Major textual analysis project Essay Example Essay Example

Major textual analysis project Essay Example Paper Major textual analysis project Essay Introduction Major textual analysis project Major textual analysis project Major textual analysis project Major Textual Analysis Project Introduction The Almighty Johnsons is a New Zealand TV Series that airs in Australia’s TV3. The show pursues the life of a student named Axl Johnson who, on the day of his 21st birthday, discovers that his family members are reincarnated Norse gods of old. However, his family members do not have full powers until Axl has been reincarnated as Odin. To ensure that their family survives, Odin has to locate the whereabouts of the reincarnation of Odin’s wife, Frigg. Matters are further complicated by the fact that they are not the only Gods in Exile, in New Zealand. The first episode of the whole series is one of interest. It portrays the life of a young man who has been ushered in into the world of responsibility. Axl, at the age of 21, is given the burden of a god whose power can sustain those of his family members (Griffin and Lang). This can be assumed as the typical life experience of everyone who becomes of age. For some, like Axl, respo nsibility is thrust upon them when they become adults. Some readily accept the challenges with excitement not knowing what lies ahead. Others deny the fact that they have become of age and refuse to take responsibility. Though Axl is skeptical at first, he accepts his role as the reincarnate of the Norse go Odin. The question is how real life experiences of young adults have been portrayed in the series. In this sense, the question of how similar the Norse myth is to it portrayal in the Almighty Johnsons and are there any similarities between the modern culture and ancient Nordic cultures for the myth to appeal to both. Context The various ways in which the screen text was produced and circulated can be viewed in various ways. The series has been produced within a social context that is defined by television. South Pacific pictures, is a television production company that made use of the popularity of television to produce the screen text, Almighty Johnsons. Television seems to be a ttracting more people every day. Television is mostly watched by young people who are attracted to genres such as have been presented by Almighty Johnson (Hammond and Mazdon 21). One of the things that have increased television popularity is the fact that as the society grows, jobs are becoming less available. It is commonplace to find graduates with no jobs and therefore, they are drawn to watching television on a regular basis. Perhaps the production is aimed at this group of young men and women to take initiative and map out the course of their futures. Institutional context in this regard refers to the social context within which the screen text has been produced. In this case, television has played an important role in delivering the intended meaning. The discursive context refers to the conversations that take place in society and how these conversations shape thought in society and the world. Television has been considered one of the most crucial aspects of society. It then f ollows that whatever airs in the television, people are going to discuss (Fisherkeller 56). The Almighty Johnsons is thought of as being humorous. This assessment tells a lot the social context within which the screen text was produced. It seems to suggest that people do not want to take life seriously. The humorous concept it seems has been used to encourage audiences to embrace the concept of gods in the modern world. Rumors to cancel the show, for example, were not taken lightly with people on twitter asserting that the show had to continue into the third season. This just goes to show the importance that has been attached with the continuation of the show by the fan base. The central idea behind the plot is the interaction of gods in modern society. The plot also revolves around Axl Johnson’s quest to marry the goddess Frigg so that his family members’ powers can be fully realized. If this does not happen, then disaster befalls the family and they will not survive. This representation is more of the daily challenges that young men and women go through every day such as dealing with siblings, love, disappointment and how one fits into the world. What role are they supposed to play? The Almighty Johnsons, as much as it is geared toward achieving humorous effects, it also provides people with an engaging dramatic experience. The dramas of life include concepts such as love, rivalry, conflict among other difficulties that are characteristic of everyday life. The screen text also takes the audience to a world of fantasy that is all about gods and their destiny. The fantasy is plays into the minds of youth and people in general who have the desire to achieve greatness yet they never know where to begin. Axl has provided is a classic example of current youth who hope to be enlightened about the path they are supposed to take. Since this does not happen in real life, the audiences live through the character of Axl Johnson and others in their quest to find their purpose in the world. The fantasy genre has also been influenced by other programs on television. There seems to be a frantic about the fantasy genre today. It has become the norm that one may find motion pictures and television series having zombies, vampires, super powered individuals among other fantasy traits (Hammond and Mazdon 39). The appeal of fantasy is that, for the period one is watching these fantasy programs, one is made to believe that there is a slight chance that such things take place. It is accurate to conclude that the Almighty Johnsons provide a multi faceted approach where it provides the audience with aspects of drama, humor and fantasy as a marketing strategy. It has taken advantage of the appeal that fantasy and science fiction has on television audiences to sell its concept. The cultural context of the screen text is based on a modern life that has been integrated with the cultural context of the Norse gods. While Axl Johnson and his brothers lea d a normal life in the world, they have to abide by the rules of Norse gods. For example, as a rule, Norse female gods and male gods do not get along as a rule. This is an ancient archetype of gender relations where men and women are considered different in terms of the roles they play in society. Women have always been seen as the inferior sex, and in this regard, they have withstood the worst of male brutality. This relationship between the Norse deities is an example of women asserting their independence something that has been increasingly visible in the world today. This also gives evidence to the fact that even in ancient times, women have always fought for their independence and equality. The social context of the screen, despite the deity concept, portrays the problems that people face everyday. For example, the screen text reveals social truths such as divorce, betrayal, destiny among other social concepts. The most important thing that comes out in this screen text is the fact the obvious us of intertextuality. This is where the creators of The Almighty Johnson’s have used a previous text in the past to come up with their own constructions. Intertextuality in this case has been the transference of the contents ancient Nordic poetry about Norse deity and applying the same concept in a modern context through the Almighty Johnsons (Allen 27). The assumption is that while the Nordic poetry is important, it may not appeal to the current society. In this case, the creators recreate a story about the Norse gods and goddesses by incorporating themes that are relevant to our current experiences. Analysis In episode one of the first season of The Almighty Johnsons, Axl has been presented with the idea that he is the vessel of Odin, a Norse god in ancient Germanic mythology (Griffin and Lang). One crucial scene is when his brothers gather around in the forest to tell him who he is. He is reluctant to believe what his brothers are telling him. This may be because the idea of incarnation may be a farfetched idea. However, he is finally convinced, and he accepts the challenge. One of the reasons he agrees is to becoming Odin’s incarnate is the fact that he will be responsible for the continued survival of his brothers. What is clear is that it presents issues around accepting responsibility of avoiding it all together (chaos or order). Chaos will erupt if Odin does not accept his destiny and save his brothers. However, his acceptance of this responsibility where he has to find Frigg, he will be able to save his family. Another significant issue is the fact that he has been given this responsibility at the age of 21 and right on his birthday. This is significant especially because culture dictates that a man or woman will get to the age in which he or she will have to take up some responsibility. In the past, this was also the practice. This practice has survived the many generations. When Axl takes the sword of Odin, he is stru ck by lightening and this marks his incarnation the beginning of his quest toward his destiny. People begin life when they have reached a certain mark in life. In western culture, this is always through education, where after attaining a degree, one embarks on a path chosen for them in pursuit of happiness. Either way, Axl journey is a replica of the structures inherent in society. Mythology studies myth. Myth is usually a story that has significant implications to a particular culture. However, myth can be assigned a different attribute in which myth may refer to the way symbols have been ordered so that constructions appear natural. It is therefore essential to interrogate the relevance of myth in this society. The relevance of myth in the Almighty Johnsons is partly because of enhancing plot, but it also, myth has been used to enhance a certain message that is relevant to the society within which the screen text has been produced. The issue of myth here has been achieved by prese nting symbols to give an understanding of the world within which we live. The myth of a defined destiny is revealed in the person of Axl Johnson, his brothers, and other gods and goddesses whose paths have chosen. The similarity between the ancient Norse myth and the myth as presented by the screen is obvious. All portray lives as being directed by a being higher that they can comprehend. This remains a part of western culture where people believe that order is brought by all being right in the world. If this order is tampered with, then chaos is inevitable. Conclusion There is a significant relationship between ancient mythologies. This can be explained by the fact that despite the use of an old mythological story from a dead civilization can still apply in the modern context. Further still, it is evident that the desire to pursue one’s destiny is a persistent archetype in the art that has survived to this day. If art is the portrayal of society, then The Almighty Johnsons h as portrayed human beings as still desiring the divine intervention in life. The fantasy appeal of the screen text goes to show just this. It is also crucial to recognize the fact that screen text has been used to present the challenges that young people go through everyday such as the difficulties one faces in life such as dealing with siblings, the decision about one’s future among other issues. The Almighty Johnsons in this regard has been a useful tool in assessing the relevance of myth in life in now and in the past. Major textual analysis project Essay Thank you for reading this Sample! We will write a custom essay sample on Major textual analysis project Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Major textual analysis project Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Major textual analysis project Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

