A Worn Path Essay Example for Free (#4)

A Worn Path Essay ? The short story ‘A Worn Path’ by Eudora Welty emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence. The protagonist of the story, a very old African-American woman, Phoenix Jackson is presented by the author as a study in perseverance, stamina and life in the face of hardship and death. The story is rather deceptively simple and deals with an old woman’s journey on foot through the woods of Mississippi to the city of Natchez, motivated by the need of medicines for her ailing grandson. However, structured upon this journey motif, the story has a rich veneer of symbolism that turns Phoenix Jackson an everyman, while her journey, transcending every boundary becomes the very emblem for the eternal human quest through the wildernesses of life. The landscape that the protagonist has to cross to reach her destination is at once evocatively beautiful and hauntingly dangerous, threatening at every moment to jeopardize the journey. The old and worn out woman is acutely aware of the dangers and hardships that lie in her way and as she walks steadily she mutters under her breath: â€Å"Out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits, coons and wild animals†¦ the big wild hogs out of my path. Don’t let none of those come running my direction. I got a long way. † Her feet feels chained as she negotiates a particularly steep uphill path and gets entangled in a thorny bush that looks harmless from the distance. As soon as she overcomes this other impediments follow: narrow logs across a creek, ghosts which turn out to be nothing but scarecrows, dog and his white master crosses her path. But she braves it all with a determination and patience that bespeaks of the invincibility of the spirit that burns within her breasts. The solitary journey of the protagonist through the wildernesses is further complicated by her old age, her acute physical exhaustion and her failing vision. However, walking against these innumerable odds, Phoenix Jackson emerges victorious with the aid of her sheer fortitude and capacity for self-sacrifice for the sake of her grandson. Even when a bounding black dog pushes her over into a ditch, Phoenix Jackson does not lose her infinite patience. In fact lying by the roadside in a ditch, incapable of getting up on her own, she seems quite happy and soon loses herself in a dream and goes on talking to herself. After being rescued, she calmly declares the rationale of her journey to the hunter who advises her to go back home: â€Å"I bound to go to town, mister,† said Phoenix. â€Å"The time come around. † The protagonists zest for life is revealed in her intense awareness of every natural object around her and the wilderness seen through her failing eyes, takes on a dream-like quality; a dream in which every object quivers with symbolic or allegorical significance. The real journey transcends its limits to reveal a religious pilgrimage or a quest with Phoenix Jackson as the lonely knight whose only true weapons against adversities are her infinite patience and persistence. Interestingly, the story is actually set during the Christmas season, suggesting that the protagonist is out on a pilgrimage where her endurance and fortitude will be tested to the extreme. The theme of patience and persistence is also reiterated in the mythological significance of the name, Phoenix, a bird that rises again and again from its own ashes asserting the victory of life over death. It is to be noted that it is not only the natural world that poses an obstacle for the old protagonist, but the society too that refuses to giver her the due respect. Thus we see the White man condescendingly concluding that she is going to the town merely to see Santa Claus or the nurses at the great big building dismissing her as a case of ‘charity’. But all these barely touches the old lady, who has surely earned the medicine a thousand times over; the medicine that is given away to her as ‘charity’. She once again walks out into the street starting her long journey back home through the wilderness. Thus it might be concluded that Eudora Welty’s A Worn Path is a powerful assertion of the victory of the human spirit against all conceivable odds. The victory is undoubtedly hard earned, neither does it promise much spoils (the old woman is rewarded with a paper windmill and medicine for her grandson at the end of her almost epical journey). But it is a victory of patience and persistence. The battle too is worth fighting whatever be the spoils. A Worn Path. (2017, Feb 25).

