Free Essays: Comparing the Themes of Antigone and Oedipus the King :: comparison compare contrast essays

The Themes of Antigone and Oedipus  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Antigone and Oedipus, written by Sophocles, are dramatic plays with a tragic ending. The main theme for Antigone is that people sometimes have to learn the hard way from their mistakes. This theme is expressed in the final four lines of the play. They read, There is no happiness where there is no wisdom; No wisdom but in submission to the gods. Big words are always punished, And proud men in old age learn to be wise. These lines are an important part of the play. They symbolize Creon's bad decisions he made, his defiance to the gods, the punishment he went through because of his edict, and the wisdom he gained because of all his mistakes. "There is no happiness where there is no wisdom" demonstrates how Creon not using wisdom in his decision affected him. By declaring that Polyneices could not have a proper burial, he went against the gods and the other citizens of Thebes's beliefs. This was not a wise decision on his part, and because of it he lost his wife, his son, and his happine ss. Creon also defied the laws of the gods. This is what is expressed in the line, "No wisdom but in submission to the gods." In Antigone, the edict and decisions that Creon made demonstrated that his law was more important then the gods laws. His defiance of the laws eventually made him believe, by talking to Teirisias, that something bad would happen to him, so he gave in to his decision. When he gave into the gods he gained wisdom and learned that his actions would be punished. Creons edict is considered his big words. In the third line it says, "Big words are always punished." Creons edict was punished by his loss of happiness. He proclaimed to his city that Polyneices may not be buried, when he did this he was very proud and demanding about his decision. He was determined not to change his mind for anything. These big words that he proclaimed would bring his downfall. Because Creon locked Antigone up, for burying Polyneices, she killed herself. Creon's son Haimon, who was engag ed to Antigone, also committed suicide upon seeing his beloved Antigone dead. Also Creon's wife took her own life. If Creon hadn't gone against what was right, by making his laws more important then the god's laws, and issuing his edict, he would not have suffered the way he did.

