King Arthur Literary Analysis Essay

The name King Arthur appears throughout a countless amount of literature, stories, cinema, and legend. King Arthur has always been a long-standing icon of heroism, and heroism is a theme mankind takes pleasure in romanticizing. Arthurian Romance is the classic example of good versus evil, knights in shining armor, forbidden love, and sorcery; the basic elements of a romanticized tale. And in a dark time where religion clashed, empires fought in epic battles, and the people of Britain suffered from poverty and disease, Arthurian legend was needed to lift the spirits of the hopeless. Arthurian Romance is an accurate portrayal of the time period better known as the Medieval Ages because it takes the woes and misfortunate events of that time and twists them into a heroic soap opera full of love, tragedy, and triumph. The Medieval Ages began around 476 AD, when the Roman emperor of the West abdicated. The period ends in the late fifteenth century with the discovery of the New World. During this period, different nations conquered and collapsed, society changed, and religion was further divided. During the Middle Ages, the Holy Roman Empire had begun an effort to occupy Britain. They wanted to drive out the Anglo-Saxons and convert the Pagans to Catholicism. A long lasting relic of Roman involvement in Britain is Hadrian’s Wall, which was a heavily fortified wall running west to east and was probably used to keep barbarian tribes out and regulate trade and passage into Romano-Britain territory. Along with military involvement, Rome also spread Catholicism to a Pagan Britain. Catholicism involves a hierarchy of religious leaders, with the Pope at the top. There are also bishops, priests, monks, and nuns who are apart of the clergy. Other than the clergy, Medieval society was composed of nobles, knights and serfs. Nobles commonly owned fiefs, an estate of land, and the serfs who worked there. Knights were employed to guard the fief and fight wars with other nobles. This was called Feudalism. When nobles declared a war on each other, many different warfare tactics were used to take down castles. Siege warfare was common, in which scaling ladders, battering rams, siege towers and catapults were utilized in order to enter a fortress. Infantry included archers and cavalry, and there was a broad assortment of weapons used; daggers, long swords, crossbows, throwing axes, clubs, maces, halberds, lances, and many more. While knights commonly fought for a noble or king, a group of fearsome knights known as the Templar Knights fought in the crusades for religious conquest. The Templar Knights are associated with King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail, and some of the knights of the round table are portrayed wearing a large red cross on their breastplate (which is the symbol of the Templar Knights). Knights were also involved with jousting. Jousting was a martial game between two knights mounted on horses and using lances. This was often part of a chivalrous tournament or used as a military tactic of heavily armed cavalry. Knights and nobles also were encompassed in courtly love, a conception of nobly and chivalrously expressing love and admiration. Courtly love often did not take place between a husband and wife. Instead, a man would shower another woman in gifts and symbols of his love to her and they would keep their affair secret. A famous example of courtly love is the affair between Lancelot du Lac and Queen Guinevere. The Middle Ages had many lows. Many people associate these times with the Black Plague or the Bubonic Plague. When the Mongols from the east attacked Europe, they brought with them a terrible disease that wiped out about 138 million people. Also during the Middle Ages, there was decrease in scholarly thinking and the quality of art. Religion is blamed for stunting the growth of new ideas and inventions. In fact, religion is the overlying cause for many of the events of the Medieval Ages. The greatest dispute over religion was the East-West Schism that split Christianity into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. This split was born from disputes over whether the Pope could marry and iconoclasm (similar to worshipping false idols) and the use of local languages in church. They were even in dispute regarding the nature of God. The Crusades were another religious dispute. The Crusades were military campaigns undertaken by European Christians of the eleventh through the fourteenth centuries to take other the Holy Land and convert Muslims to Christianity. The First Crusade was a response to the Seljuk Turks conquering the â€Å"Holy Land† (present-day Israel and Palestine). However, most of these conquests were failures and achieved nothing except for interactions with the Arab world (in both beneficial and devastating ways). Lastly, there was the Inquisition. This was a formalized interrogation and persecution process of heretics (including satanic or witch-like behavior). Punishment for people suspected of heresy was torture and execution. The Church in the Middle Ages is clearly an influential factor of these times. The Medieval Ages also saw quite a bit of political changes. The Carolingian, established by Charles Martel, ruled present-day France, Belgium, Germany and Northern Italy. His grandson, Charlemagne established the Holy Roman Empire. In the North, Vikings and other Scandinavian became notorious for raiding Roman Catholic monasteries. In France, Vikings were referred to as Normans. They conquered Anglo-Saxon England in 1066. As mentioned before, Feudalism was the social, political, and economic system of the Middle Ages. England became a feudalistic society because there was not a unifying force bringing the people together. Many claims to the throne of all Britain were made, which is actually the premise of the King Arthur legend. Nobles and Kings owned land and had armies of Knights who pledged a code of chivalry to them. This was an honor system that strongly condemned betrayal and promoted mutual respect. In the Feudal society, only males could inherit the land. The land was passed down through primogeniture (to the eldest son). Noblewomen had limited rights. They could sometimes inherit fiefs but could not rule it. Noblewomen were only educated in domestic skills and were supposed to display feminine traits such as compassion and beauty. Peasants, male or female, had almost no rights. They couldn’t leave the manor without the permission of their lord. Over time, serfs (peasants) developed skills other than farming and slowly created a middle class that led Europe into the Renaissance. In the long run, all of these characteristics of the Medieval Ages are incorporated in the vast collection of Arthurian Romance. In the 1975 King Arthur Parody â€Å"Monty Python and The Holy Grail†, there is a scene that describes Arthur quite perfectly. In the scene, Arthur is traveling in a Feudal manor and comes across peasants working in a field outside of a castle. He asks a woman, â€Å"I am Arthur, King of the Britons. Whose castle is that? † The peasant woman looks up and asks, â€Å"King of the who? † Arthur repeats himself to which she replies, â€Å"Who are the Britons? † Arthur, stumped by her ignorance, tells her, â€Å"Well, we all are. We’re all Britons and I am your king. † The peasant woman shrugs and says, â€Å"I didn’t know we had a king. I thought we were an autonomous collective! † They argue about this for a moment and then the woman asked, â€Å"Well, how did you become king then? † Arthur dramatically respond with, â€Å"The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am your king! † Another peasant nearby shouts, â€Å"Listen — strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony! † The meaning of the scene is that at the time King Arthur was created as a legend to legitimize the unifying king of Britain that would pull the people out of the Dark Ages. The punch line is that the land was so divided from feudalism and nobles trying to claim a non-existent throne that no one really took anyone seriously. However, Arthurian Romance became the bedtime story born out of the fantastical notion that Britain could be amalgamated into a strong empire. But let’s start at the beginning of the Arthurian legend. In most legends, Uther Pendragon is portrayed as Arthur’s father and Igraine as his mother. In Sir Thomas Malory’s The Crowning of King Arthur, the prophet Merlin helps a love-stricken Uther get with Igraine for a night. Arthur is born, but part of the agreement with Merlin was to have Arthur raised by another. Many years pass in which Arthur does not know his own nobility until he by chance, pulls the famous sword in the stone (the legend goes: â€Å"Who so Pulleth Out This Sword of this Stone and Anvil, is Rightwise King Born of all England. † (Malory, 1069)). Young Arthur accepts his role as King and unites Britain, defeats the Saxons, and establishes Camelot. In the first fictional story of Arthur’s life (Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the kings of Britain) by Geoffrey of Monmouth), Arthur is placed into a post-Roman Britain. Geoffrey uses the same fable of Arthur’s birth through the deception of Igraine. In this legend, Arthur also defeats the Saxons but he also expands his empire to Norway, Denmark and Gaul, and defeats Roman armies in order to do this. In the end, Arthur returns to Britain to defeat his nephew Modredus (Mordred) who was left in charge of Britain but betrayed Arthur. Arthur is mortally wounded, taken to Avalon and it is implied he passed away. Arthurian legend, however, is not only about Arthur. There are many huge characters in the stories. One widely known knight is Sir Lancelot du Lac. Lancelot is a tragic figure in Arthurian Romance. He was a Knight of the Round Table and one of King Arthur’s closest friends. His tragedy is that he was in love with Arthur’s wife, Guinevere. Lancelot was the son of the King Ban on Benwick and Elaine, but he was raised by the Lady of the Lake (â€Å"du lac† actually means â€Å"the lake†). The Lady of the Lake sent Lancelot off to become a Knight of the Round Table. In doing so, he meets and instantly falls in love with Guinevere. Their affair ultimately proves to be destructive. Lancelot is actually tricked by Elaine of Corbenic and sleeps with her, thinking it is Guinevere. When Guinevere hears of this, she is repulsed and banishes Lancelot. Later, Lancelot returns to assist Arthur in the quest for the Holy Grail. Other characters in Arthurian legend are Merlin and Morgaine. Merlin is sometimes a prophet, sometimes a magician, and always an advisor to King Arthur. Merlin’s earliest character depiction was as a bard driven mad by the terrors of war, who become a â€Å"man of the woods†. However, Geoffrey of Monmouth based his Merlin on Myrddin Wyllt (a prophet and a madman) and Aurelius Ambrosius (a fictional version of the historical war leader Ambrosius Aurelianus. Morgaine (also Morgan le Fay) is a sorceress in Arthurian legend. She is the half-sister of Arthur and the daughter of Igraine. In both The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley) and The Vulgate Cycle (13th century French prose) tell of how Morgaine lives in Avalon (mystical island in Arthurian legend) and trains under Merlin and the Lady of the Lake. Again in the Mists of Avalon, Morgaine is credited with having an unknown affair with Arthur. She gives birth to Mordred, who, in the end, turns out to be the enemy and murderer of King Arthur. In Arthurian Romance, King Arthur’s court is called Camelot. Camelot is where the Knights of the Round Table dwell and it is described as being a utopian land of beauty and peace. Throughout literature, Camelot has been located in many different areas of Britain, giving it no grounded location. An easy way to understand the basic ideology of Camelot, one can compare the presidency of John F.  Kennedy to the term Camelot. His presidency was regarded as a guarantee for a successful future, just like King Arthur gave Britain hope and unification. Kennedy’s assassination is like the fall of Arthur in that both had short lasting but wonderful terms in power that set the bar high for the future. Ultimately, these characters and concepts stem from Medieval life and paint a portrait of what the goals of Middle Age rulers wanted for society at the time. All Arthurian Romance contains the same specific elements: enchantment, quest, conquest, heroic behavior, utopian society, fatal passion and love. These elements, applied with Medieval life and history, equals a solid Arthurian story. The best example of all of these elements is The Crowning of Arthur from Le Morte d’Arthur (Malory, 1065). In the story, Arthur is conceived through the enchantment Merlin uses on Igraine to trick her into thinking Uther Pendragon is her husband, the Duke. Uther, who is fatally in love with Igraine, makes a deal with Merlin in that he will give the child he and Igraine produce to the wizard. Baby Arthur is taken away and grows up with Sir Ector, whom he grows to love as a father. The next part of the story is about the sword in the stone. In the story, â€Å"many of the nobles tried to pull the sword out the stone† (1069), but failed. When Arthur is sent to find Sir Kay (Ector’s son) a sword, he unknowing grabs the legendary sword from the stone and tugs it free without any effort. When Arthur comes back with the famous sword, everyone is in awe and asks him to demonstrate for them that he really pulled it. To their surprise, it is true. They ask Arthur to assume the role of king and he agrees, establishing the utopian court of Camelot. Le Morte d’Arthur is â€Å"the carefully constructed myth of the rise and fall of a powerful kingdom — a legendary kingdom, but perhaps also, obliquely, the real English kingdom which in Malory’s day seemed as surely doomed by its own corruption as the ancient realm of King Arthur† (Cliffs Notes). What this means is that Arthur’s court reflects the realistic courts of actual kings because it eventually falls. The Crowning of Arthur seems naive in that a boy who just so happens to pull a sword from a stone makes him king. In the end, his kingdom falls. Crowning only sets it up. The outcome of the Arthurian Legend is quite similar to the reality of kingdoms in England of the Middle Ages, which proves Arthurian Romance is an accurate portrayal. Another story from Le Morte d’Arthur is called Sir Launcelot du Lake. It is a hectic story about Lancelot’s adventure, kidnapping, and battles with enemy knights. In the story, Lancelot decides he is fed up with his ennui and decides to go out with his nephew, Sir Lyonel. Possibly due to enchantment, Lancelot declares, â€Å"not for seven years have I felt so sleepy† (1074) and he lies down for a nap. When he awakes, he realizes three women have kidnapped him. They tell him he has to pick one of them or face his doom. Lancelot picks his death because his is loyal to his lover, Guinevere. Later, the daughter of King Badgemagus rescues him and in return he gives his services to the king. At the end of the story, Lancelot fights off Kind Badgemagus’ enemies. He displays incredible and fictitious strength when he â€Å"took another spear and unhorsed sixteen more men†¦ King of North Galys’ knight and, with his next, unhorsed another twelve† (1078). This story demonstrates chivalry and heroism, and exaggerates Lancelot’s abilities to fight. Literary critic Charles Moorman says â€Å"much of the Morte d’Arthur is thus concerned with revealing the corrupt reality beneath the fair chivalric surface. † However, Sir Launcelot du Lake contradicts that assumption by merely telling a simple story of a great knight who is loyal to his higher-up and to his lady. The story makes the knights of the Medieval Ages appear to bask in honor, goodness and strength. And in a way, they did in real life. Knights did have a strict code of chivalry as well as total loyalty to their nobles and their lovers. Again, this story gives merit to the fact Arthurian legend portrays Medieval society. The poem The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson is loose depiction of Arthurian Legend. In the poem, a woman is cursed to live in a tower and watch the world of Camelot from a mirror. â€Å"And moving through a mirror clear; That hangs before her all the year; Shadows of a world appear; There she sees the highway near; Winding down to Camelot† (verses 46 through 50). Then one day she sees Sir Lancelot riding in all his beauty and loveliness, and she decides she wants to leave the tower. The Lady of Shalott â€Å"left the web† (109) and gets into a boat. Unfortunately, she dies and floats on down to Camelot. Muriel Mellown says â€Å"she has chosen contact with Camelot, even at the price of her own destruction. † This quote illustrates that Camelot seemed like such a perfect utopian world that everyone sought its perfection and illustriousness. However, the Lady of Shalott kicks the bucket, similar to the way Camelot eventually falls. All good things never last. Lastly, a more modern and feminist take of Arthurian legend is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. In Mists, the story of Arthur is told through the worlds of Morgaine, Arthur’s half-sister. In the excerpt read in class, Morgaine and Arthur are children neglected by their parents. Morgaine realizes her role to be Arthur’s protector, even though she feels disdain towards the child at first. When she says, â€Å"Mother’s gone, she’s with the king, but I’ll take care of you, brother,† (1085), Morgaine displays a bond of love towards her little brother. Morgaine is also depicted as a strong feminine character in both this scene and the entire story. Although â€Å"this book†¦ wasn’t so much a retelling of the Arthurian legend but only a bunch of Arthurian characters sitting around arguing about Christianity and Paganism,† (LaShawn), â€Å"Morgaine’s depiction as a powerful, savvy woman shows her to be the type of woman the feminists would champion as a prime example of what women should aspire to be, in spite of the biases still in place against them† (Ellis). Mists shines a new light and a new perspective on the events of the Medieval Ages, specifically the disputes of religion. It also represents how women did have influence over what happened in the kingdoms. In real life, noblewomen did have influence over the decisions their husbands made, though not legally. The Mists of Avalon yet again portrays a factor of the Medieval Ages. When push comes to shove, Arthurian Romance generally is regarded as a tall tale of a lost era. However, the tales depict a clear portrait of Medieval Life. Tragedy, honor, fatal passion and quest all dwell in the Middle Ages and Arthurian Romance. The characters of Arthurian Romance experience the tragedy of life like real life people and Camelot ends up failing, just like many of the empires and kingdoms of the world. The stories represent the dark times of the Medieval Ages and show that nothing is perfect. Therefore, Arthurian Romance is an accurate portrayal of the Medieval Ages.

