The Authors Create Tension and Suspense Essay Example For Students

The Authors Create Tension and Suspense Essay In short stories, they often make you assume things that are going to happen, as the writer has a limited space to make it a short story. Short stories tend to have a very clear structure- beginning, middle and end. Children are keen on reading short stories, as they are not complex and small number of characters, which make it easier for them to read. Adults also like reading them because they are compact and engaging.  Ã‚  A Terribly Strange Bed and The Whole Towns Sleeping are both classified as horror that the writers ensure the readers will have a horrific moment during the story. We will write a custom essay on The Authors Create Tension and Suspense specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Both stories have a similar theme of expressing tension but are subtly different.  Ã‚  A Terribly Strange Bed is a pre- twentieth century short story, which was written by Wilkie Collins. It is about a young man who finished college in Paris and he likes taking new adventure. The Whole Towns Sleeping by Ray Bradbury, is a more modern story. It is about a middle-age single woman who wants to take risks. The two stories have many similarities although they were written in completely different eras. The main characters in both of the stories have their similarities, they both have the confidence to take risks and are independent. Lavinia in The Whole Towns sleeping said, Im just not afraid, and Im curious. They both are set in the same situation where they would not listen to their friends advice. When her friend Francine tried to persuade Lavinia to stay for a night, she said No thanks. The roles of friends in both of the stories are extremely important. These people always give advice to the main characters, but they never listen to them and lead to a tragic ending. This is shown in The Whole Towns Sleeping when Lavinias friend Francine asks her to stay at her house that night, in case anything happen. But Lavinia chooses not to, as she is a risk seeker. Where once again shown her confidence. This also helped to show clearer personality of the main character and built up suspense. The main contrast in both stories is the language used, A Terribly Strange Bed was written in the 1900 and it contains many words and phrases that would not have been used in the twentieth century when The Whole Towns Sleeping was written. In addition, Wilkie Collins tended to use archaic language all the way through the story, such as of all the ghastly respectabilities of such a social anomaly as a respectable gambling-house. The Whole Towns Sleeping is written in a third person form which can make the readers less involved. On the other hand, A Terribly Strange Bed is about the writers own experience, which makes the readers feel more involved and makes the story more believable. Tension is also built with the third person form in The Whole Towns Sleeping as the reader is following Lavinia in the story, whereas A Terribly Strange Bed talks about the past, therefore less tension is built. The two stories have a similar atmosphere about them; they are both in tense throughout the story. A Terribly Strange Bed shows horrific imagery of the gambling place. Imagery of death is also shown in the story, vulture eyes what Wilkie Collins described the blackguard as. This has shown the reality of blackguardism, also it is hinting something will happen with the blackguards later on in the story. From this line in A Terribly Strange Bed-My blood seemed to stand still. A deadly paralysing coldness stole all over me, which shows how the narrator must have been horrified by the experience. While, The Whole Towns sleeping has also got clear imagery of death, where the town was described with its silence,. Instead it has a constant eerie imagery throughout the story. Someones following me, Someones on the steps behind me. I dont dare to turn round. Which make people always feel as if they are being observed. .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 , .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .postImageUrl , .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 , .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:hover , .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:visited , .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:active { border:0!important; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:active , .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94 .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub71d42203a346c1f8049b412ab8e9c94:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: "Romeo and Juliet are victims of unrelenting fate against which they cannot rebel effectively. All they can do is submit with courage and dignity." EssaySimilarly, both stories have created tension all the way through the story. The Whole Towns Sleeping uses repetition, safe, safe, safe, where as A Terribly Strange Bed uses long descriptions to increase the drama. Alternatively, the pace of The Whole Towns Sleeping is fast and furious, unlike A Terribly Strange Bed, where the pace of the story is slow and frustrating. This is shown throughout, as Wilkie Collins tended to describe in full details at the beginning. Although, the pace has increased up to the point, where The French old solider was shouting and crying out, but soon the pace gradually slow down again. Tension rises up to its climax when inanimate objects were brought to life in A Terribly Strange Bed, whichcreates a threatening effect on the writer and readers. Equally, tension rises up to its climax in The Whole Towns Sleeping when Lavinia heard someone clear his throat when she thought home was the safest place to be. As the story is written in third person form, tension is also built up at the end- whether she has survived or not. Constant false leads and alarm appeared constantly throughout the whole story, where Lavinia heard a mans voice singing while she was walking home, and that was Officer Kennedy. However, both stories have certain cliffhangers at the end of each paragraph, which also helped to build up tension. The two stories are set in different place and written in different eras. A Terribly Strange Bed is set in Paris, a delightful city, while The Whole Towns Sleeping is set in a little town far away from everything, whereas this helped to build up suspense for readers, as bizarre always seem to occur in silence area.  Ã‚  Each story has a very contrasting opening and ending. In A Terribly Strange Bed, Wilkie Collins gives a long and clear description of himself and Paris. While in The Whole Towns Sleeping, the town and the main character are not described in details, where less tension is carried out, as the readers do not feel detached with the characters and the place. With the endings, The Whole Towns Sleeping left a cliffhanger, where suspense was built. But in A Terribly Strange Bed, it ends with everything is resolved, the writers feeling and the moral of the story. An identical technique was used in both of the stories. The writers tended to use questions to convey the fear of the main character. What could I do? says by the main character in A Terribly Strange Bed while he cannot get into sleep during that remarkable night; Lavinia tried to convince herself while she reached the ravine, Nothings happened, has it? No one around, is there? Remember that old ghost story you told each other when you are children? I found reading short stories is more challenging and enjoyable, as they are more unique and you can get more involved rather than a novel. Personally, I like them because they are short and excitements can be easily built onto it. I also found it is fairly different to novel, where a long plot and an incredible length of introduction are always included.  Ã‚  I would say The Whole Towns Sleeping is more effective, as it was written in 20th century, which I found it easier to understand. Also with the contrasting ending where I still do not know Lavinia is alive or not. Which I thought the writer has cleverly left a cliffhanger for the readers to think about the ending on their own. Whereas A Terribly Strange Bed has an ending where everything is sorted out. It makes the reader feeling less relief.

