Reaching the Heights of Excellence Essay

Most people want to pursue excellence, as if it is a goal to be reached. There is a notion that excellence is the key to be powerful. When you are excellent you have high chances to be chosen as a leader, a model person, an employee in prestigious companies or institutions and a highly-respected individual. However, excellence is not a goal but a standard and a winsome lifestyle. It is a journey and never a destination. Climbing the heights of excellence is giving a notion that excellence is a pursuit of pre-eminence which is parallel to the denotation of excellence. Excellence denotes a quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards or a state of being outstanding and superior. It is a pitfall for Christians. The Bible says in Colossians 1:17-19 that Christ should have the pre-eminence in all things. Nevertheless, the heights of excellence could be God’s ideals for His children and not lording over anyone acting as god. Incorporating the work ethics and values, and devotion in reaching the heights of excellence can become excellence in God’s ideals. Values tend to affect attitude and behavior for it is defined as broad preferences concerning the courses of actions or outcomes. Attitude and behavior reflect the values one upholds because they are observable. It is by action that work ethics and values become visible. Work ethics will only remain as a set of values based on hard work and diligence if action is absent. It is not only applicable in jobs or professional works. It is applicable in everything one does. Whatever pursuits, may it academics or extra-curricular activities or home chores require work. Work is everywhere and whatever one does, one can reach the heights of excellence when one is being reliable, initiative and teachable. It is very crucial to have a teachable spirit in working. One cannot say that he or she has attained all the necessary things to be able to accomplish the best of everything. Be contented but never be satisfied because learning is a lifetime quest. Satisfaction is the enemy of excellence. Being teachable is one of the important values in excellence. Excellence is not afar when the actions of work ethics and values are consistent. Excellence without Christ is nothing. Devotion is always attributed to God. It depicts the religious zeal of a person. Excellence is never apart from God. Many Biblical characters as Daniel had become excellent because of God. Daniel 6:3 tells that Daniel was excellent because the excellent spirit was in him. To apply devotion in reaching the heights of excellence is to reorder one’s priorities by being single-minded. Make God the first, the best and the last in everything and excellence is not apart from you. There is a perception that devotion to God hampers the pursuit in reaching the heights of excellence. Excellence is a winsome lifestyle. It is the inevitable effect of incorporating devotion in reaching the heights of excellence. It is being Christ-centered, focused and nice. The problem with being excellent apart from God’s ideals is the tendency to be boastful or to brag if it is in academic pursuits, to be ‘holier than others’ attitude if it is in spiritual aspect and to be mean and rude if it is in administration. Work ethics and values, and devotion can only be seen through actions. It is by the consistent actions of work ethics and values through the positive attitude and behavior that excellence is in a person. It is by devotion through earnest commitment to God that the heights of excellence become attainable. Excellence can never be apart from God. Excellence is the standard of God and that’s what makes it His ideals. And such standard can be visible in the character. Work ethics and values, and devotion should be a part of one’s character to reach the heights of excellence. Excellence is a journey; therefore, incorporate work ethics and values, and devotion in the everyday life. Excellence is a standard and a winsome lifestyle; therefore, set the standard high and yet honor God and bless humanity. The integration of work ethics and values, and devotion to the ways of life is the application that will certainly bring you to the heights of excellence. It is the heights that are God’s ideals.

Elisabeth Bishop’s poem “The Fish” Essay

Elizabeth Bishop’s poem The Fish narrates the changing attitude of the speaker towards the fish. First, the fish is described as ancient and grizzled, showing signs of death and decay. However, upon closer inspection, the fish is made out to be a survivor of many battles. Through the use of figurative language, the poet shows the speaker’s shift from noting only the fish’s dejection to admiring him for his past glories. Bishop begins with the personification of the fish into a figure of defeat and age. The speaker mentions that the fish had not fought at all, as though he had given up all hope. She compares the fish’s skin to old wallpaper which would not be securely attached to the wall as skin loses firmness with age. In addition, Bishop details the extent of the fish’s injuries, everything from lice and barnacles to the fresh blood of his wounds. Such imagery invokes feelings of decay and abandonment as parasites are allowed to slowly consume him. The speaker also contemplates the fish’s innards, suggesting that his has become a mass of flesh and bone without spirit. The speaker furthers the personification of the fish by looking into his eyes and remarking that he had not looked back fully. Instead, the fish had only shifted his stare a little towards the light, further suggesting lack of will while giving the fish a very human feeling of dejection. Not caring about the face of his conqueror, the fish only seeks to confront death, represented by the light that he turns towards. The focus on the fish’s physical structure denotes the fish’s lack of spirit yet it is this very lifelessness that gives the fish the human emotions of apathy and hopelessness. Through the personification of the fish, the poet shows the speaker’s projection of lack of spirit and hope onto the fish. In contrast, the speaker’s discovery of past hooks imbedded into the fish’s mouth gives him the persona of a fallen war hero who has survived many battles in the past. The speaker’s perception then changes from one of lifelessness to one of courage and animation, denoted by the admiration in the speaker’s tone. Upon seeing the frayed lines, she uses verbs of action and struggle as she imagines the fish fighting and breaking the line. Thus,  the poet’s comparison of the lines to ribbons furthers the fish’s appearance as a hero retaining the medals of his victory. The further comparison of the thread to a beard of wisdom shows the speaker’s admiration of the fish’s accumulation of experience through time. The author then explains that he boat become filled with victory in the appearance of a rainbow. A rainbow can be associated with triumph and survival, as the viewer can enjoy the calmness after a storm, often a scene of chaos and potential violence especially combined with the boat setting. Through viewing the remains of the past struggles that the fish has faced, the speaker’s perception of the fish changes him from a being in decline to the survival of past battles. In The Fish, Bishop transforms an old fish the speaker caught into a glorious figure of reverence. Bishop uses personification and analogies to set up the fish as dejected and lacking in spirit. However, the speaker’s perception changes and tone is markedly more of admiration while symbolism is added as the remains of the fish’s struggle become the trophies of victory. By employing personification and symbolism, Bishop uses figurative language to denote the speaker’s changing understanding of the fish.

Honestly is the Best Policy

â€Å"Honestly is the best policy† is the best way to live life. This aphorism is something that my parents were constantly telling me when I was younger. All throughout life you are told to tell the truth and not lie. Lying about something will only make the problem worse. In my experience prolonging the truth from your parents just creates a bigger problem then you were trying to keep covered in the beginning. Once you start lying you then need to keep up with all the lies you told and make sure you remember them so you don't get caught. Sometimes depending on the gravity of what type of situation you lied in you can cause yourself a lot of stress trying to cover up the truth. When the truth comes which it almost always does you will disappoint the people around you. Most parents mine especially don't get mad at me rather they just tell me how disappointed they are. Sometimes hearing your parents say they are disappointed in you hurts more then them screaming at you. When you lie to your parents and they find out, they may feel like you are breaking their trust. Once you have broken that trust it will take a long time for you to rebuild it. You can also feel very guilty after you have lied to someone that holds an important place in your life. No matter how many times you tell them how sorry you are it won't change what you did. If you choose to live by â€Å"honesty is the best policy† and not lie you will feel no guilt or disappointment. Without all of the guilt and disappointment that lying brings you can live a happier and less stressful life. You also will not sever the sometimes very little trust that your parents have put in you. This will allow you have strong relationships with your parents and even give you the opportunity to strengthen them. Family is super important to me, so having a healthy and genuine relationship with my parents is what I would like. You won't have to deal with all of the stress that keeping up with your lies requires. Instead of causing yourself so much heartbreak just remember honesty is the best policy.

Determine whether or not the affects of this new store will be a net Essay

Determine whether or not the affects of this new store will be a net positive for the area, or a net negetive - Essay Example (City of Kyle, 2011) There has been some research and discussion at the city council meeting over the proposed construction of a new Wal Mart Super Center. There are no big box stores in Kyle, therefore the addition of a Wal Mart would employ 200 people; as well as make shopping for both food and necessities much more convenient for the residents. There are several problems with this, however; Wal Mart tends to have a negative affect on wages, the economy, and the environment. Its business practices are questionable, placing employees and the city at risk. Wal Mart is noted for predatory pricing, low wage jobs that offer very limited benefits, and for receiving public subsidies. It destroys the environment and creates more urban sprawl. (Moberg, 2004) (Norman, 1999) Wal-Mart courts those at poverty level declaring itself to be the â€Å"low price leader†. However, the low prices extend across the board to include low wages and low quality products. Wal-Mart is known for market ing practices aimed at minority ethnic groups and low income individuals. Not only are the wages rock bottom, but also the employment practices are questionable. ... Wal-Mart workers are subject to long hours, few breaks, and often precarious working conditions that eventually result in ER visits or hospitalizations. With no health care benefits, the cost of health care rises for any area where there is a Wal-Mart, with the townspeople paying the cost through taxation to cover indigent care. (Chaddha, 2007) Wal-Mart is also known for supporting racist views; Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta was chosen as the spokesperson for the Working Families for Wal-Mart and issued some racist comments regarding how smaller independent businesses were Jewish owned and raised the prices to cheat the people while Wal-Mart gave everyone low prices; Wal-Mart eventually dismissed him in order to avoid a major lawsuit. Wal-Mart’s foreign operations exploits workers by forcing them to work long hours with no breaks, failure to provide safety equipment for work, beating uncooperative employees, and forcing them to work in unsafe conditions. It violates ch ild labor laws by working underage teenagers long hours without breaks. It knowingly hires illegal aliens for construction of Wal-Mart facilities across the nation. One way Wal-Mart had forced full-time workers to become part-time thereby losing their limited benefits is to require employees to rotate shift work so that they don’t have a regular schedule in order to attend classes or make leisure plans; this adds tremendously to the work stress. Managers are forced to work overtime with no extra pay; their positions are salaried, whereas the other workers are forced to clock out and continue working until their workload has been accomplished. Wal-Mart employees in dangerous neighborhoods are often locked in at night. (Workplacefairness.org, 2011) Wal-Mart effects the economy by outsourcing

