Abstract In this book review of "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman, the author of the paper summarizes the plot of this novel set in Middle Ages England, about a young girl who befriends a cat and goes on to become a midwife's apprentice. The author of the paper discusses the major concepts of the novel and offers an evaluation of how these concepts are met. Finally the author offers personal comments on the book.
From the Paper "One of the ways the girl begins to see her own worth is when someone mistakes her for a girl named Alyce who "sounded like someone who could read." If she looks like a girl who can read, then maybe she too can be a girl of value. Deciding that her name is Alyce, she is still taking her meaning from outside herself, but it is a step in learning that she is more than nothing."
This paper examines the hegemonic reinforcement of corporate values as depicted in various reality television shows, while focusing on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice."
Abstract This paper details the various reasons surrounding the immense success of Trump's "The Apprentice." This paper describes the general premise of the show, which revolves around a group of contestants all vying for the chance to be Donald Trump's chosen apprentice. The winner receives a six-figure job for one year, as well as national recognition for being a rising star in America's view of capitalism. The writer of this paper contends and explains why the show's successful at pro-hegemonic reinforcement which focuses primarily on capitalism in America. This paper also examines Trump's personal successes and failures in the corporate business world that don't seem to coincide with the image depicted on his own show.
From the Paper "As for the payoff for the audience, a significant part likely remains unconscious, or at least covert. On an overt level, though, viewers feel "entertained" by the action at hand: that of bright, attractive, well-dressed, ambitious, industrious contestants scrambling to be the best. Second, again overtly the backdrop of who will be "fired" at the end of the show provides suspense. Third and more covertly, however, one may implicitly assume, without even thinking about it, that he or she is learning valuable lessons about corporate life, and may therefore become successful, or more successful, just by watching the show. What the show is really "teaching", however, is that corporate values, and corporations themselves, are good, beneficial, and admirable, and that a job within one is not just a good, but a glamorous career to which to aspire, especially if one can turn oneself into a "corporate winner" like some of those on TV."
Abstract The paper's thesis states that preservation and efficient management of the rain forest's botanical, cultural and therapeutic resources is the key to a healthier life and a better world. On this basis, the paper reviews the book "Tale of a Shaman's Apprentice" by Mark J. Plotkin, in which he demonstrates the urgent need to cease the rapid environmental destruction increasing at an alarming pace. The paper shows that by describing the reactions of medicinal plants of the rain forests on the human body and outlining the various classifications of forest plants, Plotkin has successfully managed to accomplish his aim of spreading the much-needed awareness regarding the protection, preservation and management of the rain forests spread world wide and the need to take care of and conduct research of the fragile cultures that inhabit these forests. The paper discusses how this captivating book highlights the importance of the Amazonian forests by describing in detail their diverse and unique botanical power and the availability of the majority of the insects and other animals in various regions of the Amazon jungles. It shows, too, how Plotkin also puts emphasis on the botanical wisdom of the shamans of the Amazonian forests.
From the Paper "Examining and exploring the characteristics, distribution, origins and classification of the plant life of a region is the primary concern of an ethno botanist. Since Plotkin was the principal ethno botanist, his job status demanded exploration of rain forests for the betterment of human kind. Hence, to hunt down shamans who are well aware of medical treatments done though the plants, were the basic requirements of his work. However, this was not the only reason as the author suggests in his book. He was intrigued by plant life and it all started on a September night lecture in 1974 at Harvard University (Plotkin: 2) that ignited a spark in the thirsty soul and made him discover the wonders of the Amazonian ever developing plant life and the cures that the medicine experts in the rain forests of the Amazon exposed (Plotkin: 3). For the same reason, he chose the particular plant life of the Amazon areas to study and learn, how to ameliorate the contemporary world and the ensuing deadly ailments with the advancement of industry and science."
This paper discusses Benjamin Franklin's "An Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" and Frederick Douglas's "A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave".
Abstract This paper explains that the experiences that changed both Franklin and Douglas had to do with the importance of education in enabling people to better themselves. The author points out that Franklin's education came when he worked as an apprentice printer with his brother during his teens. The paper relates that Frederick Douglas's life story tells a much bleaker tale and shows even more the ability of one man to use his wits and his natural talents to pull himself up by the bootstraps.
From the Paper "Indeed, it was because of the fact that he had such great access to books through his induction into the printer's trade that he was able to foster his love of books and learning and to begin to develop his persuasive rhetorical skills that would aid him not only in writing, but also in oratory. Without this love of books and learning being instilled in him Franklin could have never become the great thinker, speaker, author, and statesmen that he was to become."
Abstract This paper explores the effects the Industrial Revolution had on the British apprenticeship system. It deals with the changing status of the apprentice and of employers and plots the history of the system from the early eighteenth-century through to the late nineteenth.
