Saturday, November 30, 2019

U.S Constitution Ratification Debates Essays - James Madison

U.S Constitution Ratification Debates On September 28, 1787, after three days of bitter debate, the Confederation Congress sent the Constitution to the states with neither an endorsement nor a condemnation. This action, a compromise engineered by Federalist members, disposed of the argument that the convention had exceeded its mandate; in the tacit opinion of Congress, the Constitution was validly before the people. The state legislatures' decisions to hold ratifying conventions confirmed the Constitution's legitimacy. The ratification controversy pitted supporters of the Constitution, who claimed the name Federalists, against a loosely organized group known as Antifederalists. The Antifederalists denounced the Constitution as a radically centralizing document that would destroy American liberty and betray the principles of the Revolution. The Federalists urged that the nation's problems were directly linked to the frail, inadequate Confederation and that nothing short of the Constitution would enable the American people to preserve their liberty and independence, the fruits of the Revolution. The Federalists - led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, John Marshall, James Wilson, John Dickinson, and Roger Sherman - had several advantages. In a time of national political crisis, they offered a clear prescription for the nation's ills; they were well organized and well financed; and they were used to thinking in national terms and to working with politicians from other states. They also had the support of the only two truly national political figures, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. The Antifederalists - led by Patrick Henry, George Mason, Richard Henry Lee, James Monroe, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Elbridge Gerry, George Clinton, Willie Jones, and Melancton Smith - counted among their advantages the support of most state Ratification debates politicians and the American people's distrust of strong central government. Their most potent argument against the Constitution was that it lacked a bill of rights. The lively newspaper and pamphlet war over the Constitution was a key element of the ratification controversy. Federalists and Antifederalists published hundreds of essays praising or denouncing the document. They often signed these essays with pseudonyms drawn from classical sources such as Plutarch's Lives or from the seventeenth-century English struggles against the tyranny of the Stuart kings. Notable Antifederalist pamphlets included the Letters of Brutus, attributed to Robert Yates; Luther Martin's Genuine Information; Mercy Otis Warren's Observations on the New Constitution ... by a Colombian Patriot; and the Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republican, whose authorship is still disputed. Every state but Rhode Island elected a ratifying convention in 1787-1788, and only North Carolina's adjourned (August 2, 1788, by a vote of 185-84) without voting on the Constitution. (Rhode Island submitted the Constitution to its town meetings; on March 24, 1788, in a vote boycotted by most Federalists, the voters rejected it, 2,708-237.) The first five ratifications took place in quick succession: Delaware, December 7, 1787 (unanimous); Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787 (46-23); New Jersey, December 18, 1787 (unanimous); Georgia, January 2, 1788 (unanimous); and Connecticut, January 9, 1788 (128-40). In Massachusetts, however, the Constitution ran into serious, organized opposition. Only after two leading Antifederalists, Adams and Hancock negotiated a far-reaching compromise did the convention vote for ratification on February 6, 1788 (187-168). Antifederalists had demanded that the Constitution be amended before they would Ratification debates consider it or that amendments be a condition of ratification; Federalists had retorted that it had to be accepted or rejected as it was. Under the Massachusetts compromise, the delegates recommended amendments to be considered by the new Congress, should the Constitution go into effect. The Massachusetts compromise determined the fate of the Constitution, as it permitted delegates with doubts to vote for it in the hope that it would be amended. All subsequent state conventions but Maryland's recommended amendments as part of their decisions to ratify: Maryland, April 28, 1788 (63-11); South Carolina, May 23, 1788 (149-73); New Hampshire, June 21, 1788 (57-47); Virginia, June 25, 1788 (89-79); and New York, July 26, 1788 (30-27). By that date, eleven states had ratified, including all four critical states. The lists of recommended amendments and the Federalists' promise to work for amendments (particularly a bill of rights), set in motion the process by which the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1789-1791. In turn, the

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Everything You Need to Know About Anti-Vaxxers