The New SAT What You Need to Know

The New SAT What You Need to Know The New SAT: What You Need to Know Originally called the â€Å"Scholastic Aptitude Test,† the SAT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the US. Understanding the SAT is therefore essential for anyone looking to enroll at a US college. However, starting this month (or May 2016 for international students), the SAT has changed. And if you’re thinking of applying to college this year, you’ll need to know the difference. Main Changes In terms of structure, the new SAT still focuses on math and English skills, but with an ‘evidence-based reading and writing’ section replacing the separate writing and critical reading components of the old test. The essay component is now also optional and scored separately, rather than compulsory. Old SAT New SAT 1. Critical reading 2. Writing 3. Math 4. Essay 1. Evidence-based reading and writing 2. Math 3. Essay (optional) On top of these structural differences, some of the main changes include: Scores will now be given on a 1600 point scale (800 for math; 800 for reading/writing) instead of the old 2400 point scale Incorrect answers will no longer be penalized on multiple-choice questions Less focus on obscure vocabulary, more on understanding words in context and evidence-based reasoning Math component now only permits use of a calculator on some sections Preparing for the New SAT Since this new SAT differs significantly from the old one, it’s vital to prepare accordingly. This might involve: Learning the New Test Format The simplest and most important thing you can do before sitting the new SAT is learning exactly how it has changed; knowing the general structure and format of the SAT will allow you to focus your revision and ensures you won’t be surprised when the test day arrives. Honing Your Critical Reading The new SAT focuses more on evidencing your claims, critical analysis and understanding information in context (rather than answering sentence completion questions). This makes it essential to work on your reading skills as well as your vocabulary. Taking a Practice Test As ever with exams, the best way to prepare is taking a practice paper. For the new test, your best option is the Khan Academy Official SAT Practice site.

How do you evaluate the economics discourse of sustainability Essay

How do you evaluate the economics discourse of sustainability - Essay Example Unfortunately many debates and studies about the measurement of sustainability do not define, or even derive a common understanding, about what is to be measured. Nonetheless, the context of sustainability cannot be separated from its measurement. In simple words, experts argue that there is need to consider economic, environmental and social indicators to measure sustainability. For example, economic indicators are income level in society, inflation, unemployment, exports / imports statistics, GDP, FDI, Public and Foreign Debt etc. Social indicators may include Suicide rates, people living below poverty line, difference between rich & poor, rate of urbanization, spread of diseases, mortality rates, educational and health spending etc. Environmental factors include carbon emissions and pollution. Together, the evaluation of these aforementioned indicators helps determining the level of sustainability in a particular nation or society. It should be pinpointed that economists, statisticians and business professionals have developed various quantitative models and tools to estimate economic betterment and real growth rates. Nevertheless, the nominal growth is not considered as true representation of economic sustainability, growth and expansion. Some of the best examples of quantitative methods for measuring sustainability include Liverman and Sustainable Seattle (that ranges from the simple to complex), Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), Moody’s Credit Rating etc. Economists, indeed, claim that a country’s reliance and use of local resources for domestic production (without any violation of environment and business laws) and need fulfillment of local + foreign consumers leads to accumulation of wealth and sustainability in that country. In addition, it reduces dependence on foreign countries, donor agencies and international community, which later enhances its political and economic power, reputation and

Practice of investment management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Practice of investment management - Essay Example This change in the interest rate is also notable in the federal rate. The hike in the federal rate does not have a major immediate effect in the stock market of the US. This suggests that in short term, the impact of federal rates on the equity indices is not as prominent as deemed. However, it has a gradual, but significant impact on equity indices of the nation in the long term. In this regard, it is notable that the hike in the federal rate leads to the increase in the equity indices of the nation at large. The data collected from Bloomberg L. P. (2015) reveals that there has been an increasing trend in the federal fund rates in the US within the last one year i.e., from March, 2014. This is eminent from the increasing linear slope through graphical representations of the data. The underneath graphical representation depicts the same in a compressed but elaborative form. The set of valuable data collected from Market Watch, Inc (2015) also suggests that there has been an increasing trend in the NYSE Equity indices from March 2014. Further, a trend analysis of the collected data predicts that there would be an increase in the equity market in the long run i.e. 2 years. The quantitative analysis predicts that equity indices of NYSE would increase to 11521.72 points. However, it is also estimated that the increasing trend would not have a major impact on the short-term operations, which can be 3 months in general. The statistical analysis predicts that after three months i.e. May 2015, the NYSE equity index would have 11012.05 points. Correspondingly, increase in the equity market through the rise in the federal fund rates is also proved with the help of positive correlation between the two variables. The correlation value determined is 0.319133833 (Market Watch Inc, 2015). The underneath graphical representation depicts the short term (3 months) and

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS - Assignment Example The evaluation helps them to know in which program to concentrate their effort to maximize their productivity. As the organization grew, the need for this assessment became critical. This made the sustainability of the organizational growth a problem. The organization faced the management and strategy issue, which also plagues other non-profit organizations. Any organization that lacks machinery to evaluate its programs, cannot know how effective those programs are or how productive they are in terms of delivering their objectives. This means that it cannot clearly demonstrate the commitment it has to its mission and it will be difficult for such an organization to secure long term funding from the funders. An organization such as HCZ with a mission to educate a poor child in Harlem, must know the long-term goals it has and should be in a position to explain clearly to the funders how they are planning to meet their objectives. This will convince the funder to give it the support it requires to continue growing. Fundamentally, the organization should find a way to manage their setups to a success level. It needed an instrument to assess the working programs and discover areas to work more in the organization to increase productivity. Finding a long term funding will enable them grow and achieve their mission and objectives. How to solve the resource problem is of essence especially at this time when some of Hcz’s primary funders such as various clients of Bernie Madoff and Lehman Brothers Holdings are going through financial crisis. (Spector, 98). Canada laid off staff members because of this issue. This is an obstacle to expanding services of the organization. HCZ is a good social asset. The problem that rocks it is how to protect funding from private sectors. For instance, when HCZ was planning 2003 budget, it allocated $11,300 annual spending per student in the promise academy. Funding crises forced the