Compae

Today the United States of America has a very large constructed government that has been influenced through the ages. The Greeks romans and Judeo-Christian traditions had the biggest impact on our government today though due to the way they began their governments. Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian cultures had similar ideas about laws and individual duties that have influenced us today. The Greeks just like United States use three branches of government, they carry out laws through their executive branch and the legislative branch passes laws.The leader was chosen by lot today the president is chosen by popular vote. Judeo-Christian, Greek and Roman cultures also had differences in their views of law, reason and faith and individual responsibilities. In Judeo-Christian law, reason and faith are based on the Word of God. They believe in only one God, saying he is the creator of all things. Greco-Roman beliefs dealt with more logic. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle believed in a su preme God but this was because of mythology where the people preferred to create their own gods.As far as law and reason, in Greece; philosophy ruled and in Roman the opinion of Caesar ruled. Greeks viewed law as something that was developed by common sense and over time through civilized logic and experience. Jews and Christians viewed laws as coming from a god. The duties of individuals under Judeo-Christian view is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all you mind and all your soul and to love your neighbor as yourself. Greco-Roman is that only Roman citizens are to be considered people and treated as people.Greeks considered those outside of Athens to be ignorant and not worth their time. These three cultures have influenced the way we think about laws even now today. We use the Judeo-Christians ideas about individual worth, ethical controllers, and the need to fight injustice. These ideals continue to be extremely important to United States government still today. This all taught us that representation and citizen participation are important features of democratic governments around the world. Romans were the first ones to give the world an idea of a republic.They had the first written legal code and idea that this code should be applied equally and impartially to all citizens. On the other hand the Greeks invented the first democracy in the ancient world. All in all these three cultures of Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian had one thing in common; they all influenced our government today. Even though all of them are extremely different and have different ideas based on law, faith, and tradition they are all a lot alike. They are all influential in positive ways and we owe it all to them for creating the government we have today in the United States.

