Saturday, September 7, 2019

Comment of the effectiveness to the novel Essay Example for Free

Comment of the effectiveness to the novel Essay There are many stories conveyed in chapter 3, some stories are more prominent than others. The most obvious story is that of Joes, as he is the narrator of the novel. Joes story follows one that is direct to his perception. This presents the reader with a biased account of what happened, and each characters behaviour as it is based primarily on Joes interpretation. Following on from this idea , there is a sense of scepticism introduced into the readers mind, it casts seeds of doubt on the story Joe is telling, it makes it seem distorted through Joe. In chapter 3 the reader is introduced to a primitive, or selfish aspect to Joes nature, this is presented through the referral to Joes needs, not Clarissas or anyone elses but simply Joes, I couldnt yet bear to talk about it. Through Joes story many others are told, those of his past and the present and these stories engulf the reader into how McEwan incorporates characters, informs of their life and background, while doing this creatively, subtly. Joe tells a story of his past, a story of humiliation and nervousness, this story is full of emotions, it re-emphasises the detachment Joe has made from his emotions over the years, or rather that if an event occurs at the present, emotions are stripped away from it, until it becomes bearable, and therefore in the past. Clarissa has been in the background of the story, only becoming important through Joes thoughts, now however she becomes a focal point in chapter 3. This is captured in the commentary or Joe and Clarissa throughout the duration of the chapter, Joe is the narrator, therefore the other crux of the chapter is clearly Clarissa. Clarissa is described to be doing the necessary practical things at the beginning of this chapter, as is Joe, such as they are doing jobs that must be done when returning home, Clarissa carried her luggage into the bedroom . Joe initially separates his story from Clarissas, giving her more focus and also detachment from him, his guilt and therefore emotions. Clarissa is portrayed from the opening of the novel to be a character able to feel and understand her emotions, contrastingly to Joes nature. Clarissa is a character who forms attachments, due to her emotional and caring attributes, that exist as part of her. Clarissa is haunted by the tragedy that she cannot have children, this provides the reader with a sense of sympathy for Clarissa, it also uncovers another element of Clarissas background. This can be transferred to the way in which Clarissa focuses on the death of Logan, and his children being left alone. This element of the novel creates scepticism for both Joe and Clarissa, The reader doubts Joes ability to be unbiased, while the reader is sceptical of Clarissas ability to control and segment her emotions, what is extended in this idea is that Clarissa blames Joe for her inability to have children, she resents him for not giving her the one thing that lingers in her mind, the one thing the two of them together cannot overcome. This is depicted in the novel through the repetition and reference to Logan being a good man, He had children of his own, He wouldnt let go. This phrase used by McEwan can infer that Clarissa thinks Joe is not a good man because he let go of the rope, and this is due to him not having an emotional attachment to children, as they cannot have any together. Within the two main stories, that are Joe and Clarissas there come sub-stories, tales that reiterate and construct experiences for the characters. Within Joes story we receive Clarissas but also Jeds. Jed is depicted as that of a manipulative yet religious man, although in chapter 3 the reader is only building knowledge of him, it is clear that Jed ultimately indulges a new story. Cotrastingly Clarissa brings in the story of a friend, someone she knows and trusts, Majorie becomes introduced to the story as a friend of Clarissas who lost a young baby through a bacterial infection, while this increases the wealther of knowledge of Clarissa, it also provides the information of Majorie. The combination of Joe and clarissas stories result in background tales of Logan, and his family. While they also divulege into their past, their experiences, Joes interlude of playing a trumpet on stage, a story of humiliation and embarrassment. Clarissas story of conern, anticipation and childhood naivety developed through the channel of a girl going missing whilst on holiday.

