Love vs Punishment Essay Example for Free

Love vs Punishment Essay In the article â€Å"Justice: Childhood Love Lessons† bell hooks claims that â€Å"there is nothing that creates more confusion about love in the minds and hearts of children than unkind or cruel punishment† (hooks 27). In other words punishment of any kind, let it be pinching, flicking or spanking will result in disorientation in a child’s mind. This statement is true to some people, false to others, but overall hooks tends to be bias in her argument. She doesn’t explore the different variations of physical punishment and how these punishments affect the child’s thought about love. There are many different types of punishment out there in this cruel world, but not all of them can disorientate a child’s mind or heart about love. Simple physical punishments; such as pinching, flicking, and spanking, are carried out on us at a very young age, and all throughout life. Our parents are here to discipline us, to teach us the difference of right and wrong. When we first misbehave, our parents might tell us to â€Å"knock it off† or â€Å"stop† and they may raise their voice when asserting these commands. We sometimes stop when told to, but sometimes we ignore their commands and keep misbehaving repeatedly. This is where physical punishment comes into play. A form of physical punishment would and will be carried out on us. At first it may be a simple punishment, but gradually the punishments intensify. Once a punishment has been carried out, many of us become cloaked in fear of punishment and from this fear we learn not to do that mistake again. Read more:  Persuasive Speech About Love Simple punishment is used for the good of children and to discipline them, â€Å"Dr.  David Safir, father of five and grandfather of five, CNN asked him to talk to us about his views on spanking. He said he was spanked as a child, spanked his own children when necessary and believes the occasional use of physical punishment not abuse can be an effective tool for parents† (Zeidler) If these simple punishments are executed out appropriately by the child’s parents, the child will be certain to remember why he/she was punished. These simple and effortless punishments will certainly not disorientate the child’s mind about love, instead it will discipline the child and help them in their future. Cruel and intense physical punishment do exist, these types of punishments may scar the child for life, and may even lead to behavior or personality change. For example, â€Å"As one man bragged about the aggressive beatings he had received from his mother, sharing that ‘they had been good for him,’ I interrupted and suggested that he might not be the misogynist women-hater he is today if he had not been brutally beaten by a women as a child (paragraph 8). These types cruel, harsh and brutal form of physical punishment will certainly cause confusion about love in a child mind. As the above example states â€Å"he might not be the misogynist women-hater he is today if he had not been brutally beaten by a women as child. † If this man was cared for and loved by his mom, then he certainly would have not been the misogynist he is now. He was confused and he never knew the true meaning of love, because all the overwhelming pain caused him to change. Millions of children across the world are brutally punished by their parents, siblings, family members and/or relatives. These children grow up to punish their children the same way they were punished and their children grow up to do the same and so on. These children and all the generations of children after them will be confused about love, their behaviors and personality are certain to change. Hooks fails to explain which types of punishment can cause confusion about love. Her entire argument is biased, she explains everything from her point of view and doesn’t put herself in others shoes. Her statement itself doesn’t make sense, saying that physical punishment will lead to the confusion about love in a child’s mind. Basically she is trying to imply that if I did something wrong and my parents were to physically punish me that would mean that they don’t love me anymore. Physical punishment if carried out in a appropriate manner will prevent the child from carrying out the mistake again. But if intense and brutal punishment is carried out on a child, the result can be devastating. The child will grow up filled with hatred, anger and resentment, leading to personality and behavior changes. A child will only be disorientated about love when they have been brutally punished by their parent and later imply that they love them by saying â€Å"I’m doing this because I love you† (hooks 27) or â€Å"It hurts me more than it hurts you† (hooks 27) In conclusion, Kids need to be taught right and wrong, but the presumption we need to punish them to teach them this is not supported by the science. Its not clear at all that punishment in any form is the answer, even though every culture uses punishment in some form. (Zeidler) A loving parent would want their child to know what is right and wrong, to do the right and not the wrong, and to succeed at this they might use simple forms of physical punishment. But an irresponsible and careless parent wouldn’t care about their child at all, in which they will carry out brutal forms of physical punishment leading to major changes of how that child views the world. Explaining and giving more detail about the different types of punishment, would have led hooks into writing a better article. Physical punishments can nurture or completely change a child, but it all depends how the parent chooses to use it. Punishment can exist in various ways even with love.

