This paper compares the use of the chance encounter as a literary device in John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" and Tayama Katai's "The Girl Watcher".
1,425 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 0 sources, 2007, $ 47.95
Abstract This paper explains that, although John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" and Tayama Katai's "The Girl Watcher" are written by authors from two different cultures, they share a literary device called the chance encounter. The author points out that the chance encounter enables the protagonists to reflect on their unfulfilled desires, allowing them a medium to channel their frustrations and to develop a greater awareness of their self-hoods. The paper relates that, in both stories, the chance encounter comes as a break from the routine nature of the protagonists' everyday lives, leading them to reflect on their unfulfilled desires. The author suggests that both characters not only feel unfulfilled in their roles in society, one as a housewife and the other a male magazine proof-reader, but also in their sexual relationships.
From the Paper "In Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums", the protagonist Eliza reaches a point in her life whereby she is left feeling unfulfilled, particularly in her relationship with her husband. The chance encounter she has, with a traveling male stranger, leads her to imagine an alternative life as she contemplates acting upon her desires. At the start of the text, we get the feeling that Eliza feels lonely and isolated in her country town. The author uses descriptive language to convey Eliza's sense of isolation in the Salina's Valley,..."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that Paul Chance's book 'Learning and Behavior' provides students and teachers with some intriguing and interesting ideas about the psychology of learning. The writer points out that a general overview of the book displays the ease under which the reader can read the words and comprehend not only the meaning of the individual words, but the philosophical meaning of the words as well. Unlike many similar texts, Paul Chance's book is an easy read providing a style that allows the readers to follow along as he leads along the rosy and philosophical road to educating teachers and students in the field of learning and behavior. The writer concludes that Chance's book 'Learning and Behavior' may be one of the easiest, yet most enlightening manuscripts available on the subject of learning, and presents the material in such a manner that it immediately becomes much more understandable and a pleasure to read.
From the Paper "Chance goes on to explain in more detail how the conditioning process works using the Pavlovian procedures. He writes of the higher-order conditioning, trace conditioning, delayed conditioning, simultaneous conditioning and backward conditioning. He provides brief but succinct descriptions of the five conditioning procedures and how Pavlovian procedures interplay with conditioning. The descriptions help the reader in gaining additional understanding of how and why individuals learn and how conditions can play a very vital role in that learning process.
"Comparing those findings to the Operant procedures is a mouthy subject but Chance does a credible job of accomplishing that task. He explains how reinforcements work when applied to operant behavior, while conditional stimulus works when applying Pavlovian procedures."
Abstract This paper discusses the Second Chance Act that was passed in 2008 to address the problem of recidivism. The writer discusses the reasons for this problem and the motivation behind the Second Chance Act, and shows how both are affecting New York in particular. The key stakeholders in this issue in New York are identified, and their roles are explained. An overview is given of what is currently being done in New York regarding this issue, and alternatives that have been advocated under the Second Chance Act are listed. The paper concludes by recommending in-service pre-discharge vocational/educational training for inmates as the most feasible policy for New York and other states to implement.
Outline:
Action Forcing Event
Problem and Organization
Background,Timeline, and Data About the Problem
Environmental Scan/Key Players
Policy Alternatives
Recommended Policy Alternative
From the Paper "By passing the Second Chance Act, Congress has made itself a key play in the issue of recidivism in the United States and at the State level. The passing of this legislation illustrates just how concerned Congress is with this problem and the lengths that they would go to address the problem. Given the structure of the Second Chance Act, it is clear that Congress thought that the best way to address this problem was through the states so they provided the states with the means to address the problem locally, where the released offenders will be forced to return upon release. A total of $55 million dollars was appropriated for the States to address this problem. Congress' ultimate goal was to provide a safe way for the released offenders to transition back into normative society without reengaging in criminal activity."
Abstract This paper uses "The Lucky Chance", a play by Aphra Behn, to extemporise on what theatre in the restoration period might have been like for the audiences that attended it. Drawing examples from the play it examines scenography and the lines themselves in order to draw conclusions about the nature of theatre at this time.
