Christmas Carol Essay Example for Free

Christmas Carol Essay Have you ever met a man so jolly that you could see he was all in a glow and so jolly that his euphoric spirit just poured off him like wine into a glass? Or, possibly, you have met a man so poor that his warmth for the winter is a mere flicker of a flame on a candlewick? Dickens demonstrates through the use of such characters that it does not matter how much money you posses, a person can hold a personality and characteristics independent of their financial status. Scrooges nephew, Fred, is a charismatic young man, who, lives each second as though it were his last. Most importantly, Fred thinks a great deal about Christmas and how it should be celebrated with great caring spirit. Fred asks Scrooge to dine with them on Christmas Day, but Scrooge explains he would see him in extremity first. This shows the cruel, cold-hearted nature of Mr. Scrooge. But for Scrooges nephew to leave the room without an angry word proves that Fred is a true, delightful person that opens his care to even the most miserable of people. As Fred leaves the building and passes by Bob Cratchit, the clerk, he bestows the greetings of the season on the clerk This scene has a great importance to show, the pleasant nature of Fred and the depressing character of Scrooge. In this same scene, Dickens under-mines the whole reason for the importance of Fred and Bob. Fred, although not as rich as Scrooge, still manages to enjoy his wealth and be a jolly person. Scrooge is unbelievably wealthy, and yet he does not spend even the smallest amount of his money to enjoy himself. What reason have you to be merry? Youre poor enough. This shows that Scrooge thinks all happiness is to do with wealth, yet if that were true, he would be happy himself, would he not? It is apparent, therefore, that Dickens created Fred as another side of the Rich Man character that we see in Scrooge, the stereotypical miserable rich loner. Bob, unlike Fred, is the Poor Man and the antithesis of Scrooge in the story. Thus, Dickens created a symbolic character to emulate the Lower classes. He is treated so unbelievably cruelly by Scrooge, yet, he remains a cheerful man who enjoys his Christmas. Without Fred and Bob, the story would not show that money means nothing in terms of happiness. We meet Fred again at his Christmas party, as people put Scrooge down with horrible but vital words to the moral, His wealth is of no use to him. He dont do any good with it. This action helps us to understand that although Scrooge could give pleasure with the wealth his possesses, he does not and is miserable. Fred helps the reader to understand, by explaining that Scrooge should not be despised but pitied. Fred quietly explained to us the first time we met him, Scrooges money does him no good and that his offences carry their own punishment. Fred is almost the complete opposite of Mr. Scrooge and the scene shows how compassionate he is and how caring he can be. This is important to the story because it gives Scrooge a chance to redeem himself from the mistakes he has made and shows us that someone in the world still cares for him. It also shows us what Scrooge can become, for both Fred and Scrooge come from very similar backgrounds. If Fred can enjoy Christmas, why cant Scrooge? Although Bob is unlike Fred in the sense that they do not own the same amount of money, they are similar when you compare their loving nature. Bob cares so much for his family that when he is told his daughter is not coming for Christmas dinner, his joyous nature collapses and he has a sudden declension of high spirits. Also, when Bob gives a toast to Mr Scrooge his wife insults Scrooge; Even though Scrooge depreciates Bob, Bob honours his authority by standing up for his dignity and demonstrates his loyalty to Scrooge. This character, like Fred, is caring but makes the reader believe that Scrooge is an awful cold-hearted man and to be so hurtful to such a joyful man is inhumane. That is why at the end of the story we understand that scrooge has changed because he now shows that he can also care for these characters and that by giving others money and caring for his workers, one of the morals of this story is explicated. Such an important personality cannot be missed for many of the morals throughout these staves. The importance of these characters cannot be put on a scale, but I can say that these characters are needed for the story to progress and without them; such significant messages cannot be made. I conclude that, although the names of the characters may not matter, the overall situations and characters of Fred and Bob, are pivotal because they show that it does not matter how much money you have, you can still be happy, honour others and make others happy. Fred and Bob are employed by Charles Dickens to show this in antithesis to Scrooge.