Friday, September 6, 2019

The Eiffel Tower Essay Example for Free

The Eiffel Tower Essay I have always dreamed of going to Paris, France and see Eiffel Tower one day. Travel guides have always described the Eiffel Tower as magical.   I had decided to ask Steve, my tall, skinny and long-haired best friend to join me in France and visit the Eiffel Tower. Steve had asked me if I knew how to speak French and I told him I do not. Steve had asked me to bring along a French dictionary just in case we needed to know some French words. When we arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, the weather was cloudy and the temperature humid. At a distance, the Eiffel Tower can be seen. At first glance, Steve and I fell in love with it because it is the most beautiful thing that we had ever seen. We grew excited as we near the Eiffel Tower and arrived at our hotel, Hotel de la Paix. The hotel is a 20 to 25 minute walk going to Eiffel Tower. When we had reached our hotel, it had become a little rainy and it was already two o’ clock in the afternoon. There are many people walking down the streets and people going to the Eiffel Tower to visit. From our hotel room, you can see a good view of the Eiffel Tower. Since it was a little bit rainy, Steve and I decided to rest first before going.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since that was my first time in Paris, I was not aware that the weather in Paris was very unpredictable. . Steve and I went to the Eiffel Tower at around four in the afternoon and the rain had already stopped. We strolled for a few minutes passing by beautiful buildings and houses with different kinds of architectural designs and details. Because of the beautiful surroundings around us we did not take notice of the weather. The unpredictable weather started to change and when we had reached the tower it began to rain again. Even though it was raining it was still amazing to look at the Eiffel Tower up close. At close range, I began to wonder whether I am dreaming or am I really seeing the Eiffel Tower because the structure is so huge and beautiful that I cannot take my eyes off it. At the ground floor level, souvenir shops can be seen anywhere, there are also snack bars for the hungry. The monument of Gustave Eiffel the creator of the Eiffel tower can be seen in front of the Eiffel Tower. The tower had provided us shield from the rain. Being there in person takes a lot of patience and perseverance. Steve and I waited for more than thirty minutes just to be able to enter the tower because the line was so long.   That did not stop there; we were again asked to wait for the elevator to go down so that we would be able to travel up. It took us another 30 minutes to wait for it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first floor of the tower is like a museum of some sorts. There is a gallery of work exhibits. There were pictures of the tower and the different historic milestones the features the Eiffel Tower and its creator. Exciting scientific gadgets can also be seen in the first floor of the tower. There is a transparent circular thing which they call the Feroscope. Inside, there are interactive videos and different patterns of light shown in it. Featured in the videos are how the monument of Gustave Eiffel was made and how the tower is maintained properly. Looking at the displays makes me want to see more of the tower because of the interesting facts and stories related to it and how the French people had maintained the tower which on my opinion is really hard to do. Steve who was not interested at first on the historical part, and maintenance of the tower had become quite amazed on how the French had presented the Eiffel Tower and we were still not yet finished on our tour. A large observatory can also be seen in the floor which looks high-tech. The observatory has a video that shows how the tower was constructed. Steve and I walked around the perimeter of the first floor and there are different views of France. There are markers on the ledges and each shows the landmark of the view that can be seen below. As we walked, Steve and I decided to eat at Les Buffet De la Tour Eiffel. As I have stated earlier, both of us do not know how to speak French so when we read the menu all we can understand from it is pizza. It was quite funny because we were really looking forward to taste the specialty of France. However, since pizza is the only word we know then that is what we have ordered. It would be a waste of money if we do not like what we had guessed is delicious in the menu. After eating we decided to stop by the souvenir shop and bought some souvenirs to take home. Then we went to the second floor using the steps because we would not like to wait again for the elevator.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When we had arrived at the second floor, we found a very interesting window scene animation. The display shows the history of the construction and explains the operation of the hydraulic elevator which was used before from the year it was constructed until the year 1983. It also includes the elevators that are used now. It was really amazing for new-comers in Paris to discover how the people had discovered an elevator that uses water as a power source. There is also a see through glass in the second floor where you can take a look at the view below. A view of the first floor and the ground floor can be seen in there. Restaurants, snack bars and internet stations are available in this part. In this part of the tower, Steve and I decided to explore it more and from there a panoramic view of the buildings below can be seen and you can also go around it and see all views without a metal bar or a room blocking your view. During the time that we went here it was already sunset and the view was just spectacular. It’s like seeing another part of the world in a different place.