Discuss the invasions of the barbarians and the influence of St Essay

Discuss the invasions of the barbarians and the influence of St. Augustine and the Celts as well as the rise of monasticism and - Essay Example The paper explores the rise of monasticism and Islam, the invasions of the barbarians and the influence of St. Augustine and the Celts. Discussion Celtic Christianity represents features of Christianity that were prominent across Celtic world in the Early Middle Ages. A spotlight on monasticism centering on the sequestered life of monks and nun provides an example of Celtic Christian practice. True ecclesiastical power within the Celtic world lay in the hands of monasteries instead of bishops of dioceses, and the ideal of monasticism collectively esteemed within Celtic Christianity (Noble 192). St. Benedict established his Monastic Rule, which established a system of regulations for the basis and running of monasteries. Monasticism gained prominence throughout Europe and gave rise to numerous early center of learning. The way of addressing monastic varies between the diverse Christian traditions based on their rank and monastic tradition. As early as the 3rd century, the ascetical li fe had attained a noteworthy expansion within the church in North Africa witnessed by the presence of existence of number monasteries at Carthage by the year 400. The structure in which monasticism spread from North Africa to all of the Western Christianity emanates partly from St. Augustine influence. Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo was both a theologian and philosopher, and can be regarded as one of the most prominent figures within the development of Western Christianity (Noble 193). When the Roman Empire fell, and the faith of numerous Christians was at stake, Augustine established the concept of Church as a spiritual City of God separate from the material city of Man. The Roman’s utilized the term â€Å"barbarians† to refer to individuals who lived outside the boundaries of the Empire. The middle Ages period can be connected to the fall of the Western Roman Empire within the fifth century to the start of the Renaissance in the fifth century. The collapse of the R oman government accompanied a decline in trade, learning, infrastructure, and security. The Early Middle Ages witnessed the emergence of monasticism in the west. The form of European monasticism derived from the traditional ideas that emanated from within the deserts and Syria. The presence of Christianity within Africa started within the middle of 1st century in Egypt, and by the end of 2nd century within the region around Carthage. The later rise of Islam within North Africa reduced the size and numbers of Christian congregations sparing the Coptic Church in Egypt, the Nubian Church within Sudan, and Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The decline and total desertion of this flourishing Church can be regarded as a sad fact of history. The Arab Muslim incursion of North Africa that started around 643 was completed by the fall of Carthage (698) and Ceuta (709). The Muslim heralded the extinction of Christianity, minimizing the number of bishoprics by the time of Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085). The disappearance of the Church in North Africa can be explained by: the presence of Donatism within the Church in North Africa, which significantly minimized the Church’s interior strength; despite, the Catholic victory over the Donatists at a meeting held in 411 (Carthage), Donatism did not entirely disappear and was still evident in North Africa

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING-Research Methodologies Paper (week 3) Essay

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING-Research Methodologies Paper (week 3) - Essay Example eral, marketing activities are all those associated with identifying the particular wants and needs of a target market of customers, and then going about satisfying those customers better than the competitors. This involves doing market research on customers, analyzing their needs, and then making strategic decisions about product design, pricing, promotion and distribution. As the world becomes a global village organizations are expanding their business from their country to all over the world. Marketing not only provides a strong base to any product but it also creates the image of the organization that the product belongs to. Marketing is not an old concept but the various ways in which it is done have evolved over a time period with the help of extreme research. Marketing is done according to the tastes and preferences of the consumers and the culture to which they belong. To find out the tastes, preferences and other factors that effect consumers buying decision different resear ch methodologies are applied by any organization before launching its product. By doing this an organization can estimate the success rate of its product or how much sales will be generated by the product, this helps them in deciding whether to launch a product or not. Our organization has faced a major boost in sales and profits since the last few years, the reason being our effective marketing strategy. Proving that our current marketing strategy is prefect for the time being. After the success of organization’s product in the domestic market due to an effective marketing strategy. The executive management team has decided that the organization will market its top selling product in the international market as well. Highly professional people have carefully selected the international market that will host the organizations top-selling product. The international market would be of Germany. In order to make an effective marketing strategy, different research methodologies would be

Key Influences For Choosing a Political Party Research Paper

Key Influences For Choosing a Political Party - Research Paper Example Political parties desire to control the administration and fight for merely manipulating the government. Politicians usually have zeal to create and impose policies. The roles of political parties are conscripting candidates that will be liked by others. Political parties also schedule and control elections, for the rationale of involving other individuals. A further task would be to propose numerous strategies, for the function of diversity, and a sentiment of option within the citizens. Taking a political scope to establish personal views in regarding to others is what a person should concern in the choice of a political party (Hauss, 2011). Political parties will systematize congress, as a function. There are various resemblances amid interest clusters and political parties. One resemblance is that all of them desire and fight to change the laws and decrees of a country. Secondly, these parties reason to comprise and include the public as a resource in their objectives to reach an d conquer their goals. These functions and aims have diversities and similarities ranging from diverse parties and interest clusters. The most diverging factor amid the political parties is the interest in collaborating or rejecting the government. ... One should choose a party that is centered on the citizens and what they actually want. The influence of the people is what counts. This is in respect of democracy and articulation of party policies regarding chain of command and author authoritative factors. Some limiting factors of these political parties might be their employment tactics as far as implementation and the manner of execution is concerned. One merit of a political party in the United States egalitarianism is that they amalgamate diverse groups to work and visualize in the same perspectives, who have assumed the same position. A good choice should be choosing a party that appeal to the citizens as a whole in order to have a universal control in the government. This factor is beneficial since it offers individuals an opportunity to take a stand on who they desire to run the federal government. Presentation of information to the public is one factor that most political parties lack. At times, they will administer false information that misleads for the purpose of attaining their objective. Once a political party is in power, it can manipulate all degrees and level of the government. This might not be a proper aspect if the party has no interest in the public. This might be a reason one should foster in an attempt to scrutinize the aspects of the political party of choice. Political parties comprising of interest clusters and groups create a beneficial association in the U.S democracy since establish a representation of the citizens and their civil rights. This is due since they comprise of individuals in the society who have undergone all that partakes to fulfill the citizens interests (Rosati & Scott, 2011). One should look at a political party that would want to

Should drivers pay a fine for texting while driving Essay

Should drivers pay a fine for texting while driving - Essay Example Now then is today’s world we have cell phones, smart phones, computers, social media and all sorts of technology. You can control, plan, coordinate, search and travel all at once. Because of modern technology all that we used to do while being static, can now be achieved when driving from point to point. The last bit however was not a technological advancement but more of a convenience, a potentially harmful convenience. Texting or use of mobile while driving is distracting and is the cause of most distraction related road accidents. Most States in the US have a ban on speaking on mobile phones while driving and allow hands-free devices. There is still mixed opinions on whether strict traffic rules should include a ban on texting while driving. This article reviews whether there should be a ban on texting while driving. First let us start the argument by saying that Texting while driving is dangerous and that there should be a law and strict penalties against texting while driving. We will now examine why? Many people argue tat texting and driving cannot be equated to drinking and driving under other influences. We all agree that there are far many other distractions to a person in a car. The driver could even get distracted by trying to adjust the volume of their CD player or while talking to a passenger or even glancing back to look for the blind spot longer than necessary. But we have to also bear in mind that these are actions that may cause us to take our eyes of the road but do not necessarily involve too much brain function. While these are actions that are not recommended either we have to agree that talking on the phone or texting involves lot more concentration from the driver than any of these above mentioned functions. A driver could be talking to a passenger sitting next to him or her. But there is a subconscious awareness by at least one of them to watch the road in most cases. A person can have their eyes on the road and

America and the Great War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

America and the Great War - Essay Example These alliances were of significance since they implied that some countries would be obligated to declare war in the event that one of their allies had declared war. In 1879, there was a dual alliance between Germany and Austria-Hungary to mutually protect themselves against Russia and in 1881, Austria-Hungary signed an alliance with Serbia with the aim of stopping Russia from gaining control of Serbia. A year later, Germany and Austria-Hungary entered an alliance with Italy so that it could stop Italy from siding with Russia. Several other agreements and alliances were entered into including the Entente Cordiale on 1904, the Anglo-Russian Entente of 1907 as well as the Triple Entente of 1907, before Britain, France and Russia made an agreement not to sign for peace separately in 1914 (Mulligan, 2010). Some of the alliances were formed to ensure some nations do not become too strong while some were to make the nations in the alliance stronger and able to withstand any attacks. By the turn of the twentieth century, the British Empire had already extended through five continents while France was controlling expansive areas in the African continent. Nations required new markets as industrialism was rapidly rising. The size of land that was under British and French control escalated their rivalry with Germany, who had joined the scramble for the acquisition of colonies late only to gain small areas in the African continent. On the other hand, the escalating divide in the European continent resulted in an Arms race between the main nations and the German and French armies increased more than twofold from 1870 to 1914, with a fierce competition ensuing between Germany and Britain for master the seas. Germany introduced its own battleships and also developed a plan of action that entailed an attack on France via Belgium in the event that Russia attacked Germany. Nationalism implies