The Life Of Muhammad Religion Essay

The Life Of Muhammad Religion Essay The book The life of Muhammad has been authored by Abdul Hameed Siddiqui. He is considered an authority in the religious studies and he has written numerous books regarding Islam. In this book, the writer has attempted to give a brief but profound insight into the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) encompassing almost all notable aspects. Author himself claims that this book is a modest attempt on a mighty subject. He has published it for the very first time in July 1969 through Islamic Publications Ltd. Lahore. The theme of the book revolves around the life of the Holy Prophet (PB UH) and his noble mission. It is an attempt to provide a chronology of the life span of the final prophet. It is essentially liked with the evolution of Islam from its dawn in Arabia to its rapid expansion and remarkable hold in a few decades. It depicts the personality traits and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) which are for all the worlds. The successful culmination marks the accomplishment of the goal of Holy Prophet (PBUH) to educate the purpose of life to the ignorant humanity and guide them to the path of salvation and eternal bliss. Traditionally, it is an account of events, yet coupled with due appreciation of the purpose of prophetic mission. Whats more is the overall impact of the teachings of holy Prophet form one of the main parts of the book. The steadfastness and consistent carrying out of the divine mission is the demonstration of the perfect nature of the personality of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) . Authors Thesis: Chapter one begins with the geography of Arabia followed by the character of Arabs before the advent of Islam. They were generous in tongue, eloquent in utterances, ardent lovers of poetry, confident yet self-centered and self-reliant. Then, a picture of social life is portrayed which shows excessive drinking, illicit relations, gambling, sensual pleasures and female infanticide. At the same time, the writer has described the impact of Islamic teachings which transformed the whole Arabian Society. Next in line is a description of economic life of Arabs mainly consisting of trade. It was corrupted with the system of Riba. Arabs did also have an idea of religion that there was a supreme controlling power but it was adulterated with idolatry turning them into polytheists. Chapter two emphasizes the fulfillment of the promise of the foretold birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH. It narrates the life span from the early infancy to the youth and subsequently his marriage with Hazrat Khadija (R.A.). It also involves the removal of some misconceptions and allegations by the orientalists. Chapter three explains the quest for truth on the part of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and finally the revelation of Divine Message assigned him the task of spreading Islam. He had to face hostile opposition that was visible during his visit Taif and also when he was confined to the cave of Abi Talib with his family and companions. He had to face even life threats. Chapter four underlines various allegations levelled against Holy Prophet (PBUH) both by the old and modern critics. Then there is another gropu which demanded miracles from. All these clains were defeated and the holy Quran vindicates the fact that Allah himself became witness of the Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Chapter five is discussion about the last years of Prophets stay at Makkah. It was during this period Islam was strengthened with the acceptance of Islam by Hazrat Umar (R.A.). Later, there is a brief commentary on the Holy ascent of Holy Prophet (PBUH) through heavens known as Miraj. It ends with the historic migration from Makkah to Madina. Chapter six witnesses the turning of Madina as a stronghold Muslims Universal Brotherhood is established and great charter of Madina is signed to ensure peace among Muslims and Non Muslims of Madina. A brief touch is given to Prophets marital life followed by the emphasis on prayer, fasting and pillars of Islam. Later change of Qiblah was ordered. Then a thorough analysis of Jihad is given with the allegations of westerners and the reply to their false claims. Chapter seven is a record of major battles fought under the command of Holy Prophet (PBUH) to defeat the veil forces. These lay down the international principles of warfare. Chapter eight embodies the Holy marriages and justifications for polygamy. Then is discusses the historic Treaty of Hudybiyah. It also tells the dispatch of letters to foreign rulers as a call to accept Islam. The end of this chapter witnesses conquest of Makkah and the results general amnesty. Last chapter deals with battles of Hunayn and Tabuk, and then last sermon during Pilgrimage has been discussed at length. Lastly the last days of Holy Prophet (PBUH) have been narrated following a general estimate of his personality and lifestyle. Analysis: The biography of Holy Prophet (PBUH) undoubtedly manifests a comprehensive embodiment of the exalted divine message that he conveyed so as to deliver the human race from the quagmire of darkness and polytheism to the highways of light and monotheism. Keeping in consideration, the writer has rendered his utmost effort to write this biography. Perhaps the most striking portion is the reply to the baseless and misleading allegations on the personality of Holy Prophet (PBUH) by the orientalists whose views are fabricated. A similar narrative of the chronicles of Holy Prophet (PBUH) life is attributed to Muhammad Husayn Haykal in the form of his book titled as The Life of Muhammad. He writes, Whoever studies honestly and without prejudice the history of Muhammad and his preaching and the culture which is built on this foundation will finally come to the conclusion that Muhammad (PBUH) was the greatest man the history has known. Holy Prophet (PBUH) was perfect in his personality and disposition. A nature so pure, so tender, and yet so heroic, inspires not only reverence, but love. The book also reveals that Islam has laid down glaring principles of warfare that are applied all over the world. The last sermon, in a real sense, forms the basic of Declatation of Human Rights. It was he through whom Allah pronounced the saving of one Human life as tantamount to the saving of humanity. Fourteen centuries have been elapsed since he delivered his message but time has made no difference in the devotion he inspired. I believe that the writher has one justice to a great extent as per his capabilities and faculties. It is also relevant to mention here that the editors of Encyclopedia Britannica to exclaim, Muhammad (PBUH) to bethe most successful of all religious personalities. Historians are of the view that Allah indeed put before him the keys to the treasure of the whole universe but he refused it. Be as a teacher a father, be as a commander or an administrator, the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) has been accurately portrayed in the book. Modesty and mercy, patience and humility, generosity and compassion made part of his conduct and held the affection of all around him Recommendations: I suggest this book to everyone whosoever wants to know about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and early Islam. This is equally informative for a layman as well as a student of religions. This treatise is an excellent record of the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) which adds in the intellect and faith of its readers. The book is well-researched consisting of nine chapters including footnotes and bibliography.

