The Origin of Theatre Essay Example for Free

The Origin of Theatre Essay â€Å"It is unlikely that anyone will ever know just how theatre emerged† (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 3). Though there is little certain evidence, strong indications, scattered throughout our history, point to theatre finding its origins in the ancient rituals of shamanism. One might argue that theatre finds its origins quite clearly in ancient Greek theatre seeing as they have many written and still surviving plays and strong standing theatres, but George Freedley (1941) would argue otherwise. The oldest records of plays, stage directions and possibly even scripts are found not in ancient Greece but in Egypt, and they date back till as early as 4000 B. C. in examples of drama such as the Pyramid Texts (Freedley, 1941: 2). We can even directly link Egyptian and Greek performance by noting that a historian of the theatre, Herodotus, recorded â€Å"the religious festivals and the origin of the worship of Dionysos(sic) which was later to be transferred to the dramatic festivals in Greece† (Freedley, 1941: 1). This suggests that theatre as we know it actually finds its roots in ancient Egyptian festivals and dramas preformed in celebration of the gods. A common element seen in both Egyptian and Greek culture, be it on stage or not, is the ritualistic nature of their performances. This fact suggests that the origin of their version of performance and theatre is found in ritual and its significant role in society. â€Å" the earliest information about the presence of such drama comes from the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, most notably Egypt† (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 6). As the quote suggests, ritual as a means of drama is found all over the world, but clearly not in the same form as ancient Greek and Egyptian theatre. Therefore, one must look for other examples of ritualistic practises and performance in the world that predate even these ancient cultures. Left is but one known possible source from which theatre may have evolved; shamanism. To add, there are many similarities between recorded and modern theatre, and shamanistic ritual and the belief itself. Firstly, the definition of  Shamanism is: Shamanism can be defined as a family of traditions whose practitioners focus on voluntarily entering altered states of consciousness in which they experience themselves or their spirit(s), travelling to other realms at will, and interacting with other entities in order to serve their community (Walsh, 1990: 15). Further more, it is also important to note that shamanism is not a religion which adheres to specific rules of practise, it is rather a method used to interact with the spirit world (Harner, cited in Walsh, 1982: 12). For this reason we can at least theorise that shamanism and its traits, however few in common, may be the inspiration for later religious and/or non-religious beliefs and customs involving forms of theatre and performance. Greek theatre for example shares many similar traits with shamanism as seen in the following quote: In all three types of drama, tragedy, satyr plays and comedy, the actors were heavily disguised, much more than in the modern theatre. This was due not only to the fact that the female roles were played by men, but ultimately had its roots in religion. A complete disguise was the external sign that the actor had given up his own identity in honour of the god, in order to let another being speak and act through him. Dionysus, for whom the dramas were preformed, was the god of ecstasy. The word á ¼â€ÃŽ ºÃÆ'Ï„Î ±ÃÆ'ÃŽ ¹Ãâ€š means ‘standing outside oneself’; in other words the renunciation of individuality. An important medium for this in all three drama types was the mask. Simon, 1972: 10) When compared to shamanism we see that, as in ancient Greek theatre, the use of attire other than the common dress of the shaman was thought to be essential in the rituals they preformed. Whether the ritualistic costume is extreme clothing or even ritualistic nudity (as in the case of the Eskimo shamans), the important point is that whilst a shaman is wearing his everyday clothing, the experience will not take p lace (Eliade, 1964: 146). We also see that the trance-like state achieved allows for the shaman/performer to channel spirits so that they may communicate and act through him, however this does not necessarily mean that the subject is ‘possessed’. Although shamans are thought to be capable of allowing and inducing the possession of their bodies by spirits, their dealings with spirits primarily involve them ‘wielding’ the spirits with which they are dealing (Eliade, 1964: 15). Lastly, the ancient Greek dramas were performed in honour of the god Dionysus, the god of ecstasy. This is important to note as shamanistic practises are defined by the ecstatic experience a shaman induces as he engages in a trance through which his soul ‘journeys’ and leaves his body so that he may communicate with the spirits (Eliade, 1964: 15). In relation to modern theatre, shamans are known to have undergone not dissimilar training from modern day actors and performers in order to acquire many of the same abilities which are commonly used in theatrical performance. In order to induce the altered state desired shamans have been known to use techniques such as singing, dancing, and drumming (Walsh, 1990: 142). Shamans have even been described as