Catherines changing appearance Essay Example for Free

Catherines changing appearance Essay A View from the Bridge was set in America in the 1950s. Arthur Miller was inspired to write the play when he was working as a longshoreman at Brooklyn shipyard to earn money for his college fees. He heard a story that men were coming over from Italy to work illegally and were being betrayed. At this time Italy was a very poor country with not many jobs to go around therefore many Italians were trying their luck in America, they became known as Italian Americans. However to become and American citizen they would need a green card which became difficult to get hold of because there was a limited amount of them. The Carbone family Eddie, his wife Beatrice and her orphaned niece Catherine, who is 17, are first generation Americans of Italian origin, they are a working class family. Eddie works as a longshoreman at Brooklyn shipyards; they live nearby in Red Hook, a poor area of Brooklyn which is described by Alfieri as a slum. This is where the play is set. The Carbone family take in two illegal immigrants, who are Beatrices Italian cousins. Before the cousins arrival we can see that Eddie and Catherine have a strong bond between them. Eddie arrived home from work and is confronted with Catherines changing appearance, Almost in tears because he disapproves. This suggests that Eddie is overprotective towards Catherine and may imply that he does not want her to grow up or gain independence. This also shows that Catherine cares about Eddies opinion of her; it tells the reader they are close and that Catherine may act younger than her age. Miller establishes Eddie as a caring character. This is apparent when Catherine and Beatrice have just told him about the job. Its not wonderful. Youll never get nowheres unless you finish school. This implies he cares about Catherine and always will which may be a problem later on in the play because Catherine will want to go her own way, however it could also portray that he will support Catherine to do her best. We can tell that Eddie is a well respected member of the community and that he is admired by his niece. This is visible when Eddie realises he left a cigar in his other coat. Stay there! Ill get it for you. This implies that Catherine only wants to do what Eddie approves of which could end up being a problem because there will be things that Eddie will disagree with when Catherine gains independence that could cause conflict and overprotective behaviour. It also shows she only wants to please Eddie. It tells the reader that she respects him by rushing around for him. Eddie provides a warm welcome to both cousins upon their arrival however he is more reserved towards Rodolfo. He appears to take a shine to Marco, this is apparent when Eddie opens the door to the cousins. Come on in (he shakes Marcos hand.) This shows that he welcoming both cousins however the fact that he only shook Marcos hand may indicate that he is wary of Rodolfo because of his appearance after all they have not had a conversation yet. Eddie is also welcoming when he takes the cousins bags. Exits into bedroom with their bags. This shows that he is trying to please the guests and make them feel welcome; he also wants to make Beatrice happy by pleasing the cousins, Eddie almost mirrors Catherines actions towards him. Miller uses precise language and stage directions to show that Catherine is eager to learn more about the cousins this is apparent when Miller uses stage directions such as wondrously and enthralled. Miller may also be trying to show that she likes one of the cousins in a sexual manner. Eddies jealousy is becoming more apparent, what are the high heels for Garbo? This implies that she may be trying to impress Rodolfo because she is attracted to him. By comparing his niece to Garbo he is showing that he may not be happy with her getting attention from other men, he may also be trying to embarrass and humiliate Catherine as she tries to impress, and this creates an awkward atmosphere. As the play progresses Eddies hostility towards Rodolfo develops. Catherine is pouring sugar into Rodolfos cup. His face puffed with trouble. This could tell the reader that Eddie is jealous that Rodolfo is getting attention from Catherine; this also implies that Eddie dislikes Rodolfo. Eddie is telling Beatrice that he dislikes Rodolfo and that he doesnt think he is right. Eddie seems to be spurred on when his friends laugh about Rodolfos femininity. And with that wacky hair; hes like a chorus girl or sumpm. This indicates that Eddie thinks Rodolfo is a homosexual because of his appearance and the things he does. Singing, cooking and dress making were addressed as womans skills in the 1950s therefore Eddie was using these against Rodolfo to argue that he was homosexual. Eddies reason for trying to prove Rodolfos sexuality may be because he truly thinks that Rodolfo may be homosexual and may just be using Catherine to gain American citizenship. However another interpretation could be that Eddie is simply trying to split Rodolfo and Catherine up because he has sexual feelings towards Catherine. To do this he tries to convince Catherine that Rodolfo is just using her to be an American citizen and doesnt love her. We know this when Eddie says Katie, hes only bowin to his passport. It also implies that Eddie may be trying to put her off him because of his own dislike of Rodolfo; this could be because he is jealous that Catherine is attracted to Rodolfo.