Hamstring Tightness Is Common Health And Social Care Essay

Hamstring Tightness Is Common Health And Social Care Essay Among the muscle undergoing adaptive shortening, hamstring is the one commonly going for adaptive shortening. The hamstring comprises of three large muscles namely semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and bicep femoris which arises from the tuberosity of ischium. They are present over the posterior compartment of the thigh and span the hip and knee joints. Hence they are the extensors of the hip and flexors of the knee. Hamstring tightness is common in normal individual because of immobilization of a tissue in a shortened position results in adaptive shortening. As the muscle shortens, its elasticity of the normal tissue was decreased and a change in the length tension relationship of the muscle, loss of flexibility also occurs. Hamstring tightness could make the musculo tendinous unit more susceptible to injury, increase resistance to various anatomical structures, which may lead to overuse syndrome. Tightness could also leads to pathological conditions at the joint on which the muscle acts, especially on a muscle like hamstring which passes over the two joints. Muscle tightness has a significant impact on neuromuscular control. Muscle tightness affects the normal length tension relationships. When one muscle in a force couple becomes tight or hypertonic, it alters the normal arthrokinematics of the involved joint. This affects the synergistic function of the entire kinetic chain, leading to abnormal stress, soft tissue dysfunction, neural compromise and vascular/lymphatic stasis. Muscle tightness also cause reciprocal inhibition. Increased muscle spindle activity in a specific muscle will cause decreased neural drive to that muscles functional antagonist. This alters the normal arthrokinematics of the involved segment. Flexibility has been defined as the ability of a muscle to lengthen and allow one joint (or more than one joint in a series) to move through a range of motion. Anderson and Burke defined Flexibility as the range of motion available in a joint or a group of joint that is influenced by muscles, ligaments and bones. Loss of flexibility means decreased ability of a muscle to deform. Loss of flexibility may lead to decrease in lumbar lordosis, reduction of muscle strength and quadriceps dysfunction during gait, lumbar pelvic rhythm was disturbed, anterior pelvic tilt was restricted, lumbar motion was increased. Excessive mobility of lumbar spine leads to overstretching of lumbar ligaments and consequently pain and instability. (Levangie and Norkin, 2001) Loss of flexibility can also cause pain arising from muscle, connective tissue or periosteum. (Hardy, 1989; Tillmann and Cummings, 1992) With regard to important role of hamstring flexibility restoration of its normal length is necessary. Muscle tissue length is thought to play an important role in efficiency and effectiveness of human movement. Benefits of flexibility is to enhance the range of motion, improved body position, potential relief of aches and pain, protection against low back pain and injuries, reduction of post exercise muscle soreness, and promotes relaxation. Hamstring tightness can be measured using the (1) Active unilateral straight leg raise test, (2) Passive unilateral straight leg raise test, (3) Sit and reach test, (4)Active knee extension test. Straight leg raise test are widely used as a neurologic tests, hence they do not give valid measures of hamstring tightness because of pelvic rotation that occurs during the test. Active knee extension test is the reliable test. Continuous ultrasound therapy increases tendon length by changing their viscosity and plasticity (Ziskin et al, 1986). Skeletal muscles have a higher rate of absorption of ultrasound waves when compared to fatty tissue. (Dyson, 1987; Low and Reed, 1990). Elevation of collagen tissue temperature affects on mechanical and physical characteristics of tissues and facilitates deformation of the collagen. As pain and discomfort was reduced during stretching and collagen fiber ability to tolerate greater forces was increased. Ultrasound increases soft tissue extensibility and may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of knee contractures secondary to connective tissue shortening (Folconer et al, 1992). Static stretching allow the muscle spindle to accommodate, reduces their firing rate; hence static stretch is effective in increasing the length of muscle. (Gordon and Ghez, 1991). Longer hold times during stretching of the hamstring muscles resulted in a greater rate of gains in range of motion (Feland et al, 2001). Stretch duration lower than 30 seconds did not increase muscle flexibility (Beaulien, 1981). Static stretch of 30 seconds is sufficient to increases the hamstring muscle length. Combination of ultrasound therapy with 30 seconds stretch is more effective than ultrasound therapy with 15 seconds stretch in increasing hamstring flexibility (A.Akbari, H.Moodi, A.A.Moein, and R.Nazok 2006). Muscle energy techniques (MET) are manually applied stretching techniques that use principles of neurophysiology to relax overactive muscle and stretch chronically shortened muscles. Muscle energy techniques (MET) have the ability to relax overactive muscles or stretch tight muscles and their associated fascial components when connective tissue or viscoelastic changes have occurred. When using Muscle energy techniques (MET), it is important to relax/inhibit the neuromuscular component before attempting to stretch the involved musculature. Two fundamental neurophysiologic principles account for the neuromuscular inhibition. The first principle of Muscle energy techniques (MET) is post contraction inhibition / autogenic inhibition / post isometric relaxation. The second principle is reciprocal inhibition. Muscle energy technique produced an immediate increase in passive knee extension in individuals with hamstring tightness (Ballantyne 2003). Muscle energy technique is significantly improving the hamstring flexibility in collegiate males (Wassim .M et al 2009). 1.1 NEED FOR THE STUDY: Continuous ultrasound therapy, static stretching, muscle energy technique (MET) are significant in improving hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. These methods of treatment are well accepted and practised by various researchers according to previous literature, but there was no study to compare the effect of muscle energy technique ( MET) and ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. So the purpose of this study is to analyse the efficacy of muscle energy technique and ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. 1.2 AIMS: To find out the effect of muscle energy technique versus ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. 1.3 OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of muscle energy technique in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. To study the effect of ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. To compare the effect of muscle energy technique and ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. 1.4 KEYWORDS: Hamstring flexibility, Muscle energy technique, Ultrasound therapy with static stretching, Active knee extension test. 1.5 HYPOTHESIS 1.5.1 NULL HYPOTHESIS: There is no significant effect of muscle energy technique in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. There is no significant effect of ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. There is no significant difference between the effect of muscle energy technique and ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. 1.5.2 ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS There is a significant effect of muscle energy technique in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. There is a significant effect of ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. There is a significant difference between the effect of muscle energy technique and ultrasound therapy with static stretching in improving the hamstring flexibility in individuals with hamstring tightness. II.REVIEW OF LITERATURE HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS: Worrel et al (2003) Stated that hamstring injuries in athletes is mainly due to the lack of hamstring flexibility. Kishner and Colby et al (2002) Stated that adequate mobility of soft tissues and joints is thought to be an important factor in prevention of injury (or) reinjury to soft tissues. Donald E Hartig et al (1999) Stated that increase in hamstring flexibility decreases overuse injuries in lower extremities. Sarhmann.S et al (1997) Stated that muscle tightness and hypertonicity has a significant impact on the neuromuscular control. Muscle tightness affects the normal length tension relationship. Bullock-Saxton.J, Lewit.K et al (1997, 1984) Stated that muscle tightness alters the normal arthrokinematics of the involved joint. This affects the synergistic function leading to abnormal joint stress, soft tissue dysfunction, neural compromise and vascular or lymphatic stasis. Ronald F, Zernickle et al (1996) Stated that extracting flexibility changes related with structural and physiological changes influence the level of physical activity. Zachazewski et al (1989) Stated that loss of flexibility of hamstring may lead to decrease in lumbar lordosis, reduction of muscle strength and quadriceps dysfunction during gait. Cummings, GS, Crutchfeld, CA, Barnes et al (1983) Stated that tightness is referred to mild shortening of a healthy musculo tendinous unit otherwise referred to as a mild transient contracture. A muscle that is tight can be lengthened to all but the outer limits of its range. Normal individual who do not regularly participate in a flexibility program can develop mild myostatic contractures or tightness, particularly in two joint muscles such as hamstrings, rectus femoris or gastronemius. Fox E.L et al (1979) Stated that flexibility enhances movement by improving body awareness with greater ease and dexterity. Lawrence Gold et al Stated that the hamstrings are the muscles that run from behind and below the knees up to the back of the thigh till the sitbones. Soft tissue injuries, knee pain, torn menisci, chondromalacia patella and poor posture often come from tight hamstrings. Tight hamstrings can prevent the individual from reaching full extension or from bending over completely. ULTRASOUND THERAPY WITH STATIC STRETCHING Shadmer.A, Astaneh.H.N, et al (2010) Conducted a study to analyse the effect of two different modes (Continuous versus Pulsed) in decreasing the shortening of hamstrings. Thirty non impaired men aged 20 to 30 years were included. Ultrasound was applied over short hamstrings. Hamstring flexibility was measured by passive knee extension test. Continuous ultrasound of 2W/Cm ², 1MHZ, five minutes and Pulsed ultrasound of 200 µs burst of 1MHZ, 0.5W/Cm ², five minutes was used. They concluded that the heating effects of continuous ultrasound may be more effective than non thermal properties of pulsed ultrasound for increasing the flexibility of shortened hamstrings. Meroni, Roberto, Cerri, Cesare Giuseppe, Lanzarini, Carlo, Barindelli, Guido, Morte, Giancesare Della, Gessaga, Viviana, Cesana, Gian Carlo, DeVito, Giovanni et al (2010) Stated that the gain in flexibility was maintained for a period of 4 weeks after the cessation of training. This improvement was more significantly noticed in active stretching group by using active knee extension test than the passive stretching group. Buker N., Aslan E., Kitis A., Carluk U et al (2008) Stated that the superficial (or) deep heat applications before static stretching exercises shows positive effects to increasing flexibility of hamstring muscles. Nichole Lee Lounsberry et al (2008) Stated that the ultrasound treatment produced greater immediate gains in hamstring extensibility than moist heat packs treatment. A.Akbari, H.Moodi, A.A.Moein and R.Nazok et al (2006) Stated that the gains in range of passive knee extension obtained in continuous therapeutic ultrasound and 30 seconds stretch group were significantly greater than therapeutic ultrasound and 15 seconds stretch group in subjects with tight hamstrings. Denegar C, Saliba E, et al (2006) Stated that 3 MHZ ultrasound provides superficial heating, 1MHZ ultrasound heats tissue at depth of 3-5 cms and is considered to be a deep heating agent. Odunaiya N.A, Hamzat T.K, Ajayi O et al (2004) Stated that statically stretching tight hamstrings for any duration between 15 and 120 seconds on alternate days for six weeks would significantly increase its flexibility. The effect was also sustained for upto 7 days post intervention. Trae Sakiyo Tashiro et al (2003) Stated that the clinically practical parameters of thermal ultrasound in conjunction with static stretching is an effective way of increasing hamstring extensibility but ultrasound application location didnt showed difference in increasing knee extension range of motion in a healthy population. C.D.Weijer et al (2003) Stated that the static stretching is one of the safest and most commonly performed stretching methods used to measure muscle length. Feland et al (2001) Reported that longer hold times during stretching of the hamstring muscles resulted in a greater rate of gain in range of motion. Prentice WE, McClure M, Becker RO et al (2001) Stated that when slow stretch applied to muscle, golgi tendon organ get stimulated and thereby muscle tension is reduced. This leads is to an increase in length of muscle. Robert and Wilson et al (1999) Stated that static stretching increases muscle length by allowing muscle spindle to adapt overtime and cease fired. It also elicits golgi tendon response and therefore provides an effective flexibility training stimulus. William D Bandy et al (1996) Stated that a static stretch of 30 seconds at a frequency of single session is sufficient to increase the muscle length. Bandy WD, Irion JM et al (1995) Stated that the duration of 30 seconds of stretching is an effective time of enhancing the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Bandy WD, Irion JM et al , Lentell G, Hetherington T et al, Madding SW et al (1994 ) Stated that Static stretching is a method of stretching in which the muscles and connective tissue being stretched are held in a stationary position at their greatest possible length for some period. When using static stretching on a clinical basis, stretches should be held a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds. Chan et al (1993) Stated that tendon reaches greater temperature and heat more quickly than muscle and the tendon was able