Media’s Influence Essay Example for Free

Media’s Influence Essay From Congress to Clowns: Media’s Influence on Bow Tie Transformation The bow tie could easily be dubbed the ‘black sheep’ of the Cravat family. Its origins are none glamorous and it is rarely embraced, typically turned against and most often forgotten. It is noticed in only its fleeting moments of sheik or dreadfully offensive shock. Its history originating in utility and birthed from a distinguished sect was turned against with the advent of visual media. The bow tie was first seen in the 17th Century when Croatian mercenaries went to support King Louis in France (Pohl). To keep their shirts closed and to protect themselves from the elements they tied a loosely fit tie around their necks (Pohl). There is debate over whether the intention was strictly utilitarian; as long, lace neckwear was already a fashion in France there was likely some influence. King Louis quickly adopted the tie for fashion. He named it â€Å"La Cravat† and made it the required attire for upper class formal gatherings (Pohl). It continued its European trend and was brought along with colonization to America. The earliest bow ties were white and were worn for fashion and social class distinction. It remained in use during the 18th and 19th century, but was mainly isolated to politicians, lawyers and scholars as very formal and professional attire. Abraham Lincoln and many of our early presidents were often photographed wearing the bow tie reinforcing its representation of being a distinguished accessory. The first major shift in accepted bow tie use coincided with the changes in political ideology. A young America, wanting to distance itself from European classism removed the bow tie from accepted fashion practice. Outside of the very formal ‘black tie affair’ it was rarely seen. The general opinion of the bow tie changed as well, as it began to carry with it an air of pretense or snobbery. Warren St. John, a writer for the New York Times, describes this shift in thinking, To its devotees the bow tie suggests iconoclasm of an Old World sort, a fusty adherence to a contrarian point of view. The bow tie hints at intellectualism, real or feigned, and sometimes suggests technical acumen, perhaps because it is so hard to tie. Bow ties are worn by magicians, country doctors, lawyers and professors and by people hoping to look like the above. But perhaps most of all, wearing a bow tie is a way of broadcasting an aggressive lack of concern for what other people think (St. John). This idea changed in an important way in the 20th century. After decades of a clear break from European influence the bow tie made a come back, but in an interesting way. It was still fashionably outcast outside of formalwear, but it became an icon for individualism. â€Å"A list of bow tie devotees reads like a Whos Who of rugged individualists† (St. John). Interestingly this new trend coincides with the advent and surge in visual media, via film, news real, magazine and eventually television. â€Å"Mens clothier Jack Freedman told the New York Times that wearing a bow tie ‘is a statement maker’ that identifies a person as an individual because ‘its not generally in fashion’† (St. John). The bow tie would never be ‘generally in fashion’ even with visual access, but media helped to mold new thinking about it as a symbol and defined opinions of those who wore it. Its casual use was adopted by outspoken and prominent politicians, comedians, broadcasters, and many animated figures. The influence from Hollywood and T. V. media would create an impression that would stick. In T. V. and film comedians and animated characters personas who wore bow ties were portrayed as goofy, awkward, quirky or nerdy creating a stereotype that modern bow tie wearers can’t quite shake. Characters such as Jerry Lewis’ Nutty Professor and Paul Reubens’ Pee Wee Herman have helped perpetuate it. It is possible that Hollywood as an institution and ‘protector of class’ may have created these characterizations in rebellion to the adoption of the bow tie by mainstream individuals. Simmel writes, â€Å"the elite initiates a fashion and when the mass imitates it in an effort to eliminate the distinction of class, [the elite] abandon it for a different mode†. Acting on the elites behalf, visual media created and exposed these clownish views to turn the style ‘off’, to make it un-fashionable, so it could resume class distinction (541). Like the black sheep that it is, despite its sense of folly the bow tie also leaves the impression of being quite trustworthy. Many highly respected leaders, lawyers, politicians and broadcasters have donned them and some have even been branded by this signature piece. Winston Churchill was known for his signature blue and white polka-dot tie. Charles Osgood for his trademark tie worn during broadcasts. That sense of trust could stem from the idea that these men are brave enough to ‘go against fashion’ or because ‘they don’t care what people think’ we trust them to be more candid and honest. Advertisers picked up on this trend and companies such as Chevrolet and Budweiser have included the bow tie in their corporate logos. They also reinforced this association of trustworthiness and honesty with their