â€Å"singers, magicians, actors and ventriloquists† (Thurn, cited in Narby Huxley, 2001: 43). Though the training a shaman endures is much more demanding and can even be physically damaging, such as when using techniques like self-induced vomiting, feigning nervous fits, and fainting (Levi-Strauss, cited in Walsh, 1972: 102-103), there is still a clear similarity in the level of discipline required of shamans and modern day performers to master their craft. The act of transformation, the ritualistic dress, the rigorous training, and the natural skill required to become a shaman are all traits which we today link to theatre and what is required of its performers, providing a strong indication that shamanism is indeed where it all started. Trying to search further back than this leaves one with little more to work with than what one might all ‘educated guesses’ as to what may have sparked its creation. A popular theory is that theatrical actions were the means by which we communicated before language had sufficiently developed as to convey detailed messages to one-another. As language became a human tool, early nomadic societies were still concerned with the needs of survival. Theatrical elements entered into the conveying of these needs among members of the group itself (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 4). This theory can of course not be tested or proven, but nor can it be isproven, and therefore it holds weight relative to the view point of the researcher. The origins of theatre are hard to trace, as the pieces evidence to suggest where it truly came from are few and far between. However, based on accounts which have survived through history such as those mentioned above, and the clear similarities between Shamanism, shamanistic ritual and the theatre throughout history, it becomes clear that Shamanism is the most likely origin of theatre as we know it today.

An Acute Upper Respiratory Infection Health And Social Care Essay

An Acute Upper Respiratory Infection Health And Social Care Essay Health is an asset and is more valuable than wealth. But, mans triumph in controlling a single disease is always associated with the emergence of a new disease. Acute upper respiratory infection is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in children throughout the world, particularly in developing countries. In developing countries, a children under 5 years of age dies every 7 seconds due to acute respiratory infection. In both the developed and developing countries 20-30 episodes of ARI occurs during the first 5 years of life in a child. About 4 Â ½ million children die due to ARI which accounts for about 30% of all deaths in children (Behara D, 1995). Lahiri and Nadkarni (2001) say that ARI accounts for 20 25% of deaths among under five and 15-30% of total deaths. In a sample survey, pneumonia ranked first in all ages. In India, 10 -15 children per 10,000 die whereas in united states one child per 10,000 die of acute upper respiratory infection. Thus, 25% of the deaths are preventable through proper immunization. Acute upper respiratory infection is the leading cause of child mortality (30%) followed by diarrhea (20%) in India. One in every 100 children in India between the age group of 0 14 years suffers from AURI (ALL INDIA SURVEY 2002). In a general hospital acute upper respiratory infection accounts for 20 40% of outpatient and 12 35% of Inpatient attendance. The vast majority of acute upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. Most children have 3 to 8 episodes of common cold in a year. Rhinovirus accounts for up to 60% of infections. Cough occurs in 60 to 80% of children with cold. A streptococcal infection accounts for approximately 15% of bacterial pharyngitis. Acute upper respiratory infections (ARI) are one among the important causes of death in all age groups especially in children below 1 year of age. It has been estimated that 2.2 million deaths are due to Acute upper respiratory infections (ARI) throughout the world. ARI accounts for 13 -20% mortality during first year of life and in child hood in India (Registrar generals published figures). It is estimated 630,000 deaths occurred due to acute upper respiratory infection annually among pre-school age group. The magnitude of ARI morbidity and its impact on health services can be measured by the proportion of outpatient attendance due to ARI. As high as 20 40% of children brought to outpatient department and 12 -35% of children admitted to hospital have ARI. There is a need to undertake periodic surveys in various parts of the country to determine the incidence of ARI associated morbidity and mortality in children in order to plan organize and evaluate the health services. The government of India in its policy document of health for all by 2000 A.D recommends the ARI control program me to reduce infant and pre-school child mortality. (Tambe MP, Shivaram.C, Chandrashekhar.Y. Acute upper respiratory infection in children a survey I the rural community, 1999). The symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infection include rhinitis, pharngitis/ tonsillitis often referred to as a common cold and their complications sinusitis, ear infection, laryngitis and sometimes bronchitis. Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection are cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, low grade fever, facial pressure and sneezing. Onset of the symptoms usually begins 1 3 days after the exposure to a microbial pathogen. The duration of illness lasts for 7 -10 days. (WIKipedia, the free encyclopedia 2000). Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) also includes pneumonia, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), causes 4.25 million deaths every year. ARIs accounts for third largest causes of mortality in the world and the top killer in low and middle-income countries. Acute upper respiratory infection causes at least 6 percentages of the worlds disability and death. These deaths occur mainly in the worlds poorest countries, where the drives of acute upper respiratory infection, includes malnutrition, pollution, overcrowding, and tobacco use. The death due to pneumonia is 215 times higher in low-income countries 3 million to 5 million people suffer from flu every year The most common source of respiratory illness in children is Respiratory Syncitial Virus. Acute upper respiratory infection affects people infected with HIV. The main cause for 20 percent to 40 percent of all hospitalizations in childhood is due to Acute Respiratory Infection. Pneumonia causes 20 percent of all pediatric deaths around the world -1.6 million in 2008, and, 732,000 children die from malaria and 200,000 from HIV/ AIDS every year. Respiratory Syncitial Virus kills at least 66,000 children every year. (Acute respiratory infections Atlas 2010). Researchers from the universita delgi reported that bacteria in the mouth offer probiotic potential against upper respiratory tract infections. There is only a minimal understanding of internal communication between human hosts and their microbes is available,it is of an idea that probiotics are live microorganism which promote health within their host. The benefits of probiotics are predominantly explored so far in the intestinal tract; but,few studies suggest probiotics also promote wellness in the stomach, vaginal tract, skin and mouth. The leading cause of visits to the pediatrician is due to upper respiratory infection in children between the ages of 5 and 12. The main cause for upper respiratory infection is Streptococcus pyogenes and the only treatment available at present is antibiotics, where it prescription rates are running up to 90 percent. Bacteria from the mouths of healthy volunteers were isolated and identified two potential probiotic bacterial strains named Streptococcus salivarius RS1 an ST3. The recently developed oral probiotic prototype and these two strains bound to human pharyngeal cells and responsibe for antagonizing of S. Pyogenes adhesion and growth. Additionally, all these strains were sensitive to antibiotics which are used routinely for treating upper respiratory tract infection. Only about 1 percent of development funding was spent on research on Acute Respiratory Infection in 2007, than the amount spent on HIV related research. Some of the low-cost strategies are available which can be implemented immediately whereas,others require longer term efforts. The strategies mentioned are: Effective distribution of nutritional supplements, vaccination programs, Dissemination of knowledge by public awareness campaigns, Tobacco use to be reduced. Identifying efficient ways to produce vaccines and the distribution need to be strengthened. (Acute respiratory infections Atlas 2010). The supportive therapy of sore throat is gargling with lukewarm saline solution, steam in inhalation, not forcing the child to eat and giving frequent small amount of warm liquid. Tulsi or the loly basil is one of the most common herbs used in cough related remedies. It maintains the health of the throat chest and lungs. In fact, it helps to protect the entire respiratory tract. NEED FOR THE STUDY Literature highlights are increasing incidence of ARI as a major health problem for under five children and health experts advocate alternative therapies like lukewarm saline solution, steam inhalation to treat ARI rather than medication alone. A survey conducted in the rural community regarding respiratory tract infections says that the delay in receiving medical care is considered to learn important reason for the high mortality related to acute respiratory infections in the developing countries. Far distance of the hospital was the main reason for not receding treatment followed by ignorance, family problems etc. Those reasons may force the parents to seek treatment from other alternate resources. The rural medical practitioners are often not institutionally qualified and hence are frequently not able to select and use appropriate antibiotics in adequate dosage for proper duration for the treatment of acute respiratory infections, making the outcome unfavorable in many children. Sensitive use of antibiotics can decrease the adverse effects of it and also the costs spent towards it. Decreased antibiotic usage benefits the patient by reducing the rise of drug resistant bacteria, which is now concerned as a problem in the world nowadays. Health authorities are encouraging physicians to reduce the prescription of antibiotic to treat common Upper Respiratory Infection due to above reasons. (National Center for health statistics 2008) Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) accounts significant health burden among children.An average child suffers from six to eight attacks of colds each year, where, each attack lasts for seven to nine days. While children are frequently given drugs such as antihistamines, cough suppressants and decongestants, to