The Yellow Wallpaper Essay

Trapped and Unreliable The two short stories â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† Charlotte Perkins Gilman and â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† Edgar Allan Poe are stories that appear to be totally different from each other, but are actually very similar; one of those similarities is the theme of entrapment the stories show entrapment on both a physical and a mental level. We see in these two stories individuals that are not only trapped physically but trapped mentally within their own minds not able to free themselves from the chains that are holding them; these circumstances show us that both of the main characters in these stories are unreliable. The theme of entrapment that is shared by both of these stories really sets the stage for both of them it defines the plot and really is the center of both of these stories. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†, concentrates on the narrator’s deep depression and her struggle to get better. The narrator spends her summer vacation confined in a nursery on the top floor of a mansion. This is in an attempt to cure her illness by her husband John, who is a doctor. The room has barred windows on all sides and yellow wallpaper with â€Å"sprawling flamboyant patterns† (Gilman 766). The narrator at first is in disgust with the wallpaper and thinks it is an artistic sin. Then with nothing to do, and her imagination running free, she turns her imagination onto the wallpaper. She uses the wallpaper as a form of entertainment and tries to figure out the pattern. The central symbol of the short story is the wallpaper. The meaning behind the wallpaper represents the narrator’s entrapment and her struggle with depression. Armstrong 2 The yellow wallpaper acts like a mental entrapment for the main character. At the end of the story, the main character rips down the yellow wallpaper to release the woman behind the paper. This was symbolic because even though she saw a woman, this woman was her. When the narrator was angry she put that onto the wallpaper, so that is why she ripped the wallpaper down. She was trapped behind the pattern and she couldn’t move from it. This is the point where her sickness has gotten to the worst extent. The wallpaper led her to create her own madness. The main character says in the story, â€Å"There are things in the wallpaper that nobody knows about but me, or ever will. (Gilman 774). Not even John knew what was really going on because he was always working and never took his wife’s thoughts too seriously. The yellow wallpaper also acts as physical entrapment to the main character. The wallpaper blocks her into that small room. She feels like she cannot get better in that room. In a sense she can’t get better in that room because of the things preventing her from resting. Her eyes are constantly on the yellow wallpaper; her mind also feels she cannot step away from the wallpaper. In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†, The story begins with Montresor dictating the events of 50 years prior to an undisclosed individual. Montresor feels as though the antagonist, Fortunato, has wronged him on numerous occasions. Although these injuries are not stated, Montresor is adamant that vengeance is necessary. Montresor states: â€Å"I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. † (Poe 125) This quote shows that not only does Montresor feel strongly about the actions that must be taken, but also demonstrates the attitude that these actions are warranted. Montresor, like any other man, is consumed by the desire to avenge his foe. Armstrong 3 There is obvious differences between these two stories, In â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† there is physical and mental conditions that center around the plot of the story, we see the narrator suffering from paranoia, and other mental conditions she states â€Å"So I take phosphates or phosphites-whichever it is, and tonics and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to work until I am well again. † (Gilman 766), this clearly demonstrates a mental condition. But in contrast I think in the â€Å"Cask of Amontillado† I believe the mental condition of Montresor is created by the abuse that he has received in the past years from Fortunato. In terms of unreliable narrators, the two stories are similar. In â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† the narrator, Montresor, seems to be confessing to the murder of Fortunato, possibly on his death bed, but the reader is never really sure what is real and what has been fabricated by Montresor over the 50 years since the crime happened. In â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† the narrator is also unreliable. We get snippets of her story from a journal she has been keeping that chronicles her descent into madness at her confinement in an upstairs bedroom at a house she and her husband are renting for a few months. Throughout her narration, the reader becomes aware of several things that the narrator is not aware of, like her descent into madness. Since she is losing her grip on reality, we too much question her take on the events in the story like one might question Montresor's interpretation of the events in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado. In conclusion, I would like to point out that in either case, the mind is a very powerful force that is capable of driving people in so many different directions, we see the people in these two stories demonstrating very odd behavior for similar reasons, but then again they are totally different in fact. We see Montresor actually commit murder And in the end of â€Å"The yellow wallpaper† we see the narrator actually go insane.

Filipino Values Essay

†¢Close Kinship – a Filipino considers family as an important social structure that they must love and care. Close family ties results to the family still being intact regardless that the children are old and with families of their own. †¢Respect for Elders – the use of â€Å"po† and â€Å"opo† in conversing or addressing older people is a sign of a Filipino’s respect for the elders. Filipinos do not send their elders to nursing homes because they still value the worth and presence of the elders at home. †¢Hospitality – the Filipino community are very warm and hospitable. They even give â€Å"PASALUBONG† (WELCOME GIFTS) AND â€Å"PABAON† (FAREWELL GIFTS) TO GUESTS. AT TIMES, THEY SACRIFICE THEIR OWN COMFORT TO ACCOMMODATE THEIR GUESTS VERY WELL. †¢Strong Faith in God – their faith in God keeps them united to overcome all the problems and challenges of life. †¢Flexibility / Adaptability / Resiliency – the Filipinos have the trait to laugh at themselves and THEIR MISFORTUNES OR FAILURES. THIS IS A COPING MECHANISM TO BALANCE EMOTIONAL STRESS AND TO BOOST THE CAPACITY TO SURVIVE. THEY CAN SMILE IN MIDST OF PROBLEMS AND HARDSHIPS. THEY CAN STILL CRACK JOKES DESPITE THE STRESSES OF THEIR DAILY LIVES AND DURING CALAMITIES. THEY ARE STRONG AND CHEERFUL PEOPLE. †¢Ingenuity and Creativity – they are good inventors. They often improvise and make productive use of available resources. †¢Patience and Self-sacrifice – a remarkable quality of a Filipino is his capacity to endure difficulties and hardships. Maybe related to the long suffering they endured during the many colonization in Philippine history. They are patient enough to wait for their turn to be blessed with greener pastures as long as they do what is right and good. †¢Hard work and Industry – Filipinos are globally recognized for their excellent performance in any physical and technical tasks. Maybe visible due to the desire for economic security and advancement for one’s self and family. †¢Readiness to Share and Help – they’ re always ready to lend a hand, not only in times of need (CALAMITIES OR DISASTERS) BUT ALSO IN FESTIVE OCCASIONS (â€Å"FIESTAS†, BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGS). THE â€Å"BAYANIHAN† SPIRIT, OR GIVING HELP WITHOUT EXPECTING SOMETHING IN RETURN, OF A FILIPINO IS WIDELY ADMIRED. NEGATIVE VALUES †¢ Fairness and Justice – they always show concern for the well-being of others. They uphold the humanity of all people and regard everyone with respect and empathy. They are keen on interpersonal relationships, their primary source of security and happiness. Fairness & Justice –> Equality –> Social Justice –> Development & Progress. †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Ningas Kugon† – â€Å"kugon† is a kind of grass that burns easily when dry but extinguished easily as well. Like the cogon grass, Filipinos start things with great enthusiasm but at the first sign of difficulty, the enthusiasm is consumed as fast as it has ignited. †¢Colonial Mentality – Filipinos prefer foreign-made products instead of patronizing Philippine-made ones. This result to higher gains for foreign businessmen than local businessmen. Thus, it motivates Filipino businessmen to improve the quality of their products to make it more competitive against foreign ones. †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Mamaya Na† or â€Å"Bukas Na Lang† Habit – a poor habit, a sign of laziness, of leaving for a later time what can be done at the moment or today. Thus resulting to stacked workload to be done and then complain about it. †¢Crab Mentality – a troublesome trait evident in a Filipino where when one sees the progress of a comrade, the other becomes resentful rather than happy for the achievement. Rather than to praise, he would highlight everything negative about that person in an effort to bring him down or destroy his reputation. They would focus on other’s own faults rather their own inadequacies. †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Patigasan† – most Filipinos find it hard to say â€Å"I’m sorry† or â€Å"pasensya na†. Their precious pride always gets the best of them. †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Kanya kanya† – a trait which shows self-centeredness and lack of regard for others. There are Filipinos who give priority to what they and their families could have, rather than what they can do to share their wealth and serve others better. This trait shows poor signs of patriotism, loyalty to community, and concern for the needs of others.

Sonny Blue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sonny Blue - Research Paper Example Because it is not limited by fact, proof or dimension, fiction can focus on fundamental truths to a much greater degree as only those elements that speak to that truth need be used. The reader is then guided through a targeted message, where numerous elements combine to suggest the underlying nature of human existence. This capacity to reveal human nature within fiction is especially helpful when attempting to depict various ways of life, or aspects of social culture. Quality fiction, regardless of when it was written or the length of the written text, can reveal significant aspects of human nature and thus reveal us to ourselves as we identify various elements of the story with our everyday lives. Literature such as James Baldwin’s short story â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† illuminates the way in which the unique sounds of the black neighborhood serves as a sort of life-raft to the multi-faceted melody of the soul, symbolizing how individuals are different and communicati ng the extreme importance and value of listening. James Baldwin spent most of his adult life living in France, but is widely recognized as an essentially American writer. Having been born and raised in New York’s Harlem district, he was intimately familiar with the sights and sounds that appeared in his stories even though he’d put an entire ocean between them. Born in 1924 to an unmarried woman placed a stigma on his head that would continue to haunt him and cause friction between himself and his adoptive father, David Baldwin (Leeming, 1994). Although seen to attempt following the straight and narrow course outlined for him by his father in becoming a Pentecostal preacher at age 14, by the time he was 17 Baldwin had moved to the artist’s neighborhood of Greenwich Village and was beginning his writing career (Leeming, 1994). Inequality and hatred for his race and sexuality drove Baldwin to seek a more forgiving community and he moved to France, a move that would