campaign slogans. In 1996 Chevrolet wanted its â€Å"blue bow tie to be among America’s top icons again†, so it created a series of â€Å"15 second spots featuring just the bow tie in unexpected places with the printed tag ‘Genuine Chevrolet’ and the narration ‘the cars Americans trust’† (Halliday). Budweiser also made this association with their ad campaign featuring just their red bow tie logo and the words ‘Budweiser, True’. Though the bow tie has made a dramatic shift in the 20th century from a symbol of class distinction and distinguished conformity to a symbol of individualism and supposed trust, the bow tie has not waivered as the staple accessory of formal attire. There have been some recent adaptations, again brought on by Hollywood celebrities such as the black button cover or black bolo tie, but when alternates are chosen they are typically mocked by mainstream media. Black tie affair still means black bow tie by all accounts. The sophistication and style has been reinforced by celebrities in photos or films of formal dances, dinners and parties. Representing all the glamour of classic Hollywood and associated with the debonair Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra. It has such a long standing tradition and symbol of what it means to be a sophisticated and classy gentleman that even Playboy picked it up and incorporated it into their bunny logo . In fact, Playboy’s use of the bow tie has in many ways taken the symbol full circle – the fantasy and money associated with having women and the ‘finer things’ in life really brings us right back to the ideas of class distinction and giving men something to aspire too. The bow tie has such an interesting history because essentially we aren’t sure what to think of it. Outside of its use as formal wear it doesn’t have a category or clear intention. Standing so far left of fashion it is one of those rare instances where those who chose to wear it really do demonstrate individuality and not out of a need for protest or desperation to be noticed. Finkelstein wrote, The basic irony of fashion is that it cannot succeed in marking the individual as truly different. While fashions may be touted as a means to be distinguished, the pursuit of fashion is more effectively a means of being socially homogenized. The historic success of being fashionable has been to provide a sense of individualism within a shared code, since individuals can look acceptably distinctive only within a restricted aesthetic. When they purchase fashionable goods that will distinguish them, they do so only from a range of goods already understood to be valuable. Having this understanding of fashion it seems to follow that one purchasing or wearing something un-fashionable truly is expressing their individuality. In the case of the bow tie it seems its wearers have less in common and that commonality derived by the observer has more to do with visual media’s attempt to categorize the wearer as something. Interestingly though, those known for donning the bow tie come from such a broad society base that stereotypes of general folly created by media characters do not really apply. However it may be that is exactly the point. When you can’t be categorized you will certainly stand out and in that case the bow tie, outside of the formal, acts merely as a signature piece with no real intention other than being noticed. â€Å"To be fashionable involves having specific knowledge about the value of goods. It is not sufficient to desire goods because of their utility† (Finkelstein). Clearly using the bow tie for the sake of the utility of being noticed makes the item quite un-fashionable, but maybe it is the individual outside of the fashion world who truly understands the value of goods. The bow tie is the ‘black sheep’ of the Cravat family, the outsider of the fashion world and that is its value. Visual media has changed its initial perceptions of being an item of social class distinction to that of a clown and yet despite its created perceptions those who choose to wear the bow tie outside of film and T. V. are highly regarded and trusted. Advertisers have picked up on this strange dichotomy and have even reinforced its credibility, but not to the approval of the fashion world. It is curious to think that the bow tie will ever become fashionable outside of its formal roots mainly because it has become something far more valuable than fashion. Works Cited Finkelstein, Joanne. â€Å"Chic Theory†. Australian Humanities Review. 07 March 2009. http://www. australianhumanitiesreview. org/archive/Issue-March-1997/. Pohl, H. â€Å"The History of the Bow Tie†. 05 November 2008. lula general articles. 07 March 2009. http://www. iula. org/the-history-of-the-bow-tie-16695/. Halliday, Jean. â€Å"Chevrolet ads seek to bolster image of bow tie†. 08 April 1996. Automotive News. Crain Communications. 07 March 2009. http://www. highbeam. com/doc/1G1-18451431. html. Simmel, Georg. â€Å"Fashion†. May 1957. The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 62, No. 6, 541-558. 07 March 2009. http://www. jstor. org/stable/2773129. St John, Warren. A Red Flag That Comes in Many Colors. 26 June 2005. The New York Times. 07 March 2009. http://www. nytimes. com/2005/06/26/fashion/sundaystyles/26BOWTIE. html.