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After taking a look at the view, we decided to go to the top floor. We had to wait for the elevator again in order to go to the top floor of the tower. It was worth the wait because when we had reached the top floor, you can see a representation of the creator’s office and a wax representation of Gustave, his daughter and the famous Thomas Edison. We were shocked at first because we thought they were true persons and then we noticed that they were not moving. We had asked about it that is when we knew who the characters was in the room. Another part of the top floor is the Engineer’s office where there are wax characters again of Gustave and his engineers. It was really amazing. You would wonder how the creators of the wax characters had created this. In this part, you can also see a 360 view of the tower. Indicated in the screens are the great cities in the world. The direction and the distance of the cities in the database can be seen in the screens provided for tourists.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was already dark when we got down because we had to wait again for the elevator. Steve and I really enjoyed the visit and when we got down, another view had bedazzled us. It was the Eiffel Tower at night. You can see it lit up like a Christmas tree and it is really an amazing sight. The crowd of people walking are looking up at it as they walked and one cannot blame them for doing so because Eiffel Tower has its own magic. We stood there for almost an hour just looking at it and then we decided to go back to our hotel.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Visiting Paris, France would always be etched in my memory because of the spectacular sights and presentation of the tower. Several facts are also interesting in the construction and maintenance of the tower. One would not be bored about the stories that the Eiffel tower has because these stories are unique and different. Steve and I really enjoyed going there and even if he is not inclined in visiting places like the Eiffel Tower, he had asked me to tell him if I am again going back to the  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   magical place. He is looking forward to our next visit to the tower and next time he would be able to speak French and talk to the people around us, the tour guide and even identify the menu a French restaurant is offering.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Ways Of Knowing More Likely To Lead Truth Philosophy Essay

Ways Of Knowing More Likely To Lead Truth Philosophy Essay Truth is a term that is multifaceted, and has been a popular topic of discussion by scholars and philosophers for thousands of years. Yet some fundamental basics for something to considered true have arisen after all the discussions and theories: it must be a fact, is justified in a way that that it corresponds to a fact that exists in the world, matches with ones overall sets of belief and/or it is useful and works in practice. A justified true belief is what is knowledge is composed of. Sense perception, reason, language and emotions are the four Ways of Knowing, each one a powerful tool that enables us to reach closer the truth. Sense perception is the active selective and interpretative process of recording or becoming conscious of the external world; reasoning is using logical, critical thinking to establish knowledge; emotion is the experience of a bodily reaction to an event where we are aware and involved; lastly, language is a tool for communication and a system of persuasio n and implication through the use of conventionalized signs, sound gestures or marks having understood meaning. However these four ways of approaching the truth vary in that one may help yield more precise answers and is more reliable than others, depending on the their strengths and weaknesses. I believe that sense perception and reason creates a dominant combination, carrying a high degree of certainty, in discovering global truths, compared to emotion and language, which are also vital but have greater limitations that provide challenges in finding the truth. Buddha once said, Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by manyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ But after observation and analysis, when you find anything that agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. This quote claims that perception, which is then supported by reason, is the ways most likely to lead to the truth, and I definitely agree. We experience the world and obtain direct, immediate, constant data through our senses: sight, hear, smell, touch, taste, movement, balance and huger/thirst etc. The brain then processes these stimuli to create meaning to them and organize these sense data into schemas in our brain, reassembling reality to become organized, meaningful patterns, so that most of the time our world will be rational, steady