Friday, November 29, 2019

The History of Cars

Introduction It is hard to imagine life without cars. Cars have formed an important part of our lives and the quality and power of the car one drives is used to define his/her standard of living. They have become a status symbol rather than their original intention as a means of transport. Cars provide an individualized and privatized means of transportation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The History of Cars specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The motor vehicles did not just rise in a single day but rather have evolved from the earliest models to the more sophisticated automobiles dominating our roads today. It has been a gradual process starting from when the wheel was first invented and through several other stages. This paper traces the stages through the history that the cars have undergone from the primitive carriages of the 1880s to the fast, complex, and comfortable vehicle that dominate our roads in the 21 st century (Volti 1). The Invention of the Wheel This marked the infancy stage in the development of transportation known to us today. However, it is hard to know who or exactly when the wheel was invented but reports show that this may date back to more than 5000 years. The inspiration for the development of the wheel arose as people sought for easier and better means of moving things around. People had discovered that rounded objects could lessen the amount of effort needed if heavy things were placed over them and pushed along. The sledge was soon later incorporated as a means of moving things, it was recognized that when sledge was pulled on a smooth surface or on logs, the amount of energy needed to push it was reduced. The sledge was further improved by making grooves on the logs on which it was placed thus reducing the amount of friction between the logs and the sledge. This further lessened the amount of the effort needed and when the wood between the two inner grooves were cut, the wood that remained between the grooves now formed the axle. This type of sledge formed the first carts. The next natural thing that the inventors of the wheel did was to design the axle so that it could fit into the hole made in the centre of the wooden wheel. Further improvements on the axle were made to ensure that the axle remained static while the wheel was made to rotate on it. Further improvements on the design of the wheel were made in different parts of the world with an aim of fitting different purposes such as war chariots, racing carts, and freight wagons.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Age of the Horse Drawn Carriages During the first stages, the wheeled vehicles were pulled by people, oxen or horses but later the internal combustion engine were invented to replace ‘horse power’ as it was called then. The use of horses to pull the carriages allowed for the people to wield more power and to expand their territorial borders. The amount of pollution caused by horse wastes in European cities resulted in inventors looking for alternative forms of transportation. The Horseless Carriages and the Steam Engine Steam-powered vehicle came into being in the late 18th century but were only considered more potentially practical in the early 19th century. Nicholas Cugnot (1725-1804) built the first steam powered vehicles that were supposed to haul French army artillery. It is recorded that his first steam vehicle travelled at a steady 3km/hr but run out of the steam power in less than 25 minutes (Volti 2). Cugnot second steam engine also failed prompting the government to drop the project. Development of Locomotives Early 1830s witnessed continued interest in the steam as a source of power and the period continued to experience development in locomotives, steam powered tractors, and other forms of vehicles. In England, automobiles powered b y steam were on the rise but their growth was terminated immaturely as more emphasis was laid on rail locomotives. The Role of the Bicycle in the Development of Cars There was great stride in the development of bicycles during the 1840s. The development of the bicycle is very important in the history of cars as most of the parts found in the early cars owed their origin from them. Such parts as the chain-and-sprocket drive, the tires, bearings, spooked wheels and many other components of the automobile were derived from the bicycle. Steam cars faced limitations in the building technology and lack of good roads and it was only in the 19th century that personal transportation emerged. These cars were very heavy thus meaning that they could only travel on rails to function effectively. The steam engines were therefore used on railroads leading to the great success of the railroad industry. The steam engines operated by burning wood or other fuel and the thus generated heated water in b oilers. The resulting steam was used in driving pistons up and down and in the process turning the crankshaft, which ultimately moved the wheels. These steam engines required numerous stops to replenish its water and also needed long time to start. The Internal Combustion Engines Early attempts The invention of internal combustion engines was influenced by the idea of personal mobility. This venture required that individual vehicles have a source of power to drive them.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The History of Cars specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As already seen, steam power was out of question and could not be used in personal cars because of their weight and the fact that they could only use rails. This led to the idea of an internal combustion engine that contained an air-fuel mixture within it. Attempts to make an internal combustion engine dates back to the late 17th century; when efforts to use gunp owder were made but failed. Lenoir’s double acting engine In 1850s, a French engineer, Etienne Lenoir constructed a double acting engine in which an ignited mixture of air and gas was used to push the piston to the far end and of the cylinder creating a power stroke. When this piston was pushed back I the same mechanism, another power stroke was created and the exhausted gas was expelled. Therefore, for each revolution of the crankshaft, two power strokes were produced. This kind of engine had its disadvantage in that the air was not compressed before being burned and therefore the engine produced less power and was inefficient. However, Lenoir’s engine was far much better when compared to the steam engine since it had a higher thermal efficiency. Early development in Germany In Germany, Nicholas Otto also made significant steps in the development of steam engine. Together with his friend Eugen Langen (1833-1895), Otto developed a four-stroke cycle in 1876. This model of engine was however not efficient but was a gap in the building of more improved combustion engines. Daimler’s first ‘car’ In 1885, two of Otto’s workers; Gottlieb Daimler (1834-19000) and Wilhelm Maybach (1847-1929) made improvements on Otto’s four stroke engine by installing a single cylinder engine on a two wheeled frame which came to be referred to as the first motorcycle. The same engine was installed onto a four wheeled wagon to make the first internal combustion engine car (Volti 4). Carl Benz (1844-1902) constructed a three wheeled vehicle that used Otto’s four stroke combustion engine and was better than that constructed by Daimler (Flink 11). Carl’s three wheeled vehicle marked the beginning of personalized road trips when his family made a 200 kilometres journey in it. The progress of the internal combustion engine in France Germany is credited with the manufacture of the first cars but credit also goes to France where con siderable steps in the motor industry. Peugeot, a steel metal company, constructed the first car that used a v-twin engine which was a Daimler engine design. Peugeot later on produced its own design of engine which used independently pivoting wheels.