Grounded Theory

Definition Grounded theory is a qualitative approach to research that encompasses the use multifarious iterative methodologies to carry out systematic analysis of social phenomena. The grounded theory methodology is explicitly applied in the generation and/or development of new theories with reference to interactive social inquiries.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Grounded Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Creswell (2012) reveals that the grounded theory is suitable for seeking advanced knowledge about a specific social phenomenon. The grounded theory methodology uses abductive rather than inductive or deductive reasoning. However, abductive reasoning is a compromise of both inductive and deductive ways of thinking. Inductive and deductive philosophies seek the best explanation about the subject of study. This characteristic makes grounded theory research appropriate for analyzing intricate soci al occurrences in the society. Unlike many other theoretical concepts, grounded theory research uses data to develop theories. In this case, data is analyzed with a view of building a theory. The researcher is not expected to approach phenomenal data with a theory (Lawrence Tar, 2013). Types of Grounded Theory Research Designs There are three types of grounded theory designs that include systematic, emerging, and constructivist grounded theory research designs. The systematic grounded theory design focuses on the utilization of open, axial, and selective coding techniques in the process of data analysis (Creswell, 2012). These systematic phases enable the researcher to develop a cogent archetype of the expected theory. On the other hand, the emerging design emphasizes allows the theory to develop from the obtained data. This type of grounded theory research does not use predetermined stages as in the systematic grounded theory design. Lastly, the constructivist design entails the a nalysis of respondents’ attitudes, values, expectations, beliefs, and philosophies. It seeks to examine individual experiences. Process of going about this Research Creswell (2012) explains the various distinctive stages that are involved in the process of going about the grounded theory research. The grounded theory methodology starts with data collection. Personal consultations, direct observations, and journal information constitute the different techniques that researchers use to collect grounded data. The method that is used to collect data depends on its ability to provide flexible information since grounded research is a dynamic process. The second step entails note taking. The keenness of the researcher is crucial to obtain relevant information. The sensitivity of the information that is collected in the process of grounded theory research determines the applicability of the developed concepts.Advertising Looking for critical writing on philosophy? Let's see if w e can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the third step, the researcher is expected to seek approval and permission to access information from relevant sources. Fourthly, the grounded theory research involves intentional conduction of theoretical sampling. Next, the collected data is coded to provide a framework for developing the anticipated theory. The sixth step entails validation of the developed theory. Finally, the researcher has to write a grounded theory research report to support the developed theory. Difficulties Grounded theory research involves difficult processes such as collection and analysis of cyclical data. Indeed, the collection of cyclical data, analysis, and determination of conclusions is time-consuming. This challenge significantly affects the ability of the researcher to maintain perpetual comparison of grounded data (Lawrence Tar, 2013). Furthermore, grounded theories are inferential rather than descriptive. This nature of re search complicates the understanding of abstract information. This situation affects flexibility and ability to uphold reliability throughout the entire process of research. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Grounded Theory Research Creswell (2012) posits that every qualitative approach to research has its own advantages and disadvantages that determine its suitability for analysis. One of the greatest advantages of the grounded theory approach is its methodically and rigorously framed investigation procedures. The systematic arrangement of the theory’s stages eases the collections, analysis, and generation workable solutions to social issues. In addition, the grounded theory research provides the researcher with rich data that is gained from the experiences of other individuals. The theory obtains data from experiences pertaining to different social phenomena. This advantage enables the researcher to use old information to come up with alternative solutions for complex pro blems. However, the grounded theory research has various disadvantages. First, since the theory is a compromise between inductive and deductive reasoning, the partiality of the information interferes with the dependability and substantiation of the entire process of data analysis. Secondly, the qualitative nature of the results that are obtained for the grounded research process is at times ambiguous for practitioners.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Grounded Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Field in which the Grounded Theory Research is mostly widely used The grounded theory research is used in many fields to seek practicable solutions for social phenomenon. Lawrence and Tar (2013) reveal that the grounded theory research has become increasingly popular in conducting medical studies. Its qualitative aspects make it appropriate for designing, rationalization, and generation of pioneering findin gs that enhance the handling of patients and administration of treatment. Furthermore, the grounded theory approach is useful in accountancy. Accountants require abductive reasoning to gather and analyze coded data. It enables them to develop pertinent theories through the manipulation of accountancy data. Accounting practices demand uninterrupted assessment of complex information from business documents. The analysis of such information requires the application of qualitative methods such as the grounded theory research. Reference List Creswell, J. (2012). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. New York, NY: Sage Publications. Lawrence, J., Tar, U. (2013). The use of Grounded Theory Technique as a Practical Tool for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 11(1), 29-40. This critical writing on Grounded Theory was written and submitted by user Karlee O. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Midsummer Nights essays

Midsummer Nights essays Love. Everyone thinks they will fall in love or be in love with someone else at one point in there life.Love is a very strong word, in A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespear, it was used to its full potential. It could be true love or jus an infatuation that you think is love but it really isnt. First there was the love between Theseus and Hippolyta, which lasted though out the whole play. Then Lysander and Hermia were in love but Demitrius also loved Hermia but that was change later by Oberon. L ater Demetrius falls back in love with Helena but only because he was put under a spell. In this play there were many relationships between all the charaters. I think the play A Midsummer Nights Dream reflects deep truths about love and In Norrie Epstiens essay there were many good points. Most of them were about how all the chatacters were interchangable and how they fell in love. Her most important point was how love becomes a spell. Love dose become a spell or at least seems like one because you dont function right when your in love. That happens alot in this play with Helena and Lysander. Like when Lysander is told that he can not marry Helena he tries to do whatever he can to try to get the duke to let them marry. He even was gonna try to sneak out of athens with Helena jus so they can be together and that makes the reader think that he would not do that if they werent in love. Another good point that Epstien had was that love transforms a mortal into a rarety of imperfection. When people are in love with each other they try to act perfect so that dont make a bad impression. The person thinks that if they act perfect around the person they think they love that they will start to fall in love with each other. That isnt how it works every time though so you are doing all that work for nothing. This is what is meant by transforming and it happens alot in real ...