The Language Behind Dawkins’ Selfish Gene Theory :: Science Selfish Gene Theory Essays

The Language Behind Dawkins’ Selfish Gene Theory According to Michael Polanyi, our understanding of a concept depends in part on the language we use to describe it. Connie Barlow's book, From Gaia to Selfish Genes, looks at metaphors in science as integral parts of some new biological theories. One example is Richard Dawkins' theory about the selfish gene, where he claims that the most basic unit of humanity, the gene, is a selfish entity unto itself that exists outside the realm of our individual good and serves its own distinct purpose. Dawkins looks at the evolutionary process, how DNA replicates in forming human life, and the possibility that there is a social parallel to genetics, where human traits can be culturally transmitted. Dawkins, in the excerpts that Barlow has chosen, uses heavily metaphoric language to explain these scientific concepts to the general public. However, the language that Dawkins uses, while thought provoking, also carries some negative implications that extend beyond his theory. The selfish gene theory has many positive aspects, but its metaphors detract in certain ways from the scientific message of Richard Dawkins. The metaphor behind Dawkins' theory can best be described by his opening statement: "we are survival machines-robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes" (Barlow 193). Dawkins links the natural behavior of unconscious bunches of nucleic acid (genes) to human behavior and personality by calling them "selfish." His use of this term conjures up the image of a separate individual, capable of making decisions to help its own good and disregarding our needs. By calling human beings "survival machines" and "robots," Dawkins suggests some serious moral implications regarding our existence. If we were just robots, it would seem that we would be no longer responsible for our actions, as people could attribute all evil to the gene programmers who created these robots. Also, if our primary purpose were to serve as a "survival machine" for something else, life would seem insignificant. John Maynard Smith writes that Dawkins' book is just about evolution , and "not about morals . . . or about the human sciences" (195). However, the attempt to disengage the selfish gene theory from its moral implications is seriously undermined by Dawkins' metaphors. The origin of the selfish gene, and of evolution itself, began in something Dawkins calls the "primeval soup," where protein molecules, by pure chance, bonded together to form "replicators," the ancestors of DNA (198).

History of Halloween Essay

Close to $7 billion dollars is what consumers spent on Halloween costumes, candy, and decorations in 2011. When the temperature starts to drop, the leaves turn different colors and the sun sets earlier little by little each day, fall is the perfect season to celebrate Halloween. Millions of children dress up and go to strangers doors begging for candy. Have you ever wondered where this strange and unique tradition originated from? — The three most important points of Halloween can be summed up by looking at its origins, how it came to include jack-o-lanterns and bobbing for apples, and how it is celebrated today with trick-or-treating and haunted houses. Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, has originated from the ancient Celtic festival known as Samahin (â€Å"sow-in†) derived from the Old Irish Samuin meaning â€Å"summer’s end†. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated the end of the harvest season with the festival of Samhain and celebrated the upcoming new Year on November 1. Used by the ancient pagans, Samhain was a time to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. October 31 was the day the ancient Gaels believed the boundaries overlapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, and the departed souls would come back to life and cause mayhem such as damaged crops and sickness. The Gaels built massive bonfires and summoned the help from gods through animal and possibly human sacrifices to ward of the spirits. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which in turn attracted bats. These are additional features of the history of Halloween. Halloween is also thought to be influenced by the Christian holy days of All Saints’ Day, also known as Hallowmas, and All Souls’ Day falling on November 1 and 2. It was a time for honoring the saints and praying for the deceased who had yet to reach heaven. Traditionally it was believed that the departed souls roamed the earth until All Saints’ Day, and Hallows’ Eve delivered one last chance before moving on to the next world, to gain revenge on their enemies. Christians would  disguise themselves in costumes and masks to avoid being recognized by the wandering souls. Trick or treating is the practice of dressing up in costumes and going door to door begging for candy and resembles the late medieval practice of â€Å"souling† when the poor would proceed door to door on Hallowmas receiving food, or â€Å"soul cakes† which were pastries, and in return would pray for their dead relative’s souls. It was believed at the time the souls of the departed would wait for passage into heaven until enough people prayed for their souls. â€Å"Soul cakes† would be given in exchange for a song, performance, or another sort of â€Å"trick† in some cultures. Eventually, children embraced this practice and were given money, food, and ale. Jack o ‘lanterns are a Halloween staple today, with at least two historical roots. The first is the pagan Celtic people carved turnips and rutabagas to hold hot coal from the bonfire to light their homes and ward off the evil spirits. Another folklore tale gives jack o ‘lanterns their name. An Irish myth portrays a trickster and a drunk known as â€Å"Stingy Jack†, who asked the devil to have a drink with him. Jack persuaded the devil to change himself into a coin so he could pay for his drink, but instead he put the coin in his wallet next to a silver cross, trapping the devil and preventing him to change himself back. Jack said he would free the devil if he did not bother him for another year. The following year Jack tricks the devil into climbing an apple tree for a piece of fruit. He then carved a cross in the bark of the tree preventing the devil from climbing down. In order to get down from the tree, the devil promised Jack he would not seek his soul anymore. Because of his swindling and drunken ways, when Jack died he was not allowed into heaven. He also was not allowed into Hell because the devil kept his word. Taking pity on Jack, the devil gave him an ember to light his way in the dark, putting it into a hollowed out turnip for Jack to carry on his lonely, everlasting roaming’s around the Earth. People from Ireland and Scotland  would make â€Å"Jack o ‘lanterns† during this season to scare away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits wandering about. Over the next several centuries, superstitions about witches and black cats were added to the folklore and legends of Halloween. Cats were thought of as evil, especially black cats, and were killed by the thousands in Medieval times, possibly contributing to the Black Plague, due to the shortage of the rat’s natural enemy, the cat. During this time, the church created the belief that evil witches existed. Apples, which are a seasonal fruit, and the symbol of the Roman goddess Pomona, were thought at the time to retain qualities of knowledge, resurrection, and immorality. Bobbing for apples was thought to predict the future on the night of Samhain. (sow-in) Halloween eventually made its way over the Atlantic in the second half of the nineteenth century when America became flooded with new immigrants. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that ultimately became today’s â€Å"trick-or-treat† tradition. The 20th century saw an emergence of Halloween as a genuinely North American holiday and one that was becoming an advantage for shopkeepers and manufactures. Costuming became popular for Halloween parties for children and adults as well. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States. Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after supernatural figures such as monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. Over time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic prototypes such as ninjas and princesses. Haunted attractions are entertainment venues designed to thrill and scare patrons. Most attractions are seasonal Halloween businesses. Origins of these paid scare venues are difficult to pinpoint, but it is generally  accepted that they were first commonly used by the Junior Chamber International (Jaycees), who are a non-political youth service organization between the ages of 18 to 40, for fundraising. They include haunted houses, corn mazes, and hayrides, and the level of sophistication of the effects has risen as the industry has grown. Haunted attractions in the United States bring in an estimate $300-500 million each year, and draw some 400,000 customers. This maturing and growth within the industry has led to more technically-advanced special effects and costuming, comparable with that of Hollywood films. Halloween is currently the second most important party night in North America, and in terms of its retail potential, it is second to Christmas. Personally, Halloween is one of my favorite days of the year. Even as an adult, to dress up and be someone or something else for the night can be fun and exciting. To escape reality into a fantasy-like world where goblins mingle with princesses is definitely a strange site to see, but is well worth the money and time devoted to one of the spookiest nights of the year. So whether you celebrate Halloween or not, you now have an idea of how Halloween originated, how it came to include bobbing for apples and jack-o-lanterns, and how we celebrate it today with haunted houses and trick-or treating. The sources I cited for this information are from: www.cnbc.com www.halloweenhistory.org www.wikipedia.org www.history.com