Discuss the Importance of Dreams in Of Mice and Men Essay Example for Free

Discuss the Importance of Dreams in Of Mice and Men Essay The book Of Mice and Men was published in September, 1937 and was set in the depression of the 1930s in California at the location of Soledad. Steinbeck uses Soledad because it translates as loneliness which arises the point that the time in which this book was set was a time of loneliness where it was very unusual to have a companion or family with you which led to the existence of dreams; to look forward to more pleasant and happier times. At this time: 1930s America, most Americans had the so-called American Dream. This was to own their own piece of land as well as being the boss of it. This was the common dream amongst ranch workers to have something to live for and aid them with their loneliness. The dream came into existence in the 1800s when land was more readily available. By the 1930s, when this novella was set, it was almost impossible to make their dreams a reality due to the 1929 Wall Street stock market collapse which had resulted in prices increasing drastically, and more importantly; there was a desperate act of poverty making people sell what they had and live on the streets. This is what led to the rugged individualism of each person. As well as this, it was made even more difficult as most land had been bought beforehand. It is due to the Wall Street Crash that many went to California for work. President Roosevelt at that time had the job of directing workers such as George and Lennie to ranches or farms where there was work. Steinbeck uses Lennie and George to personify the dream of the migrant worker; own their own land along with giving the opportunity to settle in the promised land (California). Migrant workers are labourers who work on ranches as harvesters involving lifting heavy materials; hard work for little wages. They have no family or friends as they continuously travel to different ranches in California in order to keep work. This is how workers had to get jobs and was the way of life for migrant workers. In relation to this, work card were important as it gave them a work permit which ranch owners required when recruiting. In comparison to modern day working conditions, workers such as George and Lennie would not receive holidays, sickness payments or old age pensions from their ranch. Therefore, futures for most men looked bleak. Without dreams, no-one would have reason to keep going. An example of this is Lennie wanting his own animals in the future to pet. There is symbolism within the book that refers to the Garden of Eden. He sets the scene of this by using description such as Willows fresh and green with every spring which could be interpreted as referring to the Garden of Eden. I believe Steinbeck is trying to put across the imperfectness of humans along with temptation and results of doing a bad thing (said by Lennie). Lennie shows that temptation causes him to lose his way and represents the imperfection of humans. His desire to pet soft objects without foreseeing the consequences puts him on a collision course with others. Also, the girl in Weed and Curleys wife are both temptations that made his curiosity grow and he could not resist. Curleys wife could be seen as the serpent in the garden; a liar, a temptation, a manipulator of men to get her way. Like Eve, she is curious, in this case about Lennie. Her actions are innocent but the outcomes are bad, (telling Lennie to touch her soft hair in the barn which leads to her death) just as Eves actions caused them and human beings to be sent of the perfect place. Curleys wifes actions tempt Lennie whose actions cause him along with the others to lose their dream of a little farm. Lastly, Adam and Eve were thrown out of Eden for going against God; therefore mankind is in loneliness and wandering. Steinbeck shows this when George asks who used to live on his bunk with Candy replying that he had just left: gimme my time one might like any guy would. After this, George then brings Lennie along which creates suspicion because two men didnt travel together; Hardly none of the guys ever travel together. There was a big contrast in the timeless rural vision of America and what was to all but end this: the 1930s Depression. The vision was that workers will move up the ranks of working to eventually own their individual land; however this would never be when the 1930s Depression occurred. There was a big drop in every economic growth along with very high unemployment. It also resulted in countries leaving the gold standard in order to recover. These reasons helped the American Dream to not be a successful one for so many. Steinbeck is effective and does well to imply that there is another world other