Kipling Essays - Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Rudyard Kipling

Kipling In contemporary times, much criticism has been placed upon Rudyard Kipling for his support of British Imperialism; George Orwell went so far as to call him the "prophet of British Imperialism during its expansionist phase." To be sure, a considerable portion of Kipling's works were written in celebration and support of Imperial expansion, but it is short-sighted to simply label him as an Imperial propagandist or apologist. Two of his most oft-condemned poems, Recessional and The White Man's Burden, actually were used by both sides of the colonial issue at the time.1 A reading of Recessional, taken in the context of the prevailing attitudes of the time, seems to indicate that it is a piece about hubris rather than a promotion of the Empire. And the "burden" that Kipling writes on, while patronizing, was indeed a genuine burden.2 The fact that the British Empire went far in alleviating famine and disease in the conquered territories should not be ignored. It is beyond a doubt, however, that Kipling was convinced of Britain's superiority in the world. In For All We Have and Are, for instance, the reader is convinced with the last two lines, "What stands if Freedom fall?/Who dies if England live?" Kipling was not by far the most vociferous of the jingoists; having been somewhat of an outsider all for his life, he showed great sympathy for those whose lives were wasted in the expansion of the empire, and criticized the Imperial machinery that used them. His poetry as told by the common British soldiers show his ability maintain his status as poet laureate of the Empire while telling the stories of its victims, and at times, condemning it for the way it treated those soldiers. Kipling published Barrack-Room Ballads in 1890, and it immediately gained him great success in England. A collection of poems written in the voice of a London cockney, they display Kipling's remarkable breadth of understanding of soldiers and soldiering during the Victorian era. While reading The Young British Soldier one can perfectly picture a group of such men belting out the words of the song over mugs of beer: When the arc-made recruit goes out to the East 'E acts like a babe an' 'e drinks like a beast, An' 'e wonders because 'e is frequent deceased Ere 'e fit for to serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Serve, serve, serve as a soldier, Soldier of the Queen! Here Kipling echoes the fatalistic humor that seems to infect every soldier in every war. More fatalism and the unwillingness to speak directly of the horrors of battle surface in The Widow's Party: ...For half my company's laying still Where the Widow give the party. ...We broke a King and we built a road-- A courthouse stands where the regiment goad. And the river's clean where the raw blood flowed When the Widow give the party. Not only does Kipling create a brutal contrast between the soldier's description (a party) and the battle that actually took place, he injects a small amount of disgust that good young men died, all for the purpose of expanding the Empire into some godforsaken land that few in England had ever heard of. More of this veiled disgust surfaces in The Widow at Windsor, written as a British soldier who does not see the Empire as any kind of divine design: Walk wide of the Widow at Windsor, For half of Creation she owns: We have bought her the same with the sword 'an the flame, An we've salted it down with our bones. (Poor beggars! -- it's blue with our bones!) Take 'old of the Wings o' the Mornin', An' flop round the earth till you're dead; But you won't get away from the tune that they play To the blooming' old rag overhead. (Poor beggars! -- it's not overhead!) The theme that overrides in much of Kipling's poetry, however, is his sympathy for the common soldier and his treatment by those he is serving. Tommy endures to this day as the best commentary on the relationship between the soldier and the non-combatant public: I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'hadn't none for me; They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls, But when it comes to fighting', Lord! They'll shove me in the stalls! ... We aren't no thin red 'heroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in

Suicide In College Essays

Suicide In College Essays Suicide In College Essay Suicide In College Essay College is a fun exciting time in a person’s life.   It is a new adventure filled with opportunities.   Unfortunately, when people get there they sometimes discover it was not all they had anticipated it to be.   Although college can be a great learning experience, it is also something very different than what most people are used to.   It is the first time living away from parents and can lead to frustration, loneliness, depression, overindulgence, and some mental illnesses become apparent in college years.   In most cases the students either get over the problem, or drop out of school, in some cases; however these problems lead to suicide.   â€Å"Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 – 24 year† (AFSP).   â€Å"It is the second leading cause of death in college students† (Naval Academy).   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The person who feels extreme emotional pain is the type of person who may consider suicide† (Kolehmainen, 14).Frustration and loneliness are two of the most common problems experienced when a person is attempting to adjust to college.   For most students this is the first move away from home.   They discover they have to do their own laundry, get themselves up on time, and clean up after themselves.   This can lead to confusion and frustration.   The loneliness sets in when they realize they are miles away from friends and family.   Both of these problems are minor psychological issues and are usually relieved within the first few weeks as the person makes new friends and adjusts to college life.   If they are unable to adjust, the problems can become much worse and usually lead to depression.Depression has two causes one of which is a problem in the brain; the other is caused by bad situations in a person’s life.   Either cause can lead to suicide.   Clinical depression (chemical problems inside the brain) can be treated effectively with medication, once it has been diagnosed.   T he situational depression is one of the leading factors in suicide. This is the kind that loneliness can lead to it happens when something happens in a persons life to make them very sad for an extended period of time.   It can be caused by a beak-up, loss of a loved one, or loneliness or many other reasons. It is quite common in college students, when they realize they aren’t as popular as they were in high school, they can not keep their grades up, or they miss the people they left behind. Some signs of depression include crying, nightmares, withdrawal from friends and family, feelings of hopelessness, not eating, weight changes, anger, lack of concentration, or decreased energy (Horn, 109).   When someone shows any of these symptoms they need to get help.As college is often when people move away from their parents, this freedom often leads to parties, drinking, and sometimes trying illicit drugs.   Some of these things if taken in excess can alter thoughts.   Somet imes they alter the thoughts to make them consider suicide.   These thoughts would often not be acted on if the person was not under the influence of the drugs.   Alcohol is a depressant and thus would increase any depressed thoughts and could be an influence on a student already thinking about suicide. â€Å"Drugs and alcohol reduce inhibitions and increase risk taking behavior, thus reinforcing whatever tendencies towards self destruction people poses† (Rivera).Some college students have mental disorders which cause thoughts of suicide and eventually lead them to act on it.   Schizophrenia is one mental illness that first appears in late teenage years and college. This illness causes people to hear voices at times and have delusions that someone is trying to cause them harm. These thoughts can sometimes manifest as thoughts of suicide.   There are a number of other illnesses such as bi-polar disorder that if properly treated can be managed, but these illnesses are s ometimes not discovered, until the person has acted on the thoughts of suicide.Suicide is considered a permanent solution to a temporary problem. â€Å"Nearly 1,100 suicides are projected to occur on college campuses this year† (Naval Academy).   This indicates there is a problem on college campuses.   Many people, who are inclined to commit suicide, give indications before they actually act on these problems.   Friends and family need to be aware of the signs, which are similar to those of depression.   When people turn eighteen they are not automatically ready to go out into the world alone.   Many are ready, but obviously many are not.   Students getting ready to go to college need to be educated on the options and support available to them.   High school guidance counselors need to prepare young people for what they need to expect in college.   They need to understand it is a big change from high school and the changes are not always good.   Parents need to prepare students for the laundry and cleaning up after themselves as well as for the adjustment to being responsible for oneself.   The more prepared students are, when they enter college, the better they will be able to handle the challenges college presents.   There is no way to prevent suicide altogether, but preparation and watching for signs will hopefully save a number of them.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, (2007), Retrieved June 4, 2007 from,AFSP: Facts and Figures: National StatisticsHorn, Wade F. and Keough, C. New Teen Book, (1999) Des Moines, Iowa:Better Homes and Gardens BooksKolehmainen, Janet, and Handerk, S. Teen Suicide,(1986) Minneapolis:Lerner PublicationsRivera, Roberto, â€Å"Moods and Worldviews: Suicide on Campus†, Boundless Webzine,Retrieved June 11, 2007 from boundless.org/2000/features/a0000271.htmlUnited States Naval Academy, College and Suicide- Just the facts, RetrievedJune 11, 2007 from, MDC Suicide College Facts

