Universal Neurosis Essays - Freudian Psychology, Sigmund Freud

Universal Neurosis Essays - Freudian Psychology, Sigmund Freud Universal Neurosis SIGMUND FREUD and UNIVERSAL NEUROSIS Sigmund Freud defined the goal of psychoanalysis to be to replace unconscious with conscious awareness, where the id was ego shall be, and through this an individual would achieve self-control and reasonable satisfaction of instincts. His fundamental ideas include psychic determinism, the power and influence of the unconscious, as opposed to the pre-conscious mind, the tripartite division into id, ego and super-ego, and of course the ideas of universal illusion and universal effects of the Oedipal Complex. The examination of the Oedipal Complex is the most essential to the understanding of Freuds theories since he claimed that due to the resistance, repression, and transference of early sexual energies the world had developed a universal complex which did not allow for the healthy development of individuals but lead instead to the neurosis and mass illusion of religion. For his perceivably vicious attacks on religion and his logical and yet totally undermining examination of religion and other vital social issues, Freud has been slandered and his theories criticised simply because of the away he addressed these painful issues. Through the systematic development of the theories of psychoanalysis, all stemming from one another and all tied together into a universal Oedipal Complex and religious illusion, the ideas of the tripartite human psyche and wish-fulfilment that Freud developed came under fire from critics for their controversial messages and analysis. Briefly stated, the Oedipus Complex is the preservation in the adult individual of the perceptions, strategies and scars of a conflict the individual underwent during his/her pre-school years. According to Freud, these perceptions, etc, later colour and shape the individual's future experiences. This psychological crisis results when a young child's sexual desire for the parent of the opposite sex collides with the competition, rivalry and overwhelming power of the parent of the same sex. According to Freudian theory, the ghosts of this Oedipal crisis haunt us our entire lives. Psychopathology, slips of the tongue, dreams, and religious experience all were understood to be functions whose origins and energy resulted from this repressed material. In his later work, Freud interpreted the reports of his clients (reports offered under hypnosis, under verbal encouragement and suggestion, and finally, in the later work, reports given through free-associations) as revealing a universal Oedi pal drama. Freud found what he took to be evidence for the universal existence of the Oedipus Complex in the testimony of patients, in his analysis of the repressed in dreams, in slips, wit, and the transference phenomenon, as well as in art, philosophy and religion. As the child develops, he/she identifies with the parent of the same sex and renounces incestual desire. This renunciation is achieved and strengthened by the formation of the super-ego, a section of the child's ego identified with the childhood image of the parents (the parental Imago) perceived in consciousness as conscience and as the ego ideal. The ego ideal is the selfs conception of how he/she wishes to be and is a substitute for the lost narcissism in childhood when I was my own ideal. When projected onto or into the world, the Imago (a word used by Freud to describe unconscious object-representations) is taken by the experience to be a veridical perception of a divine being. Throughout life, these experiences of this childhood conflict are alive and present in the unconscious of the individual. This childish, magically thinking, ever desiring, instinctually driven self is described topographically by Freud in his tripartite division of the person as the id (Latin for it). Tha t part of the individual responsible for maintaining congress and connection with reality and mediating between the id and reality is the ego. That part of the ego, largely and usually unconscious, which bears and enforces the ego ideal, is the super-ego. An activity is ego-syntonic just in case it strengthens the ego in its function of mediating between the demands of reality, basic instinctual drives (of appetite, aggression, and sexuality), and conscience. As mediator, the ego needs to make adequate contact with both the external and internal demands involved. Thus, one of its main tasks is reality testing - making an accurate determination of the limits imposed on the organism by the external world including one's

