Michael Shi Essays (536 words) - Narratology, Rhetoric, Reason

Michael Shi Reading Response 2 I chose to read "Animals Are Goo d to Think and Good to Prohibit " written by S. J. Tambiah . This is an ethnographic study published in 1969 that focuses on dietary rules regarding animals in a village in northeastern Thailand. He investigates the relationship between dietary restrictions and the animal classification scheme as well as the connection between dietary restrictions and sex and marriage. Tambiah does this by analyzing language, rules of sexual conduct and house arrangement and connecting specific marriage and sex rules to housing space rules and to eating rules. "The Aliens Have Landed! Reflections on the Rhetoric of Biological Invasions" is a more contemporary piece and was written in 2001 by Banu Subramaniam . Subramaniam analyzes the way we describe and think about invasive species and draws parallels to xenophobic attitudes towards immigrants. Subramaniam examines the language we use to speak about invasive species, looking at a variety of sources, including newspaper headlines and academic studies. For example, she argues that our use of the words "native" and "alien" are used as it suits our purposes. The "re-invention of the native' as the white settlers and not Native Americans'" ( Subramaniam , 36) appears again when it comes to exotic species that benefit us, such as crops that we find easy to grow. These two readings both focused on attitudes towards animals that came about from human societies. They look closely at human attitudes and find that they are consistent whether they are dealing with each other or animals. The piece by Tambiah deals with just one village in Thailand, whereas Subramaniam's essay focuses on the United States in modern time. As a result, Tambiah was able to be much more detailed and specific and draw complex relationships between animal classification systems, house arrangement, and eating rules. Subramaniam , on the other hand, drew from a larger variety of sources but didn't go as i n-depth. Both pieces made me think about how our views in human society translate to our attitudes towards animals and about how we view plants and animals similarly to ourselves. However, t he essay by Subramaniam was especially interesting to me as a result of recent events in the United States . Whenever I read things that uncover something unexpected or shocking about the world using select pieces of evidence or case studies such as in this essay , I'm always skeptical and question where the author gets their evidence. For example, I wonder how many articles and pieces of writing that describe invasive species don't speak about them in language similar to immigrants. I also wonder if Subramaniam is overanalyzing and creating something where there is nothing and I'm just going along with it because she has good logical reasoning in her thought process. I generally end up just accepting the author's conclusions, since I'm not sure how to verify their conclusions myself. Subramaniam , Banu . 2001. "The Aliens Have Landed! Reflections on the Rhetoric of Biological Invasions." Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism 2 (1): 26-40. Tambiah , S. J. 1969. "Animals Are Good to Think and Good to Prohibit." Ethnology 8 (4): 423-59.

Emily Dickinson1 essays

Emily Dickinson1 essays Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet of the nineteenth century. She was one of the greatest masters of the short lyric poem. Not much is known about her life, but what is known is unusual and interesting. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on December tenth, eighteen hundred thirty, to a prominent family. [ 9. kutztown.edu/faculty/ reagan/*censored*inson.html ] She was the second child of three children. Her grandfather, Samuel Dickinson, was one of the founders of the Amherst College. Edward Dickinson, her father, held several political positions. He was on the General Court of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Senate, and United States House Representatives. Edward was also a lawyer and the treasurer for the college. [ 9. kutztown.edu/faculty/reagan/*censored*inson.html ] Emily's mother, Emily Dickinson, was a simple woman. She was dedicated to her home and family. Emily's mother suffered a long term of illness so she took care of her. Dickinson had an older brother, Austin, who also served as the treasurer for the college and other civic positions. Austin married Emily's best friend, Susan Gilbert. Lavinia was Emily's younger sister. She didn't marry anyone so she stayed in the family house. The three siblings shared a very close relationship. Their parents didn't have a close relationship wi th them, but they did love and care for them. Emily's parents made sure she had a good education. She went to a primary school for four years then she attended Amherst Academy from eighteen hundred forty through eighteen hundred forty-seven. After that she went to Mary Lyon's Female Seminary ( Mount Holyoke Female Seminary ) for only a year. [ 7. gale.com/library/resrcs/poets_cn/*censored*nbio.htm ] The seminary insisted on religious as well as intellectual growth. Emily didn't like the religious environment and was under considerable pressure to bec...