Always Running by Luis Rodriguez

Gangs, violence and drug use are realities that most people in communities where poverty proliferates. While poverty, in itself, is not the major factor, it is certainly a risk factor and leads to further complications. Those who are poor and homeless definitely have less choice in the way they live their lives. In this regard, they are forced to engage in dangerous and even criminal behavior just to win their next meal or protect themselves from other people who may be eyeing the same source of income or subsistence in the community.When a sufficient number of people within the community experience extreme poverty and they resort to extra-legal behaviors, the community will deteriorate and its citizens will have to live with the reality of gangs, violence and drugs. The book of Luis Rodriguez, Always Running, is an attempt to present the situation in East Los Angeles. Amid the splendor and the richness of Los Angeles, the community of East LA is America’s version of the third world.More than just a psychological and sociological reflection on the realities of gangs and violence, his is reflection of someone who really went through the ordeals of gangs, violence and the use of drugs in the neighborhood. By writing his memoirs, Rodriguez (1994) depicted the scenes of his neighborhood with urgency and the poignancy of someone who truly experienced the events he portrays in his book. Gangs, Violence and Drugs in East LA The prevalence of gangs, violence and drug use in any given neighborhood may be easily blamed on the adventurous spirit of young men and women who seek life outside of their families.Or to the people behind the gangs who just manipulate the lives of these young people for their own personal gain. Based on the memoir of Rodriguez (1994), however, a number of reasons may be pointed to. One is the homelessness and continuous search of protection for oneself and one’s family. The title of the book is Always Running. The status of the fami ly and one’s relationship with the family has an impact on the kids who decide to join the gang. To protect themselves from harm and to help find food for themselves and their families, gangs are an alternative for these kids.Another reason for this proliferation is the search for belonging and camaraderie they find in gangs. Gangs often function as a surrogate family, albeit a dysfunctional one, to those who choose to belong to them. Through the process of initiation, the togetherness and the invitation to â€Å"toughness,† the kids who decide to belong to gangs become caught up in a vicious cycle that becomes very difficult to break. Rodriguez (1994), himself, learned how to run away from the police, how to steal, rob, and even engage in rape and other criminal behavior.Gangs also give a semblance of order and direction for the kids who belong to them. By trusting the older and more senior members of the gangs, the young people get a semblance of direction as other g ang members tell them about the things they should do to remain as members of the gang. Through the difficulties that they face in their own lives, they can achieve a level of control through their membership in the gangs. It is a destructive process but since these gangs are available in the neighborhood, the temptation to be a part of these is too great to resist for most young people.The whole community is affected by these gangs and violence. Although most of the families in the neighborhood are fragmented by poverty, divorce and other issues, they were still a force that most kids respected. As such, to a certain level, families were heeded by gang members. Yet, the community often responds by trying to ignore these events and engaging the police and other authorities to bring order. More than that, they also live in fear of the constant fighting among gangs and the violence they leave in the wake of such fighting.Those who do not belong to the community tend to look negatively to the community and shun it. This way, the gangs may feast on strangers who happen to wander into their territories. Since gangs are territorial, they would not tolerate other gangs from wandering into their territories. Yet, as the police becomes involves, such scenario is difficult to avoid. Therefore, some gangs do get in trouble with the police and with other gangs at the same time. This scenario becomes commonplace in the community and they cease to fight it and actively go against such culture.When this happens, they simply accept the reality of gangs, violence and drug use and do their best to minimize their impact on their lives and activities. Yet, they cannot get away from these realities. There are also members of the community who feel protective of the members of the gang, but not necessarily of the gangs. This is because of the perceived way in which they contrast their situation with the situation of more affluent people in the outskirts of their community and beyon d.As such, they reason, albeit subconsciously, that the gangs are a natural outgrowth of the desire of these people to protect themselves from other groups seeking to take advantage of them. Such stance therefore justifies in their minds the existence of such gangs and the necessity for violence. Aiming for Change There are instances, however, when the community is mustered to action and inspired to spearhead some changes in the community. When the culture of the people who belong to the community is affirmed, they are moved for action.When a particular cultural group manages to prove itself, the community rouses from slumber and they respond in kind. They then affirm their collective power and empower the young people in the community to aim for their best so that their lives would improve. This also helped the young people affirm the culture that they have even if the school system did not have provisions for such. The achievements of such kids, therefore, became the achievement o f the community and became a symbol of what they can do if they choose to rise above their economic and social standing. Another important aspect of the issue of gangs is the issue of race.Cultural groups such as Chicanos would need to band together so that they would not fall prey to White kids who are intent on waging violence against those who do not belong to them. Conclusion The issue of gangs, violence and drug use is multi-faceted. As such, the solutions that would be proposed should also take into account the issues of culture, family, school, and poverty. Sociological, political and economic analyses have been made. Yet, the memoirs of Rodriguez are a stark reminder that more than just academic curiosities, the kids who belong to gangs are real people who need empowerment.Rodriguez told the story of his life with gangs, violence and drugs as a means of showing his son what it was like to live a life that was always running. By documenting his experiences, he hopes to deter his son from his foray on such a risky life. Gang members can make choices to move away from their gangster lifestyles. But they will need the economic stability and the support of the community if they were to do that. The case of Rodriguez is an example of a man who thought about his life and decided to change it for the better. Reference Rodriguez, LJ (1994). Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L. A. LA: Touchstone.

Are Grades and Effective Means of Motivation? Essay

Believing: Grades are often seen to be one of, if not the most effective method of motivating a student to work to their fullest potential. For example, a student who receives an A-grade is going to be encouraged by the grade, as they see it to be an affirmation of their academic efforts. An A-student views their grade with pride, and will work very hard to maintain said grade, once achieved. An example of this is as follows. John recently received an A on his Math test. He then goes home with a sense of pride, bragging about it to all of his friends. John now realizes that he must keep up the good work and continue to work hard for school, in order to continue to feel as good as he does today. Conversely, a failing student will regard his/her grades with shame, and will be more motivated to raise their grade from the gutter as a result. An example of this is as follows. John receives an F for failing to complete an assignment on time. As a reaction to this, John decides that he will turn his life around completely and alter his studying habits so that he turns in his assignments on time in the future. In conclusion, grades are by all means the most effective way of motivating a student to excel. Doubting: Grades are the least effective way of motivating a student. This can be said with such certainty due to the very nature of grades themselves. They serve to rank students against each other. Personally, when I feel as though somebody is putting me up against a friend, I feel much less willing to work harder for the class than if they were to simply tell me what I needed to change in order to excel. The Whitehall Study, performed in England 1967, has shown us with certainty that humans placed in a competitive hierarchical situation over prolonged periods of time will increase their chances of gaining cardiovascular disease by 40%. This shows us that students placed under similar conditions (as they are with the grade system) are not only less motivated to work, but are also at risk of dying. Another important factor to consider when discussing high-school students and their academic achievements is that many of us are apathetic. This means that when we see a grade, we simply just don’t care about it and it doesn’t serve to motivate us one way or the other. This leads me to conclude that grades, when seriously considered by the student, are not only the least effective way of motivating students to do their best work, but are also a serious health concern. Reflection: This writing activity was unlike anything I had seen before. It challenged me to write from two entirely different perspectives, which is something very new to me. The main difficulty I faced with this assignment was the assignment itself. While it may seem redundant to say so, the assignment asked us to write about something from two polarized perspectives, and that was what challenged me the most. I found it easy enough to write the doubting response, as it is what I can most easily associate with. When it came to writing the believing response, I felt as though I was stuck. I stared blankly at my page for several minutes until I finally decided to ask an A-student what their perspective on the matter was. Doing so helped me greatly, as it broadened my mind and aided me in writing about something from an entirely foreign perspective. After completing this assignment I can honestly say that I am a more well-rounded person, as I find it easier to relate to what others are saying, even if it goes against every fiber of my existence. Believing and doubting helps me wallow in complexity by reminding me not to forget that there is a flip-side to what I am arguing at any given time, and I’ve caught myself thinking about a few of my foundational beliefs and how they can be contradicted by somebody with a different outlook on life. In conclusion, I believe that this assignment has helped me to understand that there are several other points of view to consider.

