Free Essays on Book Report

A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, illustrates the timeless struggle for the furtherance of family values and morals with extreme clarity. The play follows the life of a small black family’s struggle to keep their dreams from tenants to owners alive. These dreams, and the struggles necessary to reach them, as well as coming to terms with the dreams that are out of reach, are the focus and driving force behind this story of every persons struggle to achieve goals that are not always in tune with societies thoughts or ideas on a persons place in life. The internal difficulties of the family, and the detrimental effects of these problems, are major themes in the play. In the opening scene; a husband, Walter, and wife, Ruth, are seen having a fight over Walter’s dream to become a â€Å"mover and shaker† in the business world by using an incoming insurance check for his mother as a down payment on a potential liquor business. Walter tells his wife, â€Å"Iâ €™m trying to talk to you ‘bout myself and all you can say is eat them eggs and go to work.† This is the first sign of Walter’s recurring feelings, that if someone in the family would just listen to him and put forth their trust, his dreams would come to life. Following this argument, Walter goes off to his job as a chauffeur which is the job he so longs to be done away with. As Walter dreams bigger and bigger he seems to leave the smaller things such as his family behind. This movement away from the family is against the family’s values and morals. (In the past his father would have been happy working for another man and caring for his family, but Walter is more concerned with becoming self-employed or at least in a management position without really thinking about the consequences which may be imposed upon his family by his incessant need to other things.) As seen later in the play, Walter learns that for the overall good of the family he needs to set his dreams aside an... Free Essays on Book Report Free Essays on Book Report A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, illustrates the timeless struggle for the furtherance of family values and morals with extreme clarity. The play follows the life of a small black family’s struggle to keep their dreams from tenants to owners alive. These dreams, and the struggles necessary to reach them, as well as coming to terms with the dreams that are out of reach, are the focus and driving force behind this story of every persons struggle to achieve goals that are not always in tune with societies thoughts or ideas on a persons place in life. The internal difficulties of the family, and the detrimental effects of these problems, are major themes in the play. In the opening scene; a husband, Walter, and wife, Ruth, are seen having a fight over Walter’s dream to become a â€Å"mover and shaker† in the business world by using an incoming insurance check for his mother as a down payment on a potential liquor business. Walter tells his wife, â€Å"Iâ €™m trying to talk to you ‘bout myself and all you can say is eat them eggs and go to work.† This is the first sign of Walter’s recurring feelings, that if someone in the family would just listen to him and put forth their trust, his dreams would come to life. Following this argument, Walter goes off to his job as a chauffeur which is the job he so longs to be done away with. As Walter dreams bigger and bigger he seems to leave the smaller things such as his family behind. This movement away from the family is against the family’s values and morals. (In the past his father would have been happy working for another man and caring for his family, but Walter is more concerned with becoming self-employed or at least in a management position without really thinking about the consequences which may be imposed upon his family by his incessant need to other things.) As seen later in the play, Walter learns that for the overall good of the family he needs to set his dreams aside an...

