The Murders in the Rue Morgue †a Story with Many Firsts Essay Example for Free

The Murders in the Rue Morgue – a Story with Many Firsts Essay â€Å"The Murders in the Rue Morgue† is unquestionably the first detective fiction story. This without a doubt makes Edgar Allan Poe the father of detective crime. Poe was gifted at writing the genre of horror, perhaps because as some say, his life had been â€Å"marred by tragedy from an early age†(online literature). He certainly did have a knack for telling interesting and imaginative tales, which was highlighted by his obsession with death and violence in his stories. Poe was able to keep his readers interested in his stories by not only writing of death and violence but also giving them mystery and a puzzle to solve. Besides being the first detective story, â€Å"The Rue Morgue† is a story full of firsts; it tells the first locked room mystery in which the crime takes place inside a room that has been locked from the inside with no other way in or out and the main character is the first fictional detective. These types of mysteries are certain to keep a reader’s interest because it seems that there is no logical explanation. â€Å"The Rue Morgue† uses both the locked room mystery aspect and keeping the answers until the very end as interest keepers and blends them together to make one fine mystery. This story is just as much about a mystery as it is about deductive reasoning. The characters of C. Auguste Dupin and the narrator, who is his housemate, live very secluded lives. It appears that they do not go out at all during the day but do go and entertain themselves by walking the streets of Paris at night. At an early point in the story the two men are walking when Dupin breaks the silence by a single sentence commenting on the very thoughts of his partner. This small mystery intrigues Dupin’s companion and the reader. Dupin makes his rationalization seem â€Å"so simple that we all feel that we are capable of it. †(Watt, â€Å"Overview†). The reader is compelled to believe that Dupin has an extraordinary power of insight the way he reasons his way to conclusions. He is not unlike Sherlock Holmes in this respect. Holmes is known for his rationalizations and reasoning as well as his eclectic lifestyle and odd habits just as Dupin is. As a matter of fact it is said that Sir Arthur Canon Doyle was inspired by Poe and his Sherlock Holmes character is based on his detective, C.  Auguste Dupin (Mansfield-Kelly, Marchino, 82) Unlike Holmes, Dupin is not a detective by profession; rather he is an amateur detective. He takes on the case of the murders in the Rue Morgue not for money but for his own amusement after reading about it in the paper. He feels that he is more competent than the police and that he can solve the crime before they can. He uses his analytical skills to deduce the solution, which we are enlightened by at the end of the story. He is keenly observant taking in every little detail of the house on the inside and outside. Upon examining the windows in the bedroom Dupin had reasoned that the means of the murderers escape had to have been through either of the windows. As he examined more closely he discovered that they were nailed shut, or where they? One window had in fact had a nail in it, which would limit its usefulness as an escape. The other window however had been â€Å"fixed† so that it could be opened by a spring and when closed again the spring would catch and the window would look as though it was nailed shut as well. Dupin comes to the conclusion that the murdered is an orangutan because of his obsession with literature and books. He is familiar with the description of the orangutan from Baron Georges Cuvier who describes the animal and it’s strength. By knowing these characteristics he is then able to compare the devastation of the two bodies with the â€Å"wild ferocity† (76) of the beast. This all of course is just a wild guess on Dupin’s part until he places an advertisement in a paper calling for the owner of an orangutan to come and claim his beast and a sailor (as he suspected) does indeed come for him. The sailor reluctantly confirms Dupin’s observations to be correct as he describes the heinousness of the crimes in which this orangutan committed, which was a result of being frightened by the sight of his master’s whip. Poe adds a little bit of the grotesque as well. To go along with our class discussion about gore, this could arguably be a first detective story including gore in its pages. There are numerous examples throughout the story that are very descriptive and horrific in nature, especially for that time period. Poe was quite explicit when describing the state of the bodies of the murdered, just as the scenes of the bodies and murders are in CSI. Illustrating the body of Madame L’Espanaye, Poe describes it as â€Å"her throat so entirely cut that, upon attempt to move to raise her, the head fell off. † (62). Poe also gives a telling description of the act of slicing her throat, which is on page 80 in The Longman Anthology of Detective Fiction, â€Å"With one determined sweep of its muscular arm it nearly severed her head from her body. Another prime example of gore in this story is the description Dupin gives the narrator of the hair that was found on the hearth, â€Å"Their roots (a hideous site! ) were clotted with fragments of the flesh of the scalp – sure token of the prodigious power which had been exerted in uprooting perhaps half a million of hairs at a time. † (74) These descriptions might not be something that we would consider to be gore by todayâ€℠¢s standards, but in 1841 when this story was written it very well could have made people