Everything You Need to Know About Anti-Vaxxers Per the CDC, during January 2015, there were 102 reported cases of measles across 14 states; most linked to an outbreak at Disney Land in Anaheim, California. In 2014, a record 644 cases were reported across 27 states- the highest number since measles was considered eliminated in 2000. The majority of these cases were reported among unvaccinated individuals, with more than half  located in an Amish community in Ohio. According to the  CDC, this resulted in a dramatic 340 percent increase in measles cases between 2013 and 2014. Despite the fact that ample scientific research has disproven the falsely asserted connection between Autism and vaccinations, increasing numbers of parents are choosing to not vaccinate their children for a number of preventable and potentially fatal diseases, including measles, polio, meningitis, and whooping cough. So, who are the anti-vaxxers? And, what motivates their behavior? Pew Research Center found in a recent study of the difference between scientists and the publics views on key issues that just 68 percent of U.S. adults believe that childhood vaccinations should be required by law. Digging deeper into this data, Pew released another report in 2015 that sheds more light on views on vaccinations. Given all the media attention to the purported wealthy nature of anti-vaxxers, what they found might surprise you. Their survey revealed that the only key variable that significantly shapes whether one believes vaccinations should be required or be the decision of parents is age. Young adults are much more likely to believe that parents should have the right to choose, with 41 percent of those 18-29 years old claiming this, compared with 30 percent of the overall adult population.  They found no significant effect of class,  race, gender, education, or parental status. However, Pews findings are limited to views on vaccines. When we examine practices- who is vaccinating their children versus who is not- very clear economic, educational, and cultural trends emerge. Anti-Vaxxers Are Predominantly Wealthy and White Several studies have found that recent outbreaks among unvaccinated populations have been clustered among upper and middle-income populations. A study published in 2010 in  Pediatrics  that examined a 2008 measles outbreak in San Diego, CA found that  reluctance to vaccinate ... was associated with health beliefs, particularly among well-educated, upper- and middle-income segments of the population, similar to those seen in measles outbreak patterns elsewhere in 2008 [emphasis added]. An older study, published in Pediatrics  in 2004, found similar trends, but in addition, tracked race. The researchers found,  Unvaccinated children tended to be white, to have a mother who was married and had a college degree, [and] to live in a household with an annual income exceeding 75,000 dollars. Writing in  Los Angeles Times, Dr. Nina Shapiro,  Director of Pediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat at the Mattel Childrens Hospital UCLA, used data from Los Angeles to reiterate this socio-economic trend. She noted that in Malibu, one of the citys wealthier areas, one elementary school reported that just 58 percent of kindergartners were vaccinated, as compared to 90 percent of all kindergartners across the state. Similar rates were found at other schools in wealthy areas, and some private schools had just 20 percent of kindergartners vaccinated.  Other unvaccinated clusters have been identified in wealthy enclaves including Ashland, OR and Boulder, CO. Anti-Vaxxers Trust in Social Networks, Not Medical Professionals So, why is this predominantly wealthy, white minority choosing to not vaccinate their children, thereby putting at risk those who are under-vaccinated due to economic inequality and legitimate health risks? A 2011 study published in  Archives of Pediatrics Adolescent Medicine  found that parents who chose to not vaccinate did not believe vaccines to be safe and effective, did not believe their children at risk of the disease in question, and had little trust in the government and medical establishment on this issue. The 2004 study cited above found similar results. Importantly, a 2005 study found that social networks exerted the strongest influence in the decision to not vaccinate. Having anti-vaxxers in ones social network makes a parent significantly less likely to vaccinate their children. This means that as much as non-vaccination is an economic and racial trend, it is also a cultural  trend, reinforced through the shared values, beliefs, norms, and expectations common to ones social network. Sociologically speaking, this collection of evidence points to a very particular habitus, as elaborated by late French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. This term refers, in essence, to ones disposition, values, and beliefs, which act as forces that shape ones behavior. It is the totality of ones experience in the world, and ones access to material and cultural resources, that determines ones habitus, and so cultural capital plays a significant role in shaping it. The Costs of Race and Class Privilege These studies reveal that anti-vaxxers have very particular forms of cultural capital, as they are mostly highly educated, with mid- to upper-level incomes. It is quite possible that for anti-vaxxers, a confluence of educational, economic, and racial privilege  produces the belief that one knows better than the scientific and medical communities at large, and a blindness to the negative implications that ones actions may have on others. Unfortunately, the costs to society and to those without economic security are potentially quite great. Per the studies cited above, those opting out of vaccines for their children put at risk those who are unvaccinated due to limited access to material resources and health care- a population composed primarily of children living in poverty, many of whom are racial minorities. This means that wealthy, white, highly educated anti-vaccination parents are mostly putting at risk the health of poor, unvaccinated children. Viewed this way, the anti-vaxxer issue looks a lot like arrogant privilege running rogue over the structurally oppressed. In the wake of the 2015 California measles outbreak, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement urging vaccination and reminding parents of the very serious and potentially fatal outcomes of contracting preventable diseases like measles. Readers interested in learning more about the social and cultural trends behind anti-vaccination should look to  The Panic Virus  by Seth Mnookin.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Will your truck survive winter weather

