Abstract This paper addresses the need that individuals feel to belong to various groups. Through extensive research and informed opinion by some of the best experts in the related field, the paper will begin by defining the term "group" followed by the salient features of all groups and the reasons why people form as well as join groups. Hence, the psychological impact of a strong sense of belongingness will be studied and observed.
Abstract This paper discusses the psychological stress placed upon the main characters in both Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" and George Ryga's "The Ecstacy of Rita Joe". The author examines the root of their stress: having no true place to call home, and no true sense of belonging.
From the paper:
"Humans need a place where they are comfortable and where they know they belong. The absence of this sanctuary causes severe psychological stress. For Rita and
Oedipus, the tragedy of their lives is this absence. Unable to find their sanctuary, they lead lives beset with confusion. In an attempt to find their home, they searched endlessly for the truth. The real tragedy is that there was no home to find. They were isolated wanderers. Wherever they went, their feet hurt."
Abstract This paper discusses the issues raised in Caryl Phillips' novel "Crossing the River", i.e. the common desires of love, acceptance and belonging which the black people of the African Diaspora still face, even though they are no longer slaves. The themes are looked at generally and in relation to the novel.
From the Paper "In the novel's prologue, Phillips presents the reader with the problems of the African diaspora through the voice of a universal father to the book's characters. In desperation this father sells his children, representing two hundred and fifty years of blacks torn from Africa. He explains to his children that now, "there is no return".You are beyond. Broken-off, like limbs from a tree. But not lost, for you carry within your bodies the seeds of new trees. Sinking your hopeful roots into difficult soil? (2). Phillips's metaphor between black people torn from Africa and broken-off branches of trees is important because it serves to clearly explain the father's beliefs about the role of his sold children. These children can never reattach themselves to their homeland; once a branch has been severed, it cannot be put back on."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the African-American experience starting from slavery and extending through American history to World War II. The paper also discusses the attempts by African-Americans to "belong" to American society, especially through religion.
From the Paper "In Crossing the River, Caryl Phillips's construction of desire plays a key role to his depiction of the African diaspora. In his novel, common desires ? to find love, acceptance, and belonging - tie together the experiences of generations of black people torn from Africa without new places to consider home or new people to consider family. Phillips uses their desires to show that freedom from slavery has only been part of black men and women's fight. Once free, these men and women are rejected by white societies and left with nowhere to turn. Thus, through his representations of this common desire, Phillips puts a focus on a less clear cut problem than slavery or freedom, one that has faced and is still facing black people: that of belonging. His novel serves to urge displaced people to recognize this desire to belong and to be accepted, and, instead of giving up, to always struggle through hardships to try to fulfill it. "
Tags: black, century, england, english, novel, phillips, race, relations, twentieth, white
Abstract This paper explores the world of punk rock in central Florida. Various interviews conducted by the author are reconstructed in the paper to tease out different definitions of what the scene means to various people and age groups in this area. It also looks at a history of punk rock from its heyday in the 1970s, in Great Britain, and how its themes of belonging and acceptance still translates to some of today's youth in the 1990s.
From the Paper "Belonging, acceptance, and repor are a major part of punk to most individuals I interviewed; however, it was by far not the only response I received. A second view, given to me by S, a worker at Sound Idea, was that one of the most appealing aspects of punk was the energy within the scene. This section focuses on that overlying energy in punk. Punk music is loud, fast, and aggressive. Shows as Sound Idea were highly participatory- audience and band members alike ran, circle pitted, and danced across as large of a space as they could seem to niche out of the crowd. Many shows were high energy and physically taxing. However, this energy was focused, and what S was more generally referring to, I believe, is the hands on approach that seems to proliferate so many punk scenes."
Tags: class, culture, modern, modernism, post, rock, roll, sub, acceptance, youth, age, record, bands, tours, lyrics, bond, individuals
Abstract This paper discusses the legal battles fought over the concept of "terra nullius" in Australia. The paper explains this term to relate to territory that does not belong to any state - 'no mans land'. The paper explores the discriminatory rulings against the Aboriginal people of Australia and contends that a new constitution is needed. The paper claims that the present constitution was formulated to meet the needs of the invading English and should be replaced with an Australian constitution, which meets the needs of all races now living in this country.
