Admissions process reflections from a crusty Junior

Admissions process reflections from a crusty Junior I’ve recently had a number of startling revelations: I’m almost halfway done with my Junior year, there are only 2 weeks left until Final Exam week starts, and before I know it I’ll be graduating. Where has the time gone??? I feel like just yesterday I was in your shoes, nervously waiting for my early action decision from MIT… *cue psychedelic time-traveling music and hand waving.* MIT was my top choice and applying early action was a no-brainer. My anticipation was compounded by the fact that I had a list of 14 colleges that I was planning on applying to, but I had only completed about 5 of the applications by mid-December (under the assumption that if I didn’t get into MIT then I’d worry about the other ones later.) So, I bit my nails with the knowledge that if I got wait-listed or rejected, I would have to spend my Winter Break moping AND writing (approximately) 1,348,234 essays. About a week before decisions were due, my mom discovered CollegeConfidential.com and began showing me people’s ridiculous posts, which only made me more nervous and sure that I would never get in. Not a chance. Nope. For example, there was one guy who set-up a webcam on his mailbox that had some sort of complicated mechanism that I no longer remember (it involved the little flag that the postman raises when there’s mail.) (Do you remember, mom?) So, thousands of people coul d log onto his website to watch his mailbox for the arrival of a big, beautiful, yellow envelope. As far as I remember, he was admitted. So as the decision date rolled around, I would run to my car after school and speed (I mean… drive quickly but cautiously under the speed limit) home to check my mailbox with my heart pounding the whole time. A week passed, and so did the day when we were supposed to receive the letters. It turns out that there was a giant blizzard in Cambridge, MA, which delayed the shipping of the decision letters. Oh man, was I upset. My heart couldn’t take the constant anticipation, the daily races home, and the deep disappointment of a mailbox filled with bills and coupons. I got so restless that I began to say that I had been put through so much anxiety that I wouldn’t accept the offer even if I did get in (clearly this was just an ill-planned coping mechanism, but it worked for a few days.) Finally, I got tired of racing home and just told my parents that if the letter arrived at home before I did and if they opened it before me, then I would fine them $1,000. They took my threat serious ly. So a couple of days before Winter Break, I was sitting in Computer Science class and I received an email from my parents saying that I got a big envelope from MIT, asking if I would waive the fine and if they could open it. Of course, I caved in, and thankfully the news was good. I had gotten in! I experienced extreme shock followed by disbelief (thinking they must have made a mistake!) followed by “oh my Gods” followed by illicit phone calls and crying in the bathroom. I drove home with Britney Spears on full blast, yelling that I had gotten in. The next day, I had found out that eight people from my high school had been accepted early action, including 2 of my best friends. The initial excitement was tainted by some impolite comments by some of my classmates who claimed that we had only gotten in because we were girls. Even when I knew of my accomplishments and those of my friends, we couldnt help but feel some degree of self-doubt. In hindsight, it’s easy to recognize that they spoke out of jealousy and that MIT would never accept someone for merely having two X chromosomes, but it definitely hurt at the time. So I know what you all are going through… in fact everyone around me knows what it’s like. Your parents, friends, and teachers are probably telling you to relax, that everything will be alright no matter what, that there are other schools than MIT…and they’re absolutely right! But it’s also easier said than done. Check out JKim’s blog for tips on what to do while waiting. Speaking from experience, make sure to obey traffic laws and try not to give yourself a heart attack (i.e. stay off of College Confidential!) Really, stressing out won’t change the contents of the letter. When I was a senior going through the application process and someone told me, “if you’re gold then you’ll shine anywhere.” They were absolutely right. Just keep in mind that you are all motivated and diligent for even reading these blogs to find out more about MIT, and you will do well no matter what school you get into! Obviously I got into MIT, but I also received rejections. Different scho ols look for different qualities, and it’s still early in the application process. Just breathe and you’ll get through it. Good luck!!! Email me if before/during/after the decisions if you need help. May the beaver be with you.