and predictable. Hence we rely heavily on sense perception as our primary source of data collection of our surroundings. In biology, for example, I did a lab testing the effects of caffeine and adrenaline on the heart rate of transparent water fleas, called Daphnia. After exposing a daphnia in an adrenalin or caffeine solution, I relied solely on my sight to observe the thumping action of their heart beat and then count it. The heart beat dramatically increased from a 25 beats per second in controlled water fleas to around 44 in adrenaline and caffeine solution. By direct observation, my brain then gives meaning to this data input; resulting in me, knowing the immediate effects of what consuming these chemicals does to a Daphnias heart. However sensory perception has a handful of limitations, the major ones including our biological and physiological limitation such a incapability of seeing wavelengths outside the visible light spectrum; our cognitive apparatus and processes cant distinguish perception from illusion; who we are as a knower, our built-in assumptions and prejudices alters the expectations and interpretations of situations- causing bia s, subjective views; sensory input is relative, hence data from is s not always valid alone; sensory input is also discontinuous and outdated. Conversely the invention of digital video, computer technology and modern technology helps fix these problems or even eliminate it all altogether. For instance, when watching the figure skating world championships on TV, both Mao Asada and Kim-Yuna skated perfectly, executing all their elements. My individuality- the fact that I favor and adore Maos skating style over Yunas, and my pity towards Mao for always winning silver- contributed to my perception of the competition as being unfair when Yuna won gold. But when clips of the performances were previewed side by side, it illustrates how Mao did not fully finish her rotations on her triple jumps and thus was deducted points- ultimately justifying that Kim Yuna did deserve gold and performed a cleaner program than Mao. This example proves technology can overcome major limitations such as filt ers and seeing what we want opposed to the reality, by justifying what we see with more scrutiny through technology since technology can record the world around us, provide instant replay and allow unbiased evaluation. On the other hand reason, is most advantageous due to its outcome of valid and coherent information- information with such a high degree of certainty that no other ways of knowing can reach. Reason assesses arguments, and provides support for claims and statements established through all the different experiments, studies etc. It is especially vital for areas with an empirical basis like science, history and math; these areas have been so developed and consist of such reliable, coherent and corresponding theories due to reason. Judgments and errors plague the certainty of truth for other ways of knowing; such as sense perception can be distorted; language is too vague and ambiguous leading to multiple interpretations, and emotion is the least reason-based due to its unpredictable, instinctive nature. Logic controls the outcome of rigid conclusions with evidence. Yet reason has its flaws as well such as the range of informal fallacies and when premises that construct the arguments mig ht be valid the truthfulness is still questionable, hence other ways of knowing is required to justify it such as the case of euthanasia where the argument Taking a life is morally wrong, euthanasia is the act of taking away a life, hence euthanasia is wrong. Is perfectly valid but the truthfulness must be enhanced through the use scientific observations like using technology to see if the persons brain is responding to stimuli. The use of sense perception and reason together complements each other to provide even sturdier, valid, reasoned-based knowledge with sufficient verification. The fact that global warming is occurring is derived from both reason and perception. According to NASA 80% of ice field have been lost in the last century as see through satellite pictures, hence we can use deductive reasoning to conclude that if Drastic climate change and melting ice caps indicate global warming, NASA claims that 80% of ice field have melted , and United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850, hence global warming is occurring Emotions and Language has principal problems that override its benefits, and hence is less likely to lead to the truth. Although language is central in communication; performing many functions such as conveying emotions (expressive), express creativity, used for social and representational purposes, it is deceptive and treacherous due to its vagueness and ambiguity.