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another French company, Panhard et Levassor also introduced a car that was more sophisticated than the Peugeot. Panhard’s model of engine, termed systeme panhard had its engine mounted on the front and operated by turning the rear wheels via a driveshaft that run underneath the car. The United States of America joins the car industry The united states marked a slow start in the motor vehicle invention and remained stuck in the ‘buggy’ despite making big strides in the manufacture of other industrial products such as watches, typewriters and fire arms at relatively low costs. Its first internal combustion engine automobile was designed by Charles and frank Duryea in Massachusetts in 1893. The car was propelled by an engine with a single-cylinder and contained a spray carburetor and electric ignition. In 1894, the first gasoline car was made by Elmer and Edger Apperson using the Hayne’s design. The Duryea motor wagon company came into existence in 1895 and s pecialized in gasoline cars. Henry Ford first built his two cylinder engine car in Detroit and only registered the Ford Motor Company in 1903. Other important car builders in US during the early stages included; Ransom E. Olds and William C. Durant who founded General Motors in 1908. Electric Cars This mostly came into being in the 1830s but failed due to the fact that early batteries were limited in their capacity to store energy. Because they operated within towns, the cars were relatively advantageous since they did not require to be occasionally replenished with water (Larmine lowry 93). They could also travel longer distance comparatively. However their prominence dwindled in the 1900s as the advantage was taken by the gasoline cars. Other factors that led to the near demise of electric cars were the expansion and betterment of roads between cities thus creating the need for long range cars. Gasoline availability also meant that gasoline cars were easier to maintain than the e lectric cars. Another brow to the electric cars was rendered by the invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering in 1911. The great success in the evolution of automobiles, prior to this development; vehicles powered by gasoline were started by a hand crank which was more dangerous and difficult to use. Finally, the initiation of mass production of vehicles using internal combustion engine made their availability and affordability possible when compared to electric cars (Mom 98). During the years that followed (1911-1960s), there was an almost complete disappearance of the electric cars. The years between 1960 and 1970 experienced an urge to re-introduce electric cars. This was mainly because of the increase in air pollution caused by the internal combustion engine cars and the rise in the prices of crude oil. There followed many attempts by various companies to come up with electric trucks that would be easy to maintain. Recent developments have been aimed at producing en vironmental friendly vehicles and emphasis has been laid on electric cars. Among some of the modern electric cars in the market include the Toyota RAV4 sport, Honda EV Plus sedan and several models of Chrysler. Manufacturing Methods Early car makers employed similar techniques in the manufacture of cars. This technique were however similar to those used in heavy engineering industries. Early automobile companies were initially bicycle makers such as Peugeot and the Riley in Britain. These motor companies used skilled workers in modest workshops but as volume of production increased, there was change to batch system. In the one-off system, workers and parts moved to the areas of the workshop where the car was positioned. Accessory machines were also grouped in regard to the type of work performed by each. Conveyer belts were first used in Henry Ford’s workshop. Assembly of the car parts was later done in one location. The first moving assembly line was used in Ford’s wo rkshop. The chain driven assembly line replaced the sliding rail system in the ford workshop. Modern manufacturing techniques are highly automated and in some companies, most of the work is done by robots. The final results of modern technology are faster, more comfortable and reliable cars. Modern Internal Combustion Engine Cars There is a great deal of differences in cars we have today and those present in the early years. However, it is worth mentioning that the principles have relatively remained the same and only the outlook and few other aspects have been changing. Internal combustion engines may use diesel or petrol. However, for a long time, diesel powered vehicle were neglected but are now making a comeback because of their high efficiency and long life. Diesel powered vehicle can also burn other types of fuel. These vehicles are more expensive compared to gas cars. There are numerous car manufacturing companies today when compared to the earlier years. The US is today the highest producer of motor vehicles in the world today while Japan is the second. The amount of cars in the world today exceeds 1 billion with the number expected to rise in the near future. This large number of cars continues to cause far reaching effects on the environment due to pollution thus raising the issue of environmental friendly cars (Walsh 4). Conclusion It is true that the invention of cars completely changed the way of life of man. It was a gradual process that took place over a long period and underwent through numerous stages and processes. The history of the car spans back to about 250 year and took place in several countries in Europe and in the US. German is credited with being the place of birth of the motor cars. This important technical invention has helped shape various cultures in the world Glossary Automobile- a wheeled motor vehicle with own engine and used in transport Axle- a small shaft around which a wheel rotates Battery- electrochemical cells designed to convert chemical form of energy into electrical energy Buggy-a light carriage that is pulled by one horse or oxen Carburettor- a component of an internal combustion engine that mixes air and fuel Carriage – horse drawn vehicle. Chariot- a carriage that is drawn by horses and mainly used in ceremonies Combustion-the process of reacting oxygen with a given substance to yield heat and light Conveyer belts- a mobile belt that is used in industries to transport objects Crankshaft-a shaft found in cars that rotates when driven by a crank Crude oil- dark oil containing many hydro carbons Demise- death Diesel- heavy oil Driveshaft- a metal shaft that help transmit rotary power from the point of production (engine) to the point of application. Dwindle- to decline or decrease Gasoline- this is a very volatile mixture of several gases that comes from petroleum and functions as fuel for vehicles Groove- a furrow cut in wood Hayne’s design- an early design in the manufacture of engines in which it was placed in the front and the power transmitted to the rear of the car Ignition- process of making something catch fire Petrol- gasoline Piston- is a part of the internal combustion engines that is found in a cylinder and is used to channel power from the expanding gas to the crankshaft Pollution- contaminating the environment with harmful unwanted substances Propel- use of force to make an object move forward Railroad- metal road on which trains travel Replenish- refill Robot- a device designed to move automatically Sledge-a small vehicle that is pulled by a dog or a horse Spooked- wheel- a wheel with wire or wooden devices that held the axle in place Steam- vapour produced when water is heated. Works Cited Flink, James. The Automobile Age. USA: MIT press, 1998. Larmine and lowry. Electric Vehicle Technology Explained. USA: John Willey and Sons, 2003 Mom, Gijs. The Electric Vehicle: Technology And Expectations In The Automobile Age. USA: John Hopkins Univers ity Press, 2004. Volti, Rudi. Cars and Culture: The Life Story of a Technology. New York: John Hopkins University press. 2004 Walsh, Michael. Moving Toward Clean Vehicles and Fuels: A Global Overview. New York: Air and Waste Management Association, 2004. This essay on The History of Cars was written and submitted by user Ciara Lang to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