Clinical Depression :: essays research papers

Clinical depression is very common. Over nine million Americans are diagnosed with clinical depression at some point in their lives. Many more people suffer from clinical depression because they do not seek treatment. They may feel that depression is a personal weakness, or try to cope with their symptoms alone. On the other hand, some people are comfortable with admitting their symptoms and seeking help. Such a discrepancy may account for the differences in reported cases of depression between men and women, which indicate that more than twice the numbers of women than men are clinically depressed. According to the numbers of reported cases of depression, 25% of women and 10% of men will have one or more episodes of clinical depression during their lifetimes. The biologic basis of Clinical Depression originates in the brain. Your brain is made up of a complex network of nerve cells, called neurons and of brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters transmit messages from one neuron to another. Two of these neurotransmitters are not produced in sufficient quantities in a depressed person’s brain. Because of this lack, too few messages get transmitted between neurons and the symptoms of depression occur. In Clinical depression the chemicals in the brain are out-of-balance. New technology allows researchers to take pictures of the brain that show activity levels in the brain. These imaging techniques such as f-MRI and PET scan actually create images of how active different parts of the brain are. Some studies with these kinds of techniques have suggested that the patterns of activation in the brains of depressed people are different than those who are not. These tests can help doctors and researchers learn more ab out depression and other mental illnesses. Since this research is fairly new, it is not yet used to diagnose clinical depression. Strong evidence suggests that clinical depression runs in families. Still, just because a person has family members with clinical depression does not guarantee that he or she will develop it. Similarly, you may get it even if no one else in your family has had it. People with high levels of stress are much more likely to develop depression that those who do not. Though most people go through a "down" period after a particularly stressful event like a divorce or death of a loved one, sometimes extremely difficult stresses can trigger depressive episodes in certain people who are susceptible to the illness.

Conflicting Perspectives Essay

Composers are able to evoke in the audience certain reactions to characters or events in their texts by presenting conflicting perspectives on different issues through the manipulation of the language forms and features of their medium, often communicating their own ideas about issues in question, which results in the creation of meaning within their texts. (?). David Guterson in his 1995 novel Snow Falling on Cedars (Snow) and Henry Bean in his 2001 film The Believer (Believer) demonstrate conscious choices made regarding structure and techniques in the construction of their texts in order to represent conflicting perspectives exploring ideas on racial prejudice and hatred and cultural contrasts and thus engage the audience. Composers can examine racial/religious prejudice brought on by war by using form specific techniques to present conflicting perspectives on the same event, designed to incite certain audience responses. Guterson, in Snow, purposely presents conflicting perspectives between Arthur Chambers and Hatsue and other members of the white community on San Piedro, particularly Etta Heine, in order to draw sympathy for the treatment of the Japanese after Pearl Harbour is bombed. Arthur is empathetic towards them, saying in his local paper the San Piedro Review, â€Å"†¦ those of Japanese descent on this island are not responsible for the tragedy at Pearl Harbour. Make no mistake about it.† The high modality language and short, direct sentences used by Guterson highlights Arthur’s deeply-held opinion of the innocence of the Japanese on the island. In support of Arthur’s argument, Hatsue, through the narrative’s non-linear structure, recalls her pain and confusion at the treatment of her people, saying, â€Å"It just isn’t fair – it’s not fair. How could they do this to us, just like that?† The emotive appeal in addition to Arthur’s article triggers audience support of the Japanese community. Guterson, however, also presents the contrasting racial hatred of the white islanders towards the Japanese. Etta Heine justifies the deportation of the Japanese with blunt, monosyllabic sentences – â€Å"They’re Japs†¦ We’re in a war with them. We can’t have spies around.† The use of the derogative term â€Å"Japs† and the distinct differentiation between â€Å"them†, the Japanese, and â€Å"we†, the white people, illustrates her bigoted hatred of the Japanese. Through the conflicting perspectives of Etta against Arthur and Hatsue, Guterson sways the audience to feel for the ill treatment of the Japanese, and shows them his own opinion on the negative effect of racism in wartime on the perceptions and conduct towards certain groups. Conflicting perspectives are established by Bean in Believer between Daniel, a neo-Nazi who is paradoxically a Jew himself, and a number of Holocaust survivors pertaining to the strength of their actions during WWII which aims to convey a pro-Jewish sentiment to audiences. At a sensitivity training session, Danny is enraged at a Jewish man’s lack of action while watching his son being murdered by a Nazi during the Holocaust. Rapidly cutting over-the-shoulder shots between Danny and the Jews indicate their opposing views. A close-up of Danny when he is asked by the Jews what he would have done in the situation shows his contempt and incredulous disbelief of the Jews’ weakness as he replies â€Å"Not what he did. Just stand there and watch?† Bean immediately employs a close-up reaction shot of the female Jew who rebuts with, â€Å"How do you know? You’ve never been tested like he has. Here in his rich, safe, stupid country it is so easy to imagine oneself a hero.