PERSONAL GOALS & REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT BUSINESS ETHICS Essay

PERSONAL GOALS & REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT BUSINESS ETHICS - Essay Example After evaluating my time audit sheet, I can say with confidence that I am maintaining the values that matter to me in my daily activities. The two most important influences in my life are religion, and education, and so it is appropriate that related activities (class, study, and prayer) occupy the majority of my days. I would not change any aspect of the way I fill these time periods, except for extending them if it were a realistic option. If I were conducting myself as a business with the values equivalent to those described in the memorandum, then the usage of my time is very efficient. It promotes the building of personal skills, spiritual health, social activity, and a very productive, happy life. Of course, some play time does creep into my days, but it is a necessary release of stress that surely contributes to my success during the day. I wouldnt expect my employees to spend their entire day without any fun. It would surely exhaust them in a short amount of time. If I were to make a single change to my routine, I would try to eliminate about an hour from my night of sleep. There has been evidence that seven hours or even less can be more than sufficient for some people, and the extra time could certainly be used for a more productive purpose. Though sleep is definitely important, I would be interested to see if I can be awake for longer without a major negative impact to daily

Is our planet in trouble Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Is our planet in trouble - Essay Example Diamandis does acknowledge that the world does indeed face numerous challenges; however, advancements in technology by virtue of Moore’s Law, increase in the number of people entering into the Internet and increased funding of innovation by techno-philanthropists are some of the factors that will lead to the development of solutions to these global challenges. The arguments raised by Gilding and Diamandis have their merits and demerits. Gilding looks at situation from a more conservative perspective and uses pessimism or more rightly fear to push us towards incorporating environmental sustainability in all our endeavors. Diamandis on the other hand is more liberal and uses optimism or opportunities to push us towards seeking innovative solutions to facing our current global challenges. Ultimately, though, we do agree with Gilding that we have to incorporate environmental sustainability in all our endeavors. The unarguable fact is humanity does need what nature provides (â€Å"Footprint Basics - Overview†). We do need resources derived from nature to build the technology needed to face our global challenges. So, yes, technology can save us from ecological overshoot however we do need the ecology first in order to build the

Advanced Fire Administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Advanced Fire Administration - Essay Example This is because of the increase in population attributed to the dynamic nature of it and also the issue of developmental growth. Every city is expected to show some growth, and this growth must be maintained and planned parallel. In the first part of the paper, an overview is sampled on what is expected in five to ten years based on an expert view. The main objective of the paper is to evaluate how and the measures that are put in place during planning; these facts have a direct impact on how the city will be able to respond to disaster in the future. Also, to show how the administrative body will ensure infrastructures that are coming up are abiding to the planning regulation. Planning is the most essential element of any development, proper planning focus on the future outcome and incorporates the concept of growth, a city cannot remain static it must be dynamic either negatively or positively. Use of proper planning tools is essential because bad planning always leads to disorganised results that conflict with each other. The person that I interviewed is a county planner, his works entails planning for the future and he gave me an overview of what is expected in 5 to 10 years to come. A proper planner should focus on the future rather than the immediate situation. Population is dynamic and would not remain the same as today therefore in about five to ten years to come, the number of people living per square kilometre will have increased and so the urge of new resources. The current resources cannot be able to serve the number that was available at that time, so need to keep changing resources as the demand will go higher. Different measure has been incorporated that relate to fire management in case of a disaster. One of the measures that have been addressed in the plan is buying and upgrading the number of capabilities of fire responses. The higher the population the more the administrative body requires necessary