then the perfect one that was envisaged by everyone by saying: beaten hard by the boys coming down from the ranches and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway. Words such as beaten hard and tramps suggest this other world and show the stark contrast between dreams and reality. The main characters include George, who is a small, quick man with well-defined features. He is a migrant ranch worker who dreams of one day saving enough money to buy his own place and being his own boss, many men in the Depression dreamed of this. His only set back is his mentally handicapped friend Lennie whom he travels with and has been since he promised Lennies Aunt Clara he would look after him after she died. Looking after Lennie stops George from working towards his dream and even prevent him from having a normal life of a rancher, because of this, George and Lennie regularly fight. George yearns for companionship as can be told by the metaphor of him playing solitaire. The tension of having to look after Lennie and himself shows in George and he shows a wide variety of emotions during the novella, from anger to patience to sadness. Lennie is mentally slow, hes enormous. He is Georges companion and he is the source of the all the novels conflict. He is Georges opposite both mentally and physically. Lennies innocence and helplessness, his childish actions, such is his desire to pet soft things makes him likeable to the readers of the novella. George and Lennies dream is more materialistic than to just own land and be their own boss, as they envision a place where nobody gona get hurt nor steal from them. The friendship between the two is firmly rooted in their dream. Candy and Crooks along with others are also caught up in the dream. Curlys wife also had a dream which was to become a movie star. But in one way or another, all the dreams of these workers are smashed.

Disputes with Completion Dates

Disputes with Completion Dates As mentioned in the introduction, disputes associated with completion dates often become complicated due to association with different legal concepts. To fully comprehend the research subject matter, it is important to give a brief overview of such principles, as detailed further below. Most commonly the Contractors obligations in respect of time for completion of the works are expressly defined [OV1]within the terms of contract, it is yet not uncommon for the extent of such obligations to be described less definitively. While the time for completion will be expressly defined as a fixed date or a fixed period and can be easily identified, it is also essential to for the contract to provide for the mechanism of establishing completion: e.g. commencement date where completion is determined by a fixed period. Where the time for completion is ill-defined to such extent that the contracting parties intentions cannot be established or are non-existent, then the law considers time to be at large [OV2]and implies a requirement to complete the works within reasonable time. The principle of reasonable time under English Law goes back to 19th century[1], where it was established that for if a delay is not attributed to causes within a partys control, nor such party acted negligently, it will be considered that obligations are duly fulfilled. Reasonableness cannot be given a strict definition and is assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration circumstances prevailing during the period of performance[2]. Some authors on the subject view that both ordinary (e.g. site access, government permits, resource availability, etc.) and extraordinary circumstances (e.g. strikes, client variations, etc) should be taken into consideration when establishing reasonable time[3]. Occasionally, some bespoke contracts may contain time is of the essence terms. In contractual context, it has stricter meaning than its everyday application: i.e. if something isnt done swiftly, it will be too late[OV4].[4] Inclusion of such terms in a contract significantly elevates the rights and obligations to the contract, whereby failure to meet the completion date will be treated as a fundamental breach of the contract[5]. While the contract may be found repudiated, the existence of a time is of the essence provision alone may not be sufficient and qualifying rules should be applied in such circumstances[6]. Another area of significant importance in establishing whether completion date has been adhered to, is the meaning of completion itself. Ordinary meaning of completion[OV5] requires fulfilment of all obligations, which when applied in the context of entire contracts[OV6], may result in harsh consequences. It is extremely rare for construction contracts to be considered in the same manner and courts will generally