Total Rewards System Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Total Rewards System Proposal - Essay Example The success of the organization can strongly be influenced by the introduction of the performance management programs. Envision expects that with the introduction of the TRP system employees of the organization would be able to relate to their target in a better manner. The performance management system can help the process of total reward system (Dixon, Hayes & Stack, 2004). It can aid the establishment of the right standards of performance of the employees. After analysis of the performance of the employees, it would be easier to measure their ability to fulfill targets. Envision can judge the performance of the company and reward the employees in cash or kind.  A reward can be described as an element of compensation and benefit. The term total reward includes aspects of development and learning opportunities for employees, attractive work environment along with pay and benefit packages (Dixon, Hayes & Stack, 2004). It is the strategic approach to reward used by many employers. T he concept of total reward system is adapted by organizations to recruit, motivate and retain the employees and secure the business objectives efficiently. The introduction of the total reward system can help Envision to motivate the employees in a positive way. Measuring the performance of the employees and rewarding them for the same, both monetarily and in the form of benefits can help the organization to reach the business objectives effectively. Besides the monetary rewards, the non-monetary rewards like rent-free accommodation, conveyance allowance, educational allowance and medical facilities can be given by Envision to the employees. This can increase the loyalty and motivation levels of the staffs towards the company. There are a number of objectives which Envision wants to fulfill by carrying out the total reward system programs within the organization. Compensation or total reward system is an important tool for organizational success.  

Key characteristics of the Australian media Essay

Key characteristics of the Australian media - Essay Example In the land down under, Australia also has its own way of letting media operate. Whether it is in the form of electronic, print, PR or media from the internet, Australian media adheres to its general guidelines. Publicly funded media companies in Australia are the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), which broadcasts on television, the internet and the radio for free, as it strongly broadcasts public service. Other major players in the industry of broadcasting are: Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd., Australian Associated Press, John Fairfax Holdings, The Seven Network, APN News and Media, and many others shape the characteristics of Australian media in a way that media's most important public role is largely dependent on the game played by private corporations. Its increasing difficulty in being well regulated is affected by several factors including technological developments, ownership and control structure where media conglomerates f ollow the globalization trend and the contractual relationships between suppliers or information and entertainment and its viewers (Sampford & Lui 2004, p. 86-87). Apparently, broadcast... he ownership of a small media company has posed to be more complex than expected because the company establishes relationships with associations and other organizations which often belong under the same larger corporation resulting to a complicated intertwining of relationships. Due to this complication, cross-media ownership was decided to be given some limitations and so changes were proposed by the government in 1985, which created the Broadcasting Act of 1987 (Sheehan 2002, p. 4). This act limits the company's audience reach and the types of media it can own. Sheehan (2002, p. 4) stated that this act would support "competition policy, discourage concentration of media ownership in local markets and enhance public access to a diversity of viewpoints." Broadcasting Act of 1988 was enacted for radio broadcasting media which basically carries the same principles regarding ownership and control. Moreover, Broadcasting Act of 1989 contains amended provisions regarding cross-media owner ship of radio and television licenses. The limit on this type of ownership in on who gains control over the company based on the number of shares of stock owned. The Act also provides for the succession or chain of companies to exercise control over (Sheehan 2002, p. 4). The Broadcasting Services Act of 1992 gives a description on media ownership and control in which the act provides for individual ownership and control, cross-media ownership and control, and subscription television broadcasting licenses for foreign owners (Sheehan 2002, p. 3). Evidently, concerns on policy making with regards to ownership and control is mostly due on the nature and structure of Australia's broadcasting industry. In the field of print media, News Corporation is the dominant player in the

Online shopping environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Online shopping environment - Essay Example Online shopping has of late been the most accepted way of doing shopping where people purchase goods and services. The online shopping gives the consumer much information on price and products where the customer can make a choice and compare them (Lin and Chuan, 2013). Some factors restrict people from buying online which may include lack of trust. However, there are more reasons to trade online than offline. The process constitutes five steps similar to those found in the traditional shopping behavior. Typically, online shopping process recognizes the need for merchandise or service, and they get to the internet and seek the related information. Sometimes, instead of searching actively, the consumers are moved by the information regarding the services and products associated with the need they have (Zhou and Tian, 2010). The consumers choose among the alternatives the one that fits best the criteria they need. Finally, the transaction is done, and services after the sales are provided. The internet sites have attractive sitemaps that are well formatted to attract the consumers. The items that are advertised branded clearly. The images of the icons of the items that are found on the internet can be enlarged or zoomed out to allow clear viewing of the item. The development of 2D and 3D technology has greatly improved the online shopping as the goods are well demonstrated giving the consum er a clear interactive viewing. The internet sites offer adequate product information details about the products that are is advertised (Richardson, 2011). The virtual shopping environment has become the widely used platform in doing buying in the current world due to its effectiveness and reliability. Online shopping relies mostly on the goods and service presentation on the website. The images are used to represent the actual item on the internet. The more attractive the images,