Properties Of Soil Including Density And Porosity Environmental Sciences Essay

Properties Of Soil Including Density And Porosity Environmental Sciences Essay Experiments were undertaken to obtain the bulk density, particle density, and soil porosity of four soil samples. Bulk density, particle density, and soil porosity are all interrelated terms. Density is the relationship between the mass (m) and volume (V) of a substance. . Based on this relationship, an object or substance that has high mass in relation to its size (or volume) also has a high density (D). Soil bulk density (Db) is a measure of the mass of soil per unit volume (solids + pore space) and is usually reported on an oven-dry basis. The particles that make up a soil have a specific particle density (Dp), which is defined as the mass of solid particles in a unit volume. This can be expressed as, . The particle density of a soil is not affected by particle size or arrangement; rather it depends on the type of solid particles present in the soils. Unlike the measurement of particle density, the bulk density measurement accounts for the spaces between the soil particles (pore s pace) as well as the soil solids. Soils with a high proportion of pore space have lower mass per unit volume, and therefore have low bulk density. A bulk density greater than 1.6 g cm-3 may indicate soil compaction, which means these soils have a low proportion of pore space and, therefore, low porosity. The bulk density indirectly provides a measure of the soil porosity which is the ratio of the volume of soil pores to the total soil volume. Clayey soils generally have an abundance of very small pores that give them a higher total porosity compared to sands, which are dominated by larger, but fewer pores. MATERIALS: 1. Core soil samples 2. Balance (0.1 g precision) 3. Flat-bladed knife 4. Veneer calliper 5. Disturbed soil samples 6. 100 ml measuring cylinder 7. De-aired water METHOD: The bulk density of the soil was calculated after following a series of steps. Firstly, excess soil from each of the disturbed soil sample was removed using a flat-bladed knife, ensuring that the bottom of the sample was flat and even with the edges of the ring. Excess material or roots penetrating from the sample was cut using a scissors. The dimensions of the core were then measured using a veneer calliper and the dimensions obtained were plugged into the formula Volume= à Ã¢â€š ¬ * radius 2* height to calculate the volume of the core. This value was then used to obtain the bulk density of the soil (Db = ). Afterwards, approximately 50g of soil was weighed out in a weigh dish for each soil sample and the soil weight was recorded to the nearest 0.1 g. e 50 cm of water was then poured into a 100 ml graduated cylinder and the previously weighed soil was added into the water in small increments. Air bubbles were eliminated by stirring with a rod and the final volume of the soil water suspension was read and the value was recorded. This value was then used to calculate the particle density of each soil sample (Dp = ). Using the measured densities the percentage soil porosity was calculated via the formula, 100-( Db / Dp * 100). Data was recorded and presented in a tabular format. RESULTS: SOIL SAMPLE HEIGHT OF CORE (cm) DIAMETER OF CORE (cm) VOLUME OF CORE SAMPLER (cm3) 1 5.548 5.36 125.2 2 3.862 5.58 94.5 3 4.889 5.858 131.8 4 4.798 5.384 109.2 FIGURE 1: TABLE SHOWING THE HEIGHT, DIAMETER AND VOLUME OF THE CORE SAMPLER FOR EACH SOIL SAMPLE. SOIL SAMPLE WEIGHT VOLUME (cm3) 1 319.6g 69 2 276.6g 69 3 273.2g 71 4 343.6g 70 TABLE SHOWING THE WEIGHT AND VOLUME OF THE FOUR SOIL SAMPLES. SOIL SAMPLE WEIGHT OF FIELD MOIST SOIL SAMPLE (g) WITH CORE WEIGHT OF DRY SOIL SAMPLE (g) WITH CORE WEIGHT OF CORE (g) WEIGHT OF DRY SOIL SAMPLE (g) (WEIGHT OF DRY SOIL WITHOUT CORE WEIGHT) 1 356.7 319.5 188.5 131 2 277.4 276.6 105.1 171.5 3 390.1 273.2 145.8 127.4 4 245.6 343.6 104.5 239.1 FIGURE 1: TABLE SHOWING WEIGHT OF FIELD MOIST SOIL SAMPLE AND OVEN DRY SOIL SAMPLE. SOIL SAMPLE WEIGHT OF SOIL SAMPLE (g) INITIAL VOLUME OF WATER (cm3) FINAL VOLUME OF WATER (cm3) VOLUME OF THE SOIL PARTCLES (cm3) 1 50.00 50 69 19 2 50.00 50 69 19 3 50.00 50 71 21 4 50.00 50 70 20 FIGURE 4: TABLE SHOWING WEIGHT OF SOIL SAMPLE, INITIAL VOLUME OF WATER, FINAL VOLUME OF WATER AND VOLUME OF SOIL PARTICLES. SOIL SAMPLE BULK DENSITY (g/cm-3) PARTICLE DENSITY (g/cm-3) SOIL POROSITY (%) 1 1.9 6.9 72.5 2 2.49 9.03 72.4 3 1.8 6.1 70.5 4 3.42 12 71.5 FIGURE 2: TABLE SHOWING THE BULK DENSITY, PARTICLE DENSITY AND SOIL POROSITY OF EACH SOIL SAMPLE. To calculate how many grams of soil are in a hectare plow layer: Depth = 15cm =0.15m Hectare = 10,000m2 Volume of HPL = Area of Hectare * Depth of plow = 10,000 * 0.15 = 1500m3 Db = 1.4g/cm3 = 1kg = 1000g à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ´1400kg=1400 ÃÆ'-1,000 = 1,400,000g Therefore, there are 1,400,000g of soil in a hectare plow layer. DISCUSSION: Soil porosity and bulk density are interrelated terms. Soil bulk density (Db) is a measure of the mass of soil per unit volume while soil porosity is the ratio of the volume of soil pores to the total soil volume. Bulk density (Db) is closely related to the soil porosity through the following relationship:. The bulk density indirectly provides a measure of the soil porosity (amount of pore space). The value obtained from the measurement of soil bulk density can be used to calculate pore space. For soils with the same particle density, the lower the bulk density, the higher the percent pore space or total porosity. Soil porosity values range from 0 to 1. Soils with a high bulk density have low total porosity because empty pores do not have any mass. When the bulk density is zero, porosity equals 1, meaning there are no particles. If the bulk density is equal to the particle density, then there are no pores and porosity is zero. Soil porosity can be affected by changes occurring in the soil. The porosity of the soil decreases in compacted subsoils and increases in well- aggregated, high organic matter surface soils. The values range from as low as 25% to more than 60% respectively. Soil management can also alter soil porosity values such that, cultivated soils tend to have a lower total pore space as a result of a decrease in organic matter content and a consequent lowering of granulation, in comparison to uncultivated soils. Bulk density and porosity are also affected by changes in soil texture. Fine-textured soils including clay, clay loam and silt loams typically have lower bulk densities as compared to sandy soils, due to the presence of pores between and within the granules. As a result, these fine-textured soils containing a high proportion of pore spaces to solids tend to have low bulk densities. Sandy soils, on the other hand, though larger in particle size have larger yet fewer pore spaces, resulting in a higher bulk density. In terms of porosity, fine-textured soils are very porous. This is because of the large amount of micropores in fine-textures soils which allow water to be held. These micropores prevent the water from being drained away and therefore, result in high total porosity. In contrast, sandy soils have less total porosity due to the relative absence or lack of fine, within-ped pores. This allows water to be drained away easily through the macropores present in sandy soils. Addition ally, bulk density and porosity are affected by changes in the size class of the soil particles. Bulk density is lower in sandy soils or well-sorted sand where the particles are generally of one size class whereas a mixture of different size particles (well-graded sand) will cause a high bulk density. In well-graded sand the smaller particles partially fill in the spaces between the larger particles causing a reduction in the pore spaces and a resultant increase in bulk density. Soil porosity, on the other hand, is decreased in well-graded sand as compared to well-sorted sand. Another factor impacting bulk density and porosity is compaction. Soil compaction refers to the disruption and reduction of the large pores within the soil. It can be caused in a variety of ways such as, the practice of poor agricultural practices, use of machinery on soil, etc. Compaction increases the mass in a given volume, which increases the measured bulk density. Bulk density increases because both the micropores and macropores in a soil are significantly reduced after compaction has taken place. Therefore, with the removal of these empty pores, the mass of soil increases in a given volume. With regards to porosity, compaction reduces the total pore spaces and hence, the total porosity. In conclusion, bulk density and porosity are two interrelated soil properties which are altered by various factors including soil texture, compaction and soil structure. Calculations into the bulk density and porosity were carried out. Some limitations presented were the fact that bulk density and porosity values would differ from place to place due to certain factors, for example, the level of compaction in an area. However, these figures can be useful in determining the crop yield of a soil.