10 Best Romance Novels That Have Gone Underappreciated

10 Best Romance Novels That Have Gone Underappreciated 10 Best Romance Novels That Have Gone Underappreciated There are many romance novels out there. Some better than others, granted, but what makes some the best of the best? What gives them that je ne sais quoi factor we’re all craving, some of us even trying to emulate when writing a novel ourselves?I could go about this list in many different ways, but I’ve decided not to make this one a common, boring, clichà © list. No.This is not that kind of list; this will give you the best romance novels in different categories and the reasons why you’ll fall in love with them!Here are the 11 best romance novels:Slammed by Colleen HooverFangirl by Rainbow RowellThe Notebook by Nicholas SparksThe Hating Game by Sally ThorneThe Light We Lost by Jill SantopoloDance Until Dawn by Berni StevensPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenMe Before You by Jojo MoyesGone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellIt Ends with Us by Colleen HooverSimon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky AlbertalliNOTE: Ready to write your own romance novel to be making lists like this one day? Check out our VIP Fiction Self-Publishing Program so you can make that happen. Learn more about it hereSide note: you’ll need a big box of tissues for most of these, so be sure to grab one before you dive in!Best Romance Books Per CategoryThe answer is for pulling novels from specific categories is simple: there are far too many amazing books out there to choose from and if you’re mapping out a list of the best, you’re going to miss a few important ones.Categorizing them makes sense because you’ll be able to decide for yourself which type of book you’d enjoy more.Consequently, you’ll find the best one in each category here. Once you finish it, you’ll be able to say if you enjoy that theme or not. And if not, you’re ready to jump into one of the other picks.11 Best Romance NovelsIf youre looking for a quick read for a weekend or want to learn in order to write your own book, this list can give you some i nspiration.#1 Slammed by Colleen HooverCategory: Poetry, specifically slam poetryRomance Novel Summary: Layken, an 18-year-older student meets her new neighbour, Will. Will is 21. They have an instant connection based on their similar likes, which gives Layken hope for happier days.Once their connection is deep within you and you love them, there’s a revelation that shocks them and us, and they can’t be together. The problem is, they really want to.Why You’ll Love It: If you’re not reading it because you love slam poetry, don’t worry. You’ll love slam poetry once you’re finshed! You may even want to try your hand at writing poetry afterward.I had heard a few poems before but with this book, I became totally obsessed with slam poetry. It takes the novel to a higher level and forces us readers to connect with it a lot more. It becomes personal.It’s also easy to identify ourselves with this story because it discusses topics that we’ve all had to face, including death and grief. Colleen is a brilliant writer and she just knows how to pull your strings.Quote: â€Å"Question everything. Your love, your religion, your passion. If you dont have questions, youll never find answers.†#2 Fangirl by Rainbow RowellCategory: Young Adult RomanceRomance Novel Summary: You’ll meet Cath Avery, who has a total opposite twin sister, Wren. When they both start college, Wren tells Cath she doesn’t want to be her roommate and they should live their college experience separately.Then, one day, between her awkwardness and fan-fiction stories, she meets Levi. And then everything changes. Slowly. But it changes.Why You’ll Love It:This is not only a young adult romance, not only about love. It’s also about making decisions at a young age and growth. The story is beautifully structured, and you won’t be able to put it down before you finish it.Besides having a really solid love story, you’ll also have a good laugh when diving into Rowell’s world.Quote: â€Å"In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones nobody bothers to explain to you. (And the ones you cant Google.)†#3 The Notebook by Nicholas SparksCategory: Greatest Love StoryRomance Novel Summary:This is the story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson. It is set in North Carolina after the Second World War. Noah thinks of Allie, a girl he had met 14 years prior. And one day, she shows up in his town.Nicholas Sparks is the master of twists and turns in love stories and this one does not disappoint. This is a book of surprises that will test Noah and Allie’s love until the end.Why You’ll Love It:I mean, do I really need an explanation here? Everyone knows Nicholas Sparks and that his books are amazing and will leave you in tears!If you’ve watched the movie, read the book. If you haven’t watched the movie, read the book! It’ll break your heart in th e most beautiful possible way.Quote: â€Å"Every great love starts with a great story†#4 The Hating Game by Sally ThorneCategory: Modern RomanceRomance Novel Summary:Lucy Hutton is a nice, sweet girl; Joshua Templeman is her opposite: cold and grumpy. They meet when the publishing houses they work at merge. It’s hate at first sight.But everything changes with a kiss†¦Why You’ll Love It:Two opposites attract†¦ isn’t it just brilliant when you have a love/hate relationship in one of your books?Because this is a modern romance, the storyline is also modern, which is the reason why many, many people love this novel. It’s easy to relate with it and Lucy is like the next-door neighbor, you just adore her.And with this title, how you could NOT want to read it?Quote: â€Å"Its a corporate truth universally acknowledged that workers would rather eat rat skeletons than participate in group activities.†#5 The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo Category: Loss and GriefRomance Novel Summary:Lucy is a senior in college at Columbia University when she meets Gabe, also a college senior. They meet on an ill-fated day that will shape their lives and the lives of those around them forever.They meet throughout the years but there’s always something in between them, there’s always something preventing them from being together.And in the end, Lucy has a very important decision to make. What will she decide to do?Why You’ll Love It:If you’ve read and love PS: I Love You by Cecelia Ahern, this book should be next on your list.I think it’s beautiful the way Santopolo deals with loss and grief, which are two themes so close and tangled with the subject of love.Even though they can be difficult to approach, the message is important and not every romance needs a stereotypical happily ever after.Quote: â€Å"Maybe it’s the act of opening yourself up, letting someone else in- or maybe it’s t he act of caring so deeply about another person that it expands your heart.