Remember the Titans Essay

In the movie â€Å"Remember the Titans,† there were major racial difficulties between black and white students. This was during a time when the school had just been integrated to allow blacks into the school and the high school football team. These challenges helped the Titans grow as a team and made them more co-operative and successful. The difficulties of a multiracial team were overcome with the assistance of democratic and authoritarian coaching styles, motivational skills, self-fulfilling prophecy, and the perception of the athletes and coaches. Because of these actions, the Titans were able to defeat the challenges they were faced with as a team and come out superior. The authoritarian coaching style, demonstrated mostly by coach Boon, helped the team become more cohesive and strong. He believed in perfection, pushing his athletes to the limit, and being in control. During practices, if an athlete made a mistake they would have to run laps as a punishment. Sometimes during games, it seemed like all he cared about was winning. On one occasion, coach Yoast decided to show this style of coaching by getting angry at a referee for making unfair calls on their team. Authoritarian coaching styles encourage control but can be very effective when trying to coach a large team or complete tasks. Another coaching style, which the assistant coach Yoast tended to use, was democratic. He noticed that coach Boon was being extremely rough on the football players and told him that some athletes do not respond well to humiliation and put-downs. This shows that coach Yoast was concerned about the well-being of his athletes, not just their success. On the last game of the season, coach Boon decided to have a more democratic view of coaching. He told the team to â€Å"try their best† instead of demanding perfection. This is a friendlier approach but it seems that he has almost given up all hope of winning by saying what he did. Democratic coaching styles made the athletes feel useful and motivated to do their best, but sometimes they can encourage lower levels of aggression when used in the wrong way. The athletes, coaches and the team itself, helped motivate the Titans for games and practices. Coach Boon used threats and reprimands in an attempt to  get the athletes to get along with each other. This did not work effectively since the athletes did not like him very much, so they were not motivated to listen. Threats benefit the athletes when they trust and respect the coach. The coaches pumped-up the team before the game by prep-talking the athletes with lots of positive comments. The body language and optimism of the coaches motivated the team to try their hardest. The Titans performed a unique entrance and warm-up, in order to intimidate the opposing teams and to motivate them for the game. This also lowered the athletes’ levels of anxiety and helped them get to a good state of arousal. As you can see, all types of motivation are important when a team is trying to overcome a obstacle. A psychological key in team success or defeat is self-fulfilling prophecy. This occurs when a coach focuses on positive or negative aspects of an athlete and the athlete ends up believing it is the truth. A prime example of this was Petey; he was a learned helplessness athlete who did not respond well to negative remarks about himself. Coach Boon always picked on his weaknesses and put him down for not being perfect. Petey believed everything coach Boon said until coach Yoast took him aside, gave him positive compliments, and told him to play defense for him in a game. Petey ended up improving in his performance and felt better about himself afterwards. This shows that some athletes respond differently to certain actions and it affects the team’s co-cooperativeness. It is important to have many views on a situation to come up with the best answer. The perception of the athletes and coaches helped in the success and encouragement of the team. At football camp, in order to try to make the team members get along, coach Boon took the team to Gettysburg to teach them about the war between the blacks and whites. Instead of the threats and many long practices, this made the athletes realize that the situation was not worth being angry at each other and they began to work more cohesively as a team. When coach Boon looked at the situation in a different way, he came out with a desired result. Another example was both coaches used each of their views on game plays to come up with the master game plans. By working together and combining both perceptions, the game plans were deeply thought  out and worked well. Experimenting with alternative perceptions and helping others look at situations in other ways improved the team’s cohesiveness on and off the field. In conclusion, many factors work together to assist in overcoming challenges. These difficulties helped the Titans grow as a team and made them more co-operative and successful. In this case, democratic and authoritarian coaching styles, motivational skills, self-fulfilling prophecy, and the perception of the athletes and coaches helped to solve the racial conflicts of a high school football team. Not only did the problem get resolved, but the Titans were victorious in the end.

ISIS Case Study Essay

ISIS is a terrorist group that has brought much drama and fright to many of late. ISIS stands for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. They had actually begun as an al Qaeda splinter group. The aim of ISIS is to create an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and in Syria. It’s mainly known for killing dozens of people at a time and carrying out public executions, crucifixions and other acts. The group controls hundreds of square miles. It ignores the international borders and has a presence from Syria’s Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad. ISIS rules by Sharia Law, the custom-based body of law based on the Koran and the religion of Islam. The leader of ISIS is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. There is not much known about him pertaining to where he is from, but he earned a doctorate in Islamic studies from a university in Baghdad. Al-Baghdadi was detained for four years in Camp Bucca, a U.S. run prison in southern Iraq. He was captured and imprisoned in 2005, which means he was released in 2009. After ISIS declared the creation of the so-called â€Å"Islamic State,† he began to go by the name Al-Khalifah Ibrahim. Now, all of his followers no longer call him by Al-Baghdadi. A big reason why Americans are becoming worried about ISIS is that ISIS currently has about 300 members/militants with U.S. passports. Washington D.C. officials fear that American ISIS fighters will travel home and use their terror training to launch horrific attacks at either a single or multiple locations in the United States. I believe this is a major problem. My view on ISIS is that we need to put a force on them and treat them as we treated al Qaeda. Yes, it may not be right to say that we should send the marines and army out to Middle East again, but it is necessary in order to keep the United States safe. ISIS’ plans are to destroy people in their way, and there are a few things stopping them from taking over the Middle East. One of the things stopping them is the United States. ISIS instilled fear on everyone in the country when they released videos of their executions on prisoners. The executions varied from chopping off heads to crucifixions. That only leads you to believe what sick-minded things they have planned if they ever want to attack the United States. I believe it is only right if we go into total protection mode. Not one person in this world wants to see another tragedy like September 11th to happen again except for the terrorist lingering around the world. ISIS has made themselves well known to the world. It has put the world on watch, and has everyone preparing themselves for protection and possibly war.

Behavioral Finance

Behavioral finance is a study which involves the influence of psychology on the attitudes and behavior of investors and its subsequent effects on the markets. Behavioral Studies is still in its development stages, but it is instrumental in determining/ explaining as to why or how markets might be inefficient. The difference between traditional finance and behavioral finance is that traditional finance is based on the following concepts: – Investors have rational behavior – Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) – Markets are efficientBehavioral finance on the other hand says that, the psychological forces interfere with these concepts. It says that there are both internal and external behavioral obstacles towards the value creation of any company. In practical terms it brings forward the errors in judgments made by both individual investors and fund managers and the various biases to which we as humans are prone. Analyzing this will place us in a position to make dec isions which avoid errors/mistakes committed in the past . INVESTORS: Individual investors: An individual investor is a person who purchases small amounts of securities for him/herself.He is not professionally involved in investment services and whatever purchases he/she makes are on an arm’s length basis. Individual investors are highly regulated because they are thought of as amateurs with little or no knowledge. An individual investor is also known as retail investor or small investor . Professional investor: These investors are usually all those businesses which are involved in giving investment services either directly or indirectly for example, investment companies, mutual funds, investment banks, brokerage houses etc.Besides them professional investors could also be individuals which are professionally involved in giving investment services. Professional investors are also known as institutional investors. These investors are subject to fewer regulations probably becau se they are perceived as having superior knowledge to individual investors . Behavioral biases: Individual and Institutional investors are both prone to almost similar biases, because institutional investors are although organizations in their own right but in actual are lead by a handful of managers.Proponents of this study argue that humans are prone to bias in making their judgments no matter how qualified or experienced they may be. They say that humans make frequent use of heuristics, mental shortcuts/rules of thumb to simplify decisions and tasks that are complex. Availability heuristic: With availability heuristic it is believed that for humans the probability of an event occurring is dependent on how easily one can imagine that event happening. The more clear is the image the greater the probability.A related concept is Illusory correlation which describes we imagine and hence interpret evidence. Although this bias is limited for retail investors since not only their investm ents are smaller but they also don’t have various charts, patterns analyzing past year data at their disposal, as for institutional investors this bias is at a much more magnified level because many fund managers use charts and technical analysis which according to them helps in identifying various patterns and price/stock moments . Representativeness heuristic:This concept says that humans are prone making judgments that involve consideration of stereo-types instead of the underlying features. For example, while hiring the selection process takes into consideration the qualifications, relevant experience, personality etc. however this in no way can predict the future job performance of the individual. This also incorporates a related concept called Illusion of validity which puts forward that the confidence in one’s judgment is primarily based on the representation of the situation instead of the characteristics.However, retail investors are more prone to this bias as compared to institutional investors because they have the information that is available to the general public for example, commentaries from financial journalists, analysts which believe that well known companies are good stock-market investment options, but in reality these two factors are largely unrelated . Anchoring and adjustment: This is another important heuristic according to which decisions made by humans are dependent on some key value/number.There is no process or logic behind determination of this value/number it could be any random number. For example, budgeting which involves use of current figures to determine future estimates. Many fund managers use current year figures and current year industry averages to determine future estimates. This bias is a product of our inherent conservatism which leads to our under reaction to new information. Institutional investors are more prone to this bias as compared to small investors. Probably because the managers of investment c ompanies actively use these techniques to draw conclusions.Small investors would hardly be aware so these techniques however those with an accounting background could be an exception . Loss aversion: It is also a key bias. It is based on the concept that humans find it very difficult to accept loss and the state of denial is such that we infact believe that holding onto it for longer periods of time would turnaround things some way or the other. This bias has some major consequences in financial decision-making. For instance, over the years it has been seen that many companies have kept running loss-making units and destroying shareholder wealth to the level at which it was irreparable.The reasons behind the strength of this bias as scholars put it is the shame and regret and feeling the blame for the loss incurred. Individual investors are more prone to this professional investors, a study revealed that individual investors sell those stocks that start to perform well quite soon an d hang on loss-making stocks for longer periods of time hoping that things might take a u-turn. This problem as professional traders put it is named get evenitis. Hindsight bias: It is based on the concept that humans are prone to that feeling â€Å"I knew it all the while† or precisely hindsight bias.To correct this bias is also very difficult because it’s natural for us to make differing conclusions regarding what happened in the past even though those decisions would have been correct according to the data and circumstances at hand then. For example, these days since the global economy is in recession even a layman is heard that this was inevitable. Individual investors are prone to this bias out of human nature, as for institutional investors they are less prone to this because they would be having greater access to information all the time .Over-confidence bias: Humans are naturally over-confident about their abilities normally. This further leads to over optimism i. e. we normally feel that we can be successful in most of our endeavors or do the right thing in most of the situations. However in reality that is not possible. Moreover the more information or data one gathers regarding a task, the more that person feels in greater control this is called Illusion of knowledge. Practically the biggest setback that one has to deal with results unfolds is that they are quite different than what was expected.Individual investors are much less prone to this bias as compared to institutional investors which suffer a lot more, because the over-confidence of a team of managers would prove more lethal financially. For example, 3Com which acquired US Robotics in 2000 made an IPO of its division that made the famous Palm pilots. Although the share prices went as high as $165 making 3Com the fourth largest technology firm then but announcement of a forthcoming product without the infrastructure yet in place saw its share prices dramatically fall to $1. 35 in 2001.This financial blunder was a result of a combined over-optimism of the then senior management. INVESTMENT BELIEFS: Characteristics of the Individual investor’s investment beliefs would be focused on limited aspects probably because they have limited knowledge of the market and they invest smaller amounts as compared to institutional investors. They would probably invest in companies that have good market reputation and which promise a good return within a short span of time. As for institutional investors their investment beliefs would be diverse since they are professionals.It would be important for them to take measures to avoid conflicts of interest. It would also be important for them to develop a clear view of capital markets in order to invest in companies that are expected to yield good returns . CONCLUSION: Behavioral finance has therefore highlighted that financial decision-making of both individual and institutional investors. The errors/mistakes made in yes ter-years both at the individual and organizational level if taken care of in future could result in making sound long-term decisions. WORKS CITED: Blanco. A.Behavioral Finance Possibilities and Limitations of Different Approaches. Wiesbaden, 2003 Fortune. Why CEOs Fail. February 10th 2009 Retrieved from :< http://money. cnn. com/magazines/fortune/>, 1999. Goldberg. J. Behavioral Finance. John Wiley, 2001. Montier. J. Behavioral Finance: Insights into Irrational Minds and Markets. J. Wiley. 2002. Owen. A. S. Behavioral Finance and the Decision to Invest in High Tech Stocks. School of Finance and Economics, University of Technology, 2002 Pompian. M. M. Behavioral Finance and Wealth Management: How to Build Optimal Portfolios That Account for Investor Biases.John Wiley and Sons, 2006. Redhead. K. Personal Finance and Investments: A Behavioral Finance Perspective. Routledge, 2008 Shefrin. H. Behavioral Finance. Edward Elgar Pub, 2001. Shleifer . A. Inefficient Markets: An Introduction to Behavioral Finance. Oxford University Press US, 2000. Stanyer. P, Dimson. E. The Economist Guide to Investment Strategy: How to Understand Markets, Risk, Rewards and Behaviour. Bloomberg Press, 2006. Taffler. J. R. (2001). Management Focus. Thaler. H. R. (1993). Advances in Behavioral Finance. Russell Sage Foundation

