Niki Caros Whale Rider - An analysis in relation to journeys Essay Example for Free

Niki Caros Whale Rider An analysis in relation to journeys Essay The inner journey is one which involves the hurdling of psychological barriers, as well as cultural and social obstacles, rather than just a physical trek. The novel Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe and the film Whale Rider (2002) by Niki Caro both address the overcoming of emotional boundaries, while following the progress of the main characters. Issues such as cultural differences and gender equality are presented by the composers through the clever use of devices appropriate to the medium, while using the post-colonial context to accentuate these issues. Similar to Things Fall Apart, the film Whale Rider by Niki Caro explores the breakdown of Maori culture in post-colonial New Zealand. It follows the journeys of Pai, a young girl, and Koro, her grandfather, who both seek to uphold and preserve the Maori tradition, which has been negatively influenced by the European culture. During the film, Pai transforms from an unwanted child to the new village leader, while challenging the Maori customs through her curiosity, for example when she learns the sacred art of the taiaha. Koro, who disapproves of her actions, smashes a cup in his anger. Koros wife, Flowers, reprimands him, saying, You might be the boss out there, but Im the boss in this kitchen. Caro is addressing the gender barrier which exists in the Maori culture, an obstacle which Pai overcomes in her journey. Despite being reprimanded by Koro, Pai still retains great love for him, as seen in her speech on her ancestors, where she dedicates her words to Koro. The initial long shot places emphasis on Pai, while the camera is positioned at a low-angle, suggesting that she has gained authority and leadership. This scene symbolises one of the many emotional hurdles she has had to overcome in her inner journey. Moreover, her catharsis can be related to Okonkwos moments of compassion, thus highlighting the similarity between their journeys. Similar to Okonkwo, Koro progresses on a journey, beginning at the height of power, with Caro using several symbols to signify this, such as the whale tooth. The use of sombre music and close-up shots of Koro in the scene where he loses the tooth emphasises his sorrow. In the following scene, Caro  employs dark lighting to highlight Koros melancholy, while he strokes the staff, symbolising that it is his last shred of authority. Pais voiceover informs the audience on Koros plea for help and indicates a shift in power and authority as Pai begins to assume her role as leader, But they werent listening, so I tried. Koros discovery of the whales allows him to undergo an epiphany and continue on his journey. Caro has positioned the event during the night, with its dark connotations enhancing the negative atmosphere of the scene. Furthermore, Koros staff is washed away, symbolising that he has lost all of his power. Koro later realises the error of his ways and acknowledges Pai as their leader, Wise leader, forgive me. I am just a fledgling new to flight. Koros epiphany is thus one of the greatest differences between the two texts, as he is able to surpass the greatest obstacle in his journey and move forward, whereas Okonkwo is unable to change, leading to his death. Works Cited: Whale Rider. Directed by Niki Caro (2003). [Film]The Whale Rider. Ihimaera, Witi (2003)

The Smoking Truth :: essays research papers

The Smoking Truth   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are three major stereotypes when it comes to people who smoke. The three stereotypes are; all smokers are unhealthy, all smokers can’t stop smoking because they are so addicted, and they all started smoking to fit in with the group. Growing up I can remember everybody telling not to smoke because it was bad for you, but I never understood why until I took notice to my dad. My dad smokes maybe a half a pack a day and his teeth and clothes show it. He is always out of breath and coughing up Phlegm but you just can’t judge all smokers by just one smoker. So I chose a specific group of smokers to observe them because they were the perfect group to prove or disprove the stereotype since they resembled many of the groups of smokers around the campus. On the balcony right beside my window is the perfect place for a group of smokers to socialize because there is a nice view of Morgantown and it’s not really in the open so they have some kind of privacy to talk about what ever they want. I watched a specific group of smokers who got together about five times a day to share stories and make plans for the night to come. This group consisted to two girls and three guys. The first guy always wear’s a white West Virginia University hat turned around backwards, looks as if he works out, about five foot eleven and usually has on a T-shirt and shorts. The second guy is what you would call chubby. He’s not really sloppy fat but he’s not skinny either. He has a couple of chins and a pretty hefty gut. Like the first guy he always a white West Virginia hat with a slightly different logo and he tip’s the hat up slightly so it looks as if a strong breeze could blow it off. The third guy is huge. I think he may p lay football because I see him wake up early every morning with his gym gear on walking down the street with the other football players. He usually wears a tight t-shirt to show off his bulging muscles and a pair of Kaki shorts. The first girl has blond hair and deep blue eyes. She likes to wear tight t-shirts and pants even though she isn’t the fittest girl.