reduce symptoms, there is no such effectiveness by these medications among children younger than 12 years. The drugs which prescribed for respiratory tract infections are antibiotics, all these antibiotics are not providing much protection against respiratory infections which in turn becomes a sign of future asthma. This again becomes difficulty to attribute antibiotic use in case of asthma. (Anita Kozyrskyj, PhD, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB 2010). When young children affected with both respiratory and non respiratory infections, the antibiotic is the one which is being prescribed frequently. (Mark J.Rosen, MD, FCCP, President, American college of chest Physicians 2010).These physicians came with the conclusion that better decisions for treatment option for respiratory infection can be made only if physicians understand clearly the relationship between asthma and antibiotic use. Tulsi has an important role to play in treating the symptoms of respiratory tract diseases. It acts regularly on phlegm hence it works as a good expectorant giving relief from wet cough. It helps to fight the cause of allergy by which our respiratory tract gets inflamed and then resolves the causative agent. It is anti-inflammatory. It promotes optimum respiratory support. It is an excellent remedy for sore throat and fever. The investigator during her clinical exposure in the community observed that 50% of the under five population is suffering from acute upper respiratory infections. The investigator observed that mothers with under five (child affected with AURI) seeking medical treatment only in case when AURI becomes severe. Mothers in this community ignoring treatment when their children affected with mild AURI and also they are unaware about home remedy for treating the symptoms of AURI. The investigator also identified that reason for seeking treatment only in the severe AURI by the mothers with under five is due to far distance of the health care facilities and also due to poor transportation facilities. And even if mothers seek medical treatment, antibiotics are being prescribed and it is not advisable as per study conducted by (National centre for health statistics 2008). So, the investigator found it is useful to a conduct a research in this community to find the effectiveness to Tulsi on upper respiratory tract infection among under five with upper respiratory infection, where this herb is commonly available and is of no cost. STATEMENT OF THE STUDY A study to assess the effectiveness of steam inhalation with Tulsi leaves on signs and symptoms and behavioral responses of children aged 6 months to 2 years with acute upper respiratory infection at home in a rural community, Coimbatore. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to assess whether there was a reduction in the signs and symptoms of acute upper respiratory infection and changes in behavioral responses of the children who received steam inhalation compared to children who did not receive steam inhalation. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES To assess and compare the degree of acute upper respiratory infection in experimental and control group after intervention. To assess and compare the behavioral responses of children with acute upper respiratory infection in experimental and control group after intervention. To find out the mothers views about steam inhalation with Tulsi leaves. To find out the association between the degree of acute upper respiratory infection demographic variables (Age, sex, immunization status, education of mother, total income of the family). HYPOTHESIS H1 There will be a significant difference in the degree of acute upper respiratory infection between the experimental and control group after intervention. H2 there will be a significant difference in the behavioral responses between experimental and control group after intervention. OPERATIONAL DEFINITION Effectiveness Producing the desired or intended result which is the reduction of symptoms of mild and moderate acute upper respiratory infection and duration of the infection. Steam inhalation with Tulsi 1 liter of water is boiled in a wide mounted receptacle and Tulsi leaves are added to it. The steam coming out of it is breathed by the child while mother is sitting in front of the steam holding the child with head covered. Signs Changes which are observed by the researcher with naked eyes. Symptoms Changes that are noticed by the mother and reported on asking Behavioral responses The reaction of the child in terms of activities such as smiling, walking, running, eating and playing. Acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURI) It is inflammation of the upper respiratory tract involving nose, pharynx and tonsils and manifesting signs and symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, tearing eyes, itching of the nose, pink and shiny nasal mucosa, red and swollen throat, cough, fever and fatigue. Based on the signs and symptoms, AURI is classified as mild moderate and severe AURI. In mild AURI. The symptoms are runny nose, sneezing, tearing eyes, itching of the nose, pink and shiny nasal mucosa, and presence of crusts on the nose and fever. In moderate ARUI, the symptoms are red swollen throat, cough along with the symptoms of mild AURI. In severe AURI, the symptoms are inflamed and enlarged tonsils, pus within the fold of the tonsils, pain during swallowing and pain in the symptoms of mild