The Rationalism Of Rene Descartes

The Rationalism Of Rene Descartes In the early part of the Meditations, it has been quite clear that Descartes was very much leaning towards solipsism, a philosophy that asserts only the self exists. This is what makes his rationalism quite unique. His rationalism put everything under radical doubt. He had earlier on declared that he exists only because he thinks and doubts things. To put it simply, he exists because he thinks he exists. His being a thinking being is proof because if this were not the case, then he would not have perceived it in the first place. This assertion of his is already quite problematic. The argument is circular, in that there is not enough grounded evidence in which the conclusion, that is he exists, can spring from. Though he had differentiated this from a state of dreaming, to simply assert oneself as existing because one is aware, although quite optimistic, is nonetheless not enough to support the claim. It is not the same as saying that one is feeling hungry because of the feeling of pain in the stomach and other bodily functions connected to making the brain realize that one is in a state of hunger. Had Descartes accepted the notion of the senses playing a part of a persons clear and certain knowledge of the world, then simply being conscious of ones existence through thinking might be more reasonable, since the brain would be sending signals or at least contemplating about itself, which is a distinct characteristic of man being a rational being. To simply rely, however, on ones own reason and rejecting anything coming in from the senses is realistically impossible. For certitude does not simply come into us without having a prior experience about it. He says his senses are deceiving him because of the idea of something within him seems not the same as the object he sees through his senses. He uses as an example the sun, wherein his idea of which is a giant fiery ball of flame and in actuality, he simply sees it as a speck in the sky, only about a third or so larger than the moon. This is a poor example, given that there exists then sciences explaining such phenomena. Yet his conviction remains the same. A thing might be something else than what it seems but how can we perceive its true form if not through the senses? Would Descartes know that the sun was a big fiery ball of gases had it not been for empirical sciences saying such? He says that he is grounded on the natural light of reason and yet seems to derive his conclusions through the use of empirical data. Given Descartes radical doubt, up to the point that he even doubts memories, indeed the only thing that one can be certain about is that one is doubting and trying very hard to think about what there is to doubt and what there is to believe as clear and distinct. Yet Descartes is certain of another thing aside from doubting and this is the idea that there is a God. In his third and fourth meditation, he comes across the possibility of error occurring to him even within the natural light of reason, and of the problem of whether or not God exists. Conversely, if God exists, he pondered if it was possible that this almighty being be deceiving him. He begins his thinking that there is a God who created everything by saying that everything that has been created must be in some way, coming from something else which possess the qualities or modes that is the same with the thing created. A stone, he said, can begin to exist only if it is produced by something that containsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬either straightforwardly or in some higher formà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬everything that is to be found in the stone; similarly, heat canà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t be produced in a previously cold object except by something of at least the same order of perfection as heat, and so on(Ariew Cress, 2006). He adds to this that his ideas of a stone or of heat cannot simply come from him alone but from something else that has these qualities. Such ideas are but mere representations of a reality, much like what a photograph would do as a representation of an event. And since such is the case, there must be something, he says, in which all those ideas originate from since there cannot be an infinite regress of ideas. Ideas, in themselves, are not false since they are not from the senses. Even ideas of other men, angels and of God, as Descartes had put it, even if all three did not exist, are real ideas. So long as these ideas are not from the senses, Descartes regards it as clear and distinct. However, there are false ideas for him. The notions of hot and cold, colours and the like that represent non-things, are false in that they are materially false. Regardless, all the ideas that Descartes think about, whether they are materially true or materially false, he asserts to have come from God. He says this because he had, from before his elucidation, thought that things coming from the senses are real. Now, through the use of the natural light of reason, Descartes perceives them as false. He has greatly erred, so to speak. Then, if he is someone who is both incomplete and commits error, there must be something out there that does not. God existed because he has a notion of an imperfect being (himself), and there must be, from this idea of imperfection, something that is perfect from which the imperfection is derived. Since he is a thinking thing, he must have come from something that is also a thinking being, although much greater than him. Descartes adds that the idea of God did not come from the senses nor did he spontaneously created it because if these were the case then he would have been able to manipulate the idea. However, he cannot do this to his idea of a perfect being. and if there is a God, can this almighty being be deceiving him? Descartes answers that it is not possible because a perfect being cannot do something that is out of its nature, which is everything good. Error stems from judgments which in turn, is a product of a persons free will and from a perception of a thing due to ones senses. This is another circular argument from Descartes. In line of theology, it could be applauded but in the realm of philosophy, more or less, it has its loopholes. For one, it is too assumptive. There exists a cause of everything, truly, but the idea of God is anyones guess. To simply state that there is a God because one is imperfect and therefore must have come from a perfect being is, just like his argument for existence, without much proof. Another is his argument that the perfect being is necessary because it is an uncaused cause. Surely, this is true because there is no infinite regress but the first cause is not so much important as the second one, or the third or the fourth or even the last cause of the other cause. To put it, these series of causes are important in each and every aspect just as the first because it is a series of causes that without one of these, the end result would not have happened. Conclusion I assert then, that in Descartes thinking, there is something lacking. In his methods, it is as if he simply grab things out of thin air and claim them to be true and distinct because, to put it, they had been grasped only by the intellect. To not rely on our senses in the physical world is something that we should try to shy away from. Even the Eastern philosophies, particularly that of the Indian civilization, accepted that though the world is not ultimately real, it is real in the practical sense. Nevertheless, a strong point in Descartes thinking is that like all great philosophers before him, he had produced a new mindset for future generations to ponder upon. His esteem of the capabilities of the intellect perhaps cannot be compared to any other. Yet to rely solely on the intellect is a brave feat but nonetheless ungrounded. His claim of treating something as clear and distinct because it is obvious, when we think about it, is not really on par with reality. Descartes emphasis on the human mind to be the sole tool for determining whether or not an idea or an object is clear and distinct is perhaps one that overestimates the capabilities of the mind if not giving it a heavy burden. But that is why we called Descartes philosophy radical, isnt it?