Merit-Based Utopia Essay - 1113 Words

People are the building blocks of a society. The society is perfect only if each individual achieves happiness through his/her own satisfaction from achievements. In order for that to happen, the society should be merit-based. A place where people have an incentive to work for themselves without harming others will ensure a safe, respectful, and successful community. Unlike our society in the twentieth century, people are actually encouraged to strive for success and get rewarded according to the level of accomplishment in this utopia. The main idea of a merit-based society is a person receives what he works for. The most hardworking people are the wealthiest, most respected, and most loved. At the same time, these people are very happy†¦show more content†¦Incentive is an invisible but effective force that causes people to act a certain way, according to the ten principles of economics. (Mankiw, 7) Firstly, the role of government is very different in a merit-based society compared to the American government. In a merit-based society, the government is only responsible for enforcing a law that forbidden a person from doing harm to others, arresting those who break this law and sending them to jail. This idea is similar to Ayn Rand’s objectivism, in which she says, â€Å"Punishment is the only proper function is government.† (Ayn Rand First Interview 1959 (Full)) If punishment exists, people will refrain from causing harm to others because of the idea that people avoid punishment called second ary negative reinforcement proved by a psychological experiment. (Logan) The government also differs from the American government in its treatment of welfare. In the merit-based society, there is no welfare. The government does not tax nor lend help to anyone because welfare discourages people from fully using their potentials. If welfare is available to the non-wealthy, people tend to become one of them by not working and being fed by the government. Taxes are also eliminated because some people restrict their income to a certain degree by processes called tax avoidance and tax evasion because they want to pay less tax to the American government. (Mankiw, 244) A merit-based society provides noShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis Of Aphra Behn s Seventeenth Century Travel Narrative, Oroonoko, And Utopia1289 Words   |  6 Pagessixteenth-century Utopia displays his subtle criticism of English society behind the words of his character Raphael Hythloday, who travels the world and explores the rationality of Utopia. These authors criticize many of the conventions o f their time periods through their characters’ explorations into new ideas and territories. In Oroonoko and Utopia, nature and reason lead the natives’ governments and societies instead of the corruption of the wealthy and noble Europeans. Both Oroonoko and Utopia presentRead MoreThe Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas Analysis1266 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophical theory centered around the idea that righteousness of one’s actions can only be determined by the goodness or badness of the consequences (Smart, 2006). The short story The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas provides an account of a fictional utopia built upon the suffering of a single child, and is often used to explore the ideas of Utilitarianism. The story probes the idea of Utilitarianism and sheds light on both positive and negative implications. The author begs the reader to make his ownRead MoreA Women’s Quest for Power in Jane Austen’s Emma Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pagesthe ideal combination to developing a perfect society. In Jane Austen‘s Emma, the main character Emma uses her obsession with beauty and power to create her own utopia. Emma’s utopia reconfigures the social system so that hierarchy is defined by looks an d character instead of birthrights. However, when Emma’s attempt to create her own utopia fails, Austen challenges readers to accept the existing order and structure of the early nineteenth century English society. Due to Emma’s wealth and beingRead MorePolitics And Politics In 1984, By George Orwell1469 Words   |  6 Pagesin modern times. In today’s current political climate, Orwell’s cautionary message about placing too much trust in government and against the public’s passive political behavior is a peek into a potential future which gives the novel both literary merit and relevance. At the time of writing 1984, Orwell had witnessed the turmoil and pain Europe went through during World War II, the rise and fall of totalitarian states, and the growing power of the Soviet Union. Orwell, though an avid supporter ofRead MoreBrave New World: A Struggle Between the Genius and the Mediocre931 Words   |  4 Pagesmasterpiece and one of the pillars of the dystopian novel. 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In book 1, More saw three major probelms with his era: unjust lawsRead MoreComparing The Political Theories Of Two Philosophers1444 Words   |  6 PagesDominic Bressi Prof. Catherine Chaput CH 201 15 October 2014 When comparing the political theories of two renowned philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, one must first focus on the merits of each of their own theories in depth. Plato is often considered as the first writer of political philosophy while Aristotle is considered the first political scientist. Though Aristotle was once a student of Plato, the two differ on the topic of how to best improve society for the benefit of mankind. ThusRead MoreEffective Leaders Essay1703 Words   |  7 Pagesmeant to be leaders and others followers. Michel de Montaigne in â€Å"Of the Cannibals† (1946/1999) offered a tribal organization centered on barbarism and cannibalism. The point is many followers and leaders envision the perfect society (utopia). In this utopia leadership is to transpire. The Land of Cockaigne (1952/1999) was a medieval contrary of a heaven on the earth. In Hesiod’s Works and Days (1938/1999) the vision was a perfect society as a past earth without any worries. Vergil in the FourthRead MoreAristotle s Views On Ancient Greek Democracy884 Words   |  4 Pagesphilosopher Aristotle offer conflicting viewpoints concerning the merits and possibilities of ancient Greek democracy. Aristotle’s political theory attempts to justify his city-state’s political structure by providing a model of the common good, or Chief Aim, his end goal for Athenian democracy. He believed Athenians could reach the Chief Aim as a society by individually learning to be virtuous and then instilling laws and morals based on these ideals. In his lecture, The Liberty of the Ancients ComparedRead MoreThe Poignant Prophet By Aldous Huxley1680 Words   |  7 Pagesdestroyed; this is where critics diverge into two possible meanings. A pessimistic view may see this ending as a message that a utopian society is doomed to failure, or is impossible to maintain. An optimistic view finds that â€Å"the ending suggests not that utopia is impossible but that we have to keep choosing it, over and over again, and something like Pala †¦ can happen again. Our future is not deterministically programmed but depends to some considerable extent upon the choices we make today† (Macdonald)

