Alice Walkers Journey with Self-Esteem Essay -- essays research paper

Many writers choose to write memoirs about terrible incidents that changed their lives. Alice Malsenior Walker is one of those writers. She was born on February 8, 1944 in Eatonton, Georgia. She considers her life to be very successful for several reasons. Walker graduated from high school as valedictorian. She was involved with the civil rights movement in Mississippi where she lived for seven years. During that time she also got married to a lawyer and had her daughter Rebecca. From an early age she was introverted and quite shy, most likely due to a terrible accident. She immediately retreated into solitude, reading poems and stories and then finally writing. â€Å"Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self†, by Alice Walker, is an essay that reflects on her ideas of beauty as a child, a teenager, and as an adult. Walker spent a great deal of time outside, due to the overcrowding in a small house with eight children (St. James). While playing outside at age eight, she was sh ot with a BB gun in the eye, causing her to lose not only her vision in her right eye, but her self esteem as well. She describes several events in her life that are significant in the formation of her identity. Alice Walker’s past reliance of being a physically cute girl, how confident she feels both before an after her surgery, and her constant feeling of being criticized are all factors that make her the woman that she is today. In order for Alice Walker to know the difference between the positive stares that she got when she was younger and the negative glances that she got when she was older, she had to experience that there was a difference between the two. Before the terrible BB gun accident, there was not a doubt in her mind that when people looked at her they saw an adorable little girl. She said, "It was great fun being cute." Afterwards, she believed that all they saw was "a glob of whitish tissue, a hideous cataract† (Walker 3). She compared the beautiful child that she was, to the ever-growing adult that she grew to become. She had a constant inner struggle between the person that she knew she was and the person that she appeared to be. â€Å"Now when I stare at people—a favorite pastime, up to now—they will stare back. Not at the ‘cute’ little girl, but at her scar† (Walker 3). Years later in her home, a woman arrived to take the photo for the back of Walker ’s book. The woman as... ...all that she could with her vision, while she still had it. Although many of us take our physical normalities for granted, Alice Walker choose to share her personal hardships and experiences to show how she has grown to become the writer that she is today. Her positive memories of being an adorable child have shaped her to realize what both ends of the spectrums are like, and what she will never be again. Low self-esteem soon followed, and as Walker grew, she also learned how to cope with the abysmal comments that she was destined to hear. However, as she grew into womanhood, her knowledge that she was still the same person thrived. Although being constantly judged, Alice Walker made light of the situation and realized that she loves the woman that she has become. Works Cited â€Å"St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture: Alice Walker.† Gale Group: 5 pars. On-line. Internet. 25 Jan. 2004. Available http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/g1epc/bio/2419201268/p1/arti cle.jhtml Walker, Alice. "Beauty When The Other Dancer is the Self." The Blair Reader Second Edition. Ed. Laurie Kirszner, and Stephen R. Mandell. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002. 1-7.