Assess the significance of Judith Butler’s work

Assess the significance of Judith Butlers work The modern meaning of the word 'gender' emerged in the 1970s. Its original purpose was to draw a line between biological sex and how particular thoughts and behaviours could be defined as either 'feminine' or 'masculine' (Pilcher & Whelehan, 2004). The reason for using the word 'gender' was to raise awareness of the exaggeration of biological differences between men and women. The popularity of this meaning for the word 'gender' resulted from the efforts of second wave feminism in the 1970s. This essay examines how second wave feminism attempted to construct a 'grand narrative' of women's oppression. It then examines Judith Butler's contribution to post-modern feminist theory through her performative theory of gender and how this fits into post-modern feminist debates. A product of second wave feminism, which began around 1970, was the attempt to place women within a 'grand narrative' history of their oppression. One of the seminal writers on this narrative was Simone de Beauvoir. H er work in describing how women had become 'the other' in her book The Second Sex (de Beauvoir, 1961) laid the foundations for what was to come in the second wave of feminism (Gamble, 2002). De Beauvoir argues that the way in which men think about women is only in relation to their fantasies, that they have no substance of their own. Unfortunately, for de Beauvoir, women have come to accept men's fantasies of womanhood as constituting their own conception of themselves. For de Beauvoir, it was for women to conceive of themselves in their own terms, to take back the power themselves. A criticism of de Beauvoir's approach was that it tended to blame women for their current condition (Gamble, 2002). The second wave feminists of the 1970s, however, such as Millet (1970), pointed to patriarchy as the root cause of women's oppression. It is patriarchy, so Millet argued, that has become a political institution, and from this flows all the other forms of women's oppression. Firestone (197 0) also took a strong line against patriarchy, equating women's oppression to a caste or class system. Ideological support for patriarchy, in Firestone's view, has come from institutions such as the family, marriage along with romantic love. These ideas are referred to as constructing a 'grand narrative', a way of charting the history and development of particular ideas, in this case women's oppression (MacNay, 1997). One of the problems that much feminist thought has come up against in trying to provide a 'grand narrative' of women's oppression is that it is difficult to effectively give all women a common identity (Whelehan, 1995). If the very idea of gender flows from cultural origins, then it is only natural to conclude that gender has different meanings in different cultural contexts. How then can a common identity be posited? Other critics such as Richards (1982), examining second wave feminism from a liberal perspective, have seen it as a movement that has failed. Richards se es many of the feminist approaches as being extreme and unattractive, and not focussing, as she sees it, on rational debate. She criticises feminists for utilising 'eccentric' arguments which do not conform to the normative expectations of philosophical debate. Further, she criticises feminism for ignoring the obvious differences between men and women – such as women's ability to have children – and thereby presenting an unrealistic picture of utopian gender relations.

A Learning Sequence which covers LS content in Implications of Essay

A Learning Sequence which covers LS content in Implications of National Identity of Chinese - Essay Example handy as it states that knowledge acquisition can be directly interconnected to observing others within the context of experiences, outside media influences as well as social interactions. Most of these approaches rely on the practice of guided finding where the tutor avoids using the most undeviating instruction and endeavours to lead the scholar through queries and actions to determine, deliberate, appreciate, and express the new acquaintance. Therefore, the planning of teaching the above-mentioned topic adopts the constructivist learning theory (Tucker, 2005, p. 89). This study will centre on The Chinese Foundation Secondary School students who are studying form 5 of their junior form course. During their junior form studies, the students should acquire the prerequisite related knowledge of â€Å"identity† from integrated humanities. According to the liberal studies Curriculum and Assessment Guide (C & A Guide EDB of 2007), the relevant learning experience (from P1 to S3) of the concept of identity are: The students need to be well equipped with the basic knowledge concerning the issue about Chinese Nationalism. The students should identify themselves with their national symbols and the court systems. Thus, national identity to them should be seen as the repository of the most cherished and sometimes even extravagant or demented, aspirations (Prazniak, 1996, p. 89).   This module is expected to cover (4-6 lessons of 40 minutes each) together with pre-lesson preparation by students as well as homework if necessary. Therefore, this issue is closely related to two modules of the NSS Liberal Studies curriculum as follows: Upon the completion of the designated task, students are expected to have broadened their take and general understanding on matters pertaining to nationality, patriotism, cultural heritage, and open mindedness. Their overall approach to matters of problem solution cooperation as well as judgment pertaining to matters of justice is expected to

Incentives and Disincentives for Corporations entering the Texan Research Paper

Incentives and Disincentives for Corporations entering the Texan financial industry compared to other U.S. states in general - Research Paper Example The outstanding leadership of Governor Rick Perry has promoted the growth of the Texas State and eventual recognition of the Texas model for economic development. The no income tax policy, minimal government interference, and maintaining fiscal discipline has promoted an increase in population and newly created jobs. Texas State has been so successful that Governor Perry has been flaunting the Texas economic benefits and openly luring businesses from California, Maryland and other states to â€Å"think Texas† and relocate to the Lone Star State. Introduction In the  United States of America, Texas State  is the  second largest  and has the second highest number of inhabitants out of all the  50 states.   (Hess and Sauter, 2013) observe that the 2012 US national economy grew, and Texas and California, some of its largest state economies grew more rapidly. California has the largest state economy, closely followed by Texas. According to the International Monetary Fun d 2011 rankings, Texas has a GDP of $1.2 trillion, that is, 8 percent of the total U.S. GDP. It is further recorded that the 2012 Texan GDP went up by almost twice the 2.5% of the total U.S. GDP. ... compared to other states, it leads in the agriculture , space and biomedical sciences, computers  and  computer electronics, energy and petrochemical firms. The mining industry, the largest in the U.S. that consists of oil and gas extraction has energy firms such as ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil is based there. American Airlines is based in Fort Worth while Southwest Airlines is based in Dallas. The Lone Star state is the pillar of the U.S. Air Force and lots of others all over the world as it makes its own fighter jets and has massive quantities of weapons-grade plutonium near Amarillo. The NASA Johnson Space Center, an aerospace center, the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans football teams, the  Texas Rangers  and the  Houston Astros baseball teams and the  Houston Rockets, the  San Antonio Spurs, and the  Dallas Mavericks basketball teams and the Dallas Stars hockey team are all based in Texas State.   Population growth and energy manufacture in Texas have incre ased the Texan GDP rate by 4.8%. In 2012, population grew by about 1.7% and the energy industry accounted for $123.3 billion of the nation's $285.2 billion output (Hess and Sauter, 2013). Just like Florida, Nevada, South Dakota and Washington, Texas is a no income tax state (Wood, 2013). Among the 50 states, Texas ranks relatively low in terms of tax burdens and taxation on consumption. Texas  Governor Rick Perry has always been enticing Americans to relocate to Texas using the â€Å"no state income tax† tag line and pointing out the benefits of residing in the Lone Star State. The Texas’ economy is entirely diversified and not reliant on any one industry. As countless states are still tussling to develop their finances, Texas not only has all it needs for its critical roles, but also upholds a fiscally