Comparing Levine Conservation Model And Neuman System Model

Comparing Levine Conservation Model And Neuman System Model Introduction Since Florence Nightingale introduced Nursing profession, it is continuously evolving in order fit in modernized world. The outgrowth profession propels it into scientific enquiry, and diverted towards evidence base practice. All these artistic ideas draw bases for using theatrical framework. Although first theoretical framework was introduced by Florence Nightingale entitled as environmental theory to promote health of individual after the experience solders care during Crimean war (Florence Nightingale, 1860). Utilization of theories becomes more common, since nursing professional practice as it expand towards higher educational degrees, and get enrolled in administration and research fields. Up to date many theories are introduced. This paper presents the LCM perspective including the assumption, characteristic of concepts, sub concepts, and their statement of relationship. This paper then gives a brief review of NSM. Following this the paper will present compares and contrast for LCM theory and NSM perspectives including main concepts, nursing intervention and outcomes with practical application of interventions of each model. I select Levine Conservation Model as its nursing goal focus to achieve health for person using careful assessment and nursing intervention and matched to Neuman system model. Moreover this model was used in variety of setting including hospital and community. Few applications of LCM includes: Promotion for preterm Infants (Mefford, 2004), Ostomy wound management (Leach, 2009). Levines Conservational Model (LCM) perspective Myra Levine was the nurse to whom Loyola University president awarded the title of renaissance woman as an appreciation for using vast knowledge in nursing care (Alligood, 2010 Tomey). She developed conservation theoretical framework, as an attempt to teach medical surgical nursing concepts to undergraduate nursing students and to provide a new approach to associate degree students for daily nursing activities in 1973 (George, 2002; Alligood, 2010) by influencing scientific knowledge that she gained from Canon; fight and flight response, Selyes, stress work, and Gibsons, perception of environment. The goal of this theory was to promote adaptation and maintain wholeness using the principles of conservation (George, 2010). LCM framework constructed on three major concepts and few sub concepts the major concepts are explained explicitly but the sub concepts are remain implicit. Following section of paper will explain the major concepts and sub concept embedding within major concepts. The major concepts that form the basis of conservation Model are; conservation of energy, adaptation and wholeness, among these the conservation of energy considered most important. Levine (1971), describe conservation with four principles these includes; conservation of energy, conservation of the structural integrity, conservation of the personal integrity, and the conservation of the social integrity, of the individuals. Levine (1971) further says understanding of all these principles will help nurse as to keep living system together which promote wholeness. The first principle of energy conservation, depend on environmental stimuli that often become source for loss of energy consequently disequilibrium of whole. LCM talks internal and external environment. In internal environment includes physiological (temperature, blood pressure) and altered physiological process. Then she split external environment into three levels, off these three first is perceptual, take account of the individuals sense of world, second level in cooperate physical aspect such as microorganisms, and third level is conceptual and which is comprise of cultural pattern symbolized by way of life. While caring patient Levine emphasize nurse to assess individuals response and capability for adjusting with both environmental situations and help accordingly (Alligood Tomey, 2010). The second principle of conservation relates to structural integrity and focus on defense ability of the body, which nurse can recognize from functional abilities challenged by internal and ext ernal environment. Then the third principle conservation of personal integrity deals with personal protection by promotion of self actualization. The last principle; conservation of social integrity refers persons family, friends, community, and society which could be achieved using the nurses role by assisting in religious activities and using of interpersonal relationship (George, 2002; Alligood, 2010). The second concept in conservation theory is adaptation. Levine (1966) view adaptation as physiological and behavioral responses of individuals that changes as a result of internal and external environmental interaction to achieve balance in life. In Levine (1966) view a successful adaptation helps to achieve personal integrity consequently will helps person to move towards wholism. However in case of unsuccessful adaptation nurse can help individuals to achieve balance by promoting the environmental cleanliness, safety, and com-fort, both physical and mental. Furthermore George (2002) proposes three characteristics adaption process that appear implicit as sub concepts. These are historicity that focus the way of dealing life situation in past and the second specificity includes pattern of personal and genetic forces used to conserve energy The third sub concept that helps to assess adaptation is redundancy, means fail-safe bodys process available for survival. In LCM the third concept is wholeness, refers the health which is the pattern of wellbeing, and