Will your truck survive winter weather You depend on your truck to run reliably and strong throughout the year, and through all sorts of terrain and tough conditions, but the winter weather can be especially punishing on your four-wheeled friend. When the winter weather hits, ice, snow, salt, sleet, deicing chemicals, and freezing temperatures can really take their toll on your vehicle, and affect its ability to make it through your next haul. Although harsh winter weather can be a challenge, your truck doesn’t have to be a victim of the long frigid months. There’s plenty you can do- both in advance and during the coldest season- to ensure that your truck makes it through and is ready to handle any job you have for it. Use the following winter prep checklist to make sure your truck is ready to survive whatever Mother Nature throws its way!Pre-winter truck prepPrepping your truck before the cold weather arrives is essential if you want to ensure that your vehicle is road ready all winter long. Use the followi ng checklist to get your truck ready from top to bottom.Monitor antifreeze levels.Use a reliable antifreeze-testing gauge, which is easy to find in any automotive shop, to make sure that your truck has an appropriate level of antifreeze. It might be a good idea to flush the system and replace your antifreeze if it’s been a while since you’ve done so.Test and check batteries.Make sure that your truck’s batteries are in great shape to give it the extra power it needs in the cold winter months. Disconnect and check each battery individually, and replace any old or weak battery before the winter arrives. Remember, just one weak battery can be a drain on all of them and this is not a problem you want to have on the road and in the cold.Empty air tanks and check air dryers.Residual moisture can be a real problem during the winter. When the cold weather arrives, extra moisture could freeze up and damage your air system, which could negatively affect your air suspension and brakes- exactly what you don’t want to happen on long, icy roads. Be sure to drain your air tanks completely and allow your drain plugs to fully dry out as part of your winter weather prep plan.  Prep your tires.Any driver worth their license knows the value of solid tires during the winter months. Check each tire to make sure its still in good shape, and be sure to replace any marginal tire as soon as possible. Make sure you have tire chains readily available if and when they’re needed.  Check your wipers.A simple but often overlooked wiper check can make a world of difference when the winter precipitation arrives. Make sure your truck’s wipers are fully functional and you’ll save yourself from unfortunate â€Å"winter wiper stress.†Check your ultra capacitor, pre-heater, block heater, and starting system.This may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure that all of the components of your truck’s heating and starting systems are worki ng properly and ready for the winter weather.Test and prep your fuel filter.Make sure there’s no residual water or condensation in your fuel filter system, which can freeze and cause damage in the winter- and can even cause your truck to shut down. Change your fuel filters if needed, and consider having some extra filters on hand just in case.During the winterIf you took care of all of the items on the pre-winter truck prep checklist above you should be in good shape for when the cold weather hits. During the winter, you should continue to pay careful attention to the following:Fuel: Make sure you’re using a proper fuel additive mix to help prevent your fuel from jelling up when the weather hits freezing or below.Block heater: Be sure to plug this in during the winter months, even if it doesn’t feel too cold outside.Periodic maintenance checks: Keep a regular eye on the following parts of your truck to make sure they’re in good shape all winter long: door locks, tires, brakes, batteries, headlights, wiper blades, fluid levels, coolant hoses and belts, and fuel and air filters.Consider this your essential winter truck survival guide. Make sure you carefully follow all of the items mentioned above, and you’ll be setting yourself up for safe and hassle-free driving all winter long.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Secondary data exercise Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Secondary data exercise - Case Study Example In recent corporate history, if there is one company which had demonstrated exemplary leadership and admirable resilience, to pull back itself from an imminent collapse, it could be none other than Marks & Spencer, the Retail Stores legend of the UK. The main plank on which it staked its entire hope was its compelling and convincing advertisement strategy. When the decline was confirmed and could not be ignored any more, the company under the guidance of Sir Stuart Rose as its new chairman decided to take the bull by the horn. How it girdled up its loin and strained every nerve to successfully tide over crisis after crisis, is an interesting corporate story. 2. Analysis for the causes, and drafting the remedial measures: An objective analysis brought out the following serious anomalies staring at the face of M&S, (the later shorter logo version of Marks &Spencer): sales were steadily dwindling (the worst was during 2004-2006), customers were slowly moving away since their preferences and what M&S offered didn't match very often, customer service offered by M&S was below par and competitor pressure was mounting. Now the company had very little option. They had to undertake damage-control measures quickly to restore the sagging confidence of even their most loyal customers. Strategic planning and supportive ad campaign came to their rescue, and once they stabilised their standing, then there was no looking back at all. They concentrated more on Communication Strategy to woo the customers back to their showrooms. The advertisement campaigns occupied the prime spot in the marketing communication activities. 3. What is advertising and its significance: What it can do and what it cannot do : Advertising is the core element of any marketing communication which aims to connect the business with its customers. "Advertising can be defined as any paid form of non-personal presentation and communication through mass media. The main aim of advertising is to sell to a wide mix of consumers and also to induce repeat purchases". Again " the main objectives of advertising are creating awareness about a product or store, create a desire to want a product, to communicate the store's policy on various issues, to help in repositioning of the store in the mind of the consumer and to increase the sales of specific categories or to generate short term cash flow by way of a sale, bargain offers or clearance sales. Advertisement can also help in reinforcing the retailer's corporate identity."1 (Swapna Pradhan, 2007) This aspect of recreating the retailer's corporate identity and repositioning the store in th e minds of the consumers weighed heavily with M&S management who decided to launch a dynamic drive into the consumers private preferences in an effective manner. But they were also aware of the limitations of a mere advertisement campaign alone . Primarily communication is used to inform the customers about the retailer, the merchandise and the services. Beyond that it could achieve pretty little of any worth. "It is believed that every brand contact delivers an impression that can strengthen or weaken the consumer's view of the company."2 ( Philip Kotler). So they decided to adequately back it up with a lot of image booster as well as

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

The Philosophy of Epicurus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Philosophy of Epicurus - Essay Example The essay "The Philosophy of Epicurus" discusses the Epicurus's thoughts regarding the capability of everyone for seeking wisdom, the happiness to be the ultimate objective of studying philosophy and concerning religion. At the beginning of the first paragraph of his â€Å"†Letter to Menoeceus†, Epicurus says that everyone either young or old should study philosophy because â€Å"it is never too early nor too late to care for the well-being of the soul†. According to him, philosophy can bring happiness to the soul. One should study it for the happiness of mind. Again Epicurus says that the young people â€Å"can retain the happiness of youth in his pleasant memories of the past† when the old can enjoy the fearlessness of the youth even in their old age: â€Å"although he is old he may at the same time be young by virtue of his fearlessness of the future.† Again at the end of the paragraph, he comments that the ultimate objective of studying philosophy is â€Å"securing happiness†, and therefore â€Å"we do everything in order to gain it†. We can infer that Epicurus believed that happiness is the ultimate objective of studying philosophy. According to Epicurus, our â€Å"common sense† or â€Å"popular opinion† tells us that gods must be immortal and blessed. Indeed this â€Å"common sense† is man’s capability of reasoning or proving something by something by logic. The commonality of man’s perception of himself or others lies at the heart of these â€Å"reasons† or â€Å"common sense†.... Thus we can infer that Epicurus believed that happiness is the ultimate objective of studying philosophy. The Gods 3. Epicurus supposes that we know the gods to be immortal and blessed. Why does he suppose this? According to Epicurus, our â€Å"common sense† or â€Å"popular opinion† tells us that gods must be immortal and blessed. Indeed this â€Å"common sense† is man’s capability of reasoning or proving something by something by logic. In the first place, we must accept that man’s capability of reasoning or devising logic is very subjective. That is, the commonality of man’s perception about himself or others lies at the heart of these â€Å"reasons† or â€Å"common sense†. Man commonly perceives himself as a subject to ephemera and to death: â€Å"while we exist death is not present and when death is present we no longer exist† (Epicurus). Man reasons that gods exist even while â€Å"we no longer exist†. But si nce people popularly believe that gods send blessings and evils to men (though Epicurus assumes these popular beliefs, about gods to have concerns for men, as something wrong) ages after ages, man reasons that they must be immortal and blessed; otherwise, they would not be able to do so. Thus Epicurus supposes that â€Å"commonsense† provokes men to popularly accept that the gods are immortal and blessed. Again once Epicurus says that â€Å"Most men do not retain the picture of the gods that they first receive† (Epicurus 2). This sentence may refer to Epicurus’s belief that man’s knowledge about gods is inborn. This innate or inborn idea about gods’ immortality and blessedness provokes everyone to form a popular opinion that gods must be immortal and blessed. 4. Epicurus infers from the fact that the gods are the immortal and