The seductive play of power in Richard III Essay

The seductive play of power in Richard III - Essay Example The Middle Ages in England was characterized by power politics. Buckingham is as seduced by power as Richard is. In fact even before Richard explicitly reveals his intention of seizing the crown, Buckingham is seen hatching plots so cunningly, that Richard is delightfully tempted to say: "My other self, my counsel's consistory,/My oracle, my prophet! My dear cousin,/ I, like a child, will go by thy direction./ Towards Ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind." It is interesting to note that the women characters are not fleshed out in the play and are only allowed declamations. This is reasoned by Miner and Irene G. Dash who refers to the women in the play as "ciphers" or "nonpersons" because they are widows and their sole source of power and of social identity-their husbands-is gone. However, it is Richard's play. No other role matters much. He is a grand parodist - of himself, of stage conventions and of other characters. That is the secret of his outrageous charm. His great power over the audience and the other figures in his drama is a compound of terror and charm. Richard's zest, his antic glee in his own diabolism, is infectious. The sadomasochistic seduction of Lady Anne by Richard is by far the most fascinating episode in the play. She is seduced by the power of his rhetoric and his forceful emotional argument when he bares his chest and hands her his sword asking her to either kill him or take him up: "for I did kill King Henry-/But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me./ Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward-/But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on." (Act I scene ii) Harold F. Brooks calls this Richard's "breathtaking impudence". Another instance where Richard seduces through the power of his language is in Act IV, scene iv. In order to consolidate his power, he falsely swears to Queen Elizabeth that he is in love with her daughter, and to gain credibility he wishes upon himself a curse that should take effect if his vow proves false: "God and fortune, bar me happy hours!/ Day, yield me not thy light, nor, night, thy rest!" His most triumphant parody occurs in Act III scene vii when he dupes the citizens of London into petitioning him to be their king. By imitating a holy man and appearing reluctant to accept the crown, Richard succeeds in getting the power he craves: "Would you enforce me to a world of care/ Well, call them again. I am not made of stone,/ But penetrable to your. kind entreats,/ Albeit against my conscience and my soul." Shakespeare's greatest originality in Richard III which redeems what some critics call an otherwise cumbersome and overwritten drama, is the hero-villain's startlingly intimate relationship with the audience. From the first line of the play, Richard woos the audience through the seductive power of his soliloquy: "Now is the winter of our discontent/ Made glorious summer by this sun of York;" Enthralled, the audience is on unnervingly confidential terms with him. They are unable to resist Richard's outrageous charm, making Machiavels out of them all. They are entertained by the suffering of others. Richard co-opts them as fellow-torturers, making them share guilty pleasures with the added frisson

Reading Response Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Reading Response - Assignment Example Such is a portrayal of disregard to the innate beliefs of people that require the redrafting of the legislations that govern religion and freedom of worship in the country. Offering bodies for scientific studies is a personal decision that people make in order to foster science. However, forcing a particular group to offer their dead for scientific studies discriminative, human anatomy is similar and those compelling others should take the initiative of enhancing science by offering their own bodies. The article calls for the review of laws that govern the remittance of bodies to museums and scientific institutions in order to grow science. The conflict between science and religion requires effective management in order to ensure that each enjoys relative space for growth. In cases where religion opposes specific scientific operations people must take special deliberations including revision of existing laws in order to limit the extent of the conflicts. Science offers practical answers and solutions to the social problems while religion offers spiritual answers. Both are effective in their own way. The article therefore discusses the contention that a rises when religion and science conflict. Offering human bodies for scientific studies remains contentious to most societies. In the United States, the arguments that American Indians should offer their ancestors’ bodies for scientific studies are rising amid opposition from different quarters. I agree with the ideas in the article. Religion is an instrumental cultural component that influences the lifestyles of people. Religion influences the faith of an individual thus influencing their values. As such, religion remains an important aspect of life. The values and beliefs of people are intricate aspect of their lives that the society should respect and value. This underscores the need for changing the antiques act of 1906 and the archeological resource protection act of 1979 both of which stipulated

Perform an investigation and mettalurgical examination of an Essay

Perform an investigation and mettalurgical examination of an industrial component - Essay Example It refers to the procedures used in extracting metals from ore, as well as to the processes related to metals purification and alloy production. It is divided into two subtypes the Process metallurgy and Physical metallurgy. Process metallurgy refers to the ways in producing metals like its refining process through electrolysis or selective oxidation of impurities. On the other hand, Physical Metallurgy studies the structure of metals based on their composition and treatment. It is also concerned with the scientific principles and engineering applications employed in metals fabrication and treatments, and how metal products hold up under their industrial usages. Component manufacturers a lot much of their time in study what type of material is best suited for a certain Products. Every little aspect of the materials is a great issue to them because they want their products to be well equipped for any possible things to happen. They are also concerned to the safety and satisfaction of the Customers. The limitation of their products must be properly stated because they are held liable for whatever accident that might happen in using their products. To perform the said study, we investigate and examined the metallurgy of a gas adaptor (Industrial component). We use gas adaptor as our material because we usually noticed that this material is always exposed to heat and by this we are curious about its composition. We are also concerned with the manufacturing processes of this component on how it comes up to a finished product. This study will enrich our understanding with the proper ways and methods in identifying a certain components, not only of its physical appearance but its chemical composition and capability for a certain application. 1.) We cut a sample of the metal (Gas adaptor), using a metal cutter in a circular shape. In cutting the sample we make sure that it is enough for the investigation. Upon cutting the sample aside from its outside

The impact of Nike on the international markets in comparison to the Essay

The impact of Nike on the international markets in comparison to the local markets - Essay Example The firm that is analyzed in the paper is Nike, Inc. as a firm that deals with design, improvement and marketing of different shoe types. Nike is regarded as the best seller in athletic shoes as well as athletic attire around the world. The company vends its commodities to retailers via its own retailer stores, internet marketing as well as through autonomous distributors and other licensed individuals and groups. The company vends approximately 18,000 retail records in the US through its retailers and distributors. The shoes that the firm deals in are specifically for athletic purposes. In addition, it makes other athletic shoes and attires for different games such as football and baseball. The company also vends other sporting accessories such as sporting or gaming bags and other protective gear utilized in various games. The principal competitors within this industry are Puma and Adidas, which offer the company numerous challenges in maintaining their high profile and sales. Since the adoption of Nike, in 1978, the company has extensively grown into a global company specialized in footwear and other products related to sports. The financial analysis of the corporation through scrutiny of its financial, income statements, as well as, balance sheets allows reviewing of the company financial health and other achievements over the years. Over the period, since the company establishment, the management of Nike has generated value for the shareholders through the progression of the company’s operations in overseas nations in an extensive manner. The company’s trading and earnings have surpassed the Wall Street approximations with respect to FY 06 (Stilga, 2006). The income for the company hit approximately $15 billion while its income per share hit a high up by 18 percent. In the last 5 years, the compounded rate per split elevated by 20 percent while the average of the gross margins came to 42 percent (Stilga, 2006). In the precedent year, the compa ny’s margins were 44 percent seeing an enormous rise in profits. Currently, the company’s management has optimized the wealth for its shareholders although the company performance in Nike’s footwear has declined. The footwear performance in the sector generated an average of approximately 14.25 percent whereas the progression in stock reached 10.48 percent (Stilga, 2006). In view of performance for the management, the performance can be considered not noteworthy provided the augment in share value serves as the point of reference. The Price to Book relative amount for Nike is 3.97 whereas the segment in which the corporation operates has a relative amount of 3.96. Similarly, the company has a Price to Tangible Book relative amount of about 4.26 whereas the sector that Nike operates presents a relative amount of about 4.44 (Stilga, 2006). The brand name and image of Nike is considered the strength of the company thus the competitive advantage. In addition, to the brand name and image of the company, the company has acquired other strong points in global operations. The company’s processes in international markets have gradually expanded coupled with innovations and creativity in fresh products. The operational expansions in global markets can also be ascribed to the capability in relating with its consumers. As a multinational company, Nike has impacted on almost all nations although it overseas ventures have raised concerns over claims in exploitation of its employees. The company gains a lot of revenues from global markets than its receives from the internal markets. The international operations of the company earned approximately $6.5 billion as compared to $5.1billion from its local or internal markets. Therefore, the international o

Mobiltel Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Mobiltel Management - Case Study Example The study has picked up the business environment in the South-Eastern Europe and has selected Mobiltel as the pivot for analyzing HR management policies and practices. Mobiltel stands to be one of the largest and most reliable Mobile Phone Service providers in Bulgaria, whose origins could be traced to the year 1994. Eventually, it was in September 1995 that Mobiltel was launched commercially in Bulgaria and since then the company has managed to assure a noticeable success and sustenance, while braving the diverse economic, political and organizational crisis and situations that came its way. The suitable, relevant and ever-evolving HRM practices at Mobiltel certainly played a central role in making it a business leader that enjoys the coveted honour of being amongst the top 10 Bulgarian companies. The raw material of the study is the HR management principles and practices adopted by Mobiltel, with an eye on the circumstances under which this was done. The conclusions of the study ar e based on the information gathered through a structured questionnaire and the secondary information culled out through the company sources and independent research. There is no denying the fact that East European corporations and especially the corporations of South-East European origin do face many challenges emanating from local and global circumstances, which do press on their ability to assure sustainability and market leadership. One simply cannot touch on the issue of South-East European business environment, without alluding to the political environment in the region that certainly has a direct impact on the available human resources and their management. The creation of new countries, courtesy the breaking of the erstwhile Eastern Block, the ongoing social fragmentation on the ethnic lines, the inability of the political authorities to materialize the policy and leadership related decisions made in the early 90s has definitely curtailed the outside support and help accessible to the South-East European corporations (Daianu 2000). In such a scenario the economic and corporate reforms only benefitted those regions and corporations that we re in tandem with the ethos of the European Union. The apt management of Human Resources certainly qualifies to be a strategic concern for the more progressive regional success stories and thus deserves all the attention and concern of the academic and corporate circles. In the contemporary

