Lowering the Drinking Age Essay Example for Free

Lowering the Drinking Age Essay The legal drinking age has been a continuously debated subject in the United States since its establishment. The national legal drinking age of twenty-one years old was placed in 1984 and still holds to the present, but many have begun questioning whether twenty-one is still an appropriate age for our current society. Much of this debate starts with college campuses and binge drinking. As a senior in high school, and soon-to-be freshman in college, I began wondering if the drinking age is still suitable for present times, and if it should be altered. According to University of Michigan, approximately 80% of high school students have tried alcohol before graduating, and 60% have gotten drunk. With these statistics, it seems evident that the legal drinking age is not efficiently doing its job, and should be reviewed. So the question arises: Should the legal drinking age be changed? I started my research with â€Å"Repeal the Drinking Age,† by Jeffrey Tucker, Publisher and Executive Editor of Laissez Faire Books, from his own Mises Daily blog. In his article, Tucker begins his blog by discussing how most countries’ legal drinking ages are eighteen, but in the â€Å"land of the free,† the limit is set at twenty-one, even though the nation knows it is not working. Tucker relates the current drinking age to Prohibition, stating that the twenty-one age limit is rather liberal, and that putting restrictions on alcohol, like during Prohibition, only results in bigger problems. He then concludes that the drinking age is based on â€Å"one overarching argument: driving,† where we simply do not want drunken teens on the road. Read Also:  Easy Exploratory Essay Topics Tucker also states that the data on drunk driving â€Å"cannot be statistically attributed to the national minimum drinking-age law. † Tucker concludes by saying if we are serious about a â€Å"free society,† the nation needs to repeal the minimum drinking-age law. When exploring Tucker’s article, I have to agree that Prohibition was a terrible attempt by the United States to help fix social issues, but relating the drinking age to Prohibition is a bit of a stretch. I also agree that the decrease in fatalities involved with drunk driving definitely cannot be awarded solely to lowering the drinking age. Numerous other sources, such as a better understanding of risks with alcohol through schooling, much safer cars, and an increase in legal punishment, also play a major role in the decrease of drunk driving and fatalities. But relating the issue to what our founding fathers would say, and the ruining of a â€Å"free society† by not eliminating the drinking age, seems a little outlandish. Although the article did take the issue a little out of proportion, Tucker makes a good point about the current restriction obviously not working, colleges accepting this fact, and ignoring it. The article is a good base for an opinion about abolishing the drinking age completely, but I would also like to explore an opinion of simply lowering the drinking age. The next article I read was â€Å"Why the Drinking Age Should be Lowered,† an article in a scholarly journal written by Professor Ruth Engs associated with Indiana University. Professor Engs starts her article saying that the legal drinking age should be lowered to eighteen or nineteen years old, and that she has come to this conclusion after over twenty years of researching college youth and the history of drinking. Engs continues by stating that people under the age of twenty-one are more likely to be binge drinkers, consuming over five drinks at least once a week, and that 22% of students under twenty-one are binge drinkers, compared to 18% of legal drinkers. Engs then goes on telling other statistics about an increase in problems related to irresponsible drinking. Such problems include excessive drinking, getting into fights, and missing class, blaming the issues on â€Å"underground drinking† by underage drinkers. The article is concluded by Engs saying that the drinking age â€Å"is not working, and is counterproductive,† and that the minimum age should be lowered to help teach responsible drinking and decrease alcohol abuse. Professor Engs makes a very compelling argument in her article by not only discussing why the drinking age should be lowered, but also the issues with having the current age limit. I agree with Professor Engs’ description of underage drinking as an â€Å"enticing forbidden fruit,† a â€Å"badge of rebellion against authority,† and a symbol of adulthood. These comparisons actually sound realistic and show how underage drinking is a problem in the first place. Engs also uses statistics to support her opinion, proving that underage drinking is a serious problem. In my opinion though, Engs fails to consider the possible issues that could arise from lowering the drinking age. It is difficult to expect eighteen year olds to learn responsible drinking from their parents and peers, when in reality the exact opposite could be happening from alcoholic parents or irresponsible friends. With this article I learned numerous statistics about binge drinking and problems associated with underage drinking. The source seems very valid, and serves as a great opinion supporting why the drinking age should be lowered. While the article creates a persuasive argument on lowering the drinking age, I would also like to explore ideas behind increasing the drinking age. My final article, â€Å"Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Raised to 25 to Eliminate Deadly College Partying? † is written by Stephenson Billings, an investigative journalist for christwire. com. Billings takes a very strong opinion on the subject of the drinking age, thinking that it should be raised immediately, along with the banning of all alcohol on college