English Macbeth coursework Essay Example for Free

English Macbeth coursework Essay Is the supernatural wholly responsible for the tragedy that occurs or is Macbeth fatally flawed and responsible for his own heinous crimes? It is my contention that all of the central characters have some integral part to play in the tragedy that occurs. Each have some function in the heinous crimes, and hence one individual cannot be held completely responsible for the bloodshed that occurs. William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father was named John Shakespeare; he was originally a glove maker before eventually becoming a politician. His mother, Mary Arden, belonged to the ranks of high society, being from a wealthy family, she subsequently inherited a great deal of money and farmland. Shakespeare was the third child born to the couple, but was the first to survive. The Shakespeares went on to have four children, Gilbert, Richard, Joan and Mary. Shakespeares family was quite wealthy, and when Shakespeare was four, his father was established as High Bailiff of Stratford. Shakespeares first school was Petty school and when he was seven, it is believed that he went to the local grammar school until at the age of twelve, when he left to help his father who had run into financial trouble. At the age of eighteen, Shakespeare met Anne Hathaway who was the daughter of a local farmer. She was twenty-six. They married in November 1582 and in May 1583 gave birth to their first child Susanna, she was followed two years later by twins Hamnet and Judith. Shortly after this, Shakespeare left Stratford, leaving his family behind. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare arrived in London and found a job in the theatre. He began to act and write a variety of plays and they were hugely popular, though many considered him to be intellectually insecure given that he was not university educated. In 1956, sadly young Hamnet died. By the age of 33, Shakespeare was making vast amounts of money and had been propelled to success, thus gaining country wide fame. He bought the second biggest house in Stratford, lots of land and a share in Londons finest theatre, The Globe. When James 1 became king he displayed a huge interest in the theatre given that he was patron of the arts. He ordered Shakespeares company to change their name to the Kings Men. In June 1613, Shakespeares play Henry V111 was put on at The Globe. During the play, a live cannon shot out a burning ball of paper, which landed on the thatched roof of the theatre. The whole building caught fire and within an hour it had burnt to the ground. After this, Shakespeare decided to retire and move back to Stratford. He was forty-nine and had written thirty-seven plays. He died on the 23rd of April 1616 at the age of fifty-two. He was buried two days later in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. Macbeth was an old Scottish legend and according to the Holinsheds chronicles of England, Scotland and Wales, Macbeth became king of Scotland in 1040 after having defeated an inadequate, weak and youthful leader. Shakespeares Duncan was much older and demanded respect from Thanes; his murders were more heinous in the dramatic interpretation. The historical Macbeth reigned as king for 17 years. James 1, formerly a ruler in Scotland, was the eighth descendant of the Banquo-Fleance line and because of this Shakespeare presented Banquo in a more honourable light than the historical Banquo actually was. James 1 was intrigued and terrified by witchcraft. In 1597, he produced a book called Daemonolougie, which acted as a guide to recognise and defeat witches. King James believed that he had encountered witches and claimed three witches had raised a storm in order to drown him on his wedding trip. He believed that his encounter was real and three women were consequently murdered after they admitted sailing in a sieve to sink the ship. However, Shakespeare presented this encounter in Act one scene three. During this century, it is estimated that between 4,500 and 8,000 women were destroyed for supposedly practising witchcraft. The king even passed a law proclaiming death to anyone who was thought to be meddling in the dark forces. Shakespeare used the idea of witchcraft, kingship and moral order to develop the play, as these themes were greatly admired by a Jacobean audience. The play is extremely dramatic in its depiction of the corruption of natural order and raw ambition. It starts with the three strange witches meeting on an empty heath. King Duncan wins a great battle and Macbeth becomes a hero. Furthermore, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches. They predict that Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and later King. The prophetic hags first prophecy comes true and Macbeth does become Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth telling her what the witches said. In an ambitious move the husband and wife plot to kill King Duncan. When Duncan comes to stay at Macbeths castle, Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to go ahead with the murder and grudgingly he does. Malcolm and Donaldblain, sons of Duncan, escape to England and Macbeth is crowned King. However, Macbeth does not trust Banquo and has him murdered, but when Macbeth has a feast, Banquos ghost appears. Hence, Macbeth resolves to revisit the witches and he sees strange apparitions, meanwhile, Macduffs wife and children are murdered by order of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth then becomes insane and dies. The castle is attacked, Macbeth is killed and Malcolm is proclaimed King. One lone character cannot be solely to blame for this tragedy, all of the central characters should be apportioned some blame. Macbeth is a brave and noble soldier who fought heroically for King Duncan. One would not suspect him of pre-mediated murder. Therefore, the witches must have had the ability to corrupt, manipulate and shape his mind. Macbeth must certainly be apportioned some blame as every man is in control of his own destiny. The witches never specifically told him to kill, they merely implanted a suggestion. Macbeth obviously had ambition, which was sparked from the beginning. The witches simply helped to spark this ambition and then worked to keep it alight. He acts along with the help of Lady Macbeth. She manipulates and supports his evil deeds. Macbeth had the power to reject the witchs suggestions and allow nature to take its course, this is evident, as he was able to control hundreds of soldiers in battle and give orders. He was not a weak and challenged man man. Macbeth was on the contrary selfish and power hungry. He let his greed influence him. Loves for his own ends, not for you However, one can reason that Macbeth was not always in control. He is said to be in a rapt state and one whethers this has anything to do with the elemental forces or his over sexual, manipulative wife. Even so, he may be possessed but he is in control of himself as the dialogue suggests, Stay you imperfect speakers tell me more In addition, his tone changes as he gains confidence and he becomes aggressive. This suggests that he is in control and can make up his own decisions. However, there are reflective moments when he reflects on his actions and decides against murder. If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me/without my stir However, this way of thinking is soon non-existent in the second act. Macbeth would be viewed as a hero if he made his own judgement and resisted the temptation. Lady Macbeth is also marginally to blame. She is introduced when she reads Macbeths letter. She is pushed, pressurised, manipulated and calculated the pre-meditated murder. She is powerful and dear to Macbeth and takes full advantage of this. However, we would not expect a woman to rein such power, as this would have been unlikely given the period. Without her cajoling, Macbeth may never have gone through with the first murder. She took control and handled the murders as an unsexed entity. It seems that Lady Macbeth may have been connected with the supernatural before, as she calls out to evil spirits. unsex me here Lady Macbeth could be considered a witch according to the standards of Shakespeares day. She subverts the order of the sexes and the usual family hierarchy by trying to assume more power than the head of the family, her husband. She does appear to have more power over him, as she challenges his manhood so he will commit the murder of Duncan. And live a coward in thine own esteem She uses sexual means to control her puppet like husband and entrances him; thus she is like a witch. By challenging her husbands manhood, she is making him mentally impotent yet in the same way pleading for herself to become an unsexed entity, on an equal power with her husband given his impotent and fragile state, if anything Lady Macbeth is more aggressive in this strange role reversal. This is highlighted in the following quotation, When you durst do it, then you were a man She does not follow the typical role of the wife; she transforms the social order and thus becomes the pinnacle of the family and her alliance with the dark forces becomes dubious, the fact that she works with the weird sisters to influence Macbeth suggests that she is at least indirectly allied with them. Though it can be said that, Lady Macbeth retains her mortal form and temporal powers; she has simply touched on the deep-seated ambitions and greed that were already present in him. Although Lady Macbeth coserts her power and dominance over her weak, ineffectual husband, the elemental forces also corrupt the impotent Macbeth. She also encourages Macbeth to become more confident and assertive and tempt him into using his ambition for his own gains. Without this guidance and the corrupt suggestions, Macbeth would probably have never acted on his impulses and desire for power. The witches cast spells and provide apparitions and thus drive his hunger for power and dominance. The withches intentionally taunt him by making him believe that he is in control, they change their tone and act subservient towards him, speak, demand, well answer We are also more prone to condemning them more as we learn the grotesque content of their cauldron, pour in sows blood that hath eaten her nine farrow These ingredients sound equally gruesome to Macbeth, yet this is overshadowed by the vague, riddled promises that they make, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth They continually meddle in his life and one could question whether they had anything to do with the hallucinations. Most of the play is written in blank verse, which resembles the natural rhythm of spoken English. The language flows in this form, certain syllables are stressed and there is a lack of end rhyme. However, this rhythm is disturbed when the weird witches are present in the scene. The language and verse is varied, with the witches and present. The verse is much choppier and sharper. Shakespeare also used rhyming couplets, which is particularly applicable for use in the witch scenes, as riddled; rhyming couplets enhance the devious and corrupt nature of the witches. The vocabulary is archaic and typical of Elizabeth style. The language devices Shakespeare used are abundant; he uses figurative language, aural imagery, patterned sound, equivocation, biblical illusions, symbolism and personification. Act 1 Scene 1 opens with thunder and lightening. We establish that this scene could be evil as the weather suggests this. Hence Shakespeare has used pathetic fallacy to enhance atmosphere. It was believed that in superstitious times those fierce storms were omens of unrest in individual people and whole countries. The fact that the witches open the plays shows the theme of supernatural is integral to the play. Shakespeare used the weird witches to open the play to show that evil will taunt Macbeth and will influence what happens in the play. The unearthly creatures talk of the battle being, lost and won. This equivocation shows the witches have the power of prediction and that they have also been anticipating the fight for Macbeths soul. The witches actively seek to meet up with Macbeth; this portrays their meddling side to the audience. there to meet Macbeth The prophetic hags establish a link with the supernatural by calling their familiars. Their familiars were supposedly given to them from Satan to help with sorcery. I come Greymalkin