and moderate AURI. ASSUMPTIONS Acute upper respiratory infections are very common among under five children in urban and rural community. Mothers follow certain home remedies like application of Vicks and Camphor over chest, over head and nose and administration of milk with turmeric and pepper and sugar. Caring children with respiratory infection home in the community is influenced by personal and socio-cultural factors. Children with acute upper respiratory infection mostly treated at home with home remedies which varies from one community to another DELIMITATION The study is delimited to children aged 6months to 2 years The study is delimited to children suffering from mild to moderate acute upper respiratory infections. SCOPE OF THE STUDY The degree of AURI, duration of infection and behavioral response are assessed in AURI children before and after intervention. If there is a significant reduction in the degree, duration and changes in the behavioral responses of experimental group of sample, then it is the clear indication effectiveness of steam inhalation with Tulsi leaves. Teaching steam inhalation is very simple and it can be practiced very easily. If the mothers are able to administer the steam inhalation with Tulsi for their infected children without any difficulties, and if this intervention is acceptable it is clearly indicate the utility value of Tulsi leaves for acute upper respiratory tract infection children. The findings will be beneficial to health practices to motivate mothers with AURI infected children and to promote health life. Conceptual framework A conceptual model can be defined as a set of concepts and those assumptions that integrate them into a meaningful configuration (Fewett, 1980). The development of a concept model is a fundamental process required before conducting actual research. The frame work influence each state of research process. The conceptual framework in nursing research can help to provide a clear concise idea of knowledge in the area. Conceptual framework for this study nursing process model based on Dorothy E.Johnsons Behavioral system theory (1980). According to Johnson, nursing views the individual as a set of interconnected or inter-dependent parts functioning as a integrated whole. Johnson identified seven subsystems. The subsystems are affiliation, aggressive, dependency, eliminative, ingestive, restorative, and sexual. The subsystems carry out special function for the system as a whole. Disturbance in any of the subsystem usually affects the other. The steps of the nursing process in incorporated with the Dorothy Johnsons Behavioral system model. Nursing process is a deliberate activity where the proactive of nursing is performed in a systematic order. Dorothy Johnsons presents a three step nursing process, the steps are entitled nursing diagnosis which parallel the assessment and diagnosis phase, the second step nursing goal equal to the implementation and third step is evaluation. This study focused on children and the dependency system which is one among the subsystems which result in approval, attention, recognition, and physical assistance. ASSESSMENT Assessment is the process of collecting data regarding each subsystem. In this study, the assessment was done in the dependency subsystem. Data on demographic profile (age, sex, immunization status, education of the mother, income of the family) was collected. The children were examined for signs and symptoms of acute upper respiratory infection and behavior responses of the children were collected by interviewing the childrens mother. DIAGNOSIS Through assessment from the subsystem problems are identified and diagnosis is made and it provides basis for nursing intervention. In this study the data collected through observation and interview using interview schedule and observation checklist was analyzed the diagnosis is made on acute upper respiratory infection and categorized into mild, moderate and no infection. NURSING GOALS (PLANNING) After diagnosis is made the goal is to maintain or restore the persons behavioral system balance and stability through planning interventions. In this study, the goal was to reduce the degree acute upper respiratory infection and to restore the high level of activity (behavioral responses). In this study the planning occurs when the children and a nurse identify activities and bring about dependency system equilibrium. INTERVENTION Nursing activity as an external regulatory force assists the equilibrium. Based on the diagnosis, nursing actions and intervention can be planned in terms of teaching, external control or providing responses needed by the client. In this study, the nursing activity was the administration of steam inhalation therapy with Tulsi leaves the children in the experimental group for a period of time brings about change in the degree of acute upper respiratory infection. EVALUATION Evaluation refers to checking the subsystems identified as problematic for balance and overall system stability. In this study, the investigator compared the degree of acute upper respiratory infection of the experimental group children with the control group by using criteria and evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention by observing the signs and symptoms of infection and the report given by mothers of the children. Figure 1 Highlights the conceptual framework on modified nursing process based on Dorothy Johnsons Behavioral system model.

