My little bit of country free essay sample

My little Bit of Country’’ is an essay, written by Susan Cheever, about Central Park. Susan Cheever acts as the narrator, telling parts of her life story, from her childhood days until her present, from her point-of-view. The story takes place in the urban Manhattan, putting the New York City life in perspective, of a life in the suburbs. The story begins with the protagonists’ first memory of summer mornings in Central Park with her father, after his return from fighting in World War II, and since the story progresses chronologically, it can be presumed that the story’s timeline begins in the 1940s, and as earlier mentioned, ends in the narrators present. While living in New York in her earliest years, Susan Cheever is an only child, living in a two-bedroom apartment near the Queensborough Bridge. In attempt to explain the greatness of New York she writes on page 8, line 36: ‘’The city in those years just after the war was a romantic place, a place of dreams and the beginnings of prosperity for people like my young parents’’ showing that already at a young age she felt a platonic love for the city in which she lived. We will write a custom essay sample on My little bit of country or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She got infatuated by the idea of New York at such a young age, that she seemed to have created an idea, of which being that nothing could compare to New York. With these ideals she moved to the suburbs with her parents, where she was living her parents’ dream of the white picket-fenced house, gaining a younger brother and a dog, in Westchester. Already knowing what she thought was best, she puts the two different ways of living in perspective through personal experience: Page 2, line 110: ‘’Why would I want to swim in someone’s muddy pond crawling with leeches when I could perch myself on a marble basin and cool myself with splashing clear water, topping it off with a lemonade from the cart on fifth Avenue? ’’ Page 2, line 115: ‘’Why would I want to scrape around the rough, dangerous ice of a country lake when I could glide around the smooth ice at the Whollman Rink and pause for a hot chocolate when my toes and fingers got too cold? ’’ Page 3, line 172: ‘’Country children may have had ponies, but my kids had the delicious Carousel with its honky-tonk music and bright stallions. ’’ Page 3, line 77: ‘’Suburban children had fancy art classes; my children had the Metropolitan Museum of Art. ’’ The way she wrote the essay clearly puts her in favor of the city life. How she describes how amazing the city is with all its opportunities, whereas the country is more limited. How she makes the city out to be almost majestic and magical in comparison to the suburbs, by using words like marble basin, splashing clear water, delicious carousel and bright stallion about the city, while words like muddy, rough and dangerous to describe the suburbs. She quotes an author named Andy Warhol about how you can find a little piece of country in the city, but no city in the country. Central Park is her country, her refuge from the city. She describes it to be beautiful but tame, whereas she explains how she is afraid of the wild nature that lies on the other side of the suburban house walls. My little bit of country free essay sample What would the ideal lifestyle contain? Would it be a busy life, surrounded by tall buildings and lots of people or would it be on the country, enveloped in the uncontrolled nature and with a small society? Some would argue for the city-life, while others would argue for the country-life. It might be impossible to conclude which lifestyle is really the best, but there is definitely both cons and pros to each of the two lifestyles. In an article called My Little Bit of Country, posted in Central Park by Susan Cheever, Susan Cheever argues her view of living respectively in the city and on the country. Susan Cheevers preferred place to live is the city. When she was a baby and as a very young child, she lived in New York. Later, she moved to the suburbs with her family and she didnt like it at all. When she grew up and got children, she raised them in the city, because she felt better in the city. We will write a custom essay sample on My little bit of country or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Cheever describes the life in the city and on the country as to completely opposite things, treating them as definite contrasts. The city-life is controlled, safe and clean – whereas the country-life is wild, dangerous and muddy. She uses a lot of examples, like ice-skating and swimming. In the city, you have safe ice-skating rinks, where there is no chance of going through the ice and there is pools that is almost completely clean and disinfected every day. On the country, you ice-skate on lakes and ponds in the winter, that might or might not be able to bear your weight, and in the summer, you bathe in the same lakes and ponds that might or might not contain poisonous algae and other plants or dangerous animals. Cheever also argues that pieces of nature exist in the city, but that pieces of city doesnt exist in the country. According to her, Central Park is an example of nature right in the middle of a big city. While it is correct that Central Park is indeed plants and a few animals, some would say that it isnt exactly the same as the uncontrolled nature you would find in a place that didnt get daily visits from gartners or where there wasnt any  supervision and control with each species of animals living there. Cheever also points to the privileges following a life in the city. The possibilities, as she describes them, are much more numerous than on the country. While the city still offers playgrounds, parks and pools, it also provides cafà ©s, lively people and flashing lights everywhere. The clean environment simply attracts her more than the dirty country. For children, Cheever thinks that the ideal place to live is also the city. She thinks its safer for children to grow up in the city and that its easier for the children to live in the city. She uses an example to support this. She compares the living country pony and the carousel city pony to each other and concludes that the carousel pony is better than the living pony, because its clean and easy to handle. However, this example might not be very strong, as many people would point out that the carousel pony lacks just exactly the work and experience that the living pony can bring to the children. Also, the bond that the child would create between the pony and itself isnt present with the carousel pony. Later in her text, we learn that Cheever has an apparent fear of living in the country. She explains that one of the most important things for her is to be surrounded by civilization at almost all times. She feels safer when she can hear the buzzing of the traffic outside her apartment and see the flashing lights on the wall in her room when shes going to sleep, knowing that theres people around her. When shes on the country, she cant hear nor see any of this and she feels insecure and alone. This might be the case for a couple of people, but it is definitely not an average feeling among humanity. Cheever fails to mention the often-mentioned downsides to the life in the city. A lot of the people living on the country often reason, that they live on the country, simply because the constant buzz of the big cities would stress them. They prefer the tranquility they choose to see in nature instead of the loneliness that Cheever herself feels. Some parent and children would also argue that getting dirty and playing around in forests, swimming in lakes and ice-skating in the hands of nature is better than the completely controlled environment of the city and that it brings valuable  experience to be in the nature and learn by its rules. Lifestyles is a question we often ask ourselves and â€Å"city† or â€Å"country† is one of the big pointers as to what kind of life youre striving to have. Where the city has many different cultures, people and jobs, the country offers gardens, quiet and big families with pets. No lifestyle would be perfect for everyone – theres simply too many varying and colliding tastes and priorities for one lifestyle to fit every single individuals wants. In the end, it probably comes down to personal preferences what is really the best way of life for each individual. And thats probably how it should be.