faint just reading it. I may be simple in my analysis of this story, believing it to be about mystery and reasoning. I have read other people’s thoughts on the subject of this story, which include slavery. Though I don’t necessarily believe that Poe was disguising this story as an uprising against slavery, Edward Higgins White wrote a critical essay discussing that topic. His belief is that the true crime in this story is about slavery and that the orangutan is symbolic of this. He argues that the symbolism is mostly in the last section of the story in which the parallels to race and slavery are most notable. White states †Given the loaded connotations of key terms of the narrativeescaped, master, dreaded whip, fugitive, razor, and of course the Ourang-Outang itselfit would be nearly impossible to ignore the strong suggestions that the story is about slavery, and specifically about slave resistance. † Now I don’t totally disagree with those connotations but I don’t completely believe that Poe was trying to convey that particular message with this story. White questions why Poe feels the need to hide the slave rebel. I ask that same question. I just believe that he is reading too much into the story and is seeing things that are not really there. I do agree, however, that there are some strong parallels and that in reading his essay he makes a good argument. White also brings up the â€Å"Chantilly† passage. He summarizes the fifteen-minute walk in silence in which the detective and his companion take and how Dupin describes how he came to know what his friend was thinking about. He says, â€Å"The basic point of the Chantilly sequence concerns not Dupins intelligence but the narrators ignorance: he does not even understand his own thought processes, the associations made in his imagination. † It is this revelation that leads him to believe that Dupin’s subject is not necessarily the crime itself, but the process of assessing the crime, which reaffirms my belief that the story is about reasoning along with mystery. Edgar Allan Poe, the father of the American detective fiction story. Little did he know at the time the trend that he would be setting for all of literary fiction. The Murders in the Rue Morgue† set precedents for all detective fiction that would be written after it and it established the fundamentals of the detective story technique that are used today. Poe invented the locked room mystery and I believe the first to write descriptions that could be classified as gore. His unique writing style and characters keep readers coming back and keep authors on their toes trying to emulate his style of writing. After all, with out Dupin there would be no Sherlock Holmes and perhaps the genre of detective fiction would not be as we know it to be now.

Sudoku Puzzle Design Algorithms Computer Science Essay

Sudoku Puzzle Design Algorithms Computer Science Essay Our project is called generating, rating and solving Sudoku puzzle. The aim of the project is to design and develop Sudoku puzzle solving program by generate the puzzle with five differences difficulty rating level. The program is able to solve the Sudoku puzzle by using some Artificial Intelligent algorithm. The final year project development period is given two trimester and we divided the development process into two part. The first part is to develop the problem specification, design, generating and study on some Sudoku solving algorithm which to be done by trimester one. Part 2 of the project is developing the complete Sudoku solving program and this part will be done by trimester 2. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction Sudoku is logic based number-placement puzzle. It designs with 99 grids so that the digits 1-9 appear exactly once in each row, each columns, and each 33 sub grids (also called as blocks) that compose the grid. Each Sudoku puzzle created with a unique solution, which typically means that there is only one correct way to fill in the 81 grids. The aim of the project is to design and develop Sudoku puzzle solving program using the artificial intelligence algorithm. First at all the Sudoku configuration program would be able to generate the puzzle with five differences difficulty rating level, which are very easy, easy, medium, difficult and expert. The program also able to solve the Sudoku puzzle as well as providing the chances of having tips while they achieve the specify condition which could help the player to solved the puzzle when they get stuck. An interesting Sudoku puzzle is the one with the minimal hints given. The puzzle should be generated with a single solution. So, knowledge for the rules of Sudoku is very important which the digit 1-9 need to be appear exactly once in each rows, each columns, and each 33 sub-grid. Then a 99 empty grid need to be created and filled in with the digit 1-9 by following the rules to create a complete puzzle. The next step is to begin removing digits from the completed Sudoku puzzle randomly to create the game. To generate a symmetrical puzzle, we need to randomly remove the singleton from the row, column, or block, following by naked pairs, naked triples, hidden pairs, hidden triples, and pointing pairs accordingly. The techniques used to remove the cells decided the difficulty level of the Sudoku puzzle. Lastly, the program is able to solve the Sudoku game by using the AI algorithm like simulated annealing. 