Belonging Speech Essay Example for Free

Belonging Speech Essay This is reflected through the anthology, â€Å"Immigrant chronicle† written by the Australian-Polish poet, Peter Skrzynecki. Through his knowledge but mainly his own experiences, Skrzynecki conveys the difficulties of belonging, not belonging and the barriers which prevent belonging. He has shown us how valuable a sense of belonging is to a foreigner, as it can emotionally alienate you from your family as w ell as battling to keep up with the forever changing society, famously remembered in the poem ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’. Similarly, in the dystopian novel â€Å"A clockwork orange† written by the English author Anthony Burgess, Alex is a criminal who doesn’t belong anywhere within society. Moreover, the two thousand and three children’s Pixar film â€Å"Finding Nemo† directed by the American, Andrew Stanton, shows the emotional discomfort of the protagonist, Nemo when he is captured and fretful Marlin as he incautiously journeys through the unknown waters to find his son. As we’ve noticed the notions of belonging and what it can provide us emotionally, the eulogy ‘Feliks Skrzynecki’ depicts the dissatisfaction of not belonging. Although the very first line of the poem, â€Å"my gentle father† shows a sign of acceptance and admiration of his father, Skrzynecki’s overall statement shows resentment, dissatisfaction and alienation, â€Å"Watched me pegging my tents further and further south of Hadrians Wall†, Hadrians Wall used as a symbol comparing the differences of his culture and heritage with his father. Likewise the poem ’Migrant hostel’ was written in Parkes, 1949-51, which happened to be during the time of ‘White Australia’ policy. The fact Skrzynecki wrote this poem in ‘Parkes’ he was only further alienating him from where he is and it creates a barrier to society which can damage him emotionally. The first stanza Skrzynecki expresses isolation, dehumanisation, uncertainty and curiosity. That was the environment Skrzynecki lived in for two years. â€Å"Like a homing pigeon† Skrzynecki lived in the chaotic hostel crossing paths with the people he shared a room with. The hostel became a place for everyone to rest which formed a sense of belonging as the reason why they are there together was driven â€Å"By memories of hunger and hate†. To belong is to form a connection which will allow a sense of identity, without this we inevitably lose our humanity, individuality, and the sense of freedom. This notion is elaborated within the novel, A Clockwork Orange, where the government attempts to suppress his criminality by physically preventing him from thinking of violence, making him conform to their standards. Equally, this conception is portrayed in the poem, ‘St Patricks College’. St Patricks College referred to as a microcosm of Alex’s futuristic city of London. Skrzynecki’s ironic imagery of â€Å"Our lady watched with outstretched arms, her face covered with clouds† and later our lady still â€Å"watching above unchanged by 8 years weather† not only questions the stability of concrete statues but imitates the similar involvements of Alex and the governments projects. This restricts Skrzyneckis potential to find a sense of identity as he is held in by Mother Mary with â€Å"outstretched arms†. Similarly, Alex unknowingly got brainwashed and lost his identity, resulting with Alex revolving into a ‘Clockwork Orange’. The loss of identity and individuality in both the novel and poem reinforces the impact a sense of not belonging can have on any human being. Finding Nemo is a complete portrayal of belonging and the fulfilment of emotional needs. The movie started off with a long shot, the whole scene capturing a sense of familial belonging between mother and father, very touchy, whilst looking lovingly over their eggs. After the incident with the barracuda, Marlin’s been scarred for life and becomes obsessed with protecting his surviving son Nemo from physical danger, immediately forming a sense of unity. Similarly, a dark and foreboding representation of a blockage for Marlin, the fish on the rock perhaps a symbol for his fears of what happened to Nemo. This representation is strengthened by the distant camera shot reflecting on Marlins detached connection with Nemo. A mixture of the notion of belonging and the act of over protection may lead to major conflicts and disagreements as the connections with whom you belong to continues to progress. This may result in defiance and the consequence can be much more unexpected than usual. Likewise, when Marlin appears and distrustfully gets in Nemos face or even approaching open water, he insults his son by once again denigrating Nemo’s swimming abilities. Nemo defiantly swims out to the â€Å"butt† and promptly slaps his fin on the boat after he’s been told by his father â€Å"If you put one fin on that boat†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Nemo soon after realises his rebellious act was yet to be paid for as he get scooped up by a scuba diver and placed in a dentist’s fish tank. When Nemo and Marlin reunited, Marlin is given a second chance at parenthood. He allows more space, freedom, trust and respect, in return Marlin receives Nemo’s trust, forgiveness and love. We have noticed how a sense of belonging can fulfil such deep emotions, along with the ability of curing a damaged connection. Ultimately, a method to fulfil ones emotional needs can be achieved through a sense of belonging. This is shown in the anthology, â€Å"Immigrant Chronicle† written by Peter Skrzynecki, which highlights the significance of belonging. Likewise, the text â€Å"Clockwork Orange† written by Anthony Burgess depicts similar aspects of not belonging. Finally, the Pixar film â€Å"Finding Nemo† directed by Andrew Stanton portrays the different a possibilities that may come with defiance of experience, trust and belonging.

Responses to Modernism Essay Example for Free

Responses to Modernism Essay a) How does Levin characterize the art of the Modern era? List the various terms and phrases she uses to describe the Modern period. Levin characterizes the art of the Modern era with terms such as: style, form, scientific, experimental, method, logic, technological, purity, clarity, order, idealistic, optimistic, ideological, reductive, austere, puritanical, elitist, dogmatic, brutal, competitive, individualistic, materialistic, formal, abstract, repetitive, flattening, ordering, and literal. Levin characterizes the art of the Modern era with phrases such as: â€Å"style-the invention of sets of forms-was a preoccupation of Modernism, as was originality. The Tradition of the New, Harold Rosenberg called it† â€Å"Modern art was scientific. It was based on faith in the technological future, on belief in progress and objective truth. It was experimental: the creation of new forms was its task† â€Å"It longed for perfection and demanded purity, clarity, order. And it denied everything else, especially the past: idealistic, ideological and optimistic, Modernism was predicated on the glorious future, the new and improved. Like technology, it was based all along on the inventions of man-made forms, or, as Meyer Schapiro has said, â€Å"a thing made rather than a scene represented. † â€Å"Conceptualism came out of the closet; and art became documentation. In a sense, it was the ultimate godlike act of Modernism: creating a work out of nothing. In another sense, it was obvious that something was over,† â€Å"Modernism, toward the end of its reign, came to be seen as reductive and austere. Its purity came to seen puritanical. It was in the terminology in a word, Formalism which implied not only the logical structures of Modernist invention but also the structures of rigid adherence of established forms. â€Å"There is no other democracy than the respect for forms†, one of the new French philosophers, Bernard-Henry Levy, has remarked. Like democracy, Modernist art is now being reinterpreted in terms of its insistence on forms and laws rather than in terms of liberty and freedom. The Modernist vision may have had democratic aims a progressive emancipation of the individual from authority in an age of unlimited possibilities, as Schapiro has notedbut in practice it was elitist: the public never understood abstract art. It was as specialized as modern science. And emphasis on structure rather than substance is what we came to see in it. Like science, Modernist art has begun to seem dogmatic and brutal. † â€Å"competitive and individualistic, it saw everything in terms of risk. Like capitalism, it was materialistic. From its collage scraps and fur-lined teacup to its laden brushstrokes, I-beams, and Campbell’s soupcans, modernist art insisted increasingly on being an object in a world of objects. What started as radical physicality turned into commodity; the desire for newness led to a voracious appetite for novelty. † â€Å"the artist as godlike Creator was the leitmotif of Modernism† b) How does Levin characterize the art of Postmodernism? List the various terms and phrases she uses to describe the Postmodern period. Levin characterizes the art of Postmodernism with terms such as: hybrid impurity, illusionistic theatricality, narrative insinuations, counterrevolutionary contradictions, disillusionment, distrust, survival, natural substances, ongoing processes, photographic images, language, real-time systems, nature, demolition, natural, temporality, psychological, narrational, personal, lifelike contexts, subjective facts, subversive, protesting, impure, quotes, scavenges, ransacks, recycles, synthesis, confession, fiction, irony, whimsy, disbelief, intimate, metamorphosis. Levin characterizes the art of Postmoderism with phrases like: â€Å"Style has become a voluntary option, to be scavenged and recycled, to be quoted, paraphrased, parodied to be used as a language† â€Å"It could be argued that the precise moment of its demise was signaled a few months earlier by the revelation of Duchamp’s Etant Donnes with all its hybrid impurity, illusionistic theatricality, narrative insinuations, and counterrevolutionary contradictions opening a peephole into the magical natural world as if predicting the concerns of postmodern art. † â€Å"Returning materials to their natural stage, subjecting them to natural forces, sending art back to the land or internalizing it within the body, they were evidence that time and/or place were becoming crucial, clearing the way for the psychological and the narrational, for personal content, lifelike contexts, and subjective facts. The feeling against style and objectivity proved more subversive than the antipathy toward objects and form: post-modernism arose out of Conceptualist premises that art is information -while protesting its Modernist aridity. † â€Å"Post-modernism is impure. It knows about shortages. It knows about inflation and devaluation. It is aware of the increased cost of objects. And so it quotes, scavenges, ransacks, recycles the past. Its method is synthesis rather than analysis. It is style-free and free-style. Playful and full of doubt, it denies nothing. Tolerant of ambiguity, contradiction, complexity, incoherence, it is eccentrically inclusive. It mimics life, accepts awkwardness and crudity, takes an amateur stance. Structured by time rather than form, concerned with context instead of style, it uses memory, research, confession, fiction with irony, whimsy, and disbelief. Subjective and intimate, it blurs the boundaries between the world and the self. It is about identity and behavior† â€Å"perhaps we should look to the self-awareness movements that became popular during the ‘70s for a terminology appropriate to the new art: based not on scientific reason and logic and the pretense of objectivity but on presence, subjective experience, behavior, on a weird kind of therapeutic revelation in which it is not necessary to believe or understand it is enough if it works. † c) What are the main points of contrast Levin describes between the art of the two periods? The main points of contrast between modernism and postmodernism that Levin describes are: style as preoccupation vs. style as option, purity vs. hybrid impurity, man-made vs. the natural, adherence to forms vs. the tolerance of ambiguity, godlike vs. lifelike, objective vs. subjective, idealistic vs. realistic, and progressive understanding vs. the cyclical understanding. d) What symbols does Levin suggest would serve as iconic images for the two periods? For modernism, the grid is the suggested iconic image. For post-modernism, the map is the suggested iconic image. e) Now, identify two of the art movements discussed by Levin. Find a representative artist who participated in each movement and has at least one artwork illustrated in your textbook. Write a compare-contrast between the two artworks. One of the art movements and representative artists should be identified by Levin as Modern, the other as Postmodern. Dadism: Rauschenberg-Bed(1955) Pop Art: Andy Warhol-Marilyn Monroe f) Start by identifying the two artists and their artworks as fully as possible. Rauschenberg was an American artist who became famous during the transition from abstract-expressionism to pop-art. He is famous for his white, black and red paintings. With his white paintings, he sought to reduce painting to its essential nature so that the possibility of pure experience could be created and appreciated. With his black paintings, Rauschenberg mixed paper with newspaper to create the effect of appearance and disappearance. With his red paintings, Rauschenberg created what would be fore-runners of his combine series. They used complex materials so that the surface was disturbed from the impression of being flat or two-dimensional. Certainly a transitional painter, he worked within the gap between modernism and post-modernism. Through mistakes he developed his imaginative creativity into meaningful formations that explored new ways and mediums of creating art, by processes like photography, silk-screen, and multimedia juxtaposition. g) Describe both works in detail Rauschenberg’s artwork, Bed(1955) was created with Rauschenberg covered a shallow wooden frame with a worn quilt, that is alternately splashed and splattered with paint. While it uses everyday materials and can be said to celebrate them by transforming them from something disposable to something that is to be preserved, it is also a Dada-esque assertion of anti-art. f) Andrew Warhol was a prominent figure in the pop-art movement who was known for his diverse friends and came up with the concept of â€Å"fifteen-minutes of fame. † A celebrity in his own right, he is characteristically known for his paintings of luminaries like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. When he switched to silk-screen, Andrew Warhol minimized his own hand so much as he tried to follow his intention to be â€Å"a machine. † His silk-screen was made serially and mass-produced the mass-produced, including the iconic Campbell’s Soup Can. Shot in 1968, by a fringe member of his Factory Scene ‘clique,’ Warhol barely survived and spent much of his later life as a more subdued â€Å"business-artist. † A man who loved plastic, Warhol also aspired to be plastic, at once superficial and commercial but also in possession of an odd aura of glamour. g) Andy Warhol’s artwork, â€Å"Marilyn,† was created so that it could personify mass-production and the glamorous aura of ‘celebrity. ’ Warhol accomplished this with his stenciling technique where ink and paint was applied to silk-screen images. An effect that was also realized was that of two disparities. In â€Å"Marilyn† the public image and the private image are attached but wrestle against each other so that both have a characteristic of ambiguity and not quite holding very well. h) How are they Similar? They incorporate different mediums, and deal with disparities. They both wrestle with the private and the public. â€Å"Bed† turns a private item into a public presentation and â€Å"Marilyn† deals with the clash between the private person and the public personification. i) How are they Different? â€Å"Bed† deals more with the ordinary and the relatively mundane. â€Å"Marilyn† deals with the exceptional and the aura of celebrity. â€Å"Bed† appears to have been created quite carelessly, â€Å"Marilyn† appears to have been created deliberately. â€Å"Bed† somehow congeals and appears finished although in a more careless kind of way. â€Å"Marilyn† seems somehow undone and there is the feeling that a missing element should be there. It feels unfinished and never quite complete. j) Finally, do they seem to illustrate Levin’s points about Modernism and Postmodernism—or not? Yes, they do seem to. â€Å"Bed† deals with the man-made, the quilt is a man-made object that is also a machine-made object. â€Å"Marilyn† has a strange kind of living existence as it deals with the natural, the organic, as well as, the complex human form in all its frailty. There is a quality of decomposition to it that makes it very odd but makes it portray the organic in a strong way. â€Å"Bed† is godlike because it does create something out of nothing. It turns what is â€Å"nothing,† an old quilt, into something quite extraordinary, so extraordinary that it will be displayed in museums as a monument of sorts. â€Å"Marilyn† is deeply personal and subjective, it is an intimate rendering of someone who lived who cannot really be known except through subjective interpretations. â€Å"Bed† is much more elitist and it takes a lot of erudite clarifications before a lot of people can ‘get it. ’ â€Å"Marilyn† is not incorporative of any great interplay of the theoretical and can be appreciated much more easily because it deals with such popular content matter.