( Not so much for math and science, since language is controlled, neutral and rigid in these areas but in the other AOKs. Take Stalin for example, he used language as propaganda to establish a personal dictatorship, attack enemies and disguise the reign of terror and purges as well. Putting up slogans like Peasants can live like human beings filled with emotionally-arousing words, appealing connotations and glittering generalities manipulated the peasants into believing Stalin will bring back the glory days in Russia just like before World War I. Similarly emotion reinforces problems such as blurring reason, bias our perce ptions and color our language; humans are helpless in controlling emotions- it is irrational and occurs at fluctuating, urgent impulses. For example when my friend and I watched Valentines Day, she had just broken up with her boyfriend so was feeling distressed and gloomy, whereas I was joyous and excited to see Ashton Kutcher in it. By the end of the movie, her emotions has shaped a negative perception of the movie, thinking it was cheesy and gay, and divert from rational thinking to blame me for wasting her time watching it. On the contrary sometimes our reasoning is based on emotion; for example during a mandarin test, I had a cheat sheet ready in my pocket, but I decided not to cheat because of the guilt and fear I will feel. Suggesting that emotion mustnt be totally ignored since without emotion, the world will be dull, cause the uniformity of values and everything will pass unnoticed. So emotions can help humans acquire knowledge and enhance the search for knowledge, but the voice of reason is more rational. All the areas of knowledge are interconnected, one fails to work alone, and one effects the other, whether it is to enhance or limit the quest for truth. The advantageous combination of sense perception and reasoning creating highly valid, justified truths, with solvable limitations, whereas others, like emotions and language are overshadowed by its limitations. Citations: Buddha Buddhism Reality. On Truth and Reality. Web. Apr. 2010. . Mount Kilimanjaro Vanishing Icecaps. Scientific Visualizing Studio. 02 June 2002. Web. 30 Apr. 2010. . Global Warming Fast Facts. Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Web. 03 May 2010. . Alchin, Nicholas. The Theory of Knowledge. Heinemann, blue book Powerpoints up on Moodle

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Compare Contrast Two Persuasive Arguments Essay -- Comparison Between

Compare Contrast Two Persuasive Arguments Should legendary coach Bobby Knight been fired from the University of Indiana? Does the punishment fit the crime? The two articles â€Å"The Knight Who Thought He Was King,† and â€Å"Knight Fall† try to answer these two controversial questions. Each of these articles present the debated issue in their own distinct ways. â€Å"Knight Fall† is written in a way that the reader really doesn’t know what side the author is choosing, that is until the last few sentences. On the other hand, the other article is very distinct, and the reader knows for a fact, just from reading the first few sentences, that the author is not what you call a â€Å"Bobby Knight fan.† Both of these articles use the three rhetoric appeals to help persuade their audience.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"He also thought -indeed, no thought to the contrary seems ever to have made its way into his head- that he was larger than the university itself†¦he signed the papers placed before him and then blithely violated the very agreement he supposedly had accepted, obviously on the assumption that the policy simply did not apply to a god such as him.† (Yardley.) Well if this isn’t straightforward enough for one to understand, then the reader has problems. This is how Yardley uses intrinsic ethos. He is an author for the Washington Post, in the style section, and writing about sports. One who is reading this article is not expecting a remarkable well-informed sports article. Throughout the article he uses a sophisticated vocabulary and strong, powerful words to grasp the attention of his audience. This article doesn’t exactly give the reader much leeway in choosing a side; there is not one good thing about Bobby Knight in this article.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout this editorial, the author really tries to get to your emotions. He uses pathos to try to persuade the reader into not liking Bobby Knight. â€Å"He screamed at referees, berated and belittled members of his own team, heaved chairs.†(Yardley) He is trying to make you dislike Knight, for the things that he has done in the past. He is making Knight to be this immoral individual, who tries to hurt and inflict pain on others. He also states how Knight violated policies, only because they didn’t apply to him. All of this is mentioned just to get the reader to think â€Å"yea, I’m glad he was fired, he was a confused menace to society, who should have been fi... ...be a coach today. â€Å"Knight Fall† also uses cause and consequence. It brings up the point that if Harvey (the student) didn’t come forward and complain about Knight’s abuse, then Knight probably would still be coaching. But that incident was only the tip of the iceberg. Knight had done so many things before that, and in the article, each incident is brought up, and questioned; whether if Knight had not done that, if he still would be coaching. Of course all of this means nothing; it’s all too late. It’s just the two different perspectives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Well these two articles aren’t too hard to compare. One uses such vulgarity, that it makes such an impact on the reader, that the reader has no choice but to believe what the author is telling you. The other, a very informative and thorough article, lets the reader read, and learn, before â€Å"choosing a side.† Reading this will help you understand the situation, from both points of view, and then only to see the authors point of view in the last paragraph of the entire article. In the other article, Yardley doesn’t waste any time in stating his opinion, opening his article with disgust for Knight. These are two perfect articles to compare.