The complicated organizational structure of IHS could also impede changes. The responsibilities of the IHS are interrelated and spread over  several organizations. It may become difficult to determine responsibilities in formal and less formal relationships especially if these responsibilities will expand into the tribes. 3. How can Dr. Trujillo overcome some of the resistance to change? A strategic business plan is already in process of being developed by a workgroup of tribal leaders, IHS personnel and private sector consultants. In order to overcome the resistance to change Dr. Trujillo must provide open communication between all stakeholders. Opening communication between all stakeholders will enable all concerns to be brought forward and addressed in the business plan. The goals of the new business plan should be communicated to each tribe efficiently with an explanation of how the plan will affect each tribe in meeting their individual goals. Regular meetings should be held to discuss the impact the business plan is having on the individual tribes and what concern or progresses the tribes are making. Opening communication can help reorganizing the current structure. IHS will be able to learn what concerns tribes have, how to train employees and the best way to implement the new changes. IHS shou ld be very observant during the change and respond to the tribe’s complaints while also praising their accomplishments. Starting out with pilot groups for certain services or ideas can be a great way to demonstrate how new services can be effective. This will influence other tribes to actually observe how a change may be able to work for them while also giving them a model to follow. Select individuals in each tribe should be identified and invited as a key member to participate in meetings to help lead the implementation of key strategies and health improvements. These individuals will be able to connect with members of their own tribes and communicate change in a way that honors the traditions and values of their tribe. Benchmarks for Success IHS will want to determine if their plans for change are successful. Below are multiple milestones that IHS should evaluate to monitor and determine if the implemented changes are successful: Are tribal culture, values, religion and traditions are respected when delivering health services Are proper resources being utilized to meet the individual tribe’s needs Are healthcare services being delivered more efficiently Are the changes meeting the health needs of the individual tribe Are billings and collections being captured accurately.  Is health status improving in different areas in different tribes Is health status improving in comparison to the rest of the US.

Why women failed to gain the vote between 1900 and 1914?

The women's suffrage movements were originaly from the United States during the 19th Century. In colonial America, as elsewhere(Austrialia and new zealand] in the world particularly Britain, civil law did not recognize the equality of men and women. some men thought that many women were a waste and can never be good as men. During 1900 and 1914 a woman had no legal rights. A married women's belongings belonged to her husband, this included earnings as well as all her property and goods. in other words she was like a mere object in the mans hands. To today's standards this is completely outrageous, in today's society women can expect to be treated exactly as the opposite sex when it comes to work and other things. This is abundant in the rise of popularity of woman's football and female boxing. During the 1800, women were expected to be perfect – in those days a perfect lady would be expected to have a pale face, do absolutely no exercise and have very delicate constitution, they where expected to be good hostesses and certainly know their place in society. Women never even received the same level of education as men. ome women nerver even got eduction. They were considered as being too stupid for higher education. However not all women where satisfied with their position in life. They believed that they were stuck in a vicious circle, which if not impossible, would be very difficult to break out of. The earlier years of the 20th centruary in Britian saw a concerted campaign for the right to vote for women. the women's social and political union, otherwise known as the suffragettes, was founded in 1903 by the Pankhurst family. he campaign for the right to vote for women between 1905 and 1914 became increasingly militant as women were prepared to take direct action, such as distruption of meetings, chaining themselves to railings outside 10 downing street, smashing windows and rioting. at one stage the prime minister,s country house was fire bombed. as a result of this many suffragettes found themselves inside holloway prison where they resorted to hungry strikes. the prison aouthorities responded with forcible feeding. There is no simple answer why the suffrage movement failed between 1900 and 1914, instead, a series of long and short term causes. The main point of this essay is to analyze, as well as discuss these reasons in detail. If possible I will put them in order of importance. women where treated very harshly in the 1900 as they were objects in front on mens eyes. when a woman got married all her belongings wer transfered to her husband and they were now the property of the husband. in other words married women were legally dead in the eyes of the law. omen had no property rights, all thier property was thier husbands. all women were robbed off thier self-confidence and self-respect and this made them totalyy dependent on men. No woman could get eduction since no college or university would accept women students but there were 1 or 2 exceptions. the women wanted the vote becouse they wanted to be equaly nown in public as men. wanted there rights. wanted thier belongings. wanted to be rembered for somethin. wanted to have the right to vote and have a saying in the country. anted people to hear what they have to say about how the country is run. The Suffragists were called the shrieking sisterhood, branded as unfeminine, and accused of immorality and drunkenness. Many citizens and a great deal of newspapers where strongly against ‘The National Union Of Women's Suffrage Societies'. Suffragist leaders were often subjected to physical abuse. Suffragist meetings were repeatedly stormed and disrupted by street gangs. On many occasions the speaker at a suffragist meeting would hold a revolver to discourage possible attacks from the audience. However, it was not only men that were against the suffragist movement, many, if not most upper-class women were against the movement, including Queen Victoria. There were many reasons why anti-suffragists felt this way. The anti-suffragists partly based their assumptions on the difference between the male and female physical abilities; they did not discuss the biological difference because they did not believe it was appropriate for public discussion. Instead, emphasis was put on the ‘fragility' of the women claiming that this is what made her ‘unsuited' for the vote. The physical weakness of the female would be potentially dangerous. They argues that assuming she reached the polling place, she might get caught up in a brawl and given the women's natural fragility, she would be the one to get hurt. Beyond these reasons existed the belief that allowing women to vote would jeopardize the nation's security and lead, ultimately, to war. One leader of the anti-suffragists said: â€Å"Allowing women to vote would lead to foreign aggression and war. † The second areas of difference between men and women which the anti's argued, was the issue of morality. A anti who spoke at a hearing in Connecticut on women's suffrage observed that: â€Å"The most convincing reason I have heard was the one offered by Miss Pearson. ‘We want the ballot, and we want it when we want it. ‘ This shows the depth of intelligence. † The anti-suffragists also predicted that if women were given the vote disastrous results would occur. The antis believed that political involvement would put them in situations were the male vulnerability would be exploited. However, above all the anti-suffragists were afraid about the emotional state of women. Men where described as rational and emotionally stable, women were portrayed as ‘high strung,' tense, irritable and irrational. One anti said that â€Å"when women generally vote and hold office, the desire for publicity and love of the limelight will combine to produce a form of hysteria. † Some took this idea further and argued that since all women suffragists bordered on hysteria there was no need to take their arguments seriously. They said that when women vote, she would let her feelings rather then her intellectual concern be the main reasons for their vote Some more eccentric people said that allowing women to have the vote would breed a nation of transvestites and that women could hide extra voting slips in their ‘voluminous sleeves' The position of certain key political parties was also a huge contributor to why women never got the vote between 1900 and 1914. For if women wanted the vote, ultimately if would have been the MP's that they would have had to convince. Many backbench Liberal MP's were supporters of votes for women, but the Liberal leaders were opposed to it. This was because they feared that, if only better-off, property owning women got the vote, these women would vote for their arch rival, the Conservative party. On the other hand, some conservative leaders, liking the prospect of more conservative voters, were quite keen on women's suffrage. But they took no action because their backbench MP's were completely opposed, on principle, to change the role of women. In addition, both parties had bigger worries then female suffrage. Neither party was prepared to adopt female suffrage as party policy, so it never got priority in parliament. In 1903, many suffragists where angry at the lack of success that had come their way, as a result, a lady called Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst founded a new organization, which was called the Women's Social and Political Union or WSPU in short. The Daily Mail called then the ‘suffragettes' and with them making so many headlines this name became hard to shake off. The suffragettes had the same goal and ambitions as the suffragists, however, they believed that the only way to reach their goal was to become more radical and militant. The suffragettes disrupted political meeting and repeatedly harassed ministers. Asquith, who at that time was a Liberal Prime Minister, came under particularly heavy abuse due to his views on women suffrage. they physically assulted politicans, destroyed paintings in the national gallery and in 1913 emily davison threw herself under the king's horse and was killed. there violent tactics may have lots support for the camaign. After a women's suffrage bill ran out of time in 1908, direct action from the suffragettes began. The suffragettes began making speeches at 10 Downing street, they even chained themselves to railing to stop being moved on, in doing so getting themselves arrested. In that same year stones where thrown thought the windows of 10 Downing street There was however logic behind the violence. The suffragettes believed that the government ignored the calls for women suffrage because there where more important issues. The Suffragettes believed that by becoming more radical and violent the government where forced to listen whether they liked it or not, they believed that processions and petitions, however large, were easily ignored. the goverment di not want to be seen to give in to the violent demandss as this would mak them look weak. There where mixed reactions to the ‘Direct Action' that the Suffragettes employed. Some people where worried, some sympathetic and some were scornful. It was the reaction from the Suffragists that surprised people the most. Many suffragists admired the readiness of suffragettes to go to jail for the cause. When the first suffragette was imprisoned, Mrs. Fawcett put on a banquet for them when they where released. This did not last, for as the Suffragettes got more violent and radical the further apart the two groups got, relationships between then become very strained. The suffragists believed that you cant win the right for a democratic vote by using undemocratic methods, they also believed that the violence would put of the MP's that would have backed their cause. There is no doubt that the increase in violence alienated the support for woman's suffrage. By 1913 many suffragettes where imprisoned. The violence did however achieve one of its goals, it certainly raised the profile of the issue and it could not longer be ignored. But in doing so they damaged the bigger picture, for know there was a reason for their opponents for rejecting woman's suffrage. If the MP's gave in to the violence from the suffragettes what hope will they have when dockers or mine workers riot for higher wages? From 1911 onwards, whenever the issue of woman's suffrage was debated in parliament, there was a bigger majority against women's suffrage. In 1914 Britain declared war in Germany, from August to September many different women's organizations were set up, including the Women's Hospital Corp and the Women's Police Volunteers. This meant that all suffragist and suffragette campaigns had to be halted. I think that the most important reason for why the women suffrage was unsuccessful during 1900 and the 1914 was the fact that, peoples minds at that time where not prepared for such a big advancement, it is true that the suffragettes reduced their chances significantly, but I believe that even if there was no violence the women would have still not got the vote until after the war becouse that is when they really proved themsleves as they helped out greatly in the first world war.

