Essay on Exploring the Importance and Purpose of School

It is common that most people believe success means having a high-powered job and earning a lot of money. However, to a great extent, success is defined as a situation in which a person has achieved his/her goal and is able to support him/herself morally and financially after completing the educational process. In school thorough a good education, students learn how to plan to achieve their goals. They also learn how to think critically and creatively, and improve the other skills they need. By exploring different subjects and fields they recognize their interests and abilities which lead them to achieve success. In schools students are encouraged to overcome their weaknesses through their strengths. John Gatto is imprudent when he stated†¦show more content†¦However, teachers try to teach their students to think critically by encouraging them to ask questions like â€Å"Why do I think that†, â€Å"What would happen if...†, or â€Å"How are these two things di fferent† before doing any projects or learning any new subjects. The other skill which is taught in school is problem solving skill which seems to be related to critical thinking. As Albert Einstein believes, â€Å"We cant solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them† (Harris). Thinking in a critical way, evaluating and understanding the relationship among the problem give a person a new perspective to look at the problem differently in order to solve it. Learning to communicate effectively with others is another skill which is taught to the students. Doing presentation is a very common and good example for building students’ communication skills. Almost every subject in secondary school requires presentations, and as a result, the students learn how to communicate with peers through discussions and gathering information. These skills prepare students to pursue future opportunities beyond secondary school. Most schools offer stud ents variety of courses that they can choose from, but the majority of students don’t have any ideas of what they might be interested in and what they should pursue in future life. They can’t blindly predict what they would enjoy until they have enough information. Confused students can get helpShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of The Personal Development For Citizenship Education1220 Words   |  5 PagesThe Importance of the Personal Development Purpose to Citizenship Education I believe there is an immense responsibility on a Social Studies teacher to develop good and responsible students who value their identity and citizenship. The Alberta Social Studies curriculum emphasizes that, â€Å"the dynamic relationship between citizenship and identity forms the basis for skills and learning outcomes in the program of studies† (Alberta Education 2005, p. 3). How a teacher chooses to explore the relationshipRead MoreTechnology Ethics in the Classroom Essay704 Words   |  3 PagesTechnology in the classroom is important to assist in the learning process; however this is creating new challenges for teachers. Teachers are now required to educate students on the importance of technology ethics. Computer ethics is the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers and networks (Shelly, G, Gunter, G, and Gunter, R 2012). Ethics in the classroom also requires teachers to explain what plagiarism is and the proper way for students to give credit for informa tion attained fromRead MoreThe Conflict Of Adolescence And Early Adulthood1037 Words   |  5 Pagesmove on with development. For the purpose of my study I will be analyzing the conflicts presented by Erikson for the periods of adolescence and early adulthood and how they compare to Jeffery Arnett’s (2002) newly proposed stage of development ‘emerging adulthood’. Who are you? Erikson’s (1968) fifth stage of psychosocial development is the stage of finding oneself: the conflict of identity versus confusion. During this transitional period one is exploring his or her own identity while leavingRead MorePolice Officer s Reputation Is Ruined And People1632 Words   |  7 Pageseducational programs in schools and communities, hold town meeting sessions between the people who live in the town and police officers, the last recommendation would be is that police officers would be required to wear body-mounted cameras while on duty. According to the Huffington post, children and teenagers that live in high crime rate areas, tend to have problems with police officers because they do not trust them. I think once at child is old enough to attend school, all elementary, middleRead MoreThe Physical Appearance Of Victims Of Teen Bullying850 Words   |  4 Pagespercentage of victims tend to engage in school avoidance behaviors, and many repeated victims of bullying at school end up dropping out of the school system† (Merrell, Gueldner, Ross, Isava, 2008, p. 27). Psychological Functioning and Academic Achievement Although the most common associations linked with bullying are those of a physical and verbal nature, it can also affect victims psychologically. Interventions Because there are many components entangled in school bullying, a resolution cannot beRead MoreCommunication At The Pharmaceutical Industry1642 Words   |  7 Pagesindustry Introduction This researcher is exploring communication in the pharmacy industry. After some issues in the pharmacy industry have some to light, such as the meningitis outbreak of 2012, there is now a question of whether there is an issue with the communication inside the pharmaceutical industry. With an industry such as this an element such as communication is very important. During this project the researcher will examine the actual importance of communication in the industry and alsoRead MoreMontessori vs. Piaget Essay1477 Words   |  6 Pagesconservative family and decided that when she finished secondary school she would study science. This was very uncommon amongst women of her time and she was met with a lot of resistance from colleagues, but this never influenced her decisions or her educational path. Montessori later decided she would change her direction and become a medical doctor. She was the first woman in Italy to graduate medical school. Once graduating medical school Maria Mont essori never practiced medicine, but began to studyRead MoreApology