The witches riddled phrases denote the confusion that will occur. Their ambiguous language addresses that things arent always as they seem. fair is foul and foul is fair This line is an analogy for the deceptive facade of Lady Macbeth. The witches Exeunt by hovering through the air and by doing this; they are symbolically linked with the supernatural. From analysing the evidence in this scene, one can assume that the blame is directed to the witches, as they are meddling in Macbeths affairs and are being associated with evil. Act 1 scene 3 also opens with thunder. It shows the extreme nature of the prophetic hags. Their meeting place, the heath, is symbolic of the barren and empty nature of the witches. blasted heath The fact the witches meet again reinforces the idea of sisterhood and coven, where hast thou been, sister? One witch has been a gruesomely killing swine. This is a ritual killing for evil purposes. Another witch relates how a sailors wife denied her food, so decides to attack the sailor. It was superstition that if you denied a witch food then the witch would take steps to punish you. The dramatist uses a strong metaphor here, which creates imagery, Aroint thee witch the rump-fed renyon cries The witch turned herself into a rat and sailed in a sieve to corrupt the sailors ship. There is a symbolic suggestion in the word rat that they are cunning and manipulative. Furthermore, the fact she turns herself into a rat indicates her lower status compared to her familiar. Therefore, her familiar is a lot more powerful than she is, as it is a cat. The witches are very civil to each other, which makes us question whether they really are intrinsically evil, Th art kind Moreover, they speak in rhyming couplets; this increases the notion of incantation and makes their riddles more complex. The first witch produces a human thumb. This implies that she has used her magic for evil. Macbeth is announced with a symbolic drum. His future is told within a drumroll. Death. Macbeths opening words directly associate him with evil. So fair and foul a day I have not seen It is in reference to an earlier quote that the unearthly creatures spoke. This links his destiny with the witches and evil. Macbeth speaks with an important, unsure and hesitant tone and the Weird Sisters prophesise that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter. This is what sparks ambitions. Banquo seems jealous but says Macbeth, Seems rapt withal He is in a trance and he may be possessed at this point, perhaps under the control of the supernatural. Banquo already recognises the witches to be unnatural and strange and is very vivid in his description of them. So withered, and so wild in their attire, That look not like th inhabitants o th earth In addition, Banquo may also be suggesting that Macbeth is greedy and expectant. Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favours or your hate Even in his rapt state, Macbeth is still coherent enough to demand to know more. Thus he is in control of himself enough to absorb the information and calculate his actions. His tone becomes more commanding and demanding, hence Macbeth is capable of making his own decisions. Stay you imperfect speakers tell me more Macbeth feels powerful after having been victorious in battle. Macbeth is sadly deluded that he can control the elemental forces, which have succeeded in uncovering his raw ambition. One Macbeth learns he has been made Thane of Cawdor, Banquo says, What can the devil speak true This suggests that evil is at work, One must recognise that the witches never suggested murdering Duncan and it is essential to balance the evidence and make appropriate decisions. We learn of the Weird Sisters connection with evil and of their provoking and meddling, yet they never tell Macbeth to do anything they merely suggest. It is clear that Macbeth is showing his true colours by the end of the scene and is in complete control of his actions. One can reason that he is in rapt state, but after we are given this impression, there is also contrary evidence provided to suggest that he is in fact in control of his actions. The tone actively changes, commanding and directing. In Act 1 Scene 5, Macbeth has sent Lady Macbeth a letter and the first thing Macbeth writes about is the witches. Shakespeare is insinuating that the supernatural has a central role within the play. Macbeth writes, while I stood rapt in wonder of it We once again question whether he was possessed and can be held responsible for his actions. Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth, my dearest partner of greatness This suggests they have a good relationship and usually work together in partnership. Macbeth is aware that he may not have enough ambition. That thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee Macbeth is leaving the decisive action up to Lady Macbeth and hence is giving her freedom of choice. Lay it to thy heart and farewell Lady Macbeth realises that Macbeth is, too full o th milk of human kindness Lady Macbeth feels responsible for what happens so is plotting and planning for him. Yet do I fear thy nature Lady Macbeth reveals her thoughts about witchcraft and the supernatural by calling on evil spirits. come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts One can assume that she has been embroiled in the supernatural before. She calls on the spirits to change her into a ruthless human being. To take away her soft feminine qualities so that she can assist her ambitious husband who lacks the evil he will need. unsex me here After critically examining the evidence in this scene, one can point the finger of blame towards Lady Macbeth who calls on evil spirits so she can assist her husband. She is already planning and plotting murder. One can now connect her with the supernatural and evil. In Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth starts to change his mind about the murder, hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been, so clear in his great office In contrast, Lady Macbeth shows optimum strength in this scene. She undermines Macbeth and challenges his manhood. And live a coward in thine own esteem Lady Macbeth plots and plans the murder of Duncan. All her actions are pre mediated, which implies that she is a cold heartless killer, When Duncan is asleep whereto the rather shall his days hard journey soundly invite him-his two chamberlains. Will I with wine and wassail so convince, that memory, the warder of the brain, shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason a limbeck only; when in swinish sleep their drenched natures lie as in death She is so cunning and conniving that she has thought everything through. his spongy officers, who shall bear guilt We are reminded of the earlier quotation, fair is foul and foul is fair It seems to be unfolding like a prophecy. There should be equilibrium in apportioning blame in this scene as Macbeth, though deciding against the murder, was convinced very quickly to go through with it. If he really hadnt wanted to go through with the murder he would have put up a bit more resistance. One can reason that Lady Macbeth has a very strong influence over him and she knows how to use it to her advantage, especially in this scene as she challenges his manhood and has a carefully thought out plan. One could question whether she is inherently evil or whether Macbeth really had any other choice. In Act 2 Scene 1, Banquo is unable to sleep, as he is uncomfortable in the presence of evil thoughts. Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose Macbeth denies his involvement with the unearthly creatures. He is very careful to hide his guilt in murdering Duncan. This is the turning point for Macbeth; he is becoming more and more empowered, I think not of them Macbeth believes he sees a dagger in front of him. This could be a sign of his need to muster his courage, hence he intentionally visualises his evil swaying. This could also be the work of the supernatural. The word dagger reminds us of the unnatural predictions, That summens there to heaven or to hell This soliloquy reveals Macbeths abnormal state of mind. It also reminds one of the unnatural witches who are products of hell. He believes he is becoming stronger, but ironically he is becoming weaker, as he is more and more disturbed as a result of the supernatural. One can use the evidence shown in this scene to appoint the blame to Macbeth as now he is denying any involvement with the witches and lying to his own friends as the supernatural is taking a hold of him. One could question his sanity as he sees a dagger, or one could reason that this is the supernatural meddling and taunting Macbeth. In Act 2 Scene 2, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are becoming more frail minded as they are beginning to realise what they have done in order to get what they want. Lady Macbeth jumps at the sound of an owl. This suggests that she is becoming frail minded and is extremely anxious. Hark! Peace! Other signs of the pair frail mindness are that Lady Macbeth pleads with her husband not to go insane, which is ironic as this happens to her, and that Macbeth cant wash the blood from his hands. No, this my hand will rather the multitudnous seas incarnadine, making the green one red He cant literally wash the blood from his hands and also metaphorically he cant wash away the guilt of what he has done from his blackened soul. For all Lady Macbeths evil words she still has some sort of conscience, as she cant commit the murder herself. She is not as evil as she would like and maybe the evil spirits didnt remove all of her soft gentle side. Macbeth is remorseful, but Lady Macbeth has achieved her desires. She is adamant that the dead cant exact revenge. If anything she has been influenced and manipulated by the supernatural. the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures. Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil In this scene we see that Macbeth is regretting his devious actions, yet this passes very quickly. Lady Macbeth shows very little regret or remorse. One can reason that she couldnt commit the murder herself so she cant be all evil. Both are becoming weakened and anxious. Macbeth cant return the daggers and is initially ashamed of himself. In Act 3 Scene 1, Macbeth has become more powerful. He has not yet converged with the witches, so we can assume that they havent complete power over him in this scene. Lady Macbeth and his own greed now directly influence everything he does. Macbeth has Banquo murdered, but it is his own madness that drove him to do it. He is now more in control of his destiny. I will put that business in your bosoms whose execution takes your enemy off He is level headed and cunningly instructs the murderers to plant themselves away from the palace. I will advise you where to plant yourselves.something from the palace Macbeth gives the murderers reasons to kill Banquo, claiming that Banquo had held them under fortune This portrays his intelligence, but also emphasises his evil side. Macbeth is very clear in what he must do to secure the thrown without challenge. We have scorched the snake but have not scorned it This implies that there are more murders to come. Macbeth is not troubled by the murders he has committed. He is more worried that Fleance escaped. From this we can establish that he has little or no conscience. Fool of scorpions of my mind dear wife thou knowst that Banquo and his Fleance lives One must recognise that neither the supernatural nor Lady Macbeth had anything to do with the murders of Banquo or Fleance, yet Macbeth now uses a style not unlike the style Lady Macbeth had used on him. One could say that her influence has not left him unmarked and she still has some sort of control over him, though it is mostly his own greed that is spurring him on to commit these heinous acts. In Act 3 Scene 4, Macbeth is becoming increasingly cruel in his manner and shows no remorse in his friends death. Tis better thee without than he within He is referring to the blood on the murderers face. Macbeth is upset that Fleance has escaped because it jeopardises his plans and he realises that he can still feel fear. But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined. Shakespeare uses alliteration in this scene for dramatic effect, it emphasises that Macbeth is trapped, desperate and afraid. The use of the c consonant is particularly effective since c is a hard