Good and Evil in Dracula - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 821 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/05/13 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Dracula Essay Did you like this example? What are the forces of good and evil and how do they affect the plot of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula? The novel is a drawn-out struggle between good and evil forces that are identified through some religious archetypes. Many theorize about what influences’ Bram Stoker truly had, or the discreetly hidden implications of Catholicism tied throughout many aspects within the novel. After reading through four sources, it is obvious to see there are many undertones of good and evil that were very crucial to the plot. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Good and Evil in Dracula" essay for you Create order The good forces of religion against the evil forces of the character Dracula, depicting the anti-christ; either removed would dramatically alter that narrative. Religious references are used constantly throughout the novel, the palpable of them being idols such as the Cross or Holy Wafer to protect against Dracula. Religion is chosen to be the force of good acting against evil in Dracula because after science and superstitions fail to aid the characters in warding off the villainy that ails them, their combined faith helps them to band together and tackle the ancient forces of the vampire. It is so important to keep the aspect of the good religion within the story because if it was omitted, you would have a hopeless novel with horrors and wickedness completely surmounting all events. Vampires would rule over the entire story because they could always easily outcompete any forces against them. Religion is the only effective goodness that is able to match up with Dracula. It is only through embracing religion the characters are able to defeat their ultimate foe. â€Å"Overcoming the trends of their industrial times, the heroes find that tradi tion and superstition can, together provide the basis for something far more potent than science Faith† (Mordrake, 1). This quote clearly helps to embody how the main characters of the novel learn how to overcome their conflicting views of the Catholic Faith and to embrace it and integrate it into their lives to help defeat Dracula. In the novel, the first innuendo of faith was when Johnathan Harker is on his way to Transylvania and he stops at an inn. The wife of the innkeeper gives him a Cross and blesses him for his journey because she knows of the evilness that is lurking within his future. Because of his Protestantism, he finds this strange and somewhat idolatrous. He later recognizes the effects that several holy items have against Dracula during his stay at the castle, and he goes to them as a source of comfort. The vampire king, Dracula, is the elemental source of evil within the novel. He is the embodiment of such an evil force that Christianity is the only fair match against him. Subsequently, this would make his character a parallel of the Antichrist within the theme of the book. Dracula’s character portrayed as an abstract version of the anti-christ is an infallible fact of the novel because it is where all vile monsters are derived from. Satan is the source of all sin and suffering. The evilness of Dracula is so important to the framework of the story, it is what helps to inspire fear within the readers heart, and what helps fuel the novel to its climax. Without the integral components of evil, all of this would be lost. The very title fo the novel itself would become nullified. The other characters of the novel need the interactions with Dracula to get in touch with their own fears and superstitions. When the true gravity of the horrors set into the minds of the characters it s ets everything into motion. Realizing that they were going to have to defeat practically satan himself. â€Å"Dracula as Satan is thus elaborately developed: engaging in an anti-sacrifice and an Anti-Eucharist, Dracula is the Apocalyptic Anti-Christ who comes to collect souls and set up an alternative eternity to that promised in the New Testament† (Donlon, 2). This quote introduces the ideas of parallels between the Anti-sacrifice and Anti-Eucharist that both contribute to his reference as Satan. Dracula practices the celebration of the Anti-Eucharist when he chooses an innocent victim to feed upon. He drinks their blood, to feed his own eternal undead life, like the lifeblood of Christ that was poured out for the forgiveness of humanities sins, that his followers drink in the form of wine for fulfillment. The anti-sacrifice is represented when Dracula forces Mina to drink his blood so that she will become his demonic disciple. This pronounces the presence of evil even more, and it pushes the characters even further to eliminating Dracula with the proper retribution of faith. The forces of Faith battling against the Anti-Christ through the themes of good vs. evil, give Dracula its main structure for the story. The ebb and flow off good vs. evil help to hold the novel together, while being able to add other plot elements and critical ideas to help build up these main themes.