Complementary Treatments Of Complementary Therapies

Complementary Therapies Around the world, nurses help care for people who are in need. There are many resources that nurses can use in order to provide this care. A few examples of these resources are medications, spirituality, and complementary therapies. A complementary therapy is a therapeutic technique that is often paired with an ongoing treatment. There are many different types of complementary therapies that can be used to help relieve pain, stress, and anxiety. Some therapies include music, pleasant smells, and even herbs. Sometimes complementary therapies are overlooked because nurses are not properly educated on how to either perform these therapies or do not know how these therapies can benefit a client. I chose this topic because I have seen how some of these therapies have helped people, and I want the world to embrace these resources rather than reject them. I once witnessed a form of music therapy bring a single person out of their shell and reduce their anxiety; this helped foster my belief that these therapies can be the difference in a client’s satisfaction level within the nursing field. Although this was the main reason why I chose this topic, my fascination with the past helped make the decision easier. I love learning how things have developed over time, and complementary therapies have been around for hundreds of years. My purpose within this paper is to inform nurses about the benefits of complementary therapies in order to help them embraceShow MoreRelatedComplementary And Alternative Therapy Treatment870 Words   |  4 PagesComplementary and Alternative Therapy Non-pharmacological interventions can be a substantial way that nurses can positively impact adult patients with hypertension. The first complementary and alternative therapy treatment of guided imagery was given to a group of pregnant patients with hypertension. Guided imagery is a way to focus one’s minds on a peaceful and calm place. In a life-threatening and serious situation, such as surgery or pregnancy, guided imagery could be a helpful non-pharmacologicalRead MoreHealth and Social803 Words   |  4 PagesExplain the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox treatments. – P4 Compare the role of two complementary therapies with those of more orthodox treatments – M2 Evaluate the role of two complementary therapies in contemporary society. – D1 The term complementary medicine is used by conventional medical practitioners to refer to nom-invasive, non-pharmaceutical techniques which are used in conjunction with allopathic medical treatments such as drugs and surgery. The term impliesRead MoreComplementary Therapies873 Words   |  4 PagesComplementary therapies Complementary therapies aim to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of disease. Complementary therapy is known by different terms including alternative therapy, alternative medicine, holistic therapy and traditional medicine. Therapies include acupuncture, Alexander technique, aromatherapy, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy, reiki and yoga. Complementary therapy is known by many different terms, including alternative therapy, alternativeRead MoreEssay about complementary therapies653 Words   |  3 Pageslearner must: 1. Understand complementary therapies that can be used by users of health and social care services 2. Understand the role of complementary therapies in relation to orthodox treatment 3. Understand the role of complementary therapies in maintaining health and wellbeing Grade Grading criteria Pass P1 – explain the factors which affect access to complementary therapies (IE3; IE4; CT2; CT4) P2 – explain how the use of complementary therapies is regulated P3 – explain theRead MoreCAM Therapeutic Modalities Essay1346 Words   |  6 PagesAmericans along with the world, have used Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) over the past decade. In July 30, 2009, National Health Statistic Reports demonstrated on a test conducted in 2007 â€Å"that about 38.3% of adults (83 million persons) and 11.8% of children (8.5 million children under the age of 18 years) have used Complementary and alternative medicine† (NHSR, 2009). 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According to the NIH (2010), chronic pain sufferers use more health care, have worse overallRead MoreComplementary And Alternative Medicine ( Cam )985 Words   |  4 PagesCAM Therapeutic Modalities Paper Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is important in todays’ health care for researchers, practitioners, and consumers. Society should be aware of the safety of taking herbs, therapies, and any health topics. The CAM website can be a useful website to research information that a person wants to gain background on. In the following paper, I will give definitions of alternative, complementary, integrative medicine, conventional medicine role, CAMs philosophyRead MoreCam Therapeutic Modalities808 Words   |  4 Pagesmedicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine. It will describe how conventional medicine plays a role in these three terms. In addition, it will review the philosophy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and how it is different from conventional Western medicine and a description of the five domains of therapy. Finally, it will show how CAM treatment modality Ayurveda is used as an alternative therapy and a complementary therapy for obesity. Alternative, Complementary, and IntegrativeRead MoreEssay on Cam Modalities Sci/2011060 Words   |  5 Pagesconsidered to be part of conventional medicine.† (NCCAM, 2007) Science has yet to determine if these therapies are safe. Regardless of the answer there are hundreds of thousands of people today that use CAM to treat hundreds of different medical problems. Societies have used many of these practices for over 4000 years and are still in use today. CAM allows for a complete and holistic way of treatment of the human body. CAM Therapeutic

Liberal Education as a Livingstone Free Essays