The Art Of Procrastination Essay -- essays research papers

As I sit here at my computer I restlessly glance at the clock; it’s 12:40 AM, approximately twelve hours until this essay is due. How could I have once again gotten myself into this terrible situation? I would love to say that there’s some amazing excuse for my blatant irresponsibility, that some horrible catastrophe took place inhibiting the start of this paper. Yet sadly there is none; I can present no justification of this other than my own slothfulness. And even as I type I debate over the topic. Various ideas swirl in my head like a typhoon, none of which seem very appealing. I need to write about something I know, something that is like second nature, and most importantly something that I can bullshit about for a full 2 ½ pages. Of course, how could I be so blind! What better to write about then procrastination itself; over the years I have pretty much perfected the art of postponement. To the average person this may seem like an uncomplicated task; you may be thinking â€Å"But Chad, anyone can wait till the last minute!† And I grant that in that assumption you would be entirely correct; any idiot can be lazy. However the question is; can just any idiot wait until the last minute, pull an all-niter, and actually emerge victorious. Because that my friend takes finesse, and is not a feat for any mere amateur. So I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee and take a seat because for the next couple of hours I will be taking you on a crash course through the art of procrastination. The most important thing to consider when faced with blank paper and an equally empty cranium is the possibility of an extension of the deadline. This being the most ideal situation for the reason that it gives you all the more time to goof off; who knows maybe by midnight tomorrow you’ll be in a more productive mood. Convincing a professor to grant you an extension is not an easy task and may require a smidgen of deceitfulness; but seeing as how by this point you’re probably pretty desperate it shouldn’t present much of moral dilemma. Always remember that it is extremely important to measure up your victim and choose the most effective bait. While some professors are more cooperative and will grant you the extension with a simple excuse like â€Å"My great aunt Bertha died†, others can be rather a pain and may require a plea more elaborate such as â€Å"The doctors say it may be a tumor and ... ...mind away from the task at hand. If you can stay awake you should have your essay done before too long. Although it will probably be an error filled confusing piece of trash, don’t stress, go to sleep. In the morning when you wake up proof-read your work, don’t panic! I know it’s probably pretty bad but it can be fixed. Go through and thoroughly read, fixing all errors and doing your best to make it somewhat decent. Once you’re done drag your lifeless body to class and turn in your finished work, hopefully you’ll receive a somewhat acceptable grade. If by chance you don’t, refer back to the bribery, blackmail, and threaten section of the paper. In the true spirit of this essay I sacrificed my grade and waited until the night before it was due to begin. I wanted to ensure that all information was completely accurate and truthful and I felt this could only be achieved through experiencing it first hand; therefore this is a true testament to the art of procrastination. I am confident that if I had taken the time and put more effort into this it would be drastically better. But then that wouldn’t have been procrastinating would it? And then what the hell would I have written about?