integrity. Well being is the goal of adaptive change (Alligood, 2010) All together the conservation of energy concept is viewed as an outcome, adaptation as process to achieve wholeness (see Appendix A for concept and sub concept). Neuman System Model (NSM) Review The NSM introduced by Betty in 1971, Known as identification stressors and management stress model. The aim of model was to promote the stability (health) in individual. This model is considered unique in nature as it uses the knowledge from various disciplines. The important one includes, general system theory which reflects the nature of living organism as an open system, but also incorporates knowledge from Selyes stress theory, Gestalt theory: of homeostasis, deChardin Philosophy wholeness of life and Caplans Conceptual Model of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Levels of Prevention. NSM perspective is based on assumptions that are enclosed in four nursing paradigm these are person, environment, health and nursing. NSM perspective focused to assess stressors with its degree of reaction and promote health by using three level of prevention as nursing intervention. The central view starts from wholeness of person (consist of individual, family or community group) represent within boundaries of defense circles. Of these boundaries outer one is flexible line of defense (FLD), next to this is normal line of defense (NLD) following this there is line of resistance. Each of these boundaries viewed as a composite of physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental and spiritual variables. The function of these boundaries is to protect person from environmental stressor as person is constantly interact environmental stressors consist of intra, inter and extra-personal. Then environment viewed as internal, external and created. Health is denoted as stability, con sidered as dynamic in nature which can be achieved by successfully adjusting to environmental stressors. On other hand system is challenged by environmental situation despite of using energy in other means the three types of defense lines that exist around client, considered as protective barriers fails to protect system from stressors. The state then recognized as illness, which can be reconstituted by using of three level of prevention as nursing intervention that are used to strengthen the three lines of defense (George, 2002; Alligood Tomey 2010). For further understanding of concepts (see NSM in Appendix B). Compare and Contrast for NSM and LCM Completing the review of LCM and NSM, now this section will compare and contrast these models from the perspective of background, nursing goal, major concepts including nursing intervention. Starting from the background, both the models are developed by American nurses who had different background. Levine was from medical surgical and Betty Neuman belonged to psychiatric nursing. Both model published in 1973. And both used the knowledge from various disciplines, in which Selyes stress work is common. Including all above, both model set to achieve goal of health for individuals, families, communities, and populations at large using some similar and some different concepts, pattern of assessment and nursing interventions. Coming towards major concepts it is observed from literature (George, 2002; Alligood, 2010; Alligood Tomey, 2010) that LCM consist few simple concepts (see Appendix A) but NSM comprise of many complex concepts (see Appendix B). Upcoming few paragraphs will present co mpare and contrast for few major concepts that are common and take central place in each theoretical model. Wholeness Both, NSM LCM uses the concept of wholeness very explicitly attaching with component of person, environment, health, and nursing. Within NSM wholeness in connection to person viewed in link of five variables physiological, consist of structure of body and its function psychological, comprise of mental processes and internal and external environmental effects, socio-cultural, and include cultural aspects developmental, seen with stages of ages and spiritual beliefs and influences. In contrast LCM considers person as complete whole in the view of physiological variable only. But also includes patho-physiological condition as an assessment indicator. Following this Neuman and Levine both also see wholeness as a product of internal and external environmental interactions. This means all individuals are constantly interacting with internal and external environment and adjustment with its challenges, keeps person integrated whole, and failure takes person towards illness. As Alligood Tom ey (2010) state wholeness is viewed as oneness and described as integrity of person Furthermore Alligood (2010) Wholeness is health (p. 214). Next wholeness with nursing component is emphasized as an approach of assessment and consider for promotion. Assessing wholestic approach suggests including client variable in assessment. NSM include five variable, therefore it is believed that this model allow for comprehensive assessment. Opposite to this LCM focus on physiological including path- physiological condition, seems simple but set limitation and may leaves gaps in assessment. Coming to promotion of wholeness NSM include nursing intervention with three level of prevention. Reverse to this LCM model use conservation principle As Mefford,(2004) show example by health promotion for preterm infants. Conservation NSM take energy conservation concept viewed as a process of helping in promoting wholeness but presented in an implicit way using the term negentrophy and does not stand as central idea. In NSM energy and conservation of energy refers persons genetic makeup, strength and weakness