During a time when unemployment is at its lowest since World War II, one would think that finding a job would be easy. However, at this point in time, applicants for jobs are more qualified than ever. The competition for well-paid jobs is stiff, and in order to get ahead people need not only skill in one certain area, but a general intelligence of many subjects as well. We will write a custom essay sample on Liberal Education as a Livingstone or any similar topic only for you Order Now A liberal education provides the general knowledge that gives job applicants an extra edge when applying for a job. With a base of knowledge in the liberal arts and a specialization in a certain area, people prove to be beneficial to employers. Throughout this paper, I will use the term â€Å"liberal education† not only in describing subjects like English, history, philosophy etc. , but as Livingstone describes a liberal education: an education which â€Å"aims at producing as perfect and complete a human being as may be. † In using the term â€Å"liberal education† I expect that all graduates of a liberal arts college have an expertise in rhetoric, as the art of speaking and writing well is a key focus in the curriculum. I will also use the â€Å"specialized education† in reference to Livingstone†s definition: an education â€Å"which aims at earning a living or making money†. Undergraduates pursuing a liberal undergraduate education have an advantage over people with a specialized undergraduate education because liberal education provides a greater versatility in terms of a broader base of knowledge so that finding a job and excelling in different areas is easier. Training in art of rhetoric, which today is defined as the art of speaking and writing effectively, is a valuable asset for job hunters. Specialized undergraduate curriculums focus less on rhetoric than liberal arts curriculums. A person with training in rhetoric would be hired over another applicant due to their expertise in communicating ideas effectively through speech and writing. Companies aim to employ intelligent people who can express themselves wisely and eloquently because in nearly every profession, writing well and persuading others to one†s opinion is essential: scientists have to apply for grants in order to fund their research and experiments; businessmen must present proposals and of course, columnists and authors who have not mastered the skill of rhetoric are less likely to find a job and be successful in terms of status and salary. Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively designates to what level one may raise in the corporate ladder, for people with refined writing skills benefit companies to a large extent, while people with less skill in writing have less influence, and therefore less power. People with a liberal education are skilled in multiple areas and therefore can be of more benefit to employers. Rather than a specialized study in one area, a liberal education provides students with a broad range of knowledge that attracts employers. As Virtruvius says, liberal education teaches the student the connection between different disciplines. Knowing and realizing the relationship between subjects, an employee can perform a greater number of tasks and learn new ones more rapidly thus being more valuable to a company. Should a man lose his job due to it becoming extinct or other reasons, a liberal education would provide a better cushion to fall back on because of the diversity of subjects studied. For example, if a court stenographer loses his job due to a new audio technology that records and word-processes court proceedings, he would not have to, in a sense, start over for lack of knowledge in other areas. Utilizing his knowledge in rhetoric, philosophy, history, and other humanities, he could find another job without going back to school. On the other hand, the opposition would report that a liberal education would not benefit many people because a curriculum based on the humanities repels many students. Rather than take courses that disinterest them, students should specialize in subjects they enjoy. One should not waste money on an education that does not focus on one†s interests; an education that does not stimulate the student is a failed education. In order to make the most out of undergraduate years, the students should study what interests them. In rebuttal, a liberal education does not suit every personality or preference. However, in the job market, having a liberal undergraduate education and a specialized graduate education gives people an advantage, for not only are they trained specially in their specific area, but they also have a general knowledge of the liberal arts. Students interested in areas such as technology and sciences should take classes that interest them. However, in addition to the sciences courses, rhetoric classes would prove beneficial even in a scientific line of study. Every occupation entails writing in some way, and sharpening one†s writing skills only reaps more benefits when searching for a job. Many people interested in the sciences and technologies specialize during their undergraduate years, and therefore miss out on training in rhetoric. Specialists who take classes to improve writing are better-prepared and more likely for find a job. Another argument of the opposition: people who start specializing during undergraduate years are better prepared for graduate school. They master and excel in one specific area of study. Whereas, it would take someone with a general undergraduate education a longer time to master a specific area of study because of the attention spent on a broad education during undergraduate years. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a general education, students could use the four years to specialize in the field that they enjoy. A liberal education may prove beneficial for students who are unsure about their major, but focused students should not waste their time on general education. Students who know what they want to focus on should specialize their education in order to expedite their college time and either start a masters degree or start their careers. It may take longer for a generally trained undergraduate to specialize in a certain area, but then again, if they are trained in understanding the connection between different areas of study, they may be able to pick up different subjects more quickly. There are really two issues here to refute. First, when studying, why is everything such a rush? People are in a hurry to enter the job force rather than to take their time during their schooling. I suppose the answer to the question is money. While people are in school they pay thousands of dollars and receive very little back in comparison. Once they start working they can begin the payback period. Sadly, those who enter the workforce first do win in the sense that they can start paying back their debt, while the people still in school keep accumulating debt. Second, even if people with a liberal arts education enter the workforce at the same time, they are not at a disadvantage in terms of knowledge capability as the previous argument concludes. In fact, liberal arts undergraduates may be at a slight advantage in terms of useful knowledge. For example, two applicants for a job have both had the same graduate education but one (person 1) had been trained in the liberal arts during undergraduate years, and the other (person 2) had specialized earlier. Assuming the two candidates preformed equally in gradate school, which may not be a fair assumption due to person 2†³s past knowledge and previous study, however, for argument†s sake, assume both were successful in graduate school. An employer would choose person 1 because of the liberal arts background on top of the specialized graduate schooling. An employer would know that people with a liberal arts background are not only intelligent in their specific line of study, but also understand the connection between