Why Do You Want An MBA Essay Sample?

Why Do You Want An MBA Essay Sample?One of the most important questions asked by an incoming MBA student is: Why do you want an MBA Essay Sample? The questions are a bit vague and you have to be able to answer them easily to qualify for the first round of interviews that will most likely be held at some point. If you are unsure of your motivations, I suggest reading this article first, as it will give you a general overview on what these samples will serve.An MBA is a very challenging degree, one that requires a lot of hard work from you as well as from your mentor. These two are one in the same, and you must realize that the two will never work together. If you are not one hundred percent dedicated to the journey, then the guidance you receive from your mentors can be hindered significantly.These essays should be at least fifty pages in length, with sections on both science and math-related topics. Your mentor will assist you with writing these so that they are as detailed as possib le. However, you may have to ask him or her for help on certain topics such as algebraic equations and proofs.The three questions asked of MBA applicants are: Why did you pursue your degree? What did you hope to gain? What challenges and obstacles were there for you to overcome?The reason why you want an MBA Essay Sample is to show your background and why you are qualified for the program. You will have to convince your mentor that you have the capacity to handle the coursework. This can be a tricky feat, but by showing the hard work and dedication you have put into your graduate degree, it will probably be enough to persuade them to give you the go ahead.The scholarship you will receive for the MBA you will receive will also allow you to start your career as a professional. Even though this will only last for one year, it will allow you to settle down and start working in a professional environment to earn a decent salary.The benefits of an MBA are very vast, but you will need to m ake sure that your personal situation will be comfortable with the program. You should have your plans finalized, financial stable, and most importantly, capable of tackling the program you would like to attend.

