LMU Personal Essay AJ Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

LMU Essay AJ - Personal Statement Example I have witnessed the wars and poverty in my own country despite the knowledge that it is known to be a rich nation and I often wondered what could be wrong about us. As a result, I pondered about this and observed individual lives as well which I often thought have an effect on the national circumstances. I think so many people fall victims of physical and political wars not only because of poverty but also due to ignorance. A person is often easily carried by emotions and need when he has nothing else to hold on to. Thus, in order to survive and be at peace with one’s environment, an individual should have something to hold on to as an anchor so that he will not be easily swayed by needs and emotions. In my quest to find out what makes people feel secure and stable, I discovered that among them is education. We had neighbors who were not very affluent years ago but when the children grew, they seemed to have climbed up the ladder of success in quite a short time. When I first became aware of the importance of wealth and education, I observed that I was more inclined to getting more information and not just let things be said and not thought about. I begun to envy our successful neighbors but with that, I yearned to know how they did it. I observed how they lived their lives and I really sought to find out what their jobs are and where they were working. In the process, I learned that some of them were working as engineers but most of the successful ones are chief executives or bankers. This made me think about the course I would like to take in preparation for my success story. I then assessed my talents, skills, interests and inclinations and decided to take __________. I know I will not just become successful in my career but that I will also be good at it with my talent and skills. However, I know that those are not enough as I found out in the past years. One must have to hold an education, a training that will show one’s

Byzantine Art Essay Example for Free

Byzantine Art Essay Early Christian art was highly influenced by religious, political, and cultural changes. In contrast to the classical, idealistic portrayal of man, Early Christian art took a much more stylized approach to the depiction of man, with a neglected attention to human anatomy. The subject matter of much of the art turned from secular to religious; Christianity to be more specific. Constantine was the last emperor of the Roman Empire to hold undivided power. Under his rule, Constantine created the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance to all religions. This was of particular importance to Christians, who had been previously persecuted due to their spiritual beliefs. Because of the Edict of Milan, many Christian buildings were erected in addition to the many secular buildings that were transformed into Christian buildings. These buildings housed countless numbers of priceless religious artworks. One such example is the Transfiguration of Christ mosaic located in Saint Catherines Monastery in Sinai, Egypt. When Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), the Empire separated. Upon the division of the Roman Empire, Justinian, The Last Roman Emperor, held power over the Eastern Roman Empire from 527 to 565. Justinian was both a political and religious leader. Under his reign, many Christian buildings were constructed. Justinian often associated himself with Jesus Christ in the Byzantine artworks that these Christian buildings housed as a form of propaganda. The Orthodox Church now recognizes Justinian as a saint. Byzantine is a term used to describe eastern Mediterranean art from 330 to 1453, when the Turks conquered Constantinople (Strickland, 1992, p. 24). Mosaics were one of the most common forms of art during this period. They were intended to publicize the Christian creed through their religious subject matter (Strickland, 1992, p. 25). Byzantine mosaics are composed of small, colorful glass or stone squares and rectangles, called tesserae, embedded in wet cement or plaster. These tesserae were arranged in a manner through which they formed images. Typically, Byzantine mosaics are located on the walls and ceilings within a church apse and dome (Strickland, 1992, p. 25). The artists of these mosaics left the tesserae with jagged surfaces to create the sparkling, illuminated effect that distinguishes these mosaics  from those of other periods and places (Strickland, 1992, p. 25). The exteriors of Byzantine Christian structures were very plain in contrast to the elaborately decorated interiors. The awe-inspiring mosaics and icons brought the focus of the buildings to the interiors. Perhaps this was a method to spread the word of God by attracting people to come inside the buildings. Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, ordered the construction of he Monastery of the Transfiguration, more commonly known as Saint Catherines Monastery because the relics of Saint Catherine of Alexandria are said to have been inexplicably transported there, at the foot of Mount Moses (Wikipedia, 2006). The monastery houses the Chapel of the Burning Bush, which was ordered built by Constantines mother, Helena (Wikipedia, 2006). The Chapel of the Burning Bush is located at the site where Moses purportedly saw the burning bush (Wikipedia, 2006). Saint Catherines Monastery is now one of the oldest active monasteries in existence. The monastery survived Islamic dominance over the region due to a document that Mohammed supposedly signed himself, granting his protection over the monastery (Wikipedia, 2006). Saint Catherines Monastery allegedly gave Mohammed political asylum from his enemies (Wikipedia, 2006). In addition, a Fatimid mosque was built within the fortifications of Saint Catherines Monastery, thus creating further protection of the monastery from Islamic invasion (Wikipedia, 2006). Without the protection of Mohammed and the mosque, Saint Catherines Monastery would have been destroyed, and all of the irreplaceable artworks within its walls would have been lost. Byzantine mosaics contain many characteristics that distinguish them from the rest. The typical gold background of a Byzantine mosaic creates a sense of weightlessness within the figures, as if they are floating. Byzantine artists depicted sacred figures with halos, separating them from the other figures. With nude images having been forbidden, one can hardly make out the anatomy of the fully clothed figures. Though it is evident that symmetry was greatly appreciated, it is also evident that the mosaics lack perspective.  The figures depicted in the mosaics are flat and frontal facing with linear details. They are often slim with almond shaped faces and large eyes. The images depict little to no movement, creating a sense of stillness. These highly stylized Byzantine mosaics show disregard for Greco-Roman ideals. On an expedition set out by the University of Michigan in search of sites to excavate in the Near East, the staff spent five days at Saint Catherines Monastery (Forsyth, 1997). They discovered that the mosaics within the monastery had undergone little restoration since the time of Justinian (Forsyth, 1997). As a result, most of the works were in bad condition and on the verge of collapsing (Forsyth, 1997). Mosaic restorers came in to save the mosaics, which could have been lost forever (Forsyth, 1997). After they secured the mosaics, the restorers cleaned them (Forsyth, 1997). The mosaics now appear in their original state (Forsyth, 1997). One of the most known mosaics restored was the Transfiguration of Christ (Forsyth, 1997). The Transfiguration of Christ is located in the main church, Katholikon, in the apse over the high altar. The subject of this mosaic was an appropriate selection to portray in Saint Catherines Monastery because of its location at the foot of Mount Moses (Watson, 1999). In Christianity, the story claims that Jesus led three of his apostles, Peter, John, and James, to pray atop a mountain. It was here that Jesus transfigured, with his face shining like the sun and wearing bright white clothing. On both sides of Christ, Moses and Elijah appeared. Overhead, a brilliant cloud appeared, and Gods voice emerged from the cloud proclaiming, This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him. It was then that Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah about his upcoming death. The artist of this mosaic is unknown because artists went unrecognized until much later. This mosaic is in the form of a triumphal arch, bordered by medallions occupying the busts of the twelve apostles, fifteen prophets, Longinus the Abbot, John the Deacon, two angels, and a Greek cross in the top, center (Watson, 1999). Jesus Christ is depicted in the center of the mosaic with black hair and beard. He was placed in an oval mandorla with a cross and a bright yellow circle depicting his illumination behind his head.  Rays of light are shown coming from Christs body. In addition to the mandorla depicting Christs holiness, this was done to make Christ the emphasis of the mosaic as well as to distinguish him from the other figures. Elijah is shown on one side of Christ, while Moses is shown on the other. Beneath Christ, Peter, John, and James are portrayed with awe (Watson, 1999). The Transfiguration of Christ contains all the elements of Byzantine mosaics. It has a bright gold background. The figures are dematerialized and one cannot tell which figures were intended to be floating and which are not. One can hardly make out the figures beneath the clothing and the only skin shown is on the figures faces, hands, and feet. All the figures were placed symmetrically around Christ, making him the focus of the mosaic. The halo and mandorla around Christ show his holiness. Only slight movement is shown through the figures poses. The figures are very flat, despite the attempts of the artist to show shadow and overlapping. All of the figures are slender with almond shaped heads and large eyes. One can hardly see perspective when observing this mosaic. In conclusion, religion, politics, and culture had a significant influence on The Transfiguration of Christ, and all Early Christian art for that matter. With the Edict of Milan legalizing Christianity, the focus of art turned from secular to religious, changing the course of art forever. The Edict of Milan made it possible for Christians to practice their spiritual beliefs openly, leading to Early Christian art. Early Christian art can be credited with the spread of Christianity. One might wonder if Christianity would be as prominent as it is today had it not been for these artworks, or would it have died off a long time ago. Without Early Christian art, one might wonder when or how todays modern day art would have evolved.