disciplines, and would choose the person with the broad base of education. In discussing liberal arts training, one assumes that every student who graduates has a well-developed knowledge of all the subjects a liberal education offers. However, it is not fair to assume that every student attending a liberal arts undergraduate school explores each subject extensively and excels in every class. Many students take advantage of the time they spend in undergraduate school by partying on weeknights and coming to class so tired that they cannot concentrate on the lesson, or even worse, they skip class all together. This careless behavior towards schooling hurts not only the students† understanding of the material, but their grades as well. It is time that all upperclassmen graduate with honors rather than just slide by. The effect on the community and world would be astounding. Thousands of great minds graduate from college every year and become success stories like Bill Gates. Imagine every college student intellectually on par with the smartest graduate. Our world would be a different place. That is the place to which we should strive, and we have reached out goal when everyone achieves individual excellence. 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What Does Feminism Stand For Who are These Creatures who call themselves Feminists

A layman views feminism as being focused on women gaining equal rights to men. However, this is a very simplistic way of addressing feminism. In reality, feminism is much more complex and larger than merely describing equality for women (Weisberg 234).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What Does Feminism Stand For? Who are These Creatures who call themselves Feminists? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Feminist philosophy espouses various hidden as well as non-expressed desires of all the people with regard to human equality. It is both an intellectual commitment and a political movement that seeks for women’s justice as well as an end of all kinds of sexism (Dutt 238). Generally, people disagree on a number of issues. For instance, they are against of the common definition of sexism. This question should reflect their craving for equality and measures which are to be done to achieve it. Whilst many people ca n easily define feminism, there is a need for deeper understanding of what feminism is and who qualifies to be termed a feminist. Feminist concept varies in two ways in majority sociological hypotheses (Walker 89). Firstly, it is the function of a multidisciplinary, multicultural as well as worldwide community, which consists of not only sociologists, but also professionals from several other professions, artistic authors as well as political activists. Subsequently, feminist sociologists operate with a dual goal to expand a deepen sociology by reviewing professional understanding. It is also necessary to take into account breakthroughs being attained by feminist scholars and to grow a crucial comprehension for a culture in order to alter the globe in guidelines considered much more humane. Various feminists want the society to accept that there is no strategic means of unifying different sexism instances and correspondingly, the lacks of a strategic unity in what constitutes femini sm. Rather feminism should be viewed as an avenue for coalition building (Dutt 236). Different entities operate to deal with various forms of oppressive actions; some entities handle oppression against females as of fundamental concern.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, feminists are motivated by the pursuit for social justice. The feminist inquiry offers a wide range of standpoints with regard to social, cultural, economic, as well as political aspects (Duplessis and Ann 34). Understanding feminism begins with developing an undertaking of the theory itself, as well as the politics surrounding it. Further, the sub-entries of feminism include aspects like disability, globalization, sex work, human trafficking, as well as sexuality, among others (Walker 99). These aspects extend the understanding as well as the scope of feminism. Different cultures, even without their own comprehen sion describe various aspects of feminism uniquely. For instance, within the African culture, feminism will show much focus on fighting the tradition that deters progress of women. In such societies, women have for long been sidelined in decision making and generally treated as the weaker sex (Kiss 343). The society has shaped women to be ‘submissive’ to men regardless of whether they are being oppressed or not. This is very much unlike the western civilization where women have long been accepted as participants within every process in the society. However, within such a society, another aspect of feminism emerging is the role of sexuality (Walker 102). As one would ask, is the western culture treating women as sexual objects? Broadly speaking, most societies describe feminism goal as being to end oppression and hence stresses that women oppression is not only unjust but an unethical practice. The perspective is likely to differ within diverse cultures and it must be ac knowledged that women oppression goes beyond the rhetorical sexism. Emerging issues from diverse cultures include: classism, homophobia, racial feminism, ageism, as well as ableism, among other areas (Jaggar 98).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What Does Feminism Stand For? Who are These Creatures who call themselves Feminists? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More What is sure, is that all societies agree that unequally is unjust, that’s why feminists should fight for their rights to restore the justice. However, a closer look emphasizes that accomplishing feminism goals necessitates dealing with racism, as well as economic exploitation suffered by women (Jaggar 67). Information from different cultures reveal that women from different racial backgrounds suffer from different forms of exploitation. The plight of women in African societies definitely differs from that of white women, or Indian women. This impli es that feminists must address the issue of race. A fundamental question to query the racial perspective is how often a white woman will get similar treatment as the one accorded to a black woman (Delphy 87). Moreover, one can watch the media display pictures of women from different backgrounds and the plight they suffer. Feminism is a fight for liberty that is one of the larger battles to eliminate all forms of superiority. It is important to understand how patriarchal domination shares ideologies with racial foundations as well as other forms of oppression (Herrman and Abigail 131). The feminism aspect cannot be eradicated while leaving intact the other aspects. Such knowledge plays an important role in both feministic theory and practice. Feministic theory is a generalized from this point. It is meant to be wide ranging system constituted of ideas about social life as well as human experience based on a woman-focused viewpoint. There are three ways by which feminism is woman cent ered. Firstly, it begins with investigation, which seeks to establish the situations and experiences encountered by women in the society (Herrman and Abigail 132). Secondly, feminism puts women at its centre by seeking to view the world from an exclusive vantage point for women within the social sphere.