SAP SYSTEM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

SAP SYSTEM - Essay Example The following report is a critical analysis of adoption of SAP systems in business environment and challenges and benefits that are derived by implementing SAP from accounting perspective. For the purpose of analysis first an overview of the SAP systems is provided and is compared with Oracle financial accounting. Challenges and benefits of SAP are analyzed by means of literature review. From the analysis of challenges recommendations are provided which lead to the success factors of SAP. SAP stands for Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte which is the German word meaning Systems applications and products. SAP ERP system is used to encompass a wide range of software products that supports day-to-day business operations and activities. ERP serves different industries and several functional aspects in integrated approach. The attempt is to automate different operations from supply chain management, inventory control and almost any management process that uses data. Many business organizations use SAP for their entire business functions. Other business organization use SAP for some specific business functions only. The reason for the wide acceptance and the popularity behind SAP is this functionality that allows it to be designed and customized in accordance with the requirement of particular organization. Most organizations earlier used standalone software to perform  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­individual functions. However since ERP has been invented all these individual and stand alon e functions have been integrated and can be performed by this single software package alone. In case of standalone system for a particular change to be incorporated and taken into account the companies had to modify each functional software separately which was time consuming and expensive. However, since SAP has come into the picture all this cumbersome and difficulties have been resolved. For example if a salesman would have earlier completed an order then it was required that

Portable Saw Mill Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Portable Saw Mill Industry - Essay Example Most of the times, there are a number of external factors that influence and affect Edward Perry ´s decisions. Such factors could be economic growth of the country, interest or lending rates, political policies, social, cultural and environmental factors affecting timber market. If these factors are not considered by Mr. Perry, he is more likely to miscalculate his profitability in the Portable Saw mill industry. Some of the benefits of conducting an external analysis are: 1. Assessment of structural limitations or opportunities in the market: For example, if you know that there is a public policy that is aiming to reduce overall consumption of timber; Mr. Edward Perry would look into ways to lobby or work around the policy to minimize the impact on his business. An external analysis hence provides important information that strategic managers use in planning, decision-making, and strategy formulation. 2. Long-term market growth: External analysis help you understand the long-term growth prospects of the market by looking at the economic outlook of world, region or country and demographic changes in the country. It gives an idea of what are the driving forces behind the sales trends if the number of target customers is growing or not etc.

Global Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Global Strategy - Essay Example The company caters to The United States, Canada, Europe as well as the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The company on one hand provides the telecommunications services and on the other hand is the producer of the wireless telephones, cellular telephones as well as tablets. The company has dominant presence in the European Markets of Germany, Poland, Hungary, Australia, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Croatia and Montenegro. The company has a subscriber base of 150 million which makes it one of the largest players in the industry. The company is a publicly listed company and is being listed in all the stock exchanges of Germany and in one of the stock exchanges of the USA. T-mobile has an employee base of more than two thirty thousand and has many subsidiaries outside the region of Germany in the places mentioned. The company earned revenue of 58.2 billion euro in the year 2012. The history of the company dates back to the year 1985 when the first telecommunication services we re introduced in the country of Germany. The government postal services also conducted the telecommunication systems under the name of Deutsche Bundespost. The first GSM network of Germany started its operations from 1989. The company which was in those days controlled and operated by the government was privatised in the year 1996 under the name of Deutsche Telekom. In 2002 the company was renamed to T-Mobile by changing it German form and making it more anglicised. In the year 2010, T-Mobile started a joint venture with the subsidiary in France. In Germany however, the operations of the various subsidiaries of the company were merged. This gave rise to a new entity that mainly operated in the market namely Telekom Deutschland GmbH. Thus the T-mobile was no longer existent in the country of Germany. Corporate structure The corporate structure of the company has been built in such as way as to make the company sustain in the long-run. The company has to comply with the German Corpora te Governance Code because the company is based in this country. There are seven broad departments in the organisation that take the responsibility of the various areas of the businesses of T-Mobile. Some of the areas however are cross functional and are interlinked. There are the departments like the Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Legal and Compliance as well as the Data Privacy Departments. Each of these Departments is controlled by Board of Directors. These boards are also segmented based on the geographical location and area of operation. These departments are Germany, T-Systems and Europe & Technology. The company had an internal focus all through the tenure of its business (Thompson, 2012, pp. 198-234). The managers and the chief strategists of the company ensured that the company maintained a good level of revenue and recorded a comfortable rage in the EBITDA of the company. These figures went down in the year 2012 because the company has to meet several fin ancial targets in the particular fiscal year. The company was able to meet the various kinds of

Explain the importance of the liver in detoxificationexcretion and teh Essay

Explain the importance of the liver in detoxificationexcretion and teh function of the immune, digestive, endocrine and cardiovascular systems and hence in hum - Essay Example Each capillary then leads into a lobule. Liver tissue is collection of thousands of such lobules. These lobules are made up of hepatic cells which are the basic metabolic cells of the liver (MamasHealth.com, 2000). The liver is a complex organ. It performs over 500 different functions. Some of the functions include: to produce substances that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea which is the main substance of urine, make certain amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins, filter harmful substances from the blood such as alcohol, storage of vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible for producing cholesterol and it is estimated that it produces about 80% of the cholesterol in the body (MamasHealth.com, 2000). Among these functions the two of most important functions is to control of amino acid concentration and detoxification. Urea is produced in the liver and is a metabolite of amino acids. Ammonium ions are produced due to the breakdown of amino acids. And these ammonium ions are used in the biosynthesis of nitrogen compounds and excess ammonium ions are converted to urea (Royal Society of Chemistry, N.D.). The liver's basic functions are three fold: Vascular, Secretory and Metabolic. In other words it plays an important role in the major systems of the body, particularly in the digestive, circulatory and endocrine systems of the human body. In simple terms the vascular function includes being a major blood reservoir, filtering over a liter of blood every minute. The liver effectively removes bacteria, endotoxins, antibody complexes and various other particles from the circulation. The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body when it comes to detoxifying or getting rid of toxins. The liver plays a key role in most metabolic processes, particularly detoxification. The liver neutralizes a broad range of toxic chemicals, both those produced inside the body and those coming from the external environment. In human system the normal metabolic processes produce a wide range of chemicals and hormones and it is worth mentioning that the liver has evolved as an efficient neutralizing mechanisms. If it was not for the liver, then our bodies would have been full of toxics and would have become very difficult for the survival. There is tremendous change in the environment in recent years and it is continuously pumped with toxic chemicals every day. Human beings are as a result exposed to these chemicals. The food we eat is contaminated with pesticides, the air we breathe contains several poisonous gases, and the water we drink has chemicals. In other words many of the toxic chemicals come from the environment: the content of the bowels and the food, water, and air. The harmful polycyclic hydrocarbons such as DDT, dioxin, 2,3-D, PCB, 2,4,5-T and PCP are the basic components of various herbicides and pesticides. And these are example of chemicals that are now found in almost all fat tissues measured. Even those eating unprocessed organic foods need an effective detoxification system because all foods contain naturally occurring toxic constituents. Hence in all these cases liver plays the most important role of detoxification. The liver plays these vital roles in detoxification through the following processes: it filters the blood to remove large toxins, synthesizes