The Effects Of Organized Sports On Children - 1332 Words

Organized Sports are Good to Children As the time pass, and as the technology is advancing rapidly, the tradition of playing outside is diminished rapidly. Many people are concentrating on their electronic devices in ages early as three. Sports is the most effective way that children can express their joyful and brilliance. It prepares children with advantages of physical activities, confidence, and enjoyment. Participating in organized sports when kids are young arise the greater results. There are several reasons to support that organized sports are good to children. First, organized sports are good for children because it improves social skills. Kids who are participating in team sports have full of confidence. According to Gary R. Collins who writes the Spotlight or stress, â€Å"This is especially uncomfortable and stressful when other people expect us to do one thing, when we fear that we can’t do what is expected, and we think that our inability may cause us to lose respect in the eyes of others.†(( ( ))) Since everyone is not perfect, sometimes they can win or lose the games. According to Collins, â€Å"Acceptance is a third divine characteristic of success.† ((( ))) At the beginning they can be afraid of losing, but it is good opportunity to have ability of accepting. They will have challenging mind and sense of purpose with more passion through experiencing many competitions. They will have high self-esteem and will be full of confidence by victories that they challengeShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Organized Youth Sports On Children1257 Words   |  6 PagesOrganized youth sports are one of the most popular activities in the US and have been for many years. There are approximately 45 million children who play youth sports. [Merkel] This number translates to about 75% of families have at least one child who participates in an organized sport. [Gajula] The most common reasons for children choosing to play a sport are to: have fun, learn new skills, and make new friend s. The reasons for parents placing their child in sports are so: their children can competeRead MoreBenefits Of Youth Sports : A Positive Impact On All Those That Participate1286 Words   |  6 PagesNovember 24, 2015 Benefits of Youth Sports Youth sports have a positive impact on all those that participate. Over seventy-five percent of United States families with school-aged children have at least one child who engage in organized sports. (Bailey, 1) Parents sign their children up for organized sports for numerous reasons, like, keeping their children fit and active, building a sense of teamwork, or others may be fulfilling their passion for sports through their children. Whatever the reason for signingRead MoreSports Are Good For Children1654 Words   |  7 Pagesparent of young children, I am faced with the problem of extracurricular activities and what ones are best for my child. At what age is the best time to put them in? Which sports with help them develop the most? Once they start with if they decide they do not like it do I force them to keep going? As a parent, we are always looking to do the best for our children but, are there times when we are pushing them to hard and not helping them in the way we feel we should be? Organized sports are good forRead MoreChildren and Sports Essay1053 Words   |  5 PagesChildren who participate in sports are developing rapidly in sports skills, sportsmanship, and psychologically, but does this come from organized sports are just nature’s process. Children develop emotional and social benefits from participating in sports. Children experience character and leadership development through peer relations leading to an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in anxiety levels. Children will get opportunities to experience positive and negative emotions throughout theirRead More The pressures between youth and its sports programs Essay1539 Words   |  7 Pages The Pressures Between Youth and Its Sports Programs nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Over the last two decades the growth of youth sports has reflected the popularity of professional sports in our society. Sporting events and news are available to the public twenty-four hours a day on television and radio: sports is an enormous industry. The outstanding popularity of the sports industry has greatly affected youth sports organizations. In order to supervise, teach andRead MoreEssay about Whywhy Children Should Play or Organized Sports1646 Words   |  7 PagesWhy Children Should Play School or Organized Sport â€Å"Research has shown that participation in outside of school sports and or other organized sports is associated with lower dropout rates, reduced problem behaviors, and increased school performance. Children build interpersonal skills, positive assets needed to become active and productive young adults. Studies suggest that children who are involved with after school sports or organized sports have higher self esteem, lower depression ratesRead MoreThe Importance Of Youth Sports838 Words   |  4 PagesSports, the everyday activity for youth in this generation was said to be emerged in as we rolled into the 20th century. Sport, an entertainment source for all is getting more recognized through organized youth