to maintain vigorous heating for longer period than muscle. Draper D, Sunderland S, Kirkendall et al (1993) Stated that tendon tissue is less vascularized than muscle tissue; tendons will retain heat for longer periods of time. Folconer et al (1992) Stated that ultrasound increases soft tissue extensibility and may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of knee contractures secondary to connective tissue shortening. Gordon and Ghez et al (1991) Stated that static stretching may be effective in increasing the length of muscle due to the prolonged stretching which allows the muscle spindle to adapt over time and cease firing. Low and Reed et al (1990) , Dyson et al (1987) Stated that low absorption of ultrasound waves is seen in tissues that are in water content (eg.,fat), whereas absorption is higher in tissues rich in protein (e.g., skeletal muscle). Warren C, Lehman J, Koblanski J, Strickler T, Malone T, Masock A, Garrett W et al (1990) Stated that ultrasound therapy can be used to target the collagen rich tendinous unit of the hamstring muscle because of its ability to penetrate deeper tissues, and shown that increasing the temperature of collagen to 40 ° Celsius will increase the elasticity of the tissue. This increased extensibility allows for an even distribution of force and reduces the stress on localized areas of the tissue. Gajdosik RL , Godges JJ et al (1989) Stated that a low intensity maintained stretch that is applied gradually is less likely to facilitate the stretch reflex and increase tension in the muscle being lengthened. This is called static stretch. Ziskin et al (1986) Stated that an increasing in tendon length following continuous ultrasound therapy is due to change of their viscosity and plasticity. Beaulien et al (1981) Stated that stretch duration lower than 30 seconds didnt increase muscle flexibility. Coakley et al (1978) Stated that frequency of 1MHZ ultrasound used for patients with more subcutaneous fat who sustained injuries at deeper level because of its penetration to a depth of 3 to 5 cms. Lehman et al (1968) Emphasized on the thermal effects of continuous ultrasound compared to other heating modalities in increasing hamstring flexibility. De Vries HA et al (1962) Stated that static stretching offers advantages of using less overall force, decreasing the danger of exceeding the tissue extensibility limits, lower energy requirement, and a lower likelihood of muscle soreness. Static stretching also has less effect on the Ia and II spindle afferent fibres than ballistic stretching, which would tend to increase a muscles resistance to stretch and facilitate golgi tendon organ, thereby reducing the contractile elements resistance to deformation. MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE: Ahmad Faheem, Ahmad Shamin, Anjani Agarwal, Begum Shabana, Ram C.S, Waseem Mohd et al (2010) Conducted a study in Indian collegiate males on hamstring flexibility by comparing the effectiveness of muscle energy technique and eccentric training. Total of twenty males with hamstring tightness falling between age group of 18-25 years were included in the study. Hamstring tightness was measured by popliteal angle/active knee extension test. One group was treated with muscle energy technique and the other with eccentric training. This study stated that hamstring flexibility can be improved with muscle energy technique using post isometric relaxation than eccentric training. Wassim M et al (2009) Reported that muscle energy technique using post isometric relaxation significantly improving the hamstring flexibility (by active knee extension test) in normal Indian collegiate males with hamstring tightness. Azadeh Shadmehr, Mohmmed Reza Hadian, Sedigheh Sadet Naiemi, Shohreh Jalaie et al (2009) Concluded that the hamstring stretches in normal young women using either static stretch or muscle energy technique had similar effects on restoring flexibility to hamstrings. Madeline Smith, Gary Fryer et al (2008) Stated that the muscle energy technique is effective in increasing hamstring extensibility, and there appeared to be sustained improvement one week following the initial treatment. Ross A, Clark et al (2008) Stated that muscle energy technique can produces creep and plastic changes in the connective tissue thereby the length of the muscle can be increased. Lindsey Samilian et al (2007) Stated that muscle energy technique is a method used to strengthen weak muscles, lengthen the short muscles (or) increase a muscles range of motion. These techniques involve stretch during which a reciprocal force is imposed on the targeted muscle for short period of time, causing the muscle to relax and stretch further. Ballantyne F, Fryer G, MC.Laughlin P et al (2003) Conducted a study to find the effectiveness of muscle energy technique in increasing passive knee extension and to explore the mechanism behind any observed change. Forty asymptomatic subjects between age of 18 to 45 years were randomly allocated to experimental and control group. Experimental group was given with muscle energy technique and Control group with no treatment. They concluded that muscle energy technique produced an immediate increase in passive knee extension. This observed change is due to an increased tolerance to stretch. Chaitlow L, Liebenson C et al (2001) The other name for Muscle energy technique is active muscular relaxation technique. Freyer G et al (2000), Richard L, Gajodsik, Melonie A, Rieck and Debra K et al (1993) Stated that an increase in flexibility after muscle energy technique occurred due to biomechanical or neurophysiologic changes or due to an increase in tolerance to stretching. Lewit et al (1999) Concluded that post isometric relaxation is directed towards relaxation of hypertonic muscle, especially if this relates to reflex contraction or the involvement of myofascial trigger points. Lewit, Libenson, Murphy et al (1999) Stated that post isometric relaxation is an excellent technique for treating neuromuscular component muscle of a stiff, shortened or tight muscle. Lewit et al (1999), Greenman et al (1989) Suggested that in muscle energy technique, the holding time of 7-10 seconds is more effective than 3-5 seconds. Kuchera et al (1997) Stated that increase in range of motion of a joint after Muscle energy technique is based on neurological mechanism via inhibitory golgi tendon reflex. Muscle energy technique activates this reflex during isometric muscle contraction. Muscle energy technique produces a stretch on golgi tendon organ and a reflex relaxation of muscle. Goodridge and Kuchera et al (1997) Suggested that 3 repetitions of isometric contractions is optimal in applying muscle energy technique. Lederman et al (1997) Stated that a viscoelastic change in muscle is responsible for the increase in muscle flexibility after muscle energy technique. Chaitlow L et al (1997) Stated that the isometric contraction should be held for 10 seconds. This is the time required to stimulate the excitatory threshold of the golgi tendon organ, which has a neurophysiologic inhibitory effect on the muscle spindle. This provides the opportunity to take the muscle into a new range of motion. Following the isometric contraction, there is a latency period of approximately 25 to 30 seconds, during which the muscle can be stretched. Philip Greenman et al (1996) Stated that manual medicine treatment procedure includes Muscle energy technique which involves the contraction of the subjects muscle by the voluntary effort in a precisely controlled direction, at different levels of intensity, against a counterforce applied by the operator. This procedure can be used to lengthen a shortened, contracted or spastic muscle; to strengthen a physiologically weakened muscle; to reduce localized oedema, to mobilize an articulation with restricted mobility. Ward, Robert C et al (1990) Stated that muscle energy technique is an active, direct technique (engaging the barrier) that promotes muscle relaxation by activating the golgi tendon reflex. Libenson et al (1989) Stated that muscle energy technique is effective in treating the muscle tension disorder and it effectively relaxes stretches, strengthens the muscles and re-educate abnormal sensory motor pathway. Lewit et al (1986) Stated that when a muscle is isometrically contracted its antagonist will be inhibited and reduce tone immediately. Stiles and Greenman et al (1984) Suggested that muscles which requires stretching (agonist) should be the main source of energy for isometric contractions and achieves a more significant degrees of relaxation and so a more useful ability to subsequently stretch the muscle were the relaxation effect being achieved through use of antagonist (using reciprocal inhibition). ACTIVE KNEE EXTENSION TEST: C.M. Norris et al (2005) Stated that active knee extension test when used in conjunction with goniometry, accurate surface making, and manual monitoring of the test leg is a reliable measure of hamstring muscle length. M.Mathews et al (2005) Stated that active knee extension represents maximum length of hamstring muscles. Denise M. Cameron, Richard W. Bohannon et al (1985) Stated that active knee extension test is said to be a useful alternative to the straight leg raise test for providing an indication of hamstring muscle length. Gajdosik R.L et al (1983) Stated that active knee extension test is a more objective measure of hamstring tightness which produces high reliability co-efficient. III. METHODOLOGY 3.1 STUDY DESIGN: Pre test and post test experimental group study design. 3.2 STUDY SETTING: Study will be conducted at Physiotherapy Out Patient Department, KG College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore. 3.3 STUDY DURATION: Total duration was one year. Individual received the treatment for the duration of one week. 3.4 POPULATION STUDIED: 30 normal individuals with hamstring tightness who fulfilled the predetermined inclusive and exclusive criteria were selected and divided into two experimental groups by simple random sampling method. Each group consists of 15 patients. Groups are named as group A and group B 3.5 CRITERIA FOR SELECTION 3.5.1 INCLUSIVE CRITERIA: Age between 18 to 25 years Both males and females Normal individuals with tight hamstrings (inability to achieve greater than 160 ° knee extension with hip at 90 ° flexion.) 3.5.2EXCLUSIVE CRITERIA: Low back pain Acute or chronic. Hamstring injury Acute or chronic. Soft tissue injuries around knee. Pregnancy. Metal implants in lower extremity. Recent fracture and stiffness in lower extremity. 3.6 VARIABLES: 3.6.1 INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Muscle energy technique. Ultrasound therapy with Static stretching. 3.6.2 DEPENDENT VARIABLES: Hamstring flexibility. 3.7 PARAMETERS: Hamstring flexibility 3.8 MEASUREMENT TOOLS: Active knee extension test. Active knee extension test was used for measurement of hamstring tightness. The subject was instructed to lie on their back with hip and knees bent 90 degrees. Pelvic movement was controlled by the use of straps. By using the lateral condyle of femur as the goniometric axis, the stationary arm positioned along the femur, and the movable arm was positioned parallel to the leg. Keep hip and knee in 90 degrees then instruct the subject to straighten the knee as for as possible till a sensation of stretch being felt. Repeat the same for three times and mean were measured as the final result. 3.9 PROCEDURE: GROUP A: MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE. TECHNIQUE USED: Post isometric relaxation. INDIVIDUALS POSITION: Supine lying. PROCEDURE: Ask the individuals to assume supine position. Therapist flexes the affected hip fully and then extends the flexed knee with the back of lower leg resting on the shoulder of the therapist who stands facing the head of the table. Individual is asked to flex i.e. causing downward pressure against the therapist shoulder with the back of lower leg at the same time therapist resist the individuals voluntary effort so that, slight isometric contraction of hamstrings develops and individuals hold this for 10 seconds. After this effort, the individual is asked to exhale and relax the muscle completely. Then the therapist takes the muscle to its new restriction barrier without stretch. Starting from this new barrier, the same procedure is repeated two or three more times. FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT: Once in a day. TREATMENT DURATION: One week. GROUP B: ULTRASOUND THERAPY WITH STATIC STRETCHING: ULTRASOUND THERAPY: INDIVIDUALS POSITION: Prone lying PARAMETERS: FREQUENCY: 1 MHz INTENSITY: 2W/cm ² MODE: Continuous. AREA OF APPLICATION: Hamstring area DURATION: Five Minutes daily (Two minutes for medial hamstrings, Two minutes for lateral hamstrings and One min for between the two tendon). FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT: Once in a day TREATMENT DURATION: One week STATIC STRETCHING: TECHNIQUE USED: Active static stretching. INDIVIDUALS POSITION: Standing position. PROCEDURE: Subjects performed the hamstring stretch by standing erect with the foot planted on the floor and toes pointed forward. The heel of the foot to be stretched was placed on a plinth with the toes directed towards the ceiling. The subject then flexed forward at the hip, maintaining the spine in neutral position while reaching the arm forward. The subjects continued to flex the hip until a gentle stretch was felt in the posterior thigh. Then hold this position for 30 seconds and then relax for 10 seconds and repeat the same procedure for three more times a day. FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT: Once in a day. TREATMENT DURATION: One week 3.10 STATISTICAL TOOLS The following statistical tools used in this study is Paired t-test and Unpaired t-test Formula: Paired t-test = Where, = difference between the pre test versus post test = mean difference = total number of subjects = standard deviation Unpaired t-test was used to compare the mean difference between Group A and Group B. Formula: Unpaired t-test Where, = Mean of Group A = Mean of Group B Æ’Â ¥ = sum of the value n1 = number of subjects in Group A n1 = number of subjects in Group B S = standard deviation Level of significance: 5% IV.DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION TABLE-1 PAIRED t TEST PRE TEST AND POST TEST VALUES OF GROUP A GROUP A MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE HAMSTRING FLEXIBILITY ACTIVE KNEE EXTENSION The comparative mean values, mean differences, standard deviation and Paired t test values of Group A , who were treated with Muscle energy Technique. S.NO GROUP A MEAN MEAN DEVIATION

