Plot Essays - The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, Walter Mitty, Mitty

Plot ?The Secret Life of Walter Mitty? is a humorous short story that reveals the many fantasies of heroism Mr. Walter Mitty engages himself in to help him escape the daily pressures of life. The story begins with Mr. Mitty as the commander on a military plane ordering the crew to proceed through a dangerous storm, and reassuring the scared passengers that everything will be ok. Reality soon intrudes, though, and the heroic image is replaced by a description of Mitty driving his wife to her regular visit with the hairdresser (DLB 102 326). The story quickly continues with Mr. Mitty driving away from the hairdresser. While he is trying to enter the parking garage through the exit he is engulfed in another fictitious fantasy, this time around he is imagining himself as a brilliant doctor called upon to perform an operation on a prominent banker. However, his fantasy is quickly dissolved by the parking lot attendant who is capable of maneuvering Mittty's car better than he himself can. The s tory is concluded as Mr. Mitty stands alone smoking a cigarette. He falls into another fantasy, this time he is in front of a firing squad. He tosses the cigarette away and faces the guns courageously-?Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last.? (Wilson 185). Throughout the story Mitty lives in a reverie of consisting of situations in which he is a hero: commander of a navy airplane, surgeon, trial witness, bomber pilot, and condemned martyr (Magill 864). Characters ?The Secret Life of Walter Mitty? is about a man whose ordinary life leads him to an array of heroic fantasies. It all started with Mrs. Mitty's dominating personality. She nagged him to guy galoshes, to put on his gloves, and to drive more slowly (Wilson 185). But another example of her domination happens near the end of the story just after Mrs. Mitty sees Walter sitting in the hotel lobby. At this time it is no surprise that Walter is engulfed in another one of his fantasies, this time he is seeing himself as a heroic bomber pilot about to go on a dangerous mission. His wife seeing that he is slightly out of it slaps his shoulder and begins to ask what he was thinking about. Walter then goes on to explain what he was thinking and gives his classic quotation: ?I was thinking,?does it ever occur to you that I am sometimes thinking On the other hand Walter Mitty is a daydreamer who imagines himself the hero of his fantasies as a navy pilot, and noble victim of a firing squad (Magill 864). The dream is clearly an escape from the external life which humiliatingly interrupts it: his wife's mothering, the arrogant competence of a parking attendant and policeman, the humiliating errands of removing tire chains, buying overshoes and asking for puppy biscuit (Magill 865). In his dreams he is Lord Jim, the misunderstood hero, ?inscrutable to the last?; in his daily life he is a middle-aged husband enmeshed in a web of humdrum (Wilson 184).