† The personal address through 2nd person and the accumulation of adjectives to build a negative image of America strongly opposes Danny’s prejudiced conviction that Jews are pathetic, and also appeals to audiences the idea that religious prejudice towards Jews is unjustified. As Guterson does in Snow, conflicting perspectives are represented by Bean in order to sway his audience to respond negatively to unfounded sentiments of prejudice. Conflicting perspectives between characters can be used by composers to control the way in which an audience perceives them by exploring the cultural clashes that exist in the text as a reflection of societal (or social?) behaviour. In Snow, Guterson presents conflicting perspectives between Kabuo and the jury during his murder trial. In the opening chapter, a vivid description of Kabuo’s posture and expression is given from the jury’s perspective; he is shown as â€Å"proudly upright†¦ rigid†¦ detached.† This initial portrait portrait of Kabuo makes him suspicious not only to the jury but also to the audience, as Hatsue tells Kabuo using a simile that he â€Å"looks like one of Tojo’s soldiers.† However, Guterson, through the novel’s non-linear structure, refutes this perspective by explaining Kabuo’s behaviour to the audience via a flashback. Through his father’s teachings that â€Å"the greater the composure, the more revealed one was†, the audience learns the reason behind Kabuo’s unemotional stance. Third person omniscient allows the audience to sympathise with Kabuo’s emotive explanation that â€Å"he sat upright in the hope that his desperate composure might reflect the shape of his soul.† Guterson, through conflicting perspectives, influences his audience to understand Kabuo and the impact of contrasting cultural values on the perception of an individual. In Believer, Bean likewise shows contrasting opinions between Danny, who cannot fully repress his secret Jewish identity, and his anti-Semitic ‘skinhead’ friends to create audience sympathy for Danny’s inner struggles with the opposing aspects of his identity. When Danny and his friends break into a synagogue, Daniel shows a surprising respect for his religion which clashes with those of the other neo-Nazis. This directly conflicts with Danny’s character established at the film’s opening, when he violently beats up a Jew for no apparent reason. Wearing a brown shirt symbolising the Nazi SA (brown-shirts), Danny’s dark costuming contrasts with the light coloured one of his Jewish victim, highlighting the evil in his nature. Bean, however, challenges the audience’s view of Danny in order to allow them to understand his conflicting identities. In one frame, Danny is in the foreground walking down an aisle, which is juxtaposed with the othe r Nazis vandalising the synagogue. Their loud, raucous whooping contrasts to that of Danny’s respectful silence, highlighting their different treatments of the Jewish culture. When one of the Nazis tears up a Torah, a sacred Jewish text, after much opposition from Danny, a reaction shot of him shows sadness and pain accompanied by melancholy music, underlining Danny’s unspoken deference for Judaism. Bean’s portrayal of conflicting perspectives on Jewish culture incites the audience to respond more sympathetically towards Danny, and to understand that his veneer is a product of cultural differences in his society. The composers in Snow and Believer have effectively utilised techniques within their medium to represent conflicting perspectives about racial or religious prejudice and cultural differences in order to provoke certain audience responses to the characters, events or situations in their story. This includes reactions of sympathy for a certain perspective or disbelief and even dislike of opposing perspectives. In this way, the composers connect to the audience and generate meaning within their texts. In Snow, Hatsue is confined by the traditions of her culture, as shown when her mother Fujiko says to her â€Å"don’t allow living among the hakujin to become living intertwined with them. Your soul will decay†¦ rot and go sour.† The change in language to refer to the Americans as hakujin and the emotive metaphor of Hatsue’s breakdown of purity highlights Fujiko’s dislike of American culture. This

Genetic Engineering Genetically Modified Organisms Essay

Gene Technology Genetically modified microorganisms Genetically modified microorganisms are microorganisms/organisms which have been genetically altered meaning that their genetic materials have been modified. This modification is achieved through a technological method, genetic engineering. Genetic engineering also known as recombinant DNA technology/genetic modification is a science that employs molecular biology techniques so as to modify or alter the genome of an organism. It involves manipulation of an organism’s genome directly by use of biotechnology. Typically, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is an exogenous genetic material, is inserted in the host genome. This is done by isolating and copying the genetic material in question using a method known as molecular cloning so as to generate a DNA sequence. That is, the gene that will be inserted into the organism to be modified is first selected/chosen and then isolated. This can be done using restriction enzymes so as to slice DNA into fragments and gel electrophoresis. This separates them as per their length. Artificial synthesis may be applied in a case whereby the DNA sequence is known, but there are no available copies of the gene. For the gene that is to be inserted into the GMO to work properly, it must be combined with other genetic elements. Modification of the gene can also be done at this point to enhance effectiveness. The resulting microorganism through genetic engineering is a genetically modifiedShow MoreRelatedGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1367 Words   |  6 PagesGenetics is the foundation that controls the diversity and natural selection of the world we live in now. Each organism ranging from the smallest bacteria to the largest of animals all have genes that make up their own personal identity. Without these genes designating these identities, there would never be such things as â€Å"organisms† but rather just one organism. Genetics is vital to the world because no matter what boundaries or challeng es an organism is presented with, there will always be thatRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1649 