The Millikan Oil Drop Chemistry Experiment

The Millikan Oil Drop Chemistry Experiment Robert Millikans oil drop experiment measured the charge of the electron. The experiment was performed by spraying a mist of oil droplets into a chamber above the metal plates. The choice of oil was important because most oils would evaporate under the heat of the light source, causing the drop to change mass throughout the experiment. Oil for vacuum applications was a good choice because it had a very low vapor pressure. Oil droplets could become electrically charged through friction as they were sprayed through the nozzle or they could be charged by exposing them to ionizing radiation. Charged droplets would enter the space between the parallel plates. Controlling the electric potential across the plates would cause the droplets to rise or fall. Calculations for the Experiment Fd 6Ï€rÃŽ ·v1 where r is the drop radius, ÃŽ · is the viscosity of air and v1 is the terminal velocity of the drop. The weight W of the oil drop is the volume V multiplied by the density Ï  and the acceleration due to gravity g. The apparent weight of the drop in air is the true weight minus the upthrust (equal to the weight of air displaced by the oil drop). If the drop is assumed to be perfectly spherical then the apparent weight can be calculated: W 4/3 Ï€r3g (Ï  - Ï air) The drop is not accelerating at terminal velocity so the total force acting on it must be zero such that F W. Under this condition: r2 9ÃŽ ·v1 / 2g(Ï  - Ï air) r is calculated so W can be solved. When the voltage is turned on the electric force on the drop is: FE qE where q is the charge on the oil drop and E is the electric potential across the plates. For parallel plates: E V/d where V is the voltage and d is the distance between the plates. The charge on the drop is determined by increasing the voltage slightly so that the oil drop rises with velocity v2: qE - W 6Ï€rÃŽ ·v2 qE - W Wv2/v1

Thursday, November 21, 2019

What explains the widening and deepening of international peace Essay - 1

What explains the widening and deepening of international peace operations after the Cold War - Essay Example In this sense international stability relied on the premise that if state security is maintained, then the security of citizens will necessarily follow. Therefore international security relied on the anarchistic balance of power, a military build-up between the US and the Soviet Union which were the two superpowers, and on the absolute sovereignty of the nation-state. Security was seen as protection from invasion; executed during proxy conflicts using technical and military capabilities (Bajpai, 2000). When the Cold War came to an end in 1989 with the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, when the countries of Eastern Europe regained independence, and when finally the Soviet Union disintegrated, there was widespread feeling throughout the world that at long last universal peace had descended on Earth. The fear of a war in which weapons of mass destruction would be used had vanished. Cold War was an ideological war between the capitalist west led by the USA the communist east led by the Soviet Union. Cold war was characterized by arms struggle between these two sides with either side arming its allies in readiness for any eventuality. This sometimes led to wars with the two powers supporting the opposing side. On both sides of the Cold War, the trend seemed to indicate that the world was moving toward internationalism rather than nationalism. As a result of the threat of nuclear warfare, great emphasis on democracy and human rights, economic interdependence, and gradual acceptance of universal ideologies, it became fashionable to speak of the demise of ethnic and nationalist movements.Despite expectations to the contrary after the cold war, a fresh cycle of ethno political movements re-emerged in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and many other parts of the world. In fact, with the end of the Cold War, which clearly increased international cooperation while decreasing the possibilities of inter-state wars, the main threat to peace does

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The purpose and history of penitentiaries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The purpose and history of penitentiaries - Essay Example Thereafter, the Samarian records stated that an individual was to face death penalty for murder trials. In the â€Å"Law of Eshunna†, the punishment was based on a person’s social class; that is, those of the lower class were punished differently from those in the upper class. This law covered every aspect of a person’s social life which included divorce, marriage, and loans. This essay will there discuss the purpose and history of penitentiaries in depth, giving an analysis on how some people were punished for their wrong deeds. During the ambitious age of reform that came after the American Revolution, as a new nation, America was inspired to make a profound change in its public institutions. The country was also inspired to become the world’s example in social development. All the current American institutions; educational, governmental, and medical, were revolutionized during this time by the humanistic and rational principles of Enlightenment. From all the mentioned innovations during this period, the American democracy was the most influential. Second on the list was the intellectual export in prison reform and design (Colvin, 1997). Most prisons in the U.S during the 18th century were simply in form large holding pens. In these prisons, men and women, adults and children, and murderers and petty thieves, had their issues and affairs sorted out behind locked doors. Mutilation and physical punishment were so common during this period, and prisoners being abused by overseers and guards were totally assumed. In 1788, a group of famous and powerful Philadelphians converged at the home of Benjamin Franklin. These members of The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons expressed their concern about the poor condition of American prisons. Dr. Benjamin Rush talked the goal of the Society, which was to ensure that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania sets international standards for the prisons. He proposed a radical idea which was to

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Masquerade nightclub Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Masquerade nightclub - Essay Example This site offers patrons the opportunity to buy tickets to shows online. Information about the club is also present. Conveniently located in downtown Atlanta, the Masquerade has been the hotspot since 1989. One of the outstanding qualities of the club is the live music. The music played live and DJ spun is not mainstream music. Although there are some local band the open other acts at the Masquerade, most of the music is from established bands. The booking information for the website states: Currently, the Masquerade provides services to clients living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia. They have established a presence in the downtown market through local advertising vehicles, patron endorsements, and the Internet. All of the Masquerade’s supporting administrative duties is handled by computer (i.e., appointments, billing, purchases, etc.). The Internet targets the high tech patron of the Masquerade. As mentioned before the Masquerade has created a website at http://www.masq.com . The advantages of the development of a website are: The scope of this project will be to create a better web-based interface for the Masquerade’s customers. Currently the Masquerade has a basic website that is updated regularly, but lacks in depth, interesting hyperlinks. Hyperlinks for the different bands would help the Masquerade’s patron better understand what tickets they are buying. This would help the Masquerade promote their live acts more efficiently. User Interface is the connection between Masquerade, patrons, and bands.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Beowulfs Pagan and Christian Elements