From the Paper "Australia's coastline is nearly 22,800 miles long. Australia is completely surrounded by water, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Coral Sea is near Tasmania. The lowest point in Australia is Lake Eyre and that is 39 feet below sea level. The highest point in Australia is Mount Kosciunsko and that is 7,310 feet above sea level. Australia is the oldest continent and the lowest continent with only 6 percent of it is above 2,000 feet. Most of the continent has no mountains. The largest lake is Lake Eyre at 3,700 square miles. This lake has barely any fresh water in it. If you fly over it in a low flying airplane you would see lots of Detail. The Ayers Rocks are a wonderful sight when the sun sets.1"
Abstract The paper discusses how the group-belonging mentality can quickly override individualism in nearly any social form. The paper presents a review of the Robber's Cave experiment and how it applies to current social theory relating to the behavior of individuals and groups. The paper discusses the intergroup contact theory and shows how groups can cause shifts in individual behavior that have both positive and negative outcomes.
From the Paper "Many studies have demonstrated that when an individual becomes part of a group, if the demands of the group are uniformity of action and thought, then the individual tends to suborn itself to that group, even if the rules aren't written, established, or even understood. One landmark study of this kind of behavior shift, of the quick loss of identity and typical behavior patterns to that of the group, was the Robber's Cave Experiment. Performed in the mid 1950's, a group of homogenous 11-year olds were placed in opposing summer camps and observed while their otherwise typical and self-controlling behavior declined into a state of near animalism in terms of aggression and near violence."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that on April 18, 2007, the Supreme Court handed down its decision on 'Gonzales v Carhart', et al. The writer points out that the decision, important to pro-life advocates, supports and leaves unaltered the partial birth abortion law. The writer explains that this makes it illegal to perform an abortion beyond the first trimester of a woman's pregnancy if that procedure to terminate the pregnancy involves the physician bringing the fetus - viable at that point - outside the womb, thereby effectively making that fetus a person residing in the locale into which it has at that moment been delivered. The writer maintains that it is unthinkable that the courts and the public has arrived at this point in time where the Supreme Court must decide the issue of whether or not it is acceptable to terminate a partially birthed life. The writer concludes that abortion is not a matter of constitutionality, but a moral one, and one that does not belong before the Supreme Court.
From the Paper "For those conservative pro-lifers who would applaud these last few sentences as sentences in support of their conservative views and their right to impose those views on society, the caution is to go forward carefully, because that is not the case. Nor is it in support of the liberal pro-abortion lobby and supporters. The liberals, who in some ways are more mysterious than the conservatives in that they are the very same people who stand outside prison gates with candles in protest of humane administration of a lethal combination of chemicals that ensures the termination of the life of a mass murderer, or another felon whose crime is so heinous as to warrant social intervention in deciding whether or not that individual should continue to draw breath. Do not rally, because this writer finds it extremely odd that this group advocates on behalf of the life which walks the earth, having committed heinous acts of violence, and is at the same time not willing to afford the same support or opportunity for life of a viable fetus whose value to society has yet to be determined. Rather, both groups have driven this writer to the narrow edge of law, considering the law in its legalese only and in its role in the order of society and especially in light of separation of powers."
Abstract This paper discusses the historicity of the Biblical story of Joseph and whether it can be placed in the second intermediate Hyksos period (c. 1650-1550 BC). The author describes what is known about the Hyksos peple from written sources and archaeological excavations, and explains why researchers have claimed that the Joseph narrative can be made to fit in this period. The author goes on to show that on a textual basis, there is a growing inconsistency between the Joseph narrative, which contains elements which point strongly to a 7th or 6th century composition date, and the Hyksos period. Further, sufficient archaeological evidence has been presented to suggest, with reservation, a 12th dynasty date for the narrative should the late-dated Joseph narrative and its plausible historic context be discovered.
Outline:
Introduction
'Men of Obscure Birth from the East'
The Joseph Narrative
Excavations at Avaris, Tell el-Dab'a
Does Joseph Belong?
From the Paper "This paper agrees with two of Redford's principle assertions. First, that the Joseph narrative should be treated as a separate entity within the larger patriarchal narrative. Second, that Joseph was compiled in the 7th or 6th centuries BC. It diverges from Redford in questioning whether the narrative should be considered purely fictitious, in light of certain evidence both textual and physical, and that a degree of historicity does exist within the narrative. This paper's primary function, however, is to show whether the Joseph narrative can be placed in the Hyksos period, namely the Second Intermediate Period (c. 1650-1550 BC)."
Abstract This paper discusses the themes of identity, emotional and physical disconnectedness, particularly from the perspective of the one not belonging, are explored on three levels in Tessa McWatt's novel 'This Body'.
Victoria, the main character, in particular experiences the discomfort of not belonging in her country of residence, not belonging in her relationships, and not belonging in her family. As a result of childhood experiences she physically distances herself from her family only to suffer another loss and another sense of disconnectedness.