Comparing Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt Essay -- Compare Contr

Comparing Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt During the 20th century many different presidents went in and out of the doors of the White House serving the country the best they could. However, two of these men hold a place in American history as perhaps the greatest leaders that had ever served our country. Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson are two extraordinary men that symbolize the hope and aspirations of the American people during such a tumultuous time in United States history. Both of these men held leadership qualities like no other, had strong views for America, and held exceptional ideas on foreign policy. Theodore Roosevelt stepped into head of office on September 19, 1901 when President William McKinley was assassinated. He was the youngest man to become president. His motto was â€Å"speak softly but carry a big stick.† President Roosevelt would come into power offering America the square deal. He would take the power away from the industrialists as he controlled big business from the White House. He would soon become known as a TrustBuster. Roosevelt used American power for American interests and was quoted as saying, â€Å"I am an American first and last. â€Å" Although some historians argue that Roosevelt acted like a six-year-old throughout his presidency and that he didn’t think things through, ie â€Å"he thought with his hips†, one can admire the tremendous leadership qualities that Teddy Roosevelt had. First, he was a very bold man who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard. The average citizen was aware of what a â€Å"positive, warm and tou gh, authoritative and funny† president that they had leading them. His leadership qualities stemmed from his time as a New York state Assembly man, a deputy sheriff, a ... ...ir racial characteristics. He also knew the value of the ethnic vote. Wilson on the other hand was a racist who brought his Virginia attitude with him to the White House. Perhaps the most ironic thing about these two men is the fact that Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1904 for helping resolve the Russian-Japanese fighting, and TR never was in office during the Great Wars while Wilson was. However, we did end up getting the United Nations from Woodrow Wilson’s presidency. In conclusion, Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were very different people who held different beliefs on America, but nonetheless, these two men gave their all in making America a better place. Without these two leaders, America could have been a very different place today. Who knows, I might have been writing this paper in German had it not been for them.