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The Circumstances of Life and the Way People Live Largely Determine Their Health - Essay Example It is these types of circumstance which can lead to significant health problems, and it is these that the wider public health workforce needs to identify and address to improve public health. There are also much more secretive factors that are involved in health outcomes, such as marital status, income and the area in which you live (Blas et al, 2010). These types of areas also need to be involved in any significant discussion of the topic, as a good understanding of these factors could lead to an improvement in public health provisions as well as a reduction in hospitalizations and bad health for the general population. Taking this into account, it should be noted that the purpose of this essay is to cover the circumstances which affect public health outcomes, and how these are tackled by the literature. It will use this information to analyze and evaluate ways in which public health workers can build upon the knowledge provided to help prevent these problems and improve general pub lic health, with further references to relevant literature in the field. By doing this, it will become evident that there are areas in which public health workers can operate to tackle adverse life circumstances to improve the general health outcomes of the public. It has long been known that there are lifestyle factors that either decrease or increase the personal risk of disease and mortality. These have been an object of some interest by the public health community, as this type of epidemiology is, in theory, preventable and could bring several different benefits to the population, not least economically (Shaw, 1999). Research in this area is important because a focus on preventable health outcomes is one major way in which the wider public health force can identify and address adverse life circumstances to improve health.

Speech - The Meaning of Life Essay Example for Free

Speech The Meaning of Life Essay Is human life just a dream, from which we never really awake, as some great thinkers claim? Are we submerged by our feelings, by our loves and hates, by our ideas of good, bad, beautiful, and awful? Are we incapable of knowing beyond those ideas and feelings? Is the reality we know a reality imposed to us by nature? Are the reality and the meaning of life a creation of men, such as music, or love or colors? When I consider the short duration of my life, swallowed up in the eternity that lies before and after it, when I consider the little space I fill and I see, engulfed in the infinite immensity of spaces of which I am unaware, I rest frightened, and astonished, for there is no reason why I should be here rather than there. Who has put me here? By whose order and direction have this place and time have been ascribed to me? Love gives meaning to our lives as do friendship, or art or faith in God. These are factors of true happiness, of inner peace, of feelings of harmony, allowing meaning to our existence. But there is the other side. There is the cruelty of life, the pain, the evil, not to talk of death. When the Tsimtsum sank, not only was Pi shoved face to face with the unknown, but he also lost his family, the core of his human context. Instead, he had to try to survive. Life of Pi is a story about struggling to survive through seemingly insurmountable odds. Throughout the novel, characters are seeking the meaning of life. Pi abandons his lifelong vegetarianism and eats fish to sustain himself. Orange Juice, the peaceful orangutan, fights ferociously against the hyena. Even the severely wounded zebra battles to stay alive; his slow, painful struggle vividly illustrates the sheer strength of his life force. As Martel makes clear in his novel, living creatures will often do extraordinary, unexpected, and sometimes heroic things to survive. However, they will also do shameful and barbaric things if pressed. Exactly like humans. It is between these pendulums the positive, the one that gives happiness and meaning, and the negative that our lives are lived. And when we meditate about all that, we arrive at a diverse and disagreeing set of thoughts about the meaning and purpose of life. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time and attention. I hope I have clarified the thoughts of some, to be aware of the vast world we live in and the astounding beings we truly are. Speak to others of your thoughts and knowledge; I am sure they will be willing to listen.

Conservation of Races Essay Example for Free

Conservation of Races Essay The United States of America, since its commencement, has been a â€Å"melting pot† of different nationalities. While the term melting pot sounds forthcoming, this is not the case in reality. Many times cultures collide due their differences in ideology, culture, and geographical proximity. Such culture clashes have marked the history of the United States. Race is usually thought of in the physical sense with difference in skin color, hair, facial features, and language. Although race usually follows along physical lines, it is much more far reaching and extends into the social and cultural beliefs. In the past, the dominant trend was to keep these beliefs separate, consequently increasing the feeling of racial unity and racism in society. History has shown us that man has used segregation as a method of not only keeping the peace, but also of keeping the purity of a race in tact. In 1897, an address to the Negro Academy entitled â€Å"The Conservation of Races,† W. E. B. Dubois states: â€Å"The question, then which we must seriously consider is this: What is the real meaning of Race; what has, in the past, been the law of race development, and what lessons has the past history of race development to teach the rising Negro people? I thought the caliber of Dubois’ intelligence and boldness to ask the question was compelling. Throughout this essay I will explore and illustrate how Dubois comes to answer the questions, which he asked his audience. I found it easier to dissect the complex question into three separate questions. First I will illustrate how Dubois defines race. Then I will pinpoint where the basis of the law of race development is formulated. Finally, he answers the question; what can lessons of past history of race development teach the rising Negro? W. E. B Dubois writes that he believes that the conservation of races is the cornerstone of keeping the Negro race pure and intact. Thus, for him, race preservation is not backed only with racial motives, but to help society better itself as a whole. The history of the world is outlined by the histories’ of different groups and races. He states, â€Å"If it be true the history of the world is the history, not of individuals, but of groups, not of nations, but of races, and he who ignores or seeks to override the race idea in human history ignores and overrides the central thought of history (pg.142). In The Conservation of Races Dubois stresses the importance of surveying the whole question of race. He criticizes a biological account of race. He claims that such an account is inadequate because it fails to explain both the wide variety of physical traits within a race and the physical likenesses shared by all humans. For example he states, â€Å"Many criteria of race differences have in the past been proposed, as color, hair, cranial measurements and language. And manifestly in each of these respects differ widely (pg 142)†. Instead, Du Bois proposes a definition of race based on sociohistorical criteria that emphasized cultural and political loyalty. He defines race as: a vast family of human beings, generally of common blood and language, always of common history, traditions and impulses, who are both voluntarily and involuntarily striving together for the accomplishment of certain more or less vividly conceived ideals of life (pg. 142). I would have to agree with Dubois that race is a combination of language, traditions, color, impulses, common blood and ideals of life. This is extremely evident in the anatomy of the world. You can have people who are physically, spiritually, politically, socially, etc. very different be members of the same race. â€Å"Although the wonderful developments of human history teach that the grosser physical differences of color, hair and bone go but a short way towards explaining the different roles which groups of men has played in Human Progress, yet there are differences- subtle, delicate, and elusive, though they may be which have silently but definitely separated men into groups† (pg 142). Here Du Bois suggest an ideal of the law of race development. He further adds, â€Å"At all times, however, they have divided human beings into races, which, while they perhaps transcend scientific definition nerveless, are clearly defined to the eye of the Historian and Sociologist† (pg. 142). I think and maybe Du Bois would agree that the idea of race is an outdated, invalid scientific concept used to categorize individuals and validate who is superior or inferior. As discussed in class I don‘t think racism will ever cease to exist, because the ideal of race is far too prevalent from individuals of all sizes, shapes, and colors. And focusing on the illusion of race will never solve the problem of racism. The only way to stop racism is to end the classification of individuals based on meaningless physical characteristics as a whole and celebrate diversity. Finally, he answers the third part to his complex what can the lessons of past laws of racial development teach rising Negro people. By answering this question he attempts to motivate African Americans to create a recognizable culture and make a difference in the world. He believed that African Americans had potential. He thought that in order eliminate the problems African Americans were facing the focus must first be on boosting the African American culture. He states, As such, it is our duty to conserve our physical powers, our intellectual endowments, our spiritual ideals; as a race we must strive by race organization, by race solidarity, by race unity to the realization of the broader humanity which freely recognizes differences in men, but sternly deprecates inequality in their opportunities of development† (pg. 145). Dubois also saw the need for one main intellectual entity, a Negro Academy. Dubois eloquently stated, â€Å" for all these products of the Negro mind, which we may call a Negro Academy. Not only is all this necessary for positive advancements, it is absolutely imperative for negative defense† (pg. 145). He also notes that the African race has not yet been able to share its message. He sates, â€Å"For the development of Negro genius, of Negro literature and art, of Negro spirit Negroes inspired by the vast ideal, can work out in its fullness the great message of humanity† (pg. 144). In closing, races embody within themselves the answers modern society’s problems. However, a better description of the status of the Negro message would be a work in progress.

