Abstract This paper explains that James Lasdun is one writer who seems fascinated with the idea of repression; many of the stories in his book "Besieged" deal with the subject of repression. The author points out that the story, ?Ate/Menos or the Miracle?, shows how repression can be a means of finding freedom from controls. The paper concludes that Lasdun seems to be suggesting that the ego is a necessary means of control and that, when the man gains freedom through his alter ego, he actually loses all freedom because he is no longer in control of himself.
From the Paper "In "Ate/Menos or The Miracle" the main character finds himself mistaken for another man by an older woman. He chooses to make use of the mistaken identity and assumes the identity of the other man for his own selfish reasons. Essentially, assuming the identity of the other man allows him to fulfill his basic wants and desires and sleep with the woman. It is not coincidence that Lasdun chooses an older woman for the story, since sexual repression is often regarded as being related to an individual's parents. As one source notes, "Freud believes that psychopathological symptoms often result from repressed sexual and aggressive feelings about one's parents". In choosing to sleep with the woman, the woman actually becomes a replacement mother figure for the man. The desire to sleep with her combines with seeing her as a mother figure. This results in the inner conflict, where the man's instincts are harming the ego. The harmful impulse that occurs is the man's desire to sleep with his mother. Since this impulse is harmful to his ego, it becomes repressed so that the man does not allow it to enter consciousness."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes food processing in history, and how the development of food processing technologies has altered lives for the better.
From the Paper "Before the advent of food processing, fresh food spoiled, it was that simple. In medieval times, people attempted to cover up the smell and taste of tainted food by using fragrant herbs in the cooking and serving process. Even earlier, people used salt to preserve meats, and they used smoking and drying, especially for meats. However, none of these processes was totally satisfactory, and there was still no way to preserve many fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. Therefore, Americans, and others around the world, relied on fresh food when it was available, usually during the warmer summer months, but in the winter, early spring, and late fall, most of the food available was meat or freshly baked goods, and some root vegetables that would keep through the colder months. The development of food processing technology changed all that, and allowed the world to eat a wider variety of foods all year round. It was a breakthrough in technology, but it was also a breakthrough in the eating habits of Americans, because they could enjoy more food, and more freshly processed food, creating variety in their diet, but giving them many more healthy food options, too. In addition, even people in rural areas, far from the produce and food centers of the country, could eat the same foods that others could eat, despite their isolation."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of serial killers. Specifically it discusses Jeffrey Dahmer and his crimes, his apprehension, and his background.
From the Paper "Jeffrey Dahmer was a serial killer who killed seventeen young men and boys, and engaged in cannibalism and necrophilia with many of the bodies. Most of the victims were African-American or other minorities, and many were gay. Dahmer, a 31-year-old chocolate factory worker from Milwaukee, would cruise gay bars and choose his victims by their skin color (dark) and their small body size. Writers Fox and Levin note, "Dahmer liked them young or small, especially with dark skin, and he surely liked Tracy Edwards" (Fox & Levin, 1994, p. 53). Edwards was the only known Dahmer victim to survive."
Abstract Many developments throughout history have had a great impact on human civilization. Some developments have had a positive effect and some have had negative effects. This essay discusses three developments or revolutions that have positively affected the history of humans: The agriculture revolution, scientific evolution and the evolution of writing. It explains how all have significantly affected human civilization and changed the way humans ate, thought, communicated and lived.
From the Paper "The Agriculture Revolution, which took place during the Neolithic Age, is a positive development throughout history because it allowed humans to settle down and live a sedentary life. Before agriculture, humans relied on hunting and gathering, or raising animals for their food. Both created a nomadic lifestyle because hunters migrated with the animals and herders would have to move with their animals when grazing was exhausted (Adler 9). The shift to sedentary life was slow but ultimately led to a larger population and human civilization. This change created villages and towns where people lived and worked. The villages and towns, in turn, created culture. These villages allowed specialization of other occupations because it was not necessary for every individual to farm. The textbook says, "Efforts were more productive for the entire community if people specialized" (Adler 9). This revolution also created the idea of privately owned property and systematized regulation. Farmers wanted "permanent possession" of their land and systematized regulation enforced these rights (Adler 9). Another positive effect from the Agriculture Revolution was the growth of public role for women. These dramatic changes in human life were very gradual. Even though it took 200 to 400 years to complete this development, the Agriculture Revolution forever changed human life."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses a five-day log of the food intake of a person. The essay concerns a study of everything the person ate or drank for five days. The writer notes that this information was recorded with time, place, food consumed, where it was bought, and who was present when it was eaten. The results are analyzed with reference to the food pyramid.