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Genetic engineering is the science of making changes to the genes of a plant or animal to produce a desired result (Anon., n.d.). Genetic engineering is being used by scientists for various projects. It is being used to explore and alter the human genome as well as the genomes of other animals and organisms. Genetic engineering is used to create GMOs. GMO is the abbreviation for genetically modified organism, this organism’s genome is altered, using genetic engineering, so that its DNARead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1165 Words   |  5 Pagesaltered with it’s use of genetically modified organisms or GMO’s for short. Genetically modified organisms can be defined as scientists taking DNA from other organisms and altering the current organism with new DNA to produce an organism with genes that would not occur naturally. This technique is called genetic engineering. This process is not to be confused with hybridization or cross-breeding because there are no species related genes when it comes to genetic engineering. The experts from GMO AwarenessRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1485 Words   |  6 PagesA genetically modified organism, or â€Å"GMO,† is defined as being, â€Å"an organism or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered by means of genetic engineering.† This process is often used in plants and animals to produce desirable attributes. In the past, a plant with a desired attribute would be bred, by using selective breeding, to yield more plants with that desirable attribute. Now with the advancement of genetic engineering, this technique can be performed in a laboratory by moving orRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms Essay2105 Words   |  9 Pagesthe possibilities of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the artificial modification of an organisms genetic material with the help of biotechnology. This is capable of pr oducing traits in an organism that would never have occurred by naturally. Genetic engineering is possible because genes are a universal language in life. Genes from one organism can be put in another organism, the possibilities for genetic engineering are essentially endless (Dixon, 2013). Any organism that has been alteredRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms And The Environment1284 Words   |  6 Pagesabout genetically modified organisms and think that they are god sent other countries are weary of them and think that they are dangerous. While many other countries label genetically modified organisms because they think that people should have a choice whether or not they want to consume them America believes that their people should not have to know therefore taking the people s choice away and making the decision for them. There have been studies that have shown that genetically modified organismsRead MoreGenetic Engineering: Brave New World1012 Words   |  5 PagesGeneti c engineering has been around for many years and is widely used all over the planet. Many people don’t realize that genetic engineering is part of their daily lives and diet. Today, almost 70 percent of processed foods from a grocery store were genetically engineered. Genetic engineering can be in plants, foods, animals, and even humans. Although debates about genetic engineering still exist, many people have accepted due to the health benefits of gene therapy. The lack of knowledge has alwaysRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Foods998 Words   |  4 PagesWith progress in genetic engineering of foods, scientist, researchers, and farmers have changed the way food is grown. And this has started raising questions about the methods they use and their possible risks and side effects. To understand the risks and benefits of genetically modified foods you must first understand what they are. Genetically modified foods may also be referred to as GM foods, GMO, modified crops, GM organisms, or bio-tech foods. (Wohlers, Anton E, 2013, p73-84) You may see meRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms ( Gmo )1665 Words   |  7 PagesA genetically modified organism (GMO) is a chemical organism processed in a laboratory where genes from the DNA of the crops are extracted and then artificially forced into an unrelated product that, when put into the crops the farmers raise, can chemically change the makeup of the crop. The chemical makeup can be from the change in the skin color of the crop to the actual organic chemistry compound. Genetic engineering is the process of splicing the genes in the crop and taking out a certain chemicalRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Organisms1199 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Genetically modified organisms come to be through genetic engineering where their genetic material is artificially altered in a laboratory to suit certain specifications. Genetic engineering is a new technology which gives rise to unstable animals, bacteria, and plants which are not naturally occurring and do not come into being through the normal crossbreeding methods as other traditional crops. Virtually every genetically modified crop produced commercially are made in such a way Genetic Engineering Genetically Modified Organisms Essay Cloning, landmine sensing plants, and fish that glow in the dark, are all realities when it comes to the possibilities of genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the artificial modification of an organisms genetic material with the help of biotechnology. This is capable of producing traits in an organism that would never have occurred by naturally. Genetic engineering is possible because genes are a universal language in life. Genes from one organism can be put in another organism, the possibilities for genetic engineering are essentially endless (Dixon, 2013). Any organism that has been altered through means of genetic engineering is referred to a GMO or genetically modified organism. Genetic engineering is similar to breeding, but at the same time much different. Genes are being selected for the same ways animals like dogs would be bred, however, with selective breeding the same species are used and people are naturally selecting certain observable phenotypes and breeding the t wo organisms to attempt to produce a desired