Tissue Culture Studies In Pecan Biology Essay

Tissue Culture Studies In Pecan Biology Essay In the words of Paek and Read (2007), modern biotechnology owes much to its roots derived from plant tissue culture and micropropagation. Gottileb Haberlandt (1902) is referred to as the Father of Tissue Culture, is often cited as the origin and emergence of plant tissue culture and its subsequent application. Plant tissue culture techniques have become a fundamental tool for studying and solving basic and applied problems pertaining to agriculture, industry, environment and health in plant biotechnology. These techniques have greater impetus in the field of propagation (Islam, 1996). Plant tissue culture is multi-dimensional field that offers excellent prospects for plant improvement and crop productivity (Jain, 2001). Since the establishment of cultivation of plants, mankind is looking for methods that aids in the mass multiplication of plants using minimum quantity of propagules. The ultimate result of their enquiry leads to the development of tissue culture techniques. Woody plan ts having economic significance are generally propagated by seeds. Propagation of plants through tissue culture has become an essential and popular technique to reproduce crops that are otherwise difficult to propagate conventionally by seed and/or vegetative means. Pecan is a hardwood tree species of great economic importance for its nut fruits and usually propagated through seeds. Grafting and budding are the other conventional methods of propagating Pecan. Due to several limitations in conventional propagation methods certain relatively newer tissue culture techniques were developed for tree improvements. Different plant parts such as apical meristem, nodal explants, cotyledons or leaf explants were used for micropropagation of woody trees. For multiple shoot induction cotyledonary nodal explants have been used in tree propagation (Das et al., 1996; Pradhan et al., 1998; Das et al., 1999; Purohit et al., 2002; Walia et al., 2003). Genetic variations during callus cultures and mic ropropagation of trees have also been reported (Gupta and Varshney, 1999). Some molecular markers such as RAPD and AFLP has been also been used to detect genetic variations among in vitro clones (Gangopadhyay et al., 2003). In vitro studies for Pecan improvement throughout the world are generally scanty. Tissue culture techniques have been developed for several tree crops, but previous efforts with Pecan have shown that it is difficult to propagate by in vitro methods (Wood, 1982). These techniques have been used in Pecan mainly for the purpose of clonal propagation. Despite the fact that it is also found in Northern areas of Pakistan (Abbotabad). So far, nothing has been done for its growth and multiplication in Pakistan. There is to-date a short-fall in Pecan nuts and its products throughout the world because of the lack of rapid micropropagation methods for this tree species and disease attack during the last two decades. Various aspects of research on Pecan includes; studies on propagation (Smith et al., 1974), seed germination and dormancy (Dimalla and Van Staden, 1977), micropropagation (Hansen and Lazarte, 1984), seed maturation and germination (Wood, 1984), somatic embryogenesis (Rodriguez and Wetzstein, 1988), adventitious regeneration (Long et al., 1995), cell suspension cultures (Burns and Wetzstein, 1997), Manganese deficiency (Smith and Cheary, 2001), effect of Zinc supply on growth and nutrient uptake (Kim et al., 2002a), effect of nitrogen form and nutrient uptake (Kim et al., 2002b), forcing shoot tips and epicormic/ latent buds (Preece and Read, 2003). In this section a brief review of work is given in a manner so as to highlight the current status of the research work in Pecan tissue culture. 2.1.1 Micropropagation Micropropagation is the art and science of plant multiplication in vitro (McCown and McCown, 1999). As a concept, micropropagation was first presented to the scientific community in 1960 by Morel producing virus-free Cymbidiums. Micropropagation is a sophisticated technique for the rapid and large-scale propagation of many tree species. It has a great commercial potential due to extremely high speed of multiplication, the high plant quality and the ability to produce disease-free plants. Micropropagation has been applied to several woody tree species (Bonga and Von Aderkas, 1992). Generally, woody plants are recalcitrant to in vitro regeneration (McCown, 2000). The pertinency of micropropagation for woody trees has been confirmed feasible since the aspects of the system have established that trees produced by this method are similar to those produced by traditional methods (Lineberger, 1980). Furthermore, Lineberger (1980) however, described that the major impact of plant tissue cult ure will not be felt in the area of micropropagation, however in the area of controlled manipulations of plants at the cellular level. Many workers have reported propagation of Pecan through conventional methods (Smith et al., 1974; Brutsch et al., 1977). However these methods suffer several limitations thus provide few propagules from selected individuals (Tiwari et al., 2002). Several efforts at Pecan tissue culture were reported by Smith (1977) and Knox (1980) but neither was successful in establishing plants in soil. However, Knox obtained few shoots and plantlets when inverted nodal cuttings were used in vitro which upon transplanting did not survive. Later, Knox and Smith (1981) successfully proliferated in vitro axillary shoots of Pecan using seedling explants. Success was limited to the formation of callus with only few shoots and root formation. Major drawbacks to clonally propagate Pecan are the poor rooting and their survival rate after transplanting to greenhouse (Brutsch et al., 1976). In 1982, Wood successfully induced shoot proliferation in axillary buds of nodal explants and reported that synthetic hormones with combination of 4.0 mg/ litre BA and 1.0 mg/ litre IBA were most effective for shoot proliferation. Gibberellic Acid (GA3) at 3.0 mg/ litre plus 0.1 mg/ litre. BA also enhanced shoot elongation although he was unable to subculture shoots and rooting was not achieved. In another work performed by Hansen and Lazarte (1982) shoots were proliferated from juvenile Pecan in vitro and limited success was reported in terms of rooting. Hansen and Lazarte (1984) obtained single node cuttings from 2-month-old Pecan seedlings and induced bud break to from multiple shoots on liquid WPM and 2 % glucose supplemented with 3.0 mg/ litre 6-Benzylamino purine (BA). The shoots developed in vitro adventitious roots and showed vigorous root system with profuse lateral branching from primary roots on transferring to soil after soaking in 10 mg/ litre IBA for 8 days. Corte-Olivares and co-workers (1990a) reported a procedure for propagating Pecan using explants from adult trees. They collected nodal explant material during two consecutive seasons from grafted Western Schley trees. Specific trees representing the vegetative phase, partially bearing phase and fully bearing phase were identified and three collections of axillary buds were made from them each year. Buds were cultured on Dunstan and Short (1977) basal medium supplemented with 0.51 mM ascorbic acid and 4.4 Â µM BA. They found severe contamination problem which resulted in the data that was not amenable to statistical analysis in five of six collections of explants. Even so, in one of these five collections, shoot development and multiplication was observed during second and third culture passages from transitional tree while in four collections from juvenile tree explants. Amenable data found in one or six collections where explants of all three-donor tree phase responded with shoot m ultiplication. The results of this preliminary study indicated that selected adult phenol types had a potential for clonally micropropagating Pecan. 2.1.2 Somatic Embryogenesis Somatic embryogenesis has been known in tissue cultures of a wide range of higher plants, including both angiosperms and gymnosperms (Halperin, 1995). Somatic embryogenesis is a valuable tool of interest in plant biotechnology for its potential applications in clonal propagation, genetic transformation and studies involving embryo development. In addition, somatic embryogenesis is also used for regenerating transgenic trees. It involves the development of somatic cells into embryos, which proceeds through a sequence of morphological stages that resembles zygotic embryogenesis (Dodeman et al., 1997; Dong and Dunstan, 1999). It has been reported in several temperate and tropical tree species (Gain and Gupta, 2005). It is reported that many species of tropical fruit trees could produce somatic embryos in tissue culture (Litz, 1985). In another study, temperate fruit species including apple, sweet cherry, grapes, guava etc. have also been reported to produce somatic embryos (Tisserat et al., 1979; Ammirato, 1983; Rai et al., 2007). A successful somatic embryogenesis has been reported in members of the Pecan (Carya illinoensis) family (Juglandaceae), i.e., Juglans nigra, Juglans hindsii using immature zygotic embryo explants (Tulecke and McGranahan, 1985). However, the application of somatic embryogenesis for the improvement of Pecan is still limited as a result of problems with low initiation frequencies, maintenance of embryogenic cell lines and low conversion rates. Somatic embryogenesis is best known as an alternative pathway to propagate Pecan via methods of tissue culture mainly due to high multiplication rates, formation of organized root and shoot axes and feasibility of mechanization. A number of studies have focused on Pecan somatic embryogenesis and conversion to complete plantlets (Merkle et al., 1987; Wetzstein et al., 1988; 1989; 1990; Corte-Olivares et al., 1990b and Yates and Reilly, 1990). Somatic embryogenesis has been used for induced regeneration from in vitro tissue culture, occurring indirectly from callus, cell suspension, or protoplast culture or directly from cells of an organized structure such as stem segment or zygotic embryo (Williams and Maheswaran, 1986). They also described the fundamental homologies between direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis and between single cell and multiple cell initiation. The observed pattern of morphogenesis depends whether a group of cells establish and maintain coordinated behavior a nd influenced by factors, which affect intercellular communication. McGranahan et al., (1987) obtained genetic transformation using somatic embryogenic cultures in Juglans. Wetzstein et al., (1996) suggested that somatic embryogenesis has the potential