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Today is both an end, and a beginning. After thirteen long years we have finally concluded our Kutztown education. It’s been a bumpy road, filled with defeats, victories, and surprises. We’ve learned a lot along the way, and not just science and math and English, although our teachers have made sure we picked up plenty of that too. Seeing the same people day after day has taught us what friendship is—and isn’t, and we’ve learned that life is not always fair. We’ve also developed some interesting skills, like how to dodge buckets—or freshman—in a crowded hallway on a rainy day. Or how to fight off heat stoke in the sweltering science wing and hypothermia in the over air-conditioned English classrooms. Even so, we still managed to scream the loudest of any class at every pep rally since our freshman year. We’ve survived social dramas and standardized tests and finals. And now, after all the homework and the late nights stud ying and the 14,580 hours of sitting in class, yes I did the math, we’re here to celebrate the fact that we’ve made it. When we started kindergarten this moment seemed so terribly far away. We were only five years old ourselves, and thirteen years might as well have been an eternity. By the time we reached junior high we were too busy worrying about whether or not we would be able to open our lockers or remember where our classes were to give the passage of time much thought. By 9th grade there was the stigma of being freshmen, and then in the blink of an eye three years had passed and our senior year had snuck up on us. Suddenly everything we did was a milestone; our last concert, our last assembly, our last test, even our last day of classes. By this point senoritis had set in, and we were ready to leave and... ... not to listen. Without your dedication we would not be where we are today, and I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I count many of you as friends, and not just teachers. To the band and the stage crew, thanks for helping out on our special night. And to the class of 2004: sail. Sail from this place into the vast and unchartered future, but don’t forget to look back every once and a while and remember where you came from. High school is over, but you can take the memories made here with you wherever you go. Pack them away in your heart, and when you’re feeling afraid or discouraged remember the thrill of winning that football game, or the warmth of your best friend’s smile, or the security of simpler times. But do not dwell in the past forever, for it is time to move on. Follow your heart, reach for your dreams. The world awaits us, and it’s time to make it ours.

Commentary on the poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy Essay

The poem â€Å"Barbie Doll† deals with the life of a girl who had a plastic surgery. It is divided in four paragraphs which describe the life of the girl chronological. Describing the childhood of the girl the first chapter of the poem wants to emphasize how early girls are pushed into the role of motherhood and femininity. The girl’s first presents are dolls which are able to urinate (â€Å"†¦and presented dolls that did pee-pee†). Those dolls are the first confrontation with her later task of being a mother. Furthermore she gets a miniature oven which is connected to her later task of working in the kitchen (â€Å"†¦and miniature GE stoves and irons†). I addition to that she gets her first beauty products. (â€Å"†¦ and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy†) This is her first confrontation with beauty and sexuality. Those presents push the girl into a role which connects femininity with motherhood, domesticity and beauty. The peot starts giving reason for her plastic surgery already in the first paragraph. After adopting this role the girls is very offended when a classmate called her ugly (â€Å"†¦You have a great big nose and fat legs.†)This is a very important sentence of the poem because this is the main reason for her plastic surgery. The second paragraph shows that the society pushed her succseful into the role of a stereotype woman. Therefore she has a quite low self-estimate because she does not fit this steriotype. She is a healthy intelligent girl but she keeps on apologizing for her outer appearance because she does not fit the stereotype of a beatiful woman ( â€Å"She was healthy, tested intelligent†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ;†She went to and fro apologizing†;†possessed strong arms and back†). Furthermore she has a abundant sexual drive, which is not satisfied in her opinion because of her outer appearance (â€Å"†¦abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.†)The last line of the second paragraph is irony. It does not say how she is seen by the rest of the world but how she sees her self (â€Å"Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs†). This sentence is connected to the last sentence of the first paragraph. It shows how she adopted her classmates point of view about her body. T his emphasizes her very low self-esteem. The third paragraph emphasizes her efforts to become beatiful and sexual satisfied. The first sentence of this paragraph shows what she’s told to do in order to satisfie her abundant sexual drive. (â€Å"She was advised to play coy, exhorted to come on hearty, exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.†) Using imagery of a turning off fan belt the poet emphasizes how fast this efforts achieved the oppsite ( â€Å"Her good nature wore out like a fan belt†) Her last effort is to have a plastic surgery. († So she cut of her nose and her legs and offered them up†). Using this kind of formulation ( â€Å"†¦ cut off†¦offered them up†) this plastic surgery sounds like a sacrificial offering. And it is meant to sound like that because it is an offering to the society. She offers her own body in order to please other people. The last paragraph shows her achievments of her efforts and that she is still not happy. The first sentence describes how close she looks to the stereotype. She really is a symbol for beauty now. († †¦ a turned up putty nose, dressed in a pink and white nightie†) In her opinion everybody sees her as a beautiful woman now. But the poet put a question mark in that sentence because beauty is still a question of taste. She will never make everybody happy! († Doesn’t she look pretty? Everyone said.†). With her new beauty she gets sexual satisfied ( â€Å"Consummation at last.†) Finishing the poem with a ironic sentence the poet wants to show that she is not necessarily happy now . († To every woman a happy ending†) Furthermore she adopts the girl’s story to the rest of the female world in order to convey that plastic surgeries are not necessary. And they do not necessarily make you happy because it is not good to give up the own body in order to fit in any kinds of stereotypes.