Country Review: China Essay

The year 2008 has been a colorful year for China, with a lot of events to highlight the country all year round. The Olympic Games was one of its most successful endeavors for the year. But the country also had its share of controversies this year, like issues on food contamination and many more. Before the Olympic Games kicked off, one of the issues being discussed was the quality of China’s air. It is very important since the Olympic Games is a major sports event. In an article from BBC News, China has confirmed that the air quality of the host city Beijing has been good (Bristow). The pollution level of the area was able to meet the expected standards on every day that the event and this is the output of extensive measures done in order to reduce the emissions during the Olympic Games. Another historic event for China was the country’s first successful spacewalk, which was a part of a 68-hour voyage in space. All three astronauts successfully returned to the Beijing Aerospace Center after their three day mission in outer space(Yinan). China was the third country to conduct a spacewalk, behind the United States of America and Russia. The crew of Shenzhou VII safely landed in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, marking the end of their space escapade which has started on September 25, 2008. In relation to the two previous news articles, China had enough reason to celebrate its National Day last Monday because of their hosting of the Olympic Games in Beijing and the country’s first ever spacewalk. In a Yahoo! News article, China highlighted on these two events as their biggest triumphs for the year, despite other issues like natural calamities, ethnic problems, and food safety scandals (Chang). In Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s address, he touched lightly on the calamities and problems but gave focus on China’s ability to take care of all these issues. The 59th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China is this coming Wednesday, and it would also mark thirty years of economic reforms, turning the country into one of the world’s largest factory floors. One of the calamities that shook China this year was a 7. 8 magnitude earthquake last August 12. In a BBC News article, it was reported that almost 900 students are buried in a school building that collapsed when it was hit by the killer quake (BBC News â€Å"‘Hundreds Buried’ by China Quake†). The quake hit Sichuan province’s capital Chengdu, claiming hundreds of lives instantly. The rubbles of the Juyuan Middle School’s building buried a lot of teenagers, some of which are still alive and desperately crying for help. President Hu Jintao immediately ordered an all out effort to help and rescue the victims of the killer earthquake. In another BBC News article dated August 10, 2008, seven militants and a security guard immediately died after a series of bombings hit west China, specifically in the northwest area of the Xinjiang region (BBC News â€Å"Deadly Violence Hits West China â€Å"). These acts of violence targeted a police station and other populated areas. Xinjiang has a large population of Muslim Uighurs, and some of them are separatists, fighting for independence and waging low level campaigns against the Chinese rule for several years already. In the aspect of foreign affairs, China also had its share of problems. In a Yahoo! News article dated September 29, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jabao said that there is a need for more negotiation regarding Iran’s nuclear program, rather than pressuring them more (Yahoo! News). He regarded that major powers like China should focus more on pursuing peaceful talks to countries such as Iran, rather than resorting to the use of force and intimidation. He is more focused on the resolution of the problem in a peaceful way, rather than being rash and using force, which would just heighten the tensions between the countries. According to the Prime Minister, Iran has the right to develop and utilize nuclear energy under the norms set by the international community, as long as they don’t build weapons of mass destruction like atomic bombs. The Prime Minister also suggested that these actions should be under close observation by the UN’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. China was also affected by the increasing oil prices. In a BBC News article, China’s trade surplus was greatly affected by the increasing oil costs, wherein it fell 10% in May (BBC News â€Å"Oil Costs Hit China Trade Surplus†). The main reason for this is the drastic increase in the cost of imported energy such as oil, and other raw materials being used by the country. However, reports showed that despite Chinas surplus is slowed, it still remains high compared to other countries. This is a manifestation of Chinese economy’s resilience despite some slowdowns in other countries like the United States. Experts said that export components were expected to slow down throughout the year because of the increasing cost of oil, but so far China has been doing well. In the Health aspect China has experienced several problems throughout the year. In a Los Angeles Times article dated May 4, 2008, China issues a virus alert after 23 people were killed and left 4,000 others sick (Demick). The Chinese Health Ministry issued a nationwide alert so that people would be informed and to fend off the possibility of a cover-up. The cause of the problem was the Enterovirus-71, which has also claimed lives in neighboring countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam. This virus is a perennial case in Asia, especially in the hot and humid summer months. More deaths are expected, as the disease usually peaks in the Months of June and July, as the Health Ministry warned. This has caused a lot of people to be cautious, wherein very few children or infants are seen on the streets, and even adults are even afraid to go out of their houses as they greatly fear the killer disease. The virus is characterized by occurrence of fever, and the development of sores in the mouth and facial area, and with blistery rashes. According to the World Health Organization, most cases are not fatal, as long as the people maintain a good hygiene. One of the most controversial issues faced by China this year was substandard food and other products that they import. In an article in The Guardian, dated April 22, 2008, China issues jail threat in their new food safety law (Branigan). This newly drafted law states that the manufacturers who produce food items which are substandard could be facing a life behind bars if proven guilty. This is the government’s response to allegations that the country is lenient in the aspect of food safety, that’s why producers would often take advantage of the situation and produce fake baby formula, drugs, and even toys with dangerous materials. This law would encompass not only food products but also cosmetics in order for them to boost the confidence of domestic consumers. The latest of China’s substandard products scandals was the discovery of melamine in various food items, especially in milk products. Melamine is a binding agent for boards and fibers, and is also an ingredient in making fertilizers. In an article in the M&C Health News dated September 19, 2008, Chinese health inspectors found melamine in fresh milk of three leading manufacturers in the country (M&C Health News). This testing and inspection was a government response to the contaminated milk scandal which has claimed the lives of several infants in the previous days. This has lead to nationwide inspection of milk and milk products, and many companies have already ordered a recall for their products in the world market. Works Cited: BBC News. â€Å"Deadly Violence Hits West China â€Å". 2008. BBC News. September 30 2008. . —. â€Å"‘Hundreds Buried’ by China Quake†. 2008. BBC News. September 30 2008. . —. â€Å"Oil Costs Hit China Trade Surplus†. 2008. BBC News. September 30 2008. . Branigan, Tania. â€Å"China Issues Jail Threat in New Food Safety Law†. 2008. The Guardian. September 30 2008. . Bristow, Michael. â€Å"China Jumps Olympics Air Hurdle â€Å". 2008. BBC News. September 30 2008. . Chang, Anita. â€Å"China Marks Olympics, Spacewalk for National Day†. Yahoo! News. September 30 2008. . Demick, Barbara. â€Å"China Issues Virus Alert after 23 Die†. 2008. Los Angeles Times. September 30 2008. . M&C Health News. â€Å"China’s Melamine Scandal Spreads to Fresh Milk â€Å". 2008. Monsters and Critics. September 30 2008. . Yahoo! News. â€Å"Dispute over Iran Requires More Negotiations: Chinese Pm†. 2008. Yahoo! News. September 30 2008. . Yinan, Hu. â€Å"Space Heroes Get a Rapturous Welcome†. 2008. China Daily. September 30 2008. .