The Ultimate College Student Grocery List to Be Healthy and Fit

The Ultimate College Student Grocery List to Be Healthy and Fit You may have heard of the Freshman 15? Though not exactly a myth, it is a bit of an exaggeration since studies show that the average weight a freshman actually gains is between 2.5-3.5 lbs. On the other hand, fifteen percent of college students reported weight loss. For students their appearance is usually more important than their health. However, the way people look is directly related to the way people feel. This leads us to the questions: How to be healthy and fit when studying in college? What should be on college student grocery list? Basic Food for College Students Checking out a nutritional food chart below can give you a starting point of what you need to eat each day and how much of it you should ideally include in your diet. Barring allergies, a food chart can help guide you to finding the right combination of: grains fruits and vegetables proteins and fats oils and sugars Please note: Competitive athletes who engage in strenuous daily workouts and competitions should consult a nutritionist to make sure they’re obtaining the right level of nutrients to maintain their performance and health. So, now, when you know the fundamentals, find out what exactly should be on a college shopping list. Breakfast Foods First meals first 🙂 Many students refuse from having breakfast because they simply not having enough time in the morning. Below, youll find the items you should include to your grocery list for breakfasts that easy to make. Eggs are a great breakfast food for college students. Full of protein and vitamin B12, essential for proper brain function, eggs are a college student’s best friend. Granola is a great way to start the day, but not if it’s loaded with sugars and oils. Museli, a lighter version of granola without the fats and oils is a good option with yogurt, milk or your choice of nut milk. The fiber in the grains and dried fruits help promote healthy bowel function. Pancakes - Try a whole grain version or one that uses yogurt instead of milk for a healthier variety. Whole grains release energy more slowly over time so wheat or another whole grain flour will give you longer-term sustenance than white flour pancakes. Bagels and lox   - There’s a reason why the most competitive city in the world (New York) has bagels and lox for breakfast. A whole grain bagel with low-fat cream cheese and smoked salmon is a powerhouse of a breakfast. The whole grain bagel with give you slow-release energy throughout the morning while the low-fat cream cheese will provide some calcium and protein. Salmon is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids that help improve memory and cognitive function. Heres an infographic that will help you to memorize the key points better: Key Items for a College Student Grocery List Next time when you go to the grocery shop, dont forget to add the items youll see below. Fruits and vegetables  - All fruits and vegetables in general can contribute positively to your diet, but some even more than others. Blueberries have been touted as â€Å"brain food† for more than a decade now because of their high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K and gallic acid which promote healthy brain function. Avocado is high in vitamin K and folate which help improve cognitive function. They’re also high in vitamin B and vitamin C, high in protein and low in sugar. Beets enhance blood follow to the brain, which helps improve mental performance. Broccoli contains high levels of vitamin K and choline, which help improve memory. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard and romaine lettuce are rich in vitamin A and vitamin K which benefit brain function. Lean proteins - Red meat can have its place on a college student grocery list, but most of your protein should be coming from leaner meats such as fresh fish or chicken. Red meat can be consumed on occasion, but not every day as it’s difficult to digest and the fat in red meat can put a strain on the heart and arteries. Lean proteins that digest more easily free up the body’s energy to focus on other things, like studying! Fresh juices - While fresh fruits and vegetables are great, fresh juices should also have a place on your college grocery list. Because juices don’t include the fibrous material that a piece of fruit or vegetable have, the body is able to absorb their nutrients more directly. When you need a mental boost, skip the coffee and have a ginger carrot juice or blueberry banana juice to increase mental function and energy levels without having to deal with the caffeine highs and subsequent crashes. Water - Water should be at the top of a grocery list for college students, actually. It’s essential for proper brain function and dehydration actually has some dire effects on the body, including bloating and weight gain as well as on the brain. Did you know that dehydration can significantly lower your memory and cognitive skills? The golden rule when it comes to water is 88 (eight glasses of eight ounces of water) per day. This should be taken in throughout the day, not all in one go, in order for the body to be able to absorb the water and process it. So make sure you add water to your list when heading out to the store. Healthy dorm snacks - Make sure you keep healthy snacks on hand. Otherwise you’ll be tempted to load up on unhealthy snacks when you’re in a pinch. Whole gain cereal bars, unsalted trail mix and dark chocolate all make for great snacks when you need something to munch on between meals. Tea  - Many teas have excellent properties that promote health, including brain function. Green tea, famous for its antioxidant properties, also contains caffeine which can help keep you alert during morning classes. Chamomile tea can help calm you and make sure you get a good night’s sleep which is important for overall health and a necessity for proper brain function so make sure you put it on your college student grocery list. In addition to avoiding the freshman 15, this college student grocery list can help you maintain proper brain function and energy levels to help you excel this semester.

