Jacksons Disagreement :: essays research papers

Materialism is the belief that all things can be explained in physical terms or by science. Frank Jackson argues against this belief. Jackson’s philosophy is that not only are materialism false, but he also claims that consciousness is a subjective experience that can not be defined by any physical term or by science. The nonphysical experience known as qualia is Jackson’s explanation of consciousness. Qualia is the nonphysical feeling that can not be explained in physical terms or by science. Humans can not understand the feeling of qualia without experiencing it themselves. Materialism suggests that everything that occurs have some type of scientific relationship or physical term. Jackson goes through his argument looking for proof until he gets one idea. Jackson performs an experiment that demonstrates that consciousness is a qualia feeling and that one can not understand or learn the feeling with out experiencing it. The subject he uses is Mary. Mary is an extremely bright scientist and since she could remember she was placed in a room with nothing but black and white. With limiting her sight to only this black and white gray-scale, she is unaware of what true color looks like. All her life she is educated through newspapers, television and teachers giving lectures. Near the end of the experiment she has mastered every aspect of the physical terms and science explaining the process of viewing color. One example was that she knew that an apple was red, but she cannot grasp the concept if she has never seen it. The final part of the experiment is to pre sent to her real color. They use a red apple to demonstrate this. The hypothesis for the experiment follows the laws of materialism. They hypothesized that Mary would not have a shocking reaction to the apple. They believed that she would know that the apple carried those characteristics. In the conclusion of the experiment they find out that their hypothesis was wrong and that Mary was shocked to find out what red really looked like. For the first time in her life she noticed that there was more to the red apple than the physical description. She felt qualia, the feeling of actually seeing the color. This proves that materialism cannot fully explain the world.

Drinking Water Essay

How many of you, when go to a restaurant and the waiter/waitress asks do you want something to drink. How many of you would prefer a glass of water out a fridge filled with soda, fruit juices, or beer? My guess is that probably no all of you prefer to drink water. I would choose water over the other options. I was not used to drinking water, but after I heard of the benefits that water has, I started to drink more water. For example when I’m thirsty instead of taking any kind of soda I prefer to drink water because it’s healthier for my health. Americans seem to carry bottled water everywhere they go these days. In fact, it has become the second most popular drink. Now, for those of you who drink water; do you actually get enough water that your body needs on a daily basis? Well according to Governance of water in the western United State everyone should strive to drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day. Today many people like to drink water because it has many benefits, some of these benefits are: Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids: Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. Water helps your body to function properly. Every cell needs water. Water Can Help Control Calories. If you are trying to lose weight, water is the best tool because water has zero calories, cero sugar, replaces high calories drinks, alcohol and fruit juice, a half cup of fruit juice can contain up to 80 calories, natural appetite suppressant. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good: Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. Natural Headache Remedy: Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines & back pains too! ) which are commonly caused by dehydration. A water guzzler is less likely to get sick: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer, infection, pain arthritis, and other ailments like heart attacks. You will have more energy through the day as a result of drinking more water. Your body will feel healthy which will lead you to feel happier and put you in a good mood. If you think you need to be drinking more, here are some tips to increase your fluid intake and reap the benefits of water: 1. Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work of running errands. 2. Choose water when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories. 3. Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This can also help with weight management. 4. Keep a bottle of water with you in your car, at your desk, or in your bag. 5. Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water. This can help improve the taste and help you drink more water than you usually do. Water is life’s mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water. † Albert Szent-Gyorgyi quotes.

Good Stuff in The Odyssey by Homer - 659 Words

Odysseus, the protagonist in The Odyssey by Homer, is quite like a juicy burger. Just like a burger, Odysseus’ physical qualities is like a bun, and all his other traits are covered under that bun. He utilizes ideal qualities such as brute strength, he is able to persevere despite desires to give up, he is helped by gods and mortals, and he regains his glory and power at the end. It is these traits that aid him to overcome the ravaging roadblocks in his way, thus also making him an Ancient Greek epic hero. These 4 traits show that Ancient Greeks valued men who were able to remain stalwart even through tough times. One of the 4 epic hero traits that Odysseus has, is that he has a plethora of exemplary attributes. For instance, Odysseus is able to â€Å"bored (bore) that great eye socket† with an olive tree, suggesting the extent of Odysseus’ formidable might. In addition, Odysseus is also able to â€Å"strike and strike again† at the suitors while they â€Å"moaned at death†. This emphasizes the power and strength that Odysseus held. Moreover, when Eurykleia tells Penelope that if she had seen Odysseus it would have made â€Å"your (her) heart grow hot†, because Odysseus was like â€Å"a lion splashed with mire and blood†, it emphasizes Ancient Greek values of strength. Another exemplary attribute that Odysseus possesses is his contemplative and strategic mind. This can be illustrated when Odysseus cleverly uses the Kyklopes’ rams and â€Å"slung (slings) a man under†¦ to ride there safely† (IXShow MoreRelatedCharacter Traits of Odysseus of Homers Odyssey553 Words   |  2 Pages â€Å" Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.