Theres More to Lulu.com Than You Realize

Theres More to Lulu.com Than You Realize Publishing has become a difficult business of late, with self-publishing horror stories and abundant free content discouraging even the most determined of writers. Enter lulu.com, a one-stop shop for writers wanting to take their publishing dreams into their own hands. Lulu offers a wealth of resources for writers, and some of the most useful are not readily apparent from the homepage. This article will whet your appetite with a few of the highlights that this website offers, but there is certainly more of use than what you will read here.AudienceLulu is a very specific writers resource and focuses mainly on the tasks of publishing and marketing completed works, more than how or what to write. Although there is some information available on more general writing skills and topics, this is first and foremost a site about publication, and all of the fun and frustrating aspects of it; from personal ISBN numbers, to spine width calculators for hardcover books (available in the Lulu Self-P ublishing Toolkit). That said, if you are looking to improve your skills as a writer, or bone up on a new genre or style, this may not be the most useful site that you can visit, despite its breadth of topics.Some of you may be asking, what if I dont know whether or not I want to self-publish? Well, there are guides which outline the demographics and pros/cons of different vendors and formats that might help you make that decision. Honestly, I had never considered self-publishing a viable option for writers who want to, to put it bluntly, be paid for their work, but this site makes a compelling case, with alluring profit margins helpfully displayed for each type of product and vending outlet, and an entire section dedicated to selling your work. It is definitely worth a look.This site makes a compelling case, with alluring profit margins helpfully displayed for each type of product and vending outlet, and an entire section dedicated to selling your work. It is definitely worth a loo k.Tried and tested publishers rarely give writers, especially new ones, this much control over content and format, either. With Lulu, you choose what goes into your book, what gets cut, what color the cover is, whether you want a certain image on a dust jacket, and even the always contentious title; all up to you. It is a very well-done, and enticing option that Lulu presents. While I cant attest to how well these methods work in real world sales scenarios, there are a seemingly endless stream of reviews scrolling across a green banner which can; most of them very positive.Lulu Self-Publishing ToolkitThe Lulu Self-Publishing Toolkit provides a wealth of tools and resources for writers looking to end the rejection letter cycle, and get their work out themselves. The thorough nature of the websites creators makes it a user-friendly interface, which even the most inept of computer users among us can navigate with ease. With creation and conversion guides that walk users through a seque ntial, step-by-step process of creating a finished piece, decisions are broken down into manageable bits, which make the process seem simple and fun. Choices such as print versus electronic, paper size, and text/paper color combinations are displayed with straightforward instructions, and amusing graphics. Just reading about it makes you want to click on over, doesnt it?Here are just a few of the immensely helpful resources in the Lulu Self-Publishing Toolkit:TipsInfographicsPublishing GuidesSelf-Publishing ChecklisteBook Conversion GuideCover TemplateThat covers the nitty gritty of producing a book, but what does Lulu offer by way of all the other tasks that go into publishing? So glad that you asked, as the author services section is one of my favorite parts of this website.Publishing Marketing ServicesThe Publishing Marketing Services section of Lulu is just that; a compilation of some of the most useful services that a writer could need. Yes, before you ask, many of these serv ices have fees, which seem reasonable for what is being provided. Just like authors wanting to receive adequate compensation for their work, illustrators, editors, and others have honed their respective crafts in order to provide you with the best service possible, and thus deserve to receive some remuneration. The most impressive service available, in my opinion, is the toll-free phone number, which allows you to talk to an actual human being, who will aid you in choosing the services and providers that are right for your project and budget; invaluable. I should note that this service is available via email, as well, for the more reclusive among us. Among the impressive list of services offered via the user interface, are:Publishing Cover DesignsPersonal ISBN (International Standard Book Number)Color Illustrations; monochrome, tooDevelopmental Editing (one of five editing services offered)Social Media Coach; marketingHollywood Screenplay assistanceHonestly, they had me at personal ISBN; they clearly know writers.Within this web of online service providers, lies the editing services section, and your new best friend, if you are big on ideas, but not the most experienced when it comes to literary format. The Developmental Editing package offers all of the normal editing services that one might commonly expect, like punctuation and grammar, plus book level plot and flow analysis; all in one easy to hire service. Here is an excerpt from the service description:For works of fiction, the editor will analyze the readership and genre to determine whether the content is appropriate. He will then examine essential considerations such as plot, pace, characterization and dialog. For nonfiction titles, the editor will analyze the readership, purpose, and possible uses of the work to determine whether the content is complete and appropriate†¦Once big-picture changes have been made, the second step, a Content Edit, begins; the content editor will check the manuscript f or errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. And third, the manuscript will receive a quality review to ensure the manuscript is editorially sound before it goes into production.Lulu.comOf course, line editing and content editing are available as stand-alone services, as well, for those who only need a second set of eyes in a more limited capacity. However, for the first-time writer, or those branching out to a new genre, the full-service package is an invaluable way to get a thorough, in-depth analysis of their work, with constructive feedback. And instead of having to personally research and vet a variety of editors, you can simply contact the helpful folks at Lulu, who will match your project with the most appropriate editor.For the first-time writer, or those branching out to a new genre, the full-service package is an invaluable way to get a thorough, in-depth analysis of their work, with constructive feedback.Non-writersIn addition to services for authors, Lulu highlights their benefits for Artists, Educators, and Nonprofits on their homepage, showcasing various book types and formats (photo book, calendar, etc.) available, which might better suit these groups. To be fair, these are not additional or separate services being offered, but more a quick reference to which of Lulus extensive services might best suit each type of creator. Still, the option is there, and the ability to specifically format a photo or cooking book might get even experienced authors thoughts going in a new and creative direction.Print eBookThe Create page is where the fun, magical part of self-publishing begins, as clients are first faced with that often difficult, but crucial, question; Print or eBook? This section is the one that I could see becoming a real rabbits hole, with extensive color and font options- not to mention graphics that could keep me happily planning book designs for hours. This section is also one that is empowering to creators and writers, though, with e ach and every decision resting solely in your hands; both a heady and slightly nerve wracking prospect.Should the paper versus pdf dilemma still confuse you, never fear. In addition to guides explaining option outcomes and likely demographics, there is a Knowledge Base page, with articles, questions, and responses from members of the Lulu Community. Fellow writers, illustrators, and creators have contributed useful knowledge and hard-won tips that can help guide you in your quest to make your personal labor of love as perfect as possible.Sum it upLulu.com is truly a remarkable website for authors, and might just be the resource that you are looking for to jumpstart your fledgling publication list, or mix things up with a new genre. Even if you would never considered self-publication, there is a shop area full of works by independent authors that is worth a look- both for research and personal enjoyment purposes- and a wealth of useful information about genres, vendors, and demograph ics that can enhance the industry knowledge base of any author.The publishing world is rapidly changing, and many authors feel overwhelmed by the new realities of Ebooks and downloadable content. Whether you feel perfectly comfortable pounding out Ebooks, or are just dipping your toe into electronic formatting, Lulu can help you to be more successful in your writing career, and we all need that kind of resource.