Frank O’Hara as Modernist for the People Essay -- Frank

  Ã‚  Ã‚   The poetry of Frank O'Hara is intimately connected to New York City.   He explores the role of the individual subject in the city and the mechanics of the city itself; yet because he engages the urban landscape in an urbane manner many readers of Frank O'Hara view him as the prankish patron of the New York art scene who occasionally took pen to paper.   Take this review by Herbert Leibowitz as an example:    A fascinating amalgam of fan, connoisseur, and propagandist, he was considered by his friends, in an excess of enthusiasm, as the Apollinaire of his generation, an aesthetic courtier who had taste and impudence and prodigious energy . . . From the start O'Hara exhibits a precocious air of command and a throwaway charm, as if to the verbal manner born . . . and indeed his world is full of events - parties, thoughtful acts, homosexual encounters, a painting or film to be commented on - that he supports with a sophisticated naà ¯ve wonder and generous emotion. [1]    Leibowitz's remarks occasion the publication of The Collected Poems of Frank O'Hara and decorate the back cover of the paperback version.   I find it a little strange that a publisher reprinted a portion of this particular review of O'Hara's poetry.   Leibowitz basically pans the book and dismisses O'Hara as a poet of minor importance.   He views Frank O'Hara as "a Pan piping on city streets".   This is a backhanded compliment at best but it does solder a connection between lyric poetry and the cityscape.   Consider that O'Hara is following in the footsteps of another lyric poet of the urban landscape, Charles Baudelaire.   Baudelaire attempts to embrace modernity, as he sees it, and to write the poetry of the city and the crowd.   Although his intentions... ...r. [7] Neal Bowers.   "The City Limits: Frank O'Hara's Poetry".   Frank O'Hara: To Be True to a City, ed. Jim Elledge, University of Michigan Press, 1990 (321). [8] This section is very problematic.   I don't want to make reductive generalizations and assertions about Modernism.   At the same time, I do not want to explore the work of any one writer in too much detail.   I'm going to allude mainly to Eliot and Pound, for simplicity's sake. [9] Frank O'Hara.   "The Day Lady Died".   The Collected Poems of Frank O'Hara, ed. Donald Allen.   University of California Press, 1995 (325).   Hereafter cited parenthetically by title of poem and line number. [10] Kevin Stein.   "Everything the Opposite: A Literary Basis for the Anti-Literary in Frank O'Hara's Lunch Poems"   Frank O'Hara: To Be True to a City, ed. Jim Elledge.   University of Michigan Press, 1990 (358).    Frank O’Hara as Modernist for the People Essay -- Frank   Ã‚  Ã‚   The poetry of Frank O'Hara is intimately connected to New York City.   He explores the role of the individual subject in the city and the mechanics of the city itself; yet because he engages the urban landscape in an urbane manner many readers of Frank O'Hara view him as the prankish patron of the New York art scene who occasionally took pen to paper.   Take this review by Herbert Leibowitz as an example:    A fascinating amalgam of fan, connoisseur, and propagandist, he was considered by his friends, in an excess of enthusiasm, as the Apollinaire of his generation, an aesthetic courtier who had taste and impudence and prodigious energy . . . From the start O'Hara exhibits a precocious air of command and a throwaway charm, as if to the verbal manner born . . . and indeed his world is full of events - parties, thoughtful acts, homosexual encounters, a painting or film to be commented on - that he supports with a sophisticated naà ¯ve wonder and generous emotion. [1]    Leibowitz's remarks occasion the publication of The Collected Poems of Frank O'Hara and decorate the back cover of the paperback version.   I find it a little strange that a publisher reprinted a portion of this particular review of O'Hara's poetry.   Leibowitz basically pans the book and dismisses O'Hara as a poet of minor importance.   He views Frank O'Hara as "a Pan piping on city streets".   This is a backhanded compliment at best but it does solder a connection between lyric poetry and the cityscape.   Consider that O'Hara is following in the footsteps of another lyric poet of the urban landscape, Charles Baudelaire.   Baudelaire attempts to embrace modernity, as he sees it, and to write the poetry of the city and the crowd.   Although his intentions... ...r. [7] Neal Bowers.   "The City Limits: Frank O'Hara's Poetry".   Frank O'Hara: To Be True to a City, ed. Jim Elledge, University of Michigan Press, 1990 (321). [8] This section is very problematic.   I don't want to make reductive generalizations and assertions about Modernism.   At the same time, I do not want to explore the work of any one writer in too much detail.   I'm going to allude mainly to Eliot and Pound, for simplicity's sake. [9] Frank O'Hara.   "The Day Lady Died".   The Collected Poems of Frank O'Hara, ed. Donald Allen.   University of California Press, 1995 (325).   Hereafter cited parenthetically by title of poem and line number. [10] Kevin Stein.   "Everything the Opposite: A Literary Basis for the Anti-Literary in Frank O'Hara's Lunch Poems"   Frank O'Hara: To Be True to a City, ed. Jim Elledge.   University of Michigan Press, 1990 (358).   