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thirdly, feminist theory acts as a critical basis for activitism on behalf of the female-kind. It attempts to create a world where all humankind can live as equals. More answers are still general after decades of posing the question to the women’s plight in the society. Women are found within all social scenarios. Where they are absent, it is due to the fact that they don’t have the ability or desire, but due to the fact that there has been a purposive endeavor to leave them out. Where there are women, they have exercised roles extremely diverse from the well-known conception of them (with regard to roles of being passive wives or girlfriends as well as mothers). In fact, as wives and mothers as well as in a sequence of various other tasks, females have, alongside men, actively produced the ideals of being desired (Kiss 345). Females are actively present in the majority of social circumstances, professions, publics as well as community roles where a blind eye has been turned to the women’s contribution. Furthermore, female roles in a lot of social circumstances, whilst crucial, are diverse ranging from, much less fortunate compared to, to beings subordinate to men. Paying no attention to the role of women in society is a key to notice inequality. Feminism’s second fundamental query, then, is: â€Å"Why are things the way they are?† The initial query demands for an explanation of the social community, the second query requires an explanation of the community. Feminism’s responses to these types of queries provide people with a common social concept. Works Cited Delphy, Christine. Close to Home: A Materialist Analysis of Women’s Oppression, Trans. Diane Leonard. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1984. Duplessis, Rachel and Ann, Snitow. The Feminist Memoir Project: Voices from Women’s Liberation, New York: Random House, 2008. Dutt, Martin. â€Å"Reclaiming a Human Rights Culture: Feminism of Diffe rence and Alliance.† In Talking Visions: Multicultural Feminism in a Transnational Age, ed., Ella Shohat. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1998, 225-246 Herrman, Anne and Abigail, Stewart. Theorizing Feminism: Parallel Trends in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2007. Jaggar, Alison. Feminist Politics and Human Nature, Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 1983. Kiss, Elizabeth. â€Å"Feminism and Rights.† Dissent, 42.3 (2002): 342-347. Walker, Margaret. Moral Understandings: A Feminist Study in Ethics, New York: Routledge, 2005. Weisberg, Kelly. Feminist Legal Theory: Foundations, Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1993. This essay on What Does Feminism Stand For? Who are These Creatures who call themselves Feminists? was written and submitted by user Lina L. to help you with your own studies. 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Count of Monte Cristo essays

Count of Monte Cristo essays There are many subplots involving The Count of Monte Cristo's adversaries. The first one started out in Rome where the count met two young men, Albert de Morcerf and Franz d'Epinay. The Count became a great friend to the two young men and even saved Albert's life when the "Italian bandit," Luigi Vampa, captured him. Luckily Vampa was a loyal friend to the count and obeyed his command to release Albert. Albert eventually introduced the count to Paris society and to his many friends. The next subplot was when The Count of Monte Cristo bought the house in Auteuil. His servant Bertuccio had a history with that house that involved Monsieur de Villefort. He later told that story to the count and introduced Benedetto, which later became Andrea Cavalcanti. Benedetto was the son of Villefort and Madame Danglars, which was presumed dead and was burried and left to die if Bertuccio did not dig the baby up. Benedetto later led a life of crime and left Bertuccio, who raised him. The next subplot was when Benedetto was introduced to the Count of Monte Cristo as Andrea Cavalcanti. He took on this role and was given a fake father. Andrea then became the good friend of the count's, mainly because the count was to supply him with a The next subplot was when the count created the false telegram that "King Don Carlos escaped the vigilance excercised over him in Bourges and has returned to Spain across the Catalonian frontier." This caused many people to sell their Spanish bonds, including Baron Danglars, and to lose a lot of The next subplot is when The Count of Monte Cristo invited all of his "friends" to the country house he bought in Auteuil. This house haunted two guests, Monsieur de Villefort and Madame Danglars because this was the house which Madame Danglars gave birth to Benedetto and where Villefort barried him. The count showed the guests t...

What Is Imagery A Complete Guide

What Is Imagery A Complete Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips A literary device is a technique a writer uses to convey ideas and messages to their readers. That means that as readers, we need to understand and use literary devices to fully understand a work’s major themes! Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how to use imagery to analyze a text. We’ll start by giving you the imagery definition before talking about why it’s an important tool for analyzing a text. Then we’ll walk you through some imagery examples in poetry and fiction and show you exactly how to analyze the imagery in each. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to talk about imagery in literature like a pro, so let’s get started. Seriously. Once you know what you're looking for, you'll see it everywhere! What Is Imagery? Definition and Explanation Have you ever read a book that makes you feel like you’re seeing, feeling, smelling, or tasting the same thing as the character you’re reading about? (We had that experience the first time Harry Potter tries butterbeer in Hogsmeade.) If you have, you can thank imagery for that experience! Imagery is the act of using language to create images in the reader’s mind. Writers use descriptive words and phrases to help the reader feel like they’re...well, wherever the writer wants them to be! Basically, the writer is trying to create a â€Å"mental image† for the reader through the words they choose. Here’s how one of the greatest horror writers of all time, Stephen King, describes imagery: Imagery does not occur on the writer’s page; it occurs in the reader’s mind. To describe everything is to supply a photograph in words; to indicate the points which seem the most vivid and important to you, the writer, is to allow the reader to flesh out your sketch into a portrait. In other words: you can think of imagery as painting with words in order to fuel the reader’s imagination! An easy way to spot imagery in a text is