Essay on My Adolescence and My Cognitive Development

When I was adolescent, I was strongly influenced by my cognitive development, experiences and people around me. First, I experienced typical psychological reactions which adolescences are likely to have: I had a lot of experiments; I had imaginably audience; and I experienced identity crisis. I was a person who had a lot of experiments. Because I was a late bloomer, I was not as feminine as other girls. However, I thought that I should behave more feminine to be an adult. Therefore, I suddenly changed my behaviors. For examples, I changed the way to talk and wear: I used the woman like way to talk and wore very feminine clothes. These experiments often surprised and confused people around me. Naturally, these changes did not last†¦show more content†¦Also, I understood the importance of English since I could not communicate well for my lack experience to use it. After I came back, I started to think stability and money are not only factors to decide what career I take. I came to think a job which â€Å"I† regard worthy to do is the one I should do. In my case, it is an English teacher. I decided to be a high school English teacher who can teach practical English even though it was hard to change the major I would take in a university because I belonged to the class for entrance exams for science courses. Third, my parents’ parenting style influenced strongly what I am now. They had democratic parenting style. Therefore, I could discuss with my parents even something which they did not want me to do. Also, they set some reasonable rules which I should follow, and whenever they made rules they explained me why they made such rules. They advised me when I was depressed; however, they have never forced me what to do. Throughout my experience with my parents, I could understand the importance of independence and taking responsibility of my choice. Also, because they did not force their opinions, I could develop my own ident ity without many conflicts. Lastly, since I entered this university, I have developed my religious development level into post-conventional. Because I have lived in a dorm for international students as RA, I can meet people who have different ideas about their religion. For examples, someShow MoreRelatedDevelop1294 Words   |  6 PagesName: Tutor: Task: Date: Developmental psychology Infancy and Childhood Physical development During early childhood stage, infants begin to drop their roundish baby like display. Their bones grow more proportionate with the lengthening of their legs and arms. They start to obtain fine motor skills. The newfound skills enable them to grip a pencil in a more functional way. 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