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Gothic novel Essay Example for Free

Gothic novel Essay The novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte has been categorised as both romantic and gothic by scholars and literary critics. The plot entails the exploration of a womans domestic trap, a common Victorian theme, with her subjection to patriarchal authority and her dangerous attempts to escape from such restrictions and the consequences. There is a mixture of mysterious events, moonlit natural environment, beautiful dream-like landscapes, enigmatic characters. Jane is represented as the heroine of the story, the virginal Christian female character. In opposition to her is the character of Bertha who is insane and is hidden in the attic of Thornfield Hall, representing Rochesters torment and his terrible secret. It can be argued that the plot has many entwined characteristics of both genres and it is very difficult to think of it as of one kind. The essay will discuss the way in which the novel accords with the characteristics of a romantic novel and a Gothic novel and evaluates whether it may be possible to assign it with one of the two labels. Romantic novels emphasize imagination and feeling, they focus on natures ability to free humans from societys judgments and limitations. English romance narrates exotic and unusual stories, they are concerned with chivalric deeds (as in the stories of King Arthur), recalling themes of romantic medieval literature. The latter results from a period in English history when society was in search for of order and the approach was that everything had to be explained rationally and scientifically, hence often being referred to as the Age of Reason. However, the romantics themes are in opposition to such a way of thinking and rebelled against such established norms and conventions. The characters in romantic novels place the self at the centre of his/her own existence, this is achieved by focusing on his/her thoughts rather than actions. The theme or romantic love as opposed to passionate love is explored too and the consequences the latter would bring. Another narrative style which emerged was the Gothic novel. The background setting has a dim and imposing mansion or castle, as a backdrop to the atmosphere of mystery and suspense, where the characters fears are explored beneath the surface of the enlightened psyche. Other features of a gothic tale is the presence of omens, portents and visions. There is usually a suffering, tormented woman who needs to be rescued from a controlling and lustful guardian, and in the process displays an array of extreme sentiments and reactions, such as swooning, crying and sorrow. She is usually often commanded to marry someone she does not love or commit some moral or actual crime. Supernatural events may be used to explain coincidences and many scenes evoke terror through the depiction of physical and psychological violence. So I would like to examine how Jane Eyre would seem to be typical of the romantic novel that was so popular in Victorian England, while at the same time having, in my opinion, all the ingredients for a gothic novel. The plot recalls a fairy tale when you came upon me last night I thought unaccountably of fairy tales; as Bronte writes in chapter 13. However, Bronte skilfully uses it as a frame, to give a clear picture of her great feminine consciousness, expressed in Jane Eyres persona. This is conveyed through the use of a first-person narration, that depicts the world around her and the others in relation to her and her point of view. In the romantic novel the individual stands at the centre of romantic fiction relating facts and experiences. In the following passage, Jane demonstrates her fervid romantic imagination, as she explains to Adele that she and Mr Rochester are going to get married and utters Here is a talisman will remove all difficulties; (chapter 24) Jane metaphorically evokes the theme of natural forces which come to her aid when she is most in need for comfort. The passage continues with, a fairy that held out a pretty gold ring.. and I am yours, and you are mine; and we shall leave earth and make our heaven yonder'(chapter 24). The latter depicts the traditions of dream and oral tales which was much loved by the romantics. However, these are also elements which can be found in Gothic novels, where enchantment and fear are closely related. There is much about Jane and Rochesters introspection, their belief in the supernatural, and conflicting emotions. Jane fights against the wicked spirits of Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Manor Hall, and Marsh End at the end, these supernatural elements take the form of moral choices that force her into reflecting upon righteousness. For instance, the striking of the chestnut tree by lightening, under which Rochester had proposed to Jane (chapter 22), is a portent of their imminent separation and the dangers that lie ahead. It is a perfect Gothic symbol, as nature predicts human fate. Moreover, Bronte is able to convey and juxtapose different tones in the same passage, it can change from a playful and romantic tone to an enigmatic and harsh one. For instance, when Rochester is trying to convince Jane to dine with him and she refuses, his mood changes immediately . He is upset by her answer and asks Jane if she supposes whether he eats as an ogre or a ghoul (chapter 24). Here, Gothic elements are used metaphorically to convey the degenerating tone of such a conversation. Recalling the Bluebeard tales themes, which underlines the novel. The supernatural elements conceal emotions and have been used to symbolise the child which resides in all of us and comes out in moments of loss of consciousness and fear, and at the same time heightening the readers awareness of the fragility of the heroine/hero. As when Jane describes the red room, with its noises and mirrors, where she was secluded as a punishment, everything in the room becomes fearful to her eyes. The mere colour red conjures up images of blood and being locked in either literally or in a moral sense is an abhorrent idea to most (it recalls also the theme of trap) (chapter 2). Another important aspect of the novel is the exotic. Romantics, in their novels, often alluded to distant places. In the story, Rochester has a house in Spain, where he wishes to take Jane once married, considering it as a more relaxed country, colourful and sensual place. Before meeting Jane, Rochester had travelled around the world in search of a foreign wife (Chapter 27). Yet, Bronte condemns such behaviour and makes Rochester feel reckless with disappointment to the point he utters that I tried dissipation never debauchery: that I hated, and hate. That was my Messalinas attribute (Chapter 27). Jane rejects such exoticism and is not forming a very favourable opinion on him, he is perceived by her as an unfeeling, loose-principled rake. What Bronte is trying to emphasise is that if romantic love was to be perceived in such a superficial light as being just for sexual pleasure then it together with passion, would mean a loss of the self morally and ethically. Moreover, the idea of the character who travels towards unknown distant places, against wicked and unpredictable forces (these are represented by the several lovers he mentions, throughout his journey, and finally by Bertha, his insane wife segregated in the attic of Thornfield Hall). Thus, Gothic elements are used to create a sense of loss and psychological violence, just like what Mr. Rochester experienced throughout his journeys. Bronte demonstrates an attitude towards natural forces, which gravely offered help to such a reckless man. In fact, he was not able to fall in love with a womankind, but with a natural slender creature who is personified by Jane (Chapter 27). Thus, the novel entails many elements which are characteristic of fairy tales. Jane is repeatedly described as looking like a spirit, a tiny phantom, half fairy, half imp. . Such an association permits an author to use less words to express deeper ideas, by adding powerful images through an apt use of wondrous language. The imaginary is at the heart of both narrative genres, however under many aspects Gothicism emerges to create suspense and conveys the characters inner torments, such as the striking of the chestnut tree, the red room. These contrast with the romantic descriptions of the outdoor scenes, such as when Jane runs across the countryside, are nevertheless described in a vivid and detailed manner as if Jane Eyre were painting a realistic picture of the scene in all its shades. This imagery suggests her characters moral condition and state of mind, therefore the mood of the story is immediately conveyed. There are numerous symbolic references to weather and to the sky, in the form of storms, rain, clouds, and sun. At the very opening of the novel, Jane sets the scene by mentioning that the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating. There is a full moon on the night when Bertha attacks her brother, as there is on the night when Jane runs away from Thornfield. Nature is presented as the mother of all creatures, which connotes Janes romantic side and her fragility. The scenes that are a set for Rochester and Jane Eyres passion take place in natural surroundings. After their wedding is interrupted, the woods which twelve hours since waved leafy and fragrant/now spread, waste, wild and white as pine-forests in wintry Norway. Here, Bronte adds Gothic elements, which changes the mood to one of tormented state of mind, thus anticipating Janes future struggles. At the end, when reunited, Rochester tells Jane that I am no better than the old lightening-struck chestnut-tree in Thornfield orchard. The theme of nature seems to be treated in both a romantic as well as a gothic way, due to the atmosphere which at times evokes joyful and comforting images, while at other times horrific images and death. In chapter 35, the personification of the wind effectively suggests the way in which the mood can be created by nature. Bronte uses it as the means by which she received the message from Mr Rochester, in fact she follows it throughout the passage until she finds her way out of that situation. This manifestation of the voice perceived in her spirit and mind, and not externally, could be construed in a gothic light i. e. as a portent or a supernatural event. There is, however, a romantic and passionate image of the voice which contrasts with the Gothic setting. The passage I am coming! hush (chapter 37) is extremely descriptive with many adjectives dark, void and nouns such as loneliness and hush. The combination of this with short sentences creates an immediacy, dramatic impact and mystic atmosphere, characteristic of Gothic novels. In conclusion, by writing from an individual point of view, by creating characters who are possessed of strong feelings, fiery passions and some extraordinary personalities, by using some elements of horror and mystery, Jane Eyre is able to recreate life in a fantastic romantic way. The vividness of her subjective narration, especially the heroine who is contrary to the Victorians expectations, the presentation of the economical, social background of the time give her works a never dying popularity. The eerie atmosphere with supernatural associations can recall the characteristics of Gothic novels and are used in some way to justify what is inexplicable (as the voice of Mr. Rochester calling her or striking of the chestnut tree). All in all, I consider gothic as a subgenre of the romantic novel, both require drama and high emotional intensity which are elements that can be definitely found in Jane Eyre, one cannot exclude the other, it would be a great mistake to try and categorize such a masterpiece under one genre.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Blue Jeans, the Ultimate American Icon Essay example -- History