consonant. The sharp sound evoked by this letter emphasises Macbeths fear. He also uses rule of three for literary effect moreover, there is a great association with the number three and magic. The dramatist is once drawing us back into the supernatural and highlighting the fundamental importance of the role of the prophetic hags. There the grown serpent lies, the worm thats fled This is an evocative metaphor used to describe Fleance. By calling him a serpent, Shakespeare is inferring that Macbeth sees him as devious, sneaky and sly. Macbeth sees an apparition of the deceased Banquo. We must question whether this is guilt or the supernatural meddling again. Which of you have done this? This is what we call an asside or soliloquy. A private moment where the character shares his thoughts with the audience. Lady Macbeth refers to Macbeth as a woman. It is ironic that Lady Macbeth feels so superior at this time, because shortly she becomes insane yet here she is perfectly sane. Macbeth reveals his evil intentions by explaining, we are yet but young in deed At the end of this scene Macbeth concludes that he will visit the Weird sisters (witches). His reliance on the supernatural is necessary to stifle his fear. One must recognise that he goes to the supernatural and not the other way about. Therefore, we blame Macbeth for going to the prophetic hags. Act 3 Scene 5 includes Hectate who is the supreme witch. This scene involves her scolding the witches for not involving her. This scene incriminates the witches which makes them responsible. How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth in riddles and affairs of death Hectate also apportions some of the responsibility to Macbeth and believes the witches are wasting their time. Loves for his own ends, not for you The witches know Macbeth is coming to them and they will, draw him on to his confusion thus adding to the supernaturals already existing evil. The inclusion of this scene means that the metaphorical finger is pointed at the Weird Sisters. However, most editors do not consider this scene to be written by Shakespeare. Therefore, this scene should not be included when considering the evidence. If it were, it would suggest that the elemental forces were to blame the whole way through the play. In Act 4 Scene 1, the witches are involved in a ritual, making a concoction for Macbeth to drink. They will be instruments of his doom. There is similar assonance present, to emphasise the riddled and confused nature of their speech and hence to magnify the idea that these are unnatural creatures. chaudron.cauldron The way they chant together reveals their sisterhood. The prophecies they reveal are that Macbeth must be cautious of Macduff (thane of fife Nemises/avenger to Macbeth not born of a women); he will only be defeated when Birnham Wood moves to Dunsinane and that no man born from a mothers womb can ever harm Macbeth. These predictions though extremely ambiguous, are riddled prophecies of Macbeths future. They only tell half-truths but they are also double meanings. Macbeth longs to feel secure. Double double, toil and trouble This enhances the fact that the meanings are going to be double edged. The incantation reveals the turmoil that lies ahead. Macbeths tone is demanding and he thinks he has the power to control the witches when he most certainly doesnt. I conjure you, by that which you profess The witches recognise this and use it to their advantage by making Macbeth feel that he is in control by saying, speak, demand, well answer They are now purposely taunting him and acting in a subservient way and their tone has changed. They lure him into a false sense of security. say if thoudst rather hear it from our moths or from our masters Macbeth has become a puppet for the instruments of darkness. He has become conceited and believes he is untouchable. The prophetic hags have influenced and shaped him by implanting thoughts of grandeur into his head and extracting his ambition. He misinterprets the prophecies and still he isnt satisfied. Yet my heart throbs to know one thing We condemn the witches more so because of the ingredients they put in their cauldron are foul, grotesque and inappropriate in the extreme, Finger of birth strangled babe Yet Macbeth decides to murder all related to Macduff. The killing of these innocents is perhaps his most evil act. It cant be condoned, as they have nothing to do with the situation. Macbeth says, From this moment, the very firstlings of my heart shall be, the firstlings of my hand For this malevolent deed we blame him in this scene, as the witches never said anything about killing Macduffs family. This is completely of his own accord. In Act 4 Scene 3, Malcolm (son of Duncan and prince of Cumberland) tests Macduff and when it is clear that they are both loyal and good, they plan whats to be done. Macbeth has been energized by the witches and goes on a killing spree, murdering Lady Macduff and her son. He has killed me mother Once Malcolm and Macduff learn of the slaughter of Macduffs family they are clear that Macbeth must be stopped immediately. They invite assistance from, the powers of above, Or the heavens to overthrow the tyrant. This suggests that the supernatural world can be fair as well as foul. This reminds us of the former equivocation, which is the central coda of the play. Macbeth is crazed by murder. His actions are now gratuitous, as he is hungry for murder. He was once subservient to the supernatural and now he is a transformed lunatic. He was once empowered by them and now is obsessed and insane. After analysing the evidence from this scene it is clear that Macbeth should be blamed and one must also recognise that there is evidence to show that the supernatural is not all bad. In Act 5 Scene 1, Lady Macbeth becomes completely crazed. Firstly she sleepwalks. Lady Macbeth hallucinates that she has blood on her hands, has sin on her soul. Out damned spot, out I say. Hell is murky will these hands neer be clean? This juxtaposes what she has said previously. A little water should cleanse me of these deeds It is clear that her conscience troubles her and one must recognise that she is not wholly evil. In Act 5 Scene 3, Macbeth is still on a mission for power and will not go down without a fight. Ill fight until from my bones my flesh be hacked. Give me my armour This image is gruesome and unwholesome and it reminds us of the witches and their evil deeds. His choice of language leads us to believe that his encounters with the weird witches had some sick satanic effect on him. His frustration is apparent and he is cruel towards the servant, but this is understandable as he is faced with the risk of battle. He also invites some sympathy when he admits, my way of life has fallen into the sear Yet he musters some confidence at the end and one could recognise that he brought this all on himself. In Act 5 Scene 5, we see the death of Lady Macbeth. She commits suicide, as her evil deeds were too hard to live with. One can recognise that she is not all evil, but merely weak and that she could not live with what she had done. Macbeth seems too far-gone in his evil ways to feel real fear. At the end of scene five Macbeth begins to question the moral fibre of the witches. I pull in resolution and begin to doubt th equivocation of the field Even on the stake he ponders over how he could be killed when the witches promise differently. Whats he that was not born of a woman He still stupidly believes in what he was told. He has been duped as Macduff was, from his mothers womb untimely ripped Macbeth still shouts orders and damns others, yet ironically, it is he that is damned. After critically studying the evidence of that scene we blame Macbeth, as he is evil right to the very end and still obsessed with the supernatural and what the witches have told him. After close critical analysis it is my view that responsibility is swayed in each scene, yet on the whole each party are equally to blame for the bloodshed. There is sufficient evidence to imply that each party had a vital function in the outcome. Macbeth was not wholly responsible for the outcomes of the play, yet he is partly to blame for murdering for his own gains. It is obvious that sometimes he is said to be in a rapt state and one could question whether he had been possessed by the Weird witches. However, even in his rapt state he still seems to be in control of himself. Macbeth never actually calls the three women witches, only weird sisters or prophetic hags; thus one must question whether they actually have any power or only the power of suggestion. They never actually instruct Macbeth to murder anyone, yet they alongside Lady Macbeth work to water the seed of ambition. Fate may have intended Macbeth to seize the throne; the witches may just have been instruments to support this notion and provide Macbeth with guidance. The prophetic hags tempt Macbeth into using his ambition for his own gains and they have knowledge that Lady Macbeth is a power hungry woman who will aid Macbeth. One must assume that they too are evil as they cast spells, provide apparitions and implant notions of power and grandeur. Furthermore, the spells they cast are extreme and the ingredients are highly inappropriate, this further denounces the witches. finger of birth strangle babe In Jacobean times spells were thought to be powerful concoctions brewed for evil purposes. The witches encourage Macbeth to become more confident and assertive and Macbeth is linked with them from the start. He is linked through his phrasing and they talk of him before they are even introduced hence one could say that it is their primary intent to corrupt Macbeth. There to meet with Macbeth Macbeth allows himself be corrupted and is easily lead. His ambition was already there; the witches simply helped it grow. They cannot be held completely accountable as they only fuel and drive his ambition. Lady Macbeth must also be partly blamed for the outcome. She pushed, pressurised and coldly planned the murder of Duncan. She took control and handled the murders as unsexed entity. If not for her, Macbeth may never have murdered Duncan and if he had never murdered Duncan then he would never have got a taste for power or greed. It was only when he first murdered that his hunger escalated and he became driven by greed and ambition. Though one may assume that she is not all evil, as she could not live with herself for the crimes she had committed and became insane. Some critics insist that Macbeth was tricked, cajoled, tempted and guided by the supernatural forces and hence he is not to blame. However, it is my interpretation that the Weird Sisters did tempt, taunt and tease him. They sparked his ambition, but that ambition already lay within Macbeth; the witches simply brought in to the surface. Had the unearthly creatures not have done this one could argue Macbeth would never have thought of killing Duncan. Yet this is only a presumption. One must clearly recognise that witches under any circumstances told Macbeth to murder. Had Lady Macbeth not tackled and challenged Macbeths manhood, one could argue Macbeth may never have murdered Duncan or become embroiled in future murders. Yet it is clear that though in the early stages Lady Macbeth and the supernatural influenced Macbeth, he became a murdering lunatic all of his own accord and was in control of what he was doing. He chose his destiny and killed innocents without any influence from anyone except the influence of his own greed and desire. Macbeth is insatiable, ruthless and domineering. Yet none of the guilty parties are blameless. All three caused the tragedy and only with all three present could the tragedy have been caused. All three parties are portrayed with blame, the tragedy is more satisfying. A seventeenth century audience would have believed, Macbeth was not fully responsible, because witches were prevalent within their society yet a modern day audience would blame Macbeth fully, as they would contemplate that he had no excuse. She believes that it is easier to surface some pity for Macbeth when he is not the only one to blame but part of a triangle of guilt. In my opinion, it is easier to muster sympathy for a person who is not entirely to blame for their actions; in the case of Macbeth, the tragedy is more successful if the popular seventeenth century mentality is adopted, and thereby the witches and Lady Macbeth are made partly to blame for his downfall.