†#6 Dance Until Dawn by Berni StevensCategory: Fantasy RomanceRomance Novel Summary:This is the first book in a series called â€Å"Immortals of London†. Ellie Wakefield has been saved from death by William Austen, a 300-year-old vampire.Ellie has to learn about this new world and together they face unexpected challenges.Why You’ll Love It:Who doesn’t love a good-ol’ vampire story? Add to that a little old banter, and there you have it, the perfect novel!Fantasy and romance are just like peanut butter and jelly; there’s no reason why they should go together, but they do, formidably.This book is full of mystery and Stevens has written it in a way that you just crave for more. It’s fresh, well-detailed but very easy to read.Quote: â€Å"I understand that this is rather a lot to take in,’ he said. ‘But I would appreciate it if you would stop referrin g to me as either psychotic or perverted.’ ‘Well I’d appreciate not being kidnapped and shut in this filthy hole.’ ‘Touchà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢.†#7 Pride and Prejudice by Jane AustenCategory: Feminism and Classic LiteratureRomance Novel Summary:The story revolves around the Bennets, a noble family that doesn’t have a lot of money because of Mr. Bennet, the father.It all starts when two single noblemen arrive to town and, as it is custom, meet the single women, because ain’t it universally acknowledged â€Å"that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife†?When Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy meet, it’s not all rainbows and flowers, but would it be a real love story if it was otherwise?Why You’ll Love It:Classics are important for a reason, and that reason is mostly because they’ll teach you something about the past, which most often than not, still has some truth in the present day.Youâ€⠄¢ll love Pride and Prejudice because Jane Austen wrote it for everyone to dream about it. It’s an important story that needs to be read.Elizabeth Bennet was born way ahead of her time and she’s here to teach you a lesson in sarcasm and feminism – you just cannot not read it!Quote: â€Å"He is a gentleman, and I am a gentlemans daughter. So far we are equal.†#8 Me Before You by Jojo MoyesCategory: Illness and LossRomance Novel Summary:Louisa Clark loses her job and desperately needs to find another one. When the opportunity of taking care of Will Traynor, a young man that is wheelchair bound, knocks on her door, she doesn’t jump of happiness.It’s a slow start and their relationship doesn’t seem to evolve, but as any other love story, there are twists and surprises along the way for both Louisa and Will.Why You’ll Love It:This is a story of poor meets rich, good meets bad, but not at all as you’d expect it to be.Itâ€⠄¢s not even about these pairs at all. But you’ll connect, at first, with the main character, Louisa, because of this. She’s simple and relatable.You’ll read it in an afternoon and you’ll still be crying months later.Quote: â€Å"I will never, ever regret the things Ive done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to.†#9 Gone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellCategory: History, specifically the Civil WarRomance Novel Summary:Scarlett O’Hara has a hard task at hand: she’s fighting for her family’s plantation and for the love of her life – if that wasn’t enough, this is amid the Civil War.In the end, will she get it all or lose everything?Why You’ll Love It:It’s History holding hands with a love story, what more could you need?It has the charm of the south in a very troubling period of history; it’s family and love struggles. It’s one of the most popula r books ever written, and you just need to find out why!Quote: â€Å"It was better to know the worst than to wonder.†#10 It Ends with Us by Colleen HooverCategory: Abusive RelationshipsRomance Novel Summary:Lily is a determined, successful woman. She had a difficult life growing up, but she never stopped fighting for what she truly loved. She meets Ryle who has a no-dating rule, but they quickly become close.She thinks he had a difficult past too, but she can’t figure out what happened exactly. When things start changing, she’s put in a place she never wanted to be back again.â€Å"Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.†Why You’ll Love It:If you’re looking for strong-minded, determined women, this book is for you. Lily is written in a way that you’ll be rooting for her from page 1.It’s a book that will touch some of you deeply and will haunt you for many years after the last page was turned. A beautiful love story that has more to it.Quote: â€Å"Just because someone hurts you doesnt mean you can simply stop loving them. Its not a persons actions that hurt the most. Its the love. If there was no love attached to the action, the pain would be a little easier to bear.†#11 Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky AlbertalliCategory: LGBTQ+Romance Novel Summary:Simon is 16 and very much homosexual, however, no one knows. When his secret is about to be revealed, a series of events lead him to being blackmailed.He’ll try to navigate high school without anyone finding out his secret while not messing up his friendships nor his own life.Why You’ll Love It:This is a fun yet serious book. The characters are well-created, and the dialogues are hilarious.The topic is an extremely important one nowadays and the lack of novels about the LGBTQ+ community make this one a success.The hardships of being teenager and on top of that, one with a secret, are well played in this n ovel and you’ll easily fall in love with Simon (and Blue).Quote: â€Å"Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldnt be this big awkward thing whether youre straight, gay, bi, or whatever. Im just saying.†Romance novels are unique in many waysIf you’re looking for a happily ever after, maybe you won’t find it in all these books.However, aren’t stories closer to our reality a whole lot better? They allow us to think of our successes and failures and give us hope for a better future.If you’re looking for page-turners, refer to this list. I promise you these are novels you won’t be able to put down once you’ve read the first page!Do you want your next novel to make a list like this?If you love romance novels enough to give writing your own a try, weve got what you need next.Check out this free training so your story can be a step above the rest.