1.2 Problem statement People nowadays always busy for working and cope for the challenges on their life. With the increasing busyness of the life, stress become a common issue that faced by the society. A long term of facing a particular problem will make a people to feel pressure and stress themselves badly. Therefore, they need some break to take their mind off from working materials before they continue to work. Sometimes, a challenges mini game like Sudoku can helps to exercise their brain and reduce stress. Besides, with the fast growing of the technologies today, most people are able to obtain the advance electronic device like PDA, laptop, and so on. So the Sudoku puzzle game is not the game that is only published in the hardcopy such as newspaper or Sudoku book. Therefore Sudoku game can be installed in their electronic device so that they can bring it anywhere. 1.2 Scope Scope of the project is generating the Sudoku puzzle with different difficulty level and solves the Sudoku game. The scope covers: Allow user to select the difficulty level of the Sudoku game. Generate a complete Sudoku puzzle by following the Sudoku rules which are the digits 1-9 appear exactly once in each row, each columns, and each 33 sub grids. Remove cells to create a valid Sudoku games according to the difficulty level that the user selected. Allow user to input the digit 1-9 into the empty cells of the puzzle. Highlight the incorrect input of digit with red colour. Solve the Sudoku games. 1.2 Objectives Understanding the algorithm behind Sudoku puzzle. Identify an algorithm to generate a complete Sudoku puzzle with the rules that the digit 1-9 appear exactly once in each row, each columns, and each 33 sub grids. Identify the ways of removing cells from the complete Sudoku puzzle to create a valid game. Generate Sudoku with different difficulty level. Identify the algorithm to solve the Sudoku puzzle. 1.3 Project Schedule Project Schedule Management Gantt Chart Tasks Activity Start date End date Duration(days) Task 1 Research and study relevant material 7/6/2010 27/6/2010 21 Task 2 Planning development process 28/6/2010 4/7/2010 7 Task 3 Implement Prototype for Generating 5/7/2010 8/8/2010 35 Task 4 Test Program and Fix error 9/8/2010 14/8/2010 7 Task 5 Amends report and prototype 15/8/2010 29/8/2010 14 Task 6 Validate interim report and Submission 30/8/2010 1/9/2010 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Nature of the problem Sudoku puzzle is a famous game among the worldwide. Most of the newspaper has a long history of publishing the Sudoku games such as The Times, Sin Chew Daily, and so on. The games in hardcopy required user to use pen or pencil to finish on the paper and the number of games are limited. So, in this project, a program is created to generate the Sudoku puzzle games. User does not need to use an extra writing material like pen or pencil to complete the Sudoku games. They just need a mouse to interact with the game. Other than that, the program is able to solve the Sudoku puzzle as well as identify the puzzle is solvable and have a unique solution. User also can enter the Sudoku games that are not generated by the program and solve it by using this program. 2.2 Background The origin of Sudoku is from Switzerland (By a Mathematician Leonhard Euler) and then travels to Japan by way of America. Su is the Japanese character with the meaning of number and doku means single. In another word, it called single number which means that for each column, each row, and each sub grid, it can only contain the digit 1-9 without repetition. In this project, we need to consider some important things like the cost that we need, the purpose of this project, the target user of this program and so on. Cost that we need to use is to complete the project in 24 week period. The purpose of this project is to create a program which can generate the Sudoku games with different difficulty level as well as able to solve the Sudoku games. Sudoku is a game that suitable for all generation of the people. The program is able to generate the game in 5 different difficulty levels which is very easy, easy, medium, hard, and expert. Level very easy and easy are suitable for the children, medium is suitable for the adults, hard and expert are suitable for those who are experienced in the Sudoku games. 2.3 Literature Review 2.3.1 The Science behind Sudoku Sudoku is a game of numbers, but it does not have anything to do with mathematics such as addition or multiplication. A Sudoku grid is a special kind of Latin square that named by an 18th century mathematician-Leonhard Euler. Latin square is an n x n matrices that are filled in with n symbols in a way that the same symbols appear exactly once in same row and column. The number of valid Sudoku grids is 6,670,903,752,021,072,936,960 which proved by the use of logic and computers. The minimum numbers of hints that a 9 x 9 Sudoku puzzle can start with and the solution can still remain unique seem to be 17. This mean for any Sudoku which is having the hints that less than 17 will make it cannot guarantee a unique solution. C:UsersVinZDesktop1.pngC:UsersVinZDesktop2.png Figure 1.An example of the minimal hints for a Sudoku puzzles and still guarantee with the unique solution. C:UsersVinZDesktop3.pngC:UsersVinZDesktop4.png Figure 2.An example of a Sudoku game with 16 hints provided and leads to two solutions. To solve a Sudoku puzzle, the most common way is backtracking. First, the program places a number 1 in the first empty cell of the Sudoku puzzle. If the number is compatible with the existing hints, it moves to the second empty cell and place a 1 again. When it encounters a conflict or clash with other existing hints, it erases the number which just placed and enters number 2. If it is invalid again then proceed with 3 or the next legal number. After the legal number placed, it moves to the next cell and start again with number 1. If the number that