Priority and Perspective in The View From Mrs. Thompsons - Literature Essay Samples

â€Å"The View From Mrs. Thompson’s† is an account of the author’s experiences in Bloomington, Illinois directly following the 9/11 attacks. Largely based around his thoughts while watching events unfold on TV at a neighbour’s house, the essay contains descriptions of the clips shown and insight into the reactions of the people surrounding the author. The word view can mean either a sight or a mindset, and it is clear that both meanings resonate in Wallaces essay. At first, Wallace concentrates not on the tragedy itself, but on his efforts to purchase a flag to display in the events wake. Although theyre everywhere in his hometown, uniting citizens across lines of class and geography, hes unable to find one, and fears that the sight of his home without a flag will appear to be a negative statement on his part. Questioning his neighbours as to their reasons for hanging up flags, he notes that their statements are fairly identical: its about unity, support, and pride. Although he eventually creates a makeshift flag from paper and Magic Markers, the power of appearances and images to variably unite and isolate is an important theme in the essay, and one that seems especially relevant considering the racial profiling that occurred in the name of national security following 9/11. At the moment, however, this is not yet a concern. Wallace is watching the news in Mrs. Thompsons living room, surrounded by other neighbours and fellow church members, an d his description of the scene calls to mind an observation from the opening paragraph: its as if everyones standing there watching the same traffic accident. Despite their different opinions and mindsets, this tragedy is a shared horror. Furthermore, the essay indicates that what people see and how they react to it can effectively reveal their priorities. For instance, although footage of skyscrapers crumbling were upsetting, they were still viewable, whereas the clip of people falling from the North Tower was shown once, and never rerun. As it plays, Wallace tells us that the people in the room with him looks traumatised, simultaneously terrified and jaded, and finally moves on, unsure what to say. Although he and his neighbours could handle the large-scale destruction of buildings, the sight of people jumping from themalmost but not yet lostis too much to bear. Perhaps this is because people are naturally predisposed to sympathise with those in peril, or perhaps it’s because it could just as easily have happened anywhere, but these reactions to the images of tragedy on Mrs. Thompsons television show that despite the increased consumerism and greed in American culture, when it comes down to it, humanity still matters to us infinitely more than property. View could also refer to the differing opinions and perspectives which informed the American public’s responses to 9/11. In many cases, these differences are based on age, as that greatly affected the ability of people to comprehend the situation. For instance, Wallace mentions a woman who said at first her sons thought the tragedy was just a movie, until they noticed it was playing on every channel. This innocence caused them to react with less anger and grief than many adults, even after learning the truth of the matter. Wallace also discusses how differences in geographical location affected people’s mindset with regards to the tragedy. He says that people in the Midwest tend to spend less time together, choosing to watch television at someone’s house instead of going out to a party, whereas the East Coast is much more focused on meeting people face-to-face. This likely creates a sense of distance and detachment in places like Bloomington, and increases the contrast between everyday life and the sense of unity that followed the tragedy. This isolated viewpoint also causes the tragedy in New York to seem more distantif they choose to turn off the TV, the events are still happening, but they are less immediate and therefore less terrifying. New Yorkers, however, would not have had the luxury of that remote viewpoint. Their altered skyline is evident and viscerally felt, not merely an image on a screen. The last difference in viewpoint that Wallace explores is the contrast between his cynicism and the prayer of the women in the room with him. Silently, he critiques Bush’s lacking speech and notes how as time wears on the networks seem to be presenting a manufactured reaction. However, he ultimately notes that it may be preferable to believe in Mrs. Thompson’s view of the president, the images on TV, the power of prayer, because that means America as a nation would be better than he believes.