Focus Groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Focus Groups - Essay Example The colours used to identify objects, the tone used to communicate , and the environment in which it is done all are important with teaching a particular subject matter. The method by which an instruction is passed on coupled with the quality of content also has an impressionable impact on understanding capability of the recipient. To support the above hypothesis a study was conducted on two groups of children from kindergarten, each group comprising of 10 children between the age group of the age 4 to 5 years .So that there is minimum disparity in the final results due to the level of understanding among the children of the two groups the IQ of the children in both the groups was almost the same. The main purpose of choosing this segment of kids was their total dependence on their facilitators for explaining the content to them. Unlike a slighter older group who can get study materials from reference libraries and the internet, this group due to their limited exposure, would have minimal external influence on the material they would be taught . Their understanding on the subject matter would depend mainly on the method of instruction, the kind of content and the mediums used to deliver it. The first group ( Group 1) was exposed to Montessori way of education and the second group (Group 2) to the traditional public elementary school way of conducting classes. The experiment was presided over by two experienced teachers. Children from both the groups were to be evaluated on a spelling test of 30, five lettered words which would be conducted after a period of about 20 days. The outcome of the two groups would be evaluated on the average scored, scored by each group. Group 1 was introduced to phonetics through the Montessori method of education which lays more emphasis on child development and the over all build up of the child. Here the children were exposed to phonetics in the play way method which helps them learn the spellings by recognising

Incest in America Essay Example for Free

Incest in America Essay Nowadays, incest is viewed as one of the most harassing aspects of child abuse, since it is likely to result in psychological trauma and cause long-lasting negative effects in terms of healthy personality development. Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence defines incest as â€Å"overt and/or covert sexual contact or acts between people who are related genetically, by marriage, by living arrangements, or in whom a child perceives a trusting relationship, for example parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-parents, foster parents. Incest is one of the most common forms of child sexual abuse† (Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence, 1996, p. 37). Unfortunately, the U. S. statistics on this topic is barely available, as the entitled researchers have access merely to reported cases, which give following information: 46 per cent of child rapists are family members, 70 per cent of whom have been at least once imprisoned (ibid). Nevertheless, the statistics suggests that incestual relationship might occur even in ‘non-deviant’, ‘decent’ nuclear families, because the positive correlation between the rapist’s previous crimes and child sexual abuse points merely to the fact that such crimes are more frequently discovered. The causes of incest can be categorized into three groups: biological, sociological and psychological. Biological factors indicate that certain percentage of inbreeding is important: â€Å"any system of inbreeding that is reasonably possible would not greatly reduce the heterozygosity of the population† (Williams, 1994, p. 1167), but this approach doesn’t actually clarify the reasons for child sexual abuse. Sociological perspective is oriented to societal factors, such as popularization of sexuality in its different forms (including illegal distribution of child pornography) and the societal roots of deviance as the violation of sociocultural patterns of sexual behavior: in macrosociological terms, sexual assault of children might be rooted in social inequality, distortion of family constructs (family roles and responsibilities) and anomia, i. e., poor implication of moral values in certain society of community (ibid). Psychological factors also enjoy diversity that includes the presence of personality, mental health and sexual disorders (pedophilia) and predispositions to sadistic behavior in abusers, so that family members can use sexual assault as a form of punishment as well as the means of satisfaction their sexual needs. It needs to be noted that incest is unacceptable from both sociological and psychological positions, so this crime intrinsically implies certain either social or personality pathology (Sedlack and Broadhurst, 1996). The main effects of incest on child can be explained through the influence of the abuse on child behavior and the coping mechanisms, which arise in response to the harassment. First of all, the child experiences fear and powerlessness, since they can no longer control his/her life and body, if the victim is aged over 7-8, he/she normally feels shame, responsibility and guilt, as the small individual already understands that normal order of things has been upset, but still has underdeveloped mechanisms of cognition to realize the depth of the problem. Furthermore, such traumatic experience detaches the child â€Å"from non-offending parents, brothers and sisters. This isolation often leads to the child being labeled as different, a problem, or in some way different from their siblings. Children feel betrayed because they are dependent upon adults for nurturing and protection and the offender is someone who they should be able to love and trust. They may also feel betrayed by a non-offending parent who they believe has failed to protect them† (Putnam, 1989, p. 271). If the assault takes places regularly throughout the long period, the underage victim is likely to suffer from nightmares and flashbacks, including hysterics, unexplainable tearfulness, rapid and momentary mood changes. Moreover, the research reports the increase of aggressiveness in such children: such destructive impulses can be directed either on child’s personality (and consequently affects ‘internal world, thoughts, reflections) or towards external objects and other individuals (including the abuser and non-offending family members). Adams argues that both overt and emotional (treating the child like one’s partner without direct sexual assault) incest finally amplifies the victim’s aggressiveness, hostility and irritability, and substantially inhibits his/her social skills, making the child reluctant to establish new contacts with coevals (Adams, 1991). As for the coping mechanisms, the victims of intrafamilial sexual assaults usually develop memory suppression, dissociation and denial. Memory suppression implies voluntary forgetting of the negative emotional states, ensured during the abuse. The victims therefore attempt to separate the negative incest experience from conscious awareness. â€Å"Dissociation is a way in which some children survive abuse by escaping mentally while the abuse is happening. The body and the mind seem to separate. While the body is being hurt, the child no longer feels it because the mind manages to escape to a perceived safe place. Different children may dissociate in different ways. One example is leaving the body and floating on the ceiling over the bed where the abuse is occurring† (Williams, 1994, p. 1171). Denial, as a rule, has two forms: denying the fact of incest and disclaiming the negative moral evaluation, which can be given to the fact (‘It’s not actually wrong’). The most dangerous about these mechanisms is their critical impact on the victim’s social functioning, as these defenses are aimed at maintaining physical survival, neglecting thus the related deterioration of emotional state. Those family members, who become aware of intrafamilial sexual assault, normally decide on the strategy of non-intervening, since this phenomenon often takes place in authoritarian families, where everyone has certain degree of fear for the perpetrator. Due to the fact that the forceful sexual contacts usually occur between male adults and female children (father and daughter) (Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence, 1996) and that the same male adult often commits violence over his spouse, it is possible to presume that the entire family is intimidated by the perpetuator. As for the impact on the criminal him/herself, this person, as psychological research suggests, gradually develops sadistic propensities (Williams, 1994) and expresses cruelty when sexually abusing the child. If family haven’t yet noticed the internal incestual relationship, the perpetuator utilizes certain methods of maintaining secrecy and becomes more reserved and reticent even in the most trivial daily routines. Moreover, such criminals become increasingly more cunning and create a special communicative code, understandable only for his/herself and the child in order to enhance the organization of incestual relationship. In addition, perpetuators also use denial and rationalization as defense mechanisms (ibid), since intrafamilial sexual assault causes psychological trauma in the abuser, who breaks his/her moral convictions or the basic principles of societal coexistence. The major indicators of incest include: 1) child’s confessions/reports; 2) noticeable fear of certain family member; 3) extremely sophisticated understanding of sexual behavior; 4) â€Å"persistent and inappropriate sexual play with peers, toys, animals or themselves; 5) sexual themes in the childs artwork, stories or play; 6) sleep disturbances and nightmares; 7) marked changes in appetite; 8) parentified or adultified behaviour e. g.acting like a parent or spouse; 9) poor or deteriorating relationships with peers; 10)self-mutilation: cutting of arms, legs, burning home made tattoos. Suicidal feelings and suicide attempts† (Saunders et al , 2001, p. 8). The elimination of post-incestual effects usually correlates with treatment for post-traumatic disorder, but it is important to note that such trauma might cause irreversible changes in the victim’s convictions and perceptions (in adulthood – coitophobia, sociophobia, claustrophobia). As a rule, psychiatrists use cognitive processing therapy in order to provide appropriate cognitive restructuring and systematic desensitization concerning the negative memories; dynamic play therapy (using puppets when expressing fears); art therapy; family therapy (aimed at supporting the victim’s re-adjustment to the family environment) and attachment-trauma therapy (based upon placing the child into emotionally warm and friendly environment) (ibid). Similar psychological aid should be provided to the perpetuator: either in mental health or in penitentiary institutions they receive special cognitive-behavioral training, pharmaceutical treatment, but as a rule, the major intervention frameworks insist on complete separation of the abuser from the victim (Putnam, 1989), as the childhood experiences tend to return after meeting the perpetuator. Works cited Adams, K.(1991) Silently Seduced: When Parents Make Their Children Their Partners, Understanding Covert Incest. HCI. Governors Commission on Domestic Violence. (1996). The Children of Domestic Violence: A Report of the Governors Commission on Domestic Violence of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Boston. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Putnam, F. (1989). Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder. New York: Guilford Press. Saunders, B. , Berliner, L. and Hanson, R. (2001). Guidelines for the Psychological Treatment of Intrafamilial Child Physical and Sexual Abuse. Charleston, SC: Authors. Sedlak, A. and Broadhurst, D. (1996). Executive Summary of the Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Williams, L. (1994). Recall of Childhood Trauma: A Prospective Study of Womens Memories of Child Sexual Abuse. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 62 (6): 1167-176.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding Essay Example for Free