placed and it is still not compatible with the existing hints is 9 (9 is the largest number in Sudoku puzzle), the program will backtrack and increase the precious cells number by one. After that it moves forward until it is clash with other existing hints and backtracks again. Sometimes the program needs to backtrack for several times before it can move forward. Backtracking technique is good and fast when apply in a program or machine, but a human player need to spend more time to finish the game using this technique. So they used smarter ways for solving Sudoku and generally turn to method trial and error method at last of the solving part. 2.3.2 A Pencil-and-Paper Algorithm for Solving Sudoku Puzzle To solve a Sudoku puzzle, it involve with the widely known concept of matching numbers across cells. In another mathematical point of view, we name it as pre-emptive sets. The most important technique to solve the Sudoku puzzles is based on two things, which are the (i) definition of pre-emptive sets and (ii) the occupancy theorem. A mark up puzzle can help to solve the Sudoku puzzle with more efficiently by writing down the possible number that can be filled into the empty cell. C:UsersVinZDesktopmarkup.png Figure 3.Example of a mark-up Sudoku puzzle. Pre-emptive sets: A pre-emptive set composed of the digits 1-9 and is a set of size m, where: 2 {[n1, n2, , nm], [ c(i1,j1), c(i2,j2), , c(im, jm) ]} Where 1= C:UsersVinZDesktop852.png 3459 459 6 23478 1 2348 234579 24579 2345 Figure 2.Pre-emptive set For example, the figure above consist of a pre-emptive set {[3, 4, 5, 9], [c(7, 1), c(7, 2), c(8, 3), c(9, 3)]} with size 4. Occupancy theorem Suppose that x is a number that listed in the pre-emptive set and it lies completely in one column, or row, or a sub grid, so there can be no occurrence of x for the column, or row, or sub grid that outside of the pre-emptive set. Firstly, the algorithm use method 1 and method 2 to complete the puzzle until it cannot continue further. Method 1 is to figure out the Force cell which is the cell that can be determine by eliminate the impossible number (number that already existed in the same column, row and sub grid) that occupy the cell. Method 2 is to figure out the possible number for the empty cell that can be determined by checking the same number which occupies the cells in the column and row of the sub grid. After that we look for the pre-emptive set from each column, each row, and each sub grid. Try to break it into several smaller pre-emptive set and cross out the number according to the occupancy theorem. For example in Figure 2, the pre-emptive set is {[3, 4, 5, 9], [c(7, 1), c(7, 2), c(8, 3), c(9, 3)]} with size 4, it cross out the number that are not inside the pre-emptive set. In figure 2, digits 8 and 2 in cell c(8, 1) and c(9, 1) can be determined directly after the number had been crossed out. So apply again method 1 and method 2 to figure out other possible number. Clearly then, repeat again the process untill it cannot find out any pre-emptive tes ot until the sudoku puzzle is solved.if the result seem to be violated, then the sudoku game is a unsolable game. Metaheuristics can solve Sudoku puzzles Before the simulated annealing can straightforward, representation, neighbourhood operator and evaluation of candidate solution need to be defined. Representation used to assign each empty cell a value randomly, but every sub gird contain the digit 1-9 exactly once. During the process, neighbourhood operator choose two different non-fixed cells (the cell which filled in by randomly) in the sub grid and swap them. Two of the non fixed cells to be swap must be in the same sub grid to make sure the criterion of each sub grid contain the digit 1-9 exactly once. Cost function used to evaluate the candidate solution by looking at each row and column, and then calculate the number of values that are not present. For example in figure 3, 1 and 2 had repeated two times in the first row, so the score of that row is 2. Note that the complete solution of the Sudoku puzzle will have zero of cost. C:UsersVinZDesktop854.png Figure 3 Here, simulated annealing start with a candidate solution s and a neighbour s. s is accepted if s is better than s (according to cost function) or with the probability: Exp (-ÃŽÂ ´/t), which ÃŽÂ ´ = proposed change in the cost function, t = control parameter (as known as temperature). t, temperature is very important to expend the Simulated Annealing and lead to the success. The initial temperature should allow majority if the moves to be accepted, approximately 80% (according to Van Laaehoven Aart (1987)). During the process, temperature is reduced according to the simple geometric cooling schedule. A formula, = use to make sure the temperature decrease according to the cooling rate. Note that , so the largest value of is less than 1, such as 0.9999. For example, value of is 0.9999 will cause the temperature drop slowly, and the value of is 0.5 will make it drop faster. Furthermore, the use of homogenous Simulated Annealing schema takes the form of a sequence of Markov Chains that generated at the fixed value of t. The t is then changed in-between subsequent chains (Van Laarhoven and Aart, 1987). The value of t here is also very important as it decided the time to explore of the search tree and also the run times. The size of the problem-instance defined by the non-fixed number in the grid where: ml = ml = size of the problem-instance. = the function that indentify the number of cells in the are non-fixed. By using this formula, the value can allow each pair of the non-fixed cells have a good chance to considered at least once per Markov chain.