and maintained in view of line of defense. Neuman 2002, 1995, 1989, 1982) cites negentrophy [is] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ a process of energy conservation (Alligood, Tomey 2010, p.312). The characteristic of variable can boost the energy sources. But it could deplete if line of resistance fail to protect the basic energy resources, which may cause illness consequently death. Comparing to this in Levine model conservation concept appear as central phenomenon and it forms bases for its framework. Todaro-Franceschi (2001) state Levine defines conservation as keeping together. She use these words as she see person as patient who requires help to store energy. Furthermore Levine (1967) cites that all of fundamentally lif es processes dependent upon the production and expenditure of energy (Todaro-Franceschi, 2001). Furthermore Levine believes safeguard of energy sources is necessary to maintain the integrity of individuals and consequently health. To make its implication simple Levine gave four principle of conservation; these include conservation of energy, structural integrity, personal integrity, and the social integrity (George, 2002). Although both the model sees conservation of energy in deferent way, do invites nurse to study the characteristic of energy provide guide to plan appropriate activities for its conservation. Adaptation Again NSM talk about adaptation process implicitly embedded with wellness and illness concepts. Which in NSM depend upon the level of penetration of environmental stressors (Alligood Tomey, 2010) As George (2002) says when client interact with environment produce response to stressor help to adapt or control stressor. Adaptation is process which occurs with the help of line of defense. There are three level defense network laid around the person to protect the penetration of stressors. Among these first outer line is called flexible line of defense (FLD), which provide protection to normal line that is second outer line in case of stressors attack. Lacks of nutrition, fatigue or daily stress are the circumstances that make FLD to come in action. The second line is normal line of defense (NLD) that lies under the protection of FLD symbolize the normal wellness level of the client system. This line is consisting of coping patterns, lifestyle factors, developmental, spiritual, and cult ural matter influences. If the NLD is been attacked by environmental stressors, the LOR are activate to protect the basic structure. (Alligood, 2010). On other hand in Levine model the adaptation is second most central phenomenon of LCM and Levine (1966) states any processes that ascertain stability for life are regard as adaptations and George (2002) highlights that the conservation depend of process of adaption. Successful adaptation promotes health whereas failure of adaption introduces illness. For this situation LCM considers nursing to play role to promote adaptation (Alligood, 2010). Conclusion By comparing the perspective of NSM and LCM it has been learnt that both theorist focus on achievement of health through using uniqueness methodologies. Despite using different concepts and framework, these theories guide for nursing assessment and intervention. Moreover this comparison explains that the NSM is broad and provide rich content for comprehensive assessment and nursing care. On other hand LCM appear with energy conservation focus. From all this it is gained that nurse needs to understand explicit and implicit concepts of theoretical framework to assess and plan efficient nursing interventions.

abuse :: essays research papers

There are many different forms of abuse and many people do not realize. Verbal abuse is the use of words to attack, hurt or injure someone, or to gain power and control over them, or to persuade someone to believe something that is untrue and harmful. Abuse does not just occur with men to women, though this paper is going to focus on it. Abuse is about control and the fear of losing it. The abuser may fear not being â€Å"good enough† and or meeting others expectations. He/she may attempt to make their victim feel and believe similar things about him/her self. Abusers exploit, lie, insult, demean, ignore (the "silent treatment"), manipulate, and control. There are a million ways to abuse, directly and indirectly. There are many different forms of abuse and some are when your partner shows rejection, isolation, degrading. These are a few different types of abuse and when used in an extreme situation are they types of abuse. Many people will show some of these characteristics yet when someone is showing more than one and are in an extreme situation is when the acts become abuse. Emotional abuse has much in common with verbal abuse in that it is an attempt to hurt attack or control the victim. The emotional abuser often uses verbal abuse to hurt the victim, but can use other means as well. Emotional abuse often accompanies other forms of abuse such as physical abuse and verbal abuse. Individuals who hold the least power and resources in society are most often emotionally abused. This type of abuse has the potential to leave behind many significant hidden scars for the victim. Victims of physical abuse feel emotional abuse is more sever and debilitating than physical abuse. Out comes of emotional abuse may be manifested in a number of ways such as poor self esteem, social withdrawal, insecurity, substance abuse and difficulty forming positive attachments with others. Emotional abuse can be difficult to pin down because there are no physical signs to look for. Sure, people yell at each other, express anger, and call each other names sometimes, and expressing anger can sometimes be healthy.