sports. Moreover, over the time sport has become an everyday life routine for many families all over the world. Parents are enrolling their children into various sport activities to give their children an opportunity to learn something new every day. Socialization is ver y important for a child’sRead MoreTeam Sports Influence848 Words   |  4 PagesTeam sports have had an influence on children and teens ever since it has been implemented into the school systems. Team sports, introduced in almost all of high schools across America are believed to be one of the most influential activities a student in high school can apply themselves into. The goal of this informational research essay is to educate who reads this about the effects that team sports and sports in general can have on a developing child or teen. Sports have had an impact on childrenRead Morebenefits of youth sports1111 Words   |  5 Pages2013 The positive effects of youth sports Athletics can have a very major impact on a child’s life. Students who participate in youth athletics learn many life skills that can positively affect their lives. Athletics benefit children in physical, psychological, and social development. Studies show that youth who participate in organized sports during middle and high school do better academically and are offered greater job prospects than children who do not partake in sports activities (MarilynRead MoreParents Should Encourage Their Children1015 Words   |  5 Pagespushing their children into misery. In an article written by Baldwin Ellis, he suggests that an array of emotional issues can stem from this type of parenting (Ellis,2015). The act of pushing may, in fact, encourage the child to perform at a level less than their actual potential. Kathryn Hatler of Demand Media sites that many parents live their lives vicariously through their children (Hatler,n.d.). Very little facts are given on the positive effects o f parents pushing their children in any activity

Shakespeares Use of Jealousy in Othello Essay - 1550 Words

Shakespeares Use of Jealousy in Othello The characteristics of Shakespearean tragedy usually work on a five-part structure, being the five acts. Part one can be seen as the exposition, introducing the main characters and commences the action. Part two is the development of the play, introducing complications. Part three is the climax, bringing everything to a head. In this part understanding is compulsive as there is a change in direction, the pivotal act. In part four the climax in part three is developed leading to the final part, where the revelation and resolution are justified. It can also be said it is characterised by a ‘tragic flaw’, being the imperfection of the heroic character which†¦show more content†¦In the following scene, Iago shows how deceitful he really is as throughout the first scene the audience is given warning to what to look out for Iago’s behaviour and language. ‘Tis well I am found by you’ (I.ii.47) shows the close relationship and trust between Cassi o and Othello. Act 3 Scene 3 can be viewed as the key scene of jealousy and deception as well as many other themes. Iago has analysed Othellos tendency to insecurity and overreaction however, did not imagine his deceptiveness would lead to his outburst of ‘I’ll tear her all to pieces!’ (III.iii.433) In Act 5 we see all of Iago’s activities coming to an end as he uses whatever means possible not to be caught using his trickery until the very end. ‘Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him,’ (V.i.16) Roderigo was the main pawn in his plan, being blind to what Iago was doing to him until his death. When Iago injures Cassio and he returns to the scene, all those around are still oblivious to his participation, ‘O me, lieutenant! What villans have done this?’ (V.i.56-7). Irony is involved here, as Cassio is talking to the man who injured him, completely oblivious to the fact, showing no suspicion. As an audience we may agree with Iago’s evaluation of Othello and the reasons of his jealousy because of his rejectedShow MoreRelatedHow Does Shakespeare Use Language and Dramatic Devices to Present the Theme of Jealousy in Othello?1497 Words   |  6 PagesHow does Shakespeare use language and dramatic devices to present the theme of jealousy in Othello? ----- Othello weaves a tragic tale of love, jealousy and murder. Set in Venice and progressing to Cyprus, Shakespeare’s Othello follows the cursed path of its namesake, a black soldier whose love for his wife ultimately results in her death. Woven into the socially and emotionally delicate plot is a multitude of key themes, including race (Othello’s colour), love, and jealousy. A key figure, if notRead MoreTheme Of Monstrous Jealousy In William Shakespeares Othello1271 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s â€Å"Othello†, illustrates four of themes in the play. One of the themes is extreme jealousy can make a person act like a monster. In the play, Shakespeare uses Othello, Roderigo, and Iago to prove the theme of Monstrous Jealousy by Othello slapping Desdemona in front of the Public of Venusians calling her cruel names and Developing evil schemes to kill Desdemona at night. Iago tells the lie to Othello about Cassio and Desdemona to and convincing Othello to believe in it. RoderigoRead MoreJealousy, Love, And Death964 