Its over Essay Example

Its over Essay Example Its over Essay Its over Essay It feels like Im melting into the floor as I allow myself to stop running and very hastily drop my enormous duffel bag down. This is the first time I really get a good concentrated look around the room. It is almost blindingly bright from the glow of the florescent light and everything in the room is a bleached out color. The middle of the room is completely empty. The two side walls are filled with rows of bunk beds and tall off white wall lockers. The drill sergeants start to bark orders at us once again. Dump out your duffel bags on the floor and put everything in order, Now! We all methodically and very precisely begin to set out all of our personal belongings. Going through our bags takes us well into the night. Now that everything is shoved back into our bags, we stand back up in the rows we were first in. There is no movement or sound from any of us except the faint hum of everyones stilled breathing. What could possibly be next? As the drill sergeants pace back and forth, they order all of the male soldiers to form a single rank and arch outside to another building. All of the females are left waiting patiently for orders. To our surprise we are finally going to get assigned our bunks, wall lockers but most importantly our battle buddies. The bunk beds are Just 4 metal bars holding up sad looking foam mattresses. The blankets are the green rough itchy kind that everyone hates. The pillows are barely held together in a tan pillow case , although I dont know if they started off that color. But because I was so worn out and tired It coked like the most comfortable place I would ever lay my head. How have I made it through today? As Im laying on the bottom bunk with my new battle buddy directly over me , I cant help but wonder what the days ahead will hold. So many different thoughts are running through my mind. Am I strong enough mentally or physically to succeed . I am so scared but at the same time curious for the next day to begin. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am going to make the best of it. Are you awake? The voice from the top bunk quietly sakes. Hesitantly I reply Yea, Im here. There was a long silence, almost long enough for me to think I had made up the short conversation. I was staring at the springs and bars above my head trying to force sleep . Then I hear the same soft voice saying the thing I needed most. This may feel like hell, but now we have each other. All the thoughts and worries that were running through my head disappear. I know I can make it through this suspiring place Its over By cosmos_09

Basic Greetings in English for Beginners

Basic Greetings in English for Beginners This is a simple exercise to get students communicating with basic greetings. Notice in the second part of the activity that you can use this opportunity to recycle spelling, object, and job vocabulary. Teacher: Hello, How are you? Hi, Im fine. - Hi, How are you? Hello, Im OK. - Hi, How are you? Hi, Im well. (Model the question to the students. You can make gestures such as the thumbs up sign, etc. as well as strong facial gestures to help students understand the differences.) Teacher: Susan, hi, how are you? Student(s): Hi, Im fine. Teacher: Susan, ask Paolo a question. Student(s): Hi Paolo, How are you? Student(s): Hello, Im well. Continue this exercise around the class. Part II: Goodbye Teacher: Hello Ken, how are you? Hello, Im fine. - What is this? Thats a book - B - O - O - K. - What are you? Im a teacher - T - E - A - C - H - E -R. - Goodbye. Goodbye. (Model this dialogue physically, you may want to model this exercise a few times as it will demand a number of skills from the students.) Teacher: Hello Paolo, how are you? Student(s): Hi, Im fine. Teacher: What is this?. Student(s): That is a pencil - P - E - N - C - I - L. Teacher: What are you? Student(s): Im a pilot - P - I - L - O - T. Teacher: Goodbye, Paolo. Student(s): Goodbye. Continue this exercise around the room with each of the students. If a student makes a mistake, touch your ear to signal that the student should listen and then repeat his/her answer accenting what the student should have said.