Blue Jeans, the Ultimate American Icon Gold was discovered in California in 1849. This resulted in more than eighty thousand American’s rushing to California. The pioneering spirit spread and by 1890, the West’s population reached nearly 17 million. The west became the most racially diverse part of the country. All were in search of a better life for themselves and their families, seeking what would become known as the American Dream. During this time innovation and creation were prompting remarkable growth in industry. New products that made life more tolerable were spreading to all classes of people. One popular item of clothing that can trace its roots to the Gold Rush is blue jeans. Blue jeans grew out of necessity but they now represent the spirit of the west and the ideals of America. Blue jeans are seen all across the world as an American symbol, perhaps the ultimate American icon. The best way to understand why blue jeans are revered is to first learn about their history. The history of blue jeans began with Levi Strauss. In 1847 Levi Strauss emigrated from Bavaria, now part of southern Germany, to New York. Once news of the Gold Rush reached New York, Levi Strauss packed up his belongings and headed west. In 1853, Levi Strauss reached San Francisco California, where he officially became an American citizen. Strauss was not there to search for gold. He moved west to open a branch of the family’s dry good business. He did business with many miners and began to understand their needs. A miner’s foremost need was for stronger clothing, especially pants. Levi Strauss began making pants, known then as waist overalls. Levi Strauss contacted his family in New York and told them of his new venture. He asked them to order as much canvas as possible. Strauss experimented with all aspects of pant making. He tested different materials and found denim to be the strongest. He tried many different dyes. He decided on a deep-blue indigo-blue, since it was easy to replicate the shade. With the indigo-blue color and denim fabric combination blue jeans were born. The new pants took on a new name, denim blue jeans. They were tough, reasonably priced, and lasted longer than any pant before. Blue jeans accommodated the lifestyle of the hard-workers such as miners, rancher, farmers, railroad workers, and teachers. Life out west was tough, work was hard, and da... ... a denim art contest in 1973. The winning pants were shown off to the public on an 18-month tour of American museums. In the 70s, more styles of jeans were emerging. Bell-bottoms first appeared in 1970. Until 1970, blue jeans were designed to fit men. That changed in the early 70s when the first jeans made to fit women were introduced. The popularity of blue jeans allowed Levi Strauss and Company to become the largest clothing maker in the world during 1977. Blue jeans continued to be a popular item through the 1980’s, which is often considered the decade of designer jeans. Since an increasing number of companies were creating jeans, labels became an important element of the pants. Jeans were fashionable, and worn more for look than for durability. Blue jeans remained a popular item of clothing through out the remainder of the 20th century, and into the 21st. Levi Strauss and Company’s sales for 2001 were 4.3 billion dollars. The styles are constantly changing to accommodate the needs and desires of the consumers. Blue jeans were originally created as a uniform for the lower class worker, but they have become a symbol of American ingenuity, ambition, individuality, and success.