† (Homer page 751 lines: 0-4) That was an opening prayer from The Odyssey. The Odyssey is about a 20 year-long travel of a man named Odysseus. He traveled to Troy facing the dangers on many mythical creatures and many fictional creatures. This king of Ithaca, left his beloved wife, Penelope, andRead MoreAnalysis Of The Odyssey 1368 Words   |  6 Pagesof xenia in The Odyssey William Shakespeare, in Timon Of Athens Act III Scene line 39 writes : I charge thee, invite them all: let in the tide of knaves once more; my cook and I ll provide† Shakespeare is explaining to his readers that he will invite everyone in and he will cook for them meaning that he will provide everything to his guests. Similarly, in The Odyssey Odysseus without knowing it is providing for all the suitors with a home and food for endless days. The Odyssey has many differentRead MoreOdyssey Archetype Essay1026 Words   |  5 PagesThe topic of this essay is about The Odyssey. As Odysseus continues his journey home he has no idea what s heading his way. He loses, gains, and learns new skills and things that have changed him tremendously. He was not the same man he was twenty years ago. He shows archetypes of a hero to his disappearing crew. Then he shows it to his family member. How much can change in twenty years? Apparently a lot can transform a man who has had crazy experiences. This story was about three-thousand yearsRead MoreThe Heroes Of The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald995 Words   |  4 PagesEver since we started this thing we like to call school or learning we have been shown countless oddities through history. Everything from writers like Homer, strong hearted warriors with their kings and queens, all the way up the the Parthenon where they can all stand together equal. They had pride and love for their p eople and their land. We have also learned that today things are much different. We do not have the strive for life and knowledge the way we used to and things are not necessarilyRead More The Portrayal of Women in Homers Odyssey Essay1817 Words   |  8 PagesDoes Homer exhibit gender bias in the Odyssey?   Is the nature of woman as depicted in the Odyssey in any way revealing? Upon examining the text of the Odyssey for differential treatment on men and women, it becomes necessary to distinguish between three possible conclusions.   One, differences in treatment reflect the underlying Homeric thesis that   women are different but equal in nature,   Two, different treatment   of men and women in the text reflect a thesis that women are different and unequalRead MoreThe Odyssey : Argumentative Essay2150 Words   |  9 PagesThe Odyssey: Argumentative Essay â€Å"Thinking before acting is wisdom, but acting before thinking is regret. (PictureQuotes.com)† This quote relates directly to the main character in The Odyssey, Odysseus, who is trying to get home to his wife and son who are being bombarded by suitors to take her hand in marriage, unknowing of the return of Odysseus. As Odysseus journeys home with his crew, they overcome many obstacles with the help of his leadership and the mythological greek gods, yet lose manyRead MoreOdysseus: The Classic Greek Hero Essay example678 Words   |  3 Pagesthat can relate to the average person. These human traits make it easy for people, such as the Greek people, to associate with the character. Inside Greek mythology qualities of braveness, determination, and decisiveness are prized. In Homers’ epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus’ traits are perfectly aligned with the values of the Greek people. Odysseus’ qualities include bravery, his heroism comes from the fact that he urgently wants to go back home. During his pursuit to go back home he encountersRead MoreOdyssey Historical Background6500 Words   |  26 PagesThe Odyssey ~ Background Information * The novel covers a 10 year period. * The novel was written approximately in 720 B.C. * The novel takes place in 1230 B.C. ~ during the Bronze age. * The Iliad (written first) and The Odyssey are based on historical events that took place about 1230 B.C. * Both novels are considered epic poems * The Odyssey is defined as a journey. This is the story of Odysseus’ journey back home after the Trojan War. From The Odyssey, Homer chose theRead More Destiny, Fate and Free Will in Homers Odyssey - Odysseus’s Fulfills His Destiny1472 Words   |  6 Pages Odysseus’s Fulfills his Destiny in The Odyssey During Odysseus’s journey in The Odyssey, his own guile, the gods’ obstacles and their assistance for him affected his destiny. Odysseus uses his crafty sense of trickery and guile to get out of situations, which allow him to reach his destiny of returning home. Many times in The Odyssey the gods who dislike Odysseus set obstacles to try to stop him from returning home. However, there are gods who favor him and give him assistance to reach his homelandRead MoreBiblical Vs. Classical Phenomenon2078 Words   |  9 Pagesclassical publications that were printed, including the epistles of the Old Testament and Gospels of the New Testament in the Bible. Both sets of arts spoke about famous stories that were very known to readers. Other classical texts, such as The Odyssey, similarly to The Epic of Gilgamesh, show readers the idea of connecting with multiple gods in one world. Biblical and classical texts have always been somewhat related; content mentioned in a classical s tory was similarly mentioned in a biblical

The Cask of Amontillado - Irony and Symbolism Essay

It is Edgar Allan Poes intense use of symbolism and irony throughout the Cask of Amontillado that establishes the short story as an indeed interesting candidate worthy of thorough analysis. The skillful use of these devices are utilized by the author to create this horrific and suspenseful masterpiece. br brThe Cask of Amontillado is a horror short story, which revolves around the themes of revenge and pride. The plot involves two men: Montresor, the narrator, who is an Italian aristocrat seeking revenge against the second main character: Fortunato, a proud man that boasts about his conoisseurship of wines and who finally walks to his own death. br brIrony is a manner of expression through which words or events convey a reality†¦show more content†¦Such figure foreshadows the events taking place later that night in the damp catacombs. br brThe way the narrator treats his enemy is one of the clearest examples for ironic elements. When the characters meet, Montresor realises that Fortunato is afflicted with a severe cold, nevertheless he makes a point of him looking remarkably well. Montresor acts in the most natural and friendly way towards the man object of his revenge, and even praises his friends knowledge in the subject of wines. Also upon their meeting, Montresor begins a psychological manipulation of Fortunato. He claims that he needs his knowledge to ascertain that the wine he has purchased is indeed Amontillado. Furthermore, he