Financial Independence and the Single Woman Essay Example for Free

Financial Independence and the Single Woman Essay Most, if not all of Jane Austen’s renowned novels feature the trials and tribulations of single women—from Pride and Prejudice, to Sense and Sensibility, to Emma. The focus is specifically on the concept of marriage as the only viable choice for a single woman, if she wished to live substantially in her later years. However, while the subject of being wed to a suitable gentleman is present in Emma, the main character possesses a quality different from those in the other stories mentioned—Emma Woodhouse is financially stable. Therefore, this discussion of Austen’s Emma will be done through a different angle, which runs contrary to the author’s quote above. Matrimony in Emma is thoroughly explored and its nature as a solution for an unmarried woman’s future, yet it apparently does not apply to the story’s protagonist. Further arguments will expose the same logic as it is perceived today—after all, Austen wrote most of her work during the mid- to late 19th century. II. Emma Woodhouse and Matchmaking The penchant of the title character for matching her women friends with possible grooms composes the running narrative of the story. Because of a previous success, Emma decides to do the same for her friend Harriet Smith, an innocent but socially-inept young woman. Emma pours all of her efforts in setting Harriet up with the pompous Mr. Elton, and cut all possibilities of Harriet’s consideration of a marriage proposal she had received from Mr. Martin, a young farmer. Eventually, after many plot twists and turns and appearances of more characters, her plans backfire as the arrogant Elton reveals his true desire for Emma, and not for Harriet. Harriet happily ends up with Martin, and Emma admits to her own affections for her longtime friend Mr. Knightley. It is obvious that Emma’s obsession with matchmaking does not cover merely attraction; she chose Mr. Elton for Harriet mainly because of his financial stability, being the local vicar. Compared to the income of a regular farmer, a vicar would ensure a better life for Harriet. Clearly, the era’s societal norms and economic potential for women are at play, for woman were generally not entitled to many occupational choices; the most common would be as a family teacher or governess, both which are not financially rewarding. But the biggest bane of women then was the possibility of being single until they reach an age unacceptable for marriage—which would be around the mid-20s. For Emma, born into a wealthy family and allowed to make her own decisions, the best way to make sure her less fortunate women friends would have good lives ahead would be to marry a rich man. This is not explicitly implied in the story, as Emma’s designs were disguised as just a bored, rich girl’s newest hobby. However, in analyzing her own conditions as well as her initial rejection of the poor Mr. Martin for Harriet, it is obvious that she subscribes to the concept of marriage being the only solution for women other than herself.

Problems in Australian Society :: australia

Australia: Still the Lucky Country? Fire, flood, drought & cyclones. These are just some of the natural disasters that the so called, Lucky Country, Australia endures every year. And, with 5% of Australia’s population living overseas, we are beginning to question if Australia really is ‘the lucky country’. IT’S true, that Australians are luckier than people from most other countries in the world, but are we really living in THE lucky country? Is there even really a lucky country at all? Once a dumping ground for criminals and never-do-goods during World War II. Australia became a home for almost seven million immigrants, many of them British people who sought a new start over in a sunny country with a hopeful future. Australia was once a dumping ground for criminals and never-do-goods during World War II. Now, Australia’s luck may have run out. Australia has had many different sorts of problems throughout the recent years, as: Twenty years ago, the regular Australian employee was too busy to worry about the happenings of parliament. Numerous people waited until Bob Hawke became Prime Minister, after only two years in parliament. The politically naive voted for this â€Å"regular bloke† who understood â€Å"real Australians† and he spoke like one to. His â€Å"fair dinkum† accent was his greatest asset. As soon as he became Prime Minister; this courageous, fair minded, man for the nation’s citizens turned into a wimpy, deceitful man, who had lost touch with his fellow Australians and walked the same direction as his forerunners. The Howard government was not much improved; it improved the economy, but had a terrible record on human rights issues. It’s only actual triumph had been to restructure the indirect tax system and to boost the reserve bank’s independence. Then there are natural disasters; over the years, Australia has experienced more than enough natural disasters. Drought is without doubt one of the most complex troubles that Australia must deal with. Due to the fact that Australia has an enormous area of desert, and very low annual rainfall, the country is very dry. Fire is another problem within Australia. They are among the natural disasters that cause the greatest loss of both humans and material. The fires break out for many different reasons, but one of the main causes is the dry air, that throughout summer, blows from the deserts to the coast. Another cause is during droughts, there is a lot of dry land, the heat from the sun can cause fires.