Gangs of New York, A Film Analysis :: Film

Bill the Butcher was the ideal "bad guy" for a movie. He was a stubborn individual who would not change his ways of thinking for anyone. If you came off a boat and tried to settle in the United States you were automatically hated by Mr. Cutting. Bill was a tall man, very skinny, and he had long hair with a matching mustache. Bill and his party believed that the only rightful people to have jobs, families, and make money were people who were born in the U.S., not immigrants. Women and children are not even spared by Bill and his rugged party. They hatred for the immigrants was so strong that they would shout profanities at them or hurl rocks at them when they unloaded from the massive ships. At times they would beat an immigrant close to death just because they looked at them the wrong way. Cutting's father installed these beliefs into him, Bill's father was killed in a gang war with the immigrants and he would never live that down. The way the immigrants were treated by some of the townspeople made some of the immigrants become very poor. Shop keepers and other store owners would not hire immigrants mainly because they did not like them and secondly that they did not want to upset Bill and his gang. Immigrants would soon leave New York and look for an easier life but most remained behind and lived in the side streets to fend for food with the rats. This is where thievery came in. Since most of the immigrants were poor they had to learn to steal to survive. "Pick-Pocketing" became the most famous means to steal in the streets of New York. The immigrants who would come off of the boats had no idea what was in store for them as they unloaded their boat. The immigrants were friendly people for the most part, they were not looking for a fight in America just a new start to their life.

Titanic :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites The film "Titanic" is riddled with moral dilemmas. In one of the scenes, the owner of Star Line, the shipping company that owned the now-sinking Unsinkable, joins a lowered life-boat. The tortured expression on his face demonstrates that even he experiences more than unease at his own conduct. Prior to the disaster, he instructs the captain to adopt a policy dangerous to the ship. Indeed, it proves fatal. A complicating factor was the fact that only women and children were allowed by the officers in charge into the lifeboats. Another was the discrimination against Third Class passengers. The boats sufficed only to half the number of those on board and the First Class, High Society passengers were preferred over the Low-Life immigrants under deck. Why do we all feel that the owner should have stayed on and faced his inevitable death? Because we judge him responsible for the demise of the ship. Additionally, his wrong instructions – motivated by greed and the pursuit of celebrity – were a crucial contributing factor. The owner should have been punished (in his future) for things that he has done (in his past). This is intuitively appealing. Would we have rendered the same judgement had the Titanic’s fate been the outcome of accident and accident alone? If the owner of the ship could have had no control over the circumstances of its horrible ending – would we have still condemned him for saving his life? Less severely, perhaps. So, the fact that a moral entity has ACTED (or omitted, or refrained from acting) in its past is essential in dispensing with future rewards or punishments. The "product liability" approach also fits here. The owner (and his "long arms": manufacturer, engineers, builders, etc.) of the Titanic were deemed responsible because they implicitly contracted with their passengers. They made a representation (which was explicit in their case but is implicit in most others): "This ship was constructed with knowledge and forethought. The best design was employed to avoid danger. The best materials to increase pleasure." That the Titanic sank was an irreversible breach of this contract. In a way, it was an act of abrogation of duties and obligations. The owner/manufacturer of a product must compensate the consumers should his product harm them in any manner that they were not explicitly, clearly, visibly and repeatedly warned against.