acknowledges that Fortunato is engaged in another business (i.e.: the celebration of carnival), so he would go to Luchresi, who, one is made to believe, is a competitor of Fortunatos. To these words, Fortunato is forced by his pride to accompany Montresor to the vaults (where the Amontillado is kept), dissipate his doubts and also to prove his higher status than Luchresi as a connoisseu r of wine. In fact, during their way down under in the catacombs, the twisted mind of Montresor, dares to give Fortunato the chance to go back, due to the almost unbearable dampness and foulness rampant in the vaults and Fortunatos state of health. The narrator clearly knows about the stubborn nature of Fortunato, and isShow MoreRelatedSymbolism and Irony in The Cask of Amontillado1291 Words   |  6 PagesSymbolism is something that represents more than what it really is. It is often by authors in their writing to give it more emphasis. For example: In life there will always be peaks and valleys meaning in life there will be ups and downs but we should enjoy the peaks and fight through the valleys. Objects can also be a form of symbolism such as The Bible, it represents more than just a book. It represents Life, Church, Religion, and the life of Jesus Christ and what he stood for. Irony is likeRead MoreSymbolism and Irony in Cask of Amontillado866 Words   |  3 Pages In â€Å" The Cask of Amontillado†, the author, Edgar Allen Poe, uses symbolism and irony to connect to the readers. Symbolism is an object or word that has two meanings. Poe uses this device when he writes, â€Å"Fortunado is dressed as a fool†(20). It is symbolic representation of what Fortunado is. Irony is a twist in a situation that creates tension between the two conflicts. Poe uses irony throughout his story as a way of enticing readers. The narrator, Montresor, tells about how he got revenge 50Read MoreExamples of Irony and Symbolism in The Cask of Amontillado1334 Words   |  6 PagesWriters often use symbolism in the story to give a more vivid description rather than just saying, pictures are a perfect example. Symbolism is the art of using any object, place, name or anything that represents something rather than its original meaning. A good example can be a roller coaster because it indicates that there will be ups in downs in life. Another example is the color Red this color can symbolize blood, passion or danger. Irony is another technique used in the story to give it a betterRead MoreHow The Cask of Amontillado Uses Symbolism and Irony1291 Words   |  6 Pages Often, writers use symbolism to describe an object with more clarity to the reader. It provides additional layers of meaning to a text. Symbolism is not only important in literature but is also important in everyday life. For instance, symbolism is found in colors, objects, and on flowers. For example a rose can represent love and romance. Symbolism is used in literature, movies, and even on street signs. Such as the colors in the street light: red means stop, yellow means slow down, and the greenRead MoreSymbolism and Irony Used in Edgar Allan Poes The Cask of Amontillado753 Words   |  3 PagesEdgar Allan Poe uses symbolism and irony in unison throughout â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† to demonstrate Montresor’s villainous intentions. As the narrator, Montresor explains that although a friend named Fortunato has insulted him and deserves to be avenged. However, he has hidden his goal from Fortunato, giving no â€Å"cause to doubt [his] good will.† Montresor, aware of Fortunato’s influence, knows he must â€Å"not only punish, but punish with impunity.† Instead, he lures Fortunato to his grave with theRead MoreThe Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe836 Words   |  3 Pages Symbolism is the use of objects to represent ideas or qualities in the story. In the story many things are used as symbols such as the actual cask of amontillado, the trowel, the jester costume and the setting in which there is two in the story. Another literary technique used significantly in the story is irony. Irony is the expression of ones meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite. In the short story â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† Montresor a very troubled manRead MoreGothic Literature : The Dark Side Of Romanticism1518 Words   |  7 PagesThe theme of Gothic stories is either mysterious, horror, or even death. Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe are authors that demonstrate Gothic literature. Some of their work include, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† written by Edgar Allan Poe and â€Å"The Birthmark† by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Cask of Amontillado tells how the narrator Montresor seeks revenge on his acquaintance, Fortunato. Montresor to desperate measures and did not catch. However, in â€Å"The Birthmark†, Aylmer, a scientist has become obsessedRead MoreThe Theme of Revenge in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† Essay1629 Words   |  7 PagesEdgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is a frightening and entertaining short story about the severe consequences that result from persistent m ockery and an unforgiving heart. Poe’s excellent use of Gothicism within the story sets the perfect tone for a dark and sinister plot of murder to unfold. â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† simply overflows with various themes and other literary elements that result from Poe’s Gothic style of writing. Of these various themes, one that tends to dominant the storyRead MoreThe Casket Of Amontillado . Edgar Allan Poe’S â€Å"The Cask1680 Words   |  7 PagesThe Casket of Amontillado Edgar Allan Poe’s â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado† is a short story illustrating how pride leads to the downfall of two men. At the story’s heart is the tale of Montresor, the protagonist, getting revenge on a former friend, Fortunato. Poe’s characterization of Montresor shows a sinister, proud man, obsessed not only with his revenge but also not getting punished himself. â€Å"It must be a perfect revenge, one in which Fortunato will know fully what is happening to him and in whichRead MoreThe Cask Of Amontillado By Edgar Allan Poe707 Words   |  3 Pagesstory of The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe writes in first person point of view from the perspective of Montresor who seeks revenge against Fortunato. Montresor began to develop the perfect plan for revenge. During the carnival season, Montresor meets with Fortunato and decides to implement his plan carefully through irony. Poe s story describes the murderer s mind which has lived as a memory of Fortunato s death for fifty years. Poe uses different types of irony and symbolism in the conversations

Are the Stories from the Holocaust Survivors with PTSD...