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of High School When I think of my past four years of school, I have a lot of memories, more good than bad. I've been trying to think of what I have learned in high school and what has meant the most to me. A lot of people that I have met along the way have left me with pieces of wisdom. I am guilty of having a one-track mind, and sometimes that has hindered me from fully benefiting from all the wisdom I have been given. But, I try my best to see other's reasoning for things and their point of view, though at times I find it very difficult. I am young, and sometimes claim to know it all, but at least I'm honest, right? So, back to what I have learned and tried to apply to my daily life. The Importance of Setting Goals Taking Responsibility for Your Actions Using Mistakes to Build a Bright Future Finding Inspiration in the World Around You Never Giving Up On a Dream The Golden Rule (Do Unto Others ... ) Never Forgetting Your Morals and Beliefs Focussing on the Important Things in Life I know all too well how important it is to set goals. I feel so overwhelmed sometimes when I set goals, but when I have accomplished them, it is such a rewarding feeling, that I strive to set more and always want to beat out my last accomplishment. I love to work hard, because I feel like I am doing everything in my power to be the best I can be. Taking responsibility for your actions can be such a tough thing to do, and pride and lack of energy can sometimes get in the way. Whether it was the time I needed to "fess" up to breaking our TV or paying for my mom's car to get fixed, when I kind of crashed it into another car when I was parking. It sucked to be as ... ... your character, who you are, if you are true to yourself, you will always be respected and looked up to. I have learned that it is really important to make priorities, not others opinions of what is important, but what is important to you. When my grandma and my aunt died within six months of each other I learned that not having the coolest hair, or the nicest clothes didn't really matter, because life's too short to worry about "things." Even though, I like my "things" they aren't that important to me and I would rather have friends or family around than my things, they're not that cool or at least I haven't found anything that is cooler! And if I could leave anyone here with one thing it would be, be true to yourself, and live life to its fullest, have fun, explore new things, and last but not least ... " Do unto others what you would want done unto you."

Monday, September 2, 2019

The Saving Grace of Madness Essays -- Character Analysis, Ophelia, Lae

Hamlet’s Ophelia tragically falls victim to the prevailing and unquestioned female stereotypes of her day. Trapping her within the type of the chaste and dutiful woman, Polonius strips Ophelia of her individual identity and silences her voice. He reduces her to a mere pawn, whoring her out to serve his own selfish agendas. It is only in madness that Ophelia is offered an unexpected respite from this puppetry, one that even the finality of death is unable to offer. When the reader first encounters Ophelia within Hamlet, she is speaking with Laertes, her brother, and Polonius, her father. From these interactions, Ophelia appears to be the true embodiment of what a woman was expected to be. She listens respectfully to her brother and father, speaking only twenty-one lines as opposed to their combined one hundred and twenty. She dutifully responds to their advice: â€Å"I shall the effect of this good lesson keep† (1.3 l.49) and â€Å"I shall obey, my lord† (1.4 l. 145). Yet aside from this expected and somewhat boring picture, the reader learns little of Ophelia. In response to the play’s call to â€Å"Stand and unfold yourself† (1.1 l.2), Ophelia appears to have nothing to say. However, while Polonius is satisfied with this one-dimensional and limited picture of his daughter, the reader should not be. According to the early 17th century context of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, â€Å"chastity was the quality most frequently praised in women† as it directly influenced and determined male honor. Thus, Polonius’ command to Ophelia that she â€Å"not slander any moment leisure as to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet† (1.4 142-143) cannot be read simply as the words of a loving father concerned with the fragility of his daughter’s heart. Rather, it must be r... ...ng more than the goaded words of boy eager to prove his manhood. King Claudius’ response is no better, using Laerte’s grief over Ophelia’s death to motivate his revenge: â€Å"Strengthen your patience in our last night’s speech†¦We’ll put the matter to the present push. This grave shall have a living monument†¦Til then in patience our proceeding be† (5.1 ll. 313-314;317; 319). Thus, once again Ophelia emerges as the scapegoat – her death guilty of motivating the deaths of Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius. While Hamlet indeed comes to a tragic close, it is an ending dominated by men. Fortinbras arrives on the scene in all his manliness, commanding that Hamlet be born â€Å"like a soldier to the stage,† restored to his prior, sane identity. Ophelia however, goes unmentioned, faded from the memory of Denmark, her â€Å"monument† never constructed as King Claudius promised.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Rugby Football Union