Reflection989 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout high school, I was heavily involved in speech and debate, competing in the â€Å"sport† for three years. Although I faced many arduous challenges within the activity, I learned the importance of examining various aspects of life in a systematic and thorough way. Likewise, as I read Plato’s Apology, I began to realize that an essential part of simply living our lives is to also examine and dig deeper into our internal being. In fact, Socrates exclaimed that â€Å"an unexamined life is not worthRead MoreMy Philosophy Of Higher Education1118 Words   |  5 PagesToday there is a great demand for higher education. It is important for our society and economical development. Our younger generations need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate through life. Alfred Whitehead believed in the importance of utilizing knowledge and the need to get students interested in their work (Cahn, 2013, p. 211). Whitehead’s philosophy makes sense because I also believe that knowledge is something that students need early in life, in order for students to beRead MoreGraduation Speech : School As A Source Of Learning1560 Words   |  7 Pagesthe only one who notices the increasing disinterest in education in my school. Perhaps, I m simply overreacting to its inevitability. Maybe it s the brief conversations containing absurd amounts of grammatical errors and profanity that I often hear throughout the hallways, or the numerous students who admit to not caring about school that have led me to this conclusion: The majority of teenagers have lost interest in school as a source of learning. There is no need to take my word for it. Observe

Cancer The Common Forms Of Disease Worldwide - 982 Words

Cancer is one of the most common forms of disease worldwide; approximately 25 percent of deaths within the United States are related to cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers within men, while breast cancer is commonly diagnosed within women. The most common cancers observed in both men and women include pancreatic, and lung and bronchus cancers.1 Once a person has been diagnosed with cancer, the person may be advised to generally undergo the following treatment options: radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or a combination of the three therapies.2 The current issues that are associated with these treatments include low selectivity toward malignant cells, causing damage to healthy tissue and forcing the†¦show more content†¦Once the cell has become malignant, it is living under environmentally induced stress because of hypoxia and nutrient depletion. Malignant cells are dependent of autophagy for survival, and radiation promotes autophagy; thus, radiation promotes cancer.4 Current cancer treatments have high risks of harsh side effects and a high probability of reoccurring cancer. There is an urgent need for new anticancer therapies; compounds derived from the natural products of bacteria and fungi have been investigated as a possible solution. The natural product industry gained popularity around1970-1980 and the primary focus is to determine the structure of small molecule produced by fungi or bacteria; the ability to bind to macromolecular structures can be determined with the assistance of various biological assays.5 These secondary metabolites are derived from soil samples and studies determine if they may have clinical applications.6 This study seeks to investigate the natural products of Tolypocladium sp. strain Salcha-1 as possible therapeutic agents, with a particular interest with anticancer potential. Tolypocladim sp. produces few compounds; however, the genome of the fungus indicates that several secondary meta bolites are potentially producible. In attempt to retrieve these secondary metabolites, Tolypocladium sp. was co-incubated with a selection of heavy metals to induce environmental stress. When living with stressful conditions,

Political speech about Global warming free essay sample

We are gathered here today to discuss the near future of the world. We are joined here today to save that planet, we call home. A planet in a big crisis. A crisis which some people call global warming. A crisis so big that no human being will survive, if this global warming goes on. If this global warming goes on, will the world we know today, be another tomorrow. But what if that is some kind of rubbish the climate experts and the politicians try to make us, so called â€Å"normal† people, believe? I believe that the global warming isn’t a crisis, but is some kind of rubbish the climate experts and politicians try to make us believe. I believe that Mother Earth and all her creatures will never, never, never succumb, and they will never disappear. And you might think, â€Å"why doesn’t he believe in global warming? †, and I answer you, â€Å"because it never has existed†. We will write a custom essay sample on Political speech about Global warming or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page According to some American professors, Earth’s average temperature increases about every 100. 000 years with some few degrees, and for about 100. 000 years ago Earth’s average temperature increased, so it fits perfectly into the cycle. If that isn’t enough for you to believe what I say, maybe what I’m going to tell you now will. Before every ice age the temperature will also increase with some few degrees, so this increasing temperature could also be a sign of a new ice age. According to some other professors, there will go about 12. 000 years between every ice age, and for 12. 000 years ago there were an ice age, so a new ice age could soon happen, which I believe. So once again, this fits perfectly into the cycle. In the last 50 years there has been snow in almost every country in the world, only a few islands in the Pacific Ocean, a few countries in Africa and Southeast Asia hasn’t got any snow. Do you believe me know? I hope so, because you have nothing to be scared of. Mother Earth will never succumb. We will grow old together, we will get kids together, we will live happy together, no matter what the climate experts or politicians say. So forget all about the global warming, because it doesn’t exist. Live like you lived before, and live a long and happy life, because the global warming doesn’t exist.