campuses. Billings writes of alcohol being a â€Å"foul liquid† that keeps students from maturing into adulthood, and corrupts their ethics. He also writes about alcohol turning women into â€Å"lusting wolves,† and compares underage drinking to the most extreme of alcoholics who only care about alcohol throughout their lives. The author mentions the problem of legal drinkers buying alcohol for minors, openly allowing them to drink illegally and irresponsibly. Billings ends with the â€Å"straightforward† resolution of ending illegal drinking by raising the drinking age to twenty-five years old and eliminating alcohol from educational premises. Even though the article is put to the extreme, Billings does make a few good points. Billings views on drinking in college are over exaggerated, but are accurate in some cases. Extreme binge drinking does take place among colleges in America, and such colleges need to create strict penalties for such occasions, possibly banning alcohol from certain fraternities or even the college altogether. Billings also makes a good point about older students turning younger ones â€Å"onto the party† by buying them alcohol illegally, allowing them to drink irresponsibly. But the rest of Billings’ article is sent so over the top that I felt almost annoyed by his constant attacking of alcohol in general. A great example, I have driven around town past midnight before, but definitely was not drinking or using drugs. The stereotypes he uses to describe those who drink illegally are overstated and outlandish. The article gave me a totally different aspect on the drinking age and added to my growing opinion that the current drinking age is not quite working. Although the article did create another aspect for me to consider, the extremeness of it made it unlikely for me to base any decisions upon it. As I sum up the research for my exploratory essay, I still have more articles to read, aspects to understand, and statistics to find, but I believe I have come up with a good conclusion to the drinking age debate. Clearly the twenty-one year old age limit is not effective, and is blatantly being broken. Underage drinking is happening more than ever, while taking place irresponsibly and encouraging binge drinking. With the rise in binge drinking comes the obvious rise of problems associated with it, such as drinking too much, skipping class, and starting fights. Although the drinking age has helped lower the number of fatalities from drunk driving, other factors have also assisted in the decrease. If we as a nation can emphasize alcohol education in our schools, teaching responsible drinking and wise decision making, I believe lowering the drinking age can help save lives, and even increase the maturity of current underage drinkers. A drinking age of nineteen seems more appropriate for teens maturing, hopefully creating safer drinking in college, while keeping it mainly out of high school. Before making any rash decisions though, and agreeing to make an actual constitutional change for the subject, I think I need to do more research and look into more aspects of the topic.

Location Based Social Networking Essay Example for Free

Location Based Social Networking Essay Imagine yourself in a locality surrounded by strangers- a new city, a new state yet, no more totally strange. Check-in Yo!, update your profile and you are all set for the location. The location based social networking app Yo!Buddy is making you familiar with the society and locale wherever you are. You can see the like-minded interests and hobbies pursuant, neighbors and have chance to communicate with them. If you think you are not familiar with the ones you desire to go ahead and say ‘hello’, do not feel the set back. Yo! will show you everyone using the app around you, upto 5km. The further you go with Yo!, it has the feature to update and check-in your location, nearby people, activities and events. What more would you ask your locality to show you than what you desire- the users and chance to communicate with them. Yo! finds it simple and unique to bring your online friends and neighbor closer to you in your real life. When you meet your locality people online more often chances to meet them in real life increase much more. Who knows you go to a big mall and are just checked-in to find out that another of your neighbor or friend is nearby or even an online Facebook friend has come to visit the city. You might even be idling at home on a weekend to find another of the Yo! user nearby you too is idling. This makes your networking stronger with him/her. Yo! is mastering itself to provide you the platform so that every time you check-in, the GPS based Yo! records it for you and fellow users. You can even check-in Yo! through your Facebook profile, connect with your friends nearby and be updated on how about of them. The social networking on web is changing and applications like Yo! are changing it for our betterment. You have the world shrunk in a piece of computer.You have Facebook, Twitter to make friends followers worldwide and network. Though most of the friends or followers you get through these are virtually available and you might not have them when you need them. We are traveling to distant places for various reasons and at a strange place we feel left alone, most of the time. We like to see and enjoy our stay, befriend the people around and see nice places or just sit in a corner and still be updated as who are doing what nearby. Imagine yourself to see and doing whatever you like. Imagine to be updated and also open to be welcomed and involved in the surrounding. Location based social networking is bringing the world more alive to you- on your android application, in your palm. You just have to give it a try: invite and spread it to people around you, check-in, update and you are all set to say ‘Yo! Buddy, Wassup!’

Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF): Causes and Treatment

Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF): Causes and Treatment Abstract Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is a rare but severe type of bacterial infection that affects the soft tissue and fascia. Because of how rapidly the infection spreads it has a high mortality rate and the key to a successful recovery is early diagnosis and treatment. Since the discovery of this disease, little progress has been made to decrease the mortality rate, further emphasizing the importance of healthcare providers ability to detect and treat the infection early so that the patient will have a fighting chance. This article will discuss the history, pathophisiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostics and treatments, and interventions as it relates to the Nurse practitioners role in caring for a patient with NF. History and Background Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is a rare but rapidly progressing inflammatory infection that results in the extensive destruction of soft tissue and fascia. In the earlier stages of the infection muscle and skin are not affected (Ruth-Sahd Gonzalez, 2006). NF involves the superficial fascia, subcutaneous fat (which has nerves and vascular structures) and deep fascia (Green, Dafoe, Raffin, 1996). Thrombosis of the microvasculature occurs but there is an absence of myonecrosis (Giuliano, Lewis, Hadsley, Blaisdel, 1977). NF was first described as a complication of erysipelas by Hippocrates in the 5th century B.C. (Descamps, Aithen, Lee, 1994). During the civil war confederate army surgeon Joseph Jones described it as hospital gangrene in which 46% of the 2,642 soldiers who were infected died from NF complications. The cause of the disease was identified as a bacterial infection in 1915. It wasnt until 1952 that the soft tissue infection was named necrotic Fasciitis by Wilson (Wilson, 19 52). Cases of NF were sporadically occurring throughout the 19th and 20th century but remained restricted to military hospitals during the war with a few outbreaks occurring in civilian populations. Epidemiology The centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) reported that rates of NF increased worldwide from the mid 1980s to early 1990s. According to the CDC the increases in the rate and severity of NF are correlated with increase in the prevalence of toxin producing strains of S. Pyogenes (M-1 and M-3 serotypes). The CDC reported approximately 600 cases of NF in the U.S. in 1999 (Hu, 2002). Disease progression NF develops when bacteria enters the body usually through a minor trauma for example a laceration, bruise, or bug bite. Some cases occur after surgeries for example abdominal surgeries; the bacterium enters the surgical incision. The bacteria attacks the soft subcutaneous tissue releasing toxins that kill the tissue and affect blood flow to the infected area causing it to become gangrenous. If left untreated the skin, fat, muscle sheath, and later the muscle become involved. The infection spreads unseen moving up the affected body part at a rate of 3 centimeters per hour up to 1 inch of tissue per hour (Ruth-Sahd and Gonzales, 2006). Once necrosis of the tissue occurs that area has to be surgically removed. The bacteria can also cause the patient to go into systemic shock, which can lead to hypotension, respiratory failure, renal failure, and heart failure. If the infection is severe death can occur within 18 hours (Astorino, Genrich, MacGregor, Victor, Eckhouse, Barbour Barbour, 20 09) Pathophysiology Tissue destruction is possible once the bacterium has been introduced under the skin via a cut or penetrable wound. The pathogens begin to rapidly multiply spreading from the subcutaneous tissue along fascial planes, and then invading the blood vessels and lymphatic system. The bacteria release toxins that decrease the protective tissue factors in order to inhibit the immune systems ability to combat the bacteria. In the bodies attempt to combat the bacteria at the tissue level. The blood vessels in the area begin to leak due to the effects of the bacteria in the tissue, the immune response becomes hyperactive, which results in blood vessel dilation in order to facilitate the immune response to the area affected. Unfortunately the cells in the tissue begin to die as the blood vessels leak and decrease the oxygen supply to the cells due to the increase in permeability. Since there is a decrease in blood flow and oxygen supply to the tissue from the infection, tissue necrosis and ische mia occur. As tissue necrosis worsens, nerve damage takes place, which can be seen, as the patient will report the decrease or absence of pain at the area affected. As the infection progresses septicemia will also develop (Astorino, et al. 2009). Causative factors NF is caused by a bacterium named Streptococcus pyogenes or Group A streptococcus (GAS). GAS can be found in peoples throats or on their skin and they will be asymptomatic. S. pogenes is a cause for non-invasive GAS diseases for example rheumatic fever, strep throat, and skin infections like impetigo. When GAS travels to areas of the body where bacteria isnt found it is called invasive GAS disease example would be blood or lungs. More than 10 million non-invasive GAS cases occur annually. A rare but most severe case of invasive GAS is NF. These bacterium evolve quickly and scientist believe that GAS makes proteins that cause the immune system to attack the tissue directly thus the body destroys itself (Hu, 2002). NF has been classified into two types based upon the bacterium identified upon culture. Type 1 in a polymicroial infection