What Would Benjamin Franklin's Say, and What Do You Say Educational Essay

What Would Benjamin Franklin's Say, and What Do You Say Educational curriculum - Essay Example While the United States still retains the world’s most elite university system, the nation has fallen behind in primary and secondary education. Increasingly, foreign nations have moved passed the country in the highly critical areas of math and science. For centuries theorists have considered the best way to structure educational curriculum to meet changing needs. One prominent educational theorist was Benjamin Franklin. This essay considers Franklin’s insights on education and then presents my perspectives on the most appropriate educational curriculum. Benjamin Franklin prominently examined the most appropriate education in his considerations for the development of an academy in Pennsylvania. From an overarching perspective, Franklin considers that education should function to prepare students for their entrance into the world ("Archives," 2012). Franklin goes on to state that, â€Å"if Men †¦catch such a Taste for cultivating Flowers, Planting, Grafting, Inocu lating†¦why may not we expect they should acquire a Relish for that more useful Culture of young Minds† ("Archives," 2012). This is a notable statement as it indicates that while Franklin recognizes hobbies are important elements, it is essential that educational curriculum instruction in ‘useful’ skills. ancient customs and morality. ... reat amount of emerging research has demonstrated that Montessori school out-perform traditional modes of education ("Research shows benefits," 2006). I believe that one of the major shortcomings of modern educational reform has been an illusionary belief that all students share the same innate abilities. Through adopting Montessori approaches to education at the primary level teachers, parents, and school systems will better be able to determine the specific interests and abilities the student has and is drawn to. This understanding, rather than the artificial and inflexible public curriculum, can then inform the individual’s further educational experience. After primary education further changes need to be made to the current curriculum in the secondary level. The 21st century has increasingly become integrated with the Internet and social networking. Many schools have already recognized the importance of integrating social networking platforms such as Facebook, Ning, and Tw itter into the regular curriculum (Davis, 2010). I believe that that the Information Age has necessitated that educational curriculum assume a number of profound changes. During Franklin’s time, as evidenced by his strong emphasis on acculturation through instruction in history and ancient customs, there was a great importance for content instruction. Today with the Internet’s emergence as a repository of culture it has become unrealistic to assume that students simply learn a body of history. Instead I believe that secondary curriculum should increasingly focus on instructing students in the means of navigating this complex cultural landscape. During Franklin’s time the primary modes of cultural dissemination were through books. The 20th century witnessed the emergence of film,

Native American Iconography and depictions in Art of 18th and early Research Paper