Pregnancy and Advanced Maternal Age

Pregnancy and Advanced Maternal Age As more women focus on their careers, more women are getting pregnant and having children after the age of 35 years old, which means in the medical field that they are placed in a group of mothers that are classified as being of advanced maternal age. Not that many years ago most of the women if they were able to conceive, would not carry the child to term or would die before the baby was born, but because of advances in medical technology most of these women easily get pregnant and have normal pregnancies; however there are some issues and risks involved when having a baby during your later childbearing years. As women age, they become less fertile and the ovaries do not always release an egg each month during the menstrual cycle which can be a cause of infertility. As you age there is also an increased risk that the baby will have a genetic disorder, like Downs Syndrome. There are always concerns for the mother and fetus during pregnancy, but for the woman who has hit advanced maternal age she will be specially monitored for problems related to her age. The risk of miscarriage increases to about 1 in 4 at the age of 35 and 1 in 3 after the age of 45, with the majority of these caused by a genetic problem with the baby. The advanced maternal age mother is more then twice as likely to develop high blood pressure or diabetes during her pregnancy as a younger woman under 35 years of age. There is also an increased risk of placental abruption and placenta previa in older mothers. Regular checkups during the pregnancy are always important, but with the mother of advanced maternal age checkups s hould be started earlier and more tests will be provided to monitor the fetus. Common tests offered to mothers over the age of 35 are blood test called AFP, triple screen, quad screen and/or integrated tests, which is done between 15 to 18 weeks pregnant and measures several different substances in your blood to look for a problem in the babies spine or signal a possible genetic problem. Another more invasive test called Amniocentesis and Chorionic villi sampling are tests used to check for genetic problems with the baby. Amniocentesis is done by drawing away a volume of amniotic fluid by inserting a needle, usually guided with ultrasound, through the mothers skin where it crosses the uterine wall into then amniotic sac where the baby and fluid reside. It is most often done in the third trimester to test for lung maturity when there is a danger in allowing a high-risk pregnancy to continue and at 15 weeks to do genetic testing. Chorionic Villous Sampling (CVS) is a technique that us es a needle through the cervix (a vaginal approach) to biopsy some chorionic tissue (placental tissue). The cells retrieved can be tested for genetic abnormalities, yielding the same information that amniocentesis provides, but over a month earlier. With all tests there comes increased risks and worrying for the patient and family, teaching is especially important during these times. With the more invasive testing there comes an increased risk of miscarriage and then waiting for the results can also cause anxiety Not all is negative for the mother who is of advanced maternal age, these women are usually more educated, financially stable and have good healthcare, and they are usually in good relationships with extended family support. Most women of advanced maternal age are encouraged to have genetic counseling prior to pregnancy to determine if they are at risk of having a baby with a genetic disorder such as Down syndrome and so therefore are more educated regarding these issues and better able to make decisions that might effect themselves or the future of the baby. Women of advanced maternal age should be provided the same instructions for prenatal care as a younger mother, such as to see her provider before getting pregnant and continue with checkups as scheduled. Like any other pregnant mother she should take a multivitamin everyday, eat a variety of healthy foods, plenty of rest and exercise. Teaching should be done when to call the doctor, such as having bleeding with or without pain, severe headache, problems with eyesight, severe swelling of the face, hands, ankles and feet, any fluid leaking from the vagina and having contractions before her due date. Because of all medical advances that have been made, mothers of advanced maternal age can safely get pregnant and carry the baby to term, these mothers are really just like any other pregnant women, but because of their age will need to be monitored a little more carefully for risks that could affect any pregnant women.

Arthur Millers The Crucible Essay -- Arthur Miller Crucible Essays

Arthur Miller's The Crucible Arthur Miller demonstrates the familiarities of the life he lived in the 1950's and of everyday life we live in through his plays. He communicates through his work to the way people are in society. The extreme witch hysteria deteriorated the rational and emotional stability of its citizens. This exploited the population's weakest qualities, and insecurities. The obvious breakdown in social order led to the tragedy that saw innocent souls hang on the accusation of witchcraft. Miller's way of writing plays which relate to our lives and the way in which we do things and treat one another is very interesting. He seems to see the world a different way to most people and expresses our everyday actions and the things we do wrong in another form. The audience should see parallels in the play to happenings in our every day life. The Crucible was written in the middle of the McCarthy political "witch-hunt" in America. The play relates to the fears in America that the philosophy of communism was spreading there and would eventually undermine and destroy capitalism and the American way of life. Almost any criticism the government received, in the eyes of McCarthy was not acceptable. A petition for communist sympathisers was set up in which Miller signed. He was asked to confess to signing his name. He quoted: "In truth, I had supported these various causes to express my fear of fascism and my alienation from the waste of potential in America while knowing nothing about life under any socialist regime" The activities seemed to have been linked in Millers mind with witchcraft trials two centuries ago. Miller saw these public confessions as parallels with the naming at Salem... ... play includes interesting messages about how reasonable individuals can become completely irrational and get carried away when they become part of a mob. But in the end, who is to blame? Puritanism, Abigail or Danforth? The play is deliberately complex and multi-faceted, and not in plain and simple black and white, even though the characters themselves are black and white. In my opinion everyone's to blame, If one person would have seen sense or not added to problem or admitted it was a hoax it would have never happened. If Abigail hadn't added to the story it wouldn't have happened. If Judge Danforth hadn't of been so single-minded he would have seen through straight through Abigail's sweet and innocent routine, and so on. But at the end as in many situations in our own lives no one is completely to blame. Very rarely is anything one person's fault.

Analyzing Psychological Disorders Essay -- Schizophrenia Interview

Introduction: In this paper, I will be interviewing for a psychologist position with a top company. I will be asked about my understanding of the causes and treatment(s) of schizophrenia and I will discuss the following: areas of the brain affected, causal factors, associated symptoms, the neural basis, appropriate drug therapies. I have been given four different case studies of disorders in which I will choose two of them to analyze. I will be discussing my understanding of the problem presented in each of the two case studies from the perspective of a biopsychologist. I will also be including each problem’s relation to the nature-nurture issue and any relevant portions of the Basics to Biopsychology text. I will be applying any helpful drug interventions or solutions and discussing the positive or negative aspects of these drug interventions or solutions. Schizophrenia: Out of all of the psychological disorders, schizophrenia is the most damaging and affects nearly three million American’s today. This disorder causes a person to lose all sense of reality, which causes one to have delusions, hallucinations, extreme suspicion, and symptoms vary between men and women. The ages of which symptoms are experienced are late teens to early twenties in men and late twenties to early thirties for women. While those who suffer from schizophrenia may seem to make some progress in recovery, usually all will exhibit marked symptoms throughout the course of their life. Causes and Triggers: While schizophrenia is considered to be a complex brain disorder, many different things contribute to the causes of this disorder. Genetics, behavioral, and developmental reasons are some of the likely causes while stress, trauma, and viral inf... ...depression/medication.htm HelpGuide.org. (2001-2010). Anorexia Nervosa - Understanding the Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm The Lundbeck Institute. (2002-2005). Schizophrenia - Aetiology. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http://www.brainexplorer.org/schizophrenia/Schizophrenia_aetiology.shtml The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2010). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml All Psych and Heffner Media Group, Inc. (1999-2003). Psychiatric Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://allpsych.com/disorders/mood/majordepression.html Geitner, C. (n.d.). Dysthymic Disorder. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http://www.bipolarhome.org/understanding.html Analyzing Psychological Disorders Essay -- Schizophrenia Interview Introduction: In this paper, I will be interviewing for a psychologist position with a top company. I will be asked about my understanding of the causes and treatment(s) of schizophrenia and I will discuss the following: areas of the brain affected, causal factors, associated symptoms, the neural basis, appropriate drug therapies. I have been given four different case studies of disorders in which I will choose two of them to analyze. I will be discussing my understanding of the problem presented in each of the two case studies from the perspective of a biopsychologist. I will also be including each problem’s relation to the nature-nurture issue and any relevant portions of the Basics to Biopsychology text. I will be applying any helpful drug interventions or solutions and discussing the positive or negative aspects of these drug interventions or solutions. Schizophrenia: Out of all of the psychological disorders, schizophrenia is the most damaging and affects nearly three million American’s today. This disorder causes a person to lose all sense of reality, which causes one to have delusions, hallucinations, extreme suspicion, and symptoms vary between men and women. The ages of which symptoms are experienced are late teens to early twenties in men and late twenties to early thirties for women. While those who suffer from schizophrenia may seem to make some progress in recovery, usually all will exhibit marked symptoms throughout the course of their life. Causes and Triggers: While schizophrenia is considered to be a complex brain disorder, many different things contribute to the causes of this disorder. Genetics, behavioral, and developmental reasons are some of the likely causes while stress, trauma, and viral inf... ...depression/medication.htm HelpGuide.org. (2001-2010). Anorexia Nervosa - Understanding the Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm The Lundbeck Institute. (2002-2005). Schizophrenia - Aetiology. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http://www.brainexplorer.org/schizophrenia/Schizophrenia_aetiology.shtml The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2010). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml All Psych and Heffner Media Group, Inc. (1999-2003). Psychiatric Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http://allpsych.com/disorders/mood/majordepression.html Geitner, C. (n.d.). Dysthymic Disorder. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http://www.bipolarhome.org/understanding.html