Propaganda During WWI essays

Propaganda During WWI essays Propaganda is a term used to describe the deliberate spreading of ideas and rumors in order to gain what one wants. It is most commonly used by governments and big businesses in order to get the public to believe what they desire. There was a great deal of propaganda taking place in the United States during its involvement in the first World War. (Miller, 47) In 1917, Woodrow Wilson set up the Committee on Public Information in the U.S. The goal of this committee was to get the rest of the world to believe in America's capabilities at the time. Part of the propaganda being spread at this time was anti-German. This led to the removal of all things German from American culture. Art created by German Artists was taken down from museums, and music from Germany by composers such as Bach, and Beethoven was seldom heard. This committee was responsible for creating movies and literature that influenced many against the Germans during the first world war. Movies like "The Beast of Berlin" and "To Hell with the Kaiser" were specifically fabricated by the government and were received with widespread popularity among the American citizens. This made life difficult for many people of german heritage living in the U.S. at this time. They faced a great deal of negativity from the people who were being conditioned to dislike all of Germany, even its f ood. Propaganda was put into action by the government to help justify its attack on Germany which brought the United States into the war. The country could not successfully fight unless it got its people and other countries to support its cause. The way the government was dealing with opposers to its beliefs during this time was harsh. Those suspected of treason were dealt with immediately to prevent a possible spread of radical ideas that could lead to an uprising. The country was strong during this period but not as strong as it wanted to be in order to secure itself. The Americans also educate...