Van Sant’s ‘Death’ Trilogy: Gerry, Elephant and Last Days

Gus van Sant's three films, Gerry, Elephant and Last Days, are, in essence, a trilogy, linked by their common structures, compositions, and representations of death. In this paper, I will analyze these similarities and discuss the treatment of each film's central event. Van Sant's early career showed a unique experimentation with story structure and plot devices. In films like My Own Private Idaho, Drugstore Cowboy and To Die For, he displayed a freedom of narrative, creating esoteric, poetic pieces that challenged and often bewildered viewers. His career then became more conventional, and he hit somewhat of a lame lowpoint with the film Finding Forrester, a sappy story about a young black teenager whose writing gifts are altruistically recognized by an aging author played by Sean Connery. His next film, however, was completely different than anything he had directed. It starred Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, who, along with van Sant, would normally create box office demand with their work. Yet the film was not widely released or widely seen. It was mostly dismissed as an indulgent experimental piece, something created by Hollywood artists bored with their usual work and with easy access to too much funding. Van Sant followed this with a film that premiered at Sundance and, surprisingly, took the top prize. It purported to be a representation of the Columbine killings, even though Columbine was never mentioned, and several liberties were brazenly taken with facts that most people were intimately familiar with. It featured no professional actors; actually, the characters were all essentially playing themselves, even using their real names and shooting in their actual school. The film was much more widely seen, and the unique treatment of time and plot proved to be very similar to his previous work. His most recent film, officially titled Gus van Sant's Last Days, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and attempted to vaguely recreate the death of Kurt Cobain. The thematic elements and structure were by now easily recognizable. The film's first reviews were harsh, but eventually, critics seemed to warm to it, and it was widely praised for its bravery and patience. Van Sant refers to them as a â€Å"news story† trilogy, in that they are all based on real events. Gerry is about two guys who get lost in the desert, and one of them eventually kills the other one. Even if we're unfamiliar with the event, we can picture the sensational headline, probably depicting the event as horrific and the murderer as an animal. Van Sant's portrayal of the event, from the characters losing their way to the actual murder, reveals his intent to fully immerse himself in the event and depict how such an act could occur. When we witness the murder, it appears natural and even compassionate. The circumstances under which the characters are behaving are unusual and extreme, but their intentions and humanity are always recognizable. The next two films are events with which the culture is very familiar. Almost everyone who sees them has a strongly formed emotional impression of the stories. The Columbine massacre and the suicide of Kurt Cobain are two of the most omnipresent cultural events for this generation of Americans, and van Sant chooses to take them on. His intentions are similar to those of his first film in the series; he wants to discover, through the process of filmmaking, how such acts could occur. It is unclear as to whether van Sant intended to create a trilogy, but these films are unmistakably similar in several different ways, including their shooting and editing style, their themes, and their attempt to depict a â€Å"found story†. Common Style Cinematographer Harry Savides shot the trilogy, and his style remains consistent; it can best be described as meditative. Most of the elements and techniques were developed in the process of making Gerry. The shooting period lasted twenty-one days. There were lots of problems during the shoot, and the scenes were always planned and executed on set, in collaboration with the actors, and with very little adherence to a shooting script or written dialogue. During this process, van Sant and Savides developed what would become a signature style for them. They composed very long tracking shots of the characters simply walking through the desert. Some shots were close-ups of their faces as they trudged, always with a definite purpose and determination. Others were long shots of their tiny bodies against the hugeness of the landscape. The most famous shot is the two of them barely moving, close to death, silhouetted against the sunset, still moving slowly towards nothing. Another element they developed is a lack of adherence to any definite sense of time or chronology. The films are edited haphazardly, with several scenes repeated at different points in each film from different perspectives. In Gerry, the two men never find water, yet the sun rises and sets at least eight times during the movie, in very different settings. In Elephant, one hallway encounter between two characters, with another character running by, is seen three times from each characters' perspective, and continually serves as a warning that the killers are about to enter the school. There is no attempt to operate by any logical standards of time or character arc. The focus here is on a creation of atmosphere. The flexible chronology and the long static shots create a strong sense of freedom for the actors to immerse themselves in their characters. In each movie, and especially in Gerry and Last Days, the characters operate in a trance-like state, moving through the world of the film with no attempt to relay an emotion or communicate to anyone in any way. They simply are, and we watch them as voyeurs, knowing in each case that they are moving slowly towards death. The process of close collaboration with the actors is similar for each film as well. The actors are very much a part of the development of the story and their own characters. This trust in the actors to create their own worlds adds a unique element to the trilogy. Common Theme The central theme of the three films is â€Å"young death†. The first death is a compassionate murder; the second deaths are emotionally empty executions; the last is a slow wasting away. They all seem tragic because of the age of the victims and the somewhat easily avoidable circumstances under which the deaths occur. The deaths are also empty of crescendo. There is no sense of narrative closure in the deaths of the central characters, or an attempt to draw moral or dramatic conclusions from the deaths. This treatment of death is similar to the films analyzed by Catherine Russell in her work Narrative Mortality: Death, Closure and New Wave Cinemas. She notes that conventional cinematic narratives â€Å"codified the desire for meaning as a desire for meaningful death, and the desire for ending was formalized as a desire for death.† 1 She claims that new wave films â€Å"consistently split death from closure, and prevent meaning and ending from fitting neatly together.† These films have no plot or story; they end abruptly, with no attempt at coherent explanations. Their focus is on the world of the characters as they hypnotically and obliviously move towards their death. Common Intentions: A ‘Found Story' This refusal to exploit the deaths of the central characters for emotional or dramatic effect highlights van Sant's focus on creating realist cinema. He strives to present each scene as naturally as possible, with no cinematic affectations or even unnecessary camera movements. They wanted no â€Å"moves†. He and Savides make it clear that their intention is to recreate reality on screen. Realist theorist Siegfried Kracauer defines a ‘found story' as one that â€Å"emerges from the filmmaking†. 2 This description aptly describes van Sant's triptych; the process clearly defines the product. An example of this comes from the production of Last Days. Van Sant was in the costume designer's office when a Yellow Pages salesman entered and delivered his pitch. The director envisioned the affect this would have on his drugged-out, detached lead character and threw the two worlds together. The effect was brilliant in that it intensely highlighted the two different worlds that these characters inhabited. It also reveals van Sant's attempts to infuse his films with as much realism as possible, down to the actors who portray the characters. In fact, the actors are usually playing themselves. In Elephant, each character uses their real name and moves around their actual high school, interacting with their actual friends. The scenes are meticulously composed, but the dialogue and relationships, the individual moments, are mostly improvised, providing the audience with a strong sense of voyeurism and recognizable interactions. The affectations occur during editing. The sound design and aforementioned obscure chronology are the clues as to how we interpret the reality that they present. In Elephant, a character that most recognize as the eventual killer walks through the cafeteria drawing up his ‘plan'. He stops and we hear the sound slowly rise and overwhelm the boy, implying his â€Å"special mode of reality†.3 In Last Days, a somewhat bizarre element is employed in one of the final scenes. Blake, the Cobain surrogate, is lying in his garden house, close to death. Suddenly, his spirit emerges from his naked body as an apparition and hovers beside him. This mystical element meshes with the hypnotic, often spiritual mood of the film. At first glance, it seems to stand in stark contrast to the dogmatic realism of the rest of the film. However, the scene effectively illustrates the characters' state, and in this sense, remains consistent with the production's intentions. These common elements all serve the common event in each film: the eventual deaths of the major characters. Gerry Gerry depicts two characters, both ostensibly named Gerry, wandering through the desert looking for â€Å"the thing†. They see tourists with lame visors taking one path, and they decide to take another. They lose their way and spend the film attempting to survive. Each interaction between the characters is infused with purpose and a wry humor. They always have a new plan and never lose their forward-thinking state of mind. They resist despair and anger and seem always to assume that they will make it out ok. The majority of the ninety-minute film consists of the characters moving through the desert, searching always for the way home. There is maybe fifteen minutes of dialogue and, except for the tourists, no other characters. We see them simply walking, moving together, sometimes in what seems to be a competitive state, and other times alone, separately climbing different peaks to get a better view. The desert scenery is beautifully composed, and there are few shots less than a few minutes long. The characters are resisting death. They are slowly succumbing to the elements, fighting thirst and fatigue, never wanting to appear weak to the other. They always keep moving. Once, when they have stopped to rest, one of them comes to the other, tired but satisfied. He says, simply, â€Å"I found the car. I have water. I know the way out.