1991: An Amazing Year! :: The Year 1991

History is replete with examples of the rise and fall of once great empires. December 1991 saw the end of a two super power world with the fall of the Soviet Union. In December, â€Å"as the world watched in amazement, the Soviet Union disintegrated into fifteen separate countries† (Cold War Museum). The United States was overjoyed as its enemy was, â€Å"brought to its knees, thereby ending the Cold War which had hovered over these two superpowers since the end of World War II† (Cold War Museum). The split of the Soviet Union made extremely large transformations in the world’s political and economic situation, which resulted in a reduction of global nuclear weapons, world economic cooperation, and the commercialization of once classified military technology. In Moscow on July 31, 1991, President Bush and Gorbashev, the leader of the Soviet Union, signed the START treaty to reduce nuclear weapons on both sides to 6,000—which was a 30-percent reduction of the previous amount being used. This was the first large-scale reduction of nuclear weapons in the history of the Cold War. As a result of this treaty, â€Å"The dangerous category of missiles with multiple independently targeted warheads (MIRVs) was reduced by half† (End of the Cold War). On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned from presidency and the Soviet Union was officially broken up. All the former, â€Å"dependent republics within the old USSR proclaimed their independence, secured international recognition, and were admitted to the United Nations† (End of the Cold War). As a result of the strong working relationship between President Bush and Michael Gorbashev, as well as the relationship between Baker, the Secretary of State, and Foreign Minister Shevardna dze, the Soviet Union began to drastically reduce its military spending. This cooperation between Gorbashev and the West led to a backlash by the Soviet military and resulted in a failed coup attempt, which ended Gorbashev’s rule and resulted in the final collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia, no longer the Soviet Union, was now under a new leadership. Boris Yeltsin became the head of Russian republic and continued to integrate with the Western world. Russia took over the permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and was invited to join the G-7 gathering of the world’s largest economic powers, therefore making it the G-8. This created a level of cooperation and communication between the two countries that did not exist during the Cold War.

Cougar or Coyote Essay

The trickster is an important archetype in any religion or myth because it provides an outlet for all of the chaotic and destructive emotions and tendencies of a people that are controlled by a larger social construct. It is through a trickster figure that people of a religion or society are able to explore the more untamed side of their nature while additionally presenting them with the consequences of those desires. The trickster is a figure that at once both mocks social morals and at the same time also reinforces those morals by showing the pandemonium and trouble that arises if the people do not follow the rules that are in place. The trickster also allows the people of a religion to express ideas and desires that might not ordinarily be acceptable in their society. In this way the trickster plays a very important and cathartic role in a religion or myth. Penelope, from Homers The Odyssey, is a woman of grit and spirit. Ellen Shull declares in her essay â€Å"Valuing Multiple Critical Approaches: Penelope, Again†¦ and Again† that Penelope is â€Å"the paragon of resilient womanhood† (32). However, a trickster god, like Monkey from Wu Ch’eng-en’s novel Monkey, and a mortal woman like Penelope appear to have nothing in common. Their roles are so different and their apparent purposes are even more so. On the surface it may seem as though Penelope from The Odyssey shares very little resemblance with a trickster god. However, when one takes a closer look the similarities become more obvious. Penelope is at once a powerful figure that adheres to the social norms of her patriarchal society while still rebelliously challenging the acknowledged rules of how a woman should behave. This can be seen as how a trickster like Monkey is used in myth to subvert a society’s own beliefs. Penelope is the other side of the coin of what it means to be a trickster. She is the female version as it were. Penelope may not be male, amoral, animal, or supernatural but she is cunning, childish, inventive, and she also a subversive figure within her patriarchal society. The most obvious source of incompatibility of Penelope being a trickster is that she is female while the trickster is usually a male like Monkey. Now, unless Penelope was even more deceitful than anyone had ever imagined then it is safe to say that she is not a trickster god based on that one quality alone. Leeming states that the trickster is â€Å"always male† (163). Obviously, Penelope is not male which means that she is, according to Leeming, not a trickster god, no exceptions. But if Leeming were to make an exception then Penelope would be one. Penelope is a woman who must work against all the restrictions and suffocating bounds that her society uses to leash women in order to trick the people surrounding her and she does. â€Å"She deceives the suitors and even her own husband† (Mueller, 337). Penelope even has long lasting deceptions that fool people for years. The sexual organs Penelope was born with seem to be of little importance when compared to the massive opposing powers and influences that she if forced to undermine and battle against. The next point of disparity between Penelope and a trickster figure like Monkey is that the trickster is seen as a philandering, unprincipled, hooligan. The