The Montessori And Teaching Methods - 1095 Words

Montessori Integration Students in traditional schools may not be getting the best education they can receive. Some students grow up lacking the necessary skills required to perform well in the real world. The Montessori Method trains students for real life situations. The children are not only taught the standard in academics. They also develop emotional and social skills required to excel in their future careers. The Montessori Method also puts other subcategories such as art and geology at the same level as geometry or math. Standard teaching methods lack this variety of education, ultimately causing students to feel overwhelmed in social situations and uneducated in certain subjects. Montessori strategies should be integrated with†¦show more content†¦In a Montessori classroom, the teacher is the guide and the materials are the teacher. Sometimes the teacher will sit kids down for a small group lesson, but most of the time the students are working independently or with a partner. Social and behavioral skills are developed sooner in Montessori students as opposed to traditionally taught students. A study was done in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where two groups of 12-year-olds and two groups of 5-year-olds were given basic assessments that measured social development. One group in both age bands went to a Montessori school while the other groups did not. Both Montessori groups scored higher on the social and behavioral development tests compared to the students who did not attend a Montessori school (Do†¦). Even though Montessori students learn at their own pace, they reach beyond the standard in education. Learning is a discovery for students rather than a chore. â€Å"Homework does not teach children responsibility, time management skills, self-discipline or more of what they should be learning during the day. What it teaches is how to put up with a job that they dislike† (McCarthy). Responsibility, time management, and self-discipline are n ot taught in traditional schools. These skills are expected to already be mastered by the student, but there are still students in college procrastinating until the night before a deadline. Some people argueShow MoreRelatedThe Montessori Method Of Teaching Essay1918 Words   |  8 Pages1. What do you feel about Montessori Method of teaching? I am looking for how much the interviewee believes or understands the Montessori Method. I am asking this question to see if the interviewee has a deep understanding about applying Montessori Method to the classroom. I expect the interviewee says something like: that Montessori Method of teaching that is depended on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and cooperative play. In Montessori environment children make creative choices inRead MoreMontessori vs. Traditional Education Essay1133 Words   |  5 Pagesperceive school to be is a huge factor in one’s life success. There has been research done in the past few years proving that students who receive a Montessori education will prosper academically more so than those who receive a traditional education (Ryniker and Shoho, 2001). Traditional schools typically follow teacher based philosophies and the Montessori education is student centered. On average, children enjoy student based philosophy classrooms. Therefore, they are much more in tuned to what theyRead MoreMaria Montessori s Role For Young Girls1633 Words   |  7 PagesMaria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy on August 31, 1870 to parents Allessandro and Renilde Mont essori, she was their only child. Her parents were well educated, her father served in the army as an officer, her mother, coming from an upper-class family, was very intelligent and a forward thinker. During the time of Maria’s early education, Italy’s view on the roles of women were very traditional, therefore the opportunities for young girls were limited. Young girls were not encouragedRead MoreNew Approach to Education System1742 Words   |  7 PagesWillard, and Maria Montessori all great teachers who did their work very well and they had a profound impact on the lives of innumerable people. In today’s world lots of students, teachers, and parents think that Montessori education system is much successful than traditional education system. Maria Montessori was a successful scientist and educator at the same time. She brought a new approach to education system by developing new methodology and founder of the method of Montessori. She is famous inRead Mor eMaria Montessori ( 1870-1952 )1081 Words   |  5 PagesMaria Montessori (1870-1952) BY STEPHANIE NORRIE INTRO PARAGRAPH Maria Montessori was an influential educator of the early twentieth century whose work is widely recognised throughout the world to this day. She began educational work at the children’s house with underprivileged children which brought her international acclaim. She then actively interpreted and indorsed her own work for close to a decade. Montessori’s teachings are centred around the child, with an understanding that the child hasRead MoreDevelopmental Theorist: Dr. Maria Telca Montessori849 Words   |  3 PagesDr. Maria Telca Montessori was the founder of the Montessori method of education. Maria, an Italian physician and educator, was born in Ancona, Italy on August 31, 1870 and died May 6, 1952. She was born to Alessandro and Renilde Montessori. Marie’s father was a soldier when he was young, and her mother was well educated. As a child Maria was seen to be self confident, positive, and