Sri Lanka Facts and History

Sri Lanka Facts and History With the recent end of the Tamil Tiger insurgency, the island nation of Sri Lanka seems poised to take its place as a new economic powerhouse in South Asia. After all, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) has been a key trading hub of the Indian Ocean world for more than a thousand years. Capital and Major Cities Administrative Capital: Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, metro population 2,234,289 Commercial Capital: Colombo, metro population 5,648,000 Major Cities: Kandy population 125,400Galle population 99,000Jaffna population 88,000 Government The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has a republican form of government, with a president who is both head of government and head of state. Universal suffrage starts at age 18. The current president is Maithripala Sirisena; presidents serve six-year terms. Sri Lanka has a unicameral legislature. There are 225 seats in Parliament, and members are elected by popular vote to six-year terms.  The Prime Minister is Ranil Wickremesinghe. The president appoints judges to both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. There are also subordinate courts in each of the countrys nine provinces. People Sri Lankas total population is approximately 20.2 million as of the 2012 census. Nearly three-quarters, 74.9%, are ethnic Sinhalese. Sri Lankan Tamils, whose ancestors came to the island from southern India centuries ago, make up about 11% of the population, while more recent Indian Tamil immigrants, brought in as agricultural labor by the British colonial government, represent 5%. Another 9% of Sri Lankans are the Malays and Moors, descendants of Arab and Southeast Asian traders who plied the Indian Ocean monsoon winds for more than a thousand years. There are also tiny numbers of Dutch and British settlers, and aboriginal Veddahs, whose ancestors arrived at least 18,000 years ago. Languages The official language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala. Both Sinhala and Tamil are considered national languages; only about 18% of the population speaks Tamil as a mother tongue, however. Other minority languages are spoken by about 8% of Sri Lankans. In addition, English is a common language of trade, and approximately 10% of the population are conversant in English as a foreign language. Religion Sri Lanka has a complex religious landscape. Almost 70% of the population are Theravada Buddhists (mainly the ethnic Sinhalese), while most Tamils are Hindu, representing 15% of Sri Lankans. Another 7.6% are Muslims, particularly the Malay and Moor communities, belonging primarily to the Shafii school within Sunni Islam. Finally, about 6.2% of Sri Lankans are Christians; of those, 88% are Catholic and 12% are Protestant. Geography Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, southeast of India. It has an area of 65,610 square kilometers (25,332 square miles), and is mostly flat or rolling plains. However, the highest point in Sri Lanka is Pidurutalagala, at an impressive 2,524 meters (8,281 feet) in altitude. The lowest point is sea level. Sri Lanka sits at the middle of a tectonic plate, so it does not experience volcanic activity or earthquakes. However, it was heavily impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which killed more than 31,000 people in this mostly low-lying island nation. Climate Sri Lanka has a maritime tropical climate, meaning that it is warm and humid throughout the year. Average temperatures ranges from 16 °C (60.8 °F) in the central highlands to 32 °C (89.6 °F) along the northeast coast. High temperatures in Trincomalee, in the northeast, can top 38 °C (100 °F). The entire island generally has humidity levels between 60 and 90% year-round, with the higher levels during the two long monsoonal rainy seasons (May to October and December to March). Economy Sri Lanka has one of the strongest economies in South Asia, with a GDP of $234 billion US (2015 estimate), a per capita GDP of $11,069, and a 7.4% annual growth rate. It receives substantial remittances from Sri Lankan overseas workers, mostly in the Middle East; in 2012, Sri Lankans abroad sent home about $6 billion US. Major industries in Sri Lanka include tourism; rubber, tea, coconut and tobacco plantations; telecommunications, banking and other services; and textile manufacturing. The unemployment rate and percentage of the population living in poverty are both an enviable 4.3%. The islands currency is called the Sri Lankan rupee. As of May, 2016, the exchange rate was $1 US 145.79 LKR. History The island of Sri Lanka appears to have been inhabited since at least 34,000 years before the present. Archaeological evidence suggests that agriculture began as early as 15,000 BCE, perhaps reaching the island along with the ancestors of the aboriginal Veddah people. Sinhalese immigrants from northern India likely reached Sri Lanka around the 6th century BCE. They may have established one of the earliest great trade emporiums on earth; Sri Lankan cinnamon appears in Egyptian tombs from 1,500 BCE. By about 250 BCE, Buddhism had reached Sri Lanka, brought by Mahinda, the son of Ashoka the Great of the Mauryan Empire. The Sinhalese remained Buddhist even after most mainland Indians had converted to Hinduism. Classical Sinhalese civilization relied on complicated irrigation systems for intensive agriculture; it grew and prospered from 200 BCE to about 1200 CE. Trade flourished between China, Southeast Asia, and Arabia by the first few centuries of the common era. Sri Lanka was a key stopping point on the southern, or sea-bound, branch of the Silk Road. Ships stopped there not only to restock on food, water and fuel, but also to buy cinnamon and other spices. The ancient Romans called Sri Lanka Taprobane, while Arab sailors knew it as Serendip. In 1212, ethnic Tamil invaders from the Chola Kingdom in southern India drove the Sinhalese south. The Tamils brought Hinduism with them. In 1505, a new kind of invader appeared on Sri Lankas shores. Portuguese traders wanted to control the sea-lanes between the spice islands of southern Asia; they also brought missionaries, who converted a small number of Sri Lankans to Catholicism. The Dutch, who expelled the Portuguese in 1658, left an even stronger mark on the island. The legal system of the Netherlands forms the basis for much of modern Sri Lankan law. In 1815, a final European power appeared to take control of Sri Lanka. The British, already holding the mainland of India under their colonial sway, created the Crown Colony of Ceylon. UK troops defeated the last native Sri Lankan ruler, the King of Kandy, and began to govern Ceylon as an agricultural colony that grew rubber, tea, and coconuts. After more than a century of colonial rule, in 1931, the British granted Ceylon limited autonomy. During World War II, however, Britain used Sri Lanka as a forward post against the Japanese in Asia, much to the irritation of Sri Lankan nationalists. The island nation became fully independent on February 4, 1948, several months after the Partition of India and the creation of independent India and Pakistan in 1947. In 1971, tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka bubbled over into armed conflict. Despite attempts at a political solution, the country erupted into the Sri Lankan Civil War in July of 1983; the war would continue until 2009, when government troops defeated the last of the Tamil Tiger insurgents.

Summary of Article on Current Business Issue Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summary of on Current Business Issue - Article Example Each year thousands of new college graduates enter the job market in America. During the summer of 2012 the U.S. economy lost 8.8 million jobs and only added 3.8 million which results in a net job loss of 5 million jobs (Corona, 2012). It is estimated that if the U.S wants to cut down the unemployment rate to 6%, which would be near the natural unemployment rate of 5%, for it to happen the U.S would have to create 361,000 jobs a month for the next three years (Corona, 2012). One of the reasons that the official economic unemployment rate the government promotes is not accurate is because it does not account for the 88 million Americans that have given up in finding a job due to the poor job marketplace in America. The unemployment dilemma in our country is about to get worse because as reputable sources such as the Wall Street Journal predict a slowdown in the second half of the year and high unemployment for years to come (Corona, 2012). The current employment crisis in America is t he government fault. The current economic policies the government is implementing are not creating sufficient jobs to reduce unemployment in America. President Obama has been heavily criticized for maintaining Bush tax cuts for the middle class for another year. The policy Obama implement has been viewed as a strategy to earn votes during the upcoming elections. These fiscal policies are outdated since they are aligned with the strategies that the government has used during the last ten years. There is some speculation that the current government is going to impose tax hikes if the Democratic government is reelected. The Unites States economy has a great effect on the economies of many countries around the world. â€Å"There is some truth that our problems are a reflection of troubles in the European Union and a softening of the Chinese economy† (Corona, 2012). The Unites States is the largest trading partner with China and it is not in the best interest of China for the U.S economy to be suffering. Most economists agree that when the U.S economy is booming it has ripple effect that positively impacts the global economy. The TARP legislation has been viewed as a negative variable that has not served its purpose of helping the economic system. These governmental policies were focused on saving the banking industry rather than the general business community. A major reason for the bad state of the U.S economy is the lack of trust of American in what the government if doing. People are getting frustrated at the slow reaction of governmental official at tacking the issues and problems in the economy. A major drawback of the new governmental policies is that they are increasing the taxes for business entities. This is causing a lot of multinational companies to move their operations oversee where they can obtain cheaper labor costs and preferential tax treatments. A lot of companies in the U.S are riding tough economic times and the government is not doing a nything to gain their confidence that they can continue to operate in America in a profitable manner. When businesses face tough economic times the inevitable result is a lack of job creation and a movement of multinational operations to downsizing their operations in America in search for cost savings by moving operations oversee. It is sad that in the United States small companies