Mamma Mia Paper

The film Mamma Mia! (Lloyd, 2008) is based on the extremely popular and successful Broadway musical which opened in 1999 in London. Since then, this Broadway production has become a global phenomenon which has entertained countless audiences, and still holds on strong as one of the most enjoyed and accepted musicals of this generation (Shenton, 2009). And so it is assumed that the motion picture adaptation of Mamma Mia! would be just as popular; and it was, expanding into one of the highest-grossing films of 2008 as well as receiving two Golden Globe nominations along with many other awards (Mamma Mia! 1990-2009). The film portrays a young woman named Sophie, played by Amanda Seyfried, on the eve of her wedding, who is convinced that in order to feel complete she must find her father. After reading her mother’s diary and revealing that she has three potential fathers, she proceeds to secretly invite all three of them to her wedding. Many of the themes and elements that encompa ss the film are typical of a classical Hollywood musical such as the presence of utopia and spontaneity, the emotional connection between the characters and their audience, and the constant premise of nostalgia.However, Director, Phyllida Lloyd, uses these themes and elements, as well as new techniques in soundtrack development, to make Mamma Mia! unique. She successfully manipulates the conventions of the classical musical and pieces together an updated version that speaks directly to its contemporary audience. Musicals were originally introduced in contemporary cinema by Hollywood in an attempt to create an escape for people during periods of economic and social instability. People who lived during eras such as the Great Depression, and other times of recession, had suppressed feelings of exhaustion, dreariness, and hopelessness.Musicals, with their utopian sensibility, served as a retreat from the real world and brought feelings of happiness, life, and energy to these people, eve n if it was only for a short time. The way in which musicals achieve this is by posing this idea that the characters in the film are ‘real’ people, and their problems and resolutions to those problems are also ‘real’. When the audience ‘suspends their belief’, they forget that what they are watching is an actual construction and get swept up in the euphoric experience that encompasses the film (McMillin, 2006, p. 55).This utopian feel is a key aspect concerning the construction of a musical, since its main focus is to distract its audience from any hardships that may be occuring in their lives. The idea of a utopia refers to the â€Å"imagined or wished for versions of the human condition which are envisaged as actually happening in the world. † (Parker, 2002, p. 11). So if the audience can actually envision and believe that the events taking place in Mamma Mia! can actually happen, it keeps that hope alive within the individual watching the film that this happiness could also come to them. Mamma Mia! llustrates this utopia through the beauty of the film’s setting, the spontaneity of its musical numbers, and its happy ending which wraps up nicely with all characters finding their place in the world and true happiness. Mamma Mia! is set on a remote Greek island called Kalchuri and is filled with vivid shots of the luxurious beaches and a vast mountain side. Total relaxation and happiness is the type of environment that this island paradise presents to its viewers. To further the island’s appeal, Sophie mentions in the film that it was â€Å"once the site of Aphrodite’s fountain, the goddess of love.If you drank the water you were supposed to find true love and perfect happiness. † This mythical fountain ads a mysterious element to the island making it even more appealing to the audience, and also serves as a metaphor foreshadowing the status of absolute utopia that is finally restored tow ards the conclusion of the film. The audience can easily envision themselves in this type of setting, removing them from their harsh reality into this blissful place where almost anything can happen.Therefore, the events which take place in the film seem more believable along with the immense focus on spontaneity, which also adds to the euphoric atmosphere which encompasses the film. The theme of spontaneity is common in most musicals and is prominent in Mamma Mia! taking form throughout the film in random events