† He is convinced of the truth of this claim, and is extremely disheartened when, after a few minutes of forceful persuasion, he realizes it is an illusion. Eventually, after moving around for what could be days, they lie down, exhausted and in a trance. One is clearly stronger than the other and is capable of continuing; one is finished. They lie next to each other, staring at the sky. Suddenly, the strong one moves on top of the weak one, wrestling him, literally shaking the life out of him. He stabs him and he bleeds, giving in quickly to the loss of consciousness. No emotion is displayed, and the event seems natural and pure. The act is clearly one of compassion for the pain of the weak one, a hastening of the inevitable and a cessation of the pain and agony and waiting. It is an act of euthanasia. However, it is also an act of survival; the strong one is now free to move again and attempt to survive on his own, which he eventually does, seeing the highway before him shortly after the murder. There is no lesson in the death, or any sense of closure. It is simply an act, and it bleeds into the reality of the rest of the film, having no special significance. It comes and passes in the same manner as the rest of the journey. It is a violent act, somewhat selfish, and it occurs in the vague context of an allegorical journey. The film is about being lost and eventually succumbing. However, there is never a sense of panic from the characters, or a sense that they have lost control or even hope. There is an acceptance at one point, when they lie down, and some timid shedding of tears from the weaker Gerry. But the characters admirably remain focused on survival and getting out, on proving their strength against the elements and their own thirst and exhaustion. The stronger character's devotion to this elusive hope eventually saves him, and he finds his way, leaving behind a friend who, all elements aside, he had murdered. He rides away in a car, still in a trance, looking back at the desert. The film is beautiful, and it is essentially a meditation on the struggle to survive. Elephant Elephant is a montage of different students at a public high school. Because the audience knows it is about the Columbine murders, the outcome is a given. Each ‘victim' is introduced with a title card, and we see them in their world, interacting with their friends, with no exposition or context. We know what high school is, and we understand and recognize the basis of the conversations and relationships. Scenes and characters intertwine as new characters are introduced and followed. Various social issues are broached in the context of the characters' lives, issues that have all been mentioned in the context of the killings as an attempt at explanation or blame. The first shot is a weaving car, casually sideswiping a parked car and almost hitting a biker. It creates a reckless and irresponsible tone, depicting apathy towards life and danger. We see that it is a drunken father driving his son to school, and the son demands that his father pull over and let him drive. He is not angry, just exasperated, and the issue of parental carelessness and forced responsibility of the child is depicted. We see the boy being disciplined by the principal and feel pity for him and his circumstances. We are introduced to three popular girls as they flirt with a boy and then eat lunch. They enter the bathroom, awkwardly discuss their body issues, and casually, simultaneously, vomit. The killers are at home, receiving weapons in the mail, which they have ordered over the internet, and practicing with them in the garage. The shy, geeky one, earlier seen picking spitballs out of his hair and plotting in the cafeteria, is playing Beethoven, slyly invoking A Clockwork Orange. The blond, outgoing one, who slyly invokes Eminem, enters his room and plays a generic video game, playing a character wandering through a vast white empty landscape shooting men in suits in the back as they slowly and obliviously walk towards the horizon. Video game violence is thus invoked as a ‘factor'. Later, as they prepare to enter the school for the massacre, the blond one enters the shower with the shy one and says, â€Å"I've never even kissed anyone, have you?†, and they embrace. Another element, repressed homosexuality and a sense of separation, is introduced. These issues are peripheral to the mood of the film. It is amazingly ominous. We see the killers entering the school with their arsenal very early in the film, and are repeatedly reminded of their entrance as other characters pass through the same time period. We never know when the first shots will occur. We know from the news that the library and the cafeteria were the scenes of the massacre, and we repeatedly hover there, watching characters, picturing the chaos about to occur. It is visceral and exciting, and sickening and bizarre. Van Sant, without affectation, makes us fall in love with some of the characters, simply from the purity of their interactions and their lives. He highlights their beauty, and exposes their talents and quirks. Even the killers are presented almost sympathetically, or at least without any attempt to vilify them. We observe their normal lives, at breakfast with their family, practicing the piano and playing games, and their relationship is almost pleasant to watch. We see their psychosis, however, and realize very soon that they are capable of total detachment and extreme violence in retaliation for a vague sense of being underappreciated and emotionally tortured. The killings finally begin, a few scenes after we hear the machine gun being cocked in the library. The geeky girl with the long pants in gym class arrives late for her job in the library, and as she speaks to the boys with their arsenal, they splatter her blood against the books. They turn and randomly shoot into the crowd of scurrying students. The killings are not gruesome or ugly; they are simple and easy. We meditate on the killers' callousness and the painful pointlessness of the act, rather than recoil at the blood and shock of the shootings. We also never see a panicked face or hear a shrill scream; the deaths, as in Gerry, blend with the everyday we have adjusted to seeing. The world does not change because of the acts that occur. The ending is extremely abrupt; the killers meet in the cafeteria, and as the blond brags about his kills, he is ruthlessly shot in the head by the shy one. He is speaking, we hear a shot and see blood, and he falls out of frame. At first, we are not sure if he was shot by another student or a sniper, but when we see the shy one, in the same long shot, moving towards the freezer looking for more victims, we realize. The film ends as he finds a popular couple whom we know and he obviously despises, and tortures them happily, pointing the machine gun at them and reciting eenie meenie miney mo. The film takes place in a single morning, in the span of a few hours. The characters we meet have no thoughts of their fate, wandering through their lives as death approaches in a sedan with a devil hanging from the windshield. Van Sant chooses an extremely familiar event and gets inside what might have happened. What he manages to create is a total sense of normalcy in the high school. There is no sentimentality in this film, this depiction of an event that is so loaded with emotion and sentiment and anger and backlash and blame in our culture. He strips it down and rips away all the sensation, and reveals easy to know people in an easy to know situation about to face something horrific and familiar to us all. His intentions and approach are similar to that of the film United 93, about the September 11th plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. We all know the details, we have all felt the sentiment, but the film attempts to forget all that and show real characters in a real situation, without any sentimental pretensions. It tries to depict how such an event really looked. In Elephant's case, this is done in service of a meditation on the casualness of violent death. Last Days Last Days depicts the deterioration of a rock star, based on the suicide of Kurt Cobain. The first shots are of Blake walking through the woods, urinating in a pond, vomiting, and singing Home on the Range by a fire and a tent. He returns to his house and wanders ghost-like through the halls and rooms, avoiding contact with any of the stragglers in the house, cooking macaroni and cheese and watching a Boyz II Men video. We see the state of his life intimately, and his world becomes recognizable. He is out of it and detached, and has no desire to connect with anyone. He carries around an ominous shotgun in several scenes, and at one point, he mimics shooting two of his friends as they lie in bed. He is in a trance. He literally hovers in some scenes, slowly, slowly, collapsing to the ground and resting, comatose, against the door, falling violently when it is opened and a straggler checks for his pulse. No one in this film wants anything. No one, especially Blake, has any sense of purpose. This is the weakness of the film from a cinematic standpoint. Gerry and Elephant remain fascinating in large part because of the strength of their characters' intentions and purpose. In this world, no one feels anything. The peripheral characters might have intentions relating to a vague sense of hedonism or greed, but that is not near enough to drive the film. This is about a wasting away, a slow, drawn out surrender to death, a suicide. The wallpaper is crumbling, the house is falling apart, no connections are made, and we are witness to a man who is totally numb to the world. It again features the long, static shots of seemingly nothing, zooming in on the television, holding on Blake's lifeless body on the floor. There is a beautiful shot of Blake experimenting with sounds in his studio. The camera slowly moves backward, and we watch for an extremely long time as he moves around the room, haphazardly enjoying himself with his instruments, seemingly at peace, In the end, we see him cowering in the garden room, watching characters come and go, completely alone, and ready for an ending. This is a meditation on decay. Death These films very effectively reveal worlds that simply are. The characters we follow slowly approach their death, one at the hands of his friend, others at the hands of gun-toting teenage psychos, the last, presumably, by his own hand. But, in fitting with the tone of the trilogy, death simply is. It happens just as casually as the taking of a photograph or the preparation of macaroni and cheese. When it happens, nothing is done to signify or indicate any sense of change or profundity. The realism of the films is, to me, something almost euphoric. There is a real beauty in the interactions between the characters, in how recognizable their worlds are, and because of this, the audience receives a gift: there is a chance at a profound understanding of the nature of what happens to them.