trickster is considered to be an ethically neutral figure with a propensity for getting into humorous predicaments. Leeming calls the trickster â€Å"amoral†¦outrageous†¦ [and is] untamed by the larger social conscience†). Monkey is a perfect example of this side of a trickster. Monkey is not exactly immoral he just has his own sense of what the right thing to do is and he is overwhelmingly selfish. Every action and quest he takes at the beginning of his story is motivated by his desire to be immortal and to gain power. Even when Monkey protects his other monkey subjects he does so because he wants to maintain his kingship more than out of a fear for their safety and wellbeing. One could even posit that the monkeys would be better off without him because he brings the wrath of heaven down upon them. Monkey has all these qualities that Leeming states a trickster is comprised of. Penelope, on the other hand, is none of these things. In fact, she is usually remembered for her faithfulness to her husband even though he was gone for twenty years. Penelope â€Å"waits in Ithaca for Odysseus. She looks after his home, his son and his estate. She weeps lonely tears but nothing induces her to betray her husband and to neglect her duties, not even under pressure from the suitors does she contemplate infidelity† (Smit, 393-394). Her unwavering loyalty to her husband and her devotion to the gods are not the sort of characteristics seen in the trickster who typically represents lower or baser instincts and functions. Penelope is a classy lady but again she also has that side to her that rebels at the rules of her culture. Some might even call her a vain tease for keeping her suitors around for so long while never picking one or giving in to their masculine power. Penelope, also, does not fit in the trickster category because she is only human while a trickster is usually an animal. Leeming states that a trickster â€Å"takes animal form† (163). Monkey obviously fits into this category. Not only is he a monkey but he has mystical origins. He was born from a stone. In fact Monkey’s animal form is a point of ire for him because he in Monkey he tries become more and more human-like. He starts wearing clothes and stands upright in an attempt to appear more human. This fight between animal and human characteristics is vital in a trickster figure because that animal quality is in part what allows them to get away with their mischief. Penelope is no dog. Or any animal for that matter. She is in fact a very desirable woman with scores of suitors fighting for her hand in marriage. This does not help her in the trickster category but it does, however, show how her beauty and desirability are in part what allow her to get away with her schemes. Her beauty can even be seen as her animal side because it basically serves the same function that the animal form serves the trickster. An animal form, or in the case of Penelope, her beauty, is a metaphor of who they are and it allows them to be more completely that character and it allows them to do things that would not ordinarily be acceptable within that society. Penelope’s beauty is what allows her to subvert her patriarchal culture because her beauty gives her power over her suitors. She is a woman but she uses that to her advantage. It could also been seen that being a woman in the time of The Odyssey was akin to being an animal because it was such a male dominant culture where woman were little more than chattel or bargaining pieces. Maybe Penelope has more trickster qualities than are first apparent. The last way that Penelope does not fit into the trickster category is that she has no supernatural powers. Leeming â€Å"† (). She has no magical powers which show even further how she is not like a trickster. The trickster is almost always a supernatural figure. This category obviously denotes that a trickster has otherworldly abilities with which to influence outcomes. Penelope works entirely in the realm of her intelligence to bring about the results and tricks that she has concocted. This can make Penelope seem as being more skilled than a god who needs magic to bring about the outcome that he so desires. When compared to Penelope supernatural powers might be viewed as cheating.

Broken April Essay

Broken April was written by Ismail Kadare, the novel takes place in the mountainous regions of Albania during the 1920’s. The Kanun is an ancient set of rules that controls the daily lives of the people in the mountains. Such as Gjorg a 26 year old mountaineer, who is pressured by his family to seek vengeance for the death of his older brother. A newspaper writer Bessian and his wife Diana Vorpsi are from the city who are very intimate newlyweds having their honeymoon in the mountains. Kadare uses the lack or there of physical proximity to imply the strong detaching power of human relationships made by the Kanun. As illustrated by Bessian’s obsession of the Kanun causing a rejection of Diana, which is later mirrored when she develops her own obsession with it making that Bessian develops a fear of the Kanun. When Diana and Bessian were first introduced, Kadare displays a more intimate connection between them but, Bessian’s thought of the blood code is making their relationship lurking into separation. While Bessian and Diana were riding in the carriage, Bessian, â€Å"holding his wife’s hand† and at the same time â€Å"moved his head† (61) towards the window of the carriage while watching the mountains. His â€Å"holding† signifies Bessian’s dominating control of their relationship shown by the inequality of their grip. Bessian is illustrated as a dominating character because society and the blood code make it that women are inferior, by implying that Diana’s voice is worthless to Bessian. The method is also exemplified by â€Å"his wife†, which alludes to her unknown identity