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare is known for his use of recurring themes, particularly those of betrayal, love, and death. These themes are present in Othello. However, the most dynamic of themes in this play is jealousy. White describes jealousy as a â€Å"complex of thoughts, feelings, and actions which follow threa ts to self-esteem and/or threats to the existence or quality of a relationship† (qtd in UK essays par 1). Two types of jealousy are presented to the audience in Othello; the kind of jealousy that is fear ofRead MoreJealousy In Othello Essay1517 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare’s, Othello, incorporates both perspective and action, however, Shakespeare adds an additional element: temporality. In Othello, Shakespeare personifies jealousy through the character Iago to argue that our perspectives may be temporary, but our actions are permanent. Jealousy is not incorporeal in Othello. While most assume jealousy is an emotion that people feel internally, within the confines of this play, jealousy is animated, and thus external. How does Shakespeare accomplish thisRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Othello By William Shakespeare757 Words   |  4 Pages The Tragedy of Othello by William Shakespeare William Shakespeare uses many literary devices to enhance and provide greater complexity in his works. More specifically, the theme, symbolism, and dramatic irony are used to enrich Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello. The plot is definitely engaging but the theme allows for an universal human correspondence, furthering the depth of the author’s message. The element of symbolism contributes to the theme of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Symbolism expressesRead MoreCharles Thao. Mrs. Koth. 4Th Hour. 4/6/17. William Shakespeare’S,717 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s, Othello, a character named Iago said â€Å"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy: It is a green-eyed monster.† In present day, this quote would mean the word jealousy. Shakespeare is believed to be warning people people that jealousy widely effective and could cause havoc. In The Tragedy of Othello, by William Shakespeare, the feeling of jealousy can make people change their feeli ngs towards something and make them pursue what they want. The first act of Othello is already into actionRead MoreAnalysis Of Othello By William Shakespeare1171 Words   |  5 PagesBODY PARAGRAPH 2 JEALOUSY Jealousy is a major component of both the text and the appropriation, as jealousy is what drives Iago to plot against Othello. Jealousy is largely present in the appropriation too, the breaking point for Hugo comes at the moment when his dad, who is the coach, presents Odin with the award for ‘Most Valuable Player’, and announces to the team that â€Å"I love him (Odin), like my own son†. It is at this point that Hugo starts conspiring against Odin. Odin receiving the M.V.PRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s Othello 1131 Words   |  5 PagesAn Analysis of Othello by Shakespeare Shakespeare is known for his use of recurring themes throughout his work, including love, death and betrayal. These themes are present in his work of Othello. However, the most fundamental issue is jealousy. The lives of the characthers in Othello are ruined by jealousy from the beginning to the end of the play. The telling of the story is carried out by passion, jealousy, and death. Shakespeare’s Othello reveals devastating tragic inevitability, stunning psychologicalRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Othello1173 Words   |  5 Pages Othello is set in a world and focuses on the passions and personalities of its major figures. (Thomas). Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, Othellos wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio and advisor Iago. The play appeared in seven editors between 1622 and 1705. The themes of the story are racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal. Othello is a black soldier who is accused of stealing hi s wife Desdemona. Although Desdemonas fatherRead MoreRacism In Othello Analysis829 Words   |  4 PagesRacism in Othello.† Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 44, no. 3, Oct. 1993, p. 304. In this article, the author relates the idea of primal scene to racism in â€Å"Othello†. Primal scene is a psychoanalysis theory by Sigmund Freud. This theory claims once a child imagines or sees their parents having sexual relations they will be unable to repress this image from reappearing in their mind. The author relates this theory to the play â€Å"Othello† by mentioning

Persuasive Essay On Abortion - 917 Words