Strategic Marketing Report (Businesses chosen British Petroleum and Assignment

Strategic Marketing Report (Businesses chosen British Petroleum and General Motors) - Assignment Example It has seen many ups and downs over the years including issues of environment, government dealing, exploration sites, oil prices and such, but has remained strong, with a great market presence and brand equity. The second is General Motors. One of the heavyweights in the 20th Century automotive scene, GM saw bankruptcy in 2009 after many of its products and policies failed. With government holding and new management in place, GM is on the way to recovery. This paper analysis the strategies of these two companies, along with some suggestions that they could utilize in the near future. This paper will study the current marketing strategies of British Petroleum and General Motor. These companies are amongst the biggest players in their respective industries. However, the recent macro-economic environment has had an impact on the policies adapted by both. This paper will examine the specific marketing strategies and will give my own insight into them. General Motors Company is one of the largest automakers in the world, headquartered at Detroit, USA. GM employs around 235,000 people globally and has presence in 140 countries in various regions around the world (gm.com, 2009), with a complete brand portfolio of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. According to company website, GM main business territory and market is the United States, then China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM has been through many peaks and troughs over the years but the recent taste of bankruptcy was a devastating low for the company. Having changed from General Motor Corporation to General Motor Company, GM has fortunately turned out fairly well from being in the decline phase. Whether this turnaround is successful for the company remains to be seen. There is still a need for GM to establish a culture with a more distinct and reachable vision and get the entire organization on board. The com pany still has

HIV in Nursing Issue according to Different Research Works Annotated Bibliography

HIV in Nursing Issue according to Different Research Works - Annotated Bibliography Example Even if the study of Taher and Abdelhai (2011) refers to a specific part of the population, the nurses, it could be effectively used for controlling the expansion of HIV in various social and professional groups. The research conducted by Taher and Abdelhai (2011) was divided into three phases: in the first phase, the two nursing groups were asked to complete a questionnaire (p.145). During the ‘health education intervention’ (p.145) that followed, nurses were given material related to HIV. After the completion of the above program, nurses were asked to complete another questionnaire (p.145). The comparison of the pre-session and after-session questionnaires helped the researchers to identify the role of IEC programs in controlling the expansion of HIV among nurses. It was proved that the intervention led to the increase of awareness of nurses in regard to HIV. An important increase of the general knowledge score was reported: From 7.29 before the intervention to 8.01 after the intervention (p.146). Also, undergraduates seemed to be more benefited by the intervention than the postgraduate nurses (p.146). The IEC programs can be effective in controlling the expansion of HIV within various social groups. The perceptions of nurses on caring and communicating with people that suffer from HIV can influence the performance of nurses in regard to the above activities. It is probably for this reason that Stavropoulou et al. (2011) have decided to focus on the particular subject. A key issue, also explored in the study mentioned above, is a potential effect on education on caring for people with HIV. The research has been conducted through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to nurses of the Technological Educational Institution of Crete, Greece. In total, 100 questionnaires were completed (p.291). A high percentage of the participants, about 40%, stated concerns for caring people with HIV (p.291).  

Development of Movements and Its Importance in the Life of a Child Essay Example for Free