extremely keen in change and helping people. Maria would knit thin gs for the poor, and she enjoyed taking her neighborRead MoreHistorical Overview of Montessori Method1636 Words   |  7 PagesALPNA KUMAR Section 1, Part 1, Lesson 1 August 8, 2012 Lesson 1: Historical Overview of Montessori Method Write a chronological overview (time line) of Maria Montessori’s life and work. Indicate the life events you feel were most significant in her development of the Montessori Method of education. Describe how Montessori developed her approach. Include the factors occurring at that time in the world that contributed to the method’s popular acceptance. Education being a necessary partRead MoreThe Curriculum And The Montessori Curriculum1040 Words   |  5 PagesSchool education is taught through a wide variety of methods; there are nature, project, individualized, and even teacher-centered curriculums. While each curriculum has the same basic goal of educating children, the execution of that goal can vary drastically. The Waldorf curriculum and the Montessori curriculum and two different, yet similar types of schooling. To begin, the Waldorf curriculum started in 1919 when an Austrian philosopher, scientist and artist named Rudolf Steiner was asked toRead MoreAdvantages Of The Montessori Method927 Words   |  4 Pageslacking the necessary skills required to perform well in the real world. The Montessori Method trains students for real-life situations. The children are not only taught the standard in academics. They also develop emotional and social skills required to excel in their future careers. The Montessori Method also puts other subcategories such as art and geology at the same level as geometry or math. Standard teaching methods lack this variety of education, ultimately causing students to feel overwhelmedRead MoreQuestions On World Philosophy By Plato, Maria Montessori, And John Dewey1276 Words   |  6 Pagesyou this, what is Knowledge? Plato: Knowledge is Virtue. Maria Montessori: Knowledge is what we observe. John Dewey: Knowledge is the active adaptation of a person based on their environment. This is an example of the Socratic dialog laid out by Plato. Plato was a philosopher and educator whom believed that education was the key to society. As a student, I realize how my education was impacted by philosophers such a Plato, Montessori, and Dewey. As a future teacher, it is my responsibility to decide

Buddhism Essay - 584 Words

Buddhism Buddhism has grown to become a major world religion since its founding by Siddharta Gautama, known as the Buddha, in 5th and 6th centuries. It now has over 300 million followers. Buddha, or enlightened one, was born around 563 BC in the town of Kapilavastu, what is now Nepal. He was born a prince, son to King Siddhartha and Queen Maya. He was raised in the palace and never left the grounds. At the age of 29, he ventured from there. Outside of the city he saw four things that changed his life: He saw old age, sickness, death, and a holy man. After seeing these things, he became a holy man himself, traveling all over India, talking to holy men. He learned about Reincarnation, Karma, and Moksha. After†¦show more content†¦This is the natural course for a living being. With ripe fruits there is the constant danger that they will fall. In the same way, for those born and subject to death, there is always the fear of dying. Just as the pots made by a potter all end by being broken, so death is (the breaking up) of life., The young and old, the foolish and the wise, all are stopped short by the power of death, all finally end in death. Of those overcome by death and passing to another world, a father cannot hold back his son, nor relatives a relation. See! While the relatives are looking on and weeping, one by one each mortal is led away like an ox to slaughter., and With the arrow withdrawn, unattached, he would attain to peace of mind; and when all sorrow has been transcended he is sorrow-free and has realized Nibbana. Even though there are many forms of Buddhism, since his death, there is still a basic essence they all believe in, the Four Noble Truths. The first noble truth is dhukka, or suffering, the second is tanha, or desire, the cause of suffering, the third is that to overcome suffering, one must overcome desire, and the fourth tells how the third can be accomplished by the eight-fold path. The eight-fold path is the way to ov ercome suffering. This also helps people attain Nirvana. It includes, right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. The most simpleShow MoreRelatedBuddhism : Buddhism And Buddhism1009 Words   |  5 Pages Zen Buddhism isn’t exactly a â€Å"religion†, but a way of living. It creates peace within the human mind that allows one to grow, develop and look at the world more positively. Originating in China in 650 C.E., Zen Buddhism is a combination between Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. Mahayana Buddhism promotes bodhisattva, which is practicing the way of life in the direction of Buddha. Taoism is a religion developed by Lao-tzu, a Taoist philosopher, and focuses on obtaining long life and good fortuneRead MoreBuddhism, Buddhism And Buddhism1371 Words   |  6 PagesBuddhism is one of the largest religions in the world that started in India. Later spreading to China,Burma,Ja pan , Tibet and other parts of southeast Asia. Buddhism is a religion that Is concentrated on spiritualism than religious teachings. Established by the buddha, one must obtain their own spiritual awakening, or nirvana through meditation. There are three main branches