Geography of the Ganges River

Geography of the Ganges River The Ganges River, also called Ganga, is a river located in northern India that flows toward the border with Bangladesh (map). It is the longest river in India and flows for around 1,569 miles (2,525 km) from the Himalayan Mountains to the Bay of Bengal. The river has the second greatest water discharge in the world, and its basin is the most heavily populated in the world with over 400 million people living in the basin. The Ganges River is extremely important to the people of India as most of the people living on its banks use it for daily needs such as bathing and fishing. It is also significant to Hindus as they consider it their most sacred river. The Course of the Ganges River The headwaters of the Ganges River begin high in the Himalayan Mountains where the Bhagirathi River flows out of the Gangotri Glacier in Indias Uttarakhand state. The glacier sits at an elevation of 12,769 feet (3,892 m). The Ganges River proper begins farther downstream where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers join. As the Ganges flows out of the Himalayas, it creates a narrow, rugged canyon. The Ganges River emerges from the Himalayas at the town of Rishikesh where it begins to flow onto the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This area, also called the North Indian River Plain, is a very large, relatively flat, fertile plain that makes up most of the northern and eastern parts of India as well as parts of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In addition to entering the Indo-Gangetic Plain in this area, part of the Ganges River is also diverted toward the Ganges Canal for irrigation in the Uttar Pradesh state. As the Ganges River then flows farther downstream, it changes its direction several times and is joined by many other tributary rivers such as the Ramganga, Tamsa, and Gandaki rivers to name a few. There are also several cities and towns that the Ganges River passes through on its way downstream. Some of these include Chunar, Kolkata, Mirzapur, and Varanasi. Many Hindus visit the Ganges River in Varanasi as that city is considered the holiest of cities. As such, the citys culture is also closely tied into the river as it is the most sacred river in Hinduism. Once the Ganges River flows out of India and into Bangladesh, its main branch is known as the Padma River. The Padma River is joined downstream by large rivers like the Jamuna and Meghna rivers. After joining the Meghna, it takes on that name before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Before entering the Bay of Bengal however, the river creates the worlds largest delta, Ganges Delta. This region is a highly fertile sediment-laden area that covers 23,000 square miles (59,000 sq km). It should be noted that the course of the Ganges River described in the above paragraphs is a general description of the rivers route from its source where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers join to its outlet at the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges has very complicated hydrology, and there are several different descriptions of its overall length and the size of its drainage basin based on what tributary rivers are included. The most widely accepted length of the Ganges River is 1,569 miles (2,525 km), and its drainage basin is estimated to be about 416,990 square miles (1,080,000 sq km). The Population of the Ganges River The Ganges River basin has been inhabited by humans since ancient times. The first people in the region were of the Harappan civilization. They moved into the Ganges River basin from the Indus River basin around the 2nd millennium B.C.E. Later the Gangetic Plain became the center of the Maurya Empire and then the Mughal Empire. The first European to discuss the Ganges River was Megasthenes in his work Indica. In modern times the Ganges River has become a source of life for the nearly 400 million people living in its basin. They rely on the river for their daily needs such as drinking water supplies and food and for irrigation and manufacturing. Today the Ganges River basin is the most populated river basin in the world. It has a population density of about 1,000 people per square mile (390 per sq km). The Significance of the Ganges River Aside from providing drinking water and irrigating fields, the Ganges River is extremely important to Indias Hindu population for religious reasons as well. The Ganges River is considered their most sacred river, and it is worshiped as the goddess Ganga Ma or Mother Ganges.   According to the Myth of the Ganges, the goddess Ganga descended from heaven to dwell in the waters of the Ganges River to protect, purify and bring to heaven those who touch it. Devout Hindus visit the river daily to offer flowers and food to Ganga. They also drink the water and bathe in the river to cleanse and purify their sins. Also, Hindus believe that upon death the waters of the Ganges River are needed to reach the World of the Ancestors, Pitriloka. As a result, Hindus bring their dead to the river for cremation along its banks and afterward their ashes are spread in the river. In some cases, corpses are also thrown into the river. The city of Varanasi is the holiest of cities along the Ganges River and many Hindus travel there place ashes of their dead in the river. Along with daily baths in the Ganges River and offerings to the goddess Ganga there are large religious festivals that occur in the river throughout the year where millions of people travel to the river to bathe so that they can be purified of their sins. Pollution of the Ganges River Despite the religious significance and daily importance of the Ganges River for the people of India, it is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Pollution of the Ganges is caused by both human and industrial waste due to Indias rapid growth as well as religious events. India currently has a population of over one billion people, and 400 million of them live in the Ganges River basin. As a result, much of their waste, including raw sewage is dumped into the river. Also, many people bathe and use the river to clean their laundry. Fecal coliform bacteria levels near Varanasi are at least 3,000 times higher than the what is established by the World Health Organization as safe (Hammer, 2007). Industrial practices in India also have little regulation and as the population grows these industries do as well. There are many tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills, distilleries and slaughterhouses along the river and many of them dump their untreated and often toxic waste into the river. The water of the Ganges has been tested to contain high levels of things like chromium sulfate, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and sulfuric acid (Hammer, 2007). In addition to human and industrial waste, some religious activities also increase the pollution of the Ganges. For example, Hindus believe that they must take offerings of food and other items to Ganga and as a result, these items are thrown into the river on a regular basis and more so during religious events. Human remains are also often placed into the river. In the late 1980s Indias prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi began the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) to clean up the Ganges River. The plan shut down many highly polluting industrial plants along the river, and allotted funding for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities but its efforts have fallen short as the plants are not large enough to handle the waste coming from such a large population (Hammer, 2007). Many of the polluting industrial plants are also continuing to dump their hazardous waste into the river. Despite this pollution, however, the Ganges River remains important to the Indian people as well as different species of plants and animals such as the Ganges River dolphin, a very rare species of freshwater dolphin that is native only to that area. To learn more about the Ganges River, read A Prayer for the Ganges from Smithsonian.com.