Margaret atwood rape fantasies Essay Example

Margaret atwood rape fantasies Essay Example Margaret atwood rape fantasies Paper Margaret atwood rape fantasies Paper Atwood uses a temporal setting, a feminine first person point of view, irony, and allusion to warn readers of the vulnerability that comes from naivety and the downplay of ape. The setting is temporal. The womens liberation movement is thriving in the sass. Media is beginning to pay attention to non-superficial womens issues: The way theyre going on about it in the magazines youd think it was just invented, and not only that but i?s something terrific, like a vaccine for cancer (31). Magazines are beginning to advocate the Equal Rights Amendment, to converse about womens issues, to put domestic violence and sexual harassment on the cover of a womens magazine, and to feature a national study on date rape. History suggests women do not have or should to have sexual desires: But if youre being totally honest you cant count those as rape fantasies (34). Estelle and her coworkers label their sexual fantasies as rape to take away the sense of being personally responsible for their desires. The temporal setting occurs during the time feminine issues headline the media: So at work they all have to talk about it because no matter what magazine you open, there it is, staring you right bungee the eyes, and theyre beginning to have it on television too(31). After decades of matriculation concerning feminine issues beyond the superficial the damn as been opened allowing the characters to discuss the taboo. Due to medias growing attention of serious issues like rape Christy is able to gain access to information that she parrots back to her work pals: Besides, all the articles say its better not to resist, that way you dont get and her co-workers are beginning to learn how to defend themselves in a rape scenario from the increasing media coverage on important issues like rape. Atwood uses the language device allusion: Im not what you would call a drinker but like to go out now and then for a drink of two in a nice place, even if I am by myself, Im with Womens Lib on that even though I cant agree with a lot of the other things they say (37). The author alludes to the Womens Liberation movement going on in the 1 sass to explain why the narrator feels confident enough to put herself in a vulnerable position with a potentially threatening male at a bar. Atwood uses the temporal setting to allow her characters to discuss rape, but not really know what they re talking about: Rape is when theyve got a knife or something and you dont want to(33) Estelle and her co-workers lack a mutual understanding of what rap is. The point of view is first person. Estelle has a very naive view of a rape scenario, she likes to use dark humor to lighten up the situation: Estelle assumes Sonars silence in the story is her being offended that she didnt a chance to share her rape fantasy: Sandra was miffed too, by this time SSL finished her celery and she wanted to tell about hers, but she hadnt got in fast Sonars silence can also be interpreted as the silence of rape victim. Atwood uses a first person point of view with a womens viewpoint to drive home the naivety the women have in the story concerning rape and the vulnerability that comes from their ignorance. There is a failing of communication between men and women in the story:But maybe its different for a guy'(36). Estelle lack of understanding of the male psyche leads to her vulnerability. Estelle believes ignorance is bliss: You cant Spence your whole life in the Filing Department or cooped up in your own apartment with all the doors and windows locked and the shades Her statement is correct; to lock yourself away from the world forever is ridiculous. The language devices used in the story are allusion and irony. - card game the ladies are playing alludes to the control, strategy, and manipulation skills Estelle feels she can possess during a rape scenario: So said one club, hoping Sandra would remember about the one club convention, because the time before when I used that she thought I really meant clubs, and she bid us up to three, and all I had was four little ones WI nothing higher than a six, and we went down two and on top of that we well vulnerable(31). Estelle belief of control and ability of manipulation in a game reflects the characteristics she holds in reality, which leads to her bell in a vulnerable position in the end. Another language device that Atwood u: s situational irony: So I ask him why doesnt he let me fix him a Neo-Citric and scotch, thats what I always take, you still have the cold but you dont fee it, so I do and we end up watching the Late Show together (35). Estelle fantasies begin as serious and twist Into absurdity, in the end of this scenes she is taking care of the man who attempted to sexually assault her. Tattoos use of allusion places adds realism to the story. The mention of the Virgin Mary is a biblical allusion to a lady who became pregnant by God instead of her swear all four of them looked at me like I was in b asset, like Id insulted the Virgin Mary or something (33). The women in the story were expected only to have marital relations like the Virgin May, so theyre using the rape fantasy to cover up their sexual desires. The author also uses a structural irony in Estelle rape fantasies: So I hand it to him AR hes very obliging, he twists the top off and hands it back to me, and I squirt him in the Estelle character is flawed in her belief a rapist will list. To their victim. Atwood use of irony both situational and structural is a warning to the readers that Estelle naivety leads her to a dangerous tuition: Like, how could a fellow do that to a person hes just had a long conversation with, once you let them know youre human, you have a life etc I dont see how they could go ahead with it, right? 37) Estelles fantasies left her vulnerable. Estelle is a real damsel in distress her ignorance on dangerous situations coupled with an over-confidence that she can control a harmful situation leads to her being left vulnerable. Tattoos use of first person point of vine for the reader to listen to a womens point of view. Estelle although naive when it comes to evading dangerous situations, gives the reader an u nderstanding of a females psyche regarding rape.