From the Paper "The play "The Lucky Chance" by Aphra Behn has many such clues, and the first to be looked at here is the use of song in the play. Songs intersperse the text at several points, including during Sir Feeble and Leticia's reception and during the scene between Gayman and his landlady. These songs affect the tempo of the scene and indeed the play as a whole, because as a rule they do little to further the plot. They act as more of a summation of the events preceding it, in much the same way as the chorus in Ancient Greek tragedy functions."
Abstract This paper describes Dadaism and Surrealism, and the integration of the two known as the Dada Surrealist Movement. The writer explains how these movements arose during the World Wars and that the combined movement effectively demonstrated in various media of the visual arts and writing the end of "civilization" as it was manifest until the World Wars. The writer also discusses what is meant by the concept of "chance" in art, and how chance was viewed by Dada artists as minimally controlled randomness, and by the surrealists as a way to access the unconscious and let it merge with the conscious in order to create the superior reality it so revered. The writer concludes that in both art movements, chance therefore played an integral role in the emergence of their respective philosophies.
Outline:
Introduction
Chance in Dadaism
Surrealism
The Element of Chance
From the Paper "According to Harden, the Dada and Surrealist movements integrated to such an extent that they became known as the Dada Surrealist Movement. The initial aims of the Movement were far removed from the world of art, and were primarily political in nature. Being a response to the World Wars of the time, the Dada Surrealist Movement aimed to overthrow all that viewed itself as "civilized" . Indeed, this aim was focused primarily on art and the role its interpretation played in the civilized world. Ironically then, first Dada and then Surrealism sought a complete separation of art and its influences as it existed at the time. This can be seen as ironic, as both Dada and Surrealism are seen as recognized art forms today, with its influences and trappings for the contemporary artist; the very paradigm Dada Surrealism wished to overthrow."
Tags: beauty reality culture icon ideal freedom, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, paradigm political
This paper explains Aristotle's thoughts on the existence of natural bodies, using the terms luck, chance and teleology as presented in his book "The Physics".
Abstract This paper explains that Aristotle defines "luck" ("tuche" in Greek) as part of human affairs and human intentions, "chance" as the interruption of a process, which produces an unusual result, and "teleology" as end or goal directness. The author points out that Aristotle believes that an inanimate thing, a lower animal or a child cannot do anything by chance or luck because it is incapable of deliberate intention; good fortune or ill fortune can not be attributed to them except metaphorically. The paper suggests that Aristotle believes that chance and luck do exist but they usually do not last as long as that which comes naturally.
From the Paper "Luck is another word for chance, but it is used for the daily lives of men, instead of how they came to exist. When good luck comes to men, it is called good. When bad luck comes to people, it is called evil. A good example of this is coming into great fortune. It is said that the existence of great fortune is unstable, because like the monster, great fortune is not natural. Happiness is another example of good luck, but an example, which may last."
Abstract This paper briefly looks at the unusual main character in Kosinkski's novel. It shows how the novel presents an unusual perspective of the world from the eyes of Chance, the chief protagonist. Chance is a mentally retarded man who has lived most of his life in isolation from the rest of the world. The paper states that Kosinski's real triumph lies in his ability to show realistically how such a vulnerable man manages to navigate his way through life to the upper echelons of society.
From the Paper "At the start of the book, Kosinski plunges the reader into Chance's life by giving a meticulous and intimate glimpse of his inner world. Distanced from human life, Chance's world revolves around plants. In spite of his mental retardation, Chance possesses an intuitive ability to take care of plants: "Very gently he let the stream touch every plant, every flower, every branch of the garden" (Kosinski 3). In fact, Kosinski paints an endearing portrait of Chance with a poignant analogy between plants and people. Unlike typical people, Chance shares the innocence and fragility of the plants in the garden: ?"no plant can do anything intentionally: it cannot help growing, and its growth has no meaning, since a plant cannot reason or dream" (Kosinski 3). Ironically, when he is thrust into the outside world, Chance manages to thrive because of his intuitive connection to the garden. Kosinski cleverly utilizes the universal metaphor of the garden and growth to enable Chance to capture the imagination of the people."