take a practical view as to what constitutes completion within construction industry[7]. To reflect that position, standard construction contracts have developed various definitions for use in the industry, such as: practical[8] or substantial[9] [OV7]completion, which irrespective of the words used to describe it, are intended to reflect the courts position as summarised by Judge Newey QC[OV8]:[10] In my opinion there is no room for completion as distinct to practical completion. Because a building can seldom if ever be built precisely as required by drawings and specification, the contract realistically refers to practical completion and not completion but they mean the same. Eminent legal writers on this subject[11] concur with this view: Usually it will mean bona fide completion free of known or patent defects so as to enable the owner to enter into occupation. The words practical or substantial in the English standard forms do no more than indicate that trivial defects not affecting beneficial occupancy will not prevent completion (the more so, of course, if the contract provides for a maintenance or defects liability period) [12] Irrespective of exact term used, completion can be summarised as a significant gateway, which signifies: the transfer of risk for the care of the works from the Contractor to the Employer repossession of the site by the Employer the start of the period during which the Contractor will be liable for defects in the works the end of the Contractors liability for late completion release of retention monies from the Employer to the Contractor the end of Contractors obligation to insure the works Understanding of the above has a clear importance in resolving any disputes arising out of delay, extension of time and other time related matters. In addition to an obligation to complete the works by a specific date or within a specific time period, most contracts make specific provision for the contractor to proceed with the work and make progress with due diligence. Understanding of this term may, in first instance, appear to have only a remote connection to the subject matter. However, as shown in the next chapters, it is of significant importance when it comes to establishing the contractors responsibility when the time of completion is set at large. The courts have held that the assessment of what constitutes diligence must be based on the surrounding circumstances of each case. For example, per Lord Justice Parker[13] what is due diligence and expedition depends, of course, on the object which is sought to be achieved, who went on to explain the relation between diligence and specific contract object, time scales, complexities, etc. Similarly, in the separate Court of Appeal case of West Faulkener Associates v London Borough of Newham (1994)[14] the court found that literal interpretation, commercial logic and common sense required the contractor to proceed both regularly and diligently.[15] In the absence of an explicit due diligence obligation within a contract, some authors consider that common law implies such a term on the grounds of business effic[OV9]acy[16]. [1] Lord Watson in Hick v Raymond and Reid [1893] AC 22 [2] British Steel Corporation v Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co. Ltd [1984] 1 All ER [3] I.N.nDuncan- Wallace in Hudsons Bilding and EngineeringÂÂ   Contracts, 11th Edn., 1995, Sweet Maxwell Ltd, p.119 [4] Oxford Dictionary of English 2nd edn., 2008, Oxford University Press [5] Carr v J.A. Berriman Pty. Ltd. [1953] ALJ 273 High Court of Australia [6] United Scientific Holdings Ltd. v Burnley Council [1977] 2 WLR 806 [7] E.g. Emson Eastern Ltd v EME Developments Ltd [1991] 55BLR 114 [8] JCT [9] ICE [10] Emson Eastern Ltd v EME Developments Ltd [1991] 55BLR 114 [11] For example B. Eggleston in Liquidated Damages and Extensions of Time, 3rd edition, 2009,ÂÂ   Wiley-Blackwell, and I.N. Duncan-Wallace in Hudsons Building and Engineering Contracts, 11th edn., 1995, Sweet Maxwell Ltd. [12] I.N. Duncan-Wallace in Hudsons Building and Engineering Contracts, 11th edn., 1995, Sweet Maxwell Ltd. p1109 [13] Greater London Council v The Cleveland Bridge Engineering Co. Ltd [1986] 34 BLR 50 [14] West Faulkener Associates v London Borough of Newham [1994] 71 BLR 1 [15] B. Eggleston in Liquidated Damages and Extensions of Time, 3rd edition, 2009, Wiley-Blackwell, p 24 [16] I.N. Duncan-Wallace in Hudsons Building and Engineering Contracts, 11th edn., 1995, Sweet Maxwell Ltd., p1125 [OV1]Insert ref. to one of the standard contracts [OV2]Insert ref. [OV3]Could expand slightly to beef up [OV4]Check later ed. Of the dictionary. Also check single or double parentheses throughout [OV5]Insert ref [OV6]Ref. [OV7]Full ref. [OV8]Pp location [OV9]Link to the next chapter?