Theoretical concepts of Risk Management in relation to projects Coursework

Theoretical concepts of Risk Management in relation to projects - Coursework Example Thus, the study is focused on presenting a view on risk management. Objectives of the Study The risk management is necessary to be able to survive and plan the different problems and trials facing the organisations. The study is aimed to review the theoretical concepts of risk management specifically related to projects and practical implementation of strategies, plans and procedures. In addition, relevant corporate governance aspects of organisations are also included. Included in the specific topics covered in the research are the key challenges and applications in risk management, risks associated in research and development, risks in new product development, change management, technology transfer, and system integration of technology and the manpower. The needs for team working skills appropriate to risk management and the methods for formulating risk management strategies such as project risk models, migration, and contingency plans for appropriate action. Background of the Stud y Risk is the â€Å"combination of the probability of an event and the consequences which can either be beneficial or detrimental to the organisation or particular project. Due to the implications of the risks involved, the need to prepare for the risks is essential (Institute of Risk Management, 2002, p.2). Risks are inevitable in any type of activities, projects or organisational operation, thus, methods and techniques in recognising, resolving and working the risk as opportunities and chances of growth and excellence are being established (Loosemore and Raftery, 2006, p.1). One example of risks considered is in the safety field wherein the main concentration is the preparation for the negative risks to be able to ensure safety (Institute of Risk Management, 2002, p.2). The risks can affect different aspects of an organisation or project including physical, monetary, cultural, and social dimensions (Loosemore and Raftery, 2006, p.1). In addition to the complex effects of risk tha t serves as stimulus for action undertaken by organisations, risk can either serve as threat or opportunity which lead to essential benefits such as exploits more opportunities, enables trade-offs, increases the chances of success, sustains creative exploration and innovation, increases efficiency, and promotes motivation within teams (Hillson, 2009, p.9). There are different types of key risks that can affect risk management. These can be classified into the external and internal factors that are categorised as financial risks, strategic risks, operational risks and hazard risks. External financial risks are composed of factors related to interest rates, foreign exchange, and credit. External strategic risks include competition, customer or stakeholder changes, industry changes, customer or stakeholder demand, and M & A integration, which is also an internally driven risk. External operational risks include factor such as regulations, culture, board composition, and the recruitment and supply chain which are also considered as internally driven risk factors. Contracts, natural events, suppliers, and factors related to the environment are classified as the externally driven hazard risks. Other types of external hazard risks are the public access, employees, properties, product and services which are also classified as internally

Defining terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Defining terrorism - Essay Example The simplest definition of terrorism is the following one: â€Å"Terrorism is the use of violence or force, or the threat of such, directed upon innocents, civilians, or noncombatants, in order to achieve political objectives† (Thackrah 2004, p. 18). There is a vivid discussion about the fact whether to justify terrorism or not. Some academicians and scientists underline that it is impossible to justify the essence of terrorism. In the very essence terrorism is unjust and illegitimate. Nevertheless, this assumption is rather emotional and it is relevant to consider this phenomenon from moral perspective. Thus, there is no moral background for the governments to sponsor terrorists, but they really do that. There is nothing more than intimidation of people in the name of reaching the goals of a group of people or the whole nation–this is the way terrorists are perceived by many states. Media positions terrorist acts as if they stem from political grievances, though the es sence of these actions can be rooted not in political concerns, but rather in religious or social issues. The US Department of Defence defines terrorism as â€Å"the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological† (Thackrah 2004, p. 32). Intimidation, fear and violence are three basic pillars of terrorism. The government’s reaction to terrorist acts has been always developed in accordance with the essence of the main goals of terrorists. For example, one of the most scaring acts of terrorism committed by the Black September Organization in October 1983, when 241 U.S. military personnel were killed and many people were wounded. In reality, the main target of their terrorist actions was the whole American nation and the Congress. The government withdrew the Marines from Beirut and this factor w as rather impressive for terrorists and they considered it to be success. First ad foremost concern for different governments should be focused on the fact that terrorists position themselves not as the servants of the Devil or evil, but they position themselves as fighters for freedom and their rights. They are interested in promoting liberating images or images, â€Å"supporting† public interests. In other words, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter (Burkoff 2005, p.49). In accordance with modern researches and studies, definitions of terrorism are developed in different terms. Thus, Schmidt and Youngman refer to 109 different definitions of terrorism, where three equal words were present: violence, force; political; fear (Boaz). Generally speaking, terrorism is considered at international level, because the targets of terrorist attacks can be found in different countries. There is a very thin boundary between terrorism and crime. Thus, for exa mple, political motivation of terrorism cannot be denied and it is often positioned as the first and foremost underpinning for terrorist acts commitment. It can be defined as â€Å"politically motivated attacks on non-combatant targets† (Fields, 2001). The activities of terrorist organizations are often described with the use of such concepts, as â€Å"

Study of Religion Learning Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Study of Religion Learning Journal - Essay Example In my own opinion, I don’t think it’s possible for a person to suspend his or her own background, socialization and beliefs just because they are studying religious data. This is because sometimes, whether people are aware or not, sometimes it’s likely for their subconscious to sway them towards a particular direction even if they want to think and belief they are unbiased. Although sometimes there may be a possibility of persons thought being in line with the issue at hand, it happens to be a very rare occurrence. My opinion is strengthened after reviewing the behavior of individuals who are covered in Randall Studstill Journal of eliade, Phenomenology and the Sacred, which mainly looks at those who were after presenting religion as being false (Amstrong, 2004). Phenomenology refers to the internal structures of consciousness. As the author suggests, the relationship between people to a sacred being will be based upon the person’s existential condition, t he qualities of the sacred being he believes in, his openness to the environment around him and the mediation of experience through specific religious symbols. On this perspective therefore, scholars and religious learners will not be left out and although they may focus on proving that there is no God, they may be still connected to a particular sacred being which will affect their interpretation of religious data (Cox, 2010). Eliade looks at religion as a concept that engages the sacred and the supernatural. According to him, the reductionist theories are not sensible and this makes him refer to the timeless forms of ideas which are present in all parts of the world without a regard to their history. According to the author, there is causal relationship between the most basic elements of the human condition and their basic experiences. Since our religious attitudes arise out of our knowledge of the universe, even religious scholars will respond to situations in accordance with the ir knowledge of the universe, which is defined by their socialization, background and beliefs. Even though scholars who are atheists may not identify themselves to God, they certainly have a religious symbol within which they identify themselves with and that defines their interpretation of the society and the universal problems that face humility. Humanity will always identify them with a particular religious symbol which helps them to have a better inner interpretation of the environment around them and to appreciate the mysteries of nature. Separating oneself from your background, socialization and beliefs when interpreting religion is therefore impossible, since through their religious symbols, they become part of a normal society (Studstill, 2000). 2. Newer Anthropologies Related To Culture: Clifford Geertz and Evans-Pritchard According to Geetz, religion is simply a system of symbols which acts towards establishing powerful and pervasive motivations and moods in men that are l ong lasting. Religion is able to achieve this through formulating and redefining conceptions with factuality, which makes the moods and motivations to appear realistic (Asad, 1993). According to Geetz, the concept of a symbol is critical because it aids in knowing the essence of religion. On this note, he defines a symbol as an act, event, quality or relation whose purpose is to give meanings, and therefore results to systems of symbols that lie outside a particular being. Pritchard and Geertz bring out a religious theory that resolves on religious beliefs as being subject to a person’