Abortions in Texas consist of ending a pregnancy of an unborn child before it can live out of the mother womb. However if the pregnancy ends not on purpose before the twenty four week mark then technically it would be considered a miscarriage. Though inducing the abortion on purpose has caused a lot of controversy over the past century. Deliberately putting people on one of two sides of this issues, of either being for it, which would be considered Pro Choice. Or in the other category of the Pro Life, at which considerably means it is individuals that are against abortion and often go based on religion to believe against it. However often being in these categories does not specifically label you as a specified individual with specific†¦show more content†¦This case took place in Texas because of the a Texas resident named Roe challenge the government of trying to have a abortion even though at that time abortions in Texas were only legal if an abortion was intended to be us e for saving a women’s life, not of just having a abortion because you want to. The case made it to the Supreme Court which concluded in effecting all the laws throughout the United States, in other words in was a milestone that basically legalized abortions across the Nation. However, as more time continued the laws and restrictions of the issue increased, now making abortions a difficult process to achieve. The reason why it causes such an abundance of problems is because of what fifty six percent of the population believes according to a study conducted in the United States of whether people are Pro Life or Pro Choice. As mentioned, not until this year more than half of the country was for this. The issues that usually come up with these groups are that abortion is murder. The killing of a unborn individual in a mothers womb is just not what is allowed in the Bible. People also believe the women that is the carrier should not have the right of letting their child to die because of her choice, the fetus is a human being too, having also the right to his or her own life. Another belief is that the mother should have the responsibility of the life given to her, insteadShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay About Abortion993 Words   |  4 Pagesin two peoples perspectives. The story consisted of a daughter (Deb) and mother’s perspective after the death of her father. The purpose of thi s layout is to show how they are both grieving in individual ways. Writing for the persuasive was presented as an essay on why abortion should be accessible in every country, and to also outline the shame women receive. Purpose Purpose for writing publication- Purpose for writing a real-estate article was to inform a potential buyer on the house showed. AlsoRead MoreAbortion Persuasive Essay1119 Words   |  5 Pages To begin with, there has always been an extensive issue with the topic of abortion, why? Well, it’s a tough subject and can get extremely emotional and very defensive. Honestly, people just need to open up their eye’s and understand that its murder and not just a choice. It is murder because two can create a blessing and the choice of aborting it, is more like a sacrifice for the reason a mother can’t carry a baby for nine months. Whether a person is a minor, young adult, or an adult and is inRead MoreAbortion Persuasive Essay755 Words   |  4 Pagesinstead these babies are torn limb by limb, burned, and many other tortuous methods to end the precious life. Abortion is murder and is not only very cruel to the unborn baby but it also harms the mother. Pro-choice is an escape from the harsh reality that a baby is being murdered, and in my eyes a life should only be terminated if God himself is ready to call them home. One reason why abortion is wrong is because they are many other safe solutions that would give the child a chance at life. AdoptionRead MorePersuasive Essay On Abortion1635 Words   |  7 Pagessolve this issue the option of abortion was brought to the forefront by scientists and advocates such as Dan Savage who mentioned that abortion should be mandatory for the next 30 years in or to control the population. (Ertlet) For countries such as the U.S. with a growth rate being 1.6%, the proposal of widespread abortion is highly recommended as mentioned by obstetricians and gynecologists. (MumfordKessel) Who now leaves the question as to if the option of abortion should be used as a means ofRead MorePersuasive Essay On Abortion1228 Words   |  5 Pagesmillion pregnancies each year in the United States, 1.6 million end up in abortion† (Hern). Because of the numerous traumatic psychological, physical, and overall irresponsible behavior or actions constantly encouraged due to aborti on, it should be banned, and forever illegal. Killing one’s own fetus has been linked to psychological distress which has been channeled into many different cases of substance abuse. â€Å"Induced abortion has been linked to increased rates of substance abuse, especially amongRead MoreAbortion Persuasive Essay804 Words   |  4 Pagesfamily with someone. Often times accidents happen in which people didn’t plan for, and can lead to many financial problems or neglect of one’s child because the parents weren’t prepared to be parents. This is why there should be the option of abortion. Abortion needs to be an option for everyone because it helps from long lasting mental states, infection, economical problems, and or having conceived from a non consensual circumstance. Pregnancy is a hard and unforgiving to the woman’s body. In factRead MorePersuasive Essay On Abortion954 Words   |  4 Pagesand nations who destroy life by abortion and euthanasia are the poorest. I do not say legal or illegal, but I think that no human hand should be raised to kill life, since life is God’s life in us, even in an unborn child.