An Introspective Case Into James Joyce’s Araby Essay

He elegantly personifies the homes on North Richmond Street as â€Å"conscious of decent lives within them† which â€Å"gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces. † And the street itself â€Å"blind† (Joyce Pg. 328). These first few lines of the short fiction tale â€Å"Araby† indicate exactly what the story entails. What desperately awaits the reader, in James Joyce’s discovering tale of a young boy who comes to terms with his repressively strict yet illusory living environment, is a true reflection of the Authors own experiences as a Dubliner. The narration is intertwined with thoughts of escapism from a forever mundane existence which lacks form and emotional freedom. Whether the transparent symbolism, which balances this reflection, is strictly of religious reference or of purely psychological creed is not the discussion at hand. In fact, it is merely a coming of age tale with a religious undertone as Joyce never disappoints to tie his perspective on religion and life into his fiction. Araby begins by describing the town of Dublin, Ireland as quite forlorn and despairing; a place that is not necessarily filled with adventure and spontaneity, as through the narrators subjective eyes. â€Å"When we met in the street the houses had grown somber†¦towards it (the sky) the lamps of the street lifted their feeble lanterns. (Joyce Pg. 328)† With key words such as â€Å"somber† and â€Å"feeble† in the first few paragraphs alone, Joyce sets up a mood for the later plot. This description shows that the boy is not too fond of his surroundings in fact, undermining them. Traditionally this fictional plot may be best described as man verse society although, while relating Araby to Joyce we come to discover it may actually be man verses himself. The boy announces â€Å"the career of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes†¦to the back doors of the dark dripping gardens† (Joyce Pg. 328). In one line alone the word â€Å"dark† becomes repetitive. Undeniably the author wishes to describe Dublin as the least of favorable places for a child’s youth. This may set up an indication into a piece of personal reference by Joyce. The boy, whose name Joyce chooses to remain anonymous, is apparently struggling with the ommunity he resides in just as Joyce had done. This struggle may be felt on a strictly psychological level; the boy feels trapped among various characters he comes into contact with throughout his daily routine; his guardians, the school master, the drunken men, bargaining women and shop boys of the market; and the English speaking girl of the bazaar. These characters all form a negative impression on his perspective of the community. The young boy recalls â€Å"my aunt hoped it was not some freemason affair† in response to his inquiry for leave to attend the Bazaar (Joyce Pg. 30). Freemasons are members of an underground brotherhood that were thought to be of extreme adversary to the ideals of the church (Griffin). During school the boy quotes â€Å"I watched my masters face pass from amiability to sternness† describing the strict, forceful education provided in Dublin (Joyce Pg 330). This may be a simple reflection of the various foes Joyce has dealt with during his time in Ireland. For example, Richard Ellman, a famous biographer of Joyce, notes that Joyce was, at one point, a slight alcoholic and had gotten in an altercation once in a bar in St. Stephens Green (Ellman 162). He also adds that while living with a man by the man of Oliver Gogarty, he was violently threatened with a pistol (Ellman 175). For Joyce, these are only a few of some of the harsh experiences living within Dublin. On the other hand, in Araby one character seems to contrast these emotions. An older, curiously mysterious girl, the sister of a close friend Mangan, seems to intrigue him in a spellbinding way. The young boy describes his first hand experience with her â€Å"Every morning I lay on the floor in the front parlor watching her door†¦. I had never spoken to her†¦and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood. (Joyce Pg. 329)† It seems the narrator is emotionally dominated by obsession. With the use of the term â€Å"foolish†, he apparently openly admits of the eventual conclusion to Araby when he realizes his befriending was merely a failed attempt at escapism. However, what sparks his interest in this specific girl is of the most riveting wonder. More importantly, what compels Joyce to construct such a romantic based use of symbolism is under more precise interrogation. He is using the romantic endeavor to figuratively illustrate the narrator’s inner struggle with society. A few indications amongst the introducing paragraphs that give clues to the narrator’s feelings are made apparent as he quotes â€Å"The blind was pulled down to within an inch of the sash so that I could not be seen. (Joyce Pg. 329)† In this line, Joyce signifies that his indifference to the Catholic culture may have been hidden as a child. â€Å"If I spoke to her, how I could tell her of my confused adoration† may show his confused feelings regarding this imbalance of emotions he experienced in Ireland (Joyce Pg 329). He intends to portray a story of youthful ignorance and naive nature, rather than a tale of heartfelt admiration. He uses this plot to represent a theme that mirrors his own conclusion of Ireland; Joyce could not absorb his own creative nature as a literary artist out of such a prosaic culture as a child. It may have lacked the necessary hunger, stimulation, and curiosity he so desperately desired. In â€Å"The Years of Bloom: James Joyce†, writer John McCourt speaks of how Joyce had a furiously tempting early relationship with the Irish Roman Catholic Church (McCourt). He adds that Joyce also had an alter ego, Stephen Dedalus, which may help illustrate this inner conflict with religion and the community. His confused, indifference can be portrayed through this alter ego as it has been through the naive journey of the young narrator in Araby. As the story of Araby eventually unfolds, we learn that the young boy is deluded by his â€Å"crush. † During his first actual encounter, he learned of her involvement with a convent, which in reality would have rendered her â€Å"off the market† but the narrator disregards this important point. His vain nature causes him to continue this obsession and transcend it into the anticipation for attending the bazaar rather than facing the reality that she has vowed to the church in becoming a Nun. In fact, this transfer of obsession only shows that the stories underlying theme is not of romance but of self-love. As one critic explains the outcome â€Å"He has come to accept as just a life in which children play in joyless streets, girls cannot attend bazaars because of convent duties, old ladies collect used stamps for pious purposes, aunts mark time as â€Å"this night of Our Lord,† and even drunken uncles cannot resist moralizing. † After a chronology of events strengthens the narrators doubt and weakens his hope on winning over Mangan’s sister; he suffers from a sense of disillusion. In reference to the concluding thoughts of the narrator, as Coulthard implies, â€Å"[most commentators] omit religion from their list of disenchanting influences and regard â€Å"anguish† as the most important word in the narrator’s climactic memory of his disillusioning boyhood experience†(Coulthard). The boy reflects â€Å"Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger† (Joyce Pg. 32). This shows that the boy has not overcome but, in a sense, matured. He has learned of his mistake and has accepted his unfortunate circumstances. It has been said that Joyce traveled back and forth from Ireland to Trieste, to Rome, and then London, then finally Zurich by 1912 never to return to Ireland again (Geheber). It seems that the Narrators change of perspective throughout the tale reflects Joyce’s contrasting alter-ego and indecisive outlook of the Irish-Roman Catholic culture illustrated by his travels. This soul psychology of naive verses wise nature portrayed by the narrator’s emotional change seems to capture a piece of Joyce that has been seen throughout his confusingly indifferent feelings with his homeland and the foes he has encountered during his life. The narrator’s feelings towards the community also become more defined after his comment on a specific book discovered in the back drawing room of his home. Perhaps one of the most theme bearing points of the story, the narrator discovers three books. The first two speak of religious tolerance. â€Å"The Abbot† and â€Å"The Devout Communicator† are two stories that directly signal highly religious views of god fearing, law abiding people of extreme holiness. These are both two topics that have been known to frustrate Joyce (Geheber). An Abbot is a â€Å"superior of an abbey of monks† (Hyperdictionary) while being Devout is to be completely devoted to a pious belief (Merriam-Webster). This â€Å"Devotion† may go uncanny regarding whether the specific belief draws enormous sacrifice to livelihood. The last book, however, draws the boy’s interest; he quotes â€Å"I liked the last best because its leaves were yellow† in reference to â€Å"The Memoirs of Vidocq† (Joyce Pg. 328). The significance to Joyce and the theme of Araby provided by this single reference is intense. As Coulthard notes, â€Å"The Memoirs of Vidocq, the autobiography of a French policeman and soldier of fortune, would have provided vicarious escape from [this Catholic discipline]† (Coulthard). Eugene Francois Vidocq was a French man of the 18th century who is described as having a â€Å"mischievous nature† causing him to be â€Å"often at odds with his parents† (Fleisher). Joyce’s use of this reference in Araby has more significance than otherwise noted by the naked eye. Vidocq can also be compared to feelings of rebellion being that he ran away from home due to deceitful acts of betrayal towards his own father. â€Å"In the company of a young woman he ran off with, he traveled to various French seaports seeking passage to the ‘New World’ (Fleisher). † In the boy’s words as he describes the book as â€Å"yellow†, we notice a sense of relation to Vidocq as comparing the shade with a sense of bitterness and melancholy towards his own family and culture. Also, in a short biographical background of Joyce in â€Å"The Norton Introduction to Literature†, we learn that James Joyce had also â€Å"eloped† with a young woman Nora very similar to Vidocq’s journey of exile (Hunter Pg. 391)(Fleisher). This is merely a self-reflection by the author, who makes a strong note of incorporating his own experiences into this piece of literature. In the tale, Joyce continues to combine his own experiences living throughout Europe. It is said that immediately after graduating from the local University, as a young adventurous man, Joyce promptly fled to Paris (Ellman)(Hunter Pg. 91). Paris has always been known as a very artsy, open minded center of creativity (Walz). Descriptions of Paris in the early 20th century may draw upon one to conclude a grippingly lucid contrast to the setting so symbolically portrayed in Araby. Joyce describes the transportation during the young boys trip to the Bazaar â€Å"I strode down Buckingham street toward the station†¦I took my seat in a third-class carriage of a deserted train† (Joyce Pg. 331). He goes on to describe the slow speed of the train as an â€Å"intolerable delay. This is a great example of the large contrast to the well known metro system of Paris at the time. There is no question that Joyce’s comparison of Paris to his indigenous Irish ascetic culture greatly influenced the context of his work. In reference to the popular surrealist culture arising in 20th century Paris one critic quotes â€Å"In addition to its better known literary and artistic origins, the French surrealist movement drew inspiration from currents of psychological anxiety and rebellion running through a shadowy side of mass culture, specifically in fantastic popular fiction and sensationalistic journalism† (Walz). Surrealism was a movement of writers and artists that used fantastic images to represent unconscious thoughts and dreams very similar to the display of symbolism used by Joyce in Araby. Additionally, this â€Å"psychological anxiety and rebellion† are exactly the underlying emotions felt by the narrator through out his journey toward realism. Although Joyce was not a true surrealist, many of the techniques revolving around these literary methods can be easily seen within his work â€Å"Ulysses† (Ellis-Christensen). In this novel, Joyce uses the idea of a â€Å"stream of consciousness†. Although, less apparent, these same methods and techniques of thought will begin to emerge among the lines of Araby, but in a much more figurative sense. â€Å"I had hardly any patience with the serious work of life which, now that it stood between me and my desire†¦Ã¢â‚¬  expresses the Narrator speaking of desire and an inner struggle with himself. These emotions by the narrator most certainly may be shared by the author as well, which initially drove him to Paris and throughout Europe as a young scholar. As Joyce tells the story through the narrators first person perspective, views on life and religion seems to become much more metaphorical than otherwise noticed upon a single reading of the text. Additionally, in â€Å"James Joyce’s Concept of the Underthough†, Michael Harding explains Joyce’s use of existential thought in many of his works. He goes on to describe how famous Philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein’s works on logic relating to ethical and religious points of view had a profound impact on Joyce (Harding). As Robert C. Solomon defines existentialism, it is â€Å"disorientation† or â€Å"Confusion† from a world based on planned identity and freeing ones mind to think from a non-conditioned perspective (Solomon). This idea of â€Å"freedom† which can be seen in the line â€Å"when the Christian Brothers’ School set the boys free† is exactly what the narrator strived for in Araby. Alone, this line summarizes Joyce’s thoughts on religion and how it intrudes on his thoughts of existentialism. Therefore, the underlying religious context of the story is only added by Joyce as a reference to illustrate a conditioned existence. As Coulthard comments â€Å"But they were â€Å"freed† into an equally grim world where not even play brought pleasure†, he shows how the entire story clarifies an entire existence of conditioning which Joyce spends many years of external influence deflecting (Coulthard). This is the basis for the theme of escapism and is directly denoted by his many years of philosophic inquiring among other European nations. The entire theme, characters, and setting within the fictional tale of Araby have a much larger than fictional significance to Joyce’s life. Each line, phrase, and reference has a greater figurative meaning that applies to his struggles throughout his confused and imbalanced maturity while in Dublin. While never sure whether to accept the Irish Roman Catholic faith and always striving for something more, Joyce reflects on himself through the narrator of Araby and essentially uses this ale as his own form of escapism. He may have seen himself as an idealist, who felt hindered and limited in his childhood endeavors. From the description of a â€Å"dark† community, to the expression of initial hopefulness, and later self deceit he provides a plot to transcend his own feelings. With the addition of a romantic, yet philosophical context, Joyce clearly shows personal attachment of his perspective on religion and life into his fiction.