Beowulfs Pagan and Christian Elements The unknown poet of Beowulf wrote about the Geats and the Danes, Germanic tribes who lived in pre-Christian times on the continent.   The plot of the story, therefore, has many references to pagan beliefs and superstitious customs. On the other hand, a man who lived in Anglo-Saxon England composed the poem; therefore, there are examples in the poem of Judeo-Christian beliefs. The poem, therefore, speaks of both Wyrd and God of both the Germanic Fate that directs mens lives to inevitable destruction and the Christian God who cares for the lives of His children. The poem fused Christian and Pagan ideals to reflect on the time and place in which it was written. Brodeur, the author of an article states a period in which the virtues of the heathen Heroic Age were tempered by the gentleness of the new belief; an age warlike, yet Christian. As a good Christian, the poet found himself faced with the task of treating this originally pagan material in a manner acceptable to a Christian audience (183). Brodeur helps us understand the context of the poem and begins to help answer they question, why it was written like this and how this plot was formed. Another important statement in the article was when Brodeur says a Christian perception of the insane futility of the primitive Germanic thirst for vengeance; and the facts that Beowulfs chief adversaries are not men but monsters and that the king of the Geats did not seek wars with their neighboring tribes may reflect a Christian appreciation for peace among humans (22). It was also a period in which people such as Hrothgar and his Daneswere punished for their idolatry (207). Throughout this poem, we see the cross between striving for a Christian God and fighting for pagan vengeance. Christianity and Paganism combined together created a holy ground on which Beowulf was built. Paganism is a belief defined as a person holding religious beliefs other than those of monotheistic. Some basic customs go along with this belief. One is the custom of worshipping a profusion of Gods. More than ninety percent of the time, it was in the form of a sacrifice. Another custom believes in fate and that is it supposed to control your destiny or duties in life. This is known as Wyrd. Another custom is beliefs in imaginary things like dragons and magic. In addition, they lived in a desolate tone. They believed in earth-bound view on life. Paganism came to be compared by Christians with a feeling of indulgence, speaking to the individuals who are arousing, materialistic, liberal, unconcerned with the future, and uninterested in religions that are more standard. Pagans were set out with admirable sense, to enjoy earth or himself. Again, believing in fate, if they were going for the worst they would look at it without bitterness. Lastly, they believed that fame was the only way for one to reach immortality. As you can see, majority of these customs are a little far-fetched. Some of these irrational ideas explains a lot of part we see in Beowulf.   Some pagan elements we see in Beowulf are Hrothgars peoples actions and basic pagan beliefs along with cultural importance and old tales. Christianity is a religious belief defined as one who received Christian baptism or is a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings. This belief like Paganism, come with some basic customs. First, they believe in one God. They believe that afterlife exists and it is like a utopia. They also believe in prayer as a way to give thanks to God for helping us avoid evil. Lastly, they have an optimistic outlook that is centered on a man who devoted himself to overpowering evil to create a better world for his followers. Again, these rules play a major role and effect the use of Christian elements in Beowulf. Some examples in this poem are the narration, Hrothgars speech, the Queens speech, and Beowulfs speech. Again, these points in the poem are very important to the plot and it is impacted by religious beliefs. Narration was impacted heavily by Christianity and is found throughout the text of the poem. An example straight from the poem is when the narrator said A comfort sent by God to that nation (13-17). Here the narrator is talking about Beo. He is the son of Shield Sheafsons. He is also Hrothgars great-great grandfather. Another example is when the narrator says, The clear song of a skilled poet tellingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦how the Almighty had made the earth (81-98). Here, the narrator is describing scenes at Herot and it refers to God as the Almighty. They believe that he created the earth and that is derived from the Bible. These few examples of narration help prove other documents statements thinking how this poem has Christian elements. In Christina and Pagan Elements Edward B. Iriving Jr. states There are references to Gods creation of the universe, the story of Cain, Noahs flood, devils and hell, and the Last Judgment (177) Here, Edward B. Irving Jr. is telling us that they made referen ces to monumental moments in the catholic churchs history. The one that sticks out the most is Noahs Flood. It is a part in the church bible that represents the freedom our religion has fought for and gained. In the same article, the author also said, The date of Beowulf is much controverted, but are no conclusive arguments against dating the poem to the age of Bede, a date which was favored by a majority of Beowulf scholars of the last generation (179). Again, the author is providing critical facts helping us date the time of Beowulf and comparing it to the timing of the peak of Christian practice. Therefore, this could help us differentiate the reasons for creating the poem. Personally, one like myself could think that is poem is more centered around the Christian faith because there are just more facts proving it. Going against that, I believe there are only a few theories that prove hints of pagan faith because again, there are fewer facts in Beowulf and the pagan faith was a sh aky practice during the time and there are some confined and complete documents of practice, but it was not as strong as the Christian faith. In 1960, Margaret E. Goldsmith published The Christian Theme of Beowulf and continued along the same lines in several articles culminating in her 1970 book, The Mode and Meaning of Beowulf. She finds teachings of Augustine and Gregory in Hrothgars sermon and views the poem as a kind of Christian historical novel.   Here is just another documented book providing correct and accurate information based on research within Beowulf and based on the portion written by Edward B. Irving Jr. On the other hand, there are some possible and documented facts that compare to the Pagan faith that need to be mentioned. The Christian Language and Theme of Beowulf provides a good amount of information on this. Thomas D, Hill mentions a crucial element when he says Pagan is a word used in at least three different senses in discussing this problem: the literal, the vestigial, and the ethical (199) The first sense is more realistic than the others and refers to documented practices of pre-Christian religion in which Germanic people participated. Beowulf contains documented pagan rituals and the ritual that stands out the most are three accounts of pagan funeral rites. The second pagan area involves how pagan rituals and practices are preserved through poetry. This section is not as clear as the previous area, but it still does bring a good point to the table. For example, the soldiers in Beowulf wore helmets with painted boars on them and the boar was a sacred animal that belong to the Germanic God Freyr. The third area revolves around the ethics and morality of this practice. Therefore, this is actually the real cause of most arguments involving Christian elements and Pagan elements in Beowulf. Thomas D. Hill gives us the background of it when he says The fundamental ethical code of the poem is unmistakably secular: it is the warrior code of the aristocracy, celebrating bravery, loyalty, and generosity with the hero finding his own immortality in the long-lasting fame of great exploits carried out in this world (180). The archetype of the code is not word for word, but similar to the code of Iliad which is part of the Pagan religion. As you can see, there are both Christian and Pagan elements being fused into this poem and they are clearly separated. However, both Christian and Pagan elements are being fused together to form some representation of both religions into one object, person, or place. First, Beowulf can be viewed in multiple ways. He can be viewed in both religions, but he comes together to for one. A Christian figure and a Germanic Warrior are two ways that Beowulf could be looked at in this poem. He can be viewed as a Germanic Warrior for his constant fights. He is having his big brawls with a big monster Grendel, Grendels troll mother, and a big fire-breathing dragon. It is somewhat strange that he is doing all of this fighting because he grew up as a very mature boy. He was known for having great kingly qualities. He develops into a wise and effective ruler as he ages. A great way to put it is he starts out as a heroic monster fighter and transitions to a dependable king. That looks and sounds li ke a very impressive accomplishment. Likewise, it can be looked at as a transition from a Germanic Warrior to a Christian figure. The poem states Beowulf was quickly brought to the chamber: the winner of fights, the arch warrior, cam first-looking in with his fellow troops to where the king in his wisdom waited, still wondering whether Almighty God would ever turn the tide of his misfortunes. This great quote is from lines 1310 to 1315.   This is great to prove the point that he is a Christian figure because he is asking for the forgiveness of God. He wants to be forgiven and know that all of his wrongdoings are forgiven. These wrongs were mostly of him fighting. This passage suggests that the culture of the Anglo-Saxons had a touch of both Christians and fierce warriors. Therefore, this fits in perfectly to that question of which one was he. Overall, Beowulf can be seen within this culture because it has so many direct connections with it. In The Christian Language and Theme of Beowulf Thomas D. Hill talks well about the combination of the religions when he says Many scholars, and perhaps most ordinary readers, have simply accepted this odd blend of pagan story and Christian teller as perhaps illogical and somewhat puzzling on purpose and implications, but nonetheless the way the poem is (200). Here the author of this portion of this research book is explaining how to combination of these two religions to form Beowulf is a way to cause problems for the reader. Scholars feel the author intentionally tried to confuse the reader so they can pick a side between Christian and Pagan meanwhile; the author could have tricked them and combined the two. That is why it is necessary to read in between the lines. In conclusion, Christian and Pagan elements play an immense role in Beowulf. This poem offers many options for the reader to choose. It allows them or gives them the power to create their own version of the poem. It gives clear hint and examples of both religions and that is what makes it difficult to separate or decide where this poem originates. Maybe that is something that we should not find out. The author could be trying to leave the readers a message based on these facts. These examples of religious practices could be the key to finding what we know beyond our history. It keeps your mind open and gives the reader the right away to let their mind race and think about the composition of Beowulf. It is obvious that the Christian, Pagan question is tightly connected and that it will most likely not be fully proven or solved any time soon. However, based on what scholars know, the best guess to this author would have to be a Christian poet with a Pagan past. The thing that would hel p the most would know the date. This would lead to almost every unsolved question about Beowulf. Scholars have favored in educationally guessing the time during the later period. This later period is around the late tenth century going into the early eleventh century. On these grounds alone, however, scholars can make no firm decision about the birth date of Beowulf. Work Cited: Bjork, Robert E., and John D. Niles. Christian and Pagan Elements. A Beowulf Handbook.  Lincoln: U of Nebraska, 1997. 176-92. Print. Donoghue, Daniel, and Seamus Heaney. The Christian Language and Theme of Beowulf. Beowulf: A Verse Translation: Authoritative Text, Contexts, Criticism. New York: Norton, 2002. 198-201. Print. Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur Vengeance the Pagan and Christian Inspiration. Christian and Pagan  Elements of Beowulf. Pace University, Web. 19 Jan. 2017.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Comparing Platos Republic, Mores Utopia, and Gurneys Dinotopia Essay