Behavior Modification Essay -- essays research papers

Behavior Intervention 1 RUNNING HEAD: Behavior Intervention Behavioral intervention of a schoolboy displaying low on-task behavior in his classroom Behavior Intervention 2 Abstract The on-task behavior of a schoolboy aged 11 named Alan was monitored over an intervention period of 39 days. This period consisted of observation, intervention and follow-up segments. Target behaviors were defined. These behaviors were then isolated during the intervention to extricate the functional association of antecedents and consequences. Previous studies from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis were referred to for the structure of the intervention model. The theories of reinforcement and punishment were applied to gain desired behavior and clear target behavior. Verbal positive reinforcement and positive punishment was used, maintaining a firm consistency throughout the intervening period. To achieve the best result a tightly controlled environment was created to limit any possible distractions. Results obtained during the follow-up period indicated a substantial success for the intervention program.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Behavior Intervention 3 Behavioral intervention of a schoolboy displaying low on-task behavior in his classroom   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Behavior assessments are important applications for gaining insight into the motivation of individuals. By conducting these assessments, target behaviors can be defined. After defining these behaviors, functional relationships can be identified. This links the target behavior with antecedents and consequences. Once recognized these antecedents and consequences can be manipulated to influence the target behavior (Ebanks & Fisher, 2003). These behavior assessments work as the foundation for behavior modification therapy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Antecedents consist of any events that occur immediately before the target behavior manifests. By manipulating the antecedent it is possible to cause the target behavior to become extinct. Similarly the consequences that occur immediately after the target behavior can also be controlled to eliminate the behavior. The combined manipulation of both func... ...ion. Behavior Intervention 10 References Ebanks, M. E., & Fisher, W. W. (2003) Altering the timing of academic prompts to treat destructive behavior maintained by escape. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 355-359. Fisher, W. W., Adelinis, J. D., Thompson, R. H., Worsdell, A. S., & Zarcone, J. R. (1998).Functional analysis and treatment of destructive behavior maintained be termination of â€Å"don’t† (and symmetrical â€Å"do†) requests. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 339-356. Hapogian, L. P., Toole, L. M., Long, E. S., Bowman E. G., & Lieving, G. A. (2004). A comparison of dense-to-lean fixed lean schedules of alternative reinforcement and extinction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 37, 323-337. Mueller, M. M., Sterling-Turner, H. E., & Scattone, D. (2001) Functional assessment of hand flapping in a general education classroom. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 233-236. Romaniuk, C., Miltenberger, R., Conyers, C., Jenner, N., Jurgens, M.., & Ringenberg, C. (2002). The influence of activity choice on problem behaviors maintained by escape versus attention. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 349-362.

Vacant Chapter 18 Twelve Years Later

â€Å"It's something I want to do, babe.† Emily stands silent, looking at me like I'm a two-headed monster. â€Å"Please say something.† I really can't handle the silence. â€Å"It's crazy, I know. Just say it's a bad idea.† I feel like a balloon deflating. My wife slowly moves to where I pace in front of the couch. â€Å"Ethan, after fifteen years together, you still have the ability to surprise me.† Her expression has softened. This means she's going to let me down easy. That's just Emily. She never says no, never yells, and never makes me feel guilty†¦ she'll just phrase something so I realize how fundamentally bad the idea is; and trust me, there have been some terrible ideas over the years. â€Å"You are the most virile, yet sensitive, man I know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Here it comes, the compliment followed by the let-down. â€Å"Let's make the appointment.† I know I look like, as Mark would say, â€Å"a total douche† right now. My son has many great qualities, but his honesty is often overwhelming. Nevertheless, I find that he's rarely wrong. â€Å"Um, what?† I need clarification, because it sounds like she just agreed to this. â€Å"I said, set up the appointment. We have been through so much, and we know what it's like, Ethan. If we can provide someone else with the opportunity to live in a safe environment, to grow, and be part of a family, then let's do it.† Emily wants to do this; with no reasoning, and no explanation, she agrees to this life-changing idea. I know my wife is an extraordinary person, and today she proves there are no exceptions. â€Å"Should we talk to Mark first?† I want this to be a family decision, and this affects our son as well as Emily and me. â€Å"Your son takes after you in the compassion department, sweetheart. I don't think we have anything to worry about. As a matter of fact, I think you'll find him to be a little excited about the news.† As usual, it seems my wife may be privileged to information I am not. â€Å"It will be hard, Emily.† She smiles. â€Å"Nothing worth doing is ever easy, Ethan.† â€Å"Welcome to Cornerstones Ministries, Mr. Parker.† â€Å"Thanks, Erin, I'm excited to do this.† â€Å"We are exceptionally pleased that you have returned to us as a mentor. As you know, sometimes our stories don't have happy endings. So, to have one of our own be a success and want to come back and mentor†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I almost think she'll cry. â€Å"It's special to us to have you here, Ethan.† After Mark was out of the toddler stage, I decided to volunteer for ongoing work with kids placed in â€Å"the system.† They were there for a variety of reasons, not just those abandoned by their parents or abuse/neglect cases. I was supposed to do tutoring, mentoring, or classroom/school assistance, but honestly, I just wanted to take the kids to a ball game or whatever, just to give them something normal. Tanner was my fifth Buddy. â€Å"I have something a little different this time, Ethan – if you're up for it.† My previous Buddies had been kids from group homes where there was no family involvement. â€Å"Tanner is seven. He lives at home with his mom.† Erin's face begins to redden a bit. â€Å"She has a terminal cancer diagnosis; they've given her about six months. There's no family, so Janice has decided to begin working with us for possible foster placement or adoption.† Erin sets down her pen and looks at her hands. I can tell this one has gotten to her. â€Å"We need someone to fill the void. Jan is so sick, and she can't do much with Tanner. Is this something you think you could handle?† The way she's looking up at me tells me there's something else. I give her a look that suggests I expect as much. â€Å"He†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I take a deep breath, bracing for whatever it is. â€Å"He's also autistic.† I went to the library and read every journal article I could get my hands on. If I was going to mentor this kid, I wanted to know what I was in for. Emily was awesome, too. She gave me a lot of strategies for working with him given his limited communication capabilities and responsiveness. Erin also recommended I take a course in dealing with behavior as Tanner had frequent†¦ meltdowns. While a typical child has tantrums, he would have fits lasting hours. No amount of coaxing or pleading would make a difference. Tanner would harm himself and others in the process, but it never detoured our decision to keep him. The first month was a little rocky, and by rocky I mean there were huge fucking boulders. However, it never crossed my mind to give up on Tanner. Not only was this kid watching his mother die, he couldn't even express how he was feeling about it in a typical manner. His expression manifested in screaming and biting instead of crying or saying he was sad. Outings were always†¦ interesting, to say the least. The last seven months had been better, though. I'd learned what his triggers were by meeting with his behavior therapist so I could keep up with his program and provide some consistency. The last couple of months, we'd gone to a restaurant, eaten an entire meal, and left again without a tantrum. There was definite progress. Last week, Erin had called with news that Janice was in the hospital and being moved to hospice. They would provide comfort and care in her final days. Erin let me know they were going to set up some panel interviews for prospective foster families and asked if I could join them. While none of the families were bad, none of them were good – at least for Tanner. When I asked them how they would deal with his special needs, there was usually a long pause, followed by an unsure smile. That told me they had no clue, and that worried me. Emily and I went to Cornerstones the day after I came home with the idea of taking Tanner. She said I was there when she needed me, and now someone else required my attention. Erin was encouraged by my – our – decision to take Tanner. She felt he would continue to make strides with our family, even after Janice passed. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief that a plan was in place. â€Å"So, it's official. The Family Services worker approved your application. You will be Tanner's foster family for the next year. At the end of that year, should you still wish to pursue it, you can petition for adoption. The judge granted and signed a temporary placement order for Tanner to live with you. When Jan has†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Erin can't finish, but I know what she's getting at, so I finish for her. â€Å"Then, we'll get permanent guardianship.† â€Å"Yes.† The judge signed the order for temporary guardianship at 3:07 this afternoon. Janice has been in a drug-induced coma for the last three days, and has no knowledge of Emily's and my intent to foster Tanner. â€Å"Do you think we should go see Janice and tell her? I know she's unconscious, but then I'd at least feel like we were somehow asking for her bless – â€Å" I don't finish as Emily's phone rings with Erin's special ringtone. â€Å"When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change, 'cause you're amazing just the way – † Fucking Bruno Mars. â€Å"Hello.† We left the courthouse ten minutes ago – Erin must've forgotten to tell us something. I glance to Emily as she listens to Erin on the other end of the line. Her smile softens and then her face turns grim. I suddenly wonder if there is a problem. I look up in the rear-view mirror at Tanner. He's sitting stock still and perfectly straight in the seat, looking out the window. Mark can tell something is wrong, but he stays silent waiting for us to say something. â€Å"Oh.† Then, Emily nods as if Erin can see her. Her eyes are turning glassy and I know what that means. I pull over to the side of the road. Tanner begins to rock since the car has stopped and then starts to moan. The longer we sit still, the louder his moans get. I reach for Emily's hand, my silent question waiting for verification. â€Å"She passed at 3:12 p.m. It's like she knew, Ethan.† Emily begins to cry while Tanner groans. â€Å"She knew he was okay.† I think Tanner knows, too. People assume he doesn't understand because he can't express it, but I think he does. Now, I'm torn. Do I comfort my wife or my new son? â€Å"Let's move to the back seat,† I whisper. We sit on the shoulder of Route 35, in the back seat of our two-year-old Corolla, embracing each other. Emily and I sandwich our boys between us as Tanner continues to rock and hum. â€Å"This, too, shall pass,† my wife whispers as she – we – hold our new family together and continue living.