including both gram-positive and gram- negative bacteria that can be anaerobic or aerobic. Type 1 is the most common, making up 90% of all the cases, st riking abdominal or peritoneal tissue. Underlying risk factors include postoperative, advanced age, or diabetes (McGee, 2005). Type 2 also known as the Flesh eating Bacteria is the rarest out of the two making up about 10% of the cases. It is the most dangerous of the infections usually affecting the arms or legs and involves the Group A (beta)- hemolytic streptococcus with or without staphylococcus aureus. Type 2 does not discriminate on age, race, or sex (Astorino, et al. 2009). Signs and Symptoms Early detection of NF is crucial it can be the difference between life and death. Health care providers need to be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of NF so that treatment can be started right away. Initial signs may be vague and are often confused with cellulitis, signs include pain, edema, erythema, and fever. A definitive diagnosis can be made by visualization and dissection of the necrotic fascia. A key factor of NF is pain, which is disproportionate to the amount of redness. If suspected cellulitis fails to respond to antibiotics within 24-48 hours NF should be considered (Varma and Stashower, 2006). Early symptoms including pain, malaise, fever, and thirst occur within the first 24 hours of invasion of bacteria. This is the time NF is usually misdiagnosed because progression of the disease is not visible until tissue destruction has already stated (McGee, 2005). Walter (2004) states that the hallmark of NF is erythema that spreads quickly with a margin of redness that extends to normal skin and is not raised. Advance symptoms occur 48-72 hours later and are characterized by significant pain at the wound site, increasing erythema, edema, and warmth. The skin tissue then becomes discolored and deteriorates further. The redness turns to dusky or blue and bullae (vesicles) appear. These bullae enlarge and then rupture leaking out dishwater pus a foul smelling, thin dirty gray liquid (Kessenich, 2004); (Ruth-Sahd and Gonzales, 2008). 4-5 days after appearance of the first symptoms patients can begin to demonstrate critical symptoms ranging from numbness and hypotension to toxic shock and unconsciousness. From there the patient can develop gangrene, sepsis, and then death may occur (McGee, 2005). When the initial symptoms are found it can be difficult to differentiate between NF and celluitis thus it is important to remember the hallmark of NF. After 3-5 days of onset when there is skin breakdown, bullae, and cutaneous gangrene present which are defin itive signs of NF and the involved area is usually not painful due to the are becoming anesthetic secondary to thrombosis of small vessels and nerve destruction located in the necrotic subcutaneous tissue Mandell, Bennett, and Dolin, 2005). Laboratory and Imaging Studies Common laboratory studies used in diagnosing NF include complete blood cell count with differential (CBC), Electrolytes, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine phoshokinase (CPK), rapid streptococcus test, and a culture and sensitivity. CBC may show an increase in WBC greater than 14,000/ul and the electrolytes may show a sodium level less than 135 mmol/L, which are both indicative of NF (Schwartz, 2006). The BUN may also be elevated to 15 mg/ml and the CPK may be elevated, indicating the presence of tissue breakdown. A C S with a Gram stain can determine whether the infection is Type 1 or Type 2, which will help to determine what antibiotics to prescribe. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to help diagnose NF. Ct scans can visualize the subcutaneous air and find the anatomic site of involvement by detecting necrosis with asymmetric fascial thickening (Maynor, 2006). MRI is helpful with guided rapid debridement of the wounds. Treatment In order to prevent significant disfigurement and/or death in the patient with NF is a quick diagnosis and very aggressive treatment is needed from the start. Broad spectrum antibiotics that treat gram-positive and negative aerobes and anaerobes are prescribed around the clock until the specific strain of the bacteria can be identified and treated appropriately. Due to the amount of antibiotics being administered and possible toxicity involved, Kidney and Liver function should be monitored during therapy. The patient will also need intravenous fluids, pain management, and possibly TPN. All necrotic tissue on the patient needs to be debrided with diligence in removing fascia, skin and subcutaneous tissue involved as early as possible, which may need to be performed multiple times to effectively remove all necrotic tissue. Hyperbaric therapy may be prescribed as an additional therapy. Role of the NP The NP needs to be able to recognize the early symptoms of NF so that he or she will be able to begin treatment quickly. A collaborative multidisciplinary care approach needs to be used for the care of this type of patient. The care team will need to include Critical/Acute care, Dietitian, Physical therapy, and Wound care Nurse. The patient will need a lot of education and psychological support as well. Conclusion Necrotizing Fasciitis is a very aggressive and debilitating disease that has a very rapid progression. Since the disease is very easily transmitted into the body with the potential of detection not until later stages due to the similarities to cellulitis. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent severe dismemberment and or death. So this makes the Nurse Practitioner working in ambulatory care the first line of defense against this rapidly debilitating disease.