From the Paper "For many centuries, Britain had embraced the apprenticeship system as a method of educating the young in the skills required within the workplace. Training at the feet of a master craftsman provided apprentices with one-on-one instruction in the intricacies of trades ranging from wheel weighting to printing. Due to the protracted nature of an apprenticeship, the payment of a premium by the parents or guardians and the guarantee of future well-paid employment, the undertaking of an apprenticeship was seen as both honorable and worthwhile. It was also one which would ultimately result in journeyman standing, a position of high esteem. However, this high regard for apprenticeships would be irrevocably diminished during the nineteenth-century, and whilst the Revolution was not directly instrumental in this demise, it would play a major part in redefining the construct of the apprenticeship."
Abstract This paper explores the birth of the teenager, a phenomenon that first came about in the aftermath of World War I in Britain. In this period, authority was challenged in many arenas: marital, political, and especially filial. It explores how teens dealt with their parents, how they earned their money, what life was like working under the apprentice system, and where they found their entertainment.
From the Paper "During the first years of World War I, soldiers, civilians, politicians and economists were united in their battle cry, "When are we going to return to normal"? However, by the end of the war, it was evident that this return was impossible since those who survived the experience had no desire, nor inclination, to return to the "normality" of pre-war Britain. This radical change in the British psyche was manifested by its altered attitude towards authority. Rather than authority being revered, it was now challenged at every opportunity. Political authority was challenged as voters discovered alternatives to the traditional parties. . For example, the Fascist party attracted more than 20,000 supporters between the wars. Confidence in military authority was at an all-time low. The carnage and alleged mismanagement of the war led to the rank-and-file distrusting the motives of their Generals. Returning soldiers, some horrifically mutilated by war, despised those who had escaped serving their country. Traditional authority within families was also challenged. Some returning husbands found that their wives were reluctant to give up their factory freedom for relegation to the kitchen. Similarly, some wives found their husbands changed by the horrors of war; the man that returned was not the husband they waved off. This general downturn in the status of traditional authority figures was not the sole prerogative of adults; it percolated down to the youngest in society, its children."
Tags: adolescent, growing, leisure, teen, youth, rebel, england
Abstract This paper looks at the life of famed novelist H.G. Wells. The author describes his childhood, education, marriages, and most importantly, Wells' science fiction works, such as "The Time Machine", and "The Island of Dr. Moreau". The paper also discusses Wells as a staunch socialist and how he conveyed his political beliefs in his writing.
From the paper:
"Herbert George Wells was born at Bromley, Kent, on September 21, 1866, and died in 1946. H.G. Wells? family was not wealthy. His father owned an old China shop and his mother was a lady's maid. Both parents made very little money. George Wells had little education and had been hired at a large drapery emporium. At the emporium he had the position of a draper's apprentice. Here he had to wait on customers, show samples of merchandise, stock, and also account of all money taken in."
Tags: machine, time, socialism, utopia, jules, verne, swift, bertie, science, fiction, moreau, island, morlocks
Abstract This paper is a literary analysis of George Lillo's play, "The London Merchant". The author discusses the plot of the British domestic tragedy and relates the characters to the social behavior of the times. The paper also has a brief biography of Lillo.
From the Paper "The play "The London Merchant", or "The History of George Barnwell" is the first prose domestic tragedy in English. It is the sorrowful tale of an apprentice, George Barnwell, who is brought to his doom by an older, "wicked" prostitute, Sarah Millwood."
Tags: barnwell, lillo, george, sarah, millwood, apprentice, england, society
This paper compares the "Technical Preparation" program and "School to Work Opportunities Act" (STWOA) - both designed to help high school student integrate better into the job market upon graduation.
Abstract This paper describes and defines these two acts and compares their various advantages. STWOA is defined on focusing helping students' transition from the school environment to the workplace, shifting toward a community-connected learning approach in which the members of the community have become teachers and mentors to the local students. Technical preparation is explained as a series of practical programs in the field of construction and other technical fields whereby the student joins an apprentice program after high-school.
From the Paper "There is a long series of pieces of legislation dealing with job training for individuals in economically depressed areas or with exceptional circumstances keeping them in poverty. This began with the Adams Act of 1906, followed by the Morrill Act of 1907 which created land-grant colleges. The Smith Hughes Act of 1917, or Vocational Act of 1917, dealt with the need for vocational training and the creation of national preparedness through education. Woodrow Wilson supported this specifically because he saw the approach of war and wished to create a citizenry that was prepared to deal with both the domestic and international ramifications of that (Major Legislation 1900-1982, 2000)."
Abstract This paper looks at school-to-work (STW) programs, which are designed to meet the needs of a large portion of today's students - those who are work-bound as soon as they graduate high school. It looks at how many of these programs allow students to enroll as apprentices and accumulate hours and experience towards a qualifying certificate in a specific profession while earning credits towards their high school graduation diploma, as well. It supports the opposing viewpoint of school-to-work programs, arguing that education that concentrates on job training results in graduates who are less adaptable and less able to change occupations without retraining. Without training in liberal arts, many high school graduates have difficulty learning new skills and adjusting to new jobs.
From the Paper "According to the U.S. Department of Education (2001), in order to create a national school-to-work system, the departments of labor and education provide start-up grants to states and local communities. In addition, the federal government, states and communities can build on programs such as vocational education, technology preparation, youth apprenticeship, career academics, school-based enterprises, job training programs, and cooperative education to create school-to-work systems and transform learning in high schools."