such as an arbitrary burst of laughter by a group of Greek people for no reason in particular, or a piano placed in the most awkward position on a dock with a man playing the exact cords in time with the song during the â€Å"Dancing Queen† scene.Spontaneity is also exposed in most of the musical numbers where the characters have a tendency to just break into song at any given moment, even when the audience is least expecting it. â€Å"The musical, technically the m ost complex type of film produced in Hollywood, paradoxically has always been the genre which attempts to give the greatest illusion of spontaneity and effortless. † (Cohan, 2002, pp. 34-35). The character Harry Bright, played by Colin Firth, even goes as far as to articulate the word several times throughout the film referring to his own spontaneity, or lack thereof.By the end of the film, Harry’s character breaks through his shell of insecurity and reveals to everyone that he has found true love in the heart of another man. This detail comes as a shock and surprise to everyone, including the audience, furthering the development of his character and his spontaneity. Harry is not the only character in the film that finds true love and happiness at the conclusion of the film. Donna, played by Meryl Streep, and long time love interest Sam, played by Pierce Brosnan, are finally reunited.Her daughter Sophie and fiance Sky, played by Dominic Cooper, decide not to get married , and to leave the island and see the world, which is what they both originally wanted. Another unlikely pair is Bill and Rosie, played by Stellan Skarsgard and Julie Walters, who also find each other and are expected to also live happily ever after. To top it all off Aphrodite’s fountain, mentioned above, is finally discovered bursting through a crack in the courtyard and raining down on everyone symbolizing that ultimate utopia has finally been restored on the island.The way in which the film is wrapped up, is representative of its utopian nature. Many issues presented at the start of the film are no longer important such as the impending question which the whole plot is based on, who is Sophie’s father? The audience does not worry about this minor detail because utopia is reinstated and this happiness allows the audience to overlook the some loose ends that may be present at the end of the film. The feeling of utopia is closely tied in with the emotional connection that the audience feels with the characters and their happiness or sorrow.The emotions of the characters in the film also become the emotions of the audience, thus the appeal of the musical. Musicals most often will use the emotional vulnerability of the audience to ‘extend the fourth wall’ and establish a high level of emotional investment from the audience. One way in which the film attracts its audience is through the development of the soundtrack. Mamma Mia’s soundtrack unique from other musicals in that it is completely comprised of songs by an enormously popular musical group from the 70s and 80s named ABBA.Since these songs are so classic, most of the audience, which mainly consists of younger to middle-aged women, already know the words to most of the songs and become involved with the film by singing along with the characters. This also allows for the audience to become particularly attached to the characters, possibly even putting themselves in the char acter’s shoes. The strongest level of this audience to character relation is most evident during the various musical numbers taking place in the film. Musical numbers are woven into the narrative structure, motivated by character psychology and/or plot development and expressive of the emotions, opinions, or state of mind of the singer. † (Langford, 2005, p. 85). This is evident in the â€Å"Mamma Mia† number, performed by Meryl Streep. The character Donna has just discovered three men from her past in the attic of her old goat house. She has convinced herself that that part of her life was over; however, seeing them again after so many years has made her realize that it still greatly affects her and she cannot resist the urge to see more.The lyrics of the song, â€Å"Mamma mia, here I go again, my my, how can I resist you. Mamma mia, does it show again, my my, just how much I miss you. † show just how torn Donna is. As she sings these lyrics she is stumbl ing around, shocked and confused as to exactly why these