Questioning the Constitutionality of Celebrating R Essays

Questioning the Constitutionality of Celebrating R Essays Questioning the Constitutionality of Celebrating Religious Holidays at Public Expense. It is unconstitutional for local, state or federal governments to favor one religion over another? Government can show favoritism toward religion by displaying religious symbols in public places at taxpayer expense, by sponsoring events like Christmas concerts, caroling, or by supporting the teaching of religious ideas. It appears the United States government has had a history of favoring Christianity. The United States government's favoritism of Christianity is a clear violation of the First Amendment. This amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." There is another reference to religion in Article 6, Section 3. This clause states "the United States and the several States shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution, but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." There have been several court cases on this and related issues which include Engel vs. Vitale, Everson vs. the Board of Education, and Lynch vs. Donnelly, the "Creche case". In 1947, in the Everson vs. Board of Education case, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th amendment prevented the States and the and the Federal government from setting up a church, passing laws that favor any religion, or using tax money to support any religion. Justice Hugo Black "incorporated" the First Amendment's establishment clause into the 14th Amendment which states that "the State shall not deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of laws and due process. After this trial, people began to question whether school prayer was constitutional (pg. 93-94, Klinker). The "creche case," Lynch vs. Donnelly, came from Rhode Island in 1980. In this case, the city offical included a creche, or nativity scene, in their city's annual Christmas display that included all traditional Christmas symbols. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger represented the court's opinion when he stated that, "Nor does the constitution require complete separation of church and state; it affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions, and forbids hostility toward any." Justices Brennan, Marshall, Blackman, and Stevens dissented. They thought the "primary effect of including a nativity scene in the city's display is. . . to place the government's impremature approval on the particular religion's beliefs exemplified by the creche." They argued that it clearly violated the First Amendment (p. 99, Witt). These cases demonstrate a pattern of Constitutional thought by high courts prohibiting the promotion of particular religious ideas, and the spending of tax dollars on events that promote particular religious views. A logical extension of this pattern can be made to the spending of tax dollars for decorating towns on religious holidays, such as Christmas. Local, state, and federal governments attempt to get around the prohibitions of the Everson and Lynch cases by decorating the streets in town with non-religious symbols such as lights, trees, wreaths and other objects that symbolize the season. But, religious people think the season itself has religious meaning. Using tax money to decorate for a religious holiday not celebrated by everyone is unconstitutional because these symbols support one religion over no religion. The First Amendment prohibits this. We understand that public school prayer discriminates against some religious views so it is prohibited in public schools. Similarly, Christmas concerts play a role similar to the teaching of creationism and prayer. The Christmas concerts subconsiously influence students toward the beliefs of Christianity. To be fair to non-Christian groups, converting "Christmas" concerts to "Holiday" concerts would maintain the "separation of church and state." One could recognize the beliefs of many religions or none. One could play music from several religions or non-religious music. Religion is a personal belief. There are so many religions to choose from, including the choice of no religion. It is impossible to decide that one belief is right and another is wrong. So it is reasonable to say that it is unconstitutional for government to favor Christianity over other religions, including Athieism. Instead of using tax dollars to decorate the streets for the holidays, we could use the money for other things like playgrounds and helping the homeless. Also, students could play music that has no religious meaning to please every belief or offend none. This way, government would be prevented from favoring one religion over another. Henry, Richard, "Government in America", Houghton Mifflin