Lord of the Flies by William Golding Essay Compare and Contrast the characters of Ralph and Jack and comment on their roles in the novel? Lord of the Flies is an allegory, a simple adventure story that also has deeper meaning. Golding uses the characters of Ralph and Jack to illustrate the battle between right and wrong within society. Both have dominant characters but use methods that contrast in many ways. They have different expectations of others and of the island itself, and have opposing priorities and objectives. It is necessary to examine their different character traits in detail, in order to understand how these influence the development of life on the island. At Jacks first appearance in the novel, we recognise him as a natural leader. Jack is the head of the choir and a strict disciplinarian. Choir! Stand still! However, throughout this encounter, he maintains control and dignity. Jack has complete confidence in his decisions. He cannot be accused of worrying people by being indecisive as he always has clear and definite opinions. I ought to be chief I can sing C sharp. However, his black cloak and red hair are hints of a dark and fiery side to his character. These were the main colours of the Nazi Party flag. Gradually we see Jack changing from an authoritarian leader into something much more ruthless, casting him as a type of Hitler. In contrast, Ralph first appears fun-loving and carefree, sounding like a typical public school boy, wacco wizard golly. He is excited at the prospect of an adventure at the beginning, not considering the implications of being alone and coping on the island, standing on his head when he does not know what to do. Forced at last to believe in the reality of the island, laughed delightedly again and stood on his head. Ralph is an instinctive person who has a tendency to rush into things before considering the consequences. This shows his immaturity. Ralph is therefore quite childish and naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve at times. Later in the novel Ralph looks back with regret at that first enthusiastic exploration as though it were part of a brighter childhood. Despite this, Ralph shows himself to be a strong character who often displays clear authority during the novel. He desires order, calling assemblies and using the conch, the symbol of democracy and civilisation, Ralph felt a kind of reverence for the conch. This shows Ralphs belief in democracy. He tries to treat people as equals, including characters like Piggy. He cares for others and is compassionate, especially to the littluns. Ralph also shows his assertiveness when dealing with Piggy, Better Piggy than Fatty, he said at last, with the directness of genuine leadership. He is also courageous confronting the tribe when they steal Piggys glasses calling Jack a beast and a swine and a bloody, bloody thief. Ralphs physical appearance also favours him. He is tall, agile, a good swimmer with a mildness about his mouth and eyes that proclaim no devil. This is a clear indication of Ralphs character. However, he does not convey as much confidence as Jack. Ralph can appear the weaker of the two by depending on Piggy for advice. This is probably because he has had no experience of leadership and therefore lacks confidence. Simon suggests Ralph needs to be firmer youre chief, you tell em off However Ralph could also be seen as open-minded. He is always prepared to listen to both sides of an argument without forcing his own opinions. Ralph has an optimistic character, never questioning that rescue will come. Ralph earns the respect of the boys and gains their trust. Jack rules through fear. It is a sign of Ralphs good judgement that he delegates responsibility and trusts Piggy, having respect for his advice. Although like everyone else he becomes more savage in order to survive, unlike Jack he does not take this to extremes. Ralph becomes aware of his filthy appearance with a little fall of his heart. After Simons death he says, Im frightened of us. In contrast, Jack becomes a good keen hunter and relishes this role. Increasingly he begins to adopt animal-like methods down like a sprinter as if he is ready to sniff out the scent. Jack can be very determined, and will persevere. At first, Jack is unable to kill the pig, but he shows promise of completing the task in hand I shall! Next time! Soon his obsession with killing the pig takes over and he can no longer keep his basic instincts under control. There are hints that Jack finds it harder to keep a clear head. Jack frowned in an effort to attain clarity, showing that he was beginning to lose concentration and control. Jack forgets about home and has no wish to get off the island. Soon, he has no priorities, other than to hunt and kill. Jack becomes increasingly tyrannical towards everyone. The longer the boys are on the island the worse he becomes. At first Jack targets most of his aggression at Piggy. This seems to be a coping mechanism when things are going wrong. Jack uses Piggy to vent his frustration physically. He seems to feel his only way of control is through violence. Jack shows himself to be a bully, and respect is not given to Jack voluntarily, he demands it. The reason why people obey him is through terror. His followers become known as the Tribe symbolising their loss of individual identity. As Jacks dictatorial style develops he shows himself to be very narrow-minded and expects people never to question him. He will not listen to anyones opinion. Bollocks to the rules! the phrase Jack uses to dismiss democracy. From the beginning, Jack is consistently rude to Piggy. He is a very judgmental person, and he takes Piggy at face value. Jack does not look for the best or show any sign of accepting people for who they are. He has no consideration for peoples feelings. Eventually any suggestions given to Jack are taken as a threat. Jack shows no remorse. A good example of this is the incident concerning the fire. The fire is the symbol of safety and of destruction of power and of hope. The Hunters whom Jack leads can be viewed in the same way. A symbol of safety when obtaining food, but of destruction when blindly killing. By neglecting the fire, Jack shows himself to be unreliable, forsaking the group in favour of his own interests and priorities. He does not admit to being at fault or apologise, but retaliates with aggression. It is easy to understand why Jack is viewed as the obvious leader. He came to the island with experience of holding a responsible position. Ralph, however, has a more spontaneous approach. He is less rigid and seems able to adapt to the changing circumstances. Throughout their time on the island we see Jack and Ralph changing due to their environment and the pressures which they face. Often Ralph rises to the challenge with fairness and clear thinking, but the weight of responsibility causes extreme stress. A strange thing happened in his head. Something flittered there in front of his mind like a bats wing, obscuring his idea. Jack however becomes increasingly violent and degenerates into an overpowering dictator. Lord of the Flies was written by Golding to highlight some of the relevant issues of the day. Published in 1954, there was a strong worldwide movement against dictators and fascism following the Second World War. The division between Ralph and Jack highlights the gulf between good and evil, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate. Jacks role symbolises fallen mankind, degenerating as the novel progresses into ultimate sin and savagery. Ralph also becomes aware of the darkness of mans heart. Ralphs failure to maintain democracy symbolises mankinds failure to deal with our own sinful natures. Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of mans heart and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.