Okonkwo “Falls Apart”: The Tragic Hero Essay

Psychology teaches us that we retain information presented to us in an emotional and  compelling manner.   Facts and figures may speak to the mind, but stories speak to the  heart—.the heart of individuals and the heart of humanity as a whole.   Why have books and  authors endured for centuries, outlasting nearly every other form of entertainment? Books are  the faithful guardians of humanity’s timeless bonds, and in their words and their images resonate  core human principles.   For this reason, novels are among humanity’s most powerful history  books.   Emotions are, after all, what make us human.   Who better to speak to these unstop-  pable forces than tragic dramatists, who capture the universality of human emotions in their  timeless â€Å"life-in-capsules†:   .their stories.   Classic masters like Sophocles and Shakespeare may  have introduced us to the tragic hero, but contemporary storytellers have transcended race,  regions, and centuries   to gift modern society with its own tortured messengers. In Chinua  Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the struggle between the late nineteenth century Igbo people of  Nigeria and the white colonialists who sought the tribes’ conversion to Christianity are docu-  mented.   However, it is the rise and fall of one great Igbo warrior, Okonkwo, that truly drives  this modern tragedy†¦. and demonstrates how a â€Å"tragic   hero† is often anything but â€Å"heroic.† Much like Shakespearean tragic hero Macbeth and many others, Okonkwo is a multidimensional blend of light (good) and dark (evil).   The clan leader is admirable in his self-made status (a unique fulfillment of the tragic hero’s usual noble nature) and his determination to create a better future by shunning his father’s questionable actions. Achebe presents Okonkwo and his tribesmen as a people who value thought and artistry:   â€Å"Among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten† (12).  Ã‚   During the era of imperialism and romanticism, many dismissed indigenous Africans as the â€Å"noble savage†Ã¢â‚¬â€beings high in morality but low in intelligence.   Achebe’s tale challenges both of these assumptions.   Achebe peppers his tale with Igbo language and words, to illustrate the vital role which communication played in the Igbo community and culture.   Such a representation is a far cry from the dull-witted and language-less â€Å"savage† of popular lore. Despite these positives, the reader may be left with an uncomfortable feeling—and even an active dislike—of the novel’s protagonist.   He beats his wife (although he is punished for it); he constantly berates his son for not being masculine enough; he wishes his daughter (although he adores her character and strength) was a son; he rarely shows emotion (because he perceives feeling as weakness)—and that very fear leads him to remorselessly participate in the premeditated murder of his favored surrogate son Ikemefuna. Two of the aforementioned events are particularly crucial in Okonkwo’s path of development, demonstrating the cruel interaction of fate and choice that guides the tragic hero.   During his formative years, Okondwo firmly captains his own destiny by building himself up as a respected and well-regarded warrior and provider, although these actions are fueled by the disrepute of his dishonest father, a background over which Okonkwo has no control. This secret shame is the first mark of the warrior’s spiritual wounding (parental issues similarly drive other celebrated tragic heroes such as Hamlet and Oedipus).   Spiritual hurt instills Okonkwo with a tragic flaw that damages his decision-making process.   And, as with all tragic heroes, the crossroads (the point of decision) is everything.   