of Buddhism Theravada Buddhism , Mahayana Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism. About 2,500 years ago, Prince SiddharthaRead MoreBuddhism : Buddhism And Buddhism982 Words   |  4 PagesBuddhism is a philosophy that is often viewed as a religion and dates back to approximately 6th century B.C.E. Buddhism originated in the Indian subcontinent by a man known as Siddhartha Gautama. The original language of Buddhism is often debated as some scholars believe that it was first practiced in Pali while other believe it was first spoken in Sanskrit. The practice of Buddhism first spread to China in the 2nd century A.C.E and was translated to Mandarin in 3rd century A.C.E. Today, there areRead MoreRelics Of Buddhism And Buddhism847 Words   |  4 PagesRelics are thought to be present in Buddhism since the 5th Century B.C.E, when the original Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was said to have lived, and Buddhism itself was a new religion. They continue today as sacred objects of worship. Relics that are as old as Buddhism itself are said to exist and still be wo rshipped. Although the idea of relics may seem contradictory to many of Buddhist beliefs, they actually do resonate with many ideals of Buddhist teachings and practices. To see whether relicsRead MoreBuddhism : The Philosophy Of Buddhism1198 Words   |  5 Pagesnever be one true answer. The theory I mostly identify with is the philosophy of Buddhism, its teachings, and the importance of meditation. Some people would argue that Buddhism is a religion not a philosophy, and vice versa, but nonetheless the Buddha has an idea of self in our current life. Buddhism teaches us that life is, and full of suffering and that nothing in life is eternal. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is Nirvana, which means liberation from the constant cycle of life and death, andRead MoreThe Teachings Of Buddhism And Buddhism939 Words   |  4 Pagesfamous religion icon of all time the Buddhism. Many people became followers of this very wise man we know as the Buddha. Buddhism is based on the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha, who was born in the Ganges River Valley, the foot of the Himalayas. The Buddha led people in meditation and enlightenment to the next level. Philosophers such as Santideva and Thich Nhat Hanh, have led the life to follow the Buddhism ways and live their day to day life off of it. Buddhism gave them the enlightenment toRead MoreThe Religion Of Buddhism And Buddhism1730 Words   |  7 Pageslife. The religion of Buddhism is one of these that had this effect when it began to spread from India where it originated, to many Asian countries especially China where it would have the biggest impact. In China, Buddhism would take root and would grow to become a popular religion in the country much like the other major religions of China, Confucianism and Taoism, which together with Buddhism would later be known as the â€Å"Three Teachings†. Additionally, at some point Buddhism would began to loseRead MoreReligion Of Buddhism : Buddhism963 Words   |  4 Pagesinterested in the religion of Buddhism. After I watched Oprah Winfrey’s television series, Belief Buddhism has become something I wished to look into on a deeper level. Therefore, On October 9, 2016, I visited Wesleyan college East Asian studies facilities to participate in their Sunday meeting of Practice and Talk. During this hour and a half meeting, individuals who are exploring Buddhism wil l learn the surface practice of Buddhism more specifically shin Buddhism. Shin Buddhism or the teachings of ShinranRead MoreBuddhism, Buddhism And The World Essay1999 Words   |  8 PagesBuddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world, with more than 5 million believers in the world. Buddhism is a kind of religion and law that contains various traditions, beliefs, and spiritual practices. Buddhism from India, between the sixth and fourth centuries BC, and gradually spread to Asia. Although Buddhism originated in India, China has many believers in the dissemination and contribution. Chinese Buddhism began in the Han Dynasty and became the most powerful in the Tang Dynasty. WithRead MoreBuddhism : The Popularity Of Buddhism1306 Words   |  6 PagesBuddhism Culture in China Instructor Dr. Jack Name: Zhoudongxue Zhang Student #: 100311725 Date: 26/11/2015 The Popularity of Buddhism in China Buddhism is one of the most popular religions in the world. The Pew Research Center reports that nearly 488 million people practice Buddhism, which represents 7% to 8% of the world’s entire population. Buddhism is mainly practiced in the Asia-Pacific region with approximately 481,290,000 Buddhists, which means 99% of Buddhists live in Asia-Pacific

Abortion Pros And Cons Essay Example For Students