Enterococcus

Enterococcus By Richard Guilford Enterococcus Enterococcus, or more appropriately enterococci, are a family of bacteria in the division firmicutes (meaning strong skin and referring to the cell wall) and the class bacilli (which refers to its rod like shape). They look just like streptococcus bacteria from physical characteristics alone. In fact, members of the genus Enterococcus were classified as Group D Streptococcus until 1984 when genomic DNA analysis showed that a separate genus classification would be appropriate. Enterococci are part of the normal intestinal flora (good bacteria) of humans and animals but are also important pathogens responsible for serious infections. They are considered gram-positive, meaning they stain dark blue or violet. They also mostly occur in pairs or short chains. Enterococci are facultative anaerobic organisms, meaning they can thrive in both oxygen rich and oxygen poor environments. They do not form spores as many bacteria do, meaning they do not have a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and survival for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Nevertheless, they are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions: such as extreme temperature (10-45 °C), pH (4. 5-10. 0) and high sodium chloride concentration. In bodies of water, the acceptable level of contamination is very low, for example in the state of Hawaii, with among the strictest tolerances in the United States, the limit for water off its beaches is 7 colony-forming units per 100 ml of water. Anything above that, the state may post warnings to stay out of the ocean. In 2004, Enterococcus spp. took the place of fecal coliform as the new federal standard for water quality at public beaches. It is believed to provide a higher correlation than fecal coliform with many of the human pathogens often found in city sewage (eww right? ). There are many strains of enterococcus. Important clinical infections caused by Enterococcus include urinary tract infections, bacteremia, bacterial endocarditis, diverticulitis, and meningitis. Sensitive strains of these bacteria can be treated with ampicillin and vancomycin, two well known and often used antibiotics. An important feature of enterococcus is the high level of intrinsic antibiotic resistance, meaning its inherent ability to ithstand some of the more common antibiotics. Some enterococci are intrinsically resistant to beta-lactam-based antibiotics (those include some penicillins and virtually all cephalosporins) as well as many aminoglycosides (an amino-sugar that can sometimes function as an antibiotic). In the last two decades, particularly virulent strains of enterococcus that are resistant to vancomycin (vancomycin-resistant E nterococcus, or VRE) have emerged in nosocomial (infections caught in hospitals while care is being given) infections of hospitalized patients especially in the US. Other developed countries such as the UK have been spared this epidemic, and, in 2005, Singapore managed to halt an epidemic of VRE. VRE may be treated with quinupristin/dalfopristin (a special antibiotic developed to fight VRE) or Synercid with response rates of approximately 70%. Enterococcus avium is a species that is most commonly found in birds. Rarely, it is also a cause of infection in humans, and in such cases, may be vancomycin-reistant. It is referred to as VREA. VREA cases in humans have been successfully treated with linezolid (a synthetic antibiotic). Enterococcus durans and enterococcus faecalis are very similar. They are often mistaken for one another in determining infections. They inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other mammals. It is among the main parts of some probiotic food supplements. Like other species in the genus enterococcus, E. faecalis can cause life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial environment. The naturally high levels of antibiotic resistance found in E. faecalis contribute to its ability to infect. E. faecalis has been frequently found in root canal-treated teeth in prevalence values ranging from 30% to 90% of the cases. Root canal-treated teeth are about nine times more likely to have E. faecalis than cases of primary infections. Enterococcus faecium is an alpha hemolitic or nonhemolitic, bacterium. It is used as a probiotic in animals. It can be commensal (a harmlessly coexisting organism) in the human intestine, but it may also be pathogenic, causing diseases such as neonatal meningitis. Enterococcal meningitis is also a rare complication of neurosurgery. It often requires treatment with IV or intrathecal (something introduced into or occurring in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord) vancomycin, yet it is uncertain whether its use has any impact on outcome. The removal of any neurological devices is an important part of the management of these infections. Enterococcus solitarius and Enterococcus gallinarum are two more species of enterococcus. The genus Enterococcus includes more than 17 species, but only a few cause clinical infections in humans. Infection control programs were created three decades ago to control antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections, but there has been little evidence of control in most facilities. After long, steady increases of MRSA and VRE infections in hospitals, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Board of Directors made reducing antibiotic-resistant infections a strategic SHEA goal in January 2000. After 2 more years without improvement, a SHEA task force was appointed