therefore making her seem like and unimportant character. The physical proximity still exists as a warm and tender relationship between Diana and Bessian but, Bessian’s unconscious interest in the Kanun is destroying on his focus of Diana, during their honeymoon. Diana and Bessian were approaching the tower to stay the night, and they get into an argument and Bessian â€Å"shook his dead for a moment† (84) suggesting a disapproval of Diana’s immature behavior by her smiling and their connection in the relationship. The words â€Å"moment† and â€Å"flicker† describing Diana’s quick and lively personality foreshadows Bessian developing a greater aggression towards Diana because of the blood code. Meanwhile, â€Å"match† symbolizes a destructive spark causing a powerful evil fire, foreshadowing a huge physical disconnection between them. The foreshadowing of their relationship and Bessian’s dominance leads to Diana’s opinions slowly supporting the Kanun more. After their introduction, Diana and Bessian decide to go to the tower of Orosh. During their journey and stay, Diana begins to steadily detach from Bessian and begins to become a slave to the Kanun’s seductiveness. As Diana and Bessian were planning to go to Wolf’s Pass, they were discussing about the boundary marking’s ceremony at Wolf’s Pass while inside the carriage. Diana put her head â€Å"right† (98), against the window. The physical action of her head â€Å"right† against the window suggests that she is trying to escape the discussion of the Kanun and the honeymoon because she is trying to resist the negative energy of the Kanun. Also the other meaning of the word right, signifying correctness, suggests how she is attempting to go the correct way, from the inside her of heart, away from the blood code. Additionally during the discussion Diana exclaimed, â€Å"How many opportunities to die! † when speaking to Bessian indirectly but directly to the window. The action of speaking to the window reveals a rising tension of Diana being able to express her feelings to Bessian, eventually making her feel worthless. Diana’s opinion of, â€Å"how many ways to die†, is used to compare Diana’s pale, cold, piercing opinion, compared to Bessian’s warm, passionate, intrigue of the Kanun alludes to the vast differences of their ideas and that Diana is developing a slight amusement to death. While Diana and Bessian were talking to Ali Binak, Bessian looked at his wife questioningly, as if he was saying to her, â€Å"What has come over you? (101), Bessian is starting to fear the Kanun because it is taking over Diana’s jovial sprit and replaced with a weak aggressive one. Additionally he is feeling insecure because he is not capable of giving her protection and security of a husband, therefore causing him to fear the Kanun and society it. Bessian said he saw, a â€Å"fleeting† light in her eyes. The light symbolizes purity and by it â€Å"fleeting† from her eyes shows that Bessian doesn’t know Diana’s true emotions anymore as he did before by looking into her eyes. With their opinions bringing tension between them, Diana eventually becomes engulfed in the Kanun but still seeks an escape leading to the regrets of Bessian bringing Diana on the trip. Around the end of the book in chapter six and seven, Bessian has developed a fear of the Kanun because it has generated a dark-empty look in Diana’s eyes. His fear was later developed into a feeling of remorse that Diana has become under the Kanun’s power. Diana and Bessian were in the carriage right after she saw Gjorg for the first time. Bessian â€Å"moved his head and kissed her timidly† (169), â€Å"Moved† throughout the book signifies a distant separation but Bessian is attempting to closely mend their relationship, by â€Å"kissing† her to show the affection he didn’t before. But he is â€Å"timid† because he is afraid of her new character from the Kanun and is questioning the existence of old Diana coming back. After Bessian attempts kissing Diana, Bessian fell asleep while Diana has her back turned to him as Kadare describes her action as, â€Å"timid, as if her back was towards a stranger† (181). With her back turned towards Bessian and her face towards the fire exemplifies that Diana is moving more towards a strong destructive as symbolized by the fire, the Kanun. The word â€Å"stranger† shows that Bessian is no longer important to Diana and that the roles of dominance have switched. Diana and Bessian were walking in Upper White Water they were having an intimate moment until they started talking about the tower of refuge, Diana â€Å"turned her head towards the kulla† (186). Diana’s action of turning her head exemplifies submission to the Kanun and her love for Gjorg. Meanwhile she is completely indifferent to Bessian and making an unconscious plan of going into the tower. When they were traveling back home to the city Bessian became regretful of bringing Diana and thought, â€Å"What the devil was I thinking? † (207), the question shows a majority of Bessian’s attitude towards the Kanun. Depending on how the question is read his emotions can be viewed as regret, sorrow, anger, fear, or hopelessness of completely losing Diana to the mountains. â€Å"Devil† is used as a symbol of evil perhaps referring to the evil separating power of the Kanun. In conclusion, Kadare uses physical proximity to emphasize the destructive power of human relationships made by the Kanun. In the beginning Bessian was in power because the man is seen that way in society and in the Kanun, but his obsession foreshadows Diana and Bessian’s separation. Second, Diana is trying to escape the power of the Kanun but is later completely submerged in its power. Lastly, the trip to the mountains was eventually regretted because the Kanun completely changed their intimate relationship because Diana and Bessian because it they were outsiders going into an unknown power.