This investigation will answer the question To what extent are the stories from the Holocaust survivors with PTSD reliable as historical sources? This question is important because there are still holocaust survivors alive today, and their stories are arguably the ones that teach us he most about the Holocaust, since they are primary sources of the event. The survivors dealt with a lot of physical and emotional trauma while in the camps, so it would be easy for them to procure PTSD. The mental illness PTSD can make it harder for the survivors to talk about certain events, because it could increase the symptoms of the illness. With this research investigation, it is possible to analyze whether the stories from the Holocaust survivors are†¦show more content†¦(NIMH RSS. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 2013) Survivors often pushed the trauma to the backs of their minds, which then caused hosts of emotional and psychological terror and difficulties. (NIMH RSS. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 2013) â€Å"Six decades after the end of World War II and we are still learning how a mass genocide like the Holocaust is affecting it’s victims† We are still learning and gathering information. (Barel, Efrat, 2010) There was a lot of psychological denial. There was not much help for the Jews once they were liberated, since doctors were scarce. Diseases were easy to catch, and life was still hard for the Jewish people. (Bettelheim, Bruno, 1979) Survivor’s Evidence Holocaust survivors can be defined as â€Å"any persecuted Jew who lived under Nazi occupation during the 2nd World War and who was thus threatened by the policy of the ‘final solution’ but managed to stay alive.† (Kellermann, Natan P.F., 2009) Survivor and Psychologist Viktor Frankl often stops throughout his novel, attempting to save the reader from the horror. â€Å" But mercifully I do not need to describe the events which followed.† (Frankl, Viktor E., 1959, Page 31) â€Å"It is easy for the outsider to get the wrong conception of camp life, a conception ingled with sentiment and pity. Little does he know of the hard fight for existence which

Nonfiction Piece Free Essays

Essay Proposal This piece draws a portrait of a stranger in a coffee shop. Offering a kind of weekly enigma to me, she has come to represent the constant allure of mystery in the seemingly trivial. This essay focuses on that enigma, and the possible answers I have for them. We will write a custom essay sample on Nonfiction Piece or any similar topic only for you Order Now I start the essay with a snapshot of what this woman is. What does she look like? What does she do? In giving a descriptive appraisal at the beginning, I lay the foundation of the mystery. I note her gestures – the faint inclination of her head when she looks at her watch, the expectation apparent on her face when someone walks through the door, and the inevitable disappointment almost every time – and raise the question that would bring us closer to â€Å"solving† her mystery: Why? Why does she look the way she does? Why does she act this way? Why is she there? In this part of the essay, I create the mythos I have woven about her through the answers to these questions. In this essay, I depict her as I see her – the woman waiting. Because of the questions she has raised in me, I have assigned her an identity.  This essay presents her as what she seems to be, and then seeks to go further, bringing both reader and author along for a venture into who she is, or at least, what she might be. In writing this, I thrust the philosophy that everyone really has a story. The natural inclination of the curious man is to find out. And if one cannot know, then you can always let your imagination run free. Literary Nonfiction Essay There she is again, alone in the table at the far corner. Today, she has brought books with her: sonnets by Pablo Neruda, a creative writing textbook, and a discredited memoir. The book of poetry has been opened, and rests on her lap. A notebook, bound in leather, lies open on the table. A pen rests on the stark whiteness of the pages. She is looking at none of these. She smokes bent cigarettes every five minutes or so. She drinks her coffee as she glances at the door, trying not to look as if she were truly alone – that by looking at the doorway once in a while, she can pretend (and the world with her) that someone is coming to meet her.  Her cellphone, too, lies open. She takes a bite from her slice of lemon cake. The phone’s screen remains dark, no matter how long she stares at it. Outside it is raining. She looks up, scans the crowd, most of whom are oblivious of her presence. I cannot be. I have known her for far too long. No, I do not know her name, and I do not think I will ever ask. But I have seen her so many times before, her presence is more familiar than a stranger’s should be. Today, I have positioned myself only two tables away from her. Because I know I can never march up to her and demand what she is, I content myself with absorbing everything I can of her. I have sat closer to her today. I cannot help this fascination. I simply want to know. Her gaze finally rests beyond me, towards the door. I see her face more clearly than I ever have before, after all these weeks. Oval, and wan – her forehead is high, her eyes wide and dark. It is not a delicate face, for perhaps the prolonged sadness has seeped into her bones that her face has toughened, has become stronger. Her cheeks jut out and her lips are thin and pale. Her mouth is arranged into its usual tightness. She sighs when the door opens, then closes, and turns away. She looks at her watch. She sighs once more, leafs through the open book of poetry. When will she realize that she is the only woman in a cafe of lovers? Or has she always known? She has one mug all to herself, the others have to share. One cup of coffee, one white porcelain rim, for two bleeding mouths of bleeding hearts.  Inevitably, I think of the possibility of the reluctant lover. Every week, I see her here, always alone. I have never seen her leave with someone. I have never seen anyone, man or woman, stride over to her table, hold her hand, to lead her outside. Perhaps she has waited with the smallest of hopes that soon, someone would come to end the waiting. But perhaps the reluctant lover roams now the asphalt streets, in a suit and tie, a briefcase hanging from one hand as though it is an extension of his body. And this woman, with her poems and novels and empty notebooks – she is here, waiting, being watched by a person who has seen enough of her to realize that she is waiting.  