Stronger Case Antigone Or Creon Philosophy Essay

Stronger Case Antigone Or Creon Philosophy Essay At the centre of The Burial at Thebes is the contest between the belief that the gods should form the basis of moral behaviour in the state, presented by Antigone and Creons case that the king can define what is correct behaviour. I shall go through the text and pick out passages that are relevant to the cases presented. My conclusion will be based on which case has the most support throughout the text, remains the most consistent and also the desire of the protagonists to see their views through to the end. Antigone presents her case during the plays prologue. She believes Creons general order forbidding the burial of Polyneices is morally wrong and states clearly that she is going to bury his body (Heaney, 2004, p5Â  [1]Â  ). It is important to note that women played a central role in the religious conventions of funeral rites and practices (Hardwirck, 2008, p195), and these events contrasted with the usual exclusion of women from Greek public life. This issue is raised by Ismene who describers herself and Antigone as two women on our own who we must do as were told (p5). It is made clear in this passage that Antigone knows she will be sentenced to death for defying Creon, something she has not intention of covering up. For Antigone burying her brother is a matter of showing honour to the dead (the ones youll be with the longest) and her belief that the gods will be proud of me (p6). The importance of reverence to the gods is a central theme in the play and Antigones case is strengthened by her invocation to them and the importance of giving the dead an appropriate burial. Before Creon has stated his case he has it strengthened by the Chorus who describe him as right for this city at this time (p9) at the end of the parados. Given that one function of the Chorus is to provide moral comment this is notable backing. Creon case, that Polyneices, a traitor, an anti- Theban Theban (p10), should not be buried is stated during his first rhesis. By giving this order Creon is not only willing to sacrifice family ties but emphasising loyalty to the state. The security of, and loyalty to, the state is the at the heart of Creons case. His opening speech is an extended metaphor in which the state is a ship that he led to calmer waters (p8), and those that stood by him a loyal crew. Creon emphasises the words friend and family (p9) to strengthen his belief that personal loyalty must always give way to patriotic duty (p9). After the war with Argos it makes sense that Creon would want to install a sense of unity by honouring those that stood up for Thebes and highlight the importance of patriotic duty. Creon uses the gods to back up his case. For him they kept Thebes safe during the war with Argos and later on describes as preposterous the idea that the gods have had a hand'(p14) in the burial of the traitor Polyneices. Creon believes his case here is strong for it would be illogical that the gods would side with Polyneices given that the city [is] under their protection (p14). If Creons view of the gods is correct, then is case his strengthened but if, as the Chorus suggests, the gods have sided with Antigone than her belief that they will be proud of her appears to be true. Another theme Creon raises is his belief that dissent to his rule is money orientated. It warps minds and generally corrupts (p15) and is, in Creons mind, the reason why the guard has not apprehended the burier of Polyneices. When the guard suggests that the judge has misjudged everything (p16) he emphasises judge and mis when he speaks, giving an added sense of foreboding to his words. This is added to when he describes waiting for whatever plague.. the gods were sending (p19) when capturing Antigone. The theme of money and plague are later returned to and help destroy not only Creons case, but also himself. Antigones acceptance of death is highlighted when the guard describes how she showed no signs of panic (p20) and admitted breaking Creons law. The following agon gives each protagonist the opportunity to strengthen their cases. Antigone does this by emphasising the edict is not the law of Zeus and that she follows original, god-given laws (p20). By invoking the gods again Antigone gives her case the backing of those that all in Thebes will worship long after Creon ceases to rule. Creon challenges Antigone when he asks if religion dictates the same for loyal and disloyal (p24). Here he is supporting his belief that the gods value the security of Thebes and would not want to be joined by a traitor. When he would states he would know his enemy in the underworld (p24) Creon appears to be stating that the afterlife is a a continuation of this life, and the battles he has fought; whereas for Antigone the next world is a place where past sins matter not and all are equal and thus that the gods are less concerned with mortal actions than Creon. With such differing views on the will of the gods the case that is the strongest will be the case that pleases the gods the most. The third episode sticmythia with Haemon gives Creon the opportunity to restate and strengthen his case which he does with his opening speech. Here he restates the importance of discipline and obedience to the state; when those go cities, homes and armies collapse (p15). Again Creon is stating the importance of stability as he did with his first speech and again he states that he expects his family to observe the discipline I expect from every citizen (p30). It is hard to not respect Creons views here and the Chorus does just this when they state the he seems to make good sense (p31). By the end of the third episode the case laid out in Creons opening speech is brought to the fore. He has sacrificed his son for what he perceives to be the security of the state and has proven that patriotic duty has triumphed over personal loyalty (p10). By relenting now Creon would destroy his case; Antigone has to die for Creons case to remain strong and Creon shows that he is willing to accept the consequences of his actions when he tells the Chorus that Haemon can do his worst