Comparison of Two Religions essayEssay Writing Service

Comparison of Two Religions essayEssay Writing Service Comparison of Two Religions essay Comparison of Two Religions essayBuddhism and Hinduism have common roots. Both religions originated in India, and they are genetically related. However, Buddhism has absorbed the traditions of many peoples of the East during the long history of its formation, and nowadays it is considered not just a religion but a doctrine of enlightenment. Thus, the main aim of the assignment is to compare two religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism on the base of specific criteria.Observing geographical origin of each religion, it is possible to note that the area of ​​the emergence and spread of Hinduism is Indian subcontinent, and most people professing this religion live in the Republic of India. Smelcer (2013) said that Buddhism, in its turn, also has developed in India in the context of Indian philosophy and religion, but Buddhism has spread all over the world and members of this religion can be found in any country. Thus, Buddhism is a monotheistic religion, philosophical doctri ne of spiritual awakening, the teaching of the Enlightened One. Hinduism is a polytheistic ancient Vedic religion, the set of traditions and schools of thought emerged and spread across the Indian subcontinent.Observing some practices of these two religions, it becomes obvious that according to Hindu teachings, the whole world is samsara, an endless series of rebirths. World is an illusion. But there exists a real world, which is ruled by the Absolute beyond samsara. According to Bonin (2012), all attention in Buddhism is focused on contemplation of the own spirit. Hinduism, in its turn, is the religion of the soul, tending to the Absolute, while Buddhism rejects God and the soul. This is a kind of hidden atheism.The ultimate goal of personality in Hinduism is to break the karmic chain of rebirths, to break out of samsara and connect with the Absolute. It is possible to do this only through austerity, self-denial and psychological training. The basic idea of Buddhism is the passing of life by the middle way between asceticism and pleasure as the two extremes. The ultimate goal of by the middle way is Nirvana the highest state of grace.In Hinduism, the amount of good and bad deeds in a previous rebirth is called karma. Belonging to a particular caste is also subjected to karma, and nobody can dispute with the destiny. Some calls for social equality or social justice sound strange for Hinduism, and representatives of the higher caste of priests have the best chances to break out of samsara. Buddhism professes the principle of equality in opportunities to grasp the supreme grace. It does not favor caste distribution of the society, focusing solely on the individual characteristics of the person.In such a way, it can be mentioned that Hinduism is the national religion of the Indians. This religion is unthinkable without India. Buddhism is the non-national religion. It is widely practiced by the people with very different cultural traditions. Buddhism is different ly practiced in different parts of the world in its specific details, but it has the same organization everywhere. For instance, monastic organization of Buddhism distinguishes this religion from Hinduism that is disparate in its organization. Buddhists have their cultural and educational centers, their own ideology and traditions. Moreover, according to Viswanathan (2014), Buddhism, preaching social and political indifference, in practice, made ​​a huge contribution to the organization of society, awareness of its ethno-political values, while such concepts as society, politics and history are diametrically far for the followers of Hinduism. So, it can be said that Hinduism is indifferent and inaccessible for changes, while Buddhism is more dynamic and open for refreshing.In addition, dwelling on the fact how these two religions influence the daily life of people practicing them, there is a significant difference between two religions, while both Hinduism and Buddhism emphasize different activities, leading to the release of the problems and difficulties. In Hinduism, the main emphasis is made on the external physical aspects and technologies, for example, various asanas in hatha yoga; classic Hinduism uses purification by bathing in the Ganges, as well as special diet, while in daily life Hinduism emphasizes the kinship of man with nature, with all the animals, and this makes it impossible to demonstrate hostile or even indifferent attitude to the animals with which man forms a unity.In Buddhism, a great importance is attached not to external but to internal techniques acting on the mind and heart. This is illustrated by such expressions as â€Å"the development of a good heart,† â€Å"development of wisdom for seeing reality,† etc. Moreover, Buddhism has consistently adhered to the principle of ahimsa, non-violence towards other beings. However, Buddhism spread widely outside India: Japan, China, Burma, Tibet, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and in these countries, it has undergone some changes. Buddhism, as it is now practiced in India, allows some departure from the principle of ahimsa and vegetarianism, and it has led to the fact that Buddhism lost the role of religion to protect animals from cruelty in these countries. For example, in Japan, although it is consumed little meat, people widely use fish in food. Only in monasteries where Zen Buddhism is practicing, vegetarianism and other primordial principles of Buddhism are strictly observed.To sum up, we have compared Buddhism and Hinduism in accordance with specific criteria, and found that each religion has not only its specific characteristics but also differently influence the life of people who are practicing these religions.

U.S. Foreign Policy on Syrian Civil War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

U.S. Foreign Policy on Syrian Civil War - Essay Example Debates as to whether U.S. policy towards the situation in Syria should call for a military action, defending the civilians, wipe out the terrorist groups or specifically act on Syrian forces suspected to be using chemical weapons on the opposition have been taken a central place in foreign policy discussions. Some groups fear that US actions may not lead to the desired outcomes, but may end up with more consequences than current problem. They fear that it may escalate the violence, create regional division and even a power vacuum that may look good from extremists’side. Unplanned expenditure and domestic opposition to the military action are some of the factors suggesting that the US should not take part in the Syrian war1. Administration critics argue that most the presumed costs of U.S. intervention are currently happening and that it will not make any difference if the U.S. gets involved in the Syrian conflict. Some believe that U.S. silence over the matter has a detrimental effect on its influence in the Middle East leading to the reconsideration of US foreign policy and revisiting of certain aspects that will increase their involvement in the Syrian war. Taking civilians into consideration, U.S. involvement in the Syrian war is inevitable. The Sectary of Sate’s announcement at the Friends of Syria Conference that the US and another member of â€Å"London 11†find it necessary to give coordinated assistance of non-lethal nature to the opposition is a good indication of what the U.S. needs to do2.   

Econ Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Econ Questions - Essay Example Pugelovia will export rice and import cloth. 9.b. An increase in endowment of capital would result in a production-possibility curve that is biased toward machinery or production of large volume of machinery. The large volume of machinery produced is due to the effect of more clothing being given up in order to produce machineries. 9.e. US national well being may decline as a result of the increase in endowment of capital. As the capital/labour ratio in the international sector declines, the wages in the US would decrease causing a declining income for workers. 3. A tariff would increase the production output domestically. When a country imposes tariff, the domestic price of the product would increase in order to include the tariff. Local producers who do not pay the import tariff would have an incentive to increase their output in order to exploit the higher domestic price. The tariff would give domestic producers extra surplus on all the goods they would have produced even without the tariff plus smaller net gains on additional sales. Graphically, the domestic supply would increase from point J to point C, when tariff is imposed. The production effect is the area ABCJ. The production effect is computed by { = [q1*t] + [(q2 – q1)*t/2]] 4. A tariff would decrease the consumption domestically. When a country imposes tariff, the domestic price would increase such that consumer demand will decline due to higher price. The tariff costs consumers both the full tariff on every goods they continue to buy and the net enjoyment on goods they would have bought at the lower tariff-free price but do not buy at the higher price that includes the tariff. Graphically, the domestic demand would decrease along the demand curve from point H to point F, when tariff is imposed. The consumption effect is the area ABFH. The consumption effect is computed by { = [q3*t] + (q4 – q3)*t/2] 5. Imposing a tariff high