Dubliners: Escape And Paralysis Essay

James Joyce captures the social realities of early nineteenth century Ireland in the set of short stories that comprise Dubliners. Many of the stories have parallels as Joyce overlaps themes in his effort to define the conditions in Ireland. Joyce develops the themes of paralysis and the desire to escape via the protagonists’ experiences in Eveline and Little Cloud. Confronted with the opportunity to escape Dublin, Eveline is unable to board the ferry because she is paralyzed by memories of her past and home. Little Chandler is overwhelmed with a feeling of paralysis as he reflects upon Gallaher’s good fortunes after escaping Ireland. â€Å"Now she was going to go away like the others, to leave her home.† In Eveline, Joyce attends to the Irish lower class as he depicts a young girl’s attempt to escape Dublin. The narrator describes the circumstances of the story through Eveline’s thoughts. Eveline ponders the benefits of leaving her home and the life she has in Dublin. She feels that her duties at home and at work are a little overbearing. Eveline is unhappy with the way Miss Gavan behaves toward her at work, â€Å"especially whenever there were people listening.† In relation to the abuse she endures at work, Eveline believes, â€Å"in her new home, in a distant unknown country, it would not be like that.† The idea of escaping fills her with hope because she desires to be appreciated. Eveline insists that she will not be treated the same way her mother was treated when she was alive. According to Eveline, â€Å"she would be married – she, Eveline. People would treat her w ith respect then. She would not be treated as her mother had been.† Escaping Dublin and starting a new life for herself motivates Eveline to except Frank’s invitation to go to Buenos Ayres. The narrator makes it known that Eveline is very conscious of the contrast between the way things were when she was young and her life now. When her mother was still alive, Eveline insists that â€Å"her father was not so bad then.† It was a long time ago when these memories of her father took place. She remembers when children from different families played together in the field, when her family was still together, and when her mother was alive. But now Eveline and her siblings have all grown up and her mother has died.  She also reflects that Tizzie Dunn has died and many of her friends have moved away. All of Eveline’s thoughts represent the death and stagnant atmosphere of her home. Eveline is also aware of the changes that have occurred in the relationship she has with her father. Despite the fact that she is over nineteen years old, the narrator reveals, â€Å"she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s violence.† Lately he has been threatening her and suggesting what he would do to her â€Å"for her dead mother’s sake.† Eveline is scared because her favorite brother Ernest is dead and her other brother Harry is busy down in the country. The narrator expresses Eveline’s fear and anxiety, â€Å"and now she had nobody to protect her.† Eveline does not understand that her memories of the past are out of date. The people Eveline associates with the past have all died or moved away. She feels vulnerable and dreams to escape the place of childhood. Eveline perceives Frank as her only hope of escaping Dublin and making a new life for herself. Frank is symbolic of the excitement of the world outside of Ireland. He promises to take her away as his wife and live with her in Buenos Ayres in a home he has waiting for them. Eveline is intrigued by the idea of an exotic new land and she is ready â€Å"to explore another life with Frank.† When Eveline attended the Bohemian Girl with Frank, â€Å"she felt elated as she sat in an unaccustomed part of the theatre with him.† Eveline was also impressed with Frank’s interest in music and ability to sing. The narrator explains Eveline’s feelings towards Frank, â€Å"first of all it had been an excitement for her to have a fellow and then she had begun to like him.† Frank told her â€Å"tales of distant countries† and stories of his journeys around the world. Eveline is convinced that if she wants a life outside of Dublin it must be with Frank. One nigh t Eveline remembered the promise she made to her mother about taking care of the home for as long as she could. The narrator describes Eveline’s sudden realization about her future life in Dublin, â€Å"She stood up in a sudden impulse of terror. Escape! She must escape! Frank would save her†¦But she wanted to live†¦She had a right to happiness.† â€Å"Could she still draw back after all he had done for her?† Despite Eveline’s desire to escape Dublin, she is overcome by paralysis as she considers leaving her home and family. Eveline’s doubts are revealed as she questions, â€Å"She had consented to go away, to leave her home. Was that  wise?† Observing the objects that she has to care for in her home, Eveline is reserved when she considers leaving them. She is very attached to the things around her that represent the memories of her life at home. Eveline experiences feelings of sadness as she contemplates, â€Å"Perhaps she would never see again those familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided.† Eveline is scared about the notion of adventuring out and trying to make a life on her own. She becomes unsure whether she can survive outside of Dublin and away from her family. As these emotions of uncertainty surround her, Eveline finds new security in her home despite her desire to escape. Eveline relates, â€Å"In her home anyway she had shelter and food; she had those whom she had known all her life about her.† Paralyzed by the concept of starting a new life with Frank, Eveline forgets about the reasons that she wanted to leave in the first place. In contrast to the dislike she had expressed towards her work, Eveline testifies, â€Å"It was hard work – a hard life – but now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life.† Confronted by her fear of leaving her family and being on her own, Eveline reconsiders the conditions of her home. The idea of leaving her father upsets Eveline, she confirms, â€Å"Her father was becoming old lately, she noticed; he would miss her.† Eveline expresses her affection for her father despite the threat of him mistreating her and her memories of the way he acted towards her mother. When she ponders the good qualities in her father Eveline compresses time to make his past actions seem more recent. Remembering the time she was sick and he had read her a story and made her toast, Eveline maintains, â€Å"sometimes he could be very nice.† She also has memories of going on a picnic when her mother was still alive and the way her father had made all the children laugh. The memory of her promise to her mother takes on new light, as she suddenly feels responsible for her father. Eveline confuses memories of her past with the realities of the conditions of her present life. The paralysis of leaving her family becomes too much for Eveline as she waits to board the ship with Frank. Eveline panics when she considers this major change in her life. When the departure bell rings Eveline feels â€Å"All the seas of the world tumbled about her heart. He was drawing her into them: he would drown her.† She is unable to board the boat and escape the place where she feels secure and at home. Little Cloud portrays the paralysis of the protagonist’s life as it is contrasted with the life of a friend who escaped Ireland. Chandler is overwhelmed with the idea of meeting his friend after years of being apart. As Chandler dreams of seeing Gallaher he remembers, â€Å"few fellows had talents like his and fewer still could remain unspoiled by such success.† Chandler is envious of the life Gallaher made for himself writing for a paper in London. But Chandler is not jealous of his friend, he comments, â€Å"Gallaher’s heart was in the right place and he had deserved to win.† It has been eight years since Gallaher had last been in Dublin and Chandler wonders how life in Europe must have changed â€Å"the friend whom he had known under shabby and necessitous guise.† On his way to the bar Chandler reflects on his life in the same city, â€Å"he watched the scene and thought of life; and (as always happened when he thought of life) he became sad.â⠂¬  Spoiling the excitement of his earlier thoughts, Chandler’s melancholy nature reflects â€Å"how useless it was to struggle against fortune.† But Chandler is very impressed by Gallaher’s invitation to meet at Corless’s, the bar where you can eat oysters, drink liqueurs, and where the waiters speak French and German. Though Gallaher used to drink freely and borrow money, Chandler insists, â€Å"now that he reviewed the past, Little Chandler could remember many signs of future greatness in his friend.† There was something about Gallaher that impressed Chandler in spite of himself. He admired his courage for leaving Dublin and also his ability to become â€Å"a brilliant figure for the London Press.† Chandler is encouraged by Gallaher’s success, the narrator explains, â€Å"for the first time in his life he felt himself superior to the people he passed.† The inspiration of meeting Gallaher moves chandler towards ideas of escaping Dublin and making a name for himself in London. Chandler believes that his missed opportunities are the fault of the stagnant environment of the city. He reveals, â€Å"There was no doubt about it: if you wanted to succeed you had to go away. You could do nothing in Dublin.† The books in Chandler’s house represent his hopes of beco ming a writer and expressing his ideas. He wonders if he could write something original and if Gallaher would help him get it into the London paper. Walking to the bar Chandler relates, â€Å"he was not sure what idea he wished to express but the thought that a poetic moment had touched him took life within him like an infant hope.† Escaping his life and writing has been a dream of Chandler’s for a long time. The narrator  describes Chandler’s emotions, â€Å"every step brought him nearer to London, farther from his own sober inartistic life.† Chandler looks inside himself and questions his ability to make it as a writer. He’s not too old to express himself and he believes â€Å"his temperament might be said to be just at the point of maturity.† The reader can see the irony in Chandler’s sense of himself and Dublin. The â€Å"different moods and impressions that he wished to express in verse† are products of the city’s conditions and his experience there. Chandler debates the qualities of his soul, he tells, â€Å"melancholy was the dominant note of his temperament, he thought, but it was a melancholy tempered by recurrences of faith and resignation and simple joy.† Chandler believes that if he wrote a book of poems certain men would listen and that â€Å"he might appeal to a little circle of kindred minds.† He speculates that English critics might recognize him for the Celtic tone of his poems. He even invents responses that might appear in the notices he book could recieve. He suggests, â€Å"Mr. Chandler has the gift of easy and graceful verse†¦.A wistful sadness pervades these poems†¦ The Celtic note.† Chandler can’t take his focus off of the idea of becoming a success in London. He even considers changing his name to make it more Irish-looking. Incorporating his mother’s maiden name into his own, Chandler is more pleased with â€Å"Thomas Malone Chandler† or â€Å"T. Malone Chandler.† Chandler feels that escaping Dublin is the only way he can satisfy his dreams of success. The narrator reveals the change in Gallaher soon after Chandler enters the bar. Unaware of the obvious national contrast in his friend’s appearance, Chandler describes Gallaher, â€Å"His eyes, which were of bluish slate-colour, relieved his unhealthy pallor and shone out plainly above the vivid orange tie he wore.† Gallaher’s blue eyes are representative of Ireland and the orange of his tie depicts a European influence. Chandler and Gallaher discuss the spoiled lives of their old friends. It becomes evident that Gallaher is the only person Chandler knows who has enjoyed success. Gallaher observes that Chandler has not changed in anyway since the last time he saw him. Suggesting that Chandler should â€Å"want to knock about a bit in the world,† Gallaher discovers that Chandler has never left the island. Chandler asks Gallaher to describe the beauty of Paris and the other exotic places he  has visited. Gallaher has a different impression of Paris, he exp lains, â€Å"It’s not so beautiful, you know. Of course, it is beautiful†¦.But it’s the life of Paris; that’s the thing. Ah, there’s no city like Paris for gaiety, movement, excitement.† Chandler is astonished by the corruption and immoral behavior that Gallaher exposes him to. But Chandler is still impressed with Gallaher’s foresight to escape Dublin. He acknowledges, â€Å"The old personal charm was still there under this new gaudy manner. And, after all, Gallaher had lived, he had seen the world.† The difference between the two friends is developed further as Gallaher describes the life of Paris. In contrast to Chandler’s melancholy nature, Gallaher shows, â€Å"Everything in Paris is gay†¦They believe in enjoying life†¦If you want to enjoy yourself properly you must go to Paris.† Chandler feels that Gallaher must think Dublin is boring in comparison to the worlds he has seen. Chandler is even more inspired about leaving Dublin after he learns what kind of life exists off the island. The drinks and strong cigar of his meeting with Gallaher upsets Chandler’s sensitive nature. Chandler is displeased with his friend accent and way of expressing himself. The feelings he experienced before talking with his friend disappeared as the narrator explains, â€Å"there was something vulgar in his friend which he had not observed before.† Chandler is disturbed by Gallaher’s adventurous and successful life. Chandler has a realization about the opportunities his friend has enjoyed as the narrator offers, â€Å"He felt acutely the contrast between his own life and his friend’s, and it seemed to hum unjust.† It becomes evident to Chandler that he could be more triumphant than Gallaher, who he claims, â€Å"was his inferior in birth and education.† Chandler is confronted with a feeling of paralysis, â€Å"He was sure that he could do something better than his friend had ever done, or could ever do, something higher that mere tawdry journalism if he only got the chance.† But it all seems to late for Chandler when he dwells on Gallaher’s response to his inquiry about marriage. Chandler is overwhelmed with regret as Gallaher explains; â€Å"I’m going to have my fling first and see a bit of life and the world before I put my head in the sack – If I ever do.† The meeting with Gallaher changed Chandler’s feelings of inspiration into feelings of paralysis. Returning home, Chandler feeling resentment towards all the things that are symbolic of his trapped existence in Dublin. After observing a picture of his wife, Chandler remembers a time in which Annie reprimanded him for trying to please her. The narrator describes his revelation, â€Å"He looked coldly into the eyes of the photograph and they answered coldly†¦But he found something mean in it.† Everything around him was irritated by his inability to escape the home and city that repressed him. He is again taunted by his meeting with Gallaher when he studies his wife’s eyes. Chandler insists, â€Å"they repelled him and defied him: there was no passion in them, no rapture. He thought of what Gallaher had said about rich Jewesses†¦Why had he married the eyes in the photograph?† Looking upon the â€Å"pretty furniture† of his house, â€Å"A dull resentment against his life awoke within him.† In a state of panic Chandler questions whether it is too late for him to experience the same life as his friend. But once again Chandler feels paralyzed and unable to escape Dublin as he looks upon his family as obstacles keeping him from the things he wants. â€Å"He was a prisoner for life.† The experiences of the protagonists in Eveline and Little Cloud portray the themes of paralysis and the desire to escape. Joyce develops the social conditions in Ireland through the lives of Eveline and Little Chandler. Both characters desire to escape the environments of their surroundings. In the two stories, however, circumstances prevent their escape as they are paralyzed by the lives they have in Dublin.