Perfect Cocktail Attire for Men and Women With 10 Stylish Outfits

Perfect Cocktail Attire for Men and Women With 10 Stylish Outfits SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips So you've gotten an invitation to a fabulous party and can't wait to go, but one line strikes terror into your heart: cocktail attire requested. What is cocktail attire, even? Never fear, I'll walk you through the guidelines of this dress code for both men and women and provide images of cocktail outfits you can easily recreate on your own. What Is Cocktail Attire? Cocktail attire is a dress code that is often adopted for parties and events that are somewhat fancy but not to the point of requiring full formal outfits. It’s popular for weddings and other special celebrations. There is some variation in what cocktail attire means based on the type of event, but it's generally meant to be fancy without being black tie. Cocktail attire is for fun but formal social events, so you can throw in a little more personality. The point is not to look like you’re going to work. What is cocktail attire for men? It can range from a more casual ensemble of dark jeans, a button up, and a sport coat to a more formal dark suit and tie. Sweaters and sweater-vests over button-up shirts are also acceptable in most cases. What is cocktail attire for women? Options include dresses and skirts with hemlines that fall slightly above the knee, dressy blouses, and pants. Suits for women are also acceptable. Cocktail Attire: Essential Guidelines Follow these guidelines to create a cocktail outfit that's fashionable, comfortable, and perfectly suited for the occasion. Cocktail Attire Rules For Everyone In crafting your outfit for a fancy occasion, you can't go wrong following the following guidelines. When in Doubt, Be More Formal It’s often best to err on the side of more formal if you’re unsure of the exact level of dressiness the event requires. Cocktail attire can be dressed up or down slightly depending on what sort of function you’re attending. If you’re not in a position where you can be assured that slightly less formal cocktail attire is acceptable, dress more formally. It’s more acceptable to be overdressed than underdressed in these situations. Find What’s Comfortable for You Don’t wear something that you think someone else would wear but that feels awkward or uncomfortable to you. For example, if you hate wearing dresses, don’t force yourself to put on a cocktail dress for this event. You can just as easily wear a nice pair of pants with a dressy blouse. Same goes for footwear - if you don’t like heels, wear flats or booties instead. 4 Rules to Know About Cocktail Attire for Men Dressing for formal occasions is generally simpler for men than women, but there are still some rules you should follow in picking out your outfit. Keep It Simple There are certain simple outfits that will always work for cocktail attire, like a well-tailored suit and tie with dress shoes. If you feel a bit lost when dressing for these types of events, stick to the basics. You can’t go wrong with a classic look (which you'll see examples of further on in this guide). No Sneakers or White Socks Don’t wear sneakers to an event that requires cocktail attire. Instead, go for loafers or other types of dress shoes or boots. Also avoid wearing white socks - they’ll stick out like a sore thumb and detract from the neatness of your outfit. It’s best to wear dark socks, ideally ones that match the color of your pants. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can try some brightly colored argyle socks, but it’s best not to take too many risks if you don’t consider yourself a fashion expert. Prepare for Increased Formality If you think the event falls on the less formal side of things, you can try wearing just a pair of nice pants with a button-up, but you should be prepared to dress more formally if you find yourself feeling out of place. Bring a jacket and tie with you just in case you need to make yourself look a bit more dressed up. Jeans Require a Jacket Sometimes you can wear jeans to events that require cocktail attire, but they should be a dark wash with no rips or other wear marks. If you do opt for jeans, make sure you dress up your outfit by including a jacket. A more informal choice in pants should be balanced out with more formal clothing choices for your upper body. 4 Simple Guidelines to Navigating Cocktail Attire for Women Of course, the standard cocktail attire for women is the cocktail dress, but it can still be hard to know how to accessorize or what to wear if you prefer pants. Check out the rules below to help you pick a fashionable but appropriate cocktail outfit. Accessorize Responsibly It’s best to have just one stand-out accessory rather than going overboard and creating five different focal points within your outfit. If you have a piece of bold statement jewelry that you plan on wearing, keep any other accessories very minimalist. Cocktail attire outfits are supposed to have personality and convey a sense of fun, but they should still make you look classy and put together. Too many loud accessories can make you look a bit tacky. Choose Shoes That Are Fancy, but Not Flashy Dressy sandals, ballet flats, and heels are all acceptable as footwear to go along with cocktail attire. Try not to go overboard with super high heels or shoes that clash with the rest of your outfit and compete too much with other accessories. You also need to be practical - make sure you can move around easily and stand for a long time without feeling like your feet are going to fall off. On the flip side, you should avoid wearing sneakers or flip flops because footwear that is too casual can really mess up the sophistication of your outfit as a whole. More Revealing = Less Loud Short dresses are commonly worn as cocktail attire, but you shouldn’t take this to the extreme. Slightly above the knee is the best place for the hemline to fall, though you can go a bit shorter as long as the dress isn’t excessively revealing overall. Even dresses with cutouts can be acceptable as cocktail attire, but in that case it’s best to stick with solid colors and lengths that don’t make it risky for you to bend over and pick up that hors d'oeuvre you just dropped (five second rule guys, let’s not be wasteful). If you wear a dress with a really out there pattern, that’s fine, but if it’s also skin tight and short, it might not be appropriate for a more formal event. Dress Practically Finally, don’t squeeze yourself into an outfit that makes you feel uncomfortable or that’s totally irrelevant to your personal style. Keep in mind the length of the event and the activities that you’ll be doing throughout. If it’s a wedding, you’re probably going to want to dance. In that case, wear an outfit that allows room for movement and shoes that won’t lead to a broken ankle as soon as the beat drops. Cocktail Attire for Men: Example Outfits Below are pictures of some of the best and easiest to recreate cocktail attire outfits for men. If you're wondering which items you need to purchase for your own cocktail attire, the last section in this guide has a list of cocktail attire staples you should have in your closet. Cocktail Attire for Women: Example Outfits Below are photos of the three most popular cocktail attire outfit combinations for women. Use these photos as inspiration when searching your closet or thinking about which new pieces to buy. Combo 1: Classic Cocktail Dress Combo 2: Pants/Blouse or Jumpsuit Combo 3: Skirt/Blouse Cocktail Attire Basics: Must-Haves for Men and Women Now you have a better idea of what to wear to cocktail party or other formal occasion. The next step is to begin assembling your own cocktail attire. Below are essential pieces you should always have on hand for events that require cocktail attire. For Men Dark or light suit Tie (optional) Button-down shirts (neutral colors are the most versatile) Solid-color sweaters or those with a simple pattern Slacks Blazer Dark socks Loafers or similar shoes For Women Knee-length or slightly above the knee dress Mid-length skirt Button-down shirt or blouse Blazer Flats, heels or sandals

