A Sardonic Novel, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five

Kurt Vonnegut’s â€Å"Slaughterhouse Five† is a sardonic novel chronicling the experiences of Billy Pilgrim, a World War II veteran, survivor of the Dresden firebombing, and protagonist of the novel. Billy is a very unreliable narrator who has become â€Å"unstuck in time†. Billy is constantly journeying through time; at one moment he’s a flourishing optometrist and the next he’s a prisoner of war in Germany. Billy is forced to deal with an existential crisis presented forth by the great destruction he witnesses. These horrible atrocities that Billy encounters (bombing of Dresden, execution of Edgar Derby, etc.); however, are all really means to an end. They expose Billy to a contrast, that is, a way in which he can assess his own life and search for meaning. Life and being are seldom questioned. Billy is unique. He watches as thousands of lives are extinguished and he can only wonder â€Å"why?† The fact of the matter is, there is no answer . There is no reason why. Billy cannot understand this, which, ultimately, leads to his acceptance of the Tralfamadorian view that nothing has any meaning at all. In the beginning of chapter four, Vonnegut creates a depiction of the war going backwards to display the random nature of time as defined by the Tralfamadorians. In this scene, Billy is watching a movie on American bombers and the gallant pilots in World War II. Billy becomes stuck in time, as he watches the movie forward and backward. This passage in the novel reiterates theShow MoreRelatedPostmodernism in Literature5514 Words   |  23 Pagesnarrative, Jacques Derridas concept of play, and Jean Baudrillards simulacra. For example, instead of the modernist quest for meaning in a chaotic world, the postmodern author eschews, often playfully, the possibility of meaning, and the postmodern novel is often a parody of this quest. This distrust of totalizing mechanisms extends even to the author; thus postmodern writers often celebrate chance over craft and employ metafiction to undermine the authors univocal control (the control of only one