Plato's Republic, More's Utopia, and Gurney's Dinotopia    Throughout history, mankind has struggled to lead better lives and improve their society for future generations. What do we continuously attempt to improve? What kind of changes are we trying to institute? In other words, what is an ideal society? Many people have very diversified views about a perfect civilization. In Plato's Republic, Sir Thomas More's Utopia, and James Gurney's Dinotopia, three imaginary societies are described, each with its own peculiarities and highlights. Various aspects of the nations described in these three novels, including their respective economies, governments, and social structures, will be compared and contrasted. A crucial aspect of any society would be its economy. In Utopia, business was conducted chiefly to import iron, and in many cases they traded on credit. The Utopians have no currency, though they trade their goods for gold in order to pay mercenaries in times of war. If one is in need of something, one merely has to inform the head of one's household and he will get it. Their society is arranged so that they reject many material things that our society would consider valuable, such as silver and diamonds. "The Utopians fail to understand why anyone should be so fascinated by the dull gleam of a tiny bit of stone, when he has all the stars in the sky to look at - or how anyone can be silly enough to think himself better than other people, because his clothes are made of finer woolen thread than theirs" (More 89). To minimize the importance of these materials, Utopians make everyday objects out of them, like chamber pots. In Dinotopia, people are given what they require, mu ch like Utopia, although the... ...h political and financial equality, forming the foundation for everlasting peace. This ideal society would be ruled by a government that truly represents the people and endeavors to direct its citizens on the route to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Sir Francis Bacon said, "Man seeketh in society comfort, use, and protection." Works Cited Ferguson, John. Utopias of the Classical World. Ithaca, NY: Cornell UP, 1975. Manuel, Frank E. and Fritzie P. Manuel. Utopian Thought in the Western World. Cambridge, MA: Belknap-Harvard Press, 1979. More, Thomas. Utopia. Trans. Paul Turner. New York: Penguin Books, 1965. Plato. Republic. Trans. G.M.A. Grube. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1974. Rice, Eugene E. and Anthony Grafton. The Foundations of Early Modern Europe, 1460-1559. 2nd. ed. New York: W. W. Norton and Co., 1994.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Proverbs in Things Fall Apart