Advantages and Disadvantages of tables computers for traveling Essay

Advantages and Disadvantages of tables computers for traveling salespeople - Essay Example The main aim of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of the growing use of tablet computers by sales people. The paper would also contain a clear view of the various advantages and disadvantages of the tablet computers that can help salespeople to decide whether to choose tablet computers over other portable devices available in the market. The segments of tablet computers are considered to be one of the growing markets amid other electronic gadgets available in the business market. The main reason behind the growing preference of tablet computers over personal computers (PC’s) and laptops is their superiority in terms of convenience and features when compared to other hand held devices. It is worth mentioning that today’s youth also considers tablet as their first choice over mobile phones as they get larger screens and also provides additional advantages like high battery backup, full screen access and also provides the facility of calling over the laptop. The adaption of tablet PC by salesperson can be widely viewed due to their enhanced features and usability. The prime reason behind adapting tablet computers by salesperson it that, it not only provides them the advantage of carrying it anywhere but also helps in securing the data and helps business organization to keep a track of their sales. It also provides them with the facility to connect to any of their colleagues sitting anywhere. The ability to run programs, managing schedules, contacts can also be considered as an additional feature of tablet computers over laptops and other hand held devices. Though there has been continuous debate amid technological critics about the adaption of tablet computers by salespeople. ... The main aim of this paper is to provide a detailed analysis of the growing use of tablet computers by sales people. The paper would also contain a clear view of the various advantages and disadvantages of the tablet computers that can help salespeople to decide whether to choose tablet computers over other portable devices available in the market. Discussion The segments of tablet computers are considered to be one of the growing markets amid other electronic gadgets available in the business market. The main reason behind the growing preference of tablet computers over personal computers (PC’s) and laptops is their superiority in terms of convenience and features when compared to other hand held devices. It is worth mentioning that today’s youth also considers tablet as their first choice over mobile phones as they get larger screens and also provides additional advantages like high battery backup, full screen access and also provides the facility of calling over the laptop. The adaption of tablet PC by salesperson can be widely viewed due to their enhanced features and usability. The prime reason behind adapting tablet computers by salesperson it that, it not only provides them the advantage of carrying it anywhere but also helps in securing the data and helps business organization to keep a track of their sales. It also provides them with the facility to connect to any of their colleagues sitting anywhere. The ability to run programs, managing schedules, contacts can also be considered as an additional feature of tablet computers over laptops and other hand held devices. Though there has been continuous debate amid technological critics about the adaption of tablet computers by salespeople. Furthermore, it has been viewed that business persons

Learning Skill Essay Example for Free

Learning Skill Essay Q1. Write an essay on why you decided to continue your tertiary education. In your answer also include why WOU was your choice of university. Everyone hope to live in better or luxury life, so do I. But holding only diploma in accounting would not grant me any further opportunity in the fact that nowadays the employers are so arduous and looking forward for more competent and capable candidate. Therefore I make up my mind to pursue higher education for a better career advancement and keep the skills and knowledge up to date. Continuing tertiary education can enhance my marketable skills. Advance to degree means that I learning new skills. A set of skills imparted from this course will help me in the current society. These skills also help me to perform better in my current career, make me more competitive and have the opportunity for promotions (Girl 2014). Tertiary education also increases my earning potential (Girl 2014). In the current career market, the higher your education, the higher your position and the higher your pay (Harrison 2013). From Jobstreet salary report, a finance manager earnings average from RM5,800 to RM8,600 per month (JobStreet. com 2014). In current economy, higher earning is important for a better living life. Continuing my education will gives me advanced knowledge about my area of study. From researching assignments and advanced courses, I will gain additional knowledge relates to my career. Learning from established experts, I will also earn a reputation as an expert in my field too (Harrison 2013). Choosing WOU as my choice as it suits for my part-time study and more flexible. It provides me to study online and have distance learning (University 2014). WOU cuts down my travelling time and cost and only attend classes once a month. I am able to choose the course and plan to study that suits my time that provided by WOU. Other than education, WOU is a place where I can enhance my professional skills and gaining knowledge from the lecturers and students which will makes me become a more valuable and marketable in my career. It is never too late to go back to study. I appreciates that WOU is one of the online study provider that let me study with ease and continuing my education which can fit my studies, working and social life. I can have a degree without having to commit to campus life and receive the degree from my home (Girl 2014).

Communication skills are vital within a nurses role

Communication skills are vital within a nurses role Communication is natural to most people. We learn to communicate from birth and it is something that most people do without being aware of it. Communication is simply the name for expressing, sharing and understanding information. To examine a model of communication, for example, Shannon and Weavers model of communication (Brooker and Waugh, 2007) there are three components to successful communication. The first part is the sender. This is the source of the information which is to be shared. It could be a person talking, a radio or a newspaper or book. The next part of the model is the message. This is the information itself. It could be words spoken by the person or words from the book or newspaper. The last stage is the receiver. This is the person who is receiving the message. That would be the person listening to the words of another, the person hearing the radio or the person reading the book or newspaper. Communication can be separated into two categories, verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Knapp et al (2010) defines Non-verbal communication as communication without the use of words. Non- verbal communication can include body language, touch and gesture. Non-verbal communication can be more influential than verbal communication (Argyle, 1988 cited in Chambers, 2003) Verbal communication is achieved through the use of spoken or written language. Scammell (1990) states that its purpose include: to instruct, to teach, to educate, to express feelings and emotions, to help or seek help. Although there are two separate categories, both are used together in everyday life by most people without thinking. In this explanation, communication sounds very straight forward but the barriers to communication can be very complex, this is especially relevant in people who have had a stroke as will be explored later in this text. The nurse has a vital role in caring for the patient who has had a stroke. It is within the nurses role to assess, plan, implement and evaluate a personalised care plan for the patient (Brooker Nicol 2003 cited in Brooker and Waugh, 2007). Although the nurse will be assessing the patient holistically, they must also ensure they realise the importance of communication in the patients recovery. It is fundamental the nurse understands and expects the communication problems that the patient may encounter. It is also essential that the nurse can communicate effectively with other members of the multi disciplinary team to ensure that patient receives high quality evidence based care. The nurse must also communicate well with the relatives of the patient as they may not fully understand what to expect in the recovery process (Glass Maddox 1992). The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) have clear guidelines on the responsibility of the nurse to communicate effectively with patients in their care. The nurse has a duty of care to meet the patients communication and language needs. The nurse should use evidence based practice and research to decipher effective communication strategies for each patient, trying to get to know the patient as an individual and documenting successful communication techniques. The nurse may also refer to the patients relatives to gain knowledge of communication strategies which work already. The nurse must have a sound knowledge of the pathophysiology of a stroke to understand how to communicate; this is explored in the next paragraph. Firstly, to understand the communication problems that a patient who has suffered a stroke encounters, how a stroke manifests must be understood. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, 15 million people will have a stroke on an annual basis (WHO, 2004 cited in Ross, 2009) the correct medical terminology for a stroke is a cerebral vascular accident (CVA). A stroke usually happens when an artery within the brain becomes blocked thus leading to the death of cells which have had their blood supply cut off (Chang et al, 2006a). The term for cell death, in this way, is infarction. Another reason for a stroke is when there is a haemorrhage within the brain, or an artery bursts also resulting in cell death. If the blood supply is cut off then the cells dies and this can cause serious damage to important areas of the brain (Chang et al, 2006b). Different areas of the brain control different aspects of the body and depending on where the stroke has taken place can affect how the patient recovers. The patient who has suffered a stroke may have very serious communication difficulties after the stroke. For most people, the language centre of the brain is in the left hemisphere, although a small amount of left handed people may have their language centre on the right hemisphere. If the stroke happens within this area and there is damage then the person can suffer language problems (Horton, 2001). This is called Aphasia. Aphasia can prove to be a very complex barrier in communication. Aphasia can alter the way they communicate, from speaking and pronouncing words, having correct grammar to understanding words (Bannister, 1992 cited in Clarkson, 2010). Aphasia can also disrupt the patients ability to write and read. When a patient suffers a stroke they may be left with aphasia. The patient may not be able to adequately understand language or express language (Clarkson, 2010). A patient with a stroke can be left unable to even recognise simple words or instructions. This can be very infuriating for the patient as they may not be able to express their needs or preferences. The nurse may also find it hard to assess what the patients needs are which could effectively slow recovery. Communication strategies are essential in the plan of care for the patient who has had a stroke, as will be discussed in the next paragraph. There are many communication strategies which have been implemented within a clinical setting to overcome barriers in communication. The nurse must strive to increase the patients confidence when communicating ensuring that the patient has opportunity to make decisions about their care. Alternative and Augmentative communication systems can be put in place to assist with communication (Glennen DeCoste, 1996a). One of these methods is the use of picture cards. Picture cards are used to give the patient the opportunity to express a fundamental need (Speakability.org.uk, 2010). These picture cards can be of varying size but are usually about A4 size. They contain pictures of basic items and usually a phrase accompanying the item, e.g. a pair of spectacles and a phrase stating I need my glasses. The cards are accessible to the patient so it means that they can express needs without speaking. The nurse can quickly decipher what the patient needs and can deliver the care quickly and effectively. Although picture cards may be effective, they can be reinforced by gesture or mime. The patient may use a cup to signal the fact that they are thirsty. This could also be reversed with the nurse holding the cup to ask the patient if they are thirsty. The use of a medical passport has also become more common within clinical area. This consists of a booklet which is usually passport size, which is full of pictures and phrases, like the picture cards (Speakability.org.uk, 2010). This may have pictures of things like a clock and the phrase How long will I have to wait? This means the patient can maintain control over their healthcare and also be more involved in decisions and treatment options. The picture cards and the medical passport are a non-verbal way of the patient communicating wit h the nurse or even family members (Glennen and DeCoste, 1996b). However in order to obtain these responses from the patient, the nurse may have to use a different communication strategy such as questioning. Referring back to the communication model from earlier, the nurse must understand that although it seems very straight forward, it is altered completely in a stroke patient. The patient may be trying to send a message but be unable to find the correct words or grammar to express themselves (Clarkson, 2010). The patient may also have difficulty understanding the message so although the words are correct, they may be unrecognisable to a stroke patient. The nurse could use a verbal form of communication to encourage the patient to, for example, use the picture cards or medical passport. The nurse could use questioning as a tool to assess needs and deliver appropriate care. The nurse must assess the type of questioning needed in certain situations, e.g. if there is important information needed quickly then the nurse could use closed questions to ascertain a yes or no response. Closed questioning may also be useful in stroke patients as an open question may be difficult to answer because of the aphasia. It is important to add that sometimes people with aphasia can say yes when they mean no and vice versa (Clarkson, 2010) so the nurse could summarize what the patient wants, by repeating back to them verbally, just to clarify the correct information has been communicated. The nurse must communicate with clarity, avoiding medical jargon or eloquent grammar, using clear and concise language which is not too complex. Nurses are often seen by the patient as their link to understanding the medical jargon which doctors may use (Castledine, 2002). When relaying information, the nurse must simplify the language so that the patient has a better understanding of the definition, this is especially relevant to patients who have had a stroke due to nature of this condition. Simple language may even be difficult for the patient to understand, so the nurse must relay the information in a simple format, always clarifying that the patient has understood what is being said. In conclusion, this essay has explained the importance of the nurse understanding what communication actually is and why it is relevant in patients who have had a stroke. This text has explored how a stroke manifests and what barriers a stroke patient may encounter when trying to communicate. In summary, it is evident that there are many different ways to communicate with a patient who has had a stroke but it is the nurses responsibility to ensure that they research and build rapport with the individual patient to effectively communicate in the easiest manner. The nurse has legal obligations to meet communication and language needs of the patient. This essay explored two specific strategies used in communicating with patients with aphasia. This essay concludes that communication barriers can be complex and the nurse must ensure that care is delivered in a person-centered, individual, holistic basis. Word Count: 1921 .