Quotation And Type Of Connection Macbeth Philosophy Essay

Quotation And Type Of Connection Macbeth Philosophy Essay Within the quotation of this segment from Macbeth, Lady Macduff, still in Scotland with her young children, is deemed vulnerable when Macduff expedited to England to find Malcolm, one of two of the late King Duncans sons. An unidentified messenger is sent to warn Lady Macduff and her children of impending danger and hurriedly tells them to disappear and vacate immediately. Lady Macduff is frustrated and furious because she asserts that, whatever it may be; she has done nothing wrong and is unaware of any misdeeds she has committed. This scenario is especially similar in modern society, or more unambiguously, tyrant-ruled countries. Dictatorship can be globally observed in a relative amount of sovereign countries. This situation is predicated on the serious battle arising from Syria, a middle-eastern republic. It has consistently gained notoriety for assassinating its own people during the persisting bloodshed of the 2012 Syrian Civil War. It is an unfortunately ideal example of how c ountless citizens have been persecuted, interrogated, tortured and brutally massacred, with many of them being blameless victims caught in the threshold of an all-out conflict. This is a primary example to Macbeth in the sense that anyone in contradiction (including Macduff and his family) with the regime in Scotland might suffer the same fate of persecution and/or murder without clear justification or ethical reason. ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 2 Quotation and Type of Connection Journal Entry Lady Macbeth: Come, you spirits that tend on moral thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty! (1.5.43-46) Lady Macbeth: A little water clears us of this deed: How easy is it then! (2.2.85-86) Lady Macbeth: Out, damned spot! Out, I say! (5.1.32) Text-to-same-text In these three quotes, all from different acts and scenes, there are separate yet comparable connections within each statement from Lady Macbeth. The first connection is between the first and second quotes. Lady Macbeth states that she does not wish to suffer from the consequence of her and Macbeths heinous actions of conspiring and later murdering King Duncan. In similarity to both quotes, Lady Macbeth assumingly asserts that through a few simple, however futile actions, she will not have to feel the repentance and anguish that her vileness deeds will inevitably be bestowed upon herself and Macbeth. In hopes of not enduring the lingering guilt of her actions, the first quote shows Lady Macbeth asserting that if her femininity is removed, she will have the raw emotions of ferocity, violence and portrayal of innocence commonly associated with men and masculinity. The second quote is comparable because Lady Macbeth considers that if she washes her hands, eliminating the blood and evide nce, she will be cleared of any wrongdoing. This is another clear example of inaccuracy on her part because of the assumption that guilt might not plague her mind, while in actuality, it already has. The second connection is found to be somewhat ironic between the second and third quotes. Lady Macbeths mind has been infected with culpability. It has quickly transpired into sleep deprivation, sleepwalking and sleep-talking. Through her psychotic episode during her sleepwalking, she unconsciously reveals that she was involved in Duncans murder. The third quote is shown to be contradictory to Lady Macbeths earlier statement about ridding her of the deed. During her sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth is remarking that she still bares the blood of the daggers she held. She is shown repetitively struggling to clean her blood-ridden hands. Regardless of attempts to conceal a crime or indiscretion, punishment is often foreseeable. Shakespeares interpretation of negative consequence and punishment i s illustrated flawlessly through Macbeth and Lady Macbeths immoral thoughts, actions and their eventual demise. ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 3 Quotation and Type of Connection Journal Entry Lady Macbeth: Which thou esteemst the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem. (1.7.45-46) Text-to-self In this one quote from Lady Macbeth, one sentence speaks a thousand words. While contemplating to kill Duncan, Macbeth inconclusively decides to not murder the King for more reasons against it than for it. Lady Macbeth, appalled at his decision, describes that Macbeths inaction will only be regarded as pathetic and apprehensive. She states that if he does not perpetrate his plans to murder King Duncan, Macbeth might as well live his entire life as a coward and a quitter with Lady Macbeth never seeing him as a masculine husband. A somewhat relatable personal experience occurred to me. One time during the weekday school hours, it was last period before the school day ended. A few friends of mine unanimously decided that they will skip the last period of school because they were seriously uninterested. They had asked me if I would skip with them, and though I contemplated for quite some time, they repeatedly tried persuading me and I reluctantly agreed. One by one, my friends started sn eaking out of class. When it was my turn to sneak out, I had inadvertently left and sensed that the teacher might have spotted me. However, I noticed the teacher did not pursue me. While we were hanging out at the park a block away from school, I had told my friends I felt uneasy about skipping. They had told me not to worry and that I would be considered a wussy if I went back to school. Unfortunately, the next day, my teacher gave me detention for leaving without authorization. My teacher had actually seen everybody who was involved and decided to also punish the other students, but with a call home since this was not their first wrongdoing. Macbeth would have done well to have listened to his moral instinct instead or perhaps tried to encourage Lady Macbeth not to assassinate King Duncan. ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 4 Quotation and Type of Connection Journal Entry The Joker: You need an ace in the hole, mines Harvey. I took Gothams white knight and I brought him down to our level. It wasnt hard; see madness as you know is like gravityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ all it takes is a little push! (Film: The Dark Knight) Macduff: Tell thee, Macduff was from his mothers womb untimely rippd. (5.8.19-20) Text-to-another-text In these two quotes, direct and indirect connections are made between climaxes in The Dark Knight and Macbeth. An explanation for the context of the film connection is introduced. In The Dark Knight, the Joker realises that he has lost the battle for control of Gotham city in a pinnacle fight with Batman. After he is apprehended by Batman the Joker sparingly reveals that he created an ace in the hole. The ace in the hole by definition is Harvey Dent. He infected the mind of district attorney Harvey Dent (nicknamed The White Knight) with a malicious idea to seek vengeance against those involved in conspiring against and attempting to kill him. What Macduff discloses in the ultimate battle to the death with Macbeth is his own variation of ace in the hole. The witches prophecy foretold that Macbeth could not be defeated by anyone of woman born, nonetheless, Macbeths confidence (although feeling surrounded) is increased. Macbeth is constantly self-assuring that he will be victorious. How ever, Macbeth understood belatedly that Macduff underwent a caesarian section and therefore was not of woman born. Additionally, an indirect and more in depth example of a connection between the film quote and the message of the play in its entirety is what the Joker exposes as his knowledge of madness/insanity. He asserts how simple it is to contaminate ones mind with a wicked idea such as murder, similar to what the three witches had implanted in Macbeths mind (to murder King Duncan). Both quotes hold important information which can also be interpreted as their own description of an ace in the hole (an advantage that is reserved for use until it is most needed). ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 5 Quotation and Type of Connection Journal Entry Macbeth: Methought, I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep-the innocent sleep, / Still it cried, Sleep no more! to all the house: Glamis hath murderd sleep: and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more! (2.2.47-48 2.2.54-56) Macbeth: In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave, after lifes fitful fever he sleeps well, treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, can touch him further! (3.2.20-28) Text-to-same-text Macbeth explains that now, after King Duncans murder and his own subsequent ascension to the throne; he grows increasingly doubtful whether his kingship will remain. Regret is progressively revealed in Macbeths soliloquies. Macbeths deterioration of his conscience now shows he is somewhat jealous of Duncan because nothing can bother him and he can rest in peace while Macbeth is systematically tormented because of his murderous deed. The earlier mention of a prophecy-like warning told to Macbeth about how he will henceforth be rendered sleepless and mentally disturbed. It is a twist of ironic fate because Macbeth intended to kill King Duncan to become king himself, but soon realised that Duncan is resting in peace while Macbeth is restless. This very notion upsets Macbeth and he further regrets murdering Duncan in the first place. Because of the adverse side effects of sleep deprivation and latter guilt, Macbeths efforts to overlook the entire homicidal exploit will be hopeless and wi ll drive Macbeth into full-fledged psychosis and mental instability. The connection between these two quotes is contrary because of the first quotes warning about Macbeths impending sleep deficiency and the second quotes explanation of King Duncans eternal restfulness. Journal for Act 2 Journal of Macbeth: Following King Duncans horrifying murder and speculation falls upon anyone associated with him. Mysterious Murders. CBC News 06 September 2012. My mind wanders inside itself, begging for response, resolutions, and dissolution of repentance. The witches prophesied my future exploits and endeavors. How dare I conspire? My vileness deed was considered at risk of bringing unease and murder of sleep. My alibi for this enactment was not planned with exceptionality and vigilance. I suspect that others might have noticed my peculiar behaviour and unusual explanation for the kings guards murders. However, with my sturdy reputation, likelihood for conviction is doubtful. Blameworthiness will fall upon Duncans young sons since they have already fled. Earlier, perhaps the worst questioning of my abilities was when my Lady Macbeth examined my integrity, masculinity and valour. How dare I be contradicted, and by mine own wife! Duncans lifeless body shall be a clear reminder of my ascending power. Sacrifice must be made in order to fulfill a divination, Duncans killing was foreseeable, and the witches incantation expressed to me that I wou ld become king. Now I shall enjoy reigning over the great nation of Scotland. Although I have become King, the witches prophecy predicted that Banquos son, Fleance, will someday inherit the throne. Both of them must be eliminated to ensure my reigning over this country is not compromised. Today is the dawning of a new age. Our enemies will plead us to refrain from attacking them and we will consider it. And only one word of warning for all those standing in my path to hierarchy, when you have me for an enemyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ no one shall here you scream, food for thought. Macbeth Journal for Act 4 Journal of Macduff: Following Macduffs reaction and ultimate battle in memory of his slaughtered family. Vengeance is Forthcoming. Toronto Star 13 September 2012. AL Print. How can any man refrain from revealing true emotion about a dreadful and extremely tragic loss? Macbeth will feel my displeasure and he will rue the day he took my loved ones from me. I will ensure that my retort will inflict a very deep message in Macbeths senseless noggin. The army of England has already secured the deployment of over 10,000 soldiers to Scotland to prey and eradicate Macbeth once and for all. I have recently been informed of Lady Macbeths suicide, along with others in his inner circle and I feel a certain amount of justice has occurred. Now the main conflicting enemy, Macbeth, is to be cornered by the soldiers at his castle where he is headquartered. He has killed my young children and my loving wife! Lord, please give me the strength to pursue Macbeth until he begins pleading for mercy. He shall join his wife in eternal matrimonial hell. He first devised a treacherous plot against King Duncan, killed him, unleashed an authoritarian ruling regime and lastly, in a s ense, destroyed everything that gave my life purpose and the will to live. The time comes for our supreme battle to the death and my well-deserved retribution. We engaged in sword fighting, I noticed his unrequited determination to defeat me. Macbeth, of course feeling indestructible, was obviously stronger than I. However, when he happened to mention the prophecy and its merits about the of woman born section, I revealed that I was not in fact of woman born! This sheer esteem-crumbling fact impacted Macbeths outcome of our battle. Macduff Journal for Act 5 Journal of Macbeth: Following Macbeths eventual demise while fighting against Englands encompassing army. The Tyrants Pinnacle Battle. Toronto Star 18 September 2012. AL Print. The three Witches proclaimed me indomitable toward anyone of woman born. I do not intend to back down from this persisting battle; it shall be to the death. I am untouchable, invincible, immovable and unstoppable! No one, not Macduff, Malcolm, Donaldbain, or anyone else shall defeat my intellect and awesome power, especially those of woman born! Why worry? Although I am alone, I shall prevail. Macduff appears enraged when first seeing me. Deep in my mind, I do regret relentlessly killing Macduffs family; nevertheless, I must eliminate all threats, including Macduff himself. This is a cutthroat battle and it must be endured, I can wait no longer for fate to decide for me but rather I select my own destiny, Triumph or Death. Today, I fight for my wife, myself and for Scotland under my reign. How could it be possible for a person, particularly Macduff, to not be born of woman Impossible! My fate cannot be rectified. I must now suffer the consequence I have long eluded, Deathà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Live free Scotland, for I cannot. Live long and prosper! Macbeth

The Great Depression in America Essay -- essays research papers

The Great Depression Irving Fisher, an economist at Yale University in 1929, confidently stated, â€Å"The nation is marching along a permanently high plateau of prosperity.† Less than a week later, the bottom dropped out of the stock market sending the American economy toward its worst downfall in history. The Great Depression was not only responsible for a dramatic change in the structure of American politics, but also for a change in Americans’ expectations about government. The Depression affected all Americans, rich or poor, and was responsible for ushering numerous social problems into the lives of citizens. Herbert Hoover was elected president in 1928. Prior to his election, during his acceptance speech for the Republican nomination, he stated, â€Å"We in America today are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land. The poorhouse is vanishing from among us.† Many Americans shared Hoover’s optimism in the beginning of 1929. On January 1, 1929, The New York Times printed an editorial reading, â€Å"It has been twelve months of unprecedented advance, of wonderful prosperity. If there is any way of judging the future by the past, this new year will be one of felicitation and hopefulness.† Later that year, on Tuesday, October 29, the market crashed. This day is known as â€Å"Black Tuesday† and is considered the single most devastating financial day in the history of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Prices...