Human Memory Affected By Concussion - 1546 Words

Human Memory Affected by Concussion: A Review of the Literature In the recent years, many scientists have discovered more and more pro athletes in the NFL, NHL and some High School athletes all have links to some type of head injury. Doctors know more today then they did nearly 30 years ago. Most scientists agree that your memory can be affected by some type of head injury. But for some they still ask a few questions: What is a concussion? How long does it take recover? How does a concussion effect short term memory? How does a concussion effect long term memory? What are effects a concussion have on ones memory/intelligence? What are they doing about it? This review of does a concussion stay within someone for the rest of the their†¦show more content†¦It goes on to say â€Å"Computerized and clinical test have detected postural stability deficits at least 3 days after the concussion, but the course of longer term recovery in balance functioning has not been extensively†(JAMA, 2003, p. 2557) It isn t just the JAMA Network saying that it takes this long to recover from a concussion but it all depends on doctors and the one with the concussion to know when its time to comeback. But for some they suffer from Post-Concussion Syndrome and according to the Mayo Clinic â€Å"occurs within a couple days and usually goes aways within three months,though they can persit for a year or more.† But overall it just takes time for someone to recover from a concussion. In addition, to the both the Mayo Clinic and JAMA network saying that a concussion is a serious head injury that can sideline someone for extensive period of time. How does a concussion effect short term memory? When someone gets a concussion for some they usually get the typical side effect a headache, amnesia, fogginess and fatigue. But for most people they struggle with short term memory is a ongoing problem with people that get diagnosed with a concussion an according to Tramatic Brain Injury Survival Guide Dr. Glen Johnson (2010) a Clinical Neuropsychologist. â€Å"There’s some variation in how people define short-term memory. I define it as the ability to remember something after 30 minutes. In a head injury, someone sShow MoreRelatedThe Human Brain Is Made Up Of Soft Tissue846 Words   |  4 PagesThe human brain is made up of soft tissue, cushioned by spinal fluid and encased in the protective shell of the skull. Keeping the brain structure in mind, a concussion is commonly caused by a sudden direct blow or a bump to the head. This causes the brain to jolt inside the skull, further leading to the state of confusion most peopl e wake to. Some may even lose consciousness, or even sustain permanent brain or nerve damage. Since concussions are internal, the behavior of the person must be challengedRead MoreThe Popularity Of Pro Football969 Words   |  4 Pagesmost amazing thing. But as time has caught up with me certain things have made me wonder if it’s worth it. Athletes in the NFL make millions, but they also endure certain life problems, which we, as fans, don’t see, to include injuries such as concussions, ACL tears, financial problems, and quality of life issues after football. In this essay I will give examples of why being a football player is a harder life than what the casual fan may think. A professional football player has some of theRead MoreThe Effects Of Football On The Football1185 Words   |  5 Pagesplayers that they’ve examined  and in 79 percent of all football players. The disease is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE); it’s been widely believed to have formed from repetitive trauma (hits) to the head. This can lead to conditions such as memory loss, depression and dementia (Breslow). Moreover, recent studies have shown that the brain undergoes major trauma and stress as the high contact sport keeps the players in constant collision with each other. As young members of surrounding communitiesRead MoreThe Effects Of Concussions On The Football Field1553 Words   |  7 Pagesgame, it would cost the team playoff contention if they lose. This man is young, rich, and famous, but little does he know that each concussion he gets brings him one step closer to his own grave. Multiple concussions relating to sports leads to early onset Dement ia and CTE, loss of life, changes in how games are played, lawsuits, and even more unsettling concussion facts and statistics. Jessica Firger writes â€Å"In many circumstances--if not most-- frequent blows to the head have effects that may lastRead MoreThe Effects Of Concussions On American Football1295 Words   |  6 PagesConcussions have been known about since the early 1900s. During this time concussions did not receive the attention that it receives now. In mainstream media today concussions are a growing issue, not only in professional sports but also at high school and college levels. It is believed that Dr. Bennet Omalu was the first person to come up with a study and show that concussions are very dangerous and the great effects it has. His focus was mainly towards American football but it was helpful to othersRead MoreEthics And Ethics Of Sports1260 Words   |  6 PagesPlaying sports improves one’s overall physical fitness, strengthens social responsibility, contributes to academic success, and builds character values. According to Morgan Rush, during the 2010 and 2011 academic year, t he U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that sports participation records in the United States had reached record levels (Rush, 2014, para. 1). It was recorded that 55 percent of all high students participated in sports (Rush, 2014, para. 1). However, there are many concernsRead MoreFunctions and Structure of Neuroanatomy Essay1547 Words   |  7 Pageswhere information from the outside world is formed, memory centers where information is stored, and the motor centers where the final decision to act is taken. The frontal lobes allow individuals to reflect before responding to events, without this ability there is no way to plan for the future. Cognitive Function Associated with Frontal Lobe Romine and Reynolds (2005) state that frontal lobe functioning plays a central and pervasive role in human cognition, serving to organize and coordinate brainRead MoreThe Effects Of Concussions On Youth And High School Football1461 Words   |  6 Pages Seth Garff Mrs. Holliday: Period 2 1/8/16 The Dangers of Concussions in Youth and High School Football Thesis: Youth and High School football teams are not adequately protected from the danger of concussions and head trauma. Concussions occur on a large scale in football. During a concussion, the head can experience a blow directly or can have whiplash. When the head is hit, the brain hits the inside of the skull, giving it a temporary bruise. This bruise or tearing ofRead MoreSleep Deprivation And Its Effects On Children Essay1511 Words   |  7 PagesAmericans get less than five hours of sleep per night. Sleep deprivation often results in depression-like symptoms. Thus we heard suggestions that we should have at least eight hours of sleep a night. In fact, the duration of sleep affected by multiple factors, such as human has different sleep needs at the different age, and according to the Openstax (2014), by the time we are 65 years old, we average fewer than seven hours of sleep per day. For instance, I going to prove that people have less thanRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of A Traumatic Brain Injury Essay2249 Words   |  9 Pageswell as severe ones. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). About 1.6-3.8 million sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States (What is a Concussion? 2016). The prevalence of acquiring a concussion does vary based on the type of sport and the age of the athlete. According to a study done by Clay et al. (2013), there is definitely a risk in every sport for an individual to receive a concussion. However, some sports may have a higher concussion frequency, but this could