Reasons to Ban Cloning :: essays research papers

Cloning is defined as the process of asexually producing a group of cells, all genetically identical, from a single ancestor (College Library, 2006).† Cloning should be banned all around the world for many reasons, including the risks to the thing that is being cloned, cloning reduces genetic differences and finally it is not ethical. Almost every clone has mysteriously died even before they are born. First of all, â€Å"Australia’s first cloned sheep appeared to be healthy and energetic the day she died, during the autopsy they could not find the cause (Castro, 2005).† There are many risks to cloning and you are seldom able to identify the cause of their death. â€Å"More than 90% of cloning attempts fail (Human Genome Program, 2006).† Most cloned animals died mysteriously even before they were born or when they were very young, so there is hardly any information on how clones age. Clones may be born with a normal looking body but may have internal functioning problems. â€Å"Cloned animals tend to have more compromised immune function and higher rates of infection, tumor growth, and other disorders (Human Genome Program, 2006).† There are many risks of cloning and a major factor is genetic differences. Secondly, â€Å"the most the human race has to loose by playing around with cloning is that the genetic diversity would be lost (Andrea Castro, 2005).† Reducing the genetic differences will produce clones that are grossly overlarge, many animals will be born with genetic mutations, and there will be a higher â€Å"risk of disease transfer (Saskaschools, 2003). â€Å"A review of all the world's cloned animals suggests that every one of them is genetically and physically defective (Leake, 2002).† Mutations will be passed on to the younger generation because if a cloned species has a mutation in their DNA this mutation will be passed on. Cloning has been linked with diseases of ageing, arthritis and, cancer. Last of all, Cloning is not ethical, many religious groups look down upon cloning and think it’s not proper because they think it’s like playing God. Many scientists were mainly thinking about cloning animals and, most likely, humans in the future to harvest their organs and then kill them. â€Å"Who would actually like to be harvested and killed for their organs?† â€Å"Human cloning exploits human beings for our own self-gratification (Dodson, 2003).† A person paying enough money could get a corrupt scientist to clone anybody they wanted, like movie stars, music stars, athletes, etc (Andrea Castro 2005),† whether it be our desire for new medical treatments or our desire to have children on our own genetic terms (Dodson, 2003).

Pat Lyon At The Forge Essay -- John Neagle Artist Painter

Pat Lyon at The Forge John Neagle painted the portrait "Pat Lyon at the Forge" between 1826 and 1827. Just 50 years after the beginning of the American Revolution, this painting shows how much America had evolved. Neagle's portrait is a powerful "celebration of productive labor" (p 281) and the, "entrepreneurial and commercial energies that 'transformed' the country" (p 8). It conveys the notion of 'republican equality' (p 241) that Wood discusses and how was important it was to the leaders of the Revolution. While portraits had earlier been an 'exclusive luxury of the aristocracy' (p 354), Neagle's portrait is a break from that tradition. The painting depicts a blacksmith working in his forge with a young boy, possibly an apprentice, looking on behind him. Pay Lyon looks nothing like an aristocrat. He is a laborer, hard at work with his shirt unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up. In traditional European society, gentlemen didn?t work, only common people did. ?The liberality for which gentlemen were known connoted freedom ? freedom from material want?and freedom from having ...