Websites Evaluation Exercise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Websites Evaluation Exercise - Essay Example At the same time, these web developers who charge very low fees are often in experienced. As a result, they develop the website very poorly resulting in an inefficient website. For example, in some websites when one clicks on hyperlinks they often give a 405 error. This is often as a result of a poorly developed website which has a hyperlink, but the page designated for the hyperlink either does not exist or its development had a lot of errors, (Linde &Stock 2011). Another reason why many websites are in effective is the fact that their development had no goal in particular. A good example is when companies want their names to appear on search engines such as Google, (Linde &Stock 2011). When such websites are put up they contain minimal information and normally do not have valid hyperlink or any hyperlinks at all. These websites are more of posters than websites, (Linde &Stock 2011). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a website, which can be accessed through the URL: www.cdc.gov. The website has used a lot of graphics which capture the users’ eye. By using these graphics without reading anything else, one is able to come to a conclusion what the website is about. The website meets the characteristics of a good website. For example, all the hyperlinks when clicked take the user to the specified web page. The website has a professional impression and it is designed accurately, which helps the user navigate easily through the site. The website is authentic and objective as it provides various links to other site where users can gather information. It is credible as is written by a government institution which means the information is collected from reliable sources. The site also meets the characteristics of a good website in that it provides relevant and enough information. For example, the site list all known recent out brakes, and even goes further to

Reflective journal about Building high self-esteem Essay

Reflective journal about Building high self-esteem - Essay Example It is a term used to describe human being’s emotional evaluation of their worth (Mind, 2013). It can be explained as an attitude or a judgment towards self. There are various emotions encompassing self-esteem such as pride, despair, triumph and shame. Self-evaluations can be negative or positive. It can be influenced by the external environment or can be completely self-generated (Reece, 2013). Self-esteem can also be associated with self-consciousness. Resent research in self-esteem has suggested that it has a power influence on academic achievement, different exercise behaviour, workplace development and increasing employee morale (Bragar, 2009). The fact that presence or absence of self-esteem can be an important factor influencing the success or failure of an individual makes it an interesting topic. This study is basically intended to critically reflect upon the learning I received from the teachers and trainers. In the course module, we have mainly read about the theorie s and importance of self-esteem and critical evaluation of what I have learned during the programme and how can I apply this in my future career. In order to do this analysis, self reflection methodology will be adopted. In this study, I will demonstrate real life experience of my learning which was during my work in the bank and how I could relate the concepts and theories with practical learning. I will reflect upon how I can use those learning for my professional career.

Environmental Scan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Environmental Scan - Essay Example Their focus for the past few months has been to form strong relationships with their current customers, including car dealerships, repair shops, and the used car market, through strategic marketing and PR platforms. But at the moment they cannot gain customers in the car manufacturing sector as they don’t have the capacity to bring in large orders of the quality demanded by those. The major players all have private negotiations with the larger processing plants or they source them directly through imports. The current financial standing of the business is not enough to ensure profitability or expansion, modification strategies. Variable Cost per month- $ (100*70*20) + 2000 142,000 Average Variable Cost- $ 142,000/6000 23.67 Total revenue per month -$ 32*6000 192,000 The calculations indicate that the firm is not performing enough to generate a steady profit as the revenue is less than the total cost of producing. However, it would not be advisable for the firm to shut down ope rations as the loss being incurred now might well be less than the total fixed costs, which is what the firm would suffer if the management decides to shut down. The revenue per unit received is $32, according to economic rules an â€Å"in the short run, a firm will maximize profit or minimize by producing the output at which marginal revenue equals marginal cost (as long as producing is preferable to shutting down† (McConnel et al., 2008) The firm is producing output at the MC of $30, which is near enough to the marginal revenue of $32 and is following economically sound practices. From the calculation, we can see that the Average variable cost is $23.67, which means that the MR of $32 covers the ATC as well as contributing $8.3 to covering up the fixed costs incurred in the process... As the variable cost of workers is the greatest cost they incur in production, one possible venue is to bring greater automation in the plants along with the implementation of software like ER P or specific manufacturing software to take over the manual jobs in the factory. While the process requires hiring experts as consultants (or creating a new position in the firm) along with the capital requirements for new hardware and software, in the long run, the variable costs will go down and the increase in fixed costs will be offset by greater revenue and profits. Financial formulas can be applied to forecast the expected change in profit and cost structure; including interest expenses from the loans that will be taken or the bonds which will be floated to fund the project. Another way to generate liquid capital can be through making the firm public and floating shares in the market, but the current standing does not indicate that the response will be good and the owners are better off by taking liabilities and keeping control of their business in their hands.