Dabhol Power Project free essay sample

India opens its power sector to private foreign investors. Enron begins investigating opportunities in the Indian power sector. Enron executives pitch their ideas to the Indian power secretary, who is in the United States to encourage foreign participation in the Indian power sector. Enron and General Electric sign a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to build the Dabhol project. The operating entity is the Dabhol Power Company, a joint venture. Enron is the majority owner, while General Electric and Bechtel each own 10% shares. The parties negotiate the terms of the deal. Enron obtains the necessary approvals for the project from the Indian government. The Dabhol Power Company and MSEB sign the power purchase agreement. Indian political parties opposing the ruling Congress party campaign on an antiEnron platform. The opposition alliance wins the election in Maharashtra in March, and in May the new government appoints a committee of state ministers (the Munde Committee) to review the Dabhol project. The Munde Committee issues a sharply critical report that recommends scrapping the Dabhol project. The state government acts on this advice. Enron enters arbitration and seeks $300 million in compensation. The state government files suit in September to void the agreement, alleging fraud and misrepresentation. U. S. officials, including Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary, warn India that its action will discourage foreign investment. Rebecca Mark, Chairman of Enron International, meets with Bal Thackeray, the top power in one of the ruling parties. Afterwards, negotiations resume between Enron and the state. The state announces it will accept a revised agreement. The state and the Dabhol Power Company finalize the terms of the revised agreement. Legal challenges to the project by Indian groups continue, but are eventually dismissed. Enron obtains approval from the Indian government to expand the Dabhol liquified natural gas terminal to allow it to process 5 million metric tons annually. Dabhol Phase I (740 megawatts) begins generating power. The state of Maharashtra stops paying for Dabhol as of its $22 million December 2000 bill. The state subsequently seeks to cancel the power purchase agreement. Enron begins arbitration proceedings. Secretary of State Colin Powell raises Enron’s problems regarding Dabhol in a discussion with India’s foreign minister. The Dabhol Power Company ceases operation of the Phase I portion of the plant and halts construction on the 90% completed Phase II portion (1,444 megawatts). The Bush Administration releases the White House Energy Plan, which contains a provision that benefits Enron’s India operations. Vice President Cheney raises Dabhol in a meeting with Sonia Gandhi, the president of India’s opposition Congress Party. 2 Nov. 1995 Jan. 1996 Feb. 1996 1996-1997 1997 May 1999 Jan. 2001 April 2001 April 2001 May-June 2001 May 2001 June 2001 July 2001 The National Security Council leads a â€Å"Dabhol working group† with Administration officials, including Treasury, State, the Export-Import Bank, and OPIC officials. Christina B. Rocca, Assistant Secretary of State, meets with Indian officials on Dabhol. Alan Larson, Undersecretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, raises Dabhol with the Indian foreign minister and the Indian national security advisor. Talking points are prepared for President Bush to discuss Dabhol in a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee on November 9. However, the topic is vetoed the day before the meeting on November 8, which is the same day that Enron discloses a stunning $586 million in previously unreported losses. July 2001 Oct. 2001 Nov. 2001 From the project’s inception, Enron strongly promoted Dabhol as a key element of its international strategy. 11 In 1996, Enron’s CEO and Chairman, Ken Lay, said, â€Å"This project serves as a cornerstone of Enron’s activities in India. We pursue additional projects in the country, we look forward to a long-term relationship with both the government and the people of India. †12 As early as 1992, Thomas White, the president of Enron Power, stated: â€Å"In the future, Enron’s business will be 10% domestic and 90% overseas. † 13 The Dabhol project was easily Enron’s most significant overseas endeavor in its size, cost, and political visibility. According to Harvard Business School, Enron Development Corporation: The Dabhol Power Project in Maharashtra, India (A), 9-10 (revised July 6, 1998). Human Rights Watch, The Enron Corporation: Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Violations, 12-25 (January 1999). 9 8 7 Id. at 114; Financing for Indian Plant Secured, Houston Chronicle (Jan. 17, 1995). Enron, Enron International – Our Presence in India (2000) (available online at: http://www. ei. enron. com/presence/projects/india. html). Power Politics: Enron’s Plant in India Was Dead; This Month, It Will Go On, Wall Street Journal (Feb. , 1999) (â€Å"Enron was eager to get a jump on the potentially mammoth [Indian] market†). Enron Power Co Welcomes India Court Dismissal of Lawsuit, Asia Pulse (Dec. 3, 1996); see also India Draws Private Firms to Power Sector, Asian Wall Street Journal (Jan. 29, 1993) (â€Å"‘We’re very, very excited about it,’ says Joe Sutton, the Enron official overseeing t he project. ‘We’re forging the way forward. This will be the cornerstone of other agreements’†). International Power Enron Power Lays Out International Strategy; Lands Philippine Project, Independent Power Report (July 17, 1992). 13 12 11 10 4 Enron, the 2,184 megawatt Dabhol plant is the largest gas-fired power plant in the world. 14 Dabhol also was important for other Enron plans. Dabhol was intended to be a major customer for liquified natural gas supplies from a project that Enron had entered into with the Qatar government. 15 As of 2000, Enron had 20-year contracts for 2. 1 million tons/year of liquified natural gas with two Middle Eastern suppliers. 16 A substantial element of the Dabhol project was construction of a modern port facility that could unload large tankers and a facility for regasification of the imported liquified natural gas. 7 Enron saw this liquified natural gas terminal as the hub of a future Enron gas network in India. 18 As of 2000, Enron was developing a natural gas pipeline project to carry the regasified liquid natural gas to Dabhol and customers north of Dabhol. 19 In addition, in January 1999,