then (p35). Creon should have remembered the Choruss warning that anyone who overstep[s] what the city allows risks being put beyond the pale (p16). Haemon tells Creon that People here in Thebes dont seem to think that Antigone is a danger. Creons response that rulers[are] meant to be in charge should strengthen his case but it doesnt the Chorus also warned of the dangers of treating the lawas his own word (p33). The grace with which Antigone accepts her fate throughout the fourth episode strengthens her case. The Chorus believes that Antigone goes with her head held high and because you were noble (p37 39). It is difficult to not be moved when she says I close my eye on the sun. I turn my back on the light (p39) with emphasises on close, eye, sun, turn, back and light. Antigone remains consistent and sees her case through to the end. In her final speech she reminds the reader that she has been punished for a reverence that was right (p41), that is a reverence to Hades, to the dead, even if they are enemies of the state and the duty of families to mourn their loved ones. By this point Creon can present his case as being successful. The state has won, and someone that has shown a lack of loyalty has been punished as the law demanded. Despite this his case isnt as strong as it should be. The Chorus who who at first supported Creon and who he relied upon to be agents of the law (p11) have turned against him, and the warnings put to him earlier have still not been dealt with. The entry of Tiresias brings the end of Creons case. The plague the guard alluded too has become tangible, and the corpse of Polyneices is where the contagion starts (p44). The king has been warned that the gods are revolted (p44) but when told that he can undo his mistake his first response is to accuse Tiresias of being bribed and his second sight.. well warped (p45). When Creon does relent it is because he has taken Antigones view that we should keep the established law (p48). This is a complete u-turn that sees Creon accept Antigones case and proves beyond doubt that her case is the stronger of the two. It is too little too late, Antigone is dead in her wedding dress with her beloved Haemon by her side, his mother and Creons wife Eurydice soon joins them in the underworld. Creon is destroyed; he want(s) to hurry death (p55) but can not. Antigone accepted the consequences of her actions but Creon has courted calamity (p56) and must accept the unknown to come. Using the criteria stated above I can only conclude that Antigone has been given the stronger case. If the play finished at the end of fourth episode it would be a hard decision but I would have sided with Antigone following her heartbreaking speeches. I would, as a modern reader, also be swayed by the belief that the state should not interfere in the religious practices of families and should not overturn centuries old traditions for political reasons. Creons taking on of Antigones view and the Choruss final moral comment, that leaders should always rule by the gods and reverence them (p56), makes it impossible to draw a conclusion different to mine.

Gender Inequality in the 1970s Essay -- women, solutions, stereotype, g

There is no upper limit to the risks men are willing to take in order to succeed, and if there is an upper limit for women, they will succeed less.† (Clay Shirky, 202) Shirky, the author of â€Å"A Rant about Women† argues that women must become more aggressive and demanding to ultimately achieve their goals. No matter how society reacts, men take on any action, bypassing the â€Å"Golden Rule† to achieve their goals and desires. On the other hand, women lack this procedure in their search for self-promotion, as Shirky argues. However, in Chisholm’s speech â€Å"Equal Rights for Women†, Chisholm argues that the undeniable reason for gender inequality in the 1970’s, was the lack of opportunities women were given in the workplace. Chisholm’s viewpoint includes the reason women weren’t treated with equal respect as men, was because women weren’t given the chance. Both authors battle the reason for gender inequality equally de monstrating how this social problem existed; only differentiating on the reasons. In this essay I will argue that Shirky’s position on gender inequality is stronger based on the anecdotes he provides of women asserting themselves to become more successful; additionally providing a solution for women to become more aggressive. In the 1970’s, when a woman walked into an interview, she was questioned if she can type. This occurs because of the stereotype that women usually occupy the lower standard jobs; the less important ones, in other words. The positions women usually occupy include: secretaries, librarians, and teachers, because women are viewed as incapable of withholding job options such as managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress. As Shirley Chisholm declares in her speech, â€Å"The unspoken assump... ...unately still exists today. Both Shirky and Chisholm work at publicizing this issue to society, however represent different reasons for why this issue exists. Shirky believes women are not as aggressive in demanding self-promotion as well as equality, while Shirley believes the root of gender inequality is the low amount of opportunities women are given in the workplace in comparison to men. While I consider Shirky’s argument stronger, I still agree with Chisholm’s argument based off of the job position evidence she provides. Based off both articles, women need to become more arrogant and selfish to rightfully demand what is theirs, no matter what the consequence. Men can do it, so why can’t women? Works Cited Chisholm, Shirley. â€Å"Equal Rights for Women†. Washington D.C., May 21, 1969 Shirky, Clay. â€Å"A Rant about Women†. Shirky.com. Clay Shirky Blog, January 2010

Gifted Education :: Teaching Education