Native American Iconography and depictions in Art of 18th and early 19th century - Research Paper Example While not all such depictions were blatantly racist or derogatory (though of course some were), almost all contributed in some way to the dissolution of the Native American culture that is seen today. One of the most well-known artists and writers of the late 1800s is George Catlin. Catlin traveled extensively in North America, South America, and Europe, and wrote numerous illustrated books about his experiences (Reich 111). One of these was the ponderously titled â€Å"Letters and notes on the manners, customs, and condition of the North American Indians†, in which Catlin describes at length many of the tribes of North American native that existed while he was traveling (Catlin and Shippard). In both his words and his sketches, Catlin seems to have the utmost respect for the people about whom he is writing, at least relative to other writers of his time. For example, in Plate 11 of â€Å"Letters and notes†, Catlin sketches a man named Stu-mick-o-sucks, who was at that time the chief of the Blackfoot Nation, and in Plate 13 sketches his wife Eeh-nis-kim. Catlin makes positive comments about their ceremonial dress that they were wearing when he drew them, and states that Eeh-nis-kim had a â€Å"pleasing countenance†. He also referred to Stu-mick-o-sucks as a â€Å"dignity†, in the same way that he might refer to a foreign king of Europe (Catlin and Shippard). In addition to his sketches of Stu-mick-o-sucks, Catlin sketched other warriors and Native American tribesmen in their full ceremonial dress. These sketches made up Plates 29-31 in â€Å"Letters and notes†. He referred to their clothing as â€Å"handsome† and in all ways indicated that he found their clothing to be interesting and even beautiful. This viewpoint differed from others of his time that found their manner of dress to be primitive and barbaric (Catlin and Shippard). Catlin expounds at length on the methods that the Native Americans used to soften the leather that

A Comment on the Road from Colonus Essay Example for Free

A Comment on the Road from Colonus Essay Edward Morgan Forster was an English novelist, short story writer, essayist and librettist. He is known best for his ironic and well-plotted novels examining class difference and hypocrisy in early 20th-century British society. Forsters humanistic impulse toward understanding and sympathy may be aptly summed up in the epigraph to his 1910 novel Howards End: Only connect. In part one of The Road from Colonus, Mr. Lucas and her daughter travelled to Greece, to fulfill his dream which has lasted for 40 years. When they were in a Khan in a small town of Greece, Mr. Lucas discovered a very strange tree which has a stream flow from it. He was very excited and felt that he had found his â€Å"habitant for heart†, so Mr. Lucas wanted to stay there for more time, but his daughter frustrated him and finally they left Greece. In part two, Ethel, Mr. Lucas’s daughter, was about to get married, and she got a parcel from a friend who has been with her during the trip, her friend told Ethel that the tree beside the khan was blow down and all the people there were dead, when Ethel told Mr. Lucas about the tragedy, he seemed totally indifferent to it, and just complained about his house and neighbors. In these two parts, water acted as a very important role. In first part, water stands for passion, energy and it can fresh Mr. Lucas’s old spirits and create a new value for him. So in this situation, water symbolized the reborn of him, but in the second part, fresh water became into dead water, and Mr. Lucas was totally dead in his mind, and what he can do is to complain the reality. There are three groups of people in this novel, one group is Ethel and her friends, they are the representatives of young people in Britain of that period of time, and they have received good education, fostered a strict and strong priority of their country and culture, so when they felt that the common value of their society was being offended, the first reaction is to extinguish the possibility of expansion, that is the reason for their objection of Mr. Lucas’s stay in Greece. In their mind, old people can’t be isolated from the youth and they are supposed to rely on the support of their children and also, their life was being projected by their children. For Mr. Lucas, he is among the old class or weak group of society, on one hand they pursued for independence, and searched for a habitant of heart, so that they could get through the rest days in a very peaceful and independent way, they didn’t want to be interfered by other factors such as children, work, and so on, but on the other hand, the society forbade them to do what they like to, Mr.

Comparing Father and Child Relationships in Death of a Salesman and A V

Father and Child Relationships in Death of a Salesman and A View from the Bridge       In literature as in life, we go through events which are the effects of the relationships between parent and child.   In both plays Death of a Salesman and A View from the Bridge, Arthur Miller depicts the possessiveness of human nature through the eyes of Willy Loman and Eddie Carbone.   Willy and his son Biff exhibit an undoubtable strain in their relationship.   Willy gives all his dreams to Biff in hope that he will carry on or create success for himself.   Eddie wants the best for his niece, Catherine, but is unaware of his over protectiveness which in actuality is an element much more repelling.   The relationships between father and child characters place tension upon everyone and ultimately is a factor in the protagonists common tragedy. In Death of a Salesman, although Biff and Happy are both sons of Willy Loman, there is a strong emphasis on Biff only.   Willy places all his hopes on Biff and even overestimates him.   "Because you got greatness in you, Biff, remember that.   You got all kinds of greatness...like a young god.   Hercules...God Almighty, he'll be great yet.   A star like that, magnificent, can never really fade away!"(Miller, DOS 68)   Willy views Biff as a mirror image of himself when he was young, successful and "well-liked."   He wants Biff to be what he was and what he never became.   Willy has overwhelming pride in Biff and expectations that cannot be fulfilled.  Ã‚   These feelings exhibited by Willy is purely due to human nature.   It is the desire of all father to have a son who emulates their successful aspects and to carry these traits into the preceding generations.  Ã‚   However, Biff knows that h... ...Bridge"   Arthur Miller.   London and Basingstoke: The Macmillan Press Ltd. 1982   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hayman, Ronald.   "Interview with Arthur Miller", "Death of a Salesman", "A View from the Bridge" Arthur Miller.   New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co.   1972 Lenne, Bruno.   ed.   Readings on Arthur Miller.   San Diego: Greenhaven   Press, Inc.   1997 Moss, Leonard.   Arthur Miller.   Boston: G.K. Hall &Co.   1980 Miller, Arthur.   A View From the Bridge.   New York: Viking Penguin Inc. 1977  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Miller, Arthur.   Death of A Salesman.   New York: Viking Pengui Inc. 1976  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nourse, Joan T.   "Commentary on Death of a Salesman" Death of a Salesman and All My Sons.   New York: Monarch Press   1965 Welland, Dennis.   "Death of a Salesman", "A View from the Bridge" Miller The Playwright.   Second ed.   London: Methuen London Ltd.   1983