The Theme of Dehumanization in Breakfast of Champions Essay -- Breakfa

The Theme of Dehumanization in Breakfast of Champions "Dear Sir, poor sir, brave sir: You are an experiment by the Creator of the Universe." (Vonnegut 259) Imagine if this was addressed to you. What an awful feeling of betrayal and loneliness you would no doubt get. But what if next you heard this? "You are the only creature in the entire Universe who has free will. You are the only one who has to figure out what to do next-and why. Everybody else is a robot, a machine." (Vonnegut 259) Surely you would feel like your entire existence was a big joke, one at your expense. You would feel desensitized, remote, and detached from all human feeling. You would be a poor victim, someone taken hold of by the cold grasp of dehumanization. The American Heritage Dictionary defines dehumanize as "To deprive of human qualities or attributes" or "To render mechanical and routine". This certainly does a grand job at describing the callous, inhuman, and cold feeling you get when reading the novel Breakfast of Champions. In his book Breakfast of Champions , Kurt Vonnegut Jr. uses bold motifs, complex characterization, a plot of mundanity and shallowness, elementary diction, and satirical style to emphasize his main theme of dehumanization. In 1922, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edith Vonnegut and Kurt Vonnegut Sr. At the age of 18 he graduated from Shortridge High School and pursued a degree in chemistry at Cornell University. (Bonner, par. 1) However, he left college in 1943 to serve his country in World War II. Upon return, Vonnegut continued his studies at the University of Chicago in the field of anthropology. (Encarta, par. 4) In 1950 He left his job and started writing full-time. Vonnegut's other works include ... ...his main theme of dehumanization. He does this using bold motifs, complex characterization, a plot of mundanity and shallowness, elementary diction, and satirical style. He shocks and confuses us with his style of writing, leaving us floundering with questions. Through all this he makes the human race seem empty and alone. But he is right in doing so, because we in fact are. 1 n : an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates 2 adj. : placed side by side often for comparison; "juxtaposed pictures" Bibliography: Vit, Marek. Home Page. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/champions.html Bonner, Stephanie E. Home Page. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/alter_ego.html Anonymous. Encarta. http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=76157250 Vonnegut, Kurt. Breakfast of Champions. New York, New York: Dell Publishing. 1973.

Schenck v. United States (1919) :: essays research papers

Schenck v. United States (1919) The Schenck court case of 1919 developed out of opposition to U.S. involvement in World War I (1914-1918). Antiwar sentiment in the United States was particularly strong among socialists, German Americans, and religious groups that traditionally supported antiviolence. In response to this outlook, Congress passed the Espionage Act of 1917. This law provided heavy fines and jail terms for interfering with U.S. military operations or for causing or attempting to cause insubordination or disloyalty in the military. In addition, the act made it illegal to obstruct recruitment efforts of the U.S. armed forces. Among the many Americans convicted of violating the Espionage Act was Charles Schenck, general secretary of the Socialist Party of the United States. In 1917 Schenck sent copies of a letter urging resistance to the military draft to 15,000 men who had been drafted but not yet inducted into the U.S. military. Schenck's letter claimed that the draft violated the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery and prohibited involuntary servitude. Schenck argued that forced enrollment into the military was a form of involuntary servitude and therefore should be prohibited. The letters also claimed that businesses had conspired to lead the United States to war, against the interests of average Americans. Schenck advised readers to assert their individual rights by opposing the draft, but he did not directly promote violence or avoidance of the draft laws. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., delivered a judgment that established guidelines for evaluating the limits of free speech. In Schenck’s case, Court had to decide whether the First Amendment protected his words, even though it might have had the power to cause opposition to the draft. The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech." The Court concluded that because Schenck's speech was intended to create opposition to the draft, he was not protected by the First Amendment. Holmes considered the context of Schenck's speech as well as its intent. In his opinion, he created a new legal test: the clear and present danger test; that was designed to identify when certain forms of speech were not protected by the First Amendment.