Argument Analysis: Marketing to Children Essay

Marketing has always targeted children because they are easy to influence. If you ask a kid where they want to eat, they always pick the place that gives out toys over the place that is actually better for them. This is the result of advertising to children, but, are we holding the right people responsible for the children’s choices. Yes, marketing is a considerable issue on our youth however there are factors that most leave out. The article The Ethics of Food Advertising Targeted Toward Children: Parental Viewpoint touches on how advertising in the market directly effects children’s unhealthy food choices and is centered around the parents’ ethical views of advertising food for children. This article uses statistical evidence to prove just that, that the market is affecting the health of children on a global scale. The article then turns to how some are tackling this issue with bans and regulations on advertising to our youth. The rest of the article is about a survey completed by parents to further prove their viewpoint on the effects that advertising has on children. The four main points of parents’ attitude toward food advertising according to the survey are: there is too much advertising directed at children, advertisers deceive children to buy their products, there is too much sugar in the foods being advertised, and that advertising teaches children bad eating habits. Additionally, the statistics offer considerable concern about obesity, in showing that roughly 50% of elementary-school children and 80% of teenagers will encounter obesity. Due to the statistical evidence provided parents have become increasingly concerned on how marketers have been conducting ethical practices in promoting their products. They go as far to blame the markets for the increased levels of childhood obesity. The survey that is conducted in the article looks further into the parental views of the situation. The first main point of the survey is that there is too much advertising directed at children. According to the facts in the article, in 2005 food and beverage companies in the US spent around 11 billion on advertising targeting children and adolescents and there are around 7,600 commercials on unhealthy food in any given year. In attempt to lower the numbers some governments in European countries have even introduced stricter laws on food advertising. This however has not significantly changed marketing toward children and therefore cannot support the issue at hand. The last few points are not valid arguments because they are attacking the marketing techniques for the way children eat when in all reality the parents are the ones that control the way their children eat. The first point is that advertisers deceive children with the use of tricks and gimmicks to get them to buy their products. This is not a valid argument considering parents are the ones that initially buy the products. The advertising does get the children to want or desire the products being advertised, but the parents are the ones that are going through with the purchase. The parents are the ones giving in and letting the advertisements guide the way their children eat. Like I said earlier if you give a child the choice between a healthy cereal and one with a toy in the package, they are more than likely to choose the cereal with the toy. This is where the parents should step in and not give them that choice. The best way to let the child decide which cereal they want while still getting a healthy cereal is to hold up two different healthy cereals and ask them to choose between the two. Children learn bad eating habits from advertising and the advertised foods contain too much sugar are the next couple of points. However, attacking advertisements for our children’s eating habits doesn’t help our children’s eating habits, it merely gives us something to hold responsible instead of looking into the actual problem itself. Advertising is an important aspect in everyday life, and it does curve our outlook on what we would like to purchase. But, to hold them responsible for what we do is ridiculous. Children are going to eat what we serve them, even if that means we are too lazy to make a meal so we run to Mickey D’s. We can blame McDonalds for our children becoming obese although it will never stop them from becoming unhealthy. Only we can make the right choices to help our children stay healthy. Overall this whole article explains how advertising to children affect what they eat in a parental perspective. However, parents don’t consider the whole picture and they insist on holding the marketers responsible for what their children eat. When the actual parents are the ones that control what their children eat, and with a little guidance their children can control what they eat healthfully.