Hollywood main stream cinema’s treatment of gender in the 1980’s Essay

To what extent is Rambo: First Blood Part 2 typical of Hollywood mainstream cinema’s treatment of gender in the 1980’s? Action films in the 1980’s reflected the changes and insecurity’s within American society. There had been a rise in feminism meaning that the masculine form and dominance was being undermined and white working class males did not know where their place was in society. It was also in the immediate time after the Vietnam War and confusion and anger still lingered. The Vietnam War divided the American nation as a whole because, as it has been in recent times with the war in Iraq, people didn’t fully understand why America needed to impose their presence in a country where they felt they had nothing to gain. The action film in the 1980’s introduced a hero that differentiated masculinity and femininity using the form of the body as a way of ensuring power, dominance and self-respect. Rambo: First Blood Part 2 is a typical film of this era in terms of masculinity and the ways in which men and women are portrayed. In the film Rambo: First Blood Part 2 Sylvester Stallone portrays a typical action hero of the ‘war film’ genre in the 1980’s but also an outcast of society after the Vietnam War. He is a veteran of Vietnam and came home to find that everything he had known had changed and he was no longer considered an honourable soldier but more as a war criminal. Rambo’s mission in this film is to go back to Vietnam and see if he can find a camp that he is told has many POW’s. If he finds the men, he can only take photographs but he has a problem with this and risks his own life to save them. He is very strong and muscular and is able to defeat the soldiers, Russian and Vietnamese, single handed. Douglas Kellner states that the film; ‘Follows the conventions of the Hollywood genre of the â€Å"war film†, which dramatizes conflicts between the United States and its â€Å"enemies† and provides a happy ending that portrays the victory of good over evil.’ (Kellner, 1994, p.10) This means that America always won no matter who the enemy was. In reality this is something that America could not accomplish. There was no happy ending and there were no immediate heroes. Rambo is allowed to bring glory upon America and diffuse a situation that could have cost the American military even more respect and dignity. America had lost some of its power within the world and they strived to get it back. It had lost its first war and it had become important to remasculinize America. There was a growing fear of communism in the country and displaying male heroes which went against the communist regime was their idea of establishing the ideal throughout the world by a means of globalization. Globalization had been taking place throughout the history of cinema by a means of film that was imported and exported to places around the world. In effect most of the action films set in Vietnam, and other films which hold a strong view of patriotism and heroism within America in the 1980’s, can be seen as propaganda films against the rise of communism. The purpose, with or without the knowledge of the audience, was to get the idea across to a mass audience that communism was against the principles of the country. In Rambo the ‘evil’ characters are the Vietnamese and Russian soldiers and ironically, it turns out that the greatest threat to Rambo is not the Vietnamese, although they do pose a strong force, it is the Russians. The Russians are shown as being extremely strong, relentless, and willing to put a man through torture to get what they want. Nevertheless, whatever the Russians do you cannot beat a man with as much physical and mental strength as Rambo. This follows a pattern throughout action films in the 1980’s. One film that is suggestive of this is Rocky 4. Rocky 4 (1985) also stars Sylvester Stallone but this time he is a boxer. He is fighting against a strong Russian fighter named Ivan Drago. Drago is very tough and stands at over 6ft tall. The Russian crowd all stand behind their fighter but when the final fight is over and Rocky defeats him with all of his strength the Russians begin to show support for Rocky and boo their fighter. This is the film industry’s way of evoking patriotism and the ever-growing fear of the communist regime after the Cold War. Philip L. Gianos states that; ‘The advent of Vietnam in film provided an opportunity for filmmakers who were denied an actual shooting war: a parallel, surrogate setting in which cold war themes could be played out.’ (Gianos. 1998, P.159) The first response from the film industry during this time was a set of anti-communist films to respond to the changing political environment. The villains are almost always portrayed as foreign internationals such as Russian, German, and sometimes English and they are usually a communist operative. They are never American in these films because the hero is American. He is fighting for his country and if it were another American he is fighting against he is effectively fighting against America. Other action films that were released at that time include, The Terminator, Rocky, Predator, and Die Hard. Millions of people worldwide, mainly consisting of young males went to see these films at the cinema. They gave them a chance to ‘latch on to big, muscular, violent men as cinematic heroes.’ (Katz, 1994, p134) These heroes gave the audience the chance to gain self-respect and security as it represented a masculinity that was unaffected by the rise of feminism. Gender roles had been reversed due to the growing rise of a feminist movement that showed women were increasingly moving into the workplace rather than staying at home. The displaying of the male physique and the physical torture it goes through to enable glory and victory over evil is further suggestive of masculinity in crisis and the gain of global respect. Women could not gain this kind of respect because they could not attain that degree of physical strength and endurance so therefore this was one thing that they couldn’t take away from men. The female role in the action film of the 1980’s appears at first glance to be on equal footing with the male. However, there are some differences in the ways in which they go about their missions. In Rambo: First Blood Part 2 the main female character, Co Bao, is strong, resourceful and a very capable fighter. She is Rambo’s contact in Vietnam and later becomes his love interest. During the film she cautions Rambo to follow his orders and when she goes to save him from the Russian’s in the POW camp she uses a different technique than Rambo. While Rambo attacked her captor from behind and overpowered him she sneaked into the camp as a prostitute. Therefore the issue of strength and power is present in the male character but in the female character it is more about subtlety and intelligence. Rambo is the definitive male of 80’s cinema and was joined by characters such as John McLain (Die Hard) and Rocky Balboa (Rocky). In these films the main action centres around one hero and the female character is usually the love-interest or accomplice. In previous war/actions films and Vietnam films the veterans were seen as either psychopaths, such as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, or tragic characters, Bob Hyde in Coming Home. In the films of the 1980’s, however, the hero fights back. In Rambo Part 2 Rambo can be seen as an anti-hero because of his rebellious behaviour by going against his orders to leave the POW’s and by telling Murdock that he will come and get him when he gets back from the jungle. This makes his character more dangerous and exciting to the audience as you don’t know what he is going to do. He has many people after him in Vietnam but he also has enemies at home. He has to deal with ‘home-grown discrimination’ because of the war and in effect he is no longer fighting for his country. He is doing it for the comrades that he fought with; ‘In these films the enemy is not the enemy in a war that is officially over but rather the civilian and military leadership that failed to win the war’ (Gianos. 1998, p.166) After Co Bao is killed Rambo channels his emotions into retaliation and thus becomes a fighting machine that is only out for revenge. Before she was killed he was ready to leave after finding that Murdock sent him out just to get free of him and stem reports that there were POW’s still in Vietnam. The style of the film helps to build the perception that he is a ‘god’ and that he is invincible. The use of lighting and camera angles are used to enhance his physique and the fast paced editing in the action shots are used to show that he is fast, strong and practical in the ways he attacks his enemies. Rambo shows us the ideal, very well-built muscular body of the white male in a place where he appears to belong. Commonly used iconography for Vietnam films included dense jungle, camouflage equipment and hi-tech weaponry. He uses the jungle to an advantage and appears to know it better than those who live there. He uses his initiative and intelligence in the jungle and is able to use it to gain the upper hand in a battle. One example of this is the scene in which he attacks a US soldier after he hides in a bank of mud with his eyes being the only thing visible. The male body in these films ‘constructs the white man as physically superior, yet also an everyman, built to do the job of colonial world improvement’ (Dyer, 2002, p.269) The fact that the superior build of the hero’s body establishes him as an everyman means that it is something that any man can attain – as long as you are white. Black men are rarely portrayed in this manner and if they are they are usually the villains of the movie and end up being defeated. In conclusion, the gender representation in the film is an effort from the United States to fulfil the growing need of remasculinizing American society, in particularly, in the dominant white majority of the working class. With the rise of feminism, fear of communism, political scandals and the Vietnam War, it became imperative for America to try and rebuild the image of men in a positive light. Rather than focusing on men as a collective these films focused on one individual and therefore a view of machismo, strength and determination became the ‘norm’. The films of the 1980’s became a kind of vessel of the ideal and most of these films are still popular in today’s society and may still be what some men aspire to be. If you were like these men you were considered to be manly and if you weren’t you were understood to be weak and not the ‘typical’ American male. The male hero in these films was put there to win. America needed a hero and they found him in these films. The masculine form was in crisis and the wholesomeness and fearless heroes could make an impact on the male audience who would then seek to be like the characters they watched on screen. Bibliography Gianos P.L (1998) Politics and Politicians in American Film, London, Greenwood Press Dyer, R, (2002) The White Man’s Muscles in Adams. R and Savran. D (eds) (2002) The Masculinity Studies Reader Oxford, Blackwell Publishers Jeffords S. (1989) The Remasculinization of America: Gender and the Vietnam War Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana University Press Kellner D. and Katz. J (1994) in Dines G and Humez J.M (eds) (1994) Gender, Race and Class in Media London, Sage Publications