Desert of the Skeletons (full documentary) Essay

Desert of the Skeletons (full documentary) - Essay Example Women cover their body with thick reddish cream and wash their hair with ash. People bath only once in their lives before getting married; this fact is disappointing from the western point of view because people care about high hygiene standards. The Himba live in small huts made of clay, branches and other available materials. They move across the desert according to the season in order to get enough water for their cattle to survive. All in all, this movie reveals the fact that not all people accept the changes of the world. Bushmen and the Himba prefer to hide from the rest of the world and follow their traditional way of life. The influences of globalization are obvious even in their tribes; some of hunters wear snickers. The survival skills of these people are amazing; they know all edible plants and animal species in their area. Their respect to their tradition is very relevant for other people to understand how people lived before the civilization. This movie inspires to read more about indigenous peoples to understand their customs at least a little better. Also, Bushmen people can teach other nations how to live in harmony with their

Desert of the Skeletons (full documentary) Essay

Desert of the Skeletons (full documentary) - Essay Example Women cover their body with thick reddish cream and wash their hair with ash. People bath only once in their lives before getting married; this fact is disappointing from the western point of view because people care about high hygiene standards. The Himba live in small huts made of clay, branches and other available materials. They move across the desert according to the season in order to get enough water for their cattle to survive. All in all, this movie reveals the fact that not all people accept the changes of the world. Bushmen and the Himba prefer to hide from the rest of the world and follow their traditional way of life. The influences of globalization are obvious even in their tribes; some of hunters wear snickers. The survival skills of these people are amazing; they know all edible plants and animal species in their area. Their respect to their tradition is very relevant for other people to understand how people lived before the civilization. This movie inspires to read more about indigenous peoples to understand their customs at least a little better. Also, Bushmen people can teach other nations how to live in harmony with their

Quiz 1 Spring 2014 for Escape from Camp 14 Essay - 1

Quiz 1 Spring 2014 for Escape from Camp 14 - Essay Example nce he constantly saw her as a threat to his survival in prison, especially during her childhood years in the prison, for example, since she beat him, and she was also a competitor for food to him (Harden, 3). The fact that the horrendous experiences in the prison that had taught him something different from what humanity is, he could not relate to what it means to be human, to have family, and to relate with others at a human level. His dark secret has now caused him agony, even after 7 years of freedom in USA, despite his attempts to reinvent himself through changing his name (Harden, 1). The memories of seeing his mother hanged and those of seeing his brother shot dead, especially coupled with the fact that Shin is the one who betrayed them is an experience that has completely incapacitated him, so much so that, after experiencing humane living condition and after relating with other people at a human level, he is unable to forgive himself for the betrayal. Shins behavior, like everyone elses in Camp 14, is completely different from that of people living in a free world, or at least those who were not born in a prison camp in North Korea, and his behavior is based on a radically different moral code. It is completely incomprehensible and even inconceivable in the mind of a person who has lived his whole life in a free world, for example, the fact that a son can actually feel glad and relieved by the death of his mother and his brother (Harden, 3). It is even more inconceivable why a person would like to betray his own family; his only family as far as he knows it, especially because Shin was born in a prison camp and therefore did not know any more family or relatives, other than the ones he had in prison. This is because love to him was a meaningless word, having viewed her mother as a threat from childhood, while viewing his brother as a stranger and his father as just any other visitor who cohabited with her mother five times a year (Harden, 3). Such are the

Politics and media Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Politics and media - Research Paper Example For effective intersubjectivity, the producer of the message needs to adapt it according to receivers’ interpretive process. On the other hand in order to effectively understand the message, the receiver needs to interpret the message in accordance to its source. Key Challenges to Achieving Intersubjectivity in a Fractured Media Landscape The media landscape is changing. Presently people are shifting from traditional forms of media like newspaper and television to the web , blogs, RSS feeds and social media sites to obtain their news updates. Initially what had been a passive audience has now become active with the help of these non traditional media (Jisun. Et al, 2011). The users are now capable of filtering, sharing and commenting on news. Just like all walks of life, politics too has been greatly influenced by the new media. Since 2008, politicians would not think whether or not to use the new media, but how to incorporate it. President Obama is often cited as one of the k ey candidates who changed the face of political campaigning by utilizing networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Some even claim that President Obama’s success in Iowa had a great deal to do with his ability to mobilize young voters through the new media (Perlmutter, 2008, p.160). He was effectively able to achieve intersubjectivity through his campaign by truly understanding the needs of his listeners. The youth generally perceived politics are dirty and didn’t want to get involved, through his campaign President Obama attempted to make politics inspiring and interesting. He also chose the best media—the social website to aggressively deliver the message. The use of SNS cannot be applied in all instance because according to a survey it was found that the greater the political involvement of a voter, the less likely they were to use SNS for political information. This suggests that although SNS is significant in the US as a political tool for furthering the same thoughts in politics or for campaigns and for acquiring support, other resources also need to be utilized to gain favor of politically active voters. According to the intersubjectivity groundwork set out by Hewes and Planalp, a similar concept was propagated by Hawkins and Daly who proposed that communication depends on knowledge. And in order to have effective communication cognition is mandatory. The producer of the message should be capable of relaying their intent and the receiver of the message must be able to attach cognitive meaning to them (Hawkins & Daly, 1988, p.222). In order to reach a consensual meaning of the message both the parties should have shared meaning and cognitive variables. Selective Reinforcing and Challenge Avoidance As we have established that cognition is vital to intersubjectivity, any lack thereof can result in failure to achieve intersubjectivity. Once the receiver or producer is engaging in selective reinforcement of the messages, they are alter ing the cognition. Through selective exposure, the receiver or producer picks the elements from the message that suits them and filters out the rest of the information. This selective exposure can enable them to intentionally focus their attention towards structural features or physiological characteristics—

GRAMMAR PROJECT 2- Analysis of Internet Resources Research Paper

GRAMMAR PROJECT 2- Analysis of Internet Resources - Research Paper Example Other than nouns and articles, ESL students may also find it difficult to avoid usage of passive voice, a grammar structure discussed further in this paper. The first exercise is from http://www.world-english.org/articles.htm. The basic rules for using articles are clearly outlined. First, articles fall under two categories, that is, definite and indefinite. â€Å"A† is an indefinite article used before nouns describing non-specific objects or one object in a group of many, which begin with consonants (World English, 2004). Examples given include: Other rules provided by the exercise expressly state that articles should not be used with names of states, provinces or natural features, unless they are referring to a collection of the mentioned items. Additionally, articles should not be used when speaking about items in general. The principal purpose of this exercise is to enable learners to distinguish between definite and indefinite articles, as well as, to determine the article to use with specific nouns (World English, 2004). This is achieved through extensive use of credible examples. There are also exercises that give direct answers, enabling the learners to practice lessons learned about articles. The second article came from http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/iej/articles/v5n5/miller/paper.pdf. The article begins by recognizing the fact that the use of articles is largely problematic for non-native English speakers. The principal factor to consider in usage of articles is the category under which nouns fall as either countable or uncountable. Indefinite articles (â€Å"a† and â€Å"an†) can therefore be used with countable nouns but not the uncountable ones (Miller, 2005). The article is free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, thus placing emphasis on its accuracy and credibility. Additionally, the resource gives detailed results of exercises done by ESL students showing their

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Summary - Essay Example Method In order to gather the response from children the author asked them to create self-portraits with their names beneath. In addition family questionnaires were also given as handouts during the previous open house. In addition consistently observing children would help to design a more effective classroom environment and also the pattern of teaching. In case a child needs help in any area only documented evidence will help the teacher to identify the problem with better clarity and use appropriate intervention methods. Apart from teachers school directors as well as family members would also be able to understand the child better in case of such evidences. These assessments should continue even after the introduction of a program as only then the strengths and weaknesses of the program will be identified. In the present study when a particular sample of work from the child could not be obtained the child was observed while performing a task of its interest or during group activi ties to gather the required information. Such observations also helped in understanding when a child required individual attention or guidance. The artworks of children who painted or drew pictures were also included in the portfolio. Through this the children felt that their efforts were valued.