The Affects Of Child Abuse Essay Research free essay sample

The Affects Of Child Abuse Essay, Research Paper The Affects of Child Abuse 1. One of the worst offenses in being today is child maltreatment and disregard. Not merely does child mistreat affect and ache a kid when it happens, but, it stays with that individual for the remainder of their lives. It is a offense that does non halt after it has occurred, but, goes on and on for of all time. This paper will discourse the horrid offense of kid maltreatment, and place why this is such a annihilating thing to go on to a kid. 2. Imagine for one minute that you are non yourself any longer. Visualize alternatively that you are a immature miss ; old plenty to cognize right from incorrect yet still immature plenty to be terrified by the dark shadows in your room. It is a cool fall dark and your parents have opted to go to a party which you are non allowed at. We will write a custom essay sample on The Affects Of Child Abuse Essay Research or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page ? It will be all right, ? they say. Although you already cognize what is to come. 3. Your uncle comes over to watch you for the eventide, and your parents are so pleased by the fact that they do non hold to happen a Sitter. Equally shortly as he arrives, your female parent kisses you on the cheek and scampers out the door to fall in your male parent already waiting in the auto exterior. The incubus begins. His slimed custodies casually slide a tape into the VCR as he smiles at you temptingly. You can experience his eyes writhing their regard through your apparels every clip that he looks at you. You feel soiled and profaned every clip you think about what he does to you when you are entirely. He walks over to the sofa and sits down following to you. His manus slithers its manner onto your articulatio genus and you cringe in repugnance. ? Don? T be afraid, I won? t injury you, ? he chides. 4. Your head feels panicky as you feel his touch in more intimate topographic points and you scream involuntarily. His clasp tightens as he places his manus over your oral cavity. ? We? ll have to make this the Smith 2 difficult manner! ? comes his intense susurration. You flail your weaponries at him, but it doesn? T aid. His wrestling monolithic organic structure is on top of yours, and you feel so powerless. Finally, you sink into a sobbing pile and merely wait for his passions to halt. You wait for the incubus to stop. When he is done, you limp to the wash room and seek unproductively to acquire the blood stains out of your apparels ( Reardon p.5-68 ) . 5. It is all your mistake # 8230 ; Abuse: The misdemeanor or befoulment of ; What you have merely experienced is one type of maltreatment that occurs 1000000s of times every twelvemonth across America. Estimates of maltreatment scope wildly depending on the beginning of 1s information. Estimates of chld maltreatment or neglice by parents or defenders range from about 1 out of every 100 kids to more than 1 out of every 7. At least 500,000 kids are physically abused in the United States each twelvemonth, and many more are emotionally abused and neglected.. ( Brittanica p.1 ) All beginnings agree on the simple truth that non about all instances of kid maltreatment are reported or even estimated. Many instances go unreported. 7. It is clear that households are undergoing a figure of of import structural alterations: households are smaller than in the yesteryear, with fewer kids and sometimes with lone one parent ; parents have kids at a ulterior age ; more twosomes live together without the bonds of marriage which was accepted as a sacred bond so few old ages in human history. The beginning of this debasement of such a basic unit of society is unknown throughout all countries of research. It is a inquiry that one individual needs to reply for himself and work out for himself. Something a immature kid is non capable of making. 8. Physical maltreatment has many signifiers. It may affect the striking or kicking of a kid with the fists or the pess, or with another object ; such as belts, shovels, alterations, ropes, electric cords, leather straps, canes, baseball chiropterans, sticks, broom grips, or assorted big objects. Other signifiers Smith 3 of maltreatment include the pouring of blistering H2O or java on a kid? s organic structure, keeping a kid? s caput under the H2O of a lavatory bowl, stuffed into running rinsing machines, throwing a kid against a wall, agitating a kid with utmost force or puting parts of a kid? s anatomy on hot or firing objects to do hurting. Sometimes in utmost instances the shaking of a kid with such utmost force as an aggressive maltreater possesses can do terrible encephalon harm as the encephalon is crushed from repeated impact against the skull. This type of hurt is