† Do you know what abortion really is? Abortion is the ending of pregnancy by removing a fetus or embryo before it can survive outside the uterus. Abortion seems to be more common in today’s society. Numerous amounts of individuals support abortion, and do not realize how it affectsRead MoreAbortion Persuasive Essay736 Words   |  3 Pagesfavor of abortion rights. The decision was 7-2, it stated that it showed a â€Å"right of privacy.†Abortions have been performed for thousands of years all around the world, even though many women died from it. Women nowadays have a choice of whether they want to get an abortion. Abortions do come with risk, one of them being death, but women should still have a right and say what they want to do with pregnancy and not be judged by others for doing so. Today the debate across the world is if abortion shouldRead MorePersuasive Essay On Abortion1653 Words   |  7 PagesStates, there is a right to have an abortion. The right to have an abortion affects not only women, but everyone. Some believe that the act of having an abortion is murder, yet, others do not believe anything to be wrong with abortion. The act of abortion has been an issue for many years. Is abortion â€Å"murder,† or is murder off the table, since the fetus is too young for developmental stages. Women of all ages have the right to abortion; yet should it be legal? Abortion is a significant topic, becauseRead MorePersuasive Essay On Abortion1410 Words   |  6 PagesIs abortion wrong? Does a fetus have rights? Should a woman have the right to abort if she decides she does n ot want to have a child? Should a father have a say in whether a fetus is aborted or carried to term? There are countless reasons a woman may choose to have an abortion. Abortion is a controversial and emotional topic that sparks a great deal of debate. Hearing facts will assist one in deriving a more knowledgeable stance on the matter. There are several circumstances that may cause

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down Free Essays

string(101) " that it needs to be taken care of by giving the person anticonvulsant drugs since there is no cure\." Final Paper: â€Å"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down† By: Anne Fadiman Meghan Maloney 26 April 2013 To understand the struggles that the Hmong people face living in America it is important to understand where they come from and what they have gone through. The majority of the Hmong people originate from the mountainous country of Laos. The mountains created isolation from the neighboring cultures and cultivated a clan identity. We will write a custom essay sample on The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down or any similar topic only for you Order Now They were part of a society where everyone worked together and lived off the land. They also practiced oral tradition since they could not read or write any language. Unfortunately, in the 1960’s Laos became the battlefield for the Vietnam War. The land was destroyed and the Hmong were forced to move or fight. Many evacuated while many were trained and armed by the U. S. as a secret guerrilla army. During this time of war, the Hmong lost all self-sufficiency, and became dependent on the U. S. for food as well as survival. An exodus of Hmong from Laos to Thailand was the death of many. The Hmong were hunted and forced to leave everything behind. The clan identity was left behind as well for it was everyman for himself. Those that were lucky enough to make it to Thailand were faced with assimilation. The Hmong saw assimilation as an insult and a threat to their culture. In order to resist oppression, the Hmong took the United State’s promise of land and government support, and moved to America. Still resisting assimilation in the U. S. , the Hmong were faced with culture shock. One of the biggest differences between Hmong culture and American culture is the practice of medicine. Anne Fadiman in â€Å"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down† tells this clash as the story of Lia Lee and her American doctors. Lia Lee is a Hmong child that was born in the U. S. n July 19, 1982, after her parents, Foua and Nao Kao Lee, moved to America. She was delivered at a hospital in Merced, California they way Americans think is normal-on a metal table, scissors to snip the placenta, washing the baby with soap, and putting the baby in a heated box. Normal childbirth for the Hmong would be the mother pulling the baby out herself in silence on the dirt floor of their hut and then bur ying the placenta under the house. The Hmong believe that when you die your soul will come back to get your placenta. When Lia was three months old, her sister, Yer, slammed the front door in her face. Moments later Lia’s eyes rolled up, her arms flailed over her head, and she fainted. Lia’s parents believe that the noise of the door had been so frightening that her soul fled her body and became lost. The resulting symptoms are recognized as Quag Dab Peg, â€Å"The spirit catches you and you fall down†. Having Quag Dab Peg gives the person the power to perceive things others cannot see, and is a prerequisite for the journey into the realm of the unseen. Quag Dab Peg is considered an honor and blessing in Hmong culture. It allows the person the opportunity of becoming a txiv neeb, or spirit healer. It also confers an enormous amount of social status in the community because the txiv neeb is seen as a person of high moral character since the spirit chose them. In