DBQ 1850’s Period Essay

In 1782 Americans won their independence from Britain in the American Revolution. After the colonies won their independence, Americans created the Constitution. Its purpose was to replace the Articles of Confederation and solve its problems and more importantly to bring the states together under a single document creating a stronger union of all the states. During the period of 1850, until 1861 when the Confederate States of America was formed, the union was clearly divided between the North and South. Although the Constitution was not the only factor leading to sectional tension in America, there are many strong points in the North and South favoring the statement, â€Å"By the 1850’s the Constitution, originally framed as an instrument of national unity, had become a source of sectional discord and tension and ultimately contributed to the failure of the union it had created.†It is known that the union did not last, for there was the Civil War. If the majority of congressional leaders could agree on what the constitution implied, then there probably would not have been a civil war. From several of the documents, there are arguments about what the constitution states. â€Å"To the Argument, that the word ‘slaves’ and ‘slavery’ are not to be found in The Constitution, and therefore it was never intended to give any protection or countenance to the slave system, it is sufficient to reply, that no such words are continued in the instrument, other words were used, intelligently and specifically, to meet the necessities of slavery.† Ralph Waldo Emerson, address on the fugitive slave law. This indicated the constitution can be interpreted differently, and when used with other pertinent documents, can be incongruous. Those views that differentiated were of those in the North and South. The Constitution can be interpreted in many different ways, which leads to sectional discord and tension. For many reasons, the South evidently did not like what the constitution said. There were many conflictions with the compromise of 1850, shown on the map with the United States territories and the fugitive slave act. Certain northerners were so against slavery and the fugitive slave act that they even posted caution signs for the slaves. It shows how kidnappers were being sent after the slaves, and how Northern abolitionists were revolting against the South’s rules and regulations. This fugitive slave act also helped drive the tension deeper into the United States. When the idea of popular sovereignty came about with the compromise of 1850 Freesoilers in office were pushed harder into complex decisions over the popular sovereignty issue. â€Å"FORCING SLAVERY DOWN THE THROAT OF A FREESOILER,† illustrates in a very blatant text and disturbing political cartoon although being okay with slavery in the state, many including Buchanan and Steven Douglas make it seem as if slavery is the only way to go. All of the tension gathering, authors were predestining the Civil War. Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that the Constitution, when assorted with others like the fugitive slave law or the compromise of 1850, were contradictory, and that they aid to the now inevitable seeming end of the union. â€Å"What kind of legislation is this? What kind of constitution which covers? †¦ I suppose the union can be left to take care of itself†¦.But one thing appears certain to me, that , as soon as the constitution ordains an immoral law, it ordains disunion. The law is suicidal, and cannot be obeyed. The union is at an end as soon as an immoral law is enacted. And he who writes a crime into the statute-book digs under the foundations of the capitol to plant there a powder-magazine, and lays a train† This proves that By the 1850’s the Constitution, originally framed as an instrument of national unity, had become a source of sectional discord and tension and ultimately contributed to the failure of the union it has created. This was shown by ambivalent interpretations of the constitution and other important documents when assorted together.