Summary of Homers Iliad Book XXIII

Summary of Homer's Iliad Book XXIII Achilles orders the Myrmidons to drive their chariots in battle formation, and they go three times around the body of Patroclus. Then they have a funeral feast. When Achilles falls asleep, the ghost of Patroclus tells him to hurry up and bury him, but also to make sure their bones are interred in the same urn. The next morning Agamemnon orders the troops to get timber. The Myrmidons cover Patroclus with locks of hair. Achilles cuts one long lock he had been growing for a river god back home, but since he will be dying soon, he cuts it for Patroclus, instead, and places it in his hands. After the men have brought the lumber, they go off to prepare a meal while the chief mourners deal with the pyre cutting piece on fat from sacrificed animals to cover the body. Various animals, including two of Patroclus dogs, and stallions, honey, oil, and the 12 young Trojans are killed and added to the pile. Achilles has to plead with the gods for adequate wind for the pyre, but he gets it and the fire doesnt die down until morning. They douse the fire with wine and then Achilles picks out Patroclus bones and puts them in a golden urn, with a protective layer of fat. Achilles faces the army in a circle and says its time for funeral games. The first game has the most elaborate prizes and is for chariot racing. Achilles says he will not compete because his horses are immortal, and so the competition would not be fair. The contenders are Eumelus, Diomedes, Menelaus, Antilochus, and Meriones. The other men make bets. Diomedes wins, but there is debate over second place because Antilochus fouled Menelaus. The next event is boxing. Epeus and Euryalus fight, with Epeus winning. Wrestling is the third event. Fairly typical, the prizes are a tripod worth 12 oxen for first prize, and a woman worth 4 oxen for the loser. Telamons son Ajax and Odysseus fight, but the result is a stalemate and Achilles tells them to share. The next event is a footrace. Oileus son Ajax, Odysseus, and Antilochus contend. Odysseus is behind, but a quick prayer to Athena brings him to first place, with Antilochus in third. The next contest is for the armor Patroclus had taken from Sarpedon. The fighters are to be in full battle gear and first wound wins. Telamons son Ajax fights with Diomedes. Again, there is a draw, although Achilles gives Diomedes the long sword. The next contest is to see who can throw a lump of pig iron the farthest. The prize is enough iron to last a long time making weapons and chariot wheels. Polypoetes, Leonteus, Telamons son Ajax, and Epeus throw it. Polypoetes wins. Iron is also the prize for an archery contest. Teucer and Meriones compete. Teucer forgets to invoke Apollo, so he misses. Meriones makes appropriate promises and wins. Achilles then sets up more prizes for spear throwing. Agamemnon and Meriones stand, but Achilles tells Agamemnon to sit down because there would be no contest since no one is better than he is. He can just take the first prize. Agamemnon gives the prize to his herald. Major Characters in Book XXIII Achilles: Best warrior and most heroic of the Greeks. After Agamemnon stole his war prize, Briseis, Achilles sat out the war until his beloved comrade Patroclus was killed. Although he knows his death is imminent, Achilles is determined to kill as many Trojans as possible, including Hector whom he blames for Patroclus death.Myrmidons: Achilles troops. Their name means ants and they were called Myrmidons because it is said that they were originally ants.Ajax: The son of Telamon and Periboea, this Ajax is the one most people refer to when talking about Ajax. He was one of the foremost fighters in the Trojan War.Ajax: Of Locris, son of Oileus. Bound by the Oath of Tyndareus and one of the Argonauts, he was in the belly of the Trojan Horse.Antilochus: A son of Nestor.Epeus: A son of Panopeus. A champion boxer.Euryalus: A son of King Mecisteus. Under Diomedes and Sthenelus.Odysseus: From Ithaca. One of the leaders of the Greeks who will vie with Ajax for the status of most worthy after Ac hilles. Patroclus: Loyal friend and companion of Achilles in the Trojan War. The son of Menoetius.Menelaus: Helens Greek husband. Menelaus is not considered a good fighter.Meriones: Son of Molus, a Cretan and the charioteer of Idomeneus.Teucer: A half-brother of Ajax and a son of Telamon.Polypoetes: Son of Pirithous. Co-commands the Lapiths.Sarpedon: King of Lycia, son of Zeus.Agamemnon: Lead king of the Greek forces, the brother of Menelaus.