particularly detrimental in babes and little kids. Cipher knows exactly how many kids die each twelvemonth from physical maltreatment at the custodies of grownups. Many times when physical maltreatment is caused by a parent or defender, the kid is non taken for medical aid, even when lesions or hurts are really severe. When they are taken into the infirmary it is normally by a secondary member of the household, one who may non hol d caused the maltreatment but did non halt it either. This type of individual might be called a facilitator. In the yesteryear, there was much more subject in places and schools so there is today. That is what the authorities sees. Many people see it as maltreatment if the kid International Relations and Security Network # 8217 ; t Lear ning from it. Many experts think that awful force per unit areas on today? s household are partially to fault for the surplus of maltreatment in today? s households. Physical maltreatment is termed sexual maltreatment when it involves the show or touching of genital organ or anything which is non a comfy portion of a normal individual to individual contact. This brings us to our following signifier of Child maltreatment, that of Sexual or exploitative maltreatment. 9. Sexual maltreatment is described as those activities by an older individual for his or her sexual satisfaction without consideration for the kid? s psycho-social sexual development. Besides, as contacts or interactions between a kid and an person of higher power when the kid is being used for the sexual stimulation of that grownup or another. There are many classs of sexual maltreatment, these include ; incest, paedophilia, exhibitionism, molestation, sex ( statutory colza ) , sexual sadism, and kid erotica. Many times work forces or adult females who abuse kids were Smith 4 abused when they were immature. In this manner, maltreatment is really much a ego carry throughing prognostication, or circle job. Historically, sexual maltreatment was non every bit much of a job as it is in modern times. Incidences of sexual maltreatment are highest in urbanised technologically advanced societies. We hold this to be self apparent because the basic demand of the sexual thrust is denied a constructive ( at least, less destructive ) mercantile establishment in modern society. In other civilizations and times, harlotry was a valid signifier of employment, and this niche provided an built-in mercantile establishment for cognoscente of sex. ( I.e. nymphomaniacs, and ironists ) . Without this vent work forces with sexual defeat may turn to the less reactive kid as sexual quarry. Due to the black market harlotry of kids, a 12 twelvemonth old male child can gain upwards of a thousand dollars per twenty-four hours selling himself on the streets of Los Angeles. Sexual maltrea tment can hold terrible effects on the mental development of a kids. 10. Mental Abuse of a kid can affect several different activities. These can affect the common verbal signifiers, i.e. shouting, disregard, changeless abuses, etc. They besides involve certain signifiers of mental anguish and disregard. Mental maltreatment is one of the most detrimental signifiers of maltreatment, because unlike colza or other signifiers of sexual or physical maltreatment, mental maltreatment will be with you all of your life. I would offer this analogy to cast visible radiation on what I am seeking to pass on here. Physical and sexual maltreatment are like barriers in the route of life. They are at that place for a piece, but you get over them finally. Mental maltreatment, on the other manus, catalyzes the disenchantment of the position of the street. If person is ever dissing you, ever stating you that you are no good: so with clip, your head becomes accustomed to it, and begins to believe it. This particularly is a detrimental effect for immature kids and babies, who are as dependent upon mental support as they are for their physiological demands. It is an arrant misdemeanor of such a relationship. Mental abuse non merely affects the kid, and the household, but society as a whole. In one of my interviews I received the undermentioned response to the inquiry ; What do you experience is the greatest misconception about Smith 5 maltreatment in today # 8217 ; s society? This brings us to our concluding country of treatment on the topic of kid maltreatment, that of disregard. 