Development of Movements and Its Importance in the Life of a Child Essay The world of Man cannot be imagined without movement. Life is indicated by movement. In animal/bird/fish life we can realise that immobility is impossible. Even those classified as immovable (plant life) manifest their life by movement. The human kingdom isolates itself from other non-human living beings by their capacity to work which is possible only by directed movements. There is movement in every area of human work-personal care, care of the environment, social behaviour, intellectual work etc. When we consider the Child as part of the human family we need to consider the importance of movement in his Life and Development. Movement in the human body In the general development of the human being we can see the role of the brain, the senses and the muscles. Among these the muscles are the ones which execute the movements. These movements can be considered as voluntary when they are controlled by the brain. This control is made possible by the senses feeding the brain or intelligence with the right messages. When these capacities work in co-operation, the last stage remains with the muscles which make the movements. Movement thus becomes the last part that completes the cycle of thought says Dr. Montessori. This co-ordination creates the unique characteristic of Man namely WORK possible. Movement is a mode of human expression. Animals too express themselves by their movements. Dr. Montessori asks Can we ignore this fact in Man? Movement becomes a system of healthy relationship with Mans environment (establish, maintain and restore conditions). We see the importance of movement without which no expression is possible(sign language, body language, writing, etc). Mans aspiration at the highest level is that of spiritual perfection. Dr. Montessori asks Is that enough? Can Man be selfish? Does he not circulate his experiences and thereby express them? Movement should occupy the place of a servant of the whole life and the spiritual economy of the world. Mental life and development depends very heavily on sensesdevelopment of speech on hearing and observation and understanding depends on the sight. This co-ordination of the brain and the senses has to be made in the very beginning. Then and only then can there be any human expression. Dr. Montessori says Here is a very good reason why Nature keeps the human being very immobile during infancy; when the co-ordination starts Nature gives the human being the facility for locomotion. In a child we see movement/work as a manifestation of the development of the mind. While he acts on the direction of the intelligence there is an extension in the understanding. Scientific observation shows that intelligence is developed through movement; movement helps psychic development. Again Movement has a great contribution to offer in the conquest of language which is one of the most fundamental conquests to be made by the psyche of the child. When the child performs work it becomes a co-ordination of the brain, senses and muscles. In Man, the mechanism of grace is not evident at birth but has to be created by physical experiences working at the environment, done with co-ordination. None of this co-ordination is established at birth. But there is a wide possibility of movements. The variety of movements is immense-massive to minute (ballerinagymnast). Dr. Montessori calls it harmonised opposition. The child is endowed with the capacity or potentiality to co-ordinate these movements. Man has a great diversity in skill in action but must create it by will, subconsciously or voluntarily. The combination of the brain, the senses, and the muscles in collaboration with emotional and social development can lead one to what we term grace. The variety is created by the human being himself and therefore he can decide which ones to develop. But there is a price to pay. He has to work at it repeatedly to obtain that versatility. Because of this factor, the capacities vary from person to person. This individuality is very easily seen in the human beings. The muscles are too numerous for all to be exercised; but there is a certain number of exercises below which it is dangerous for psychical life to go on. The human being may also perish. We need to remember that, when a person trains on very large gross movements the mind also remains so. When he works on more refined movements the psychic capacity also becomes more refined. It has also been proved that the quality of possible movements of a person has a close relationship to the quality of mental capacities. Development of human movement Man shares the characteristics of mammals by having four limbs. Mammals develop all the four limbs simultaneously and according to the species the form and function vary. They are predetermined. Among the mammals Man is an example of developing the limbs two at a time. The form and the functions are different. Considering the development of the legs and feet we can see them from three different points of view. †¢ Biological Stand on two feet †¢ Physiological Balance and walk †¢ Anatomical Keeping whole feet on the ground The legs have a task of gaining and maintaining equilibrium. Biological guidance for the development of feet, to put the whole foot down in order to get the equilibrium is given by Nature. We can identify four steps in the process. SitRollStand with support (Stand without support) Walk with help (Walk without help) The logic of Nature seems to be to stand upright, walk and become steady and move to take part in the life around. This indeed is a great achievement of independence on the part of the human being but very predictable. Walking as a human conquest made by the child is proclaimed as not only an achievement made at the physical level but also as booster for the most necessary ingredient in human life and developmentself confidence and self reliance. This is recognised by the modern psychologists. It throws open varied scope for mental activities also. The other two limbs meaning the hands seem to have a different method of development. In the history of evolution we see a great landmark when the thumb starts acting against the fingers and not along the same direction as seen in earlier rungs of the ladder of evolution. Hands depend, for their development, not only on the psyche but also on the psychical life of different epoches in time in different racial groups. Intelligence of the child will reach a certain level without the use of the hand, but with it a still higher level is reached and the child who has used his hands invariably has a strong character. In the individuals development of hands we see the attempt in grasping and that grasping made as an intentional movement. †¢ 1st step Grasping prehension instinctive to conscious movements †¢ Six months Intentional movements †¢ 1st year Hands and feet exerting the maximum, Creating challenges, Imitation of characteristic movements, Making efforts to fit himself for life and independence There is nothing biological or physiological in this. Hands can perform an immense variety of movements. They are not predetermined but depend on the individual. Therefore there is every reason to believe that it has something to do with the development of the mind. Dr. Montessori would take it even to the soul or personality. The hand thus become instruments of learning and the variety in these movements depend on what activities they have opportunity to perform. Around the time the child is one-and-a-half years, the leg movement and the hand movement co-ordinate. For instance, carrying a heavy object. This is another milestone in development. Nature prompts the child to exert the maximum effort. Dr. Montessori talks at length of the study of history and ancient civilizations being made available to us only because of the work of hands which also reflects the mental height of those who created the masterpieces. Civilizationsartifacts, historical relics reveal that hands combined with the emotional lives reveal the quality of the lives of people. Hands seem to have followed the intelligence, the spirit and the emotions. Dr. Montessori says Childs intelligence can develop to certain level without the help of hands. But it raises to greater heights with hand work. The strength of character becomes conspicuously stronger. Dr. Montessori would exhort us about the misconception with regard to human movement, Educational theory thinks that people have to sit still for intellectual activity. Therefore educationists try to separate movement from thought. This even leads to alternating mental and physical activities in schools. Montessori refers to it as the coordinated work of the red and the white man as an intimate reciprocal relationship. The red man indicates the circulatory system and the white man refers to the neuro-muscular system. Maturation is a great factor in this development. The Senses gather knowledge for the intelligence and the intelligence together with the Will carries on the work with the help of the muscles. Separation of movement and thought is injurious to development. To consider strengthening the muscular capacity alone as a means of strengthening the physique can be detrimental. It would be like making a prince (muscular system) live like a slave to a shepherd(mere vegetative lifefor creating appetite or strengthening the lungs). It must become a contributory factor to mental development. Eventually it should lead to emotional and spiritual enrichment. Some thoughts about handedness: Handedness means predominant use of one hand. Two factors determine the handednessthe preference for one hand as compared to the other, the proficiency or skill with which the hand can be used. Studies of handedness has shown that at birth the child is ambidextrous Earlier it was believed that the child was born either right or left handed. It has been proved otherwise. During the first year of life the child uses both hands without any particular preference. In the second year usage of left and right is done shifting as the necessity occursfor instance the proximity or the angle in which an activity has to be performed. Between two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half years the child is ambidextrous using both hands with equal proficiency and frequency. The bilaterality is very marked at this stage. From the age of four to six years there is a preference to unilaterality or a predominant preference to using one or the other hand. Such preference can be observed in the speed, accuracy, strength and steadiness in the movements.