Another woman – more of a girl, really – is at another corner. But she smokes her cigarette with the ease of one who knows that someone will meet her. Soon she will be gone and this woman, this woman, would light another cigarette and turn another page of one the books she has brought. I see her cellphone buzz, vibrating on the surface of the table. She twitches, then snatches it. Her eyes run over the illuminated screen, taking in the message quickly. Then, her lip curls, and she tosses her cellphone back to the table. Has she been told that she has to wait longer? She returns to her book but her gaze is blanker now. This book she has been reading has quite possibly turned out to be a chore and all too soon, the words blur until they are white. There is too much of her coffee, and the crystal grains of sugar have refused to melt. The lemon cake crumbles. Even her cigarette offends her, and she puts it out, only half-consumed.  With her, this woman, her waiting – things pale and darken at the same time. Knowing these things are just distractions, something to pass the time that just seems to crawl slower and slower that it sometimes falls still: the coffee cannot be finished, the cigarette doesn’t burn, the page goes on and on and on. Something has cloaked her – is it the knowledge that all these are things she’d rather not be doing? Shouldn’t be doing in the first place? She must finish her coffee, and only crumbs should be left on her plate. The book, open on her lap, can be replaced. There are two other books in her bag, and she takes them out: poetry speaking of a requited waiting.  She must think now: all this talk about unrequited love, when poetry should be made about unrequited patience: waiting for the phone to vibrate, waiting for the crumbs to settle, waiting for the coffee mug to empty, waiting for the cigarette to turn into ash, waiting for the books to turn to the last page, waiting for the rain to stop, waiting for the clock to strike ten, waiting for someone to come through the door with the spaciest of smiles just for her. Waiting, waiting, waiting. If she wrote – and I have feeling that she does, in spite of the blankness of her notebook now – how many times has she written about women like her?  She looks at her watch. Her phone vibrates one more. Listless, she picks it up, punches at the buttons. In but moments, her face clears, she sags in her chair. She is starting to smile.  I wonder then: the reluctant lover (but only in her mind, only when they are not together.) Has the un-reluctant lover tells her that he is near? Would Neruda, then, glow again? Because she is a woman who waits diligently albeit unwillingly, week after week, later, she will be disgusted with how much everything makes sense now. Even waiting in a parked car, while errands are run, will make her smile. The rain will fall harder. The drops will be opaque against the windshield and yet it shall leave shadows on her jeans. Oh, that smile. And she will think: Everything should be a familiar novelty, a novel familiarity. Yes, even waiting for him to come back with a bag or two of bread, while a Japanese love song drifts from the radio. She will think the song talks of a fulfilled longing, of a waiting ended.  But now, she is still waiting. But now she is sure that someone shall come for her.  She looks at me, sees me watching her. The smile she gives me is fleeting, the token nicety for strangers who stare too long at you. I smile back at her. She looks at the doorway, but it seems more out of habit, than anticipation. One last look, then it is time for me to go. How to cite Nonfiction Piece, Essay examples Nonfiction Piece Free Essays Essay Proposal This piece draws a portrait of a stranger in a coffee shop. Offering a kind of weekly enigma to me, she has come to represent the constant allure of mystery in the seemingly trivial. This essay focuses on that enigma, and the possible answers I have for them. We will write a custom essay sample on Nonfiction Piece or any similar topic only for you Order Now I start the essay with a snapshot of what this woman is. What does she look like? What does she do? In giving a descriptive appraisal at the beginning, I lay the foundation of the mystery. I note her gestures – the faint inclination of her head when she looks at her watch, the expectation apparent on her face when someone walks through the door, and the inevitable disappointment almost every time – and raise the question that would bring us closer to â€Å"solving† her mystery: Why? Why does she look the way she does? Why does she act this way? Why is she there? In this part of the essay, I create the mythos I have woven about her through the answers to these questions. In this essay, I depict her as I see her – the woman waiting. Because of the questions she has raised in me, I have assigned her an identity. This essay presents her as what she seems to be, and then seeks to go further, bringing both reader and author along for a venture into who she is, or at least, what she might be. In writing this, I thrust the philosophy that everyone really has a story. The natural inclination of the curious man is to find out. And if one cannot know, then you can always let your imagination run free. Literary Nonfiction Essay There she is again, alone in the table at the far corner. Today, she has brought books with her: sonnets by Pablo Neruda, a creative writing textbook, and a discredited memoir. The book of poetry has been opened, and rests on her lap. A notebook, bound in leather, lies open on the table. A pen rests on the stark whiteness of the pages. She is looking at none of these. She smokes bent cigarettes every five minutes or so. She drinks her coffee as she glances at the door, trying not to look as if she were truly alone – that by looking at the doorway once in a while, she can pretend (and the world with her) that someone is coming to meet her. Her cellphone, too, lies open. She takes a bite from her slice of lemon cake. The phone’s screen remains dark, no matter how long she stares at it. Outside it is raining. She looks up, scans the crowd, most of whom are oblivious of her presence. I cannot be. I have known her for far too long. No, I do not know her name, and I do not think I will ever ask. But I have seen her so many times before, her presence is more familiar than a stranger’s should be. Today, I have positioned myself only two tables away from her. Because I know I can never march up to her and demand what she is, I content myself with absorbing everything I can of her. I have sat closer to her today. I cannot help this fascination. I simply want to know. Her gaze finally rests beyond me, towards the door. I see her face more clearly than I ever have before, after all these weeks. Oval, and wan – her forehead is high, her eyes wide and dark. It is not a delicate face, for perhaps the prolonged sadness has seeped into her bones that her face has toughened, has become stronger. Her cheeks jut out and her lips are thin and pale. Her mouth is arranged into its usual tightness. She sighs when the door