Brave New World Government

Government: this word is used to define the system that maintains the state and her people. This system is run by officials who, hopefully, have the nation's best interest at heart; but these best interests for a country often find themselves conflicting in their particular perspectives. In the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, the government has chosen to preserve the interest of state and this dystopia is the result of mankind choosing the wrong faction in the conflict of interest.To clarify, the principles, theories and arguments presented here in are democratic in orientation and not communistic, because the arguments aim toward freedom and rights. Those in control in Brave New World have misguided the nation’s populace into dystopia, they have lost the people's interest, they have disregarded the people's respect and they have effectively stolen evolution. There will always be a great conflict for those with the misfortune of being leaders: to preserve the state or the people.A decisive argument will skip the moral ethics and get right down to the primary idea: a nation is only possible through her people. This being said, it becomes logical that the right course of action for any leading party is that of the interest of the people; the interest of the people has been touted by many famous political icons throughout the ages as the most vital of a nation's concerns. In fact â€Å"the nation's concerns† is directly related to the concern's of her people. This idea, being understood, it is absolutely impossible in a utopian setting that there would be dissatisfaction.A good leader must make sure that their people are provided for, and this can be done simply by meeting the needs of the nation. If the nation wants for nothing, it can be assumed that order would automatically be ensured amongst her people. In Brave New World, the World Controllers have implemented human conditioning and predestination, these methods have indeed assured them that they operate within the nation's best interest. In fact, one can say that by brainwashing the people they have stolen control and not earned it, and the ‘utopia' in Brave New World can be defined as a controlled dictatorship.This is but another example of how the State has failed the people. Any ruler worth his salt must first earn the respect, or alternatively fear, of his subjects in order to reign successfully. Respect earns the ruler the trust of the people: this trust then allows for orderly conduct amongst the citizens of the country. Earning respect can be achieved by conducting one's self honorably and proving one's capabilities. Huxley presents another technique of acquiring respect by employing â€Å"hypnopaedia† as means of earning respect and gaining control over the nation. â€Å"Of course they don't.How can they? They don't know what it's like being anything else. We'd mind, of course. But then we've been differently conditioned. Besides, we start w ith a different heredity†(Huxley,5). Brave New World's Henry foster shows us how conditioning effects a person's values. The citizens do not respect the controllers, they merely adhere to the rules. Though this does not mean that they are dissatisfied, in actual fact they have no sense of dissatisfaction unless it stands opposed to their hypnopaedic prejudice. â€Å"What a hideous colour khaki is,† remarked Lenina, voicing the hypnop? ic prejudices of her caste†(Huxley,4). Essentially what Huxley has wrought is a world of mindless drones with no sense of self, which is quite possibly the worse outcome for mankind, to become enslaved by a system they created and lost control over. There is one major variable that needs to be considered in keeping order in a nation. People change, things change, nothing will ever remain the same for long, and a good government should be as adaptable as the people. If one is to properly maintain order, one must be able to conform wit h society and trends.These changes and trends are how mankind has learned and developed, and will continue to do so. As stated, government or those in power, must too be able to move forward or to risk losing control and becoming obsolete. This is quite possibly the biggest flaw in Huxley's Brave New World: mankind now controls and predestines the people that inhabit their world, and the price for this control has become progress. A society built on the basis of ‘Community, Identity, Stability’ will never be able to face the ever changing, fickle nature of humanity. In order to preserve control they must therefore eliminate evolution.They have stolen evolution’s format: the world and mankind will forever be stuck in the small cage of Brave New World, and in essence this eliminates anything that is truly either brave or new. In conclusion, it is safe to say that Huxley's utopia went about achieving its status in the wrong way. Mankind has lost its free will to the controlling powers of a system. This system cannot be called government, as it is more akin in characteristics to slavery. Man no longer has freewill and order is kept not through respect and intellect, but via degeneration nd conduct. The former sections of this essay present strategies and techniques used to maintain order in a society of individuals. Finally, it may be argued that the Brave New World protects society by locking them in a cage of ignorance; however, this is at the cost of freedom, and this is unacceptable. Mankind needs be free in order to progress as has been explained. Protection is all well and good but not at the cost of freedom: humans must be free to make mistakes in order to evolve, grow and create. Societal order must still be maintained, but not abused.Those in charge are well within their right to impose laws and rules, as long as these laws keep within a reasonable parameter. Protection is one thing, enslavement is another; if protection must come at t he cost of freedom then it is not worth it, and I am sure that those in Brave New World, if given the chance, would choose freedom. Huxley's utopia is a future that we should hope is never realized, it would bring us to ruin. If we must place faith in those in control, let us hope that they possess the qualities presented in this essay, and have the ability to lead a world of free people forward and beyond.