Drug Abuse Within The Elderly Population - 1135 Words

According to Center for Applied Research Solutions, the number of prescriptions written for controlled substances (those with an addictive quality) has increased more than 150% since 2008. Until recently, the social issue of drug abuse within the elderly population has not been widely understood or addressed. Because this is an issue affecting an ever-growing number of the country’s population, the focus of our practice based research project will be based primarily on the increasing number of older adults who are becoming addicted to prescription drugs. To define our terms more precisely we must first discuss who falls in the category of â€Å"older adult.† For this assignment, the term â€Å"older adult† can be defined as an individual who is 55 years or older (CDC, 2015). An individual is considered a senior citizen when they are permitted by the US government to apply for Medicare. We must also define the scope of prescription drug addiction. According to Mayo Clinic and the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, prescription drug abuse is defined as â€Å"the use of a prescription medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor, such as for the feelings you get from the drug† (APA, 2013). As established by experts in the field, prescription drug abuse by older adults is known presently to be worsening in intensity. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, in a publication on their website entitled â€Å"Seniors and Drugs,† identifies theShow MoreRelatedSubstan ce Abuse Among The Elderly1473 Words   |  6 PagesAging-Related Statistics, 2000). The nation’s population will increase 18% during and the population aged 65 and older will increase 78% ( Wan, Sengupta, Velkoff, DeBarros, 2005). One growing concern within the elderly population is that of substance abuse as it pertains to the increasing numbers of substance abusers, and/or the increasing rates of substance abuse among the elderly population. A national public health concern is that the rate of elderly substance abuse will rise sharply as boomers enterRead MoreFunctions of a Nurse in Health Care1843 Words   |  7 Pages1. Pregnancy and drug abuse The drug abuse menace has been indicated to be one of the leading factors that negatively affect people at whatever stage of life right from the fetus stage to the fully grown baby and the adulthood. There were astonishing statistics from the 2008 and 2009 data that relates to the pregnant women and drug abuse. It is indicated that the drug abuse by pregnant women who are younger was higher than the elderly ones. The percentages of pregnant women between the ages ofRead MoreSubstance Abuse in Older Populations1147 Words   |  5 PagesThe issue of substance misuse and abuse among the elderly population is complex. The elderly rarely use alcohol or drugs to get high rather drug or alcohol use that begins after age 60 appears fundamentally different (Culberson Ziska 2008). The elderly sometimes turn to alcohol and drugs to alleviate the physical and psychological pain from the onslaught of medical and psychiatric illness, the loss of loved ones or social isolation (Culberson Ziska 2008). Elderly patients have a combination ofRead MoreManagement Concerns Of Corrections For Special Populations Essay1289 Words   |  6 Pages Management Concerns in Corrections for Special Populations Michelle Bergos Introduction to Corrections 140 September 25, 2016 Jason Skeens Abstract More often than not, if John Q. Public is asked the purpose or goals of our American correctional system the reply is incapacitation, retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation. However, what we are really asking for our corrections system to do is to secure and supervise the individuals cast out of society through the judicial process regardlessRead MoreSubstance Abuse Among The Elderly1668 Words   |  7 Pagesit we’ve seen greater longevity among America’s elder population. The number of Americans age 65 or older are living longer, in more comfort and in better health than ever before. However, not all American elders are living in good health. As our aging baby boomers live longer, a substantial and growing percentage of older adults misuse alcohol, prescription drugs, or other substances (Bartel, Blow, Brockmann, 2005). In turn, substance abuse among the elder is generating major health concerns andRead MoreElderly Abuse Issues1420 Words   |  6 Pagesawarenes s on the issues facing the elderly population of 65 years and above (Sibbal Holroyd-Leduc, 2012). This paper will examine three contemporary challenges facing the cohort, including elderly abuse, dementia, and polypharmacy, while preventative strategies and recommendations addressing these issues will be offered. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines abuse towards seniors as, a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there isRead MoreDrug Abuse And The Social Problem957 Words   |  4 Pagessome time before it came to be â€Å"defined† as such. What is a drug abuse in the social problem? Drug abuse is desire to use more drug than enough or than what prescription of the doctor in order to be comfortable and stimulants at the end the user become addicted and hopeless. Drug can be used with any gender according the age in the different environment and location, such as Community, society, school, prison, groups and Home. Drugs abuse can be anything like cigarettes, alcohol and Cocaine, MarijuanaRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol And Tobacco On The Age Of Addiction981 Words   |  4 Pagesover work, obsession with sports or video games, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse. A person can end up with a drug addiction or alcohol addiction at any age. Younger people face different social pressures surrounding drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse is often related to negative experiences at some point during life. Researchers have found that abuse at any age can influence an individual s choice to turn to drugs or alcohol. Middle age and elderly deal with life changes such as divorce, loss or jobs,Read MoreThe Problem Of Senior Homelessness1360 Words   |  6 Pages Senior homelessness is at an all time high, and will only increase in the coming years with the continuous growth of the senior population. Recent upsurges in the elder population are mostly due to the demographic group of individuals born post-World War I I, known as the Baby Boom Generation. Between the years 2000 and 2010 a 31.5% increase of the population aged 45-64 (known as the older adult age range) reflects those born in this era. Being homeless, especially in these late years of life, causesRead MoreSubstance Abuse in the Elderly, Disabled, and LBGT Populations2316 Words   |  10 Pagessubstance abuse by examining populations that are often overlooked in addiction studies. Over the past several decades, many general studies have been done about the prevalence and effects of addiction. These studies often focus on risk factors, daily use and/or treatment, and information is gathered through polls and observations. Most of these studies, however, are nonspecific regarding social and cultural factors. I will focus on how addiction affects three vulnerable populations: the elderly, disabled