Manipulation Of Images In Media Texts Media Essay

Manipulation Of Images In Media Texts Media Essay There are many arguments and concepts towards manipulation of images in media texts. The manipulation of images is seen every day by everybody who picks up any kind of media text from newspapers and magazines to internet articles, retouching photos is happening. Whether its changing how a person looks, changing the dominant characters surroundings or deleting parts of the image this all adds to the audiences perception of the text which the media has given them. There is no right or wrong answer unto whether the manipulation of media texts is actually something that should happen and should carry on happening throughout texts, some people think it is wrong to change the way people look, however some people believe that the changing and manipulation of media texts is all part of the media process. There are more arguments throughout the world of media which say the retouching their images is misleading for young people and manipulates them to believe this is how you should look. I want to see regular girls that look like me in a magazine thats supposed to be for me. For the sake of all the struggling girls all over America, who read Seventeen and think these fake images are what they should be, Im stepping up (Bluhm, 2012) Julia Bluhm is a 14 year old American teenager who understood the manipulation of texts and how the retouching and development of photos will influence teenage girls lifestyles and make them change the way they look at themselves because of the fake images portrayed by the media. For young girls like Julia photo manipulation could potentially make them change the ways they look at themselves due to the retouched images, young girls tend to idolize celebrities and icons in magazines. The retouched photos which may lead them to believe their own imperfections are abnormal influencing them to even turn to anorexia and body issues. Many people believe that the manipulation of images in media texts also leads to many people having low self-esteem issues which may also cause self obsessions and body issues within ones self. Theres no end of studies that show that consistently seeing airbrushed images makes women feel worse about themselves. (Crisell, 2010) There have been many articles written to show how the retouching of images affects the lifestyles and health of people, especially women. Many psychologists have studied the effects of the manipulation of media texts and how it reflects on a persons health; many say we are more likely to compare ourselves to these images due to the excessive exposure we have to them. We live in a current society which consists of a high percentage of people living with high body dissatisfaction and manipulation of images in media texts could potentially increase this percentage. Some people may disagree and believe that the retouching of images in media is a normal thing to do and is all part of the media process. No longer is it about  just  taking pictures.   Editing is involved. (Boutwell, 2012) Today, many photographers and people involved in the media believe there is a lot more behind an image and it isnt about just taking a photo anymore, editing is used in the images in media to enhanced the beauty of the image and to potentially get the most out of it. My opinion is that Photoshop is a major reason why photographers make so much money. (Boutwell, 2012) From getting the most out of the image that is possible some people say, like Allison Boutwell, that this is how photographers and the media make more money and sell more which is a process that every worldwide business want to do and this is just the way the media achieve this. Every business and company wants to make a profit, and by selling the manipulated images is the way the media do this. Arguments can show that the manipulation of images in media texts is just the way the media are trying to earn a living so to say. The retouched images seem to show more public interest than the non retouched images due to the public wanting to see the eye catching beautiful celebrities on the cover of their favourite magazines. Beauty-retouching is a quite deceptive art. (Metzmacher, 2008) Like Metzmacher some people disagree that the manipulation of images is wrong due to the idea that retouching images is only enhancing beauty of people and is seen as an art form. Today, 23 percent of women ages 25 to 29 now retouch their own personal photo and even more concerning, 41 percent among those ages 18 to 24 now retouch their photos too. Figure like this now may begin to suggest that women now begin to feel compelled to retouch their own photos due to manipulation of media images in order to fix their own personal self-esteem problems that the media have persuaded them into. Research shows that many women globally have all started editing their own photos in order to try and fit their own personal needs. Although only 43 percent of women agree with retouching photos, higher figure show that women edit their own photos. The media assist in this process subconsciously to the public, but it may lead to potential problems in the future like women becoming too obsessive with having the perfect figure and generating the perfect photo to feel they are meeting the need of the media also. Overall, the manipulation of images in media texts and be misconstrued in both directions, there are many positive and negative aspects to retouching photos. In my opinion, i do think that redevelopment of images can be seen as an art form and is only trying to enhance the beauty of the image in order to grab the audiences attention. I think that the media have in somewhat gone too far with the retouching of photos and can convey ideas to young girls and change the way they look at themselves to try and can potentially cause them problems like anorexia and low self-esteem because of the fake images which are too perfect to even be real.

The Hon. Dr :: essays research papers

Among the gay press's responses to my 1993 book A Place at the Table was the charge by some critics that I'm "sex-negative." Frank Browning griped that I want to "to have everyone put on 30 pounds, buy a Brooks Brothers suit, and wander off on the golf links, becoming [an] upper-class version of Ozzie and Harry. Those who don't want to take risks should join Mr. Bawer on the golf course. Those who want to feel alive will benefit from the exploration of our bodies and what our bodies can grant." Golf? Ozzie and Harry? Brooks Brothers? What, I wondered, does any of this have to do with what I've written? I've never been on a golf course. Or worn a Brooks Brothers suit. And when did I join the upper class? Of course I want gay people to enjoy what their bodies can grant. I also want them to have equal rights under the law, the love and respect of their friends and families, and a meaningful life beyond their orgasms. I want gay kids to grow up knowing that, as wonderful as sex can be, gay identity amounts to more than belonging to a "culture of desire." Browning and others mocked me for being "serious." Well, isn't discovering oneself as a gay individual in this society a serious challenge? Isn't gay rights a serious issue? Being serious about gay rights in public discourse doesn't preclude being able to have fun in one's personal life. Yet if some right-wing critics can't write about homosexuality without smirking, some gay writers seem unable to address the subject without prattling frivolously about their own sex lives and longings. Which is a shame, because it's vitally important for us to recognize that at the heart of homophobia lies an inability to see that gays can love each other as deeply and as seriously as straights can. Explaining why he'd refused to print my review of the film Longtime Companion, an American Spectator editor told a New York Observer reporter, "Bawer was striking a total equivalence between a heterosexual couple in love and a homosexual couple in love. To me, that wasn't convincing." That editor isn't alone in rejecting the idea of the moral equivalence of gays and straights. It's not only heterosexuals who draw these sex-related distinctions. "The defining thing about being gay," a gay man tells Susan Bergman in her new memoir, Anonymity, "is that you like to have sex a lot.

Five Proofs That God Exists Essays -- thomas aquinas, summa theologica

Instinctually, humans know that there is a greater power in the universe. However, there are a few who doubt such instinct, citing that logically we cannot prove such an existence. St. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, wrote of five proofs for the existence of God. The Summa Theologica deals with pure concepts; these proofs rely on the world of experience - what one can see around themselves. In these proofs, God will logically be proven to exist through reason, despite the refutes against them. St. Thomas’s five proofs rely on the causality of God. Causality, in simple terms, is the fact that you cannot make something greater from lesser parts; the more perfect does not come from the less perfect. In order for something to exist, there must be something greater to have caused it to exist. This means that you cannot trace back causes infinitely - there must be a first, uncaused cause. Therefore, there must be something that caused everything. This we call God. One of the first things that must be said, is that God does not exist. At least, he does not exist as a physical thing. God is not something among all the other things in this world, like a tree, building, or rock. God does not exist in that sense. Instead, according to St. Thomas, God is existence. The first way St. Thomas argues for the existence of God is with the Argument from Motion. The Argument from Motion consists of five main points. The first states that our senses prove that some things are in motion. For St. Thomas, motion didn’t just mean movement as with a car moving down the road from point A to point B or any other thing physically moving from one place to another. St. Thomas takes the Aristotelian sense of the word, which he defined as... ...potentiality to be. For example, a cat cannot give birth to a dog. Simply because it does not biologically have the potential to do it. In the same way, an object cannot suddenly become what it does not have the potential to be. On the other hand, what caused God? If everything didn’t exist, than what caused God to exist? Nothing created God, He has always existed There can only be one being that can be uncaused. If there were more than one uncaused being, then beings would have potential. They would be striving to be what the other uncaused being is. This counteracts what an uncaused being is. It’s impossible because it would make an uncaused cause no longer be a being that is pure act. The being or beings would potentially be striving to be more than it or the other is. Works Cited Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica. New York: Benziger Bros., 194748.

Is Holden Caulfield a Typical Teenager?