chinese religous and ethical systems :: essays research papers

Chinese Religious and Ethical Systems   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It has often been said that the Chinese are not deeply religious. It is true that they have shown a comparative indifference to metaphysical speculation; Chinese culture was perhaps the first to develop an intellectual skepticism concerning the gods.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Confucianism Confucius (Kong Zi) lived from 551 to 479 BC in the state of Lu (in modem Shandong province). He came from a family of officials and his concern was with the restoration of the Way (Dao) of the ancient sages. His teaching was therefore related mainly to society and its government. He advocated strict conformity, and thought that fostering correct behavior, within the context of the family, would produce an ordered society. He was not particularly interested in religion, except insofar as it related to social life. However, in 59 AD during the Han dynasty, it was decreed that sacrifice should be made to Confucius and this began a process that was to make Confucian philosophy into the foundation of the Chinese political order. Confucius himself had only accepted the legitimacy of sacrifice to one's own ancestors, but from now on an official Confucian cult emerged, with its own temples. It gradually became linked with the state cult of the Emperor. From the fifth century AD Confucian orthodoxy retreated before the popularity of Buddhism and Daoism. But a renaissance came during the Sung dynasty when Confucianism responded to the challenge and developed its own metaphysics. This new trend is known as Neo-Confucianism, and its main exponent was Zhu Xi (1130-1200). It subsequently became the main orthodoxy of the scholar officials until the demise of the imperial system in 1912. In contemporary China, the Confucian cult has disappeared, but the Confucian approach to government and society retains a powerful hold on many people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Daoism (Taoism) The origins of Daoism are obscure, but it is first seen as a rival to Confucianism. The teachings of early Taoism are ascribed to Lao Zi in the fifth century BC who is the reputed author of the most influential Taoist text, the Dao De Jing (The Way and its Power). Where the Confucian stressed ethical action, the Taoist spoke of the virtue of Wu Wei (non-action), going with the flow of things. Like the Confucians, Daoists looked back to a golden age. The good ruler, they thought, guided his people with humility, not seeking to interfere with the rhythms of social life conducted within the larger patterns of the natural world and the whole cosmos.