three men are here. One can hear the bewilderment and frustration in her voice, and also see it in her actions. There is a constant struggle between what her head is telling her and what her heart wants her to do. The entire musical number is playing off her emotions and her state of mind, causing the audience to feel those same feelings.The mise-en-scene during this scene is interesting; she is alone for most of the scene, but is joined near the end by a group of islanders. This group of people help her in deciding whether or not to confront the three men. The group become just as curious as Donna in finding out why these strangers are on the island. The sight of the men takes Donna back to her past throughout the musical number as all those deep feelings of longing which she has suppressed for so long. The sight of these men makes Donna incredibly nostalgic, which introduces another main theme from the film.Nostalgia is a pr ominent theme in the film, the feeling of longing for the past is brought up several times. The plot itself deals with the idea of bringing Donna face-to-face with her past and the characters themselves are constantly referencing ‘the good old days’. Many musical numbers in the film such as â€Å"Our Last Summer† and â€Å"Slipping Through My Fingers† deal with this issue. One number in particular that references this idea directly is the â€Å"Dancing Queen† scene. At the commencement of this scene Donna’s best friend Tanya, played by Christine Baranski, says, â€Å"Whatever happened to our Donna?Life and soul of the party, el rock chick supremo? † Donna then replies with, â€Å"I grew up† and Tanya says, â€Å"Well grow back down again! † Tanya is reminiscing about the past when Donna was a free soul and encourages her to find that inner youthfulness that they are longing to see in her their old friend. The words of the song openly reference the theme of nostalgia; â€Å"And when you get the chance, you are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen. † These words transport Donna into the past, back to that carefree girl that her friends were encouraging her to find.This scene also conveys the theme of longing to the rest of the women on the island who are also coping with this same dilemma. Young and old women come together to channel their inner nostalgia and bring back the youthfulness that is trapped inside each one of them. The responsibility and obligation associated with growing old is like a burden over the women keeping them from unleashing their suppressed feelings. This is illustrated in the scene by an older woman who is carrying a bundle of wood on her back.As Donna and the other women pass her singing and dancing, she proceeds to lift the bundle off her back and throw it aside, while singing â€Å"Oh Yeah! † in time with the song and joining the rest of the wome n. The bundle of wood is a metaphor for the burden which is inflicted on all women as they grow older. The message that this scene is attempting to portray is that just because you grow older, it doesn’t mean you should let go of your past and youthfulness. Throughout Mamma Mia! the main aspects of a musical are truly seen and even challenged.Audiences appreciate musicals because the help them escape the, at times, bleak realities of the lives and represent a utopia that they feel is attainable through the extreme emotions expressed by the characters and the storyline. Nostalgia plays a great part in this film in particular because the characters are constantly evaluating their behaviours and questioning the decisions they have made in the past. Mamma Mia! follows the classic structure of a musical but combines an intriguing plot and an extremely popular musical soundtrack creating an appealing film for all audiences to enjoy.Bibliography Cohan, S. (2002). Hollywood musicals, the film reader. New York: Routledge. Langford, B. (2005). Film genre: Hollywood and Beyond. Edinburgh University Press. Lloyd, P. (Director). (2008). Mamma Mia! [Motion Picture]. Mamma Mia! (1990-2009). Retrieved March 11, 2009, from The Internet Movie Database: http://www. imdb. com/title/tt0795421/ McMillin, S. (2006). The Musical As Drama. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Parker, M. (2002). Utopia and Organization. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Shenton, M. (2009). Mamma Mia! Retrieved March 10, 2009, from http://www. mamma-mia. com/showhistory. asp