opens, then closes, and turns away. She looks at her watch. She sighs once more, leafs through the open book of poetry. When will she realize that she is the only woman in a cafe of lovers? Or has she always known? She has one mug all to herself, the others have to share. One cup of coffee, one white porcelain rim, for two bleeding mouths of bleeding hearts. Inevitably, I think of the possibility of the reluctant lover. Every week, I see her here, always alone. I have never seen her leave with someone. I have never seen anyone, man or woman, stride over to her table, hold her hand, to lead her outside. Perhaps she has waited with the smallest of hopes that soon, someone would come to end the waiting. But perhaps the reluctant lover roams now the asphalt streets, in a suit and tie, a briefcase hanging from one hand as though it is an extension of his body. And this woman, with her poems and novels and empty notebooks – she is here, waiting, being watched by a person who has seen enough of her to realize that she is waiting. Another woman – more of a girl, really – is at another corner. But she smokes her cigarette with the ease of one who knows that someone will meet her. Soon she will be gone and this woman, this woman, would light another cigarette and turn another page of one the books she has brought. I see her cellphone buzz, vibrating on the surface of the table. She twitches, then snatches it. Her eyes run over the illuminated screen, taking in the message quickly. Then, her lip curls, and she tosses her cellphone back to the table. Has she been told that she has to wait longer? She returns to her book but her gaze is blanker now. This book she has been reading has quite possibly turned out to be a chore and all too soon, the words blur until they are white. There is too much of her coffee, and the crystal grains of sugar have refused to melt. The lemon cake crumbles. Even her cigarette offends her, and she puts it out, only half-consumed. With her, this woman, her waiting – things pale and darken at the same time. Knowing these things are just distractions, something to pass the time that just seems to crawl slower and slower that it sometimes falls still: the coffee cannot be finished, the cigarette doesn’t burn, the page goes on and on and on. Something has cloaked her – is it the knowledge that all these are things she’d rather not be doing? Shouldn’t be doing in the first place? She must finish her coffee, and only crumbs should be left on her plate. The book, open on her lap, can be replaced. There are two other books in her bag, and she takes them out: poetry speaking of a requited waiting. She must think now: all this talk about unrequited love, when poetry should be made about unrequited patience: waiting for the phone to vibrate, waiting for the crumbs to settle, waiting for the coffee mug to empty, waiting for the cigarette to turn into ash, waiting for the books to turn to the last page, waiting for the rain to stop, waiting for the clock to strike ten, waiting for someone to come through the door with the spaciest of smiles just for her. Waiting, waiting, waiting. If she wrote – and I have feeling that she does, in spite of the blankness of her notebook now – how many times has she written about women like her? She looks at her watch. Her phone vibrates one more. Listless, she picks it up, punches at the buttons. In but moments, her face clears, she sags in her chair. She is starting to smile. I wonder then: the reluctant lover (but only in her mind, only when they are not together.) Has the un-reluctant lover tells her that he is near? Would Neruda, then, glow again? Because she is a woman who waits diligently albeit unwillingly, week after week, later, she will be disgusted with how much everything makes sense now. Even waiting in a parked car, while errands are run, will make her smile. The rain will fall harder. The drops will be opaque against the windshield and yet it shall leave shadows on her jeans. Oh, that smile. And she will think: Everything should be a familiar novelty, a novel familiarity. Yes, even waiting for him to come back with a bag or two of bread, while a Japanese love song drifts from the radio. She will think the song talks of a fulfilled longing, of a waiting ended. But now, she is still waiting. But now she is sure that someone shall come for her. She looks at me, sees me watching her. The smile she gives me is fleeting, the token nicety for strangers who stare too long at you. I smile back at her. She looks at the doorway, but it seems more out of habit, than anticipation. One last look, then it is time for me to go. How to cite Nonfiction Piece, Essay examples

Ethics Personality and Coping Human †Free Student for Students

Question: Discuss About the Personality and Coping? Answer: Introducation People are often defined by the nature of their personalities. These personality traits are identified by temperaments that determine the proceeds of a persons actions. Normally our behaviors are centered on the environmental challenges that we are faced with. These challenges define the coping mechanism that we employ to try and overcome or better still live with these challenges. This essay, therefore, is dedicated to outline the proceeds of what personality is, to give an understanding of personality defining theory: the five factor model of personality, and to outlining the different coping strategies as it try to decipher the relationship between personality and the proactive coping mechanism employed by university student. This argument will be based on the support from arguments in the past research evidence linking these two constructs. This issue is of significance to psychology as it helps psychologists to determine the likely coping mechanism that an individual will most l ikely apply as is predicted by their personality traits. Personality can be described as the distinctive differences in individuals acts that are determined and shaped by the environment an individual developed in. The set of values, attitudes, personal memories, social relationships, habits, and skills (Mischel et al, 2004) acquired in the course of development are the key determinants of an individuals personality traits. These traits are firm personal characteristics that are portrayed in the specific pattern of behavior that an individual showcases in varying situations. Many proceeds have been made in trying to define what personality is and what it entails but, the measuring of personality is still a poorly defined discipline in psychology. Personality has no distinctive measuring scale but makes use of personality tests such as personality inventory and the varying personality questionnaires. This implies that it cannot be quantified as being a distinctive figure on a predetermined scale but, personality can only be qualified by the various personality