Bad Sources for Your Research Project

Bad Sources for Your Research Project In conducting research for homework or an academic paper, you are basically conducting a search for facts: little tidbits of truth that you will assemble and arrange in an organized fashion to make an original point or claim. Your responsibility as a researcher is to understand the difference between fact and fiction, as well as the difference between fact and opinion. When beginning your next assignment that requires sources, consider the credibility of those sources before including them in your final project. Here are some common sources to avoid; each of these may include opinions and works of fiction disguised as facts. Blogs As you know, anyone can publish a blog on the Internet. The problem with using a blog as a research source is there no way to know the credentials of many bloggers or to get an understanding of the writer’s level of expertise. People often create blogs to give themselves a forum to express their views and opinions. And many of these people consult less than reliable sources to form their beliefs. You could use a blog for a quote, but never use a blog as a serious source of facts for a research paper. Personal Web Sites A personal web page is much like a blog when it comes to being an unreliable research source. Web pages are created by the public, so you have to be careful when choosing them as sources. Its sometimes difficult to determine which websites are created by experts and professionals on a given topic. If you think about it, using information from a personal web page is much like stopping a perfect stranger on the street and collecting information from him or her. Wiki Sites Wiki websites can be informative, but they can also be untrustworthy. Wiki sites allow groups of people to add and edit the information contained on the pages. So its easy to see how a wiki source might contain unreliable information. The question that often arises when it comes to homework and research is whether it’s okay to use Wikipedia as a source of information. Wikipedia is a fantastic site with a wealth of great information, and it is the possible exception to the rule. Your teacher can tell you for certain if you can use Wikipedia as a source. At a minimum, Wikipedia offers a reliable overview of a topic to give you a strong foundation to start with. It also provides a list of resources where you can continue your own research. Movies Teachers, librarians, and college professors will tell you that students often believe things they’ve seen in movies. Whatever you do, don’t use a movie as a research source. Movies about historical events can contain kernels of truth, but unless its a documentary, movies are not for educational purposes. Historical Novels Students often believe that historical novels are trustworthy sources because they indicate that they are â€Å"based on facts.† There is a significant difference between a factual work and a work that is based on facts. A novel that is based on a single fact can still contain ninety-nine percent fiction. Therefore, its not advisable to use a historical novel as a historical resource. ï » ¿

My Favorite Place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My Favorite Place - Essay Example This essay uses imagery, personification, alliteration, and simile to describe my favourite place.   One of the most exciting parts about visiting McDonald's is visual. As a child, my parents would not tell me that we were going out to eat and then suddenly I would see the car turn the corner and the golden arches would appear. Like a hungry child, they appeared to me like they would a lake or water source to a water-starved person in the desert. [SIMILE] As an adult, while I don’t have this some fanatical appreciation for the site, there is an understanding that it only takes driving for a few moments before I can find these arches and buy a familiar meal. Finally, upon entering the restaurant there is an expansive visual display of colors and delicious food that heightens my appreciation. Another major part of my appreciation for the restaurant is tactile. As a child perhaps I felt this most prominently when I would visit the playground. After eating, my brother and I would run out to the playground and begin throwing the balls around like they were water balloons. [IMAGERY] The playground was almost like a living component of the restaurant, without its many twists and turns. [PERSONIFICATION] We would then have the toys from the happy meal to play with. We would play with these by moving them around or changing the various components, for many hours. Indeed, they became a major part of my long-term enjoyment of McDonald's. The final part of my enjoyment of McDonald's is tasting the food. Undoubtedly, tasting the food is the central part of my appreciation of McDonald's. The French fries taste simply sensational; the burgers are just as good. [ALLITERATION] While as an adult I recognize that the food is unhealthy, it is oftentimes impossible to resist. I vividly can recall the taste of the McChicken, the Big Mac, or the many desserts.  