for propagating Pecan rootstocks and useful in introducing genes of commercial interest. Merkle et al., (1987) induced somatic embryogenesis from immature zygotic embryos of Pecan cultivars Stuart and Desirable, within one month following transfer from modified WPM with 2.0mg/litre 2, 4-D and 0.25 mg/litre BA in the light to hormone-free medium in the dark but with low embryogenic frequency. Wetzstein and co-workers (1988) however, improved the embryogenic frequency up to 40 % for some explants sampling stages of Pecan. In another study, Wetzstein and co-workers (1989) examined the effect of cultivars, sampling date, tree source of explants and duration on conditioning medium for the optimum production of somatic embryos in two cvs. (Stuart and Desirable) of Pecan. Significant variations in embryogenic response were observed in both the cultivars. A short term exposure to 2, 4-D was shown to be quite adequate for embryogenesis in Pecan. Immature zygotic embryos collected in a developmental stage of rapid cotyledon expansion showed highest embryogenic response, i.e., 54.7 % in Desirable and 85.2 % in Stuart. No signification effect of duration on conditioning medium on embryogenic response was observed in both the cultivars. In Stuart, effect of different trees as explant sources was not significant but found significant in Desirable. However, plant regeneration and transplantation remained a limiting factor. Later, Corte-Olivares and co-workers (1990b) reported the induction of somatic embryogenesis in two cultivars (Western Schley and Wichita) with low developmental frequencies into complete plantlets. Growth regulators with different combinations had a significant effect on induction of embryogenic callus. They proved that medium containing 2, 4-D was most effective for the induction of embryogenesis. The individual shoots isolated from shoot multiplication cultures were rooted with 49 % frequency upon culture for 4 weeks on BDS (Dunstan and Short) medium containing 14.8Â µM IBA. Their results indicated the potential to successfully obtain complete plants from Pecan somatic embryos. Studies of Yates and Reilly (1990) on relation of cultivars response on somatic embryogenesis and subsequent plant development revealed that explants of micropylar region when removed from fruits in the liquid endosperm stage were more embryogenic than the intact ovules. Medium containing auxin alone or auxin and cytokinins produced more somatic embryos than medium containing cytokinin alone. Furthermore, Wetzstein et al., (1990) examined effects of zygotic embryo explanting time and auxin type on somatic embryogenesis during conditioning in Pecan (Carya illinoensis). Maximum embryogenesis was observed after 15 weeks post pollination. Percent somatic embryogenesis and embryo form was significantly affected by auxin type and concentration but not the embryogenic efficiency. MS medium proved to be better than WPM for embryo germination. In another interesting study, Mathews and Wetzstein (1993) established new methods to increase plant regeneration by repetitive secondary embryos formation which can efficiently produce large number of clonal plants suitable for establishment in greenhouse. Silver nitrate (29.43 Â µM) incorporation to WPM and application of 6-benzylaminopurine (100 Â µM) on shoot apices increased maximum shoot regeneration frequency with average frequency (20 %) of plantlet conversion up to a maximum of 71 % in cv. Mahan. Later, 70 80 % of the regenerated plants attained hardening stage and > 99 % of hardened plants were established successfully in the greenhouse. Later, Rodriguez and Wetzstein (1994) investigated callus production, embryo formation and embryo morphology in Pecan. Explants were cultured for one week on WPM with either NAA or 2, 4-D at a concentration of 2, 6 or 12 mg/litre and then subcultured on fresh basal medium. The best auxin treatment was 6 mg/l NAA in the induction medium, with 100 % somatic embryogenesis in cv. Stuart. Somatic embryos induced by NAA were shown to have relatively normal morphology than those induced by 2, 4-D. They reported that somatic embryo morphology affects plantlet conversion and NAA proved to be a superior auxin than 2, 4-D for the production of somatic embryos and their subsequent conversion to plants. In 1998, Rodriguez and Wetzstein critically compared morphological and histological aspects of Pecan somatic embryos induced on media with NAA or 2, 4-D. The media containing NAA or 2, 4-D has shown significant differences in the timing and pattern of initiation and development of somatic embryos. Embryos derived from callus cultures on NAA had normal morphology while those derived from cultures on 2, 4-D had higher incidences of abnormalities. Their study strongly revealed the multicelluar origin of embryos in contrast to earlier studies of somatic embryogenesis where embryos were defined as having single-cell origin (Street and Withers, 1974). Yates and Wood (1989) demonstrated organogenesis from immature embryonic axes in vitro in Pecan. Highest number of normal plants was produced from medium containing IBA, BA and kinetin at 0.5, 4.4 and 9.3 Â µM respectively. Shoots only were produced on a medium containing cytokinins only and rooting was observed on medium with no cytokinins. In cv. Desirable greatest number of axillary shoots were elongated from embryo axes on a medium containing cytokinin only, but both with auxin and cytokinins foe cv. Stuart. Later, Obeidy and Smith (1993), investigated organogenesis from mature Pecan cotyledons and embryonic axes. Embryonic axes at cotyledonary nodes formed 85 % microshoots and 30 % were rooted on an auxin-free medium after pre-culture in a medium with 20 Â µM IBA. Adventitious buds emerged on callus surface previously produced on medium containing TDZ (25 Â µM) from cotyledonary nodes and radicals. Kumar and Sharma (2005) induced somatic embryos from cotyledon explants of Walnut and Pecan. They cryopreserved these somatic embryos using non-toxic cryoprotectants, i.e., DMSO, glycerol and ethylene glycol and evaluated their survival percentage. Maximum survival percentage was observed with 5 % DMSO, 1.5 % glycerol and 3% ethylene glycol pre-treatment. In contrast, higher sucrose levels decreased survival rate and the embryos became necrotic. However, sucrose-desiccated somatic embryos pretreated with cryoprotectants survived better after one day in the liquid nitrogen. Somatic embryogenesis can be applied for efficient plant regeneration systems. It may also be utilized for introducing the genes of interest. Molecular markers can be used as a means of evaluating genetic stability of plants regenerated through tissue culture. Somatic embryos exhibit morphological features similar to zygotic embryos. Abnormal developments, however, frequently been observed and genetic fidelity of embryos is unknown. Therefore, the genetic fidelity of culture must be evaluated before somatic embryogenesis can be exploited. In such an interesting research work, Vendrame et al., (1999) evaluated the applicability of using AFLP analysis to assess the genetic variability in somatic embryos of Pecan (Carya illinoensis) and compared between and within embryogenic culture lines. They revealed that individual embryos derived from the same culture line exhibited high similarity and could be grouped together. However, within a culture line some embryo-to-embryo differences were also observed. They concluded that AFLP can be used as a reproducible technique to check the genetic variation among Pecan somatic embryo cultures. Larkin and Scowcroft (1981) were the first who designated variations in tissue-culture-derived plants as somaclonal variations. Somaclonal variations were also detected in Peach regenerates when developed from two different embryo callus cultures using RAPD (Hashmi et al., 1997). They suggested that genetic changes occurred during tissue culture. Brown et al., (1993) were also successful in genetically distinguishing among wheat suspension culture lines and also among regenerated plants through RAPD. Several studies have been reported to the use of molecular markers in understanding the Pecan genome. The genetic diversity of Pecan populations through isozyme system has been demonstrated by Marquard 1987, 1991; Marquard, et al., 1995; Ruter et al., 2000, 2001). Conner and Wood (2001) employed RAPDs for the identification of Pecan cultivars and estimate their genetic relatedness. The molecular evaluation of Pecan trees regenerated from somatic embryogenic cultures was carried out by Vendrame et al., (2000) using AFLPs. Grauke, et al., (2001) reported mean 2C genomic size of Pecan to be approximately 1.7 pg. Later, in another study, Grauke et al., (2003) evaluated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for the genetic study of Pecan. Crespel et al., (2002) stated that molecular markers are valuable in perennial crops for the construction of linkage maps. Molecular linkage maps are successfully employed in many crops for directed germplasm improvement (Pearl et al., 2004). Recently, mo lecular linkage maps of several tree fruit and nut crops have also been produced, including Pear (Yamamoto et al., 2002), Apricot (Lambert et al., 2004) and Walnut (Fjellstrom and Parfitt, 1994). In such another interesting work, Beedanagari et al., (2005) reported a first genetic linkage map of Pecan using RAPD and AFLP markers. These maps are an important first step towards the detection of genes controlling horticulturally important characters such as nut size, maturity date, kernel quality and disease resistant (Conner, 1999). To initiate further work on Pecan, somatic embryogenesis has also been attempted by using cell suspension cultures. Regenerable suspension cultures established an attractive tool for the production of clonal plants and in studies involving genetic transformation. Previously, repetitive somatic embryogenesis was first reported in Pecan (Merkle et al., 1987) on solidified medium. Later, a number of research workers have improved the quantity (Wetzstein et al., 1989; Yates and Reilly, 1990) and quality (Wetzstein et al., 1990) of the somatic embryos through modified culture media and conditions. Though many improvement of the cultured media, not any previous report represented the development of somatic embryos in liquid medium. In liquid suspensions, synchronized development of the embryogenic cultures was one of the major advantage over the solidified cultures. In tissue cultures of Pecan, stable embryogenic suspensions have been developed by Burns and Wetzstein (1994). They induced pre-globular stage embryo masses on hormone-free liquid suspension cultures of Pecan to develop into somatic embryos on semi-solid medium. Effect of modified solid medium (various combinations of ABA, Maltose, casein hydrolysate and filter paper overlays) treatments on somatic embryo storage reserve accumulation was investigated. Embryos analyzed for triglycerides and protein contents showed significant reserve deposition for some treatments but associated with undesirable deterioration in embryo morphology. The treatment that enhances the reserve accumulation was identified promoting plant recovery from suspension-derived Pecan somatic embryos. Later, in another interesting work, Burns and Wetzstein (1997) developed a method for the establishment and proliferation of developmentally stable, embryogenic Pecan suspension cultures, presenting a major improvement in embryogenic tissue culture in Juglandaceae. The established suspension cultures consisted of a mixture of pre-globular, globular stage embryo aggregates and freely suspended globular embryos. Their studies revealed that cultures were repetitively embryogenic and proliferated in growth-regulator-free medium. Repetitive embryogenic cultures have also been reported in Juglans regia (Tulecke and McGranahan, 1985) and Juglans nigra (Neuman et al., 1993; Preece et al., 1995), related members of the family Juglandaceae. 