result (Dixon, 2013). With genetic engineering, genes can be artificially altered and genes from a variety of species can all be woven into one organism (Dixon, 2013). Therefore, with genetic engineering having potentially no limits, the only real constraints are scientists imaginations and also moral and ethical concerns. It is important to understand the basis of genetic inheritance and the rules of inheritance, in which our understanding today canShow MoreRelatedGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms Essay1293 Words   |  6 PagesGene Technology Genetically modified microorganisms Genetically modified microorganisms are microorganisms/organisms which have been genetically altered meaning that their genetic materials have been modified. This modification is achieved through a technological method, genetic engineering. Genetic engineering also known as recombinant DNA technology/genetic modification is a science that employs molecular biology techniques so as to modify or alter the genome of an organism. It involves manipulationRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1367 Words   |  6 PagesGenetics is the foundation that controls the diversity and natural selection of the world we live in now. Each organism ranging from the smallest bacteria to the largest of animals all have genes that make up their own personal identity. Without these genes designating these identities, there would never be such things as â€Å"organisms† but rather just one organism. Genetics is vital to the world because no matter what boundaries or challenges an organism is presented with, there will always be thatRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1649 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Genetic engineering is the science of making changes to the genes of a plant or animal to produce a desired result (Anon., n.d.). Genetic engineering is being used by scientists for various projects. It is being used to explore and alter the human genome as well as the genomes of other animals and organisms. Genetic engineering is used to create GMOs. GMO is the abbreviation for genetically modified organism, this organism’s genome is altered, using genetic engineering, so that its DNARead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1165 Words   |  5 Pagesaltered with it’s use of genetically modified organisms or GMO’s for short. Genetically modified organisms can be defined as scientists taking DNA from other organisms and altering the current organism with new DNA to produce an organism with genes that would not occur naturally. This technique is called genetic engineering. This process is not to be confused with hybridization or cross-breeding because there are no species related genes when it comes to genetic engineering. The experts from GMO AwarenessRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Genetically Modified Organisms1485 Words   |  6 PagesA genetically modified organism, or â€Å"GMO,† is defined as being, â€Å"an organism or microorganism whose genetic material has been altered by means of genetic engineering.† This process is often used in plants and animals to produce desirable attributes. In the past, a plant with a desired attribute would be bred, by using selective breeding, to yield more plants with that desirable attribute. Now with the advancement of genetic engineering, this technique can be performed in a laboratory by moving orRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms And The Environment1284 Words   |  6 Pagesabout genetically modified organisms and think that they are god sent other countries are weary of them and think that they are dangerous. While many other countries label genetically mod ified organisms because they think that people should have a choice whether or not they want to consume them America believes that their people should not have to know therefore taking the people s choice away and making the decision for them. There have been studies that have shown that genetically modified organismsRead MoreGenetic Engineering: Brave New World1012 Words   |  5 PagesGenetic engineering has been around for many years and is widely used all over the planet. Many people don’t realize that genetic engineering is part of their daily lives and diet. Today, almost 70 percent of processed foods from a grocery store were genetically engineered. Genetic engineering can be in plants, foods, animals, and even humans. Although debates about genetic engineering still exist, many people have accepted due to the health benefits of gene therapy. The lack of knowledge has alwaysRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Foods998 Words   |  4 PagesWith progress in gen etic engineering of foods, scientist, researchers, and farmers have changed the way food is grown. And this has started raising questions about the methods they use and their possible risks and side effects. To understand the risks and benefits of genetically modified foods you must first understand what they are. Genetically modified foods may also be referred to as GM foods, GMO, modified crops, GM organisms, or bio-tech foods. (Wohlers, Anton E, 2013, p73-84) You may see meRead MoreGenetically Modified Organisms ( Gmo )1665 Words   |  7 PagesA genetically modified organism (GMO) is a chemical organism processed in a laboratory where genes from the DNA of the crops are extracted and then artificially forced into an unrelated product that, when put into the crops the farmers raise, can chemically change the makeup of the crop. The chemical makeup can be from the change in the skin color of the crop to the actual organic chemistry compound. Genetic engineering is the process of splicing the genes in the crop and taking out a certain chemicalRead MoreBenefits Of Genetically Modified Organisms1199 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Genetically modified organisms come to be through genetic engineering where their genetic material is artificially altered in a laboratory to suit certain specifications. Genetic engineering is a new technology which gives rise to unstable animals, bacteria, and plants which are not naturally occurring and do not come into being through the normal crossbreeding methods as other traditional crops. Virtually every genetically modified crop produced commercially are made in such a way