Depression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Depression - Essay Example More detailed definitions of the term give a little more sense of the depth of emotion the term indicates. Another Merriam-Webster definition goes deeper by describing depression as â€Å"a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies† (2009). The tendency to define the condition based on how it makes a person feels is echoed in Medline but Medline adds that these feelings must be experienced for an extended period of time. But everyone has a tendency to feel some or even all of these feelings at some point during their day or week, so what makes the depressed person different from everyone else? Trying to understand what is really meant by the term depression becomes more confusing when it is understood that there are several different types of depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are at least five different types of depression. Major depressive disorder, or major depression, is what is commonly defined in the dictionary in terms of the symptoms a person might experience. More than just sadness, though, â€Å"major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally† (NIMH, 2009). The other kinds of depression all fall under the heading of dysthymic disorder which is not considered to be disabling, but is considered long-term, which NIMH defines as two years or more. These include psychotic depression, postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder. Psychotic depression is like regular depression but includes the person developing hallucinations, delusions or breaking from reality. Postpartum depression ha ppens within the first month after giving birth and seasonal affective disorder occurs during the winter months when there is less

The Greatest Principle - Utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Greatest Principle - Utilitarianism - Essay Example While the legal verdict was that of murder, the precept and concept of utilitarian as moral and ethical judgment for one’s actions had become crucial issues. The chapter describes Sandel’s moral and political philosophy and explores human behavior on the wider context of human relationship based on moral and ethical values. Bentham’s utilitarianism are discussed and juxtaposed against Mill’s philosophy of freedom and liberty. Aggregate utility and maximized happiness are major points of Bentham’s utilitarianism. It is based on the motive of the act and therefore can be used for justifying wrong acts. In other words, the wrong motives can be used for justifying actions which could primarily be for vested interests of few. Indeed, according to act utilitarian, actions should be such that they maximize happiness for greatest number of people. Aggregate utility becomes important aspect of actions as per Bentham’s philosophy. Sandel asserts that Bentham’s utilitarianism has basic two flaws when translated within the broader social context: it fails to safeguard individual’s rights and there cannot be common solution to every person’s preferences or problems. Indeed, it would pose huge difficulties for the market economy. Ford had refused to fix defective gas tank due to high cost per fatality. Ford’s action is prime example that shows the non feasibility of actions based on aggregate utility and translating everyone’s preferences into single solution. Mill’s philosophy introduces accountability of actions and therefore emphasizes that people can act in any way they wish but their actions must not harm the interests of others. This is hugely pertinent because while it takes individuals’ right into consideration, it also reinforces moral obligation on their actions. It also tries to explain second objection which highlights the need to evolve single scale to

The Navigation of young Adolescents from elementary school to Middle School Essay Example for Free