Abstract This paper discusses Aristotle's analysis of friendship. The author discusses three types of friendship: a useful friendship, a pleasurable friendship and true friendship. These belong to two aspects of friendship: character friendship and advantage friendship. Included are examples.
From the paper:
"It is argued that there are three branches of friendship: (1) doing favors for each other, (2) using each other for pleasure, and (3) true friendship. These branches belong to the two characteristics of friendship, which are character friendship and advantage friendship. Character friendship belongs to or is related to civic relations because it requires citizens to have active goodwill toward each other."
Abstract The writer discusses the "Head of the King", a statue considered to have been created by a group of artists. This is determined by the style of the sculpture and the material used. The paper shows how statues from this period can be classified as belonging to a single artist or to a group. It is assumed, but not proven, that the works belonging to this "second style" can be timed to belong to the end of Amenhotep III's rule.
From the Paper "The work is a sculpture, depicting the head of the King. Its measurements are: Height, 34 inches; width 22.9 inches; depth, 25.3 inches. It is currently in the Louvre Museum, Paris, France. The head is constructed out of granodiorite, which is a very hard medium. It is interesting that, in spite of the difficulty of working the granodiorite, the artisans that sculpted the head have worked it "as though it were modeling clay" ( Kozloff, 164).
The work is presently in relatively good condition, for the parts that remain. The evidence shows that it was originally a life-sized statue of the King, with an original height of approximately 160 ? 170 centimeters. This would have been the height without any base or pedestal. Of course, there is no accurate way to determine for sure what the size of the base might have been. Other representative standing statues from this period are known to have been resting on bases of up to 100 to 150 centimeters."
Tags: sculpture, artisan, Egypt, Amenhotep, museum
Abstract This paper presents the relationship between the divorce rate of couples belonging to the U.S. Army Special Forces and the U.S. Regular Army. It argues that the divorce rate between couples in which either of the spouses belongs to the U.S. Army Special Forces is higher as compared to those who belong to the U.S. Regular Army.
Introduction
Hypothesis
Theory
Paradigm
Literature Review
Methods
Results
Testing of Hypothesis
Questionnaire
CHARTS
Source: Command Briefing Resources 2003
From the Paper "Divorce rate in the US is perhaps the highest around the world. And even though each year the US research and survey to find out the real cause in order to discourage divorce rates, there is no surprise that the US still continue to have more divorces. This trend is not merely among the Civilians but is also prevalent in the armed forces. Studies [Schumm 2003] indicate that the rate of divorce in the armed forces is because of the deployment factors. According to Schumm the divorce rate in army couples is 21 percent, thus showing that couples divorce when they are associated with the army because of occupational hazard rather than because of the divorce rate itself."
Abstract This paper examines James Dickey's "Eagles" and in particular, how Dickey's narrator specifically expresses needs for belonging and freedom. It looks at how his desire for flight is born much more out of a desire to escape rather than to simply delight in the flying or to see the face of God and how unlike the eagles, his muscles aren't designed for escape. It discusses the theme of rejection that runs through the poem and how the narrator is not so afraid of rejection nor so prideful, that once he is shook off, he gives up the chase, nor is he put off by his conflicting desires for belonging and freedom.
From the Paper "Despite the noble and brave way, the narrator starts out the poem -- pondering, actually claiming the possibility that he might know the "circular truth of the void" -- he gets caught up battling to satisfy his more personal needs. The narrator's desire for flight is born much more out of a desire to escape rather than to simply delight in the flying or to see the face of god. He doesn't even speculate what the heavens contain; no mystery is speculated upon, except to say that the eagle "moves through /Clouds that will open to nothing." Rather than pursuing in this poem a more sublime quest, such as the qualities of the void, the narrator of the poem is much more preoccupied with the mundane matter of his escape."
Abstract This paper delves deep into the circles of characters and the roles that they play within themselves and in relation to each other in William Shakespeare's comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The paper shows that the innermost circle includes the mechanicals (the clowns with Bottom as the focal point); the next circle consists of the lovers; another circle belongs to Theseus and Hippolyta and the final circle belongs to the fairies.
From the Paper "The clowns and Bottom make up the first circle. Bottom is virtually unaware of all of the events happening around him, and he unfortunately becomes the punch line of a cruel joke when Oberon, the fairy king, decides to play a joke on his wife, Titania, by making her develop a passionate infatuation with Bottom through the use of magic. The audience cannot help but feel sympathetic towards him because much of the humor derived from him rests upon his lack of awareness coupled with the sense of confidence with which he moves through the play. The clowns serve as a backdrop against which he operates."