Habits and Traits of Backswimmers

Habits and Traits of Backswimmers The name tells you just about everything you need to know about members of the family Notonectidae. Backswimmers do just that – they swim upside down, on their backs. The scientific name Notonectidae originates from the Greek words notos, meaning back, and nektos, meaning swimming. Description of Backswimmers A backswimmer is built like an upside down boat. The backswimmers dorsal side is convex and V-shaped, like the keel of a boat. These aquatic insects use their long back legs as oars to propel themselves across the water. The rowing legs lack claws but are fringed with long hairs. The backswimmers coloration is the opposite of most insects, presumably because they live their lives upside down. A backswimmer typically has a dark belly and a light-colored back. This makes them less conspicuous to predators as they backstroke around the pond. The backswimmers head is typical of an aquatic true bug. It has two large eyes, positioned close together, but no ocelli. A cylindrical beak (or rostrum) folds neatly under the head. The short antennae, with just 3-4 segments, are almost hidden below the eyes. Like other Hemiptera, backswimmers have piercing, sucking mouthparts. Adult backswimmers bear functional wings and will fly, though doing so requires them to first exit the water and right themselves. They grasp prey and cling to aquatic vegetation using their first and second pairs of legs. At maturity, most backswimmers measure less than  ½ inch in length. Classification Kingdom – AnimaliaPhylum – ArthropodaClass – InsectaOrder – HemipteraFamily - Notonectidae Backswimmer Diet Backswimmers prey on other aquatic insects, including fellow backswimmers, as well as on tadpoles or small fish. They hunt by either diving down to catch submerged prey or by releasing their hold on vegetation and simply drifting up under prey above them. Backswimmers feed by piercing their prey and then sucking the fluids from their immobilized bodies. Life Cycle As all true bugs do, backswimmers undergo incomplete or simple metamorphosis. Mated females deposit eggs in or on aquatic vegetation, or on the surface of rocks, usually in spring or summer. Hatching may occur in just a few days, or after several months, depending on the species and on environmental variables. Nymphs look similar to adults, though lack fully developed wings. Most species overwinter as adults. Special Adaptations and Behaviors Backswimmers can and will bite people if handled carelessly, so use caution when skimming specimens from a pond or lake. Theyve also been known to bite unsuspecting swimmers, a habit for which theyve earned the nickname water wasps. Those whove felt the wrath of the backswimmer will tell you their bite feels quite like a bee sting. Backswimmers can stay underwater for hours at a time, by virtue of a portable SCUBA tank they carry with them. On the underside of the abdomen, the backswimmer has two channels covered by inward-facing hairs. These spaces allow the backswimmer to store air bubbles, from which it draws oxygen while submerged. When oxygen stores become low, it must breach the surface of the water to replenish the supply. Males of some species possess stridulatory organs, which they use to sing courtship overtures to receptive females. Range and Distribution Backswimmers inhabit ponds, freshwater pools, lake edges, and slow-moving streams. About 400 species are known throughout the world, but only 34 species inhabit North America. Sources: Borror and DeLongs Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition, by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. Johnson.Family Notonectidae - Backswimmers, BugGuide.Net. Accessed February 25, 2013.Aquatic and Semiaquatic Heteroptera of Michigan - True Bugs - Identification, a website by Ethan Bright, University of Michigan. Accessed February 8, 2016.Water Boatmen and Backswimmers, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Accessed February 25, 2013.Notonectidae - Backswimmers, by Dr. John Meyer, North Carolina State University. Accessed February 25, 2013.A Dictionary of Entomology, by Gordon Gordh, David H. Headrick.

Can a well-supported public broadcast system still offer something of Essay

Can a well-supported public broadcast system still offer something of value Can content regulations begin to disentangle the m - Essay Example Such assumptions thrive on the notion that the promotion of the government agenda forms part of the policies of the public broadcast systems. However, case analyses have shown that public broadcast systems can still achieve a high degree of proficiency in delivering value in the ways that uphold professionalism and balance. Certain universal thresholds must be met in order for the public broadcast systems to achieve the element of objectivity and trust from the multiple stakeholders. Despite favorable policies and adequate funding, public broadcast systems have to engage with certain fundamentals that relate with the establishment of principles and attitudes that attune with the core values of media and broadcasting (Crook 54). The need to protect the truth and achieve objectivity in reporting enjoins these systems to bind their practices under certain obligations that cover the interests of all stakeholders. Impartial reporting requires the adoption of a range of policies that effec tively connect with the fundamentals of business as understood under the framework of change and development. Cases abound where public broadcast systems have resisted the pressure to conform into objects of manipulation by the government. Professionalism entails the upholding of the interest of the majority while still defending the rights of the minority. Well-supported public broadcast systems in parts of the world have played important roles in criticizing negative policies (Crook 19). These systems have demonstrated a capacity to keep checks on public systems despite the fact that they draw much of their financial support from such systems. For instance, public broadcast systems in the United States have been instrumental in providing critical analyses on matters of national importance. Such matters have included policies on homeland security, approaches adopted on the global war against terrorism, government policies on spending, and other factors that involve a range of issue s that connect with matters of national importance. In these roles, the broadcast systems have faulted the government on certain flaws in its approach. Such an approach to the practice of broadcasting restores balance, objectivity, impartiality, and professionalism in the field of practice. Public broadcast systems have provided forums for parties with varying perspective without regard to affiliations or stakes. Within the aspect of professionalism, including multiple parties in the determination of processes often aligns with the need to foster understanding and inclusivity across the board. Such strategies are meant to respond to the diverse nature of the society in ways that represent the interests of all. Such an approach offers value in the practices of the public broadcast systems in the sense that they avoid the temptation of sectional appeasement and deliberate misrepresentation of issues. In order to avoid the temptations of bias and prejudicial treatment, public broadcast systems should establish the margins of influence and cooperation in ways that protect the principles of professionalism and journalistic standards as understood within a universal scope. Content regulation plays an important role in determining the performance of the media in a variety of respects. Most significantly, regulating the content of media