Proverbs are wise sayings that address the heart of the discourse in any given context, truthfully and objectively. In Africa and in Nigerian cultures especially, they are considered the reliable horses, which convey meanings to their destinations or hearts of the listeners. This study investigates aspects of the meaning of proverbs in the work of a Nigerian author, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. It is contended that meanings of Nigerian proverbs can be worked out within the semantic, referential, ideational, stimulus-response, realist and contextual theories. Types of meaning and proverbs are addressed and situated within the two works. It is advanced that proverbs play significant roles in clarifying, exemplifying, underscoring and influencing communication . With the broadly analyzed proverbs, the study attempts to further demonstrate the vitality of semantics and pragmatics in negotiating meaning especially in a second language context. Proverbs are common features of conversational eloquence in many African cultures, especially in Nigeria. Such â€Å"wise sayings† are usually acquired and learnt from listening to the elders’ talk. Given the vintage position that the elders occupy in various African traditions as the human repository of communal or primordial wisdom, they are the masters of eloquence, rhetoric and meaning. They are the ones who know how to impregnate short expressions with vast meanings, implicating the proverb, â€Å"it is the elder’s mouth that determines a ripe kola nut†. Several definitions of the term â€Å"proverb† abound in literature. The central idea in the definitions is that a proverb is â€Å"an adage, saying, maxim, precept, saw or any synonym of such that expresses conventional truth†. From Things Fall Apart The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them p. 6 Theory: Referential Type: Denotative/Connotative Analysis: The proverb makes reference to a cosmic body, the sun, with a view to evoking its sense – that those who strive and work (by remaining standing) will benefit from the fruit of their work before those who depend on them (by kneeling or deriving succor from them). While the inference of discouraging dependency can be made, the message is mainly that those who do not face the challenges of life and work assiduously defying sunshine should satisfy themselves with the crumbs that fall from the table of the hardworking ones. The proverb discourages laziness and implies the need for everyone to be hard-working. If a child washed his hands, he could eat with kings. p. 6 Theory: Realist Types: Denotative, thematic Analysis: The proverb portrays the honor and dignity attributed to cleanliness and responsibility. It thematizes hands washing, a good character training and hygienic way of eating as a sine qua non to honor. We infer that if a person does the right thing at the right time, as the proverb entails good fortune, honor, reverence, esteem and credit will be his, just like eating together with kings. The pragmatic understanding of how really high the Nigerians rate their traditional rulers provides a further clue to the semantic import of the proverb. 3 When the moon is shining, the cripple becomes hungry for a walk. p. 9. Theory: Referential Types: Collocative, Stylistic Analysis: Reference is made to another cosmic body, the moon, in this proverb, as â€Å"shining† collocates with â€Å"the moon† and â€Å"cripple† collocates metaphorically with â€Å"walk†. The sense of the proverb lies in the cause-effect theory that if motivation is given, action arises. In essence, night is conventionally taken as a period of rest but in a situation where there is moon-light, not only the able-bodied feels the need to walk or work in the night but even the cripple does. Night is implied and not stated for stylistic purposes while â€Å"hungry†, a marked word that ordinarily does not apply to â€Å"walk†, is also used for stylistic effect. The underlining message is that a good cause or motivation occasions a good effect or line of action. 4 A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness p. 14. Theory: Stimulus-Response Types: Denotative, Affective. Analysis: There is a tact advice almost coinciding with the English proverb, â€Å"one good turn deserves another† here. If a person accords honor or reverence to the successful ones, it is likely that he is also going to be successful. In other words, the sense of the proverb is that a person who helps another man helps himself indirectly as he gets familiar with what that man engages in – and this will ultimately lead him also to greatness, directly or indirectly. 5 A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. 15 Theory: Ideational Types: Denotative/Stylistic Analysis: The proverb tasks our mental conception or general knowledge of the toad as a nocturnal animal. If such an animal therefore does â€Å"run† (a lexical item preferred by the author for metaphorical or stylistic effect, against the normal collocative word, â€Å"jump†) in the day, there must be something amiss. The sense of the proverb is that there is a cause for anything strange that happens; there must be a reason, at least â€Å"no smoke without fire†. A toad running in daytime is probably pursuing something or certainly something is pursuing it. It has to do with the â€Å"cause-effect† relationship. An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb. p. 15 Theory: Stimulus – Response Types: Denotative/Thematic Analysis: This proverb also exhibits â€Å"causes-effect† relationship as it thematises the old woman. It means that people who have negative features feel disturbed when such features are being highlighted. There is the effect or response of uneasiness with reference to the dry bones because an old woman whose dry bones are signs of impending death is always scared of death. The sense of the proverb, essentially, is that conscience worries people of negative attributes even when they are not addressed but their excesses (so to say) are being condemned. The lizard that jumped from the high Iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did. p. 16. Theory: Referential Types: Denotative/Connotative Analysis: The proverb elicits the self-contentment and joy of good work. A good work, we can infer, is itself commendable whether people appreciate it or not. Reference is made to the lizard which nods after any activity it engages in, implicating its self-praise. The animal is personified for poetic effect. The English equivalent of â€Å"if you don’t blow your trumpet, nobody will blow it for you† may further illustrate the sense of the proverb – that if you do not appreciate your worth and dignify yourself, people may not bother to do it for you. Eneke the bird says since men have learnt to shoot without missing, he has learnt to fly without perching. . 16. Theory: Referential Types: Denotative/Connotative Analysis: Like the previous proverb, this proverb derives its message from folklore, in which human attributes are given to animals/non-human creatures. The meaning is both literal and figurative as well as multi-dimensional in scope. Changing situations give birth to innovations. If students, for example, develop novel means of cheating in the examinations, referentially, the authorities also devise ipso facto, new strategies of apprehending or detecting the cheats. When a man says yes, his Chi says yes also. p. 9 Theory: Ideational Types: Denotative/Connotative. Analysis: The proverb aptly sums up the essence of determination and strong will, within one’s psychological context. Reference to chi, a person’s personal god in Igbo culture, is of connotative import. The message interpreted is that man must always take decisive decisions for himself and resolve to do whatever he tasks himself to do for that will always be the will of his supposed â€Å"god†. A possible English equivalent is that â€Å"heavens help those who help themselves†, and as such, man should always be responsible for all his actions. A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches. p. 46 Theory: Realist Types: Denotative/Connotative. Analysis: The proverb explores the logical sequence of things/ phenomena: that a general analysis can be made from specific traits. In the real world, from the initial stage, from countenance and appearance, one is able to identify the good, the bad and the ugly. The reference to the chick in our psyche is illustrative: the chick that will not live long will probably look frail and sickly, right from the day it is hatched. Our actions, at particular times, are indices of our character, the proverb tells us. A child’s finger is not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm. p. 47 Theory: Contextual Types: Denotive/Collocative Analysis: Given the contextual/pragmatic knowledge of a mother’s love for her child especially in the Nigerian cultures, it is implied that whatever she does, even if such superficially appears harmful, will be of benefit to the child. This is because it is presupposed that nobody loves a child better than his/her mother. Thus, the sense of the proverb, which for effect parades â€Å"child/mother†, â€Å"finger/palm†, â€Å"a piece of hot yam† etc collocates, is that love bears no harm. If there is love, there is no need for reservation in taking a beloved’s piece of advice, whether one considers it good or not, because a beloved person will not recommend a harmful antidote for whom he loves. 12 If one finger brought oil, it soiled the others. p. 87. Theory: Ideational Types: Denotative/Connotative/Stylistic Analysis: The proverb underlines the concept of collective responsibility: what one does implicates the involvement of the others. With tact reference to our knowledge or ideas of the world, if a finger is dipped into the oil, other fingers get smeared alongside since they are together. In other words, a shameful act by a person brings shame, odium and opprobrium to him and by extension, to his family and community. Stylistic considerations impinge on the choice of â€Å"brought† and â€Å"soiled† from the existing alternatives – which could further communicate the same idea. A child cannot pay for its mother’s milk. p. 117 Theory: Realist Types: Connotative/Collocative. Analysis: This proverb anchors an axiomatic fact: certain things are unquantifiable or priceless. No matter how much the child gives the mother later in life, such is not worth her milk, given the child at infancy. By extension, kindness, love (and such virtues) cannot be fully reciprocated, as they are inestimably valuable. Collocates like â€Å"child, mother, milk† enhance the sense of the meaning. An animal rubs its aching flank against a tree, a man asks his kinsman to scratch him p. 17. Theory: Realist/Stimulus-Response Types: Connotative/Stylistic. Analysis: By drawing our attention to the real world of human-animal behavioral patterns, the proverb draws a line between a human being and an animal. The proverb is suggestive of the social nature of man, and the fact that â€Å"no man is an Island†. The proverb suggests that it is love that distinguishes men from a nimals. People who do not seek their fellow human beings’ help when in danger or difficulty are therefore animalistic. Marked word patterns like â€Å"aching†, â€Å"flank†, â€Å"kinsman†, â€Å"rubs†, â€Å"scratch†, that one would ordinarily prefer other words for, are used for stylistic purposes, engendering the connotative, figurative sense. Living fire begets cold, impotent ash. p. 118 Theory: Ideational Types: Connotative/Stylistic Analysis: The sense engendered by this epigrammatic statement is the vanity of arrogance. By creating the image/idea of fire in our mind, we are implicitly told that fire flares up in pride but its consequence is cold, impotent ash. The connotative meanings of â€Å"cold† and â€Å"impotent† are quite essential and their stylistic association with ash lends credence to the force of the meaning. Both fire and â€Å"ash† conjure in us human qualities – the fire gives birth to a cold and impotent child in ash. The sense of the proverb or its message is that people should be good and level-headed when they are opportune (to be in a position) or alive; for, when they lose such position and die, they become useless and unwanted – subsequently becoming objects of public disdain.