Analytical Essay on The Crucible

Analytical Essay on The Crucible Analytical Essay on The Crucible The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller that was written and published in 1953. It is loosely based on facts about Salem witch trials that happened in 1692 and 1693. On the other hand, the play is believed to be an allegory on McCarthyism, the practice of accusing people without having enough evidence. Thus, both have striking resemblance, and the author wanted to show how helpless and doomed a person might be when unfairly accused by those in power (e.g. court, state, police). Salem witch trial and allegory on McCarthyism are the two levels of this plays interpretation (the explicit and the implicit ones). Those, who are not familiar with the context in which the play was written, will more likely not understand the implicit meaning of it. The play is a playwrights reaction to events that took place during the McCarthy era in the first half of 1950s. A lot of Americans were accused of being communists, spreading communist propaganda, or being soviet spies. Very often such accusations were false, however it soon developed into mass hysteria, with many people becoming victims of such injustice. Arthur Miller saw similarities between McCarthyism and Salem witch trials which resulted in writing this play. Talking about the main characters, we can point out an antagonist and a protagonist: Abigail Williams and John Proctor respectively. It all started when they both had an affair while Abigail worked as a maid for the Proctor house. In fact, it was Abigail who accused a slave woman of being a witch trying to explain reverend Parris daughter illness. Soon she realizes that such accusations can be used as a means of manipulating people, for example accusing Proctors wife of witchcraft is a way to be with Proctor again. Other people join Abigail even if they know that accusations are false, but they realize that it is better to accuse someone rather than be accused themselves. This mass hysteria is supported by people who have authority: judge John Hathorne and deputy governor Thomas Danforth. The author draws a parallel between the authority in Salem and the U.S. Government in the 50s, who were both too blind and ignorant to see that all the accusations were made by people because their own self-interest, or just because of foolishness. The protagonist, John Proctor, trying to save his wife was also accused of witchcraft by Abigail. He has to make a choice: understanding all the absurd of the trial, he may confess to being guilty and save his life, but be condemned by all the citizens of Salem for the rest of his life, or to deny all the accusations and be sentenced to death, but having a clear conscience. So, he chooses the latter. Arthur Millers play shows us how cruel and foolish people may be, no matter whether it is the 17th century, or the 20th. With all the technological and scientific progress that happened during this period, he doubts that people have become any wiser. He also depicts authority as a cruel machine that is only capable of imposing punishment to people without even knowing whether they are guilty or not. Tips on Writing an Analytical Essay on a Work of Fiction: When analyzing a work of fiction, try focusing on a specific character, concept or a story line. Make an attention catching claim in your thesis statement. For that, two sentences would be enough. Use examples from the work of fiction you are analyzing to support the claim you have made. That is also a good indicator that you have read the work carefully enough to notice the details. An outline always apply. Whatever kind of essay you are writing, an outline will help you to keep your thoughts organized. provides students with custom written essays on different topics. You can buy analytical essay online and your paper will be written by certified writers.