Natural Family Planning Essay

To begin this essay I will first explain what Natural Family Planning is and I will then turn to take a look at the essay written by Joseph W. Koterski entitled Theological Reflections on Natural Family Planning. Natural Family Planning ‘is the general title for the scientific, natural and moral methods of family planning that can help married couples either achieve or postpone pregnancies. Methods of Natural Family Planning depend on the observation paid to the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle. The main idea behind Natural Family Planning is that no methods of artificial contraception are used. Such methods of artificial contraception include drugs, devices or surgical procedures which are used to avoid pregnancy.   The first question Koterski asks is ‘Can the use of Natural Family Planning to avoid pregnancy be morally justi?ed? He then goes on to state that many discussions come to the conclusion that Natural Family Planning is acceptable providing one does not have a ‘contraceptive mentality. The writer agrees with this statement, however one finds themselves asking does the whole idea of Natural Family Planning not have a somewhat contraceptive mentality to it also? The article then puts across the idea that procreation is good within marriage however if a couple do have a contraceptive mentality it should be for a moral reason such as ‘spacing births a bit for the good of the mother’s health, or caring better for the sake of one’s existing children, or for the good of the marriage in a time of great pressures of some sort If these scenarios do come into a couples lives who use Natural Family Planning they are still remaining open to having children at the se times however they are just hoping they will not until these scenarios have sorted themselves out. It appears that throughout the article the writer continually relates back to the subject about having a contraceptive mentality. He says on a frequent basis that if the reason for a couple having a contraceptive mentality is morally for the right reasons then it is okay while still using Natural Family Planning. Compared to using contraception where the act itself is  morally objectionable whether the intentions are good or bad, there does not seem to be anything intrinsically objectionable to a couple deciding whether or not to have intercourse at a particular time during the womans menstrual cycle. If the couple have a good knowledge of Natural family Planning and are trying to avoid having more children then nothing should change about their actions during sexual relations apart from the time at which they have them and knowing when not to have intercourse. The author seems to be saying there is nothing wrong with this approach, however many a person would say this is having a contraceptive mentality. The writer then poses two questions aimed especially at those religious people who do not believe in intercourse unless between a couple for procreative reasons: 1. Are we morally required to have all the children possible for us, given  our current understanding of the natural rhythms of fertility? 2. Are we morally required to refrain from intercourse when we know  as a couple that we are infertile? These questions open up quite a strong argument for those sceptical about the idea that intercourse should only be for procreative purposes. These would possibly argue that sexual intercourse is also for unifying purposes between a couple and therefore this would prevent a couple from growing closer. John Murray also states that it is not the woman’s fault that she is naturally infertile therefore why should she have to abstain from intercourse: If you were naturally blind, you could not do anything further to make yourself blind. So: when a woman is naturally infertile [and knows it] she cannot do anything to make her acts of sexual intercourse infertile [due to her natural infertility] The point is not that she may not do so; she cannot do so. The facts and figures of the matter according to Jack Dominian are ‘currently ninety-nine percent of sexual activity is knowingly and deliberately non-procreative. Dominian then continues on with his argument  stating the majority ‘need only a few sexual acts to achieve their desired family size. It appears Dominion is saying therefore that contraceptive methods are the easiest way of controlling family size. The writings of Paul Quay S.J. Then continue on the essay. Quay mentions how estrus is a sign of fertility in the female species of animals and the male species can pick up on this. Humans are different however and the only way for us to know is by knowing how to ‘read the cycles of temperature and cervical fluid as signs of fertility and infertility. The article continues on to mention the whole symbolism around sexual intercourse. When a couple have intercourse it is almost like a language between them that only they can understand. Koterski uses Quays argument to say that the physical union of intercourse symbolises the union of persons in marriage. The whole idea of nakedness between a couple having intercourse is to symbolize their openness and vulnerability to one another. The whole point of this argument appears to be this is the reason why only when married should one engage in intercourse. If relating back to Natural Family Planning and not having a contraceptive menta lity ‘Traditionally the reason given is that sex is linked to procreation and that the fruit of this, children, need two parents to look after them and give them legitimacy and status. As we carry on through the document and take a look at the application of Quay’s understanding to Natural Family Planning we see how it states the Church should have as many children as possible. The task seems to be to ‘bring all of these who are naturally born to be reborn of the water and the Holy Spirit of the womb of the church by baptism. The document continues on to focus more towards the Church and how even though one may be born to Christian parents this does not mean one is a Christian. It is only through water and the Holy Spirit that we can be brought from this world of sin into the Christian community and the Church. It is only through God however that these children should be brought into this world and not as items of property, therefore conception should be one hundred per cent natural and not through in vitro fertilisation or any such procedures. The authors final few points are quite valid when he states the the infertile period for a couple who are using the method of Natural Family Planning is a period for the woman’s body to rest before releasing the next ovum. Natural family planning should also allow the woman’s body to rest during the natural spacing of pregnancies. In this sense by abstaining from intercourse it is an expression of love on the man’s behalf as he is caring for his wife. The main point the author is trying to get across is that some of the time, even though intercourse is a way of expressing love, abstinence can sometimes be for the greater good of the family and the relationship. To conclude, this essay states what Natural Family Planning is and the many different aspects to it. As with everything it has its pros and cons however if practised properly it allows a couple to do as the Church teaches and ‘make a decision about how many children to have in a wise and loving manner – trying to bear in mind various needs, such as health, their existing children, society’s needs, etc.’13 The whole idea about making Natural Family Planning successful is not to have a contraceptive mentality. This however is a mentality that the majority have and as stated by Jack Dominion ‘ninety-nine per cent of sexual activity is knowingly and deliberately non-procreative. Bibliography Dominian, Jack, ‘Masterbation and Premarital Sexual Intercourse’ , God Sex and Love (London: SCM Press, 1989), Koterski, Joseph W. Theological Reflections on Natural Family Planning, http://www.nvjournal.net/images/stories/SampleArticles/6.4.pdf Murray, John, Lecture notes. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/what-is-nfp/

Atkins Diet essays

Atkin's Diet essays The Atkins diet has recently become one of the most talked about diets in America. The diet consists of taking carbohydrates out of a persons everyday eating pattern. People are eagerly ready to dive into the diet before they even have a clue of what it consists of. There are a lot of unknown certainties about the diet and its effects. Dr. Steve Gaskill, an exercise physiologist and Dr. Blakely Brown, a nutritional biochemist recently explained the importance of exercise and without it any diet is virtually useless. They conducted an open to questions presentation that welcomed the general public. They informed and persuaded that the Atkins diet can be potentially unhealthy and ineffective when looking to loose weight for the long run. The structure of the speech was put together very well. Dr. Gaskill began the presentation by giving a slideshow about obesity and some causes for it in the United States. It prepared the audience with the knowledge of how serious being overweight can be on our bodies. It was also a good way to start because it let people know information that they would need to know about in order to get the best out of the rest of the speech. It was easy to get interested because of the facts that came straight from our own country about our overall eating habits. The facts were rather shocking with a high percentage rate of over half our population is overweight. The credibility that Dr. Gaskill and Dr. Brown brought was very respectful. The both have appropriate degrees and work in the health department and conduct hands on exercises and experiments. They get involved with the students as well as the outside public. There preparation allowed the body of the speech to flow pretty well a nd organization was a key to explaining their opinions. They held the opinion through out the entire presentation that the Adkins diet was not a healthy successful strategy to dieting. Strength ...