to draft an evidence-based guideline on preventing nosocomial transmission of pathogens, focusing on the two considered most out of control: MRSA and VRE. Medline searches were conducted spanning 1966 to 2002. Many interpretations of unpublished studies providing sufficient data were included. Frequent antibiotics in healthcare settings provided a small advantage for resistant strands, but patients with MRSA or VRE usually acquire it through spread. The CDC has long-recommended contact precautions for patients colonized or infected with these pathogens. Most facilities have required this as policy, but have not actively identified infected patients with surveillance cultures (lab tests performed to determine possible abnormalities or infection) and tests, leaving most infected patients undetected and not isolated. Many studies have shown control of endemic (exclusively native to a place) and/or epidemic (everywhere) MRSA and VRE infections using surveillance cultures and contact precautions. Active surveillance cultures are essential to identify the infected to prevent spread of MRSA and VRE infections and make control possible using the CDC’s long-recommended contact precautions. Testing for enterococci can be tricky. Enterococci have been recognized to be of fecal origin since the beginning of this century. The usual ecological home for the Enterococcus species is the intestines of humans and other animals. However, enterococci are ubiquitous (present everywhere) and can be found free-living in soil, on plants, or in dairy products. Enterococcus comprises gram-positive cocci that are catalase (a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms that are exposed to oxygen, where it functions to catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen) negative, usually facultative anaerobic acteria. There is clear evidence of the genotypic (concerning the genetic makeup) identity of Enterococcus, based on molecular studies. Enterococci have also been related to human diseases, becoming established as major nosocomial pathogens. The isolation of strains resistant to many antibiotics has become important in public health concerns. In addition, Enter ococcus and Streptococcus have been proposed as indicators of fecal contamination in water because of their high abundance in feces and their long survival in the environment. Although the ratio of fecal coliforms to fecal streptococci has been ruled out as an indicator, the identi? cation of species associated with a given environment or host might provide additional information about the origin and the source of fecal contamination. The ability of enterococci to grow under particular conditions is widely used in their selective identification. This characteristic allows the detection and enumeration of enterococci with a selective medium (template used to grow bacteria) M-enterococcus agar or KF streptococcus agar, and by using bile-esculin-azide agar (another medium) as a further test for con? mation. Although this approach can distinguish Enterococci from other bacterial species, some may be identi? ed wrongly. The use of these media can hurt either selectivity (choices of bacteria found) or productivity (ability for bacteria to grow). Even though this approach was to identify enterococci species, it is unsuitable for the detection of certain enterococ ci species because they do not grow on these media. In addition, other bacterial species such as Streptococcus are able to grow on the media, presenting results similar to those of Enterococci. Enterococci are diverse and enigmatic. There are many strains and many complications that can arise from them. They are both harmless and deadly, useful and destructive. They can be used to aid digestion, or feared in a hospital setting. They are indeed a medical paradox. With continued study, we hope to learn from and understand these bacteria if not to aid us in our expansion of knowledge, then to rid us of a potentially critical threat in our hospital settings. Gilmore MS, (2002). The Enterococci: Pathogenesis, Molecular Biology, and Antibiotic Resistance. Fisher K, Phillips C (June 2009). â€Å"The ecology, epidemiology and virulence of Enterococcus†. Jin G, Jeng HW, Bradford H, Englande AJ (2004). â€Å"Comparison of E. coli, enterococci, and fecal coliform as indicators for brackish water quality assessment†. Carlene A. Muto, MD, MS; John A. Jernigan, MD, MS; Belinda E. Ostrowsky, MD, MPH; Herve M. Richet, MD; William R. Jarvis, MD; John M. Boyce, MD; Barry M. Farr, MD, MSc (May 2003). â€Å"SHEA Guideline for Preventing Nosocomial Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus†

Free Essays on Title VII †History And Impact

on that day in Philadelphia in July of 1776. This is a simple phrase that should be an easy mantra to live by, yet some 229 years later the debate on this very concept continues. Irreversibly set in motion by years of struggles that have gone on since the end of slavery, federal protections of minorities and women have galvanized the nation. From the Civil Rights Act of 1866, to the Civil Rights Act of 1991, equality for all men and women has created opportunities for many to live the American dream. This essay reviews the history of Title VII, its evolution and impact on the American workplace, describes who is covered by these protections, and briefly reviews what policies companies should avoid in doing business. History and evolution of Title VII Title VII was preceded by the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Title VII was part of