Living On Campus vs. Off Campus

Living On Campus vs. Off Campus Is your college kid contemplating a move off-campus? The dorm versus apartment, on-campus versus off-campus question,is a common topic for sophomores and juniors. Some colleges offer on-campus apartments as well as dormitory options, but most students start at least thinking about moving off-campus halfway through their college tenure. Here are some things to think about before making this big decision. Cost Dorms tend to be significantly pricier than living in a modest, shared apartment, especially when you take square footage into account. But that $14,000 per year dorm fee generally includes a substantial dining hall allowance. Make sure you remove the food tab from the equation so youre comparing apples and apples, not apples and oranges. And dont forget those other costs of apartment living: utilities, internet, and garbage service. A final caveat: your college kid likely wont qualify for an apartment on his own, so youll need to cosign the lease. Convenience Theres no doubt that living on campus is convenient. Classes are right there. Food is served by the buffet-load. Medical help for even minor issues is moments away. Move off-campus and there will be transportation costs and/or on-campus parking issues. Your kid will need to have at least rudimentary cooking skills. And there wont be an R.A. just down the hall, ready to help. Social Life Dorms are ready-made hubs of sociability. Everyones the same age and going through the same things, and everyone is eager to make friends. Depending on the apartment complex and your college kids level of gregariousness, he or she may find it difficult to meet people and make new friends. That can be a huge issue for freshmen, but not so much for upperclassmen who have already made plenty of friends. Its much easier to meet new people in apartment complexes with attractive common areas - such as a pool, basketball courts, or lounge - and in complexes where college kids make up the majority of the residents. Noise and Privacy In general, apartments are much quieter than dorms, where the steady sounds of partying or merely boisterous neighbors waft through the walls. Apartments tend to be calmer. Theres more room to spread out. Also, your kid wont be sharing a bathroom with ten or 20 other people. Space Bedrooms in an apartment might be even smaller than that tiny dorm room. But unless your child is considering a studio, conversion, or junior one-bedroom, apartments have room to spread out because they will also have a living room and a kitchen. And the bathroom is an actual room in an apartment, not a cubicle. Food Dining hall cuisine may have its detractors, but at least someone is providing three feasts a day. In an apartment, the grocery shopping and cooking is up to your child. That means developing some cooking skills and a recipe repertoire, not to mention budgeting skills. Groceries cost substantially more than dorm dwellers usually realize. Amenities Dorm laundry rooms are open 24/7. Apartments may have limited hours or no on-site laundry at all. Parking is either included in the apartment rent or available for a reasonable cost. And if the apartment complex has a pool, its right there and ready for splashing - not across campus and monopolized by the colleges swim team.

MIS Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

MIS - Assignment Example The responsibility of these sections is to manufacture the products under their categories. The administration department creates policies, while the human resource department is responsible for the recruitment of thee employees. The research and development department has the responsibility of carrying out research on the target market of the organization, its competitions, and how to improve the quality of the organizations product. The sales department has the responsibility of selling the products of the company. Based on these factors, the company has a variety of needs, which can be solved by the use of information technology, particularly by the use of the internet. One such need, is the need of recruiting the most talented employees, while reducing the costs associated with operating the business. To achieve this objective, the company should use the Craig list, for advertising for jo0b vacancies, and Skype for purposes of conducting a job interview. The Craigslist is an online company that specializes in providing advertisement services to companies. The url of the Craig List is, www.craiglist.org (Craiglist, n.d). To advertise in this website, it would cost the company approximately 25 dollars. Skype can be used for purposes of conducting interviews, and it is one of the cheapest methods an organization can use. This is because it is free to access the services of Skype. The use of Skype would enable the company to save on administrative costs that could be used for purposes of carrying out a face to face interview. The url of Skype is, www.skype.com (Skype, n.d). For the research and development department, the company would need information. Google search is one of the online solutions that can help the company acquire virtually any information in the world. This includes any information pertaining to its competitors, the market, etc. The url of Google is,