My Big Fat Cultural Wedding Essay -- Culture Society

The wedding ceremony is a celebratory event romanticized by couples nationwide for its ability to unite creativity and tradition in a convenient package. One need only observe the plethora of wedding trends, from outlandishly alternative to stringently orthodox, to understand how important representing individuality remains among contemporary couples. In retrospect, much of the symbolisms attributed to these trends come from centuries of applied social significance; couples see the most value in a marriage celebration which allows them to flaunt their unique qualities as individuals while simultaneously modeling the long-standing customs of preceding weddings. In the 2002 film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, director Joel Zwick illustrates the colorful combination of culture and marriage, highlighting the prevalence of rituals within a wedding ceremony, the importance of this connection to the respective bride and groom, and the societal consumption of symbolism as a whole. By analyzing the various themes of religion, family, and emotion in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, we will gauge the true prevalence of cultural inclusion as it relates to the marriage ceremony. Wedding celebrations, for all their glitz and glamour, are sentimental occasions filled with submissive connotations. Commercial industries recognize the trendsetting potential of culture, which liberally applies significance to often extraneous but distinctive practices, and are quick to promote it as a commodity of taste requiring very little convincing to popularize. People do indeed gravitate toward more culturally based weddings when the attached customs relate to one’s intimate, inner values. To clarify the reasoning behind this social attitude, Otnes and Pleck claim in... ...l no strangers to the allure of individualism, especially as it relates to wedding ceremonies. The most popular, romanticized form of a wedding encompasses deep symbolism which allows brides and grooms to define themselves in a way they will rarely ever be able to again. Cultural weddings are a phenomenon of our time which may not hold the same meanings they once did, but definitely retain figurative importance to the participants of the ceremony. They are deeply ingrained within our societal desire for tradition as well as vehicles through which we can define ourselves as individuals. Works Cited My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Dir. Joel Zwick. Perf. Nia Vardalos and John Corbett. IFC Films, 2002. Film. Otnes, Cele C., and Elizabeth H. Pleck. Cinderella Dreams: the Allure of the Lavish Wedding. Berkeley: University of California, 2003. Print.

The Lake :: essays research papers

The Lake   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was early July and my friend Chad and I decided to join his family at the lake. Chad’s family was already up at the lake, and had some extra room in the condo. So we figured, what the hell, we could go for some boating. Right. The lake the only about a two-hour drive away. We were driving in Chad’s father’s convertible sports car, so the drive was quite pleasant. We drove through twisting canyons and long straight roads going just slightly over the speed limit. We arrived at our destination at record-breaking time, which didn’t seem to make his parents too happy. Along with Chad’s family, which consists of four brothers and one sister, were some neighbor friends of theirs and their five-year-old son Nick. The rest of the day was spent miniature golfing and playing catch with Chad’s little brothers. On the following morning we went with Chad’s parents to rent the boat. We got the boat and loaded it up with the gear. We broke the family into groups so each one could have their own time on the boat. Our group was the one that wanted to ski, wake board, ride on the tube, and throw each other off the tube. The other group consisted of people that either didn’t want to ski or were too young. All the younger kids were in this group. Our group was the first to have the boat. We spent hours and hours out on the lake and had an awesome time, even though I got one of the worst sunburns in my life. We returned with the boat so the other group could take their turn. As the second group left on the boat we decided to just go lounge in the swimming pool. After about a half-hour, Chad’s mom came running in and said they had an accident with the boat and that little Nick was knocked unconscious. We ran from the pool to see what exactly happened. Chad’s sister told us that another boat was traveling way too fast in the no-wake zone while not paying attention and struck the front of our boat. When the boats collided it took everyone a few minutes to notice that Nick was lying face down on the floor of the boat. Panic arose when his mother noticed him lying there motionless. It turned out the other boat actually hit this little boy in the head when

‘Of Mice and Men’ shows how factors beyond the characters’ control prevent them from leading fulfilling lives Essay

John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ is set, and was written in the time of The Great Depression, 1929. During The Great Depression there were as many as fifteen million people, in the United States of America alone, left unemployed and with no way to feed their families. The Great Depression was caused by the Wall Street crash. The Wall Street Crash, when stocks and shares plummeted, resulted in America as a world trading country loosing gargantuan amounts money due to the many of the large companies of America going bankrupt. Because the companies went bankrupt they could no longer afford to pay any workers, this meant that they lost their jobs. Even the farms in the country could not stay running because of the Dust Bowl effect, this is when there is prolonged drought and the earth becomes like dust, entirely unsuitable to grow anything in. With a vast amount of the nation unemployed, people were desperately searching for work, simply in order to survive. When the idea came about that people could go and work the land in California, people jumped at the chance despite the appalling pay. The cruel thing is that the employers in California had paid their original workers more than they paid the migrant workers, and the migrant workers only worked because they were so desperate. The employers took advantage of their situation for their own benefit. It was very much every man for himself in that time, though in this novel there is an exception, Lennie and George, who for Steinbeck are the stereotypical migrant workers. I believe George to be living a fulfilled life within the dream he shares with Lennie and, later on in the novel Candy: the popular American dream of the period, to own a piece of land and be entirely self-sufficient from that land. The reason I think this is because George is constantly saying things such as â€Å"we’ll do her†, â€Å"we’ll fix up that little old place an’ we’ll go live there†, this shows that they are living in metaphoric clouds (their dream), a far nicer place than reality, Lennie and George seam to be willing to live through anything just to achieve it. The fact that George lives for a dream, one that he truly didn’t believe would happen, â€Å"Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her!† this also shows that now George actually believes in himself it will happen, George would have no reason to dream if he was content in reality. Whilst living a content life inside the sanction of his dream, it is clear that he is not content in reality otherwise he would have no cause to dream of a better place. Another reason for George not being content could be that he had been burdened with Lennie all of his life and thus not been able to live his own life and be his own person, George says to Lennie in the novel that he could have a much better life without Lennie â€Å"When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts. I never get no peace†. This shows that even George feels Lennie as burden some of the time, if he felt this all of the time he could just get rid of Lennie, but he doesn’t. I believe Lennie feels much the same as George in that he lives for the dream also, whenever Lennie is uncomfortable with his surroundings in any way he will ask George to tell the story of the dream to him so that he can escape reality into his imagination, as if in fact the dream is where he wants to be. â€Å"Tell about the house George† Lennie begs.† â€Å"An’ the rabbits†. George has told Lennie that he can tend to the rabbits in their house, because Lennie is very simple this sense of responsibility and his fetish for soft things (the rabbits) provides the perfect attraction for Lennie to the Dream. Because Lennie also has to dream of a better place shows that his life is not being fulfilled on the ranch. If this was not evidence enough Lennie even says â€Å"George, I don’t like it here George†¦Ã¢â‚¬  clearly showing that he does not want to be there. The only woman on the ranch, Curley’s wife, also I believe lives an unfulfilled life because firstly all she is known as throughout the novel is â€Å"Curley’s wife†, making he sound like a possession of Curley’s. This says a lot about the period in which this novel was written, women were treated as inferior beings at this time, and I personally find it hard to see how you could live a fulfilled life when you are being put down constantly. The men on the ranch also have very dim views on her such as George’s opinion of her, â€Å"I don’t care what she says and what she does. I seen ’em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her†, not only does this starve her for attention it puts her down also. â€Å"Curley’s wife also has a dream, a dream of becoming famous, as she tells Lennie â€Å"He was gonna put me in the movies†, showing that she cannot be content in reality either. Curley’s wife is naturally seeking attention because she has married a man who she hardly ever sees and no one is willing to talk to her: â€Å"Why can’t I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely†, and she believes she should be â€Å"†¦ in the movies†, a place where you will always be in the ‘spotlight’ so to speak, quite the opposite to how she is being treated on the ranch. Candy is the ‘crippled swamper’ on the ranch, and is only able to do menial jobs around the ranch; this offers him no real fulfilment. Despite this Candy’s life amounts to the work he does on the ranch and his dog, these are all he lives for â€Å"When they can me here I wisht somebody’d shoot me.† As time progresses Candy realises that he has not got long left and with his dog, a huge part of his life having just been killed out of sympathy, he asks to join George and Lennie’s dream instead of his life being over once he has been told to leave the ranch â€Å"S’pose I went in with you guys†. In wishing somebody would shoot him when he was told to leave the ranch shows that Candy fears for his future and where he has to go to when he is told to leave. To live your life in fear of your future, not knowing where you are going, not having control of you own life cannot be a very secure and pleasant mental environment to live in; Can dy therefore can’t have a very fulfilled life. Curley is a successful welterweight boxer, but unfortunately didn’t quite make it to the top, instead he is stuck on his father’s ranch, a place where he doesn’t always get the respect/fear he craves, so he has to be rude and hostile in his talking â€Å"Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke to†. This shows that Curley is not living the life he wants to live, thus making his life unfulfilled. Curley has a huge problem with intimidation, meaning bigger people intimidate him easily. He is also obsessed with power and authority: â€Å"Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys†, and on a ranch full of large men, he does not always have the security he wants. Curley is in a loveless marriage despite what he thinks he feels for his wife, she refuses to pay him the same attention: â€Å"he ain’t a nice fella†. Curley does not have his life going his way at all, he is stuck living somewhere he does not want to be, without the power he wants and with people he does not like; his father’s ranch. On top of this, he is in a marriage where the only ‘love’ is on his behalf. This all leads me to the conclusion that Curley does not a have a fulfilled life. Crooks is a black stable buck in the novel, and during this time black people were regarded as inferior beings, this leaves Crooks open to much discrimination. Using Crooks as a stereotype, Steinbeck tries to show the relationship between black and white people in America in the 1930’s. Throughout the novel, Crooks is treated with great disrespect, for example he is constantly being referred to as a â€Å"God damn nigger†. Crooks also gets segregated from the rest of the workers, this makes him incredibly lonely, we can tell this from a touching extract between Lennie and Crooks â€Å"Crooks says gently, ‘Maybe you can see now. You got George. You know he’s goin’ to come back. S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk-house and play rummy ’cause you was black. How’d you like that?† Crooks is insulted countless times every single day of his life, the name â€Å"nigger† is used such as the term ‘mate’ is used today, so without meaning to insult Crooks people did it every time they chose to speak to him. Every time when Crooks elevates himself above his usual status by making the odd chance comment or voicing his opinion, he is simply thrown back down to the ground. For example Crooks began to introduce his opinion into a conversation and was quite bluntly told by Curley’s wife, â€Å"you keep your place, then Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny†. I find it near impossible to even think that Crooks could lead a fulfilled life when he is treated like a dirty animal, and his thoughts or feelings are considered worthless. My thoughts are that Slim is the only main character in the whole novel that possibly leads a fulfilled life. Unlike Crooks, Slim is paid much respect by all of the other workers. Candy refers to Slim as â€Å"Hell of a nice fella†, and comments are also made about people’s reactions when he speaks, â€Å"all talk stopped when he spoke†. This gives Slim a sense of belonging and importance. Slim is a highly skilled worker and the ranch would not be the same without him, and he knows this, so do the other workers on the ranch, â€Å"He’s capable of driving ten, sixteen even twenty mules with a single line to the leaders†. It is comments and views such as these which make Slim feel needed. Slim is favoured by all on the ranch, perhaps especially by Crooks and Curley’s wife as he treats them without any prejudice or discriminative views. For example, Slim is very polite and actually pays a compliment to Curley’s wife â€Å"Hi, Good-lookin '†. Throughout the novel, Slim does not mention any other life that he might prefer, nor does he show any evidence of him having a dream, this shows that he must be reasonably content with his life on the ranch as he has no cause to dream. I believe Slim to be the only main character in the novel to live a fulfilled life because he is clearly respected by all members of the ranch and very much favoured by them. Slim has security and he is also very independent, because of everyone’s admiration he also feels good in himself, Slim must have a great sense of fulfilment in his life. In a time where everyone had to make the most of what they had, only one person in this novel has succeeded, and that in my eyes would be Slim. It was a ‘dog eat dog world’ during the Great Depression and Slim manages to rise above all of the bad things that have happened to him due to it. He manages to lift himself up above everyone else who were stuck in the rut of their own self pity, he manipulated the situation and uses it to his advantage. He took the wrong things in the other peoples lives and offered solutions for example he gave George someone to talk to, or the fact that he was polite to those who were treated like dirt, this made people like and respect him which is what drove him on inspite or the Depression.