Monday, November 11, 2019

School of Rock Review

You and your whole family will love the brand new film about to hit the big screen.. School of Rock! The lead role, Dewey Finn, is played by the legendary Jack Black (and I must admit, nobody could do any better) and direction is done by Richard Linklater, who appears to do an amazing job. After being kicked out of his garage band for the latest 10 minute long guitar solos, wannabe rock star, Dewey Finn must find a way to earn some money to pay his rent. Living in his best friend Ned's spare room with the constant furious temper of Ned's fiancà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, Patti, Dewey is desperate to find a way to put a new band together better than any other, in order to fulfil Dewey's dream of winning Battle of the Bands. Teaching children would not be the most obvious of solutions, but when Dewey sees his chance to earn some extra money, he can't get to the chalkboard quick enough! After a day of Dewey putting his feet up and listening to children endlessly begging for learning and education, he soon comes to realise that the children have a very special talent for music. Suddenly, Dewey's enthusiasm for his teaching job no longer is the centre of attention in his mind; spotting a peculiar way to put a band together, he then replaces curriculum lessons with a schedule based around rock, consisting of homework involving listening to Dewey's collection of rock CD's. With the Battle of the Bands contest getting even closer, Dewey has to match his snobby school children to his hard-rocking competition. School of rock has everything a successful rock band needs, from lead guitarist to groupies, just inside the classroom. There's a feel good feel to the film, changing Dewey for the better, he learns to genuinely see the talent in the children. What impressed me most about School of rock is the hilarious comedy enough to make you wet your pants. Not everyone will enjoy School of Rock, and it's one of those films that'll require you to be in a good mood to enjoy, but if you are – you definitely will.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Literary Analysis: Monkey’s Paw

What makes a scary story? Is it the death of an important character or a guy in a mask scaring people? W. W. Jacobs, the author of The Monkey’s Paw uses numerous amounts of literary devices to make this story interesting. In my essay I will be responding to the theme, mood/imagery/personification, and foreshadowing. In this story a sergeant major is in possession of a monkey’s paw that appears to be magic. The paw allows him to make wishes. But every time the man makes a wish, death takes someone in return. He does make a wish for a vast amount of pounds, or money.But of course someone dies, and it just so happens that it was his son. The theme in this story is that with great power comes great precaution. For every wish, he must know that lives are at steak. Like the fact that he wishes for money, but his son dies. â€Å"What goes around comes around†, was a great quote that wasn’t used but is a grand example of what could, can, and did happen. â€Å"For tune rules peoples live. Sorrow† was another high-quality quote that explains that no matter what you do fate controls people’s lives.His son died because of an accident at work so therefore the company of the work place gave the family 100,000 pounds, so I would say that this was a strange coincidence. â€Å"A sergeant major is in possession of a monkey’s paw that appears to be magic. The paw allows him to make three wishes, but for a price. Every time he makes a wish death takes someone in return. The lesson or theme takes place in these aforementioned sentences. The theme is to be careful what you wish for. Foreshadowing is in this whole subsection, a man has a monkey’s paw and he gets to make three wishes.But if he does make a wish, someone will die in return. He does get his wish, but this wish takes course in the death process. In the story, the father makes a wish and the son dies in a terrible accident at work. In the occurrence the son’s e mployees felt sorry for the father’s family therefore giving him 100,000 pounds. â€Å"Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlor of Laburnum Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned vibrantly. † The imagery was how the fire burned. The imagery also introduced the mood. The mood made me have a snug because the locale was at night and the blinds were drawn as the ire burned. The mood was showed by the imagery. Cold, wet, night time, and inside there was a flamboyant fire. That mood gave me the homely sensation because the weather was ghastly but inside there was a pleasant fire. The author W. W. Jacobs does an immense job at fusing the mood and imagery in one sentence. W. W. Jacobs does an equisetic job with the topic sentence using mood and imagery to hook the reader. In the foremost sentence the author fuses the mood and imagery to make a setting that gives the reader a snug feeling. I enjoyed the book The Monkey’s Paw