The Navigation of young Adolescents from elementary school to Middle School Essay The period of young adolescent is a very challenging and transformational period for the child. There are tremendous bodily and mental changes taking place which places significant amount of stress on the children, as well parents and the educators involved in dealing with this age group. This age group requires an unusual and sensitive team work to address t hisses which can address their changing expectations and help them cope with their emotional well being. The issues arise with time and situation and learning the skills to cope with them is important in terms of the peers, as well as family and school oriented affairs. It is also important to take into consideration the thoughts and the feelings as well their behavioral manifestations in theses tender years of change and adaptability. It is important to recognize the â€Å"disinterest, disorder and defiance† (Mcknight-Taylor, 1979) which is characteristic feature of middle school level of students. The educational enforcement should be aimed to engage and involve students and help them feel part of their special environment. Their individuality needs to be respected and their interests need to be taken into consideration. The educators should reach out to the students and aim to give them authentic informed facts which they can base their decision son. The teamwork of partnership between the young adolescent, parents and the educators will make significant difference in enhancing the navigational strategy to handle the transition with sensitivity and understanding, which will ensure greater degree of success. One needs to recognize that transition is a very difficult time for any age, but for young adolescent it is even more challenging taking into account the other transformational bodily, emotional and 0pphsyical changes which are taking place in their psychological setup. (Parker, 2009). The emotional , psychological and academic decline which has been witnessed in this phase can be addressed with strategic organizational and academic setup. It is important to investigate and advocate and advise based on authentic facts and figures which can provide a solid concept of the self image which is undergoing change in the life of the middle school students and thus address the issues related to young adolescent with sufficiently organized and departmentalized approach in which advisory and advocacy has a significant role to play. The issue related to advocacy has been an urgent issue which motivates educators to address the problematic issue to â€Å"navigate the transition from elementary to middle school, as their bodies grow and change, s they develop new interests and new peer groups, as they probe their boundaries and test their limits, as they explore a rapidly changing world via Internet, as they consume a daily bombardment of television, magazines, music and headlines† (Buckhardt, 1999). The challenge of educating young adolescents in this emerging world of changes and transition which is full of distractions and drama which has overwhelmed the lifestyle leads to unnecessary turbulence which impacts their self-centered lives with a roller coaster kind of speed and thrill, which is uncontrolled and untamed. The exposure to abusive material on uncontrolled technological devices makes the situation even more challenging for the parents as well as the educators. The exposure to pain and suffering is lot more which results from the unhealthy choices which are presented by settings which are of abusive nature. The role of advocacy and advisory in such situation which targets the program to engage and involve the student in the process would be a necessary tool to address this critical nature of issue which deals with navigating young adolescents in their middle school years. The rationale of the advisory program should be aimed at addressing the common attributes of the particular age group, along with the individual attention and conferences in which parents are part of the process. There should be regular and open conferences which builds the bridge between the advisor and advisees. The school should plan for sound administrative support which is backed by â€Å" an adult advocate for each young adolescent† (Buckhardt, 1999). â€Å"According to This We Believe, the obligation of a developmentally responsive middle level school is to provide ‘a continuity of caring that extends over the student’s entire middle level experience so that no student is neglected’ (National Middle School Association, 1995, p. 17). An advisory program enables that ‘continuity of caring’ to take root. † (Buckhardt, 1999). The success of the students in this transitional period and transformational phase has to taken with challenge and understanding which can ensure navigation of young adolescents in a sensitive and humane manner which provides supportive care and discipline to help them keep within the boundaries without suppression and repression. This will be reflected in their academic achievement, school attendance, lesser alienation, greater interests in school related learning and greater adaptability. These are the pillars which will help build a bridge which will help the young adolescent transitioning between elementary and middle school years a climate which helps them foster and grow to their peak. References Buckhardt, R. M. (1999). Advisory: Advocacy for Every Student. Middle School Journal, Vol. 30, Number 3. http://www. nmsa. org/portals/0/pdf/publications/On_Target/advisory/advisory_3. pdf Burkhardt, R. M. and Kane, J. T.. â€Å"An Adult Advocate for Every Student. Mcknight-Taylor , M. (1997) Making Education Special for All Young Adolescents. Jouranl Article. Childhood Education, Vo. 73. Beane, J. A. (1993). A middle school curriculum: From rhetoric to reality. (2nd ed). Columbus, OH:National Middle School Association. Burns, J. (1998). National middle school association 25th anniversary interview. Las Cruces, NM: Author. Lipsitz, J. (1984). Successful schools for young adolescents. East Brunswick, NJ: Transaction. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. (1994). Early adolescence/generalist standards for national board certification. Washington, DC: Author. Parker, A. K. Elementary Organizational Structures and Young Adolescents Self-Concept and Classroom Environment Perceptions Across the Transition to Middle School. University of Suth Florida, Journal of Research in Childhood Education, Vol. 23Issue 3, pg. 325-339. Rubinstein, R. E. (1994). Hints for teaching success in middle school. Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press. Shoreham-Wading River Middle School. (1989). Advisory activities at Shoreham-Wading River middle school. Shoreham, NY: Author. Shoreham-Wading River Middle School. (1973). Advisory handbook. Shoreham, NY: Author.