Golden Ass Essay -- Apuleius Roman Literature Mythology Papers

Golden Ass Apuleius' Golden Ass, the only surviving novel of the Roman Empire, is a tale of a Greek nobleman devoting his life to the goddess Isis following his transformation to an ass and back. Although a work of fiction, the novel reveals a great deal about religion in Apuleius' society. This information, however, must be viewed with a critical eye. He incorporates stories from Greco-Roman mythology not to affirm their validity, but to reveal their commonness to society. Apuleius insults other religions that are not of the Pantheon with severe viciousness, while the general public may have been more open to them. In the end, he praises Isis and Osiris as the supreme gods while giving first hand account of their righteousness. Overall, Apuleius' view of religion cannot be trusted. From the very start we see Apuleius using references to Roman myths as similes to everyday occurrences. When Fotis, the slave, enters his bedroom to make love to him, he remarks that "she stood, transformed into a living statue: the Love-goddess rising from the sea. The flushed hand with which she pretended to screen her mount of Venus showed that she was well aware of the resemblance; certainly it was not held there from modesty." He describes a slave girl trying to seduce him as Venus rising out of the sea. Some of this description may be a hyperbole for Lucius' love of Fotis. However, Apuleius goes beyond this by linking Fotis directly to Venus. Thus, the most beautiful goddess in the Pantheon is easily seen in a slave girl. Similarly, Thelyphron, when telling the story how members of a household attacked him, describes himself as feeling "like Adonis mauled by the wild boar, or Orpheus torn in pieces by the Thracian women." This... ...ddess. To prove his point, Apuleius first discounts all other worships. Throughout the novel he describes things that happen to individuals in terms of the traditional Greco-Roman myths. He subtly chips away at the traditional Roman gods, avoiding a direct attack on the Pantheon because the vast majority of his audience believed in it. If he attacked them directly, he would surely not be considered credible. With the other religions, however, Apuleius reserves nothing. He declares religions of Asia Minor to be fraudulent and calls monotheistic religions "blasphemous." After questioning the other religions, Apuleius goes on to praise the worship of Isis. As a result, we the contemporary reader cannot infer too much about Roman religion from The Golden Ass. Works Cited Apuleius. The Golden Ass. Trans. Robert Graves. Noonday Press, 1998. ISBN 0-374-50532-2.

My recount – Match of the Day

I checked my watch for the third time in five minutes, willing it to be three o'clock. After a ten minute wait which seemed to last hours, I headed eagerly towards the front door on a cloudless summer afternoon. This was it – I was on my way to watch my first senior match at the Emirates! I twisted and turned through the winding, crowded streets of people chanting and singing; glorifying ‘the Gunners'. Peering through the sea of red and white shirts, I found my friends and pretty soon, we joined the waves of supporters. Every sense in my body was tingling as I heard the optimistic songs of the passionate fans; with the smell of hot dogs, chips and burgers hanging in the air. The street was a river of Arsenal shirts, with rows of policemen on the banks. We all strolled past underground station, admiring the remains of the old stadium along the way. At last, we curved round the final corner and arrived at the Emirates. I gazed up and gawped in awe at the monumental grey blocks ahead of me. A roar erupted inside, the match was starting soon. Breaking out of my trance, I continued following the mass of people towards the ticket barriers. As I scanned my ticket and squeezed through the narrow gates, I realized just how loud things were. Echoes of laughter floated from the canteen; of excited children chatting incessantly about their predictions and of others asking to go to the loo. I was inside the stadium, but not at pitch-side yet. Everything around me was still grey, from the smooth walls of concrete to the thick grey slabs on the stairs. It was as though the stadium had not been completed; like a parking lot, it had not been painted at all. However, I would soon find out why. As I trotted up the broad stairs as fast as possible among the thousands of fans also making their way up, I was caught completely off-guard when I entered the stands. The effect was phenomenal. The bright green grass of the pitch couple with the intense red ring of seats took my breath away. If there was ever a sight for sore eyes, this was definitely it. Inside, the stadium looked like a colossal spaceship. I was thoroughly dumbstruck, it was much better than I had imagined. Smells of delicious fast food jumbled with the smell of freshly mown grass lingered in the air, creating a whole new sensation and slapped me in the face. The chants of the Gunners Faithful were contagious, and by the time I found my seat, I was singing along at the top of my lungs. The stadium was jam-packed with people. Spectators filled every seat available and every space to stand was taken up, yet somehow it was rather spacious. There was enough room to sit down, stand up and even stretch easily. The smooth, cold, metal handlebars in front of me were comforting to touch among the rows of strangers. In any other context, fully grown men with beer-bellies ranked along young boys, singing their hearts out would seem totally bizarre. Everything happened with such fluency, I realised that this is what happened game after game after game. Suddenly, the players came marching orderly out of the tunnel onto the pitch. As the twelve men took up their positions on the vast stretch of faultless grass, we all stood up spiritedly and applauded the Arsenal players. Finally, the referee counted up the men on the field and blew a familiar long, high pitched whistle. The ball rolled from Thierry Henry to Robin van Persie – the long awaited match had begun†¦ What we all wanted to see now was a thrilling, perfect volley; an immaculate strike or just feel that moment when an entire stand holds its' breath to witness that one thing we all understand. Some may see it as just a game. But to others, this was about heroes and tribes. Loyalty and devotion. It was their commitment and their passion. Their battle and belief. This was the beautiful game at its finest. This was football.