GRAMMAR PROJECT 2- Analysis of Internet Resources Research Paper

GRAMMAR PROJECT 2- Analysis of Internet Resources - Research Paper Example Other than nouns and articles, ESL students may also find it difficult to avoid usage of passive voice, a grammar structure discussed further in this paper. The first exercise is from http://www.world-english.org/articles.htm. The basic rules for using articles are clearly outlined. First, articles fall under two categories, that is, definite and indefinite. â€Å"A† is an indefinite article used before nouns describing non-specific objects or one object in a group of many, which begin with consonants (World English, 2004). Examples given include: Other rules provided by the exercise expressly state that articles should not be used with names of states, provinces or natural features, unless they are referring to a collection of the mentioned items. Additionally, articles should not be used when speaking about items in general. The principal purpose of this exercise is to enable learners to distinguish between definite and indefinite articles, as well as, to determine the article to use with specific nouns (World English, 2004). This is achieved through extensive use of credible examples. There are also exercises that give direct answers, enabling the learners to practice lessons learned about articles. The second article came from http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/iej/articles/v5n5/miller/paper.pdf. The article begins by recognizing the fact that the use of articles is largely problematic for non-native English speakers. The principal factor to consider in usage of articles is the category under which nouns fall as either countable or uncountable. Indefinite articles (â€Å"a† and â€Å"an†) can therefore be used with countable nouns but not the uncountable ones (Miller, 2005). The article is free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, thus placing emphasis on its accuracy and credibility. Additionally, the resource gives detailed results of exercises done by ESL students showing their

Schuman Plan Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 11000 words

Schuman Plan - Coursework Example In fact she had been already actively engaged in NATO along with the U.S.A. Looking at the success of the ECSC however , Britain was tempted to canvass for membership but her attempt was twice scuttled by Charles de Gaulle who opined that Britain had no real interest in joining the ECSC but was trying to enter as the Trojan horse of the U.S.A. which in a way was obvious since the U.S.A. had been advising her to enter the ECSC and try to change its policies on a broader perspective in tandem with NATO. Thus it took almost 22 years for her to make an entry into the community which by then had become EEC from ECSC, only after the exit of Charles de Gaulle from the French Government. The other five states had been longing for Britain's entry and hence the passage was smooth for Britain though France under the premiership of Pompidou allowed her entry only on firm commitments with respect to the EEC budget contributions and on community's Common Agricultural Policy. The conclusion is ther efore that Britain's entry into EEC was politically motivated rather than on economic motives. The unification of Europe was felt ... Thus it took almost 22 years for her to make an entry into the community which by then had become EEC from ECSC, only after the exit of Charles de Gaulle from the French Government. The other five states had been longing for Britain's entry and hence the passage was smooth for Britain though France under the premiership of Pompidou allowed her entry only on firm commitments with respect to the EEC budget contributions and on community's Common Agricultural Policy. The conclusion is therefore that Britain's entry into EEC was politically motivated rather than on economic motives. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background The unification of Europe was felt to be the only way to avoid war among nations. France and Germany were sworn enemy nations during world wars I & II. The cessation of hostilities after the end of World War saw many a world leader advocating cooperation between nations in Europe. Robert Schuman, the Foreign Minister of France startled the world by his announcement on May 9, 1950 that Coal and Steel Industry of European nations would have common platform to conduct uniform trade in the said industries what famously came to be known as Schuman Plan. In spite of the apparent advantages of this kind of arrangement, Britain opted out of joining it. While Britain had its own reasons, her rejection of the Schuman plan was not taken lightly by France because of which though Britain quickly realised its importance, it took almost 23 years for it to manage to join the EEC after its formation. 1.2 Aims and Objectives With the above background, aims and objective is to go into the aspects of Britain's hesitation to join the EC initially and

The Operating Budget Essay Example for Free

The Operating Budget Essay Write a four to five (4-5) page paper, titled Part I: The Operating Budget for the (Selected Agency) in which you separate the content into sections: 1. Provide background information about the agency, mission, goals, objectives, departments, and strategic plan. (Title this section Introduction.) 2. Describe the budget of the agency by addressing the following items: (Title this section Budget Overview.) a. Financial Summary, including Revenue and Expenditures b. Department Budgets c. Funding d. Capital Projects e. Debt Administration 3. Perform a Cost Analysis. (Title this section Cost Analysis.) The costs should include the following: a. Fixed Costs b. Step-fixed Costs c. Variable Costs 4. Identify and explain one to two (1-2) challenges you will have in managing the budget. (Title this section Budget Challenges.) 5. Recommend two to three (2-3) strategies the agency should review regarding new initiatives and budget cuts over the next five (5) years. (Title this section Budget Recommendations.) 6. Include the agency’s most recent budget or financial plan. 7. Provide the agency’s Website name, URL, and any other sources used to support the assignment’s criteria. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: †¢ Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. †¢ Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