the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964. This act applies to all employees and potential employees. These laws came about mainly to stop discrimination against black people in America. The protections for women were added at the end in an effort to keep the bill from passing, but this [no comma before "but" the following is not a stand-alone clause] strategy backfired and the entire bill became law. Since Title VII was passed, other laws have followed to protect more employees including the disabled. The laws protect employees, but do not cover independent contractors. Title VII is the only act whereby a citizen can file a charge and have the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handle the case free of charge. A plaintiff can sue for compensatory damages, where the compensation is based upon what the employee lost due to the discrimination. There are also punitive damages, where the emp loyer is punished for the discrimination (Employment Law, 2003). Title VII affects companies that have 15 or more employees. T... Free Essays on Title VII – History And Impact Free Essays on Title VII – History And Impact â€Å"All men are created equal.† Thomas Jefferson wrote these words on that day in Philadelphia in July of 1776. This is a simple phrase that should be an easy mantra to live by, yet some 229 years later the debate on this very concept continues. Irreversibly set in motion by years of struggles that have gone on since the end of slavery, federal protections of minorities and women have galvanized the nation. From the Civil Rights Act of 1866, to the Civil Rights Act of 1991, equality for all men and women has created opportunities for many to live the American dream. This essay reviews the history of Title VII, its evolution and impact on the American workplace, describes who is covered by these protections, and briefly reviews what policies companies should avoid in doing business. History and evolution of Title VII Title VII was preceded by the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Title VII was part of the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964. This act applies to all employees and potential employees. These laws came about mainly to stop discrimination against black people in America. The protections for women were added at the end in an effort to keep the bill from passing, but this [no comma before "but" the following is not a stand-alone clause] strategy backfired and the entire bill became law. Since Title VII was passed, other laws have followed to protect more employees including the disabled. The laws protect employees, but do not cover independent contractors. Title VII is the only act whereby a citizen can file a charge and have the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handle the case free of charge. A plaintiff can sue for compensatory damages, where the compensation is based upon what the employee lost due to the discrimination. There are also punitive damages, where the emp loyer is punished for the discrimination (Employment Law, 2003). Title VII affects companies that have 15 or more employees. T...

Helen of Troy in the Iliad of Homer

Helen of Troy in the Iliad of Homer The Iliad describes the conflicts between Achilles and his leader, Agamemnon, and between Greeks and Trojans, following the abduction of Agamemnons sister-in-law, Helen of Sparta (aka Helen of Troy), by the Trojan prince Paris. Helens precise role in the abduction is unknown  since  the event is a matter of legend rather than historical fact and has been variously interpreted in literature. In Helen in the Iliad: Causa Belli and Victim of War: From Silent Weaver to Public Speaker, Hanna M. Roisman looks at the limited details that show Helens perception of events, people, and her own guilt. The following is my understanding of the details Roisman provides. Helen of Troy appears only 6 times in the Iliad, four of which are in the third book, one appearance in Book VI, and a final appearance in the last (24th) book. The first and last appearances are specified in the title of Roismans article. Helen has mixed feelings because she feels some complicity in her own abduction and realizes how much death and suffering has been the result. That her Trojan husband is not terribly manly compared with his brother or her first husband only increases her feelings of regret. However, it is not clear that Helen had any choice. She is, after all, a possession, one of many ​Paris stole from Argos, although the only one he is unwilling to return (7.362-64). Helens fault lies in her beauty rather than in her acts, according to the old men at the Scaean Gate (3.158). Helen's First Appearance Helens first appearance is when the goddess Iris [See Hermes for information on the status of Iris in the Iliad], disguised as a sister-in-law, comes to summon Helen from her weaving. Weaving is a typically wifely occupation, but the subject Helen is weaving is unusual  since she is depicting the suffering of the Trojan War heroes. Roisman argues this shows Helens willingness to take responsibility for precipitating the deadly course of events. Iris, who summons Helen to witness a duel between her two husbands to decide with whom she will live, inspires Helen with a longing for her original husband, Menelaus. Helen does not appear to see behind the disguise to the goddess and goes compliantly, without uttering a word. Then Iris came as messenger to white-armed Helen,taking on the image of her sister-in-law,wife of Antenors son, fine Helicaon.Her name was Laodice, of all Priams daughtersthe most beautiful. She