Calydonian Boar Hunt

Calydonian Boar Hunt What Is the Calydonian Boar Hunt The Calydonian Boar Hunt is a story from Greek mythology chronologically following the voyage the Argonaut heroes took to capture the Golden Fleece for Jason. A group of heroic hunters chased after a boar sent by the irate goddess Artemis to ravage the Calydonian countryside. This is the most famous of the Greek hunts in art and literature. Representations of the Calydonian Boar Hunt The earliest literary representation of the Calydonian boar hunt comes from Book IX (9.529-99) of the Iliad. This version doesnt mention Atalanta. The boar hunt is clearly shown in art work, architecture, and sarcophagi. Artistic depictions run from the 6th century B.C. through the Roman period. Principal Characters in the Calydonian Boar Hunt Meleager - Hunt organizer and killer of the boarOineus (Oeneus) - King of Calydon, in Aetolia, who failed to sacrifice to Artemis (hubris)Calydonian Boar - the fierce animal who ravaged the countryside as Artemis sent him to do.Artemis - virgin goddess of the hunt who sent the boar and may have trained Atalanta.Atalanta - Female, Amazon-type, a  devotee of Artemis, who draws first blood.Althaea (Althaia) - daughter of Thestius, wife of Oineus and mother of Meleager who causes her sons death when he kills her brothers.Uncles - Meleager kills at least one of his uncles and is then killed himself. Apollodorus 1.8 on Heroes of the Calydonian Boar Hunt Meleager, son of Oeneus, from CalydonDryas, son of Ares, from CalydonIdas and Lynceus, sons of Aphareus, from MesseneCastor and Pollux, sons of Zeus and Leda, from Lacedaemon Theseus, son of Aegeus, from AthensAdmetus, son of Pheres, from PheraeAncaeus and Cepheus, sons of Lycurgus, from ArcadiaJason, son of Aeson, from IolcusIphicles, son of Amphitryon, from Thebes [Sometimes the name Iphicles is given an uncle of Meleager]Pirithous, son of Ixion, from LarissaPeleus, son of Aeacus, from PhthiaTelamon, son of Aeacus, from SalamisEurytion, son of Actor, from PhthiaAtalanta, daughter of Schoeneus, from ArcadiaAmphiaraus, son of Oicles, from Argossons of Thestius. Basic Story of the Calydonian Boar Hunt King Oineus neglects to sacrifice annual first fruits to Artemis (only). To punish his hubris she sends a boar to ravage Calydon. Oineus son Meleager organizes a band of heroes to hunt the boar. Included in the band are his uncles and, in some versions, Atalanta. When the boar is killed, Meleager and his uncles fight over the trophy. Meleager wants it to go to Atalanta for drawing first blood. Meleager kills his uncle(s). Either a fight ensues between Meleagers fathers people and his mothers, or his mother knowingly and deliberately burns a firebrand that magically ends Meleagers life. Homer and Meleager In the ninth book of the Iliad, Phoenix tries to persuade Achilles to fight. In the process, he tells the story of Meleager in a version sans Atalanta. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is recognized by an odd scar caused by a boar tusk. In Judith M. Barringer ties the two hunts together. She says they are both rites of passage with maternal uncles serving as witnesses. Odysseus, of course, survives his hunt, but Meleager isnt so fortunate, although he survives the boar. Death of Meleager Although Atalanta draws first blood, Meleager kills the boar. The hide, head, and tusks should be his, but he is enamored of Atalanta and offers her the prize on the controversial claim of first blood. A hunt is a heroic event reserved for the aristocrats. It was hard enough to get them to participate in Atalantas company, let alone give her the principle honor, and so the uncles grow angry. Even if Meleager doesnt want the prize, it is his familys to have. His uncles will take it. Meleager, young leader of the group, has made up his mind. He slays an uncle or two. Back at the palace, Althaea hears of the death of her brother(s) at the hands of her son. In revenge, she takes out a brand the Moirae (fates) had told her would mark the death of Meleager when it was burned completely. She sticks the wood in the hearth fire until it is consumed. Her son Meleager dies simultaneously. Thats one version full of magic and a very non-maternal mother. There is another that is easier to stomach. Apollodorus on Version 2 of the Death of Meleager But some say that Meleager did not die in that way, but that when the sons of Thestius claimed the skin on the ground that Iphiclus had been the first to hit the boar, war broke out between the Curetes and the Calydonians; and when Meleager had sallied out134 and slain some of the sons of Thestius, Althaea cursed him, and he in a rage remained at home; however, when the enemy approached the walls, and the citizens supplicated him to come to the rescue, he yielded reluctantly to his wife and sallied forth, and having killed the rest of the sons of Thestius, he himself fell fighting. See #1 on Thursdays -cide words to learn