tests. Personality is different from temperaments as it is a product of socio-cultural concept whereas temperament is mainly designed by the biochemical systems at work in an individuals body and cannot be easily changed by mere socialization (Trofimova, 2016). This implies that personality is dynamic and the personality traits can be altered to accommodate change in an individuals life. Many psychologists possess different definitions of the term personality depending on the theories they tend to put forward as the best exploration of the basis of personality. One such theory determined to develop on the basis of personality is the Five-Factor Model of personality. The Five-Factor Model of personality is an attempt by personality psychologists to interpret the dimensions of personality traits in the population. It presents the personality traits in a hierarchical organization that is formed initially by five basic dimensions: Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness (McCrae and John, 1997). These five dimensions are indicated by the use of roman numbers thought to be neutral and carry various classes of possible personality traits from which the personality of an individual could be discerned. An extrovert is basically an active, assertive, energetic, enthusiastic, outgoing and talkative individual. An agreeable person tends to be ap preciative, forgiving, generous, kind, sympathetic and trusting. A conscientious person can be defined as being efficient, organized, planful, reliable, and responsible and thorough. A neurotic individual is often anxious, self-prying, tense, touchy, unstable and worrying. Finally, an open person is artistic, curious, imaginative, insightful, and original and prides themselves in wide interests. This Five-Factor Model of personality has been a key guide for the personality psychologists in the analysis of the personality traits of individuals and the main reason why different individuals tend to take on different approaches when faced by the same challenges. The kind of approaches that individuals prefer to take when faced with varying challenges is what is referred to as their coping mechanism. When we speak of coping, we are broadly referring to the act of adapting to a different way of life or situation. In psychology, coping refers to the means that people use to include their conscious effort in solving both the personal and interpersonal problems in order to tolerate stress and conflicts (Weiten and Lloyd, 2008). Stress in this case is the challenge that confines one to desire change and hence take on a certain coping mechanism. The coping mechanism employed by an individual could involve an array of coping strategies also referred to as the categories of coping. The term coping basically describes the reactive coping strategy that uses the action-reaction mechanism of action. This implies that a stressor has to occur for the coping response, the reactions, to follow. This is different from the coping strategy referred to as proactive coping. In proactive coping, the coping response is initiated without the occurrence of the prior stressor and is designed to counter or curtail the occurrence of future stressors (Snyder, 1999).The effectiveness portrayed by any coping effort is determined by the nature of the stressor, the nature of the person, and the circumstances that surround the individual at the time of devising a good coping strategy. When we say that the coping effort depends on the nature of the individual, this basically implies that the coping responses employed by different people are depended on the nature of their personalities (Carver and Connor, 2010). Personality is related to coping by way of it being the determining factor that influences the type of coping style adopted by individuals. It can be used to predict the coping style likely to be adopted by an individual. The three basic coping styles include problem focused coping style, positive emotional-focused coping style and the negative emotional-focused coping style. The problem-focused coping style includes the reactive and the proactive coping styles that also fall in the positive emotional-focused coping style as they are designed to reduce the stress levels of a stressor experienced by the individual. Various personality traits have since been associated with various coping styles by first analyzing the implication of the personality dimensions. Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are associated with the positive problem focused coping strategy with agreeableness also being associated with the positive emotion-focused coping strategy together with openness. Neuroticism, Extraversion and Conscientiousness are associated with negative emotion-focused coping strategies. This has further been proven by various research studies an example being a study conducted on three hundred students, with half the number being girls and half the study population being boys, that deciphered that indeed, personality influences the coping strategies used by various individuals (Atefe and Mohammad, 2011). This research made use of correlation studies to carefully analyze the sample size that was representative of the population being investigated. This methodology applied was suitable for the research question that was dedicated to decoding the relation between personality and coping. The hypothesis: personality determines the coping strategies used by an individual, is correct based on the evidence reviewed by the researchers. The conclusions of the research followed logically from the results reported by the researchers. In a nutshell, the research showed that neuroticism and extraversion can predict stress and coping (Atefe and Mohammad, 2011) as high neuroticism is associated with the experience of more stressful events and the susceptibility to negative emotions and frustration, and high extraversion is associated with both higher stressful and enjoyable events, with the experience of positive emotions. This implies that the neurotic individuals will tend to use inadaptable copin g styles while the extraverts will employ active coping strategies and seek positive social support. The inadaptable coping strategies employed by neurotic individuals will mainly be emotion-focused coping strategy such as escape and avoidance. Conscientious individuals will employ negative emotion-focused coping strategies as avoidance, for example, by being the bigger person and taking the fault for something they did not do so as to avoid confrontations while open individuals will prefer positive emotion-focused coping strategies as relaxation and recurrent appraisal. Highly agreeable individuals will employ positive emotion-focused coping strategies like seeking positive support and together with conscientious individual will also use positive problem-focused coping