Abortion Pros And Cons Essay ABORTION CONTROVERSYAbortion refers to termination of pregnancy with the consent of the mother. Therefore even when the mother herself is demanding abortion, pro-lifers maintain that termination must not be allowed because it violates basic rights of the unborn child. Pro-choice quarter on the other hand, advocates a mothers right to health and feels that an unwanted child would only lead to numerous economic, social and emotional problems for the woman. The paper therefore addresses both sides of the issue and also briefly mentions that the role of the Supreme Court in this area. ABORTIONINTRODUCTION AND CONFLICTAbortion is one of the most critical issues on each American administrations agenda. This is because while every politician would love to avoid the issue altogether, public wants to know exactly what the governments stand on this particular issue is so that they would be able to judge it better. This is quite strange how stance on abortion has become an important criterion f or judging a government and it can either turn people in favor of it or completely against it depending on how government interprets its own stand. From this it is evident that people attach great degree of significance to this issue because it somehow is related to their sense of morality and tolerance. Let us understand what exactly abortion is and what is the significance of Court in this particular area of conflict. Abortion refers to termination of pregnancy at any stage and people are divided on this issue because the pro-abortion quarter thinks right to termination is connected with womens basic rights while the pro-life quarter maintains that we must also think of the child that is growing in the womb. Jerry Z. Muller (1995) writes:In contemporary American political debate, usually treated as conflicts between rival interpretations of individual rights. Those who favor abortion most often invoke the right to choose of the woman who has conceived the fetus. Those who oppose abortion focus on the right to life of the fetus. (Muller, 1997: 27-28) There is little that one quarter can do to convince the other that its stance is more appropriate because they both have valid arguments in favor of their views on the subject. But it pays to enlighten ourselves regarding both sides of the issue because if we have an open mind, deeper knowledge of the subject might help us at reaching a more a more obj ective balanced conclusion. PRO-LIFE STANCEThis quarter maintains that every child whether born or unborn has a right to life and health; therefore it is absolutely immoral for her mother to deny him this right especially when the child has not even entered the world. In other words, this section feels that if a mother has the right to life and if she could terminate the pregnancy because of her health, how she could be allowed to deny her unborn child his right to life. It is extremely important to understand that there is nothing wrong with the views of this quarter because though it may appear to be based on religious beliefs; this view is actually developed on the lines of civil rights. There are certain people in this section that would probably be atheists and still against abortion, this is because they feel that termination of pregnancy is another name for murder. They have adopted several ways of making their presence felt. Not only do they repeatedly participate in rallies and demonstration, but also some extremists among this group would actually target anti-abortions clinics and there have been several cases of arson and violence. David Whitman (1998) writes about anti-abortion violence that has peaked during the last few years:While most types of antiabortion violence have ebbed over the years, disruptive tactics like picketing, hate mail, and bomb threats reached record highs in 1997. The most common tactic, by far, is picketingNAF reported more than 7,500 incidents of picketing during 1997. Clinics in 21 of 43 states surveyed by NAF last year reported weekly or daily protests. PRO-CHOICE ARGUMENTS:The pro-choice movement on the other hand advocates rights of the mother. It maintains that a child in the womb is not a fully developed person and therefore his rights are not as important as that of the mother and similarly it is her life and health, which must be kept in mind, when decision regarding pregnancy is being made. (Gordon, 1995) Logically speaking, this group appears to have more valid and reasonable arguments in favor of its stance in the subject but there are certain extremes, which are to be avoided by this group. This is because it is the extreme views, which have turned pro-lifers against pro-choice group. The extreme involves not considering the unborn child a human being even in the final stage of pregnancy. It is true that a child cannot be called a person in prenatal stage, but still he is a fully developed human being when pregnancy has reached the end of its term. Therefore to support abortion at this stage is absolutely wrong because it would be the same thing as killing a human being. Presidential Influence on Teenage Drug Abuse EssayCONCLUSION:Now that we have examined the issue closely, it is clear that abortion is one of the most pressing contemporary issues facing the political, legal and social circles. While each person may have his own reasons for supporting or condemning abortion, still it would be important to find a middle ground for permanent resolution of this issue. We cannot remain impartial on this subject because it is certainly connected with our moral and religious values, but in order to avoid a major conflict, we must advocate tolerance and patience. No matter how we feel about the issue, it is certainly not socially or morally acceptable to hurt or harass people with conflicting views. REFERENCES1)Muller, Jerry Z, The conservative case for abortion: family values vs. family planning. (The New Republic: 1995). 27-282)David Whitman, Abortion: the untold story. (U.S. News ; World Report: 1998), 20. 3)Gordon, Doris, Abortion and Rights: Applying Libertarian Principles Correctly Vol. 1, (Contemporary Womens Issues Database: 1995). 134-140. 4)Katha Pollit, Abortion in American History; (The Atlantic Monthly: 1997). 111-115. 5)ROE V. WADE COURT DECISION: Available Online: http://www.roevwade.org/index2.html, (Accessed 16th July 2005)