Abstract
This paper examines the realities of climbing the social ladder in mid-nineteenth century New York, as depicted by the playwright Anna Cora Mowatt in her play, "Fashion." The paper discusses many themes in the play, but it focuses mainly on the themes of American versus European ideas of class within society and social self-consciousness.

From the Paper
"This passage lays out for the audience how possible it may be for someone of the middle (or, God forbid, lower) class to fake their way into the upper class. Directed towards an elite crowd, and written in a time fraught with anxiety over just how blurry class lines were becoming, the purpose of laying bare the tricks of social climbers was not to increase apprehension. Rather, the point was to make a mockery of them. Mrs. Tiffany's character is absolutely farcical. When trying to fit into the upper class, she makes a fool out of herself - especially when attempting to work pretentious French into everyday conversations. Not only does she come off as crazy because the other characters cannot understand what she is saying, the audience recognizes her atrocious pronunciation."

Tags:class structure, America Europe, social self-consciousness

Abstract
A review of Dawkins' "Climbing Mount Improbable", which is a nontheistic explanation of Darwin's theory of natural selection as a consequence of random recombinations of DNA and genes rather than a creature of intelligent design.

From the Paper
"Dawkins' "Climbing Mount Improbable" is deceptively simple. It is simple because the author provides common sense explanations of the natural world in an almost systematic fashion. He uses the metaphor of a mountain that is very gradually and very slowly building up and becoming itself over thousands of years, yet throughout the process is changing all the time. That is an easy concept to grasp. Yet the book is deceptive, because underneath the common sense explanations, are extremely complex ideas about how the natural world as the modern period knows..."

Tags:evolution, natural selection, replication, randomness, probability

Abstract
This paper describes a hiker's personal struggle with a climb up a difficult mountain. The physical and emotional challenges of the climb are described, as well as the euphoria and satisfaction felt after successfully completing the climb.

From the Paper
"As the sun was rising on the morning of the fifth day, I found myself biting my lip, while the intensity of that day's events fogged up my mind. Climbing Table Rock was becoming a reality, and I was doing everything I could to avoid thinking about it. I've always considered myself somewhat of a thrill-seeker, and my lifelong fear of heights had never failed to create a worthwhile thrill. But this climbing experience would be one that I would never forget."

Tags:rock, climing, instructor, jim, dandy, four-pitch, climb, ground, school, first, ledge

From the Paper
"This study will examine the roles of John and Robert Kennedy in the civil rights movement, focusing on why the brothers were seen by some as champions of civil rights and by others were criticized for giving insufficient support to those who were risking their lives in the movement.


The books to be used in the study are Carl M. Brauer's John F. Kennedy and the Second Reconstruction and Pat Watters' and Reese Cleghorn's Climbing Jacob's Ladder. While the authors of both books generally agree about the facts of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the roles of the Kennedy brothers in that movement, the two books do offer contrasting views of the movement itself and its effects on the evolution of civil rights in the country.


Primarily, the basic difference between the two books in the..."

Abstract
The paper focuses on Shakespeare's use of irony and imagery in "Richard III". The paper describes how the verbal irony and vivid imagery conveys Richard's compelling climb to the throne in a dramatic fashion.

From the Paper
"Firstly, we will see that Shakespeare makes Richard's climb to the throne dramatically compelling through the use of irony. There are two types of irony used in Richard III, verbal and dramatic irony. In the first steps of his climb to the throne, Richard tells Clarence Act 1 "Brother, farewell". This is an example of verbal irony, what Richard says has a double meaning that Clarence doesn't understand. Clarence only sees friendly greetings in these words, however, Richard literally says goodbye to his brother because he knows he's going to be murdered soon (as well as the audience). It makes Richard's actions compelling as it gives a humorous effect to the play. It also emphasises the fact that Richard indulges in hypocrisy because he pretends to be virtuous and friendly even though he is not, he only appears to be. Clarence truly believes what his brother Richard tells him, because when the two murderers in the end of Act 1 tell Clarence that Richard is the one who sent them to murder him, Clarence cannot believe it and says "It cannot be, for he bewept my fortune,/ And hugged me in his arms, and swore with sobs/ That he would labour my delivery"."

Tags:irony, imagery

Abstract
This paper points out that diesel fuel, once a popular energy choice for automobile owners, has experienced a decided drop in popularity over the last few decades. The drop in popularity, primarily due to its reputation as a harmful environmental pollutant, contributed to a gain in diesel alternatives, including one of the most traditional fuel sources, gasoline. The paper then points out that gradual changes in our global environment and economy, particularly the demand for oil and its climbing expensiveness, may now be signaling a change on the horizons for the global picture with respect to the demand for diesel fuel.