to pay attention to words, phrases, and sentences that connect with your five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound). That’s because writers know that in order to capture a reader’s attention, they need to engage with them mentally, physically, and emotionally. Since imagery is designed to connect a reader to a text, it’s one of the most powerful tools a writer has to communicate their themes and messages. The 2 Types of Imagery Any time a writer engages a reader’s senses, they’re using imagery...which means imagery is a really broad literary device. In general, however, imagery fits into two big categories: literal and figurative. Literal Imagery: Examples and Explanation With literal imagery, a writer is literally describing things to the reader. (Pretty straightforward, huh?) Writers often use literal imagery to describe the setting, characters, and situation for a reader. Literal imagery helps the reader picture where characters are, understand what characters are doing, and even foreshadow what might happen next. (For example, if the character is in a dark, dirty alley, they’re probably in a more dangerous situation than if the character is skipping through a field of daisies.) Let’s take a look at an example of literal imagery from Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park so you can see what we mean. In this scene, Dr. Alan Grant, Lex Murphy, and Tim Murphy are trying to hide from a tyrannosaurus rex: They were closer to the waterfall now, the roar much louder. The rocks became slippery, the path muddy. There was a constant hanging mist. It was like moving through a cloud. The path seemed to lead right into the rushing water, but as they came closer, they saw that it actually went behind the waterfall. The tyrannosaur was still looking downstream, its back turned to them. They hurried along the path to the waterfall, and had almost moved behind the sheet of falling water when Grant saw the tyrannosaur turn. Then they were completely behind the waterfall, and Grant was unable to see out through the silver sheet. Now that you’ve read this passage, close your eyes and picture the scene. You’re probably picturing a giant waterfall, a hungry tyrannosaurus rex, and a lot of danger, right? That’s because the literal imagery in this passage paints a very specific, literal picture that helps you imagine what’s happening in this moment! Magic, right? Not quite. Imagery works because the writer uses descriptive words and phrases to help paint a picture. Let’s take a look at the first few lines again and pick out some of the descriptive language that helps shape the scene: They were closer to the waterfall now, the roar much louder. The rocks became slippery, the path muddy. There was a constant hanging mist. It was like moving through a cloud. These lines are almost exclusively description, and Crichton uses phrases like â€Å"rocks became slippery† and â€Å"constant hanging mist† to help you imagine exactly what’s happening. A good way to pick out literal imagery is to look for nouns, then see how they’re described. For example, the noun â€Å"waterfall† is described as having a â€Å"roar† that gets â€Å"louder† the closer the characters get! From an analysis perspective, these literal images all work together to help build the mood, or tone, of the scene. In this case, the imagery of the scene contributes to its tense and suspenseful tone. The environment is treacherousnot only are the rocks slick, but the characters have trouble seeing through the mist and water. One false move, and they’ll be a tasty snack for a hungry dinosaur! Use this picture as inspiration for finding connotation! (This will all make sense in a second.) Figurative Imagery: Examples and Explanation Unlike literal imagery, figurative imagery uses on the non-literalor metaphoricalmeaning of words to paint a picture for the reader. Almost all words have two meanings: their denotation and connotation. The denotation of a word is its literal, dictionary definition. Figurative imagery, on the other hand, relies on the connotation- or implied meaning- of words and phrases to help shape a text’s themes and ideas. To see how figurative imagery works, let’s look at the first line of Shakespeare’s â€Å"Sonnet 130,† where the speaker is describing his lady love: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Okay. Let’s zero in on the word â€Å"sun† here. According to Merriam-Webster, the literal definition of the word â€Å"sun† is â€Å"the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, which is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.† But the speaker doesn’t literally mean that his mistress’ eyes aren’t like a ball of gas! So what does he mean? To figure this out, let’s look at the figurative imagery here. Take a minute and think of some of the implied or metaphorical meanings of the word â€Å"sun.† The word might make you think of warmth and happiness. It also might make you think of other images like burning, blazing, or fiery brightness. With this figurative imagery in mind, this line is better read as â€Å"my mistress’s eyes aren’t bright, warm, or happy.† Not only does figurative imagery help this line make more sense, it also clues readers into the message of the poem: that you can recognize someone’s faults and still love them and find them beautiful. One more quick note: because you’re a savvy reader, you’ve probably realized that this line from Shakespeare is also a metaphor, which is a comparison between two seemingly unrelated objects (in this case, â€Å"eyes† and â€Å"sun†). Writers often use other literary devices like metaphor, simile, and personification to help create vivid imagery for the reader. So don’t be surprised if you see imagery overlapping with other literary techniques! Can an Example of Imagery be Both Literal and Figurative at the Same Time? Absolutely! In fact, it’s quite common to see writers use literal and figurative imagery simultaneously. Take the first stanza of William Wordsworth’s poem, â€Å"Daffodils†: I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. This stanza combines literal and figurative imagery. Literally, the images in this stanza help us see the speaker wandering around alone until he stumbles upon a patch of daffodils that are growing by a lake. This imagery is important to understanding Wordsworth’s poetry, which often explores the relationship between nature and man. The figurative imagery helps us learn a little more about the speaker, who’s an outsider. We can infer this because of the imagery he gives us; he imagines himself as a cloud floating over everything, able to see what’s going on but unable to participate. The daffodils, on the other hand, represent society. The imagery here is happy (the daffodils are â€Å"golden† and â€Å"dancing†), which is how the speaker views society as someone on the outside looking in. Imagery in Poetry: â€Å"Hope is the thing with feathers† by Emily Dickinson Now that you know more about imagery, let’s look at a poem that uses imagery to portray its major themes: â€Å"‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul -And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -And sore must be the storm -That could abash the little BirdThat kept so many warm - I’ve heard it in the chillest land -And on the strangest Sea -Yet - never - in Extremity,It asked a crumb - of me. Imagery can make something abstract, like an emotion or theory, seem more concrete and tangible to the reader. By using imagery, writers can evoke the feeling they want to talk about in their readers...and by making their readers feel, writers can also help readers connect to the messages in their work. In this example, Emily Dickinson takes the abstract idea of â€Å"hope† and compares it to a bird. Dickinson paints images of hope doing all the same things a bird does: it â€Å"perches,† â€Å"sings,† and keeps â€Å"so many warm† with its feathers. And despite all these gifts, hope never â€Å"asked a crumb† of anything in return. By using imagery to take an abstract idea (hope) and make it concrete (a bird), Dickinson helps readers understand the nature of hope. For Dickinson, hope is something that costs little to have and yet offers us comfort in all of life’s toughest situations. Imagery in Fiction: Dracula by Bram Stoker Imagery can be an equally powerful tool for fiction writers, too. In Dracula, Bram Stoker uses imagery to drive home the horror of the novel. Let’s take a look at one particularly stand-out scene, where Arthur Holmwood has to kill his former fiancee, Lucy Westenra, who has been turned into a vampire: The Thing in the coffin writhed; and a hideous, blood-curdling screech came from the opened red lips. The body shook and quivered and twisted in wild contortions; the sharp white teeth champed together till the lips were cut, and the mouth was smeared with a crimson foam. But Arthur never faltered. He looked like a figure of Thor as his untrembling arm rose and fell, driving deeper and deeper the mercy-bearing stake, whilst the blood from the pierced heart welled and spurted up around it. His face was set, and high duty seemed to shine through it; the sight of it gave us courage, so that our voices seemed to ring through the little vault. Remember how we talked about how imagery can set a tone or mood? That’s certainly the case here. Lucy is visually described not as a woman but as a â€Å"thing,† and the â€Å"blood-curdling screech† she lets out is a great example of how auditory imageryor the sound of a scenecan contribute to its overall effect. (In this case, it amps up the horror of a once-delicate Englishwoman being transformed into a bloodthirsty beast.) It's the imagery associated with Lucy that shows readers how vicious and animalistic she’s become, which is no surprise: she’s joined Dracula’s army of the undead. Now, take a look at the imagery surrounding Arthur, Lucy’s former fiancee, and see how it compares to Lucy’s description. Even as he’s killing Lucy, Arthur is described as â€Å"a figure of Thor†meaning he’s strong, heroic, and good with a hammer. Stoker specifically says Arthur is â€Å"untrembling† in his task; despite its grisly nature, his steadiness showcases his commitment to protecting his country from the vampire threat...even when it means driving a stake in his lover’s heart. Additionally, his face has the â€Å"shine† of duty, which is a nod to the glowing, angelic halos of angels. Arthur’s bravery and light stands in contrast to Lucy’s dark, demonic nature, and Stoker specifically uses imagery to show readers how good can triumph over evil. 3 Questions to Ask When Analyzing Imagery These examples have shown you how to find and analyze imagery, but you’ll have to do this all by yourself when you take the AP Literature exam. But don’t worrynow that you’re an expert, finding and analyzing imagery will be a breeze! But just in case you get stuck, here are three questions you can ask yourself to help you better analyze imagery in literature and poetry. Question 1: What Did I Imagine While I Was Reading? The hardest part about analyzing imagery is finding it in the first place. Like we mentioned earlier, a good way to do this is to look for nouns and search for words that describe them. Then you can start asking yourself if those descriptions are figurative imagery (i.e., do those words have any implied or metaphorical meaning). But when you’re crunched for time, you can go back to the tried-and-true method of using your imagination. Which parts of the text made you picture something in your mind? Since imagery is designed to spark your imagination, there’s a great chance that section contains some sort of imagery! Question 2: What Does the Imagery Reveal About the Situation? This question helps you get to the meat-and-potatoes of your analysis really quickly. Once you find a piece of imagery, ask yourself what it’s showing you. It could be describing an important setting, plot point, or character. Make sure you’re asking yourself if there’s figurative imagery at work, too. If you’re struggling here, you can always go back to the â€Å"mental picture† we talked about with the first question. What do you see in that image? There’s a good chance that whatever you’re imagining matters in some way. Once you have that image in your mind, you can start to ask yourself why that particular image is important. Here’s what we mean: think about the Jurassic Park example we talked about earlier. The imagery there tells us some literal things about what’s happening in the scene, but it also adds to the danger and suspense of the main characters’ predicament. The same can be said for the excerpt from â€Å"Daffodils,† only instead of revealing a plot point, the imagery gives readers important insight into the narrator of the poem. Question 3: How Does the Imagery Affect the Mood of the Text? Once you find a good piece of imagery, ask yourself how it makes you feel. Is it hopeful? Scary? Depressed? Angry? The feelings associated with the imagery in a work can often reveal the theme of a text. Take Emily Dickinson’s poem. What feelings are associated with the imagery surrounding â€Å"hope†? Well, birds are tame and delicate, and the bird Dickinson describes sings sweetly through life’s fierce storms. Hope is clearly a reassuring, gentle, uplifting thing. By asking yourself why Dickinson thinks hope is good, you can start to figure out some of the messages of the poem! What's Next? Test out your new-found imagery chops by analyzing a poem on your own! We think that Dylan Thomas’ â€Å"Do not go gentle into that good night† is a great place to start. You can find the full text of the poem, as well as additional analysis, here. There’s more to literary analysis than just knowing your way around imagery! Make sure you’re familiar with the most important literary devices, like personification, before you head into your AP test. There are two parts to the AP Literature test: the multiple choice section and the essay section. Some students worry about the written portion of the test so much that they forget to study for the multiple choice questions! Don’t let this be your situation. Make sure you’re preparing for the whole test by reading through this guide to mastering the AP Literature exam’s multiple choice portion, too.