Demonstrating Sulphuric acid is Dibasic Essay

Chemistry Practical Plan Aim The aim of my experiment is to demonstrate that sulphuric acid, H2SO4, is dibasic. Dibasic means that one mole of sulphuric acid can release two moles of hydrogen ions, H+ when it reacts in an aqueous solution. To demonstrate the dibasic nature of sulphuric acid, I shall do two experiments, one involving a titration, the other a gas collection. Predication In my titration, I shall neutralise an acid with a base. Firstly, I will titrate Hydrochloric Acid against Sodium Hydroxide. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is as follows. HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq)→ NaCl(aq) + H20(l) Hydrochloric Acid, HCl, is a monoprotic acid, meaning that it will release one Hydrogen ion, H+ when reacted in an aqueous solution. The molar ratio in this reaction is 1:1, and therefore 1 mole of Hydrogen ions, H+, will be needed to react with 1 mole of Hydroxide ions, OH-, to form 1 mole of Water, H20. Therefore, I predict that this will mean that an equal number of moles of Hydrochloric Acid will be needed to neutralise the Sodium Hydroxide. I shall then titrate Sulphuric Acid against Sodium Hydroxide, in comparison to Hydrochloric Acid. HCl is monoprotic, whereas H2SO4 is diprotic, and will therefore release double the amount of Hydrogen ions, H+. The reaction is as follows: H2SO4 (aq)+2 NaOH(aq)→ Na2SO4(aq) +2H2O(l) To demonstrate that Sulphuric Acid is dibasic, and that it will release two Hydrogen ions, H+, I predict that only half the number of moles of H2SO4 will be needed to neutralise one mole of NaOH. The molar ratio of acid to alkali is now 1:2, so for every Hydroxide ion released from the Sodium Hydroxide, two Hydrogen ions will be released from the sulphuric Acid, and so only 0.5 mole H2SO4 will be needed to neutralise 1 mole NaOH. For the gas collection experiment, I shall again react firstly a monoprotic acid, then a diprotic acid and compare the amounts of gas collected. My first reaction will be between Hydrochloric Acid (monoprotic) with Magnesium Carbonate. 2HCl(aq) + MgCO3(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) My second reaction will be between Sulphuric Acid (diprotic), and Magnesium Carbonate. H2SO4(aq) + MgCO3(s) → MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) For both reactions I shall collect the gas in a gas syringe, and compare the amounts of gas released. When metal reacts with acid, carbon dioxide is released. I will use acids of equal molarity, and the same mass of magnesium carbonate. I predict that the H2SO4 will produce twice the volume of gas in comparison to HCl, as this will demonstrate the dibasity of Sulphuric Acid. Safety Sulphuric Acid is corrosive and therefore goggles must we worn at all times. If spillages occur, these should be washed liberally with cold water. Sulphuric Acid can burn skin and eyes, so lab coats and gloves should be worn. In case of contact with eyes, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. If swallowed drink plenty of water and seek medical help. Also follow standard laboratory safety such as removing lose clothing and tying hair away from face. Fair Test Titration – to ensure a fair test in my titration, I will use the same amounts of acid the same in each titration, and measure the variation in alkali needed to neutralise the acid. I will use a pipette and burette because they are the most accurate equipment available, being accurate to +/- 0.05cm3. Before filling the burette and pipette I shall rinse them first with distilled water and then with the chemical to be used. This will allow me to take more accurate readings from the equipment and reduce the possible error margin. I shall rinse the burette and pipette also with the solution to be used to ensure no dilutions in my experiment, which could lead to inaccuracy. Gas Collection – to ensure a fair test in the gas collection, I shall use equal masses of Magnesium Carbonate in both collections, and measure the varying amount of Carbon Dioxide released. I will use a gas syringe to collect the carbon dioxide because I think that this I more accurate than upwards delivery – carbon dioxide is soluble in water and this could affect my results. For both experiments, I shall also use the largest values possible as this will reduce the percentage error in my practical to give me more reliable results. Titration Method Apparatus: Sodium Hydroxide (1.0 molar), Sulphuric Acid (1.0 molar), Hydrochloric Acid (1.0 molar), 50 cm 3 pipette, burette, phenolphthalein indicator, white tile, clamp stand, boss, distilled water dispensers, pipette filler, 4 Ãâ€" 100cm3 beakers, 2 Ãâ€" 100cm3 conical flasks, plastic filter funnel. Perform pre-tests to determine the colour change of the indicator at the end point of the titration and the colour of phenolphthalein in acids and alkalis. Prepare the equipment as follows: Burette – rinse with distilled water followed by the solution to be used, NaOH as not to dilute the solution with water. Run solution through and invert the burette to ensure no air bubbles. Fill the burette with NaOH using a filter funnel, and remove the funnel. Record the volume of solution within the burette to 0.05 ml. Pipette – rinse the pipette several times by sucking and releasing the solution to be used, HCl or H2SO4, using a pipette filler, (suck up solution to above the measured mark) Using pipette filler, fill pipette with until the meniscus is slightly above the mark. Take the pipette out of the solution to ensure no atmospheric pressure and allow the liquid to run out slowly until the meniscus is level with the mark. Touch the side of the flask with the tip of the pipette but allow any residue to remain in the pipette. Add 3-4 drops of the indicator phenolphthalein to the solution in the conical flask (no more as indicators are weak acids and so can have an effect on the titration) Use a white tile to help identify the colour change at the end point. Run the solution from the burette whilst swirling, stop as soon as the indicator colour changes. Record the volume of the rough titration. Repeat the titration carefully and drop wise until the colour is about to change, then add half a drop at a time. When the faintest detectable colour change can be noted, record the final volume to within 0.05 ml. Repeat the titration to get three accurate titrations within 0.1 ml of each other. Gas Collection Apparatus: Hydrochloric Acid (1 molar), Sulphuric Acid (1 molar), Magnesium Carbonate, 6 conical flasks, gas valves and bungs, gas syringe with delivery tube, Clamp stand and boss. Set up the experiment as shown. React 0.34g MgCO3 with 100ml HCl for at least 10 minutes or until the reaction is complete. Record the volume of CO2 produced. Repeat three times, ensuring that the gas syringe is always set at zero before the experiment is set. Repeat with H2SO4to allow the comparison of results. Quantities Titration From my research I know that the maximum volume of Sodium Hydroxide will be needed in the titration with Hydrochloric Acid. The burette I will be using can measure accurately up to 50cm3. I from my calculations, this amount will be used to neutralise 50cm3 of acid. For the reaction with Sulphuric Acid, twice the volume of NaOH shall be needed to neutralise the acid. Therefore, I shall use only 25cm3 acid for both titrations, as I know that 50cm3 NaOH is the maximum volume I will need. The advantage of using the largest volumes possible is that the percentage error is reduced, and my experiments will therefore me more accurate. Gas Collection H2SO4(aq) + MgCO3(s) → MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) This is the reaction that I predicted would release the most carbon dioxide. I therefore had to work out what the maximum amount of product I could use within the practical limits of my apparatus. Max volume gas released – 100cm3 No. moles = actual volume à · 24 = (100à ·1000) à · 24 = 0.004 moles CO2 Molar ratio MgCO3: CO2 =1:1 Therefore 0.004 moles MgCO3 Mr MgCO3 = 24+12+ (16 x 3) =84 Actual Mass = number of moles x mass 1 mole = 0.004 x 84 0.34g Magnesium Carbonate to be used. The Sulphuric Acid must also be present in excess to ensure the reaction goes to completion, and so I will therefore use 0.1 mole H2SO4. Volume = number of moles à · concentration = 0.01 à ·1 = 0.01 dm-3, or 100 cm-3 2HCl(aq) + MgCO3(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) For my second reaction, I shall use the same mass of Magnesium Carbonate, and provided the acid is still in excess, the same volume of Hydrochloric Acid, to ensure a fair test. Mass MgCO3 to be used = 0.34g Molar ratio HCl: CO2 = 2:1 Therefore 0.004 x 2 moles HCl to be used. To allow the acid to be present in excess, I shall use 0.01 mole of Hydrochloric Acid. Therefore, volume = number of moles x concentration =0.01 Ãâ€" 1 =100cm3 Specimen Calculations Titration using Sodium Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq)→ NaCl(aq) + H20(l) Volume HCl used: 25 ml or 0.025 dm-3 Number of moles HCl = concentration (mol dm-3) Ãâ€" volume (dm-3) = 1mÃâ€" 0.025 dm-3 = 0.025 moles HCl Molar ratio NaOH: HCl = 1: 1 Therefore 0.025Ãâ€"1= 0.025 moles NaOH Volume NaOH = number of moles Ãâ€" concentration (mol dm-3) = 0.025 Ãâ€" 1 =0.025 dm-3 This shows that an equal volume of Sodium Hydroxide is needed to neutralise the Hydrochloric acid, indicating that for every OH- ion in the NaOH, one H+ ion was released from the Hydrochloric Acid to form H2O, a neutral molecule. This shows that Hydrochloric Acid is monoprotic, as it releases one Hydrogen ion when it is reacted in an aqueous solution. Titration using Sodium Hydroxide and Sulphuric Acid H2SO4 (aq)+2 NaOH(aq)→ Na2SO4(aq) +2H2O(l) Volume H2SO4 used: 25 ml or 0.025 dm-3 Number of moles H2SO4 = concentration (mol dm-3) Ãâ€" volume (dm-3) = 1mÃâ€" 0.025 dm-3 = 0.025 moles H2SO4 Molar ration NaOH: H2SO4 = 2: 1 Therefore 0.025à ·2 = 0.0125 moles NaOH Volume NaOH = number of moles Ãâ€" concentration (mol dm-3) =0.0125Ãâ€" 1 = 0.0125 dm-3 This shows that only half the volume of Sodium Hydroxide was needed to neutralise the Sulphuric Acid, indicating that for every OH- ion in the NaOH, two H+ were released from the Sulphuric Acid, demonstrating its dibasity, as for every mole of Sulphuric Acid reacting in solution; two moles of Hydrogen ions were released. Gas Collection 2HCl(aq) + MgCO3(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) Number of moles MgCO3 = actual mass à · mass 1 mole Mr MgCO3 = 84 = 0.34 à · 84 = 0.004 moles Molar ration HCl: CO2 = 2: 1 Therefore 0.004 à · 2 = 0.002 moles CO2 Volume = number of moles x 24 = 0.002 Ãâ€" 24 = 0.048 dm-3 or 48cm3 H2SO4(aq) + MgCO3(s) → MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) Number of moles MgCO3 = actual mass à · mass 1 mole Mr MgCO3 = 84 = 0.34 à · 84 = 0.004 moles Molar ratio H2SO4: CO2 = 1: 1 Therefore 0.004 moles CO2 Volume = number of moles Ãâ€" 24 = 0.004 Ãâ€" 24 =0.096 dm-3 or 96cm3 When a metal carbonate reacts with acid, carbon dioxide is released. These results show that when Magnesium Carbonate reacts with Sulphuric Acid, twice the volume of Carbon Dioxide is produced in comparison to its reaction with Hydrochloric Acid. This shows that, as we know HCl to be a monobasic acid, Sulphuric Acid is dibasic, as it produced double the volume of gas as a result of its two Hyrdogen ions that are released. Bibliography ‘Chemistry’ – Chris Conoley and Phil Hills (p. 332) Collins Educational 1998 Steven Doherty – Atoms, Molecules and Stoichiometry www.catalogue.fisher.co.uk/scripts Cambridge University Press 2000 ‘Chemistry’ Brian Ratcliff

Aldi case studies Essay

QUESTION 1 Aldi is a leading retailer with over 8,000 stores worldwide. They operate a typical store sells around 700 products, compared to approximately 25,000 items stock at traditional supermarket. Since opening its first store in 1913, Aldi has successfully established itself as one of the most trustworthy retailers in the international business market. In industry business, company were achieved their competitive advantage in operating management based on competing a difference, competing cost and competing a response. ALDI have a different way of their services in retail shop industry. Physically, grocery shop is quite common but they achieve a competitive advantage through a services attributes in retail industry. ALDI‘s strategy lead to competitive advantage thorugh their brand that associated with value for money. Operating manager in ALDI operates an effective plan in order to emphasizing their product and services that will influence potential value to the customer. Its emphasis is on providing high quality products and excellent value for customers. As simply, ALDI have provided the customer an efficient way to shop. As we know, customers want the best quality products at the lowest possible prices. With such tough competition it is vital for organizations to understand what their customers want. As a reputable retailer, ALDI understands that its customers want value for money but do not want to compromise on quality. ALDI’s strategy revolves around providing good quality groceries for low price. For ALDI quality is important that guarantees product sold with a no questions asked money back guarantee. Based on case, ALDI achieves its low cost strategy but still maintain to produce quality products. They applied a several methods such as buys large quantities of item from trusted suppliers, taking advantage of quantity discounts and economies of scale. ALDI did not waste their cost towards shelving, locations and warehouse because they utilized an effectively resources. Otherwise, ALDI have a quick response in term of delivery product because of Just in Time (JIT). The staffs in ALDI operate the checkout as well as restock items by replacing pallets and this is quite flexible. They arrange a excellent scheduling of their performance such as minimize overhead cost. QUESTION 2 ALDI is a retailer that offers a low cost strategy as one of its strength in retail industry in Germany. Even though pertain a low cost strategy, there is no such things that ALDI offer a low standard of products. They could maintain to providing a good service quality because they succeed in customized the utilities of its resources capacity. ALDI using a time based management that required them to meet changing market and customer needs. Regardless of competitive strategy, quality is important to create a value to pay. It means, customers did not had regret buying our products and keep to buy it that similar principle used by ALDI that guarantees product sold with a no questions asked money back guarantee. Other than, a good service is one of a part of quality. It is because, services such as meet customer want on time, readily available and convenience stores could satisfy a customer on their routine daily grocery shop.