Organic (Biological) Weathering Explained

Organic (Biological) Weathering Explained Organic weathering, also called bioweathering or biological weathering, is the general name for biological processes of weathering that break down rocks. This includes the physical penetration and growth of roots and digging activities of animals (bioturbation), as well as the action of lichens and moss on various minerals.   How Organic Weathering Fits Into the Larger Geological Picture Weathering is a process by which surface rock breaks down. Erosion is a process by which weathered rock is moved by natural forces such as wind, waves, water, and ice. There are three types of weathering: Physical or mechanical weathering (for example, water gets into cracks in rock and then freezes, pushing against the rock from the inside);Chemical weathering (for example, oxygen interacts with iron in rocks, causing the iron to turn to rust and thus weakening the rock)Organic or biological weathering (for example, the roots of a tree grow into boulders in the soil and splitting the boulders apart over time) While these different types of weathering can be described as different from one another, they also work together. For example, tree roots may split boulders more easily because the rocks have been weakened as a result of chemical or physical weathering.   Plant-Related Biological Weathering Tree roots, because of their size, cause a significant amount of biological weathering. But even much smaller plant-related actions can weather rocks. For example: Weeds pushing through road surfaces or cracks in boulders can expand gaps in the rock. These gaps fill with water. When the water freezes, the roads or boulders crack. Lichen (fungi and algae living together in a symbiotic relationship) can cause a great deal of weathering. Chemicals produced by fungi can break down the minerals in rocks. Algae consume the minerals. As this process of breakdown and consumption continues, rocks start to develop holes.  As described above, holes in rocks are vulnerable to physical weathering caused by the freeze/melt cycle. Animal-Related Biological Weathering Animal interactions with rock can cause significant weathering. As with plants, animals can set the stage for further physical and chemical weathering. For example: Tiny burrowing animals secrete acids or scrape their way into rock to create rocky burrows. This process weakens the rock and actually starts the weathering process.Larger animals leave feces or urine on rock. The chemicals in animal waste can corrode minerals in rock.Larger burrowing animals shift and move rock, creating spaces where water can accumulate and freeze. Human-Related Biological Weathering Human beings have a dramatic weathering effect. Even a simple path in the woods has an impact on the soil and rocks that make up the path. Major changes affected by humans include: Construction moving, scoring, and smashing rock for construction of buildings and transportation systemsMining massive projects involve stripping entire hillsides or making major changes to or removing rock from under the surface of the EarthAgriculture in addition to moving rocks to make farming possible, human beings also change the composition of the soil through fertilization and application of herbicides.

IT - Forensic Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

IT - Forensic Technology - Essay Example Generally, each crime scene brings its own unique set of questions requiring answers to unveil the truth as the circumstances of each investigation differ considerably. The questions may include but not limited to the way crime was conducted, identities of victims, timeframe of crime and presence of any other material that may assist investigations (Oxenham, 2008). Ian (2010) is of the view that even these techniques are mainly borrowed from other sciences, forensic science has itself developed and matured over the years. Numerous scientific techniques have been developed and refined to support preservation, analysis and interpretation of evidence for forensic purposes. Forensic science cannot be isolated since advancements in other fields of science have been integrated to forensic technology over the years. 2. History of Forensic Science Forensic scientists employ scientific methods and techniques to obtain the evidence from dandruff to DNA and from ammunition to infrared spectroph otometry (Tilstone, Savage & Clark, 2006). Ancient world lacked sophisticated and standardized methods in forensics to analyze and interpret the evidence, but still many accounts in the forensic analysis have been found in ancient history like Archimedes’ analysis for volume of crown in water. In 16th century, European medical practitioners tried analyze cause of death. Similarly, Swedish scientists developed methods for detection of arsenic in 17th century. Juan Vucetich in Argentina solved first criminal case on forensic basis by analyzing the bloody finger prints on a door. First school of forensic was established in 1909 by Rodolphe Archibald Reiss at University of Lausanne. The inquisitiveness to answer questions that have gripped the entire human history including the criminal justice system on scientific basis is over a century old. The courts made opinions of experts admissible inform of fingerprints in and postmortem where these were earlier left to discretion of jur y. With the tremendous advancements in science and technology, different specialized fields and areas of expertise emerged. The witness and evidence supported on scientific analysis has now become a routine in helping jury to find guilty. United States became the main center for development of forensic science from 1930 to 1980. According to Bell, Fisher and Shaler (2008), still at start of twentieth-first century, US holds majors advancements in the field when investigators and scientists are using methods and techniques not thought of a generation before. 3. Classification of Forensics For investigative purposes, forensic science can be viewed as a combination of distinct areas including (Purdue university forensic science, 2012): Forensic Anthropology. Application of physical anthropology in legal scenario. Cyber Forensic. Use and analysis of digital data that is admissible in court of law. Forensic Engineering. Investigation into material and structure of components that fail pr ior to completion of expected duration resulting in accidents. Forensic Entomology. It involves use of insects and anthropodology to study the decomposed materials and bodies to help in investigations. Foensic Odontology. It is the study to human teeth to establish information

Data Collection2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Data Collection2 - Essay Example ministration and bush family members such as the former first lady, Barbara Bush, Olberman has named a host of Republican senators and numerous Conservatives and pro-Bush reporters and media personalities, such as Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. He has, furthermore, repeatedly included Fox New Channel, which he dubs, Fox Nothing Channel and Fox Noise Channel, in his worst person of the world list, as well as conservative pro-Bush preachers, such as Pat Robertson. The above-stated, which was concluded after thorough review of Countdown transcripts at MSNBC, is indicative of an overt bias against the Bush Administration, Republicans and neoconservatives. Further solidifying this claim of bias is that rarely, if ever, is a Democrat included in that list, unless they have voted in support of the Iraq War, or who have expressed any type of support for Bush’s policies, such as Hilary Clinton. The fact that the number of Republicans, Conservatives and Bush Administration members included in the Worst Person in the World spot overwhelms the number of Democrats and Iraq war opponents included, may reflect bias but it does not reflect the extent of the bias involved. Bias is best determined through quotes: 1. Anne Coulter (Conservative, Pro-War Activist, Republican, Bush supporter); When awarding Coulter the Worst Person in the World Award just last week, for having called John Edwards feminine, Olberman said: â€Å"Calling John Edwards that name, I mean, Annie, just because you’re more mannish looking, hell, you’re more mannish looking than every man on the planet† (Olberman, 2007, â€Å"Ann Coulter†). What should be emphasised about this quote is that it descends into personal and subjective attacks; it is not an objective and critical response to Coulter’s statements, or her political position but, an attack upon her own person. In so doing, Olberman does not just reveal his own personal bias but, seems to suggest that