ESCAPING SALEM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ESCAPING SALEM - Essay Example In an attempt to find what she is suffering from – mind, it being an era that witchcraft was common -- Kate accuses others of bewitching her. Two women were finally put on trial. The book Escaping Salem takes the reader through the Connecticut court room. Witchcraft in a court room is more dramatic than one would ever imagine. The town’s people are scared of the act and its practice in the township, and this is a view that the judges are quick to point out to. Witchcraft poses a great danger to the society. However, how would Branch prove that the women actually were behind her ailments? Her accusations come from the fact that some evil spirit informed her about it. How would she prove this and how would she prove that the spirit were indeed factual? Escaping Salem offers an insightful revelation of life style in the early seventeenth century America. In addition, it offers proof of the existence of the white magic, an issue that has strongly been argued upon. The only pitfall that Godbeer‘s work seems to pose is the use of some of the photos that are manipulated. The photos are helpful in offering illustration and adding to the maps; the selected bibliography seems to provide some proof too. However, the use of the photos is overrated. This is a historical book and the images ought not to appear to be fictitious. In retrospect, the book is a must read for any undergraduate student of American History or Political Science. The insights it offers are indeed factual and one would relate them to the life of that

Continunity between work and retirement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Continunity between work and retirement - Essay Example Just like there is work ethic, there is also busy ethic for the retirees that requires an active life (David Ekerdt, 1986) As can be deduced from Ekerdt (1986), a good retirement ideally entails being involved in productive activities just like during ones employment years. This gives meaning to the retirees by helping them to approach leisure in an organized manner as if they were still in their formal employment. The retirees should have activity plan for the days lying ahead of them such as engaging in volunteer work, socializing and pursuing some other leisure activities. With such kind of organization, disruption and distress is highly reduced leading to a good retirement life. A good retirement should be morally managed and legitimated on a daily basis by ethic so as to ensure leisure that is earnest, occupied and filled with activities (Ekerdt,1986:239) Planning future activities for the retirees makes up a good retirement to them as this ensures continuity with activities in which they gain both a sense of involvement and the feeling of accomplishment just like the one provided by employment. Such kind of activities includes activities such participation in chatting and arts, which usually wraps up their day. The retirees value doing something that makes sense to them and also to others, also referred to as mattering, where the sense of relevance and value that comes from one’s life makes a difference to others. Also doing it with others (membership), providing connection to others and bringing that sense of belonging which enables one to refer to â€Å"us† as opposed to â€Å"them†. All these relates to a good retirement. The society currently does not really give the best as far as good retirement is concerned. In most cases, the retired and elderly are taken to the elderly centers where they stay as they wait for their final day on this ever busy world. This typically shows that within

Personal Statement for law admission Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

For law admission - Personal Statement Example Unfortunately, the government of Nepal is a highly repressive force and there were few opportunities for me to utilise the skills I learned in the academic realm. While working as a trekking guide in the Himalayans I met my future wife, the most wonderful and steady influence of my adult life. As she was an Australian citizen, I found the strength to leave the people and mountains that had structured my life for twenty-four years to enter into an uncertain future. Finding myself in a foreign land, with my language skills stretched and only a few hundred dollars in savings, we shared a small room in the outskirts of Perth and began the tremendously challenging yet rewarding task of building a life together. Within three weeks, I earned a position as a food and beverage attendant at Burswood Casino and Resort, where I am still employed. Eventually our hard work resulted in financial stability, and I began to consider the future. Wishing to take advantage of the freedom of expression and action available to me as a legal resident of Australia, I decided to dedicate myself to the goal of entering the legal profession. With that in mind, I passed the Education Institution University Board exam and submitted the application in your hands. Although I am Although I am only twenty-eight years old, I have learned much through my varied life experiences. Born and raised in Nepal, I comprehend the fundamental challenges of life and how a government can disregard what many see as fundamental human rights. My undergraduate experience in social science and humanities trained me in logically accessing issues and solving problems effectively. Never one to limit myself to a classroom, I also led tourists from around the world on challenging treks through the mountains and glaciers of Nepal. When I found love, I embraced the situation and was able to establish myself in a new country. Excited and committed to my life in Australia with my wife, I am still the son of Bal Bahadur and Laxmi Thapa and dedicated to individual justice and making a difference both here and in my homeland. For me, this opportunity transcends the simple considerations of financial renumeration on a growing field. In addition to the great benefits of further understanding varied aspects of the legal profession, eventually I want to enter the realm of investigating and protesting international human rights violations, especially in the highly conflicted regions of Rolpa and Rukum. In order to accomplish the ultimate goal of my life I need a strong and challenging education in law. I believe your university, with its excellent professors, extensive library and esteemed reputation, would provide the best home for me. I long to make a difference and I want the opportunity to dedicate myself to bettering the life of others. Please give me the opportunity to demonstrate that my intellectual capacity, real world experience and personal courage will lead to success at your institution. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you in the