Social Support and Physical Activity Corroborating

Running head: HEALTHY AGING IN THE ELDERLY 1 Social Support and Physical Activity Corroborating Healthy Aging and Quality of Life in the Elderly Karen Cauthen Counseling 502-B21 Liberty University Abstract Can morbidity be deterred in the elderly or is disease and illness a fact of life for the aged? Does social support and physical activity play a part in preventing secondary aging processes? This paper will modestly explore and discuss the effects of social interactions and routine activity of the elderly upon healthy aging and quality of life. Successful healthy ageing is impacted by a healthy lifestyle and is positively related to a reduced mortality risk and a delay in health deterioration† (Merrill, Myklebust, Myklebust, Reynolds, & Duthie, 2008). It is not the absence of disease or disability that qualifies healthy aging, but response to the aging process that defines quality of life (Gilbert, Hagerty, & Taggert, 2012). According to Erik Erikson it is the eighth stage of development: integrity vs. espair (Erikson, Erikson, & Kivnick, 1986); the point in life where the reality of death becomes imminent and a review of life determines meaning (Elhman & Ligon, 2012). Social participation and an active lifestyle are good at any age but for the elderly it is the cover over the deep dark hole of despair and loneliness. Keywords: integrity, despair, activity, social, healthy aging, aging process, support Social Support and Physical Activity Corroborating Healthy Aging and Quality of Life in the ElderlyAs we grow older our bodies change, our thoughts are more reflective, and our friendships more selective. Growing old is not a cookie cutter process. For each individual it is different. Some stay very busy, while others quit. They gradually halt participation in day-to-day events, or they take up yoga, run a marathon even go back to school. Successful aging is determined more by mental attitude than physical ability; how past life is perceived and future li fe accomplished.It is how change is managed that determines healthy aging and quality of life in the aged. Growing old is a process gerontologist divide in two categories, â€Å"primary aging† and â€Å"secondary aging† (Berger, 2011). Primary aging is defined as the universal changes occurring with age that are not caused by diseases or environmental influences. Secondary aging is defined as changes involving interactions of primary aging processes with environmental influences and disease processes (Masoro & Austad, 2006).According to Berger (Berger, 2011) there are three stages of old: â€Å"young-old,† â€Å"healthy, active, financially secure and independent;† â€Å"old-old,† although still independent suffer from â€Å"reductions in physical or mental ability or social support;† and last, â€Å"oldest-old,† â€Å"infirm, at risk for illness and injury. † Not preferring to use the word old, some gerontologist describe four stages of aging as: â€Å"optimal aging,† â€Å"usual aging,† â€Å"impaired or pathological aging,† and the fourth, â€Å"successful aging,† (Rowe & Kahn, 1998) â€Å"signifying extensive social interaction and activity† (Berger, 2011).The elderly tend to measure functional capacity by â€Å"their ability to carry out, independently, their routine activities, also called the activities of daily living† (Brito & Pavarini, 2012). After years of independent living, dependency on someone to carry out normal everyday functions can be emotionally and socially debilitating, even more so than the illnesses that made them dependent. â€Å"Loss, in instrumental activities of daily living contributes to greater estrangement from one’s social surroundings and consequently to a tendency to be isolated in one’s residence† (Brito & Pavarini, 2012).Erik Erikson provided an in-depth philosophy in his final eighth stage of development: integrity vs. despair. This is a time in which the elderly desire to unite their vast experiences with their ideas of humanity (Erikson, et al, 1986). While despair stands for a complete loss of hope, integrity does not only mean honesty, but also â€Å"a feeling of being whole, not scattered, comfortable with oneself† (Berger, 2011). Yet it is in Erikson’s seventh stage, generativity vs. tagnation, we find that â€Å"in older adults, generativity may be the single most important factor in achieving ego integrity (James & Zarrett, 2006) and positively impacts well-being (Yuen, Huang, Burik, & Smith, 2008)† (Elhman & Ligon, 2012). Therefore, as Erikson (Erikson & Erikson, 1997) put it, â€Å"indeed, old people can and need to maintain a grand-generative function† (p. 63), and that â€Å"vital involvement†¦is necessary for staying really alive (p. 63)† (Elhman & Ligon, 2012). TheoriesPeople are multi-dimensional, multi-faceted creatures. To lump us all under one roof would be a crime. Numerous theories, through research and study, try to describe human behavior but no one such study is sufficient. There are four main theories concerning the activities and social life of the elderly. Each theory holds truth but not the whole truth. The first, activity theory, views â€Å"older people as psychologically unchanged† holding â€Å"social and physical obstacles responsible for declining rates of social interaction† (Carstensen L.L. , 1992). Activity theorists blame age-related health and social burdens for cause of change in social participation and activities (Carstensen L. L. , 1992). The second, disengagement theory, suggest â€Å"that old age instigates a mutual withdrawal between society and aging people† (Carstensen L. L. , 1992). Elaine Cumming and William Earl Henry (Cumming & Henry, 1961) suggest that in preparation for death withdrawal is manifested in a distancing in social relationships.As death creeps ever closer what is important and what is not is more relevant. What we do, where we do it, and whom we do it with are choices that continue the idea of independence. A third theory proposed by Dr. Laura Carstensen (Carstensen L. L. , 1992), socioemotional selective theory, counters the assumption by the other two theories, that these changes in social activity are strictly late-life phenomena, with the proposition that these changes actually start earlier in life. Reduced rates of interaction in late life are viewed as the result of lifelong selection processes by which people strategically and adaptively cultivate their social networks to maximize social and emotional gains and minimize social and emotional risks† (Carstensen L. L. , 1992). Because so much is derived from social interaction; information, assistance, self-identity, selection of a mate, knowledge of culture and history, discriminate and careful examination of social partners is a must (Carstensen L. L. , 1992).The fourth, gerotranscendence theory, was developed by Lars Tornstam to address a â€Å"perpetual mismatch between present theories in social gerontology and existing empirical data† (Tornstam, 2010). Gerotranscendence claims successful aging results from frequent contemplative thought, a decrease in materialism, and transcendence of primary aging processes (Adams & Sanders, 2010). In support of this theory a Change in Activities and Interest Index (CAII) was created to â€Å"examine empirically the perceived changes that occur in the lives of older adults† (Adams & Sanders, 2010).The CAII is a 30-item questioner optimized to examine â€Å"self-perceived change in investment in and attitudes about social and leisure pastimes among older adults† (Adams & Sanders, 2010). As a result of the research by Drs. Kathryn Adams and Sara Sanders (Adams & Sanders, 2010) using the CAII, providers of health care to the elderly can better design ways to elevate direct engagement in valuable, desired activities and social relations as they advance within the aging process. As stated earlier, all four theories hold truth, but none the whole truth.Each theory describes certain individuals but leaves out others. Because we are an ever changing species and constantly growing population more studies are needed in understanding the causes of healthy aging and defining quality of life. Gender Studies have shown that in later life numerous physical benefits, as well as, psychological benefits are a result of participation in social activity, â€Å"such as the promotion of happiness (Menec, 2003), reduction of the risk of depression (Hong, Hasche, & Bowland, 2009), reduction of the decline of motor function (Buchman, et al. 2009), and even reductions in mortality (Lennartsson & Silverstein, 2001)† (Li, Lin, & Chen, 2011). â€Å"Research to date indicates that participation in social activity exerts positive and psychological health effects among th e elderly and that the pattern of activity participation differs by gender† (Li, et al, 2011). Numerous studies and literature report general differences in the social activities of men and women, but only one study â€Å"considered gender issues and social activity among the elderly (Arber, Perren, & Davidson, 2002).When exploring the outcomes of healthy aging and quality of life in regards to social support and physical activity, gender cannot be overlooked. Changes take place throughout the lifespan and gender affects social and cultural relations to these changes. In the expansion of associations and community contacts the distinct social settings that men and women live in lead to dissimilar behaviors (Barer, 1994; Carstensen L. L. , 1991). Dr. Kate Bennett (Bennett K. M. 1998) did an 8-year longitudinal study on physical activity in the elderly. The results showed that women were more likely to occupy themselves with indoor activities (e. g. , housework) and men with ou tdoor activities (e. g. , walking or cycling) (Bennett K. M. , 1998). Involvement in activities, whether readily available or not, is also gender specific. Elderly women are more likely to attend or be involved with religious services and activities than elderly men (Arber, et al, 2002).For men, staying in touch with what is going on through formal and informal associations or engaging in social activities such as volunteer work helps them maintain self-identity within their society (Arber, et al, 2002). Cultural context also plays a part in the construct of gender roles. In most societies, Western and non-Western, the male role is that of bread winner and the female role is that of homemaker (Li, et al, 2011). Western society mindset has changed over the years to the point where these roles are often reversed or completely annihilated.In Asia, however, a study done between 1988 and 1997 of people aged 60 or older found that women were more likely to rely on their family for financi al support and men were more likely to have their own source of income (Ofstedal, Reidy, & Knodel, 2004). However, a study of â€Å"5,294 noninstitutionalized elderly adults†¦concluded that working for a living was associated with high rates of depression among the elderly† (Hong, et al, 2009), most likely due to Asian traditional social value (xiao) which reflects bad on the