When the warrior is faced with a choice regarding how to handle his wife’s presumed negligence, his pride leads him to one brutal conclusion:   a beating.   The action shatters a sacred time for Okonkwo’s tribe, and, more importantly, fractures their trust in an important leader. As a result, the warrior has only wounded himself more, a fact for which he repents but does not yet truly recognize.Only Okonkwo’s second crossroads will irrevocably alter the story, and the man himself.   After all, how could a man look into the eyes of a child whom he has sheltered, mentored, and admired—a child, with no blood ties, who is still no less a â€Å"son† to his â€Å"father†Ã¢â‚¬â€how could such a man look into the past and future and allow his pride to deal that child a fatal blow? How could a piece of that man—of his soul—not die with his child?   For Okonkwo, the answer is clear, and his tragic recognition of the consequences of this action (his moment of truth) sets the ensuing chain of events on its inevitable—and unavoidable—course.   The warrior has further severed the tenuous connection with his family; more death befalls his family; the â€Å"fates† punish him with a tragic accident, which leads to his exile; and he must watch passively as his people are swindled by questionable outsiders. Yet the repeated emotional pummelings have reawakened within the warrior two important virtues:   honor and courage.   Through his revolution of one (his final choice, his final act of defiance), Okonkwo both finds himself and, ultimately, loses himself forever.     In some regards, Okondwo’s self-murder is the murder of humanity’s hope: The fall of the Igbo people—and their once mighty warrior—represents a slower,   more devastating form of humiliation and subtle slavery.   Two passages in particular speak to the colonialist impact:   â€Å"And at last the locusts did descend. They settled on every tree and on every blade of grass; they settled on the roofs and covered the bare ground† (71); â€Å"He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart† (164).   The first passage indicates how suddenly these indigenous peoples found themselves in the midst of colonialists (like the locusts), while the second passage laments how easily the outsiders were able to turn loyal tribesmen against one another. In the story, the tribesmen were at first seduced by the kindly ways of Mr. Brown (who respects the tribesmen yet lures away the tribe ‘outsiders’ first), but then they fall victim to the much more aggressive Reverend Smith.   Once under Smith’s leadership, the tribe converts’ actions become much more disreputable and disloyal (such as when Enoch unmasks the egwogwu), and the leaders of the tribe eventually lose their will to fight the colonialists, leading to Okonkwo’s suicide.   But it is perhaps the final lines of the book which most symbolize the â€Å"falling apart† of this once proud people: â€Å"He had already chosen the title of the book, after much thought: The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger† (224). The tribe is reduced to some white man’s conquest, while the very symbol of that tribe’s former strength, Okonkwo, becomes â€Å"a paragraph or two†Ã¢â‚¬â€a mere footnote in colonialist history.     In this sense, Okonkwo’s suffering (like many tragic heroes) is instilled with greater meaning because he serves as a symbol—a symbol of his culture’s greatness and its inevitable, tragic demise. Two words best summarize the complex creation of Okonkwo:   tragic hero.   Within this man is a piece of every individual, past and present.   The audience relates so well because they see themselves in Okonkwo’s shortcomings, flaws, and basically imperfect human nature.   In watching this memorable character’s own struggles against the   Ã‚  insurmountable, generations of audiences have found an outlet for their own hopes and fears.