Gifted Education Running head: GIFTED EDUCATION/CIVIL RIGHTS Education of Gifted Students A Civil Rights Issue? Article Critique Education of Gifted Students A Civil Rights Issue? This paper seeks to answer the question: "Is the differential representation of the sexes and of racial and ethnic groups in educational programs for gifted students a civil rights problem?" The author does a more than adequate job of presenting the arguments on both sides of the issue and drawing logical inferences. The article seeks to identify the actual dilemma and proposes possible approaches for resolution. Much of the school system today has been shaped by the civil rights laws of the past. The writer notes that the link these rights have to education is the pledge of an equal opportunity for all children to learn and be educated in this country. Schools must accomplish this without regard to race, creed or gender. The author notes that there have been references to the gifted programs being just another subtle form of segregation by the white upper-middle-class. These concerns arise from the fact that the representation of the sexes and of ethnic groups within the gifted classes reflects just such a phenomenon. The unjustified beliefs of genetic inferiority of some races have long since been denounced. These unfounded beliefs have been replaced by research which indicates that the genetic component of intelligence is augmented by the nurturing environment (or lack thereof) of a child. The paper sites twin studies, which give creedence to the genetic component of intelligence, and notes these differences apply within the different ethnic and racial groups. The author attributes an almost equal role to the environment of the child referring to nurturing as the "crystallization of native abilities." Noting the differences between the sexes in math and verbal skills, the author seeks to validate this conception. The author sees the cultural values of society as an unavoidable encroachment upon the genders resulting in these differences. I beg to differ, as molecular and developmental studies have shown that there are structural and biological differences in the brains of males and females (Zhang, 1995; Palego, 2000). As a molecular biologist I would be more inclined to attribute differences to the biochemical aspects of development. The writer next addresses the inequities of intelligence tests and accurately identifies them as mere predictors of future academic performance.

Never Giving Up

It has been said that life can never be carried out and truly lived to its fullest unless there has been some sort of suffering and pain. Mistakes are to be learned from, and a hard past can only result in a stronger present. Though many might find themselves alone in their misery the truth is they are not, everyone has struggles. We all have our ups and downs, but it is how we react to them that truly matters. Life is life and no matter what, giving up on lifelong dreams and aspirations because of a few bumps in the road should never be an option. It isn't where you come from; it's where your going that counts,† stated a very wise woman by the name of Ella Fitzgerald. This may be hard to believe but even people with great success like Ella Fitzgerald, can come from a troubled background. Before her career took off, this superstar Jazz singer known as the â€Å"first lady of song† was just another troubled teen forced to cope with the early separation of her parents. Fro m there things only got worse for Ella and in 1993, her mother died from injuries she had suffered from a car accident. It was not long before tragedy struck Ella's life once again, this time she mourned the loss of her mother's boyfriend and her half sister's father. From there it was all down hill for this sixteen year old and it was not long before she found herself in trouble with the law. â€Å"You may be disappointed if you fail but your doomed if you don't try. † These words spoken by Beverly Sills had to have somehow found their way into Ella's head because no matter what came her way, she did not give up. With a little patience, Ella was on to launching one of the largest music careers in the business. Perfection is boring, if a face doesn't have a mistake it's nothing,† stated Kevyn Aucoin. Nowadays, the success of those emerging from a troubled past is greater than ever. After all, who could forget American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino's shocking past confessions in her enormously famous autobiography, â€Å"The Fantasia Barrino Story; Life is not a Fairy Tale? † Fantasi a's traumatizing childhood seemed to be weaved with stories of pain, lies, and betrayal everywhere she turned. At an early age, Fantasia was a victim of rape and divorce. She pursued a music career in her small town of North Carolina but found that she just did not tand out from among the other teens. With low self-esteem, it was not long before Fantasia fell into the wrong crowd and found herself a seventeen-year-old, pregnant, illiterate, high school drop out. Fantasia faced a lot of criticism when she was considered for America's idol, but she did not let that bother her and continued on to become an idol for those who like her have come from a hard background. Like Helen Keller once said, â€Å"No Pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an unchartered land. † Fantasia Barrino has proven that â€Å"life is not a Fairy Tale† but you can sure make it one. It is not just celebrities that can overcome a troubled past and live up to their potential it is also people just like us. Who knows, the big shot lawyer next door could have been the one bullied in school and told time and time again that he was not good enough. It is all about strength and perseverance, believe despite the odds and what others say. To find success in the outside world you must first find it in yourself. In Ella Fitzgerald's own words, â€Å"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong. â€Å"

Family issues becoming social problems Essay