Comparative Literature in an Age of Globalization

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN AN AGE OF GLOBALIZATION: Utrecht University The bylaws of the American Comparative Literature Association stipulate the writ-ing every ten years of â€Å"a report on the state of the discipline. † The present collection Comparative Literature in an Age of Globalization represents the latest in the series and is a follow up to Charles Bernheimer's Comparative Literature in the Age of Multiculturalism (1994). The structural similarities between the two titles, with their repetition of â€Å"Comparative Literature in the age of † is striking, and I will corne back toit.The nineteen essays in the collection have been written by a team of eminent scholars and they respond not only to Bernheimer's collection and to the general theme of â€Å"globalization† but also to each other. The resuit is an interesting series of kaleidoscopic interventions, some highly readable and pulling lots of punch; others less user-friendly and, in attempting to ar ise to the occasion, somewhat convoluted and over-written.Granted: the â€Å"report† is a very awkward genre for which there are no rules and, given this need to improvise, the editer Haun Saussy has made a good job of providing a nuanced and multiperspectival account of the â€Å"state of the discipline†. It would have enhanced the impact of the present volume, however, had it been at times less an inward looking colloquy among seniors and more inviting to the as-yet not initiated graduate student.As it is, it makes very interesting reading for the diehard senior member of staff (and presumably the members of the ACL A) while being less accessible to the future scholar or to those working in other disciplines and interested in finding out what Comparative Literature stands for, where it is going to, and why it might be important. Canadian Review of Comparative Literature / Revue Canadienne de Litterature Comparee CRCL DECEMBER 2008 DECEMBRE RCLC 0319-051Ãâ€"708/35. 4 /353  ©Canadian Comparative Literature Association 54/ CRCL DECEMBER 2008 DECEMBRE RCLC ANN RIGNEY | COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN AN AGE OF GLOBALIZATION/ 355 A survey attempting to do justice to the complexity of an academie field and what is at issue in it, almost inevitably leaves the reviewer less with a single argument than with a variety of perspectives on a variety of issues (on among other things, the importance of historical approaches, the value of study of graphie novels and other visual forms alongside texts; the nature of comparative literature as a â€Å"metadiscipline† or exploratory space).So what is really surprising about this collection, then, is the degree of convergence that it nevertheless manifests. To begin with, the majority of contributors do address some issue within the broad frame of â€Å"globalization† taking their eue from the substantial introductory essay by Saussy, himself a specialist in Chinese literature.Where the 1994 report focuse d on questions of the boundaries between literature and other cultural expressions, ten years later the main emphasis here is on themes that are in many ways more traditional within the multilingual field of comparative literature: the concept of world literature or â€Å"literatures of the world† and how best to teach it (David Damrosch and Katie Trumpener provide interesting solutions); the cultural role of translation and its status as a medium in teaching and research (Steven Ungar); the nature of comparison itself and the grounds upon which texts or movements from different cultural and linguistic traditions, even from different periods, may usefully be compared with each other and if indeed, as Emily Apter argues following Alain Badiou, if grounds for comparison are always needed; the future role of (East) European literature and theory within the much larger body of world literature now becoming available (Caryl Emerson). Even Marshall Brown's enthusiastic celebration of the close reading of particular texts, using the example of Effi Briest, reflects the concern with globalization: the very fabric of Effi's provincial life is woven through, as Brown shows, with the impact of more distant and general developments.Such concerns suggest that we are witnessing the return of Comparative Literature to its origins as the inter-cultural and multilingual study of literature. As if to con-firm this, the polyglossic Zeitschrift fur Vergleichende Literatur established by Hugo Meltzl de Lomnitz in 1877 is cited on more than one occasion as the foundational text of the discipline (rather than say, the Russian Formalists' programme for a general literary science as promoted among others by Rene Wellek). The phrase â€Å"return to origins† might seem at first sight a merely conservative retreat to older positions, but re-engaging with roads taken earlier in comparatism is not a symptom in this case of burnout.Instead, the present concern with intercultur al and interlinguistic â€Å"comparatism† as the basis for the common pursuit of literary studies represents not just a return, but also a revitalization: a return to a well-established tradition that had been marginalized as long as other theoretical formations, taking a more universalist approach to literary texts, dominated the academie study of literatures, as they did from the 60s on. But it also represents a revitalization and expansion of this tradition: at a time when globalized communication networks, intercultural exchanges and human mobility are such dominant features of our lives, some of the traditional concerns of comparative literature a la Meltzl de Lomnitz and Paul van Tieghem among others have become relevant in new ways and have the possibility of taking central stage in the field of literary studies at large.Ail of this is good news for those who continue to want to disengage the study of literature from the inevitable parochialism of the separate language departments and who are committed to the study of literature as a trans-national medium that has long been crossing borders—before ever the term globalization was invented—both in the original and in the form of translations. The report thus bespeaks confidence in the Comparatist project and a certain excitement at the sense that literature has become an even richer domain now that we in the West are becoming belatedly aware of the variety of literatures in the world and, thanks to work done in the last years to make it more accessible in the form of anthologies, a little better equipped to talk about nonEuropean literatures.As several contributors point out, the success of comparatist concerns in the field of literary studies at large along with the more general acceptance of translation as a legitimate medium for teaching, may mean that Departments of Comparative Literature as such may become less distinctive. The even greater risk is also there that the inter-lingu istic and inter-cultural aims of the Comparatist project may end up being reduced to the derivative study of â€Å"literatures of the world† through the monolingual filter of a globalizing English. For globalization, of course, is always double-edged: while providing a greater awareness of cultural diversity it also tends to reduce that diversity by the very fact that it makes cultures more widely accessible in an homogenizing lingua franca.Given this downside of globalization, the distinctive aims of Comparative Literature as the multilingual study of literature have become ail the more urgent. As the present collection demonstrates, however, the traditional demand that students of Comparative Literature be at home in three (European) languages is no longer enough for the task at hand. More language skills are needed. But since there are presumably also limits to the number of languages any individual scholar can master, there is new need for different forms of collaboration between specialists in various fields-a point implied by a number of contributors, though not extensively thema-tized in the present collection.Indeed, given this need for collaborative projects, the core of Comparative Literature may no longer be in a particular â€Å"disciplinarity† (i. e. that it is carried out by individuals who are skilled in various languages, though hopefully these people will continue to exist) but in its function as a platform for research and teaching: the fact that it brings together scholars who are committed to exploring in a collaborative way the cross-currents and exchanges between literatures written in different languages across the world at different periods. This report on â€Å"the state of the discipline† thus gives not only food for thought but also reasons for confidence.Nevertheless, it also leaves me with some niggling doubts about the very way in which we as literary scholars think about our work. My concern centres on the ge neric title: â€Å"Comparative Literature in the age of†¦ † The problem lies not so much in the epochal tone, suggesting as it does that in the course of 10 years we have moved from the â€Å"age of multiculturalism† to that of â€Å"globalization† (as if mul- 356/ CRCL DECEMBER 2008 DECEMBRE RCLC ANN RIGNEY | COMPARATIVE LITERATURE IN AN AGE OF GLOBALIZATION/ 357 ticulturalism were somehow no longer relevant or globalization a new thing). The problem is more with the implicit assumption that one should define â€Å"the state of the discipline† by looking at ils relation to â€Å"the age† around it as if it should be its mirror.Behind this conceptualization lies, of course, the legacy of Matthew Arnold and the belief that criticism's main task is to provide knowledge, not so much of literature as such, as of the world itself as this is represented or reflected through literature. â€Å"Comparative Literature in the age of † bespeaks thi s grand commitment to be the conscience of the world and to interpret the â€Å"best† that has been thought in it. This continues to be a self-evident aim within literary studies. Hence the ongoing selfsearching about what is the proper object of study fuelled by the belief that the choice of object (world literature, literatures of the world, popular fiction or highly regarded works of literature) involves an ethical decision about what is relevant at the present time or in the present world.With our present global perspective and our awareness that there is more to literature than the canon of European classics, that â€Å"worldly† task has become an even heavier one and the way to its realization more fraught by the need to select carefully. Far be it from me to trivialize the importance of cultural criticism or a commitment to seeking out interesting literary phenomena to study above more banal ones. Nevertheless, there is something paradoxically ostrich-like about the ways in which Comparative Literature defines itself in relation to the world around it and in relation to â€Å"the age† as a whole. The very moral authority accorded to literature is also a throw-back to a time when literature (vide Arnold) was the dominant cultural form.But for ail its ostensible worldliness, the present collection arguably puts its head in the sand when it cornes to the changing status of literature in the highly mediated world in which we live and where globalization has been effectuated more obviously through the medium of television, film, popular music and internet than it has through literature. In paying so much attention to world literature and how it should be defined and taught (in itself a really positive development) the collection nevertheless succeeds in ignoring the fact that literature's relation to the world, and its place in the world, has fundamentally changed. More precisely, it ignores the interface between literature and other med ia, and between literature and other forms of knowledge at the present time. In raising this point, I do not mean to uggest that we should ail drop the study of literature in favor of looking at other media (a pos-sibility raised briefly by Malti-Douglas), for that would be to perpetuate the belief that literary studies is somehow a super-discipline that provides the conscience for the humanities and has a responsibility for ail of culture. Rather it is an argument in favor of reconsidering the changing relations between literature and other cultural media, and the impact both in the past and in the present of new technologies and changing literacies on the very possibilities we have for expression and interpretation. It is also an argument for considering new forms of collaboration with specialists in other fields of culture. In other words, the next challenge is to conceive of literary studies itself from a comparative perspective, that is, in relation to other forms of knowledge about culture and media.In the last decades, certainly in Europe, media studies have been institutionalized and have been providing increasing competition for literary studies both when it comes to attracting students and to attracting research funding. The question which needs to be addressed, sooner rather than 10 years down the line, is how to reposition comparative literary studies in relation to these adjacent fields. In the first place, this will mean becoming more modest: accepting the fact that writing and reading are just one form of culture among other, albeit the one with the longest history and about which there is the greatest body of knowledge (here we should be much less modest).It will also involve becoming more pro-active as we define more clearly, and become once again surprised by the magic of language in its various manifestations, what literature can and can not achieve (Jonathan Culler's intervention hints in this direction). Instead perhaps of soul-searching c ontinuously about the identity of Comparative Literature in relation to the set of objects (world literature, counter-canons, etc) and in relation to â€Å"the age† as a whole, we need to look outside the discipline and accept that there is an outside. Hopefully the next report will focus less on â€Å"the state of the discipline† as seen from within and be more specific about what we have to offer the world of learning at large.