family of children who cannot support their parents (Li, et al, 2011).Facilitators and Barriers The earth’s populace of 60+ year olds has doubled since 1980 and will achieve the 2 billion mark by 2050 according to the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, n. d. ; Gilbert, et al, 2012). Catherine Gilbert, Debra Hagerty and Helen Taggert generated a study â€Å"to explore the factors associated with healthy ageing through personal interviews†¦giving voice to the elders regarding their impression of facilitators and barriers to healthy ageing† (Gilbert, et al, 2012).T he results found the elderly perceive three main facilitators to healthy ageing: â€Å"taking care of self; meaningful activity; and positive attitude,† and three main barriers to healthy ageing: â€Å"giving up or giving in; environmental limitations; and the ageing process† (Gilbert, et al, 2012). Empathy is a facilitator and plays an important role in healthy ageing and quality of life through social interaction and is a requirement for enduring social commitments (Bailey, Henry, & Von Hippel, 2008). Empathy has been described as the; ‘capacity to understand others and experience their feelings in relation to oneself’ (Decety & Jackson, 2004). Few studies have been done to reveal whether empathic capacity diminishes with age (Bailey, et al, 2008). Phoebe Bailey, Julie Henry and William Von Hippel researched the â€Å"possibility that age-related reductions in social functioning might be mediated by declining cognitive empathy† with results testif ying â€Å"cognitive empathy was significantly reduced related to younger adults,† but â€Å"there were no age-related differences in affective empathy† (Bailey, et al, 2008).Thus empathy as a facilitator to healthy aging and quality of life bares much weight in functional relationships. A social network also facilitates healthy aging and quality of life. Social support, created by relationships, both formal and informal, provides one with emotional, affective and material help, with information, and with positive social interaction (Ostergren, Hanson, Isacsson, & Tejler, 1991). It has been proven by studies that adequate social support is a efensive aspect in functional disability and cognitive compromise in the elderly (Golden, Conroy, & Lawlor, 2009; Bennett, Schneider, Tang, Arnold, & Wilson, 2006; Stuck, Walhert, Nikolaus, Bula, Hohmann, & Beck, 1999). Autonomy and independence within family and social circles is maintained through social supports and is essential to cognitive functions and psychological well-being (Golden, et al, 2009; Bennett, et al, 2006; Stuck, et al, 1999). On the other hand, barriers to healthy ageing and quality of life include physical ability and cognitive alterations.Barriers â€Å"reported by older adults are physical health problems and frailty, resultant injury and falling, lack of motivation, feeling low, time constraints, social barriers, past seentary lifestyle, feeling too tired, and environmental restrictions such as transportation, weather, neighborhood safety, fatigue and having no one to exercise with† (Belza, et al. , 2004; Bird, et al. , 2009; Chen, 2010; Conn, 1998; Lees, Clark, Nigg, & Newman, 2005; Newson & Kemps, 2007; Prohaska, et al. , 2006).Yet fear of disease and becoming dependent is a great motivator to be physically active (Welmer, Morck, & Dahlin-Ivanoff, 2012). Another barrier to healthy ageing and quality of life in the elderly is cognitive alterations. Primary aging results in a s low steady decline of mental functions. Loss of words, ability to understand and perceive, to move efficiently and smoothly, and ability to manage, control, and regulate cognitive processes all deteriorate as we get older, allbeit some faster than others (Brito & Pavarini, 2012). †¦with memory loss standing out most in the population in general.Maintenance of cognition is an important determinant for quality of life and life expectancy in old age, as cognitive decline is associated with personal discomfort, loss of autonomy and increase of social costs (Brito & Pavarini, 2012). Research and Results The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CDC Healthy Ageing Research Network (CDC-HAN) and the European Union Active and Healthy Ageing partnership (ND) all agree healthy ageing is important and pursue educating the public through studies and research (Gilbert, et al, 2012).The mission of the CDC Healthy Ageing Research Network is: â€Å"To better understand the dete rminants of healthy ageing in diverse populations and settings; to identify, develop, and evaluate programs and policies that promote healthy ageing; and to translate and disseminate research into effective and sustainable public health programs and policies throughout the nation (CDC, 2012). By using research from these agencies, communities throughout the world can develop programs that enhance and promote healthy aging and quality of life for the elderly (Gilbert, et al, 2012).The World Health Organization is aware of the challenges in healthcare faced in the 21st century, as well as, the need for the contributions the elderly make (Gilbert, et al, 2012). In support of healthy ageing and quality of life we need â€Å"training for health professionals on old-age care; preventing and managing age-associated chronic diseases; designing sustainable policies on long-term and palliative care; and developing age-friendly services and settings† (WHO, n. d. ) Along with national re search, colligate, institutional, private, and organizational studies continue the quest for positive healthy aging and quality of life.Many studies extol the benefits of social support and physical activity upon the health and well-being, both mentally and physically, of the elderly. A study by Anna-Karin Welmer, Annika Morck, and Synneve Dahlin-Ivanoff; â€Å"Physical Activity in People Age 80 Years and Older as a Means to Counteracting Disability, Balanced in Relation to Frailty,† declares: †¦results suggest that physical activity was not seen as a separate activity but rather as a part of activities often rated as more important than the physical activity itself.Thus, when designing physical activity interventions for elderly people, health care providers should consider including time for social interaction and possibilities to be outdoors (Welmer, et al, 2012). In another study exploring â€Å"Empathy and Social Functioning in Late Adulthood,† Bailey, Henry, and Von Hippel report: †¦aging may differentially impact cognitive and affective empathy, and that the former may be of particular importance for social functioning.Given the negative consequences that loneliness and social isolation have for physical and mental well-being (House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988), particularly among older adults (for whom reduced social participation has been linked to increased mortality; (Bath & Deeg, 2005; Fry & Debats, 2006), these findings seem a worthwhile topic for further investigation (Bailey, et al, 2008). Yet another study by Gilbert, Hagerty and Taggert, â€Å"Exploring Factors Related to Healthy Ageing,† reveals the importance of environment in facilitating a healthy social and physically active lifestyle.Tom, an interviewee and participant in the study â€Å"was very articulate about the need for environmental modifications that support the lifestyles of the elderly (Gilbert, et al, 2012). â€Å"To be active, means to be able t o travel and do things. Unfortunately, when we travel, the people who claim to have handicap rooms have had the worst advice in the world. Numerous times I have been placed in situations where you can’t sit down in the shower or if you get in the tub, you can’t get out† (Gilbert, et al, 2012).In a study, â€Å"Gender Differences in the Relationship of Social Activity and Quality of Life in Community- Dwelling Taiwanese Elders,† Li, Lin, and Chen find to some degree that gender does play a role in what activities are pursued and measured as resulting in quality of life by the elderly. For the men in this study, engaging in contact with friends, informal group activity, formal group activity, and voluntary work were significantly associated with the total quality of life. Among women, our data show that fewer types of social activity are associated with quality of life domains (Li, et al, 2011).Men seemed to derive quality of life through formal groups where status and title were bestowed, whereas, women found quality of life sustained in religious activities (Li, et al, 2011). A study by Brito and Pavarini, â€Å"The Relationship Between Social Support and Functional Capacity in Elderly Persons with Cognitive Alterations,† corroborates the importance of social support in regards to healthy aging and quality of life, especially among the elderly with cognitive inpairment.Social support may protect individuals from the pathogenic effects of stressing events, as much as it may positively affect people’s health by providing resources (economic and material help and information), better access to health care and regulation of living habits (Ramos, 2002). Research and study in gerontology promote understanding of the needs of the elderly in establishing adequate structuring and implantation of pathways that contribute to social support and physical activities, which in turn corroborates healthy aging and quality of life (Brito & Pavarini, 2012).Conclusion Getting old is a fact of life and with advances in medicine and the world’s population living longer (WHO, n. d. ), coping successfully with getting older requires selective optimization with compensation; setting goals, assessing abilities, and making plans to achieve regardless of hindrances and limitations (Berger, 2011). A positive outlook, family and friends, and an active lifestyle are all deterrents of morbidity (Gilbert, Hagerty, & Taggert, 2012).Influenced by a healthy lifestyle, successful healthy ageing is clearly related to a decreased mortality risk and a postponement in, and in some cases suspension of, health deterioration (Merrill, et al, 2008). Maintaining a social calendar and routine physical activity clearly supports healthy aging and quality of life in the elderly. Bibliography Adams, K. B. , & Sanders, S. (2010). Measurement of developmental change in late life: a validation study of the change in activities and interests in dex. Clinical Gerontologist, 92-108. Arber, S. , Perren, K. , & Davidson, K. (2002).Involvement in social organizations in later life: Variations by gender and class. In L. Andersson (Ed. ), Cultural gerontology (pp. 77-93). Westport, CT: Auborn House. Bailey, P. E. , Henry, J. D. , & Von Hippel, W. (2008, July). Empathy and social functioning in late adulthood. Aging & Mental Health, Vol. 12, No. 4, 499-503. Barer, B. M. (1994). Men and women aging differently. International Journal of Aging and Hua Development, 38(1), 29-40. Bath, P. A. , & Deeg, D. (2005). Social engagement and health outcomes among older people: Introduction to a special section. 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