Family, as what sociologists address, is a social institution. Families are shaped by the family members’ personality. Individual members affect their relationship that is greatly influenced by experience. Families are also affected with the other social institution in the society like law, religion and education. Thus, families are subject to changes whether these changes gave advantages and disadvantages, the family has to cope up and make adjustments. Failure to do so will affect society and social problems might arise. This twist and turns have been quite evident as the time passes by. Single parents, careerist mothers, absent fathers, and live-in partners are blamed as the root cause of many of society’s problems that could lead to persistent poverty, drug abuse, academic failure or out-of-school youths, and juvenile crime. This can be traced back to the early society that calls for historical perspective(Steven Mintz, 2003). History of the American Family In 1920, majority of American families are the traditional type; the father is the breadwinner, the wife is the home-maker and the children attend the school. Unwanted pregnancies happened between 1940 and 1958. Families of the 1950s are characterized by increase in birth rate, a stable divorce rate, and the age of marriage decline. During the early and at the middle of the nineteenth century, divorce rate began to rise because of its legislative order to be legalized. Spousal and child abuse gave rise and this can be reflected with the increase in assaults and murders committed against relatives and family members. Highest divorce cases happened at the beginning of the twentieth century. Single parenting, children in orphanage, infant mortality and early widowhood are the other changes happened in the past years(Steven Mintz, 2003). Family issues becoming social problem Divorce and single parenting From the point of view of some, divorce is an indication of failure of American family. But for others, it is viewed as a sign of freedom from men that women do enjoy. After World War II, it is documented that the rate of divorce increased and these may be an indication of the changing views and role of women in the society and their need to be free from social and financial dependence upon men. However, the dramatic increase of divorce rate has greatly affect the economical and social stability experienced by most of the divorced women that caused social problem for the economic well-being of the divorced women and the children are highly compromised. On average, women earn less income than men, households that headed by the divorced women are further disadvantaged, also, the lack of adequate and consistent child support added to the economic dilemma of divorced women (Dennis L. Peck). Spousal Abuse  Among the cause of violence between couples are: incompatibility between them which they discovered after the marriage and such difference arises when there is great disagreement and animosity between them, the couple is under stress and frustration therefore burst it out to one another and lastly, if the wife is a masochist or very awkward or very provocative(Rudi Dallos). Child abuse and neglect A child that is not properly taken cared of, not properly fed, deprived of basic necessities, proper medical care and treatment, and too much physical abuse is a violation to the child’s welfare and is considered as a criminal behavior. Juvenile Delinquency According to a study, broken homes are associated with juvenile delinquency. Levels of juvenile delinquency were much higher in teenagers living with single fathers and lowest among teenagers living with both parents and one of the suggestive reasons for this is due to inadequate parental involvement in the life of the child. The lack of guidance and the absence of close relationships between the child and parents contributed to the causes of the delinquency(Crystal L. Murry). Financial stress Financial stress can directly and indirectly affect children because it increases parental mental and emotional distress, which limits a parent’s capability to respond sensitively and consistently to their children’s needs. More specifically, parents that are more commonly observed among low-income populations have behaviors of parental harshness, non-responsiveness, and inconsistency and are assumed to arise in part from the high levels of parental stress that accompany poverty. Parents having low income have the tendency to fail to express their affection and fail to respond to their child’s needs. (H. Abigail Raikes). Gay and Lesbian Families Sigmund Freud viewed homosexuality as a disturbed psychosexual development wherein the social orientation of the child is due to its relationship with his or her parents. Psychologists, as well as other professionals form other disciplines such as endocrinology and genetics have studied and discovered other possible causes of homosexuality (Dennis L. Peck). Before, same-sex families were inconceivable. However, in 1980s, the situation began to change and have changed the views of family life for gays and lesbians. Due to socioeconomic independence of women of lesbian families, the medical advances of in-vitro fertilization and sex transplant, acceptance of gays and lesbians by adoption agencies and courts, planned gay and lesbian parenting had increased tremendously but during the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was argument about same-sex families, particularly child-rearing by gays and lesbians. Solutions to Problems Having time for the family will be helpful in strengthening the family and businesses providing flexible working schedule will be of great help. The power of media has great influence on the youth; therefore, they should make effort on portraying positive views on marriage and valuing education. The parents should be attentive to their child’s learning in and out of school. No-fault divorce legislation establishes conjugal property that should be divided by both parties, assigning the child’s custody, and awarding alimony. Open communication is important so that problems and conflicts can be addressed within the members of the family. Nowadays, it is acceptable that both parents are working to support the financial needs of the family but make sure that there is still time for relaxation and bonding of the family members especially during special occasions. There are also government agencies, insurance company, law firms and consultants that provide legal and financial support for the child, spouse and elder that are victims of domestic violence.