Abstract This paper will discuss Palladio's life and art with respect to his interest in the architecture of classical Roman antiquity. It will be argued that from his earliest encounters with the monuments of classical Rome while a young apprentice, to his renewed engagement with classical forms as a mature architect, Palladio's work was profoundly influenced by the architecture of antiquity. Beginning with an analysis of Palladio's first contact with the antique, the application of his acquired knowledge in this regard will be studied with respect to some of his major works.
Abstract In discussing the nature of the reality show, "The Simple Life," the paper explains that it is vital to understand how the show, as well as other reality television programs, actually depicts alternative forms of acting and entertainment rather than real depictions of real life by real people. The paper argues that the reality show, "The Simple Life," is a reflection of 'realistic' acting that intends, above everything else, to entertain people rather than give them insights about what real life is all about and how it is captured by the television cameras.
From the Paper "The appeal of reality television shows began with the hit series "Survivor" in 2000, a program that features urban-living Americans trying to "outwit, outplay, and outlast" the other contestants in living life and 'surviving' in an island. Following its success in primetime television, a host of other reality shows were produced, which includes, among others, "Fear Factor" and "The Apprentice," dating games like the "Blind Date" and "Fifth Wheel," as well as real life glimpses in the lives of personalities like the "Newlyweds," "The Osbournes," and most recently, the hit show featuring rich heiresses Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton, "The Simple Life." Reality shows have changed the way programs are produced and conceptualized nowadays, since the audience that is, real people, take center-stage in assuming the role of a TV star, allowing cameras illustrate life as real people live it given a particular situation to live up to."
Abstract The paper discusses how Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is not simply a chronicle of this Founding Father's early life. It is also a historical portrait of colonial America and the cultural and political conflicts of the pre-Revolutionary era. The paper explains how Franklin attempts to show how a moral, hard-working life can yield social and financial profits. Benjamin Franklin rose from the status of a poor printer's apprentice to a financially secure publisher, inventor and entrepreneur. The paper highlights how Franklin believed his life showed that a man must take responsibility for his own moral and political upbringing and economic fortune.
From the Paper "While Franklin's tremendous social mobility demonstrates how his society was in a state of great economic and social flux, Franklin credits his own moral fortitude with his success. Franklin believed that man could truly pull himself up by his own bootstraps, no matter where he began in life. Franklin stresses the values of thrift, honesty, and diligence in business and credits how he showed early signs of innate intelligence with his ability to foster such skills within, rather than his upbringing alone. Even as a child, "the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books." (14) True, as his book is supposedly directed to his son, Franklin gives his own father some credit for reinforcing these vales early on in the boy's life."
Abstract The paper applies the ideological framework of the theory of communism, specifically as expounded by Karl Marx in "The Communist Manifesto" to the contemporary pop cultural figure of Donald Trump. The paper focuses on Trump's appearances in the television series "The Apprentice" and also includes relevant background on Trump himself. The paper then shows how Trump, with his wealth of private property and his interests advanced with the willing aid of the mass media, best exemplifies some of the most prominent and popular qualities of capitalism in both its positive and negative aspects.
From the Paper "Probably no single individual best personifies the capitalist frame of reference as does billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump. He came into the public light in the 1980s, and became one of the first celebrity businessmen of recent times, working in a field in which most businessmen preferred to keep a low profile and stay out of the public eye as much as possible. The mass media willingly accepted Trump's self-promotions and played him up as the archetypal capitalist and "self-made man." From the standpoint of Marx, a relevant critique would begin by noting that despite the myth of individual achievement contained in this persona, Trump in fact came from a very successful family, his father having already been a multi-millionaire real estate developer in New York City (Slater 44.)"
Abstract This paper describes the life of the Dutch artist Jacob van Ruisdael, from his time as an apprentice to his death. The paper analyzes his work through the motifs and quality of his paintings, and the progression of his career as an artist is one of the main themes. The paper comments that individual paintings are analyzed, including "Jewish Cemetery", "Landscape with a Cottage and Trees", "Dunes", "Wheat Fields", "Waterfall in a Rocky Landscape", and his etching "The Rustic Cottage".
From the Paper "Jacob van Ruisdael is believed to have been born in 1628 in Haarlem - one of the centers of Dutch art at the time. From Haarlem came such artists as Frans Hals, Philips Wouwerman, Adriaen van Ostade and of course Jacob van Ruisdael himself. In the early life of Jacob van Ruisdael he is believed to have lived with his father, Isaak de Goyer, who later changed his name to Ruisdael and also was an artist. Though there exists no concrete evidence of any of the art of Issak de Goyer, there does exist proof that Salomon van Ruisdael, a minor landscapist and Jacob's uncle, served as Jacob van Ruisdael's art instructor. In 1646 Jacob van Ruisdael painted his earliest dated picture entitled "Landscape with a Cottage and Trees" and almost immediately garnered attention. "