2.1.4 Adventitious Regeneration Adventitious regeneration means the production of adventitious shoots and buds from tissue other than axillary buds, e.g., the cotyledonary explants. The most common explants for adventitious regeneration of woody plants are cotyledons. They may either be from mature or immature seeds and leaf tissue from in vitro cultures. Although adventitious regeneration is generally undesirable for clonal micropropagation, it can represent an excellent opportunity to regenerate plants from various tissues. Also the propagation rates can be much higher than axillary shoot formation (Chun, 1993). Adventitious shoot formation can also be used for overcoming reproductive barrier caused by sterile male/ female plants (Kantia and Kothari, 2002). Conventional propagation techniques for woody fruit species are slow and possess several difficulties due to long generation cycles and high level of heterozygosity (Sriskandarajah, et al., 1994). There is a need to develop in vitro methods that could be available to speed up the breeding process for crop improvement. Many woody plant species resisted the establishment of an efficient system for regenerating plantlets due to genetically driven in vitro recalcitrance (McCown, 2000; Shing et al., 2002). However, in vitro adventitious regeneration has been achieved from various plants of several woody tree species (Maggon and Singh, 1996; Nagori and Purohit, 2004). It was reported that under identical conditions the shoot regeneration percentage varied depending on the source and type of explants used (Gentile et al., 2002; Grant and Hammatt, 2000). A higher percentage of shoot regeneration was attained from juvenile leaf explants as compared to adult leaves in Prunus dulcis (Miguel et al., 1996). Regeneration has also been achieved from the leaves of apricot (Burgos and Alburquerque, 2003), black cherry (Hammatt and Grant, 1998) and sweet cherry (Matt and Jehle, 2005). Regeneration of adventitious shoots has been reported from immature cotyledons of Peach (Yan and Zhou, 2002) and Almond (Ainsley et al., 2001). In addition, regeneration using mature cotyledons has been reported for Peach (Pooler and Scorza, 1995), ornamental cherries (Hokanson and Pooler, 2000) and sweet cherry (Canli and Tian, 2008). Regeneration through adventitious shoot formation was achieved in Feronia limonia using hypocotyls segments by Singhvi (1997). In vitro studies for Pecan improvement throughout the world are scanty. However, adventitious regeneration was reported in some members of the family Juglandaceae, e.g., Juglans nigra (Neuman et al., 1993) and Juglans regia (Chvojka and Reslova, 1987). This phenomenon may be of particular significance for extremely recalcitrant woody plant species such as Pecan also. Long et al., (1995) reported an unexpected observation that was the production of adventitious shoots from the cotyledonary explants of Juglans nigra, placed on WPM medium containing 2, 4-D and TDZ. Obeidy and Smith (1993) showed similar adventitious buds arising from callus cultures of mature Pecan (Carya illinoensis) embryonic tissues. Their shoots were regenerated from explants placed on MS medium with 25 Â µM TDZ. Later, in the experimental work of Neuman et al., (1993), no shoot organogenesis were recorded when immature cotyledonary explants were placed on WPM medium containing 2, 4-D and TDZ. However, Preece observed shoot organogenesis in Juglans nigra (unpublished data) from cotyledonary explants placed on WPM medium containing 2, 4-D and TDZ. Adventitious shoots were readily multiplied through axillary shoot proliferation. Biotechnology utilizing adventitious regeneration may also present a new opportunity for the improvement of woody plant species. 2.1.5 Novel Micropropagation Methods Previous tissue culture work involved micropropagation of cuttings obtained from seedlings or buds of trees grown under field conditions. The rooting of these shoots is slow or they may not be rooted as well. On the other hand, contamination was another major constraint encountered when these shoots are used for in vitro cultures. Shoots taken from outdoor usually have microbes in tiny cracks of bark, not removed through disinfestations causing in vitro contamination of cultures (Preece and Read, 2003). Therefore, some other relatively newer techniques have been developed that utilizes the parts of the plants (branch tips and/ or stem segments) during dormant season and force new growths in a greenhouse environment. These techniques, such as shoot forcing as well as forcing epicormic buds may provide a breakthrough in the micropropagation of woody plants as well as for herbaceous species. These forcing techniques also have the potential for commercial propagation of plants. Research has been conducted on shoot forcing for years but much focus was on shoot tip harvested from trees and shrubs during the dormant season (Read and Yang, 1991). For softwood shoot forcing, shoot tips of specific length (20-25 cm long) were cut, surface disinfested and placed in a solution containing 8- hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) and different growth regulators (Yang and Read, 1992, 1993). On the other hand, large branches (40 cm long) excised from juvenile portions of the trees and shrubs can also be used to force softwood shoots on a greenhouse media (Harmer, 1988; Cameron and Sani, 1994, Henry and Preece, 1997a, b). No forcing solution is used in this technique. These forced softwood shoots can be rooted as stem cuttings (Henry and Preece, 1997a). Softwood shoots can also be utilized as explants source for in vitro studies and micropropagation (Preece, 2003). Clonal propagation is achieved by culturing nodal explants taken from in vitro seedlings or form field-grown adult trees. Hence, for in vitro establishment of softwood shoots, there is a need to obtain explants with minimum of contamination. Read and Yang, (1988, 1989) disinfested the shoot tips treating with a solution of 0.78 % NaOCl containing Tween-20. Shoot tips were forced by placing in a forcing solution containing BA and GA3. They reported that the use of GA3 favored bud break and consequently increases multiple shoot production under in vitro conditions. Read and Yang (1991) later, forced softwood shoots from privet (Ligustrum vulgaris) and arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) and tested different growth regulators in forcing solution for rooting of softwood cuttings. They reported that IBA increased number of roots per cuttings for both plants while root length increased only in Privet. On the other hand, GA3 decreased number of roots per cutting as well as reduced root length. Similarly, in another study, Read and Yang (1992) reported the influence of pre-forcing treatment on bud break and shoot elongation of lilac, Privet and Vanhoutte spirea. Their results revealed that pre-forcing treatments increased the percent bud break by 20 % and shoots were elongated 3.0 mm greater as compared to control. However, pre-treatment effect differed with the plant species. In 1993, Yang and Read forced Vanhoutte spirea stems in forcing solution containing 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC), 2 % sucrose with different levels of BA and GA3 to observe their effects on in vitro cultures. They revealed that LS (Linsmaier and Skoog, 1965) medium supplemented with 5 Â µM BAP or 5 Â µM BAP + 1 or 5 Â µM IAA was found to be superior for the shoot forcing in Vanhoutte spirea. BAP addition to forcing solution enhanced shoot proliferation while GA3 reduces shoot establishment in vitro. Large stem segments having epicormic (dormant, latent or suppressed) buds cut during the dormant season can also be forced by placing in a suitable glasshouse medium. Large numbers of epicormic buds are present on stems of several woody tree species. Softwood shoots developed from epicormic buds on large stem segments can be used as stem cuttings in nursery industry (Cameron and Sani, 1994; Henry and Preece, 1997b). Henry and Preece, (1997a) investigated the production of softwood shoots and their subsequent rooting from maple species. The percentage of softwood shoot production varied considerably within the species and clones of genus Acer. However, greater (59 %) number of softwood shoots was rooted in red maple as compare to either in sugar (15 %) or Japanese maple (26 %). Furthermore, Henry and Preece, (1997b) studied the influence of length and diameter of large stem segments on the production of softwood shoots from epicormic buds of selected species of genus Acer. They concluded that both stem length and diameter influenced the production of softwood shoots. Their study revealed that stem segments ranging from 30 40 cm long with 5.2 7.6 diameters were best for the softwood shoot production. Preece et al., (2002) developed a system for the production of softwood cuttings during the dormant season. It provides a longer growing season to force and root softwood segments in mid to late winter during the year of propagation for plant growth, hence, advantageous over traditional propagation methods. They suggested that intermittent mist provides the most effective forcing environment. Juvenility seems to be an important factor and it is easier to propagate plants in the juvenile growth stage than the adult phase. Similarly, microshoots originated from adult black walnut were hard to root than that of juvenile origin (Heile