From the Paper "The food pyramid is a basic guide for planning food intake. It suggests the number of servings of each type of food which should be consumed in a day to ensure one eats a balanced diet. People often think they are eating a balanced diet until they look at the food guide and analyze their eating patterns. For five days, the writer made a log of everything eaten, where the food was bought, where it was eaten, what the writer was doing when eating and who ... "
This paper discusses Sinclair's portrait of industrial capitalism, especially the meatpacking industry and European immigrants, in his novel "The Jungle".
Abstract This paper explains that Upton Sinclair wrote his expose of the meatpacking industry, "The Jungle", partly as a way of demonstrating the rapacious and inhuman nature of capitalism when it was not curtailed by some government controls regarding worker and consumer safety and partly to demonstrate to the consumers of meat products themselves the dangers posed to their health when they ate such tainted foods. The author points out that the metaphors of meat in this book provided Sinclair with many potent metaphors for human life under capitalism.The paper relates that "The Jungle" is not simply a literary text but also a book that changed the world because it led to the implementation of the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906 and created more human conditions for workers.
From the Paper "The production of food and meat does not have to be like it is depicted in "The Jungle", however, in the author's view. Sinclair was no vegetarian. Sinclair focused on European immigrants in his work, partly as a reflection of the reality that such immigrants were usually chosen first and foremost for the low wages that accompanied the horrific task of working in the meatpacking plants. But these immigrants also represented a tie with an earlier and more wholesome relationship with the land. Despite their desperation working in the factories, the European immigrants of Sinclair could remember a time, from their childhood in other nations, where food production was health and agriculturally focused, rather than something that was done purely for profit, without concern for worker's health."
Abstract In this essay, the writer argues that diet pops are so dangerous for one's health that it would be better if people just ate sugar. The writer maintains that even though sugar is bad for people's health, it is not as bad as the aspartame in diet pops. The writer shows that there is much evidence to support this. As demonstrated in this article, there is also evidence to show that aspartame is not bad for people. However, the writer claims that if this evidence is examined one finds that the evidence may be biased. The writer explains that this is because some research is paid for by the diet pop companies.
Abstract This paper discusses how in the 1970s Michel Foucault wrote the 'History of Sexuality'. Foucault was the first to discuss homosexuality in relation to western society and he developed the basis of queer theory that is used today. The general feeling during this period of time was that people had to begin to discuss their inner most feelings thoughts and behaviors in order to find themselves in the social order. The paper further discusses how sexuality became an important part of that discussion. Yet, as people began to delve into the topic of homosexuality, the dialogue was so intense that, according to Foucault, homosexuals became a species. According to the paper, studies focused on how homosexuals acted in society, what they ate and how they interacted within their own social groups. Every aspect of homosexuality became a factor for social investigation, much like science explores many species of animals.
Abstract This paper describes the life and death of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus who reigned from 211 to 217 C.E., and was known as Caracalla from the Gallic hooded tunic that he wore. The author explains that although he was a ruthless man and authorized many assassinations, even in his own family, he took great care of his army and marched with them, ate with them and fought with them. As a monument to himself, he commissioned the Baths of Caracalla, one of the last major architectural achievements of the Roman Empire, and the largest public bath ever built in ancient Rome. The paper describes them in detail and concludes that although Caracalla's reign was infamous for many reasons, it was not entirely negative, as Caracalla saw to it that the soldiers in the army were treated well and the baths that he had constructed are part of Rome's cultural heritage today.
Outline:
Introduction
The Rise To Power
The Reign Of Caracalla
The Army and the Legacy
The Fall of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla
Dimensions and Layout of the Baths
Conclusion
From the Paper "He was much like his father in that he was a strong and often cruel ruler and did not give others any second chances (Chastagnol, 1994). He had his own agenda that he followed, and he did not deviate from it just because it was unpopular or because others though that he was unfair. Mostly, people kept their opinions of him to themselves so that they could be left alone by the government and remain alive. Not everyone felt that they had to submit to the rule of Caracalla or that he was a fair emperor, and some people were killed because they became too vocal, but many others survived quietly."