Tags:economics, diesel, canada

Abstract
This paper explains that mountaineering, as depicted in Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air", can be a set of goals and ideas that need to be achieved using your experience and skills to further your ambition, similar to what drives the mountaineers to reach the top and return safely. The author points out that the perils of the mountain that challenges the climbers can be perceived in direct relation to today's market, where there is much uncertainty and fluctuation in the business cycle. The paper stresses that, in order to overcome the challenges, it is strategic to resort to teamwork and team spirit.

From the Paper
"If we analyze the challenges faced by the author in his expedition we begin to see parallels to that of the challenges that the manager face in today's business world. All the aspects of a manager's business ordeal are encompassed in his climb to the top and his descent. A good manager seeks to minimize costs while not affecting quality. Hence, we see the exploitation of human resources in the example of the Sherpa porters, who are paid an insignificant bare minimum amount to risk their lives which is a direct parallel to the cost minimizing decisions made by managers of multi national companies of today that take advantage of the third world countries to produce their products cheaply and efficiently. Such efficiency combined with advertising takes us into the realm of branding."

Tags:branding, resources, skills, perils, team

Abstract
This paper explains that the two articles, "Life at the Top in America Isn't Just Better, It's Longer" and "Angela Whitaker's Climb", address the struggles many peoples face in rising to middle-class "respectability" and comfort. The author points out that these articles show that social class determines not only the "creature comforts" one will enjoy in a lifetime but also the length of life one will be able to devote to those comforts. The paper concludes that, while the Wilkerson article raises some compelling points, the Scott article is more powerful because it juxtaposes the differential experiences of people who may share the same tragedies but not the same possibilities of recovery and ultimate success.

From the Paper
"As well, while both articles view poverty as a "trap" from which few escape, the Scott article is especially evocative because it actually captures what poverty means in terms of length of life and the extent to which that life will be complicated by health maladies that greater wealth could have avoided. Finally, both articles, to their credit, note how spouses in working-class and even middle-class homes must work together in order to ensure that the house, the cars and the children's educations are tended to."

Tags:social, mobility, experiences, respectability, differential

Abstract
The paper discusses how in "The Death of Ivan Ilych," Leo Tolstoy utilizes characters, Ivan's social status and his illness to demonstrate the terrible fate of living a life of materialism and social climbing. The paper describes how years of social climbing do nothing for Ivan in the area of satisfaction and happiness. The paper looks at Ivan's death where those closest to him are more concerned with their well being than anything else.

From the Paper
"From the very beginning of the story, we see how Tolstoy uses characters in the story to emphasize materialism and social climbing. For example, after the announcement of Ivan's death, we see different characters going over what the death means to them. We read that those that heard the news "the first thought of each of the gentlemen in that private room the changes and promotions it might occasion among themselves or their acquaintances" (Tolstoy 824). For example, Fedor Vasilievich remembers about a promotion he was promised long ago and thinks, "I shall be sure to get Stabel's place or Vinnikov's" (824)."

Tags:superficiality, materialism, social, climbing, happiness

Abstract
In this essay, the writer deals with the related ethical considerations when human endeavor, combined with the acceptance of the danger and risks involved in the endeavor, turn into a tourist outing. The writer notes that a quest for Everest involves a strong statistical chance of loss of life and discusses whether climbing Mount Everest should be considered a tourist venture. This essay alludes to the problems with too many climbers making the attempt at the same time resulting in over-crowding. The writer believes, as Krakauer does, that there should be a set of guidelines to prevent over crowding on the summit to assure a safe climb and return, or at least as much as is possible. The writer concludes that a fine balance between economic and ethical considerations, a healthy respect for a culture different from Western sensibilities, and a desire to take personal responsibility will ensure that there are fewer tragedies on Mount Everest.

From the Paper
"Better equipment, better organization, experienced guides have made attempts on Everest easier. While in the above 8000 meter altitude, also know as the Death Zone, rescue is almost impossible, with the odds of medical problems exponentially higher, better communication facilities and satellite-based weather services have improved odds of making it up and down the mountain. This has resulted in a sense of complacency among would-be adventurers who often attempt to climb the highest peak in the world with little or no mountaineering skills and even lesser respect for the mountain."

Tags:Everest, climb, summit, responsibility