Friday, November 8, 2019

A Traumatic Event in My Childhood essays

A Traumatic Event in My Childhood essays During the years of the childhood we go through a lot of different experiences and learn how to deal with problems under any circumstances. We learn from our parents, teachers, society, and the environment that we live in. We often come across difficult decisions, a split road, a big change. Some of those decisions change your life to a better road, and the rest you will have to walk until another split comes along the way. Because of these roads and the experiences which we learn after each step we shape up our character. It doesnt matter if it was a bad experience or the best in you life. My memory is full of the events during my life. Its like a movie- full of surprises and disappointments, satisfaction and fear. The story that I want to tell you, happened to me when I was seven years old. Our family was at my fathers friends birthday party. Me and other children were watching a show with cartoon heroes. It was very entertaining. By the end of the evening most of the children were very tired, and thats me being included. I wished about my soft and warm bed. I asked my brother Alex to take me home. We told our parents that he would drive me home and come back to the party. Our trip home was already starting to be bad. It was a terrible night, it was Friday the 13th. The weather wasnt making it any easier. The sky was crying, it poured with such tremendous force that the visibility was so bad that you couldnt see anything beyond two or three meters of the rain. Everything was warning us to stop and stay with the parents. Rain washed away everything that was in its way. It was the kind of storm when the rain was pouring to fast, when there is too much water on the roads for the drains to kee p the water off it. The environment was starting to get very scary and depressing, I was beginning to panic. But all of these were still just warnings, the awful thing was still waiting for us. ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Lakota essays