Torture Techniques Essay -- Essays Papers

Torture Techniques Throughout every period in history, people in society have been driven by panic and hysteria to use their faith in God as a reason to accuse, torture, and murder countless innocent people. Events in this cycle of inhumanity account for some of the darkest stains in human history. All forms of torture and punishment served as the primary means of forcing accused, inocent individuals to confess their involvement in the alleged occurrences and to reveal the names of accomplices. Throughout history, various forms of spiritual rituals, public humiliation, and pain induction, have been used to extract these false confessions from innocent individuals. Accused heretics could be punished through spiritual purification rituals performed by the church. After being accused of being a heretic, the church considered the body and soul of that individual to be corrupted, filthy, and possessed by the deviled. Because of this, the accused would have to undergo a harsh cleansing of the body and soul. The body would be washed with fire, boiling water, and rags made from harsh material. To cleanse the soul of the individual, he or she would be forced to swallow substances meant to eliminate evil spirits. The church accomplished this by forcing the accused to swallow scalding water, fire brands, coals, and soaps. This ritual evolved into the present day concept of washing the mouth out with soap.1 Severe public humiliation was another method of extracting confessions out of accused individuals. The most common and recognizable form of public humiliation was the stocks or pillories. With the head and hands fixed in the stocks, the accused was put on display for the entire village to jest, insult, and throw things at. Many ... ... http://www2.cybercities.com/s/shanmonster/witch/ (28 February 1999) - Michael Norton, "Townsfolk Kill Five People of Witchcraft," Associated Press, 23 January 1996. Bibliography - Dispelling Witches. Directed by Marnie Villari, 50 min. A&E Networks, 1993. Videocassette. - Malbrough, Ray. Charms Spells and Formulas. St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1996. - Norton, Michael. "Townsfolk Kill Five People of Witchcraft," Associated Press, 23 January 1996. - Powell, Shantell. "Punishment, Torture, and Ordeal," The Witching Hours, 25 October 1998. http://www2.cybercities.com/s/shanmonster/witch/witches/grandier.html/ (28 February 1999). - Torture and death penalty instruments from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Era, http://www.cecut.org.mx/GALERIA/tortura/torture.htm (3 March 1999).

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa :: Causes of Anorexia, Bulimia Nervosa

What is an eating disorder? A simple definition of an eating disorder is abnormal patterns of behavior and thought. All eating disorders have shared characteristics. There is fear of becoming fat, drive to become thin, an obsession with food, weight, and calories. Families of sufferers also have an increased incidence of depression, obesity, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Two main eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Anorexia is an eating disorder in which a person is obsessed by thoughts of an unattainable image of â€Å"perfect† thinness. This occurs by starvation and/or excessive exercise and can result in death. Bulimia is an eating disorder involving the alternation between the extremes of eating large amounts of food in a short time, and then compensating for the added calories either by vomiting or other extreme actions to avoid gaining weight. There are other eating disorders other than Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Some include Food Avoidance Emotional Disorder (FAED), Food Refusal, Pervasive Refusal, Selective Eating, and Appetite Loss Secondary to Depression. Food Avoidance Emotional Disorder was first introduced by Higgs and colleagues in 1989. Sufferers of FAED have a history of food avoidance or difficulty. They also have a disorder of emotions. FAED patients have an absence of organic brain disease, psychosis, illicit drug abuse, or prescribed drug-related causes. Food Refusal is common in young children. "I'm all done." "Mommy, I don't want anymore." "No! I won't eat." These are all common phrases that a child of this problem might utter. These children often need to be bribed with threats of no dessert, or bribing them with their favorite foods. It is hard to distinguish between fads and eating disorders. Food refusers will eat their favorite foods with complete ease and also in certain situations such as a friend's house. Surprisingly these types of children are not underweight and not calorie conscious. This eating behavior is generally viewed as a behavioral problem that usually resolves itself in time. It does not represent a serious threat to the child's health or well being. Described by Lask, "Pervasive Refusal is a condition that is manifested by profound and pervasive refusal to eat, drink, walk, talk or engage in self-care. Children with this particular combination of symptoms do not fit any existing diagnostic category, and suggest that the condition may be understood as an extreme variation of the avoidance behavior seen in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Guide to Web Research and MLA Essay

The World Wide Web is the broadest source of information today. Other than this fact, it is also accessible through the computer, given that it has Internet access. Since it has a broad source of information, people use it for academic research, besides its use for entertainment. However, one major problem with Web searches is the published material’s credibility since it is often open to a wide variety of audiences and contributors. Since the students’ reliability on Web research is increasing, then there is a need to address the issue about the web sources’ credibility. One way to ensure the sources’ credibility is to evaluate the details on the website itself—like the author, date published, and web site title. These details can help one to understand the worth and uniqueness of the information on the website since some information tend to be rehashes of the original one. To make things simpler, it is quite advisable to look at academic websites—like university databases—and online scholarly journal sites. Most of the time, the information here is quite credible since the authors from such websites have the credentials to prove their words’ worth. I believe everyone already had their fair share of frustration from web research. More often than not, the information that appears on the first page tend to come from websites ranging from slightly reliable to non-reliable. Other than that, I have also encountered links to websites wherein payment is required in order to gain access to the information—like many online libraries. These problems can discourage students and force them into accepting the information regardless of its credibility. Furthermore, it can also exhaust the energy of students, making them more timid. The Modern Language Association or MLA is a language and writing institution developed in order to create a common guide of academic writing that the students, scholars, and members of the academe could follow. It basically provides a network upon which members from different places could share information and academic trends with others (MLA, 2008). Since the organization has a myriad of members wherein most are experts in the academe, their guide becomes a requirement in order to help the students and other members of the academe to organize their academic papers properly. Fighting Until the Very End of Life The poem Do not Go Gentle into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas shares the struggle of a dying person or a person’s grief on the gradual loss of a dying loved one. Basically, the poem centers on the theme of not giving up and fighting until death. Once a person succumbs to the thought of death, then he or she may already be considered dead. In a nutshell, the first stanza entails a persona telling the reader (or to whom the poem is dedicated) to not give up easily and go fight against death and weakness—basically, to become fierce. In stanzas two to five, the persona gives out specific examples of fierce men never giving up, which in turn supports the first stanza. In stanza six, the persona addresses the reader (or to whom the poem is dedicated) to show him or her the fierceness that he or she once had, or the fierceness of his or her soul, which would make the persona happy (Thomas, 1971). The persona of the poem may be Dylan Thomas himself, as he wrote this poem for his dying father—growing weaker from old age and blindness. Throughout the poem, he sought to encourage his father to fight on for his life, no matter how inevitable death was (citation). Besides him being the persona, it could also assume the role of a dying person who encourages others to fight on and to never give up until the very end. The persona assumes a sad yet encouraging tone throughout the poem. The phrases Do not go gentle into that good night and Rage, rage against the dying light are also reiterated throughout the poem in order to give emphasis to the theme of the poem. The persona also constantly reminds the reader and the target person to never go down without a fight since giving up life early would mean that the person is just as good as dead already. The two connotative words that have been heavily used throughout the poem is night and (dying) light. Basically, night here could be referring to the dying person (not the persona) accepting his or her fate peacefully, although there may as well be other connotations for this word. On the other hand, light or the phrase dying of the light could be pertaining to death, or at least weakness. The poem follows an alternating rhyme scheme, wherein the key words to follow are night and day. There is also a repetition of the two phrases Do not go gentle into that good night and Rage, rage against the dying light which gives more emphasis to the theme of the poem. The poem’s form and tone seem too soft and gentle for the poem’s subject which is death. This creates an irony that the persona is asking the dying person to become enraged against death. Metaphors and personifications are used throughout the poem, in order to give a hopeful tone for the persona’s beseeching of the dying person, instead of a tone associated with grief and loss. An example would be the stanza: â€Å"Though wise men at their end know dark is right, / Because their words had forked no lightning they / Do not go gentle into that good night† (4-6). References Thomas, D. (1971). Do not go gentle into that good night. Poets. org. Retrieved July 4, 2009 from http://www. poets. org/viewmedia. php/prmMID/15377. MLA. (2008). About the MLA. Retrieved July 4, 2009 from http://www. mla. org/about.