Temporal Articulation in La Jetee Essay -- Film Movie Cinema Cinematog

Temporal Articulation in La Jetà ©e Chris Marker's La Jetà ©e presents a narrative occurring in three distinct time periods: the past, present, and future, depicted solely through static images. Each time period articulates the temporal relationship between adjacent images differently and through various means, including but not limited to the amount of perceived movement or change within the mise en scene from shot to shot (or the ellipsis between images in a sequence), and the amount and type of voiceover used in any given sequence. The audience's ability to comprehend narrative time remains relatively consistent throughout the film, but the means by which passing time is represented alters in each time period, depending upon the ways in which the above characteristics are manipulated. On a strictly visual basis, the audience's perception of the passage of time becomes progressively retarded from past to present to future (fabula-wise), and this sensation is achieved through the manipulation of ellipsis between images in a sequence (a sequence being any uninterrupted slice of time occurring in the past, present, or future). Broadly, shot to shot differences in time go from determinate in the past, to less determinate in the present, to almost totally indeterminate in the future. In other words, it is easier to register the passage of time through the change within the image from shot to shot in sequences occurring in the past than it is in sequences occurring in the present, which in turn register the passage of time more explicitly than do the images from sequences occurring in the future. For example, a sequence in the beginning of the film (occurring in the temporal present of the fabula) depicting of the results of the ... ...ough to say that La Jetà ©e is a wonderfully rich experiment in the manipulation of the perception of time; despite the complexities elaborated in this paper, the film presents a consistently comprehensible articulation of time, despite and because of an information-impeding stylistic device (still images as opposed to moving images) and a complex, circular narrative laden with potentially confusing time travel. Notes 1) Only one pivotal shot in the film is not static. 2) Dissolves typically indicate an ellipsis, or a longer ellipsis than is usually indicated by a cut. Thus the dissolves of the woman sleeping in bed could be read as occurring over longer, more indeterminate periods of time in which she has moved very little. Works Cited Le Jetee. Dir. Chris Marker. Perf. Jean Negroni, Helene Chatelain, Danos Hanrich and Jacques Ledoux. Argos Films, 1962. Temporal Articulation in La Jetee Essay -- Film Movie Cinema Cinematog Temporal Articulation in La Jetà ©e Chris Marker's La Jetà ©e presents a narrative occurring in three distinct time periods: the past, present, and future, depicted solely through static images. Each time period articulates the temporal relationship between adjacent images differently and through various means, including but not limited to the amount of perceived movement or change within the mise en scene from shot to shot (or the ellipsis between images in a sequence), and the amount and type of voiceover used in any given sequence. The audience's ability to comprehend narrative time remains relatively consistent throughout the film, but the means by which passing time is represented alters in each time period, depending upon the ways in which the above characteristics are manipulated. On a strictly visual basis, the audience's perception of the passage of time becomes progressively retarded from past to present to future (fabula-wise), and this sensation is achieved through the manipulation of ellipsis between images in a sequence (a sequence being any uninterrupted slice of time occurring in the past, present, or future). Broadly, shot to shot differences in time go from determinate in the past, to less determinate in the present, to almost totally indeterminate in the future. In other words, it is easier to register the passage of time through the change within the image from shot to shot in sequences occurring in the past than it is in sequences occurring in the present, which in turn register the passage of time more explicitly than do the images from sequences occurring in the future. For example, a sequence in the beginning of the film (occurring in the temporal present of the fabula) depicting of the results of the ... ...ough to say that La Jetà ©e is a wonderfully rich experiment in the manipulation of the perception of time; despite the complexities elaborated in this paper, the film presents a consistently comprehensible articulation of time, despite and because of an information-impeding stylistic device (still images as opposed to moving images) and a complex, circular narrative laden with potentially confusing time travel. Notes 1) Only one pivotal shot in the film is not static. 2) Dissolves typically indicate an ellipsis, or a longer ellipsis than is usually indicated by a cut. Thus the dissolves of the woman sleeping in bed could be read as occurring over longer, more indeterminate periods of time in which she has moved very little. Works Cited Le Jetee. Dir. Chris Marker. Perf. Jean Negroni, Helene Chatelain, Danos Hanrich and Jacques Ledoux. Argos Films, 1962.

Ku Klux Klan :: essays research papers

Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan has been the most organized of the many different White supremacy groups that came into being after the Civil War. The ill-reputed Knights of the Klan have been involved in countless incidents of human rights violations against blacks and other minority groups in America. Especially in the South, during and after the Reconstruction period, the Klan played a major part in formulating and forcefully employing many of the Jim Crow laws, that delayed black man’s true freedom f Stetson Kennedy is a native of Jacksonville, Florida where the Klan was very active. Kennedy saw first hand the working of the Klan when a maid in his house was taken for a ride by the Klan and badly tortured. Kennedy developed a hatred for the Ku Klux Klan and wanted to do all he could to limit the influence of and put a stop to its hate mongering. He wrote a book â€Å"Palmetto Country† in which he blasted the myth that the Klan was formed to â€Å"save the South† from Scalawags, Carpetbaggers an Also, Kennedy noted that the few things written about the KKK were editorials rather than exposes. He felt the need for not just words but for legal evidence against the Klan’s inside machinations. For that purpose someone would have to go under a Klan robe and turn the hooded order’s dirty linen for all the world to see. The author decided to volunteer for the job and thus began his adventures as a Klan-buster, in the headquarters of the Klan at the time in Atlanta. The first few chapter Soon enough, Kennedy had enough incriminating evidence against the Klan. In an action packed moment in the courthouse, Kennedy disrobed from under his Klan mask in front of stunned Klansmen who had thought he was one of them. Kennedy testified against the vicious organization, and played an important role in bringing the Klan to its knees. Through the remainder of the book, Kennedy relays his experiences working against other similar outfits, like the Colombians in Florida, who had Nazi leaders perpetrating anti-Negro, anti- Catholic and anti-Semitic sentiments. As a result of his daring confrontations