Explaining Laws in Special Relativity :: Science Mathematics Papers

Explaining Laws in Special Relativity Wesley Salmon has suggested that the two leading views of scientific explanation, the â€Å"bottom-up† view and the â€Å"top-down† view, describe distinct types of explanation. In this paper, I focus on theoretical explanations in physics, i.e., explanations of physical laws. Using explanations of E=mc2, I argue that the distinction between bottom-up explanations (BUEs) and top-down explanations (BUEs) is best understood as a manifestation of a deeper distinction, found originally in Newton’s work, between two levels of theory. I use Einstein’s distinction between ‘principle’ and ‘constructive’ theories to argue that only lower level theories, i.e., ‘constructive’ theories, can yield BUEs. These explanations, furthermore, depend on higher level laws that receive only TDEs from a ‘principle’ theory. Thus, I conclude that Salmon’s challenge to characterize the relationship between the two types of explanation can be met only by recognizing the close relationship between types of theoretical explanation and the structure of physical theory. The two leading views of scientific explanation, Salmon’s â€Å"bottom-up† view and the Friedman-Kitcher â€Å"top-down† view, give what appear to be prima facie incompatible characterizations of scientific explanation. According to the bottom-up view, we explain a given phenomenon when we uncover the underlying causal mechanisms that are responsible for its occurrence. The top-down view, on the other hand, maintains that we explain a phenomenon by deriving it from the general principles or laws that best unify our knowledge. In this paper, I focus on theoretical explanations in physics, i.e., explanations of physical laws. I first show that, as Salmon suggests (1989, p. 180-182), it seems promising to treat these two approaches not so much as different views about explanation but rather as descriptions of two distinct types of scientific explanations; there are clear cases of laws that have bottom-up explanations (BUEs) while others receive only top-down exp lanations (TDEs). I then argue, using explanations of mass-energy equivalence in Special Relativity (SR), that this disparity (why should some laws receive only TDEs after all?) is best understood as a symptom of a deeper distinction, first introduced by Newton, between two levels of physical theory. At one level, there is the collection of general principles and definitions of physical terms, i.e., a theoretical framework, from which one derives general constraints for all physical processes. At a lower level, there are laws that identify and describe specific physical interactions like gravitation and electromagnetism.

Katherine mansfield Essay

One of the world’s leading short story writers, Katherine Mansfield was born in 1888 in New Zealand. The second child of Annie and Harold Beauchamp, Katherine grew up in Thordon in Wellington within a large close family. In 1893, her parents, siblings, grandmother and aunts all moved to Chesney Wold where Katherine wrote of some happier times, the majority of which she has used within her stories. Attending Wellington Girl’s College and Miss Sawinson’s private school, Katherine and her two sisters then moved to London to attend and complete their education at Queen’s College, London. It was here that Katherine decided to use a pen name, Katherine Mansfield and began writing Juliet, a novel which she never wrote to its entireity. (The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society Inc) Throughout her life Katherine travelled a great deal and often travelled to Europe, it was during one of her frequent visits that she met a fellow traveller, Ida Baker who was originally from South Africa. Katherine and Ida became close friends and remained so throughout their lives. In 1906 Katherine and her sisters returned to Wellington but lived in another family home, much larger than the previous homes there was also a holiday cottage where they spent many years, which can be read about in At The Bay. Despite her family living in Wellington, Katherine found life there very mundane and yearned for excitement in newer pastures. Her love of writing was strengthening her thirst for knowledge and she often expressed a wish to move to Europe so she may continue her dream. Financed by her father, Katherine moved back to England without a second glance, she was never to return to her home town. (Jones) However, her love of writing suffered as Katherine allowed herself to become distratcted by men, she began several relationships only allowing herself to write a poem and a short story. Discovering very soon that she was pregnant, and from a gentleman in New Zealand, she met and married George Bowden, a singing teacher who was many years her senior. No sooner was the ink dry on her marriage certificate, when she left George Bowden. Katherine’s mother learnt of this news and travelled to London, took Katherine for some ‘treatment’ and then returned to Wellington to attend her eldest daughter’s wedding. During Katherine’s ‘treatment’ in Bavaria she unfortunately miscarried her pregnancy. She suffered some dark and disturbing times during this period and wrote some satirical material, none of which she was completely satisfied with and refused to have republished. In 1911 Katherine revisited London and met another man, John Middleton Murry. Murry was the editor of