Japanese History 18501930 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Japanese History 18501930 - Essay Example At the same time, they contributed to Japan's national project. In this paper I shall discuss why have concepts of restoration, reform reconstruction and revitalization dominated the thoughts and actions of Japan's ruling elites from the 1850s to the 1930s How have these ideas manifested themselves in governmental or elite-level policies over the same period What does the resilience of these ideologies tell us about state-society relations in Japan over the years 1850-1930 Japan has been packaged as a potential model over two periods: 1890s to 1930s and 1950s to 1970s. In between these two periods, during the 1930s and 1940s, Japan was considered as having been a failure. Ian Inkster has pointed out that in the earlier period - the period with which this paper is concerned - there was an emphasis on the role of government or the Japanese mentality2. This was certainly so in the case of Dyer. The message was that Western politicians and bureaucrats should act. In the latter period, the significance of the role of Meiji bureaucrats has been downplayed. The message to developing nations even today is that cultural traits, individuality and democracy are the best way of ensuring socioeconomic progress3. Lets analyze Japan through the eyes of the historians to understand the era better. Japan has, throughout this century, meant different things to different people. Through a close reading of one of Historian's' books, this paper will attempt to identify the historical context in which it was written and read. Historian's' writing clearly shows how their attitudes to issues, such as race, were transformed into a complex narrative about the origins and history of the Japanese people. As Prasenjit Duara has persuasively argued, "social Darwinism joined race and History to the nation-state". As George Wislon rightly states so that the histories of the nation-states which are written tend to "narrate the evolving unity of the nation" This paper argues that for Historian's, science educator and clergyman, Japan provided strong evidence of how race was the key to understanding national evolution, and how science could serve as a civilizing influence. Race was equated with nation, and by understanding Japanese racial superiority one could understand the basis for their military and economic success. In this way, Historian's' writings reveal more about himself and their times, than they do about Japan. Historian's, in short, argues that human biology (Aryan blood) can account for much of the success of the Japanese, and that power struggles between nations can be viewed as an evolutionary struggle between races. Dyer, the engineer, sees nations as competing with each other too, but in a struggle to be efficient. He attributes Japanese success to their environment, an environment, which he points out, is not unlike that of Britain! Japan however had bushid" (the way of the samurai) which helped galvanize the nation, s omething which the British could learn from. Lets see the impact of the imperialists during this

Violence In America :: essays research papers

Violence in America Violence in America’s society is definitely a major problem. This problem can be traced back as far as fetal development. It seems that in most cases of bad treatment, the families come from poverty or bad neighborhood areas. The whole main purpose of this speaker was to develop a good understanding on why most of the violent crimes occur in today’s hurting society. It is not rocket science to realize that most angry violent acts are due to a disturbed child or individual that lacked attention, love or care. Violence is not a new problem, scientists are just finding out new facts about how it starts and how it can be prevented. The early developmental stages of babies is key to starting a good life long learning experience. This is the certain time in which their brains are really trying to make progress and grow. Babies need that love and sense of closeness to obtain a healthy start. Obviously mothers who smoke, drink or do drugs while pregnant can cause serious health problems to their fetus. Also when they are young most of the time these problems persist and do not get any better. This causes children to have the chance to obtain the same lifestyles as of the parents. Another instance that can hurt a child’s well being is when they are real little around the ages of two to about six. Kids at this age need to be taught and especially loved. When children are neglected or left they do not get the support that they truly need to keep the growing process up to date. This is definitely one reason that kids are committing crimes at younger ages. If people feel that they are responsible enough to have babies, they should at least take the time to help them have good lifestyles. We all know that kids for the most part are mean and form little cliques and this is a major reason that kids are committing crimes. They feel that if they can’t get attention the way that is right, they will get it almost any way they can. It also ties back the kids early childhood. A lack of love and understanding at young ages causes some children to not know how to interact with other kids. On the same token they can be made fun of daily causing them to resent the world and not have any cares. Violence In America :: essays research papers Violence in America Violence in America’s society is definitely a major problem. This problem can be traced back as far as fetal development. It seems that in most cases of bad treatment, the families come from poverty or bad neighborhood areas. The whole main purpose of this speaker was to develop a good understanding on why most of the violent crimes occur in today’s hurting society. It is not rocket science to realize that most angry violent acts are due to a disturbed child or individual that lacked attention, love or care. Violence is not a new problem, scientists are just finding out new facts about how it starts and how it can be prevented. The early developmental stages of babies is key to starting a good life long learning experience. This is the certain time in which their brains are really trying to make progress and grow. Babies need that love and sense of closeness to obtain a healthy start. Obviously mothers who smoke, drink or do drugs while pregnant can cause serious health problems to their fetus. Also when they are young most of the time these problems persist and do not get any better. This causes children to have the chance to obtain the same lifestyles as of the parents. Another instance that can hurt a child’s well being is when they are real little around the ages of two to about six. Kids at this age need to be taught and especially loved. When children are neglected or left they do not get the support that they truly need to keep the growing process up to date. This is definitely one reason that kids are committing crimes at younger ages. If people feel that they are responsible enough to have babies, they should at least take the time to help them have good lifestyles. We all know that kids for the most part are mean and form little cliques and this is a major reason that kids are committing crimes. They feel that if they can’t get attention the way that is right, they will get it almost any way they can. It also ties back the kids early childhood. A lack of love and understanding at young ages causes some children to not know how to interact with other kids. On the same token they can be made fun of daily causing them to resent the world and not have any cares.