Interview about Personality

I have conducted an interview with regards to someone’s personality. This paper intends to compare the interviewee’s answers to that of mine. It also aims to ask questions that are related to cognition, effects of culture on emotions, effects of gender on emotions, intelligence, learning, memory, motivation, personality, as well as, problem solving. Allow me to first post the question, my friend’s response, and the last one to be placed is mine. 1) Question: Do you remember information more accurately if you observe the behavior? Or do you prefer to read how the behavior is performed? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"I am more likely to remember if I have personally observed what happened† (White, 2008). â€Å"I cannot really explain it but I can better remember things that I have seen than if I only read it† (White, 2008). My Response: I am not very sure how to weigh it. My memory is extremely sharp that I can remember very well an occurrence that I have observed, as well as, a behavior that I have merely read. 2) Question: Do you prefer to study in the library? Or at home where it is noisy and distractions are present? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"I prefer to study in places where I can concentrate a lot better, so yes, I prefer the library† (White, 2008). â€Å"I never really study at home because it is too noisy: first of all, there’s my brother who never seems to know how to tone down the volume of his computer’s speakers, television, or stereo; second, my younger sister and brother who always seem to be in an argument; and last but not least, my mom and dad who always discusses about several issues that interest them† (White, 2008). My Response: I prefer to stay at home. Although, there may be distractions at home, like the television, the radio, or the computers, and my family, I still prefer to study at home. I do not like it when it is too quite. For instance, in the library, not hearing anything at all, makes me go crazy, I will probably even fall asleep in there. I just feel so much better studying at home. 3) Question: Have you taken the Myers Briggs test? Would you mind sharing the result/s? My Friend’s Answer: Yes I already did take that test, the results stated that, â€Å"I am a slightly expressed introvert, that I have a slightly expressed sensing personality, a slightly expressed thinking personality, and a slightly expressed judging personality† (Humanmetrics, 2008). â€Å"According to the test, it means that I am an introvert, not sensible, not a thinker, and quite judging† (White, 2008). My Response: Yes, I took that test as well and the results were the following, â€Å"I am a slightly expressed extrovert, a slightly expressed sensing personality, a slightly expressed thinking personality, and a slightly expressed judging personality† (Humanmetrics, 2008). Simply put, it means that, I am an extravert somehow, not sensible, a bit of a thinker, and not a judging person (Humanmetrics, 2008). 4) Question: Do you feel that the Myers Briggs test results are accurate? Why/Why not? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"For me, it was not accurate as the results did not actually match with my personality† (White, 2008). My Response: I can only agree with the interviewee’s claim. Mine did not match my personality as well. 5) Question: Which experiences do you feel contributed most in the development of your personality? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"There are times when I am exceedingly impatient. There are also times when I would lash out at other people. I get irritated easily and get mad over trivial issues† (White, 2008). â€Å"Such personality of mine developed because I grew up with a terrible and violent grandfather, who actually lived with us for quite some time† (White, 2008). â€Å"I have witnessed how she would yell at my mom (his daughter) if money is being discussed about, for instance if he asks from her and my mom says no because she knows that the money will only be spent at the casino and other forms of gambling† (White, 2008). â€Å"When I was young, I even saw him hit my mother and my elder sister† (White, 2008). â€Å"When he lost his job, he began to borrow money from all sorts of people, and when he was not able to pay, these people pressed charges and that was also when he showed more aggression to everyone around him including my parents, sister, brother, and I (White, 2008). â€Å"This is why I turned emotionally unstable; there are times when I am extremely nervous and easily frustrated† (Meyers, 2004). The aforementioned experiences made me â€Å"disagreeable†, meaning, â€Å"ruthless, irritable, as well as, uncooperative† (Ticao, 2001). â€Å"Not to mention, the fact that I don’t seem to have enough drive and discipline; I felt hopeless about life every time I remember my grandfather† (White, 2008). My Response: I have encountered violence in my home as I grew up as well. But I never let myself get too engaged with such a negative occurrence. I did not allow myself to feel exceedingly fearful of such happenings. Lucky, I had the â€Å"ability to make a coping response†, if not I will probably become aggressive, impatient, irritable, uncertain, etc as well (Ticao, 2001). What I actually did was to make myself avoid thinking about my dark past and move on to the brighter side of everything. 6) Question: Do you feel that you are self-monitoring when it comes to attitude? How or how not? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"I believe that I am not self-monitoring, this is because, I am sure that I won’t have a terrible personality and set of attitudes if I was actually one† (White, 2008). I could have watched myself better, regulated or controlled myself, and became a better individual if I only became self-monitoring† (White, 2008). My Response: I have always been monitoring myself. I weigh things, reflect on whatever happened to me, and learn from it. I use my experiences instead to do something about myself and avoid turning into a terrible individual. 7) Question: What was the strongest influence to your attitude? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"I believe that the person who played a large role in molding the attitude/s that I possess now is my grandfather† (White, 2008). My Response: For me, all the people who showed aggression towards me played a role in who I am today and in what attitudes I now possess. I owe it to them how courageous and strong I am now. I have learned so much because of them. For instance, I am disciplined, driven, and motivated to improve the standards of my life because of the negative experiences that I have been faced with. 8) Question: What role does a person’s race, gender, or ethnicity play when forming that person’s personality and attitudes? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"I believe that the aforementioned elements may have an effect on one’s personality and attitude† (Carson et. al., 1992). â€Å"For example, we all know that observing the behaviors of a particular race, gender, and ethnicity will already affect one’s attitude through what is known as â€Å"observational learning† (Carson et. al., 1992). Merely observing will infuse an attitude to the observer (Carson et. al., 1992). My Response: I feel that because the elements are stereo-typing inclined then it really means that it has the capability of affecting one’s personality/attitude (Carson et. al., 1992). 9) Question: Do you feel that you are better at tasks which are intrinsically motivated or extrinsically motivated? My Friend’s Answer: â€Å"I am not driven to carry out things. In fact, there are times when I do it only for the money; thus I am extrinsically motivated† (Brophy, 1998). My Response: I am just the opposite though, I do things without anything in exchange (Morris et. al., 2005). References Brophy, J. (1998). Motivation. Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw-Hill. Carson, R.C. & Butcher, J.N. (1992). The World of Abnormal Psychology. New York: Harper Collins. Humanmetrics. (2007). Jung Typology Test. Retrieved March 13, 2008 from http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm Meyers, D. (2004). Psychology: Seventh Edition. New York: Worth Publishers. Morris, C.G. & Maisto, A.A. (2005). Psychology: An Introduction, 12th Ed. New York: Prentice-Hall. Ticao, C. J. (2001). Introduction to Psychology. Quezon City: UP Press. White, U.P. (2008). Personal Interview.