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Free Essays on Thoreau

In Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience, Thoreau takes a strong look at the government and the reasons why some government laws should not be followed. In Thoreau’s opening lines he states, â€Å"That government is best which governs not at all;† (4-5). At the time when this essay was written, slavery was not only legal but it was a law that blacks must be owned. Slaves had no rights. They were in America for the sole purpose of working for the white man. Thoreau states, â€Å"if one HONEST man, in this state of Massachusetts, ceasing to hold slaves, were actually to withdraw from this copartnership, and he locked up in the county jail therefor, it would be the abolition of slavery in America,†(341-345). Thoreau is simply asking for people to disobey the laws of slavery in order to free the slaves who are people, who are human, and who should be given the same rights as other human beings. In my opinion, it is this statement that Martin Luther King Jr. took to heart as he fought for equality for all people. Thoreau goes on to speak of a time when he was asked by the State to pay money to the clergy because his father attended church. Thoreau refused to pay, however another person instead paid the money for him. Thoreau stated, â€Å"I did not see why the schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest, and not the priest the schoolmaster, but I supported myself by voluntary subscription. I did not see why the lyceum should not present its tax bill, and have the State to back its demand, as well as the Church,† (465-470). After that incident, Thoreau made a statement in writing and gave it to the clerk to let the State know that he did not want to be a member of any organization that he had not joined of his own accord. Lastly, Thoreau speaks of a poll tax. Thoreau seemed to question the use of such money and of course he refused to pay the tax. This time his refusal landed him in jail. It is believed that it is this one night in... Free Essays on Thoreau Free Essays on Thoreau Henry David Thoreau begins his poem â€Å"Woof of the Sun, Etheral Gauze† with a description of fog covering the sun. Woof of the sun, ethereal gauze, Woven of Nature's richest stuffs, Visible heat, air-water, and dry sea, Last conquest of the eye†¦// (ll. 1-4) At first glance, the preceding passage offers an ordinary image of the sun hidden behind clouds. Through oxymorons he presents the boundless qualities of the low cloud of fog; the phrases â€Å"visible heat,† air water,† and dry sea† each present a state beyond the physical world free from temporal restrictions. More importantly Thoreau depicts the clouds as â€Å"ethereal gauze,† illustrating the sheerness of the clouds, yet how too the clouds partially conceal the sun from the eye. This special treatment of diaphanous media- fog and smoke- is a unique feature in Thoreau’s poems â€Å"Mist,† â€Å"Fog,† â€Å"The Sluggish Smoke† and â€Å"Light-Winged Icarian Bird.† Thoreau employs these metaphors to represent the semi-obscured realm that connects the physical world from the spiritual realm. For Thoreau, there was no distinction between the physical world and the spiritual world unlike Ralph Waldo Emerson who believes ther e is a division. Images of fog are featured in Thoreau’s poetry to present the bridge between Nature and heaven. The images of smoke serve as a metaphor of the human imagination attempting to reach to connect the two realms. In the poem â€Å"Mist,† one can see Thoreau recognizing and retaining the beauty of the physical world, but also featuring metaphysical attributes to the fog imagery: Low-anchored cloud Newfoundland air, Fountain-head and source of rivers, Dew-cloth, dream drapery, And napkin spread by fays; Drifting meadow of the air, Where bloom the daisied banks and violets, And in whose fenny labyrinth The bittern booms and heron wades; Spirit of lakes and seas and rivers, Bear only perfumes and the scent O... Free Essays on Thoreau As a follower of transcendentalism, Thoreau projected individualism in his literary works, Walden and â€Å"Civil Disobedience.† Thoreau had a deep emphasis on nature, as displayed in his works, as well as his freedom and following conscience. Walden Pond was one of Thoreau’s favorite spots in Concord, Massachusetts. Walden Pond is a symbol for self-exploration; it must answer human nature depth for depth. Even as a very young child, he could stand alone among the trees at Walden Pond and not feel lonely. The people around his small town referred to Thoreau as â€Å"nature’s own child† (Reef 21). Thoreau spent more time outdoors than in the small cabin he built by Walden Pond. Thoreau took long walks in the woods and fields around his town in Concord, Massachusetts. While he was at Walden, Thoreau was alone quite often, but he was rarely lonely. Walden is a book about Thoreau’s experiences while living in the woods beside Walden Pond. Walden is not a long book, but it is filled with wonderful sentences that grab at your mind and stay in your ear (Burleigh 20). This book has helped many people think about and change their lives. Thoreau summed up his reasoning for living by Walden Pond by saying, â€Å"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essentials facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived† (Daugherty 15). Thoreau felt peaceful and at one with nature. He felt deeply about nature; he felt it reached right into your feelings. Yet thoughts (Ring 5). Thoreau felt that â€Å"Natural objects and phenomena are the original symbols or types which express our thoughts and feelings, and yet American scholars, having little or no root in the soil, commonly strive with all their might to confide themselves to the imported symbols alone. All the true growth and experience, the living speech, they would fa... Free Essays on Thoreau In Henry David Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience, Thoreau takes a strong look at the government and the reasons why some government laws should not be followed. In Thoreau’s opening lines he states, â€Å"That government is best which governs not at all;† (4-5). At the time when this essay was written, slavery was not only legal but it was a law that blacks must be owned. Slaves had no rights. They were in America for the sole purpose of working for the white man. Thoreau states, â€Å"if one HONEST man, in this state of Massachusetts, ceasing to hold slaves, were actually to withdraw from this copartnership, and he locked up in the county jail therefor, it would be the abolition of slavery in America,†(341-345). Thoreau is simply asking for people to disobey the laws of slavery in order to free the slaves who are people, who are human, and who should be given the same rights as other human beings. In my opinion, it is this statement that Martin Luther King Jr. took to heart as he fought for equality for all people. Thoreau goes on to speak of a time when he was asked by the State to pay money to the clergy because his father attended church. Thoreau refused to pay, however another person instead paid the money for him. Thoreau stated, â€Å"I did not see why the schoolmaster should be taxed to support the priest, and not the priest the schoolmaster, but I supported myself by voluntary subscription. I did not see why the lyceum should not present its tax bill, and have the State to back its demand, as well as the Church,† (465-470). After that incident, Thoreau made a statement in writing and gave it to the clerk to let the State know that he did not want to be a member of any organization that he had not joined of his own accord. Lastly, Thoreau speaks of a poll tax. Thoreau seemed to question the use of such money and of course he refused to pay the tax. This time his refusal landed him in jail. It is believed that it is this one night in...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Central Teachings Essay Example for Free (#2)