Rugby What is it all About? â€Å"In 1823, William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball in his arms and ran with it. And for the next 156 years forwards have been trying to work out why. † – Sir Tasker Watkins (1979) The History of Rugby, many believe that Rugby was born in 1823 when William Webb Ellis whilst spending his time at Rugby school, took the ball in his arms during a game of football and ran with it. This then became the distinctive future of the Rugby game. Although this is not fact as there is little in the way of evidence to substantiate this view, it is more by popular belief. The true year Rugby Football Union was founded was in the year 1871, in the month of December 1870 two men published a letter in The Times suggesting that anyone who plays the Rugby Game should meet and form a code of practice. On 26 January 1871 a meeting was held in Pall Mall, London with representatives from 21 clubs of the game. As a result of this meeting the Rugby Football Union was officially founded. Three lawyers who were former students of Rugby school drew up the first laws of the game which were approved in June 1871. The first ever International game was when England faced Scotland in Edinburgh on March 1871, the England team wore white with a red rose and Scotland wearing brown with a thistle. The game was played over two halves, 50 minutes each way. Scotland won by scoring a goal, a goal then was a try followed by a successful conversion kick. The name and game of rugby has evolved dramatically over the years. In 1886 found the formation of the International Rugby Football Board, this was formed by Scotland, Ireland and Wales as England refused to join after a try against Scotland was disallowed by the Referee. England finally agreed to join in 1890, since then the International Rugby Football Board changed its name in 1997 are now known as the International Rugby Board. The game is always started with the toss of a coin to deicide what team will kick off first. Play then starts with a drop kick, with the players chasing the ball into the opposition’s territory, and the other side trying to retrieve the ball and then taking the ball forward. If the player with the ball is tackled to the ground the team will then form a ruck to protect the ball and organize to set up play, throwing or passing the ball is always made to the player behind the ball, forward passing is not allowed. The ball can only move forward in three ways, by kicking, a player running with it and the ball moving within a scrum or ruck. Blocking is not allowed and only the player with the ball may be tackled if the ball is knocked forward by a player with his arms a knock on is committed and play is restarted with a scrum. Protective equipment is optional and strictly regulated. The most common items are mouth guards, which are worn by most players. Other protective items permitted include thin head gear no thicker than 10mm, non-rigid shoulder pads and also shin pads. Some players will wear bandage or tape to protect injuries. Over the years more and more countries have got involved in the game of rugby. 1910 was the start of the Five Nations Championship between England, France Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 1987 saw the start of the Rugby World Cup this championship was won by New Zealand who defeated France 29-9 at Eden Park, Auckland. 1996 the Tri Nations Series began between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 2000 the Five Nations became the Six Nations Championships with Italy joining in the competition. Even the points system has dramatically changed in 1890 a try was 1 point and a conversion 2 points now its 5 points for a try and 2 points for a conversion. My conclusion to rugby is that the history and tradition will grow stronger and stronger over the years, from famous victories to famous trophies for instance the Six Nations Championship Trophy as plenty of tradition and history, the current trophy was presented to the championship winners France in 1993, the sterling silver trophy, designed by James Brent-Ward and made by a team of eight silversmiths is valued at ? 5,000, although this trophy was originally silver inside over the years of celebratory champagne fillings the trophy became corroded and is now plated with 22 carat gold for protection. The trophy has 15 side panels representing the 15 members of the team and three handles to represent the three officials, this tradition will never die. â€Å"In our country, true teams rarely exist . . . social barriers and persona l ambitions have reduced athletes to dissolute cliques or individuals thrown together for mutual profit . . . Yet these rugby players. ith their muddied, cracked bodies, are struggling to hold onto a sense of humanity that we in America have lost and are unlikely to regain. The game may only be to move a ball forward on a dirt field, but the task can be accomplished with an unshackled joy and its memories will be a permanent delight. The women and men who play on that rugby field are more alive than too many of us will ever be. The foolish emptiness we think we perceive in their existence is only our own. † – Victor Cahn (The New York Times in June 1973)