11. Disregard is the most prevailing signifier of child ill-treatment. Neglect is the improper withholding of a kid? s basic demands. Food, Water, Shelter, Clothing ; these are all things that a kid needs to populate an effectual life in today? s society. To deny a kid these things is to go forth him lower on the ladder of demands than he or she would conceivably be otherwise. Disregard is by far more outstanding than any other signifiers of kid ill-treatment, but, continually it is the least outstanding scoundrel in kid abuse advertisement strategies. Why are people so unwilling to acknowledge this job? Why do Americans systematically look abroad and across boundary lines when directing their charitable contributions? The job is here! It is non imagined. Unlike the devils who lurk in the darkness of kids? s cupboards, this scoundrel will non disappear at the somersault of a light switch. Many of these kids do non hold their ain cupboards or visible radiations. 12. In decision, this paper has gone over the most of import points and facts about the different types of kid maltreatment and what their affects are on kids. It has tried to cast some visible radiation on this mute about, and shunned topic. The reply to the inquiry which was posed at the beginning of this paper is obscure a best and unanswerable at worst. Child maltreatment has ever been around, and it ever will be about every bit long as other people care more about themselves, than about others. The aureate regulation is the ultimate reply, the most dignified pursuit. The last hundred old ages have merely brought about alterations in the treatment, description, and definition of kid maltreatment. These things have helped make off with child maltreatment significantly, but the obliteration of this most curst of diseases is non in the sight of those who look to the hereafter.

William Sheldon

The eNotes Blog eNotes Book ClubWater

Book ClubWater For this installment of our book club series, we chose the theme of â€Å"water.† If youre looking for stories that capture the fluidity of life and the beauty of nature, read on! â€Å"Tenth of December† by George Saunders Having just finished Lincoln in the Bardo, Id been wanting to read more stories by George Saunders. So, once we settled on the theme of â€Å"Water,† I grabbed the office copy of Tenth of December, opened to the titular short story, saw the mention of a pond, and away we went. Saunders prose style imitates the flow of thought in novel ways, revealing emotion and humor through wordplay, syntax variations, and point of view. In brief, Tenth of December is set in a park during winter and tells the story of a young boy and a middle-aged man who manage to help each other through their respective crises. While a few of us thought parts of the story were almost too sad, the group all felt the power of this emotional read. Its still unclear to us just how his writing had us suddenly full of tears right after belly laughing- and then back again. We found the style dazzling, the tone fascinating, and the way Saunders writes feeling as distinctly human. All in all, this piece- or another of his (yes, please read Fox 8)- is definitely worth reading. - Wes â€Å"A Guide to Sirens† by Lee Conell In response to this prompt, my first urge was to find a mermaid story. When that search brought up nothing but children’s stories, I tried â€Å"underwater.† Then â€Å"rain.† Then â€Å"beach.† I was dismayed and frustrated to find that my broad, atmospheric search terms were bringing up short stories focusing on failed marriages and/or divorced couples. Which is why, in my frustration, I was glad to find â€Å"A Guide to Sirens.† Though the story is (inevitably) about a divorced man, it seems to poke fun at the tired trope of failed love by introducing a semi-supernatural element to the mix. We enjoyed theorizing about the story: Is our protagonist led to his death by a siren? Is it an exploration of a depressed man’s imagination? Or, digging a little deeper, is â€Å"A Guide to Sirens† the story of this man’s suicide? As much as we enjoyed discussing our theories and predictions, we didn’t love Conell’s writing. Many of us felt her stiff, wordy language tries too hard and says more than needed; one of us described her language choice as â€Å"fake deep.† The dialogue is clunky, the characters surface-level, and overall, we felt Conell’s story lacks direction. â€Å"A Guide to Sirens† is a quick read, but don’t expect to be blown away by the prose. - Kate â€Å"A Perfect Day for Bananafish† by J. D. Salinger â€Å"A Perfect Day for Bananafish† is the first story in J. D. Salinger’s Nine Stories collection and is easily his most famous short story. I assigned this after reading Kate’s pick since both stories’ setting and mood had interesting parallels for us to explore. In â€Å"Bananafish,† we meet Muriel Glass as she’s on the phone with her mother, hiding from the Florida sun in her hotel room. While they discuss Muriel’s husband, Seymour, you get a sense of looming drama and foreboding regarding his disturbing actions, past and present, and mental state. We then find ourselves lounging with Seymour in a robe on the beach. He goes for a dip in the ocean with Sybil, a young girl, where the title of the piece is revealed on their hunt for Bananafish. After