Women in the Epic of Beowulf and in Other Anglo-Saxon Poems Essay

The Women in Beowulf and in Other Anglo-Saxon Poems      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Are women in these poems active equals of the men? Or are they passive victims of the men? The roles of the women in Beowulf and other Anglo-Saxon poems are not always stereotyped ones of passive homemaker and childbearer and peaceweaver, but sometimes ones giving freedom of choice, range of activity, and room for personal growth and development. Beowulf makes reference to Ingeld and his wife and the coming Heathobard feud: in that hot passion his love for peace-weaver, his wife, will cool (2065-66) This is a rare passage, for Anglo-Saxon poetry rarely mentions romantic feelings toward women. In fact, one’s marital status wasn’t even considered significant. For example, with the hero himself the poet never mentions whether he is married or not, likewise with most characters in the poem. Because this is a poem about the heroic deeds of men, Hildeburh excepted, the feeling between man-and-woman is downplayed, and the feeling among warriors is emphasized. Remember that the poem opens with Scyld Scefing, who came motherless to rule the Danes: than those at his start who set him adrift  when only a child, friendless and cold,  lone on the waves. (44-46) Scyld’s motherlessness perhaps tells the reader that the heroic, superhuman, violent deeds about to transpire are perhaps not all that compatible with women and womanly qualities like passivity, gentleness, compassion. It is a predominantly masculine, rough and tough narrative which would only be detracted from by the presence of many women. Chickering says that women in the poem had â€Å"all the dignity and standing they commanded in Tacitus’ day,† when they were greatly respe... ...im (in the case of Hild). And the language in reference to the women seems to be respectful, non demeaning. Some women have stereotyped roles of passive homemaker and childbearer and peaceweaver, but others, particularly royalty, have freedom of choice, range of activity, and room for personal growth and development. BIBLIOGRAPHY Alexander, Michael, translator. The Earliest English Poems. New York: Penguin Books, 1991. Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977. Overing, Gillian R. â€Å"The Women of Beowulf; A context for Interpretation.† In The Beowulf Reader, edited by Peter S. Baker. New York: Garland Publishing, 2000. Chickering, Howell D.. Beowulf A dual-Language Edition. New York: Anchor Books, 1977. Tacitus: The Annals of Imperial Rome, translated by Michael Grant. New York: Penguin, 1996.