Hmong culture, saving face is of high importance. Foua and Nao Kao Lee brought Lia to Merced Community Medical Center (MCMC) after she had 20 of what Americans call seizures. At times, the Lees believed that Lia’s epilepsy wasn’t as much of a medical problem as a gift. The Hmong believed in shamanistic animism, which asserts that malevolent spirits are constantly seeking human souls, especially those of vulnerable or unloved children. Their hope was that if the spirits decided to keep hold of Lia, that long-term she would become a tvix neeb, and if she did not become a tvix neeb, then their hope was that the sickness would be short-term. The American doctors in MCMC view the Hmong as problematic patients and were not empathetic with the traditional Hmong lifestyles. Because there are no interpreters, communication is always an issue, they bring lots of family members with them as well as animals, and they make loud noises. When Foua and Nao Kao arrived at MCMC Lia had stopped seizing and was coughing. The doctors were forced to as they put it â€Å"practice veterinary medicine† since they couldn’t talk with the Lees, and treated Lia for her cough. They diagnosed Lia with early bronchiopneumonia because she exhibited those symptoms. The doctors had no way of knowing that the bronchial congestion was caused by aspiration of saliva or vomit during her seizure without trying to communicate with the Lees. The doctors put a pen and paper in front of the Lees and had them scribble on it. The doctors assumed the Lees would be able to buy and administer the medications that the paper described in detail. In reality the Lees had no idea what they just signed and walked out. This same situation happened a few more times until one time the Lees brought Lia in when she was still seizing and Dr. Dan Murphy was on shift. Dr. Murphy had some knowledge of the Hmong and could certainly diagnose her with epilepsy. In Hmong-English dictionaries Quad Dab Peg translates to epilepsy. Lees parents and the American doctors both knew what disease she had but to different cultures it meant different things. As stated above, in Hmong culture it was a privilege and was caused by Lia losing her soul. In American culture, we believe epilepsy is caused by a sporadic malfunction of the brain due to a head injury, tumor, infection, etc. We view it as a disease and that it needs to be taken care of by giving the person anticonvulsant drugs since there is no cure. You read "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" in category "Papers" This is just what Dr. Murphy did. Lia was discharged with specific instructions on what medications to take, how much of each, and what time of day they were to be taken. Considering Hmong don’t have the same time keeping system as Americans, can’t read, don’t know how to measure medicine, and don’t believe in all this medication, Lia did not receive any medication. The Lees believed a txiv neeb could help Lia, so they had one come over and sacrificed a cow for her. It did not help and the American doctors continued to see Lia not getting better when her parents kept bringing her to MCMC. The American doctors thought that because Lia had no levels of medication in her blood her parents were guilty of child abuse. If they would have seen how much the Lees loved and cared for Lia at home they would have known this was not the case. Instead, they got the government involved and took Lia from the Lees and sent her to a foster home. The Lees welcomed Lia home after a year apart and lots of work with a social worker, Jeanine, whom was very interested in the Hmong and helped with administering the seizure medications. Hmong have many customs and folkways that are contradicted by those of the American mainstream and medical communities; for example, upon Lia’s arrival home her parents sacrificed a cow to propitiate ancestors and cure her illness. They performed traditional Hmong medial practices like coin rubbing, pinching Lia, gave her an herb necklace, and tried changing Lia’s name so that the spirit would leave her body and not be able to find her. On Nov. 25, 1986 not long after being home, Lia had another seizure episode. After ten minutes had passed, Foua and Nao Kao got in touch with their nephew who could speak enough English to get an ambulance. By calling for an ambulance Lia was given more attention upon arrival in the emergency room, but it delayed her treatment. Lia continued to seize for two hours and was barely breathing. A twenty-minute bout of status elipticus is considered life threatening. Lia was transferred to Fresno Intensive Care Unit for Pediatrics. Foua and Nao Kao thought that Lia was being transferred because the doctor at MCMC was going on vacation, but in fact it was because Fresno had a pediatric unit. At Fresno Lia was diagnosed with septic shock, the result of a bacterial invasion of the circulatory system that triggers the failure of one organ after another starting with the lungs and then moving to the brain. She also developed a condition in which her blood cannot clot. Lia’s EEG was flat. She had no brain activity left. The doctors decided to discontinue the anticonvulsants because she was dead to them. The doctors explained that her seizure medicines lowered her immune system responses, which allowed a bacterium to take over and stop brain