Rhythm and they married in 1918. Becoming the co-editor of Rhythm, Katherine also worked on The Blue Review before it folded and Murry was declared bankrupt. Various houses, none of them homes, Katherine it seemed, was to always lived an unsettled existence. In 1915, during World War I, Katherine and John became estranged and Katherine moved to France, then again back to London. Her younger brother, Leslie was training to be an officer at this time and they shared some nostalgic times together recalling their childhood times in New Zealand, these memories are all included in her tales of Wellington. Unfortunately, at this same time Leslie was killed and the effect of this grief, her own ill health and her ever present desire to write prompted Katherine to return to France and it was here that she eventually settled and began to write. Sadly, this settled period was to be short lived and as she became involved with Murry again, they both returned to England, living next door to DH Lawrence in Cornwall. Moving yet again to Mylor, they continued to group with friends who were artists and writers, some as famous as Bertrand Russell and Dora Carrington, to name a few. In 1916 Katherine was introduced to Virginia Woolf. Katherine had a work in progress, Prelude, which was a reworking of The Aloe, and this was then published on Woolf’s new Hoggarth Press, 1917. Encouraged by interest and her own desire, Katherine’s writing began to flow and it was after the publication of Bliss and Other Stories that her reputation as a writer became known. (Macmillan) Further ill health led Katherine to be diagnosed with tuberculosis and it was during this time she was advised to attend a sanatorium. The long, cold winters of England were to cause her too much suffering. She became so ill that she decided to move to Italy, she was accompanied by Ida Baker, her South African friend. Her recently widowed father and his cousin Connie visited whom Katherine managed to offend as she refused to convert to Roman Catholicism, so Katherine and Ida moved yet again, this time to Switzerland, firstly to Sierre, then to the Chalet des Sapins at Montana-sur-Sierre. Here, Katherine wrote about her life and family and these were included in many of her last stories, The Garden Party and The Doll’s House, all recalling her Victorian upbringing within her family unit. (Katherine Mansfield) By 1922 Katherine’s tuberculosis was considerably bad her and she left for Montana in Paris where she sought further treatment. Here she wrote The Fly and her last story, The Canary. She then entered the Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man at Avon near Fontainbleau where she sought enlightenment that would aid her recovery. Murry visited and it seemed she had found a final peace, how true this was as it was very soon after his visist that she died of a brain haemorrhage. She was buried at a nearby cemetery. (Asiado) Works Cited Asiado, Tel. â€Å"Katherine Mansfield Biography. † 18 September 2008. Suite 101. 15 November 2008 . Jones, Kathleen. â€Å"The Story – The Introduction. † KatherineMansfield. net. 12 November 2008 . â€Å"Katherine Mansfield. † Spartacus. 17 November 2008 . Macmillan, Eric. â€Å"Mansfield, Katherine. † 2003. The Greatest Literature of all time. 17 November 2008 . The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society Inc. â€Å"Katherine Mansfield 1888-1923. † 2005. Katherine Mansfield . 12 November 2008 . Research Paper What is the story’s central conflict? Feminism appears strongly throughout the body of this story as does family relationships. The women are strong, capable characters who take care of the running of the family and its structure. Stanley Burnell, the main male character of the story appears to be as strong as the women but in actual fact he has insecurities and seeks approval and reassurance from his wife more than she relies on him. Family interaction and growing up centralise the characters and familiarise the reader with each individual. Who is the main character and what does he or she want? Linda Burnell is the main character, with perhaps Stanley Burnell featuring close behind. They are a family unit with friends and neighbours becoming included in this to assist with their move to the country. Linda Burnell wishes for a better way of life and considers this move to be the way forward. What is the plot? A family living in New Zealand and their move to the country. How the Burnell parents seek a more favourable way of life away from town with their friends and children. What is the best point of view of the story and why? Seen from a child’s point of view, it is interesting to learn how Lottie and Kezia understand what is going on in a child like manner. Learning of their excitement and unawareness is perhaps why this story develops into something interesting rather than just about a family moving house. In the background of the story it allows you to realise from an adult point of view the reasoning behind the house move, but to understand it from a child’s eyes is engaging and simple. Analyse a character, tone, appearance and motivation. Linda Burnell is a strong, straight to the point type of character; she has an ambition to move to pastures new and organises well. Her husband, Stanley is also a main character but shows that although he is the main male character, he needs a female reassurance to allow him to grow. Explain the setting in detail. Moving from house to