Children with Reading Problem Essay

The article by Susan M. Tancock focuses its attention to the needs of special students. These students are considered poor readers. They are usually behind in reading and writing skills when compared to their classmates (peers). The special instruction that these students receive ordinarily involves the recognition of identifying sounds of letters and words instead of the construction of their meaning within the context of the text or story. In the article we are told the poor readers are usually asked to read aloud more often than other more skilled readers. Also, their teachers interrupt their reading instead of encouraging them towards a self monitoring approach to their reading. Tancock stresses the importance of being sensitive to certain ideals when tutoring young children who have reading difficulties. First of all, she feels it is of utmost importance that the tutor should truly believe that their tutee can and will become a good reader and writer. Secondly, she states that the tutee needs predictable material to help encourage successful reading habits. To accomplish this task it is best if the tutor uses quality children=s books written by well-known authors. Children can be encouraged to Aread like a writer@ by using themes that are built around the child=s personal interests. This will provide the student with a more in depth involvement with the reading process. Tutors must build lessons around the child=s strengths to build confidence within the child for future reading tasks. The students also need to be encouraged to make predictions in their reading to help develop them into risk takers. In the lesson with Gayla and Chase the author described how Gayla first sets out familiar reading material (books) for Chase to choose from so that he could read aloud. Because Chase is already familiar with these books and has probably read them in the past, it will enable him to be become confident in guessing when it comes to something difficult for him to read. By Gayla=s reminding him to read aloud so that it sounds interesting and stopping him to praise his good efforts, will involve him more in the context of the meaning of his reading efforts. One particular technique that Gayla used, was to have Chase emulate her as she reads to him. This helped to emphasize the diction and inflection for Chase. One of Chase’s books of choice related to his background knowledge of fishing and this was of great help for him to be able to recall prior knowledge when he read. Before he began reading Gayla engaged him in a conversation about his past experiences with fishing. Gayla understood this would allow Chase to explore his mind and make connections to his fishing encounters. She wanted Chase to learn how to find cues for helping himself to make guesses that would eventually lead him out of difficult spots in his reading. Gayla also from time to time used Directed Reading B Thinking Activity (DR — TA). In this illustration, Chase made guesses during reading and then by his continued reading he could then discover whether his guesses were correct or incorrect. This practice can eventually help a student to apply self-help strategies when reading in the future. Chase was also asked to recall times of difficulty and to discuss ways in which he used to solve those reading problems. Gayla then stimulated his thinking by asking him key questions. During the writing parts of the lesson, Chase was able to apply the brainstorming technique when planning what he was going to write about. After brainstorming Gayla then helped him sort his writing by relating it to his prior reading involvement. The finished writing project can also serve as a tool for future successful reading assignment because it is the student=s creation from his own personal relationship with the topic. Chase was then asked to sort some words that he had some difficulty with during his reading and writing session. In this particular student=s case he was asked to sort words beginning with s and sh. After he was done sorting he was asked to write down the few words so that he could make the connection with reading and writing. Finally Gayla read a book she had selected to read to Chase. Even though she had chosen the book, she had still remained within the theme that had been set. But the reading Gayla chose was nevertheless a little bit more difficult. After the lesson was over Chase then chose a book to take home to read to his family. Tancock states, Afluency suffers when children focus their attention more on the details of print than the meaning of the text; thus comprehension suffers too. @ Consequently as a tutor, it should be our responsibility to relieve the unneeded pressures of the details on the printed page, and to allow the child to learn with as much ease as possible the meaning of the text. Bibliography Tancock, Susan M. AA Literacy Lesson Framework for Children with Reading Problems@ The Readind Teacher, Volume 48. No. 2 Oct. 1994 Word Count: 826Ã'Ž