found Helen in her room,weaving a large cloth, a double purple cloak,creating pictures of the many battle scenesbetween horse-taming Trojans and bronze-clad Achaeans,wars they suffered for her sake at the hands of Ares.Standing near by, swift-footed Iris said:Come here, dear girl.Look at the amazing things going on.Horse-taming Trojans and bronze-clad Achaeans,men who earlier were fighting one anotherin wretched war out there on the plain,both keen for wars destruction, are sitting still.Alexander and war-loving Menelausare going to fight for you with their long spears.The man who triumphs will call you his dear wife.With these words the goddess set in Helens heartsweet longing for her former husband, city, parents. Covering herself with a white shawl, she left the house, shedding tears. Helen's Second Appearance Helens second appearance in the Iliad is with the old men at the Scaean Gate. Here Helen actually speaks, but only in response to Trojan King Priams addressing her. Although the war has been waged for 9 years and the leaders are presumably well known, Priam asks Helen to identify men who turn out to be Agamemnon, Odysseus, and Ajax. Roisman believes this was a conversational gambit rather than a reflection of Priams ignorance. Helen responds politely and with flattery, addressing Priam as Dear father-in-law, you arouse in me both respect and awe, 3.172. She then adds that she regrets ever having left her homeland and daughter, and, continuing the theme of her responsibility, she is sorry that she has caused the death of those slain in war. She says she wishes she had not followed Priams son, thereby deflecting some of the blame from herself, and possibly laying it at Priams feet as guilty by virtue of having helped create such a son. They soon reached the Scaean Gates.Oucalegaon and Antenor, both prudent men,elder statesmen, sat at the Scaean Gates, 160with Priam and his entourage- Panthous, Thymoetes,Lampus, Clytius, and warlike Hicataeon. Old men now,their fighting days were finished, but they all spoke well.They sat there, on the tower, these Trojan elders,like cicadas perched up on a forest branch, chirpingtheir soft, delicate sounds. Seeing Helen approach the tower,they commented softly to each other- their words had wings:Theres nothing shameful about the factthat Trojans and well-armed Achaeanshave endured great suffering a long time 170over such a woman- just like a goddess,immortal, awe-inspiring. Shes beautiful.But nonetheless let her go back with the ships.Let her not stay here, a blight on us, our children.So they talked. Priam then called out to Helen.Come here, dear child. Sit down in front of me,so you can see your first husband, your friends,your relatives. As far as Im concerned,you bear no blame . For I blame the gods.They drove me to wage this wretched war 180against Achaeans. Tell me, whos that large man,over there, that impressive, strong Achaean?Others may be taller by a head than him,but Ive never seen with my own eyessuch a striking man, so noble, so like a king.Then Helen, goddess among women, said to Priam:My dear father-in-law, whom I respect and honour,how I wish Id chosen evil deathwhen I came here with your son, leaving behindmy married home, companions, darling child, 190and friends my age. But things didnt work that way.So I weep all the time. But to answer you,that man is wide-ruling Agamemnon,son of Atreus, a good king, fine fighter,and once he was my brother-in-law,if that life was ever real. Im such a whore.Priam gazed in wonder at Agamemnon, saying:Son of Atreus, blessed by the gods, fortunes child,divinely favoured, many long-haired Achaeansserve under you. Once I went to Phrygia, 200that vine-rich land, where I saw Phrygian troopswith all their horses, th ousands of them,soldiers of Otreus, godlike Mygdon,camped by the banks of the Sangarius river. I was their ally, part of their army,the day the Amazons, mens peers in war,came on against them. But those forces thenwere fewer than these bright-eyed Achaeans.The old man then spied Odysseus and asked:Dear child, come tell me who this man is, 210shorter by a head than Agamemnon,son of Atreus. But he looks broaderin his shoulders and his chest. His armours stackedthere on the fertile earth, but he strides on,marching through mens ranks just like a rammoving through large white multitudes of sheep.Yes, a woolly ram, thats what he seems to me.Helen, child of Zeus, then answered Priam:That man is Laertes son, crafty Odysseus,raised in rocky Ithaca. Hes well versed 220in all sorts of tricks, deceptive strategies.At that point, wise Antenor said to Helen:Lady, what you say is true. Once lord Odysseuscame here with war-loving Menelaus,as an ambassador in your affairs.I received them both in my residenceand entertained them. I got to know them- from their appearance and their wise advice. Speech continues... Helen's Third Appearance Helens third appearance in the Iliad is with Aphrodite, whom Helen takes to task. Aphrodite is in disguise, as Iris had been, but Helen sees straight through it. Aphrodite, representing blind lust, appears before Helen to summon her to Paris bed at the conclusion of the duel between Menelaus and Paris, which had ended with the survival of both men. Helen is aggravated with Aphrodite and her approach to life. Helen insinuates that Aphrodite would really like Paris for herself. Helen then makes a peculiar comment, that going to Paris bedchamber will arouse snide comments among the women of the city. This is odd because Helen has been living as Paris wife for nine years. Roisman says this shows that Helen is now longing for social acceptance among the Trojans. Goddess, why do you wish to deceive me so?Are you going to take me still further off, [400]to some well populated city somewherein Phrygia or beautiful Maeonia,because youre in love with some mortal manand Menelaus has just beaten Parisand wants to take me, a despised woman, 450back home with him? Is that why youre here,you and your devious trickery?Why dont you go with Paris by yourself,stop walking around here like a goddess,stop directing your feet toward Olympus,and lead a miserable life with him,caring for him, until he makes you his wife [410]or slave. I wont go to him in there - that would be shameful, serving him in bed.Every Trojan woman would revile me afterwards. 