Sybil says she spots one, Seymour kisses her feet and abruptly leaves for his hotel room, where he shoots himself in the head with a pistol. This was the first read through for the group, and I was so excited to share it with them. A member praised this story as a â€Å"masterclass in showing not telling† due to the tight, believable dialogue- especially the opening scene with Muriel and her mother. â€Å"Bananafish† is one of those stories that gives and gives the more and more you look, with a variety of at-times paradoxical opinions and takeaways from the story. With so many discussion possibilities, takes, and interpretations, I can’t recommend this story more for your classroom or next book club. - Sam A Quartet of American Nature Writers As we discussed the topic of water, I became interested in the ways water has been depicted in prose. For my selection, I found myself drawn to works that combine linguistic exuberance with exposition. The first piece I chose was the opening of Rachel Carson’s The Sea Around Us. She brings to her writing on marine topics a keen attention to the conclusions of science elevated by a grand, almost biblical tone: â€Å"Beginning are apt to be shadowy, and so it is with the beginnings of that great mother life, the sea.† Her fascination with origins lends the piece an awe-inspiring scope. Next, I selected chapter 58 of Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick. Although fictional, Moby-Dick so often verges into expository tangents on marine matters that I deemed its inclusion warranted- even necessary, given its influence on American letters. As the Pequot glides through the Indian Ocean, Ishmael evokes the oft-forgotten horrors of the sea: â€Å"Baby man may brag of his science and skill†¦ yet forever and ever, to the crack of doom, the sea will insult and murder him.† Henry David Thoreau’s Walden offers a more placid view of water, particularly in the chapter â€Å"The Ponds.† In clear, sensuous prose, Thoreau tells of the joys of Walden Pond, such as â€Å"fishing from a boat by moonlight, serenaded by foxes and owls.† Thoreau describes the night sky’s reflection the dark water, which makes his fishing line appear to glide upward, in the direction of his thoughts, â€Å"to vast and cosmogony themes in other spheres.† Finally, I chose a passage from Ann Zwinger’s Run, River, Run. Zwinger, like Thoreau, foregoes generality in favor of specificity. Her book centers on the Green River, which flows through Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Zwinger describes the river in prose that ranges from sharp observation to breathless awe to wry humor- the last of which can be seen in her description of the river’s confluence with the Colorado River: â€Å"There by Congressional proclamation, having fallen over 9,000 feet in 730 miles, the Green River ends.† - Zack â€Å"The Daughter Cells† by Daniel Mallory Ortberg I’ve been a huge fan of Ortberg’s writing since his days at The Toast and was thrilled with the opportunity to subject the bookclub to him. An immediately appealing aspect of â€Å"The Daughter Cells† is its unique approach to â€Å"water†- Ortberg’s underwater society is practical and utilitarian, and the literal liquidity of its borders is used to contextualize ideas of personal property rather than to describe the mystery and romance usually associated with mermaids. But, then, the heroine isn’t really a mermaid. â€Å"The Daughter Cells† is similar to Hans Christian Andersen’s â€Å"The Little Mermaid,† but it easily stands alone. It reads like a straightforward story told by an impatient older sibling; the depth of its world-building and the complexity of its themes seemed to sneak up on us. But once group discussion began, it felt like we could talk about this story for hours. Through the culture of his underwater society, Ortberg explores definitions of individuality, the confusion of necessary and unnecessary suffering, and the varying roles offered through different relationships. We enjoyed the multiple angles from which these topics were approached and the narrator’s colloquial- though somewhat condescending- relationship with the reader. And while there are places where the narrative voice is perhaps a bit much, there’s still the plain fun of Ortberg’s approach. For example, his heroine’s interaction with her unconscious prince on the beach seems hardly the stuff of fairy tales: She had never seen anyone who lived above water so placid before. It seemed eminently sensible, and so she decided to love him for it. She was delighted that she had been away from home less than a day and already she had found something useful to do. It’s just delightful. Our entire group found a lot to engage with, and everyone enjoyed the read, so we can recommend this one wholeheartedly. - Caitlin â€Å"Brawler† by Lauren Groff After hearing