Free Essays on Unemployment

UNEMPLOYMENT Why is this problem considered a social problem? Unemployment is considered a social problem because it affects everyone. Our economy is directly affected by the unemployment rate and therefore every single U.S. citizen is directly affected. Unemployment rates play a large role in taxes because of the need to pay into unemployment and welfare. At this time Americas unemployment rates are at an alarmingly high rate. When, how, and where did this problem originate? Has it been around for a while are we just seeing it publicized more? Unemployment has been around since the industrial revolution. It is impossible for all Americans to maintain jobs; there just aren’t enough jobs out there. Before the industrial revolution many people worked on farms and tended to their own crops for means of survival. When machines began taking peoples jobs unemployment began rates began souring. Unemployment has been around for many years; however since we are at an alarming high rate of unemployment we are beginning to see it publicized more. What other social problems are related to this one? List all the social problems related. Unemployment causes poverty, drug abuse, child abuse, influences elections, economy problems, suicide, theft, and all types of criminal activities. When people become unemployed they become poor and must find ways to feed their families. This may influence somebody to rob a bank or steal from one another. Our president is directly blamed for the increase or decrease in employment and therefore the elections may be influenced. Who is hurt by the problem? I feel everyone can be hurt by unemployment; the people who have lost their jobs are hurt. Our economy must now spend more money on welfare. Unemployed family members may be affected by their relatives feeling the need to help support them. Children raised in poor families are less likely to receive a good education and often can’t afford to go to college ... Free Essays on Unemployment Free Essays on Unemployment UNEMPLOYMENT Why is this problem considered a social problem? Unemployment is considered a social problem because it affects everyone. Our economy is directly affected by the unemployment rate and therefore every single U.S. citizen is directly affected. Unemployment rates play a large role in taxes because of the need to pay into unemployment and welfare. At this time Americas unemployment rates are at an alarmingly high rate. When, how, and where did this problem originate? Has it been around for a while are we just seeing it publicized more? Unemployment has been around since the industrial revolution. It is impossible for all Americans to maintain jobs; there just aren’t enough jobs out there. Before the industrial revolution many people worked on farms and tended to their own crops for means of survival. When machines began taking peoples jobs unemployment began rates began souring. Unemployment has been around for many years; however since we are at an alarming high rate of unemployment we are beginning to see it publicized more. What other social problems are related to this one? List all the social problems related. Unemployment causes poverty, drug abuse, child abuse, influences elections, economy problems, suicide, theft, and all types of criminal activities. When people become unemployed they become poor and must find ways to feed their families. This may influence somebody to rob a bank or steal from one another. Our president is directly blamed for the increase or decrease in employment and therefore the elections may be influenced. Who is hurt by the problem? I feel everyone can be hurt by unemployment; the people who have lost their jobs are hurt. Our economy must now spend more money on welfare. Unemployed family members may be affected by their relatives feeling the need to help support them. Children raised in poor families are less likely to receive a good education and often can’t afford to go to college ... Free Essays on Unemployment With many of today’s companies looking for ways to save money and increase profits we are seeing an increase in the number of unemployed. Companies are looking to cut costs and employees are a major expense for a company. Not only does a company have to pay the wages of a worker, but the company must also match the Social Security and Medicare payments. Another expense of employers is medical insurance; even if the companies have its employees contribute to the cost of their benefits, it still does not offset much of what the company still pays. With the increasing costs to a company they are looking at moving jobs to countries where it’s able to pay workers a lower wage. An example of this would be an American company moving it manufacturing facilities to Mexico. Another reason would be the use of labor saving automated equipment. Companies are using more computers and robotics instead of human labor. By automating more of their operations companies are increasing productivity and profits but at the same time they are contributing to the rise in unemployment. The importing of goods into the country also contributes to the increase in unemployment. Goods are bought in a low-wage country for a cheap price and then brought into a high wage country and sold with large mark-ups. Selling prices of products produced in the higher wage country are marked down so they can compete with the imported products. But the imported products can be reduced even further which in the end knocks the home produced product out of the market. This then causes many companies to have to reduce their work force and sometimes even close their doors. Which reduces wages and increases unemployment. The social implications of unemployment to a community vary from individual to individual. People living at or below the poverty level increases. A decreasing in that individuals spending has a snowball effect on the entire community. Ma...

The assignment is to develop an advertising strategy for a franchise Coursework

The assignment is to develop an advertising strategy for a franchise of your choosing - Coursework Example The company is defined by its unlimited milestones in the world of innovation and customer service. The marketing strategies of this franchise are dependent on customer satisfaction, environmental sustainability, and the utter need to expand beyond the current dimensions. Therefore, a diverse and cumulative marketing strategy is necessary to ensure that the franchise expands. The marketing strategies will involve finding the customers, maintaining their brands, networking, and selling of the product to the market. The Intercontinental Hotels Group is mainly concerned with customer satisfaction in order to oversee the final revenues of the franchise. The group should maintain the customer loyalty. This may be done through the provision of the best services to the customers to win their trust. The specific needs of the customer are taken into consideration. The customer is the basis of any business transaction. The staff at the franchise ensures that customer satisfaction is a necessit y. The mission of the franchise is to ensure that the customer gets an excellent service. All the other protocols of the franchise ensure that this mission is set to ensure that the customer loyalty is retained. The customer complaints are dealt with amicably and efficiently. Part of the marketing strategy is the introduction of the wireless network in the hotel rooms. This tends to give the customer a unique undertaking compared to the other competing hotels. All this improves the customer satisfaction and thus making the revenues increase eventually. Advertising techniques are also necessary for the marketing of this franchise. The company is widespread all over the world, and thus the large market stretch the hotel must serve. The provision of the best advertisement techniques deems the group successful in the management and customer service. The hotel provides five star services to its customers to try outdo other competitors in the same market. The best technique of advertising is the online advertising. The hotel provided the enigmatic service of online booking of rooms. The potential customers identify with the networking form of marketing. Currently, many people can access the social media through sites such as twitter, Facebook, and other sites. The ability of the group to prioritize the use of these services is a bold step in ensuring the culmination of the standards of advertisement in the marketing sector. Therefore, their marketing structure should ensure that customer appeal is portrayed. The group has been on the forefront of technology in the super positioning of better online technology measures in the franchise. The hotels have secured and simplified the private and public clouding network. This has the advantage of ensuring the provision of a favorable virtual network all over its hotels, including the resources in the software-defined networks. This has provided the cloud security and thus ensuring for the efficient communication to ensure a unified consumer satisfaction (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). The customers can also access the services the hotels provide using the online means without being conned. Customer confidence is boosted since they can migrate around the private, public or hybrid cloud environments easily. Videos are posted online, and the customers can watch and make choices on the best services they want. Therefore, a larger target market is reached via the

Video Games and Their Benefits Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 21

Video Games and Their Benefits - Research Paper Example The work tries to summarize all research on the positive impact of playing video games, focusing on four main domains: motivational, cognitive, emotional, and social. By assimilating understandings from positive, developmental and media psychology, as well as social psychology, we suggest some candidate ways by which playing video games may lead to real-world psychosocial benefits(Gunter, 1998). The main objective of the work is to provide solid enough evidence and a theoretical rationale to inspire new programs of research on the fundamentally unexplored mental health benefits of gaming. And finally to call to the intervention researchers and practitioners to test the constructive and positive uses of video games and giving the way forward and suggestion of doing so.  Most people normally use diverse media is in order to manage their moods and to enhance their emotional states. Through video games which are the most efficient and effective means by which youths and children genera te positive feelings which in turn improve their mood and increases their positive emotions, for example, playing puzzle video game, a game with minimal interference, high degree of accessibility and short-term commitment, improves players moods, promotes relaxation, and ward of anxiety(McGonigal, 2012). From the 2009's Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine, gamers who suffered from mental health issues like depression and stress are able to vent their aggression and frustration by playing video games, this leads to great improvement in their state of mind. Also, most people play video games for enjoyment and improving their mood, the game also distracts them from real-world problems (e.g. bulling and other negative behaviors from young children). When the gamer succeeds in the game they get to have positive feelings, becoming more relaxed and reduced anxiety.