Adversity essay

Adversity Essay Adversity helps us to exist, without it we would never know ones true talents. I agree with Horace’s assertion about the role that adversity plays in developing a person’s character. Adversity happens to everyone, from people struggling to hold on, to high protected politicians. When people face adversities ones true character is revealed, adversities demand a reaction, makes you determined to overcome, and you have to survive them. When it comes down to it, adversity demands a reaction. Certain people take the task while others tremble. Quite a lot people of face the struggle of poverty and loss to surface stronger and cleverer for the experience. Where others become the victims of the results, powerless to tell the difference from unfair circumstances to deeper injustices in life. Dr. Martine Flament from Youth Research Unit at The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group said â€Å"People tend to believe that things will go well if you are protected from stress and bad environments. But it’s unlikely this will happen all your life. Everyone will encounter adversity and will develop resiliency. † But eventually, it’s adversity that defines us and what we believe in most. Adversity gets us ready for a lifetime of authorization or persecution in the face of trying circumstances. Adversity makes you stronger and it will always affect you, it always does and that is something which you need to accept. But there is a way to overcome adversity. All you have to do is take the situations you have at hand, understand them, and look at it from different perspectives. Acceptance is the key. The more that you fight against something, the more you will lose. However, even though you have to accept it does not mean that you have to suffer from it. Adversity stays positive, but many people consider is as something negative. It reminds us of human’s ancestry; it reminds us of our vulnerability and mortality as human beings. It reminds us that life is transient; that life is short. It teaches us to live wisely; there is value in suffering and sorrow. The bible says â€Å"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart† Which basically means, when we pay a sympathy call or visit the grave we remember our own mortality. Thus, we need to change our dilapidated ways because death is inevitable. There’s no guarantee in life; you don’t always get what you want. But I bet no one ever regrets chasing their dreams and going through hell on the way there cause in the end it’s all worth it. Your body is filled with pride, cause of the advertises you had to overcome. Even though adversities may place heavy worries on our shoulders, adversity is just a complication; all we have to do is overcome them, on our way to find out true discovery.

Positive Effects Of The Industrial Revolution On The Lives Of People Case Study

Positive Effects Of The Industrial Revolution On The Lives Of People - Case Study Example The standard of living for some had improved and the society was progressing. The industrial revolution is said to have brought many positive effects in the lives of people. Inventions such as the steam locomotives helped transportation and the increase in agricultural yield helped the farmers. There were many more significant inventions which changed the face of the earth and improved the lives of the masses. However, as it is commonly said that a coin has two sides and so this is also visible here. With the many pros which the industrial revolution brought with itself, it also brought some flaws. It is these flaws which are often highlighted when the industrial revolution is discussed. To begin with, it is claimed that the industrial revolution created a huge gap between the other countries and Britain. Also, this did not only lead to a huge technological gap between the countries but this also created a financial gap between them and Britain. The incomes of the average family were increasing and the people were becoming richer. At this point, sociologists like Marxists claim that the businessmen or the ruling class are exploiting the masses by paying them lesser wages. This causes the standard of living of the workers to actually fall rather than improving. However, as statistics show that people were actually well of in the long run. As soon as the technological change set in the conditions started improving and soon the families were spending more on food, clothing and household goods than ever before 1 Overall, the Industrial Revolution had many good effects. It increased the number of goods and services a nation could produce and supplemented to its wealth. It created jobs for workers and overtime assisted they live better lives. It produced better diets, better accommodation, and cheaper, better clothing.