Betrayer or Patriot chart Essay Example

Betrayer or Patriot chart Essay Example Betrayer or Patriot chart Paper Betrayer or Patriot chart Paper Evidence Betrayer or Patriot Act and scene (provide citation) Explanation Our course will seem Patriot too bloody, Caucus Cassias, To cut the head off and then hack the limbs, Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; For Antonym is but a limb of Caesar: Let us be sacrifices, but not butchers, Caucus Act 2, Scene 1, Page Here Brutes explains 8 that while they must kill Caesar to save Rome from dictatorship, they must not kill Marc Antonym as well, or they will appear to be cold blooded killers in the eyes of the people rather than defenders of the country. Et TU, Brute! Then fall, Caesar. Traitor Act 3, Scene 1, Page Here Caesar looks at 5 Brutes as Brutes stabs him and says, You too, Brutes! Brutes was Careers good friend. Brutes betrays Caesar when he, like the others, stabs him in the Senate. How Ill this taper burns! Hal Who comes here? I think it is the weakness of mine eyes that shapes this monstrous apparition. It comes upon me. Art thou anything? Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil. That make my blood cold and my hair to stare?

Word Choice Farther vs. Further - Proofread My Paper

Word Choice Farther vs. Further - Proofread My Paper Word Choice: Farther vs. Further â€Å"Farther† and â€Å"further† mean the same thing, right? Well, sometimes. But in American English we distinguish between these terms in some contexts, so it’s worth knowing the difference. This is especially true in academic and other formal writing, where precision is vital. To find out how these terms should be used, learn the traditional distinction below. Farther (Physical Distance) Although these terms are increasingly used interchangeably, technically, â€Å"farther† is reserved for discussing physical distances. As such, we might say: The library is farther down the road from here than the post office. Here, â€Å"farther† simply means â€Å"at a greater distance,† since it’s the comparative form of â€Å"far.† The same rule applies to â€Å"farthest,† which means â€Å"at the greatest physical distance.† It might be worth distinguishing between farther and a father, while were at it. Further (Metaphorical Distance) So, how does â€Å"further† differ? When referring to physical distance, not at all. As such, it would be correct to say: The library is further down the road from here than the post office. This means exactly the same thing as using â€Å"farther† in the same sentence. However, â€Å"further† is also used for figurative or non-physical distances. For instance, if we were referring to something that happens at a later point in time, we’d have to use â€Å"further†: Proofreading happens further along in the publication process than editing. Likewise, â€Å"further† is used when referring to things such as how far prices rise and fall or the point we’ve reached in a book: Before you read any further, stop and reflect on the themes in this chapter. If referring to the greatest figurative distance, â€Å"furthest† is the correct term to use. This â€Å"metaphorical† sense of â€Å"further† is also reflected in its use to mean â€Å"additional,† such as when we say that something requires â€Å"further study.† In all of these cases, using â€Å"farther† would be incorrect according to the conventional distinction. Farther or Further? The good news is that â€Å"further† is usually correct regardless of context. Throw in the fact that â€Å"farther† is much less common these days, as shown in this n-gram chart, and you might be safer using â€Å"further† for all senses of the word. Farther or further? However, if you want to ensure in your work, it’s a good idea to maintain the traditional distinction between â€Å"farther† and â€Å"further.† Remember: Farther = At a greater physical distance Further = At a greater figurative or non-physical distance

What kind of material success and political progress the first decade Essay

What kind of material success and political progress the first decade of the Twentieth century brought to Europeans - Essay Example The first decade of the twentieth century was a very tumultuous period in European history. Prior to the First World War, that was to take place shortly after this decade, European powers had succumbed to several disputes. First, there was the Franco-Prussia war of 1870 which led to the unification of the Germans in 1871. The war saw a shift of power in Europe with the Prussians basking in the success of their military endeavors. After the war, German sought to secure its place among Europe’s elite in terms of power and military strength. This shift in power unsettled Britain, which begun to seek alliances with other European countries.As Germany increased its naval power to rival that of Britain, Britain allied with France to balance power in Europe. Britain also allied itself with Japan as Germany opened diplomatic ties with Austria-Hungary and Italy. These alliances increased tensions in the Europe as the fight for military power ensued in the continent. Art in pre-world wa r Europe began evolving as it embraced modernism that was rife during this period. The tensions between European countries were mostly due to the introduction of modernism in Europe. Artists were challenging the traditional role and production of art that thrived prior to this period. Artists were adapting methods such as cubism and futurism to capture the rapidly evolving world during this era. Society in the decade prior to the First World War expected a war due to the diplomatic tensions between European countries during this era.

Creative Writing Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Creative Writing - Personal Statement Example They pay fees for us to produce results, and it would make no sense if we they do not full results from us. I do believe that I deserve the A grade. First, I have been an active participant in class activities. The professor always received my assignment on time. He always left a positive remark on every assignment that I submitted to him. From this, I do am partially convinced that an â€Å"A† grade is indeed the most appropriate grade for me. Our professor normally set for us exams from what we had learned in class and given as assignment. Remember the proverb, â€Å"where there is smoke, there is always fire† and â€Å"the presence of clouds is a symbol of rain.† How should one know whether a student is speaking the truth or not? (Nosich 28)Whereas others may argue or ask for the evidence concerning my performance, all I can say is that a performing student always stands out from other students. Professors and tutors rarely need evidence to know how a performing or bright student actually look like or behave. Performance always goes hand in hand with character of a person. However, I do not dispute or refuse any suggestions to hand over my assignment books for evaluation or verification of the truth. Some people say, â€Å"valid evidence is the only convincing way or method to truth claims.† I am ready to bring any evidence in support of my claim. In addition to that, I have always been an active participant of our class activities such as writing of successful projects related to CRTW. I believe activeness in any activity outside the class equips an individual with the necessary skills for the practical application of what he or she learnt at class. Using the above method or principle to evaluation, other students and I will undoubtedly provide a leeway for knowing each student personally. I believe it will be the best and most appropriate method for evaluating us. Interpretation of my performance in the past assignments and their analyses will lead