The Genetic Mutation Fragile X Syndrome Essay - 960 Words

The genetic mutation Fragile X syndrome occurs on a segment of human DNA. Because the disease was first studied in 1943 by British physician James Purdon Martin and British human geneticist named Julia Bell, Fragile X is also referred to as Martin-Bell syndrome. Though it was not until 1969 that scientist Herbert Lubs discovered what exactly causes Fragile X syndrome. He explained that those who obtain the mutation will possess an X chromosome with an unusual gap. The gap located on the chromosome is called a ‘fragile site,’ which is where the name originates from. Fragile X is genetically passed down to offspring, so researchers are striving to improve the symptoms in hopes that they can create a better future for the victims. Genetic mutations are permanent changes in a DNA sequences that makes up a gene. The majority of disease-causing gene mutations are unusual in the overall population. The two major classifications of gene mutations are hereditary and somati c mutations. Hereditary mutations are immediately inherited from a parent and exist throughout a person’s life. If the DNA from the sperm or egg cell contains a mutation, the resulting fertilized egg will also inherited the mutation. Somatic mutations occur by either environmental factors or when an error appears during DNA replication. Unlike hereditary mutations, a somatic mutation will not be present in every cell. Mutations typically have a negative connotation; however, they are not always harmful,Show MoreRelatedThe Genetic Mutation Fragile X Syndrome Essay922 Words   |  4 PagesThe genetic mutation Fragile X syndrome is the most commonly inherited form of intellectual disability. Because the disease was first studied in 1943 by British physician James Purdon Martin and British human geneticist named Julia Bell, Fragile X is also referred to as Martin-Bell syndrome. Though it was not until 1969 that scientist Herbert Lubs discovered what exactly causes Fragile X syndrome. He explained that those who obtain the mutation will possess an X chromosome with an unusual gapRead More The Neurobiology of Mental Retardation: Fragile X Syndrome Essay1549 Words   |  7 PagesRetardation: Fragile X Syndrome In my previous paper, I wrote on the topic of the nature-nurture debate and the ways it related to the brain-equals-behavior dilemma. In this paper, I will continue this investigation into the link between genes and neurobiology, but I will focus in on a particular aspect of the relationship: neurological disease caused by genetic aberration. There are many well studied and well documented (thought not necessarily well understood) disorders associated with the X chromosomeRead MoreGenetic Disorders and Down Syndrome Essay969 Words   |  4 PagesA genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individuals DNA. Abnormalities can range from a small mutation in a single gene to the addition or subtraction of an entire chromosome or set of chromosomes† (Letsou). Most individuals are either related to or know someone who is effected by some type of disability. Many of these disabilities are caused by genetic disorders. Genetic disorders may alter physical appe arance and cause mild to severe mental retardation. Fragile XRead MoreEssay on Fragile X Syndrome1374 Words   |  6 Pagesmental impairment is Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X Syndrome is a mental retardation that affects social, learning and intellectual disabilities. It is a result of a change and mutation in a single gene, which can be pasted on to future generations. Symptoms arise when the mutated gene, FMR1, cannot produce enough of the protein, FMRP, that the body’s cells need to function. The symptoms can vary from each affected individual depending on how severe the gene mutation is. Fragile X causes symptoms suchRead MoreWomen s Illness History And Family History Essay2159 Words   |  9 Pages PBL 2- FRAGILE X SYNDROME FUNMED PBL WRITE UP ROSHAN RAYMOND INTRODUCTION Fragile X is said to be â€Å"the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability†(CDC, 2016) and generally is more prevalent in men than it is in women. This paper will look at the genetic inheritance of Fragile X syndrome but also some general information regarding the genetic disorder. It will also include the methods by which genetic diseases are diagnosed and how genetic counselling is used to aid patientsRead More The Etiology of Autism Essay1704 Words   |  7 PagesThe Etiology of Autism Autism is a syndrome that is characterized by the impairment of social interaction skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, and a decreased interest in participating in a variety of activities. In 1943, Kanner, the man who is attributed with the identification of this disease, hypothesized that autism might be a biological disorder as opposed to a psychological one. Numerous studies have been conducted supporting Kanner’s hypothesis. These studies have ranged from examiningRead MoreVariations and Characteristics of Mental Retardation Essay example1100 Words   |  5 Pagesin intellectual functioning and behaviors in expressing conceptual, social and practical skills in approximately one to three percent of the United States (Sue, Sue, Stanley, 2010). Mental retardation is categorized by the DSM-IV-TR as being a genetic disorder usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence, and is not considered to be a cognitive disorder. The following criteria is requi red for diagnosis of mental retardation under the DSM-IV-TR, Intellectual functioning under theRead MoreGender Theory1544 Words   |  7 Pagesbrain theory, which is supported by research on fetal testosterone, X-chromosomes, Y-chromosomes, and the female protective effect; and the biased diagnostic criteria theory, which is also supported by many research studies that explore phenotypic differences in the symptoms of boys and girls with ASD. Ultimately, the gender disparity is best explained by a merging of these two theories, in a model that shows that there are genetic differences that lead males to be more likely to develop ASD, in additionRead MoreEpilepsy And Autistic Spectrum Disorders794 Words   |  4 Pages Epilepsy and Autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) are both genetic disorders stemming from multiple possible origins. Both disorders share multiple similarities, including cell growth, synapse development and function, and regulation of gene transcription. An incorrect or non-functioning synaptic protein causes many mutations within genetics that predispose one to both ASD and epilepsy. In addition, a recent study found that epilepsy was diagnosed in some form in 44% of children with ASD. ConverselyRead MoreWhat Do We Know About Autism Spectrum Disorder?1390 Words   |  6 PagesRobinson Peete once stated, â€Å"I m not a doctor or scientist. I m just a mom. But I do think there s a genetic predisposition, and there are environmental triggers. I feel like that combination, in my child s case, is what resulted in autism.† Holly Robinson could have not said it in a better way. What is the cause of autism? Is autism solely caused by genetics or a combination of genetics and environmental influences? What does make up autism spectrum disorders? With so much research by professionals