Psy 270 Depression Paper

Week 4 Assignment: Depression Paper Axia College of University of Phoenix Situational depression is a normal recurrence for many of us during our lifetimes. We have life events that trigger depression, stress and anxiety to include the death of a loved one, the unwanted change in our work status and possibly a divorce. Such changes in emotions are temporary and directly related to specific events are part of the way in which we respond to these changes. Outside these normal, healthy mood changes exists a world in which a small percentage of U.S. adults experience clinical depression. Clinical depression is a mental illness that is extreme enough that a person cannot function well in their daily lives. It may even cause the individual to be suicidal. Unipolar depression is the term ascribed to this condition (Comer, 2011). Symptoms of this illness are similar to those of mood disorder. The mood disorder is called bipolar disorder. In this assignment, I will compare causes, symptoms an d treatments of these two illnesses.The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual describes unipolar depression as a significant depressive period that lasts more than two weeks during which the patient exhibits at least five depressive symptoms (Comer, 2011). Symptoms of depression include insomnia, daily bouts of depression, inability to concentrate on the task on hand, loss of appetite and a loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities and thoughts of suicide (Comer, 2011). Unipolar depression is thought to be caused by a combination of factors rather than being developed from one source or exposure.Depression is in part, a genetic biochemical imbalance of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in combination with stress. The institute details specific personality traits correlated with depression. Their studies revealed that individuals who show: 1. High levels of anxiety, which can be experienced as an internalize d anxious worrying style or as a more externalized irritability. 2. Shyness, expressed as social avoidance or personal reserve. 3. Self? criticism or low self? worth. 4. Interpersonal sensitivity. 5.Perfectionism. 6. A self? focused style is at higher risk for developing depression. A variety of therapies are used to treat unipolar depression with varying degrees of success and effectiveness. One treatment which is biological in nature that has proved very effective is also controversial because of its nature. This is Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In ECT, the patient is subjected to induction of seizure through controlled electric shock, under anesthesia. The treatment process is not well understood and is, therefore, used only in severe cases.These cases may include delusion in extreme forms of the illness. ECT does tend to cause memory loss and is being used less frequently since the introduction of newer antidepressant drugs (Comer, 2011). The class of drugs used for antidepre ssant effects include three types. These are monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors, tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). All three types of antidepressants are effective for patients with depression, but SSRIs are currently the preferred medication due to the smaller body of side effects these drugs have.SSRIs function by balancing the brain’s neurotransmitters. They increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels (Comer, 2011). Other treatment modalities are available as well. Drug treatments are most effective when used in combination with other treatments. Unipolar depression treatments are currently dominated by cognitive model therapies. The cognitive models have gained favor over other therapies, such as psychodynamic and behavioral models (Comer, 2011). The effectiveness rate for cognitive therapies is between 50% and 60% (Comer, 2011).Cognitive therapy is designed to re-educate patients to become aware of and alter their own negative thought patt erns and maladaptive behaviors. Four steps are employed in this model. The first step is when the individual is instructed to create a log of their daily schedule so that they can begin to become active again. This is intended to help them also regain their self-confidence. In the second step, the individual is told to write down the automatic negative thoughts they experience.In the third step, they can then look back on this list and learn to recognize that most, if not all, of these thoughts are unfounded and that this pattern of negative thinking becomes self fulfilling. The goal here is to refocus the person and to give them a new perspective that is self fulfilling in a positive way. The fourth and last step is when the clinician assists the individual in making changes to their maladaptive attitudes and behaviors that contributed to their depression (Comer, 2011). Bipolar disorder is the term applied to an individual’s condition when their mood swings drastically from mania to depression.The DSM indicates that there are two different types of bipolar disorders. In Type one an individual experiences daily severe depression for an extended period with these periods being by full blown manic episodes. In Type two bipolar disorder, the individual experiences the same depression as in Type one, but the subsequent manic phase is less severe (Comer, 2011). Research studies show that bipolar disorder is developed in the same way as depression. The treatments for bipolar disorder, however, vary greatly from those used to treat depression.In bipolar patients, antidepressants can trigger mania, so other drugs, singly or in combination are used for mania. Some of these drugs are lithium, carbamazepine and valporate (Comer, 2011) in combination with SSRI antidepressants, since SSRIs do not trigger mania as often. Research shows that psychotherapy alone will not effectively treat biopolar disorders. Lithium along is also not effective. Lithium dosages are diff icult to regulate in actual use and patients often discontinue the medication on their own (Comer, 2011).Adjunctive psychotherapy is used in conjunction with medications, in part to help the patient understand the value of their medication. The clinician will also work with the patient to help them cope with family, work and social issues that arise when bipolar disorder is experienced (Comer, 2011). These two types of disorders are caused in similar ways, but their treatments are quite different. References Comer, R. J. (2011). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (6th ed. ). New York, NY: Worth.