strategies such as planning. The researchers in this study, however, did not acknowledge the limitations of their research and did not suggest any alternative ways of researching the topic that might overcome the pos sible limitations. With the evolution in science, technology and in the world systems as a whole, education platforms have seen grave changes in their proceeds. People are now travelling far and wide to attend school in different parts of the world and with ever changing curriculum. This exposure to new environment and dynamic curriculum are among the top stressors for university students. The students are expected to adapt to the new environment and quickly in order to keep up with the changing dynamics of their curriculum and achieve excellent academic results. This proves challenging for some of the students and for some, it is quite easy. The difference in the adaption capabilities of the different students can be attributed to the differences in their personalities. This is also true for the academic performance. Many research studies have shown that the personality of an individual defines their academic performance. One such study is the analysis of the relationship between personality and academic performance by one Arthur E. Poropat that showed that academic performance correlates significantly with agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness (Arthur, 2009). This study was conducted on a sample size of close to seventy thousand students from the tertiary level of education with minimal sample size contribution from the students in secondary and primary levels of education (Arthur, 2009). The analysis was aimed at discerning the relationship between personality and academic performance. The predictions of the analysis makes sense, however, the methodology is not well defined. This analysis used a very large sample size that adequately represented the population being investigated. The conclusions follow logically from the results reported by the analyst as it outline that academic perfo rmance is depended on personality, age, level of education and to some extent the intelligence of the individual in question. The analyst also outlined the recommendations for future research in the topic. The hypothesis propagated by this analyst is practical and easily passes as a fact since, a neurotic student in their adaptation to the new environment and the changing curriculum will be inclined more to the negative emotion-focused coping mechanisms such as avoidance that will see to it that they are removed from the studying experience and hence perform quite poorly. The same applies to high extroverts who experience high stressful events and do not seek positive social support. However, agreeable, open and conscientious students will tend to apply both positive emotion-focused coping strategies such as relaxation and positive appraisal, and positive problem-focused coping mechanism as planning. This will enable them to effectively outline their study schedules to accommodate any change in the curriculum and hence positive and proactive coping. This will enable them to cover the semesters course work in time, leaving them with enough time for revision and hence, good academic perf ormance. It is of particular importance to understand how personality relates to coping especially for psychologists as this forms the foundation that will guide the psychologist on discerning the reason behind the behavior of a patient when faced with specific stressful situations. This will guide the psychologist to predict the possible outcome or patterns of behavior of an individual based on their personality and offer the appropriate advice and therapy where needed. This will contribute to the effective examination and hence positive and effective interventions for the case studies being interviewed by the psychologist. Therefore, coping refers to the adaption and responses to challenging situations in life with proactive coping referring to the coping mechanisms that are employed by individuals to curtail the proceeds of future stressors. Personality is the pattern of behavior that shapes an individuals character and is depended and/or determined by the socio-cultural environment that an individual is exposed to during their development. Personality cannot be measured but can be qualified and defined based on the personality and psychological theory that one identifies well with. One such theory is the Five-Factor Model of personality that presents the dimensions of personality to be within a hierarchy of five determinants: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Openness. Peoples personality often defines and determines the coping strategies that they are likely to employ when faced by various stressors and hence, by understanding the personality of an individual, one can e asily predict the coping mechanism that that particular individual is likely to use in dealing with their stressors. This also applies in the education forum with a practical application in academic performance especially for the university students. University students are faced by many stressors, the key ones being, the need to accommodate to a new environment and the dynamic nature of the tertiary level curriculum. These stressors define the coping mechanism based on the personality of the student and hence reflect on the academic performance of the student. Hence, personality determines the proactive coping mechanisms that will be used by the university students in their proceeds References Arthur, E. P. (2009). A Meta-Analysis of the Five-Factor Model of Personality and Academic Performance. Griffith University. Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 135, No. 2, 322-338 Atefe, K., and Mohammad, Ali B. (2011). An Investigation of the Relationship between Personality Dimensions and Stress Coping Styles. Iran: Thran University. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 30(2011) 797-802 Carver, C. S. and Connor-S, J. (2010). Personality and Coping. Annual Review of Psychology. 61: 679-704 McCrae, R. R., and John, O. P. (1997). An Introduction to the Five-Factor Model and Its Application Mischel, W., Shoda, Y., and Smith, R. E. (2004). Introduction to Personality: Toward Integration. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Snyder, C. R. (1999). Coping: The Psychology of What Works. New York: Oxford University Press. Trofimova, I. N. (2016). The Interlocking between Functional Aspects of Activities and a Neurochemical Model of Adult Temperament. In Arnold, M. C., Temperaments: Individual Differences, Social and Environmental Influences and Impact on Quality of Life. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 77-147 Weiten, W. and Lloyd, M. A. (2008). Psychology Applied to Modern Life. 9th Edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.