460Besides, my heart is hurt enough already. (Book III) Helen has no real choice in whether or not to go to Paris room. She will go, but since she is concerned with what the others think, she covers herself up so as not to be recognized as she goes to Paris bedchamber. Helen's Fourth Appearance The fourth appearance of Helen is with Paris, to whom she is hostile and insulting. If ever she wanted to be with Paris, maturity and the effects of the war have tempered her passion. Paris does not appear to care very much that Helen insults him. Helen is his possession. Youve come back from the fight. How I wish 480youd died there, killed by that strong warriorwho was my husband once. You used to boastyou were stronger than warlike Menelaus, [430]more strength in your hands, more power in your spear.So go now, challenge war-loving Menelausto fight again in single combat.Id suggest you stay away. Dont fight it outman to man with red-haired Menelaus,without further thought. You might well die,come to a quick end on his spear. 490Replying to Helen, Paris said:Wife,dont mock my courage with your insults.Yes, Menelaus has just defeated me,but with Athenas help. Next time Ill beat him. [440]For we have gods on our side, too. But come,lets enjoy our love together on the bed.Never has desire so filled my mind as now,not even when I first took you awayfrom lovely Lacedaemon, sailing offin our sea-worthy ships, or when I lay with you 500in our lovers bed on the isle of Cranae.Thats how sweet passion has seized hold of me,how much I want you now. (Book III) Helen's Fifth Appearance The fifth appearance of Helen is in Book IV. Helen and Hector talk in Paris house, where Helen manages the household just like the other Trojan women. In her encounter with Hector, Helen is self-deprecating, calling herself a dog, evil-contriving and abhorred. She says she wishes she had a better husband, implying she wishes she had a husband more like Hector. It sounds as though Helen may be flirting, but in the previous two encounters Helen has shown that lust no longer motivates her, and the praise makes sense without such an insinuation of coquettishness. Hector, you are my brother,and Im a horrible, conniving bitch.I wish that on that day my mother bore mesome evil wind had come, carried me away,and swept me off, up into the mountains,or into waves of the tumbling, crashing sea, 430then I would have died before this happened.But since gods have ordained these evil things,I wish Id been wife to a better man, [350]someone sensitive to others insults,with feeling for his many shameful acts.This husband of mine has no sense now,and he wont acquire any in the future.I expect hell get from that what he deserves.But come in, sit on this chair, my brother,since this trouble really weighs upon your mind- 440all because I was a bitch- because of thatand Paris folly, Zeus gives us an evil fate,so we may be subjects for mens songsin generations yet to come. (Book VI) Helen's Sixth Appearance Helens final appearance in the Iliad is in Book 24, at Hectors funeral, where she is distinct from the other mourning women, Andromache, Hectors wife, and Hecuba, his mother, in two ways. (1) Helen praises Hector as a family man where they concentrate on his military prowess. (2) Unlike the other Trojan women, Helen will not be taken as a slave. She will be reunited with Menelaus as his wife. This scene is the first and last time she is included with other Trojan women in a public event. She has achieved a measure of acceptance just as the society to which she aspired is about to be destroyed. As she spoke, Hecuba wept. She stirred them on [760]to endless lamentation. Helen was the thirdto lead those women in their wailing:Hector- of all my husbands brothers,youre by far the dearest to my heart.My husbands godlike Alexander, 940who brought me here to Troy. I wish Id diedbefore that happened! This is the twentieth yearsince I went away and left my native land,but Ive never heard a nasty word from youor an abusive speech. In fact, if anyoneever spoke rudely to me in the house- one of your brothers or sisters, some brotherswell-dressed wife, or your mother- for your father [770]always was so kind, as if he were my own- youd speak out, persuading them to stop, 950using your gentleness, your soothing words.Now I weep for you and for my wretched self,so sick at heart, for theres no one elsein spacious Troy whos kind to me and friendly.They all look at me and shudder with disgust.Helen spoke in tears. The huge crowd joined in their lament. (Book XXIV) Roisman says the changes in the behavior of Helen do not reflect personal growth, but the graduated unveiling of her personality in all its richness. Source: Helen in the Iliad; Causa Belli and Victim of War: From Silent Weaver to Public Speaker, AJPh 127 (2006) 1-36, Hanna M. Roisman.