Lakota essays The Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Nation is also known as the Great Sioux Nation. The word Sioux was adopted by the United States government from the term (Nadowesioux), which comes from a Chippewa (Ojibwa) word which means little threatened snake or enemy. This was because the Ojibwa or Chippewa learned to respect and fear the respective territories and hunting and fishing grounds set in place by the Sioux. The people of the Sioux Nation refer to themselves as Lakota or Dakota which means friend or ally. The French traders and trappers who worked with the Chippewa Ojibwa people latter shortened the word to Sioux. The Black Hills are a sacred land to the Lakota and are located in the center the Great Sioux Nation. The Black Hills are spiritually connected to the Lakota/ Dakota people and are now considered an important part of their sacred lives. The 7th Cavalry led by General George A. Custer entered the Black Hills in violation of an 1868 treaty, the center of the Great Sioux Nation and discovered gold. This was the catalyst that sparked The Gold Rush in the Black Hills opening the conflict between the United States and Great Sioux Nation. The United States Government recognizing the value of the land wanted to buy or rent the Black Hills from the Lakota people. The Great Sioux Nation refused to sell or rent their sacred lands. They believed that this land was given to them by the (White Buffalo Women) and that they had always been a part of the Black hills. This did not stop the United States from moving forward to seize the land. General George Custer was assigned the task of relocating the Lakota onto constricting reservation lands that had very little use and lacked substantial natural resources. This is the premise for one of the more famous Indian battles known as the Battle of the Little Big Horn, one of the great blunders of the military. General George Custer full of bravado greatly underestimated his adversaries result...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Wintel Case Study Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Wintel Case Study - Term Paper Example Secondly, the market segment for Intel is Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). We are informed that the microprocessor accounts for 20 – 40% of the total manufacturing costs of a PC(Yoffie, Casadesus-Masanell & Mattu, 2004). This should ordinarily make the manufacturers price sensitive, however Intel’s threat to integrate forwards prevents them from adopting that practice. In fact the converse happens because Intel is the market leader in chips production. Intel has strong relationships with a few OEMs whom it can selectively give its new microprocessors at a premium price. The premium price ensures that Intel sustains its profitability. On the value-chain structure we see Intel to be at the base. Here the business realized that improving the performance of sophistication of its microprocessors was not enough to grow its business. Intel therefore established Intel Architecture Lab (IAL) to tackle PC platform problems so as to increase the demand for its chips (Yoffie, Casadesus-Masanell & Mattu, 2004). This assures Intel of a growing market and more profits. The organization has also partnered with Independent Hardware Vendors (IHVs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) where it outsources pieces of technology to ensure that its products are delivered timely and in adequate supply. The guarantee on timely delivery and adequate supply sustains the Intel brand image, which consequently gives the company a basis for pricing its products at a premium. With regards to revenue generation and margins, Intel obtains a majority of its profits from the sale of microprocessors. The firm’s ability to control demand through selective selling, investments in software development and complementary relationship with Microsoft are all geared towards increasing the market and profits from Intel’s powerful microprocessors. As a sole-source manufacturer, Intel has asserted its position within the PC value network as a powerful supplier. The market had few,

Saturday, November 2, 2019

LAW 2112 EUROPEAN SINGLE MARKET Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

LAW 2112 EUROPEAN SINGLE MARKET - Essay Example This is citizenship in two countries. B) This will allow you to make your family members temporary citizens with you and you will be able to live abroad in the UA nation. 2) To become a citizen, the spouse automatically has their nationality. 3) Children may also take their parents nationality. 4) Extended family can become naturalized. In this process, Citizenship is up to the Home Secretary. They will make a decision about whether a person qualifies. The Secretary will make a decision as it sees fit. There are a number of official requirements for naturalization. The Secretary may wave some of the requirements under certain circumstances. The requirements are as follows: 1) Indefinite right to keep immigration status for a person who does not hold right to adobe in the UA. This person can be admitted to the UA without any time limit to stay. The right of adobe is Irish Citizenship. 2) Must be 18 years of age or older. 3) Must be of sound mind. 4) Must intend to continue to live in the UA or to have Crown service, or a company is established in the UA. 5) Must speak English, Welsh, or Gaelic reasonably well. 6) Must have an understanding of life in UA. 7) Must have good character. 8) Residential requirements must be met. Residential requirements are as follows: 1) Must have been a resident in the UA for at least 5 years (also know as the residential qualifying period), and 2) Must have been present in the UA prior to the date of application, and Must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UA during the 5 year period, and 3) Must not spend more than 90 days not in the UA during a 12 month period, and 4) Must not have breached the Immigration Rules at any time during the 5 years. 5) A child that is born in the UA, where the parents are non British citizens, the child does not receive British status. Spouses and civil partners must do as follows: 1) Must have been a resident in the UA for 3 years prior to the date of the application, and 2) Must have been present in the UA 3 years prior to the application date, and 3) Must not have spent more than 270 days outside of the UA in the past 12 months, of the 3 year period, and 4) In the last 12 months, cannot have spent more than 90 days outside of the UA, and 5) There has been no breach of the immigration rules, during a 3 year period. 6) Before July 1983, only a birth of a legitimate child (born to a married couple) was considered a citizen automatically from the father. At the time of the birth the child is able to have citizenship if the father is able to have indefinite leave or another settled status. The child had automatic British citizenship derived from the father, until July 2006. However, in the instance that the parents are not married at the time of the birth in the United Kingdom and then got married, then the marriage legitimates the child through the father. Although, if the father was a settled British citizen and considered settled in the United Kingdom when the child w as born, the child becomes a citizen starting from the time of the marriage. If a child is born to unmarried parents, the Home Office will usually register the child as a British citizen. . Q) What happens if a marriage breaks up, the spouse is the holder of the British citizenship and the employee is from a country that does not allow dual citizenship? Can the employee travel out of the UA and get back into the country frequently? A) 1)When a marriage or civil partnership permanently dissolves while the partner that retains