Abstract This paper examines the problems associated with the current national movement in corrections known as offender reentry. The author considers the challenges that the released prisoners face, including integrating into their former communities and the probability of recidivism. Several viewpoints are considered in connection with prisoner reentry, ranging from those in favor of prisoners serving sentences without the possibility of release to prisoners being given skills, such as job training, to facilitate their integration into society. The Second Chance Act, legislation to facilitate prisoner reentry, is described at length.
Outline:
Second Chance Act
The Institutional Phase
The Step-Down Phase
Community Release Phase
Aftercare Services
References
From the Paper "Challenges presented by reentry, along with concerns regarding ex-offenders returning to their former communities, range from the released individual posing a danger to their former victims to extra expenses related to a crime being committed to the ex-offender not being reestablished and committing another crime. As most offenders eventually return to their home communities, however, counters that contribute to an ex-prisoner becoming a positive part of society need to be assessed and addressed. '"We know from long experience that if they [ex-offenders] can't find work, or a home, or help, they are much more likely to commit crime and return to prison." (Ibid.) "
An analysis of the themes of predetermination, chance and free will in Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" and Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy".
Abstract This paper embarks on a comparative study between the works of two giants in their fields: Sophocles, one of the three ancient great tragedians in Greece and Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius, a Christian philosopher of the 6th Century in Rome. The purpose of the study of the two works, i.e., "Oedipus Rex" and "The Consolation of Philosophy", is to determine the differences, if any, in the reconciliation of the concepts of predetermination, chance and free will existing together at the same time in the universe.
Outline
Introduction
Oedipus Rex
The Consolation of Philosophy
Predetermination, Chance and Free Will: Oedipus vs. The Consolation of Philosophy
Conclusion
From the Paper "The narrator of the story (which one can fairly presumed to be Boethius), was contemplating the hopelessness and anguish of his isolation. He was writing his desperate musings, hoping death will come to end his despair. He was despairing with the Muses of Poetry when suddenly appeared Philosophy, his old friend. Philosophy drives away the Muses of poetry and asks Boethius what is ailing him. To Philosophy, Boethius poured out his grief and anguish over his fate, the unjust accusations against him and his utter ruin. Philosophy condoles with Boethius and sets out to calm and sooth his spirit. But first she wanted to know why he has changed so much so she asked him several questions. She finds that Boethius has forgotten his own nature; that Boethius does not know the destiny or direction of the universe, and; third, that he was ignorant of how the world is being governed. "
Abstract This paper presents a case study of a woman who presented to the emergency room of a hospital following an accident and looks at
how the woman's various organs and systems responded to trauma. The paper then looks at how many of these responses can result in minimizing chances of organ destruction and in increasing the victim's chances of surviving an accident.
From the Paper "The woman's kidney function is decreased due to lowered blood pressure, which affects the rate that the kidneys are able to filter waste products from the blood. In an acute shock situation, the body shuts down many of its functions in the interest of addressing the patient's most-urgent problem. In addition to reduced kidney function, the patient's brain function slows down; she may appear lethargic, have difficulty talking, and eventually lapse into a coma. This is due to the body's diverting blood supply from the brain, which typically takes 20% of oxygen and nutrition, to other areas which require it most."
Abstract The paper examines M. Lieber and T. Mawhorr's evaluation of the Second Chance Program to determine whether or not delinquent behavior of participants was reduced. Specifically, the paper examines their article "Evaluating the Use of Social Skills Training and Employment with Delinquent Youth" and then relates the findings that the participants in the Second Chance Program did not have a lower rate of recidivism than non-participants. The paper explains how the researchers identified the characteristics in common with successful intervention programs as well as four characteristics lacking. The paper discusses the authors' suggestions on how to improve the program and reduce recidivism.