Central Teachings Essay The central teachings of Islam are oneness of God and of humanity; prophethood and the compass of Islam; human relationship to the divine; belief in the unseen life; and belief in the Last Judgment (Fisher, 2005). Oneness of God and of humanity Islam teaches that there is only one God. This is why the first words spoken to a Muslim infant are the words of the Shahadah – â€Å"la ilaha ill-Allah Muhammad-un Rasulu-llah† (â€Å"There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God†). According to Muslims, God may be called by many names, but all the attributes assigned to those different names only make up the totality of the One God who created the universe. They contend that there must be absolute unity among all men of all races because they were all created by only one God and should therefore be brothers under the same God. Stretching this argument further, Islam maintains that no one race should be considered the chosen race, nor be considered superior than other races. Islam teaches that the individual should be one with God, therefore his or her thoughts and deeds should always be inspired by God. This oneness of God and of humanity was very emphatically expressed by Abu Hashim Madami, an Indian Sufi sage, when he said that â€Å"There is only one thing to be gained in life, and that is to remember God with each breath; and there is only one loss in life, and that is the breath drawn without the remembrance of God† (Fisher. 2005). Prophethood and the compass of Islam All the prophets from Abraham to Jesus Christ are honored, but they maintain that Muhammad was the last prophet sent by God with the final message. This means, therefore, that the Qur’an sums up all the messages from God so Islam should include all religions, including Christianity and Judaism which also trace their roots to Abraham (Fisher, 2005). Muslims believe that although God sent many messengers namely: â€Å"Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad,† the message He revealed to Muhammad was the final message intended for all of mankind (Robinson, 2007). Human relationship to the divine They believe that God created the universe for a specific purpose or purposes. To achieve His purpose/s, He set down particular laws to govern the actions of everybody. For this reason, Islam maintains that man could live in peace and prosperity only if he recognizes the laws which were set by God and faithfully abide by them. The set of laws of Islam is called the Sharia Law which has been derived from the Qur’an and the Sunna, which has been considered as the Islamic â€Å"custom or practice; particularly that associated with the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad, comprising his deeds and utterances as recorded in the hadith† (Robinson, 2007). Belief in the unseen life They accept the existence of the unseen life such as angels. Specifically, they believe in Gabriel, whom they have credited with bringing down the messages of God to humanity. Muhammad, for one, related that the revelations were sometimes brought to him by an angel in human form who would recite the Qur’anic passages to him. They likewise believe that Satan exists just as they believe that there are saints. Belief in the Last Judgment For them, the Last Judgment means that dead Muslims are allowed some rest before being raised from the grave for the final reckoning, after which the sinners and the unbelievers are sent to hell (Fisher. 2005). Those who lived their lives on earth believing in Allah and his prophets and messengers would enter paradise while â€Å"Agnostics, Atheists, Polytheists, and followers of non-Abrahamic religions† would be rejected. Entry into Paradise, according to Muslims, would likewise be denied to all those whose lives were dominated by â€Å"evil deeds† (Robinson, 2007). Central Teachings. (2017, May 29).

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Impact of Stress on Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Impact of Stress on Nursing - Essay Example The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines stress as "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them" (Murray, 2005). This essay takes into consideration the negative effects of stress to which nurses may be prone. It also presents strategies for nurses to that can reduce the level or types of stress that nurses encounter. A number of negative effects of stress have been identified. Patterns of extreme or high stress may lead to the fight-or-flight response (Selye, 1976) and psychological and physical illnesses or many times its symptoms (Cropley and Steptoe, 2005; Neilsen et al, 2005). There are also situation where stress results in extreme discomfort (Drew, et al., 2005), exacerbation of age-related declines in memory (Vendras, et al., 2005), low quality of life (Lustyk, Widman, Paschane, and Ecker, 2004), and premature death (Robinson, McBeth, and McFarlane, 2004). Today with the increasing pressure and stress on the nursing staff, it is estimated that first-year retention rates for new graduate nurses is only between 40% and 65%. In terms of numbers as many as 6 out of 10 new nursing grads leave nursing practice within one year of graduation (Rosebrough, 2005). It is important to understand the impact of stress and ... If we try to categorise the type of stress faced by nurses it can be said that physically, the job of a nurse is often demanding with high levels of muscular-skeletal stress, culminating in many aches and pains. Mentally, nurses are required to be alert and 'on the ball', making calculations for medication and responding to important questions from patients and relatives. Emotionally, the impact is felt when nurses involve themselves in empathising and helping people and working in an environment where there is pain and sadness. Additionally, the context of work may be characterised by resource constraints, poor staff support and organizational change, which add to the energy expended. Too much stress and burn out brings the discomfort of finding the nursing staff struggling (Murray, 2005). Strategies of Stress Management Nursing is the profession of serving others and it is very important that nurses maintain a balance between work and other personal activities. Since most of the nursing staff work on shift basis it is important to use leisure time to recharge and energise themselves. There are several strategies for stress management and among these the coping strategies and relaxation techniques are simple, effective and helpful in controlling anxiety levels, depression and anger. Besides, there are a range of interventions that can reduce stress in nursing. According to a recent review cognitive behavioural interventions and relaxation or the meditation strategies are effective in bringing down personal levels of stress (Mimura and Griffiths, 2003). Cognitive-behavioural interventions are intended to help people live longer, feel better and avoid having self-defeating thoughts. These interventions help nurses to