In the novel, Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, Holden Caulfield is a 16 year old boy from New York City. He recently got the ax from his school, Pencey Prep, for failing four classes. He ends up roaming around the streets of New York City for three days, after leaving school early for Winter Break. Through Holden’s adventures, he becomes addicted to smoking, drinking and going out to night clubs. This conclusion leads me to think that he has the common issues that teens deal with daily. Although Holden secludes himself from the rest of the world, he is very much like a typical teenager when it comes to having problems in school. Holden reveals a strong hate for school. In chapter one, he states that â€Å"he didn’t know anyone at Pencey that was splendid and clear-thinking and all. Maybe two guys. If that many. † (pg. 6) Later, Holden gets kicked out from his school, Pencey Prep â€Å"on account of flunking four subjects and not applying† himself and all. (pg. 6) Holden is well known because teens can relate to him in so many things including issues in school. It seems that whenever Holden would get depressed he would turn to abusing alcohol, which is common among teens. In chapter 10, Holden was in a night club and he tried to order a scotch and soda, when the waiter asked for some verification of his age. (pg. 90-91) It seems that Salinger made this the only time alcohol wasn’t readily available in the novel. In chapter 12, Holden was at another night club, Ernie’s, when he tried again to order a scotch and soda, and was able to do so easily. He states that even if you were six years old you could get liquor at Ernie’s; nobody cared how old you were. (pg. 111) Again in chapter 20, Holden gets drunk at another night club. (pg. 194) The Catcher in the Rye demonstrates many life lessons, such as not abusing alcohol. In the novel, Holden Caulfield is like a puzzle piece that doesn’t fit anywhere in the puzzle, meaning he doesn’t fit in with the world. He has a really rough time fitting in at school because he thinks they are all phonies. In Chapter 1, Holden accidentally leaves â€Å"all the foils and equipment and stuff on the subway† so the whole team ostracizes him the whole way back on the train. (p. 6). In Chapter 6, Holden gets in a fist fight with his roommate Stradlater, because Holden continuously calls Stradlater a moron because Stradlater was criticizing what Holden wrote about for Stradlater’s paper that he asked Holden to write. (p. 54). Holden had a rough time fitting in both at school and in the world in general. The Catcher in the Rye illustrates a young boy struggling to try to fit in with everyone else and deal with life’s problems at the same time. From failing out of school to going to night clubs and getting drunk, this novel is told right from a teenager’s point of view. Salinger represents Holden as a character in his novel that holds many characteristic of a typical teenager, including alcohol abuse. To this day, Holden is well-known worldwide, by many people. He is known as the character that best describes teenagers and life problems.

Human Organ Donation Opinion Paper Essay

1. The progress and spread of transplant medicine and surgery nowadays makes possible treatment and cure for many illnesses which, up to a short time ago, could only lead to death or, at best, a painful and limited existence. This â€Å"service to life,†[1] which the donation and transplant of organs represents, shows its moral value and legitimizes its medical practice. There are, however, some conditions which must be observed, particularly those regarding donors and the organs donated and implanted. Every organ or human tissue transplant requires an explant which in some way impairs the corporeal integrity of the donor. 2. The present shortage of available organs for transplant has resulted in a number of propositions for improving the situation so as to preserve the life of those in danger of imminent death, and/or to improve the health of those who are suffering from various aliments. These propositions range from state-funding of more Organ Donation coordinators, to the establishment of a free market in organs. 3. Not all options, however, are morally acceptable. Moreover, every option must be subject to clear, coherent and rationally defensible ethical analysis. The approach used in this opinion is that of the authoritative moral teaching of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and the natural law tradition (specifically that articulated by the Magisterium). It does so on the basis that (a) all other approaches that purport to be based on reason alone are essentially deficient and ultimately incoherent; and (b) that the moral truth of natural law is, by definition, accessible to all. The Church thus rejects those approaches to morality, such as all forms of utilitarianism, that require people to engage in the epistemologically and intellectually impossible task of measuring and weighing all the certain and possible good and evil effects of an action.[2] To cite John Paul II, â€Å"How could an absolute obligation resulting from such debatable calculations be justified?†[3] Instead, the Catholic analysis of a policy’s moral dimension focuses upon asking whether an option is choice-worthy, or if it is excluded from upright choice by its opposition in some way to the human goods (bona humana) to which St. Thomas Aquinas says all people, religious or otherwise, are directed by the first principles of practical reasonableness,[4] the basic reasons for action which the encyclical letter Veritatis Splendor calls â€Å"fundamental human goods.†[5] 4. This opinion considers only one proposition: that is, â€Å"The Richard M. De Vos Position Paper on Financial Incentives for Organ Donation† (hereafter the Position Paper). This proposition involves the establishment of a tax incentive or an insurance benefit to be received by the designated beneficiary of a donor upon the successful transplant of the donor’s organs following the donor’s natural death. This policy encourages people to designate, unambiguously, if they wish to have their organs recovered after death with the object of an act being the saving of human life. 5. Should there be any change in the composition of the Position Paper, this opinion should be considered null and void until the author has had the opportunity to consider the ethical implications of the changes. 6. Should the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church pronounce authoritatively and specifically on the proposition articulated in the Position Paper or a similar proposition, then the author’s position should be henceforth assumed to adhere to that of the Church. The Catholic Position on Organ Transplantation and Compensation for Donation of Human Organs There are positive and negative dimensions to the teaching of the Catholic Church on organ transplantation and the question of compensation. Positive Dimensions 1. Transplantation between species, specifically from animal to human, in general, is not morally forbidden. â€Å"It cannot be said that every transplant of tissues (biologically possible) between two individuals of different species is morally reprehensible, but it is even less true that every heterogeneous transplant biologically possible is not forbidden and cannot raise objections. A distinction must be made between cases, depending on which tissue or organ is intended for transplant. The transplant of animal sexual glands to humans must be rejected as immoral; but the transplant of the cornea of a non-human organism to a human organism would not create any problem if it were biologically possible and advisable.†[6] 2. Transplantation from a corpse requires that the corpse be treated with the respect due to the abode of a spiritual and immortal soul, an essential constituent of a human person whose dignity it shared.[7] 3. Transplantation from a corpse to a living being is permissible. Physicians should not, however, be permitted to undertake excisions or other operations on a corpse without the permission of those charged with its care and perhaps even in the face of objections previously expressed by the person in question.[8] â€Å"Organ transplants are not morally acceptable if the donor or those who legitimately speak for him have not given their informed consent. Organ transplants conform with the moral law and can be meritorious if the physical and psychological dangers and risks incurred by the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient. It is morally inadmissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.†[9] 4. People may choose in their wills to dispose of their bodies after natural death for legitimate medical purposes.[10] 5. Organ transplantation from a live donor is also permissible. People are not, however, free to destroy or mutilate their members or in any other way render themselves unfit for their natural functions, except when no other provision can be made for the good of the whole body. This does not rule out live organ donation for transplantation, provided that the donor’s own health, identity, or adequate biological functioning is not endangered. â€Å"One can donate only what he can deprive himself of without serious danger to his life or personal identity, and for a just and proportionate reason.†[11] Vital organs may only be donated after death.[12] 6. Organ donation is neither a duty nor â€Å"an obligatory act of charity.†[13] But â€Å"a transplant, and even a simple blood transfusion, is not like other operations. It must not be separated from the donor’s act of self-giving, from the love that gives life. The physician should always be conscious of the particular nobility of this work; he becomes the mediator of something especially significant, the gift of self which one person has made—even after death—so that another might live.†[14] 7. Specifically regarding the issue of incentives for organ donation, compensation (financial or otherwise) is not in principle ruled out. â€Å"In advertising (for cornea donors) an intelligent reserve should be maintained to avoid serious interior and exterior conflicts. Also, is it necessary, as often happens, to refuse any compensation as a matter of principle? The question has arisen. Without doubt there can be grave abuses if recompense is demanded; but it would be an exaggeration to say that any acceptance or requirement of recompense is immoral. The case is analogous to that of blood transfusion; it is to the donor’s credit if he refuses recompense, but it is not necessarily a fault to accept it.†[15] Hence, while organ donation is commendable, acceptance of compensation may be permissible. Negative Dimensions 1. The following conditions would render compensation for donating human organs morally impermissible: (a) if the compensation were carried out in a manner that obfuscates, denies, or undermines the belief in the divine origin of human life or the dignity thereby due the corpse; (b) if the intention and object of seeking compensation for either oneself or others was an illegal, immoral, or irreligious end, or directly violated one or more of the fundamental human goods; or (c) the act of compensation amounted to merely instrumentalising the donor or the donor’s mere self-instrumentalization. 2. The transplantation of the sexual glands from animals to humans is to be rejected as immoral[16] because such a transplant would directly deny the sacred element in humanity and the goods of human love. 3. Society, specifically in the form of its political organization, the State, may not commandeer the organs of a deceased human being without the prior permission of that person or the consent of his family.[17] The relation of individual human persons to the body politic is moral, not organic. This rules out any form of coercive donation, including organ procurement strategies such as presumed consent in which, absent a specific refusal, one is presumed to have consented to donation. 4. It is forbidden for any form of organ donation, be it by a living donor or from a corpse, to involve any mere instrumentalization of the person from whom the organ is taken. This prohibition includes any mere self-instrumentalization by a living donor. John Paul II states, â€Å"The body cannot be treated as a merely physical or biological entity, nor can its organs ever be used as items of sale or exchange. Such a reductive materialist conception would lead to a merely instrumental use of the body and therefore of the person. In such a perspective, organ transplantation and the grating of tissue would no longer correspond to an act of donation but would amount to the dispossession or plundering of the body.†[18] Acceptance of compensation for oneself or others, as described above, however, need not proceed from a choice merely to instrumentalise oneself. 5. It is forbidden to engage in the commercial trafficking of bodies. â€Å"Also, in the case of dead fetuses, as for the corpses of adult persons, all commercial trafficking must be considered illicit and should be prohibited.†[19] 6. â€Å"Ethically, not all organs can be donated. The brain and the gonads may not be transplanted because they ensure the personal and procreative identity respectively. These are organs which embody the characteristic uniqueness of the person, which medicine is bound to protect.†[20]