Complementing Texts: Homer’s The Odyssey and Dante’s Inferno Essay

Ever since human beings started telling stories for entertainment or for edification, heroes have made incredible journeys against what seem like impossible odds. In the beginning, heroes often these journeys to reach a goal, often in defiance of the gods who, for whatever reason, had imposed limits upon the main character of the story. In Homer’s story, The Odyssey, this limitation is that the gods will block his way home until he speaks to the sage Tiresias. By contrast, Dante Alighieri’s character of Dante primarily seeks to find answers to his questions; that is, knowledge, as a means to find salvation. While both heroes interact with the underworld to accomplish their aims, the stories complement each other, rather than mirror each other. In many ways, Dante’s text â€Å"corrects† the story found in Homer’s work, making it suitable for Christian audiences. Careful examination of texts reveals how some of these areas differ significantly between them. Some of these differences include the nature of the underworld itself and the hero’s interaction with it, the knowledge that Odysseus’ mother has of the living world, and the shared rule of the underworld. The Nature of the Underworld and the Heroes’ Interaction with It Like Dante’s Hell, Homer’s underworld is not a pleasant place to spend eternity. It is dark and gloomy; the inhabitants have dulled senses. The underworld into which Odysseus looks is Hades, not the Elysian Fields, where heroes were blessed with eternal happiness. Rather, the â€Å"unhappy dead† live there, cursed to bleak and boring existences for the rest of eternity. The dead who exist in Hades are those who have died unburied, like Odysseus’ friend, Elpenor, who died falling from a ladder leading from Circe’s roof, as well as Tiresias and Odysseus’ unhappy mother. And yet, misery of the inhabitants is one of several similarities between the two underworlds. One interesting difference between the Homer’s Hades and Dante’s Hell is that the stories’ heroes find their entrances in extremely different locations. Odysseus finds the entrance to Hades in a harbor at the â€Å"western edge of the world,† while Dante finds the entrance to Hell in the midst of a dark wood. While these differences might seem insignificant, they are, in truth, indicative of the different purposes behind the journeys that the heroes undertake. The harbor at the end of the world represents physical distance traveled; Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca, a goal that the gods have prevented him from attaining. It is an earthly goal, however, with measurable distances that must be traversed. While the ocean that Odysseus travels provides room for a communal journey through which he attempts to bring his crew home, Dante’s dark wood provides a far narrower field. It is restrictive and personal, perhaps driven by the solitary nature of Dante’s quest for knowledge and redemption. The distance that Dante must travel, therefore, is not one of finite measurement; rather, it exists within himself. It is a spiritual journey with no physical boundaries. Ultimately, this difference is magnified by the many levels of Hell, with its myriad levels, terraces, and malboges. In addition to the differing nature of the underworld as portrayed by each poet, the nature of the interaction that each hero has with the underworld and its inhabitants also varies. In order to interact at all with the inhabitants of the underworld, both heroes must make a rite of passage. Odysseus enters the realm of Hades by making a blood sacrifice of a ram, collecting its blood in a pit. Through this offering and by offering the appropriate supplications to the gods, Odysseus is able to call forth the souls of the dead. Being surrounded by the dead causes him to become afraid; however, he regains sufficient courage to control them and to question them. The character of Dante, however, must actually pass through the gates of Hell, ‘abandoning hope’ in order to learn what he desires. Although Odysseus is in the world of the dead, he is sure enough of himself to regain control, as opposed to Dante, who relinquishes all of his control to Virgil as then enter the underworld realm. While less â€Å"heroic† than Odysseus’ actions, this submissive behavior is actually of great importance, which again is based in the heroes’ purpose in entering the underworld. It is clear, that although both heroes must enter the realm of the underworld, each for his own purpose, Odysseus does not actually travel through Hades as Dante does through Hell. Rather, the dead approach Odysseus, coming â€Å"up in a crowd from Erebos: young men and brides, old men who had suffered much, and tender maidens to whom sorrow was a new thing; others killed in battle, warriors clad in bloodstained armor† (124) all surround his sacrificial pit in response to the ram’s blood that he has offered. This difference is also a significant one and related to the point made above it. Although Odysseus immediately appears to be the supplicant, by making the blood offering that attracts the dead, he is also in control of it. The dead must do his bidding in order to feed and give him the information that he requires. By contrast, the character of Dante physically travels into the midst of the souls of the damned. While he is under his own volition, Dante is a pilgrim, who must make an effort to gain his knowledge. He follows Virgil as Virgil leads, interacting with the souls on their own level in their own environment. This difference would also make Dante’s tale more appealing to Christian audiences. Although Odysseus’ cunning and strength were admired by the audience that lived at his time, the lesson of humility that the character of Dante both learns and teaches would be considered more acceptable to Alighieri’s audience. Although he is taking the initiative to learn on his own, like a proper pilgrim he is taking instruction from a master and listening to the moral lessons set before him. For those in the audience who recognize that he might have been contemplating suicide, Dante is also in the process of repenting. Knowledge of the Living World Odysseus seeks not merely wisdom from Tiresias, but he also seeks knowledge of his future in the living world. In truth, both Tiresias and Odysseus’ mother have clear knowledge of the living world, which they freely share with him in their turn. What is more, it is accurate knowledge, which allows him to prepare for his future, should he ever arrive at his destination. In a sense, both Tiresias and Odysseus’ mother are as living beings that have merely been transported to a new existence on an alternate plane, in that they can take initiative to see what lies ahead and then share it with him. Given that in other myths inhabitants of Hades are able to travel freely between the worlds with the gods’ permission, it seems apparent that the ancient Greeks saw the underworld as a place from which people could escape to return to the living if they had enough virtue or if they had a hero to aid them. This kind of belief is opposed to both Dante’s belief and to the belief of the Christians who formed his audience. Dante’s souls, perpetually trapped in their state of torment, must continuously atone for their actions on earth. They are surrounded by the reminders of their sins, perhaps tormented by the very things that they desired in life. At times, their appearance is dramatically altered to match their crimes. The only hope for the souls in Hell is Judgment Day, at which time they may be redeemed–or they may find themselves condemned to suffer throughout eternity. Even then, redeemed souls would not interact with the living; instead, they would pass into Heaven. Once again, the difference between the two realms and their inhabitants may be explained by virtue of the perception of the audiences for which the poets were writing. To the Greeks, life in the underworld was not necessarily a punishment. Certainly, the inhabitants of the underworld could experience punishment, even that of a perpetual nature. One good example of this kind of punishment would be Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder to the top of a hill for eternity, only to have it escape him and roll to the bottom again before it reaches the peak. However, the underworld is a plane of existence to which all humans will eventually travel. The underworld itself is divided into sections that provide reward or punishment or which simply continues the miserable existence that people had when on earth. This difference is, once again, quite different from the perspective of the Christian audience served by Dante, which viewed the underworld for punishment only. It is this understanding of the underworld being for punishment that would also limit the dead’s interaction with the living. Dante’s dead are unable to access the living world and, when encountering the character of Dante, are unable to learn from what he tells them. They have no minds and no insight, unlike the dead that Odysseus encounters, who know that they are suffering and why and yet are unable to interact with the world of the living in order to minimize their experiences. The Shared Rule of the Underworld In The Odyssey, both Hades and his wife, Persephone, rule the underworld. Although Hades has control over the underworld as a whole, Persephone is the Queen of the Women, with the ability to overrule even her husband in control of that group. In terms of importance, while this difference might seem trivial to some readers, it is perhaps of greatest significance of all of these points. Hades is not omnipotent, in that Persephone has equal control, if not greater control in some aspects of ruling the underworld. She strikes fear in Odysseus’ heart equal to that of her husband, in that Odysseus describes Hades as â€Å"mighty,† but Persephone as being â€Å"awful,† which would be synonymous with her being terrifying. This kind of rule would be unsurprising to the ancient Greeks, who lived in a world ruled by many gods. It also paralleled the arrangement of the gods on Mount Olympus, to a certain extent: Hades and Persephone, who ruled the world of the dead, mirrored Zeus and Hera, who ruled the world of the living. To the Christians that formed Dante’s audience, this arrangement would have been more than just a little shocking. Christians worship a single God who, while He might have different and while He may employ different helpers in the angels and the saints, has dominion over the living and the dead. As with the ancient Greek deities, God and Satan somewhat mirror each other. Despite Satan’s impressive appearance in The Inferno, however, he is as much a prisoner of Hell as its other residents. In addition, Satan does not mirror God’s power; rather, he is only capable of destruction, not creation. Conclusion In many ways, Dante’s Inferno complements and corrects Homer’s The Odyssey. Both are tales that bring a hero into contact with the underworld in order to achieve a particular goal. In the case of Odysseus, this goal is worldly and finite, while in the case of Dante, the goal is spiritual and may lead to eternal salvation. Several differences, among others, that indicate the complementary and corrective nature of Dante’s work are those of the nature of the respective underworlds and the heroes’ interaction with the inhabitants, the knowledge that the dead have of the living world, and the shared rule that Hades and Persephone have over the ancient Greek underworld. The story of heroic travels through the underworld is not a new one, neither was it new when Homer wrote The Odyssey. In the days of passing history and learning through oral means, such stories were necessary teaching tools. However, each culture imposed its morals and beliefs on this kind of tale. The different between these two stories provide an excellent example of how this cultural influence stamps this kind of heroic story with differences throughout history.