Different responses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Different responses - Essay Example People with specific leanings, shaped by their age, gender or values, may observe and interpret Mrs. Mallard’s character using their own lens of perception. Feminists readers, on reading the immense emotional turmoil that Mrs. Mallard goes through as the realization dawns on her that she is finally free, may lament the bondages of marriage that pushed a woman to such desperation and depravity that she had to wait for a husband’s death to breathe in free air. A feminist perspective would therefore interpret Mrs. Mallard as a wife, who was feeling stuck and suffocated by her husband, probably due to lack of compatibility between them. In spite of this repressed desperation, Mrs. Mallard has been conditioned by the society to continue to play the role of a good wife. She plays that role as automation, even forgetting what her true feelings and desires were, until one day her husband is dead and her deeply buried feelings rush to the surface. Even at that specific moment, she reacts, with I believe female readers would relate and sympathize with Mrs. Mallard’s character, as more often than not, women have experienced suppressi on and had to repress their desires to maintain appearances of congeniality imposed on them by society. On the other hand, male readers probably would be harsher and judgmental of Mrs. Mallard, as she is a woman well provided for by her husband who had a â€Å"face that never looked saved with love upon her†. Ideally, in a male dominated society, a woman’s assigned position is to dedicate herself to husband and home, which is does not appear to be the case with Mrs. Mallard. A woman, whose husband is dead, is expected to feel the emotions of remorse, despondence and even fear of a long and lonely life, even if that husband was a dastard when alive. Chopin has managed to capture the presumed dead husband’s character in just a few sentences - that he was a good husband who

Examination of the Extent to which section 51 Companies Act 2006 has Essay

Examination of the Extent to which section 51 Companies Act 2006 has clarified the Law relating to Pre-Incorporation Contracts - Essay Example The purpose of pre-incorporation contracts is to encourage entrepreneurship and efficiency in creating simplicity and flexibility in formation and maintenance of companies. It also satisfies the need of an upcoming company to acquire rights and liabilities. This ensures that the company can start with business after incorporation. The challenge is that these companies do not have legal personality, due to their inexistence, and thus cannot make agreements. It is therefore important to evaluate the advantages and the shortcomings, and the future of the same on the role of promoters. If the Company does nothing, it is taken to have ratified to the agreement and the promoter is not be personally liable for the agreement. However, if the incorporation of the company has not been done or, after incorporation, rejects the agreement, the promoter becomes automatically liable for liabilities that may be created in the course of acting as promoter and entering into agreements. The liability i s then discharged only if the company subsequently enters into an agreement on similar terms or in exchange of, the pre-incorporation contract; or to the ends that the Board ratifies or is taken to have ratified the contract or action. The only option is then to have a promoter or agent contract in the company’s behalf. They thus incur liability for the company before incorporation. A promoter, according to the case of Twycross v Grant, 3 is one who forms a company with reference to specific projects and set it going, and take necessary steps to meet that purpose. This includes those who take the procedural steps necessary to form the company, or sets up the company’s business, but not those acting merely in professional capacity on the instructions of a promoter. They deal with formalities of registration of companies, from finding directors and shareholders to holding negotiations for business contracts for the new companies. They are also involved in the formation o f a company and are thus personally liable for the pre-incorporation contracts as neither the principle and agent relationship exists. Reason being the lack of that relationship between the agent and the principal as there is in real sense no principle. The common law puts in obstacles to those wishing to contract on behalf of such companies. This is to discourage people from signing or contracting on behalf of non-existent companies. These companies are not legal entities and thus are not permitted to perform juristic acts. According to common law, no person has the right to act as an agent of a company not yet established, in the expectation of ratification after it becomes incorporated. A company cannot then gain legal status before its existence of attaining contractual rights or sustaining contractual liabilities that exist from pre-incorporation agreements. These contracts cannot then oblige a company. The status of promoters ceases to exist after formation of the board of dir ectors. Promoters of the company may also undertake to enter into contracts on the entity’s behalf, where the company may later refute to approve or consent after incorporation. This position is important as it prevents fiduitiary promoters claiming to be acting for the company, as in the case of