An Argument for the Legalization of Drugs. Based on John Stuart Mills Revised Harm Principle

An Argument for the Legalization of Drugs. Based on John Stuart Mills Revised Harm Principle The question of whether or not to legalize certain drugs has been debated for decades. Although opponents have thus far been successful in preventing this, there are nonetheless a substantial number of people who believe that legalization should be given a chance. Their arguments range from the seeming ineffectiveness of current drug laws to the simple premise that the government has no right to prohibit its citizens from using drugs if they choose to do so. This essay will address the issue from the standpoint of John Stuart Mills' 'Revised Harm Principle",' which asserts that people should be free to do what they want unless they threaten the vital interests (i.e., security or autonomy) of others.Using Mills' principle as a litmus test for this issue leads one to come down on the side of legalization. Since Mills is concerned not with individual rights, but with the consequences of one's actions on other people, the question becomes: Is drug use an action that, although performed b y an individual, threatens the vital interests of others? Using the example of a casual, responsible drug user who is a contributing (or non-detracting) member of society, it is clear that more harm is done to others if the user must resort to illegal methods to obtain his drugs.English: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (May 31, 2005) &ndas...The very act of buying drugs is intrinsically illegal and carries the threat of establishing a criminal record for the buyer. This can have a devastating effect on his family, his lifestyle, and his career. The effects on society as a whole include more crowded jail cells (prompting politicians to demand more jails be built), higher taxes to support these jails, and the loss, or at least diminution, of a productive citizen. In order to buy drugs illegally, the user may be forced to...

My significant change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My significant change - Essay Example But for the already born Croesus’s, when things turn upside down it is no less than like a catastrophe for them. This is the narrative of the experience of my friend’s father’s paralysis attack and how it transformed his life both negatively and positively and contributed toward his perspective and philosophy of life. It is the story of his family’s sudden change in fortune which transformed his life of luxury to that one of constant struggle and hardship. Sixteen years ago, it was one fine Friday of summer, encapsulated with seasonal monsoon rains. His father left for work with a promise that he would take them to their private farmhouse to spend the weekend. His mother, a young eastern wife, got busy in the preparation for the evening and he and his other two sisters and brother were counting the minutes in extreme excitement. Life could not have been better, when in sudden shift of fate everything toppled. By noon, their car driver arrived home and requ ested his mother to accompany him to the hospital. The young lady was shaken on this occurrence but prepared herself for something very distressing to come forth. On reaching the hospital, she was informed that her husband had a severe brain hemorrhage and 80% of his body had been affected by the attack.

Develop an ethical framework for the assessment of the country's Assignment

Develop an ethical framework for the assessment of the country's foreign poilcy - Assignment Example It further suggests changes to the U.S international system as such (Amstutz, C6) First element, is the sovereignty, and independence, of the nation if necessary, by forceful self-defense. A state is obliged, among other things, not to associate, in way of military attack, pollution, unauthorized invasion that will undermine the residents. In such an event a nations ethics are put in question. For instance, the international criminal court is always ethical, by avoiding arrest of criminals unless permitted by the government (Shapcott, C6) Secondly, the element is the scale of adherence to international agreements made with other nations. Although limited by the available systems, a state is able to perform critical legal functions that ensure its survival as a legal entity in interstate relations and therefore acting contrary to the agreement and treaties by states. For instance, Iran was sanctioned for illicit nuclear activity by the U.S (Valls, C1). Third, element is the grade and stage of decentralization of governance by a state. This is in respect to international states political and trade blocks. In ethical association among states parties, the respective foreign policies should be designed with enduring feature in the international decentralization system and stick to the central institutions of legislative standards while ensuring they are implemented (Amstutz, C2). China, for instance, has avoided interfering with local politics whenever they do a project in Kenya. This is thought to be ethical In conclusion, ethical behavior is key in our social lives. A nation’s foreign policy will determine its ethical behavior. For instance, it is important to mention that, the U.S should cease political, military, legislative and economic prejudice and abide to the sets standards for the conduct of governments international system (Valls