activity. Foua and Nao Kao were somewhat right; the doctors were giving too much medicine and not enough neeb. It is most likely though that if the Lees were still in Laos, Lia would have died before she was out of her infancy, from a prolonged bout of untreated status epilepticus. Foua and Nao Kao finally got permission to bring their daughter home as they had been insisting the whole time. Lia went home on Dec. , 1986 as a quadriplegic, spastic, incontinent, incapable of purposeful movement, and in a persistent vegetative state. To Lia’s parents she went home as their little princess that they loved with all their heart. At home, Lia’s parents adored her and never left her side. They fed her teas from powdered roots and herbs, made several pig sacrifices, and bathed and dressed her multiple times a day. Because of the quality care Lia was receiving, she was stable and her medical check-ups decreased. Lia did not die but did not recover. Examination of this unfortunate story of a clash of two cultures has led to the discovery of what can be done to facilitate cooperation between cultures. Dr. Arthur Kleinman from Harvard Medical School designed a series of eight questions to elicit a patient’s explanatory model and enable the understanding of other cultures. The questions include: â€Å"What do you call the problem? Why do you think it started when it did? What kind of treatment do you think the patient should receive? What do you fear most about the sickness? If the doctors at MCMC had taken the time to find a translator and sit down with the Lees to ask these questions, Lia might not be in a vegetative state. Other suggestions that could have aided in cooperation between the doctors and patients are female doctors for female patients, involvement of the patient’s families in all decisions, the use of interpreters who are both bilingual and bicultural, and the practice of conjoint treatment. The doctor using Western allopathic medicine can cure the disease but the indigenous healer heals the illness. This strategy promotes trust between the cultures. One person’s worldviews should not dominate another’s because they feel it is right. We need to realize our view of reality is only a view, not reality itself. In the U. S. , the medical community rarely has ways to communicate with people of cultures so radically different from mainstream American culture; even a good translator will find it difficult interpreting concepts between the two different cultures’ world-concepts. Doctors need to be able to transcend culture and practice cultural responsiveness where they listen to patients and respond to them both as members of their cultures and as un-stereotyped individuals. A whole doctor-whole-patient approach is imperative: Ask not what disease the person has but rather what person the disease has. I am glad to hear that we have been moving in this direction as an American culture since 1995. Medicine in the U. S has been teaching students to separate emotions from the patient; dissociation is part of the job. In the last decade, efforts have been made to correct this way of thinking, and realize you are treating another human being not a universifiable body. Classes incorporating culture studies are being required as part of medical school and undergraduate school curriculum as well. How to cite The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Papers

Ivory Coast Overview Essay Example For Students

Ivory Coast Overview Essay The Ivory CoastThe Ivory Coast is one of Africas leading countries in industry andagriculture. This small country is located in West Africa on the Coast ofGuinea where it is bordered by Mali and Burkina Faso on the north and byGuinea and Liberia on the west. The land itself is approximately 322,463sq.kilometers and 124,504 sq.miles in size. With a population of around12,600,000 people, of which 2,000,000 are foreigners from Burkina Faso andGhana, the Ivory Coast is known for its cultural diversity which startedback in 1637 when it became a French Missionary contact. Then, in1843-1845, it became an official proctrate of France. Thus, in 1893, theIvory Coast became a French colony and remained part of French West Africafrom 1904-1958. Finally in 1960, independence was gained from the overseascountry of France. In the Ivory Coast, which is a Republic, they have a semi-democraticsystem. The position of president, currently being held by FelixHouphocet-Boigny, is elected to serve 5-year terms. Also, the president canrun for re-election as many times as he chooses. For example, the currentpresident was re-elected to serve a seventh term in 1990. Plus, there is aNational Assembly comprised of about 120 people who help to govern thecountry. The nation has a tremendously stable economy because of the great amountof products that they produce for exporting. The Ivory Coast is the worldslargest cocoa producer and the third largest coffee producer. Theseproducts alone bring in more than half of all export earnings. In addition,sugarcane, pineapples, oil palms, rubber, cotton, and bananas are alsogrown for export. The major problem of the country is the foreign debtwhich has grown extremely large due to massive amounts of loans given tothe country by France. Plus, this increases taxes. The countrys per capitais $ 740 and its GNP (Gross National Product) is $ 8.59 billion.