The Coca-Cola Company Financial Results Analysis Research Paper

The Coca-Cola Company Financial Results Analysis - Research Paper Example There are various interesting issues about the North American market for The Coca-Cola Company in terms of its volume growth or declines for the period. For instance, in the second quarter of 2012, there was a volume growth of 4% at the global level. In the same aspect, in the quarter it turned to 5% in accordance with the year-to-date ratings. Therefore, this suggests that there was a growth of volume by 1% for North America in the succeeding quarter and year-to-date affecting even the international volume that leapt to 5%. Alternatively, in the following second quarter, there was a growth of 3% of net revenues with another 7% of net revenues in the comparable currency (Onkvisit, 2004). This means there were significant growths in the quarters and the net revenues of comparable currency. There was also the operating income standing at 7% with the net revenue of 6%. However, the met revenues have a possibility of decline if there are no checks in the growth of the operating income. It is also essential to note there are varying drivers of profitability during the quarter at The Coca Cola Company. This has also led to, interesting long-term, impact in terms of profits and eventual success. For example, there is the maximization of returns through close monitoring of profits and minimization of losses. In the prospect of maximization of returns, the company ensures that it gives its shareholders a large portion of their volume sales. (Hannaford, 2007). Alternatively, another driving factor is marketing in the context of distribution and donation of both macro and micro profits. In distribution channels, there is the direct and indirect selling type that gives the beverage company an edge of its competitors such as Pepsi and Nestle among others. Therefore, the long term effect of these profits is expansion and increased production in new markets across the world. The Earning per Share results for the quarter in comparison to historic results and long-term growth t argets have interesting information. For instance, in the third quarter, the EPS was a headwind of 5% with comparable net revenue of 7%. This eventually deflated to $ 0.50% in the same third quarter from net revenue of 4%. Similarly, there is also the comparable EPS that stands at 2% from the normal $0.51 in the year-to-date financial analysis (Rich et al 2009). However, if compared to the historic results and the long-term targets, there are various disparities. The historic results posted an EPS of $1.65 from comparable net revenue of 2% and 5% respectively in the third quarter. This means that there will be an increase of volume growth in the context of net revenue and comparable operating income. Furthermore, it would also reflect on the currency neutral of net revenues that affect the financial analysis of Earning per Share. The Coca Cola Company has made tremendous achievements of growth leading to acquisition of other feasible emerging markets. On that account, the emerging m arkets include Thailand, South Africa, India and China that have displayed a notable consumption of the company’s products (Pacek & Thorniley, 2007). This has led the beverage company to make heavy investments in terms of marketing expansion and distribution network. Similarly, there will be an establishment of new bottling plants that generate profits to equal to the net value of the company. Alternatively, the Coca Cola Compa

Theme Of Grapes Of Wrath Essay -- essays research papers

The Journey Theme of The Grapes of Wrath   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Classic novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck displays in his writing many different and interconnected themes. The main idea of the novel can be interpreted many different ways through many of the different actions and characters throughout the novel. In the first chapter of the novel, Steinbeck describes the dust bowl and foreshadows the theme:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The men came were silent and they did not move often. And the women   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  came out of the houses to stand beside their men-to feel whether this   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  time the men would break. As a theme, Steinbeck wanted the reader to see that humanity is on a journey, and for good or bad humanity continues to move ahead. Along with journey come changes, another important idea in the novel, which correlates directly with the main theme.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Journey is the main idea in the beginning of the novel when Tom Joad first gets out of prison and is looking for a ride home. Walking home he spots a turtle. Lying on the highway, missed by a car, hit by a truck, the turtle still struggles to continue his own journey towards the southwest. So already in the novel, two journeys are taking place, one a man’s journey and the other, nature’s journey.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Change is evident as an idea in the novel when Tom is reunited with his childhood preache...

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a touching tale of the friendship between two men–set against the backdrop of the United States during the depression of the 1930s. The book addresses the real hopes and dreams of working-class America. Steinbeck's short novel raises the lives of the poor and dispossessed to a higher, symbolic level. The novel opens with two workers who are crossing the country on foot to find work. George is a cynical, irresolute man. George looks after his companion, Lennie–treating him like a brother. Lennie is a giant man of incredible strength, but has a metal disability that makes him slow-to-learn and almost child-like. George and Lennie had to flee the last town because Lennie touched a woman's dress and he'd been accused of rape. They begin to work at a ranch, and they share their dream: they want to own their own piece of land and farm for themselves. They feel dispossessed and unable to control their own lives. The climactic moment of the novel revolves around Lennie's love of soft things. He pets the hair of Curley's wife, but she gets scared. In the resulting struggle, Lennie kills her and runs away. The farmhands form a lynch mob to punish Lennie, but George finds him first. George understands that Lennie cannot live in the world, and he wants to save him the pain and terror of being lynched, so he shoots him in the back of the head. The literary power of Of Mice and Men rests firmly on the relationship between the two central characters, their friendship and their shared dream. These two men are so very different, but they come together, stay together, and support each other in a world full of people who are destitute and alone. In a way, Of Mice and Men is an extremely despondent novel. The novel shows the dreams of a small group of people and then contrasts these dreams with a reality that is unreachable, which they cannot achieve. Even though the dream never becomes reality, Steinbeck does leave us with an optimistic message. George and Lennie do not achieve their dream, but their friendship stands out as a shining example of how people can live and love even in a word of alienation and disconnectedness. Its powerful ending is climactic and shocking to the extreme. But, we also come to an understanding of the tragedy of life. Regardless of the sufferings of those who live it, life goes on. The book is great, highly recommended. There’s so much human nature in those few pages, it’s just amazing how Steinbeck managed to pack it all in so nicely. Many of the most major and fundamental principles of the human psyche are here – self-esteem, meaning to one’s life, loneliness, friendship, love. The book is a masterpiece.