From the Paper "Michael J. Leiber and Tina L. Mawhorr of the University of Northern Iowa were asked by Juvenile Court Services and Area VII to evaluate the Second Chance Program to determine whether or not delinquent behavior of participants was reduced. The research results were to be used to support a request for funds to continue the program (Leiber & Mawhorr, in Pope, Lovell & Brandl).
"The design of the study included multiple comparison groups and a one-year follow-up. There was no funding for this study and there was a one-year limit for completion. Between 1990 and June 1992, the juvenile court staff referred five different groups to participate in the program. The program sessions lasted 16 weeks. Fifty-seven completed the program and 28 did not. The drop out group was included in the analysis of the study to identify any characteristics that could be related to a failure to complete the program."
Abstract This paper discusses Machiavelli's political outlooks and specifically the roles of chance and necessity in politics. While necessity is paramount in Machiavelli's political ideology, his life and writings are consistently troubled by the presence of the "supernatural" force of "Fortuna". Although in his writings, especially "The Prince" he attempts to instruct would-be rulers on how to prepare for, accommodate and tame fortune in order to turn it to their advantage, he concedes that the will of the goddess is sometimes unavoidable. However, Machiavelli's works were written during violent times. Times of conflict and instability. His work principally concedes that the world and society is inherently flawed, and he attempts to devise measures and procedures to somewhat remedy the ills that they experienced.Machiavelli received lots of critisicm and stigma because of his profound ideals with with the author agrees.
From the Paper " Almost all commentators on Machiavelli say that his principal innovation, and the essence of this method, was to "divorce politics from ethics". Thereby he broke sharply with the Aristotelian tradition, which had dominated medieval political thought. His method, they grant, freed politics to become more scientific and objective in its study of human behavior; but it was most dangerous because, through it, politics was released from "control" by ethical conceptions of what is right and good."
Abstract This essay examines Herodotus' use of the gods in his "The Histories", and questions the extent to which he believes in their influence. It weighs up the importance of the competing powers, fate and chance, and looks at whether Herodotus uses these themes as literary tools.
From the Paper "Although frequently mentioned and certainly key figures in Herodotus? text, the gods do not have the influence one might expect. They are neither all-powerful nor flawless, and are often susceptible to human emotions such as anger and jealousy. More importantly, they are not responsible for the actions of humans. Through oracles and dreams certain courses of action are recommended or advised against, and it is up to the human to interpret. However, humans bring misfortune upon themselves; the gods merely ensure that the "rules" are obeyed. Herodotus indicates the nature of these rules; his narrative is largely based on "reciprocal action"."
Abstract This paper contends that rape shield statutes should exist and be enforced to protect the rape victims from unnecessary harassment in court and increase the chances of conviction. Rape shield laws are designed to protect women from defense attorneys who attempt to introduce irrelevant evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct (Barrett, 1987, p. 57; Bachman & Paternoster, 1993, p. 557).
From the Paper "This paper contends that rape shield statutes should exist and be enforced to protect the rape victims from unnecessary harassment in court and increase the chances of conviction. Rape shield laws are designed to protect women from defense attorneys who attempt to introduce irrelevant evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct (Barrett, 1987, p. 57; Bachman & Paternoster, 1993, p. 557). They have been created to overcome the overwhelming court bias against the victims and their prosecutors. For example, the notorious instructions of Matthew Hale, Lord Chief Justice of the Bench, have cast a shadow over the attempts of the victims and their prosecutors to win their cases: "…rape is an accusation easy to be made, hard to be proved, and harder to be defended by the party accused though ever so innocent" (qtd. in Bachman & Paternoster, 1993, p. 557)."
Abstract This paper discusses the Treaty of Versailles which ended the First World War in terms of the Allies' desire for vengeance, the treaty's punishing territorial provisions, the unrealistic war reparations payments demanded of Germany, and the dire consequences these had upon chances for future peace.