The Awakening By Kate Chopin Essays - Emotions, Personal Life

The Awakening by Kate Chopin Responsibility and Duty as they Relate to The Awakening Most cultures put heavy emphasis upon responsibility and duty. The culture portrayed in Kate Chopin's book The Awakening visibly reflects a similar emphasis. The main character finds herself wanting to stray from her responsibilities and embrace her intense desire for personal fulfillment. Edna's choice to escape shows two elements: rebellion to the suppression of her adventurous spirit and the lack of "fulfillment" in her relationship. Although she embraces her new found freedoms, she commits suicide at the denouement of the book due to her frustration with the world around her. Many philosophers have dealt with the question of whether to live a life of servitude or to pursue ones greater happiness. Immanuel Kant stipulates that the more people cultivate their reason, the less likely they are to find happiness. Kate Chopin's character Edna tries her entire life to fit in the prescribed mold of the women of her time. She invests so much time into duty and responsibility that she loses any happiness that she could hope to achieve. With time, Kant noted, the person who devotes their life to reason finds themselves needing a release, in the end despising reason, and eventually pursuing only their true happiness. After being "reasonable" for the twenty-eight years of her life, Edna breaks down. She wants to pursue love and disregard her duty to her husband and children. She falls in what she considers "girlish" love with the character Robert. She proclaims to him: "I love you . . . only you; no one but you. If was you who awoke me last summer out of a life-long, stupid dream . . .Oh! I have suffered! Now you are here we shall love each other. Nothing else in the world is of any consequence." In keeping with Kant's philosophy, Edna's life has been riddled with reason and duty, essentially giving herself away to the people around her. This devotion to responsibility causes her to break away from her common behav ioral pattern and moves her to focus on finding her inherent happiness. Ayn Rand objectivism states that a person should live life by pursuing their abilities and engaging in trade of equal value with others. Further her philosophy states that working for another's good or sacrificing your self for another's happiness goes against the very nature of existence. Edna was not engaged in the pursuit of her finest abilities. She lived her life for others, not for herself. In the initial text it states that "Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-women," she did not truly fit that profile until further along in the novel. For the duration of her marriage she stayed in her place as a child-bearing wife, doing little but existing for the pleasures of her husband as a prized token more than a companion. These philosophies all profess the logic of abandoning culturally imposed responsibility in order to pursue those activities that contribute to one's own happiness. Being subdued by society, the ch aracter Edna Pontellier, has no other choice than to rebel and find happiness by redefining her position in life. Direct Response to the Quotations in the Essay In Chapter XVI, Edna explains to Madame Ratignolle, "I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself." Her unwillingness to sacrifice herself for her children and her husband demonstrates that she does not want to give herself away in order to make others happy. Edna can give her children superficial items, yet because of her new found "awakening" she can no longer truly serve to provide for their happiness. The only point that she makes clear in that statement is that she would give her life for her children, showing that she loves them but cannot define herself based on creating their happiness. Her awakening evolves into a selfish agenda, concerned only with her own happiness and disregarding all others. "In short, Mrs. Pontellier was not a mother-wo man." This quote states the simple truth that Edna, by nature, is not a "mother" in the classic sense of the word. She loves her children, though she