How Sarbannes-Oxley Act affects internal controls

Sarbanes-Oxley Act which is also referred to as the public company accounting reform and investor protection act is a wider legislation passed in 2002. The SOX act has provisions touching on the standards for all the United States public firms’ boards, management as well as the public accounting companies. Sarbanes-Oxley Act has been considered one of most important legislation to the America’s security laws probably since the New Deal of passed in 1930s. According to Moeller (2008) it has eleven sections that clearly spell out the standards it oversees. The provisions of this law implies that American companies as well as those with the united states listings have a legal obligation to show that they have efficient and effective mechanisms of both internal control and financial reporting. The main objective of the Act is to enhance both transparency and financial reporting disclosures that would stifle any form of corporate or financial fraud. The SOX also enforces the responsibility of the senior officers in ensuring accuracy as well as honesty in the disclosure of financial outcomes (Porter & Norton, 2007). The Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002, in sections 302 and 404 have some tough provisions regarding the internal controls. Section 302 for example calls for certification of all information relayed to the public or market as correct. This section also requires evaluation of the â€Å"disclosure controls† (that is having full control of all information issued to the public) as well as being aware of any changes that would or might affect the performance of the controls from the time evaluation was done. It requires that every company set up certain internal procedures that would ensure honesty and accuracy in financial reporting (Kairab 2004). Section 404 on the other hand a requirement for annual evaluation of controls effectiveness and procedures for financial reporting. It further stipulates that this evaluation must be vindicated by an external auditor’s report. Moeller (2008) suggests that the external auditors are obligated to give opinion regarding the effective internal controls over financial disclosure was adhered to in every material respects by the management. In addition to this, the external auditors are further mandated to offer an opinion on the financial statements accuracies (Ramos, 2006). Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley act requires both the management and the external auditor to disclose on the adequacy of the firm’s internal control over financial disclosures. It has been considered quite costly to implement because documenting as well as testing some of the vital financial manual and other related automated controls would need a lot of effort (Moeller 2008). Benefits so Far In a research carried out in 2006 among almost 2,500 American companies, it was found out that those firms that had no material limitation in their internal controls and those that corrected any of such limitations in appropriate and timely manner, registered a greater outcome in share prices as oppose to firms that did not. The report further showed that the profits to a compliant firm in share price were much higher than the companies’ respective costs for Sarbanes-Oxley Act section 404 (Ramos, 2006). Conclusion Despite many attempts by PCAOB to help reduce the high cost of compliance, practice as well as guidance, much is needed to be done to improve on the management of companies vis-a-vis adherence to the Sarbanes-Oxley act. Nevertheless it is one great piece of legislation that will help to safeguard some of the America’s companies fundamental imperative in their markets which are characterizes by high level of corporate confidence as well as participation which has long been second to none.

Coping with Anxiety

Kathrina is a 20-something professional with dilemmas that disrupt her from being productive in her career. It also gives her inconsistent sleeping habits, which results from an uneasy feeling from the anxiety that she feels. Furthermore, she feels that her way of coping with such is not improving at all. Such predicaments hamper her career as a real estate agent, which she finds a big deterrent in producing sales. Kathrina’s biggest dilemma is that her parents expect a lot from her.She doesn’t want to leave home yet she already feels uneasy about her situation at home. With this in mind, she resorts to me, a behavioral psychiatrist. Kathrina opts to undergo a series of sessions that will give her the opportunity to deal with anxiety and stress. 1) As a behavioral therapist how would you proceed in therapy in the case of Kathrina? First, I would like the patient to describe her environment while she was growing up. This would help me ascertain what is it like to live in her environment during her childhood.It will allow me to determine how she generates feedbacks and how she behaves in this type of environment. As a behavioral therapist, I have to make her understand that her environment is responsible for her apparent behavior. The environment she thrives in conditions her to be behaving in such way. The environment includes all the people around her and the behavior of this people. She has to understand that her behavior does not deliberately stems from her. In behavioral psychology, it is suggested that behaviors are attained through the environment’s conditioning (Wagner, 2008).As the individual interacts with her environment more, the more she is conditioned to act accordingly to her environment’s standards. As the individual accommodates this conditioning into her system, the more she is influenced by her environment’s conditioning. As I proceed with the subject’s current situation, I learn that she really accommo dates and tolerates the behavioral standards of her situation. She does not have a hand in her apparent behavior at all. The stress from her work is not responsible as well.The environment which is her home is the primary stimulus that affects her behavior, and causes her numerous dilemmas. In a branch of behaviorism, classic conditioning is used to condition a subject to respond to a certain stimulus. Classic conditioning is a type of conditioning in behaviorism, which conditions a subject by instigating a stimulus in order to generate a favorable response (Van Wagner, 2008). In Kathrina’s case, her parents conditioned her in the most effective manner. This leads us to the speculation that Kathrina might not have received classical conditioning at all.Another type of conditioning, Operant conditioning can be suggested as the possible culprit for the apparent behavior of Kathrina. Operant conditioning takes place whenever the subject is conditioned through punishment and rewa rd reinforcements. In Kathrina’s case, she might have received more reward reinforcements than punishment reinforcements. Yet this brings to us the notion that she might have been conditioned by reward reinforcements even if her parents are wrong in giving her reward reinforcements.With this in mind, Kathrina’s case will remain unsolved, and I will suggest further therapy sessions for her to be able to cope up with stress and chronic anxiety. 2) How does behavioral therapy fit, or not fit, with your own personal style? The behavioral approach to therapy is not proper at all. It is very subjective and not objective at all. It is one-dimensional because it simply analyzes the environmental factors that contribute to the individual’s behavior. Both operant and classical conditioning are subjective in approach, and analyzes a subject’s behavior in a bias manner.In Kathrina’s case, her behavior is not really caused by her environment alone. She has also a hand in contributing to her mental tortures. With this in mind, she must shrug her dilemmas aside. Apt therapy can also aid her in this situation she faces. References Van Wagner,K. (2008). Behaviorism. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://psychology. about. com/od/behavioralpsychology/f/behaviorism. htm Watson,J. Behaviorism Explained. General Psychology. Published Diestro Ltd. 2000.

Explication Essay: Paradise Lost

Paige Gardner Julia Naviaux ENG 230: 003 February 1, 2013 Explication Essay: Paradise Lost- Lines 80-134 The debate of free will versus predestination is a very common, prevalent topic in any Q&A session or even religious sermon. The controversial issue of whether God has predestined His people for salvation or if God has given people the freedom in making their independent choice to do so is a question theologians will never solve. Many church congregations have lost members due to the church’s opinion on this topic.John Milton, English poet, used his epic poem Paradise Lost to present the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve in a way people of his time, seventeenth century, had never been exposed to. Throughout the story, we are enthralled with the revengeful attributes of Satan and the loving, forgiving, and even punishable attributes of God. Milton doesn’t present the character God until Book 3. In lines 80-134, Milton presents his audience with the idea of predestinat ion and free will from God’s own point of view through a conversation between his characters: God and the Son.God expresses to His son the difference of knowing what will happen and predestining what will happen. In Paradise Lost, Milton uses the literary elements of repetition and sentence structure to reveal the truth of free will to his readers. Milton uses repetition to demonstrate to his readers the difference between knowing what will happen versus having a predetermined, influential stance on something. Milton uses the possessive pronoun ‘their’ to stress the importance on the matter of the people possessing something or something being a part of their possessions.For example, â€Å"their maker, or their making, or their fate† illustrates this concept in the epic poem (Milton, Book III, line 113). Here, Milton expresses how if people have free will they can no longer claim these things because they are a part of the human race and therefore possess human nature. From this, people have a maker who made them into the people they are today. Therefore, people are made with free will and cannot blame their maker for their own fate because people do not determine it alone. These three facets, in a way, intertwine with one another.People cannot blame one without the other two or vice versa. People’s fate is part of their making and people’s making is part of their maker, hence the possessive pronoun ‘their’. Milton says predestination â€Å"over-rul’d their will† (Milton, Book III, lines 114-115). Now the freedom is taken away. Everything is already determined and no choices will need to be made. In lines 116-118, Milton gives his returning argument against predestination by saying, â€Å"they themselves decreed their own revolt, not I: if I foreknew, foreknowledge had no influence on their fault†.Milton states here his stance on free will. God may know what will happen, but he is not i nfluencing people’s decisions. He allows people to make them on our own. As well as repetition, Milton also uses sentence structure to relay to the readers the theme of his epic poem. In book III, lines 129-134, Milton uses three different colons in one sentence to make the reader realize that one point leads to the next. Colons in grammar are used to demonstrate lists.Milton does this by stating, â€Å"The first sort by their own suggestion fell, self-tempted, self-depraved: Man falls deceived by the other first: Man therefore shall find grace, the other none: in mercy and justice both, through Heaven and Earth, so shall my glory excel, but Mercy first and last shall brightest shine. †. Milton concludes this conversation between God and the Son with these lines. Milton utilizes the colons to express that these events would not happen without the preceding event occurring. Without sin or impurity, mankind is in no need of grace or mercy. Through these imperfections, th e Lord is praised by his people.Humans are corrupt as people and tempted by each other. Satan, in the Garden of Eden, tempted Eve and Eve tempted Adam; mankind was self-tempted. Man fell because of his fellow man. Through mercy and grace, the Lord is glorified and his mercy outshines everything. By God offering his grace and mercy to mankind, He reveals His giving nature. He is offering mankind grace and mercy to be saved, but He not forcing it upon them. Through the free will God gave us, people can worship him with sincerity and genuine love. Sincerity people would not have if he predestined them. Milton is driving this point home in this section of his epic poem.God’s love and mercy is everlasting, and Milton says it will prevail through everything. The debate between free will and predestination will always be present. Regardless how many theologians research it and search scriptures for answers, this debate will always exist. There are some things the Lord does not revea l to His people so they are able to step out in faith and trust in Him. By using repetition and sentence structure, Milton expresses the view of free will from God’s perspective. Through Paradise Lost, Milton shows us a glimpse of what the wonderful Gospel of Christ truly is.