stories of oceans, lakes, and ponds, Lauren Groff’s â€Å"Brawler† took our book club to a different setting of water- a pool. I can only describe the short story from The New Yorker as a coming-of-age snapshot. Though the story lacks a plot, it effectively evokes feeling. It’s one of those reads that may be best to just let it wash over you and take from it what you will. We are introduced to Sara as she’s arriving late to a diving meet, knuckles bloodied from a fight she had with a boy in her class. Through a series of actions and flashbacks, we learn Sara doesn’t have many friends, often gets into trouble, and has assumed the role of a caretaker at home. The theme and imagery of water is flows throughout this entire story. Water is the place where Sara finds solace. It’s associated with the memory of her father, it’s where she excels as a diver, and it’s the only place where she can feel weightless. Our discussion sparked concerns for what will become of Sara. Some of us felt that she’ll figure it out, because of her strong will and independence. Others felt concern about the lack of guidance and support she receives at home, thus making her gravitate toward men who give her attention. Ultimately, we decided that Sara recognizes that she’s transitioning into womanhood, perhaps both physically and emotionally. Regardless of what that transition will bring, we feel confident she’ll survive anything because she is a â€Å"brawler.† - Savannah

Louis XIV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Louis XIV - Essay Example Also important was his concept of himself which enabled him to rule by Divine right, and the philosophies of the time that supported his notions. Louis was five years old when he sat on the throne with the regency of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, against whom the nobles and the Paris Parlement (a powerful law court), rose in 1648 at the beginning of the long civil war known as the Fronde.In the course of this war, Louis suffered humiliation,poverty, misfortune, fear, cold, and hunger, because he had to often leave his place in Paris and go into hiding for his own safety.These early experiences led him to have a lifelong mistrust in the nobility, they taught him that the nobility was one of the greatest threats to a French king and inspired him to set about implementing his absolutist concepts. Being a devout Catholic, he had no trouble in imagining that he was an agent ordained by God himself to rule the kingdom and made great efforts to cultivate an image for himself that was based on myth and legend, as well as on reason and political legitimacy. Louis chose the sun as his personal emblem, signifying that he was the source of all benevolence in the kingdom and that the entire world, including the nobles, revolved around him, and he soon came to be known across all Europe as the "Sun King". "On June 5th, 1662, a procession of monkeys, bears, nobles, and slaves, spiralled through the streets of Paris in celebration of the glory of Louis XIV. ......the king was represented as the serene and uncontested master of the world; each noble carried a shield bearing a device which affirmed his absolute subjugation to Louis Dieu-donne figured as the sun." (Lynn, 1998) Louis' concept received further legitimacy in his status as agent of God in the work of those like Thomas Hobbes and Jacques-Bnigne Bossuet, who argued that monarchy was the most natural and ancient form of government , and since kings receive their power and sanction from God, their authority was absolute and unchallenged. "The power of God makes itself felt in a moment from one extremity of the earth to another. Royal power works at the same time throughout all the realm. It holds all the realm in position, as God holds the earth. Should God withdraw his hand, the earth would fall to pieces; should the king's authority cease in the realm, all would be in confusion." (Bossuet, 1679) This belief in absolute authority, a megalomania of sorts, reinforced the monarch's stance on the nobility, as they represented a threat to his power and security on the throne.Nobles before Louis' reign were feudal lords, and had the means to raise private armies. This was because the lesser nobles acted as the king's agents and in his name collected taxes, posted edicts and dispensed justice. They and their overlords, the higher nobility, provided armies to the king in times of war as the kings before Louis did not possess a standing army of their own. The higher nobles could also build their own fortifications, which gave them the power to hold their ground if they rose against the king.Louis realized that if the nobility continued to hold so much influence, not only will they tend to rebel and create disorder, he himself would be accorded the status of first among equals, and this he found totally