house, the setting is difficult to depict but the story is based in New Zealand around a family setting. Parents’ Linda and Stanley Burnell are moving to the country with their children. During the move, due to the organising and structure of the move, the children are encouraged to play with the neighbours and are tended to by them. What is the theme? The theme of this story is relationships. Not just between the Burnell family but also with the Samuel Josephs and people they have grown to know and include within their family who have lived nearby. The female characters are believed to be the backbone of the family but the oppression of the feministic opinion of that time is also featured quite strongly. Men were considered to be the providers and the organisers when in actual fact it was the women who carried on regardless of having no money of their own and being oppressed by men at that time. List 5 symbols in the story and say what they stand for. 1. Strength of character in Linda Burnell. Even though things are not going according to plan, Linda Burnell manages to keep a hold on her frustration. (Page 2) 2. The familiarity of home and the uncertainty of the unknown. Kezia remembers the old house and realises that this will no longer be her safehold. Taking in the noises and smells of her old home makes her feel safe and she becomes afraid of what is in store. (Page 7) 3. Accepting change. Upon reaching their new home the children see for the first time what their new life will be and although they take in their surroundings, it is not until they see their grandmother waiting in the porch that they feel comforted that there is nothing to be afraid of. (Page 11) 4. The subservience of Stanley’s mother. Stanley’s mother is considerably agreeable towards her son and whenever he wants something, she obliges. There is no confrontation from the woman nor is her voice to point out that Stanley could perhaps do things for himself more. (Page 14) 5. The importance of being male. Stanley Burnell is an egotistical man and although unsure of himself as a person, he likes to be stroked egotistically. He seeks reassurance and approval from his wife. (Page 22). Analysis – Prelude by Katherine Mansfield This story was enjoyable to read and easy to understand. The characters were depicted well and it allowed me to enter the story and be drawn by the structure and its meaning. Family relationships and the interaction of one on one relationships are prevalent in our everyday lives and it was interesting to read how the characters drew on their personal behaviour. Regardless of our own personal strengths and downfalls, a family’s love is unconditional and accepting of the good and bad in everyone. The influences and knowledge that people learn within the family core are all integral of how we are shaped as a person. Within the story it is noted that Stanley Burnell is depicted as a strong, influential character yet he is dependent on a woman’s presence and assistance in many of his daily situations. His mother has abided by his ‘demands’ on many occasions, leaving him with the inability to function without doing things for himself. It has become second nature for Stanley to expect the women in his life to carry out his requests, something which his wife, Linda has also conformed to. However, due to Linda’s own shortcomings, she has learnt to stand up to her husband in a non-aggressive manner, which makes Stanley believe he is not actually being ignored or disregarded. Linda’s own fears and desires are prevalent within the story and it is through these feelings that the reader is able to understand her ambitions and struggles within keeping the family together. Linda enlists the help of people she trusts and it is from that relationship that other relationships build themselves. Katherine Mansfield’s representation of this from within her own experience and explains aplenty as to how she perhaps became who she was. Strong, yet dependent; weak yet in many ways the driving force of what she truly wants. Like her mother, there were ambitions and goals, only to be frustrated by the choice of a relationship with a man. Linda Burnell wished for more independence and had a slight resentment of the leanings Stanley had upon her but it is from this resentment that a change in her lifestyle began. It is nice that within the story the relationship of inter-racial acknowledgement is recognised and interesting that from a child’s viewpoint, this is all just an everyday occurrence. Feminism was, and sometimes still is a bone of contention in any given situation, but the strength of both these women, black and white seem predominant within the story. As with Linda Burnell, Mrs Samuel Joseph portrays a strong, integral member of her family and it is the word ‘family’ that becomes the basis of the tale. Reading about the childrens’ fears and misgivings enlightens the reader to their personal feelings about all that is about to change for them. They realise what is about to happen and instead of welcoming this change, as perhaps Linda Burnell is, they fear as they are unaware of what is around the corner. It is not until they are surrounded by their family and familiar possessions that they begin to embrace their future. In terms of knowing what this will bring upon them in the future, is something of an anticpatory and exciting period in their lives and an adventure that this family are all working together towards.