American Beauty

There are numerous significant motives in the1999 film entitled American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes. In this film, Lester Burnham– a 42-year-old, depressed suburban father has a mid-life crisis and voluntarily decides to turn his chaotic life around after developing a fascination for his daughters attractive friend, Angela. Similarly, The title American Beauty is proven to be significant with the satirical lust between Lester and Angela , Lester realizing the beauty throughout his life sincerely, and the American beauty rose used as a symbol. This representation allows the director to ultimately suggest that everyone will see the beauty in America and their lives. In the movie American Beauty, the lust portrayed is shown very satirically and creates a deep affect on the characters throughout the film. For example, lust is illustrated when Lester notices Angela for the first time and feels instantly compelled to her. Which gives the allusion of beauty but ultimately is very disturbing because of Angela’s age. Although, Lester suddenly feels the need to know Angela. Subsequently, after meeting her he says, â€Å" It’s the weirdest thing I feel like I’ve been in a comma for about 20 years and I’m just now waking up† (American Beauty). In stating this, Lester explains how he felt like he was living every day like the last and not really living at all until he met Angela. To elaborate, Lester states, â€Å"The highlight of my day is masturbating in the shower† (American Beauty). By using the word â€Å"highlight† sows that it’s the most arousing part of his day which he combines with masturbating. Although, after he meets Angela he feels as though he was â€Å"waking up† for the first time (American Beauty). This feeling leads him to start working out, smoking weed, and working at his old teenage job in order to get Angela interested in him. Therefore, the lust shown between Lester and Angela depicts the title American Beauty because of the want or need to feel wanted and loved by someone. Lastly, Lester realizing the beauty in his life helps prove the implication of the title. With Lester feeling as if his life is pathetic and boring in the beginning of the film, to the end where he feels as though he is â€Å"great. † For example, Lester states, â€Å" I am grateful for every moment in my stupid life â€Å" (American Beauty). Meaning that Lester knew most times his life was â€Å"stupid,† although he still saw the beauty in everything. Lester sincerely finds the beauty in his life right before he is murdered and continues to after he dies. He says, â€Å"I guess I could be pissed about what happened to me, but there is so much beauty in the world† (American Beauty). Implying that he felt as though he could be mad that his life was taken from him, but he finally witnessed his daughter being happy and in love and realized that he truly still loved his wife. Therefore, he has no choice but to be thankful for the life he had been given. This strongly depicts the American beauty by allowing Lester to sincerely see beauty in his dysfunctional life. The rose called American beauty is introduced various times as a symbol throughout the film. The rose is presented satirically for the first time when Carolyn is trimming her American beauty rose bushes in the front yard. Everything seems to be perfect with the white picket fence and the suburban house-wife outside doing yard work. Although, like the rose, everything is beautiful at first glace, but when you look deeper you see the thorns and the dysfunction within the family. In addition, the American beauty rose is also introduced countless times while Lester is fantasizing about Angela. For example, the moment Lester spots Angela for the first time he imagines her undressing for him while being the only ones in an auditorium. She opens her shirt and vibrant rose pedals come flowing from her chest (American Beauty). This represents the beauty that he not only sees in her; though, also the beauty that she brings to his life. Which is portrayed to be very satirical because of his fanaticizing about Angela who is a young girl. Hence, the significance of the title American Beauty and the representation that is shown through the American beauty rose. Although, some may say that the American beauty rose is portrayed sincerely in the film. They might argue that at the end of the film, when Lester has just seen the beauty throughout his life, there is a vibrant bouquet of American beauty roses on the table in front of him. Showing the sincere feelings of beauty that Lester is realizing for the first time while looking at his family portrait. People can also argue that in the next scene where Lester has been killed the roses are suddenly blackened and dead. Also, the vivid red blood splattered around the flowers helps portray the lack of color and beauty in the roses it self. This sincerely shows the ugliness of deaths and the arrival of death when Lester had just recognized the beauty in his life. Therefore one may argue the American beauty rose is portrayed as sincere as well as satirical. Subsequently, this shows the representation of American Beauty allows the director to ultimately suggest that everyone will see the beauty in America and their lives. While every character in the film was dysfunctional they all came to a realization of the beauty in their lives at the end of the movie. Although each character didn’t have to loose their life to see the beauty, the murder of Lester allowed the beauty to be revealed and also enables the characters to have a somewhat epiphany. In conclusion, Janet Maslin, a film critic from the New York Times states, â€Å"if you don’t feel the film’s piercing vision of what really matters, someday you will† ( 293). Therefore restating that everyone will see the beauty in the dysfunction of America someday before or after they die. American Beauty There are numerous significant motives in the1999 film entitled American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes. In this film, Lester Burnham– a 42-year-old, depressed suburban father has a mid-life crisis and voluntarily decides to turn his chaotic life around after developing a fascination for his daughters attractive friend, Angela. Similarly, The title American Beauty is proven to be significant with the satirical lust between Lester and Angela , Lester realizing the beauty throughout his life sincerely, and the American beauty rose used as a symbol. This representation allows the director to ultimately suggest that everyone will see the beauty in America and their lives. In the movie American Beauty, the lust portrayed is shown very satirically and creates a deep affect on the characters throughout the film. For example, lust is illustrated when Lester notices Angela for the first time and feels instantly compelled to her. Which gives the allusion of beauty but ultimately is very disturbing because of Angela’s age. Although, Lester suddenly feels the need to know Angela. Subsequently, after meeting her he says, â€Å" It’s the weirdest thing I feel like I’ve been in a comma for about 20 years and I’m just now waking up† (American Beauty). In stating this, Lester explains how he felt like he was living every day like the last and not really living at all until he met Angela. To elaborate, Lester states, â€Å"The highlight of my day is masturbating in the shower† (American Beauty). By using the word â€Å"highlight† sows that it’s the most arousing part of his day which he combines with masturbating. Although, after he meets Angela he feels as though he was â€Å"waking up† for the first time (American Beauty). This feeling leads him to start working out, smoking weed, and working at his old teenage job in order to get Angela interested in him. Therefore, the lust shown between Lester and Angela depicts the title American Beauty because of the want or need to feel wanted and loved by someone. Lastly, Lester realizing the beauty in his life helps prove the implication of the title. With Lester feeling as if his life is pathetic and boring in the beginning of the film, to the end where he feels as though he is â€Å"great. † For example, Lester states, â€Å" I am grateful for every moment in my stupid life â€Å" (American Beauty). Meaning that Lester knew most times his life was â€Å"stupid,† although he still saw the beauty in everything. Lester sincerely finds the beauty in his life right before he is murdered and continues to after he dies. He says, â€Å"I guess I could be pissed about what happened to me, but there is so much beauty in the world† (American Beauty). Implying that he felt as though he could be mad that his life was taken from him, but he finally witnessed his daughter being happy and in love and realized that he truly still loved his wife. Therefore, he has no choice but to be thankful for the life he had been given. This strongly depicts the American beauty by allowing Lester to sincerely see beauty in his dysfunctional life. The rose called American beauty is introduced various times as a symbol throughout the film. The rose is presented satirically for the first time when Carolyn is trimming her American beauty rose bushes in the front yard. Everything seems to be perfect with the white picket fence and the suburban house-wife outside doing yard work. Although, like the rose, everything is beautiful at first glace, but when you look deeper you see the thorns and the dysfunction within the family. In addition, the American beauty rose is also introduced countless times while Lester is fantasizing about Angela. For example, the moment Lester spots Angela for the first time he imagines her undressing for him while being the only ones in an auditorium. She opens her shirt and vibrant rose pedals come flowing from her chest (American Beauty). This represents the beauty that he not only sees in her; though, also the beauty that she brings to his life. Which is portrayed to be very satirical because of his fanaticizing about Angela who is a young girl. Hence, the significance of the title American Beauty and the representation that is shown through the American beauty rose. Although, some may say that the American beauty rose is portrayed sincerely in the film. They might argue that at the end of the film, when Lester has just seen the beauty throughout his life, there is a vibrant bouquet of American beauty roses on the table in front of him. Showing the sincere feelings of beauty that Lester is realizing for the first time while looking at his family portrait. People can also argue that in the next scene where Lester has been killed the roses are suddenly blackened and dead. Also, the vivid red blood splattered around the flowers helps portray the lack of color and beauty in the roses it self. This sincerely shows the ugliness of deaths and the arrival of death when Lester had just recognized the beauty in his life. Therefore one may argue the American beauty rose is portrayed as sincere as well as satirical. Subsequently, this shows the representation of American Beauty allows the director to ultimately suggest that everyone will see the beauty in America and their lives. While every character in the film was dysfunctional they all came to a realization of the beauty in their lives at the end of the movie. Although each character didn’t have to loose their life to see the beauty, the murder of Lester allowed the beauty to be revealed and also enables the characters to have a somewhat epiphany. In conclusion, Janet Maslin, a film critic from the New York Times states, â€Å"if you don’t feel the film’s piercing vision of what really matters, someday you will† ( 293). Therefore restating that everyone will see the beauty in the dysfunction of America someday before or after they die.