The Working Poor and Healthcare

Cydney Skeens F. B. C Ms. Gaines 9 October 2012 Writing Assignment: The Working Poor Poverty can be defined by the necessities and amenities that one does not have in their life. Due to the expectations created by our society, we have a tendency to judge others based on the clothes they wear or the cars they drive, and we automatically assume that those who cannot afford these luxuries are either uneducated, unskilled or a combination of both.We completely disregard the fact that not all people have control of their financial stability and that anything can damage their current state of wealth. Even the wealthiest of families can find themselves making their way to the bottom due to an unfortunate tragedy such as a death in the family or being laid off from a job, both of which are aspects that cannot be predicted or prevented, and the only thing families can do is accept it. The American Myth claims that someone from the humblest of beginnings can achieve success, but this statement could not be more false.Although a major cause of poverty is financial trouble, a key component that factors in is how the past affects the future. Those who come from troubled beginnings often lead a life of poor behavior and bad decision making skills. Some even work their lives away and still continue to struggle financially, mainly because they had no foundation to build upon due to the fact that they had to start from the absolute bottom. A popular topic of discussion commonly found in politics is the Health Care Reform of 2013-2018. This legislation requires that â€Å"all U.S citizens, with limited expectations, have health insurance coverage and establish the State Exchanges that will make available standardized plan offerings for individuals and certain employers†. The legislation also states that penalties will be assessed to those who are not covered (Banyan LLC). As for the individuals and families who cannot afford it, their financial hardships label them as an exception to those consequences (Banyan LLC). Specifically in the state of Arkansas, many consider President Barack Obama’s health care plan as â€Å"politically toxic†. On August 18th 2012,Governor Mike Beebe spoke at the Democratic Party of Arkansas and openly admitted that, although stating in the past that he would have voted against Obama’s health care reform, he now wants to follow through with the plan and help prevent a â€Å"republican takeover†(Press). Seeing that a quarter of the states working population is uninsured, Beebe believes this will benefit the people who work so hard but are still not able to afford the coverage. â€Å"I think it’s good for our people because it’s helping folks that don’t have insurance now that are working their tails off† (Press).If the expanded Medicaid policy passed, coverage would be offered to all citizens that make up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (Press). Debbie Will hite, a Democratic Consultant in Little Rock, stated â€Å"we are a very poor state, and nobody needs to be told that. We have an incredible population that is undeserved by health care† (Press). When referring back to the American Myth, those who work hard can make it to the top, we can see that it is directly correlated with Health Care here in the state of Arkansas.Considering that Arkansas is a â€Å"poor state†, Governor Mike Beebe clearly points out the fact that although his people are hard-working citizens, many are still unable to afford a comfortable life style. This includes living without the protection of reliable health insurance coverage. In conclusion, I believe that the overall concept of the Health Care Reform coincides and supports my outlook on poverty. Works Cited Banyan LLC. â€Å"Articles. † Article:Health Care Reform 2013 to 2018. N. p. , n. d. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. . Press, Associated. â€Å"In Arkansas, Governor Changes Course on Health Ca re to Help Uninsured, Struggling Democrats. † Washington Post. The Washington Post, 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 09 Oct. 2012. .