Reducing Stress through Meditation

In today’s world every one experience stresses almost every day and human body involuntarily reacts in ways that prepare them to fight or run. However, stress is something that needs special attention and if it is not taken care properly it may lead physical damage to every part of the body. There are several studies that suggest the beneficial affects of meditation is exactly the opposite ways that stress does. Therefore, they claim that â€Å"meditation can restore the body to a serene state, serving the body to repair on its own, and averting further harm due to the physical effects of stress† (Scott n.pag). This paper is a literature review on what the experts think of the impact of meditation on stress management.It is a well known fact that stress and tension has become the common thing in the world today. There are enormous pressures of work, finances, family life, disease, studies, parents, children, etc. â€Å"In fact it is proven beyond doubt that stress and anxiety are the main cause for many serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes and many more problems† (Monslow n.pag).Meditation is an age old technique that includes relaxing methods such as â€Å"listening to the breath, repeating a mantra, or detaching from the thought process, to focus the attention and bring about a state of self awareness and inner calm† (Canter 176-177). Though many researchers have worked on this issue it has been difficult to prove its therapeutic value. However it is assumed that this stress releasing activity may have prophylactic and therapeutic health benefits. This has been proven because of certain physiological effects such as a decreased of slowed heart rate or a particular electroencephalographic pattern that occur during meditation and describe a calm state may provide insight into how meditation works.According to a study conducted by Eisenberg et al. (964-972) â€Å"an association was found in a meta-anal ysis of cognitive behavioral techniques such as meditation for hypertension†. In another study of â€Å"meta-analysis trials of relaxation and meditation for trait anxiety that included 70 trials of meditation and showed that the 35 trials of transcendental meditation were linked with significantly larger effect sizes than other techniques† (Eppley et al. 957-974).According to another study in asthma problem it was found that sahaja meditation which is a technique of passive witnessing of thoughts, improved some outcomes. However, differences were not maintained at two months (Manocha et al. 110-115). Similarly, studies showed that people with epilepsy practising sahaja meditation had a significant decrease in objective stress measures and frequency of seizures (Panjwani et al 111-116; Panjwani et al 165-172).A study that was designed to determine the effectiveness of a group stress reduction program based on mindfulness meditation for patients with anxiety disorders. I n this study 22 study participants were selected with a structured clinical interview and found to meet the DSM- III-R criteria for generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. During the study assessments, including self-ratings and therapists' ratings, were obtained weekly before and during the meditation-based stress reduction and relaxation program and monthly during the 3-month follow-up period.It was found that a â€Å"group mindfulness meditation training program can successfully decrease symptoms of anxiety and panic and can aid preserve these reductions in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or panic disorder with agoraphobia† (Kabat-Zinn 936-943). The findings of a study by Kaplan et al (284-289) suggested that a meditation-based stress reduction program is effective for patients with fibromyalgia. In fact this is a chronic illness characterized by extensive pain, tenderness to light touch, fatigue, sleep distur bance, and resistance to treatment.In yet another study by Barnes et al. (366–369) that was taken up to determine the impact of stress reduction on blood pressure in adolescents by the Transcendental Meditation program it was found that there was a greater decreases in daytime systolic blood pressure (P < .04) and diastolic blood pressure (P < .06) in those people who were practicing transcendental meditation when compared with the control group. Therefore the study concluded that there is a beneficial impact of the transcendental meditation program in youth who are at risk for the development of hypertension.A study carried out at Harvard University found that elderly individuals who learned Transcendental Meditation exhibited considerably superior improvements in a range of age-related aspects of mental and physical health when compared to other techniques or among the control group with no-treatment. This study demonstrated that majority of subjects involved in Transcenden tal Meditation rated this technique as individually helpful and uncomplicated to do when compared to the other techniques. A follow-up study after three years found that all those who had learned Transcendental Meditation were still alive compared with significantly lower survival rates for the other groups and for the remaining population of the institutions where the study was carried out (Alexander et al. 950-964).Work CitedAlexander CN, Langer EJ, Davies JL, Chandler HM, Newman RI. Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: an experimental study with the elderly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. (1989) Vol 57, 6 pp 950-964.Barnes, V.A., Treiber, FA and  Johnson, MH. Impact of transcendental meditation on ambulatory blood pressure in African-American adolescents. Am J Hypertens (2004) Vol 17 pp 366–369.Canter, P The therapeutic effects of meditation, editorial STUDENT BMJ VOL 11 (June 2003) pp: 176-177.

Phoenix Jackson and the Modern Day Woman Essay

A phoenix is a mythical bird of great beauty fabled to live 500 or 600 years in the Arabian wilderness, to burn itself on a funeral pyre, and to rise from its ashes in the freshness of youth and live through another cycle of years: often an emblem of immortality or of reborn idealism or hope; a person or thing of peerless beauty or excellence; a person or thing that has become renewed or restored after suffering calamity or apparent annihilation; A person or thing regarded as uniquely remarkable in some respect. Eudora Welty, in her character Phoenix Jackson, creates humanity’s counterpart of the phoenix firebird from oriental tradition (Wampler 4 June 2013). Although Phoenix Jackson can not lay claim to the immortality manifested by consuming fiery rebirths (as does the mythological bird), she possesses a fiery spirit and is consumed by love for her grandchild (Wampler 4 June 2013). Phoenix Jackson is wise, confident, fearless, tenacious, courageous, and has a clear goal in mind, which is to get her grandson’s medicine despite any obstacle that she may face. Phoenix Jackson can be summed up in one word which is noble. All women should have the characteristics of Phoenix Jackson but some of those characteristics are being lost with the evolving society. Phoenix Jackson is an elderly African American woman walking into town on a cold winter morning to get medicine for her sick grandson. One aspect of Phoenix’s likeness to the mythical phoenix is their journey before they die. The Natchez Trace is an old highway that runs from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi (Natchez Trace 27 May 2013). By 1800 it was the busiest in the American South (Natchez Trace 27 May 2013). Phoenix lives â€Å"a way back off the Old Natchez Trace,† which indicates that the journey along with the fact that it is December is difficult for her (A Worn Path n. d. ). The obstacles she faces shows how deeply she cares and sacrifices for her grandson. At the end, when we are told she â€Å"began on the stairs, going down† it indicates that she is faced with a return journey as difficult as the one she has just completed (A Worn Path n. d. ). She is also between 80-100 years old which further magnifies the intensity of her journey and the tragic situation of her grandson’s dependence on her. Like many people who have lived to be Ms. Jackson’s age, they gain strength from the years of trials and experiences in their lives. Ms. Jackson was unschooled, black and a woman who grew up during the depression and slavery years. This along with her many years on earth have made her cautious, strong willed and driven. Phoenix’s appearance is yet another aspect of her likeness to the phoenix. At the beginning of the story, Phoenix is described as having a â€Å"golden color [running] underneath [her skin], and the two knobs of her cheeks were illuminated by a yellow burning under the dark† (A Worn Path n. d. ). Welty further describes Phoenix’s hair as being tied back in a â€Å"red rag† (A Worn Path n. d. ). These images cannot be taken to be a mere coincident as the phoenix from the ancient Egyptian legend is described as having a beautiful red and gold plumage. Furthermore, Phoenix’s eyes are said to be â€Å"blue with age† (A Worn Path n. d. ). This description is the first of many that give an indication of her age. The phoenix is a bird that matures to an extreme age before it bursts into flame and is reborn from the ashes. Welty also employs some rather unusual imagery, in which she describes Phoenix’s skin as having â€Å"a pattern all its own of numberless branching wrinkles as though a whole little tree stood in the middle of her forehead† (A Worn Path n. d. ). All of these ties back in with the age the phoenix grows to. During the 1940’s women’s roles and expectations in society were changing rapidly. Previously women had very little say in society and were stereotyped to stay home, have babies, to be a good home maker and wife. Modern day women have it so easy compared to women in the 1940’s. Women today have many career opportunities that were not open to women of the 20th century. In fact, the great majority of women were illiterate because it was assumed that they didn’t need to read if all the work they would do in life was raise children. Women of the 21st century have access to dozens of labor-saving devices that allow them to do housework in a fraction of the time that it took women in the olden days (Women’s Rights). Women today use birth control to plan the size of their families. Centuries ago, it was not unheard of for women to have 11 children, and childbirth was the single highest cause of death for women in their 20s and 30 (Women’s Rights). Women in these times live under a justice system that tries to stop domestic violence, whereas women in 1808 were the property of their husbands, who could do whatever they liked without penalty (Women’s Rights). No policeman or judge would ever think a man had done wrong if he ‘had’ to beat his wife to get her to behave. Modern women control their own finances. Women two hundred years ago were unable to sign for a bank loan without a male consenting to co-sign (Women’s Rights). They were judged incapable of owning property, even to the point that any property that they brought with them into their marriage or inherited from their father was immediately transferred to the safe keeping of their husbands (Women’s Rights). If he then turned it into cash and invested it in a business deal that went bad, the wife had no recourse to recover the money. Women were only given the vote in 1920 (Women’s Rights). Before that, they had no say whatsoever in the laws that were passed that affected their lives. In a few ways, modern women have a harder time than women of yesteryear. Today some women move so far from home that their social and family networks break down. It appears that women living in the 21st century have it vastly easier than women of the 1940’s, although not in every case. Phoenix Jackson was a very rare woman during her time and she is unlike the modern women of today. Not many women today or even back then would do what she did for her grandson. Most women are focused on their careers and would send their husband or nanny to get the medicine for their child. Phoenix Jackson sacrificed a lot because of the love she had for her grandson. Phoenix Jackson’s courage and tenacity are illustrated repeatedly as she faces crisis after crisis during her journey –a frozen day in December, animals in the thicket, hills, thorny bushes, creeks, barbed-wire fences, a com field maze, superstition, a hunter’s gun, a tower of steps, her own forgetfulness, and failing physical health–all obstacles to be overcome (Wampler 4 June 2013). And that’s what Phoenix Jackson does (Wampler 4 June 2013).